One of the original thirteen colonies, the state of Rhode Island is the hometown for many celebrities, and a few famous people have even chosen "The Ocean State" as the location for their second home. Famous musicians, actors, directors, and even chefs have called Rhode Island home and have strong ties to the state.
Taylor Swift and Conan O'Brien have both purchased homes in Rhode Island, though neither is from there. Their homes (both located in Westerly) are beautiful estates, and Taylor Swift is known to throw parties at her home there, often inviting her famous friends. Actors like James Woods and Debra Messing grew up in Rhode Island, and Pauly D, star of MTV's Jersey Shore, not only grew up there, but still lives in the smallest U.S. state.
Many famous people went to school in Rhode Island as well, such as Seth MacFarlane and Viola Davis, and one NBA star even played for a Rhode Island college. Click through the list below to find out who, and see which other celebrities have Rhode Island connections.
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Conan O'Brien
Though he grew up in Massachusetts, Conan O'Brien owns a home in Westerly, Rhode Island. In 2014, he nearly lost the property due to a clerical error, which prevented tax paperwork from reaching his accountant. O'Brien paid the back taxes, which amounted to $8,000. The home is worth approximately $723,000.
Debra Messing
At the age of three, Debra Messing's family moved from Brooklyn, New York, to East Greenwich, Rhode Island, where she grew up. She attended East Greenwich High School, performing in musicals such as Grease and Annie. She was also Rhode Island's Junior Miss in 1986.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck
The View cohost Elisabeth Hasselbeck was born and raised in Cranston, Rhode Island, where she attended St. Mary Academy - Bay View.
James Woods
Actor James Woods grew up in Warwick, Rhode Island, and attended Pilgrim High School. He still has a summer home on Boone Lake, in Exeter, Rhode Island. Woods also spoke in favor of the Rhode Island film tax credit in 2010.
Lamar Odom
NBA star Lamar Odom attended the University of Rhode Island, where he played basketball for the Rams before being drafted in 1999 by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Mena Suvari
Actress Mena Suvari was born in Newport, Rhode Island, and was raised in an historical home that was built in 1870.
Meredith Vieira
The Today Show host Meredith Vieira was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and raised in East Providence. Her grandparents came to the Providence area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Vieira went to the Quaker all-girls Lincoln School in Providence and graduated with the class of 1971.
Seth MacFarlane
Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree studying animation.
Taylor Swift
In 2013, pop singer Taylor Swift purchased a $17.75 million mansion in Westerly, Rhode Island, in cash. She threw a 4th of July party there in 2014, and it was attended by many of her celebrity friends.
Pauly D
Paul "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio, a reality star known for his time on MTV's Jersey Shore, was raised in Providence and Johnston, Rhode Island. He got his start working as a local radio DJ. He still has a home in Rhode Island, and his roots there were featured on his own reality show, The Pauly D Project.