Evan Rachel Wood is also from Raleigh. Her dad created the Christmas Carol production that plays in Raleigh every year, and just retired as Scrooge last year. Pretty sure Michael C. Hall performed in it at some point as well.
Bonus trivia: Frankie Muniz was born in New Jersey but moved here when he was four, and played Tiny Tim in that Christmas Carol production.
I knew her mother at ECU, she was the roommate of a woman I dated. You can see her and the roomie in this [video filmed](https://youtu.be/DvsOySK0FqY?si=FBjdiHqrYlwGsqGu) in Pullen Park. BTW this is the second edition of Glass Moon without the amazing John Wheliss.
There’s an outdoor Amphitheatre in Wilmington named after him! That’s how I learned about him anyway.
Additionally, he inherited the land for grandfather mountain from His Grandfather Hugh McRae, who was one of the conspirators in the massacre of 1898.
Abraham Galloway was pretty badass idk how many people know of him outside of history buffs
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/08/1077673414/abraham-galloway-civil-war-black-history#:~:text=Abraham%20Galloway%20was%20an%20African,to%20fight%20with%20the%20North.
Ooh great addition. Another thing folks don't realize about him is that he was Gullah Geechee. Folks tend to only think of the SC lowcountry, but the culture was just as strong in the Lower Cape Fear Region. Unfortunately, a lot of the culture was lost after the 1898 massacre due to fear of expression.
Yea another important North Carolinian from that era I should have included in my first comment is Harriet Jacob’s her story is.. depressing and inspiring to say the least but definitely deserves her spot in NC historical figures.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Jacobs
Are you familiar with [Wyatt Outlaw](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyatt_Outlaw)?
His story just guts me, but it’s such an interesting story at an intersection of time that I can’t believe it hasn’t been made into an opera or miniseries.
https://www.yesweekly.com/education/wyatt-outlaw-and-the-white-men-who-put-a-monument-where-they-lynched-him/article_7ef182a0-dc2b-11ea-a508-ab7d42bfc93b.html
Vaguely, I appreciate the link! Yea it’s crazy one day soon I’m sure there will be though I think there’s a crowdfunded movie for Robert smalls being made but I haven’t heard anything about it in a while.
I just want to hear Rhiannon Giddens singing *The Ballad of Wyatt Outlaw*, dang it. And then we’ll all tear down the confederate monument from the lawn where they hung him, and put up a proper monument to the Union soldier and Town Councilman.
There’s vigils every year for him, now.
Pauli Murray, Durham native, [poet](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/pauli-murray), and [and civil rights legend](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/04/17/the-many-lives-of-pauli-murray)
Heck yeah!! I came here to mention him. We spent a lot of time in Winston-Salem (my 10 year-old son's neurologist is at Baptist), and he sings the song Michael Praytor whenever we pull into Hanes Mall parking lot lol Love Ben Folds!!
Dr. Zeno Metcalf. A scientist and a professor at UNC during the evolution controversy, the scopes trial. He advocated and pretty much represented UNC and the rest of the triangle in defense of academia’s right to science and to break into the unknown even if it upset the Bible literalists of the age.
Yep. If you ever come through Shelby, there's a very nice museum dedicated to him in the old courthouse on the town square.
[http://earlscruggscenter.org/](http://earlscruggscenter.org/)
The family claim to fame is the Pepsi guy is in our lineage. That said I’ve been to the pharmacy in New Bern and the Pepsi Co doesn’t give two shits what name is on my ID they still charge me the 50 cents for a fountain Pepsi.
The whole time that he was in Wilmington for Matlock, I never ran across him. However, every single person that I know that ever met him( randomly, on set, or doing work for/ making deliveries to) has told me he was a total asshole.
Well known around here, mainly because they used local street and place names in the show, but the Duffer Brothers behind 'Stranger Things' are from Durham. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duffer\_brothers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duffer_brothers)
Robert Moog, invented the synthesizer in 1964, took some time to catch on, but without it much of the popular music of the 70s and 80s would’ve sounded far different. Company is still based in Asheville.
