List of people from Virginia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of notable people who were born in the U.S. state of Virginia, were raised or lived in Virginia, or for whom Virginia is a significant part of their identity. Those not born in Virginia are marked with §.

A

Alden Aaroe – WRVA talk show host
Caroline Aaron – actress and producer
John Aboud – writer, comedian, commentator on Best Week Ever and other VH1 shows
Jim Acosta – national political correspondent for CNN
Hunter "Patch" Adams § – doctor, author, and social activist
Rick Adams – Internet pioneer, founder of UUNET
Xavier Adibi § – linebacker for Minnesota Vikings
Cynthia Adinig § – Healthcare equity activist
Chris Adler – drummer for Lamb of God
Willie Adler – guitarist for Lamb of God
Danny Aiken – long snapper for New England Patriots
Mary C. Alexander – aviation pioneer
Andy Allanson – former MLB catcher
James Anderson § – linebacker for Carolina Panthers
Justin Anderson – player for Dallas Mavericks
V.C. Andrews – novelist; born in Portsmouth, Virginia
Anhayla – singer, guitarist, YouTube personality
Andi Arndt – audiobook narrator
David Arquette – actor, born on commune in Winchester
John Ashby – colonel in the Virginia militia
Arthur Ashe (1943–1993) – tennis player and social activist
Bob Asher – former NFL offensive tackle
Abelhaleem Hasan Abdelraziq Ashqar – Palestinian convicted of criminal contempt and obstruction of justice for refusal to testify in a trial related to the funding of Hamas in the US
Shakira Austin (born 2000) – basketball center for the Israeli team Elitzur Ramla^[1]
Stephen F. Austin (1793–1836) – first secretary of state of Republic of Texas
Kevin Aviance – dancer

B

Ba–Bm

Nathaniel Bacon (1647–1676) – led Bacon's Rebellion against British authority in 1676
Diedrich Bader (born 1966) – actor
Margaret L. Bailey (1812–1888) – writer, poet, lyricist, editor, and publisher
Pearl Bailey – Tony Award-winning actress and singer
Ronald Bailey § – science editor for Reason magazine
Dylan Baker § – actor
David Baldacci – author
Krystal Ball – businesswoman, co-host of MSNBC show The Cycle
Gordon Banks – guitarist and songwriter
Steve Bannon – campaign manager, businessman, media executive, Chief Strategist and senior counselor to President Donald Trump
Ronde Barber (born 1975) – NFL cornerback
Tiki Barber (born 1975) – sportscaster, NFL running back
Don Barclay (born 1989) – NFL offensive lineman
Kylene Barker – Ms. America 1979
Melody Barnes (born 1964) – director of Domestic Policy Council for President Barack Obama
Lauren Barnette – beauty pageant winner and model
Joey Baron – musician
Connor Barth (born 1986) – placekicker for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Samuel Barton § (1749–1810) – explorer, pioneer; early settler of Nashville, Tennessee
Viola Baskerville (born 1951) – Virginia Secretary of Administration
Dave Batista – professional wrestler
Warren Beatty (born 1937) – actor and Academy Award-winning director
Beth Behrs § (born 1985) – actress, 2 Broke Girls
Bob Bender (born 1957) – basketball player and coach
Antoine Bethea § – football player for San Francisco 49ers
Larry Bethea § – football player for Dallas Cowboys
Rainey Bethea (1909–1936) – last person publicly executed in United States
Leslie Bibb § – actress, Carley Bobby in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Jim Bibby – former Major League pitcher; from Madison Heights
Lewis Binford (1931–2011) – archaeologist
Adam Birch – professional wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown!
Peter Blair – Olympic bronze medalist in freestyle wrestling
Benny Blanco – record producer and songwriter
Tom Bliley – member of United States House of Representatives representing Virginia's 3rd congressional district then 7th congressional district
Dré Bly – football player with the Detroit Lions
Randy Blythe – singer of metal band Lamb of God

Bn–Bz

Bruce Bochy § – manager for Texas Rangers
Rudy Boesch § – third-place finalist on Survivor: Pulau Tiga (first season)
Bill Bolling § – lieutenant governor of Virginia
Gary U.S. Bonds § – singer-songwriter
J. Evan Bonifant – actor
Olive Borden – actress
Maria Boren – contestant on TV's The Apprentice
Wes Borland – guitarist for Limp Bizkit and other bands
Th-resa Bostick § – IFBB professional bodybuilder
Luke Bowanko – center for the Jacksonville Jaguars
Mary Bowser – freed slave who worked as Union spy during American Civil War, admitted to Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
Jackie Bradley Jr. – center fielder for Boston Red Sox
Ahmad Bradshaw (born 1986) – running back for New York Giants
Karen Briggs § – violinist
Antwain Britt (born 1978) – mixed martial artist
Connie Britton § (born 1968) – actress; raised in Lynchburg
Dave Brockie – founder of Gwar
Aaron Brooks – football quarterback for Oakland Raiders
Ahmad Brooks – professional football linebacker for San Francisco 49ers
Chris Brown (born 1989) – singer and actor
Duane Brown – offensive tackle for Houston Texans
Pamela Brown (born 1983) - television anchor for CNN News
Ruth Brown – Grammy Award-award-winning singer and entertainer
Mika Brzezinski § – television news journalist at MSNBC
Shannon Bream – lawyer and Journalist, attended Liberty University
Bebe Buell – fashion model, groupie; mother of Liv Tyler
Joyce Bulifant – television actress
Sandra Bullock (born 1964) – actress
Plaxico Burress (born 1977) – wide receiver for New York Jets
Hilarie Burton – actress
Jeff Burton (born 1967) – NASCAR driver
Ward Burton (born 1961) – NASCAR driver
Curtis Bush – world champion kickboxer and actor
Jermon Bushrod – offensive tackle for Chicago Bears
Deon Butler – professional football wide receiver for Seattle Seahawks; from Woodbridge
Eddie Butler – starting pitcher for Colorado Rockies
Martha Haines Butt (1833–1871) – author
Charlie Byrd – jazz guitarist

