list of famous Puerto Ricans in alphabetical order by last names, where applicable.
Composers, Singers and Musicians
Juan F. Acosta , composerJohnny Albino , singerNatalie and Nicole Albino , "Nina Sky " hip hopRafael Alers , orchestra directorMarc Anthony , singerChucho Avellanet , singerRaymond Ayala , "Yankee Daddy", rapperLloyd Banks , (Puerto Rican on his mother's side) rapper in 50 Cent 's G-unit Ray Barretto , singer, jazz and salsa musicianJohn Benitez , "Jellybean Benitez", music producer and remixerLucecita Benítez , singerObbie Bermudez,singer Big Pun , rapperRoy Brown , folklore singer, composerAntonio Caban Vale "El Topo", folklore singer, composerBobby Capo , singer, composerNydia Caro , singerPablo Casals , (Puerto Rican on his mother's side), musicianKevin Ceballo , salsa singerIris Chacón , singer and vedetteChayanne , singerJose Miguel Class , "El Gallito de Manati", singerElvis Crespo ,singerBobby Cruz ,singerWillie Colón , singerBraulio Dueño Colón , composer of "Canciones Escolares"Cesar Concepcion, singer Millie Corretjer ,singerRafael Cortijo ,singerTony D' Astro Pedro Ortiz Davila , "Davilita", bolero singerWilly DeVille, singer, musician Johnatan Dwayne , singer, composerJustino Díaz , opera singerDr. Rafael Jose Diaz , "Rafael Jose", singer and television host Carmen Delia Dipini , singerRuben DJ , rapperHowie Dorough , singer, member of the Backstreet Boys Rafi Escudero, singer Noel Estrada , composer of "En Mi Viejo San Juan "Cano Estremera ,singerFat Joe , rapperRene Farrait , former member of "Menudo "Cheo Feliciano,singer José Feliciano , singer, composed "Feliz Navidad "Ruth Fernandez, singer Narciso Figueroa, composer Pedro Flores , composerLuis Fonsi, singer Harry Fraticelli, pianist Odilio Gonzalez , singerRafael Hernandez , Composer of "Preciosa " and "Lamento Borincano "Sophy Hernandez, singer Giovanni Hildalgo, percussionist Rafael Ithier , founder of "El Gran Combo " orchestraLa India , singer, known as the "Princess of Salsa"Tito Lara, singer Héctor Lavoe, singer Raphy Leavitt , composer, director and founder of "La Selecta "Jennifer López , singer and actressNoelia Lorenzo, singer Johnny Lozada , former member of "Menudo "Papo Lucca, singer Lunna, singer Victor Manuelle, singer Ricky Martin , singerAngie Martinez , Radio personality/rapperLadislao Martinez, "El Maestro Ladis" Charlie Masso , former member of "Menudo"Ricky Melendez , former member of "Menudo"Luis Miguel , Puerto Rican-born Mexican citizenIsmael Miranda, singer Luis R.Miranda Angel Mislan , composer of DanzasJose Luis Monero Yolandita Monge , singerAndy Montañez , singerGlenn Monroig,singer Gilberto Monroig, singer Florencio Morales Ramos , "Ramito", folklore singerJuan Morel Campos , composer of Danzas Ednita Nazario , singerFrankie Negrón Tito Nieves , singerTommy Olivencia Manny Oquendo Tony Orlando (Puerto Rican on father's side), singerLuis "Perico" Ortiz, musician Shalim Ortiz , singerEddie Palmieri , bandleaderCharlie Palmieri , pianist, bandleaderAntonio Paolí , opera singer, first person in history to record an entire operaJose Enrique Pedreria, composer David Peel, singer, songwriter Angel "Cuco" Peña, musician Carlos Ponce , singerTito Puente , musicianIvy Queen , rapper, known as "The Queen of Reggaeton"Dominigo Quiñones Ismael Quintana Jose Ignacio Quinton, pianist Humberto Ramirez Richie Ray , singer, composer, known as "The King of Salsa"Sylvia Rexach , singer, composerDanny Rivera , singerJerry Rivera, singer Johnny Rivera Graciela Rivera, opera singer Ismael Rivera, singer Lourdes Robles, singer Roberto Roena , singerFelipe Rodriguez , "La Voz", bolero singerJulito Rodriguez , singerTito Rodriguez, singer Kelis Rogers , (mother is Puerto Rican/Chinese), singer and television hostTito Rojas, "El Gallo" Deddie Romero Robby Rosa , former member of "Menudo "Willie Rosario Felipe Rose , the Indian from The Village People , singerJulita Ross , singer of DanzasFernando and Nefty Sallaberry , former members of "Menudo "Jesus Sanchez, "Chuito el de Bayamon", folklore singer Gilberto Santa Rosa, singer Eddie Santiago , singerHerman Santiago, singer, composed song "Why Do Fools Fall