This is a list of

Puerto Ricans Puerto Ricans ( es, Puertorriqueños; or boricuas) are the people of Puerto Rico, the inhabitants, and citizens of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and their descendants. Overview The culture held in common by most Puerto Ricans is referred t ...

in the continental United States and

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...

, including people born in the United States proper of Puerto Rican descent and Puerto Ricans who live in the United States proper. Since those born in Puerto Rico are US citizens, it is easier to migrate to the United States proper from Puerto Rico than from anywhere else in Latin America. Currently, more than 5.5 million Puerto Ricans and their descendants live in the United States proper, significantly more than the population of Puerto Rico itself. The following list contains notable members of the Puerto Rican community.

Television show hosts

* La La Anthony television personality, video jockey and actress; host of

MTV MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...

's ''

TRL TRL or trl may refer to: Arts * Temporary Residence Limited, a record label * ''Total Request Live'', a former MTV show * TRL Awards (''Total Request Live''), an Italian music award Libraries * Tampines Regional Library, a regional library in Tamp ...

'' *

Daisy Martinez Daisy Maria Martinez is an actress, model, chef, television personality, and author, who hosted a PBS television series, ''Daisy Cooks!'', which launched on April 15, 2005. Career Daisy was born to stateside Puerto Rican parents in Brooklyn, New Y ...

actress, model, chef, television personality and author; host of PBS television series ''

Daisy Cooks! ''Daisy Cooks!'' is a half-hour cooking show on PBS starring Daisy Martinez which features Spanish-Caribbean, Puerto Rican, and Mexican cuisine and their preparation. Episodes ''(cf. sample show listings)'' # ''Dad's Firehouse Dinner'' # '' ...

'' * John Melendez television writer and former radio personality *

Rogelio Mills Rogelio Mills, also known as Roger Mills, a North Carolina native, is a Puerto Rican/Black Hispanic American television personality, author, and recording artist, best known as the host of the celebrity entertainment show entitled "The Roger Mills ...

television personality; Puerto Rican/Black Hispanic American * Antonio Sánchez radio and television personality, show host and producer *

Fernando Allende Luis Fernando Allende Arenas (born November 10, 1952) is a Mexican singer, actor, painter, film producer, and film director. Early life Allende was born in Mexico. His father is Mexican, and his mother is from Cuba. Allende's grandfather on his f ...

(Mexican/Puerto Rican host)hosts Miss World international live telecast to 153 countries for the fourth time in a row. Also hosted Buscando Estrellas; Spanish speaking equivalent to star search. Also hosted all the promos for the soccer World Cup and starred in the successful show "Hot Hot Hot", produced by Dick Clark. * Vanna White Co-Host of Wheel of Fortune (American game show)

Business

Kimberly Casiano Kimberly Casiano (born December 21, 1957) is an American businesswoman of Puerto Rican descent. She is the former president and chief operating officer of Casiano Communications — the largest Hispanic publisher of periodicals and magazines ...

President and Chief Operating Officer of

Casiano Communications Latin Media House, LLC acquired the assets of Casiano Communications Inc. (CCI) effective November 2, 2015 from Chapter 11 at the US Bankruptcy Court. The original company was founded in 1973, by Manuel A. Casiano, who died on May 19, 2017, at t ...

María Elena Holly María Elena Holly (née Santiago; born December 20, 1932) is the widow of American rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly. As a receptionist at Peermusic, she met with Holly and his band the Crickets on June 19, 1958, and Holly proposed to her after ...

Puerto Rican widow of rock and roll pioneer

Buddy Holly Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959), known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer and songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born to a musical family in Lubbock, Texas ...

; lives in Texas and New York * Ralph Mercado promoter of Latin American music, including Latin jazz, Latin rock, merengue and salsa; established a network of businesses *

Lisette Nieves Lisette Nieves is an American academic, non-profit leader, and public official. She is the president of the Fund for the City of New York and a Distinguished Clinical Instructor with New York University. In July 2022, she became a U.S. Senate-con ...

founder of Atrevete Latino Youth, Inc., an organization which focuses on the educational and leadership training of young

Latino Latino or Latinos most often refers to: * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America * Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States * The people or cultures of Latin America; ** Latin A ...

s * Samuel A. Ramirez, Sr. first Hispanic to launch a successful investment banking firm * Angel Ramos founder of Telemundo, the second largest Spanish-language television network in the United States *

Xavier Romeu Xavier Romeu Matta is a counselor and litigator, with expertise in securities litigation and regulation, and corporate, commercial and employment litigation. He is a former politician, and an advocate of statehood for Puerto Rico, and of the appoin ...

Executive Director of

Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company The Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO) — es, Compañía de Fomento Industrial de Puerto Rico (or simply ''Fomento'')— is a government-owned corporation of Puerto Rico authorized and empowered to induce private capital ...

Herb Scannell Herb Scannell (born January 11, 1957) is an American media executive and businessman. He served as the president of Nickelodeon and TV Land from 1996 to 2006, was the founding CEO of Next New Networks, and the president of BBC Worldwide America. ...

President of BBC Worldwide America *

Nina Tassler Nina Tassler is an American television executive and producer. She was most recently the chairwoman of CBS Entertainment until 2015. Life and career Tassler was born in New York City to a Jewish father and a Puerto Rican mother who converted t ...

television executive; President of CBS Entertainment since September 2004 *

Richard Velazquez Richard Velazquez is a nationally recognized leader in the Hispanic community and in business. Velazquez leads international marketing for Amazon Alexa for Latin America and Australia/New Zealand, and the Smart TV segment. Prior to this, Velazqu ...

first Puerto Rican automotive designer for

Porsche Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, usually shortened to Porsche (; see #Pronunciation, below), is a German automobile manufacturer specializing in high-performance sports cars, SUVs and sedans, headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany ...

; first Puerto Rican Xbox product planner; co-founder and President of NSHMBA Seattle *

Maria Vizcarrondo-De Soto Maria Vizcarrondo-De Soto (born c. 1951) is the first woman and Latina to become the President and CEO of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson. Early years Vizcarrondo-De Soto's family moved from Puerto Rico to New York City in the 1940s in se ...

President and CEO of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson

Actors and actresses

Kirk Acevedo Kirk M. Acevedo (born November 27, 1971) is an American actor. He is primarily known for his work on television for the portrayals of Miguel Alvarez in the HBO series '' Oz'', Joe Toye in '' Band of Brothers'', and FBI Agent Charlie Francis i ...

actor,

HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...

series '' Oz'', '' Band of Brothers'', '' Fringe'' *

actor (Mexican/Puerto Rican) * Daniella Alonso actress * Trini Alvarado actress, flamenco dancer, and flamenco Singer *

Tyler Alvarez Tyler Sage Alvarez (born October 25, 1997) is an American actor, known for his roles as Diego Rueda in Nickelodeon's teen sitcom ''Every Witch Way'' and Peter Maldonado in Netflix's mockumentary series ''American Vandal''. Early life Alvarez was ...

American actor of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent ('' Every Witch Way'', '' American Vandal'') *

Philip Anthony-Rodriguez Philip Anthony-Rodriguez is an American actor known for his roles on ''Jake 2.0'' as Kyle Duarte, the voice of disc jockey Maurice Chavez in the 2002 video game '' Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'', and as Jetstream Sam in the 2013 video game '' Me ...

actor and singer * Victor Argo actor *

Yancey Arias Yancey Arias (born June 27, 1971) is an American actor. He played Miguel Cadena in the NBC series '' Kingpin'' and Gabriel Williams in the FX series ''Thief''. Life and career Arias's mother, Miriam, is Puerto Rican and his father, Tony, is Col ...

American actor of Colombian and Puerto Rican descent * Rick Aviles stand-up comedian and actor, ''

Ghost A ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to rea ...

'' *

Jake T. Austin Jake Toranzo Austin Szymanski (born December 3, 1994), known professionally as Jake T. Austin, is an American actor. Beginning his career as a child actor at the age of seven, Austin is best known for his role as Max Russo on the Disney Channe ...

actor, '' Wizards of Waverly Place'' * Charlotte Ayanna actress and former Miss Teen USA * Adrienne Bailon singer and actress *

Rosa Blasi Rosa Blasi (born December 19, 1972) is an American actress, author, model and therapist. She is known for her roles as Luisa Delgado in the Lifetime medical drama series '' Strong Medicine'' and Barb Thunderman in the Nickelodeon series ''The Th ...

actress * Diego Boneta American actor and singer; father is

Mexican Mexican may refer to: Mexico and its culture *Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America ** People *** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants *** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...

, mother was born in the US, to a Puerto Rican father and Spanish mother * Paul Calderón actor * Nydia Caro actress and singer *

David Castro David Castro (born February 7, 1996) is an American actor, known for his role as Raphael Santiago on the Freeform fantasy series ''Shadowhunters''. Personal life Castro was born on Long Island, New York to a Puerto Rican father, Albee Castro, ...

actor * Raquel Castro teen actress and singer * Míriam Colón actress and founder and director of the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater in New York City *

Liza Colón-Zayas Liza Colón-Zayas (born 1972) is an American actress and playwright. Early life and education Liza Colón was born and raised in The Bronx borough of New York City in 1972 and began her career off-Broadway. She broke into mainstream theatre whe ...

actress and playwright *

Kevin Corrigan Kevin Corrigan (born ) is an American character actor. He has appeared mostly in independent films and television since the 1990s, including as Uncle Eddie on the sitcom ''Grounded for Life'' (2001–2005). His film appearances include support ...

actor * Aulii Cravalho actress * Alexis Cruz actor * Wilson Cruz actor Jose Ferrer in Caine Mutiny

* Henry Darrow actor of stage and film * Raúl Dávila actor, ''

All My Children ''All My Children'' (often shortened to ''AMC'') is an American television soap opera that aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from January 5, 1970, to September 23, 2011, and on The Online Network (TOLN) from April 29 to September 2, 20 ...

'' *

Rosario Dawson Rosario Isabel Dawson (born May 9, 1979) is an American actress. She made her feature-film debut in the 1995 independent drama ''Kids''. Her subsequent film roles include '' He Got Game'' (1998), ''Josie and the Pussycats'' (2001), ''Men in Bl ...

actress *

Roxann Dawson Roxann Dawson (née Caballero, born September 11, 1958), also credited as Roxann Biggs and Roxann Biggs-Dawson, is an American actress and director. She is best known for her role as B'Elanna Torres on the television series '' Star Trek: Voyager' ...

actress, '' Star Trek: Voyager''; producer and director *

Idalis DeLeón Idalis M. DeLeón (born June 15, 1969) is an American singer, actress, and television host. DeLeón is best known as an MTV VJ, hosting the music countdown show from June 1994 until September 1998. DeLeón is also known for her acting roles a ...

actress, singer, and television host *

Michael DeLorenzo Michael DeLorenzo (born October 31, 1959) is an American actor, director, writer, producer, dancer, and musician. He is known for his work in television and film. Early life DeLorenzo was raised in The Bronx, New York. His late father, Arthur De ...

actor * Melonie Diaz actress * Sully Diaz actress and singer, '' Coralito'' * Shabba Doo actor, dancer, choreographer, and director *

Héctor Elizondo Héctor Elizondo (born December 22, 1936) is an American character actor. He is known for playing Phillip Watters in the television series ''Chicago Hope'' (1994–2000) and Ed Alzate in the television series '' Last Man Standing'' (2011–2021) ...

actor * Erik Estrada actor * Antonio Fargas actor, 1970s blaxploitation films Reagan Gomez by Gage Skidmore

Justina Machado at Queen of the South at ATX

* José Ferrer actor * Miguel Ferrer actor, '' Crossing Jordan''; son of José Ferrer *

Franky G Franky G (born Frank Gonzales; October 30, 1965) is an American film and television actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Xavier in ''Saw II'' and Wrench in the 2003 remake of ''The Italian Job'' as well as other various roles suc ...

film and television actor *

Gloria Garayua Gloria Garayua (born October 18, 1978) is an American actress. Garayua made her major film debut in the 2005 comedy film '' Fun With Dick and Jane'', and is now commonly cast in guest roles on long-running series such as '' Six Feet Under'', ''We ...

film and television actress * Aimee Garcia father is from

San Juan San Juan, Spanish for Saint John, may refer to: Places Argentina * San Juan Province, Argentina * San Juan, Argentina, the capital of that province * San Juan, Salta, a village in Iruya, Salta Province * San Juan (Buenos Aires Underground), ...

* Mayte García American dancer, actress, singer, and choreographer *

Marilyn Ghigliotti Marilyn Ghigliotti (born August 10, 1961) is an American actress, producer, director and make-up artist best known for playing Veronica Loughran in ''Clerks''. Life and career ''Clerks'' director Kevin Smith cast her for her ability to cry while ...

character actress, '' Clerks'' *

Ian Gomez Ian Braque Gomez (born December 27, 1964) is an American actor known for his comedic TV work, which include series-regular roles as Javier on '' Felicity'' and Andy on ''Cougar Town''. Early life He was born in New York City, New York, to an art ...

actor, known for his comedic TV work, '' Felicity'', '' Cougar Town'' * Marga Gomez comedian, playwright, and humorist *

Reagan Gomez-Preston Reagan Amyre Gomez-Preston (born April 24, 1980) is an American television, film and voice actress. She is known for her roles as Zaria Peterson on The WB sitcom ''The Parent 'Hood'' (1995–1999) and Roberta Tubbs on the FOX animated comedy ...

American actress of Puerto Rican and African descent * Rick Gonzalez actor, film ''Coach Carter'', television series ''Reaper'' * La'Myia Good actress *

Meagan Good Meagan Monique Good is an American actress. She first gained critical attention for her role in the film ''Eve's Bayou'' (1997), prior to landing the role of Nina in the Nickelodeon sitcom ''Cousin Skeeter'' (1998–2001). Good received further ...

actress * Camille Guaty actress * Luis Guzmán actor *

April Lee Hernández April Lee Hernandez (born January 31, 1980) is an American film and television actress. She has also been credited as April L. Hernandez and April Hernandez-Castillo. Personal life Hernandez grew up near the Grand Concourse in The Bronx. She i ...

actress *

Kristin Herrera Kristin Lisa Herrera (born February 21, 1989) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Dana Cruz on the first season of the Nickelodeon series ''Zoey 101'' and as Lourdes Del Torro on ''General Hospital''. Career Herrera was bor ...

actress, '' Zoey 101'' * Jon Huertas American actor, ''

Castle A castle is a type of fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by military orders. Scholars debate the scope of the word ''castle'', but usually consider it to be the private fortified r ...

''; of Puerto Rican and African descent *

Mark Indelicato Mark Indelicato (born July 16, 1994) is an American actor, singer, fashion blogger, and photographer best known for his role in the ABC comedy series '' Ugly Betty'', as Justin Suarez, the fashion-obsessed nephew of series protagonist Bett ...

actor and singer, '' Ugly Betty'' *

Vincent Irizarry Vincent Michael Irizarry (born November 12, 1959) is an American actor. He was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 1985 and 2002, and won in 2009. Early life and education Irizarry grew up on Long Island, NY and is one of six children. He move ...

actor * Shar Jackson American actress; of African, Puerto Rican and Mexican descent *

Cherie Johnson Cherie Johnson (born November 21, 1975) is an American actress, writer, film producer, and author. She is known for her roles on ''Punky Brewster'' as Punky's best friend Cherie and ''Family Matters'', where she played Laura Winslow's best frie ...

American actress, '' Punky Brewster'', '' Family Matters''; of African American and Puerto Rican descent *

Raúl Juliá Raúl Rafael Carlos Juliá y Arcelay (March 9, 1940 – October 24, 1994) was a Puerto Rican actor. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he took an interest in acting while still in school and pursued the career upon completion of his studies. After ...

(1940–1994) Puerto Rican actor and playwright *

Victoria Justice Victoria Dawn Justice (born February 19, 1993) is an American actress and singer. She has received several accolades, including two Young Artist Awards and nominations for three Imagen Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and three Kids' Choice Awar ...

