Home USAFrom Arnold Schwarzenegger to Sofia Vergara: stars who became US citizens

From Arnold Schwarzenegger to Sofia Vergara: stars who became US citizens

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From Arnold Schwarzenegger to Sofia Vergara: stars who became US citizens

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As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, a number of stars have become US citizens over the years.

Stars including Jim Carrey, Pamela Anderson and Ryan Reynolds are among the celebrities who have dual citizenship. Back in 2004, Kerry shared a statement crediting the United States for helping shape his career.

“This country helped me define myself and make my dreams come true,” Kerry said at the time, according to Today. “I am not going to give up my Canadian heritage and all those who have loved and supported me.”

Sofia Vergara and Arnold Schwarzenegger

Sofia Vergara and Arnold Schwarzenegger are US citizens. (Getty Images)

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“My upbringing in Canada has made me the person I am. I will always be proud to be Canadian,” he added.

Below is a look at other stars who have received US citizenship.

Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson was born in Northern Ireland. After the death of his wife Natasha Richardson in 2009, the actor explained that the tragedy prompted him to seek American citizenship.

Photo by Natasha Richardson, Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson in 2008. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

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“That’s partly why I recently became an American citizen,” Neeson said on Good Morning America at the time. “I’ve lived here for 20 years, and America has been very, very good to me.”

He added: “Of course I’m still a proud Irishman, but I became an American citizen – I’m very proud of that.”

Sofia Vergara

Sofia Vergara revealed that she became a US citizen in 2014 during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Sofia Vergara at a charity event for women's cancer research

Sofia Vergara is a US citizen. (Stephanie Keenan/Getty Images for Women’s Cancer Research Foundation)

Vergara, who was born in Colombia, told Kimmel at the time that she had taken the citizenship test.

“They make you (jump through hoops) because they have to make sure you deserve to be part of the country. The most interesting thing for me was that they ask you about a hundred questions that you need to learn, and then they give you a quiz, like a test… I answered all the questions perfectly,” Vergara said.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron, who was born in South Africa, has US citizenship, but told David Letterman in 2008 that the process was difficult for her.

Charlize Theron at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles in March 2024.

Charlize Theron became a US citizen in the early 2000s. (Axel/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

“Well, I always wanted to be (a citizen), but they just didn’t want to take me. It’s quite a difficult process, you have to work hard, you know, study,” Theron said at the time. “Then I finally got approved and you have to go and interview. You have to know your stuff.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger

In 2018, Arnold Schwarzenegger commemorated the 35th anniversary of his American citizenship in a post on X.

“35 years ago today I became a citizen of the United States of America. I arrived here almost 50 years ago with empty pockets but full of dreams. I owe it all to America. It was without a doubt one of the proudest days of my life,” Schwarzenegger signed his post at the time.

The former Republican governor of California was born in Austria.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt became a US citizen in 2015. At the time, Blunt was a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and said she was sworn in alongside her husband, John Krasinski, in the crowd. London-born Blunt said Matthew McConaughey’s wife, Camila Alves, was also sworn in at the same ceremony.

John Krasinski and Emily Blunt

John Krasinski and Emily Blunt in 2024. (Alberto Rodriguez/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty Images)

Camila Alves

Alves, who was born in Brazil, officially became a US citizen in 2015.

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On the occasion of her fifth anniversary, Alves took to Instagram to share what the milestone means to her.

“Five years ago, I was grateful to become an American citizen, and every day I am proud to be a part of this country. To the soldiers and workers who fought hard for our rights and freedom, thank you today and every day,” she wrote.

Pamela Anderson

In 2004, Pamela Anderson became a citizen of Canada and America.

Pamela Anderson at a fashion event

Pamela Anderson has dual citizenship. (Getty Images)

According to People, Anderson shared a statement at the time. “I felt it was important to become a U.S. citizen in order to vote in the United States.”

“U.S. citizenship will allow me to petition in the future to bring my children’s grandparents to the United States to care for them when they are older,” she continued. “I have no intention of giving up my Canadian citizenship and I am very proud to be Canadian.”

Billy Idol

Billy Idol, a British rock star, has been a US citizen since 2018.

At the time, the official USCIS X account posted a post on X in honor of Idol.

“This is a good day for the naturalization ceremony. Congratulations to Billy Idol for becoming a #newUSCitizen today in Los Angeles, California,” the account captioned the post.

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds, who was born in Canada, became a dual citizen in 2018. In 2020, he exercised his American rights and voted in a presidential election for the first time.

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“This is my first time voting in America. I would like to thank my wife Blake for making my first time so tender and loving. At first it was very scary, then exciting, and now I’m a little tired. But proud,” he wrote next to a photo with his wife Blake Lively.

Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox was born in Alberta, Canada, and became a U.S. citizen in 2000, according to 12 News.

Michael J. Fox at the 2017 Oscars

Actor Michael J. Fox became a US citizen in 2000. (Fraser Harrison/Getty Images)

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek, who was born in Mexico, became a naturalized US citizen in 2013, according to US Weekly.

Salma Hayek studded with diamonds at the Cannes Film Festival

Earlier, Salma Hayek said that she remained in the United States on an expired visa. (Gisela Schober)

In 2010, Hayek told V Magazine that she remained in America after her visa expired and temporarily became an illegal immigrant. “It was for a short period of time, but I did it anyway,” she said at the time.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan became a US citizen in 2004, 12 News reports.

Pierce Brosnan at the premiere of the film

Pierce Brosnan became a US citizen in 2004. (Photo by Karwai Tan/WireImage)

Daniel Craig

In 2020, Daniel Craig announced that he became a US citizen.

English actor Daniel Craig poses on the red carpet of the Royal Albert Hall in London.

English actor Daniel Craig said that in 2020 he will become a US citizen. (Tolga Akmen/AFP)

At the Knives Out premiere, Craig spoke about his status as a British immigrant in America. “Everyone in this country is an immigrant. I’m an immigrant. I’m American. We are all immigrants,” he said at the time, according to People.

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Janelle Ash is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital, covering Hollywood, celebrity culture and the latest entertainment news through exclusive reporting, interviews and in-depth stories.

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