List of Arab Americans explained

This is a list of Arab Americans. It includes prominent and notable Arab American individuals from various fields, such as business, science, entertainment, sports and fine arts.

Academia

Science

• Elias J. Corey, Lebanese, organic chemistry professor at Harvard University, winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize in Chemistry^[1]
• Ahmed Zewail, Damanhour-born Egyptian, scientist, known as the "father of femtochemistry", winner of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
• Frank Harary, Syrian, Mathematician who is widely recognized as one of the "fathers" of modern graph theory
• Michael E. DeBakey, Lebanese, cardiovascular surgeon and researcher,^[2] 1963 Lasker Award laureate
• Hunein Maassab, Damascus-born Syrian, professor of epidemiology and the inventor of the live attenuated influenza vaccine
• Omar M. Yaghi, Amman-born Jordanian, reticular chemistry pioneer; winner of the 2018 Wolf Prize in Chemistry
• Mostafa El-Sayed, Egyptian, US National Medal of Science laureate; nanoscience researcher; known for the spectroscopy rule named after him, the El-Sayed rule
• Riad Barmada, Aleppo-born Syrian, served as the president of the Illinois Orthopedic Society
• Eman Ghoneim, Minea-born Egyptian, space scientist in desert regions
• Farouk El-Baz, Zagazig-born Egyptian, space scientist who worked with NASA to assist in the planning of scientific exploration of the Moon
• Huda Zoghbi, Beirut-born Lebanese, physician and medical researcher who discovered the genetic cause of the Rett syndrome
• Huda Akil, Damascus-born Syrian, neuroscientist and medical researcher
• Yasmine Belkaid, Algiers-born Algerian, immunologist, professor and a senior investigator at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Mounir Laroussi, Sfax-born Tunisian, plasma physicist, pioneer of plasma medicine
  • Joanne Chory, Lebanese, plant biologist and geneticist
  • Anthony Atala, Peruvian-born Lebanese, Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine Noureddine Melikechi, Thénia-born, Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physicist, member of the Mars Science Laboratory
• Michel T. Halbouty, Lebanese, geologist and geophysicist; pioneer in oil field research
• Adah al-Mutairi, Saudi, inventor and scholar in nanotechnology and nanomedicine
• M. Amin Arnaout, Sidon-born Lebanese, nephrologist and biologist
• Essam Heggy, Libyan-born Egyptian, Planetary scientist
• Shadia Habbal, Homs-born Syrian, astronomer and physicist specialized in Space physics
• Miriam Merad, French-born Algerian, immunologist

Engineering/computer science

• Charles Elachi, Rayak-born Lebanese, professor of electrical engineering and planetary science at Caltech and the former director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• Fawwaz T. Ulaby Damascus-born Syrian, professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, former Vice President of Research for the University of Michigan; first Arab-American winner of the IEEE Edison Medal
• Taher ElGamal, Cairo-born Egyptian, cryptographer, inventor of the ElGamal discrete log cryptosystem and the ElGamal signature scheme
• Ali H. Nayfeh, Tulkarm-born Palestinian, mechanical engineer, the 2014 recipient of Benjamin Franklin Medal in mechanical engineering
• Dina Katabi, Damascus-born Syrian, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT and the director of the MIT Wireless Center.
• Abbas El Gamal, Cairo-born Egyptian, electrical engineer, educator and entrepreneur, the recipient of the 2012 Claude E. Shannon Award
• Ali Al-Sharah, American born Iraqi, computer scientist studying computer science in Washington State.
• John Makhoul, Deirmimas-born Lebanese, computer scientist who works in the field of speech and language processing.
• Jerrier A. Haddad, Syrian, computer engineer who worked with IBM.
• Oussama Khatib, Aleppo-born Syrian, roboticist and a professor of computer science
• Elias Zerhouni, Nedroma-born Algerian, former director of the National Institutes of Health
• Hassan Kamel Al-Sabbah, Nabatieh-born Lebanese, technology innovator.^{[3] [4]} He received 43 patents.
• Mohammad S. Obaidat, Irbid-born Jordanian, computer science/engineering academic and scholar
• Charbel Farhat, Lebanese-American, Vivian Church Hoff Professor of Aircraft Structures in the School of Engineering and inaugural James and Anna Marie Spilker Chair of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, at Stanford University; Member of the National Academy of Engineering (US); Member of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK); and Member of the Lebanese Academy of Sciences
  • Hany Farid, Egyptian, Professor of computer science at Dartmouth College, pioneer in Digital forensics Ahmed Tewfik, Cairo-born Egyptian, electrical engineer, Professor and college administrator
• Munther A. Dahleh, Tulkarm-born Palestinian, Professor and Director at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Humanities

