Grammy-winning artist J. Cole, shown here at his alma mater Terry Sanford High School in 2012, was raised in Fayetteville.
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Brian Tyree Henry is an Academy Award-nominated actor who graduated from E.E. Smith High School.
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Elizabeth McRae was a three-time Academy Award nominee raised in Fayetteville. She was best known as Lou-Ann Poovie on ‘Gomer Pyle.’
Andrew Craft, The Fayetteville Observer
George Floyd, whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police kicked off a movement and a series of protests against police brutality, was born in Fayetteville. His memorial service was held in Raeford
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J. Harrison Ghee, who was born and raised in Fayetteville and graduated from E.E. Smith High School, won a Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. That win made them the first nonbinary performer to win the category.
Jasper Colt, USA TODAY
Jimmy Herring, shown here in Dec. 9, 2017, is the lead guitarist for Widespread Panic. He’s a Terry Sanford graduate.
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Fayetteville native Vic Blends, who graduated from South View High School, is a celebrity barber whose client list incudes people like Nelly and Lil Baby.
Andrew Craft, The Fayetteville Observer
NBA player Dennis Smith Jr., shown here at his second annual Smithway Youth Basketball Camp in 2023 at E.E. Smith High School, is a Trinity Christian School graduate and Fayetteville native.
Andrew Craft, The Fayetteville Observer
Actor Affion Crockett, shown here at his alma mater Fayetteville State University in 2014, is an actor and comedian known for appearances on ‘MTV’s Wild ‘N Out and ‘A Hip Hop Story.’
Raul R. Rubiera, The Fayetteville Observer
Victoria ‘Porkchop’ Parker is a drag star who grew up in Fayetteville and graduated from E.E. Smith High School. Parker was the first queen to be eliminated on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race.’
Contributed/Photo Provided By Victoria “Porkchop” Parker
Bill Curtis is a hip-hop artist from Fayetteville who is well-known for his performances with the Fatback Band. His song ‘King Tim III (Personality Jock)’ predated the Sugarhill Gang’s ‘Rapper’s Delight.’
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Kansas City Chiefs football player and Fayetteville native Joshua Williams, shown in 20023 at Loyd Auman Elementary School, attended Jack Britt High School and Fayetteville State University.
Andrew Craft, The Fayetteville Observer
Broadway actor, singer and dancer NaTasha Yvette Williams grew up in Fayetteville and graduated from Cape Fear High School. She was nominated for a Tony award in 2023 for her performance in ‘Some Like It Hot.’
Provided By NaTasha Yvette Williams
Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore was born on what is now Fort Liberty, where her father was stationed.
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Fayetteville rapper Morray is shown filming his video for ‘Trenches’ at Westover Recreation Center in 2021.
Andrew Craft, The Fayetteville Observer
Former North Carolina Gov. Terry Sanford, shown here in 1985 with former Fayetteville Mayor Bill Hurley, was a Fayetteville native.
Staff Photo, The Fayetteville Observer
