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176 notable alumni U.S. News #8

Notable Alumni of Duke University

Notable alumni of Duke University include Richard Nixon (37th President of the United States), Ron Paul (Former congressman, physician, three-time presidential candidate) and Melinda Gates (Philanthropist who joined Microsoft in 1987).

College data and admissions

Alumni list

Politics and law

Business

Science and academia

Arts and media

  • William Styron 1925–2006

    Novelist and essayist, Pulitzer Prize winner

    Licentiate · English-language literature · Class of 1947

    Also attended: Davidson College

    Spouse: Rose Styron (Johns Hopkins University, Wellesley College)

    Child: Alexandra Styron (Barnard College, Columbia University in the City of New York)

  • Anne Tyler 1941–

    Novelist, author of Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant

    Bachelor of Arts

    Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

  • Jared Harris 1961–

    English actor, son of Richard Harris

  • Ken Jeong 1969–

    Actor and comedian in The Hangover films

    Also attended: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  • John W. Campbell 1910–1971

    Science fiction writer and editor

    Also attended: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  • Ken Wilber 1949–

    Writer who developed integral theory

  • Annabeth Gish 1971–

    Actress in Mystic Pizza and Double Jeopardy

  • Mike Posner 1988–

    Singer, songwriter and record producer

  • Jack Coleman 1958–

    Actor known for Dynasty and Heroes

  • Sara Danius 1962–2019

    Swedish literary critic and scholar

    Doctorate · Class of 1997

  • Russell Kirk 1918–1994

    Political theorist, author of The Conservative Mind

    Also attended: Michigan State University

  • Kara DioGuardi 1970–

    Songwriter, record producer and singer

    Father: Joe DioGuardi (Fordham University)

  • Charlie Rose 1942–

    Journalist and talk show host

    Attended until 1968

  • Steven Pressfield 1943–

    Author of The Legend of Bagger Vance and The War of Art

  • Stephanie Niznik 1967–2019

    Actress best known for Everwood

  • Retta 1970–

    Comedian and actress, Donna in Parks and Recreation

    Bachelor of Science · Pre-medical · Class of 1992

  • Randall Wallace 1949–

    Screenwriter and director of Braveheart

  • Lois Duncan 1934–2016

    Young-adult fiction writer

    Also attended: University of New Mexico-Main Campus

  • Jayne Brook 1960–

    Actress known for Chicago Hope and The District

  • David Drake 1945–2023

    Science fiction and fantasy author

    Also attended: University of Iowa

  • Ryan Carnes 1982–

    Actor known for General Hospital

  • MatPat 1986–

    Creator of YouTube series Game Theorists

  • Ayda Field 1979–

    Actress and judge on British The X Factor

  • Creed Taylor 1929–2022

    Record producer, founder of CTI Records

  • Rita Volk 1990–

    Uzbek-American actress

  • Sean Flynn 1941–1971

    Photojournalist known for Vietnam War coverage

  • Bailey Chase 1972–

    Actor known for Longmire and Saving Grace

  • Stan Kirsch 1968–2020

    Actor, screenwriter, director and acting coach

  • Les Brown 1912–2001

    American jazz bandleader

  • Robert Yeoman 1951–

    Cinematographer and longtime Wes Anderson collaborator

    Bachelor of Arts

    Also attended: University of Southern California

  • Frank G. Slaughter 1908–2001

    Novelist and physician whose books sold over 60 million

    Also attended: Johns Hopkins University

  • Richard Zimler 1956–

    Novelist translated into over 20 languages

    Also attended: Stanford University

  • Princess Al Mayassa bint Hamad of Qatar 1983–

    Qatari royal, museum chair and art curator

    Bachelor's degree · Literary studies, Political science

    Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

    Sibling: Princess Hind bint Hamad of Qatar (Duke University)

    Sibling: Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (Georgetown University, Harvard University)

  • Spencer Garrett 1963–

    Actor in Air Force One and Public Enemies

    Also attended: Fordham University

  • Ting-Ting Hu 1979–

    Taiwanese actress

  • Judy Woodruff 1946–

    Former anchor of PBS NewsHour

    Bachelor of Arts

    Also attended: Meredith College, University of Pennsylvania

    Spouse: Al Hunt (Wake Forest University)

  • Melissa Harris-Perry 1973–

    Professor and former MSNBC host

    Also attended: Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, Wake Forest University

  • Martin Kratt 1965–

    Zoologist and educational nature show host

    Sibling: Chris Kratt (Carleton College)

  • Dan Abrams 1966–

    Media entrepreneur, television host and lawyer

    Bachelor of Arts

    Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York

    Father: Floyd Abrams (Yale University, Cornell University)

Sports

  • Kyrie Irving 1992–

    NBA player, first overall pick in 2011

  • Jayson Tatum 1998–

    NBA player for the Boston Celtics

  • Luol Deng 1985–

    Two-time NBA All-Star basketball player

    Sibling: Ajou Deng (University of Connecticut)

  • Grant Hill 1972–

    Former NBA player; Atlanta Hawks co-owner

    Father: Calvin Hill (Yale University)

