The State of Texas is known for its boastfulness and state pride, and they do have plenty to be proud about. The list of notables from the Lone Star State is lengthy. Here is a list of a few of the most famous Texans and how they became well-known.
Texas is very well represented in the entertainment and journalism industries. From country western singers like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings to modern hip hop artists like Beyonce and Usher -- Texas has it all:
Carol Burnett -- born in San Antonio in 1933, Ms. Burnett became famous as a comedian, actress, singer and dancer of TV, movies and musical theater fame.
Cyd Charise -- born in Amarillo on March 8, 1921, Cyd Charise is known as one of the most talented dancers in Hollywood history with partners such as Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.
Joan Crawford -- Lucille Fay Laseur, actress, was born in San Antonio on March 23, 1906. MGM changed her name to Joan Crawford and she became one of Hollywood's highest paying actresses during the 1930s.
Walter Cronkite -- Although Mr. Cronkite was born in St Joseph, Missouri in 1916, he was raised and educated in Houston.
Larry Hagman -- Best known as J.R. Ewing of the hit television series "Dallas," Larry Hagman was born in Fort Worth in 1931 to musical actress Mary Martin of "Peter Pan" fame.
Don Henley -- Born 1947 in Linden, Texas, Mr. Henley is a founding member of the rock band Eagles.
Buddy Holly -- Born in Lubbock, Texas on September 7, 1936, rock'n'roll legend Buddy Holly is known as one of the early pioneers of rock music. He died in a plane crash in 1959.
Howard Hughes -- Born in Houston on December 24, 1905, Mr. Hughes later became a famous aviator, movie producer and billionaire.
Molly Ivins -- Born and raised in Houston, the syndicated political columnist was best known for her audacity and humor.
Beyonce Knowles -- R & B singer born in Houston in 1981.
Janis Joplin -- Born January 19, 1943 in Port Arthur, Texas, Janis Joplin was America's first female rock superstar during the turbulent 1960s.
Norah Jones -- Born 1979 in New York City but raised in Dallas, Ms. Jones is a soul singer and songwriter.
Waylon Jennings -- Born 1937 in Littlefield, Texas, famous country singer and musician.
Jayne Mansfield -- Although born in Pennsylvania in 1933, film star Jayne Mansfield moved with her mother to Dallas at the age of 6, where she attended Highland Park High School and studied drama at Southern Methodist University as well as the University of Texas.
Mathew McConaughey -- Famous film star, born in Uvalde, Texas in 1969.
Meat Loaf (Michael Lee Aday) -- Born September 27, 1947, and grew up in Dallas. A rock musician and actor, best known for his "Bat out of Hell" album trilogy.
Willie Nelson -- Born April 30, 1933, in Abbot, Texas, he is famous for his songwriting, guitar playing and soulful performances in the Country Western genre.
Roy Orbison -- Rock and roll legend Orbison was born April 23, 1936 in Vernon, Texas.
Robin Wright Penn -- Born April 8, 1966, in Dallas, actress, married to actor, Sean Penn.
Sissy Spacek - Born in Quitman, Texas in 1949, Mary Elizabeth Spacek is best known for her Oscar nominated role as "Carrie" in the film of the same name as well as "Raggedy Man," " Coal Miner' s Daughter "and "Crimes of the Heart."
Stevie Ray Vaughn -- (1954--1990), musician, guitar player.
Usher (Usher Raymond IV) -- Born October 14, 1978 in Dallas, R&B and pop singer.
Bob Wills -- Born March 6, 1905 Bob Wills on a farm near Kosse, Texas, Bob Wills and his bands "The Lightcrust Doughboys" and the "Playboys" gained national recognition for their music and radio performances. His musical career spanned 44 years.
Dan Rather -- Born October 31, 1931 in Wharton, Texas, Rather became a household name as a CBS News anchorman.
Willie Shoemaker -- Born 1931 in Fabens, Texas, Willie Shoemaker is the most successful horse racing jockey in history, and the first to win $100 million in prize money. He is noted for winning four Kentucky Derbies, five Belmont Stakes, and three Preakness Stakes.
Luke Wilson -- Film star, born 1971 in Dallas, brother of Owen Wilson.
Owen Wilson -- Film star, born November 1968 in Dallas, brother of Luke Wilson.
Renee Zellweger -- Born April 25, 1969, actress from Houston.
