List of Puerto Ricans
This is a List of famous Puerto Ricans (including people of Puerto Rican descent) in alphabetical order by last names, where applicable. This would include persons who are known to a large number of people and is not based on the extent of their popularity. Neither is the list viewed from the context of the present. Their fame could be brief, what matters is that they were well-known during the peak of their popularity.
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Actors, actresses, and comedians
- David Acevedo Garcia, actor, (series Days of our Lives , film Armageddon)
- Kirk Acevedo, actor, (T.V. series Oz)
- Jose Miguel Agrelot, "Don Cholito", comedian
- Jorge Alberti, actor
- Miguel Ángel Álvarez "El Men", comedian
- Axel Anderson, actor/director
- Victor Argo, actor (King of New York)
- Raymond Arrieta, comedian
- Rick Aviles, actor/comedian (Ghost)
- Charlotte Ayanna, actress
- Adrienne Bailon, member of Platnium R&B group 3LW, Actress
- Alba Raquel Barros, comedian/actress
- Ivonne Belen, documentary director and producer
- Rosa Blasi, theatrical actress
- Lucy Boscana, actress, pioneer in Puerto Rico's television
- Giselle Blondet, actress/TV host
- Armando Calvo, actor
- Norma Candal, comedian
- Irene Cara, singer/actress (Fame)
- Tony Chiroldes Carbia, actor (series Mister Roger's Neighborhood)
- Desiree Casado, actress "Gaby" on Sesame Street, film I Like It Like That
- Myrna de Casenave, actress/comedian, pioneer of Puerto Rican television
- Jorge Castro, soap opera actor
- Raquel Castro, American actress (Puerto Rican father)
- Braulio Castillo, soap opera actor
- Braulio Castillo, hijo, soap opera actor
- Melwin Cedeño, comedian
- Ivonne Coll, actress (The Godfather II)
- Liza Colon-Zayas, theatrical/film actress
- Miriam Colon, actress (Scarface)
- Paquito Cordero, TV producer/comedian
- Kevin Corrigan, actor
- Mapita Cortes, actress, niece of Mapy Cortes
- Mapy Cortes, actress
- Mara Croatto, soap opera actress
- Alexis Cruz, actor ("Stargate", TV series "Stargate SG1", "Touched By An Angel")
- Wilson Cruz actor (TV series My So-Called Life; film Party Monster)
- Blanca de Castejon, international actress
- Henry Darrow, actor, "Manolito" (TV series The High Chaparral)
- Raul Davila , actor, (TV series All My Children)
- Rosario Dawson, actress (Men In Black II,The Rundown)
- Myrna de Casenave, actress
- Michael DeLorenzo, actor (TV series New York Undercover, Head of the Class)
- Tommi Delton actor, (series Noah's Arc) (Puerto Rican mother)
- Sully Diaz, soap opera actress
- Lydia Echevarria, soap opera actress
- Hector Elizondo, actor (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries)
- Erik Estrada, actor (TV series CHiPs, Sealab 2021)
- Antonio Fargas, actor (television series Starsky and Hutch)
- José Ferrer, actor (Cyrano de Bergerac), first Hispanic actor to win an Academy Award
- Miguel Ferrer, (RoboCop, The Manchurian Candidate)
- Franky G, actor (The Italian Job (2003 film), Saw II)
- Gloria Garayua, actress (Fun with Dick and Jane
- Luis Gatica, actor (son of Mapita Cortes)
- Ian Gomez, actor ( television series The Drew Carey Show)
- Reagan Gomez-Preston, actress
- Rick Gonzalez, actor (The Rookie, Coach Carter)
- Bruce Gray, actor, S.W.A.T (born and raised in Puerto Rico)
- Luis Guzman, actor (Carlito's Way, Traffic, The Count of Monte Cristo)
- Juano Hernandez, actor, the first Puerto Rican star in the Negro Film Industry
- Lillian Hurst, comedian/actress (Dharma and Greg)
- Vincent Irizarry, actor on ABC Soap Opera (All My Children)
- Victoria Justice American television actress (Zoey 101)
- Eva LaRue, actress of Puerto Rican descent (All My Children, CSI: Miami)
- John Leguizamo, actor (Moulin Rouge!, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar) (Puerto Rican on Father's side)
- Adamari Lopez, actress of soap operas
- Anibal Lopez, professional bodybuilder
- Sunshine Logroño, comedian
- Justina Machado, actress (T.V. series Six Feet Under;films Final Destination 2,Torque)
- Sonia Manzano, actress, "Maria" on Sesame Street
- Eddie Marrero, actor (Navy Seals: Untold Stories)
- Gregori J. Martin, actor (series OZ)
- Javier Grillo-Marxuach, television and film producer
- Claribel Medina, actress
- John Melendez, "Stuttering John" ("Howard Stern Show" and "The Tonight Show")
- Angela Meyer, actress, comedian and producer
- Ari Meyers, actress (TV series Kate & Allie)
- Eddie Miro, T.V. Host
- Esai Morales, actor (La Bamba)
- Jacobo Morales, director, actor (Bananas)
- Alicia Moreda, soap opera actress
- Rita Moreno, actress, winner of an Oscar, a Tony Award, an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award
- Coati Mundi, composer/musician and actor (film Who's That Girl)
- Frankie Muniz, actor (TV series Malcolm in the Middle) films Agent Cody Banks,Big Fat Liar (Puerto Rican on father's side)
- Rafo Muñiz, comedian
- Tommy Muñiz, T.V. producer/comedian
- Michael J. Narvaez, actor/director, film I Believe in America
- Taylor Negron, is an actor/comedian of Puerto Rican and Jewish ancestry.
- Micaela Nevárez, actress, film Princesas, first Puerto Rican to win a Goya Award
- Jimmy Nieves, comedian, Radio and TV host
- Amaury Nolasco, actor, film 2 Fast 2 Furious, television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Prison Break)
- Marian Pabon, actress
- Lana Parrilla actress (Puerto Rican father), Spin City and Boomtown.
