100 Notable alumni of
University of North Texas
Updated:
The University of North Texas is 346th in the world, 144th in North America, and 136th in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 100 notable alumni from the University of North Texas sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff.
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Meat Loaf
- Occupations
- rock musicianguitaristrecord producermusiciansinger-songwriter
- Biography
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Michael Lee Aday, known professionally as Meat Loaf, was an American singer and actor known for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. He is one of the best selling music artists in history. His Bat Out of Hell trilogy—Bat Out of Hell (1977), Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell (1993), and Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose (2006)—has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. The first album stayed on the charts for over nine years, as of 2016 still sold an estimated 200,000 copies annually, and is on the list of bestselling albums.
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Stone Cold Steve Austin
- Occupations
- professional wrestleractorfilm actorvoice actorpodcaster
- Biography
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Steve Austin, better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American retired professional wrestler, media personality and actor. Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, he was integral to the development and success of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now known as WWE) during the Attitude Era, an industry boom period in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
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Roy Orbison
- Occupations
- singer-songwritercomposerguitaristsingermusician
- Biography
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Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. Orbison's music is mostly in the rock genre and his most successful periods were in the early 1960s and the late 1980s. His music was described by critics as operatic, earning him the nicknames "The Caruso of Rock" and "The Big O". Many of Orbison's songs conveyed vulnerability at a time when most male rock-and-roll performers projected machismo. He performed with minimal motion and in black clothes, matching his dyed black hair and dark sunglasses.
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Norah Jones
- Occupations
- singer-songwriterjazz guitaristactorpianistfilm actor
- Biography
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Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. She has won several awards for her music and, as of 2023, had sold more than 50 million records worldwide. Billboard named her the top jazz artist of the 2000s decade. She has won nine Grammy Awards and was ranked 60th on Billboard magazine's artists of the 2000s decade chart.
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Don Henley
- Occupations
- singer-songwritercomposerguitaristsingerdrummer
- Biography
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Donald Hugh Henley is an American musician, and a founding member of the rock band Eagles, for whom he is the drummer and one of the lead vocalists, as well as the sole continuous member of the band. Henley sang the lead vocals on Eagles hits such as "Witchy Woman", "Desperado", "Best of My Love", "One of These Nights", "Hotel California", "Life in the Fast Lane", "Victim of Love", "The Last Resort", "The Long Run", and "Get Over It".
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Thomas Sadoski
- Occupations
- stage actortelevision actorfilm actoractor
- Biography
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Thomas Christian Sadoski is an American stage, film, and television actor. He is best known for his roles as Don Keefer in the HBO series The Newsroom and as Matt Short in the sitcom television series Life in Pieces.
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Thomas Haden Church
- Occupations
- voice actortelevision actormanufacturerdirectorfilm director
- Biography
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Thomas Haden Church is an American actor. After starring in the 1990s sitcom Wings and playing the lead for two seasons in Ned & Stacey (1995–1997), Church became known for his film work, including his role of Lyle van de Groot in George of the Jungle (1997), his Academy Award-nominated performance in Sideways (2004), his role as the Marvel Comics villain Sandman in the superhero films Spider-Man 3 (2007) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), as well as his starring roles in Over the Hedge (2006), Smart People (2008), Easy A (2010), We Bought a Zoo (2011), Max (2015), and Hellboy (2019). He also made his directorial debut with Rolling Kansas (2003). In 2023, he starred as antagonist Agent Stone in the Peacock post-apocalyptic action comedy series Twisted Metal.
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Peter Weller
- Occupations
- film actorteacherart historiandirectoractor
- Biography
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Peter Francis Weller is an American actor and television director.
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Maren Morris
- Occupations
- record producermusiciansinger-songwriterrecording artistsinger
- Biography
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Maren Larae Morris is an American singer and songwriter. Rooted in the country genre, her music also blends elements of pop, R&B, and hip hop. Morris has won multiple accolades including a Grammy Award, an American Music Award and five Academy of Country Music Awards.
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Anne Rice
- Occupations
- novelistwriterscreenwriter
- Biography
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Anne Rice was an American author of gothic fiction, erotic literature, and Christian literature. She was best known for her series of novels The Vampire Chronicles. The first book became the subject of a film adaptation—Interview with the Vampire (1994).
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Pat Boone
- Occupations
- singer-songwritervoice actorcomposeractormusician
- Biography
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Patrick Charles Eugene Boone is an American singer, actor and composer. He was a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He sold more than 45 million records, had 38 Top 40 hits, and appeared in more than 12 Hollywood films.
