British Celebrities You Thought Were American

The notion of Hollywood tends to put us in mind of glitz, glamour, and American stars; however, some of the most famous faces in Hollywood are actually from across the pond. Many of these stars are actors, meaning they can put on a convincing American accent, leading many to believe that they are, in fact, American. The following celebs blend right in with the American pop culture, but they were not born and bred in the States.

Idris Elba

You may be surprised to learn that Idris Elba was born in London, on the streets where Martha Tabram, Jack the Ripper, and other historical figures once walked. He’s best known for his roles in The Wire, Luther, and Thor, meaning he has quite the knack for switching between accents. In The Wire, he takes on the role of Stringer Bell, a Baltimore-based drug dealer, and this is the role that has led many to believe that he’s American. 

Christian Bale

The Dark Knight, American Psycho, and The Machinist are just some of the movies in which Christian Bale has effortlessly embodied his characters. His American accent is flawless, which is why he’s so often thought to be from the States. Despite this, Bale was born in Wales and spent a lot of his childhood in England. Since he’s so good at changing his accent, he has become one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood, with many believing him to be American. 

Hugh Laurie

Upon taking on the role of Dr. Gregory House in the medical drama House, Hugh Laurie became a household name not just in America but globally. The role required him to embody a cantankerous yet brilliant American doctor, and his accent was so convincing that many people were surprised to learn that he was English. He was born in Oxford, England, and was well-known for his roles in British television comedies like Blackadder and A Bit of Fry & Laurie before he skyrocketed to success in the US. While he was already famous throughout the UK, it was his American role that made him internationally famous, and this is why so many people think he’s American. 

Henry Cavill

Being the American superhero Superman in the DC Extended Universe, it’s no wonder that so many people believe Henry Cavill isn’t British. He was born on the island of Jersey, which is a British Crown dependency, and he was raised in England. Clark Kent is all about American ideals, and Cavill’s convincing portrayal of him only solidifies this image even further. 

Tom Holland

Tom Holland is Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest Spiderman, and he quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his youthful energy and charm. Like Superman, Spiderman is one of the most iconic American heroes, which is why so many people believe Holland to be American. Despite this, he was born in Kingston upon Thames, but his convincing American accent led fans to believe otherwise. 

Damian Lewis

Damian Lewis is another English actor who has mastered the art of playing American characters. He’s best known for his roles in Band of Brothers and Homeland, and it’s these roles that have led many to believe he’s American. In fact, his portrayals of Major Richard Winters in Band of Brothers and Nicholas Brody in Homeland were so convincing that even his co-stars were surprised to learn he was English. Lewis was born in London and trained at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama before making his mark in Hollywood. 

The celebs discussed above are just some of those who are commonly mistaken to be American. Who did you always think was American?

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