In "The Childhood Homes of These Famous Celebs," we explore an intimate glimpse into the humble beginnings and early chapters of the lives of some of the world's most beloved celebrities. From the quaint neighborhoods that shaped their formative years to the houses that witnessed the first sparks of their extraordinary talents, join us in revisiting the childhood homes that played a pivotal role in the extraordinary stories of these iconic personalities.
1. Beyoncé
Queen Bee grew up in a 3 bedroomed house in Houston, Texas. The family home was purchased in the early 1980s and Beyonce lived there until she was 5 years old. It was a two storey property, address 2414 Rosedale Street, and although not exactly small, it was quite modest in size.Original content sourced from Femanin.com
Image source: Insider
A Zillow listing had it marked up for sale in 2018 at $500,000 but it had been totally renovated since the ex Destiny star resided there. These days Beyonce has plenty of room in her 30,000 square foot property in Bel-Air, just one of her many homes she shares with Jay-Z and their family.
2. Elvis
Elvis Presley, the original King of Pop, was born in a two room house in Tupelo, Mississippi. His father, Vernon Presley, had borrowed $180 in 1934 so he could buy the materials to build their house. A few years later, the house was sadly repossessed!
Image source: Insider
The family could not keep up with the repayments on their loan. At 13 years of age, the whole family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Fans of Elvis can visit that home, the family's church and the Elvis museum. A ticket costs $20 per person to take a trip down memory lane.
3. Taylor Swift
Taylor swift didn't exactly come from small beginnings. She and her family resided in a 3,560-square-foot house in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. They were very happy there but in order for the songstress to follow her dreams in pursuing a music career, they all upped sticks.
Image source: The Real Deal
The family all relocated to Nashville, to 78 Grandview Boulevard. This property was even larger than their last house, with five bedrooms as well as three bathrooms and a butler's pantry. It sold most recently for $800,000 as was advised by Realtor.
4. Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton has made no secret that she came from a humble background. In fact, the truth is that she grew up in nothing more than a two room log cabin in Sevierville, Tennessee and that had to house her parents and 11 siblings! The cabin was void of electricity or running water.
Image source: Yahoo News
Dolly remembers it very fondly and she even penned "My Tennessee Mountain Home" to explain why she loved it. The Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee contains a replica of her childhood home. It's filled with original ornaments from the cabin.
5. Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio admitted to the Los Angeles Times that he grew up "very poor" in Los Angeles, California. His early years were spent in a seedy area, at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Western Avenue. He told the newspaper that he witnessed crime, drug use and prostitution.
Image source: NZ Herald
When DiCaprio was interviewed by CBS Sunday morning, he said, "It was a pretty hardcore neighborhood and I think that gave me a lot of motivation to be successful, really, and try to do something else." Well, he certainly managed to become successful.
6. Paul McCartney
It's hard to believe that iconic Beatles songs such as "When I'm 64" and "I Saw Her Standing There" were written in Paul McCartney's very modest home in Liverpool, England. McCartney, who was born in 1982, lived in the two storey house from 1955 up until 1963.
Image source: Liverpool Echo
If any Beatles fans are over in the U.K., then they can see the interior of Paul's early home where he grew up, by booking through the National Trust. This is a British charity that ensures they can preserve historic places of interest. It's a total of $38 for the tour.
7. John Lennon
One of the greatest songwriters of all time has to be Lennon and McCartney of the Beatles. The songs still hold out to this day, testament to the two of them. The late John Lennon was assassinated in 1980 when he was only 40 years of age, Lennon learned to play the guitar at 251 Menlove Avenue, Liverpool.
Image source: Wikipedia
The house was known as "Mendips", after Mendip Hills in Somerset, South East of the UK and John moved there at 5 years old, living with his aunt and uncle when his parents divorced. He stayed there until 1963 until he moved out on his own to pursue his career.
8. George Harrison
George Harrison, part of the first biggest "boyband" in the 1960s, the Beatles, was born at 12 Arnold Grove in Wavertree, Liverpool, England in 1943 where he grew up with his parents and three siblings. It was a small terraced house (or row houses as we know them).
