|
|
|
List of Puerto Ricans
List of famous Puerto Ricans in alphabetical order by last names, where applicable.
Composers, singers, and musicians
-
Juan F. Acosta, composer
-
Johnny Albino, singer
-
Natalie and Nicole Albino, "Nina Sky" hip hop
-
Rafael Alers, danza composer, "first" Puerto Rican to compose a Hollywood musical score
-
Marc Anthony, singer
-
Chucho Avellanet, singer
-
Raymond Ayala, "Daddy Yankee", rapper
-
Lloyd Banks, (Puerto Rican on his mother's side) rapper in 50 Cent's G-unit
-
Ray Barretto, singer, jazz and salsa musician
-
John Benitez, "Jellybean Benitez", music producer and remixer
-
Lucecita Benítez, singer
- Obbie Bermudez ,singer
-
Big Pun, rapper
-
Roy Brown, folklore singer, composer
-
Antonio Caban Vale"El Topo", folklore singer, composer
-
Tego Calderón, reggaeton singer
-
Juan Morel Campos, composer of Danzas
-
Bobby Capo, singer, composer
-
Nydia Caro, singer
-
Pablo Casals, (Puerto Rican on his mother's side), musician
-
Kevin Ceballo, salsa singer
-
Iris Chacón, singer and vedette
-
Chayanne, singer
-
Jose Miguel Class, "El Gallito de Manati", singer
-
Elvis Crespo,singer
-
Tony Croatto, singer/composer of Puerto Rican folk songs
-
Bobby Cruz,singer
-
Willie Colón, singer
-
Braulio Dueño Colón, composer of "Canciones Escolares"
- Cesar Concepcion , singer
-
Millie Corretjer,singer
-
Rafael Cortijo,singer
-
Joe Cuba,bandleader, considered to be "The Father of the Boogaloo"
- Tony D' Astro
-
Pedro Ortiz Davila, "Davilita", bolero singer
-
Justino Díaz, opera singer
- Dr. Rafael Jose Diaz, "Rafael Jose", singer and television host
-
Carmen Delia Dipini, singer
-
Ruben DJ, rapper
-
Howie Dorough, singer, member of the Backstreet Boys
-
Johnathan Dwayne, singer, composer
-
Rafi Escudero, singer
-
Noel Estrada, composer of "En Mi Viejo San Juan "
-
Cano Estremera,singer, composer and poet
-
Fat Joe, rapper
-
Rene Farrait, former member of "Menudo"
-
Cheo Feliciano,singer
-
José Feliciano, singer, composed "Feliz Navidad "
- Ruth Fernandez , singer
- Narciso Figueroa , composer
-
Pedro Flores, composer
- Luis Fonsi , singer
- Harry Fraticelli , pianist
-
Odilio Gonzalez, singer
-
Rafael Hernandez, Composer of "Preciosa " and "Lamento Borincano "
- Sophy Hernandez , singer
-
Giovanni Hidalgo, percussionist
-
Rafael Ithier, founder of "El Gran Combo" orchestra
-
La India, singer, known as the "Princess of Salsa"
- Tito Lara , singer
-
Héctor Lavoe, singer
-
Raphy Leavitt, composer, director and founder of "La Selecta"
-
Jennifer López, singer and actress
-
Johnny Lozada, former member of "Menudo"
-
Papo Lucca, singer
-
Lunna, singer
- Victor Manuelle , singer
-
Ricky Martin, singer former member of "Menudo"
-
Angie Martinez, Radio personality/rapper
- Ladislao Martinez , "El Maestro Ladis"
-
Charlie Masso, former member of "Menudo"
-
Ricky Melendez, former member of "Menudo"
-
Luis Miguel, Puerto Rican-born Mexican singer
-
Ismael Miranda, "El Niño Bonito de la Salsa", singer and composer
- Luis R.Miranda
-
Angel Mislan, composer of Danzas
- Jose Luis Monero
-
Yolandita Monge, singer
-
Andy Montañez, singer
-
Glenn Monroig,composer, singer, sang the "first" rap song in Spanish
-
Gilberto Monroig, bolero singer
-
Florencio Morales Ramos, "Ramito", folklore singer
-
