List 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.
- This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
Founders and early settlers of Texas
- Augustus Chapman Allen (1806–1864) and John Kirby Allen (1810–1838), the founders of Houston
- Stephen F. Austin (1793–1836), the "Father of Texas"
- Padre José Nicolás Ballí (c. 1770–1829), grantee, settler, and namesake of Padre Island
- John Neely Bryan (1810–1877), the founder of Dallas
- Moses Austin Bryan (1817–1895), early settler of Texas
- David G. Burnet (1788–1870), interim President of the Republic of Texas
- Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels (1812–1875), established colonies of German immigrants in Texas
- Henri Castro (1786–1865), Jewish empresario
- Jesse Chisholm (1806–1868), Indian trader, guide, interpreter, namesake of the Chisholm Trail
- Jao De La Porta (fl. 1810s), trader, financed settlement of Galveston Island
- Johann Friedrich Ernst (born Friedrich Diercks) (1796–1848), first German to bring his 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
- Sam Houston (1793–1863), the first and the third President of Republic of Texas, later a U.S. Senator from Texas and the Governor of Texas
- Anson Jones (1798–1858), last President of the Republic of Texas, called the "Architect of Annexation"
- Mirabeau B. Lamar (1798–1859), second President of Republic of Texas, One of the strongest proponents of the Texas Navy
- Jane Herbert Wilkinson Long (1798–1880), considered to be "the Mother of Texas"
- Collin McKinney (1766–1861), a drafter of the Texas Declaration of Independence; both Collin County and its county seat, McKinney, are named for him
- 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 to Quanah Parker, the last Comanche Chief
- 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), empresario, colony founder; signed Texas Declaration of Independence
- Thomas Jefferson Rusk (1803–1857), Secretary of War of Republic of Texas, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, U.S. Senator from Texas after its admission to the United States
- Charles Schreiner, Sr. (1838–1927), "father of the Texas Hill Country," rancher, businessman, banker, philanthropist in Kerrville
- Edwin Waller (1800–1881) a judge and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
- Frank E. Wheelock (1863–1932), a founder and first mayor of Lubbock, with service from 1909 to 1915
- Lorenzo de Zavala (1788–1836), first vice-president of the Republic of Texas and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Military/war
The Texas Revolution/The Alamo
- James Bowie (1796–1836), frontiersman, died at the 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 the Republic of Texas
- John Coker (1789–1851), hero of San Jacinto
- Davy Crockett (1786–1836), frontiersman and U.S. Congressman, died at the Alamo
- James Fannin (c. 1804–1836), key figure during the Texas Revolution
- Thomas Green (1814–1864), artillery officer at San Jacinto, brigadier general in the 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 the Battle of San Jacinto; his descendants owned and managed the King Ranch
- 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 the Texas Revolution
- Joel Walter Robison (1815–1889), fought in most battles of the revolution and later was a state representative from Fayette County. General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna rode double on Robison's horse into Sam Houston's camp on April 21, 1836.[1]
- Juan Seguin (1806–1890), Tejano hero during the Texas Revolution
- John William Smith (1792–1845), fought at Battle of San Jacinto; later was first mayor of San Antonio
- William B. Travis (1809–1836), commander of Texas forces at the Alamo
- Logan Vandeveer (1815–1855), hero of San Jacinto
- William A. A. "Bigfoot" Wallace (1817–1899), Texas Ranger who fought in the Texas Revolution, Mexican–American War, Civil War
American Civil War
- 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 the 18th Texas Cavalry Regiment, known as "Darnell's Regiment"; Speaker of the House for both the Republic of Texas and the 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 the 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 the Confederate western forces
- John J. Kennedy (1813–1880), Confederate cavalry officer, ended the Regulator-Moderator War
- John B. Magruder (1807–1871), Confederate General at the Battle of Galveston
- Benjamin McCulloch (1811–1862), soldier in the Texas Revolution, Texas Ranger, U.S. Marshal, and brigadier general for the Confederate States of America
- Henry Eustace McCulloch (1816–1895), soldier in the Texas Revolution, Texas Ranger, and brigadier general for the Confederate States of America
- Felix Huston Robertson (1839–1928), only Confederate general who was a 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 the Battle of Glorieta Pass
- Pleasant Tackitt (1803–1886), Confederate Officer and county official at Fort Belknap, Texas; a founder of Parker County, Texas
- Charles S. West (1829–1885), Confederate officer and judge advocate general for the Trans-Mississippi Department
- Louis T. Wigfall (1816–1874), Confederate General and Senator from Texas, secured the surrender of Fort Sumter
World War I
- 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 6 aerial victories
World War II
- Harlon Block (1924–1945) raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima
- Charles P. Cabell (1903–1971), U.S. Air Force general; later Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
- Horace S. Carswell, Jr. (1916–1944), Army Air Corps major, awarded Medal of Honor
- Claire Chennault (1893–1958), commander of the "Flying Tigers"
- Robert G. Cole (1915–1944), soldier, won Medal of Honor for his role in the D-Day Normandy invasion
- Samuel David Dealey (1906–1944), U.S. Navy submarine commander, received Medal of Honor and many other distinctions for valor
- Ira C. Eaker (1896–1987), commander of the Eighth Air Force in World War II
- Calvin Graham (1930–1992), youngest US serviceman of World War II
- Dean E. Hallmark (1914–1942), aviator, Army Air Corps 1st lieutenant, Doolittle Raid
- Oveta Culp Hobby (1905–1995), Colonel Women's Army Corps, first secretary of the 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 and Medal of Honor recipient
- Raymond L. Knight (1922–1945), aviator, Medal of Honor recipient
- Felix Z. Longoria, Jr. (1920–1945), Hispanic soldier KIA in the Philippines whose burial was refused in his hometown, causing a statewide debate
- Glenn McDuffie (1927–2014), sailor featured kissing a 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 the 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 the Pacific during World War II
- Bruce Palmer, Jr. (1913–2000), U.S. Army officer, Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the Vietnam War
- James Earl Rudder (1910–1970), D-Day commander of the U.S. Army 2nd Ranger Battalion, which stormed the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc
- William H. Simpson (1888–1980), commander of the U.S. Ninth Army in the European Theater
- Wilburn Snyder (1923–2008), survivor of Bataan Death March and Baptist pastor in several Houston churches
- Lucian K. Truscott (1895–1965), U.S. Army General who held successive commands in the 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 the European Theater and later in the Korean War
Korean War
- Charles F. Pendleton (1931–1953), awarded Medal of Honor
- Oliver P. Smith (1893–1977), U.S Marine Corps general noted for his leadership in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir
- Edwin Walker (1909–1993), U.S. Army Major General known for conservative views and attempted assassination target of Lee Harvey Oswald
- Walton Walker (1889–1950), U.S. Army general and first commander of the U.S. Eighth Army during the Korean War
Vietnam War
- Raul (Roy) Perez Benavidez (1935–1998) awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in South Vietnam
- Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez (1946–1968), Sergeant, USMC, Medal of Honor recipient
- 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
- Bruce Palmer, Jr. (1913–2000), U.S. Army officer who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the Vietnam War
- Alfred M. Wilson (1948–1969), Marine Private First Class awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously
War in Afghanistan
- Marcus Luttrell (born 1975), U.S. Navy SEAL, won 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 (born 1929), U.S. Army Special Forces, Studies and Observations Group
Iraq War
- 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
Politics and public office
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 of Texas
- Malouf Abraham, Sr. (1915–1994), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Hemphill County from 1967 to 1971
- Cathie Adams (born 1950), chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, 2009–2010
- Fred Agnich (1913–2004), Texas state representative, member of the "Dirty 30" in 1971; oilman, rancher, conservationist[2]
- Elsa Alcala (born 1964), judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals from Houston since 2011
- Elizabeth Alexander (born 1979), press secretary for U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden
- Bruce Alger (1918–2015), Republican U.S. representative for Texas's 5th congressional district, based in Dallas County, 1955 to 1965
- Joseph Hugh Allen (1940–2008), another of the "Dirty 30" of the Texas House of Representatives
- Rodney Anderson (born 1968), former member of the Texas House of Representatives from Grand Prairie
- Betty Andujar (1912–1997), first Republican woman to serve in the Texas State Senate (1973–1983); Pennsylvania native.
- Ernest Angelo (born 1934), oilman, mayor of Midland from 1972 to 1980, and Texas Republican national committeeman, 1976–1996
- Bob Armstrong (1932–2015), member of the Texas House of Representatives for Travis County from 1963 to 1971; Commissioner of the General Land Office from 1971 to 1983
- Trent Ashby (born 1972), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Lufkin
- B
- Roy Alvin Baldwin (1885-1940), state representative from Slaton in Lubbock County; co-author of 1923 legislation establishing Texas Tech University
- Ben F. Barnes (born 1938), lieutenant governor (1969–1973) of Texas; youngest House Speaker in Texas history (1965–1969)
- Ray Barnhart (1928–2013), former state representative and director of the Federal Highway Administration under President Reagan
- Pat M. Baskin (1926–2005), state court judge and city council member in Midland
- Roy Bass (1918–1978), mayor of Lubbock from 1974 to 1978
- Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor (1793–1874), district judge, a framer of the Texas Constitution; also co-founded Baylor University
- Tina Benkiser (born 1962), former chairman of the Republican Party of Texas
- Lloyd Bentsen (1921–2006), U.S. representative and United States senator
- David Berchelmann (born 1947), judge of two state district courts and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; lawyer in his native San Antonio
- Leo Berman (born 1936), former state representative from Tyler
- Nandita Berry (born 1968), current and outgoing Secretary of State of Texas, 2014–2015
- Paul Bettencourt (born 1958), Republican member of the Texas State Senate from Houston, effective January 2015
- Teel Bivins (1947–2009), state senator from Amarillo and U.S. Ambassador to Sweden
- William H. Bledsoe (1869-1936), member of both houses of the legislature from Lubbock, 1915-1929; co-authored the bill establishing Texas Tech University
- Bill Blythe (born ca. 1935), Houston Realtor and Republican state representative from Harris County, 1971 to 1983
- Robert Lee Bobbitt (1888–1972), Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives (1927–1929), state attorney general (1929–1930)
- Elton Bomer (born 1935), former state representative from Anderson County and former Texas Secretary of State
- Henry Bonilla (born 1954), former U.S. representative from San Antonio
- Dennis Bonnen (born 1972), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Brazoria County since 1997
- Greg Bonnen (born 1966), neurosurgeon and state representative from Galveston County; brother of Dennis Bonnen
- Charles Robert Borchers (1943–1997), district attorney for Webb County 1973–1980[3]
- Jeffrey S. Boyd (born 1961), associate justice of the Texas Supreme Court since 2012
- Wally Brewster (born c. 1960), U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic
- Stephen Broden (born 1952), politician, professor, businessman, activist
- J. E. "Buster" Brown (born 1940), politician and lobbyist
- Louis H. Bruni (born 1949), businessman and politician
- Esther Buckley (1948–2013), member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights; educator in Laredo
- Orville Bullington (1882–1956), Texas Republican gubernatorial nominee in 1932
- Cindy Burkett (born 1958), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County
- Albert S. Burleson (1863–1937), U.S. Postmaster General and Congressman
- Edward Burleson (1798–1851), Texas soldier, general, and statesman
- DeWayne Burns (born 1972), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Johnson and Bosque counties since 2015
- Joel Burns (born 1969), Fort Worth city councilman who spoke out against bullying of LGBT youth
- Konni Burton (born 1963), member of the Texas Senate from Tarrant County
- Jeb Bush (born 1953), former governor of Florida, reared in Midland and Houston
- George C. Butte (1877–1940), Texas Republican gubernatorial nominee, 1924
- Angie Chen Button (born 1954), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County
- C
- Frank Kell Cahoon (1934–2013), Midland oilman and Republican former state representative
- Erwin Cain (born 1960), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Sulphur Springs
- Bill Callegari (born 1941), Republican member of the 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
- Kent Caperton (born 1949), lobbyist, former state senator
- J. Allen Carnes (born 1975), mayor of Uvalde, Texas, since 2012; unsuccessful Republican candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner in the 2014 primary election
- John Carona (born 1955), state senator from Dallas County from 1996 to 2015
- Victor G. Carrillo (born 1965), member of the Texas Railroad Commission, 2003–2011
- Stefani Carter (born 1978), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County since 2011; first African-American female Republican to serve in the state House
- Carlos Cascos (born 1952), incoming Secretary of State of Texas in the Abbott administration
- Carter Casteel (born 1942), female, former educator, county judge, and member of the Texas House of Representatives; attorney in New Braunfels
- Phil Cates (1947–2014), state representative from Texas Panhandle, 1971–1979; thereafter lobbyist in Austin
- Henry E. Catto, Jr. (1930–2011), U.S. diplomat, businessman
- Lauro Cavazos (born 1927), U.S. Secretary of Education in the George H. W. Bush administration, first Hispanic U.S. Cabinet officer
- Francis Cherry (1908–1965), governor of Arkansas from 1953 to 1955, born in Fort Worth
- Richard M. Chitwood (1878-1926), state representative from Sweetwater, 1921-1925; first business manager of Texas Tech University
- 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 former United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Ronald H. Clark (born 1953), federal judge; former member of the Texas House of Representatives.
- Tom C. Clark (1899–1977), United States Attorney General and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
- David Cobb (born 1962), 2004 U.S. Presidential candidate for Green Party
- Cathy Cochran (born 1944), retiring judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
- Susan Combs (born 1945), retiring Texas comptroller and former agriculture commissioner and state representative
- John B. Connally, Jr. (1917–1993), Secretary of the Navy, Governor of Texas, US Treasury Secretary
- Wayne Connally (1923–2000), member of both houses of state legislature, 1965–1973
- Kilmer B. Corbin (1919–1993), state senator from Lubbock (1949–1957), father of Barry Corbin
- John Cornyn (born 1952), United States Senator since 2002
- Frank Corte, Jr. (born 1959), member of the Texas House of Representatives from San Antonio from 1993 to 2011
- Tom Craddick (born 1943), member of the 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 the Texas House of Representatives from Conroe; House Majority Leader (2013), attorney, businessman, and rancher
- Ted Cruz (born 1971), U.S. Senator since 2013
- Henry Cuellar (born 1955), U.S. Representative from Texas' 28th congressional district; native of Laredo
- John Cyrier (born 1973), member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 17 since 2015; owner Sabre Commercial, Inc., in Lockhart
- D–F
- Tony Dale (born 1969), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Williamson County since 2013
- Price Daniel (1910–1988), Democratic US Senator and the 38th Governor of Texas
- Nicholas Henry Darnell (1807–1885), Speaker of the House for both the Republic of Texas and the state of Texas
- John E. Davis (born 1960), Republican member of the 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 since 2003
- Robert Eckels (born 1957), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Houston (1983–1995) and county judge of Harris County (1995–2007)
- Paul Eggers (1919–2013), Republican gubernatorial nominee in both 1968 and 1970
- Gary Elkins (born 1955), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Houston since 1995
- Ed Emmett (born 1949), Harris County administrative county judge since 2007; Republican member of the Texas House from 1979 to 1987
- Pat Fallon (born 1967), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Denton County
- David Farabee (born 1964), former state representative from Wichita Falls
- Ray Farabee (1932–2014), former state senator from Wichita Falls
- 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
- Allen Fletcher (born 1955), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Tomball since 2009
- Charles R. Floyd (1881–1945), Texas State Senator, State Representative, and co-founder of Paris Junior College
- Dan Flynn (born 1943), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Van Zandt County
- Marshall Formby (1911–1984), former Texas state senator, attorney, and radio station owner from Plainview
- John Richard Fowler (1927–2007), pharmacist and politician in Memphis, Texas
- James Frank (born 1967), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Wichita Falls
- John Frullo (born 1962), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Lubbock
- G
- Rick Galindo (born 1981), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 117 in Bexar County, effective 2015
- Pete Gallego (born 1961), U.S. representative from Texas' 23rd congressional district
- H. S. "Buddy" Garcia (born c. 1968), former interim 2012 member of the Texas Railroad Commission
- Julio A. Garcia (1941–2008), district attorney in Laredo
- 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
- Kenn George (born 1948) former state representative from Dallas County; former assistant U.S. secretary of commerce
- Charlie Geren (born 1949), member of the Texas House of Representatives from his native Fort Worth
- Pete Geren (born 1952), former member of the United States House of Representatives from Texas's 12th congressional district; former United States Secretary of the Army
- Ron Givens (born 1952), first African-American Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives since 1882; served from Lubbock County from 1985 to 1989; a Realtor in Lubbock
- Craig Goldman (born 1968), member of the Texas House of Representatives from his native Fort Worth[4]
- Alberto Gonzales (born 1955), United States Attorney General
- Henry B. Gonzalez (1916–2000), U.S. representative from San Antonio
- Austan Goolsbee (born 1969), Chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama
- Tony Goolsby (born 1933), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County from 1989 to 2009
- Blake Gottesman (born 1980), aide to President George W. Bush
- Phil Gramm (born 1942), former United States Senator
- Rick Green (born 1970), former state representative and motivational speaker
- Tom Greenwell (1956–2013)[5]
- Jesse Edward Grinstead (1866–1948), one-time mayor of Kerrville and state legislator
- Henry C. Grover (1927–2005), state legislator, 1972 Republican gubernatorial nominee
- Kent Grusendorf (born 1939), former state representative from Arlington
- Joe A. Guerra (1934–2010), politician
- Lena Guerrero (1957–2008), politician
- H–I
- Pat Haggerty (born 1944), Texas state representation from El Paso County, 1989-2009
- Bob Hall (born 1942), Texas state senator from Van Zandt County
- Rick Hardcastle (born 1956), Republican former member of the Texas House form Wilbarger County
- Doug Harlan (1943–2008), Republican political consultant, author, lawyer, educator, public official from San Antonio
- Patricia Harless (born 1963), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from northwestern Harris County since 2007
- Linda Harper-Brown (born 1948), Republican member of the Texas House from Irving in Dallas County
- O.H. "Ike" Harris (born 1932), state senator from Dallas County (1967–1995), author of Texas' parimutuel betting law
- Will Ford Hartnett (born 1956), Dallas lawyer and Republican member of the Texas House from 1991 to 2013
- Thomas E. Hayden (born 1967), mayor of Flower Mound, Texas
- Grady Hazlewood (1902–1989), state senator, author of farm-to-market road program in Texas
- Joseph P. Heflin (born 1952), former state representative from Crosbyton, defeated November 2, 2010
- Talmadge L. Heflin (born 1940), former state representative from Harris County, defeated November 2004; current director of the Center for Fiscal Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation in Austin
- Glenn Hegar (born 1970), state senator and Republican candidate for state comptroller in 2014
- Jeb Hensarling (born 1957), U.S. representative
- Dick Hervey (1920–2014), mayor of College Station from 1971 to 1974
- 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
- Chuck Hopson (born 1941), former state representative and pharmacist from Jacksonville, Texas
- Dan Huberty (born 1968), Republican member of the 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 the Texas House of Representatives from Wood County
- Swanee Hunt (born 1950), U. S. Ambassador
- Robert Dean Hunter (born 1928), former member of the Texas House of Representatives from Abilene; served 1986 to 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
- Ray Hutchison (born 1932), Dallas lawyer and Republican former politician
- Frank N. Ikard (1913–1991), U.S. representative from Texas' 13th congressional district from 1951 to 1961
- Jason Isaac (born 1971), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Hays County since 2011
- J–L
- Alphonso Jackson (born 1945), U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George W. Bush
- Wallace B. Jefferson (born 1963), former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas; resigned 2013
- Cheryl Johnson, Austin lawyer and judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
- Elizabeth Ames Jones (born 1956), former Texas Railroad Commissioner, member of the Texas House of Representatives
- 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 the Texas House of Representatives from District 12
- David S. Kaufman (1813–1851), the only Jew from Texas to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives (1846–1851) before the 1970s
- Michael Keasler (born 1942), Austin lawyer and judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals since 1999
- Bill Keffer (born 1958), Dallas lawyer who served in the Texas House (District 107) from 2003 to 2007
- Jim Keffer (born 1953), Eastland businessman and current Republican member of the 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 the Texas House of Representatives from The Woodlands in Montgomery County
- Ken King (born 1971), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Canadian in Hemphill County
- Susan King (born 1952), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Abilene
- Ron Kirk (born 1954), United States Trade Representative; former Texas Secretary of State, former mayor of Dallas
- Tim Kleinschmidt (born 1956), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Lee County; attorney in Giddings
- Lois Kolkhorst (born 1964), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Washington County since 2001
- Linda Koop (born 1950), incoming 2015 member of the Texas House from Dallas County; former member of the Dallas City Council
- Matt Krause (born 1980), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Fort Worth
- Cyndi Taylor Krier (born 1950), former state senator and administrative judge of Bexar County
- Bob Krueger (born 1935), former U.S. Ambassador, U.S. Senator, U.S. Congressman (New Braunfels, Comal County.)
