Not Southern But Ought to Be

Y’ALL, March/April, 2008, Volume 6, Number 1, page 36

The South is the greatest region in the U.S. – no doubt about it. Y’all Magazine gets to spotlight the people of Dixie in each issue. Just for fun, we thought it might be neat to feature an assortment of great Americans that have all of the qualities of being a Southerner, but for some crazy reason they’ve missed out on living south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Here’s our list of 29 Honorary Southerners:

• David Spade
• Merle Haggard
• Tom Selleck
• Conan O’Brien
• Paula Abdul
• Kelly Ripa
• Regis Philbin
• Tiger Woods
• Bill Gates
• Cameron Diaz
• Larry King
• Tyra Banks
• Tom Brokaw
• Tony Gwynn
• Jennifer Aniston
• Vera Wang
• Snoop Dogg
• Hayden Panettiere
• Vince Vaughn
• Tom Hanks
• Jeanette Lee
• Tom Brady
• Bob Barker
• Denzel Washington
• Jay Leno
• Rachael Ray
• Paul Newman
• Bill O’Reilly
• Joe Lieberman

David Spade
David Wayne Spade was born in 1964 in his hometown of Birmingham, Mich., and grew up quick after he graduated from Arizona State in 1989 with a degree in business. Spade began his rise to stardom in 1990 when he was cast on the the hit TV show Saturday Night Live. He has been nominated for two Golden Globes and an Emmy for his work in TV and movies. Joe Dirt, as portrayed by Spade, was a down and out Southern-bred guy with a heart of gold. This role won the actor many accolades and left many thinking how similar to a real Southerner he was. The perfect comical timing and smart – yet relatable – pokes Spade and his characters make are what have the American public loving this guy so much. -Gabe Stanley

Merle Haggard
Bakersfield. Calif., country music legend Merle Haggard, 70, singlehandedly introduced the electric sound to country music, which led to the creation of his many No.1 hits. After serving time in prison, Haggard finally decided to turn his life around by earning his high school diploma. His music would capture the nation in the early ‘60s. Even though he is from Northern California, Haggard is a king of country, with songs like “Workin’ Man Blues” and “Okie From Muskogee.” Both were angry anthems of the conservative white working class, and this makes him an Honorary Southerner. -Amber Tramp

Tom Selleck
Born in Detroit, but raised in Los Angeles, Tom Selleck, 63, did modeling work and attended the University of Southern California on an athletic scholarship. He starred in six failed TV pilots before hitting ratings gold. He was asked to play “Indiana Jones” by Steven Spielberg, but declined because he was still under contract with his hit Magnum, P.I. TV series. The handsome actor has played various roles in the days following his TV show, including 3 Men And A Baby . -Caroline Peck

Conan O’Brien
Conan O’Brien has a great Southern personality and charm, the only problem is that he’s not from Dixie. Conan Christopher O’Brien was born April 18, 1963. He’s a man that’s always with a joke in his heart. Raised in Brookline, Mass., the star had a love of comedy and goofing off that followed him into college. He attended Harvard, where he became president of the Harvard Lampoon (a humor magazine). From Harvard he went on to other great ventures like Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, and finally the host of Late Night with Conan O’Brien. With O’Brien, even when a joke doesn’t go exactly well he finds a way out of it by pushing the microphone over. Like Southerners, this Yankee Boy is one unique act. -Marcus Tillman

Paula Abdul
Multi-faceted performer Paula Abdul, from San Fernando, Calif., has made a name for herself as a dancer and vocalist in over two decades of work. Today, Abdul, 45, is a star judge on American Idol, where millions of Southerners warm up to her as she casts her vote on the hit TV show each week. -Shelly Smith

Kelly Ripa
American Daytime Emmy award-winning actress, TV personality/talk show host, and mother of three Kelly Ripa, 37, has captured the eye of the American people the last decade. She was raised in Stanford, N.J., to a bus driver father and homemaker mother. Her career started early as she was cast for the soap opera All My Children in 1990, where she met her husband Mark Consuelos. In February 2001, Ripa was given the opportunity to work with Regis Philbin as a co-host on Live with Regis and Kelly. In September 2003, Ripa joined the situation comedy Hope & Faith. Kelly was not raised in Dixie, but she is quite the Honorary Southern Belle. Southerners tend to love Ripa because she successfully balances her career with family life. She has always put family life first and has done a very good job at staying classy on – and off – the camera. -Kendall Turner

Regis Philbin
The man who broke the Guinness Book Of World Records for most time spent in front of a TV camera, Regis Francis Xavier Philbin was born August 25, 1931, in New York City, and grew up in the Bronx. He and his fellow “Not Southern...” co-star, Kelly Ripa, light up audiences each morning. He has that certain spirit about him that seems to be very Southern – but with a Bronx accent. He is the epitome of a Southern good ole boy and enjoys the simple things in life, while always striving to better his career. -Hope Wuertz

Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods was born and raised in California. He attended Stanford University, before joining the PGA Tour in 1996. At the ripe young age of 31, he is arguably considered the best golfer of all time. During his short 11-year career, Woods has already over 80 professional tournaments, including 13 major championships. And he’s always exhibited the conduct of a traditional Southern Gentleman. -Daniel Austin

