LIST OF PUERTO RICANS

(Redirected from List of famous Puerto Ricans)

This 'list of Puerto Ricans' includes people who were born in Puerto Rico, people who are of Puerto Rican ancestry, and many long-term residents and/or immigrants who've made Puerto Rico their home, who are significantly notable for their life and/or work. They are listed in alphabetical order by last names, where applicable.

Flag of Puerto Rico

'Flag of Puerto Rico'

Contents

Actors, actresses and comedians

Authors, playwrights and poets

Beauty Queens and Fashion Models

Business people and industrialists

Cartoonists

Composers, musicians and singers

Criminals and outlaws

Diplomats

Educators and scientists

Governors

Journalists

Military

Politicians

Puppeteers

Religion

Sports

Taínos

Visual artists

Others

References

See also

Actors, actresses and comedians

Main articles: List of Puerto Rican artists


★ José Miguel Agrelot, "''Don Cholito''", comedian ^[1]

★ Jorge Alberti, actor ^[2]

★ Trini Alvarado, actress (films Little Women, The Perez Family) ^[3]

★ Miguel Ángel Álvarez actor/comedian ^[4]

★ Axel Anderson, actor/director ^[5]

★ Victor Argo, actor (''King of New York'')

★ Raymond Arrieta, comedian & television host

★ Rick Aviles, actor/comedian (''Ghost'')

★ Charlotte Ayanna, actress

★ Adrienne Bailon, member of Platinum R&B group 3LW, Actress The Cheetah Girls

★ Alba Raquel Barros, comedian/actress

★ Ivonne Belen, documentary director and producer

★ Rosa Blasi, theatrical actress

★ Giselle Blondet, actress/television host

★ Lucy Boscana, television/theatrical actress

★ Norma Candal, actress & comedian

★ Irene Cara, singer/actress (''Fame'')

★ Desiree Casado, actress ''"Gaby"'' on Sesame Street, (film ''I Like It Like That'')

★ Myrna de Casenave, actress/comedian, television host

★ Jorge Castro, comedian/actor

★ Raquel Castro, actress (Puerto Rican father)

★ Braulio Castillo, actor

★ Braulio Castillo, hijo, actor

★ Melwin Cedeño, comedian

★ Laura Cerón, actress

★ Ivonne Coll, actress (''The Godfather II'')

★ Miriam Colón, actress (''Scarface)

★ Liza Colón-Zayas, film/theatrical actress

★ Paquito Cordero, television producer/comedian

★ Kevin Corrigan, actor

★ Mapita Cortés, actress, niece of Mapy Cortés

★ Mapy Cortés, actress

★ Mara Croatto, actress

★ Alexis Cruz, actor ("Stargate", television series "Stargate SG-1", "Touched By An Angel")

★ Wilson Cruz actor television series ''My So-Called Life''; film ''Party Monster''

★ Henry Darrow, actor, "''Manolito''" (television series ''The High Chaparral'')

★ Raúl Dávila, actor, (television series ''All My Children)''

★ Rosario Dawson, actress (''Men in Black II'', ''The Rundown'', ''Rent'')

★ Blanca de Castejon, international actress

★ Idalis DeLeón, actress, former MTV veejay, singer (group Seduction)

★ Vanessa del Rio, actress

★ Benicio del Toro, actor (''Traffic''), Academy award winner

★ Kamar de los Reyes, actor, (television series ''One Life to Live)''

★ Michael DeLorenzo, actor (television series ''New York Undercover,'' ''Head of the Class)''

★ Alba Nydia Díaz, actress

★ Sully Díaz, actress

★ Daniela Droz, actress/television host

★ Lydia Echevarría, actress

★ Hector Elizondo, actor (''Pretty Woman'', ''The Princess Diaries'')

★ Erik Estrada, actor (television series ''CHiPs'', ''Sealab 2021'')

★ Antonio Fargas, actor (television series ''Starsky and Hutch'')

★ José Ferrer, actor (''Cyrano de Bergerac''), first Hispanic actor to win an Academy Award

★ Miguel Ferrer, (''RoboCop'', ''The Manchurian Candidate'')

★ Rafael Ferrer, actor

★ Franky G, actor ''(The Italian Job'', ''Saw II'')

★ Mayte García, actress/dancer (former wife of Prince)

★ Luis Gatica, actor (son of Mapita Cortés)

★ Marilyn Ghigliotti, actress Clerks

★ Joyce Giraud, actress, former Miss Puerto Rico Universe titleholder

★ Ian Gomez, actor ( television series The Drew Carey Show)

★ Marga Gomez, actress/playwright

★ Reagan Gomez-Preston, actress

★ Rick Gonzalez, actor (''The Rookie'', ''Coach Carter'')

★ Bruce Gray, actor, S.W.A.T (born and raised in Puerto Rico)

★ Javier Grillo-Marxuach, television and film producer

★ Luis Guzman, actor (''Carlito's Way'', ''Traffic'', ''The Count of Monte Cristo'')

★ April Lee Hernández, actress, Freedom Writers

★ Juano Hernández, actor, the first Puerto Rican star in the Negro Film Industry

★ William Hernández, actor

★ Jon Huertas, actor/producer

★ Lillian Hurst, comedian/actress (''Dharma and Greg'')

★ Mark Indelicato, child actor (television series ''Ugly Betty)''

★ Vincent Irizarry, actor on ABC serial (''All My Children'')

★ Raúl Juliá, actor (films ''Kiss of the Spider Woman'', ''La Gran Fiesta'')

★ Victoria Justice American television actress (''Zoey 101'')

★ Eva LaRue, actress (''All My Children'', '')

★ La La, MTV veejay, actress

★ John Leguizamo, actor (''Moulin Rouge!'', ''To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar'') (Puerto Rican father)

★ Adamari López, actress

★ Jennifer López, actress,singer,dancer

★ Sunshine Logroño, comedian

★ Justina Machado, actress (television series ''Six Feet Under'';''films'' Final Destination 2,Torque)

★ Sonia Manzano, actress, ''"María"'' on Sesame Street

★ Eddie Marrero, actor (''Navy Seals: Untold Stories'')

★ Claribel Medina, actress

★ John Melendez, "Stuttering John" ("Howard Stern Show" and "The Tonight Show")

★ John Mendoza, actor & comedian (Latino Laugh Festival and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson)

★ Ángela Meyer, actress, comedian and producer

★ Ari Meyers, actress (television series ''Kate & Allie'')

★ Eddie Miró, comedian/television host

★ Rene Monclova, actor & comedian

★ Karla Monroig, actress ''(Señora Tentación & Dame Chocolate)''

★ Esai Morales, actor

★ Jacobo Morales, director, actor (''Bananas'')

★ Alicia Moreda, actress/comedian

★ Rita Moreno, actress, winner of an Oscar, a Tony Award, an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award

★ Coati Mundi, composer/musician and actor (film Who's That Girl)

★ Frankie Muniz, actor (television series ''Malcolm in the Middle'') films Agent Cody Banks,Big Fat Liar (Puerto Rican father)

★ Rafo Muñiz, comedian & producer (son of Tommy Muñiz)

★ Tommy Muñiz, television producer/comedian

★ Taylor Negron, actor/comedian

★ Micaela Nevárez, actress (film Princesas) first Puerto Rican to win a Goya award

★ Sonia Noemí, actress & singer

★ Amaury Nolasco, actor, film ''2 Fast 2 Furious'', television series ''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'', ''Prison Break'')

★ Tony Oliver, voice actor

★ Ana Ortiz, actress (television series ''Ugly Betty)''

★ Elin Ortiz, actor/television producer

★ Marian Pabón, actress, singer & comedian

★ Lana Parrilla actress (Puerto Rican father), Spin City and Boomtown.