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
George lived there until he was just 4 years old. The property was so basic that the bathroom was outside and the only heat was produced from a coal fire. The family then moved to a council house (public housing) in 1949 at 25 Upton Green, Speke, Liverpool.
9. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnie was brought up in an apartment in Thal, Austria and there was little in the way of home comforts, that's for sure. There wasn't even electricity and there was no running water while he grew up here. It was so basic that the toilet consisted literally of a pit in the floor.
Image source: Travelour
Schwarzenegger lived in this apartment from 1947, when he was born, up to 1966. This means he put up with the lack of amenities for 19 years. It's now a museum, showing his childhood bed and also memorabilia from Hollywood. You can also see the motorbike that he rode in the "Terminator."
10. Ben Affleck
Gorgeous Ben Affleck grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts and only two blocks away from Matt Damon. Damon and Affleck were best friends throughout their childhood and even attended the same high school. Both their mothers were involved in child development.
Image source: Insider
In fact, the actors say they were almost forced to be close friends. They say this "tongue in cheek" as they are still very close and have co-written movies together, most recently The Last Duel in 2021 which is a historical action drama, written with Nicole Holofcener.
11. Madonna
Madonna (Ciccone) lived with her parents and five siblings in this house in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It was located at 2036 Oklahoma Avenue and was a four bedroom, two bathroom property. Madonna moved out when she was 18 years old when she enrolled at the University of Michigan.
Image source: CNN
Her time there was short very lived as she dropped out after one term so she could pursue a career in dance in New York City. The rest, as the say, is history! Her stepmom and dad moved out of this house in 2001 when it was sold for a mere $270,000.
12. Judy Garland
Born Frances Ethel Gumm in 1922, Judy Garland (one of Hollywood's brightest stars) was the youngest of three daughters. Garland spent her first 4 years in a 19th century white clapboard house which was close to the center of Grand Rapids in Minnesota.
Image source: Atlas Obscura
13. Jimmy Fallon
Talented Jimmy Fallon is a local boy at heart! The successful late night chat show host lived with his parents in a modest two storey house in suburban Saugerties, New York. This is a far cry from his enormous Manhattan apartment he and his wife later designed.
Image source: Insider
Beyond the city lights, Fallon has found solace in a farmhouse located in Sagaponack. This retreat serves as a countryside escape, allowing the Fallon family to unwind and enjoy the serenity of Sagaponack's rural landscape, enjoying a diverse range of residences.
14. The Jackson 5
The Jackson Five were raised at 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana. Their home was a small white house which was in Gary, Indiana, about 30 miles outside Chicago. Michael Jackson and his brothers and sister, Janet, were kept in check by their very strict father!
Image source: Insider
Growing up under the watchful eye of their strict father, the Jackson siblings navigated the challenges of their home environment on Jackson Street. While their father's stern approach shaped their discipline and work ethic, it was not necessarily an easy or idyllic childhood.
15. Jennifer Lopez
Stunning Jennifer Lopez, J.Lo or Mrs Affleck - the girl did good after growing up in the Bronx, New York, at 2210 Blackrock Avenue. It was a two storey property where Lopez shared a room with her two sisters, so it was a tight squeeze! At 18, she moved out and years later retraced her roots by writing the hit "Jenny From The Block."
Image source: Insider
he song not only became a chart-topping success but also served as a heartfelt reflection on her journey from the Bronx to global stardom. In "Jenny From The Block," Lopez candidly expressed her commitment to staying true to herself despite the glitz and glamour of fame.
16. Gwyneth Paltrow
Some stars come from humble beginnings but Gwyneth Paltrow's parents were already famous before she was and their home reflecting this. Paltrow her family lived in a 7,205 square foot Upper East Side townhouse, just off Central Park. They stayed at 9 East 92nd Street for 8 years.
Image source: Forbes
In a testament to the exclusivity of the property, it was listed for sale a couple of years ago with an exceptionally high price tag of $15.5 million. This valuation underlined not only the intrinsic value of the residence but also its historical significance as a part of Gwyneth Paltrow's early life.
