Famous Garfield High School Alumni
Voting Rules
People on this list must have gone to Garfield High School 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
- Jimi Hendrix, born Johnny Allen Hendrix in 1942, was an iconic figure in the realm of rock and roll. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, USA, he was renowned for his remarkable musicianship and innovative approach to guitar playing. His musical journey began at a young age when he taught himself to play on a one-string ukulele found amongst his father's belongings. This early passion would later evolve into a career that revolutionized the world of music. Hendrix's professional music career took off after moving to England in 1966 under the management of former Animals bassist Chas Chandler, who helped form The Jimi Hendrix Experience with Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. Their debut album Are You Experienced is considered one of the greatest debuts in the history of rock music. He also achieved fame with memorable performances at major festivals like Monterey Pop Festival (1967) where he famously set his guitar on fire during his performance; Woodstock (1969), where his rendition of Star-Spangled Banner became an emblematic moment reflecting turbulent times; and the Isle Of Wight Festival (1970). Despite having only four years of limelight before his untimely death at age 27 in 1970, Jimi Hendrix left an undeniable mark on the world of music. Known for experimenting with sound effects like distortion and feedback more extensively than any previous guitarist had done before him - he transformed how electric guitar could be played while inspiring countless musicians across various genres along the way. Even decades after his passing, Hendrix continues to be revered as one of rock's most influential figures.
- Age: Dec. at 27 (1942-1970)
- Birthplace: USA, Washington, Seattle
- Renowned for his speed, power, and technical skills, Oscar De La Hoya was born on February 4, 1973, in East Los Angeles, California. His early life was marked by a strong familial influence in boxing; both his grandfather and father were boxers, providing a clear pathway into the sport. With a passion for boxing ingrained from this young age, De La Hoya's talent was evident as he rapidly ascended through the amateur ranks, ultimately earning a gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics, a victory that earned him the enduring nickname "The Golden Boy". De La Hoya's professional career was equally impressive. He became a force to reckon with in the boxing world, winning multiple world titles in six different weight divisions. Over the course of his professional career, he faced off against a formidable roster of boxing legends, including Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. These high-stakes bouts cemented De La Hoya's reputation as one of the most exciting and widely recognized faces in boxing. His skills in the ring, combined with his charismatic persona, contributed significantly to the sport's mainstream appeal. Beyond his accomplishments in the ring, De La Hoya is also known for his ventures outside of boxing. He founded Golden Boy Promotions, a company that has promoted some of the biggest fights in boxing history. Additionally, his philanthropic efforts are noteworthy. The Oscar De La Hoya Foundation, established in 1995, focuses on supporting education and healthcare initiatives within the community he grew up in.
- Age: 52
- Birthplace: USA, East Los Angeles, California
- Miles Jonathon Austin III (born June 30, 1984) is an offensive assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL) and a former American football wide receiver who played in the NFL for 10 seasons and spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. Austin played college football at Monmouth. Austin joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2006 and was a member of the team for eight seasons. During his tenure with the Cowboys, he was named to two Pro Bowls. He retired after playing for the Browns and Eagles for one season each.
- Age: 40
- Birthplace: Summit, New Jersey
- Carlos Almaraz (October 5, 1941 – December 11, 1989) was a Mexican-American artist and an early proponent of the Chicano street arts movement.
- Age: Dec. at 48 (1941-1989)
- Birthplace: Mexico City, Mexico
- Minoru Yamasaki was an American architect, best known for designing the original World Trade Center in New York City and several other large-scale projects. Yamasaki was one of the most prominent architects of the 20th century. He and fellow architect Edward Durell Stone are generally considered to be the two master practitioners of "New Formalism".
- Age: Dec. at 73 (1912-1986)
- Birthplace: Seattle, Washington
- Luis Alberto Castillo (born August 4, 1983), is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Chargers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Northwestern. Castillo was the cover athlete for the Spanish language version of Madden NFL 08.