  • Carlos Boozer 1981–

    Former professional basketball player

  • Elton Brand 1979–

    Former NBA player, first overall pick in 1999 draft

  • Ibtihaj Muhammad 1985–

    Sabre fencer, Olympic team bronze medalist

  • Zion Williamson 2000–

    NBA power forward for the New Orleans Pelicans

  • Christian Laettner 1969–

    Former professional basketball player, Duke star

  • JJ Redick 1984–

    Head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers

  • Brandon Ingram 1997–

    NBA player, 2020 Most Improved Player

  • Shane Battier 1978–

    Former NBA player and Duke standout

  • Adam Silver 1962–

    Fifth and current NBA commissioner

    Also attended: University of Chicago

  • Seth Curry 1990–

    NBA player, last played for the Golden State Warriors

    Attended until 2013

    Also attended: Liberty University

    Father: Dell Curry (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

    Sibling: Wardell Stephen Curry II (Davidson College)

  • Cooper Flagg 2006–

    NBA player, first overall pick in 2025 draft

    Attended until 2025

  • Jahlil Okafor 1995–

    Professional basketball player, Duke 2015 champion

  • Jabari Parker 1995–

    Basketball player, 2014 NBA draft second pick

    Attended until 2014

    Father: Sonny Parker (Mineral Area College, Texas A & M University-College Station)

  • Justise Winslow 1996–

    Basketball player, 2015 NCAA champion with Duke

    Father: Rickie Winslow (University of Houston)

  • RJ Barrett 2000–

    Canadian basketball player for the Toronto Raptors

    Father: Rowan Barrett (St John's University (NY))

  • Nancy Hogshead-Makar 1962–

    Swimmer, three-time gold medalist at 1984 Olympics

    Also attended: Georgetown University

  • Mason Plumlee 1990–

    NBA center

    Sibling: Miles Plumlee (Duke University)

    Sibling: Marshall Plumlee (Duke University)

  • Mike Dunleavy Jr. 1980–

    Golden State Warriors general manager, former player

    Father: Mike Dunleavy Sr. (University of South Carolina-Columbia)

  • Grayson Allen 1995–

    NBA player, Duke 2015 national champion

    Attended until 2018

  • Austin Rivers 1992–

    Former NBA player and ESPN analyst

    Father: Doc Rivers (Marquette University)

    Sibling: Jeremiah Rivers (Georgetown University)

  • Gerald Henderson Jr. 1987–

    Former NBA player over eight seasons

    Father: Gerald Henderson (Virginia Commonwealth University)

  • Miles Plumlee 1988–

    Former pro basketball player, 2010 Duke national champion

    Sibling: Marshall Plumlee (Duke University)

    Sibling: Mason Plumlee (Duke University)

  • Quinn 1995–

    Canadian soccer midfielder for the national team

  • Marvin Bagley III 1999–

    NBA player for the Denver Nuggets

    Sibling: Marcus Bagley (Arizona State University-Tempe)

  • Trajan Langdon 1976–

    Detroit Pistons basketball president, former player

  • Kyle Singler 1988–

    Former pro basketball player, Duke 2010 champion

    Sibling: E. J. Singler (University of Oregon)

  • Jessica Springsteen 1991–

    Show jumper, 2020 Olympic team silver medalist

    Mother: Patti Scialfa (University of Miami, New York University)

  • Dahntay Jones 1980–

    Former NBA player, Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach

    Also attended: Rutgers University-New Brunswick

  • Toni Payne 1995–

    Nigeria international women's footballer and forward

    Political science

    Sibling: Nicole Payne (West Virginia University)

  • Cam Reddish 1999–

    Professional basketball player

  • Chris Duhon 1982–

    Former NBA point guard at Duke

  • Karina LeBlanc 1980–

    Canadian women's soccer goalkeeper

  • Josh McRoberts 1987–

    Former NBA player, played for Duke

  • Luke Kennard 1996–

    NBA player, 12th pick in the 2017 draft

  • Shannon Rowbury 1984–

    American middle-distance runner

  • Jalen Johnson 2001–

    NBA player for the Atlanta Hawks

  • Jared McCain 2004–

    Basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Martynas Pocius 1986–

    Lithuanian former basketball player and executive

  • Lance Thomas 1988–

    Former pro basketball player, started for 2010 champion Duke

  • Gary Trent Jr. 1999–

    NBA player for the Milwaukee Bucks

    Father: Gary Trent (Ohio University-Main Campus)

  • Tyus Jones 1996–

    NBA player, 2015 Duke national champion

    Sibling: Tre Jones (Duke University)

  • Corey Maggette 1979–

    Former NBA player and Fox Sports analyst

  • Jay Williams 1981–

    Former NBA player and Duke alumnus

  • Wendell Carter Jr. 1999–

    NBA player for the Orlando Magic

  • Quinn Cook 1993–

    Professional basketball player, Duke alumnus

  • Kon Knueppel 2005–

    NBA player for the Charlotte Hornets

  • Shelden Williams 1983–

    Former NBA player, Duke alumnus

    Spouse: Candace Parker (The University of Tennessee-Knoxville)

  • Abby Johnston 1989–

    Diver, 2012 Olympic synchronized springboard silver medalist

  • Rebecca Ward 1990–

    Sabre fencer, two-time bronze medalist at 2008 Olympics

  • Phillip King 1981–

    Taipei-born professional tennis player

  • Marcus Stroman 1991–

    Major League Baseball pitcher

    Bachelor of Arts · Class of 2016

  • Tre Jones 2000–

    NBA player for the Chicago Bulls

    Sibling: Tyus Jones (Duke University)

  • Jay Bilas 1963–

    ESPN college basketball analyst, former Duke player

Other fields

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 Duke University (people who attended both).