• Ismail al-Faruqi, Jaffa-born Palestinian, philosopher, professor
• Fouad Ajami, Arnoun-born Lebanese, Professor of International Relations
• Saddeka Arebi, Tripoli-born Libyan, professor of anthropology at UC Berkeley
• Mohammed Adam El-Sheikh, Sudanese, executive director of the Fiqh Council of North America^[5]
• Samih Farsoun, Haifa-born Palestinian, sociology professor at the American University^[6]
• Philip Khuri Hitti, Shimlan-born Lebanese, historian of Arab culture and history
  • Philip S. Khoury, Lebanese, Ford International Professor of History and Associate Provost at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Laura Nader, cultural anthropologist
• Edward Said, Jerusalem-born Palestinian, literary theorist and former professor at Columbia University
• Nada Shabout, UK-born Palestinian-Iraqi, Professor of Art History at University of North Texas
• Naseer Aruri, Jerusalem-born Palestinian, Chancellor Professor of Political Science at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
• Nadia Abu El Haj, Palestinian, Author & Professor of Anthropology at Barnard College and subject of a major tenure controversy case at Columbia University
• Ibrahim Abu-Lughod, Jaffa-born Palestinian, former Director of Graduate Studies at Northwestern University, father of Lila Abu-Lughod
• Lila Abu-Lughod, Palestinian, professor of Anthropology and Women's and Gender Studies at Columbia University
• Leila Farsakh, Jordan-born Palestinian, Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Boston
• Samih Farsoun, Professor of sociology at American University and editor of Arab Studies Quarterly
• Nadia Hijab, Syria-born Palestinian, Journalist with Middle East Magazine and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Palestine Studies
• Rashid Khalidi, Palestinian, Professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University
• Joseph Massad, Jordan-born Palestinian, Professor at Columbia University known for his work on nationalism and sexuality in the Arab world
• Hisham Sharabi, Jaffa-born Palestinian, Professor Emeritus of History
• Umar al-Mukhtar, Tobruk-born Libyan, Chair of Arab Culture at Georgetown University
• Rosemarie Said Zahlan, Egypt-born Palestinian, historian, journalist & author, sister of Edward Said
• Steven Salaita, Jordanian-Palestinian, former Professor of English at Virginia Tech, winner of Myers Outstanding Book Award for the Study of Human Rights 2007
• Majid Khadduri, Mosul-born Iraqi, academic and founder of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies Middle East Studies program
• Noura Erakat, Palestinian, human rights attorney and Assistant Professor at Rutgers University
• Thomas L. Saaty, Assyrian-Iraqi, University Professor at the University of Pittsburgh
• Nada Shabout, UK-born Palestinian-Iraqi, art historian and Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas^{[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]}
• Ella Shohat, professor, author and activist
• Saadi Simawe, Diwaniyah-born Iraqi, translator, novelist and teacher
• Donny George Youkhanna, Habbaniyah-born Iraqi, archaeologist, anthropologist, author, curator, and scholar, and a visiting professor at Stony Brook University in New York
• Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, teaches religion, science, and freedom at the University of Maryland, College Park; directs the Minaret of Freedom Institute^{[14] [15]}
• Muhsin Mahdi, Karbala-born Iraqi, Islamologist and Arabist.
• Talal Asad, Medina-born Saudi, anthropologist at the CUNY Graduate Center.

University presidents

• • Mitch Daniels, Syrian, President of Purdue University Donna Shalala, Lebanese, President of the University of Miami
• Joseph E. Aoun, Beirut-born Lebanese, president of Northeastern University
  • • Robert Khayat, Lebanese, chancellor of the University of Mississippi Nido Qubein, Lebanese, president of High Point University David Adamany, Lebanese, former president of the Temple University

Business

• Steve Jobs, half Syrian,^{[16] [17]} head and co-founder of Apple
• Tony Fadell, Polish-Lebanese, product development manager at Apple Inc., co-inventor of iPod and iPhone
• Joseph Nakash, billionaire real estate developer, founder of Jordache (of Syrian descent)
  • Mohamed A. El-Erian, Egyptian, CEO and co-CIO of PIMCO Alec Gores, Israel-born Lebanese-Palestinian, founder of Gores Group; on the Forbes list of billionaires
• Jeff Sutton, billionaire real estate developer (of Syrian descent)
• Tom Gores, Israel-born Greek-Lebanese, founder and CEO of Platinum Equity; on the Forbes list of billionaires (Palestinian-born of Lebanese descent)
• Stanely Chera, billionaire New York real estate developer (of Syrian descent)
• Sam Gores, Israel-born Lebanese-Palestinian, founder of talent agency Paradigm Agency; on the Forbes list of billionaires^[18]
• Najeeb Halaby, Syrian,^[19] former head of Federal Aviation Administration and CEO of Pan-American Airlines, and father of Queen Noor of Jordan
• Joseph Sitt, real estate developer, founder of Thor Equities and Ashley Stewart (of Syrian descent)
• Ray R. Irani, Lebanon-born Palestinian, Chairman and CEO of Occidental Petroleum
• Sonny Gindi, billionaire businessman, he founded along with his family Century 21 stores (of Syrian descent)
• Joseph Jacobs, Australia-born Lebanese, founder of Jacobs Engineering, one of the engineering firms in the US
• Joseph Cayre, billionaire real estate developer (of Syrian descent)
• Charif Souki, Cairo-born Egyptian, co-founder and former CEO of Cheniere Energy.
• Amin Khoury, businessman and founder of B/E Aerospace
• Omar Hamoui, founder and CEO of Google AdMob (Syrian)
• Lucie Salhany, Jordanian-Lebanese, former Chairwoman of Fox Broadcasting Company.
• Naseeb Saliba, Lebanese, billionaire global philanthropist, construction and real estate mogul, founder of Tutor-Saliba Corporation.
• Marcus Lemonis, Beirut-born Lebanese-Syrian, chairman and CEO of Camping World, Good Sam Enterprises and Gander Outdoors.
• George Joseph, Lebanese, billionaire founder of Mercury Insurance Group.
• Jack Hidary, Syrian, founder of AI and quantum technology company SandboxAQ.
• Joe Jamail, businessman who was the wealthiest practicing attorney in America.
• Allen Adham, Lebanese, co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment.
• Mario Kassar, Beirut-born Lebanese-Italian, formerly headed Carolco Pictures^[20]
• John J. Mack, Lebanese,^[21] CEO of investment bank Morgan Stanley
• Maloof family, Lebanese family who owns numerous business properties in the Western United States, majority owners of the Sacramento Kings and the Palms Casino Hotel in Paradise, Nevada
• Sam Moore, Beirut-born Lebanese, founder and president of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the largest worldwide distributor of the Bible
• Manuel Moroun, Lebanese, owner of CenTra, Inc., the holding company which controls the Ambassador Bridge and Michigan Central Depot
• Adam Mosseri, Egyptian-Israeli, CEO of Instagram
• Jacques Nasser, Amyoun-born Lebanese, former president and CEO of Ford Motor Company (Lebanese)
• Efrem Harkham, Israel-born Iraqi-American, founder and CEO of LuxeHotels, owner of Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel
• Farouk Shami, Ramallah-born Palestinian, founder of Farouk systems, a Houston-based company that manufactures hair care and spa products like CHI hair Irons
• John Zogby, Lebanese, founder and current President/CEO of Zogby International
  • Sam Yagan, Syrian, Entrepreneur and business executive, co-founder of SparkNotes, eDonkey, OkCupid, and Techstars Chicago, also CEO of Match Group, including Tinder Rana el Kaliouby, Egyptian, computer scientist, CEO of Affectiva, Researcher at MIT Media Lab, contributor to facial expression recognition research and technology development
• Haim Saban, Egypt-born Israeli-American, television and media proprietor
• Douglas Jemal, real estate developer, co-founder of The Wiz (of Syrian descent)
• Huda Kattan, Iraqi, CEO of Huda Beauty
• Magid Abraham, Mashghara-born Lebanese, market research expert and businessman
• Nahim Abraham, Kafarakab-born Lebanese, businessman, philanthropist
• Charlie Shrem, entrepreneur and bitcoin advocate (of Syrian descent)
• Paul Orfalea, Lebanese, founder of Kinko's^[22]
• Richard E. Rainwater, Lebanese, investor and fund manager
  • Robert Khuzami, Lebanese, former director of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Thomas J. Barrack Jr., Lebanese, businessman and founder of Colony Capital