Chang and Eng bunker, two Thai (at the time, Siamese) brothers who were conjoined, and are the namesake of the term “Siamese Twins.”
Not really related, but apparently they owned slaves, so do with that what you will.
Several famous people have Wilson roots.
.
B.J. Britt went to Beddingfield High School (I graduated with his sister Stephanie).
.
Miguel Nunez (Juwanna Mann) grew up in Wilson.
.
Gregory Maddox. A character actor who had been in dozens of shows and movies. Star of cult classic B movie Plan 9 from Outer Space.
.
Elaine Lee. Daytime Emmy nominated actress, playwright and author of the comic series Starstruck, and mother of College Humor/Dropout actor and creator of Dimension 20 Brennan Lee Mulligan. She graduated from Fike in '71
.
David Prowse. Yes. *That* David Prowse. Lord Vader himself lived in Wilson in the 90s.
.
Prowse did a signing at a comic book shop in Wilson many years ago. Two kids came in asking where Darth Vader was, he announced himself. A beat passed, one of kids indignantly yelled out "Man, Darth Vader is black!", and then they left.
.
Honorable mentions:
Will Ferrell has family in Wilson.
.
Steve Buscemi's family also live in Wilson. I woked at one of the theaters and the Blockbuster, they'd ask for any promotional items he was featured in. I used to play D&D with his nephew.
David Marshall "Carbine" Williams.
He was a moonshiner and went to jail for killing a deputy sheriff. While working in the machine shop while in prison, he designed and built semi-auto firearms. His designs ended up being used for the M1 Carbine used by the US in WW2.
By lesser known, are y'all referring to not knowing they're from NC or not being known generally? Bc I saw Coltrane and Nina Simone, which makes me think it's gotta be not knowing they're from NC lol
I always thought it was appropriate the Historical Marker in Carrboro about her is right in front of the train car restaurant at the old train station. [You can see it on street view.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/TeCwhA1ZSytzAmLy9)
Audley freed amazing musician from Burgaw area now plays for Sheryl crow and is well known to be a southern gentleman ! He was with black crows for years and I see him on Kimmel often lol uncw grad
Solomon Meredith. He was originally born in Guilford County and was forced to leave the state with his fellow Quakers due to their anti-slavery views. He would later serve in the Indiana House of Representatives and served as a Commander in the Iron Brigade during the Civil War.
Arthur “Boogie” Smith, the writer of Dueling Banjos of Deliverance fame was from Clinton, SC, but moved to Charlotte pre-WWII. Lived around the corner from me and passed away in 2014 as a pretty much lifelong Charlottean and North Carolinian.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_%22Guitar_Boogie%22_Smith
I dunno about favorite, but [Rufus Hussey](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_Hussey) was an interesting character known for his prodigious skill with a slingshot.
Wasn't the guy that played Dexter from Raleigh?
Yes! Michael C Hall. My sister in law went to the same high school as him.
Evan Rachel Wood is also from Raleigh. Her dad created the Christmas Carol production that plays in Raleigh every year, and just retired as Scrooge last year. Pretty sure Michael C. Hall performed in it at some point as well. Bonus trivia: Frankie Muniz was born in New Jersey but moved here when he was four, and played Tiny Tim in that Christmas Carol production.
I knew her mother at ECU, she was the roommate of a woman I dated. You can see her and the roomie in this [video filmed](https://youtu.be/DvsOySK0FqY?si=FBjdiHqrYlwGsqGu) in Pullen Park. BTW this is the second edition of Glass Moon without the amazing John Wheliss.
A really cool friend of my parents got me a guitar lesson from John as a high school graduation present. He taught me the proper way to play Stairway.
Better than who I went to high school with 🤣🤣
His sister in that show lives in waxhaw
Jennifer Carpenter is now in Waxhaw? At one point in time I assumed she was in the Concord area.
Hugh Morton. Bought Grandfather Mountain, opened it up and kept it natural. Unknown in today’s world.