- Rey Pascual, actor/producer
- Rosie Perez, actress (White Men Can't Jump, Fearless)
- Joaquin Phoenix, actor (Signs, Gladiator) (born in Puerto Rico)
- Freddie Prinze, comedian/actor (TV series Chico and the Man) (Puerto Rican mother)
- Freddie Prinze, Jr., actor (Scooby-Doo) (Puerto Rican grandmother)
- Carmen Belen Richardson, comedian/actress
- Armando Riesco, actor, films ( World Trade Center, Garden State, Fever Pitch)
- Chita Rivera, "Broadway Legend", winner of 2 Tony Awards
- Luis Antonio Rivera, "Yoyo Boing" comedian
- Ramón (Diplo) Rivero, comedian
- Adalberto Rodríguez, "Machuchal" comedian
- Adam Rodriguez actor (T.V. series CSI: Miami, Roswell)
- Freddie Rodríquez, actor (T.V. series Six Feet Under)
- Gladys Rodríguez, comedian/soap opera actress
- Michelle Rodríquez, actress (Lost, The Fast and the Furious)
- Esther Sandoval, actress
- Antonio Sanchez, comedian/television host
- Marcelino Sanchez, actor ("The Warriors","The Bloodhound Gang"
- Roselyn Sanchez, actress (Rush Hour 2, Boat Trip)
- Jose Vega Santana, "Remi" the Clown, (also see: Cartoonists)
- Saundra Santiago, actress (Miami Vice, Carlito's Way)
- Jon Seda, actor (Selena)
- Nancy Sepulveda, stand-up comedian ("The Comedy Chick")
- Henry Silva, actor (The Manchurian Candidate, Dick Tracy (film))
- Jimmy Smits, actor (TV series L.A. Law, The West Wing, and NYPD Blue; movie Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith)
- Talisa Soto, actress/model, (Licence to Kill,Mortal Kombat)
- Miguel Ángel Suárez, actor (Stir Crazy, Under Suspicion)
- Rachel Ticotin, actress (Total Recall, Con Air)
- Benicio del Toro, actor (Traffic), Academy award winner
- Liz Torres, actress (T.V. series Gilmore Girls)
- Alanna Ubach, actress (Meet The Fockers (mother is Puerto Rican)
- Nadine Velazquez, actress (T.V. series My Name is Earl)
- Lauren and Loraine Velez, actress's, (T.V. series "New York Undercover", "Oz")
- Christina Vidal,actress, (TV series Taina)
- Lisa Vidal, actress (Night in the City), (TV series ER)
- Luis Vigoreaux, TV host
- Luisito Vigoreaux, TV host
- Sylvia Del Villard, actress, dancer and choregrapher
- Otilio Warrington, "Bizcocho" comedian
- Sandra Zaiter, TV host of children shows
- David Zayas, theatrical/film actor ("Oz")
- Raúl Juliá, actor (The Addams Family {1991 movie}, Addams Family Values, Street Fighter, Tequila Sunrise)
- Joaquin Phoenix, actor (Gladiator, Quills, Signs, The Village,Ladder 49, Walk the Line
Authors, playwrights and poets
- Abelardo Diaz Alfaro, writer
- Miguel Algarín, poet, writer and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
- Dr. Manuel A. Alonso, poet and author
- Pura Belpre, author
- Alejandrina Benitez de Gautier, poet
- Maria Bibiana Benitez, playwright and Puerto Rico's "first" poets
- Tomas Blanco, writer and historian
- Dr. Salvador Brau, historian
- Julia de Burgos, poet
- Mayra Calvani, writer
- Nemesio Canales, essayist and poet
- Judith Ortiz Cofer, poet, writer and essayist
- Dr. Cayetano Coll y Toste, historian and writer
- Jesús Colón, writer, father of "Nuyorican" movement
- Juan Antonio Corretjer, poet
- Dr. José Antonio Dávila, poet
- Virgilio Dávila, poet
- Caridad de la Luz "La Bruja", poet, writer/actor of "Boogie Rican Blvd"
- Mayra Santos Febres, poet
- Dr. Rosario Ferré, writer
- Jose Gautier Benitez, poet
- Migene Gonzalez-Wippler, new-age author, prominent Santeria expert
- Enrique A. Laguerre, writer, nominated for Nobel Prize in literature
- Georgina Lázaro, children's poet
- Luis López Nieves, Writer
- Luis Palés Matos, poet of Afro-Caribbean themes
- René Marqués, playwright
- Dr. Concha Melendez, poet, writer
- Manuel Mendez Ballester, writer
- Mercedes Negron Muñoz, "Clara Lair", poet
- Linda Nieves-Powell, "Yo Soy Latina" Writer/Director/Producer
- Dr. Antonio S. Pedreira, writer and educator
- Pedro Pietri, poet,playwright, co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
- Miguel Piñero, playwright, writer, co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
- Luis Rafael Sanchez,playwright
- Dr. Wilfredo Santa Gomez, self help books author
- Esmeralda Santiago, author
- Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, writer and poet, "The Father of Puerto Rican Literature"
- José Rivera, playwright, first Puerto Rican nominated for an "Oscar" in "Best Adopted Screenplay" category
- Dr. Juan M. Rivera, poet, essayist
- Lola Rodríguez de Tió, poet, wrote lyrics to the revolutionary "Borinqueña"
- Salvador Tió, (Poet, Humorist, Writer and inventor of the word "Espanglish")
- Elsa Tió, (Poet)
- Piri Thomas, writer, poet
- Edwin Torres, "Nuyorican Movement" poet
- Judge Edwin Torres, writer (Carlito's Way), New York Supreme Court Justice
- Luis Llorens Torres, poet
- Clemente Soto Vélez, poet and activist
- William Carlos Williams (Puerto Rican on his mother's side), Modernist poet.
