Big Tex has been greeting visitors to the State Fair of Texas since 1952 and, at a whopping 55 feet tall, he’s the world’s largest cowboy. But, like many Dallas residents, he’s actually a transplant and he wasn’t always a cowboy. His former vocation was in another Texas town as a promotional Santa Claus. With a little "plaster" surgery and a new wardrobe, Big Tex was born. If you’re curious, those are real Dickies he’s wearing: jeans 434 x 240 (waist x inseam). Lucchese-branded boots a mere size 96. Big Tex got his AARP card in 2002 during a 50th birthday party but he doesn’t seem motivated to hang up his 95-gallon hat anytime soon.