Welcome to the world of hidden talent, where we shine a spotlight on the stars who've made it big on the world stage. 'Famous people from Waco' may not be a phrase you hear every day, but prepare to be surprised.
For as small of a city as it might be, Waco, Texas, is not just about the Gaines family, the Brazos River, or even the famous Dr. Pepper Museum – this city has given us inspirational and iconic figures across various industries, be it in sports, showbiz, literature, or politics.
Join me as we embark on a remarkable journey exploring the lives, achievements, and rich legacies of these famous individuals hailing from Waco.
We'll cover:
Buckle up, as you're about to discover how this hidden gem of a city has been a fertile ground for nurturing some of the most recognizable names that have echoed far beyond the borders of Texas, even altering the course of the history of the world.
FAMOUS PEOPLE BORN IN WACO
Andy Cooper: A famous baseball player nicknamed "Lefty" inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. Andy Cooper's achievements in major league baseball were significant, and largely untouchable to this day. He was born in Waco, TX, and attended Paul Quinn College.
Anne Gwynne: The maternal grandmother of actor Chris Pine, Anne Gwynne was a successful actress in her own right. She was known as one of the first "scream queens" due to her numerous appearances in horror films from 1939 - 1970. She played a role in 50+ films throughout her career. Anne Gwynne was born in Waco, TX.
Ashlee Simpson: An American singer, songwriter, and actress. She's the younger sister of singer Jessica Simpson. She was born in Waco, Texas, and by the time she was 11, she was the youngest person ever admitted to the prestigious School of American Ballet. Ashlee Simpson did not attend college because she started her singing and acting career immediately following high school.
Dave Campbell: The founder and publisher of Texas Football magazine. He attended Baylor University for a short time prior to being drafted during World War 2. Upon his return, he re-enrolled at Baylor. After graduating, he got a job at the Tribune-Herald, married his college sweetheart, and ultimately launched Texas Football Magazine, of which he was the chief editor until his death at his home in Waco, TX in 2021 at the age of 96.
Derrick Johnson: A former American football linebacker who spent the majority of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. He was born in Waco, Texas, and attended the University of Texas at Austin.
Doris “Dorie” Miller: A World War II hero, who was the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross. Doris Miller was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked the US Navy on December 7, 1941. He was born in Waco, Texas. The Doris Miller Community Center in East Waco is one of the many places named in honor of him.
Eddie Bernice Johnson: The first black woman to be elected into public office in Dallas, TX. She was born in Waco, TX and attended Texas Christian University, and Southern Methodist University. She earned a Master of Public Administration and went on to represent Texas citizens in both the Texas House, Texas Senate, and then on to the national stage as the 30th District of Texas representative for the US Senate.
Hank Thompson: An American country music singer who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Hank Thompson served in the US Navy during World War 2, and was enrolled at Princeton University. After receiving substantial recognition for a couple of singles he had recorded and released with two separate record labels, he decided to pursue a full time career as a musician. Hank Thompson was born in Waco, Texas.
Heloise (Ponce Kiah Marchelle Heloise Cruse Evans): Known for her syndicated newspaper column "Hints from Heloise." She was born in Waco, Texas, and attended Southwest Texas State University.
Jennifer Love Hewitt: An American actress, producer, and singer, known for her roles in TV series like Party of Five and The Ghost Whisperer. She was born in Waco, Texas, and did not attend college, starting her acting career directly after high school.
Kari Jobe: A well known singer, songwriter and worship leader. She has received multiple Grammy and Billboard Music Award Nominations in addition to quite a few GMA Dove Award nominations and wins. Kari Jobe was born in Waco, TX and attended Oral Roberts University, Christ for the Nations Institute, and Dallas Baptist University.
Leon Jaworski: An American attorney and law professor who served as the second special prosecutor during the Watergate Scandal. He was born in Waco, Texas and attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Peri Gilpin: An American actress known for her role as Roz Doyle in the U.S. television series Frasier. She was born in Waco, Texas and attended the University of Texas at Austin and the British-American Academy in London.
Pete Sessions: A US Politician and a member of the US House of Representatives representing the 17th District in the state of Texas. Pete Sessions was born in Waco, TX and holds a degree from Southwestern University.
Robert Fulghum: An American author, primarily of short essays. He was born in Waco, Texas and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Steve Martin: An American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He was born in Waco, Texas and attended Santa Ana College, California State University, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Shawn Achor: The famous author of The Happiness Advantage, and founder of GoodThink, Inc. His TEDx Talk is one of the Top 25 most popular with over 20 Million views and counting. Shawn Achor was born in Waco, and went on to earn degrees from Harvard University and Harvard Divinity School.
T. Berry Brazelton: An American pediatrician, author, and the developer of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). He was born in Waco, Texas and studied at Princeton University and later, the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Texas Guinan: For a lot of the people listed here, they don't use their birth name. And Texas Guinan is no exception. She was a famous actress and business woman for more reasons than one. Some good, some not so good. Whether it was manufacturing lies (likely for self-promotional purposes), to breaking the law (she wasn't a fan of prohibition), or even accidentally shooting herself with a loaded gun (was it really an accident, considering she was raised on a ranch and was a prolific shooter?), she was a firecracker of a character. And yes, she was born in Waco, TX... Keep Waco Wacko?
Tommy Abbott: An actor known for his role in the original West Side Story film, and the Chief Choreographer for the popular movie "Fiddler on the Roof". Tommy Abbott was born in Waco, TX.