17. Kanye West
To promote the release of his album "Donda" in 2021, Kanye deleted his Instagram posts and shared an image of the 1,600 square foot South Shore property. 7815 S. South Shore Drive, where he grew up with his mom. It was built in 1905 and had three bedrooms and one bathroom.
Image source: New York Post
By sharing this image with the world, Kanye West not only provided a poignant glimpse into his personal history but also paid tribute to the place where the seeds of his artistic vision were sown. The South Shore property stands as a symbol of resilience.
18. Eminem (Marshall Mathers)
Rapper Eminem used an old snap of his childhood home, 19946 Dresden St, Detroit, MI, to grace the the cover of his inspired album Marshall Mathers LP 2. When that home was demolished, Mathers kept some of the bricks and auctioned them off to sell.
Image source: Today
The stark contrast between the one-bathroom home on Dresden Street and the colossal mansion Eminem later acquired in Rochester Hills highlights the dramatic transformation in his life. The mansion, boasts 15,129 square feet and is situated on 5.7 acres of land.
19. Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie's childhood home was a wood and stone clad cabin, tucked in by a forest, 30 minutes upstate of Manhattan. Jolie, her brother James Haven and mother, Marcheline Bertrand, lived at the Whitney House in the '80s, after her parents' divorce.
Image source: Yahoo News UK
Her dad is Jon Voight, divorced. It was called the Whitney House as it was originally built in the '50s for the founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art. The Whitney House stands as a reminder of Jolie's early life, offering a glimpse into her upbringing.
20. Britney Spears
Long before the headlines of her conservatorship and a career totally bombarded by paparazzi, Britney Spears was a Southern girl living in a ranch home in Louisiana. It had three bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, wood panelling, green striped wallpaper and a wood burning fireplace.
Image source: Dirt
Britney's childhood home in Louisiana, though renovated and modernized since her time there, still retains the essence of the place where the pop icon spent her formative years. Despite the changes made to the property, the spirit of the home remains.
21. Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne was one of six kids and he spent much of his childhood in a two bedroomed row house on Lodge Road, Aston, Birmingham, England. When Ozzy was interviewed by Huffington Post some years ago, he said he couldn't believe that 8 people had to squeeze into that house!
Image source: Birmingham Live
Reflecting on his journey from those humble beginnings to his current extravagant lifestyle, Ozzy humorously noted that his walk-in wardrobe today is larger than his entire childhood home. One thing that Ozzy has held onto is his distinctive Birmingham accent.
22. Miley Cyrus
It's hard to believe Miley Cyrus was the sweet girl portraying Hannah Montana! When Miley was 14 and starring in the Disney sitcom, she moved to Toluca Lake in Los Angeles, from Tennessee. She lived there with her parents Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus.
Image source: LoveProperty
Their new house was a six bedroom newly built Tuscan home and Miley lived there until she was 18. She later returned with her ex fiance Liam Hemsworth. Miley's journey from the girl-next-door in Tennessee to the star living in a Tuscan-style mansion in Toluca Lake symbolizes her evolution.
23. Michael Jordan
A lot has changed for Michael Jordan since he played basketball with his brother on his driveway at their home at 4647 Gordon Road, Wilmington, North Carolina. Jordan moved there when he was 5 just years old, right up to when he finished high school.
Image source: History
Even though Michael Jordan was most at home on the basketball court, he also loved the forests surrounding his childhood home. While much has changed for Michael Jordan since those early days, the Gordon Road home remains a symbol of the roots from which his journey began.
24. Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain, the late Nirvana frontman and music legend, was a typical teenager who loved to play his guitar in his bedroom at his childhood home in Aberdeen, Washington. The 1,500 square foot home still appears as it did when Cobain lived there up to the late 1980s.
Image source: Billboard
The current owner said it was his wish to make the home a tribute to Kurt and it still has the 1970s decor. The 1970s decor remains intact, offering fans and admirers a glimpse into the environment that shaped the early years of the legendary musician.
25. Rihanna
Rihanna lived in this one way street, just on the outskirts of Bridgetown with its two lines of colorful houses across Spring Garden Highway. Her humble home was the bright green and yellow one and it gets packed with fans wanting to view it for themselves.