American actress, singer, and songwriter; mother is Puerto Rican *

Eva LaRue Eva Maria LaRue (; born December 27, 1966) is an American actress and model. She is known for her roles as Maria Santos on '' All My Children'' and Det. Natalia Boa Vista on ''CSI: Miami''. Early life LaRue was born in Long Beach, California ...

American actress, ''

CSI: Miami ''CSI: Miami'' (''Crime Scene Investigation: Miami'') is an American police procedural drama television series that ran from September 23, 2002 until April 8, 2012 on CBS. Featuring David Caruso as Lieutenant Horatio Caine, Emily Procter as Dete ...

''; of

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

, Puerto Rican, Dutch, and

Scottish Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including: *Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland *Scottish English *Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...

ancestries * John Leguizamo American actor, born in Colombia to a Puerto Rican parent. *

Adrianne Leon Adrianne is a given name. It is the feminine form of the male name Adrian. People named Adrianne include: * Adrianne Allen (1907–1993), English stage actress * Adrianne Baughns-Wallace (born 1944), American television journalist * Adrianne Byrd ...

American actress, singer-songwriter, guitarist; of Puerto Rican, Italian and Canadian descent *

Sunshine Logroño Emmanuel Logroño (born November 1, 1951), better known as Sunshine Logroño, is an American actor. Logroño has worked in Puerto Rican media for close to three decades. Early years Born in New York to a Puerto Rican mother, Logroño moved to S ...

actor, radio announcer, television show host, singer, comedy writer, entrepreneur and comedian; American born and of Puerto Rican descent; raised in Puerto Rico *

Priscilla Lopez Priscilla Lopez (born February 26, 1948) is an American singer, dancer, and actress. She is perhaps best known for creating the role of Diana Morales in ''A Chorus Line''. She has had the distinction of appearing in two Broadway landmarks: one o ...

American singer, dancer, and actress; of Puerto Rican descent *

Gina Lynn Tanya Mercado (born February 15, 1974), known professionally as Gina Lynn, is an American former pornographic actress, model, and stripper. She was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2010 and is the '' Penthouse'' magazine Penthouse Pet for Ap ...

Puerto Rican pornographic actress; raised in New Jersey *

Justina Machado Justina Milagros Machado (born September 6, 1972) is an American actress, known for her roles as Penelope Alvarez on the Netflix and Pop TV sitcom '' One Day at a Time'', Darci Factor in The CW dramedy ''Jane the Virgin'', Vanessa Diaz on the HBO ...

actress, '' Six Feet Under'' * Sonia Manzano American actress and writer, '' Sesame Street'' *

Eddie Marrero Edgardo Rafael Marrero (born July 25, 1962) better known as Eddie Marrero, is an American actor, singer, producer, record executive and humanitarian. Bio Eddie Marrero was born in Spanish Harlem's "El Barrio" of Puerto Rican heritage. He bega ...

American actor * Tony Martinez (1920–2002) Puerto Rican actor, singer, and

bandleader A bandleader is the leader of a music group such as a rock or pop band or jazz quartet. The term is most commonly used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or ...

; '' The Real McCoys'' TV series; US resident *

Ricardo Medina, Jr. Ricardo Medina Jr. (often referred to as Rick Medina) is an American former actor. He is best known for his role as Cole Evans, the Red Wild Force Ranger on the TV series ''Power Rangers Wild Force'', and later as Deker, the half-human cursed Ni ...

American actor, '' Power Rangers Wild Force''; of Puerto Rican descent * Jorge Merced New York-based Puerto Rican actor, theater director, and gay activist * Lin-Manuel Miranda (born 1980) American actor, composer, lyricist, singer, rapper, actor, producer, and playwright, known by his roles in Broadway musicals. He is of mostly Puerto Rican descent, but he also is a quarter Mexican. * Ruby Modine American actress to a Puerto Rican mother. * Esai Morales American actor, '' La Bamba'' *

Rita Moreno Rita Moreno (born Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano; December 11, 1931) is a Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer. Noted for her work across different areas of the entertainment industry, she has appeared in numerous film, television, and thea ...

Puerto Rican singer, dancer and actress; US resident * Frankie Muniz American actor, ''

Malcolm in the Middle ''Malcolm in the Middle'' is an American family television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for Fox. The series premiered on January 9, 2000, and ended on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons and 151 episodes. The series follows a dysfunctional ...

''; father is Puerto Rican, mother is of Italian and Irish descent *

Christian Navarro Christian Lee Navarro (born August 21, 1991) is an American actor known for playing Tony Padilla in the Netflix series ''13 Reasons Why''. He also had a recurring role in the HBO series ''Vinyl'' as he works on other movie projects such as ''Ca ...

American actor of Puerto Rican descent (

13 Reasons Why ''13 Reasons Why'' is an American teen drama television series developed for Netflix by Brian Yorkey and based on the 2007 novel ''Thirteen Reasons Why'' by author Jay Asher. The series revolves around high school student Clay Jensen (Dylan Mi ...

) * Taylor Negron American writer, actor, and stand-up comedian; of Puerto Rican descent *

Micaela Nevárez Micaela Nevárez (born January 1, 1972, in Carolina, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican actress who has appeared in independent and European films. She made her film debut in the Spanish film ''Princesas'' which was directed by Fernando León d ...

Puerto Rican actress; has appeared in independent and European films; family immigrated to the US when she was 10 * Amaury Nolasco Puerto Rican actor, television series ''

Prison Break ''Prison Break'' is an American serial (radio and television), serial drama television show, television series created by Paul Scheuring for Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox. The series revolves around two brothers, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purce ...

'', film '' Transformers'' * Miguel A. Núñez Jr. American actor of Puerto Rican and Dominican descentDominican Americans
/ref> * Tony Oliver Puerto Rican born American voice actor ('' Robotech'', ''

Fate/stay night ''Fate/stay night'' is a Japanese visual novel developed by Type-Moon and originally released as an adult game for Windows on January 30, 2004. A version of ''Fate/stay night'' rated for ages 15 and up titled ''Fate/stay night Réalta ...

'', '' Lupin the Third''). * Karen Olivo American actress; of Dominican, Puerto Rican, Native American, and

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of va ...

descent *

Ana Ortiz Ana Ortiz (born January 25, 1971) is an American actress and singer. Having pursued a career in ballet and singing from a young age, she eventually attended University of the Arts. Ortiz began her acting career in theatre, in early 2000s starred ...

American actress and singer; of Puerto Rican and Irish descent *

John Ortiz John Ortiz (born May 23, 1968) is an American actor. He is known for his antagonist role as Arturo Braga in ''Fast & Furious'' (2009) and ''Fast & Furious 6'' (2013), and Clyde in ''Jack Goes Boating'' (2010), which earned him a nomination for t ...

American actor and artistic director/co-founder of LAByrinth Theater Company * Ronnie Ortiz-Magro American television personality and actor; Italian-American father and Puerto Rican mother * Lana Parrilla American actress; Sicilian mother and Puerto Rican father *

Rosie Perez Rosa Perez (born September 6, 1964) is an American actress, choreographer, dancer, and activist. Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Tina in the film ''Do the Right Thing'' (1989), followed by ''White Men Can't Jump'' (1992). Perez's perf ...

American actress; Puerto Rican parents *

Miguel Piñero Miguel Piñero (December 19, 1946 – June 16, 1988) was a playwright, actor and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Café. He was a leading member of the Nuyorican literary movement. Early years Piñero was born on December 19, 1946, in Gura ...

(1946–1988) Puerto Rican playwright, actor, and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Café; a leading member of the Nuyorican literary movement; died in New York * Aubrey Plaza American actress, comedian and producer of Puerto Rican and English-Irish descent. * Carlos Ponce Puerto Rican actor, singer, composer and television personality; lived in Miami, Florida * Freddie Prinze (1954–1977) American actor and comedian of Puerto Rican and German descent *

Freddie Prinze Jr. Frederick James Prinze Jr. (born March 8, 1976) is an American actor, television & film producer and screenwriter. He has starred in films such as ''I Know What You Did Last Summer'' (1997) and its sequel ''I Still Know What You Did Last Summer' ...

American actor; son of Freddie Prinze *

Anthony Ramos Anthony Paul Ramos Martinez (born November 1, 1991) is an American actor and singer. In 2015, he originated the dual roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the Broadway musical '' Hamilton''. Ramos also appeared in the 2021 film version o ...

American actor of Puerto Rican descent. * Luis Antonio Ramos Puerto Rican-born American actor, film and television * Kamar de los Reyes Puerto Rican born and American raised *

Armando Riesco Armando Riesco (born December 5, 1977) is a Puerto Rican actor. Early life Riesco was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, to Cuban immigrants who resettled there. He was raised in San Juan where he attended Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola. He then ...

Puerto Rican film and television actor and voice artist * Chita Rivera American actress, dancer, and singer best known for her roles in musical theatre. Her father was Puerto Rican. *

Vanessa del Rio Vanessa del Rio (born March 31, 1952) is an American retired pornographic actress. Early years Vanessa del Rio was born Ana María Sánchez and raised in Harlem, New York, the only child of immigrants from Cuba and Puerto Rico. Her mother would ...

retired American pornographic actress; of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent * Chita Rivera American actress, dancer, and singer; known for her roles in musical theater; of Puerto Rican and of Scottish and Italian descent * José Rivera Puerto Rican playwright living in Hollywood, California *

Marquita Rivera Marquita Rivera (born María Heroína Rivera de Santiago; May 18, 1922 – October 21, 2002), a.k.a. "Queen of Latin Rhythm", was a Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer.

(1922–2002) Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer; dubbed the "Queen of La Conga," "Queen of Latin Rhythm," and "Latin Hurricane" * Naya Rivera American actress; of Puerto Rican, African American, and German descent *

Adam Rodriguez Adam Michael Rodriguez (born April 2, 1975)"Adam Rodriguez" (2006). ''Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television''. Vol. 71. Detroit: Gale. Accessed via ''Biography in Context'' database, August 7, 2016. is an American actor, screenwriter and ...

American actor, ''

''; of Puerto Rican and Cuban descentusaweekend.com - McLean - USA WEEKEND
/ref> * Elizabeth Rodriguez American actress of Puerto Rican parents * Freddy Rodriguez American actor; of Puerto Rican descent *

Gina Rodriguez Gina Alexis Rodriguez-LoCicero (born July 30, 1984) is an American actress. She is known for her leading role as Jane Villanueva in The CW satirical romantic dramedy series ''Jane the Virgin'' (2014–2019), for which she received a Golden Glob ...

American actress of Puerto Rican parents ( Jane the Virgin) * Jai Rodríguez musician and actor, '' Queer Eye for the Straight Guy''; of Puerto Rican and Italian descent *

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez Michaela Antonia Jaé Rodriguez (born January 7, 1991), formerly known as MJ Rodriguez, is an American actress and singer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Rodriguez attended several Performing arts, performing arts schools in her youth before being c ...

American actress and Singer. One of her grandparent was Puerto Rican. *

Michelle Rodríguez Mayte Michelle Rodriguez (born July 12, 1978) is an American actress. Rodriguez began her career in 2000, playing a troubled boxer in the independent sports drama film ''Girlfight'' (2000), where she won the Independent Spirit Award and Gotha ...

American actress, ''

Lost Lost may refer to getting lost, or to: Geography *Lost, Aberdeenshire, a hamlet in Scotland * Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, or LOST, a hiking and cycling trail in Florida, US History *Abbreviation of lost work, any work which is known to have bee ...

''; father is Puerto Rican, mother is Dominican * Ramón Rodríguez American actor of Puerto Rican descent * Zoe Saldaña American actress; Dominican father and Puerto Rican mother * Olga San Juan (1927–2009) American actress; of Puerto Rican descent * Kiele Sanchez American actress; of Puerto Rican and French descent *

Marcelino Sánchez Marcelino Sánchez (December 5, 1957 – November 21, 1986) was a Puerto Rican actor, known for playing the character Rembrandt in the 1979 film '' The Warriors''. Career Sánchez began acting in the late 1970s. His first major role was in the f ...

(1957–1986) Puerto Rican film and television actor * Saundra Santiago American actress; 1980s television series '' Miami Vice''; of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent *

Ray Santiago Raymond "Ray" Santiago (born June 15, 1984 in South Bronx, New York) is an American actor of Puerto Rican descent. Early life Santiago graduated in 2002 from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Arts in New York City. Career Raymond San ...

American actor * Renoly Santiago Puerto Rican-born and raised in Union City, New Jersey * Ruben Santiago-Hudson actor and playwright *

Jon Seda Jonathan Seda (born October 14, 1970) is a Puerto Rican actor. Seda was an amateur boxer who auditioned for and was given a role in the 1992 boxing film ''Gladiator''. He played the role of Chris Pérez alongside Jennifer Lopez in the movie ''Se ...

American actor; Puerto Rican parents * Josh Segarra (1986-) American actor of Puerto Rican descent ('' The Electric Company'', '' Sirens'', and ''

Arrow An arrow is a fin-stabilized projectile launched by a bow. A typical arrow usually consists of a long, stiff, straight shaft with a weighty (and usually sharp and pointed) arrowhead attached to the front end, multiple fin-like stabilizers c ...

'') * Gregory Sierra (1937–2021) American actor of Puerto Rican descent * Ebonie Smith Puerto Rican-born American former child actress, '' The Jeffersons''; of African American and Dominican descent * Jimmy Smits American actor; of Puerto Rican and Surinamese descent *

Talisa Soto Miriam Talisa Soto (born March 27, 1967) is an American former actress and former model. She is known for portraying Bond girl Lupe Lamora in the 1989 James Bond film ''Licence to Kill'', and as Kitana in the 1995 fantasy action film ''Mortal Kom ...

American actress; Canadian father of Puerto Rican descent, Italian mother * Jeremy Suarez American actor, film producer and director ( The Bernie Mac Show) *

Rachel Ticotin Rachel Ticotin Strauss is an American film and television actress. She has appeared in films such as '' Fort Apache, The Bronx''; '' Total Recall'', '' Falling Down'', and ''Con Air''. She has appeared in the NBC legal drama '' Law & Order: LA'' ...

American film and television actress; of Jewish and Puerto Rican descent * Benicio del Toro Puerto Rican actor resident of PennsylvaniaStated in interview on '' Inside the Actors Studio'' * Liz Torres actress, singer, and American comedian; of Puerto Rican descent * Rose Troche (born 1964) film and television director, television producer, and screenwriter; ''

Go Fish Go Fish or Fish is a card game usually played by two to five players,
although it can be played wi ...

''; '' Six Feet Under'', ''

The L Word ''The L Word'' is a television drama that aired on Showtime from January 18, 2004 to March 8, 2009. The series follows the lives of a group of lesbian and bisexual women who live in West Hollywood, California. The premise originated with Ilene Ch ...

''; of Puerto Rican descent * Alanna Ubach American actress; of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent * Nadine Velazquez American actress; of Puerto Rican descent *

Desiree Marie Velez Desiree Marie Velez (born June 8) is an American actress. She was born in Brooklyn, New York (state), New York. She is the daughter of Inez Torres and Angelo Velez. She has one brother. Her parents are from Puerto Rico. She grew up in Brooklyn, N ...

American actress * Eddie Velez ( The A-Team) *

Lauren Vélez Luna Lauren Vélez (born November 2, 1964) is an American actress and the identical twin sister of actress Lorraine Vélez. Her most notable television roles are as María LaGuerta on Showtime (TV network), Showtime's ''Dexter (TV series), Dexter' ...

American actress, ''

Dexter Dexter may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Dexter, the main character of the American animated series ''Dexter's Laboratory'' that aired from 1996 to 2003 * Dexter, a fictional character in the British Diary of a Bad Man#Main, web series ''Diar ...

''; of Puerto Rican descent *

Loraine Vélez Loraine may refer to: People *Loraine (name) Places * Loraine, California * Loraine, Illinois * Loraine, North Dakota * Loraine, Texas * Loraine Township, Henry County, Illinois Buildings *Hotel Loraine, Wisconsin, United States *Loraine Building ...