Ednita Nazario, singer
- Frankie Negrón
-
Tito Nieves, singer
- Tommy Olivencia
-
Don Omar reggaeton singer
- Manny Oquendo
-
Tony Orlando (Puerto Rican on father's side), singer
- Luis "Perico" Ortiz , musician
-
Shalim Ortiz, singer
-
Eddie Palmieri, bandleader (won 7 Grammy Awards)
-
Charlie Palmieri, pianist, bandleader
-
Antonio Paolí, opera singer, first person in history to record an entire opera
- Jose Enrique Pedreria , composer
-
David Peel, singer, songwriter
- Angel "Cuco" Peña , musician
-
Carlos Ponce, singer
-
Tito Puente, musician
-
Ivy Queen, rapper, known as "The Queen of Reggaeton"
- Dominigo Quiñones
-
Ismael Quintana, singer
-
Jose Ignacio Quinton, pianist/composer of danzas
-
Richie Ray, singer, composer, known as "The King of Salsa"
-
Sylvia Rexach, singer, composer
-
Danny Rivera, singer
- Jerry Rivera , singer
- Graciela Rivera , opera singer
-
Ismael Rivera, "El Sonero Mayor", salsa singer
-
Roberto Roena, singer
-
Felipe Rodriguez, "La Voz", bolero singer
-
Julito Rodriguez, singer
-
Pellin Rodriguez, salsa singer
-
Tito Rodriguez, singer
-
Kelis Rogers, (mother is Puerto Rican/Chinese), singer and television host
- Tito Rojas , "El Gallo"
-
Robby Rosa, former member of "Menudo"
-
Willie Rosario, composer, bandleader
-
Felipe Rose, the Indian from The Village People, singer
-
Julita Ross, singer of Danzas
-
Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry, former members of "Menudo"
- Jesus Sanchez , "Chuito el de Bayamon", folklore singer
-
Gilberto Santa Rosa, singer
-
Eddie Santiago, singer
-
Herman Santiago, singer, composed song "Why Do Fools Fall In Love "
-
Marvin Santiago, singer
- Dr. Zoraida Santiago, singer and composer
-
Daniel Santos, composer, singer of boleros
- Nino Segarra
-
Xavier Serbia, former member of "Menudo"
-
Myrta Silva, singer, composer
-
Arturo Somohano,composer, Symphony orchestra conductor
-
Michael Stuart, singer
-
Olga Tañon, singer, composer, (4 Grammys)
-
Manuel Gregorio Tavarez, composer known as "The Father of the Puerto Rican Danzas"
-
Gerardo Teissonniere, classical pianist and teacher
-
Roberto Tirado, Spanish Harlem vocalist
-
Yolanda Vadiz, gospel singer
-
Bobby Valentin,musician/bandleader
-
Alan Vega, rock singer, of Suicide
- Tony Vega
-
Vico C, rapper
- Sylvia Del Villard
-
Wilkins, singer and composer
Cartoonists
Journalists
-
Jose Julian Acosta, journalist
-
María Celeste Arraras, anchor for "Al Rojo Vivo"
-
Barbara Bermudo, journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"
-
Rafael Bracero, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"
- Enrique Cruz , news anchor for "Noticentro 4"
-
Tomas De Jesus Mangual, journalist for "El Vocero"
-
Carmen Dominicci, journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"
-
Manuel Fernandez Juncos, journalist
-
Jackie Guerrido, journalist and meteorologist for Univisions "Despierta America"
-
Anibal Gonzalez Irizarry, former newscaster for "Telenoticias en accion"
-
Laura Hernandez, journalist
-
Carmen Jovet,Journalist, first Puerto Rican woman named news anchor in Puerto Rico
-
Michele LaFountain, anchor for the Spanish version of ESPN Sports Center
-
Lynda Lopez, anchor for "WCBS" Ch2.
-
Luis Francisco Ojeda, journalist, political critic for "WAPA T.V."
