New York Pod Cafe's Tribute to Great Italian Americans
Architects
* Vito Acconci
* Pietro Belluschi
* Giorgio Cavaglieri
* Mario J. Ciampi
* Neil Denari
* Romaldo Giurgola
* Michael Manfredi[1]
* Giovanni Pasanella[2][3] [4][5]
* Rosaria PiomelliM.
* George Ranalli[6]
* Michael Rotondi
* Mario Salvadori
* Lawrence Scarpa
* Ricardo Scofidio
* Paolo Soleri
* Robert Venturi
Artists
Composers and conductors
* Mark Adamo (1962 - ), composer and librettist.
* Angelo Badalamenti (1937 - ), music composer
* Marco Beltrami (1966 - ), film composer
* Chester Biscardi (1948 - ), classical composer
* Louis Calabro (1926 - 1991), classical composer
* Ronald Caltabiano (1959 - ), classical composer
* Suzanne Ciani (1946 - ), pioneer in electronic music
* Fausto Cleva (1902 - 1971), operatic conductor
* Bill Conti (1943 - ), film musical director
* Carmine Coppola(1910 - 1991), composer, editor, musical director, and songwriter.
* John Corigliano (1938 - ), classical composer
* Paul Creston (1906 - 1985), classical composer
* David Del Tredici (1937 - ), contemporary composer
* Thomas DeLio (1951 - ), composer and writer
* Norman Dello Joio (1913 - ), composer
* David DiChiera (1935 - ), composer
* Vince DiCola, composer
* James Di Pasquale (1941 - ), classical composer
* JoAnn Falletta (1954-), classical musician and orchestral conductor
* John Ferritto (1937 - ), classical composer and conductor
* Michael Giacchino (1967 - ), soundtrack composer
* Vittorio Giannini (1903 - 1966), neoromantic composer of operas, songs, symphonies, and band works
* Anthony Iannaccone (1943 - ), composer and conductor.
* Henry Mancini (1924 - 1994), Academy Award winning American composer, conductor and
arranger[1] * Chuck Mangione (1940 - ), jazz flugelhorn player and composer
* Donald Martino (1931 - 2005), Pulitzer Prize winning composer
* Salvatore Martirano (1927 - 1995), classical composer
* Peter Mennin (1923 - 1983), composer
* Gian Carlo Menotti (1911 - 2007), composer and librettist
* Nicola Montani (1880 - 1948), composer
* John Musto (1954-) Emmy and CINE-award winning and Pulitzer Prize-nominated composer/pianist
[11] and brother of Village Voice gossip columnist Michael Musto * Peter Nocella (1943 - ), classical composer
* Thomas Pasatieri (1945 - ), classical composer
* Vincent Persichetti (1915 - 1987), classical composer, teacher, and pianist
* Walter Piston (1894 - 1976), classical composer
* Teddy Randazzo (1935 - 2003), composer
* Nicola Rescigno (1916-2008), opera conductor closely associated with Maria Callas who co-founded
both the Chicago Lyric and Dallas Operas * Dalmazio Santini (1923 - 2003), classical composer
* Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957), cellist and world renown conductor
* Francesca Zambello (1956 -), opera and theater director
CEOs
* Gil Amelio - former CEO of National Semiconductor and Apple
* William Amelio - president and CEO of Lenovo Group Limited
* Richard Belluzzo - businessman who worked as an executive at HP (executive vice president), SGI (as CEO), and
Microsoft (as president and COO at one point) before becoming CEO of Quantum Corp. in 2002 * Bibiana Boerio - Managing Director of Jaguar (car)
* Samuel DiPiazza - CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers
* Nick Donofrio - Executive Vice President of Innovation and Technology at the IBM Corporation
* Carly Fiorina (1954 - ) business executive, known as former CEO (1999–2005) and Chairman of the Board
(2000–2005) of Hewlett-Packard (HP) * Richard Grasso (1946 - ) former chairman and CEO of the New York Stock Exchange
* Lee Iacocca (1924 - ) former chairman of the Chrysler Corporation
* Angelo Mozilo - founder and CEO of Countrywide Financial
* Robert Nardelli - Chairman & CEO of Chrysler
* Frank Nuovo - head of design at Vertu
* Paul Otellini (1950 - ) Intel Corporation's fifth Chief Executive Officer
* Samuel J. Palmisano (1951 - ) chairman and CEO of IBM
* Neil Pappalardo - founder and CEO of Meditech
* Patricia Russo (1953 - ) CEO of Lucent Technologies
* Peter F. Secchia - former chairman and CEO of Universal Forest Products
* Joseph Tucci - CEO of EMC Corp
Entrepreneurs
* Jim Bellacera - CEO Successful Thinkers
Robert Benedetto - founder of Benedetto Guitars, Inc. * Jerry Colangelo (1939 - ) Arizona businessman and former sports mogul
* Pat Croce (1954 - ) entrepreneur, once owner of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team
* Edward J. DeBartolo (1946 - ) billionaire, former owner of the five-time Super Bowl champion San Francisco
49ers * Fred De Luca - founder of Subway Sandwich
* Giorgio DeLuca - founder of Dean & DeLuca
* Vincent Fasano (1969 -) New Jersey business entrepreneur who created several Web technologies and founded
global Logistics company * Domingo Ghirardelli (1817 - 1894) founder of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
* Tom Golisano (1942 - ) billionaire founder of Paychex, owner of the Buffalo Sabres, ran for Governor of New
York in 1994, 1998 and 2002 * Joseph Kresivich - founder of the Stella D'Oro in 1930
* Gennaro Lombardi - opened the first US pizzeria in 1905, Lombardi's
* Lelio Marino (1935 - 2004) entrepreneur
* Robert Mondavi (1913 - ) leading vineyard operator whose technical improvements and marketing strategies
brought worldwide recognition for the wines of the Napa Valley in California * Tommy Mottola (1949 - ) head of Sony Music Entertainment until 2003
* Gene Mottola (1969 - ) head of Mottola Entertainment Corp
* Amedeo Obici (1877 - 1947) founder of the Planters Peanut Company in 1906
* Frank Petrini founder of Petrini's Market in San Francisco in 1935
* Anthony T. Rossi (1900 - 1993) Italian immigrant who founded Tropicana Products
* Jay Sarno (1922 - 1984) Las Vegas business entrepreneur who owned several high-profile hotels
Finance
* Mario Gabelli (1942 - ) stock investor, investment advisor and financial analyst.
