List of people from South Carolina

The following is a list of prominent people who were born in the U.S. State of South Carolina, lived in South Carolina, or for whom South Carolina is a significant part of their identity. It is divided into two major sections, the deceased and the living.

Dead

B

• Brody Bookless born Clayton Bates , (1907–1998), of Fountain Inn, world famous, one-legged dancer;
• Mary McLeod Bethune (1875–1955), born and raised in Mayesville in Sumter County - civil rights leader and groundbreaking educator;
• Doc Blanchard (1924–2009), born in McColl, raised in Bishopville, college football player who became the first ever junior to win the Heisman Trophy;
• James Butler Bonham (1807–1836), from Red Bank (now Saluda), lawyer, soldier, and defender of the Alamo;
• James Brown (1933–2006), Barnwell, S.C. was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist dubbed "The Godfather of Soul."

C

• Tommy Caldwell (1949–1980), from Spartanburg, bassist for The Marshall Tucker Band;
• Toy Caldwell (1947–1993), from Spartanburg, lead guitarist and vocalist for The Marshall Tucker Band;
• John Caldwell Calhoun (1782–1850), born in Abbeville County, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, and the 7th Vice-President of the U.S.;
• Carroll A. Campbell, Jr. (1940–2005), born in Greenville, South Carolina Governor and U.S. Congressman;
• John Tucker Campbell (1912–1991), born in Calhoun Falls, Secretary of State 1978–1991, Mayor of Columbia 1970–1978, two term city councilman, owner and operator of Campbells Drugstores for 41 years;
• Alice Childress (1920–1994), born in Charleston, playwright who wrote about the struggles of poverty and racism;
• Dave Cockrum (1943–2006), died in Belton, comic book artist;
• James S. Cothran (1830–1897), born in Abbeville County, U.S. House of Representatives for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district;
• Charles Craven (1682–1754), governor of colonial South Carolina during the Tuscarora War and Yamasee War.

D

• Esther Dale (1885–1961), born in Beaufort, actress;
• Gary Davis (1896–1972), born in Clinton, blues and gospel songwriter and innovative guitarist;
• Mendel Jackson Davis (1942–2007), born in North Charleston, a United States Representative from South Carolina;
• Robert C. De Large (1842–1874), born in Aiken, a United States House of Representatives from South Carolina;
• James Dickey (1923–1997), professor at University of South Carolina at Columbia, poet and novelist;
• Samuel Henry Dickson (1798–1872), born in Charleston, poet, physician, writer and educator;
• Julius Dixson (1913–2004), born in Barnwell, songwriter and record company executive;
• Larry Doby (1923–2003), born in Camden, baseball player in the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball;
• Ulysses Dove (1947–1996), born in Columbia, choreographer;
• Watson B. Duncan III (1915–1991), born in Charleston, college professor;
• William Wallace Duncan (1839–1908), died in Spartanburg, bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

E

• John B. Earle (1766–1836), died in Anderson County, U.S. Representative from South Carolina;
• Samuel Earle (1760–1833), died in Pendleton District, United States Representative from South Carolina;
• Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II, Reverend Ike (1935–2009), born in Ridgeland, South Carolina, minister and electronic evangelist;
• Edward C. Elmore (1826– aft. 1864), born in Columbia, Treasurer of the Confederate States of America;
• Lilian Ellison (1923–2007), born in Kershaw County, female professional wrestler better known as the Fabulous Moolah;
• Esquerita (1935–1986), born in Greenville, singer, songwriter and pianist, original name Eskew Reeder Jr.;
• Richard Evonitz (1963–2002), born in Columbia, serial killer.

