French
DeutschList of people from Texas
The following are notable people who were either born, raised or have lived for a significant period of time in the U.S. state of Texas.
Founders and early settlers of Texas[edit]
- Augustus Chapman Allen (1806–1864), founder of Houston
- Charlotte Baldwin Allen (1805–1895), financed founding of Houston, known as the "mother of Houston"
- John Kirby Allen (1810–1838), founder of Houston
- Stephen F. Austin (1793–1836), "father of Texas"
- Padre José Nicolás Ballí (c. 1770–1829), grantee, settler, and namesake of Padre Island
- Plácido Benavides (1810–1837), settler
- Joshua Brown (1816–1876), first settler of Kerrville, Texas
- John Neely Bryan (1810–1877), founder of Dallas
- Moses Austin Bryan (1817–1895), early settler of Texas
- David G. Burnet (1788–1870), interim President of Republic of Texas
- Mathew Caldwell (1798–1842), settler
- Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels (1812–1875), established colonies of German immigrants in Texas
- Henri Castro (1786–1865), Jewish empresario
- William Leslie Cazneau (1807–1876), pioneer
- Jesse Chisholm (1806–1868), Indian trader, guide, interpreter, namesake of Chisholm Trail
- Holland Coffee (1807–1846), settler in Lake Texoma area, trader, guide, interpreter
- Jao de la Porta (fl. 1810s), trader, financed settlement of Galveston Island
- Green DeWitt (1787–1835), empresario, namesake of DeWitt County
- Susanna Dickinson (1814–1883), DeWitt Colonist, witnessed and survived Battle of the Alamo
- John Marie Durst (1797–1851), settler
- Angelina Eberly (1798–1860), stopped the attempted removal from Austin of the Republic of Texas Archives, thereby preserving Austin's status as the capital of Texas
- Johann Friedrich Ernst (born Friedrich Diercks) (1796–1848), first German to bring family to Texas, benefactor to German immigrants
- Warren Angus Ferris (1810–1873), early surveyor of Dallas
- Henry Francis Fisher (1805–1867), German settler, explored and colonized San Saba area
- Samuel Rhoads Fisher (1794–1839), settler in Republic of Texas and later its Secretary of Navy; namesake of Fisher County
- Betty Holekamp (1826–1902), German Texan pioneer, called the Betsy Ross of Texas
- Sam Houston (1793–1863), first and third President of Republic of Texas, later U.S. Senator and Governor of Texas
- Anson Jones (1798–1858), last President of Republic of Texas, called "Architect of Annexation"
- Mirabeau B. Lamar (1798–1859), second President of Republic of Texas, one of strongest proponents of Texas Navy
- Herman Lehmann (1859–1932), kidnapped in 1870 and raised by Apache Indians
- Gideon Lincecum (1793–1874), pioneer, historian, physician, philosopher, naturalist
- Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (1798–1880), considered the "mother of Texas"
- Collin McKinney (1766–1861), drafter of Texas Declaration of Independence; both Collin County and its county seat, McKinney, are named for him
- John Henry Moore (1800–1880), early settler
- Jose Antonio Navarro (1795–1871), Texas statesman, revolutionary and politician
- Robert Neighbors (1815–1859), Indian agent, soldier, legislator
- Cynthia Ann Parker (1826–1870), kidnapped in 1836 and raised by Comanche Indians; mother of Quanah Parker, the last Comanche Chief
- Daniel Parker (1781–1844), settler, church founder
- James W. Parker (1797–1864), early settler
- John Parker (1758–1836), pioneer Texas settler
- John Richard Parker (1834–1915), kidnapped in 1836 by Comanche Indians
- Emily Austin Perry (1795–1851), early settler of Texas
- Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson (1820–1879), early settler, translator, lawyer, postmaster
- Sterling C. Robertson (1785–1842), impresario, colony founder; signed Texas Declaration of Independence
- Thomas Jefferson Rusk (1803–1857), Secretary of War of Republic of Texas, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Texas, U.S. Senator after state's admission to U.S.
- Charles Stillman (1810–1875), founder of Brownsville, Texas
- Edwin Waller (1800–1881), judge and signer of Texas Declaration of Independence
- Lorenzo de Zavala (1788–1836), first vice president of Republic of Texas, signer of Texas Declaration of Independence
Military[edit]
The Texas Revolution/The Alamo[edit]
- Richard Andrews (1797?–1835), the first Texian killed during the Texas Revolution
- James Bowie (1796–1836), frontiersman, died at Battle of the Alamo
- William Joel Bryan (1815–1903), soldier in Texas Revolution, landowner
- Edward Burleson (1798–1851), lieutenant colonel during Texas Revolution, later Vice President of Republic of Texas
- John Coker (1789–1851), hero of San Jacinto
- Davy Crockett (1786–1836), frontiersman and U.S. Congressman from Tennessee, died at Alamo
- Almaron Dickinson (1800–1836), Texian soldier, died at Alamo
- James Fannin (c. 1804–1836), key figure during Texas Revolution
- Thomas Green (1814–1864), artillery officer at San Jacinto, brigadier general in Confederate Army
- Sam Houston (1793–1863), commander of victorious Texian Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, which won independence for Texas
- Henry Karnes (1812–1840), soldier and commander in Texas Revolution
- Robert J. Kleberg (1803–1888), veteran of Battle of San Jacinto; descendants owned and managed King Ranch
- Antonio Menchaca (1800–1879), soldier in the Texas Army; he helped convince Houston to allow Tejanos to fight in the battle of San Jacinto
- Benjamin Milam (1788–1835), commander in Texas Revolution
- Emily West Morgan (c. 1815–1891), indentured servant known as "The Yellow Rose of Texas" who, legend has it, helped win Texas Revolution
- Juan Seguín (1806–1890), Tejano soldier during Texas Revolution
- John William Smith (1792–1845), fought at Battle of San Jacinto; later first mayor of San Antonio
- Alfonso Steele (1817–1911), last survivor of Battle of San Jacinto
- William B. Travis (1809–1836), commander of Texas forces at Alamo
- Logan Vandeveer (1815–1855), hero of San Jacinto
- William A. A. "Bigfoot" Wallace (1817–1899), Texas Ranger who fought in Texas Revolution, Mexican–American War, Civil War
American Civil War[edit]
- John Baylor (1822–1894), Confederate colonel, politician, military governor of Arizona Territory
- John Henry Brown (1820–1895), Confederate officer, served on staffs of two generals
- Nicholas Henry Darnell (1807–1885), leader of 18th Texas Cavalry Regiment, known as "Darnell's Regiment"; Speaker of House for both Republic of Texas and state of Texas
- Dick Dowling (1838–1867), commander at Sabine Pass and famous Houstonian
- John "Rip" Ford (1815–1897), Texas Rangers legend and commander at Battle of Palmito Ranch
- Milton M. Holland (1844–1910), Union soldier, won Medal of Honor
- John Bell Hood (1831–1879), commander of Hood's Texas Brigade and Confederate General
- Samuel Ealy Johnson Sr. (1838–1915), soldier, grandfather of U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson
- Albert Sidney Johnston (1803–1862), Confederate General and commander of Confederate western forces
- John J. Kennedy (1813–1880), Confederate cavalry officer, ended Regulator-Moderator War
- John B. Magruder (1807–1871), Confederate General at Battle of Galveston
- Benjamin McCulloch (1811–1862), soldier in Texas Revolution, Texas Ranger, U.S. Marshal, and brigadier general for Confederate States of America
- Henry Eustace McCulloch (1816–1895), soldier in Texas Revolution, Texas Ranger, and brigadier general for Confederate States of America
- William Henry Parsons (1826–1907), colonel, Twelfth Texas Cavalry; newspaper editor, legislator
- Felix Huston Robertson (1839–1928), only Confederate general who was native-born Texan
- Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross (1838–1898), Confederate general, Governor of Texas, President of Texas A&M University, namesake of Sul Ross State University
- William Read Scurry (1821–1864), Confederate General at Battle of Glorieta Pass
- Pleasant Tackitt (1803–1886), Confederate Officer and county official at Fort Belknap; a founder of Parker County
- Charles S. West (1829–1885), Confederate officer and judge advocate general for Trans-Mississippi Department
- Louis T. Wigfall (1816–1874), Confederate General and Senator from Texas, secured surrender of Fort Sumter
World War I[edit]
- Charles Gray Catto (1896–1972), flying ace credited with eight aerial victories
- Daniel R. Edwards (1897–1967), received Medal of Honor
- William S. Graves (1895–1940), commander of US forces in Siberia during the allied intervention in Russia
- David E. Hayden (1897–1974), Navy corpsman, Medal of Honor recipient
- Robert Lee Howze (1864–1926), Major General of 38th Infantry Division, commander of Third Army of Occupation of Germany, Medal of Honor recipient
- Louis Jordan (1890–1918), 1914 All American, first US Army officer from Texas to be killed in action during World War I
- William Thomas Ponder (1893–1947), flying ace credited with six aerial victories
- Marcelino Serna (1896–1992), Army private, first Hispanic to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
- Edgar Gardner Tobin (1896–1954), flying ace credited with six aerial victories
World War II[edit]
- Harlon Block (1924–1945), raised flag on Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima
- Romus Burgin (1922–2019), U.S. Marine, author
- Charles P. Cabell (1903–1971), U.S. Air Force general; later deputy director of Central Intelligence Agency
- Horace S. Carswell Jr. (1916–1944), Army Air Corps major, awarded Medal of Honor
- Claire Chennault (1893–1958), commander of "Flying Tigers"
- Robert G. Cole (1915–1944), soldier, won Medal of Honor for role in D-Day Normandy invasion
- Samuel David Dealey (1906–1944), U.S. Navy submarine commander, received Medal of Honor and other distinctions for valor
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969), Supreme Allied Commander WWII and 34th President of the U.S.
- Ira C. Eaker (1896–1987), commander of Eighth Air Force in World War II
- Calvin Graham (1930–1992), youngest US serviceman of World War II
- David Lee "Tex" Hill (1915–2007), fighter pilot, flying ace
- Oveta Culp Hobby (1905–1995), Colonel Women's Army Corps, first secretary of Department of Health, Education and Welfare
- James L. Holloway Jr. (1898–1984), U.S. Navy four-star admiral; Superintendent of U.S. Naval Academy
- Neel E. Kearby (1911–1944), fighter ace, Medal of Honor recipient
- Raymond L. Knight (1922–1945), aviator, Medal of Honor recipient
- Turney W. Leonard (1921–1944), Army officer, received Medal of Honor
- Felix Z. Longoria Jr. (1920–1945), Hispanic soldier KIA in the Philippines whose burial was refused in hometown, causing statewide debate
- Glenn McDuffie (1927–2014), sailor featured kissing nurse in Alfred Eisenstaedt's iconic photograph V-J Day in Times Square
- Doris Miller (1919–1943), Pearl Harbor hero, first African American to receive Navy Cross
- Audie Murphy (1924–1971), World War II hero, actor, Medal of Honor Recipient
- Chester Nimitz (1885–1966), commander of Allied naval forces in Pacific during World War II
- Richard Arvin Overton (1906–2018), U.S. Army sergeant; from May 2016 until his death was the oldest surviving American military veteran
- Bruce Palmer Jr. (1913–2000), U.S. Army officer, Chief of Staff of the United States Army during Vietnam War
- John L. Pierce (1895–1959), U.S. Army Brigadier General
- James Earl Rudder (1910–1970), D-Day commander of the U.S. Army 2nd Ranger Battalion, which stormed cliffs at Pointe du Hoc
- William H. Simpson (1888–1980), commander of U.S. Ninth Army in European Theater
- Lucian K. Truscott (1895–1965), U.S. Army General who held successive commands in European Theater
- Edwin Walker (1909–1993), U.S. Army Major General known for conservative views and attempted assassination target for Lee Harvey Oswald
- Walton Walker (1889–1950), U.S. Army general who served under Patton in European Theater and later in Korean War
Korean War[edit]
- Charles F. Pendleton (1931–1953), awarded Medal of Honor
- Oliver P. Smith (1893–1977), U.S. Marine Corps general noted for his leadership in Battle of Chosin Reservoir
- Edwin Walker (1909–1993), U.S. Army Major General, attempted assassination target of Lee Harvey Oswald
- Walton Walker (1889–1950), U.S. Army general, first commander of U.S. Eighth Army during Korean War
Vietnam War[edit]
- Raul (Roy) Perez Benavidez (1935–1998), awarded Medal of Honor for actions in South Vietnam
- Steven Logan Bennett (1946–1972) Captain United States Air Force received Medal of Honor Posthumously for actions in Vietnam
- Richard E. Cavazos (1929–2017), first Hispanic four-star general in U.S. Army, earned two Distinguished Service Crosses; as of 2022 a process is underway to rename Fort Hood as Fort Cavazos
- Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez (1946–1968), Sergeant, USMC, Medal of Honor recipient
- Fred E. Haynes Jr. (1921–2010), Major General, USMC
- David H. McNerney (1931–2010), 1st Sergeant U.S. Army, Medal of Honor, Vietnam 1967
- Oliver North (born 1943), Lieutenant-Colonel, USMC (retired), NRA board member and founder of the Freedom Alliance
- Chester M. Ovnand (1914–1959), Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, second American killed in Vietnam War
- Bruce Palmer Jr. (1913–2000), U.S. Army officer, Chief of Staff of the United States Army during Vietnam War
- Alfred M. Wilson (1948–1969), Marine Private First Class awarded Medal of Honor posthumously
Somali Civil War[edit]
- William F. Garrison (born 1944), major general, commander of United States Army forces during Operation Gothic Serpent
War in Afghanistan[edit]
- Marcus Luttrell (born 1975), U.S. Navy SEAL, was awarded the Navy Cross for actions in conflicts with Taliban
- William H. McRaven (born 1955), U.S. Navy admiral and SEAL, led planning for Operation Neptune Spear
- Patrick M. Walsh (born 1955), U.S. Navy admiral, Commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet
- Billy Waugh (1929–2023), U.S. Army Special Forces, Studies and Observations Group
Iraq War[edit]
- Chris Kyle (1974–2013), U.S. Navy SEAL who fought in the Second Battle of Fallujah
- Kristian Menchaca (1983–2006), U.S. Army soldier who was captured and executed
War on Terror[edit]
- Clint Lorance (born 1984), Army First Lieutenant convicted of second-degree murder for battlefield deaths; pardoned
- Michael L. Oates (born 1957), United States Army Lieutenant General
Intelligence[edit]
- Bobby Ray Inman (born 1931), U.S. Navy Admiral, Director of National Security Agency, deputy director of Central Intelligence Agency
Other[edit]
- Robert T. Clark (born 1948), U.S. Army lieutenant general, commanded United States Army North (ARNORTH)
- Alfred Valenzuela (born 1948), U.S. Army major general, commanded United States Army South (USARSO)
Politics and public office[edit]
See also Category:Texas politicians and its subcategories.
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.
