List of people from the Bronx

These famous people all resided in The Bronx, New York City, at some time in their lives. Many of the early historical figures lived in that part of Westchester County which would later become part of The Bronx.

Academics and science

*Todd Gitlin (1943-), sociologist. [Miller, Jim. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DEED7113CF93BA35752C1A961948260 "TEARS AND RIOTS, LOVE AND REGRETS"] , "The New York Times", November 8, 1987. Accessed November 19, 2007. "Mr. Gitlin was born in 1943. Growing up in the Bronx, the middle-class son of liberal Jewish parents, he was, as he recalls, "studious and clean-cut," a straight-arrow fan of Adlai Stevenson."]
*Paul Levinson (1947-), communications professor.
*Joseph A. O'Hare (1931-), Jesuit priest, longest serving president of Fordham University (1984-2003), first chair of [http://www.nyccfb.info/ New York City Campaign Finance Board] (1988-2003).
*Murray Rothbard (1926-1995), economist who helped define modern libertarianism.
*Joseph Francis Shea (1925-1999), aerospace engineer who headed NASA's Apollo Program.
*Robert Sobel (1931-1999), history professor and well-known and prolific writer of business histories.
*Neil deGrasse Tyson (1959-), astrophysicist, director of the American Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium and host of PBS's educational TV show NOVA scienceNOW.
*Allen Weinstein (1937-), historian and Archivist of the United States.
*Barry Wellman (1942-), University of Toronto sociologist known for his work on social networks and the Internet.
*Rosalyn Sussman Yalow (1921-), co-winner of the 1977 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Arts

Fine arts, architecture and photography

*Vito Acconci (1940-), architect, landscape architect and installation artist.
*Margaret Bourke-White (1904-1971), photographer/photojournalist.
*Ralph Fasanella (1914-1997), painter.
* Edward A. Feiner [http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek05/tw0128/0128feiner.htm] , former chief architect, U.S. General Services Administration
*Daniel Libeskind (1946-), architect.
* [http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/vpadvance/artgallery/gallery/whitfield_lovell/biographical_notes.htm Whitfield Lovell] (1959), painter and installation artist [http://www.brooklynrail.org/2006/07/art/whitfield-lovell ] who focuses on African-American themes; 2007 MacArthur Fellow [http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.2913825/apps/nl/content2.asp?content_id=%7B491135C4-E552-4ADB-80CA-B640676A5BF6%7D&notoc=1 ] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0S_C9ZjR10&feature=user] .
*Joel Meyerowitz (1938-), photographer.
*Rick Meyerowitz, artist.
*Piccirilli Brothers, sculptors.
*Edwin Scheier (1910-), artist.
*Marian Zazeela, light-artist, set designer, painter and classic Hindustani musician.

