From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The following is list of notable people associated with the U.S. city of Charlotte, North Carolina. All people listed are or have previously been residents of Charlotte, unless otherwise indicated.
[edit] Arts, literature, humanities and entertainment
Spirit Square Center for the Arts
- Clay Aiken, pop singer; 2003 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Fantasia Barrino, R&B singer, American Idol season 3 winner
- Adina Howard, R&B singer
- Romare Bearden, famed artist
- Ben Browder, actor Farscape and Stargate SG-1
- Horace Brown, R&B singer
- John P. Kee, gospel singer
- Nappy Brown, R&B and gospel singer
- Phillip Bush, American classical pianist
- Tom Constanten, former keyboard player Grateful Dead
- David L Cook, Christian recording star, comedian
- FireHouse, early 90's "hair metal" band
- Mark Freiburger, Filmmaker
- Patrick Frye III, musician, harpsichordist, composer, performance artist, poet (resident of Charlotte)
- Harry Golden, author
- Anthony Hamilton, R&B singer
- Ali Hillis, actress
- Cheris F. Hodges, author
- Kwame Jackson, runner-up in the first season of "The Apprentice"
- Renneker Jenkins, actor
- Travis Jeppesen, author
- K-Ci and JoJo of 1990s R&B group Jodeci
- Si Kahn, singer-songwriter and activist (resident of Charlotte)
- Mark Kemp, author, music journalist
- Sharon Lawrence, Hollywood actress, most known from NYPD Blue
- Ben Long, internationally-renowned artist, most known for his fresco work and his drawings
- Carson McCullers, author
- James B. McMillan, federal judge who ruled in favor of school busing to integrate Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Maureen O'Boyle, formerly of "Current Affair" and now newscaster for WBTV
- Kathy Reichs, anthropologist and author
- Randolph Scott, actor
- John Shelby Spong, retired Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, noted author, lecturer, and theologian
- AlTonya Washington, author
- Wednesday 13, musician
- Stephanie Mills,R&B singer
- Skeet Ulrich, graduate of Northwest Cabarrus High School and Star of CBS Show "Jericho"
- Sunshine Anderson, (musician) R&B singer
- Hopesfall, hard rock band
- Ric Flair, sports-entainer/professional wrestler
- Bryan Frances Kennedy IV (aka "B.K."), Celebrated humanitarian and sometime motivational speaker. Once held his breath for 5 minutes and 27 seconds. Currently splitting time between divinity school and writing his unauthorized biography of James Van Der Beek.
- Maurice Williams, songwriter and performer of Maurice William and the Zodiacs, famous for "Stay"
[edit] Politics, law and the military
- Erskine Bowles, served as Chief of Staff in Clinton White House
- Rebecca Carney, Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly
- Daniel G. Clodfelter, attorney and politician, Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly
- Chris Cole, politician
- Charlie Smith Dannelly, educator and politician, Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly
- Buster Glosson, Lieutenant General (Ret.), United States Air Force
- Sarah Parker, Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court (born in Charlotte)
- Robert Pittenger, real estate invester and politician, Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly
- Richard Vinroot, attorney and politician
- Sue Myrick, member of the United States House of Representatives
[edit] Business
- Daniel DiMicco, President and CEO of Nucor, one of the largest steel-producing companies in the United States.
- Leon Levine, founder of Family Dollar; prominent billionaire, businessman and philanthropist.
- Hugh McColl, former CEO and Chairman of Bank of America; built the company from a small regional bank into one of the largest banks in the world.
- Bruton Smith, billionaire founder and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., a company that owns and operates six race tracks in the United States. Also founded Sonic Automotive, one of the largest automobile retailers in the US.
- Clemmie Dixon (C.D.) Spangler, Jr., #117 on Forbes list of 400 richest Americans; former president of the 16-campus University of North Carolina system. Made his fortune in construction and investments.
- Ben Elbert Douglas, Sr., Mayor
- Muggsy Bogues, former NBA guard
- Dwight Clark, former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
- Stu Cole, former professional baseball player and minor league manager of the Tulsa Drillers
- Mo Collins, former Oakland Raiders lineman
- Carlos Crawford, former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher
- Jim Crockett, wrestling promoter
- Walter Davis, former NBA player and 1976 Olympian
- Ray Durham, MLB second baseman
- Ric Flair, pro wrestler
- DeShaun Foster, running back for the Carolina Panthers
- Todd Fuller, Professional Basketball Player, 1996 CoSIDA/GTE Male Scholar/Athlete of the Year
- Jeff Gordon, NASCAR driver
- Leonard (Pug) Green, Golden Gloves Champion
- Mario Grier, former NFL running back
- Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner
- Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers third baseman
- Antawn Jamison, NBA forward, former University of North Carolina basketball star
- Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR driver
- Bobby Jones, former NBA player and 1972 Olympian
- Ron "The Truth" Killings, pro wrestler and rapper
- Chris Leak, Offensive MVP of 2007 BCS National Championship Game
- Mark Maye, former NFL QB
- Jeff McInnis, NBA guard
- Sam Mills, American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers
- Jim Nantz, sportscaster
- Roman Phifer, former NFL linebacker
- Jerry Richardson, owner of the Carolina Panthers
- John Sadri, former tennis player, Australian Open singles finalist
- Ricky Steamboat, former pro Wrestler
- Chad Tracy, MLB third baseman
- Reggie White, American football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers; career leader at the time of his retirement in sacks
- Haywood Workman, former Indiana Pacers guard
