List of Armenian Americans
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This is a list of notable Armenian-Americans, including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants.
American Armenians are people born, raised, or who reside in the United States, with origins in the country known as Armenia, which ranges from the Caucasian mountain range to the Armenian plateau. There has been sporadic emigration from Armenia to the U.S. since the late 19th century, with the biggest influx coming after the Armenian Genocide of the early 20th century. The largest community is based in Los Angeles; however, other sizeable communities exist in Boston, Detroit and the New York metropolitan area.
Statistics from the United States 2000 Census, 385,488 Americans indicated either full or partial Armenian ancestry.[1]
Academia
- Daron Acemoglu, economist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology[2]
- Viken Babikian, professor at Boston University School of Medicine
- Peter Balakian, professor of Humanities at Colgate University
- Paul Boghossian, professor of philosophy at New York University
- Peter Boghossian, professor of philosophy at Portland State University
- Aram Chobanian, Dean of Boston University School of Medicine
- Harry Daghlian, academic scientist
- Richard Dekmejian, professor at University of Southern California
- James Der Derian, Watson Institute professor of International Studies and Political Science at Brown University
- Edward Goljan, professor of Pathology at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
- Hrach Gregorian, writer and teacher on international conflict management and post-conflict peace building
- Vartan Gregorian, former President of Brown University and current President of the Carnegie Corporation
- Richard G. Hovannisian, professor of Armenian History at UCLA
- Raffi Indjejikian, professor of accounting at University of Michigan
- Joseph Albert Kechichian, author
- Mark Krikorian, Executive director of Center for Immigration Studies
- Robert Mehrabian, President of Carnegie Mellon
- Gevork Minaskanian, professor of organic chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University
- Josh Pahigian, professor of global humanities at the University of New England
- George Piranian, professor of mathematics at the University of Michigan
- Barbara Sahakian, professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at University of Cambridge
- Mark Saroyan, professor of Soviet studies at Harvard and UC Berkeley
Activism
- Bob Avakian, political activist and Chairman of the Revolutionary Communist Party
- Chaz Bono, LGBT rights activist and reality show personality (mixed origin, son of actress/singer Cher)
- Mark Krikorian, immigration-reform activist
Actors
- Kay Armen, TV, film and stage actress
- Val Avery, actor
- Richard Bakalyan, actor
- Adrienne Barbeau, actress (mother was of Armenian descent)[3][4][5][6]
- Rowan Blanchard, actress
- Eric Bogosian, playwright and performance artist[7]
- Christy Canyon, pornographic actress (Armenian father)
- Arthur Edmund Carewe (1884–1937), Armenian-born American actor in the silent and early sound film era
- Mike Connors, television actor[8]
- Leon Danielian, first U.S.-born ballet dancer to reach international recognition
- David Dastmalchian, actor
- Ken Davitian, actor
- Naz Edwards, actress
- Arlene Francis, actress[9]
- Michael A. Goorjian, actor and filmmaker[10]
- Sid Haig, actor[11]
- Alexandra Hedison, actress and director
- David Hedison, actor
- Dan Janjigian, actor and former bobsledder
- Frankie Kazarian, actor
- Sylva Kelegian, actress
- Marco Khan, actor
- Joe Manganiello, actor (maternal grandmother was of Armenian descent)
- Andrea Martin, comedian[12]
- Eddie Mekka, actor
- Deran Sarafian, actor
- Angela Sarafyan, actress
- Lucy Saroyan, actress, photographer
- Andy Serkis, actor
- Adam G. Sevani, actor
- Akim Tamiroff, actor[13]
- Callie Thorne, actor
- Michael Vartan, actor (paternal great-grandfather was of Armenian descent)
- Dita Von Teese, burlesque artist, model, and actress