C

James Branch Cabell – author of fantasy fiction and belles lettres
Erin Cahill – actress, Jen Scotts on Power Rangers Time Force
Alyson Cambridge (born 1980) – operatic soprano and classical music, jazz, and American popular song singer
Shawn Camp – relief pitcher for Toronto Blue Jays
John Campbell – bassist for Lamb of God
Eric Cantor – member of the United States House of Representatives representing Virginia's 7th congressional district
Steve Cardenas – martial artist, actor, Rocky DeSantos on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Power Rangers: Zeo
Lott Carey – early African-American colonist and missionary to Liberia
Jay Carney – White House Press Secretary under U.S. President Barack Obama
A. P. Carter – musician, singer-songwriter; member of Carter Family
Allen 'Big Al' Carter – painter, photographer, sculptor and teacher
Maybelle Carter – guitarist, singer, member of Carter Family; mother of June Carter Cash
Robert "King" Carter I (1663–1732) – wealthy colonist businessman
Sara Carter (1898–1979) – country music singer
Alan-Michael Cash – defensive tackle for Montreal Alouettes
June Carter Cash (1929–2003) – singer-songwriter, actress and comedian; member of Carter Family, second wife of Johnny Cash
Anthony Castonzo § – NFL player
Jake Cave (born 1992) – outfielder for the Minnesota Twins
Christina Chambers (born 1969) – actress and model, One Life to Live, Sunset Beach
Kam Chancellor (born 1988) – strong safety for Seattle Seahawks
David Chang – restaurateur
Anthony Clark – actor (television sitcoms Yes, Dear and Boston Common); born in Lynchburg
Florence Anderson Clark (1835–1918) – university librarian and administrator
George Rogers Clark (1752–1818) – American Revolutionary War military leader
William Clark (1770–1838) – explorer (Lewis and Clark Expedition); brother of George Rogers Clark
Roy Clark – country musician born in Meherrin, Virginia
Henry Clay (1777–1852) – 19th-century statesman
Clarence Clemons (1942–2011) – saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, played football for Norfolk Neptunes
Patsy Cline (1932–1963) – singer
Jim Coates – former MLB pitcher, primarily with New York Yankees
Sarah Johnson Cocke – writer and civic leader
Coko – member of SWV, gospel music singer
Catherine Coleman § (born 1960) – NASA astronaut
Matt Coleman III (born 1998) – basketball player for Hapoel Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
Francis Collins – physician-geneticist, director of National Institutes of Health
Mike Compton – NFL player
Stacy Compton – NASCAR driver and team owner; born in Hurt
Kavell Conner – linebacker for Indianapolis Colts
Matthew Continetti – journalist, editor-in-chief of The Washington Free Beacon
Scott Cooper – actor, writer, director
Michael Copon – actor, Lucas Kendall in Power Rangers: Time Force
Leanza Cornett – Miss America, actress, TV commentator
Alex Cosmidis – baseball player, manager, scout
Joseph Cotten (1905–1994) – actor
Patricia Cornwell § – novelist
Katie Couric (born 1957) – television personality
Michael Covel – author and documentarian
Robert Cray § (born 1953) – blues musician
Henry Creamer – vaudeville song lyricist
Zach Cregger – actor
Romeo Crennel (born 1947) – NFL coach
Kyle Crockett (born 1991) – MLB pitcher
Amanda Cromwell – professional soccer coach and former player
Adrian Cronauer § – disc jockey
Michael Cuddyer (born 1979) – MLB outfielder
Elizabeth Litchfield Cunnyngham – missionary and church worker
Dell Curry (born 1964) – former NBA player for the Charlotte Hornets; father of Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry

D

D'Angelo – R&B musician
Dan Daniel – politician, 39th National Commander of American Legion
Troy Daniels – shooting guard for Charlotte Hornets
Colgate Whitehead Darden Jr. – governor of Virginia, chancellor of the College of William & Mary and president of the University of Virginia
Wendy Dascomb – Miss USA 1969
Chris Daughtry § (born 1979) – American Idol finalist; attended high school in Charlottesville
Ed Davis § – power forward for Toronto Raptors; attended Benedictine High School in Richmond
Tanya Davis – artist and past president of the Torpedo Factory Artists Association
Tyrone Davis – NFL tight end, primarily with Green Bay Packers
John M. Dawson (1829–1913) – minister and Virginia senator
Jimmy Dean – singer, actor, television personality and "sausage king"
Serena Deeb – professional wrestler
Dalvin DeGrate – singer, member of R&B group Jodeci
Evelyn Magruder DeJarnette (1842–1914) – author
DeSagana Diop § – center for Charlotte Bobcats; attended Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson
Junie Donlavey – owner and namesake of NASCAR "Donlavey" racing team
Eric Dorsey § – defensive end for New York Giants; attended high school in McLean
Desmond Doss – United States Army corporal who served as a combat medic during World War II
Gabby Douglas – artistic gymnast and Olympic gold medalist
Fanny Murdaugh Downing (1831–1894) – author and poet
Bill Dudley (1921–2010) – former NFL halfback, member of the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame
Eliza Ann Dupuy (c. 1814 – 1880) – littérateur and author
Kevin Durant § – All-Star small forward for NBA champion Golden State Warriors; attended Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson

E

Kenny Easley (born 1959) – NFL safety for the Seattle Seahawks, member of the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame
Ferrell Edmunds (born 1965) – NFL tight end
Tremaine Edmunds (born 1998) – NFL linebacker
Terrell Edmunds (born 1997) – NFL safety
Trey Edmunds (born 1994) – NFL running back
Elizabeth Edwards § (1949–2010) – attorney, author; estranged wife to John Edwards
Missy Elliott (born 1971) – rapper
Perry Ellis (1940–1986) – fashion designer
Brother Claude Ely (1922–1978) – singer-songwriter, Pentecostal Holiness preacher
Phillip H. Emerson (1834–1889) – justice of the Supreme Court of the Utah Territory 1873–1885
Garrett Epps (born 1950) – legal scholar, novelist, journalist
Victoria Espinel (born 1968) – intellectual property enforcement coordinator under U.S. President Barack Obama
Charles Esten § (born 1965) – comedian, actor and singer

