List of people from Texas

The following are people who were either born/raised or have lived for a significant period of time in Texas.

Military/war

Founders of The Republic of Texas

• Stephen F. Austin (1793–1836), the "Father of Texas"
• Edward Burleson (1798–1851), Texas soldier, general, and statesman
• David G. Burnet (1788–1870), interim President of the Republic of Texas
• Lorenzo de Zavala (1788–1836), first vice-president of the Republic of Texas and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
• 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
• Jose Antonio Navarro (1795–1871), Texas statesman, revolutionary and politician
• 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

The Texas Revolution/The Alamo

• Jim Bowie (1796–1836), frontiersman, died at the Battle of the Alamo
• Davy Crockett (1786–1836), frontiersman and U.S. Congressman, died at the Alamo
• James Fannin (c. 1804 – 1836), key figure during the Texas Revolution
• Benjamin McCulloch (1811–1862), was a soldier in the Texas Revolution, Texas Ranger, U.S. Marshal, and brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States during the American Civil War
• Henry Eustace McCulloch (1816–1895), was a soldier in the Texas Revolution, Texas Ranger, and brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States during the American Civil War
• 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

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
• 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

World War I

• Benjamin Foulois, (1879–1967), was a U.S. Army Officer and a pioneering airman.

World War II

• 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, fighter ace and Medal of Honor winner
• 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 Hero of D-Day, Commander of the United States Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion. Rudder's U.S. Army Rangers stormed the beach at Pointe du Hoc
• Harlon Block raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima

Vietnam War

• Daniel Gilpin (born 1943), Lieutenant-Colonel USMC Retired, involved in the Iran Contra scandal

Public office

• Lloyd Bentsen (1921–2006), U.S. representative and United States senator
• Henry Bonilla (born 1954), former U.S. representative from San Antonio
• Jeb Bush (born 1953), Governor of Florida, raised in Midland and Houston
• Edward Burleson (1798–1851), Texas soldier, general, and statesman
• Lauro Cavazos (born 1927), U.S. Secretary of Education, first Hispanic U.S. Cabinet officer
• Henry Cisneros (born 1947), Former 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
• Susan Combs (born 1946), Texas comptroller
• John Connally (1917–1993), Secretary of the Navy, Governor of Texas, United States Secretary of the Treasury
• John Cornyn (born 1952), United States Senator
• David Dewhurst (born 1945), Texas lieutenant governor
• Miriam "Ma" Ferguson (1875–1961), first female governor of Texas
• Tony Garza (born 1958) current U.S. ambassador to Mexico
• Alberto Gonzales (born 1955), former United States Attorney General
• Henry B. Gonzalez (1916-2000), former U.S. representative from San Antonio
• Phil Gramm (born 1942), former United States Senator
• Jim Hogg (1851–1906), first native Texan to become Governor of Texas
• Kay Bailey Hutchison (born 1943), first woman U.S. senator from Texas
• Barbara Jordan (1936–1996), congresswoman, United States House of Representatives
• Oscar M. Laurel (1920-2001), South Texas Mexican-American politician
• Sandra Day O'Connor (born 1930), First woman Justice of the Supreme Court
• W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel (1890–1969), former governor of Texas and United States Senator
• Bill Owens (born 1950), former Governor of Colorado.
• Jerry Patterson (born 1947), current land commissioner
• Rick Perry (born 1950), current Governor of Texas
• Sam Rayburn (1882–1961), United States Congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Ann Richards (1933–2006), former governor of Texas
• Ezequiel D. Salinas (1908-2007), South Texas Mexican-American politician
• Todd Staples (born 1963), Texas agriculture commissioner
• John G. Tower (1925–1991), First Republican United States Senator from Texas since Reconstruction
• Jim Wright (born 1922), United States Congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives

US President

• 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 from 1995 to 2000 (born in New Haven, CT)
• 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

