List of people from Virginia

State flag of 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.

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
• 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, comedienne, 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

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

• List of Attorneys General of Virginia
• List of colonial governors of Virginia
• List of Governors of Virginia
• List of Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia
• List of United States Representatives from Virginia
• List of United States Senators from Virginia

by location

• List of people from Annandale, Virginia
• List of people from Arlington, Virginia
• List of people from Charlottesville, Virginia
• List of people from Great Falls, Virginia
• List of people from Hampton Roads, Virginia
• List of people from McLean, Virginia
• List of people from Reston, Virginia