'Yellowstone' to 'SNL' to 'Yellowstone': Actors from Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Marco

A few have starred in the biggest shows in recent years, while others made their mark long ago.

Yet all have one thing in common: They've grown up in Southwest Florida at for at least a few years, with some spending their entire childhood here.

Here's actors and actresses who call Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral and other towns home.

Bailey Chase

Bailey Chase became really well-known as an actor in recent years as a co-star on "Longmire," a crime series from 2012-2017 that ended up on Netflix in its final seasons. Chase played an ambitious Wyoming sheriff's deputy, Branch Connally.

He's appeared on other shows and movies, including "Walk. Ride. Rode," a 2019 Netflix movie. His other credits include TV roles on "Saving Grace," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "As the World Turns."

Born in Chicago, Chase grew up in Naples from age 4 through his freshman year at Naples High School. He transferred to the Bolles School in Jacksonville, where he played football and baseball and graduated from the private school before heading to Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

After graduating from Duke with a bachelor's degree in sports psychology, Chase fulfilled "a boyhood dream" and headed to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

Orli Gottesman

A co-star on the popular drama "Yellowstone," teen actress Orli Gottesman has attended Cypress Lake High School and has been active in its vocal and theater program.

The Fort Myers native plays Halie on the Paramount Network series, led by actor Kevin Costner as its main character.

Dominic Fike

Known originally as a musician, Naples native Dominic Fike has branched out and has shown has talent as an actor.

Fike has co-starred in the HBO teen drama "Euphoria," where he plays Elliot. Fike is best known for his music, when he became an international star after first big single, "3 Nights" in 2018, reached the Top 10 in numerous countries and the video on YouTube alone garnering nearly 50 million views.

Leighton Meester

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Leighton Meester grew up on Marco Island for part of her childhood.

She co-starred in CW's "Gossip Girl" as socialite from 2007-2012. Her film credits include "Country Strong" (2010), "The Judge" (2014) and "The Weekend Away" last year.

Alan Powell

Actor and singer Alan Powell has portrayed Mike McQuigg in the ABC thriller drama television series "Quantico" in recent years.

While he was born in Nashville, Powell graduated from Fort Myers High School in 2003. Before he pursued an acting career, Powell formed the Christian group Anthem Lights.

Haley Bennett

Born in Fort Myers, Haley Bennett grew up in Naples and graduated from Barron Collier High School.

She made her film debut in the romantic comedy "Music and Lyrics" in 2007, with other appearances in "The Equalizer" in 2014, "The Magnificent Seven" in 2016 and "Hillbilly Elegy" in 2020.

Jan Hooks

Jan Hooks made her mark as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live," with impersonations of former first lady Nancy Reagan, televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker and others.

Hooks, who died in 2014 at age 57, was an SNL regular from 1986 to 1991. Born in Decatur, Georgia, Hooks in her junior year of high school moved to Fort Myers when her father's job was transferred.

She attended Cypress Lake High and participated in the school's theater program before graduating in 1975. Hooks also attended then-Edison Community College, now Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, before leaving to pursue an acting career.

Angela Watson

Co-starring in the 1990s TV sitcom "Step by Step," Angela Watson grew on a farm in Danville, Illinois, before her parents move to Southwest Florida when she was 10 years old.

On "Step by Step," Watson portrayed Karen Foster, the middle daughter of Carol Foster-Lambert, played by Suzanne Somers.

Vandit Bhatt

Like Powell, Vandit Bhatt graduated from Fort Myers High School.

And like his fellow Green Wave alum, Bhatt also appeared on the TV series "Quantico" and played Jagdeep Patel. About a decade ago, Bhatt played Kevin on the short-lived "The Michael J. Fox Show," an NBC sitcom.

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: What actors, actresses are from SW FL: Here's a list