Famous California State University, Los Angeles Alumni
Voting Rules
People on this list must have gone to California State University, Los Angeles and be of some renown.
- At one time considered the heir apparent to Comedy Central's mercurial star Dave Chappelle, comedian Carlos Mencia received his start in stand-up at such famed Los Angeles clubs as The Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store. A growing reputation for his comedic skills led to opportunities like hosting the cable special "Loco Slam" (HBO, 1994) and headlining his own stand-up event "Comedy Central Presents: Carlos Mencia" (Comedy Central, 2002). After filling the void left by Chappelle with his show "Mind of Mencia" (Comedy Central, 2005-08), Mencia suddenly became a ubiquitous presence on the comedy scene. With more specials like "Carlos Mencia: No Strings Attached" (Comedy Central, 2006) and appearances in such feature films as "The Heartbreak Kid" (2007), he was undoubtedly one of the hottest comics in the business.
- Age: 57
- Birthplace: San Pedro Sula, Honduras
- Edward James Olmos is an American actor, director, producer, and activist. Born on February 24, 1947, in Los Angeles, California, he grew up in a Mexican-American family that nurtured his love for the arts. He attended East Los Angeles College, where he first discovered his penchant for acting. Later, he studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute which further honed his skills. Olmos's career took off in the early 1970s, with roles in television series such as Hawaii Five-O and films like Zoot Suit. However, it was his portrayal of Lieutenant Martin Castillo in the popular TV series Miami Vice that catapulted him into the limelight. This role not only earned him an Emmy Award but also helped him win a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. His performance in Stand and Deliver, a film based on the life of legendary teacher Jaime Escalante, garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, marking him as one of the few Latin actors to receive this recognition. Aside from his acting prowess, Olmos is also known for his contributions behind the camera. He directed and produced several episodes of Battlestar Galactica, a critically acclaimed science fiction series. Moreover, his commitment towards social and environmental issues is just as profound. He co-founded the Latino Literacy Now which promotes literacy among Latinos, and has been actively involved in organizations like the Waterkeeper Alliance that focuses on preserving and protecting water bodies around the world.
- Age: 77
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Cheryl Tiegs, an iconic figure in the world of fashion and entertainment, has etched her mark as one of the first supermodels in the late 20th century. Born on September 25, 1947, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, Tiegs's meteoric rise in the modeling industry began when she was discovered by a staff photographer for Seventeen magazine at a local swimsuit competition. She quickly became a household name after her appearance on the cover of Glamour magazine in the early 1970s, marking the start of a highly successful career that would span several decades. Tiegs's career trajectory soared higher when she graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue multiple times - becoming the first model to do so. This feat not only solidified her status in the modeling industry but also catapulted her into international stardom. In addition to Sports Illustrated, Cheryl Tiegs also appeared on the covers of other esteemed publications including Time, Vogue, and Elle, affirming her place among the elite in the fashion world. Away from the cameras and the runway, Cheryl Tiegs is known for her business ventures and advocacy work. She launched a signature line of clothing and accessories for Sears, which turned out to be a massive commercial success. The Cheryl Tiegs collection, designed for the everyday woman, added another feather to her cap, proving her prowess beyond modeling. As an environmental activist, Tiegs regularly uses her platform to raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. She has been actively involved with various non-profit organizations, showing her commitment to making the world a better place.
- Age: 77
- Birthplace: Breckenridge, Minnesota, USA
- Billie Jean King, a name synonymous with the advancement of women's sports, is an American former professional tennis player. Born in Long Beach, California, on November 22, 1943, she began her journey in tennis at the age of 10. With a career spanning over two decades, from 1959 to 1983, she emerged as one of the most dominant players in the sport's history. With numerous accolades under her belt, including 39 Grand Slam titles, 20 Wimbledon championships, and four Federation Cup victories, King redefined what it meant to be a female athlete. Beyond her impressive roster of victories, however, King's influence stretches far beyond the tennis court. She has been a tireless advocate for gender equality in sports, a cause that has shaped her legacy as much as her prowess with a racket. In 1973, she won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against Bobby Riggs, an event viewed by an estimated 90 million people worldwide, and a landmark moment in public acceptance of women's sports. Furthermore, she co-founded the Women's Tennis Association and continues to be a leading voice in the fight against gender discrimination in sports. In recognition of her contribution to tennis and to gender equality in sports, King has received multiple awards and honors. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 - making her the first female athlete to receive this honor. Additionally, the USTA National Tennis Center in New York was renamed the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in 2006. Billie Jean King's life and career serve as a testament to her determination, skill, and advocacy for equality, leaving an indelible imprint on the world of sports and beyond.
- Age: 81
- Birthplace: Long Beach, California, USA
- Robert Vaughn, born on November 22, 1932, in New York City, was a multi-talented actor who distinguished himself with a robust career spanning over six decades. His journey into the world of entertainment began at Los Angeles City College where he studied Drama, consequently earning a Master's Degree from California State University. Uniquely, he went further to attain a Ph.D. in Communications from the University of Southern California, making him one of the few actors to hold such an academic distinction. Vaughn made his mark in the film industry with his breakthrough role in The Young Philadelphians (1959), for which he received an Academy Award nomination. However, it was his portrayal of secret agent Napoleon Solo in NBC's hit series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964-1968) that catapulted him into international stardom. The serie's success cemented Vaughn's reputation as an accomplished actor, leading him to work in other notable projects like Bullitt (1968) and Superman III (1983). Aside from his acting endeavors, Vaughn was also a politically active figure, expressing opposition against the Vietnam War and running unsuccessfully for a California state senate seat in 1966. His off-screen pursuits demonstrated a desire to effect positive change within society, further highlighting his multifaceted persona. Robert Vaughn passed away on November 11, 2016, leaving behind a rich legacy that has significantly impacted the entertainment industry.
