ITALIAN AMERICAN ENTERTAINERS
Composers and conductors
- Mark Adamo (1962 - ), composer and librettist
- Angelo Badalamenti (1937 - ), music composer
- Marco Beltrami (1966 - ), film composer
- Chester Biscardi (1948 - ), classical composer
- Louis Calabro (1926–1991), classical composer
- Ronald Caltabiano (1959 - ), classical composer
- Antonio Ciacca (1969 - ), jazz pianist
- Suzanne Ciani (1946 - ), pioneer in electronic music
- Fausto Cleva (1902–1971), operatic conductor
- Bill Conti (1943 - ), film musical director
- Carmine Coppola (1910–1991), composer, editor, musical director and songwriter
- John Corigliano (1938 - ), classical composer
- Paul Creston (1906–1985), classical composer
- Douglas J. Cuomo (1958 – ), classical, opera, TV & film composer
- David Del Tredici (1937 - ), contemporary composer
- Thomas DeLio (1951 - ), composer and writer
- Norman Dello Joio (1913 - ), composer
- David DiChiera (1935 - ), composer
- Vince DiCola, composer
- James Di Pasquale (1941 - ), classical composer
- Salvatore Di Vittorio (1967 - ), classical composer and orchestral conductor
- JoAnn Falletta (1954 - ), classical musician and orchestral conductor
- John Ferritto (1937 - ), classical composer and conductor
- Michael Giacchino (1967 - ), soundtrack composer
- Vittorio Giannini (1903–1966), neoromantic composer of operas, songs, symphonies and band works
- Anthony Iannaccone (1943 - ), composer and conductor
- Henry Mancini (1924–1994), Academy Award winning American composer, conductor and arranger[1]
- Chuck Mangione, jazz flugelhorn player and composer
- Donald Martino (1931–2005), Pulitzer Prize winning composer
- Salvatore Martirano (1927–1995), classical composer
- Peter Mennin (1923–1983), composer
- Gian Carlo Menotti (1911–2007), composer and librettist
- Nicola Montani (1880–1948), composer
- Thomas Pasatieri, classical composer and pianist
- Vincent Persichetti (1915–1987), classical composer, teacher and pianist
- Walter Piston (1894–1976), classical composer
- Teddy Randazzo (1935–2003), composer
- Nicola Rescigno (1916–2008), opera conductor closely associated with Maria Callas who co-founded both the Chicago Lyric and Dallas Operas
- Dalmazio Santini (1923–2003), classical composer
- Arturo Toscanini (1867–1957), cellist and world renown conductor
- Francesca Zambello (1956 - ), opera and theater director
- Frank Zappa (1940–1993), composer, guitarist
[edit]Fashion models
[edit]Theater directors
[edit]Movie directors and producers
- Frank Borzage (1893–1962), film director and actor famed for his mystical romanticism
- Albert R. Broccoli (1909–1996), producer of all but one of the first 17 James Bond movies
- Barbara Broccoli (1960 - ), daughter of producer Albert R. Broccoli
- Nicolas Cage actor, director and producer
- Frank Capra (1897–1991), film director and a major creative force behind a number of highly popular films of the 1930s and 1940s
- David Chase (1945 - ), creator of The Sopranos
- Michael Cimino (1939 - ), film director - The Deer Hunter
- Francis Ford Coppola (1939 - ), five time Academy Award winning film director, producer, and screenwriter
- Roman Coppola (1965 - ), film and music video director
- Sofia Coppola (1971 - ), director, actress, producer
- Frank Coraci (1966 - ), film director
- Gerard Damiano (1928 - ), former adult film director
- Brian De Palma (1940 - ), movie director
- Tom DeSanto (1968 - ), film producer
- Danny DeVito (1944 - ), actor, director, and Oscar-nominated producer
- Denise Di Novi (1956 - ), film producer
- Abel Ferrara (1951 - ), film director
- Vincent Gallo (1962 - ), movie actor and director starring in a number of independent movies. Gallo is also a recognized painter, male fashion model, musician, motorcycle racer and breakdancer
- Gregory La Cava (1892–1952), film director of the 1930s
