List of people from Texas
Contents[show] |
[edit] Founders of the Republic of Texas
- Augustus Chapman Allen (1806–1864) and John Kirby Allen (1810–1838), founders of Houston
- Stephen F. Austin (1793–1836), the "Father of Texas"
- John Neely Bryan (1810–1877), founder of Dallas
- Edward Burleson (1798–1851), Texas soldier, general, and statesman
- David G. Burnet (1788–1870), interim President of the Republic of Texas
- Henri Castro (1786–1865), Jewish Texas empresario
- Jao De La Porta, trader, financed settlement of Galveston Island
- Sam Houston (1793–1863), first President of Republic of Texas, later U.S. Senator from Texas and Governor of Texas
- Anson Jones (1798–1858), last President of the Republic of Texas, called the "Architect of Annexation"
- Mirabeau B. Lamar (1798–1859), second President of Republic of Texas
- Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (1798–1880), considered to be "the Mother of Texas"
- Jose Antonio Navarro (1795–1871), Texas statesman, revolutionary and politician
- Cynthia Ann Parker (1826–1870), kidnapped in 1836 and raised by Comanche Indians. Mother to Quanah Parker, the last Comanche Chief
- Thomas Jefferson Rusk (1803–1857), Secretary of War between Texas and Mexico, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas and Senator from Texas after admission to the Union.
- Edwin Waller (1800–1881) judge, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
- Lorenzo de Zavala (1788–1836), first vice-president of the Republic of Texas and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
[edit] Military/war
[edit] The Texas Revolution/The Alamo
- Jim Bowie (1796–1836), frontiersman, died at the Battle of the Alamo
- John Coker (1789–1851), hero of San Jacinto
- Davy Crockett (1786–1836), frontiersman and U.S. Congressman, died at the Alamo
- James Fannin (c. 1804–1836), key figure during the Texas Revolution
- Sam Houston (1793–1863), commander of victorious Texian Army at the Battle of San Jacinto of the Texas Revolution, which won independence for Texas
- Benjamin McCulloch (1811–1862), soldier in the Texas Revolution, Texas Ranger, U.S. Marshal, and brigadier general for the Confederate States of America
- Henry Eustace McCulloch (1816–1895), a soldier in the Texas Revolution, Texas Ranger, and brigadier general for the Confederate States of America
- Emily West Morgan (c. 1815 – 19th century), an indentured servant know as "The Yellow Rose of Texas" who, legend has it, helped win the Texas Revolution
- Juan Seguin (1806–1890), Tejano hero during the Texas Revolution
- William B. Travis (1809–1836), commander of Texas forces at the Alamo
- Logan Vandeveer (1815–1855), hero of San Jacinto
[edit] The Civil War
- John Henry Brown (1820–1895), Confederate officer, served on staffs of two generals
- Dick Dowling (1838–1867), commander at Sabine Pass and famous Houstonian
- John "Rip" Ford (1815–1897), Texas Rangers legend and commander at the Battle of Palmito Ranch
- John Bell Hood (1831–1879), commander of Hood's Texas Brigade and Confederate General
- Albert Sidney Johnston (1803–1862), Confederate General and commander of the Confederate western forces
- John B. Magruder (1807–1871), Confederate General at the Battle of Galveston
- Felix Huston Robertson (1839–1928), only Confederate general who was a native-born Texan.
- Pleasant Tackitt (1803–1886), Confederate Officer and county official at Fort Belknap, Texas. One of the founders of Parker County, Texas.
- Charles S. West (1829–1885), Confederate officer and judge advocate general for the Trans-Mississippi Department
- Louis T. Wigfall (1816–1874), Confederate General and Senator from Texas, secured the surrender of Fort Sumter
[edit] World War I
- Benjamin Foulois (1879–1967), U.S. Army officer and pioneering airman
[edit] World War II
- Harlon Block (1924–1945) raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima
- Horace S. Carswell, Jr. (1916–1944), Army Air Corps major, awarded Medal of Honor
- Claire Chennault (1893–1958), commander of the "Flying Tigers"
- Ira C. Eaker (1896–1987), commander of the Eighth Air Force in World War II
- Oveta Culp Hobby (1905–1995), Colonel Women's Army Corps, first secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare
- Neel E. Kearby (1911–1944), fighter ace and Medal of Honor recipient
- Raymond L. Knight (1922–1945), aviator, Medal of Honor recipient
- Audie Murphy (1924–1971), World War II hero, actor, Medal of Honor Recipient
- Chester Nimitz (1885–1966), commander of Allied naval forces in the Pacific during World War II
- James Earl Rudder (1910–1970), D-Day commander of the U.S. Army 2nd Ranger Battalion, which stormed the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc
- Wilburn Snyder (1923–2008), survivor of Bataan Death March and Baptist pastor in several Houston churches
- Edwin Walker (1909–1993), U.S. Army Major General known for conservative views and attempted assassination target for Lee Harvey Oswald
[edit] Korean War
- Charles F. Pendleton (1931–1953), awarded Medal of Honor
- Edwin Walker (1909–1993), U.S. Army Major General known for conservative views and attempted assassination target of Lee Harvey Oswald
[edit] Vietnam War
- Raul (Roy) Perez Benavidez (1935–1998) awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in South Vietnam.
- Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez (1946–1968), Sergeant USMC Medal of Honor winner
- Oliver North (born 1943), Lieutenant-Colonel USMC Retired, involved in the Iran Contra scandal
- Billy Waugh (born 1929), Army Special Forces, Studies and Observations Group, Afghanistan Liberation
[edit] Politics and public office
See also List of mayors of Austin, Texas; List of mayors of Dallas, Texas; List of mayors of El Paso, Texas; List of mayors of Fort Worth, Texas; List of mayors of Houston, Texas; List of mayors of Plano, Texas; List of mayors of San Antonio, Texas.
- Cathie Adams (born 1950), chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, 2009–2010
- Joseph Hugh Allen (1940–2008), one of the "Dirty 30" of the Texas House of Representatives in the 1971 legislative session
- Ben Barnes (born 1938), lieutenant governor (1969–1973) of Texas; youngest House Speaker in Texas history (1965–1969)
- Tina Benkiser (born 1962), former chairman of the Republican Party of Texas
- Lloyd Bentsen (1921–2006), U.S. representative and United States senator
- Leo Berman (born 1936), state representative from Tyler
- Teel Bivins (1947–2009), state senator from Amarillo and U.S. Ambassador to Sweden
- Robert Lee Bobbitt (1888-1972), Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives (1927-1929), state attorney general (1929-1930), chairman of the Texas Highway Commission
- Henry Bonilla (born 1954), U.S. representative from San Antonio
- Jeb Bush (born 1953), Governor of Florida, raised in Midland and Houston
- Albert S. Burleson (1863–1937), U.S. Postmaster General and Congressman
- Edward Burleson (1798–1851), Texas soldier, general, and statesman
- Orville Bullington (1882–1956), Texas Republican gubernatorial nominee, 1932
- George C. Butte (1877–1940), Texas Republican gubernatorial nominee, 1924
- Victor G. Carrillo (born 1965), chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission; defeated in the March 2, 2010, Republican primary election
- Lauro Cavazos (born 1927), U.S. Secretary of Education, first Hispanic U.S. Cabinet officer
- Henry Cisneros (born 1947), Mayor of San Antonio and United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Tom C. Clark (1899–1977), United States Attorney General and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
- David Cobb (born 1962), 2004 U.S. Presidential candidate for Green Party
- Susan Combs (born 1946), Texas comptroller
- John B. Connally, Jr. (1917–1993), Secretary of the Navy, Governor of Texas, United States Secretary of the Treasury
- Wayne Connally (1923–2000), member of both houses of state legislature, 1965–1973
- Kilmer B. Corbin (1919–1993), state senator from Lubbock (1949-1947), father of Barry Corbin
- John Cornyn (born 1952), United States Senator
- Henry Cuellar (born 1955), U.S. Representative from South Texas; former state representative
- David Dewhurst (born 1945), Lieutenant Governor of Texas since 2003
- Paul Eggers (born 1919), Republican gubernatorial nominee, 1968 and 1970
- David Farabee (born 1964), Texas state representative from Wichita Falls
- Ray Farabee (born 1932), former Texas State Senator from Wichita Falls
- James E. "Pa" Ferguson (1871–1944), governor of Texas (1915–1917), impeached, convicted, and removed from office
- Miriam "Ma" Ferguson (1875–1961), first female governor of Texas
- Charles R. Floyd (1881–1945), Texas State Senator, State Representative, and co-founder of Paris Junior College
- Marshall Formby (1911–1984), former Texas State Senator, attorney, and radio station owner from Plainview
- Julio A. Garcia (1941–2008), district attorney in Laredo
- John Nance Garner (1868–1967), 44th Speaker of the House of Representatives and 32nd Vice President of the United States
- Tony Garza (born 1958) current U.S. ambassador to Mexico
- Kenn George (born 1948) former state representative from Dallas County; former assistant U.S. secretary of commerce
- Alberto Gonzales (born 1955), United States Attorney General
- Henry B. Gonzalez (1916–2000), U.S. representative from San Antonio
- Blake Gottesman (born 1980), aide to President George W. Bush
- Phil Gramm (born 1942), United States Senator
- Rick Green (born 1970), former state legislator and motivational speaker
- Henry C. Grover (1927–2005), state legislator, 1972 Republican gubernatorial nominee
- Joe A. Guerra (1934-2010), politician
- Lena Guerrero (1957–2008), politician
- O.H. "Ike" Harris (born 1932), state senator from Dallas County (1967–1995), author of Texas' parimutuel betting law
- Grady Hazlewood (1902–1989), state senator, author of farm-to-market road program in Texas
- Jeb Hensarling (born 1957), U.S. representative
- Jim Hogg (1851–1906), first native Texan to become Governor of Texas
- Joan Huffman (born 1956), former Houston criminal court judge; member of Texas State Senate
- Kay Bailey Hutchison (born 1943), first woman U.S. Senator from Texas
- Barbara Jordan (1936–1996), member of United States House of Representatives
- Mike Krusee (born 1959), state representative; transportation policy expert
- Oscar M. Laurel (1920–2001), South Texas Mexican-American politician
- John N. Leedom (born 1921), state senator, authored "Rainy Day Fund", involved in water and weather modification issues
- Debra Lehrmann (born 1956), district court judge in Fort Worth; Republican nominee for Texas Supreme Court (2010)
- Tryon D. Lewis (born 1947), state representative since 2009 from Odessa; former state district court judge
- Maury Maverick (1895–1954), Democratic U.S. representative
- Gary D. McCaleb (born 1941), mayor of Abilene and president of the Texas Municipal League
- Jim Mattox (born 1943), U.S. representative and attorney general of Texas
- Glen Maxey (born 1952), Texas state representative from Austin
- William C. Meier (born 1940), state senator, holds world filibuster record; lost race for attorney general to Jim Mattox in 1982
- Steve Munisteri (born 1958), retired attorney and chairman of the Republican Party of Texas since June 2010
- Sandra Day O'Connor (born 1930), First woman associate justice of the Supreme Court
- W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel (1890–1969), governor of Texas and US Senator
- Bill Owens (born 1950), former Governor of Colorado.
