List of famous Puerto Ricans - Definition

list of famous Puerto Ricans in alphabetical order by last names, where applicable.

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Composers, Singers and Musicians

• Juan F. Acosta, composer
• Johnny Albino, singer
• Natalie and Nicole Albino, "Nina Sky" hip hop
• Rafael Alers, orchestra director
• Marc Anthony, singer
• Chucho Avellanet, singer
• Raymond Ayala, "Yankee Daddy", rapper
• Lloyd Banks, (Puerto Rican on his mother's side) rapper in 50 Cent's G-unit
• Ray Barretto, singer, jazz and salsa musician
• John Benitez, "Jellybean Benitez", music producer and remixer
• Lucecita Benítez, singer
• Obbie Bermudez,singer
• Big Pun, rapper
• Roy Brown, folklore singer, composer
• Antonio Caban Vale"El Topo", folklore singer, composer
• Bobby Capo, singer, composer
• Nydia Caro, singer
• Pablo Casals, (Puerto Rican on his mother's side), musician
• Kevin Ceballo, salsa singer
• Iris Chacón, singer and vedette
• Chayanne, singer
• Jose Miguel Class, "El Gallito de Manati", singer
• Elvis Crespo,singer
• Bobby Cruz,singer
• Willie Colón, singer
• Braulio Dueño Colón, composer of "Canciones Escolares"
• Cesar Concepcion, singer
• Millie Corretjer,singer
• Rafael Cortijo,singer
• Tony D' Astro
• Pedro Ortiz Davila, "Davilita", bolero singer
• Willy DeVille, singer, musician
• Johnatan Dwayne, singer, composer
• Justino Díaz, opera singer
• Dr. Rafael Jose Diaz, "Rafael Jose", singer and television host
• Carmen Delia Dipini, singer
• Ruben DJ, rapper
• Howie Dorough, singer, member of the Backstreet Boys
• Rafi Escudero, singer
• Noel Estrada, composer of "En Mi Viejo San Juan"
• Cano Estremera,singer
• Fat Joe, rapper
• Rene Farrait, former member of "Menudo"
• Cheo Feliciano,singer
• José Feliciano, singer, composed "Feliz Navidad"
• Ruth Fernandez, singer
• Narciso Figueroa, composer
• Pedro Flores, composer
• Luis Fonsi, singer
• Harry Fraticelli, pianist
• Odilio Gonzalez, singer
• Rafael Hernandez, Composer of "Preciosa" and "Lamento Borincano"
• Sophy Hernandez, singer
• Giovanni Hildalgo, percussionist
• Rafael Ithier, founder of "El Gran Combo" orchestra
• La India, singer, known as the "Princess of Salsa"
• Tito Lara, singer
• Héctor Lavoe, singer
• Raphy Leavitt, composer, director and founder of "La Selecta"
• Jennifer López, singer and actress
• Noelia Lorenzo, singer
• Johnny Lozada, former member of "Menudo"
• Papo Lucca, singer
• Lunna, singer
• Victor Manuelle, singer
• Ricky Martin, singer
• Angie Martinez, Radio personality/rapper
• Ladislao Martinez, "El Maestro Ladis"
• Charlie Masso, former member of "Menudo"
• Ricky Melendez, former member of "Menudo"
• Luis Miguel, Puerto Rican-born Mexican citizen
• Ismael Miranda, singer
• Luis R.Miranda
• Angel Mislan, composer of Danzas
• Jose Luis Monero
• Yolandita Monge, singer
• Andy Montañez, singer
• Glenn Monroig,singer
• Gilberto Monroig, singer
• Florencio Morales Ramos, "Ramito", folklore singer
• Juan Morel Campos, composer of Danzas
• Ednita Nazario, singer
• Frankie Negrón
• Tito Nieves, singer
• Tommy Olivencia
• Manny Oquendo
• Tony Orlando (Puerto Rican on father's side), singer
• Luis "Perico" Ortiz, musician
• Shalim Ortiz, singer
• Eddie Palmieri, bandleader
• Charlie Palmieri, pianist, bandleader
• Antonio Paolí, opera singer, first person in history to record an entire opera
• Jose Enrique Pedreria, composer
• David Peel, singer, songwriter
• Angel "Cuco" Peña, musician
• Carlos Ponce, singer
• Tito Puente, musician
• Ivy Queen, rapper, known as "The Queen of Reggaeton"
• Dominigo Quiñones
• Ismael Quintana
• Jose Ignacio Quinton, pianist
• Humberto Ramirez
• Richie Ray, singer, composer, known as "The King of Salsa"
• Sylvia Rexach, singer, composer
• Danny Rivera, singer
• Jerry Rivera, singer
• Johnny Rivera
• Graciela Rivera, opera singer
• Ismael Rivera, singer
• Lourdes Robles, singer
• Roberto Roena, singer
• Felipe Rodriguez, "La Voz", bolero singer
• Julito Rodriguez, singer
• Tito Rodriguez, singer
• Kelis Rogers, (mother is Puerto Rican/Chinese), singer and television host
• Tito Rojas, "El Gallo"
• Deddie Romero
• Robby Rosa, former member of "Menudo"
• Willie Rosario
• Felipe Rose, the Indian from The Village People, singer
• Julita Ross, singer of Danzas
• Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry, former members of "Menudo"
• Jesus Sanchez, "Chuito el de Bayamon", folklore singer
• Gilberto Santa Rosa, singer
• Eddie Santiago, singer
• Herman Santiago, singer, composed song "Why Do Fools Fall In Love"
• Marvin Santiago, singer
• Victor Santiago, "N.O.R.E." rapper
• Dr. Zoraida Santiago, singer and composer
• Daniel Santos, composer, singer of boleros
• Nino Segarra
• Xavier Serbia, former member of "Menudo"
• Myrta Silva, singer, composer
• Arturo Somohano,composer, Symphony orchestra conductor
• Michael Stuart, singer
• Olga Tañon, singer, composer, (4 Grammys)
• Manuel Gregorio Tavarez, composer known as "The Father of the Puerto Rican Danzas"
• Luiggi Texidor
• Roberto Tirado, Spanish Harlem vocalist
• Yolanda Vadiz, gospel singer
• Bobby Valentin
• Alan Vega, rock singer, of Suicide
• Tony Vega
• Lisa Velez, "Lisa Lisa", singer
• Vico C, rapper
• Victor Manuelle singer
• Sylvia Del Villard
• Wilkins Zambrana, "Wilkins", singer and composer