F

Jonny Fairplay – Survivor: Pearl Islands contestant and professional wrestler
Frankie Faison – film actor
Jerry Falwell (1933–2007) – Christian minister, televangelist, and political activist (Moral Majority)
James Farrior – NFL linebacker
William Faulkner § (1897–1962) – author, writer-in-residence at University of Virginia from 1957 until his death
Florian-Ayala Fauna – artist, musician, music producer^[2]
Mimi Faust – reality TV personality
Justin Fairfax (1979–2026) – lieutenant governor of Virginia
Bessie Alexander Ficklen (1861–1945) – poet and artist
Dorian Finney-Smith – NBA player for Dallas Mavericks
Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996) – jazz singer
Roberta Flack § – Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, musician
Gary Fleder – film director, screenwriter, producer
Charles Follis – first African-American professional football player
Jon Foreman – lead singer for rock band Switchfoot
Tim Foreman – bass player for rock band Switchfoot
Chip Franklin – comedian and talk show host

G

Lea Gabrielle (born 1975) – journalist and correspondent, Fox News Channel
Forrest Gander § (born 1956) – poet, essayist and translator
Greg Garcia – director, producer, creator of sitcoms Raising Hope and My Name Is Earl, co-creator of Yes, Dear
Clifton Garvin – chief executive officer of Exxon 1975–1986
Gray Gaulding – NASCAR driver
Azita Ghanizada § – actress, Saira Batra on General Hospital: Night Shift
William D. Gibbons – Baptist minister
William Gibson § – cyberpunk author; coined the term 'cyberspace'
Vince Gilligan – director, producer, creator of Breaking Bad
Jim Gilmore – governor of Virginia
Sheila Giolitti – artist and art dealer
Jack Gilpin – actor
Ellen Glasgow – early 20th-century novelist
Indur M. Goklany – science and technology policy analyst for U.S. Department of the Interior
Irving Gottesman – professor and professor emeritus at University of Virginia
Lauren Graham – actress, comedy-drama series Gilmore Girls
Samuel Gravely – African-American officer who broke many racial barriers in U.S. Navy
Justin Grimm § – relief pitcher for Chicago Cubs
David Grohl – musician with Foo Fighters; moved to Virginia at age three
Johnny Grubb – Major League Baseball player
Kevin Grubb – NASCAR driver
Wayne Grubb – NASCAR crew chief and former driver
Grant Gustin – actor best known for his role as The Flash in the superhero TV series of the same name; born in Norfolk
Brandon Guyer § – outfielder for Cleveland Indians

H

Hilary Hahn (born 1979) – two-time Grammy Award-winning violinist
Charlie Hales § (born 1956) – mayor of Portland, Oregon
Charles Haley – football player for Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers; born in Gladys
DeAngelo Hall § (born 1983) – cornerback for Washington Redskins
Fawn Hall (born 1959) – figure in Iran–Contra affair
Mark Hamill § (born 1951) – actor, known for Star Wars films; attended high school in Annandale
Peter Hamby § (born 1981) – journalist; attended high school in Richmond
Denny Hamlin (born 1980) – NASCAR driver, 2006 rookie of the year, and Three time Daytona 500 winner; grew up in Chesterfield
Zac Hanson (born 1985) – member of pop band Hanson
Jason Butler Harner § (born 1970) – actor
Eli Harold (born 1994) – linebacker for San Francisco 49ers
Justin Harper (born 1989) – power forward for Orlando Magic
Benjamin Harrison – 23rd president of the United States; grandson of William Henry Harrison
Benjamin Harrison V – signer of the Declaration of Independence, father of U.S. President William Henry Harrison
Carl Hairston (born 1952) – NFL player, Super Bowl champion
William Henry Harrison (1773–1841) – 9th president of the United States
Kathryn Harrold (born 1950) – actress
Bryan Harvey – musician; known for fronting role in House of Freaks; murdered with family in 2006
Percy Harvin – NFL wide receiver
Nidal Hasan – U.S. Army psychiatrist; sole suspect in Fort Hood shooting of 2009
Frank Hassell (born 1988) – basketball player
Earl Hebner – professional wrestling referee
Mike Helton – vice chairman of NASCAR
William Henderson – fullback for Green Bay Packers
Lauri Hendler – actress, Gimme a Break!
Rick Hendrick – NASCAR Cup Series team owner for Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson, Alex Bowman, and William Byron; born in South Hill
Molly Henneberg (born 1973) – reporter for Fox News
Patrick Henry (1736–1799) – American Revolution figure and first governor of Virginia after nation's independence
Kate Higgins (born 1969) – anime voice actor
Grant Hill § (born 1972) – basketball player, Olympic gold medalist, 7-time NBA All-Star^[3]
Oliver Hill (1907–2007) – lawyer
Laura Hillenbrand (born 1967) – author of books and magazine articles
Skip Hinnant (born 1940) – actor, The Electric Company
Mary Evelyn Hitchcock (1849–1920) – author and explorer
Wendell and Sherman Holmes – blues, gospel and roots musicians
David Homyk – musician
Grace Hopper § (1906–1992) – pioneering computer scientist, and United States Navy rear admiral
Constance Horner (born 1942) – public official in Reagan and first Bush administrations; independent director of Pfizer, Prudential Financial, and Ingersoll Rand; resides in Lexington
Bruce Hornsby (born 1954) – musician
Ralph Horween (1896–1997) – Harvard Crimson and NFL football player, centenarian
Quin Houff (born 1997) – NASCAR driver
Sam Houston (1793–1863) – born in Rockbridge County; governor of Tennessee (1827–1829); first and third president of Republic of Texas; governor of Texas; U.S. senator from Texas
David Huddleston (1930–2016) – actor, The Big Lebowski, Blazing Saddles
Juliet Huddy § (born 1969) – Fox News news anchor; attended high school in McLean
Daniel Hudson (born 1987) – closer for Washington Nationals
Steve Huffman (born 1983) – co-founder and CEO of Reddit
Chad Hugo (born 1974) – musician and music producer, one-half of The Neptunes
Patrick Hull – entrepreneur based in Richmond
Randy Hundley – catcher for Chicago Cubs
Al Hunt – columnist for Bloomberg View
Robert Hurt (born 1969) – U.S. representative of Virginia's 5th congressional district

