List of famous Puerto Ricans in alphabetical order by last names, where applicable.
Composers, singers, and musicians
- Juan F. Acosta, composer
- Johnny Albino, singer
- Natalie and Nicole Albino, "Nina Sky" hip hop
- Rafael Alers, danza composer, "first" Puerto Rican to compose a Hollywood musical score
- Marc Anthony, singer
- Chucho Avellanet, singer
- Raymond Ayala, "Daddy Yankee", rapper
- Lloyd Banks, (Puerto Rican on his mother's side) rapper in 50 Cent's G-unit
- Ray Barretto, singer, jazz and salsa musician
- John Benitez, "Jellybean Benitez", music producer and remixer
- Lucecita Benítez, singer
- Obbie Bermudez,singer
- Big Pun, rapper
- 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
- Nydia Caro, singer
- Pablo Casals, (Puerto Rican on his mother's side), musician
- Kevin Ceballo, salsa singer
- Iris Chacón, singer and vedette
- Chayanne, singer
- Jose Miguel Class, "El Gallito de Manati", singer
- Elvis Crespo,singer
- Tony Croatto, singer/composer of Puerto Rican folk songs
- Bobby Cruz,singer
- Willie Colón, singer
- Braulio Dueño Colón, composer of "Canciones Escolares"
- Cesar Concepcion, singer
- Millie Corretjer,singer
- Rafael Cortijo,singer
- Joe Cuba,bandleader, considered to be "The Father of the Boogaloo"
- Pedro Ortiz Davila, "Davilita", bolero singer
- Justino Díaz, opera singer
- Dr. Rafael Jose Diaz, "Rafael Jose", singer and television host
- Carmen Delia Dipini, singer
- Ruben DJ, rapper
- Howie Dorough, singer, member of the Backstreet Boys
- Johnathan Dwayne, singer, composer
- Rafi Escudero, 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, Danza composer
- Pedro Flores, composer
- Luis Fonsi, singer
- Odilio Gonzalez, singer
- Rafael Hernandez, Composer of "Preciosa" and "Lamento Borincano"
- Sophy Hernandez, singer
- Giovanni Hidalgo, percussionist
- Rafael Ithier, founder of "El Gran Combo" orchestra
- La India, singer, known as the "Princess of Salsa"
- Tito Lara, singer
- Héctor Lavoe, singer
- Raphy Leavitt, composer, director and founder of "La Selecta"
- Jennifer López, singer and actress
- Johnny Lozada, former member of "Menudo"
- Papo Lucca, Lead Pianist of "La Sonora Ponceña"
- Lunna, singer
- Alicia Keys, singer
- Victor Manuelle, singer
- Ricky Martin, singer former member of "Menudo"
- Angie Martinez, Radio personality/rapper
- Ladislao Martinez, "El Maestro Ladis"
- Charlie Masso, former member of "Menudo"
- Ricky Melendez, former member of "Menudo"
- Luis Miguel, Puerto Rican-born singer
- Ismael Miranda, "El Niño Bonito de la Salsa", singer and composer
- Luis R.Miranda, Danza composer
- Angel Mislan, composer of Danzas
- Jose Luis Monero, singer
- Yolandita Monge, singer
- Andy Montañez, Salsa singer
- Glenn Monroig,composer, singer, sang the "first" rap song in Spanish
- Gilberto Monroig, bolero singer
- Florencio Morales Ramos, "Ramito", folklore singer
- Ednita Nazario, singer
- Tito Nieves, singer
- Tommy Olivencia, Salsa singer
- Don Omar reggaeton singer
- Tony Orlando (Puerto Rican on father's side), singer
- Luis "Perico" Ortiz, musician
- 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
- Jose Enrique Pedreria, Danza composer
- David Peel, singer, songwriter
- Angel "Cuco" Peña, musician
- Carlos Ponce, singer
- Tito Puente, musician