Tego Calderon, rapper

Cartoonists

• Ricardo Alvarez Rivon, creator of "Turey"
• Vanesa Littlecrow, comic creator
• George Perez, "Marvel" comic book artist
• John Rivas, creator of "Bonzzo"
• Jose Vega Santana, creator of "Remi, El Clown" (see also Actors and Actress below)

Journalists

• Jose Julian Acosta, journalist
• María Celeste Arraras, anchor for "Al Rojo Vivo"
• Barbara Bermudo, journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"
• Rafael Bracero, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"
• Enrique Cruz, news anchor for "Noticentro 4"
• Tomas De Jesus Mangual, journalist for "El Vocero"
• Carmen Dominicci, journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"
• Manuel Fernandez Juncos, journalist
• Jackie Guerrido, journalist and meteorologist for Univisions "Despierta America"
• Anibal Gonzalez Irizarry, former newscaster for "Telenoticias en accion"
• Laura Hernandez, journalist
• Carmen Jovet,Journalist, first Puerto Rican woman named news anchor in Puerto Rico
• Michele LaFountain, anchor for the Spanish version of ESPN Sports Center
• Lynda Lopez, anchor for "WCBS" Ch2.
• Luis Francisco Ojeda, journalist, political critic for "WAPA T.V."
• Geraldo Rivera, journalist
• Edna Schmidt, anchor for "Telefutura"
• Guillermo José Torres, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"
• Elizabeth Vargas, "Liz" anchor "ABC News 20/20"
• Luz Nereida Velez, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"

