List of people from Virginia
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
- Xavier Adibi § – linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings
- Chris Adler – drummer (Lamb of God)
- Willie Adler – guitarist (Lamb of God)
- Danny Aiken – long snapper for the New England Patriots
- James Anderson § – linebacker for the Carolina Panthers
- Justin Anderson – player for the Dallas Mavericks
- V.C. Andrews – novelist; born in Portsmouth, Virginia
- Anhayla – singer, guitarist, YouTube personality
- David Arquette – born on a commune in Winchester (raised there for two years)
- Arthur Ashe (1943–1993) – tennis player and social activist
- Stephen F. Austin (1793–1836) – first Secretary of State of the 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
- Penn Badgley – actor
- 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 the MSNBC show The Cycle
- Gordon Banks – guitarist and songwriter
- Stephen K. Bannon – businessman, media executive, and filmmaker
- Ronde Barber (born 1975) – professional football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tiki Barber (born 1975) – sportscaster and former running back for the New York Giants
- Don Barclay (born 1989) – offensive tackle and guard for the Green Bay Packers
- Kylene Barker – Ms. America 1979
- Melody Barnes (born 1964) – director of the Domestic Policy Council for President Barack Obama
- Lauren Barnette – beauty pageant winner and model
- Joey Baron – musician
- Connor Barth (born 1986) – placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Samuel Barton § (1749–1810) – explorer, pioneer, patriot; early settler of Nashville, Tennessee
- Viola Baskerville (born 1951) – Virginia Secretary of Administration
- Dave Batista – professional wrestler
- Warren Beatty (born 1937) – actor, director
- Beth Behrs § (born 1985) – actress, 2 Broke Girls
- Pat Benatar § (born 1953) – singer and songwriter
- Bob Bender (born 1957) – basketball player, assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks
- Antoine Bethea § – football player for the San Francisco 49ers
- Larry Bethea § – football player for the Dallas Cowboys
- Rainey Bethea (1909–1936) – last person publicly executed in the United States
- Leslie Bibb § – actress, plays 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 – former professional wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown!
- Tom Bliley – member of the 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 the San Francisco Giants
- 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 the television show The Apprentice
- Wes Borland – guitarist for Limp Bizkit and other rock bands
- Th-resa Bostick § – IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Luke Bowanko – center for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Mary Bowser – freed slave who worked as a Union spy during the American Civil War and was admitted to the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
- Jackie Bradley, Jr. – center fielder for the Boston Red Sox
- Ahmad Bradshaw (born 1986) – running back for the New York Giants
- Karen Briggs § – violinist
- Antwain Britt (born 1978) – mixed martial artist
- Connie Britton § (born 1968) – actress; born in Boston but raised in Lynchburg
- Dave Brockie – founder of GWAR
- Aaron Brooks – professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders
- Ahmad Brooks – professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers
- Chris Brown (born 1989) – singer and actor
- Duane Brown – offensive tackle for the Houston Texans
- Ruth Brown – Grammy Award-award winning singer and entertainer
- Mika Brzezinski § – television news journalist at MSNBC
- Bebe Buell – fashion model, groupie; mother of Liv Tyler
- Joyce Bulifant – television actress
- Sandra Bullock (born 1964) – actress
- Evan Burfield - entrepreneur
- Plaxico Burress (born 1977) – professional football wide receiver for the 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 the Chicago Bears
- Deon Butler – professional football wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks; from Woodbridge
- Eddie Butler – starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies
- 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
- Shawn Camp – relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- John Campbell – bassist (Lamb of God)
- Eric Cantor – member of the United States House of Representatives representing the Virginia's 7th congressional district
- Steve Cardenas, martial artist and retired 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 the Carter Family