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Joan Blondell
- Occupations
- modelstage actorfilm actoractorbeauty pageant contestant
- Biography
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Rose Joan Blondell was an American actress who performed in film and television for 50 years.
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Kevin Von Erich
- Occupations
- player of American footballprofessional wrestler
- Biography
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Kevin Ross Adkisson is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Kevin Von Erich. A member of the Von Erich family, Von Erich is best known for his appearances with his father's World Class Championship Wrestling promotion. He is a one-time world champion, having held the WCWA World Heavyweight Championship.
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Adel al-Jubeir
- Occupations
- diplomatpoliticianinternational forum participant
- Biography
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Adel Al-Jubeir is a Saudi diplomat who is the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. He is the second person not belonging to the House of Saud to hold the office, after Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al Suwaiyel. He previously served as the Saudi Ambassador to the United States from 2007 to 2015, and was also a foreign policy advisor to King Abdullah.
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Lecrae
- Occupations
- composermusic artistrecord produceractorrapper
- Biography
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Lecrae Devaughn Moore is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record and film producer, record executive, actor, and entrepreneur.
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Christopher Sabat
- Occupations
- actorvoice actor
- Biography
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Christopher Robin Sabat is an American voice actor and voice director. Some of his prominent roles in animations and anime include Vegeta and Piccolo in Dragon Ball, Roronoa Zoro in One Piece, All Might in My Hero Academia, Daisuke Jigen in Lupin the Third, and Dr. Arthur Watts in RWBY.
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Ann Sheridan
- Occupations
- actorfilm actortelevision actor
- Biography
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Clara Lou "Ann" Sheridan was an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles in the films San Quentin (1937) with Humphrey Bogart, Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) with James Cagney and Bogart, They Drive by Night (1940) with George Raft and Bogart, City for Conquest (1940) with Cagney and Elia Kazan, The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942) with Bette Davis, Kings Row (1942) with Ronald Reagan, Nora Prentiss (1947), and I Was a Male War Bride (1949) with Cary Grant.
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Phyllis George
- Occupations
- modelsports commentatoractorbusinesspersonbeauty pageant contestant
- Biography
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Phyllis Ann George was an American businesswoman, actress, and sportscaster. In 1975, George was hired as a reporter and co-host of the CBS Sports pre-show The NFL Today, becoming one of the first women to hold an on-air position in national televised sports broadcasting. She also served as the First Lady of Kentucky from 1979 to 1983.
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Larry McMurtry
- Occupations
- authorhistorianwriteropinion journalistbusinessperson
- Biography
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Larry Jeff McMurtry was an American novelist, essayist, and screenwriter whose work was predominantly set in either the Old West or contemporary Texas. His novels included Horseman, Pass By (1962), The Last Picture Show (1966), and Terms of Endearment (1975), which were adapted into films. Films adapted from McMurtry's works earned 34 Oscar nominations (13 wins). He was also a prominent book collector and bookseller.
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R'Bonney Gabriel
- Occupations
- beauty pageant contestantmodel
- Biography
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R'Bonney Nola Gabriel is an American beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 2022, becoming the ninth delegate from the United States to win the title, as well as the oldest entrant to be crowned. She was previously crowned as Miss USA 2022.
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Erin Cummings
- Occupations
- actorfilm actortelevision actor
- Biography
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Erin Cummings is an American actress and online film pundit. She has appeared in the television series, Charmed, Dante's Cove, The Bold and the Beautiful, Cold Case, Dollhouse, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, and Detroit 1-8-7.
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Sean Schemmel
- Occupations
- stage actorvoice actorscreenwritermusician
- Biography
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Sean Schemmel is an American voice actor, ADR director, and screenwriter known chiefly for his work in cartoons, anime, and video games. His most notable role is the teen and adult voice of Son Goku in the Funimation dub of the Dragon Ball franchise.
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Sue Ane Langdon
- Occupations
- actorfilm actortelevision actor
- Biography
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Sue Ane Langdon is an American actress. She has appeared in dozens of television series and had featured roles in films such as A Guide for the Married Man and The Cheyenne Social Club, both directed by Gene Kelly, as well as The Rounders opposite Henry Fonda and Glenn Ford and two Elvis Presley movies, Roustabout and Frankie and Johnny.
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Mickey Jones
- Occupations
- television actormusicianfilm actoractor
- Biography
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Mickey Jones was an American musician and actor. He played drums with acts such as Trini Lopez and Bob Dylan, with whom he played on his 1966 world tour. He became a founding member of The First Edition with singer Kenny Rogers, and played on all of their albums. Overall, Jones played on 17 gold records from his musical career of over two decades.