* Amadeo Giannini (1870 - 1949) founder in 1904 of Bank of Italy, which later became Bank of America, the
largest bank in the United States * Frank Quattrone (1956 - ) former investment banker at Credit Suisse First Boston who was prosecuted for
interfering with a government probe into Credit Suisse First Boston's behavior in allocating "hot" IPOs * Mark Castellani (1981 - )A stock analyst at the middle market wall street investment bank Rodman & Renshaw
Publishing
* Bob Guccione (1930 - ) founder and former publisher of Penthouse Magazine
* Leonard Riggio - owner of Barnes & Noble
* Louis Rossetto (1949 - ) founder and former publisher of Wired Magazine
Fashion models
* Robin Arcuri
* Brian Bianchini
* Gia Carangi (1960 - 1986) fashion model during the late 1970s and early 1980s
* Anthony Catanzaro
* Charles Dera
* Christine Dolce
* Adrianne Curry
* Clint Mauro
* Jonathon Prandi
* Isabella Rossellini
* Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann
* Amber Valletta (1974 - ) supermodel/actress
Theater directors
* Gerard Alessandrini
* Michael Bennett
* Lawrence Carra
* Michael Cassara
* Bart DeLorenzo
* Frank Ferrante
* Leonard Foglia
* Albert Innaurato
* Joe Mantello
* Tom Palumbo
* John Rando
Movie directors and producers
* Robin Arcuri (1989 - ) model, actress, producer
* Frank Borzage (1893 - 1962) film director and actor famed for his mystical romanticism
* Albert R. Broccoli (1909 - 1996) producer of all but one of the first 17 James Bond movies
* Barbara Broccoli (1960 - ) daughter of producer Albert R. Broccoli
* John Bruno, Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor
* Nicolas Cage (1964 - ) actor, director and producer
* Frank Capra (1897 - 1991) film director and a major creative force behind a number of highly popular
films of the 1930s and 1940s * David Chase (1945 - ) creator of The Sopranos
* Michael Cimino (1939 - ) film director - The Deer Hunter
* Francis Ford Coppola (1939 - ) five time Academy Award winning film director, producer, and
screenwriter * Roman Coppola (1965 - ) film and music video director
* Sofia Coppola (1971 - ) director, actress, producer
* Frank Coraci (1966 - ) film director
* Gerard Damiano (1928 - ) former adult film director
* Brian De Palma (1940 - ) movie director
* Tom DeSanto (1968 - ) film producer
* Danny DeVito (1944 - ) actor, director, and Oscar-nominated producer
* Denise Di Novi (1956 - ) film producer
* Abel Ferrara (1951 - ) film director
* Vincent Gallo (1962 - ) movie actor and director starring in a number of independent movies. Gallo is
also a recognized painter, male fashion model, musician, motorcycle racer and breakdancer * Gregory La Cava (1892 - 1952) film director of the 1930s
* Matthew F. Leonetti
* Michael Polcino, animation director
* Robert Pulcini, film director
* Guido Quaroni, computer modeller and computer animation maker at Pixar Animation Studios
* Frank Renzulli, actor, writer and producer
* Lou Romano, member of the Art Department in Pixar Animation Studios
* Damon Santostefano
* Martin Scorsese (1942 - ) iconic Academy Award-winning film director
* Tina Sinatra (1948 - ) movie producer and former actress
* Frank Squillace, creator of X-Men: The Animated Series
* Quentin Tarantino (1963 - ) film director, actor, and Oscar-winning screenwriter
* Stanley Tucci (1960 - ) actor, writer, film producer and film director
* Maurizio Vasco (1955 - ) writer, independent producer
* Thomas Vitale, Senior Vice President of Programming & Original Movies for the Sci Fi Channel
Television personalities
* Carmine Gotti Agnello (1986 - ) reality TV star
* John Gotti Agnello (1987 - ) reality TV star
* Frank Gotti Agnello (1990 - ) reality TV star
* Adam Carolla (1964 - ) comedic radio and television personality
* Neil Cavuto (1958 - ) television host and commentator hosting Your World with Neil Cavuto and
Cavuto on Business on the Fox News Channel * Stephen Colletti (1986 - ) Reality TV star
* Giada De Laurentiis (1970 - ) chef, writer, TV Personality, and the current host of the Food Network
programs Everyday Italian, Behind the Bash, Giada's Weekend Getaways, and Giada in Paradise. * Robert De Laurentiis television director
* Victoria Gotti (1962 - ) star of Growing Up Gotti on the A&E Network
* Tony Danza (1951 - ) actor and talk show host
* Gary Dell'Abate (1961 - ) producer of The Howard Stern Show and co-host of The Wrap-Up Show
* Giuliana DePandi (1975 - ) host of E! News
* Annette Funicello (1942 - ) singer and actress, Walt Disney's most popular Mouseketeer
* Jimmy Kimmel (1967 - ) television comedy talk-show host and producer
* Jay Leno (1950 - ) comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show[12]
* Kelly Monaco (1976 - ) model, actress, and reality television contestant
* Rachael Ray (1968 - ) Emmy-winning television personality and author
* Kelly Ripa (1970 - ) actress and talk show host
* Maria Sansone (1981 - ) host of "the 9" on YAHOO! and special events for TV Guide Network
* Jai Rodriguez (1979 - ) actor and culture guide on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy[13]
Musicians
* Sal Abruscato, American hard rock/heavy metal drummer, known for his work with early Type O
Negative and Life of Agony. * Roberto Alagna, A superb and dynamic operatic tenor.
* Steve Albini (b. 1962), indie rock musician, producer.
* Louie Bellson, big band drummer, born Luigi Ballassoni.
* Tony Bennett, born Anthony Benedetto
* Corbin Bleu, singer and actor in High School Musical, has an Italian mother
* Bizzy Bone, born Bryon McCane, rapper from the group Bone Thugs N Harmony
* Patrick Bonfrisco, drummer, Enewetak.
* Jon Bon Jovi (b. 1962), born John Francis Bongiovi, rock star, actor
* Chris Botti, jazz trumpeter
* Terry Bozzio, (b. 1950) drummer best known for his stint with Frank Zappa, as well as his music for
solo drum kit. * Freddy Cannon, (b. 1940), born Frederick Anthony Picariello, was an American rock and roll singer. He
had three top ten hits. * Chris Carrabba, Lead singer of Dashboard Confessional and former lead singer of Further Seems
Forever * Suzette Charles, singer, entertainer, former Miss America[2]
* Gary Cherone, former lead singer of Extreme and Van Halen.
* Dr. Chud, born David Calabrese, former drummer for the Misfits
* John Cocuzzi, jazz musician
* Vinnie Colaiuta, drummer famous both in jazz circles for his virtuosity and his stint with Frank Zappa.
* Chick Corea, jazz pianist virtuoso - played with Miles Davis.
* Don Costa, pop music arranger
* Dan Costello, guitarist, played with The DeFranco Family
* Elvis Costello, guitarist, singer songwriter
* Tom Costello, drummer, played with The DeFranco Family and Elton John Band.
* Warren Cuccurullo, guitarist for Frank Zappa, Missing Persons and Duran Duran
* Rivers Cuomo, (Weezer), born June 13, 1970.
* Larry Cutrone (1948 - ), musician, comedian, writer, Inducted into AM Radio History Museum,
star/writer of Manhattan Alive" TV series, screenplay writer - The Pat Galo Story * Alan Dale, born Aldo Sigismondi,(July 9, 1926-April 20, 2002) was a singer of traditional popular and
rock'n'roll music. * Bobby Darin (1936 - 1973), born Walden Robert Cassotto, was one of the most popular rock and roll
teen idols of the late 1950s. * Glenn Danzig, born Glenn Anzalone, former lead singer/ one of the founders for the Misfits
* Connor Askren, Lead guitar player and lead singer for American hard rock/heavy metal band Fixed
Pieces * Buddy DeFranco, jazz musician
* Benny DeFranco, singer and guitarist of The DeFranco Family.
