The great state of North Carolina is home to many amazing people and features, from incredible athletes to some of the deepest lakes. It’s also the home to some of the biggest movie stars. That’s what we’ll talk about today. These are the biggest movie stars from North Carolina. Many of these celebrities have been gracing movie screens for as far back as we can remember, and they all have a great portfolio of work that makes them some of the best and brightest.
While there have been many celebrities who were born in North Carolina, we wanted to spotlight the best and brightest. To do so, 24/7 Tempo used many sources, including the Internet Movie Database and Only In Your State. We also looked at many local sources, ranging from news organizations like WNCT-9 and CBS 17, and we came up with this list.
Andy Griffith
LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 2: Actor Andy Griffith (center) poses for a photo with his wife Barbara and producer/director Mervyn LeRoy (left) at the Screen Directors Dinner on February 2 1957 in los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
When you ask most residents of the state about the biggest movie stars from North Carolina, the first name that will often come to mind is Andy Griffith. He was born in Mount Airy, NC, in 1926 and passed away in Manteo, NC, in 2012. He was born as an only child, and his parents were so poor that it took a while for them to buy a house, and Andy had to sleep in dresser drawers for several months. In his younger years, he was a shy child, but when he attended Mount Airy High School, he began to participate in the drama program. He later went on to attend the University of North Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Music degree.
Griffith began his TV career in 1955, and soon, in 1960, he began work on the famous “The Andy Griffith Show” as the town sheriff in Mayberry, North Carolina. His other famous show was “Matlock,” where he played Ben Matlock. The show ran from 1986 to 1995, and it became one of the most famous shows of that time. It’s also ingrained in pop culture, and it is often mentioned to this day.
This is a list of movie stars, and Andy Griffith did star in several movies, including those made for television. He was in the movies “Waitress” with Keri Russell and the romantic comedy “Play the Game,” among others. Griffith was also a recording artist and recorded many of the songs on his shows, as well as an album of upbeat country and gospel songs.
Michael C. Hall
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 10: Michael C. Hall attends SiriusXM Studios on May 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Perhaps best known for his role in the serial killer show “Dexter,” Michael C. Hall is another big star from North Carolina. He was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, to a mother who was a mental health counselor and a father who worked as an engineer for IBM. Later on, he would attend private school at the Ravenscroft School in Raleigh. Then, he went to college in Indiana, where he planned to become a lawyer. However, he changed his mind and instead attended New York University for a degree in acting.
Much of his career started in Off-Broadway plays, but then his career began to take off. Michael C. Hall has been in a fair share of movies. He has co-starred in many movies, including “Paycheck,” “Christine,” and the comedy “Game Night.” However, most of his fame has come from his work on television. He’s had two famous roles for which he is most known. One of them was on the show “Six Feet Under,” where he played one of the sons of a family that owns a funeral home. His other most famous role was that of the title character in the show “Dexter.” There, he played a serial killer who murdered other serial killers.
Ava Gardner
When you look back at some of the celebrities of the golden era of cinema, you’ll find Ava Gardner, who was one of the most famous actresses of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Ava is also one of the famous people from North Carolina as she was born in Grabtown, NC, as the youngest of seven kids. She was born into a poor family, and her parents worked as tobacco sharecroppers. The family had to move from place to place to make ends meet. She also lived in Wilson, North Carolina, and went to school in Rock Ridge.
Once she started acting, her career took some time to take off. She was in numerous movies during the 1940s, but she was uncredited in many of them. Some of her more famous movies were in the 1960s and 1970s, and they included “The Night of the Iguana” and the disaster movie “Earthquake.” During the 1980s, she did some television. She starred in seven episodes of the show “Knots Landing.” Sadly, she passed away at the age of 67 after a bout of phenomena and a lifetime of smoking.
Zach Galifianakis
Comedic actor Zach Galifianakis was born in North Wilkesboro in 1969. He’s easily one of the biggest movie stars from North Carolina, especially in the modern era. He went to high school at Wilkes Central High School and attended Wilkes Community College and then North Carolina State University for his higher education. He majored in communications. While he was in college, he worked for a public access station, which is likely where he started to hone his talent for comedy.
His career started slowly. He did get work on Saturday Night Live, but he only worked there for two weeks. He also had small roles in movies like “Corky Romano” and “Into the Wild.” However, he also performed standup comedy, and so that helped him to get onto late-night shows, including “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” These days, he’s most famous for his film work, including his work in “The Hangover” movies and “Dinner for Schmucks.” He’s been in many movies and TV shows since, including his program “Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis,” where he interviews famous people in his quirky style. He lives in Los Angeles but still has a farm in North Carolina, so the state is still a part of his life.