- Mike Krusee (born 1959), former state representative; transportation policy expert
- Dan Kubiak (1938–1998), state representative; businessman; educator
- L. B. Kubiak (born 1945), former state representative; veterinarian
- Edmund Kuempel (1942–2010), state representative
- John Kuempel (born 1970), state representative, elected December 14, 2010
- Brooks Landgraf (born 1981), state representative from Ector, Andrews, and Winkler counties; Odessa lawyer, effective 2015
- Jim Landtroop (born 1968), former state representative, elected 2010 and unseated in 2012; insurance executive from Plainview
- Jodie Anne Laubenberg (born 1957), state representative from Collin County
- Oscar M. Laurel (1920–2001), Mexican-American politician
- Barbara Lee (born 1946), U.S. Representative from California
- John N. Leedom (1921–2011), state senator, authored "Rainy Day Fund", involved in water and weather modification issues
- Debra Lehrmann (born 1956), Texas Supreme Court justice, elected 2010
- Tryon D. Lewis (born 1947), state representative since 2009 from Odessa; former state district court judge
- J. M. Lozano (born 1980), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Kingsville, Texas; native of Mexico
- Lanham Lyne (born 1955), former mayor of Wichita Falls, state representative from 2011 to 2013
- M
- Nathan Macias (born 1960), former member of the Texas House of Representatives from Comal County; retired Lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force
- George H. Mahon (1900–1985), U.S. representatives from Texas' 19th congressional district from its creation in 1935 until 1979
- Mercurio Martinez, Jr. (born 1937), educator and politician from Laredo
- Charles R. Matthews (born c. 1939), former Texas Railroad Commissioner and chancellor-emeritus of the 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), Texas state representative from Austin
- Gary D. McCaleb (born 1941), former mayor of Abilene and president of the Texas Municipal League
- Ruth McClendon (born 1943), African-American Democrat member of the Texas House of Representatives from San Antonio since 1996
- Bob McFarland (born 1941), member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature from Arlington, 1977–1991
- Don McLeroy (born 1946), former chairman and member of Texas State Board of Education; dentist, young-earth creationist
- Tom Mechler (born c. 1957), Texas Republican state chairman since 2015; oil and gas consultant in Amarillo
- Debra Medina (born 1962), 2010 Texas Republican gubernatorial primary candidate, lost nomination to Rick Perry; candidate for state comptroller in 2014 Republican primary
- William C. Meier (born 1940), state senator, holds world filibuster record; lost race for attorney general in 1982
- Walter Mengden (born 1926), state representative and state senator from Harris County, 1971–1983
- Ken Mercer (born 1955), state representative from 2003 to 2005 from Bexar County; member of the Texas State Board of Education since 2007
- Will Metcalf (born 1984), state representative from Montgomery County since 2015
- Fred Meyer (1927–2012), state Republican chairman from 1988 to 1994 and Dallas businessman
- Morgan Meyer (born 1974), state representative from Dallas County since 2015; attorney with Bracewell & Giuliani
- Lawrence E. Meyers (born 1947), judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals since 1993
- Doug Miller (born 1954), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Comal County; former mayor and city council member of New Braunfels
- Rick Miller (born 1946), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Sugar Land; former Republican party chairman in Fort Bend County
- Hilmar Moore (1920–2012), mayor of Richmond, Texas, from 1949 to 2012, the longest tenure of any elected official in U.S. history
- William T. "Bill" Moore (1918–1999), state senator from Bryan, known as the "Bull of the Brazos" and the "father of the modern Texas A&M University"
- Geanie Morrison (born 1950), member of the Texas House of Representative from Victoria County since 1999
- Azie Taylor Morton (1936–2003), Treasurer of the United States
- Steve Munisteri (born 1957), chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, 2010–2015
- Jim Murphy (born 1957), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 133 in Houston, 2007–2009 and since 2011
- N–O
- David Newell (born 1971), judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9; Houston attorney
- Joe Nixon (born 1956), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 133 (1995–2007)
- James Robertson Nowlin (born 1937), United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas; one of the first two Republicans since Reconstruction to represent Bexar County in the Texas House of Representatives
- James E. Nugent (born 1922), former Democratic member of the Texas Railroad Commission and the Texas House of Representatives
- W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel (1890–1969), governor of Texas and U.S. senator
- Dora Olivo (born 1943), attorney and former member of the Texas House of Representatives from Fort Bend County
- Rob Orr (born 1955), member of the Texas House of Representatives since 2005 from Johnson County
- John Otto (born 1948), member of the Texas House of Representatives since 2005 from Liberty County
- Bill Owens (born 1950), former governor of Colorado
- Gary Painter (born 1947), sheriff of Midland County since 1985
- Susan Pamerleau (born 1946), retired United States Air Force major general and the Republican sheriff of Bexar County, first woman elected to that position, 2012[6]
- Hugh Q. Parmer (born 1939), former mayor of Fort Worth and member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature
- Dan Patrick (born 1950), Lieutenant governor of Texas, former member of the Texas State Senate and radio broadcaster
- Diane Patrick (born 1946), former member of the Texas House of Representatives from Arlingon
- Kae T. Patrick (born 1934), member of the Texas House of Representatives from San Antonio from 1981 to 1988
- Jerry E. Patterson (born 1946), Texas Land Commissioner; former state senator, candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014
- Thomas Pauken (born 1944), Texas Republican chairman from 1994 to 1997, lawyer and political commentator
- George Peddy (1892–1951), Texas politician; write-in candidate for U.S. Senate, 1922
- David Peeples (born 1948), Texas state court judge since 1981, based in San Antonio
- Gilbert Pena (born 1949), incoming 2015 Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Pasadena
- Randy Pendleton (1937–2009), state representative from Andrews, 1961–1969
- Charles Perry (born 1962), state Senator from District 28 (elected 2014); former state representative from Lubbock (elected 2010)
- Rick Perry (born 1950), governor of Texas, 2000–2015
- Dade Phelan (born 1975), Republican state representative from Beaumont
- Larry Phillips, Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Sherman
- Thomas R. Phillips (born 1949), former Chief Justice of Texas Supreme Court
- George Pierce (born 1941), Republican former member of the Texas House of Representatives (1979–1993) from San Antonio; president of Texas and Southern Railroad, Inc.
- David J. Porter (born 1954), member of the 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 the 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' 13th congressional district from 1962 to 1973; Wichita Falls lawyer
- R
- Jack Rains, former Texas secretary of state
- John N. Raney (born 1947), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Brazos County since 2011
- Bennett Ratliff (born 1961), member of the Texas House of Representative from Dallas County (2013–2015)
- Bill Ratliff (born 1936), former state senator and lieutenant governor from Mount Pleasant
- Sam Rayburn (1882–1961), United States Congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Richard P. Raymond (born 1960), South Texas state representative
- William Whitaker Reed (1816–1891), fought in the Texas Revolution; first sheriff of Bell County, elected 1850
- Jim Reese (born 1929), mayor of Odessa from 1968 to 1974; ran for Congress against George Mahon and George W. Bush
- Ron Reynolds (born 1973), African-American Democrat member of the 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, liberal political activist, daughter of Ann Richards
- Bert Richardson (born 1956), judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; resides in San Antonio
- Tom Rickhoff (born 1944), state court, appeals, and probate court judge in San Antonio
- Matt Rinaldi (born 1975), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Dallas County since 2015
- Allan Ritter (born 1954), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Jefferson and Orange counties since 1999
- Roy R. Rubottom, Jr. (1912–2010), United States diplomat
- Jim Rudd (born 1943), lawyer and lobbyist in Austin; former Texas state representative from Brownfield
- Sa–Sl
- Paul Sadler (born 1955), former state representative, Democrat U.S. Senate nominee in 2012, lost to Republican Ted Cruz
- Pete Saenz (born 1951), mayor of Laredo, Texas, since November 12, 2014
- Joe Sage (1920–1977), one of the first two Republicans since Reconstruction to represent Bexar County in the Texas House of Representatives
- Ezequiel D. Salinas (1908–2007), South Texas Hispanic politician
- Scott Sanford (born 1963), member of the Texas House of Representatives from McKinney; Certified Public Accountant and executive pastor of Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church in Allen, Texas
- Mario Santos, Jr. (1940–2014), sheriff of Webb County, Texas, from 1977 to 1988
- Tom Schieffer (born 1947), United States diplomat, brother of CBS anchorman Bob Schieffer
- Mike Schofield (born 1969), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Harris County since 2015; former policy advisor to Governor Rick Perry
- Alan Schoolcraft (born 1952), former member of the Texas House of Representatives from San Antonio
- Leighton Schubert (born c. 1982), member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 13; lawyer in Caldwell, Texas
- Pete Sessions (born 1955), U.S. representative
- Sonal Shah (born 1968), economist and public official with the Obama Administration
- Matt Shaheen (born 1965), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Collin County
- John Sharp (born 1950), former Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, chancellor of Texas A&M University
- Gwyn Shea (born 1937), Texas secretary of state (2002–2003), member of the Texas House of Representatives (1983–1993)
- Kenneth Sheets (born 1976), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Dallas
- J. D. Sheffield (born 1960), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Coryell County since 2013; physician in Gatesville
- Ralph Sheffield (born 1955), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Bell County, 2008 to 2015
- Mark M. Shelton (born 1956), pediatrician and member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 97 (Fort Worth) from 2009 to 2013
- John Ben Shepperd (1915–1990), attorney general of Texas (1953–1957)
- Max R. Sherman (born 1935), state senator (1971–1977), West Texas A&M University president
- John Shields, former state representative from San Antonio
- E L Short (born 1925), former member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature from Lynn County
- David McAdams Sibley (born 1948), attorney-lobbyist, former Texas state senator (1991–2002) and mayor of Waco (1987–1988)
- Bill Siebert (born 1947), member of the Texas House of Representatives from San Antonio (1993–2001)
- Ron Simmons (born 1960), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Carrollton since 2013
- Ryan Sitton (born 1975), Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commission in November 4, 2014 general election
- Sm–Sz
- Preston Smith (1912–2003), governor (1969–1973) and lieutenant governor (1963–1969) of Texas
- Steven Wayne Smith (born 1961), member of the Texas Supreme Court (2002–2005)
- Wayne Smith (born 1943), member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 128 in Harris County since 2003
- John T. Smithee (born 1951), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Amarillo since 1985
- Barry Smitherman (born 1957), departing member of the Texas Railroad Commission; unsuccessful candidate for attorney general in 2014
- Clay Smothers (1935–2004), member of the Texas House of Representatives; operator of St. Paul Industrial Training School orphanage in Malakoff, Texas; radio personality
- W. E. "Pete" Snelson (1923–2014), member of both houses of the Texas State Legislature from Midland
- Burt Solomons (born 1950), Denton County lawyer and Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1995 to 2013
- Margaret Spellings (born 1957), U.S. Secretary of Education (2005–2009)
- James C. Spencer (1914–2009), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Henderson County 1939–1941, 1947–1949.[7]
- Stuart Spitzer (born 1967), surgeon in Kaufman, Texas, and incoming Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives
- Drew Springer, Jr. (born 1966), state representative from District 68 (North Texas and the eastern South Plains)
- Lonnie Stabler (1945–2013), mayor of Bryan, Texas, 1995–2001
- Barbara Staff (born 1924), co-chairman of the 1976 Ronald Reagan Texas presidential primary campaign
- Sylvia Stanfield (born 1943), diplomat
- Robert Stanton, director of the United States National Park Service
- Todd Staples (born 1963), Texas agriculture commissioner; candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014
- Ken Starr (born 1946), federal judge, Solicitor General, and Independent Counsel during the Clinton Administration
- William Steger (1920–2006), U.S. District Judge
- Phil Stephenson (born 1945), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Wharton
- Jonathan Stickland (born 1983), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Tarrant County since 2013
- Steve Stockman (born 1956), member of the United States House of Representatives from Texas; candidate for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2014
- George William Strake, Jr. (born 1935), Texas secretary of state (1979–1981), Houston businessman and philanthropist[8]
- Robert Schwarz Strauss (1918–2014), politician, chairman of Democratic National Committee, and diplomat
- Dwayne Stovall (born 1966), Cleveland businessman and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate against John Cornyn in primary election scheduled March 4, 2014
- Carole Strayhorn (born 1939), Texas comptroller (1999–2007), former railroad commissioner, former mayor of Austin
- Raymond Strother (born 1940), 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), former police office, attorney, and member of the Texas House of Representatives from Harris County from 1993 to 2009; candidate for Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court in the 2014 Republican primary
- Jack Taylor (1907-1995), Arizona Republican politician born in Sonora and former resident of Brownwood[9]
- Buddy Temple (born 1942), businessman, state representative from Angelina County, and railroad commissioner
- Ed Thompson (born 1950), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Brazoria County since 2013
- Ernest O. Thompson (1892–1966), Texas Railroad Commissioner, mayor of Amarillo, expert on petroleum production and conservation
- Tano Tijerina (born 1974), former professional baseball player for Milwaukee Brewers and incoming County Judge of Webb County in 2015
- Tony Tinderholt (born 1970), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Arlington
- Raul Torres (born 1956), former state representative from Nueces County
- Steve Toth (born 1960), member of the Texas House of Representatives, 2013–2015, from The Woodlands
- John G. Tower (1925–1991), first Republican United States Senator from Texas since Reconstruction
- Vidal M. Trevino (1929–2006), state representative and school superintendent from Laredo
- Morris W. Turner (1931–2008), mayor of Lubbock (1972–1974)
- Lupe Valdez (born 1947), only female elected sheriff in Texas
- Corbin Van Arsdale (born 1969), former state representative from Harris County, 2003–2008; lawyer and lobbyist in Austin
- Gary VanDeaver (born 1958), Republican member of the 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
- Jack Vowell (1927-2006), state representative from El Paso County, 1981 to 1995
- W–Z
- Dale Wainwright (born 1961), former associate justice of the Texas Supreme Court
- Richard A. Waterfield (1939–2007), state representative who advocated for feeding programs for the disabled and elderly
- Craig Watkins, first African-American district attorney in Texas, Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year 2008
- Gary Watkins (1946–2004), state representative, county judge, and state district court judge in Ector County
- Susan Weddington (born 1951), state chairman of the Republican Party of Texas from 1997 to 2003
- Reed N. Weisiger (1838–1908), Texas State Senator (1891–1893), Confederate cavalry officer, pioneer in Victoria County
- George E. "Buddy" West (1936–2008), state representative from Odessa
- Jack Wheeler (1944–2010), presidential aide to the Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush administrations
- Molly S. White (born 1958), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Bell County
- John Roger Williams (born 1949), Republican U.S. representative from Texas, former Texas secretary of state, and former professional baseball player
- Michael L. Williams (born 1953), director of the Texas Education Agency, former Texas Railroad Commissioner, former assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights
- Barry Williamson (born 1957), Republican former member of the Texas Railroad Commission
- Ric Williamson (1952–2007), state representative; chairman of Texas Transportation Commission
- Phil Wilson (born 1967), Texas secretary of state (2007–2008)
- Will Wilson (1912–2005), Texas attorney general (1957–1963), Texas Supreme Court justice (1951–1956)
- Arlene Wohlgemuth (born 1947), Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Johnson County from 1995 to 2005; executive director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation; ran unsuccessfully against Chet Edwards for Congress in 2004
- Paul Womack (born 1947), member of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, 1997–2015, resides in Georgetown in Williamson County
- Jared Woodfill (born 1968), Houston attorney and chairman of the Harris County Republican Party, 2002 to 2014
- Paul D. Workman (born 1951), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Austin since 2011
- John Lee Wortham (1862–1924), Texas Railroad Commissioner and Secretary of State, businessman
- Clymer Wright (1932–2011), political activist; father of municipal term limits in Houston
- Jim Wright (1922–2015), former United States Congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Vicente T. Ximenes (1919–2014), Mexican-American civil rights pioneer, U.S. politician
- Kevin Patrick Yeary (born 1966), judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals since 2015
- Judith Zaffirini (born 1946), state senator from Laredo
- Bill Zedler (born 1943), member of the Texas House of Representatives from Arlington
U.S. Presidents
- George H. W. Bush (born 1924), 41st President of the United States (born in Milton, Massachusetts, but lived much of his life in Texas)
- George W. Bush (born 1946), 43rd President of the United States (born in New Haven, CT, 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)
Notable women of Texas
Please consider adding notable Texas women to other categories on this page that specifically concern their areas of notability.
- Cornelia Adair (1837–1921), matriarch of JA Ranch in the Texas Panhandle
- Jessie Daniel Ames (1883–1972), suffragette, civil rights activist
- Mary Eleanor Brackenridge (1837–1924), social activist, university regent
- Minnie Lou Bradley (born 1931), matriarch of the Bradley 3 Ranch in Childress County
- Mary Couts Burnett (1856–1924), philanthropist
- Laura Bush (born 1946), First Lady of the United States
- Ruthe B. Cowl (1912–2008), philanthropist from Laredo
- Minnie Fisher Cunningham (1882–1964), women's suffragist
- 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
- Norma Rhodes Gabler (1923–2007), public school textbook monitor and cofounder of Educational Research Analysts in Longview
- 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), pro-life activist
- Ima Hogg (1882–1975), philanthropist
- Betty Holekamp (1826–1902), German Texan pioneer, called the Betsy Ross of Texas
- 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)
- Wendy Kopp (born 1967), founder and president of Teach For America
- Maura McNiel (born 1921), activist for women's rights
- Lucy Pickett (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
- Ruth Carter Stevenson (1923–2013), arts patron, museum founder
- Virginia Whitehill (born 1928), activist for women's rights
Entertainment
Dance
- 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
- Candy Barr (1935–2005), model, burlesque dancer
- Cyd Charisse (1922–2008), actress, dancer
- Bebe Daniels (1901–1971), actress, singer, dancer, writer, producer
- Summer Glau (born 1981), dancer and actress, Firefly
- Chachi Gonzales (born 1996), dancer
- Solange Knowles (born 1986), R&B singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer
- Ann Miller (1923–2004), actress, dancer
- Annette O'Toole (born 1955), dancer, actress
- Ginger Rogers (1911–1995), actress, singer, dancer
- Ross Sisters, Betsy (born 1926), Vickie (born 1927), and Dixie (1929–1963), Broadway singers, dancers, contortionists
- Kelly Rowland (born 1981), R&B singer-songwriter, dancer, actress
- Ben Stevenson (born 1936), artistic director of Houston Ballet and Texas Ballet Theater
- Patsy Swayze (1927–2013), choreographer, dancer, dance teacher
Fashion and modeling
- Lisa Baker (born 1944), Playboy Playmate of the Year
- Candy Barr (1935–2005), model, burlesque dancer
- Brooke Burns (born 1978), model, actress
- Lois Chiles (born 1947), model, actress
- 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
- Natasha Galkina (born 1985), model, runner-up on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 8
- 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
- Pilar Lastra (born 1981), model, Playboy Playmate of the Month
- Kym Malin (born 1962), Playboy Playmate, actress
- Irlene Mandrell (born 1956), model, actress
- Kim McLagan (1948–2006), model
- Ali Michael (born 1990), model
- Kiko Mizuhara (born 1990), model, actress, Japanese television personality
- Cole Mohr (born 1986), model
- Chandra North (born 1973), model
- Suzy Parker (1932–2003), model, actress
- 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
- A
- F. Murray Abraham (born 1939), Academy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning actor
- Farrah Abraham (born 1991), reality television personality, actress
- Candice Accola (born 1987), actress best known as Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries
- Amy Acker (born 1976), actress
- Jensen Ackles (born 1978), actor, Smallville, Supernatural
- Sunrise Adams (born 1982), actress
- 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
- Joshua Allen (born 1989), dancer, 2008 winner of So You Think You Can Dance
- 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
- 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
- Paul Baker (1911–2009), actor, director, educator; founded Dallas Theater Center
- 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
- 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
- Madge Bellamy (1899–1990), actress
- 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 The Twilight Saga
- Dustin Lance Black (born 1979), Academy Award-winning screenwriter, director, producer
- Alexis Bledel (born 1981), actress, starred in Gilmore Girls
- Dan Blocker (1928–1972), actor, 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
- Spencer Boldman (born 1992), actor
- John Boles (1895–1969), actor
- Tiffany Bolton (born 1971), actress, model, talk-show host
- Matthew Bomer (born 1977), actor, Tru Calling, White Collar
- Powers Boothe (born 1949), 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 (born 1937), actor, Man in a Suitcase, The Untouchables
- Abby Brammell (born 1979), actress, played Tiffy Gerhardt on The Unit
- Eve Brent (1929–2011), actress
- Mary Brian (1906–2002), actress
- 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
- Carol Burnett (born 1933), actress, comedian, The Carol Burnett Show
- Brooke Burns (born 1978), actress, model
- Marilyn Burns (1949–2014), actress, starred in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- Wendell Burton (born 1947), actor, The Sterile Cuckoo
- Gary Busey (born 1944), Academy Award-nominated actor, The Buddy Holly Story, Under Siege
- C
- 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
- Edwin Carewe (1883–1940), film director, actor, producer, writer
- Thomas Carter (born 1953), director, actor
- Allen Case (1934–1986), actor, singer
- Don Castle (1917–1966), actor
- Darlene Cates (born 1947), actress
- Derek Cecil (born 1973), actor, House of Cards
- 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
- Cindy Chiu (born 1984), actress
- 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
- 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
- Merrill Connally (1921–2001), actor and former county judge, brother of John B. Connally
- Kevin Cooney (born 1945), actor
- Chris Cooper (born 1951), actor; winner, Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Adaptation, Seabiscuit, The Bourne Identity, The Patriot, The Muppets
- Barry Corbin (born 1940), actor, Urban Cowboy, Nothing in Common, Who's Harry Crumb?
- Alex Cord (born 1933), actor, Airwolf, rancher
- Allen Coulter, film and television director, The Sopranos
- Yvonne Craig (1937–2015), actress
- 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
- Diana Danielle (born 1991), Malaysian actress, born in Houston, Texas
- 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
- Madison Davenport (born 1996), actress
- Eddie Dean (1907–1999), singer-songwriter, actor
- 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
- 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 (born 1939), 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 (born 1937), director, actor, producer
- Gavin Free (born 1988), video cinematographer
- Al Freeman, Jr. (1934–2012), actor, director, Finian's Rainbow, Malcolm X
- 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 (born 1926), actress
- Lynda Day George (born 1944), actress, television series Mission: Impossible
- Richard Gilliland (born 1950), actor
- Peri Gilpin (born 1961), actress, Frasier
- Michael Gladis (born 1977), actor, Mad Men, Eagleheart
- Lesli Linka Glatter (borm 1953), film director
- Summer Glau (born 1981), dancer and actress Firefly
- Dale Godboldo (born 1975), actor
- Renee 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
- Brea Grant (born 1981), actress, played Daphne Millbrook on Heroes
- Teresa Graves (1948–2002), actress
- David Gordon Green (born 1975), filmmaker
- Nan Grey (1918–1993), actress
- Corinne Griffith (1894–1979), actress
- Kristin Griffith (born 1953), actress
- Texas Guinan (1884–1933), actress, singer, entrepreneur
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Katherine Helmond (born 1929), actress, Soap
- Sherman Hemsley (1938–2012), actor, The Jeffersons, adopted El Paso as his hometown
- Logan Henderson (born 1989), actor and singer
- 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
- John Benjamin Hickey (born 1963), actor, It's All Relative, The Big C
- John Hillerman (born 1932), 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
- Tobe Hooper (born 1943), director The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Poltergeist, Salem's Lot
- William Hootkins (1948–2005), actor, Batman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars
- Lee Horsley (born 1955), actor, Matt Houston
- Larry Hovis (1936–2003), actor, Hogan's Heroes
- Susan Howard (born 1944), born in Marshall, Texas, longtime actress in Dallas television series
- Gayle Hunnicutt (born 1943), actress, Marlowe, The Legend of Hell House
- 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
- Dorothy Janis (1912–2010), actress in silent films
- Annalee Jefferies (born 1954), actress
- Chane't Johnson (1976–2010), 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
- Nick Jonas (born 1992), singer, actor
- Alex Jones (born 1974), radio host, television host, film producer
- Angus T. Jones, actor, Jake Harper on Two and a Half Men
- Ashley Jones (born 1976), actress, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless
- 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
- Jill Marie Jones (born 1975), actress, Girlfriends, Gillian in Georgia
- L.Q. Jones (born 1927), actor, The Wild Bunch, Casino, originally from Beaumont
- Margo Jones (1911–1955), theatre founder and director
- Mickey Jones (born 1941), actor, musician, Home Improvement, Flo
- Preston Jones (1936–1979), playwright, actor, director
- Preston Jones (born 1983), actor
- 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
- 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
- Lyle Kanouse (born 1952), actor
- 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
- Charles King (1895–1957), actor
- Bernard L. Kowalski (1929–2007), film and television director
- 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
- Brooke Langton (born 1970), actress
- Louise Latham (born 1922), 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]
- Brad Leland (born 1954), actor, Friday Night Lights
- Joshua Leonard (born 1975), actor, writer, director
- Linda Leonard (born 1956), actress
- Liana Liberato (born 1995), actress
- Amy Lindsay (born 1966), actress
- 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 (born 1937), singer and actor, The Dirty Dozen
- Demi Lovato (born 1992), singer, actress, known actress in Disney.
