North Carolina, located in the southeastern region of the United States, has produced some of the most influential and inspiring people in history. North Carolina is a beautiful state, known for its scenic beauty, southern hospitality, and diverse culture. This state has been home to several famous personalities who have made a name for themselves in the world of entertainment, sports, politics, and business. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most famous celebrities who call North Carolina their home.
Top 30 Celebrities That Live In North Carolina
| 1) Michael Jordan | 11) Andrew Jackson | 21) Maya Angelou |
| 2) Andy Griffith | 12) Jesse Helms | 22) Charles Kuralt |
| 3) Zach Galifianakis | 13) Elizabeth Dole | 23) Gertrude Elion |
| 4) Eric Church | 14) Richard Petty | 24) Vernon Rudolph |
| 5) Ava Gardner | 15) Mia Hamm | 25) Pam Grier |
| 6) Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 16) Thelonious Monk | 26) Vince McMahon |
| 7) David Sedaris | 17) James Taylor | 27) Julianne Moore |
| 8) Nicholas Sparks | 18) Nina Simone | 28) Clay Aiken |
| 9) Petey Pablo | 19) Thomas Wolfe | 29) Tori Amos |
| 10) Luke Combs | 20) Romare Bearden | 30) Dolley Madison |
1. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, was born in Brooklyn, New York, but has been living in North Carolina since he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1984. Jordan is a six-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, and he is considered a legend in the basketball world. He currently owns the Charlotte Hornets and is actively involved in the team’s management.
2. Andy Griffith
Andy Griffith, a legendary actor, comedian, and singer, was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina. He rose to fame in the 1960s with his iconic role in the television series “The Andy Griffith Show.” Griffith was also a talented singer and recorded several albums during his career. He passed away in 2012, but his legacy lives on in North Carolina, where he is remembered as a beloved and influential personality.
3. Zach Galifianakis
Zach Galifianakis, a renowned comedian, and actor were born in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. He is best known for his roles in movies such as “The Hangover” series, “Due Date,” and “Birdman.” Galifianakis has won several awards for his acting and comedy, and he continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
4. Eric Church
Eric Church, a popular country music singer, and songwriter, was born in Granite Falls, North Carolina. He rose to fame with his debut album “Sinners Like Me” in 2006 and has since released several hit albums, including “Chief” and “The Outsiders.” Church has won numerous awards for his music, including several Country Music Association Awards and Academy of Country Music Awards.
5. Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner, a legendary actress, and singer were born in Grabtown, North Carolina. She rose to fame in the 1940s and 1950s with her roles in movies such as “The Killers,” “Mogambo,” and “The Barefoot Contessa.” Gardner was known for her beauty, talent, and charisma, and she remains an icon in the entertainment industry.
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., a retired NASCAR driver and team owner, was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He is the son of the legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr., and he had a successful racing career of his own, winning two Daytona 500 races and 26 NASCAR Cup Series races. Earnhardt Jr. is now a prominent figure in the racing world as a team owner and broadcaster.
7. David Sedaris
David Sedaris, a bestselling author, and humorist was born in Johnson City, New York, but has been living in Raleigh, North Carolina, for several years. He is known for his witty and insightful essays, which have been published in numerous magazines and newspapers. Sedaris has also written several bestselling books, including “Me Talk Pretty One Day” and “Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim.”
8. Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks, a bestselling author, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, but has been living in New Bern, North Carolina, since 1992. He is known for his romantic novels, many of which have been turned into popular movies, including “The Notebook,” “A Walk to Remember,” and “Dear John.” Sparks has sold over 100 million copies of his books worldwide and is one of the most successful authors of our time.
9. Petey Pablo
Petey Pablo, a rapper, and actor, was born in Greenville, North Carolina. He rose to fame in the early 2000s with his hit songs “Raise Up” and “Freek-a-Leek.” Pablo has also appeared in several movies and television shows, including “Drumline” and “Empire.”
10. Luke Combs
Luke Combs, a rising star in the country music industry, was born in Asheville, North Carolina. He rose to fame with his hit songs “Hurricane,” “When It Rains It Pours,” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” Combs has won several awards for his music, including the Country Music Association Award for New Artist of the Year.
11. Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the 7th President of the United States and a well-known figure in North Carolina history. Jackson was born in South Carolina but moved to the Waxhaw region of North Carolina at a young age. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate before being elected as President in 1828. Jackson is also famous for his leadership in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.
12. Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms was a well-known conservative politician who represented North Carolina in the U.S. Senate for 30 years. Helms was known for his conservative views on issues such as abortion, civil rights, and foreign policy. He also served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was a strong advocate for conservative causes.
13. Elizabeth Dole
Elizabeth Dole is a former U.S. Senator from North Carolina who served as Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Labor under President Ronald Reagan. Dole was also a candidate for the Republican nomination for President in 2000. She is known for her work in the areas of health care, education, and women’s rights.
14. Richard Petty
Richard Petty is a former NASCAR driver and team owner who is considered one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history. Petty was born in Level Cross, North Carolina, and won seven NASCAR Cup Series championships during his career. He also holds the record for most career wins in NASCAR history with 200.
15. Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm is a retired professional soccer player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players of all time. Hamm was born in Selma, North Carolina, and played for the U.S. women’s national soccer team for 17 years. During her career, she won two Olympic gold medals and two FIFA Women’s World Cups.
16. Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk was a jazz pianist and composer who was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Considered one of the most important figures in the history of jazz, Monk’s innovative style and use of dissonance helped to shape the genre in the 20th century. He recorded numerous albums throughout his career, including the classic “Monk’s Dream.” Monk passed away in 1982, but his music continues to inspire new generations of jazz musicians.
17. James Taylor
James Taylor is a singer-songwriter who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but has called North Carolina home for many years. He first rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like “Fire and Rain” and “You’ve Got a Friend.” Taylor has won numerous Grammy Awards throughout his career and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He currently resides in the town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
18. Nina Simone
Nina Simone was a singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist who was born in Tryon, North Carolina. Her music was a blend of jazz, blues, and folk, and she was known for her powerful voice and socially conscious lyrics. Simone’s most famous songs include “Feeling Good” and “I Put a Spell on You.” She passed away in 2003, but her music continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.
19. Thomas Wolfe
Thomas Wolfe was a novelist and short story writer who was born in Asheville, North Carolina. His most famous works include “Look Homeward, Angel” and “Of Time and the River.” Wolfe’s writing often dealt with themes of family, home, and identity, and his vivid descriptions of life in North Carolina have helped to define the state’s literary landscape. He passed away in 1938 at the age of 38.
20. Romare Bearden
Romare Bearden was an artist and writer who was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. His work often dealt with themes of African American life and culture, and he was known for his use of collage and other mixed media techniques. Bearden’s most famous works include “The Prevalence of Ritual” and “The Block.” He passed away in 1988, but his work continues to be celebrated around the world.
21. Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou is a famous author and poet who lived in Winston-Salem, North Carolina for more than 30 years. She was known for her powerful words and inspirational speeches, and was a civil rights activist who worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Angelou’s most famous works include “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and “And Still I Rise”.
22. Charles Kuralt
Charles Kuralt was a renowned journalist and news anchor who spent much of his life in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is best known for his work on CBS News’ “On the Road” program, where he traveled the country and shared stories of ordinary Americans. Kuralt won numerous awards throughout his career, including 13 Emmy Awards and three Peabody Awards.
23. Gertrude Elion
Gertrude Elion was a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina for many years. She was known for her groundbreaking work in the field of pharmacology and was responsible for the development of numerous life-saving drugs, including treatments for leukemia and HIV. Elion was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988 for her contributions to the field.
24. Vernon Rudolph
Vernon Rudolph was the founder of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, which has its headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Rudolph opened his first doughnut shop in 1937, and the company has since become a global brand with over 1,000 locations in more than 25 countries. Rudolph passed away in 1973, but his legacy lives on through the delicious doughnuts that are enjoyed by millions of people around the world.
25. Pam Grier
Pam Grier is a famous actress who has called Winston-Salem, North Carolina home for many years. She is known for her roles in numerous popular movies, including “Foxy Brown” and “Jackie Brown”. Grier has been nominated for numerous awards throughout her career, including a Golden Globe Award for her role in the television series “The L Word”.
26. Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter and executive, as well as the chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE). He is also a resident of North Carolina. McMahon and his wife, Linda, live in a mansion in the town of Greenwich, which is located in the southwestern part of the state. The home, which is worth an estimated $40 million, sits on 11 acres of land and boasts a variety of luxurious amenities.
27. Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore is an Academy Award-winning actress who has starred in a number of popular films, including “Boogie Nights,” “The Hours,” and “Still Alice.” She also happens to be a resident of North Carolina. Moore and her family own a farmhouse in the town of Ogunquit, which is located in the eastern part of the state. The home, which was built in the early 1900s, sits on 3.3 acres of land and features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a number of other amenities.
28. Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken is a singer, actor, and television personality who rose to fame as the runner-up on the second season of “American Idol.” Aiken was born and raised in North Carolina and still resides in the state today. He currently lives in a gated community in the town of Cary, which is located in the central part of the state. Aiken’s home, which he purchased in 2003, features five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and a number of other amenities.
29. Tori Amos
Tori Amos is a singer, songwriter, and pianist who is known for her unique voice and poetic lyrics. She has released a number of critically acclaimed albums over the course of her career and has also collaborated with a variety of other artists. Amos currently resides in the town of Cornwall, which is located in the western part of North Carolina. Her home, which is situated on 14 acres of land, features a recording studio, a meditation room, and a number of other amenities.
30. Dolley Madison
Dolley Madison was the wife of James Madison, who served as the fourth president of the United States. She was also a resident of North Carolina for a number of years. Madison and her family lived in the town of Hillsborough, which is located in the central part of the state. The home, which is known as the “Madison House,” still stands today and is open to visitors who want to learn more about this important historical figure.