Surprising Amarillo Celebrities You Didn't Know

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

Apr. 4, 2026 at 11:05am

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Amarillo, Texas may not be known for producing many celebrities, but a few famous faces have actually been born in the city or the surrounding Texas Panhandle region. This article profiles three such celebrities - Todrick Hall, Carolyn Jones, and Arden Cho - who were born in or near Amarillo but have gone on to find success in the entertainment industry.

Why it matters

While Amarillo is a relatively small city, it has still managed to produce a handful of notable entertainers over the years. This article shines a light on some of these lesser-known celebrity connections to the Texas Panhandle, providing an interesting look at the diverse backgrounds of some popular actors, singers, and performers.

The details

Todrick Hall was born in 1985 in the nearby city of Plainview, Texas before moving to Dallas as a child. He has gone on to find success as a performer on Broadway, a contestant on American Idol, and the creator of his own musical production. Carolyn Jones was born in Amarillo in 1930 and is best known for playing the iconic role of Morticia Addams in the 1960s TV series The Addams Family, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. Arden Cho, born in Amarillo in 1985 but raised primarily in San Antonio and Plano, has more recently found fame as the voice of the character 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

A performer who was born in Plainview, Texas in 1985 and has found success on Broadway, American Idol, and with his own musical productions.

Carolyn Jones

An actress born in Amarillo, Texas in 1930 who is best known for playing the role of Morticia Addams in the 1960s TV series The Addams Family, earning a Golden Globe nomination.

Arden Cho

An actress born in Amarillo, Texas in 1985 who has more recently found fame as the voice of the character Rumi in the Netflix anime series KPop Demon Hunters.

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The takeaway

While Amarillo may not be known as a celebrity hotspot, this article highlights how the small Texas city has still managed to produce a handful of notable entertainers over the years. These surprising Amarillo connections provide an interesting look at the diverse backgrounds of some popular actors, singers, and performers.