List of people from Youngstown, Ohio
The following are notable or famous people who were all born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Youngstown, Ohio and Steel Valley.
Arts and entertainment
- Stiv Bators — Singer and Musician, best known for work with the punk rock band The Dead Boys, born and raised in Youngstown.
- Billy Beck — Keyboardist, Pianist, and Songwriter for the Original and New Ohio Players, as well as Zapp and Roger, graduate of Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music, from Youngstown's South Side.
- George Bennard - Composer, preacher best known for composing the hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross", born in Youngstown.[1]
- Pat Bilon - Actor, best known for performances in Under the Rainbow and E.T., born in Youngstown.
- Robert and Ronald Bell (Kool & the Gang) — Funk and Soul Musicians, originally from Youngstown's East Side.
- Earl Derr Biggers - Author, best known as creator of the fictional detective Charlie Chan, born in Youngstown-Warren area.
- John Steven Bloom — Master Illusionist and Magician, has toured with performers including Alice Cooper, Billy Bob Thornton, and Weird Al Yankovic, raised in Liberty Township.
- Tiny Bradshaw - Jazz and Rhythm and Blues Bandleader and Musician, best known for 1950s R & B standard "Train Kept A-Rollin'".
- Joseph G. Butler, Jr. - Art Collector, founder of the Butler Institute of American Art, the first U.S. museum dedicated to American art.[2]
- Noah Cicero — Novelist, known for fierce depictions of the lives of lower-class Youngstown residents. Currently lives in Hubbard.
- Chris Columbus — Filmmaker and Writer, best known for Goonies and Rent, also director of first two installments of the Harry Potter movies, raised in Youngstown-Warren area.
- Jim Cummings — Voice Actor, best known for Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, originally from Youngstown's North Side.
- Mark Dailey - TV Host and Voice Actor, host of popular talk show in Toronto, Canada, and voice actor for animated films such as Medabots and The Ripping Friends, born in Youngstown.
- John DeMain - Conductor, former director of the Texas Opera Theater, Houston Grand Opera, and Opera Omaha, earned a Grammy for his recording of Porgy and Bess; born in Youngstown.
- Jerry DePizzo — Saxophone Player, member of the band O.A.R., originally from Liberty Township and Youngstown's North Side.
- Bob DiPiero - Songwriter, produced country hits for recording stars including the Oak Ridge Boys and former wife Pam Tillis, graduated from Youngstown State University.
- Donald Erb - Composer, best known for orchestral works such as Concerto for Brass and Orchestra and Klangfarbenfunk, born in Youngstown.
- Joe Flynn — Comedic Actor, co-star of 1960s television series McHale's Navy, originally from Youngstown's North Side.
- Brian Gage — Contemporary Author, best known for satire and fiction; born in Youngstown and grew up in Poland, Ohio and Canfield, Ohio.
- Justin Giudici - Musician, associated with band Lady Fantastic; produced three songs for David Hasselhoff in the late 1990s.
- Edmond Hamilton - Writer, pioneer science fiction writer and husband of famed screenplay writer Leigh Brackett, born in Youngstown.
- Elizabeth Hartman — Actress, best known for performance in A Patch of Blue, originally from Boardman.
- Sean Jones — Jazz Trumpeter, member of Wynton Marsalis' band, raised in Warren and schooled at YSU's Dana School of Music.
- Phil Keaggy — Guitarist, best known for work with Glass Harp, originally from Hubbard.
- Nanette Lepore — Fashion Designer, born in Youngstown and attended Youngstown State University.
- Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth – Reality TV Celebrity and Pundit; raised on the North Side.
- Gil Mantera (Gil Mantera's Party Dream) - Musician, founder of acclaimed electronic synth-pop party band hailing from Youngstown, Ohio.
- Maureen McGovern — Singer, best known for 1970s hit "The Morning After", originally from Boardman.
- Michael McGovern — Poet, a product of Youngstown's 19th-century steel mills who became nationally known as "the Puddler Poet".[3]
- Dr. Jerri Nielsen — Author, best known for Ice Bound, the New York Times bestseller on the medical crisis she endured while trapped at a South Pole research station; born and raised in the Youngstown area.
- Ed O'Neill — Actor, best known for playing Al Bundy on Married... with Children, originally from Youngstown's North Side.[4]
- Michael Pataki - Actor, veteran of television shows including The Green Hornet, The Flying Nun, McCloud, and Star Trek; born in Youngstown.
- Kenneth Patchen — Poet, best known for Beat-era work, born and raised in Youngstown-Warren area.
