SAN MARCOS, Texas — Fort Worth native and “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan is getting an honorary doctoral degree from the school he dropped out of in 1991 to pursue his acting dreams.
Sheridan was a theatre major at Southwest Texas State University – now named Texas State University – in San Marcos. He left school to become an actor for 20 years in the 1990s and 2000s, making appearances in episodes of “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Party of Five,” “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” and “Sons of Anarchy.”
Then, Sheridan transitioned into screenwriting and directing.
Sheridan’s show “Yellowstone” rose to high prominence and has spawned numerous spin-off shows, including “1883” and “1923,” all on the Paramount Network. Sheridan parlayed his relationship with Paramount with shows like “Tulsa King,” “Lioness,” “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” and “Landman.” Landman was recently renewed for a second season and the show is looking to cast TCU students as extras for a scene filming on campus.
The Texas State University System Board of Regents approved Sheridan’s honorary degree during a February meeting. Sheridan – alongside Jack Martin and Nathali Parker Weisman – will get their degree of Doctor of Letters at a later date, according to the university.
Texas State awarded its first honorary doctorate in 1962, which was given to former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, the only president to have graduated from a Texas university.
Sheridan, with his new honorary PhD, is also hosting a music festival at his North Texas ranch later this year.