There are a LOT of famous people who are Kentucky natives, some you’re quite familiar with and some you’re not, and among them are some pretty famous dads. So let’s take a look at 10 of them.
Andy Beshear
The two-term governor and Dawson Springs native has never shied away from photos with his kids, and we usually see Will and Lila (and their mom Britainy, of course) on special occasions like today.
Johnny Depp
The global superstar and Owensboro native has two children who were born in France, where Depp has primarily resided. Lily-Rose Depp, 25, has followed in her father’s footsteps and has already built an impressive and growing resume in television and film.
Chanel Cruise 2024-2025: Photocall
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Meanwhile, 21-year-old Jack Depp largely avoids the spotlight and has no interest in pursuing a career in entertainment, much to the delight of his father.
Chris Stapleton
One of country music’s biggest stars is the Lexington native who shares five children with his wife Morgane Stapleton: Waylon, Ada, twins Macon and Samuel, and a five-year-old boy whose name has not been revealed. Stapleton keeps his children out of the spotlight as much as possible, indicating that he signed up for this; They didn’t.
57th Academy of Country Music Awards – Arrivals
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Robert Kirkman
Kirkman created The Walking Dead, one of the biggest hits in graphic novel history. In fact, he credits his children for stories that take darker turns along the way. As for the groundbreaking series adaptation, it premiered in 2010 and only grew the franchise’s already lucrative profile. Kirkman is a native of Cynthiana KY and his protagonist, Rick Grimes, is a Kentucky sheriff in the books. For the adaptation, the action was moved to Georgia. But this cool mural paying homage to the series is in downtown Cynthiana, where it belongs.
Michael Shannon
She may not be a household name, but Shannon, who was born in Lexington, has two Oscar nominations under her belt, as well as an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Tony nomination. Additionally, she received two Screen Actors Guild Awards from three nominations. Shannon and his wife, actress Kate Arrington, have two children: Marion and Sylvia. By the way, Shannon’s filmography also includes a stint as a powerful big-screen supervillain.
George Clooney
For more than 40 years, this Lexington native has been on SOMETHING We’ve Seen: The Facts of Life; Roseanne; Murder, she wrote; The Golden Girls; TWO different series called ER; and any number of movies. Clooney, also an acclaimed director and producer, has received four Oscar nominations for acting. In 2006, he won the Best Supporting Actor trophy for Syriaa. George and Amal Clooney are parents to 7-year-old twins Ella and Alexander.
Billy Ray Cyrus
If you were around when country music superstar Billy Ray Cyrus, a native of Flatwoods KY, headlined the Everly Brothers’ Homecoming Festival concert in the 1990s (I can’t remember the year), then you also saw a future pop superstar. When she was little, her daughter Miley joined her father on that stage. Little did we know…
Rob Riggle
The actor, comedian and former Marine who hails from Louisville has spent a career making us all laugh: on The Daily Show, Saturday Night Live, Modern Family and in many comedy films. Riggle and his ex-wife Tiffany share two children, Abigail and George.
John Michael Montgomery
Earlier this year, Montgomery, one of country music’s biggest stars of the 1990s, announced his retirement. She’s lighting up the stages of her farewell tour with a TON of huge hits like “Be My Baby Tonight,” “I Swear,” and “Sold.” Montgomery, a Danville native, shares two children with his wife Crystal. And they both seem to have followed in his father’s footsteps, in a way. His daughter Madison works in Nashville and his son Walker has started her own career in country music.
Nick Lachey
Former member of the boy band 98 Degrees, Lachey, a native of Harlan KY, has also hosted several reality shows, game shows and game shows. It’s hard to miss. Lachey and his wife Vanessa have three children: Camden, Brooklyn and Phoenix.
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Happy Father’s Day to all the dads who are all famous to SOMEONE, right?
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