-
Geraldo Rivera, journalist
-
Edna Schmidt, anchor for "Telefutura"
-
Guillermo José Torres, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"
-
Elizabeth Vargas, "Liz" anchor "ABC News 20/20"
-
Luz Nereida Velez, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"
Actors, actresses, and comedians
-
Kirk Acevedo, actor, (T.V. series Oz)
-
Jose Miguel Agrelot, "Don Cholito", comedian
-
Miguel Angel Alvarez "El Men", comedian
-
Victor Argo, actor (Coyote Ugly)
-
Raymond Arrieta, comedian
-
Rick Aviles, actor/comedian (Ghost)
-
Charlotte Ayanna, actress
-
Alba Raquel Barros, comedian/actress
-
Ivonne Belen, documentary director and producer
-
Lucy Boscana, actress, pioneer in Puerto Rico's television
-
Giselle Blondet, actress/TV host
-
Norma Candal, comedian
-
Irene Cara, singer/actress (Fame)
-
Mylo Carbia, screenwriter, small part in (Underworld) the movie
-
Jorge Castro, soap opera actor
-
Braulio Castillo, soap opera actor
-
Braulio Castillo, hijo, soap opera actor
-
Melwin Cedeño, comedian
-
Lynette Chico,actress Puerto Rico T.V.
-
Ivonne Coll, actress (The Godfather II)
-
Miriam Colon, actress (Scarface)
- Paquito Cordero , TV producer/comedian
-
Mara Croatto, soap opera actress
-
Henry Darrow, actor, "Manolito" (TV series The High Chaparral )
-
Rosario Dawson, actress (Men In Black,The Rundown)
-
Sully Diaz, soap opera actress
-
Sammy Davis, Jr. (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)
-
Lydia Echevarria, soap opera actress
-
Hector Elizondo, actor (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries)
-
Erik Estrada, actor (TV series CHiPs, Sealab 2021)
-
José Ferrer, actor (Cyrano de Bergerac), first Hispanic actor to win an Academy Award
-
Miguel Ferrer, actor (Robocop, The Manchurian Candidate)
-
Rick Gonzalez, actor (The Rookie, Coach Carter)
-
Luis Guzman, actor
-
Lillian Hurst, comedian/actress (Dharma and Greg)
-
Raúl Juliá, actor (Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Addams Family)
-
John Leguizamo, actor (Moulin Rouge!, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar) (Puerto Rican on Father's side)
-
Adamari Lopez, actress of soap operas
-
Jennifer López, actress (Selena, The Cell)
-
Sunshine Logroño, comedian
-
Eddie Marrero, actor (Navy Seals: Untold Stories)
-
Claribel Medina, actress soap operas
-
John Melendez, "Stuttering John" ("Howard Stern Show" and "The Tonight Show")
-
Ari Meyers, actress (TV series Kate & Allie)
-
Karla Michelle, actress Puerto Rican T.V.
-
Eddie Miro, T.V. Host
-
Esai Morales, actor (La Bamba)
-
Jacobo Morales, actor (Bananas)
-
Rita Moreno, actress, winner of an Oscar, a Tony Award, an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award
-
Frankie Muniz, actor (TV series Malcolm in the Middle) (Puerto Rican on father's side)
-
Rafo Muñiz, comedian
-
Tommy Muñiz, T.V. producer/comedian
-
Marian Pabon, actress
-
Rosie Perez, actress (White Men Can't Jump, Fearless)
-
Joaquin Phoenix, actor (Signs, Gladiator) (born in Puerto Rico)
-
Freddie Prinze, comedian/actor (TV series Chico and the Man)
-
Freddie Prinze, Jr., actor (Scooby-Doo)
