List of people from Abilene, Texas

The following people were all born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with the American city of Abilene, 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.

A–L

• Coby Archa, contestant, reality competition television series Survivor: Palau
• Alvin O. Austin, administrator at Hardin–Simmons University
• Brown Bannister, music producer; winner of numerous Dove Awards; Abilene Christian University alumnus
• Sammy Baugh, football coach at Hardin–Simmons University; named the most versatile player in NFL history
• Ray Berry, linebacker who played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks
• Gordon Bethune, chief executive officer, Continental Airlines; Abilene Christian University alumnus
• Marion Zimmer Bradley, fantasy writer; works includeThe Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
• Doyle Brunson, championship-level poker player; author; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
• Chris Christian, music producer; artist; songwriter for Elvis Presley, The Carpenters, Amy Grant, Ali Lohan, The Pointer Sisters, Al Jarreau; Vice Chairman/Managing Partner, Dallas Wings WNBA
• Karen Christy, model; Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month; Abilene native
• Isaac Cline, meteorologist; was the first to provide reliable forecasts of freezing weather, and successfully predicted several floods and hurricanes; resident of Abilene
• Randall "Tex" Cobb, prizefighter; actor; Abilene native
• Charles Coody, professional golfer; twelve PGA Tour victories; one Masters Tournament victory; Abilene resident
• Byron Cook, Republican state representative for Navarro
• Carole Cook, actress; protégé of Lucille Ball; Abilene native
• Roy Crane, cartoonist; creator, Wash Tubbs, Captain Easy, and Buz Sawyer; Abilene native
• Sonny Cumbie, quarterback for the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League; Abilene native
• Bonnie Curtis, film producer; work includes Saving Private Ryan, A.I., and Minority Report; Abilene Christian University alumnus
• Shae D'Lyn, actress; work includes appearing as Jane Deaux in the television sitcom Dharma & Greg; Abilene native
• Jody Dean, news anchor of KTVT, Dallas; Abilene Christian University alumnus
• Holly Dunn, country music singer-songwriter; Abilene Christian University alumnus
• Novalyne Price Ellis, schoolteacher in Cross Plains, Texas; member of the National Forensic Hall of Fame; memoirist
• Billie Sol Estes, financier; has accused Lyndon B. Johnson of a variety of crimes; Abilene native
• Bob Estes, American professional golfer; from Graham, Texas
• Mark I. Fox, Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy; Deputy Commander, United States Central Command; Deputy Assistant to the President and Director, White House Military Office; Abilene native
• David Funderburk, U.S. Ambassador to Romania (1981–1985); member, United States House of Representatives from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district (1995–1997); former professor, Hardin–Simmons University
• Larry Gatlin, actor; singer-songwriter
• Stedman Graham, businessman; motivational speaker; romantically linked with Oprah Winfrey; Hardin–Simmons University basketball player
• Carol Hall, composer and lyricist; work includes The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
• Lou Henson, college basketball coach whose lengthy coaching career included four seasons at Hardin–Simmons University
• Don W. Hood, inductee, Texas Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2013)^[1][2]
• Case Keenum, former quarterback for University of Houston; quarterback for the Houston Texans
• Lonnie D. Kliever, professor of religious studies; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
• John Lackey, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Anaheim Angels; played in the 2002 World Series
• Deirdre Lovejoy, actress; work includes The Talented Mr. Ripley
• Max Lucado, Christian author, preacher and broadcaster; Abilene Christian University alumnus

M–Z

• Wayne Millner, Hardin–Simmons University football coach; professional football wide receiver; member, Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Paige Moss, actress; work includes Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Beverly Hills, 90210
• Nic Noblique, painter; sculptor;^[3] known for his large steel sculptures; internationally exhibited artist; his work can be seen throughout Abilene, including People at Play^[4] which was acquired by the City of Abilene through Cultural Affairs and placed at the corner of Grape Street and North 1st Street; has public sculpture at Hardin–Simmons University and McMurry University in Abilene
• Ty O'Neal, actor; member, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
• Terry Orr, running back for the Washington Redskins
• Caryl Mack Parker, country music singer-songwriter
• Fess Parker, actor; work includes appearing as title character of the television series Daniel Boone; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
• Lee Roy Parnell, country musician
• Paige Patterson, Southern Baptist theologian; seminary president; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
• Gary Perkins, radio broadcaster
• Don Pierson, businessman; founder, Wonderful Radio London and Swinging Radio England radio stations; longtime Abilene resident; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
• Dominic Rhodes, running back for the Indianapolis Colts
• Sid W. Richardson, oilman; cattleman; philanthropist; Simmons College (now Hardin–Simmons University) alumnus
• Jessica Simpson, pop singer; actress
• Justin Snow, long snapper for the Indianapolis Colts
• Diane Stanley, children's book author
• Hollis Thomas, National Football League defensive tackle
• Bulldog Turner, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
• Sarah Weddington, attorney; represented "Jane Roe" in the Roe v. Wade legal case before the United States Supreme Court; Abilene native
• Duane Whitaker, actor; work includes The Devil's Rejects

See also

• List of people from Texas

References

1. . 3dhood.com.
2. Staff (January 8, 2013). "Closer to Home: Former ACU Track Coach Don W. Hood Earns Hall Nod". Abilene Reporter-News. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
3. Luxe Interiors and Design Magazine, a Sandow Media publication, Texas Editions Fall/Winter 2010. p. 161.
4. Van Vleet, Janet (September 28, 2006). "Pieces of Abiline". Abilene Reporter-News.