List of people from Staten Island

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Actors/Actresses

• Eric Close - Actor who plays "Martin Fitzgerald" on the CBS drama Without a Trace
• John Dehner - Television and movie actor born on Staten Island. A notable and one of Hollywoods best character actors, Dehner played Doris Day's boss Sy Bennett on The Doris Day Show. He appeared in three classic Twilight Zone episodes and other movies and television shows. Western fans came to know Dehner as "Paladin" on radio's "Have Gun, Will Travel" in his radio days.
• David Dukes -Actor, lived in Brighton Heights briefly.
• Jennifer Esposito - Actress Spin City, Summer of Sam attended Moore Catholic High School
• Carmine Giovinazzo - Actor who plays Detective Danny Messer on the CBS drama CSI: NY. He is a cousin of director Buddy Giovinazzo.
• Dan Grimaldi - The Sopranos Patsy Parisi, former resident
• Larry Harmon- Bozo the Clown lived on Staten Island
• Allen Jenkins - Hollywood character actor, voice of cartoon Top Cat's Officer Dibble was born on Staten Island
• Hassan Johnson - Actor, featured in The Wire, Belly, etc.
• Yunjin Kim - Actress on Lost (TV series)
• Paul Land actor Spring Break, The Idolmaker
• Robert Loggia - Actor (Scarface, The Sopranos, Big, etc.) New Dorp High School graduate
• Alyssa Milano - Actress, she was raised on Staten Island.
• Paul Newman - Actor, married to Joanne Woodward, lived in the Art Deco apartment building on the corner of Daniel low terrace and Fort Hill Circle in St. George, Staten Island^[1]
• Edward Platt - Actor who played the famous character "The Chief" on the 1960s TV show Get Smart, was born on Staten Island
• Anthony Joseph Paul Tony Reali - Stat Boy on Pardon the Interruption, Host of Around the Horn
• Larry Romano - Actor The King of Queens, NYPD Blue
• Gianni Russo - Actor was raised on Staten Island. Gianni played Carlo Rizzi in The Godfather
• Glenn Scarpelli - Child actor from One Day at a Time born and raised in Staten Island
• Steven R. Schirripa - Bobby Bacala from The Sopranos
• Rick Schroder - Actor who played "Ricky Stratton" on the 1980s NBC sitcom Silver Spoons and "Detective Danny Sorenson" on the ABC drama NYPD Blue, and has recently played "Mike Doyle" on "24". Currently appearing as "Dr. Dylan West" on the Lifetime drama Strong Medicine
• Steven Seagal - Actor, lived on Staten Island.^[1]
• Martin Sheen - Actor, lived on Staten Island in St. George
• Lenny Venito - Actor, Murmur from The Sopranos, Gigli, War of the Worlds
• Joanne Woodward - Actress, married to Paul Newman, lived in the Art Deco apartment building on the corner of Daniel low terrace and Fort Hill Circle in St. George, Staten Island

Artists

• Alice Austen - Photographer, lived all of her life on Staten Island.^[2] A Staten Island Ferry is named for her
• Jasper Francis Cropsey - A landscape artist of the Hudson River School who was born on his family's farm in Rossville.^[3]
• Evan Dorkin - Cartoonist and creator of Milk & Cheese is a long time resident of Staten Island
• Francesco Scavullo - Photographer. born on Staten Island.
• Cynthia von Buhler - Artist and children's book author. Currently resides in Staten Island.

Inventors

• Antonio Meucci - Disputed inventor of the telephone, immigrated to Staten Island, settling in the Clifton area in 1850, where he would live for the remainder of his life.