- Bessie Love (1898–1986), actress
- Deirdre Lovejoy (born 1962), actress, Rhonda Pearlman on The Wire
- Allen Ludden (1917–1981), emcee, game show host
- Baruch Lumet (1898–1992), theatre actor, director, teacher
- M
- Donald MacDonald (1898–1959), actor
- Peter MacNicol (born 1954), Emmy Award-winning actor, Ally McBeal, Chicago Hope, Sophie's Choice
- Martha Madison (born 1977), 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
- 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 (born 1934), actor, director, producer, writer
- Kimberly Matula (born 1988), actress
- Tim McCanlies (born 1963), screenwriter, director
- Cameron McCasland (born 1981), filmmaker
- 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
- George 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
- Benjamin McKenzie (born 1978), actor, The O.C.
- Alex McLeod (born 1968), actress
- Terrence McNally (born 1939), playwright
- William McNamara (born 1965), actor
- Lisa McRee (born 1961), television journalist
- Leighton Meester (born 1986), actress, Gossip Girl
- Windell Middlebrooks (1979–2015), actor
- Liz Mikel (born 1963), actress, singer
- Ann Miller (1923–2004), actress, dancer
- Billy Miller (born 1979), actor, The Young and the Restless, All My Children
- Carl Miller (1893–1979), actor
- Logan Miller (born 1992), actor, musician
- 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
- Belita Moreno (born 1949), actress
- Allen R. Morris (born 1954), Emmy Award-winning producer, director and writer
- 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
- Edwin Neal (born 1945), actor
- 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 (born 1922), 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
- Annette O'Toole (born 1955), actress, Superman III, Smallville
- 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
- Suzy Parker (1932–2003), actress, model
- Taylor Parks (born 1993), actress
- Hunter Parrish (born 1987), actor, Weeds
- Jim Parsons (born 1973), Emmy Award-winning actor, The Big Bang Theory
- Paul A. Partain (1946–2005), actor
- Bill Paxton (born 1955), actor and director, Titanic, Apollo 13, Twister, Big Love
- Evelyn Peirce (1908–1960), actress
- Eagle Pennell (1952–2002), film director
- Marco Perella (born c. 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
- 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
- Kevin Rahm (born 1971), actor, Judging Amy, Desperate Housewives, Jesse
- Steve Railsback (born 1945), actor, Helter Skelter, The Stunt Man
- 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 (born 1932), 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
- Patricia Richardson (born 1951), actress, Jill Taylor on Home Improvement
- Shannon Richardson (born 1977), actress
- Noah Ringer (born 1998), actor
- Emilio Rivera (born 1961), actor, Marcus Álvarez on Sons of Anarchy
- Rudy Robbins (born 1933), actor, screenwriter, stuntman, Western singer-songwriter
- Dallas Roberts (born 1970), actor
- James Roday (born 1976), actor
- Gene Roddenberry (1921–1991), Star Trek creator, writer, director, producer
- Michelle Rodriguez (born 1978), actress, Lost
- 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
- Henry Roquemore (1886–1943), actor
- Thomas Rosales, Jr. (born 1948), stunt man
- Ross Sisters, Betsy (born 1926), Vickie (born 1927), and Dixie (1929–1963), Broadway singers, dancers, contortionists
- 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 (born 1982), actor
- Ajai Sanders (born 1967), actress, comedian
- Jay O. Sanders (born 1953), actor, Crime Story, AfterMASH, The Day After Tomorrow
- 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
- 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
- Karen Sharpe (born 1934), actress, The High and the Mighty
- Molly Louise Shepard (born 1960), playwright, screenwriter
- Ann Sheridan (1915–1967), actress, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Kings Row
- Jim Siedow (1920–2003), actor
- Lori Singer (born 1957), actress, model, classical musician
- Marc Singer (born 1948), actor, Michael Donovan on V: The Original Miniseries, V: The Final Battle, and V: The Series
- Guru Singh (born 1980), actor
- J. Mack Slaughter, Jr. (born 1983), actor
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Sharon Tate (1943–1969), actress, Valley of the Dolls
- Buck Taylor (born 1938), actor, artist, rancher in Fort Worth
- Jacqueline Taylor (born 1985), actress, Broadway and cabaret singer
- 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 (born 1948), 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 (born 1931), 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
- 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) from 1966 to 2004; special assistant to U. S. President Lyndon B. Johnson
- 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
- Charlotte Walker (1876–1958), actress
- Helen Wagner (1918–2010), actress, played Nancy Hughes on As the World Turns for 54 years
- Isaiah Washington (born 1963), actor, Dr. Preston Burke on Grey's Anatomy
- Barry Watson (born 1974), actor
- Ann Wedgeworth (born 1935), actress, Lana on Three's Company
- Peter Weller (born 1947), actor, RoboCop, Star Trek Into Darkness
- Bob West (born 1956), actor, Barney & Friends
- 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
- Guinn Williams (1899–1962), actor
- JoBeth Williams (born 1948), actress, Poltergeist, The Big Chill, Screen Actors Guild president
- Van Williams (born 1934), 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, Wedding Crashers
- Trey Wilson (1948–1989), actor, Bull Durham, Raising Arizona
- William D. Wittliff (born 1940), screenwriter, author, photographer
- Morgan Woodward (born 1925), actor, Dallas, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Gunsmoke
- Doug Wright (born 1962), Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter
- Robin Wright Penn (born 1966), actress, The Princess Bride, House of Cards
- Jack Wyatt (1917–2008), host of ABC's Confession (1958–1959), videotaped in Dallas; later an Episcopalian priest in Rockport, Texas
- 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
Comedians
- Rodney Carrington (born 1968), comedian
- Wyatt Cenac (born 1976), stand-up comedian, actor, writer
- 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
- Jack Handey (born 1949), writer for Saturday Night Live
- Bill Hicks (1961–1994), comedian
- KevJumba (Kevin Wu) (born 1990), comedian, YouTube celebrity
- Steve Martin (born 1945), comedian, actor
- Rasika Mathur (born 1976), comedian, actress, Wild 'n Out
- 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
- 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
- Ron White (born 1956), comedian, actor
- White Chocolate (born 1969), BET Comic View
Music
See also: List of Houston rappers
- A
- Dimebag Darrell Abbott (1966–2004), rock guitarist
- Jerry Abbott (born 1944), country songwriter, producer
- Vinnie Paul Abbott (born 1964), rock drummer, producer
- Dave Abbruzzese (born 1968), rock drummer
- Jacques Abram (1915–1998), classical pianist
- Jay Boy Adams (born 1949), singer-songwriter, guitarist
- 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
- 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) (born 1938), blues singer, pianist
- Terry Allen (born 1943), musician
- Don Allison (1962–2011), musician, vocalist
- Jerry Allison (born 1939), musician
- Joe Allison (1924–2002), country songwriter, producer
- Ruby Allmond (1923–2006), country songwriter, fiddler, guitarist
- Nancy Ames (born 1937), pop/folk singer
- Trey Anastasio (born 1964), rock singer/guitarist
- Coffey Anderson (born 1978), country singer-songwriter
- Keith Anderson (born 1970), jazz saxophonist
- Bud Andrews (born 1940), DJ, discovered Jerry Clower
- Clifford Antone (1949–2006), blues club owner, record producer, mentor to musicians
- Katie Armiger (born 1991), country singer
- Lev Aronson (1912–1988), classical cellist and teacher
- Gene Austin (1900–1972), pop/jazz singer-songwriter
- James Austin (born 1937), classical trumpet player, educator
- Larry Austin (born 1930), composer, educator
- Gene Autry (1907–1998), country music singer
- Pedro Ayala (1911–1990), conjunto accordionist-songwriter
- 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
- Joseph Banowetz (born 1936), classical pianist, teacher
- Danny Barnes (born 1961), country/jazz/punk banjo player and guitarist
- Frank Beard (born 1949), drummer in ZZ Top
- 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
- Leila Bela, musician, writer, actress (born in Tehran, Iran, immigrated to Austin)
- Archie Bell (born 1944), singer (Archie Bell & the Drells)
- Jesse Belvin (1932–1960), R&B pianist, singer-songwriter
- Tex Beneke (1914–2000), big-band saxophonist, singer, bandleader
- 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
- Bill Smith Combo, aka Tommy & The Tom Toms, DFW rock 'n roll group
- Ryan Bingham (born 1981), country singer-songwriter
- 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
- Jules Bledsoe (1898–1943), Broadway singer
- Julien Paul Blitz (1885–1951), conductor, cellist
- Blues Boy Willie (born 1946), blues musician
- Bn–Bz
- Zuzu Bollin (1922–1990), blues guitarist
- Maya Bond (born 2000), singer-songwriter, drummer; born in Osaka, Japan, immigrated to Austin
- Juke Boy Bonner (1932–1978), blues musician
- Emanuel Borok (born 1944), 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 (born 1928), music producer, composer, arranger, trumpeter
- Boxcar Willie (Lecil Travis Martin) (1931–1999), country singer
- Bill Boyd (1910–1977), country singer, guitarist
- Calvin Boze (1916–1970), jazz/R&B trumpeter
- 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
- Billy Briggs (born 1977), independent musician-songwriter
- 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
- Rex Brown (born 1964), musician
- Cliff Bruner (1915–2000), western swing fiddler, bandleader
- Anshel Brusilow (born 1928), orchestra conductor and violinist
- Stephen Bruton (1948–2009), country musician
- 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
- Johnny Bush (born 1935), country singer-songwriter
- Bushwick Bill (Richard Shaw) (born 1966), rapper
- William Butler (born 1982), member of Arcade Fire
- Win Butler (born 1980), lead singer of Canadian indie-rock band Arcade Fire
- 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
- Barney Cannon (1955–2009), country music deejay
- 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
- 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
- AJ Castillo (born 1986), Tejano singer
- Joyce Castle (born 1939), opera singer
- Jason Castro (born 1987), pop singer/guitarist
- 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
- Ciara (Ciara Harris) (born 1985), musician
- Gary Clark, Jr. (born 1984), Texas blues musician
- Guy Clark (born 1941), 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), famous 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
- Gary B.B. Coleman (1947–1994), soul/blues guitarist, singer-songwriter, producer
- Jerry "Bo" Coleman, radio disc jockey; KDAV in Lubbock
- Ornette Coleman (1930–2015), jazz saxophonist
- John Ford Coley (born 1948), rock musician (England Dan & John Ford Coley)
- Albert Collins (1932–1993), blues musician
- Jim Collins (born 1956), country singer-songwriter
- Eugene Conley (1908–1981), opera singer
- Barbara Smith Conrad (born 1940), 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 (born 1943), jazz fusion guitarist
- Josie Cotton (Kathleen Josey) (born 1956), rock singer
- Cowboy Troy (born 1970), rap singer-songwriter
- Pee Wee Crayton (1914–1985), R&B/blues guitarist, singer
- 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. (born 1941), Dixieland/jazz cornetist and bandleader
- Jeff Current, lead singer for Against All Will
- 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
- Ivan Davis (born 1932), classical pianist
- Mac Davis (born 1942), musician
- Ronnie Dawson (1939–2003), rockabilly musician
- Bobby Day (Robert James Byrd, Sr.) (1928–1990), rock and roll/R&B singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, producer
- Eddie Dean (1907–1999), country singer-songwriter
- Jimmy Dean (1928–2010), country singer, television personality, businessman
- Bill Dees (1939–2012), country songwriter, "Oh, Pretty Woman"
- Ryan Delahoussaye (born 1976), rock instrumentalist
- Tim DeLaughter (born 1965), rock singer
- Lindsay Deutsch (born 1984), concert violinist
- Al Dexter (1905–1984), country singer
- Mike Dillon, rock drummer-singer-songwriter
- Floyd Dixon (1929–2006), R&B pianist, singer
- 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
- Dorrough (born 1986), rapper
- Amber Dotson (born 1973), country 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 (born 1957), 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
- Roger Edens (1905–1970), film composer
- Emily Elbert (born 1988), folk/soul/jazz/pop singer-songwriter
- Herb Ellis (1921–2010), jazz guitarist
- Terry Ellis (born 1966), R&B singer (En Vogue)
- Paul Ellison (born 1941), classical bassist and teacher
- Joe Ely (born 1947), singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Ralna English (born 1942), singer from The Lawrence Welk Show
- Roky Erickson (born 1947), rock singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Booker Ervin (1930–1970), jazz saxophonist
- Dale Evans (1912–2001), country singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Herschel Evans (1909–1939), jazz saxophonist
- F
- Terry Fator (born 1965), singer, ventriloquist, impersonator
- Fat Pat (Patrick Hawkins) (1970–1998), rapper
- José Feghali (1961–2014), classical pianist and teacher
- Wilton Felder (born 1940), jazz saxophonist, bassist
- 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
- 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 (born 1926), opera composer
- 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
- Kevin Fowler (born ca. 1966), country singer
- Curly Fox (1910–1995), country fiddler
- Kirk Franklin (born 1970), gospel singer
- Denny Freeman (born 1944), 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
- 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 (born 1936), country musician
- Don Gillis (1912–1978), composer, conductor, producer, educator
- 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, jazz pianist
- Jack Glatzer (born 1939), concert violinist
- Darrell Glenn (1935–1990), country singer
- Lloyd Glenn (1909–1985), R&B pianist, bandleader, arranger
- Tyree Glenn (1912–1974), big band/jazz trombonist
- Lillian Glinn (1902–1978), blues singer-songwriter
- David Gockley (born 1943), opera company administrator
- Renee Elise Goldsberry (born 1971), singer-songwriter, actress
- David Golub (1950–2000), classical pianist, conductor
- Selena Gomez (born 1992), actress and singer
- Allie Gonino (born 1990), actress and pop singer
- 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
- Jennifer Grassman (born 1984), independent music singer, pianist
- Mitchell 'Mitch' Grassi (born 1992), a cappella singer
- 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, Grammy Award-winning recording artist, producer, engineer
- Nanci Griffith (born 1953), singer-songwriter
- Larry Groce (born 1948), singer/songwriter of country music, children's songs; radio host
- Texas Guinan (1884–1933), western singer, actress
- David Wendel Guion (1892–1981), composer, arranger of folk tunes
- Guitar Shorty (David Kearney) (born 1939), blues guitarist
- Woody Guthrie (1912–1967), folk singer-songwriter (spent several years in Pampa, Texas, during the formative period of his youth)
- Billy Guy (Frank Phillips, Jr.) (1936–2002), R&B/rock and roll singer (The Coasters)
- H–I
- Monte Hale (1919–2009), country singer, actor
- Gene Hall (1913–1993), jazz saxophonist, music educator
- Stuart Hamblen (1908–1989), country singer, candidate for U.S. President
- Bob Hames (1920–1998), jazz guitarist
- Normani Hamilton (born 1996), pop singer
- Butch Hancock (born 1945), country/folk singer-songwriter
- Gerre Hancock (1934–2012), organist, composer
- Tommy Hancock (born 1929), country singer, bandleader
- John Handy (born 1933), jazz saxophonist
- John Hardee (1919–1984), jazz saxophonist
- Maud Cuney Hare (1874–1936), music historian, civil rights activist
- Roy Hargrove (born 1969), jazz trumpet player
- Everette Harp (born 1961), jazz saxophonist
- Lynn Harrell (born 1944), concert cellist raised in Texas
- Mack Harrell (1909–1960), operatic baritone
- Peppermint Harris (Harrison Nelson, Jr.) (1925–1999), R&B singer, guitarist
- Daniel Hart (born 1976), indie pop singer-songwriter, violinist
- Earl Harvin, rock drummer
- Bess Lomax Hawes (1921–2009), folk musician, folklorist
- Gibby Haynes (born 1957), lead singer of the Butthole Surfers
- Cedric Haywood (1914–1969), jazz pianist
- Roy Head (born 1941), Roy Head and The Traits
- Chet Helms (1942–2005), music promoter, called father of the Summer of Love
- Julius Hemphill (1938–1995), jazz composer, saxophonist
- Bugs Henderson (1943–2012), blues guitarist
- 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
- 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 (born 1940), pop singer, Paul & Paula
- Dusty Hill (born 1945), bass guitarist in ZZ Top
- Z. Z. Hill (1935–1984), blues singer
- Tish Hinojosa (born 1955), Mexican-American folk singer
- 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
- Jennifer Holliday (born 1960), Grammy Award-winning singer, actress
- Buddy Holly (1936–1959), singer-songwriter
- Steve Holy (born 1972), country singer
- Sam Lightnin' Hopkins (1912–1982), blues musician
- Johnny Horton (1925–1960), country singer
- Brad Houser (born 1960), rock instrumentalist
- Scott Hoying (born 1991), a cappella singer
- Frank Huang (born 1978), concert violinist
- Ray Wylie Hubbard (born 1946), country singer-songwriter
- Bill Hughes (born 1930), jazz trombonist, bandleader
- Joe "Guitar" Hughes (1937–2003), blues singer, guitarist
- Bobbi Humphrey (born 1950), jazz flutist
- Jerry Hunt (1943–1993), avant-garde composer
- Ivory Joe Hunter (1914–1974), R&B singer-songwriter, pianist
- Jeff Huskins (born 1966), country musician
- Willie Hutch (1944–2005), blues/R&B singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, record producer
- Clarence Hutchenrider (1908–1991), jazz clarinetist
- Walter Hyatt (1949–1996), folk singer, guitarist
- J
- Jill Jackson (born 1942), pop singer, Paul & Paula
- Melvin Jackson (1915–1976), blues guitarist
- Ronald Shannon Jackson (born 1940), jazz drummer
- Illinois Jacquet (1922–2004), jazz saxophonist, bassoonist
- Russell Jacquet (1917–1990), jazz trumpeter
- Sarah Jaffe (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)
- Blind Lemon Jefferson (1897–1929), blues musician
- Speight Jenkins (born 1937), opera administrator, producer
- Waylon Jennings (1937–2002), country singer
- Flaco Jiménez (born 1939), Tejano accordionist
- Santiago Jiménez, Jr. (born 1961), conjunto accordionist
- Joe Tex (Joseph Arrington, Jr.) (1935–1982), soul singer-songwriter
- Blind Willie Johnson (1897–1945) blues/spirituals singer, guitarist
- Budd Johnson (1910–1984), jazz saxophonist
- Conrad O. Johnson (1915–2008), music educator
- 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 (born 1935), musician, The Velvets
- Willie Neal Johnson (1935–2001), gospel singer
- Daniel Johnston (born 1961), 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 (c. 1900 – unknown), blues singer, pianist, known as "The Texas Nightingale"
- Mike Jones (born 1981), rapper
- Norah Jones (born 1979), soul/folk singer-songwriter, born in New York City but raised in Texas
- Tom Jones (born 1928), lyricist of musical theater
- Janis Joplin (1943–1970), blues/rock singer
- Scott Joplin (c. 1867 – 1917), ragtime musician and composer
- Esteban Jordan (1939–2010), conjunto/Tejano accordionist
- Jimmy Joy (1902–1962), jazz/big-band saxophonist, clarinetist
- K
- Benjamin Kamins (born 1952), classical bassoonist
- Milton Katims (1909–2006), concert violist and 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 Knowles (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
- Karl Korte (born 1928), composer, music educator
- Lili Kraus (1903–1986), classical pianist
- Hans Kreissig (1857–1929), conductor, pianist, educator; created Dallas Symphony Orchestra
- Kris Kristofferson (born 1936), singer-songwriter, actor
- Philip Krumm (born 1941), composer
- L
- Fredell Lack (born 1922), concert violinist
- Eugene Lacritz (1929–2012), classical/Broadway clarinetist, saxophonist, conductor
- 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
- Milt Larkin (1910–1996), jazz trumpeter, bandleader
- Prince Lasha (1929–2008), jazz instrumentalist
- William P. Latham (1917–2004), classical composer
- Melissa Lawson (born 1976), country singer
- Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) (1888–1949), blues musician
- Paul Leary (born 1957), rock guitarist
- Will Lee (born 1952), jazz/rock bassist
- William Franklin Lee III (1929–2011), jazz pianist, composer, arranger, author, music educator
- Raymond Lewenthal (1923–1988), concert pianist
- Vaden Todd Lewis (born 1965), grunge singer-guitarist (The Toadies, Burden Brothers)
- Willie Lewis (1905–1971), jazz clarinetist, bandleader
- Lil Flip (Wesley Weston, Jr.) (born 1981), rapper
- Mance Lipscomb (1895–1976), Blues singer, guitarist
- Robert Lipsett (born 1947), concert violinist and master teacher
- Bill Lister (1923–2009), country singer
- Andrew Litton (born 1959), orchestra conductor
- Lisa Loeb (born 1968), singer-songwriter, actress
- 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 (born 1943), music producer, publisher; entrepreneur
- Trini Lopez (born 1937), Hispanic musician, singer
- Demi Lovato (born 1992), singer, actress
- Lyle Lovett (born 1957), singer-songwriter
- David Lowery (born 1960), rock guitarist, singer-songwriter
- LeToya Luckett (born 1981), singer
- Bob Luman (1937–1978), country/rockabilly singer
- Lunic (Kaitee Page) (born 1985), electropop singer, multi-instrumentalist
- Ray Lynch (born 1943), classical guitarist and lutenist
- Ma–Mm
- Richard "Machine Gun Kelly" Baker (born 1990), rapper
- Michael Madden (born 1979), bassist for Maroon 5
- Clif Magness, 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
- Will Makar (born 1989), singer, born and raised in The Woodlands/Houston
- Petronel Malan (born 1974), concert pianist
- Kirstin 'Kirstie' Maldonado (born 1992), a cappella singer
- Barbara Mandrell (born 1948), country singer
- Louise Mandrell (born 1954), country singer
- Chris Marion (born 1962), rock musician member of Little River Band
- Tina Marsh (1954–2009), jazz singer, composer
- David Martin (1937–1987)[11] rock musician, member of Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, Tommy & The Tom Toms
- Mary Martin (1913–1990), Broadway singer, actress
- Narciso Martínez (1911–1992), conjunto singer, accordionist
- Rhema Marvanne (born 2002), gospel singer
- Eduardo Mata (1942–1995), orchestra conductor
- Johnny Mathis (born 1935), singer
- Rich Matteson (1929–1993), jazz brass player, bandleader, educator
- Pete Mayes (1938–2008), blues singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Sally Mayes (born 1959), Broadway singer and actress, jazz/rock singer
- Leon McAuliffe (1917–1988), Western swing guitarist
- W. Francis McBeth (born 1933), composer, music educator
- Erin McCarley (born 1979), alternative music singer-songwriter
- Delbert McClinton (born 1940), singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Mary McCormic (1889–1981), opera singer, educator
- Neal McCoy (born 1958), country singer
- David McEnery (1914–2002), country/Christian singer-songwriter, guitarist
- 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
- James McMurtry (born 1962), folk-rock singer-songwriter, son of novelist Larry McMurtry
- Cindy McTee (born 1953), classical composer
- Meat Loaf (born 1951), singer, actor
- David Meece (born 1952), contemporary Christian singer, pianist
- 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
- 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
- Mn–Mz
- Charles Moffett (1929–1997), jazz drummer
- Bill Moffit (1926–2008), marching-band director, music arranger and composer
- Johnny Moore (1906–1969), blues singer, guitarist