- A
- Greg Abbott (born 1957), Governor of Texas, former Attorney General
- Fred Agnich (1913–2004), Texas state representative, member of "Dirty 30" in 1971; oilman, rancher, conservationist[1]
- Elsa Alcala (born 1964), judge of Texas Court of Criminal Appeals from Houston since 2011
- Elizabeth Alexander (born 1979), press secretary for Vice President Joe Biden
- Bruce Alger (1918–2015), Republican U.S. representative for Texas's 5th congressional district, based in Dallas County, 1955–1965
- Rodney Anderson (born 1968), former member of Texas House of Representatives from Grand Prairie
- Betty Andujar (1912–1997), first Republican woman to serve in Texas State Senate (1973–1983); Pennsylvania native
- Bob Armstrong (1932–2015), member of Texas House of Representatives for Travis County 1963–71; Commissioner of General Land Office 1971–83
- B
- Ben Barnes (born 1938), lieutenant governor (1969–1973) of Texas; youngest House Speaker in Texas history (1965–1969)
- Ray Barnhart (1928–2013), state representative and director of Federal Highway Administration under President Reagan
- Decimus et Ultimus Barziza (1838–1882), state representative, Harris County, 1874–1876, businessman, Civil War soldier
- Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor (1793–1874), district judge, a framer of Texas Constitution; co-founded Baylor University
- Tina Benkiser (born 1962), former chairman of Republican Party of Texas
- Lloyd Bentsen (1921–2006), U.S. representative and U.S. senator
- Leo Berman (1936–2015), former state representative from Tyler
- Jeremy Bernard (born 1961), White House social secretary
- Paul Bettencourt (born 1958), Republican member of Texas State Senate from Houston
- Teel Bivins (1947–2009), state senator from Amarillo and U.S. Ambassador to Sweden
- Bill Blythe (born 1935), Houston Realtor and Republican state representative from Harris County, 1971–1983
- Elton Bomer (born 1935), state representative from Anderson County and Texas Secretary of State
- Henry Bonilla (born 1954), U.S. representative from San Antonio
- Greg Bonnen (born 1966), neurosurgeon and state representative from Galveston County; brother of Dennis Bonnen
- Jeffrey S. Boyd (born 1961), associate justice of Texas Supreme Court since 2012
- Wally Brewster (born 1960), U.S. Ambassador to Dominican Republic
- John A. Brieden III (born 1955), politician and National Commander of The American Legion, 2003–2004
- Stephen Broden (born 1952), politician, professor, businessman, activist
- Esther Buckley (1948–2013), member of United States Commission on Civil Rights; educator in Laredo
- Albert S. Burleson (1863–1937), U.S. Postmaster General and Congressman
- Edward Burleson (1798–1851), Texas soldier, general, and statesman
- Joel Burns (born 1969), Fort Worth city councilman who spoke out against bullying of LGBT youth
- Konni Burton (born 1963), member of Texas Senate from Tarrant County
- Jeb Bush (born 1953), former governor of Florida, reared in Midland and Houston
- Angie Chen Button (born 1954), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County
- C
- Frank Kell Cahoon (1934–2013), Midland oilman and Republican former state representative
- Briscoe Cain (born 1984), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives for Harris County District 128, effective January 2017
- Bill Callegari (born 1941), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Harris County, 2001–2015
- Donna Campbell (born 1954), Texas state senator and physician from New Braunfels
- Francisco Canseco (born 1949), former U.S. representative from San Antonio
- John Carona (born 1955), state senator from Dallas County, 1996–2015
- Stefani Carter (born 1978), member of Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County since 2011; first African-American female Republican to serve in state House
- Carlos Cascos (born 1952), Secretary of State of Texas in Abbott administration
- Henry E. Catto Jr. (1930–2011), U.S. diplomat, businessman
- Lauro Cavazos (1927–2022), U.S. Secretary of Education in the George H. W. Bush administration, first Hispanic U.S. Cabinet officer
- Wayne Christian (born 1950), Republican former state representative from Center and Nacogdoches; candidate for Texas Railroad Commission in 2014
- Henry Cisneros (born 1947), former mayor of San Antonio and United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Ronald H. Clark (born 1953), federal judge; former member of Texas House of Representatives
- Tom C. Clark (1899–1977), United States Attorney General and Associate Justice of Supreme Court of the United States
- David Cobb (born 1962), 2004 U.S. presidential candidate for Green Party
- Cathy Cochran (1944–2021), retiring judge of Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
- Susan Combs (born 1945), Texas comptroller and agriculture commissioner, state representative
- John B. Connally Jr. (1917–1993), Secretary of the Navy, Governor of Texas, US Treasury Secretary
- John Cornyn (born 1952), United States Senator since 2002
- Tom Craddick (born 1943), member of Texas House of Representatives from Midland; former Speaker
- Juanita Craft (1902–1985), Dallas city council member, civil rights activist
- Brandon Creighton (born 1970), member of Texas House of Representatives from Conroe; House Majority Leader (2013), attorney, businessman, and rancher
- Ted Cruz (born 1971), Canadian-born politician, Texas Senator since 2013, and former 2016 presidential candidate
- Henry Cuellar (born 1955), U.S. Representative from Texas's 28th congressional district; native of Laredo
- D–F
- Tony Dale (born 1969), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Williamson County since 2013
- Price Daniel (1910–1988), Democratic US Senator and 38th Governor of Texas
- Nicholas Henry Darnell (1807–1885), Speaker of House for both Republic of Texas and state of Texas
- John E. Davis (born 1960), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Houston since 1999
- Wendy Davis (born 1963), Texas State Senator from Tarrant County, Democratic gubernatorial nominee in 2014
- Jay Dean (born 1953), mayor of Longview, 2005–2015; state representative for Gregg and Upshur counties, effective 2017
- David Dewhurst (born 1945), Lieutenant Governor of Texas, 2003–2015
- Charles Duncan Jr. (1926–2022), U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense 1977–1979, Secretary of Energy 1979–1981
- Gary Elkins (born 1955), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Houston since 1995
- Pat Fallon (born 1967), member of Texas House of Representatives from Denton County
- Marsha Farney (born 1958), state representative from Williamson County since 2013; member of the Texas State Board of Education 2011–2013; businesswoman and former educator
- 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
- Mindy Finn (born 1980), media strategist, conservative feminist activist, independent U.S. vice presidential candidate in 2016
- Charles R. Floyd (1881–1945), Texas State Senator, State Representative, and co-founder of Paris Junior College
- Dan Flynn (1943–2022), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Van Zandt County
- James Frank (born 1967), member of Texas House of Representatives from Wichita Falls
- G
- Rick Galindo (born 1981), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from District 117 in Bexar County, effective 2015
- Pete Gallego (born 1961), U.S. representative from Texas's 23rd congressional district
- H. S. "Buddy" Garcia (born 1967), former interim 2012 member of Texas Railroad Commission
- John Nance Garner (1868–1967), 44th Speaker of the US House and 32nd Vice President of the United States
- Tony Garza (born 1958), former U.S. ambassador to Mexico
- Charlie Geren (born 1949), member of Texas House of Representatives from his native Fort Worth
- Pete Geren (born 1952), former member of United States House of Representatives from Texas's 12th congressional district and United States Secretary of the Army
- Craig Goldman (born 1968), member of Texas House of Representatives from his native Fort Worth[2]
- Alberto Gonzales (born 1955), United States Attorney General
- Henry B. Gonzalez (1916–2000), U.S. representative from San Antonio
- John W. Goode (1923–1994), Republican lawyer from San Antonio; lost 1961 House race to Henry B. Gonzalez
- Austan Goolsbee (born 1969), Chairperson of Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama
- Tony Goolsby (1933–2020), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County, 1989–2009
- Blake Gottesman (born 1980), aide to President George W. Bush
- Phil Gramm (born 1942), former United States Senator
- Tom Greenwell (1956–2013)[3]
- Jesse Edward Grinstead (1866–1948), one-time mayor of Kerrville and state legislator
- Henry C. Grover (1927–2005), state legislator, 1972 Republican gubernatorial nominee
- H–I
- Bob Hall (born 1942), Texas state senator from Van Zandt County
- Holly Ham (born 1972), executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders at the United States Department of Education
- Rick Hardcastle (born 1956), Republican former member of Texas House form Wilbarger County
- Will Ford Hartnett (born 1956), Dallas lawyer and Republican member of Texas House, 1991–2013
- Talmadge L. Heflin (born 1940), former state representative from Harris County, director of Center for Fiscal Policy at Texas Public Policy Foundation
- Glenn Hegar (born 1970), state senator and Republican candidate for state comptroller in 2014
- Jeb Hensarling (born 1957), U.S. representative
- Harvey Hilderbran (born 1960), state representative from Kerrville; Republican candidate for state comptroller in 2014
- Jim Hogg (1851–1906), first native Texan to become Governor of Texas
- Vernon Edgar Howard (1937–1998), representative of the Texas House of Representatives, 1969–1975
- Dan Huberty (born 1968), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Harris County
- Joan Huffman (born 1956), former Houston criminal court judge; Republican member of Texas State Senate
- Bryan Hughes (born 1969), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Wood County
- Swanee Hunt (born 1950), U.S. Ambassador
- Robert Dean Hunter (1928–2023), member of Texas House of Representatives from Abilene, 1986–2007
- Todd A. Hunter (born 1953), state representative, 1989–1997, 2009–present
- Thad Hutcheson (1915–1986), Houston lawyer and Republican politician
- Kay Bailey Hutchison (born 1943), first woman U.S. Senator from Texas, 1993–2013
- Frank N. Ikard (1913–1991), U.S. representative from Texas's 13th congressional district, 1951–1961
- Sarah Isgur (born 1982), attorney and political analyst
- J–L
- Alphonso Jackson (born 1945), U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George W. Bush
- Wallace B. Jefferson (born 1963), Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Texas; resigned 2013
- Elizabeth Ames Jones (born 1956), former Texas Railroad Commissioner, member of Texas House of Representatives
- Gina Ortiz Jones (born 1981), U.S Under Secretary of the Air Force
- Jesse H. Jones (1874–1956), U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Barbara Jordan (1936–1996), member of United States House of Representatives
- Rudy Juedeman (1908–2004), Odessa businessman and Republican politician
- Kyle Kacal (born 1969), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from District 12
- David S. Kaufman (1813–1851), only Jew from Texas to serve in U.S. House of Representatives (1846–1851) before 1970s
- Bill Keffer (born 1958), Dallas lawyer who served in Texas House (District 107), 2003–2007
- Jim Keffer (born 1953), Eastland businessman and current Republican member of Texas House (District 60); brother of Bill Keffer
- Isaac Herbert Kempner (1873–1967), Mayor of Galveston, founder of Imperial Sugar
- Mark Keough (born 1953), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from The Woodlands in Montgomery County
- Ken King (born 1971), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Canadian in Hemphill County
- Ron Kirk (born 1954), United States Trade Representative; former Texas Secretary of State, former mayor of Dallas
- Lois Kolkhorst (born 1964), member of Texas House of Representatives from Washington County since 2001
- Linda Koop (born 1950), member of Texas House from Dallas County; former member of the Dallas City Council
- Bob Krueger (1935–2022), former U.S. Ambassador, U.S. Senator and Congressman (New Braunfels, Comal County)
- Dan Kubiak (1938–1998), state representative, businessman, educator
- Barbara Lee (born 1946), U.S. Representative from California
- Debra Lehrmann (born 1956), Texas Supreme Court justice, elected 2010
- Eugene M. Locke (1918–1972), ambassador to Pakistan, deputy ambassador to South Vietnam, was awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom; candidate for Governor of Texas
- J. M. Lozano (born 1980), member of Texas House of Representatives from Kingsville; native of Mexico
- Lanham Lyne (born 1955), Mayor of Wichita Falls, state representative 2011–13
- M
- George H. Mahon (1900–1985), U.S. representative from Texas's 19th congressional district 1935 until 1979
- Charles R. Matthews (born 1939), former Texas Railroad Commissioner and chancellor-emeritus of Texas State University System
- Jim Mattox (1943–2008), U.S. representative and attorney general of Texas
- Maury Maverick (1895–1954), Democratic U.S. representative
- Glen Maxey (born 1952), state representative from Austin
- Ruth McClendon (1943–2017), African-American Democrat member of Texas House of Representatives from San Antonio since 1996
- Don McLeroy (born 1946), former chairman and member of Texas State Board of Education; dentist, young-earth creationist
- Tom Mechler (born 1956), Texas Republican state chairman since 2015; oil and gas consultant in Amarillo
- Will Metcalf (born 1984), state representative from Montgomery County since 2015
- Rick Miller (born 1946), member of Texas House of Representatives from Sugar Land; former Republican party chairman in Fort Bend County
- Hilmar Moore (1920–2012), mayor of Richmond, 1949–2012, longest tenure of any elected official in U.S. history
- William T. "Bill" Moore (1918–1999), state senator from Bryan, known as "Bull of the Brazos" and "father of the modern Texas A&M University"
- Robert Morrow (born 1964), chairman of Republican Party of Travis County since 2016; considered a conspiracy theorist
- Azie Taylor Morton (1936–2003), Treasurer of the United States
- Steve Munisteri (born 1957), chairman of Republican Party of Texas, 2010–2015
- Jim Murphy (born 1957), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from District 133 in Houston, 2007–2009 and since 2011
- N–O
- David Newell (born 1971), judge of Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9; Houston attorney
- James Robertson Nowlin (born 1937), U.S. District Judge for Western District of Texas; one of first two Republicans since Reconstruction to represent Bexar County in Texas House of Representatives
- James E. Nugent (1922–2016), former Democratic member of Texas Railroad Commission and the Texas House of Representatives
- W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel (1890–1969), Governor of Texas and U.S. senator
- Tom Oliverson (born 1972), anesthesiologist, Republican member of Texas House of Representatives
- Dora Olivo (born 1943), attorney and former member of Texas House of Representatives for Fort Bend County
- Bill Owens (born 1950), former Governor of Colorado
- Alvin M. Owsley (1888–1967), diplomat
- P
- Susan Pamerleau (born 1946), retired United States Air Force major general and Republican sheriff of Bexar County, first woman elected to that position, 2012[4]
- Hugh Q. Parmer (1939–2020), former Mayor of Fort Worth and member of both houses of Texas State Legislature
- Brad Parscale (born 1976), political strategist
- Dan Patrick (born 1950), Lieutenant Governor of Texas, former member of Texas State Senate and radio broadcaster
- Diane Patrick (born 1946), former member of Texas House of Representatives from Arlingon
- Jerry E. Patterson (born 1946), Texas Land Commissioner; former state senator, candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014
- Thomas Pauken (born 1944), Texas Republican chairman, 1994–1997, lawyer and political commentator
- Gilbert Peña (born 1949), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Pasadena
- Rick Perry (born 1950), Governor of Texas, 2000–15; United States Secretary of Energy
- Dade Phelan (born 1975), Republican state representative from Beaumont
- Larry Phillips (born 1966), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Sherman
- Thomas R. Phillips (born 1949), former Chief Justice of Texas Supreme Court
- Katrina Pierson (born 1976), Tea Party activist, Donald Trump campaign spokesperson
- Dan Pope (born 1963), Mayor of Lubbock since 2016
- David J. Porter (born 1954), member of Railroad Commission of Texas, elected November 2, 2010
- Robert "Bob" Price (1927–2004), U.S. representative from Pampa in Texas Panhandle
- Tom Price (born 1945), judge of Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, 1997–2015, and the Dallas-based 282nd Court, 1987–1997
- Walter Thomas Price, IV (born 1968), state representative from Amarillo, first elected November 2, 2010
- Graham B. Purcell Jr. (1919–2011), U.S. representative from Texas's 13th congressional district, 1962–1973; Wichita Falls lawyer
- R
- Jack Rains (1937–2023), former Texas secretary of state
- John N. Raney (born 1947), member of Texas House of Representatives from Brazos County since 2011
- Bennett Ratliff (born 1961), member of Texas House of Representative from Dallas County (2013–2015)
- Bill Ratliff (born 1936), state senator and lieutenant governor from Mount Pleasant
- Sam Rayburn (1882–1961), U.S. Congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Richard P. Raymond (born 1960), South Texas state representative
- Ron Reynolds (born 1973), African-American Democrat member of Texas House of Representatives from District 27 in Missouri City
- Ann Richards (1933–2006), second woman governor of Texas (1991–1995); state treasurer (1983–1991)
- Cecile Richards (born 1957), liberal political activist, daughter of Ann Richards
- Matt Rinaldi (born 1975), member of Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County since 2015
- Roy R. Rubottom Jr. (1912–2010), diplomat
- Jim Rudd (born 1943), lawyer and lobbyist in Austin; former Texas state representative from Brownfield
- Sa–Sl
- Paul Sadler (born 1955), state representative, Democrat U.S. Senate nominee in 2012, lost to Republican Ted Cruz
- Pete Saenz (born 1951), mayor of Laredo
- Joe Sage (1920–1977), one of first two Republicans since Reconstruction to represent Bexar County in Texas House of Representatives
- Mario Marcel Salas (born 1949), civil rights activist, politician
- Tom Schieffer (born 1947), diplomat, brother of CBS anchorman Bob Schieffer
- Pete Sessions (born 1955), U.S. representative
- Sonal Shah (born 1968), economist and public official with Obama Administration
- John Sharp (born 1950), former Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, chancellor of Texas A&M University
- J. D. Sheffield (born 1960), member of Texas House of Representatives from Coryell County since 2013; physician in Gatesville
- Mark M. Shelton (born 1956), pediatrician and member of Texas House of Representatives from District 97 (Fort Worth), 2009–2013
- David McAdams Sibley (born 1948), attorney-lobbyist, Texas state senator (1991–2002), Mayor of Waco (1987–1988)
- Ron Simmons (born 1960), member of Texas House of Representatives from Carrollton since 2013
- Ryan Sitton (born 1975), Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commission in 2014 general election
- Sm–Sz
- Preston Smith (1912–2003), Governor of Texas (1969–1973) and lieutenant governor (1963–1969)
- Steven Wayne Smith (born 1961), member of Texas Supreme Court (2002–2005)
- Wayne Smith (born 1943), member of Texas House of Representatives from District 128 in Harris County since 2003
- Barry Smitherman (born 1957), former member of Texas Railroad Commission; unsuccessful candidate for attorney general in 2014
- Clay Smothers (1935–2004), member of Texas House of Representatives; operator of St. Paul Industrial Training School orphanage in Malakoff; radio personality
- Burt Solomons (born 1950) Denton County lawyer and Republican member of Texas House of Representatives, 1995–2013
- Margaret Spellings (born 1957), U.S. Secretary of Education (2005–2009)
- Drew Springer Jr. (born 1966), member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 68 (North Texas and eastern South Plains)
- Barbara Staff (1924–2019), co-chairman of 1976 Ronald Reagan Texas presidential primary campaign
- Sylvia Stanfield (born 1943), diplomat
- Robert Stanton (born 1940), director of National Park Service
- Todd Staples (born 1963), Texas agriculture commissioner; candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014
- Max Starcke (1884–1972), mayor of Seguin, Texas; managing director of Lower Colorado River Authority
- Ken Starr (1946–2022), federal judge, Solicitor General, and Independent Counsel during Clinton Administration
- William Steger (1920–2006), U.S. District Judge
- Jonathan Stickland (born 1983), member of Texas House of Representatives from Tarrant County since 2013
- Steve Stockman (born 1956), member of U.S. House of Representatives from Texas; candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2014
- Robert Schwarz Strauss (1918–2014), politician, chairman of Democratic National Committee, and diplomat
- Dwayne Stovall (born 1966), Cleveland, Texas, businessman and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate against John Cornyn in primary election scheduled March 4, 2014
- Carole Keeton Strayhorn (born 1939), Texas comptroller (1999–2007), railroad commissioner, former Mayor of Austin
- Raymond Strother (1940–2022), political consultant, native of Port Arthur
- Michael Quinn Sullivan (born 1970), reporter, political activist, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility
- T–V
- Robert Talton (born 1945), police officer, attorney, member of Texas House of Representatives from Harris County 1993–2009; candidate for Chief Justice of Texas Supreme Court in 2014 Republican primary
- Buddy Temple (1942–2015), businessman, state representative from Angelina County, and railroad commissioner
- Tony Tinderholt (born 1970), member of Texas House of Representatives from Arlington
- Raul Torres (born 1956), former state representative from Nueces County
- Steve Toth (born 1960), member of Texas House of Representatives, 2013–2015, from The Woodlands
- John G. Tower (1925–1991), first Republican U.S. Senator from Texas since Reconstruction
- Lupe Valdez (born 1947), only female elected sheriff in Texas
- Gary VanDeaver (born 1958), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Bowie County, effective 2015
- Jason Villalba (born 1971), state representative from Dallas County since 2013; Dallas attorney with Haynes and Boone
- Catalina Vasquez Villalpando (born 1940), Treasurer of the United States
- W–Z
- Dale Wainwright (born 1961), former associate justice of Texas Supreme Court
- Richard A. Waterfield (1939–2007), state representative who advocated for feeding programs for disabled and elderly
- Craig Watkins (born 1967), first African-American district attorney in Texas, Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year 2008
- Reed N. Weisiger (1838–1908), Texas State Senator (1891–1893), Confederate cavalry officer, pioneer in Victoria County
- Jack Wheeler (1944–2010), presidential aide to Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush administrations
- Molly S. White (born 1958), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Bell County
- John Roger Williams (born 1949), Republican U.S. representative from Texas, former Texas secretary of state, professional baseball player
- Michael L. Williams (born 1953), director of Texas Education Agency, former Texas Railroad Commissioner, former assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights
- Barry Williamson (born 1957), Republican former member of Texas Railroad Commission
