List of Polish Americans

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Lists of
famous Americans
by U.S. state
by ethnicity:
African American
Albanian | Arab
Armenian | Australian
Austrian | Bahamian
Bangladeshi | Belgian
Brazilian | Bulgarian
Cajun
Cambodian | Chinese
Croatian | Cuban
Danish | Dutch
English | Estonian
Filipino | Finnish
French
German | Greek
| Hmong
Hungarian
Indian | Iranian
Irish | Italian
Israeli
Jamaican | Japanese
Jewish | Korean
Laotian
Louisiana Creole
Mexican
Muslim
Native American
Native Hawaiian
Norwegian | Polish
Portuguese | Romanian
Russian | Salvadoran
Scots-Irish | Scottish
Swedish | Swiss
Taiwanese | Ukrainian
Vietnamese | Welsh

This is an incomplete list of famous Polish Americans.


[edit] Entertainment

[edit] Actors

[edit] Arts

[edit] Filmmakers

[edit] Literature

[edit] Music

[edit] Other

[edit] Military

  • Gabby Gabreski (1919 - 2002) fighter ace in World War II, and again in Korea[103]
  • Jan Karski (1914 - 2000) Polish World War II resistance fighter and scholar[104]
  • Tadeusz Kościuszko (1746 - 1817) Polish and Lithuanian national hero, general and a leader of 1794 uprising (which bears his name) against the Russian Empire[105]
  • Włodzimierz Krzyżanowski (1824 - 1887) Polish military leader and a Union general in the American Civil War[106]
  • Donald J. Kutyna (1933 - ) general, commander in chief of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the United States Space Command from 1990 to 1992, and commander of Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado from 1987 to 1990
  • Kazimierz Pułaski - (1746 – 1779) Polish soldier and politician who has been called "the father of American cavalry." From 1777 until his death, Pułaski fought in the American Revolutionary War for the independence of the United States.
  • John Shalikashvili (1936 - ) U.S. Army general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, born in Warsaw, Poland and emigrated to U.S. as a teenager. Became the first draftee to rise to rank of General and first JCS Chairman after General Colin Powell.
  • Matt Urban (1919 - 1995) U. S. Army officer, served with distinction in World War II[107]
  • Frank P. Witek (1921 - 1944) U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor Recipient[108]

[edit] Politics

  • Jackie Biskupski - politician and Businesswoman from Utah
  • Zbigniew Brzezinski (1928 - ) political scientist, geostrategist, and statesman[109]
  • Susan Bysiewicz (1961 - ) Secretary of State, Connecticut
  • John D. Cherry (1951 - ) Lt. Governor, Michigan
  • Andrew R. Ciesla (1953 - ) State Senator, New Jersey, Republican
  • Ed Derwinski (1926 - ) former U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs
  • John Dingell (1926 - ) Democratic Representative from Michigan, Dean (longest-serving member) of the House of Representatives
  • Thaddeus J. Dulski (1915 - 1988) U.S. House of Respresentatives, N.Y.
  • John A. Gronouski (1919 - 1996) Postmaster General & ambassador
  • Chuck Hagel Senator, Nebraska [110]
  • Kyle Janek (1958 - ) State senator, Texas, Republican
  • Leon Jaworski (1905 - 1982) special prosecutor during the Watergate Scandal
  • Paul E. Kanjorski (1937 - ) Pennsylvania Congressman, Democrat
  • Marcy Kaptur (1946 - ) U.S. Representative for the Ninth Congressional District of Ohio, Democrat
  • Jerry Kleczka (1943 - ) Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1985 to 2005, representing the Fourth Congressional District of Wisconsin
  • Ted Kulongoski (1940 - ) Governor of Oregon, Democrat
  • Raymond Lesniak (1946 - ) State senator, New Jersey, Democrat
  • Bill Lipinski (1937 - ) Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2005, representing the 3rd District of Illinois
  • Dan Lipinski (1966 - ) member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the District of Illinois
  • George D. Maziarz (1953 - ) Republican state senator from New York's 62nd district
  • Barbara Mikulski (1936 - ) member of the Democratic Party, United States Senator representing the State of Maryland[111]
  • Frank Murkowski (1933 - ) politician and former Governor of Alaska, Republican
  • Lisa Murkowski (1957 - ) junior United States Senator from Alaska, first U.S. Senator who was born in Alaska and Alaska's first female senator
  • Edmund Muskie (1914 - 1996) Democratic politician from Maine, served as Governor of Maine, a U.S. Senator, as U.S. Secretary of State, and ran as a candidate for Vice President of the United States
  • Marian P. Opala (1921 - ) Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice
  • Tim Pawlenty (1960 - ) Governor of Minnesota, Republican
  • Ed Pawlowski - Mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania
  • Gene Pelowski (1952 - ) Representative in the Minnesota State Legislature for District 31A and a teacher at Winona Senior High School in Winona, Minnesota
  • Wladyslaw Pleszczynski - conservative editor and writer
  • Adam Przeworski (1940 - ) professor of Political Science[112]
  • Roman Pucinski (1919 - 2002) House of Representatives, Illinois
  • Dan Rostenkowski (1928 - ) served in the U.S. Congress as a U.S. Representative for Illinois from 1959 to 1995
  • Richard Trumka - leader in the American labor movement
  • Aldona Wos - United States Ambassador to Estonia until early December of 2006
  • Marion Zioncheck (1901 - 1936) served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1933 until his death in 1936, Democrat