Actors, Actresses and Comedians

• Kirk Acevedo, actor, (T.V. series "Oz")
• Jose Miguel Agrelot, "Don Cholito", comedian
• Miguel Angel Alvarez "El Men", comedian
• Victor Argo, actor (Coyote Ugly)
• Raymond Arrieta, comedian
• Rick Aviles, actor/comedian (Ghost)
• Charlotte Ayanna, actress
• Alba Raquel Barros, comedian/actress
• Lucy Boscana,soap opera actress
• Giselle Blondet, actress/TV host
• Norma Candal, comedian
• Irene Cara, singer/actress (Fame)
• Mylo Carbia, screenwriter, small part in (Underworld) the movie
• Jorge Castro, soap opera actor
• Braulio Castillo, soap opera actor
• Braulio Castillo, hijo, soap opera actor
• Melwin Cedeño, comedian
• Lynette Chico,actress Puerto Rico T.V.
• Ivonne Coll, actress (The Godfather II)
• Miriam Colon, actress (Scarface)
• Paquito Cordero, TV producer/comedian
• Mara Croatto, soap opera actress
• Henry Darrow, actor, "Manolito" (TV series The High Chaparral)
• Sully Diaz, soap opera actress
• Sammy Davis, Jr. (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)
• Lydia Echevarria, soap opera actress
• Hector Elizondo, actor (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries)
• Erik Estrada, actor (TV series CHiPs, Sealab 2021)
• José Ferrer, actor (Cyrano de Bergerac), first Hispanic actor to win an Academy Award
• Miguel Ferrer, actor (Robocop, The Manchurian Candidate)
• Luis Guzman, actor
• Lillian Hurst, comedian/actress (Dharma and Greg)
• Raúl Juliá, actor (Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Addams Family)
• John Leguizamo, actor (Moulin Rouge!, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar) (Puerto Rican on Father's side)
• Adamari Lopez, actress of soap operas
• Jennifer López, actress (Selena, The Cell)
• Sunshine Logroño, comedian
• Claribel Medina, actress soap operas
• John Melendez, "Stuttering John" ("Howard Stern Show" and "The Tonight Show")
• Ari Meyers, actress (TV series Kate & Allie)
• Karla Michelle, actress Puerto Rican T.V.
• Eddie Miro, T.V. Host
• Esai Morales, actor (La Bamba)
• Jacobo Morales, actor (Bananas)
• Rita Moreno, actress, winner of Oscar, a Tony Award, an Emmy and a Grammy
• Frankie Muniz, actor (TV series Malcolm in the Middle) (Puerto Rican on father's side)
• Rafo Muñiz, comedian
• Tommy Muñiz, T.V. producer/comedian
• Rosie Perez, actress (White Men Can't Jump, Fearless)
• Joaquin Phoenix, actor (Signs, Gladiator) (born in Puerto Rico)
• Freddie Prinze, comedian/actor (TV series Chico and the Man)
• Freddie Prinze, Jr., actor (Scooby-Doo)
• Chita Rivera, "Broadway Legend", winner of 2 Tony Awards
• Luis Antonio Rivera, "Yoyo Boing" comedian
• Ramón (Diplo) Rivero, comedian
• Adalberto Rodríguez, "Machuchal" comedian
• Gladys Rodríguez, comedian/soap opera actress
• Michelle Rodríquez, actress (The Fast and the Furious)
• Roselyn Sanchez, actress (Rush Hour 2,Chasing Papi)
• Jose Vega Santana, "Remi" the Clown, (also see: Cartoonists above)
• Jon Seda, actor (Selena)
• Jimmy Smits, actor (TV series L.A. Law; movie Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith)
• Talisa Soto, actress/model, (License to Kill)
• Miguel Ángel Suárez, actor (Stir Crazy, Under Suspicion)
• Gloria Swanson, actress (Sunset Boulevard) (born in San Juan, Puerto Rico)
• Benicio del Toro, actor (Traffic), Academy award winner
• Liz Torres, actress (T.V. series Gilmore Girls)
• Lauren and Loraine Velez, actress's, (T.V. series "New York Undercover", "Oz")
• Christina Vidal,actress, (TV series Taina
• Lisa Vidal, actress (Night in the City), (TV series ER)
• Luis Vigoreaux, TV host
• Luisito Vigoreaux, TV host
• Otilio Warrington, "Bizcocho" comedian
• Sandra Zaiter, TV host of children shows