- Arlene Wohlgemuth (born 1947), Republican member of Texas House of Representatives from Johnson County, 1995–2005; executive director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation; ran unsuccessfully against Chet Edwards for Congress in 2004
- Jared Woodfill (born 1968), Houston attorney and chairman of Harris County Republican Party, 2002–2014
- John Lee Wortham (1862–1924), Texas Railroad Commissioner and Secretary of State, businessman
- Betsey Wright (born 1943), political lobbyist, activist, consultant
- Clymer Wright (1932–2011), political activist; father of municipal term limits in Houston
- Jim Wright (1922–2015), former Congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Vicente T. Ximenes (1919–2014), Mexican-American civil rights pioneer, U.S. politician
- Ralph Yarborough (1903–1996), state senator, 1957 –1971; leader of progressive or liberal wing of his party
- Judith Zaffirini (born 1946), state senator from Laredo
- Bill Zedler (born 1943), member of Texas House of Representatives from Arlington
- Brian Zimmerman (1972–1996), elected mayor of Crabb at age 11
U.S. Presidents[edit]
- George H. W. Bush (1924–2018), 41st President and 43rd Vice President of the United States (raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, but lived much of his adult life in West Texas)
- George W. Bush (born 1946), 43rd President of the United States (born in New Haven, Connecticut, but raised in Texas)
- Dwight D. 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 (1963–69); Vice President (1961–63) (born and raised near Stonewall)
Notable women of Texas[edit]
- Jessie Daniel Ames (1883–1972), suffragette, civil rights activist
- Sarah Campbell Blaffer (1885–1975), philanthropist; namesake of Blaffer Art Museum in Houston
- Annie Webb Blanton (1870–1945), suffragist, educator
- Mary Eleanor Brackenridge (1837–1924), social activist, university regent
- Mary Couts Burnett (1856–1924), philanthropist
- Laura Bush (born 1946), First Lady of the United States
- Mary Elizabeth Butt (1903–1993), philanthropist
- Minnie Fisher Cunningham (1882–1964), women's suffragist
- Nannie Webb Curtis (1861–1920), president, Texas Woman's Christian Temperance Union
- May Dickson Exall (1859–1936), civic leader, founder of Dallas Public Library
- Gloria Feldt (born 1942), feminist leader, author, political commentator
- Margaret Formby (1929–2003), founder of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth
- Mariette Rheiner Garner (1869–1948), Second Lady of the United States
- Melinda Gates (born 1964), philanthropist, wife of software magnate Bill Gates
- Edna Gladney (1886–1961), founder of "The Edna Gladney Home" for orphaned children
- Nellie Gray (1924–2012), anti-abortion activist
- Margaret Hunt Hill (1915–2007), heiress, philanthropist
- Ima Hogg (1882–1975), philanthropist
- Helen LaKelly Hunt (born 1949), philanthropist for women's causes
- Lady Bird Johnson (1912–2007), former First Lady of the United States (married to President Lyndon B. Johnson)
- Edith McAllister (1918–2018), San Antonio civic leader, philanthropist
- Maura McNiel (1921–2020), activist for women's rights
- Jane Blaffer Owen (1915–2010), arts patron, philanthropist
- Lucy Pickens (1832–1899), socialite, Southern belle; known as the "Queen of the Confederacy", her portrait appeared on some Confederate currency
- Cecile Richards (born 1957), activist, president of Planned Parenthood
- Jennie Scott Scheuber (1860–1944), librarian, women's-suffrage activist, civic leader
- Ruth Carter Stevenson (1923–2013), arts patron, museum founder
- Mary Warburg (1908–2009), philanthropist
- Virginia Whitehill (1928–2018), activist for women's rights
Entertainment[edit]
Dance[edit]
- Joshua Allen (born 1989), dancer, 2008 winner of So You Think You Can Dance
- Lauren Anderson (born 1965), ballet dancer; first African-American ballerina to be principal of a major company (Houston Ballet)
- Corky Ballas (born 1960), ballroom dancer
- Mark Ballas (born 1986), ballroom dancer, choreographer, actor, musician, and singer-songwriter
- Candy Barr (1935–2005), model, burlesque dancer
- Cyd Charisse (1922–2008), actress, dancer
- Bebe Daniels (1901–1971), actress, singer, dancer, writer, producer
- Gussie Nell Davis (1906–1993), physical education teacher who founded the Kilgore College Rangerettes drill team
- Kelli Finglass (born 1964), dancer, director of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
- Summer Glau (born 1981), dancer and actress, Firefly
- Chachi Gonzales (born 1996), dancer
- Nathalie Krassovska (1918–2005), ballerina, ballet teacher[5]
- Ann Miller (1923–2004), actress, dancer
- Annette O'Toole (born 1952), dancer, actress
- Ginger Rogers (1911–1995), actress, singer, dancer
- Ross Sisters, Betsy (1926–1996), Vickie (1927–2002), and Dixie (1929–1963), Broadway singers, dancers, contortionists
- Kelly Rowland (born 1981), R&B singer-songwriter, dancer, actress
- George Skibine (1920–1981), ballet dancer, choreographer[6]
- Solange (born 1986), R&B singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer, producer, director
- Ben Stevenson (born 1936), artistic director of Houston Ballet and Texas Ballet Theater
- Patsy Swayze (1927–2013), choreographer, dancer, dance teacher
- Judy Trammell (born 1958), choreographer for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Fashion and modeling[edit]
- Lisa Baker (born 1944), Playboy Playmate of the Year
- Tyson Ballou (born 1976), model
- Candy Barr (1935–2005), model, burlesque dancer
- Brooke Burns (born 1978), model, actress
- Lois Chiles (born 1947), model, actress
- Ashley Cox (born 1956), model, actress, Playboy Playmate
- Chloe Dao (born 1972), fashion designer
- Hope Dworaczyk (born 1984), model, Playboy Playmate of the Year
- Kelly Emberg (born 1959), model, former partner of Rod Stewart
- Hannah Ferguson (born 1992), model
- Tom Ford (born 1961), former creative director for Gucci, film director
- Michelle Galdenzi (born 1987), model, actress
- Jerry Hall (born 1956), model, actress
- Marcy Hanson (born 1952), Playboy Playmate, actress
- Angie Harmon (born 1972), model, actress
- Julie Haus (born 1973), fashion designer
- Kimberly Holland (born 1982), Playboy model
- Daina House (born 1954), Playboy centerfold
- Elisa Jimenez (born 1963), fashion designer, interdisciplinary artist
- Sandy Johnson (born 1954), Playboy centerfold, actress
- Tina Knowles (born 1954), businesswoman, fashion designer
- Dorian Leigh (Parker) (1917–2008), model, considered one of the first supermodels
- Kym Malin (born 1962), Playboy Playmate, actress
- Irlene Mandrell (born 1956), model, actress
- Brandon Maxwell (born 1984), fashion designer
- Kim McLagan (1948–2006), model
- Ali Michael (born 1990), model
- Kiko Mizuhara (born 1990), model, actress, Japanese television personality
- Chandra North (born 1973), model
- Derrill Osborn (1942–2019), fashion executive
- Wendy Russell Reves (1916–2007), model, philanthropist, socialite
- Kendra Scott (born 1974), fashion designer
- 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
- Amir Taghi (born 1996), fashion designer
- Tila Tequila (born 1981), model, television personality
- Paola Turbay (born 1970), model, actress, beauty pageant winner
- Ann Ward (born 1991), model, winner of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 15
Film, theater, and television[edit]
A | B | C | D–E | F–G | H | I–J | K–L | M | N–P | Q–R | S | T–U | V–Z
.jpg)
.jpg)
- A
- F. Murray Abraham (born 1939), Academy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning actor
- Amy Acker (born 1976), actress
- Jensen Ackles (born 1978), actor, Smallville, Supernatural
- Sunrise Adams (born 1982), actress
- Dianna Agron (born 1986), actress, singer
- Norman Alden (1924–2012), actor
- Kevin Alejandro (born 1976), actor
- Jaimie Alexander (born 1984), actress
- Richard Alexander (1902–1989), actor
- Debbie Allen (born 1950), actress, choreographer, director, producer
- Krista Allen (born 1971), actress
- Marshall Allman (born 1984), actor, Prison Break, True Blood
- John A. Alonzo (1934–2001), cinematographer
- Audrey Marie Anderson (born 1975), actress, played Kim Brown on The Unit
- Jacqueline Anderson (born 1975), actress
- Wes Anderson (born 1969), director, Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums
- Dana Andrews (1909–1992), actor, The Best Years of Our Lives, Laura
- Andrew Arbuckle (1887–1938), actor
- Macklyn Arbuckle (1866–1931), actor
- Melissa Archer (born 1979), actress
- Michael Arden (born 1982), actor
- Kelly Asbury (born 1960), story artist, director, writer, Shrek 2
- Frank Ashmore (born 1945), actor
- Tex Avery (1908–1980), animator, cartoonist, director
- B
- Lorri Bagley (born 1973), actress, model, Veronica's Closet, Ice Age
- G. W. Bailey (born 1944), actor, M*A*S*H, Police Academy
- Joe Don Baker (born 1936), actor, Charley Varrick, Walking Tall
- Kathy Baker (born 1950), Emmy-winning actress, Picket Fences, Boston Public
- Troy Baker (born 1976), voice actor, musician
- Greg Baldwin (born 1960), actor, Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Taylor Ball (born 1987), actor
- Reginald Ballard (born 1965), character actor, comedian, The Bernie Mac Show, Martin
- Bob Banner (1921–2011), television producer, writer, director
- Etta Moten Barnett (1901–2004), actress, singer
- Matt Barr (born 1984), actor
- Barbara Barrie (born 1931), actress, Suddenly Susan, Barney Miller, Double Trouble
- Skye McCole Bartusiak (1992–2014), actress
- Texas Battle (born 1980), actor, played Marcus Walton on The Bold and the Beautiful
- Jim Beaver (born 1950), actor, played Ellsworth on Deadwood
- David Beecroft (born 1955), actor
- Gregory Beecroft (born 1952), actor
- Madge Bellamy (1899–1990), actress
- Jeff Bennett (born 1962), voice actor, singer, Johnny Bravo
- Robby Benson (born 1956), actor, director, singer, The Legend of Prince Valiant, Ellen, Beauty and the Beast
- Robert Benton (born 1932), Academy Award-winning screenwriter and director, Kramer vs. Kramer, Places in the Heart
- Crystal Bernard (born 1961), actress and singer, television series Wings
- Angela Bettis (born 1973), actress
- Nicole Bilderback (born 1975), actress
- Francelia Billington (1895–1934), actress in silent films
- Gil Birmingham (born 1966), actor, Billy Black in The Twilight Saga
- Dustin Lance Black (born 1979), Academy Award-winning screenwriter, director, producer
- Patricia Blair (1933–2013), actress, Daniel Boone, The Rifleman, The Electric Horseman
- Justin Blanchard (born 1980), actor
- Alexis Bledel (born 1981), actress, starred in Gilmore Girls
- Dan Blocker (1928–1972), actor, played Hoss Cartwright on Bonanza
- Joan Blondell (1906–1979), Academy Award-nominated actress
- Don Bluth (born 1937), animator, studio owner, An American Tail, The Land Before Time
- Larry Blyden (1925–1975), actor, game-show host
- Virginia True Boardman (1889–1971), silent-era film actress
- Spencer Boldman (born 1992), actor
- Jim Boles (1914–1977), actor
- John Boles (1895–1969), actor
- Tiffany Bolton (born 1971), actress, model, talk-show host
- Matthew Bomer (born 1977), actor, Tru Calling, White Collar
- Kevin Booth (born 1961), film director, producer, lecturer, musician
- Powers Boothe (1948–2017), actor, Deadwood, Tombstone, Southern Comfort
- Jesse Borrego (born 1962), actor, Fame, 24, Dexter
- Michael Bowen (born 1953), actor, Jackie Brown, Magnolia, Lost
- 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 (1934–2016), actor, Man in a Suitcase, The Untouchables
- David Bradley (born 1953), actor, American Samurai
- Abby Brammell (born 1979), actress, played Tiffy Gerhardt on The Unit
- Larry Brantley (born 1966), voice actor, comedian, radio spokesman
- Eve Brent (1929–2011), actress
- Mary Brian (1906–2002), actress
- James Brown (1920–1992), actor, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin
- Tammie Brown (born 1980), actor, drag queen, musician
- Larry Buchanan (1923–2004), film director, producer, writer
- Samantha Buck (born 1974), actress, Law & Order: Criminal Intent
- Betty Buckley (born 1947), film and Tony Award-winning stage actress, singer
- Norman Buckley (born 1955), television director and editor
- Dennis Burkley (1945–2013), actor
- Carol Burnett (born 1933), actress, comedian, The Carol Burnett Show
- Demi Burnett (born 1995), reality-television personality
- Brooke Burns (born 1978), actress, model
- Burnie Burns (born 1973), writer, actor, producer, comedian, host, director
- Marilyn Burns (1949–2014), actress, starred in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- Wendell Burton (1947–2017), actor, The Sterile Cuckoo
- Gary Busey (born 1944), Academy Award-nominated actor, The Buddy Holly Story, Under Siege
- Tom Byron (born 1961), adult film actor, director, producer
- C
- Kevin Cahoon (born 1971), actor, director, singer-songwriter
- Bill Camfield (1929–1991), radio and television host, writer, comedian
- Kate Capshaw (born 1953), actress, married to Steven Spielberg
- Gina Carano (born 1982), actress, television personality, mixed martial arts fighter
- Steve Cardenas (born 1974), martial artist and retired actor, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Power Rangers: Zeo
- Edwin Carewe (1883–1940), film director, actor, producer, writer
- Thomas Carter (born 1953), director, actor
- Allen Case (1934–1986), actor, singer
- John L. Cason (1918–1961), actor
- Don Castle (1917–1966), actor
- Darlene Cates (1947–2017), actress
- JC Caylen (born 1992), YouTuber, actor, singer, comedian
- Derek Cecil (born 1973), actor, House of Cards
- Miguel Cervantes (born 1977), actor
- Duane Lee Chapman, II (born 1973), Dog the Bounty Hunter
- Leland Chapman (born 1976), Dog the Bounty Hunter
- Cyd Charisse (1922–2008), actress, dancer, Singin' in the Rain, The Band Wagon
- Ricardo Chavira (born 1971), actor, played Carlos Soli on Desperate Housewives
- Lois Chiles (born 1947), actress, model, Moonraker, The Great Gatsby, Broadcast News
- Thomas Haden Church (born 1961), Academy Award-nominated actor, Sideways, Spider-Man 3, All About Steve
- Victoria Clark (born 1959), Tony Award-winning actress, singer
- Jack Clay (1926–2019), acting teacher, actor, director
- Taylor Cole (born 1984), actress/model, Summerland, The Event
- Dabney Coleman (born 1932), actor, Buffalo Bill, 9 to 5, The Towering Inferno, Tootsie
- Jessica Collins (born 1983), actress, played Maggie on Rubicon
- Lynn Collins (born 1979), actress, X-Men Origins: Wolverine
- Marcus Collins (born 1974), actor, singer
- Shanna Collins (born 1983), actress, Swingtown
- Ellar Coltrane (born 1994), actor
- Chris Cooper (born 1951), actor; winner, Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Adaptation, Seabiscuit, The Bourne Identity, The Patriot, The Muppets
- Tamarie Cooper (born 1970), actress, playwright
- Barry Corbin (born 1940), actor, Urban Cowboy, Nothing in Common, Who's Harry Crumb?
- Alex Cord (1933–2021), actor, Airwolf, rancher
- Allen Coulter (born 1969), film and television director, The Sopranos
- Ashley Cox (born 1956), actress, model
- David Crabb (born 1975), actor
- Yvonne Craig (1937–2015), actress
- Norma Crane (1928–1973), actress, Fiddler on the Roof
- Chace Crawford (born 1985), actor
- Joan Crawford (1908–1977), Academy Award-winning actress, Mildred Pierce, Johnny Guitar, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
- Catherine Crier (born 1954), television personality, judge
- Kathryn Crosby (born 1933), actress, Anatomy of a Murder, wife of Bing Crosby
- Shauna Cross (born 1974), screenwriter, author, roller derby athlete
- Brett Cullen (born 1956), actor, The Young Riders, Legacy, Ghost Rider
- Erin Cummings (born 1977), actress, Detroit 1-8-7
- Bonnie Curtis (born 1966), film producer
- D–E
- Tony Dalton (born 1975), actor, played Lalo Salamanca on Better Call Saul
- Diana Danielle (born 1991), Malaysian actress, born in Houston
- Bebe Daniels (1901–1971), actress, singer, dancer, writer, producer
- Linda Darnell (1923–1965), actress, Forever Amber, A Letter to Three Wives
- Jim Dauterive (born 1957), producer and writer, King of the Hill
- Kennedy Davenport (Reuben Asberry Jr.) (born 1982), television personality, drag queen, dancer
- Madison Davenport (born 1996), actress
- Phyllis Davis (1940–2013), actress
- Eddie Dean (1907–1999), singer-songwriter, actor
- Jimmy Dean (1923–2010), country-western impresario, actor (Diamonds Are Forever, entrepreneur
- Lezlie Deane (born 1964), actress, singer
- Marjorie Deanne (1917–1994), actress, first winner of Miss Texas pageant
- Alana de la Garza (born 1976), actress, Law & Order, CSI: Miami, The Mountain
- Madison De La Garza (born 2001), teen actress, Desperate Housewives
- Bob Denver (1935–2005), actor, played Maynard G. Krebs in Dobie Gillis and title role in Gilligan's Island
- Elizabeth De Razzo (born 1980), actress, played Maria on Eastbound & Down
- Kaitlyn Dever (born 1996), teen actress, Last Man Standing, Justified
- Loretta Devine (born 1949), actress, Waiting to Exhale, Grey's Anatomy
- 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
- Frank Q. Dobbs (1939–2006), screenwriter, director, producer
- Chris Donahue (born 1958), Academy Award-winning film producer
- Colby Donaldson (born 1974), actor
- Michael Dorn (born 1952), star of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
- Jessica Drake (born 1974), porn star
- 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, played Logan Hayes on General Hospital
- Donnie Dunagan (born 1934), actor, voice actor
- Sandy Duncan (born 1946), actress, singer, The Sandy Duncan Show, The Hogan Family
- Kenton Duty (born 1995), teen actor, Shake It Up, Ctrl
- Shelley Duvall (born 1949), actress, The Shining, Annie Hall, Olive Oyl in film Popeye
- George Eads (born 1967), actor, plays Nick Stokes in television series CSI
- Greg Edmonson, music composer for television, movies and video games, King of the Hill, Firefly
- Edward Edwards, actor
- Ike Eisenmann (born 1962), actor, producer
- Shannon Elizabeth (born 1973), actress, American Pie
- Chris Elley (born 1977), film director, writer, producer
- Chris Ellis (born 1956), actor
- Ron Ely (born 1938), actor, Tarzan
- Mireille Enos (born 1975), actress
- Molly Erdman (born 1974), actress
- Bill Erwin (1914–2010), character actor
- Dale Evans (1912–2001), actress, singer-songwriter, married to Roy Rogers
- F–G
- Morgan Fairchild (born 1950), actress in Dallas television series (one of three actresses to play character "Jenna Wade") and Flamingo Road
- Parisa Fakhri (born 1975), voice actress, Dragon Ball GT, Fruits Basket
- Amy Farrington (born 1966), actress
- Farrah Fawcett (1947–2009), actress and artist, Charlie's Angels, The Burning Bed, Extremities, The Apostle
- Katie Featherston (born 1982), actress, Paranormal Activity
- Jay R. Ferguson (born 1974), actor
- Rosita Fernandez (1919–2006), actress, pop singer
- Tyra Ferrell (born 1962), actress, The Cape, City, The Bronx Zoo
- Margaret Field (1922–2011), actress, mother of actress Sally Field
- Miles Fisher (born 1983), actor
- Sean Patrick Flanery (born 1965), actor, The Boondock Saints
- Horton Foote (1916–2009), two-time Academy Award-winning screenwriter
- Michelle Forbes (born 1965), actress, Homicide: Life on the Street, 24, True Blood
- Tom Forman (1893–1926), actor, writer, producer
- Steve Forrest (1925–2013), actor, So Big, Mommie Dearest, North Dallas Forty
- Robert Foxworth (born 1941), actor, Falcon Crest, Six Feet Under
- Jamie Foxx (born 1967), Academy Award-winning actor, Ray, Any Given Sunday, Django Unchained
- James Frawley (1936–2019), director, actor, producer
- Gavin Free (born 1988), video cinematographer
- Al Freeman Jr. (1934–2012), actor, director, Finian's Rainbow, Malcolm X
- K. Todd Freeman (born 1965), actor
- Augustine Frizzell (born 1979), actress, director, screenwriter[7]
- Robert Fuller (born 1933), actor, rancher
- Chris Furrh (born 1974), actor
- Jennifer Garner (born 1972), actress, 13 Going on 30, Dallas Buyers Club, Draft Day, television series Alias
- Joy Garrett (1945–1993), actress, singer
- Greer Garson (1904–1996), Academy Award-winning actress
- Nancy Gates (1926–2019), actress
- Lynda Day George (born 1944), actress, television series Mission: Impossible
- Gracie Gillam (born 1992), actress, singer, dancer
- Richard Gilliland (1950–2021), actor
- Marc Gilpin (1966–2023), actor; Jaws 2, Legend of the Lone Ranger
- Peri Gilpin (born 1961), actress, Frasier
- Michael Gladis (born 1977), actor, Mad Men, Eagleheart
- Lesli Linka Glatter (born 1953), film director; president of Directors Guild of America
- Summer Glau (born 1981), dancer and actress, Firefly
- Carlin Glynn (born 1940), actress, singer
- Dale Godboldo (born 1975), actor
- Renée Elise Goldsberry (born 1971), actress, singer-songwriter
- Mike Gomez (born 1951), actor
- Selena Gomez (born 1992), actress and singer, formed band Selena Gomez & The Scene
- Nicholas Gonzalez (born 1976), actor
- Pedro Gonzalez-Gonzalez (1925–2006), character actor
- Jill Goodacre (born 1965), actress, model
- YaYa Gosselin (born 2009), actress
- Mckenna Grace (born 2006), actress
- Brea Grant (born 1981), actress, played Daphne Millbrook on Heroes
- Teresa Graves (1948–2002), actress
- David Gordon Green (born 1975), filmmaker
- John Gremillion (born 1967), voice actor
- Nan Grey (1918–1993), actress
- Corinne Griffith (1894–1979), actress
- Kristin Griffith (born 1953), actress
- Texas Guinan (1884–1933), actress, singer, entrepreneur
- Tim Guinee (born 1962), actor
- Anne Gwynne (1918–2003), actress
- H
- Tommy Habeeb (born 1958), actor, writer, producer
- Sara Haden (1899–1981), actress
- Reed Hadley (1911–1974), actor, Racket Squad
- Sarah Hagan (born 1984), actress
- Emily Hagins (born 1992), film producer, writer, editor, director
- Larry Hagman (1931–2012), actor, I Dream of Jeannie, Dallas, son of actress Mary Martin
- Monte Hale (1919–2009), actor, country singer
- Jackie Earle Haley (born 1961), Academy Award-nominated actor, The Bad News Bears, Breaking Away, Little Children
- Bug Hall (born 1985), 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
- Gunnar Hansen (1947–2015), actor, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
- Marcy Hanson (born 1952), actress, Playboy model
- Jerry Hardin (born 1929), actor
- Melora Hardin (born 1967), actress
- Ty Hardin (1930–2017), actor
- Ann Harding (1903–1981), actress
- Catherine Hardwicke (born 1955), film director, Twilight
- Mark Harelik (born 1951), actor, playwright
- Angie Harmon (born 1972), actress, Law & Order, Rizzoli & Isles
- William Jackson Harper (born 1980), actor
- James N. Harrell (1918–2000), actor
- Woody Harrelson (born 1961), actor, Cheers, Natural Born Killers, White Men Can't Jump, No Country for Old Men, True Detective
- Laura Harring (born 1964), actress, Mulholland Drive
- Fran Harris (born 1965), television host, life coach, professional basketball player
- 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, Knots Landing
- Ethan Hawke (born 1970), actor, Training Day, Before Midnight, Dead Poets Society
- John Hawkes (born 1959), Academy Award-nominated actor, Winter's Bone, Deadwood, The Sessions
- Brad Hawkins (born 1976), actor, VR Troopers
- Jerry Haynes (1927–2011), actor, children's television host
- Ted Healy (1896–1937), vaudeville performer, comedian, actor; created The Three Stooges
- Amber Heard (born 1986), actress, Friday Night Lights, Pineapple Express, Drive Angry
- Rick Hearst (born 1965), actor
- Katherine Helmond (1929–2019), actress, Soap
- Sherman Hemsley (1938–2012), actor, The Jeffersons, adopted El Paso as his hometown
- Josh Henderson (born 1981), actor, model, singer, Dallas, Desperate Housewives, Over There
- Logan Henderson (born 1989), actor and singer
- Tiffany Hendra (born 1971), actress, television personality
- Kim Henkel (born 1946), screenwriter, director, producer, actor
- Bill "Tex" Henson (1924–2002), animator
- Stephen Herek (born 1958), film director, 101 Dalmatians
- Jennifer Love Hewitt (born 1979), actress, Ghost Whisperer, The Client List
- Tamara Hext (born 1963), actress, winner of Miss Texas pageant
- Joel Heyman (born 1971), actor
- John Benjamin Hickey (born 1963), actor, It's All Relative, The Big C
- John Hillerman (1932–2017), actor, played English Major domo Higgins on Magnum, P.I.
