Pop quiz: how many Oscar-winning actors and actresses were born in Michigan?
Three.
That’s according to a new study by Wanderu, the bus and train company, which mapped out the states and countries that have given birth to Academy Award winning actors and actresses.
Did you know J.K. Simmons was born in Grosse Pointe? He is the last person from Michigan to win an Oscar for best acting. He won in 2014 for best supporting actor in Whiplash.
Wanderu analyzed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences database and looked at the birthplace of every winner in the four primary acting categories, best actor and actress and best supporting actor and actress, since the beginning of the award ceremony in 1929.
Michigan only lays claim to three winners, compared to 48 in New York and 29 in California.
Ellen Burstyn, best actress winner in 1974 for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, was born and raised in Detroit. In fact, she’s a Detroit Cass Tech High School graduate.
In 1951, Kim Hunter, who was born in Detroit, won an Oscar for best actress for her role as Stella in a Streetcar Named Desire.
None of the nominees this year are from Michigan. For full Oscars Sunday night coverage, stay with WXYZ online and on-air.
