List of people from Hampton Roads, Virginia explained
The following is a list of notable people who were born, raised, or closely associated with the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.
Chesapeake
Hampton
Newport News
Norfolk
- Adam Anderson – driver of the Taz and Grave Digger Monster Trucks; son of Monster Truck driver
- Dennis Anderson – driver of the Grave Digger Monster Truck in the Monster Jam series
- Mason Andrews (1919–2006) – physician who delivered America's first in vitro baby; visionary leader of Norfolk's late 20th century renaissance
- Anhayla (b. 1988) – singer-songwriter
- Gordon Banks (b. 1955) – guitarist and music director for Marvin Gaye
- Al Barks (1936–2018) – Negro league baseball player
- Gary "U.S." Bonds (b. 1939) – singer-songwriter
- Plaxico Burress (b. 1977) – professional football wide receiver for the New York Jets
- William Harvey Carney (1840–1908) – African-American soldier of the American Civil War; Medal of Honor recipient for his part in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry's assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina
- Kam Chancellor (b. 1988) – professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks
- Clarence Clemons – saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band
- Alex Cosmidis – Minor League baseball player and manager and Major League scout
- William Couper (1853–1942) – sculptor
- Colgate Whitehead Darden, Jr. (1897–1981) – U.S. Representative; Governor of Virginia; Chancellor of the College of William and Mary; third President of the University of Virginia
- Keyshawn Davis (b. 1999) – professional boxer
- Mike D'Orso (b. 1953) – author, journalist
- Charles "Lefty" Driesell (1931–2024) – basketball coach at Davidson College, the University of Maryland, College Park, James Madison University, and Georgia State University
- Ryan Farish (b. 1974) – music composer, artist, publisher, and record executive of Rytone Entertainment
- Florian-Ayala Fauna – artist musician[3]
- Hank Foiles – from Norfolk, Major league All-Star in 1957; played for seven teams; finished his career in 1964 with the expansion Los Angeles Angels
- William Fuller (b. 1962) – professional football defensive end for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears
- Stephen Furst (1954–2017) – television actor
- Grant Gustin (b. 1990) – television actor
- Henry Howell (1920–1997) – Independent Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
- Lawrence "LoJo" Johnson (b. 1974) – Olympic pole vaulter, silver medalist in 2000
- General Norman Johnson (1943-2010) – R&B musician
- Kishi Bashi (b. 1975) – indie rock violinist; solo musician; tour member of Of Montreal and Regina Spektor
- Naomi Long Madgett (1923–2020) – poet
- Mae – indie rock band
- Thomas W. Moss, Jr. (1928–2015) – Democratic Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1992–2000
- Wayne Newton (b. 1942) – aka "Mr. Las Vegas"; singer and songwriter
- Tim Reid (b. 1944) – television actor, director, and film executive
- Jodi Rell (b. 1946) – Republican Governor of Connecticut, 2004–2011
- Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1809–1876) – first President of Liberia
- Dave Robertson (1889–1970) – from Norfolk, two-time National League home run leader; hit .500 in 1917 World Series; hit .287 over nine seasons with the Giants, Cubs and Pirates; product of Norfolk Academy; played four sports at Wake Forest and NC State; managed the minor league Norfolk Tars for several years in the 1920s
- Larry Sabato (b. 1952) – political pundit and professor at the University of Virginia
- Ed Schultz (1954–2018) – pundit and TV personality for MSNBC
- Deborah Shelton (b. 1948) – actress; Miss USA 1970, first runner-up in Miss Universe contest
- John Wesley Shipp (b. 1956) – television actor
- Bruce Smith (b. 1963) – Pro Football Hall of Fame player for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins
- Joe Smith (b. 1975) – professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers
- Keely Smith (1928–2017) – nightclub singer, wife and stage partner of Louis Prima
- Margaret Sullavan (1909–1960) – actress and wife of Leland Hayward
- Chuck Swirsky – Chicago Bulls radio play-by-play announcer, previously with Toronto Raptors
- Littleton Waller Tazewell (1774–1860) – U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator and Governor of Virginia