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Joe Greene
- Occupations
- television actorplayer of American footballfilm actoractor
- Biography
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Charles Edward Greene, better known as "Mean" Joe Greene, is an American former football defensive tackle who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1969 to 1981. A recipient of two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, five first-team All-Pro selections, and ten Pro Bowl appearances, Greene is widely considered to be one of the greatest defensive linemen to play in the NFL. He was noted for his leadership, fierce competitiveness, and intimidating style of play for which he earned his nickname.
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Cara Santa Maria
- Occupations
- biologistjournalistscience communicatorpodcasterneuroscientist
- Biography
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Cara Louise Santa Maria is an American science communicator. She hosts the podcast Talk Nerdy and co-hosts The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast, and was a co-host of TechKnow on Al Jazeera America.
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James Hampton
- Occupations
- television actorscreenwriteractortelevision director
- Biography
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James Wade Hampton was an American actor, television director, and screenwriter. He is best known for his TV roles such as Private Hannibal Shirley Dobbs on F Troop (1965–1967), Leroy B. Simpson on The Doris Day Show (1968–1969), Love, American Style (1969–1974), and his movie roles such as "Caretaker" in The Longest Yard (1974), a role which garnered him a nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male, as Howard Clemmons in Hawmps! (1976), Harold Howard in Teen Wolf (1985), and its sequel, Teen Wolf Too (1987), and as Jerry Woolridge in Sling Blade (1996).
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Jake Pavelka
- Occupations
- aerospace engineermodelplayer of American footballactoraircraft pilot
- Biography
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Jacob Lynn "Jake" Pavelka is an American television personality, pilot, actor, and model who appeared on six reality TV programs, most notably The Bachelor. He is also the CEO of the company "Rhino Removal".
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Bill Moyers
- Occupations
- journalist
- Biography
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Bill Moyers is an American journalist and political commentator. Under the Johnson administration he served from 1965 to 1967 as the eleventh White House Press Secretary. He was a director of the Council on Foreign Relations, from 1967 to 1974. He also worked as a network TV news commentator for ten years. Moyers has been extensively involved with public broadcasting, producing documentaries and news journal programs, and has won numerous awards and honorary degrees for his investigative journalism and civic activities. He has become well known as a trenchant critic of the corporately structured U.S. news media.
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Brina Palencia
- Occupations
- stage actorvoice actortelevision actor
- Biography
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Brina Palencia is an American voice and television actress. She has voiced a number of English-language versions of characters featured in anime.
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Lawrence B. Jones
- Enrolled in the University of North Texas
- Graduated with Bachelor of Arts
- Occupations
- pundittelevision presenterradio personality
- Biography
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Lawrence Billy Jones III is an American libertarian political commentator, author and a current co-host of the weekday edition of Fox & Friends on the Fox News Channel. He served as host of Lawrence Jones Cross Country from 2022–2023. Jones, 31, is the youngest African American to co-host on a cable news network.
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Justin Briner
- Occupations
- voice actor
- Biography
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Justin Briner is an American voice actor. He has provided voices for English-language versions of Japanese anime films and television series. He is best known for his roles as Izuku "Deku" Midoriya in My Hero Academia, Mikaela Hyakuya in Seraph of the End, Maki Katsuragi in Stars Align, Qwenthur Barbotage in Heavy Object, Alfonso San Valiante in Garo: The Animation, Luck Voltia in Black Clover, Kensuke Hanasaki in Trickster, Ichi in the game Cibele, Shō Kusakabe from Fire Force and Hanako/Amane Yugi from Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun.
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Gregg Bissonette
- Occupations
- session musicianjazz musiciandrummer
- Biography
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Gregg Bissonette is an American jazz and rock drummer and vocalist. He is the brother of bassist Matt Bissonette, with whom he frequently collaborates. He has played on albums by dozens of recording artists, including David Lee Roth's first three solo albums.
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Kyle Hebert
- Occupations
- podcastervoice actordisc jockey
- Biography
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Kyle Henry Hebert is an American voice actor and DJ who works for anime and video game series, such as the teenage/adult Gohan and the narrator in the Funimation dub of the Dragon Ball series, Sōsuke Aizen in Bleach, Ryu in the Street Fighter video game series, Kiba Inuzuka in Naruto, Kamina in Gurren Lagann, Ryuji Suguro in Blue Exorcist, Noriaki Kakyoin in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, Dribble and Dr. Crygor in WarioWare Gold, and Big the Cat in Sonic the Hedgehog.