- Dr. Manuel Zeno Gandía, wrote "La Charca", the first Puerto Rican novel
Beauty queens and supermodels
- Deborah Carthy-Deu, Miss Universe 1985
- Susie Castillo, Miss USA 2003 (mother is Puerto Rican)
- Stella Diaz, Top Fashion Model, Sports Illustrated Model Search Finalist, 2005
- Marisol Malaret, first Puerto Rican Miss Universe, 1970
- Marisol Maldonado, fashion model
- Wilnelia Merced, Miss World, 1975
- Astrid Muñoz, supermodel
- Cynthia Olavarria, Miss Puerto Rico 2005
- Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001
- Ingrid Marie Rivera, Miss Puerto Rico World 2005
- Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006
- Chay Santini, supermodel
- Laurie Tamara Simpson, Miss International 1987
- Taina, model
- Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993
- Gloria Velez, supermodel
Business People and industrialists
- Carlota Alfaro, fashion
- Aida Alvarez, first Hispanic woman and the first Puerto Rican to hold a position in a President's Cabinet
- Luis Antonio, fashion
- Luisa Capetillo, labor leader
- Richard Carrion, Chairman of the Board Banco Popular, chairman International Olympic Committee's Finance Committee
- Manuel A. Casiano, Chairman of the Board, Casiano Communications
- Kimberly Casiano, first and only Puerto Rican Ford Motor Company and Mutual of America director, president of Casiano Communications
- Ramiro L. Colon, first administrator of Cooperativa de Cafeteros de Puerto Rico, Café Rico (official coffee of the Vatican)
- Atilano Cordero Badillo, Supermercados Grande
- Carmen Ana Culpeper, SBA Regional Director, first female PR Treasury Secretary and PR Telephone Company President
- Maria Vizcarrondo-De Soto, first Puerto Rican President and CEO of United Way of Essex and West Hudson*
- Oscar de la Renta, fashion designer (Father was Puerto Rican)
- Fernando Fernandez, "Ron del Barrilito" and "Alcoholado Santa Ana"
- Antonio Luis Ferré, owner of Ferré-Rangel media emporium
- Luis A. Ferré, Ponce Cement (see also Governors)
- José Juan García, "CheJuan", founder of Hogares Crea
- Ramon Lopez Irizarry, inventor of Coco Lopez
- Gildo Massó, founder of Massó Enterprises and Casa's Massó
- Sandra Miranda, founder of Miranda Salon, Inc. & Miranda the Style Lounge
- Angel Munoz, founder of the Cyberathlete Professional League - widely regarded as the father of esports
- Antonio Muñoz-Bermúdez, philanthropist, real estate developer and sports promoter, responsible for MLB and World Baseball Classic games in Puerto Rico
- Lisette Nieves, founder of "ATREVETE"
- Lisa Quiroz, founding publisher of People en Espanol magazine, Senior Vice-President of Corporate Responsibility for Time Warner
- Samuel A. Ramirez, Sr., President and founder of "Ramirez & Co.", the largest Hispanic investment banking firm in Wall Street
- Angel Ramos, founder of Telemundo television network
- Miguel Ruíz, founder of Café Yaucono'
- Herb Scannell, Former Chairman of MTV Networks and president of Nickelodeon Networks
- Juan Serralles, founder of "Don Q" rum
- Joseph A. Unanue, president and CEO of Goya Foods, son of founder
- Salvador Vassallo, founder of Vassallo Industries Inc. (Industrias Vassallo Inc.), Vassallo Distribution Center, and Vassallo Molding Corp.
Cartoonists
- David Alvarez, creator of "Yenny", illustrator and storyboard artist for DC Comics Looney Tunes series
- Ricardo Alvarez Rivon, creator of "Turey"
- Vanesa Littlecrow, comic creator
- George Perez, "Marvel" and DC Comics comic book artist
- John Rivas, creator of "Bonzzo"
- Jose Vega Santana, creator of "Remi, The Clown" (see also Actors and Actress)
- Wilfred Santiago, "Fantagraphics Books" Graphic Novel artist
Composers, musicians and singers
- Juan F. Acosta, composer of folklore music
- Johnny Albino, singer
- Natalie and Nicole Albino, "Nina Sky" R&B
- Rafael Alers, danza composer, "first" Puerto Rican to compose a Hollywood musical score
- Tite Curet Alonso, salsa composer El Periódico de Ayer and Las Caras Lindas
- Marc Anthony, singer
- Chucho Avellanet, singer
- Lloyd Banks, (Puerto Rican on his mother's side), rapper
- Ray Barretto, salsa singer, jazz and salsa musician
- Eddie Benitez, Guitarist, song writer, Considered the Most sensual guitarist
- John Benitez, "Jellybean Benitez", music producer and remixer
- Lucecita Benítez, singer
- Obie Bermudez,singer
- Americo Boschetti, singer and composer
- Breezy Beatmc,MC/Singer Songwriter/Producer
- Roy Brown, folklore singer, composer
- Antonio Caban Vale "El Topo", folklore singer, composer
- Tego Calderón, reggaeton singer
- Juan Morel Campos, composer of Danzas
- Bobby Capo, singer, composer
- Vicente Carattini, singer and composer of Puerto Rican Christmas themes
- Nydia Caro, singer
- Chino Rodriguez, Musician and now Booking Agent, first oriental in Salsa Music
- Pau Casals, renowned classical musician,
- Kevin Ceballo, salsa singer
- Rafael Cepeda, composer, "The Patriarch of the Bomba and Plena"
- Iris Chacón, singer and vedette
- Chayanne, singer
- Jose Miguel Class, "El Gallito de Manati", singer
- Robert Clivilles, deejay/producer, group C+C Music Factory
- Elvis Crespo, merengue singer
- Jo-L, started Sal-Fuzion - Salsa/Reggaeton
- Tony Croatto, singer/composer of Puerto Rican folk songs
- Bobby Cruz, salsa singer
- Willie Colón, salsa singer
- Braulio Dueño Colón, composer of "Canciones Escolares"
- Cesar Concepcion, salsa singer
- Federico A. Cordero, composer and classical guitarist
- Millie Corretjer,singer
- Rafael Cortijo, salsa singer
- Joe Cuba,bandleader, considered to be "The Father of the Boogaloo"
- Daddy Yankee, reggaeton singer
- Pedro Ortiz Davila, "Davilita", bolero singer
- Justino Díaz, opera singer
- Dr. Rafael Jose Diaz, "Rafael Jose", singer and television host
- Carmen Delia Dipini, singer
- Howie Dorough, singer, member of the Backstreet Boys
- Huey Dunbar, singer with group DLG, (Puerto Rican mother)
- Johnathan Dwayne, singer, composer
- Jesús Sánchez Erazo , "El Chuito de Bayamon", singer
- Rafi Escudero, salsa singer
- Noel Estrada, composer of "En Mi Viejo San Juan"
- Cano Estremera,singer, composer and poet
- Fat Joe, rapper
- Rene Farrait, former member of "Menudo"
- Cheo Feliciano,singer
- José Feliciano, singer, composed "Feliz Navidad"
- Ruth Fernandez, singer
- Narciso Figueroa, "Father of the Modern Danza"
- Pedro Flores, composer
- Luis Fonsi, singer
- Angelo Garcia, former member of "Menudo"
- Glory, a reggaeton singer
- Odilio Gonzalez, singer
- Oscar Hernandez, salsa musician (composer of Sex and the City theme song)
- Rafael Hernandez, Composer of "Preciosa" and "Lamento Borincano"
- Giovanni Hidalgo, percussionist
- Marta Casals Istomin, cellist, former President of Manhattan School of Music, widow of musicians Pablo Casals and Eugene Istomin