- Jerry E. Patterson (born 1946), current land commissioner
- Thomas Pauken (born 1944), Texas Republican chairman from 1994–1997 and political commentator
- Charles Perry (born 1962), incoming member of the Texas legislature (2011)
- Rick Perry (born 1950), current Governor of Texas
- David J. Porter (born 1954), Republican nominee for the Railroad Commission of Texas, November 2, 2010
- Robert "Bob" Price (1927–2004), U.S. representative from Pampa
- Jack Rains, former Texas secretary of state
- Richard P. Raymond (born 1960), South Texas state representative
- Sam Rayburn (1882–1961), United States Congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Ann Richards (1933–2006), second woman governor of Texas (1991–1995); state treasurer (1983–1991)
- Cecile Richards, daughter of Ann Richards; liberal political activist
- Ezequiel D. Salinas (1908–2007), South Texas Hispanic politician
- Pete Sessions (born 1955), U.S. representative
- Gwyn Shea (born 1937), Texas secretary of state (2002–2003), member of the Texas House of Representatives (1983–1993)
- John Ben Shepperd (1915–1990), attorney general of Texas (1953–1957)
- Max R. Sherman (born 1935), state senator (1971–1977), West Texas A&M University president
- David McAdams Sibley (born 1948), attorney-lobbyist, former Texas state senator (1991-2002) and mayor of Waco (1987-1988)
- Preston Smith (1912–2003), governor (1969–1973) and lieutenant governor (1963–1969) of Texas
- Margaret Spellings (born 1957), U.S. Secretary of Education
- Todd Staples (born 1963), Texas agriculture commissioner
- Ken Starr (born 1946), attorney, federal judge, Solicitor General, and Independent Counsel during the Clinton Administration
- George William Strake, Jr. (born 1935), Texas secretary of state (1979–1981), Houston businessman and philanthropist[1]
- Robert Schwarz Strauss (born 1918), politician (chairman of Democratic National Committee) and diplomat
- Carole Strayhorn (born 1939), Texas comptroller (1999–2007), railroad commissioner
- Ernest O. Thompson (1892–1966), Texas Railroad Commissioner, mayor of Amarillo, expert on petroleum production and conservation
- John G. Tower (1925–1991), First Republican United States Senator from Texas since Reconstruction
- Vidal M. Trevino (1929–2006), state representative, school superintendent
- Morris W. Turner (1931–2008), mayor of Lubbock (1972–1974)
- George E. "Buddy" West (1936–2008), state representative from Odessa
- Ric Williamson (1952–2007), state representative; chairman of Texas Transportation Commission
- John Roger Williams (born 1949), Texas secretary of state and professional baseball player
- Phil Wilson (born 1967), Texas secretary of state (2007–2008)
- Will Wilson (1912–2005), Texas attorney general (1957–1963), Texas Supreme Court justice (1951–1956)
- Jim Wright (born 1922), United States Congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Judith Zaffirini (born 1946), state senator from Laredo
[edit] US Presidents
- George H.W. Bush (born 1924), 41st President of the United States (born in Milton, Massachusetts)
- George W. Bush (born 1946), 43rd President of the United States, Governor of Texas 1995-2000, (born in Connecticut)
- Dwight Eisenhower (1890–1969), 34th President of the United States (born in Denison, but raised in Kansas)
- Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–1973), 36th President of the United States
[edit] Notable Texas women
- Cornelia Adair (1837–1921) matriarch of JA Ranch in Texas Panhandle
- Laura Bush (born 1946) First Lady of the United States
- Minnie Lou Bradley (born 1931), matriarch of the Bradley 3 Ranch in Childress County
- Ruthe B. Cowl (1912–2008), philanthropist from Laredo
- Gloria Feldt, feminist leader, author, political commentator
- Margaret Formby (1929–2003), founder of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth
- Norma Rhodes Gabler (1923–2007), public school textbook monitor and cofounder of Educational Research Analysts in Longview
- Melinda Gates (born 1964), philanthropist, wife of software magnate Bill Gates
- Edna Gladney (1886–1961), founder of "The Edna Gladney Home" for orphaned children
- Ima Hogg (1882–1975), philanthropist
- Lady Bird Johnson (1912–2007), former first lady (married to President Lyndon B. Johnson)
- Betty Miller Unterberger (born 1922), first woman faculty member at Texas A&M UniversitySociety for Historians of American Foreign Relations (1968-2004), first president (1986) of the
[edit] Entertainment
[edit] Fashion
- Brooke Burns (born 1978), model, actress
- Lois Chiles (born 1947), model, actress
- Chloe Dao (born 1972), fashion designer
- Marisol Deluna (born 1967), fashion designer
- Kelly Emberg (born 1959), model, former partner of Rod Stewart
- Tom Ford (born 1961), former creative director for Gucci, film director
- Natasha Galkina (born 1985), model, runner-up on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 8
- Jerry Hall (born 1956), model, actress
- Angie Harmon (born 1972), model, actress
- Irlene Mandrell (born 1956), model, actress
- Ali Michael (born 1990), model
- Chandra North (born 1973), model
- Suzy Parker (1932–2003), model, actress
- Amber Rose (born 1983), model, singer
- Joan Severance (born 1958), model, actress
- Lori Singer (born 1957), actress, model, classical musician
- Anna Nicole Smith (1967–2007), model, actress
- Kimberly Kay Smith (born 1983), model, actress
- Paola Turbay (born 1970), model, actress, beauty pageant winner
[edit] Film/theater/television
- F. Murray Abraham (born 1939), actor
- Amy Acker (born 1976), actress
- Jensen Ackles (born 1978), actor Smallville, Supernatural
- Sunrise Adams (born 1982), actress
- Kevin Alejandro (born 1976), actor
- Richard Alexander (1902–1989), actor
- Debbie Allen (born 1950), actress, choreographer, director, producer
- Joshua Allen (born 1989), dancer, 2008 winner of So You Think You Can Dance
- Krista Allen (born 1971), actress
- René Alvarado (born 1979), actor
- Audrey Marie Anderson (born 1975), actress, Kim Brown on The Unit
- Wes Anderson (born 1969), director Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums
- Andrew Arbuckle (1887–1938), actor
- Macklyn Arbuckle (1866–1931), actor
- Michael Arden (born 1982), actor
- Kelly Asbury (born 1960), story artist, director, writer, Shrek 2
- Karan Ashley (born 1978), actress
- Frank Ashmore (born 1945), actor
- "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (born 1964), professional wrestler, actor
- Tex Avery (1908–1980), animator, cartoonist, director
- Joe Don Baker (born 1936), actor
- Taylor Ball (born 1987), actor
- Bob Banner (born 1921), television producer, writer, director
- Matt Barr (born 1984), actor
- Barbara Barrie (born 1931), actress, Suddenly Susan, Barney Miller, Double Trouble
- Skye McCole Bartusiak (born 1992), teen actress
- Jim Beaver (born 1950), actor, Ellsworth on Deadwood
- Madge Bellamy (1899–1990), actress
- Crystal Bernard (born 1961), actress and singer
- Nicole Bilderback (born 1975), actress
- Francelia Billington (1895–1934), actress in silent films
- Dustin Lance Black (born 1979), Academy Award-winning screenwriter, director, producer
- Alexis Bledel (born 1981), actress, starred in Gilmore Girls
- Dan Blocker (1928–1972), actor "Hoss Cartwright" on Bonanza
- Joan Blondell (1906–1979), actress
- Don Bluth (born 1937), animator, studio owner, An American Tail, The Land Before Time
- John Boles (1895–1969), actor
- Matthew Bomer (born 1977), actor, Tru Calling
- Powers Boothe (born 1949), actor, Cy Tolliver on Deadwood
- Jesse Borrego (born 1962), actor, Fame, 24, Dexter
- Michael Bowen (born 1953), actor
- Rob Bowman (born 1960), film and television director, The X-Files, Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Lombardo Boyar (born 1973), actor, The Bernie Mac Show
- Richard Bradford (born 1937), actor, Man in a Suitcase
- Abby Brammell (born 1979), actress, Tiffy Gerhardt on The Unit
- Mary Brian (1906–2002), actress
- Samantha Buck (born 1974), actress
- Betty Buckley (born 1947), actress, singer
- Norman Buckley (born 1955), television director and editor
- Carol Burnett (born 1933), actress, comedian, singer, writer The Carol Burnett Show
- Brooke Burns (born 1978), actress, model
- Wendell Burton (born 1947), actor
- Gary Busey (born 1944), actor
- Bill Camfield (1929–1991), radio-TV host, writer, comedian
- Kate Capshaw (born 1953), actress, married to Steven Spielberg
- Edwin Carewe (1883–1940), film director, actor, producer, writer
- Allen Case (1934–1986), actor, singer
- Duane Lee Chapman, II (born 1973), Dog the Bounty Hunter
- Leland Chapman (born 1976), Dog the Bounty Hunter
- Cyd Charisse (1922–2008), actress, dancer
- Ricardo Chavira (born 1971), actor, "Carlos Solis" on Desperate Housewives
- Lois Chiles (born 1947), actress, model
- Cindy Chiu (born 1984), actress
- Thomas Haden Church (born 1961), Academy Award-nominated actor
- Taylor Cole (born 1984), actress/model, Summerland
- Dabney Coleman (born 1932), actor
- Jessica Collins (born 1983), actress, Maggie on Rubicon
- Lynn Collins (born 1979), actress, X-Men Origins: Wolverine
- Marcus Collins (born 1974), actor, singer
- Shanna Collins (born 1983), actress, Swingtown
- Merrill Connally (1921–2001), actor and former county judge
- Kevin Cooney (born 1945), actor
- Chris Cooper (born 1951), Oscar-winning actor, Seabiscuit, The Bourne Identity, The Patriot
- Barry Corbin (born 1940), actor
- Chace Crawford (born 1985), actor
- Joan Crawford (1908–1977), actress
- Brett Cullen (born 1956), actor
- Bonnie Curtis (born 1966), film producer
- Bebe Daniels (1901–1971), actress, singer, dancer, writer, producer
- Linda Darnell (1923–1965), actress
- Jim Dauterive (born 1957), producer and writer, King of the Hill
- Madison Davenport (born 1996), actress
- Eddie Dean (1907–1999), singer, songwriter, and actor
- Loretta Devine (born 1949), actress
- Dorothy Devore (1899–1976), actress, comedian
- Jenna Dewan (born 1980), actress, star of Step Up and Take the Lead
- Elliott Dexter (1870–1941), actor
- Shae D'Lyn (born 1962), actress, Dharma and Greg
- Colby Donaldson (born 1974), actor
- Michael Dorn (born 1952), star of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
- Haylie Duff (born 1985), actress
- Hilary Duff (born 1987), actress, singer
- Karen Dufilho-Rosen (born 1968), Academy Award-winning film producer
- Josh Duhon (born 1982), actor, Logan Hayes on General Hospital
- Sandy Duncan (born 1946), actress, singer
- Shelley Duvall (born 1949), actress, played Olive Oyl in the film Popeye
- George Eads (born 1967), actor, plays Nick Stokes in the TV series CSI
- Shannon Elizabeth (born 1973), actress
- Chris Ellis (born 1956), actor
- Ron Ely (born 1938), actor Tarzan
- Molly Erdman (born 1974), actress
- Dale Evans (1912–2001), actress, singer-songwriter, married to Roy Rogers
- Morgan Fairchild (born 1950), actress
- Parisa Fakhri (born 1975), voice actress, Dragon Ball GT, Fruits Basket
- Farrah Fawcett (1947–2009), actress
- Katie Featherston (born 1982), actress, Paranormal Activity
- Miles Fisher (born 1983), actor
- Sean Patrick Flanery (born 1965), actor
- Horton Foote (1916–2009), two-time Academy Award-winning screenwriter
- Scott Michael Foster (born 1985), actor
- Robert Foxworth (born 1941), actor
- Jamie Foxx (born 1967) Academy Award-winning actor
- James Frawley (born 1937), director, actor, producer
- Al Freeman, Jr. (born 1934), actor, director
- Jennifer Garner (born 1972), actress, star of Alias
- Greer Garson (1904–1996), actress
- Peri Gilpin (born 1961), actress
- Lesli Linka Glatter (borm 1953), film director
- Summer Glau (born 1981), dancer & actress Firefly
- Renee Elise Goldsberry (born 1971), actress, singer-songwriter
- Selena Gomez (born 1992), actress and singer
- David Gordon Green (born 1975), filmmaker
- Corinne Griffith (1894–1979), actress
- Kristin Griffith (born 1953), actress
- Texas Guinan (1884–1933), actress, singer, entrepreneur
- Sara Haden (1899–1981), actress
- Sarah Hagan (born 1984), actress
- Emily Hagins (born 1992), film producer, writer, editor, director
- Larry Hagman (born 1931), actor, son of actress Mary Martin
- Jackie Earle Haley (born 1961), actor
- Irma P. Hall (born 1935), actress
- James Hall (1900–1940), actor
- Jerry Hall (born 1956), model, actress, former wife of Mick Jagger
- Hope Hampton (1897–1982), actress in silent films
- John Lee Hancock (born 1956), film director, The Blind Side
- Catherine Hardwicke (born 1955), film director, Twilight
- Mark Harelik (born 1951), actor, playwright
- Angie Harmon (born 1972), actress
- Woody Harrelson (born 1961), actor
- Laura Harring (born 1964), actress
- Harriet Sansom Harris (born 1955), actress, Desperate Housewives, Frasier, It's All Relative, The 5 Mrs. Buchanans
- Chris Harrison (born 1971), television announcer
- James V. Hart (born 1960), screenwriter
- Lisa Hartman-Black (born 1956), actress
- Ethan Hawke (born 1970), actor
- Jerry Haynes (born 1927), actor, children's television host
- Amber Heard (born 1986), actress
- Katherine Helmond (born 1928), actress
- Stephen Herek (born 1958), film director, 101 Dalmatians
- Jennifer Love Hewitt (born 1979), actress
- John Benjamin Hickey (born 1963), actor, It's All Relative
- John Hillerman (born 1932), actor, played the English Major domo "Higgins" on Magnum, P.I.
- Jordan Hinson (born 1991), actress
- Gregory Hoblit (born 1944), television and film director
- Tommy Hollis (1954–2001), actor
- Tobe Hooper (born 1943), director The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Poltergeist, 'Salem's Lot
- William Hootkins (1948–2005), actor, Batman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars
- Larry Hovis (1936–2003), actor
- John M. Jackson (born 1950), actor, Rear Admiral A. J. Chegwidden on JAG
- Dorothy Janis (1912–2010), actress in silent films
- Annalee Jefferies (born 1954), actress
- Joe Johnston (born 1950), film director, Jumanji, Jurassic Park III, Captain America: The First Avenger
- Nick Jonas (born 1992), singer, actor
- Alex Jones (born 1974), radio host, television host, film producer
- Ashley Jones (born 1976), actress, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless
- Carolyn Jones (1929–1983), actress, best known as "Morticia" in The Addams Family
- L.Q. Jones (born 1927), actor, originally from Beaumont
- Margo Jones (1911–1955), theatre founder and director
- Mickey Jones (born 1941), actor, musician, Home Improvement, Flo
- Tommy Lee Jones (born 1946), actor
- Mike Judge (born 1962), producer, animator and actor
- Joseph Kahn (born 1972), music video, advertising, and feature film director
- Christian Kane (born 1974), actor, singer, played "Lindsay" on Angel, Close to Home (TV series)
- Lyle Kanouse (born 1952), actor
- Evelyn Keyes (1916–2008), actress
- Callie Khouri (born 1957), screenwriter, director
- Kris Kristofferson (born 1936), actor, singer, songwriter
- Sheryl Leach (born 1952), creator of children's programming (Barney & Friends)
- Ruta Lee (born 1936), actress[2]
- Brad Leland (born 1954), actor, Friday Night Lights
- Liana Liberato (born 1995), teen actress
- Richard Linklater (born 1961), director Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, School of Rock, A Scanner Darkly
- Lucien Littlefield (1895–1960), actor in silent films
- Jacqueline Logan (1901–1983), actress in silent films
- Joshua Logan (1908–1988), stage and film director
- Eva Longoria (born 1975), actress
- Demi Lovato (born 1992), singer, actress
- Bessie Love (1898–1986), actress
- Deirdre Lovejoy (born 1962), actress, Rhonda Pearlman on The Wire
- Martha Madison (born 1977), actress
- Terrence Malick (born 1943), director Badlands, Days of Heaven
- Irlene Mandrell (born 1956), actress, model
- Stephanie March (born 1974), actress
- Amelia Marshall (born 1958), actress
- Mary Martin (1913–1990), actress, mother of actor Larry Hagman
- Margo Martindale (born 1951), actress, The Riches, 100 Centre Street
- Tim McCanlies (born 1963) screenwriter, director
- Matthew McConaughey (born 1969), actor
- Carolyn McCormick (born 1959), actress, Dr. Liz Olivet on Law & Order
- Jake McDorman (born 1986), actor
- George McFarland (1928–1993), actor played "Spanky" in the Our Gang comedies, AKA The Little Rascals
- Bruce McGill (born 1950), actor
- Benjamin McKenzie (born 1978), actor The O.C.