-
Carmen Belen Richardson, comedian/actress
-
Chita Rivera, "Broadway Legend", winner of 2 Tony Awards
-
Luis Antonio Rivera, "Yoyo Boing" comedian
-
Ramón (Diplo) Rivero, comedian
-
Adalberto Rodríguez, "Machuchal" comedian
-
Gladys Rodríguez, comedian/soap opera actress
-
Michelle Rodríquez, actress (The Fast and the Furious)
-
Roselyn Sanchez, actress (Rush Hour 2,Chasing Papi )
-
Jose Vega Santana, "Remi" the Clown, (also see: Cartoonists above)
-
Jon Seda, actor (Selena)
-
Jimmy Smits, actor (TV series L.A. Law; movie Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith)
-
Talisa Soto, actress/model, (Licence to Kill)
-
Miguel Ángel Suárez, actor (Stir Crazy, Under Suspicion)
-
Gloria Swanson, actress (Sunset Boulevard) (born in San Juan, Puerto Rico)
-
Rachel Ticotin, actress (Total Recall, Con Air)
-
Benicio del Toro, actor (Traffic), Academy award winner
-
Liz Torres, actress (T.V. series Gilmore Girls)
-
Lauren and Loraine Velez, actress's, (T.V. series "New York Undercover", "Oz")
-
Christina Vidal,actress, (TV series Taina )
-
Lisa Vidal, actress (Night in the City), (TV series ER)
-
Luis Vigoreaux, TV host
-
Luisito Vigoreaux, TV host
-
Otilio Warrington, "Bizcocho" comedian
-
Sandra Zaiter, TV host of children shows
Sports
-
Roberto Alomar, baseball player
-
Sandy Alomar, Jr., baseball player
-
Carmelo Anthony, basketball player, Denver Nuggets (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)
-
Carlos Arroyo, basketball player, Detroit Pistons
-
Carlos Baerga, baseball player
-
Carlos Beltran, baseball player, New York Mets
-
Wilfred Benitez, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
- Dr. David "Kike" Bernier, fencing, member of Puerto Rican National Fencing Team
-
Hiram Bithorn, baseball player, first Puerto Rican in Major League Baseball
-
Kristina Brandi, tennis player
-
Ivan Calderon, baseball player
-
Ivan Calderon, boxer
-
Fernando J. Canales, swimmer, first Puerto Rican to reach the final Championships
-
Hector 'Macho' Camacho, boxer
-
Orlando 'Peruchin' Cepeda, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
-
Kermit Cintron, boxer
-
Roberto Clemente, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
- Dr. Rebekah Colberg, "The Mother of Puerto Rican Women's Sports"
-
Carlitos Colon, wrestler
-
Carly Colon, wrestler
-
Angel Cordero Jr., jockey, member of Jockey Hall of Fame
-
Maritza Correia, first black Puerto Rican woman in U.S. Olympic Swmming Team
-
Joe Cortez, boxing referee
-
José Miguel Cotto, boxer
-
Miguel Cotto, boxer
-
Jose "Cheo" Cruz, baseball player
-
Christian Dalmau, BSN basketball player
-
Raymond Dalmau, basketball player
-
Esteban De Jesus, boxer
-
Carlos "Sugar" De Leon, first boxer in history to win cruiserweight title twice
-
Carlos Delgado, baseball player, Florida Marlins
-
Melissa Del Valle, boxer
-
Alfredo Escalera, boxer
-
Sixto Escobar, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
-
Gigi Fernández, tennis player
-
Enrique Figueroa, sailing
-
Bold Forbes, thoroughbred champion
-
Ruben Gomez, first Puerto Rican to pitch and win a World Series game.
