Famous People From Virginia

America’s first president, George Washington led the country with integrity, firmness and prudence that made him one of the greatest presidents in American history. He became a national hero before assuming presidency, when he led the Continental Army to victory against the British during the American Revolution.

One of the highest-paid actresses in the world, actress Sandra Bullock is the recipient of several accolades, including an Academy Award. After making her debut in the late 1980s, she became extremely popular in the 1990s with her roles in dramatic movies. She is also the founder of the production company Fortis Films.

The 2nd Vice President and the 3rd President of America, Thomas Jefferson was one of the Founding Fathers of USA and the principal draftsman of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was a staunch advocate of democracy and a strong believer of individual rights and religious freedom, despite the fact that he himself owned nearly 600 slaves.

Former professional basketball player, Allen Iverson, is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential basketball players of all time. He retired after playing 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for various teams. At the time of his retirement, he was an 11-time NBA All-Star. A popular star, he has made a few cameo appearances in films.

From presidential cabin of Princeton University to presidential office of the White House, Woodrow Wilson ushered a series of progressive reforms that changed the American politics forever. The 28th President of USA, Woodrow Wilson introduced several ground-breaking policies including the Federal Reserve Act. He played a key role in founding the first intergovernmental organisation—the League of Nations—for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

A commander of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, Robert E. Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virginia. He was a skilled tactician who served in the US Army for 32 years. Brilliant from a young age, he was a top graduate of the US Military Academy. In his later years, he became president of Washington College.

Patsy Cline was an American singer widely regarded as one of 20th century's most influential, celebrated, and respected vocalists. Her singing style helped influence several artists and musical genres. She also helped define the Nashville Sound style associated with country music. She has been a major influence on artists, such as Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Linda Ronstadt, and Dottie West.

Shirley MacLaine is one of the most decorated American actresses of all time, having won several prestigious awards, such as the Academy Award. Identified as one of the last surviving actresses from Hollywood Golden Age, Shirley MacLaine has played a key role in popularizing New Age spirituality in the West. She also believes in concepts, such as reincarnation.

Retired artistic gymnast Gabby Douglas became an all-around Olympic champion in 2012, becoming the first African-American to achieve the feat. She is also the first American to win gold in both the individual and team competitions at the same Olympic event. She inspired the biopic The Gabby Douglas Story.

An actor, producer, and director who first rose to fame as a teenage star in the late 1970s, Rob Lowe has been active in both TV shows and films. His public image and film career declined after a sex tape scandal in the late 1980s, but he has been able to resurrect his career successfully.

Desmond Doss was a US Army corporal. Doss served as a combat medic in World War II. For his actions during the Battle of Okinawa, Desmond Doss became the only conscientious objector to be honored with the prestigious Medal of Honor as he saved 75 men. His life and work inspired several books and the biographical war film Hacksaw Ridge.

Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been a great platform for many exceptional comedians and actors, including Jason Sudeikis. Born with anosmia, Jason Sudeikis does not have the ability to detect smells. Nevertheless, one can say that he is blessed with the ability to smell out good scripts as many of his films have been major box office hits.

The youngest of the popular Workman siblings, Ariel Winter Workman has established herself as a successful actress after starting her career as a child star. She has also contributed immensely as a voice actress in films and video games.

Best known for his role in the sitcom The King of Queens, comedian and actor, Patton Oswalt, has been active in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. From appearing in his own TV show in the 1990s to making it big as a film actor, he has had a fulfilling career. He loves dogs and has worked with PETA.

Justin Verlander is an American baseball player who has played for the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. An eight-time MLB All-Star, Verlander has won prestigious awards like the Babe Ruth Award. He has also been an important member of the US national team, helping his side win the silver medal at the 2003 Pan American Games.

Patrick Wilson is an American actor, director, and singer. He is known for his contribution across all the three major acting mediums. Well-known for playing demonologist Ed Warren in popular supernatural horror film, The Conjuring, Patrick Wilson is often cast in horror films, due to which he has earned a reputation as a scream king in Hollywood.

James Madison played an important role in drafting the US Constitution and the US Bill of Rights and is hailed as the Father of the Constitution. He also co-wrote The Federalist Papers, considered to be a seminal work of political science. As president, he led the country into the 1812 war and historians place him as an above-average president.

A woman of many talents, June Carter Cash was an American singer-songwriter, author, comedian, actress, and dancer. In 2003, she was named in Country Music Television's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music list. Her relationship with Johnny Cash inspired the 2005 film Walk the Line, where she was portrayed by Reese Witherspoon. June was also a well-known philanthropist.

Hilarie Burton is an American actress known for her work in TV series One Tree Hill. Also known for her good looks, Burton has graced the covers of popular magazines and is often named in lists like Hottest Women and Sexiest Women. Over the years, Burton has played an important role in exposing certain celebrities for their sexual misconduct.

Born into the illustrious Arquette family, David Arquette is a multitalented personality. As an actor, he grabbed limelight with the Scream film series and other films like Never Been Kissed, Bone Tomahawk and the web series Cleaners. Apart from acting, he has also ventured into direction, production and screen writing. Arquette has also won WCW World Heavyweight Championship’ title in 2000.

Timbaland is an American rapper, DJ, singer, songwriter, record producer, and record executive. He is credited with founding a record label named 'Mosley Music Group' (MMG) and has since received appreciation for his production style. He is also credited with pioneering a technique to create a distinctive sound using breakbeats, which was influential in the rise of UK garage.

Michael Vick is a former American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons during which he represented successful teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Jets. Michael Vick is also known for his philanthropic efforts; he has established a couple of nonprofit organizations namely The Vick Foundation and Michael Vick Foundation.  

David Chang revolutionized the culinary world with his brand Momofuku, which owns several noodle bars across the world, including a 2-Michelin-star restaurant. He has produced the Netflix shows Ugly Delicious and Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Several issues of his food magazine Lucky Peach have been NYT bestsellers.

Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer. Referred to as the Queen of Jazz, First Lady of Song, and Lady Ella, Fitzgerald was renowned for her impeccable diction, purity of tone, timing, and intonation. The winner of Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts, Fitzgerald's legacy lives on several years after her death.

Dermot Mulroney is an American actor best known for his work in the Western, romantic comedy, and drama films. Also an acclaimed cellist, Mulroney has played the cello in movies like Star Trek Into Darkness and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Also known for his looks, he was named in People magazine's Sexiest Men of the Year list in 2005.

One of the most acclaimed and celebrated American filmmakers of all time, Warren Beatty has received 15 Oscar nominations as actor, producer, director, and screenwriter. He has also been involved in politics as a supporter of the Democratic Party; he played an important role in organizing fundraising for George McGovern's presidential campaign. He is also known for his Casanova image.

The ninth president of the US, William Henry Harrison died 31 days into his presidential term, becoming the shortest-serving US president ever. His demise caused a brief constitutional crisis pertaining to the succession to the presidency. Subsequently, Vice President John Tyler became the new president, setting an important precedent in terms of transfer of the presidency in such situations.

The tenth president of the United States, John Tyler was dubbed His Accidency as he became the president after the sudden death of President William Henry Harrison when the former was serving as the vice president. Tyler's acceptance of full presidential powers set a prominent precedent and served as a model for succession to the future presidents.

James Monroe, a Founding Father of the U.S., served as the American president from 1817 to 1825. He opposed European colonialism and issued the Monroe Doctrine. He had also been a U.S. secretary of state, the Virginia governor, a U.S. Senate member, and the American ambassador to Britain and France.