Notable Alumni of the University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh has a long and storied history of producing influential figures in various fields. This article highlights some of the most famous and accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions to society.
Arts and Entertainment
The University of Pittsburgh has fostered many talents who have achieved prominence in the arts and entertainment industry.
Alaska Thunderfuck 5000: Also known as Justin Andrew Honard, is an American drag queen, singer, and internet personality. Alaska is best known as the runner-up on the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and the winner of the second season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. Before conceiving the concept and personality of her drag persona in Los Angeles, Alaska grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and moved to Pittsburgh to study theater at the University of Pittsburgh.
Christina Aguilera: This American singer, celebrity, and actress, born in Canonsburg, PA, reached #1 on the Billboard Top 100. Throughout her youth in Pittsburgh, Aguilera sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Pittsburgh Penguins hockey, Pittsburgh Steelers football, and Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games. Her first major role in entertainment came in 1993 when she joined the Disney Channel's variety show The New Mickey Mouse Club.
Loren Allred: As the daughter of Brady R. Allred and Carol Ann Allred, Loren Allred was a contestant on season 3 of The Voice and was eliminated in the first week of the live playoffs, ending in 13th place. She made her Billboard Hot 100 debut with the RIAA certified double platinum-selling "Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman musical.
Read also: Baylor's Notable Alumni
Gabby Barrett: A native of Munhall, PA, who attended Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport, Gabby Barrett is a country music singer and actress. She finished third on the 16th season of American Idol. Her debut single "I Hope" was the first top 10 Hot Country Songs debut by an unaccompanied woman singer since October 2017.
Art Blakey: Drummer and leader of the Jazz Messengers, a hard bop ensemble of the 1940s.
Perry Como: Born Pierino Como in Canonsburg, PA, was one of a family of 13 children. He worked as a barber and married his high school sweetheart, Roselle Beline. He landed a spot in the Freddie Carlone Orchestra and in 1937 joined the Ted Weems orchestra where he was featured on the band's Beat the Band radio program.
Adrian Cronauer: An American radio personality and United States Air Force Sergeant, whose experiences as an innovative disc jockey on American Forces Network during the Vietnam War inspired the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam starring Robin Williams as Cronauer.
Bill Cullen: An American radio and television personality whose career spanned five decades. Known for appearing on game shows and later as a prolific game show host, he hosted 23 shows, earning the nickname "Dean of Game Show Hosts."
Read also: Columbia University Legacy
Billy Eckstine: His smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular music.
Jackie Evancho: A Pine-Richland graduate, Jackie Evancho gained wide recognition at an early age, singing primarily classical crossover covers. She sang the national anthem at Pittsburgh Pirates games in the late 2000s and finished in second place in the fifth season of America's Got Talent.
Stephen Hetherington: (MA 1986; Ph.D.)
Donnie Iris: Born in New Castle and raised in Ellwood City, Donnie Iris is a rock musician known for his work with the Jaggerz and Wild Cherry during the 1970s, and for his solo career beginning in the 1980s with his band, the Cruisers. He wrote the #2 Billboard hit, "The Rapper", with the Jaggerz in 1970.
Gene Kelly: An American dancer, actor, singer, director, and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessible to the general public, which he called "dance for the common man".
Read also: Excellence at Hofstra University
Mandy Moore: Studied at the Juilliard School and holds degrees from the State University of New York at Potsdam and the Eastman School of Music. Has a devoted international following whether on the operatic stage, in concert or recital, on television, radio or on disc.
David Newell: (CGS 1973) - actor, Mr. McFeely on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.
Sharon Needles: Aaron Coady began doing drag in 1997 and moved to Pittsburgh in 2004, where he began wording as a professional drag performer under the stage name Sharon Needles. Crowned "America's Next Drag Superstar" at the end of the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Fred Rogers: Better known as Mister Rogers, was an American television host, author, producer, and Presbyterian minister. He was the creator, showrunner, and host of the preschool television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, which ran from 1968 to 2001.
Zelda Rubinstein: An American actress and human rights activist, known as eccentric medium Tangina Barrons in the Poltergeist film series.
Mac Miller: Began rap career in Pittsburgh's hip hop scene in 2007. Debut studio album, Blue Slide Park, released in 2011 with 144,000 first week sales and debuted atop the Billboard 200, named after Blue Slide Playground in Pittsburgh's Frick Park.
Joe Manganiello: An American actor. His professional film career began when he played Flash Thompson in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man. His breakout role was as werewolf Alcide Herveaux in five seasons of the HBO series True Blood.
Frank E. W
Athletics
The University of Pittsburgh has a strong athletic tradition, and many of its athletes have gone on to achieve great success in their respective sports.
Steven Adams: A New Zealand professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After playing one season with the Wellington Saints, in 2011, Adams moved to the United States in 2012 to play college basketball for Pittsburgh.
Larry Fitzgerald: An American former professional football wide receiver who played 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, earning unanimous All-American honors in 2003.
Damar Hamlin: An American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft. In 2020 graduated with bachelor's degree in communication studies.
Dan Marino: An American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, earning first-team All-American honors in 1981.
Kenny Pickett: An American professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, where he won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as a senior, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Bruno Sammartino: An Italian-American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). Sammartino's 2,803-day reign as WWF World Heavyweight Champion is the longest in the championship's history as well as the longest world title reign in WWE history.
Herb Douglas: (Edu.)
Andy Lee: (Professional Football Player)
Art Griggs: (Baseball Player)
Jason Conti: (Baseball Player)
Dick Hoblitzell: (Baseball Player)
Russ Kemmerer: (Baseball Player)
Johnny Miljus: (Baseball Player)
Sam Parks Jr.: (Golfer)
Cumberland Posey: (Pharm.)
Steve Swetonic: (Baseball Player)
John Woodruff: (Col.)
Business and Leadership
The University of Pittsburgh has produced numerous leaders in the business world and various other fields.
Britt Baker: Studied in 2014-2018. An American professional wrestler and dentist. She is signed to All Elite Wrestling-being the first woman to join its official roster when it launched in 2019-where she performs under the ring name Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Linda Drane Burdick: (A&S 1986, Law 1989) - chief assistant state attorney at Orange and Osceola County State Attorney's Office in Orlando, Florida; lead prosecutor on State of Florida vs.
Michael Chabon: An American novelist, screenwriter, columnist, and short story writer. Born in Washington, D.C., he spent a year studying at Carnegie Mellon University before transferring to the University of Pittsburgh, graduating in 1984.
Harry W. Colmery: (Law 1916) - Author of G.I. Bill.
Eugene DePasquale: (Auditor General)
Mike Ditka: An American former professional football player, coach, and television commentator.
Joe Hardy: (Business Magnate)
Melissa Hart: (Politician)
Dawne Hickton: (Business Executive)
tags: #famous #University #of #Pittsburgh #alumni
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