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152 notable alumni U.S. News #121

Notable Alumni of University of South Carolina-Columbia

Notable alumni of University of South Carolina-Columbia include Lindsey Graham (U.S. senator from South Carolina), Robert F. Furchgott (Nobel Prize-winning biochemist) and Stanley Donen (Film director and choreographer).

College data and admissions

Alumni list

Politics and law

Business

  • Ben Murray-Bruce 1956–

    Nigerian businessman and Silverbird Group founder

  • Bob McNair 1937–2018

    Founding owner of the NFL's Houston Texans

Science and academia

Arts and media

  • Stanley Donen 1924–2019

    Film director and choreographer

  • Jasper Johns 1930–

    Painter and sculptor of postwar American art

  • Mike Colter 1976–

    American actor known as Luke Cage

  • Susan Abulhawa 1970–

    Palestinian-American writer and activist

    Also attended: Pfeiffer University

  • Lilian Garcia 1966–

    WWE ring announcer and singer

  • Cheslie Kryst 1991–2022

    Miss USA 2019 and attorney

    Also attended: Wake Forest University

  • Amos Lee 1978–

    Singer-songwriter blending folk, rock and soul

  • Washed Out 1982–

    Singer, songwriter and record producer

    Also attended: University of Georgia

  • Charles Frazier 1950–

    Novelist, author of Cold Mountain

    Also attended: Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • Albert Mackey 1807–1881

    Physician and writer on freemasonry

  • Darius Rucker 1966–

    Singer-songwriter and Hootie & the Blowfish lead vocalist

  • Toro y Moi 1986–

    Singer-songwriter and producer, chillwave pioneer

  • Henry Harrisse 1829–1910

    Writer, lawyer and historian of America's discovery

  • Bill Oberst, Jr. 1965–

    Stage, film and television actor

  • O'Neal Compton 1951–2019

    Character actor and director

    Also attended: Clemson University

  • Leeza Gibbons 1957–

    Talk show host

  • Frederick Hart 1943–1999

    Sculptor of The Three Servicemen at Vietnam memorial

    Also attended: American University, George Washington University

  • Elizabeth Nelson Adams 1941–2020

    Visual artist, poet and film casting director

    Spouse: Weston Adams (University of South Carolina-Columbia)

    Child: Julian Adams (Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, The University of the South)

  • Andy Duncan 1964–

    Science fiction and fantasy writer

    Also attended: The University of Alabama, North Carolina State University at Raleigh

  • Constantine Manos 1934–2025

    Photographer known for images of Boston and Greece

  • Lauren Michelle Hill 1979–

    Model and actress, Playboy Playmate

    Spouse: Sean Patrick Flanery (Harvard University, University of St. Thomas (TX))

  • Ainsley Earhardt 1976–

    Co-host of Fox & Friends and author

    Bachelor of Arts

    Also attended: Florida State University

    Spouse: Sean Hannity (Adelphi University, New York University)

  • Steve J. Palmer 1975–

    Actor voicing Bill Williamson in Red Dead Redemption

  • Scott Holroyd 1975–

    American actor

    Bachelor of Arts · Journalism, Communication studies

    Spouse: Allison Munn (College of Charleston)

  • Sam Irvin 1956–

    Film and television director and producer

  • Carole Boston Weatherford 1956–

    Author and poet of children's books

  • Peggy Parish 1927–1988

    Children's author of the Amelia Bedelia series

  • Derrick Davenport 1978–

    Model, Playgirl's 2006 Man of the Year

Sports

  • Quincy Hall 1998–

    2024 Olympic 400 metres gold medalist

  • Terrence Trammell 1978–

    Two-time Olympic 110m hurdles silver medalist

  • Lashinda Demus 1983–

    2012 Olympic 400m hurdles gold medalist

  • Bianca Belair 1989–

    WWE professional wrestler

    Also attended: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Texas A & M University-College Station

  • A'ja Wilson 1996–

    Las Vegas Aces WNBA star, five-time MVP

    Attended until 2018

  • Natasha Hastings 1986–

    Sprinter, two-time Olympic relay champion

  • Tonique Williams-Darling 1976–

    Bahamian sprinter, 2004 Olympic 400m champion

    Also attended: University of Georgia

    Spouse: Dennis Darling (University of Houston)