★ Rosie Perez, actress (''White Men Can't Jump'', ''Fearless'')

★ Joaquin Phoenix, actor (''Signs'', ''Gladiator'') (born in Puerto Rico)

★ Freddie Prinze, comedian/actor (television series ''Chico and the Man'') (Puerto Rican mother)

★ Freddie Prinze, Jr., actor (''Scooby-Doo'') (Puerto Rican grandmother)

★ Adolfo Quiñones, actor/dancer/choreographer (film Breakin')

★ Luis Antonio Ramos, actor

★ Carmen Belen Richardson, comedian/actress

★ Armando Riesco, actor, films ( World Trade Center, Garden State, Fever Pitch)

★ Osvaldo Ríos, actor & singer

★ Chita Rivera, "Broadway Legend", winner of 2 Tony Awards

★ Luis Antonio Rivera, "Yoyo Boing" comedian

★ Ramón "Diplo" Rivero, comedian

★ Adalberto Rodríguez, "''Machuchal''" comedian

★ Adam Rodríguez actor (television series , Roswell)

★ Freddy Rodríguez, actor (television series ''Six Feet Under'')

★ Gladys Rodríguez, comedian/actressRican Father)

★ Michelle Rodríguez, actress (''Lost'', ''The Fast and the Furious'')

★ Marta Romero, actress & singer

★ Johanna Rosaly, actress

★ Kiele Sanchez, actress

★ Marcelino Sánchez, actor (" The Warriors","The Bloodhound Gang)

★ Roselyn Sánchez, actress (''Rush Hour 2'', ''Boat Trip'')

★ Esther Sandoval, actress

★ Renoly Santiago, actor (film Dangerous Minds)

★ Saundra Santiago, actress (Miami Vice, Carlito's Way)

★ Jon Seda, actor (''Selena'')

★ Henry Silva, actor (''The Manchurian Candidate'', ''Dick Tracy (film)'')

★ Jimmy Smits, actor (television series ''L.A. Law'', ''The West Wing'', and ''NYPD Blue''; movie '')

★ Talisa Soto, actress/model, (''Licence to Kill'',''Mortal Kombat'')

★ Karrine Steffans, actress

★ Miguel Ángel Suárez, actor, playwriter, stage director (''Stir Crazy'', ''Under Suspicion'')

★ Nautica Thorn, actress

★ Rachel Ticotin, actress (''Total Recall'', ''Con Air'')

★ Jaime Tirelli, actor (film Girlfight)

★ Liz Torres, actress (television series ''Gilmore Girls'')

★ Alanna Ubach, actress (''Meet the Fockers'' (Puerto Rican mother)

★ José Vega Santana, "'Remi'" the Clown, (also see: 'Cartoonists')

★ Nadine Velazquez, actress (television series ''My Name Is Earl)''

★ Lauren Vélez, actress, (television series "New York Undercover", "Oz", Dexter)

★ Loraine Vélez, actress

★ Christina Vidal,actress, (television series ''Taina'')

★ Lisa Vidal, actress (''Night in the City''), (television series ''ER'')

★ Luis Vigoreaux, television host

★ Luisito Vigoreaux, actor,television host

★ Roberto Vigoreaux, actor, television host

★ Sylvia Del Villard, actress, dancer and choreographer

★ Otilio Warrington, "''Bizcocho''" comedian

★ Holly Woodlawn drag artist/actor

★ David Zayas, actor (television series "Oz", Dexter)

Authors, playwrights and poets

Main articles: List of Puerto Rican writers


★ Mariano Abril, fourth Official Historian of Puerto Rico

★ Jack Agüeros, author, playwright, poet and translator

★ Miguel Algarín, poet, writer and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe

★ Dr. Manuel A. Alonso, poet and author

★ Pura Belpre, author

★ Alejandrina Benítez de Gautier, poet

★ María Bibiana Benítez, playwright and Puerto Rico's "first" poets

★ Tomas Blanco, writer and historian

★ Giannina Braschi, vanguard poet, Spanglish novelist, and performer of spoken word

★ Dr. Salvador Brau, second Official Historian of Puerto Rico

★ Julia de Burgos, poet

★ Mayra Calvani, writer

★ Zenobia Camprubí, Spanish author and wife of Nobel laureate Juan Ramón Jiménez (Puerto Rican mother)

★ Nemesio Canales, essayist and poet

★ Andrés Castro Ríos, poet and cofounder of literary magazine "Guajana"

★ Dr. Cayetano Coll y Toste, writer and third Official Historian of Puerto Rico

★ Jesús Colón, writer, father of "Nuyorican" movement

★ Juan Antonio Corretjer, poet

★ Dr. José Antonio Dávila, poet

★ Virgilio Dávila, poet

★ Caridad de la Luz "La Bruja", poet, writer/actor of "Boogie Rican Blvd"

★ Abelardo Díaz Alfaro, writer

★ Andrés Díaz Marrero, writer

★ Dr. Rosario Ferré, writer

★ Magali García Ramis

★ José Gautier Benítez, poet

★ Migene González-Wippler, new-age author, prominent Santeria expert

★ Adolfo de Hostos, fifth Official Historian of Puerto Rico

★ Eugenio María de Hostos, (see also 'Educators' and 'Politicians'), wrote ''La Peregrinación de Bayoán'', founding text of Puerto Rican literature

★ Enrique A. Laguerre, writer, nominated for Nobel Prize in literature

★ Georgina Lázaro, children's poet

★ Tato Laviera, poet and author of ''AmeRícan''

★ Muna Lee, Mississippi-born writer, first wife of Luis Muñoz Marín

★ Luis Llorens Torres, poet

★ Luis López Nieves, Writer

★ Francisco Mariano Quiñones, first Official Historian of Puerto Rico

★ René Marqués, playwright

★ Dr. Concha Melendez, poet, writer

★ Manuel Mendez Ballester, writer

★ Mercedes Negron Muñoz, "Clara Lair", poet

★ Judith Ortiz Cofer, poet, writer and essayist

★ Luis Palés Matos, poet of Afro-Caribbean themes

★ Dr. Antonio S. Pedreira, writer and educator

★ 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

★ Lola Rodríguez de Tió, poet, wrote lyrics to the revolutionary ''La Borinqueña''

★ Luis Rafael Sánchez, playwright

★ Manuel San Miguel Griffo, poet, historian of Spanish colonial fortifications, writer

★ Wilfredo Santa-Gómez, writer,journalist

★ Manuel San Miguel Nazario, poet

★ Esmeralda Santiago, author

★ Mayra Santos Febres, poet

★ Pedro Juan Soto, writer/novelist (father of slain independence activist Carlos Soto Arriví)

★ Clemente Soto Vélez, poet and activist

★ Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, writer and poet, "The Father of Puerto Rican Literature"

★ Piri Thomas, writer, poet

★ Edwin Torres, "Nuyorican Movement" poet

★ Judge Edwin Torres, writer (''Carlito's Way''), New York Supreme Court Justice

★ José Trías Monge, former Chief Justice and Attorney General of Puerto Rico/author

★ Nimia Vicens, National Poet

★ William Carlos Williams, Modernist poet (Puerto Rican mother),

★ Dr. Manuel Zeno Gandía, wrote "La Charca", the first Puerto Rican novel

Beauty Queens and Fashion Models

★ Deborah Carthy-Deu, Miss Universe 1985

★ Susie Castillo, Miss USA 2003 (Puerto Rican mother)

★ Stella Díaz, fashion model

★ Jaslene Gonzalez, fashion model (winner of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 8)

★ Marisol Malaret, first Puerto Rican Miss Universe, 1970

★ Marisol Maldonado, fashion model

★ Wilnelia Merced, Miss World, 1975

★ Astrid Muñoz, fashion model

★ Cynthia Olavarria, Miss Puerto Rico 2005

★ Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001

★ Ingrid Marie Rivera, Miss Puerto Rico World 2005

★ Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006

★ Laurie Tamara Simpson, Miss International 1987

★ Taina, model

★ Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993

★ Gloria Velez, fashion model

Business people and industrialists

★ Carlota Alfaro, fashion

★ Luis Antonio, fashion

★ Luisa Capetillo, labor leader

★ Richard Carrion, Chairman of the Board Banco Popular, chairman International Olympic Committee's finance committee

★ Kimberly Casiano, member Board of Directors of Ford Motor Company

★ Manuel A. Casiano, chairman of Casiano Communications, publishers of Caribbean Business newspaper, Imagen and other publications

★ Ramiro L. Colon, first administrator of Cooperativa de Cafeteros de Puerto Rico, ''Café Rico'' (official coffee of the Vatican)

★ Deirdre Connelly, president of Eli Lilly, (one of the 50 most powerful women in business according to Fortune magazine)

★ Atilano Cordero Badillo, Supermercados Grande

★ Carmen Ana Culpeper, fomer SBA Regional Director, first female PR Treasury Secretary and PR Telephone Company President

★ Oscar de la Renta, fashion designer (Puerto Rican father)

★ Fernando Fernandez, "Ron del Barrilito" and "Alcoholado Santa Ana"

★ Antonio Luis Ferré, owner of Ferré-Rangel media emporium

★ Luis A. Ferré, Puerto Rico Cement (see also 'Governors')

★ José Juan García, "CheJuan", founder of Hogares Crea

★ Lcdo.Miguel A. García Méndez founder of Western Federal Savings Bank, now Westernbank Puerto Rico.