- Matthew F. Leonetti
- Michael Polcino, animation director
- Robert Pulcini, film director
- Guido Quaroni, computer modeler and computer animation maker at Pixar Animation Studios
- Frank Renzulli, actor, writer and producer
- Lou Romano, member of the Art Department in Pixar Animation Studios
- Damon Santostefano
- Martin Scorsese (1942 - ), iconic Academy Award-winning film director
- Tina Sinatra (1948 - ), movie producer and former actress
- Quentin Tarantino (1963 - ), film director, actor, and Oscar-winning screenwriter
- Stanley Tucci (1960 - ), actor, writer, film producer and film director
- Maurizio Vasco (1955 - ), director, writer, independent producer
- Thomas Vitale, Senior Vice President of Programming & Original Movies for the Sci Fi Channel
[edit]Television personalities
- Carmine Gotti Agnello (1986 - ), reality TV star
- John Gotti Agnello (1987 - ), reality TV star
- Frank Gotti Agnello (1990 - ), reality TV star
- Adam Carolla (1964 - ), comedic radio and television personality
- Neil Cavuto (1958 - ), television host and commentator hosting Your World with Neil Cavuto and Cavuto on Business on the Fox News Channel
- Stephen Colletti (1986 - ), reality TV star
- Giada De Laurentiis (1970 - ), chef, writer, TV Personality and the current host of the Food Network programs Everyday Italian, Behind the Bash, Giada's Weekend Getaways and Giada in Paradise.
- Robert De Laurentiis television director
- Victoria Gotti (1962 - ), star of Growing Up Gotti on the A&E Network
- Tony Danza (1951 - ), actor and talk show host
- Gary Dell'Abate (1961 - ), producer of The Howard Stern Show and co-host of The Wrap-Up Show
- Giuliana DePandi (1975 - ), host of E! News
- Annette Funicello (1942 - ), singer and actress, Walt Disney's most popular Mouseketeer
- Jimmy Kimmel (1967 - ), television comedy talk-show host and producer
- Jay Leno[2] (b. 1950), comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show and the Jay Leno Show
- Kelly Monaco (1976 - ), model, actress, and reality television contestant
- Rachael Ray (1968 - ), Emmy-winning television personality and author
- Leah Remini(1970 - ), actress
- Kelly Ripa (1970 - ), actress and talk show host
- Jai Rodriguez (1979 - ), actor and culture guide on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy[3]
- Maria Sansone (1981 - ), host of "the 9" on YAHOO! and special events for TV Guide Network
- Paris Hilton (1981-) (of partial Italian descent) Socialite, model, entrepreneur and actress. Best known as co-star of "The simple life".
[edit]Musicians
- See also List of Sicilian-American jazz musicians
- Mitchel Musso, Disney "Hannah Montana" Star. part Italian on father's side.
- Ariana Grande, from the Broadway musical 13 and the Nickelodeon series Victorious
- Sal Abruscato, American hard rock/heavy metal drummer, known for his work with early Type O Negative and Life of Agony
- Roberto Alagna, operatic tenor
- Steve Albini (1962 - ), indie rock musician, producer
- Trey Anastasio, leader of jam band Phish
- Frank Bello, heavy metal bass player for Anthrax
- Louie Bellson, born Luigi Ballassoni, big band drummer
- Charlie Benante, heavy metal drummer for Anthrax
- Tony Bennett, born Anthony Benedetto
- Corbin Bleu, singer and actor in High School Musical, has an Italian mother
- Bizzy Bone, born Bryon McCane, rapper from the group Bone Thugs N Harmony
- Patrick Bonfrisco, drummer, Enewetak.
- Jon Bon Jovi (1962 - ), born John Francis Bongiovi, rock star, actor
- Chris Botti, jazz trumpeter. Italian on father's side.
- Terry Bozzio, (1950 - ) drummer best known for his stint with Frank Zappa, as well as his music for solo drum kit
- Freddy Cannon, (1940 - ), born Frederick Anthony Picariello, was an American rock and roll singer. He had three top ten hits.