- Rafael Ithier, founder of "El Gran Combo" orchestra
- La India, salsa singer, known as the "Princess of Salsa"
- Carmita Jimenez, singer (known also as "La Dama de la Canción")
- George Lamond , pop/salsa singer
- Tito Lara, singer
- Héctor Lavoe, salsa singer
- Raphy Leavitt, composer, director and founder of "La Selecta"
- Jennifer Lopez, singer and actress
- Johnny Lozada, former member of "Menudo"
- Giro Salsa Singer, former member of Los Chicos
- Papo Lucca, Lead Pianist of "La Sonora Ponceña"
- Lunna, singer
- Victor Manuelle, singer
- Ricky Martin, singer former member of "Menudo"
- Angie Martinez, Radio personality/rapper
- Charlie Masso, former member of "Menudo"
- Maxwell (musician), R&B/Neo-Soul singer (father was Puerto Rican)
- Lisette Melendez, freestyle/latin-pop singer
- Ricky Melendez, former member of "Menudo"
- Stephen A. Merritt, noted pianist (mother is Puerto Rican)
- Luis Miguel, singer born in Puerto Rico
- Ismael Miranda, "El Niño Bonito de la Salsa", singer and composer
- Angel Mislan, composer of Danzas
- Yolandita Monge, singer
- Noelia, singer and composer (daughter of Yolandita Monge)
- Andy Montañez, salsa singer
- Glenn Monroig,composer, singer, sang the "first" rap song in Spanish
- Gilberto Monroig, bolero singer
- David Morales, deejay/composer/music producer
- Florencio Morales Ramos, "Ramito", folklore singer
- Ednita Nazario, singer
- Joe Negroni, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, member of the Teenagers
- Tito Nieves, salsa singer
- Tommy Olivencia, salsa singer
- Don Omar reggaeton singer
- Tony Orlando (Puerto Rican on mother's side), singer
- Choco Orta, female,salsa, singer
- Jeannie Ortega, R&B/reggaeton singer
- Luis "Perico" Ortiz, salsa singer, musician, composer, musical arranger and producer
- Shalim Ortiz, singer
- Eddie Palmieri, bandleader (won 7 Grammy Awards)
- Charlie Palmieri, pianist, bandleader
- Antonio Paolí, opera singer, first person in history to record an entire opera
- Chavo Pederast aka Ron Reyes, second singer for LA hardcore punk band Black Flag
- José Enrique Pedreira, Danza composer
- Angel "Cuco" Peña, musician, composer and producer
- Carlos Ponce, singer
- Tito Puente, musician, composer and producer
- Ivy Queen, rapper, known as "The Queen of Reggaeton"
- Domingo Quiñones, singer/actor
- Luciano Quiñones, danza composer
- Ismael Quintana, salsa singer
- Jose Ignacio Quinton, pianist/composer of danzas
- Richie Ray, singer, composer, known as "The King of Salsa"
- Ron Reyes aka Chavo Pederast, second singer for LA hardcore punk band Black Flag
- Sylvia Rexach, singer, composer
- Danny Rivera, singer
- Jerry Rivera, salsa singer
- Dr. Graciela Rivera, opera singer
- Ismael Rivera, "El Sonero Mayor", salsa singer
- Roberto Roena, Band Leader of Apollo Sound Orchestra, Bongoes and percussion, dancer
- Efren Perez Suarez, Songwriter for Roberto Roena (La Hija De La Vecina)
- Felipe Rodriguez, "La Voz", bolero singer
- Julito Rodriguez, singer
- Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, guitarist from The Mars Volta
- Pellin Rodriguez, salsa singer
- Tito Rodriguez, singer
- Kelis Rogers, (mother is Chinese Puerto Rican), singer and television host
- Tito Rojas, "El Gallo"
- Robi Dräco Rosa, former member of "Menudo"
- Willie Rosario, composer, bandleader
- Felipe Rose, the Indian from The Village People, singer
- Julita Ross, singer of Danzas
- Roy Rossello, former member of "Menudo"
- Frankie Ruiz, salsa singer
- Hilton Ruiz, jazz composer/musician
- Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry, former members of "Menudo"
- Claudio Sanchez, lead singer, lyricist and guitarist of Coheed and Cambria
- Jesús María Sanromá, the first person ever to be named official pianist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
- Gilberto Santa Rosa, salsa singer
- Eddie Santiago, salsa singer
- Herman Santiago, rock n roll singer, composed song "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"
- Marvin Santiago, salsa singer
- Dr. Zoraida Santiago, singer and composer
- Daniel Santos, composer, singer of boleros
- Nino Segarra, salsa singer
- Xavier Serbia, former member of "Menudo"
- Banchy Serrano, singer, member of "Grupo Mania"
- Myrta Silva, singer, composer
- Arturo Somohano,composer, Symphony orchestra conductor
- Brenda K. Starr, singer (Puerto Rican on mother's side)
- Michael Stuart, singer
- Olga Tañon, singer, composer, (4 Grammys)
- Manuel Gregorio Tavarez, composer known as "The Father of the Puerto Rican Danzas"
- Gerardo Teissonniere, classical pianist and teacher
- Roberto Tirado, Spanish Harlem vocalist
- Ray Toro, Lead guitarist for My Chemical Romance
- Cynthia Torres Freestyle Singer
- Nestor Torres, acclaimed flutist
- Tony Touch, reggaeton artist
- Yolanda Vadiz, gospel singer
- Bobby Valentin,musician/bandleader
- Mario Vasquez, singer
- Alan Vega, rock singer, of Suicide
- Tony Vega, Salsa singer
- Lisa Velez, singer, of Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam
- Veronica, dance music singer/theatrical actress
- Vico C, rapper
- Wilkins, singer and composer
- Eric West, singer, actor
- Dr. Eduardo Valdés Vivas, classical and rock guitarist. Recorded with the Vienna Philarmonic before age 30.
Criminals and Outlaws
- Salvador Agron, criminal and poet
- Antonio Correa Cotto, infamous outlaw
- Antonio Garcia Lopez "Toño Bicicleta", infamous outlaw
- Isabel la Negra, madam of a notorious brothel
- Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, slain leader of the underground Boricua Popular Army, "Macheteros"
- Heriberto Seda, New York copycat Zodiac Killer
- Tony Tursi, member of the Mafia
- Frank Lebron, an American hacker
Diplomats
- Cesar Benito Cabrera, U.S. Ambassador-designate to Mauritius and the Seychelles
- Gabriel Guerra-Mondragón, former U.S. Ambassador to Chile
- Luis Guinot, former U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica
- Hans Hertell, U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic
- Teodoro Moscoso, former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela (see also politicians)
- Admiral Horacio Rivero, former U.S. Ambassador to Spain (see also military)
Educators and scientists
- Joseph M. Acaba, educator, first Puerto Rican astronaut
- Dr. Ricardo Alegria, anthropologist, archaeologist, educator
- Dr. Pilar Barbosa, UPR prof, author and first modern-day Official Historian of Puerto Rico
- Dr. Jaime Benitez, fmr Resident Commissioner, longest serving chancellor and president of the University of Puerto Rico
- Dr. Rafael L. Bras, former chair of Civil Engineering at MIT and one of the world's leading experts in hydrometeorology and global warming.