★ Ramón López Irizarry, inventor of Coco López

★ Gildo Massó, founder of Massó Enterprises and Casa's Massó

★ Lisette Nieves, founder of "ATREVETE"

★ Samuel A. Ramirez, Sr., President and founder of "Ramirez & Co.", the largest Hispanic investment banking firm in Wall Street

★ Angel Ramos, founder of Telemundo television network

★ Gaspar Roca, founder of newspaper "El Vocero"

★ Miguel Ruiz, founder of Café Yaucono'

★ Alfredo Salazar, head of GDB (1970s, 2005-present), 2008 PDP candidate for Congress

★ Herb Scannell, Former Chairman of MTV Networks and president of Nickelodeon Networks

★ Juan Serralles, founder of "Don Q" rum

★ Joseph A. Unanue, former president and CEO of Goya Foods, son of founder

★ Salvador Vassallo, founder of Vassallo Industries Inc. and subsidiaries

Cartoonists

★ David Alvarez, creator of "Yenny", illustrator and storyboard artist for DC Comics Looney Tunes series

★ Ricardo Alvarez Rivon, creator of "Turey"

★ Vanesa Littlecrow, comic creator

★ George Perez, "Marvel" and DC Comics comic book artist

★ John Rivas, creator of "Bonzzo"

★ José Vega Santana, creator of "Remi, The Clown" (see also 'Actors and Actress')

★ Arturo Yepez, political cartoonist El Vocero

Composers, musicians and singers

★ Juan F. Acosta, composer of folklore music

★ Agallah, rapper/producer

★ Johnny Albino, singer

★ Natalie and Nicole Albino, "Nina Sky" R&B

★ Rafael Alers, danza composer, "first" Puerto Rican to compose a Hollywood musical score

★ Marc Anthony, singer

★ Arcangel reggaeton artist

★ Félix Astol, composer, ( ''La Borinqueña'')

★ Chucho Avellanet, singer

★ Corina Katt Ayala, (aka ''Corina'') singer/actress

★ Puchi Balseiro, composer

★ Antonio Barasorda, tenor singer

★ Ray Barretto, percussionist, jazz and salsa leader

★ Eddie Benítez, guitarist

★ John Benitez, "Jellybean Benítez", music producer and remixer

★ Lucecita Benítez, singer

★ Obie Bermúdez,singer and composer

★ Big Pun,rapper

★ Americo Boschetti, singer and composer

★ Roy Brown, folklore singer, composer

★ Antonio Caban Vale ''El Topo'', folklore singer, composer

★ Tego Calderón, reggaeton singer

★ Héctor Campos-Parsi, singer/composer

★ Bobby Capo, singer, composer

★ Vicente Carattini, singer and composer of Puerto Rican Christmas themes

★ Nydia Caro, singer

★ Pablo Casals, renowned classical musician

★ Kevin Ceballo, salsa singer

★ Rafael Cepeda, composer, "The Patriarch of the Bomba and Plena"

★ Iris Chacón, singer and vedette

★ Keshia Chante, R&B/Pop singer/songwriter

★ Chayanne, singer

★ Cheka, reggaeton artist

★ Chelo, singer

★ José Miguel Class, "El Gallito de Manati", singer

★ Ángel Clivillés, singer (group The Cover Girls)

★ Robert Clivillés, Freestyle producer/member and founder of C + C Music Factory

★ Willie Colón, salsa composer

★ César Concepción, orchestra leader

★ Federico A. Cordero, composer and classical guitarist

★ Millie Corretjer,singer

★ Rafael Cortijo, salsa band leader

★ Elvis Crespo, merengue singer

★ Tony Croatto, singer/composer of Puerto Rican folk songs

★ Bobby Cruz, salsa singer

★ Joe Cuba,bandleader, considered to be "The Father of the Boogaloo"

★ Tite Curet Alonso, ballad & salsa composer

★ Daddy Yankee, reggaeton singer

★ Justino Díaz, opera singer

★ Rafael José Díaz, "Rafael José", singer and television host

★ Carmen Delia Dipini, bolero singer

★ Howie Dorough, singer, member of the Backstreet Boys

★ Braulio Dueño Colon, composer of "Canciones Escolares"

★ Huey Dunbar, singer with group DLG (Puerto Rican mother)

★ Johnathan Dwayne, singer, composer

★ Rafi Escudero, musician, singer, composer

★ Noel Estrada, composer of "En Mi Viejo San Juan"

★ Cano Estremera,singer, composer and poet

★ Lucy Fabery, singer

★ Fat Joe, rapper

★ Rene Farrait, former member of "Menudo"

★ Hector El Father, reggaeton singer

★ Cheo Feliciano,singer

★ José Feliciano, singer, composed "Feliz Navidad"

★ Ruth Fernández, singer

★ Narciso Figueroa, "Father of the Modern Danza"

★ Pedro Flores, composer

★ Luis Fonsi, singer

★ Angelo García, former member of "Menudo"

★ Kany Garcia, singer/songwriter

★ Sergio George,composer/producer

★ Giro Salsa Singer, former member of Los Chicos

★ Tito Gómez, salsa singer

★ Kenny 'Dope' Gonzales, producer/musician (one-half of Masters At Work)

★ Odilio Gonzalez, singer

★ Oscar Hernández, salsa musician (composer of Sex and the City theme song)

★ Rafael Hernández, Composer of "Preciosa" and "Lamento Borincano"

★ Giovanni Hidalgo, percussionist

★ Isidro Infante, salsa composer/musical arranger

★ Marta Casals Istomin, cellist, former President of Manhattan School of Music, widow of musicians Pablo Casals and Eugene Istomin

★ Rafael Ithier, founder of "El Gran Combo" orchestra

★ La India, salsa singer, known as the "Princess of Salsa"

★ Carmita Jimenez, singer (known also as "La Dama de la Canción")

★ Jim Jones,rapper

★ Kurious Jorge,rapper

★ George Lamond , pop/salsa singer

★ Tito Lara, singer

★ Héctor Lavoe, salsa singer

★ Raphy Leavitt, composer, director and founder of "''La Selecta''"

★ Toñito Ledee, salsa singer

★ Manny Lehman, music producer/international deejay

★ Tru Life, Rapper

★ Lil' Suzy, freestyle singer

★ Johnny Lozada, former member of "Menudo"

★ Papo Lucca, lead pianist of "La Sonora Ponceña"

★ Lunna, singer

★ Manny Manuel, singer

★ Victor Manuelle, singer

★ Benjamín Marcantoni, opera singer, countertenor

★ Ricky Martin, singer former member of "Menudo"

★ Ana María Martínez, soprano singer

★ Angie Martínez, singer, actress, radio personality

★ Charlie Masso, former member of "Menudo"

★ Maxwell, R&B/Neo-Soul singer (Puerto Rican father)

★ Lisette Meléndez, freestyle/Latin-pop singer

★ Ozzie Meléndez, trombonist

★ Ricky Meléndez, former member of "Menudo"

★ Julia Migenes, soprano

★ Luis Miguel, singer (born in Puerto Rico)

★ Ismael Miranda, "El Niño Bonito de la Salsa", singer and composer

★ Angel Mislan, composer of Danzas

★ José Luis Moneró, bolero singer

★ Yolandita Monge, singer

★ Gilberto Monroig, bolero singer

★ Glenn Monroig,composer, singer, sang the "first" rap song in Spanish

★ Andy Montañez, salsa singer

★ David Morales, deejay/composer/music producer

★ Florencio Morales Ramos, "Ramito", folklore singer

★ Humberto Morales, pioneer drummer and timbalero

★ Mark Morales (aka "Prince Markie Dee"),rapper/producer

★ Noro Morales, pianist, composer, arranger and band leader

★ Juan Morel Campos, composer of Danzas

★ Rafael Muñoz, orchestra leader

★ Ednita Nazario, singer

★ Chuck Negron, lead singer of group Three Dog Night (cousin of actor Taylor Negron)

★ Joe Negroni, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, member of the Teenagers

★ Tito Nieves, salsa singer

★ Noelia, singer (daughter of Yolandita Monge)

★ N.O.R.E./Noreaga, rapper

★ Tommy Olivencia, salsa singer

★ Don Omar reggaeton singer

★ Tony Orlando singer, (Puerto Rican mother)

★ Choco Orta, female salsa singer

★ Jeannie Ortega, R&B/reggaeton singer

★ Joell Ortiz, rapper

★ Luis "Perico" Ortiz, salsa singer, musician, composer, musical arranger and producer