Art
- Edward Avedisian, painter
- Greg Costikyan, game designer
- Ivan Dmitri, photographer
- Larry Gagosian, art dealer
- Blackie Gejeian, car designer
- Arshile Gorky, painter
- Rabo Karabekian, fictitious painter
- Dikran Kelekian, art collector
- Ludwig Mactarian, painter
- Reuben Nakian, sculptor
- Haig Patigian, sculptor
- Denis Peterson, painter
- Arthur Ashod Pinajian, comic book creator and artist
- Hovsep Pushman, painter
- Varaz Samuelian, sculptor
- Sako Shahinian, illustrator
Entertainment
- James Adomian, actor and stand-up comedian
- Lisa Rose Apramian, screenwriter
- Samuel Aroutiounian, talent agent, producer
- Şahan Arzruni, classical pianist
- Aram Avakian, director, editor
- Ross Bagdasarian, Jr., film producer, record producer
- Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., pianist, singer, songwriter, actor (aka David Seville)
- Christy Canyon, adult film star
- Cher, singer and actress
- Anita Darian, singer and actress
- Steve Dildarian, animator, creator of The Life and Times of Tim
- George Duran, chef and entertainer
- Colton Ford, former gay pornographic actor; singer
- Cyrinda Foxe, model and actress
- Carla Garapedian, filmmaker
- Hughes Brothers, directors
- Khloé Kardashian, reality TV star
- Kim Kardashian, reality TV star
- Kourtney Kardashian, reality TV star
- Rob Kardashian, reality TV star
- Howard Kazanjian, producer[14]
- Alek Keshishian, director
- Bob Kevoian, nationally syndicated morning radio talk show host
- Art Laboe, disc jockey, songwriter, record producer
- Rouben Mamoulian, director[15]
- Joe Manganiello, actor
- Haig P. Manoogian, film producer, professor of film at New York University, major early influence for many filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese
- Jerry Murad, musician
- Levon Mkrtchyan, director
- Bruce Nazarian, musician and songwriter
- Tony Petrossian, director
- Seth Rollins, professional wrestler
- Deran Sarafian, television director
- Katherine Sarafian, assistant film producer
- Richard C. Sarafian, TV and film director
- Tanya Seghatchian, film producer
- Mia Tyler, plus-size model
- Michael Vartan, film and television actor
- Francis Veber, screenwriter
- Alex Yemenidjian, former CEO and Chairman of MGM Studios
- Steven Zaillian, writer and director[16]
- Geoffrey Zakarian, Iron Chef, restaurateur, television personality and author
Architects
- Mihran Mesrobian, architect
- Michel Mossessian, architect
Business
- Vahe Aghabegians, entrepreneur
- Garo H. Armen, CEO of Antigenics Inc.
- John Berberian, entrepreneur
- Ian Bremmer, President and founder of Eurasia Group
- Gerard Cafesjian, entrepreneur
- Paul Garmirian, founder of PG cigars
- Arthur T. Gregorian, noted oriental rug merchant and author
- Mark Hoplamazian, CEO and President of Global Hyatt
- Jirair Hovnanian, entrepreneur
- Kevork Hovnanian, founder of Hovnanian Enterprises
- Kirk Kerkorian, entrepreneur, casino mogul, considered to be one of the "Founding Fathers" of Las Vegas[17]
- Alex Manoogian, founder of Masco Corporation
- John Matoian, president of FOX and HBO
- John Mirak, entrepreneur
- David G. Mugar, entrepreneur and philanthropist
- Stephen P. Mugar, founder of Star Market and philanthropist
- Alexis Ohanian, internet entrepreneur, activist and investor
- Charlie Papazian, founded the Association of Brewers
- Tro Piliguian, Chairman of Ogilvy & Mather
- Henry D. Sahakian, founder and owner of Uni-Mart
- Alex Seropian, founder of Bungie
- David Shakarian, founder of GNC
- Craigie Zildjian, CEO of Zildjian
- Robert Zildjian, founder of Sabian Cymbals
- Jon Najarian (options trader, television personality, market analyst)
- Peter Najarian (options trader, television personality, market analyst)
Banking and finance
- Charles A. Agemian, investment banker
- Granger K. Costikyan, investment banker at Brown Brothers Harriman
- Richard Donchian, financial analyst
- Vahan Janjigian, financial officer, author, instructor at universities
Families
- The Mugar family, of Greater Boston, business and philanthropy[18]
- The Kardashian family