- Ivy Queen, rapper, known as "The Queen of Reggaeton"
- Dominigo Quiñones, Salsa singer
- Ismael Quintana, singer
- Jose Ignacio Quinton, pianist/composer of danzas
- Richie Ray, singer, composer, known as "The King of Salsa"
- Sylvia Rexach, singer, composer
- Danny Rivera, singer
- Jerry Rivera, singer
- Dr. Graciela Rivera, opera singer
- Ismael Rivera, "El Sonero Mayor", salsa singer
- Roberto Roena, singer
- Felipe Rodriguez, "La Voz", bolero singer
- Julito Rodriguez, singer
- Pellin Rodriguez, salsa singer
- Tito Rodriguez, singer
- Kelis Rogers, (mother is Puerto Rican/Chinese), singer and television host
- Tito Rojas, "El Gallo"
- Robby Rosa, former member of "Menudo"
- Willie Rosario, composer, bandleader
- Felipe Rose, the Indian from The Village People, singer
- Julita Ross, singer of Danzas
- Frankie Ruiz, salsa singer
- Fernando and Nefty Sallaberry, former members of "Menudo"
- Gilberto Santa Rosa, singer
- Eddie Santiago, singer
- Herman Santiago, singer, composed song "Why Do Fools Fall In Love"
- Marvin Santiago, singer
- Dr. Zoraida Santiago, singer and composer
- Daniel Santos, composer, singer of boleros
- Nino Segarra, singer
- Xavier Serbia, former member of "Menudo"
- Myrta Silva, singer, composer
- Arturo Somohano,composer, Symphony orchestra conductor
- 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
- Yolanda Vadiz, gospel singer
- Bobby Valentin,musician/bandleader
- Alan Vega, rock singer, of Suicide
- Tony Vega, Salsa singer
- Vico C, rapper
- Wilkins, singer and composer
Cartoonists
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"
- Enrique Cruz, news anchor for "Noticentro 4"
- Tomas De Jesus Mangual, journalist for "El Vocero"
- Carmen Dominicci, journalist, co-host of Univisions "Primer Impacto"
- Manuel Fernandez Juncos, journalist
- Jackie Guerrido, journalist and meteorologist for Univisions "Despierta America"
- Anibal Gonzalez Irizarry, former newscaster for "Telenoticias en accion"
- Laura Hernandez, journalist
- Carmen Jovet,Journalist, first Puerto Rican woman named news anchor in Puerto Rico
- Michele LaFountain, anchor for the Spanish version of ESPN Sports Center
- Lynda Lopez, anchor for "WCBS" Ch2.
- Luis Francisco Ojeda, journalist, political critic for "WAPA T.V."
- Geraldo Rivera, journalist
- Edna Schmidt, anchor for "Telefutura"
- Guillermo José Torres, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"
- Elizabeth Vargas, "Liz" anchor "ABC News 20/20"
- Luz Nereida Velez, newscaster for "Noticentro 4"
Actors, actresses, and comedians
- Kirk Acevedo, actor, (T.V. series Oz)
- Jose Miguel Agrelot, "Don Cholito", comedian
- Miguel Angel Alvarez "El Men", comedian
- Victor Argo, actor (Coyote Ugly)
- Raymond Arrieta, comedian
- Rick Aviles, actor/comedian (Ghost)
- Charlotte Ayanna, actress
- Alba Raquel Barros, comedian/actress
- Ivonne Belen, documentary director and producer
- Lucy Boscana, actress, pioneer in Puerto Rico's television
- Giselle Blondet, actress/TV host
- Norma Candal, comedian
- Irene Cara, singer/actress (Fame)
- Meagan Good, actress
- Mylo Carbia, screenwriter, small part in (Underworld) the movie
- Jorge Castro, soap opera actor
- Braulio Castillo, soap opera actor
- Braulio Castillo, hijo, soap opera actor
- Melwin Cedeño, comedian
- Lynette Chico,actress Puerto Rico T.V.