I

Ashley Iaconetti (born 1988) – television personality
Arsalan Iftikhar (born 1977) – human rights lawyer, global media commentator, and author
Brandon Inge (born 1977) – MLB player; from Lynchburg
James Addison Ingle (1867–1903) § – American missionary to China
Mike Imoh (born 1984) – former Virginia Tech and Canadian Football League running back
Andre Ingram (born 1985) – NBA player, NBA G League record holder for most games played
Jay M. Ipson (born 1935) § – Holocaust survivor and co-founder of the Virginia Holocaust Museum
Daryl Irvine (born 1964) – former MLB relief pitcher
Allen Iverson (born 1975) – former NBA player for the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Detroit Pistons
Mark Ivey (born 1973) – college football coach
Larry Izzo (born 1974) – NFL player, coach

J

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson § (1824–1863) – Confederate military leader; born and raised in Clarksburg, West Virginia (which was formerly Virginia)
Mickie James (born 1979) – professional wrestler and musician
Tommy Lee James – country music songwriter and record producer
Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) – 3rd president of the United States, author of Declaration of Independence, founder of University of Virginia
Clara Jeffery § (born 1967) – co-editor of Mother Jones magazine
Rashad Jennings (born 1985) – running back for New York Giants
Jim Jinkins – cartoonist
Cornelius Johnson (born 1943) – NFL guard, won Super Bowl V with Baltimore Colts
Nicole Johnson (born c. 1974) – Miss America 1999
Wes Johnson – actor and comedian
Maria I. Johnston (1835–1921) – author, journalist, editor and lecturer
Arrington Jones (born 1959) – running back for San Francisco 49ers
Julius Jones (born 1981) – football player for Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks
Thomas Jones (born 1978) – running back for Kansas City Chiefs
Akeem Jordan (born 1985) – linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles
Cornelia J. M. Jordan (1830–1898) – poet and lyricist
Henry Jordan (1935–1977) – lineman for Green Bay Packers, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
Orlando Jordan – professional wrestler
Samuel Jordan (died 1621) – earliest Virginia leader at Jamestown Settlement

K

Tim Kaine § (born 1958) – former governor and current U.S. senator, 2016 Democratic nominee for vice president under Hillary Clinton
Archie Kao § – actor and director
Josh Kaufman § (born 1976) – soul singer-songwriter, winner of NBC's The Voice season 6; attended Blacksburg High School
Jeremy Kapinos § (born 1984) – punter for Pittsburgh Steelers
Richard Kelly (born 1975) – film director
Patrick Kilpatrick – actor, Minority Report, Eraser
Barbara Kingsolver – author; lives outside Abingdon
V.J. King (born 1997) – NBA player, attended Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Virginia
Wayne Kirby – first base coach for Baltimore Orioles
Chaney Kley (1972–2007) – actor, Asher on The Shield
John Kuester (born 1955) – assistant coach for Los Angeles Lakers

L

Michael Lachowski – bass guitar player for rock band Pylon
Jeffrey M. Lacker – chief executive of Fifth District Federal Reserve Bank at Richmond
Kendall Langford – defensive end for Miami Dolphins
Rick Langford – MLB pitcher
Wayne LaPierre – former CEO and executive vice president of National Rifle Association of America, author, gun rights advocate
Alan Larson (born 1949) – diplomat and ambassador
Mat Latos – MLB pitcher
Wendy B. Lawrence § (born 1959) – retired U.S. Navy captain, helicopter pilot, engineer, NASA astronaut
Wilford Leach (1929–1988) – film and theatre director, screenwriter
Jake E. Lee (born 1957) – guitarist for Ratt, Rough Cutt, Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands
Light Horse Harry Lee (1756–1818) – Prince William County; American Revolutionary War hero; father of Robert E. Lee
Richard Henry Lee (1732–1794) – Westmoreland County; presented proposal for independence to Continental Congress in 1776
Robert E. Lee (1807–1870) – Confederate States of America military leader, commander of Army of Northern Virginia
Will Yun Lee – actor
William Gregory Lee – actor, Dante's Cove
Tim Legler – ESPN NBA analyst
Egbert Leigh – evolutionary ecologist
Mary Sinton Leitch (1876-1954) - writer & poet, founded the Poetry Society of Virginia
Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809) – explorer with Lewis and Clark Expedition
Shaquan Lewis – aka "Skillz" from Supafriendz, rapper
Sabrina Lloyd (born 1970) – actress, Sliders, Sports Night, Numb3rs
Mike London (born 1960) – head football coach at University of Virginia
Chris Long § (born 1985) – NFL defensive end for New England Patriots
Hyman Isaac Long (born 18th century) – Freemason
Kyle Long – NFL offensive lineman
Javier López § (born 1977) – relief pitcher for San Francisco Giants
Brandon Lowe (born 1994) – second baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays
Rob Lowe (born 1964) – actor known for films and TV series including The West Wing, Wayne's World, Parks and Recreation
David Lowery – lead singer of Cracker, co-founder Sound of Music Studios
Rich Lowry (born 1968) – editor of National Review, syndicated columnist, and author
Henry Lee Lucas (1936–2001) – serial killer
Elaine Luria (born 1975) – member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 2nd district; former United States Navy Commander

