From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of notable
Armenian Americans , including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants. Armenian Americans are people born or raised in the United States, or who reside there, 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 in the United States is based in
Los Angeles ; however, other sizable communities exist in
Boston ,
Detroit and the
New York metropolitan area . Statistics from the
United States 2000 Census , there are 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 , former professor of philosophy
Aram Chobanian , Dean of Boston University School of Medicine
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 (1934–2021), former President of
Brown University and the
Carnegie Corporation , 'savior'
[3] of the
New York Public Library
Edgar Housepian , neurosurgeon,
Professor Emeritus of neurosurgery at
Columbia University Medical School , and co-founder of the Fund for Armenia (FAR)
Marjorie Housepian Dobkin (1922–2013), professor of English at
Barnard College and author.
Richard G. Hovannisian , professor of Armenian History at
UCLA
Raffi Indjejikian , professor of accounting a
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
Ardem Patapoutian , winner of
2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for "discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch" (jointly with
David Julius )
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
Harold Takooshian , psychologist and professor at
Fordham University
Activism
Actors, models, entertainers
Marie Rose Abousefian , actress
Paul Abrahamian , reality television personality
James Adomian , actor and stand-up comedian
Kay Armen , TV, film and stage actress
Şahan Arzruni . pianist
Val Avery , actor
Richard Bakalyan , actor
Adrienne Barbeau , actress (mother was of Armenian descent)
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
Rowan Blanchard , actress, paternal great-grandmother was an Armenian from present-day Syria
Eric Bogosian , playwright and performance artist
[8]
Dan Bilzerian , Internet personality
Christy Canyon , pornographic actress (Armenian father)
Arthur Edmund Carewe (1884–1937), Armenian-born American actor in the silent and early sound film era
Cher , singer and actress
Mike Connors , television actor
[9]
Leon Danielian , first U.S.-born ballet dancer to reach international recognition
Anita Darian , singer and actress
Ken Davitian , actor
George Duran , chef and entertainer
Naz Edwards , actress
Colton Ford , former gay pornographic actor; singer
Cyrinda Foxe , model and actress
Arlene Francis , actress
[10]
Victor French , prolific character actor, Armenian mother
Michael A. Goorjian , actor and filmmaker
[11]
Sid Haig , actor
[12]
Alexandra Hedison , actress and director
David Hedison , actor
Dan Janjigian , actor and former bobsledder
Khloé Kardashian , reality television star, media personality, businesswoman, socialite, and model
Kim Kardashian , reality television star, socialite, model, businesswoman, producer, and actress
Kourtney Kardashian , reality television star, media personality, socialite, and model
Rob Kardashian , reality television star, businessman
Sylva Kelegian , actress
Marco Khan , actor
Joe Manganiello , actor; maternal grandmother was of Armenian descent
Andrea Martin , comedian
[13]
Eddie Mekka , actor
Sona Movsesian , podcaster and executive assistant to
Conan O'Brien
Erik Palladino , actor (Armenian mother)
Arsen Penerdzhyan , owner of several things
Deran Sarafian , actor
Angela Sarafyan , actress
Lucy Saroyan , actress, photographer
Adam G. Sevani , actor
Akim Tamiroff , actor
[14]
Callie Thorne , actor
Mia Tyler , plus-size model
Michael Vartan , actor; paternal great-grandfather was of Armenian descent
Dita Von Teese , burlesque artist, model, and actress; her grandmother was of partial Armenian descent
Geoffrey Zakarian , celebrity chef, television personality, Iron Chef, restaurateur, and author
Armenian American actors and models
Art, design
Dan Panosian , comic book artist
Apo Avedissian , filmmaker, painter, photographer and writer
Edward Avedisian , painter
Greg Costikyan , game designer
Ivan Dmitri , photographer
Patricia Field , costume designer and fashion designer
Arshile Gorky , painter
Kaloust Guedel , 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
Alina Mnatsakanian , visual artist
Armenian Americans in art and design
Architects
Banking and finance
Business
Sarkis Acopian , founded the Acopian Technical Company
Noubar Afeyan , co-founder of
Moderna
Garo H. Armen , CEO of
Antigenics Inc.
