When I say that South Carolina has it all, I really mean it. We are not just sweet tea, flip flops, beaches, mountains, and Charleston. As it turns out, South Carolina is the birthplace of numerous famous people as well. And, when I say numerous, I mean that there are too many for even a week’s worth of articles. To help get you started, we’ve included a list below with 17 famous people from South Carolina. Some of them just might surprise you.

  1. Shoeless Joe Jackson

Andrew McFarlane/Flickr Born in Pickens County, South Carolina, Joe Jackson played Major League Baseball in the early 20th century.

  1. Dave Cockrum

Corey Bond/Flickr A genius comic book artist who was the co-creator of X-Men, Dave Cockrum lived in Belton, South Carolina until he passed away in 2006.

  1. James Brown

Dominik Gubi/Flickr …or better known as “The Godfather of Soul,” was born in Barnwell, South Carolina.

  1. William “The Refrigerator” Perry

Tony/Flickr Even if you don’t like football, you certainly know this name. This gentleman was born in Aiken, SC.

  1. Leeza Gibbons

Rodney Ocampo/Flickr “Leeza Gibbons” is definitely a newsworthy name. She was born in Hartsville, South Carolina.

  1. Dizzy Gillespie

fs999/Flickr Dizzy Gillespie was a jazz trumpeter, composer, and occasional singer. He hailed from Cheraw, South Carolina.

  1. Andie MacDowell

qbac07/Flickr Born in Gaffney, South Carolina, Ms. MacDowell has gone on to make her footsteps on Hollywood.

  1. Reverend Gary Davis

Kevin Dooley/Flickr Hailing from Laurens, South Carolina, this gentleman made his own notch in the Blues World as a proficient guitar, banjo, and harmonica player, as well as a singer.

  1. Melanie Thornton

Wolfgang Exler/Wikimedia Best known as the face of Le Bouche, this American pop singer was born in Charleston, South Carolina.

  1. William Johnson

Smithsonian American Art/Flickr A Harlem Renaissance artist, William Johnson was born in Florence, South Carolina.

  1. Jasper Johns

marikeeler/Flickr Even though he was born in Georgia, Mr. Johns spent his very early childhood in Allendale, South Carolina. He then moved around South Carolina before leaving for New York.

  1. Melvin Purvis

Jonathan/Flickr You can thank Melvin Purvis for catching Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, and John Dillinger. He was born and raised in the little town of Timmonsville, South Carolina.

  1. Joe Frazier

wikimedia commons/Nationaal Archief Fotocollectie Anefo The undisputed “Heavyweight Champion of the World,” Joe Frazier was born in Beaufort, South Carolina. He had an impressive career that spanned 11 years.

  1. John Walters

Mary Thibault/FB John Walters is known for his famous style of art, Witzel Art, which is found all over South Carolina and beyond. Raise your hand Hartsville, South Carolina. You can proudly claim him as yours.

  1. Ronald McNair

NASA/Flickr Born in the small town of Lake City, South Carolina, Ronald McNair was a physicist and astronaut. Among other things, he taught us courage and perseverance while his family taught us strength.

  1. Chris Rock

TheeErin/Flickr Born in Andrews, South Carolina, Chris Rock has made a name for himself as a comedian, actor, producer, screenwriter, and director.

  1. Shepard Fairey

brian donovan/Flickr Shepard Fairey is a contemporary artist who was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He is most recognized as the artist who did the piece of work known as the “Hope” poster for Barack Obama.

This is definitely not a complete list of famous people from South Carolina. There are several more. If you can think of any we’ve missed, please share them with us in the comments below.

Andrew McFarlane/Flickr

Born in Pickens County, South Carolina, Joe Jackson played Major League Baseball in the early 20th century.

Corey Bond/Flickr

A genius comic book artist who was the co-creator of X-Men, Dave Cockrum lived in Belton, South Carolina until he passed away in 2006.