* Merlina DeFranco, singer and drummer of The DeFranco Family.
* Marisa DeFranco, singer and keyboardist of The DeFranco Family.
* Nino DeFranco, singer and guitarist of The DeFranco Family.
* Tony DeFranco, lead singer and guitarist of The DeFranco Family.
* Chris DeGarmo, ex-guitarist of 80s rock band Queensrÿche.
* Joey DeMaio, bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the heavy metal band
Manowar. * Liberty DeVitto, rock drummer for Billy Joel
* Al Di Meola, jazz fusion guitarist
* Ronnie James Dio (b. 1942), heavy metal singer
* Mike DiSalvo, American ex-singer of French-Canadian death metal outfit, Cryptopsy.
* Joe Dolce
* Micky Dolenz, (Singer/Drummer "The Monkees")
* Charlie Dominici, ex-Dream Theater vocalist, founding member of Dominici
* Faith Evans, singer
* Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein, born Paul Caiafa, former guitarist for the Misfits
* Nick Falcon, psychobilly guitarist, founding member of The Young Werewolves
* Joe Farrell, jazz saxophonist, born Joseph Firrantello
* Josh Farro, lead guitarist for Paramore
* Zac Farro, drummer for Paramore
* Johnny Frigo, jazz violinist and bassist
* John Frusciante, guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers
* Davey Havok, (November 20, 1975- ) born David Paden Passaro, later changed to David Paden
Marchand, vocalist for AFI * Frank Iero, rhythm guitarist for the band My Chemical Romance.
* Chris Impellitteri, guitarist
* Chris Isaak, singer and sometime actor, his mother is Italian-American.
* Joe Jonas, member of the band Jonas Brothers
* Kevin Jonas, member of the band Jonas Brothers
* Nick Jonas, member of the band Jonas Brothers
* Alicia Keys, A well-known pianist,and a philanthropist she is also Irish and Jamacian.
* Scott LaFaro, jazz musician
* Nick LaRocca, jazz musician
* Mario Lanza[3]
* DJ Green Lantern (born James D'Agostini), Hip-Hop DJ, His father is Puerto Rican but his mother is
Italian. * Adam Lazzara, lead singer of Taking Back Sunday
* Joe Long, born Joseph LaBracio, bass guitarist and vocal arranger for The Four Seasons.
* Dean Martin (1917 - 1995), singer and film actor, known as one of the most famous music artists from
the 1950s period[14] * Fred Mascherino, guitarist & backing vocals of Taking Back Sunday
* Natalie Merchant, singer & songwriter, her father is of Italian decent.
* Anna Moffo (1932 - 2006), lyric-coloratura soprano
* Joe Morello, drummer for Dave Brubeck Quartet
* Tom Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine
* Sal Mosca, jazz pianist
* Tony Mottola, guitarist
* Chieli Minucci, smooth jazz guitarist
* Jerry Only, born Gerald Caiafa, guitarist, current lead singer for the Misfits
* Felix Pappalardi, rock and roll bassist and producer
* John Patitucci, electric and acoustic bass virtuoso - played with Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter
among others. * Thomas Pasatieri, composer and pianist
* Art Pepper, jazz musician
* Joe Perry (1950 - ), lead guitarist and contributing songwriter for the rock band Aerosmith[4]
* John Petrucci, metal guitarist, founding member of Dream Theater
* Guy Picciotto, Early Emo personality, noted for Rites of Spring and Fugazi
* Bucky Pizzarelli, classical jazz guitarist
* John Pizzarelli, jazz guitarist
* Martin Pizzarelli, jazz double-bassist
* Louis Prima (1910-1978),a Italian-American jazz musician, singer, and actor *Ruggiero Ricci (b. 1918),
violin virtuoso * Johnny Rivers, born John Ramistella, early Rock'N Roll singer of many hit records.
* Rocca (Italian-American rapper)
* Matt Rubano, bassist of Taking Back Sunday
* William Russo, jazz musician
* Bobby Rydell, born Robert Louis Ridarelli in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (April 26, 1942) was a "teen
idol" in the early days of Rock and Roll. * Richie Sambora, (born Richard Stephen Sambora on July 11, 1959 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey),
(nickname:The King of Swing), is an American rock guitarist, singer and song writer who is the leadguitarist for rock band Bon Jovi. * Ralph Santolla - Metal guitarist (has a custom Jackson guitar with the Italian flag painted on it
* Joe Satriani, guitar virtuoso
* Haley Scarnato, American Idol (season 6) contestant
* John Serry, Sr. (1915 - 2003), born Giovanni Serrapica, concert accordionist, composer, arranger,
educator & father of John Serry * Frank Sinatra
* Nancy Sinatra
* Nikki Sixx, born Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna, rock star (Mötley Crüe)
* Twiggy Ramirez, born Jeordie Osbourne White, rock star , bassist (Marilyn Manson)
* Alessandro Cortini, rock star , keyboardist (Nine Inch Nails)
* Jamie Spaniolo, rapper
* Bruce Springsteen, rock star, songwriter (Italian on his mother's side)
* Decoy, (Italian American Rapper) born Nicholas Eduard Galluzzo to Italian-French mother and Italian
father * Joseph Tarsia
* Johnny Thunders, born John A. Genzale, rock musician.
* Mark Tremonti, guitarist
* Lennie Tristano, jazz pianist and composer
* Steven Tyler (b. 1951), born Steven Tallarico, rock star, songwriter (Italian on his father's side)
* Steve Vai, guitar virtuoso
* Steven Van Zandt (1950 - ), musician, songwriter, arranger, record producer, actor, and radio disc
jockey (The Sopranos)[5] * Zacky Vengeance, guitarist for the band, Avenged Sevenfold
* Tony Visconti, rock music producer (based in Britain)
* Chris Vrenna (b. 1967), producer and drummer
* Gerard Way; lead singer for the band My Chemical Romance.
* Mikey Way; bass guitarist for the band My Chemical Romance.
* Dean Ween, born Michael Melchiondo, Ween guitarist
* "Weird Al" Yankovic (1959 - ), Parodist and Comedy Musician. (Mother's side is Italian.)
* Timi Yuro, soul and R&B singer
* Frank Zappa, His father, a Native Italian was of Greek and Lebanese origin. His mother Rose Marie
Colimore was of half Italian, 1/4 Sicilian and 1/4 French descent.Songwriters
* Rivers Cuomo, (Weezer), born June 13, 1970.
* James V. Monaco early American songwriter "You Made Me Love You".
* Laura Nyro songwriter (Italian father)
* Harry Warren (1893-1981), born Salvatore Guaragna, wrote more hit songs than anyone in early
20th century America * Frank Zappa, born Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was a composer,
guitarist, singer and satirist. In his 33-year musical career, Zappa proved to be one of the most prolificmusicians ever, releasing over 60 albums during his life. His father, Francis Zappa was born in Partinico,Sicily.Singers
* Phil Anselmo, a heavy metal vocalist best known as the vocalist and lyricist of Pantera
* Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, singer.