  • Alex English 1954–

    Former professional basketball player and coach

  • Aleen Bailey 1980–

    Jamaican sprinter

  • Clint Mathis 1976–

    Former soccer player who scored at 2002 World Cup

  • Jason Richardson 1986–

    Hurdler, 2011 World Championships 110m hurdles gold medalist

  • Josh Wolff 1977–

    Former soccer player and current coach

  • Lisa Misipeka 1975–

    American Samoan hammer thrower

  • Otis Harris 1982–

    American track and field sprinter

  • Giuliana Olmos 1993–

    Mexican professional tennis player

  • Allisha Gray 1995–

    WNBA player, 2020 Olympic 3x3 basketball gold medalist

    Attended until 2017

    Also attended: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • Sabrina D'Angelo 1993–

    Canada women's national team goalkeeper

  • Shannon Johnson 1974–

    WNBA player and former college head coach

  • Wadeline Jonathas 1998–

    Sprinter, Tokyo Olympics 4×400m relay gold medalist

  • Me'Lisa Barber 1980–

    Sprinter, 2006 World Indoor 60m champion

    Sibling: Mikele Barber (University of South Carolina-Columbia)

  • Chuck Eidson 1980–

    Former professional basketball player

  • Mike Dunleavy Sr. 1954–

    Former basketball player, coach and executive

    Child: Mike Dunleavy Jr. (Duke University)

  • Mikele Barber 1980–

    Sprinter, 2007 World Championships relay gold medalist

    Sibling: Me'Lisa Barber (University of South Carolina-Columbia)

  • P. J. Dozier 1996–

    Professional basketball player

  • Marijonas Petravičius 1979–

    Retired Lithuanian professional basketball player

  • Anthony Gill 1992–

    NBA player for the Washington Wizards

  • Leroy Dixon 1983–

    Sprinter, 2007 World Championships 4×100m relay gold

  • Tarence Kinsey 1984–

    Former NBA player for the Grizzlies and Cavaliers

  • Aliyah Boston 2001–

    WNBA Indiana Fever player, 2023 Rookie of the Year

    Attended until 2023

  • Tiffany Williams 1983–

    Hurdler and two-time US 400m hurdles champion

  • Renaldo Balkman 1984–

    Puerto Rican basketball player, 20th pick in 2006 NBA draft

    Also attended: University of Southern California

  • Chris Silva 1996–

    Gabonese basketball player for Fenerbahçe

  • Charmaine Howell 1975–

    Jamaican 800 metres runner

  • Brian Winters 1952–

    Former basketball player and coach

  • A.J. Lawson 2000–

    Canadian basketball player for Baskonia

  • G. G. Jackson 2004–

    Basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies

  • Rodney Martin 1982–

    Sprinter

  • Josh Awotunde 1995–

    Shot putter, 2025 USA champion

  • Kierre Beckles 1990–

    Barbadian 100m hurdler

  • Jeanelle Scheper 1994–

    Saint Lucian high jumper

  • Kevin Joyce 1951–

    Former professional basketball player

  • Demetria Washington 1979–

    Sprinter, 2003 World Championships 4×400m relay winner

  • Marwan Elkamash 1993–

    Egyptian swimmer and three-time Olympian

    Also attended: Indiana University-Bloomington

    Sibling: Youssef El-Kamash (Grand Canyon University)

  • Ryan Stack 1975–

    Former professional basketball player

  • Adam Everett 1977–

    Former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman

  • Iva Slišković 1984–

    Croatian basketball player

  • Devin Carter 2002–

    NBA player for the Boston Celtics

    Public health

    Also attended: Providence College

    Father: Anthony Carter (Saddleback College, University of Hawaii at Manoa)

  • Chris Warren 1981–

    Panamanian-American former professional basketball player

  • Chelsea Hammond 1983–

    Jamaican long jumper, 2008 Olympian

  • Jaycee Horn 1999–

    Cornerback for the NFL's Carolina Panthers

  • Dan Reeves 1944–2022

    NFL running back and coach in nine Super Bowls

  • Stephon Gilmore 1990–

    Former NFL cornerback

  • Keith Vitali 1952–

    Karate champion and actor in Wheels on Meals

  • Charlie Weis 1956–

    American football coach

    Also attended: University of Notre Dame, University of Notre Dame -

Other fields

  • Zig Ziglar 1926–2012

    Motivational speaker, author and sales trainer

    Also attended: Hinds Community College

  • Joseph Bernardin 1928–1996

    Catholic cardinal, Archbishop of Chicago

    Also attended: Catholic University of America

  • Rocco Reed 1982–

    Pastor and former adult film actor

  • Dawn Brancheau 1969–2010

    SeaWorld orca trainer

  • William Jones Boone 1811–1864

    First Episcopal missionary bishop of China

From Wikidata “educated at” records (including people who attended without graduating), ordered by the number of Wikipedia language editions. Degrees and years follow Wikidata and are left out where it has none.

Alumni network

Colleges that share the most alumni with University of South Carolina-Columbia (people who attended both).