Pennsylvania State University Notable Alumni
Discover the notable alumni of Pennsylvania State University. The list includes people like Laurene Powell Jobs, Immortal Technique, David Bohm, Tom Ridge & Paul Berg. This list of notable alumni is loosely sorted by popularity and has people from different domains of life, such as writers, film & theater personalities, scientists, intellectuals & academics and singers etc.
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1
Keegan-Michael Key
(Known for Co-Creating & Starring in the Comedy Central Sketch Series 'Key & Peele')
Birthdate: March 22, 1971
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Southfield, Michigan, United States
Keegan-Michael Key is an American actor, producer, comedian, and writer. He is credited with co-creating Comedy Central's sketch comedy series Key & Peele for which he has received a couple of awards including a Primetime Emmy Award. He is also known for his philanthropic efforts; he has participated in the Young Storytellers Foundation's annual fundraiser.
2
Lex Luger(American Retired Professional Wrestler and Five-Time WWE United States Heavyweight Champion)
Birthdate: June 2, 1958
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States
Lawrence Wendell Pfohl, better known as “Lex Luger,” “The Narcissist,” and “The Total Package,” has won multiple titles, including one WWA, two WCW, and five NWA-WCW heavyweight championships. He was previously a footballer and had played for the USFL. He also became the second WCW Triple Crown Champion.
3
John Aniston(Best Known for His Role as ‘Victor Kiriakis’ on the TV Series ‘Days of Our Lives’)
Birthdate: July 24, 1933
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Chania, Greece
Died: November 11, 2022
John Aniston is a Greek-born American actor best known for playing Victor Kiriakis on the popular daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives. Over the years, Aniston has been contributing immensely to the American TV industry, but perhaps his biggest contribution is mentoring his daughter, Jennifer Aniston, and allowing her to follow in his footsteps.
4
Franco Harris
(American Football Player)
Birthdate: March 7, 1950
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Fort Dix, New Jersey, USA
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
Birthdate: August 19, 1952
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, USA
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
Birthdate: December 4, 1974
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Queens, New York, United States
One of the best-performing Republican commentators on social media, Dan Bongino has donned many hats, from being an NYPD officer and a secret-service agent, to hosting a top-20 podcast and writing bestselling books. Though he was thrice unsuccessful in his run for Congress, Dan claims he loves “owning the libs.”
7
Saquon Barkley
(American football player)
Birthdate: February 9, 1997
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York City, New York (state) New York
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
8
Donald P. Bellisario
(Television producer and screenwriter who created and sometimes wrote episodes for the TV series)
Birthdate: August 8, 1935
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Cokeburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Birthdate: February 19, 1978
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Lima, Peru
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
10
Joonas Suotamo
(Finnish Actor Best Known for Playing 'Chewbacca' in 'Star Wars' Film Series)
Birthdate: October 3, 1986
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Espoo, Finland
Joonas Suotamo is a Finnish actor and retired basketball player. Although he started his career as a basketball player, Suotamo has gained much popularity for his portrayal of Chewbacca in the famous Star Wars film series. He played the role in movies like The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
11
Trace McSorley
(American football player)
Birthdate: August 23, 1995
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ashburn, Virginia, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
Birthdate: August 13, 1963
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
13
Bruce Davison(Actor and Director Known for His Role as ‘Willard Stiles’ in the Horror Film ‘Willard’)
Birthdate: June 28, 1946
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Bruce Davison is best known for his performance as Willard Stiles in the horror film Willard and as Robert Kelly in the X-Men franchise. He also won a Golden Globe and earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as David in Longtime Companion. He has also performed on Broadway.
14
Matt Rhule
(American Football coach)
Birthdate: January 31, 1975
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: New York City New York, United States
Birthdate: December 8, 1983
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: New York
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
Birthdate: January 9, 1945
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
17
Carl Nassib
(American football player)
Birthdate: April 12, 1993
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'7" (201 cm)
18
Phil Davis
(Mixed Martial Artist)
Birthdate: September 25, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Mr. Wonderful Phil Davis is a popular American MMA fighter who represents Bellator MMA. He has previously been a four-time NCAA D-I All-American at Penn State and also boasts of a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He had also excelled in tennis and cross-country running in his younger days.
Birthdate: December 7, 1964
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
20
Chris Godwin
(American football player)
Birthdate: February 27, 1996
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
21
Allen Robinson
(American football player)
Birthdate: August 24, 1993
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
22
Sean Lee
(American football player)
Birthdate: July 22, 1986
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
23
Jack Ham
(American football player)
Birthdate: December 23, 1948
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
24
Adam McKay(Comedian, Director, and Writer for the NBC Sketch Comedy Show ‘Saturday Night Live’)
Birthdate: April 17, 1968
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, United States
Adam McKay began as the chief writer of Saturday Night Live. The Academy Award-winning screenwriter later co-founded the Upright Citizens Brigade and directed the Anchorman films. Along with Will Ferrell, he co-wrote several films and series and founded the site Funny or Die. He has also hosted a science podcast.
25
Mark Parker
(Entrepreneur)
Birthdate: October 21, 1955
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Poughkeepsie (city), New York Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S.
