Notable Natives of Newport News

Newport News is proud to have nurtured extraordinary talent across music, sports, arts, politics, and more. From groundbreaking leaders to Grammy winners and sports legends, these individuals have left an indelible mark on their fields while showcasing the spirit and excellence of our city.

  • Ella Fitzgerald  - Jazz singer, "First Lady of Song" and "Queen of Jazz"
  • Walter Bowser - Huntington High School quarterback, multi-sport athlete, and the state's first black player of the year selected by the Virginia Sports Writers and Sportscasters Association
  •  Pearl Bailey  - Actress and singer
  • Doris Miller - U.S. Navy cook awarded the Navy Cross, namesake for the Doris Miller Community Center
  •  L. Marion Fleming-Poe  - First African-American woman lawyer in Virginia
  •  Elder Anderson Johnson  - Folk artist with a permanent exhibit at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
  •  Thaddeus Hayes  - Legendary dancer who is the namesake of the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center Thaddeus Hayes Dance studio
  • Jessie Rattley - Former Mayor of Newport News; First African American to be elected to Newport News City Council
  • Robert (Bobby) Scott - U.S. Representative for Virginia's 3rd Congressional District
  • Mike Tomlin - Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers; Super Bowl winner
  • Antoine Bethea - Former safety for the Indianapolis Colts; Super Bowl winner
  • Aaron Brooks - Former quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders
  • Michael Vick - Former quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles
  • Victor Wooten - Musician; Bassist for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones; Winner of 5 Grammy Awards
  • Joseph Wooten - Musician; Keyboardist for the Steve Miller Band
  • Roy Wooten (Future Man) - Musician; Drummer and user of the "Drumitar" - a guitar synthesizer customized to make percussion sounds
  •  Leroy Keyes  - Virginia Sports Hall of Famer and 2-time All-American at Purdue