- Chris Carrabba, Lead singer of Dashboard Confessional and former lead singer of Further Seems Forever
- Micheal Castaldo, singer, songwriter and producer.
- Suzette Charles, singer, entertainer, former Miss America[4]
- Gary Cherone, former lead singer of Extreme and Van Halen.
- Lou Christie (1943 - ), born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco on February, singer-songwriter
- Dr. Chud, born David Calabrese, former drummer for the Misfits
- John Cocuzzi, jazz musician
- Vinnie Colaiuta, drummer famous both in jazz circles for his virtuosity and his stint with Frank Zappa
- Louie Clemente, born in Lioni, Italy, Luciano Angelo Di Clemente]]original drummer to thrash metal band Testament.
- Russ Columbo (1908–1934), born Ruggiero Eugenio di Rodolpho Colombo, composer, singer, violinist and actor, perhaps most famous for his signature tune, "You Call It Madness, But I Call It Love", and the legend surrounding his early death[5]
- Chick Corea, jazz pianist virtuoso - played with Miles Davis
- Don Costa, pop music arranger
- Dan Costello, guitarist, played with The DeFranco Family
- Peter Criss, born George Peter John Criscuola, drummer, formerly of KISS
- Warren Cuccurullo, guitarist for Frank Zappa, Missing Persons and Duran Duran
- Rivers Cuomo, (Weezer), born June 13, 1970.
- Alan Dale (1926–2002), born Aldo Sigismondi, was a singer of traditional popular and rock'n'roll music.
- Bobby Darin (1936–1973), born Walden Robert Cassotto, was one of the most popular rock and roll teen idols of the late 1950s.
- Glenn Danzig, born Glenn Anzalone, former lead singer/ one of the founders for the Misfits
- Buddy DeFranco, jazz musician
- Tony DeFranco, lead singer and guitarist of The DeFranco Family.
- Chris DeGarmo, ex-guitarist of 1980s rock band Queensrÿche.
- Joey DeMaio, bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the heavy metal band Manowar.
- Liberty DeVitto, rock drummer for Billy Joel
- Al Di Meola, jazz fusion guitarist
- Ronnie James Dio (1942–2010), heavy metal singer
- Joe Dolce
- Micky Dolenz, singer and drummer for "The Monkees"
- Charlie Dominici, ex-Dream Theater vocalist, founding member of Dominici
- Faith Evans, singer
- Nick Falcon, psychobilly guitarist, founding member of The Young Werewolves
- Joe Farrell, jazz saxophonist, born Joseph Firrantello
- Josh Farro, lead guitarist for Paramore
- Zac Farro, drummer for Paramore
- Johnny Frigo, jazz violinist and bassist
- John Frusciante, guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Davey Havok (b. 1975), born David Paden Passaro, later changed to David Paden Marchand, vocalist for AFI
- Frank Iero, rhythm guitarist for the band My Chemical Romance
- Chris Impellitteri, guitarist
- Chris Isaak, songwriter, singer and actor, his mother is Italian-American
- Joe Jonas, member of the band Jonas Brothers (great-grandfather of Italian descent)
- Kevin Jonas, member of the band Jonas Brothers (great-grandfather of Italian descent)
- Nick Jonas, member of the band Jonas Brothers (great-grandfather of Italian descent)
- Alicia Keys, A well-known pianist,and a philanthropist she is also Irish, Scottish, and Jamacian.
- Scott LaFaro, jazz musician
- Nick LaRocca, jazz musician
- Mario Lanza[6]
- DJ Green Lantern (born James D'Agostini), Hip-Hop DJ, His father is Puerto Rican but his mother is Italian.
- Adam Lazzara, lead singer of Taking Back Sunday
- Carmen Lombardo, vocalist and composer
- Guy Lombardo, born Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo, bandleader and violinist
- Lebert Lombardo, trumpeter (Louis Armstrong named Lebert as one of his favorite trumpeters)
- Victor Lombardo, saxophonist
- Joe Long, born Joseph LaBracio, bass guitarist and vocal arranger for The Four Seasons.
