Lake Norman is a beautiful area with a multitude of ways to spend quality time with your loved ones, or just get away from reality for a while. While Charlotte is a big city providing the glitz and glamour at times, the lakeside of Charlotte, Lake Norman, is home to many celebrities and household names. You never know who you might run into during your time in the area, whether you call Lake Norman home or you are just stopping in. From sports stars to familiar Hollywood faces, you might run into a celebrity at a stoplight or just eating lunch. By far the biggest celebrity name in the Lake Norman area is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan. MJ returned back to his roots, buying a lake-front home in Cornelius back in 2012. One of Jordan's best friends and a top-notch NASCAR driver, Denny Hamlin, also resides in Cornelius. 

NASCAR

Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan have created a new racing team, 23XI Racing, which will feature Bubba Wallace in the NASCAR Cup Series. They announced plans to build the team headquarters in Huntersville. The mixed-use project will include commercial space, 300 apartments, a hotel and flex space.

The Lake Norman area is home to an abundance of NASCAR drivers as it's close to Charlotte, the home of racing. There are many drivers that currently live or have lived on or around the lake. Brad Keselowski is no stranger to the area as he's even held an autograph session at the Galway Hooker Irish Pub.

Dale Earnhart Jr. owns a 200-acre home right outside of Mooresville, which puts the NASCAR star close to the heart of Lake Norman. Other popular names in the racing world like Justin Haley, Tony Stewart, and reigning Cup Series champion Kyle Busch have lived on Lake Norman.

You might have seen Michael Waltrip on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, but you can catch him around the lake as well. The Joe Gibbs Racing Fan Fest happens the Friday before the Fall races where you can get autographs from the JGR team. Other notable drivers that have been seen around the area include Kasey Kahne, Danica Patrick, Rusty Wallace, Joey Logano, and Chris Buescher. You never know, you might happen to pull up beside them at a stoplight!

 

23XI Racing Car

Bubba Wallace (Left) & Denny Hamlin (Right) 

Brad Keselowski greeting fans at Little Big Burger

Brad Keselowski at Galway Hooker Irish Pub

 

 

Movies & TV shows filmed Around Lake Norman

Airing on CMT, Racing Wives provides a spotlight into the personal lives of some of the most popular NASCAR drivers including Kyle and Kurt Busch and their spouses. You're able see how their wives balance their lives between supporting their husbands and family with achieving their own personal dreams. Whitney Ward Dillon and aspiring race car driver, Amber Balcaen, are also featured in the show. 

Celebs in LKN

Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights

Careful What You Wish For (2016) featuring Nick Jonas, is another movie filmed in the area. Fans spotted him in several different restaurants around Birkdale Village. He frequented Bad Daddy's Burger Bar so often, they even offered a Slick Nick Burger for a limited time! In case you were wondering, the delicious turkey burger came on a whole wheat bun with Monterey Jack Cheese, Jalapeno Bacon, Fried Egg, lettuce, and pickles. The Lakefront Bargain Hunt airs on HGTV and features episodes on Lake Norman during Season 3 Ep. 2 and Season 10 Ep. 12.

The Today Show on NBC did a special following meteorologist Dylan Driver last year on her vacation here in Lake Norman. While staying in Lake Norman, they enjoyed the beautiful area and enjoyed a boat ride with some tubing with Captain Matt from Carolina Cruising Charters. Dylan Driver continuously bragged about the fantastic beauty this area has to offer! Carolina Cruising Charters was also featured on both Jersey Shore Family Vacation and Netflix's Formula 1 series: Drive to Survive. 

F1Drive to Survive: Party Pontoon FeatureParty Pontoon Featured on F1: Drive to Survive

Will Ferrell and John C. Reily starred in the comedy hit Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, which featured Ricky Bobby's dreamhouse that can be found by the waters of Lake Norman. Scenes were filmed on the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, as well as in the Speedway Club restaurant that overlooks the 1.5-mile oval. The infamous dream house Ricky Bobby wants can be found by the waters of Lake Norman.

Other notable movies and shows include American Animals, Shots Fired, Homeland, and Paper Towns.

