List of people from Hampton Roads, Virginia

This is a list of famous people and celebrities that were either born in or have lived in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

Chesapeake

• Stewart Copeland, drummer for rock band The Police and jazz ensemble Animal Logic, grew up in Chesapeake as the son of a CIA agent; brother Ian founded the Backstage Cafe chain of restaurants, one of which was located at the NorVa Theatre.
• Michael Cuddyer, professional baseball third baseman for the Minnesota Twins (born in Norfolk, raised in Chesapeake).
• Kenny Easley, professional football player with the Seattle Seahawks.
• Alonzo Mourning, professional basketball player for the Miami Heat.
• Darren Perry, football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Ricky Rudd, professional NASCAR race car driver.
• B.J. Upton, professional baseball shortstop for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (born in Norfolk, raised in Chesapeake).
• Justin Upton, B.J.'s younger brother, a professional baseball player drafted #1 overall in 2005 by the Arizona Diamondbacks. (B.J. was the #2 overall pick in 2002.)
• David Wright, professional baseball starting third basemen for the New York Mets

Hampton

• Steve Earle, popular country-rock musician and songwriter was born at Fort Monroe.
• Shaun Gayle, professional football player with the San Diego Chargers.
• Chris Hanburger, popular Washington Redskins player in the 1970s.
• Mike Husted, former kicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders
• Allen Iverson, professional basketball player; Point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers; born in Hampton, raised in Newport News (but attended Bethel High School by using a friend's Hampton address). Mother and "adopted" father live in separate houses in the Marlbank community of York County.
• Dwight Stephenson, NFL Hall of Famer for the Miami Dolphins.

Newport News

• Pearl Bailey, Tony award winning actress (Hello Dolly!), singer
• Larry Bethea, late professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys was a standout at Ferguson High School and a Parade All-American.
• Blessid Union of Souls, rock band that lived and played in Newport News for many years; had hit song "Oh, Virginia" that extolled Hampton Roads.
• Aaron Brooks, professional football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
• Joyce Bulifant, comedic actress who gained fame on 1950s and 60s TV shows.
• Robert Cray, blues guitarist, began his musical career as a student at Denbigh High School.
• Frankie Faison, film actor featured in Silence of The Lambs, White Chicks, Gods and Generals, "Hanibal," Do The Right Thing, Coming to America, Mississippi Burning, and The Money Pit.
• Ella Fitzgerald, jazz singer.
• The Five Keys, popular soul and doo-wop act in the 1950s; featuring Newport News locals Ripley Ingram, Bernie West, and Rudy West.
• Ava Gardner, popular movie actress born in Smithfield, N.C. and raised in Newport News.
• Johnny Gilbert, announcer for the hit television quiz show Jeopardy!
• Gary Hudson, Warwick High School graduate and actor featured in numerous TV series and the film Road House with Patrick Swayze.
• Henry Jordan, Warwick High graduate who became an NFL Hall of Famer after many seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
• Leroy Keyes, standout running back for Purdue University and the Philadelphia Eagles.
• Hazel R. O'Leary, Huntington High School graduate and former Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton; currently President of Fisk University.
• Austin Roberts, singer and songwriter who had top 10 hits with "Somthing's Wrong With Me" and "Rocky" in the 1970s.
• Norm Snead, record-breaking quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
• William Styron - author of The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie's Choice.
• Al Toon, NFL great who played for the New York Jets.
• Michael Vick, professional football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons.
• Wolfman Jack, aka Robert Smith, radio personality who began his professional career as "Daddy Jules" at WYOU (AM), Newport News, in 1960. (Note: many web sites, including Wikipedia, claim Wolfman Jack began his career at either KCIJ in Shreveport, La. or XERF in Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. See the Radio Hall of Fame site at http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/wolfmanjack.html or Wolfman Jack's autobiography "Have Mercy!" for authentication.)