- Anthony M. Busquets, electronic engineer, aero-space technologist
- Judge José A. Cabranes,educator, first Puerto Rican to serve as a U.S. Circuit Court judge in the federal court in the continental United States.
- Dr. María Cadilla, educator, Women rights activist
- Dr. Jose Ferrer Canales, educator, writer and activist
- Dr. Pedro Valle Carlo, educator, environmentalist
- Miguel Alvarez Chico, electronic engineer, aero-space technologist
- Dr. Nitza Margarita Cintron,scientist, Chief of NASA's (JSC) Space and Health Care Systems Office
- Rafael Cordero, educator beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II
- Juan R. Correa-Pérez, Ph.D.,scientist, clinical andrologist and embryologist
- Angelo Falcon, political scientist, President, National Institute for Latino Policy, New York, NY
- Dr. Orlando Figueroa, mechanical engineer, Director of Mars Exploration in NASA
- Nilita Vientos Gaston, educator, defended the use of Spanish in the courts of Puerto Rico
- Olga D. Gonzalez, NASA engineer, Member of Ohio's Women Hall of Fame
- Dr. Sixto Gonzalez, scientist, first Puerto Rican Director of the Arecibo Observatory
- Lucas G. Hortas, aero-space engineer, aero-space technologist
- Dr. Carlos A. Liceaga, electronic engineer, aero-space technologist
- Dr. Norman Maldonado, physician and fmr UPR president
- Debbie Martinez, computer engineer, aero-space technologist
- Lissette Martinez, electronic engineer, rocket scientist
- Dr. Concha Melendez, educator, writer poet
- Ana G. Mendez, educator, founder of the Ana G. Mendez University System
- Eugenio Maria de Hostos (see also Politicians)
- Ana María O'Neill, educator and women's rights advocate
- Dr. Carlos Ortiz Longo, mechanical engineer, Chief of Crew Health Care Systems and Exercise Countermeasures in NASA
- Dr. José A. Pagán, economist, The University of Texas-Pan American
- Lourdes Pamela Pop,educator
- Dr. Antonia Pantoja, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Efrén Pérez Rivera, educator, environmentalist and founder of Caborrojeños Pro Salud y Ambiente.
- Maria Luisa Penne, educator, painter
- Dr. Angel Ramos, Superintendent of the Sequoia Schools for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Miguel Rodríguez, mechanical engineer, Chief of the Integration Office of the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Management Office
- Dr. Pedro Rodriguez, inventor, mechanical engineer
- Monserrate Roman, scientist, microbiologist
- Ana Roque, educator and suffragist
- Dr. Jose Rafael Passalacqua Santiago, Cardiologist, Head Doctor for Pablo Casals, poet
- Dr. Agustin Stahl, scientist
- Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, pioneer in black history
- Dr. Felix Soto Toro, electrical engineer, astronaut applicant
- Dr. Fernando E. Rodriguez Vargas, dentist, scientist, discovered the bacteria which causes dental cavity
- Dr. Margot Arce de Vázquez, educator, founder of the Department of Hispanic Studies in the University of Puerto Rico
Governors
- Aníbal Acevedo Vila, 8th elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Sila María Calderón, first female and 7th elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Luis A. Ferré, 3rd elected governor of Puerto Rico (see also Industrialists)
- Rafael Hernández Colón, 4th elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Luis Muñoz Marín, 1st elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Jesus T. Piñero, first Puerto Rican to be named Governor by the U.S.
- Juan Ponce de León II, first Puerto Rican to be temporary governor
- Carlos Romero Barceló, 5th elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Dr. Pedro Rosselló, 6th elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Roberto Sánchez Vilella, 2nd elected governor of Puerto Rico
Journalists
- Jose Julian Acosta, journalist
- María Celeste Arraras, anchor for "Al Rojo Vivo"
- Barbara Bermudo, journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"
- Rafael Bracero, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"
- Eliseo Combas Guerra, deceased political reporter and columnist for defunct El Mundo newspaper
- Christopher Crommett, Atlanta-based Exec VP CNN en Español
- Enrique Cruz, Ortocovis-born long-time current news director of WAPA-TV and satellite-based WAPA-América
- Tomas De Jesus Mangual, journalist for "El Vocero"
- Carmen Dominicci, journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"
- Manuel Fernandez Juncos, journalist, wrote lyrics to "La Borinqueña"
- Jackie Guerrido, journalist and meteorologist for Univisions "Despierta America"
- Anibal Gonzalez Irizarry, former newscaster for "Telenoticias en accion"
- Kimberly Guilfoyle, Court TV Journalist and former first-lady of San Francisco (Puerto Rican mother)
- Carmen Jovet, journalist, first Puerto Rican woman named news anchor in Puerto Rico
- Michele LaFountain, anchor for the Spanish version of ESPN Sports Center
- Eddie López, deceased reporter for El Mundo, city editor, special writer and columnist for the San Juan Star.
- Lynda Lopez, anchor for "WCBS" Ch2.
- Luis Francisco Ojeda, journalist, political critic for "WAPA T.V."
- Luis Penchi, Radio Isla news director, moderator of longest-running radio news program
- Denisse Oller, Emmy-award winning New York City television news anchor
- Jorge L. Ramos, Emmy-award winning New York City television news anchor
- Julio Victor Ramirez, hijo, journalist, investigative reporter, radio and TV personality
- Craig Rivera, journalist/new producer (brother of Gerlado Rivera)
- Geraldo Rivera, journalist
- Gaspar Roca, editor and director of El Vocero de Puerto Rico newspaper
- Rubén Sánchez, news moderator for WKAQ-AM and WAPA-TV's hard news interview daily program "A Calzón Quitao' "
- Edna Schmidt, anchor for "Telefutura"
- Ray Suarez, Senior Correspondent on the "News Hour with Jim Leher", former host of NPR's "Talk Of The Nation"
- Guillermo José Torres, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"
- Elizabeth Vargas, former co-anchor ABC World News Tonight
- Luz Nereida Velez, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"
Military
- PFC Domingo Arroyo, USMC, first Puerto Rican and U.S. serviceman to die during the Somalian Civil War
- Vice Admiral, Dr.Richard Carmona, U.S. Surgeon General under President George W. Bush
- Brigadier General Antonio Rodriguez Balinas, U.S. Army
- Brigadier General Antonio Valero de Bernabe, fought alongside Simón Bolívar
- SFC Jose Orlando Calderon-Olmedo, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican military casualty to die in the 9-11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.