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David Hungate
- Occupations
- musicianbassist
- Biography
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David Hungate is an American bass guitarist noted as a member of the Los Angeles pop-rock band Toto from 1976 to 1982 and again from 2014 to 2015, and the son of judge William L. Hungate. Along with most of his Toto bandmates, Hungate did sessions on a number of hit albums of the 1970s, including Boz Scaggs's Silk Degrees and Alice Cooper's From the Inside.
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Clint Lorance
- Occupations
- military personnel
- Biography
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Clint Allen Lorance is a former United States Army officer who is known for having been convicted and pardoned for war crimes.
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Lou Marini
- Occupations
- clarinetistrecord producercomposerfilm score composermusician
- Biography
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Louis William Marini Jr., known as "Blue Lou" Marini, is an American saxophonist, arranger, and composer. He is best known for his work in jazz, rock, blues, and soul music, as well as his association with The Blues Brothers.
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Aaron Dismuke
- Occupations
- television actorvoice actorscreenwriteractor
- Biography
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Aaron Mitchell Dismuke is an American voice actor, ADR director and script writer. He is known for his role as Alphonse Elric in the English dub of the first Fullmetal Alchemist television series, whom he voiced when he was 12 years old. He is also known for his directorial work for the English dubs of Nanbaka, Shomin Sample, Tsugumomo, Cheer Boys, Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, Black Clover, Dr. Stone and Luck and Logic.
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Alexis Tipton
- Years
- 1989-.. (age 35)
- Occupations
- television actorsingerfilm actoractorvoice actor
- Biography
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Alexis Tipton is an American voice actress and ADR director. She has provided voices for English-language versions of anime series and video games. Her roles include Komaru Naegi in Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School, Sun Seto in My Bride Is a Mermaid, Musubi in Sekirei, Mizuki Himeji in Baka and Test, Millianna in Fairy Tail, Moka Akashiya in Rosario + Vampire, Honey in Space Dandy, Hyoka Kazakiri in A Certain Magical Index, Mina Carolina in Attack on Titan, Kurumi Tokisaki in Date A Live, Yomi Isayama in Ga-Rei: Zero, Anya Hepburn in Soul Eater Not!, Inori Yuzuriha and Mana Ouma in Guilty Crown, Kid Trunks in the Funimation dub of Dragon Ball Super, Mei Hatsume in My Hero Academia, Reze in Chainsaw Man, Karen Kurutsu in Island, Anna Schneider in Takt Op. Destiny, Iris in Fire Force and Kaguya Shinomiya in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War.
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Christopher Young
- Occupations
- music teachercomposerfilm score composer
- Biography
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Christopher Young is an American composer and orchestrator of film and television scores.
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Ray Wylie Hubbard
- Occupations
- singermusiciansongwriter
- Biography
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Ray Wylie Hubbard is an American singer and songwriter.
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Carmen Cusack
- Occupations
- actorsinger
- Biography
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Carmen Cusack is an American musical theater actress and singer. She is known for playing Elphaba in the Chicago, North American Tour, and Melbourne productions of the musical Wicked and for originating the roles of Alice Murphy and Clare Boothe Luce in the Broadway musicals Bright Star and Flying Over Sunset, respectively.
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Jim Marrs
- Occupations
- non-fiction writerwriterconspiracy theoristufologistjournalist
- Biography
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James Farrell Marrs Jr. was an American newspaper journalist and New York Times best-selling author of books and articles on a wide range of alleged cover-ups and conspiracies. Marrs was a prominent figure in the JFK assassination conspiracy theories community and his 1989 book Crossfire was a source for Oliver Stone's 1991 film JFK. He wrote books asserting the existence of government conspiracies regarding aliens, 9/11, telepathy, and secret societies. He began his career as a news reporter in the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metroplex and taught a class on the assassination of John F. Kennedy at University of Texas at Arlington for 30 years. Marrs was a member of the Scholars for 9/11 Truth.
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John Abercrombie
- Occupations
- jazz musiciancomposerguitaristrecording artistjazz guitarist
- Biography
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John Laird Abercrombie was an American jazz guitarist. His work explored jazz fusion, free jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Abercrombie studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He was known for his understated style and his work with organ trios.