American actress; Puerto Rican parents; sister of Lauren Vélez * Christina Vidal American actress; of Puerto Rican parents *

Lisa Vidal Lisa Vidal (born June 13, 1965) is an American actress of Puerto Rican heritage. She starred in the Lifetime crime drama series ''The Division'' (2001–2004) and BET drama series ''Being Mary Jane'' (2013–2019). Vidal also starred in the shor ...

American actress; of Puerto Rican descent * Holly Woodlawn Puerto Rican-born transgender actress and former Warhol superstar * David Zayas American theatrical, film, and television actor, ''

''; Puerto Rican born and American raised

Directors, producer and screenwriters of films, theater and TV

Miguel Arteta Miguel Arteta (born 1965) is a Puerto Rican director of film and television, known for his independent film ''Chuck & Buck'' (2000), for which he received the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award, and for the films ''The Good Girl'' (2002) ...

Puerto Rican film and television director; film '' The Good Girl''; television series '' Six Feet Under'' * Giannina Braschi author of experimental theater including

United States of Banana ''United States of Banana'' (2011) is a postmodern allegorical novel by the Puerto Rican author Giannina Braschi. It is a cross-genre work that blends experimental theatre, prose poetry, short story, and political philosophy with a manifesto on ...

Ivonne Belén Ivonne Belén (born 1955) is a Puerto Rican documentary movie director and producer. Early years Belén was born and raised in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, where she received her primary and secondary education. As a child Belén enjoy ...

Puerto Rican documentary film director and producer * Richard Peña American film festival organizer, New York Film Festival; professor of film studies at Columbia University *

Tony Taccone Tony Taccone (born July 4, 1951) is an American theater director, and the former Artistic Director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, California. Early life Tony Taccone was born on July 4, 1951 in Queens, New York, to an Italian-America ...

American theater director; of Italian and a Puerto Rican descentHurwitt, Robert (July 5, 2006)
"Tony Taccone: Riding high on his recent successes, theater veteran has big plans for Berkeley Rep"
''Chronicle Theater Critic''. (accessed 2009-05-18) *

Joseph Vasquez Joseph is a common male given name, derived from the Hebrew Yosef (יוֹסֵף). "Joseph" is used, along with "Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the mo ...

(1962–1995) American independent filmmaker *

singer, actor, painter, film producer, and film director

Singers and musicians

Alphabetized by surname

6ix9ine Daniel Hernandez (born May 8, 1996), known professionally as 6ix9ine (stylized 6IX9INE and pronounced "six nine") and also as Tekashi69, is an American rapper. His music has been marked by an aggressive style of rapping, while his controversia ...

American rapper of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent * Princess Nokia American rapper of Puerto Rican descent *

Agallah Angel Aguilar (born May 8, 1974), better known by his stage names Agallah, 8-Off, Brad Piff, Swagallah and Agallah Don Bishop, is an American rapper and producer. He was a member of The Diplomats-affiliated group Purple City and he is the CEO ...

, aka "8-Off the Assassin" or "Don Bishop" Puerto Rican and Filipino-American rapper; former member of The Diplomats-affiliated group

Purple City Purple City Productions is a Harlem-based rap crew. The original members include Shiest Bub, Agallah, Un Kasa & E-Norm. In more recent years the roster has extended to include artists such as Smoke DZA, A-Mafia, Ben Bostaph, Streets da Block, ...

and the group Propain Campaign *

Johnny Albino Johnny Albino (December 9, 1919 – May 7, 2011) was a Puerto Rican bolero singer, born in Yauco, Puerto Rico but lived most of his life in Guayama, Puerto Rico. Biography Johnny Albino played and sang through his youth years. It was not un ...

(1919–2011) Puerto Rican bolero singer *

(Mexican/Puerto Rican) With more than 100 songs recorded in 16 different projects in English and Spanish and having been the songwriter of many of these songs Fernando Allende is an icon named the ambassador to the mariachis for perpetuity in Mexico by its government. * Tite Curet Alonso (1926–2003) composer of over 2,000 salsa songs *

Melanie Amaro Melanie Ann Amaro (born June 26, 1992) is an American singer who won the first season of ''The X Factor USA'' in 2011, securing a $5 million recording contract with Syco Music and Epic Records. Amaro was also the youngest contestant to win the c ...

American-born British Virgin Islands singer; won the first season of '' The X Factor USA'' in 2011 *

Marc Anthony Marco Antonio Muñiz Rivera (born September 16, 1968), known professionally as Marc Anthony, is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. A three-time Grammy Award and six-time Latin Gra ...

American singer of Puerto Ricans parents * Chucho Avellanet Puerto Rican singer of ballads and pop music; son of Adolfo Avellanet *

Manolo Badrena Manolo Badrena (born March 17, 1952, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a percussionist most noted for his work with Weather Report from 1976 to 1977. He has made contributions to over 100 recordings that span jazz, world music, pop, and Latin music. B ...

Puerto Rican percussionist, known for his work with Weather Report from 1976 to 1977 * Adrienne Bailon American singer and actress; Puerto Rican mother, Ecuadorian father * Lloyd Banks American rapper, member of

G-Unit G-Unit (short for Guerilla Unit) was an American hip hop group formed by longtime friends and East Coast rappers 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, and Lloyd Banks. After amassing a string of self-released mixtapes in the early 2000s, the group released th ...

; of Puerto Rican and African American descent *

Ray Barretto Raymundo "Ray" Barretto Pagán (April 29, 1929 – February 17, 2006) was an American percussionist and bandleader of Puerto Rican descent. Throughout his career as a percussionist, he played a wide variety of Latin music styles, as well as Lati ...

(1929–2006) Puerto Rican jazz musician * Nessa Barrett – American singer of Puerto Rican descent *

Samuel Beníquez Samuel Beníquez Méndez (born October 28, 1971), is a Puerto Rican businessman, musician, composer, producer, communication strategist and author of several books such as: "Tu alto precio... Mi Gran Valor" and “El Niño Versus la Bestia”. ...

Puerto Rican writer, composer, music producer, businessman, publicist, activist, and philanthropist * Eddie Benitez Puerto Rican guitarist * John Benitez, better known as "Jellybean Benitez" American drummer, guitarist, songwriter, DJ, remixer and music producer; of Puerto Rican descent *

Obie Bermúdez Obie Bermúdez (born January 10, 1981) is a Puerto Rican Latin pop, salsa singer and composer. Early years Bermúdez was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico into a family who loved music. His father and grandfather were both musicians. He received ...

Puerto Rican-American R&B and salsa singer and composer * BIA American rapper * Big Pun (1971–2000) American rapper; of Puerto Rican descent * Angela Bofill American R&B vocalist and songwriter; Cuban father, Puerto Rican mother *

Kid Buu , generally spelled Majin Boo in subtitles of the Japanese anime, and rendered as Djinn-Boo in the Viz Media manga, is the final antagonist in the ''Dragon Ball'' manga series created by Akira Toriyama, before the release of '' Dragon Ball Sup ...

American rapper of Puerto Rican and Sicilian descent * Tego Calderón Puerto Rican rapper and actor * Michael Camacho half of the short-lived 80s dance-pop duo

Sly Fox ''Sly Fox'' is a comedic play by Larry Gelbart, based on Ben Jonson's ''Volpone'' (''The Fox''), updating the setting from Renaissance Venice to 19th century San Francisco, and changing the tone from satire to farce. The play revolves around the ...

; born in Los Angeles, of Puerto Rican descent * Bobby Capó (1922–1989) internationally known singer and songwriter from Puerto Rico; usually combined ballads with classical music * Irene Cara American singer and actress; of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent *

Kevin Ceballo Kevin Ceballo (born October 12, 1977) is a salsa music singer of Puerto Rican descent. Early years Ceballo's parents moved from Puerto Rico and settled in Manhattan where Ceballo was born. They were Seventh-Day Adventists and as such Ceballo w ...

singer of salsa music of Puerto Rican descent * Chayanne Puerto Rican singer; resident of MiamiChayanne: "Nada es Imposible" es un mensaje para estos tiempos difíciles (In Spanish: Chayanne: "Nothing is Impossible" is a message for these troubled times), published on 30 January 2010. Retrieved on July 20, 2011, to 0:58 pm.
/ref> * Chelo Puerto Rican hip-hop and pop singer, based in

Miami Beach, Florida Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It was incorporated on March 26, 1915. The municipality is located on natural and artificial island, man-made barrier islands between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the ...

* CJ American rapper *

Angel Clivillés Angel Clivilles is the stage name used by Louise Angel Sabater, a Latina dance music singer of Puerto Rican descent. She was born in the Bronx, New York, United States. Music career Louise "Angel" Mercado began her musical career in 1986, as a ...

American singer founder and member of The Cover Girls *

Robert Clivillés Robert Manuel Clivillés (; born July 30, 1964
from

C + C Music Factory *

Javier Colon Javier Colon (stylized as Colón; born April 29, 1978) is an American acoustic singer-songwriter. He has referred to his style of music as being "acoustic soul." He was a member of EmcQ and The Derek Trucks Band, and worked with many musicians ...

American singer and songwriter; of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent * Willie Colón Nuyorican salsa musician *

Federico A. Cordero Federico A. Cordero (August 18, 1928 – October 9, 2012) was a classical guitarist, lawyer, and politician. Early years Cordero (birth name: Federico Arturo Cordero Salguero) was born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, a town which is now part of Sa ...

Puerto Rican guitarist of classical music *

Corina Corina is a female given name of ancient Greek origin, derived from κόρη (''korē'') meaning "girl, maiden".Eric "Bobo" Correa of

Cypress Hill Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide and have multi-platinum and platinum albums. They are considered to be among the main progenitors of West Coast and 1990 ...

, Cultura Londres Proyecto and

Sol Invicto Sol Invicto is an American music project operating as a private members association, founded by Richie Londres and Stephen Carpenter of Deftones, joined in the later years by UK drum and bass producer, Technical Itch. Music and merchandise is ...

* Elvis Crespo Puerto Rican singer; born in New York City; Puerto Rican parents; raised in Puerto Rico *

Joe Cuba Joe Cuba (April 22, 1931 – February 15, 2009), was an American conga drummer of Puerto Rican descent widely regarded as the "Father of Latin Boogaloo". Early years Joe Cuba (birth name: Gilberto Miguel Calderón) was born in Harlem, New York ...

(1931–2009) Nuyorican musician; considered the "father of Latin Boogaloo"Stickball Hall of Fame
/ref> * Daddy Yankee Puerto Rican singer of reggaeton * Prince Markie Dee American rapper, songwriter, producer, and radio personality; member of the Fat Boys; of Puerto Rican descent *

Carmen Delia Dipiní Carmen Delia Dipiní (November 18, 1927 – August 4, 1998), was a Puerto Rican singer of boleros. In 2002, Carmen Delia Dipiní was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame. Early years Dipiní was born in Naguabo, Puerto Rico ...

Puerto Rican singer of boleros * Diamond American rapper of Puerto Rican and African-American descent from the rap group

Crime Mob Crime Mob is an American hip hop group from Atlanta consisting of six members: M.I.G., Cyco Black, Princess, Lil' Jay, Diamond, and Killa C. The group is best known for their songs "Knuck If You Buck" and " Rock Yo Hips". After an arrest in 2003, ...

* Howie Dorough American musician; oldest member of the Backstreet Boys; Puerto Rican mother *

Huey Dunbar Huey Dunbar (born Eustace Dunbar IV; May 15, 1974) is the former singer of Dark Latin Groove. Born in New York City, New York to a Puerto Rican mother and a Jamaican father, he was exposed to music since his earliest years due to his parents' musi ...

American former singer of Dark Latin Groove; of Jamaican and Puerto Rican descent *

Fat Joe Joseph Antonio Cartagena (born August 19, 1970), better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper from New York City. He began his music career as a member of hip hop group Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.), then forged a sol ...

American rapper; parents of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent * Cheo Feliciano Puerto Rican composer and singer of salsa and bolero music * José Feliciano Puerto Rican singer, virtuoso guitarist and composer known for many international hits; raised in New York * Pedro Flores Puerto Rican composer and bandleader * Héctor Fonseca house music DJ * Luis Fonsi Puerto Rican singer of

pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop!, a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Albums * ''Pop'' (G ...

- ballad and pop-

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

; resident of Florida * Angelo Garcia member of Puerto Rican boy band Menudo from 1988 to 1990 * Mayte Garcia dancer and American singer; of Puerto Rican ancestry * Sergio George pianist and American record producer, has worked with many famous performers of salsa music; parents are Puerto Rican * Gisselle American Merengue singer; Puerto Rican parents *

Jenilca Giusti Jenilca Franchesca Giusti is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and actress commonly known as ''Jenilca''. Jenilca is a participant of the third season of Objetivo Fama and principal actress in the Broadway musicals '' Fame'' and '' Grease'', wh ...

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and actress; lived in Florida since age 8 * Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez American dance musician * Hex Hector American dance remixer; of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent * Joseline Hernandez television personality and rapper from ''

Love & Hip Hop ''Love & Hip Hop'' is a media franchise that consists of several reality television series broadcast on VH1. The shows document the personal and professional lives of several hip hop and R&B musicians, performers, managers, and record producer ...

'' * Oscar Hernández Puerto Rican musicianGuernica Magazine Interview
* Rafael Hernández Puerto Rican composer, musician and bandleader; considered by many the greatest Puerto Rican composer of popular music * Lee Holdridge Haitian-born American composer and orchestrator; of Puerto Rican and American descent * La India Puerto Rican singer * Nicky Jam reggaeton singer; Dominican mother, Puerto Rican father * Jim Jones American rapper; of Puerto Rican and Aruban descent * Alexis Jordan American singer and actress; mother is of African American, American Indian, and European descent, father is Puerto Rican *

Big Daddy Kane Antonio Hardy (born September 10, 1968), better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who began his career in 1986 as a member of the Juice Crew. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and skilled MCs in hi ...

– American rapper of Puerto Rican and African American descent * Kelis American musical artist; father is African-American, mother is of half Puerto Rican descent *

Tori Kelly Victoria Loren Kelly (born December 14, 1992) is an American singer-songwriter, and voice actress. She first gained recognition after posting videos on YouTube as a teenager, and made it through to Hollywood week on the ninth season of ''Americ ...

– singer father is Puerto Rican and Jamaican descent * Kurious American hip hop artist; of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent *

George Lamond George Lamond (born George Garcia, February 25, 1967), sometimes styled George LaMond, is an American freestyle music and salsa music singer. LaMond has released seven albums (five via Sony Music) between 1989-2014. Best known for his 1989 #2 ...

American freestyle music singer, of Puerto Rican descent * Héctor Lavoe (1946–1993) Puerto Rican singer, resident of New York * Manny Lehman American house music DJ and producer *

Lil Suzy Suzanne Casale Melone (' Casale; born March 1, 1979), better known by her stage name Lil Suzy, is an Italian-Puerto Rican American freestyle/ pop singer who was mainly active in the 1990's. Lil Suzy is best known for the singles " Take Me in You ...

half Italian, half Puerto Rican American Latin freestyle, pop- and dance-music singer *

Toby Love Toby Love is an American singer and songwriter. Love is known for performing a style of bachata music that combines traditional and urban singing and production. Background Toby Love was born in The Bronx, New York to Puerto Rican parents, his m ...

Puerto Rican American singer-songwriter; Puerto Rican parents * Lumidee American singer-songwriter and rapper Jennifer Lopez at GLAAD Media Awards (cropped)

Jennifer Lopez at GLAAD Media Awards (cropped)

Adrianne León Adrianne Therese León (born March 15, 1987) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the rock band Caught Crimson. León began her career writing songs for the soap opera ''General Hospital'' and ...