Journalism
- Ben Bagdikian, former editor-in-chief of the Washington Post
- David Barsamian, radio broadcaster and journalist
- Sergey Dovlatov, columnist, contributed to The New Yorker
- John Garabedian, radio personality, host of Open House Party
- David Ignatius, associated editor of the Washington Post
- Ana Kasparian, co-host of The Young Turks talk show
- Armen Keteyian, chief investigative correspondent for CBS News
- Nicolas Kristof, correspondent for The New York Times
- Tim Kurkjian, reporter at ESPN
- Vago Muradian, former editor for Defense News correspondent for Defense & Aerospace Report
- Strawberry Saroyan, journalist, The New York Times
- Lara Setrakian, journalist and political analyst, Bloomberg Television and ABC News
- Janet Shamlian, news correspondent for NBC News
- Roger Tatarian, senior VP of United Press International
- Philip Terzian, literary editor of The Weekly Standard
- Scout Tufankjian, photojournalist
- Matt Vasgersian, sportscaster and host
- Anita Vogel, news reporter for Fox News Channel
Fashion
- Patricia Field, costume designer and fashion designer
Law
- Charles R. Garry, civil rights/criminal defense attorney
- Robert Philibosian, 38th District Attorney of Los Angeles County
- Samuel Der-Yeghiayan, United States federal judge for the Northern District of Illinois
- Mark Geragos, defense attorney
- Robert Kardashian, defense attorney
- Marsha Kazarosian, attorney notable for handling high-profile cases
- Bill Paparian, criminal defense attorney
- Dickran Tevrizian, United States federal judge for the Central District of California
Military
- Anna Der-Vartanian, first woman promoted to Master Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy
- Ernest H. Dervishian, United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in World War II
- Khachadour Paul Garabedian, U.S. Navy officer during the Civil War
- Carl Genian, bombardier during World War II
- Sam K. Harrison, corporal during World War II
- Paul Robert Ignatius, served the Navy and became Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Lyndon Johnson
- Sue Sarafian Jehl, member of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) personnel who served in World War II
- George Juskalian, U.S. Army Colonel who served World War II, Vietnam War, and the Korean War
- Harry Kizirian, Marine Corps during World War II and most decorated serviceman of Rhode Island
- John Kizirian, Army member during World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and believed one of the most decorated Armenian-Americans ever to serve the United States
- Victor Maghakian, Marine Corps during World War II and is considered one of the most decorated American soldiers of the war
- Monte Melkonian, military commander during the Nagorno-Karabakh war
Music
- Dennis Agajanian, singer
- Anahid Ajemian, violinist
- Maro Ajemian, pianist
- Elijah Blue Allman, musician (son of actress/singer Cher)
- Roupen Altiparmakian, musician
- Lucine Amara, soprano
- Charles Amirkhanian, composer
- Kay Armen, singer, songwriter
- Şahan Arzruni, pianist
- George Avakian, Columbia Records executive
- Ara Babajian, drummer
- Eve Beglarian, composer
- Ara Berberian, operatic singer
- Cathy Berberian, composer; singer
- John Berberian, oud player and rock/jazz fusion musician
- John Bilezikjian, oud player, multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer
- Armen Boladian, record producer, founder of Westbound Records and Sound of Gospel
- Armen Chakmakian, recording artist, keyboardist, composer
- Lili Chookasian, contralto
- Angel Deradoorian, bassist
- Ara Dinkjian, oud player
- Armen Donelian, musician
- Kallen Esperian, opera singer
- Colton Ford, singer and actor; formerly gay pornographic actor
- Ivan Galamian, violin teacher
- Richard Hagopian, oud player
- Alan Hovhaness, classical composer
- Tonio K, composer
- Tamar Kaprelian, singer
- Kim Kashkashian, violinist
- Ana Lenchantin, musician/actress
- Paz Lenchantin, rock musician
- Edward Manukyan, composer
- Haig Mardirosian, organist, conductor, composer
