# 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.

*By YPB Team · Published September 30, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-15-most-famous-people-from-north-carolina*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Michael Jordan** — score 1000/1000
   Six-time NBA champion who grew up in Wilmington and won a title at UNC.
2. **James Taylor** — score 781/1000
   Singer-songwriter raised in Chapel Hill, author of Carolina in My Mind.
3. **Chris Paul** — score 597/1000
   NBA point guard from Winston-Salem who starred at Wake Forest.
4. **MrBeast** — score 553/1000
   YouTuber raised in Greenville who still runs his studio in eastern North Carolina.
5. **Nina Simone** — score 546/1000
   Singer and pianist born in Tryon, the High Priestess of Soul.
6. **Ben E. King** — score 546/1000
   Stand by Me singer born in Henderson.
7. **Richard Petty** — score 546/1000
   The King of NASCAR, a seven-time champion from Level Cross.
8. **Andy Griffith** — score 488/1000
   Mount Airy native whose sitcom made small-town North Carolina famous.
9. **John Coltrane** — score 423/1000
   Jazz saxophonist raised in High Point.
10. **Ava Gardner** — score 263/1000
   Hollywood star born near Smithfield.
11. **Julianne Moore** — score 263/1000
   Oscar-winning actor born at Fort Bragg.
12. **Randy Travis** — score 163/1000
   Country singer from Marshville.
13. **J. Cole** — score 163/1000
   Rapper raised in Fayetteville who named his label Dreamville.
14. **Thelonious Monk** — score 163/1000
   Jazz pianist and composer born in Rocky Mount.
15. **Dale Earnhardt** — score 163/1000
   Seven-time NASCAR champion from Kannapolis.

Tags: usa, celebrities, north carolina