- Austin Pendleton - Actor and Stage Director, best known for performances in What's Up Doc, The Front Page, The Muppet Movie, My Cousin Vinny, and A Beautiful Mind; born in Youngstown-Warren area.
- Jane Randolph - Actress, best known for leading roles in low-budger film noir classics such Cat People and The Curse of the Cat People, born in Youngstown.
- Chris Rutushin - Filmmaker and Photojournalist, awarded an Emmy for "Jeffrey's Recipe", a news feature about a former drug dealer turned chef who reaches out to inner-city youths; also Writer/Director of the full-length feature film, "Fine-Tune".
- Bill Saluga - Comedian, best known for character of Ray J. Johnson, who appeared on popular Miller Lite commercials in the 1980s, from Youngstown.
- Ryan Saul - Literary Agent (Hollywood), represents such writers as Ron J. Friedman and Steve Bencich (writers of Open Season, Brother Bear, and Chicken Little), Peter Briggs (Hellboy), and Bear Aderhold and Tom Sullivan (co-writers of Delta Farce, starring Larry The Cable Guy); born in Youngstown, grew-up in Boardman.
- Victor Slezak - Actor, appeared in films such as The Bridges of Madison County and The Devil's Own, portrayed John F. Kennedy in science fiction cult classic Timequest, appeared in several episodes of Law and Order, and narrates popular books on CD; born in Youngstown.
- Paula Wagner - Film Producer, formed Cruise/Wagner Productions with film star Tom Cruise, which produced The Last Samurai, War of the Worlds, and the Mission:Impossible sequels; born in Youngstown.
- Jennifer Walcott — Actress, limited film appearances, best known for work as Playboy centerfold model, raised in Youngstown.
- Bob Walker - Photographer, best known for nature photography and environmental activism, grew up in Youngstown.
- Jack Warner - Movie Mogul, co-founder and eventual head of Warner Bros. studios, raised on Youngstown's North Side.[5]
- Ryan West — Record Producer, Engineer and Musician, currently in New York City, known best for mixing and engineering many platinum and gold hip hop and R&B records by artists such as Jay Z, Dr Dre and Usher, which earned him a Grammy nomination in 2004. Born and raised in nearby Liberty Township.
- Members of the Edsels, the doo-wop group best remembered for their 1961 hit, Rama Lama Ding Dong, from Youngstown and nearby Campbell, Ohio.
- Members of The Human Beinz, the 1960s singing group best known for their hit single, "Nobody But Me", from Youngstown.
- Members of Lady Fantastic, a current indie rock/punk band hailing from the Youngstown area.
- Members of the 1990s "boy band", Youngstown, which included natives of Youngstown and Campbell.
Business
- Harry Burt - Confectioner, created the Good Humor ice cream bar in the early 1920s, developed and introduced product in Youngstown.[6]
- Joseph G. Butler, Jr. - Industrialist, co-owner of the Ohio Steel Company, one of Youngstown's earliest steel manufacturers, and founder of the Butler Institute of American Art.[2]
- William H. Calbreath - Advertising Icon, presumed model for the Cream of Wheat trademark, lived and died in Youngstown.
- William H. Cafaro, Developer, pioneer in construction of strip malls and enclosed malls, including the Eastwood Mall, born in Youngstown.
- James A. Campbell - Industrialist, founder of Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company; Campbell, Ohio, was named in his honor.[7]
- Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. - Contractor and Developer, played a pioneering role in the development of the modern shopping mall; born and raised in Youngstown.
- Mary Wells Lawrence, Advertising Executive, developed iconic advertising campaigns of the 1960s, youngest person inducted into the Copywriter's Hall of Fame, born in Youngstown.
- Joseph A. McDonald - Superintendent, oversaw construction of the Ohio Works of the Carnegie Steel Company, based in Youngstown.
- Thomas G. McDonald - Industrialist, general manager of the Youngstown district of the Carnegie Steel Company; McDonald, Ohio, was named in his honor.
- Forrest and Leroy Raffel - Fast-food Entrepreneurs, established the world-famous Arby's fast-food chain; opened first restaurant in nearby Boardman, Ohio.
- James Ward and William Doud Packard - Automotive Innovators, co-founded Packard Motor Car Company, from Youngstown-Warren area.
- Joseph and Dora Schwebel - Bakers, founders of Schwebel's Bakery, whose bread products are now distributed across the country.
- George D. Wick, Industrialist, organized the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company with James A. Campbell, among prominent figures who perished during the sinking of the Titanic on its maiden voyage.[8]
- Henry Wick - Industrialist, joined Joseph G. Butler, Jr., in forming the Ohio Steel Company, one of Youngstown's first steel manufacturing firms.[9]
Education
- Christopher Bache - Academic, professor of religious studies at Youngstown State University and former director of transformative learning at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, near San Francisco.