- Paul Motian, jazz musician
- Armen Nalbandian, jazz musician
- Bruce Nazarian, musician, songwriter, and record producer
- Michael Omartian, music producer
- Constantine Orbelian, conductor and pianist
- Konstantin Orbelyan, pianist, composer, head of the State Estrada Orchestra of Armenia
- Harout Pamboukjian, pop singer
- Leon Redbone, jazz and blues artist
- Karnig Sarkissian, singer
- V Sevani, original member of NLT
- Derek Sherinian, rock keyboardist
- System of a Down, rock band; members:
- John Dolmayan, drummer
- Daron Malakian, guitarist and vocalist
- Shavo Odadjian, bassist
- Serj Tankian, lead vocalist, keyboards, rhythm guitar
- Barry Tashian, guitarist, songwriter, and former singer with Emmylou Harris
- Armand Tokatyan, opera singer
- Arto Tunçboyacıyan, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist
- Onno Tunç, composer and arranger
- Richard Yardumian, classical composer
Politicians
Religion
- Rousas John Rushdoony, Christian theologian and philosopher The Chalcedon Foundation
- Roger Youderian, missionary
Sciences
- George Adomian, mathematician
- George Aghajanian, professor of psychiatry, a pioneer in the area of neuropharmacology
- Hagop S Akiskal, psychiatrist, best known for his pioneering research on temperament and bipolar disorder
- Armen Alchian, economist
- James P. Bagian, astronaut
- Raymond V. Damadian, inventor of MRI
- Albert Kapikian, virologist and pioneer in vaccine development for rotavirus
- Varaztad Hovhannes Kazanjian, founder of the modern practice of plastic surgery
- Anna Kazanjian Longobardo, engineer
- Hampar Kelikian, orthopedic-surgeon pioneer
- Edward Keonjian, the father of microelectronics;[19] designer of the world's first solar-powered, pocket-sized radio transmitter
- Jack Kevorkian, pathologist
- Leonid Khachiyan, mathematician
- Edward Khantzian, early pioneer in the psychological understanding of addictions
- John Najarian, transplant surgeon pioneer
- Robert Nalbandyan, chemist
- Armen Nicholas Sahagen, inventor
- Alex Sevanian, molecular pharmacologist, pioneer in free radical research
- Hrayr Shahinian, pioneer in microsurgical techniques of the brain [20]
- Luther George Simjian, inventor
- Avie Tevanian, operating systems researcher
- Martin Adams, father's family name Atamian. Professor Emeritus, Univ. of Houston, internationally recognized expert in the study, diagnosis and treatment of stuttering. Honors of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2004.
Sports
- Tatev Abrahamyan, chess player[21]
- Fred Agabashian, professional racer
- Ben Agajanian, professional football player
- Christopher J.C. Agajanian, motorsports promoter
- Andre Agassi, professional tennis player
- Andy Bakjian, Hall of Fame track and field official and author on the subject
- Cam Bedrosian, MLB pitcher; his father is Steve Bedrosian
- Steve Bedrosian, 1987 Cy Young Award winner for the Philadelphia Phillies
- Zach Bogosian, professional ice hockey player
- Gokor Chivichyan, judoka, grappler and trainer
- Dave Coskunian, soccer player
- Vic Darchinyan, professional boxer
- Trent Edwards, professional football player
- Alecko Eskandarian, professional soccer player[22]
- Andranik Eskandarian, soccer player
- Chuck Essegian, professional baseball player
- Manvel Gamburyan, mixed martial arts fighter
- Brian Goorjian, coach of Sydney Kings
- Frankie Kazarian, professional wrestler
- Tim Kurkjian, sports analyst on ESPN
- Bobby Managoff (Robert Manoogian, Jr.), wrestler
- Harry T. Mangurian, Jr., former owner of the Boston Celtics and Memphis Rogues
- Pete Mangurian, offensive line coach of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Don Manoukian, professional football player for Oakland Raiders
- Vanes Martirosyan, professional boxer
- Gegard Mousasi, Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer
- Karo Parisyan, mixed martial arts fighter
- Ara Parseghian, Notre Dame head football coach
- Seth Rollins, professional wrestler
- Steve Sarkisian, University of Southern California head football coach