Arts and entertainment

• • • Sam Esmail, Egyptian, screenwriter, director and producer; creator of the television series Mr. Robot Kevin Hanna, Syrian, writer, director and producer; creator of the film The Clockwork Girl Callie Khouri, Lebanese, Academy Award-winning screenwriter
• William Peter Blatty, Lebanese, Academy Award-winning screenwriter and writer
• Nessa Diab, Egyptian, Radio and TV personality and television host
• Sanaa Hamri, Tangier-born Moroccan, music video and movie director; her films include the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
• Moustapha Akkad, Syrian-American film producer and director
• Casey Kasem, Lebanese Druze, radio personality and voice actor, co-founder of American Top 40 franchise,^[23]
• George Noory, Lebanese,^[24] radio broadcaster of late-night paranormal-themed radio talk show Coast to Coast AM
• Mario Kassar, Beirut-born Lebanese, film producer, founder of Carolco Pictures
• Jordan Nassar, half-Palestinian, visual artist working with Palestinian embroidery
• Tom Shadyac, Lebanese, director, screenwriter and producer
• Tony Thomas, Lebanese, producer
• Jehane Noujaim, Lebanese-Egyptian,^[25] documentary film director
• Kerri Kasem, Lebanese, radio personality
• Dan Jbara, Lebanese, television and film producer
• Diane Rehm, Syrian-Lebanese, host and executive producer of The Diane Rehm Show on National Public Radio
• Elie Samaha, Zahlé-born Lebanese, film producer
• Sonya Tayeh, award-winning dancer and choreographer.
• Emile Kuri, Mexico-born Lebanese, Academy Award-winning art director
• Zaida Ben-Yusuf, UK-born Algerian, portrait photographer
• Sam Maloof, Lebanese furniture designer and woodworker
• Rima Fakih, Srifa-born Lebanese, Miss USA 2010
• Remi Kanazi, Palestinian,^[26] performance poet
• Yousef Abu-Taleb, Jordanian, actor, lonelygirl15; film producer
• Adam Saleh, Yemeni, YouTuber and singer
• Cherien Dabis, Palestinian, film director
• Yousef Erakat, Palestinian, YouTuber and actor
• Gabbie Hanna, Lebanese, comedian, actress, YouTube personality, singer
• Issa Twaimz, Palestinian, Youtuber
• Emilio Nicolás Sr., Palestinian-American television executive

Actors

• Tony Shalhoub, Lebanese,^[27] three-time Emmy Award-winning television actor on Monk
• Danny Thomas, Lebanese,^[28] Emmy Award-winning actor, founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; father of Marlo Thomas
• Marlo Thomas, Lebanese, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actress
  • Rami Malek, Egyptian, Emmy Award and Academy Award - winning actor for Bohemian Rhapsody Demián Bichir, Mexico-born Lebanese, Academy Award-nominated actor
• Vic Tayback, Syrian, two-time Golden Globe-winning actor
• Kristy McNichol, Lebanese, two-time Emmy Award-winning actress^[29]
• F. Murray Abraham, Syrian-American, Academy Award-winning actor (Amadeus)
• Tige Andrews, Syrian, Emmy-nominated actor
• Michael Ansara, Lebanon-born, actor
• Sofia Boutella, Algerian, actress, model, and Hip-hop dancer
• George Nader, Lebanese, American film and television actor.
• Jenna Dewan, Lebanese,^[30] film/TV actress (Step Up)
• Shannon Elizabeth, Syrian-Lebanese,^[31] film actress (American Pie, Scary Movie)
• Khrystyne Haje, Lebanese, actress on Head of the Class
• Teri Hatcher, Syrian, actress
• Salma Hayek, Mexico-born Lebanese, Mexican actress
• Rowan Blanchard, Syrian, actress
• Anissa Jones, Lebanese, actress, Family Affair
• Jamie Farr, Lebanese,^[32] character actor
• Catherine Keener, Lebanese, actress
• Wendie Malick, Egyptian, actress
• Alanna Masterson, half Lebanese, actress,
• Wentworth Miller, UK-born Lebanese-Syrian,^[33] actor on Prison Break
• Najee Mondalek, Lebanon-born, actor/playwright
• Kathy Najimy, Lebanese,^[34] actress
• Gregory Jbara, Lebanese, television and film actor
• Alia Shawkat, half-Iraqi, actress on Arrested Development
• James Stacy, part-Lebanese, actor
• Paola Turbay, part-Lebanese, actress
• Vince Vaughn, part-Lebanese, actor
• Amy Yasbeck, part-Lebanese, actress
• Sammy Sheik, Alexandria-born Egyptian, actor
• Omar Metwally, half-Egyptian, actor
• Waleed Zuaiter, Palestinian, actor
• Mo Gallini, half-Lebanese, actor
• Michael Nouri, half-Iraqi, actor
• Haaz Sleiman, Beirut-born Lebanese, television and film actor
• Emeraude Toubia, Canada-born part-Lebanese, actress
• Edy Ganem, half-Lebanese, actress
• Nadia Dajani, half-Palestinian, actress
• Rose Abdoo, half-Lebanese, comedian, actress
• John Kassir, American actor, voice actor and comedian
• Ramy Youssef, Egyptian, writer and star of Ramy
• Zeeko Zaki, Egyptian, actor
• Susu Tobia, Lebanese and Jordanian, American actress

