While many are quick to claim the likes of Mel B or the Kaiser Chiefs, the city's connection to fame often runs much deeper and more surprisingly than many realise.
You’ll find Leeds roots everywhere: in the gritty noise-rock scene that birthed a Stranger Things heartthrob, in the university halls that hosted a future Starfleet Captain, and in the local mill towns that inspired global literary icons.
Whether they were born here, raised here, or simply spent their formative years navigating the Otley Run, these figures all share a connection to our corner of West Yorkshire.
Here are 15 famous faces you might be surprised to learn have strong roots in Leeds.
13. Ralph Ineson
With one of the most recognisable voices in showbiz, the Game of Thrones, The Witch, and The Office (UK) actor was born in York but grew up in the city, attending Woodkirk High School (now Woodkirk Academy) in Tingley, where he first discovered his flair for performance. | Getty Images for Disney
14. Helen Fielding
The creator of the iconic Bridget Jones was born in Morley. Her relatable stories of London life actually have their roots in her upbringing in West Yorkshire. Helen was the daughter of a mill manager at a textile factory in Morley that famously produced the heavy cloth used for miners' donkey jackets. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
15. Chris Pine
Saving the biggest surprise for last! While he wasn't born here, the Star Trek and Wonder Woman superstar spent a year living in Leeds as an exchange student at the University of Leeds. He famously lived on Brudenell Road in Hyde Park and has even spoken on US talk shows about his love for a "pasty" and attempting the legendary Otley Run. | Getty Images