★ Miguelito Ortiz, salsa singer

★ Pedro Ortiz Davila, "Davilita", bolero singer

★ Shalim Ortiz, singer/actor

★ Charlie Palmieri, pianist, bandleader

★ Eddie Palmieri, bandleader

★ Antonio Paolí, tenor, opera singer, first person in history to record an entire opera

★ José Enrique Pedreira, Danza composer

★ Angel "Cuco" Peña, musician, composer and producer

★ Melliangee Pérez opera singer

★ René Pérez, Three-time Latin Grammy laureate and lead singer of Calle 13 (band)

★ Carlos Ponce, singer

★ Tito Puente, musician, composer and producer

★ Ivy Queen, reggaeton singer, known as "The Queen of Reggaeton"

★ Domingo Quiñones, singer/actor

★ Luciano Quiñones, danza composer

★ Ismael Quintana, salsa singer

★ José Ignacio Quintón, pianist/composer of danzas

★ Val Ramos, international Flamenco guitarist

★ Richie Ray, singer, composer, known as "The King of Salsa"

★ Sylvia Rexach, singer, composer

★ Gabriel Rios, musician

★ Danny Rivera, singer

★ Jerry Rivera, salsa singer

★ Dr. Graciela Rivera, opera singer

★ Ismael Rivera, "El Sonero Mayor", salsa singer

★ Mon Rivera, trombonist and singer

★ Felipe Rodríguez, "La Voz", bolero singer

★ Julito Rodríguez, singer

★ Lalo Rodríguez, salsa singer

★ Pellin Rodríguez, salsa singer

★ Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez, salsa singer

★ Tito Rodríguez, singer and band leader

★ Omar Rodríguez-López, composer and guitarist

★ Roberto Roena, percussionist and band leader

★ Kelis Rogers, (Chinese Puerto Rican mother), singer and television host

★ Tito Rojas, salsa singer

★ Marta Romero, singer and actress

★ Robi Dräco Rosa, former member of "Menudo"

★ Ralphi Rosario, producer/deejay/musician (one-half of musical duo Rosabel)

★ Willie Rosario, composer, timbalero, bandleader

★ Felipe Rose, the Indian from The Village People, singer

★ Julita Ross, singer of Danzas

★ Roy Rossello, former member of "Menudo"

★ Frankie Ruiz, salsa singer

★ Hilton Ruiz, jazz composer/musician

★ Safire, singer

★ Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry, former members of "Menudo"

★ Claudio Sanchez, lead singer, lyricist and guitarist of Coheed and Cambria

★ Jesús Sánchez Erazo, "El Chuito de Bayamon", singer

★ Jesús María Sanromá, the first person ever to be named official pianist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

★ Gilberto Santa Rosa, salsa singer

★ Adalberto Santiago, salsa singer

★ Eddie Santiago, salsa singer

★ Herman Santiago, rock n roll singer, composed song "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"

★ Marvin Santiago, salsa singer

★ Dr. Zoraida Santiago, singer and composer

★ Daniel Santos, composer, singer of boleros

★ Nino Segarra, salsa singer

★ Ray Sepúlveda, salsa singer

★ Xavier Serbia, former member of "Menudo"

★ Myrta Silva, singer, composer

★ Arturo Somohano,composer, Symphony orchestra conductor

★ Sophy, singer

★ Ivette Sosa, singer (group Eden's Crush)

★ Brenda K. Starr, singer (Puerto Rican mother)

★ Michael Stuart, singer

★ Sweet Sensation, freestyle trio

★ Olga Tañón, singer/composer

★ Manuel Gregorio Tavarez, composer known as "The Father of the Puerto Rican Danzas"

★ Gerardo Teissonniere, classical pianist and teacher

★ Luigi Texidor, salsa singer

★ Sahaj Ticotin, Singer/composer of "Ra"

★ Juan Tizol, jazz musician and composer

★ TKA, freestyle trio

★ Ray Toro, lead guitarist My Chemical Romance

★ Manoella Torres, singer

★ Tony Touch, singer

★ Moncho Usera, pioneer saxophonist, arranger and band leader

★ Yolanda Vadiz, gospel singer

★ Gary Valenciano, Filipino musician

★ Bobby Valentin,musician/bandleader

★ José Vázquez-Cofresi, salsa musician/composer, one of the founders of "La Excelencia" orchestra

★ Alan Vega, rock singer, of Suicide

★ Little Louie Vega, producer/musician (one-half of Masters At Work)

★ Tony Vega, salsa singer

★ Lisa Velez, singer, of Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam

★ Guillermo Venegas Lloveras, composer of award-winning "Génesis"

★ Verónica, singer/actress

★ Vico C, rapper

★ Wilkins, singer and composer

★ Yaire, singer and composer

Criminals and outlaws

★ Salvador Agron, criminal and poet

★ Antonio Correa Cotto, infamous outlaw

★ Roberto Cofresí, infamous pirate

★ Antonio García López '"Toño Bicicleta"', infamous outlaw

★ Isabel la Negra, madam of a notorious brothel

★ Angel Nieves Diaz, convict

★ Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, slain leader of the underground national liberation army, ''Boricua Popular Army''

★ José Padilla, alleged supporter of terrorism

★ Heriberto Seda, New York copycat Zodiac Killer

★ Tony Tursi, mobster

Diplomats

★ César Benito Cabrera, U.S. Ambassador Mauritius and the Seychelles

★ Gabriel Guerra-Mondragón, former U.S. Ambassador to Chile

★ Luis Guinot, former U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica

★ Hans Hertell, former U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic

★ Spencer Matthews King, former U.S. Ambassador to Guyana

★ Teodoro Moscoso, former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and head of Alliance for Progress (see also politicians)

★ Admiral Horacio Rivero, former U.S. Ambassador to Spain (see also military)

Educators and scientists

★ Joseph M. Acaba, educator, first Puerto Rican astronaut

★ Dr. Ricardo Alegria, anthropologist, archaeologist, educator

★ Anthony Alvarado, first Latino Chancellor of the New York City public school system (1983-1984)

★ , electronic engineer, aero-space technologist

★ Dr. Pilar Barbosa, UPR prof, author and first modern-day Official Historian of Puerto Rico

★ Dr. Jaime Benítez, former Resident Commissioner, longest serving chancellor and president of the University of Puerto Rico

★ Dr. Rafael L. Bras, former chair of Civil Engineering at MIT and one of the world's leading experts in hydrometeorology and global warming.

★ , electronic engineer, aerospace technologist

★ Judge José A. Cabranes,educator, first Puerto Rican to serve as a U.S. Circuit Court judge

★ Dr. María Cadilla, educator, Women rights activist

★ Dr. José Ferrer Canales, educator, writer and activist

★ Dr. Richard H. Carmona, U.S. Surgeon General from 2002 - 2006

★ Dr. Nitza Margarita Cintron,scientist, Chief of NASA's (JSC) Space and Health Care Systems Office

★ Rafael Cordero, educator declared Venerable in 2004 by Pope John Paul II; process for beatification is now in motion with Benedictine Fr. Oscar Rivera as Procurator of the Cause.

★ Juan R. Correa-Pérez, Ph.D.,scientist, clinical andrologist and embryologist
Dr. Juan R. Cruz,NASA scientist who played an instrumental role in the design and development of the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) parachute.

★ Dr. , Mechanical Engineer, Aero-Space Technologist. First Puerto Rican to work for NASA

★ Dr. Enectali Figueroa Astronaut applicant and astrophysicist in NASA who pioneered the development of position-sensitive detectors.

★ Dr. Orlando Figueroa, mechanical engineer, Director of Mars Exploration in NASA

★ Nilita Vientos Gaston, educator, defended the use of Spanish in the courts of Puerto Rico

★ Dr. Juan E. González, molecular geneticist and microbiologist

★ Dr. Luis González Vale, current Official Historian of Puerto Rico

★ Olga D. Gonzalez-Sanabria, NASA engineer, Member of Ohio's Women Hall of Fame

★ Dr. Sixto Gonzalez, scientist, first Puerto Rican Director of the Arecibo Observatory

★ Amri Hernandez-Pellerano, Puerto Rican electronics engineer and scientist who designed the power systems electronics for the WMAP mission. WMAP is a NASA Explorer mission measuring the temperature of the cosmic background radiation over the full sky with unprecedent accuracy.

★ , aerospace engineer, aerospace technologist

★ Eugenio María de Hostos (see also 'Politicians' and 'Authors')

★ , electronic engineer, aerospace technologist

★ Dr. Gerónimo Lluberas, physician, writer, educator, medical missionary

★ , computer engineer, aero-space technologist

★ Lissette Martinez, electronic engineer, rocket scientist

★ Dr. Manuel Martínez Maldonado, nephrologist, poet and novelist.