Dominik Gubi/Flickr

…or better known as “The Godfather of Soul,” was born in Barnwell, South Carolina.

Tony/Flickr

Even if you don’t like football, you certainly know this name. This gentleman was born in Aiken, SC.

Rodney Ocampo/Flickr

“Leeza Gibbons” is definitely a newsworthy name. She was born in Hartsville, South Carolina.

fs999/Flickr

Dizzy Gillespie was a jazz trumpeter, composer, and occasional singer. He hailed from Cheraw, South Carolina.

qbac07/Flickr

Born in Gaffney, South Carolina, Ms. MacDowell has gone on to make her footsteps on Hollywood.

Kevin Dooley/Flickr

Hailing from Laurens, South Carolina, this gentleman made his own notch in the Blues World as a proficient guitar, banjo, and harmonica player, as well as a singer.

Wolfgang Exler/Wikimedia

Best known as the face of Le Bouche, this American pop singer was born in Charleston, South Carolina.

Smithsonian American Art/Flickr

A Harlem Renaissance artist, William Johnson was born in Florence, South Carolina.

marikeeler/Flickr

Even though he was born in Georgia, Mr. Johns spent his very early childhood in Allendale, South Carolina. He then moved around South Carolina before leaving for New York.

Jonathan/Flickr

You can thank Melvin Purvis for catching Baby Face Nelson, Pretty Boy Floyd, and John Dillinger. He was born and raised in the little town of Timmonsville, South Carolina.

wikimedia commons/Nationaal Archief Fotocollectie Anefo

The undisputed “Heavyweight Champion of the World,” Joe Frazier was born in Beaufort, South Carolina. He had an impressive career that spanned 11 years.

Mary Thibault/FB

John Walters is known for his famous style of art, Witzel Art, which is found all over South Carolina and beyond. Raise your hand Hartsville, South Carolina. You can proudly claim him as yours.

NASA/Flickr

Born in the small town of Lake City, South Carolina, Ronald McNair was a physicist and astronaut. Among other things, he taught us courage and perseverance while his family taught us strength.

TheeErin/Flickr

Born in Andrews, South Carolina, Chris Rock has made a name for himself as a comedian, actor, producer, screenwriter, and director.

brian donovan/Flickr

Shepard Fairey is a contemporary artist who was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He is most recognized as the artist who did the piece of work known as the “Hope” poster for Barack Obama.

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Address: South Carolina, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

famous people from South Carolina August 09, 2022 Jennifer Young What are eight fun facts about South Carolina you might not have already known? Who doesn’t love a little South Carolina trivia? If you’re one of the many people who do, you’ll love the eight fun facts about South Carolina we’ve listed below. Some of them might even surprise you.

  1. One of the oldest tress in the country, the Angel Oak, is located in Charleston, South Carolina. It’s estimated to be around 500 years old.
  2. More than 67% of South Carolina is covered by forests.
  3. A mysterious circle of 4,000-year-old shells is situated on Hilton Head Island. It’s known as the Sea Pines Shell Ring.
  4. The world’s hottest pepper, the Carolina Reaper pepper, is grown in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
  5. South Carolina is home to the country’s first public lending library, which was established in 1698.
  6. The world’s largest ginkgo farm is located in Sumter, South Carolina. It has approximately 12 million ginkgo trees.
  7. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is known as the “Golf Capital of the World.”
  8. Summerville, South Carolina is the birthplace of sweet tea, one of the South’s most popular drinks. Who are three of the biggest celebrities in South Carolina? Many celebrities are from South Carolina, both living and deceased. From actors and athletes, to singers and comedians, the list is endless. Listed below are three of the biggest celebrities in South Carolina.
  9. James Brown James Brown was born in Barnwell, South Carolina and is known as the “Godfather of Soul.” One of his biggest songs is I Got You (I Feel Good), which was released in 1965.
  10. Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson lived in Columbia, South Carolina during his teenage years and was eventually elected as the 28th president of the United States. He led the United States into World War I, which has been considered the worst catastrophe in U.S. history.
  11. Viola Davis Viola Davis was born in St. Matthews, South Carolina and is known for her role as Aibileen Clark in The Help. If you’ve never seen this award-winning film, consider doing so. It’s based on the novel of the same name and is a great film.