- Jordan Hinson (born 1991), actress
- Junie Hoang (born 1971), actress and plaintiff in Hoang v. Amazon.com
- Gregory Hoblit (born 1944), television and film director
- Tommy Hollis (1954–2001), actor
- Charlene Holt (1928–1996), actress
- Tobe Hooper (1943–2017), director The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Poltergeist, Salem's Lot
- William Hootkins (1948–2005), actor, Batman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars
- Roger Horchow (1928–2020), Broadway producer, catalog entrepreneur
- Lee Horsley (born 1955), actor, Matt Houston
- Larry Hovis (1936–2003), actor, Hogan's Heroes
- Susan Howard (born 1944), born in Marshall, longtime actress in Dallas television series
- Matt Hullum (born 1974), director, producer, writer, actor, visual effects supervisor
- Gayle Hunnicutt (born 1943), actress, Marlowe, The Legend of Hell House
- Paige Hurd (born 1992), actress, Everybody Hates Chris
- Tracy Hutson (born 1986), reality television personality
- Martha Hyer (1924–2014), Academy Award-nominated actress, Some Came Running, The Carpetbaggers, The Sons of Katie Elder
- I–J
- Judith Ivey (born 1951), film and Tony Award-winning stage actress, director
- John M. Jackson (born 1950), actor, played Rear Admiral A. J. Chegwidden on JAG
- Gary Jacobs (born 1952), television comedy writer, producer, author
- Dorothy Janis (1912–2010), actress in silent films
- Annalee Jefferies (born 1954), actress
- Rita Jenrette (born 1949), actress, television journalist, real-estate executive, model, princess[8]
- Chane't Johnson (1976–2010), actress
- Dakota Johnson (born 1989), actress
- Janelle Johnson (1923–1995), actress; mother of The Monkees' Micky Dolenz
- Sandy Johnson (born 1954), actress, model
- Joe Johnston (born 1950), film director, Jumanji, Jurassic Park III, Captain America: The First Avenger
- Terra Jolé (born 1980), reality TV personality
- Nick Jonas (born 1992), singer, actor
- Alex Jones (born 1974), radio host, television host, film producer
- Angus T. Jones (born 1993), actor, Jake Harper on Two and a Half Men
- Ashley Jones (born 1976), actress, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless
- Caleb Landry Jones (born 1989), actor
- Carolyn Jones (1929–1983), actress, played Morticia Addams on The Addams Family
- Dick Jones (1927–2014), actor, starring role of Buffalo Bill, Jr. and voice of Pinocchio
- L. Q. Jones (1927–2022), actor, The Wild Bunch, Casino, originally from Beaumont
- Margo Jones (1911–1955), theatre founder and director
- Mickey Jones (1941–2018), actor, musician, Home Improvement, Flo
- Preston Jones (1936–1979), playwright, actor, director
- Preston Jones (born 1983), actor
- Sam J. Jones (born 1954), actor, Flash Gordon, The Highwayman
- Tommy Lee Jones (born 1946), Academy Award-winning actor, The Fugitive, Men in Black, Batman Forever, No Country for Old Men, Lincoln
- Glenn Jordan (born 1936), television director, producer
- Montana Jordan (born 2003), actor[9]
- Jonathan Joss (born 1965), actor
- Mike Judge (born 1962), producer, animator and actor
- K–L
- Joseph Kahn (born 1972), music video, advertising, and feature film director
- Christian Kane (born 1974), actor, singer, played "Lindsay" on Angel, Close to Home
- Jon Keeyes (born 1969), film director, producer, screenwriter
- Allison Keith (born 1974), actor, voice actor
- Evelyn Keyes (1916–2008), actress, Gone With the Wind
- Callie Khouri (born 1957), Academy Award-winning screenwriter, director
- Guy Kibbee (1882–1956), actor
- Candice King (born 1987), actress best known as Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries
- Charles King (1895–1957), actor
- Liza Koshy (born 1996), actress, internet personality
- Bernard L. Kowalski (1929–2007), film and television director
- Kris Kristofferson (born 1936), singer-actor, Blade
- Berry Kroeger (1912–1991), actor
- Eric Ladin (born 1978), actor, The Killing
- Christine Lakin (born 1979), actress, Step by Step, Valentine's Day
- Paul Lambert (1922–1997), actor
- Sasha Lane (born 1995), actress
- Wallace Langham (born 1965), actor, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Larry Sanders Show, Veronica's Closet
- Brooke Langton (born 1970), actress
- Louise Latham (1922–2018), actress
- Jody Lawrance (1930–1986), actress
- Sheryl Leach (born 1952), creator of children's programming (Barney & Friends)
- Katie Leclerc (born 1986), actress
- Ruta Lee (born 1936), actress[10]
- Cherami Leigh (born 1988), actress
- Brad Leland (born 1954), actor, Friday Night Lights
- Joshua Leonard (born 1975), actor, writer, director
- Hal LeSueur (1901?–1963), actor; brother of Joan Crawford
- Liana Liberato (born 1995), actress
- Lar Park Lincoln (born 1961), actress
- Amy Lindsay (born 1966), actress
- Rachel Lindsay (born 1985), reality television star, The Bachelorette
- Richard Lineback (born 1952), actor
- Richard Linklater (born 1961), director Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, School of Rock, A Scanner Darkly
- Cody Linley (born 1989), actor, rapper, singer
- Lucien Littlefield (1895–1960), actor in silent films
- Tembi Locke (born 1970), actress, Eureka, Sliders
- Jacqueline Logan (1901–1983), actress in silent films
- Joshua Logan (1908–1988), stage and film director
- Eva Longoria (born 1975), actress, Desperate Housewives
- Trini Lopez (1937–2020), singer and actor, The Dirty Dozen
- Demi Lovato (born 1992), singer, actress
- Bessie Love (1898–1986), actress
- Deirdre Lovejoy (born 1962), actress, Rhonda Pearlman on The Wire
- Todd Lowe (born 1977), actor
- David Lowery (born 1980), film director
- Shannon Lucio (born 1980), actress
- Allen Ludden (1917–1981), emcee, game show host
- Baruch Lumet (1898–1992), theatre actor, director, teacher
- M
- Donald MacDonald (1898–1959), actor
- Lydia Mackay (born 1977), voice actress
- Peter MacNicol (born 1954), Emmy Award-winning actor, Ally McBeal, Chicago Hope, Sophie's Choice
- Meredith MacRae (1944–2000), actress, Petticoat Junction[11]
- Martha Madison (born 1977), actress
- Valerie Mahaffey (born 1953), actress
- Terrence Malick (born 1943), director Badlands, Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line
- Kym Malin (born 1962), actress, model
- Irlene Mandrell (born 1956), actress, model
- David Mann (born 1966), actor, singer
- Tamela Mann (born 1966), actress, singer
- Stephanie March (born 1974), actress, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
- Amelia Marshall (born 1958), actress
- Mary Martin (1913–1990), Emmy Award- and Tony Award-winning actress, mother of actor Larry Hagman
- Steve Martin (born 1945), actor, The Jerk, Pennies from Heaven, Three Amigos, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Father of the Bride, Parenthood, The Pink Panther
- Margo Martindale (born 1951), actress, The Riches, 100 Centre Street, The Millers
- Peter Masterson (1934–2018), actor, director, producer, writer
- Kimberly Matula (born 1988), actress
- Brad Maule (born 1951), actor
- Adam Mayfield (born 1976), actor
- Peter Mayhew (1944–2019), actor
- Tim McCanlies (born 1963), screenwriter, director
- Cameron McCasland (born 1981), filmmaker
- Mart McChesney (1954–1999), actor[12]
- Matthew McConaughey (born 1969), Academy Award-winning actor, Dallas Buyers Club, A Time to Kill, The Lincoln Lawyer, Contact, Magic Mike, True Detective
- Carolyn McCormick (born 1959), actress, played Dr. Liz Olivet on Law & Order
- Jake McDorman (born 1986), actor
- Spanky McFarland (1928–1993), actor, played "Spanky" in the Our Gang comedies, aka The Little Rascals
- Bruce McGill (born 1950), actor, Animal House, The Legend of Bagger Vance, 61*, Lincoln
- Jay McGraw (born 1979), television producer and executive producer, author
- Kevin McHale (born 1988), actor
- Ben McKenzie (born 1978), actor, The O.C.
- Alex McLeod (born 1968), actress
- Scoot McNairy (born 1977), actor, producer, Halt and Catch Fire, 12 Years a Slave, Argo
- Terrence McNally (1939–2020), playwright
- William McNamara (born 1965), actor
- Leighton Meester (born 1986), actress, Gossip Girl
- Windell Middlebrooks (1979–2015), actor
- Liz Mikel (born 1963), actress, singer
- Ann Miller (1923–2004), actress, dancer
- Austin Miller (born 1976), actor, dancer, singer
- Billy Miller (born 1979), actor, The Young and the Restless, All My Children
- Carl Miller (1893–1979), actor
- Logan Miller (born 1992), actor, musician
- McKaley Miller (born 1996), actress, Hart of Dixie, Partners
- 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), silent film actor
- Roger Mobley (born 1949), child actor, Christian pastor
- DeQuina Moore (born 1986), actress
- Belita Moreno (born 1949), actress
- Glenn Morshower (born 1959), actor, Agent Aaron Pierce on 24
- Michael Muhney (born 1975), actor
- Mitchel Musso (born 1991), actor, singer, musician
- Megan Mylan (born 1969), Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker
- N–P
- Jack Nance (1943–1996), actor
- Nancy Nash (1897–?), actress
- Edwin Neal (born 1945), actor
- Ted Neeley (born 1943), singer-actor, Jesus Christ Superstar
- Tracey Needham (born 1967), actress, Life Goes On, JAG, The Division
- Pola Negri (1897–1987), silent film actress
- Austin Nichols (born 1980), actor, Julian Baker on One Tree Hill
- Derek Lee Nixon (born 1983), actor
- James Noble (1922–2016), actor, Benson
- Timothy Nolen (born 1941), Broadway actor/singer, opera singer
- Chuck Norris, actor, Walker, Texas Ranger
- Renee O'Connor (born 1971), actress
- John Baker "Texas Jack" Omohundro (1846–1880), actor, cowboy, frontier scout
- Ty O'Neal (born 1978), actor
- Lupe Ontiveros (1942–2012), actress
- Hayley Orrantia (born 1994), singer, actress, The Goldbergs
- Peter Ostrum (born 1957), veterinarian, former child actor, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
- Annette O'Toole (born 1955), actress, Superman III, Smallville
- Dan Hewitt Owens (born 1947), actor
- Lee Pace (born 1979), actor
- Jared Padalecki (born 1982), actor, Gilmore Girls, Supernatural
- Kevin Page (born 1959), actor, artist
- Greg Pak (born 1968), film director, comic-book writer
- Kay Panabaker (born 1990), television actress
- Fess Parker (1924–2010), actor, Daniel Boone, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Old Yeller
- Kathryn O'Rourke Parker (born 1948), television producer
- Suzy Parker (1932–2003), actress, model
- Hunter Parrish (born 1987), actor, Weeds
- Jim Parsons (born 1973), Emmy Award-winning actor, The Big Bang Theory
- Paul A. Partain (1946–2005), actor
- Tayla Parx (born 1993), actress
- Pedro Pascal (born 1975), actor
- Eric Patrick, filmmaker, animator, educator
- Hank Patterson (1888–1975), actor
- Bill Paxton (1955–2017), actor and director, Titanic, Apollo 13, Twister, Big Love
- Mark Payne (born 1965), make-up artist, filmmaker, author
- Emily Josephine "Emmy Jo" Peden-Momary (born 1944), singer-actress, New Zoo Revue
- Evelyn Peirce (1908–1960), actress
- Eagle Pennell (1952–2002), film director
- Channing Godfrey Peoples (born 1977), writer, director, producer[13]
- Jack Pepper (1902–1979), vaudeville dancer, singer, comedian, actor, nightclub manager; first husband of Ginger Rogers
- Piper Perabo (born 1976), actress, Covert Affairs, The Prestige, Looper, Coyote Ugly
- Marco Perella (born 1949), actor
- Valerie Perrine (born 1943), Academy Award-nominated actress, Lenny, The Electric Horseman, Superman
- Lou Perryman (1941–2009), actor
- Madison Pettis (born 1998), actress
- Cindy Pickett (born 1947), actress, St. Elsewhere, Ferris Bueller's Day Off
- Arthur C. Pierce (1923–1987), screenwriter, film director
- Mary Kay Place (born 1947), actress, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, The Big Chill, John Grisham's The Rainmaker
- Jesse Plemons (born 1988), actor
- Esteban Powell (born 1976), actor
- Joan Prather (born 1950), actress
- Ann Prentiss (1939–2010), actress
- Paula Prentiss (born 1938), actress, What's New Pussycat?, Where the Boys Are, Catch-22, The Stepford Wives
- Missi Pyle (born 1972), actress, singer, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, DodgeBall
- Q–R
- Dennis Quaid (born 1954), actor, Breaking Away, The Right Stuff, The Big Easy, Wyatt Earp, Everybody's All-American, Any Given Sunday
- Randy Quaid (born 1950), actor, The Last Picture Show, The Last Detail, National Lampoon's Vacation, Brokeback Mountain
- Molly Quinn (born 1993), actress, We're the Millers, Castle, Winx Club
- Kevin Rahm (born 1971), actor, Judging Amy, Desperate Housewives, Mad Men, Jesse
- Steve Railsback (born 1945), actor, Helter Skelter, The Stunt Man
- Dominic Rains (born 1982), actor
- Ethan Rains (born 1981), actor
- Sendhil Ramamurthy (born 1974), actor, Mohinder Suresh on Heroes
- Haley Ramm (born 1992), actress
- Ben Rappaport (born 1986), actor, Outsourced
- Phylicia Rashād (born 1948), actress, The Cosby Show
- Jackson Rathbone (born 1984), actor, musician
- Richard Rawlings (born 1969), reality-television star (Fast N' Loud), entrepreneur, auto mechanic, race car driver
- Allene Ray (1901–1979), actress
- Arthur Redcloud, actor
- Debbie Reynolds (1932–2016), Academy Award-nominated actress and singer, Singin' in the Rain, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, How the West Was Won, Mother, mother of Carrie Fisher
- Kevin Reynolds (born 1952), screenwriter, director, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Red Dawn
- Christopher Rich (born 1953), actor (Another World, The Charmings)
- Patricia Richardson (born 1951), actress, Jill Taylor on Home Improvement
- Shannon Richardson (born 1977), actress
- Noah Ringer (born 1998), actor
- Carlos Rivas (1925–2003), actor
- Emilio Rivera (born 1961), actor, Marcus Álvarez on Sons of Anarchy
- Dallas Roberts (born 1970), actor
- Willard Robertson (1886–1948), actor
- Gene Roddenberry (1921–1991), Star Trek creator, writer, director, producer
- Rod Roddy (1937–2003), radio and television announcer
- Holland Roden (born 1986), actress, Teen Wolf
- James Roday Rodriguez (born 1976), actor
- Michelle Rodriguez (born 1978), actress, Lost
- Raini Rodriguez (born 1993), actress, Paul Blart: Mall Cop
- Rico Rodriguez (born 1998), teen actor, Modern Family
- Robert Rodriguez (born 1968), director, producer, writer, composer
- Ginger Rogers (1911–1995), Academy Award-winning actress, singer, dancer
- Kenny Rogers (1938–2020), musician, actor ("The Gambler", "Coward of the County")
- Kylie Rogers (born 2004), child actress, The Whispers, Collateral Beauty, Miracles from Heaven
- Henry Roquemore (1886–1943), actor
- Thomas Rosales Jr. (born 1948), stunt man
- Ross Sisters, Betsy (1926–1996), Vickie (1927–2002), and Dixie (1929–1963), Broadway singers, dancers, contortionists
- Brad Rushing (born 1964), cinematographer
- Debby Ryan (born 1993), actress, singer, voice actress
- Irene Ryan (1902–1973), actress, "Granny" on The Beverly Hillbillies
- Melissa Rycroft (born 1983), reality television contestant
- S
- Mark Salling (1982–2018), actor
- Ajai Sanders (born 1967), actress, comedian
- Jay O. Sanders (born 1953), actor, Crime Story, AfterMASH, The Day After Tomorrow
- Stark Sands (born 1978), actor
- John Phillip Santos (born 1957), filmmaker, producer, journalist, author
- August Schellenberg (1936–2013), actor
- Robert Schenkkan (born 1953), actor, playwright, screenwriter
- Thomas Schlamme (born 1950), producer, director
- Julian Schnabel (born 1951), award-winning film director, visual artist
- Maïté Schwartz (born 1979), actress
- Tracy Scoggins (born 1953), actress, The Colbys, Lois & Clark, Babylon 5
- Kimberly Scott (born 1961), actress
- Kristy Scott (born 1995), social media personality, digital creator, filmmaker
- Zachary Scott (1914–1965), actor, Mildred Pierce, Cass Timberlane
- 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, Fairly Legal, The L Word
- Shangela, drag queen, reality television personality
- Andrew Shapter (born 1966), film director, producer, writer, photographer
- Karen Sharpe (born 1934), actress, The High and the Mighty
- Ann Sheridan (1915–1967), actress, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Kings Row
- Taylor Sheridan (born 1970), filmmaker, actor[14]
- Jim Siedow (1920–2003), actor
- Trinidad Silva (1950–1988), actor
- Justin Simien (born 1983), filmmaker, actor, author
- Johnny Simmons (born 1986), actor
- Lori Singer (born 1957), actress, model, classical musician
- Marc Singer (born 1948), actor, V: The Original Miniseries, V: The Final Battle, and V: The Series
- Guru Singh (born 1980), actor
- J. Mack Slaughter Jr. (born 1983), actor
- Brian J. Smith (born 1981), actor, Stargate Universe, Sense8
- Bubba Smith (1945–2011), actor, professional football player
- Jaclyn Smith (born 1947), actress, starred in Charlie's Angels
- Kimberly Kay Smith (born 1983), model, actress
- Gus Sorola (born 1978), actor, podcast host
- Eve Southern (1898–1972), actress
- Sissy Spacek (born 1949), Academy Award-winning actress, Coal Miner's Daughter, Carrie, Missing, cousin of Rip Torn
- Merrie Spaeth (born 1948), child and teen actress; now a business and political consultant and educator
- Aaron Spelling (1923–2006), television producer
- Georgina Spelvin (born 1936), adult film actress
- Brent Spiner (born 1949), actor, star of Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Kim Spradlin (born 1983), reality television personality, interior designer, business owner
- Andy Stahl (born 1952), actor, The Client, The Patriot, The Blind Side
- Nick Stahl (born 1979), actor, Sin City, The Man Without a Face, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
- Jimmy Starr (1904–1991), screenwriter, columnist
- Jack Starrett (1936–1989), actor, director
- Eddie Steeples (born 1973), actor
- 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
- Glenn Strange (1899–1973), actor
- Sherry Stringfield (born 1967), actress
- David Sullivan (born 1977), actor
- Allison Sumrall (born 1979), voice actress
- Don Swayze (born 1958), actor
- Patrick Swayze (1952–2009), actor, Dirty Dancing, The Outsiders, Road House, Ghost
- Madylin Sweeten (born 1991), actress, Everybody Loves Raymond
- Clarence Swensen (1917–2009), actor
- Francie Swift (born 1968), actress, Gossip Girl
- T–U
- Ralph Tabakin (1921–2001), actor, Homicide: Life on the Street
- Margaret Tallichet (1914–1991), actress
- Lincoln Tate (1934–2001), actor, Legend of the Lone Ranger
- Sharon Tate (1943–1969), actress, Valley of the Dolls
- Regina Taylor (born 1960), actress, Molly Blane on The Unit; playwright
- Ron Taylor (1952–2002), actor
- Henry Thomas (born 1971), actor, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Gangs of New York, All the Pretty Horses
- Jay Thomas (1948–2017), actor, Mr. Holland's Opus, Cheers
- Tiffany Thornton (born 1986), actress
- Stephen Tobolowsky (born 1951), actor, Bob Bishop on Heroes, Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day
- Rip Torn (1931–2019), Academy Award-nominated actor, Cross Creek, Sweet Bird of Youth, The Cincinnati Kid, Defending Your Life, The Larry Sanders Show, cousin of Sissy Spacek
- Stacey Travis (born 1964), actress
- Jesús Salvador Treviño (born 1946), television director
- Barry Tubb (born 1963), actor, director
- Alan Tudyk (born 1971), actor
- Tommy Tune (born 1939), dancer, actor, Broadway director, choreographer
- Paola Turbay (born 1970), actress, model, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Cane
- Janine Turner (born 1962), model, actress, author, radio talk show host
- Karri Turner (born 1966), actress
- Maidel Turner (1888–1953), film actress
- Meg Turney (born 1987), internet personality, cosplayer, model, vlogger
- Michael Urie (born 1980), actor, Ugly Betty
- V–Z
- Brenda Vaccaro (born 1939), Academy Award-nominated actress, Once Is Not Enough, Midnight Cowboy, Airport '77
- Jack Valenti (1921–2007), president of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), 1966–2004; special assistant to U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson
- Greg Vaughan (born 1973), actor, former fashion model, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, Charmed
