List of people from Virginia
- This is an incomplete list that may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
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 §.
A
- Alden Aaroe – WRVA talk show host
- Caroline Aaron – actress and producer
- Tim Abell – actor, Soldier of Fortune, Inc.
- 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
- David Arquette – born on a commune in Winchester (raised there for 2 years)
- Anhayla – singer, guitarist, YouTube Personality
- 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
- 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 (musician) – guitarist and songwriter
- Ronde Barber (born 1975) – pro football cornerback for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tiki Barber (born 1975) – sportscaster and former New York Giants running back
- Don Barclay (born 1989) – Green Bay Packers offensive tackle and guard
- 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
- Adam Birch – former professional wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown!
- Tom Bliley – member of the United States House of Representatives representing the 3rd then 7th District
- Dré Bly – football player with the Detroit Lions
- Randy Blythe – singer of metal band Lamb of God
- 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 and songwriter
- J. Evan Bonifant – actor
- Maria Boren – contestant on the television show The Apprentice
- Th-resa Bostick § - IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Wes Borland – guitarist for Limp Bizkit and other rock bands
- Luke Bowanko – center for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Mary Bowser – freed slave who worked as a Union spy during the Civil War and was admitted to the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame
- Ahmad Bradshaw (born 1986) – running back for the New York Giants
- Karen Briggs § – violinist
- 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 winning singer and entertainer
- Mika Brzezinski § – television news journalist at MSNBC
- Bebe Buell – fashion model, famous groupie and 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
- 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 7th District
- Lott Carey – early African-American colonist and missionary to Liberia
- Jay Carney – White House press secretary for 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
- George Rogers Clark (1752–1818) – Revolutionary War military leader
- Anthony Clark – actor (Yes Dear!, Boston Common), Lynchburg
- 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, was 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
- Stacy Compton – NASCAR driver/team owner, Grit, VA
- 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, TV commentator
- Alex Cosmidis – baseball player, manager, scout
- Joseph Cotten (1905–1994) – actor
- Katie Couric (born 1957) – television personality, Katie
- Patricia Cornwell § – novelist
- 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
- 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 and 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
- 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 (March 3, 1940 – May 30, 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 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) – legendary 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 – CEO 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 TV series Breaking Bad
- Jim Gilmore – former governor of Virginia
- Jack Gilpin – actor
- Ellen Glasgow – early 20th century novelist
- Irving Gottesman – long stint as professor and professor emeritus at 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
- David Grohl – Foo Fighters (born in Ohio, moved to Virginia at age 3)
- Wayne Grubb – NASCAR crew chief and former driver
- Kevin Grubb – NASCAR driver
- Johnny Grubb – Major League Baseball player
- Grant Gustin - Actor in The Flash Norfolk,VA
H
- Hilary Hahn (born 1979) - Two-time Grammy award winning classical concert violinist
- DeAngelo Hall § (born 1983) – Washington Redskins cornerback
- Fawn Hall (born 1959) – notable figure in the Iran–Contra affair
- Charles Haley – pro football player Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Naruna, VA
- 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
- Justin Harper (born 1989) – power forward for the Orlando Magic
- Benjamin Harrison V – signer of the Declaration of Independence, father of President William Henry Harrison
- Benjamin Harrison – President of US, grandson of William Henry Harrison
- William Henry Harrison (1773–1841) – 9th President of the United States
- Kathryn Harrold (born 1950) - actress
- Bryan Harvey – musician, noted for his fronting role in House of Freaks, who was brutally murdered with his family in 2006
- Percy Harvin – wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks
- Nidal Malik Hasan – US Army psychiatrist, sole suspect in the Fort Hood shooting of 2009
- Earl Hebner – professional wrestling referee
- William Henderson -[1]Green Bay Packers fullback
- 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 star
- 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
- Chad Hugo (born 1974) – musician and music producer, one-half of The Neptunes
- Randy Hundley – catcher for 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
- 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) - NFL running back, San Francisco 49ers
- Julius Jones (born 1981) – NFL football player, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks
- Thomas Jones (born 1978) – NFL running back for 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
- Jeremy Kapinos § (born 1984) – punter for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Archie Kao (actor)|Archie Kao]] – actor/director
- Jacob Kasher (born 1983) – musician, from Kempsville
- Richard Kelly (born 1975) – film director
- Patrick Kilpatrick – character actor, Minority Report, Eraser
- Barbara Kingsolver – author, lives outside Abingdon, VA
- 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
- Wilford Leach (1929–1988) – film and theatre director, screenwriter
- Light Horse Harry Lee (1756–1818) Prince William County; Revolutionary War hero; father of Robert E. Lee
- Jake E. Lee (born 1957) – guitarist for Ratt, Rough Cutt, Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands, and others
- 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
- William Gregory Lee – actor, Dante's Cove
- Will Yun Lee – actor
- 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 of UVA
- 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
- 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) – Oscar-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"
- 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 (born 1955) – former NBA star, Basketball Hall of Famer
- Aimee Mann – musician (Midlothian/Richmond area)
- Sally Mann (born 1951) – photographer (Lexington)
