List of people from Charlotte, North Carolina
Appearance
This is a list of people from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Arts, literature, humanities and entertainment
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Christ_charlotte_church.jpg/250px-Christ_charlotte_church.jpg)
- Amrit Sachdeva
- John Bain (1984–2018), British game commentator
- Romare Bearden (1911–1988), artist and writer
- Brian Blanchfield, poet and essayist
- Melendy Britt, actress
- Jason V. Brock, filmmaker, musician, artist, and author
- Ben Browder, actor, Farscape and Stargate SG-1
- Don Brown, author and attorney
- Horace Brown, R&B singer
- Nappy Brown (1929–2008), R&B and gospel singer[1]
- Phillip Bush, classical pianist
- W. J. Cash, writer and journalist
- Tom Constanten, former keyboard player, Grateful Dead
- David L. Cook, Christian singer and comedian; inducted into the 2006 ICGMA Hall of Fame; 2006 Country Gospel Music Entertainer of the Year
- Chelsea Cooley, Miss North Carolina USA 2005, Miss USA 2005
- J.Cole, rapper, songwriter
- Ayesha Curry, actress, celebrity cook, author[2]
- DaBaby, rapper, songwriter[3]
- Brooklyn Decker, model, graduated from Butler High School in Matthews, NC; Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover model
- Leigh Diffey, auto racing commentator
- Deniro Farrar, rapper
- FireHouse, early 1990s "hair metal band"
- Flagship, alt-rock band
- Mark Freiburger, filmmaker
- Brent Funderburk, artist
- Harry Golden, author
- Rohit Gupta, film director, producer
- Anthony Hamilton, R&B singer[4]
- Hank Hanegraaff, author, radio talk-show host, former advocate of evangelical Christianity (until 2017 with his conversion to Eastern Orthodox faith)
- Wilbert Harrison, R&B singer
- Ali Hillis, actress
- Cheris F. Hodges, author
- Hopesfall, hard rock band
- Tyrone Jefferson, trombonist
- Travis Jeppesen, author
- K-Ci & JoJo (Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey & Joel "JoJo" Hailey) of 1990s R&B group Jodeci
- Si Kahn, singer-songwriter and activist (resident of Charlotte)
- John P. Kee, gospel singer
- Mark Kemp, author, music journalist
- Sharon Lawrence, actress, known for NYPD Blue
- Jordan Lawson, musician, known for The Flys (American band) and The Nymphs
- Adam Lazzara, lead singer of Taking Back Sunday
- Jon Lindsay, solo recording artist; former member of Benji Hughes and many other bands; record producer; political activist
- Jordan Lloyd, winner of Season 11 of Big Brother; contestant on Season 16 of The Amazing Race (from suburban Matthews)
- Ben Long, artist, most known for his fresco work and drawings
- Emily Maynard, The Bachelorette, season 8
- Patrick McCauley, journalist, lived in Charlotte 1959–1960[5]
- Carson McCullers, author
- Ross McElwee, documentary filmmaker; professor at Harvard University
- John Mark McMillan, singer-songwriter
- Tammy Faye Messner (1942–2007), Christian singer and television personality; former wife of televangelist, and later convicted felon, Jim Bakker
- Stephanie Mills, R&B singer[6]
- Eva Noblezada, actress, singer
- Maureen O'Boyle, formerly of Current Affair and Extra; now newscaster for WBTV
- Jenny Offill, novelist
- Jim Rash, actor for NBC/Yahoo's Community
- Kathy Reichs, anthropologist and author
- Brittany Robertson, actress
- Gloria Saunders, actress
- Randolph Scott, actor, 1940s and '50s film star
- John Shelby Spong, retired Bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Newark, author, lecturer, and theologian
- Jessica Stroup, actress, best known for portraying Erin Silver on 90210
- Stephanie S. Tolan, children's book author
- Mel Tomlinson, ballet and modern dancer
- Justin Tornow, dancer and choreographer
- Skeet Ulrich, actor, Jericho; graduate of Northwest Cabarrus High School
- David Vincent, frontman, bassist, and singer of the death metal band Morbid Angel
- Wednesday 13, musician
- Willie Weeks, bass guitarist, known for work with Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and George Harrison