In Love " Marvin Santiago , singerVictor Santiago, "N.O.R.E." rapper Dr. Zoraida Santiago , singer and composer Daniel Santos , composer, singer of boleros Nino Segarra Xavier Serbia , former member of "Menudo "Myrta Silva , singer, composerArturo Somohano ,composer, Symphony orchestra conductorMichael Stuart , singerOlga Tañon , singer, composer, (4 Grammys )Manuel Gregorio Tavarez , composer known as "The Father of the Puerto Rican Danzas"Luiggi Texidor Roberto Tirado , Spanish Harlem vocalistYolanda Vadiz , gospel singerBobby Valentin Alan Vega , rock singer, of Suicide Tony Vega Lisa Velez, "Lisa Lisa", singer Vico C , rapperVictor Manuelle singer Sylvia Del Villard Wilkins Zambrana, "Wilkins", singer and composer Tego Calderon, rapper
Cartoonists
Journalists Jose Julian Acosta , journalistMaría Celeste Arraras , anchor for "Al Rojo Vivo"Barbara Bermudo , journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"Rafael Bracero , newscaster for "Noticentro 4 "Enrique Cruz, news anchor for "Noticentro 4 " Tomas De Jesus Mangual , journalist for "El Vocero"Carmen Dominicci , journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"Manuel Fernandez Juncos , journalistJackie Guerrido , journalist and meteorologist for Univisions "Despierta America"Anibal Gonzalez Irizarry , former newscaster for "Telenoticias en accion"Laura Hernandez , journalistCarmen Jovet ,Journalist, first Puerto Rican woman named news anchor in Puerto RicoMichele LaFountain , anchor for the Spanish version of ESPN Sports Center Lynda Lopez , anchor for "WCBS" Ch2.Luis Francisco Ojeda , journalist, political critic for "WAPA T.V."Geraldo Rivera , journalistEdna Schmidt , anchor for "Telefutura"Guillermo José Torres , newscaster for "Noticentro 4 "Elizabeth Vargas , "Liz" anchor "ABC News 20/20"Luz Nereida Velez , newscaster for "Noticentro 4 "
Actors, Actresses and Comedians Kirk Acevedo , actor, (T.V. series "Oz ")Jose Miguel Agrelot , "Don Cholito ", comedianMiguel Angel Alvarez "El Men", comedianVictor Argo , actor (Coyote Ugly Raymond Arrieta , comedianRick Aviles , actor/comedian (Ghost Charlotte Ayanna , actressAlba Raquel Barros , comedian/actressLucy Boscana,soap opera actress Giselle Blondet , actress/TV hostNorma Candal , comedianIrene Cara , singer/actress (Fame Mylo Carbia , screenwriter, small part in (Underworld ) the movieJorge Castro , soap opera actorBraulio Castillo , soap opera actorBraulio Castillo, hijo , soap opera actorMelwin Cedeño , comedianLynette Chico ,actress Puerto Rico T.V.Ivonne Coll , actress (The Godfather II Miriam Colon , actress (Scarface Paquito Cordero, TV producer/comedian Mara Croatto , soap opera actressHenry Darrow, actor, "Manolito " (TV series The High Chaparral Sully Diaz , soap opera actressSammy Davis, Jr. (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)Lydia Echevarria , soap opera actressHector Elizondo, actor (Pretty Woman The Princess Diaries Erik Estrada , actor (TV series CHiPs Sealab 2021 José Ferrer , actor (Cyrano de Bergerac Academy Award Miguel Ferrer , actor (Robocop The Manchurian Candidate Luis Guzman , actorLillian Hurst , comedian/actress (Dharma and Greg Raúl Juliá , actor (Kiss of the Spider Woman The Addams Family John Leguizamo , actor (Moulin Rouge! To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar Adamari Lopez , actress of soap operasJennifer López , actress (Selena The Cell Sunshine Logroño , comedianClaribel Medina , actress soap operasJohn Melendez , "Stuttering John" ("Howard Stern Show " and "The Tonight Show ")Ari Meyers , actress (TV series Kate & Allie Karla Michelle , actress Puerto Rican T.V.Eddie Miro , T.V. HostEsai Morales , actor (La Bamba Jacobo Morales , actor (Bananas Rita Moreno , actress, winner of Oscar , a Tony Award , an Emmy and a Grammy Frankie Muniz , actor (TV series Malcolm in the Middle Rafo Muñiz , comedianTommy Muñiz , T.V. producer/comedianRosie Perez , actress (White Men Can't Jump Fearless Joaquin Phoenix , actor (Signs Gladiator Freddie Prinze , comedian/actor (TV series Chico and the Man Freddie Prinze, Jr. , actor (Scooby-Doo Chita Rivera , "Broadway Legend", winner of 2 Tony Awards Luis Antonio Rivera , "Yoyo Boing" comedianRamón (Diplo) Rivero , comedianAdalberto Rodríguez , "Machuchal " comedianGladys Rodríguez , comedian/soap opera actressMichelle Rodríquez , actress (The Fast and the Furious Roselyn Sanchez , actress (Rush Hour 2 Chasing Papi )Jose Vega Santana , "Remi " the Clown, (also see: Cartoonists above)Jon Seda , actor (Selena Jimmy Smits , actor (TV series L.A. Law Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Talisa Soto , actress/model, (License to Kill Miguel Ángel Suárez , actor (Stir Crazy Under Suspicion Gloria Swanson , actress (Sunset Boulevard San Juan, Puerto Rico )Benicio del Toro , actor (Traffic Liz Torres , actress (T.V. series Gilmore Girls Lauren and Loraine Velez , actress's, (T.V. series "New York Undercover", "Oz ")Christina Vidal ,actress, (TV series Taina Lisa Vidal , actress (Night in the City ), (TV series ER Luis Vigoreaux , TV hostLuisito Vigoreaux , TV hostOtilio Warrington , "Bizcocho " comedianSandra Zaiter , TV host of children shows
Sports Roberto Alomar , baseball playerSandy Alomar, Jr. , baseball playerCarmelo Anthony , basketball player (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)Carlos Arroyo , basketball playerCarlos Baerga , baseball playerWilfred Benitez , boxer, member of Boxing Hall of FameDr. David "Kike" Bernier , fencing, member of Puerto Rican National Fencing Team Hiram Bithorn, baseball player, first Puerto Rican in Major League Baseball Kristina Brandi , tennis playerIvan Calderon , baseball playerIvan Calderon , boxerHector 'Macho' Camacho , boxerOrlando "Peruchin' Cepeda , baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of FameKermit Cintron , boxerRoberto Clemente , baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of FameDr. Rebekah Colberg , "The Mother of Puerto Rican Women's Sports" Carlitos Colon , wrestlerCarly Colon , wrestlerAngel Cordero Jr. , jockey, member of Jockey Hall of FameMaritza Correia , the first black Puerto Rican woman in U.S. Olympic Swmming TeamJoe Cortez , boxing refereeJosé Miguel Cotto , boxerMiguel Cotto , boxerJose "Cheo" Cruz , baseball playerChristian Dalmau , BSN basketball playerRaymond Dalmau , basketball playerEsteban De Jesus , boxerCarlos "Sugar" De Leon , first boxer in history to win Cruiserweight title twice.Carlos Delgado , baseball playerMelissa Del Valle , boxerAlfredo Escalera , boxerSixto Escobar , boxer, member of Boxing Hall of FameGigi Fernández , tennis playerEnrique Figueroa , sailingBold Forbes , Thoroughbred ChampionRuben Gomez , first Puerto Rican to pitch and win a World Series game.Wilfredo Gomez , boxer, member of Boxing Hall of FameJorge "Peco" Gonzalez , marathon runnerJuan "Igor" Gonzalez , baseball playerIvonne Harrison , track and field athleteReggie Jackson , baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame (Puerto Rican on father's side)Belinda Laracuente , boxerButch Lee , basketball player, first Puerto Rican to play for the NBA Angelita Lind , track and field athleteLaura Daniela Lloreda , member of Mexican National Volleyball TeamJavy Lopez , baseball playerMike Lowell , baseball playerFelix Magath , first Puerto Rican (mother is German)to play in World Cup soccer for Germany Edgar Martinez , baseball playerAlberto Mercado , olympian boxer, the only American citizen in the 1980 OlympicsJerome Mincy , basketball playerJohn John Molina , boxerPedro Montañez , boxerMario "Quijote" Morales , BSN basketball playerPedro Morales , wrestler, member of WWE Hall of FameJonny Moseley ,skier, first Puerto Rican to belong to the U.S. Ski TeamEmilio "Millo" Navarro , first Puerto Rican to play in the "Negro Leagues "Luis Olmo , first Puerto Rican to hit a home run in a World SeriesCarlos Ortiz , boxer, member of Boxing Hall of FameJose Ortiz , basketball playerLuis Ortiz , boxer, first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medal in boxingRaul Papaleo , Puerto Rican National Volleyball TeamErnesto Pastor , bullfighterVictor Pellot , a.k.a. "Vic Power", baseball player, second black Puerto Rican in Major League BaseballJorge Posada , baseball playerPeter John Ramos , basketball playerRamon Ramos , basketball playerGerman