Nick Jonas Birkdale

Nick Jonas at Bad Daddy's in Birkdale Village
 
 
 
 
Party Pontoon Feature on Jersey ShoreParty Pontoon Featured on Jersey Shore
 

 

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Jessica Chastain in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye"

 

Jessica Chastain won an Academy Award in 2022 for best actress playing Tammy Faye Baker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, but a lakeside home on Peninsula Club Drive used in the film stole the show. Scenes were filmed all throughout the Greater Charlotte region, including Lake Norman. The iconic home where Tammy Faye chats with her mother in a "relaxation room" can be found in Cornelius overlooking the lake.

 

Football

Former West Virginia Mountaineers and former Carolina Panthers QB Will Grier, and his brothers, Nash and Hayes, all grew up in the town of Davidson. Nash and Hayes Grier were one of the most popular "Viners" just a few years ago! Other popular names include the legendary NFL coach, Marty Schottenheimer who's a homeowner on Lake Norman, and the late Reggie White who passed away in his home in the Peninsula in Cornelius.

New and upcoming star, Drake Maye, is a talented American football quarterback who gained attention for his impressive performances in high school at both William A. Hough High School and Myers Park. He then went on to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels in college, showcasing strong passing abilities and leadership on the field. Known for his accuracy and arm strength, Maye has been a promising prospect in football circles. This past April, Maye was picked for the NFL draft to join the New England Patriots which marked a new chapter in his football career. 

Basketball

The Curry family grew up in the area with the father, Dell Curry, playing for the Charlotte Hornets in the 1990s. His sons, Stephen and Seth Curry have become local heroes, with Steph being a 2-time MVP and Davidson Wildcat Legend. He returns to Davidson at least once a year and still lives by the mantra set by Davidson College basketball head coach Bob McKillop to this day.

Charlotte Hornets star, LaMelo Ball has been spotted attending a Lake Norman Christian's basketball game in Huntersville. Former Boston Celtics star and NBA Hall of Famer Robert Parish owns a home in Cornelius, fitting right in at the Peninsula along with Michael Jordan and Joe Gibbs.

 

Notable Appearances

Reese Witherspoon and Emma Roberts have both ate at the nationally renowned, Kindred Restaurant. Witherspoon happened to be in Charlotte for a book tour and had to try Kindred! You might say she's getting pretty familiar with Davidson as she even posted a photo of her reading local Davidson author Megan Miranda's book, The Last Guest House. Miranda's book was selected as the book of the month for Witherspoon's Book Club!

Main Street Books hosts many authors each year during book tours which gives avid readers a chance to meet & greet them. Some even come out with autographed books. Davidson College has brought along several notable guest speakers including Susan Rice, former United Nations Ambassador and National Security Adviser to Former President Obama. 

 

Emma Roberts

Emma Roberts at Kindred's
Hometown Natives

Luke Combs

One of today's biggest country stars in the industry. Luke Combs was born in Huntersville on March 2, 1990. Luke spent his adolescent years in this small town, which played a big role in shaping his character and musical aspirations. He later on attended Appalachian State University and was discovered in a local Boone bar.

 

Renee Rapp 

A native of the town of Huntersville quickly became a popular figure in the entertainment industry. Renee Rapp attended Hopewell High School and North West School of the Arts, where she was an active member of the school's theater programs. Renee won Best Performance at the 2018 Jimmy Award by an Actress, representing The Blumey Awards. She soon began to gain recognition for her compelling voice, leading her to Broadway where she was cast as Regina George in Mean Girls the Musical. She is now known as a promising new voice in the pop music industry with her Album Snow Angel being rated 44 on US Billboard's Top 200. 

 

renee rapp blumeys

 

Renne Rapp-Huntersville native

Renee Rapp at the 2018 Blumey Awards 

As you can see, many famous celebrities and sports stars have visited the lakeside of Charlotte or even called Lake Norman their home. You never know what household name you might see dining around the lake or NASCAR drivers holding autograph sessions. A trip to Lake Norman might end up giving you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see your favorite celebrity up close and personal! If you do, don't forget to tag us @visitlakenorman on social media!