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40 Famous Actors and Actresses From North Carolina

Brian Tyree Henry is a native of Fayetteville. Image via Michael Kovacs / Getty Images.

By Stacker

January 25, 2023

A reminder that you, too, could make it big some day.

The nominees for the 95th Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday, and they included one excited North Carolina native.

Brian Tyree Henry, born in Fayetteville, earned a nod in the category of Best Supporting Actor for his role in the psychological drama “Causeway” with Jennifer Lawrence. (“Causeway” can be viewed with a subscription to AppleTV+.)

“I am beyond honored to be nominated!!!!! And in such amazing company!!! I’m so grateful,” Henry told CNN. “And to the random man in the elevator who saw me scream at the news, thank you for hugging me and not freaking out!!!!!!”

Like Henry, the vast majority of celebrities were born and raised outside of Hollywood, finding their way to the bright lights and big money of superstardom from obscure beginnings in regular small towns and cities across the country.

Ever wondered what other famous faces hailed from North Carolina? Stacker compiled a list of actors and actresses that were born in the state using IMDb’s most popular list.

Michael C. Hall

– Born: Raleigh, North Carolina (2/1/1971)
– Known for:
— Dexter Morgan in “Dexter” (2006-2013)
— Ken Castle in “Gamer” (2009)
— David Fisher in “Six Feet Under” (2001-2005)

Brian Tyree Henry

– Born: Fayetteville, North Carolina (3/31/1982)
– Known for:
— Jefferson Davis in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (2018)
— Daniel Carty in “If Beale Street Could Talk” (2018)
— Jamal Manning in “Widows” (2018)

Julianne Moore

– Born: Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA (12/3/1960)
– Known for:
— Cathy Whitaker in “Far from Heaven” (2002)
— Jules in “The Kids Are All Right” (2010)
— Alice Howland in “Still Alice” (2014)

Ava Gardner

A stamp printed by MONACO shows Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Grace Kelly starring in adventure romantic drama film Mogambo directed by John Ford. Image via Sergey Goryachev / Shutterstock

– Born: Grabtown, North Carolina, USA (12/24/1922)
– Died: 1/25/1990
– Known for:
— Maxine Faulk in “The Night of the Iguana” (1964)
— Moira Davidson in “On the Beach” (1959)
— Eloise Y. Kelly in “Mogambo” (1953)

Evan Rachel Wood

– Born: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA (9/7/1987)
– Known for:
— Tracy Freeland in “Thirteen” (2003)
— Melody Celestine in “Whatever Works” (2009)
— Dolores Abernathy in “Westworld” (2016-2022)

Nick Searcy

– Born: Cullowhee, North Carolina (3/7/1959)
– Known for:
— General Hoyt in “The Shape of Water” (2017)
— Father Montgomery in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (2017)
— Art Mullen in “Justified” (2010-2015)

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Bellamy Young

– Born: Asheville, North Carolina, USA (2/19/1970)
– Known for:
— Mellie Grant in “Scandal” (2012-2018)
— Rachael in “Mission: Impossible III” (2006)
— Catherine Metsker in “We Were Soldiers” (2002)

Jim Rash

– Born: Charlotte, North Carolina (7/15/1971)
– Known for:
— Lewis in “The Way Way Back” (2013)
— Dean Pelton in “Community” (2009-2015)
— Writer in “The Descendants” (2011)

Ariana DeBose

– Born: North Carolina, USA (1/25/1991)
– Known for:
— Anita in “West Side Story” (2021)
— Ensemble in “Hamilton” (2020)
— Alyssa Greene in “The Prom” (2020)

Andy Griffith

– Born: Mount Airy, North Carolina (6/1/1926)
– Died: 7/3/2012
– Known for:
— Andy Taylor in “The Andy Griffith Show” (1960-1968)
— Larry ‘Lonesome’ Rhodes in “A Face in the Crowd” (1957)
— Old Joe in “Waitress” (2007)

Pam Grier

– Born: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA (5/26/1949)
– Known for:
— Jackie Brown in “Jackie Brown” (1997)
— Commander Helena Braddock in “Ghosts of Mars” (2001)
— Coffy in “Coffy” (1973)