Comedians

• Brian Awadis, Iraqi, YouTuber and actor
• Jerry Seinfeld, half-Syrian Jewish, stand-up comedian, actor and writer
• Dean Obeidallah, half-Palestinian, stand-up comedian, writer
• Ahmed Ahmed, Helwan-born Egyptian, actor and comedian
• Mohammed Amer, Kuwait-born Palestinian, comedian, writer, actor; Rolling Stone, Al Barnameg, Allah Made Me Funny
• Remy Munasifi, Iraqi-Lebanese, comedian also known as GoRemy
• Anwar Jibawi, Palestinian, YouTuber and comedian (Palestinian)
• Ronnie Khalil, Egyptian, stand-up comedian
• Aron Kader, half-Palestinian, stand-up comedian
• Maysoon Zayid, Palestinian, actress and comedian
• Ray Hanania, Palestinian, journalist and stand-up comedian
• Kassem G, Amman-born Jordanian-Egyptian, comedian, actor, and YouTuber
• Bassem Yousef, Egyptian, comedian, Doctor, and stand-up comedian

Reality show

• Farrah Abraham, part-Syrian, reality television personality, participated in 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom
• Tareq Salahi, half-Palestinian, television personality, appeared on The Real Housewives of D.C.
• Adrienne Maloof, half-Lebanese, businesswoman, television personality, cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
• Aja (entertainer), Egyptian-Moroccan, known for competing on RuPaul's Drag Race
• Laith Al-Saadi, half-Iraqi, finalist on the 10th season of The Voice
• Tarek El Moussa, part-Lebanese, businessman, television personality, cast member of Flip or Flop

Fashion designers

• Joseph Abboud, Lebanese,^[35] menswear fashion designer and author
• Reem Acra, Beirut-born Lebanese, fashion designer
• Norma Kamali, Lebanese, fashion designer
• Rami Kashou, Palestinian, fashion designer

Models

• Gigi Hadid, half-Palestinian, supermodel and TV personality
• Bella Hadid, half-Palestinian, supermodel and TV personality
• Wafah Dufour, half-Saudi, fashion model and singer
• Jaclyn Stapp, Jordanian, beauty queen and fashion model
• Amy Fadhli, half-Iraqi, fitness model, actress and winner of the Fitness America National Champion 1996

Musicians

• Paula Abdul, half-Syrian Jewish, singer, musician, writer, actress, and television personality
• Paul Anka, Lebanese and Syrian, singer/songwriter
• Sylvain Sylvain, Syrian Jewish, rock guitarist, member of the New York Dolls
• Frank Zappa, part-Lebanese,^[36] musician
• DJ Khaled, Palestinian, hip-hop DJ, rapper, music producer
• RedOne, Tetouan-born Moroccan, producer, songwriter, music executive
• Tiffany, born Tiffany Renee Darwish, half-Lebanese, singer
• Tiny Tim (born Herbert Khaury), half-Lebanese,^[37] musician
• French Montana, Casablanca-born Moroccan, rapper
• Paul Jabara, Lebanese, actor, singer, songwriter
• Dick Dale, half-Lebanese,^[38] surf rock guitarist
• Andrew Bazzi, half-Lebanese, singer-songwriter
• Soraya, part-Lebanese, singer/songwriter
• G.E. Smith, half-Lebanese, lead guitarist in the band Hall & Oates; musical director of Saturday Night Live
• David Yazbek, half-Lebanese, songwriter and musician
• Raef Haggag Egyptian, singer
• Stephan Said, half-Iraqi, singer, musician, writer and activist
• Kareem Salama, Maghrebi, country singer-songwriter and musician
• Alissa Musto, singer/pianist
• Kurtis Mantronik, Jamaica-born half-Syrian, born Kurtis el Khaleel, remixer and producer, founding member of 1980s old school hip hop group Mantronix
• Malek Jandali, Germany-born Syrian, composer and pianist (Syrian-American)
• Ferras, half-Jordanian, singer-songwriter
• Fredwreck, Palestinian, hip hop producer
• Mohammed Fairouz, musician, composer
• Emilio Estefan, Cuba-born half Syrian-Lebanese, manager and producer of wife Gloria Estefan
• Ayad Al Adhamy, Bahraini-born, synthesizer player and multi-instrumentalist musician
• Jeff Becerra, death metal musician
• Ron Affif, half-Lebanese, jazz guitarist and musician
• Jack Barakat, Lebanese, All Time Low guitarist/songwriter
• Queen Naija, half-Yemeni, singer and songwriter
• Dave Hall, Quarter-Lebanese, singer/songwriter and composer
• Odetari, Palestinian, rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer

