The following is a list of notable people who were born, raised, or closely associated with the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.

Chesapeake

James Anderson – Carolina Panthers linebacker and 88th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft Ed Beard (1939–2023) – professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers Dré Bly (b. 1977) – professional football player with the Denver Broncos Randy Blythe (b. 1971) – vocalist and lyricist for groove metal band Lamb of God Michael Copon (b. 1982) – star of One Tree Hill and winner of VH1's But Can They Sing? Chris Crocker (b. 1980) – professional football player with the Atlanta Falcons Michael Cuddyer (b. 1979) – professional baseball right fielder for the New York Mets Ras-I Dowling – New England Patriots cornerback 2011–present Deon Dyer – Miami Dolphins running back 2003–2004 Kenny Easley (b. 1959) – professional football player with the Seattle Seahawks and Pro-Football Hall of Fame Member DeAngelo Hall (b. 1983) – professional football cornerback for the Washington Redskins Grant Holloway (b. 1997) – from Chesapeake (Grassfield High School) and University of Florida; won silver in the 2020 Olympics The Last Bison – indie folk group Ashton Lewis (b. 1972) – NASCAR driver Alonzo Mourning (b. 1970) – professional basketball player for the Miami Heat Darren Perry (b. 1968) – football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers Jay Pharoah (b. 1987) – actor, comedian, cast member of Saturday Night Live Chris Richardson (b. 1984) – American Idol season 5 top 5 finalist Ricky Rudd (b. 1956) – professional NASCAR race car driver Josh Rupe (b. 1982) – professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers Elton Sawyer (b. 1959) – NASCAR driver Donald Spitz – controversial Christian anti-abortion activist Eric Stanley (b. 1991) – violinist and composer Darryl Tapp – Seattle Seahawks player and 63rd pick overall in the 2006 NFL draft B. J. Upton (b. 1984) – professional baseball shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays; drafted #2 overall in 2002 Justin Upton (b. 1987) – professional baseball player drafted #1 overall in 2005 by the Arizona Diamondbacks Adrienne Warren (b. 1987) – professional singer, actress and dancer; portrayed Lorrell Robinson in the 2010 national tour of Dreamgirls; singer for Trans-Siberian Orchestra David Wright (b. 1982) – professional baseball starting third baseman for the New York Mets Ava Max – singer and songwriter

Hampton

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (b. 1999) - linebacker with the Cleveland Browns Xavier Adibi – linebacker with the Houston Texans Robert Banks – NFL defensive end Macey Brooks – wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears Elton Brown (b. 1982) – former professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals Ronald Curry (b. 1979) – professional football player for the Oakland Raiders DRAM (b. 1988) – musician Chris Durkin (b. 2000) – soccer player Steve Earle (b. 1955) – popular country-rock musician and songwriter Chris Ellis – practice team member for the Pittsburgh Steelers La'Keshia Frett – professional basketball player and coach Shaun Gayle (b. 1962) – professional football player with the San Diego Chargers Chris Hanburger (b. 1941) – popular Washington Redskins player in the 1970s Dwight Hollier (b. 1969) – professional football player with the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts Mike Husted (b. 1970) – former kicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins Weldon Irvine (1943–2002) – musician Allen Iverson (b. 1975) – former professional basketball player John P. Jumper (b. 1945) – former chief of staff of the US Air Force Todd Kelly (b. 1970) – professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Atlanta Falcons Jerod Mayo (b. 1986) – professional football player with the New England Patriots drafted 10th overall in 2008 Francena McCorory (b. 1988) – member of 2012 gold medal Olympic women's 4x400 team Dwight Stephenson (b. 1957) – professional football player for the Miami Dolphins and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Tyrod Taylor (b.1989) – NFL quarterback for the New York Giants Dwight White (1949–2008) – defensive end on the Pittsburgh Steelers during their 1970s glory years Jimmy F. Williams (b. 1984) – professional football player with the Atlanta Falcons Steve Wilson – jazz musician, alto and soprano saxophones, flute; composer Antwoine Womack – drafted by New England Patriots in 2002 Roy "Future Man" Wooten (b. 1957) – musician