- Dean Martin (1917–1995), singer and film actor, known as one of the most famous music artists from the 1950s period[12]
- Fred Mascherino, guitarist & backing vocals of Taking Back Sunday
- Natalie Merchant, singer & songwriter, her father is of Italian descent.
- Anna Moffo (1932–2006), lyric-coloratura soprano
- Joe Morello, drummer for Dave Brubeck Quartet
- Tom Morello, guitarist for Rage Against the Machine
- Sal Mosca, jazz pianist
- Tony Mottola, guitarist
- Chieli Minucci, smooth jazz guitarist
- Jerry Only, born Gerald Caiafa, guitarist, current lead singer for the Misfits
- Felix Pappalardi, rock and roll bassist and producer
- Joe Pass (1929–1994), born Joseph Anthony Jacobi Passalaqua, jazz guitarist
- John Patitucci, electric and acoustic bass virtuoso - played with Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter among others
- Art Pepper, jazz musician
- Joe Perry (1950 - ), lead guitarist and contributing songwriter for the rock band Aerosmith[7]
- John Petrucci, metal guitarist, founding member of Dream Theater
- Guy Picciotto, Early Emo personality, noted for Rites of Spring and Fugazi
- Bucky Pizzarelli, classical jazz guitarist
- John Pizzarelli, jazz guitarist
- Martin Pizzarelli, jazz double-bassist
- Mike Portnoy, drummer, founding member of Dream Theater
- Teddy Powell, born Teodoro Paolella, jazz guitarist, composer and big band leader
- Louis Prima (1910–1978),an Italian-American jazz musician, singer, and actor
- Ruggiero Ricci (1918–2012), violin virtuoso
- Johnny Rivers, born John Ramistella, early Rock'N Roll singer of many hit records.
- Rocca (Italian-American rapper)
- Leon Roppolo (1902–1943), prominent early jazz clarinetist and composer. His compositions include the jazz standards "Farewell Blues", "Milenberg Joys", "Gold Leaf Strut", "Tin Roof Blues" and "Make Love to Me".
- Matt Rubano, bassist of Taking Back Sunday
- William Russo, jazz musician
- Bobby Rydell, born Robert Louis Ridarelli in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, (April 26, 1942) was a "teen idol" in the early days of Rock and Roll.
- Richie Sambora, (born Richard Stephen Sambora on July 11, 1959 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, nickname:The King of Swing), is an American rock guitarist, singer and song writer who is the lead guitarist for rock band Bon Jovi. His father was Italian.
- Ralph Santolla - Metal guitarist (has a custom Jackson guitar with the Italian flag painted on it
- Joe Satriani, guitar virtuoso
- Haley Scarnato, American Idol (season 6) contestant
- Jack Scott (born Giovanni Dominico Scafone Jr., January 24, 1936, Windsor, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian/American singer and songwriter.
- John Serry, Sr. (1915–2003), born Giovanni Serrapica, concert accordionist, composer, arranger, educator & father of John Serry, Jr.
- Frank Sinatra
- Nancy Sinatra
- Nikki Sixx, born Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna, rock star (Mötley Crüe)
- Taylor Swift, American country singer-songwriter [8]
- Twiggy Ramirez, born Jeordie Osbourne White, rock star, bassist (Marilyn Manson)
- Alessandro Cortini, rock star, keyboardist (Nine Inch Nails)
- Jamie Spaniolo, rapper
- Bruce Springsteen, rock star, songwriter (Italian on his mother's side)
- Decoy, (Italian American Rapper) born Nicholas Eduard Galluzzo to Italian-French mother and Italian father
- Joseph Tarsia
- Johnny Thunders, born John A. Genzale, rock musician.
- Mark Tremonti, guitarist
- Lennie Tristano, jazz pianist and composer
- Steven Tyler (1951 - ), born Steven Tallarico, rock star, songwriter (Italian on his father's side)
- Steve Vai, guitar virtuoso
- Steven Van Zandt (1950 - ), musician, songwriter, arranger, record producer, actor, and radio disc jockey (The Sopranos)[9]
- Zacky Vengeance, guitarist for the band, Avenged Sevenfold
- Tony Visconti, rock music producer (based in Britain)
- Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein, born Paul Caiafa, former guitarist for the Misfits
- Chris Vrenna (1967 - ), producer and drummer
- Gerard Way; lead singer for the band My Chemical Romance.