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Mark Matejka
- Occupations
- guitarist
- Biography
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Vincent Mark "Sparky" Matejka is an American rock guitarist. He joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2006, replacing Hughie Thomasson who had left to reform Outlaws. He first played with the band on their Christmas Time Again album in 2000 and was credited with guitar and vocals.
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William Basinski
- Occupations
- composer
- Biography
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William James Basinski is an American avant-garde composer based in Los Angeles, California. He is also a clarinetist, saxophonist, sound artist, and video artist.
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Tom Malone
- Occupations
- musicianjazz musiciansaxophonist
- Biography
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Thomas "Bones" Malone is an American jazz musician, arranger, and producer. As his nickname implies, he specializes on the trombone but he also plays saxophone, trumpet, tuba, flute, and bass guitar. He has been a member of The Blues Brothers, Saturday Night Live Band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and the CBS Orchestra, the house band for the Late Show with David Letterman.
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David Hanson
- Occupations
- sculptorinternational forum participantroboticistchief executive officer
- Biography
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David Hanson Jr. is an American roboticist who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hanson Robotics, a Hong Kong-based robotics company founded in 2013.
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Robert Longo
- Occupations
- film directorsculptorgraphic artistdrawerphotographer
- Biography
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Robert Longo is an American artist, filmmaker, photographer and musician.
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Larry Pine
- Occupations
- film actorstage actortelevision actor
- Biography
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Larry Pine is an American actor.
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Trina Nishimura
- Occupations
- voice actor
- Biography
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Trina Marie Nishimura is an American voice actress. She is known for the voice of Mikasa Ackerman on Attack on Titan, Kurisu Makise on Steins;Gate and Etie on Fire Emblem Engage.
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Michael League
- Occupations
- guitaristcomposer
- Biography
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Michael League is an American composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is the bandleader of instrumental band Snarky Puppy and the international music ensemble Bokanté. He also founded the band Forq with keyboardist Henry Hey, and is also an owner and founder of the record label GroundUP Music. League has won five Grammy Awards.
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Herb Ellis
- Occupations
- jazz musicianjazz guitaristguitarist
- Biography
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Mitchell Herbert Ellis was an American jazz guitarist. During the 1950s, he was in a trio with pianist Oscar Peterson.
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Jeff Coffin
- Occupations
- conductorbandleadercomposerjazz musician
- Biography
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Jeff Stanley Coffin is an American saxophonist, composer, and educator. He is a three-time Grammy Award winner as a member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, with whom he performed from 1997 until 2010. In July 2008, Coffin began touring with Dave Matthews Band and joined the group in 2009 following the death of founding member LeRoi Moore. He also leads his group Jeff Coffin & the Mu'tet.
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Bob Dorough
- Occupations
- pianistsongwritersingerjazz musicianrecord producer
- Biography
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Robert Lrod Dorough was an American bebop and cool jazz vocalist, pianist, composer, songwriter, arranger, and producer. Dorough became famous as the composer and performer of songs in the TV series Schoolhouse Rock!, as well as for his work with Miles Davis, Blossom Dearie, and others.
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Dean Parks
- Occupations
- session musiciancomposerguitarist
- Biography
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Weldon Dean Parks is an American session guitarist and record producer from Fort Worth, Texas. Parks has one Grammy nomination.
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Michael C. Burgess
- Enrolled in the University of North Texas
- In 1972 graduated with Bachelor of Science
- In 1976 graduated with Master of Science
- Occupations
- obstetriciangynaecologistphysicianpolitician
- Biography
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Michael Clifton Burgess is an American physician and politician representing Texas's 26th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. The district is anchored in Denton County, a suburban county north of Dallas and Fort Worth. He has held the position since 2003 and is a member of the Republican Party.
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Joseph L. Lengyel
- Occupations
- military leader
- Biography
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Joseph Lauren Lengyel is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the 28th chief of the National Guard Bureau from August 2016 to August 2020. As chief, he was responsible for ensuring that nearly 460,000 Army National Guard and Air National Guard personnel are accessible, capable and ready to protect the homeland and to provide combat capabilities to the United States Army and the United States Air Force. Lengyel is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours primarily in the F-16.
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Fernando Paulsen
- Enrolled in the University of North Texas
- In 1979 graduated with Bachelor of Arts
- Occupations
- television presenterjournalist
- Biography
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Fernando José Paulsen Silva is a Chilean radio journalist, television presenter, columnist, sports and political commentator.
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Jason Sutter
- Occupations
- musician
- Biography
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Jason Sutter is an American musician and drummer based in Los Angeles, California. He is currently the drummer for Cher.