American singer-songwriter, chef, personal fitness trainer, model and actress; of Puerto Rican, Italian, and Canadian descent * Lisa Lisa part of the urban contemporary Cult Jam band * Jennifer López singer; Puerto Rican parents * Víctor Manuelle American salsa singer; of Puerto Rican descent Ricky Martin 2013

* Bruno Mars American singer-songwriter and record producer; parents of Puerto Rican and Filipino origin * Ricky Martin Puerto Rican resident of Los Angeles * Angie Martínez American radio personality, actress, and rapper *

Paul Masvidal Paul Albert Masvidal (born January 20, 1971) is an American musician, best known as the guitarist, singer and a founding member of the progressive metal band Cynic (band), Cynic. He has remained a continual member in Cynic for nearly three dec ...

guitarist, singer, founding member of the progressive metal band Cynic; previously led the alternative rock band Æon Spoke *

Maxwell Maxwell may refer to: People * Maxwell (surname), including a list of people and fictional characters with the name ** James Clerk Maxwell, mathematician and physicist * Justice Maxwell (disambiguation) * Maxwell baronets, in the Baronetage o ...

American R&B, funk and neo soul musician; Puerto Rican father * Scotty McCreery American country singer; father is Puerto Rican of American and Puerto Rican descent * Lisette Meléndez American freestyle and Latin pop and dance-pop singer *

Syesha Mercado Syesha Raquel Mercado (born January 2, 1987) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and model. Mercado was the third-place finalist on the American Idol (season 7), seventh season of ''American Idol''. Prior to ''Idol'', Mercado was on ''The ...

American singer, songwriter, actress and model; of African-American and Puerto Rican descent * Julia Migenes American

mezzo-soprano A mezzo-soprano or mezzo (; ; meaning "half soprano") is a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range lies between the soprano and the contralto voice types. The mezzo-soprano's vocal range usually extends from the A below middle C ...

; of Greek, Irish and Puerto Rican descent * Lin-Manuel Miranda Puerto Rican-American composer and lyricist and actor * David Morales house music DJ and American producer * Flor Morales Ramos better known as Ramito, an important singer and composer of música jíbara *

Emcee N.I.C.E. Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton, better known by his stage name Emcee N.I.C.E., is an American Christian hip hop recording artist. Five No. 1 hit records on the ''Billboard'' charts in "I Got Angels" claiming two positions along with "Glory to ...

American rapper, songwriter and producer; lead vocalist and rapper of

KansasCali KansasCali is an alternative rock group that was formed in 1999 and composed of rapper Aulsondro "Novelist" Hamilton, also known as Emcee N.I.C.E. and singer Anderson "Pittboss" Johnson originally an R&B/hip hop duo before adding guitarist/drummer ...

& The Rocturnals; has appeared on 28 records since 2000, including Tupac's '' Thugz Mansion'' and soundtrack of the Oscar-winning film '' Crash''; of Puerto Rican descent *

Rico Nasty Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly (born May 7, 1997), known professionally as Rico Nasty, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter from Maryland. She rose to prominence in 2018 with singles such as "Smack a Bitch" and "Poppin". While in high schoo ...

– American rapper * Chuck Negrón American singer-songwriter; one of the three lead vocalists in the band Three Dog Night; Puerto Rican father, British mother * Joe Negroni (1940–1978) American rock and roll pioneer; founding member of the rock group Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers; a Nuyorican * Tito Nieves a leading salsa singer of the 1980s and early 1990s *

Asia Nitollano Asia Nitollano (born February 14, 1988) is an American singer, dancer, model and cheerleader. After winning the television series '' Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll'', Nitollano became a member of the Pussycat Dolls, only ...

American singer member of The Pussycat Dolls; She is half Mexican and Puerto Rican ancestryBuddy tv.com
"Asia Nitollano." Retrieved June 14, 2007. *

N.O.R.E Victor James Santiago Jr. (born September 6, 1977), better known by his stage names Noreaga and later N.O.R.E., is an American rapper. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Santiago first rose to prominence as one half of the East Coast hip hop du ...

American hip hop recording artist; of Puerto Rican descent * Colby O'Donis American singer of Puerto Rican parent * Don Omar Puerto Rican reggaeton singer and rapper; resident of New Jersey * Tony Orlando American show business professional; lead singer of the group Tony Orlando and Dawn in the early 1970s; Greek father, Puerto Rican mother * Jeannie Ortega American singer of Puerto Rican descent *

Claudette Ortiz Claudette Ortiz (born July 21, 1981) is an American singer, model and television personality, best known as a member of the R&B trio City High. Ortiz also was a castmate in TV One's reality series '' R&B Divas: Los Angeles''. Biography Early lif ...

American singer and model, member of R&B group

City High City High was an American R&B/ hip hop trio consisting of rappers/singers Ryan Toby, Robbie Pardlo, and Claudette Ortiz. City High is best known for their song " What Would You Do?", which earned a Grammy nomination. Career In 2001, City High ...

Joell Ortiz Joell Christopher Ortiz (born July 6, 1980) is an American rapper and a former member of the group Slaughterhouse. Ortiz grew up in the Cooper Park Houses in the East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York, formerly signed to Dr. Dre's Afte ...

American rapper * Pedro Ortiz Dávila better known as Davilita, Puerto Rican singer of boleros, danzas and patriotic songs *

Shalim Ortiz Shalim Ortiz (born February 26, 1979) is a Puerto Rican actor and singer. Personal life Ortiz is the son of Dominican singer, actress, and host Charytín Goyco and Puerto Rican actor and comedian Elín Ortiz. Ortiz married Leslie Ann Machado in ...

Puerto Rican singer; resident of Miami * Charlie Palmieri (1927–1988) bandleader and musical director of salsa music *

Eddie Palmieri Eddie Palmieri (born December 15, 1936) is an American Grammy Award-winning pianist, bandleader, musician, and composer of Puerto Rican ancestry. He is the founder of the bands La Perfecta, La Perfecta II, and Harlem River Drive. Early life Pal ...

American pianist, bandleader and musician; born in New YorkMusic of Puerto Rico
/ref> TitoPuente

* Carlos Ponce Puerto Rican actor, singer, composer and television personality; lives in Miami *

Miguel Poventud Miguel Poventud a.k.a. "El Niño Prodigio de Guayama" and "Miguelito" (August 4, 1942 – March 3, 1983), was a Puerto Rican musician, singer, actor and composer of Boleros. Among the singers who have interpreted his musical compositions are ...

, aka "El Niño Prodigio de Guayama" and "Miguelito" (1942–1983) Puerto Rican musician, singer, actor and composer of boleros; lived in New York * Tito Puente (1923–2000) Puerto Rican singer and musician * Ivy Queen Puerto Rican, reggaeton composer and singer *

Domingo Quiñones Domingo Quiñones is a singer of salsa music. He is also a composer, producer and actor. Domingo Quinones was born on August 9, 1963, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. When he was four years old he moved to Puerto Rico with his parents and lived in C ...

American singer of salsa music * Ismael Quintana singer and American composer of salsa music * Chamaco Ramírez (1941–1983) Puerto Rican salsa singer and composer; died in New York *

Val Ramos Val Ramos (born March 27, 1958, New York City) is a Nuevo Flamenco guitarist. At the early age of 14, Ramos studied Flamenco guitar with Spanish (Malaga) Flamenco master Adonis Puerta in New York City. In 1981, he graduated from Ezra Stiles Col ...

American; Puerto Rican parents * Richie Ray virtuoso pianist, singer, music arranger, composer and religious minister * Ray Reyes American born and Puerto Rican raised * Ron Reyes American musician; second singer for the group Black Flag; of Puerto Rican descent * Gabriel Ríos Puerto Rican pop singer *

Graciela Rivera Graciela Rivera (17 April 1921 – 17 July 2011) was the first Puerto Rican to sing a lead role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Early years Graciela Rivera was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She was the seventh of eight children born to ev ...

(1921–2011) first Puerto Rican to sing a lead role at the Metropolitan Opera in New York *

Maso Rivera Maso may refer to: * Maso (goddess) * ''Maso'' (spider), a genus of spiders in the family Linyphiidae * La Masó, municipality in Spain * Bartolomé Masó, Cuba, a municipality * An informal term to describe Macedonia People with the given nam ...

virtuoso cuatro player *

Mon Rivera Mon Rivera is the common name given to two distinct Puerto Rican people, Puerto Rican musicians (both born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Mayagüez), namely Monserrate Rivera Alers (originally nicknamed Rate, later referred to as "Don Mon", or Mon T ...

– singer, composer and bandleader who specialized in plans; known as Mr. Trabalenguas * Robb Rivera – drummer for heavy rock band

Nonpoint Nonpoint is an American rock band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The band currently consists of vocalist Elias Soriano, drummer Robb Rivera, lead guitarist Jaysin Zeilstra, rhythm guitarist Rasheed Thomas, and bassist Adam Woloszyn. History ...

; American born, father is Puerto Rican, lived on the island as a teenager. Father served in US Army in Korea and Vietnam * Robbie Rivera DJ producer *

Chino Rodríguez Chino Rodriguez (b February 2, 1954 - d November 5, 2022) is an American musician and impresario specializing in Latin music, salsa and Latin jazz. Biography Chino was born James Mui in New York City on February 2, 1954, in the Little Italy/ C ...

(born 1954) music producer, band leader, musician, manager, booking agent, record company executive, business consultant, and American record label owner, specializing in Latin music, most notably

salsa Salsa most often refers to: * Salsa (Mexican cuisine), a variety of sauces used as condiments * Salsa music, a popular style of Latin American music * Salsa (dance), a Latin dance associated with Salsa music Salsa or SALSA may also refer to: A ...

and Latin jazz; American-born, of Puerto Rican descent * Daniel Rodríguez (tenor) American operatic tenor from New York City * Tito Rodríguez (1923–1973) Puerto Rican singer and bandleader, known as "El inolvidable"Music of Puerto Rico
/ref> * Omar Rodríguez-López Puerto Rican singer and musician lead guitar for At the Drive-In and

Mars Volta The Mars Volta is an American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. The band's only constant members are Omar Rodríguez-López (guitar, producer, direction) and Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocals, lyrics), whose partnership forms ...

Concierto de Gilberto Santa Rosa en Piñas

* Draco Rosa American musician, dancer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor *

Willie Rosario Willie Rosario (born May 6, 1924), is a musician, composer and bandleader of salsa music. He is also known as Mr. Afinque. Early years Rosario (birth name: Fernando Luis Rosario Marín) was born and raised in Coamo, Puerto Rico, into a poor, ...

musician, composer and Puerto Rican bandleader of salsa music * Felipe Rose (born 1954) American founding member of disco group the Village People; mother is Puerto Rican, father is Native American * Frankie Ruiz (1958–1998) Puerto Rican salsa singer * Hilton Ruiz (1952–2006) Puerto Rican American jazz pianist in the Afro-Cuban jazz mold; resident of Teaneck, New Jersey *

Sa-Fire Wilma Cosmé (born 16 January 1966, in San Juan, Puerto Rico), better known by her stage name Sa-Fire, is a Puerto Rican singer. Sa-Fire is one of the few freestyle singers to cross over into the pop world. She has been featured in various maga ...

American singer *

Jimmy Sabater, Sr. Jimmy Sabater (April 11, 1936 – February 8, 2012) was an American musician of Puerto Rican ancestry. A three-time winner of the ACE Awards, he was a singer and timbales player. He gained international fame thanks to his work with the Joe Cu ...

(1936–2012) American Latin musician; parents were Puerto RicanThedeadrockstarsclub.com
accessed February 12, 2012 *

Bobby Sanabria Bobby Sanabria (born June 2, 1957) is an American drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, producer, educator, activist, radio show host of Puerto Rican descent who specializes in jazz and Latin jazz. Biography Sanabria was born in the South ...

American drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, bandleader, educator, producer, and writer specializing in Latin jazz; of Puerto Rican descent * Claudio Sánchez American writer and musician * Gilberto Santa Rosa American salsa singer; of Puerto Rican descent * Herman Santiago rock and roll pioneer and songwriter; claimed to have written the iconic hit " Why Do Fools Fall In Love"; Puerto Rican born and Nuyorucan raised * Daniel Santos (1916–1992) Puerto Rican singer and composer of boleros and guarachas; died in Florida *

Ray Santos Raymond Santos (December 28, 1928 – October 17, 2019) was an American Grammy Award-winning Latin musician, composer, and educator. Santos has played and arranged for such artists as Noro Morales, Machito, Tito Rodriguez, Eddie Palmieri, and T ...

American Latin Grammy award-winning musician * Romeo Santos American singer, featured composer and lead singer of the Bachata group Aventura; of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent *

Ray Sepúlveda Ray Sepúlveda is a salsa singer born in Brooklyn, New York. He recorded three albums with Orquestra Sociedad 76 in the late 1970s and two albums with Johnny & Ray in the late 1980s before launching a solo career in the 1990s. Sepúlveda grew up ...

Puerto Rican American salsa singer *

Myrta Silva Myrta Silva (September 11, 1927 – December 2, 1987) was a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and television producer who was known affectionately as "La Gorda de Oro". She rose to fame in 1949 as the lead vocalist for the Cuban ensemble Sonora ...

Puerto Rican singer and composer of guarachas as well as television hostess and producer *

Brenda K. Starr Brenda Joy Kaplan (born October 14, 1966), known by her stage name Brenda K. Starr, is an American singer and songwriter. She is well known originally in R&B, dance and pop but now mostly in salsa-based music. She is also well known for her 198 ...

American singer-songwriter; Jewish American father, Puerto Rican mother *

Olga Tañon Olga may refer to: People and fictional characters * Olga (name), a given name, including a list of people and fictional characters named Olga or Olha * Michael Algar (born 1962), English singer also known as "Olga" Places Russia * Olga, Russia, ...

Puerto Rican singer; resident of

Orlando, Florida Orlando () is a city in the U.S. state of Florida and is the county seat of Orange County, Florida, Orange County. In Central Florida, it is the center of the Greater Orlando, Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2,509,831, acco ...

Juan Tizol Juan Tizol Martínez (22 January 1900 – 23 April 1984) was a Puerto Rican jazz trombonist and composer. He is best known as a member of Duke Ellington's big band, and as the writer of the jazz standards " Caravan", "Pyramid", and " Perdid ...

(1900–1984) Puerto Rican trombonist and composer *

Ray Toro Raymond Toro (born July 15, 1977) is an American musician who serves as lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the band My Chemical Romance. Early life Toro was born July 15, 1977, in Kearny, New Jersey. He is of Puerto Rican-Portuguese herita ...

guitarist of My Chemical Romance *

Manoella Torres Manoella Torres is an American singer and actress of Puerto Rican descent based in Mexico who has had an extensive career that continues to this day. She has recorded over 350 songs by famous songwriters including Armando Manzanero, Juan Carl ...

"the woman who was born to sing"; American singer and actress; of Puerto Rican descent; resident of Mexico * Tommy Torres Puerto Rican producer, singer, and songwriter * Tony Touch American hip hop break dancer, rapper, DJ, producer and actor; of Puerto Rican descent *

Mario Vázquez Mario Adrián Vázquez (born June 15, 1977) is an American singer from The Bronx, New York City. He competed on American Idol's fourth season, which aired on the FOX network in early 2005. Biography Early life Raised by his single mother, Ad ...

pop and R&B American singer; Puerto Rican parents *

Alan Vega Boruch Alan Bermowitz (June 23, 1938 – July 16, 2016), known professionally as Alan Vega, was an American vocalist and visual artist, primarily known for his work with the electronic protopunk duo Suicide. Life and career Boruch Alan Berm ...

American vocalist * Little Louie Vega American musician; half of the Masters At Work musical production team *

Jamila Velazquez Jamila Velazquez (born November 27, 1995) is an American singer and actress, best known for her recurring roles as Sarita in the ABC Family series '' Twisted'' (2013–2014) and as Laura Calleros on FOX's primetime musical-drama series ''Empire' ...

, American singer and actress of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent * Veronica American dance music singer and theatrical actress; parents were Puerto Rican *

Vico C Luis Armando Lozada Cruz (born September 8, 1971), known by his stage name Vico C, is an American rapper and record producer. Regarded as the founding father of reggaeton, Vico C has played an influential role in the development of Latin American ...

