Feeling unappreciated in their own country and anxious over the lack of momentum in their careers, these stars left their homelands to pursue their dreams of fame and fortune. Find out which famous expats like Charlize Theron took a risk that paid off and moved abroad...

The 'Babylon' beauty started off her career on Australian soap 'Neighbours' before taking a leap of faith and moving to America at 21. Her role as Naomi Lapaglia in Martin Scorsese's 2013 movie 'The Wolf of Wall Street' made her a global star and one of the most in-demand actresses in Hollywood.

The 'Family Guy' star was born Milena Kunis in the city of Chernivtsi in Ukraine, when it was still part of the Soviet Union. Her parents subsequently left Ukraine and headed to the US. Mila said: "I didn't understand the culture, I didn't understand the people. I didn't understand the language ... But I got over it pretty fast."

The ‘Knives Out’ actress started her career off in communist Cuba before moving to Madrid, Spain, at 18, thanks to her maternal grandparents being Spanish immigrants. Ana starred in popular telenovela ‘El Internado’ for six seasons. Anxious about the lack of momentum in her career, Ana moved to the US in 2014 where she knew no English whatsoever. After spending four months learning the language, Ana landed her first Hollywood role in 2015’s erotic thriller ‘Knock Knock’ opposite Keanu Reeves. Since then she has appeared in Bond film 'No Time To Die' and portrayed Marilyn Monroe.

Born in Ixelles, Brussels, in Belgium to an aristocratic family, Hepburn spent most of her childhood there and in the Netherlands reaching her adolescent years during World War II. Hepburn began taking ballet lessons at 19 and moved to London to pursue her career. Before landing her breakout role in 1953’s ‘Roman Holiday’ the late Hollywood Icon became a chorus girl in the West End. Hepburn becoming a major screen star and will forever be remembered for her roles in films such as; ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) and ‘My Fair Lady’ (1964).

Jackie Chan grew up in Hong Kong, and eventually found fame and fortune in America. However, as a teenager, he was dubbed "useless" by one director. But after training with Bruce Lee and becoming famous in Hong Kong, Jackie broke the US in the 90s thanks to his incredible daredevil stunts and martial arts skills.

The ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ rocker, who changed his name from Farrokh Bulsara, was born in Zanzibar. Before moving to London at the age of 18, Freddie spent the majority of his teen years in Zanzibar and India. The late singer found global fame and adulation as the frontman of Queen.

The former Governor of California moved from Austria to the US at the age 21 to pursue his dreams of transitioning from a bodybuilding phenomenon to an action star. In 2018, he spoke of his pride at becoming an American citizen, saying: "It was 35 years ago today that I became a citizen of the United States of America. I arrived here almost 50 years ago with empty pockets, but full of dreams. I owe it all to America." Arnie's filmography contains classics such as 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day', 'Predator', 'Running Man' and 'Total Recall' among many more.

'The Matrix’ actor has zero Lebanese ancestry despite being born in Lebanon’s capital Beirut. After his parents divorced, Keanu ended up being raised in Sydney then New York before settling in Toronto, Canada where he struggled to fit into four different schools before quitting to pursue his acting career.

The ‘V for Vendetta’ star holds dual American and Israeli citizenship, after moving to the US as a child. The Oscar-winning actress directed 2015's 'A Tale of Love and Darkness’, and she explained how it related to her own journey in life. Natalie said: "The dual-pull of being an immigrant, idealizing where you're going and once you get there, idealizing where you left. All of that I relate to."

Salma Hayek conquered Hollywood during the 90s, with films like ‘Desperado’ and 'From Dusk till Dawn'. But she's always tried to remain true to her Mexican heritage. She said: "I have tried my whole life to represent my Mexican roots with honor and pride."