Famous Texas women

• Norma Rhodes Gabler (1923–2007), public school textbook monitor and cofounder of Educational Research Analysts in Longview
• Edna Gladney (1886–1961), founder of "The Edna Gladney Home" for orphaned children
• Bette Nesmith Graham (1924–1980), inventor of Liquid Paper
• Ima Hogg (1882–1975), philanthropist
• Lady Bird Johnson (1912–2007), former first lady (married to President Lyndon B. Johnson)
• Laura Bush (born 1946) First Lady of the United States
• Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (1798–1880), considered to be "the Mother of Texas"
• Cynthia Ann Parker (1826–1870), kidnapped in 1836 and raised by Comanche Indians. Mother to Quanah Parker, the last Comanche Chief
• 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 war of independence from Mexico
• Sandy Cheeks a fictional character from the children's TV show SpongeBob SquarePants
• Cecile Richards, daughter of Ann Richards
• Anna Mebus Martin First female bank president in the United States, rancher/owner of over 60,000 acres in the Mason Co. area.

Entertainment

Fashion

• Brooke Burns (born 1978), model, actress
• Marisol Deluna (born 1967), fashion designer
• Natasha Galkina (born 1985), model, runner-up on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 8
• Jerry Hall (born 1956), model, actress
• Lori Singer (born 1957), actress, model, classical musician
• Anna Nicole Smith (1967–2007), model, actress
• Kimberly Kay Smith (born 1983), model, actress