- Ivonne Coll, actress (The Godfather II)
- Miriam Colon, actress (Scarface)
- Paquito Cordero, TV producer/comedian
- Mapy Cortes, actress
- Mara Croatto, soap opera actress
- Blanca de Castejon, international actress
- Henry Darrow, actor, "Manolito" (TV series The High Chaparral)
- Rosario Dawson, actress (Men In Black,The Rundown)
- Sully Diaz, soap opera actress
- Sammy Davis, Jr. (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)
- Lydia Echevarria, soap opera actress
- Hector Elizondo, actor (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries)
- Erik Estrada, actor (TV series CHiPs, Sealab 2021)
- José Ferrer, actor (Cyrano de Bergerac), first Hispanic actor to win an Academy Award
- Miguel Ferrer, actor (Robocop, The Manchurian Candidate)
- Rick Gonzalez, actor (The Rookie, Coach Carter)
- Luis Guzman, actor
- Lillian Hurst, comedian/actress (Dharma and Greg)
- Raúl Juliá, actor (Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Addams Family)
- 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
- Jennifer López, actress (Selena, The Cell)
- Sunshine Logroño, comedian
- Justina Machado, actress (T.V. series Six Feet Under)
- Eddie Marrero, actor (Navy Seals: Untold Stories)
- Claribel Medina, actress soap operas
- John Melendez, "Stuttering John" ("Howard Stern Show" and "The Tonight Show")
- Ari Meyers, actress (TV series Kate & Allie)
- Karla Michelle, actress Puerto Rican T.V.
- Eddie Miro, T.V. Host
- Esai Morales, actor (La Bamba)
- Jacobo Morales, actor (Bananas)
- Rita Moreno, actress, winner of an Oscar, a Tony Award, an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award
- Frankie Muniz, actor (TV series Malcolm in the Middle) (Puerto Rican on father's side)
- Rafo Muñiz, comedian
- Tommy Muñiz, T.V. producer/comedian
- Marian Pabon, actress
- 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
- Chita Rivera, "Broadway Legend", winner of 2 Tony Awards
- Luis Antonio Rivera, "Yoyo Boing" comedian
- Ramón (Diplo) Rivero, comedian
- Adalberto Rodríguez, "Machuchal" comedian
- Freddie Rodríquez, actor (T.V. series Six Feet Under)
- Gladys Rodríguez, comedian/soap opera actress
- Michelle Rodríquez, actress (The Fast and the Furious)
- Roselyn Sanchez, actress (Rush Hour 2,Chasing Papi)
- Jose Vega Santana, "Remi" the Clown, (also see: Cartoonists above)
- Jon Seda, actor (Selena)
- Jimmy Smits, actor (TV series L.A. Law; movie Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith)
- Talisa Soto, actress/model, (Licence to Kill)
- Miguel Ángel Suárez, actor (Stir Crazy, Under Suspicion)
- Gloria Swanson, actress (Sunset Boulevard) (born in San Juan, Puerto Rico)
- Rachel Ticotin, actress (Total Recall, Con Air)
- Benicio del Toro, actor (Traffic), Academy award winner
- Liz Torres, actress (T.V. series Gilmore Girls)
- 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, bailarina and choregrapher
- Otilio Warrington, "Bizcocho" comedian
- Sandra Zaiter, TV host of children shows
Sports
- Roberto Alomar, baseball player
- Sandy Alomar, Jr., baseball player
- Carmelo Anthony, basketball player, Denver Nuggets (Puerto Rican on his mother's side)
- Carlos Arroyo, basketball player, Detroit Pistons
- Carlos Baerga, baseball player
- Carlos Beltran, baseball player, New York Mets
- 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
- 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
- Kermit Cintron, boxer
- Roberto Clemente, baseball player, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
- Dr. Rebekah Colberg, "The Mother of Puerto Rican Women's Sports"
- Carlitos Colon, wrestler
- Carly Colon, 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
- 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, Florida Marlins
- Melissa Del Valle, boxer
- Alfredo Escalera, boxer
- Sixto Escobar, boxer, member of Boxing Hall of Fame
- Gigi Fernández, tennis player
- Lisa Fernandez, softball, Olympic gold medalist
- Enrique Figueroa, sailing
