List of Polish Americans

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Template:Short description Template:More citations needed Template:Use mdy dates Template:Americans This is a list of notable Polish Americans, including both original immigrants who obtained citizenship and their American descendants.

Academics

Arts and entertainment

Actors and personalities – TV, radio and film

Helena Modjeska, an actress who specialized in Shakespearean roles
Pola Negri, stage and film actress
John Krasinski, TV and film actor (The Office)

Architects

Artists

Władysław T. Benda Polish painter, illustrator, and designer, naturalized American in 1911

Authors

Filmmakers

Journalists

Mika Brzezinski, NBC and MSNBC News journalist and commentator

Models

Emily Ratajkowski, Polish-American model and actress

Musicians

File:The Doors (1971) (cropped).png
Ray Manzarek, The Doors keyboardist and co-founder

Theater and dance

Business and economics

File:Erazm-jerzmanowski zyciorys.jpg
Erazm Jerzmanowski, the richest Pole in US in the 19th century, and founder of gas companies in Chicago, Baltimore and Indianapolis
File:Graphing Social Patterns 07 - IMG 9586 (1527725262).jpg
Luke Nosek, co-founder of PayPal
File:Steve Wozniak by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple
File:Edward Mosberg.png
Edward Mosberg a Holocaust survivor, real estate developer and philanthropist

Military

File:Tadeusz Kościuszko.PNG
Tadeusz Kościuszko, a Polish military engineer and statesman who served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War
File:Kazimierz Pulaski.jpg
Kazimierz Pułaski was a Polish nobleman and military commander who fought in the American Revolution and most notably is credited with saving the life of George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine
File:Leo John Dulacki.jpg
Leo John Dulacki, lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps

Politics

File:Brzezinski 1980.jpg
Zbigniew Brzezinski, US political scientist, geostrategist and statesman

Religion

Scientists

File:Rudolf.Modrzejewski.1931.jpg
Ralph Modjeski, the son of actress Helena Modjeska and bridge designer who achieved prominence as "America's greatest bridge builder"
File:Zeglen200.jpg
Casimir Zeglen, inventor the first bulletproof vest
File:Stephanie Kwolek at Spinning Elements by Harry Kalish.TIF
Stephanie Kwolek, DuPont chemist who invented kevlar

Sports

Template:See also

Baseball

File:Carl Yastrzemski 1976.jpg
Carl Yastrzemski, former Major League Baseball player for the Boston Red Sox

Basketball

File:Krzyzewski at Pentagon cropped.JPG
Mike Krzyzewski, head coach at Duke University from 1980 to 2022, during which he led the Blue Devils to five national titles, also coached the United States men's national basketball team, which he led to three Olympic gold medals
File:Jeremy Sochan San Antonio Spurs 2024.jpg
Jeremy Sochan, professional NBA basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs
  • Carol Blazejowski (born 1956), women's professional basketball player
  • Vince Boryla (1927–2016), former NBA player for the New York Knicks, first ever NBA All-Star player of Polish descent, coach, and Denver Nuggets executive
  • Frank Brickowski (born 1959), 12-year NBA veteran
  • Olek Czyż (born 1990), Duke Blue Devils and Nevada Wolf Pack NCAA player
  • Dan Dickau (born 1978), former professional basketball and NBA player
  • Phil Farbman (1924–1996), basketball player
  • Kyle Filipowski (born 2003), drafted in 2024 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz
  • Mike Gminski (born 1959), former college and professional basketball player, 14-year NBA veteran
  • Tom Gola (1933–2014), one of Philadelphia's most famous basketball players<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 5-time NBA All-Star and NBA Champion
  • Joe Graboski (1930–1998), 13-year NBA veteran
  • Bobby Hurley (born 1971), former Duke and NBA basketball player<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Frank Kaminsky (born 1993), current NBA player
  • Joe Kopicki (born 1960), former NBA player
  • Thomas Kelati (born 1982), professional basketball player in the Poland national team
  • Len Kosmalski (born 1951), former NBA player
  • Ronald Kozlicki (born 1944), former ABA basketball player
  • Larry Krystkowiak (born 1964), 10-year NBA veteran
  • Mike Krzyzewski (born 1947), head coach of the Duke University men's basketball team and the 2008 gold medal-winning U.S. men's Olympic basketball team
  • Steve Kuberski (born 1947), former NBA player and NBA Champion, last ever Boston Celtic to wear no 33 jersey before the arrival of Larry Bird
  • Bruce Kuczenski (born 1961), former basketball and NBA player
  • Leo Kubiak (born 1926/1927), former BAA and minor league baseball player
  • Mitch Kupchak (born 1954), former 9-year NBA veteran, NBA Champion and former general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Bob Kurland (1924–2013), 7-foot basketball center
  • Christian Laettner (born 1969), 13-year NBA veteran, NBA All-Star and a member of the 1992 Olympics men's team
  • John Laskowski (born 1953), former Chicago Bulls player, nicknamed 'Super Sub'
  • Hank Lefkowitz (1923–2007), former BAA player
  • Red Mihalik (1916–1996), NCAA and Olympic official/referee<ref name="polishsportshof.com">Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Paul Mokeski (born 1957), 12-year NBA veteran
  • Nick Muszynski (born 1998), professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers
  • Mike Peplowski (born 1970), former NBA player
  • Eric Piatkowski (born 1970), former 14-year NBA veteran with the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns
  • Walt Piatkowski (born 1945), former ABA player, Eric Piatkowski's father
  • Stan Pietkiewicz (born 1956), former NBA player
  • Dave Piontek (1934–2004), former 7-year NBA player
  • Tom Piotrowski (born 1960), former NBA player
  • Brandin Podziemski (born 2003), drafted in 2023 by Golden State Warriors
  • Joe Proski (born 1939), first trainer of Phoenix Suns; inducted into Phoenix Ring of Fame in 2001
  • Joel Przybilla (born 1979), former 13-year NBA veteran
  • Ray Radziszewski (born 1935), former professional basketball player
  • George Ratkovicz (1922–2008), former 6-year NBA player
  • Jim Rowinski (born 1961), former NBA player
  • Ed Sadowski (1917–1990), former BAA and NBA player
  • Jeremy Sochan (born 2003), Polish-American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. He is also a member of Poland men's national basketball team.
  • Ed Stanczak (1921–2004), former NBA player
  • Bob Sura (born 1973), former NBA player for the Cavaliers, Warriors, Pistons, Hawks and Rockets.
  • Wally Szczerbiak (born 1977), former 10-year NBA veteran, NBA All-Star. Although his father claimed the family is of Ukrainian descent, Szczerbiak is a 100% Polish surname. Considering that most of the western part of today's Ukrainian territory was for centuries a part of the Polish empire, Polish roots of Szczerbiak's family are obvious.Template:Citation needed
  • Walter Szczerbiak (born 1949), Wally Szczerbiak's father, former ABA player
  • A.J. Slaughter (born 1987), professional basketball player in the Poland national team
  • Cole Swider (born 1999), professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers, also played for Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat
  • Kaleb Tarczewski (born 1993), professional basketball player
  • Kelly Tripucka (born 1959), former 10-year NBA veteran for the Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, and Charlotte Hornets, two-time NBA All-Star
  • Dave Twardzik (born 1950), former NBA and ABA player, ABA All-Star and 1977 NBA Champion
  • Jayson Williams (born 1968), former NBA player for the 76ers and New Jersey Nets, NBA All-Star in 1998. He is of Polish, Italian and African-American descent
  • Steve Wojciechowski (born 1976), former head coach of the Marquette University men's basketball team
  • Dennis Wuycik (born 1950), former ABA player
  • Marcus Zegarowski (born 1998), professional basketball player