Augustus Barber , founder of Barber Foods
John Berberian , entrepreneur
Armen Berjikly , CEO and founder of
Kanjoya and
Experience Project
Ian Bremmer , President and founder of
Eurasia Group
Charles Bilezikian , co-founder of
Christmas Tree Shops
Paul Bilzerian , Armenian-American businessman
Gerard Cafesjian , entrepreneur
Vahan Chamlian , entrepreneur
Larry Gagosian , art dealer, and founder of
Gagosian Gallery with 16 locations internationally
Paul Garmirian , founder of
PG cigars
Arthur T. Gregorian , noted oriental rug merchant and author
Mark Hoplamazian , CEO and President of
Global Hyatt
Razmig Hovaghimian , co-founder and CEO of
Viki
Jirair Hovnanian , entrepreneur
Kevork Hovnanian , founder of
Hovnanian Enterprises
Ronald Hovsepian , CEO of
IntraLinks and
Novell
Steven A. Kandarian , former President, Chairman, and CEO,
MetLife
Arshag Karagheusian , co-founder of
A & M Karagheusian
Anna Kazanjian Longobardo , business executive and engineer
Kirk Kerkorian , entrepreneur, casino mogul, considered to be one of the "founding fathers" of Las Vegas
[15]
Blake Krikorian , co-founder of
Sling Media
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
Peter Najarian ,
options
trader , television personality, market analyst
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
Hagop Jack Topdjian , senior partner
PWC and
McKinsey , founder
Healthcare Equity Angels
Alex Yemenidjian , former CEO and Chairman of
MGM Studios
Craigie Zildjian , CEO of Zildjian
Robert Zildjian , founder of
Sabian Cymbals
Armenian Americans in business
Families
Filmmakers and animators
Lisa Rose Apramian , screenwriter
Samuel Aroutiounian , talent agent, film producer
Aram Avakian , director, editor
Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. ,
film producer , record producer
Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. ,
pianist , singer-songwriter, actor (aka
David Seville )
Steve Dildarian , animator, creator of
The Life and Times of Tim
Atom Egoyan , director, screenwriter, producter
Carla Garapedian , filmmaker
Hughes Brothers , directors
Howard Kazanjian , producer
[17]
Alek Keshishian , director
Rouben Mamoulian , director
[18]
Haig P. Manoogian , film producer, professor of film at New York University, major early influence for many filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese
Mardik Martin , screenwriter
Levon Mkrtchyan , director
Tony Petrossian , director
Deran Sarafian , television director
Katherine Sarafian , assistant film producer
Richard C. Sarafian , television and film director
Tanya Seghatchian , film producer
Michael Vartan , film and television actor
Francis Veber , screenwriter
Steven Zaillian , writer and director
[19]
Eric Esrailian , producer
Sev Ohanian , film producer and screenwriter
Natalie Qasabian , film producer
Journalism
Michael J. Arlen , staff writer for
The New Yorker
Ben Bagdikian , former editor-in-chief of
The Washington Post
David Barsamian , radio broadcaster and journalist
Ken Dilanian , justice and intelligence correspondent for
NBC News
[20]
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
Bob Kevoian , nationally syndicated morning radio talk show host
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
Law
Samuel Der-Yeghiayan , former United States federal judge for the Northern District of Illinois
Charles R. Garry , civil rights/criminal defense attorney
Mark Geragos , defense attorney
Robert Kardashian , defense attorney
Marsha Kazarosian , attorney handling high-profile cases
Garo Mardirossian , plaintiff attorney involved in civil rights, product liability, and personal injury cases
John Nalbandian , United States Federal judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Bill Paparian , criminal defense attorney
Robert Philibosian , 38th District Attorney of Los Angeles County
Dickran Tevrizian , United States federal judge for the Central District of California
Military
Anna Der-Vartanian , Master Chief Petty Officer in the
U.S. Navy
Ernest H. Dervishian , U.S. 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
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
First Nagorno-Karabakh War
Stephen J. Maranian , U.S. Army
Major General who served from 1988 to 2023 and is the highest ranking Armenian American to serve in the
U.S. Army
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 , classical 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
Doris Brunatti , contralto, classical/opera singer, vocal instructor, soloist of Symphony of Tears, see: Jeff Manookian (below)
Armen Chakmakian , recording artist, keyboardist, composer
Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian), singer and actress
Lili Chookasian , contralto
Angel Deradoorian , bassist
Ara Dinkjian , oud player
Armen Donelian , musician
Kallen Esperian , opera singer
Gegham Grigoryan , opera artist
Asmik Grigorian , opera artist
Ivan Galamian , violin teacher
Michael Gulezian , musician
Richard Hagopian , oud player
Sib Hashian , drummer
Alan Hovhaness , classical composer
Vanig Rupen Hovsepian, see: Turk Van Lake (below)
Greg Jehanian , bassist and backing vocalist, member of indie rock band
mewithoutYou
Tonio K , composer
Tamar Kaprelian , singer
Kim Kashkashian , violinist