- Antoine Thompson – cornerback with the St. Louis Rams
- Scott Travis (b. 1961) – drummer for rock band Judas Priest
- John Paul Vann (1924–1972) – U.S. soldier and civilian active in Vietnam
- Marc Vann (b. 1954) – actor
- Brandon Vera (b. 1977) – mixed martial artist, currently signed to UFC
- Gene Vincent (1935–1971) – rock-a-billy artist recorded the hit "Be-Bop-a-Lula"
- Ben Watson (b. 1980) – football player for the New England Patriots
- Ernie Watts (b. 1945) – composer, jazz saxophonist, and long-time touring member of The Rolling Stones
- Joe Weatherly (1922–1964) – NASCAR driver
- Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker (b. 1964) – boxer; 1984 Olympic gold medalist, professional champion in four weight classes
- Thomas Wilkins (b. 1954) – orchestra conductor, music director of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra
- Patrick Wilson (b. 1973) – actor
- David Wright (b. 1982) – professional baseball player for the New York Mets[4]
- Rob Estes (b. 1963) – actor
Portsmouth
Suffolk
Virginia Beach
- Corey Ashe (b. 1986) – professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
- Wade Barrett (b. 1976) – professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
- Felicia Barton (b. 1982) – semi-finalist on American Idol
- Kharlton Belmar (b. 1992) – professional soccer player for Portland Timbers 2
- Rudy Boesch (1928–2019) – retired Navy SEAL and contestant on Survivor
- Jamelle Bouie (b. 1987) – journalist, New York Times columnist, and political analyst
- Bill Bray (b. 1983) – MLB player[7]
- Jon Busch (b. 1976) – Hampton Roads Mariner; Major League Soccer
- Curtis Bush (b. 1962) – kickboxer
- Darren Caskey (b. 1974) – Hampton Roads Mariner; Tottenham Hotspur; Reading
- Gabby Douglas (b. 1995) – Olympic gymnastics gold medalist
- D.J. Dozier (b. 1965) – football / baseball from Virginia Beach; Penn State All-American, first-round NFL draft 14th pick by Minnesota Vikings who was also drafted by major league baseball by the Detroit Tigers in the 18th round in 1983 (459th overall)
- Jason Dubois (b. 1979) – MLB player[8]
- Genesis the Greykid – artist, creative, poet, writer
- Percy Harvin (b. 1988) – NFL player
- Michael Hearst (b. 1972) – author, musician, and composer
- Angela Hucles (b. 1978) – sports executive and former professional soccer player
- Daniel Hudson (b. 1987) – MLB player[9]
- Jay Hoffman (b. 1951) – coached Hampton Roads Mariners; played professionally in the Canadian National Soccer League
- Bubba Jenkins (b. 1988) – NCAA wrestling national champion and MMA fighter[10]
- Roy Lassiter (b. 1969) – Hampton Roads Mariner; Major League Soccer; USA National Team
- B. J. Leiderman (b. 1956) – composer of themes for NPR shows
- Marc Leishman (b. 1983) – professional golfer
- Darin Lewis (b. 1976) – Hampton Roads Mariner; MLS New York MetroStars
- EJ Manuel (b. 1990) – NFL quarterback for the Oakland Raiders
- Evan Marriott – actor in Joe Millionaire[11]
- Bob McDonnell (b. 1954) – former Governor of Virginia[12] [13] [14]
- Shane McFaul (b. 1986) – Hampton Roads Mariner; Republic of Ireland U21
- Ryan McGinness (b. 1972) – artist
- Darryl Monroe (b. 1986) – professional basketball player, 2016 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP
- Guy Morgan (b. 1960), former NBA player
- Shawn Morimando (b. 1992) – MLB player[15]
- Lenda Murray (b. 1962) – IFBB professional bodybuilder[16]
- Jamia Nash (b. 1996) – singer, actress
- Juice Newton (b. 1952) – singer, songwriter
- Derrick Nnadi (b. 1996) – NFL defensive tackle
- Pusha T (b. 1977) – rapper[17]
- Neil Ramírez (b. 1989) – MLB player[18]
- J.R. Reid (b. 1968) – NBA player
- Mark Reynolds (b. 1983) – third baseman/first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles from Virginia Beach; drafted in 2004 by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 16th round (476th overall)
- Pat Robertson (1930–2023) – television preacher
- David Robinson (b. 1965) – 10x All-Star, NBA MVP, 2x NBA Champion, 2x Olympic gold medalist, member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, briefly grew up in Virginia Beach[19]
- Aaron Rouse (b. 1984) – NFL player
- Mark Ruffalo (b. 1967) – Oscar-nominated actor; raised in Virginia Beach
- Todd Schnitt (b. 1966) – radio personality
- Herbert Scott (b. 1953) – Kellam High School, Virginia Union University, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman in NFL for 10 seasons, 3× Pro Bowl, 2× First-team All-Pro, winner of Super Bowl XII