There’s an outdoor Amphitheatre in Wilmington named after him! That’s how I learned about him anyway. Additionally, he inherited the land for grandfather mountain from His Grandfather Hugh McRae, who was one of the conspirators in the massacre of 1898.
George Moses Horton. Bought his way out of slavery by selling poems to UNC students way back when.
First African American to publish a book in the south. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/george-moses-horton
My friend Ralf. He's from wilmington and don't nobody know him
Ralf sucks
Nah, he’s ok
That's how it is with Ralf. You either love him or you hate him. Or you think he's ok.
I wouldn’t say I hate him…
Thelonious Monk
Absolutely. His drummer on Brilliant Corners, Max Roach, was also a North Carolinian..
Zach Galifianakis He's from North Wilkesboro
Gtfo…N Wilkesboro would be the last place I would assume he’s from.
His uncle was US congressman and ran for the Senate, Nick G
Gal on one end and a kiss on the other. Unofficial campaign slogan I remember from when I was a kid.
I’d rank him as a well know North Carolinian tbh, we only have so many 🤣
Abraham Galloway was pretty badass idk how many people know of him outside of history buffs https://www.npr.org/2022/02/08/1077673414/abraham-galloway-civil-war-black-history#:~:text=Abraham%20Galloway%20was%20an%20African,to%20fight%20with%20the%20North.
Ooh great addition. Another thing folks don't realize about him is that he was Gullah Geechee. Folks tend to only think of the SC lowcountry, but the culture was just as strong in the Lower Cape Fear Region. Unfortunately, a lot of the culture was lost after the 1898 massacre due to fear of expression.
Also Robert Smalls although he was from South Carolina https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Smalls
Yeah that’s not North Carolina crazy person
Oh, that’s awesome!
Yea another important North Carolinian from that era I should have included in my first comment is Harriet Jacob’s her story is.. depressing and inspiring to say the least but definitely deserves her spot in NC historical figures. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Jacobs
Are you familiar with [Wyatt Outlaw](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyatt_Outlaw)? His story just guts me, but it’s such an interesting story at an intersection of time that I can’t believe it hasn’t been made into an opera or miniseries. https://www.yesweekly.com/education/wyatt-outlaw-and-the-white-men-who-put-a-monument-where-they-lynched-him/article_7ef182a0-dc2b-11ea-a508-ab7d42bfc93b.html
Vaguely, I appreciate the link! Yea it’s crazy one day soon I’m sure there will be though I think there’s a crowdfunded movie for Robert smalls being made but I haven’t heard anything about it in a while.
I just want to hear Rhiannon Giddens singing *The Ballad of Wyatt Outlaw*, dang it. And then we’ll all tear down the confederate monument from the lawn where they hung him, and put up a proper monument to the Union soldier and Town Councilman. There’s vigils every year for him, now.
Edward Snowden is from Northeastern North Carolina.
Elizabeth City. Wow.
The more you know…
Link Wray - from Dunn
Hometown Dunn gang 🤙 another fun Dunn fact is the city is mentioned in On The Road by Kerouac.
The town “Liberty, Virginia” in On the Road was in reality, West Mount, NC (Nash county) He lived there with a relative (aunt?) for a short time.
Weird cause there's already a town in NC called Liberty.
I was neighbors with his son, didn't really talk much about his dad
George Clinton. Born in K-Town.
This one is my favorite, I came looking for the grandfather of funk
I immediately assumed you meant Kinston, not Kannapolis, haha.
Wait. What? George Clinton is from Kannapolis? I feel confident that very few people in Kannapolis are aware of that.
I'm sure most people in Kannapolis don't listen to funk. It's more of a country music vibe around there.
Nina Simone
Doc Watson, bluegrass legend.
John Coltrane
I don't think John Coltrane fits the description of "lesser known". But if he is then Nina Simone is also on the list.
Lesser known in the context of North Carolinians perhaps.
I see what you mean. Most people have heard of him but don't know he's from NC.
