Idaho has long been known for its blue-ribbon trout streams, powder-perfect ski slopes, and the kind of down-to-earth privacy you just can’t find in Hollywood. Maybe that’s why more and more A-listers are planting roots, or at least escaping for a while, in the Gem State.
From rugged ranch retreats to cozy second homes tucked into the mountains, here are some of the celebrities who have a special connection to Idaho.
Jimmy Kimmel — Swan Valley
While many fans know Jimmy Kimmel as the longtime host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, fewer are aware of his Idaho connection. In 2020, Kimmel and his friend, famed angler Oliver White, purchased South Fork Lodge in Swan Valley—an angler’s paradise perched along one of the country’s best trout rivers.
Kimmel has been known to explore beyond his property too. When Barbie premiered in 2023, he watched it at the Paramount Theater in Idaho Falls—a charming, locally owned cinema about 45 minutes from his lodge.
Aaron Paul — Emmett & Boise
Aaron Paul’s Idaho roots run deep. Born in Emmett and a graduate of Centennial High School in Boise, the Breaking Bad star has always been proud of where he comes from.
Over the years, he’s been spotted around Boise promoting films, visiting friends, or simply enjoying the city he still considers home. Paul’s love for Idaho shows—he often speaks fondly of growing up here and the strong sense of community in the Treasure Valley.
Demi Moore — Hailey
For more than two decades, Demi Moore has found refuge in the Wood River Valley. She purchased her stunning 10.5-acre ranch in Hailey in 2000, shortly after her divorce from Bruce Willis. The property includes a six-bedroom, eight-bath home and has served as a family haven for her daughters and extended relatives.
Moore originally moved to the area in the late 1980s to escape the Hollywood spotlight, and Hailey has remained a grounding, restorative place for her ever since.
Clint Eastwood — Sun Valley
Clint Eastwood’s relationship with Idaho goes back decades. He filmed his classic 1985 Western Pale Rider in the Sawtooth Wilderness near Sun Valley, showcasing the region's rugged beauty on the big screen. Earlier, his film Bronco Billy (1980) shot scenes in the Treasure Valley area, including Eagle and downtown Boise.
Eastwood has returned to Sun Valley many times and has spoken publicly about how much he enjoys the area’s quiet charm and mountain scenery.
Arnold Schwarzenegger — Ketchum
Arnold Schwarzenegger may be synonymous with action-movie stardom, bodybuilding fame, and political history, but he also has a softer spot—for Idaho. He built his vacation home in Ketchum in 1994, the heart of Sun Valley’s celebrity-friendly mountain town.
Schwarzenegger is a regular visitor known to enjoy the slopes at Sun Valley Resort. The privacy, scenery, and tight-knit community make it the perfect getaway for the former California governor.
Post Malone — Recent Idaho Regular
Post Malone’s connection to Idaho may be newer, but it’s already strong. He visited Idaho in early 2025 for a hunting trip and returned later that year to perform at Albertsons Stadium for his “Big Ass Stadium Tour.”
The show drew nearly 37,000 fans—making it one of the biggest concerts in Idaho history. He was also spotted around Boise, including stops at local favorites like Penguilley's before and after the performance. Rumor has it that he is looking to purchase a Gem state home in the future…
Jamie Lee Curtis — Sun Valley & Ketchum
Jamie Lee Curtis has spent over 30 years calling the Sun Valley area her second home. Her family’s Idaho history runs even deeper—her mother, Hollywood legend Janet Leigh, also owned a home there for many years. The Sun Valley Resort even named a trail “Leigh Lane” in her honor.
Curtis isn’t just a visitor; she’s a supporter of Idaho-based organizations and remains closely connected to the community that has embraced her for decades.
Why Idaho? Privacy, beauty, and a pace of life that feels real.
Whether it’s the trout-rich rivers of Swan Valley, the cinematic skylines of the Sawtooths, the welcoming community of the Treasure Valley or the ski-in, ski-out lifestyle of Sun Valley, Idaho offers something celebrities—and locals—can’t help but love: a place where life slows down and nature takes center stage.
Idaho might just be the country’s best-kept open secret… though with this many famous residents and visitors, the secret may not last forever.