M

Ma–Md

Douglas MacArthur § (1880–1964) – military leader, born in Arkansas, considered Norfolk his hometown; buried in Norfolk
Stanton Macdonald-Wright (1890–1973) – artist
Vernon Macklin (born 1986) – power forward for Detroit Pistons
Shirley MacLaine (born 1934) – Academy Award-winning actress and author
Scott Mactavish (born 1965) – filmmaker and author
James Madison (1751–1836) – 4th president of the United States, co-author of The Federalist Papers, "father of the United States Constitution"
Magnum T. A. – professional wrestler
William Mahone (1826–1895) – Confederate States of America general, founder of Norfolk and Western Railroad (now Norfolk Southern)
John Maine (born 1981) – MLB pitcher; born in Fredericksburg; graduate of North Stafford High school
Lee Major – Grammy-nominated music producer
Ilia Malinin - U.S. Olympic figure skater, first person to land a quadruple axel in competition.
Moses Malone (1955–2015) – NBA player in Basketball Hall of Fame
Aimee Mann – musician; from Midlothian and Richmond area
Sally Mann (born 1951) – photographer; from Lexington
Charlie Manuel § (born 1944) – former manager of Philadelphia Phillies
EJ Manuel (born 1990) – quarterback for Oakland Raiders
Chris Marion § (born 1962) – musician, member of classic rock band Little River Band
Fannie H. Marr (1835–1918) – author and poet
Henry L. Marsh (born 1933) – first African-American mayor of Richmond, Virginia
George Marshall § (1880–1959) – U.S. Army officer, World War II military leader, U.S. Secretary of Defense, author of Marshall Plan and recipient of Nobel Peace Prize; graduate of Virginia Military Institute
John Marshall – lawyer, statesman, and fourth chief justice of the United States Supreme Court
Sean Marshall – MLB pitcher
David Martin § – tight end for Buffalo Bills
George Mason (1725–1792) – politician, author of Virginia Declaration of Rights; namesake of George Mason University
Bobby Massie (born 1989) – offensive tackle for Arizona Cardinals
Debbie Matenopoulos – television personality
Dave Matthews § (born 1967) – musician, frontman of Dave Matthews Band; resident of Charlottesville
Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806–1873) – U.S. Navy officer, astronomer, oceanographer, geologist, educator
Jerod Mayo (born 1986) – linebacker for New England Patriots
Jayma Mays (born 1979) – actress, Emma Pillsbury on Glee
John McAfee § (1945–2021) – software engineer for NASA, Computer Sciences Corporation, and Lockheed, known for McAfee antivirus software
Danny McBride (born 1976) – actor, star of films and TV series Eastbound and Down; from Fredericksburg
John McCain § (1936–2018) – Panamanian-born politician, navy officer, U.S. senator from Arizona from 1986 until his death; 2008 Republican nominee for president; raised in Alexandria and Arlington
John McCargo (born 1983) – NFL defensive tackle for Buffalo Bills
Dagen McDowell – anchor on Fox Business Network and correspondent for Fox News Channel
Michael McGlothlin (born 1951) – president of [University of Appalachia] School of Pharmacy, politician, and activist
William Holmes McGuffey § (1800–1873) – creator of McGuffey Readers; professor at University of Virginia
David McLeod (born 1971) – first recipient of Arena Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award
Billy McMullen – football player for University of Virginia and Minnesota Vikings
Jesse McReynolds – bluegrass musician, mandolin player

Me–Mz

Joseph Meek (1810–1875) – explorer and fur trader
Philip B. Meggs – design historian, author of History of Graphic Design
Christopher Meloni – actor, Law & Order: SVU; grew up in Alexandria and went to St. Stephens School
Leland D. Melvin (born 1964) – NASA astronaut
Camila Mendes (born 1994) – actor, Do Revenge; born in Charlottesville
Joey Mercury (born 1979) – professional wrestler
LaShawn Merritt – track sprinter, 3-time Olympic gold medalist
Heath Miller (born 1982) – NFL tight end for Pittsburgh Steelers
Jason C. Miller § (born 1972) – lead vocalist and guitarist for Godhead
Mittie Miller (1850–1937) – novelist
Judson Mills § (born 1969) – actor, Francis Gage on Walker, Texas Ranger
Nannie Jacquelin Minor (1871–1934) – early practitioner of public health nursing in Virginia
Arthur Moats (born 1988) – NFL linebacker for Buffalo Bills
Modern Groove Syndicate – funk band from Richmond, Virginia
Darryl Monroe (born 1986) – professional basketball player, 2016 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP
James Monroe (1758–1831) – 5th president of the United States; namesake of Monroe Doctrine
John Montague (born 1947) – MLB pitcher
Will Montgomery § (born 1983) – NFL lineman for Washington Redskins
Jim Moody (born 1949) – actor
Lottie Moon (1840–1912) – Christian missionary to China
Jim Morrison § (1943–1971) – singer-songwriter for The Doors; born in Florida; graduated from high school in Alexandria
Mark Morton – guitarist for Lamb of God
John Singleton Mosby (1833–1916) – Edgemont; "The Gray Ghost", Confederate cavalry commander
William P. Moseley – (1819–1890) businessman and Virginia senator
Wendell Moore Jr. (born 2001) – basketball player
Alonzo Mourning (born 1970) – basketball player, Olympic gold medalist, member of Basketball Hall of Fame
Jason Mraz (born 1977) – musician
John Mullan (1830–1909) – soldier, explorer, civil servant, and road builder
Dermot Mulroney (born 1963) – actor of many films including My Best Friend's Wedding
Mick Mulvaney (born 1967) – Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Lenda Murray § (born 1962) – IFBB professional bodybuilder
Bret Myers (born 1980) – soccer player and professor
Lon Myers (1858–1899) – sprinter, multiple world records