Literature

• Khalil Gibran, Bsharri-born Lebanese, writer, poet, and member of the New York Pen League; the third-best-selling poet of all time.
• William Peter Blatty, Lebanese, writer best known for his 1971 horror novel The Exorcist
• Laila Lalami, Rabat-born Moroccan, Pulitzer Prize-nominated novelist, journalist, essayist, and professor
• Mikhail Naimy, Baskinta-born Lebanese, member of the New York Pen League; well-known works include The Book of Mirdad and a biography of Khalil Gibran
• Ameen Rihani, Syria-born Lebanese, "father of Arab American literature," member of the New York Pen League and author of The Book of Khalid, the first Arab American novel in English;
• Edward Said, Jerusalem-born Palestinian, literary theorist, thinker, and the founder of the academic field of postcolonial studies.
• Stephen Adly Guirgis, half-Egyptian, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
• Hisham Matar, Libyan, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer
• Steven Naifeh, Iran-born half-Lebanese, Pulitzer Prize-winning author
• Raymond Khoury, Beirut-born Lebanese, screenwriter and novelist, best known as the author of the 2006 New York Times bestseller The Last Templar
• Saladin Ahmed, Lebanese-Egyptian, Eisner Award-winning comic book and fantasy writer
• Ted Naifeh, comic book writer and artist.
• Stephen Karam, Lebanese, Tony Award-winning playwright and screenwriter
• Mona Simpson, half-Syrian, novelist; author of Anywhere but Here
• Elmaz Abinader, Lebanese, poet, playwright, memoirist, writer
• Diana Abu-Jaber, half-Jordanian, novelist and professor, author of Arabian Jazz and Crescent
• Nasib Arida, Homs-born Syrian, poet and writer of the Mahjar movement.
• Abd al-Masih Haddad, Homs-born Syrian, writer of the Mahjar movement and journalist
• Elia Abu Madi, Bikfaya-born Lebanese, poet, publisher and member of the New York Pen League
• Etel Adnan, Lebanon-born half-Syrian, poet, essayist, and visual artist
• Suheir Hammad, Jordan-born Palestinian, poet, playwright, artist, Tony Award winner
• Samuel John Hazo, half-Lebanese, State Poet of Pennsylvania
• Lawrence Joseph, Syrian-Lebanese, poet
• Lisa Suhair Majaj, Palestinian, poet and literary scholar
• Khaled Mattawa, Benghazi-born Libyan, poet, recipient of an Academy of American Poets award
• Claire Messud, half-Algerian, author
• Naomi Shihab Nye, half-Palestinian, poet
• Abraham Rihbany, Shweir-born Lebanese, writer on politics and religion
• Steven Salaita, Jordanian-Palestinian, expert on comparative literature and post-colonialism, writer, activist
• Ibtisam Barakat, Jerusalem-born Palestinian, award-winning writer and poet
• Reem Kassis, Jerusalem-born Palestinian, writer on food, culture and politics

Media and journalism

• Helen Thomas, Lebanese, reporter, columnist, and White House correspondent
• Hala Gorani, Syrian, journalist and anchor of CNN's International Desk; Levantine Cultural Center
• Anthony Shadid, Lebanese, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, foreign correspondent
• Hoda Kotb, Egyptian, broadcast journalist and TV host on Dateline NBC and the Today Show
• Jim Avila, half-Lebanese, correspondent for ABC News "20/20",
• Jamal Dajani, Jerusalem-born Palestinian television producer and Middle East analyst
• Paula Faris, half Lebanese^[39] television correspondent and personality
• Ray Hanania, Palestinian, award-winning journalist; Managing Editor of The Arab Daily News; President and CEO of Urban Strategies Group media and political consultants
• Diane Rehm, American public radio talk show host
• Dena Takruri, Palestinian, journalist, on-air presenter, and producer
• Fawaz Gerges, Beirut-born Lebanese, ABC analyst and regular guest on "Oprah's Anti-war series"
• Yasmeen Sami Alamiri, Iraqi, journalist, first member of the White House foreign press pool
• Susan Chira, Syrian, journalist, former New York Times editor, foreign correspondent
• Lorraine Ali, Iraqi, reporter, editor, culture writer and music critic for Newsweek
• Walid Phares, Batroun-born Lebanese, Fox News correspondent, Middle Eastern policy advisor to the 2012 Mitt Romney presidential campaign and the 2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign
• Paul Ajlouny, Ramallah-born Palestinian, founder of the Palestinian newspaper Al-Fajr
  • Daoud Kuttab, Bethlehem-born Palestinian, award-winning journalist; Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University Nasser Weddady Mauritanian, activist, Director of Civil Rights Outreach at American Islamic Congress
• Mona Eltahawy, Port Said-born Egyptian, freelance journalist

Military

• John Abizaid, Lebanese^[40]
• Ahmed Qusai al-Taayie, Iraqi-born, specialist in the United States Army who was kidnapped by insurgents in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 23, 2006
• Florent Groberg, France-born part-Algerian
• James Jabara, Lebanese
• George Joulwan, Lebanese
• Peter Mansoor
• Michael A. Monsoor, part-Lebanese, first Arab American Medal of Honor awardee
• Ray Hanania, Palestinian, Vietnam Era Military Service, U.S. Air Force