- Age: Dec. at 83 (1932-2016)
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- Samuel Thornton Durrance (Ph.D.) is an American scientist who flew aboard two NASA Space Shuttle missions as a payload specialist.
- Age: 81
- Birthplace: Tallahassee, Florida
- Walter Edward Williams (born March 31, 1936) is an American economist, commentator, and academic. He is the John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics at George Mason University, as well as a syndicated columnist and author known for his classical liberal and libertarian conservative views. His writings frequently appear on Townhall.com, WND, and Jewish World Review.
- Age: 88
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Maxine Moore Waters (née Carr, August 15, 1938) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 43rd congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Waters is currently in her 15th term in the House, having served since 1991. She previously represented the state's 29th district (1991–1993) and 35th district (1993–2013). She is the most senior of the twelve black women currently serving in Congress, and she chaired the Congressional Black Caucus from 1997 to 1999.Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Waters served in the California State Assembly, to which she was first elected in 1976. As an Assemblywoman, she advocated divestment from South Africa's apartheid regime. In Congress, she has been an outspoken opponent of the Iraq War and of Republican Presidents George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump.
- Age: 86
- Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Diane Edith Watson (born November 12, 1933) is a former US Representative for California's 33rd congressional district, serving from 2003 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located entirely in Los Angeles County and includes much of Central Los Angeles, as well as such wealthy neighborhoods as Los Feliz. A native of Los Angeles, Watson is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and also holds degrees from California State University, Los Angeles and Claremont Graduate University. She worked as a psychologist, professor, and health occupation specialist before serving as a member of the Los Angeles Unified School Board (1975–78). She was a member of the California Senate from 1978 to 1998, and the US Ambassador to Micronesia from 1999 to 2000. Watson was elected to Congress in a 2001 special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Julian C. Dixon. She was re-elected four times, but retired after the end of the 111th Congress.
- Age: 91
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
- James A. Bell (born June 4, 1948) is a retired American executive of The Boeing Company. Bell is a retired President, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Boeing Company. He served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Boeing Company on March, 2005, following the resignation of Harry Stonecipher. He returned to his singular role as Boeing's CFO on June 30, 2005 following the appointment of Jim McNerney as the new President, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of the Boeing Company. He was appointed Corporate President in June 2008.
- Age: 76
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Rosie Tran (born January 11, 1984 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American stand-up comedian, model, actress, writer, and podcast host.
- Age: 41
- Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
Isaac Larian
Film ProducerIsaac Larian (Persian: اسحاق لاریان, born March 28, 1954) is an Iranian-born American billionaire businessman, and the chief executive officer (CEO) of MGA Entertainment, the world's largest privately-owned toy company.- Age: 70
- Birthplace: Kashan, Iran
- Jaime Alfonso Escalante Gutierrez (December 31, 1930 – March 30, 2010) was an American educator known for teaching students calculus from 1974 to 1991 at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. Escalante was the subject of the 1988 film, Stand and Deliver, in which he is portrayed by Edward James Olmos. In 1993, the asteroid 5095 Escalante was named after him.
- Age: Dec. at 79 (1930-2010)
- Birthplace: La Paz, Bolivia
Joseph Wambaugh
Novelist, Screenwriter, WriterJoseph Aloysius Wambaugh, Jr. (born January 22, 1937) is a bestselling American writer known for his fictional and non-fictional accounts of police work in the United States. Several of his first novels were set in Los Angeles, California, and its surroundings, and featured Los Angeles police officers as protagonists. He has been nominated for 4 Edgar Awards (winning 3), and was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America.- Age: 88
- Birthplace: East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Mitch Johnson
American football playerMitchell Allen Johnson (born March 1, 1942) is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns. He played college football at UCLA.- Age: 82
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
- Salvador B. Castro (October 25, 1933 – April 15, 2013) was a Mexican-American educator and activist. He was most well known for his role in the 1968 East Los Angeles high school walkouts, a series of protests against unequal conditions in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools. After he retired from teaching, he continued to lecture about his experiences and the importance of education, especially for Mexican Americans. Castro was born in Los Angeles and began kindergarten at Belvedere Elementary School in East Los Angeles, but moved to Mexico when his father was forcibly repatriated during the "Repatriation Movement". There he attended a private elementary school in Mazatlán, Sinaloa. Returning to East L.A. while still in grade school, he experienced discrimination for speaking Spanish in the classroom. After graduating from Cathedral High School, a Catholic school, he was drafted into the Army. He saw no combat action as hostilities with Korea ceased shortly after his entry, but was stationed at bases in Atlanta, Georgia and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Always interested in higher education, he was particularly impressed by the campus of College of William and Mary while stationed in Virginia but he left the Army to marry his high school sweetheart, and attended Los Angeles City College (LACC) before transferring to L.A. State, now known as California State University Los Angeles (Cal State LA) where he obtained his B.A. in social science. He died in Los Angeles on April 15, 2013.
- Age: Dec. at 79 (1933-2013)
Iliana Alcántar
- Alejandro Briseno is Assistant Professor in Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Daniel Knauf, sometimes credited under the pseudonyms Wilfred Schmidt and Chris Neal, is an American television screenwriter and producer, as well as comic book writer, best known for his creation of the 2003 HBO series Carnivàle.
