Celebrities Who Became U.S. Citizens
As the United States marks its 250th birthday, several celebrities have taken steps to become U.S. citizens. Many of these stars hold dual citizenship, balancing their original nationality with their American identity.
Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey, known for his roles in comedy films, became a dual citizen back in 2004. He expressed gratitude to the United States for shaping his career. Carrey emphasized his commitment to retaining his Canadian roots while embracing his new American ties.
Liam Neeson
Born in Northern Ireland, Liam Neeson became a U.S. citizen following the passing of his wife, Natasha Richardson, in 2009. Neeson, who had lived in the United States for decades, felt the country had been good to him and was proud to take on American citizenship while still cherishing his Irish heritage.
Sofia Vergara
Sofia Vergara, originally from Colombia, gained her U.S. citizenship in 2014. During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” she spoke about the process, highlighting the challenging test which she aced by answering all questions correctly.
Charlize Theron
South African-born Charlize Theron became an American citizen in the early 2000s. On a 2008 appearance with David Letterman, she discussed the arduous journey to citizenship, which required persistent efforts and passing extensive interviews.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger commemorated 35 years of U.S. citizenship in 2018. Originating from Austria, Schwarzenegger arrived in America with dreams and considers obtaining citizenship one of the proudest moments of his life.
Emily Blunt
British actress Emily Blunt became a U.S. citizen in 2015. Sharing her experience on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, she mentioned that her husband, John Krasinski, supported her during the swearing-in ceremony. Camila Alves, wife of actor Matthew McConaughey, was also part of this ceremony.
Camila Alves
Camila Alves, originally from Brazil, celebrated receiving her American citizenship in 2015. On the fifth anniversary, she expressed her pride in being part of the country and thanked those who fought for its values and freedoms.
Pamela Anderson
In 2004, Canadian-born Pamela Anderson became a dual citizen of the United States. She gained citizenship to participate more fully in the political process, such as voting, and to facilitate future family arrangements.
Billy Idol
British rock star Billy Idol obtained his U.S. citizenship in 2018. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services celebrated his naturalization with a post reflecting on his journey.
Ryan Reynolds
Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds became a dual citizen in 2018 and participated in his first U.S. presidential election in 2020. His wife, Blake Lively, helped him through the experience.
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox, originally from Alberta, Canada, became a U.S. citizen in 2000. Known for his roles in “Back to the Future,” his American citizenship marks an important milestone in his life.
Salma Hayek
Mexican actress Salma Hayek became a U.S. citizen in 2013. Previously, she lived in the United States on an expired visa, a brief period during which she was considered an undocumented immigrant.
Pierce Brosnan
Irish actor Pierce Brosnan became a U.S. citizen in 2004, joining the ranks of celebrities who have made America their home.
Daniel Craig
British actor Daniel Craig announced his U.S. citizenship in 2020 while promoting the film “Knives Out.” He shared thoughts on the immigrant experience in America, reflecting the melting pot nature of the country.
This overview highlights a few of the stars who, while maintaining ties to their homeland, sought to become part of the American story.