Sports

• Roberto Alomar, baseball player
• Sandy Alomar, Jr., baseball player
• Carmelo Anthony, basketball player (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)
• Carlos Arroyo, basketball player
• Carlos Baerga, baseball player
• Wilfred Benitez, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
• Dr. David "Kike" Bernier, fencing, member of Puerto Rican National Fencing Team
• Hiram Bithorn, baseball player, first Puerto Rican in Major League Baseball
• Kristina Brandi, tennis player
• Ivan Calderon, baseball player
• Ivan Calderon, boxer
• Hector 'Macho' Camacho, boxer
• Orlando "Peruchin' Cepeda, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
• Kermit Cintron, boxer
• Roberto Clemente, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
• Dr. Rebekah Colberg, "The Mother of Puerto Rican Women's Sports"
• Carlitos Colon, wrestler
• Carly Colon, wrestler
• Angel Cordero Jr., jockey, member of Jockey Hall of Fame
• Maritza Correia, the first black Puerto Rican woman in U.S. Olympic Swmming Team
• Joe Cortez, boxing referee
• José Miguel Cotto, boxer
• Miguel Cotto, boxer
• Jose "Cheo" Cruz, baseball player
• Christian Dalmau, BSN basketball player
• Raymond Dalmau, basketball player
• Esteban De Jesus, boxer
• Carlos "Sugar" De Leon, first boxer in history to win Cruiserweight title twice.
• Carlos Delgado, baseball player
• Melissa Del Valle, boxer
• Alfredo Escalera, boxer
• Sixto Escobar, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
• Gigi Fernández, tennis player
• Enrique Figueroa, sailing
• Bold Forbes, Thoroughbred Champion
• Ruben Gomez, first Puerto Rican to pitch and win a World Series game.
• Wilfredo Gomez, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
• Jorge "Peco" Gonzalez, marathon runner
• Juan "Igor" Gonzalez, baseball player
• Ivonne Harrison, track and field athlete
• Reggie Jackson, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame (Puerto Rican on father's side)
• Belinda Laracuente, boxer
• Butch Lee, basketball player, first Puerto Rican to play for the NBA
• Angelita Lind, track and field athlete
• Laura Daniela Lloreda, member of Mexican National Volleyball Team
• Javy Lopez, baseball player
• Mike Lowell, baseball player
• Felix Magath, first Puerto Rican (mother is German)to play in World Cup soccer for Germany
• Edgar Martinez, baseball player
• Alberto Mercado, olympian boxer, the only American citizen in the 1980 Olympics
• Jerome Mincy, basketball player
• John John Molina, boxer
• Pedro Montañez, boxer
• Mario "Quijote" Morales, BSN basketball player
• Pedro Morales, wrestler, member of WWE Hall of Fame
• Jonny Moseley,skier
• Emilio "Millo" Navarro, first Puerto Rican to play in the "Negro Leagues"
• Luis Olmo, first Puerto Rican to hit a home run in a World Series
• Carlos Ortiz, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
• Jose Ortiz, basketball player
• Luis Ortiz, boxer, first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medal in boxing
• Raul Papaleo, Puerto Rican National Volleyball Team
• Ernesto Pastor, bullfighter
• Victor Pellot, a.k.a. "Vic Power", baseball player, second black Puerto Rican in Major League Baseball
• Jorge Posada, baseball player
• Peter John Ramos, basketball player
• Ramon Ramos, basketball player
• German Rieckehoff, former president Puerto Rican Olympic Committee
• Ron Rivera, football player, first Puerto Rican in the National Football League
• Ivan "Pudge" Rodríguez, baseball player
• Juan "Chi-Chi" Rodríguez, golfer, member of Golf Hall of Fame
• Ruben Rodríguez, basketball player
• Jose "King" Roman, boxer, first Puerto Rican to fight for the world heavyweight title.
• Edwin "El Chapo" Rosario, boxer
• John Ruíz, first Hispanic heavyweight boxing champion
• Alex Sanchez, boxer
• Benito Santiago, baseball player
• Daniel Santiago, basketball player
• O.J. Santiago, football player
• Samuel Serrano, boxer
• Julio Toro, basketball coach
• Georgie Torres, has BSN scoring record
• José "Chegui" Torres, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
• Félix "Tito" Trinidad, boxer
• Jesse Vassallo,swimmer, member of International Swimming Hall of Fame
• Javier Vazquez, baseball player
• Wilfredo Vazquez, boxer
• Savio Vega, WWE wrestler
• Juan Evangelista Venegas, the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medal
• Ada Velez, the first Puerto Rican feamale boxer, to win a championship
• Mark Watring, equestrian
• Bernie Williams, baseball player

Astrologers

• Anita Cassandra
• Walter Mercado

Beauty Queens

• Deborah Carthy-Deu, Miss Universe 1985
• Marisol Malaret, first Puerto Rican Miss Universe, 1970
• Wilnelia Merced, Miss World, 1975
• Astrid Munoz, supermodel
• Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001
• Chay Santini, supermodel
• Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993