- Alex McLeod (born 1968), actress
- Terrence McNally (born 1939), playwright
- William McNamara (born 1965), actor
- Liz Mikel (born 1963), actress, singer
- Ann Miller (1923–2004), actress, dancer
- Carl Miller (1893–1979), actor
- Valarie Rae Miller (born 1974), actress
- Don Mischer (born 1940), television producer, director
- Elizabeth Mitchell (born 1970), actress, Lost, V, ER
- Tom Mix (1880–1940), actor
- Roger Mobley (born 1949), child actor, Christian pastor
- Belita Moreno (born 1949), actress
- Glenn Morshower (born 1959), actor, Agent Aaron Pierce on 24
- Audie Murphy (1924–1971), actor, World War II hero
- Edwin Neal (born 1945), actor
- Tracey Needham (born 1967), actress, Life Goes On, JAG, The Division
- Austin Nichols (born 1980), actor, Julian Baker on One Tree Hill
- Derek Lee Nixon (born 1983), actor
- James Noble (born 1922), actor, Benson
- Chuck Norris actor
- Renee O'Connor (born 1971) actress
- Annette O'Toole (born 1955), dancer, actress
- Lee Pace (born 1979), actor
- Jared Padalecki (born 1982), actor, Gilmore Girls, Supernatural
- Kay Panabaker (born 1990), television actress
- Suzy Parker (1932–2003), actress, model
- Jim Parsons (born 1973), Emmy Award-winning actor, The Big Bang Theory
- Bill Paxton (born 1955), actor Titanic
- Evelyn Peirce (1908–1960), actress
- Valerie Perrine (born 1943), actress
- Lou Perryman (1941–2009), actor
- Cindy Pickett (born 1947), actress
- Mary Kay Place (born 1947), actress, singer, co-starred in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
- Dennis Quaid (born 1954), actor
- Randy Quaid (born 1950), actor
- Haley Ramm (born 1992), actress
- Phylicia Rashād (born 1948), actress
- Allene Ray (1901–1979), actress
- Debbie Reynolds (born 1932), actress, mother of Carrie Fisher
- Kevin Reynolds (born 1952), screenwriter, director, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Red Dawn
- Patricia Richardson (born 1951), actress, Jill Taylor on Home Improvement
- Noah Ringer (born 1998), actor
- Emilio Rivera (born 1961), actor
- Rudy Robbins (born 1933), actor, screenwriter, stuntman, Western singer-songwriter
- Dallas Roberts (born 1970), actor
- James Roday (born 1976), actor
- Gene Roddenberry (1921–1991), Star Trek creator, writer, director, producer
- Michelle Rodriguez (born 1978), actress Lost
- Robert Rodriguez (born 1968), director, producer, writer, composer
- Henry Roquemore (1886–1943), actor
- Irene Ryan (1902–1973), actress "Granny" on The Beverly Hillbillies
- Mark Salling (born 1982), actor
- John Phillip Santos (born 1957), filmmaker, producer, journalist, author
- August Schellenberg (born 1936), actor
- Thomas Schlamme (born 1950), producer, director
- Julian Schnabel (born 1951), award-winning film director, visual artist
- Maïté Schwartz (born 1979), actress
- Kimberly Scott (born 1961), actress
- Zachary Scott (1914–1965), actor
- Edward Sedgwick (1892–1953), film director, writer, actor, producer
- Eileen Sedgwick (1898–1991), actress in silent films
- Joan Severance (born 1958), actress, model
- Sarah Shahi (born 1980), actress, Life, The L Word
- Ann Sheridan (1915–1967), actress
- Lori Singer (born 1957), actress, model, classical musician
- J. Mack Slaughter, Jr. (born 1983), actor
- Anna Nicole Smith (1967–2007), model, actress
- Jaclyn Smith (born 1947), actress, starred in Charlie's Angels
- Kimberly Kay Smith (born 1983), model, actress
- Eve Southern (1898–1972), actress
- Sissy Spacek (born 1949), actress, cousin of Rip Torn
- Aaron Spelling (1923–2006), TV producer
- Brent Spiner (born 1949), actor, star of Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Andy Stahl (born 1952), actor, The Client, The Patriot, The Blind Side
- Nick Stahl (born 1979), actor
- Jimmy Starr (1904–1991), screenwriter, columnist
- Jack Starrett (1936–1989), actor, director
- Jennifer Stone (born 1993), actress
- Matt Stone (born 1971), animator, voice actor, cocreator of South Park with Trey Parker
- Gale Storm (1922–2009), actress, singer
- Sherry Stringfield (born 1967), actress
- Patrick Swayze (1952–2009), actor
- Clarence Swensen (1917–2009), actor
- Ralph Tabakin (1921–2001), actor, Homicide: Life on the Street
- Sharon Tate (1943–1969), actress
- Buck Taylor (born 1938), actor, artist, rancher in Fort Worth
- Jacqueline Taylor (born 1985), actress, Broadway/cabaret singer
- Regina Taylor (born 1960), actress, Molly Blane on The Unit
- Ron Taylor (1952–2002), actor
- Henry Thomas (born 1971), actor E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, musician
- Jay Thomas (born 1948), actor
- Tiffany Thornton (born 1986), actress
- Stephen Tobolowsky (born 1951), actor, Bob Bishop on Heroes
- Rip Torn (born 1931), actor, cousin of Sissy Spacek
- Stacey Travis (born 1964), actress
- Alan Tudyk (born 1971), actor
- Tommy Tune (born 1939), Broadway director, choreographer
- Paola Turbay (born 1970), actress, model, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Cane
- Karri Turner (born 1966), actress
- Michael Urie (born 1980), actor Ugly Betty
- Conrad Vernon (born 1968), voice actor, writer, director, the Shrek movies, the Madagascar movies, Monsters vs. Aliens
- Florence Vidor (1895–1977), actress
- King Vidor (1894–1982), film director, producer
- Tom Virtue (born 1957), actor, Even Stevens, Blades of Glory
- Charlotte Walker (1876–1958), actress
- Helen Wagner (1918–2010), actress, played Nancy Hughes on As the World Turns for 54 years
- Isaiah Washington (born 1963), actor, Dr. Preston Burke on Grey's Anatomy
- Barry Watson (born 1974), actor
- Peter Weller (born 1947), actor
- Lisa Whelchel (born 1963), actress, author
- Forest Whitaker (born 1961), actor
- Guinn Williams (1899–1962), actor
- JoBeth Williams (born 1948), actress
- Van Williams (born 1934), actor
- Noble Willingham (1931–2004), actor, Walker, Texas Ranger
- Chill Wills (1903–1978), actor, singer
- Chandra Wilson (born 1969), actress, Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey's Anatomy
- Dooley Wilson (1886–1953), actor, singer, played "Sam" in Casablanca
- Luke Wilson (born 1971), actor
- Owen Wilson (born 1968), actor
- Trey Wilson (1948–1989), actor
- Doug Wright (born 1962), Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter
- Robin Wright Penn (born 1966), actress, married to Sean Penn
- Natalie Zea (born 1975), actress
- Nora Zehetner (born 1981), actress
- Renée Zellweger (born 1969), actress
[edit] Comedians
- Carol Burnett (born 1933), comedian, actor
- Rodney Carrington (born 1968), comedian
- Jade Esteban Estrada (born 1975), comedian, actor
- Bill Engvall (born 1957), comedian, actor
- Jack Handey (born 1949), writer for Saturday Night Live
- Kevin Nicks (born 1971), comedian/Actor for local Austin,Tx pilots
- Bill Hicks (1961–1994), comedian
- Steve Martin (born 1945), comedian, actor
- Grady Nutt (1934–1982), humorist, Baptist minister
- Iliza Shlesinger (born 1983), comedian
- Shuckey Duckey (Cecil Armstrong) (born 1956), comedian, circus ringmaster
- Ron White (born 1956), comedian, actor
[edit] Music
- Dimebag Darrell Abbott (1966–2004), musician
- Vinnie Paul Abbott (born 1964), musician
- Jacques Abram (1915–1998), concert pianist
- Yolanda Adams (born 1961), Grammy-winning gospel singer
- Samuel Adler (born 1928), composer, conductor, educator
- Carter Albrecht (1973–2007), rock keyboardist, guitarist, classical pianist
- Victor Alessandro (1915–1976), conductor
- Alger "Texas" Alexander (1900–1954), blues singer
- Dave Alexander (born 1938), blues singer, pianist
- Terry Allen (born 1943), musician
- Jerry Allison (born 1939), musician
- Joe Allison (1924–2002), country songwriter, producer
- Ruby Allmond (1923–2006), country songwriter, fiddler, guitarist
- Nancy Ames (born 1937), pop/folk singer
- Bud Andrews (born 1940), DJ, discovered Jerry Clower
- Clifford Antone (1949–2006), blues club owner, record producer, mentor to musicians
- Gene Austin (1900–1972), pop/jazz singer-songwriter
- James Austin (born 1937), classical trumpet player, educator
- Larry Austin (born 1930), composer, educator
- Gene Autry (1907–1998), country music singer
- Pedro Ayala (1911–1990), conjunto accordionist-songwriter
- Harry Babasin (1921–1988), jazz bassist
- Erykah Badu (born 1971), R&B and hip hop singer
- Zuill Bailey (born 1972), classical cellist
- Wilfred Bain (1908–1997), music educator
- Zac Baird (born 1971), rock keyboardist
- Marcia Ball (born 1949), blues singer
- Clint Ballard, Jr. (1931–2008), songwriter
- Smith Ballew (1902–1984), singer, bandleader, actor
- Danny Barnes (born 1961), country/jazz/punk banjo player and guitarist
- Frank Beard (born 1949), drummer in ZZ Top
- Leila Bela, musician, writer, actress (born in Tehran, Iran, immigrated to Austin)
- Archie Bell (born 1944), singer (Archie Bell & the Drells)
- Jesse Belvin (1932–1960), R&B pianist, singer-songwriter
- Tex Beneke (1914–2000), big-band saxophonist, singer, bandleader
- Buster Benton (1932–1996), blues guitarist, singer
- Taz Bentley, rock drummer (Burden Brothers)
- Shelly Berg (born 1955), jazz pianist and educator
- David Berman (born 1967), alt-rock singer-songwriter (Silver Jews)
- Big Moe (Kenneth Moore) (1974–2007), rapper
- Bill Smith Combo aka Tommy & The Tom Toms DFW Rock 'n Roll group
- Cedric Bixler-Zavala (born 1974), dub, salsa and progressive rock musician
- Black Ace (Babe Kyro Lemon Turner) (1907–1972), blues singer, guitarist
- Clint Black (born 1962), country music singer, raised in Houston
- Robert Black (1950–1993), classical conductor, pianist, composer
- William Black (1952–2003), classical pianist, educator
- Jules Bledsoe (1898–1943), Broadway singer
- Julien Paul Blitz (1885–1951), conductor, cellist
- Blues Boy Willie (born 1946), blues musician
- Zuzu Bollin (1922–1990), blues guitarist
- Maya Bond (born 2000), (born in Osaka, Japan, immigrated to Austin), singer-songwriter, drummer
- Juke Boy Bonner (1932–1978), blues musician
- Brent Bourgeois (born 1958), rock singer, producer
- Euday L. Bowman (1887–1949), ragtime/blues pianist, composer
- Euel Box (born 1928), music producer, composer, arranger, trumpeter
- Boxcar Willie (Lecil Travis Martin) (1931–1999), country singer
- Bill Boyd (1910–1977), country singer, guitarist
- Calvin Boze (1916–1970), jazz/R&B trumpeter
- Jeff Bradetich (born 1957), classical double bass player and educator
- Donald Braswell II (born 1963), classical crossover singer
- Zachary Breaux (1960–1997), jazz guitarist
- David Breeden (1946–2005), classical clarinetist
- Leon Breeden (1921–2010), jazz bandleader, musician, educator
- Edie Brickell (born 1966), singer – married to Paul Simon
- Cecil Brower (1914–1965), country fiddler
- The 5 Browns (born 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986), classical pianist siblings born in Texas, raised in Texas and Utah
- Charles Brown (1922–1999), blues singer, pianist
- Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (1924–2005), blues instrumentalist
- Lacey Brown (born 1985), folk/pop singer
- Rex Brown (born 1964), musician
- Cliff Bruner (1915–2000), western swing fiddler, bandleader
- Anshel Brusilow (born 1928), orchestra conductor and violinist
- Stephen Bruton (1948–2009), country musician
- Betty Buckley (born 1947), actress, singer
- Teddy Buckner (1909–1994), jazz/Dixieland trumpeter
- Bun B (Bernard Freeman) (born 1973), rapper
- T-Bone Burnett (born 1948), rock/country songwriter, musician, producer
- Bushwick Bill (Richard Shaw) (born 1966), rapper
- William Butler (born 1982), member of Arcade Fire
- Win Butler (born 1980), lead singer of Canadian indie-rock band Arcade Fire
- Ryan Cabrera (born 1982), singer/songwriter
- Ernie Caceres (1911–1971), jazz instrumentalist
- Tevin Campbell (born 1976), musician
- Laura Canales (1954–2005), Tejano singer
- Barney Cannon (1955–2009), Country music deejay
- Vikki Carr (born 1941), jazz, pop, country and Latin music singer
- Georgia Carroll (born 1919), big-band singer, actress, model
- John Carter (1929–1991), jazz instrumentalist, composer, club owner
- Jason Castro (born 1987), pop singer/guitarist
- John Cerminaro (born 1947), classical horn player
- Chamillionaire (born 1979), rapper
- John Barnes Chance (1932–1972), classical composer, timpanist
- Gary Chapman (born 1957), contemporary Christian singer-songwriter
- Harry Choates (1922–1951), Cajun fiddler
- Charlie Christian (1916–1942), swing/jazz guitarist
- Ciara (Ciara Harris) (born 1985), musician
- Lakrea Clark (born 1991), singer-songwriter
- Kelly Clarkson (born 1982), singer, American Idol winner
- James Clay (1935–1995), jazz instrumentalist
- Sonny Clay (1899–1973), jazz pianist, drummer, bandleader
- Laura Claycomb (born 1968), operatic soprano
- Van Cliburn (born 1934), famous pianist (born in Louisiana, raised in Texas)
- Arnett Cobb (1918–1989), jazz saxophonist
- Henry Coker (1919–1979), jazz trombonist
- Gary B.B. Coleman (1947–1994), soul/blues guitarist, singer-songwriter, producer
- Ornette Coleman (born 1930), jazz musician
- John Ford Coley (born 1948), rock musician (England Dan & John Ford Coley)
- Albert Collins (1932–1993), blues musician
- Eugene Conley (1908–1981), opera singer
- David Cook (born 1982), rock singer-songwriter (born in Houston, raised in Missouri)
- Johnny Copeland (1937–1997), blues guitarist, singer
- Larry Coryell (born 1943), jazz fusion guitarist
- Josie Cotton (Kathleen Josey) (born 1956), rock singer
- Cowboy Troy (born 1970), rap singer-songwriter
- Pee Wee Crayton (1914–1985), R&B/blues guitarist, singer
- Dash Crofts (born 1940), soft-rock musician (Seals and Crofts)
- Christopher Cross (born 1951), singer
- Randy Crouch (born 1952), country instrumentalist
- Wayne Crouse (1924–2000), violist
- Rodney Crowell (born 1950), country singer-songwriter
- Lella Cuberli (born 1945), opera singer
- Jim Cullum, Jr. (born 1941), Dixieland/jazz cornetist and bandleader
- Ted Daffan (1912–1996), country guitarist, songwriter
- Pappy Daily (1902–1987), country music record producer
- Floyd Dakil (1945–2010), pop guitarist-songwriter
- Vernon Dalhart (Marion Slaughter) (1883–1948), country singer-songwriter
- Ivan Davis (born 1932), classical pianist
- Mac Davis (born 1942), musician
- Ronnie Dawson (1939–2003), rockabilly musician
- Bobby Day (Robert James Byrd, Sr.) (1928–1990), rock and roll/R&B singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, producer
- Eddie Dean (1907–1999), country singer-songwriter
- Jimmy Dean (1928–2010), country singer, television personality, businessman
- Ryan Delahoussaye (born 1976), rock instrumentalist