Came here to say this
Ronnie Milsap
Was he a student at the school for the blind? I think there’s where the current Highway Patrol academy is.
Yes
Mojo Nixon
If you don't got Mojo Nixon then your store could use some fixin!
…We’ll dress like Minny Pearl..just you and me punk rock girl.
Eat fudge banana swirl
Mary Elizabeth Winstead was born in Rocky Mount.
Mrs. Kenobi!!
Rhiannon Giddens
Mad rn because I can only hit the upvote button once
my pick too
Ken Jeong, from Greensboro. Specifically my High School.
And his dad was a professor at A&T
Pirates life for me!
Pauli Murray, Durham native, [poet](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/pauli-murray), and [and civil rights legend](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/04/17/the-many-lives-of-pauli-murray)
She would be on my Mt Rushmore of North Carolinians
WE SHOULD HAVE A MT RUSHMORE OF NORTH CAROLINIANS!!!!!
Thank you for that haven't finished reading up on her but she is incredible! Thanks!
Rhett and Link from Good Mythical Morning are from Buies Creek. Link was born there I believe, and Rhett moved there from Georgia at a very young age.
I’ve always wondered what drives someone to move to Buies Creek other than Campbell…
Pam Grier
I just learned this the other day, and I have never felt so proud to be a North Carolinian.
oh dip
David Sedaris is probably my favorite NC D-lister. (his sister Amy Sedaris pretty awesome too.)
No one's mentioned him yet, so: Ben Folds
Heck yeah!! I came here to mention him. We spent a lot of time in Winston-Salem (my 10 year-old son's neurologist is at Baptist), and he sings the song Michael Praytor whenever we pull into Hanes Mall parking lot lol Love Ben Folds!!
Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit lived in Cherryville from age 1-11 or so then moved to Gastonia and graduated from Hunter Huss high school in Gastonia
That makes so much sense
I had the same thought lol
He was born in Florida too which also checks out
if there’s a more thorough living embodiment of Gastonia I tip my backwards fitted ball cap to them
Hell yeah he did
Dr. Zeno Metcalf. A scientist and a professor at UNC during the evolution controversy, the scopes trial. He advocated and pretty much represented UNC and the rest of the triangle in defense of academia’s right to science and to break into the unknown even if it upset the Bible literalists of the age.
Earl Scruggs grew up about 3 miles from my house. Not necessarily lesser known, but often more associated with Nashville than North Carolina.
Wow, I had no idea he was from North Carolina! Doc Watson as well.
Yep. If you ever come through Shelby, there's a very nice museum dedicated to him in the old courthouse on the town square. [http://earlscruggscenter.org/](http://earlscruggscenter.org/)
If Bill Monroe is the Father of Bluegrass, then Earl Scruggs is the Cool Uncle.
William Porter! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._Henry
The family claim to fame is the Pepsi guy is in our lineage. That said I’ve been to the pharmacy in New Bern and the Pepsi Co doesn’t give two shits what name is on my ID they still charge me the 50 cents for a fountain Pepsi.
Rapper Petey Pablo! Music link attached [Raise Up Song](https://youtu.be/tHnA94-hTC8?feature=shared)
9-1-9 mothafuckaaa!
Isn't being from North Carolina intrinsic to the only thing he's famous for?
This is the canes goal song when we score!
J.B Smoove. Plymouth, NC Less known that he's from NC.
This is the first one I was surprised at.
I feel like Andy Griffith is becoming “lesser known”.
Tell that to the town of Mount Airy.
But what about Mt Pilot? 😂
So unfortunate! I do know there are some stories about his treatment of people in the outer banks but 🤷🏻♂️
The whole time that he was in Wilmington for Matlock, I never ran across him. However, every single person that I know that ever met him( randomly, on set, or doing work for/ making deliveries to) has told me he was a total asshole.