★ Dr. Concha Meléndez, educator, writer poet

★ Ana G. Méndez, educator, founder of the Ana G. Mendez University System

★ Sylvia Mendez, educator and civil rights activist, played an instrumental role in the landmark Mendez v. Westminster case

★ Carlos T. Mock, Physician, author, and AIDS/Latino/Gay Rights activist

★ Dr. Antonia Coello Novello, first Hispanic and first woman U.S. Surgeon General (1990-93)

★ Ana María O'Neill, educator and women's rights advocate

★ Dr. Carlos Ortiz Longo, mechanical engineer, Chief of Crew Health Care Systems and Exercise Countermeasures in NASA

★ Dr. Antonia Pantoja, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

★ Dr. Ángel Ramos, Superintendent of the Sequoia Schools for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

★ Mercedes Reaves, Rican research engineer and scientist who is responsible for the design of a viable full-scale solar sail and the development and testing of a scale model solar sail at NASA Langley Research Center.

★ Dr. Juan A. Rivero, Professor, founded the Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo in Mayagüez, has discovered numerous animal species and has written several books.

★ Miguel Rodriguez, mechanical engineer, Chief of the Integration Office of the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Management Office

★ Dr. Pedro Rodriguez, inventor, mechanical engineer

★ Dr. Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas, dentist, scientist, discovered the bacteria which causes dental cavity

★ Monserrate Roman, scientist, microbiologist, helped build the International Space Station.

★ Dr. Miriam Rodon-Naveira,Ph.D., is a Puerto Rican NASA scientist who was the first Hispanic woman to hold the Deputy Directorship for the Environmental Sciences Division within the National Exposure Research Laboratory.

★ Ana Roque, educator and suffragist

★ Ninfa Segarra, President of the New York City Board of Education 2000-2002.

★ Dr. Agustin Stahl, scientist

★ Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, pioneer in black history

★ Dr. Felix Soto Toro, electrical engineer, astronaut applicant

★ Dr. Margot Arce de Vázquez, educator, founder of the Department of Hispanic Studies in the University of Puerto Rico

★ Teodoro Vidal, historian, folklorist, largest collector of Puerto Rican folk arts

Governors

★ Aníbal Acevedo Vilá (1962 -) 8th elected governor of Puerto Rico from 2005 to present day.

★ Sila Calderón (1942 -) first female and 7th elected governor of Puerto Rico from 2001 to 2005.

★ Luis A. Ferré (1904 - 2003) 3rd elected governor of Puerto Rico from 1969 to 1973. (see also Industrialists)

★ Rafael Hernández Colón (1936 -) 4th elected governor of Puerto Rico from 1973 to 1977, and then again from 1985 to 1993.

★ Luis Muñoz Marín (1898 - 1980) 1st elected governor of Puerto Rico from 1949 to 1965.

★ Jesus T. Piñero (1897 - 1952) First Puerto Rican to be named governor of the Island by a U.S. President; served from 1946 to 1949.

★ Juan Ponce de León II (1460 - 1521) First Puerto Rican to be temporary governor, from 1506 to 1512.

★ Carlos Romero Barceló (1932 -) 5th elected governor of Puerto Rico from 1977 to 1985.

★ Dr. Pedro Rosselló (1944 -) 6th elected governor of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001.

★ Roberto Sánchez Vilella (1913 - 1997) 2nd elected governor of Puerto Rico from 1965 to 1969.

Journalists

★ José Julián Acosta, journalist

★ María Celeste Arrarás, anchor for "Al Rojo Vivo"

★ César Andreu Iglesias, founding editor of Claridad newspaper; novelist/political activist

★ Bárbara Bermudo, journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"

★ Marysol Castro, meteorologist for ABC's Good Morning America

★ Chelle Cordero, freelance journalist and writer (Puerto Rican father)

★ Christopher Crommett, Atlanta-based Exec VP CNN en Español

★ Arnold Díaz, Emmy-award winning consumer journalist

★ Carmen Dominicci, journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"

★ Manuel Fernández Juncos, journalist, wrote lyrics to "La Borinqueña"

★ Jackie Guerrido, journalist and meteorologist for Univisions "Despierta America"

★ Aníbal González Irizarry, former newscaster for "Telenoticias en accion"

★ Juan Gonzalez, New York City investigative journalist

★ Kimberly Guilfoyle, Court TV Journalist and former first-lady of San Francisco (Puerto Rican mother)

★ Taína Hernández , ABC News

★ Carmen Jovet, journalist, first Puerto Rican woman named news anchor in Puerto Rico

★ Alycia Lane, journalist and news anchor on KYW-TV in Philadelphia.

★ Michele LaFountain, anchor for the Spanish version of ESPN Sports Center

★ Lynda López, New York City television news personality (sister of Jennifer Lopez)

★ Natalie Morales, co-host of the Today Show on NBC

★ Denisse Oller, Emmy-award winning New York City television news anchor

★ Audrey Puente, New York City meteorologist (daughter of Tito Puente)

★ Jorge L. Ramos, Emmy-award winning New York City television news anchor

★ Craig Rivera, television journalist (brother of Geraldo Rivera)

★ Geraldo Rivera, journalist

★ Edna Schmidt, anchor for "Telefutura"

★ Ray Suarez, Senior Correspondent for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

★ Elizabeth Vargas, former co-anchor ABC World News Tonight

Military

★ Staff Sgt. Humberto Acosta-Rosario, U.S. Army, only Puerto Rican still listed as Missing In Action

★ Brigadier General Ricardo Aponte, U.S. Air Force, currently the Director of the United States Southern Command, the first Puerto Rican to hold said position.

★ PFC Domingo Arroyo, USMC, first Puerto Rican and U.S. serviceman to die during the Somalian Civil War

★ Col. Carlos Betances Ramirez, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican to command a battalion in the Korean War

★ Rear Admiral Jose M. Cabanillas, U.S. Navy, In WWII he was Executive Officer of the USS Texas and participated in the invasions of Africa and Normandy(D-Day).

★ Vice Admiral, Dr.Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General, served under President George W. Bush

★ Staff Sgt. Modesto Cartagena, U.S. Army, most decorated Hispanic in history

★ Rear Admiral Rafael Celestino Benitez, U.S. Navy, highly decorated submarine commander who led the rescue effort of the crew members of the USS Cochino during the Cold War.

★ Tech4 Carmen Contreras-Bozak,WAC's, became the first Hispanic woman to serve in the Women’s Army Corps as an interpreter and in numerous administrative capacities

★ Major General Juan Cesar Cordero Davila, U.S. Army, commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War becoming one of the highest ranking ethnic officers in the Army.

★ Capt. Linda Garcia Cubero, United States Air Force, was the first Hispanic woman graduate of the Air Force Academy and the first to graduate from an American Military Academy.

★ Brigadier General Ruben A. Cubero, U.S. Air Force, former Dean of the Air Force Academy.

★ Lieutenant General Pedro Del Valle, U.S. Marine Corps, first Hispanic three-star Marine general

★ Rear Admiral Dr. Alberto Diaz, Jr., U.S. Navy, first Hispanic Director of the San Diego Naval Medical District

★ 2 Lt. Carmen Dumler, WAC's, one of the first Puerto Rican women Army officers

★ Major General Luis R. Esteves, U.S. Army, organized the Puerto Rican National Guard

★ 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

★ Rear Admiral Edmund Ernest García, U.S. Navy, During WWII he was commander of the Destroyer USS Sloat and saw action in the invasions of Africa, Sicily, and France.

★ PFC Fernando Luis Garcia, USMC, first Puerto Rican awarded the Medal Of Honor

★ Brigadier General Mihiel "Mike" Gilormini, USAF, World War II hero, recipient of 5 Distinguished Flying Cross's and founder of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard.

★ Capt. Miguel Henriquez, Captain Spanish Navy, defeated the British in Vieques

★ Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez, U.S. Navy, the first Hispanic to be named Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command.

★ Sgt. Zak Hernández, U.S. Army, killed in Panama on the eve of President George H. W. Bush's visit. His accused murderer, Pedro Miguel González Pinzón, was acquitted and later elected President of Panamá's National Congress, an event which has generated protests from the governments of the United States and Puerto Rico.

★ Major General Orlando Llenza, U.S. Air Force, is the second Puerto Rican to reach the rank of Major General (two-star General) in the United States Air Force

★ PFC Carlos Lozada, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor

★ Brigadier General Antonio Maldonado, U.S.Air Force, who in 1965 became the youngest person to pilot a B-52 aircraft.