[edit] Religion

[edit] Science

[edit] Sports

[edit] Baseball

  • Stan Coveleski (1889 - 1984) Major League Baseball player during the 1910s and 1920s[143]
  • Moe Drabowsky (1935 - 2006) right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball[144]
  • Steve Gromek (1920 - 2002) pitcher in Major League Baseball[145]
  • Mark Grudzielanek (1970 - ) second baseman in Major League Baseball, plays for the Kansas City Royals[146]
  • Ray Jablonski (1926 - 1985) third baseman in Major League Baseball with an 8-year career from 1953 to 1960[147]
  • Ted Kluszewski (1924-1988) Major League First Basemen [148]
  • Whitey Kurowski (1918-1999) third baseman in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the St. Louis Cardinals (1941-49)
  • Tony Kubek (1936 - ) baseball player and television broadcaster[149]
  • Eddie Lopat (1918 - 1992) Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Stan Lopata (1925 - ) Major League Baseball player[150]
  • Greg Luzinski (1950 - ) former left fielder in Major League Baseball
  • Bill Mazeroski (1936 - ) former Major League baseball player[151]
  • Barney McCosky (1917 - 1996) center fielder/left fielder in Major League Baseball[152]
  • Doug Mientkiewicz (1974 - ) first baseman for the New York Yankees[153]
  • Stan Musial (1920 - ) former player in Major League Baseball who played 22 seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1963[154]
  • Joe Niekro (1944 - 2006) starting pitcher in Major League Baseball, younger brother of Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, and the father of first baseman Lance Niekro[155]
  • Phil Niekro (1939 - ) former pitcher in Major League Baseball and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame[156]
  • Freddie Patek (1944 - ) Major League Baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, and California Angels[157]
  • Tom Paciorek (1946 - ) Major League outfielder and first baseman for 18 seasons between 1970 and 1987[158]
  • Ron Perranoski (1936- ) Major League Pitcher [159]
  • A.J. Pierzynski White Sox[7]
  • Johnny Podres (1932 - ) Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher
  • Jack Quinn (1883-1946)Major League Pitcher [160]
  • Ron Reed (1942 - ) Major League pitcher [161]
  • Al Simmons (1902 - 1956) player in Major League Baseball over three decades[162]
  • Moose Skowron (1930 - ) Major League Baseball player, primarily a first baseman[163]
  • Frank Tanana (1953 - ) former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball[164]
  • Alan Trammell (1958 - ) baseball shortstop of the Detroit Tigers from 1977 to 1996[165]
  • Carl Yastrzemski (1939 - ) Major League Baseball player[166]
  • Richie Zisk (1949 - ) Major League Baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners from 1971 to 1983[167]

[edit] Basketball

  • Carol Blazejowski (1956 - ) women's collegiate and professional basketball player
  • Vince Boryla (1927 - ) pro basketball player, coach, and executive
  • Mike Gminski (1959 - ) former college and professional basketball player
  • Tom Gola (1933 - ) one of Philadelphia's most famous basketball players[168]
  • Bobby Hurley (1971 - ) Duke and NCA Basketball Player [169]
  • Mike Krzyzewski (1947 - ) head coach of the Duke University men's basketball team
  • Mitch Kupchak (1954 - ) former professional basketball player and current general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers since the 2000-2001 season after Jerry West moved to the Memphis Grizzlies organization
  • Bob Kurland (1924 - ) 7-foot basketball center
  • Red Mihalik(1916 -) NCAA & Olympic Official/Referee [170]
  • Eric Piatkowski (1970 - ) National Basketball Association player with the Phoenix Suns
  • Joel Przybilla (1979 - ) professional basketball player in the NBA
  • Kelly Tripucka (1959 - ) National Basketball Association player for the Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, and Charlotte Hornets from 1981 to 1991
  • Steve Wojciechowski (1976 - ) assistant coach of the Duke University men's basketball team