F

• James Farrow (1827–1892), born in Laurens, politician in Confederate Congress, elected to U.S. House of Representatives;
• Charles Fernley Fawcett (1915–2008), grew up in Greenville, co-founder of the International Medical Corps;
• Eugene Figg (1936–2002), born in Charleston, structural engineer who made numerous contributions to the field of structural engineering;
• David E. Finley, Jr. (1890–1977), born in York, art executive, first director of the National Gallery of Art, founding chairman of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and chairman of the United States Commission of Fine Arts;
• Kirkman George Finlay (1877–1938), born in Greenville, first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina;
• James Dudley Fooshe (1844–1940), born in Abbeville District (now Greenwood County), soldier, author, farmer, philosopher, and Methodist churchman;
• Joe Frazier (1944–2011), born in Beaufort, boxer, 1964 Olympic heavyweight champion and the world heavyweight champ 1970–73;

G

• David du Bose Gaillard (1859–1913), born in Manning, U.S. Army engineer instrumental in the construction of the Panama Canal;
• John Gaillard (1765–1826), born in St. Stephen's district, U.S. Senator;
• Althea Gibson (1927–2003), born in Silver, Clarendon County, first African-American player to win Wimbledon and U.S. National tennis championships;
• Dizzy Gillespie (1917–1993), born in Cheraw, African-American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, singer and composer;
• Gordon Glisson (1930–1997), born in Winnsboro, thoroughbred horse racing jockey;
• Maxcy Gregg (1814–1862), born in Columbia, lawyer, and brigadier general in the Confederate States Army.

H

• Johnson Hagood (1828–1898), born in Barnwell, brigadier general in the Confederate States Army and governor of South Carolina;
• James Henry Hammond (1807–1864), born in Newberry County, US congressman, senator and governor of South Carolina;
• Wade Hampton I (1752–1835), U.S. Congressman from South Carolina, born in Virginia;
• Wade Hampton II (1791–1858), born in Columbia, plantation owner and soldier;
• Wade Hampton III (1818–1902), born in Charleston, Confederate general, governor, United States Senator;
• DuBose Heyward (1885-1940), born in Charleston, descendant of Thomas Heyward, Jr., playwright and poet, most noted for the novel "Porgy" and its stage incarnations "Porgy" and "Porgy and Bess," the latter with George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, depicting the life of a disabled black street beggar, the real-life Sammy Smalls;
• Thomas Heyward, Jr. (1746–1809), born In St. Luke's Parish, signer of the Declaration of Independence;
• Thomas Hitchcock, Jr. (1900–1944), born in Aiken, polo player.

J

• Andrew Jackson (1765–1845), born in Lancaster County, South Carolina, President of the United States;
• Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. Born Jesse Louis Burns (born October 8, 1941) Greenville, South Carolina, African-American civil rights activist and Baptist minister;
• 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson (1887–1951), born in Brandon Mills one of baseball's outstanding hitters;
• James Jamerson (1938–1983), born in Charleston, South Carolina, bass player;
• Robert Jordan (1948–2007), from Charleston, South Carolina, fantasy author.

K

• Lane Kirkland (1922–1999), from Camden, labor union leader and president of the AFL–CIO from 1979–1995;
• Eartha Kitt (1927–2008), from North, South Carolina, American actress, singer, and cabaret star.

L

• Hyman Isaac Long (born 18th century), born in Jamaica, Freemason;
• Lt. Gen. James "Pete" Longstreet, CSA (1821-1904), born January 8, 1821 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. Commander of the 1st Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia;
• Thomas Lynch, Jr. (1749–1779), born in Georgetown, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

M

• Barton MacLane (1902–1969) born in Columbia, actor, playwright, and screenwriter;
• Francis Marion (c. 1732–1795), born in Winyah (Winyah Bay), a.k.a. the Swamp Fox, strategic fighter against the British during the War of Independence;
• Ronald McNair (1950–1986), born in Lake City, astronaut killed in the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger;
• Arthur Middleton (1742–1787) born in Charleston, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Governor (1810–1812), Representative (1815–1819) and Minister to Russia(1820–1830);
• Robert Mills (1781–1855), born in Charleston, architect, designed the Washington monument and many public buildings.

MEGAN WAS HERE! STUPID WIKI :)

P

• Julia Peterkin (1880–1961), born in Laurens County, South Carolina, Pulitzer Prize winner;
• Bill Pinkney (1925–2007), born in Dalzell, South Carolina, pitcher in the Negro League, served in World War II, performer and singer with The Drifters;
• Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779-1851), born in Charleston, Martin Van Buren's Secretary of War, physician, botanist, and statesman, as well as famous eponym;
• Melvin Purvis (1903–1960), born in Timmonsville, FBI agent responsible for ending the criminal careers of Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, and John Dillinger.