Image source: Carib Graphic
Reflecting the pride of the Barbadian community in one of their most famous exports, the street itself has undergone a transformation. Westbury New Road, where Rihanna used to ride her bike, is now aptly renamed Rihanna Drive—a fitting tribute to the island's beloved daughter.
26. Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande grew up in Florida, in an opulent house with five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It was set in 7,600 square feet of space, so it wasn't small! There was also a huge swimming pool. Singer Ariana wanted something bigger so invested in a new Hollywood home .
Image source: Pinterest
However, as Ariana's career soared to new heights, her aspirations for grandeur prompted her to seek an even more impressive abode. The move to Hollywood marked a significant step, as the singer invested in a new home that surpassed the opulence of her Florida residence.
27. Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding now has a very swish family home which is five stories high. It has five bedrooms, two lounges, state of the art kitchen and luxurious cinema room. This is a far cry from her childhood home where she grew up. There were only 750 inhabitants in this council estate in Lyonshall.
Image source: The Sun
Her family faced economic challenges, reportedly experiencing financial hardship. The journey from a humble beginning to the pinnacle of the music industry highlights Ellie Goulding's resilience and determination to create a life of success and comfort.
28. Freddie Mercury
Long before Freddie Mercury became the showman with his glitzy costumes and lead singer with Queen, he lived in a semi-detached house in Hounslow, near Heathrow Airport in England. Born Farrokh Bulsara, the family moved from Zanzibar to the Gladstone Avenue property in 1964.
Image source: MyLondon
Freddie was now 17 at this point in his life. It was within the walls of this unassuming home that Freddie Mercury honed his musical craft, spending countless hours practicing on his guitar and perfecting his vocal talents in the privacy of his bedroom.
29. Joe Elliott (Def Leppard)
Rock band, Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott was born at 61 Crookes Road in Sheffield, England. Even now, he has happy memories of his childhood and when he was playing Sheffield as part of the band's stadium tour, Joe visited the property where he had lived.
Image source: Pinterest
He recorded the visit and wrote, "The house I was born in, grew up in, met Sav & Tony Kenning for the very time in that upstairs room you can see above me …. Sigh …. Memories!!" It serves as a testament to the power of humble beginnings in shaping the trajectory of rock legends.
30. Little Richard
The late, great rock and roll pioneer who passed away in 2020, Little Richard was brought up with his 11 siblings in a detached home in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood, Macon, Georgia in the 1930s and 1940s. The home is now open to the public and fans go there in their droves.
Image source: Georgia Public Broadcasting
In a fitting tribute to Little Richard's enduring impact, the home has been transformed into The Little Richard Resource Center. Welcoming fans and the community alike, the center not only preserves the memory of the iconic artist but also hosts community events.
31. Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart is very much known for being the go-to when it comes to beautiful home advice and smart living hacks - but was that always the case for her and her properties? When she was younger, Martha had a rather humble colonial-style childhood home, located in New Jersey.
image source: loveproperty.com
While the residence boasted a generous size, the interior reflected a more standard and modest setting. Martha's journey from this unassuming home to becoming a lifestyle and home decor icon adds a layer of relatability to her remarkable success story.
32. Kevin Bacon
When he was younger, and a while before he became a big hit in movies (not to mention his breakout role in Footloose), Kevin Bacon actually hailed from a townhouse in Pennsylvania, USA. The red-bricked home was spread over four floors which is impressive!
image source: loveproperty.com
The red-bricked home served as the backdrop to the early life of the talented actor. Notably, the Bacon family's appreciation for real estate was influenced by Kevin's father, who worked as a city planner, bringing a strategic approach to the significance of property.
33. James Taylor
Singer-songwriter James Taylor grew up in a home that was designed extremely modern, with huge glass windows, open rooms and a property that went on to be worth millions when it came time to sell. The property, based in North Carolina, was where he moved to when he was only five years old.
image source: loveproperty.com
Moving to this residence at the tender age of five, Taylor's family witnessed the transformation of an empty plot into a custom-built home, marking the beginning of a chapter filled with musical inspiration and the enduring spirit of a uniquely designed childhood haven.
