Film History & Tourism
A Rich History in Film & Animation
The KC Film Office and Visit KC, with support from the City of Kansas City, have launched a film tourism program where you can learn how Kansas City has shaped film and media.
No matter your familiarity with the city, discover KC in an entirely new way—in all its film glory, heyday to resurgence and everything in between.
Kansas City
Film History Tour
Kansas City’s film scene is more than a burgeoning industry attracting more attention by the day—it’s one of the city’s oldest and most culturally significant pastimes. Experience that rich history yourself thanks to Visit KC’s self-guided Film History Tour.
Queer Eye in KC
Self-Guided Tour
Relive iconic moments from the third season of Queer Eye by exploring in-depth guides that showcase the restaurants, attractions and other hotspots frequented by the Fab 5 and the heroes they helped. Can you believe?
Kansas City Celebrities
TV and Film Celebrities Who've Called Kansas City Home
Robert Altman
Oscar-winning director and KC native whose films included M*A*S*H, Kansas City and many others
Joseph Lee Anderson
A favorite KC actor in the series Smoke Break, and films Jayhawkers and Belong To Us, a rising star in The Ballad of Lefty Brown, on the NBC television show Timeless and the 2019 film Harriet
Ed Asner
Emmy-winning actor and KC native most known for his roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Roots
Wallace Beery
Oscar winning actor, Wallace is known for his role in The Champ, for which he won the Oscar for Best Actor, born in Clay County, MO
Trai Byers
Actor born in KC and known for his roles in Empire and Selma
Don Cheadle
Oscar-nominated star of Hotel Rwanda and Crash who was born in KC
David Cook
KC native and winner of season seven of American Idol
Chris Cooper
Oscar-winning actor and KC native whose films include Adaptation, American Beauty and The Bourne Identity
Joan Crawford
KC native, Oscar-winning actress and icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age, known for her roles in Mildred Pierce and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane
Walt Disney
Beloved animator and director who opened Laugh-O-Gram Studios, his first, in Kansas City. Disney fed a friendly rodent in the building, which was said to have inspired the character Mickey Mouse
Isadore “Friz” Freleng
Often credited as I. Freleng, Friz was an animator, cartoonist, director, producer, and composer famously known for his work on the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes, KC native
Gillian Flynn
Author/screenwriter and KC native whose works include Gone Girl, Sharp Objects and Dark Places
Eddie Griffin
Widely known comedian and actor, KC native
Jean Harlow
Film actress and KC native famously known as the “Original Blonde Bombshell”
Paul Henning
Producer and screenwriter known for The Beverly Hillbillies, born in Independence, MO
Elaine Joyce
Mmade her film debut in 1961 in West Side Story, also known for The Music Man and Bye Bye Birdie, KC Native
Tom Kane
Voiceover artist from Overland Park, KS. known for his roles in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Wild Thornberrys. The voice of Yoda
Ellie Kemper
Film and TV actress born in KC and best known for her leading role in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and other roles in The Office and Bridesmaids
Barbara Lawrence
Oklahoma native, but moved to KC as a child, she now has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Sarah Lancaster
KC born actress known for her long-running roles in NBC’s Saved by the Bell: The New Class and Chuck
Betty Lynn
Former actress known for her role as Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show, KC Native
Edie McClurg
Stand-up comedian, actress, singer, and voice actress, Edie is known for her ‘midwestern accent’, KC born and UMKC alma mater
Michael McMillian
Writer and actor born in Olathe, KS. and known for his roles in Dorian Blues and True Blood
Katherine McNamara
Actress known for her role as Clary Fray on the hit Freeform show Shadowhunters
Janelle Monáe
Singer and actress born in Kansas City, Kansas, star of Hidden Figures and Moonlight
Tosin Morohunfola
A favorite KC actor who can be seen in Showtime’s The Chi, NBC’s Chicago Med and OWN’s upcoming series Love Is
Ashleigh Murray
KC native and actress known for her roles in TV and film including the CW’s Riverdale and Deidra & Laney Rob a Train
Dayna Lynne North
Producer and writer from KC known for her work on shows like Veronica Mars and Insecure
Gordon Parks
Photographer, musician, writer and film director, known for directing Shaft, born in Ft. Scott, KS
Rob Riggle
Comedian and actor who grew up in Overland Park, KS. and is famous for his roles in The Hangover and 21 Jump Street
Ginger Rogers
Broadway performer and Oscar-winning actress who was born in Independence, MO
Paul Rudd
Comedic actor in Role Models and I Love You, Man who was raised in Overland Park, KS
Lori Saunders
Known for her role as Bobbie Jo Bradley in the TV series Petticoat Junction, KC born
Eric Stonestreet
Actor and comedian, best known for playing Cameron Tucker in the ABC sitcom Modern Family, two time Emmy award winner and KC native
Jason Sudeikis
Actor who grew up in Overland Park, KS. and is famous for his roles in We’re the Millers and Horrible Bosses
Aaron Rahsaan Thomas
Writer and producer from KCK known for his work on Friday Night Lights, S.W.A.T. , The Get Down, and Sleepy Hollow
Dee Wallace
Actress and KC native known for her roles in films including E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and The Hills Have Eyes
Tuc Watkins
KC native and actor known for his roles in One Life to Live, The Mummy and Desperate Housewives
Dianne Wiest
Oscar-winning actress and KC native, known for her roles in Edward Scissorhands, I Am Sam and Hannah and Her Sisters