by Shane Dayton

Created on: July 29, 2008   Last Updated: July 19, 2010

There are many famous Hawaiians, and the surprise might come along with how many famous actors were either born in Hawaii, raised in Hawaii, or lived and got their break in Hawaii. There are many famous individuals from the only island state in the United States, but for movie fame the list cuts down.

There are a few criteria that are hard to settle on for this list. Should an actor count if he/she moved to Hawaii for years after being established? Does the person have to be born there? For that matter, what is famous? An actor like Daryl Bonilla might be recognized by sight in Hawaii, but be virtually a complete unknown in other parts of the country.

So here's a list of some of the most famous people from Hawaii, specifically some of the most famous actors and actresses.

Tia Carrere, actress. Tia Carrere was born as Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo in Honolulu, Hawaii, making her a true Hawaiian girl. Although maybe best known now for her role as Cassandra, Mike Meyer's love interest in the "Wayne's World" movies, she spent three years with a major role in the soap opera "General Hospital," and was most recently lauded for her role in the three year TV hit "Relic Hunter." She is a lovely actress, and often appears on magazine lists of most beautiful people.

Harold Sakata is mostly famous for one role, but he actually made himself quite a career as both an actor and a professional wrestler. Born and raised in Hawaii, Sakata is best known as one of the most famous Bond villains of all time: Oddjob. Although this might be his main claim to fame, Sakata starred in several other TV shows, commercials, and some movies, as well. He had a distinguished wrestling career, as well, and definitely put together a quality career.

Don Stroud is a name that many people will recognize. Don Stroud is a world renowned actor who was born in Honolulu in 1943. Don has appeared in hundreds of renowned TV shows as a guest, from "Renegade" and "Walker, Texas Ranger" to "Quantum Leap" and "MacGyver," among many others. Stroud co-starred with Clint Eastwood in two films: "Coogan's Bluff" and "Joe Kidd." This made him famous internationally, and he starred in four different TV shows, including Mickey Spillane's "Mike Hammer." In 1989 he had fun playing a Bond villain in "License to Kill."

Raymond Bailey is another actor who could be considered for this list. He wasn't born in Hawaii, but moved there and actually worked on a pineapple plantation as a young adult, getting his feet on solid ground in local acting troupes before landing the role he'd be remembered for: as banker Mr. Drysdale on the TV show "The Beverly Hillbillies."

Those are just a few of the famous actors and actresses who were born or come from Hawaii. The full list is much larger and if the past is any indication, there are a lot of young actors and actresses from this island state who have a bright future.

Learn more about this author, Shane Dayton.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.