- Mikey Way; bass guitarist for the band My Chemical Romance.
- Dean Ween, born Michael Melchiondo, Ween guitarist
- "Weird Al" Yankovic (1959 - ), parodist and comedy musician (Mother's side is Italian)
- Timi Yuro, soul and R&B singer
- Dweezil Zappa, rock guitarist
- Frank Zappa (1940–1993), born Frank Vincent Zappa, composer, guitarist, singer and satirist. In his 33-year musical career, he proved to be one of the most prolific musicians ever, releasing over 60 albums during his life. His father Francis Zappa was from Partinico, Sicily. His mother Rose Marie Colimore was of 3/4 Italian (1/4 Sicilian) and 1/4 French descent.
[edit]Songwriters
- Rivers Cuomo, (Weezer), born June 13, 1970.
- Bob DiPiero, songwriter, Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame and 1998 Nashville Music Award Songwriter of the Year, has written numerous hits, including "American Made" and "The Girl's Gone Wild."
- James V. Monaco early American songwriter "You Made Me Love You".
- Laura Nyro songwriter (Italian father)
- Harry Warren (1893–1981), born Salvatore Guaragna, wrote more hit songs than anyone in early 20th century America.
- Bob Gaudio songwriter principally for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
[edit]Singers
- Demi Lovato
- Ariana Grande
- Romina Arena, Pop Classical Crossover Singer
- Kaci Battaglia, singer
- Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, singer.
- Sonny Bono (1935–1998), born Salvatore Phillip Bono, singer, actor, and politician
- Gioia Bruno, born Carmen Gioia Bruno, singer.
- Keith Caputo, Vocalist for Life of Agony, as well as a solo artist.
- Micheal Castaldo — singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur
- Lou Christie, born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco on February 19, 1943 in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania). Already, Christie was frequently, if unfairly, written off by critics as an imitator of Frankie Valli as both men possessed similar falsetto vocals, and the ability to change almost effortlessly between it and their normal registers.
- Perry Como (1912–2001), born Pierino Ronald Como
- Don Cornell (1919–2004), born Luigi Francisco Varlaro, a popular singer of the 1940s and 1950s.
- Jim Croce (1943–1973), born James Joseph Croce.
- Rivers Cuomo (1970 - ), (Weezer)
- Victor Damiani
- Diana DeGarmo (1987 - ) runner-up on American Idol (Season 3)[10]
- Johnny Desmond(1920–1985), born Giovanni Alfredo De Simone, was a popular singer.
- Tommy DeVito, (born June 19, 1936) is a musician and singer, best known as a member and the lead guitarist of the pop group The Four Seasons. He was born in Belleville, New Jersey.
- Ani DiFranco(1970 - ), Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, songwriter (Italian American on her father's side)
- Dion DiMucci (1939 - ), better known as Dion.
- Jimmy Durante (1893–1980), born James Francis Durante.
- Jessicka (born Jessica Fodera in Brooklyn)
- Connie Francis (1936 - ), born Concetta Rosemarie Franconero, singer.
- Lady Gaga (1986 - ), born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta,is a singer and songwriter.
- Bob Gaudio (1942 - ) is a singer, songwriter, and record producer from the Bronx, New York. He shot to musical fame at the age of 15 as a member of the Royal Teens when he co-wrote the hit "Short Shorts". For years afterward he seemed destined to be a one-hit wonder until he met Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi, all from Newark, New Jersey, forming the group that became the Four Seasons.
- Frank Gari (1942 - ) late 1950s singer, and founder of Gari Communications, a news music company that created The CBS Enforcer Collection and the Eyewitness News Theme for ABC O&O and affiliated local newscasts.