Politics

• James Abdnor, Lebanese, U.S. Senator (R-South Dakota) (1981–1987)
• John Abizaid, Lebanese, retired general
• James Abourezk, Lebanese,^[41] U.S. Senator (D-South Dakota) (1973–1979)
• Spencer Abraham, Lebanese, U.S. Secretary of Energy (2001–2005) and U.S. Senator (R-Michigan) Secretary of Energy under Bush (1995–2001)
• Justin Amash, Syrian-Palestinian, U.S. Representative (R-Michigan) (2011–2021)
• Victor G. Atiyeh, Syrian-Lebanese, former Governor of Oregon (R) (1979–1987)
• John Baldacci, half-Lebanese, Governor of Maine (D) (2003–2011)
• Rosemary Barkett, Mexico-born Syrian, U.S. Circuit Judge and the first woman Supreme Court Justice and Chief Justice for the state of Florida
• Charles Boustany,^[42] Lebanese, U.S. Representative from Louisiana; cousin of Victoria Reggie Kennedy^[43]
• Charlie Crist, part-Lebanese, former Governor of Florida (R) (2007–2011), U.S. Congressman (D-Florida) (2017–present)
• Pat Danner, Lebanese, U.S. Congresswoman from Missouri (1993–2001)
• Brigitte Gabriel, Marjayoun-born Lebanese, pro-Israel activist and founder of the American Congress For Truth
• Philip Charles Habib, Lebanese, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs and Special Envoy to Ronald Reagan
• Lisa Halaby, Syrian, (a.k.a. Queen Noor), Queen-consort of Jordan and wife of King Hussein of Jordan
• Darrell Issa, half-Lebanese, U.S. Congressman (R-California) (2001–)
• Joe Jamail, Lebanese, Renown American trial lawyer and billionaire, also known as the "King of Torts"
• James Jabara, Lebanese, colonel and Korean War flying ace
• Chris John, part-Lebanese, U.S. Congressman (D-Louisiana) (1997–2005)
• George Joulwan, part-Syrian, retired general, former NATO commander-in-chief
• George Kasem, Lebanese,^[44] U.S. Congressman (D-California) (1959-1961)
• Abraham Kazen, Lebanese, U.S. Congressman (D-Texas) (1967–1985)
• Jill Kelley, Beirut-born Lebanese, global advocate and American socialite^[45]
  • • Victoria Reggie Kennedy, Lebanese, attorney and widow of late Senator Ted Kennedy Johnny Khamis, Palestinian, Council member from San Jose Ray LaHood, half-Lebanese, U.S. Congressman (R-Illinois) (1995–2009), U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2009–2013)
• Darin LaHood, part-Lebanese, U.S. Congressman (R-Illinois) (2015–), son of Ray Lahood
• George J. Mitchell, half-Lebanese, U.S. Senator (D-Maine) (1980–1995) US special envoy to the Middle East under the Obama administration, U.S. senator from Maine, Senate Majority Leader
• Ralph Nader, Lebanese, politician and consumer advocate, author, lecturer, and attorney, candidate for US Presidency
• Jimmy Naifeh, Lebanese, Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives (D)
• Mary Rose Oakar, Lebanese-Syrian, U.S. Congresswoman (D-Ohio) (1977–1993)
• Jeanine Pirro, Lebanese, former Westchester County District Attorney and New York Republican attorney general candidate
• Dina Powell, Cairo-born Egyptian, current U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy
  • Edward Rafeedie, Palestinian, U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California Nick Rahall, Lebanese, U.S. Congressman (D-West Virginia) (1977–2015)
• Selwa Roosevelt, Lebanese, former Chief of Protocol of the United States and wife of the late Archibald Bulloch Roosevelt Jr., grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt
  • Zainab Salbi, Baghdad-born Iraqi, co-founder and president of Women for Women International Donna Shalala, Lebanese, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (1993–2001)
• Chris Sununu, Lebanese-Palestinian, Governor of New Hampshire (R) (2017–), son of Governor John H. Sununu
• John E. Sununu, Lebanese-Palestinian, U.S. Senator (R-New Hampshire) (2003–2009)
  • John H. Sununu, Cuba-born Lebanese-Palestinian, Governor of New Hampshire (R) (1983–1989) and Chief of Staff to George H. W. Bush Rashida Tlaib, Palestinian, U.S. Congresswoman from Michigan (2016–present)
• James Zogby, half-Lebanese, founder and president of the Arab American Institute
• Hady Amr, Beirut-born Lebanese, diplomat, founding director of Brookings Doha Center (Lebanese father)

Sports

• Jamal Murray, half-Syrian, NBA Basketball Player for the Denver Nuggets
• Toni Breidinger, half-Lebanese, NASCAR driver, First Female Arab in the sport
• Alaa Abdelnaby, Alexandria-born Egyptian, played for Duke and five years in the NBA
• Rony Seikaly, Beirut-born Lebanese, former NBA player, now DJ
• Abdel Nader, Alexandria-born Egyptian, player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association
• Salah Mejri, Oued Melliz-born Tunisian professional basketball for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association.
• Justin Abdelkader, part-Jordanian, ice hockey forward playing in the NHL
• Brandon Saad, half-Syrian, NHL player
• Patrick Maroon, Lebanese, ice hockey player for the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL
• Johnny Manziel, part-Lebanese, NFL player
• Oday Aboushi, Palestinian, NFL player
• Doug Flutie, half-Lebanese, NFL player
• Drew Haddad, Jordanian, NFL player
• Gibran Hamdan, half-Palestinian, NFL QB
• Bill George, NFL player and Hall of Fame.
• Jeff George, Lebanese, NFL quarterback
• Rich Kotite, retired NFL tight end; NFL Head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets
• Abe Mickal, Talia-born Lebanese, football player for LSU
• Matt Kalil, half-Lebanese, NFL player
• Ryan Kalil, NFL player (Lebanese father)
• Frank Kalil, former American football offensive lineman.
• Adam Shaheen, tight end from Ashland
• Joe Robbie, former owner and founder of the NFL's Miami Dolphins
• Rocco Baldelli, professional baseball player (Syrian)
• John Jaha, MLB baseball player (Lebanese)
• Sam Khalifa, MLB baseball player (Egyptian)
• Joe Lahoud, MLB player for Boston and California (Lebanese descent)
• Mikie Mahtook, Major League Baseball outfielder (Lebanese descent)
• Damien Sandow, WWE wrestler (Lebanese)
• Sabu, ECW wrestler (Lebanese mother)
• Skandor Akbar, former professional wrestler (Lebanese)
• Ed Farhat, Lebanese-American professional wrestler best known by his ring name The Sheik
• Adnan Al-Kaissie, former professional wrestler and manager (Iraqi)
• Armando Estrada, professional wrestler and manager (Palestinian)
• Mojo Rawley, professional wrestler currently signed to WWE (Palestinian and Syrian)
• Dina Al-Sabah, professional figure competitor (Kuwaiti descent)
• Sarah Attar, track and field athlete (Saudi Arabian father)
• Isra Girgrah, boxer
• Naseem Hamed, commonly known as Prince Naseem or Naz, former boxer, former featherweight world champion. (Yemeni parents)
• Jim Harrick, UCLA coach
• Omar Hassan, pro skateboarder^[46]
• Ahmed Kaddour, professional boxer, from NBC show The Contender (Lebanese)
• Hocine Khalfi, professional boxer, Algerian-American
• Khalid Khannouchi, athlete marathon runner (Moroccan)
• Amir Khillah, mixed martial artist and The Ultimate Fighter contestant (Egyptian)
• Gavin Maloof, businessman and owner of the Sacramento Kings
• George Maloof Sr., businessman and former owner of the NBA's Houston Rockets
• Justin Meram, MLS player for Columbus Crew (Chaldo-Assaryian)
• Faryd Mondragón, MLS player for Philadelphia Union (Lebanese parents)
• Ramsey Nijem, (Palestinian), mixed martial artist and UFC fighter
• Bobby Rahal, (Lebanese ancestry)
• Soony Saad, MLS player (Lebanese descent)
• Robert Saleh, head coach for New York Jets NFL (Lebanese mother).
• Tarick Salmaci, professional boxer (Lebanese)
• Omar Sheika, (Palestinian), professional boxer, four-time world title challenger
• Kelly Slater, professional surfer (Lebanese descent)
• Muhammad Halim, (Palestinian father)
• Sami Guediri, footballer (Algerian parents)