★ Lt. Francisco Gonzalo Marin, Cuban Liberation Army, fought alongside José Martí

★ Sgt Angel Martinez, US Army, First Puerto Rican soldier to be killed in action from the 65th Infantry in WWII.

★ Lieutenant Colonel Teofilo Marxuach, U.S. Army, fired the first shot in World War I on behalf of the United States

★ Rear Admiral George E. Mayer, U.S. Navy, first Hispanic Commander of the Naval Safety Center.

★ Capt. Edwin Muñiz, Ph.D., M.D., Ed. D., United States Air Force, was the first person of Hispanic heritage to be named Aerospace Physiologist in the United States Air Force and NASA.(See also Educators and Scientists)

★ Major General William A. Navas, Jr., U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican named Assistant Secretary of the Navy

★ Colonel Hector Andres Negroni, U.S. Air Force, first Puerto Rican graduate of the United States Air Force Academy

★ PFC. Ramon Nuñez-Juarez, USMC, listed as Missing in Action during the Korean War and posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, second highest medal after the Medal of Honor, that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy.

★ Capt. Maria Ines Ortiz, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican nurse to die in combat and first Army nurse to die in Iraq.

★ Brigadier General Luis Padial, Spanish Army, played an essential role in the abolishment of slavery in Puerto Rico

★ Admiral Ramon Power y Giralt, Spanish Navy, distinguished himself in 1808-1809 with the defense of the Spanish Colony of Santo Domingo against an invasion from Napoleon's French forces by enforcing a blockade in support of Spanish ground troops. See also, Politicians, below.

★ Capt. Marion Frederic Ramirez de Arellano, U.S. Navy, was a submarine commander who was awarded two Silver Star Medals and a Bronze Star Medal for his actions against the Japanese Imperial Navy during World War II.

★ Sergeant First Class Agustin Ramos Calero, U.S. Army, was the most decorated Puerto Rican soldier in all of the United States during World War II

★ Capt.Antonio de los Reyes Correa, Spanish Army, defeated the British in Arecibo

★ Major Fernando L. Ribas-Dominicci, U.S. Air Force, perished in Operation El Dorado Canyon

★ Rear Admiral Frederick Lois Riefkohl, U.S. Navy, was the first Puerto Rican to graduate from the United States Naval Academy and the first to be awarded the Navy Cross.

★ General Juan Rius Rivera, Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Liberation Army

★ Capt. Manuel Rivera, Jr., USMC, First Puerto Rican and U.S. servicemen to die in Operation Desert Shield

★ Brigadier General Pedro N. Rivera, M.D., USAF, the first Hispanic to be named medical commander in the United States Air Force.

★ Capt. Angel Rivero Mendez, Spanish Army, fired the first shot against the Americans in the Spanish-American War in Puerto Rico, invented the "Kola Champagne"

★ Admiral Horacio Rivero, U.S. Navy, first Hispanic four-star admiral

★ SPC Lizbeth Robles, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican female soldier born in Puerto Rico to die in Iraq

★ Master Sgt. Pedro Rodríguez, U.S. Army, awarded two Silver Stars in one week

★ Brigadier General Antonio Rodriguez Balinas, U.S. Army, was the first commander of the Office of the First U.S. Army Deputy Command.

★ Major Fernando E. Rodriguez Vargas,DDS, U.S. Army, discovered the bacteria which causes dental caries

★ Sergeant Major Jose Luis Santiago, USMC, has the distinction of being the 2nd Battalion 9th Marines first Hispanic Sergeant Major and it's first Sergeant Major since its reactivation on July 13, 2007.

★ Captain Humbert Roque Versace,U.S. Army, first Army P.O.W. to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in captivity.

★ Captain Eurípides Rubio, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor

★ Sp4c Hector Santiago-Colon, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor

★ MGySgt. Frankie Segarra, USMC, First Hispanic to reach the grade of Master Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps

★ Pvt. Rafel Toro, USMC, served in the 2nd Nicaraguan Campaign and awarded the Navy Cross.

★ Brigadier General Antonio Valero de Bernabe, fought alongside Simón Bolívar

★ SPC Frances M. Vega, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican female soldier born in the U.S. to die in a war

★ 2Lt. Juan Alonso Zayas, Spanish Army, fought in the Battle of Baler, Philippines

Politicians

★ Hector Luis Acevedo, former mayor of San Juan, PDP gubernatorial candidate

★ Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, founder of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party

★ 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, former president of Dominican Republic (Puerto Rican father)

★ Roman Baldorioty de Castro, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Autonomy"

★ Dr. José Celso Barbosa, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Statehood Movement"

★ Antonio R. Barcelo, founder of the Puerto Rican Liberal Party, first president of the Senate of Puerto Rico

★ Ángel O. Berrios, former mayor of Caguas

★ Rubén Berríos-Martínez, president of the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP)

★ Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, "The Father of the Puerto Rican Nation", main leader of the Grito de Lares revolution

★ Juan Bosch, former president of Dominican Republic (Puerto Rican mother)

★ Mariana Bracetti, leader of the Lares Revolutionary Council

★ Juan Marí Bras, founder of the Puerto Rican Socialist Party

★ Mathias Brugman, leader of the Grito de Lares

★ Blanca Canales, nationalist who led the Jayuya revolt

★ Adolfo Carrión Jr., present Bronx borough president (2001-present)

★ Oscar Collazo, one of two nationalists who attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman

★ José Coll y Cuchi, founder of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party

★ Dr. Gilberto Concepción de Gracia, founder of the Puerto Rican Independence Party

★ Rafael "Churumba" Cordero Santiago, former mayor of Ponce

★ Lorraine Cortés Vázquez, New York's Secretary of State, appointed by Gov. Elliot Spitzer

★ Pedro Cortés, Pennsylvania's Secretary of State, treasurer of National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS)

★ Juan Dalmau Ramírez, Secretary General and Electoral Commissioner of the Puerto Rican Independence Party

★ Dr. José de Diego, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Independence Movement"

★ Federico Degetau, the first resident commissioner to the United States

★ Ron de Lugo, Delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands 1973-1979 and 1981-1995.

★ Luis M. Díaz, New York State Assembly

★ 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

★ Luis Fortuño, current Resident Commissioner (2004-present)

★ Bonnie García, California State Assemblywoman (only Latina Republican in state government)

★ Robert "Bob" García, former New York State Assemblyman and Senator

★ Lcdo. Miguel A. García Méndez, former politician, businessman

★ Dr. Olga Viscal Garriga, nationalist

★ Luis Gutiérrez, Illinois congressman

★ Eugenio María de Hostos, (see also 'Educators')

★ Juan Bernardo Huyke, acting governor of Puerto Rico in 1923.

★ Santiago Iglesias, , founder PR Socialist Party, labor activist and former Resident Commissioner

★ Margarita López, former New York City councilwoman/activist

★ Evelyn Mantilla, Connecticut House of Representative

★ Raymond F. Marin Mayor of North Miami Beach, Florida (2005-present)

★ José María Marxuach Second post-Spanish Mayor of San Juan (c. 1900)

★ Olga A. Mendez, first Puerto Rican New York State Senator

★ Rosie Mendez, New York City councilwoman/activist

★ Kenneth McClintock, President of the Puerto Rico Senate

★ Teodoro Moscoso Jr., architect of Operation Bootstrap, former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela (1961-1964)

★ Victoria Muñoz Mendoza,former PPD candidate for governor (daughter of Luis Muñoz Marín)

★ Luis Muñoz Rivera, former Resident Commissioner, journalist, politician (father of Luis Muñoz Marín), died 1916

★ Luis Muñoz Rivera, senator, last surviving drafter of Puerto Rico Constitution

★ Joe Negron, Florida state representative and Republican candidate for congressional seat left vacant after the Mark Foley scandal

★ Félix Ortiz, New York state assemblyman, author of nation's first cellphone driving ban

★ George Pabey, Mayor of East Chicago, Indiana

★ Hernan Padilla, forner Mayor of San Juan, founder Puerto Rican Renewal Party

★ Eddie Perez, Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut

★ Adam Clayton Powell IV,New York State Assemblyman, son of former congressman

★ Roberto Prats, former senator, Democratic state chair

★ Francisco Mariano Quiñones, the first president of Puerto Rico's Cabinet

★ John Quiñones , first Puerto Rican Republican elected to Florida House of Representatives

★ Francisco Ramirez Medina, President of the Republic of Puerto Rico (September 28, 1868), during "El Grito de Lares" revolt

★ Ernesto Ramos Antonini, former Speaker of Puerto Rico's House of Representatives

★ Roberto Rexach Benítez, former Senate President, educator, current columnist for El Vocero newspaper

★ Felisa Rincón de Gautier, first woman to be elected mayor of an American capital city.