Puerto Rican rapper and reggaeton artist; considered one of the founding fathers of reggaeton; influential in the development of Latin American hip hop; American of Puerto Rican descent and raised in Puerto Rico *

Y-Love Yitz Jordan (born January 5, 1978), better known by his stage name Y-Love, is an American hip hop artist. An Orthodox Jew, Jordan was formerly Hasidic.Jerry Portwood"Y-Love is Ready for Love,"'' Out'', May 15, 2012. He is a web developer, activis ...

American hip-hop artist; Ethiopian father, Puerto Rican mother *

Yomo Jose Alberto Torres Abreu (born June 17, 1980 in Chicago), known professionally as Yomo, is an American reggaeton singer of Puerto Rican descent. He was raised in Humacao. Before becoming a professional artist, he used to work as a handyman ...

Puerto Rican reggaeton recording artist

Groups

Hoax A hoax is a widely publicized falsehood so fashioned as to invite reflexive, unthinking acceptance by the greatest number of people of the most varied social identities and of the highest possible social pretensions to gull its victims into pu ...

alternative rock band, including Frantz N. Cesar of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent * Kane & Abel rap duo of twin brothers Daniel and David Garcia; of African American and Puerto Rican descent * Nina Sky twin sister singers; American of Puerto Rican parentsArtists
* Sweet Sensation Puerto Rican female freestyle-dance music trio of New York *

TKA The group comprising a trio was prominent in the 1980s and early 1990s, particularly in New York City, Chicago, and Miami. Its members originally were Tony Ortiz, Louis "Kayel" Sharpe, and Ralph "Aby" Cruz—the original lead singer. Due to te ...

Latin freestyle trio, prominent in the 1980s and early 1990s * Wisin & Yandel Puerto Rican group

Models and dancers

Arthur Aviles Arthur Avilés (born 1963) is an American Bessie Award-winning dancer and choreographer of Puerto Rican descent. Avilés was born in Queens, New York, and raised in Long Island and the Bronx. He graduated from Bard College, a liberal arts colle ...

dancer and choreographer; of Puerto Rican descent *

Denise Bidot Denise Marie Bidot (born June 13, 1986) is an American plus-size fashion model. Early life Bidot was born in Miami, Florida. Her mother is of Puerto Rican descent while her father is of Kuwaiti descent. Bidot’s mother was a beauty pageant ...

plus-size model who is of Puerto Rican and Kuwaiti descent * Crazy Legs breakdancer, president of Rock Steady Crew *

Susie Castillo Susie Castillo (born October 27, 1979) is an American actress, TV host, model and beauty pageant titleholder who held the Miss USA title and competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss Universe pageants. She pursued a career in the media, making vari ...

former beauty queen; held the Miss USA title; competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss Universe pageants; Dominican father, Puerto Rican motherCastillo, Susie, "My 'Mass.' Mania"
, '' New York Post'' June 6, 2007 * Carmella DeCesare American model; ''Playboy'' magazine's Miss April 2003 and Playmate of the Year 2004; of Italian and Puerto Rican descent *

Michelle Font The Miss Washington USA competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Washington in the Miss USA pageant. It is currently produced by Pageants NW Productions based in Puyallup, Washington, which also produces ...

beauty queen; Miss Washington USA; competed in the 2008 Miss USA pageant; of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent *

Jaslene Gonzalez Jaslene González (born May 29, 1986) is an American model, television host, and winner of Cycle 8 of ''America's Next Top Model''. Biography Gonzalez was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in Humboldt Park, Chicago. She attended Notre Dame High S ...

Puerto Rican-American model, Puerto Rican born and American raised *

Melanie Iglesias Melanie Iglesias (born June 18, 1987, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American model and actress. After being voted ''Maxim's'' "Hometown Hotties" winner in 2010, she has been featured in magazines such as '' World's Most Beautiful'', ''Esquire'', ...

American model and actress; of Puerto Rican, Italian, and Filipino heritage *

Danielle Polanco Danielle Polanco is an American dancer and choreographer and actress. She is best known for being the leading lady in Omarion's music video Touch and for starring in the 2008 movie '' Step Up 2: The Streets'', in which she portrayed Missy Serrano ...

dancer and choreographer; Dominican-Puerto Rican American *

Pam Rodriguez Pam Rodriguez is an American glamour model of Guatemalan and Puerto Rican descent. Personal information Rodriguez was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. Career Rodriguez began modeling in 2003, ...

American glamour model; of Guatemalan and Puerto Rican descent *

Jock Soto Jock Soto (born 1965)Kisselgoff, Anna. "Not Only a Partner, a Dynamic Interpreter", ''The New York Times'', June 18, 2005. p. B7. is a former American ballet dancer and current ballet instructor. Career Jock Soto danced featured roles in over 40 ...

principal ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet *

Madison Anderson Madison Sara Anderson Berríos (born November 10, 1995) is a Puerto Rican-American model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2019. She represented Puerto Rico in the Miss Universe 2019 competition, where s ...

born in the United States to an Anglo-American father and Puerto Rican mother. Model and Pageant Queen who placed First runner up at Miss Florida USA 2019 and later on represented Puerto Rico at Miss Universe 2019 and placed First runner up again

Sports

Benjamin Agosto Benjamin Alexandro "Ben" Agosto (born January 15, 1982) is an American ice dancer. With partner Tanith Belbin, Agosto is the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, a four-time World medalist, the 2004–2006 Four Continents champion, and 2004–2008 ...

American figure skater; Puerto Rican father, American mother of Romanian and Russian descent *

Eddie Alvarez Edward "Eddie" Alvarez (born January 11, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight (170 lb) division of ONE Championship. He also formerly competed in the UFC and Bellator MMA, winning world titles ...

American mixed martial artist; of Puerto Rican and Irish descent * Carmelo Anthony

NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United St ...

player of basketball; American of Puerto Rican and African American descent * Carlos Arroyo professional basketball point guard, last played for the Boston Celtics * Harry Arroyo American former boxer * José Juan Barea

player; Puerto Rican resident of Miami * Wilfred Benítez American boxer * Héctor Camacho Puerto Rican professional boxer * Héctor Camacho, Jr. Puerto Rican boxer and son of Héctor *

Eddie Casiano Eddie Casiano Ojeda (born September 20, 1972) is a Puerto Rican former professional basketball player and is currently the head coach for Atléticos de San Germán. He also was the head coach of the Puerto Rican national team. He was born in Ma ...

basketball player; American born and Puerto Rican raised; of Puerto Rican descent * Orlando Cepeda Puerto Rican born, American raised * Julie Chu American Olympic ice hockey player; plays forward on the US women's ice hockey team; Chinese and Puerto Rican * Roberto Clemente (1934–1972) Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder;

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

Alex Cora Jose Alexander Cora (born October 18, 1975) is a Puerto Rican baseball manager and former infielder who is the manager of the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for 14 seasons with the Red Sox, Los Angeles ...

former infielder in Major League Baseball, currently general manager of the Boston Red Sox * Victor Cruz wide receiver in the NFL *

Guillermo Diaz Guillermo Diaz may refer to: * Guillermo Díaz (footballer, born 1926), Chilean footballer * Guillermo Díaz (footballer, born 1930) (1930–1997), Chilean footballer * Guillermo Díaz (wrestler) (born 1964), Mexican Olympic wrestler *Guillermo Dí ...

Puerto Rican professional basketball player;

* Nelson Erazo American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name "Homicide"; of Puerto Rican descent *

Justin Fargas Justin Alejandro Fargas (born January 25, 1980) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Michigan and Southern California and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Colleg ...

American football running back; free agent in the NFL; son of Antonio Fargas *

Sunny Garcia Vincent Sennen "Sunny" Garcia (born January 14, 1970) is an American professional surfer. He grew up in Waianae, Hawaii and, after leaving school, debuted on the 1986 Gotcha Pro at Sandy Beach, Oahu, beating the 1984 champ Tom Carroll. His to ...

American professional surfer *

Ernie Gonzalez Ernie Gonzalez (February 19, 1961 – May 15, 2020) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1980s. He won the only title of his career in 1986. By doing so, he became only the third left-handed golfer to win a ...

American professional golfer of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent. * Herbert Lewis Hardwick, aka "Cocoa Kid" (1914–1966) boxer, inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012; born in Puerto Rico; Puerto Rican mother, African American father * James "Chico" Hernandez American Sambo athlete; a seven-time member of the USA National Team * Oscar Hernandez musician, musical arranger and American producer; of Puerto Rican descent * Shawn Hernandez American professional wrestler, better known by his ring names "Hotstuff Hernandez" and "Hernandez"; of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent *

Reggie Jackson Reginald Martinez Jackson (born May 18, 1946) is an American former professional baseball right fielder who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City / Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Cali ...

nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees; former American Major League Baseball right fielder; father was Martinez Jackson, half Puerto Rican * Kevin Kesar American professional wrestler better known by his ring names "Killer Kross" and "Karrion Kross"; of Central American and Puerto Rican descent * Butch Lee

player; born in Puerto Rico, raised in New York * Michael Lowell Puerto Rican Major League Baseball third baseman for the Boston Red Sox; Puerto Rican born, American raised *

Edgar Martínez Edgar Martínez (born January 2, 1963), nicknamed "Gar" and "Papi", is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a designated hitter and third baseman for the Seattle Mariners from 19 ...

nicknamed "Gar" and "Papi"; former Major League Baseball third baseman and designated hitter * Luis Martínez American professional wrestler known by his ring names "Punishment Martinez", "Punisher Martinez", and "Damian Priest"; born in the Puerto Rican Diaspora of New York, raised in Dorado, Puerto Rico *

Vanessa Martínez Vanessa Martínez is a Puerto Rican swimmer. She represented Puerto Rico at the 2003 Pan American Games Puerto Rico participated at the 2003 Pan American Games, held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from August 1 to August 17, 2003. Medals ...

Puerto Rican swimmer, represented Puerto Rico at the 2003 Pan American Games *

Denise Masino Denise Masino is an American professional female bodybuilder and model. Early life and bodybuilding Born in Brooklyn, New York of Puerto Rican descent, the 5'2" Masino won her pro card by winning the lightweight class at the 1995 NPC Nationals ...

American professional female bodybuilder from the U.S. Juan Chi Chi

* Miguel Molina American professional wrestler known by his ring names "Angel Ortiz" and "Ortiz"; a Nuyorican; tag team partner of fellow Nuyorican professional wrestler Santana *

Carlos Ortiz Carlos Ortíz may refer to: * Carlos Ortiz (boxer) (1936–2022), Puerto Rican boxer * Carlos Escobar Ortiz (born 1989), Chilean footballer * Carlos Ortiz (wrestler) (born 1974), retired wrestler from Cuba * Carlos Arias Ortiz, Mexican biochemist ...

Puerto Rican three-time world boxing champion, twice in the lightweight division and once in the junior welterweights * Sam Parrilla (1943–1994) left fielder and pinch-hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970; played in the minor leagues 1963–1972; father of actress Lana Parrilla * Travis Pastrana American motorsports competitor and stunt performer *

Orlando Perez Orlando Perez (born July 12, 1977 in Pomona, California) is an American soccer defender, who played eight seasons in Major League Soccer. Perez never played college soccer, but he was drafted twice in MLS, both times by coach Octavio Zambrano ...

American footballer of C.D. Chivas USA * Rico Ramos American super bantamweight boxer and current WBA world super bantamweight champion *

Edwin Rios The name Edwin means "rich friend". It comes from the Old English elements "ead" (rich, blessed) and "ƿine" (friend). The original Anglo-Saxon form is Eadƿine, which is also found for Anglo-Saxon figures. People * Edwin of Northumbria (died ...

Puerto Rican baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, World Series Champions of 2020. * Ramón Rivas Puerto Rican professional basketball player; born in New York, of Puerto Rican descent * Jorge Rivera American mixed martial artist; featured on ''The Ultimate Fighter 4''; of Puerto Rican descent; born in Massachusetts; lived in Puerto Rico for a short time as a child * Ron Rivera American football player and head coach * Chi Chi Rodriguez Puerto Rican professional golfer *

John Ruiz John Ruiz (born January 4, 1972) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2010, and held the WBA heavyweight title twice between 2001 and 2005. Ruiz is of Puerto Rican descent, and is the first Latino boxer to win a wo ...

former American professional boxer *

Mike Sanchez Jesus Miguel "Mike" Sanchez (born 17 February 1964) is a British rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a genre of popular music that originated in African-American communities in the 1940s. The ter ...

American professional wrestler known by his ringnames "Mike Draztik" and "Santana"; a Nuyorican; tag team partner of fellow Nuyorican professional wrestler Ortiz * Daniel Santiago professional American basketball player; of Puerto Rican descent * Shakur Stevenson American professional boxer of half-Puerto Rican descent * Thea Trinidad American professional wrestler known by her ring names "Rosita" and "Zelina Vega"; of Puerto Rican descent; wife of Dutch professional wrestler Aleister Black * Lisa Marie Varon American professional wrestler, bodybuilder and fitness competitor; of Puerto Rican and Turkish descent

Criminals

* Salvador Agrón, aka "The Capeman" (1943–1986) Puerto Rican gang member who murdered two teenagers in a Hell's Kitchen park in 1959 * Ariel Castro former school bus driver who kidnapped, raped, and tortured three women in Cleveland, Ohio and held them captive for a decade * Raymond Márquez, aka "Spanish Raymond" reputed American gangster; parents are from Puerto Rico * José Padilla, aka Abdullah al-Muhajir or Muhajir Abdullah American convicted of aiding terrorists

Diplomats

* Mari Carmen Aponte US Ambassador to

El Salvador El Salvador (; , meaning " The Saviour"), officially the Republic of El Salvador ( es, República de El Salvador), is a country in Central America. It is bordered on the northeast by Honduras, on the northwest by Guatemala, and on the south b ...

Adrian A. Basora Adrian Anthony Basora (born July 18, 1938) is an American diplomat, and former United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic. He is a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute researching democratization in the post-Communist states ...

American diplomat, and former US Ambassador to the Czech Republic * César Benito Cabrera former US Ambassador to Mauritius and the Seychelles *

Gabriel Guerra-Mondragón Gabriel Guerra-Mondragón (born September 4, 1942 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) was the United States Ambassador to Chile from 1994-1998. Nominated by President Bill Clinton in July 1994, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 4 of ...

US Ambassador to Chile 1994–1998 *

Luis Guinot Luis Guinot Jr. (April 8, 1935 – March 19, 2022) was an American diplomat who was the U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica from 1991 to 1993. Nominated by President George H. W. Bush on May 30, 1991, Guinot was confirmed by the United States Senate ...

former US Ambassador to

Costa Rica Costa Rica (, ; ; literally "Rich Coast"), officially the Republic of Costa Rica ( es, República de Costa Rica), is a country in the Central American region of North America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the no ...

Hans Hertell Hans Helmut Hertell (born 1950/1951, San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a former United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Nominated by President George W. Bush in the summer of 2001, Hertell was sworn in as Ambassador on November 8, 2001, and b ...

former US Ambassador to the Dominican Republic *

Victor Marrero Victor Marrero (born September 1, 1941) is a United States federal judge, Senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Education and career Marrero was born in Santurce, San Juan, ...

former US Ambassador to the

OAS OAS or Oas may refer to: Chemistry * O-Acetylserine, amino-acid involved in cysteine synthesis Computers * Open-Architecture-System, the main user interface of Wersi musical keyboards * OpenAPI Specification (originally Swagger Specification), ...

Carmen Maria Martinez Carmen Maria Martinez (born 1950) is a United States diplomat and a career foreign service officer. She served as the United States Ambassador to Zambia The history of ambassadors of the United States to Zambia began in 1964. Until 1964 Zambia ...

former US Ambassador to Zambia * Spencer Matthews King former US Ambassador to

Guyana Guyana ( or ), officially the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern mainland of South America. Guyana is an indigenous word which means "Land of Many Waters". The capital city is Georgetown. Guyana is bordered by the ...

Edward G. Miller, Jr. Edward G. Miller Jr. (1911–1968) was a United States lawyer who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs from 1949 to 1952. Background Edward G. Miller Jr. was born on September 27, 1911, in San Juan, Puerto Rico wher ...