- Earl Wentz, actor, pianist, composer, and musical director, known for his creation of the American Composer Series in 2000
- Maurice Williams, songwriter and performer of Maurice William and the Zodiacs, famous for "Stay"
Politics, law and the military
- Erskine Bowles, President of UNC System (2005–2010); former White House Chief of Staff; unsuccessful US Senate nominee in 2002 and 2004
- Armistead Burwell (judge), associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 1892 to 1894
- Rebecca Carney, Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly
- Daniel G. Clodfelter, attorney and politician, Democratic mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
- Chris Cole, politician
- Charlie Smith Dannelly, educator and politician, Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly
- Anthony Foxx, 17th United States Secretary of Transportation, and mayor of Charlotte (2009–2013)
- Buster Glosson, Lieutenant General (Ret.), United States Air Force
- Cheslie Kryst, lawyer, Miss North Carolina USA 2019 and Miss USA 2019[7]
- Pat McCrory, 74th Governor of North Carolina; longest-serving mayor in Charlotte's history (1995–2009)
- James McDuffie, North Carolina State Senator
- Sue Myrick, member of the United States House of Representatives; mayor of Charlotte (1987–1991)
- Sarah Parker, Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court (born in Charlotte)
- Robert Pittenger, real estate investor; Republican former State Senator in the North Carolina General Assembly (2002–2008)
- Toussaint Romain, attorney, public defender, and civil rights figure
- Randy Staten, Minnesota state representative and football player
- Richard Vinroot, attorney and mayor of Charlotte (1991–1995)
Business
- Ben Elbert Douglas, Sr., mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina 1935–1941
- Jack Fulk (1932–2011), founder of fast-food chain Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits[8]
- Earl Patterson Hall, real estate developer and businessman who founded Carowinds
- Michael Jordan, former professional Hall of Fame basketball player, principal owner & chairman of the Charlotte Hornets[9]
- Leon Levine, founder of Family Dollar; billionaire, businessman and philanthropist
- Michael Marsicano, President and CEO of The Foundation for the Carolinas, one of the largest philanthropic community foundations in the country in terms of assets.
- Hugh McColl, former CEO and chairman of Bank of America
- Bruton Smith, billionaire; founder and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc.; founder of Sonic Automotive
- Clemmie Spangler, No. 117 on Forbes' list of 400 richest Americans; former president of the 16-campus University of North Carolina system
Sports
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Stephen_Curry_%2816640524995%29.jpg/190px-Stephen_Curry_%2816640524995%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Seth_Curry_Blazers_%28cropped%29.jpg/190px-Seth_Curry_Blazers_%28cropped%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/20170718_Dodgers-WhiteSox_Corey_Seager_at_short.jpg/190px-20170718_Dodgers-WhiteSox_Corey_Seager_at_short.jpg)
- Cedric Alexander, professional wrestler
- Ty-Shon Alexander, basketball player
- Darrell Armstrong, former NBA player
- Arn Anderson, professional wrestler
- Jim Beatty, track and field athlete
- Tessa Blanchard, professional wrestler[10]
- Muggsy Bogues, former professional basketball player[11]
- Garrett Bradbury, offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings
- DeAndre' Bembry, NBA player
- William Byron, NASCAR driver
- Chris Canty, Charlotte Latin School alumni, New York Giants defensive end
- Dwight Clark, two-time Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
- Stu Cole, Major League Baseball player and manager of Tulsa Drillers
- Mo Collins, Oakland Raiders lineman
- Carlos Crawford, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher
- Dell Curry, former professional basketball player[12]
