This is a list of notable Albanian Americans, including original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants.
Politics Sal Albanese – politician Begzat Bix Aliu – diplomat Richard Caliguiri – former mayor of Pittsburgh Joe DioGuardi – congressman of Arbëreshë origin Mark Gjonaj – assemblyman Rexhep Krasniqi – historian, teacher, nationalist, anti-communist politician, activist Konstantina Lukes – former mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts Victor Schiro – former mayor of New Orleans Nicholas Scutari – politician Ardian Zika – politician Faton Bislimi - activist and politician
Science and academia Carol Folt – biologist William G. Gregory – astronaut Wilson Kokalari – aerospace engineer Volkan Topalli – criminologist Laura Mersini-Houghton – cosmologist Ferid Murad – medical researcher, Nobel laureate Mira Murati – engineer, former CTO of OpenAI, founder of Thinking Machines Lab Arshi Pipa – philosopher, writer, poet, literary critic Andrea Shundi – agronomist Stavro Skëndi – linguist, historian
Cinema
Jim Belushi – actor John Belushi – actor, film producer Robert Belushi – actor Jamison Belushi – actress Jared Belushi – actor James Biberi – actor Danny DeVito – actor Lucy DeVito – actress Fatmir Doga – director, producer, writer, actor Eliza Dushku – actress Nate Dushku – actor Stan Dragoti – film director, producer, artist Enver Gjokaj – actor Victor Gojcaj – actor Agim Kaba – actor, film producer Masiela Lusha – actress Pjetër Malota – actor Andamion Murataj – film director, producer, screenwriter Tracee Chimo Pallero – television, film and Broadway actress Eva Lauren Pepaj – actress and entrepreneur Niko Pepaj – actor and model J. J. Philbin – producer, screenwriter Nickola Shreli – actor, producer Nik Xhelilaj – actor Jake Abel – actor and producer
Arts and entertainment Musicians
Melinda Ademi – rapper Michael Bellusci – musician, drummer Big Body Bes – hip-hop artist Anita Bitri – singer Bleona – singer Action Bronson – hip-hop artist Kara DioGuardi – songwriter, television personality Kristine Elezaj – singer Gashi – rapper Anxhelina Hadërgjonaj – singer, fashion blogger, influencer Genta Ismajli – singer-songwriter, actress JMSN – singer-songwriter, producer Florina Kaja – singer, reality TV actress Paul Leka – songwriter, producer Ava Max – singer Thomas Nassi – musician, composer Enisa Nikaj – singer-songwriter, model Njomza – singer Steven Parrino – artist, musician associated with energetic punk nihilism Talip Peshkepia – film composer, songwriter Bebe Rexha – singer-songwriter Albert Stanaj – singer-songwriter Unikkatil – rapper
Artists Breanne Benson – pornographic actress Olivier Berggruen – art historian, curator; his maternal grandfather is Alessandro Moissi who is of Albanian origin Pema Browne – abstract artist Luke Burbank – radio host, correspondent, podcaster Drita D'Avanzo – television personality Tony Dovolani – professional ballroom dancer Bosch Fawstin – cartoonist Vasiliev Nini – sculptor George Pali – painter Regis Philbin – television host Bobbi Starr – pornographic actress Aureta Thomollari – luxury consultant Sislej Xhafa – artist Niko Pepaj - actor
Literature Etel Adnan – poet, essayist, visual artist Costa Chekrezi – historian, publicist Daniela Gioseffi – poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, performer Gjekë Marinaj – author, translator Betim Muço – writer, poet, translator, seismologist Tom Perrotta – novelist, screenwriter Ardian Vehbiu – author, translator
Business and civil society
Anthony Athanas – restaurateur Ekrem Bardha – businessman, political activist Nicolas Berggruen – businessman Florin Krasniqi – businessman, politician Louis V. Mato – American politician and businessman James J. Schiro – businessman Martin Shkreli – businessman Ramiz Tafilaj – businessman, political activist Emin Toro – court judge Rexh Xhakli – businessman, political activist and philanthropist
Media
Andrew Kaczynski – journalist, political reporter for CNN Bill Kovach – journalist, editor Donald Lambro – journalist Eric Margolis – journalist, editor of the Toronto Sun; mother is Albanian Molly Qerim – moderator, reporter Iliriana Sulkuqi – journalist Nick Tosches – journalist, novelist, biographer, poet Nexhmie Zaimi – journalist
Photography Fadil Berisha – photographer Emin Kadi – photographer, art director Gjon Mili – photographer for Life Magazine Burim Myftiu – photographer George Tames – photographer for The New York Times
Modeling
Emina Cunmulaj – model Afërdita Dreshaj – model, singer, beauty queen Floriana Garo – television presenter, model Cindy Marina – television presenter, model, former volleyball player Angela Martini – model
Sports Joe Albanese – baseball player Dominick Bellizzi – jockey Dilly Duka – soccer player Lee Elia – baseball player, coach, manager Sadri Gjonbalaj – soccer player Šaćir Hot – soccer player Halil Kanacević – basketball player Elizabeta Karabolli – shooting sport Robert Baggio Kcira – soccer player Frank Leskaj – swimmer Kristina Maksuti – soccer player Elvir Muriqi – professional boxer Aaron Palushaj – professional hockey player Andy Parrino – baseball player Vera Razburgaj – soccer player Max Rugova – soccer player Enkelejda Shehu – air pistol shooter Jaren Sina – basketball player Kristjan Sokoli – football player Donald Suxho – volleyball Andy Varipapa – professional trick bowler
Religion Archbishop Nikon of Boston – OCA's bishop of Diocese of New England, locum tenens of Diocese of the South, and archbishop of American Albanian Archdiocese Baba Rexheb
Others Joseph Ardizzone – mobster Zulfi Hoxha – terrorist Ismail Lika – mobster Zef Mustafa – mobster Sami Osmakac – convicted terrorist Nicolo Schiro – mobster John Alite – former mobster, author, youth motivational speaker and former associate of the Gambino crime family
References