-
Wilfredo Gomez, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
-
Jorge "Peco" Gonzalez, marathon runner
-
Juan "Igor" Gonzalez, baseball player
-
Ivonne Harrison, track and field athlete
-
Reggie Jackson, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame (Puerto Rican on father's side)
-
Belinda Laracuente, boxer
-
Butch Lee, basketball player, first Puerto Rican to play in the NBA
-
Angelita Lind, track and field athlete
-
Laura Daniela Lloreda, member of Mexican National Volleyball Team
-
Javy Lopez, baseball player, Baltimore Orioles
-
Mike Lowell, baseball player, Florida Marlins
-
Felix Magath, first Puerto Rican (mother is German) to play in World Cup soccer for Germany
-
Edgar Martinez, baseball player
-
Alberto Mercado, Olympian boxer, the only American citizen in the 1980 Olympics
-
Jerome Mincy, basketball player
-
John John Molina, boxer
-
Pedro Montañez, boxer
-
Mario "Quijote" Morales, BSN basketball player
-
Pedro Morales, wrestler, member of WWE Hall of Fame
-
Jonny Moseley, skier, first Puerto Rican to belong to the U.S. Ski Team
-
Emilio "Millo" Navarro, first Puerto Rican to play in the "Negro Leagues"
-
Luis Olmo, first Puerto Rican to hit a home run in a World Series
-
Carlos Ortiz, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
-
Jose Ortiz, basketball player
-
Luis Ortiz, boxer, first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medal in boxing
-
Raul Papaleo, Puerto Rican National Volleyball Team
-
Ernesto Pastor, bullfighter
-
Victor Pellot, a.k.a. "Vic Power", baseball player, second black Puerto Rican in Major League Baseball
-
Jorge Posada, baseball player, New York Yankees
-
Peter John Ramos, basketball player
-
Ramon Ramos, basketball player
-
German Rieckehoff, former president of Puerto Rican Olympic Committee
-
Ron Rivera, football player, first Puerto Rican in the National Football League
-
Ivan "Pudge" Rodríguez, baseball player, Detroit Tigers
-
Juan "Chi-Chi" Rodríguez, golfer, member of Golf Hall of Fame
-
Ruben Rodríguez, basketball player
-
Jose "King" Roman, boxer, first Puerto Rican to fight for the world heavyweight title
-
Edwin "El Chapo" Rosario, boxer
-
John Ruíz, first Hispanic heavyweight boxing champion
-
Alex Sanchez, boxer
-
Benito Santiago, baseball player
-
Daniel Santiago, basketball player
-
O.J. Santiago, football player
-
Samuel Serrano, boxer
-
Julio Toro, basketball coach
-
Georgie Torres, holds BSN scoring record
-
José "Chegui" Torres, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
-
Félix "Tito" Trinidad, boxer
-
Jesse Vassallo, swimmer, member of International Swimming Hall of Fame
-
Javier Vazquez, baseball player, Arizona Diamondbacks
-
Wilfredo Vazquez, boxer
-
Savio Vega, WWE wrestler
-
Juan Evangelista Venegas, the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medal
-
Ada Velez, the first Puerto Rican female boxer, to win a championship
-
Mark Watring, equestrian
-
Bernie Williams, baseball player, New York Yankees
Astrologers
Beauty queens and supermodels
-
Deborah Carthy-Deu, Miss Universe 1985
- Susie Castillo , Miss USA 2003 (mother is Puerto Rican)
-
Marisol Malaret, first Puerto Rican Miss Universe, 1970
-
Wilnelia Merced, Miss World, 1975
-
Astrid Munoz, supermodel
-
Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001
-
Chay Santini, supermodel
-
Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993
-
Gloria Velez, supermodel
Mr. Universe
Religion
-
Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, first Puerto Rican to become a cardinal
- Father Francisco Ayerra de Santa Maria, Puerto Rico's first poet
- Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi, first Puerto Rican to become a bishop
- Rev. Yiye Avila, pentecostal leader
- Rev. Nicky Cruz, former gangster turned minister
- Sister Maria Dominguez , beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II
-
Sor Isolina Ferre, Catholic nun awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
-
Juanita García Peraza, "Mita", founder of "Mita" religion
-
Roberto Gonzalez Nieves, San Juan archbishop
-
Jorge Raschke, outspoken evangelist
-
Carlos Manuel Rodríguez a.k.a. "St.Charlie", beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001
-
Teofilo Vargas Sein, "Aron", leader of "Mita" religion
- Father Diego de Torres Vargas, first to write about the history of Puerto Rico.