R

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk (1803–1857), born in Pendleton; early political and military leader of the Republic of Texas;
• Edward Rutledge (1749–1800), youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was later governor of South Carolina;
• Francis H. Rutledge (1799–1866), born in Charleston, first Episcopal bishop of Florida;
• John Rutledge (September 17, 1739 – June 21, 1800) was an American statesman and judge. He was elected President of South Carolina, April 1776, under a constitution drawn up on March 26, 1776.

S

• John Steadman (actor) (1909–1993), born in Lexington, South Carolina, radio personality and actor. "Pop" in The Longest Yard.

T

• William Barret Travis (1809–1836), born in Saluda County, South Carolina, 19th century American lawyer and soldier;
• Strom Thurmond (1902–2003), born in Edgefield, South Carolina, South Carolina Governor, and the oldest and 2nd longest-serving U.S. Senator;

V

• Angelica Singleton Van Buren (1818–1877), born in Wedgefield, married Abraham Van Buren while his father, Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States. She served as First Lady of the United States for the rest of his term in the White House.

W

• John B. Watson (1878–1958), grew up in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, psychologist who established the psychological school of behaviorism;
• Charles S. West (1829–1885), born in Camden, South Carolina, Texas jurist and politician;
• John C. West (1922–2004), politician;
• William C. Westmoreland (1914–2005), deputy commander of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) 1964–1968, Army Chief of Staff 1968–1972;
• Louis Wigfall (1816–1874), born in Edgefield, South Carolina, Texas politician who served as a member of the Texas Legislature, United States Senate, and Confederate Senate;
• James E. Williams (1930–1999), born in Fort Mill, South Carolina, raised in Darlington, South Carolina, Medal of Honor (Viet Nam - 1966), highest decorated enlisted man in the history of the U. S. Navy, U. S. Marshal;
• Henry Woodward (1646–1690), an early colonist of South Carolina who was instrumental in establishing contact with Native Americans and setting up a trading system.

Living

A

• John Abraham (b. 1978), born in Timmonsville, NFL defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons
• Rick Adair (b. 1958), born in Spartanburg, pitching coach for the Baltimore Orioles
• Kimberly Aiken (b. 1975), born in Columbia, Miss America 1994.
• Ray Allen (b. 1975), lived in Dalzell, Hillcrest H.S., NBA star for the Miami Heat
• Bill Anderson (b. 1937), born in Columbia; country music singer and songwriter, nicknamed "Whisperin' Bill";
• Aziz Ansari (b. 1983), born in Columbia, actor and comedian.

B

• Alex Barron (b. 1982), born in Orangeburg, left tackle for the Dallas Cowboys

• Samuel Beam (b. 1974), born in Columbia, singer-songwriter under the stage name Iron & Wine;
• Paul Benjamin (b. 1938), born in Pelion, actor;
• Shelton Benjamin (b. 1976), born and raised in Orangeburg, a professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler;
• Charles Dantonja Bennett (b. 1983), born in Camden, football player for Clemson University and Tampa Bay Buccaneers;
• Ben Bernanke (b. 1953), graduated from high school in Dillon in 1971, from October 2005, Chairman of the Federal Reserve;
• Brian Billett (b. 1992), born in Charleston, South Carolina, Div. 1 hockey goalie for Boston College;
• Blue Sky (b. 1938), born in Columbia and lived there for the majority of his life, painter and sculptor;
• Charles F. Bolden, Jr. (b. 1946), born in Columbia, appointed Administrator of NASA in 2009 (first African-American), a retired United States Marine Corps major general, and former NASA astronaut.
• Peter Boulware (b. 1974), born in Columbia, former linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens;
• Zackary Bowman (b. 1984), born in Columbia, cornerback for the Chicago Bears;
• Lee Brice (B. 1980), born in Sumter, country artist, co-wrote the Garth Brooks song More Than a Memory;
• Robert Brooks (b. 1970), born in Greenwood, former wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos;
• J. Anthony Brown (b. ?), born in Columbia, actor, comedian and radio personality from Columbia;
• Kwame Brown (b. 1982), born in Charleston, center for the Golden State Warriors;
• Sheldon Brown (b. 1979), born in Lancaster, cornerback for the Cleveland Browns;
• Jared Burton (b. 1981), born in Westminster, relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins;