- Tim DeLaughter (born 1965), rock singer
- Lindsay Deutsch (born 1984), concert violinist
- Al Dexter (1905–1984), country singer
- Mike Dillon, rock drummer-singer-songwriter
- Floyd Dixon (1929–2006), R&B pianist, singer
- DJ Screw (Robert Earl Davis, Jr.) (1971–2000), hip-hop artist
- The D.O.C. (born 1968), rapper
- Deryl Dodd (born 1964), country music singer-songwriter
- Helen Donath (born 1940), operatic soprano
- Kenny Dorham (1924–1972), jazz, trumpeter, singer, composer
- Damita Jo DuBlanc (1930–1998), lounge singer, actress, comedian
- Sherman H. Dudley (1872–1940), vaudeville and black musical performer and producer
- Hilary Duff (born 1987), singer
- Ted Dunbar (1937–1998), jazz guitarist, composer, educator
- Johnny Duncan (1938–2006), country singer
- Tommy Duncan (1911–1967), Western swing singer-songwriter
- Bob Dunn (1908–1971), jazz trombonist, Western swing steel guitarist
- Chauntelle DuPree (born 1981), rock/pop guitarist (Eisley)
- Garron DuPree (born 1989), rock/pop bass guitarist (Eisley)
- Sherri DuPree (born 1983), rock/pop singer, guitarist, lyricist (Eisley)
- Stacy DuPree (born 1988), rock/pop keyboardist, singer (Eisley)
- Weston DuPree (born 1986), rock/pop drummer (Eisley)
- Eddie Durham (1906–1987), jazz guitarist, trombonist, composer, arranger
- Steve Earle (born 1955), singer-songwriter, musician
- Roger Edens (1905–1970), film composer
- Herb Ellis (1921–2010), jazz guitarist
- Terry Ellis (born 1966), R&B singer (En Vogue)
- Paul Ellison (born 1941), classical bassist and teacher
- Joe Ely (born 1947), singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Ralna English (born 1942), singer from The Lawrence Welk Show
- Roky Erickson (born 1947), rock singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Booker Ervin (1930–1970), jazz saxophonist
- Dale Evans (1912–2001), country singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Herschel Evans (1909–1939), jazz saxophonist
- Terry Fator (born 1965), singer, ventriloquist, impersonator
- Fat Pat (Patrick Hawkins) (1970–1998), rapper
- Wilton Felder (born 1940), jazz saxophonist, bassist
- Freddy Fender (1937–2006), musician
- Ernie Fields (1904?–1997), jazz trombonist
- Carl Finch (born 1951), polka musician, founder of Brave Combo
- Charles Finger (1867–1941), music teacher, conservatory administrator; later a noted author of children's literature
- Sonny Fisher (1931–2005), rockabilly singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Carlisle Floyd (born 1926), opera composer
- Blaze Foley (Michael Fuller) (1949–1989), folk singer-songwriter
- Bruce Ford (born 1956), operatic tenor
- Radney Foster (born 1959), country music singer-songwriter
- Curly Fox (1910–1995), country fiddler
- Kirk Franklin (born 1970), gospel singer
- Eddie Freeman (1909–1987), jazz/flamenco guitarist, arranger, teacher
- Walter Fried (1877–1925), violinist and conductor
- Kinky Friedman (born 1944), singer-songwriter, novelist, columnist, candidate for governor of Texas
- Lefty Frizzell (1928–1975), country singer
- Steven Fromholz (born 1945), singer-songwriter
- Bobby Fuller (1942–1966), rock singer and guitarist
- Justin Furstenfeld (born 1975), rock singer and guitarist
- Kyle Gann (born 1955), composer, musicologist, music critic
- Red Garland (1923–1984), jazz pianist
- Travis Garland (born 1989), singer-songwriter
- Henry Garza (born 1978) Los Lonely Boys lead guitarist of San Angelo, 2005 Grammy winner
- Jojo Garza (born 1980) Los Lonely Boys bass of San Angelo, 2005 Grammy winner
- Ringo Garza (born 1981) Los Lonely Boys drummer of San Angelo, 2005 Grammy winner
- Larry Gatlin (born 1948), singer-songwriter, member of The Gatlin Brothers
- Zelma Watson George (1903–1994), opera singer, musicologist
- Richard Giangiulio (born 1942), classical trumpet player and conductor
- Billy Gibbons (born 1949), guitarist in ZZ Top
- Mickey Gilley (born 1936), country musician
- Don Gillis (1912–1978), composer, conductor, producer, educator
- Jimmie Dale Gilmore (born 1945), singer-songwriter
- John Giordano (born 1937), orchestra conductor
- Jimmy Giuffre (1921–2008), jazz composer, arranger, clarinetist and saxophonist
- Robert Glasper, jazz pianist
- Jack Glatzer (born 1939), concert violinist
- Darrell Glenn (1935–1990), country singer
- Lloyd Glenn (1909–1985), R&B pianist, bandleader, arranger
- Tyree Glenn (1912–1974), big band/jazz trombonist
- Renee Elise Goldsberry (born 1971), singer-songwriter, actress
- David Golub (1950–2000), classical pianist, conductor
- Selena Gomez (born 1992), actress and singer
- Floyd Graham (1902–1974), bandleader, educator
- Susan Graham (born 1960), opera singer
- Donald Grantham (born 1947), classical composer and music educator
- Jerry Gray (1915–1976), Swing-Era arranger and bandleader
- Thurman Green (1940–1997), jazz trombonist
- Nanci Griffith (born 1953), singer / songwriter
- Texas Guinan (1884–1933), western singer, actress
- David Wendel Guion (1892–1981), composer, arranger of folk tunes
- Guitar Shorty (David Kearney) (born 1939), blues guitarist
- Woody Guthrie (1912–1967), folk singer-songwriter (spent several years in Pampa, Texas, during the formative period of his youth)
- Billy Guy (Frank Phillips, Jr.) (1936–2002), R&B/rock and roll singer (The Coasters)
- Gene Hall (1913–1993), jazz saxophonist, music educator
- Stuart Hamblen (1908–1989), country singer, candidate for U.S. President
- Butch Hancock (born 1945), country/folk recording artist, songwriter
- Gerre Hancock (born 1934), organist, composer
- John Handy (born 1933), jazz saxophonist
- John Hardee (1919–1984), jazz saxophonist
- Maud Cuney Hare (1874–1936), music historian, civil rights activist
- Roy Hargrove (born 1969), jazz trumpet player
- Everette Harp (born 1961), jazz saxophonist
- Lynn Harrell (born 1944), concert cellist raised in Texas
- Mack Harrell (1909–1960), operatic baritone
- Peppermint Harris (Harrison Nelson, Jr.) (1925–1999), R&B singer, guitarist
- Earl Harvin, rock drummer
- Gibby Haynes (born 1957), lead singer of the Butthole Surfers
- Cedric Haywood (1914–1969), jazz pianist
- Roy Head (born 1941), Roy Head and The Traits
- Chet Helms (1942–2005), music promoter, called father of the Summer of Love
- Julius Hemphill (1938–1995), jazz composer, saxophonist
- Don Henley (born 1947), musician with rock group the Eagles
- Shifty Henry (1921–1958), R&B/jazz instrumentalist, songwriter
- Walter Herbert (1898–1975), opera conductor and administrator
- Casey Hess, rock guitarist (Burden Brothers)
- Sara Hickman (born 1963), rock/pop singer-songwriter
- Johnnie High (1929–2010), country musician and impresario
- Dusty Hill (born 1945), bass guitarist in ZZ Top
- Z. Z. Hill (1935–1984), blues singer
- Tish Hinojosa (born 1955), Mexican-American folk singer
- Ernst Hoffmann (c. 1899–1956), orchestra conductor
- Adolph Hofner (1916–2000), western swing bandleader
- Smokey Hogg (1914–1960), country blues singer, guitarist
- Jennifer Holliday (born 1960), Grammy Award-winning singer, actress
- Buddy Holly (1936–1959), singer-songwriter
- Steve Holy (born 1972), country singer
- Sam Lightnin' Hopkins (1912–1982), blues musician
- Johnny Horton (1925–1960), country singer
- Brad Houser (born 1960), rock instrumentalist
- Frank Huang (born 1978), concert violinist
- Ray Wylie Hubbard (born 1946), country singer-songwriter
- Bill Hughes (born 1930), jazz trombonist, bandleader
- Joe "Guitar" Hughes (1937–2003), blues singer, guitarist
- Bobbi Humphrey (born 1950), jazz flutist
- Jerry Hunt (1943–1993), avant-garde composer
- Ivory Joe Hunter (1914–1974), R&B singer-songwriter, pianist
- Jeff Huskins (born 1966), country musician
- Willie Hutch (1944–2005), blues/R&B singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, record producer
- Clarence Hutchenrider (1908–1991), jazz clarinetist
- Walter Hyatt (1949–1996), folk singer, guitarist
- Melvin Jackson (1915–1976), blues guitarist
- Ronald Shannon Jackson (born 1940), jazz drummer
- Illinois Jacquet (1922–2004), jazz saxophonist, bassoonist
- Russell Jacquet (1917–1990), jazz trumpeter
- Sarah Jaffe, rock singer-songwriter
- Casey James (born 1983), pop/country singer, guitarist
- Harry James (1916–1983), jazz/big band trumpeter (lived and worked in Beaumont as an adolescent)
- Blind Lemon Jefferson (1897–1929), blues musician
- Speight Jenkins (born 1937), opera administrator, producer
- Waylon Jennings (1937–2002), country singer
- Flaco Jiménez (born 1939), Tejano accordionist
- Santiago Jiménez, Jr. (born 1961), conjunto accordionist
- Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington, Jr.) (1935–1982), soul singer-songwriter
- Blind Willie Johnson (1897–1945) blues/spirituals singer, guitarist
- Budd Johnson (1910–1984), jazz saxophonist
- Conrad O. Johnson (1915–2008), music educator
- Eric Johnson (born 1954), rock/jazz/country guitarist
- Gus Johnson (1913–2000), jazz drummer
- Keg Johnson (1908–1967), jazz trombonist
- Money Johnson (1918–1978), jazz trumpeter
- Virgil L. Johnson (born 1935), musician, The Velvets
- Willie Neal Johnson (1935–2001), gospel singer
- Nicholas Jonas (born 1992), singer, guitarist of the Jonas Brothers
- George Jones (born 1931), country singer
- Little Hat Jones (1899–1981). blues singer, guitarist
- Maggie Jones (c. 1900 – unknown), blues singer, pianist, known as "The Texas Nightingale"
- Mike Jones (born 1981), rapper
- Norah Jones (born 1979), soul/folk singer-songwriter, born in New York City but raised in Texas
- Tom Jones (born 1928), lyricist of musical theater
- Janis Joplin (1943–1970), blues/rock singer
- Scott Joplin (c. 1867–1917), ragtime musician and composer
- Esteban Jordan (1939–2010), conjunto/Tejano accordionist
- Milton Katims (1909–2006), concert violist and conductor
- Robert Earl Keen (born 1957), singer-songwriter
- Peck Kelley (1898–1980), jazz pianist and bandleader
- Kent Kennan (1913–2003), classical composer
- King Curtis (Curtis Ousley) (1934–1971), R&B/pop saxophonist
- Freddie King (1934–1976), blues guitarist and singer
- Ralph Kirshbaum (born 1946), cellist
- Beyoncé Knowles (born 1981), R&B singer, actress
- Solange Knowles (born 1986), R&B singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer
- Buddy Knox (1933–1999), rockabilly singer-songwriter
- Karl Korte (born 1928), composer, music educator
- Lili Kraus (1903–1986), classical pianist
- Hans Kreissig (1857–1929), conductor, pianist, educator; created Dallas Symphony Orchestra
- Kris Kristofferson (born 1936), singer-songwriter, actor
- Philip Krumm (born 1941), composer
- Fredell Lack (born 1922), concert violinist
- Gary Lakes (born 1950), opera singer
- Miranda Lambert (born 1983), singer/songwriter
- Harold Land (1928–2001), bop saxophonist
- Milt Larkin (1910–1996), jazz trumpeter, bandleader
- Prince Lasha (1929–2008), jazz instrumentalist
- Melissa Lawson (born 1976), country singer
- Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) (1888–1949), blues musician
- Raymond Lewenthal (1923–1988), concert pianist
- Vaden Todd Lewis (born 1965), grunge singer-guitarist (The Toadies, Burden Brothers)
- Willie Lewis (1905–1971), jazz clarinetist, bandleader
- Lil Flip (Wesley Weston, Jr.) (born 1981), rapper
- Mance Lipscomb (1895–1976), Blues singer, guitarist
- Robert Lipsett (born 1947), concert violinist and master teacher
- Bill Lister (1923–2009), country singer
- Andrew Litton (born 1959), orchestra conductor
- Lisa Loeb (born 1968), singer-songwriter, actress
- Alan Lomax (1915–2002), folk singer, guitarist, ethnomusicologist, folklorist
- John Lomax (1867–1948), musicologist, folklorist
- Trini Lopez (born 1937), Hispanic musician, singer
- Demi Lovato (born 1992), singer, actress
- Lyle Lovett (born 1957), singer-songwriter
- David Lowery (born 1960), rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter
- LeToya Luckett (born 1981), singer
- Bob Luman (1937–1978), country/rockabilly singer
- Ray Lynch (born 1943), classical guitarist and lutenist
- Michael Madden (born 1979), bassist for Maroon 5
- Martie Maguire (born 1969), country singer-songwriter (The Dixie Chicks)
- Martin Mailman (1932–2000), classical composer and educator
- Lloyd Maines (born 1951), musician, producer
- Natalie Maines (born 1974), musician
- Will Makar (born 1989), singer, born and raised in The Woodlands/Houston
- Petronel Malan (born 1974), concert pianist
- Barbara Mandrell (born 1948), country singer
- Louise Mandrell (born 1954), country singer
- Chris Marion (born 1962), rock musician member of Little River Band
- Tina Marsh (1954–2009), jazz singer, composer
- David Martin (1937–1987) [1] rock musician, original member of Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, Bill Smith Combo, Tommy & The Tom Toms
- Mary Martin (1913–1990), Broadway singer, actress
- Narciso Martínez (1911–1992), conjunto singer, accordionist
- Rhema Marvanne (born 2002), gospel singer
- Eduardo Mata (1942–1995), orchestra conductor
- Johnny Mathis (born 1935), singer
- Rich Matteson (1929–1993), jazz brass player, bandleader, educator
- Pete Mayes (1938–2008), blues singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Leon McAuliffe (1917–1988), Western swing guitarist
- W. Francis McBeth (born 1933), composer, music educator
- Erin McCarley (born 1979), alternative music singer-songwriter
- Delbert McClinton (born 1940), singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Mary McCormic (1889–1981), opera singer, educator
- Neal McCoy (born 1958), country singer
- David McEnery (1914–2002), country/Christian singer-songwriter, guitarist
- MC Gee Gee (Genie Rodriguez), Christian rapper
- Ray McKinley (1910–1995), jazz drummer, singer, bandleader
- Meat Loaf (born 1951), singer, actor
- David Meece (born 1952), contemporary Christian singer, pianist
- Lydia Mendoza (1916–2007), Tejano singer
- Tift Merritt (born 1975), rock/country singer-songwriter
- Augie Meyers (born 1940), rock/Tejano keyboard player
- Liz Mikel (born 1963), jazz singer, actress
- Amos Milburn (1927–1980), R&B singer, pianist
- Buddy Miles (1947–2008), rock drummer
- Jason Miller, drummer
- Rhett Miller (born 1970), alt-country singer
- Roger Miller (1936–1992), singer-songwriter
- Steve Miller (born 1943), blues/rock guitarist
- Charles Moffett (1929–1997), jazz drummer
- Johnny Moore (1906–1969), blues singer, guitarist
- Oscar Moore (1916–1981), jazz/blues guitarist
- Tiny Moore (1920–1987), western swing instrumentalist
- Whistlin' Alex Moore (1899–1989), blues pianist, singer, whistler
- Jason Moran (born 1975), jazz pianist
