Film History & Tourism

A Rich History in Film & Animation

The KC Film Office and Visit KC, with support from the City of Kansas City, have launched a film tourism program where you can learn how Kansas City has shaped film and media.

No matter your familiarity with the city, discover KC in an entirely new way—in all its film glory, heyday to resurgence and everything in between.

Kansas City
Film History Tour

Kansas City’s film scene is more than a burgeoning industry attracting more attention by the day—it’s one of the city’s oldest and most culturally significant pastimes. Experience that rich history yourself thanks to Visit KC’s self-guided Film History Tour.

Queer Eye in KC
Self-Guided Tour

Relive iconic moments from the third season of Queer Eye by exploring in-depth guides that showcase the restaurants, attractions and other hotspots frequented by the Fab 5 and the heroes they helped. Can you believe?

Kansas City Celebrities

TV and Film Celebrities Who've Called Kansas City Home

Robert Altman

Oscar-winning director and KC native whose films included M*A*S*H, Kansas City and many others

Joseph Lee Anderson

A favorite KC actor in the series Smoke Break, and films Jayhawkers and Belong To Us, a rising star in The Ballad of Lefty Brown, on the NBC television show Timeless and the 2019 film Harriet

Ed Asner

Emmy-winning actor and KC native most known for his roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Roots

Wallace Beery

Oscar winning actor, Wallace is known for his role in The Champ, for which he won the Oscar for Best Actor, born in Clay County, MO

Trai Byers

Actor born in KC and known for his roles in Empire and Selma

Don Cheadle

Oscar-nominated star of Hotel Rwanda and Crash who was born in KC

 

David Cook

KC native and winner of season seven of American Idol

 

Chris Cooper

Oscar-winning actor and KC native whose films include Adaptation, American Beauty and The Bourne Identity

 

Joan Crawford

KC native, Oscar-winning actress and icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age, known for her roles in Mildred Pierce and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane

 

Walt Disney

Beloved animator and director who opened Laugh-O-Gram Studios, his first, in Kansas City. Disney fed a friendly rodent in the building, which was said to have inspired the character Mickey Mouse

 

Isadore “Friz” Freleng

Often credited as I. Freleng, Friz was an animator, cartoonist, director, producer, and composer famously known for his work on the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes, KC native

Gillian Flynn

Author/screenwriter and KC native whose works include Gone Girl, Sharp Objects and Dark Places

 

Eddie Griffin

Widely known comedian and actor, KC native

Jean Harlow

Film actress and KC native famously known as the “Original Blonde Bombshell”

 

Paul Henning

Producer and screenwriter known for The Beverly Hillbillies, born in Independence, MO

Elaine Joyce

Mmade her film debut in 1961 in West Side Story, also known for The Music Man and Bye Bye Birdie, KC Native

 

Tom Kane

Voiceover artist from Overland Park, KS. known for his roles in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and The Wild Thornberrys. The voice of Yoda

Ellie Kemper

Film and TV actress born in KC and best known for her leading role in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and other roles in The Office and Bridesmaids

 

Barbara Lawrence

Oklahoma native, but moved to KC as a child, she now has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

 

Sarah Lancaster

KC born actress known for her long-running roles in NBC’s Saved by the Bell: The New Class and Chuck

Betty Lynn

Former actress known for her role as Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show, KC Native

 

Edie McClurg

Stand-up comedian, actress, singer, and voice actress, Edie is known for her ‘midwestern accent’, KC born and UMKC alma mater

 

Michael McMillian

Writer and actor born in Olathe, KS. and known for his roles in Dorian Blues and True Blood

 

Katherine McNamara

Actress known for her role as Clary Fray on the hit Freeform show Shadowhunters

 

Janelle Monáe

Singer and actress born in Kansas City, Kansas, star of Hidden Figures and Moonlight

 

Tosin Morohunfola

A favorite KC actor who can be seen in Showtime’s The Chi, NBC’s Chicago Med and OWN’s upcoming series Love Is

 

Ashleigh Murray

KC native and actress known for her roles in TV and film including the CW’s Riverdale and Deidra & Laney Rob a Train

Dayna Lynne North

Producer and writer from KC known for her work on shows like Veronica Mars and Insecure

 

Gordon Parks

Photographer, musician, writer and film director, known for directing Shaft, born in Ft. Scott, KS

 

Rob Riggle

Comedian and actor who grew up in Overland Park, KS. and is famous for his roles in The Hangover and 21 Jump Street

 

Ginger Rogers

Broadway performer and Oscar-winning actress who was born in Independence, MO

 

Paul Rudd

Comedic actor in Role Models and I Love You, Man who was raised in Overland Park, KS

Lori Saunders

Known for her role as Bobbie Jo Bradley in the TV series Petticoat Junction, KC born

 

Eric Stonestreet

Actor and comedian, best known for playing Cameron Tucker in the ABC sitcom Modern Family, two time Emmy award winner and KC native

 

Jason Sudeikis

Actor who grew up in Overland Park, KS. and is famous for his roles in We’re the Millers and Horrible Bosses

 

Aaron Rahsaan Thomas

Writer and producer from KCK known for his work on Friday Night Lights, S.W.A.T. , The Get Down, and Sleepy Hollow

 

Dee Wallace

Actress and KC native known for her roles in films including E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and The Hills Have Eyes

 

Tuc Watkins

KC native and actor known for his roles in One Life to Live, The Mummy and Desperate Housewives

 

Dianne Wiest

Oscar-winning actress and KC native, known for her roles in Edward Scissorhands, I Am Sam and Hannah and Her Sisters

 

Contact the Film Office

Register a Project

Register a Project

Quickly register your production with KC Film Office so we can understand how best to support your project. The KC Film Office acts as a liaison for film and video projects working in Greater Kansas City.

View Locations

Kansas City has a diverse selection of filming locations. Our database is updated on a regular basis and we are happy to help you explore KC’s offerings.

Find Crew

Resources for crew and production services are listed in our production guide. Search the database, list yourself or list your business for free!