Aside from it’s beautiful landscapes, diverse community, and rich Texas history, San Antonio, Tx is also the home to a handful of famous people.
Julian Castro (1974 – ) is a Democratic politician who was the mayor of San Antonio from 2009 to 2014. He was also the youngest member of President Obama’s Cabinet and served as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 2014 to 2017. He announced his candidacy for President in January 2019. His campaign emphasizes education, affordable housing, and Medicare For All.
Castro has an identical twin brother, Joaquin, who is also a politician. Joaquin serves on the US House of Representatives and is chairing his brother’s Presidential campaign.
David Randolph Scott (1932 – ) is a retired astronaut who is best known for commanding the Apollo 15 mission in 1971. It was the fourth mission to land on the moon and the first to use the Lunar Roving Vehicle. Scott, the seventh person to walk on the moon, and Lunar Module Pilot James Irwin used the Rover to explore more of the moon’s surface than had earlier missions. Before the Apollo 15 mission, Scott had served as pilot during the Gemini 8 mission in 1966 and spent ten days in orbit during the Apollo 9 mission in 1969.
Carol Burnett (1933 – ) is a comedian, actress, writer, and singer. She is best known for “The Carol Burnett Show (1967 – 1978), which was the first variety show to have a female host. She was also the first celebrity to appear on “Sesame Street,” when it premiered on November 10, 1969. She acted in several movies, including “The Four Seasons” (1981), “Annie” (1982), and “Noises Off” (1992). She also starred in 2017’s “The Carol Burnett Show: 50th Anniversary Special.”
Rick Riordan (1964 – ) is a novelist, who is best known for the series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” which puts the Greek gods and other beings from classical mythology in the present day. Riordan had gotten his start as a mystery writer when he published “Big Red Tequila” in 1998. It became the first in a series starring the private investigator Jackson “Tres” Navarre. It was well-received and won a couple of awards, including the Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel. In 2018, Riordan launched an imprint called “Rick Riordan Presents” that showcases writers who use mythology in their works.
Shaquille O’Neal (1972 – ) is a sports analyst and retired basketball player. He was born in New Jersey but his family moved to San Antonio. Over the course of his NBA career, he played for six pro basketball teams: Orlando Magic (1992 – 1996), Los Angeles Lakers (1996 – 2004), Miami Heat (2004- 2008), Phoenix Suns (2008-2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009 – 2010), and the Boston Celtics (2010 – 2011). He also played for the US Men’s Basketball Team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. After retiring from basketball, he became a sports analyst on “Inside the NBA.”