- Craig Morris (born 1968), classical trumpet player, educator
- Harold Morris (1890–1964), classical pianist, composer, educator
- Ella Mae Morse (1924–1999), blues/jazz/pop singer
- Lacey Mosley (born 1981), lead singer of alternative metal band Flyleaf
- Moon Mullican (1909–1967), country singer-songwriter, pianist
- Michael Martin Murphey (born 1945), country singer-songwriter
- Audie Murphy (1924–1971), country singer-songwriter, actor, highly decorated soldier
- Sam Myers (1936–2006), blues singer, instrumentalist
- Johnny Nash (born 1940), pop singer-songwriter
- Emilio Navaira (born 1962), Latin pop/country musician
- Sam Neely (1948–2006), country singer, guitarist
- Nelly (born 1978), rapper
- Jimmy Nelson (1928–2007), blues singer-songwriter
- Steady Nelson (1913–1988), jazz/swing trumpeter
- Willie Nelson (born 1933), country singer-songwriter
- Michael Nesmith (born 1942), singer with The Monkees
- Mickey Newbury (1940–2002), country/folk singer-songwriter
- David "Fathead" Newman (1933–2009), jazz saxophonist
- Johnny Nicholas (born 1948), blues singer, pianist
- Elena Nikolaidi (1909–2002), opera singer and teacher
- John Nitzinger, rock guitarist, songwriter
- Phil Ochs (1940–1976), folk singer-songwriter
- W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel (1890–1969), country-western singer-songwriter, band promoter (Light Crust Doughboys), radio host; later Governor and U.S. Senator from Texas
- Pauline Oliveros (born 1932), avant-garde composer, performance artist
- Roy Orbison (1936–1988), singer-songwriter
- K. T. Oslin (born 1941), country singer-songwriter
- Buck Owens (1929–2006), country singer
- Hot Lips Page (1908–1954), jazz trumpeter, bandleader
- Knocky Parker (1918–1986), country/jazz pianist
- Dean Parks, studio musician
- Glen Payne (1926–1999), gospel singer
- Leon Payne (1917–1969), country singer-songwriter
- Jack Petersen (born 1933), jazz guitarist, educator
- Marvin Peterson (aka Hannibal) (born 1948), jazz trumpet player, composer
- Ray Peterson (1939–2005), pop singer
- Esther Phillips (1935–1984), R&B/jazz/pop/country singer
- Washington Phillips (1880–1954), gospel singer, instrumentalist
- Buster Pickens (1916–1964), blues pianist
- Patrice Pike (born 1970), rock/soul singer-songwriter-guitarist
- Pimp C (Chad Butler) (1973–2007), rapper
- Mark Pirro, rock bass player
- Mark Powell (born 1966), symphony and opera conductor
- Billy Preston (1946–2006), soul musician
- Ray Price (born 1926), country singer
- Sammy Price (1908–1992), jazz/blues pianist, bandleader
- Charley Pride (born 1938), country singer
- P. J. Proby (born 1938), singer-songwriter, actor
- Selena Quintanilla (1971–1995), singer
- Ezra Rachlin (1915–1995), orchestra conductor, pianist
- Gene Ramey (1913–1984), jazz double bassist
- Willis Alan Ramsey (born 1951), country singer-songwriter
- Dewey Redman (1931–2006), jazz saxophonist
- Goebel Reeves (1899–1959), folk singer
- Jim Reeves (1923–1964), country/pop singer-songwriter
- Claire Raphael Reis (1888–1978), classical music promoter, educator
- Nicolà Rescigno (1916–2008), opera conductor
- Timothy Rhea (born 1967), conductor, music educator
- J.P. (The Big Bopper) Richardson (1930–1959), singer
- Jim Riggs (born 1941), saxophonist, educator
- Jeannie C. Riley (born 1945), country singer
- LeAnn Rimes (born 1982), country singer, born in Mississippi, but grew up in Garland, Texas
- Cowboy Slim Rinehart (1911–1948), country singer
- Tex Ritter (1905–1974), singer/ actor, father of actor John Ritter
- Rudy Robbins (born 1933), Western singer-songwriter, actor, screenwriter, stuntman
- LaTavia Roberson (born 1981), singer
- Eck Robertson (1887–1975), country fiddler
- Don Robey (1903–1975), blues songwriter, record producer
- Hal Robinson (born 1952), classical string bass player
- Sharon Robinson (born 1949), concert cellist
- Emily Robison (born 1972), country singer-songwriter (The Dixie Chicks)
- Jimmie Rodgers (1897–1933), country singer
- Carrie Rodriguez (born 1978), folk singer-songwriter, fiddler
- Danny Rodriguez (1967–1990), Christian rapper
- David Rodriguez (born 1952), folk singer-songwriter
- Johnny Rodriguez (born 1951), country singer
- Omar Rodríguez-López (born 1975), Dub and Progressive rock musician
- Robert Xavier Rodríguez (born 1946), classical composer
- Kenny Rogers (born 1938), country singer-songwriter
- Randy Rogers, country singer
- Gene Roland (1921–1982), jazz composer, musician
- A. Clyde Roller (1914–2005), conductor and music educator
- Lulu Roman (born 1947), country/gospel singer, comedian
- Amber Rose (born 1983), singer
- Kelly Rowland (born 1981), R&B singer-songwriter, dancer, actress
- Corey Rozzoni (born 1973), rock guitarist (Burden Brothers)
- Tim Rushlow (born 1966), country musician
- Doug Sahm (1941–1999), Tejano musician-songwriter
- Carl St.Clair (born 1952), orchestra conductor
- St. Vincent (Annie Clark) (born 1982), pop singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Olga Samaroff (1880–1948), classical pianist and teacher
- Joe Sample (born 1939), jazz pianist, composer
- Domingo "Sam" Samudio (born 1937), rock 'n' roll musician, bandleader, entertainer ("Sam the Sham")
- Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio (born 1960), violinist
- Simon Sargon (born 1938), classical composer, pianist, conductor
- Ray Sasaki (born 1948), trumpet player, educator
- Boz Scaggs (born 1944), singer-songwriter
- Scarface (born 1970), rapper
- Haley Scarnato (born 1982), American Idol (season 6) finalist (8th place)
- Harvey Schmidt (born 1929), musical theatre composer (The Fantasticks)
- David Schnaufer (1952–2006), folk dulcimer player, music educator
- Jerry Scoggins (1911–2004), country singer
- Kendrick Scott (born 1980), jazz drummer, bandleader, composer
- Dan Seals (1948–2009), rock/country musician (England Dan & John Ford Coley)
- Jim Seals (born 1941), soft-rock musician (Seals and Crofts)
- Lynn Seaton (born 1957), jazz bassist, educator
- Arban Severin (born 1976), composer of electronic music, film scores; producer
- Billy Joe Shaver (born 1939), country singer-songwriter
- Robert Shaw (1908–1985), blues pianist
- Bob (1909–1983), Joe (1911–1980), and Merle Shelton (1917–1982), country musicians, The Shelton Brothers
- John Sheridan (born 1946), jazz pianist
- Michelle Shocked (born 1962), singer-songwriter, musician
- Ashlee Simpson (born 1984), singer
- Jessica Simpson (born 1980), singer
- Lori Singer (born 1957), concert cellist (better known as actress)
- Slim Thug (born 1980), rapper
- Buster Smith (1904–1991), jazz saxophonist
- Elliott Smith (1969–2003), rock singer-songwriter
- Julia Smith (1905–1989), composer, pianist, author
- Tim Smith, rock instrumentalist
- Ed Soph (born 1945), jazz drummer, educator
- J. D. Souther (born 1945), country/rock singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Victoria Spivey (1906–1976), blues singer-songwriter
- Terry Stafford (1941–1996), country/pop singer-songwriter
- Lanny Steele (1933–1994), jazz pianist, music educator, composer, jazz festival promoter
- B. W. Stevenson (1949–1998), country/pop singer-songwriter
- Stephen Stills (born 1945), singer-songwriter Crosby, Stills & Nash
- George Strait (born 1952), country singer
- Eric Stuer (1953–2008), drummer
- Deanna Summers (born 1940), songwriter, born in Mississippi
- Gene Summers (born 1939), rock 'n roll singer ("School of Rock 'n Roll", "Big Blue Diamonds")
- Helen Sung (born 1970), jazz pianist
- Jeffrey Swann (born 1951), classical pianist
- Horace Tapscott (1934–1999), jazz pianist, composer
- Buddy Tate (1913–2001), jazz saxophonist
- Jacqueline Taylor (born 1985), Broadway/cabaret singer, actress
- Johnnie Taylor (1937–2000), soul/pop singer, DJ
- Charlie Teagarden (1913–1984), jazz trumpeter
- Jack Teagarden (1905–1964), jazz trombonist and bandleader
- Norma Teagarden (1911–1996), jazz pianist
- Alfred Teltschik (1918–2009), classical pianist and teacher
- Texas Ruby (Ruby Owens) (1908–1963), country singer
- Tha Realest (Jevon Jones) (born 1974), rapper
- Christopher Theofanidis (born 1967), classical composer
- B. J. Thomas (born 1942), country singer-songwriter
- George W. Thomas (1885–1930?), jazz pianist, songwriter
- Henry Thomas (1874–1950?), blues/ragtime singer, songwriter
- Hersal Thomas (1910–1926), blues pianist, composer
- Benny Thomasson (1909–1984), country fiddler
- Hank Thompson (1925–2007), country singer-songwriter
- Big Mama Thornton (1926–1984), R&B singer-songwriter
- Frank Ticheli (born 1958), classical composer
- Neal Tiemann (born 1982), David Cook's rock band guitarist
- Floyd Tillman (1914–2003), country guitarist, singer
- Louise Tobin (born 1918), jazz singer
- Chris Tomlin (born 1972), singer-songwriter
- Tommy & The Tom Toms aka Bill Smith Combo DFW Rock 'n Roll group
- Tone (Tony Chung) (born 1983), pop guitarist (Cool silly)
- Don Tosti (1923–2004), Latin/R&B/swing/jazz/classical bassist, pianist
- Alphonse Trent (1905–1959), jazz pianist, bandleader
- Ernest Tubb (1914–1984), country singer-songwriter
- Justin Tubb (1935–1998), country singer-songwriter
- Tanya Tucker (born 1958), country singer
- Fisher Tull (1934–1994), composer and educator
- "Blue" Gene Tyranny (born 1945), avant-garde composer
- Alexander Uninsky (1910–1972), concert pianist and teacher
- Tim Urban (born 1989), pop singer
- Usher (Usher Raymond IV) (born 1978), R&B and pop singer
- Mary Jeanne van Appledorn (born 1927), composer and educator
- Frank Van der Stucken (1858–1929), conductor, composer; founder of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
- Vanilla Ice (born 1968), rapper
- Paul van Katwijk (1885–1974), pianist, conductor, composer, educator
- Townes Van Zandt (1944–1997), country singer-songwriter
- Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–1990), musician
- Jaci Velasquez (born 1979), Contemporary Christian Latin pop singer
- Carl Venth (1860–1938), composer, conductor, violinist, music educator
- William VerMeulen (born 1961), classical horn player
- Eddie Vinson (1917–1988), blues saxophonist
- Billy Walker (1929–2006), country singer-songwriter
- Charlie Walker (1926–2008), country singer-songwriter
- Cindy Walker (1918–2006), country singer-songwriter
- Esther Walker (1894–1943), blues singer, musical comedy actress
- T-Bone Walker (1910–1975), blues musician
- William Walker (1931–2010), opera singer
- Paul Wall (born 1980), rapper
- Sippie Wallace (1898–1986), blues singer-songwriter
- Don Walser (1934–2006), country singer, guitarist
- Cedar Walton (born 1934), jazz pianist
- Mercy Dee Walton (1915–1962), blues pianist, singer-songwriter
- Johnny "Guitar" Watson (1935–1996), blues guitarist, singer
- Katie Webster (1936–1999), blues pianist
- Michael Weiss (born 1958), jazz composer and pianist
- Dan Welcher (born 1948), composer, music educator, bassoonist
- Emily Wells (born 1981), hip-hop/classical violinist
- Barry White (1944–2003), soul singer and record producer
- Michael White (born 1933), jazz violinist
- Chris Whitley (1960–2005), blues singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Rusty Wier (1944–2009), country/folk singer-songwriter
- Slim Willet (Winston Moore) (1919–1966), country singer-songwriter, DJ
- Willie D (William Dennis) (born 1966), rapper
- Clifton Williams (1923–1976), composer, educator
- Dave Williams (1972–2002), rock singer
- Lew Williams (born 1934), rockabilly singer-songwriter
- Otis Williams (born 1941), singer with The Temptations
- Richard Williams (1931–1985), jazz trumpeter
- Roosevelt Williams (1903–1996), blues pianist
- Sudie L. Williams (1872–1940), music educator
- Zane Williams (born 1977), country singer-songwriter
- Bob Wills (1905–1975), country singer with The Texas Playboys
- Johnnie Lee Wills (1912–1984), Western swing fiddler
- Dooley Wilson (1886 or 1894–1953), blues/jazz pianist, bandleader; actor
- Hop Wilson (1927–1975), blues steel guitarist
- J. Frank Wilson (1941–1991), pop singer, J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers
- Teddy Wilson (1912–1986), jazz pianist
- Edgar Winter (born 1946), jazz/blues/rock musician
- Johnny Winter (born 1944), blues guitarist
- Lee Ann Womack (born 1966), country singer-songwriter
- Darren Keith Woods (born 1958), opera company director, singer
- Lammar Wright, Sr. (1907–1973), jazz trumpeter
- Leo Wright (1933–1991), jazz instrumentalist
- Roger Wright (born 1974), classical pianist
- Jimmy Wyble (1922–2010), jazz/swing guitarist
[edit] Miss America/Miss USA pageant winners
- Shirley Cothran (born 1955), Miss America 1975
- Jo-Carroll Dennison (born 1923), Miss America 1942
- Christy Fichtner (born 1962), Miss USA 1986
- Phyllis George (born 1949), Miss America 1971
- Courtney Gibbs (born 1966), Miss USA 1988
- Kandace Krueger (born 1976), Miss USA 2001
- Debra Maffett (born 1956), Miss America 1983
- Laura Martinez-Harring (born 1964), Miss USA 1985
- Gretchen Polhemus (born 1965), Miss USA 1989
- Michelle Royer (born 1966), Miss USA 1987
- Chelsi Smith (born 1973), Miss USA 1995 and Miss Universe 1995
- Crystle Stewart (born 1981), Miss USA 2008
- Kimberly Tomes (born 1956), Miss USA 1977
[edit] Athletics
[edit] Baseball
- Matt Albers (born 1983), relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles
- Brett Anderson (born 1988), starting pitcher for the Oakland Athletics
- Jake Arrieta (born 1986), starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles
- Scott Atchison (born 1976), relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
- Ernie Banks (born 1931), Baseball Hall of Famer
- Daniel Bard (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
- Josh Beckett (born 1980), baseball, Boston Red Sox, pitcher, MVP of the 2003 World Series
- Lance Berkman (born 1976), first baseman for the New York Yankees
- Michael Bourn (born 1982), center fielder for the Houston Astros
- Clay Buchholz (born 1984), baseball, Boston Red Sox, pitcher, Threw a No Hitter in just his second MLB start
- Jorge Cantú (born 1982), infielder for the Texas Rangers
- Randy Choate (born 1975), relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Roger Clemens (born 1962), baseball pitcher, seven-time Cy Young Award winner
- Clay Condrey (born 1975), relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
- Carl Crawford (born 1981), left fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays
- John Danks (born 1985), starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
- Chris Davis (born 1986), first baseman for the Texas Rangers
