We have a rich history of celebrities that’ve come out of The Lone Star State, sure to stack up against any other state’s list of “local heroes.”
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From entertainers, to actors, singers, musicians and beyond – Texas is known for producing a significant number of celebrities across various fields and here are a few reasons why:
- Large population: Texas is a large and populous state, meaning there’s a higher chance of talented individuals emerging.
- Rich cultural heritage: Texas has a unique and strong cultural identity, which may contribute to the development of distinct personalities and talent.
- Specific industries: Texas has a strong presence in certain industries, particularly music (especially country music) which attracts and cultivates talented artists.
Here are 25 celebrities born in Texas, some of which may surprise you:
Did You Know These 25 Celebrities Were Born in Texas? was originally published on 93qcountry.com
1. Barry White
Source:Getty
Born: September 12, 1944 in Galveston
Occupation: Singer
Known for: White’s deep, velvety, and sensual baritone voice was instantly recognizable and became his signature sound.
2. Patrick Swayze
Source:Getty
Born: August 18, 1952 in Houston
Occupation: Actor
Known for: Dirty Dancing (1987), Ghost (1990), Point Break (1991)
3. Michelle Rodriguez
Source:Getty
Born: July 12, 1978 in San Antonio
Occupation: Actress
Known for: Girlfight (2000), The Fast and The Furious (2001), Resident Evil (2002)
4. Phylicia Rashad
Source:Phylicia Rashad
Born: June 19, 1948 in Houston
Occupation: Actress
Known for: The Cosby Show (1984-1992)
5. Jennifer Love Hewitt
Source:Getty
Born: February 21, 1979 in Waco
Occupation: Actress
Known for: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), Can’t Hardly Wait (1998), Garfield (2006)
6. B. Simone
Source:Getty
Born: April 5, 1990 in Dallas
Occupation: Actress, Comedian
Known for: Girl’s Cruise (2019), Finding Happy (2022)
7. Steve Martin
Source:Getty
Born: August 14, 1945 in Waco
Occupation: Actor
Known for: Three Amigos (1986) Roxanne (1987), Father of the Bride (1991)
8. Debbie Allen
Source:Getty
Born: January 16, 1950 in Houston
Occupation: Actress, Dancer
Known for: Fame (1980), JoJo Dancer (1986), A Different World (1987-1993)
9. Matthew McConaughey
Source:Getty
Born: November 4, 1969 in Uvalde
Occupation: Actor
Known for: A Time to Kill (1996), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
10. Chris Bosh
Source:Getty
Born: March 24, 1984 in Dallas
Occupation: NBA Player
Known for: 2-time NBA champion with the Heat (2012, 2013), 11-time NBA All-Star
11. Machine Gun kelly
Source:Jimmy Johns
Born: April 22, 1990
Occupation: Rapper, Singer and Actor
Known for: Two AMA awards, two Billboard Music Awards and Six studio albums
12. Sly Stone
Source:Searchlight Pictures
Born: March 15, 1943 in Denton
Occupation: Musician
Known for: Sly was also a key figure in the psychedelic rock scene and a producer. His band was notable for being one of the first mainstream, integrated bands in terms of race and gender.
13. Tommy Lee Jones
Source:Getty
Born: September 15, 1946 in San Saba
Occupation: Actor
Known for: The Fugitive (1993), Men in Black (1997), No Country for Old Men (2007)
14. Ethan Hawke
Source:Getty
Born: November 6, 1970 in Austin
Occupation: Actor, Director
Known for: Training Day (2001), The Purge (2013), Black Phone (2021)
15. Dennis Quaid
Born: April 9, 1954 in Houston
Occupation: Actor
Known for: Detective Lieutenant Remy McSwain (The Big Easy, 1986), Jerry Lee Lewis (Great Balls of Fire!, 1989), Nick Parker (The Parent Trap, 1998), Jack Hall (The Day After Tomorrow, 2004), Ronald Reagan (Reagan, 2024)
16. Usher
Source:Getty
Born: Oct 14, 1978 in Dallas
Occupation: Singer
Known for: Usher is best known for his successful career as a singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor, particularly as a prominent figure in R&B and pop music. He is celebrated for his smooth vocals, energetic stage presence, and hits like “Yeah!”, “U Remind Me”, “My Boo”, and “Confessions.”
17. Jimmy Butler
Source:Getty
Born: September 14, 1989 in Houston
Occupation: NBA Player
Known for: Six-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA Team honoree, and a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team member
18. Wes Anderson
Born: May 1, 1969 in Houston
Occupation: Film Director
Known for: Bottle Rocket (1996), Rushmore (1998), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Asteroid City (2023)
19. Forest Whitaker
Source:GlobalGrind
Born: July 15, 1961 in Longview
Occupation: Actor, Director
Known for: The Last King of Scotland (2006), The Butler (2013), Arrival (2016)
20. DJ Premier
Born: March 21, 1966 in Houston
Occupation: Record Producer and DJ
Known for: Former hip hop duos Gang Starr and PRhyme, and has produced several hip hop-rap records
21. Nelly
Source:Nelly
Born: November 2, 1974 in Austin
Occupation: Rapper
Known for: Nelly is primarily known as a successful American rapper and singer, famous for his unique blend of hip-hop and R&B influences, catchy hooks, and regional slang. He gained widespread recognition with his debut album, Country Grammar.
22. Kenny Rogers
Born: Aug. 21, 1938 in Houston
Died: March 20, 2020
Occupation: Singer and Actor
Known for: 37 studio albums, country music career, selling over 100 million records
23. Hilary Duff
Born: Sept. 28, 1987 in Houston
Occupation: Actress, Singer, Author and Bussinesswoman
Known for: Lizzie McGuire (Lizzie McGuire, 2001-2004), Kelly Collins (Cadet Kelly, 2002), Lorraine Baker (Cheaper by the Dozen, 2003, 2005), Kelsey Peters (Younger, 2015-2021), Sophie Tomkins (How I Met Your Father, 2022-2023)
24. The Undertaker (Mark Calaway)
Born: March 24, 1965 in Houston
Occupation: Wrestler
Known for: WWE Hall of Fame, one of the greatest professional wrestlers ever (1987-2020), 21 consecutive WrestleMania victories
25. Jamie Foxx
Source:Courtesy of Brand
Born: December 13, 1967 in Terrell
Occupation: Actor, Singer, Comedian
Known for: Jamie Foxx is known for his work as a versatile entertainer. He has achieved success in multiple areas and is an Oscar-winning actor, bankable singer and internationally known comedian.
