1

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Image: Tom Def

Let’s kick it off with someone everybody knows. In case the excessive use of consonants in his last name wasn’t enough of a clue, Arnold Schwarzenegger was born and raised in Austria, where he built a successful career in bodybuilding. After winning major bodybuilding titles, he moved to the U.S., where he continued competing and later transitioned into acting. He became a U.S. citizen in 1983 and went on to serve as Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.

2

Elizabeth Taylor

Image: Daniele Levis Pelusi

One of the brightest stars of 1950s Hollywood, Elizabeth Taylor is known for her unforgettable performances in classics such as Cleopatra , Cat on a Hot Tin Roof , and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Born in London in 1932 to American parents from Arkansas, Taylor held dual British-American citizenship from birth. Although she was initially raised in the UK, her family returned to the U.S. when World War II broke out. There, she began what would become a triumphant acting career, earning her first starring role at age 12 in National Velvet .

3

Charlize Theron

Image: barendlotter

Born in Benoni, in what was then the Transvaal province of South Africa, Charlize Theron began her career as a model and later trained as a dancer. While trying (and failing) to get into the film industry, she got her breakthrough thanks to her not being American: she famously caught the attention of a talent agent while arguing with a bank teller who refused to cash her check because she was a foreigner. She became a U.S. citizen in 2007 and has retained her South African citizenship.

4

Liam Neeson

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

Liam Neeson was born and raised in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and started his career as a theater performer in Belfast and Dublin. After being cast in a minor role in the film Excalibur (1981), he built a successful career in both the UK and the U.S. Neeson acquired American citizenship in 2009 and said he was inspired by the overwhelming support he received from Americans following the tragic death of his wife, Natasha Richardson.

5

Cary Grant

Image: thomas cook

One of the biggest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Cary Grant was born Archibald Alec Leach in Bristol, England. He first came to the U.S. as a teenager in 1920 as part of a theater troupe, and eventually transitioned into film, becoming famous for his romantic comedies before expanding into other genres. In 1942, he became a U.S. citizen and legally changed his name to Cary Grant.

6

Maureen O’Hara

Image: Mike Fox

Maureen O’Hara might not have been born an American, but she earned her place in one of the most American film genres of all: the Western. Born Maureen FitzSimons in Dublin, Ireland, she got her first major role in Alfred Hitchcock’s Jamaica Inn (1939), where she was billed as Maureen O’Hara, a stage name chosen for her by the studio. She rose to stardom soon after with her leading role in John Ford’s How Green Was My Valley (1941), and went on to become iconic in Westerns and adventure films. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1946.

7

Helen Mirren

Image: Hulki Okan Tabak

Ilyena Lydia Mironoff was born in the UK as part of an exiled Russian noble family who eventually changed their surname to Mirren. She started her career as a theater performer in the Royal Shakespeare Company, and went on to achieve major success in film and television. Though she became a U.S. citizen in 2017, she had considered herself American for a long time. In an interview, she revealed that witnessing the 9/11 attacks in New York City gave her an "epiphany" about where her allegiance lay, which helped prompt her decision to become a U.S. citizen.

8

Anthony Quinn

Image: Jorge Aguilar

Many people are surprised to learn that Anthony Quinn was not American-born. Originally named Manuel Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca, he was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, to a Mexican mother of Indigenous heritage and an Irish immigrant father. After a short stint as a boxer, he began a successful acting career and became the first Mexican-born actor to win an Academy Award, ultimately winning two Oscars. He became a U.S. citizen in 1947.

9

Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine

Image: Jeremy Yap

Famous actresses, rivals, and sisters Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine were born in Tokyo, Japan, to British parents, making them British subjects from birth. Both were brought up in the United States after their mother moved the family to California. Their careers in Hollywood were marked by a well-publicized sibling rivalry: according to biographies, their mother favored Olivia and discouraged Joan from using the family name, prompting her to adopt the stage surname Fontaine .

Olivia de Havilland became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1941, just months before the U.S. entered World War II, and she actively contributed to the war effort, including touring to support troops. Her sister Joan gained citizenship a few years later, in 1943.

10

Greta Garbo

Image: Sofia Sforza

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, as Greta Lovisa Gustafsson, Greta Garbo became one of the defining stars of Hollywood’s early Golden Age. After appearing in a supporting role in the Swedish film The Saga of Gösta Berling (1924), she caught the attention of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer executives, who brought her to Hollywood to begin what became a legendary silent-film career, one that only grew stronger with the transition to sound. After nearly two decades in film, Garbo famously retired from acting in 1941 and later became a U.S. citizen in 1951.

1

A Presidential curse

For almost 140 years, U.S. presidents elected in years ending in zero died while in office. It happened to William Henry Harrison (1840), Abraham Lincoln (1860), James A. Garfield (1880), William McKinley (1900), Warren G. Harding (1920), Franklin D. Roosevelt (1940), and John F. Kennedy in 1960 . Ronald Reagan, elected in 1980 , broke the curse by surviving an assassination attempt.

2

Mark Twain and Halley’s Comet

In the year Mark Twain was born, 1835, Halley’s Comet passed by Earth. The great writer famously predicted he’d "go out with it" as well . Indeed, he passed away in 1910, the next time the comet appeared.

3

Jefferson and Adams

A patriotic yet somber coincidence, indeed. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third U.S. presidents, both died on July 4, 1826 —exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

4

Hoover Dam’s first and last casualties

The construction of the Hoover Dam was a long and difficult process, claiming over 100 lives. The first person to die was J.G. Tierney , and the last recorded death was his son , Patrick Tierney.

