Many people with adoptive origins have made extraordinary contributions to our culture. The character of adoption may or may not have provided the ability to give so much. What is common to all famous people who were adopted was that some adult or many adults cared for them, inspired them and helped them to become the historical figures that they are today.
1. John Lennon
John was born October 9, 1940 in Liverpool, England to Alfred Lennon, a merchant seaman who was not present at his birth, and Julia Stanley, his mother. John’s father returned to Liverpool to care for John and his mother when John was 4 years of age, but John’s mother Julia was involved with another man and pregnant with John’s younger sister. At that time, John was living with his aunt Mimi who eventually adopted him. John maintained regular contact with his birth mother but did not see his father again until he was 24 years old. According to John, his birth mother, adoptive mother and his aunts were “intelligent beautiful women.”
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2. Jamie Foxx
Jamie was born Eric Marlon Bishop on December 13, 1967 in Terrell Texas to Louise Annette Talley Dixon and Darrell Bishop. Soon after birth, Jamie Foxx was adopted by his mother’s adoptive parents. Jamie Foxx credits his grandmother’s influence as the key to his success.
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3. Sarah McLachlan
Sarah was born January 28, 1967 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and adopted in early infancy. As a young child, she was given voice lessons and classes in classical piano and guitar. Her high school yearbook noted that she was “destined to become a famous rock star.”
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4. Jack Nicholson
Jack was born April 27, 1937 in New Jersey to June Frances Nicholson. He was raised by his grandparents whom he believed were his birth parents. Jack grew up thinking June was his older sister. The identity of his birth father is unknown.
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5. Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin was born July 28, 1968 in Tulsa Oklahoma and was adopted by Junie Smith Chenoweth and Jerry Morris Chenoweth when she was 5 days old. In 1993, Kristin auditioned for a part in “Animal Crackers” while visiting a friend in New York. She was offered a lead in the musical and forfeited a full scholarship to Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts in order to begin her performing career.
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6. Faith Hill
Faith was named Audrey Faith Perry at birth on September 21, 1967 in Ridgeland Mississippi. She was adopted at birth and raised in a devoutly Christian home with 2 older brothers who were not adopted. Faith first performed in front of an audience at the age of 7 at a 4-H luncheon. Two years later, Faith was inspired at an Elvis Presley Concert she attended. As an adult, Faith located her birth mother and they stayed in contact until her mother died.
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7. Snooki
Snooki was born on November 23, 1987 in Santiago, Chile. Nicole was adopted by Italian American parents at the age of 6 months who gave her the name of Nicole Elizabeth Polizzi. Nicole’s adoptive father is a volunteer firefighter and auto-salvage supervisor and her mother is an office manager.
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8. Nicole Richie
Nicole was named Nicole Camille Escovedo at birth on September 21, 1981 in Berkeley, California. Nicole’s birth father is Peter Michael Escovedo, a musician who played briefly for Lionel Richie when Nicole was born. When Nicole was 3 years old, her birth parents agreed to let her live with Lionel Richie and Brenda Harvey because they were unable to care for her. Lionel Richie became her legal guardian and at the age of 9, Lionel and Brenda finalized her adoption.
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9. Bill Clinton
Bill was named William Jefferson Blythe at birth on August 19, 1946 in Hope, Arkansas. Bill’s birth father, died in a car accident 3 months before Bill was born. Bill’s mother, Virginia left him with his grandparents while she attended nursing school. At the age of 4, Virginia married Roger Clinton who adopted Bill.