Surprising Amarillo Celebrities You Didn't Know

These celebrities have Amarillo roots—and most people have no idea.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:05am

Amarillo may not be known for producing many celebrities, but a few famous faces have surprising connections to the Texas Panhandle city. This article profiles three celebrities - Todrick Hall, Carolyn Jones, and Arden Cho - who were either born in Amarillo or the surrounding region, even though their big breaks happened elsewhere.

Why it matters

While Amarillo isn't typically associated with celebrity culture, these stories highlight how even small cities can produce talented individuals who go on to achieve fame and success in entertainment. The article provides a sense of local pride and community identity for Amarillo residents.

The details

Todrick Hall was born in Plainview, Texas in 1985 before his family moved to Dallas. He has gone on to have a diverse career, performing on Broadway, competing on American Idol, and creating his own musical. Carolyn Jones was born in Amarillo in 1930 and later became known for playing the iconic role of Morticia Addams in the 1960s TV series The Addams Family. Arden Cho, who was born in Amarillo in 1985 but raised mostly in San Antonio and Plano, has recently found success voicing the character of Rumi in the Netflix anime series KPop Demon Hunters.

  • Todrick Hall was born in Plainview, Texas in 1985.
  • Carolyn Jones was born in Amarillo, Texas in 1930.
  • Arden Cho was born in Amarillo, Texas in 1985.

The players

Todrick Hall

An entertainer who was born in Plainview, Texas and has performed on Broadway, competed on American Idol, and created his own musical.

Carolyn Jones

An actress born in Amarillo, Texas in 1930 who is best known for playing Morticia Addams in the 1960s TV series The Addams Family.

Arden Cho

An actress born in Amarillo, Texas in 1985 who has recently found success voicing the character of Rumi in the Netflix anime series KPop Demon Hunters.

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The takeaway

These stories of celebrities with Amarillo roots show that even small cities can produce talented individuals who go on to achieve fame and success in the entertainment industry. While Amarillo may not be known as a celebrity hotspot, it has quietly produced a few famous faces that most people would be surprised to learn hail from the Texas Panhandle.