★ Ramón Luis Rivera, former mayor of Bayamón

★ Manuel Rodríguez Orellana, Secretary of Relations with North America of the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), former senator and law professor

★ Manuel Rojas, leader of the "Grito de Lares"

★ Segundo Ruiz Belvis, leader of the Grito de Lares revolt

★ Manuela Santiago Collazo, former mayor of Vieques (1985-2000)

★ Jorge Santini current two-term Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico and Vice President of the New Progressive Party, former senator

★ María de Lourdes Santiago, first female Puerto Rico Independence Party (PIP) member to be elected to the Puerto Rican Senate

★ José E. Serrano, most senior Puerto Rican congressman, Chair of House Appropriations subcommittee on Financial Services

★ José M. Serrano, New York state senator, son of the congressman

★ José "Joey" Torres, mayor of Paterson, New Jersey

★ Griselio Torresola, one of two nationalists who attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman

★ Gloria Tristani, former US Senate Democratic candidate from New Mexico

★ Nydia Velazquez, first Puerto Rican congresswoman, Chair of House Small Business Committee

★ Col. Raúl G. Villaronga (Ret.), mayor of Killeen, Texas

★ Carlos Vizcarrondo, former Speaker, Puerto Rican House of Representatives; current Court of Appeals judge

★ Manuel Zeno Gandía, Puerto Rico patriot and leader of cooperative movement in Puerto Rico

Puppeteers

★ Antulio Kobo Santarrosa, "''La Chachara''", "''La Condesa''", "''La Comay''"

★ Filipo Tirado, "''Pepe Locuaz''"

Religion

★ Fray Iñigo Abbad y Lasierra, priest and historian

★ Bishop David Andrés Álvarez, Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico

★ Luis Cardinal Aponte Martínez, only Puerto Rican to become a Roman Catholic cardinal

★ Father Francisco Ayerra de Santa María, 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 María Domínguez, beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II

★ Sor Isolina Ferre, Catholic nun awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

★ Padre Alberto, Puerto Rican born priest/television host

★ Juanita García Peraza, "Mita", founder of "Mita" religion

★ Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves, Catholic Diocese of San Juan

★ Bishop Rubén González, Diocese of Caguas, prominent in Navy-Vieques protests

★ Rev. Jorge Raschke, outspoken evangelist

★ Bishop Francisco Reus-Froylan (ret.), first Puerto Rican bishop in worldwide Anglican community

★ Carlos Manuel Rodríguez a.k.a. "Charlie", beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001

★ Father Diego de Torres Vargas, first to write about the history of Puerto Rico.

★ Teófilo Vargas Sein, "Aaron", leader of "Mita" religion

Sports

★ Benjamin Agosto, figure skater & Olympic medalist

★ Roberto Alomar, former baseball great

★ Sandy Alomar, Jr., baseball player

★ Sandy Alomar, Sr., baseball player

★ José Andreu García, current Baseball Winter League president, former PR Chief Justice

★ Carmelo Anthony, basketball player, Denver Nuggets (Puerto Rican father)

★ Chris Armas, soccer player, (Puerto Rican mother).

★ Carlos Arroyo, basketball player, Orlando Magic

★ Juan "Johnny" Báez, former basketball player, most recent recipient of Puerto Rico Olympic Medal of Honor

★ Ricky Banderas, professional wrestler

★ Jose Juan Barea, basketball player, Dallas Mavericks

★ Maria Elena Batista, Olympic, PanAm and Central American games swimmer

★ Carlos Beltran, baseball, center fielder New York Mets

★ Wilfredo Benitez, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame

★ Dr. David "Kike" Bernier, fencer, present Secretary of island's Sports and Recreation department

★ Hiram Bithorn, baseball player, first Puerto Rican in Major League Baseball

★ Kristina Brandi, tennis player

★ Ivan Calderon, baseball player

★ Ivan Calderon, boxer/ former world champio

★ Fernando J. Canales, swimmer, first Puerto Rican to reach final Championships

★ Hector 'Macho' Camacho, boxer/ former world champion

★ Orlando 'Peruchin' Cepeda, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame

★ Roberto Clemente, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame

★ Abdiel Colberg, only Hispanic pro-rollerblader

★ Dr. Rebekah Colberg, "The Mother of Puerto Rican Women's Sports"

★ Carlito, (Carlitos Colon Jr.), professional wrestler (son of Carlitos Colon)

★ Carlitos Colon, professional 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, world Champion

★ Miguel Cotto, boxer

★ Eva Cruz, volleyball player

★ Jose "Cheo" Cruz, baseball player whose number was retired by the Astros

★ Christian Dalmau, BSN basketball player

★ Raymond Dalmau, basketball player

★ Esteban De Jesus, boxer, former world champion

★ Carlos "Sugar" De Leon, first boxer to win cruiserweight title twice

★ Carlos Delgado, baseball player, New York Mets

★ Ivelisse Echevarria, inducted into the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame (2003)

★ Alfredo Escalera, boxer, former world champion

★ Sixto Escobar, boxer, first Puerto Rican world champion and member of Boxing Hall of Fame

★ Angel "Cholo" Espada, boxer/former champion

★ Gigi Fernández, tennis player, Olympic gold medalist

★ Lisa Fernandez, softball, Olympic gold medalist

★ Enrique Figueroa, sailing

★ Ed Figueroa, Baseball Pitcher,won world series with the NY Yankees '77-'78

★ Vanessa Garcia, current top-rated Puerto Rican swimmer

★ Rubén Gómez, first Puerto Rican to pitch and win World Series game.

★ Wilfredo Gomez, boxer/former world champion and member of Boxing Hall of Fame

★ Aristides Gonzales, boxer, first olympic medalist under flag of Puerto Rico, 1984 Summer Olympics

★ Jorge "Peco" Gonzalez, marathon runner

★ Juan "Igor" Gonzalez, former baseball player

★ Ivonne Harrison, track and field athlete

★ Jason Hernandez, soccer player

★ Reggie Jackson, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame (Puerto Rican father)

★ Julio Kaplan, chess grandmaster

★ Konnan, professional wrestler

★ Anita Lallande, former Olympic swimmer

★ Butch Lee, basketball player, first Puerto Rican to play in NBA

★ Angelita Lind, track and field athlete

★ Diego Lizardi, former Olympic, PanAm and Central American games gymnast and trainer

★ Laura Daniela Lloreda, member of Mexican National Volleyball Team

★ Anibal Lopez, professional bodybuilder

★ Javy Lopez, baseball player, Baltimore Orioles

★ Mike Lowell, baseball player, Boston Red Sox

★ Felix Magath, German soccer star and coach (Puerto Rican father)

★ Glenn Martinez, football player

★ Edgar Martinez, former baseball player

★ Alberto Mercado, Olympian boxer, only American citizen in 1980 Olympics

★ Jerome Mincy, basketball player

★ John John Molina, boxer/ former worlde champion

★ Pedro Montañez, boxer and member of Boixng Hall of Fame

★ Mario "Quijote" Morales, BSN basketball player

★ Pedro Morales, wrestler, member of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame

★ Jonny Moseley, skier, first Puerto Rican to belong to the U.S. Ski Team

★ Victoria Muniz, figure skater, first to represent Puerto Rico in international events

★ Emilio "Millito" Navarro, first Puerto Rican to play in Negro Leagues

★ Luis Olmo, first Puerto Rican to hit home run in World Series

★ Carlos Ortiz, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame

★ José "Piculín" Ortiz, a.k.a. "Piculín", former basketball player, PDP candidate for elective office in 2008

★ Luis Ortiz, boxer, first Puerto Rican to win Olympic medal in boxing

★ Raul Papaleo, Puerto Rican National Volleyball Team

★ Sam Parrilla,baseball player (father of actress Lana Parrilla)

★ Ernesto Pastor, bullfighter and only Puerto Rican member of the Bullfighting Hall of Fame

★ Victor Pellot, a.k.a. "Vic Power", baseball player, second black Puerto Rican in Major League Baseball

★ Víctor Mario Pérez, former Río Piedras Cardinals basketball player, UPR Phys Ed professor & coach

★ 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

★ Ramon Rivas, NBA and International basketball player

★ Filiberto Rivera, Former UTEP star point guard & current point guard on Puerto Rico National Basketball team.