Bill Gates
Bill Gates was born in Seattle, Wash., in 1955. He attended Harvard with hopes of becoming a lawyer. But instead, he became the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft. Despite growing up on the West Coast, Gates displays many qualities that we would consider Southern. He’s accomplished and headstrong, without being overconfident. Gates carries himself with poise and dignity – now that’s pure Dixie. -Melindah Dunn

Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz is one amazing actress and model. She grew up in San Diego, Calif., and attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School at the same time as rapper Snoop Dogg. At age 16, Diaz started her modeling career, and then scored her first film, The Mask, at age 21. How is the 35-year-old beauty like a Southerner? It could be her infectious smile and bubbly personality. The South loves Diaz because she is fearless when it comes to dancing on film. And she’s beauty queen material – with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She is the epitome of a Southern Belle. Diaz is not only gorgeous, but talented, too. She may not be from the South, be we still love her. -Jessica Wilson

Larry King
Lawrence Harvey Zeiger, aka Larry King, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 19, 1933. With only a high school education, he began his broadcast career in Miami, Fla., in the late 1950s, as well as writing for The Miami Herald. In the early ‘80s, King began writing for USA Today, and later went on to work for CNN as the host of the first world-wide, call-in TV talk show, Larry King Live. Although this broadcast legend is a New York Yankee, a large number of King’s loyal viewers are Southern, and he is a widely recognized figure in the South. His pleasant, amiable nature (and that deep voice) keep Southerners tuning-in night after night. -James Joyce

Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks is quite possibly the most well known model of all time. But the California native is much more than that. The 34-year-old also hosts and judges the reality TV show America’s Next Top Model. Banks, like most Southerners, is capable of conquering it all. She in so many ways has a Southern soul, and as long as she maintains that phenomenal self image, she will always be loved in Dixie. -Shenetha Huff

Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw signed off as anchor of NBC Nightly News on December 1, 2004, after a 23-year career. The 68-year-old South Dakotan married his wife, Meredith Lynn Auld, in 1962. (They have three daughters.) He joined NBC News in 1966, and during his time at NBC, Brokaw reported on major stories such as the Watergate scandal, the collapse of the Berlin Wall, and the attacks of September 11th. Brokaw’s compassion for the stories he has covered can be seen most vividly in the books he has published since retiring from in front of the camera. These best-sellers include The Greatest Generation and Boom! Voices of the Sixties: Personal Reflection of the ‘60s and Today. -Anna Beeler

Tony Gwynn
California native Tony Gwynn, 47, may have the thickest Southern accent ever. The longtime San Diego Padre exuded greatness on the baseball field, and it’s that stellar past that makes Gwynn a True Southerner in our eyes. -Douglas Alford

Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston is one of the most famous female faces in Hollywood. At 38, she doesn’t have any problem looking as good as those younger starlets. Growing up in New York City, Aniston spent her late teens acting. In 1989, she moved to Los Angeles, and after several failed movies and TV shows she almost gave up. Luck came in 1994 when she landed the role as “Rachel Green” in the NBC sitcom Friends. Aniston has a care-free attitude about her, and she doesn’t seem to be influenced by the Hollywood lifestyle. That’s quite Southern. -Megan Manning

Vera Wang
Vera Wang is today’s most sought after wedding gown designer. Wang, 58, has been offering timeless style since she opened her own boutique in New York City, her hometown. Wang “oughta be” from Dixie. For starters, Southerners love a good wedding dress (and weddings, too). Wang has the sense of class and work ethic of a true Southern lady. And she ceases to amaze her audience; just like Southern women do. -Brett Ford

Snoop Dogg
Snoop ain’t from Dixie? Y’all gotta be kiddin’. Actually the rapper is a California kid, with a real name. Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr., better known as Snoop Dogg, has carved out his own place in music history. Not only is Mr. Dogg a businessman with millions of albums sold, he’s a man of peace and progression. The 35-year-old orchestrated the Protect the West Conference. He values the importance of mentoring to children as well. He sees all young men and women as the future of his community and knows without the correct support and influences they will not be prepared to take over when this generation leaves this world. He created a football league called the Snoop Youth Football League, which helps kids in many ways – but requires a minimum GPA, in hopes of encouraging the children to get a good education and teach them the importance of school. Very Southern, y’all. -Lauren Broome

Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Leslie Panettiere was born on August 21, 1989, to Lesley and Skip Panettiere. The young actress attended South Orangetown Middle School in Blauvelt, N.Y. She began her acting career at the age of 11 months. She appeared in numerous commercials, but when she turned four, Panettiere got her big break. She was cast as a character on the daytime drama One Live To Live. Since then, she’s gone on to star in films such as Remember The Titans (2001) and Bring It On: All Or Nothing (2006). Today, she assumes the role of “Claire” on the hit series Heroes. Not only does acting keep Panettiere on the go, she is also the cover girl for Neutrogena face wash. Although not from the South, Panittiere is your good ole almost Southern girl-next -door (unlike Brittany Spears and Lindsay Lohan). -Latara Martin