Authors, poets, and playwrights
-
Abelardo Diaz Alfaro, writer
-
Miguel Algarin, poet,writer and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
- Dr.Manuel A. Alonso, poet and author
-
Maria Bibiana Benitez, playwright and Puerto Rico's "first" poetist
-
Jose Gautier Benitez, poet
-
Tomas Blanco, writer and historian
-
Julia de Burgos, poet
-
Mayra Calvani, writer
-
Nemesio Canales, essayist and poet
- Dr.Cayetano Coll y Toste, historian and writer
-
Jesus Colon, writer, father of "Nuyorican" movement
-
Juan Antonio Corretjer, poet
- Dr.Jose Antonio Davila, poet
-
Virgilio Davila, poet
-
Mayra Santos Febres, poet
-
Rosario Ferré, writer
- Dr.Manuel Zeno Gandía, wrote "La Charca", the first Puerto Rican novel
-
Alejandrina Benitez de Gautier, poet
-
Enrique A. Laguerre, writer, nominated for Nobel Prize in literature
-
René Marqués, playwright
- Dr. Concha Melendez, poet, writer
-
Manuel Mendez Ballester, writer
-
Mercedes Negron Muñoz, "Clara Lair", poet
-
Pedro Pietri, poet,playwright, co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
-
Miguel Piñero, playwright, writer, co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
-
José Rivera, playwright, first Puerto Rican nominated for an "Oscar" in "Best Adopted Screenplay" category
-
Luis Rafael Sanchez,playwright
-
Esmeralda Santiago, author
-
Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, writer and poet, "The Father of Puerto Rican Literature"
-
Piri Thomas, writer, poet
-
Lola Rodriguez de Tio, poet, wrote lyrics to the revolutionary "Borinqueña"
-
Edwin Torres, "Nuyorican Movement" poet
- Judge Edwin Torres, writer (Carlito's Way), New York Supreme Court Justice
-
Luis Llorens Torres, poet
Artists
Military
- Vice Admiral, Dr.Richard Carmona, U.S. Surgeon General under President George W. Bush
- Brigadier General Antonio Rodriguez Balinas, U.S. Army
- Col. Carlos Betances Ramirez, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican to command a battalion in the Korean War
- Staff Sgt. Modesto Cartagena, U.S. Army, most decorated Hispanic in history
- Lieutenant General Pedro Del Valle, U.S. Marine Corps, first Hispanic three-star Marine general
- Spc4 Selian A. Diaz, U.S. Army, first native born Puerto Rican female soldier to die in a war
- 1 Lt. Carmen Durnier, WAC's, one of the first Puerto Rican women Army officers
- Capt. Miguel Enriquez, Spanish naval captain, pirate
- Brigadier General Luis R. Esteves, U.S. Army
- Major General Salvador E. Felices, U.S. Air Force, first Puerto Rican general in the U.S. Air Force
- CWO3 Rose Franco, USMC, first Hispanic woman Chief Warrant Officer in the Marine Corps
- PFC Fernando Luis Garcia, USMC, first Puerto Rican awarded the Medal Of Honor
- Major General Orlando Llenza, U.S. Air Force
- PFC Carlos Lozada, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
- Mayor General William A. Navas, Jr., U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican named Assistant Secretary of the Navy
- Admiral Ramon Power y Giralt, Spanish Navy
- Capt.Antonio de los Reyes Correa, Spanish Army
- Major Fernando L. Ribas-Dominicci, U.S. Air Force
- Rear Admiral Frederick Lois Riefkohl, U.S. Navy
- Admiral Horacio Rivero, U.S. Navy, first Hispanic four-star admiral
- Master Sgt. Pedro Rodriguez, U.S. Army, awarded two Silver Stars in one week
- Captain Euripides Rubio, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
- Sp4c Hector Santiago-Colon, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
- Sp4c Frances M. Vega, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican female soldier to die in a war
- Brigadier General Antonio Valero de Bernabe, fought alongside Simón Bolívar
Tainos
-
Agueybana, Taíno chief, "supreme cacique"
-
Agueybana II, brother of Agueybana
-
Arasibo, cacique, area of Arecibo
-
Caguax, cacique, area of Caguas
-
Hayuya, cacique, area of Jayuya
-
Jumacao, cacique, area of Humacao
Politicians
-
Carmen E. Arroyo first Puerto Rican woman elected to any state assembly in the United States
-
Herman Badillo, first Puerto Rican to serve in U.S. Congress
-
Joaquín Balaguer, president of Dominican Republic (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)
- Dr. José Celso Barbosa, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Statehood Movement"
-
Antonio R. Barcelo, founder of the Puerto Rican Liberal Party
-
Angel O. Berrios, mayor of Caguas
- Dr.Ruben Berrios, president of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
- Dr.Ramon Emeterio Betances, main leader of the Grito de Lares revolution
-
Mariana Bracetti, leader of the Lares Revolutionary Council
-
Juan Marí Bras, founder of the Puerto Rican Socialist Party
-
Mathias Bruckman, leader of the Grito de Lares
- Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, founder of the Nationalist Party
-
Blanca Canales, nationalist who led the Jayuya revolt
-
Roman Baldorioty de Castro, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Autonomy"
-
Oscar Collazo, one of two nationalists who attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman
- Dr. Gilberto Concepcion de Gracia, founder of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
-
Rafael "Churumba" Cordero Santiago, former mayor of Ponce
-
Jose de Diego, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Independence Movement"
- Dr. Antonio Fernós-Isern, first Puerto Rican cardiologist and Resident Commissioner.