Rieckehoff , former president Puerto Rican Olympic CommitteeRon Rivera , football player, first Puerto Rican in the National Football LeagueIvan "Pudge" Rodríguez , baseball playerJuan "Chi-Chi" Rodríguez, golfer, member of Golf Hall of Fame Ruben Rodríguez , basketball playerJose "King" Roman , boxer, first Puerto Rican to fight for the world heavyweight title.Edwin "El Chapo" Rosario , boxerJohn Ruíz , first Hispanic heavyweight boxing championAlex Sanchez , boxerBenito Santiago , baseball playerDaniel Santiago , basketball playerO.J. Santiago , football playerSamuel Serrano , boxerJulio Toro , basketball coachGeorgie Torres , has BSN scoring recordJosé "Chegui" Torres , boxer, member of Boxing Hall of FameFélix "Tito" Trinidad , boxerJesse Vassallo ,swimmer, member of International Swimming Hall of FameJavier Vazquez , baseball playerWilfredo Vazquez , boxerSavio Vega , WWE wrestlerJuan Evangelista Venegas , the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medalAda Velez , the first Puerto Rican feamale boxer, to win a championshipMark Watring , equestrianBernie Williams , baseball player
Astrologers
Beauty Queens
Mr. Universe
Religion Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez , first Puerto Rican to become a cardinalFather Francisco Ayerra de Santa Maria , Puerto Rico's first poet Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi , first Puerto Rican to become a bishop Rev. Yiye Avila , pentecostal leader Rev. Nicky Cruz , former gangster turned minister Sister Maria Dominguez, beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II Sor Isolina Ferre , Catholic nun awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom Juanita García Peraza , "Mita", founder of "Mita" religionJorge Raschke , outspoken evangelistCarlos Manuel Rodríguez a.k.a. "St.Charlie", beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001Teofilo Vargas Sein , "Aron", leader of "Mita" religionFather Diego de Torres Vargas , first to write about the history of Puerto Rico.
Authors,Poets and Playwrighters Abelardo Diaz Alfaro , writerMiguel Algarin , poet,writer and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe Dr.Manuel A. Alonso , poet and author Jose Gautier Benitez , poetTomas Blanco , writer and historianJulia de Burgos , poetMayra Calvani , writerNemesio Canales , essayist and poetDr.Cayetano Coll y Toste , historian and writer Jesus Colon , writer, father of "Nuyorican " movementJuan Antonio Corretjer , poetDr.Jose Antonio Davila , poet Virgilio Davila , poetMayra Santos Febres , poetRosario Ferré , writerDr.Manuel Zeno Gandía , wrote "La Charca", the first Puerto Rican novel Alejandrina Benitez de Gautier , poetEnrique A. Laguerre , writer, nominated for Nobel Prize in literatureRené Marqués , playwrightDr. Concha Melendez , poet, writer Manuel Mendez Ballester , writerMiguel Piñero , playwright, writer, co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe Jose Rivera ,playwright, first Puerto Rican nominated for an "Oscar" in "Best Adpoted Screenplay" categoryLuis Rafael Sanchez ,playwrightEsmeralda Santiago , authorAlejandro Tapia y Rivera , writer and poet, "The Father of Puerto Rican Literature"Piri Thomas , writer, poetLola Rodriguez de Tio , poet, wrote lyrics to the revolutionary "Borinqueña"Edwin Torres , "Nuyorican Movement " poetJudge Edwin Torres , writer (Carlito's Way Luis Llorens Torres , poet
Artists
Military Vice Admiral, Dr.Richard Carmona , U.S. Surgeon General under President George W. Bush Brigadier General Antonio Rodriguez Balinas , U.S. Army Col. Carlos Betances Ramirez , U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican to command a battalion in the Korean War Sgt. Modesto Cartagena , U.S. Army, most decorated Hispanic in history Lieutenant General Pedro Del Valle , U.S. Marine Corps, first Hispanic three-star Marine general Capt. Miguel Enriquez , Spanish naval captain, pirate Brigadier General Luis R. Esteves , U.S. Army PFC Fernando L. Garcia , USMC, first Puerto Rican awarded the Medal Of Honor Major General Orlando Llenza , U.S. Air Force PFC Carlos Lozada , U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor Admiral Ramon Power y Giralt , Spanish Navy Capt.Antonio de los Reyes Correa , Spanish Army Major Fernando L. Ribas-Dominicci, U.S. Air Force Admiral Frederick Lois Riefkohl , U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Horacio Rivero , U.S. Navy, first Hispanic four-star admiral Captain Euripides Rubio , U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor Sp4c Hector Santiago-Colon, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor Brigadier General Antonio Valero de Bernabe , fought alongside Simón Bolívar