N

Kaedan Nam – member of South Korean boy group Fantasy Boys
Diane Neal (born 1976) – actress; Casey Novak on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Thomas Nelson Jr. (1738–1789) – governor of Virginia, signer of Declaration of Independence
Nettspend (born 2007) – rapper
Ralph Northam (born 1959) – 73rd governor of Virginia
Johnny Newman (born 1963) – University of Richmond and NBA basketball player
Tommy Newsom (1929–2007) – saxophone player, bandleader
Wayne Newton (born 1942) – singer, entertainer, actor
Nick Novak § (born 1981) – placekicker for San Diego Chargers
Michael Negrete (born 1981) – man who mysteriously disappeared in 1999

O

Afemo Omilami (born 1950) – actor
Texas Jack Omohundro (1846–1880) – frontier scout, actor, and cowboy
Uncle Charlie Osborne (1890–1992) – musician
Patton Oswalt (born 1969) – actor and comedian
Rayvon Owen (born 1991) – musician, contestant on American Idol season 14
Ken Oxendine – NFL running back

P

Elizabeth Fry Page (1865–1943) – author and editor
Micky Park § – singer and actor
Ace Parker (1912–2013) – Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback
George S. Patton § (1885–1945) – World War II military leader; family was from Fredericksburg; attended the Virginia Military Institute
M. M. Parsons (1822–1865) – Confederate general, second commander of Missouri State Guard in the American Civil War
Robert Paxton – historian
James Spriggs Payne – fourth and eighth president of Liberia
John Payne – actor of many films including Miracle on 34th Street
Judith Peck – award-winning visual artist and portrait painter
Cedric Peerman – NFL running back
Tom Peloso – member of Modest Mouse; formerly of The Hackensaw Boys
Tony Perez (born 1942) – actor, Hill Street Blues
Thomas J. Perrelli (born 1966) – U.S. Associate Attorney General under President Barack Obama
Darren Perry (born 1968) – assistant coach for Green Bay Packers
Jay Pharoah (born 1987) – comedian, impressionist, Saturday Night Live
John Phillips § (1935–2001) – folk and pop musician of 1960s vocal group The Mamas & the Papas
John Phillips (born 1987) – tight end for Dallas Cowboys
Pocahontas (1595–1617) – princess of Powhatan tribe
Edgar Allan Poe § – iconic author of "The Raven", "The Tell-Tale Heart" and other poems and stories
Lewis F. Powell – associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States 1971-87
Darrell C. Powers – member of Easy Company, Band of Brothers (1923–2009)
Chief Powhatan (1547–1618) – ruler of Eastern Virginia at time of founding of Jamestown
Paul Pressey (born 1958) – NBA small forward, assistant coach for Cleveland Cavaliers
Sterling Price (1809–1867) – 11th governor of Missouri, first commander of Missouri State Guard in the American Civil War
Faith Prince § (born 1957) – actress, Huff and Spin City
Margaret Prior (1773–1842) – missionary, reformist, and writer
Chesty Puller (1898–1971) – most decorated Marine in American history

Q

George Quaintance (1902–1957) – artist
Christopher Dillon Quinn – documentarian

R

Edmund Randolph (1753–1813) – governor of Virginia, U.S. attorney general, Secretary of State
Peyton Randolph – 1775 president of Continental Congress
Della H. Raney (1912–1987) – first African American accepted into the United States Army Nurse Corps
Clay Rapada (born 1981) – retired MLB pitcher
Chris Ray (born 1982) – retired MLB pitcher
J. J. Redick § (born 1984) – shooting guard for New Orleans Pelicans
Ralph Reed (born 1961) – conservative political activist, novelist
Tim Reid (born 1944) – actor, comedian, director, WKRP in Cincinnati, Simon & Simon, Sister, Sister
J. Sargeant Reynolds – businessman, statesman, lieutenant governor
LaRoy Reynolds – linebacker for Atlanta Falcons
Mark Reynolds § (born 1983) – MLB infielder for Colorado Rockies
R. J. Reynolds (1850–1918) – businessman and founder of R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
Vera Reynolds (1899–1962) – 1920s and '30s film actress
Chris Richardson § (born 1984) – American Idol finalist
Alex Riley – WWE professional wrestler
John Ripley (1939–2008) – decorated United States Marine Corps colonel
David L. Robbins – novelist
Tom Robbins – author, studied art at Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University), worked for Richmond Times Dispatch
Jane Roberts (c. 1819–1914) – 1st First Lady of Liberia
Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1809–1876) – 1st president of Liberia
Pat Robertson (born 1930) – Christian televangelist and political leader
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson § (1878–1949) – dancer
David Robinson § (born 1965) – Hall of Fame basketball player, Olympic gold medalist, 10-time NBA All-Star
Michael Robinson (born 1983) – running back for Seattle Seahawks
John Rolfe § (c. 1585–1622) – settler at Jamestown Settlement, first developer of cultivated tobacco for European market
John Rollins (born 1975) – professional golfer
Felipe Rose § – founding member of the Village People
Tim Rose § – rock, folk, and blues singer-songwriter
Bobby Ross § – college and pro football coach
Aaron Rouse (born 1984) – safety for the United Football League and Virginia state senator
Eddie Royal (born 1986) – wide receiver for San Diego Chargers
Albert Rust (1818–1870) – politician and Confederate general