-
Maurice Ferre, former mayor of Miami, Florida
-
Fernando Ferrer, Bronx (New York City) borough president
- Dr. Olga Viscal Garriga, nationalist
-
Eugenio Maria de Hostos, (see also Educators below)
-
Santiago Iglesias, labor activist and Resident Commisioner to Washington
-
Tito Kayak, activist
-
Lolita Lebron, nationalist
-
Olga A. Mendez, first Puerto Rican New York State Senator
-
Ines Mendoza, first lady of Puerto Rico
-
Francisco Ramirez Medina, President of the Republic of Ruerto Rico (September 28, 1868), during "El Grito de Lares" revolt
-
Teodoro Moscoso Jr., architect of Operation Bootstrap
-
Luis Muñoz Rivera, first Puerto Rican to be Resident Commissioner in Washington,D.C.
- Dr. Antonia Novello, U.S. Surgeon General under President George Bush, Sr.
-
Eddie Perez, Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut
-
Francisco Mariano Quiñones, the first president of Puerto Rico's Cabinet
-
Ramon Luis Rivera, former mayor of Bayamón.
-
Manuel Rojas, leader of the "Grito de Lares"
-
Felisa Rincón de Gautier, first woman to be elected mayor of an American Capital city.
-
Segundo Ruiz Belvis, leader of the Grito de Lares revolt
-
Manuela Santiago Collazo, mayor of Vieques
-
Maria de Lourdes Santiago, first female "PIP" member to be elected into the Puerto Rican Senate
-
Jose Serrano, first Puerto Rican congressman
-
Griselio Torresola, one of two nationalists who attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman
-
Nydia Velazquez, first Puerto Rican congresswoman
Governors
-
Carlos Romero Barcelo, 5th elected governor of Puerto Rico
-
Sila María Calderón, first female and 7th elected governor of Puerto Rico
-
Rafael Hernández Colón, 4th elected governor of Puerto Rico
-
Luis A. Ferré, 3rd elected governor of Puerto Rico (see also Industry below)
-
Juan Ponce de Leon II, first Puerto Rican to be temporary governor
-
Luis Muñoz Marin, 1st elected governor of Puerto Rico
-
Jesus T. Piñero, first Puerto Rican to be named Governor by the U.S.
- Dr. Pedro Rosello, 6th elected governor of Puerto Rico
-
Anibal Acevedo Vila, 8th elected governor of Puerto Rico
-
Roberto Sánchez Vilella, 2nd elected governor of Puerto Rico
Industrialists
-
Carlota Alfaro, fashion
-
Luis Antonio, fashion
-
Luisa Capetillo, labor leader
-
Ramiro L. Colon, first administrator of Cooperativa de Cafeteros de Puerto Rico, Café Rico (official coffee of the Vatican)
- Noel Colon Martinez , Amigo Supermarkets
-
Atilano Cordero Badillo, Supermercados Grande
-
Richard Carrion, Banco Popular
-
Oscar de la Renta, fashion designer (Father was Puerto Rican)
-
Fernando Fernandez, "Ron del Barrilito" and "Alcoholado Santa Ana"
-
Luis A. Ferré, San Juan Cement (see also Governors above)
-
Ramon Lopez Irizarry, inventor of Coco Lopez
- Israel Kopel , founder of Almacenes Pitusa department stores
- Teodoro Moscoso Sr. , founder of "Farmacias Moscoso" (Moscoso Pharmacy)
-
Gildo Massó, founder of Massó Enterprises and Casa's Massó
-
Angel Ramos, founder of Telemundo television network
-
Miguel Ruíz, Café Yaucono'
-
Juan Serralles, founder of "Don Q" rum
- Vicente Suarez , founder of V. Suarez & Co., Puerto Rico's largest wholesaler
-
Joseph A. Unanue, president and CEO of Goya Foods, son of founder
- Alfonso Valdez , founder of Cerveceria India
-
Salvador Vassallo, founder of Vassallo Industries Inc. (Industrias Vassallo Inc.), Vassallo Distribution Center, and Vassallo Molding Corp.