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Jim Hightower
- Occupations
- journalistpoliticianradio personality
- Biography
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James Allen Hightower is an American syndicated columnist, progressive political activist, and author. From 1983 to 1991 he served as the elected commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture. He publishes a monthly newsletter that is notable for its in-depth investigative reporting, The Hightower Lowdown.
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Dewey Redman
- Occupations
- clarinetistmusicianjazz musiciancomposersaxophonist
- Biography
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Walter Dewey Redman was an American saxophonist who performed free jazz as a bandleader and with Ornette Coleman and Keith Jarrett.
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Michael Milhoan
- Occupations
- television actoractor
- Biography
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Michael Milhoan is an American actor. Best known as Dante Pacino in Something So Right (1996-1998).
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Matt Bissonette
- Occupations
- musicianbassist
- Biography
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Matt Bissonette is an American bass player and vocalist. According to Guitar 9, an online musicianship magazine, he has played bass and other stringed instruments on at least 22 albums, with music styles ranging from jazz, jazz fusion, progressive metal and instrumental rock. Bissonette has played bass with performers such as David Lee Roth (1987–1992), Jeff Lynne and ELO (2001), Ringo Starr (2003–2005), Elton John (2012–2023), and currently REO Speedwagon (2023 - )). He is the brother of drummer Gregg Bissonette.
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Scott Kurtz
- Occupations
- cartoonistcomics artist
- Biography
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Scott R. Kurtz is an American webcomic artist. Known for creating the daily online comic-strip PvP, Kurtz is among the first professional webcomic creators.
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Shara Nova
- Occupations
- pianistcomposermusiciansinger
- Biography
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Shara Nova is the lead singer and songwriter for My Brightest Diamond. As a composer she is most recognized for her choral compositions and the baroque chamber opera "You Us We All". New music composers Sarah Kirkland Snider, David Lang, Steve Mackey and Bryce Dessner have composed pieces for Nova's voice. She has recorded as a guest vocalist with David Byrne, Laurie Anderson, The Decemberists, Sufjan Stevens, Jedi Mind Tricks, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Stateless as well as extensive collaborations with visual artists Matthew Ritchie and Matthew Barney. She was formerly the frontwoman of AwRY. On March 3, 2016, Shara legally changed her last name from Worden to Nova after divorcing her husband, to whom she had been married most of her adult life.
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Steve Turre
- Occupations
- jazz musicianmusic teacher
- Biography
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Stephen Johnson Turre is an American jazz trombonist and a pioneer of using seashells as instruments, a composer, arranger, and educator at the collegiate-conservatory level. For sixty years, Turre has been active in jazz, rock, and Latin jazz – in live venues, recording studios, television, and cinema production.
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Michael Daugherty
- Occupations
- musicologistpianistcomposerteacher
- Biography
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Michael Kevin Daugherty is an American composer, pianist, and teacher. He is influenced by popular culture, Romanticism, and Postmodernism. Daugherty's notable works include his Superman comic book-inspired Metropolis Symphony for Orchestra (1988–93), Dead Elvis for Solo Bassoon and Chamber Ensemble (1993), Jackie O (1997), Niagara Falls for Symphonic Band (1997), UFO for Solo Percussion and Orchestra (1999) and for Symphonic Band (2000), Bells for Stokowski from Philadelphia Stories for Orchestra (2001) and for Symphonic Band (2002), Fire and Blood for Solo Violin and Orchestra (2003) inspired by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, Time Machine for Three Conductors and Orchestra (2003), Ghost Ranch for Orchestra (2005), Deus ex Machina for Piano and Orchestra (2007), Labyrinth of Love for Soprano and Chamber Winds (2012), American Gothic for Orchestra (2013), and Tales of Hemingway for Cello and Orchestra (2015). Daugherty has been described by The Times (London) as "a master icon maker" with a "maverick imagination, fearless structural sense and meticulous ear."
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Craig Robertson
- Occupations
- player of American football
- Biography
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Craig Robertson is a former American football linebacker. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Robertson played college football at North Texas.
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David Ono
- Years
- 20th Century
- Occupations
- journalist
- Biography
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David Ono is a Japanese American filmmaker and news anchor for KABC-TV Channel 7 in Los Angeles, California. He is the co-anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News at 4 and 6 p.m. with Ellen Leyva. He also fills in for co-anchor Marc Brown at 5 and 11 P.M.