- Maybelle Carter – guitarist, singer, member of the 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 the Montreal Alouettes
- June Carter Cash (1929–2003) – singer-songwriter, actress and comedian; member of the Carter Family, and second wife of singer Johnny Cash
- Anthony Castonzo § – NFL football player
- Christina Chambers (born 1969) – actress and model, One Life to Live, Sunset Beach, Spyder Games
- Kam Chancellor (born 1988) – strong safety for the Seattle Seahawks
- Anthony Clark – actor (television sitcoms Yes, Dear and Boston Common); born in Lynchburg
- George Rogers Clark (1752–1818) – American Revolutionary War military leader
- William Clark (1770–1838) – explorer (Lewis and Clark Expedition); brother of George Rogers Clark
- Henry Clay (1777–1852) – 19th-century American statesman
- Mark E. Clayton (born 1976 or 1977) – Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from Tennessee in 2012; reared in Alexandria
- Clarence Clemons (1942–2011) – saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and former player for the Norfolk Neptunes football team
- Patsy Cline (1932–1963) – singer
- Jim Coates – former MLB pitcher, primarily with the New York Yankees
- Coko – former member of SWV and now gospel music singer
- Catherine Coleman § (born 1960) – NASA astronaut
- Francis Collins – physician-geneticist, Director of the National Institutes of Health
- Stacy Compton – NASCAR driver and team owner; born in Hurt, Virginia
- Kavell Conner – linebacker for the 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 – former Miss America, actress, television commentator
- Alex Cosmidis – baseball player, manager, scout
- Joseph Cotten (1905–1994) – actor
- Patricia Cornwell § – novelist
- Katie Couric (born 1957) – television personality, Katie
- Michael Covel – author and documentarian
- Robert Cray § (born 1953) – blues musician
- Henry Creamer – vaudeville song lyricist of the early 20th century
- Zach Cregger – actor
- Romeo Crennel (born 1947) – former head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Kyle Crockett (born 1991) – relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
- Adrian Cronauer § – disc jockey
- Michael Cuddyer (born 1979) – right fielder for the Minnesota Twins
- Dell Curry (born 1964) – former NBA basketball player
D
- D'Angelo – R&B musician
- Dan Daniel (1914–1988) – American politician and 39th National Commander of the American Legion
- Troy Daniels – shooting guard for the 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; born in North Carolina
- Ed Davis § – power forward for the Toronto Raptors; attended Benedictine High School in Richmond
- Tyrone Davis – former tight end, primarily with the Green Bay Packers
- Jimmy Dean – singer, actor, television personality and "sausage king"
- Serena Deeb – professional wrestler
- Dalvin DeGrate – singer, member of R&B group Jodeci
- DeSagana Diop § – center for the Charlotte Bobcats; attended Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson
- Junie Donlavey – owner and namesake of the NASCAR "Donlavey" racing team
- Eric Dorsey § – former defensive end for the New York Giants; attended high school in McLean
- Kevin Durant § – All-Star NBA small forward for the Golden State Warriors; attended Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson
E
- Kenny Easley (born 1959) – College Football Hall of Fame safety for the Seattle Seahawks
- 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
- Garrett Epps (born 1950) – legal scholar, novelist, journalist
- Victoria Espinel (born 1968) – Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator under U.S. President Barack Obama
- Chip 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 leader
- James Farrior – NFL linebacker
- William Faulkner § (1897–1962) – writer-in-residence at the University of Virginia from 1957 until his death
- Dorian Finney-Smith – player for the Dallas Mavericks
- Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996) – jazz singer
- Roberta Flack § – Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, and 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 for the Fox News Channel
- Forrest Gander § (born 1956) – poet, essayist and translator
- Greg Garcia – director, producer, writer; creator of the sitcoms Raising Hope and My Name Is Earl and co-creator of Yes, Dear
- Clifton Garvin – chief executive officer of Exxon from 1975 to 1986
- Azita Ghanizada § – actress, Saira Batra on General Hospital: Night Shift
- William Gibson § – cyberpunk author; coined the term 'cyberspace'
