Houston is the largest city in Texas by both population and area. Named after General Sam Houston, the president of the Republic of Texas, the city boasts a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene. As one of the most ethnically diverse metropolitan areas in the United States, Houston is a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and talents. Here is a list of some of the famous individuals born in this dynamic Texan city.
Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze was a versatile performer, excelling as an actor, dancer, singer, and songwriter. Born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, he was raised in the Oak Forest neighborhood. Swayze starred in over 25 films and 14 television shows, earning acclaim for his roles in “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost.” He passed away on September 14, 2009, after battling pancreatic cancer.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| St. Rose of Lima Catholic School |
| Oak Forest Elementary School |
| Black Middle School |
| Waltrip High School |
Paul Wall
Paul Wall is a Houston rapper and DJ, known for his impactful presence in the hip-hop scene. Born Paul Michael Slayton on March 11, 1981, he has released 18 studio albums and numerous mixtapes. Wall gained prominence with hits like “Grillz” and collaborations with various artists. His distinctive Southern rap style and contributions to the Houston music scene have solidified his status as a local legend.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| Jersey Village High School |
| University of Houston |
Johnny Bush
Johnny Bush, born John Bush Shinn III, was a notable country music singer, songwriter, and musician. He was born on February 17, 1935, in the Kashmere Gardens neighborhood of Houston, Texas. Bush earned the nickname “Country Caruso” due to his powerful voice. Over his career, he recorded 24 studio albums and wrote the iconic song “Whiskey River,” which became a signature hit for Willie Nelson. Johnny Bush passed away on October 16, 2020, at the age of 85, due to complications from pneumonia.
Alexis Bledel
Alexis Bledel is an actress and model, best known for her role as Rory Gilmore in the television series “Gilmore Girls.” Born on September 16, 1981, in Houston, Texas, Bledel grew up in a Spanish-speaking household and learned English at school. She has starred in 22 films and 8 television shows, including “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and “The Handmaid’s Tale,” for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award. Bledel’s early career began in modeling before she transitioned to acting.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| Catholic St. Agnes Academy |
Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson is a filmmaker known for his distinct visual style and quirky storytelling. Born on May 1, 1969, in Houston, Texas, he has directed over 11 films, including “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Moonrise Kingdom,” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” Anderson’s films often feature symmetrical compositions, vibrant color palettes, and recurring themes of dysfunctional families and nostalgia. He has received numerous accolades, including Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe for “The Grand Budapest Hotel”.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| St. John’s School |
Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen is a multi-talented artist known for her roles as an actress, dancer, choreographer, singer-songwriter, director, and producer. Born on January 16, 1950, in Houston, Texas, she gained fame as Lydia Grant in the 1980s music drama “Fame.” Allen has had a significant career on Broadway and television, earning multiple awards, including Emmys and a Golden Globe. She has also directed and choreographed for shows like “A Different World” and “Grey’s Anatomy”.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| Houston Ballet Academy |
Jaclyn Smith
Jaclyn Smith, best known for her role as Kelly Garrett on “Charlie’s Angels,” was born on October 26, 1945, in Houston, Texas. She starred in the show from 1976 to 1981. Beyond acting, Smith is a successful businesswoman, launching a women’s apparel line for Kmart in 1985, pioneering celebrity branding. Her ventures include skincare and home decor, making her a recognized name in multiple industries.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| Mirabeau B. Lamar High School |
Loretta Devine
Actress and singer Loretta Devine was born on August 21, 1949, in Houston, Texas. Known for her powerful performances, she has starred in numerous films and television shows. Some of her notable movies include “Dreamgirls,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “The Preacher’s Wife,” and her recurring role in “Grey’s Anatomy” as Adele Webber. Devine’s versatile talent has earned her several awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in “Grey’s Anatomy”.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| George Washington Carver High School |
| University of Houston |
Anna Nicole Smith
Anna Nicole Smith, born Vickie Lynn Hogan on November 28, 1967, in Houston, Texas, was a model, actress, and TV personality. She rose to fame as a Playboy Playmate and modeled for Guess and H&M. Smith starred in seven films and nine television shows, including “The Anna Nicole Show.” Her high-profile marriage to billionaire J. Howard Marshall led to a lengthy legal battle over his estate. Smith died of a drug overdose on February 8, 2007.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| Durkee Elementary School |
| Aldine High School |
Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers was a singer, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur born on August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas. Known for hits like “The Gambler” and “Islands in the Stream,” he released around 39 albums and sold over 100 million records globally. Rogers won multiple awards, including three Grammys, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. He also acted in films and TV, notably in “The Gambler” series, and co-founded the Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant chain. Rogers passed away on March 20, 2020.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| Wharton Elementary School |
| George Washington Junior High School |
| Northside High School |
| University of Houston |
Isaiah Washington
Isaiah Washington is an actor and producer born on August 3, 1963, in Houston, Texas. He grew up in the Houston Heights community. Over his extensive career, he has starred in over 50 movies and more than 20 television shows. Washington is best known for his role as Dr. Preston Burke on the medical drama series “Grey’s Anatomy,” for which he won multiple awards, including two NAACP Image Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award. His work spans various genres, including significant roles in films like “Crooklyn,” “Romeo Must Die,” and “Blue Caprice”.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| Willowridge High School |
Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles, born on June 24, 1986, in Houston, Texas, is a singer, songwriter, and actress. She started as a backup dancer for Destiny’s Child, which featured her sister, Beyoncé. Solange has released four studio albums, including the critically acclaimed “A Seat at the Table,” which reached number one on the Billboard 200 and won a Grammy for “Cranes in the Sky.” She has also acted in films and explored performance art, composing a score for the New York City Ballet in 2022.