J. B. Smoove
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 08: JB Smoove attends Netflixs Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only New York screening at Paris Theater on December 08, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
Another North Carolina native is J. B. Smoove, a comedic actor who was born in Plymouth, NC. His real name is Jerry Brooks. At the age of three, his family moved to Mount Vernon, New York. However, he continued to spend much of his youth in the Plymouth area. He said the area inspired much of his comedic style. He attended college at Norfolk State University in Virginia and pursued engineering and graphic design.
He started his entertainment career in standup comedy. Then he worked on TV and on Saturday Night Live. He’s mostly known for his television work, having appeared on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Till Death” and “Everybody Hates Chris.” He has also appeared in plenty of movies, including “Mr. Deeds,” “Hall Pass,” and a couple of Spider-Man movies, including “Spider-Man: Far From Home” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” He’s typically always the comedic relief.
Aldis Hodge
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 03: Aldis Hodge attends the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 3rd Annual Gala Presented by Rolex at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures )
You may not recognize the name Aldis Hodge right off the bat, but you’ll certainly recognize him, and that’s because he’s a fantastic actor who has been in many movies and TV shows. Hodge was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, to parents who were both Marines. As a child, he was very talented and played the violin and the clarinet. As an adult, he’s a great actor and also has talents as a watchmaker and self-taught horologist. Because his parents were in the military, he moved around a lot and eventually landed in California.
He has acted in numerous films over the years, including “The Invisible Man,” “Black Adam,” and “Hidden Figures.” He may be more notable for his television work. He has been a featured member of various shows, such as “City on a Hill” and “Turn: Washington’s Spies,” among others. Aldis Hodge is easily one of the most versatile actors from North Carolina.
Pam Grier
LOS ANGELES - MAY 20: Actress Pam Grier poses for a photo on May 20, 1977 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)
Although she doesn’t act quite as much these days, Pam Grier is a very recognizable name and is easily one of the biggest movie stars from North Carolina. Pam was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Her father was in the military, so they moved around a lot, and she spent time living in England and Colorado during the course of her life.
Pam Grier eventually moved to California in 1967. She got a job working at a movie studio, but she was hired to work the switchboard. She was quickly noticed by director Jack Hill, who put her in many Roger Corman films, and from there, she became an icon in 1970s blaxploitation films. She often played tough, strong-willed women, and she continued that work through the 1980s. She’s also starred in many recent films, including “Larry Crowne,” “Jackie Brown,” and “Pet Sematary: Bloodlines,” among others.
Jim Rash
HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 26: Actor Jim Rash attends The Paley Center For Medias PaleyFest 2014 Honoring Community at Dolby Theatre on March 26, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
Jim Rash is a comedic actor and filmmaker from North Carolina. He was adopted, so his true place of birth is a mystery, but he was born and raised in NC and attended Charlotte Latin School as a child. Later on, he would attend college in New Jersey, and he eventually joined the improv group The Groundlings in Los Angeles. Jim Rash is one of those actors that you may not know by name, but you’ve likely seen him in a movie or TV show.
Rash has been in several films over the years, typically in smaller or cameo roles. Some of his films have included “Sky High,” “Bros,” and “Captain America: Civil War.” However, he’s more known for his television work, and he has been in countless productions. Some of his more noteworthy appearances are on “That 70s Show,” “Reno 911,” and “Community.” He has also done voice work for “Looney Tunes” and “Duck Tales.”
Brian Huskey
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Brian Huskey attends the Los Angele premiere for Hulus History of the World, Part II at Hollywood Legion Theater on February 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
Brian Huskey is yet another one of the actors whose name you likely don’t recognize. However, if you’ve watched any comedic film or TV show over the last several years, you have likely seen him in something. The comedic actor was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and he attended Charlotte Country Day School throughout grade and high school. Later on, he would attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a major in English. Eventually, he moved to New York, and it was there that he started performing improv comedy with the Upright Citizens Brigade.
Over the years, Brian Huskey has appeared in numerous movies, typically with smaller roles. Some of his films include “Step Brothers,” “Neighbors,” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” His real bread and butter has been television, as he has appeared in more than 60 programs, both comedic and dramatic.
Lee Norris
The last of our celebrities from North Carolina is actor Lee Morris. He was born in Greenville, North Carolina, and he attended college at Wake Forest University in NC. Lee Norris is perhaps best known for playing the character Stuart Minkus in “Boy Meets World” and the reboot of “Girl Meets World.” He also had a memorable turn as Marvin ‘Mouth’ McFadden in the long-running show “One Tree Hill.”
Norris has also starred in a handful of movies, including “Gone Girl” and “Surf School.” He typically plays smaller parts. Still, his turn as Minkus was very memorable, and that’s why he’s one of the biggest movie stars from North Carolina. (Here are the most well-liked actors of all time.)