Educators and scientists
-
Joseph M. Acaba, educator, first Puerto Rican astronaut candidate
- Dr. Ricardo Alegria, anthropologist, archaeologist, educator
-
Anthony M. Busquets, electronic engineer, aero-space technologist
- Dr. Victor A. Carreño,inventor, NASA aero-space engineer, aero-space technologist
-
Miguel Alvarez Chico, electronic engineer, aero-space technologist
- Dr. Nitza Margarita Cintron,scientist, Chief of NASA's (JSC) Space and Health Care Systems Office
-
Rafael Cordero,educator beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II
- Dr. Orlando Figueroa, mechanical engineer, Director of Mars Exploration in NASA
-
Olga D. Gonzalez, NASA engineer, Member of Ohio's Women Hall of Fame
-
Lucas G. Hortas, aero-space engineer, aero-space technologist
-
Carlos A. Liceaga, electronic engineer, aero-space technologist
-
Debbie Martinez, computer engineer, aero-space technologist
-
Lissette Martinez, electronic engineer, rocket scientist
- Dr. Concha Melendez, educator, writer poet
-
Ana G. Mendez, educator, founder of the Ana G. Mendez University System
-
Eugenio Maria de Hostos (see also Politicians above)
-
Ana María O'Neill, educator and women's rights advocate
-
Lourdes Pamela Pop,educator
- Dr. Antonia Pantojas, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Dr. Angel Ramos, Superintendent of the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind
- Dr. Pedro Rodriguez, inventor, mechanical engineer
-
Monserrate Roman, scientist, microbiologist
- Dr. Agustin Stahl, scientist
-
Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, pioneer in black history
- Dr. Felix Soto Toro, electrical engineer, astronaut applicant
Puppeteers
- Antulio Kobo Santarrosa , "La Chachara", "La Condesa", "La Comay"
-
Filipo Tirado, "Pepe LoCuaz"
Others
-
Milivi Adams, young cancer patient from Vieques
- Sonny Arguinzoni , founder of Victory Outreach
-
Clara Benitez, matriarch of the Benitez boxing family and socialite
-
Felipe Birriel, "El Gigante de Carolina", was the tallest Puerto Rican
-
Roberto Cofresí, Puerto Rico's most famous pirate
- Corea Cotto , infamous outlaw
-
Edgardo Diaz, founder of Menudo
-
Magali Febles, Beauty Expert
-
Antonio García López a/k/a Toño Bicicleta, famous outlaw
-
Juan Manuel García Passalacqua, politic commentator, lawyer
-
José Juan García, "Cheguan", founder of Hogares Crea
-
Victor Manuel Gerena, allegedly stole $7 million from Wells Fargo
-
Alejandro Gonzalez Malave, infamous undercover policeman
-
Maria Elena Holly, widow of rock legend Buddy Holly
-
Isabel la Negra, infamous female gangster
-
Nicole Muniz, murdered teenager, famous after death
-
Jose Padilla, alleged al-Qaeda terrorist
-
Silverio Perez, show host
-
Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, Leader of "Los Macheteros"
-
Jai Rodriguez, of TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
-
David Sanes, whose death eventually led to the U.S. military leaving Vieques
-
Rolandito Salas, missing child, became famous after getting lost
-
Pedro Toledo, policeman, two times police superintendent
-
Ramona Trinidad Iglesias, was world's oldest woman
-
Tony Tursi, member of the Mafia
-
Alani Vasquez, "Lala Vazquez" Host MTV
-
Roberto Vigoreaux, former show host, senator
See also
Last updated: 05-21-2005 15:28:24
|
|
|
|
|
|