By Rebecca Timerblake–

New York, California, Illinois and now Kentucky… It has become a widely accepted fact that Kentucky has horses, George Clooney and Johnny Depp – but there seems to be a new breed of talent coming from the Bluegrass State.

In the past decade, Louisville natives Rob Riggle (“The Hangover,” “21 Jump Street”) and Jennifer Carpenter (“Dexter”) have gained notice from a more wide-spread audience. Other Kentuckians such as Josh Dallas (“Thor”) and Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls), who calls Louisville home despite being born in Hawaii, have also worked their way up the ranks. Still, Kentucky is known for the Derby more than anything else.

Now, it seems that could change. With the help of “The Hunger Games,” one of the most anticipated films of the year, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson may finally shed light on the artistic side of Kentucky.

Lawrence so far has proved to be the breakout star of the film, frequently being compared to Twilight’s Kristen Stewart. In an interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” she discussed the comparisons, saying, “…I wouldn’t have wanted the way [fame] happened to her. Those movies came out, and they just exploded [into fame]. They had no idea… I wouldn’t want to be famous… by complete surprise.”

Although she first gained recognition for 2010’s “Winter’s Bone” and Hutcherson has appeared in numerous TV shows and films like “Bridge to Terabithia,” it has been shown that the best way to put a name on the map is a book-turned-movie role these days. However, a look at their careers will show that they are more than just pretty faces inspiring teens everywhere to pick Team Peeta or Team Gale.

Lawrence’s acting debut, like most starting actors, was a TV movie in 2006 at the age of 16. After small roles in shows, she eventually landed the role of Bill Engvall’s teenage daughter on “The Bill Engvall Show,” where she got a chance to show her comedic talent. When it was cancelled in 2009, Lawrence moved on to “Winter’s Bone,” and from there obtained a key role in “X-Men: First Class” as young Mystique, appealing to both a younger crowd as well as the sci-fi demographic.

Hutcherson had a very similar beginning. In 2002, at the age of 10, he was in two TV movies, then began his stint portraying small characters in various shows. Movies appealing to children followed; “Kicking and Screaming,” “Zathura” and “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” Then he secured a role in “The Kids are All Right.” Though it was not commercially successful, the film and the cast received high praise for their work and it was one of the biggest hits of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

Whether they intended fame like that of Stewart, it certainly seems they have achieved it. With two more books in the “Hunger Games” series (“Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay”), fans of the books and film will guarantee these two have staying power. And, in turn, Lawrence and Hutcherson will show the world – which will be watching – that Kentucky produces more than tobacco and the most exciting two minutes in sports.

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Photos courtesy LionsGate