North Carolina has been home to many celebrities over the years. Here are 14 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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
Andie MacDowell
She may be known around the globe as an actress and model, but in the mountains of North Carolina she’s known as one of the Tar Heel State’s most famous former residents. MacDowell moved to the Asheville area in 1999 to raise her three children, who attended prestigious Carolina Day School. Her custom built home, an exquisite $8.5 million French Tudor-style home in Biltmore Forest, overlooks features nearly 11,000 sq. ft., includes five bedrooms and seven bathrooms. MacDowell sold the home in May 2012 to relocate to the West Coast.
Kevin Harvick
Retired professional stock car racing driver Kevin Harvick has lived in the Queen City area since 2014. He famously owned the iconic mansion on Lake Norman that was featured in the film Talladega Nights, as well as a 4.5-acre, 9,157-sq. ft. mansion in South Charlotte decked out with a private pool, putting green, and a garage with a golf simulator. Harvick currently resides in an impressive, $6.7 million estate in Cornelius with 6 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, and approximately 12,042 sq. ft. space.
Janelle Brown
Known for her role on as a wife in a polygamous marriage on reality television show, Sister Wives, Janelle Brown relocated to the Tar Heel State from Arizona in 2026. Along with her daughter and son-in-law, Brown lives on a 156-acre farm in North Carolina located near Chocowinity, roughly 30 minutes from Greenville. The three have also founded flower farm Taeda Farms in Chocowinity.
Ciarra Miller
While legions of fans are used to watching her live in a luxurious Hamptons mansion on the weekends on Bravo TV’s Summer House, Ciarra Miller is preparing for life in North Carolina. She recently purchased her grandparents’ 2,500 sq. ft. home near Charlotte for $400,000. Built by her grandfather, she says the 1965 brick ranch with three bedrooms and three baths was a sanctuary for her during her childhood. Miller plans to renovate and modernize the home while also honoring her grandparents and the sacrifices they made to build the home.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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