With hometown celebrities and iconic movies and TV shows filmed right in our neighborhoods, the Richmond Region has more star power than many visitors realize. Whether you're a pop-culture superfan or simply love discovering something new about the places you visit, here’s your guide to a few of the famous people and big-screen moments that make the region shine.
Famous People from the Region
Constance Wu
Actress
Actress Constance Wu (pictured left), known for standout roles in Crazy Rich Asians, Fresh Off the Boat, and Hustlers, grew up in Henrico County and attended Douglas S. Freeman High School. Before becoming a Hollywood favorite, she performed in local youth theaters and first fell in love with acting on stages throughout the Richmond Region. She also held her very first job at Montana Gold Bread Co. in Carytown, a beloved local bakery where visitors can grab a fresh loaf and experience a small slice of Wu’s early Richmond story.
Jenny Han
Writer and Director
Beloved YA creator Jenny Han (pictured right)— the mind behind To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Summer I Turned Pretty — was raised in Henrico County and attended Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. Her heartfelt, emotionally rich storytelling has become a global phenomenon, with books adapted into wildly popular films and TV series that resonate with readers and viewers of all ages.
D'Angelo
Musician
Before becoming a Grammy-winning R&B icon, D’Angelo (pictured left) was a kid growing up in South Richmond, soaking up the music and culture that would later shape the sound of neo-soul. His early years in local churches and community spaces helped define the raw, expressive style heard in Brown Sugar, Voodoo, and beyond.
Jason Mraz
Musician
Internationally loved singer-songwriter Jason Mraz (pictured right), whose hits like “I’m Yours” and “Lucky” top playlists worldwide, grew up in Mechanicsville and attended Hanover County Public Schools. Known for his sunny sound and positive spirit, Mraz often credits his Virginia upbringing with grounding his creativity and shaping his artistic outlook. You can even visit where Jason Mraz was married in 2015 at Historic Polegreen Church in Hanover County.
Shirley Maclaine & Warren Beatty
Actress & Actor/Director
Richmond-born siblings Shirley MacLaine (pictured left) and Warren Beatty (pictured right) both launched Hollywood careers from their early roots in the Bellevue neighborhood before the family moved to Arlington, VA. Academy Award–winner Shirley MacLaine became known for her bold performances in iconic films such as Terms of Endearment, Steel Magnolias, and The Apartment, earning a reputation as a trailblazer on stage and screen. Her brother, Warren Beatty, has spent more than six decades shaping American cinema as an actor, director, writer, and producer, receiving widespread acclaim for works including Bonnie & Clyde, Bugsy, and his Academy Award–winning direction of Reds. Their shared Richmond origins add a surprising and fascinating connection for visitors and film fans.
Arthur Ashe
Tennis Player and Humanitarian
Tennis champion and global humanitarian Arthur Ashe (pictured left) grew up in Richmond’s Brookfield neighborhood before becoming one of the most influential athletes in sports history. His impact reaches far beyond the tennis world, reflecting a lifelong commitment to advocacy, education, and civil rights. Visitors can stop by his monument on Monument Avenue and explore attractions that celebrate his legacy—such as the Black History Museum & Cultural Center, where his contributions to social progress are honored, and the Arthur Ashe mural at the Henrico Sports & Events Center, a tribute that connects his Richmond Region roots to his enduring global influence.
Maggie L. Walker
Bank President
Richmonder Maggie L. Walker (pictured right) was a pioneering business leader and the first African American woman in the United States to found and serve as president of a bank. A central figure in Jackson Ward — once known as the “Harlem of the South” — Walker championed economic empowerment, civil rights, and opportunity for African American families. Today, visitors can explore her beautifully preserved Jackson Ward home, a National Historic Site that offers an immersive look into her extraordinary life, or just a short distance away, visit the Walker Memorial Plaza and Monument on Broad Street that celebrates her enduring legacy in the Richmond Region.
