Rick Perry

Best known for his work as a Republican politician and Governor of Texas, Rick Perry also dazzled on "Dancing with the Stars" (2005). Perry was born James Richard Perry on March 4, 1950 in Haskell County, Texas. A fifth-generation Texan, Perry grew up on the family ranch in Paint Creek, 60 miles north of Abilene. After earning a degree in animal science from Texas A&M University, Perry served in the U.S. Air Force for five years as a pilot in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. Perry left the service as a captain and was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1984, and then was elected lieutenant governor in 1998. When George W. Bush resigned his office to become president, Perry went on to become the governor of Texas. Perry was elected governor of Texas in his own right in 2002 and was re-elected in 2006 and 2010. Perry made multiple appearances on various cable and network news shows as himself, including "On the Record w/ Brit Hume" (2002), "Face the Nation" (1954), "Fox News Sunday" (1996) and "Hannity" (2009). In 2016, Perry competed as one of the celebrity dancers, partnering with professional dancer Emma Slater for Season 23 of "Dancing with the Stars" (2005). Perry and Slater were eliminated on the third week of competition and finished in 12th place.