Houston is a city that’s growing more and more everyday. With more industry, more people and more diversity each year, it’s no wonder that Houston is home to some fantastic inventions, innovative designs and industries that are moving the world forward one step at a time.
With such a wide influence in the rest of the country, there are bound to be some celebrities that have been nurtured into success right here in Houston. From international superstars to rock and roll legends to musicians and more, here are just a few of the famous people in mainstream media today that were born and raised right here in Houston!
Famous celebrities born in Houston
The Queen B (as in Beyoncé)
Singer-songwriter
Yes, folks, the queen herself was born right here in Houston! The city is home to royalty!
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, known simply as Beyoncé , is one of the most famous singer-songwriters out there today. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, 28 Grammy Awards, 26 MTV Music Awards and a host of other music and video awards to back her impressive career, it’s no wonder Beyoncé is one of the world’s most successful recording artists and, according to Time magazine, one of 100 women to have defined the last century.
Before her international stardom, though, Beyoncé spent her early years right here in Houston, where she went to school, attended dance lessons, participated in school talent shows and joined choirs.
After a stint on the Houston talent show circuit in an all-girls’ group, Beyoncé’s group changed their name to Destiny’s Child in 1996 and released their debut song the following year.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Patrick Swayze
Actor
Known for his dashing good looks and charm, Patrick Swayze was one of Hollywood’s best and brightest during his career peak in the late 1980s to early 2000s.
Swayze was born here in Houston in 1952 and lived in the Oak Forest neighborhood for the first 20 years of his life, during which he took lessons in acting, dance, ice skating and classical ballet. He played football in high school and pursued martial arts, and by the time he moved to New York City to pursue further dance education, he had an impressive repertoire of skills and talents.
Swayze’s acting career started with musical appearances and television cameos, but his appearance on a low-budget musical film that unexpectedly took off was what shot him to stardom. You may have heard of it, too — a little 1987 film called “Dirty Dancing.”
The Undertaker
Wrestler
The Punisher, The Master of Pain, the Undertaker, Mean Mark Callous… whatever his stage name, this WWF/E pro wrestler is considered to be one of the most popular wrestlers on the planet.
Born Mark William Calaway on March 24, 1965, right here in Houston, Calaway actually began his athletic career in basketball through high school and college, during which he picked up an interest in wrestling. His first debut in the ring was in 1984 at the World Class Championship Wrestling, where he adopted the name Texas Red. He joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1990 and took on the name Kane the Undertaker later that year.
By the time WWF changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002, The Undertaker was a household name, and the persona has been cemented in wrestling culture ever since.
Wes Anderson
Film director
Award-winning film producer and director Wes Anderson is known for his movies like “Moonrise Kingdom,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and, most recently, “The French Dispatch.” His unique visual and directorial style has singled him out as a significant figure in American cinema today.
His stardom started right here in his hometown of Houston, where he attended St. John’s School and graduated in 1987. This very school served as the setting for Rushmore Academy in Anderson’s 1998 film “Rushmore,” a movie that was filmed entirely within Houston’s city limits.
Billy Gibbons
Musician
With a beard so legendary and a talent so profound, Billy Gibbons’ role as primary vocalist and guitarist of rock band ZZ Top has cemented himself and the band in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
ZZ Top formed in Houston in 1969 and is widely renowned for its bluesy–rock sound and live performances. Frontmen Gibbons and Dusty Hill (1949-2021) were known for their chest-length beards, round hats and dark sunglasses, giving the band an iconic look along with their iconic music.
The band has released over 50 million albums worldwide in its 50-year-long career, and Gibbons himself has been ranked in the top 32 greatest guitarists of all time.
Jim Parsons
Actor
Best known for his 12-year stint as Sheldon Cooper in the hit sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” Houston-born Jim Parsons became one of the highest-paid television actors as of 2018. His success and talent, nurtured at the University of Houston and the University of San Diego, have made him a uniquely recognized figure on American televisions and, more recently, in films.
There you have it! If you’ve enjoyed listening to or watching these celebrities anywhere in the United States, then you have Houston to thank for the music, movies, films and entertainment that we all enjoy so much. And, you never know! Maybe someone from our luxury Houston apartments will be on this list one day, too!
Enjoy!
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Featured photos courtesy Pixabay/ArtisticOperations
Colleen Ford is a South African who now lives on Oahu in Hawai'i. She loves to travel, camp, spearfish and hike. She's also part of a super cool canoe club and is pretty decent at it. Colleen enjoys Star Wars and also not being cold ever.
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