- 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
- Libby Villari (born 1951), actress
- Tom Virtue (born 1957), actor, Even Stevens, Blades of Glory
- Elda Voelkel (1911–2001), actress; later documentary filmmaker (as Elda Hartley)
- Lenny Von Dohlen (born 1958), actor
- Helen Wagner (1918–2010), actress, played Nancy Hughes on As the World Turns for 54 years
- Charlotte Walker (1876–1958), actress
- Jordan Wall (born 1981), actor
- Isaiah Washington (born 1963), actor, Dr. Preston Burke on Grey's Anatomy
- Barry Watson (born 1974), actor
- Ann Wedgeworth (1934–2017), actress, Lana on Three's Company
- Debbie Weems (1950–1978), actress, singer, Captain Kangaroo
- Peter Weller (born 1947), actor, RoboCop, Star Trek Into Darkness
- Noël Wells (born 1986), actress, comedian
- Bob West (born 1956), actor, Barney & Friends
- Margaret West (1903–1963), vaudeville performer, radio hostess, heiress
- Lisa Whelchel (born 1963), actress, author
- Forest Whitaker (born 1961), Academy Award-winning actor and director, The Last King of Scotland, Bird, Good Morning, Vietnam, Panic Room, Lee Daniels' The Butler
- Johnny Whitworth (born 1975), actor, CSI: Miami
- Caroline Williams (born 1957), actress
- Guinn Williams (1899–1962), actor
- JoBeth Williams (born 1948), actress, Poltergeist, The Big Chill, Screen Actors Guild president
- Ryan Piers Williams (born 1981), actor, director, writer
- Van Williams (1934–2016), actor
- Noble Willingham (1931–2004), actor, Walker, Texas Ranger
- Travis Willingham (born 1981), actor, voice actor
- Chill Wills (1903–1978), Academy Award-nominated actor and singer
- Andrew Wilson (born 1964), actor
- Chandra Wilson (born 1969), actress, Miranda Bailey on Grey's Anatomy
- Dooley Wilson (1886–1953), actor, singer, played "Sam" in Casablanca
- Luke Wilson (born 1971), actor, Bottle Rocket, The Royal Tenenbaums, Idiocracy
- Owen Wilson (born 1968), actor, The Darjeeling Limited, Midnight in Paris, Cars
- Robert Wilson (born 1941), theatre director, playwright
- Trey Wilson (1948–1989), actor, Bull Durham, Raising Arizona
- William D. Wittliff (1940–2019), screenwriter, author, photographer
- Morgan Woodward (1925–2019), actor, Dallas, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Gunsmoke
- Doug Wright (born 1962), Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter
- Robin Wright (born 1966), actress, The Princess Bride, House of Cards
- Natalie Zea (born 1975), actress, Justified, Dirty Sexy Money
- Nora Zehetner (born 1981), actress
- Renée Zellweger (born 1969), Academy Award-winning actress, Cold Mountain, Jerry Maguire, Chicago
- Craig Zisk (born 1950), television director, producer
- Randy Zisk (born 1959), television director, producer
Comedians[edit]
- Aaron Aryanpur, stand-up comedian
- Rodney Carrington (born 1968), comedian
- Wyatt Cenac (born 1976), stand-up comedian, actor, writer
- Ryan Cownie, stand-up comedian
- Kambri Crews (born 1971), comedic storyteller, memoirist
- Jeff Dunham (born 1962), ventriloquist, stand-up comedian
- Jade Esteban Estrada (born 1975), comedian, actor
- Bill Engvall (born 1957), comedian, actor
- Jake Flores, stand-up comedian
- Jack Handey (born 1949), writer for Saturday Night Live
- Bill Hicks (1961–1994), comedian
- KevJumba (Kevin Wu) (born 1990), comedian, YouTube celebrity
- Lashonda Lester (died 2017), comedian
- Freddy Lockhart (born 1979), comedian, actor
- Steve Martin (born 1945), comedian, actor
- Rasika Mathur (born 1976), comedian, actress, Wild 'n Out
- Ralphie May (1972–2017), comedian
- Doug Mellard, stand-up comedian
- Grady Nutt (1934–1982), humorist, Baptist minister
- Alex Reymundo, comedian, actor
- Iliza Shlesinger (born 1983), comedian
- Shuckey Duckey (Cecil Armstrong) (born 1956), comedian, circus ringmaster
- Freddy Soto (1970–2005), comedian, actor
- Ryan Stout (born 1982), comedian
- Greg Travis (born 1958), actor, stand-up comedian
- Paul Varghese (born 1977), comedian
- Stephnie Weir (born 1967), comedian, actress, MADtv
- White Chocolate (born 1969), BET Comic View
- Ron White (born 1956), comedian, actor
- Harris Wittels (1984–2015), comedian, actor, writer, producer, musician
- Dustin Ybarra (born 1989), comedian, actor
Magicians[edit]
- Jay Alexander (born 1958), magician
- J.B. Bobo (1910–1996), magician
- Richard Turner (born 1954), magician specializing in card manipulation
- Mark Wilson (1929–2021), magician
Music[edit]
.jpg)
.jpg)
_(cropped).jpg)
- 0–9
- 3Bubble and J. Gray, hip hop duo
- A
- Dimebag Darrell Abbott (1966–2004), rock guitarist
- Jerry Abbott (born 1944), country songwriter, producer
- Dave Abbruzzese (born 1968), rock drummer
- Jacques Abram (1915–1998), classical pianist
- Kevin Abstract (Clifford Ian Simpson) (born 1996), rapper, singer-songwriter, director
- Yolanda Adams (born 1961), Grammy Award-winning gospel singer
- Samuel Adler (born 1928), composer, conductor, educator
- Pepe Aguilar (born 1968), ranchera/mariachi/pop singer-songwriter
- Hanan Alattar (born 1986), opera singer
- Don Albert (1908–1980), jazz trumpeter, bandleader
- Carter Albrecht (1973–2007), rock keyboardist, guitarist, classical pianist
- Victor Alessandro (1915–1976), conductor
- Alger "Texas" Alexander (1900–1954), blues singer
- Dave Alexander (aka Omar Sharriff) (1938–2012), blues singer, pianist
- Terry Allen (born 1943), musician
- Jerry Allison (1939–2022), musician
- Joe Allison (1924–2002), country songwriter, producer
- Ruby Allmond (1923–2006), country songwriter, fiddler, guitarist
- Tommy Allsup (1931–2017), rock/country guitarist
- Nancy Ames (born 1937), pop/folk singer
- Trey Anastasio (born 1964), rock singer/guitarist
- Christopher M. Anderson, college band director
- Coffey Anderson (born 1978), country singer-songwriter
- Keith Anderson (born 1970), jazz saxophonist
- Ryan Anthony (1969–2020), trumpet player
- Clifford Antone (1949–2006), blues club owner, record producer, mentor to musicians
- Charlie Applewhite (1932–2001), singer, radio host
- Katie Armiger (born 1991), country singer
- Elaine Arnold (1911–2006), opera singer
- Lev Aronson (1912–1988), classical cellist and teacher
- Charline Arthur (1929–1987), boogie-woogie/blues singer
- Gil Askey (1925–2014), jazz/Motown trumpet player, composer
- Gene Austin (1900–1972), pop/jazz singer-songwriter
- James Austin (born 1937), classical trumpet player, educator
- Larry Austin (1930–2018), composer, educator
- Gene Autry (1907–1998), country music singer
- John Axelrod (born 1966), classical conductor
- Pedro Ayala (1911–1990), conjunto accordionist-songwriter
- Ba–Bm
- 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
- Sam Baker (born 1954), folk singer-songwriter, survived a terrorist bombing attack by Shining Path
- Marcia Ball (born 1949), blues singer
- Clint Ballard Jr. (1931–2008), songwriter
- Smith Ballew (1902–1984), singer, bandleader, actor
- Moe Bandy (born 1944), country singer
- Kirko Bangz (born 1989), southern hip hop music and R&B singer
- Erica Banks (born 1998), rapper
- Joseph Banowetz (1936–2022), classical pianist, teacher
- Stephen Barber (born 1952), symphonic/pop/rock composer, arranger
- Danny Barnes (born 1961), country/jazz/punk banjo player and guitarist
- Etta Moten Barnett (1901–2004), singer, actress
- Les Baxter (1922–1996), composer of lounge music and exotica
- Frank Beard (born 1949), drummer in ZZ Top
- John Beasley (born 1960), jazz pianist, bandleader, producer
- George Beauchamp (1899–1941), maker and inventor of violins and guitars
- Jim Beck (1916–1956), country music talent agent, record promoter, recording studio owner, A&R engineer, record producer, music publisher
- Dora Valesca Becker (1870–1958), classical violinist
- Leila Bela (born 1970), 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
- Ray Benson (born 1951), Western swing singer-songwriter, producer, Asleep at the Wheel
- 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
- Big Pokey (Milton Powell Jr.) (1974–2023), rapper
- Bill Smith Combo, aka Tommy & The Tom Toms, DFW rock 'n roll group
- Ryan Bingham (born 1981), country singer-songwriter
- Scott H. Biram (born 1974), blues, punk, country, heavy metal musician
- 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
- Zach Blair (born 1973), guitarist of Rise Against
- Clay Blaker (born 1950), country singer-songwriter
- William Blankenship (1928–2017), opera singer, educator
- Jules Bledsoe (1898–1943), Broadway singer
- Julien Paul Blitz (1885–1951), conductor, cellist
- Bn–Bz
- Craig Bohmler (born 1956), opera/musical-theatre composer
- Zuzu Bollin (1922–1990), blues guitarist
- Juke Boy Bonner (1932–1978), blues musician
- Emanuel Borok (1944–2020), classical violinist
- Brent Bourgeois (born 1958), rock singer, producer
- Jane Bowers (1921–2000), folk singer-songwriter
- Euday L. Bowman (1887–1949), ragtime/blues pianist, composer
- Euel Box (1928–2017), music producer, composer, arranger, trumpeter
- Boxcar Willie (Lecil Travis Martin) (1931–1999), country singer
- Bill Boyd (1910–1977), country singer, guitarist
- Craig Wayne Boyd (born 1978), country singer and winner of NBC's The Voice season 7
- Calvin Boze (1916–1970), jazz/R&B trumpeter
- Danielle Bradbery (born 1996), country singer
- Jeff Bradetich (born 1957), classical double bass player and educator
- Bobby Bradford (born 1934), jazz trumpeter, cornetist, bandleader, composer
- Doyle Bramhall (1949–2011), blues singer-songwriter, drummer
- Doyle Bramhall II (born 1968), blues/rock guitarist
- 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
- Leon Bridges (born 1989), soul singer-songwriter
- Billy Briggs (born 1977), independent musician-songwriter
- Houston Bright (1916–1970), choral composer
- Ally Brooke (born 1993), pop singer
- Karen Brooks (born 1954), country singer
- 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
- Jewel Brown (born 1937), jazz/blues singer
- Lacey Brown (born 1985), folk/pop singer
- Milton Brown (1903–1936), Western swing singer, bandleader
- Rex Brown (born 1964), musician
- Cliff Bruner (1915–2000), western swing fiddler, bandleader
- Anshel Brusilow (1928–2018), orchestra conductor and violinist
- Stephen Bruton (1948–2009), country musician
- Mike Buck (born 1952), blues/rock drummer
- 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
- Gerald Busby (born 1935), classical and film composer
- Johnny Bush (1935–2020), country singer-songwriter
- William Butler (born 1982), member of Arcade Fire
- Win Butler (born 1980), lead singer of Canadian indie-rock band Arcade Fire
- Ca–Cm
- Ryan Cabrera (born 1982), singer-songwriter
- Ernie Caceres (1911–1971), jazz instrumentalist
- Chris Cagle (born 1968), country music artist
- Kimberly Caldwell (born 1982), pop singer, actress
- Tevin Campbell (born 1976), musician
- Tony Campise (1943–2010), jazz woodwind player
- Laura Canales (1954–2005), Tejano singer
- Leonard Candelaria (born 1947), classical/jazz trumpet player, educator
- Hayes Carll (born 1976), country singer-songwriter
- Chris Carmichael (born 1962), pop/country string instrumentalist, arranger
- Vikki Carr (born 1941), jazz, pop, country and Latin music singer
- Zachary Carrettin (born 1972), classical conductor, composer, violinist
- Georgia Carroll (1919–2011), big-band singer, actress, model
- Johnny Carroll (1937–1995), rockabilly singer, guitarist
- John Carter (1929–1991), jazz instrumentalist, composer, club owner
- Kristopher Carter (born 1972), classical and Emmy Award-winning film composer
- Cindy Cashdollar (born 1955), Western swing/bluegrass steel guitarist
- AJ Castillo (born 1986), Tejano singer
- Joyce Castle (born 1939), opera singer
- Jason Castro (born 1987), pop singer/guitarist
- Hollie Cavanagh (born 1993), pop singer
- John Cerminaro (born 1947), classical horn player
- Chamillionaire (born 1979), rapper
- Greyson Chance (born 1997), pop/rock singer, pianist
- John Barnes Chance (1932–1972), classical composer, timpanist
- Bruce Channel (born 1940), rock and roll singer
- Gary Chapman (born 1957), contemporary Christian singer-songwriter
- Mark Chesnutt (born 1963), country singer-songwriter
- Chingo Bling (Pedro Herrera III) (born 1979), rapper, producer
- Harry Choates (1922–1951), Cajun fiddler
- Charlie Christian (1916–1942), swing/jazz guitarist
- Chungha (Kim Chan-mi) (born February 9, 1996), South Korean musician
- Ciara (Ciara Harris) (born 1985), musician
- Gary Clark Jr. (born 1984), Texas blues musician
- Guy Clark (1941–2016), country singer-songwriter
- Lakrea Clark (born 1991), singer-songwriter
- Victoria Clark (born 1959), singer, Tony Award-winning actress
- Kelly Clarkson (born 1982), singer, American Idol winner
- Cynthia Clawson (born 1948), Grammy Award-winning gospel singer
- James Clay (1935–1995), jazz instrumentalist
- Sonny Clay (1899–1973), jazz pianist, drummer, bandleader
- Laura Claycomb (born 1968), operatic soprano
- Van Cliburn (1934–2013), pianist (born in Louisiana, raised in Texas)
- Cn–Cz
- Arnett Cobb (1918–1989), jazz saxophonist
- Eddie Coker (born 1960), singer-songwriter of music for children
- Henry Coker (1919–1979), jazz trombonist
- Bongo Joe Coleman (1923–1999), jazz and street drummer
- Gary B.B. Coleman (1947–1994), soul/blues guitarist, singer-songwriter, producer
- Jerry "Bo" Coleman (born 1936), radio disc jockey; KDAV in Lubbock
- Ornette Coleman (1930–2015), jazz saxophonist
- John Ford Coley (born 1948), rock musician (England Dan & John Ford Coley)
- Bill Collings (1948–2017), guitar maker
- Albert Collins (1932–1993), blues musician
- Jim Collins (born 1956), country singer-songwriter
- Eugene Conley (1908–1981), opera singer
- Barbara Smith Conrad (1940–2017), opera singer
- David Cook (born 1982), rock singer-songwriter (born in Houston, raised in Missouri)
- Nick Cooper (born 1968), drummer, record producer, composer, filmmaker, social activist
- Johnny Copeland (1937–1997), blues guitarist, singer
- Larry Coryell (1943–2017), jazz fusion guitarist
- James Cotton (1935–2017), blues harmonica player, singer-songwriter
- Josie Cotton (Kathleen Josey) (born 1956), rock singer
- Orville Couch (1935–2002), country singer-songwriter
- Cowboy Troy (born 1970), rap singer-songwriter
- Bryan-Michael Cox (born 1977), record producer, songwriter
- Cindy Cox (born 1961), classical composer
- Pee Wee Crayton (1914–1985), R&B/blues guitarist, singer
- Roger Creager (born 1971), country 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
- Henry Cuesta (1931–2003), jazz/big-band clarinetist
- Jim Cullum Jr. (1941–2019), Dixieland/jazz cornetist and bandleader
- Ryan Culwell (born 1980), country/folk singer-songwriter
- Jeff Current, lead singer for Against All Will
- Mac Curtis (1939–2013), rockabilly musician
- Sonny Curtis (born 1937), country/pop singer-songwriter
- D
- 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
- Chris Dave (born 1973), jazz/gospel/hip hop drummer, composer, bandleader
- Ivan Davis (1932–2018), classical pianist
- Mac Davis (1942–2020), musician
- Monte Hill Davis (1932–2018), classical pianist
- 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
- Bill Dees (1939–2012), country songwriter, "Oh, Pretty Woman"
- Ryan Delahoussaye (born 1976), rock instrumentalist
- Tim DeLaughter (born 1965), rock singer
- Brett Deubner (born 1968), classical violist
- Lindsay Deutsch (born 1984), classical violinist
- Al Dexter (1905–1984), country singer
- Mike Dillon, rock drummer-singer-songwriter
- Floyd Dixon (1929–2006), R&B pianist, singer
- Jessy Dixon (1938–2011), gospel 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
- Bob Dorough (1923–2018), jazz vocalist, pianist, composer, songwriter, arranger, producer
- Dorrough (born 1986), rapper
- Amber Dotson (born 1973), country singer
- Bobby Doyle (1939–2006), jazz singer
- 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
- Holly Dunn (1957–2016), country singer
- Ronnie Dunn (born 1953), country singer
- 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
- E
- Robert Ealey (1925–2001), blues singer
- Steve Earle (born 1955), singer-songwriter, musician
- Reed Easterwood (born 1967), rock guitarist
- Roger Edens (1905–1970), film composer
- Emily Elbert (born 1988), folk/soul/jazz/pop singer-songwriter
- Willard Somers Elliot (1926–2000), classical bassoonist
- Herb Ellis (1921–2010), jazz guitarist
- Merrill Leroy Ellis (1916–1981), classical composer
- Robert Ellis (born 1988), country/rock singer-songwriter
- 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 (1947–2019), rock singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Booker Ervin (1930–1970), jazz saxophonist
- Alejandro Escovedo (born 1951), rock guitarist, singer-songwriter
- Dale Evans (1912–2001), country singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Herschel Evans (1909–1939), jazz saxophonist
- Roberto Eyzaguirre (1923–2004), classical pianist and teacher
- F
- Terry Fator (born 1965), singer, ventriloquist, impersonator
- Fat Pat (Patrick Hawkins) (1970–1998), rapper
- Jimmy Lee Fautheree (1934–2004), rockabilly singer
- José Feghali (1961–2014), classical pianist and teacher
- Wilton Felder (1940–2015), jazz saxophonist, bassist
- Nathan Felix (born 1981), classical composer
- Freddy Fender (1937–2006), musician
- Keith Ferguson (1946–1997), blues/rock bass guitarist, The Fabulous Thunderbirds
- Rosita Fernandez (1919–2006), Tejano/pop singer, actress
- Ernie Fields (c. 1904 – 1997), jazz trombonist
- Carl Finch (born 1951), polka musician, founder of Brave Combo
- Wilma Cozart Fine (1927–2009), classical record producer
- Charles Finger (1867–1941), music teacher, conservatory administrator; later a noted author of children's literature
- Sonny Fisher (1931–2005), rockabilly singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Rosie Flores (born 1950), country singer
- Carlisle Floyd (1926–2021), opera composer
- George Floyd (1974–2020), rapper, died in Minneapolis Police custody
- Jim Bob Floyd (born 1929), classical pianist, composer
- Blaze Foley (Michael Fuller) (1949–1989), folk singer-songwriter
- Bruce Ford (born 1956), operatic tenor
- Radney Foster (born 1959), country music singer-songwriter
- Ruthie Foster (born 1964), blues/folk singer-songwriter
- Kevin Fowler (born 1966), country singer
- Curly Fox (1910–1995), country fiddler
- James Francies (born 1995), jazz pianist, composer
- Kirk Franklin (born 1970), gospel singer
- Denny Freeman (1944–2021), blues instrumentalist, songwriter
- 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 (1945–2014), singer-songwriter
- Akiko Fujimoto, orchestra conductor
- Bobby Fuller (1942–1966), rock singer and guitarist
- Marjorie Fulton (1909–1962), classical violinist and teacher
- Anson Funderburgh (born 1954), blues guitarist, bandleader
- Justin Furstenfeld (born 1975), rock singer and guitarist
- G
- Kyle Gann (born 1955), composer, musicologist, music critic
- Red Garland (1923–1984), jazz pianist
- Travis Garland (born 1989), singer-songwriter
- Joy Garrett (1945–1993), big-band singer, actress
- Henry Garza (born 1978), Los Lonely Boys lead guitarist of San Angelo, 2005 Grammy Award winner
- Jojo Garza (born 1980), Los Lonely Boys bass of San Angelo, 2005 Grammy Award winner
- Ringo Garza (born 1981), Los Lonely Boys drummer of San Angelo, 2005 Grammy Award 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 (1936–2022), country musician
- Don Gillis (1912–1978), composer, conductor, producer, educator
- Everett M. Gilmore (1935–2005), classical tubist
- Jimmie Dale Gilmore (born 1945), singer-songwriter
- Johnny Gimble (1926–2015), country fiddler
- John Giordano (born 1937), orchestra conductor
- Jimmy Giuffre (1921–2008), jazz composer, arranger, clarinetist and saxophonist
- Robert Glasper (born 1978), jazz pianist
- Jack Glatzer (born 1939), concert violinist
- Terry Glaze (born 1964), country/heavy-metal singer, guitarist
- Darrell Glenn (1935–1990), country singer
- Lloyd Glenn (1909–1985), R&B pianist, bandleader, arranger
- Tyree Glenn (1912–1974), big band/jazz trombonist
- Lillian Glinn (1902–1978), blues singer-songwriter
- David Gockley (born 1943), opera company administrator