- 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)
- Belinda Laracuente, boxer
- 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, Florida Marlins
- Felix Magath, first Puerto Rican (mother is German) to play in World Cup soccer for Germany
- Edgar Martinez, baseball player
- 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 WWE Hall of Fame
- Jonny Moseley, skier, first Puerto Rican to belong to the U.S. Ski Team
- Emilio "Millo" 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
- 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, boxer
- John Ruíz, first Hispanic heavyweight boxing champion
- Alex Sanchez, boxer
- Benito Santiago, baseball player
- 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
- Javier Vázquez, baseball player, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Wilfredo Vazquez, boxer
- Savio Vega, 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
- Mark Watring, equestrian
- Bernie Williams, baseball player, New York Yankees
Astrologers
Beauty queens and supermodels
- Deborah Carthy-Deu, Miss Universe 1985
- Susie Castillo, Miss USA 2003 (mother is Puerto Rican)
- Marisol Malaret, first Puerto Rican Miss Universe, 1970
- Wilnelia Merced, Miss World, 1975
- Astrid Munoz, supermodel
- Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001
- Chay Santini, supermodel
- Dayanara Torres, Miss Universe 1993
- Gloria Velez, supermodel
Mr. Universe
Religion
- Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, 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
- Juanita García Peraza, "Mita", founder of "Mita" religion
- Roberto Gonzalez Nieves, San Juan archbishop
- Jorge Raschke, outspoken evangelist
- Carlos Manuel Rodríguez a.k.a. "St.Charlie", beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2001
- Teofilo Vargas Sein, "Aron", leader of "Mita" religion
- Father Diego de Torres Vargas, first to write about the history of Puerto Rico.
Authors, poets, and playwrights
- Abelardo Diaz Alfaro, writer
- Miguel Algarin, poet,writer and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
- Dr.Manuel A. Alonso, poet and author
- Maria Bibiana Benitez, playwright and Puerto Rico's "first" poetist
- Jose Gautier Benitez, poet
- Tomas Blanco, writer and historian
- Julia de Burgos, poet
- Mayra Calvani, writer
- Nemesio Canales, essayist and poet
- Dr.Cayetano Coll y Toste, historian and writer
- Jesus Colon, writer, father of "Nuyorican" movement
- Juan Antonio Corretjer, poet
- Dr.Jose Antonio Davila, poet
- Virgilio Davila, poet
- Mayra Santos Febres, poet
- Rosario Ferré, writer
- Dr.Manuel Zeno Gandía, wrote "La Charca", the first Puerto Rican novel
- Alejandrina Benitez de Gautier, poet
- Enrique A. Laguerre, writer, nominated for Nobel Prize in literature
- René Marqués, playwright
- Dr. Concha Melendez, poet, writer
- Manuel Mendez Ballester, writer
- Mercedes Negron Muñoz, "Clara Lair", poet
- Pedro Pietri, poet,playwright, co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
- Miguel Piñero, playwright, writer, co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe
- José Rivera, playwright, first Puerto Rican nominated for an "Oscar" in "Best Adopted Screenplay" category
- Luis Rafael Sanchez,playwright
- Esmeralda Santiago, author
- Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, writer and poet, "The Father of Puerto Rican Literature"
- Piri Thomas, writer, poet
- Lola Rodriguez de Tio, poet, wrote lyrics to the revolutionary "Borinqueña"
- Edwin Torres, "Nuyorican Movement" poet
- Judge Edwin Torres, writer (Carlito's Way), New York Supreme Court Justice
- Luis Llorens Torres, poet
Artists
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
- Staff Sgt. Modesto Cartagena, U.S. Army, most decorated Hispanic in history
- Lieutenant General Pedro Del Valle, U.S. Marine Corps, first Hispanic three-star Marine general
- SPC Selian A. Diaz, U.S. Army, first native born Puerto Rican female soldier to die in a war
