Sofía Vergara, Arnold Schwarzenegger and more celebrities who became US citizens
As America celebrates its 250th birthday, a number of stars have become U.S. citizens over the years.
Stars including, Jim Carrey, Pamela Anderson and Ryan Reynolds are among the celebrities who hold dual citizenship. Back in 2004, Carrey shared a statement honoring the United States for helping define his career.
"This country has helped define me and make my dreams come true," Carrey said at the time, according to Today. "I have no intention of giving up my Canadian heritage, and all those who loved and supported me."
"My upbringing in Canada made me the person I am. I will always be proud to be a Canadian," he added.
Below is a look at other stars who have gained U.S. citizenship.
Liam Neeson was born in Northern Ireland. After the death of his wife, Natasha Richardson, in 2009, the actor explained that tragedy sparked him to get his American citizenship.
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"That is partly the reason why I've recently become an American citizen," Neeson said on "Good Morning America" at the time. "I've been living here for 20 years and America's been very, very good to me."
He added, "I'm still a proud Irishman, of course, but I've become an American citizen — I'm very proud of that."
Sofía Vergara revealed she gained her U.S. citizenship in 2014 during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Vergara, who was born in Colombia, told Kimmel at the time that she passed the citizenship test.
"They make you [jump through hoops] because they have to make sure that you deserve to be part of the country. The most interesting thing for me was, they give you like a hundred questions that you have to learn, and then they give you a quiz, like a test ... I got all questions perfect," Vergara said.
Charlize Theron, who was born in South Africa, has her U.S. citizenship, but told David Letterman in 2008 that the process wasn't easy for her.
"Well, I've always wanted to be [a citizen] they just didn't want to take me. It's quite a process you have to work hard, you know, study up," Theron said at the time. "Then finally I was approved and you have to go in and do an interview. You have to know your stuff."
In 2018, Arnold Schwarzenegger honored the 35th anniversary of becoming an American citizen 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 captioned his post at the time.
The former Republican governor of California was born in Austria.
Emily Blunt became a U.S. citizen in 2015. At the time, Blunt was a guest on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and shared that she was sworn in with her husband, John Krasinski, in the crowd. Blunt, who was born in London, shared that Matthew McConaughey's wife, Camila Alves, was also sworn in at the same ceremony.
Alves, who was born in Brazil, officially became a U.S. citizen in 2015.
For the five-year anniversary, Alves took to Instagram to share what the milestone meant to her.
"Five years ago I was grateful to receive my American citizenship and everyday I am proud to be a part of this country. For the soldiers and workers who have fought hard for our rights and freedom thank you, today and everyday," she wrote.
In 2004, Pamela Anderson became a dual citizen of Canada and America.
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, in the future, to petition to bring my children's grandparents down to the United States to care for them once they become older," she continued. "I have no intention of giving up my citizenship in Canada and am very proud to be a Canadian."
Billy Idol, the British rockstar, has been a citizen of the U.S. since 2018.
At the time, the official X account of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shared a post on X to honor Idol.
"It’s a nice day for a naturalization ceremony. Congratulations Billy Idol on becoming a #newUScitizen today in Los Angeles, CA," the account captioned the post.
Ryan Reynolds, who was born in Canada, became a dual citizen in 2018. In 2020, he put his American rights to use and voted in the presidential election for the first time.
"This is my first time voting in America. I’d like to thank my wife Blake for making my first time so gentle and loving. It was super scary at first, then exciting and now I’m a little tired. But proud," he wrote alongside a photo with his wife, Blake Lively.
According to 12 News, Michael J. Fox was born in Alberta, Canada and became a U.S. citizen in 2000.
Salma Hayek, who was born in Mexico, became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. in 2013, according to US Weekly.
In 2010, Hayek told V Magazine that she stayed in America after her visa expired and was temporarily an illegal immigrant. "It was for a small period of time but I still did it," she said at the time.
Pierce Brosnan became a citizen of the United States in 2004, according to 12 News.
In 2020, Daniel Craig revealed that he became a U.S. citizen.
At the "Knives Out" premiere, Craig spoke about his status as a British immigrant in America. "Everyone is an immigrant in this country. I’m an immigrant. I’m an American. We’re all immigrants," he said at the time, according to People.