Billy Gibbons
Billy Gibbons is a rock musician best known as the guitarist and vocalist for ZZ Top. Born on December 16, 1949, in the Tanglewood neighborhood of Houston, Texas, he formed ZZ Top in 1969. The band is famous for its blues-rock sound and hits like “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” Gibbons is known for his distinctive guitar style and iconic long beard.
Phylicia Rashad
Phylicia Rashad, born on June 19, 1948, in Houston, Texas, is best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.” She has starred in nearly 50 television shows and 14 films, including “Creed” and “A Fall From Grace.” Rashad is also a respected stage actress and director, winning a Tony Award for “A Raisin in the Sun.” She serves as Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University.
DJ Premier
DJ Premier, born Christopher Edward Martin on March 21, 1966, in Houston’s Fifth Ward, was raised in Prairie View, Texas before moving to New York in his teens. He is renowned as one of the greatest hip-hop producers, known for his influential work with Gang Starr and numerous hip-hop legends.
Dennis Quaid
Dennis Quaid, born April 9, 1954, in Houston, Texas, is an acclaimed actor known for his roles in “The Right Stuff,” “The Big Easy,” and “Far from Heaven.” He has acted in over 19 television shows and numerous films, earning various awards and nominations. Quaid has also contributed as a producer throughout his career.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| Pershing Middle School |
| Bellaire High School |
| University of Houston |
Matt Stone
Matt Stone, born May 26, 1971, in Houston, Texas, is an actor, voice actor, animator, writer, producer, and composer. He is best known as the co-creator of the animated sitcom “South Park” alongside Trey Parker. Stone has received multiple accolades, including five Primetime Emmy Awards for “South Park” and three Tony Awards for the musical “The Book of Mormon.” He moved to Littleton, Colorado, during his childhood and met Parker at the University of Colorado, where they began their collaboration.
Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons, born March 24, 1973, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Houston, Texas, is best known for his role as Sheldon Cooper in “The Big Bang Theory.” Parsons has starred in over 40 films and television shows, earning multiple awards, including four Primetime Emmys. He grew up in Spring, Texas, and studied theater at the University of Houston and the University of San Diego, where he earned an MFA in acting.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| University of Houston |
Scarface (rapper)
Born Brad Terrence Jordan on November 9, 1970, in Houston, Texas, Scarface is a renowned rapper and record producer. He was a member of the influential hip-hop group Geto Boys and has released 11 solo albums. Scarface is celebrated for his powerful lyrics and significant impact on Southern hip-hop. He also served as the president of Def Jam South, where he played a key role in launching the career of rapper Ludacris.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| Woodson Middle School |
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff, born on September 28, 1987, in Houston, Texas, is an actress, singer, songwriter, producer, and writer. She gained fame starring in “Lizzie McGuire” and has appeared in numerous films and TV shows. Duff has released five studio albums, including the successful “Metamorphosis”.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter was born on September 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas. She rose to fame as the lead singer of Destiny’s Child before launching a successful solo career. Beyoncé has sold over 118 million records from six albums and starred in 10 films, including “Dreamgirls” and “The Lion King.” She holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by a female artist, with 32 Grammys. Beyoncé is also known for her powerful performances and cultural impact.
| Houston Schools Attended |
|---|
| Parker Elementary School |
| High School for the Performing and Visual Arts |
| Alief Elsik High School |
Jennifer Garner
Jennifer Garner, born April 17, 1972, in Houston, Texas, grew up in Charleston, West Virginia. She has starred in over 60 films and television shows, gaining fame for her role as Sydney Bristow in “Alias.” Garner’s notable films include “13 Going on 30,” “Juno,” and “Dallas Buyers Club.” She is also a producer and has been active in various charitable endeavors.
Last Updated on July 7, 2024 by F. E. Mufute