- Vince Gilligan – writer, director, producer, creator of the television series Breaking Bad
- Jim Gilmore – former governor of Virginia
- Jack Gilpin – actor
- Ellen Glasgow – early-20th-century novelist
- Indur M. Goklany – science and technology policy analyst for the U.S. Department of the Interior
- Irving Gottesman – long stint as professor and professor emeritus at the University of Virginia
- Lauren Graham – actress, comedy-drama series Gilmore Girls
- Samuel Gravely – African-American officer who broke many racial barriers while serving in the U.S. Navy
- Justin Grimm § – relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs
- David Grohl – Foo Fighters; born in Ohio; 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 in the television series The Flash; born in Norfolk, Virginia
- Brandon Guyer § – outfielder for the Cleveland Indians
H
- Hilary Hahn (born 1979) – two-time Grammy Award-winning classical concert violinist
- Charlie Hales § (born 1956) – Mayor of Portland, Oregon
- Charles Haley – football player for the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers; born in Gladys
- DeAngelo Hall § (born 1983) – cornerback for the Washington Redskins
- Fawn Hall (born 1959) – figure in the Iran–Contra affair
- Mark Hamill § (born 1951) – actor; 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; born in Florida, but 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 the San Francisco 49ers
- Justin Harper (born 1989) – power forward for the 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
- William Henry Harrison (1773–1841) – 9th President of the United States
- Kathryn Harrold (born 1950) – actress
- Bryan Harvey – musician; known for his fronting role in House of Freaks; murdered with his family in 2006
- Percy Harvin – wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills
- Nidal Malik Hasan – U.S. Army psychiatrist; sole suspect in the Fort Hood shooting of 2009
- Earl Hebner – professional wrestling referee
- William Henderson – fullback for the Green Bay Packers
- Lauri Hendler – actress, Gimme a Break!
- Rick Hendrick – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner for Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kasey Kahne; born in South Hill
- Molly Henneberg (born 1973) – news reporter for Fox News
- Patrick Henry (1736–1799) – American Revolution figure and first Governor of Virginia after American independence
- Kate Higgins (born 1969) – anime voice actor
- Grant Hill § (born 1972) – NBA player
- Laura Hillenbrand (born 1967) – author of books and magazine articles
- Skip Hinnant (born 1940) – actor, The Electric Company
- 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 the Reagan and first Bush administrations; independent director of Pfizer, Prudential Financial, and Ingersoll Rand; resides in Lexington, Virginia
- Bruce Hornsby (born 1954) – musician
- Ralph Horween (1896–1997) – Harvard Crimson and NFL football player, centenarian
- 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 (born 1930) – actor, The Big Lebowski, Blazing Saddles
- Juliet Huddy § (born 1969) – Fox News news anchor; attended high school in McLean
- Dan Hudson (born 1987) – starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Steve Huffman (born 1983, unknown location) – co-founder and CEO of Reddit
- Chad Hugo (born 1974) – musician and music producer, one-half of The Neptunes
- Randy Hundley – catcher for the Chicago Cubs
- Robert Hurt (born 1969) – member of the United States House of Representatives representing Virginia's 5th congressional district
I
- Brandon Inge (born 1977) – Major League Baseball player; from Lynchburg
- Allen Iverson (born 1975) – professional basketball player
- Larry Izzo (born 1974) – former 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 the Declaration of Independence, founder of the University of Virginia
- Clara Jeffery § (born 1967) – co-editor of Mother Jones magazine
- Rashad Jennings (born 1985) – running back for the New York Giants
- Jim Jinkins – cartoonist
- Cornelius Johnson (1943) – NFL Guard, won Super Bowl V with the Baltimore Colts
- Nicole Johnson (born c. 1974) – Miss America 1999
- Wes Johnson – actor and comedian
- Arrington Jones (born 1959) – running back for the San Francisco 49ers
- Julius Jones (born 1981) – football player for the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks
- Thomas Jones (born 1978) – running back for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Akeem Jordan (born 1985) – linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Henry Jordan (1935–1977) – professional football player for the Green Bay Packers and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Orlando Jordan – professional wrestler