- Renée Elise Goldsberry (born 1971), singer-songwriter, actress
- Tomasz Golka (born 1975), classical conductor, composer, violinist
- David Golub (1950–2000), classical pianist, conductor
- Selena Gomez (born 1992), actress and singer
- Allie Gonino (born 1990), actress and pop singer
- Dennis González (1954–2022), jazz trumpet player, educator[15]
- Floyd Graham (1902–1974), bandleader, educator
- Larry Graham (born 1946), soul, R&B, and funk musician
- Susan Graham (born 1960), opera singer
- Donald Grantham (born 1947), classical composer and music educator
- Mitchell 'Mitch' Grassi (born 1992), a cappella singer
- Shakey Graves (born 1987), Americana musician
- Conan Gray (born 1998), pop singer-songwriter
- Dobie Gray (1940–2011), soul singer-songwriter
- Jerry Gray (1915–1976), swing-era arranger and bandleader
- Pat Green (born 1972), country singer-songwriter
- Thurman Green (1940–1997), jazz trombonist
- Art Greenhaw (born 1954), Grammy Award-winning recording artist, producer, engineer[16]
- Nanci Griffith (1953–2021), singer-songwriter
- Larry Groce (born 1948), singer-songwriter of country music, children's songs; radio host
- Dewey Groom (1918–1997), country singer
- Texas Guinan (1884–1933), western singer, actress
- David Wendel Guion (1892–1981), composer, arranger of folk tunes
- Guitar Shorty (David Kearney) (1939–2022), blues guitarist
- Woody Guthrie (1912–1967), folk singer-songwriter (spent several years in Pampa, during the formative period of his youth)
- Billy Guy (Frank Phillips Jr.) (1936–2002), R&B/rock and roll singer (The Coasters)
- H–I
- Marcus Haddock (born 1957), opera singer
- Dan Haerle (born 1937), jazz pianist, composer, author, teacher
- Monte Hale (1919–2009), country singer, actor
- Robert Hale (1933–2023), opera singer
- Tommy Hall (born 1943), rock electric jug player
- Stuart Hamblen (1908–1989), country singer, candidate for U.S. President
- Ed Hamell, punk-rock singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Bob Hames (1920–1998), jazz guitarist
- Butch Hancock (born 1945), country/folk singer-songwriter
- Gerre Hancock (1934–2012), organist, composer
- Tommy Hancock (1929–2020), country singer, bandleader
- John Handy (born 1933), jazz saxophonist
- John Hardee (1919–1984), jazz saxophonist
- Glen Hardin (born 1939), rock and roll piano player
- Maud Cuney Hare (1874–1936), music historian, civil rights activist
- Roy Hargrove (1969–2018), jazz trumpet player
- Eric Harland (born 1976), jazz drummer
- Everette Harp (born 1961), jazz saxophonist
- Lynn Harrell (1944–2020), concert cellist raised in Texas
- Mack Harrell (1909–1960), operatic baritone
- Peppermint Harris (Harrison Nelson Jr.) (1925–1999), R&B singer, guitarist
- R. H. Harris (1916–2000), gospel singer
- Daniel Hart (born 1976), indie pop singer-songwriter, violinist
- Earl Harvin, rock drummer
- Bess Lomax Hawes (1921–2009), folk musician, folklorist
- Nelly (real name Cornell Haynes) (born 1974), rapper, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, investor, and occasional actor
- Gibby Haynes (born 1957), lead singer of the Butthole Surfers
- Cedric Haywood (1914–1969), jazz pianist
- Roy Head (1941–2020), Roy Head and The Traits
- Sundance Head (born 1979), country singer-songwriter, contestant from American Idol season 6 and winner of NBC's The Voice season 11
- Chet Helms (1942–2005), music promoter, called father of the Summer of Love
- Julius Hemphill (1938–1995), jazz composer, saxophonist
- Bugs Henderson (1943–2012), blues guitarist
- Tom Hendricks, rock/blues guitarist, magazine writer, editor
- Terri Hendrix (born 1968), contemporary folk singer-songwriter
- 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
- Ally Brooke Hernandez (born 1993), pop singer
- Cenobio Hernandez (1863–1950), classical composer
- Anna Goodman Hertzberg (1864–1937), pianist, civic leader, philanthropist
- Casey Hess, rock guitarist (Burden Brothers)
- Carolyn Hester (born 1937), folk singer-songwriter
- Sara Hickman (born 1963), rock/pop singer-songwriter
- Johnnie High (1929–2010), country musician and impresario
- Ray Hildebrand (1940–2023), pop singer, Paul & Paula
- Dusty Hill (1945–2021), bass guitarist in ZZ Top
- Z. Z. Hill (1935–1984), blues singer
- Tish Hinojosa (born 1955), Mexican-American folk singer
- James William Hipp (born 1934), classical trumpet player, educator, music administrator
- Desmond Hoebig (born 1961), classical cellist and teacher
- Ernst Hoffmann (c. 1899 – 1956), orchestra conductor
- Adolph Hofner (1916–2000), western swing bandleader
- Smokey Hogg (1914–1960), country blues singer, guitarist
- John Holiday (born 1985), opera singer
- Jennifer Holliday (born 1960), Grammy Award-winning singer, actress
- Buddy Holly (1936–1959), singer-songwriter
- Steve Holy (born 1972), country singer
- Champ Hood (1952–2001), alternative country singer-instrumentalist
- Stix Hooper (born 1938), jazz drummer
- Sam Lightnin' Hopkins (1912–1982), blues musician
- Jazzmeia Horn (born 1991), jazz singer-songwriter
- Johnny Horton (1925–1960), country singer
- Brad Houser (born 1960), rock instrumentalist
- Scott Hoying (born 1991), a cappella singer
- Frank Huang (born 1978), concert violinist
- Ray Wylie Hubbard (born 1946), country singer-songwriter
- Bill Hughes (1930–2018), jazz trombonist, bandleader
- Billie Hughes (1948–1998), singer-songwriter, musician
- 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
- Long John Hunter (1931–2016), blues guitarist, singer-songwriter
- 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
- Vanilla Ice (born 1967), rapper
- Jack Ingram (born 1970), country singer-songwriter
- Dennis Irwin (1951–2008), jazz double bassist, also played clarinet and saxophone[17]
- J
- Jill Jackson (born 1942), pop singer, Paul & Paula
- Melvin Jackson (1915–1976), blues guitarist
- Ronald Shannon Jackson (1940–2013), jazz drummer
- Illinois Jacquet (1922–2004), jazz saxophonist, bassoonist
- Russell Jacquet (1917–1990), jazz trumpeter
- Sarah Jaffe (born 1986), folk/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)
- Sarah Jarosz (born 1991), Americana/bluegrass singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Blind Lemon Jefferson (1897–1929), blues musician
- Speight Jenkins (born 1937), opera administrator, producer
- Waylon Jennings (1937–2002), country singer
- Michael Jerome (born 1967), rock drummer
- Flaco Jiménez (born 1939), Tejano accordionist
- Santiago Jiménez Jr. (born 1961), conjunto accordionist
- Kari Jobe (born 1981), Christian singer-songwriter
- Evan Johns (1956–2017), rockabilly guitarist
- Blind Willie Johnson (1897–1945), blues/spirituals singer, guitarist
- Budd Johnson (1910–1984), jazz saxophonist
- Conrad O. Johnson (1915–2008), music educator
- David N. Johnson (1922–1987), classical organist, composer, 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 (1935–2013), musician, The Velvets
- Willie Neal Johnson (1935–2001), gospel singer
- Daniel Johnston (1961–2019), rock singer-songwriter
- Nicholas Jonas (born 1992), singer, guitarist of the Jonas Brothers
- George Jones (1931–2013), country singer
- Little Hat Jones (1899–1981), blues singer, guitarist
- Maggie Jones (1894–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 (1928–2023), 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
- Jimmy Joy (1902–1962), jazz/big-band saxophonist, clarinetist
- K
- Kurt Kaiser (1934–2018), church music composer
- Benjamin Kamins (born 1952), classical bassoonist
- Milton Katims (1909–2006), concert violist and conductor
- Garrett Keast (born 1971), classical conductor
- Robert Earl Keen (born 1957), singer-songwriter
- Bobby Keys (1943–2014), rock/jazz saxophonist, played with The Rolling Stones
- 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 (born 1981), R&B singer, actress
- John Knowles (born 1942), popular/classical guitarist, composer, arranger, music educator, physicist
- Solange Knowles (born 1986), R&B singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer
- Buddy Knox (1933–1999), rockabilly singer-songwriter
- Normani Kordei (born 1996), pop singer, dancer
- Karl Korte (1928–2022), 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
- Ben Kweller (born 1981), rock singer-songwriter/instrumentalist
- L
- Fredell Lack (1922–2017), concert violinist and teacher
- Eugene Lacritz (1929–2012), classical/Broadway clarinetist, saxophonist, conductor
- Jimmy LaFave (1955–2017), folk/country/rock singer-songwriter
- Gary Lakes (born 1950), opera singer
- Alex Lambert (born 1990), pop singer-songwriter
- Miranda Lambert (born 1983), country music singer-songwriter
- Harold Land (1928–2001), bop saxophonist
- Kasey Lansdale (born 1988), country singer-songwriter
- Shelly Lares (born 1971), Tejano singer-songwriter
- Milt Larkin (1910–1996), jazz trumpeter, bandleader
- Prince Lasha (1929–2008), jazz instrumentalist
- William P. Latham (1917–2004), classical composer
- Debra Laws (born 1956), soul singer
- Eloise Laws (born 1943), jazz singer
- Hubert Laws (born 1939), jazz/classical flutist, saxophonist
- Ronnie Laws (born 1950), jazz saxophonist
- Melissa Lawson (born 1976), country singer
- Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) (1888–1949), blues musician
- Paul Leary (born 1957), rock guitarist
- Johnny Lee (born 1946), country singer
- Shannon Lee (born 1992), classical violinist[18]
- Will Lee (born 1952), jazz/rock bassist
- William Franklin Lee III (1929–2011), jazz pianist, composer, arranger, author, music educator
- Paul Leim (born 1950), country/rock/pop drummer
- 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
- Maggie Lindemann (born 1998), singer-songwriter
- Robert Lipsett (born 1947), concert violinist and master teacher
- Bill Lister (1923–2009), country singer
- Andrew Litton (born 1959), orchestra conductor
- Lizzo (Melissa Jefferson) (born 1988), rapper, singer-songwriter
- Lisa Loeb (born 1968), singer-songwriter, actress
- Hannibal Lokumbe (born Marvin Peterson) (born 1948), jazz trumpet player, composer
- Alan Lomax (1915–2002), folk singer, guitarist, ethnomusicologist, folklorist
- John London (1942–2000), pop/rock guitarist, songwriter; television production crew
- Jim Long (1943–2022), music producer, publisher; entrepreneur
- Isidro López (1929–2004), Tejano bandleader
- Trini Lopez (1937–2020), Hispanic musician, singer
- Demi Lovato (born 1992), singer, actress
- Lyle Lovett (born 1957), singer-songwriter
- David Lowery (born 1960), rock guitarist, singer-songwriter
- Josephine Lucchese (1893–1974), opera singer
- LeToya Luckett (born 1981), singer
- Bob Luman (1937–1978), country/rockabilly singer
- Anne Lundy (born 1954), classical conductor, music educator
- Lunic (Kaitee Page) (born 1985), electropop singer, multi-instrumentalist
- Ray Lynch (born 1943), classical guitarist and lutenist
- Barbara Lynn (born 1942), R&B guitarist, singer-songwriter
- Ma–Mm
- Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker) (born 1990), rapper
- Michael Madden (born 1979), bassist for Maroon 5
- Clif Magness (born 1957), pop songwriter, producer
- Martie Maguire (born 1969), country singer-songwriter (the Dixie Chicks)
- Austin Mahone (born 1996), pop singer
- Martin Mailman (1932–2000), classical composer and educator
- Lloyd Maines (born 1951), musician, producer
- Natalie Maines (born 1974), musician
- Major (Major R. Johnson Finley) (born 1984), pop/soul singer-songwriter
- Petronel Malan (born 1974), concert pianist
- Kirstin 'Kirstie' Maldonado (born 1992), a cappella singer
- Post Malone (born 1995), rap singer-songwriter
- Barbara Mandrell (born 1948), country singer
- Louise Mandrell (born 1954), country singer
- David Mann (born 1966), gospel singer, actor
- Tamela Mann (born 1966), gospel singer, actress
- Chris Marion (born 1962), rock musician member of Little River Band
- Tina Marsh (1954–2009), jazz singer, composer
- David Martin (1937–1987)[19] rock musician, member of Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, Tommy & The Tom Toms
- Mary Martin (1913–1990), Broadway singer, actress
- Ana María Martínez (born 1971), opera singer
- Narciso Martínez (1911–1992), conjunto singer, accordionist
- Óscar Martínez (born 1934), Tejano musician, songwriter
- Rhema Marvanne (born 2002), gospel singer
- Curt Massey (1910–1991), country musician
- Louise Massey (1902–1983), country singer-songwriter
- Eduardo Mata (1942–1995), orchestra conductor
- Johnny Mathis (born 1935), singer
- Johnny "Country" Mathis (1930–2011), country singer-songwriter
- Rich Matteson (1929–1993), jazz brass player, bandleader, educator
- Joe B. Mauldin (1940–2015), rock and roll bass player
- Pete Mayes (1938–2008), blues singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Sally Mayes (born 1959), Broadway singer and actress, jazz/rock singer
- Timothy McAllister (born 1972), classical saxophonist
- Leon McAuliffe (1917–1988), Western swing guitarist
- W. Francis McBeth (1933–2012), 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
- Nikki McKibbin (1978–2020), rock singer-songwriter
- Ray McKinley (1910–1995), jazz drummer, singer, bandleader
- Eliza Jane McKissack (1828–1900), music educator and administrator, singer, pianist
- Ian McLagan (1945–2014), rock keyboardist
- Cosmé McMoon (1901–1980), classical pianist, accompanied Florence Foster Jenkins
- James McMurtry (born 1962), folk-rock singer-songwriter, son of novelist Larry McMurtry
- Cindy McTee (born 1953), classical composer
- Meat Loaf (1951–2022), singer, actor
- David Meece (born 1952), contemporary Christian singer, pianist
- William B. Meeks Jr. (1921–1999), producer, composer, arranger of radio jingles; woodwind player
- Lydia Mendoza (1916–2007), Tejano singer
- Tom Merriman (1924–2009), commercial/jazz composer, arranger, producer, bandleader, educator
- Tift Merritt (born 1975), rock/country singer-songwriter
- Augie Meyers (born 1940), rock/Tejano keyboard player
- Louis Meyers (1955–2016), co-founder of South by Southwest music and media festival, multi-instrumentalist
- Bunny Michael, visual artist, musician, and rapper
- Aryn Michelle (born 1983), Christian pop/rock singer-songwriter
- Liz Mikel (born 1963), jazz singer, actress
- Amos Milburn (1927–1980), R&B singer, pianist
- Buddy Miles (1947–2008), rock drummer
- Frankie Miller (born 1931), country musician
- Julie Miller (born 1956), country singer-songwriter
- Rhett Miller (born 1970), alt-country singer
- Roger Miller (1936–1992), singer-songwriter
- Steve Miller (born 1943), blues/rock guitarist
- Mary Mills (born 1964), opera singer
- Mn–Mz
- Charles Moffett (1929–1997), jazz drummer
- Bill Moffit (1926–2008), marching-band director, music arranger and composer
- Margarita Monet (born 1990), rock singer, pianist, composer, actress
- Bob Montgomery (1937–2014), rockabilly singer-songwriter, producer
- Johnny Moore (1906–1969), blues singer, guitarist
- Latonia Moore (born 1979), opera singer[20]
- Oscar Moore (1916–1981), jazz/blues guitarist
- Tiny Moore (1920–1987), western swing instrumentalist
- Whistlin' Alex Moore (1899–1989), blues pianist, singer, whistler
- Michael Morales (born 1963), rock/pop singer-songwriter
- Jason Moran (born 1975), jazz pianist
- Mike Moreno (born 1978), jazz guitarist
- Mike Morgan (born 1959), blues guitarist, harmonica player, singer-songwriter
- Craig Morris (born 1968), classical trumpet player, educator
- Gary Morris (born 1948), country singer, actor
- Harold Morris (1890–1964), classical pianist, composer, educator
- Jay Hunter Morris (born 1963), opera singer
- Maren Morris (born 1990), country singer-songwriter
- Ella Mae Morse (1924–1999), blues/jazz/pop singer
- Mark Morton (born 1960), classical double bass player
- 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
- Kacey Musgraves (born 1988), country singer-songwriter
- Mason Musso (born 1989), pop/rock singer-songwriter
- Sam Myers (1936–2006), blues singer, instrumentalist
- N–O
- Johnny Nash (1940–2020), pop singer-songwriter
- Emilio Navaira (1962–2016), 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 (1942–2021), 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 (born 1948), rock guitarist, songwriter
- Kevin Noe (born 1969), classical conductor
- Timothy Nolen (born 1941), opera singer, Broadway singer and actor
- Normani (born 1996), pop singer
- Daron Norwood (1965–2015), country singer
- Salim Nourallah (born 1967), alt-country singer-songwriter
- Darrell Nulisch (born 1952), blues singer
- Gary P. Nunn (born 1945), country singer-songwriter
- Phil Ochs (1940–1976), folk singer-songwriter
- W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel (1890–1969), country-western singer-songwriter, Texas governor, and U.S. senator
- Adolfo Odnoposoff (1917–1992), classical cellist and teacher
- O.G. Style (Eric Woods) (1970–2008), rapper
- Paul Olefsky (1926–2013), classical cellist and teacher
- Pauline Oliveros (1932–2016), avant-garde composer, performance artist
- Gene O'Quin (1932–1978), country singer
- Wayne Oquin (born 1977), classical composer, music educator[21]
- Roy Orbison (1936–1988), singer-songwriter
- K. T. Oslin (1941–2020), country singer-songwriter
- Tommy Overstreet (1937–2015), country singer
- Buck Owens (1929–2006), country singer
- P–Q
- Hot Lips Page (1908–1954), jazz trumpeter, bandleader
- Knocky Parker (1918–1986), country/jazz pianist
- Dean Parks (born 1946), studio musician
- Vinnie Paul (Abbott) (1964–2018), rock drummer, producer
- Glen Payne (1926–1999), gospel singer
- Leon Payne (1917–1969), country singer-songwriter
- Maurice Peress (1930–2017), classical conductor, educator
- Paul Peress (born 1959), jazz/world music drummer, composer, producer
- Chris Pérez (born 1969), rock guitarist, singer-songwriter
- Jay Perez (born 1963), Tejano singer-songwriter
- Jack Petersen (born 1933), jazz guitarist, educator
- 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
- Ben J. Pierce (born 1999), YouTuber, singer-songwriter, actor
- Pimp C (Chad Butler) (1973–2007), rapper
- Mark Pirro (born 1970), rock bass player
- Harvey Pittel (born 1943), classical saxophonist
- Howard Pollack (born 1952), classical pianist, musicologist, author, professor
- Joe Poovey (1941–1998), rockabilly singer-songwriter
- The Powell Brothers (Taylor Powell and Blake Powell), country musicians
- Billy Preston (1946–2006), soul musician
- Johnny Preston (1939–2011), pop singer
- Ray Price (1926–2013), country singer
- Sammy Price (1908–1992), jazz/blues pianist, bandleader
- Toni Price (born 1961), country/blues singer
- Charley Pride (1938–2020), country singer
- P. J. Proby (born 1938), singer-songwriter, actor
- Chris Purdy (born 1972), pop/rock singer-songwriter
- Wynne Pyle (1881–1971), classical pianist
- Queen Ida (Ida Lewis Guillory) (born 1929), Creole/zydeco accordionist
- Abraham Quintanilla (born 1939), Tejano singer-songwriter, producer
- R
- Ezra Rachlin (1915–1995), orchestra conductor, pianist
- RaeLynn (Racheal Lynn Woodward) (born 1994), country singer
- Gene Ramey (1913–1984), jazz double bassist
- Richard Ramirez, noise musician
- Willis Alan Ramsey (born 1951), country singer-songwriter
- Jon Randall (born 1969), country singer-songwriter
- Mickey Raphael (born 1951), country/rock harmonica player
- Leon Rausch (1927–2019), Western swing singer
- Tha Realest (Jevon Jones) (born 1974), rapper
- Marc Rebillet (born 1988), funk/hip-hop electronic musician
- Jaret Reddick (born 1972), punk singer-songwriter, guitarist, Bowling for Soup
- 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, musicologist, educator
- Max Reiter (1905–1950), classical orchestra conductor
- Nicola Rescigno (1916–2008), opera conductor
- Timothy Rhea (born 1967), conductor, music educator
- Sonny Rhodes (born Clarence Edward Smith) (born 1940), blues singer, guitar player
- John Rich (born 1974), country music singer-songwriter
- J. P. (The Big Bopper) Richardson (1930–1959), rock-and-roll/country 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
- Cowboy Slim Rinehart (1911–1948), country singer
