Famous Santa Ana College Alumni
Voting Rules
People on this list must have gone to Santa Ana College and be of some renown.
List of famous alumni from Santa Ana College, with photos when available. Prominent graduates from Santa Ana College include celebrities, politicians, business people, athletes and more. This list of distinguished Santa Ana College alumni is loosely ordered by relevance, so the most recognizable celebrities who attended Santa Ana College are at the top of the list. This directory is not just composed of graduates of this school, as some of the famous people on this list didn't necessarily earn a degree from Santa Ana College.
List features graduates like Steve Martin and Diane Keaton.
This list answers the questions “Which famous people went to Santa Ana College?” and “Which celebrities are Santa Ana College alumni?”- Born on August 14, 1945, in Waco, Texas, Steve Martin is a multifaceted talent. His early days were spent working in Disneyland's magic shop, which ignited his passion for performance and led to his first steps into the world of stand-up comedy. Over the years, Martin's unique blend of humor and banjo-playing skills made him a popular figure on the comedy circuit. This success triggered his transition to television, where he became a frequent guest on popular shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Saturday Night Live. Martin's comedic prowess was not confined to the stage or small screen. He ventured into the realm of cinema and achieved significant success as an actor, writer, and producer. Memorable films include The Jerk, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Father of the Bride. Martin's writing skills shone through in scripts like Roxanne, a modern adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, which earned him a Writers Guild Award. His acting performances have also been recognized, with Martin receiving an Academy Honorary Award for his outstanding contribution to the film industry. Beyond his contributions to comedy and film, Martin is a recognized author and musician. He has penned several books, including his memoir Born Standing Up, which provides an introspective look into his life and career. As a musician, Martin's love for the banjo has seen him release multiple albums and even win Grammy Awards for his bluegrass music. Over the years, Steve Martin has proven himself to be a versatile entertainer, seamlessly transitioning between different forms of expression, leaving a lasting legacy in each domain.
- Age: 79
- Birthplace: Waco, Texas, USA
- Diane Keaton, born Diane Hall on January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, is a renowned American actress, director, producer, and screenwriter. Emerging into the limelight during the 1970s, she has carved an enduring niche for herself in Hollywood. A student of Santa Ana High School, Keaton developed a fondness for acting during her school years, and it was this passion that led her to study at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. Her career in the performing arts began on stage, with her Broadway debut in the rock musical Hair in 1968, marking the start of a journey that would span decades. Keaton's breakthrough role arrived in 1972 when she starred as Kay Adams-Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's epic crime film The Godfather. However, it was her collaboration with Woody Allen in the mid-70s, particularly her Academy Award-winning performance in Annie Hall (1977), that truly cemented her status as an exceptional talent in the industry. Keaton's unique blend of comedic timing and emotional depth set her apart from her contemporaries, enabling her to explore a wide range of characters across genres. In addition to her acting prowess, Keaton also made her mark behind the camera. As a director and producer, she demonstrated her versatility in the industry, directing noteworthy films such as Unstrung Heroes (1995) and Hanging Up (2000). Furthermore, she authored several books, including two memoirs that offer an intimate look into her life and career. Despite the challenges of a fiercely competitive industry, Diane Keaton has remained a stalwart figure in Hollywood, her legacy marked by a profound dedication to her craft and an unyielding pursuit of artistic authenticity.
- Age: 79
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
List Of All Diane Keaton Movies, RankedSee all
- 1Something's Gotta Give270 Votes
- 2The First Wives Club196 Votes
- 3Baby Boom198 Votes
- Christopher John Wilson (born November 18, 1980) is an American auto racing team owner and former professional baseball pitcher. Wilson pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers from 2005 to 2011 and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2012 to 2015. He is the founder and owner of sports car team CJ Wilson Racing, which competes in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge full-time and WeatherTech SportsCar Championship part-time.
- Age: 44
- Birthplace: Newport Beach, California
- Heath Justin Bell (born September 29, 1977) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. As a closer with the San Diego Padres from 2009 to 2011, Bell was a three-time All-Star and twice won the Rolaids Relief Man Award. He was also awarded the DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award and The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award. Bell played multiple sports, including baseball, in high school. He moved on to community college, where he was an All-American. He began his professional career with the New York Mets, making his major league debut in 2004, and spending three seasons at both the minor and major league levels. In 2007, he was traded to San Diego, where he was a setup man before replacing Trevor Hoffman as the Padres' closer. From 2010 through 2011, Bell successfully converted 41 straight save opportunities, which tied Hoffman's team record. A free agent after the 2011 season, he signed with the Miami Marlins, and later played with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays. He retired before the 2015 season.