- 1 Lt. Carmen Durnier, WAC's, one of the first Puerto Rican women Army officers
- Capt. Miguel Enriquez, Spanish naval captain, pirate, 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
- Major General Orlando Llenza, U.S. Air Force
- PFC Carlos Lozada, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
- Mayor General William A. Navas, Jr., U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican named Assistant Secretary of the Navy
- 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
- 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
- Master Sgt. Pedro Rodriguez, U.S. Army, awarded two Silver Stars in one week
- Captain Euripides Rubio, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
- Sp4c Hector Santiago-Colon, U.S. Army, awarded Medal of Honor
- SPC Frances M. Vega, U.S. Army, first Puerto Rican female soldier born in the U.S. to die in a war
- 2Lt. Juan Alonso Zayas, Spanish Army, fought in the Battle of Baler, Phillippines
Taínos
- Agueybana, Taíno chief, "supreme cacique"
- Agueybana II, brother of Agueybaná
- Arasibo, cacique, area of Arecibo
- Caguax, cacique, area of Caguas
- Hayuya, cacique, area of Jayuya
- Jumacao, cacique, area of Humacao
Politicians
- 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 mother'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, mayor of Caguas
- Dr.Ruben Berrios, president of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
- Dr.Ramon Emeterio Betances, main leader of the Grito de Lares revolution
- Mariana Bracetti, leader of the Lares Revolutionary Council
- Juan Marí Bras, founder of the Puerto Rican Socialist Party
- Mathias Bruckman, leader of the Grito de Lares
- Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, founder of the Nationalist Party
- Blanca Canales, nationalist who led the Jayuya revolt
- Roman Baldorioty de Castro, "The Father of Puerto Rico's Autonomy"
- Oscar Collazo, one of two nationalists who attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman
- Dr. Gilberto Concepcion de Gracia, founder of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
- Rafael "Churumba" Cordero Santiago, former mayor of Ponce
- 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
- Dr. Olga Viscal Garriga, nationalist
- Eugenio Maria de Hostos, (see also Educators below)
- Santiago Iglesias, labor activist and Resident Commisioner to Washington
- Tito Kayak, activist
- Lolita Lebron, nationalist
- 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 Ruerto Rico (September 28, 1868), during "El Grito de Lares" revolt
- Teodoro Moscoso Jr., architect of Operation Bootstrap
- Luis Muñoz Rivera, first Puerto Rican to be Resident Commissioner in Washington,D.C.
- Dr. Antonia Novello, U.S. Surgeon General under President George Bush, Sr.
- Eddie Perez, Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut
- Francisco Mariano Quiñones, the first president of Puerto Rico's Cabinet
- 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.
- Segundo Ruiz Belvis, leader of the Grito de Lares revolt
- Manuela Santiago Collazo, mayor of Vieques
- Maria de Lourdes Santiago, first female "PIP" member to be elected into the Puerto Rican Senate
- Jose Serrano, first Puerto Rican congressman
- Griselio Torresola, one of two nationalists who attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman
- Nydia Velazquez, first Puerto Rican congresswoman
Governors
- Carlos Romero Barcelo, 5th elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Sila María Calderón, first female and 7th elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Rafael Hernández Colón, 4th elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Luis A. Ferré, 3rd elected governor of Puerto Rico (see also Industry below)
- Juan Ponce de Leon II, first Puerto Rican to be temporary governor
- Luis Muñoz Marin, 1st elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Jesus T. Piñero, first Puerto Rican to be named Governor by the U.S.