34. Hayden Panettiere
Located in Palisades, Rockland County, actress Hayden's childhood home was one full of charm. When she was growing up and living here, Hayden spent a lot of time being privately home-schooled in the house while she also worked towards an acting career.
image source: loveproperty.com
The property boasts distinctive features, including wooden fireplaces, a gabled roof, and the allure of mosaic tiling in the kitchen. The enchanting quirks of Hayden's childhood home contribute to the narrative of a young actress shaping her dreams amidst the comfort of her family abode.
35. Harrison Ford
Before he became a big name in Hollywood, actor Harrison Ford was living in this Tudor-style home based in Chicago, Illinois. The beautiful home even had another famous person as a neighbor: Hillary Clinton! The house worked a vintage style throughout.
image source: loveproperty.com
The vintage charm of the house, featuring a mint-green-colored kitchen, reflects a bygone era, creating a nostalgic ambiance that stands in contrast to contemporary design preferences. This residence was Ford's pre-fame haven that also holds a piece of history.
36. Marlon Brando
Another big name in Hollywood who had humble beginnings in terms of property, actor Marlon Brando grew up in this modest house located in Omaha, Nebraska. He was actually born here in 1924, with the interior of the home remaining simple and classic.
image source: loveproperty.com
While the property may have boasted five bedrooms, suggesting a touch of spaciousness, its interior remained simple and classic. The home, graced by original French doors, serves as a testament to the iconic actor's early life and offers a glimpse into his modest roots.
37. Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen grew up in this very humble property compared to the mansions he's probably used to nowadays, located in Freehold, New Jersey! The home came with a light blue clapboard exterior, where Bruce lived from the age of 6 until he was 19.
image source: loveproperty.com
It was within the walls of this unassuming house that the young musician found inspiration, fueled by the electrifying performances of Elvis Presley that he witnessed on television. Despite his global success and fame, this humble abode remains a crucial part of Springsteen's early life/
38. Renee Zellweger
While many people know Renee best for her role as Bridget Jones in London, England, Renee herself actually grew up a long way away from that - in this property in Katy, Texas. The home that the actress grew up in actually had half an acre of land, and around 2,800 square feet.
image source: loveproperty.com
The generous space in her childhood home contrasts with the bustling streets of London where her most iconic character, Bridget Jones, navigates life and love. Although the house has undergone renovations and updates since Zellweger's time, it stands as a testament to the actress's Texan roots.
39. Tom Cruise
This home in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, is where actor Tom Cruise grew up, though he was actually born in Syracuse, New York, named 'Thomas C. Mapother IV'! He lived in multiple cities during his childhood, but it was this home in New Jersey that he settled in with his mom and her husband.
image source: insider.com
It was in the home in Glen Ridge that he found a sense of stability during his formative years. This New Jersey residence stands as a chapter in Cruise's journey before he eventually moved to New York at the age of 18, paving the way for his remarkable career.
40. Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez was born in Grand Prairie in Texas, and she grew up in a very average suburban home that only had one floor - a far cry from the mansion she has now! She didn't have to wait very long for success, as she had her breakout TV role at just 10 years old.
image source: boredpanda.com
Despite her humble beginnings, Gomez's career took off early, with her breakout role on "Barney & Friends" at the age of 10. Her Texas residence, characterized by a white interior and featuring a garage, offers a glimpse into the beginnings of a pop sensation!
41. Chris Pratt
Actor Chris Pratt may not have been born or lived in a van when he was just a baby, but he very much grew up with the van life while he was waiting for his big Hollywood break! Like most actors who struggle at first, Pratt was actually living out of his van when he moved to Hawaii.
image source: boredpanda.com
Pratt, initially residing with his family in Washington State, made the bold move to Hawaii, where he lived out of a van while working as a waiter. This period of nomadic living marked a transitional phase for Pratt before he eventually found success in Hollywood.