Musicians

• Christina Aguilera - Pop singer. Born on Staten Island.^[1]
• Joan Baez - Folk singer, born on Staten Island
• Vito Bratta - Guitarist for White Lion lives on Staten Island
• Bobby Darin - Singer, his family had a summer home as a child in South Beach, Staten Island.
• Joe Causi - Disc Jockey, raised in Brooklyn, currently lives on Staten Island
• Roy Clark - Country singer, Hee Haw star, and guitarist, actually grew up in Great Kills, Staten Island.^{[citation needed]}
• Ron Dante - Lead singer for The Archies, big hit was the number 1 song "Sugar Sugar".
• Steven Duren - Better known as Blackie Lawless, lead singer of the 1980s heavy metal band W.A.S.P. Lawless, who is a friend of fellow Staten Islander David Johansen, replaced Johnny Thunders in the New York Dolls when he was 18.
• Eamon Doyle - Rapper, born and raised on Staten Island
• Force MD's - Was born and raised on Staten Island had a top ten song Tender Love in 1986, produced by longtime Janet Jackson producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
• Sandy Gennaro - Drummer/
• Jon Ihle- Drummer -born on Staten Island / played with the Left Banke /Ian Lloyd /The Crests/The Drifters....among others
• Ghostface Killah - Rapper/Wu-Tang Clan member born and raised on Staten Island.
• George Harrison - Of the Beatles briefly lived in Staten Island near Staten Island University Hospital while being treated for cancer there.
• David Johansen - (aka Buster Poindexter) of the New York Dolls
• Lil' Suzy - freestyle singer
• Madonna - Lived in the Stapleton area briefly. Her video "Papa Don't Preach" was filmed there. Madonna chose the location herself. She said the neighborhood was perfect premise for the video story.
• Method Man - Clifford Smith - Rapper/Wu-Tang Clan member (aka Method Man) was born and raised on Staten Island.
• Ingrid Michaelson - Indie-pop singer/songwriter; a Staten Island Technical High School graduate.
• A.J. Pero - Drummer for Twisted Sister
• Keith Richards - Rolling Stones guitarist. For a time in the 1980's, he owned a home on the South Shore of Staten Island.
• Vernon Reid- Guitar player for Living Colour
• Gene Simmons - Kiss bass player, went to Richmond College St. George
• Earl Slick - Guitarist, Phantom,Rocker and Slick, played with John Lennon
• Raekwon - Rapper/Wu-Tang Clan member, although born in Brooklyn he was raised on Staten Island.
• Peter Steele - Lead singer and bassist for the gothic-doom band Type O Negative
• Kasim Sulton - Bass player for Utopia. Was one of the Blackhearts, from Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Now is a member of The New Cars
• Wu Tang Clan - Hip-hop group; 4 of the 9 are from Staten Island. Credited with giving Staten Island the nickname 'Shaolin'
• Tom Guarna - jazz guitarist. Has performed with Blood Sweat & Tears, Yellowjackets, George Colligan among others.

Politicians

• Giuseppe Garibaldi - 19th century Italian revolutionary and statesman, lived for a time on Staten Island, and worked as a candle-maker.^[1]
• Caleb Lyon - A noted lecturer, poet, author, writer, and politician, he designed the Seal of the State of California. He served in the New York State Assembly, the New York State Senate, the U. S. House of Representatives, and later served as Governor of the Territory of Idaho.^[4]
• Daniel D. Tompkins - The sixth Vice President of the United States, an entrepreneur, jurist, Congressman, Governor of New York, and established Tompkinsville in Staten Island and the Staten Island Ferry.

Sports

• Adewale Ogunleye- Chicago Bears Defensive End, formerly played for Indiana University and Tottenville High School
• Randy Savage - Former Professional wrestler known as "Macho Man" now resides in Staten Island
• Joe Andruzzi - Cleveland Browns Offensive Lineman. Has 3 Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots.
• Rich Aurilia - All Star Shortstop, San Francisco Giants grew up on Staten Island.
• Renaldo Balkman - New York Knicks 2006 First Round Draft Pick, Born on Staten Island
• George Bamberger, a baseball player and manager. He spent most of his playing career pitching in the Minor Leagues. He spent only three seasons in the Major Leagues with the New York Giants (1951-1952), and with the 1959 Baltimore Orioles. He had a record of 458–478 as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers (1978-1980, 1985-1986) and the New York Mets (1982-1983). Bamberger as a pitching coach for the Baltimore Orioles would teach his famed pitch "The Staten Island Sinker".
• Bill Britton - Pro golfer was born and raised on Staten Island. Graduate of Monsignor Farrell High School.
• Terry Crowley baseball player, member of the 1970 World Champion Baltimore Orioles
• Jennifer Derevjanik- Plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, former St. Peters player
• Billy Donovan - coach of the Florida Gators played AAU basketball on Staten island. The team was the Staten Island Stallions.
• Frank Ferrara - New Dorp H.S., Played for the New York Giants for four seasons and Philadelphia Eagles. Now plays for the Arena team New York Dragons after a stint in the CFL
• Silvia Fontana, Italian figure skater in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympic Games, was born in Staten Island on December 3, 1976.
• Nick Fotiu was the first player ever from New York City (Boro of Staten Island) to play hockey for the hometown New York Rangers.^[5]
• John Franco - Former New York Mets pitcher
• Matt Galante-Former bench coach for the Houston Astros and New York Mets. Lives in Annadale
• Tony Garea, former WWE wrestler, lived in Staten Island for years.
• Jim Lee Howell, former head coach of the New York Giants
• Rich Kotite - former Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets head coach, and New York Giants player lives in West Brighton, Staten Island.
• Vito LoGrasso - WWE wrestler hails from Staten Island
• Hank Majeski - MLB infielder. Born and raised in Staten Island
• Oleg Maskaev - Heavyweight Boxing Champion
• Jason Marquis, starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, went to Tottenville High School in Staten Island.
• Dennis McKnight - Graduated from Susan Wagner H.S. played 9 seasons in the NFL mostly with the San Diego Chargers in the 80's. Now serves as the Special teams and Offensive line coach at the University of Hawaii
• Frank Menechino - Susan Wagner H.S., Alabama, 10 seasons MLB most notably for the Oakland Athletics
• Sudsy Monchik- 5-Time Pro World Champion racquetball player,went to Tottenville High School.
• Pro Bowlers Johnny Petraglia and Mark Roth both resided in Staten Island.
• Joe Pignatano - former Brooklyn Dodgers catcher and New York Mets coach. lived in New Dorp for years.
• Bill Richmond - British pugilist, born a slave on colonial Staten Island, lived in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Mike Siani - standout wide receiver for Villanova and number 1 draft choice for the Oakland Raiders was born and raised on Staten Island.
• William Shakespeare (football) - Halfback at Notre Dame and member of College Football Hall of Fame
• Mookie Wilson - New York Mets outfielder lived on Staten Island
• John Wolyniec - forward for MLS side Red Bull New York