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Taher al-Masri
- Occupations
- diplomatpoliticiancivil servant
- Biography
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Taher Nashat al-Masri is a Jordanian politician who served as the 28th Prime Minister of Jordan from 19 June 1991 to 21 November 1991. He opposed the invasion of Iraq but reportedly wanted the Americans to stay in Iraq and keep it "out of the hands of the fundamentalists".
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Greg Edmonson
- Occupations
- film score composercomposer
- Biography
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Greg Edmonson is an American music composer for television and movies. He is primarily known for composing the soundtrack to the television series Firefly. He is also the composer for the first three games in the Uncharted video game series, and for a number of episodes of the American animated sitcom King of the Hill.
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Susan Wakarura Kihika
- Occupations
- politicianlawyer
- Biography
-
Susan Wakarura Kihika is a Kenyan lawyer, politician, and the first female governor of the Nakuru County. She was elected as a senator in 2017 on the Jubilee Party as a Majority whip. Susan held the position until the 11th of May 2020 when she was replaced by Senator Irungu Kang'ata. Prior to that, she served as the first female speaker of the Nakuru County Assembly and held the position of the Vice Chair of the County Assemblies Forum.
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Ari Hoenig
- Occupations
- jazz musiciandrummer
- Biography
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Ari Hoenig is an American jazz drummer, composer, and educator.
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Mason Fine
- Occupations
- player of American football
- Biography
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Mason Fine is an American football quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at North Texas.
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Billy Harper
- Occupations
- music teacherjazz musiciansaxophonist
- Biography
-
Billy Harper is an American jazz saxophonist, "one of a generation of Coltrane-influenced tenor saxophonists" with a distinctively stern, hard-as-nails sound on his instrument.
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Jon Button
- Occupations
- double-bassist
- Biography
-
Jon Button is an American bass player born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and based in Los Angeles, California. Button has played on commercial, film and television scores and toured with a number of well-known artists. He plays both electric and upright string bass.
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Zach Woodlee
- Occupations
- choreographer
- Biography
-
Zach Woodlee is an American choreographer and dancer. He was choreographer and co-producer of the TV series Glee. He has choreographed many other films such as Hairspray and Bedtime Stories.
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Patricia Racette
- Occupations
- opera singer
- Biography
-
Patricia Lynn Racette is an American operatic soprano. A winner of the Richard Tucker Award in 1998, she has been a regular presence at major opera houses internationally. Racette has enjoyed long-term partnerships with the San Francisco Opera, where she has been a regular performer since 1989, and with the Metropolitan Opera, where she has performed since 1995. Also active on the concert stage, Racette has appeared with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. She also received the award for Best Opera Recording for her performance in the Los Angeles Opera's production of The Ghosts of Versailles at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Sarah M. Broom
- Years
- 1979-.. (age 45)
- Occupations
- writer
- Biography
-
Sarah Monique Broom is an American writer. Her first book, The Yellow House (2019), received the National Book Award for Nonfiction.
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Sara Hickman
- Occupations
- singerguitaristsongwriter
- Biography
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Sara Hickman is an American singer, songwriter, and artist.
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Fareed Haque
- Occupations
- jazz guitaristmusicianuniversity teacherjazz musician
- Biography
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Fareed Haque is an American jazz guitarist, based in Chicago, Illinois.
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Marvin Peterson
- Occupations
- jazz musiciancomposertrumpeter
- Biography
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Hannibal Lokumbe is a prominent American composer and jazz trumpeter.
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Jane Nelson
- Occupations
- politicianbusinessperson
- Biography
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Jane Gray Nelson is an American businesswoman and former educator who serves as the Secretary of State of Texas since 2023. She was a Texas state senator who represented Texas Senate District 12. She was elected to the Senate in 1992 after serving two two-year terms (1988–1992) on the Texas State Board of Education. In 2023, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Nelson to succeed John B. Scott as Secretary of State. She was sworn in to that office on Saturday, January 7.
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Kristopher Carter
- Occupations
- film score composercomposer
- Biography
-
Kristopher Lee Carter is an American composer. He grew up in San Angelo, Texas and lives in Los Angeles, California.
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Steven Fromholz
- Occupations
- songwriter
- Biography
-
Steven John Fromholz was an American singer-songwriter who was selected as the Poet Laureate of Texas for 2007.
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Dennis Irwin
- Occupations
- jazz musician
- Biography
-
Dennis Irwin was an American jazz double bassist. He toured and recorded with John Scofield and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra among others, and played on over 500 albums.