* Sonny Bono (1935-1998), born Salvatore Phillip Bono, singer, actor, and politician
* Gioia Bruno, born Carmen Gioia Bruno, singer.
* Keith Caputo, Vocalist for Life of Agony, as well as a solo artist.
* Lou Christie, born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco on February 19, 1943 in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania).
Already, Christie was frequently, if unfairly, written off by critics as an imitator of Frankie Valli as bothmen possessed similar falsetto vocals, and the ability to change almost effortlessly between it and theirnormal registers. * Russ Columbo (1908 - 1934) singer, violinist and actor, perhaps most famous for his signature tune,
"You Call It Madness, But I Call It Love", and the legend surrounding his early death[6] * Perry Como (1912-2001), born Pierino Ronald Como
* Mikie Da Poet from chicago, this Savoia put italian american hip hop on the map with this live Fox News
National performance, a real pioneer. * Don Cornell (1919-2004), born Luigi Francisco Varlaro, a popular singer of the 1940s and 1950s.
* Jim Croce (1943-1973), born James Joseph Croce.
* Rivers Cuomo, (Weezer), born June 13, 1970.
* Victor Damiani
* Diana DeGarmo (1987 - ) runner-up on American Idol (Season 3)[7]
* Johnny Desmond, born Giovanni Alfredo De Simone,(Detroit, Michigan, November 14, 1920-
September 6, 1985) was a popular singer. * Tommy DeVito, (born June 19, 1936) is a musician and singer, most well-known as a member and the
lead guitarist of the pop group The Four Seasons. He was born in Belleville, New Jersey. * Dia DiCristino
* Ani DiFranco(1970-), Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, songwriter (Italian American on her
father's side) * Dion DiMucci (b. 1939), better known as Dion.
* Jimmy Durante (1893-1980), born James Francis Durante.
* Jessicka (born Jessica Fodera in Brooklyn)
* Connie Francis (b. 1936), born Concetta Rosemarie Franconero, singer.
* Lady GaGa (b.1986), born Stefani Joanne Germanotta
* Bob Gaudio, (born November 17, 1942) is a singer, songwriter, and record producer from the Bronx,
New York. He shot to musical fame at the age of 15 as a member of the Royal Teens when he co-Wrote the hit "Short Shorts". For years afterward he seemed destined to be a one-hit wonder until hemet Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi, all from Newark, New Jersey, forming the group thatbecame the Four Seasons. * Frank Gari (1942- ) late fifties singer, and founder of Gari Communications, a news music company that
created The CBS Enforcer Collection and the Eyewitness News Theme for ABC O&O and affiliated local newscasts. * Mikalah Gordon (1988 - ) singer and eleventh-place finalist on the fourth season of American Idol[8]
* Francesca Gregorini, (born Countess Francesca McKnight Donatella Romana Gregorini di Savingnano di
Romagna in 1968) is a singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of Jewish/Irish American modelBarbara Bach and Italian businessman Augusto Gregorini, and stepdaughter of Ringo Starr. Until 2004,she was engaged to actress Portia de Rossi. * Phyllis Hyman (b. 1949 d. 1995), jazz and R&B singer; her father is Cuban/Italian and her mother was
African American. * Alicia Keys
* Frankie Laine (b. 1913), born Frank Paul LoVecchio, one of the most successful singers in history.
* Mario Lanza, (1921-1959), operatic tenor and Hollywood movie star.
* Cyndi Lauper (part Italian)[15] "LR: How can you be Italian with a name like Lauper? CL: Lauper's my
father's name. He's German and Swiss and my mom's Italian. So I'm German, Swiss and Sicilian. Kindalike cold cuts. [laughs] The German and the Italian in me are always fighting and the Swiss guy in themiddle is goin', 'OK, let's talk here. Everybody calm down.' [both laugh]" * Madonna, Italian American born. Her father owns a winery in Michigan.
* Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol season six finalist (half-Italian through his mother)
* Dean Martin (1917 - 1995) singer and film actor, known as one of the most famous music artists from
the 1950s period[16] * Al Martino, born October 7, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as Alfred Cini.
* Nick Massi, (born Nicholas Macioci, September 19, 1935 - December 24, 2000) was the bass singer for
the Four Seasons, born in Newark, New Jersey. * Tim McGraw (b. 1967), country music singer and actor, mother is of Italian descent.
* Lou Monte, (1917-1989)
* Mýa
* Stacie Orrico (1986 - ) contemporary Christian music/pop singer[9]
* Haley Scarnato [17]
* Frank Sinatra (1915-1998), Born in Hoboken, became one of the most popular singers in the twentieth
century * Frank Sinatra, Jr.
* Nancy Sinatra
* Gwen Stefani, singer/musician, best known as lead singer of pop/ska band No Doubt (Italian father)
* John Tartaglia (1978-) singer, actor, dancer and puppeteer who began performing part-time with
Sesame Street's puppetry team at age 16 * Marc Terenzi (b. 1978), pop star, songwriter
* Frankie Valli, (born May 3, 1937 in the Italian First Ward of Newark, New Jersey as Francis Stephen
Castelluccio) is best known as lead singer of The Four Seasons, one of the biggest music acts of the 1960s, which continued from then to the 1970s disco scene to the present day. * Timi Yuro, born Rosemarie Timotea Aurro (1940-2004)
Stand-up comedians
* Mario Cantone (1959-) comedian, writer, actor
* Janeane Garofalo
* Jay Leno (1950 - ) comedian, half Italian, host of The Tonight Show
* Nick DiPaolo
* Artie Lange
Comic artists, cartoonists, illustrators
* Brian Azzarello - comic book writer
* Joseph Barbera (1911–2006) animator, cartoon artist, storyboard artist, director, producer, and
co-founder, together with William Hanna, of Hanna-Barbera * Ivan Brunetti (born 1967) cartoonist and comics-author
* John Buscema (1927–2002) comic-book artist and one of the mainstays of Marvel Comics during
its 1960s and 1970s ascendancy into an industry leader and its subsequent expansion to a major pop culture conglomerate * Greg Capullo (born 1962) comic book artist
* Anthony Flamini (born 1978) comic book writer
* Frank Frazetta (born 1928) one of the world's most influential fantasy and science fiction artists
* Bill Gallo (born 1922) famed cartoonist and newspaperman
* Dick Giordano (born 1932) comic book artist and editor
* Frank Giacoia (1925–1989) comic book artist
* Carmine Infantino (born 1925) comic book artist and editor who was a major force in the Silver Age
of Comic Books * Walter Lantz (1900–1994) cartoonist and animator, known for founding the Walter Lantz Studio and
creating Woody Woodpecker * Bob Montana (1920–1975) comic strip artist who created the characters that launched Archie Comics
* Joe Orlando (1927–1998) illustrator, writer, editor and cartoonist
* Jimmy Palmiotti - writer and artist of various comics, games and film
* Leo Politi (1908–1996) artist and author who wrote and illustrated some 20 children's books
* John Romita, Sr. (born 1930) comic book artist known for his work on Marvel Comics' The Amazing
Spider-Man * Don Rosa (born 1951) comic book artist for Disney Comics.