Film/theater/television

• F. Murray Abraham (born 1939), actor
• Jensen Ackles (born 1978), actor Smallville, Supernatural (TV series)
• Debbie Allen (born 1950), actress, choreographer, director, producer
• Wes Anderson (born 1969), director Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
• Michael Arden (born 1982), actor
• "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (born 1964), professional wrestler, actor
• Tex Avery (1908–1980), animator, cartoonist, director
• Joe Don Baker (born 1936), actor
• Madge Bellamy (1899–1990), actress
• Crystal Bernard (born 1961), actress and singer
• Alexis Bledel (born 1981), actress, starred in Gilmore Girls
• Dan Blocker (1928–1972), actor "Hoss Cartwright" on Bonanza
• John Boles (1895–1969), actor
• Powers Boothe (born 1949), actor
• Betty Buckley (born 1947), actress
• Brooke Burns (born 1978), actress, model
• Gary Busey (born 1944), actor
• Kate Capshaw (born 1953), actress, married to Steven Spielberg
• Cyd Charisse (born 1921), actress, dancer
• Ricardo Chavira (born 1971), actor, "Carlos Solis" on Desperate Housewives
• Thomas Haden Church (born 1961), Academy Award-nominated actor
• Dabney Coleman (born 1932), actor
• Barry Corbin (born 1940), actor
• Joan Crawford (1908–1977), actress
• Linda Darnell (1923-1965), actress
• Jenna Dewan (born 1980),actress,star of Step Up & Take the Lead
• Michael Dorn (born 1952), star of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
• Haylie Duff (born 1985), actress
• 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
• Ron Ely (born 1938), actor Tarzan
• Dale Evans (1912–2001), actress, singer-songwriter, married to Roy Rogers
• Morgan Fairchild (born 1950), actress
• Farrah Fawcett (born 1947), actress
• Horton Foote (born 1916), two-time Academy Award-winning actor
• Jamie Foxx (born 1967) Academy Award-winning actor
• Jennifer Garner (born 1972), actress, star of Alias
• Greer Garson (1904–1996), actress
• Peri Gilpin (born 1961), actress
• Summer Glau (born 1981), dancer & actress Firefly
• Selena Gomez (born 1992), actress
• Sarah Hagan (born 1984), actress
• Larry Hagman (born 1931), actor, son of actress Mary Martin
• Irma P. Hall (born 1935), actress
• Jerry Hall (born 1956), model, actress, former wife of Mick Jagger
• Angie Harmon (born 1972), actress
• Woody Harrelson (born 1961), actor
• Ethan Hawke (born 1970), actor
• Jerry Haynes (born 1927), actor, children's television host
• Katherine Helmond (born 1928), actress
• Jennifer Love Hewitt (born 1979), actress
• John Hillerman (born 1932), actor, played the English Major domo "Higgins" on Magnum, P.I.
• Jordan Hinson (born 1991), actress
• Tobe Hooper, (born 1943), director The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Poltergeist, 'Salem's Lot
• Larry Hovis (1936–2003), actor
• Carolyn Jones (1929–1983), actress, best known as "Morticia" in The Addams Family
• Margo Jones (1911–1955), theatre founder and director
• Tommy Lee Jones (born 1946), actor
