Italian Celebrities By State: How Many Can You Name?

There are more than 17 million Americans of significant Italian descent, not to mention millions more who are proudly Italian in some way.

America Domani analyzed celebrities with connections to Italy in each of the 50 States. Note that, for the analysis, they had to have a clear connection to the State, but not necessarily be born or raised in that State. They also had to have partial or full Italian heritage or a clear connection to Italy such as spending part of their childhood in the country before relocating to the United States.

Read on to learn about the most famous Italian celebrities from each State and be sure to take our trivia quiz here to test how well you know them!

Alabama: Donna D’Errico

The former Baywatch star and Playboy Playmate of the Month is a native of Dothan, Alabama. In addition to having authentic Italian roots, D’Errico was given a true Italian name for her role on Baywatch, lighting up the screen for three years as “Donna Marco”.

Alaska: Felix Pedro 

Born Felice Pedroni, “Felix Pedro” was an Italian immigrant who was largely responsible for the Alaska Gold Rush in the early 1900’s. Pedroni was born in a small village outside Modena and immigrated to New York before making it out west. To honor Pedroni’s life and contributions to the Alaska Gold Rush, a monument was erected in his name on the Steese Highway outside of Fairbanks, Alaska.

California: Joe DiMaggio

In a state that is rich with Italian American heritage, perhaps none is more famous than “Joltin’ Joe”. DiMaggio was born outside of San Francisco before heading east where he became one of the most legendary baseball players in history. DiMaggio coined the phrase “I’d like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee.”

Colorado: Amy Adams

Little known fact. The Golden Globe Award-winning actress was born in Vicenza, Italy. Adams is an Italian-born American who grew up in Colorado after her family moved from one military base to another. Adams’ acting breakthrough came in 2005, when she starred in the film Junebug.

Florida: Ariana Grande

The global pop sensation was born in Boca Raton and is a proud Floridian through and through. Her Italian roots trace back to Sicily and Abruzzo and she often speaks about the influence of growing up in an Italian American household. Grande has recorded duets with hit Italian artists such as opera star Andrea Bocelli.

Georgia: Hulk Hogan

Born Terry Bollea, there is only one “Hulk” when it comes to professional wrestling. Before he was winning WWF (now WWE) championship belts, Hogan was an aspiring baseball player. Hogan’s father Pietro Bollea was a construction foreman who moved the family to Florida after Hogan was born. Hogan’s birthplace is Augusta, Georgia.

Hawaii: Henri Ginaca

When you think of Hawaii, you think of luaus and pineapples. However, what most people don’t know is that it was an Italian American who made pineapples a mainstay on the Hawaiian Islands. Ginaca was an American engineer who helped to invent the machine that mass produced pineapples.

Idaho: Genevieve Cortese

The 42- year-old television star is known for her role as Kris Furillo on the series Wild Fire. She was born in San Francisco, but later moved to Sun Valley, Idaho before breaking through as an actress. She now resides in Austin, Texas with her husband Jared Padalecki and their three children.

Iowa: Lara Flynn Boyle

The 52-year-old actress has starred on the television classic Twin Peaks, as well as popular films such as Wayne’s World and Men in Black II. She was born in Davenport, Iowa to parents of Irish, German and Italian ancestry. Her family later moved to Chicago.

Kansas: Mike Pompeo

The former United States Secretary of State and Member of the US House of Representatives from Kansas’s 4th district is an Italian American whose great grandparents came from Abruzzo. Pompeo resides in Wichita, Kansas with his wife Susan and their son Nicholas.

Kentucky: Ashley Judd

The 54-year-old actress was born Ashley Tyler Siminella in Los Angeles. However, she identifies much more with the state of Kentucky. Judd spent most of her childhood in Kentucky and attended the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Judd has Sicilian ancestry on her father’s side. She is an avid supporter of the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team and can frequently be seen sitting courtside.

Maryland: Frank Zappa

For more than three decades, the Baltimore-born artist helped to shape an entire generation of music. Zappa was of Neapolitan and Sicilian ancestry and grew up with his parents and grandparents. He died at the age of 52 in Los Angeles after a battle with prostate cancer. 

Massachusetts: Rocky Marciano

Often listed as one of the greatest boxers of all time, the “Brockton Blockbuster” is the only heavyweight champion to have never lost a fight. Born Rocco Frances Marchegiano, he was a lifelong native of Massachusetts. Marciano died tragically in a plane crash in 1969 just before his 46th birthday. 

Michigan: Frances Ford Coppola

The Detroit-born film director and producer has won five Academy Awards throughout his career which has spanned over six decades. Coppola’s grandparents immigrated to the United States from Basilicata and Naples. Beyond his successes in filmmaking, Coppola has branched out to wine making, tourism, and the restaurant business. 