- Samuel Jordan (died 1621) – earliest Virginia leader at the Jamestown Settlement
K
- Tim Kaine § (born 1958) – former Governor and current Senator from Virginia, and 2016 Democratic nominee for Vice President under Hillary Clinton; born in Minnesota
- Archie Kao § – actor and director
- Josh Kaufman § (born 1976) – Indianapolis-based Soul singer-songwriter, musician, and winner of NBC's The Voice season 7; attended Blacksburg High School in Blacksburgh; born in Florida
- Jeremy Kapinos § (born 1984) – punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Richard Kelly (born 1975) – film director
- Patrick Kilpatrick – actor, Minority Report, Eraser
- Barbara Kingsolver – author; lives outside Abingdon, Virginia
- Wayne Kirby – first base coach for the Baltimore Orioles
- Chaney Kley (1972–2007) – actor, Asher on The Shield
- John Kuester (born 1955) – assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers
L
- Michael Lachowski – bass guitar player for the rock band Pylon
- Jeffrey M. Lacker – chief executive of the Fifth District Federal Reserve Bank at Richmond
- Kendall Langford – defensive end for the Miami Dolphins
- Rick Langford – former MLB pitcher
- Wayne LaPierre – executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, author, and Second Amendment advocate
- Mat Latos – starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
- 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 the 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
- Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809) – explorer with the Lewis and Clark Expedition
- Shaquan Lewis – aka "Skillz" from the Supafriendz, African-American rapper
- Sabrina Lloyd (born 1970) – actress, Sliders, Sports Night, Numb3rs
- Mike London (born 1960) – head football coach at the University of Virginia
- Chris Long § (born 1985) – defensive end for the St. Louis Rams
- Hyman Isaac Long (born 18th century) – Freemason
- Javier López § (born 1977) – relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants
- Rob Lowe (born 1964) – actor (The West Wing, Wayne's World, The Grinder)
- David Lowery – lead singer of Cracker and co-founder of Sound of Music Studios
- Rich Lowry (born 1968) – editor of National Review, syndicated columnist, and author
M
- Ma–Md
- Douglas MacArthur § (1880–1964) – military leader, born in Arkansas, but always considered Norfolk his home town; buried in Norfolk
- Vernon Macklin (born 1986) – power forward for the 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) – former MLB pitcher; born in Fredericksburg; graduated from North Stafford High school
- Moses Malone (1955–2015) – former NBA star, Basketball Hall of Famer
- Aimee Mann – musician; from Midlothian and Richmond area
- Sally Mann (born 1951) – photographer; from Lexington
- Charlie Manuel § (born 1944) – former manager of the Philadelphia Phillies
- EJ Manuel (born 1990) – quarterback for the Buffalo Bills
- Chris Marion § (born 1962) – musician, member of classic rock band Little River Band
- 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 the Marshall Plan and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize; graduate of the Virginia Military Institute
- John Marshall – lawyer, statesman, and third Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court
- Sean Marshall – pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
- David Martin § – tight end for the Buffalo Bills
- George Mason (1725–1792) – politician, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights
- Bobby Massie (born 1989) – offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals
- Debbie Matenopoulos – television personality
- Dave Matthews § (born 1967) – musician, frontman of Dave Matthews Band; has lived most of his adult life in Charlottesville
- Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806–1873) – U.S. Navy officer, astronomer, historian, oceanographer, meteorologist, cartographer, geologist, educator
- Jerod Mayo (born 1986) – linebacker for the New England Patriots
- Jayma Mays (born 1979) – actress, Emma Pillsbury on Glee
- John McAfee § (born 1945) – software engineer for NASA, Computer Sciences Corporation, and Lockheed, known for McAfee antivirus software
- Danny McBride (born 1976) – actor, best known for his character Kenny Powers on Eastbound and Down; from Fredericksburg
