Reproduced with thanks from the Hall of Fame in the Online Armenia Encyclopedia, with one addition by me

Scattered all over the world as refugees, the Armenians have made their mark in many places and many fields:

Dennis Agajanian Singer

One of America's most popular gospel singers. Sings at the "Harvest Crusade".

Andre Agassi Tennis Star

Ranked no 1 in the world in 1995. Has won the Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open, and an Olympic Gold Medal.

Ivan Aivazovsky Painter

Famous for his seascapes. Paintings are featured on numerous postage stamps around the world.

Charles Aznavour Singer

French Singer and Actor with worldwide popularity. Listen to his Greatest Golden Hits, and his Autobiographie.

Ross Bagdasarian Cartoonist

Creator of "The Chipmunks", Alvin Simon and Theodore, a popular children's cartoon. The "Chipmunks Christmas Album” is a classic.

Eric Bogosian Writer/Actor

Known for Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll and Talk Radio.

Cher (Cherylin Sarkissian) Actress/Singer

Sonny & Cher Show, The Witches of Eastwick, Songs I Got You Babe, Believe. Best Actress Oscar for Moonstruck.

Mike Connors (Ohanian) Actor

Star of "Mannix".

Princess Diana Princess of Wales

1/64th Armenian! The most widely known living person in the world before the fatal car accident, she was well loved for not being aloof. She made removal of landmines worldwide her cause.

Dr. Raymond Damadian Inventor

MRI diagnosis machine. Magnetic Resonance Imaging allows the insides of the body to be viewed without actually using surgery.

Atom Egoyan Director

Won 1997 Cannes Grand Prize & 2 Oscar Nominations for "The Sweet Hereafter". This Cairo-born and Canadian-bred director also produced award winning "The Adjustor", "Exotica", "Ararat" and others.

Arshile Gorky Painter

Gorky has been called both the last of the great Surrealists and the first of the Abstract Expressionists. His work was vital to the emergence of a specifically American school of abstract art.

Calouste Gulbenkian Oil Baron

"Mr. 5%" Made his fortune in Iraqi oil earlier this century after gaining 5% ownership of BP, and 3 other major companies. Set up a large enduring foundation.

George Gurdjieff Spiritual Leader

Gurdjieff's basic teaching is that human life is lived in waking sleep; transcendence of the sleeping state requires a specific inner work, which is practiced in private quiet conditions, and in the midst of life with others.

Alan Hovhaness Composer

The Prayer of St. Gregory, Symphonies, Magnificat.

Viktor Hambartsumian Astrophysicist

Developed theories of young star clusters, and computing the mass ejected from nova stars. Headed Byurakan Observatory in Armenia, & International Astrophysicist Organization.

Kevork Hovnanian Homebuilder

One of top 10 US homebuilders.

Garry Kasparov Chess Player

Ranked 1 in world. Serving in Russian Parliament. Was defeated for the first time by a chess computer built by IBM.

Howard Kazanjian Film Producer

Return of the Jedi and Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Dr. Varaztad Kazanjian Doctor

A Father of Plastic Surgery and Harvard Professor. Pioneer of new techniques to repair damage to WWI soldiers. Known in his day as the "Miracle Man of the Western Front."

Kirk Kerkorian Businessman, Investor

Founded airlines, built world’s largest casinos, owned MGM studios and still owns MGM Grand, plus large share of Daimler-Chrysler. Funds Lincy Foundation.

Dr. Jack Kevorkian Physician

Physician Proponent of assisted suicide. Helped dozens of terminally ill patients end their lives with his suicide machine. In Michigan jail for his work.

Aram Khachaturian Composer

Gayane, Spartacus, The Battle of >Stalingrad / Othello, The Sabre Dance.

Emile Lahoud President

President of Lebanon, former Lebanese general who united the religious factions of the Lebanese army.

Alex Manoogian Inventor, Businessman

Invented single handle faucet, founded Masco. Huge philanthropist during his life, with strong ties to the Armenian General Benevolent Union.

Rouben Mamoulian Director

First to use a mobile camera, Technicolor and a multiple channel sound track. Directed Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Mark of Zorro, and Silk Stalkings.

Artem Mikoyan Aircraft Designer

Creator and namesake of "MiG" Fighters of the Soviet Union and Russia.

Sergei Parajanov Surrealist Artist/Producer

Soviet Armenian Surrealist Producer. Works include: Fire Horses/The Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, The Color of Pomegranates/Sayat Nova, The Legend of the Suram Fortress, Ashik Kerib.

Ara Parseghian Coach

Previous Notre Dame Football Coach, national championships in 1966 and 1973.

Alain Prost Race Car Driver

Won Formula 1 Race 4 times.

Raffi (Cavoukian) Songwriter/Singer

Children's Songwriter. Probably the most popular in the world. Albums include Singable Songs for the children, More Singable Songs for the children Raffi's Christmas Album, Baby Beluga, and others.

William Saroyan Novelist, Playwright

Won a Pulitzer Prize for the play "The Time of Your Life" which he turned down. Wrote "The Human Comedy", "My Name is Aram", and directed a prize winning movie.

Setrak Setrakian Composer, Pianist

Born in Beirut in 1938, Setrak is a lifelong scholar and teacher at professorial level, with some 400 original compositions to his name. His musical interpretations are inimitably his own and, although finely reflecting the essence of the pieces he plays, his masterly eloquence and joie de vivre shine through in breathtaking manner.

Luther Simjian Inventor

Inventor of Medical photography systems, Autofocus camera, Automatic Developing machine, ATM, Military flight simulator, Postage Meter.

Seymour Skinner (Armen Tamzarian) School Principal

Bart and Lisa's Principal on the "Simpson's". On one episode he relates he is not actually Seymour Skinner, but actually Armen Tamzarian. The town decides to never discuss his dark past again.

System of a Down Music Group

Music Group with growing popularity. Performed on one track of the Southpark CD, and Ozzfest. Proud Armenians, as their System of a Down album shows.

Jerry Tarkanian Coach

Turned the UNLV basketball team, the "Runnin Rebels" into a west coast powerhouse, reaching the finals and winning a few times. Then coached his hometown Fresno State team.

Steven Zaillian Screenwriter

Received Oscar for Schindlers List, also screen wrote: Clear and Present Danger, Patriot Games, Awakenings.

Zildjian Family Manufacturers

Manufacturers World's Largest Cymbal Manufacturer, by using secret family production technique that produces excellent sound and very strong metal. The two brothers founded the Sabian cymbal factory, in Meductic, New Brunswick, Canada, before an argument led one brother to quit the company and form a rival brand carrying the family name, Zildjian.