• Mike Judge (born 1962), producer, animator and actor
• Kris Kristofferson (born 1936), actor, singer, songwriter
• Richard Linklater (born 1961), director Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, School of Rock, A Scanner Darkly
• Eva Longoria (born 1975), actress
• Deirdre Lovejoy (born 1962), actress, Rhonda Pearlman on The Wire
• Terrence Malick (born 1943), director Badlands, Days of Heaven
• Mary Martin (1913–1990), actress, mother of actor Larry Hagman
• Tim McCanlies (born 1963) screenwriter, director
• Cameron McCasland (born 1981) screenwriter, director
• Matthew McConaughey (born 1969), actor
• George McFarland (1928–1993), actor played "Spanky" in the Our Gang comedies, AKA The Little Rascals
• Ben McKenzie (born 1978), actor The O.C.
• Ann Miller (1923–2004), actress, dancer
• Belita Moreno (born 1949), actress
• Glenn Morshower (born 1959), actor, Agent Aaron Pierce on 24
• Audie Murphy (1924–1971), actor, World War II hero
• Renee O'Connor (born 1971) actress
• Annette O'Toole (born 1955), dancer, actress
• Jared Padalecki (born 1982), actor Gilmore Girls, Supernatural (TV series)
• Kay Panabaker (born 1990), television actress
• Bill Paxton (born 1955), actor Titanic
• Mary Kay Place (born 1947), actress, singer, co-starred in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
• Dennis Quaid (born 1954), actor
• Randy Quaid (born 1950), actor
• Phylicia Rashad (born 1948), actress
• Debbie Reynolds (born 1932), actress, mother of Carrie Fisher
• 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
• Zachary Scott (1914-1965), actor
• Ann Sheridan (1915–1967), actress
• Lori Singer (born 1957), actress, model, classical musician
• Anna Nicole Smith (1967–2007), model, actress
• Jaclyn Smith (born 1947), actress, starred in Charlie's Angels
• Kimberly Kay Smith (born 1983), model, 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
• Nick Stahl (born 1979), actor
• Patrick Swayze (born 1952), actor
• Sharon Tate (1943–1969), actress
• Henry Thomas (born 1971), actor E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, musician
• Rip Torn (born 1931), actor, cousin of Sissy Spacek
• Tommy Tune (born 1939), Broadway director, choreographer
• King Vidor (1894–1982), film director, producer
• Isaiah Washington (born 1963), actor
• Lisa Whelchel (born 1963), actress, author
• Forest Whitaker (born 1961), actor
• JoBeth Williams (born 1948), actress
• Van Williams (born 1934), actor
• Chill Wills (1903–1978), actor, singer
• Dooley Wilson (1886–1953), actor, singer, played "Sam" in Casablanca
• Luke Wilson (born 1971), actor
• Owen Wilson (born 1968), actor
• Robin Wright Penn (born 1966), actress, married to Sean Penn
• Renée Zellweger (born 1969), actress

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
• Kinky Friedman (born 1944), comedian, novelist, politician
• Mark Garrison (born 1979), humorist, satirist
• Bill Hicks (1961–1994), comedian
• Steve Martin (born 1945), comedian, actor
• Ron White (born 1956), comedian, actor