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John Giannini
- Occupations
- basketball coach
- Biography
-
John Manfredo Giannini is an American college basketball coach, Director of Athletics at Rowan University, and respected college basketball analyst for NBC Sports and other networks. He served as the head men's basketball coach at Rowan University from 1989 to 1996, the University of Maine from 1996 to 2004, and La Salle University from 2004 to 2018. Giannini led Rowan to an NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament championship in 1996 and led La Salle to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2013. Giannini amassed more than 500 victories in his collegiate coaching career.
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Genie Chance
- Occupations
- politician
- Biography
-
Genie Chance was an American journalist, radio broadcaster, and Alaska state politician. She is most well-known for her coverage of the 1964 Alaska earthquake, which netted her numerous journalism awards, and for her contributions to Alaska legislation.
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John Bernard Riley
- Occupations
- musicianpercussionistmusic teacherjazz musiciandrummer
- Biography
-
John Bernard Riley is an American jazz drummer and educator. He has performed with Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Bob Mintzer, Gary Peacock, Mike Stern, Joe Lovano, Franck Amsallem, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, John Patitucci, and Bob Berg.
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Danny Kaspar
- Occupations
- basketball playerbasketball coach
- Biography
-
Daniel Joseph Kaspar is an American college basketball coach. Kaspar served as men's basketball head coach at the University of the Incarnate Word, Stephen F. Austin State University, and Texas State University. He has also been an assistant coach at Lamar, Midwestern State and Baylor.
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Pamela Rodríguez
- Occupations
- singer
- Biography
-
Pamela Rodríguez-Arnaiz Amianto is a Peruvian singer, a two-time Latin Grammy nominee. Her musical approach explores diverse genres such as pop, art rock, contemporary Peruvian music, and jazz. Her songs deal with social issues, the freedom of the human being and of women, and intimate themes.
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James A. Pawelczyk
- Occupations
- swimmerastronautprofessor
- Biography
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James Anthony "Jim" Pawelczyk is an American researcher of physiology and Kinesiology who flew aboard the NASA STS-90 Space Shuttle mission as a Payload Specialist.
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Thomas Morgan
- Occupations
- musician
- Biography
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Thomas Morgan is an American jazz bassist.
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Ray Renfro
- Occupations
- player of American football
- Biography
-
Austin Raymond Renfro was an American football flanker who played 12 season in the National Football League (NFL) from 1952 to 1963 for the Cleveland Browns. He also played as a halfback from 1952 to 1958. He played college football for the North Texas State Eagles.
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Marvin Stamm
- Occupations
- jazz musician
- Biography
-
Marvin Louis Stamm is an American jazz trumpeter.
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Emilia Schatz
- Years
- 1979-.. (age 45)
- Enrolled in the University of North Texas
- 1999-2001 graduated with Bachelor of Arts in computer science
- Occupations
- game designerweb developer
- Biography
-
Emilia Schatz is an American video game designer best known for her work at Naughty Dog. She studied computer science at the University of North Texas, where she later worked for almost three years before searching for work in the video game industry. She was hired at Terminal Reality, where she worked as a level scripter on Re-Mission, as a level designer on BlowOut and BloodRayne 2, and as a senior game designer on Ghostbusters: The Video Game. She applied for jobs at other studios, and in 2009 was hired at Naughty Dog. She began working at Naughty Dog early in development on Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, for which she designed several levels. She assisted with development of The Last of Us.
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Paul Varghese
- Occupations
- comedian
- Biography
-
Paul Varghese is an American comedian and actor of Indian descent who appeared on the hit reality show Last Comic Standing 2, where he made it to the semi-finals. He taped his first full set for national television on March 8, 2007, for Comedy Central's Live at Gotham which aired July 13, 2007. He was a regular on the Pugs and Kelly radio show, noon-3 p.m. weekdays on Live 105.3/Free FM in Dallas when that radio station and show was still on the air.
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John Carter
- Occupations
- saxophonistjazz musicianclarinetistmusic teacher
- Biography
-
John Wallace Carter was an American jazz clarinet, saxophone, and flute player. He is noted for the acclaimed Roots and Folklore series, a five-album concept album set inspired by African American life and experiences.
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Tom Thompson
- Occupations
- writerplayer of American footballmotivational speaker
- Biography
-
Emmet C. "Tom" Thompson II is an American former college football player who was a member of the football team at Austin College in Sherman, Texas during the 2009 NCAA Division III football season. In 2011, he earned a graduate degree from Austin College. He has been the kicking coach for the football team at Austin College since the 2010 season.
