10 Famous People From North Carolina

Here are 10 famous people from North Carolina. How many of these did you know about?

John Coltrane (1926 – 1967)

The famous saxophonist was born in Hamlet and grew up in High Point, where he lived until shortly after he graduated from high school (source: High Point Museum).

Charlie Daniels (born 1936)

Singer-songwriter Charlie Daniels was born in Wilmington in a family that raised tobacco. Throughout his childhood, he traveled with his family throughout the Southeast. In the early years of his band, he found work playing in local clubs in Jacksonville, NC. (Source: NCpedia.org)

Clay Aiken (born 1978)

American Idol runner-up and Congressional candidate Clay Aiken grew up in Raleigh and studied at UNC-Charlotte (source: ClayAiken.com).

Sugar Ray Leonard (born 1956)

Olympic boxing champion and professional boxer Sugar Ray Leonard was born in Wilmington before moving to Maryland, where he eventually began his fighting career (source: Wikipedia).

Andy Griffith (1926-2012)

Most famous for his starring roles in The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock, Griffith was born in Mount Airy, NC. Griffith also studied at UNC in Chapel Hill, where he eventually met his wife, Barbara Edwards. (Source: Biography.com)

Edward R. Murrow (1908 – 1965)

Journalist Edward R. Murrow was born in Polecat Creek, just outside of Greensboro, where he lived the first six years of his life in a small log cabin. (Source: The North Carolina History Project).

Dale Earnhardt (1951-2001)

NASCAR racing legend Dale Earnhardt was born in Kannapolis and lived in North Carolina throughout most of his life. He started his career racing at local tracks throughout North Carolina (source: Automotive Hall of Fame).

Howard Cosell (1918 – 1995)

The famous sportscaster was born in Winston-Salem before moving to New York, where he eventually studied law before beginning his career in sports journalism (source: BaseballChronology.com).

James Taylor (born 1948)

James Taylor was born in Boston, but grew up in Chapel Hill, where his family stayed for most of his childhood. He eventually graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill. The Chapel Hill Museum has dedicated an exhibit to James Taylor (source: Chapel Hill Museum).

Michael Jordan (born 1963)

Michael Jordan was born in New York, but moved with his family to Wilmington. Before being drafted by the Chicago Bulls, Jordan played for UNC-Chapel Hill. When playing in the NBA, he continued to wear his UNC shorts under his Bulls shorts as a good luck charm (source: 23Jordan.com).

Do you know of any more to add to this list? Feel free to contribute them in the comments below!

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Posted by Larry Tollen on November 24th, 2015

Warren Haynes of The Allman Brothers Band and Gov't Mule. Guitarist and vocalist is from Asheville, NC.
Matthew, he still lives there and I've had the pleasure of seeing him perform a couple of times in Durham.

Posted by Matthew Griffin on Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018 at 9:48pm

The Petty Family, NASCAR legends. Lee, Richard, Kyle , Adam. Cindy, no doubt about the Petty Family by worthy of mention

Posted by Cindy on Saturday, September 1st, 2018 at 9:35am

Roberta Flack

Posted by Vette Grantham on Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 at 12:34pm

amazing website for information
Rebel- Thanks.

Posted by Rebel on Thursday, September 13th, 2018 at 1:24pm

Oprah Winfrey and Fantasia
Tinita, Oprah was born in Mississippi, but Fantasia from High Point NC is a great choice!

Posted by Tinita Walker on Friday, September 14th, 2018 at 11:15pm

Ronnie Milsap (Robbinsville, NC)
Doc Watson (Deep Gap, NC)

Anne - No doubt about it, two exceptional choices!

Posted by Anne Brady on Sunday, September 23rd, 2018 at 10:57am

me to

Posted by kyle on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018 at 6:44pm

i like this

Posted by kyle on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2018 at 6:45pm

thanks for all the comments! - <a href="/about.php">Larry Tollen</a>

Posted by Larry Tollen on Monday, December 10th, 2018 at 6:31pm

hey so i like this website but it doesn't help me at all.
Abby, not sure what you were looking for, but appreciate your letting us know you like our site.