C

• Pat Caddell (b. 1950), born in Rock Hill, public opinion pollster, political film consultant;
• Anna Camp (b. 1982), born in Aiken, actress, The Help;
• Harry Carson (b. 1953),(Florence,S.C), American football player, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2006;
• Wilson Casey (b. 1954), born in Woodruff, "Trivia" Guinness World Record holder, nationally syndicated trivia newspaper columnist;
• Chubby Checker (b. 1941), born in Spring Gulley (Andrews), singer;
• Kelsey Chow (b. 1991), born and raised in Columbia, actress;
• Jim Clyburn (b. 1940), born in Sumter, U.S. congressman;
• Stephen Euin Cobb (b. 1955), born in Orangeburg, author, futurist and host of the award-winning podcast The Future and You;
• Stephen Colbert (b. 1964), born in Charleston, comedian and anchor of his own show on Comedy Central — "The Colbert Report";
• Monique Coleman (b. 1980), born in Orangeburg, actress;
• Mike Colter (b. 1976), born in Columbia, raised in St. Matthews, actor, Ringer;
• Pat Conroy (b. 1945), grew up in Beaufort, attended Beaufort High School and The Citadel, novelist;
• Angell Conwell (b. 1983), born in Orangeburg and raised in Columbia, actress;
• O'Neal Compton (b. 1951), born in Sumter, character actor;
• Muhsin Corbbrey (b. 1978), lived for many years in Hilton Head, mixed martial arts fighter and professional boxer.
• Tyrone Corbin (b. 1962), born in Columbia, head coach for the Utah Jazz and former NBA small forward;

D

• Kristin Davis (b. 1965), early in her childhood, she and her parents moved to Columbia, actress, best known for role as Charlotte York in Sex and the City;
• Richard C. Davis (b. 1963), from Charleston, real estate broker and television personality;
• Viola Davis (b. 1965), born in St. Matthews, actress, The Help;
• Katon Dawson (b. 1956), born in Columbia, former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party;
• Will Demps (b. 1963), born in Charleston, American football safety played for the Baltimore Ravens and others;
• Andy Dick (b. 1965), born in Charleston, actor and comedian best known for his roles on TV sitcoms;
• Stanley Donen (b. 1924), born in Columbia, film director and choreographer;
• Mark Edward Driscoll (b. 1981), born and raised in Greenville, International IT Professional and Volunteer Firefighter/EMT;
• Justin Durant (b. 1985), born in Florence, linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars;

E

• Ainsley Earhardt (b. 1980), grew up in Columbia, correspondent for Fox News;
• Marian Wright Edelman (b. 1939), born in Bennettsville, activist for the rights of children;
• Eddie Edwards (b. 1954), born in Sumter, former defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals football team;
• John Edwards, (b. 1953), born in Seneca, former N.C. Senator & 2004 Democratic Vice Presidential candidate;
• Leslie Jean Egnot (b. 1963), born in Greenville, Olympic yachtswoman for New Zealand;
• Shaun Ellis (b. 1977), born in Anderson, defensive end for the New England Patriots football team;
• Frank Emanuel (b. 1942), born in Clio, former football linebacker for Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints;
• Alex English (b. 1954), born in Columbia, basketball player, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame;
• Joe Arnold Erwin (b. 1956), born in Florence, entrepreneur and politician, former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party;
• Ernest Evans, better known as Chubby Checker (b. 1941), born in Spring Gulley (Andrews), singer;
• Leomont Evans (b. 1974), born in Abbeville, former American football safety in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins;
• Ralph B. Everett (b. 1951), born in Orangeburg, lobbyist and political staffer.

