List of people from Virginia

Location of Virginia in the U.S. Map

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
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

Commonwealth of Virginia

Richmond (capital)

Topics	Administrative divisions Climate Colleges and universities Colony Congressional Districts Delegations Environment Furniture Geography Government History Historic Landmarks Law Homes Music People Rights Rivers Scouting Slogan Sports teams State Fair State parks Symbols Transportation Tribes Visitor attractions

Society	Culture Crime Demographics Economy Education Politics

Regions	Allegheny Mountains Atlantic Coastal Plain Blue Ridge Chesapeake Bay Cumberland Mountains Delmarva Peninsula Eastern Shore Hampton Roads Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Northern Virginia Piedmont Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians Shenandoah Valley South Hampton Roads Southside Southwest Virginia Tennessee Valley Tidewater Tri-Cities Virginia Peninsula

Metro areas	Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Bluefield Bristol Charlottesville Danville Harrisonburg Lynchburg Martinsville Richmond Roanoke Staunton-Waynesboro Norfolk-Virginia Beach Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Winchester

Counties	Accomack Albemarle Alleghany Amelia Amherst Appomattox Arlington Augusta Bath Bedford Bland Botetourt Brunswick Buchanan Buckingham Campbell Caroline Carroll Charles City Charlotte Chesterfield Clarke Craig Culpeper Cumberland Dickenson Dinwiddie Essex Fairfax Fauquier Floyd Fluvanna Franklin Frederick Giles Gloucester Goochland Grayson Greene Greensville Halifax Hanover Henrico Henry Highland Isle of Wight James City King and Queen King George King William Lancaster Lee Loudoun Louisa Lunenburg Madison Mathews Mecklenburg Middlesex Montgomery Nelson New Kent Northampton Northumberland Nottoway Orange Page Patrick Pittsylvania Powhatan Prince Edward Prince George Prince William Pulaski Rappahannock Richmond Roanoke Rockbridge Rockingham Russell Scott Shenandoah Smyth Southampton Spotsylvania Stafford Surry Sussex Tazewell Warren Washington Westmoreland Wise Wythe York

Independent cities	Alexandria Bristol Buena Vista Charlottesville Chesapeake Colonial Heights Covington Danville Emporia Fairfax Falls Church Franklin Fredericksburg Galax Hampton Harrisonburg Hopewell Lexington Lynchburg Manassas Manassas Park Martinsville Newport News Norfolk Norton Petersburg Poquoson Portsmouth Radford Richmond Roanoke Salem Staunton Suffolk Virginia Beach Waynesboro Williamsburg Winchester

Lists of people by U.S. state

States	Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Federal district	Washington, D.C.

Insular areas	American Samoa Guam Northern Mariana Islands Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands

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