Bowling

  • Eddie Lubanski, considered one of the greatest bowlers of all time; in the Guinness book of World Records

Boxing

  • Bobby Czyz (born 1962), boxer
  • Andrew Golota (born 1968), professional boxer from Poland who has been involved in many controversial fights
  • Stanley Ketchel (1886–1910), boxer who became one of the greatest world middleweight champions
  • Adam Kownacki (born 1989), heavyweight boxer born in Poland, and lived in the United States since 1996<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Stanley Poreda (1909–1983), Jersey City boxer considered a top heavyweight contender in the early 1930s
  • Paweł Wolak (born 1981), former WBC USNBC Light Middleweight Champion
  • Teddy Yarosz (1910–1974), NBA Middleweight Boxing Champion
  • Tony Zale (1913–1997), two-time Middleweight World Champion Boxer

Fencing

Figure skating

Football

File:Rob Gronkowski.JPG
Rob Gronkowski former NFL tight end (TE) for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Golf

  • Billy Burke (1902–1972), prominent golfer of the 1930s
  • Jim Furyk (born May 12, 1970), professional golfer, 2003 U.S. Open winner, FedEx Cup Champion, PGA Tour Player of the Year, Ryder Cup captain
  • Betsy King (born 1955), professional golfer<ref>[20] Template:Dead link</ref>
  • Paul Stankowski (born 1969), professional golfer with two PGA Tour wins; finished tied for 5th at the 1997 Masters as well as a tie for 17th at the 1997 U.S. Open
  • Bob Toski (born 1926), golf player and teacher
  • Al Watrous (1899–1983), PGA champion<ref name="polishsportshof.com"/>
  • Walt Zembriski (born May 4, 1935), former ironworker; played on both the PGA and Senior PGA tour

Hockey

Media

Olympic athletes

File:Lillian Copeland 1928.jpg
Lillian Copeland, Olympic discus champion; set world records in discus, javelin and shot put
  • Monica Aksamit (born 1990), Olympic bronze medalist, Women's Team Saber<ref name="nylon.com"/>
  • Lillian Copeland (1904–1964), Olympic discus champion; set world records in discus, javelin, and shot put
  • Alyson Dudek (born 1990), short track speed skater at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics; won bronze in 2010
  • Mark Gorski (born 1960), track cyclist; gold medal
  • Bob Gutowski (1935–1960), pole vaulter; won silver at 1956 Summer Olympics<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Jeffrey Klepacki, rower in 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics; won Rowing World Championship titles in 1994, 1998 and 1999
  • Christopher Liwski, rower in 2004 and 2008 Olympic teams (alternate); won Rowing World Championship title in 2007
  • Norbert Schemansky (1924–2016), gold, silver and bronze Olympic m in weightlifting<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Jenn Suhr (née Stuczynski), pole vaulter, won silver at 2008 Summer Olympics
  • Stanisława Walasiewicz (a.k.a. Stella Walsh) (1911–1980), athlete and Olympic champion
  • Dagmara Wozniak (born 1988), Olympic bronze medalist, Women's Team Saber
  • Sam Mikulak (born 1992), retired three time Olympian, Artistic Gymnastics

Soccer

Wrestling

File:Stanislaus Zbyszko in 1919.jpg
Stanislaus Zbyszko Polish strongman, U.S. sport promoter, millionaire and 2-time World Heavyweight Champion

Other sports

File:AlanKulwickiSearsPoint1991.jpg
Alan Kulwicki, NASCAR driver and winner of the 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
File:Brad keselowski (52046420990) (cropped).jpg
Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver and winner of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series

Other

References

Template:Reflist Template:Polish diaspora