12 Legendary Celebrities Who Don’t Call Hollywood Home

Dave Chappelle | Yellow Springs, Ohio

Although Hollywood is the career hub for some A-list celebrities, it’s also paparazzi central. It isn’t difficult to imagine that the constant parade of photographers (and even fans) can get a little tiring. Who would live under the pressure to look your best during a late-night snack run? Not surprisingly, some of Hollywood’s most famous folks opt to live out of the limelight and in places where they do errands in sweats without running into a TMZ or Enquirer reporter. Read on to find out where these celebs spend their off time…

Famous comedian and actor Dave Chappelle has been known to attend a Yellow Springs town hall meeting. His film career launched over 25 years ago with his debut role in Robin Hood. It’s no surprise he headed back to his family’s roots – his father used to be a professor in Yellow Springs at the local college.

Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban | Leipers Fork, Tennessee

The successful Australian couple decided to head far away from the crowds to Leipers Fork, which is nearby the country-hub city of Nashville, Tennessee. As holders of Academy Awards and Grammys, respectively, they’re certainly out of the limelight in this tiny, 650-person town.

Jon Bon Jovi | Middletown, New Jersey

New Jersey isn’t new to Bon Jovi – he’s lived in the Garden State with his family since 1999. He enjoyed some time away while establishing his career, but the release of “Living on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” skyrocketed his fame and sent him east.

Taylor Swift | Nashville, Tennessee

Although Swift owns multiple properties, including a seaside mansion in Rhode Island, her primary home is an estate in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s no surprise she spends her time in this musical hotspot. As an aspiring country singer, Swift and her family moved just outside of Nashville to help launch her career.

Usher | Atlanta, Georgia

Singer, songwriter, actor, and dancer Usher was born in Dallas, Texas, but raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His family moved to Atlanta, Georgia while he was in high school to help Usher get discovered. He and his family still live in the southern city today.

Eminem | Detroit, Michigan

An American rapper, songwriter, record producer, record executive, and actor, Eminem is one of the most successful musical artists of the 21st century. His records have gained fans and acclaim for over 20 years, leading him to reside in Detroit and out of the public eye.

Sandra Bullock | New Orleans, Louisiana

Although she owns properties in multiple locations throughout the U.S., including California and Wyoming, Bullock’s primary residence is a Victorian mansion. This highly-paid actress resides in New Orleans, where she adopted her two children. Bullock has also donated money in support of rebuilding the city high school after Hurricane Katrina.

T.I. | Atlanta, Georgia

Rapper, actor, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, record executive, and author T.I. has an impressive resume. Even more impressive is the fact that, despite his fame, he’s lived in only one location his entire life: Atlanta, Georgia.

Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds | Bedford, New York

The Hollywood A-list couple raise their three children in the state of New York. Lively grew up in Burbank, California, and Reynolds in Vancouver, BC – they needed a change of pace and moved to an upscale neighborhood in Bedford, which boasts less than 20,000 residents.

Elijah Wood | Austin, Texas

Elijah Wood is an American actor, voice actor, film producer, and DJ. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy and in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. He decided to ditch the Shire after his rise to fame and moved instead to Austin.

Meryl Streep | Salisbury, Connecticut

Nominated for a record 21 Academy Awards and winner of three, Streep grew up in New Jersey. She attended Yale Drama School, earning her MFA in the 70s, and has lived in Connecticut with her family and children for most of her life.

Bill Murray | Charleston, South Carolina

Though he’s a Chicago Native, Murray maintains homes in multiple cities, including Los Angeles, Martha’s Vineyard, and Palisades – but he usually resides in Charleston. Always the jokester, Murray has been spotted around town attending fans’ birthday parties and crashing engagement photo shoots.