The OIYS Visitor Center

famous people from South Carolina

August 09, 2022

Jennifer Young

What are eight fun facts about South Carolina you might not have already known? Who doesn’t love a little South Carolina trivia? If you’re one of the many people who do, you’ll love the eight fun facts about South Carolina we’ve listed below. Some of them might even surprise you.

  1. One of the oldest tress in the country, the Angel Oak, is located in Charleston, South Carolina. It’s estimated to be around 500 years old.
  2. More than 67% of South Carolina is covered by forests.
  3. A mysterious circle of 4,000-year-old shells is situated on Hilton Head Island. It’s known as the Sea Pines Shell Ring.
  4. The world’s hottest pepper, the Carolina Reaper pepper, is grown in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
  5. South Carolina is home to the country’s first public lending library, which was established in 1698.
  6. The world’s largest ginkgo farm is located in Sumter, South Carolina. It has approximately 12 million ginkgo trees.
  7. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is known as the “Golf Capital of the World.”
  8. Summerville, South Carolina is the birthplace of sweet tea, one of the South’s most popular drinks. Who are three of the biggest celebrities in South Carolina? Many celebrities are from South Carolina, both living and deceased. From actors and athletes, to singers and comedians, the list is endless. Listed below are three of the biggest celebrities in South Carolina.
  9. James Brown James Brown was born in Barnwell, South Carolina and is known as the “Godfather of Soul.” One of his biggest songs is I Got You (I Feel Good), which was released in 1965.
  10. Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson lived in Columbia, South Carolina during his teenage years and was eventually elected as the 28th president of the United States. He led the United States into World War I, which has been considered the worst catastrophe in U.S. history.
  11. Viola Davis Viola Davis was born in St. Matthews, South Carolina and is known for her role as Aibileen Clark in The Help. If you’ve never seen this award-winning film, consider doing so. It’s based on the novel of the same name and is a great film.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Who doesn’t love a little South Carolina trivia? If you’re one of the many people who do, you’ll love the eight fun facts about South Carolina we’ve listed below. Some of them might even surprise you.

  1. One of the oldest tress in the country, the Angel Oak, is located in Charleston, South Carolina. It’s estimated to be around 500 years old.

  2. More than 67% of South Carolina is covered by forests.

  3. A mysterious circle of 4,000-year-old shells is situated on Hilton Head Island. It’s known as the Sea Pines Shell Ring.

  4. The world’s hottest pepper, the Carolina Reaper pepper, is grown in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

  5. South Carolina is home to the country’s first public lending library, which was established in 1698.

  6. The world’s largest ginkgo farm is located in Sumter, South Carolina. It has approximately 12 million ginkgo trees.

  7. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is known as the “Golf Capital of the World.”

  8. Summerville, South Carolina is the birthplace of sweet tea, one of the South’s most popular drinks.

Who are three of the biggest celebrities in South Carolina?

Many celebrities are from South Carolina, both living and deceased. From actors and athletes, to singers and comedians, the list is endless. Listed below are three of the biggest celebrities in South Carolina.

  1. James Brown

James Brown was born in Barnwell, South Carolina and is known as the “Godfather of Soul.” One of his biggest songs is I Got You (I Feel Good), which was released in 1965.

  1. Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson lived in Columbia, South Carolina during his teenage years and was eventually elected as the 28th president of the United States. He led the United States into World War I, which has been considered the worst catastrophe in U.S. history.

  1. Viola Davis

Viola Davis was born in St. Matthews, South Carolina and is known for her role as Aibileen Clark in The Help. If you’ve never seen this award-winning film, consider doing so. It’s based on the novel of the same name and is a great film.