Music

• Dimebag Darrell Abbott (1966–2004), musician
• Vinnie Paul Abbott (born 1964), musician
• Samuel Adler (born 1928), composer, conductor, educator
• Victor Alessandro (1915–1976), conductor
• Terry Allen (born 1943), musician
• Jerry Allison (born 1939), musician
• Nancy Ames (born 1937), pop/folk singer
• Gene Autry (1907–1998), country music singer
• Erykah Badu (born 1971), R&B and hip hop singer
• Marcia Ball (born 1949), blues singer
• Frank Beard (born 1949), drummer in ZZ Top
• Leila Bela, musician, writer, actress)
• Shelly Berg (born 1955), jazz pianist and educator
• David Berman (born 1967), alt-rock singer-songwriter (The Silver Jews)
• Bill Smith Combo aka Tommy & The Tom Toms DFW Rock 'n Roll group
• Cedric Bixler-Zavala (born 1974), dub, salsa and progressive rock musician
• Clint Black (born 1962), country music singer, raised in Houston
• Julien Paul Blitz (1885–1951), conductor, cellist
• Maya Bond (born 2000), singer-songwriter, drummer
• Brent Bourgeois (born 1958), rock singer, producer
• Boxcar Willie (1931–1999), country singer
• Edie Brickell (born 1966), singer – married to Paul Simon
• The 5 Browns, classical pianist siblings raised in Utah and Texas
• Rex Brown (born 1964), musician
• Anshel Brusilow (born 1928), orchestra conductor and violinist
• 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
• Tevin Campbell (born 1976), musician
• Vikki Carr (born 1941), jazz, pop, country and Latin music singer
• Chamillionaire (born 1979), rapper
• Lakrea Clark (born 1991), singer-songwriter
• Kelly Clarkson (born 1982), singer, American Idol winner
• Van Cliburn (born 1934), famous pianist (born in Louisiana, raised in Texas)
• Ornette Coleman (born 1930), jazz musician
• Albert Collins (1932–1993), blues musician
• Cowboy Troy (born 1970), rap singer-songwriter
• Christopher Cross (born 1951), singer
• Wayne Crouse (1924–2000), violist
• Mac Davis (born 1942), musician
• Tim DeLaughter (born 1965), rock singer
• Lindsay Deutsch (born 1984), concert violinist
• The D.O.C. (born 1968), rapper
• Deryl Dodd (born 1964), country music singer-songwriter
• Helen Donath (born 1940), operatic soprano
• Hilary Duff (born 1987), singer
• Steve Earle (born 1955), singer-songwriter, musician
• Danny Elfman (born 1953), musician, composer
• Paul Ellison (born 1941), classical bassist and teacher
• Ralna English (born 1942), singer from The Lawrence Welk Show
• Freddy Fender (1937–2006), musician
• Carl Finch (born 1951), Polka musician, founder of Brave Combo
• Carlisle Floyd (born 1926), opera composer
• 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
• 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
• Larry Gatlin (born 1948), singer-songwriter, member of The Gatlin Brothers
• Billy Gibbons (born 1950), guitarist in ZZ Top
• Don Gillis (1912–1978), composer, conductor, producer, educator
• Jimmie Dale Gilmore (born 1945), singer-songwriter
• Jack Glatzer (born 1939), concert violinist
• David Golub (1950–2000), classical pianist
• Susan Graham (born 1960), opera singer
• Jerry Gray (1915–1976), Swing-Era arranger and bandleader
• Nanci Griffith (born 1953), singer / songwriter
• Keith Grimwood (born 1951), bassist in Trout Fishing in America
• Roy Hargrove (born 1969), jazz trumpet player
• Lynn Harrell (born 1944), concert cellist raised in Texas
• Ciara Harris (born 1985), musician
• Gibby Haynes (born 1957), lead singer of the Butthole Surfers
• Roy Head (born 1941), Roy Head and The Traits
• Don Henley (born 1947), musician with rock group the Eagles
• Dusty Hill (born 1945), bass guitarist in ZZ Top
• Tish Hinojosa (born 1955), Mexican-American folk singer
• Ernst Hoffmann (c. 1899 – 1956), orchestra conductor
• Buddy Holly (1936–1959), singer-songwriter
• Steve Holy (born 1972), country singer
• Brad Houser (born 1960), rock instrumentalist
• Frank Huang (born 1978), concert violinist
• Ray Wylie Hubbard (born 1946), country singer-songwriter
• Bobbi Humphrey (born 1950), jazz flutist
• Jerry Hunt (1943–1993), avant-garde composer
• Ezra Idlet (born 1953), guitarist, Trout Fishing in America
• Blind Lemon Jefferson (1897–1929), blues musician
• Waylon Jennings (1937–2002), country singer
• Flaco Jiménez (born 1939), musician
• Nicholas Jonas (born 1992), singer, guitarist of the Jonas Brothers
• 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), singer
• Scott Joplin (c. 1867 – 1917), ragtime musician and composer
• Milton Katims (1909–2006), concert violist and conductor
• Robert Earl Keen (born 1957), singer-songwriter
• Freddie King (1934–1976), blues guitarist, singer
• Ralph Kirshbaum (born 1946), cellist
• Beyoncé Knowles (born 1981), R&B singer, actress
• Karl Korte (born 1928), composer, music educator
• Hans Kreissig (1856–1929), 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
• Miranda Lambert (born 1983), singer/songwriter
• Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) (1888–1949), blues musician
• Raymond Lewenthal (1923–1988), concert pianist
• Mance Lipscomb (1895–1976), Blues singer, guitarist
• Robert Lipsett (born 1947), concert violinist and master teacher
• Andrew Litton (born 1959), orchestra conductor
• John Lomax (1867–1948), musicologist, folklorist
• Trini Lopez (born 1937), Hispanic musician, singer
• Lyle Lovett (born 1957), singer-songwriter
• LeToya Luckett (born 1981}, singer
• Ray Lynch (born 1943), classical guitarist and lutenist
• Martie Maguire (born 1969), country singer-songwriter (The Dixie Chicks)
• 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
• Chris Marion (born 1962), rock musician member of Little River Band
• David (Dave) Martin (1937–1987) [1] rock musician, original member of Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, Bill Smith Combo, Tommy & The Tom Toms
• Eduardo Mata (1942–1995), orchestra conductor
• Johnny Mathis (born 1935), singer
• W. Francis McBeth (born 1933), composer, music educator
• Meat Loaf (born 1951), singer, actor
• Lydia Mendoza (1916-2007), Tejano singer
• Jason Miller, drummer
• Roger Miller (1936–1992), singer-songwriter
• Steve Miller (born 1943), blues/rock guitarist
• Michael Martin Murphey (born 1945), country singer-songwriter
• Emilio Navaira (born 1962), Latin pop/country musician
• Nelly (born 1978), rapper
• Willie Nelson (born 1933), country singer-songwriter
• Michael Nesmith (born 1942), singer with The Monkees
• David "Fathead" Newman (born 1933), jazz saxophonist
• Elena Nikolaidi (1909–2002), opera singer and teacher
• Pauline Oliveros (born 1932), avant-garde composer, performance artist
• Roy Orbison (1936–1988), singer-songwriter
• Buck Owens (1929–2006), country singer
• Patrice Pike, rock/soul singer-songwriter-guitarist
• Billy Preston (1946–2006), soul musician
• Ray Price (born 1926), country singer
• Charley Pride (born 1938), country singer
• Selena Quintanilla (1971–1995), singer
• Dewey Redman (1931-2006), jazz saxophonist
• J.P. (The Big Bopper) Richardson (1930–1959), singer
• LeAnn Rimes (born 1982), country singer, born in Mississippi, but grew up in Garland, Texas
• Tex Ritter (1905–1974), singer/ actor, father of actor John Ritter
• LaTavia Roberson (born 1981), singer
• Hal Robinson (born 1952), classical string bass player
• Sharon Robinson (born 1949), concert cellist
• Emily Robison (born 1972), country singer-songwriter (The Dixie Chicks)
• Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (born 1975), Dub and Progressive rock musician
• Kenny Rogers (born 1938), country singer-songwriter
• A. Clyde Roller (1914–2005), conductor and music educator
• Carl St.Clair (born 1952), orchestra conductor
• Olga Samaroff (1880–1948), classical pianist and teacher
• 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
• Boz Scaggs (born 1944), singer-songwriter
• Haley Scarnato (born 1982), American Idol 6 finalist (8th place)
• Harvey Schmidt (born 1929), musical theatre composer (The Fantasticks)
• Scarface (born 1970), rapper
• 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
• Elliott Smith (1969–2003), rock singer-songwriter
• Stephen Stills (born 1945), singer-songwriter Crosby, Stills & Nash
• George Strait (born 1952), country singer
• 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
• Jack Teagarden (1905–1964), jazz trombonist and bandleader
• Alfred Teltschik (born 1918), classical pianist and teacher
• Chris Theofanidis (born 1967), classical composer
• B. J. Thomas (born 1942), country singer-songwriter
• Frank Ticheli (born 1958), classical composer
• Tommy & The Tom Toms aka Bill Smith Combo DFW Rock 'n Roll group
• Ernest Tubb (1914–1984), country singer-songwriter
• Tanya Tucker (born 1958), country singer
• Fisher Tull (1934–1994), composer and educator
• Uncle John Turner (1944–2007), blues drummer
• "Blue" Gene Tyranny (born 1945), avant-garde composer
• Alexander Uninsky (1910–1972), concert pianist and teacher
• 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
• Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–1990), musician
• Carl Venth (1860–1938), composer, conductor, violinist, music educator
• T-Bone Walker (1910–1975), blues musician
• William Walker (born 1931), opera singer
• Paul Wall (born 1980), rapper
• Cedar Walton (born 1934), jazz pianist
• Michael Weiss (born 1958), jazz composer and pianist
• Dan Welcher (born 1948), composer, music educator, bassoonist
• Barry White (1944–2003), soul singer and record producer
• Otis Williams (born 1941), singer with The Temptations
• Sudie L. Williams (died 1940), music educator
• Bob Wills (1905–1975), country singer with The Texas Playboys
• Johnny Winter (born 1944), blues guitarist
• Roger Wright (born 1974), classical pianist
• Trea,Rapper
• Mason Eaton,Rapper