- G. William Domhoff - Sociologist, best known for controversial 1960s bestseller Who Rules American?, born in Youngstown.
- William Holmes McGuffey - Educator, best known for development of famed McGuffey Readers, received early education in Youngstown.
- Morris Slavin - Historian, wrote five well-regarded historical works on the French Revolution, taught at Youngstown State University.
Politics
- Frank J. Battisti — Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (1961-1994); best known for rulings on Cleveland's school desegregation case; born and raised in Youngstown.
- John Hessin Clarke - Justice, appointed Supreme Court justice by President Woodrow Wilson, practiced law in Youngstown and was part-owner of The Youngstown Vindicator.
- Ronald Daniels - Activist, third-party candidate for President of the United States, executive director of Center for Constitutional Rights, graduate of Youngstown State University.
- Marc Dann - Current Ohio Attorney General, elected to the position in 2006 as a Democrat. Lives in nearby Liberty, practiced law in Youngstown before public office.
- Clarence Darrow — Attorney, best known for role as defense counsel in the "Scopes Monkey Trial" and Leopold and Loeb murder trial; first practiced law in Youngstown.
- Bob Hagan - Lawmaker, scion of an Ohio Democratic political family whose defeat in Youngstown's 2005 mayoral race was followed by a successful run for Ohio State Representative.
- Robert Hagan - Lawmaker, served three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, served as Trumbull County Commmisioner, served on traveling staff of vice presidential nominee Sargent Shriver in 1972, born in Youngstown.
- Gus Hall - Activist, co-founder of the United Steelworkers of America trade union, and five-time U.S. presidential candidate; organized 1930s "Little Steel Strike" in Youngstown-Warren area.
- Nathaniel R. Jones — Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; appointed in 1967 as assistant general counsel to President Johnson's famed Kerner Commission; born and raised in Youngstown.
- Michael J. Kirwan — Politician, member of U.S. House of Representatives (1937-1970), became the first Northerner to serve as chair of the influential National Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, widely credited with Democratic congressional victory of November 1954.[10]
- Staughton Lynd — Activist, best known for public opposition to the Vietnam War, served as labor lawyer and activist in the Youngstown area, where he currently resides.
- George McKelvey — Democratic politician and former mayor of Youngstown. In 2004, he broke ranks with his party to endorse President George W. Bush for a second term.
- William McKinley — 25th President of the United States. Born in Niles, and attended school in Poland.
- Harry Meshel - Politician, former Ohio state senator, president of the Ohio Senate, and chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party; currently serves as lobbyist; born and raised in Youngstown.
- Volney Rogers - Attorney and Civic Leader, played a key role in the establishment of Youngstown's celebrated Mill Creek Park.
- Tim Ryan - Current U.S. Representative in Ohio's 17th District, grew up in Niles.
- William R. Stewart - Lawmaker, second African American to serve in the Ohio Senate, first African-American attorney to establish a pr ctice in Youngstown.
- Sue Thomas — FBI Agent, the first deaf person to work in this capacity, and the inspiration for the television series Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye.
- David Tod — Governor of Ohio, deeply respected by President Abraham Lincoln for his measured response to dislocations of the American Civil War; Tod was offered (but refused) the position of U.S. Secretary of Treasury.
- James A. Traficant, Jr. — Politician, flamboyant former Democratic Representative, now in federal prison after being prosecuted by the federal government on corruption charges, born and raised on Youngstown's South Side.
- Jay Williams — Mayor (Independent-Democrat), first African-American mayor of Youngstown, born on city's East Side, now resides near Cornersburg, on city's West Side.
- Lyle Williams - Former U.S. representative, represented the Youngstown area for two terms before being defeated by James Traficant. Currently resides in Warren.
Religion
- George Bennard - Evangelist, best known for composing "The Old Rugged Cross", born in Youngstown.[11]
- Edward Cardinal Mooney - Prelate, served as Roman Catholic archbishop of Detroit in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, raised on the North Side of Youngstown.
- Frank Schulman - Theologian, Unitarian Universalist minister who published several well-regarded books on the Unitarian tradition, served as Unitarian pastor in Youngstown.
Sports
- Red Ames - Pitcher, New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies, from Youngstown-Warren area.
- Harry Arroyo - Boxer, IBF Lightweight Champion of the World (1984 and 1985), born and raised in Youngstown.