S

Sa–Sm

Elliott Sadler (born 1975) – NASCAR driver
Bob Saget § (born 1956) – actor, comedian, television series Full House, original host of America's Funniest Home Videos
Billy Sample (born 1955) – MLB player for Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves
Ralph Sampson (born 1960) – Hall of Fame center, Virginia Cavaliers and NBA
Rick Santorum (born 1958) – lawyer and former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania
Joe Saunders (born 1981) – MLB pitcher
Eric Schmidt (born 1955) – software-engineer and executive chairman of Google
Owen Schmitt § (born 1985) – fullback for Philadelphia Eagles
Ed Schultz (1954–2018) – left-wing radio and television host, The Ed Show
Michael Schwimer (born 1986) – relief pitcher for Philadelphia Phillies
George C. Scott (1927–1999) – actor; won an Academy Award for Best Actor for film Patton (1970)
Wendell Scott (1921–1990) – first African American to race in NASCAR
Willard Scott (1934–2021) – weather reporter on The Today Show; the original Ronald McDonald
Winfield Scott (1786–1866) – United States Army general
Steve Scully (born 1960) – host of C-SPAN's Washington Journal
Rhea Seehorn (born 1972) – Kim Wexler on Better Call Saul
Seka (born 1954) – adult film star
Tom Shadyac (born 1958) – film director, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty, The Nutty Professor
Darren Sharper – retired NFL safety
Meghann Shaughnessy – professional tennis player
Deborah Shelton § (born 1948) – actress, Miss USA 1970
Ricky Van Shelton – country music and gospel singer; born in Danville, Virginia
Lauren Shehadi (born 1983) – sportscaster and Journalist
John Wesley Shipp – actor (Dawson's Creek, The Flash, Guiding Light)
Gray Simons – Olympic freestyle wrestler, won four NAIA national championships and three NCAA wrestling championships
Clint Sintim – linebacker for New York Giants
Scott Sizemore – infielder for New York Yankees
Sam Sloan (born 1944) – political prisoner, kidnapping victim
Bruce Smith (born 1963) – former NFL star, career sack leader
Joe Smith (born 1975) – NBA player for Los Angeles Lakers
John Smith of Jamestown § (1580–1631) – co-founder of Jamestown Settlement, first English colony in America (1607)
Kate Smith (1909–1986) – singer best known for rendition of "God Bless America"
Torrey Smith – wide receiver for San Francisco 49ers

Sn–Sz

Norm Snead (born 1939) – NFL quarterback for five teams
Sam Snead (1912–2002) – Hall of Fame golfer, winner of 82 PGA Tour events including three Masters championships
Jason Snelling § (born 1983) – running back for Atlanta Falcons
Abigail Spanberger (born 1979) – U.S. representative of Virginia's 7th Congressional district
Chris Sprouse (born 1966) – comics artist
John W. Snow – United States Secretary of the Treasury, chairman and CEO of CSX Corporation
Maura Soden (born 1955) – actress
Trey Songz (born 1984) – singer
Scott Sowers (1963–2018) – actor
Eric Stanley (born 1991) – violinist, arranger, YouTube personality
Ralph Stanley (1927–2016) – musician
Robert Stanton (born 1963) – actor, The Cosby Mysteries
Peter Starke (1813–1888) – politician and Confederate general
Robert Stethem § (1961–1985) – U.S. Navy Seabee diver killed by Hezbollah militants during hijacking of TWA Flight 847
Brandon Stokley (born 1976) – wide receiver for Seattle Seahawks
Charles Stanley (born 1932) – Southern Baptist pastor
Dick Stockton § (born 1951) – professional tennis player
Julyan Stone (born 1988) – player for Denver Nuggets
Curtis Strange (born 1955) – professional golfer, member of the World Golf Hall of Fame
Greg Stroman (born 1996) – NFL cornerback
J.E.B. Stuart (1833–1864) – Confederate general
William Styron (1925–2006) – novelist
Skipp Sudduth § (born 1956) – actor, John 'Sully' Sullivan on Third Watch
Margaret Sullavan (1909–1960) – actress
Charlie Sumner (1930–2015) – former NFL player and coach
Carol M. Swain (born 1954) – political scientist, Vanderbilt professor
Josh Sweat (born 1997) – NFL defensive end
DeVante Swing (born 1969) – music producer, singer, founder of R&B group Jodeci
Wanda Sykes – comedian and actress; born in Portsmouth, Virginia

T

Darryl Tapp (born 1984) – defensive end for Philadelphia Eagles
Fran Tarkenton – Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback for Minnesota Vikings; co-host of ABC-TV's That's Incredible
Ben Tate (born 1988) – running back for Houston Texans
Chris Taylor (born 1990) – baseball player for Los Angeles Dodgers
Edmund Dick Taylor (1804–1891) – "Father of the Greenback"
Lawrence Taylor (born 1959) – Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker for New York Giants
Peter Taylor (1917–1994) – writer; born in Tennessee, spent most of career teaching at University of Virginia
Tyrod Taylor (born 1989) – quarterback for Buffalo Bills
Zachary Taylor (1784–1850) – 12th president of the United States
Lewis Temple – escaped African-American slave who invented a new kind of harpoon known as "Temple's Toggle"
David Terrell – football player
Logan Thomas (born 1991) – NFL tight end, played quarterback at Virginia Tech
Scottie Thompson (born 1981) – actress, Jeanne Benoit on NCIS
Lee Thornton (1941–2013) – journalist and correspondent for CBS, CNN, and NPR
Matt Tifft (born 1996) – former NASCAR driver
Timbaland (born 1974) – music producer and rapper
Mike Tomlin (born 1972) – head coach of Pittsburgh Steelers, led team to Super Bowl XLIII championship
Randy Tomlin – MLB pitcher; from Madison Heights
Al Toon (born 1963) – retired football player for New York Jets
Adrian Tracy (born 1988) – NFL and CFL defensive back
Scott Travis (born 1961) – drummer for Judas Priest and Racer X
Adriana Trigiani – writer, author of novel Big Stone Gap
Curtis Turner (1924–1970) – stock car racer, member of NASCAR Hall of Fame
Nat Turner (1800–1831) – leader of slave rebellion
Leeann Tweeden (born 1973) – model, television personality
Cy Twombly (1928–2011) – abstract artist
John Tyler (1790–1862) – 10th president of the United States

U

Kali Uchis – singer
Skeet Ulrich – actor, starred in Scream, The Newton Boys, and Jericho
B. J. Upton – MLB outfielder
Justin Upton – MLB outfielder