Others

• Naser Jason Abdo, former soldier convicted of planning an attack near Fort Hood
• Sami Al-Arian, professor guilty of conspiracy to contribute services to or for the benefit of a Specially Designated Terrorist organization (Palestinian)
• Anwar al-Awlaki, believed by US officials to be a recruiter involved in planning terrorist operations for the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda (Yemeni)
• Nihad Awad, founding Executive Director of largest Muslim civil rights organization in the U.S., the Council on American–Islamic Relations (Palestinian)
• Rosemary Barkett, federal judge and first woman Justice and Chief Justice on the Florida Supreme Court (Syrian)
• Charles Bishop, suicide by plane crash in Tampa, Florida; grandson of Syrian immigrant^[47]
• Nidal Hasan, former soldier convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting (Palestinian descent)
• Hussein Ibish, writer, journalist, advocate for Arab causes in the United States (Lebanese)
• Candice Lightner, founder of MADD (Lebanese mother)^[48]
• Edward L. Masry, lawyer (Lebanese descent)
• Rasmea Odeh, convicted of immigration fraud for concealing her arrest, conviction, and imprisonment for fatal terrorist bombing (Palestinian)^{[49] [50]}
• Walid Rabah, publisher
• Saint Raphael of Brooklyn, first Orthodox bishop to be consecrated in North America; born Raphael Hawaweeny in Beirut of Damascene Syrian parents
• Karim Rashid (Egyptian-born)
• Zainab Salbi, co-founder and president of Women for Women International (Iraqi)
• Sirhan Sirhan, convicted murderer of Robert F. Kennedy (Palestinian with Jordanian citizenship)
• Nadya Suleman, "Octomom", father is Iraqi
• James Zogby, Arab-American civil rights activist (Arab-American Institute); brother of John (Lebanese descent)
• John Zogby, pollster for Zogby International (Lebanese descent)
• Zain Masri, technology executive

See also

• List of Iraqi Americans
• List of Lebanese Americans
• List of Palestinian Americans
• Syrian Americans
• Yemeni-American
• List of Egyptian Americans

External links

• I Want My Son to be Proud by Casey Kasem
• Famous Arab Americans
• Children of Al-Mahjar: Arab American Literature Spans a Century – by Elmaz Abinader