- Oscar Moore (1916–1981), jazz/blues guitarist
- Tiny Moore (1920–1987), western swing instrumentalist
- Whistlin' Alex Moore (1899–1989), blues pianist, singer, whistler
- Michael Morales (born 1963), rock/pop singer-songwriter
- Jason Moran (born 1975), jazz pianist
- 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
- Ella Mae Morse (1924–1999), blues/jazz/pop singer
- Lacey Mosley (born 1981), lead singer of alternative metal band Flyleaf
- Moon Mullican (1909–1967), country singer-songwriter, pianist
- Michael Martin Murphey (born 1945), country singer-songwriter
- 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 (born 1940), pop singer-songwriter
- Emilio Navaira (born 1962), Latin pop/country musician
- Sam Neely (1948–2006), country singer, guitarist
- Nelly (born 1978), rapper
- Jimmy Nelson (1928–2007), blues singer-songwriter
- Steady Nelson (1913–1988), jazz/swing trumpeter
- Willie Nelson (born 1933), country singer-songwriter
- Michael Nesmith (born 1942), singer with The Monkees
- Mickey Newbury (1940–2002), country/folk singer-songwriter
- David "Fathead" Newman (1933–2009), jazz saxophonist
- Johnny Nicholas (born 1948), blues singer, pianist
- Elena Nikolaidi (1909–2002), opera singer and teacher
- John Nitzinger, rock guitarist, songwriter
- Timothy Nolen (born 1941), opera singer, Broadway singer and actor
- Daron Norwood (1965–2015), country singer
- 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 (born 1932), avant-garde composer, performance artist
- Roy Orbison (1936–1988), singer-songwriter
- K. T. Oslin (born 1941), country singer-songwriter
- Tommy Overstreet (born 1937), 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, studio musician
- Glen Payne (1926–1999), gospel singer
- Leon Payne (1917–1969), country singer-songwriter
- Maurice Peress (born 1930), classical conductor, educator
- Paul Peress (born 1959), jazz/world music drummer, composer, producer
- Chris Pérez (born 1969), rock guitarist, singer-songwriter
- Jay Perez, 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
- Pimp C (Chad Butler) (1973–2007), rapper
- Mark Pirro (born 1970), rock bass player
- Harvey Pittel (born 1943), classical saxophonist
- Mark Powell (born 1966), symphony and opera conductor
- 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 (born 1938), country singer
- P. J. Proby (born 1938), singer-songwriter, actor
- Wynne Pyle (1881–1971), classical pianist
- Queen Ida (Ida Lewis Guillory) (born 1929), Creole/zydeco accordionist
- Abraham Quintanilla, Jr. (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
- Willis Alan Ramsey (born 1951), country singer-songwriter
- Jon Randall (born 1969), country singer-songwriter
- Mickey Raphael (born 1951), country/rock harmonica player
- Tha Realest (Jevon Jones) (born 1974), rapper
- 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
- Nicolà 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), singer
- Jim Riggs (born 1941), saxophonist, educator
- Jeannie C. Riley (born 1945), country singer
- LeAnn Rimes (born 1982), country singer, born in Mississippi, but grew up in Garland, Texas
- Cowboy Slim Rinehart (1911–1948), country singer
- Tex Ritter (1905–1974), singer/ actor, father of actor John Ritter
- Rudy Robbins (1933–2011), Western singer-songwriter, actor, screenwriter, stuntman
- LaTavia Roberson (born 1981), singer
- Eck Robertson (1887–1975), country fiddler
- Don Robey (1903–1975), blues songwriter, record producer
- Hal Robinson (born 1952), classical string bass player
- Sharon Robinson (born 1949), concert cellist
- Emily Robison (born 1972), country singer-songwriter (The Dixie Chicks)
- Jimmie Rodgers (1897–1933), country singer
- Carrie Rodriguez (born 1978), folk singer-songwriter, fiddler
- Danny Rodriguez (1967–1990), Christian rapper
- David Rodriguez (born 1952), folk singer-songwriter
- Johnny Rodriguez (born 1951), country singer
- Omar Rodríguez-López (born 1975), Dub and Progressive rock musician
- Robert Xavier Rodríguez (born 1946), classical composer
- Kenny Rogers (born 1938), country singer-songwriter
- Randy Rogers, country singer
- Gene Roland (1921–1982), jazz composer, musician
- A. Clyde Roller (1914–2005), conductor and music educator
- Lulu Roman (born 1947), country/gospel singer, comedian
- Kelly Rowland (born 1981), R&B singer-songwriter, dancer, actress
- Corey Rozzoni (born 1973), rock guitarist (Burden Brothers)
- Nancy Rumbel (born 1951), classical/new-age oboist, ocarina player, won Grammy Award
- Tim Rushlow (born 1966), country musician
- Sa–Sm
- Doug Sahm (1941–1999), Tejano musician-songwriter
- Carl St.Clair (born 1952), orchestra conductor
- St. Vincent (Annie Clark) (born 1982), pop singer-songwriter, instrumentalist
- Olga Samaroff (1880–1948), classical pianist and teacher
- Joe Sample (born 1939), jazz pianist, composer
- Domingo "Sam" Samudio (born 1937), rock 'n' roll musician, bandleader, entertainer ("Sam the Sham")
- George Sanger (born 1957), video-game music composer
- Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio (born 1960), violinist
- Simon Sargon (born 1938), classical composer, pianist, conductor
- Ray Sasaki (born 1948), trumpet player, educator
- Leslie Satcher (born 1962), country and bluegrass singer
- 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)
- Harvey Schmidt (born 1929), musical theatre composer (The Fantasticks)
- Eduard Schmieder (born 1948), classical violinist, teacher
- David Schnaufer (1952–2006), folk dulcimer player, music educator
- Jerry Scoggins (1911–2004), country singer
- Kendrick Scott (born 1980), jazz drummer, bandleader, composer
- Dan Seals (1948–2009), rock/country musician (England Dan & John Ford Coley)
- Jim Seals (born 1941), soft-rock musician (Seals and Crofts)
- Lynn Seaton (born 1957), jazz bassist, educator
- 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
- Allen Shamblin (born 1959), country songwriter
- Ray Sharpe (born 1938), rockabilly singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Billy Joe Shaver (born 1939), country singer-songwriter
- Robert Shaw (1908–1985), blues pianist
- Bob (1909–1983), Joe (1911–1980), and Merle Shelton (1917–1982), country musicians, The Shelton Brothers
- Chad Shelton (born 1971), opera singer
- Harry Sheppard (born 1928), 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
- Lori Singer (born 1957), concert cellist (better known as actress)
- Slim Thug (born 1980), rapper
- Buster Smith (1904–1991), jazz saxophonist
- Chris "Frenchie" Smith, pop/rock record producer, guitarist, songwriter
- Elliott Smith (1969–2003), rock singer-songwriter
- Julia Smith (1905–1989), composer, pianist, author
- Ruby Jane Smith (born 1994), bluegrass fiddler, singer-songwriter
- Tim Smith, rock instrumentalist
- Sn–Sz
- 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
- 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 Crosby, Stills & Nash
- Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart) (born 1943), soul/funk singer-songwriter (Sly and the Family Stone)
- George Strait (born 1952), country singer
- Nikki Stringfield (born 1990), guitarist for The Iron Maidens and Before the Mourning
- Steven Stucky (1949–2016), Pulitzer Prize-winning classical composer
- Eric Stuer (1953–2008), drummer
- Lacey Nicole Sturm (born 1981), Alternative metal, Post-grunge, Hard rock Flyleaf
- Deanna Summers (born 1940), songwriter, born in Mississippi
- Gene Summers (born 1939), rock 'n roll singer ("School of Rock 'n Roll", "Big Blue Diamonds")
- Helen Sung (born 1970), jazz pianist
- Doug Supernaw (born 1960), 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
- 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
- Texas Ruby (Ruby Owens) (1908–1963), country singer
- Christopher Theofanidis (born 1967), classical composer
- B. J. Thomas (born 1942), 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 (born 1927), 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
- Louise Tobin (born 1918), jazz singer
- Chris Tomlin (born 1972), singer-songwriter
- Tommy & The Tom Toms, aka Bill Smith Combo, DFW rock 'n roll group
- Tone (Tony Chung) (born 1983), pop guitarist (Cool Silly)
- Don Tosti (1923–2004), Latin, R&B, swing, jazz, classical bassist, pianist
- Alphonse Trent (1905–1959), jazz pianist, bandleader
- 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
- Townes Van Zandt (1944–1997), country singer-songwriter
- Jimmie Vaughan (born 1951), blues/rock guitarist, singer
- Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–1990), musician
- Gilbert Velasquez, Grammy Award-winning Tejano guitarist
- Jaci Velasquez (born 1979), Contemporary Christian Latin pop singer
- Carl Venth (1860–1938), composer, conductor, violinist, music educator
- William VerMeulen (born 1961), classical horn player
- Tiffany Villarreal, R&B and hip hop singer
- Eddie Vinson (1917–1988), blues saxophonist
- W–Z
- Billy Walker (1929–2006), country singer-songwriter
- Charlie Walker (1926–2008), country singer-songwriter
- 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 (born 1942), 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 (born 1934), jazz pianist
- Mercy Dee Walton (1915–1962), blues pianist, singer-songwriter
- Chris Waters, country singer-songwriter
- 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
- Michael White (born 1933), jazz violinist
- Chris Whitley (1960–2005), blues singer-songwriter, guitarist
- Buddy Whittington (born 1956), blues/rock guitarist
- 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 (born 1939), country singer-songwriter
- Lew Williams (born 1934), rockabilly singer-songwriter
- Otis Williams (born 1941), singer with The Temptations
- Richard Williams (1931–1985), jazz trumpeter
- Roosevelt Williams (1903–1996), blues pianist
- 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
- Lee Ann Womack (born 1966), country singer-songwriter
- Darren Keith Woods (born 1958), opera company director, singer
- Lammar Wright, Sr. (1907–1973), jazz trumpeter
- Leo Wright (1933–1991), jazz instrumentalist
- Roger Wright (born 1974), classical pianist
- Jimmy Wyble (1922–2010), jazz/swing guitarist
- Cindy Yen (born 1986), pop singer-songwriter
- Sydney Youngblood (born 1960), dance/funk singer
- Nancy Zhou (born 1993), classical violinist
- Jessica Zhu (born 1986), classical pianist
Beauty pageant winners
- 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 (born 1923), Miss America 1942
- Danielle Doty (born 1993), Miss Teen USA 2011
- Magen Ellis (born 1986), Miss Texas USA, Miss Texas Teen USA
- Christy Fichtner (born 1962), Miss USA 1986
- Phyllis George (born 1949), Miss America 1971
- Courtney Gibbs (born 1966), Miss USA 1988
- Kandace Krueger (born 1976), Miss USA 2001
- Debra Maffett (born 1956), Miss America 1983
- Melissa Marse (born 1974), Texas' Junior Miss 1991, concert pianist
- Laura Martinez-Harring (born 1964), Miss USA 1985
- 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 (born 1973), 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
Athletics
Baseball
- 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
- Jeff Banister (born 1964), former catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, current 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), retired 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
- Jay Bruce (born 1987), outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds
- Clay Buchholz (born 1984), baseball, Boston Red Sox, pitcher, Threw a No Hitter in just his second MLB start
- Jorge Cantú (born 1982), infielder for the San Diego Padres
- Norm Cash (1934–1986), MLB first baseman, primarily for the Detroit Tigers
- 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
- 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 Chicago White Sox
- Jon Edwards (born 1988), relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres
- Nathan Eovaldi (born 1990), starting pitcher for the New York Yankees
- 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 Texas Rangers
- David Freese (born 1983), third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels
- G–M
- Yovani Gallardo (born 1986), starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Ron Gant (born 1965), former MLB outfielder and second baseman
- 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 and outfielder for the Minnesota Twins
- 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 (born 1937), 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
- Austin Jackson (born 1987), center fielder for the Chicago Cubs
- 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
- Nate Karns (born 1987), starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Scott Kazmir (born 1984), starting pitcher for the Houston Astros
- 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 St. Louis Cardinals
- 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 Colorado Rockies
- James Loney (born 1984), first baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays
- Mark Lowe (born 1983), relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
- 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
- Andrew McKirahan (born 19900, relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- John Meloan (born 1984), former MLB pitcher
- Shelby Miller (born 1990), starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
- Adam Moore (born 1984), catcher for the Cleveland Indians
- Jim Morris (born 1964), Major League Baseball player and oldest rookie
- David Murphy (born 1981), left fielder for the Cleveland Indians
- N–R
- 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
- 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
- Ryan Pressly (born 1988), pitcher for the Minnesota Twins
- 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 (born 1935), won Triple Crown in both National League and American League, hit 586 career home runs, and was the first black manager in the Major Leagues
- 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, 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
- 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
- Drew Stubbs (born 1984), center fielder for the Texas Rangers
- 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
- 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), starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
- 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
- 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
- Chris Young (born 1979), pitcher for the Kansas City Royals
- Chris Young (born 1983), outfielder for the New York Yankees
Basketball
A–M
- 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
- 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
- Jimmy Butler (born 1989), small forward/shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls
- Kaleb Canales (born 1978), assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks
- Jody Conradt (born 1941), head coach for UT's Lady Longhorns
- 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
- 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
- Brittney Griner (born 1990), WNBA basketball player
- Terrel Harris (born 1987), guard for the Bakersfield Jam
- Grant Hill (born 1971), former seven-time NBA All-Star small forward
- 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
- DeAndre Jordan (born 1988), center for the Los Angeles Clippers
- 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 Portland Trail Blazers
- 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
- Randolph Morris (born 1986), center for the Beijing Ducks
- Gerald Myers (born 1945), basketball coach 1971–1991; athletic director, Texas Tech University
- N–Z
- Eduardo Nájera (born 1976), former NBA player
- Emeka Okafor (born 1982), player for the Phoenix Suns
- 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
- Dexter Pittman (born 1988), center for the Atlanta Hawks
- Ronnie Price (born 1983), point guard for the Orlando Magic
- Dennis Rodman (born 1961), former NBA forward, played primarily with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls
- Quinton Ross (born 1981), former NBA player
- Xavier Silas (born 1988), player for the Maccabi Ashdod B.C.
- Odyssey Sims (born 1992), player for Baylor Lady Bears basketball
- Donald Sloan (born 1988), guard for the Indiana Pacers
- Sheryl Swoopes (born 1971), WNBA, Olympic gold medalist
- 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 Brooklyn Nets
- Sean Williams (born 1986), power forward/center for the Selçuk Üniversitesi BK
- Tex Winter (born 1922), former basketball coach, innovator of the triangle offense, Hall of Fame inductee
Bodybuilding
- 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
- Mike Ayala (born 1959), boxer
- Paulie Ayala (born 1970), world-champion boxer
- Tony Ayala, Jr. (1963–2015), boxer
- Ruben Castillo (born 1957 in Lubbock), boxer
- Randall "Tex" Cobb (born 1950), boxer, fought for world heavyweight title
- Curtis Cokes (born 1937), 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
- A–B
- Emmanuel Acho (born 1990), linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Sam Acho (born 1988), linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals
- Joseph Addai (born 1983), running back for the Indianapolis Colts
- Eric Alexander (born 1982), linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jared Allen (born 1982), defensive end for the Chicago Bears
- Danny Amendola (born 1985), wide receiver and kickoff returner for the New England Patriots
- Adrian Awasom (born 1983), former defensive end for the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings
- Remi Ayodele (born 1983), defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings
- Jonathan Babineaux (born 1981), defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons
- Jordan Babineaux (born 1982), defensive back for the Seattle Seahawks
- Stephen Baker (born 1964), former wide receiver for the New York Giants
- Joplo Bartu (born 1989), linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons
- Arnaz Battle (born 1980), wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jackie Battle (born 1983), running back for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Sammy Baugh (1914–2008), Hall of Fame football great, played primarily with the Washington Redskins
- Kelvin Beachum (born 1989), offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cole Beasley (born 1989), wide receiver and return specialist for the Dallas Cowboys
- Byron Bell (born 1989), offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers
- Emory Bellard (1927–2011), college football coach
- Martellus Bennett (born 1987), tight end for the Chicago Bears
- Michael Bennett (born 1985), defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks
- Cedric Benson (born 1982), running back for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Rocky Bernard (born 1979), defensive tackle for the New York Giants
- Justin Blalock (born 1983), offensive guard for the Atlanta Falcons
- Rhett Bomar (born 1985), quarterback for the New York Giants
- David Boston (born 1978), former NFL wide receiver
- Kyle Bosworth (born 1986), outside linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys
- Bobby Boyd (born 1937), All-Pro, NFL Defensive Back, Baltimore Colts, Oklahoma Sooners
- Drew Brees (born 1979), NFL quarterback for the New Orleans Saints
- Mike Brisiel (born 1983), guard for the Oakland Raiders
- Michael Brockers (born 1990), defensive tackle for the St. Louis Rams
- Aaron Brown (born 1985), running back and return specialist for the Detroit Lions
- Chykie Brown (born 1986), cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens
- Kris Brown (born 1976), placekicker for the San Diego Chargers
- Malcom Brown (born 1994), defensive tackle for the New England Patriots
- Tarell Brown (born 1985), cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers
- Dez Bryant (born 1988), wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Matt Bryant (born 1975), placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons
- Red Bryant (born 1984), defensive lineman for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Maury Buford (born 1960), former NFL punter
- Melvin Bullitt (born 1984), defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts
- C–F
- Earl Campbell (born 1955), Pro Football Hall of Famer, Heisman Trophy winner
- Marcus Cannon (born 1988), offensive tackle for the New England Patriots
- Rock Cartwright (born 1979), running back for the Washington Redskins
- James Casey (born 1984), tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Juan Castillo (born 1959), defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Scott Chandler (born 1985), tight end for the Buffalo Bills
- Jamaal Charles (born 1986), running back for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Jeromey Clary (born 1983), offensive guard for the San Diego Chargers
- Keenan Clayton (born 1987), outside linebacker for the Oakland Raiders
- Perrish Cox (born 1987), cornerback and return specialist for the San Francisco 49ers
- Michael Crabtree (born 1987), wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers
- Patrick Crayton (born 1979), wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers
- Mason Crosby (born 1984), placekicker for the Green Bay Packers
- John David Crow (1935–2015), athletic director for Texas A&M; professional football player and coach
- Andy Dalton (born 1987), quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Chase Daniel (born 1986), quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Cody Davis (born 1989), safety for the St. Louis Rams
- Knile Davis (born 1991), running back for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Leonard Davis (born 1978), guard for the Dallas Cowboys
- Phil Dawson (born 1975), placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers
- Quintin Demps (born 1985), safety for the New York Giants
- Ty Detmer (born 1967), former NFL quarterback
- Eric Dickerson (born 1960), former NFL running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer
- Zac Diles (born 1985), linebacker for the Houston Texans
- Derrick Dockery (born 1980), guard for the Dallas Cowboys
- Donald Driver (born 1975), wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers
- Ron Edwards (born 1979), defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers
- Ikemefuna Enemkpali (born 1991), linebacker for the Buffalo Bills
- Thomas Everett (born 1964), former NFL safety and College Football Hall of Famer
- Jermichael Finley (born 1987), tight end for the Green Bay Packers
- Jamell Fleming (born 1989), cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Larry Flowers (born 1958), former NFL safety, primarily with the New York Giants
- Matt Flynn (born 1985), quarterback for the Green Bay Packers
- Nick Foles (born 1989), quarterback for the St. Louis Rams
- Justin Forsett (born 1985), running back for the Seattle Seahawks
- Barry Foster (born 1968), former NFL running back
- Jason Fox (born 1988), offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins
- Robert Francois (born 1985), linebacker for the Green Bay Packers
- Jerrell Freeman (born 1986), linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts
- G–I
- Dylan Gandy (born 1982), center for the Detroit Lions
- Roberto Garza (born 1979), guard for the Chicago Bears
- Crockett Gillmore (born 1991), tight end for the Baltimore Ravens
- Chris Givens (born 1989), wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens
- Bill Glass (born 1935), former defensive end for the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns
- Cody Glenn (born 1986), linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts
- Charles Godfrey (born 1985), safety/nickelback for the Carolina Panthers
- Mike Goodson (born 1987), running back/kick returner for the Oakland Raiders
- Marquise Goodwin (born 1990), wide receiver or kickoff returner for the Buffalo Bills
- "Mean Joe" Greene (born 1946), College and Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jabari Greer (born 1982), cornerback for the New Orleans Saints
- Forrest Gregg (born 1933), Hall of Fame offensive tackle and head coach
- Robert Griffin III (born 1990) Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for the Washington Redskins
- Andre Gurode (born 1978), center for the Baltimore Ravens