- Sam Demel (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Doug Drabek (born 1962), former Cy Young-winning MLB pitcher
- Kyle Drabek (born 1987), starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Justin Duchscherer (born 1977), starting pitcher for the Oakland A's
- Bill Foster (1904–1978), Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
- Ron Gant (born 1965), former MLB outfielder and second baseman
- Cito Gaston (born 1944), former MLB center fielder and current manager for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Greg Golson (born 1985), outfielder for the New York Yankees
- Michael Gonzalez (born 1978), relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles
- Chad Huffman (born 1985), outfielder for the New York Yankees
- Austin Jackson (born 1987), center fielder for the Detroit Tigers
- Conor Jackson (born 1982), left fielder and first baseman for the Oakland Athletics
- Kelly Johnson (born 1982), second baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Scott Kazmir (born 1984), starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels
- Kyle Kendrick (born 1984), starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies
- Clayton Kershaw (born 1988), starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Chuck Knoblauch (born 1968), former second baseman, played primarily with the Minnesota TwinsNew York Yankees and the
- John Lackey (born 1978), starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
- Ryan Langerhans (born 1980), outfielder for the Seattle Mariners
- Scott Linebrink (born 1976), relief pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
- Grady Little (born 1950), former baseball manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox
- Boone Logan (born 1984), relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
- James Loney (born 1984), first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Mark Lowe (born 1983), relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Robert Manuel (born 1983), relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
- John Meloan (born 1984), relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics
- Jim Morris (born 1964), Major League Baseball player and oldest rookie
- David Murphy (born 1981), left fielder for the Texas Rangers
- Joe Nathan (born 1974), closer for the Minnesota Twins
- Jeff Niemann (born 1983), starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Jayson Nix (born 1982), second baseman for the Cleveland Indians
- Troy Patton (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles
- Hunter Pence (born 1983), right fielder for the Houston Astros
- Cliff Pennington (born 1984), shortstop for the Oakland Athletics
- Andy Pettitte (born 1972), starting pitcher for the New York Yankees
- David Purcey (born 1982), relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Robert Ray (born 1984), relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Will Rhymes (born 1983), second baseman for the Detroit Tigers
- Frank Robinson (born 1935), won Triple Crown in both National League and American League, hit 586 career home runs, and was the first black manager in the Major Leagues
- Nolan Ryan (born 1947), Baseball Hall of Famer
- Kelly Shoppach (born 1980), catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Kevin Slowey (born 1984), starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
- Chris Snyder (born 1981), catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Jordan Tata (born 1981), former MLB pitcher
- Taylor Teagarden (born 1983,) catcher for the Texas Rangers
- Jess Todd (born 1986), relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
- Vernon Wells (born 1978), two-time All-Star center fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Smokey Joe Williams (1886–1951), baseball great
- Brandon Wood (born 1985), third baseman and shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels
- Kerry Wood (born 1977), relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
[edit] Football
- Joseph Addai (born 1983), running back for the Indianapolis Colts
- Jared Allen (born 1982), defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings
- Remi Ayodele (born 1983), defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints
- Jonathan Babineaux (born 1981), defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons
- Jordan Babineaux (born 1982), defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks
- Jackie Battle (born 1983), running back for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Martellus Bennett (born 1987), tight end for the Dallas Cowboys
- Cedric Benson (born 1982), running back for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Rocky Bernard (born 1979), defensive tackle for the New York Giants
- Rhett Bomar (born 1985), quarterback for the New York Giants
- David Boston (born 1978), former NFL wide receiver
- Bobby Boyd (born 1937), All-Pro, NFL Defensive Back, Baltimore Colts, Oklahoma University
- Drew Brees (born 1979), NFL quarterback for the New Orleans Saints
- Mike Brisiel (born 1983), guard for the Houston Texans
- Aaron Brown (born 1985), running back and return specialist for the Detroit Lions
- Kris Brown (born 1976), placekicker for the Houston Texans
- Dez Bryant (born 1988), wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Melvin Bullitt (born 1984), defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts
- Earl Campbell (born 1955), Pro Football Hall of Famer, Heisman Trophy winner
- Rock Cartwright (born 1979), running back for the Washington Redskins
- James Casey (born 1984), tight end for the Houston Texans
- Scott Chandler (born 1985), tight end for the New York Giants
- Jamaal Charles (born 1986), running back for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Patrick Crayton (born 1979), wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers
- Mason Crosby (born 1984), placekicker for the Green Bay Packers
- Chase Daniel (born 1986), quarterback for the New Orleans Saints
- Leonard Davis (born 1978), guard for the Dallas Cowboys
- Ty Detmer (born 1967), former NFL quarterback
- Eric Dickerson (born 1960), former NFL running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer
- Zac Diles (born 1985), linebacker for the Houston Texans
- Donald Driver (born 1975), wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers
- Matt Flynn (born 1985), quarterback for the Green Bay Packers
- Barry Foster (born 1968), former NFL running back
- Jason Fox (born 1988), offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions
- Dylan Gandy (born 1982), center for the Detroit Lions
- Roberto Garza (born 1979), guard for the Chicago Bears
- Bill Glass (born 1935), former defensive end for the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns
- Cody Glenn (born 1986), linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts
- Mike Goodson (born 1987), running back for the Carolina Panthers
- Andre Gurode (born 1978), center for the Dallas Cowboys
- Caleb Hanie (born 1985), quarterback for the Chicago Bears
- Tommie Harris (born 1983), defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears
- David Hawthorne (born 1985), linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks
- Johnnie Lee Higgins (born 1983), wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders
- Stephen Hodge (born 1987), linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys
- Montrae Holland (born 1980), guard for the Dallas Cowboys
- Chris Houston (born 1984), cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons
- Thomas Howard (born 1983), linebacker for the Oakland Raiders
- Michael Huff (born 1983), free safety for the Oakland Raiders
- Jerry Hughes (born 1988), defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts
- Sam Hurd (born 1985), wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Brian Iwuh (born 1984), linebacker for the Chicago Bears
- Quentin Jammer (born 1979), cornerback for the San Diego Chargers
- Charlie Johnson (born 1984), offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts
- D. J. Johnson (born 1985), cornerback for the New York Giants
- Manuel Johnson (born 1986), wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Michael Johnson (born 1984), safety for the New York Giants
- Johnny Jolly (born 1983), defensive end for the Green Bay Packers
- Johnny Knox (born 1986), wide receiver for the Chicago Bears
- Gary Kubiak (born 1961), head coach for the Houston Texans
- Jacob Lacey (born 1987), cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts
- Ernie Ladd (1938–2007), American college and professional football player and professional wrestler
- Tom Landry football head coach, Dallas Cowboys
- Shane Lechler (born 1976), punter for the Oakland Raiders
- Danieal Manning (born 1982), free safety for the Chicago Bears
- Brett Maxie (born 1962), former NFL defensive back and secondary coach for the Dallas Cowboys
- Brice McCain (born 1986), cornerback for the Houston Texans
- Danny McCray (born 1988), defensive back for the Dallas Cowboys
- Stephen McGee (born 1985), quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Henry Melton (born 1986), defensive end for the Chicago Bears
- "Dandy" Don Meredith (born 1938), quarterback Dallas Cowboys and TV football color commentator
- Earl Mitchell (born 1987), defensive tackle for the Houston Texans
- Sammy Morris (born 1977), running back for the New England Patriots
- Thomas Morstead (born 1986), punter for the New Orleans Saints
- Frank Okam (born 1985), defensive tackle for the Houston Texans
- Mac Percival (born 1940), former National Football League placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears
- Jason Peters (born 1982), offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Adrian Peterson (born 1985), National Football League running back for the Minnesota Vikings
- Brandon Pettigrew (born 1985), tight end for the Detroit Lions
- Bum Phillips (born 1923), head coach in the National Football League
- Wade Phillips (born 1947), head coach for the Dallas Cowboys
- Aaron Ross (born 1982), cornerback for the New York Giants
- Kyle Rote (1928–2002), All-American running back at Southern Methodist University and 1951–1961 NFL New York Giants wide receiver
- Stanford Routt (born 1983), cornerback for the Oakland Raiders
- Hunter Smith (born 1977), punter for the Washington Redskins
- Lovie Smith (born 1958), head coach for the Chicago Bears
- Wade Smith (born 1981), guard and center for the Houston Texans
- Justin Snow (born 1976), long snapper for the Indianapolis Colts
- Matthew Stafford (born 1988), quarterback for the Detroit Lions
- Matt Stover (born 1968), placekicker for the Indianapolis Colts
- David Thomas (born 1983), tight end for the New Orleans Saints
- LaDainian Tomlinson (born 1979), NFL running back for the New York Jets
- Michael Toudouze (born 1983), offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts
- Jeremiah Trotter (born 1977), linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Robert Turner (born 1984), guard and center for the New York Jets
- Tony Ugoh (born 1983), offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts
- Jamar Wall (born 1988), cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys
- J'Marcus Webb (born 1988), offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears
- Brandon Williams (born 1986), linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys
- Roy Williams (born 1981), wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Teddy Williams (born 1988), cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Josh Wilson (born 1985), cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks
- Wade Wilson (born 1959), former quarterback primarily with the Minnesota Vikings; current quarterbacks coach for the Dallas Cowboys
- Eric Winston (born 1983), offensive tackle for the Houston Texans
- Will Witherspoon (born 1980), linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Vince Young (born 1983), quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, MVP of the 2005 and 2006 Rose Bowl
[edit] Basketball
- LaMarcus Aldridge (born 1985) NBA player, Portland Trail Blazers, power forward
- Tony Battie (born 1976), NBA power forward/center for the New Jersey Nets
- Chris Bosh (born 1984) NBA player, Miami Heat, power forward
- Mike Dunleavy, Jr. (born 1980), small forward for the Indiana Pacers
- T. J. Ford (born 1983), point guard for the Indiana Pacers
- Daniel Gibson (born 1986), point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Grant Hill (born 1971), seven-time NBA All-Star small forward for the Phoenix Suns
- Stephen Jackson (born 1978), swingman for the Charlotte Bobcats
- Jason Maxiell (born 1983), power forward for the Detroit Pistons
- Taj McWilliams-Franklin (born 1970), basketball player, gold medalist
- Randolph Morris (born 1986), center for the Atlanta Hawks
- Gerald Myers (born 1945), basketball coach 1971-1991 & athletic director Texas Tech University
- Emeka Okafor (born 1982), basketball player, New Orleans Hornets
- Kevin Ollie (born 1972), point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder
- Dennis Rodman (born 1961), NBA
- Sheryl Swoopes (born 1971), WNBA, Olympic gold medalist
- Kurt Thomas (born 1972), center for the Milwaukee Bucks
[edit] Professional Wrestling
- Jason Reyman AKA "The Wall"
- Stan Hansen
- John Layfield
- Terry Funk
- Dory Funk Jr.
- Dory Funk Sr.
- Booker Huffman, competes under the ring name "Booker T"
- Lane Huffman, competed under the ring name "Stevie Ray"
- Stone Cold Steve Austin
- Von Erich Family
- Shawn Michaels
- Mark Calaway (WWE Wrestler known as The Undertaker)
- Mark Henry
[edit] Other
- Lance Armstrong (born 1971), cyclist, seven-time Tour de France winner
- Brandon Bernstein (born 1972) Drag Racer, Son of Kenny NHRA Top Fuel Driver
- Kenny Bernstein (born 1944), Drag Racer, 6 time NHRA Champion
- Colin Braun (born 1988), NASCAR driver for Roush Fenway Racing
- Matthew S. Brown (born 1976), track and field champion at 2007 Parapan American Games in Rio de Janiero[3]
- Joie Chitwood (1912–1988), professional racecar driver
- Randall "Tex" Cobb (born 1950), champion boxer
- Brad Coleman (born 1988), NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing
- Ronnie Coleman (born 1964), 8-time Mr. Olympia IFBB Pro Bodybuilder
- Josh Davis (born 1972), Olympic gold and silver medalist in freestyle swimming
- Juan Díaz (born 1983), boxer
- Cowboy Morgan Evans (1903–1969), Rodeo Steer wrestling World Series champion 1928, RancherRoughneck, Father, oilman.
