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 §.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

Contents :

See also

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
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
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
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
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
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 Oklahoma City Thunder; 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
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

H

Hilary Hahn (born 1979) – two-time Grammy Award-winning classical concert violinist
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
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
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

J

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson (1824–1863) – Confederate military leader; born and raised in a part of Virginia that is now West 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 of Virginia
Archie Kao – actor and director
Jeremy Kapinos § (born 1984) – punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Jacob Kasher (born 1983) – musician; from Kempsville
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
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) – U.S. Senator from Arizona and 2008 Republican nominee for President; attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria
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
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) – fifth 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
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
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

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

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 – 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
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 cavalry officer
William Styron (1925–2006) – novelist
Skipp Sudduth § (born 1956) – actor, John 'Sully' Sullivan on Third Watch
Margaret Sullavan (1909–1960) – actress
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) – first 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

Z

Ryan Zimmerman § (born 1984) – third baseman for the Washington Nationals

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