F

• Shepard Fairey (b. 1970), born in Charleston, artist who created the Barack Obama "Hope" poster;
• Shannon Faulkner (b. 1975), born in Powdersville, the first female cadet to enter The Citadel;
• Raymond Felton (b. 1984), born in Marion, professional basketball player;
• Michael Flessas (b. 1959), attended college and lived in South Carolina, actor, best known for his role in the film Dancer in the Dark;
• Tyler Florence (b. 1971), born in Greenville, television chef;
• Rickey Foggie (b. 1966), born in Laurens, former quarterback in the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League;

G

• Andrew Gachkar, born in Cheraw, linebacker for the San Diego Chargers;
• Samkon Gado (b. 1982), attended Ben Lippen High School in Columbia, running back for the National Football League;
• Brett Gardner (b. 1983), born in Holly Hill, left fielder for the New York Yankees
• Kevin Garnett (b. 1976), born in Mauldin, professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics
• Leeza Gibbons (b. 1957), born in Hartsville, talk show host of Entertainment Tonight and other Hollywood news shows;
• Thomas Gibson (b. 1962), born in Charleston, actor on Criminal Minds
• William Gibson (b. 1948), born in Conway, author and credited as the father of the Cyberpunk genre of science fiction;
• Joseph L. Goldstein (b. 1940), born in Kingstree, Nobel Prize-winning biochemist and geneticist;
• André Goodman (b. 1978), born in Greenville, cornerback for the Denver Broncos;
• A.J. Green (b. 1988), born in Summerville, Wide Receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals
• Jonathan Goodwin (b. 1978), born in Columbia, offensive lineman for the National Football League;
• Boyce Green (b. 1960), born in Beaufort, former running back for the National Football League;
• Alvin Greene (b. 1977), born in Florence, 2010 Democratic nominee for United States Senator;
• James Grimsley, Jr. (b. 1921), born in Florence, major general U.S. Army and president of The Citadel.

H

• Trevor Hall (born 1986), from Hilton Head, South Carolina, Musician
• Michael Hamlin (born 1985), from Lamar, safety for the Jacksonville Jaguars
• Jason Hammel (born 1982), from Greenville, starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles
• Shanola Hampton (born 1977), from Charleston, actress, on Showtime series Shameless
• Albert Haynesworth (born 1981), from Hartsville, defensive tackle for the New England Patriots
• Josh Head, from Rock Hill rhythm guitarist for the band Emery
• Lauren Michelle Hill (born 1979), from Columbia, model, actress, Playboy Playmate
• Vonnie Holliday (born 1975), from Camden, defensive lineman for the Washington Redskins
• Bo Hopkins (born 1942), from Greenville, actor.
• Orlando Hudson (born 1977), from Darlington, Gold Glove-winning Major League Baseball player
• Josephine Humphreys (born 1945), from Charleston, Southern author
• Fiona Hutchison (born 1960), raised in Columbia and attended Clemson University, soap opera actress
• Lauren Hutton (born 1943), from Charleston, supermodel, actress

J

• Jesse Jackson (born 1941), born in Greenville, politician and civil rights activist;
• Young Jeezy (Jay Jenkins) (born 1977), born in Columbia, rap and hiphop performer;
• J-SNEEZY (Jamaal Cheatham)(born 1985), born in Myrtle Beach, Rapper, 1st Myrtle Beach Rap Video
• Tim Jennings (born 1983), born in Orangeburg, cornerback for the Chicago Bears
• Jasper Johns (born 1933), grew up in Allendale, painter and printmaker;
• Anthony Johnson (born 1974), born in Charleston, professional basketball player;
• Coco Jones- born on January 4 1998. born in Columbia South Carolina but raised in Lebanon Tennessee. actress singer dancer rapper. Known mostly from N.B.T. ( next big thing) and her role as roxie in the disney channel movie Let it Shine
• Greg Jones (born 1981), born in Beaufort, fullback for the Jacksonville Jaguars;
• Orlando Jones (born 1968), attended high school in Mauldin, South Carolina, comedian and actor.
• Alexis Jordan (born 1992), born in Columbia, R&B and pop singer;

K

• Terry Kinard (b. 1959), from Sumter, former safety for the New York Giants and Houston Oilers
• Michael Kohn (b. 1986), from Camden, relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Sallie Krawcheck (b. 1964), from Charleston, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Citi Global Wealth Management (GWM) in charge of the Citi Private Bank, Citi Smith Barney, and Citi Investment Research.