V

S. S. Van Dine (1888–1939) – author, creator of Philo Vance
Lila Meade Valentine (1865–1921) – education reformer, health-care advocate, and woman's suffragist
Marc Vann (born 1954) – actor, Conrad Ecklie on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Jarvis Varnado (born 1988) – professional basketball player, 2013 NBA champion with the Miami Heat
Phil Vassar – country music singer/songwriter; from Lynchburg
Julian Vaughn (born 1988) – professional basketball player
Abraham B. Venable (1758–1811) – representative and senator from Virginia
Brandon Vera (born 1977) – mixed martial artist
Justin Verlander (born 1983) – Major League Baseball pitcher for Houston Astros
Charles Vess (born 1951) – fantasy artist and comic-book illustrator
Marcus Vick (born 1984) – NFL quarterback
Michael Vick (born 1980) – NFL quarterback
Gene Vincent (1935–1971) – musician who pioneered styles of rock and roll and rockabilly

W

Wa–Wh

Bobby Wadkins – professional golfer
Lanny Wadkins – professional golfer
Amina Wadud – Islamic Virginia Commonwealth University professor
Mark Warner (born 1954) – senior United States senator of Virginia
Billy Wagner (born 1971) – retired MLB pitcher, primarily for Houston Astros and New York Mets; also pitched for Ferrum College
Richard Wagoner – former president of General Motors
Maggie L. Walker – first woman to found a bank in U.S.
Travis Wall (born 1971) – reality-television personality, So You Think You Can Dance, Season 2
Ben Wallace – NBA basketball player
Randall Wallace – writer, director, Braveheart, Pearl Harbor, We Were Soldiers
Dylan Walsh § – actor, Nip/Tuck, Brooklyn South, Gabriel's Fire
Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) – iconic educator, activist, founder of Tuskegee Institute
George Washington (1732–1799) – 1st president of the United States, commander-in-chief of Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, "Father of Our Country"
Kelley Washington (born 1979) – wide receiver for Baltimore Ravens
Benjamin Watson (born 1980) – tight end for New Orleans Saints
B. W. Webb (born 1990) – cornerback for Dallas Cowboys
Haley Webb – actress
Tyler Webb – pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
Brianté Weber (born 1992) – basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
Susan Archer Weiss (1822–1917) – poet
Josh Wells – offensive tackle for Jacksonville Jaguars
Kellie Wells – track hurdler, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist
Paul Wellstone § (1944–2002) – member of U.S. Senate from Minnesota
Jennifer Wexton (born 1968) – U.S. representative of Virginia's 10th congressional district
Suzanne Whang – television host, actress, House Hunters, Las Vegas
Pernell Whitaker – professional boxer
Jason White – NASCAR driver
Lucky Whitehead – wide receiver for Dallas Cowboys

Wi–Wz

Tom Wiggin § (born 1955) – actor, Kirk Anderson on As the World Turns and Joe Foster on Texas
L. Douglas Wilder (born 1931) – first elected African-American governor of U.S. state (governor of Virginia, 1990–1994), Richmond City mayor
Jenny Wiley § (1760–1831) – pioneer, Native American captive
Daryl Williams (born 1992) – offensive tackle for Carolina Panthers
Keller Williams (born 1970) – musician
Kiely Williams – member of 3LW and The Cheetah Girls, actress The House Bunny
Monty Williams – former NBA player; head coach for New Orleans Hornets
Pharrell Williams (born 1973) – Grammy Award-winning musician and producer, one-half of The Neptunes
Reggie Williams (born 1986) – NBA basketball player
Steven Williams § (born 1949) – actor, 21 Jump Street, L.A. Heat, Linc's
Carl Willis (born 1960) – MLB pitcher and coach
Curtis Wilkerson (born 1961) – MLB player for four teams
Casey Wilson (born 1980) – actress, comedian, Happy Endings, Saturday Night Live
David Wilson (born 1991) – running back for New York Giants
Patrick Wilson (born 1973) – actor, Nite Owl II in Watchmen, The Conjuring, Fargo
Russell Wilson § – quarterback for Seattle Seahawks
Samuel V. Wilson (1923–2017) – United States Army lieutenant general
Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) – 28th president of the United States
Annie Steger Winston (1862-1927) – writer
Stan Winston – film special-effects designer
Henry Wise Jr. (1920–2003) – physician and World War II Tuskegee Airman fighter pilot
Julia A. Wood (1840–1927) – writer and composer
Tom Wolfe (1930–2018) – journalist, novelist, father of "New Journalism"
Robert J. Wood (1905–1986) – U.S. Army four-star general
Josh Woodrum (born 1992) – quarterback for Washington Redskins
Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950) – African-American historian, author, founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History
Damien Woody (born 1977) – retired offensive lineman for New York Jets
Link Wray – guitarist
David Wright (born 1982) – third baseman for New York Mets
Avis Wyatt (born 1984) – professional basketball player
Kerry Wynn (born 1991) – defensive end for New York Giants
Robert E. Wynn – member of Easy Company, Band of Brothers (1921–2000)
George Wythe (1726–1806) – Hampton; first professor of law in American college, William & Mary

Y

Rachael Yamagata – singer-songwriter
Elliott Yamin § (born 1978) – American Idol finalist
Marl Young (1917–2009) – composer, music director, Here's Lucy
Megan Young (born 1990) – actress, model, TV host

Z

John G. Zehmer Jr. (1942–2016) – architectural historian, preservationist, photographer, and author of architectural history
Gerald Zerkin (born 1949) – lawyer
Emanuel Zervakis (1930–2003) – NASCAR Cup Series driver
Zeda Zhang (born 1987) – professional wrestler
Boris Zhukov (born 1959) – professional wrestler
George Zimmerman (born 1983) – man responsible for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida
Ryan Zimmerman § (born 1984) – first baseman for the Washington Nationals
Nell Zink (born 1964) – novelist
Charlotte Zolotow (1915–2013) – writer, poet, publisher of children's books
Zach Zwinak (born 1992) – former Penn State football running back

List of people from Virginia

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Z

See also

References

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