The University of Texas at Austin is considered a public ivy university, and it a highly respected academic institution. In addition to producing successful academics, researchers, scientists, writers, businesspeople, and lawyers, the University of Texas has given degrees to some well-known individuals over the years. Although many of these people were not famous when they attended college, the University of Texas gave them a strong academic foundation so that they could deal with the challenges of all their future endeavors.

Many famous actors and directions graduated from the University of Texas. Director Wes Anderson, who received an Academy Award nomination for The Royal Tenenbaums, graduated from UT in Austin in 1990. In The Royal Tenenbaums, Wes Anderson cast another famous UT grad in the role of Eli Cash. This role was played by actor Owen Wilson. In addition to these celebrities, Matthew McConaughey, often considered one of the most attractive actors of the current day, graduated in 1993.