* Eric Stefani (born 1967) pop musician, former Simpsons animator, and Grammy-nominated composer
and writer * Jim Valentino (born 1952) writer, penciler and editor of comic books
* Gerard Way (born 1977) comic book writer, also notable for being the frontman of the American rock
band My Chemical Romance.Digital artists/illustrators
* William C. Cesaroni - founder of Cesaroni Design
* Rich DiSilvio (born 1957) illustrator, photographer, fine artist, digital artist, web designer, new media
developer, architectural designer and writer * Fred Marcellino (1939–2001) illustrator
Painters
* Ettore DeGrazia
* Robert De Niro, Sr. (1922–1993) abstract expressionist, father of actor Robert De Niro, Jr.
* Robert Longo
* Frank Stella (born 1936) painter and printmaker
* Joseph Stella (1877–1946) futurist painter known for his depictions of industrial America
Photographers
* Severo Antonelli (1907-1995) legendary figure in Philadelphia Italian American history and the subject
of one of the largest ever one-man shows at the Smithsonian Institution * Justin Guariglia (1974-) photographer and contributing editor to National Geographic Traveler, and a
regular contributor to Smithsonian Magazine * Luis Marden (1913–2003) photographer, explorer, writer, filmmaker, diver, navigator, and linguist who
worked for National Geographic Magazine * Francesco Scavullo (1921–2004) fashion photographer known for his work on the covers of
Cosmopolitan Magazine and his celebrity portraits * Mario Sorrenti (born 1971) fashion photographer
Sculptors
* Vincent Cavallaro
* Jasper D'Ambrosi
* John DeAndrea
* Mark di Suvero
* Virginio Ferrari
* Corrado Parducci
* Piccirilli Brothers
* Italo Scanga, Neo-Dadaist
Inventors
* Giuseppe Mario Bellanca
* Enea Bossi
* Gerard J. Foschini
* Domingo Ghirardelli
* The Jacuzzi family developed the deep well water pump that led to the famous whirlpool bath.
* Antonio Meucci (born 1808) credited by the Congress of the United States with the invention of the
telephone. * Lorenzo Ponza
* Francis Rogallo, engineer at NASA, designed the Rogallo wing, which found its greatest success in hang
gliders and kites. * Andrew Toti
* Dr. Andrew Viterbi (born 1935), billionaire, cofounder of Qualcomm, inventor of the Viterbi algorithm
* Frank Zamboni
Jurists
* Samuel Alito (born 1950), Supreme Court Associate Justice.
* Vincent Bugliosi (born 1934), successfully prosecuted Charles Manson and is also an expert on the
John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy assassinations. * Ann Marie Calabria, judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
* Frank Caprio, Chief Judge of the Providence Municipal Court.
* William J. Castagna, Judge on the United States District Court.
* Antonin Scalia (born 1936), Supreme Court Associate Justice.
* John Sirica, judge most famous for presiding over the Watergate hearings.
Law enforcement figures
* Joseph Arpaio (born 1932 in Springfield, Massachusetts) is a law enforcement officer, most notably as
the Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. Arpaio was the child of immigrants from Naples, Italy. * Joseph Pistone, undercover FBI agent who pretended to be mobster Donnie Brasco and infiltrated the
Bonanno organized crime family, leading to dozens of indictments and convictions. * Louis Freeh (born 1950 in Jersey City, New Jersey), Director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) from 1993 to 2001. * Rudolph Giuliani Early career was a US Attorney in S.D.N.Y., prosecuting high-profile cases, including
Cosa Nostra cases * Frank Serpico
* Joe Petrosino, NYCPD Lieutenant in charge of the Italian Squad, an elite corps of Italian-American
detectives formed to fight the Mafia. * Charles Joseph Bonaparte, member of Theodore Roosevelt's Cabinet and founder of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI).Journalism (print and multimedia)
* Melissa Anelli, resident of Staten Island, journalist at Staten Island Advance and webmaster of The
Leaky Cauldron. * Maria Bartiromo, financial reporter.
* Joe Benigno, WFAN sports radio personality
* David Brancaccio, journalist.
* Harry Caray (1914–1998), born Harry Christopher Carabina, sports broadcaster, did play-by-play for
the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and (most famously) the Chicago Cubs. Cubs win! Cubswin! * Matt Casamassina, video game journalist working for IGN.
* Danny Casolaro, freelance journalist
* Igor Cassini, journalist.
* Anthony Cumia, Anthony of the Opie and Anthony show.
* Rick Francona, NBC military analyst.
* Ann Nocenti is a journalist, writer and editor known for her work on comic books and magazines.
* Generoso Pope Jr. (1927–1988) was the founder of The National Enquirer.
* Elaine Sciolino, Paris bureau chief of The New York Times
Military
* Sgt. John Basilone, USMC, a Medal of Honor recipient of WW II.
* Major John Belli, the Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army from 1792 to 1794
* Lieutenant General Peter W. Chiarelli
* Lt Col Rick Francona, U S Air Force officer
* Major Don Gentile, Dominic Salvatore Gentile (1920–1951) was a U S Air Force officer.
* Edmund P. Giambastiani, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
* Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno-responsible for capturing Saddam Hussein 13 December
2003. * Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
* Antonio Pierro, who lived to be one of the oldest surviving veterans of World War I.
* Joseph L. Romano
* Humbert Roque Versace, United States Army officer and POW, Vietnam.
* Gen. Anthony Zinni, USMC, former Commander in Chief of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
* Col. Luigi Palma di Cesnola, Civil War Union Cavalry officer, and Medal of Honor recipient.
* Trumpeter Giovanni Martini, only member of Custer's forces to leave the site of the Battle of the Little
Big Horn alive. * Col. Joseph E. Pedone III, Current J1 Director of Manpower USPACOM[1]
Diplomats
* Luigi R. Einaudi
Governors and former governors
* John Baldacci, governor of Maine
* Donald Carcieri, governor of Rhode Island
* Argeo Paul Cellucci (born 1948), former governor of Massachusetts
* Mario Cuomo (born 1932), former governor of New York
* Edward D. DiPrete, former governor of Rhode Island
* James Florio, former governor of New Jersey (1990–1994)
* Foster Furcolo, former governor of Massachusetts (1957–1961)
* Ella T. Grasso (1919–1981) first woman to be elected governor of a state without succeeding her
husband * Andrew H. Longino, former governor of Mississippi
* Janet Napolitano, governor of Arizona
* John Orlando Pastore, former governor of Rhode Island
* William Paca, signer of the American Declaration of Independence, member of the Continental
Congress, governor of Maryland, Federal District Judge * George Pataki, former governor of New York, half-Italian
* Al Smith, former governor of New York (1919–1921; 1923–1929), real surname Ferrara
* John A. Volpe, governor of Massachusetts (1961–1963; 1965–1969)
Mayors and former mayors
* Hugh Addonizio (1914 - 1981), mayor of Newark, New Jersey, 1962-1970.
* Joseph Alioto (1916 - 1998), mayor of San Francisco, 1968-1976.
