Famous People

Weatherford has a rich western heritage filled with colorful characters and personalities. Legendary cattle drivers Oliver Loving, Charles Goodnight, and Bose Ikard are just a few of the notorious cowboys that make up Weatherford's history. Both Loving and Goodnight served as the inspiration for Texas author Larry McMurtry's novel Lonesome Dove. Because of this heritage, Western events abound throughout the year. The Parker County Frontier Days and Sheriff's Posse Rodeo is one of the largest in Texas and provides fun for the entire family.

Mary Martin, internationally known Broadway star, was born in Weatherford in 1913. She was renowned for her portrayal of Peter Pan, as well as many other memorable performances during her legendary stage career. Her son, Larry Hagman, became forever immortalized as the villainous J.R. Ewing, of the television melodrama, Dallas.

Portrait artist Douglas Chandor moved to Weatherford and married Weatherford native Ina Kuteman. Known internationally for his portraits of the rich and famous including Queen Elizabeth, Winston Churchill, Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, he designed and built a beautiful botanical garden which is now owned and operated by the City of Weatherford.

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Jim Wright grew up in Weatherford and served as the 48th U.S. Speaker of the House from 1987-1989. He represented Texas's 12th congressional district as a Democrat from 1955 to 1989. After leaving Congress, Wright became a college professor. He passed away in Fort Worth in 2015.