- Jerry Tarkanian, college basketball coach, known for his time at UNLV; member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- Mark Vartanian, professional wrestler
- Garo Yepremian, professional football placekicker
- Antranik Kinartna, fitness expert
Writers
- Michael Arlen, novelist
- Ben Bagdikian, political writer
- Peter Balakian, poet, writer and academic
- David Barsamian, radio broadcaster and writer
- A. I. Bezzerides, novelist
- Chris Bohjalian, novelist
- Gary Braver, fiction writer
- Michael Casey, poet
- Aram Haigaz, writer
- Nancy Kricorian, poet and author
- Arthur Nersesian, novelist, playwright, and poet
- Peter Orullian, writer
- George Ouzounian, humorist
- Josh Pahigian, baseball writer and novelist
- Aram Saroyan, novelist
- William Saroyan, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, author
- George Stambolian, key figure in the early gay literary movement in New York
- Hrag Vartanian, columnist
- Thomas Woods, political writer and author
See also
- Armenian diaspora
- Little Armenia, Los Angeles
- Armenian Assembly of America
- Armenian American Political Action Committee
- Armenian National Committee of America
- Armenian Youth Federation
- List of Armenians
- List of Armenian-Iranians
- List of French Armenians
- List of Canadian-Armenians
- List of Russian-Armenians
References
- ^ U.S census Bureau
- ^ Daron Acemoglu: A Turk of Armenian descent Archived February 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Barbeau, Adrienne (21 March 2006). "There Are Worse Things I Could Do". Carroll & Graf – via Amazon.
- ^ "Page Not Found - Monsters and Critics". 31 July 2007.
{{cite web}}
: Cite uses generic title (help)[dead link] - ^ "Stage Preview: Combo of 'Fiddler' and friends proved irresistible to Barbeau".
- ^ "Reviews: A Nightmare on Elm Street 2010 - Dread Central". 30 April 2010.
- ^ "at home being Armenian was a badge of honor, instilled in the younger generation at large extended family gatherings." Archived 2009-04-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Connors, an Armenian-American born Krekor Ohanian in Fresno, California" Archived 2006-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Born Arlene Francis Kazanjian on October 20, 1907, in Boston, Massachusetts... Her father was an Armenian immigrant, a refugee from the Turkish massacres of 1905-06, who became a successful painter and photographer, and her mother was the daughter of actor Alfred Davis, who instilled in the young Arlene a love of performing that came to shape her entire life."
- ^ "Illusion has thrust into the spotlight a new and fresh Armenian-American talent, Michael Goorjian" Archived 2011-05-25 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Haig has been a performer for as long as he can remember. Born in 1939 in the heart of Fresno's Armenian community (his birth name is Sid Mosesian; Haig is his father's first name), he was taking dance classes at age 7." Archived 2008-02-13 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "was born in Portland, Maine on January 15, 1947 of Armenian heritage. Her grandfather, whose last name was Papazian, emigrated from Ottoman Turkey in the early 20th century, changing his name to Martin when he settled in Maine." Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Although we think of him in roles as Spanish or Hispanic, he was actually an Armenian. Short and stocky with dark hair, thick eyebrows over intense eyes, often with a black mustache, he was cast in a variety of ethnic roles as both hero and heavy."
- ^ Howard Kazanjian Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "FGA - Rouben Mamoulian".
- ^ "Zaillian, whose background is Armenian, lives in Los Angeles..."
- ^ http://www.imhayrenik.com/general/kirk-kerkorian.php
- ^ The Fifty Families (Part 1) - Boston Magazine Archived 2011-07-09 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
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- ^ Wise, Mike (31 May 2006). "Fiery Player, Simmering Conscience" – via washingtonpost.com.
External links
Media related to Armenian Americans at Wikimedia Commons