5

Lincoln and Kennedy

Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy were elected 100 years apart (1860 and 1960). Both suffered fatal head wounds and were succeeded by presidents named Johnson. Their assassins each had three names: John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald. Both were assassinated on a Friday while sitting next to their wives at the time that it happened.

6

Charles Francis Coghlan’s last journey

Actor Charles Francis Coghlan died in Texas in 1899. But his casket was lost at sea during a hurricane. Eight years later, his coffin washed ashore near his birthplace in Prince Edward Island, Canada, more than 3,000 miles away.

7

The Titanic coincidence

A few years before the Titanic sank, Morgan Robertson wrote a short book called Futility , about a massive "unsinkable" ship called the Titan that hit an iceberg and sank. The tale describes a ship with a similar size and a similar lack of lifeboats to the famous vessel.

8

Dennis the Menace

Two comic strips featuring a character named Dennis the Menace debuted in British and American outlets, respectively, on March 12, 1961—only a few hours apart. However, the two creators did not know each other and had no idea of the other’s work.

9

Jim Lewis and Jim Springer

Identical twin brothers separated at birth , Jim Lewis and Jim Springer, were reunited at age 39 and discovered many coincidences: both married women named Linda , divorced, and then remarried women named Betty. Both had dogs named Toy and drove the same model of car. Both grew up with an adopted brother named Larry and had sons whom they named James Allan.

10

Disney magic

A soon-to-be-married couple, Alex and Donna , were looking through old photos to include in their wedding video. They found one photo of Donna posing on a childhood trip to Disney World in 1980. And in the background, they spotted Alex being pushed in a stroller by his father.

11

Moped meets taxi, twice

In 1975, 17-year-old Erskine Lawrence Ebbin was struck by a taxi in Bermuda while riding his moped. A year later, his brother Neville , also 17 at the time, was riding the same moped when he was struck by the same taxi —with the same passenger—on the same street.

12

Lightning strike survivor

Being hit by lightning is an extremely rare occurrence. Park ranger Roy Sullivan was struck not once, but seven times between 1942 and 1977 —and survived them all. The strikes hit him in a fire tower, in his truck, in his yard, while patrolling, and more. His unusual record earned him the nickname "Human Lightning Rod."

1

Tipping is expected, not optional

In the U.S., leaving a tip is considered part of the cost of the meal, not a bonus . Diners typically add 15 to 20 percent to the bill, especially in full-service restaurants.

This practice exists because many servers earn lower base wages and depend on tips. In many other countries, service charges are already included in the bill, making the American system feel unusual or even confusing.

2

Free refills are the norm

Many American restaurants offer unlimited refills on soft drinks, iced tea, and coffee . Once you order a beverage, it often keeps coming at no extra cost.

Elsewhere, each drink is typically billed separately, and refills are rarely free. For visitors to the U.S., this can feel surprisingly generous compared to their dining experiences at home.

3

Ice comes with everything

In the U.S., drinks are often served filled with ice, whether it’s soda, water, or even juice . It’s considered a refreshing standard, especially in warmer climates.

In many other countries, ice is used sparingly or avoided altogether. Some people prefer drinks at room temperature, making the American preference for ice stand out immediately.

4

Portions are huge

American restaurant portions are known for their size. Many meals are large enough to serve more than one person or to provide leftovers for later .

In contrast, other countries tend to serve smaller, more balanced portions. The American approach reflects a culture of abundance, but it can be unexpected for first-time visitors.

5

Taking leftovers home is typical

Asking for a take-home container, also known as a "doggy bag," is a normal part of dining in the U.S. Restaurants are prepared for it, and many people expect to leave with leftovers.

In some countries, this practice is less common or even discouraged. The American "doggy bag" reflects both larger portion sizes and a practical approach to reducing food waste.

6

Waiters check in frequently

In the U.S., servers often return to the table several times during a meal . They may ask how everything tastes, refill drinks, or check whether anything else is needed.

While meant to be attentive, this can feel intrusive to foreign visitors. In many other cultures, less interruption is preferred, and diners typically signal the server only when necessary.

7

Customizing your order is normal

In the U.S., it's common to request changes to a dish, such as removing ingredients or adding extras . Restaurants are usually flexible and expect these requests.

In other parts of the world, altering a menu item may be frowned upon. The American habit reflects a strong emphasis on personal choice and individual preferences.

8

Tap water is served automatically

In American restaurants, a glass of tap water is often brought to the table without being requested . It is typically free and refilled throughout the meal.

In many other countries, bottled water is the default and must be ordered separately.

9

Meals tend to move quickly

Dining in the U.S. often follows a faster pace. Food arrives quickly, and the bill may be brought shortly after the meal is finished .

In contrast, in many other cultures, meals are meant to be long, relaxed experiences. The American approach reflects efficiency and a faster daily rhythm.

10

Splitting the bill is common

In the U.S., restaurants commonly allow separate checks , making it easy for each person to pay their share. This is especially helpful in group settings.

In many other countries, splitting the bill can be more complicated or is actively discouraged. The American system emphasizes convenience and individual responsibility at the table.

11

Sweet foods are common at breakfast

Breakfast in the U.S. often includes sweet items such as pancakes, waffles, pastries, or cereal, alongside eggs, bacon, and toast. Syrup and sugar are common additions at the start of the day.

In many other countries, breakfasts tend to be exclusively savory, featuring foods like bread, cheese, or eggs. The American preference for sweetness can feel like a treat to visitors.

12

Dining is generally casual

While there are many exceptions at five-star, fine dining establishments, American dining culture is typically relaxed, with fewer formal rules about dress or behavior . People often eat out in casual clothing and informal settings.

In other countries, meals, especially dinner, can be more formal events. The American style reflects a focus on comfort rather than tradition.