North Carolina Famous People

Famous Americans: History and Biographies

Links to histories and biographies of the famous people of North Carolina. Many famous people of North Carolina have made significant contributions to the history of our nation and the state of North Carolina. These famous Americans, famous entertainers, famous players, famous scientist, famous singers, famous statesmen, famous women, heroes, great explorers, and others North Carolina famous Americans have all made North Carolina their home. This list includes North Carolina historical figures, celebrities and those individuals of North Carolina who have influenced the lives of others.

• Caleb Bradham (1867 - 1934) Pharmacist from New Bern, North Carolina, created the first Pepsi-Cola for dyspepsia, or indigestion.  In 1902 Bradham began bottling the soft drink in the back room of his drugstore.
• John Coltrane (1926-1967) - Tenor and soprano saxophonist, bandleader, and composer; Born in Hamlet.
• Elizabeth Hanford Dole (1936 - ) Secretary of Transportation (1983 - 87) and Labor (1989 - 90) and president of the American Red Cross (1990 - ); born in Salisbury.
• Ava Gardner (1922 - 1990) Became a Hollywood star and acted in more than 20 films by the age of 28; born in Smithfield.
• Andy Griffith (1926 - ) Actor made famous in television shows such as The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock; born in Mt. Airy.
• Pleasant Hanes (1845-1925) Founder of the Hanes Corporation; born in Winston-Salem.
• Andrew Jackson (1767 - 1845) Seventh President of the United States, was born in the Waxsaws area on the border of North and South Carolina.
• Andrew Johnson (1808 - 1875) Started his career as a tailor's apprentice in Raleigh, North Carolina and rose to lead in the reuniting of the nation as the seventeenth President of the United States.
• Michael Jordan (1963 - ) Basketball superstar who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles; grew up in Wilmington.
• Herman Lay (1909 - 1982) Owner of the company Frito-Lay, Inc.; born in Charlotte.
• Sugar Ray Leonard (1956 - ) Olympic boxing champion; born in Wilmington.
• Arnold Palmer (1929 - ) Recognized as the player whose aggressive play and winning personality raised golf to national attention, honed his skills on the championship golf team of Wake Forest University.
• James K. Polk (1795 - 1849) Eleventh President of the United States; born in Mecklenburg County.
• William Sydney Porter (1862 - 1910) Writer who used the pen name O. Henry; raised in Greensboro.
• Hiram Rhoades Revels (1822 - 1901) First African-American member of the United States Congress; born in Fayetteville.

More Famous People of North Carolina

• Braxton Bragg soldier, Warrenton
• Robert C. Byrd, politicianNorth Wilkesboro
• David Brinkley TV newscaster, Wilmington
• Howard Cosell sportscaster, Winston-Salem
• James B. Duke industrialist, Durham
• Donna Fargo country music, Mount Airy
• Roberta Flack singer, Black Mountain
• Richard Gatling inventor, Hertford County
• Billy Graham evangelist, Charlotte
• Kathryn Grayson singer, actress, Winston-Salem
• Jesse Helms politician, Monroe
• O. Henry writer, Greensboro
• Charles Kuralt TV journalist, Wilmington
• Dolley Payne Madison first lady, Guliford County
• Ronni Milsap country music singer, Robinsville
• Thelonious Monk pianist, Rocky Mount
• Edward R. Murrow commentator, Greensboro
• Floyd Patterson boxer, Waco
• Richard Petty auto racer, Level Cross
• Soupy Sales comedian, Wake Forest
• Earl Scruggs bluegrass musician, Flint Hill
• Randy Travis musician, Charlotte
• John Scott Trotter orchestra leader, Charlotte
• Thomas Clayton Wolfe author, Asheville