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From superstars to influential figures, South Carolina is home to many recognizable and influential people. Some have lived in the area for years while others may have only been around briefly, but all have made an impact on the Palmetto state in one way or another. While none are from Walterboro or Colleton County, a number of them claim nearby Charleston as where they were raised, or have a current connection.
Among those who live or have lived in the Palmetto State include:
Darius Rucker
Darius Carlos Rucker initially garnered attention as the frontman and guitarist for the iconic rock band, Hootie & the Blowfish. Having achieved tremendous success in rock, Rucker further extended his reach with a successful career transition into the world of country music.
He was born on May 13, 1966, in Charleston.
Stephen Colbert
Stephen Tyrone Colbert is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host. Colbert is well-recognized for having hosted the spoof show The Colbert Report on Comedy Central from 2005 to 2014, and later taking on CBS’s talk show The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in September 2015. Although he was born in Washington, D.C., he grew up in the Charleston suburb of James Island. Colbert now owns a home on Sullivan’s Island.
Andy Dick
Andrew Roane Dick is a stand-up comedian and comedic actor who achieved fame initially with the iconic, albeit short-lived Fox show, The Ben Stiller Show. He went on to hold a recurring role on NBC’s NewsRadio in the mid-1990s, while also playing a supportive part on the sitcom, Less Than Perfect. He was born Dec. 21, 1965, in Charleston as Andrew Thomlinson and was adopted at birth by Allen and Sue Dick, and renamed Andrew Roane Dick.
Logan Marshall-Green
Logan Marshall-Green is an American actor and director who received much acclaim for his TV and movie roles, including Spider-Man: Homecoming. Although he was born in Charleston, he was raised in Cranston, Rhode Island by his mother, a theater teacher at Brown University.
OTHER SOUTH CAROLINA NATIVES
Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins, famously known by his stage name Jeezy (or Young Jeezy), is an esteemed American rapper who started out his music career in 2001. In his 15-year career, he has produced 10 studio albums. Additionally, he is the leader of the rap group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and formerly a part of Boyz n da Hood.
Jeezy was born on Sept. 28, 1977, in Columbia. When he was a toddler, Jenkins relocated to Atlanta, Ga., where he lived with different family members, as a result of his parents separating.
Andie MacDowell
Rosalie Anderson MacDowell is an American actress and former fashion model. MacDowell is known for her starring film roles in romantic comedies and dramas. She has modeled for Calvin Klein and has been a spokesman for L’Oreal since 1986.
She was born in Gaffney on April 21, 1958. She graduated from Gaffney high school in 1976 then went on to attend Winthrop University for two years before briefly moving to Columbia. After having been spotted by a representative from Wilhelmina Models she signed a modeling contract with elite model management in New York City in 1978.
Dustin Johnson
Dustin Hunter Johnson is an American professional golfer known for winning two major championships: the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in 2016, with an impressive score of 4-under-par 276, and the 2020 Masters Tournament at a record 20-under-par 268.
Johnson was born on June 22, 1984, in Columbia and played collegiate golf at Coastal Carolina University, where he majored in Sports Management.
Monique Coleman
Adrienne Monique Coleman is an American actress known for her role in the High School Musical movies, in which she played Taylor McKessie.
Coleman hails from Orangeburg, where she started acting in theater and television when she was young. After completing her training at the Workshop Theater School of Dramatic Arts and performing in 15-plus plays, Coleman moved to Los Angeles, her current home. Before that, she had attended the Heathwood Hall Episcopal School.
Chris Rock
Christopher Julius Rock is a renowned American stand-up comedian, actor, and movie maker who achieved widespread fame with his rib-tickling wit, engaging topics on race and sexuality, and engaging observational comedy.
Christopher Julius Rock was born in Andrews, but was raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.
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Bill Murray
William James Murray is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and director. After Chevy Chase departed, Bill Murray rose to prominence when he stepped up and became a member of the cast in the second season of Saturday Night Live. In common with many of his SNL colleagues at the time, Murray’s success on television helped him break into the world of movies.
Bill Murray was born and raised in Wilmette, Ill., but has since made Charleston, his permanent residence. With the intent to truly settle in the area, he opened several restaurants and became a co-owner and “director of fun” of the Charleston Riverdogs Baseball Team.
John Mellencamp
John Cougar Mellencamp is a renowned American singer-songwriter renowned for his melodic heartland rock. With 22 Top 40 hits, John Mellencamp has managed to claim the title for most solo tracks to top the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart with a staggering even number one hits. Recognized with a Grammy award among his 13 Grammy nominations.
Mellencamp reportedly has a home on Daufuskie Island.
Danny McBride
Actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer Daniel Richard McBride is most well-known for his leading roles in several HBO series, among these Vice Principals.
Not residing in Los Angeles anymore, McBride shifted his household to Charleston after filming Vice Principals and being enamored with the coastal area. Costars of his have also moved to S.C., with their own families.
Reese Witherspoon
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, a celebrated American performer, is honored with countless recognitions such as an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. Her prominent status as one of the world’s highest-paid actresses has been a staple in the entertainment industry.
Witherspoon can sometimes be spotted in Charleston, shopping along the popular King Street or perusing the Spoleto Festival in the charming downtown. She owns a property on the beach at Sullivan’s Island.