Texas has produced some of the country's most famous politicians, including four United States Presidents:
Stephen F. Austin -- Although born in Austinville, Virginia in 1793, Stephen F. Austin is historically known as the Father of Texas for bringing over 1200 American families into the Mexican Texas territory in the 1820s.
George H.W. Bush -- born 1924 in Milton, Mass., 41st President of the United States.
George W. Bush -- Born 1946 in New Haven, CT., 43rd President of the United States and prior governor of Texas.
Dwight Eisenhower -- (1890-1969), 34th President of the United States, born in Denison, Texas then later grew up in Kansas.
Lyndon Baines Johnson -- Born in Stonewall, Texas in 1908, the Texas Democratic Senator stepped into the office of US President after President John F. Kennedy's assassination in November 1963.
Kay Bailey Hutchison -- Born in 1944 in La Marque and is known for being the first woman to represent Texas in the United States Senate
H. Ross Perot -- Born June 27, 1930 in Texarkana, Texas, Mr. Perot founded and made billions from his company Electronic Data Systems (EDS). He later went on to make two unsuccessful runs at the U.S. Presidency in 1992 and 1996.
Mary Kay Ash -- Born May 12, 1918 in Hot Wells, Texas, Ms. Ash was a business leader and pioneer for women in business. She created the mega cosmetics empire Mary Kay Cosmetics with an initial investment of $5,000 in 1963.
T. Boone Pickens -- Texas oil man, born in 1928 in Oklahoma and moved to Amarillo, Texas as a teenager.
H. L. Hunt (1889--1974), oil tycoon, patriarch of Dallas family of legendary wealth and power.
Stanley Marcus -- Born in Dallas, April 20, 1905, CEO of Neiman Marcus, author and son of Neiman Marcus co-founder, Herbert Marcus Sr.
Michael Dell -- Born Feb. 23, 1965 in Houston, founder and CEO of Dell Computers.
Outlaws, murderers and thieves--Texas has seen its share of bad guys and girls, too:
Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker -- The notorious outlaws Bonnie and Clyde were both born in Texas and died in a machine gun ambush by law enforcement officials on May 23, 1934.
Lee Harvey Oswald -- Oswald was a suspect in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas 1963. Born October 18, 1939 in New Orleans, his mother moved the family to Benbrook, Texas in 1948.
John Wesley Hardin -- One of Texas' deadliest gunslingers, Hardin was born in Bonham, Texas in 1853.
Charles "Tex" Watson -- Born December 2, 1945 in Dallas, former member of the Charles Manson family and convicted murderer.- Many talented athletes consider Texas to be home:
Lance Armstrong -- Born in Plano in 1971, a cyclist and seven-time winner of the Tour de France.
Earl Campbell -- Born March 29, 1955 in Tyler, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner.
Roger Clemens -- Although born in Dayton, Ohio in 1982, the famous baseball pitcher moved to Texas in his teens and was educated in Houston and University of Texas.
Ben Crenshaw -- Professional golfer born in 1952 in Austin.
George Foreman -- Born George Edward Foreman in Marshall, Texas on January 10, 1949, heavyweight boxer.
A.J. Foyt -- Five-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, he was born in 1935 in Houston.
Ben Hogan -- Born in Stephenville, Texas, August 13, 1912; one of the most famous American golfers in history.
Tom Kite -- Born Dec. 9, 1949 in McKinney, known as a famous American golfer.
Tom Landry -- Born in Mission, TX Sept. 11, 1924, legendary coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Bob Lilly -- Born in 1939 in Throckmorton, TX and known as Dallas Cowboy Hall of Famer football star.
Justin Leonard -- Born June 15, 1972 in Dallas, professional golfer.
Nastia Liukin -- Born 1989, 2008 Olympics gymnastics all-around gold medalist.
Byron Nelson -- Born Feb 4, 1912 in Waxahachie, famous professional golfer and namesake of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
Dennis Rodman -- Born in New Jersey in 1961, the NBA superstar grew up in Oak Cliff, a suburb of Dallas.
Nolan Ryan -- Born Jan. 31, 1947, in Refugio, Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher.
Lee Trevino -- Born in Dallas in 1939, professional golfer.
Babe Didrikson Zaharias -- Born in 1911 in Port Arthur, she is considered one of the most talented American female athletes for her participation in golf, basketball, track and field.
State Pride
Texans in the Entertainment Industry
Texans in Politics
Texas Business Men and Women
Infamous Texans
Famous Texas Sports Figures
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