Notes and References

1. http://nobelprize.org/chemistry/laureates/1990/corey-autobio.html Elias James Corey – Autobiography
2. Web site: Michael e. DeBakey Department of Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060925135604/http://www.debakeydepartmentofsurgery.org/home/content.cfm?menu_id=44&pageview=news&article=96 . 2006-09-25 . 2006-08-05. "The Lebanese American University honored Michael E. DeBakey..." http://www.myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=michael_debakey "His parents were Lebanese immigrants Raheehja DeBakey and Shaker Morris"
3. http://www.starsofscience.com/phase-2/temps/arab_inventors.asp{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
4. http://publicweb.unimap.edu.my/~ptrpi/v1/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=36&Itemid=248{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
5. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/10/AR2005061001869.html Sheridan, Mary Beth, "Leader Named at Mosque; Falls Church Site Selects Activist,"
6. News: AU Sociology Professor Samih K. Farsoun Dies . The Washington Post . June 14, 2005 . May 8, 2010.
7. Book: Modern Arab Art: Formation of Arab Aesthetics: Books: NADA M. SHABOUT . 978-0813031507 . Shabout . Nada M. . 2007 . University Press of Florida .
8. Web site: Added by carlmedr on December 20, 2005 . Iraqi Art: Continuity Through Contemporaneity by Nada Shabout at Carleton College Boliou Hall, Room 104 (Thursday, January 12, 2006) - Upcoming . https://archive.today/20120715200321/http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/46882/ . dead . 2012-07-15 . Upcoming.yahoo.com . 2005-12-20 . 2012-06-18 .
9. Web site: News . Montreal Mirror . 2007-11-21 . 2012-06-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120630172746/http://www.montrealmirror.com/2007/111507/news3.html . 2012-06-30 .
10. Web site: UNT Insider - May 2007 - Nada Shabout . Unt.edu . 2012-06-18.
11. http://www.unt.edu/untresearch/lost.htm Research Magazine 2006 - The University of North Texas
12. Web site: P.O. BOX 158 . Montalvo Arts Center | Nada Shabout . Montalvoarts.org . 2012-06-18 . 2012-08-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120806150657/http://montalvoarts.org/participants/nada_shabout/ . dead .
13. http://web.mit.edu/akpia/www/courses.htm Akpia@Mit
14. http://www.csidonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=316&Itemid=95 Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy Biographical Data on Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad
15. http://www.minaret.org/Staff.htm Minaret.org staff description.
16. News: October 17, 2010. New York Celebrity Gossip, Pictures and Entertainment News – NY Daily News. Daily News. New York. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20060519100253/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/360722p-307363c.html. May 19, 2006.
17. Web site: Steve Jobs' Father Regrets Adoption, Hasn't Met Apple Founder . 2023-06-22 . ABC News . en.
18. Web site: Archived copy . 2010-06-03 . 2019-02-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190201072604/http://www.todaysoutlook.com/lebanese/archive/index.htm . dead .
19. http://usinfo.state.gov/dhr/Archive/2004/Feb/18-822308.html US Dept of State – Arab Americans and the 2004 U.S. Elections
20. http://entertainment.lycos.com/movies/celebrity.php?id=12990 Lycos Movies – Celebrity – Mario Kassar
21. Web site: The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans: John J. Mack. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20061022162618/http://www.horatioalger.org/members/member_info.cfm?memberid=MAC03. 2006-10-22. 2006-11-29.
22. Web site: Making a Difference . the Embassy of Lebanon . Washington D.C. . February 13, 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070308064938/http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/ProminantLebaneseAmericans.html . March 8, 2007 .
23. https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800061419/bio Casey Kasem Biography – Yahoo! Movies
24. Noory – Web site: Archived copy. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070928193610/http://www.jewishindy.com/article.php?sid=5929. 2007-09-28. 2006-09-24. "One more point of commonality – both Farah and Noory are Lebanese"
25. Web site: BBC – BBC Storyville – Control Room: Jehane Noujaim Interview . 2019-12-23 . 2009-05-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090506095949/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/storyville/jehane-noujaim.shtml . dead .
26. Web site: Palestinian Americans – Remi Kanazi: Poet and teacher. The Institute for Middle East Understanding. The Institute for Middle East Understanding. imeu.net. 18 October 2010. 15 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20101201073702/http://imeu.net/news/printer0019923.shtml. 2010-12-01. dead.
27. Shalhoub – Web site: Ray Hanania Online -- Emmys Show Has Entertaining Moments and Little Known Facts . 2006-08-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061118193407/http://www.swnewsherald.com/online_content/2006/08/082806rh_emmys.php . 2006-11-18 . "Tony Shalhoub, who is Lebanese..."
28. https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800084018/bio Danny Thomas Biography – Yahoo! Movies
29. http://archives.gophercentral.com/issue_8896:77.html GopherCentral Archives
30. Dewan – Web site: Archived copy . 2006-07-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20061010034222/http://bloody-disgusting.com/features.php?id=199 . 2006-10-10 . "I had a small role as Devi, the daughter of a Sikh-American – I’m half-Lebanese as it is."
31. http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,85337_1%7C8559%7C%7C0_0_,00.html
32. http://www.bestcareanywhere.net/Farr.htm
33. Web site: Wentworth Miller on being a racial spy at We’ve moved to www.racialicious.com – update your bookmarks! . 2007-11-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180619012714/http://www.mixedmediawatch.com/2006/04/09/wentworth-miller-on-being-a-racial-spy . 2018-06-19 . dead .
34. http://kathynajimy.com/katbio.htm Kathy Najimy – Biography – Official Site – kathynajimy.com
35. Abboud – http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/designers/bios/josephabboud/ "Lebanese Abboud was the first designer to win the CFDA award as Best Menswear Designer two years in a row"
36. Zappa – http://www.obst-music.com/composers/zappa_bio.htm "My ancestry is Sicilian, Greek, Arab and French. My mother's mother was French and Sicilian, and her Dad was Italian (from Naples). She was first generation. The Greek-Arab side is from my Dad..."
37. http://www.tinytim.org/biography.html Tiny Tim Biography
38. http://launch.yahoo.com/ar-311934-bio--Dick-Dale Dick Dale Biography on Yahoo! Music
39. 210553033027883008. paulafaris. I'm half Lebanese---my father is from.... 7 June 2012.
40. Web site: John Abizaid, 2003 News.
41. http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=8215 American Chronicle | An Interview with James Abourezk, the First Arab American to Serve in the U.S. Senate
42. Web site: Boustany Calls for Clear U.S. Strategy on Lebanon . Thomas Omestad . 11 May 2011 . 5 July 2012.
43. Web site: Crowley native, wife of Kennedy at center of national spotlight . Brandon Richards . 28 August 2009 . 5 July 2012.
44. Web site: George A. Kasem, 82; First Arab American in House . Los Angeles Times . February 14, 2002 . July 17, 2015.
45. News: From Petraeus Scandal, an Apostle for Privacy. The New York Times. 6 January 2014. Steinhauer. Jennifer.
46. News: Omar Hassan – The Thrasher Interview . 1 February 2008 . Thrasher Magazine . Joe . Hammeke . 2004 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070920042530/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0JSE/is_278/ai_112984519 . 2007-09-20 .
47. Web site: January 7, 2002 . Police: Tampa pilot voiced support for bin Laden . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090428053252/http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/01/06/tampa.crash/index.html . April 28, 2009 . April 15, 2013 . CNN.com.
48. Web site: Kasem . Casey . Casey Kasem . I Want My Son to be Proud . May 6, 2006 . Al-Hewar Center .
49. Web site: US activist found guilty of not disclosing conviction in fatal Jerusalem bombing. The Guardian. 10 November 2014.
50. News: Palestinian activist convicted of immigration fraud in Detroit. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112000552/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-michigan-immigration-fraud-idUKKCN0IU1Z620141110. dead. January 12, 2016. 10 November 2014. Reuters. Daniels. Serena Maria.