* Thomas L. J. D'Alesandro, Jr. (1903 - 1987), mayor of Baltimore, 1947–1959.
* Richard Caliguiri (1931 - 1988), mayor of Pittsburgh, 1978–1988.
* Anthony Celebrezze (1910 - 1998), mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, 1953-1962.
* Vincent Cianci, Jr (1941 - ), mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, 1975-1984 and 1991-2002.
* David Cicilline (1961-),(Jewish mother), mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, 2003-
* John DeStefano, Jr. (1955 - ), mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, since 1993.
* Frank Fasi (1920 - ), Mayor of Honolulu, 1969-1981 and 1984-1994.
* Rudolph Giuliani (1944 - ), Mayor of New York, 1994-2001.
* Dick A. Greco (1933 - ), mayor of Tampa, 1967–1974 and 1995–2003.
* Pam Iorio (1959 - ), Mayor of Tampa, Florida, since 2003.
* Vincent R. Impellitteri (1900 – 1987), Mayor of New York, 1950–1953.
* Fiorello La Guardia (1882 – 1947), Mayor of New York , 1934-1945. (Both parents Italian-born - father
lapsed Catholic; mother Jewish.) * Anthony M. Masiello (1947 - ), mayor of Buffalo, New York, 1994-2005.
* Thomas Menino (1942 - ), mayor of Boston, since 1993.
* Robert Maestri (1899 - 1974), mayor of New Orleans, 1936–1946.
* George Moscone (1929 - 1978), mayor of San Francisco, 1976-1978.
* Frank Rizzo (1920 - 1991), mayor of Philadelphia, 1972-1980.
* Angelo Rossi (1878 - 1948), mayor of San Francisco, 1931-1944.
* Victor Schiro (1904-1992), mayor of New Orleans, 1961–1970.
Prelates
* Msgr. Geno Baroni (1930–1984), the Catholic Coordinator for the March on Washington for Jobs and
Freedom * Francis X. DiLorenzo (born 1942) the twelfth bishop of the Diocese of Richmond in Virginia
* John Clement Favalora - Archbishop of the Latin Rite Archdiocese of Miami
* Fr. Stan Fortuna, Roman Catholic priest
* James Groppi Roman Catholic priest and noted civil rights activist
* Francis Mugavero, first Italian-American Bishop of Brooklyn (1968-1990)
* Joseph Rosati the first Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Louis
Cardinals
* Anthony Joseph Bevilacqua served as Bishop of Pittsburgh and Archbishop of Philadelphia
* Justin Francis Rigali Archbishop of Philadelphia
Scientists
* Eugenio Calabi
* Charles DeLisi
* Renato Dulbecco
* Federico Faggin
* Robert Fano (born 1917), computer scientist
* Anthony Fauci, immunologist contributing to research in the areas of AIDS and other
immunodeficiencies * Enrico Fermi (1901–1954), physicist
* Robert Gallo
* Albert Ghiorso nuclear scientist who helped discover several chemical elements on the periodic table
* Riccardo Giacconi
* Louis Ignarro
* Robert Lanza
* Salvador Luria
* Fulvio Melia physicist, astrophysicist, and author
* Antonio Meucci telephone inventor
* Rita Levi-Montalcini
* Franco Modigliani
* Lisa Marie Nowak Born Lisa Marie Caputo Astronaut
* William Daniel Phillips
* Gian-Carlo Rota
* Jack Sarfatti
* Piero Scaruffi (born 1955) cognitive scientist
* Emilio Segrè Nobel-winning physicist and academic
* Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza (born 1922) geneticist
* Andrew Viterbi
* Philip Zimbardo
Academics
* Mario Capecchi at the University of Utah
* Frank A. Cipriani
* Thomas A. DeFanti
* John J. DeGioia President of Georgetown University
* A. Bartlett Giamatti (1938–1989), President of Yale University, later Major League Baseball
commissioner (Italian father) * Robert Gallucci Dean of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
* Lino Graglia at the University of Texas in Austin
* Fulvio Melia Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Arizona in Tucson
* Franco Modigliani MIT economics professor and winner of the 1985 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics
* L. Jay Oliva former President of NYU and author of many books on European and Russian history
* P. M. Pasinetti professor of comparative literature and Italian UCLA
* Nancy Siraisi, distinguished professor emerita of history, Hunter College and CUNY Graduate Center
and 2008 MacArthur Fellow[7] * Camille Paglia
Writers
* David Baldacci, a distant cousin of John Baldacci, current governor of Maine
* Andrew Berardini, art critic and fiction writer
* Greg Berlanti, television writer and producer
* Duane Capizzi, screenwriter
* Lorenzo Carcaterra, novelist and screenwriter
* Bernardino Ciambelli, early author of immigrant crime novels
* John Ciardi, poet and etymologist
* Gregory Corso, poet
* John Corvino, philosopher
* William L. DeAndrea, mystery writer
* Keith R. A. DeCandido
* Don DeLillo (born 1936), author
* Pietro Di Donato, writer
* Rich DiSilvio, writer, author of The Winds of Time
* John Fante, novelist and screenwriter
* Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet
* David Franzoni, screenwriter of Gladiator and King Arthur.
* Paul Gallico (Italian father)
* Arturo Giovannitti poet, political activist
* Barbara Grizzuti Harrison (1934–2002), writer
* Evan Hunter aka Ed MacBain born Salvatore Lombino
* Philip Lamantia
* Teresa de Lauretis
* Luis Marden, born Annibale Luis Paragallo, writer for National Geographic
* Fulvio Melia, author of several popular science books, including The Black Hole at the Center of Our
Galaxy * Diana Ossana, Academy Award-winning screenwriter
* Camille Paglia, post-feminist literary and cultural critic
* Christopher Paolini
* Michael Parenti
* P.M. Pasinetti, novelist, playwright, journalist, professor
* Mario Pei
* Joseph D. Pistone
* Diane di Prima, poet of the Beat generation
* Mario Puzo (1920–1999), The Godfather author
* Terry Rossio, screenwriter
* Shane Salerno, screenwriter
* R.A. Salvatore (born 1959), born Robert Anthony Salvatore science fiction and fantasy author, best
known for his Forgotten Realms and Star Wars novels * Leslie Scalapino, poet
* Piero Scaruffi, poet, historian, scientist
* Dom (Domenico) Serafini, T.V. trade magazine editor
* Michelangelo Signorile, journalist, columnist, talk radio host and gay activist
* Gay Talese
* Tom Verducci, sportswriter
* Frances Winwar, biographer of the 1930s to 1960s; she was born Francesca Vinciguerra in Sicily
Italian Americans who were first in their field of achievement
* Giuseppe Mario Bellanca, designer of the first monoplane in the United States with an enclosed cabin
* Frank Borzage, first person to win the Academy Award for Directing, for Seventh Heaven
* Enea Bossi, designer of the first stainless steel aircraft and designer of the disputed first fully human-
powered plane * Anthony Celebrezze (1910–1998), the first non-native to be appointed to the U.S. Cabinet
* Ella T. Grasso (1919–1981), born Ella Rose Tambussi Grasso, first woman to be elected governor of a
U.S. state without succeeding her husband * Giuseppina Morlacchi (1846–1886), ballerina and dancer, who introduced the can-can to the American
stage * Nancy Pelosi, the first woman in U.S. history to hold the office of Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives * Dennis Tito, the world's first space tourist
* Joe Valachi (1904–1971), the first member of the Mafia to testify to the senate about organized crime
Italian Americans not otherwise categorized
* Marella Agnelli, furniture designer
* Caesar Cardini, creator of the Caesar salad
* Oleg Cassini, Russian-Italian-American fashion designer
* Michael Chiarello, American celebrity chef specializing in Italian-influenced California cuisine
* Andrew Cunanan, spree killer, mother was Italian-American.
