Frances Louise McDormand wasn't always known by her now-famous actress name. She was actually born Cynthia Ann Smith on June 23, 1957. After graduating from Bethany College in West Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre in 1979, McDormand went on to study at Yale School of Drama. She earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in 1982 (just a few years before our previous headshot superstar, Chris Noth in 1985). And like Noth, Frances McDormand's commitment to higher education in the field of acting paid off well.
She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1988's "Mississippi Burning". And in 1996, she was nominated for, and won, the Academy Award for Best Actress after playing the role of police chief Marge Gunderson in the movie "Fargo". In more recent projects, she co-stars along with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and John Malkovich in the 2008 film "Burn After Reading". And in 2011, she starred alongside John Malkovich again in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon".
Whether celebrities are looking to be in the spotlight or escape the paparazzi, there are some popular vacation destinations that always seem to be frequented by the stars. Celeb spotting is a favorite pastime of many travelers, and you might be able to snag a photo or even an autograph when you visit these top celebrity vacation spots around the world. Although the price tags may be a bit higher in these destinations than your average budget getaway, these are some of the best celebrity vacation spots that you can start saving up to visit and enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
One of the classiest celebrity vacation spots in Europe is Mallorca, Spain. It’s known as a spot to be posh more than a spot to party. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones have a house here, and it’s been a favorite getaway for Gwenyth Paltrow. Some of the local favorites that boast the most celebrity sightings include the Wellies Restaurant and Bar, Puerto Portals, and Es Trenc Beach.
Saint Tropez is known for its amazing beaches and blissful landscapes. Celebrity couples like Beyoncé and Jay Z and David and Victoria Beckham have been spotted vacationing along these famous beaches. The Cote d’Azur seaport is a big draw for celebs here, as well as top beach clubs like Club 55.
Perhaps the most well-known celebrity that loves Lake Como is George Clooney. He has a villa with over a dozen rooms here so he can bring all his friends along to relax, get away, and party. Villa d’Este is another popular place celebrities choose to stay because of its attention to privacy. Just ask Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bette Midler, or Sylvester Stallone!
Sure, there are plenty of celebrities that call Sydney home year-around, but there are lots of others who like to visit for a surfing and sailing getaway. Sydney’s Bondi Beach has been a top vacation pick for Leonardo DiCaprio and Hugh Jackman, and some A-list accommodations are the InterContinental Hotel and the Park Hyatt in the Rocks.