We’re From Houston, Y’All: 14 Famous People You Might Not Know Are from Houston

There are a few people you associate with Houston — Beyoncé and her Destiny’s Child peers, Jim Parsons, the Arcade Fire’s Butler brothers, ZZ Top.

But here are 14 more famous folks you might not know are from Houston:

Alexis Bledel

The quick-talking Rory may have lived in Stars Hollow, Ct., but the soft-spoken Alexis Bledel is a Houston native. She attended St. Agnes Academy and got her start in acting by starring in local productions of Our Town and The Wizard of Oz before eventually starring in Gilmore Girls and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers is a notable country singer and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame that came from Houston. Rogers helped mainstream his rockabilly-influenced sound with the Grammy winning song The Gambler.

Hilary Duff

This Houston sweetheart made her start as a teen idol on the Disney Channel starring as the quirky Lizzy McGuire. Hilary Duff later went on to become a successful singer and actress.

Riff Raff

Country music stars aren’t the only musicians that benefit from Houston’s creative culture. Many rappers — including the gloriously tacky Riff Raff — came up from Houston.

Robert Earl Keen

Houston’s country music scene helped nurture one of the most influential singers and songwriters in Texas. Roger Earl Keen’s music artfully combines country, folk and bluegrass to create an American sound that has been covered by George Strait and the Dixie Chicks.

Howard Hughes

If you haven’t seen The Aviator, Howard Hughes was a movie producer from Houston who became obsessed with building better air planes. He became increasingly reclusive after his Playboy-style life became tabloid fodder.

Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze is one of many notable Houston actors. His roles in Dirty Dancing, Road House and Ghost propelled him to superstardom. Swayze would then branch out to more diverse roles.

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner is a Houston-born actress with a broad body of work. Acting in everything from TV show, to rom-coms to high-powered roles in more serious dramas, Gardner frequently demonstrates her skill as an actress.

Michael Strahan

Hailing from Houston, Michael Stranhan is one of the greatest defensive players in the NFL’s history. In a decade-long history with the New York Giants, Strahan ended his career ranked fifth in the league for quarterback sacks. The media personality can be seen on a variety of programs, from Good Morning America to analyzing football games on Fox.

Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson is a beloved indie filmmaker, known for his quirky characters, sometimes bizarre plotlines, splendid soundtracks and visually appealing cinematography. This Houston native’s wonderful films quickly made him an industry darling.

Michael Dell

Almost everyone who has ever used a computer is familiar with Dell. This computer company was launched by Houston-born businessman Michael Dell and revolutionized how people interact with now-ubiquitous personal computers.

Shelley Duvall

Shelley Duval became an accidental actress after getting spotted by location scouts at an engagement party for another Houstonian artist. Duval is known for her ability to portray odd characters and is best known for her role in The Shining.

Vince Young

After his college career as quarterback for the University of Texas came to an end, Vince Young was third in the NFL’s overall draft pick. The Houston football legend led the Tennessee Titans for five seasons and became a free agent after playing a season for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Slim Thug

Slim Thug is a Houston rapper who got his start in the city’s Northside. In addition to owning his own record label and rapping on his own albums, he teamed up with another Houston native and worked with Beyoncé in 2009.

Are you ready to call Houston home, just like these stars once did? Search for your new Houston home on NewHomeSource.