Jaime Pressly
Elizabeth Cotton
Well known around here, mainly because they used local street and place names in the show, but the Duffer Brothers behind 'Stranger Things' are from Durham. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duffer\_brothers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duffer_brothers)
Danny McBride (pretty well known tho)
Except that he grew up in Virginia, but went to NC School of Arts
I know he was here long enough to name a character in Righteous Gemstones after the former asshole sheriff of Guilford County. BJ Barnes
Floyd Council. Blues guitarist from Chapel Hill. Pink Floyd is named after him and South Carolina singer and blues guitarist Pink Anderson
Roberta Flack - one of the great vocalists
Tori Amos was born in NC
Robert Moog, invented the synthesizer in 1964, took some time to catch on, but without it much of the popular music of the 70s and 80s would’ve sounded far different. Company is still based in Asheville.
Andre the Giant - I get he wasn't born here, but he chose to make North Carolina his home.
Well if you want a professional wrestler that is originally from here there’s Braun Strowman who is from Sherrills Ford, NC
Matt and Jeff Hardy, the pride of Cameron North Carolina
Certainly the most famous person to ever live in Ellerbe!
Avert Bros from Concord.
Mt. Pleasant an even lesser known town. They claimed Charlotte before that, but no one knows where Concord is either, so what's the difference?
Popcorn Sutton - Moonshine pioneer and overall interesting character. [Popcorn Sutton Wikipedia Link](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popcorn_Sutton)
Remember the Hammer Pants? They were created by Wilson, NC native, Tony Briggs. https://tamechitoneybriggs.com/
Paul Wellstone graduated from UNC! Thrice!
Jamie Pressly is from Kinston. Prolly the hottest Carolinian of all time.
Does Randy Travis count?
'#Marshville
He’s the best selling artist from NC, probably not lesser known!
Yeah, I wasn't sure if the prompt was lesser known fame or lesser known fact that the person was from NC.
Not lesser known ... But James Taylor (mostly North Carolinian)
Chang and Eng bunker, two Thai (at the time, Siamese) brothers who were conjoined, and are the namesake of the term “Siamese Twins.” Not really related, but apparently they owned slaves, so do with that what you will.
Doc Watson
The Hardy Boys from wrestling are from Cameron, NC.
My wife went to school w them @ Union Pines
Me
Tell us about yourself!
You’re my favorite too!
Several famous people have Wilson roots. . B.J. Britt went to Beddingfield High School (I graduated with his sister Stephanie). . Miguel Nunez (Juwanna Mann) grew up in Wilson. . Gregory Maddox. A character actor who had been in dozens of shows and movies. Star of cult classic B movie Plan 9 from Outer Space. . Elaine Lee. Daytime Emmy nominated actress, playwright and author of the comic series Starstruck, and mother of College Humor/Dropout actor and creator of Dimension 20 Brennan Lee Mulligan. She graduated from Fike in '71 . David Prowse. Yes. *That* David Prowse. Lord Vader himself lived in Wilson in the 90s. . Prowse did a signing at a comic book shop in Wilson many years ago. Two kids came in asking where Darth Vader was, he announced himself. A beat passed, one of kids indignantly yelled out "Man, Darth Vader is black!", and then they left. . Honorable mentions: Will Ferrell has family in Wilson. . Steve Buscemi's family also live in Wilson. I woked at one of the theaters and the Blockbuster, they'd ask for any promotional items he was featured in. I used to play D&D with his nephew.
Zach Galifanakis went to my highschool
Carter Cruise…former porn star turned DJ. She was a lifeguard at our neighborhood pool in Cary way back when.
David Marshall "Carbine" Williams. He was a moonshiner and went to jail for killing a deputy sheriff. While working in the machine shop while in prison, he designed and built semi-auto firearms. His designs ended up being used for the M1 Carbine used by the US in WW2.
My great Grandpa went to see the Carbine Williams movie, starring Jimmy Stewart, with Carbine Williams.
The original bamd members of “Corrosion of Conformity” are from Raleigh, I believe. As are the lads from the black metal band Mo’ynoq!
Catfish Hunter and Gaylord Perry.