FAMOUS PEOPLE RAISED IN WACO
Billy Joe Shaver: An American country music singer and songwriter. He was born in Corsicana, Texas, and spent many of his early days growing up in Waco, TX where his mother worked full time.
Jessica Simpson: An American singer, actress, fashion designer. She was born in Abilene, Texas and did not attend college, starting her singing and acting career directly after high school. She has stated that she grew up in both Dallas and Waco, and for a period of time, her parents also lived in McGregor, TX - a rural suburb of Waco.
LaDainian Tomlinson: A former professional American football player who was a running back in the NFL for 11 seasons. He was born in Rosebud, Texas, went to University High School in Waco, TX and ultimately attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
Lawrence Sullivan Ross: An American soldier, Texas Ranger, and politician, who was the 19th Governor of Texas. He was born in Bentonsport, Iowa, spent his younger childhood years in Austin and (still a child) was part of one of the early founding families of Waco, TX just a few years later. He went on to study at Florence Wesleyan University and later, the Virginia Military Institute.
Pat Green: A famous country singer-songwriter from Texas. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, grew up in Waco (attended Vanguard College Preparatory School), and later attended Texas Tech University.
Shannon Elizabeth: A famous actress, model, and international poker player who has starred in popular shows and movies such as That 70's Show, and American Pie. She was born in Houston, but ultimately raised in Waco from 3rd grade on. She graduated from Waco High School in 1991 and went on to achieve fame and notoriety almost immediately after.
FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Allison Tolman: An American actor known for her role as Molly Solverson on the television series Fargo. Born in Houston, Texas, she attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Angela Kinsey: An American actress known for her portrayal of Angela Martin in the U.S. version of The Office. She was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Ann Richards: An American politician and activist who served as the 45th Governor of Texas. She was born in Lakeview, Texas (a suburb of Waco), and studied at Baylor University and later, the University of Texas at Austin.
Benjamin Becker: A German former professional tennis player. He was born in Merzig, Germany, and attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Brittney Griner: An American professional basketball player currently playing for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. She was born in Houston, Texas, and played college basketball for the Baylor Lady Bears in Waco, Texas.
Chip & Joanna Gaines: They are the stars of the HGTV series “Fixer Upper,” and co-owners of the Magnolia homes and decor brand. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and she was born in Wichita, Kansas. Both of them studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
David Crowder: A well known singer and song-writer. He is known for his work with the David Crowder Band, as well as for his own solo career as simply, "Crowder". In addition to a Grammy nomination, Crowder has also won multiple Dove Awards. He was born in Texarkana, TX and attended Baylor University in Waco.
Derek Haas: An American author, screenwriter, and producer. He is known for his work on 3:10 to Yuma and Wanted. He was born in Dallas, Texas and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
James Brown: An American actor best known for his role as Lieutenant Ripley "Rip" Masters in the ABC television series The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. He was born in Desdemona, Texas. James Brown attended Baylor University in Waco, TX.
Jeff Dunham: An American ventriloquist and stand-up comedian. He was born in Dallas, Texas, and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
John Lee Hancock: An American screenwriter, film director, and producer known for films like The Little Things, Saving Mr. Banks, The Blind Side and The Highwaymen. He was born in Longview, Texas, and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Kevin Reynolds: An American film director and screenwriter. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, and studied at Baylor University in Waco, and later, the University of Southern California.
Mark Hurd: An American technology executive who served as Co-CEO and a member of the board of directors of Oracle Corporation. He was born in Manhattan, New York and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Mark White: An American lawyer, who served as the 43rd Governor of Texas. He was born in Henderson, Texas and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and later, the Baylor Law School.
Michael Johnson: An American retired sprinter who won four Olympic gold and eight World Championships gold medals. He was born in Dallas, Texas and attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Mike Singletary: A former professional American football player and coach. He was born in Houston, Texas and attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Pat Morris Neff: An American lawyer and politician who served as the 28th Governor of Texas. He was born in McGregor, Texas (a rural suburb of Waco) and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. The Neff family donated much of their land to establish the first Texas State Park - Mother Neff State Park, near Waco, TX.
Price Daniel: An American lawyer and politician who served as the 38th Governor of Texas. He was born in Dayton, Texas and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and later, the Baylor Law School.
Robert Griffin III: An American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He was born in Okinawa, Japan and attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Thomas Harris: An American writer, best known for a series of suspense novels about his most famous character, Hannibal Lecter. He was born in Jackson, Tennessee and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Thomas W. Horton: An American businessman who is currently a Senior Advisor at Warburg Pincus LLC and was formerly CEO of American Airlines. He was born in Hampton, Virginia and studied at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
Trey Wingo: An American sports television anchor and host of ESPN's SportsCenter and NFL Live. He was born in Greenwich, Connecticut and attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
William S. Sessions: An American civil servant who served as a judge and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas and attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and later, the Baylor Law School.
Willie Nelson: An American musician, actor, and activist, best known for his work in country music. He was born in Abbott, Texas and briefly attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, before enlisting in the Air Force.
IN CONCLUSION: FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM WACO
In conclusion, the phrase 'famous people from Waco' is much more than just a geographical observation; it is a testament to the rich cultural and historical tapestry that Waco, Texas, has woven over the years.
These individuals have not only left an indelible mark on their respective fields, but they've also helped put Waco on the map, both nationally and internationally. Their stories of passion, resilience, and success serve as inspiration, reminding us that greatness can indeed spring from even the most unexpected places.
As we finish our journey through the history of the Waco famous, we celebrate the city's unique ability to breed brilliance, and look forward to the many more talents that are undoubtedly yet to emerge from this dynamic Texan gem.