Vince Vaughn
The quirky-cool Vince Vaughn is a Chicago native thats made his signature stamp on the world of comedic films. Vaughn, 38, is the the son of a businessman and a stock and real estate broker. His breakthrough role was in the 1996 film Swingers. He was then a supporting actor in Lost World: Jurassic Park, and the remake of Psycho. Vaughn is a member of what the press calls “The Frat Pack.” In 2005, along with Southern boy Owen Wilson, Vaughn was in the smash hit Wedding Crashers, which grossed over $200 million. Like a Southerner, Vaughn is quick on his feet, snappy, charming and charismatic. This motorboatin’ son of a gun’s a natural when it comes to making Southerners smile. -Sarah Cure

Tom Hanks
Concord, California’s most famous son, Tom Hanks, is perhaps one of America’s most favorite people in the public eye – loved not only for his outstanding acting abilities but for his shockingly down to earth personal life as well. A regular American, you could even say he’s like a regular Southerner. Like most Southerners, Hanks grew up surrounded by Christian influences, and converted to the Eastern Orthodox Christian denomination when he married his second wife, Rita Wilson. At 51, he shows his understanding of what it means to be a true Southerner as he portrays the ideals of love, loyalty, the importance of family, and a million ways to cook shrimp through arguably his most famous character, “Forrest Gump,” from Greenbow, Ala. -Hallie Hooper

Jeanette Lee
Jeanette Lee, aka “The Black Widow,” is a world famous pool player and trick shot champion. At 36, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native rose to top of women’s billiards in the mid-’90s. Today, you can catch her moves on numerous re-airings of her matches on ESPN Classic. Playing pool is a real Southern virtue. -Jason Keary

Tom Brady
Football is king in Dixie, and for the past few NFL seasons, San Mateo, Calif., native and former Michigan Wolverine quarterback Tom Brady has dominated the playing field (except when Southern boy Eli Manning got in his way in Super Bowl XLII). Are we sure the 30-year-old star’s not from here?
-John Keener

Bob Barker
Bob Barker is perhaps the most famous game show host in history. His career began in 1956 with the show Truth or Consequences. In 1972, the Washington State native became a living legend as the host of The Price Is Right. At 84, Barker’s now enjoying retirement.
-Allison Wroten

Denzel Washington
He might have been born and raised in New York, but Denzel Washington, 53, is a Southerner at heart. Born to a minister and a beautician, his acting talent was matured and cultivated in the realm of his community, a characteristic of Southerners. He lives a life as a handsome gentleman and is not boastful – yet Washington has a solid aura of confidence. -Sydney McGaha

Jay Leno
Although raised in Massachusetts, Jay Leno is much like a Southerner, as he is always donating to those in need. Leno, 57, has an enormous collection of antique cars and motorcycles. A favorite in his collection, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, was signed by guests on his show and then auctioned off for victims of September 11. As host of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno since 1992, the New Englander makes audiences across the Bible Belt smile with his wit. But Leno’s thick Bostonian accent will never have him mistaken as someone from below the Mason-Dixon line. -Tierney Rowan

Rachael Ray
Food Network star Rachael Ray is not a culinary trained chef, but instead is a woman that learned how to cook by making family dinners with her mother growing up in Lake George, N.Y. She is such a success because people from across the South can relate to her. The 39-year-old TV star is just full of life and is extremely friendly (a Southern trait). Audiences enjoy hearing her own vocabulary – called Rayisms; which include E.V.O.O. (extra-virgin olive oil), stoup (a cross between a stew and soup), yum-o, and sammies (instead of sandwiches). -Allissa Coomer

Paul Newman
Ohio native Paul Newman was at least smart enough to come South and steal one of our Belles. Considered one of the most prominent actors of the 20th Century, with eight Oscar nominations for Best Actor, and one for Best Supporting Actor, he has over 80 acting roles to his credit. He married actress Joanne Woodward (of Thomasville, Ga.) in 1958. The 83-year-old legend’s own Southern traits include his passion for auto racing. With his famous blue eyes and Southern-like charm, Newman might as well be from Dixie; as Southerners love him like one of their own. -Billy Nachman

Bill O’Reilly
Not only do Southerners like Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly for his journalism skills, it helps that he was an old football player in college and even tried out for the Mets baseball team. The New York City native is known for his confidence to state his opinion on the air, which often leads to controversy. He is a self-proclaimed “independent thinker,” and it shows. O’Reilly, 64, received his master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University and another master’s degree in public administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He did local anchoring and reporting in Dallas, Boston and New York before arriving at Fox News in 1996. His nightly show is one of the most-watched programs on cable TV. Southerners have an independent spirit, which must be why we keep tuning-in this Northerner (with a Deep South wit) all of the time. -Jordan Lindke

Joe Lieberman
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) has to be the most-liked, most-charming politician in Washington; so much so that he’s an Independent. At 66, this nice guy gets things done; something Southerners appreciate. It seems everybody loves Joe. It’s just too bad Southerners can’t vote for him. -Jonathan Craig