Big Spring is a West Texas town shaped by distance, industry, and movement. It’s a place people often leave early, but not quietly. Over time, it has produced actors, athletes, coaches, chefs, and leaders whose work reached far beyond Howard County. These ten people were all born in Big Spring and went on to build careers with national visibility and lasting impact. The list below is ranked from #10 to #1.
10. Carl Bunch (1939–2011)
Carl Bunch was a drummer best known for his brief association with The Crickets during the 1959 Winter Dance Party tour. That tour later became one of the most studied moments in rock history. Bunch was sidelined after suffering severe frostbite and later worked in gospel music before becoming a minister.
9. Dave O’Brien (1912–1969)
Dave O’Brien built a long Hollywood career as an actor, stuntman, director, and comedy writer. He is remembered for appearing in Reefer Madness and starring as Captain Midnight during the serial era. His reputation rests on longevity and range rather than a single defining role.
8. Jeane Porter Hester (1929–2018)
Jeane Porter Hester was a physician and cancer researcher whose work focused on supportive therapy for patients undergoing treatment. She worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center and is widely credited as one of the developers of the IBM 2997 blood cell separator. Her impact lives on in clinical practice.
7. Cynthia Fierro Harvey (1959– )
Cynthia Fierro Harvey was born in Big Spring and rose to national leadership within the United Methodist Church. She has served as a bishop and held major leadership roles at the national level, including leading the Council of Bishops. Her career blends public leadership with long-term institutional influence.
6. Stephan Pyles (1952– )
Stephan Pyles is a chef, author, and educator who helped define modern Texas cuisine. Born in Big Spring, he later shaped how Texas food was presented to a wider audience through restaurants, cookbooks, and public television. His influence is cultural rather than celebrity-driven.
5. Tony Franklin (1956– )
Tony Franklin was an NFL placekicker who reached the top tier of his position. He earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition during his career, making him one of the most accomplished professional athletes on this list. Specialists are often overlooked, but honors keep names alive.
4. Charley Johnson (1938–2024)
Charley Johnson played quarterback in the NFL for 15 seasons before beginning a second career as a chemical engineering professor. That academic path is a major reason his name still stands out. Football careers rarely end in classrooms.
3. Jesse Whittenton (1934–2012)
Jesse Whittenton was a defensive back who became a key part of the Green Bay Packers during their early-1960s championship run. He earned major honors and remains part of one of the most studied dynasties in NFL history. Packers team histories list him as born in Big Spring.
2. Sonny Dykes (1969– )
Sonny Dykes is a college football head coach whose career reached the sport’s national stage. Multiple official bios list him as born in Big Spring. Coaching fame is relentless, tied to televised seasons, rankings, and high-stakes games.
1. Betty Buckley (1947– )
Betty Buckley is the most widely recognized name on this list. Some bios list Fort Worth as her birthplace, while major Broadway sources list Big Spring and note she was raised in Fort Worth. She won a Tony Award for Cats and became a defining Broadway performer, while also staying visible through film and television.
Last Updated on July 6, 2026 by F.E.M