- Seth Curry, Charlotte Christian alumni, NBA player, Dallas Mavericks[13]
- Stephen Curry, Charlotte Christian alumni, NBA player for three championship Golden State Warriors teams[14]
- Baron Davis, former professional basketball player
- Devon Dotson, college basketball player for the Kansas Jayhawks[15]
- Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers 2003–2009, former professional football player
- Ray Durham, MLB second baseman
- Charlotte Flair, professional wrestler, daughter of Ric Flair[16]
- David Flair, former professional wrestler, son of Ric Flair
- Reid Flair, professional wrestler, son of Ric Flair
- Ric Flair, former professional wrestler, 16-time World Champion[17]
- DeShaun Foster, running back for Carolina Panthers
- Joe Gibbs, Hall of Fame football coach; NASCAR championship team owner
- Jeff Gordon, former NASCAR driver, executive for Hendrick Motorsports[18]
- Trent Guy, football player
- Brendan Haywood, former professional basketball player
- Larry Hefner, NFL linebacker
- Tommy Helms, major league baseball player with Cincinnati Reds and three other teams; managed Reds in parts of two seasons
- Gerald Henderson Jr., former professional basketball player
- Antawn Jamison, NBA forward, former University of North Carolina basketball star, NBA player
- Bobby Jones, basketball player, 4-time NBA All-Star and 1972 Olympian
- Daniel Jones, professional football player, quarterback for New York Giants, attended Charlotte Latin School[19]
- Larry Johnson, Charlotte Hornets 1991–1996, former professional basketball player[20]
- Ron "The Truth" Killings, pro wrestler
- Braxton Key, basketball player
- Luke Kuechly, professional football player, linebacker for the Carolina Panthers
- Corey LaJoie, NASCAR driver
- Chris Leak, offensive MVP of 2007 BCS National Championship Game
- Dave Lemonds, pitcher for Chicago White Sox
- Mohamed Massaquoi, NFL wide receiver, Cleveland Browns
- Jeff McInnis, NBA guard
- Mildred Meacham, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
- Kennedy Meeks, NBA player
- Sam Mills, linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers
- Anthony Morrow, Charlotte Latin School alumni, NBA player with the Oklahoma City Thunder
- Alonzo Mourning, former professional basketball player[21]
- Jim Nantz, CBS television sportscaster[22]
- Cam Newton, professional football player[23]
- Hakeem Nicks, NFL wide receiver, New York Giants
- Dickie Noles, MLB pitcher
- Pettis Norman, NFL tight end, Dallas Cowboys
- Ayanga Okpokowuruk, football player
- Julius Peppers, professional football player, defensive end for the Carolina Panthers[24]
- Richard Petty, winner of 200 NASCAR races and seven-time series champion
- Robert Parish, Charlotte Hornets 1994–1996, former NBA player, member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- Roman Phifer, NFL linebacker
- Wali Rainer, NFL player for Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans
- Jeff Reed, NFL placekicker for Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cody Rhodes, professional wrestler
- Jerry Richardson, former owner of NFL's Carolina Panthers
- John Sadri, tennis player, Australian Open singles finalist
- Jaden Springer, basketball player
- Don Schollander, Olympic champion swimmer
- Corey Seager, MLB shortstop for Los Angeles Dodgers[25]
- Kyle Seager, MLB third baseman for the Seattle Mariners[26]
- Jamie Skeen, basketball player, plays for Maccabi Ashdod B.C. in the Israeli Super League
- Ish Smith, NBA player
- Steve Smith Sr., former professional football player
- Ricky Steamboat, pro wrestler
- Chad Tracy, MLB third baseman
- Rayjon Tucker, NBA player
- Dolly Vanderlip, AAGPBL pitcher
- Dave Waymer (1959–1993), NFL safety for New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Raiders
- Reggie White (1961–2004), football player, defensive end for Carolina Panthers; career leader at time of his retirement in sacks
- Steve Wilks, Head coach of the Arizona Cardinals (2018–present), and former Appalachian State Defensive back.
