Famous adoptees, Adoption is one of the most important things you can do for a child. In honor of National Adoption Month, we look back at some famous individuals who are adopted.
J.C. Chasez
The 'N Sync singer (his full name?) was born in Washington, D.C., and adopted at the age of 5.
KRISTIN CHENOWETH
The actress-singer was adopted when she was 5 days old (where did she grow up?).
DAUNTE CULPEPPER
This former NFL quarterback (though he played in a different league more recently) was adopted by a Florida woman who gave 17 children a home.
ANDY DICK
The famous funnyman was adopted at birth by a couple in South Carolina.
MELISSA GILBERT
The "Little House on the Prairie" star (watch clips) was put up for adoption at birth and adopted one day later into a Hollywood family.
DEBBIE HARRY
A New Jersey couple adopted the baby girl who would later become an iconic star of a 1970s punk rock group.
SCOTT HAMILTON
Long before he was an Olympic gold medalist (watch clips), Hamilton was an infant adoptee.
FAITH HILL
This country star (who was born with a different given name) was reared in what she has called a "very stable … God-fearing home" in Star, Miss.
COLIN KAEPERNICK
After being born to 19-year-old Heidi Russo, the future 49ers quarterback was adopted by a couple looking to expand their family (he has two half-siblings).
RAY LIOTTA
A New Jersey couple took this soon-to-be "wise-guy" actor into their home back in 1955.
GREG LOUGANIS
This Olympic gold medalist was born to unwed teen parents and adopted several months later.
DARRYL 'DMC' MCDANIELS
Revered as one-third of a groundbreaking rap act, McDaniels was taken in by a Queens, NY, couple in the early '60s.
SARAH MCLACHLAN
American expatriates raised the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and her two adopted brothers.
MICHAEL OHER
Oher, an NFL offensive tackle, suffered from neglect and homelessness before a Tennessee couple adopted him. Their story became a blockbuster movie, starring Sandra Bullock.
EDGAR ALLEN POE
Though they never formally adopted the future literary giant, a Virginia couple did take Poe in after his mother died.
SOON-YI PREVIN
Previn was adopted from her native country and was raised in a large family. Her adoptive parents later divorced, and her famous mother raised her with an iconic movie director, whom Previn ultimately married and is still with today.
NICOLE RICHIE
The socialite and star of a reality TV show was adopted at the age of 3 when her biological parents could no longer care for her. One of her adoptive parents was a hit '80s singer/songwriter.
NICOLE 'SNOOKI' POLIZZI
The petite reality star was born in a South American country before being adopted when she was 6 months old.
PATTI STANGER
The "Millionaire Matchmaker" (watch clips of her show) was born in Short Hills, N.J. Her adoptive mother was also a matchmaker.
DAVE THOMAS
Thomas, the lovable founder of Wendy's, was adopted a few weeks after his birth in 1932.