- John McCain § (born 1936) – Panamanian-born politician, former Navy Officer, longtime U.S. Senator from Arizona since 1986 and 2008 Republican nominee for President; raised in Alexandria and Arlington
- John McCargo (born 1983) – NFL defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills
- Dagen McDowell – anchor on the Fox Business Network and correspondent for the Fox News Channel
- Michael McGlothlin (born 1951) – former President of the [University of Appalachia] School of Pharmacy, politician, and activist
- William Holmes McGuffey § (1800–1873) – creator of McGuffey Readers; spent his later years as a professor at the University of Virginia
- David McLeod (born 1971) – first recipient of the Arena Football League Defensive Player of the Year Award
- Billy McMullen – football player for the 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; grew up in Alexandria and went to St. Stephens School
- Joey Mercury (born 1979) – former WWE Superstar
- Heath Miller (born 1982) – NFL tight end for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jason C. Miller § (born 1972) – lead vocalist and guitarist for Godhead
- Judson Mills § (born 1969) – actor, Francis Gage on Walker, Texas Ranger
- Arthur Moats (born 1988) – NFL linebacker for the Buffalo Bills
- James Monroe (1758–1831) – 5th President of the United States; namesake of Monroe Doctrine
- John Montague (born 1947) – MLB pitcher for the Montreal Expos, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners and California Angels
- Will Montgomery § (born 1983) – NFL center and guard for the 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; attended and graduated from high school in Alexandria
- Mark Morton – guitarist (Lamb of God)
- John Singleton Mosby (1833–1916) – Edgemont; "The Gray Ghost", Confederate cavalry commander
- Alonzo Mourning (born 1970) – former professional basketball player
- Jason Mraz (born 1977) – musician
- John Mullan (1830–1909) – soldier, explorer, civil servant, and road builder
- Dermot Mulroney (born 1963) – actor, My Best Friend's Wedding
- Lenda Murray § (born 1962) – IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Lon Myers (1858–1899) – sprinter, multiple world records
N
- Diane Neal ( born 1976) – actress; Casey Novak on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Thomas Nelson, Jr. – Governor of Virginia, signer of Declaration of Independence
- Diandra Newlin – singer, actor, and model
- Johnny Newman (born 1963) – former NBA star
- Tommy Newsom (1929–2007) – saxophone player, substitute bandleader in the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show
- Wayne Newton (born 1942) – singer, entertainer, actor
- Nick Novak § (born 1981) – placekicker for the San Diego Chargers
O
- Afemo Omilami (born 1950) – actor
- Texas Jack Omohundro (1846–1880) – American frontier scout, actor, and cowboy
- Uncle Charlie Osborne (1890–1992) – musician
- Patton Oswalt (born 1969) – actor and comedian
- Rayvon Owen (born 1991) – musician and contestant from American Idol season 14
- Ken Oxendine – former running back for the Atlanta Falcons
P
- Micky Park § – singer and actor
- Ace Parker (born 1912) – 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
- Robert Paxton – historian
- James Spriggs Payne – fourth and eighth president of Liberia
- John Payne – actor, starred in The Restless Gun
- Tom Peloso – member of Modest Mouse; former member of The Hackensaw Boys
- Tony Perez (born 1942) – actor, Hill Street Blues
- Thomas J. Perrelli (born 1966) – U.S. Associate Attorney General under U.S. President Barack Obama
- Darren Perry (born 1968) – assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers
- Jay Pharoah (born 1987) – comedian, impressionist, Saturday Night Live
- John Phillips § (1935–2001) – folk and pop musician, member of 1960s vocal group The Mamas & the Papas
- John Phillips (born 1987) – tight end for the Dallas Cowboys
- Pocahontas (1595–1617) – princess of Powhatan tribe
- Edgar Allan Poe § – author
- Lewis F. Powell – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Chief Powhatan (1547–1618) – ruler of Eastern Virginia at the time of the founding of Jamestown
- Paul Pressey (born 1958) – former NBA small forward, assistant coach for Cleveland Cavaliers
- Faith Prince § (born 1957) – actress, played Kelly Knippers in Showtime's Huff and Claudia Lassiter in Spin City
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 the Continental Congress
- Clay Rapada (born 1981) – relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
- Chris Ray (born 1982) – retired MLB pitcher
- J. J. Redick § (born 1984) – shooting guard for the Los Angeles Clippers