Carlos Knight- born on September 22 1993. Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. Actor. Most famous for his roles as Owen in the nickelodeon tv show supah ninjas. and Diesel in the nickelodeon movie Fred 2 night of the living fred and fred the show

L

• Jake Luhrs (b.1986) from Columbia, South Carolina Lead vocalist for a worldwide band August Burns Red.
• Lance Laury (b. 1982), from Hopkins, football player, linebacker for the New York Jets;
• Andy Lee (born 1982), from Westminster, football player, punter for the San Francisco 49ers.
• Jordan Lyles (b. 1990), from Hartsville, baseball player, starting pitcher for the Houston Astros;

M

• Andie MacDowell (b. 1958), born in Gaffney, model and actress;
• James Robert Mann (b. 1920), born in Greenville, soldier, lawyer and a United States Representative;
• George Martin (b. 1953), from Greenville, former defensive end for the New York Giants;
• Edwin McCain (b. 1970), born in Greenville, musician and song writer;
• Johnathan McClain (b. 1970), actor
• Rocky McIntosh (b. 1982), grew up in Gaffney, linebacker for the Washington Redskins;
• Walter Russell Mead (b. 1952), born in Columbia, journalist, Editor-at-Large of The American Interest magazine;
• Dave Meggett (b. 1966), born in Charleston, former NFL running back, primarily with the New York Giants;
• Jamon Meredith (b. 1986), born in Simpsonville, professional football player, offensive tackle for the New York Giants;
• Adam Minarovich (b. 1977), from Anderson, actor;
• Vanessa Minnillo (b. 1980), from Charleston, television personality, television host, model, actress, correspondent for Entertainment Tonight;
• Darla Moore (b. 1954), born in Lake City, financial executive;
• D. J. Moore (b. 1987), born in Spartanburg, professional football player, cornerback for the Chicago Bears;
• Maurice Morris (b. 1979), born in Chester, professional football player, running back for the Detroit Lions;
• R. Winston Morris (b. 1941), from Barnwell, tuba player and composer, professor at Tennessee Technological University;
• Kary Mullis (b. 1944), grew up in Columbia, biochemist and Nobel laureate;
• Allison Munn (b. 1974), grew up in Columbia, actress;

N

• Josh Norman (b. 1987), from Greenwood, cornerback for the Carolina Panthers;

O

• Nancy O'Dell (b. 1966) born in Sumter, TV journalist and personality, including Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight
• Jermaine O'Neal (b. 1978) born in Columbia, basketball player, power forward/center for the Boston Celtics
• Billy O'Dell (b 1932) born in Whitmire, South Carolina| Newberry)), baseball player, left handed pitcher for the (( Braves before and after they came to Atlanta, Pittsburg Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, NY Yankees and was All-Star representative for the American League in 1958 and 1959

P

• Lu Parker, broadcast journalist and Miss USA 1994, from Anderson, South Carolina
• Mary-Louise Parker, actress, best known for her work in Fried Green Tomatoes, Boys on the Side, and the television series Weeds, born in Fort Jackson, South Carolina
• Will Patton, actor, born June 14, 1954 in Charleston, South Carolina
• Matthew Patterson, actor, born May 26, 1991 raised in Gilbert, South Carolina
• Josh Powell, power forward and center for the Atlanta Hawks, born in Charleston, South Carolina
• William "The Refrigerator" Perry, former professional American Football player, born in Aiken, South Carolina
• Jeryl Prescott, actress, born in Hartsville
• The Big Show (wrestler), professional wrestler and actor, born in Aiken, South Carolina.

