20 Best Actors Born in Houston

Houston has produced a surprising number of performers who shaped TV, film, and theater across genres. From sitcom icons and action favorites to Broadway powerhouses and trailblazing creators, these Houston natives built careers that reach far beyond Texas. Here are twenty actors with hometown roots who made their mark with memorable roles, major awards, and lasting impact on screens big and small.

Patrick Swayze

A Houston native with a background in dance, Patrick Swayze broke out in ‘Dirty Dancing’ and cemented his leading man status with ‘Ghost’ and ‘Point Break’. He earned Golden Globe nominations for both ‘Dirty Dancing’ and ‘Ghost’. Earlier training at the Houston Ballet Academy helped shape his on screen physicality. He also worked in television with the miniseries ‘North and South’ and later the drama ‘The Beast’.

Dennis Quaid

Dennis Quaid grew up in Houston and built a film career spanning sports dramas, thrillers, and family hits. He portrayed astronaut Gordon Cooper in ‘The Right Stuff’ and recorded a memorable turn as Jerry Lee Lewis in ‘Great Balls of Fire!’. Audiences know him from ‘The Parent Trap’, ‘The Rookie’, and ‘Frequency’. He has also starred in series like ‘Goliath’ and ‘Full Circle’.

Randy Quaid

Born in Houston, Randy Quaid earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Last Detail’. He became widely recognized for scene stealing roles in ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’ and ‘Independence Day’. On television he won a Golden Globe for portraying Lyndon B. Johnson in ‘LBJ: The Early Years’. His work ranges from drama to broad comedy with credits that include ‘Brokeback Mountain’.

Jim Parsons

Houston born Jim Parsons became a household name as Sheldon Cooper on ‘The Big Bang Theory’, earning multiple Primetime Emmys and a Golden Globe. He expanded into film with projects like ‘Hidden Figures’ and the animated hit ‘Home’. On stage he headlined Broadway productions including ‘The Boys in the Band’. He also produced and starred in the series ‘Call Me Kat’ and the film ‘Spoiler Alert’.

Alexis Bledel

Alexis Bledel was born in Houston and first won attention as Rory Gilmore in ‘Gilmore Girls’. She later earned an Emmy for her work on ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. Her film credits include ‘Sin City’ and ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’. Bledel has balanced television, film, and modeling throughout her career.

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner was born in Houston and rose to fame as Sydney Bristow in ‘Alias’, winning a Golden Globe for the role. She transitioned to a strong film career with ’13 Going on 30′, ‘Juno’, and ‘Dallas Buyers Club’. Garner has led and produced series and films across comedy and drama. She has also appeared in family focused projects like ‘Yes Day’ and the series ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’.

Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff was born in Houston and became a pop culture staple with ‘Lizzie McGuire’ on Disney Channel. She carried the character to the big screen in ‘The Lizzie McGuire Movie’ and built a steady TV career with ‘Younger’ and ‘How I Met Your Father’. Duff has released multiple albums while continuing to act. She has also produced projects and written books alongside her on screen work.

Beyoncé Knowles

Born in Houston, Beyoncé Knowles has a notable acting resume alongside her music career. She starred in ‘Dreamgirls’, earning Golden Globe nominations, and portrayed Etta James in ‘Cadillac Records’. Her filmography includes ‘Austin Powers in Goldmember’, ‘Obsessed’, and voice work as Nala in ‘The Lion King’. She has appeared in concert films and television specials that highlight performance as storytelling.

Brent Spiner

Brent Spiner was born in Houston and is best known for playing Data in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’. He returned to the universe in films and in the series ‘Star Trek: Picard’. Outside science fiction he appeared in blockbusters like ‘Independence Day’. Spiner is also a stage performer with extensive theater credits.

Renée O’Connor

Houston born Renée O’Connor became internationally known as Gabrielle in ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’. She has worked in independent films and on stage since the series ended. O’Connor founded a production company to develop theater and screen projects. Her credits include directing and producing in addition to acting.

Phylicia Rashād

Phylicia Rashad was born in Houston and achieved television fame as Claire Huxtable in ‘The Cosby Show’. She won a Tony Award for her work in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and later reprised the role in a television adaptation. Rashad appears in the ‘Creed’ films and series like ‘This Is Us’. She continues to balance stage, screen, and academic leadership in the arts.

Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen, born in Houston, is an actor, dancer, and director who starred as Lydia Grant in ‘Fame’. She won multiple Emmys for choreography and has directed dozens of episodes across network television. On ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ she plays Catherine Fox while also serving as an executive producer and director. Allen founded a dance academy that feeds talent into film and television.

Loretta Devine

Houston native Loretta Devine originated the role of Lorrell Robinson in the Broadway production of ‘Dreamgirls’. On screen she has appeared in ‘Waiting to Exhale’, ‘Crash’, and numerous television series. Devine won an Emmy for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and has collected multiple Image Awards. Her voice can also be heard in animated projects and family films.

Jaclyn Smith

Jaclyn Smith was born in Houston and became widely known as Kelly Garrett on ‘Charlie’s Angels’. She continued with a long run of television movies and series appearances. Smith made a cameo in the 2019 ‘Charlie’s Angels’ feature. She also built a successful lifestyle brand while maintaining occasional acting roles.

Annette O’Toole

Houston born Annette O’Toole played Martha Kent on ‘Smallville’ and portrayed Lana Lang in ‘Superman III’. She stars in the Netflix series ‘Virgin River’. O’Toole earned an Academy Award nomination for co writing a song featured in ‘A Mighty Wind’. Her career includes recurring roles on ‘Halt and Catch Fire’ and ‘The Good Doctor’.

Chandra Wilson

Chandra Wilson was born in Houston and has portrayed Dr. Miranda Bailey on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ since the show’s debut. She has received multiple Emmy nominations for the role. Wilson also directs episodes of the series and has directed for other network shows. Her earlier credits include stage work and television movies.

Cierra Ramirez

Cierra Ramirez was born in Houston and stars as Mariana Adams Foster in ‘The Fosters’ and its spinoff ‘Good Trouble’. She began performing at a young age on ‘The Suite Life of Zack & Cody’. Ramirez has released music while continuing her acting career. She has earned Imagen Award recognition for her television work.

Dylan Sprayberry

Houston born Dylan Sprayberry gained attention as Liam Dunbar on ‘Teen Wolf’. He portrayed the young Clark Kent in ‘Man of Steel’. Sprayberry has appeared in series such as ‘Light as a Feather’ and in independent films. He started acting in commercials and guest roles before landing regular television work.

Kendrick Sampson

Kendrick Sampson was born in Houston and is known for playing Nathan on ‘Insecure’. His television credits include ‘The Vampire Diaries’, ‘How to Get Away with Murder’, and ‘The Flash’. Sampson co founded the social impact organization BLD PWR and frequently produces projects. He continues to work across drama and comedy on television.

Matt Stone

Matt Stone was born in Houston and co created ‘South Park’, voicing multiple main characters on the series. He co wrote and produced the film ‘Team America: World Police’. Stone expanded into theater with ‘The Book of Mormon’, earning major awards alongside his creative partner. He continues to act primarily through voice work and occasional live action appearances.

Share your favorites and any Houston born actors we missed in the comments.