Newport News

Willie Armstead (b. 1952) – former professional football player in the Canadian Football League Keith Atherton (b. 1959) – former pitcher for the Minnesota Twins and the Oakland Athletics Pearl Bailey (1918–1990) – Tony Award-winning actress and singer Antoine Bethea (b. 1984) – professional football strong safety for the San Francisco 49ers Larry Bethea (1956–1987) – late professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys Darryl Blackstock (b. 1983) – professional football player for the Cincinnati Bengals Blind Blake (1896–1934) – blues and ragtime musician (not officially confirmed he was born in Newport News) Robert Eugene Brashers (1958–1999), serial killer Aaron Brooks (b. 1976) – former professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders; land developer Joyce Bulifant (b. 1937) – television actress Robert Cray (b. 1953) – blues guitarist Will Crutchfield (b. 1957) – opera conductor Scott Darling (b. 1988) – professional ice hockey goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes Ben Edwards (b. 1992) – football player Frankie Faison (b. 1949) – film actor Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996) – jazz singer The Five Keys – popular soul and doo-wop act in the 1950s; featuring Newport News locals Ripley Ingram, Bernie West, Dickie Threat and Rudy West Earl R. Fox (1919–2012) – U.S. Navy and Coast Guard veteran; last American active servicemember from World War II Johnny Gilbert (b. 1928) – announcer for the television quiz show Jeopardy! Marques Hagans (b. 1982) – NFL player Debbie Horton – guitarist, DJ and songwriter Henry Jordan (1935–1977) – former professional football player for the Green Bay Packers; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Richard Kelly (b. 1975) – film director and writer; films include Donnie Darko and Domino Leroy Keyes (1947–2021) – professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles J. J. Lankes (1884–1960) – woodcut artist, lived for many years in the Hilton Village neighborhood Kwamie Lassiter (1969-2019) – former football safety for the Arizona Cardinals David Macklin (b. 1978) – professional football player for the Washington Redskins Michael Maguire (b. 1955) – Tony Award-winning actor Queen Esther Marrow (b. 1941) – soul and gospel singer Masego (b. 1993) – R&B and traphouse jazz artist Lightfoot Solomon Michaux (1885–1969) – evangelist, early radio and television pioneer J. Clyde Morris (1909–1987) – first executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel; former city manager of the City of Warwick Hazel R. O'Leary (b. 1937) – former Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton and president of Fisk University Tommy Reamon (b. 1952) – former pro football player and coach Austin Roberts (b. 1945) – singer and songwriter Shirley H. Scheibla (1919–2000)) – journalist and author Norm Snead (1939–2024) – former professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles Sonja Sohn (b. 1964) – actress, The Wire, Body of Proof Jon St. John (b. 1960) – voice actor and singer, best known as the voice of Duke Nukem Bobby Scott (b. 1947) – U.S. representative, former Virginia state senator and Virginia state delegate William Styron (1925–2006) – author of The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie's Choice Nick "The Goat" Thompson (b. 1981) – professional mixed martial arts fighter; Bodog Fight Welterweight Champion Mike Tomlin (b. 1972) – head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers Al Toon (b. 1963) – former professional football player for the New York Jets Marcus Vick (b. 1984) – former NFL player, quarterback for Virginia Tech Michael Vick (b. 1980) – NFL quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles Victor Wooten (b. 1964) – musician Trinity Tatum (b. 2003) - winner of Love Island USA season 8

Norfolk

Adam Anderson – driver of the Taz and Grave Digger Monster Trucks; son of Monster Truck driver Dennis Anderson – driver of the Grave Digger Monster Truck in the Monster Jam series Mason Andrews (1919–2006) – physician who delivered America's first in vitro baby; visionary leader of Norfolk's late 20th century renaissance Anhayla (b. 1988) – singer-songwriter Gordon Banks (b. 1955) – guitarist and music director for Marvin Gaye Al Barks (1936–2018) – Negro league baseball player Gary "U.S." Bonds (b. 1939) – singer-songwriter Plaxico Burress (b. 1977) – professional football wide receiver for the New York Jets William Harvey Carney (1840–1908) – African-American soldier of the American Civil War; Medal of Honor recipient for his part in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry's assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina Kam Chancellor (b. 1988) – professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks Clarence Clemons – saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band Alex Cosmidis – Minor League baseball player and manager and Major League scout William Couper (1853–1942) – sculptor Colgate Whitehead Darden, Jr. (1897–1981) – U.S. representative; governor of Virginia; chancellor of the College of William and Mary; third president of the University of Virginia Keyshawn Davis (b. 1999) – professional boxer Mike D'Orso (b. 1953) – author, journalist Charles "Lefty" Driesell (1931–2024) – basketball coach at Davidson College, the University of Maryland, College Park, James Madison University, and Georgia State University Rob Estes (b. 1963) – actor Ryan Farish (b. 1974) – music composer, artist, publisher, and record executive of Rytone Entertainment Florian-Ayala Fauna – artist musician Hank Foiles – from Norfolk, Major league All-Star in 1957; played for seven teams; finished his career in 1964 with the expansion Los Angeles Angels William Fuller (b. 1962) – professional football defensive end for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears Stephen Furst (1954–2017) – television actor Grant Gustin (b. 1990) – television actor Henry Howell (1920–1997) – Independent lieutenant governor of Virginia Lawrence "LoJo" Johnson (b. 1974) – Olympic pole vaulter, silver medalist in 2000 General Norman Johnson (1943-2010) – R&B musician Kishi Bashi (b. 1975) – indie rock violinist; solo musician; tour member of Of Montreal and Regina Spektor Naomi Long Madgett (1923–2020) – poet Mae – indie rock band Magnum T.A. - Former Professional Wrestler Thomas W. Moss, Jr. (1928–2015) – Democratic Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1992–2000 Wayne Newton (b. 1942) – aka "Mr. Las Vegas"; singer and songwriter Tim Reid (b. 1944) – television actor, director, and film executive Jodi Rell (b. 1946) – Republican governor of Connecticut, 2004–2011 Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1809–1876) – first president of Liberia Dave Robertson (1889–1970) – from Norfolk, two-time National League home run leader; hit .500 in 1917 World Series; hit .287 over nine seasons with the Giants, Cubs and Pirates; product of Norfolk Academy; played four sports at Wake Forest and NC State; managed the minor league Norfolk Tars for several years in the 1920s Larry Sabato (b. 1952) – political pundit and professor at the University of Virginia Ed Schultz (1954–2018) – pundit and TV personality for MSNBC Deborah Shelton (b. 1948) – actress; Miss USA 1970, first runner-up in Miss Universe contest John Wesley Shipp (b. 1956) – television actor Bruce Smith (b. 1963) – Pro Football Hall of Fame player for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins Joe Smith (b. 1975) – professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers Keely Smith (1928–2017) – nightclub singer, wife and stage partner of Louis Prima Margaret Sullavan (1909–1960) – actress and wife of Leland Hayward