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Laya DeLeon Hayes

– Born: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (6/22/2004)
– Known for:
— Doc McStuffins in “Doc McStuffins” (2014-2020)
— Nadine in “Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie” (2017)
— Priya in “Liv and Maddie: Cali Style” (2016-2017)

Christoph Sanders

– Born: Hendersonville, North Carolina (4/21/1988)
– Known for:
— Kyle Anderson in “Last Man Standing” (2011-2021)
— Hoyt in “Faith Based” (2020)
— Wooden’s Boy in “Hounddog” (2007)

Murray Hamilton

– Born: Washington, North Carolina (3/24/1923)
– Died: 9/1/1986
– Known for:
— Vaughn in “Jaws” (1975)
— Mr. Robinson in “The Graduate” (1967)
— Alphonse Paquette in “Anatomy of a Murder” (1959)

John Newton

– Born: Chapel Hill, North Carolina (12/29/1965)
– Known for:
— Antonio ‘Tintín’ Vizintín in “Alive” (1993)
— Sgt. Cody Cullen in “The Christmas Card” (2006)
— Ryan McBride in “Melrose Place” (1998-1999)

Zach Galifianakis

Famous Actors from North Carolina
Image via Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock

– Born: Wilkesboro, North Carolina (10/1/1969)
– Known for:
— Alan in “The Hangover” (2009)
— Jake in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” (2014)
— Ethan Tremblay in “Due Date” (2010)

Geno Segers

– Born: Winston-Salem, North Carolina (11/28/1976)
– Known for:
— Dwayne in “Perfect Harmony” (2019-2020)
— Danny Trudeau in “Yellowstone” (2018)
— Chayton Littlestone in “Banshee” (2014-2016)

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Lee Norris

– Born: Greenville, North Carolina (9/25/1981)
– Known for:
— Young Mike Mageau in “Zodiac” (2007)
— Officer in “Gone Girl” (2014)
— Marvin ‘Mouth’ McFadden in “One Tree Hill” (2003-2012)

Drew Starkey

– Born: Hickory, North Carolina (11/4/1993)
– Known for:
— Garrett in “Love, Simon” (2018)
— Cop 115 in “The Hate U Give” (2018)
— Rafe in “Outer Banks” (2020-2021)

Brandon W. Jones

– Born: Greensboro, North Carolina (5/7/1988)
– Known for:
— Andrew Campbell in “Pretty Little Liars” (2013-2015)
— Charlie Russell in “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (2011-2012)
— Liam in “Lie to Me” (2010-2011)

Jackée Harry

Jackée Harry attends “Days of Our Lives” Day of Days event in November 2022. Image via Shutterstock / Michael Mattes

– Born: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA (8/14/1956)
– Known for:
— Sandra Clark in “227” (1985-1989)
— Lisa Landry in “Sister, Sister” (1994-1999)
— Julie Benson in “Ladybugs” (1992)

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Madison Bailey

– Born: North Carolina, USA (1/29/1999)
– Known for:
— Kiara in “Outer Banks” (2020-2021)
— Wendy Hernandez in “Black Lightning” (2018-2019)
— Carla (segment “The Man in the Suitcase”) in “Creepshow” (2019)

Burgess Jenkins

– Born: Winston-Salem, North Carolina (10/24/1973)
– Known for:
— Ray Budds in “Remember the Titans” (2000)
— Dr. Todd Lowry in “Chicago Med” (2021)
— Beau in “Uncle Frank” (2020)

Tequan Richmond

– Born: Burlington, North Carolina (10/30/1992)
– Known for:
— Bryson Broyer in “Boomerang” (2019-2020)
— Drew in “Everybody Hates Chris” (2005-2009)
— T.J. Ashford in “General Hospital” (2012-2018)

Brian Huskey

– Born: Charlotte, North Carolina (9/8/1968)
– Known for:
— Leon West in “Veep” (2012-2019)
— Victor Schmemmerhorn-Fish V in “Another Period” (2013-2018)
— Regular Sized Rudy in “Bob’s Burgers” (2013-2021)

