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Frederic Forrest, the Oscar-nominated character actor, was born two days before Christmas Day in 1936 in Waxahachie, Texas, the same home town as director Robert Benton. Forrest had long wanted to be an actor, but he was so nervous that he ran out of auditions for school plays. Later, at Texas Christian University, he took a minor in theater arts while majoring in radio and television studies. His parents opposed his aspirations as a thespian as it was a precarious existence, but he moved on to New York and studied with renowned acting teacher Sanford Meisner. He eventually became an observer at the Actors Studio, where he was tutored by Lee Strasberg. During this time, he supported himself as a page at the NBC Studios in Rockefeller Plaza.

His theatrical debut was in the Off-Broadway production of "Viet Rock", an anti-war play featuring music. He became part of avant-garde director Tom O'Horgan's stock company at La Mama, appearing in the infamous "Futz", among other productions. After starring in the off-Broadway play "Silhouettes", Forrest moved with the production to Los Angeles, intent on breaking into movies. While the production ran for three months and was visited by agents bird-dogging new talent, Forrest got no offers and had to support himself as a pizza baker after the show closed. Eventually, he began attending classes at Actors Studio West where director Stuart Millar saw him in a student showcase production of Clifford Odets' "Waiting for Lefty" and cast him in When the Legends Die (1972). He copped a 1973 Golden Globe nomination as "Most Promising Newcomer - Male" for the role.

Forrest landed a small but very important part in "Godfather" director Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation (1974). He and Cindy Williams are the two people having that titular conversation (recorded by Gene Hackman: so Forrest's voice is heard throughout the film). And Coppola wasn't done with him! Playing "Chef" in Apocalypse Now (1979) garnered Forrest the best notices of his career, and he parlayed that into Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as Best Supporting Actor for The Rose (1979), his second hit that year. He was named Best Supporting Actor by the National Society of Film Critics for both films. Then he was cast as the star in Coppola's "One from the Heart". In Apocalypse Now (1979), his character ("Chef") is yelling for the Playboy Playmates from the crowd, one of whom is played by Colleen Camp, who, four years later, would play his hippie wife in the film Valley Girl (1983).

Robert Douglas Benton is an American screenwriter and filmmaker from Waxahachie, Texas who is known for screenwriting Bonnie & Clyde, Kramer vs. Kramer and Superman. He won two Academy Awards for writing and directing Kramer vs. Kramer. He directed other feature films including Twilight, Bad Company and Nobody's Fool. He is married to Sallie Rendig since 1964.

Donny Boaz was born on 12 December 1980 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Flashes - The Director's Cut (2014), Osprey (2017) and The Young and the Restless (1973).

Charles Gunning was born in Waxahachie, Texas. As a child growing up in Dallas, he always aspired to be an artist. He was an active participant in the music and art scenes while residing in Austin, Texas, where he lived for 20 years. Charles has lived in Los Angeles, California, since 1991. Charles studied Television and Film at The University of Texas at Austin and at the Conservatory of The American Film Institute in Hollywood. Joel Coen and Ethan Coen discovered Charles and cast him into his first major movie in the critically acclaimed Miller's Crossing (1990). Charles attained cult-hero status for his role in the smash-hit Richard Linklater film Slacker (1990). He also appeared in the beautifully done Walter Hill film Wild Bill (1995) with Jeff Bridges and Ellen Barkin . Charles Gunning Co-Stars as "Slim" in his latest film, Richard Linklater's The Newton Boys (1998) starring Matthew McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, and Dwight Yoakam. Charles Gunning has had numerous Roles on television series, including High Incident (1996) (ABC), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) (ABC), ER (1994) (NBC), Cybill (1995) (CBS), Murder, She Wrote (1984) (CBS), Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) (Fox) and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993) (CBS). He has appeared in TV movies Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 Women (1994)(Showtime), and Bonanza: The Return (1993) (NBC), among others, and in a number of high-profile commercials. Charles Gunning is a versatile bad-guy actor whose roles have ranged from cold-blooded psychopaths, the Devil, Weirdoes, Drunks, Gangsters, Murderers, Hitmen, Aliens and Cops. He also specializes in dark comedies. In June of 1993, Charles Gunning won the mantle of Archetypal Screen Villain in a poker game from Hollywood Icon Jack Elam.