- Tech4 Carmen Contreras-Bozak, became the first Hispanic woman to serve in the Women’s Army Corps as an interpreter and in numerous administrative capacities
- Staff Sgt. Modesto Cartagena, U.S. Army, most decorated Hispanic in history
- Major General Juan Cesar Cordero Davila, U.S. Army, commanding officer of the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War becoming one of the highest ranking ethnic officers in the Army.
- Lieutenant General Pedro Del Valle, U.S. Marine Corps, first Hispanic three-star Marine general
- Rear Admiral Dr. Alberto Diaz, Jr., U.S. Navy, first Hispanic Director of the San Diego Naval Medical District
- Lt Francis {Pepe) Diaz, Puerto Rican Milita. Is considered the first Puerto Rican Hero.
- 1 Lt. Carmen Durnier, WAC's, one of the first Puerto Rican women Army officers
- Capt. Miguel Enriquez, captain Spanish Navy, defeated the British in Vieques
- Major General Luis R. Esteves, U.S. Army, organized the Puerto Rican National Guard
- Major General Salvador E. Felices, U.S. Air Force, first Puerto Rican general in the U.S. Air Force
- CWO3 Rose Franco, USMC, first Hispanic woman Chief Warrant Officer in the Marine Corps
- PFC Fernando Luis Garcia, USMC, first Puerto Rican awarded the Medal Of Honor
- Vice Admiral Diego E. Hernandez, the first Hispanic to be named Vice Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command.
- Major General Orlando Llenza, U.S. Air Force
- PFC Carlos Lozada, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
- Lt. Francisco Gonzalo Marin, Cuban Liberation Army, fought alongside José Martí
- SGT Angel Martinez, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican to be killed in action from the 65th Infantry in WWII.
- Col. Teofilo Marxuach, U.S. Army, fired the first shot in World War I on behalf of the United States
- Capt. Angel Rivero Mendez, Spanish Army, fired the first shot against the Americans in the Spanish-American War in Puerto Rico, invented the "Kola Champagne"
- Major General William A. Navas, Jr., U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican named Assistant Secretary of the Navy
- Colonel Hector Andres Negroni, First Puerto Rican graduate of the United States Air Force Academy
- Brigadier General Luis Padial, Spanish Army, played an essential role in the abolishment of slavery in Puerto Rico
- Admiral Ramon Power y Giralt, Spanish Navy
- Col. Carlos Betances Ramirez, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican to command a battalion in the Korean War
- Capt.Antonio de los Reyes Correa, Spanish Army, defeated the British in Arecibo
- Major Fernando L. Ribas-Dominicci, U.S. Air Force, perished in Operation El Dorado Canyon
- Rear Admiral Frederick Lois Riefkohl, U.S. Navy
- General Juan Rius Rivera, Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Liberation Army
- Capt. Manuel Rivera, USMC, First Puerto Rican and U.S. servicemen to die in Operation Desert Shield
- Admiral Horacio Rivero, U.S. Navy, first Hispanic four-star admiral
- SPC Lizbeth Robles, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican female soldier born in Puerto Rico to die in Iraq
- Master Sgt. Pedro Rodriguez, U.S. Army, awarded two Silver Stars in one week
- Staff Sgt. Humberto Acosta-Rosario, U.S. Army, only Puerto Rican still listed as Missing In Action
- Captain Euripides Rubio, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
- Sp4c Hector Santiago-Colon, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
- MGySgt. Frankie Segarra, USMC, First Hispanic to reach the grade of Master Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps
- Coporal Maria Torres Maes, USMC, First Puerto Rican woman to enlist in the Marines Corps during WWII.
- Major, Dr. Fernando E. Rodriguez Vargas, U.S. Army, discovered the bacteria which causes dental caries
- SPC Frances M. Vega, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican female soldier born in the U.S. to die in a war
- Captain Humbert Roque Versace,U.S. Army, first Army P.O.W. to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in captivity.
- 2Lt. Juan Alonso Zayas, Spanish Army, fought in the Battle of Baler, Philippines
Painters and sculptors
- Alfonso Arana, painter, founder of the Fundación Alfonso Arana.
- Jean-Michel Basquiat, painter (Puerto Rican mother)
- Tomas Batista, sculptor of "El Jibaro Puertorriqueño" monument
- Angel Botello, painter and sculptor
- Jose Buscaglia Guillermety, sculptor
- José Campeche, first renowned Puerto Rican artist
- Gerry Ruiz Cirino ,Puerto Rican contemporary artist/painter
- James De La Vega, mural artist
- Jan D'Esopo, painter and sculptor
- Elizam Escobar, painter and activist
- Obed Gomez, contemporary artist known as the "Puerto Rican Picasso"
- Lorenzo Homar, graphic artist
- Antonio Martorell, painter
- Francisco Oller, painter, the only Latin American painter to play a role in the development of Impressionism.
- Antonio Broccoli Porto, painter and sculptor from San Juan
- Julio Rosado del Valle, abstract expressionist
Politicians
- Ernesto Ramos Antonini, former president of the Camara of Representatives of Puerto Rico
- Carmen E. Arroyo first Puerto Rican woman elected to any state assembly in the United States
- Herman Badillo, first Puerto Rican to serve in U.S. Congress
- Joaquín Balaguer, president of Dominican Republic (Puerto Rican on his father's side)
- Dr. José Celso Barbosa, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Statehood Movement"
- Antonio R. Barcelo, founder of the Puerto Rican Liberal Party
- Angel O. Berrios, former mayor of Caguas
- Ruben Berrios-Martinez, president of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
- Dr.Ramon Emeterio Betances, main leader of the Grito de Lares revolution
- Juan Bosch, president of Dominican Republic (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)
- Mariana Bracetti, leader of the Lares Revolutionary Council
- Juan Marí Bras, founder of the Puerto Rican Socialist Party
- Mathias Brugman, leader of the Grito de Lares
- Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, founder of the Nationalist Party
- Blanca Canales, nationalist who led the Jayuya revolt
- Adolfo Carrión Jr., present Bronx borough president (2001-present)
- Roman Baldorioty de Castro, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Autonomy"
- Segundo Ruiz Belvis, leader of the Grito de Lares revolt
- Adam Clayton Powell IV, son of civil rights leader Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and New York state assembly member
- Oscar Collazo, one of two nationalists who attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman
- Jose Coll y Cuchi, founder of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
- Dr. Gilberto Concepcion de Gracia, founder of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
- Rafael "Churumba" Cordero Santiago, former mayor of Ponce
- Federico Degetau, the first resident commissioner to the United States
- Dr. Jose de Diego, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Independence Movement"
- Dr. Antonio Fernós-Isern, first Puerto Rican cardiologist and Resident Commissioner.