Posted by abby on Friday, May 3rd, 2019 at 9:18am

What about Matt and Jeff Hardy?
Dustin, Larry here and I love it, huge Hardy Boys fan growing up, and I'd forgotten until your comment that they were from NC! Thanks for visiting our site and taking the time to leave a comment.

Posted by Dustin on Saturday, May 11th, 2019 at 11:44am

helpful website

Hanna, thank you. If you're looking to buy or sell in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area, we'd love to help you. Give us a call.

Posted by hanna on Monday, May 20th, 2019 at 1:27pm

Jim Thorpe, baseball and football. Also won Olympic medal for track
Buck Leonard, baseball
Thelonius Monk, musician
All from Rocky Mount, NC

Renee, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, I hope you liked the article. Jim Thorpe was born and raised in Oklahoma, both Thelonius Monk and Buck Lenard were as you point out from Rocky Mount and certainly both are note worthy North Carolinians. Larry Tollen for My NC Homes

Posted by Sonja Smith on Tuesday, May 28th, 2019 at 12:59pm

Ryan Adam's, singer/songwriter and ex husband of Mandy Moore, grew up in Jacksonville NC

Kathy: Some great suggestions. If we do another one of these type articles I'll keep your suggestions in mind. Larry @ My NC Homes

Posted by Kathy on Thursday, May 30th, 2019 at 12:20am

QUEEN OF GOSPEL 11 GRAMMY'S PASTOR SHIRLEY CAESAR!!!

Selena: Excellent suggestion. Thanks for leaving a comment and we hope you enjoyed the article.

Posted by Selena Rodríguez on Tuesday, June 18th, 2019 at 11:25pm

Country music singer. Eric Church

Tanya: Great choice! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

Posted by Tanya on Monday, June 24th, 2019 at 9:52pm

Adonya "BlackDiamond" Griffin is a Jewelry Designer from Elizabeth City, N.C. and Kenny R. Willams is too. A Basketball Player. Max Roach is From Elizabeth City(Newland). And I knew All these people. Adonya Griffin known affectionately by Friends Broke On the Scene in 2003. Designs Run all across the United States. And Kenny was International. Max Roach was one of the baddest Jazz Musicians to grace Elizabeth City, NC. And If Im Not Mistaken They Are All Related. Roots stemming From Newland to EC. Griffin was Born In 1974. Williams Was Born In 1969. And Max Roach 1900s?

Taylor, Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. You gave me some great ideas for a follow up article. Larry @ My NC Homes

Posted by Taylor on Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 at 8:58am

What about Christoph Sanders? Last man standing! From Hendersonville nc

Ronnie, Good pick. While Christopher was raised in Hendersonville he was originally from CA. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

Posted by Ronnie Jenkins on Friday, October 4th, 2019 at 12:04pm

One of the greatest rappers alive: Jermaine Lamarr Cole better known as J. Cole. From Fayetteville, NC

Posted by Destin Choice Route on Thursday, November 7th, 2019 at 2:42am

What about Stephen Curry? He was raised in Charlotte. Austin definitely a worthy pick. When I first published this list in 2015 he was just getting started in the NBA. We made need to do an updated list as we've gotten lots of great suggestions over the years from people like you taking the time to comment. Thanks. Larry @ My NC Homes

Posted by Austin on Thursday, January 23rd, 2020 at 6:25pm

From Rocky Mount there is the Barnes Family of Gospel Music. The Late, Bishop FC Barnes, Grammy nominee Rev. Luther Barnes, Wanda Barnes, Deborah Barnes, The Red Budd Gospel Choir, The Sunset Jubilaires, The Restoration Worship Center Choir. Also, Pastor Thomas L. Walker for his many works in the community and with the NAACP.

Kendra, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Glad you enjoyed the article . Larry @ My NC Homes.

Posted by Kendra Barnes Garrett on Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 at 8:01pm

Chase Rice is from Asheville
Kellie Pickler is from Albemarle
Ava Gardner was from Smithfield

There are many, many more people than listed.

Dan Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Glad you enjoyed the article Larry @m\ My NC Homes

Posted by Dan on Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 at 1:21pm

I am offended that MrBeast isn't on here. Definitely noteworthy. Thanks for the suggestion Larry@ My NC Homes

Posted by Aaron on Monday, March 9th, 2020 at 5:42pm

Pam Grier is from Winston-Salem.