- Age: 47
- Birthplace: Oceanside, California
George Brancato
American football playerGeorge Brancato (born May 27, 1931) is an American former gridiron football player and coach. Both an offensive and defensive player in college, he played five games for the Chicago Cardinals during the 1954 NFL season. He rushed the ball twice for 26 yards and caught three passes for 28 yards. In 1955 he played in the Cardinals' defensive backfield. He joined the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League as halfback for the 1956 season. He played defensive back for the Ottawa Rough Riders for seven seasons, occasionally playing on offense. After his retirement, he taught phys ed at Laval High and Montreal's Loyola High School before returning to Ottawa as an assistant coach. In 1974 he was promoted to head coach after Coach of the Year Jack Gotta left to become head coach and general manager of the World Football League's Birmingham Americans. In 1975 he won the Annis Stukus Trophy as CFL's Coach of the Year after a first place 10-5-1 finish. The following season, he defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 23–20, in the 64th Grey Cup. In 1981, his 5–11 Rough Riders came close to causing a massive upset in that year's Grey Cup versus the Edmonton Eskimos. After a 4–12 1984 season he was relieved of his coaching duties and appointed director of player personnel. In 1989, he was hired to coach the Chicago Bruisers of the Arena Football League. After the team folded he served as an assistant under Ernie Stautner with the expansion Dallas Texans. He returned to Ottawa in 1993 as Ron Smeltzer's special teams and secondary coach. The following season, he served as the offensive coordinator of the Shreveport Pirates. His next coaching job was as Defensive coordinator of the Anaheim Piranhas. In 1999, he returned to the AFL with the Florida Bobcats as the team's defensive coordinator. It was his final coaching job as he retired at the end of the season.- Age: 93
- Birthplace: New York City, New York
- William Marshall Thomas (born December 6, 1941) is an American politician. He was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1979 to 2007, finishing his tenure representing California's 22nd congressional district and as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
- Age: 83
- Birthplace: Wallace, Idaho, USA
David Buehler
American football playerDavid Buehler (born February 5, 1987) is a former American football kicker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the University of Southern California.- Age: 37
- Birthplace: Northridge, Los Angeles, California
- Robert James Hamelin (; born November 29, 1967) is a former first baseman and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. From 1993 through 1998, Hamelin played for the Kansas City Royals (1993–96), Detroit Tigers (1997) and Milwaukee Brewers (1998). He batted and threw left-handed. In a six-season career, Hamelin posted a .246 batting average with 67 home runs and 209 RBIs in 497 games played. In 1994, at the age of 26, he was the American League Rookie of the Year. But his stint as a professional player was marred by leg injuries, both in the minors and majors. He also suffered from an eye problem.
- Age: 57
- Birthplace: Elizabeth, New Jersey
Pervis Atkins
Pervis R. Atkins Jr. (November 24, 1935 – December 22, 2017) was an American football player.- Age: 89
- Birthplace: Ruston, Louisiana
Ed Arnold
Ed Arnold (born March 4, 1943) is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.- Age: 791
Wylie A. Aitken
Wylie A. Aitken is founding partner and CEO of the firm Aitken♦Aitken♦Cohn in Santa Ana, California, and among the 2009 Irish 100. He was the youngest ever president in the history of the State Trial Bar and serves on the Federal Judicial Advisory Committee which recommends the appointment of federal district judges and U.S. attorneys. Aitken received a JD from Marquette University in 1965 and was the recipient of Marquette's '04 Lifetime Achievement Award. Federal Court Judge James V. Selna appointed him to be liaison to all State and other Federal actions regarding one of the largest MDL's in history, assigned to the Southern Division of the Central District Court of California. Aitken's numerous high profile, multimillion-dollar cases include a wrongful death action against Disneyland, after a dislodged metal cleat on a Disney sailing ship killed a man and disfigured his wife (the case led California to strengthen theme park safety regulations); a recent $55 million verdict, the largest ever against the USA for personal injury for a little girl, now a quadriplegic and dependent on a ventilator; and, a confidential settlement with a national fast food restaurant when a boy fell from the cross bars of a playground, resulting in a severe, traumatic brain injury, requiring 24-hour life care. A second-generation Irish American whose mother's family hails from County Cork, Aitken is married with three children. He is founding member and past president of the Celtic Bar Association.
