# List of people from Abilene, Texas

The following people were all born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with the American city of Abilene, Texas.

## A–L

* Coby Archa, contestant on reality competition television series Survivor: Palau
* Alvin O. Austin (born 1942), administrator at Hardin–Simmons University
* Brown Bannister (born 1951), music producer; winner of numerous Dove Awards; Abilene Christian University alumnus
* Sammy Baugh (1914–2008), football coach at Hardin–Simmons University
* Ken Baumann (born 1989), actor
* Ray Berry (born 1963), linebacker who played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks
* Gordon Bethune (born 1941), chief executive officer, Continental Airlines; Abilene Christian University alumnus
* Marion Zimmer Bradley (1930–1999), fantasy writer; works include The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
* Doyle Brunson (1933–2023), championship-level poker player; author; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
* Melinda Plowman (born 1941), actress
* Chris Christian (born 1955), music producer; artist; songwriter for Elvis Presley, The Carpenters, Amy Grant, Ali Lohan, The Pointer Sisters, Al Jarreau; Vice Chairman/Managing Partner of Dallas Wings WNBA
* Karen Christy (born 1951), model; Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month; Abilene native
* Isaac Cline (1861–1955), meteorologist; resident of Abilene
* Randall "Tex" Cobb (born 1950), prizefighter; actor; Abilene native
* Charles Coody (born 1937), professional golfer; twelve PGA Tour victories; one Masters Tournament victory; Abilene resident
* Byron Cook (born 1954), Republican state representative for Navarro
* Carole Cook (1924–2023), actress; protégé of Lucille Ball; Abilene native
* Roy Crane (1901–1977), cartoonist; creator, Wash Tubbs, Captain Easy, and Buz Sawyer; Abilene native
* Sonny Cumbie (born 1981), quarterback for the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League; Abilene native
* Bonnie Curtis (born 1966), film producer; work includes Saving Private Ryan, A.I., and Minority Report; Abilene Christian University alumnus
* Jody Dean (born 1959), news anchor of KTVT, Dallas; Abilene Christian University alumnus
* Shae D'lyn (born 1963), actress; work includes appearing as Jane Deaux in the television sitcom Dharma & Greg; Abilene native
* Holly Dunn (born 1957), country music singer-songwriter; Abilene Christian University alumnus
* Novalyne Price Ellis (1908–1999), schoolteacher in Cross Plains, Texas; member of the National Forensic Hall of Fame; memoirist
* Billie Sol Estes (1925–2013), financier; has accused Lyndon B. Johnson of a variety of crimes; Abilene native
* Bob Estes (born 1966), American professional golfer; from Graham, Texas
* Mark I. Fox (born 1956), Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy; Deputy Commander, United States Central Command; Deputy Assistant to the President and Director, White House Military Office; Abilene native
* David Funderburk (born 1944), U.S. Ambassador to Romania (1981–1985); member, United States House of Representatives from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district (1995–1997); former professor, Hardin–Simmons University
* Larry Gatlin (born 1948), actor; singer-songwriter
* Stedman Graham (born 1951), businessman; motivational speaker; romantically linked with Oprah Winfrey; Hardin–Simmons University basketball player
* Carol Hall (1936–2018), composer and lyricist; work includes The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
* Lou Henson (1932–2020), college basketball coach whose lengthy coaching career included four seasons at Hardin–Simmons University
* Case Keenum (born 1988), former quarterback for University of Houston; quarterback for the Houston Texans (2012–2014), St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2014–2016), Minnesota Vikings (2017), and the Denver Broncos (2018–present)
* Lonnie D. Kliever (c. 1931–2004), professor of religious studies; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
* John Lackey (born 1978), Major League Baseball pitcher for the Anaheim Angels (2002–2009), [Boston Red Sox] (2010–2014), St. Louis Cardinals (2014–2015), and the World Champion Chicago Cubs (2016–present) ; played in and won the 2002, 2013, and 2016 World Series
* Deirdre Lovejoy (born 1962), actress; work includes The Talented Mr. Ripley
* Max Lucado (born 1955), Christian author, preacher and broadcaster; Abilene Christian University alumnus

## M–Z

* Ed V. Mead (1921–1983), 17th Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico
* Wayne Millner (1913–1976), Hardin–Simmons University football coach; professional football wide receiver; member, Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Paige Moss (born 1973), actress; work includes Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Beverly Hills, 90210
* Ty O'Neal, actor; member, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
* Terry Orr, Tight End/H-Back for the Washington Redskins
* Caryl Mack Parker, country music singer-songwriter
* Fess Parker, actor; work includes appearing as title character of the television series Daniel Boone; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
* Lee Roy Parnell, country musician
* Paige Patterson, Southern Baptist theologian; seminary president; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
* Vinnie Paul, drummer and co-founder of heavy metal band Pantera
* Don Pierson, businessman; founder, Wonderful Radio London and Swinging Radio England radio stations; longtime Abilene resident; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
* Dominic Rhodes, running back for the Indianapolis Colts
* Sid W. Richardson, oilman; cattleman; philanthropist; Simmons College (now Hardin–Simmons University) alumnus
* Bill Sharman, Hall of Fame basketball player, coach, and executive
* Jessica Simpson (born 1980), pop singer; actress
* Justin Snow, long snapper for the Indianapolis Colts
* Diane Stanley, children's book author
* Rawson Stovall (born 1972), first nationally syndicated video game journalist in the U.S.
* Steven Stucky, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer
* Hollis Thomas, National Football League defensive tackle
* Reverend L.T. Thomas, preacher and artist
* Jeanette Tillett, composer
* Bulldog Turner, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back; Hardin–Simmons University alumnus
* Sarah Weddington, attorney; represented "Jane Roe" in the Roe v. Wade legal case before the United States Supreme Court; Abilene native
* Duane Whitaker, actor; work includes The Devil's Rejects