Vince Gilligan
TV Show Writer
Born in the Richmond Region and educated at L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield County, Vince Gilligan (pictured left) is the creative force behind Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, two of the most celebrated television dramas of all time. Before that, he wrote groundbreaking episodes of The X-Files, shaping some of the show’s most memorable storylines. Gilligan still raves about Brock’s BBQ in Chesterfield County—a must-try spot for visitors looking for classic local flavor—and fondly recalls childhood visits to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, one of the country’s top art museums and a can’t-miss stop for art lovers.
Lucy Dacus
Musician
Indie rock star Lucy Dacus (pictured right), praised for her thoughtful lyrics and soaring vocals, grew up in Mechanicsville and attended Maggie Walker Governor’s School. She has earned international acclaim both as a solo artist and as a member of the supergroup boygenius, performing on major stages across the world. Despite her growing fame, Dacus speaks warmly of Richmond and often returns to local venues that visitors can catch a show at, including Brown’s Island, Altria Theater, and The Camel.
Movies & TV Shows Filmed in the Region
Lincoln (2012)
Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln transformed Richmond into 1860s Washington, D.C., using the region’s remarkable historic architecture to bring the Civil War era to life. The Richmond Region became one of the film’s most important backdrops, and fans exploring the city today will instantly recognize several of its most memorable settings, each one tied to Daniel Day-Lewis’ Oscar-winning portrayal of Abraham Lincoln. Visitors can stand where history and Hollywood meet at filming locations such as the Virginia State Capitol, Shockoe Bottom, Maymont, and the House of Delegates chambers.
Swagger (2021-2013)
Apple TV+’s Swagger turned the Richmond Region into a dynamic backdrop, spotlighting real neighborhoods and landmarks that visitors can explore for themselves. The series filmed at Maymont—an ideal family stop with wildlife exhibits and scenic gardens—as well as along the riverfront at Rocketts Landing and through the historic streets of Jackson Ward and Shockoe Bottom. Northside’s classic residential charm and dramatic city views from the Mayo Bridge and the Richmond Floodwall also make memorable appearances. Fans can even walk the campus of Virginia Union University, another key filming location rich with history.
Dopesick (2021)
The award-winning Hulu drama Dopesick wove several Richmond Region landmarks into its storytelling, grounding key scenes in some of the region’s most iconic sites that fans can explore firsthand. Filming took place at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, one of the East Coast’s premier art museums and a top regional attraction, as well as at the Virginia War Memorial, where visitors can experience sweeping skyline views and moving tributes to veterans. The show also features the scenic Riverfront Canal Walk, perfect for riverside strolls, public art, and historic markers.
Loving (2016)
The Oscar-nominated film Loving, the story of Mildred and Richard Loving’s landmark Supreme Court case, was filmed in neighborhoods across the Richmond Region. Areas like Union Hill and historic rural backroads appear throughout the movie, which visitors can explore firsthand and even stop for a meal at nearby Union Market, a favorite Union Hill café and neighborhood hangout, to make their on-location experience even more memorable.
Harriet (2019)
The biographical drama Harriet, starring Cynthia Erivo, was filmed entirely in Virginia, with the Richmond Region playing a significant role in bringing Harriet Tubman’s story to the screen. Scenes shot at Three Lakes Park and Nature Center helped create the film’s natural, immersive setting, blending local landscapes with powerful historical storytelling. Visitors can explore the same serene surroundings today, walking the park’s nature paths and visiting the Nature Center to experience firsthand one of the film’s most atmospheric locations.
Homeland: Season 7
Season 7 of Homeland brought Hollywood excitement to the Richmond Region, filming at standout locations across Virginia. The production used iconic backdrops such as The Jefferson Hotel, the State Capitol, and the charming streets of the Fan and Northside neighborhoods. While filming, cast members, like Claire Danes, were frequently spotted enjoying RVA like locals, from grabbing treats at Proper Pie Co. in Church Hill and shopping at Ellwood Thompson’s in Carytown. Visitors can follow in their footsteps, experiencing many of the same RVA favorites that helped bring the season to life.
The Richmond Region’s star power is woven into every corner of our community — and now it’s your turn to experience it! Start planning your trip today and explore the places, stories, and scenes that make the Richmond Region shine.