- Dr. Pedro Rosello, 6th elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Anibal Acevedo Vila, 8th elected governor of Puerto Rico
- Roberto Sánchez Vilella, 2nd elected governor of Puerto Rico
Industrialists
- Carlota Alfaro, fashion
- Luis Antonio, fashion
- Luisa Capetillo, labor leader
- Ramiro L. Colon, first administrator of Cooperativa de Cafeteros de Puerto Rico, Café Rico (official coffee of the Vatican)
- Noel Colon Martinez, Amigo Supermarkets
- Atilano Cordero Badillo, Supermercados Grande
- Richard Carrion, Banco Popular
- Oscar de la Renta, fashion designer (Father was Puerto Rican)
- Fernando Fernandez, "Ron del Barrilito" and "Alcoholado Santa Ana"
- Luis A. Ferré, San Juan Cement (see also Governors above)
- Ramon Lopez Irizarry, inventor of Coco Lopez
- Israel Kopel, founder of Almacenes Pitusa department stores
- Teodoro Moscoso Sr., founder of "Farmacias Moscoso" (Moscoso Pharmacy)
- Gildo Massó, founder of Massó Enterprises and Casa's Massó
- Angel Ramos, founder of Telemundo television network
- Miguel Ruíz, Café Yaucono'
- Juan Serralles, founder of "Don Q" rum
- Vicente Suarez, founder of V. Suarez & Co., Puerto Rico's largest wholesaler
- Joseph A. Unanue, president and CEO of Goya Foods, son of founder
- Alfonso Valdez, founder of Cerveceria India
- Salvador Vassallo, founder of Vassallo Industries Inc. (Industrias Vassallo Inc.), Vassallo Distribution Center, and Vassallo Molding Corp.
Educators and scientists
- Joseph M. Acaba, educator, first Puerto Rican astronaut candidate
- Dr. Ricardo Alegria, anthropologist, archaeologist, educator
- Anthony M. Busquets, electronic engineer, aero-space technologist
- Dr. Victor A. Carreño,inventor, NASA aero-space engineer, aero-space technologist
- 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
- Dr. Orlando Figueroa, mechanical engineer, Director of Mars Exploration in NASA
- Olga D. Gonzalez, NASA engineer, Member of Ohio's Women Hall of Fame
- Lucas G. Hortas, aero-space engineer, aero-space technologist
- Carlos A. Liceaga, electronic engineer, aero-space technologist
- 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 above)
- Ana María O'Neill, educator and women's rights advocate
- Lourdes Pamela Pop,educator
- Dr. Antonia Pantojas, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Dr. Angel Ramos, Superintendent of the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind
- Dr. Pedro Rodriguez, inventor, mechanical engineer
- Monserrate Roman, scientist, microbiologist
- Dr. Agustin Stahl, scientist
- Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, pioneer in black history
- Dr. Felix Soto Toro, electrical engineer, astronaut applicant
Puppeteers
Others
- Milivi Adams, young cancer patient from Vieques
- Miguel Arteta, film/television director The Good Girl, TV series Six Feet Under
- Clara Benitez, matriarch of the Benitez boxing family and socialite
- Felipe Birriel, "El Gigante de Carolina", was the tallest Puerto Rican
- Roberto Cofresí, Puerto Rico's most famous pirate
- Corea Cotto, infamous outlaw
- Edgardo Diaz, founder of Menudo
- Magali Febles, Beauty Expert
- Antonio García López a/k/a Toño Bicicleta, famous outlaw
- Juan Manuel García Passalacqua, politic commentator, lawyer
- José Juan García, "Cheguan", founder of Hogares Crea
- Victor Manuel Gerena, allegedly stole $7 million from Wells Fargo
- Alejandro Gonzalez Malave, infamous undercover policeman
- Alfred D. Herger, T.V. Host
- Maria Elena Holly, widow of rock legend Buddy Holly
- Isabel la Negra, infamous female gangster
- Nicole Muniz, murdered teenager, famous after death
- Jose Padilla, alleged al-Qaeda terrorist
- Silverio Perez, show host
- Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, Leader of "Los Macheteros"
- Jai Rodriguez, of TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
- David Sanes, whose death eventually led to the U.S. military leaving Vieques
- Rolandito Salas, missing child, became famous after getting lost
- Pedro Toledo, policeman, two times police superintendent
- Ramona Trinidad Iglesias, was world's oldest woman
- Tony Tursi, member of the Mafia
- Alani Vasquez, "Lala Vazquez" Host MTV
- Roberto Vigoreaux, former show host, senator
See also
