20 Best Actors Born in San Antonio

San Antonio has launched an impressive range of acting careers, from sitcom favorites to blockbuster stars and acclaimed character actors. Many of these performers trained locally before heading to Hollywood, while others returned often to champion Texas productions. Their work spans comedy, drama, action, and genre television, with credits on network hits, prestige cable series, and major films. Here are standout actors who were born in the Alamo City and built notable resumes across film and TV.

Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett was born in San Antonio and became one of television’s most celebrated performers. She headlined ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ and later appeared in projects like ‘Annie’ and ‘Better Call Saul’. Her career includes a long list of honors such as Emmys and Golden Globes. Burnett’s stage and screen work also includes Broadway roles and numerous specials.

Jared Padalecki

Jared Padalecki was born in San Antonio and rose to fame on ‘Gilmore Girls’ before leading ‘Supernatural’ for many seasons. He later starred in ‘Walker’ and produced episodes of the series. Padalecki has appeared in feature films such as ‘House of Wax’ and ‘Friday the 13th’. He is also known for fan convention appearances that grew alongside his long-running TV work.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez was born in San Antonio and broke out with ‘Girlfight’. She became widely known for playing Letty Ortiz in the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise and for roles in ‘Avatar’ and ‘Resident Evil’. On television she appeared in ‘Lost’ during a key story arc. Rodriguez has also done voice work for animation and video games tied to her major franchises.

Henry Thomas

Henry Thomas was born in San Antonio and earned early fame with ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’. He went on to appear in films like ‘Legends of the Fall’ and ‘Gangs of New York’. On television he became a frequent collaborator in Mike Flanagan’s series including ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ and ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’. Thomas has balanced indie films, studio projects, and prestige TV throughout his career.

Summer Glau

Summer Glau was born in San Antonio and is best known for her roles in genre television. She played River Tam in ‘Firefly’ and ‘Serenity’ and later starred in ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’. Glau’s credits also include appearances on ‘Arrow’ and ‘The 4400’. She trained as a dancer before transitioning to acting, which informed several of her action roles.

James Roday Rodriguez

James Roday Rodriguez was born in San Antonio and became known for portraying Shawn Spencer on ‘Psych’. He also served as a writer and director on the series and its follow-up films. Rodriguez starred in ‘A Million Little Things’ and directed episodes of multiple network shows. His stage background includes work with theater companies and indie productions.

Bruce McGill

Bruce McGill was born in San Antonio and built a prolific career as a character actor. His film credits include ‘Animal House’, ‘The Insider’, and ‘Collateral’. On television he held notable roles in ‘Rizzoli & Isles’ and appeared in series like ‘MacGyver’. McGill’s versatility spans courtroom dramas, action films, and historical projects.

Steve Howey

Steve Howey was born in San Antonio and gained recognition as Van Montgomery on ‘Reba’. He later played Kevin Ball on ‘Shameless’, a role that expanded across many seasons. Howey’s film appearances include ‘Bride Wars’ and ‘Day Shift’. He has also guest-starred on network procedurals and streaming comedies.

Gil Birmingham

Gil Birmingham was born in San Antonio and is widely recognized for his role as Thomas Rainwater on ‘Yellowstone’. His film work includes ‘Hell or High Water’ and appearances in the ‘Twilight’ series. Birmingham’s television credits span ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’, ‘Under the Banner of Heaven’, and numerous guest roles. He is noted for collaborations with filmmaker Taylor Sheridan.

Jesse Borrego

Jesse Borrego was born in San Antonio and first drew attention on ‘Fame’. He later appeared in films like ‘Blood In Blood Out’ and in series such as ’24’ and ‘Dexter’. Borrego studied at theater programs in Texas before moving into screen work. He also works in independent film and regional productions connected to Latino storytelling.

Jonathan Joss

Jonathan Joss was born in San Antonio and became known for voicing John Redcorn on ‘King of the Hill’. He also played Chief Ken Hotate on ‘Parks and Recreation’. Joss performed in films and regional theater, and he recorded music with The Red Corn Band. His work brought Native American characters and stories to a wide audience.

Ricardo Chavira

Ricardo Chavira was born in San Antonio and is best known as Carlos Solis on ‘Desperate Housewives’. He later portrayed Abraham Quintanilla in ‘Selena: The Series’. Chavira’s credits include roles on ‘Scandal’, ‘Santa Clarita Diet’, and ‘Jane the Virgin’. He trained in Texas and California before transitioning to prominent TV roles.

Al Freeman Jr.

Al Freeman Jr. was born in San Antonio and had a distinguished career across stage, film, and television. He won a Daytime Emmy for ‘One Life to Live’ and portrayed Elijah Muhammad in ‘Malcolm X’. Freeman was a life member of The Actors Studio and taught at Howard University. His earlier film and theater work covered a wide range of dramatic roles.

Paula Prentiss

Paula Prentiss was born in San Antonio and rose to fame with a run of popular comedies and thrillers. Her films include ‘What’s New Pussycat’, ‘Catch-22’, and ‘The Stepford Wives’. On television she co-starred with Richard Benjamin in ‘He & She’. Prentiss also appeared in stage productions and later returned to notable indie projects.

Ann Prentiss

Ann Prentiss was born in San Antonio and worked steadily in film and television. Her credits include ‘My Stepmother Is an Alien’, ‘The Out-of-Towners’, and ‘California Split’. On television she appeared in series such as ‘Captain Nice’, ‘Starsky and Hutch’, and ‘Get Smart’. She frequently took character parts that showcased sharp comic timing.

Madison Davenport

Madison Davenport was born in San Antonio and began acting as a child. She earned attention with roles in ‘From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series’ and ‘Sharp Objects’. Davenport has also appeared in films and done voice work for animation. Her career balances genre projects with dramatic television and indie features.

Katie Leclerc

Katie Leclerc was born in San Antonio and is widely known for ‘Switched at Birth’. She has guest-starred on shows like ‘Community’ and ‘The Big Bang Theory’. Leclerc has produced projects and advocates for hearing loss awareness connected to her own experience. Her work includes TV movies and recurring roles on network series.

Kevin Alejandro

Kevin Alejandro was born in San Antonio and became familiar to audiences through ‘Southland’ and ‘True Blood’. He later played Detective Dan Espinoza on ‘Lucifer’. Alejandro has directed episodes of television in addition to acting. His earlier credits include roles on ‘Ugly Betty’, ‘Arrow’, and ‘The Young and the Restless’.

Nicholas Gonzalez

Nicholas Gonzalez was born in San Antonio and first broke through on ‘Resurrection Blvd.’. He later starred as Dr. Neil Melendez on ‘The Good Doctor’. Gonzalez’s film credits include ‘Anacondas’ and various independent features. He has received recognition from Latino media organizations for his television work.

Emilio Rivera

Emilio Rivera was born in San Antonio and is best known for playing Marcus Álvarez on ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and ‘Mayans M.C.’. His film and TV career includes a wide range of roles on crime dramas and action titles. Rivera also performs stand-up comedy at venues across the country. He frequently appears in projects centered on Southern California and borderland stories.

Share your favorite San Antonio-born actor in the comments and tell us who else deserves a shout-out.