- Charlie Manuel § (born 1944) – former manager of the Philadelphia Phillies
- 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, Secretary of Defense, author of the Marshall Plan and winner of Nobel Peace Prize(graduate of 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 (Fredericksburg)
- John McCain § (born 1936) – U.S. Senator from Arizona and 2008 Republican nominee for President (attended Episcopal High School)
- 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
- David McLeod (born 1971) - first recipient of the AFL Defensive Player of the Year Award
- William Holmes McGuffey § (1800–1873) – creator of McGuffey Readers (spent his later years as a professor at the University of Virginia)
- Billy McMullen – UVA and Minnesota Vikings football player
- Jesse McReynolds – bluegrass musician, mandolin player
- Joseph Meek (1810–1875) – explorer and fur trader
- Philip B. Meggs – design historian, author of Meggs' 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 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 who played for the Expos, Phillies, Mariners & 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 and 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 pro basketball player
- Jason Mraz (born 1977) – musician
- 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
- Mickie James (born 1979) – professional wrestler and musician
- Magnum TA- professional wrestler
N
- 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
- Diane Neal ( born 1976) actress - best known as ADA Casey Novak on Law&Order SVU
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[2]- former Atlanta Falcons running back
P
- Micky Park § – singer and actor
- Ace Parker (born 1912) – Hall of Fame quarterback
- George Patton § (1885–1945) – World War II military leader, family was from Fredericksburg, attended 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 – former member of the Hackensaw Boys, currently with Modest Mouse
- Tony Perez (born 1942) – actor, Hill Street Blues
- Thomas J. Perrelli (born 1966) – U.S. Associate Attorney General under Barack Obama
- Darren Perry (born 1968) – assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers
- Jay Pharoah (born 1987) – comedian, impressionist, Saturday Night Live
- John Phillips (born 1987) – tight end for the Dallas Cowboys
- John Phillips § (1935–2001) – folk & pop musician, member of '60s vocal group, The Mamas & the Papas
- Pocahontas (1595–1617) – princess of Powhatan tribe
- Edgar Allan Poe – author
- Lewis F. Powell – Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
- 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 VCU), 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 star
- 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
- Elliott Sadler (born 1975) – NASCAR driver
- Bob Saget (born 1956) § – actor, comedian, TV series "Full House," original host of America's Funniest Home Videos
- Billy Sample (born 1955) MLB player for 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 current Executive Chairman of Google
- Owen Schmitt (born 1985) § – fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Ed Schultz (born 1954) – left wing TV-radio host, The Ed Show
- Michael Schwimer (born 1986), relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies
- George C. Scott (1927–1999) – actor, won an Oscar for portraying George Patton
- 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
- Seka (born 1954) - adult film star
- Steve Scully (born 1960) – host of C-SPAN's Washington Journal
- 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, Altavista
- 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 Baltimore Ravens
- Norm Snead (July 31, 1939–)- former NFL quarterback for five teams
- Jason Snelling § (born 1983) – running back for the Atlanta Falcons
- John W. Snow – former United States Secretary of the Treasury and former Chairman and CEO 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
- 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
- Lawrence Taylor (born 1959) – former NFL star, Football Hall of Fame
- 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 Baltimore Ravens
- Zachary Taylor (1784–1850) – 12th President of the United States
- Edmund Dick Taylor (1804–1891) – "Father of the Greenback"
- 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 famous slave rebellion
- Leeann Tweeden (born 1973) – model, TV 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, Lynchburg
- Justin Verlander (born 1983) – Major League Baseball pitcher, currently playing 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) – New York Jets quarterback
- Gene Vincent (1935–1971) – musician who pioneered the styles of rock and roll and rockabilly
W
- Pernell Whitaker – professional boxer
- Bobby Wadkins – professional golfer
- Lanny Wadkins – professional golfer
- Amina Wadud – controversial female Islamic VCU 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 TV star, 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 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 Cleveland Browns
- 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 – TV host, actress, House Hunters, Las Vegas
- Jason White – NASCAR driver
- 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 and current 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 Seattle Mariners
- 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
- George Wythe (1726–1806) Hampton; first professor of law in an American college, the College of William and Mary
Y
- Rachael Yamagata – singer-songwriter
- Elliott Yamin § (born 1978) – American Idol finalist
Z
- Ryan Zimmerman § (born 1984) – third baseman for the Washington Nationals
Bands from Virginia
- Alabama Thunderpussy, Southern Metal band (Richmond)
- Arsis, Death/Thrash Metal band (Virginia Beach)
- Avail, Punk Rock band (Richmond)
- Carbon Leaf, Pop-Rock/Folk Rock band (Richmond)
- Clipse, rap group (Virginia Beach)
- Darkest Hour, metal band (Washington D.C.)
- Dave Matthews Band, Alt. Rock band (Charlottesville)
- dc Talk, Christian rapcore band (Lynchburg)
- Deceased, Death/Thrash Metal band and first band to sign with Relapse Records (Arlington)
- Far-Less, Post-hardcore (Marion, Pulaski, Blacksburg)
- GWAR, shock rock punk thrash band (Richmond)
- The Hackensaw Boys, bluegrass band (Charlottesville)
- HURT, Art Rock/Hard Rock band
- Lamb of God, contemporary extreme metal band (Richmond)
- Mae, Indie/Indie rock band (Virginia Beach)
- Municipal Waste, Thrash Metal band (Richmond)
- Pig Destroyer, deathgrind band (Northern Virginia)
- Winter Solstice, Christian Metalcore band (Lynchburg)
- While Heaven Wept, Doom metal band (Dale City)
- The Friday Night Boys, Power pop/Pop punk/Electronica, band (Fairfax)
- The Downtown Fiction, Power pop/Pop punk/Alternative rock, band (Fairfax)
- Parachute, Christian Rock (Charlottesville)
References
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