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, USA, California
Julian C. Dixon
PoliticianJulian Carey Dixon (August 8, 1934 – December 8, 2000) was an American politician from the state of California serving from 1979 until his death from a heart attack in Los Angeles, California in 2000.- Age: Dec. at 66 (1934-2000)
- Birthplace: Washington, D.C., USA
- Juanita Millender-McDonald (September 7, 1938 – April 22, 2007) was an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1996 until her death in 2007, representing California's 37th congressional district, which includes most of South Central Los Angeles and the city of Long Beach, California. She was a member of the Democratic Party. On December 19, 2006, Millender-McDonald was named Chairwoman of the House Committee on House Administration for the 110th Congress. She was the first African-American woman to chair the committee. She was also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and of the New Democrat Coalition and was considered a front-runner for the job of Secretary of Transportation if John Kerry had been elected President in 2004.
- Age: Dec. at 68 (1938-2007)
- Birthplace: Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Earl G. Yarbrough
EducatorEarl Glenn Yarbrough Sr. (born 1946) was a former president of the Savannah State University from May 30, 2007 until May 8, 2011.- Age: 79
- Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas
- Shou Wan Por (Chinese: 仇雲波, born July 17, 1960), known professionally as Robin Shou, is a Hong Kong Chinese-American actor, martial artist and stuntman. Known for his role as Liu Kang in the Mortal Kombat film series (1995 and 1997), as Gobei in Beverly Hills Ninja (1997 starring Chris Farley), as Gen in Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009), and as 14K in Death Race films (2008-2013), Shou was also a Hong Kong action star in the late 1980's and early 1990's and has appeared in about 40 movies during his Hong Kong career before he entered Hollywood since 1994. Shou's first real dramatic role was in Forbidden Nights in 1990, with Melissa Gilbert. Though only a TV film, this was his American debut. However, Shou went back to Hong Kong and continued making movies there. In 1994, Shou returned to Los Angeles whereupon he appeared as Liu Kang, a Shaolin monk seeking revenge for the death of his younger brother, in Mortal Kombat. Shou also appeared in a minor role in another fighting video game adaptation, DOA: Dead or Alive, based on Tecmo's video game series of the same name, produced by Mortal Kombat director Paul W. S. Anderson and producer Jeremy Bolt. He played 14K in the Death Race series, and also appeared as Gen in 2009's Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. Shou trained Milla Jovovich for her role in Resident Evil.
- Age: 64
- Birthplace: Hong Kong, China
- Frank Zane (born June 28, 1942) is an American former professional bodybuilder and author. He is a three-time Mr. Olympia, and his physique is considered one of the greatest in the history of bodybuilding due to his meticulous focus on symmetry and proportion.
- Age: 82
- Birthplace: USA, Kingston, Pennsylvania
Steve Cooley
Politician, LawyerStephen Lawrence Cooley (born May 1, 1947) is an American politician and prosecutor. He was the Los Angeles County District Attorney from 2000 to 2012. Cooley was re-elected in 2004 and again in 2008. In 2010, Cooley won the Republican nomination for California Attorney General against John C. Eastman and Tom Harman in the June 8 primary election. During the general election campaign, Cooley said he would defend Proposition 8, a 2008 ballot measure that banned same-sex marriages in California but was then being appealed in the federal courts. Cooley lost to the Democratic nominee, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, in the November 2 general election, a close race whose results were not finalized until November 24, 2010.- Age: 77
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Michael Steven Harper (March 18, 1938 – May 7, 2016) was an American poet and English professor at Brown University, who was the Poet Laureate of Rhode Island from 1988 to 1993. His poetry was influenced by jazz and history.Among the influences which shaped his writing, he said that the most important lesson he learned from musicians was phrasing, the authenticity of phrasing, and the transcendence and spiritual mastery. He published ten books of poetry, two of which—Dear John, Dear Coltrane (1970) and Images of Kin (1977)—were nominated for the National Book Award. Many of his poems have been included as examples of African-American literature and jazz poetry in various anthologies.
- Age: 86
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Carole Caldwell Graebner (née Caldwell; June 24, 1943 – November 19, 2008) was an American tennis player. According to Lance Tingay of The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, Graebner was ranked in the world top ten in 1964 and 1965, reaching a career high of World No. 4 in those rankings in 1964. Graebner was included in the year-end top ten rankings issued by the United States Lawn Tennis Association from 1961 through 1965 and in 1967. She was the third-ranked U.S. player in 1964 and 1965. She was ranked U.S. No. 1 in doubles in 1963.
- Age: Dec. at 65 (1943-2008)
- Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Lucille Elsa Roybal-Allard (born June 12, 1941) is the U.S. Representative for California's 40th congressional district, serving in Congress since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district, numbered as the 33rd from 1993 to 2003 and as the 34th from 2003 to 2013, includes much of southern Los Angeles, as well as a number of eastern suburbs such as Downey, Bell and Bell Gardens.