Minnesota: Robert Mondavi

Mondavi is known as one of the most influential winemakers to ever set food on American soil. His family hailed from the Marche region of Italy before landing in the state of Minnesota. Mondavi was born in Virginia, Minnesota, just south of the Canadian border.  Mondavi died in 2008 at the age of 94.

Mississippi: Leah Laviano

The former beauty pageant star was awarded Miss Mississippi honors in 2008. That same year, she also finished as first runner-up of the Miss USA pageant. Laviano competed in the Miss Universe state pageant in 2005 and in the Miss Mississippi Teen USA pageant in 2006. Laviano is a graduate of the University of Mississippi. 

New Hampshire: Ray LaMontagne

Born in Nashua, New Hampshire, LaMontagne is a world-renowned singer songwriter who has released several studio albums. LaMontagne’s most recent commercial album, “Monovision”, was released to critical acclaim in 2020 behind the popularity of “Strong Enough” as the album’s lead single.

New Jersey: Frank Sinatra

In perhaps the most difficult state to choose the most famous Italian American, “Ol’ Blue Eyes” stands out in a field rich with icons that make everyone proud to be Italian. Born Francis Albert Sinatra in Hoboken, New Jersey, the legacy of this legendary crooner and “Rat Pack” founding member can still be seen up and down the entire state of New Jersey. The son of Italian immigrants, Sinatra died in 1998 at the age of 82.

North Carolina: Jean-Pierre Dalmas

Located in Wells County, the Jean-Pierre Auguste Dalmas House is an important part of the history of the State of North Carolina. The landmark was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. Jean-Pierre Dalmas was an Italian immigrant who built the house over a 13-year period beginning in the late 1920’s.

North Dakota: Dean Bresciani

Although he grew up in California, it was the great State of North Dakota where Dean Bresciani solidified his legacy in the higher education sector. Bresciani served as the President of North Dakota State University over a 12-year period from 2010 to 2022. Under Bresciani’s leadership, the university achieved record fundraising and academic goals.   

Ohio: Dean Martin

The pride of Steubenville, Ohio, Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti in 1917. Martin became one of the most iconic music and film stars of the 20th Century, paired with other legends such as Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. Martin’s Italian ancestry traces its roots back to Abruzzo and Bergamo. 

Oklahoma: Teresa Victoria-Carpio

The 41-year-old actress is known for her versatility on the stage and on the screen. She has starred in movies, Broadway plays, and performed on stage to loud applause as a singing sensation.

Rhode Island: Nicholas Colasanto

Before he passed at the age of 61 in 1985, Colasanto was loved for his role as Coach Ernie Pantusso on the sitcom Cheers. Colasanto worked alongside acting greats Woody Harrelson, Ted Danson, Shelley Long, and George Wendt, and he was a fixture on the set of Cheers during the glory years of the 1980’s. Colasanto was a native of Providence, Rhode Island.  

South Carolina: Vanessa Minnillo

Minnillo’s family bounced around a bit before finally settling in Charleston, South Carolina in the 1990’s. Minnillo’s rise to fame began when she started competing in beauty pageants and she was crowned Miss South Carolina Teen USA in 1998. She met future husband Nick Lachey in 2006 and the couple remain happily married today. Minnillo’s father is of Italian and Irish descent. 

South Dakota: Terry Francona

The man who finally broke the “Curse of the Bambino” was in fact, a proud Italian American. Terry “Tito” Francona led the Boston Red Sox to the 2004 World Series. It was the Red Sox’s first World Series championship since 1918. He would go on to lead the Red Sox to one more World Series in 2007 before becoming the manager of the Cleveland Indians. Francona was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Tennessee: Quentin Tarantino

The legendary film producer and director is of partial Italian descent through his father. Tarantino was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and lived there for a few short years before his mother relocated to California. Tarantino would go on to become one of the most decorated directors in Hollywood history with films such as Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, and Django Unchained. 

Texas: Joe Rogan

Before he was a popular podcast host and comedian, Joe Rogan called many places his home including New Jersey, Florida and California. Rogan eventually settled in Austin, Texas, after landing a massive deal from Spotify. Rogan is primarily Italian, with three of four grandparents hailing from various regions of Italy.

Utah: Amanda Righetti

The 39-year-old actress is known for her role in The Mentalist. She also became popular for her recurring roles on The OC, Colony, and Friday the 13th. Righetti grew up in St. George, Utah, before she moved to Los Angeles at age 18. Her father is Italian and her mother is German, French and English.

Vermont: Alessandro Nivola

Although he was born in Boston, Nivola’s family lived for a period of time in Burlington, Vermont. Nivola’s grandfather was a famous Italian sculptor who was born in Sardinia. Nivola is a Yale graduate who has more than 50 credits to his name across film, television and theater.

West Virginia: Bobby Campo

Born Robert Joseph Camposecco, Campo became famous for his role in the hit movie The Final Destination. Although he grew up in Florida, Campo was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. In addition to The Final Destination, Campo appeared in Legally Blondes, General Education, and Starve.

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