Asheville has a way of drawing artists, storytellers, and originals into its orbit.
Some were born here. Some grew up here. Some built a life here or found creative footing here. Others helped shape the story of this mountain city long before it became known for live music, bold ideas, and a culture that does not fit neatly in a box. From hometown standouts to history-making icons, these are some of the best-known people connected to Asheville and the wider area.
Which musicians have ties to Asheville?
Warren Haynes
Warren Haynes is one of the most recognizable musicians connected to Asheville. Known for Gov’t Mule, the Allman Brothers Band, and the Dead, he has also helped shape one of Asheville’s most beloved music traditions through the annual Christmas Jam. His connection to the city runs deeper than name recognition; it is part of the rhythm of Asheville’s live music story.
Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight has long been associated with the Asheville area, bringing one of the most iconic voices in American music into western North Carolina’s orbit. Known as the “Empress of Soul,” she built her legacy through R&B, soul, and a career that also reached into acting.
Luke Combs
Before he became one of country music’s biggest stars, Luke Combs grew up in Asheville. His rise from local roots to multi-platinum success gives the city a hometown connection to one of the most prominent voices in modern country music.
Roberta Flack
Roberta Flack was born in Black Mountain, giving the Asheville area a lasting connection to one of the most celebrated singers and songwriters of her generation. Her work crossed jazz, soul, R&B, and folk, and her place in music history remains secure.
David Holt
David Holt has called the Asheville area home since the late 1960s. A four-time Grammy winner known for traditional American music, storytelling, and extraordinary banjo playing, he has spent decades helping preserve and share the sounds of Southern Appalachia.
Which actors and entertainers are connected to Asheville?
Steve Martin
Steve Martin is known worldwide as a comedian, actor, and writer, but he also has a strong musical side that fits naturally with western North Carolina. The accomplished banjo player has long been connected to nearby Brevard, making him part of the broader creative landscape of the Asheville area.
Bellamy Young
Bellamy Young was born and raised in Asheville before studying at Yale and launching her acting career. She is best known for playing Mellie Grant on Scandal, and her success gives Asheville a homegrown connection to a standout television performer.
Harry Anderson
Harry Anderson, beloved for Night Court, moved to Asheville from New Orleans and spent his final years here. Best known as an actor and magician, he was drawn to the city’s positive atmosphere and mountain setting.
Bernard Goldberg
Award-winning journalist Bernard Goldberg has also been tied to Asheville. With a long career in television journalism and commentary, he adds another well-known name to the city’s wide-ranging cultural connections.
Andie MacDowell
Andie MacDowell has Asheville-area ties that stretch from childhood time in Arden to later years in Biltmore Forest. Her connection gives the region a link to a film star whose career has spanned decades.
Adam Copeland
Professional wrestler and actor Adam Copeland, known to many fans as Edge, has spoken openly about what drew him to Asheville. After spending time in the city, he was won over by the arts, the culture, the mountains, and the seasons—qualities that tend to leave a strong impression on first-time visitors and longtime fans alike.
Which historic figures helped shape Asheville’s story?
George Vanderbilt
George Vanderbilt envisioned and created America's largest home, the Biltmore House. An heir to the Vanderbilt fortune, George could have built his dream home anywhere. He chose Asheville after falling in love with the area during his travels here. George employed the talent of Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmsted to design his ultimate home. Although the home was not yet complete, he opened his doors to friends and family on Christmas Eve in 1895. With 250 rooms, George was constantly entertaining guests with state-of-the-art accommodations on his 125,000-acre estate. Today you can experience this architectural wonder by visiting Biltmore.
Zelda Fitzgerald
Zelda Fitzgerald spent the last twelve years of her life in Asheville, seeking refuge from her notoriously turbulent relationship with the famous writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Zelda, known for her free spirit and captivating beauty, died tragically in a fire in the hospital where she was institutionalized in 1948. An icon of the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties, Zelda's vibrant energy seems to flow through the city to this day. You'll find a little bit of Zelda anywhere music moves people, which happens all over Asheville on a nightly basis.
Thomas Wolfe
Thomas Wolfe was a famous American novelist of the early 20th century, born and raised in Asheville. His boyhood home is now the Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site, a museum that offers a glimpse into that time period. His legacy is also evident in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in the Harrah's Cherokee Center, which has hosted artists from Phish to Phil Lesh. Wolfe's writing was often based on his own life, containing specific references to individuals from Asheville in his day. Asheville's natural setting and interesting characters were the perfect combination to brew the kind of stories that Americans could relate to.
Which well-known people have been spotted in Asheville?
Over the years, Asheville has welcomed plenty of recognizable faces. Film casts have come through for major productions, musicians have spent time here between performances, and actors, comedians, and athletes have all found their way to the mountains. Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, and Eugene Levy were in town with the cast of Summer Camp. Miranda Lambert, Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Lopez, Debra Messing, Bryan Cranston, James Franco, and Dave Chappelle have also been among the familiar names seen around Asheville.
The city has also hosted Woody Harrelson, Jude Law, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, and the Avett Brothers, along with cast members from Masterminds, The World Made Straight, and The Hunger Games, including Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and Amandla Stenberg. It is the kind of place where a big-screen production, a live show, and a quiet weekend in the Blue Ridge can all overlap.