- Age: 41
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- Brandon Dawayne Roy (born July 23, 1984) is an American basketball coach and a former professional basketball player. Roy played six seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves. He was selected sixth in the 2006 NBA draft, having completed four years playing for the Washington Huskies. His nickname was "B-Roy", but he was also referred to as "The Natural" by Trail Blazers announcer Brian Wheeler. On December 10, 2011, Roy announced his retirement from basketball due to a degenerative knee condition, though he returned in 2012 to play five games for the Timberwolves.Born in Seattle, Roy became known for his immediate impact on the Trail Blazers. Zach Randolph, then the team captain, was traded to the New York Knicks at the end of Roy's first season in 2006–07, which cleared the way for Roy to take on a leadership role on the team. That season, Roy won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in a near-unanimous vote. He was selected as a reserve to the 2008, 2009, and 2010 All-Star games. Roy played the most minutes of any Western Conference player, and tied for the most points in the West in the 2008 season, and he played the most minutes of any player during the 2009 season.
- Age: 40
- Birthplace: USA, Washington, Seattle
- Christopher Michael Wells (born August 7, 1988), known as Chris Wells or Beanie Wells, is a former American football running back. He was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round (31st overall pick) of the 2009 NFL Draft out of The Ohio State University. Wells currently co-hosts "Tim & Beanie" with Tim Hall on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, Ohio WBNS-FM.
- Age: 36
- Birthplace: Akron, Ohio
- Longtime character actor and Seattle, Washington, native John Aylward attended the Professional Actor's Training Program at the University of Washington and, having graduated from the school in 1970, founded the Empty Space Theatre, in his hometown, in 1973. He made his onscreen debut in the 1976 made-for-TV movie "The Secret Life of John Chapman" but didn't earn his breakthrough role until 1996, when he began playing hospital administrator Dr. Anspaugh on the long-running medical drama "ER." Aylward held the role for the next 12 years, until the show's cancellation in 2008, and it remains one of his most recognizable performances. This led Aylward to more mainstream roles and in 1998 he was cast in Michael Bay's blockbuster thriller "Armageddon," which then led to a more starring role on the series "The Others" two years later. He spent much of the early 2000s making rounds as a guest character actor on television series such as "Family Law," "The Practice," and "Nip/Tuck," while still performing on "ER." His successful run of prolific television appearances continued in the mid-2000s, as he earned a supporting role on the critically acclaimed series "The West Wing," playing DNC chairman Barry Goodwin. After his run on "ER" ended in 2008, Aylward began the 2010s with a supporting role in the horror film "The Crazies" and followed that performance up with a guest spot on the instant-classic series "Mad Men." John Aylward died on May 16, 2022 in Seattle, WA at the age of 75.
- Age: Dec. at 75 (1946-2022)
- Birthplace: Seattle, Washington, USA
- William James Conroy (born December 8, 1982) is an American professional basketball player and coach.
- Age: 42
- Birthplace: Portland, Oregon
Helena Maria Viramontes
WriterHelena Maria Viramontes (born February 26, 1954) is an American fiction writer and professor of English.- Age: 70
- Birthplace: East Los Angeles, California
- Ernestine Anderson (November 11, 1928 – March 10, 2016) was an American jazz and blues singer. In a career spanning more than six decades, she recorded over 30 albums. She was nominated four times for a Grammy Award. She sang at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Monterey Jazz Festival (six times over a 33-year span), as well as at jazz festivals all over the world. In the early 1990s she joined Qwest Records, the label of fellow Garfield High School grad Quincy Jones.
- Age: 96
- Birthplace: Houston, Texas
Jack Benaroya
BusinesspersonJack A. Benaroya (July 11, 1921 – May 11, 2012) was a noted philanthropist and prominent civic leader in Seattle, Washington.- Age: Dec. at 90 (1921-2012)
- Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama
Richard Polanco
PoliticianRichard G. Polanco (born 4 March 1951) is a former California State Senate Majority leader and member of the California State Assembly. He is known for his significant efforts in increasing Latino representation in the California Legislature.- Age: 73
- Conrad R. Lozano (born March 21, 1951, in Los Angeles, California) is an American musician and the bass player for Los Lobos.
- Age: 73
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Bruce Harrell
Bruce Allen Harrell (born October 10, 1958) is an American politician, lawyer, and former football player who is a member of the Seattle City Council from District 2. He was first elected to the city council in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011 and 2015. In 2016, he was chosen as president of the city council. He also briefly served as acting Mayor of Seattle from September 13 to September 18, 2017.- Age: 67
- Birthplace: Seattle, Washington