- Russell "Busty" Ashbaugh - Football Coach, celebrated squad captain at Brown University and legendary coach at Youngstown's South High School; mentor to collegiate and profesional players such as Bob Dove and trainer of coaches such as Youngstown State University's Dwight "Dike" Beede and Ohio State University's Wes Fesler.
- Russell "Pete" Ashbaugh - Football Player, University of Notre Dame, member of 1946-47 national championship teams, drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers, played professionally for Chicago Rockets, from Youngstown.
- Bob Babich - Football Player, played for San Diego Chargers and Cleveland Browns, born in Youngstown.
- Floyd Baker - Baseball Player, affiliated with St. Louis Browns, Washington Senators, and other teams, lived and died in Youngstown.
- Dwight "Dike" Beede — Football Coach, celebrated head coach at Youngstown State University, inventor of the penalty flag.[12]
- George Henry Burns - First Baseman, played for Philadelphia A's, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox, born in nearby Niles.
- George Cappuzzello — Pitcher, veteran of Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros, born and raised in Youngstown area.
- Roy Castleton - Pitcher, played for New York Highlanders and Cincinnati Reds, gained national recognition for pitching a perfect game for the Youngstown Ohio Works ball club.
- Matt Cavanaugh — Quarterback, a veteran of the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants, most recently served as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, born and raised on Youngstown's West Side.
- Maurice Clarett - Runningback, former Ohio State University football standout, from Youngstown-Warren area.
- Bob Davie - Football Coach, once served as head coach and defensive coordinator of the University of Notre Dame football team, current football analyst for ESPN and ABC, graduate of Youngstown State University.
- Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. - Owner, former owner of the San Francisco 49ers, born in Youngstown.
- Mike DeNiro - Football Player, played at the University of Alabama under Bear Bryant, former standout at Chaney High School, from Youngstown.[13]
- Bob Dove — Linemen and Coach, College Football Hall of Fame, All-America end at the University of Notre Dame, eight seasons in the NFL, assistant coach at Youngstown State University, born in Youngstown.
- Dave Dravecky — Pitcher, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, retired, originally from the Youngstown suburb of Boardman.
- Billy Evans — Umpire (Hall of Fame), hired to fill umpire vacancy at city's South Side Park, raised on Youngstown's North Side.
- James Farragher — Football Coach, University of Notre Dame, compiled record of 14 wins, four losses, and two ties between 1901-1902, born in Youngstown.[14]
- Mike Farragher - Prize Fighter, nationally known in late 19th and early 20th centuries, from Youngstown.
- Wes Fesler - Football Coach, celebrated three-sport athlete at the Ohio State University, including three consecutive years as a consensus first-team All-America selection in American football; football head coach at Wesleyan University, University of Pittsburgh, Ohio State University, University of Minnesota, and head basketball coach at Harvard University and Princeton University; born in Youngstown.
- George Glinatsis - Pitcher, Seattle Mariners, born in Youngstown.
- John Hirschbeck — Umpire, famously spat upon by an irate Roberto Alomar in 1996, currently resides in Poland.
- Edward J. Hogan - Pole Vaulter, University of Notre Dame, included on Notre Dame's sports "Wall of Honor," born in Youngstown.
- Marty Hogan — Outfielder, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Browns, managed minor league clubs including Youngstown Ohio Works, raised on Youngstown's North Side.[15]
- Ron Jaworski - Football Player, former professional football player and current NFL analyst on ESPN; graduated from Youngstown State University.
- Bernie Kosar — Quarterback, Cleveland Browns, retired, originally from Boardman.
- Andrew Kosco - Baseball Player, affiliated with numerous teams including the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Milwaukee Brewers, born and raised in Youngstown.
- Jack Kralick - Baseball Player, affiliated with Cleveland Indians and Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins, from Youngstown.
- Johnny Kucab - Pitcher, gained early visibility in Youngstown minor league clubs, played professionally with Philadelphia Athletics, where he was instrumental in winning Connie Mack's last game as a major league manager, died in nearby Campbell.
- William J. Leonard - End, played for undefeated University of Notre Dame football team that won national championship in 1947, played professionally for Baltimore Colts, born and raised in Youngstown.
- Paul Maguire — Broadcaster and AFL Veteran, served as linebacker and punter for the Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills, born and raised in Youngstown.
- Mark Malaska - Baseball Player, associated with Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Boston Red Sox, from Youngstown.
- Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini — Boxer, former Lightweight Champion of the World (1980s), originally from Youngstown's South Side.
- Mark Mangino - Football Coach, currently head coach for the University of Kansas.