- Bryce Hager (born 1992), linebacker for the St. Louis Rams
- Ahmard Hall (born 1979), fullback for the Tennessee Titans
- Casey Hampton (born 1977), nose tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Geoff Hangartner (born 1982), center and guard for the Carolina Panthers
- Caleb Hanie (born 1985), quarterback for the Chicago Bears
- Merton Hanks (born 1968), safety for the San Francisco 49ers
- James Hanna (born 1989), tight end for the Dallas Cowboys
- Graham Harrell (born 1985), quarterback for the Green Bay Packers
- Tommie Harris (born 1983), defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears
- Garrett Hartley (born 1986), placekicker for the New Orleans Saints
- David Hawthorne (born 1985), linebacker for the New Orleans Saints
- Kellen Heard (born 1985), defensive end for the Buffalo Bills
- Johnnie Lee Higgins (born 1983), wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders
- Tony Hills (born 1984), offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys
- Ellis Hobbs (born 1983), cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Montrae Holland (born 1980), guard for the Dallas Cowboys
- Ziggy Hood (born 1987), defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Rob Housler (born 1988), tight end for the Arizona Cardinals
- Chris Houston (born 1984), cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons
- Ken Houston (born 1944), Hall of Fame safety for the Houston Oilers and the Washington Redskins
- Thomas Howard (born 1983), linebacker for the Oakland Raiders
- Josh Huff (born 1991), wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Michael Huff (born 1983), free safety for the Oakland Raiders
- Jerry Hughes (born 1988), defensive end for the Buffalo Bills
- Byron Hunt (born 1958), former linebacker for the New York Giants
- Phillip Hunt (born 1986), defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Kendall Hunter (born 1988), running back for the San Francisco 49ers
- Sam Hurd (born 1985), wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Demontre Hurst (born 1991), cornerback for the Chicago Bears
- Brian Iwuh (born 1984), linebacker for the Chicago Bears
- J–L
- Fred Jackson (born 1981), running back for the Buffalo Bills
- Quentin Jammer (born 1979), cornerback for the San Diego Chargers
- Tony Jerod-Eddie (born 1990), defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers
- Luke Joeckel (born 1991), offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Charlie Johnson (born 1984), offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts
- Chris Johnson (born 1979), cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens
- Derrick Johnson (born 1982), linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs
- D. J. Johnson (born 1985), cornerback for the New York Giants
- Jimmy Johnson (born 1943), former NCAA and NFL head coach for the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins
- Lane Johnson (born 1990), offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Manuel Johnson (born 1986), wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Michael Johnson (born 1984), safety for the New York Giants
- Johnny Jolly (born 1983), defensive end for the Green Bay Packers
- Colin Jones (born 1987), safety for the Carolina Panthers
- Darlene Jones, commissioner of the Lone Star Football League
- Case Keenum (born 1988), quarterback for the Houston Texans and St. Louis Rams
- Sergio Kindle (born 1987), linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens
- David King (born 1989), defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Johnny Knox (born 1986), wide receiver for the Chicago Bears
- Kevin Kolb (born 1984), quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals
- Gary Kubiak (born 1961), head coach for the Denver Broncos
- Jacob Lacey (born 1987), cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts
- Ernie Ladd (1938–2007), American college and professional football player and professional wrestler
- Brandon LaFell (born 1986), wide receiver for the New England Patriots
- Tom Landry (1924–2000), Hall of Fame football head coach, Dallas Cowboys
- Dick "Night Train" Lane (1927–2002), Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback in the 1950s and 1960s
- Jeremy Lane (born 1990), cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks
- Shane Lechler (born 1976), punter for the Oakland Raiders
- Bob Lilly (born 1939), Hall of Fame defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys
- Carl "Spider" Lockhart (1943–1986), defensive back for the New York Giants
- Andrew Luck (born 1989), quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts
- M–O
- Ryan Mallett (born 1988), quarterback for the New England Patriots
- Danieal Manning (born 1982), free safety for the Chicago Bears
- Bradley Marquez (born 1992), wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams
- Jake Matthews (born 1992), offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons
- Brett Maxie (born 1962), former NFL defensive back and secondary coach for the Dallas Cowboys
- Trumaine McBride (born 1985), cornerback for the New York Giants
- Brice McCain (born 1986), cornerback for the Miami Dolphins
- Luke McCown (born 1981), quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons
- Colt McCoy (born 1986), quarterback for the Washington Redskins
- Danny McCray (born 1988), defensive back and special teamer for the Dallas Cowboys
- Vance McDonald (born 1990), tight end for the San Francisco 49ers
- Stephen McGee (born 1985), quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Bo McMillin (1895–1952), NFL quarterback, head coach and College Football Hall of Famer
- Henry Melton (born 1986), defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys
- "Dandy" Don Meredith (1938–2010), quarterback Dallas Cowboys and television football color commentator
- Christine Michael (born 1990), running back for the Dallas Cowboys
- Roy Miller (born 1987), defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Von Miller (born 1989), outside linebacker for the Denver Broncos
- Keavon Milton (born 1990), offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks
- Earl Mitchell (born 1987), defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins
- Damontre Moore (born 1992), defensive end for the New York Giants
- Denarius Moore (born 1988), wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders
- Mike Morgan (born 1988), linebacker for Seattle Seahawks
- Sammy Morris (born 1977), running back for the New England Patriots
- Mitch Morse (born 1992), center for the Kansas City Chiefs
- Thomas Morstead (born 1986), punter for the New Orleans Saints
- Marcus Murphy (born 1991), running back for the New Orleans Saints
- Dimitri Nance (born 1988), running back for the Green Bay Packers
- Corey Nelson (born 1992), linebacker for the Denver Broncos
- David Nelson (born 1986), wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills
- Marshall Newhouse (born 1988), offensive tackle for the New York Giants
- Robert Newhouse (1950–2014), fullback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Tommy Nobis (born 1943), former linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons and College Football Hall of Famer
- Moran Norris (born 1978), fullback for the San Francisco 49ers
- Cyril Obiozor (born 1986), linebacker for the San Diego Chargers
- Alex Okafor (born 1991), linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals
- Frank Okam (born 1985), defensive tackle for the Houston Texans
- Russell Okung (born 1987), offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks
- Brian Orakpo (born 1986), linebacker for the Washington Redskins
- Zach Orr (born 1992), linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens
- Kelechi Osemele (born 1989), offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens
- P–R
- Juqua Parker (born 1978), defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Tyler Patmon (born 1991), cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Elvis Patterson (born 1960), former NFL defensive back
- Charlie Peprah (born 1983), safety for the Green Bay Packers
- Mac Percival (born 1940), former National Football League placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears
- Jason Peters (born 1982), offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Adrian Peterson (born 1985), National Football League running back for the Minnesota Vikings
- Brandon Pettigrew (born 1985), tight end for the Detroit Lions
- Bum Phillips (born 1923), head coach in the National Football League
- Wade Phillips (born 1947), defensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos
- Christian Ponder (born 1988), quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings
- Manny Ramirez (born 1983), guard/center for the Denver Broncos
- Gary Reasons (born 1962), former linebacker, primarily for the New York Giants
- Cory Redding (born 1980), defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts
- Weston Richburg (born 1991), offensive lineman for the New York Giants
- Khiry Robinson (born 1989), running back for the New Orleans Saints
- Bradley Roby (born 1992), cornerback for the Denver Broncos
- Jacquizz Rodgers (born 1990), running back for the Atlanta Falcons
- Shaun Rogers (born 1979), defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints
- Aaron Ross (born 1982), cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Kyle Rote (1928–2002), All-American running back at Southern Methodist University and 1951–1961 NFL New York Giants wide receiver
- Stanford Routt (born 1983), former NFL cornerback
- Eric Rowe (born 1992), cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Ryan Russell (born 1992), defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys
- S–T
- Emmanuel Sanders (born 1987), wide receiver for the Denver Broncos
- Josh Scobee (born 1982), placekicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jonathan Scott (born 1983), offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Derrick Shelby (born 1989), defensive end for the Miami Dolphins
- Ozzie Simmons (1914–2001), one of the first black All-American football players in the 1930s
- John Skelton (born 1988), quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals
- Bubba Smith (1945–2011), defensive end with the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders, and Houston Oilers
- Hunter Smith (born 1977), punter for the Washington Redskins
- Kevin Smith (born 1970), former cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Lovie Smith (born 1958), head coach for the Chicago Bears
- Wade Smith (born 1981), guard and center for the Houston Texans
- Justin Snow (born 1976), long snapper for the Indianapolis Colts
- Matthew Stafford (born 1988), quarterback for the Detroit Lions
- Matt Stover (born 1968), placekicker for the Indianapolis Colts
- Michael Strahan (born 1971), Hall of Fame defensive end for the New York Giants
- Travis Swanson (born 1991), center for the Detroit Lions
- Aqib Talib (born 1986), cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Ryan Tannehill (born 1988), quarterback for the Miami Dolphins
- Phillip Tanner (born 1988), running back for the Dallas Cowboys
- Stepfan Taylor (born 1991), running back for the Arizona Cardinals
- David Thomas (born 1983), tight end for the New Orleans Saints
- Earl Thomas (born 1989), safety for the Seattle Seahawks
- Michael Thomas (born 1989), safety for the Miami Dolphins
- Mike Thomas (born 1987), wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Ted Thompson (born 1953), general manager of the Green Bay Packers
- Y. A. Tittle (born 1926), Hall of Fame quarterback, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers
- LaDainian Tomlinson (born 1979), former NFL running back and College Football Hall of Famer
- Michael Toudouze (born 1983), offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts
- Jeremiah Trotter (born 1977), linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Justin Tucker (born 1989), placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens
- Bulldog Turner (1919–1998), Hall of Fame center and linebacker for the Chicago Bears
- Rob Turner (born 1984), former NFL player
- U–Z
- Tony Ugoh (born 1983), offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts
- Gene Upshaw (1945–2008), Hall of Fame guard for the Oakland Raiders
- Kenny Vaccaro (born 1991), safety for the New Orleans Saints
- Louis Vasquez (born 1987), offensive guard for the Denver Broncos
- Dustin Vaughan (born 1991), quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Lawrence Vickers (born 1983), fullback for the Dallas Cowboys
- Trevin Wade (born 1989), cornerback for the New York Giants
- LaAdrian Waddle (born 1991), offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions
- Doak Walker (1927–1998), Hall of Fame player for the Detroit Lions
- Jamar Wall (born 1988), cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- J. D. Walton (born 1987), center for the New York Giants
- John Washington (born 1963), former NFL defensive end, primarily for the New York Giants
- Brian Waters (born 1977), offensive guard for the New England Patriots
- J'Marcus Webb (born 1988), offensive tackle for the Chicago Bears
- Sean Weatherspoon (born 1987), linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals
- Scott Wells (born 1981), center for the St. Louis Rams
- DeAndrew White (born 1991), wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers
- Melvin White (born 1990), cornerback for the Carolina Panthers
- Nikita Whitlock (born 1991), fullback for the New York Giants
- Fozzy Whittaker (born 1989), running back and kickoff returner for the Carolina Panthers
- Aaron Williams (born 1990), safety for the Buffalo Bills
- Bobbie Williams (born 1976), guard for the Baltimore Ravens
- Brandon Williams (born 1986), linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys
- Brian Williams (born 1972), former NFL linebacker
- Byron Williams (born 1960), former NFL and WLAF wide receiver
- Daryl Williams (born 1992), offensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers
- D. J. Williams (born 1988), tight end for the Green Bay Packers
- Malcolm Williams (born 1987), defensive back for the New England Patriots
- Roy Williams (born 1981), wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Teddy Williams (born 1988), cornerback for the Carolina Panthers
- Terrance Williams (born 1989), wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys
- Trent Williams (born 1988), offensive tackle for the Washington Redskins
- Josh Wilson (born 1985), cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons
- Wade Wilson (born 1959), former quarterback primarily with the Minnesota Vikings; current quarterbacks coach for the Dallas Cowboys
- Eric Winston (born 1983), offensive tackle for the Houston Texans
- Will Witherspoon (born 1980), linebacker for the Tennessee Titans
- Vince Young (born 1983), quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, MVP of the 2005 and 2006 Rose Bowl
Golf
- Rich Beem (born 1970), professional golfer
- Harry Cooper (1904–2000), professional golfer
- Bettye Danoff (1923–2011), golfer, one of founding members of LPGA
- Lee Elder (born 1934), golfer, first African American to play in the Masters Tournament
- Ben Hogan (1912–1997), golfer
- Byron Nelson (1912–2006), professional golfer
- Tom Kite (born 1949), golfer
- Jordan Spieth (born 1993), golfer, achieved #1 world ranking at age 22
- Lee Trevino (born 1939), golfer
- Kathy Whitworth (born 1939), golfer in World Golf Hall of Fame
- Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1911–1956), athlete, won 82 amateur and professional golf tournaments, including five major professional championships
Motorsports
- Brandon Bernstein (born 1972) drag racer, NHRA top fuel driver, son of Kenny Bernstein
- Kenny Bernstein (born 1944), drag racer, six-time NHRA champion, father of Brandon Bernstein
- Colin Braun (born 1988), NASCAR driver for Roush Fenway Racing
- Joie Chitwood (1912–1988), professional racecar driver
- Brad Coleman (born 1988), NASCAR driver for Joe Gibbs Racing
- A. J. Foyt (born 1935), race car driver
- Bobby Labonte (born 1964), NASCAR driver
- Terry Labonte (born 1956), NASCAR driver
- Carroll Shelby (1923–2012), race-car driver and designer of the Shelby Cobra and other automobiles
Professional wrestling
- Toni Adams (1964–2010), wrestling manager and valet
- Stone Cold Steve Austin (born 1964), WWE wrestler and actor
- Tully Blanchard (born 1954), NWA wrestler, original Four Horsemen member
- Celeste Bonin (born 1986), WWE wrestler known as Kaitlyn
- Mark Calaway (born 1965), WWE wrestler known as The Undertaker
- Dixie Carter (born 1964), President of TNA Wrestling
- Bobby Duncum, Jr. (1965–2000), former WCW wrestler
- Dory Funk Sr. (1919–1973), wrestler, trainer, and promoter
- Dory Funk Jr. (born 1941), NWA wrestler and trainer
- Terry Funk (born 1944) NWA and ECW champion, one of the first hardcore wrestlers
- Nidia Guenard (born 1979), former WWE wrestler and 2001 WWE Tough Enough Co-winner
- Eddie Guerrero (1967–2005), WWE champion
- Chavo Guerrero Sr. (born 1949), former NWA champion
- Chavo Guerrero Jr. (born 1970), WCW and WWE wrestler
- Vickie Guerrero (born 1968), WWE personality
- Stan Hansen (born 1949), AJPW wrestler
- Mark Henry (born 1971), WWE wrestler
- Shawn Hernandez (born 1973), TNA wrestler
- Lance Hoyt (born 1977), TNA wrestler
- Booker Huffman (born 1965), WCW and WWE wrestler known as Booker T
- Lash Huffman (born 1958), WCW wrestler
- John Layfield (born 1966), former WWE champion JBL/Bradshaw
- Shawn Michaels (born 1965), former WWE wrestler and champion
- Jacqueline Moore (born 1964), former WWE women's champion
- Blackjack Mulligan (born 1942), former NWA wrestler
- Dick Murdoch (1946–1996), former NWA wrestler
- Bruce Prichard (born 1963), Brother Love in the WWE
- Tom Prichard (born 1959), WWE wrestler
- Scott Putski (born 1966), former WCW and WWE wrestler
- Dustin Rhodes (born 1969), WWE wrestler Goldust
- Dusty Rhodes (1945–2015), WWE wrestler
- Wendi Richter (born 1961), WWE wrestler
- Jake "The Snake" Roberts (born 1955), former WWE wrestler
- Tito Santana (born 1953), former WWE wrestler
- Jesse Sorensen (born 1989), TNA wrestler
- Robert Swenson (1957–1997), former WCW wrestler and actor
- Von Erich Family, wrestling family which competed in various Texas and southern promotions
- Erik Watts (born 1967), former WCW wrestler
- Alicia Webb (born 1979), former WWE star Ryan Shamrock
- Barry Windham (born 1960), former NWA and WCW wrestler
- Kendall Windham (born 1967), former NWA and WCW wrestler
Soccer
- Clint Dempsey (born 1983), soccer player, plays for Fulham FC and United States Men's National Soccer Team
- Nick Garcia (born 1979), soccer player
- Omar Gonzalez (born 1988), soccer player
- Hassan Nazari (born 1956), soccer player, coach, youth club founder
- Lee Nguyen (born 1986), soccer player
Tennis
- Zina Garrison (born 1963), tennis player
- Cliff Richey (born 1946), tennis player, achieved world number-six ranking
- Nancy Richey (born 1942), tennis player, won six major championships in singles and doubles, achieved world number-two ranking
- Dick Savitt (born 1927), tennis player ranked number two in the world
- Anne Smith (born 1959), tennis player, ten major championships in doubles, ranked world number one in doubles
Other
- Alex Andrade (born 1974), mixed martial artist
- Lance Armstrong (born 1971), cyclist, disqualified champion of Tour de France
- Del Ballard, Jr. (born 1963), professional bowler
- Brigetta Barrett (born 1990), high jumper
- Richard Bass (1929–2015), mountaineer, first person to climb the "Seven Summits"; business owner
- Kyle Bennett (1979–2012), bicycle motocross racer
- Aimee Boorman (born 1973), gymnastics coach
- Matthew S. Brown (born 1976), track and field champion at 2007 Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro[12]
- Josh Davis (born 1972), Olympic gold and silver medalist in freestyle swimming
- Cowboy Morgan Evans (1903–1969), rodeo, steer wrestling champion 1928
- Jennifer Gutierrez (born 1967), triathlete
- Heath Herring (born 1978), mixed martial artist
- Michael Johnson (born 1967), sprinter, Olympic gold medalist, world record holder
- Courtney Kupets (born 1986), world and U.S. champion gymnast, silver medalist in 2004 Summer Olympics
- Rafael A. Lecuona (1928–2014) Cuban-American gymnast 1948–1956
- Tara Lipinski (born 1982), figure skater, Olympic gold medalist
- Nastia Liukin (born 1989), 2008 Olympic gymnastics all-around gold medalist
- Patricia McCormick (1929–2013), bullfighter
- Bubba McDaniel (born 1983), mixed martial artist
- Carly Patterson (born 1988), 2004 Olympic gymnastics all-around gold medalist
- Bill Pickett (1870–1932), cowboy and rodeo performer
- Alex Puccio (born 1989), climber
- Tex Rickard (1870–1929), sports promoter
- Willie Shoemaker (1931–2003), most successful jockey in history
- Dan Collins Taylor, rodeo performer and promoter
- Tom Tellez (born 1933), collegiate track and field coach
- Dana Vollmer (born 1987), swimmer, gold medalist at 2004 Olympics
- Jeremy Wariner (born 1984), track & field Olympic gold medalist
- Walel Watson (born 1984), mixed martial artist
- Kaitlyn Weaver (born 1989), ice dancer, competes for Canada
- Mal Whitfield (born 1924), Olympic gold medalist in the 800-meter run
- Darold Williamson (born 1983), Olympic gold medalist in track & field
- Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1914–1956), track & field gold medalist 1932 Olympics, golfer in World Golf Hall of Fame
Business
- A–E
- Nahim Abraham (1885–1965), businessman and philanthropist in Canadian, Texas; native of Lebanon
- Salem Abraham (born 1966), futures trader and hedge fund operator in Canadian, Texas
- Tom Abraham (1910–2007), businessman and philanthropist in Canadian, Texas; native of Lebanon
- John George Adair (1823–1885), partner with Charles Goodnight in JA Ranch
- Red Adair (1915–2004), offshore oil field firefighter
- Joe Allbritton (1924–2012), banker, publisher, philanthropist
- Peter Arguindegui (1931–2014), petroleum industrialist and member of the Laredo City Council (1960–1976)[13]
- Mary Kay Ash (1918–2001), businesswoman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics
- George Ballas (1925–2011), entrepreneur, invented Weed Eater
- Ed Bass (born 1945), businessman, financier, philanthropist, environmentalist
- Richard Bass (1929–2015), owner of Snowbird Ski Resort; pioneering mountaineer
- Andrew Beal (born 1952), banker, businessman, investor, poker player, mathematician; billionaire
- Benny Binion (1904–1989), Las Vegas casino owner; had previously been an organized-crime boss
- Jack Binion (born 1937), businessman
- Jack S. Blanton (born 1927), oil industry executive, civic leader, philanthropist
- George Washington Brackenridge (1832–1920), banker, business executive, philanthropist, social activist, university regent
- Nancy Brinker (born 1946), business executive, ambassador
- Norman Brinker (1931–2009), restaurateur
- George R. Brown (1898–1983), construction company founder, entrepreneur, philanthropist
- Orville Bullington (1882–1956), attorney, businessman, gubernatorial candidate
- Samuel Burk Burnett (1849–1922), cattleman, rancher
- Charles Butt (born 1938), CEO of H-E-B supermarket chain, billionaire
- David Harold Byrd (1900–1986), oilman, founder of Civil Air Patrol
- Frank Kell Cahoon (1934–2013), oilman, natural gas entrepreneur, state representative
- Joseph Campisi (1918–1990), restaurateur
- Sarah Horton Cockrell (1819–1892), businesswoman, millionaire
- Brad Corbett (1937–2012), oil business, owned the Texas Rangers baseball team
- Helen Corbitt (1906–1978), chef, cookbook author
- Jack Crichton (1916–2007), oil and natural gas industrialist; Republican candidate for governor of Texas in 1964
- Carl G. Cromwell (1889–1931), oil driller and aviation pioneer[14]
- Trammell Crow (1914–2009), commercial real estate developer
- Mark Cuban (born 1958), billionaire entrepreneur, owner of Dallas Mavericks basketball team
- Joseph S. Cullinan (1860–1937), oil industrialist, founder of Texaco
- Robert B. Cullum (1912–1981), founder of Tom Thumb supermarket chain
- Robert Decherd (born 1951), businessman; Chairman, President, and CEO of A. H. Belo
- Michael Dell (born 1965), founder of Dell Inc.
