I’ve always been proud of that I was born and bred in the great state of Oklahoma. Sometimes, however, it wasn’t an easy thing to admit because of all the automatic prejudices that many people had about our state. Unfortunately, a lot of those still exist today. They continue to perpetuate them with characters like that played by Holly Hunter on her new television series.
Believe it or not, all Oklahomans are not beer swigging rednecks, which can’t speak proper English and have the IQ of a gnat. In fact, a lot of America’s best country singers, politicians, actors, athletes, and personalities have come from the great state of Oklahoma.
For example, one of our country’s most beloved humorists hailed from my state. Will Rogers taught, and continues to inspire, people to look at life in a different way.
Our people, like our state, are varied in both in scope and in nature. Sure we have the flatlands that everyone associates with Oklahoma, but that isn’t all there is. We also have the beautiful Gloss Mountains, Little Sahara Desert, exquisite lakes, beautiful wheat fields, and lush forests. So it shouldn’t come as any surprise that we also produce a lot of talented people from all walks of life.
Let’s take a look at just a few of our state’s finest:
Athletes:
Troy Aikman, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame;
Johnny Bench, member of the Baseball Hall of Fame;
Brian Bosworth, football legend;
Larry Coker, former football coach for the University of Miami;
Bart Conner, Olympic gold medal winner in gymnastics;
Steve Largent, Pro Football Hall of Famer and politician;
Mickey Mantle, member of the Baseball Hall of Fame;
Jumpin’ Jack McCracken, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame;
Shannon Miller, Olympic gold medal winner in gymnastics;
Tommy Morrison, former World Champion heavyweight boxer;
Steve Owens, Heisman Trophy Winner;
Darrel Royal, football coach for the University of Texas;
Barry Sanders, Heisman Trophy Winner and member of the Football Hall of Fame;
Lee Roy Selman, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame;
John Smith, Olympic gold medal winner in wrestling;
Warren Spahn, member of the Baseball Hall of Fame;
Barry Switzer, football coach for the University of Oklahoma and the Dallas Cowboys;
Jim Thorpe, Olympic gold medallist;
Spencer Tillman, all American running back and TV sports commentator;
Bob Tway, PGA Golf Champion;
Lloyd Waner, member of the Baseball Hall of Fame;
Paul Waner, Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame;
Jason White, Heisman Trophy Winner; and
Bud Wilkinson, famed football coach and member of the Football Hall of Fame.
Film/Theater/Television Actors:
Gene Autry, singer and entertainer;
William Boyd, actor who played Hopalong Cassiday;
Brad Pitt, actor noted for roles like “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Troy,” the Oceans trilogy and much more;
Lon Chaney Jr., actor known best for his role as the Wolfman;
Joan Crawford, actor known best for her Oscar winning performance in “Mildred Pierce”;
Blake Edwards, writer/producer/director;
James Garner, actor known for his television roles in “Maverick” and “The Rockford Files”;
Ron Howard, actor/director known for his TV role as Opie in “Mayberry RFD” and directing films like “Cinderella Man” and the “DaVinci Code”;
Ben Johnson, Academy Award winning actor;
Jennifer Jones, actor best known for her roles in “Song of Bernadette,” “Portrait of Jennie,” and “Love is a Many Splendored Thing”;
Rue McClanahan, actor best known for her role as Blanche on the TV hit “Golden Girls”;
Vera Miles, actor best known for second banana roles in a variety of films;
Megan Mullaly, actor best known for her role of Karen on the hit TV show “Will and Grace”;
Chuck Norris, martial arts expert and actor best known for his role as Walker in “Walker, Texas Ranger”;
Mary Kay Place, actor best known at the moment for her role on TV’s hit “Big Love”;
Tony Randall, actor best known for his role as Felix in the TV hit “The Odd Couple” and various big screen comedies;
Dale Robertson, actor best known for his many western roles;
Ted Shackleford, actor best known for his role as Gary Ewing on TV’s hit shows “Knots Landing” and “Dallas”;
Jeanne Tripplehorn, actor best known for her roles in “The Firm,” “Basic Instinct,” and “Waterworld”; and
Alfre Woodard, actor best known for her versatility as both a large and small screen actress, tackling roles from “Star Trek: First Contact” to “Desperate Housewives.”
Music:
Hoyt Axton, singer/songwriter known for his song “I’ve Never Been to Spain (but I’ve Been to Oklahoma);
Garth Brooks, singer/songwriter and one of the country’s most recognized and respected music personalities;
Charlie Christian, jazz guitarist and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame;
Roy Clark, country music legend;
Ronnie Dunn, half of the country music duo Brooks & Dunn;
David Gates, singer/songwriter with the music group Bread;
Vince Gill, country singer;
Woodie Gutherie, folk singer;
Hanson, the former pop band;
Lee Hazelwood, singer/songwriter and record producer;
Toby Keith, country singer most recognized for his hit song “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”;
Reba McEntire, country singer and actress with her own television show called “Reba”;
Roger Miller, singer/songwriter known for his somewhat campy songs;
Leona Mitchell, famed African American soprano;
Patti Paige, pop and country singer;
Sandi Patty, contemporary Christian singer;
B.J. Thomas, singer/songwriter recognized for his song “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” and others;
Carrie Underwood, winner of American Idol 2005 and multiple music awards winner; and
Sheb Wooley, actor and singer best know for his song “Purple People Eater.”
Personalities:
Jennifer Berry, Miss America 2006;
Paul Braniff, founder of Braniff International Airlines;
Gordon Cooper, astronaut;
Walter Cronkite, television journalist;
Owen K. Garriott, astronaut;
Chester Gould, creator of the Dick Tracy comic strip;
John Herrington, astronaut;
Paul Harvey, radio commentator and author;
Mary Hart, co-host of Entertainment Tonight;
Jane Ann Jayroe, Miss America 1967;
Shannon Lucid, astronaut;
Phil McGraw, television psychologist and author;
Bill Moyers; journalist and national news anchor;
Bob Murphy, sports announcer;
Lauren Nelson, Miss America 2007;
William Pogue, astronaut;
Wiley Post, first pilot to fly around the world;
Susan Powell, Miss America 1981;
Oral Roberts, evangelist;
Norma Smallwood, Miss America 1926 and first Native American to hold the title;
Shawntel Smith, Miss America 1996;
Thomas Stafford, astronaut; and
Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart.
Political Figures:
Dewey Bartlett, Governor and U.S. Senator;
David Boren, Governor, U.S. Senator, and President of Oklahoma University;
Joseph J. Clark, Admiral, U.S. Navy and first Native American to graduate from the Naval Academy;
Tom Colbert, first Africa-American Supreme Court Justice;
William J. Crowe, Admiral, U.S. Navy and former Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff;
General Tommy Franks, Commander of the U.S. Central Command;
Jeane Kirkpatrick, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations; and
Daniel Patrick Moynihan, U.S. Senator, President of the United Nations Security Council, and Ambassador to the United Nations.
The above list only begins to scratch the surface of the many Oklahoma natives who have contributed to the crazy quilt that is America. It is, however, a way of reminding us all that all people are gifted in one way or another and that they deserve respect for who they are and what they do, rather than criticism about where they come from.
I’m proud to be a daughter of Oklahoma and I always will be.