Authors

*Sholem Aleichem (1859-1916), author
*William Henry Appleton (1814-1899), publisher.
*Jerome Charyn (1937-), prolific novelist and author of several memoirs.
*Mary Higgins Clark (1927-), best selling author of suspense novels.
*Avery Corman (1935-), novelist; author of "The Old Neighborhood", set in the Bronx.
*Don DeLillo (1936-), novelist.
*Patrick Di Justo (1964-), magazine writer.
*E. L. Doctorow (1931-), author.
*Phil Hall (1964-), film critic.
*Miles Marshall Lewis (1970-), pop culture critic.
*Judith Merril (1923-1997), science-fiction editor and author.
*Nicholasa Mohr (1938-), one of the best known Nuyorican writers, her books focus on the experience of Puerto Rican woman in New York.
*Clifford Odets, 1906-193, playwright, co-founder of the Group Theater
*Cynthia Ozick (1928-), award-winning novelist and short story writer.
* Michael Pearson (1949), Old Dominion University English professor and author of several books, including the memoir, "Dreaming of Columbus: A Boyhood in the Bronx."
*Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), author and poet.
*Chaim Potok (1929-2002), author. [Fox, Margalit. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE2D71538F937A15754C0A9649C8B63 "Chaim Potok, 73, Dies; Novelist Illumined the World of Hasidic Judaism"] , "The New York Times", July 24, 2002. Accessed [{December 1] , 2007. "Herman Harold Potok was born in the Bronx on Feb. 17, 1929."]
*Richard Price (writer) (1949-), novelist and screenwriter.
* Abraham Rodríguez, Jr. [http://www.nationalbook.org/arodriguezbio.html] , contemporary author writes about the Nuyorican experience and works to create a new generation of Latino/a writers.
*Oliver Sacks (1933-), neurologist who has authored popular books about his patients.
*Douglas Sadownick, gay fiction writer, journalist and psychotherapist.
* Kate Simon [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE2D6133FF936A35751C0A966958260] (1912-1990), memoirist and popular travel guide author.
**William Steig (1907-2003), Cartoonist and author. [Boxer, Sarah. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E4DD103AF93AA15752C1A961958260 "Wry Child of the Unconscious; William Steig, 90, on Art, Life and the Mysterious Orgone"] , "The New York Times", November 29, 1997. Accessed November 5, 2007. "He was born in 1907, grew up in the Bronx and had what he once called a "defective education."]
*Mark Twain (1835-1910), author.
*Dorothy Uhnak (1930-2006), mystery writer who drew upon her past experience as a NYPD detective.
*Lloyd Ultan, Bronx Borough Historian, Fairleigh Dickinson University professor and author or co-author - often with fellow historian Gary Hermalyn - of books and monographs about the borough.
*Barry Wellman (1942-), sociologist of community, networks and the Internet.
*Herman Wouk (1915-), author.

Movies, television, radio, theater and dance

*Danny Aiello (1933-), actor. [Norman, Michael. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEFD91F3DF932A15752C0A "HIS BUS CAME IN"] , "The New York Times", January 21, 1990. "Later, when the family moved near Boston Road in the Bronx, the progenitor showed himself even less."]
*Woody Allen (1935-), actor, film director and opera director.
*June Allyson ), actress. [Harmetz, Aljean. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/11/movies/11allyson.html "June Allyson, Adoring Wife in MGM Films, Is Dead at 88"] , "The New York Times", July 11, 2006. Accessed November 5, 2007. "June Allyson was born Ella Geisman on Oct. 7, 1917, in the Bronx."]
*Christopher Aponte, ballet dancer.
*Arthur Aviles, dancer/choreographer.
*Anne Bancroft(1931-2005), actress. [Berkvist, Robert. [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/08/movies/08bancroft.html "Anne Bancroft, Stage and Film Star in Voracious and Vulnerable Roles, Dies at 73"] , "The New York Times", June 8, 2005. Accessed November 5, 2007. "Anna Maria Louisa Italiano was born on Sept. 17, 1931, in the Bronx to Italian immigrant parents."]
*Tyson Beckford (1970-), supermodel and actor.
*Joey Bishop ), entertainer. [Severo, Richard. [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/arts/19bishop.html "Joey Bishop, 89, Last of the Rat Pack, Is Dead"] , "The New York Times", October 19, 2007. Accessed November 5, 2007. "Joey Bishop was born Joseph Abraham Gottlieb in the Bronx on Feb. 3, 1918, the fifth child and third son of Jacob Gottlieb and the former Anna Siegel, immigrants from Eastern Europe."]
*Mary J. Blige (1971-), singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, actress.
*Red Buttons (1919-2006), comedian and actor. [Rothstein, Mervyn. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/14/arts/14buttons.html "Comedian Red Buttons Dies at 87"] , "The New York Times", July 14, 2006. Accessed November 5, 2007. "He first attended P.S. 104 on East Fourth Street, but then his family moved to the Bronx, to 176th Street and Marmion Avenue."]
*James Caan (1940-), actor. [Weinraub, Bernard. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F07EFDF143FF934A25756C0A9629C8B63 "James Caan Takes a Gamble On 'Las Vegas,' and Scores"] , "The New York Times", May 17, 2004. Accessed November 5, 2007. "Born in the Bronx, reared in Queens, where his family owned a kosher meat market, Mr. Caan said he ran with a tough crowd, wanted to be a professional football player but wound up, for reasons he is still not entirely sure about, auditioning and being accepted at the Neighborhood Playhouse in Manhattan."]
*George Carlin (1937-2008), comedian.
*Paddy Chayefsky (1923-1981), screenwriter.
*Kevin Corrigan (1969-), actor
*Tony Curtis (1925-), actor.
*Stacey Dash (1966-), actress.
*Richard Dubin (1945-), writer, director, producer.
*Cuba Gooding, Jr. (1968-), actor.
*Jonathan Harris (1914-2002), actor.
*Richard Hunt (1951-1992), Muppet puppeteer.
*Amy Heckerling (1954-), film director.
*Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999), film director.
*Tom Leykis (1956-), radio host.
*Domenick Lombardozzi (1976-), actor.
*Linda Lovelace (1949-2002), porn actress and anti-porn activist.
*Sonia Manzano (1950-).
*Garry Marshall (1934-), director.
*Penny Marshall (1942-), actress and director.
*Sal Mineo (1939-1976), actor.
*Jan Murray (1916-2006), comedian.
*Carroll O'Connor (1924-2001), actor.
*Jerry Orbach (1935-2004), actor.
*Al Pacino (1940-), actor.
*Chazz Palminteri (1952-), actor. [James, Caryn. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE0DC1E38F93AA35754C0A&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=4 "Do the Movies Get New York Right?"] , "The New York Times", July 9, 1995. Accessed November 5, 2007. "Mr. Palminteri, who grew up in the Bronx on 187th Street and Belmont Avenue, said, "Basically the story was about this medieval village in the Bronx, but it was so truthful and so real about the Bronx."]
*Regis Philbin (1931-), TV personality.
*Carl Reiner (1922-), comedian and film director.
*Rob Reiner (1945-), actor and film director.
*George Romero (1940-), film director.
*Andre Royo (1968-), actor,
*Robert Schimmel (1950-), comedian.
*John Patrick Shanley (1950-), playwright.
*Neil Simon (1927-), playwright and screenwriter.
*Lionel Stander (1908-1994), actor.
*Renee Taylor(1933-), actress (married to actor Joseph Bologna).
* Harold Thau, theater and television producer.