Norfolk

• Gary "U.S." Bonds, had a string of soul and dance hits in the 50s, 60s, and 80s.
• Clarence Clemons, long-time saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and former player for the Norfolk Neptunes football team.
• Tom DiCillo, film writer and director responsible for "Johnny Suede," "Box of Moonlight," "Living in Oblivion," and episodes of the "Monk" TV series.
• Charles Driesell, aka "Lefty Driesell," famed basketball coach at the University of Maryland, James Madison, and Georgia State; also coached at Granby High and Newport News High.
• Rob Estes, actor who starred in Silk Stalkings and Melrose Place.
• Gary Fleder, director of "Things To Do In Denver While You're Dead," "Skeleton Coast," and Runaway Jury.
• William Fuller, defensive end for the Chicago Bears.
• Stephen Furst, actor and regular on St. Elsewhere, Babylon 5, Chicago Hope, as well as the films Animal House and "Sorority Boys."
• Joe Garland, who penned the Number 1 song "In The Mood" for the Glenn Miller band in 1940.
• Eddie Holman, who had a nation Number 2 hit with "Hey There, Lonely Girl" in 1970.
• General Johnson, leader of the R&B group "Chairmen of The Board," who had a Number 3 hit in 1970 with "Give Me Just A Little More Time."
• Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas."
• Tim Reid, Norfolk native and Norfolk State University graduate who later became a popular actor (WKRP in Cincinnati), director, and film executive.
• Bob Saget, actor, famous for his role on Full House and as host of America's Funniest Home Videos.
• Deborah Shelton, raised in Norfolk and Newport News, was a regular on Dallas TV series.
• Bruce Smith, football player for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins.
• Margaret Sullavan, Hollywood actress and wife of Leland Hayward, noted Broadway and Hollywood producer.
• Joe Smith professional basketball player most notably of the Milwaukee Bucks
• Scott Travis, drummer for rock band Judas Priest.
• Gene Vincent, trailblazing rock-a-billy artist recorded the huge hit "Be-Bop-A-Lula."
• Ernie Watts, composer, jazz saxophonist, and long-time touring member of The Rolling Stones.

Portsmouth

• Virginia C. Andrews, aka V.C. Andrews, was a popular mystery and horror writer born in Portsmouth and lated lived in Virginia Beach.
• Ruth Brown, Grammy-award winning singer and entertainer.
• Missy Elliott, rapper
• Perry Ellis, world-renowned as a top level fashion designer.
• Tommy Facenda, who had a huge national hit with "High School USA," and it's different versions covering 29 cities and states around the country.
• Shadow Morton, aka George Morton, prolific record producer and songwriter who had Number 1 hits with "Chapel of Love" by The Dixie Cups and "Leader of The Pack" by The Shangri-Las.
• Tommy Newsom, popular musician featured in Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show Band along with Doc Severinsen.
• William Russ, actor featured in American History X and the TV series Wiseguy.
• Swamp Dogg, aka Jerry Williams, blues and folk artist who has achieved critical acclaim throughout the world.
• Nicole Wray, aka Nicole, rapper and protege of Missy Elliott.

Suffolk

• Charlie Byrd, world-renowned jazz guitarist born in Chuckatuck (now part of Suffolk).
• Joe Maphis, who, along with Les Paul and Chet Atkins, helped define popular and country music.

Virginia Beach

• Anthony Addabbo, actor and soap star featured onAll My Children, The Bold and The Beautiful, The Guiding Light, and the Red Shoe Diaries series.
• BLACKStreet, popular R&B group and the brainchild of producer Teddy Riley.
• Rudy Boesch, third place finalist on Survivor: Pulau Tiga (first episode).
• J. Evan Bonifant, child actor who starred in Blues Brothers 2000.
• Maria Boren, contestant on The Apprentice 2.
• Keith Goganious of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Steve Holland, guitarist for 70s and 80s rock group Molly Hatchet.
• Evan Marriott, played Joe Millionaire in the popular FOX television program of the same name.
• Scott McKenzie, former Beach resident who had a Top 5 hit with "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)" and wrote "Kokomo," a huge hit for The Beach Boys.
• Martina Navratalova, former resident of the North Beach area.
• The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo), hip-hop and pop music production duo superstars. (Both were raised in Virginia Beach; Williams was also born there, while Hugo was born in Portsmouth.)
• Juice Newton, pop and country singer.
• J. R. Reid, former player for several NBA teams.
• Teddy Riley, introduced new jack swing style of music; producer of Michael Jackson and The Rolling Stones; founder of BLACKStreet.
• Pat Robertson, founder of Regent University and The 700 Club, produced by the Christian Broadcasting Network.
• Bruce Smith, Norfolk native and Beach resident who saw great fame with the Buffalo Bills football team.
• Kendra Todd, winner of The Apprentice 3.
• The Clipse, rap group. (The group consists of 2 brothers who grew up in Virginia Beach)

Williamsburg

• Glenn Close, renowned film actress, is a graduate of The College of William and Mary.
• Bruce Hornsby, singer and songwriter.
• Linda Lavin, actress featured on the Alice TV series and now appearing on The O.C. graduated from The College of William and Mary.
• Seven Mary Three, alternative rock band who had a huge national hit with "Cumbersome."
• Jon Stewart, comedian and talk-show host, graduated from The College of William and Mary.
• Lawrence Taylor, Hall of Fame linebacker with the New York Giants.

York County

• Chris Slade, linebacker for the New England Patriots.