20 Best Actors Born in San Antonio

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San Antonio has proven to be a great starting point for many successful actors, launching careers in everything from popular TV comedies to big-budget movies and critically-acclaimed roles. Some of these performers got their start with local training before moving to Hollywood, and others frequently came back to support film and television projects in Texas. They’ve worked across all genres – comedy, drama, action, and more – appearing in hit network shows, high-quality cable series, and major films. Here’s a look at some notable actors born in San Antonio who have built impressive careers in film and television.

Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett, born in San Antonio, is a highly acclaimed television star. She’s best known for hosting ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ and has also acted in popular projects like ‘Annie’ and ‘Better Call Saul’. Throughout her career, she’s received many awards, including Emmys and Golden Globes, and has performed on Broadway and in numerous television specials.

Jared Padalecki

Jared Padalecki started his career in San Antonio and first gained recognition on ‘Gilmore Girls.’ He then became widely known for his leading role in ‘Supernatural,’ which he starred in for many years. More recently, he played the lead in ‘Walker,’ and even worked behind the scenes as a producer on the show. Padalecki has also been in movies like ‘House of Wax’ and ‘Friday the 13th,’ and has become a popular figure at fan conventions throughout his career.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez started her career after being born in San Antonio and gaining attention in the film ‘Girlfight’. She’s best known for her role as Letty Ortiz in the ‘Fast & Furious’ movies, and has also appeared in popular films like ‘Avatar’ and ‘Resident Evil’. She had a memorable part in the TV series ‘Lost’, and has contributed voice acting to animated projects and video games related to her most famous films.

Henry Thomas

Henry Thomas began his acting career with a memorable role in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ after being born in San Antonio. He’s since appeared in well-known films such as ‘Legends of the Fall’ and ‘Gangs of New York’, and has frequently worked with director Mike Flanagan on popular TV series like ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ and ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’. Throughout his career, Thomas has successfully worked on a variety of projects, including independent films, big-budget movies, and high-quality television shows.

Summer Glau

Summer Glau, born in San Antonio, is a popular actress known for her work in science fiction and action television. She gained recognition for her roles as River Tam in ‘Firefly’ and ‘Serenity’, and later as a star in ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’. She’s also appeared in shows like ‘Arrow’ and ‘The 4400’. Before becoming an actress, Glau was a trained dancer, and this background often influenced her performance in action-oriented roles.

James Roday Rodriguez

James Roday Rodriguez, originally from San Antonio, is best known for playing Shawn Spencer in the TV series ‘Psych’. He didn’t just act on the show, though—he also wrote and directed episodes, and continued with the franchise’s films. Beyond ‘Psych’, Rodriguez has appeared in ‘A Million Little Things’ and has directed for various television networks. He also has a background in theater, having worked with both established companies and independent productions.

Bruce McGill

Bruce McGill, born in San Antonio, has had a long and successful career as a character actor. He’s known for memorable roles in films like ‘Animal House’, ‘The Insider’, and ‘Collateral’, and on TV shows including ‘Rizzoli & Isles’ and ‘MacGyver’. McGill is a versatile performer, comfortable in everything from legal dramas to action movies and historical pieces.

Steve Howey

I’ve been a fan of Steve Howey for a while now! I first noticed him as Van on ‘Reba’, and he was hilarious. Then, he really hit his stride playing Kevin Ball on ‘Shameless’ – he was fantastic throughout all those seasons. Beyond TV, he’s popped up in some fun movies like ‘Bride Wars’ and ‘Day Shift’, and he’s always a welcome face in guest roles on both network dramas and streaming comedies.

Gil Birmingham

As a film buff, I’ve really come to appreciate Gil Birmingham. He’s from San Antonio, and most people probably know him as Thomas Rainwater from ‘Yellowstone’ – he’s fantastic in that role! But he’s been in a lot of great stuff, like ‘Hell or High Water’ and even popped up in the ‘Twilight’ films. Beyond that, he’s done some solid TV work, including ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ and the more recent ‘Under the Banner of Heaven’, plus a bunch of other guest appearances. I’ve noticed he works with Taylor Sheridan a lot, which makes sense considering their consistently high-quality collaborations.