(1911–1968) lawyer; Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs 1949–1952 *

Teodoro Moscoso José Teodoro Moscoso Mora
Rico Puerto Rico. Noticel. June 15, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012. ...

former US Ambassador to Venezuela and head of Alliance for Progress *

Horacio Rivero Horacio Rivero Jr. (May 16, 1910 – September 24, 2000), was the first Puerto Rican and Hispanic four-star admiral, and the second Hispanic to hold that rank in the modern United States Navy, after the American Civil War Admiral David Glas ...

Admiral (Ret.), former US Ambassador to Spain

Educators

* Joseph M. Acabá educator, hydrogeologist, and NASA astronaut; American of Puerto Rican parentAstronomy PR
*

Edwin David Aponte Edwin David Aponte (born 4 August 1957) is a Puerto Rican-American cultural historian, religious studies scholar, and contributor to the development of Christianity among Hispanic and Latino/a Americans. His research focuses on the interplay b ...

educator, author, religious leader, scholar of Latino religions and cultures; born in Connecticut to Puerto Rican parents * Frank Bonilla (1925–2010) American academic of Puerto Rican descent who became a leading figure in Puerto Rican Studies. *

Ramón E. López Dr. Ramón E. López (born c. 1959) is a Space Physicist and author, who played an instrumental role in the implementation of a hands-on science program in the elementary and middle grades of the Montgomery County Public School System (MCPS) in Ma ...

American space physicist and author; played an instrumental role in the implementation of a hands-on science program in elementary and middle grades Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland * Andres Ramos Mattei (1940–1987) Puerto Rican sugar industry historian; died in New Brunswick, New Jersey *

Carlos Albizu Miranda Carlos Albizu Miranda (16 September 1920 – 6 October 1984) is the first Hispanic educator to have a North American University renamed in his honor and one of the first Hispanics to earn a Ph.D. in psychology in the United States. Early years A ...

(1920–1984) first Hispanic educator to have a North American University renamed in his honor; one of the first Hispanics to earn a Ph.D. in psychology in the US; Puerto Rican born and American raisedUniversia Puerto Rico
/ref> *

Antonia Pantoja Antonia Pantoja (September 13, 1922 – May 24, 2002), was a Puerto Rican educator, social worker, feminist, civil rights leader and the founder of ''ASPIRA'', the Puerto Rican Forum, Boricua College and ''Producir''. In 1996, she was the fi ...

(1922–2002) educator, social worker, feminist, civil rights leader; founder of

ASPIRA The ASPIRA Association is an American nonprofit organization whose mission is to "empower the Latino community through advocacy and the education and leadership development of its youth". ASPIRA's national office is in Washington, D.C., and it ...

, the Puerto Rican Forum,

Boricua College Boricua College is a private college in New York City designed to serve the educational needs of Puerto Ricans and other Hispanics in the United States. It was founded by Victor G. Alicea and several others. Faculty The school employs a largely ...

and Producir * Ángel Ramos founder of the National Hispanic Council of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Superintendent of the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind; one of the few deaf people of Hispanic descent to earn a doctorate from Gallaudet University *

Carlos E. Santiago Carlos Enrique Santiago is a Puerto Rican American labor economist and the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (MDHE). Previously he was the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and the chief executiv ...

Puerto Rican American labor economist; 7th chancellor of University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee *

Ninfa Segarra Ninfa Segarra (born June 4, 1950) is the last President of the New York City Board of Education. She served as President of the Board from 2000 to 2002 when the Board was abolished by the State of New York and power of the city schools was transf ...

last President of the

New York City Board of Education The Panel for Educational Policy of the Department of Education of the City School District of the City of New York, abbreviated as the Panel for Educational Policy and also known as the New York City Board of Education, is the governing body of ...

Journalists

Marysol Castro at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival

* Veronica Cintron Award Winning primetime solo anchor *

María Celeste Arrarás María Celeste Arrarás Mangual (born September 27, 1960), better known as María Celeste, is a Puerto Rican broadcast journalist, author, and television personality, who has won three national Emmy Awards for journalism. In 2005, she became the ...

journalist and TV news presenter * Lynda Baquero American correspondent for WNBC news in New York City; of Puerto Rican ancestry *

Marysol Castro Marysol Castro is a public address announcer at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets. She was also an American broadcast journalist who was employed as a news anchor at WPIX in New York, a weather forecaster for ''The Early Show'' on CBS in 20 ...

American television journalist and weather anchor for '' The Early Show'' on CBS *

Carmen Dominicci Carmen Dominicci Ramos (born July 15, 1966) is a travel blogger, journalist, news anchor in the United States, and the winner of five Emmy Awards. ''People en Español'' magazine chose her as one of the "50 Most Beautiful" of 2010. Early years ...

television journalist *

Jackie Guerrido Jackie Guerrido (born September 24, 1972), is a Puerto Rican television weather forecaster and journalist for Primer Impacto on Univision. She also is a TV host for "Despierta America en Domingo" Early years Guerrido was born and raised in San J ...

Puerto Rican television weather forecaster and journalist * Juan Gonzalez Puerto Rican born investigative journalist * Kimberly Guilfoyle American cable news personality; one of the rotating co-hosts on ''The Five'' on Fox News Channel; host of an Internet-only crime-related program for Fox News; Puerto Rican mother, Irish father *

Alycia Lane Alycia Lane (born May 10, 1972) is an American television journalist. Until October 2013, she served as weekday morning anchor at KNBC-TV in Los Angeles. From September, 2003 until January, 2008, she was co-anchor of the weekday evening newscast ...

American television journalist; of Puerto Rican and Welsh descent *

Lynda López Lynda Lopez (born June 14, 1971) is an American journalist and author based in New York City. She is also a co-founder of Nuyorican Productions, an American production company founded in 2001 with Benny Medina which became active in 2006 with the ...

Emmy Award-winning Puerto Rican American journalist; youngest sister of actress and singer

Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Affleck (' Lopez; born July 24, 1969), also known as J.Lo, is an American singer, actress and dancer. In 1991, she began appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy television series ''In Living Color'', where she rema ...

* Natalie Morales television journalist *

Denisse Oller Denisse Marie Oller (born September 30, 1955 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a chef, broadcaster, journalist, newspaper columnist, and a multiple Emmy award-winning and acclaimed national news anchor for Univision Network and Telemundo Network. Bo ...

Puerto Rican broadcaster, journalist, newspaper columnist; former cooking show host and news anchor at WXTV in New York City *

Audrey Puente Audrey Puente (born March 3, 1970) is an Emmy Award winning American meteorologist. She brings the weather for the weekend news at 6 and 10 p.m. on WNYW in New York City. She also fills in on ''Good Day New York''. Early life and education Was ...

American meteorologist for WWOR-TV in New York City; daughter of Tito Puente *

Carlos D. Ramirez Carlos D. Ramirez (August 19, 1946 – July 11, 1999) was an American publisher who purchased ''El Diario La Prensa'' — the oldest Spanish language, Spanish-language newspaper in the United States — from the Gannett Company in 1989, and suc ...

(1946–1999) American publisher; purchased ''El Diario La Prensa'', the oldest Spanish-language newspaper in the US GeraldoRiveraSept2010

Jorge L. Ramos Jorge L. Ramos (born March 25, 1950) is a retired eight-time Emmy Award winning senior anchor of the evening news on Telemundo's New York City affiliate, WNJU. A pioneer in the field of Spanish-language broadcasting, Ramos began his career in ...

Puerto Rican announcer of Telemundo's New York City affiliate; moved to New York City in 1976 *

Craig Rivera Craig Rivera (born October 10, 1954) is an American television journalist, producer, and correspondent for Fox News Channel. He also appeared regularly on the Fox News Channel newsmagazine program ''Geraldo at Large''. Early life Craig Rivera wa ...

American television journalist, producer, and correspondent for Fox News Channel; father was a Puerto Rican of Sephardic Jew descent *

Geraldo Rivera Geraldo Rivera (born Gerald Riviera; July 4, 1943) is an American journalist, attorney, author, political commentator, and former television host. He hosted the tabloid talk show '' Geraldo'' from 1987 to 1998. He gained publicity with the liv ...

American talk-show host, journalist; brother of Craig Rivera *

Darlene Rodriguez Darlene Rodriguez (née Pomales) is an American journalist and co-anchor of '' Today in New York'' on WNBC. Rodriguez became co-anchor of the show in July 2003 after serving as a reporter for WNBC and then co-anchor of ''Weekend Today in New Yor ...

American co-anchor of ''Today'' in New York; of Puerto Rican ancestry *

Edna Schmidt Edna Schmidt (August 8, 1969June 24, 2021) was a journalist who was a news anchor for ''Noticiero Univision'' Edición Nocturna. The journalist, who was of Puerto Rican descent, covered the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks, the pan ...

American journalist; former news anchor for ''Noticiero Univision Edicion Nocturna'' * Ray Suarez television and radio journalist * Elizabeth Vargas television journalist; American of Puerto Rican descentElizabeth Vargas
/ref> * Jane Velez-Mitchell American award-winning television journalist and bestselling author; mother is Puerto Rican, father is

Irish American , image = Irish ancestry in the USA 2018; Where Irish eyes are Smiling.png , image_caption = Irish Americans, % of population by state , caption = Notable Irish Americans , population = 36,115,472 (10.9%) alone ...

Judges and law enforcement

* Jose Báez criminal defense attorney; notable for his defense of accused child murderer

Casey Anthony Casey may refer to: Places Antarctica *Casey Station *Casey Range Australia * Casey, Australian Capital Territory * City of Casey, Melbourne * Division of Casey, electoral district for the House of Representatives Canada * Casey, Ontario * Ca ...

José A. Cabranes José Alberto Cabranes (born December 22, 1940) is an American lawyer who serves as a Senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and a former presiding judge of the United States Foreign Intell ...

judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; formerly a practicing lawyer, government official, and law teacher; first Puerto Rican appointed to a federal judgeship in the continental US * Albert Díaz American judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; parents are Puerto Rican Nick Estavillo

Nicholas Estavillo NYPD Chief of Patrol Nicholas Estavillo (Ret.), (born March 13, 1945) is a former member of the New York Police Department who in 2002 became the first Puerto Rican and the first Hispanic in the history of the NYPD to reach the three-star rank ...

first Puerto Rican and first Hispanic in the history of the NYPD to reach the three-star rank of Chief of PatrolNew York, NY - Veteran NYPD Chief Of Patrol To Retire
/ref> * Faith Evans Hawaiian-Puerto Rican; first woman to be named U.S. Marshal *

Julio M. Fuentes Julio M. Fuentes (born February 16, 1946) is a Senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Fuentes is the first Hispanic judge to serve on the Third Circuit. Early life and education Born o ...

Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; first Hispanic judge to serve the Third Circuit; Puerto Rican born, American raised *

Juan Manuel García Passalacqua Juan Manuel Garcia Passalacqua (February 22, 1937 – July 2, 2010) was a lawyer, writer and political analyst from Puerto Rico. Early years Garcia Passalacqua, who was born in the Hato Rey district of San Juan, Puerto Rico, showed interest in s ...

(1937–2010) political commentator, lawyer; Puerto Rican, died in Ohio Carmen M

* Dora Irizarry Puerto Rican federal judge in New York *

Irma Lozada Irma Lozada (April 26, 1959 – September 21, 1984), a.k.a. "Fran", was a member of the New York City Transit Police who was killed in 1984, becoming the first female police officer to die while at work in New York City. Early years In the 1950s, ...

first female police officer to die in action in New YorkRecalling a Slain Officer, and the Equality of Peril
/ref> *

José Meléndez-Pérez José E. Meléndez-Pérez (born January 2, 1946) is a Puerto Rican-born United States Immigration and Naturalization Service Inspector at Orlando International Airport who became a key figure for the 9/11 Commission when he refused entry to an a ...

Puerto Rican-born U.S. Customs and Border Protection Inspector at Orlando International Airport who became a key figure for the 9/11 Commission when he refused entry to an alleged terrorist prior to the September 11, 2001 attacks * Carmen Ortiz prosecutor attorney, Boston, Massachusetts; American born * Juan Pérez-Giménez Puerto Rican born, U.S. federal judge in senior status *

Jaime Rios (judge) Jaime Rios is a judge on the New York Supreme Court for Queens County. Prior to sitting on the Supreme Court, Judge Rios served on the New York City Civil Court and the Housing Court. Judge Rios holds a B.S. degree from City College of New York, ...

judge on the New York Supreme Court. * Roberto A. Rivera-Soto Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court; American born, Puerto Rican raised *

Vanessa Ruiz Vanessa Ruiz (born March 22, 1950) is a Senior status, Senior Federal tribunals in the United States#Article I tribunals, associate judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Ruiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and graduated from We ...

Puerto Rican associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, the highest court for the District of Columbia *

Benito Romano Benito Romano (born 1950) was the first Puerto Rican to hold a United States Attorney's post in New York on an interim basis. Early life and education Romano's parents moved to New York City from Puerto Rico and settled down in the Bronx where ...

first American of Puerto Rican heritage to hold the US Attorney's post in New York on an interim basis *

Joe Sánchez Joe Sánchez (born Jose Manuel Sánchez Picon on January 16, 1947), is a former New York City police officer and author who published books about corruption within the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Upon exposing the illegal acts commi ...

American highly decorated former New York City police officer; author whose books give an insight as to the corruption within the department; parents are Puerto Rican * Sonia Maria Sotomayor Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the U.S. since August 2009; the Court's 111th justice, its first Hispanic justice, and its third female justice *

Edgardo Ramos Edgardo Ramos (born 1960) is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Early life and education Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Ramos moved as a child with his mother and six sibling ...

United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York since 2011. * Edwin Torres New York state supreme court judge and author; parents are Puerto Rican *

Juan R. Torruella Juan Rafael Torruella del Valle Sr. (June 7, 1933October 26, 2020) was a Puerto Rican jurist. He served as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit from 1984 until his death, and as chief judge of ...

Puerto Rican jurist; currently a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; first and to date only Hispanic to serve in that court

Military

* Joseph B. Avilés (1897–1990) served in the U.S. Navy and later in the Coast Guard; in 1925, became the first Hispanic Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard; Puerto Rican, lived in Maryland * Rafael Celestino Benítez (1917–1999) highly decorated submarine commander who led the rescue effort of the crew members of the USS ''Cochino'' during the Cold War *

José M. Cabanillas José M. Cabanillas (September 23, 1901 – September 15, 1979), was a rear admiral in the United States Navy who as an executive officer of the USS Texas (BB-35), USS ''Texas'' participated in the North African campaign, invasions of North Africa ...

(1901–1979) Puerto Rican executive Officer of the USS ''Texas'', which participated in the invasions of North Africa and the Battle of Normandy (D-Day) during World War II; died in Virginia *

Iván Castro Major Iván Castro (born 1967) is a U.S. Army officer who has continued serving on active duty in the Special Forces despite losing his eyesight. He is one of three blind active duty officers who serves in the U.S. Army and the only blind office ...

U.S. Army officer who has continued serving on active duty in the Special Forces despite losing his eyesight; parents are Puerto Rican *

Richard Carmona Richard Henry Carmona (born November 22, 1949) is an American physician, nurse, police officer, public health administrator, and politician. He was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and served as the seventeenth Surg ...

American physician and public health administrator *

Carmen Contreras-Bozak Technician Fourth Grade, Tech4 Carmen Contreras-Bozak, (December 31, 1919 – January 30, 2017) was the first Puerto Ricans, Puerto Rican woman to serve in the U.S. Women's Army Corps (WAC) where she served as an interpreter and in numerous admini ...