* Giada De Laurentiis, host of the Food Network program Everyday Italian
* Angelo Dundee, trainer of several boxing champions
* Elizabeth Edwards, née Anania, wife of John Edwards, a former U.S. Senator from North Carolina
* Kitty Genovese, stalked and stabbed to death near her home in Queens, New York. The apparent
inaction of her neighbors prompted investigation into the psychological phenomenon that becameknown as the bystander effect or "Genovese syndrome". * Stacy London, entertainer (Sicilian mother, Jewish father )
* Charles Ponzi (1882–1949), one of the greatest swindlers in American history. Inventor of the Ponzi
scheme technique. * Rachael Ray, Food Network chef and Emmy-winning television personality
* John Scarne, born Orlando Carmelo Scarnecchia, gambling expert and sleight-of-hand card performer
* Mary Schiavo, former Inspector General of the United States Department of Transportation
* Michael Schiavo, ex-husband of Terri Schiavo, the woman whose comatose state and subsequent
court case garnered much media attention * Milton Sirotta, at age nine coined the term googol
* Jack Valenti, of Sicilian heritage, president of the Motion Picture Association of America from 1966 to
2007 * Michael Viscardi, mathematician
* D. Jeffrey Wright, conservationist, activist, philosopher, and strategist. Sicilian mother, Jewish father,
raised in Southern New Jersey and Wilmington's Little Italy.Athletes
* Luis Monti, athlete
* Mary Lou Retton (born 1968), Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics (original family name was Rotunda, changed
by her grandfather)Baseball
* Phil Barzilla
* Yogi Berra (born 1925), born Lawrence Peter Berra. Former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball.
The Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Yogi Bear was named after him. * Craig Biggio (born 1965), baseball player
* Ken Caminiti
* Roy Campanella (1921-1993), Baseball Hall of Fame (Italian father)
* Frank Catalonotto (born 1974)
* John Cangelosi
* John Cerutti
* Gino Cimoli
* Rocky Colavito
* Tony Conigliaro
* Frank Crosetti
* Tony Cuccinello
* John D'Acquisto
* Mark DeRosa
* Matt DeSalvo
* Joe DiGangi - Yankees bullpen catcher
* Dom DiMaggio {born 1917), baseball player
* Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999), Baseball Hall of Fame Considered the greatest Italian-American athlete ever
* Vince DiMaggio (1912-1986), baseball player
* Lenny DiNardo (born 1979) pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Oakland Athletics
* Sal Fasano (born 1971)
* Tony Fiore (born 1971)
* Carl Furillo, baseball player
* John Franco, relief pitcher
* Terry Francona, manager
* Tito Francona, baseball player
* Mike Gallo (born 1977) pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for Houston Astros
* Gary Gaettipower hitting third basemen
* Joe Garagiola, baseball player
* Jason Giambi (born 1971)
* Jeremy Giambi (born 1974)
* Tony Giarratano (born 1982)
* Al Gionfriddo
* Joe Girardi
* Tony Graffanino
* Jason Grilli (born 1976), baseball pitcher who plays for the Detroit Tigers
* Tommy Lasorda
* Tony La Russa, born Anthony La Russa, Jr. (born 1944), manager in Major League Baseball.
* Tony Lazzeri
* Ernie Lombardi
* Paul Lo Duca (born 1972) catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Washington Nationals.
* Sal Maglie, born Salvatore Anthony Maglie.
* Billy Martin, born Alfred Manuel Martin (1928-1989), baseball player and manager
* Lee Mazzilli
* Leo Mazzone
* Frank Menechino (born 1971)
* Lou Merloni
* Dan Miceli (born 1970), plays for Tampa Bay Rays
* Doug Mirabelli ( born 1970) catcher
* Rich Monteleone
* Don Mossi (born 1929)
* Chad Mottola
* Mike Mussina
* Mike Napoli Catcher for the Los Angeles Angels
* John Orsino
* Val Pascucci (born 1978)
* Mike Pagliarulo
* Tom Pagnozzi
* Carl Pavano
* Joe Pepitone
* Sam Perlozzo
* Andy Pettitte - Part Italian and Part French.
* Mike Piazza (born 1968)
* Rick Porcello, Pitcher
* Vic Raschi
* Bill Renna, infielder
* J.P. Ricciardi (born 1959), General Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays
* Dave Righetti
* Phil Rizzuto (1917-2007), born Fiero Francis Rizzuto.
* Marius Russo
* Mark Saccomanno (born 1980)
* Ron Santo
* Mike Scioscia
* Jason Simontacchi (born 1975) Currently pitcher for the St.Louis Cardinals
* Nick Swisher, born 1/25/1980, Italian on mother's side.
* Joe Torre- Manager of the LA Dodgers
* Bobby Valentine
* Ron Villone
* Frank Viola
* Barry Zito
* Pete Zoccolillo (born 1977)
Basketball
* Mike D'Antoni (b. 1951), basketball coach
* Geno Auriemma (b. 1954), hall of fame basketball coach
* Brian Scalabrine
* Mike Fratello (b. 1947), basketball coach
* Tom Gugliotta
* Mike Iuzzolino
* Tom Izzo (b. 1955), basketball coach
* Hank Luisetti, Stanford star who was first player to use a jump shot[citation needed]
* Bill Melchionni, (b. 1944), played 9 seasons in NBA and ABA (7 with the New York Nets)
* Rick Pitino (b. 1952), basketball coach
* Jim Valvano (1946-1993), basketball coach and sportscaster
* Dick Vitale (b. 1939), basketball coach and sportscaster
* Tony Martino (b.1986), basketball star in Cincinnati Parochial Schools
Andrea Bargniani,1st round pick of the Toronto Raptors
Billiards players
* Willie Mosconi, born William Joseph Mosconi (1913–1993), billiards player.
Bodybuilders
* Charles Atlas
* Bob Cicherillo
* Franco Columbu
* Lou Ferrigno
* Rich Gaspari
* Mike Matarazzo
* Frank Sepe
* Trent Coletti
Boxers
* Lou Ambers (1913-1995), born Luigi d'Ambrosio, boxer.
* Carmen Basilio
* Battling Battalino
* Tony Canzoneri (1908-1959) boxer[1]
* Primo Carnera, heavyweight boxing champion during the 1930s and later pro-wrestling champion.
* Frank Columbu, boxing champion and later bodybuilding champion.
* Cus D'Amato (1908-1985) boxing manager and trainer[2]
* Angelo Dundee (born 1923 as Angelo Merena), boxing trainer.
