10 celebrities who own, or have owned, houses in North Carolina

North Carolina has been home to many celebrities over the years. Here are 10 celebs who own, or have owned, homes in the state.

Many celebrities have called North Carolina home over the years. A few of them were born and raised here, and others migrated to the state to put down quieter roots than Hollywood had to offer. From Ava Gardner and Andy Griffith, to Burt Reynolds and Randy Travis, these notable names spent a significant portion of their lives in the Tar Heel state.

While some have taken up residence in mega mansions, others have owned more modest properties. Or, in J. Cole’s case, he decided to rent out his family home free of charge to women in need in his community. Regardless of the size of their houses or how long they were here, though, we’re still staking our claim to these 10 celebrity neighbors. 

For a more comprehensive list of famous people who are either from North Carolina or own property in the state, click here.

Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner starred in several iconic Hollywood films, including “The Sun Also Rises” and “On the Beach.” She was born in Johnston County and was raised in Smithfield. While she spent most of her life in other parts of the country and across the world, Gardner was buried in Smithfield following her death in 1990. The Ava Gardner Museum was founded there six years later to pay homage to this hometown legend. You can take a closer look at the various homes Gardner lived in throughout her life—in North Carolina and elsewhere—here.

A black and white portrait of actress Ava Gardner. (Lexinatrix/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Andy Griffith 

Like Ava Gardner, Andy Griffith hailed from North Carolina and remained there until he was in his early twenties. He was born in Mount Airy and lived on 711 E. Haymore St. until he graduated from high school. Diehard fans can actually visit, and even stay overnight, in Griffith’s childhood home. Click here for more information.

The Andy Griffith Museum opened in Mount Airy in 2009, which you can also visit if you want to make the most of your Mayberry trip. 

Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds famously lived in a very luxurious treehouse in the Highlands, which was listed for $2.95 million in 2024.

He considered it his favorite out of the 14 properties he owned throughout his life. The real estate listing for the mansion stated that it was “a rare masterpiece blending architectural genius and natural beauty.” The listing went on to note that, “renowned architect Jim Fox, celebrated for his unique homes inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s principles of organic architecture, has created a residence that harmonizes seamlessly with its natural surroundings.”

The late Burt Reynolds (Watkinssportswear/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Randy Travis

Born in Marshville and raised in Monroe, Randy Travis is one of the most famous country musicians of all time. Though he currently resides in Texas, Travis stated on Instagram that “The Carolinas will always be home to me,” and he previously spoke to PBS’ “My Home NC” about his time living in the state.

Randy Travis at the 45th Academy of Country Music Awards Arrivals. (s_bukley/Shutterstock)

J. Cole 

Raised in Fayetteville, J. Cole began housing single mothers, rent-free, at his home in the city beginning in 2015. Speaking about his decision at the time, J. Cole told ABC 11, “My goal is to have that be a haven for a family. So every two years, a new family will come in and live rent-free. The idea is that it’s a single mother with multiple kids. I want her kids to feel how I felt when we got the house.” 

J. Cole (Daniel Gregory/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Michael Jordan

Does Michael Jordan really need any introduction? This NBA superstar moved to Wilmington in the 1960s and has called North Carolina home ever since, even during periods when he was playing and living elsewhere. He purchased a $2.8 million mansion in Lake Norman back in 2013, but recently demolished the existing structure in March of this year.

Don’t worry, the GOAT isn’t going anywhere. Reports state that he “is planning to rebuild with Kingswood Homes on the same site, marking a new chapter in the property’s storied history.”

Michael Jordan playing for the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. (mccarmona23/CC BY 2.0)

Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Ben Stiller

We’re sad to report that, no, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, and Ben Stiller do not all share a gigantic celebrity home in North Carolina. However, these three stars do have one thing in common, and that’s living on the stunning Figure Eight Island. According to Mansion Global, many stars have sought solace here, including actors Kathy Bates and Dustin Hoffman, as well as politicians such as John Edwards and Al Gore.

Mansions on Figure Eight generally range from $4 to $13 million. And while the exact locations of Aniston, Roberts, and Stiller’s homes are unlisted due to safety reasons, you can still check out what one of these homes typically looks like by visiting this link.

Jennifer Aniston at a movie premiere. (Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock)

Zach Galifianakis

Did you know Zach Galifianakis owns a 60-acre farm? Located in Alleghany, the actor and comedian hilariously refers to the property as “Farmageddon,” and he lives there with his wife and children.

According to Farms.com, Galifianakis’s “farm consists of horses and honeybees and he wants to utilize the farm as a writing retreat.” I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty sweet to me. The 55-year-old grew up in North Wilkesboro and attended North Carolina State University, so it’s safe to say that he’s a North Carolinian through and through.

Zach Galifianakis at an event. (St. Murse/ CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Related: Where you should live in North Carolina, based on your zodiac sign