Mackenzie started modeling when she was 2 years old, and fell into acting with her first lead role when she was 4 years old. By the time she was 5, she had done two movies, a commercial and a voice over. At the age of 9, she continues to pursue her dream of acting.

Rogenia Goldthwaite was born on 16 August 1917 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. She was an actress, known for The Blood of Jesus (1941). She was married to Clarence Cortez Grimes. She died on 17 July 1960 in Dallas, Texas, USA.

Eddie DeBase was born on 23 February 1917 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for The Blood of Jesus (1941). He was married to Alice Birdie Carter. He died in July 1973 in Ellis County, Texas, USA.

Attended TCU (Texas Christian University) and SMU (Southern Methodist University) law school. US Navy aviator, Pacific, World War Two (flew a Kingfisher). Married Polly Gean of Fort Worth, Texas. Three children. 32nd degree Mason. Career attorney: Assistant D.A. in El Paso, Texas, title attorney for local law firm in Dallas-Fort Worth until retirement. Appeared in numerous community theatre and local professional theatre productions (e.g., Casa Manana Theatre), as well as Opera. Solo singer for local churches. Youngest son is actor Benton Jennings.

Byron Nelson was born on 4 February 1912 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for The Caddy (1953), All American Swing Stars (1948) and The Dean Martin Show (1965). He was married to Peggy Simmons and Louise Shofner. He died on 26 September 2006 in Roanoke, Texas, USA.

One of the many professional wrestlers who used his "Texas" background to make a name for himself, Murdoch was one of roughest and meanest of grapplers. He was adept at both singles and tag-team action, gaining a bit of fame as a longtime partner of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes. Murdoch switched often from heel to good guy in different wrestling organizations, winning several minor titles. He finally won a "major" title in 1984, when teamed with Adrian Adonis. They won the WWF World Tag-Team title by beating "The Soul Patrol" of Rocky Johnson (father of "The Rock" Rocky Maivia) and Tony Atlas. The duo (heels) held the WWF title for nearly a year, finally losing it to fellow Texan Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda. Murdoch left the organization later and wrestled sporadically in different leagues, before retiring in the early 1990s. He died of a massive heart attack on his ranch in Texas, on June 15, 1996. He was 49.

Desmond Mason was born on 11 October 1977 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Like Mike (2002), The Guard (2022) and Crazy Enough (2012).

Brent Rowan was born on 28 May 1956 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. He is a composer, known for The Grace Card (2010), Neil Diamond: Under a Tennessee Moon (1996) and American Music Shop (1990).

Brian Waters was born on 18 February 1977 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA.

Bill Ham was born on 4 February 1937 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. He is known for Friday Night Lights (2004), The Stand (1994) and Teachers (1984). He was married to Cecile Curlin Autrey. He died on 18 June 2016 in Austin, Texas, USA.

Emanuel Cleaver was born on 26 October 1944 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. He has been married to Dianne Donaldson since July 1970. They have four children.

Julie Miller was born on 12 July 1956 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. She is an actress, known for Nightcrawler (2014), Julie Miller: S.O.S. (1993) and True Detective (2014). She is married to Buddy Miller.

Montae Reagor was born on 29 June 1977 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA.

Paul Richards was born on 21 November 1908 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. He died on 4 May 1986 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA.

Killer Brooks was born on 4 December 1947 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. He was married to Julie. He died on 30 June 2020 in the USA.

Lee Danielson was born on 30 July 1947 in Waxahachie, Texas, USA.