- 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, and Virginia Lieutenant Governor
- Mark Reynolds § (born 1983) – infielder for the Cleveland Indians
- R. J. Reynolds (1850–1918) – businessman and founder of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
- Chris Richardson § (born 1984) – American Idol finalist
- Alex Riley – WWE wrestler
- David L. Robbins – novelist
- Tom Robbins – author, studied art at Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University), worked for Richmond Times Dispatch
- Pat Robertson (born 1930) – Christian televangelist and political leader
- Bill "Bojangles" Robinson § (1878–1949) – dancer
- David Robinson § (born 1965) – former NBA player
- Michael Robinson (born 1983) – running back for the Seattle Seahawks
- John Rolfe § (c. 1585–1622) – settler at Jamestown Settlement, first developer of cultivated tobacco for the European market
- Felipe Rose § – founding member of the Village People
- Tim Rose § – rock, folk, and blues singer-songwriter
- Bobby Ross § – football coach
- Aaron Rouse (born 1984) – safety for the United Football League
- Eddie Royal (born 1986) – wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers
- Mark Ruffalo § (born 1967) – actor, Shutter Island, Collateral, The Avengers
- 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 the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves
- Ralph Sampson (born 1960) – Hall of Fame NBA player
- Rick Santorum (born 1958) – lawyer and former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
- Joe Saunders (born 1981) – starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles
- Eric Schmidt (born 1955) – software-engineer and executive chairman of Google
- Owen Schmitt § (born 1985) – fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Ed Schultz (born 1954) – left-wing radio and television host, The Ed Show
- Michael Schwimer (born 1986) – relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies
- George C. Scott (1927–1999) – actor; won an Academy Award for Best Actor for portraying George S. Patton in the biographical film Patton (1970)
- Wendell Scott (1921–1990) – first African American to race in NASCAR
- Willard Scott (born 1934) – former 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
- 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
- John Wesley Shipp – actor, Dawson's Creek, The Flash, Guiding Light
- Clint Sintim – linebacker for the New York Giants
- Scott Sizemore – infielder for the 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 the 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
- Torrey Smith – wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers
- Sn–Sz
- Norm Snead (born 1939) – former NFL quarterback for five teams
- Sam Snead (born 1912) – Hall of Fame golfer, winner of 82 PGA Tour Events
- Jason Snelling § (born 1983) – running back for the Atlanta Falcons
- John W. Snow – former United States Secretary of the Treasury and former chairman and chief executive officer of CSX Corporation
- Maura Soden (born 1955) – actress
- Trey Songz (born 1984) – singer
- Scott Sowers (born 1963) – actor
- Eric Stanley (born 1991) – violinist, arranger, YouTube personality
- Ralph Stanley (born 1927) – 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 the hijacking of TWA Flight 847
- Brandon Stokley (born 1976) – wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks
- Julyan Stone (born 1988) – player for the Denver Nuggets
- Jessica Mae Stover – actor, filmmaker, author
- 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
- Carol M. Swain (born 1954) – political scientist, Vanderbilt University professor
- DeVante Swing (born 1969) – music producer, singer, member and founder of R&B group Jodeci
- Wanda Sykes – comedian and actress; born in Portsmouth, Virginia
T
- Darryl Tapp (born 1984) – defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Fran Tarkenton – former NFL quarterback, co-host of ABC television's That's Incredible
- Ben Tate (born 1988) – running back for the Houston Texans
- Chris Taylor (born 1990) – shortstop for the Seattle Mariners
- Edmund Dick Taylor (1804–1891) – "Father of the Greenback"
- Lawrence Taylor (born 1959) – former NFL star, Pro Football Hall of Famer
- Peter Taylor (1917–1994) – writer; born in Tennessee but spent most of his career teaching at the University of Virginia
- Tyrod Taylor (born 1989) – quarterback for the Buffalo Bills
- Zachary Taylor (1784–1850) – 12th President of the United States
- Timmy Teepell (born 1975) – political consultant in Alexandria with firm OnMessage Inc.