- Age: 83
- Birthplace: Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA
Seymour Liebergot
WriterSeymour "Sy" Abraham Liebergot (born February 15, 1936 in Camden, New Jersey) is a retired NASA flight controller, serving during the Apollo program. Liebergot was an EECOM controller and was responsible for the electrical and environmental systems on board the Command Module. In 1970, he was part of the team that guided Apollo 13 back to Earth following the explosion which crippled the spacecraft. He began his career in 1963 with North American Aviation after graduating from California State University, Los Angeles. In 1964, he came to NASA. Liebergot was a Deputy Flight Director on Apollo 4, then an EECOM flight controller on Apollo 8–15. On Apollo 17, he served as CSSB SPAN (SPacecraft ANalysis room) Support. He continued as a controller in the Skylab and ASTP missions.- Age: 88
- Birthplace: USA, Camden, New Jersey
Jay Gibbons
Baseball playerJay Jonathan Gibbons (born March 2, 1977) is an American former professional baseball right fielder in Major League Baseball. He played college baseball at California State University, Los Angeles and in the Major Leagues for the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers. He attended Mayfair High School in Lakewood, California.- Age: 47
- Birthplace: Rochester, Michigan
- Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. was a professional wrestler who went on to a successful Hollywood career. Lister began his acting career with roles in such films as the action flick "Runaway Train" (1985) with Jon Voight, the drama "Blue City" (1986) with Judd Nelson and "Wired to Kill" (1986). He also appeared in the Nick Nolte action film "Extreme Prejudice" (1987), the Eddie Murphy box office smash action picture "Beverly Hills Cop II" (1987) and the thriller "Prison" (1988) with Lane Smith. He continued to act in productions like "Men of War" (1995) with Kevin Tighe, the Johnny Depp fantastical drama "Don Juan Demarco" (1995) and the Ice Cube comedy "Friday" (1995). He also appeared in the crime drama "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead" (1995) with Andy Garcia. Recently, he continued to act in "The Wash" (2001), the Mike Myers smash hit comedy sequel "Austin Powers in Goldmember" (2002) and "Black Mask 2: City of Masks" (2002) with Kelly Lam Hei-lui. He also appeared in the Ed Burns crime flick "Confidence" (2003). Lister acted in the adventure "The Amazing Wizard of Paws" (2015) with Will Spencer. Lister died on December 10, 2020 of complivations from COVID-19 at the age of 62.
- Age: Dec. at 62 (1958-2020)
- Birthplace: Compton, California, USA
Joe Baca
Politician, Public RelationsJoseph Natalio Baca Sr. (born January 23, 1947) is a former U.S. Representative, last serving California's 43rd congressional district as a member of the Democratic Party. The district, numbered as the 42nd from 1999 to 2003, is located in southwestern San Bernardino County and includes Fontana, Rialto, Ontario and parts of the city of San Bernardino. After redistricting, he decided to run in the new, adjacent 35th congressional district, where he faced fellow Democrat Gloria Negrete McLeod (due to California's "top two" primary system). On November 6, 2012, Baca lost his seat by a margin of 55.7% to 44.3%. He ran again in 2014 but came fifth with 11.2%. He subsequently announced that he was running for Mayor of Fontana. He lost in a landslide and subsequently announced his retirement from politics.In June 2015, Baca switched his affiliation to the Republican Party, citing his "core Christian" and pro-business beliefs.In January 2018, Baca switched his affiliation back to the Democratic Party, saying that "in my heart, I've always been a Democrat with a 100 percent voting record for labor."- Age: 78
- Birthplace: Belen, New Mexico, USA
- Octavia Estelle Butler (June 22, 1947 – February 24, 2006) was an African-American science fiction author. A multiple recipient of both the Hugo and Nebula awards, she became in 1995 the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.Butler was born in Pasadena, California. After her father died, she was raised by her widowed mother. Extremely shy as a child, Octavia found an outlet at the library reading fantasy, and in writing. She began writing science fiction as a teenager. She attended community college during the Black Power movement, and while participating in a local writer's workshop was encouraged to attend the Clarion Workshop, which focused on science fiction. She soon sold her first stories and by the late 1970s had become sufficiently successful as an author that she was able to pursue writing full-time. Her books and short stories drew the favorable attention of the public and awards judges. She also taught writer's workshops, and eventually relocated to Washington state. Butler died of a stroke at the age of 58. Her papers are held in the research collection of the Huntington Library.
- Age: Dec. at 58 (1947-2006)
- Birthplace: Pasadena, California, USA
- Walter Johnson III (November 13, 1942 – June 29, 1999) was an American football defensive tackle who was drafted in the second round of the 1965 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He was a 3-time Pro Bowler (1967, 1968, 1969), a pro wrestler, and played thirteen seasons in the National Football League. Johnson's grandson Isaiah Johnson played college basketball at Akron.Johnson also did professional wrestling beginning his career in 1968. His most famous match happened on February 16, 1974 against linebacker Ron Pritchard. Johnson won by disqualification. He continued wrestling until 1984. Template:Https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=6178&gimmick=Walter+Johnson
- Age: Dec. at 56 (1942-1999)
- Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio
Tom LaBonge
PoliticianThomas J. LaBonge (born October 6, 1953) is an American politician. He was a member of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 4th district, serving from 2001 to 2015. He won a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of long-time council member John Ferraro. The district represents a wide diversity of incomes and neighborhoods. At the time he was in office, he was the Chairman of the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging committee, Vice Chairman of the Transportation Committee and the Ad Hoc River Committee, and member of the Trade, Commerce & Tourism Committee, and the Ad Hoc on Recovering Energy, Natural Resources & Economic Benefit from Waste for L.A. (RENEW LA) in the city of Los Angeles. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Prior to serving as councilman, LaBonge was Director of Community Relations at the Department of Water and Power, Special Assistant to Mayor Richard Riordan, and Chief Deputy to Council President John Ferraro. LaBonge is a lifelong advocate for Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation, which falls in his district. A graduate of John Marshall High School, LaBonge received his bachelor's degree in sociology from California State University, Los Angeles. He married graphic designer and illustrator Brigid Manning LaBonge in 1988. They reside in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles with their two children, Mary-Cate and Charles.- Age: 71
- Birthplace: Silver Lake, Los Angeles, California, USA
J. Paul Reddam
BusinesspersonJohn Paul Reddam B.A. M.A. Ph.D. (born July 28, 1955) is a Canadian businessman, Thoroughbred racehorse owner and a former professor of philosophy at California State University, Los Angeles.- Age: 69
- Birthplace: Windsor, Canada
Shondrella Avery
ActorShondrella Dupre Avery (born April 26, 1971) is an American actress, model and comedian. Her film roles include as LaFawnduh Lucas in the independent comedy Napoleon Dynamite (2004), and supporting roles in Domino (2005) and The Secret Life of Bees (2008).- Age: 53
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Nabih Youssef, S.E., F.A.S.C.E is an American structural engineer, most recognized for his work in earthquake engineering.