(born 1919) first Hispanic to serve in the U.S. Women's Army Corps, where she served as an interpreter and in numerous administrative positions; Puerto Rican; lives in Tampa, FloridaYoung woman's life defined by service in Women's Army Corps
* Linda García Cubero former U.S. Air Force officer; of Mexican-American-Puerto Rican descent * Rubén A. Cubero highly decorated member of the U.S. Air Force; first Hispanic graduate of the US Air Force Academy to be named Dean of the Faculty of the academy; parents were Puerto RicanBrigadier General Ruben A. Cubero
, Retrieved August 15, 2011 * Alberto Díaz, Jr. first Hispanic Director of the San Diego Naval District and Balboa Naval Hospital; Puerto Rican born and raised *

Rafael O'Ferrall Brigadier General Rafael O'Ferrall (born June 29, 1954) is an Army National Guard officer who is the Deputy Commanding General for the Joint Task Force at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the Assistant Adjutant General (Army) and Deputy Commanding Gener ...

United States Army officer; first Hispanic of Puerto Rican descent to become the Deputy Commanding General for the Joint Task Force at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba *

Salvador E. Felices Major General Salvador Enrique Felices (August 13, 1923 – July 14, 1987) was the first Puerto Rican to reach the rank of major general in the United States Air Force. In 1957, he participated in "Operation Power Flite", the first round-the-worl ...

(1923–1987) first Puerto Rican to reach the rank of major general (two-star) in the U.S. Air Force; died in Florida *

Diego E. Hernández Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez (March 25, 1934 – July 7, 2017) was a United States Navy officer who was the first Hispanic American to be named Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Early years Hernandez (birth ...

retired U.S. Navy officer; first Hispanic to be named Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command; Puerto Rican resident of Miami *

Lester Martínez López Lester Martínez López (born 1955) is an American government official and former Army general who serves as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs since 2023. While in the United States Army, Martínez López was the first Hispanic ...

, MD, MPH (born 1955) first Hispanic to head the Army Medical and Research Command at Fort Detrick, Maryland * Carlos Lozada (1946–1967) member of the U.S. Army; one of five Puerto Ricans who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for their actions in combat; Puerto Rican born, raised in New York City * Ángel Méndez (1946–1967) U.S. Marine, posthumously awarded the Navy Cross * Virgil Rasmuss Miller (1900–1968) U.S. Army officer who served as Regimental Commander of the 442d Regimental Combat Team, a unit composed of "Nisei" (second generation Americans of Japanese descent), during World War II * Héctor Andrés Negroni Puerto Rican historian, senior aerospace defense executive, author; first Puerto Rican graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy; lives in Vienna, Virginia *

Antonia Novello Antonia Coello Novello, M.D., (born August 23, 1944) is a Puerto Rican physician and public health administrator. She was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and served as 14th Surgeon General of the United States from ...

Puerto Rican physician and public health administrator; US Surgeon General *

María Inés Ortiz Captain María Inés Ortiz (April 24, 1967 – July 10, 2007) was the first American nurse to die in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom and the first U.S. Army nurse to die in combat since the Vietnam War. The United States Army named the For ...

(1967–2007) first American nurse to die in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom; first Army nurse to die in combat since the Vietnam War; parents were Puerto Rican Frederic Louis Riefkohl

* Héctor E. Pagán U.S. Army officer; first Hispanic of Puerto Rican descent to become Deputy Commanding General of the US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina *

José M. Portela Brigadier General José M. Portela (Ret.), (born June 16, 1949), is a retired officer of the United States Air Force who recently retired from the position of Assistant Adjutant General for Air, which he held while also serving as commander of th ...

retired officer of the U.S. Air Force; served in the position of Assistant Adjutant General for Air while also serving as commander of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard *

Marion Frederic Ramírez de Arellano Captain Marion Frederic Ramirez de Arellano (August 5, 1913 – May 15, 1980) was a submarine commander in the United States Navy and the first Hispanic submarine commanding officer."The Submarine Forces Diversity Trailblazer - Capt. Marion Freder ...

(1913–1980) submarine commander in the US Navy; first Hispanic submarine commanding officer * Frederick Lois Riefkohl (1889–1969) Puerto Rican officer in the U.S. Navy; first Puerto Rican to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy and to be awarded the Navy Cross; lived and died in Florida *

Rudolph W. Riefkohl Colonel Rudolph William Riefkohl (October 12, 1885 – November 13, 1950), was an officer in the United States Army, who played an instrumental role in helping the people of Poland overcome the 1919 typhus epidemic. Early years Riefkohl (birth n ...

(1885–1950) U.S. Army officer; instrumental in helping the people of Poland overcome the 1919 typhus epidemic *

Pedro N. Rivera Pedro Nestor Rivera Lugo (September 1946 – 23 May 2023) was a United States Air Force officer who in 1994 became the first Hispanic to be named medical commander in the Air Force. He was responsible for the provision of health care to more than ...

retired Puerto Rican US Air Force officer; in 1994 became the first Hispanic medical commander in the Air Force; lives in Alexandria, Virginia *

Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith Sergeant First Class Elmelindo Rodrigues Smith (July 27, 1935 – February 16, 1967) was a United States Army soldier, of Hispanic-Asian descent, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War. Despite being sev ...

(1935–1967) – U.S. Army soldier posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War; of Puerto Rican descent * Augusto Rodríguez Puerto Rican officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War; immigrated to the US in the 1850s"The Puerto Rican Diaspora: historical perspectives"; By Carmen Teresa Whalen, Víctor Vázquez-Hernandez; page 176; Publisher: Temple University Press; ; * Pedro Rodríguez (1912–1999) earned two Silver Stars within a seven-day period during the Korean War; Puerto Rican; died in Washington, D.C.Arlington National Cemetery
/ref> *

Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas Major Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas, DDS (February 24, 1888 – October 21, 1932) was an odontologist (dentist), scientist and a Major in the U.S. Army who discovered the bacteria which causes dental caries.

(1888–1932) Puerto Rican odontologist (dentist), scientist and a major in the US Army; discovered the bacteria which causes cavities; died in Washington, D.C. *

Maritza Sáenz Ryan Colonel Maritza Sáenz RyanThis name uses Spanish marriage naming customs; the first is the maiden family name '' "Sáenz"'' and the second or matrimonial family name is ''"Ryan"''. (born c. 1960) is a former United States Army officer, and head ...

U.S. Army officer; head of the Department of Law at the US Military Academy; first woman and first Hispanic West Point graduate to serve as an academic department head; Puerto Rican father, Spanish motherPointer View
/ref> *

Héctor Santiago-Colón Héctor Santiago-Colón (December 20, 1942 – June 28, 1968) is one of nine Puerto Ricans who have been posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. His actions on June 28, 1968, d ...

(1942–1968) one of five Puerto Ricans posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the U.S.; Puerto Rican from New York * Frances M. Vega (1983–2003) first female soldier of Puerto Rican descent to die in a combat zone, in Operation Iraqi Freedom *

Pedro del Valle Pedro Augusto del Valle (August 28, 1893 – April 28, 1978) was a United States Marine Corps officer who became the first Hispanic to reach the rank of Lieutenant general (United States), lieutenant general. His military career included service ...

(1893–1978) U.S. Marine Corps officer; first Hispanic to reach the rank of lieutenant general; in 1900 his family emigrated to the US and became US citizens * Humbert Roque Versace (1937–1965) – American U.S. Army officer of Puerto Rican-Italian descent; awarded the US' highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions while a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War * Ramón Colón-López (1971- ) - Fourth Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, the most senior enlisted airman in the United States Military, from Ponce, Puerto Rico. On June 13, 2007, Colón-López became the first Hispanic, and one of the first six airmen, to be awarded the newly created Air Force Combat Action Medal.

Political

* Herman Badillo Puerto Rican-born US Representative; first Puerto Rican elected to the US Congress *

Roberto Rexach Benítez Roberto Nicolás Rexach Benítez (December 18, 1929 – April 4, 2012) also known as his stage name Bobby, was a Puerto Rican politician, and former Senator and Representative. Rexach Benítez served as the tenth President of the Senate of Pue ...

Puerto Rican politician; former Senator and Representative * Adolfo Carrión, Jr.

Democratic Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

politician; of Puerto Rican descent, from

City Island, New York City Island is a neighborhood in the northeastern Bronx in New York City, located on an island of the same name approximately long by wide. City Island is located at the extreme western end of Long Island Sound, south of Pelham Bay and east ...

* Ruth Noemí Colón Puerto Rican; 66th Secretary of State of New York *

Pedro Cortés Pedro A. Cortés (born May 28, 1966) twice served as Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (April 2003 - June 2010 & January 2015 - October 2017). He was the first confirmed Latino Cabinet member and the longest serving Secretary of State ...

Puerto Rican former Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Rubén Díaz, Jr

Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez Lorraine A. Cortés-Vázquez is an American government official who serves as the commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging, and previously served as the 65th Secretary of State of New York, appointed by Governor Eliot Spitzer a ...

65th Secretary of State of New York, serving in the Cabinet of Governor David Paterson; of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent *

Nelson Antonio Denis Nelson Antonio Denis is an American attorney, author, film director, and former representative to the New York State Assembly. From 1997 through 2000, Denis represented New York (state), New York's 68th Assembly district, which includes the East ...

American former New York politician who represented

East Harlem East Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem or and historically known as Italian Harlem, is a neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, New York City, roughly encompassing the area north of the Upper East Side and bounded by 96th Street to the south, F ...

in the

New York State Assembly The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature, with the New York State Senate being the upper house. There are 150 seats in the Assembly. Assembly members serve two-year terms without term limits. The Assem ...

; of Puerto Rican descent * Rubén Díaz, Sr. Puerto Rican born US politician; Democrat; represents the 32nd District in the New York State Senate * Rubén Díaz, Jr. Democratic Party politician from the Bronx in New York City; son of New York State Senator Rubén Díaz, Sr. * Wilda Díaz Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey from 2008 to 2020 * Martín Malavé Dilán member of the New York State Senate representing the 17th Senatorial District *

Pedro Espada, Jr. Pedro Espada Jr. (born October 20, 1953) is an American convicted felon and former politician. A Democrat, Espada served in the New York Senate. Espada was at the center of a June 2009 power struggle in the State Senate. He was one of two Democr ...

Democratic member of the New York Senate for the 33rd Senate District; Puerto Rican born, American raised Maurice Ferre 2009

Maurice Ferré Maurice Antonio Ferré (June 23, 1935 – September 19, 2019) was an American politician who served six terms as the Mayor of Miami. Ferré was the first Puerto Rican-born United States mayor and the first Latino Mayor of Miami. He was an unsu ...

Puerto Rican former six-term Mayor of Miami *

Bonnie García Bonnie Garcia (born August 13, 1962) is a California politician. She was the representative for California's 80th State Assembly district, serving eastern Riverside County and all of Imperial County, from 2002 through 2008. In 2014 she was a ca ...

former representative of California's 80th Assembly District, serving eastern Riverside County and all of Imperial County * Robert García former Democratic US Representative who represented New York's 21st district, 1978–1990 * Luis Gutiérrez US Representative; American of Puerto Rican descent *

Raúl Labrador Raúl Rafael Labrador (born December 8, 1967) is an American lawyer and politician who is the Attorney General-elect of Idaho. A member of the Republican Party, he chaired the Idaho Republican Party from 2019 to 2020 and served as the U.S. Repre ...

Puerto Rican born US Representative for Idaho's 1st congressional district *

Margarita López Margarita López is a former member of the New York City Council who represented New York City's 2nd City Council district from 1998 to 2005. The 2nd district comprises the Lower East Side, Alphabet City, and the East Village. López was elect ...

openly lesbian former New York City Council Member who represented New York City Council's 2nd district from 1998 to 2005 * Evelyn Mantilla American politician from Connecticut who served from 1997 to 2007 as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives *

Melissa Mark-Viverito Melissa Mark-Viverito (born April 1, 1969) is an American Democratic Party (United States), Democratic politician and former speaker of the New York City Council from 2014 to 2017, as well as councilmember for the New York City's 8th City Council ...

elected Speaker of the

New York City Council The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of New York City. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five Borough (New York City), boroughs. The council serves as a check against the Mayor of New York City, mayor in a may ...

in January 2014 *

Olga A. Méndez Olga Aran Méndez (February 5, 1925 – July 29, 2009) was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to a state legislature in the United States mainland, when, in 1978, she became a member of the New York State Senate. Early years Olga Aran Mén ...

(1925–2009) first Puerto Rican woman elected to a state legislature in the US mainland *

Rosie Méndez Rosie Méndez (born February 28, 1963) is an American politician who served in the New York City Council from the 2nd district from 2006 to 2017. She is a Democrat. The district includes all or parts of Chelsea, the East Village, the Flatiron ...

American Democratic Party politician in New York *

Tony Méndez Tony Méndez (February 5, 1902 – January 8, 1982) was the first native-born Puerto Rican to become a district leader of a major political party in New York City. Early years Méndez (birth name: Antonio Méndez) was born in Puerto Rico. In 192 ...

first native-born Puerto Rican to become a district leader of a major political party in New York City *

Hiram Monserrate Hiram Monserrate (born July 12, 1967) is an American politician and convicted felon from the State of New York. A Democrat, Monserrate represented New York's 13th State Senate District in Queens from January 1, 2009 until February 9, 2010, when ...

former member of the New York State Senate *

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (; ; born October 13, 1989), also known by her initials AOC, is an American politician and activist. She has served as the U.S. representative for New York's 14th congressional district since 2019, as a member of th ...

American politician, currently (2019) representing New York's 14th congressional district *

Félix Ortiz Felix may refer to: * Felix (name), people and fictional characters with the name Places * Arabia Felix is the ancient Latin name of Yemen * Felix, Spain, a municipality of the province Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, S ...

American politician, currently representing New York's 51st Assembly District *

George Pabey George Pabey is a former mayor of East Chicago, Indiana, United States. He was elected into office in an October 2004 special election, and assumed office in January 2005. On September 24, 2010 he was removed from office after being found guilty ...

former mayor of East Chicago, Indiana * César A. Perales American Secretary of State of New York; of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent * Eddie Pérez politician; born in Puerto Rico and raised in the US *

Adam Clayton Powell IV Adam Clayton "A.C." Powell IV (born Adam Clayton Powell Diago;
Andy Newman. The New York Times. April 14, 2010. Retrieved July ...

member of the New York State Assembly *

Luis A. Quintana Luis A. Quintana (born January 29, 1960) is an American politician who served as Councilmember-at-Large of the Municipal Council of Newark, New Jersey, first elected in 1994. He served as Mayor of Newark from November 2013 to July 2014, after ...

Puerto Rican-born who served as Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, from 2013 to 2014 *

John Quiñones Juan Manuel "John" Quiñones (born May 23, 1952) is an American ABC News correspondent who hosted '' What Would You Do?''. Early life and education Quiñones was born in San Antonio, Texas, on May 23, 1952. He is a fifth-generation San Antonia ...

first Republican of Puerto Rican ancestry elected to the Florida House of Representatives *

Charles B. Rangel Charles Bernard Rangel (, ; born June 11, 1930) is an American politician who was a U.S. representative for districts in New York from 1971 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the second-longest serving incumbent member of the ...

US Representative for New York's 15th congressional district, since 1971; son of Puerto Rican father and African American mother *

Samuel Rivera Samuel Rivera (1946 – May 1, 2020) was an American politician, the Democratic mayor of the U.S. city of Passaic, New Jersey, from 2001 until 2008. Rivera came to national attention on September 6, 2007, when he was indicted and arrested on ...

Democratic mayor of the U.S. city of

Passaic, New Jersey Passaic ( or ) is a city in Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the city had a total population of 70,537, ranking as the 16th largest municipality in New Jersey and an increase of 656 from the 69,78 ...

(2001–2008) *

Pedro Segarra Pedro E. Segarra (born April 28, 1959) is a Puerto Rican-American politician and lawyer who served as the 66th mayor of Hartford, Connecticut. Prior to becoming mayor, Segarra was president of Hartford's City Council. He succeeded former Mayor ...

politician and Mayor of

Hartford, Connecticut Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was the seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960. It is the core city in the Greater Hartford metropolitan area. Census estimates since the ...

; Puerto Rican born and American raised * José Enrique Serrano US Representative; Puerto Rican born, American raised *

José M. Serrano José Marco Serrano (born June 19, 1972) is a member of the New York State Senate from the New York's 29th State Senate district, 29th District, representing Mott Haven, Bronx, Mott Haven, Melrose, Bronx, Melrose, Highbridge, Bronx, Highbridge, M ...