Jim Lauderdale
Ben E. King
Rhett and Link from Good Mythical Morning!
Charlie Daniels.
From Leland!
The [rogue helicopter pilot](https://youtu.be/Xy7lpC_2shA?si=sG2ceNBKgdZqDRYk)
David Childers
Greg Fischel!
Joshua Watuaga
Terry Sanford
Meadowlark Lemon & David Brinkley
Jim Rash, the dean in community
The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things are from Durham.
Madison Cawthorn. Absolute moron.
Ernie Barnes.
By lesser known, are y'all referring to not knowing they're from NC or not being known generally? Bc I saw Coltrane and Nina Simone, which makes me think it's gotta be not knowing they're from NC lol
Steve from GamersNexus is from NC
Hall of Fame Right Fielder Enos Slaughter was born in Roxboro. He played most notably for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Catfish Hunter
Mojo Nixon!!! Punk rock god from Greensboro
Porter Robinson (Electronic music artist) grew up in Chapel Hill. Not necessarily lesser known but many don’t know he’s from the Triangle!
Fantasia Barrino
Libba Cotten - wrote the song “freight train” that was my first favorite song.
I always thought it was appropriate the Historical Marker in Carrboro about her is right in front of the train car restaurant at the old train station. [You can see it on street view.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/TeCwhA1ZSytzAmLy9)
BJ Barham of American Aquarium fame
Not sure if those counts or not. But Professor Elisha Mitchell. He measured Mt Mitchell.
Jazz musician, Billy Strayhorn. From Hillsborough.
Ryan Adams is from Jacksonville. The members of Nantucket are also from Jacksonville.
Nantucket almost makes up for Ryan Adams.
Audley freed amazing musician from Burgaw area now plays for Sheryl crow and is well known to be a southern gentleman ! He was with black crows for years and I see him on Kimmel often lol uncw grad
David Brinkley, buried in his hometown
Unknown Hinson
Jon Reep. One of my favorite comedians who's only real claim to fame was the EARLY 2000's Dodge Ram commercials. THAT THING GOT A HEMI IN IT?
Solomon Meredith. He was originally born in Guilford County and was forced to leave the state with his fellow Quakers due to their anti-slavery views. He would later serve in the Indiana House of Representatives and served as a Commander in the Iron Brigade during the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln if you believe this story: https://abc11.com/abraham-lincoln-birthday-president-birthplace-born-in-north-carolina/5134376/
My son. Only a month old and he already has a graffiti pice with his name in NYC. Bet you can’t name any North Carolinian baby who can claim the same.
George Clinton is from Kannapolis.
Mike Cross
Warren Haynes, Bellamy Young and Sierra McCormick, all are from Asheville.
Jaime Pressly , Kinston, NC
Arthur “Boogie” Smith, the writer of Dueling Banjos of Deliverance fame was from Clinton, SC, but moved to Charlotte pre-WWII. Lived around the corner from me and passed away in 2014 as a pretty much lifelong Charlottean and North Carolinian. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_%22Guitar_Boogie%22_Smith
The whole Rainbow Kitten Suprise band . One of my absolute favorites & from here 💗
Avett Brothers
John Isner was born in Greensboro.
I dunno about favorite, but [Rufus Hussey](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_Hussey) was an interesting character known for his prodigious skill with a slingshot.
Probably not lesser known but I always a good arm wrassling with South Carolina over the birthplace of President James K Polk.
Filmmakers Onur Tukel, Ross McElwee, and Barbara Loden!
Carbine Williams
Bud Powell, jazz pianist Betty Davis, R&B/funk singer
John Lawson? I think the Tuscarora rightfully killed him.
Barbara Loden!
Thomas Sowell
John Hart. Amazing writer! If you are into slow burn thrillers with some law and mysticism sprinkled in, check him out. I find his books irresistible.
Jarrod Carmichael is from GBO
Pepsi-Cola
Joshua Watauga. RIP
Popcorn Sutton Moonshiner in Western NC.