- Shari Matvey - Basketball Player, standout at the University of Notre Dame, first woman in Notre Dame's basketball history to pass the 1,000-point mark.
- Jimmy McAleer — Outfielder, Cleveland Spiders, came out of retirement to manage the St. Louis Browns and briefly served as part-owner of the Boston Red Sox, instrumental in formation of American League, born and died in Youngstown.[16]
- Paul McFadden - Football Player, best known as placekicker for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons; graduated from Youngstown State University and currently resides in Youngstown.
- Deacon McGuire — Catcher, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Cleveland Blues; participated in more Major League Baseball seasons than any catcher in the history of the game, later served as manager, and coach, born and raised in Youngstown.[17]
- Jerry Olsavsky — Football Player, veteran of the Pittsburgh Steelers, attended Chaney High School on the city's West Side.
- Kelly Pavlik — Boxer, current undefeated middleweight contender, originally from Youngstown's South Side. Record.
- Bo Pelini - Defensive Coordinator, with Louisiana State University; second season with the Tigers; from Youngstown.
- Carmen Policy — NFL Executive and Ex-owner of the Cleveland Browns, originally from Youngstown's South Side.
- George Poschner - Lineman, All-America end at the University of Georgia in 1942, selected in the eighth round of the 1943 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions; his sports career ended when he lost both legs while serving in the military during World War II.
- John D. Reese — Trainer, famously treated Ty Cobb, Cy Young, and other Major League Baseball players, settled in Youngstown.[18]
- Dominic Rosselli — Coach, Youngstown State University, football, baseball, and basketball, won a total of 589 games.
- Jack Scheible — Pitcher, Cleveland Spiders and Philadelphia Phillies, born and died in Youngstown.
- Earnie Shavers — Boxer, won AAU Heavyweight Championship in 1969, born, raised and began early career in Youngstown-Warren area.
- George Shuba — Outfielder, Brooklyn Dodgers, captured in legendary 1946 photo shaking hands with Jackie Robinson, born and raised in Youngstown. He currently resides in Austintown.
- Frank Sinkwich — Football Player, veteran of the Detroit Lions, 1942 Heisman Trophy winner, attended the University of Georgia, attended Chaney High School on the city's West Side.[19]
- Brad Smith - Offensive Lineman, New York Jets, formerly played for University of Missouri, graduate of Youngstown's Chaney High School.
- Ken Smith — Major League veteran of Atlanta Braves, born, raised, and currently resides in Youngstown.
- Isaac Smolko - Tight End, played for Pennsylvania State University, drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers, from Youngstown.
- Bob Stoops — Football Coach, currently head coach at the University of Oklahoma, born on Youngstown's South Side.
- Mike Stoops — Football Coach, currently head coach at the University of Arizona, born on Youngstown's South Side.
- Cliff Stoudt - Quarterback, played for Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Raiders, and St. Louis Cardinals, graduated from Youngstown State University.
- Korey Stringer - Football Player, served as offensive lines for Minnesota Vikings, died tragically of heat stroke, from Youngstown-Warren area.
- Jim Tressel - Football Coach, currently head coach at the Ohio State University; led Youngstown State University to four national championships in 1990s.
- Mike Trgovac - Football Coach, defensive coordinator for Carolina Panthers, former All-American noseman for Michigan, born in Austintown.[13]
- Mel Triplett — Football Player, played with the New York Giants during 1956 World Championship, from Girard, Ohio, just outside of Youngstown.[13]
- William Triplett - Football Player, played for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions, from Girard, Ohio.
- "Iron" Mike Tyson - Boxer, made and molded in Brooklyn, NY, however, lived and was active in the Youngstown-Warren area during hills and dips of career in the 1980s and 1990s. Launched his World Tour from Youngstown's Chevrolet Centre, in October of 2006.
- Paul Warfield - Football Hall of Fame Wide Receiver, Cleveland Indians and Miami Dolphins, from Youngstown-Warren area.
- Herb Washington - Pinch Runner, Oakland Athletics, owner of Youngstown Steelhounds minor league franchise, currently resides in Youngstown area.
- Jeff Wilkins — Kicker, St. Louis Rams, originally from Austintown.
- Denise DeBartolo York - Owner, San Francisco 49ers, daughter of billionaire real estate developer Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr., born and raised in Youngstown. Currently living in Canfield, Ohio.
- Tommy Zetts - Quarterback, with the Youngstown State University Penguins.
- Michael Zordich — Football Player, veteran of New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Philadelphia Eagles, retired, born and raised on Youngstown's West Side.
References
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