Stars aren’t just made in Hollywood. Our city is home to many celebrities and personalities that have made great impact not only nationally, but also globally. Think actors, best-selling authors, artists, influencers, prominent business starters — the Twin City has them all.
While some called Winston-Salem their home at one point of their lives, a handful were born and raised in the city. Without further ado, here are some of Winston-Salem’s most famous alumni:
Maya Angelou | The poet, author, and civil rights activist was a professor at Wake Forest University and lived at 3240 Valley Rd. where she would often host her grad students for dinners. The poet is known for her piercing writing voice, including her most famous poem, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which has sold over one million copies worldwide.
Dr. Gary Chapman | The famous author who currently lives in Winston-Salem has sold over 20 million copies of his book “The 5 Love Languages.” The book has been translated into 40+ languages. Chapman travels through the US hosting marriage and family conferences.
Richard Joshua Reynolds | The founder of the second-largest tobacco company in the US started the business in the town of Winston in 1873. Camel cigarettes became the highest-selling cigarette in 1913, making Winston-Salem a prime location for business trades.
Chris Paul | The Winston-Salem native attended Wake Forest University and led the Demon Deacons to a school record of 27 victories. The 12-time NBA All-Star was named among the 75 greatest players in NBA history. He recently launched a line of plant-based snacks, Good Eat’n, available in stores like Walmart.
Ben Folds | The Emmy-nominated composer and New York Times bestselling author has performed with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras. The Winston-Salem native will return to his hometown for an in-concert performance alongside The Winston-Salem Symphony on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Burgess Jenkins | The actor has starred in movies like “One Tree Hill” and “Blue Ridge.” Born in Winston-Salem, Jenkins came back to his hometown where he turned the iconic Summit Street Pharmacy building into a charming cafe and bar — The Remedy in West End.
Angela Bassett | The actress, who grew up in the Twin City through the age of four, is well known for her role as queen of Wakanda in the “Black Panther” movies. She spent summers in Winston-Salem with her aunt throughout her youth.
9th Wonder | The hip-hop producer was ranked among Billboard’s top 25 greatest rap producers of all time. He gained recognition for working with artists like Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, and Drake. You can see a mural of the legend while strolling around the Twin City.
Nia Imani Franklin | The composer, actress, conductor, and singer was crowned Miss America 2019 and attended UNC School of the Arts. Her EP, “Extended,” and her orchestra piece “Chrysalis Extended,” has amassed nearly four million views on her TikTok profile.
Sarah McCoy | The New York Times bestselling author currently lives in Winston-Salem with her husband, their dog Gilbert, and cat Tularosa. Her most acclaimed novels include “Mustique Island,” “Marilla of Green Gables,” and “The Baker’s Daughter.”
Caitlin Covington | The lifestyle influencer flaunts her seasonal outfits with Winston-Salem as her backdrop. Caitlin started her blog in 2011, posting all things fashion, wellness, and healthy lifestyle tips. Today, she has amassed ~1.3 million followers on Instagram and currently lives in the Twin City with her husband and two daughters.
George Hamilton IV | The Winston-Salem native graduated from RJ Reynolds High School and rose to the top pop charts with the hit “A Rose and a Baby Ruth” at age 19. He later switched from pop to country music which gained popularity internationally. The country singer was a member of The Grand Ole Opry.
The “5" Royales | The quintet began as gospel group the Royal Suns in Winston-Salem in 1942 and recorded songs like “Baby Don’t Do It,” which was No. 1 on the R&B chart for three consecutive weeks in 1953. Peep their mural at Trade and 8th streets.
Howell Binkley | The Winston-Salem native attended Reynolds High School where he got his start in technical lighting for theater. He later won a Tony award for his lighting design in 2006 for “Jersey Boys” and again in 2016 for “Hamilton.”
Rosemary Harris | The English actress settled in Winston-Salem with her husband and daughter who were heavily involved with NC School of the Arts. She has won multiple awards including an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and a Tony. Her Buena Vista family mansion sold for $910,000 in 2020 without being listed.
Fay Hauser | Born in Winston-Salem, the actor and producer is well known for her work on “The Hot Chick,” “Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh,” and “Akeelah and the Bee.”
Paul Tazewell | The UNCSA alumnus made history as the first Black man to win an Academy Award for costume design for the film “Wicked.” Plus, in the same year, he won another Tony Award for best costume design for his work on the musical, “Death Becomes Her” at the 78th annual Tony Awards.
Jerrod Carmichael | The stand-up comedian and actor has won an Emmy award for his performance “Rothaniel” which can be streamed on Max. Born and raised in the Twin City, Carmichael pursued various ventures in the entertainment industry, including hosting the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards.
Think we should add someone to the list? Drop us a line.
