From former U.S. presidents to iconic actors and musicians, there are quite a few famous people from Texas. Many of these celebrities were born and/or raised in large cities like Houston, Austin, or Dallas. A few of the most famous people from Texas, however, hail from some of the smallest towns in the Lone Star State:

1. Miranda Lambert, Lindale

Born in Longview and raised in Lindale, Miranda Lambert is one of the most successful famous people from Texas. She has received more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist in history.

Tucked away in the East Texas Piney Woods region, Lindale is home to just over 6,000 people and is nicknamed the "Blackberry Capital of the World." Attractions include a 20-acre living history museum and a charming, old-time candy factory.

2. Dan Rather, Wharton

Among the most influential American journalists of the modern era, Dan Rather's career took off in 1961 when his weather reporting helped evacuate some 350,000 people ahead of Hurricane Carla. He went on to report on such significant events as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Gulf War, 9/11, the Iraq War, the war on terror, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and more. He's one of the most beloved Texas celebrities.

Rather hails from Wharton, a small, Houston-area town with a population of roughly 8,500. The town is home to the Tee Pee Motel & RV Park, which is considered to be one of the quirkiest roadside stops in the area.

3. George Strait - Poteet

George Strait is one of the most popular country music artists in history, credited for fathering the neotraditional country music style that seeks to bring country music back to its roots.

Known as the "King of Country Music" after racking up a staggering 60 number-one hits over the years, Strait was born in the tiny town of Poteet. Located about 30 miles south of San Antonio, Poteet is home to fewer than 3,000 people, yet attracts tens of thousands of visitors each April for the annual Poteet Strawberry Festival.

4. Sadie Sink - Brenham

This young actress got her big break when she played the role of Max Mayfield in Netflix's Stranger Things, one of the most-watched shows of all time.

Born in Brenham, the small Washington County town known for being the home of Blue Bell ice cream and beautiful spring wildflowers, Sink began acting in local theatre productions when she was just seven years old. It is worth noting that Brenham has a slightly larger population than the other towns on the list (about 17,000), but it's still much smaller than many cities in Texas.

5. Sissy Spacek - Quitman

Sissy Spacek is an Academy Award-winning actress best known for playing the lead role in the 1976 horror film Carrie. She's one of the most talented celebrities from Texas.

Spacek hails from Quitman, which, with a population of under 2,000, just might be one of the smallest towns in Texas. Visiting Quitman is like taking a step back in time; the town square is brimming with charming shops and restaurants that have an old-fashioned feel.

6. Willie Nelson - Abbott

A singer, songwriter, musician, political activist, and actor, Willie Nelson was born on April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas. Along with being one of the most beloved famous people from Texas, he was one of the pioneering artists of outlaw country music and is one of the most iconic figures in country music as a whole.

Abbott is the teeniest of all the towns I've mentioned so far - only around 350 folks call it home as of 2020. The town is seemingly frozen in time, and visitors are always amazed that a little blip on the map produced such a legend.

Did you know all of these most famous people from Texas hailed from some of our state's smallest towns? Are there any other celebrities who were born and raised in small-town Texas? Tell us in the comments! Don't forget to check out our previous article for a list of small towns in Texas where huge things happened.

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