The University of North Texas (UNT) boasts a vibrant lineup of notable alumni from University of North Texas who have made waves across entertainment, politics, sports, and more. While there are no U.S. presidents or confirmed billionaires among famous graduates of University of North Texas, UNT's alumni shine in creative fields thanks to its renowned jazz studies program and strong liberal arts tradition. From Grammy-winning musicians to high-profile TV personalities and political leaders, these graduates inspire current students considering UNT. Dive into Rate My Professor reviews for UNT faculty who mentored many of these stars, or check academic jobs in Denton, Texas to follow in their footsteps.
UNT's entertainment alumni dominate TV, music, and film with entertaining tales of breakout success. View full entertainment-figures list.
Influential leaders from UNT have shaped national policy. See politics alumni.
UNT Mean Green athletes turned pros bring gridiron glory. Explore sports-figures.
These University of North Texas celebrities highlight UNT's impact. For more, visit UNT's official alumni highlights or alumni association. Aspiring grads, leverage higher ed jobs and career advice on AcademicJobs.com.
The University of North Texas (UNT), located in Denton, Texas, has produced a diverse array of notable alumni from University of North Texas who have made waves across entertainment, sports, and music. Imagine stepping onto the silver screen or dominating the wrestling ring—many famous graduates of University of North Texas have done just that, turning their Mean Green experiences into legendary careers.
Take Thomas Haden Church, an Oscar-nominated actor known for his unforgettable role in Sideways and as Sandman in Spider-Man 3. A UNT alumnus, Church honed his craft at the university before captivating audiences worldwide. Similarly, Peter Weller, famous for RoboCop, attended UNT and played trumpet in its renowned jazz bands, blending music and acting in his path to stardom. Golden Age Hollywood icon Joan Blondell, with nominations for films like Desk Set and The Blue Veil, also traces her roots to UNT.
In sports, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (Steve Williams at UNT), the WWE legend, electrified crowds with his larger-than-life persona. The Von Erich brothers, David and Kevin, professional wrestlers dubbed the "Yellow Rose of Texas" and "Golden Warrior," brought family flair to the ring. NFL standout J.T. Smith and basketball pro Chris Jones (now with Maccabi Tel Aviv) showcase UNT's athletic prowess.
Music shines too with Jeff Coffin, saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band and Béla Fleck, whose jazz roots at UNT's College of Music—one of the world's largest—propelled Grammy-winning success. For more on these entertainment-figures and sports-figures, check the entertainment alumni or sports alumni lists.
Prospective students eyeing UNT can draw inspiration from these stories while exploring Rate My Professor reviews for UNT faculty or academic jobs in Denton. Parents and job seekers might appreciate how UNT alumni networks support careers—visit the official UNT North Texan alumni page or Wikipedia's verified list for deeper dives. With such trailblazers, UNT proves its grads don't just graduate—they dominate.
Discover how University of North Texas (UNT) notable alumni shine across key fields with these star ratings, drawn from verified sources like the university's official North Texan magazine and Wikipedia. Ratings (out of 10) reflect the prominence, number, and global impact of famous graduates from University of North Texas, inspiring students and job seekers eyeing paths in Denton, Texas. These achievements highlight UNT's strength in creative and athletic pursuits, motivating you to leverage similar opportunities.
These ratings inspire by showing UNT's edge in sports and music, where alumni like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (wrestler) dominated globally. For job seekers, UNT connections open doors in Texas academia; browse Denton jobs or higher ed jobs. Students, rate professors on Rate My Professor (search University of North Texas) to pick achievement-boosting classes. Parents, note UNT's R1 status drives success. Aim high: volunteer, study abroad, seek internships—alumni paths prove persistence pays. Dive deeper via academic CV tips.