- Maurice Ferre, former mayor of Miami, Florida
- Fernando Ferrer, Bronx (New York City) borough president
- Luis Fortuño, current Resident Commissioner
- Bonnie Garcia, California State Assemblywoman(only Latina Republican in state government)
- Dr. Olga Viscal Garriga, nationalist
- Miguel Hernandez Agosto, former Senate President, chair PDP Status Education Committee
- Eugenio Maria de Hostos, (see also Educators)
- Santiago Iglesias, labor activist and Resident Commissioner to Washington
- Tito Kayak, activist
- Lolita Lebron, nationalist
- Margarita Lopez, New York City councilwoman/activist
- José María Marxuach Mayor of San Juan c. 1900
- Olga A. Mendez, first Puerto Rican New York State Senator
- Ines Mendoza, first lady of Puerto Rico
- Francisco Ramirez Medina, President of the Republic of Puerto Rico (September 28, 1868), during "El Grito de Lares" revolt
- Kenneth McClintock, President of the Puerto Rico Senate
- Teodoro Moscoso Jr., architect of Operation Bootstrap, former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela (1961-1964)
- Luis Muñoz Rivera, Resident Commissioner in Washington,D.C.
- Dr. Antonia Novello, U.S. Surgeon General under President George H. W. Bush
- Hernan Padilla, forner Mayor of San Juan, founder Puerto Rican Renewal Party
- Eddie Perez, Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut
- Roberto Prats, former senator, Democratic state chair
- Francisco Mariano Quiñones, the first president of Puerto Rico's Cabinet
- Roberto Rexach Benitez, former Senate President, educator, current columnist for El Vocero newspaper
- Ramon Luis Rivera, former mayor of Bayamón
- Manuel Rojas, leader of the "Grito de Lares"
- Felisa Rincón de Gautier, first woman to be elected mayor of an American capital city.
- Manuela Santiago Collazo, former mayor of Vieques (1985-2000)
- Maria de Lourdes Santiago, first female "PIP" member to be elected into the Puerto Rican Senate
- Jose Serrano, most senior Puerto Rican congressman
- Griselio Torresola, one of two nationalists who attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman
- Nydia Velazquez, first Puerto Rican congresswoman
- Roberto Vigoreaux, former show host, former senator
Puppeteers
- Antulio Kobo Santarrosa, "La Chachara", "La Condesa", "La Comay"
- Filipo Tirado, "Pepe LoCuaz"
Religion
- Bishop David Andres Alvarez, Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico
- Luis Cardinal Aponte Martínez,first Puerto Rican to become a cardinal
- Father Francisco Ayerra de Santa Maria, Puerto Rico's first poet
- Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi, first Puerto Rican to become a bishop
- Rev. Yiye Avila, pentecostal leader
- Rev. Nicky Cruz, former gangster turned minister
- Sister Maria Dominguez, beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II
- Sor Isolina Ferre, Catholic nun awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Padre Alberto, Puerto Rican born priest/television host
- Juanita García Peraza, "Mita", founder of "Mita" religion
- Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves, Catholic Diocese of San Juan
- Rev. Jorge Raschke, outspoken evangelist
- Carlos Manuel Rodríguez a.k.a. "St.Charlie", beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001
- Teofilo Vargas Sein, "Aaron", leader of "Mita" religion
- Father Diego de Torres Vargas, first to write about the history of Puerto Rico.
Sports
- Benjamin Agosto, Ice dancer and Olympic medalist, figure skating
- Roberto Alomar, baseball player
- Sandy Alomar, Jr., baseball player
- Carmelo Anthony, basketball player, Denver Nuggets (Puerto Rican on his father's side)
- Carlos Arroyo, basketball player, Orlando Magic
- Jeremy Figueroa, Football player, New England Patriots
- Wilfred Benitez, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
- Dr. David "Kike" Bernier, fencing, member of Puerto Rican National Fencing Team
- Hiram Bithorn, baseball player, first Puerto Rican in Major League Baseball
- Kristina Brandi, tennis player
- Ricardo Busquets, Olympic swimmer & coach
- Ivan Calderon, baseball player
- Ivan Calderon, boxer
- Fernando J. Canales, swimmer, first Puerto Rican to reach the final Championships
- Hector 'Macho' Camacho, boxer
- Orlando 'Peruchin' Cepeda, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
- Roberto Clemente, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
- Abdiel Colberg, Only Hispanic pro-rollerblader
- Dr. Rebekah Colberg, "The Mother of Puerto Rican Women's Sports"
- Carlito, professional wrestler (son of Carlitos Colon)
- Carlitos Colon, professional wrestler
- Carly Colon (Carlitos Colon Jr.), professional wrestler
- Angel Cordero Jr., jockey, member of Jockey Hall of Fame
- Maritza Correia, first black Puerto Rican woman in U.S. Olympic Swmming Team
- Joe Cortez, boxing referee
- José Miguel Cotto, boxer
- Miguel Cotto, boxer
- Eva Cruz, volleyball player
- Jose "Cheo" Cruz, baseball player
- Christian Dalmau, BSN basketball player
- Raymond Dalmau, basketball player
- Esteban De Jesus, boxer
- Carlos "Sugar" De Leon, first boxer in history to win cruiserweight title twice
- Carlos Delgado, baseball player, New York Mets
- Ivelisse Echevarria, inducted into the International Softball Federation Hall of Fame (2003)
- Alfredo Escalera, boxer
- Sixto Escobar, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
- Angel "Cholo" Espada, boxer, fmr. champ
- Justin Fargas, Football player, Oakland Raiders,(son of actor Antonio Fargas)
- Gigi Fernández, tennis player
- Lisa Fernandez, softball, Olympic gold medalist
- Enrique Figueroa, sailing
- Germán Figueroa (Apolo), professional wrestler
- Bold Forbes, thoroughbred champion
- Ruben Gomez, first Puerto Rican to pitch and win a World Series game.