Art Laboe ,
disc jockey , songwriter, record producer
Ana Lenchantin , musician/actress
Paz Lenchantin , rock musician
Jeff Manookian , composer of Symphony of Tears commemorating the Armenian Genocide, conductor, pianist, music teacher
Edward Manukyan , composer
Haig Mardirosian , organist, conductor, composer
Paul Motian , jazz musician
Jerry Murad , musician
Vazgen Muradian , composer and violinist
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
Zabelle Panosian , singer
Harout Pamboukjian , pop singer
Leon Redbone , jazz and blues artist
Karnig Sarkissian , singer
System of a Down members:
Derek Sherinian , keyboardist
Barry Tashian , guitarist, songwriter[
citation needed ]
Taline and Friends , children entertainers
Armand Tokatyan , opera singer
Arto Tunçboyacıyan , multi-instrumentalist and vocalist
Onno Tunç , composer and arranger
Turk Van Lake , composer, arranger, and jazz guitarist
Richard Yardumian , classical composer
Armenian Americans in music
Politicians
Religion
Sciences
George Adomian , mathematician
George Aghajanian , professor of psychiatry, a pioneer in the area of neuropharmacology
Hagop S. Akiskal , clinical psychiatrist, best known for his pioneering research on
bipolar disorder
Armen Alchian , economist
James P. Bagian , astronaut
Harry Daghlian , physicist with the
Manhattan Project
Raymond V. Damadian , inventor of MRI
Moses Housepian , physician and humanitarian aid worker
Albert Kapikian , virologist and pioneer in vaccine development for
rotavirus
Varaztad Hovhannes Kazanjian , founder of the modern practice of plastic surgery
Hampar Kelikian , orthopedic-surgeon pioneer
Edward Keonjian , the father of microelectronics;
[21] 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
Hagop Panossian , aerospace engineer, academic and philanthropist
Alex Sevanian , molecular pharmacologist, pioneer in free radical research
Hrayr Shahinian , pioneer in microsurgical techniques of the brain
[22]
Luther George Simjian , inventor
Sarkes Tarzian , engineer, inventor, and broadcaster
Avie Tevanian , operating systems researcher
Armenian Americans in sciences
Sports
Tatev Abrahamyan , chess player
[23]
Fred Agabashian , professional racer
Ben Agajanian , professional football player
Christopher J.C. Agajanian , motorsports promoter
Andre Agassi , professional tennis player
Emmanuel Agassi , former Olympic boxer and coach
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
Marcelo Djian , Brazilian professional soccer player
Trent Edwards , professional football player
Alecko Eskandarian , professional soccer player
[24]
Andranik Eskandarian , soccer player
Chuck Essegian , professional baseball player
Manvel Gamburyan , mixed martial arts fighter
Blackie Gejeian , race car driver and race car builder
Brian Goorjian , coach of
Sydney Kings
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
Yura Movsisyan ,
MLS Champion with
Real Salt Lake and
Armenia National Football Team player
Karo Parisyan , mixed martial arts fighter
Ara Parseghian ,
Notre Dame head football coach
Seth Rollins , professional wrestler
Steve Sarkisian ,
University of Texas head football coach
Austin Seferian-Jenkins ,
NFL player
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
Armenian Americans in sports
Writers, literature, playwrights
Marie Rose Abousefian , writer, playwright and academic
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
Alicia Ghiragossian , writer, Nobel Prize nominee
Aram Haigaz , writer
Marjorie Housepian Dobkin (1922–2013), professor at
Barnard College and author
Nancy Kricorian , poet and author
Oksana Marafioti , writer
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 and 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
References
^
"U.S census Bureau" . Archived from
the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2011-07-13 .
^
Daron Acemoglu: A Turk of Armenian descent
Archived February 11, 2010, at the
Wayback Machine
^ McFadden, Robert D. (2021-04-16).
"Vartan Gregorian, Savior of the New York Public Library, Dies at 87" . The New York Times .
ISSN
0362-4331 . Retrieved 2021-04-16 .
^ 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. [
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" . Archived from
the original on 2006-10-29. Retrieved 2011-04-20 .
^
http://www.imhayrenik.com/general/kirk-kerkorian.php# . Retrieved 2015-01-25 .
^
The Fifty Families (Part 1) – Boston Magazine
Archived 2011-07-09 at the
Wayback Machine
^
Howard Kazanjian
Archived 2007-09-28 at the
Wayback Machine
^
"FGA – Rouben Mamoulian" . Archived from
the original on 2012-04-15. Retrieved 2011-07-13 .
^
"Zaillian, whose background is Armenian, lives in Los Angeles..."
^ Arkun, Aram (2023-10-24).
"NBC News Correspondent Dilanian to Speak at Mirror-Spectator Panel, Gala" . The Armenian Mirror-Spectator . Retrieved 2024-03-02 .
^
"Keonjian Distinguished Professorship Honors Life and Work of "Father of Microelectronics" " . Archived from
the original on 2011-05-14. Retrieved 2016-08-04 .
^
"WordPress.com" . Archived from
the original on 2012-07-10.
^
"The chess games of Tatev Abrahamyan" .
^ Wise, Mike (31 May 2006).
"Fiery Player, Simmering Conscience" – via washingtonpost.com.
External links