American New York State Senator; son of José Enrique Serrano * Darren Soto Orlando-based attorney and Democratic politician who serves the member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 49 * Joey Torres elected mayor of

Paterson Paterson may refer to: People * Paterson (surname) * Paterson (given name) Places Australia *Paterson, New South Wales *Paterson River, New South Wales * Division of Paterson, an electoral district in New South Wales *Paterson, Queensland, a lo ...

, New Jersey in 2014, where he had served two prior terms as mayor *

Gloria Tristani Gloria Tristani (born December 20, 1953) is an American attorney and politician. Tristani served as a member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 1997 to 2001. In 2002, Tristiani unsuccessfully ran for Senate in New Mexico as a Demo ...

served from 1997 to 2001 as the first Hispanic woman member of the Federal Communications Commission * Miguel del Valle American politician; former City Clerk of Chicago; Puerto Rican born, American raised * Nydia Velázquez Puerto Rican and US RepresentativeHispanic Americans in Congress
/ref> *

Raúl G. Villaronga Raúl G. Villaronga (April 1, 1938 – March 20, 2021) was a United States Army officer who was the first Puerto Rican mayor of a Texas city. He served as mayor of Killeen, Texas for three consecutive terms, from 1992 to 1998. Early years Ra ...

retired Puerto Rican US Army officer; first Puerto Rican mayor of a Texas city; elected Mayor of

Killeen, Texas Killeen is a city in Bell County, Texas, United States. According to the 2020 census, its population was 153,095, making it the 19th-most populous city in Texas and the largest of the three principal cities of Bell County. It is the principal city ...

in 1992

Visual arts

Olga Albizu Olga Albizu Rosaly (1924–2005) was an abstract expressionist painter from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Albizu Rosaly was the first woman dedicated to abstraction in Puerto Rico. Life Albizu was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she studied pain ...

(1924–2005) Puerto Rican abstract expressionist painter; emigrated to New York in 1948 *

(Mexican/Puerto Rican) With major and successful art exhibits and the inclusion of his art in museums and private collections, Fernando Allende is considered a pioneer on dynamic art represented with the line in motion and connecting in harmony. Participating in the Florence biennial and summer at La Academia, confirms Allende's influence in contemporary abstract art. *

Jean-Michel Basquiat Jean-Michel Basquiat (; December 22, 1960 – August 12, 1988) was an American artist who rose to success during the 1980s as part of the Neo-expressionism movement. Basquiat first achieved fame as part of the graffiti duo SAMO, alongside Al ...

(1960–1988) visual artist; African-American of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent * David Blaine American illusionist, magician, and endurance artist; of Puerto Rican-Russian Jewish descent * Rafael Ferrer Puerto Rican artist; 1993 recipient of a Pew Fellowship in the Arts; 2011 recipient of an Annalee and Barnett Newman Foundation Grant * Elizabeth Marrero Puerto Rican performance artist, comedian, known as Macha, the "papi chulo drag king", a character she created in 1999; lives in the US * Soraida Martínez contemporary abstract expressionist artist who creates hard-edge paintings; American of Puerto Rican descent * Ralph Ortiz American artist, educator, and founder of

El Museo del Barrio El Museo del Barrio, often known simply as El Museo (the museum), is a museum at 1230 Fifth Avenue in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is located near the northern end of Fifth Avenue's Museum Mile, immediately north of the Museum of the Cit ...

* Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Puerto Rican documentary photographer; lives in the US * Joe Shannon – prolific artist with permanent exhibits in multiple museums in the United States *

Filipo Tirado Filipo Tirado (born September 20, 1949) is a Puerto Rican puppeteer. Filipo's birth name was Carlos Filipo Tirado Perea. Filipo Tirado participated in T.V. shows in Puerto Rico, among them "''Ay Bendito''", "''Que Pueblito''", directed by El ...

, aka "Pepe Locuaz" Puerto Rican puppeteer

Civil rights and activists

* Mathias Brugman (1811–1868) leader in Puerto Rico's independence revolution against Spain known as El Grito de Lares (The Cry of Lares); father was Pierre Brugman from

Curaçao Curaçao ( ; ; pap, Kòrsou, ), officially the Country of Curaçao ( nl, Land Curaçao; pap, Pais Kòrsou), is a Lesser Antilles island country in the southern Caribbean Sea and the Dutch Caribbean region, about north of the Venezuela coast ...

of Dutch- Jewish ancestry, mother was from Puerto Rico *

Oscar Collazo Oscar Collazo (January 20, 1914 – February 21, 1994) was one of two Puerto Rican militants of the Nationalist Party who on November 1, 1950, attempted to assassinate U.S. President Harry S. Truman in Washington, DC. He had been living i ...

(1914–1994) one of two Puerto Ricans who attempted to assassinate US President

Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. A leader of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 34th vice president from January to April 1945 under Franklin ...

Angelo Falcón Angelo Falcón (June 23, 1951 – May 24, 2018) was a Puerto Rican political scientist best known for starting the Institute for Puerto Rican Policy (IPR) in New York City in the early 1980s, a nonprofit and nonpartisan policy center that fo ...

political scientist; President and founder of

National Institute for Latino Policy National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, ce ...

; Puerto Rican born and American raised * Inez García, Inéz García cause celebre of the feminist movement; of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent * Olga Viscal Garriga (1929–1995) public orator, political activist; descendant of a former governor of Puerto Rico; advocate for Puerto Rican independence * Isabel González (1882–1971) Puerto Rican activist who helped pave the way for Puerto Ricans to be given US citizenship; lived in New York and New Jersey * Sonia Gutierrez Puerto Rican-born American educator and Hispanic rights activist. * Marie Haydée Beltrán Torres nationalist * Óscar López Rivera nationalist pardoned by President Barack Obama * Rosa Martínez and Eliana Martínez, Eliana Martínez young AIDS activist in notable Florida court case regarding the rights of HIV+ children in public schools* Sylvia Mendez, Sylvia Méndez American civil rights activist; of Mexican-Puerto Rican heritage * Eugene Nelson American labor leader ACLU Anthony D Romero

* Manuel Olivieri Sanchez, Manuel Olivieri Sánchez (born 1888) Puerto Rican court interpreter and civil rights activist; led the legal battle which recognized US citizenship for Puerto Ricans living in Hawaii * Carmen Pola Puerto Rican long-time politician and community activist in Boston, Massachusetts; first Latina to run for statewide office; first Director of the Office of Constituent Services * Ron Rivera (public health), Ronald Rivera (1948–2008) American activist best known for developing an inexpensive ceramic water filter used to treat gray water in impoverished communities, and for establishing community-based factories to produce the filters around the world * Sylvia Rae Rivera (1951–2002) American transgender activism, transgender activist; founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance; helped found STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries); of Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descentGan, Jessi
"'Still at the Back of the Bus': Sylvia Rivera's Struggle".
''CENTRO: Journal of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies'' 19.1 (Spring 2007): 124-139. * Helen Rodriguez-Trias, Helen Rodríguez-Trías (1929–2001) American pediatrician, educator and women's rights activistChanging the Face of Medicine
/ref> * Anthony Romero American executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union * Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (1874–1938) Puerto Rican historian, writer, and activist in the US who raised awareness of the social contributions made by Afro-Latin Americans and Afro-Americans; died in New York"Arturo Alfonso Schomburg: Pionero en la historia afronorteamericana"
, ''Nuestro Mondo/People's Weekly World'', accessed 2 Feb 2009 * Yolanda Serrano (-1993) Puerto Rican-born New Yorker HIV/AIDS activist and a ''Ms.'' magazine woman of the year * Alejandrina Torres nationalist * Griselio Torresola (1925–1950) one of two Puerto Rican Nationalists who attempted to assassinate US President Harry Truman; Puerto Rico born

Physicians and scientists

* Joseph M. Acabá American educator, hydrogeologist, and NASA astronaut; parents are Puerto Rican * Oxiris Barbot, Commissioner of Health of the City of New York * Víctor Manuel Blanco, PhD (1918–2011) Puerto Rican astronomer; in 1959 discovered "Blanco 1," a galactic cluster; died in Florida * Rafael L. Bras, Rafael L. Brás American civil engineer; Provost to the Georgia Institute of Technology; Puerto Rican-born * Neil deGrasse Tyson American astrophysics, astrophysicist, author, and science communication, science communicator. His mother is of Puerto Rican ancestry. * Enectalí Figueroa-Feliciano, PhD, aka "Tali" astrophysicist and researcher with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; pioneered the development of position-sensitive detectors * Gerónimo Lluberas (1956–2003) Puerto Rican physician, humanitarian, writer and composer *

space physicist and author * Lissette Martinez, Lissette Martínez lead electrical engineer for the Space Experiment Module program at the Wallops Flight Facility * Joseph O. Prewitt Díaz, PhD retired psychologist; specialized in psychosocial theory; first Puerto Rican recipient of the American Psychological Association; 2008 International Humanitarian Award * Pedro Rodriguez (NASA), Pedro Rodríguez, PhD Director of a test laboratory at NASA; inventor of a portable, battery-operated lift seat for people suffering from knee arthritis *

, DDS (1888–1932) odontologist (dentist), scientist and a major in the US Army who discovered the bacteria which causes cavities * Gualberto Ruaño, MD, PhD pioneer in the field of personalized medicine; inventor of molecular diagnostic systems used worldwide for the management of viral diseases

Religious

* Nicky Cruz (born 1938) Christian evangelist; founder of Nicky Cruz Outreach, an evangelistic Christian ministry * Alberto Cutié Puerto Rican Episcopal cleric better known as Padre Alberto; ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1995; became an internationally recognizable name by hosting television and radio programs * José Luis de Jesús founder and leader of Creciendo en Gracia's Christian ministry (Growing In Grace International Ministry, Inc.), based in Miami, Florida * Bavi Edna Rivera, aka "Nedi" American suffragan bishop and Episcopal priest; daughter of the late bishop Victor Manuel Rivera and an Anglo mother * Victor Manuel Rivera, Víctor Manuel Rivera (1916–2005) Puerto Rican born American Episcopalian priest and bishop

Writers

* Jack Agüeros community activist, poet, writer, and translator * Quiara Alegría Hudes American playwright and author, known for writing the book for the Tony Award-winning musical ''In the Heights''; of Jewish and Puerto Rican descent * Miguel Algarín Puerto Rican poet, writer, co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Café * Rane Arroyo (1954–2010) American poet, playwright, and scholar; of Puerto Rican descent * Pura Belpré (1899 or 1903–1982) author; first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City * Giannina Braschi Puerto Rican poet and novelist; lives in New York * Julia de Burgos (1914–1953) considered by many as the greatest Puerto Rican poet and one of the greatest female poets of Latin America; died in New York * Judith Ortiz Cofer (born 1952) author; Puerto Rican-born and American raised * Jesús Colón (1901–1974) Puerto Rican writer, known as the "father of the Nuyorican movement"Jesus Colon
* Victor Hernández Cruz, Víctor Hernández Cruz Puerto Rican poet; New York residentPoets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More - Victor Hernández Cruz
/ref> * Nicholas Dante (1941–1991) American dancer and writer; Puerto Rican parents * Nelson Denis (born 1954) Author of ''War Against All Puerto Ricans,'' film director, and former New York State Assemblyman * Sandra María Esteves American poet, playwright, and graphic artist; of Puerto Rican, Dominican and African American descent * Lawrence La Fountain-Stokes Puerto Rican author, scholar, and performer; lives in Michigan * Pedro J. Labarthe (1905–1966) Puerto Rican poet, journalist, essayist, and novelist * Tato Laviera Nuyorican poet; born in Puerto Rico; moved to New York City with his family in 1960 * Muna Lee (writer), Muna Lee (1895–1965) American author and poet; known for her writings that promoted Pan-Americanism and feminism * Erika Lopez, Érika López American cartoonist, novelist, and performance artist; of Puerto Rican and German American descent * Caridad de la Luz, aka "La Bruja" (The "Good" Witch) poet, actress and activist; parents are Puerto RicanEl Diario/La Prensa - Caridad de la Luz
* Nemir Matos-Cintrón Puerto Rican author; lives in Florida Arturo Alfonso Schomburg

* John Melendez, John Meléndez, aka "Stuttering John" American television writer and former radio personality * Nicholasa Mohr one of the best known Nuyorican writers * Micol Ostow American author, editor and educator; Jewish-American father, Puerto Rican motherLive Journal
/ref> * George Pérez Puerto Rican-American writer and illustrator of comic books; his family moved from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Caguas to the New York metropolitan area, New York area in the 1940s * Pedro Pietri (1944–2004) Nuyorican poet and playwright; co-founded the Nuyorican Poets Cafe; Puerto Rican born and American raisedMonthly Review
/ref> * Carmen M. Pursifull former New York City Latin dance and Latin American music figure of the 1950s, and since 1970 in Illinois; English-language free verse poet; of Puerto Rican and Spanish descent * Marie Teresa Ríos (1917–1999) American author of a book which was the basis for the 1960s television sitcom ''The Flying Nun''; of Puerto Rican and Irish descent * Ángel Rivero Méndez wrote , which is considered one of the most complete works written in regard to that military action * Esmeralda Santiago Puerto Rican author and former actress known for her novels and memoirs * Tony Santiago Puerto Rican military historian * Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, aka Arthur Schomburg (1874–1938) Puerto Rican historian, writer, and activist in the US who raised awareness of the social contributions made by Afro-Latin Americans and Afro-Americans; died in New York; immigrated to New York in 1891Robert Knight, "Arthur Alfonso 'Afroborinqueño' Schomburg"
, History Notes, Global African Community, accessed 2 Feb 2009 * Piri Thomas (1928–2011) writer and American poet; memoir ''Down These Mean Streets'' became a best-seller; Puerto Rican mother, Cuban father * Edwin Torres (poet), Edwin Torres Nuyorican poet * Ed Vega (1936–2008) Puerto Rican novelist and short story writerWeber, Bruce (September 9, 2008)
Edgardo Vega Yunqué, Novelist of the Puerto Rican Experience in New York, Dies at 72.
''New York Times'' * Irene Vilar editor, literary agent, author of books dealing with national and generational trauma and women's reproductive rights * William Carlos Williams (1883–1963) American poet, closely associated with modernism and Imagism; of English and Puerto Rican descent

Others

* Aída Álvarez first Hispanic woman and Puerto Rican to hold a US Cabinet-level position; grew up in New York * Nixzmary Brown (1998–2006) seven-year-old abused child and murder victim from the Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn section of New York City; of Puerto Rican and Pakistanian descent * Marta Casals Istomin former president of the Manhattan School of Music; Puerto Rican bornPuerto Rico Herald
/ref> * Carmen Carrera American reality television personality * Chris Kubecka (full name Christina Kubecka de Medina, Computer Science, Cyberwar) established international business operations for Saudi Aramco after the world's most devastating Shamoon cyberwarfare attacks. Kubecka helped halt the second wave of July 2009 cyberattacks cyberwar attacks against South Korea. * Angie Martínez American radio personality * Samuel A. Ramirez, Sr., Samuel A. Ramírez, Sr. first Hispanic to launch a successful investment banking firm; parents are Puerto Ricans * Félix Rigau Carrera (1894–1954) first Puerto Rican pilot * José Rodríguez (intelligence) head of CIA division (2004–2008)

References

External links

US Puerto Ricans.org Re/envisioning the Diaspora
American people of Puerto Rican descent, * Lists of American people by ethnic or national origin, Puerto Ricans, List Of Stateside Lists of people by ethnicity, Puerto Rican

Television show hosts

Business

Actors and actresses

Directors, producer and screenwriters of films, theater and TV

Singers and musicians

Alphabetized by surname

Groups

Models and dancers

Sports

Criminals

Diplomats

Educators

Journalists

Judges and law enforcement

Military

Political

Visual arts

Civil rights and activists

Physicians and scientists

Religious

Writers

Others

See also

References

External links