- Rhea Seehorn (b. 1972) – actress known for role as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul
- Julie Shiflet (b. 1972) – professional tennis player
- Scott Sizemore (b. 1985) – MLB player[20]
- Chris Taylor (b. 1990) – MLB player
- Ian Thomas (b. 1987) – MLB player[21]
- Shamarko Thomas (b. 1991) – Pittsburgh Steelers safety and 111th pick overall in the 2013 NFL draft; starred at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach
- Timbaland (b. 1972) – music producer[22]
- Lil Tracy (b. 1995) – rapper, singer and songwriter
- Turnover – indie rock band
- Travis Wall (b. 1987) – choreographer and contestant on So You Think You Can Dance
- Matthew E. White (b. 1982) – songwriter and producer
- Elizabeth Williams (b. 1993), played college basketball at Duke University, WNBA player for Atlanta Dream[23]
- Matt Williams (b. 1971) – MLB player[24]
- Pharrell Williams (b. 1973) – rapper, singer, record producer, composer and fashion designer
- Glenn Yates Jr. (1927–2022) – architect and Virginia state legislator
- Hunter Yeany (b. 2005) – racing driver
- Glenn Youngkin (b. 1966) – elected governor of Virginia in 2021[25]
- Ryan Zimmerman (b. 1984) – MLB player[26]
Williamsburg
York County
Notes and References
- Web site: Holloway wins first Olympic medal in 110-meter hurdles .
- News: . January 6, 2019. Kwamie Lassiter, former Cardinals safety, dead at 49. Phoenix, Arizona. August 16, 2024.
- Web site: Downing. Andy. Dark electronic duo uncertain can still see the light. Columbus Alive. Gannett Co., Inc.. 27 December 2019. 28 December 2019.
- "David Wright: Bio & Stats." New York Mets. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
- News: Keepnews. Peter. James Avery, 'Fresh Prince' Actor, Dies at 68. The New York Times. January 1, 2014.
- News: February 25, 1962 . Red Cross Drive To Start Tuesday . . Paducah, KY . 1–A, 6–A . Newspapers.com.
- http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=41288. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=5178. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=124152. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- https://thesundevils.com/news/2013/4/17/208248340.aspx. Arizona State University Official Athletic Site. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- News: Holtzclaw . Mike . Evan Marriott's life interrupted by unexpected TV stardom on 'Joe Millionaire' . . September 5, 2015 . June 8, 2017.
- Web site: Governor Robert F. McDonnell's bio . Governor.virginia.gov . March 4, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100304020550/http://www.governor.virginia.gov/TheAdministration/mcdonnell-bio.cfm . March 4, 2010.
- Web site: Session 2005; McDonnell, Robert F. (Bob) . Virginia House of Delegates . November 26, 2008.
- Web site: Session 2003; McDonnell, Robert F. (Bob) . Virginia House of Delegates . November 26, 2008.
- http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=165391. The Baseball Cube. retrieved November 16, 2018.
- Web site: Lenda Murray - Facebook . .
- Web site: Pusha T talks love and strategy for helping his hometown become a music hotbed. Poulter. Amy. October 14, 2020. The Virginian–Pilot. May 18, 2021.
- http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=128933. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- News: Navy Center stands Tall. Wilbon. Michael. December 11, 1984. The Washington Post. May 19, 2021.
- Web site: Scott Sizemore Stats . Baseball Almanac . December 10, 2012.
- http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=144094. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- Web site: Timbaland's visit includes grant for Beach school . . January 11, 2013 . May 30, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080601233552/http://hamptonroads.com/2008/05/timbalands-visit-includes-grant-virginia-beach-school . June 1, 2008 . dead.
- Web site: Elizabeth Williams. GoDuke.com. Duke Blue Devils. December 6, 2018.
- http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=19720. The Baseball Cube. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- News: Who is Glenn Youngkin? What you need to know about Virginia's next governor. Elwood. Karina. November 3, 2021. The Washington Post. November 8, 2021.
- Web site: Ryan Zimmerman Stats . Baseball Almanac . December 10, 2012.