Writers

• David Guida - Television writer/producer, professional gamer
• Langston Hughes - Poet, lived and worked for a season on a Staten Island farm growing vegetables.
• Ki Longfellow - Novelist, born on Staten Island.
• Andy Milligan - Playwright and film director, resided in Staten Island.
• Kafū Nagai - Japanese author wrote about his brief residence in American Stories
• Theodore Sturgeon - Science fiction author.
• William J. Taverner - Sex educator, author of texts in human sexuality, and co-editor of the American Journal of Sexuality Education grew up on Staten Island.
• Henry David Thoreau - Spent his longest time away from Concord, Massachusetts on Staten Island in the 1840s. While on the island, he tutored the children of Judge William Emerson and penned several letters to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson himself spent a significant amount of time on the island as well.
• Lara Vapnyar- Russian Jewish emigre writer known for her short stories.
• Paul Zindel - Novelist and playwright, whose books usually took place on Staten Island.

Other

• Marcia Clark - Famed Prosecutor, was involved in the famous O.J. Simpson trial, graduated from Susan E. Wagner High School.^[6]
• Paul Castellano- Gambino Crime Boss, lived in the Todt Hill, Staten Island section
• Jeremy Clarkson - British Car Enthusiast and host of BBC television show, Top Gear
• Ichabod Crane, a Colonel in the US Army during the War of 1812 and the nominal inspiration for the fictional protagonist in Washington Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow, who is buried in Staten Island, New York
• Judge William Emerson, brother of poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, resided on what is now known as Emerson Hill.
• Sammy "The Bull" Gravano - mob turncoat lived on Staten Island
• Patti Hansen - Famous model and wife to The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards
• Sukanya Krishnan - Home Delivery host and news anchor for WB11 Morning News grew up on Staten Island and graduated from New Dorp High School.
• Jonathan M. Parisen - Filmmaker, was born and raised on Staten Island
• Joe Pistone - FBI agent aka Donnie Brasco lived in Staten Island for a brief period.
• Robin Quivers- radio personality from the Howard Stern show lives on Staten Island
• Kevin Rooney- former manager of Mike Tyson lived on Staten Island
• Joseph Trunzo- Professional Madden NFL Football player. Starred in MTV's Documentary Hardcore Players: Madden NFL Football
• Cornelius Vanderbilt - 19th century shipping and railroad magnate and patriarch of the Vanderbilt family, was born, and lived most of his life on, Staten Island. He is buried in the family vault in the Moravian Cemetery at New Dorp on Staten Island.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Cohen, Patricia. "He Sings the Borough Forgotten", The New York Times, June 26, 2007. Accessed October 18, 2007. "Austen isn’t the only famous islander, Mr. Matteo notes. Christina Aguilera was born here; Steven Seagal and Paul Newman lived here, as did the exiles Garibaldi and Santa Anna"
2. ^ Wilson, claire. "Living In | Rosebank, Staten Island: A Quiet Slice of New York Waterfront", The New York Times, March 12, 2006. Accessed November 3, 2007. "In July, the same group holds a picnic and concert with an 18-piece band on the grounds of Clear Comfort, the former home, now a museum, of Alice Austen, a native Staten Islander who was a pioneering female photographer."
3. ^ Newington-Cropsey Foundation website
4. ^ infoplease.com - Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present
5. ^ Klein, Jeff Z.; and Reif, Karl-Eirc. " HOCKEY: SUNDAY SHOOTOUT; The Empire Skate: New York Producing Players", The New York Times, May 6, 2007. Accessed October 9, 2007. "In the past, the best players to come out of New York State tended to be products of playground roller hockey in New York City: Joey and Brian Mullen of Hell's Kitchen, and Nick Fotiu of Staten Island."
6. ^ Margolick, David. "The Murder Case of a Lifetime Gets a Murder Prosecutor of Distinction", The New York Times, January 22, 1995. Accessed November 12, 2007. "By the time little Marcia Kleks was 14, she had lived in Berkeley, Calif., her birthplace; on an Army base in Texas; in Tacoma, Wash.; in Santa Monica, Covina and Foster City, Calif.; in Detroit; in Kensington Park, Md., and on Staten Island."