Music

*The Assassin (1990-), Scremo Singer / Dj / record producer
*Anaís
*Afrika Bambaataa, DJ. [Fernandez. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/17/nyregion/17bronx.html "For One Week, a Bronx Cheer Means Cheering for the Borough"] , "The New York Times", June 17, 2006. Accessed November 5, 2007. "The Bronx is also Afrika Bambaataa, who, while growing up in the Bronx River Houses, became a D.J. in the early 1970's."]
*The Belmonts, late 1950s singing group, with Dion
*Mary J. Blige (1971-), singer / songwriter.
*Angela Bofill (1954-) R&B singer / songwriter.
*Jerry Calliste Jr (1965-) music industry executive.
*Diahann Carroll (1935-), actress and singer.
*Grandmaster Caz, DJ.
*Jennifer Lopez
*Willie Colón (1950-), trombonist.
*Bobby Darin (1936-1973), 1950s-1960s singer.
*Dion DiMucci (1939-), 1950s-1960s rock singer
*Tim Dog (1967-), Rapper
*Kat DeLuna (b. 1987), singer.
*Dion DiMucci (1939-) singer-songwriter.
*Grandmaster Flash (1958-), DJ.
*Ace Frehley (1951-), Kiss guitarist.
*Stan Getz (1927-1991), jazz musician.
*Jimi Hazel (1963-), 24-7 Spyz Guitarist, Vocalist & Producer
*Kool DJ Herc, DJ.
*Fat Joe (1970-), rapper
*Billy Joel (1949-), singer
*Helen Kane (1903-1966), singer.
*Kool Keith (c. 1964-), hip hop artist.
*Héctor Lavoe (1946-1993), salsa singer.
*Jennifer Lopez (1969-), singer-songwriter.
*Remy Ma (1981-), rapper.
*Melle Mel (1961-), rapper.
*Chris Moy (1992-), member of Menudo.
*Laura Nyro (1947-1997), composer and singer.
*Jon Oliva (1960-), heavy metal singer.
*Drag On (1979-), rapper.
*KRS-One (1965-), rapper.
*Adelina Patti (1843-1919), opera singer.
*Jan Peerce (1904-1984), opera singer.
*Roberta Peters (1930-), opera singer.
*Tito Puente (1923-2000), jazz musician.
*Big Pun (1971-2000), rapper.
*Hell Rell, rapper.
*Carly Simon (1945-) singer-songwriter.
*Joey Spampinato musician.
*Regina Spektor (1980-) singer-songwriter.
*Swizz Beatz record producer/rapper
*Grand Wizard Theodore, DJ.
*Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957), musician.
*Dave Valentin (1954-), latin jazz flutist.
*Luther Vandross (1951-2005), singer.
*Mario Vazquez (1977-), singer.
*Veronica Vazquez (1975-), singer.
*Kid Capri, World famous DJ and producer
*Louie Vega, Famous DJ and music producer
*Jellybean Benitez, World famous music producer credited with discovering Madonna
*La India, The Princess of Salsa
*Cheryl "Coko" Clemons (1973-), Gospel singer and lead singer of R&B Group, SWV
*Leanne "Lelee" Lyons (1973-), member of R&B goup, SWV