- Angelo Drossos (1928–1997), stockbroker, owner of San Antonio Spurs
- F–J
- William Stamps Farish II (1881–1942), president of Standard Oil, founder and president of American Petroleum Institute
- Dean Fearing (born 1955), chef, restaurateur
- Tilman J. Fertitta (born 1957), CEO of Landry's Restaurants, billionaire
- Carly Fiorina (born 1954), CEO of Hewlett-Packard, senior vice president at AT&T
- Don Flynn (1934–2010), oil and gas industry executive, professional football player
- Walter Fondren, Sr. (1877–1939), oilman, co-founder of Humble Oil (which would become ExxonMobil), philanthropist
- Andrew Friedman (born 1976), banker, Major League Baseball executive
- William H. Gaston (1840–1927), co-founder, with Aaron C. Camp, of the first banking house in Dallas
- Charles Goodnight (1836–1929), legendary Texas cattleman
- Bette Nesmith Graham (1924–1980), inventor, founder of Liquid Paper Corporation, mother of The Monkees' Mike Nesmith
- Eunice Gray (1880–1962), hotel and brothel owner
- Bennett Greenspan (born 1952), entrepreneur, founder of Family Tree DNA
- Patrick E. Haggerty (1914–1980), co-founder, president, and chairman of Texas Instruments
- Najeeb Halaby (1915–2003), FAA administrator, chairman and CEO of Pan Am, father of Queen Noor of Jordan
- Ebby Halliday (1911–2015), Realtor, entrepreneur
- Adolph R. Hanslik (1917–2007), "dean" of West Texas cotton producers
- William R. Hawn (1910–1995), businessman, philanthropist, racehorse breeder
- Pattillo Higgins (1863–1955), oil pioneer and businessman, known as the "Prophet of Spindletop"
- Barron Hilton (born 1927), billionaire socialite, businessman, heir to Hilton Hotels fortune
- Conrad Hilton, Jr. (1926–1969), socialite, businessman, heir to Hilton Hotels fortune
- Timothy Dwight Hobart (1855–1935), landowner, surveyor, rancher, mayor of Pampa
- Thomas William House, Sr. (1814–1880), early Houston cotton shipper, founder of Houston's first private bank and first public utility
- Howard Hughes (1905–1976), aviator, filmmaker, eccentric billionaire
- Howard R. Hughes, Sr. (1869–1924), entrepreneur, oilman; father of Howard Hughes
- Jim Humphreys (1921–2007), former manager of Pitchfork Ranch east of Lubbock
- Clark Hunt (born 1965), Chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs
- H. L. Hunt (1889–1974), oil tycoon, patriarch of Dallas family of legendary wealth and power
- Lamar Hunt (1932–2006), founder of American Football League, Major League Soccer, North American Soccer League
- Nelson Bunker Hunt (1926–2014), oilman, investor, horse breeder
- Ray Lee Hunt (born 1943), oilman
- Columbus Marion "Dad" Joiner (1860–1947), oilman
- Jerry Jones (born 1942), billionaire entrepreneur, oilman, owner of Dallas Cowboys football team
- Jerry Jones, Jr. (born 1969), Dallas Cowboys executive
- Stephen Jones (born 1964), Dallas Cowboys executive
- J. Erik Jonsson (1901–1995), co-founder and president of Texas Instruments, mayor of Dallas
- K–M
- Frank Kell (1859–1941), oil, flour milling, and railroad entrepreneur in Wichita Falls
- Herb Kelleher (born 1931), founder and CEO of Southwest Airlines
- Gary C. Kelly, CEO, Southwest Airlines
- Joseph A. Kemp (1861–1930), conservationist and oil, flour milling, and railroad entrepreneur in Wichita Falls
- Isaac Herbert Kempner (1873–1967), founder of Imperial Sugar, mayor of Galveston
- Oliver Winfield Killam (1874–1959), Laredo oilman, businessman, rancher, former state legislator from Oklahoma
- Radcliffe Killam (1910–2007), Laredo oilman, businessman, rancher, large landowner, philanthropist
- Kay Kimbell (1886–1964), entrepreneur, philanthropist; endowed Kimbell Art Museum
- Richard King (1824–1885), entrepreneur, founder of the legendary King Ranch
- John Henry Kirby (1860–1940), businessman, founder of the Kirby Petroleum Company
- Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. (1853–1932), managed the King Ranch
- Fred C. Koch (1900–1967), chemical engineer and entrepreneur who founded the oil refinery firm that later became Koch Industries
- Harry Koch (1867–1942), railroad founder, newspaper founder
- Eugene Lacritz (1929–2012), retail executive, classical musician
- Ninfa Laurenzo (1924–2001), restaurateur
- Rodney Lewis (born 1954), oil and natural gas industrialist and rancher; second wealthiest individual in San Antonio
- James Ling (1922–2004), founder of business conglomerate Ling-Temco-Vought
- Tim Love (born 1971), chef, restaurateur
- Gerald Lyda (1923–2005), construction CEO, owner of La Escalera Ranch in Sierra County, New Mexico
- James E. Lyon (1927–1993), real estate developer, banker, and Republican politician in Houston
- John Mackey (born 1953), CEO, Whole Foods Market
- Herbert Marcus (1878–1950), co-founder and CEO of Neiman Marcus
- Minnie Lichtenstein Marcus (1882–1979), vice-president of Neiman Marcus, horticulturist
- Stanley Marcus (1905–2002), president and CEO of Neiman Marcus
- Irving Allen Mathews (1917–1994), retail executive, Federal Reserve Bank board chairman
- Glenn McCarthy (1907–1988), oil tycoon, entrepreneur; inspired the character Jett Rink in Giant
- Red McCombs (born 1927), businessman, has owned several professional sports franchises
- Giles McCrary (1919–2011), oil operator, rancher, art collector, philanthropist
- Eugene McDermott (1899–1973), founder of Texas Instruments, geophysicist, philanthropist
- William Johnson McDonald (1844–1926), banker, philanthropist
- Algur H. Meadows (1899–1978), oilman, philanthropist
- George P. Mitchell (1919–2013), billionaire oilman, real estate developer, philanthropist
- Mohamed Elhassan Mohamed (born 1961), entrepreneur; political, religious, cultural activist; father of Ahmed Mohamed
- John T. Montford (born 1943), businessman in San Antonio, former chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, former state senator and district attorney from Lubbock
- William Lewis Moody, Jr. (1865–1954), financier, entrepreneur
- Barry Munitz (born 1941), corporation and foundation executive, university administrator
- Clint Murchison, Jr. (1923–1987), oil businessman; founder/owner of Dallas Cowboys football team
- Clint Murchison, Sr. (1895–1969), oil magnate
- N–R
- Raymond Nasher (1921–2007), real estate developer (NorthPark Center), art collector
- George Neel, Jr. (1930–2015), businessman, rancher, community figure from his native Laredo, Texas
- Abraham Lincoln Neiman (1875–1970), co-founder of Neiman Marcus
- Carrie Marcus Neiman (1883–1953), co-founder and CEO of Neiman Marcus
- B.P. Newman (1927–2008), entrepreneur, developer, and philanthropist from Laredo
- Bill Noël (1914–1987), oil industrialist and philanthropist from Odessa
- Peter O'Donnell (born 1924), investor, philanthropist, Republican state party chairman from 1962 to 1969; leader of the Draft Goldwater Committee in 1963–1964
- William O'Neil (born 1933), entrepreneur, stockbroker, writer, founded Investor's Business Daily
- Marc Ostrofsky (born 1961), venture capitalist, entrepreneur, investor, author
- Ross Perot (born 1930), entrepreneur; founder of EDS and Perot Systems; 1992 U.S. presidential candidate
- Bob J. Perry (1932–2013), homebuilder, political supporter
- Stephen Samuel Perry (1825–1874), manager of Peach Point Plantation, preserved historical manuscripts
- T. Boone Pickens (born 1928), energy entrepreneur, philanthropist
- Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim (born 1928), founder, chairman, and principal owner of Pilgrim's Pride
- Bernard Rapoport (1917–2012), entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, business executive
- Kent Rathbun (born 1961), chef, restaurateur
- Sid W. Richardson (1891–1959), oilman, cattleman, philanthropist
- Rich Riley (born 1973), Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Yahoo! EMEA
- Montie Ritchie (1910–1999), owner and manager of JA Ranch from 1935 to 1993
- Marvin Travis Runyon (1924–2004), business executive, U.S. Postmaster General
- S–T
- Fayez Sarofim (born 1929), stock-fund manager, part owner of Houston Texans, philanthropist, billionaire
- Julius Schepps (1895–1971), business owner, civic leader and philanthropist
- Daniel R. Scoggin (born 1937), founder of TGI Friday's, Inc., restaurateur
- Frank Sharp (1906–1993), land developer
- Walter Benona Sharp (1870–1912), oilman, innovator, philanthropist
- Harold Simmons (1931–2013), billionaire businessman, banker, philanthropist; developed concept of leveraged buyout
- Henry Singleton (1916–1999), electrical engineer, co-founder of Teledyne Technologies
- Bill Sinkin (1913–2014), banker, community activist
- Tom Slick (1916–1962), inventor, businessman, adventurer, entrepreneur, philanthropist
- Merrie Spaeth (born 1948), business public relations consultant, political consultant, educator, former actress
- John Sparks (1843–1908), cattle rancher, Texas Ranger, became governor of Nevada
- A. Latham Staples (born 1977), CEO of EXUSMED, Inc., civil rights activist, and founder/Chairman of Empowering Spirits Foundation
- Felix Stehling (1927–2012), businessman, restaurateur, founded Taco Cabana
- John M. Stemmons (1909–2001), real estate developer, civic leader
- Ross S. Sterling (1875–1949), founder of Humble Oil (which would become ExxonMobil), Governor of Texas
- David Tallichet (1922–2007), developed the theme restaurant concept
- Anne Valliant Burnett Tandy (1900–1980), rancher, horsebreeder, philanthropist, art collector
- Charles D. Tandy (1918–1978), chairman, president, and CEO of Tandy Corporation
- Ben Taub (1889–1982), businessman, philanthropist
- Rich Templeton (born 1958), president, chairman, and CEO of Texas Instruments
- Robert L. Thornton (1880–1964), founder and president of Mercantile Bank in Dallas, mayor and civic leader of Dallas
- Tex Thornton (1913–1981), founder of Litton Industries
- Felix Tijerina (1905–1965), restaurateur
- Rex Tillerson (born 1952), chairman, president and CEO of ExxonMobil
- U–Z
- Chet Upham (1925–2008), oil and gas industrialist; former Texas Republican Party chairman, owner of Loveland Ski Area in Colorado
- Daniel Waggoner (1828–1902), rancher, businessman, banker
- E. Paul Waggoner (1889–1967), rancher, horsebreeder
- Guy Waggoner (1883–1950), rancher, business executive
- William Thomas Waggoner (1852–1934), rancher, oilman, banker, horsebreeder, philanthropist
- Kelcy Warren (born 1955), chairman and CEO of Energy Transfer Partners
- Sherron Watkins (born 1959), Vice President at the Enron Corporation, whistleblower who helped uncover the Enron scandal
- James Marion West, Jr. (1903–1957), oilman
- James Marion West, Sr. (1871–1941), business tycoon
- Edward Whitacre, Jr. (born 1941), chairman of the board and CEO of General Motors, chairman of the board and CEO of AT&T Inc.
- Clayton Wheat Williams, Jr. (born 1931), oilman; Republican gubernatorial nominee, 1990
- Clayton Wheat Williams, Sr. (1895–1983), oilman, geologist, rancher, historian
- Gus Sessions Wortham (1891–1976), businessman, philanthropist
- Charles Wyly (1933–2011), entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist, civic leader
- Sam Wyly (born 1934), entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist
- Angus G. Wynne (1914–1979), founder of Six Flags Over Texas and subsequent corporate theme parks
- Benjamin Franklin Yoakum (1859–1929), railroad executive
- Zig Ziglar (1926–2012), salesman, motivational speaker, author
Law and jurisprudence
- Roy Bean (c. 1825 – 1903), Justice of the Peace, called himself "The Law West of the Pecos"
- Nandita Berry (born 1968), Secretary of State of Texas (2014–2015); Houston lawyer
- Robert Lee Bobbitt (1888–1972), Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives (1927–1929), state attorney general (1929–1930)
- Orville Bullington (1882–1956), attorney, businessman, gubernatorial candidate
- Tony Buzbee (born 1968), trial lawyer
- Norma V. Cantu (born 1954), civil rights lawyer, educator
- Ronald H. Clark (born 1953), judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, based in Beaumont; former member of the Texas House of Representatives from Sherman, Texas
- Tom C. Clark (1899–1977), United States Attorney General and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
- Linda Coffee (born 1942), attorney for Norma McCorvey in Roe v. Wade
- Elma Salinas Ender (born 1953), first Hispanic female to serve on a state district court in Texas; judge of the 341st Judicial District, based in Laredo, from 1983 to 2012[15]
- Marshall Formby (1911–1984), former Texas State Senator, attorney, and radio station owner from Plainview
- Hans Peter Mareus Neilsen Gammel (1854–1931), editor and publisher of The Laws of Texas 1822–1897
- Julio A. Garcia (1941–2008), district attorney in Laredo
- Mike Godwin (born 1956), attorney, author
- Alberto Gonzales (born 1955), United States Attorney General
- Richard "Racehorse" Haynes (born 1927), defense attorney, author
- Joe Jamail (1925–2015), attorney, billionaire
- Leon Jaworski (1905–1982), attorney, was special prosecutor during the Watergate scandal hearings
- Jim Mattox (1943–2008), U.S. representative and attorney general of Texas
- Odell McBrayer (1930–2008), Fort Worth Christian attorney who ran for governor in 1974
- Harry McPherson (1929–2012), special counsel to President Lyndon Johnson, lawyer, lobbyist
- William C. Meier (born 1940), state senator, holds world filibuster record; lost race for attorney general to Jim Mattox in 1982
- Lawrence E. Meyers (born 1947), judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals since 1993, based in Fort Worth
- Harriet Miers (born 1945), attorney, White House Counsel, nominated for U.S. Supreme Court
- Sandra Day O'Connor (born 1930), former associate justice of the United States Supreme Court; first woman on the high court
- John O'Quinn (1941–2009), attorney
- Louise Raggio (1919–2011), attorney, first female prosecutor in Texas
- John Ben Shepperd (1915–1990), attorney general of Texas (1953–1957)
- David McAdams Sibley (born 1948), attorney-lobbyist, former Texas state senator (1991–2002) and mayor of Waco (1987–1988)
- Ken Starr (born 1946), attorney, federal judge, Solicitor General, and Independent Counsel during the Clinton Administration
- Craig Watkins (born 1967), first African-American district attorney in Texas, Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year 2008
- Will Wilson (1912–2005), Texas attorney general (1957–1963), Texas Supreme Court justice (1951–1956)
- Mark Yudof (born 1944), law professor, university chancellor
Law enforcement
- James B. Gillett (1856–1937), lawman, member of Texas Ranger Hall of Fame
- TJ Goree (1835–1905), superintendent of penitentiaries in Texas, namesake of the Goree Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Confederate Army captain, attorney
- Frank Hamer (1884–1955), Texas Ranger, led raid in which Bonnie and Clyde were killed
- Roy Hazelwood (born 1938), FBI profiler
- Ted Hinton (1904–1977), deputy sheriff involved in raid in which Bonnie and Clyde were killed
- Ramiro Martinez (born 1937), police officer involved in killing of sniper Charles Whitman
- Captain Bill McDonald (1852–1918), one of the "Four Great Captains" of the Texas Rangers
- David Atlee Phillips (1922–1988), officer for the CIA, recipient of the Career Intelligence Medal
- Phil Ryan (born 1945), Texas Ranger who arrested serial killer Henry Lee Lucas
- Charlie Siringo (1855–1928), Wild West lawman
- J. D. Tippit (1924–1963), Dallas police officer who questioned Lee Harvey Oswald following the assassination of John F. Kennedy and was subsequently killed by Oswald
- Charles Winstead (1891–1973), FBI Agent in the 1930s–1940s, famous for being one of the agents who shot and killed John Dillinger
Art, photography, architecture
- A–K
- Malouf Abraham, Jr. (born 1939), retired physician from Canadian, Texas, and patron of the arts
- Walter W. Ahlschlager (1887–1965), architect
- Larry D. Alexander (born 1953), visual artist
- Natalia Anciso (born 1985), visual artist
- José Arpa (1858–1952), painter
- Tex Avery (1908–1980), animator, cartoonist, director
- Atlee Ayres (1873–1969), architect
- Bill Barminski (born 1962), artist, designer, filmmaker
- Arthello Beck (1941–2004), visual artist
- John T. Biggers (1924–2001), muralist, established art department at Texas Southern University
- Electra Waggoner Biggs (1912–2001), sculptor
- Melinda Bordelon (1949–1995), painter, illustrator
- Berkeley Breathed (born 1957), Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, author/illustrator, director, screenwriter
- Harold Dow Bugbee (1900–1963), artist
- John Cassaday (born 1971), comic book artist
- Keith Carter (born 1948), photographer, educator, artist
- Harold F. Clayton (1954–2015), sculptor
- Nicholas Joseph Clayton (1840–1916), architect
- Matchett Herring Coe (1907–1999), sculptor
- Dawson Dawson-Watson (1864–1939), impressionist painter
- Charles August Albert Dellschau (1830–1923), outsider artist
- Neil Denari (born 1957), architect
- Richard Dominguez (born 1960), comic book artist
- Dan Dunn (born 1957), speed painter, cartoonist, caricaturist
- Charles Fincher (born 1945), cartoonist, lawyer
- Joseph Finger (1887–1953), architect
- Alfred C. Finn (1883–1964), architect
- O'Neil Ford (1905–1982), architect
- Alfred Giles (1853–1920), architect
- Xavier Gonzalez (1898–1993), muralist, sculptor, teacher
- Glenna Goodacre (born 1939), sculptor, designed obverse of Sacagawea dollar
- Trenton Doyle Hancock (born 1974), visual artist
- Wyatt C. Hedrick (1888–1964), architect
- Wolf Hilbertz (1938–2007), architect, inventor, marine scientist, educator
- Armando Hinojosa (born 1944), sculptor
- Alexandre Hogue (1898–1994), realist painter
- Carl Hoppe (1897–1981), painter
- Louis Hoppe (fl. 1860s), 19th-century folk artist
- Robert H.H. Hugman (1902–1980), architect, designed San Antonio River Walk
- Natalie Irish (born 1982), multimedia artist, pioneer of the lip print technique
- James Ivey (born 1967), artist, painter, carnival surrealism
- Elisa Jimenez (born 1963), interdisciplinary artist, fashion designer
- Luis Jiménez (1940–2006), sculptor
- Raoul Josset (1899–1957), sculptor
- Donald Judd (1928–1994), sculptor
- George Kessler (1862–1923), landscape architect, city planner
- Janet Krueger (born 1952), painter, educator
- L–Z
- Thomas C. Lea, III (1907–2001), muralist, illustrator, artist, war correspondent, novelist, historian
- Harold LeDoux (1926–2015), cartoonist, Judge Parker
- Hermann Lungkwitz (1813–1891), landscape artist, photographer
- Bob Mader (1943–2005), photographer
- Stanley Marsh 3 (1938–2014), millionaire artist and philanthropist
- Florence McClung (1894–1992), painter, printmaker, art teacher
- Marion Koogler McNay (1883–1950), artist, teacher, art collector, museum founder, philanthropist
- Jesús Moroles (1950–2015), sculptor
- Elisabet Ney (1833–1907), sculptor
- Julian Onderdonk (1882–1922), painter
- Robert Jenkins Onderdonk (1852–1917), painter
- Graydon Parrish (born 1970), realist painter
- Harry D. Payne (1891–1987), architect
- Dan Piraro (born 1958), painter, illustrator, cartoonist
- Thomas M. Price (1916–1998), architect
- Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008), painter, sculptor, graphic artist
- Frank Reaugh (1860–1945), painter
- Ace Reid (1925–1991), cartoonist and humorist
- Joe Riley (1964–2007), visual and plastic artist
- Jermaine Rogers (born 1972), poster artist
- Nancy Rubins (born 1952), sculptor, installation artist
- Verónica Ruiz de Velasco (born 1968), painter
- Porfirio Salinas (1910–1973), landscape painter
- Julian Schnabel (born 1951), artist, film director
- Zachary Selig (born 1949), artist, painter, writer
- Mark Seliger (born 1959), photographer
- Grant Speed (1930–2011), western-themed sculptor
- Justin Storms (born 1981), artist, musician, and creator of coloring book The Whaletopian Coloring Book
- James Surls (born 1943), modernist sculptor
- Wilhelm Thielepape (1814–1904), architect, lithographer, photographer, surveyor, attorney, mayor of San Antonio
- Bob Wade (born 1943), artist, sculptor in "Cosmic Cowboy" genre
- William Ward Watkin (1886-1952) architect, founder of Rice University Department of Architecture
- Mack White (born 1952), comic book artist
- Verner Moore White (1863–1923), noted landscape and portrait artist
- Laura Wilson (born 1939), photographer
- Robert William Wood (1889–1979), landscape painter
Literature
- A–G
- Jeff Abbott (born 1963), mystery novelist
- Susan Wittig Albert (born 1940), mystery writer
- Sybil Leonard Armes (1914–2007), author, poet, musician
- Karle Wilson Baker (1878–1960), poet, author
- Wendy Barker (born 1942), poet, educator
- Neal Barrett, Jr. (born 1929), science fiction-fantasy writer
- Barbara Barrie (born 1931), author of children's books
- Rick Bass (born 1958), writer, environmentalist
- Roy Bedichek (1878–1959), writer, naturalist, educator
- Raymond Benson (born 1955), novelist
- Sarah Bird (born 1949), novelist, screenwriter, journalist
- Cheryl Bolen (born 1946), novelist, journalist
- Sandra Brown (born 1948), novelist
- James Lee Burke (born 1936), mystery writer
- Harley True Burton (1888–1964), author The History of the JA Ranch
- Hector Cantú (born 1961), writer, editor, newspaper comic strip creator
- Katherine Center (born 1972), author of chick lit, mommy lit
- Pat Choate (born 1941), author, economist
- Sandra Cisneros (born 1954), author and poet
- Bill Crider (born 1941), mystery writer
- Deborah Crombie (born 1952), mystery writer
- Justin Cronin (born 1962), novelist
- Grace Noll Crowell (1877–1969), poet
- James Crumley (1939–2008), crime novelist
- Patrick Dearen (born 1951), western author
- Jan de Hartog (1914–2002), Nobel Prize-nominated author, Tony Award-winning playwright, social activist, philanthropist
- Jim Dent (born 1953), author, sportswriter
- Adina Emilia De Zavala (1861–1955), writer, historian, educator
- J. Frank Dobie (1888–1964), folklorist and writer about open-range days
- Carole Nelson Douglas (born 1944), mystery writer
- Robert M. Edsel (born 1956), nonfiction writer, oil company founder and innovator
- John R. Erickson (born 1943), cowboy, author, songwriter, voice actor, wrote Hank the Cowdog series
- Jill Alexander Essbaum (born 1971), poet, writer, professor
- B. H. Fairchild (born 1942), poet
- Kitty Ferguson (born 1941), science writer
- Robert Flynn (born 1932), novelist
- Horton Foote (1916–2009), author and playwright
- Hans Peter Mareus Neilsen Gammel (1854–1931), editor and publisher of The Laws of Texas 1822–1897
- Bryan A. Garner (born 1958), lexicographer, grammarian, author, educator
- Fred Gipson (1908–1973), novelist, author of Old Yeller
- John Graves (1920–2013), author
- Jesse Edward Grinstead (1866–1948), author of Western fiction
- H–M
- Christine Ha (born 1979), writer, poet, editor; chef who won MasterChef cooking competition in 2012
- Hardy Haberman (born 1950), author, filmmaker, educator, figure in BDSM culture
- Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey (born 1938), novelist, journalist, playwright
- J. Evetts Haley (1901–1995), historian and political activist
- Laura Vernon Hamner (1871–1968), author, ranch historian, educator
- Stephen Harrigan (born 1948), novelist, journalist
- Stanley Hauerwas (born 1940), theologian, philosopher
- Bobbie Louise Hawkins (born 1930), short story writer, monologist, and poet
- Allison Hedge Coke (born 1958), poet and writer
- Patricia Highsmith (1921–1995), novelist, author of Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley
- Rolando Hinojosa (born 1929), novelist, essayist, poet, educator
- Thomas Elisha Hogg (1842–1880), poet, writer, editor
- Mary Austin Holley (1784–1846), wrote first English-language history of Texas
- Robert E. Howard (1906–1936), author of Conan the Barbarian stories and other pulp adventure tales
- William Humphrey (1924–1997), novelist
- Bret Anthony Johnston (born 1971), author, director of creative writing program at Harvard University
- Mary Karr (born 1955), poet, essayist, memoirist
- Elmer Kelton (1926–2009), journalist, western novelist
- Larry L. King (1929–2012), playwright, journalist, novelist, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
- Joe R. Lansdale (born 1951), author of crime thrillers, Hap and Leonard novels
- Jenny Lawson (born 1973), journalist, humorist, blogger
- Warren Leslie (1927–2011), author, journalist, screenwriter, business executive
- David Liss (born 1966), writer
- Janette Sebring Lowrey (1892–1986), author of children's books, including The Poky Little Puppy
- Max Lucado (born 1955), best-selling Christian author
- Cathy Luchetti (born 1945), author of books about American frontier
- Corey Marks (born 1970), poet, educator
- A. J. Mayers (born 1987), mystery and science fiction novelist
- Larry McMurtry (born 1936), Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Lonesome Dove
- Alex McVey (born 1978), illustrator
- Philipp Meyer (born 1974), novelist
- Frances Mossiker (1906–1985), author of historical novels
- N–Z
- Naomi Shihab Nye (born 1952), poet, songwriter, novelist
- Bill O'Neal (born 1942), author, historian, educator
- Marc Ostrofsky (born 1961), author, entrepreneur, investor
- William A. Owens (1905–1990), author, folklorist, educator
- Greg Pak (born 1968), comic-book writer, film director
- Americo Paredes (1915–1999), author of books on life along U.S.–Mexican border
- Paul Patterson (1909–2008), western author and educator
- Stanley G. Payne (born 1934), historian of modern Spain and European Fascism
- Rachel Plummer (1818–1839), wrote a sensational account of her captivity among Comanches
- Julie Powell (born 1973), author, blogger, subject of film Julie & Julia
- Hugh Prather (1938–2010), writer, minister, counselor
- James Reasoner (born 1953), writer
- Rupert N. Richardson (1891–1988), historian
- Rick Riordan (born 1964), novelist
- Lou Halsell Rodenberger (1926–2009), author, educator, journalist
- Jane Gilmore Rushing (1925–1997), novelist, journalist
- Dorothy Scarborough (1878–1935), author, folklorist
- Robert Schenkkan (born 1953), playwright, screenwriter, actor
- Cynthia Leitich Smith (born 1967), author of fiction for children and young adults
- Terry Southern (1924–1995), author, screenwriter
- Suzy Spencer (born 1954) true crime author, journalist
- John Steakley (1951–2010), science-fiction and fantasy writer
- Lorenzo Thomas (1944–2005), poet, critic, educator
- Jim Thompson (1906–1977), crime novelist
- Thomas Thompson (1933–1982), author, journalist
- Lon Tinkle (1906–1980), author, Texas historian
- Sergio Troncoso (born 1961), author of The Nature of Truth
- Lizzie Velásquez (born 1989), author, motivational speaker, anti-bullying activist
- Dale L. Walker (1935–2015), writer
- Walter Prescott Webb (1888–1963), author, historian
- Ruthe Lewin Winegarten (1929–2004), author, editor, historian, social activist
- Joaquin Zihuatanejo (Royce Johnson) (born 1971), poet
Journalism
- A–D
- Bidal Aguero (1949–2009), Hispanic newspaper publisher in Lubbock
- Wick Allison (born 1948), magazine owner and publisher, author
- Bud Andrews (1940–2014), radio personality in Lubbock
- Jim Angle (born 1946), Chief Washington Correspondent for Fox News
- Ole Anthony (born 1938), investigative journalist, magazine editor
- John Ardoin (1935–2001), music critic and author
- Hugh Aynesworth (born 1931), journalist, investigative reporter, authority on the assassination of John F. Kennedy
- Dave Barnett (born 1958), sportscaster
- Skip Bayless (born 1951), sportswriter
- Michelle Beadle (born 1975), sports reporter for ESPN and NBCUniversal
- Paul Begala (born 1961), Democratic political consultant, political commentator
- Alfred Horatio Belo (1839–1901), newspaper founder
- Joshua Benton (born 1975), newspaper reporter and columnist, educator
- Michael Berry (born 1970), conservative talk-radio host in Houston
- Kevin Blackistone (born 1959), sportswriter
- Bill Blair (1921–2014), newspaper founder and publisher, Negro league baseball player
- Brandon Boyer (born 1977), blog editor
- Pat Boyette (1923–2000), radio journalist, comic book artist
- Billy Lee Brammer (1929–1978), journalist, novelist, political staffer
- William Cowper Brann (1855–1898), journalist, iconoclastic writer
- Marie Brenner (born 1949), investigative journalist, writer
- Joe Bob Briggs (John Bloom) (born 1953), film critic
- John Henry Brown (1820–1895), historian, newspaper founder and editor, politician
- Lance Brown (born 1972), television sportscaster, NFL football player
- Samantha Brown (born 1969), television host
- Gail Caldwell (born 1951), chief book critic for The Boston Globe
- Liz Carpenter (1920–2010), writer, feminist, reporter, media advisor, speechwriter, political humorist, public relations expert
- Al Carrell (1925–2014), home-improvement columnist, radio host
- Al Carter (born 1952), sports journalist
- Amon G. Carter (1879–1955), newspaper founder and publisher
- Cheryl Casone (born 1970), Fox Business Network anchor
- Elizabeth Chambers (born 1982), television host and news reporter for Current TV
- Dan Cook (1926–2008), sportswriter, sportscaster
- Tim Cowlishaw (born 1955), sportswriter
- Candice Crawford (born 1986), KDAF reporter
- Lane Crockett (born 1941), journalist for The Shreveport Times; born in Ballinger, Texas
- Walter Cronkite (1916–2009), CBS News anchor
- Jim Cummins (1945–2007), NBC News reporter
- Don Dahler (born 1960), journalist, writer, correspondent for CBS News
- Corby Davidson (born 1969), sports radio personality
- Mark Davis (born 1957), conservative talk-show host, newspaper columnist
- George B. Dealey (1859–1946), newspaper publisher
- Jody Dean (born 1959), radio journalist, author
- Pete Delkus (born 1965), television meteorologist
- Dayna Devon (born 1970), television journalist
- Sam Donaldson (born 1934), ABC News reporter
- Troy Dungan (born 1936), television meteorologist
- George Dunham (born 1965), radio personality, sportscaster
- E–J
- Linda Ellerbee (born 1944), journalist, correspondent, reporter
- Gene Elston (born 1922), sportscaster
- John Henry Faulk (1913–1990), storyteller and radio broadcaster
- T. R. Fehrenbach (1925–2013), newspaper columnist, historian
- Shannon Fife (1888–1972), journalist, humorist, screenwriter
- Robert Flores (born 1970), ESPN Sports anchor
- Clint Formby (1923–2010), radio personality
- Ron Franklin (born 1942), sportscaster
- Kinky Friedman (born 1944), columnist, singer-songwriter, novelist, candidate for governor of Texas
- Mel Gabler (1915–2004), public school textbook monitor and cofounder of Educational Research Analysts of Longview
- Randy Galloway (born 1943), radio host, newspaper columnist
- Kyle Gann (born 1955), music critic, composer, musicologist
- George Gimarc (born 1957), radio announcer, disc jockey, producer
- Frank Glieber (1934–1985), sportscaster
- Oscar Griffin, Jr. (1933–2011), newspaper editor, won Pulitzer Prize for uncovering Billie Sol Estes scandal
- Jesse Edward Grinstead (1866–1948), founder of The Kerrville Mountain Sun
- Jane Hall (born 1951), former Fox News pundit, Fox News Watch, The O'Reilly Factor
- Tamron Hall (born 1970), MSNBC daytime anchor
- Milo Hamilton (1927–2015), sportscaster
- Dale Hansen (born 1948), sportscaster
- Stephen Harrigan (born 1948), journalist, novelist
- Houston Harte (1893–1972), co-founder of Harte-Hanks chain of newspapers
- Christy Haubegger (born 1968), founder of Latina magazine
- Heloise (1919–1977 [mother] and born 1951 [daughter]), syndicated columnists
- Kate Heyhoe (born 1955), food writer
- Norm Hitzges (born 1944), sportscaster, reporter
- Skip Hollandsworth (born 1957), journalist, screenwriter, magazine editor
- Mark Holtz (1945–1997), sportscaster
- Karen Elliott House (born 1947), journalist, publishing and business executive
- Deborah Howell (1941–2010), newspaper editor
- June Hunt (born 1944), radio host of religious programs
- Jovita Idar (1885–1946), journalist, civil rights activist
- Molly Ivins (1944–2007), political commentator, liberal journalist, and author
- Dahr Jamail (born 1968), journalist
- Craig James (born 1961), sports commentator on ABC and ESPN
- Dan Jenkins (born 1929), sportswriter and author
- Sally Jenkins (born 1960), sports columnist and feature writer for The Washington Post
- Iola Johnson (born 1950), television news anchor, first African-American anchor in the Southwest
- Kenneth P. Johnson (1934–2008), newspaper editor
- Richard Justice, sportswriter
- K–O
- Todd Kalas (born 1965), sportscaster
- Bill P. Keith (born 1934), author in Longview; former member of the Louisiana State Senate
- Gordon Keith, radio personality
- Steven G. Kellman (born 1947), literary critic, columnist, author, educator
- Hubert Renfro Knickerbocker (1898–1949), journalist, author
- Harry Koch (1867–1942), newspaper founder, railroad founder
- Phil Konstantin (born 1952), journalist, author
- Kidd Kraddick (1959–2013), radio host
- Jim Lehrer (born 1934), television journalist, author
- Josh Lewin (born 1968), sportscaster
- Verne Lundquist (born 1940), sportscaster, reporter
- Bill Macatee (born 1955), sportscaster, reporter
- Debra Maffett (born 1956), host of TNN Country News, Miss America 1983
- Dan Malone (born 1955), Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter
- Ernie Manouse (born 1969), television host, radio personality, writer, producer
- Charles E. Maple (1932–2006), journalist, chamber of commerce official, and assistant superintendent of the Texas State Railroad from 1981 to 1993
- Chris Marrou (born 1947), television news anchor
- Roland Martin (born 1968), journalist, syndicated columnist, CNN commentator
- Russ Martin (born 1960), radio host
- Mary Maverick (1818–1898), memoirist
- Frank W. Mayborn (1903–1987), newspaper publisher
- John McCaa (born 1954), television news anchor
- Kevin McCarthy, radio and television announcer
- Joe McLaughlin (1934–1997), sportswriter
- Gordon McLendon (1921–1986), radio pioneer, innovator, entrepreneur
- Howard McNeil (1920–2010), television meteorologist
- Sonny Melendrez (born 1946), radio personality, voice actor
- Curt Menefee (born 1965), sportscaster, reporter
- Bill Mercer (born 1926), sportscaster
- Maxine Mesinger (1925–2001), gossip columnist
- Dale Milford (1926–1997), television meteorologist, U.S. Representative
- Ray Miller (1919–2008), television journalist
- Leslie Mouton (born 1965), news reporter
- John H. Murphy (1913–2007), newspaperman
- Eric Nadel (born 1951), sportscaster
- James Pearson Newcomb (1837–1907), newspaper journalist, publisher; Secretary of State of Texas
- Chau Nguyen (born 1973), television news anchor
- Jim O'Brien (1939–1983), reporter, disc jockey
- Norah O'Donnell (born 1974), commentator on The Today Show and MSNBC correspondent
- Barbara Olson (1955–2001), Fox News and CNN commentator
- P–Z
- Scott Pelley (born 1957), anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News
- Uma Pemmaraju (born 1958), anchor for Fox News
- Gary Perkins (1937–1991), radio broadcaster
- Bob Phillips (born 1951), creator, producer, and host of Texas Country Reporter
- Michael Phillips (born 1960), journalist, historian, author, educator
- Stone Phillips (born 1954), co-anchor of Dateline NBC
- Katherine Anne Porter (1890–1980), journalist, essayist, novelist
- Cactus Pryor (1923–2011), radio personality, actor
- John Quiñones (born 1952), ABC News correspondent
- Dan Rather (born 1931), former CBS Evening News anchor
- Julia Scott Reed (1917–2004), newspaper columnist, reporter, editor
- Rex Reed (born 1938), movie critic
- Dick Risenhoover (1927–1978), sportscaster
- Tracy Rowlett (born 1942), television news anchor
- John Phillip Santos (born 1957), journalist, author, filmmaker, producer
- Bob Schieffer (born 1937), CBS Evening News anchor
- Brad Sham (born 1949), sportscaster
- Blackie Sherrod (1919–2016), sportswriter
- Bud Shrake (1931–2009), sportswriter, author
- William Dean Singleton (born 1951), newspaper publishing executive, chairman of the board of Associated Press
- Evan Smith (born 1966), magazine editor, television, radio, internet journalist
- Liz Smith (born 1923), syndicated columnist
- David Snell (1921–1987) writer and cartoonist
- Mickey Spagnola (born 1952), sportswriter
- Ron Stone (1936–2008), television news reporter
- Linda Stouffer (born 1970), television news anchor
- Clinton Howard Swindle (1945–2004), investigative newspaper journalist, author
- Harold Taft (1922–1991), television meteorologist
- Thomas Thompson (1933–1982), investigative journalist for Life magazine, author
- Bascom N. Timmons (1890–1987), opened news bureau in Washington to serve newspapers in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, and Ohio; native of Amarillo.
- Jack Tinsley (1935–2004), newspaper executive editor
- Frank X. Tolbert (1912–1984), author, historian, journalist, restaurateur
- Karen Tumulty (born 1955), newspaper correspondent
- Juan M. Vasquez (born 1944), journalist
- Rob Walker (born 1968), journalist, author
- Todd Wagner (born 1960), internet broadcasting pioneer
- Richie Whitt (born 1964), sports columnist, radio personality
- Edwin "Big Ed" Wilkes (1931–1998), Lubbock radio personality
- Greg Williams (born 1960), sports radio host
- Robert Wilonsky (born 1968), newspaper columnist, critic
- Carlo Wolff (born 1943), journalist
- Lawrence Wright (born 1947), journalist, author of The Looming Tower
- Marvin Zindler (1921–2007), television journalist
Science, including medicine
- A–K
- Muthu Alagappan (born c. 1990), sports statistician
- Nima Arkani-Hamed (born 1972), theoretical physicist
- Edmund F. Baroch (born 1934), metallurgist
- Brady Barr (born 1963), herpetologist
- R. Palmer Beasley (1936–2012), physician, public health educator, epidemiologist
- Angela Belcher (born 1967), materials scientist, biological engineer, MIT professor, MacArthur Fellow
- Bruce Beutler (born 1957), Nobel Prize-winning immunologist, geneticist
- Bob Biard (born 1931), electrical engineer; invented the GaAs infrared light-emitting diode (LED), the optical isolator, the Schottky transistor, and MOS ROM
- Gail Borden (1801–1874), inventor of condensed milk and other foodstuffs, surveyor, publisher
- Otis Boykin (1920–1982), inventor and engineer
- T. Berry Brazelton (born 1918), pediatrician, author, syndicated columnist
- Michael Glyn Brown (1957–2013), hand surgeon
- Michael Stuart Brown (born 1941), Nobel Prize-winning geneticist
- John Cacioppo (born 1951), co-founder of social neuroscience
- Robert Cade (1927–2007), physician, scientist; inventor of Gatorade
- William H. Cade (born 1946), zoologist, evolutionary biologist, authority on mating systems of Orthoptera
- Paul C. W. Chu (born 1941), physicist, leading authority on superconductivity
- Denton Cooley (born 1920), pioneering heart surgeon
- Kenneth H. Cooper (born 1931), physician, developed concept of aerobic exercise
- Robert Curl (born 1933), Nobel Prize-winning chemist
- Michael E. DeBakey (1908–2008), pioneering heart surgeon
- Everette Lee DeGolyer (1886–1956), geophysicist, philanthropist
- Robert Dennard (born 1932), computer scientist and inventor
- Bryce DeWitt (1923–2004), physicist, co-developed Wheeler-DeWitt equation ("wave function of the Universe")
- Cécile DeWitt-Morette (born 1922), physicist, mathematician
- Leonard Eugene Dickson (1874–1954), mathematician
- James "Red" Duke (1928–2015), physician, professor, journalist
- Helen J. Farabee (1934–1988), pioneer in mental health
- Ralph Feigin (1938–2008), pediatrician, writer, educator, hospital administrator
- Alfred G. Gilman (1941–2015), Nobel Prize-winning pharmacologist, biochemist, educator
- Joseph L. Goldstein (born 1940), Nobel Prize-winning geneticist, biochemist
- Cecil Howard Green (1900–2003), geophysicist, founder of Texas Instruments, philanthropist
- G.B. Halsted (1853–1922), mathematician
- Aubrey Otis Hampton (1900–1955), radiologist
- John Haynes, Jr. (born 1937), rural family physician, national recognition as Country Doctor of the Year
- George H. Heilmeier (1936–2014), engineer, contributed to invention of LCDs; was Chief Technical Officer at Texas Instruments
- M. King Hubbert (1903–1989), geophysicist
- Lane P. Hughston (born 1951), mathematician, physicist, scholar and professor of mathematical finance
- Nathan Isgur (1947–2001), theoretical physicist
- Mavis Kelsey (1912–2013), physician who founded the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, professor, writer, philanthropist
- Jack Kilby (1923–2005), Nobel Prize-winning electrical engineer; invented integrated circuit, handheld calculator, thermal printer
- Riki Kobayashi (1924-2013), Professor of chemical engineering
- L–Z
- R. Bowen Loftin (born 1949), physicist, computer scientist, educator, university president
- Cyrus Longworth Lundell (1907–1994), botanist, archaeologist; discovered several Mayan cities in Mexican jungle
- Eugene McDermott (1899–1973), geophysicist, founder of Texas Instruments, philanthropist
- C. Wright Mills (1916–1962), prominent political sociologist and author
- Forrest Mims (born 1944), amateur scientist, popular science writer
- W. E. Moerner (born 1953), chemist, professor
- Oscar Monnig (1902–1999), astronomer and meteoricist
- Robert Lee Moore (1882–1974), mathematician, educator
- Matt Mullenweg (born 1984), developed WordPress software
- Hermann Joseph Muller (1890–1967), Nobel Prize-winning geneticist
- Joseph Nagyvary (born 1934), biochemist, violin maker, Stradivarius researcher
- Leonard L. Northrup Jr. (1918–2016), engineer, inventor, entrepreneur
- John Park (1814–1872), inventor, construction materials expert, builder
- Percy Pennybacker (1895–1963), civil engineer, innovator of bridge design
- Victor Poor (1933–2012), as Technical Director at Datapoint in San Antonio, led design of the Intel 8008 microprocessor chip
- Ilya Prigogine (1917–2003), Nobel Prize-winning physicist and chemist
- Harold E. Rohrschach, Jr. (1926-1993), physics professor
- Doreen Rosenstrauch (born 1969), scientist, physician, humanist
- Margaret Hutchinson Rousseau (1911–2000), chemical engineer; designed the first commercial penicillin production plant
- Nikos Salingaros (born 1952), mathematician, physicist, architectural theorist, urban theorist
- Robert Simpson (1912–2014), meteorologist, hurricane specialist
- John Stapp (1910–1999), Air Force officer, researched human transport and safety
- Michael Starbird (born 1948), mathematician, educator
- George Sudarshan (born 1931), physicist, author, University of Texas professor
- John Tate (born 1925), mathematician, Wolf Prize in Mathematics
- Gordon Teal (1907–2003), electrical engineer known for developing the first silicon transistor
- Alice Y. Ting (born 1974), chemist, MIT professor
- Beatrice Tinsley (1941–1981), astronomer
- Catalina Trail (born 1949), amateur naturalist, social worker
- Karen Uhlenbeck (born 1942), mathematician, National Medal of Science
- Harry Vandiver (1882–1973), mathematician
- Abraham Verghese (born 1955), physician, educator, author
- Hubert Stanley Wall (1902–1971), mathematician, educator
- Steven Weinberg (born 1933), Nobel Prize-winning physicist
- Spencer Wells (born 1969), geneticist and anthropologist
- Fred Wendorf (1924–2015), anthropologist
- John A. Wheeler (1911–2008), physicist, Wolf Prize in Physics, coined the term 'black hole'
- Mary Wheeler (born 1938), mathematician
- Quentin Wilson (born 1942), engineer, one of the "Rocket Boys" portrayed in a 1990s book and film
- Robert Woodrow Wilson (born 1936), Nobel Prize-winning physicist, astronomer
- Lloyd Youngblood (born 1946), neurosurgeon
Aviation and space exploration
- Randy Acord (1919–2008), historian of aviation
- William Anders (born 1933), Apollo program astronaut
- Anousheh Ansari (born 1966 in Mashhad, Iran), first female space tourist
- Jeffrey Ashby (born 1954), astronaut
- Alan Bean (born 1932), astronaut
- John E. Blaha (born 1942), astronaut
- David Harold Byrd (1900–1986), founder of Civil Air Patrol, oilman
- Kenneth Cockrell (born 1950), astronaut
- Aaron Cohen (1931–2010), director of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
- Bessie "Queen Bess" Coleman (1892–1926), first African American female aviator
- Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan (1907–1995), aviator
- John Oliver Creighton (born 1943), astronaut
- Robert Crippen (born 1937), astronaut
- John M. Fabian (born 1939), astronaut
- William Frederick Fisher (born 1946), astronaut
- Patrick G. Forrester (born 1957), astronaut
- Benjamin Foulois (1879–1967), pioneering military aviator
- Edward Givens (1930–1967), astronaut
- Bernard A. Harris, Jr. (born 1956), astronaut
- Gary L. Herod (1929–1961), Texas Air National Guard pilot who stayed with his plane as it crashed, in order to avoid residential areas
- Paul Hill (born 1962), Director of Mission Operations at NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
- Donald Holmquest (born 1939), astronaut
- Howard Hughes (1905–1976), billionaire playboy, entrepreneur and aviation pioneer
- Millie Hughes-Fulford (born 1945), astronaut
- Rick Husband (1957–2003), commander of the Space Shuttle Columbia, killed in its crash
- Robert S. Kimbrough (born 1967), astronaut
- Timothy Kopra (born 1963), astronaut
- Paul Lockhart (born 1956), astronaut
- Ormer Locklear (1891–1920), stunt flyer
- Edgar Mitchell (born 1930), astronaut
- Richard Mullane (born 1945), astronaut
- Arthur W. Murray (1918–2011), test pilot
- John D. Olivas (born 1965), NASA astronaut of Mexican descent, flew aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-117) in June 2007
- Wiley Post (1898–1935), first pilot to fly solo around the world
- James F. Reilly (born 1954), astronaut
- David Scott (born 1932), astronaut
- Elliot See (1927–1966), astronaut
