Frances McDormand

Born Cynthia Ann Smith, Frances McDormand was adopted when she was just an infant. She was taken in by Noreen and Vernon McDormand. Her adoptive father served as a pastor of the Disciples of Christ. The congregation is also known to have taken in and adopted nine children in total, and also looked after stray cats! The family required the services of a moving company a lot since their duties to the congregation made them quite transient.

They eventually settled down in Pennsylvania, where Frances became part of a high school theater production. Her initial introduction to acting ignited a love for the craft. Fast-forward some decades later and she has won a number of awards. This includes Oscars and Emmys.

Ray Liotta

Ray Liotta is an American actor born in New Jersey. He rose to stardom through his role in the daytime drama, Another World. Liotta also received credit for his appearances in the films Goodfellas and No Escape. Before his rise to fame, he had his share of difficulties and he wasn’t able to land an acting job for quite some time.

Not a lot of people are aware that the actor was adopted at only six months old. His adoptive parents are Alfred and Mary Liotta. Aside from him, the couple also took in his sister, Linda. Both of them grew up in a loving household, but Liotta’s curiosity led to him searching for his parents. He even hired a private investigator for the job!

Debbie Harry

Born Angela Tremble, Blondie’s vocalist was only 3 months old when she was adopted by gift shop owners, Richard Harry, and Catherine Harry. Debbie Harry found out at age four that she was adopted. Given her age, young Debbie often daydreamed that her biological mother is Marilyn Monroe. The artist openly admits that her relationship with her parents was not always smooth sailing.

Debbie also went through troubled years. She attended college for 2 years but dropped out and failed to receive her degree. Following this, the talented artist moved to New York City in the ‘60s. Here, she ended up becoming a part of the band Wind in the Willows. Debbie met Chris Stein in 1973 and they formed Blondie together a year later.

John Hancock

John Hancock is known as a Revolutionary leader and former Massachusetts governor. Before entering politics, however, he lived quite a humble life. Massachusetts’s native was born to a clergyman who later died, back when Hancock was only a little boy. Following this, he was taken in and raised by his wealthy aunt and uncle. When his Uncle Thomas died in 1764, he inherited his fast-growing shipping business and eventually became one of New England’s richest men.

John has a reputation for being generous, although he has received criticism for his lifestyle. Fun fact: 200 Clarendon Street was previously known as the John Hancock Tower or simply The Hancock. This 62-story structure is a popular landmark in Massachusetts. It was named after the John Hancock Insurance Company.

Richard Burton

Richard Burton is the twelfth out of thirteen children.  Sadly, his mother passed when he was still an infant and his father, who worked in coal mining, left the family. In doing so, all thirteen children were left in the hands of their eldest sister, Cecilia.

It was Philip Burton, a school teacher, who served as young Richard’s mentor. In fact, Philip almost adopted Richard but due to legal reasons, he wasn’t able to. Nevertheless, he helped out the actor by watching over him. Philip even got him a scholarship to the University of Oxford. When he got older, Richard spoke to his lawyer about changing his last name to Burton. This is his way of showing gratitude to Philip, who he treated like his biological father.

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Ellen Gilbert, best known for her role in Little House on the Prairie, was adopted a day after she was born. The actress was taken in by actor Paul Gilbert and his wife, the actress and dancer Barbara Crane. Her biological parents already had three children, each from past marriages, so they had to give Melissa up for adoption. They feared that they would not be able to provide, both emotionally and financially.

While it might seem like a sad story to some, Gilbert did find herself in a love-filled home. She went on to follow her adoptive parents’ footsteps and became an actress, too. To her credit, she has even received her own star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Priscilla Presley

Priscilla Presley was born to Ann and James Wagner. Her father was a US Navy pilot who passed away in a plane crash when Priscilla was just a baby. Her mother met and remarried Air Force officer Paul Beaulieu, who took Priscilla in. Growing up, her family moved a lot. In her teenage years, they stayed in Germany where she met Elvis Presley, who was serving the US Armed Forces then. Eight years later, they tied the knot.

Their marriage didn’t last long though. They separated in 1973, but remained friends and raised their daughter, Lisa Marie. Today, Priscilla is a successful businesswoman. Her investments in Elvis Presley Enterprises brings in a significant profit. She is also an actress, a bestselling author, and a producer.

Andy Dick

Andrew Thomlinson was born in South Carolina and was adopted by Allen and Sue Dick at birth. The family moved a lot back when Andy was still young—from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, and Yugoslavia before finally settling down in Chicago. Even as a youngster, Andy had always been a practical joker and often used his surname in puns to lighten up the mood. He once even went to school dressed up in a superhero costume and called himself “Super Dick”!

Fast-forward to a few years later, Andy has become a world-famous comedian, actor, musician, and producer. He even had his own program, The Andy Dick Show on MTV. His investments in his craft, along with his hard work, has certainly paid off.

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi shocked her fans when she took to YouTube to confess that she was indeed adopted. She had always known of the truth, given both her parents are white while she was brown. Every time she tried to ask her parents about it, though, they would get upset.

Eventually, after Snooki got older, she was able to get her father to tell her the whole story. He told her that she was adopted at 6 months old and that her parents flew to Chile to pick her up. According to her father, she was put up for adoption due to financial circumstances. Snooki has no bitterness towards her parents and gives them credit for letting her live a good life.

Truman Capote

Renowned novelist, screenwriter, playwright, and actor Truman Capote lived a life as interesting as the stories he wrote. Born to a couple in Louisiana, Truman grew up neglected by both of his parents and spent his days in the care of his relatives. He often fought with the feeling of abandonment for most of his life—wondering what it was like to come home to a warm meal prepared by one’s mother.

The only time he got their attention was when they fought over who gets custody of him. He goes on to live with his mom and her partner. He was later adopted by his stepfather, which is why he changed his name from Truman Streckfus Persons to Truman Garcia Capote.