Famous People Who Have Called New Mexico Home
Did you know there are actually a lot of famous people associated with New Mexico?
As someone who was born and raised in the Land of Enchantment, I would have never thought so many famous people could either be from here or have lived here for many years.
Some people were drawn in by the mountains, have a love for our arts and culture, or simply visited for a job and ended up falling in love. Hollywood actors, musicians, authors, fashion designers, and more have made New Mexico a place to call home.
Here are a few of the people you might be surprised to learn have a connection to New Mexico.
1.) Demi Lovato
Although this fact may be a little more well-known, Demi Lovato was born in Albuquerque in 1992. If you grew up watching Disney Channel or listening to pop music in the 2000s and 2010s, you probably know who she is.
Her mother, Dianna De La Garza, was a singer herself and a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Demi became a famous singer, songwriter, and actress, but Albuquerque is where her story began.
2.) Tom Ford
Tom Ford's connection to New Mexico is a little different. He grew up here and has continued to have a major presence in the area.
Ford moved to New Mexico when he was 11 and eventually graduated from New Mexico Preparatory School. Today, the fashion designer and film producer owns an enormous ranch outside Santa Fe.
Seto Pelon Ranch covers roughly 20,000 acres and has even been used as a movie set in a couple of popular films, which feels pretty fitting for a place owned by someone who has worked in film.
Ford has also remained connected to the local community during his time here, but has since sold his property for $48 million in 2021.
3.) Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is another Hollywood name with a long-standing connection to New Mexico.
She's best known for Pretty Woman, but her connection to the state goes beyond. Roberts owned a ranch in the Taos area, which has been an important part of her life.
It's also where she married her husband, Danny Moder.
At one point, Roberts described the area by saying, “You can't be in a bad mood here, I don't know if it's New Mexico or just the mountains.”
Roberts has also talked about raising her children in the area and has described New Mexico as a kind of “harbor” in her life. Although she has since moved on from New Mexico, she has expressed that Taos remains close to her heart.
4.) Anna Gunn
If you've watched Breaking Bad, you know Anna Gunn as Skyler White.
Anna Gunn was born in Santa Fe and has had a long acting career outside of Breaking Bad, with roles in television and film going back years before the show made her a household name.
Considering how closely New Mexico is associated with Breaking Bad, it's kind of fitting that one of its main characters came from the state in the first place.
5.) George R.R. Martin
Long before Santa Fe became home, George R.R. Martin was a kid growing up in a much different environment.
The author of A Song of Ice and Fire, which became the hugely popular Game of Thrones television series, grew up in the projects of New Jersey. Today, he lives in Santa Fe full-time.
Martin has become a part of the community rather than simply being a famous person who happens to own a house here. He has talked openly about his love for Santa Fe and the community around him.
For someone who created one of the biggest fantasy worlds in modern pop culture, it's pretty interesting that he ultimately chose New Mexico as a place to call home.
6.) Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, best known as Mitchell Pritchett from Modern Family, was raised here in Albuquerque and graduated from St. Pius X High School.
At one point, he even performed with Albuquerque Children's Theatre and had a signing gig at Cliff's Amusement Park.
So while his career eventually took him far beyond New Mexico, he spent important years right here in Albuquerque.
Ferguson has also been an outspoken advocate for marriage equality and LGBTQ+ rights, using his platform for causes that are important to him.
It's always a little fun to find out that someone you recognize from TV actually spent part of their childhood doing the same things we did as kids.
7.) Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer, who played Iceman in Top Gun, Doc Holliday in Tombstone, and played many more roles, spent about two decades in the state and owned a roughly 5,300-acre ranch along the Pecos River.
He stayed long enough that New Mexico became a meaningful part of his life. He loved his community, so much so that he thought about running for governor!
8.) Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze owned a ranch near Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he spent time away from the spotlight.
He also filmed Red Dawn in New Mexico, bringing one of his most recognizable roles back here.
Swayze reportedly referred to his New Mexico property as his “healing place,” which says a lot about what the state meant to him.
There seems to be a common thread with a lot of these stories: people come to New Mexico and find a kind of peace here that can be difficult to find somewhere else.
The New Mexico Connections Don't Stop There
And these are just a few of the names.
Demi Moore was born in Roswell in 1962 and went on to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars, with movies like G.I. Jane and Ghost among her best-known roles.
Minka Kelly, known for Friday Night Lights, attended Valley High School in Albuquerque.
Neil Patrick Harris was born in Albuquerque and spent part of his childhood in New Mexico before becoming known for Doogie Howser, M.D., How I Met Your Mother and countless other projects.
Dennis Hopper spent significant time in Taos, becoming one of the many artists and actors drawn to the area.
Jim Morrison, the legendary frontman of The Doors, lived in Albuquerque as a child.
John Denver was born in Roswell. While he became best known for songs like “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” his New Mexico birthplace is an interesting part of his story.
Melissa Etheridge, the rock musician and longtime LGBTQ+ rights advocate, has also had a strong connection to New Mexico and once lived in Tesuque.
Randy Travis, one of country music's biggest stars, bought a ranch in New Mexico in 2002.
And then there's the Unser family, one of the most famous racing families in the country. The Unser family has New Mexico roots, with members of the family associated with Rio Rancho and a history at the Indianapolis 500.
Why New Mexico?
Looking at this list, there's no single reason these people ended up in New Mexico. Some were born here. Some grew up here. Some came for work and stayed, but there is a common theme, New Mexico gives people room.
New Mexico gives people room to breathe, to create, and to disappear for a while. Maybe that's why so many artists, actors, musicians and writers have ended up here.
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