- Birthplace: Egypt
- Malvin Greston Whitfield (October 11, 1924 – November 19, 2015) was an athlete, goodwill ambassador, and airman. Nicknamed "Marvelous Mal", he was the Olympic champion in the 800 meters at the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics, and a member of the 1948 gold medal team in the 4 × 400 meters relay. Overall, Whitfield was a five-time Olympic medalist (three gold, one silver, one bronze). After his competitive career, he worked for forty-seven years as a coach, goodwill ambassador, and athletic mentor in Africa on behalf of the United States Information Service.
- Age: 100
- Birthplace: Bay City, Texas
- Howard Wayne Kindig, Jr. (born June 22, 1941) is a former American football defensive end who played ten seasons in the American Football League and the National Football League, mainly with the Buffalo Bills.
- Age: 83
- Birthplace: Mexico, Missouri
John J. Benoit
PoliticianJohn Joseph Benoit (December 27, 1951 – December 26, 2016) was an American law enforcement officer and a politician.- Age: 73
- Birthplace: Kankakee, Illinois, USA
Ralph Anderson
American football playerRalph Anderson may refer to: Ralph Anderson (wide receiver) (1936–1960), American football player who played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 1960 Ralph Anderson (defensive back) (born 1949), American football defensive back who played in the National Football League in the 1970s Ralph Anderson (politician) (born 1927), Democratic Party member of the South Carolina Senate beginning in 1996 Ralph Anderson (architect) (1924–2010), architect, based in Seattle, Washington, United States Ralph A. Anderson Jr. (1923–1990), architect, based in Houston, Texas, United States Ralph R. Anderson (1961–2009) Ralph G. Anderson (1923–2010), American engineer, farmer, and founder of engineering firm Belcan- Age: Dec. at 24 (1936-1960)
- Birthplace: Long Beach, California
Kara Brock
ActorKara Denean Brock (born March 29, 1974) is an American television and film actress, who is perhaps best known for her recurring role as Regina Foster in the television series, The Parkers, where she portrayed a sorority sister nemesis to Kim Parker (Countess Vaughn). She was born in Long Beach, California, but was raised primarily in Kansas City, Missouri. She is the younger sister of the writer/producer Mara Brock Akil. Brock is a graduate of California State University, Los Angeles, where she earned a bachelor's degree in theater arts.- Age: 50
- Birthplace: USA, Long Beach, California
Elton Gallegly
PoliticianElton William Gallegly (born March 7, 1944) is a former U.S. Representative, last serving California's 24th congressional district, and previously the 23rd and 21st, serving in Congress from 1987 to 2013. He is a member of the Republican Party. He did not seek re-election in 2012.- Age: 80
- Birthplace: Huntington Park, California, USA
- Dr. John J. Tracy is senior vice president of Engineering, Operations Technology and chief technology officer for The Boeing Company, responsible for defining and implementing corporate strategies for attaining and maintaining technical and functional excellence and enhancing the yield of technology investments across the enterprise.
- Michael John Burns (born July 14, 1978) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros, the Boston Red Sox, the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers. He is currently on the coaching staff of the Easton Blackdogs at Caira Baseball Academy.
- Age: 46
- Birthplace: Westminster, California
Robert A. Underwood
Robert Anacletus Underwood (born July 13, 1948) is a Guamanian politician, educator, member of the Democratic Party of Guam, former Delegate from Guam to the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 2003, and was the president of the University of Guam from 2008 to 2018.- Age: 76
- Birthplace: Tamuning, United States, with Territories
Rosario Marin
Rosario Marin (born April 4, 1958) was the 41st Treasurer of the United States from August 16, 2001, to June 30, 2003, serving under President George W. Bush. She is the first person since William Clark to assume the post without having been born a United States citizen. She is the only foreign-born Treasurer of the United States.- Age: 66
- Birthplace: Mexico City, Mexico
- Not to be confused with Rafael Martín Vázquez.Martín Vásquez Gómez (born December 24, 1963 in Yahualica) is a Mexican-American former professional football player. One of only two players to have featured for both the United States and Mexico, he has served as a coach since retiring, most recently with the United States.
- Age: 61
- Birthplace: Yahualica de González Gallo, Mexico
Anthony Shay
Anthony Shay is a dancer and choreographer specializing in dances from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. In 50 years of work he has created over 200 choreographies. Shay created and directed several dance groups: Village Dancers, AMAN Folk Ensemble (AMAN International Music and Dance Company, Los Angeles, California, 1963–1977), and AVAZ International Dance Theatre (since 1977). In 1977 Shay earned a Ph.D. in dance history and theory from the University of California, Riverside, where he teaches dances of Iranian culture and M.A. degrees in anthropology, folklore and mythology from California State University, Los Angeles and UCLA. On November 18, 1995, Shay received commendations from President Bill Clinton and the City Council of Los Angeles for excellence of his choreographies, honoring his forty years as a choreographic artist, during which he created over 150 works. The Kaleidiscope Festival has designated him as Distinguished California Artist in 1997. Dr. Anthony Shay has been awarded a James Irvine Fellowship in Dance for 1998 as one of the eight top choreographers in California with a $30,000 fellowship for research in Iranian art. In 1999, he received the Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles Lester Horton award for Outstanding Achievement for the Staging of Traditional Dance. He is a five-time recipient of choreographic fellowship awards from the National Endowment for the Arts. He is also an author of several books about dance, and has published numerous articles in the Oxford Encyclopedia of Dance, the Journal of Iranian Studies, Dance Research Journal, and the Journal of Visual Anthropology. In 2002, the California Arts Council awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Award for “His Incomparable Service to the Art of Dance.” Congress on Research in Dance honored, among others, Anthony Shay in 2003 (Dance Magazine, September 2003).- Age: 89
- Michael Blodgett (September 26, 1939 – November 14, 2007) was an American actor, novelist, and screenwriter. Of his many film and television appearances he is best known for his performance as gigolo Lance Rocke in Russ Meyer's 1970 cult classic Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. He retired from acting in the late 1970s and began a writing career.