- Mikalah Gordon (1988 - ) singer and eleventh-place finalist on the fourth season of American Idol[11]
- Francesca Gregorini, (born Countess Francesca McKnight Donatella Romana Gregorini di Savingnano di Romagna in 1968) is a singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of Jewish/Irish American model Barbara Bach and Italian businessman Augusto Gregorini, andstepdaughter of Ringo Starr. Until 2004, she was engaged to actress Portia de Rossi.
- Phyllis Hyman (1949–1995), jazz and R&B singer; her father is Cuban/Italian and her mother was African American.
- Alicia Keys
- Frankie Laine (1913 - ), born Frank Paul LoVecchio, one of the most successful singers in history.
- Mario Lanza, (1921–1959), operatic tenor and Hollywood movie star.
- Cyndi Lauper (part Italian)[12]
- Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone) is a singer, song-writer, record producer and film director from Michigan, daughter of Italian father and French-Canadian mother. Her father owns a winery in Michigan. Madonna is likely the most famous Italian-American singer in the world - as the most successful female in the history of music (according to the Guinness Book of Records). She famously wore an "Italians Do it Better" t-shirt on her "Papa Don't Preach" video.
- Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol season six finalist (half-Italian through his mother)
- Dean Martin (1917–1995) singer and film actor, known as one of the most famous music artists from the 1950s period[13]
- Al Martino, born October 7, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as Alfred Cini.
- Nick Massi, (born Nicholas Macioci, September 19, 1935 - December 24, 2000) was the bass singer for the Four Seasons, born in Newark, New Jersey.
- Tim McGraw (1967 - ), country music singer and actor, mother is of Italian descent.
- Lou Monte, (1917–1989)
- Mýa
- Stacie Orrico (b. 1986) contemporary Christian music/pop singer[13]
- Nicola Paone (1915–2003), singer-songwriter
- Haley Scarnato
- Frank Sinatra (1915–1998), Born in Hoboken, became one of the most popular singers in the 20th century
- Frank Sinatra, Jr.
- Nancy Sinatra
- Gwen Stefani, singer/musician, best known as lead singer of pop/ska band No Doubt (Italian father)
- Taylor Swift, American country singer-songwriter [14][unreliable source?]
- John Tartaglia (b. 1978) singer, actor, dancer and puppeteer who began performing part-time with Sesame Street's puppetry team at age 16
- Marc Terenzi (b. 1978), pop star, songwriter
- Pia Toscano (b. 1988), Contestant on the tenth season of American Idol.
- Frankie Valli, (born May 3, 1937 in the Italian First Ward of Newark, New Jersey as Francis Stephen Castelluccio) is best known as lead singer of The Four Seasons, one of the biggest music acts of the 1960s, which continued from then to the 1970s disco scene to the present day.
- Timi Yuro, born Rosemarie Timotea Aurro (1940–2004)
[edit]Stand-up comedians
[edit]Entertainers who can't be categorized
- Toni Basil (1943 - ), born Antonia Christina Basilotta, dancer, actress, singer
- James Berardinelli, film critic
- Judy Canova, born Juliette Canova, (November 20, 1913 - died August 5, 1983) was a comedienne, actress, singer, and radio personality.
- Joe Cino (1931–1967), theater director and cafe owner credited with launching off-off-Broadway
- Joe Dallesandro (1948 - ), Underground film star and model made famous by Andy Warhol and Paul Morrissey
- Fabian (entertainer), (born February 6, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was a teen idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He rose to national prominence after performing several times on American Bandstand. Born Fabiano Anthony Bonaparte, he adopted the stage nameFabian Forte but has always been known by his first name only.
- Frank Lentini, born Francesco A. Lentini (1889–1966) was born in Siracusa, Sicily into a large family. He was born with three longer legs, two sets of genitals and one rudimentary foot on his third leg. His primary legs also grew into different lengths. At the age of nine, Lentini moved to the United States and entered the sideshow business.
- Rosina Ferrara (1861–1934) Model to 19th-century American and British painters, muse of American expatriate artist John Singer Sargent.
- James Francis Durante (1893–1980) Singer, Pianist, Comedian, Actor
- Anthony Scillia aka "Tony Mangia" (born July 10, 1982) Radio and Television Personality
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