Birthdate: March 14, 1951
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
27
Deborah Birx(White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator from 2020 to 2021)
Birthdate: April 4, 1956
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States
Doctor and diplomat Deborah Birx was the Trump administration’s coronavirus response co-ordinator. The renowned HIV/AIDS researcher, however, quit the virus team after reports suggested she had attended a Thanksgiving family gathering, breaching COVID-19 protocol. She later joined the air-cleaning company ActivePure, amid reports of it using banned technology.
28
Joe Brady
(American football coach)
Birthdate: September 23, 1989
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Miami Lakes, Florida, United States
29
John Urschel
(Canadian-American Mathematician, Former Professional Football Guard and Centre)
Birthdate: June 24, 1991
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Canada
Part of the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list of young scientists, Canadian-American mathematician John Urschel has previously had an illustrious football career as part of the NFL team Baltimore Ravens. He played with the Ravens without revealing that he was a full-time graduate student at MIT.
30
Guion Bluford
(Former NASA Astronaut Who Became the 1st African-American to Go into Space)
Birthdate: November 22, 1942
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Retired US Air Force officer and NASA astronaut Guion Bluford scripted history as the 2nd African-origin person and the 1st African-American to go into space. A trained fighter pilot, he also flew over 100 combat missions in the Vietnam War. The STS-8 Orbiter Challenger crew member later worked in IT and engineering services.
31
Alex Eala
(Filipino Professional Tennis Player)
Birthdate: May 23, 2005
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Quezon City, Philippines
Alex Eala is a Filipino professional tennis player best known for winning the US Open Junior title in 2022. Eala first achieved popularity in 2020, when she won the Australian Open Junior Doubles title. The following year, Alex Eala won the French Open Junior Doubles title. In 2021, she also won three bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Games.
32
Larry Johnson
(American Football player)
Birthdate: November 19, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Pomfret, Maryland, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
33
Anthony Adams
(American football player)
Birthdate: June 18, 1980
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
34
Kerry Collins
(American footballer)
Birthdate: December 30, 1972
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
35
Harry J. Anslinger
(1st Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics)
Birthdate: May 20, 1892
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: November 14, 1975
36
Christian Hackenberg
(American football player)
Birthdate: February 14, 1995
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lehighton, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
37
Tamba Hali
(Former American Football Linebacker)
Birthdate: November 3, 1983
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Gbarnga, Liberia
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
38
NaVorro Bowman
(American football player)
Birthdate: May 28, 1988
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: District Heights, Maryland, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
39
Kelly Ayotte
(Former United States Senator)
Birthdate: June 27, 1968
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S.
40
Matt Anderson
(American Professional Volleyball Player)
Birthdate: April 18, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States
Height: 6'10" (208 cm)
41
Michael Robinson
(American football player)
Birthdate: February 6, 1983
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Richmond,Virginia, United States
Birthdate: December 3, 1967
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
43
Odafe Oweh
(American football player)
Birthdate: December 15, 1998
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Hackensack, New Jersey, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
44
Courtney Brown
(American Football Player)
Birthdate: February 14, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
45
Ki-Jana Carter
(American football player)
Birthdate: September 12, 1973
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Westerville, Ohio, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Birthdate: April 2, 1911
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: April 7, 1993
47
Mike Gesicki
(American Football player)
Birthdate: October 3, 1995
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Manahawkin, Stafford Township, New Jersey, United States
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
48
K. J. Hamler
(American football player)
Birthdate: July 8, 1999
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pontiac, Michigan, United States
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
49
Mike Munchak
(Coach, American football player)
Birthdate: March 5, 1960
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
50
Troy Apke
(American football player)
Birthdate: April 11, 1995
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
The famous Pennsylvania State University, located in the United States is one of the best educational institutions in the world and is popular especially among students who are looking for intensive research oriented courses. The campus of this esteemed institution is called the 'University Park' and is spread over 3.9 square kilometers. According to sources, the land which currently belongs to the institution was donated by a yesteryear politician named James Irvine. When it started back in 1855, this institution was relatively smaller in size and then known as ‘Farmers’ High School Of Pennsylvania’. Since then, this University has progressed by leaps and bounds. Several buildings are located on the ‘University Park’ campus, namely ‘Waring Commons’, ‘Warnock Commons’, ‘Redifer Commons’ and ‘Pollock Commons’. The alumni of this famous institution include several noteworthy names such as photographer Steve McCurry, pilot Guion bluford, comedian Keegan-Michael Key and Basketball player John Amaechi. Steve McCurry is famous for clicking remarkable award winning pictures which have got attention from people all over the world. His picture of the ‘Afghan Girl’, clicked in the 1980s, was published in the ‘National Geographic Magazine’ continues to haunt the world and is a favorite among many photography aspirants. Another notable alumnus of the ‘Pennsylvania State University’ is entrepreneur Bennett Cohen, co-owner of the renowned ice cream manufacturing giant ‘Ben & Jerry’s’. We have compiled a list of notable alumni of the renowned ‘Pennsylvania State University’ who have left a lasting impression on the minds of many with their accomplishments.