42. Lebron James
One of the most famous names - and faces - in basketball, Lebron James had more humble home beginnings compared to his mansion these days. He had a difficult childhood, never really having a permanent place to call home from the age of three to the age of seven.
image source: boredpanda.com
James experienced a lack of permanence in his living situation, reflecting the hardships he faced during that period. Despite these challenges, James's journey eventually led him to become one of the greatest basketball players in history, with a legacy extending beyond the court.
43. John Travolta
John Travolta grew up in Englewood, New Jersey - a home that had 2 main floors plus the attic space. He lived with his whole family of 8, which must have made a tight squeeze! Travolta was the youngest of the children during the time spent in this childhood home.
image source: boredpanda.com
The house, which spanned two main floors and included attic space, accommodated Travolta and his large family of eight. As the youngest among his siblings, Travolta's early experiences in this home shaped his journey before he eventually found success in the entertainment industry.
44. Zac Efron
Zac Efron was already well-placed for an acting career, because he was born in California. The actor was born in San Luis Obispo but later moved to Arroyo Grande, where he was raised. His childhood home definitely isn't something to turn your nose up!
image source: boredpanda.com
Actor Zac Efron, born in San Luis Obispo, California, spent his formative years in Arroyo Grande. Raised in a well-kept California suburban home, Efron's childhood residence was the backdrop for his early years before he ventured into a successful acting career.
45. Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett became a famous actress known for her role in Charlie's Angels, but before that, she lived in this humble home in Corpus Christi in Texas. The home had 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms - which is actually more than most of us had in our childhood!
image source: forbes.com
Fawcett's childhood home provided more space than many experience during their formative years. Recently updated to showcase a more modern aesthetic, the residence holds a piece of Fawcett's early life before she became a celebrated figure in the entertainment industry.
46. Kate Hudson
Being born to parents who are already famous naturally means your childhood home is going to be a little more glam! Such was the case with actress Kate Hudson. Not only did she grow up in this stunning home in Los Angeles, California, but she then went on to buy the house in her adulthood!
image source: forbes.com
The house, brimming with Hollywood charm, remains a part of Hudson's journey, while her mother, Goldie Hawn, and stepfather, Kurt Russell, continue to reside where they originally had lived, creating a sense of continuity and familial connection with everyone super close by!
47. Mitt Romney
This home in Detroit, Michigan, was once the home to a young Mitt Romney, United States senator - looking a little different to the White House! He actually lived in this home during the first five years of his life, based in the Detroit Palmer Woods neighborhood.
image source: forbes.com
The home, where Romney spent the first five years of his life, served as a backdrop to his formative years. However, the house no longer stands, having been bulldozed in recent years, yet it remains a piece of history connected to the notable political figure's early life.
48. Bonus: how about these celebrity homes to rent? Franco Zeffirelli
If you fancy taking a vacation in style and renting a celebrity home for your next break, here are some of the big names who not only made it big since their humble childhood homes, but also did enough to have a magnificent home spare to rent out, too!
image source: forbes.com
One such opulent villa on the Amalfi Coast in Italy belongs to the acclaimed film director Franco Zeffirelli. This stunning property offers a taste of the glamorous lifestyle that Zeffirelli himself enjoyed, allowing renters to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Amalfi Coast.
49. Coco Chanel
If villas aren't your style and you'd rather rent out a hotel room, how about this hotel home of Coco Chanel? After staying at the Ritz Paris for a glam break back in the 1930s, Coco then decided to carry on living there - for 34 years! It's easy to see why she'd want to stay in this suite, though.
image source: forbes.com
During her prolonged residence, she left an indelible mark on the suite, infusing it with her unique sense of style through curated decor changes. Now, this legendary hotel suite provides guests with a chance to experience the timeless elegance that Coco Chanel brought to her home.
50. Julia Child
Famous American cook Julia Child once had this beautiful home in France as her chosen vay-cay retreat - so why can't you? You can rent it out for your next holiday and walk where Julia and her husband strolled! The cottage gives a classic, homely feel and it's covered in ivy!
image source: forbes.com
The charming cottage, adorned with ivy, exudes a classic and homely atmosphere. Surrounded by ample garden space and conveniently located near the beach, it offers a delightful escape reminiscent of the culinary icon's own leisurely strolls in the area.