Government and politics

*Bella Abzug (1920-98), passionate Congresswoman and international feminist leader.
*Herman Badillo (1929-), former New York City housing official, Bronx Borough President, Congressman and CUNY board of trustees chair.
*Gray Davis (1942-), former Governor of California.
*Howard Dean (1948-), former Governor of Vermont.
*Martin Jezer (1940-2005), progressive activist in New York and Vermont; leader of stutterers' self-help movement.
*Robert F. Kennedy (1925-68), former United States Attorney General and later United States Senator from New York.
*Ed Koch (1924-) former Mayor of New York City.
*Fiorello H. La Guardia (1882-1947), former Mayor of New York City.
*Nita Lowey (1937-), Congresswoman since 1988 whose Westchester district once included parts of the Bronx and Queens.
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/07/nyregion/07marcus.html Norman Marcus] , former general counsel, New York City - City Planning Commission.
*Gouverneur Morris (1752-1816), statesman.
*Colin Powell (1937-), former United States Secretary of State.
*Anthony Romero (1965-), executive director, ACLU.
*Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919), President of the United States.
*Eliot Spitzer (1959-), former Governor of New York.

ports

*Cus D'Amato ), boxing manager
*Margaret Bailes (b. 1951), Olympic gold medalist
*Art Donovan (b. 1925), former NFL football tackle
*Chris Eubank (b. 1966), boxer
*Lou Gehrig ), New York Yankees first baseman.
*Marty Glickman ), athlete and sports announcer
*Hank Greenberg ), baseball player
*Max Kellerman (b. 1973) sports radio host
*Jake LaMotta (b. 1921), boxer
*Anibal Lopez, (b. 1942), bodybuilder
*Justin Pierce ), skateboarder
*Dolph Schayes (b. 1928), basketball player
*Vin Scully (b. 1927), sportscaster
*Olin Stephens (-2008), racing yacht designer
*Bobby Bonilla former MLB player

Name Givers

*Jonas Bronck (1600?-1643), Swedish immigrant to New Netherlands after whom the Bronx was named.
*Anne Hutchinson (1591-1643), early settler.
*Thomas Pell (1608-1669), physician.

= Active Citizens=

*Majora Carter (1976-), MacArthur Foundation Fellowship winning founder/executive director of Sustainable South Bronx
*Ita Ford (1940-1980), Maryknoll nun, murdered by Salvadoran death squad.
*Ray McGovern (1939-), retired CIA officer turned political activist.
*Stephen Spiro, conscientious objector and Vietnam War opponent

Business

*Harry Helmsley (1909-1997), real estate magnate in New York City
*Collis Potter Huntington (1821-1900 ), railroad and shipbuilding magnate, who created the Huntington Free Library and Reading Room near his Throggs Neck summer home, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
*Calvin Klein (1942-), clothing designer.
*Ralph Lauren (1939-), clothing designer.

Infamous

*David Berkowitz (1953-), "Son of Sam" serial killer.
*John Gotti (1940-2002), crime boss.
*Lee Harvey Oswald (1939-1963), assassin.

References