Famous people who became US citizens

Famous people who became US citizens

Famous people who became US citizens, Part of the appeal of the United States is that there are people here from all over the world. Some residents grew up thousands of miles away in nations with drastically different cultures but later found their ways to America – some pursuing the much sought "American Dream." To celebrate these individuals on Citizenship Day, we've compiled a list of well-known politicians, athletes, entertainers and others who were born outside the U.S. but later gained American citizenship. Read on to find out which countries these stars were born in.

Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright , the first woman to hold this major position in the U.S. government, was not actually born in the U.S. The European-born diplomat has, however, been a U.S. citizen for over 50 years .

Pamela Anderson

Model-actress Pamela Anderson , who hit the rink on the most recent season of this British reality show , was born in a country in close proximity to the U.S. The former "Baywatch" star  became a naturalized citizen in 2004 .

Desi Arnaz

The late Desi Arnaz starred opposite Lucille Ball on this popular 1950s television series. Prior to that, the actor-musician , originally from an island country, gained U.S. citizenship and served in this war.

Mischa Barton

"The O.C." actress Mischa Barton  has had both British and American citizenship from a young age  and, despite moving to the U.S. when she was just 6, has said she often feels more comfortable in her country of birth. The also-stage actress  is set to star in this upcoming thriller.

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Mikhail Baryshnikov , considered one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time , was born in a Northern European country. Dancing took him around the world and in 1974 he defected  and settled in this hockey-loving country before later becoming a U.S. citizen .

Pierce Brosnan

Actor Pierce Brosnan was born in a European country – an island – full of rolling green hills and charming stone fences. The former James Bond  received American citizenship in 2004 in this major U.S. city.  

Nadia Comăneci

Nadia Comăneci  is a five-time Olympic gold medal winner who represented her home country – a European nation – at the 1976 Summer Olympics, when she was 14 and again in 1980. The gymnast defected in the late 1980s and later  became a U.S. citizen.

Albert Einstein

Renowned physicist Albert Einstein  renounced his citizenship to his home country  in 1896 and later became a U.S. citizen. The Nobel Prize recipient also held citizenship to this European nation until his death in 1955.

Patrick Ewing

Former professional basketball player  Patrick Ewing  was born in the capital city of an island in the Caribbean Sea . The 7-foot center became a U.S. citizen while attending this prestigious university.

Diane von Fürstenberg

Renowned fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg  was born in what is considered to be the capital city of the European Union. The creator of her own, self-titled fashion company and this iconic wrap dress became a U.S. citizen in 2002.

Cary Grant

Legendary actor Cary Grant  was born in a city in southwest Britain that was later home to this famous author. The charming leading man became a naturalized U.S. citizen on June 26, 1942 .

Wayne Gretzky

Hockey superstar Wayne Gretzkywas born in one of America’s neighboring countries and played hockey there for years , but he actually holds dual citizenship with the U.S. "The Great One"  became a U.S. citizen after marrying an American actress .

Salma Hayek

"Grown Ups 2" actress Salma Hayek began her acting career in the country – a Spanish-speaking nation – she was born in . The star moved to the U.S. when she was in her mid-20s and later obtained American citizenship.

Alfred Hitchcock

Legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock  got his start in the movie business in his home country – a fish and chips-loving nation across the pond. The director-producer became a U.S. citizen in the 1950s after living in Hollywood for several years.

Bob Hope

Legendary actor Bob Hope  was born in the capital of the United Kingdom around the turn of the century  but moved to the U.S. when he was 4. "The Cat and the Canary" star became a U.S. citizen in 1920 and lived in the U.S. until his death at the age of 100.

Anthony Hopkins

Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins  was born in a small suburban town in a country that this famous leading lady also calls home. The "Thor" actor  became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2000 and did this to celebrate.

Djimon Hounsou

Actor-model Djimon Hounsou  was born in a small West African country. The Academy Award nominee  moved to this European nation when he was a teen and later to the United States, where he became a citizen.

Iman

Well-known supermodel – and wife of this famous musician – Iman was born in the capital of a country in East Africa. The 5-foot-10 beauty moved to the U.S. in the 1970s and later gained citizenship. What made her feel more American?

Peter Jennings

News anchor Peter Jennings , a native of one of our nation's neighboring countries, was a news reporter for ABC for decades  before his death in 2005. The "World News Tonight" host  became a U.S. citizen in 2003.

Henry Kissinger

Former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger  moved to America in the late 1930s from his European home. The future Nobel Peace Prize recipient became a U.S. citizen a few years later after he was drafted into the Army at age 20.

Ivan Lendl

Former professional tennis player Ivan Lendl  moved to the United States in 1981 shortly after he turned pro and wanted to become a citizen as soon as possible . The former world No. 1's request for citizenship was delayed in part due to his home country, but he was finally able to become a citizen in July 1992.

Dave Matthews

Singer Dave Matthews  hails from the last country to host the World Cup  but he lived in the United States as a youngster. He formed his Grammy Award-winning band  in this Southern state in 1991 and they are still popular today.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger  was born in a small village in a German-speaking nation. He moved to the U.S. when he was 21 and obtained citizenship in the early 1980s . He later became the 38th governor of California .

Annika Sörenstam

Annika Sörenstam  is one of the most successful female golfers ever . The 42-year-old, who has represented Europe in eight Solheim Cups , moved to the U.S. to attend college  and later became a U.S. citizen.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron became a U.S. citizen just a few years after she won the Academy Award for Best Actress  in 2003. The talented actress  grew up in an African country with nearly 2,000 miles of ocean coastline but moved to New York  when she was a teen.

Rachel Weisz

Actress Rachel Weisz was born in the land of Buckingham Palace and red double-decker buses. The "Oz the Great and Powerful" star  became a U.S. citizen just a couple of years ago .

Elie Wiesel

Political activist, author and former prisoner at this German concentration camp, Elie Wiesel  was born in a European nation that borders Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria. He moved to New York in the mid-1950s and was offered citizenship after this unfortunate incident.