Wilmington, North Carolina is the birthplace and home of many notable figures. From athletes to entertainers to politicians, the list of famous people from Wilmington, NC is quite long. 

Most Famous People from Wilmington, NC

While there are many exceptional people whose roots are in Wilmington, Michael Jordan and Sugar Ray Leonard are perhaps the most widely recognized.

Michael Jordan

Known as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan is most famous for leading the Chicago Bulls in six NBA championships. His nickname, Air Jordan, materialized in a signature shoe created by Nike. The shoes’ immense popularity led to its own “Jordan Brand.” Now retired, Michael Jordan is a highly successful businessman.

Sugar Ray Leonard

Like MJ, Sugar Ray Leonard holds a “best of all time” title, but in the world of boxing. Competing for an impressive twenty years, Sugar Ray Leonard was a champion Olympic and professional welterweight boxer. He won two world titles and landed 25 knockouts. He was inducted into the International Hall of Fame in 1997.

Famous WNBA and NBA Players from Wilmington, NC

• Kadeem Allen
• Sam Jones
• Clarence Kea
• Meadowlark Lemon
• Sam Pellom
• Harvest Smith
• Ty Walker
• Tamera “Ty” Young
• Teana Miller

Famous NFL Players from Wilmington, NC

• Connor Barth
• Nick Becton
• Jonathan Cooper
• Alge Crumpler
• Roman Gabriel
• Keever Jankovich
• Sonny Jurgensen
• Jim Norton
• Pat Ogrin
• Jay Ross

Famous MLB Players from Wilmington, NC

• Sam Bowens
• Tyrell Godwin
• Quinton McCracken
• Ron Musselman
• Trot Nixon
• Willie Stargell

Other Famous Athletes from Wilmington, NC

• Rodney Moore, Boxer
• Derek Brunson, MMA
• Hoss Ellington, NASCAR
• Jackie Rogers, NASCAR
• Althea Gibson, Tennis
• Robert Ruark, sportsman and syndicated writer
• Sonny Siaki, wrestler
• Charles Sinek, competitive ice dancer

Famous Musicians from Wilmington, NC

• Barnacle Boi, electronic music producer and vocalist
• Charlie Daniels, country music legend
• Minnie Evans, folk artist
• Caterina Jarboro, first black opera singer performing on American stage

Famous Actresses and Actors from Wilmington, NC

• Joseph Gallison, Days of Our Lives
• Maddie Hasson, The Finder
• Pat Hingle, Batman, Batman Returns, and Batman Forever
• Ed Hinton, I Led Three Lives
• Linda Lavin, Alice
• Jane McNeill, stage, film, and television actress
• Briana Venskus, Outcast, Supergirl, The Walking Dead, Agents of Shield

Famous Politicians from Wilmington, NC

• William Hooper, signer of the Declaration of Independence
• Deb Butler, NC House of Representatives
• Susi Hamilton, NC House of Representatives
• Bill Safo, longest-serving Mayor of Wilmington (2006-present day)
• Carson Smith, NC House of Representatives

The list of famous people from Wilmington, North Carolina could continue to include authors, architects, photographers, playwrights, poets, and more. Wilmington’s diverse family tree is a testament to its rich culture and society. 

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilmington,_North_Carolina#Film

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Ray_Leonard

https://www.biography.com/athlete/sugar-ray-leonard