A university with a long and distinguished history as the University of Oklahoma is bound to have a distinguished group of alumni and fans. We’re not simply talking about athletes, because the Oklahoma Sooners have some of the most recognizable athletes going in Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Trae Young.
But outside the lines, the Sooners are well represented by alumni and fans as well. There are actors, CEOs of major corporations, owners of professional sports teams, pro wrestlers, musicians, a Miss America, and an astronaut.
We took the liberty to compile some of the most famous personalities with connections to the University of Oklahoma. We mostly stayed away from sports figures, but several former Sooners have become famous for something other than the sport they played at the university, so they’re worth mentioning.
Aug 4, 1989; New York, NY, USA; American actor Ed Harris sits for an interview in the living room of his New York City apartment. John Munson/NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY NETWORK
Ed Harris is one of the more recognizable faces in American movies. He earned Academy Award nominations for his work in The Truman Show, “Apollo 13,” “Pollock,” “The Hours,” and “The Rock” with Sean Connery and Nicholas Cage. Harris attended the University of Oklahoma and studied drama.
James Garner accepts the 41st annual life achievement award at the 11th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
James Garner is a legend in the TV and film industry, most notably playing the lead roles in the series “Maverick” and “The Rockford Files.” He also won an Oscar for his role in Murphy’s Romance.
Garner passed away in 2014 and OU Daily had this to say about his connection to the University of Oklahoma. A Norman, Okla. native, “Garner stayed connected with his hometown throughout his career, particularly the Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts at OU and donated generously to OU’s Peggy Dow Helmerich School of Drama. He donated $500,000, establishing the James Garner Professor of Drama endowed position at OU’s Peggy Dow Helmerich School of Drama. Tom Orr, director for the School of Drama, currently holds this position.”
Jan 31, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Movie actress Olivia Munn on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors award ceremony at Symphony Hall. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Olivia Munn ascended to stardom in her role in HBO’s “Newsroom.” Munn also carried a role in “X-Men: Apocalypse” as Psylocke. Munn attended the University of Oklahoma and earned a B.A. in Journalism.
Actor Dennis Weaver, left, and Mae Boren Axton, writer of Elvis Presley hit “Heartbreak Hotel,” share a moment together during the 18th annual ASCAP Awards banquet at the Maxwell House Hotel Oct. 15, 1980. Frank Empson / The Tennessean
Former Screen Actor’s Guild president Weaver starred in “Gunsmoke” and “McCloud” after his time at the University of Oklahoma. Weaver graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Drama in 1948.
US actor and film director Nate Parker attends the “American Skin” Premiere during the 45th Deauville American Film Festival on September 09, 2019 in Deauville, France. (Sipa via AP Images)
The former Oklahoma Sooners wrestler is most well known for his role in “The Great Debaters.”
Sep 7, 2019; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners former player Brian Bosworth before the game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sure, Oklahoma fans know Brian Bosworth as “The Boz” from his playing days in the 1980s. But modern college football fans may not have made the connection between Bosworth and “The Sheriff of Fanville” in the popular Dr. Pepper commercials.
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
The father of legendary director Ron Howard, Rance also appeared in “Apollo 13,” “A Beautiful Mind,” and “Splash” after studying at the University of Oklahoma.
Members of the Exchange Club of Nashville celebrate its 50th anniversary during a banquet at the Sheraton Motor Inn Sept. 11, 1970. Sharing a moment are Homer B. Gibbs Jr., left, club president, with his wife, Joseph Martin Jr., club president-elect, and his wife, and Astronaut Fred Haise Jr., who is the guest speaker at the event.
After serving in the military, Fred Haise Jr. attended the University of Oklahoma and earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors. Haise was one of the members of the Apollo 13 crew and is just one of 24 astronauts to fly to the moon.
Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, front, joins head coach John Fox, center, and general manager Brian Xanders in listening as quarterback Peyton Manning addreses reporters during a news conference at the team’s headquarters in Englewood, Colo., on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Pat Bowlen graduated from the University of Oklahoma with degrees in business and law. He’s the owner of the Denver Broncos (NFL), Colorado Crush (Arena League), and Denver Outlaws (Major League Lacrosse).
Oct 20, 2018; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners athletic director Joe Castiglione speaks with former WWE host Jim Ross (right) before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Few celebrities represent the state of Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma with as much pride as “good ole J.R.” Jim Ross and his cowboy hat can be seen patrolling the sidelines on Saturdays, but during the week, Ross has been the most iconic play-by-play voice in professional wrestling for the last 40 years. Ross worked for WCW and WWE but now serves as the play-by-play voice for the rising All Elite Wrestling. Ross also served as the Head of Talent Relations for the WWE.
Oct 11, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Recording artist Toby Keith takes a photo with fans on the sidelines during the game with the Oklahoma Sooners playing against the Texas Longhorns during the Red River showdown at the Cotton Bowl. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Like Ross, country music star Toby Keith is often found in Norman on gamedays. Born in Clinton and raised in Moore, Okla. Keith has earned countless awards for his music and has dabbled in acting as well.
FILE – In this October 1982, photo, Oklahoma offensive guard Steve Williams celebrates after Oklahoma upset Texas in Norman, Okla. Williams, 49, who wrestled professionally as “Dr. Death,” died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, according former Oklahoma wrestling coach Stan Abel. (AP Photo/Oklahoman, Jim Argo)
Steve Williams became a legend on the gridiron for the Oklahoma Sooners but his popularity soared as an icon for WCW and All Japan Pro Wrestling. “Dr. Death” won the NWA and WCW tag-team championships and in 2020 was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Jacob “Jake” Hager, Jr., known as Jack Swagger, left, locks up the leg of Jose Alberto Rodríguez, of Mexico, known as Alberto Del Rio, during the WWE Wrestlemania 29 wrestling event, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Another former Sooner who made their hay in sports entertainment, Jake Hager has performed in WWE and AEW. He’s held the World Heavyweight Title, the WWE United States title, the ECW Championship, and was the 2010 winner of the Money in the Bank ladder match. Hager graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Finance degree.
Miss Oklahoma, Jennifer Berry, left, is embraced by first runner up Monica Pang, Miss Georgia as she reacts to being named Miss America 2006 at the 2006 Miss America pageant in Las Vegas, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Jennifer Berry attended the University of Oklahoma before winning the 2006 Miss America pageant.
(AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)
Larry Drake was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma before a starring role in “L.A. Law,” which earned him two Emmys.
May 1, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder new head coach Billy Donovan visits with team owner Clay Bennett prior to a press conference at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma alum Clay Bennett is the owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder and served on the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents from 2011 to 2019.
Lawrence Leibowitz, left, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Products, NYSE Group, Inc., grabs the hand of President and CEO of Victoria’s Secret Sharen Jester Turney, third left, before she could bang the gavel on the bell podium after she rang the New York Stock Exchange opening bell, Friday, Aug. 10, 2007. Banging the gavel is done at the close of the trading day. Joining her are Victoria’s Secret model Karolina Kurkova, second left, and Selita Ebanks. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
An alum of the University of Oklahoma, Sharen Jester Turney served as President and CEO of Victoria’s Secret from 2006 to 2016. She’s also served on the Board of Trustees for the University of Oklahoma Foundation.
Iqbal Theba attends the LA Premiere of “Mira, Royal Detective” at Disney Studios on Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Burbank, Calif. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP)
A graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering Management, Iqbal Theba returned to Oklahoma to study acting and starred in the hit FOX drama, “Glee.” He’s also appeared in 21 feature films including “Indecent Proposal,” “The Green Book,” “The Kite Runner,” and “Transformers: Dark of the Moon.”
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