Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were from Nevada
Just outside Las Vegas, about a 20-minute drive from the Strip, lies the Neon Museum, a glowing tribute to the city’s vintage signage and its colorful past. While most visitors come for the iconic neon signs, this is also the hometown arena for the early years of actor and musician Brandon Flowers, the frontman of The Killers. Flowers grew up in the Las Vegas area, and the museum’s vibrant energy mirrors the neon-soaked backdrop that influenced his artistic rise. Exploring the museum’s “Neon Boneyard” after dusk reveals a kaleidoscope of mid-century Americana, illuminating the creative spark born in this desert city.
Heading northward, roughly an hour from Reno, the charming town of Carson City offers a gateway to deeper Nevada history at the Nevada State Museum. This museum’s exhibits chart the rise of Nevada’s mining boom and its cultural shifts, which shaped many native talents. Among them is the celebrated actress and singer Ginger Rogers, born nearby and known for her graceful dance partnerships with Fred Astaire. A visit to the museum’s “Silver State Stories” exhibit unpacks the rugged mining heritage that framed Rogers’ early environment. The museum’s central location in Carson City makes it easy to combine a cultural day trip with a stroll through the historic district full of preserved 19th-century architecture, best enjoyed in the crisp air of spring or fall.
Further east, near the Utah border and about 4 hours from Las Vegas, Ely’s historic railroad district recalls the early 20th-century boom that produced unexpected stars. Ely is where the actor and filmmaker Tom Welling, known for his role in the TV series “Smallville,” spent part of his youth. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum offers a hands-on experience, where visitors can board restored steam locomotives and explore the industrial legacy that powered the town’s growth. The museum’s living history feel, combined with the stark beauty of the Great Basin Desert, makes for a compelling backdrop to Welling’s humble beginnings. Autumn colors bring a warm glow to the old railcars and surrounding landscapes, making fall a perfect time to visit.
Venturing west from Las Vegas, about a 40-minute drive to the tranquil Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, one can enjoy the stunning 13-mile Scenic Drive alongside towering sandstone formations. This rugged terrain is tied to the early life of singer-songwriter Jewel Kilcher, who spent formative years in Nevada’s varied natural surroundings before moving on to folk stardom. Hiking the popular Calico Tanks Trail, a moderate 2.2-mile round trip that ends at a natural water pocket with sweeping views of Las Vegas Valley, gives visitors a sense of the wilderness that inspired Kilcher’s acoustic melodies. Early mornings in spring or late fall offer cool temperatures and quieter trails, perfect for reflection and connection to nature.
Near Lake Tahoe, about 35 miles southwest of Reno, sits Incline Village, a picturesque mountain community that has nurtured winter sports icons as well as actors. This area is connected to the career of actor and director Matthew Gray Gubler, known for his long-running role on the crime procedural “Criminal Minds.” The nearby Diamond Peak Ski Resort features well-groomed runs and breathtaking panoramic views of the lake, a playground where local talent sharpened their skills amid snowy peaks. Visitors can enjoy skiing or snowboarding in winter or hiking in summer on trails like the moderately difficult Shirley Canyon Trail, which offers a quiet escape in a pristine alpine setting, best experienced in the shoulder seasons to avoid the heavy crowds.
In the southeastern part of the state, the historic mining town of Pioche, about 2.5 hours north of Las Vegas, holds a unique place in Nevada’s rugged lore. This is the birthplace of famed boxer and actor Jack Dempsey, whose tough persona was shaped by the frontier spirit of this rough-and-tumble community. Visitors can explore the Pioche Historic District, where wooden sidewalks and old saloons stand as relics of its silver mining heyday. The Pioche Mining Museum provides immersive insight into the conditions that forged local character, featuring artifacts and stories from the mining era. Summer evenings here show off starry skies unmatched by city lights, a perfect setting to imagine the youthful grit that built Dempsey’s enduring legacy.
Finally, a short drive from the cultural hub of Reno, the University of Nevada, Reno campus has been a nurturing ground for several notable figures, including the jazz musician and composer Dave Brubeck. The university’s E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center and surrounding arts facilities offer a backdrop for the creative experimentation that defined Brubeck’s career. Exploring downtown Reno’s lively arts district, with its galleries and live music venues, visitors can immerse themselves in a city that continues to support vibrant musical innovation. The spring and summer months bring outdoor concerts and festivals that echo the dynamic spirit of Brubeck’s work, inviting travelers to experience Nevada’s surprising depth beyond the desert landscapes.