Prominent. Italian Americans

ITALIANAMERICANS

PROMINENT

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HISTORY

History tells us that about 5 million Italians immigrated to the U.S since 1800.

Nowadays, Italian Americans have gained success and esteem in all fields.

AMERICA’S EXPLORERS

Christopher Columbus is perhaps the most famous Italian explorer

In all, Christophoro Colombo (1451-1506) made four voyages to the New World.

On his third trip in 1498, he landed in Venezuela. It was the first time he actually set foot on the South American continent.

AMERICA’S EXPLORERS

The New World was named "America" for Amerigo Vespucci(1451-1512), the Florentine explorer and geographer who was a friend to Columbus.

 He sailed to the New World in 1499, landing in what is now Brazil.

Vespucci was the first to advance the belief that the land discovered by Columbus was not India, but a new continent.

European cartographers named the New World in his honor.

INNOVATORS

Italian Americans created many of the familiar items we enjoy every day.

The Jacuzzi hot tub and spa were invented by the Jacuzzi family s came to America in 1907.

In 1926, they developed the deep well (jet) water pump that led to the famous whirlpool bath.

SPORTSMEN

Rocky Marciano is the only undefeated heavyweight boxing champion in history.

He retired in 1956 with a 49-0 record that counted 43 knockouts.

His real name was Rocco Marchegiano.

SPORTSMEN

In hockey, brothers Phil and Tony Esposito have set records.

Phil once scored 76 netted goals in a single season.

They played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers

ANIMATED CARTOONS

Italian American cartoonists have created some of the world's most popular animated characters.

Donald Duck, by Alfred Tagliafero;

WoodyWoodpecker, by Walter Lantz, (born "Lanza");

Casper, the Friendly Ghost, by Joseph Oriolo.

ANIMATED CARTOONS

The man behind Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, The Smurfs and Scooby-Doo is Joseph Barbera, director, producer, and co-founder of Hanna-Barbera Film Studios.

A banker and free-lance cartoonist, he met Bill Hanna at MGM in 1937.

In 1957, they started their own animation studio and went on to win seven Oscars during their long collaboration.

DESIGN

Hollywood's famous Walk of Fame holds nearly 400 stars imbedded in the pavement.

The stars are created by Bill Paternostro, a terrazzo artist.

He takes about two days to make a star, composed of thick colored concrete with tiny marble chips and the name of the star, which is in brass.

SINGERS

Born Alfred Cucozza in Philadelphia in 1921, Mario Lanza, took his mother's name as his stage name and became the first vocalist to sell 2.5 million albums and the first singer to receive a gold disc for his recording of "Be My Love.“

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SINGERS

Frank Sinatra, the Oscar, Emmy and Grammy-winning legend known as "The Voice" and "The Chairman of the Board," was born in, New Jersey in 1915 and died in 1998.

He made more than 2,000 recordings, many movies, and numerous television and cabaret performances

He raised millions of dollars for charities during his 60-year career

SINGERS

Liza Minnelli

SINGERS

Jon Bon Jovi

SINGERS

Madonna – Madonna Louise Ciccone

SINGERS

Lady Gaga-Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta born March 28, 1986), is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City

FILM PRODUCERS

The producer of all but one of the first 17 James Bond movies was Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli.

Broccoli launched the 007 film series in 1962 His last film was "Golden Eye" in 1995.

His ancestors developed and named the popular vegetable in Italy in the 19th century.

FILM PRODUCERS

The legendary father-and-son team of Carmine and Francis Ford Coppola, who won four Oscars in 1975 for The Godfather, Part II.

Carmine, who was a flautist for Arturo Toscanini, composed the soundtrack and Francis, who first won an Oscar for Patton, directed the film.

FILM PRODUCERS

QuentinTarantino

FILM PRODUCERS

Martin Scorsese is hailed as one of the most significant and influential American filmmakers of all time, directing landmark films such as “Mean Streets”,”Taxi driver”, “Raging Bulls”, “Goodfellas”

POLITICIANS

Rudolph Giuliani served two terms as Mayor of New York City

Giuliani gained international attention for his leadership during and after the

September11, 2001 attacks on the WTC. For those actions, he received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elisabeth II in 2002

MOVIE ACTORS

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