Isaac Powell

– Born: Greensboro, North Carolina (12/30/1994)
– Known for:
— Actor in “Cat Person”
— Rhys in “Dear Evan Hansen” (2021)
— Troy Lord in “American Horror Story” (2021)

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Debbi Morgan

– Born: Dunn, North Carolina, USA (9/20/1951)
– Known for:
— Mozelle Batiste Delacroix in “Eve’s Bayou” (1997)
— Mae Thelma in “The Hurricane” (1999)
— Dr. Angie Baxter Hubbard / Dr. Angie Baxter / Angie Baxter Hubbard / Angie Baxter / Angie Hubbard / Dr. Anti Baxter Hubbard in “All My Children” (1982-2011)

Torrey B. Lawrence

– Born: Rocky Mount, North Carolina (3/18/1974)
– Known for:
— Saloon Hardcase in “The Harder They Fall” (2021)
— Joe in “Aquarium of the Dead” (2021)
— Gabriel in “The Annunciation” (2018)

Yusuf Gatewood

– Born: Hillsborough, North Carolina (9/12/1982)
– Known for:
— Doug in “The Interpreter” (2005)
— Howard in “Wonder Boys” (2000)
— Vincent Griffith in “The Originals” (2014-2018)

Fortune Feimster

– Born: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (7/1/1980)
– Known for:
— Colette Kimball-Kinney in “The Mindy Project” (2015-2017)
— Lonny in “Office Christmas Party” (2016)
— Writer in “Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty” (2020)

Briana Venskus

– Born: Wilmington, North Carolina, USA (8/19/1984)
– Known for:
— Tommy in “Sorry for Your Loss” (2019)
— Beatrice in “The Walking Dead” (2016-2020)
— Billie in “Grace and Frankie” (2016)

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

– Born: Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA (11/28/1984)
– Known for:
— Michelle in “10 Cloverfield Lane” (2016)
— Ramona Flowers in “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010)
— Helena Bertinelli / The Huntress in “Birds of Prey” (2020)

Samantha Esteban

– Born: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (10/25/1979)
– Known for:
— Letty in “Harsh Times” (2005)
— Maria Lopez in “Saved by the Bell: The New Class” (1995-2000)
— Letty in “Training Day” (2001)

Jack Hogan

– Born: Chapel Hill, North Carolina (11/25/1929)
– Known for:
— Kirby in “Combat!” (1962-1967)
— Chief Ranger Jack Moore in “Sierra” (1974)
— Billy Riker in “Sea Hunt” (1958-1959)

Gregory Walcott

– Born: Wendell, North Carolina (1/13/1928)
– Died: 3/20/2015
– Known for:
— Jeff Trent in “Plan 9 from Outer Space” (1957)
— Pope in “The Eiger Sanction” (1975)
— Potential Backer in “Ed Wood” (1994)

Sidney Blackmer

– Born: Salisbury, North Carolina (7/13/1895)
– Died: 10/6/1973
– Known for:
— Roman Castevet in “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968)
— Seth Lord in “High Society” (1956)
— Fernand Mondego in “The Count of Monte Cristo” (1934)

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Eric Freeman

– Born: Raleigh, North Carolina (7/13/1965)
– Known for:
— Ricky Caldwell in “Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2” (1987)
— Bones in “In Living Color” (1990-1992)
— Jeff in “Murder Weapon” (1989)

Jareb Dauplaise

– Born: North Carolina (3/18/1979)
– Known for:
— Frat Guy in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (2009)
— Nacho Libre in “Epic Movie” (2007)
— Jareb in “Drillbit Taylor” (2008)

Michael Johnston

– Born: Rutherfordton, North Carolina (2/22/1996)
– Known for:
— Corey in “Teen Wolf” (2015-2017)
— Adam in “Supergirl” (2018)
— Neil in “Slash” (2016)

Loudon Wainwright III

– Born: Chapel Hill, North Carolina (9/5/1946)
– Known for:
— Beamen in “Big Fish” (2003)
— Grandpa Goodman in “G-Force” (2009)
— Uncle Dale in “Elizabethtown” (2005)

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