- Wilfredo Gomez, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
- Jorge "Peco" Gonzalez, marathon runner
- Juan "Igor" Gonzalez, baseball player
- Ivonne Harrison, track and field athlete
- Reggie Jackson, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame (Puerto Rican on father's side)
- Butch Lee, basketball player, first Puerto Rican to play in the NBA
- Angelita Lind, track and field athlete
- Laura Daniela Lloreda, member of Mexican National Volleyball Team
- Javy Lopez, baseball player, Baltimore Orioles
- Mike Lowell, baseball player, Boston Red Sox
- Felix Magath, first Puerto Rican (mother is German) to play in World Cup soccer for Germany
- Glenn Martinez, football player
- Edgar Martinez, baseball player
- "Moody" Jack Melendez, TNA Commentator
- Alberto Mercado, Olympian boxer, the only American citizen in the 1980 Olympics
- Jerome Mincy, basketball player
- John John Molina, boxer
- Pedro Montañez, boxer
- Mario "Quijote" Morales, BSN basketball player
- Pedro Morales, wrestler, member of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame
- Jonny Moseley, skier, first Puerto Rican to belong to the U.S. Ski Team
- Emilio "Millito" Navarro, first Puerto Rican to play in the Negro Leagues
- Luis Olmo, first Puerto Rican to hit a home run in a World Series
- Carlos Ortiz, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
- Jose Ortiz, basketball player
- Luis Ortiz, boxer, first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medal in boxing
- Raul Papaleo, Puerto Rican National Volleyball Team
- Ernesto Pastor, bullfighter
- Victor Pellot, a.k.a. "Vic Power", baseball player, second black Puerto Rican in Major League Baseball
- Jorge Posada, baseball player, New York Yankees
- Peter John Ramos, basketball player
- Ramon Ramos, basketball player
- German Rieckehoff, former president of Puerto Rican Olympic Committee
- Ramon Rivas, NBA and International basketball player
- Marco Rivera, football player, first Puerto Rican selected to Pro Bowl
- Ron Rivera, football player, first Puerto Rican in the National Football League
- Ivan "Pudge" Rodríguez, baseball player, Detroit Tigers
- Juan "Chi-Chi" Rodríguez, golfer, member of Golf Hall of Fame
- Ruben Rodríguez, basketball player
- Jose "King" Roman, boxer, first Puerto Rican to fight for the world heavyweight title
- Edwin "El Chapo" Rosario, member of International Boxing Hall of Fame (2006)
- John Ruíz, first Hispanic heavyweight boxing champion
- Alex Sanchez, boxer
- Daniel Santiago, basketball player
- O.J. Santiago, football player
- Samuel Serrano, boxer
- Julio Toro, basketball coach
- Georgie Torres, holds BSN scoring record
- José "Chegui" Torres, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
- Félix "Tito" Trinidad, boxer
- Jesse Vassallo, swimmer, member of International Swimming Hall of Fame
- Wilfredo Vazquez, boxer
- Savio Vega, former WWE wrestler
- Juan Evangelista Venegas, the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic medal
- Ada Velez, the first Puerto Rican female boxer, to win a championship
- Juan "Pachin" Vicens, basketball player, led the Ponce Lions team to six championships.
- Mark Watring, equestrian
- Bernie Williams, baseball player, New York Yankees
Taínos
- Agüeybaná, Taíno chief, "supreme cacique"
- Agüeybaná II, brother of Agueybaná
- Arasibo, cacique, area of Arecibo
- Caguax, cacique, area of Caguas
- Guanikeyu, cacique, area of Jatibonicu
- Hayuya, cacique, area of Jayuya
- Jumacao, cacique, area of Humacao
- Orocobix, cacique, area of Orocovis
- Urayoán, cacique, area that presently spans between Añasco and Mayagüez, orders the drowning of Diego Salcedo
Others
- Mari Carmen Aponte, former head of the PRFAA, former nominee for post of U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic
- Miguel Arteta, film/television director The Good Girl, TV series Six Feet Under
- Yiye Avila, Mr. Universe (see also religion)
- Wilo Benet, celebrity chef, owner of Payá and Pikayo restaurants.
- Clara Benitez, matriarch of the Benitez boxing family and socialite
- Félix Benítez, engineer who designed the Normandie Hotel.
- Felipe Birriel, "El Gigante de Carolina", was the tallest Puerto Rican
- David Blaine, illusionist/magician (Puerto Rican father)
- Carlos Caceres, United Nations worker, killed in Indonesia by an armed milita group.
- Rebecca Canchani, Prima Ballerina of the National Ballet Theater of Puerto Rico
- Will Castro, Owner of Unique Autosports/ SPEEDTV Reality TV show "Unique Whips"
- Roberto Cofresí, Puerto Rico's most famous pirate
- Jose R. Coleman-Davis Pagán, Architect
- Crazy Legs, breakdancer, president of Rock Steady Crew
- Edgardo Diaz, founder of Menudo
- Faith Evans, Hawaiian-Puerto Rican-first woman to be named U.S. Marshal.
- Funky Joe, famous island radio personality
- Ana García, ballerina, founder of Ballets de San Juan
- Juan Manuel García Passalacqua, political commentator, lawyer
- Victor Manuel Gerena, allegedly stole $7 million from Wells Fargo
- Alejandro Gonzalez Malave, controversial undercover policeman
- Irma Gonzalez de Rieckehoff, Public Interest member of the PR Olympic Committee (died May 3, 2006) and driving force behind PR Olympic Training Center
- Alfred D. Herger, television Host, psychologist
- Maria Elena Holly, widow of rock legend Buddy Holly
- José F. Irizarry, news personality, producer
- Daisy Martinez, actress/television host of PBS network show "Daisy Cooks!"
- Waleska Martinez, victim onboard of United 93
- Walter Mercado, astrologer
- Nicole Muniz, murdered teenager, famous after death
- José Padilla, alleged al-Qaeda terrorist
- Silverio Perez, show host, musician and author
- Adolfo Quinones, dancer, choreographer, actor (film Breakin')
- Jai Rodriguez, of TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
- Anthony Romero First Hispanic and gay Executive Director of the ACLU
- David Sanes, whose death eventually led to the U.S. military leaving Vieques
- Sonia Sotomayor, first Puerto Rican woman to serve as a U.S. Circuit Court judge
- Pedro Toledo, Retired FBI senior agent and two times police superintendent
- Juan R. Torruella, first Puerto Rican to serve as Chief Judge of the First Circuit Court of Appeals
- Ramona Trinidad Iglesias, was world's oldest woman
- Carmen Consuelo Vargas-Cerezo, first female Puerto Rican federal judge
- Joseph B. Vasquez, film director/screen writer (film Hangin' with the Homeboys)
- Alani Vasquez, "Lala Vazquez" Host MTV
- Holly Woodlawn, actress/1960's avant-garde artist