No matter where you come from, as a student of the University of South Carolina, you can call the Palmetto State your second home.
You may be surprised to find out that South Carolina is also the home state to many well-known celebrities. Whether they were born, raised, or grew up in Columbia or the surrounding areas of this beautiful state, these celebrities are South Carolinians to their cores. Here are a few that may surprise you…
Aziz Ansari
Ansari is most famous for his role on the hit TV show Parks and Recreation along side Amy Poehler, but before this comedian found his way to TV and the big screen in Funny People, I Love You Man, and Observe and Report—just to name a few—he was born in our very own Columbia, South Carolina. Though Ansari’s Indian American family ultimately moved to Bennettsville, where Ansari grew up, he is a true South Carolinian who decided to brace the cold when he graduated from NYU and has since been pursuing his career in acting and stand-up comedy.
Stephen Colbert
Best known for his hit TV show The Colbert Report, which just celebrated it’s final episode after a nine year run, Colbert hails from the great state of South Carolina. Though he wasn’t born here, Colbert was raised in James Island, South Carolina with his ten older siblings. Colbert has had an extremely successful career as a television host, actor, comedian, American political satirist, writer, and producer, along with a number of other titles under his belt. Colbert’s next adventure is to take over as the Late Show host after David Letterman’s retirement in the upcoming year.
Mary-Louise Parker
Just a short drive from Columbia, Parker was born in Fort Jackson, South Carolina and has ties to the army through her father, who served as a judge for the army. Parker is best known for her role in Showtime’s hit television series Weeds, for which she received the honor of a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress back in 2006. Parker has held roles in may other TV series as well, including The West Wing, and even took her talents to Broadway where she won yet another award in 2001- the Tony Award for Best Actress in the play Proof. Parker is a woman of many talents and South Carolina is proud to say she hails from this great state.
Viola Davis
Davis caught the Shonda Rhimes fever when she took on the lead role in Rhimes’ newest project, How to Get Away With Murder, back in September of this year. Davis also received recognition for her incredible work in the book-turned-movie production of The Help back in 2010. However, before the glitz and glam of Davis’ extremely successful career, Davis started her life as a South Carolinian. Davis was born in St. Matthews and her family had a brief stay in the beautiful state before moving up north to Rhode Island where she grew up.
Darius Rucker
Rucker is probably one of the most well-known South Carolinians. Born and raised in Charleston, Rucker often comes back to the his hometown to perform concerts with both his band, Hootie and the Blowfish, as well as a solo act. An alumni of the University of South Carolina, the pure musical genesis that is Hootie and the Blowfish was formed right here at USC. Not long after Rucker’s career took of with Hootie and the Blowfish, Rucker was living in Columbia with his best friend and band mate. Rucker is a proud South Carolinian and South Carolina is always excited to welcome him back to the state with open arms.
These five celebrities are just a few of the many South Carolinians that have taken over the big screen, television and music scene today.