R

• Willie Randolph (b. 1954), born in Holly Hill, third base coach for the Baltimore Orioles;
• Arthur Ravenel, Jr. (b. 1927), born in Charleston, Republican politician;
• Sidney Rice (b. 1986), born in Gaffney, football player, wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings;
• Bobby Richardson (b. 1935), born in Sumter, baseball player for the New York Yankees;
• Leon Rippy (b. 1949), born in Rock Hill, film and television actor;
• Andre Roberts (b. 1988), born in Columbia, football player for the Arizona Cardinals;
• Julie Roberts (b. 1979), from Lancaster, country music singer;
• John Linton Roberson (b. 1969), born in Kingstree, writer and cartoonist;
• Bobby Robinson (b. 1917) born in Union, record producer ;
• Eugene Robinson (b. 1955), born in Orangeburg, Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist;
• Chris Rock (b. 1965), born in Andrews, comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director;
• Joshua Rogers (b. 1994), born in Greeleyville, South Carolina is Season 5 Winner of BET's Sunday Best. Recording Artist
• Al "Flip" Rosen (b. 1924), born in Spartanburg; MLB 4-time All-Star third baseman & first baseman, MVP, 2-time home run champion, 2-time RBI leader;
• Darius Rucker (b. 1966), born in Charleston, musician, former lead singer of Hootie & The Blowfish, now a solo artist;
• Richard Wilson Riley (b. 1933), governor of South Carolina, U.S. Secretary of Education 1993–2001.

S

• Ian Scott (b. 1981) born in Greenville, football player, defensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers,
• Jake Scott (b. 1945) born in Greenwood, former safety for the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins,
• Ramon Sessions (b. 1986) born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, basketball player for the NBA,
• Richard Seymour (b. 1979) born in Gadsden, football player, defensive lineman for the Oakland Raiders
• Art Shell (b. 1946) born in Charleston, Hall of Fame offensive tackle and head coach for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders,
• John Shumate (b. 1952) born in Greenville, professional basketball player,
• Shawnee Smith (b. 1970) born in Orangeburg (SC), film and television actress and musician,
• J. Smith-Cameron (b. 1955) raised in Greenville, stage and screen actress,
• Justin Smoak (b. 1986) born in Goose Creek, baseball player for the Seattle Mariners,
• Reggie Sanders (b. 1967), born in Florence, professional baseball player.

T

• Tyler Thigpen (born 1984), from Winnsboro, quarterback for the Buffalo Bills
• David Thornton (born 1953), from Cheraw, South Carolina, actor, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
• Kelly Tilghman (born 1969), from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, broadcaster for The Golf Channel, and the PGA Tour's first female lead golf announcer
• Lawrence Timmons (born 1986), from Florence, South Carolina, linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Steven Tolleson (born 1983), from Spartanburg, South Carolina, infielder for the Baltimore Orioles
• Charles Townes (born 1915), from Greenville, South Carolina, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and educator
• Josh Turner (born 1977), from Hannah, South Carolina, country music singer
• Tom Turnipseed (born 1936), Alabama native, executive director of the 1968 presidential campaign of George C. Wallace. He is a lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina; former member of the South Carolina State Senate; liberal political activist.

W

• Benjamin Watson (b. 1980), from Rock Hill, tight end for the Cleveland Browns;
• Shawn Weatherly (b. 1959), from Sumter, Miss USA and Miss Universe 1980;
• Celia Weston (b. 1951), from Spartanburg, character actress;
• Chris White (b. 1983), from Chester, guard and center for the Seattle Seahawks;
• Roddy White (b. 1981), from James Island, football player, wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons;
• Tracy White (b. 1981), from Charleston, linebacker for the New England Patriots;
• Vanna White (b. 1957), from North Myrtle Beach, letter turner on Wheel of Fortune;
• Matt Wieters (b. 1986), from Goose Creek, catcher for the Baltimore Orioles;
• Armstrong Williams (b. 1959), from Marion, TV and radio host, columnist, political activist;
• Mookie Wilson (b. 1956), from Bamberg, former center fielder for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays;
• Rod Wilson (b. 1981), from Cross, linebacker for the Chicago Bears;
• DeWayne Wise (b. 1978), from Columbia, outfielder for the Chicago White Sox;
• Samuel E. Wright (b. 1946), from Camden, actor and Broadway performer.