- Lewis Temple – escaped African-American slave who invented a new kind of harpoon known as "Temple's Toggle"
- David Terrell – football player
- Scottie Thompson (born 1981) – actress, Jeanne Benoit on NCIS
- Timbaland (born 1974) – music producer and rapper
- Mike Tomlin (born 1972) – head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Randy Tomlin – former MLB pitcher; from Madison Heights
- Al Toon (born 1963) – retired football player for the New York Jets
- Scott Travis (born 1961) – drummer for Judas Priest and Racer X
- Adriana Trigiani – writer, author of novel Big Stone Gap
- Nat Turner (1800–1831) – leader of slave rebellion
- Leeann Tweeden (born 1973) – model, television personality
- Cy Twombly (1928–2011) – American abstract artist
- John Tyler (1790–1862) – 10th President of the United States
U
- Skeet Ulrich – actor, starred in Scream, The Newton Boys, and the drama series Jericho on CBS
- B. J. Upton – center fielder for the Atlanta Braves
- Justin Upton – outfielder for the Atlanta Braves
V
- Marc Vann (born 1954) – actor, Conrad Ecklie on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
- Phil Vassar – country music singer/songwriter; from Lynchburg
- Justin Verlander (born 1983) – Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
- Charles Vess (born 1951) – fantasy artist and comic-book illustrator
- Marcus Vick (born 1984) – retired NFL football player
- Michael Vick (born 1980) – NFL quarterback
- Gene Vincent (1935–1971) – musician who pioneered the 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 who led over 100 Muslims in prayer in New York on March 18, 2005
- Billy Wagner (born 1971) – retired MLB pitcher; played primarily for the 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 the United States
- 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) – educator, activist, founder of the Tuskegee Institute
- George Washington (1732–1799) – 1st President of the United States, commander-in-chief of Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War
- Kelley Washington (born 1979) – wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens
- Benjamin Watson (born 1980) – tight end for the New Orleans Saints
- B. W. Webb (born 1990) – cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Haley Webb – actress
- Josh Wells – offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Paul Wellstone § (1944–2002) – member of the United States Senate from Minnesota
- Suzanne Whang – television host, actress, House Hunters, Las Vegas
- Pernell Whitaker – professional boxer
- Jason White – NASCAR driver
- Lucky Whitehead – wide receiver for the 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 a U.S. state (Governor of Virginia, 1990–1994) and former Richmond City Mayor
- Jenny Wiley § (1760–1831) – pioneer, Native American captive
- Daryl Williams (born 1992) – offensive tackle for the 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 the New Orleans Hornets
- Pharrell Williams (born 1973) – musician and music producer, one-half of The Neptunes
- Reggie Williams (born 1986) – player for the Charlotte Bobcats
- Steven Williams § (born 1949) – actor, 21 Jump Street, L.A. Heat, Linc's
- Carl Willis (born 1960) – pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox
- 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 the New York Giants
- Patrick Wilson (born 1973) – actor, Nite Owl II in Watchmen
- Russell Wilson § – quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks
- Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) – 28th President of the United States
- Stan Winston – film special-effects designer
- Tom Wolfe (born 1931) – journalist, novelist, father of the "New Journalism"
- Robert J. Wood (1905–1986) – United States Army four-star general
- 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 the New York Jets
- Link Wray – guitarist
- David Wright (born 1982) – third baseman for the New York Mets
- Kerry Wynn (born 1991) – defensive end for the New York Giants
- George Wythe (1726–1806) – Hampton; first professor of law in an American college, the College of 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
- Boris Zhukov (born 1959) – professional wrestler
- Craig Zimmerman (born 1974) – actor
- George Zimmerman (born 1983) – man responsible for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida
- Ryan Zimmerman § (born 1984) – third baseman for the Washington Nationals
- Charlotte Zolotow (1915–2013) – writer, poet, publisher of children's books
See also
- by educational institution affiliation
- List of College of William & Mary alumni
- List of presidents of the College of William & Mary
- List of Hampden–Sydney College alumni
- List of Liberty University people
- List of presidents of Longwood University
- List of University of Richmond people
- List of University of Virginia people
- List of Virginia Commonwealth University alumni
- List of Virginia Tech alumni
- List of Virginia Theological Seminary people
- List of Washington and Lee University people
- by governmental office
- by location