The University of North Texas has produced notable alumni in entertainment fields such as actors, musicians, and composers, with its renowned College of Music playing a key role. These graduates have made significant impacts in music, film, and comedy, influencing popular culture through chart-topping albums, iconic film roles, and live performances.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norah Jones | Singer-songwriter | Music (piano) | unknown | Grammy Award-winning artist whose debut album Come Away With Me sold over 27 million copies worldwide. |
| Meat Loaf | Singer and actor | unknown | Rock musician famous for the Bat Out of Hell album trilogy and acting in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. | |
| Roy Orbison | Singer-songwriter | Geology and music | 1947–1949 | Influential rock and roll pioneer known for hits like 'Oh, Pretty Woman' and his distinctive voice. |
| Don Henley | Musician | 1967–1969 | Founding member, drummer, and lead vocalist of the Eagles, co-writer of 'Hotel California'. | |
| Bill Engvall | Comedian | unknown | Stand-up comedian and member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, known for his 'Here's your sign' catchphrase. | |
| Marc Rebillet | Musician | Music | unknown | Electronic musician and performer known as Loop Daddy, famous for improvised live loop sets on social media. |
| Ryan Cabrera | Singer-songwriter | unknown | Pop-rock artist with hits like 'On the Way Down' and appearances on reality TV shows. | |
| Jo Dee Messina | Country singer | Music | unknown | Country music artist with multiple No. 1 hits including 'Bye Bye' and Grammy nominations. |
| Rich Matteson | Musician and composer | Music | unknown | Jazz musician proficient on over 40 instruments and professor emeritus at UNT. |
| Peter Weller | Actor | Theatre (BFA) | 1969 | Best known for starring as RoboCop in the 1987 film and its 1990 sequel, as well as roles in films like Star Trek Into Darkness. |
This section features notable athletes from the University of North Texas, primarily in categories like football and baseball. UNT alumni have achieved success in professional leagues such as the NFL and MLB, highlighting the university's role in developing competitive talent for high-level sports careers.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Loadholt | NFL offensive tackle | Multidisciplinary Studies | 2016 | Started 77 games for the Minnesota Vikings and played for the Baltimore Ravens, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2012. |
| Ira Daniels | NBA player | unknown | Played professionally in the NBA for the Indiana Pacers and had a career in European leagues after starring at UNT. | |
| Steve Ramsey | NFL quarterback | 1977 | UNT's starting quarterback from 1973-1976, selected in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. | |
| Roc Strong | NFL defensive tackle | unknown | Appeared in NFL preseason games for the Arizona Cardinals following his time on the UNT football team. | |
| Richard Johnson | NFL defensive back | unknown | Played defensive back for the Houston Texans after a standout career at UNT. | |
| Cedric Reed | NFL defensive end | unknown | Played college football at UNT and was selected in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. | |
| Craig Robertson | NFL linebacker | General Studies | 2009 | Played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints over 10 seasons, recording over 400 tackles and earning special teams accolades. |
| Jeff Zimmerman | Major League Baseball pitcher | Business Administration | 1998 | Pitched in Major League Baseball for the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies from 1999 to 2004, appearing in 173 games with a career ERA of 3.56. |
University of North Texas alumni have made significant contributions to U.S. politics at local, state, and federal levels, focusing primarily on American governance with impacts in legislation, policy-making, and public service leadership. Categories include U.S. politicians.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Gramm | U.S. Senator from Texas | Economics | 1967 | Served as U.S. Senator from 1985 to 2003 and U.S. Representative prior, known for key roles in economic policy and banking reform. |
| Charlie Stenholm | U.S. Representative from Texas | Agricultural Education | 1962 | Represented Texas's 17th district from 1979 to 2005 as a conservative Democrat, influential in agriculture and budget committees. |
| Beto O'Rourke | U.S. Representative from Texas; Mayor of El Paso | 1991-1992 | Served as U.S. Representative for Texas's 16th district from 2013 to 2019 and Mayor of El Paso, notable for his high-profile 2018 U.S. Senate campaign. | |
| Marc Veasey | U.S. Representative from Texas | Economics | 1983 | Has represented Texas's 33rd congressional district since 2015, serving on committees focused on ethics, science, and financial services. |
| Van Taylor | U.S. Representative from Texas | Political Science | 1984 | Served Texas's 3rd congressional district from 2019 to 2023, previously a Texas State Representative and businessman. |
| Jeff Blackburn | Texas State Representative | Business Administration | 1985 | Represents Texas House District 64 since 2015, focusing on education, transportation, and economic development issues. |
