There are lots of famous people from Texas (our state is huge, after all!), but many were born and grew up in big cities like Houston, Austin, and Dallas. One notable exception, however, is the incredible Sissy Spacek. This world-famous, award-winning actress grew up in Quitman, a teeny tiny town with a population of under 2,000. It's often said that the best things come in small packages, and this is proof that they often come from small packages (or small towns, in this case), as well.

With a population of under 2,000, most people have never heard of Quitman, Texas.

Located about 90 miles east of Dallas, this idyllic town features glittering lakes, lush greenery, friendly locals, and a slow-paced lifestyle...and it just so happens to be the birthplace of one of the biggest stars in TV and film history.

World-famous actress Sissy Spacek was born in nearby Tyler on Christmas Day 1949 and spent her childhood in Quitman.

Her given name is Mary Elizabeth, but her brothers referred to her as "Sissy," and the nickname stuck.

Spacek enjoyed a made-for-TV small-town upbringing.

She attended Quitman High School and performed in local talent shows with dreams of becoming a big star someday.

After the tragic death of her 18-year-old brother Robbie from leukemia in 1967, Spacek embarked on a fearless pursuit of her aspirations.

She had a short-lived singing career, then enrolled at the at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute - and the rest is history.

Her first credited role was Prime Cut in 1972.

She is most famous for playing the lead in one of my favorite films, Brian De Palma's 1976 horror film Carrie - a performance which led to a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress. While she did not win the award for that particular film, her portrayal of country music star Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner's Daughter (1980) was a different story. This was her first and only Academy Award for Best Actress (although she has received numerous other accolades, including Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild Awards).

Today, if you visit Quitman, you can drive down a street named in Spacek's honor.

She is, after all, the most famous person to come from the little town!

Did you know Sissy Spacek grew up in Quitman? Are there any other famous people from Texas who hail from our state's tiniest towns? Tell us in the comments! To keep the celebrity theme going, check out our previous article to learn about a celebrity-owned brewery in Texas that's so cool, it's almost *supernatural* (pun intended).