Mr. Universe

• Yiye Avila (Also see "Religion", below)

Religion

• Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, first Puerto Rican to become a cardinal
• Father Francisco Ayerra de Santa Maria, Puerto Rico's first poet
• Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi, first Puerto Rican to become a bishop
• Rev. Yiye Avila, pentecostal leader
• Rev. Nicky Cruz, former gangster turned minister
• Sister Maria Dominguez, beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II
• Sor Isolina Ferre, Catholic nun awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
• Juanita García Peraza, "Mita", founder of "Mita" religion
• Jorge Raschke, outspoken evangelist
• Carlos Manuel Rodríguez a.k.a. "St.Charlie", beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001
• Teofilo Vargas Sein, "Aron", leader of "Mita" religion
• Father Diego de Torres Vargas, first to write about the history of Puerto Rico.

Authors,Poets and Playwrighters

• Abelardo Diaz Alfaro, writer
• Miguel Algarin, poet,writer and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
• Dr.Manuel A. Alonso, poet and author
• Jose Gautier Benitez, poet
• Tomas Blanco, writer and historian
• Julia de Burgos, poet
• Mayra Calvani, writer
• Nemesio Canales, essayist and poet
• Dr.Cayetano Coll y Toste, historian and writer
• Jesus Colon, writer, father of "Nuyorican" movement
• Juan Antonio Corretjer, poet
• Dr.Jose Antonio Davila, poet
• Virgilio Davila, poet
• Mayra Santos Febres, poet
• Rosario Ferré, writer
• Dr.Manuel Zeno Gandía, wrote "La Charca", the first Puerto Rican novel
• Alejandrina Benitez de Gautier, poet
• Enrique A. Laguerre, writer, nominated for Nobel Prize in literature
• René Marqués, playwright
• Dr. Concha Melendez, poet, writer
• Manuel Mendez Ballester, writer
• Miguel Piñero, playwright, writer, co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
• Jose Rivera,playwright, first Puerto Rican nominated for an "Oscar" in "Best Adpoted Screenplay" category
• Luis Rafael Sanchez,playwright
• Esmeralda Santiago, author
• Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, writer and poet, "The Father of Puerto Rican Literature"
• Piri Thomas, writer, poet
• Lola Rodriguez de Tio, poet, wrote lyrics to the revolutionary "Borinqueña"
• Edwin Torres, "Nuyorican Movement" poet
• Judge Edwin Torres, writer (Carlito's Way), New York Supreme Court Justice
• Luis Llorens Torres, poet

Artists

• Tomas Batista, sculptor
• José Campeche, artist
• James De La Vega, mural artist
• Lorenzo Homar, graphic artist
• Francisco Oller, artist
• Julio Rosado del Valle, abstract expressionist

Military

• Vice Admiral, Dr.Richard Carmona, U.S. Surgeon General under President George W. Bush
• Brigadier General Antonio Rodriguez Balinas, U.S. Army
• Col. Carlos Betances Ramirez, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican to command a battalion in the Korean War
• Sgt. Modesto Cartagena, U.S. Army, most decorated Hispanic in history
• Lieutenant General Pedro Del Valle, U.S. Marine Corps, first Hispanic three-star Marine general
• Capt. Miguel Enriquez, Spanish naval captain, pirate
• Brigadier General Luis R. Esteves, U.S. Army
• PFC Fernando L. Garcia, USMC, first Puerto Rican awarded the Medal Of Honor
• Major General Orlando Llenza, U.S. Air Force
• PFC Carlos Lozada, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
• Admiral Ramon Power y Giralt, Spanish Navy
• Capt.Antonio de los Reyes Correa, Spanish Army
• Major Fernando L. Ribas-Dominicci, U.S. Air Force
• Admiral Frederick Lois Riefkohl, U.S. Navy
• Rear Admiral Horacio Rivero, U.S. Navy, first Hispanic four-star admiral
• Captain Euripides Rubio, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
• Sp4c Hector Santiago-Colon, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
• Brigadier General Antonio Valero de Bernabe, fought alongside Simón Bolívar