- Tex Ritter (1905–1974), singer/ actor, father of actor John Ritter
- 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), classical cellist
- Bruce Robison (born 1966), country singer-songwriter
- Charlie Robison (1964–2023), country singer-songwriter
- Jimmie Rodgers (1897–1933), country singer
- Carrie Rodriguez (born 1978), folk singer-songwriter, fiddler
- Danny Rodriguez (1967–1990), Christian rapper
- David Rodriguez (1952–2015), 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
- Herbert Rogers (1929–1983), classical pianist and teacher
- Kenny Rogers (1938–2020), country singer-songwriter
- Randy Rogers, country singer
- Gene Roland (1921–1982), jazz composer, musician
- A. Clyde Roller (1914–2005), conductor and music educator
- Moreland Kortkamp Roller (1916–2006), classical pianist and teacher
- Lulu Roman (born 1947), country/gospel singer, comedian
- Beatrice Schroeder Rose (1922–2014), classical harpist
- Kelly Rowland (born 1981), R&B singer-songwriter, dancer, actress
- Nancy Rumbel (born 1951), classical/new-age oboist, ocarina player, won Grammy Award
- Tim Rushlow (born 1966), country musician
- Mike Ryan (born 1988), country singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Sa–Sm
- Doug Sahm (1941–1999), Tejano musician-songwriter
- Carl St. Clair (born 1952), orchestra conductor
- Sandra St. Victor (born 1963), R&B/soul/jazz singer-songwriter
- St. Vincent (Annie Clark) (born 1982), pop singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Olga Samaroff (1880–1948), classical pianist and teacher
- Joe Sample (1939–2014), jazz pianist, composer
- Domingo "Sam" Samudio (born 1937), rock 'n' roll musician, bandleader, entertainer ("Sam the Sham")
- George Sanger (born 1957), video-game music composer
- Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio (born 1960), violinist
- Simon Sargon (1938–2022), classical composer, pianist, conductor
- Ray Sasaki (born 1948), trumpet player, educator
- Leslie Satcher (born 1962), country and bluegrass singer
- Billy Jack Saucier (1931–1987), country fiddler
- Boz Scaggs (born 1944), singer-songwriter
- Tony Scalzo (born 1964), pop/rock singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Scarface (born 1970), rapper
- Haley Scarnato (born 1982), American Idol (season 6) finalist (8th place)
- Wally Scharold (born 1978), classical/rock composer, instrumentalist, singer
- Harvey Schmidt (1929–2018), musical theatre composer (The Fantasticks)
- Eduard Schmieder (born 1948), classical violinist, teacher
- David Schnaufer (1952–2006), folk dulcimer player, music educator
- Emil Schuhmann (1856–1937), accordionist, bandleader, folk artist
- Jerry Scoggins (1911–2004), country singer
- Kendrick Scott (born 1980), jazz drummer, bandleader, composer
- Travis Scott (Jacques Webster Jr.) (born 1992), hip hop recording artist, music producer
- Joe Scruggs (born 1951), retired children's and folk singer-songwriter
- Dan Seals (1948–2009), rock/country musician (England Dan & John Ford Coley)
- Jim Seals (1941–2022), soft-rock musician (Seals and Crofts)
- Lynn Seaton (born 1957), jazz bassist, educator
- Selena (Selena Quintanilla) (1971–1995), Tejano/pop singer
- Jason Sellers (born 1971), country singer-songwriter
- Arban Severin (born 1976), composer of electronic music, film scores; producer
- Charlie Sexton (born 1968), rock guitarist, singer-songwriter
- Peter Seymour (born 1977), jazz/classical double bassist
- Allen Shamblin (born 1959), country songwriter
- Ray Sharpe (born 1938), rockabilly singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Billy Joe Shaver (1939–2020), 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
- Chad Shelton (born 1971), opera singer
- Harry Sheppard (1928–2022), jazz vibraphonist
- John Sheridan (born 1946), jazz pianist
- Amanda Shires (born 1982), country singer-songwriter, fiddler
- Michelle Shocked (born 1962), singer-songwriter, musician
- Jade Simmons (born 1977), classical pianist; was also Miss Illinois
- Ashlee Simpson (born 1984), singer
- Jessica Simpson (born 1980), singer
- Frankie Lee Sims (1917–1970), blues singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Lori Singer (born 1957), classical cellist (better known as actress)
- Thomas Sleeper (1956–2022), classical composer, conductor
- Slim Thug (born 1980), rapper
- Brinton Averil Smith (born 1969), classical cellist
- Buster Smith (1904–1991), jazz saxophonist
- Chris "Frenchie" Smith, pop/rock record producer, guitarist, songwriter
- Elliott Smith (1969–2003), rock singer-songwriter
- Granger Smith (born 1979), country singer-songwriter
- Julia Smith (1905–1989), composer, pianist, author
- Ruby Jane Smith (born 1994), bluegrass fiddler, singer-songwriter
- Tim Smith, rock instrumentalist
- Walter Smith III (born 1980), jazz saxophonist, composer
- Sn–Sz
- Doak Snead (born 1949), singer-songwriter
- Ed Soph (born 1945), jazz drummer, educator
- J. D. Souther (born 1945), country/rock singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Billie Jo Spears (1937–2011), country singer
- Victoria Spivey (1906–1976), blues singer-songwriter
- SPM (Carlos Coy) (born 1970), Chicano rapper
- Terry Stafford (1941–1996), country/pop singer-songwriter
- Megan Thee Stallion (born 1995), rapper
- Kay Starr (1922–2016), pop/jazz singer
- Red Steagall (born 1938), country singer-songwriter, actor
- Lanny Steele (1933–1994), jazz pianist, music educator, composer, jazz festival promoter
- Daniel Sternberg (1913–2000), classical conductor, composer, educator
- B. W. Stevenson (1949–1998), country/pop singer-songwriter
- Stephen Stills (born 1945), singer-songwriter
- Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart) (born 1943), soul/funk singer-songwriter (Sly and the Family Stone)
- George Strait (born 1952), country singer
- Emily Strayer (born 1972), country singer-songwriter (The Dixie Chicks)
- Nikki Stringfield (born 1990), guitarist for The Iron Maidens and Before the Mourning
- Steven Stucky (1949–2016), Pulitzer Prize-winning classical composer
- Lacey Nicole Sturm (born 1981), Alternative metal, Post-grunge, Hard rock Flyleaf
- Deanna Summers (born 1940), songwriter, born in Mississippi
- Gene Summers (1939–2021), rock 'n roll singer ("School of Rock 'n Roll", "Big Blue Diamonds")
- DJ Sun (born 1966), record producer, DJ
- Helen Sung (born 1970), jazz pianist
- Doug Supernaw (1960–2020), country singer-songwriter
- Jeffrey Swann (born 1951), classical pianist
- Sunny Sweeney (born 1976), country music singer
- T–V
- 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
- Teresa Taylor (1962–2023), rock drummer
- Tommy Taylor (born 1957), rock musician
- Will Taylor (born 1968), jazz/rock/pop/country violist, violinist, arranger, composer, producer, guitarist
- 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
- Owen Temple (born 1976), folk/country singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington Jr.) (1935–1982), soul singer-songwriter
- Texas Ruby (Ruby Owens) (1908–1963), country singer
- Christopher Theofanidis (born 1967), classical composer
- B. J. Thomas (1942–2021), country singer-songwriter
- George W. Thomas (1885 – c. 1930), jazz pianist, songwriter
- Henry Thomas (1874 – c. 1950), blues/ragtime singer-songwriter
- Hersal Thomas (1906–1926), blues pianist, composer
- Benny Thomasson (1909–1984), country fiddler
- Hank Thompson (1925–2007), country singer-songwriter
- William Ennis Thomson (1927–2019), music educator
- 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
- Martha Tilton (1915–2006), swing/pop singer
- Albert Tipton (1917–1997), classical flutist
- Louise Tobin (1918–2022), jazz singer
- Matt Tolentino (born 1985), musician specializing in pre-swing music
- 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)
- Mitchell Torok (1929–2017), country singer-songwriter
- Patsy Torres (born 1957), Tejano singer
- Don Tosti (1923–2004), Latin, R&B, swing, jazz, classical bassist, pianist
- Alphonse Trent (1905–1959), jazz pianist, bandleader
- Michael Trimble (born 1938), opera singer, teacher
- Robyn Troup (born 1988), R&B/pop/soul singer
- 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
- Steve Tyrell (born 1944), pop singer, music producer
- 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 (1927–2014), 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
- Viola Van Katwijk (1894–1980), pianist, composer, educator
- Townes Van Zandt (1944–1997), country singer-songwriter
- Jimmie Vaughan (born 1951), blues/rock guitarist, singer
- Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–1990), musician
- Jaci Velasquez (born 1979), Contemporary Christian Latin pop singer
- Carl Venth (1860–1938), composer, conductor, violinist, music educator
- Vladimir Viardo (born 1949), classical pianist and teacher
- Rita Vidaurri (1924–2019), Tejana singer
- Tiffany Villarreal, R&B and hip hop singer
- Eddie Vinson (1917–1988), blues saxophonist
- Emmett Vokes (1928–2019), classical pianist and teacher
- W–Z
- Mel Waiters (1956–2015), southern soul singer
- Billy Walker (1929–2006), country singer-songwriter
- Charlie Walker (1926–2008), country singer-songwriter
- Chris Walker, R&B/jazz singer, bass guitarist
- Cindy Walker (1918–2006), country singer-songwriter
- Django Walker (born 1981), country/rock singer-songwriter
- Esther Walker (1894–1943), blues singer, musical comedy actress
- Jerry Jeff Walker (1942–2020), country singer-songwriter
- 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 (1934–2013), jazz pianist
- Mercy Dee Walton (1915–1962), blues pianist, singer-songwriter
- Jonathan Ware (born 1984), classical pianist
- Chris Waters, country singer-songwriter
- Dale Watson (born 1962), country singer
- Gene Watson (born 1943), country singer
- Johnny "Guitar" Watson (1935–1996), blues guitarist, singer
- WC (born 1970), rapper from Westside Connection
- Katie Webster (1936–1999), blues pianist
- Julius Weiss (c. 1841–19??), music professor, mentor to Scott Joplin
- Michael Weiss (born 1958), jazz composer and pianist
- Dan Welcher (born 1948), composer, music educator, bassoonist
- Emily Wells (born 1981), hip-hop/classical violinist
- James Westfall (born 1981), jazz vibraphonist, keytarist
- William Westney (born 1947), classical pianist, teacher
- Barry White (1944–2003), soul singer and record producer
- J. White Did It (born 1984), hip hop record producer, songwriter, and DJ
- Michael White (1933–2016), jazz violinist
- Chris Whitley (1960–2005), blues singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Buddy Whittington (born 1956), blues/rock guitarist
- Mike Wiebe, musician (The Riverboat Gamblers), actor, and stand-up comedian
- Rusty Wier (1944–2009), country/folk singer-songwriter
- Marijohn Wilkin (1920–2006), country 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
- Don Williams (1939–2017), country singer-songwriter
- Lew Williams (1934–2019), rockabilly singer-songwriter
- Otis Williams (born 1941), singer with The Temptations
- Richard Williams (1931–1985), jazz trumpeter
- Roosevelt Williams (1903–1996), blues pianist
- 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
- Kim Wilson (born 1951), blues singer, harmonica player, The Fabulous Thunderbirds
- Teddy Wilson (1912–1986), jazz pianist
- U.P. Wilson (1934–2004), blues guitarist, singer
- Edgar Winter (born 1946), jazz/blues/rock musician
- Johnny Winter (1944–2014), blues guitarist
- Jonathan M. Wolfert (born 1952), composer, producer of radio jingles
- Lee Ann Womack (born 1966), country singer-songwriter
- Darren Keith Woods (born 1958), opera company director, singer
- Bernard Wright (1963–2022), funk/jazz keyboardist, 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
- Cindy Yen (born 1986), pop singer-songwriter
- Sydney Youngblood (born 1960), dance/funk singer
- Camille Zamora (born 1970), classical singer
- Nancy Zhou (born 1993), classical violinist
- Jessica Zhu (born 1986), classical pianist
Beauty pageant winners[edit]
- Averie Bishop, Miss Texas 2022, first Asian-American winner; businessperson, activist, actress
- Shirley Cothran (born 1955), Miss America 1975
- Candice Crawford (born 1986), beauty queen, winner of Miss Missouri USA, competed in the Miss Texas Teen USA pageant and the Miss USA pageant
- Brooke Daniels (born 1986), Miss Texas USA 2009
- Jo-Carroll Dennison (1923–2021), Miss America 1942
- Danielle Doty (born 1993), Miss Teen USA 2011
- Alyssa Edwards (Justin Johnson) (born 1980), drag performer, Miss Gay USofA 2006, Miss Gay America 2010
- Magen Ellis (born 1986), Miss Texas USA, Miss Texas Teen USA
- Christy Fichtner (born 1962), Miss USA 1986
- R'Bonney Gabriel (born 1994), Miss USA 2022
- Phyllis George (1949–2020), Miss America 1971
- Courtney Gibbs (born 1966), Miss USA 1988
- Kandace Krueger (born 1976), Miss USA 2001
- Debra Maffett (born 1956), Miss America 1983
- Melissa Marse (born 1974), Texas' Junior Miss 1991, concert pianist
- Laura Martinez-Harring (born 1964), Miss USA 1985
- Asia O'Hara (born 1982), drag performer, Miss Gay America 2016
- Gretchen Polhemus (born 1965), Miss USA 1989
- Michelle Royer (born 1966), Miss USA 1987
- Jade Simmons (born 1977), classical pianist; was also Miss Illinois
- Chelsi Smith (1973–2018), Miss USA 1995 and Miss Universe 1995
- Candice Stewart (born 1984), Miss American Teen, Miss Louisiana Teen USA, Miss Louisiana USA
- Crystle Stewart (born 1981), Miss USA 2008
- Linda Stouffer (born 1970), Texas' Junior Miss 1988, television journalist
- Kimberly Tomes (born 1956), Miss USA 1977
- Paola Turbay (born 1970), Miss Colombia, first runner-up for Miss Universe, model, actress
- Christie Lee Woods (born 1977), Miss Teen USA 1996
- Cindy Yen (born 1986), Miss Chinatown USA 2009
Other[edit]
- Amouranth (Kaitlyn Michelle Siragusa) (born 1993), female model, streamer and Internet celebrity
- Barbette (Vander Clyde Broadway) (1899–1973), female impersonator, aerialist
- Eric July (born 1990), rap-metal vocalist, political commentator, comic book writer
Sportspeople[edit]
Baseball[edit]
- A–F
- Matt Albers (born 1983), relief pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
- Brandon Allen (born 1986), infielder for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Brett Anderson (born 1988), starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies
- Jake Arrieta (born 1986), starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs
- Scott Atchison (born 1976), relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
- Homer Bailey (born 1986), starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
- Anthony Banda (born 1993), starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Jeff Banister (born 1964), former catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, former manager for the Texas Rangers
- Ernie Banks (1931–2015), Baseball Hall of Famer
- Daniel Bard (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
- Blake Beavan (born 1989), starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners
- Chad Beck (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Josh Beckett (born 1980), baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers, pitcher, MVP of the 2003 World Series
- Lance Berkman (born 1976), first baseman and outfielder
- Michael Bourn (born 1982), center fielder for the Atlanta Braves
- Drake Britton (born 1989), relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
- Zach Britton (born 1987), relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
- Jay Bruce (born 1987), outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies
- Clay Buchholz (born 1984), baseball, Arizona Diamondbacks, pitcher, threw a no hitter in just his second MLB start
- Jorge Cantú (born 1982), infielder for the San Diego Padres
- Matt Carpenter (born 1985), infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Norm Cash (1934–1986), MLB first baseman, primarily for the Detroit Tigers
- Andrew Cashner (born 1986), starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Randy Choate (born 1975), relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Preston Claiborne (born 1988), relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
- Roger Clemens (born 1962), baseball pitcher, seven-time Cy Young Award winner
- Andy Cohen (1904–1988), baseball second baseman and coach
- Clay Condrey (born 1975), relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
- Carl Crawford (born 1981), outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- John Danks (born 1985), starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
- Chris Davis (born 1986), first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles
- Sam Demel (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Doug Drabek (born 1962), former Cy Young-winning MLB pitcher
- Kyle Drabek (born 1987), relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Justin Duchscherer (born 1977), starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles
- Dave Duncan (born 1945), pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Adam Dunn (born 1979), All-Star player for the Chicago White Sox
- Tyler Duffey (born 1990), relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
- Zach Duke (born 1983), relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Jon Edwards (born 1988), relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres
- Nathan Eovaldi (born 1990), starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Taylor Featherston (born 1989), infielder for the Los Angeles Angels
- Brandon Finnegan (born 1993), relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
- Bill Foster (1904–1978), Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
- Steve Foster (born 1966), bullpen coach for the Kansas City Royals
- Sam Freeman (born 1987), relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- David Freese (born 1983), third baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- G–M
.jpg)
- Yovani Gallardo (born 1986), starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Ron Gant (born 1965), former MLB outfielder and second baseman
- Jaime García (born 1986), starting pitcher for the New York Yankees
- Cito Gaston (born 1944), former MLB center fielder and manager for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Evan Gattis (born 1986), player for the Houston Astros
- John Gibbons (born 1962), manager for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Ryan Goins (born 1988), infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Paul Goldschmidt (born 1987), first baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Greg Golson (born 1985), former MLB outfielder
- Michael Gonzalez (born 1978), relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles
- Brian Gordon (born 1978), former MLB starting pitcher
- Jeff Gray (born 1981), former MLB relief pitcher
- Will Harris (born 1984), relief pitcher for the Houston Astros
- Brad Hawpe (born 1979), former MLB outfielder
- Danny Heep (born 1957), former MLB outfielder who played with several teams
- Chris Herrmann (born 1987), catcher, outfielder, and first baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Jordan Hicks (born 1996), pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Trey Hillman (born 1963), bench coach for the Houston Astros
- Bryan Holaday (born 1987), catcher for the Texas Rangers
- Brock Holt (born 1988), utility player for the Boston Red Sox
- Joe Horlen (1937–2022), All Star starting pitcher
- Rogers Hornsby (1896–1963), Hall of Fame infielder, manager; .358 career batting average, two-time NL MVP, earned two Triple Crowns, All-Century Team, first-team MLB All-Time Team
- Aubrey Huff (born 1976), former MLB infielder and outfielder
- Chad Huffman (born 1985), outfielder for the Cleveland Indians
- Philip Humber (born 1982), starting pitcher for the Oakland Athletics
- Jason Hursh (born 1991), relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- Austin Jackson (born 1987), center fielder for the Cleveland Indians
- Conor Jackson (born 1982), former MLB outfielder
- Paul Janish (born 1982), shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles
- Kelly Johnson (born 1982), utility player for the New York Mets
- Gary Jones (born 1960), third base and infield coach for the Chicago Cubs
- Nate Karns (born 1987), starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Scott Kazmir (born 1984), starting pitcher for the Houston Astros
- Ty Kelly (born 1988), American-Israeli utility player
- Steve Kemp (born 1954), former outfielder, primarily with the Detroit Tigers
- Kyle Kendrick (born 1984), starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies
- Clayton Kershaw (born 1988), starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Corey Kluber (born 1986), starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
- Chuck Knoblauch (born 1968), former second baseman, played primarily with the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees
- John Lackey (born 1978), starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs
- Ryan Langerhans (born 1980), outfielder for the Seattle Mariners
- Scott Linebrink (born 1976), former MLB pitcher
- Grady Little (born 1950), former baseball manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox
- Boone Logan (born 1984), relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
- James Loney (born 1984), first baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Mark Lowe (born 1983), relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Tyler Lyons (born 1988), relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
- Greg Maddux (born 1966), Hall of Fame pitcher, primarily with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves
- Jeff Manship (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
- Robert Manuel (born 1983), relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox
- Chris Martin (born 1986), relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
- Dustin May (born 1997), relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Andrew McKirahan (born 1990), relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- Jon Meloan (born 1984), former MLB pitcher
- Ryan Merritt (born 1992), starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
- Shelby Miller (born 1990), pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Hoby Milner (born 1991), pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
- A. J. Minter (born 1993), relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- Adam Moore (born 1984), catcher for the Cleveland Indians
- Jim Morris (born 1964), MLB player and oldest rookie
- Max Muncy (born 1990), infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- David Murphy (born 1981), left fielder for the Cleveland Indians
- N–R
- Tyler Naquin (born 1991), outfielder for the Cleveland Indians
- Joe Nathan (born 1974), relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
- Jeff Newman (born 1948), MLB All-Star baseball player for the Oakland A's and Boston Red Sox and manager
- Jeff Niemann (born 1983), starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Jayson Nix (born 1982), utility player for the New York Yankees
- Logan Ondrusek (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
- Troy Patton (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles
- Hunter Pence (born 1983), right fielder for the San Francisco Giants
- Cliff Pennington (born 1984), infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Andy Pettitte (born 1972), former starting pitcher for the New York Yankees and Houston Astros
- Colin Poche (born 1994), relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Ryan Pressly (born 1988), pitcher for the Houston Astros
- David Purcey (born 1982), relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
- Robert Ray (born 1984), relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Anthony Rendon (born 1990), infielder for the Washington Nationals
- Craig Reynolds (born 1952), former MLB shortstop, primarily with the Houston Astros
- Arthur Rhodes (born 1969), former MLB pitcher
- Will Rhymes (born 1983), second baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Frank Robinson (1935–2019), 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
- Fernando Rodriguez (born 1984), relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics
- David Rollins (born 1989), relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners
- Chance Ruffin (born 1988), former MLB relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers
- Justin Ruggiano (born 1982), outfielder for the Seattle Mariners
- Nick Rumbelow (born 1991), relief pitcher for the New York Yankees
- Nolan Ryan (born 1947), Baseball Hall of Famer
- Reid Ryan (born 1971), president of the Houston Astros, son of Nolan Ryan
- S–Z
- Bo Schultz (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Kelly Shoppach (born 1980), former MLB catcher for several teams
- Matthew Silverman (born 1976), general manager and President for Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Kevin Slowey (born 1984), former MLB starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins
- Burch Smith (born 1990), pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Carson Smith (born 1989), closer for the Seattle Mariners
- Chris Snyder (born 1981), former MLB catcher
- Kyle Snyder (born 1977), pitching coach for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Zach Stewart (born 1986), former MLB pitcher
- Monty Stratton (1912–1982), pitcher for the Chicago White Sox
- Huston Street (born 1983), closer for the Los Angeles Angels
- Ross Stripling (born 1989), relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Drew Stubbs (born 1984), center fielder for the Texas Rangers
- Greg Swindell (born 1965), MLB pitcher for 17 seasons
- Blake Swihart (born 1992), catcher for the Boston Red Sox
- Jordan Tata (born 1981), former MLB pitcher
- Taylor Teagarden (born 1983), catcher for the Chicago Cubs
- Garry Templeton (born 1956), former MLB shortstop
- Ryan Tepera (born 1987), relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Jess Todd (born 1986), former MLB pitcher
- Shawn Tolleson (born 1988), closer for the Texas Rangers
- Josh Tomlin (born 1984), relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- Anthony Vasquez (born 1986), starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners
- Randy Velarde (born 1962), former MLB infielder and utility player, primarily with the New York Yankees
- Jordan Walden (born 1987), pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals
- Vernon Wells (born 1978), three-time All-Star outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays
- Austen Williams (born 1992), pitcher for the Washington Nationals
- Smokey Joe Williams (1886–1951), baseball great
- Chris Withrow (born 1989), relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- Brandon Wood (born 1985), third baseman and shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels
- Kerry Wood (born 1977), former MLB relief pitcher
- Brandon Workman (born 1988), starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox
- Anthony Young (born 1966), former MLB pitcher
- Chris Young (born 1979), pitcher for the Kansas City Royals
- Chris Young (born 1983), outfielder for the New York Yankees
Basketball[edit]
- A–M
.jpg)
.jpeg)
- Quincy Acy (born 1990), forward for the Dallas Mavericks
- LaMarcus Aldridge (born 1985), NBA player, San Antonio Spurs, power forward
- Chris Andersen (born 1978), power forward/center for the Miami Heat
- Darrell Arthur (born 1988), power forward for the Denver Nuggets
- Maceo Baston (born 1976), former professional basketball player, power forward
- Tony Battie (born 1976), former NBA power forward/center
- Zelmo Beaty (1939–2013), former NBA player, member of Basketball Hall of Fame
- Peter Berry (born 2001), wheelchair basketball player for Alabama Crimson Tide
- Bill Blakeley (1934–2010), Head Coach, Dallas Chaparrals, University of North Texas
- Mookie Blaylock (born 1967), former NBA point guard
- Chris Bosh (born 1984), NBA player, Miami Heat, power forward
- J'Covan Brown (born 1990), basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
- Jimmy Butler (born 1989), small forward/shooting guard for the Philadelphia 76ers
- Kaleb Canales (born 1978), assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks
- T. J. Cline (born 1994), American-Israeli basketball player
- Michael Cobbins (born 1992), basketball player for Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Charli Collier (born 1999), WNBA player, No. 1 pick of 2021 WNBA draft
- Jody Conradt (born 1941), head coach for UT's Lady Longhorns
- Christian Cunningham (born 1997), forward in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Clyde Drexler (born 1962), Hall of Fame swingman for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets
- Mike Dunleavy Jr. (born 1980), small forward/shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls
- Ndudi Ebi (born 1984), Nigerian basketball player
- Carsen Edwards (born 1998), player for the Boston Celtics
- Keenan Evans (born 1996), basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
- T. J. Ford (born 1983), former NBA point guard
- Jeff Foster (born 1977), former NBA player
- Daniel Gibson (born 1986), point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Gerald Green (born 1986), shooting guard/small forward for the Houston Rockets
- Brittney Griner (born 1990), WNBA basketball player
- James Gulley (born 1965), professional basketball player for Ironi Ramat Gan in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Terrel Harris (born 1987), guard for the Bakersfield Jam
- Grant Hill (born 1971), former seven-time NBA All-Star small forward
- Josh Huestis (born 1991), small forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder
- Stephen Jackson (born 1978), shooting guard/small forward for the San Antonio Spurs
- Wesley Johnson (born 1987), small forward/power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers
- Chris Jones (born 1993), basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Jalen Jones (born 1993), basketball player for Hapoel Haifa in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- DeAndre Jordan (born 1988), center for the Los Angeles Clippers
- Luke Kornet (born 1995), player for the Chicago Bulls
- Michale Kyser (born 1991), player for Hapoel Holon in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Monica Lamb-Powell (born 1964), player for Houston Comets
- Dave Lattin (born 1943), player for San Francisco Warriors/Phoenix Suns/Pittsburgh Condors/Memphis Tams
- Guy Lewis (1922–2015), Hall of Fame college basketball coach
- Rashard Lewis (born 1979), forward for the Miami Heat
- John Lucas III (born 1982), point guard for the Utah Jazz
- Slater Martin (1925–2012), NBA player, elected to Basketball Hall of Fame
- Wesley Matthews (born 1986), shooting guard for the Dallas Mavericks
- Jason Maxiell (born 1983), power forward for the Charlotte Hornets
- Taj McWilliams-Franklin (born 1970), WNBA basketball player, gold medalist, New York Liberty
- C. J. Miles (born 1987), forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Eric Moreland (born 1991), power forward and center for the Toronto Raptors
- Randolph Morris (born 1986), center for the Beijing Ducks
- Gerald Myers (born 1945), basketball coach 1971–1991; athletic director, Texas Tech University
- N–Z
_by_Sandro_Halank%E2%80%93081.jpg)
- Eduardo Nájera (born 1976), former NBA player
- Le'Bryan Nash (born 1992), player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Josh Nebo (born 1997), player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Rashard Odomes (born 1996), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Emeka Okafor (born 1982), player for the Phoenix Suns
- Ike Ofoegbu (born 1984), American-Nigerian Israeli Premier Basketball League player
- Kevin Ollie (born 1972), former NBA point guard
- Shaquille O'Neal (born 1972), former NBA 15-time All-Star center
- Kendrick Perkins (born 1984), center for the Oklahoma City Thunder
- Terran Petteway (born 1992), guard/forward in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Dexter Pittman (born 1988), center for the Atlanta Hawks
- Ronnie Price (born 1983), point guard for the Orlando Magic
- Taurean Prince (born 1994), small forward for the Brooklyn Nets
- André Roberson (born 1991), player for the Oklahoma City Thunder
- Taylor Rochestie (born 1985) American-Montenegrin player for Hapoel Haifa of the Israel Basketball Premier League
- Dennis Rodman (born 1961), former NBA forward, played primarily with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls
- Quinton Ross (born 1981), former NBA player
- Jason Siggers (born 1985), basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League
- Xavier Silas (born 1988), player for the Maccabi Ashdod B.C.
- Jonathon Simmons (born 1989), player for the San Antonio Spurs
- Odyssey Sims (born 1992), player for Baylor Lady Bears basketball
- Donald Sloan (born 1988), guard for the Indiana Pacers
- Ken Spain (1946–1990), player for Chicago Bulls/Pittsburgh Condors
- Sheryl Swoopes (born 1971), WNBA, Olympic gold medalist
- Elijah Thomas (born 1996), basketball player for Bnei Herzliya in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Kurt Thomas (born 1972), former NBA player
- Wayman Tisdale (1964–2009), NBA power forward
- Ben Uzoh (born 1988), point guard for the Canton Charge
- Willie Warren (born 1989), player for the Szolnoki Olaj KK
- Deron Williams (born 1984), point guard for the Dallas Mavericks
- Sean Williams (born 1986), power forward/center for the Selçuk Üniversitesi BK
- Tex Winter (1922–2018), former basketball coach, innovator of the triangle offense, Hall of Fame inductee
- Bracey Wright, basketball player, guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Israeli Basketball Premier League
Bodybuilding[edit]
- Heather Armbrust (born 1977), IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Tina Chandler (born 1974), IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Ronnie Coleman (born 1964), eight-time Mr. Olympia IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Laura Creavalle (born 1959), Guyanese-born Canadian/American professional bodybuilder
- Vickie Gates (born 1962), IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Kristy Hawkins (born 1980), IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Iris Kyle (born 1974), ten-time overall Ms. Olympia professional bodybuilder
- Colette Nelson (born 1974), IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia (born 1966), IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Betty Pariso (born 1956), IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Denise Rutkowski (born 1961), IFBB professional bodybuilder
- Alana Shipp (born 1982), American-Israeli IFBB professional bodybuilder
Boxing[edit]
- Mike Ayala (born 1959), boxer
- Paulie Ayala (born 1970), world-champion boxer
- Tony Ayala Jr. (1963–2015), boxer
- Eric Carr (born 1975), Golden Gloves Champion
- Ruben Castillo (born 1957 in Lubbock), boxer
- Randall "Tex" Cobb (born 1950), boxer, fought for world heavyweight title
- Curtis Cokes (1937–2020), world champion boxer
- Bruce Curry (born 1956), world-champion boxer
- Donald Curry (born 1961), world-champion boxer
- Juan Díaz (born 1983), world-champion boxer
- Oscar Díaz (1982–2015), boxer
- Troy Dorsey (born 1962), world-champion boxer and kickboxer
- George Foreman (born 1949), heavyweight champion boxer, entrepreneur, Christian ordained minister
- Gene Hatcher (born 1958), world-champion boxer
- Jack Johnson (1878–1946), boxer, first black heavyweight champion
- Quincy Taylor (born 1963), world-champion boxer
Football[edit]
- A–B
- Emmanuel Acho (born 1990), linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles
- Sam Acho (born 1988), linebacker for Arizona Cardinals
- Jamal Adams (born 1995), NFL safety
- Joseph Addai (born 1983), running back for Indianapolis Colts
- Eric Alexander (born 1982), linebacker for Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jared Allen (born 1982), defensive end for Chicago Bears
- Lance Alworth (born 1940), wide receiver for San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys
- Danny Amendola (born 1985), wide receiver, kickoff returner for New England Patriots
- Adrian Awasom (born 1983), defensive end for New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings
- Remi Ayodele (born 1983), defensive tackle for Minnesota Vikings
- Jonathan Babineaux (born 1981), defensive tackle for Atlanta Falcons
- Jordan Babineaux (born 1982), defensive back for Seattle Seahawks
- Stephen Baker (born 1964), wide receiver for New York Giants
- Chris Banjo (born 1990), NFL safety
- Joplo Bartu (born 1989), linebacker for Atlanta Falcons
- Arnaz Battle (born 1980), wide receiver for Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jackie Battle (born 1983), running back for Kansas City Chiefs
- Sammy Baugh (1914–2008), Hall of Fame quarterback, primarily with Washington Redskins
- Kelvin Beachum (born 1989), offensive lineman for Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cole Beasley (born 1989), wide receiver, return specialist for Buffalo Bills
- Byron Bell (born 1989), offensive tackle for Carolina Panthers
- Emory Bellard (1927–2011), college football coach
- Martellus Bennett (born 1987), tight end for New England Patriots
- Michael Bennett (born 1985), defensive end for Seattle Seahawks
- Cedric Benson (1982–2019), running back for Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals
- Rocky Bernard (born 1979), defensive tackle for New York Giants
- Raymond Berry (born 1933), NFL split end, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Justin Blalock (born 1983), offensive guard for Atlanta Falcons
- Rhett Bomar (born 1985), quarterback for New York Giants
- David Boston (born 1978), NFL wide receiver
- Chris Boswell (born 1991), kicker for Pittsburgh Steelers
- Kyle Bosworth (born 1986), outside linebacker for Dallas Cowboys
- Bobby Boyd (1937–2017), All-Pro defensive back, Baltimore Colts, Oklahoma Sooners
- Drew Brees (born 1979), quarterback for New Orleans Saints
- Mike Brisiel (born 1983), guard for Oakland Raiders
- Michael Brockers (born 1990), defensive tackle for St. Louis Rams
- Aaron Brown (born 1985), running back, return specialist for Detroit Lions
- Chykie Brown (born 1986), cornerback for Baltimore Ravens
- Evan Brown (born 1996), NFL center
- Kris Brown (born 1976), placekicker for San Diego Chargers
- Malcom Brown (born 1994), defensive tackle for New England Patriots
- Tarell Brown (born 1985), cornerback for San Francisco 49ers
- Dez Bryant (born 1988), wide receiver for Dallas Cowboys
- Matt Bryant (born 1975), placekicker for Atlanta Falcons
- Red Bryant (born 1984), defensive lineman for Jacksonville Jaguars
- Maury Buford (born 1960), NFL punter
- Melvin Bullitt (born 1984), defensive back for Indianapolis Colts
- Rex Burkhead (born 1990), running back for the New England Patriots
- C–F
_(crop).jpg)
.jpg)
_(cropped).jpg)
_(cropped1).jpg)
- Earl Campbell (born 1955), Pro Football Hall of Famer, Heisman Trophy winner
- Marcus Cannon (born 1988), offensive tackle for New England Patriots
- Rock Cartwright (born 1979), running back for Washington Redskins
- James Casey (born 1984), tight end for Philadelphia Eagles
- Juan Castillo (born 1959), defensive coordinator for Philadelphia Eagles
- Scott Chandler (born 1985), tight end for Buffalo Bills
- Jamaal Charles (born 1986), running back for Kansas City Chiefs
- Jeromey Clary (born 1983), offensive guard for San Diego Chargers
- Keenan Clayton (born 1987), outside linebacker for Oakland Raiders
- Perrish Cox (born 1987), cornerback, return specialist for San Francisco 49ers
- Michael Crabtree (born 1987), wide receiver for San Francisco 49ers
- Patrick Crayton (born 1979), wide receiver for San Diego Chargers
- Mason Crosby (born 1984), placekicker for Green Bay Packers
- Maxx Crosby (born 1997), NFL defensive end
- John David Crow (1935–2015), Heisman Trophy winner, NFL running back, coach and college athletics administrator
- Andy Dalton (born 1987), quarterback for