[edit] Bowling

  • Eddie Lubanski - considered one of the greatest bowlers of all time, in the Guinness book of World Records

[edit] Boxing

[edit] Figure skating

[edit] Football

  • Danny Abramowicz (1945 - ) wide receiver in the National Football League who played for the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers
  • Pete Banaszak (1944 - ) college and professional football player
  • Steve Bartkowski (1952 - ) former National Football League quarterback
  • Zeke Bratkowski (1931 - ) All-American quarterback at the University of Georgia in 1952 and 1953
  • Lou Creekmur (1927 - ) NFL left offensive tackle/guard for the Detroit Lions from 1951-59
  • Mike Ditka (1939 - ) former NFL player, television commentator, and coach
  • Frank Gatski (1919 - 2005) football player
  • Jim Grabowski (1944 - ) football player and broadcaster
  • Jack Ham (1948 - ) former football linebacker who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Leon Hart (1928 - 2002) football tight end and defensive end
  • Sebastian Janikowski (1978-) Kicker for the Oakland Raiders[8]
  • Vic Janowicz (1930 - 1996) played halfback for Ohio State University
  • Ron Jaworski (1951 - ) former football player, NFL analyst on ESPN
  • Mike Kenn (1956 - ) Former Offensive Tackle for Atlanta Falcons [178]
  • Joe Klecko (1953 - ) defensive end
  • Frank Kush (1929 - ) football coach who most prominently served as head coach at Arizona State University for more than two decades
  • Ted Kwalick (1947 - ) former football tight end in the NFL and World Football League
  • Johnny Lujack (1925 - ) former football quarterback for the University of Notre Dame and the Chicago Bears
  • Ted Marchibroda (1931 - ) former football quarterback and head coach in the National Football League
  • Dan Marino former Quarterback for the Miami Dolphins [9]
  • Lou Michaels Former Pro Defensive Linemen; 1958-1971 with Colts, Steelers, Rams, and Packers [179]
  • Walt Michaels (1929 - ) former football player and coach, remembered for his six-year tenure as head coach of the New York Jets from 1977-1982
  • Dick Modzelewski (1931 - ) Former College & Pro Football Player: Redskins, Steelers, Giants & Browns. Coach for Cleveland Browns. College football Hall of Fame. [180]
  • Mike Munchak (1960 - ) Former Pro Offense with the Houston Oilers; Pro Football Hall of Fame [181]
  • Bill Osmanski (1915-1996) College & Pro Football Hall of Fame, Former player with Chicago Bears. [182]
  • Bill Romanowski (1966 - ) former football player for the San Francisco 49ers, and Oakland Raiders
  • Mark Stepnoski one of NFL's top linemen with the Dallas cowboys [183]
  • Hank Stram (1923 - 2005) coach
  • Frank Tripucka (1927 - )Former Quarterback for the Broncos, Cardinals and Lions [184]
  • Steve Wisniewski Former Pro-bowler, offensive guard with the Oakland Raiders [185]
  • Alex Wojciechowicz (1915 - 1992) former offensive lineman and linebacker for the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles

[edit] Golf

[edit] Hockey

  • Ed Olczyk (1966 - ) former head coach for the National Hockey League Pittsburgh Penguins and former center for Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins[188]
  • Pete Stemkowski (1943 - ) former player in the National Hockey League[189]
  • Kyle BaranHockey God

[edit] Olympic athletes

[edit] Soccer

  • Wojtek Krakowiak (1976 - ) soccer player, most recently played for the Tampa Bay Mutiny of Major League Soccer

[edit] Wrestling

  • Ivan Putski (1941 -) Polish-born American Professional Wrestler and Champion [192]
  • Rob Van Dam (1970 - ) professional wrestler
  • Stanislaus Zbyszko (1879 - 1967) professional wrestler popular in the United States during the 1920s

[edit] Other Sports

[edit] Miscellaneous

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ mentioned she was Polish in her autobiography, "Baby Doll: An Autobiography", ISBN13#978-0877955580, also mention of her birth name as Karolina Piekarski. ("Piekarski" is the adjectival form of "piekarz" — Polish for "baker.")
  2. ^ Mentioned she was Polish on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, 3/14/05
  3. ^ (TV Guide, 1987)
  4. ^ [Gilpatrick, Kristin, Famous Wisconsin Film Stars, 2002, p.55 (ISBN 1878569864)]
  5. ^ [Mention that he was a Pole and he also spoke Polish on ABC's "Dancing With The Stars", March 19, 2007]
  6. ^ "I'm 100% Polish" (stated on KFOX Radio Station 98.5FM)
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ [2]
  9. ^ [Featured in the book, "Gridiron Greats:A Century of Polish-American Football" by Ben Chestochowski
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