From the Bay to Fame
The Bay Area is filled with a vast and intricate history, which is continually expanding as seconds go by. With rich music and culture flourishing in the heart of San Francisco, to new technological advancements rapidly cultivating in Silicon Valley, the Bay Area is one of the most unique places to visit and learn about. But despite this, many do not know that the Bay is also home to some of the world’s most beloved celebrities. Ranging from The Rock to Winona Ryder, these locals will definitely make you proud to be from the Bay.
- Zendaya
Born and raised in the East Bay, Zendaya attended Oakland School of the Arts and participated in a multitude of theatrical performances within the Bay Area. With her mother, Claire Stoermer, acting as house manager for Orinda, CA’s California Shakespeare Company, Zendaya grew up as a student within the theater and was surrounded by the arts her whole life. Most recently noted as Rue in HBO’s Euphoria, Zendaya’s dancing to the Bay Area classic “Blow the Whistle” by Too $hort is iconic in every sense of the word.
- Winona Ryder
Originally from Winona, Minnesota, Ryder moved to Petaluma, California, located about 37 miles from San Francisco, at the age of 10. At 12, she began her involvement in acting after enrolling in the American Conservatory Theater. While in high school she starred in cult-classic Heathers with Christian Slater in 1988; unlike her character Veronica in Heathers, Ryder graduated from Petaluma High School in 1989 with a 4.0 GPA.
- The Lonely Island: Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone
All born and raised in Berkeley, Samberg, Schaffer, and Taccone have repped the Bay Area since the beginning of their careers. Forming award winning comedy-rap group The Lonely Island in 2001, the three best friends’ debut album Incredibad has a duet with the Bay Area icon E-40 called “Santana DVX”, shouting out famed San Francisco band Santana. Most recently, the comedic-trio debuted “The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience” on Netflix, with Samberg and Schaffer starring as 80s A’s stars Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire.
- The Rock
Born in Hayward, Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson briefly lived in the Bay Area until he moved to New Zealand, where he grew up. Returning to the Bay to film San Andreas in 2014, Johnson didn’t forget to shout out his hometown in a brief Tweet.