Tainos

• Agueybana, Taíno chief, "supreme cacique"
• Agueybana II,brother of Agueybana, see: "Agueybana"
• Arasibo, cacique, area of Arecibo
• Caguax, cacique, area of Caguas
• Hayuya, cacique, area of Jayuya
• Jumacao, cacique, area of Humacao

Politicians

• Herman Badillo, first Puerto Rican to serve in U.S. Congress
• Joaquin Balaguer, president of Dominican Republic (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)
• Dr. José Celso Barbosa, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Statehood Movement"
• Antonio R. Barcelo, founder of the "Puerto Rican Liberal Party"
• Angel O. Berrios, mayor of Caguas
• Dr.Ruben Berrios, president of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
• Dr.Ramon Emeterio Betances, main leader of the Grito de Lares revolution
• Mariana Bracetti, leader of the Lares Revolutionary Council
• Juan Marí Bras, founder of the Puerto Rican Socialist Party
• Mathias Bruckman, leader of the Grito de Lares
• Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, founder of the Nationalist Party
• Blanca Canales, nationalist who led the Jayuya revolt
• Roman Baldorioty de Castro, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Autonomy"
• Oscar Collazo, one of two nationalist who attempted to assasinate Presidenr Harry S. Truman
• Dr. Gilberto Concepcion de Gracia, founder of P.R. Independence Party
• Rafael "Churumba" Cordero Santiago, former mayor of Ponce
• Jose de Diego, known as "The Father of Puerto Rico's Independence Movement"
• Dr. Antonio Fernós-Isern,first Puerto Rican cardiologist and Resident Commissiner.
• Maurice Ferre, former mayor of Miami, Florida
• Fernando Ferrer, Bronx (New York City) borough president
• Dr. Olga Viscal Garriga, nationalist
• Eugenio Maria de Hostos, (see also Educators below)
• Tito Kayak, activist
• Lolita Lebron, nationalist
• Olga A. Mendez, first Puerto Rican New York State Senator
• Ines Mendoza, first lady of Puerto Rico
• Francisco Ramirez Medina, President of the Republic of Ruerto Rico (September 28, 1868), during "El Grito de Lares" revolt
• Teodoro Moscoso Jr., architect of Operation Bootstrap
• Luis Muñoz Rivera, first Puerto Rican to be Resident Commissioner in Washington,D.C.
• Dr. Antonia Novello, U.S. Surgeon General under President George Bush, Sr.
• Eddie Perez, Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut
• Francisco Mariano Quiñones, the first president of Puerto Rico's Cabinet
• Ramon Luis Rivera, former mayor of Bayamón.
• Manuel Rojas, leader of the "Grito de Lares"
• Felisa Rincón de Gautier, first woman to be elected mayor of an American Capital city.
• Segundo Ruiz Belvis, leader of the Grito de Lares revolt
• Manuela Santiago Collazo, mayor of Vieques
• Maria de Lourdes Santiago,first female "PIP" member to be elected into the Puerto Rican Senate
• Jose Serrano,first Puerto Rican congressman
• Griselio Torresola, one of two nationalists who attempted to assasinate President Harry S. Truman
• Nydia Velazquez, first Puerto Rican congresswomen

Governors

• Carlos Romero Barcelo, 5th elected governor of Puerto Rico
• Sila María Calderón, first female and 7th elected governor of Puerto Rico
• Rafael Hernández Colón, 4th elected governor of Puerto Rico
• Luis A. Ferré, 3rd elected governor of Puerto Rico (see also Industry below)
• Juan Ponce de Leon II, first Puerto Rican to be temporary governor
• Luis Muñoz Marin, 1st elected governor of Puerto Rico
• Jesus T. Piñero, first Puerto Rican to be named Governor by the U.S.
• Dr. Pedro Rosello, 6th elected governor of Puerto Rico
• Anibal Acevedo Vila, 8th elected governor of Puerto Rico
• Roberto Sánchez Vilella, 2nd elected governor of Puerto Rico

