by DC Aries

Created on: July 03, 2010   Last Updated: June 04, 2011

Most people picture celebrities living in lavish homes in Beverly Hills, penthouses in New York City, or mansions on the ocean. However, many celebrities came from much simpler beginnings. The small state of Maine, barely visible on most U.S. maps, is actually the place some of today’s biggest stars used to, and still often do, refer to as their true home. Several actors, musicians, authors and even sports figures  were born in Maine. Maine is not typically thought of as a place of wealth, luxury, or show business, but had they not grown up in Maine, many of these stars and other successes would not be who they are today.

Over the past 7 years, the ABC show, Grey's Anatomy has become one of television's highest-rated shows. Patrick Dempsey plays Derek Shepherd, one of the main characters on the TV show. Dempsey was born in Lewiston, Maine and grew up in Buckfield.  He is often referred to by fans as Dr. McDreamy, due to his good looks. Dempsey has played a big role in helping mold the show into the mega success it is today.

Near Lewiston, is the city of Portland, Maine, where actress Anna Kendrick grew up. Kendrick has been on Broadway, and her fame grew immensely when she played Bella Swan’s best friend in the Twilight series. She then went on to star in “Up in the Air,” with George Clooney. The movie was a major success, and Kendrick was nominated and won many awards for the performance.

Victoria Rowell is another actress who grew up in Portland. Rowell played Drucilla on the soap opera, The Young and the Restless, and was one of the most popular characters in the history of the show. She was on the 90s murder-mystery TV show, Diagnosis Murder with Dick Van Dyke, as well. Rowell has also been a professional dancer since she was a teenager.

In addition to actors and actresses, Maine has also produced a few talented musicians. Howie Day, who is most popular for the hit single, “Collide,” is from Bangor, Maine. Patty Griffin, a folk singer who has worked with the Dixie Chicks and Emmylou Harris, was born in the beach city of Old Town, Maine. Joan Wasser, an indie singer and songwriter who has performed with Sheryl Crowe, and Elton John, was born in Biddeford. Micah Smaldone is a punk musician from Kennebunkport. The late 1970s guitarist, Lenny Breau was from Auburn, Maine. Several great song writers are from the state as well, such as Ellis Paul, from Fort Kent in Northern Maine, and country song-writer, James

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