- Age: Dec. at 68 (1939-2007)
- Birthplace: Minneapolis, USA, Minnesota
Sukhbir Singh Badal
PoliticianSukhbir Singh Badal (born 9 July 1962) is an Indian politician and President of Shiromani Akali Dal, and is currently MLA from Jalalabad and MP from Ferozpur. He served as Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab from 2009 to 2017. He is the son of Parkash Singh Badal, who has served several times as Chief Minister of Punjab.- Age: 62
- Birthplace: Faridkot, Punjab, India
Jim Weatherwax
James Michael Weatherwax (born January 9, 1943) is a former American football player. He played professionally as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at California State University, Los Angeles and West Texas A&M University. Weatherwax was drafted by the Packers in the 11th round with the 150th overall pick of the 1965 NFL draft. He played 34 games during three seasons, 1966, 1967, and 1969, with Green Bay. Weatherwax was a member of Green Bay's Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II championship teams. After his football career was over, Weatherwax worked as a manager and was part owner of a Marie Callender's restaurant in El Toro, California. He is now retired living in Northern Colorado. He was honored as a member of the Redlands High School and California State University, Los Angeles halls of fame.- Age: 82
- Birthplace: Porterville, California
Carl Bergmanson
Carl A. Bergmanson is a conservative Democrat and was the mayor of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, a borough 10 miles west of New York City, from 2004 - 2007. Bergmanson is a vocal critic of the Democratic Party establishment in New Jersey. He was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey in both the 2009 and 2013 elections. In 2008, Bergmanson led an unsuccessful campaign to recall Governor Jon Corzine, the first effort to recall a governor in New Jersey history. In February 2009, Bergmanson announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2009 race for Governor of New Jersey. Bergmanson, who ran on a platform of fiscal discipline, governmental reform, and removing the tolls on the Garden State Parkway, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Atlantic City Expressway, finished second in the balloting for the Democratic nomination with 9% of the votes cast behind incumbent governor Jon Corzine, who won re-nomination with 77% of the vote. Bergmanson continues to criticize the Democratic Party for being financially irresponsible. He has stated that he believes only a fiscally conservative Democrat could potentially beat sitting Governor Chris Christie.- Age: 64
Brian A. Sassi
Brian A. Sassi is president and CEO of the Consumer Business Unit for WellPoint, Inc. Appointed to this role in January 2008, Mr. Sassi is responsible for the companys Senior, State Sponsored, and Individual-Under-65 businesses.Amanda Aguirre
BusinesspersonAmanda Aguirre (born February 6, 1953) is a Democratic politician. She served as an Arizona State Senator from 2006–2010 and as an Arizona State Representative from 2003–2006 for District 24. In May 2012, Aguirre announced that she was entering the race to represent Arizona's 3rd congressional district.- Age: 71
- Birthplace: Agua Prieta, Mexico
Victor Soltero
BusinesspersonVictor E. Soltero (born August 6, 1938) is a Democratic politician. He served as Arizona State Senator for District 29 from 2003 to 2008, and earlier from 1991 through 2000. He was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 2000 through 2003, and Mayor of the City of South Tucson from 1988 through 1999.- Age: 86
- Birthplace: Globe, Arizona, USA
- Jeannie Lynn "Jean" Fuller (née Guenther; born April 16, 1950) is a U.S. politician who served as the minority leader in the California State Senate. A Republican, she was previously a member of the California Assembly and the Superintendent of Schools for the Bakersfield City School District.
- Age: 74
- Birthplace: Bakersfield, California, USA
- Donald T. Sterling (born Donald Tokowitz, April 26, 1934) is an American businessman who was the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers professional basketball franchise of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1981 to 2014. In April 2014, Sterling was banned from the NBA for life and fined $2.5 million by the league after private recordings of him making racist comments were made public. In May, Sterling's wife Shelly reached an agreement for the Sterling Family Trust to sell the Clippers for $2 billion to Steve Ballmer, which Sterling contested in court. The NBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the Clippers to Ballmer on August 12, 2014. Sterling settled his lawsuit against the NBA in November 2016 and remains active in Los Angeles real estate.