Industrialists

• Carlota Alfaro, fashion
• Luis Antonio, fashion
• Luisa Capetillo, labor leader
• Ramiro L. Colon, first administrator of Cooperativa de Cafeteros de Puerto Rico, Café Rico (official coffee of the Vatican)
• Noel Colon Martinez, founder of Amigo Supermarkets
• Atilano Cordero Badillo, Supermercados Grande
• Richard Carrion, Banco Popular
• Fernando Fernandez, "Ron del Barrilito" and "Alcoholado Santa Ana"
• Luis A. Ferré, San Juan Cement (see also Governors above)
• Ramon Lopez Irizarry,Inventor of Coco Lopez
• Israel Kopel, Founder of Almacenes Pitusa department stores
• Teodoro Moscoso Sr., founder of "Farmacias Moscoso" (Moscoso Pharmacy)
• Gildo Massó, founder of Massó Enterprises and Casa's Massó
• Angel Ramos, Founder of Telemundo television network, El Mundo (Puerto Rico)Newspaper
• Miguel Ruíz, Café Yaucono'
• Juan Serralles, founder of "Don Q" rum
• Vicente Suarez,founder V. Suarez & Co., Puerto Rico largest wholesaler
• Joseph A. Unanue, president and CEO of Goya Foods, son of founder
• Alfonso Valdez, founder of Cerveceria India
• Salvador Vassallo, founder of Vassallo Industries Inc. (Industrias Vassallo Inc.), Vassallo Distribution Center, and Vassallo Molding Corp.

Educators and Scientists

• Joseph M. Acaba, educator, first Puerto Rican astronaut candidate
• Dr. Ricardo Alegria, anthropologist, archaeologist, educator
• Anthony M. Busquets, Electronic Engineer, Aero-Space Technologist
• Victor A. Carreño, Aero-Space Engineer, Aero-Space Technologist
• Miguel Alvarez Chico, Electronic Engineer, Aero-Space Technologist
• Dr. Nitza Margarita Cintron,scientist, Chief of NASA's (JSC) Space and Health Care Systems Office
• Rafael Cordero, beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II
• Orlando Fiqueroa, Mechanical Engineer in NASA
• Olga D. Gonzalez, NASA Engineer, Member of Ohio's Women Hall of Fame
• Lucas G. Hortas, Aero-Space Engineer, Aero-Space Technologist
• Carlos A. Luceaga, Electronic Engineer, Aero-Space Technologist
• Debbie Martinez, Computer Engineer, Aero-Space Technologist
• Dr. Concha Melendez, educator, writer poet
• Ana G. Mendez, educator, founder of the Ana G. Mendez University System
• Eugenio Maria de Hostos (see also Politicians above)
• Lourdes Pamela Pop,educator
• Monserrate Roman, scientist, microbiologist
• Dr. Agustin Stahl, scientist
• Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, pioneer in black history
• Ana Maria O'Neill, educator and women's rights advocate
• Dr. Antonia Pantojas, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Puppeteers

• Antulio Kobo Santarrosa, "La Chachara", "La Condesa", "La Comay"
• Filipo Tirado, "Pepe LoCuaz"

Others

• Milivi Adams, young cancer patient from Vieques
• Sonny Arguinzoni, founder of Victory Outreach
• Clara Benitez, matriarch of the Benitez boxing family and socialite
• Felipe Birriel, "El Gigante de Carolina", was the tallest Puerto Rican
• Roberto Cofresí, Puerto Rico's most famous pirate
• Corea Cotto, infamous outlaw
• Edgardo Diaz, founder of Menudo
• Magali Febles, Beauty Expert
• Antonio García López a/k/a Toño Bicicleta, famous outlaw
• Juan Manuel García Passalacqua, politic commentator, lawyer
• José Juan García, "Cheguan", founder of Hogares Crea
• Victor Manuel Gerena, allegedly stole $7 million from Wells Fargo
• Alejandro Gonzalez Malave, infamous undercover policeman
• Maria Elena Holly, widow of rock legend Buddy Holly
• Isabel la Negra, infamous female gangster
• Nicole Muniz, murdered teenager, famous after death
• Jose Padilla, alleged al-Qaeda terrorist
• Silverio Perez, show host
• Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, Leader of "Los Macheteros"
• Jai Rodriguez, of TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
• David Sanes, whose death eventually led to the U.S. military leaving Vieques
• Rolandito Salas, missing child, became famous after getting lost
• Pedro Toledo, policeman, two times police superintendent
• Ramona Trinidad Iglesias, was world's oldest women
• Tony Tursi, member of the Mafia
• Roberto Vigoreaux, former show host, senator

See also

• Puerto Rico
• Puerto Ricans in NASA
• List of people by nationality
• Black History in Puerto Rico
• List of Tainos
• Sports in Puerto Rico