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Austin’s other celebrity endomorphs: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock and more
Other than Willie Nelson, who are Austin’s other celebrity endomorphs? (See previous post for explanation.)
Lance Armstrong finishes second only to Nelson in this metaphorical race. His fame is global. Yet his chief impact is local. He may spend a chunk of the year in Aspen, Colo., where he owns another home, but his family and foundation are firmly anchored here. And Armstrong generously participates in local events of all stripes, recently accepting the Austinite of the Year award from the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce with an eloquent speech.
Sandra Bullock belongs in this category. She, too, owns multiple homes, but has been spending more time in her primary residence here. (She’s filming in New York City right now.) Her fame has only increased this past year or so, with an Oscar in tow, and Louis Bullock, her adopted son, right behind. Healing from a very public divorce from Jesse James, Bullock is in the celebrity sweet spot. Other than shepherding her businesses, she remains extremely private in Austin, which we have always respected.
Those are the Top 3 Austin celebrities.
Michael Dell would seem to fit the celebrity endomorph type, although he and other Austin candidates are probably better classed with the middle-weight mesomorphs. He’s our best-known entrepreneur and billionaire. And his computers, if not his face, are recognized everywhere. Partnered with wife Susan Dell, his philanthropy has grown to epic proportions. Although a bit formal and reserved, Dell certainly makes appearances all over town. But if you’re not in the business or nonprofit world, you might not identify him right away.
Similarly, John Paul DeJoria is known primarily to the style and charity communities. His face is more recognizable than Dell’s, perhaps, because he has been marketing Paul Mitchell hair products and Patron Tequila for so long. He and wife Eloise DeJoria are among the warmest, most genuine folks on Austin’s social circuit.
Outside of Texas, you wouldn’t ID Mack Brown, unless you followed collegiate football. Most of our musicians and other artists are the same way, known to fans, but not nearly famous beyond their fields. Politicians like Gov. Rick Perry are gaining notice beyond state borders, but they aren’t celebrity endomorphs on the scale of Nelson, Armstrong or Bullock.
One last candidate: Dennis Quaid. The Houston-born Quaid and his Austin-bred bride, Kimberly Buffington, finally purchased a house on Lake Austin, after years of promises and speculations. His three-score-and-more movies guarantee he is noticed by everyone when he golfs, dines, shops or plays with his band around town. Like Bullock and Armstrong, he has been stung by tabloid poison as well, which will never completely heal.
Oh, do I know where he lives? Yes. But discreet social columnists don’t tell.
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By Jack Johnson
April 14, 2011 3:07 PM | Link to this
Do I know where he lives?
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