- Age: 90
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Ronald N. Hartman
Ronald N. Hartman was a professor of astronomy and the director of the planetarium at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California for 38 years. He was also well known in the community of meteorite collectors and hunters.- Age: Dec. at 76 (1935-2011)
- Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Richard Alatorre
PoliticianRichard Alatorre (born 1943) was a member of the California State Assembly from 1973 to 1985—"one of the most influential Latino politicians in the state"— and a Los Angeles, California, City Council member from 1985 to 1999, the second Latino to serve on the council in the 20th century. He is now a lobbyist.- Age: 82
Roderick M. Kramer
ProfessorRoderick Kramer’s research focuses on a number of topics, including the social psychology of trust and distrust, cooperation, creativity, decision making, leadership, impression management, social identity theory, group processes and decision making, and organizational paranoia. His most recent research has examined the cognitive determinants of judgments of creativity in Hollywood “pitch” meetings, where screenwriters present their ideas to agents and producers. Roderick Kramer is the William R. Kimball Professor of Organizational Behavior. Kramer received his BA in experimental psychology and philosophy from California State University Los Angeles in 1977. He received his Master’s in Experimental Psychology from California State University in 1980. He earned his PhD in social psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1985, with minors in cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence. He was a visiting associate professor at Kellogg Graduate School of Management (Northwestern University) in 1991. He was a visiting professor at Oxford University and London Business School in 2001. In 2002 and 2004, he was a visiting professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In 2004-2005, he was a Visiting Senior Scholar at the Hoover Institution. Kramer has been at Stanford since 1985. Kramer is the author or co-author of more than 100 scholarly articles and essays. His work has appeared in leading academic journals, such as Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Administrative Science Quarterly, and the Academy of Management Journal. He has also published in popular journals, such as the Harvard Business Review. He is also the author or co-author of numerous books, including Negotiation in Social Contexts; The Psychology of the Social Self; Trust in Organizations: Frontiers of Theory and Research, Power and Influence in Organizations; Psychology of Leadership; Trust and Distrust Within Organizations; Misuses of Power: Causes and Correctives; and Trust and Distrust: Progress and Promise in Theory and Research. In 2004 he won the best publication award from the Academy of Management and the Best Paper of the Year Award from the Academy Management Journal. In 2004, he was also the second place winner of the McKinsey Award for Most Outstanding Article in Management Theory. For the past two years, he has been a member of the selection committee of U. S. News and World Report’s annual issue on America’s Best Leaders. He has been on the editorial boards of leading academic journals including Administrative Science Quarterly, Organization Science, and Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. He is a former co-editor of Research in Organizational Behavior. Kramer teaches or has taught MBA courses on negotiation and conflict management, group processes and group decision making, leadership, creativity, and power and influence. In Executive Education, he has taught in the Negotiations, Advanced Negotiations, Teams and Groups, Corporate Governance Program, the Executive Program for Growing Companies, Executive Program on Change, and the Stanford Executive Program, the School’s flagship six-week program for senior executives. He also teaches at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and consults with a variety of organizations on issues of trust, leadership, group decision making, and creativity.Jose Botello
Jose Botello (born April 24, 1976 in Los Angeles, California) is a retired American soccer player. He is currently the head coach of the Hollywood United Hitmen in the USL Premier Development League.- Age: 48
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
John Adams
John Albert Adams (November 28, 1937 – August 8, 1995) was a professional American football fullback in the National Football League. He played for five seasons for the Chicago Bears (1959–1962) and the Los Angeles Rams (1963). Adams was a fifth round selection (57th overall pick) of the Bears in the 1959 NFL Draft out of California State University, Los Angeles.- Age: Dec. at 57 (1937-1995)
- Birthplace: San Diego, California
Charles Calderon
Attorney at lawCharles M. Calderon (born March 12, 1950) is an American politician who served in both chambers of the California State Legislature. Calderon was first elected to the Assembly in 1982. In 1988–89, he became leader of a power struggle for control of the Assembly. The "Gang of Five", as they were called–Calderon, Gary Condit, Steve Peace of Chula Vista, Gerald Eaves of Rialto, and Rusty Areias of Los Banos, California–were conservative Democrats who tried to wrest power from Willie Brown, then Speaker of the Assembly. Calderon was nominated for the office of Speaker, but Brown prevailed by a vote of 40-34. Brown stripped all five of committee leadership positions and staff. In 1990, Calderon left the Assembly, and he was elected to the California State Senate. From September 1996 until the end of his term, Calderon served as the first Hispanic Senate Majority leader in California history. He ran unsuccessfully for Attorney General in 1998, losing the primary to Bill Lockyer. Prior to his 2006 election to the Assembly, he served as California Health Care Commissioner and was a Partner with the law firm of Nossaman. Calderon served a total of 20 years in the California legislature. He is also the first person to have served as Majority Leader in both the California Assembly and California Senate.Prior to his 1982 election to the Assembly, Calderon was a prosecutor and also served on the Montebello School Board. Calderon graduated from California State University, Los Angeles and earned a law degree from the UC Davis School of Law. His brothers Ronald S. Calderon and Thomas M. Calderon have both served in the State Assembly. Ronald currently holds Charles's former Senate seat; Thomas has been out of the legislature since an unsuccessful run for Insurance Commissioner in 2002. Calderon has a wife named Lisa, and they have three children. Calderon's son Ian serves in the state assembly, representing the 57th district.- Age: 74
- Birthplace: Montebello, California, USA
- Antonia Darder (born Priscilla Antonia Darder Aguilo on April 16, 1952 in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico) is a scholar, artist, poet, activist, and public intellectual. She holds the Leavey Presidential Endowed Chair in Ethics and Moral Leadership in the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University. She also is Professor Emerita of Educational Policy, Organization, and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
- Age: 72