- Katherine Stinson (1891–1977), pioneering female aviator
- Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger (born 1951), airline pilot, safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after a bird strike
- Ed Swearingen (1925–2014), aeronautical engineer
- Shannon Walker (born 1965), astronaut, physicist
- Edward White (1930–1967), first American astronaut to walk in space
- Jeana Yeager (born 1952), broke distance records during nonstop flight around the world in the experimental Voyager airplane
Scholars, educators, academicians
See also the listings on this page for individual areas of specialization (e.g., Literature, Science/medicine, Music)
- A–K
- R.J.Q. Adams (born 1943), professor of British history at Texas A&M University
- Theodore Albrecht (born 1945), music historian, educator
- Sara Alpern (born 1942), professor of women's history at Texas A&M
- L.C. (Laurine Cecil) Anderson (1853–1938), African-American educator
- Terry H. Anderson (born 1946), professor of history at Texas A&M University
- Domingo Arechiga (1926-1987),president of Laredo Community College, 1974 to 1985
- B W Aston (1936–2010), historian, professor
- Eugene C. Barker (1874–1956), premier historian of Texas; Barker History Center on UT campus bears his name
- Alwyn Barr (born 1938), historian affiliated with Texas Tech University
- Jacques Barzun (1907–2012), historian, philosopher, recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Garland Bayliss (1924–2015), historian, administrator at Texas A&M University
- ZerNona Black (1906–2005), civil rights activist, educator
- H. W. Brands (born 1953), historian, author, professor at University of Texas
- Brené Brown (born 1965), scholar, researcher, and University of Houston professor of social work
- Walter L. Buenger (born 1951), historian
- Rufus Columbus Burleson (1823–1901), president of Baylor University, minister
- Robert A. Calvert (1933–2000), historian
- Norma V. Cantu (born 1954), civil rights lawyer, educator
- Paul H. Carlson (born 1940), historian of the American West
- Christine Comer, Director of Science in the curriculum division of the Texas Education Agency; resigned amid controversy
- Louise Cowan (1916–2015), liberal arts scholar, professor, critic
- Light Townsend Cummins (born 1946), historian, educator
- Henry C. Dethloff (born 1934), historian, author, retired professor at Texas A&M
- Ramón H. Dovalina (born 1943), president of Laredo Community College, 1995-2007
- Chester Dunning (born 1949), historian, specialist in Russian studies
- T. R. Fehrenbach (1925–2013), historian, newspaper columnist
- Dan Flores (born 1948), historian of the American West
- Joe Bertram Frantz (1917–1993), historian
- W. C. Friley (1845–1911), first president of Hardin-Simmons University, 1892–1894
- Marilyn Gambrell (born 1953), parole officer turned teacher who started the program No More Victims in Houston to assist children with incarcerated parents
- Kyle Gann (born 1955), musicologist, composer, music critic
- Bryan A. Garner (born 1958), lexicographer, grammarian, author, educator
- Brison D. Gooch (1925–2014), historian and professor emeritus from Texas A&M
- Elizabeth Goree (1845–1929), teacher, school administrator, education advocate
- Claude Hall (1922–2001), historian, professor of American diplomacy
- Anna Harriet Heyer (1909–2002), musicologist, music librarian, bibliographer
- Harold Hoehner (1935–2009), theologian, author, professor
- Roy Hofheinz, Jr. (born 1935), sinologist, professor at Harvard University
- William Curry Holden (1896–1993), historian, archaeologist, educator, museum director
- John Holmes Jenkins (1940–1989), historian, antiquarian bookseller, publisher, poker player
- Bret Anthony Johnston (born 1971), author, director of creative writing program at Harvard University
- Ray Keck (born 1947), president of Texas A&M International University in Laredo since 2001
- Shirley Strum Kenny (born 1935), English scholar, university president
- V. O. Key, Jr. (1908–1963), political scientist, Ivy League professor
- Arnold Krammer (born 1941), historian of Germany and the United States; retired professor at Texas A&M University
- Allan J. Kuethe (born 1940), historian of Latin America at Texas Tech University
- L–Z
- Ray A. Laird, president of Laredo Community College, 1960 to 1974; died in Kerrville in 1986[16]
- Herbert H. Lang (1921–2006), historian, professor at Texas A&M University
- Umphrey Lee (1893–1958), Methodist pastor, president of Southern Methodist University
- Alan Lomax (1915–2002), folk singer, guitarist, ethnomusicologist, folklorist
- John Lomax (1867–1948), musicologist, folklorist
- Edgar Odell Lovett (1871–1957), educator, college administrator, first president of Rice University
- Juan L. Maldonado (born 1948), president of Laredo Community College since 2007
- Charles R. Matthews (born c. 1939), former Texas Railroad Commissioner and chancellor-emeritus of the Texas State University System
- Mack McCormick (1930–2015), musicologist, folklorist
- Martin V. Melosi (born 1947), environmental and urban historian at University of Houston
- Kenneth R. Mladenka (born 1943), political scientist at Texas A&M University who researched in urban studies
- Francis Joseph Mullin (1906–1997), president of Shimer College[17]
- Barry Munitz (born 1941), corporation and foundation executive, chancellor of University of Houston System and California State University System
- J. Milton Nance (1913–1997), historian who specialized in 19th century Texas at Texas A&M University
- Hasan Bülent Paksoy (born 1948), historian, literary critic
- Leonidas Warren Payne, Jr. (1873–1945), linguist, folklorist, English professor
- Anna Pennybacker (1861–1938), educator, author, social activist
- Albert Reyes, executive of Baptist charity, university president
- Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" Ross (1838–1898), Confederate general, Governor of Texas, President of Texas A&M University, namesake of Sul Ross State University
- Henry C. Schmidt (born 1937), historian, specialist in Latin American affairs
- Marilyn McAdams Sibley (1921–2006), historian, professor
- John Silber (1926–2012), president and chancellor of Boston University
- Ruth J. Simmons (born 1945), first female African-American president of a major college (Smith College), first African-American president of an Ivy League college (Brown University)
- Thomas Vernor Smith (1890–1964), philosopher, scholar, educator, U.S. representative
- Jean A. Stuntz (born 1957), historian of women's studies
- Jerry D. Thompson (born 1943), historian of Texas and the Southwestern United States
- Leon Toubin (born 1928), Jewish civic leader, philanthropist, and historian
- Decherd Turner (1922–2002), bibliophile, book collector, librarian, minister
- Betty Miller Unterberger (1922–2012), the first woman faculty member at Texas A&M University (1968–2004) and the first president (1986) of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations
- Ernest Wallace (1906–1985), historian of Texas and the southern Great Plains
- Sudie L. Williams (1872–1940), music educator
- Roger L. Worsley (born 1937), president of Laredo Community College, 1985 to 1995
- Susan Youens (born 1947), musicologist, music professor, author
- Mark Yudof (born 1944), law professor, university chancellor
Clergy
- A–M
- Charles L. Allen (1913-2005), Methodist minister
- George Washington Baines (1809–1882), Baptist
- Kathleen Baskin-Ball (1958–2008), Methodist
- Norman A. Beck (born 1933), Lutheran pastor, professor
- Claude Black (1916–2009), Baptist
- Kirbyjon Caldwell (born 1953), Methodist
- Jo Carr (1926–2007), Methodist
- Benajah Harvey Carroll (1843–1914), Baptist
- Henry Cohen (1863–1952), Jewish
- Kenneth Copeland (born 1936), Pentecostal
- W.A. Criswell (1909–2002), Baptist
- Finis Alonzo Crutchfield, Jr. (1911-1987), Methodist Bishop
- John B. Denton (1806–1841), Methodist minister for whom Denton (and Denton County) in Texas are named
- James T. Draper, Jr. (born 1935), Baptist
- Yusuf Estes (born 1944), Islamic scholar (moved to Texas from Ohio)
- George Foreman (born 1949), Christian ordained minister, world heavyweight champion boxer, entrepreneur
- Ruben Habito (born 1947), Zen master, former Jesuit priest
- John Hagee (born 1940), Nondenominational
- Kenneth E. Hagin (1917–2003), Pentecostal
- Homer Hailey (1903–2000), Church of Christ
- J. H. Hamblen (1877–1971), Methodist bishop
- John Wesley Hardt (born 1921), Methodist
- Samuel Augustus Hayden (1839–1918), Baptist pastor, newspaper publisher
- Steve Hill (born 1954), evangelist
- V. E. Howard (1911–2000), Church of Christ; started radio International Gospel Hour in Texarkana
- Jack Hyles (1926–2001), Baptist
- T. D. Jakes (born 1957), nondenominational pastor, entrepreneur, author
- Robert Jeffress (born 1955), pastor since 2007 of the First Baptist Church of Dallas
- Jerry Johnston (born 1959), Baptist
- Jimmy Kessler (born 1945), Jewish
- John Kilian (1811–1884), Lutheran
- Abraham Cohen Labatt (1802–1899), Jewish
- Umphrey Lee (1893–1958), Methodist pastor, president of Southern Methodist University
- David Lefkowitz (1875–1955), Jewish
- Billie Wayne Lemons (1955–2008), Church of Christ; played for Cleveland Browns in 1977
- G. Craige Lewis (born 1969), Presbyterian
- Max Lucado (born 1955), Church of Christ
- Texe Marrs (born 1944), runs Christian ministries, writer on religious themes
- J. Vernon McGee (1904–1988), Presbyterian
- W. Winfred Moore (1920–2015), Baptist
- N–Z
- J. Frank Norris (1877–1952), Baptist
- Grady Nutt (1934–1982), Baptist minister, humorist
- Kevin O'Brien (1955–2008), Independent Baptist
- Levi Olan (1903–1984), Jewish
- Joel Osteen (born 1963), Nondenominational
- John Osteen (1925–1999), Nondenominational
- Albert Outler (1908–1989), Methodist theologian
- Cline Paden (1919–2007), Church of Christ
- Paige Patterson (born 1942), Baptist
- William Evander Penn (1832–1895), Baptist evangelist
- John R. Rice (1895–1980), Baptist
- James Robison (born 1943), Nondenominational
- Lester Roloff (1914–1982), Independent Baptist
- Dmitri Royster (1923–2011), archbishop of Orthodox Church in America
- Hyman Judah Schachtel (1907–1990), Jewish
- R. W. Schambach (1926–2012), Christian televangelist based in Tyler
- Priscilla Shirer (born 1974), Christian speaker, author
- William Angie Smith (1894–1974), Methodist bishop
- Joseph P. Sneed (1804–1881), Methodist Episcopal minister, educator, great-great-great-grandfather of Carly Fiorina
- Samuel M. Stahl (born 1939), Jewish
- David E. Stern (born 1961), Jewish
- Charles Swindoll (born 1934), Evangelical
- James Anthony Tamayo (born 1949), Roman Catholic
- Robert Tilton (born 1946), Christian televangelist
- George Washington Truett (1867–1944), Baptist
- Cecil Williams (born 1929), Methodist minister, community leader, author, lecturer, spokesperson for the poor
- Kenneth W. Wright (born 1945), Church of Christ
- John Yanta (born 1931), Roman Catholic bishop
- Jack Yates (1828–1897), Baptist pastor, black community leader, former slave
Infamous Texans
- A–M
- Charles Albright (born 1933), Dallas area serial killer
- Joe Ball (1892–1938), serial killer
- Buck Barrow (1903–1933), member of Bonnie and Clyde's gang, brother of Clyde Barrow
- Sam Bass (1851–1878), train robber and western icon
- Benny Binion (1904–1989), crime boss; later a Las Vegas casino owner
- Bonnie and Clyde (Bonnie Parker [1910–1934] and Clyde Barrow [1909–1934]), bank robbers and murderers
- David Brooks (born 1955), Houston serial killer, early 1970s
- Marilyn Buck (born 1947), accomplice in both the 1979 prison break of black activist Assata Shakur and the 1981 Brink's robbery
- William Carver (1868–1901), member of Butch Cassidy's gang
- Jamiel Chagra (1944–2008), drug trafficker
- Mark David Chapman (born 1955), murdered former Beatle, John Lennon
- Joseph Civello (1902–1970), Dallas crime boss
- Ethan Couch (born 1997), following a conviction for multiple counts of intoxication manslaughter was given probation based on affluenza defense
- T. Cullen Davis (born 1933), heir to oil fortune, arrested for murder and solicitation; acquitted of criminal charges but held responsible in wrongful death lawsuit
- Billie Sol Estes (1925–2013), businessman convicted of fraud
- Anna Fermanova (born 1986), alleged Russian spy and smuggler
- Ralph Fults (1911–1993), outlaw, associated with Bonnie and Clyde
- Raymond Hamilton (1913–1935), member of Bonnie and Clyde's gang; executed
- John Wesley Hardin (1853–1895), outlaw and gun-fighter, reputed to be "the meanest man alive"
- Charles Harrelson (1938–2007), hitman
- Elmer Wayne Henley (born 1956), Houston serial killer, early 1970s
- John Hinckley, Jr. (born 1955), attempted to assassinate President Reagan
- W. D. Jones (1916–1974), member of Bonnie and Clyde's gang
- David Koresh (1959–1993), self-proclaimed messiah and head of Branch Davidian cult
- Colleen LaRose (born 1963), "Jihad Jane", charged with multiple terrorist-related crimes
- Della Moore (c. 1880 – c. 1926), prostitute, girlfriend of outlaw Harvey Logan ("Kid Curry")
- N–Z
- Tom O'Folliard (1858–1880), outlaw and Billy the Kid's best friend
- Lee Harvey Oswald (1939–1963), assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy
- Kenneth Parnell (1931–2008), sex offender, kidnapper of seven-year-old Steven Stayner
- Etta Place (c. 1878 – 19??), companion of outlaw Harry Longabaugh, the "Sundance Kid"
- Jonathan Pollard (born 1954), intelligence analyst convicted of espionage
- Fannie Porter (1873 – c. 1940), prostitute, madam, associated with several outlaws
- Richard Ramirez (born 1960), serial killer
- Ollie P. Roberts (c. 1879 – 1950), claimed to be Billy the Kid
- "Freeway" Rick Ross (born 1960), convicted drug trafficker
- Jack Ruby (1910–1967), killed Lee Harvey Oswald following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy
- Yolanda Saldívar (born 1960), convicted for the murder of pop singer Selena
- Jon Schillaci (born 1971), former FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive
- Bobby Seale (born 1936), co-founder of the Black Panthers
- Servant Girl Annihilator (fl. 1885), unidentified serial killer from Austin
- Soapy Smith (1860–1898), infamous confidence man of Round Rock, Texas and Fort Worth, Texas
- Allen Stanford (born 1950), financier convicted of operating a Ponzi scheme and fraud
- Belle Starr (1848–1889), the Wild West's "bandit queen"
- Texas Seven, group of prison escapees who caused a national manhunt after a crime spree in December 2000, apprehended in January 2001 due to America's Most Wanted
- Libby Thompson (1855–1953), dancehall girl, prostitute, and brothel owner better known as Squirrel-tooth Alice
- Bernie Tiede (born 1958), convicted murderer, subject of the 2011 film Bernie
- Catalina Vasquez Villalpando (born 1940), Treasurer of the United States, convicted of tax evasion and obstruction of justice
- Edgar Valdez Villarreal (born 1973), "La Barbie", drug trafficker
- Charles "Tex" Watson (born 1945), convicted murderer, former member of the Charles Manson "Family"
- Susan Wright (born 1976), convicted murderer
- Andrea Yates (born 1964), drowned her five children in the bathtub of her house
- Diane Zamora (born 1978), convicted, along with her boyfriend, David Graham, in notorious "cadet murder" case
Others
A–M
- Amarillo Slim (Thomas Preston, Jr.) (1928–2012), poker champion
- Bobo Barnett (1903–1985), circus clown
- Steven Berk (born 1949), physician who was kidnapped from his home in Amarillo in 2005; wrote Anatomy of a Kidnapping: A Doctor's Story to show how the ordeal changed his perspective on life
- Tom Blasingame (1898–1989), oldest cowboy in the history of the American West
- J.B. Bobo (1910–1996), magician
- Lee Bowers (1925–1966), witness to the assassination of John F. Kennedy
- Joe Bowman (1925–2009), bootmaker and marksman and guardian of Old West culture
- Clarence Brandley (born 1951), exonerated after serving nine years on death row for a murder and rape he did not commit
- Ben Breedlove (1993–2011), Internet personality
- Joseph Sterling Bridwell (1885–1966), oilman, rancher, and philanthropist from Wichita Falls[18]
- Doyle Brunson (born 1933), professional poker player
- James Byrd, Jr. (1949–1998), murder victim, Texas hate crime and later federal law passed in his honor
- Virginia Carpenter (1927 – disappeared 1948), college student who went missing and has never been found
- Johnny Chan (born 1957), professional poker player
- Chukwu octuplets: Ebuka, Chidi, Echerem, Chima, Ikem, Jioke, Gorom (all born 1998), and Odera (1998–1998), first recorded live-born set of octuplets in U.S.
- Leslie Cochran (1951–2012), peace activist, cross-dresser, urban outdoorsman
- Crazy Ray (Wilford Jones) (1931–2007), Dallas Cowboys mascot
- Mark Crutcher (born 1948), pro-life activist, author, and founder of Life Dynamics Inc.
- George de Mohrenschildt (1911–1977), petroleum geologist, friend of Lee Harvey Oswald, gave testimony to the Warren Commission
- Joe B. Finley (1924–2011), rancher in Laredo
- Bobby Goldman (1938–1999), bridge player
- Lauren Grandcolas (1963–2001), one of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 on 9/11
- Amber Hagerman (1986–1996), victim of abduction/murder, namesake of AMBER Alert
- Bob Hamman (born 1938), bridge player
- Lawrence Herkimer (1925–2015), cheerleading innovator
- Jean Hill (1931–2000), witness to the assassination of John F. Kennedy
- George B. Jackson (1850–1900), former slave turned Republican politician in San Angelo, Texas
- Mifflin Kenedy (1818–1895), rancher and steamboat operator; co-owner of King Ranch, namesake of Kenedy County and the city of Kenedy in Karnes County
- Clarence Hailey Long (1910–1978), Texas cowboy who inspired the Marlboro Man cigarette advertising campaign
- Ben H. Love (1930–2010), Scouting executive
- John McClamrock (1956–2008), whose life as a quadraplegic following a football injury was profiled by journalist Skip Hollandsworth in an award-winning story
- Jessica McClure (born 1986), "Baby Jessica", rescued after falling into a well
- Norma McCorvey (born 1947), as "Jane Roe," was the plaintiff in the 1973 landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade
- Ahmed Mohamed (born 2001), arrested at MacArthur High School in Irving, for bringing a reassembled clock to school, which a teacher thought looked like a bomb. Police determined that Mohamed had no malicious intent.
- Mary Moorman (born 1932), witness to the assassination of John F. Kennedy
- Michael Morton (born 1954), exonerated after serving 25 years in prison for a murder he did not commit
- Johnny Moss (1907–1995), professional poker player
N–Z
- Donna Norris (born 1967), child safety campaigner, mother of Amber Hagerman
- Michael Paine (born 1928), acquaintance of Lee Harvey Oswald
- Ruth Paine (born 1932), friend of Marina Oswald
- Olga Rodriguez, Chicano activist
- Robert Salaburu (born 1985), poker player
- Eunice Sanborn (1896–2011), from November 2010 until her death in January 2011 was the world's oldest documented living person
- Charles Schreiner, III (1927-2001), Kerr County rancher who founded in 1964 the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America to work for preservation of Texas Longhorn cattle
- Karen Silkwood (1948–1974), nuclear plant worker, labor activist, died under mysterious circumstances; subject of a major motion picture
- Marilyn Sitzman (1939–1993), witness to the assassination of John F. Kennedy
- John Wesley Snyder (1837–1922), pioneer Texas rancher, based primarily in Georgetown
- Swante M. Swenson (1816–1896), founder of SMS Ranches
- Bob Tallman (born 1947), rodeo announcer
- J. L. Tarr (1919–2008), Scouting executive
- Emma Tenayuca (1916–1999), labor leader, union organizer
- Armando Torres III (1987 – disappeared 2013), kidnapped in Mexico
- Richard Turner (born 1954), magician specializing in card manipulation
- W. D. Twichell (1864–1959), surveyor of 165 of 254 Texas counties
- Richard Viguerie (born 1933), conservative figure, pioneer of political direct mail and writer on American politics
- Gene S. Walker, Sr. (1926–2015), rancher and businessman from Webb County
- James Larkin "Jim" White (1882–1946), cave explorer, cowboy, miner, park ranger, discovered Carlsbad Caverns
- Roy Williams (born 1944), Scouting executive
- Plennie L. Wingo (1895–1993), world record for longest distance walked backwards (from Santa Monica, California, to Istanbul, Turkey)
- Trey Wright (born 1974), U.S. national Scrabble champion, classical concert pianist
- Lou Zaeske (1941–2011), founder of English-only movement in Texas and advocate for Czech ethnic causes
- Abraham Zapruder (1905–1970), clothing manufacturer, filmed assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963
See also
- Category:Lists of people from Texas
References
- ↑ "Robison, Joel Walter". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
- ↑ "Fred J. Agnich Papers". lib.utexas.edu. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
- ↑ Odie Arambula; et al. (March 20, 1997). "Former 'hands-on DA' Borchers dies in San Antonio hospital". Laredo Morning Times. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ↑ "Craig Goldman's Biography". votesmart.com. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
- ↑ 79736 ""Investigators baffled by debts accrued by state District Judge Tom Greenwell before suicide," July 20, 2013" Check
|url=
value (help). abclocal.go.com. Retrieved July 24, 2013. - ↑ "A Lifetime of Dedicated Service: Sheriff Susan Lewellyn Pamerleau, Major General (Ret.)". University of Wyoming. September 2013. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
- ↑ "Legislative Reference Library of Texas: James C. Spencer". lrl.state.tx.us. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
- ↑ "Tradition: St. Thomas High School". sths.org. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
- ↑ "Jerald Jackson Taylor". apnewsarchive.com. April 3, 1995. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
- ↑ Ruta Lee Biography
- ↑ http://www.mp3.com/artist/dave-martin11/summary/
- ↑ "Faces in the Crowd". Sports Illustrated.com, October 22, 2007. Retrieved September 19, 2009.
- ↑ Louis San Miguel, "Well known Laredoan dies: Burial Mass set for St. Patrick's Church", Laredo Morning Times, August 6, 2014, pp. 1, 12A
- ↑ The Handbook of Texas (Texas State Historical Association)
- ↑ Valerie Godines Fitzgerald, "Historic Path: Judge Ender retires from post," Laredo Morning Times, December 31, 2012, pp. 1, 14A
- ↑ Ray A. Laird obituary, Kerrville Daily Times, Kerrville, Texas, October 7, 1986
- ↑ Mullin, Mark (2008). The Headmaster's Run. p. 16. ISBN 1578866545.
- ↑ "Jack O. Loftin, "Joseph Sterling Bridwell"". Texas State Historical Association online. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
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