The 15 Most Famous People From North Carolina

Jazz giants, NASCAR kings, a Mayberry sheriff and the most-subscribed man on YouTube all call the Tar Heel State home.

1. 1
   Michael Jordan

   Six-time NBA champion who grew up in Wilmington and won a title at UNC.
   1000pts
2. 2
   James Taylor

   Singer-songwriter raised in Chapel Hill, author of Carolina in My Mind.
   781pts
3. 3
   Chris Paul

   NBA point guard from Winston-Salem who starred at Wake Forest.
   597pts
4. 4
   MrBeast

   YouTuber raised in Greenville who still runs his studio in eastern North Carolina.
   553pts
5. 5
   Nina Simone

   Singer and pianist born in Tryon, the High Priestess of Soul.
   546pts
6. 6
   Ben E. King

   Stand by Me singer born in Henderson.
   546pts
7. 7
   Richard Petty

   The King of NASCAR, a seven-time champion from Level Cross.
   546pts
8. 8
   Andy Griffith

   Mount Airy native whose sitcom made small-town North Carolina famous.
   488pts
9. 9
   John Coltrane

   Jazz saxophonist raised in High Point.
   423pts
10. 10
    Ava Gardner

    Hollywood star born near Smithfield.
    263pts
11. 11
    Julianne Moore

    Oscar-winning actor born at Fort Bragg.
    263pts
12. 12
    Randy Travis

    Country singer from Marshville.
    163pts
13. 13
    J. Cole

    Rapper raised in Fayetteville who named his label Dreamville.
    163pts
14. 14
    Thelonious Monk

    Jazz pianist and composer born in Rocky Mount.
    163pts
15. 15
    Dale Earnhardt

    Seven-time NASCAR champion from Kannapolis.
    163pts

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