- George Foreman (born 1949), World Heavyweight champion boxer, Father, Entrepreneur, Christianordained minister
- A. J. Foyt (born 1935), race car driver
- Zina Garrison (born 1963), tennis player
- Ben Hogan (1912–1997), golf great
- Jack Johnson (1878–1946), first black Heavyweight Champion of the World
- Michael Johnson (born 1967), Olympic gold medalist, World Record holder
- Tom Kite (born 1949), golfer
- Courtney Kupets (born 1986), World and U.S. champion gymnast, silver medalist in the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Bobby Labonte (born 1964), NASCAR driver
- Terry Labonte (born 1956) former NASCAR driver
- Rafael Lecuona (born 1928) former gymnast
- Tara Lipinski (born 1982), figure skater, Olympic gold medalist
- Nastia Liukin (born 1989), 2008 Olympic gymnastics all-around gold medalist
- Carly Patterson (born 1988), 2004 Olympic gymnastics all-around gold medalist
- Bill Pickett (1870–1932), cowboy and rodeo performer
- Willie Shoemaker (1931–2003), most successful jockey in history
- Lee Trevino (born 1939), golfer
- Dana Vollmer (born 1987), swimmer who won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Jeremy Wariner (born 1984), Track & Field Olympic Gold Medalist
- Kathy Whitworth (born 1939), golfer
- Darold Williamson (born 1983), Olympic Gold Medalist in Track & Field
- Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1914–1956), gold medalist 1932 Olympics, golf great
[edit] Business
- John George Adair (1823–1885), partner with Charles Goodnight in JA Ranch
- Red Adair (1915–2004), offshore oil field firefighter
- Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001), businesswoman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics
- Norman Brinker (1931–2009), restaurateur
- Joseph Campisi (1918–1990), restaurateur
- Jack Crichton (1916–2007), oil and natural gas industrialist; Republican candidate for governor of Texas in 1964
- Carl G. Cromwell (1889–1931), oil driller and aviation pioneer [4]
- Michael Dell (born 1965), founder of Dell Inc.
- Dean Fearing (born 1955), chef, restaurateur
- Charles Goodnight (1836–1929), legendary Texas cattleman
- Najeeb Halaby (1915–2003), FAA administrator, chairman and CEO of Pan Am, father of Queen Noor of Jordan
- Ebby Halliday (born 1911), Realtor, entrepreneur
- Adolph R. Hanslik (1917–2007), "dean" of West Texas cotton producers
- Pattillo Higgins (1863–1955), oil pioneer and businessman, known as the "Prophet of Spindletop"
- Barron Hilton (born 1927), billionaire socialite, businessman, heir to Hilton Hotels fortune
- Conrad Hilton, Jr. (1926–1969), socialite, businessman, heir to Hilton Hotels fortune
- Timothy Dwight Hobart (1855–1935), landowner, surveyor, rancher, mayor of Pampa
- Howard Hughes (1905–1976), Aviator, filmmaker, eccentric billionaire
- Jim Humphreys (1921–2007), former manager of Pitchfork Ranch east of Lubbock
- H. L. Hunt (1889–1974), oil tycoon, patriarch of Dallas family of legendary wealth and power
- Oliver Winfield Killam (1874–1959), Laredo oilman, businessman, rancher, former state legislator from Oklahoma
- Radcliffe Killam (1910–2007), Laredo oilman, businessman, rancher, large landowner, philanthropist
- Kay Kimbell (1886–1964), entrepreneur, philanthropist; endowed Kimbell Art Museum
- Richard King (1824–1885), entrepreneur, founder of the legendary King Ranch
- John Henry Kirby (1860–1940), businessman, founder of the Kirby Petroleum Company
- Fred C. Koch (1900–1967), chemical engineer and entrepreneur who founded the oil refinery firm that later became Koch Industries
- James Ling (1922–2004), founder of business conglomerate Ling-Temco-Vought
- Gerald Lyda (1923–2005), construction CEO, owner of La Escalera Ranch in Sierra County, New Mexico
- Glenn McCarthy (1907–1988), oil tycoon, entrepreneur; inspired the character Jett Rink in Giant
- Giles McCrary (born 1919), oil operator, rancher, art collector, philanthropist
- Eugene McDermott (1899–1973), founder of Texas Instruments, geophysicist, philanthropist
- William Johnson McDonald (1844–1926), banker, philanthropist
- Algur H. Meadows (1899–1978), oilman, philanthropist
- B.P. Newman (1927–2008), entrepreneur, developer, and philanthropist from Laredo
- Ross Perot (born 1930), entrepreneur, founder of EDS & Perot Systems, and 1992 U.S. Presidentialcandidate
- Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim (born 1928), founder, chairman, and principal owner of Pilgrim's Pride
- Kent Rathbun (born 1961), chef, restaurateur
- Sid W. Richardson (1891–1959), oilman, cattleman, philanthropist
- Montie Ritchie (1910–1999), owner and manager of JA Ranch from 1935–1993
- Tex Thornton (1913–1981), founder of Litton Industries
- Chet Upham (1925–2008), oil and gas industrialist from Mineral Wells; former Texas Republican Party chairman, owner of Loveland Ski Area in Colorado
- Edward Whitacre, Jr. (born 1941), chairman of the board and CEO of General Motors, chairman of the board and CEO of AT&T
- Clayton Wheat Williams, Jr. (born 1931), oilman; Republican gubernatorial nominee, 1990
- Clayton Wheat Williams, Sr. (1895–1983), oilman, geologist, rancher, historian
- Angus G. Wynne (1914–1979), founder of Six Flags Over Texas and subsequent corporate theme parks
[edit] Art and architecture
- Larry D. Alexander (born 1953), visual artist
- Tex Avery (1908–1980), animator, cartoonist, director
- Arthello Beck (1941–2004), visual artist
- Harold Dow Bugbee (1900–1963), artist
- Keith Carter (born 1948), photographer, educator, artist
- Nicholas Joseph Clayton (1840–1916), architect
- Charles August Albert Dellschau outsider artist
- Richard Dominguez (born 1960), comic book artist
- O'Neil Ford (1905–1982), architect
- Carl Hoppe (1897–1981), painter
- Donald Judd (1928–1994), sculptor
- Janet Krueger (born 1952), painter, educator
- Thomas C. Lea, III (1907–2001), muralist, illustrator, artist, war correspondent, novelist, historian
- Stanley Marsh 3 (born 1938), millionaire artist and philanthropist
- Bryan Moore (born 1959), architect
- Elisabet Ney (1833–1907), sculptor
- Robert Jenkins Onderdonk (1852-1917), painter
- Julian Onderdonk (1882–1922), painter
- Graydon Parrish (born 1970), realist painter
- Dan Piraro (born 1958), painter, illustrator, cartoonist
- Thomas M. Price (1916–1998), architect
- Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008), painter, sculptor, graphic artist
- Frank Reaugh (1860–1945), painter
- Ace Reid (born 1924), cartoonist and humorist
- Joe Riley (1964–2007), visual and plastic artist
- Julian Schnabel (born 1951), artist, film director
- Zachary Selig (born 1949), artist, painter, writer
- Mark Seliger (born 1959), photographer
- Mack White (born 1952), comic book artist
- Laura Wilson (born 1945), photographer
- Robert William Wood (1889–1979), landscape painter
[edit] Literature
- Jeff Abbott (born 1963), mystery novelist
- Susan Wittig Albert (born 1940), mystery writer
- Sybil Leonard Armes (1914–2007), author, poet, musician
- Karle Wilson Baker (1878–1960), poet, author
- Neal Barrett, Jr. (born 1929), science fiction-fantasy writer
- Barbara Barrie (born 1931), author of children's books
- Rick Bass (born 1958), writer, environmentalist
- James Lee Burke (born 1936), mystery writer
- Harley True Burton (1888–1964), author The History of the JA Ranch
- Katherine Center (born 1972), author of chick lit, mommy lit
- Pat Choate (born 1941), author, economist
- Sandra Cisneros (born 1954), author and poet
- Deborah Crombie (born 1952), mystery writer
- Justin Cronin (born 1962), novelist
- James Crumley (1939–2008), crime novelist
- Jim Dent, author, sportswriter
- J. Frank Dobie (1888–1964), folklorist and writer about open-range days
- Carole Nelson Douglas (born 1944), mystery writer
- Kitty Ferguson (born 1941), science writer
- Horton Foote (1916–2009), author and playwright
- Hans Peter Mareus Neilsen Gammel (1854–1931), editor and publisher of The Laws of Texas 1822-1897
- Bryan A. Garner (born 1958), lexicographer, grammarian, author, educator
- Fred Gipson (1908–1973), novelist, author of Old Yeller
- John Graves (born 1920), author
- Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey (born 1938), novelist, journalist, playwright
- J. Evetts Haley (1901–1995), historian and political activist
- Laura Vernon Hamner (1871–1968), author; ranch historian; educator
- Stanley Hauerwas (born 1940), theologian, philosopher
- Allison Hedge Coke (born 1958), poet and writer
- Patricia Highsmith (born 1921), writer, author of Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley
- Thomas Elisha Hogg (1842–1880), poet, writer, editor
- Mary Austin Holley (1784–1846), wrote first English-language history of Texas
- Robert E. Howard (1906–1936), author of the Conan the Barbarian stories, and other pulp adventure tales
- William Humphrey (1924–1997), novelist
- Elmer Kelton (1926–2009), journalist, western novelist
- Joe R. Lansdale (born 1951), author of crime thrillers and the Hap and Leonard novels
- Max Lucado (born 1955), best-selling Christian author
- Larry McMurtry (born 1936), Pulitzer Prize winning author of Lonesome Dove
- Naomi Shihab Nye (born 1952), poet, songwriter, novelist
- Bill O'Neal (born 1942), author, historian, educator
- William A. Owens (1905–1990), author, folklorist, educator
- Americo Paredes (1915–1999), author of books on life along the U.S.–Mexican border
- Stanley G. Payne (born 1934), historian of modern Spain and European Fascism
- Rupert N. Richardson (1891–1988), historian
- Rick Riordan (born 1964), novelist
- Lou Halsell Rodenberger (1926–2009), author, educator, journalist
- Dorothy Scarborough (1878–1935), author, folklorist
- Jerry D. Thompson (born 1943), historian of Texas and the Southwestern United States
- Jim Thompson (1906–1977), author of hardboiled crime fiction
- Lon Tinkle (1906–1980), author, Texas historian
- Sergio Troncoso (born 1961), author of The Last Tortilla and Other Stories, and The Nature of Truth
- Walter Prescott Webb (1888–1963), author, historian
[edit] Journalism
- Bidal Aguero (1949–2009), Hispanic newspaper publisher in Lubbock
- Wick Allison (born 1948), magazine owner and publisher, author
- Jim Angle (born 1946), Chief Washington Correspondent for Fox News
- Ole Anthony (born 1938), investigative journalist, magazine editor
- John Ardoin (1935–2001), music critic and author
- Skip Bayless (born 1951), sportswriter
- Paul Begala (born 1961), Democratic political consultant, political commentator
- Kevin Blackistone (born 1959), sportswriter
- Brandon Boyer (born 1977), blog editor
- Pat Boyette (1923–2000), radio journalist, comic book artist
- Billy Lee Brammer (1929–1978), journalist, novelist, political staffer
- Joe Bob Briggs (John Bloom) (born 1953), film critic
- John Henry Brown (1820–1895), historian, newspaper founder and editor, politician
- Samantha Brown (born 1969), television host
- Bob Bruce (1934–2009), Abilene Reporter-News journalist, 1959–1998
- Liz Carpenter (1920–2010), writer, feminist, reporter, media advisor, speechwriter, political humorist, public relations expert
- Amon G. Carter (1879–1955), newspaper founder and publisher
- Cheryl Casone (born 1970), Fox Business News anchor
- Elizabeth Chambers (born 1982), television host and news reporter for Current TV
- Dan Cook (1926–2008), sportswriter, sportscaster
- Tim Cowlishaw (born 1955), sportswriter
- Walter Cronkite (1916–2009), CBS News anchor
- Corby Davidson (born 1969), sports radio personality
- George B. Dealey (1859–1946), newspaper publisher
- Jody Dean (born 1959), radio journalist, author
- Pete Delkus (born 1965), television meteorologist
- Dayna Devon (born 1970), television journalist
- Sam Donaldson (born 1934), ABC News reporter
- Troy Dungan (born 1936), television meteorologist
- George Dunham (born 1965), radio personality, sportscaster
- Linda Ellerbee (born 1944), journalist, correspondent, reporter
- Gene Elston (born 1922), sportscaster
- John Henry Faulk (1913–1990), storyteller and radio broadcaster
- Clint Formby (1923–2010), radio personality
- Kinky Friedman (born 1944), columnist, singer-songwriter, novelist, candidate for governor of Texas
- Mel Gabler (1915–2004), public school textbook monitor and cofounder of Educational Research Analysts of Longview
- Randy Galloway (born 1943), radio host, newspaper columnist
- Kyle Gann (born 1955), music critic, composer, musicologist
- George Gimarc (born 1957), radio announcer, disc jockey, producer
- Frank Glieber (1934–1985), sportscaster
- Jane Hall (born 1951), former Fox News pundit, Fox News Watch, The O'Reilly Factor
- Tamron Hall (born 1970), MSNBC daytime anchor
- Dale Hansen (born 1948), sportscaster
- Heloise (1919–1977 [mother] and born 1951 [daughter]), syndicated columnists
- Kate Heyhoe (born 1955), food writer
- Norm Hitzges (born 1944), sportscaster, reporter
- Mark Holtz (1945–1997), sportscaster
- Deborah Howell (1941–2010), newspaper editor
- Molly Ivins (1944–2007), political commentator, liberal journalist, and author
- Dan Jenkins (born 1929), sportswriter and author
- Iola Johnson (born 1950), television news anchor, first African-American anchor in the Southwest
- Kenneth P. Johnson (1934–2008), newspaper editor
- Bill P. Keith (born 1934), author in Longview; former member of the Louisiana State Senate
- Gordon Keith, radio personality
- Kidd Kraddick (born 1959), radio host
- Jim Lehrer (born 1934), television journalist, author
- Josh Lewin (born 1968), sportscaster
- Verne Lundquist (born 1940), sportscaster, reporter
- Debra Maffett (born 1956), host of TNN Country News, Miss America 1983
- Dan Malone (born 1955), Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter
- Charles E. Maple (1932–2006), journalist and chamber of commerce official
- Chris Marrou (born 1947), television news anchor
- Roland Martin (born 1968), journalist, syndicated columnist, CNN commentator
- Russ Martin (born 1960), radio host
- Mary Maverick (1818–1898), memoirist