★ Jose Antonio "El Gallo" Rivera, Boxing, WBA Super Welterweight Champion

★ Marco Rivera, football player, first Puerto Rican selected to Pro Bowl

★ 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 world heavyweight title

★ Edwin "El Chapo" Rosario, member of International Boxing Hall of Fame (2006)

★ John Ruíz, first Hispanic heavyweight boxing champion

★ Alex Sanchez, boxer/ former champion

★ Ricky Sanchez, basketball player, Denver Nuggets

★ Daniel Santiago, basketball player

★ O.J. Santiago, football player

★ Samuel Serrano, boxer/ former world champion

★ Brandon Silvestry, professional wrestler

★ Julio Toro, basketball coach

★ Georgie Torres, holds BSN scoring record

★ José "Chegui" Torres, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame

★ Félix "Tito" Trinidad, boxer/ former world champion

★ Lisa Marie Varon, WWE wrestler

★ Jesse Vassallo, swimmer, current president, PR Swimming Federation and member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame

★ Wilfredo Vazquez, boxer/ former champion

★ Savio Vega, former WWE wrestler

★ Juan Evangelista Venegas, boxer/ first Puerto Rican to win Olympic medal

★ Ada Velez, first Puerto Rican female boxer, to win a championship

★ Dick Versace, first person of Puerto Rican descent to have coached an NBA team.

★ Juan "Pachín" Vicéns, basketball player, led the Ponce Lions team to six championships.

★ Mark Watring, equestrian

★ Bernie Williams, baseball player, New York Yankees

Taínos

Main articles: List of Taínos


★ Agüeybaná, Taíno chief, "supreme cacique"

★ Agüeybaná II, brother of Agueybaná

★ Arasibo, cacique, area of Arecibo

★ Caguax, cacique, area of Caguas

★ Cayey, cacique,Jatibonicu area of yucayeque

★ Daguao, cacique of Puerto Rico

★ Guanikeyu, cacique of Jatibonicu

★ Guarionex, cacique of Otoao Ultuado

★ Hayuya, cacique, area of Jayuya

★ Jumacao, cacique, area of Humacao

★ Orocobix, cacique, area of Orocovis

★ Urayoán, cacique, area that presently spans between Añasco and Mayagüez, orders the drowning of Diego Salcedo
Taino Almestica de Jatibonicu area of Aibonito, first person to circumnavigate the island of Boriken.

Visual artists

★ Alfonso Arana, painter, founder of the ''Fundación Alfonso Arana''.

★ Diógenes Ballester, contemporary painter

★ Jean-Michel Basquiat, painter (Puerto Rican mother)

★ Tomas Batista, sculptor of "El Jibaro Puertorriqueño" monument and Zeno Gandía statue

★ Ángel Botello, painter and sculptor

★ Antonio Broccoli Porto, painter and sculptor from San Juan

★ Jose Buscaglia Guillermety, sculptor

★ José Campeche, first renowned Puerto Rican artist

★ Lindsay Daen, New Zealand-born artist, sculptor of La Rogativa statue in San Juan

★ James De La Vega, mural artist

★ Jan D'Esopo, painter and sculptor

★ Frances del Valle, surrealist painter

★ Elizam Escobar, painter and activist

★ Obed Gomez, contemporary artist known as the "Puerto Rican Picasso"

★ Antonio Martorell, painter, graphic artist and diplomat

★ Abdías Méndez Robles, painter

★ Shirley Miranda-Rodríguez, photographer

★ Francisco Oller, painter, played a role in the development of Impressionism.

★ Daniel Arnaldo Roman, painter

Others

★ Pedro Aguilar, Dancer (''Cuban Pete'')

★ José Andreu García, former PR Chief Justice and sports official

★ Aida Alvarez, first Puerto Rican and first Hispanic woman to hold a sub-cabinet level position in the White House (Small Business Administrator 1997-2000).

★ José Enrique Arrarás, educator, politician, attorney, public servant and sports leader

★ Miguel Arteta, film/television director The Good Girl, TV series Six Feet Under

★ Arthur Aviles, Dancer/Choreographer

★ Wilo Benet, celebrity chef, owner of Payá and Pikayo restaurants.

★ Clara Benitez, matriarch of the Benítez boxing family and socialite

★ Félix Benítez, engineer who designed the Normandie Hotel.

★ José Berrocal, youngest president of PR Government Development Bank, annual scholarships are awarded in his memory

★ Felipe Birriel, "El Gigante de Carolina", was the tallest Puerto Rican

★ David Blaine, illusionist/magician (Puerto Rican father)

★ Crazy Legs, breakdancer, president of Rock Steady Crew

★ Arnaldo Darío Rosado, Independence advocate murdered in the controversial Cerro Maravilla Incident

★ Edgardo Díaz, founder of Menudo

★ Faith Evans, Hawaiian-Puerto Rican, first woman to be named U.S. Marshal.

★ Angelo Falcón, political scientist

★ LaToyia Figueroa, missing pregnant woman.

★ Luisa "Piti" Gándara, first lady of Puerto Rico (2005-present)

★ Ivan C. Rosado, student.

★ Bobbito García, deejay/writer

★ Inéz García, cause celebre of the feminist movement

★ Juan Manuel García Passalacqua, political commentator, lawyer

★ Alejandro Gonzalez Malave, controversial undercover police officer

★ Albert Grajales, Former SIB deputy director and Hall of Fame Martial Arts Instructor.

★ Federico Hernández Denton, Puerto Rico's first Consumer Affairs Secretary, current Chief Justice of the Puerto Rico Supreme Court

★ Alfred D. Herger, television Host, psychologist

★ María Elena Holly, widow of rock legend Buddy Holly

★ Dora Irizarry, federal judge

★ Ángel Juarbe, Jr., reality television contest winner/New York City firefighter who died in the September 11 attacks

★ Tito Kayak, activist

★ Heinrich/Henry Klumb, German-born architect responsible for many Puerto Rico designs from 1944 to 1984

★ Lolita Lebron, nationalist

★ Felipe Luciano, activist/poet

★ Lila Mayoral Wirshing, first lady of Puerto Rico (1973-77, 1981-92)

★ Daisy Martínez, actress & host of PBS cooking show, ''Daisy Cooks!''

★ Ronaldo Martínez, anti-smoking advocate

★ Rosa Martínez and Eliana Martínez, AIDS activists

★ Waleska Martínez, victim onboard of United 93

★ José Meléndez-Pérez, INS Officer who was named in 9/11 Commission Report; denied entry to terrorist in August 2001.

★ Inés Mendoza, first lady of Puerto Rico (1949-1965)

★ Emiliano Mercado del Toro, former world's oldest man

★ Walter Mercado, astrologer

★ Nicole Muñiz, murdered teenager, famous after death

★ Jimmy Nieves, comedian, radio and television host

★ Silverio Pérez, show host, musician and author

★ Denis Rivera, labor leader

★ Roberto Rivera-Soto, first Puerto Rican and Latino New Jersey State Supreme Court Justice

★ Sylvia Rivera transgendered/GLBT activist

★ Jai Rodríguez, actor ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy''

★ Jose Rodríguez, head of the CIA (2004-2008)

★ Anthony Romero First Hispanic and gay Executive Director of the ACLU

★ David Sanes, whose death eventually led to the U.S. military leaving Vieques

★ Antonio Sánchez, radio and television personality

★ Carlos Soto Arriví, Independence advocate murdered in the controversial Cerro Maravilla Incident

★ Sonia Sotomayor, first Puerto Rican woman to serve as a U.S. Circuit Court judge

★ Pedro Toledo, Retired FBI senior agent and two times police superintendent

★ Juan R. Torruella, first Puerto Rican to serve as Chief Judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeals

★ Carmen Consuelo Vargas-Cerezo, first female Puerto Rican federal judge

★ Joseph Vásquez, film director/screen writer (film ''Hangin' with the Homeboys'')

★ Marcos Zurinaga, film director/screenwriter (film ''La Gran Fiesta'')

References

1. José Miguel Agrelot at the Biography Base.
2. Jorge Alberti at IMDB.
3. Trini Alvarado at Starpulse.com
4. Miguel Ángel Álvarez at the ''Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular'' of Puerto Rico.
5. Axel Anderson at the ''Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular'' of Puerto Rico.

See also

★ Lists of people by nationality

★ List of residents of San Juan, Puerto Rico

★ Black history in Puerto Rico

★ Irish immigration to Puerto Rico

★ Military history of Puerto Rico

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★ 65th Infantry Regiment

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