Ty Murray

Former seven-time world champion rodeo rider Ty Murray was born in Phoenix, AZ, where he set his sights on his future career at the age of two. After learning the basics with the help of his father on the back of the family dog, Murray won his first buckle when he was five, then rode his first bull at nine years old. Also that year, he won his first Junior Rodeo Championship, a feat he repeated nine years running. He won the Arizona National High School Rodeo Association all-around title, then attended Odessa College, where he made Dean's list and at 18, became the youngest rider to ever join the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Murray went on to have the most successful riding career in the sport's history to date, winning seven all-around championships and two PRCA championship titles in 1993 and 1998, as well as becoming rodeo's top money earner. During the height of his career, he tore his PCL in both knees, leading to reconstructive surgery. After recovering, he damaged his shoulder one year, then broke his shoulder the following year. In 1998, he won his seventh and last championship and eventually retired in 2002. Murray met singer-songwriter Jewel in 1999 and the two became an item, eventually marrying in 2008. Meanwhile, Murray appeared on the small screen in episodes of "Walker, Texas Ranger" (CBS, 1993-2001), "Arli$$" (HBO, 1996-2003) and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CBS, 2000-15), then was named one of 13 contestants - alongside wife Jewel - for the eighth season of "Dancing With the Stars" (ABC, 2005-).