Miss America/ Miss USA pageant winners

• Shirley Cothran (born 1955), Miss America 1975
• Jo-Carroll Dennison (born 1923), Miss America 1942
• Christy Fichtner (born c. 1963), Miss USA 1986
• Phyllis George (born 1949), Miss America 1971
• Courtney Gibbs (born 1966), Miss USA 1988
• Kandace Krueger (born c. 1977), Miss USA 2001
• Laura Martinez-Harring (born 1964), Miss USA 1985
• Gretchen Polhemus (born c. 1966), Miss USA 1989
• Michelle Royer (born c. 1966), Miss USA 1987
• Chelsi Smith (born c. 1974), Miss USA 1995 and Miss Universe 1995
• Kimberly Tomes (born c. 1956), Miss USA 1977

Athletics

• LaMarcus Aldridge (born 1985) NBA player, Portland Trailblazers, power forward
• Lance Armstrong (born 1971), cyclist, seven-time Tour de France winner
• Ernie Banks (born 1931), Baseball Hall of Famer
• Josh Beckett (born 1980), baseball pitcher, MVP of the 2003 World Series
• David Boston, NFL
• Chris Bosh (born 1984) NBA player, Toronto Raptors, power forward
• Brian Bosworth, NFL
• Drew Brees, NFL
• Mark Calaway AKA "The Undertaker" (born 1965), professional wrestler
• Earl Campbell (born 1955), Pro Football Hall of Famer, Heisman Trophy winner
• Joie Chitwood (1912–1988), professional racecar driver
• Roger Clemens (born 1962), baseball pitcher, seven-time Cy Young Award winner
• Randall "Tex" Cobb (born 1950), champion boxer
• Josh Davis (born 1972), Olympic gold & silver medallist in freestyle swimming
• Ty Detmer, NFL
• Eric Dickerson, NFL
• Santana Dotson, NFL
• George Foreman (born 1949), World Heavyweight champion boxer, TV pitchman, ordained minister
• Barry Foster, NFL
• Bill Foster (1904–1978), Baseball Hall of Famer
• A. J. Foyt (born 1935), race car driver
• Zina Garrison, tennis player
• Ben Hogan (1912–1997), golf great
• Priest Holmes, NFL
• 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
• Ernie Ladd (born 1938), American college and professional football player, professional wrestler.
• John Layfield professional wrestler
• Tara Lipinski (born 1982), figure skater, Olympic gold medalist
• Taj McWilliams-Franklin (born 1970), basketball player, gold medalist
• "Dandy" Don Meredith (born 1938), Quarterback Dallas Cowboys and TV Football Commentator
• Shawn Michaels professional wrestler
• Jim Morris (born 1964), Major League Baseball player and oldest rookie
• Grady Little (born 1950), current baseball manager for the (Los Angeles Dodgers), and former Boston Red Sox manager
• Emeka Okafor basketball player, Charlotte Bobcats
• Carly Patterson Olympic Gymnast
• Mac Percival (born 1940), former National Football League placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears
• Adrian Peterson (born 1985), National Football League running back for the Minnesota Vikings
• Bum Phillips (born 1923), head coach in the National Football League
• Bill Pickett (1870–1932), cowboy and rodeo performer
• Dennis Rodman, NBA
• Kyle Rote (1928–2002), All-American running back at Southern Methodist University and 1951–1961 NFL New York Giants wide receiver
• Nolan Ryan (born 1947), Baseball Hall of Famer
• Willie Shoemaker (1931–2003), most successful jockey in history
• Sheryl Swoopes (born 1971), WNBA, Olympic gold medalist
• Jordan Tata (born 1981) Detroit Tigers relief pitcher
• Ladainian Tomlinson, NFL
• Lee Trevino (born 1939), golfer
• Dana Vollmer (born 1987), swimmer who won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics
• Jeremy Wariner, Track & Field Olypic Gold Medalist
• Kathy Whitworth (born 1939), golfer
• Darold Williamson Olympic Gold Medalist in Track & Field
• Smokey Joe Williams (1886–1951), Baseball great
• Vince Young (born 1983) football quarterback, MVP of the 2005 and 2006 Rose Bowl
• Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1914–1956), gold medalist 1932 Olympics, golf great

Alfred Irving (b.1986) College Football Player

Business

• Red Adair (1915–2004), offshore oil field firefighter
• Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001), businesswoman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics
• Michael Dell (born 1965), founder of Dell Inc.
• Tom Ford (born 1961), fashion designer, former chief director of Gucci
• Bryson Eric Gallegos billionaire businessman owner of 36.6 of all ownable properties in Texas
• Pattillo Higgins (1863–1955), oil pioneer and businessman, known as the "Prophet of Spindletop"
• Howard Hughes (1905–1976), Aviator, filmmaker, eccentric billionaire
• Radcliffe Killam (1910–2007), oilman, businessman, rancher, large landowner, philanthropist*John Henry Kirby (1860–1940), businessman, founder of the Kirby Petroleum Company
• William Johnson McDonald (1844–1926), banker, philanthropist
• Gerald Lyda (1923-2005), Chairman and President of general contractors Lyda Inc. and Lyda Constructors Inc., owner of La Escalera Ranch, former owner of Ladder Ranch in Sierra County, New Mexico
• Ross Perot (born 1930), entrepreneur, founder of EDS & Perot Systems, and 1992 U.S. Presidential candidate
• Tex Thornton (1913–1981), founder of Litton Industries

Architecture

• Jeremy Maines (born 1986), architect

Art

• Arthello Beck (1941–2004), artist
• Burlan Eugene Ellison (born 1946), author and painter
• Donald Judd (1928–1994), sculptor,
• Stanley Marsh 3 (born 1938), millionaire, artist, philanthropist
• Robert Rauschenberg (born 1925), painter, sculptor, graphic artist