Tainos Agueybana , Taíno chief, "supreme cacique"Agueybana II ,brother of Agueybana, see: "Agueybana"Arasibo , cacique, area of Arecibo Caguax , cacique, area of Caguas Hayuya, cacique, area of Jayuya Jumacao , cacique, area of Humacao
Politicians Herman Badillo, first Puerto Rican to serve in U.S. Congress Joaquin Balaguer , president of Dominican Republic (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)Dr. José Celso Barbosa , "The Father of Puerto Rico's Statehood Movement" Antonio R. Barcelo , founder of the "Puerto Rican Liberal Party"Angel O. Berrios , mayor of Caguas Dr.Ruben Berrios , president of the Puerto Rican Independence Party Dr.Ramon Emeterio Betances , main leader of the Grito de Lares revolution Mariana Bracetti , leader of the Lares Revolutionary CouncilJuan Marí Bras , founder of the Puerto Rican Socialist PartyMathias Bruckman , leader of the Grito de Lares Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos , founder of the Nationalist Party Blanca Canales , nationalist who led the Jayuya revoltRoman Baldorioty de Castro , "The Father of Puerto Rico's Autonomy"Oscar Collazo , one of two nationalist who attempted to assasinate Presidenr Harry S. Truman Dr. Gilberto Concepcion de Gracia , founder of P.R. Independence Party Rafael "Churumba" Cordero Santiago , former mayor of Ponce Jose de Diego , known as "The Father of Puerto Rico's Independence Movement"Dr. Antonio Fernós-Isern ,first Puerto Rican cardiologist and Resident Commissiner. Maurice Ferre , former mayor of Miami, Florida Fernando Ferrer , Bronx (New York City) borough presidentDr. Olga Viscal Garriga , nationalist Eugenio Maria de Hostos , (see also Educators below)Tito Kayak , activistLolita Lebron , nationalistOlga A. Mendez , first Puerto Rican New York State SenatorInes Mendoza , first lady of Puerto RicoFrancisco Ramirez Medina , President of the Republic of Ruerto Rico (September 28 , 1868 ), during "El Grito de Lares " revoltTeodoro Moscoso Jr. , architect of Operation Bootstrap Luis Muñoz Rivera , first Puerto Rican to be Resident Commissioner in Washington,D.C.Dr. Antonia Novello , U.S. Surgeon General under President George Bush, Sr. Eddie Perez , Mayor of Hartford, ConnecticutFrancisco Mariano Quiñones , the first president of Puerto Rico's CabinetRamon Luis Rivera , former mayor of Bayamón.Manuel Rojas , leader of the "Grito de Lares "Felisa Rincón de Gautier , first woman to be elected mayor of an American Capital city.Segundo Ruiz Belvis , leader of the Grito de Lares revoltManuela Santiago Collazo , mayor of Vieques Maria de Lourdes Santiago ,first female "PIP" member to be elected into the Puerto Rican SenateJose Serrano ,first Puerto Rican congressmanGriselio Torresola , one of two nationalists who attempted to assasinate Presid
Results from FactBites:
Puerto Rican - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (592 words)
Asked about whether she felt Puerto Rican or not by a popular men's magazine, New York native model and rap singer Gloria Velez declared that "(she) was born in Long Island, (her parents) were born in New York, but (her) grandparents were born in Puerto Rico, so (she is) 100 percent Puerto Rican" . Puerto Ricans are a mixture of customs and cultures which have truly resulted in a great melting pot. This trend continued after 1873 when the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico occurred (note that the date for the abolition of slavery is the date when all slaves were granted freedom, but, before that day and starting on 1837, the freedom of fls could always be bought at the time of baptism).
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