* Lou Duva (born 1922), boxing trainer.
* Arturo Gatti
* Tony Galento
* Frankie Genaro
* Joey Giardello (born 1930 as Carmine Orlando Tilelli), boxing star during the 1950s and 1960s.
* Rocky Graziano
* Pete Herman (1896-1973), born Peter Gulotta, one of the all time great bantamweight boxer world champions.
* Harry Jeffra (born 1914 as Ignazio Guiffo)
* Rocky Kansas (1895-1954), born Rocco Tozzo, boxer.
* Fidel La Barba
* Jake LaMotta, (born 1921), boxer.
* Vinny Maddalone
* Paulie Malignaggi
* Ray Mancini
* Rocky Marciano (1924-1969), boxer, only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated.
* Joey Maxim (1922-2001), born Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli, boxer, world light heavyweight champion.
* Willie Pastrano
* Vinny Paz (born 1962), multiple world champion, born as Vinny Pazienza.
* Willie Pep (brn 1922 as Gugliemo Papaleo)
* Mike Rossman (Italian father)
* Johnny Wilson (1893-1985), born Giovanni Panica, boxer.
* Young Corbett III, born Raffaele Capabianca Giordano (1905 - 1993), world welterweight boxing champion.
* Frankie Doyle,born Frank Dolcmascolo 1920, (1938-41)Diamond Gloves Bantamweight Champion one of 5
brothers known as the Fightin' Doyle brothers of Garfield, NJ * Alex Doyle, born Alexander Dolcemascolo 1921, (1938-1948) top ten ranked Jr. Welterweight. NJ State
champion, NJ Boxing Hallof Fame * Midget Doyle, born Michaeli Dolcemascolo, 1917, (1935-1945)top ten ranked Bantamweight, NJ State
Champion, NJ Boxing Hall of Fame.Figure skaters
* Brian Boitano
Football
* Pasquale "Pat" Abbruzzi
* Alan Ameche
* Mark Bavaro
* Joe Bellino
* Angelo Bertelli
* Tony Boselli
* Tedy Bruschi (Italian Father)
* Nick Buoniconti
* Gino Cappelletti
* John Cappelletti
* Jason Fabini
* Anthony Fasano
* Joe Flacco
* John Gagliardi
* Franco Harris (Italian mother) best known for "Immaculate reception"
* Larry Izzo (Italian father) linebacker and special teams captain for the New England Patriots
* Lou Little
* Vince Lombardi, (1913-1970), legendary football coach.
* Dan Marino (born 1961), Hall of Fame quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.
* Joe Montana (born 1956), widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.
* Leo Nomellini
* Bill Parcells, football coach
* Joe Paterno, legendary football coach for Penn State.
* Nick Pietrosante
* Brian Piccolo
* Greg Schiano
* Paul Tagliabue, former NFL commissioner
* Vinny Testaverde
* Dick Vermeil, football coach
* Gino Marchetti
* Adam Vinatieri, football kicker for Indianapolis
Gino Marchetti Joe Scarpatti
Golfers
* Mark Calcavecchia
* Fred Couples (Father changed family name from Coppola)
* Chris DiMarco
* Doug Ford
* Rocco Mediate
* Gene Sarazen
* Ken Venturi
Horse racers
* Eddie Arcaro, (1916 - 1997) thoroughbred horse-racing jockey.
Ice hockey players
* Tony Amonte
* Tom Barrasso
* Bates Battaglia
* Rick DiPietro
* Mike Eruzione
* Brian Gionta
* Cammi Granato
* Tony Granato
* Mike Modano
* Tony Tuzzolino
* Nick Tuzzolino
Martial arts
* Mike Dolce
Race car drivers
* Marco Andretti (born 1987), son of Michael Andretti. IRL IndyCar Rookie of the Year.
* Mario Andretti (born 1940), race car driver.
* Michael Andretti, 1991 IndyCar champion, son of Mario
* John Andretti, NASCAR driver, nephew of Mario.
* Ralph DePalma (1884–1956), racecar driving champion.
Skiing
* Julia Mancuso (born 1984) alpine skier; won a gold medal in the Giant Slalom race at the 2006 Winter Olympics
in Turin.Soccer
* Bruce Arena, former head football coach for the United States men's national soccer team.
* Carmelo D'Anzi, played professional soccer in Italy, Mexico and U.S.A.; won 7 championships and 5 leading
scoring titles during his career. * Frank Borghi, played for the U.S. national team in the 1950 World Cup.
* Paul Caligiuri, played for the U.S. national team in the 1994 World Cup.
* Charlie Colombo, played for the U.S. national team in the 1950 World Cup.
* Robert Contiguglia, former President of the United States Soccer Federation.
* Gabriel Ferrari, striker prospect for Italian club, Sampdoria. Has stated intention to play on American national
teams. * Armando Frigo, American-born player in Serie A.
* Patrick Ianni (born 1985) soccer defensive midfielder, plays for Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer[3]
* Pablo Mastroeni, born in Argentina of Italian descent.
* Tony Meola, starting goalkeeper for the U.S. national team during the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.
* Gino Pariani, played for the U.S. national team in the 1950 World Cup.
* Giuseppe Rossi, born in the United States to Italian immigrant parents, he also holds citizenship from Italy and
plays for Italian national teams. * Sal Zizzo, Hannover 96 winger playing for American national teams.
Swimmers
* Matt Biondi (born 1965), Olympic swimmer.
Tennis players
* Jennifer Capriati, professional tennis player
Wrestlers
* Hulk Hogan (On father's side. Birth name is Terry Bollea)
* Lou Albano
* Ashley Massaro, former WWE Diva.
* Primo Carnera
* Sal Graziano, former ECW wrestler
* Steve Lombardi
* Joey Marella was a professional wrestling referee. He was the son of legendary wrestler Gorilla Monsoon.
* Gorilla Monsoon, born Robert Otto Marella.
* Lisa Moretti (born 1961 as Lisa Mary Moretti), best known by her stage name of Ivory, professional wrestler.
* Chuck Palumbo, born Charles Ronald Palumbo, professional wrestler.
* Angelo Poffo
* Lanny Poffo, known as "Leaping Lanny" or "The Genius", son of Angelo Poffo, brother to Randy Savage.
* Mark Copani, half-Italian, half-Arab wrestler best known for his Muhammad Hassan character in WWE.
* Paul Roma
* Eve Torres, current WWE Diva
* Romeo Roselli
* Mike Rotundo best known as "Irwin R Schyster", wrestled with the WWF from 1991 to 2004.
* Bruno Sammartino (born 1936 as Bruno Laopardo Franceso Sammartino), former professional wrestler.
* Peter Senerca former professional wrestler also known as Tazz.
* Nunzio, born James Maritato, professional wrestler.
* Johnny Stamboli
* "Macho Man" Randy Savage, born Randy Poffo.
* Santino Marella, born Anthony Carelli, current WWE wrestler under Raw Brand.
* Vito LoGrasso, professional wrestler.
* Lenny Montana(1926-1992), former professional wrestler known as "The Zebra Kid" and "Chief Chewacki" in the
1960's