Wow, I didn't realize this. She's definitely noteworthy. Thanks for the suggestion. Larry @ My NC Homes.

Posted by BRIAN PITTS on Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 at 3:53pm

Add a few to the list of wrestlers besides the Hardy Boys.

Vincent Kennedy McMahon (Owner of WWE) was born on August 24, 1945 in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Ashley Fliehr (Charlotte Flair) was born in Charlotte, North Carolina to Ric Flair and his then-wife Elizabeth Harrell.

Adam Scherr (former Amateur strongman aka WWE's Braun Strowman) was born on September 6, 1983, in Sherrills Ford, North Carolina.

Allen Neal Jones (WWE's A.J. Styles) was born at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Sylvester Ritter (legendary pro wrestler Junkyard Dog) Born in Wadesboro, NC and played football at Fayetteville State University.

Thanks for some great suggestions. I didn't realize Vince McMahon was born here. Thanks for point it out. Larry @ My NC Homes

Posted by Gary on Saturday, March 21st, 2020 at 6:33pm

Pete Maravich was raised on North Carolina and would have played at NCState but his grade point average could not meet the ACC standerds so he wound up at LSU.
When he graduated from LSU the Carolina Cougers on the ABA tried real hard to sign him but he signed with Atlanta instead.

Pistol Pete Maravich, definitely noteworthy. I appreciate the great suggestion. Larry @ My NC Homes

Posted by William on Monday, March 23rd, 2020 at 6:44pm

Charles Duke Jr. from Charlotte, and he is the youngest person to walk on the moon. Richard, Fantastic choice, and frankly I'm embarrassed he wasn't on our initial list. Larry @My NC Homes

Posted by Richard (UK) on Monday, May 11th, 2020 at 3:54pm

Barry Foote BASEBALL PLAYER from Smithfield Bill, thanks for taking the time to point out another noteworthy North Carolinian. Andrew @ My NC Homes

Posted by Mason Barbour Jr on Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 at 5:57pm

Billy Graham, the greatest evangelist of our time was born in Charlotte!

Posted by Hettie Lance on Friday, May 15th, 2020 at 12:17pm

Hello everybody, I'm Mauro writing from the Lake of Como, Northern Italy.
Since I like playing tennis, I heard that the great John Isner is from Greensboro, NC.
Am I right? Mauro, you are right and as a non tennis player I appreciate your bringing him to my attention. Great choice! Larry@My NC Homes

Posted by mauro on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020 at 10:23am

I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Randy Travis (Traywick) from Marshville NC...

Posted by Rick McManus on Saturday, June 27th, 2020 at 9:05am

Nina Simone, Teton, NC. Queen!
Shirley Double Thumbs Up for Nina Simone. Great choice! Larry @ MyNCHomes

Posted by Shirley Richardson on Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 at 10:38pm

Hoyt Wilhelm, greates knuckle ball pitcher of all time was from Mooresville

Catfish Hunter

Enos "Country" Slaughter from Roxboro

John Motley Morehead from Eden

The US Secretary of Commerce under President Kennedy. He gave us the Research Triangle (I am having a senior moment) Donald Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Some excellent choices. Thanks for contributing- Andrew@MyNCHomes

Posted by Donald Haynes on Monday, July 20th, 2020 at 2:45am

The legendary gospel singer John P. Kee from Durham NC
And R&B singer Anthony Hamilton from Charlotte NC Tasha- Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Both are good choices! Larry@MyNCHomes

Posted by Tasha on Saturday, July 25th, 2020 at 3:37am

I don't know if you mentioned that Andie McDowell lives in Ashville NC.

James, good choice. Thanks for the mention. Larry @ My NC Homes

Posted by James Osherow on Monday, February 8th, 2021 at 3:29pm

Buck Leonard, legendary baseball player, born in Rocky Mount NC.

Cedric Alexander, professional wrestler (WWE), Charlotte

Posted by Capriece on Friday, February 19th, 2021 at 4:47am

He's new but he's already award winning and from the mountains of NC... Luke Combs.

Kim Great choice. Thanks for sharing

Posted by Kim Thompson on Saturday, February 27th, 2021 at 9:09am

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