- Alex Wood, MLB pitcher for Cincinnati Reds
- Grant Williams, Providence Day School alum, NBA player for the Boston Celtics
- Patrick Williams, basketball player
- Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets 2011–2019, NBA player[27]
- Haywood Workman, basketball player for Indiana Pacers guard
Other
- Annie Lowrie Alexander (1864–1929), first licensed female physician in the American South[28]
- William Emerson (1923–2009), journalist; covered the civil rights era as Newsweek's first bureau chief assigned to cover the Southern United States; later editor in chief of The Saturday Evening Post[29]
- Sonya Curry, educator
- Ryan C. Gordon, software and game porter
- Billy Graham (1918–2018), evangelist[30]
- Susan J. Helms, Brigadier General-select in the United States Air Force; former NASA astronaut
- Richard Hipp, software architect and primary author of SQLite
- James B. McMillan, federal judge who ruled in favor of school busing to integrate Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
References
- ^ Sisario, Ben (September 25, 2008). "Nappy Brown, Blues and R&B Singer Dies at 78". The New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
- ^ Smith, Nasha (July 24, 2019). "Everything you need to know about Steph and Ayesha Curry's fairytale romance". insider.com. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ Coscarelli, Joe (October 3, 2019). "DaBaby Blew Up: But Can He Settle Into Stardom?". The New York Times. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Holliday, Jarvis (May 31, 2006). "Anthony Hamilton: Based on a True Story". Charlotte Magazine. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
- ^ Emily Featherston (May 5, 2015). "Patrick Earl McCauley". Alabama Press Association. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
- ^ Cochran, Jason (July 18, 1993). "Mills Singing Praises Of New Control". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Hanna, Jason (May 3, 2019). "The new Miss USA is a North Carolina Lawyer who works on behalf of prison inmates". CNN. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ "Bojangles' founder Jack Fulk dies at 78". Greensboro News & Record. April 2, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ "Michael Jordan's Charlotte Hornets paper profit huge, per Forbes". charlotteobserver.com. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- ^ "Tessa Blanchard on her first match, family ties, and more". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
- ^ Kings, Alexandra (September 22, 2016). "Ex-Charlotte Hornets star Muggsy Bogues: Violence is not the answer". CNN. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ Barnett, Andrew (February 16, 2019). "Charlotte's own Dell and Seth Curry unveil courts where Steph and Seth learned the game". wbtv.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Barnett, Andrew (February 16, 2019). "Charlotte's own Dell and Seth Curry unveil courts where Steph and Seth learned the game". wbtv.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Fridell, Nick (February 25, 2019). "How Stephen Curry never lost sight of his Charlotte roots". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ Wertz, Langston (April 14, 2020). "Charlotte's Devon Dotson wanted to be Derrick Rose, Now he's one step from guarding him". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Glock, Allison (June 28, 2018). "The mind, body, and soul of Charlotte Flair". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ "Ric Flair". wwe.com. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
- ^ Boudin, Michelle (November 28, 2016). "Jeff Gordon helping with GivingTuesdayCLT Campaign To Raise $8MIL". wcnc.com. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ Wimberly, Nate (April 25, 2019). "Former Charlotte latin star Daniel Jones drafted by the NY Giants in the NFL draft". wbtv.com. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
- ^ Marks, Brendan (December 14, 2018). "Larry Johnson Q&A: Former Hornets star on his legacy, new job, and the changing NBA". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ "Mourning named 1st on Hornets 30th Anniversary Team". Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ Mills, Jeff (August 3, 2019). "Jim Nantz, the voice of the PGA Tour, back home in North Carolina for Wyndham Championship". greensboro.com. Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ "Cam Newton puts football aside to help feed 800 children in Charlotte community". myfox8.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- ^ "Panther's Julius Peppers announces his retirement". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- ^ "Corey Seager". www baseball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
- ^ "Kyle Seager". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
- ^ Bontemps, Tim (November 7, 2019). "Kemba Walker 'emotional' after rousing reception in Charlotte return". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ Cohn, Scotti (2012). More Than Petticoats: Remarkable North Carolina Women. Globe Pequot. pp. 82–92. ISBN 978-0-7627-6445-7.
- ^ Applebome, Peter. "William A. Emerson Jr., Editor in Chief of Saturday Evening Post, Dies at 86", The New York Times, August 26, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2009.
- ^ "Billy Graham biography". Billy Graham Library. Retrieved April 27, 2020.