Jesse Borrego

Jesse Borrego, originally from San Antonio, first gained recognition on the show ‘Fame’. He went on to appear in films like ‘Blood In Blood Out’ and popular TV series including ‘24’ and ‘Dexter’. Before pursuing screen acting, Borrego trained in theater programs in Texas. He continues to work on independent films and projects that focus on Latino stories and experiences.

Jonathan Joss

Jonathan Joss, originally from San Antonio, is an actor best known for his voice work as John Redcorn on the animated series ‘King of the Hill’ and for playing Chief Ken Hotate on ‘Parks and Recreation’. Beyond television, he’s worked in films and theater, and even played music with his band, The Red Corn Band. Throughout his career, Joss has helped bring Native American characters and stories to a broader audience.

Ricardo Chavira

Ricardo Chavira, originally from San Antonio, is an actor famous for playing Carlos Solis in ‘Desperate Housewives’. More recently, he played Abraham Quintanilla in ‘Selena: The Series’. He’s also appeared in popular shows like ‘Scandal’, ‘Santa Clarita Diet’, and ‘Jane the Virgin’. Before becoming a well-known TV actor, he received training in both Texas and California.

Al Freeman Jr.

Al Freeman Jr., born in San Antonio, was a talented actor who worked in theater, film, and television throughout his career. He won a Daytime Emmy Award for his role on ‘One Life to Live’ and is also known for playing Elijah Muhammad in the film ‘Malcolm X’. A lifelong member of The Actors Studio, he also shared his expertise by teaching at Howard University, and early in his career, he tackled a diverse range of challenging roles.

Paula Prentiss

Paula Prentiss began her career in San Antonio and became well-known for her roles in a string of successful comedies and thrillers, including films like ‘What’s New Pussycat’, ‘Catch-22’, and ‘The Stepford Wives’. She also starred alongside Richard Benjamin in the television series ‘He & She’, and continued to act in both stage plays and independent films later in her career.

Ann Prentiss

Ann Prentiss, born in San Antonio, had a consistent career in movies and TV. She appeared in films like ‘My Stepmother Is an Alien’, ‘The Out-of-Towners’, and ‘California Split’, and on television shows including ‘Captain Nice’, ‘Starsky and Hutch’, and ‘Get Smart’. She was often cast in roles that highlighted her talent for sharp, witty comedy.

Madison Davenport

Madison Davenport started acting as a child in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. She became well-known for her roles in the TV series ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’ and ‘Sharp Objects’. Beyond those shows, she’s worked in movies and provided voice-over work for animated projects. Davenport’s career includes a mix of different types of films and TV shows, from thrillers to serious dramas and independent movies.

Katie Leclerc

Katie Leclerc, originally from San Antonio, is best known for her role in the TV show ‘Switched at Birth’. She’s also appeared as a guest star on popular series like ‘Community’ and ‘The Big Bang Theory’. Beyond acting, Katie works as a producer and is a passionate advocate for hearing loss awareness, drawing from her personal experiences. She’s been involved in various TV movies and has had recurring roles on several network shows.

Kevin Alejandro

Kevin Alejandro, originally from San Antonio, first gained recognition through his roles in shows like ‘Southland’ and ‘True Blood’. He’s also well-known for playing Detective Dan Espinoza in ‘Lucifer’. Beyond acting, Alejandro has also worked as a television director, with previous acting roles including appearances in ‘Ugly Betty’, ‘Arrow’, and ‘The Young and the Restless’.

Nicholas Gonzalez

Nicholas Gonzalez began his acting career with a role on ‘Resurrection Blvd.’ after being born in San Antonio. He became widely known for playing Dr. Neil Melendez on ‘The Good Doctor’. Beyond television, he’s appeared in films like ‘Anacondas’ and several independent projects. His work has been celebrated by Latino media groups.

Emilio Rivera

Emilio Rivera, originally from San Antonio, is an actor widely recognized for his roles as Marcus Álvarez in both ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and ‘Mayans M.C.’. He’s appeared in many films and TV shows, often in crime and action genres. Beyond acting, Rivera also performs stand-up comedy nationwide, and frequently takes on projects that focus on stories set in Southern California and the border region.

Tell us your favorite actor who was born in San Antonio in the comments! Also, let us know any other actors you think we should recognize.

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2025-10-28 15:17