Famous people from Wilmington, NC

Wilmington, North Carolina is known as one of the best beach towns along the Carolina Coast. As a matter of fact, many people travel to the city to escape the unforgiving cold winter months. The city is also a top getaway location during holiday seasons and features a lot of family-friendly activities and events for all to enjoy. Local hotels and other accommodation facilities offer discount rates and Snowbird specials for those guests that are looking to enjoy an extended stay in the city. This makes the city both fun and affordable.

Apart from its beauty and attractions, Wilmington also boasts of being home to some famous individuals who have made a name for themselves by achieving great things. Below is a list of some of the most celebrated famous people from Wilmington, NC who have at one point or another lived in this clandestine community.

Sugar Ray Leonard

Born as Ray Charles Leonard in the mid-1950s, Leonard is a renowned motivational speaker and former professional boxer. Leonard was born in North Carolina’s Wilmington city and named after his mother’s favorite singer, the legendary Ray Charles. Despite being a native of Wilmington, Leonard grew up and went to school in Washington, D.C.

He started practicing boxing at a very tender age. He participated in his first competitive fight at 16 years in the lightweight division of the AAU Tournament. Although he lost this fight, he went on to become a sensation in the boxing world in the 80s together with the likes of Roberto Durán and Marvin Hagler. During this period, he was named the best boxer/fighter in the boxing industry by several popular magazines. He is mostly remembered for winning two gold medals on the international stage during his time in the Light welterweight category. He fought his last professional fight in 1997 against a much younger Camacho. Over two decades later, Leonard is still considered one of the best and most successful professional boxers of all time.

Charlie Daniels

Daniels is a living legend in the Country music industry who is popularly known for his many successful hits including “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”. Daniels who was born and raised in Wilmington, NC is currently a member of four different music halls of fame.

Caterina Jarboro

The late Caterina Jarboro was born in the beautiful metropolis of Wilmington, NC. She is remembered for being the first woman of color to get a leading role in an otherwise all-white opera performance, way before the famous Marian Anderson.

Other popular people from this beautiful coastal city include actress Briana Laurel Venskus, writer Betsy Thornton, actress Jessica Stoyadinovich, writer/columnist Peggy Payne and of course basketball superstar Michael Jordan.

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