- Birthplace: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
Otis D. Wright II
JudgeOtis Dalino Wright II (born July 31, 1944) is a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.- Age: 81
- Birthplace: Tuskegee, Alabama
Kaz Oshiro
Kaz Oshiro (born 1967, Okinawa, Japan) is an artist based in Los Angeles. His work resides between painting and sculpture: he makes uncannily realistic objects—a full-size replica of a garbage dumpster or a column of wood-paneled Sony bookshelf speakers—but using stretcher bars, canvas, and paint.Oshiro emigrated to the United States in 1986. He studied at California State University in Los Angeles, graduating with a BA and an MFA.He had two solo exhibitions at the Yvon Lambert Gallery in New York. His work has been exhibited at museums and galleries including Apex Art, the Swiss Institute and the Asia Society and Museum in New York, the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, the Orange County Museum of Art, UCLA Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, the Royal Academy in London, and Veletrzni Palace in Prague. His work appears in Lifelike, a group show at the Walker Art Center, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, and the Blanton Museum of Art.Oshiro is represented by Rosamund Felsen Gallery in Santa Monica, California and in Paris by Galerie Frank Elbaz.- Age: 58
- Birthplace: Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
Eldad Tarmu
Eldad Tarmu is a vibraphonist, composer, and music educator born in 1960 in Los Angeles, California. His parents were graphic artists. Between 2005 and 2009 he was a professor of Jazz Studies at the Richard Oschanitzky Jazz and Pop School of Tibiscus University in Timişoara, Romania, where he led the Jazz Department. In 2006, he established a partnership with the American Cultural Center in Bucharest, aiming to improve cultural ties between Romania and the U.S. and promote American music. He is currently residing in the New York area, where he performs regularly on the jazz and contemporary classical scene.- Age: 65
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Bob Wieland
Bob Wieland is a Vietnam War veteran who lost his legs to a mortar mine in 1969. After recovering from his injuries he was inspired to become a marathon participant. Over his lifetime he has finished many marathons, often taking multiple days to finish. He is the only double amputee to finish the difficult Kona, Hawaii Ironman race without a wheelchair. He "ran" across America on his hands, taking three years, eight months, and six days to travel from coast to coast.- Birthplace: Greenfield, Wisconsin, USA
Alfred Balitzer
Alfred Balitzer is an American professor of government at Claremont Graduate University. He graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, and from the University of Chicago with a master of arts degree. He completed his Ph.D. in Government at CGU in 1971. He has been involved in numerous political campaigns throughout California and the nation, such as director of the Republican National Committee under President Ronald Reagan, and chairman of Scholars for Reagan-Bush in 1984. President Reagan appointed Dr. Balitzer Special Ambassador to Brunei (special emissary to the Sultan of Brunei). Balitzer was Dean of Faculty and Professor of Political Philosophy at Soka University of America from 2001 to 2003. He was asked to resign his dean position by Soka University of America President Daniel Habuki after a student sit-in, which was reportedly spurred by an inflammatory email he wrote about Professor Joe McGinniss. Balitzer has published a number of monographs on American political institutions and practices over the years, including on such subjects as political action committees, the initiative and referendum and redistricting. He played a leading role in preventing efforts to make the District of Columbia a state. He also published frequently on issues concerning American government, among them American religion, grassroots politics, the role and impact of minority populations and demographic changes on American politics, and American foreign and military policy.Robert J. Sandoval
Robert J. Sandoval (February 23, 1950 – February 28, 2006) was a judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.- Age: Dec. at 56 (1950-2006)
Kathleen Holtz
Kathleen Holtz is a lawyer from California who passed the California State Bar Examination in 2007 to become the state's youngest lawyer at the age of 18. Holtz entered the UCLA School of Law at the age of 15 after graduating from California State University, Los Angeles, which she started at the age of 10. She worked for the law firm TroyGould PC from 2007 to 2010.John L. Notter
John L. Notter (born 1935) is an international financier and developer who manages and has substantial interests in a wide variety of companies, including Westlake Properties, Inc., and Sailview Associates, Inc., of Westlake Village, California; and Clark Road Development, LLC and Sherwood Holdings LTD. of Sarasota, Florida. In addition, Notter served as a member of the Board of Directors of Hilton Hotels Corporation and was the chairman of the Audit Committee. He is currently the chairman of the Board of Directors for Ludwig Cancer Research, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and chairman of its Finance and Investment Committee.- Birthplace: Zürich, Switzerland
Catherine Ivy
Catherine Ivy is responsible for the administration, investment management, and charitable grant-making of the Ivy Foundation. She monitors and participates in the design of the overall grant-making strategies and policies emphasizing the needs of the brain tumor research. A Certified Financial Planner, Catherine has worked in the financial planning industry for over 23 years. Prior to becoming involved in the brain tumor community, she served as Owner and President of Ivy Financial Planning and Associates, LLC in Palo Alto, California. She has a Master’s degree in Personal Financial Planning from Golden Gate University and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Arizona State University.Bob Wasserman
PoliticianRobert "Bob" Wasserman was an American politician and retired police chief, who served as the Mayor of Fremont, California, from 2004 to 2011. He has been credited with integrating Fremont's economy and workforce with into the larger Silicon Valley during his tenures as mayor and a city councilman.- Age: Dec. at 77 (1934-2011)
- Birthplace: Gary, Indiana, USA
Carlos Zavala
Carlos Zavala is a retired Mexican-American soccer midfielder who played professionally in Mexico and the United States.- Age: 55
- Birthplace: Toluca, Mexico
Donald J. Darensbourg
Donald J. Darensbourg is an American inorganic chemist. He is a distinguished professor of chemistry at Texas A&M University.- Age: 84
- Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Scott Shaw (born September 23, 1958 in Los Angeles, California) is an American author, martial artist, and filmmaker.
- Age: 66
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, USA, Hollywood, California
Mario Ramirez
Baseball playerMario Ramírez Torres was a Puerto Rican shortstop in Major League Baseball. He played six seasons from 1980 through 1985, all coming off the bench. Known mainly for his defensive prowess, Ramírez had a career batting average of .192.- Age: Dec. at 55 (1957-2013)
- Birthplace: Yauco, Puerto Rico