Literature

• Sandra Cisneros (born 1954), author and poet
• J. Frank Dobie (1888–1964), folklorist and writer about open-range days
• Burlan Eugene Ellison (born 1946), author and painter
• Horton Foote (born 1916), author and playwright
• Kinky Friedman (born 1944), novelist, singer-songwriter, columnist, candidate for governor of Texas
• Allison Hedge Coke (born 1958), poet and writer
• Patricia Highsmith (born 1921), writer, author of Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley
• Robert E. Howard (1906–1936), author of the Conan the Barbarian stories, and other pulp adventure tales.
• Molly Ivins (1944–2007), political commentator, liberal journalist, and author
• Dan Jenkins (born 1929), author and sportswriter
• Larry McMurtry (born 1936), Pulitzer Prize winning author of Lonesome Dove
• Katherine Anne Porter (1890–1980), journalist, essayist, novelist
• Dorothy Scarborough (1878–1935), author, folklorist
• Frank X. Tolbert (1912-1984), author, historian, journalist, restaurateur
• Sergio Troncoso (born 1961), author of The Last Tortilla and Other Stories, and The Nature of Truth

Journalism

• John Ardoin (1935–2001), music critic and author
• John Henry Brown (1820–1895), historian, newspaper founder and editor, politician
• Walter Cronkite (born 1916), former CBS Evening News anchor, born in Missouri raised in Texas
• Sam Donaldson (born 1934), ABC News reporter
• Linda Ellerbee (born 1944), journalist, correspondent, reporter
• John Henry Faulk (1913–1990), storyteller and radio broadcaster
• 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
• Kyle Gann (born 1955), music critic, composer, musicologist
• Heloise (1919–1977 [mother] and born 1951 [daughter]), syndicated columnists
• Kate Heyhoe (born 1955), food writer
• Molly Ivins (1944–2007), political commentator, liberal journalist, and author
• Dan Jenkins (born 1929), sportswriter and author
• Phil McGraw (born 1950), television psychologist
• Gary Perkins (1937–1991), radio broadcaster
• Bob Phillips (born 1951), creator, producer, and host of Texas Country Reporter
• 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
• Bob Schieffer (born 1937), CBS Evening News anchor
• Liz Smith (born 1923), syndicated columnist
• Frank X. Tolbert (1912-1984), author, historian, journalist, restaurateur

Science/medicine

• Chu Ching-wu, physicist
• Denton Cooley (born 1920), pioneering heart surgeon
• Michael E. DeBakey (born 1908), pioneering heart surgeon
• Robert Dennard (born 1932), computer scientist and inventor
• Bryce DeWitt, physicist, co-developed Wheeler-DeWitt equation ("wave function of the Universe")
• Leonard Eugene Dickson, mathematician
• G.B. Halsted, mathematician
• M. King Hubbert (1903–1989), geophysicist
• Jack Kilby, electrical engineer
• Oscar Monnig (1902–1999), astronomer and meteoricist
• Hermann Joseph Muller, geneticist, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine
• Ilya Prigogine, physicist and chemist, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry
• John Tate, mathematician, Wolf Prize in Mathematics
• Beatrice Tinsley, astronomer
• Karen Uhlenbeck, mathematician, National Medal of Science
• Harry Vandiver, mathematician
• Steven Weinberg, Nobel Laureate in Physics
• Spencer Wells, geneticist and anthropologist
• John A. Wheeler, physicist, Wolf Prize in Physics, coined the term 'black hole'

Aviation/space exploration

• 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
• Bessie "Queen Bess" Coleman (1892–1926), first African American female aviator
• Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan (1907–1995), aviator
• John Oliver Creighton (born 1943), astronaut
• 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
• 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
• 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

Infamous Texans

• Clyde Barrow (1909–1934), bank robber
• Sam Bass (1851–1878), train robber and western icon
• Mark David Chapman (born 1955), murdered Beatle John Lennon
• Jesse Evans (1853-?), Old West Outlaw (Possibly)
• John Wesley Hardin (1853–1895), outlaw and gun-fighter, reputed to be "the meanest man alive"
• John Hinckley, Jr. (born 1955), attempted to assassinate President Reagan
• David Koresh (1959–1993), self proclaimed messiah and head of Branch Davidian cult
• Tom O'Folliard (1858–1880) Outlaw and Billy the Kid's best friend
• Bonnie Parker (1910–1934), bank robber
• Richard Ramirez (born 1960), serial killer
• Ollie P. Roberts (1879?-1950), claimed to be Billy the Kid
• 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
• Charles "Tex" Watson (born 1945), convicted murderer, former member of the Charles Manson "Family"