- Frank W. Mayborn (1903–1987), newspaper publisher
- Kevin McCarthy, radio-TV announcer
- Joe McLaughlin (1934–1997), sportswriter
- Gordon McLendon (1921–1986), radio pioneer, innovator, entrepreneur
- Curt Menefee (born 1965), sportscaster, reporter
- Bill Mercer (born 1926), sportscaster
- Dale Milford (1926–1997), television meteorologist, U.S. Representative
- Ray Miller (1919–2008), television journalist
- Dave Mitchell (born 1947), radio personality
- John H. Murphy (1913–2007), newspaperman
- Eric Nadel (born 1951), sportscaster
- Norah O'Donnell (born 1974), commentator on the The Today Show and MSNBC correspondent
- Charlie Pallilo (born 1966), sportscaster
- Uma Pemmaraju (born 1958), anchor for Fox News
- Gary Perkins (1937–1991), radio broadcaster
- Bob Phillips (born 1951), creator, producer, and host of Texas Country Reporter
- Michael Phillips (born 1960), journalist, historian, author, educator
- Stone Phillips (born 1954), co-anchor of Dateline NBC
- Katherine Anne Porter (1890–1980), journalist, essayist, novelist
- Cactus Pryor (born 1923), radio personality, actor
- Dan Rather (born 1931), former CBS Evening News anchor
- Rex Reed (born 1938), movie critic
- Dick Risenhoover (1927–1978), sportscaster
- Tracy Rowlett (born 1942), television news anchor
- John Phillip Santos (born 1957), journalist, author, filmmaker, producer
- Bob Schieffer (born 1937), CBS Evening News anchor
- Brad Sham (born 1949), sportscaster
- Bud Shrake (1931–2009), sportswriter, author
- William Dean Singleton (born 1951), newspaper publishing executive, chairman of the board of Associated Press
- Evan Smith (born 1966), magazine editor, television, radio, internet journalist
- Liz Smith (born 1923), syndicated columnist
- David Snell (1921–1987) writer and cartoonist
- Mickey Spagnola, sportswriter
- Ron Stone (1936–2008), television news reporter
- Clinton Howard Swindle (1945–2004), investigative newspaper journalist, author
- Harold Taft (1922–1991), television meteorologist
- Frank X. Tolbert (1912–1984), author, historian, journalist, restaurateur
- Todd Wagner (born 1960), internet broadcasting pioneer
- Edwin "Big Ed" Wilkes (1931–1998), Lubbock radio personality
- Greg Williams, sports radio host
- Robert Wilonsky (born 1968), newspaper columnist, critic
- Marvin Zindler (1921–2007), television journalist
[edit] Science/medicine
- T. Berry Brazelton (born 1918), pediatrician, author, syndicated columnist
- Robert Cade (1927–2007), physician, scientist; inventor of Gatorade
- William H. Cade (born 1946), zoologist, evolutionary biologist, authority on mating systems of Orthoptera
- Paul C. W. Chu (born 1941), physicist, leading authority on superconductivity
- Denton Cooley (born 1920), pioneering heart surgeon
- Michael E. DeBakey (1908–2008), pioneering heart surgeon
- Everette Lee DeGolyer (1886–1956), geophysicist, philanthropist
- Robert Dennard (born 1932), computer scientist and inventor
- Bryce DeWitt (1923–2004), physicist, co-developed Wheeler-DeWitt equation ("wave function of the Universe")
- Leonard Eugene Dickson (1874–1954), mathematician
- James "Red" Duke (born 1928), physician, professor, journalist
- Helen J. Farabee (1934–1988), pioneer in mental health
- G.B. Halsted (1853–1922), mathematician
- M. King Hubbert (1903–1989), geophysicist
- Jack Kilby (1923–2005), electrical engineer; invented integrated circuit, handheld calculator, thermal printer; Nobel Prize Laureate
- Eugene McDermott (1899–1973), geophysicist, founder of Texas Instruments, philanthropist
- C. Wright Mills (1916–1962), prominent political sociologist and author
- Oscar Monnig (1902–1999), astronomer and meteoricist
- Hermann Joseph Muller (1890–1967), geneticist, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine
- Joseph Nagyvary (born 1934), biochemist, violin maker, Stradivarius researcher
- Ilya Prigogine (1917–2003), physicist and chemist, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry
- John Stapp (1910–1999), Air Force officer, researched human transport and safety
- Michael Starbird (born 1948), mathematician, educator
- John Tate (born 1925), mathematician, Wolf Prize in Mathematics
- Gordon Teal (1907–2003), electrical engineer known for developing the first silicon transistor
- Alice Y. Ting (born 1974), chemist, MIT professor
- Beatrice Tinsley (1941–1981), astronomer
- Karen Uhlenbeck (born 1942), mathematician, National Medal of Science
- Harry Vandiver (1882–1973), mathematician
- Steven Weinberg (born 1933), Nobel Laureate in Physics
- Spencer Wells (born 1969), geneticist and anthropologist
- John A. Wheeler (1911–2008), physicist, Wolf Prize in Physics, coined the term 'black hole'
- Robert Woodrow Wilson (born 1936), Nobel Prize-winning physicist, astronomer
[edit] Aviation/space exploration
- Randy Acord (1919–2008), historian of aviation
- William Anders (born 1933), Apollo program astronaut
- Anousheh Ansari (born 1966 in Mashhad, Iran), first female space tourist.
- Alan Bean (born 1932), astronaut
- John E. Blaha (born 1942), astronaut
- Kenneth Cockrell (born 1950), astronaut
- Aaron Cohen (1931–2010), director of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
- Bessie "Queen Bess" Coleman (1892–1926), first African American female aviator
- Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan (1907–1995), aviator
- John Oliver Creighton (born 1943), astronaut
- Benjamin Foulois (1879–1967), pioneering military aviator
- Howard Hughes (1905–1976), billionaire playboy, entrepreneur and aviation pioneer
- Richard Douglas Husband (1957–2003), commander of the Space Shuttle Columbia, killed in its crash
- Paul Lockhart (born 1956), astronaut
- Ormer Locklear (1891–1920), stunt flyer
- Richard Mullane (born 1945), astronaut
- John D. Olivas (born 1965), NASA astronaut of Mexican descent, flew aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-117) in June 2007
- Wiley Post (1898–1935), first pilot to fly solo around the world
- James F. Reilly (born 1954), astronaut
- Elliot See (1927–1966), astronaut
- Katherine Stinson (1891–1977), pioneering female aviator
- Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger (born 1951), airline pilot famous for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River on January 15, 2009 after a bird strike
- Ed Swearingen (born 1925), aeronautical engineer
- Shannon Walker (born 1965), astronaut, physicist
- Edward White (1930–1967), first American astronaut to walk in space
- Jeana Yeager (born 1952), broke distance records during her (and Dick Rutan's) nonstop flight around the world in the experimental Voyager airplane in 1986
[edit] Clergy
- George Washington Baines (1809–1882), Baptist
- Kathleen Baskin-Ball (1958–2008), Methodist
- Norman A. Beck (born 1933), Lutheran pastor, professor
- Claude Black (1916–2009), Baptist
- Kirbyjon Caldwell (born 1953), Methodist
- Jo Carr (1926–2007), Methodist
- Benajah Harvey Carroll (1843–1914), Baptist
- Henry Cohen (1863–1952), Jewish
- W.A. Criswell (1909–2002), Baptist
- Kenneth Copeland (born 1936), Pentecostal
- James T. Draper, Jr. (born 1935), Baptist
- George Foreman (born 1949), Christian ordained minister, Father, World Heavyweight championboxer, Entrepreneur
- Ruben Habito (born 1947), Zen master, former Jesuit priest
- John Hagee (born 1940), Nondenominational
- Kenneth E. Hagin (1917–2003), Pentecostal
- J. H. Hamblen (1877–1971), Methodist bishop
- John Wesley Hardt (born 1921), Methodist
- L.W. "Buck" Hatfield (1929–1995), Independent Baptist
- Steve Hill (born 1954), evangelist
- T. D. Jakes (born 1957), nondenominational pastor, entrepreneur, author
- Jimmy Kessler (born 1945), Jewish
- John Kilian (1811–1884), Lutheran
- Abraham Cohen Labatt (1802–1899), Jewish
- David Lefkowitz (1875–1955), Jewish
- Max Lucado (born 1955), Church of Christ
- J. Vernon McGee (1904–1988), Presbyterian
- W. Winfred Moore (born ca. 1919), Baptist
- J. Frank Norris (1877–1952), Baptist
- Grady Nutt (1934–1982), Baptist minister, humorist
- Kevin O'Brien (1955–2008), Independent Baptist
- Levi Olan (1903–1984), Jewish
- Joel Osteen (born 1963), Nondenominational
- John Osteen (1925–1999), Nondenominational
- Albert Outler (1908–1989), Methodist theologian
- Cline Paden (1919–2007), Church of Christ
- Paige Patterson (born 1942), Baptist
- William Evander Penn (1832–1895), Baptist evangelist
- John R. Rice (1895–1980), Baptist
- James Robison (born 1943), Nondenominational
- Lester Roloff (1914–1982), Independent Baptist
- Hyman Judah Schachtel (1907–1990), Jewish
- Samuel M. Stahl (born 1939), Jewish
- David E. Stern (born 1961), Jewish
- James Anthony Tamayo (born 1949), Roman Catholic
- Robert Tilton (born 1946), Christian televangelist
- George Washington Truett (1867–1944), Baptist
[edit] Infamous Texans
- Buck Barrow (1903–1933), member of Bonnie and Clyde's gang, brother of Clyde Barrow
- Sam Bass (1851–1878), train robber and western icon
- Bonnie and Clyde (Bonnie Parker [1910–1934] and Clyde Barrow [1909–1934]), bank robbers
- David Brooks (born 1955), Houston serial killer, early 1970s
- Marilyn Buck (born 1947), accomplice in both the 1979 prison break of black activist Assata Shakur1981 Brink's robbery and the
- Mark David Chapman (born 1955), murdered Beatle John Lennon
- Anna Fermanova (born 1986), alleged Russian spy and smuggler
- Ralph Fults (1911–1993), outlaw, associated with Bonnie and Clyde
- Raymond Hamilton (1913–1935), member of Bonnie and Clyde's gang; executed
- John Wesley Hardin (1853–1895), outlaw and gun-fighter, reputed to be "the meanest man alive"
- Elmer Wayne Henley (born 1956), Houston serial killer, early 1970s
- John Hinckley, Jr. (born 1955), attempted to assassinate President Reagan
- W. D. Jones (1916–1974), member of Bonnie and Clyde's gang
- David Koresh (1959–1993), self proclaimed messiah and head of Branch Davidian cult
- Colleen LaRose (born 1963), "Jihad Jane," charged with multiple terrorist-related crimes
- Tom O'Folliard (1858–1880) Outlaw and Billy the Kid's best friend
- Jonathan Pollard (born 1954), intelligence analyst convicted of espionage
- Richard Ramirez (born 1960), serial killer
- Ollie P. Roberts (1879?-1950), claimed to be Billy the Kid
- Jack Ruby (1910–1967), killed Lee Harvey Oswald following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy
- Jon Schillaci (born 1971), a former FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive
- Bobby Seale (born 1936), co-founder of the Black Panthers
- Soapy Smith (1860–1898), infamous confidence man of Round Rock, Texas and Fort Worth, Texas
- Belle Starr (1848–1889), the Wild West's "bandit queen"
- Pearl Starr (1868–1925), Belle's daughter and infamous Texas brothel owner
- Libby Thompson (1855–1953), dancehall girl, prostitute, and brothel owner better known as Squirrel-tooth Alice
- Edgar Valdez Villarreal (born 1973), "La Barbie," drug trafficker
- Charles "Tex" Watson (born 1945), convicted murderer, former member of the Charles Manson "Family"
- Andrea Yates (born 1964), drowned her five children in the bathtub of her house
- Diane Zamora (born 1978), convicted, along with her boyfriend, David Graham, in notorious "cadet murder" case
[edit] Others
- R.J.Q. Adams (born 1943), professor of British history at Texas A&M University
- Sara Alpern (born 1942), professor of women's history at Texas A&M
- Lauren Anderson (born 1965), ballet dancer; first African-American ballerina to be principal of a major company (Houston Ballet)
- Terry H. Anderson (born 1946), professor of history at Texas A&M University
- B W Aston (1936–2010), historian, professor
- Eugene C. Barker (1874–1956), premier historian of Texas; Barker History Center on UT campus bears his name
- Alwyn Barr (born 1938), historian
- Garland E. Bayliss (born 1924), retired historian and director of academic services at Texas A&M University
- ZerNona Black (1906–2005), civil rights activist, educator
- Tom Blasingame (1898–1989), oldest cowboy in the history of the American West
- Joe Bowman (1925–2009), bootmaker and marksman and guardian of Old West culture
- Walter L. Buenger (born 1951), historian
- Robert A. Calvert (1933-2000), historian
- Candice Crawford (born 1986), beauty queen, winner of Miss Missouri USA, competed in the Miss Texas Teen USA pageant and the Miss USA pageant.
- Henry C. Dethloff (born 1934), historian, author, retired professor at Texas A&M
- Chester Dunning (born 1949), historian and specialist in Russian studies
- Brison D. Gooch (born 1925), historian and professor emeritus from Texas A&M
- Claude Hall (1922–2001), historian, professor of American diplomacy
- Frank Hamer (1884–1955), Texas Ranger, led raid in which Bonnie and Clyde were killed
- Richard "Racehorse" Haynes (born 1927), defense attorney, author
- Harold Hoehner (1935–2009), theologian, author, professor
- Herbert H. Lang (1921–2006), historian, professor
- Clarence Hailey Long (1910–1978), Texas cowboy who inspired the Marlboro Man cigaretteadvertising campaign
- Odell McBrayer (1930–2008), Fort Worth Christian attorney who ran for governor in 1974
- Captain Bill McDonald (1852–1918), one of the "Four Great Captains" of the Texas Rangers
- Kenneth R. Mladenka (born 1943), political scientist who researched in urban studies
- Marilyn McAdams Sibley (1921-2006), historian, professor
- Karen Silkwood (1948–1974), nuclear plant worker, labor activist, died under mysterious circumstances
- Ruth J. Simmons (born 1945), first female African-American president of a major college (Smith College), first African-American president of an Ivy League college (Brown University)
- Thomas Vernor Smith (1890–1964), philosopher, scholar, educator, U.S. representative
- Swante M. Swenson (1816–1896), Founder of SMS Ranches
- Bob Tallman (born 1947), rodeo announcer
- Ernest Wallace (1906–1985), historian of Texas and the southern Great Plains
- Plennie L. Wingo (1895–1993), world record for longest distance walked backwards (from Santa Monica, California, to Istanbul, Turkey).