Texas is known for doing everything big — and that includes producing world-class talent. From music legends and Oscar-winning actors to champion athletes, high-profile entrepreneurs, and cultural icons, the Lone Star State has left an indelible mark on entertainment, sports, and business.
Let’s celebrate the Texans whose star power shines far beyond state lines.
Music Legends
Beyoncé
Born September 4, 1981, in Houston, Beyoncé Knowles is one of the most influential entertainers in the world. First making waves as the lead singer of Destiny’s Child, she launched a solo career that redefined pop and R&B with hits like Crazy in Love and Formation. With 32 Grammy Awards and a reputation for groundbreaking live performances, she is a global cultural force.
Selena Quintanilla
Born April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Selena became the “Queen of Tejano Music.” Her bilingual hits like Bidi Bidi Bom Bom and Amor Prohibido made her an international star before her life was tragically cut short in 1995. Her legacy continues through music, film, and the Selena Museum in Corpus Christi.
Willie Nelson
Born April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Nelson helped pioneer the outlaw country movement. Known for classics like On the Road Again and Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain, he’s also a dedicated activist and beloved figure in American music.
Kelly Clarkson
Born April 24, 1982, in Fort Worth, Clarkson won the first season of American Idol in 2002. Her debut album Thankful and follow-up Breakaway solidified her as a pop powerhouse. She’s since become a Grammy winner, talk-show host, and mentor on The Voice.
Kacey Musgraves
Born August 21, 1988, in Golden, Musgraves blends traditional country with pop and folk influences. Her album Golden Hour swept the 2019 Grammys, winning Album of the Year and cementing her status as one of country’s most innovative voices.
Jamie Foxx
Born Eric Marlon Bishop on December 13, 1967, in Terrell, Foxx is an Oscar-winning actor (Ray), Grammy-winning musician, and stand-up comedian. His career spans music, television, and film, making him one of Texas’s most versatile stars.
Film & TV Stars
Matthew McConaughey
Born November 4, 1969, in Uvalde, McConaughey went from rom-com leading man to Oscar winner with Dallas Buyers Club. His laid-back charm and memorable roles in Interstellar, True Detective, and Dazed and Confused have made him a Texas favorite.
Renée Zellweger
Born April 25, 1969, in Katy, Zellweger is a two-time Academy Award winner for Cold Mountain and Judy. She first gained fame with Jerry Maguire and charmed audiences as Bridget Jones.
Jim Parsons
Born March 24, 1973, in Houston, Parsons became a household name as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, winning four Emmys and a Golden Globe. He’s also appeared on Broadway and in films like Hidden Figures.
Eva Longoria
Born March 15, 1975, in Corpus Christi, Longoria is best known for her role as Gabrielle Solis on Desperate Housewives. She’s also a successful producer, director, and advocate for Latino representation.
Tommy Lee Jones
Born September 15, 1946, in San Saba, Jones is known for his Oscar-winning role in The Fugitive and for blockbusters like Men in Black and No Country for Old Men. His career spans decades and genres.
Selena Gomez
Born July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Gomez transitioned from Disney Channel star (Wizards of Waverly Place) to chart-topping musician. With hits like Lose You to Love Me and her role in Only Murders in the Building, she’s one of Texas’s most visible stars.
Dakota Johnson
Born on October 4, 1989, in Austin, Dakota Johnson is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. She rose to international fame as Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey film trilogy and has since taken on diverse roles in films such as Suspiria, The Lost Daughter, and Cha Cha Real Smooth. Known for her understated charm and versatility, Johnson has become one of Hollywood’s most intriguing leading ladies.
Jennifer Garner
Born on April 17, 1972, in Houston, Jennifer Garner gained fame for her Golden Globe–winning role as Sydney Bristow in the TV spy drama Alias. She has since starred in films including 13 Going on 30, Dallas Buyers Club, and Love, Simon. Garner is also known for her philanthropic work, particularly in support of early childhood education.
Owen Wilson
Born on November 18, 1968, in Dallas, Owen Wilson is a beloved actor, screenwriter, and comedian. Known for his laid-back charm and distinctive voice, he has starred in films such as Wedding Crashers, Marley & Me, Midnight in Paris, and the Cars franchise. He frequently collaborates with director Wes Anderson, co-writing and starring in acclaimed films like The Royal Tenenbaums.
Nick Jonas
Born on September 16, 1992, in Dallas, Nick Jonas first rose to fame as a member of the pop group the Jonas Brothers alongside his siblings Joe and Kevin. The band became a Disney Channel sensation and achieved multiple platinum albums. Jonas has also built a successful solo music career and acted in projects such as Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Kingdom, and Chaos Walking.
Sports Icons as Celebrities
Simone Biles
Based in Spring, Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history, with 7 Olympic medals and 25 World Championship medals. Her athleticism, mental health advocacy, and leadership have inspired millions.
Patrick Mahomes
Born September 17, 1995, in Whitehouse, Mahomes is the Super Bowl-winning quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs and a two-time NFL MVP. Known for his playmaking style, he’s a modern sports superstar.
Shaquille O’Neal
Raised in San Antonio, O’Neal is one of the greatest NBA players of all time, with four championships and a Hall of Fame career. He’s also a sports analyst, entrepreneur, and media personality.
George Foreman
Born January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Foreman is a two-time heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist. He became a successful entrepreneur with the George Foreman Grill.
Brittney Griner
Born October 18, 1990, in Houston, Griner is a WNBA star, Olympic gold medalist, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Her dominance on the basketball court has made her a global sports figure.
Business & Media Personalities
Mark Cuban
Born July 31, 1958, in Pittsburgh but raised in Texas, Cuban is the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a longtime investor on Shark Tank. He’s known for his outspoken personality and business acumen.
Alex Jones
Born February 11, 1974, in Dallas, Jones is a controversial but well-known media personality, recognized for his Infowars platform.
Chip & Joanna Gaines
Waco-based home renovation experts and stars of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, the Gaineses turned their Magnolia brand into a lifestyle empire with a TV network, retail stores, and product lines.
Michael Dell
Born February 23, 1965, in Houston, Dell founded Dell Technologies, one of the world’s largest tech companies, from his University of Texas dorm room.
Kendra Scott
Born March 27, 1974, in Kenosha, WI, but based in Austin, Scott built a billion-dollar jewelry brand and is known for her philanthropy and mentoring of women entrepreneurs.
Cultural & Historic Icons
Carol Burnett
Born April 26, 1933, in San Antonio, Burnett broke barriers as a female variety show host with The Carol Burnett Show. She has earned multiple Emmys, Golden Globes, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Sissy Spacek
Born December 25, 1949, in Quitman, Spacek won an Oscar for Coal Miner’s Daughter and has starred in classics like Carrie and In the Bedroom.
Meat Loaf (Michael Lee Aday)
Born September 27, 1947, in Dallas, Meat Loaf was a rock star and actor, famous for the album Bat Out of Hell and roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Farrah Fawcett
Born February 2, 1947, in Corpus Christi, Fawcett was a 1970s television icon for her role in Charlie’s Angels and her enduring pop culture image.
