A Small Nation. An Outsized Impact.
With roughly 3 million people in Armenia itself and a global diaspora of 7–10 million, Armenians represent a tiny fraction of the world's population. And yet the list of Armenian and Armenian-American individuals who have changed history, culture, science, sports, and entertainment is remarkable by any measure.
The reasons run deep: Armenian families — whether in Yerevan, Glendale, Paris, or Beirut — have historically invested everything in education, creative excellence, and making it in their adopted countries. Born from a civilization 3,000 years old, carrying the memory of near-annihilation in the Genocide, Armenians have channeled their history into relentless achievement. Below are some of the most famous.
Music & Entertainment
Armenian Americans have produced some of the most iconic names in American popular culture.
Singer / Actress
Cher
b. 1946 — El Centro, California
Born Cherilyn Sarkisian, Cher is one of the most recognizable entertainers in American history. Her father John Sarkisian was of Armenian descent. An EGOT-level icon, Cher has sold over 100 million records worldwide, won an Academy Award for Moonstruck (1987), an Emmy, and a Grammy. She has been a vocal advocate for Armenian Genocide recognition throughout her career.
Rock Band
System of a Down
formed 1994 — Los Angeles, California
All four members — Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan — are of Armenian descent, most with roots in the LA diaspora. One of the most politically charged rock bands in history, SOAD regularly incorporates Armenian history and Genocide awareness into their music and activism. Their albums Toxicity and Mezmerize went multi-platinum worldwide.
Singer / Songwriter
Charles Aznavour
1924–2018 — Paris, France
Born Shahnour Vaghinag Aznavourian in Paris to Armenian Genocide survivor parents, Charles Aznavour became one of the greatest French chanson singers of the 20th century. He recorded over 1,200 songs in 6 languages, sold over 180 million records, and performed until his death at age 94. A tireless ambassador for Armenian culture and Genocide recognition on the world stage.
Comedian / Creator
Ross Bagdasarian Sr.
1919–1972 — Fresno, California
The Armenian-American creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks, Ross Bagdasarian invented one of the most enduring children's franchises in American entertainment history. He recorded the original novelty hit "The Chipmunk Song" in 1958, which sold over 4 million copies in just 7 weeks. The franchise remains active today across music, TV, and films over 60 years later.
Director / Screenwriter
Atom Egoyan
b. 1960 — Cairo, Egypt
Canadian-Armenian director Atom Egoyan is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of his generation. Born in Egypt to Armenian parents and raised in Canada, his films The Sweet Hereafter (1997) and Exotica (1994) earned him two Palme d'Or nominations at Cannes. His film Ararat (2002) confronts the Armenian Genocide directly. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Actor / Playwright
Eric Bogosian
b. 1953 — Woburn, Massachusetts
Actor, playwright, and author Eric Bogosian is of Armenian descent through his parents, who were Armenian-Americans from Massachusetts. Known for his Obie Award-winning solo performance pieces and his role as Captain Danny Ross on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Bogosian's work often explores urban American identity and dark psychological themes. He has written extensively about his Armenian roots.
Sports
From Grand Slam courts to NFL stadiums, Armenian athletes have competed at the very highest levels.
Tennis / 8× Grand Slam Champion
Andre Agassi
b. 1970 — Las Vegas, Nevada
One of the greatest tennis players in history, Andre Agassi has Armenian heritage through his father Emmanuel "Mike" Aghassi, who was born in Iran to Armenian parents. The family surname was originally Aghassi — a common Armenian name. Agassi won 8 Grand Slam titles including all four majors (a Career Grand Slam), an Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games, and was ranked world No. 1 for 101 weeks.
→ Armenian Heritage
Football Coach
Ara Parseghian
1923–2017 — Akron, Ohio
Ara Parseghian is one of the most celebrated college football coaches in American history. Of Armenian descent, he coached the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to two national championships (1966 and 1973) and compiled a 170–58–6 record in 25 years of coaching. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980. His famous turnaround of Notre Dame football in 1964 is considered one of the most remarkable coaching achievements of the era.
NFL Kicker
Garo Yepremian
1944–2015 — Cyprus
Born in Cyprus to Armenian parents, Garo Yepremian became one of the most beloved kickers in NFL history. He was a member of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins — the only team in NFL history to complete a perfect season. Known for his colorful personality and memorable moments, Yepremian was an ambassador for Armenian-American pride in professional sports throughout his career.
Chess / World Champion
Tigran Petrosian
1929–1984 — Tbilisi, Georgia
Tigran Petrosian — nicknamed "Iron Tigran" for his impenetrable defensive style — was World Chess Champion from 1963 to 1969, defeating Mikhail Botvinnik to claim the title. Of Armenian descent, Petrosian became a national hero in Soviet Armenia and remains one of the most celebrated figures in Armenian sports history. He held the highest ELO rating in the world for years during his peak.
Weightlifting / Olympic Champion
Yuri Vardanyan
b. 1956 — Leninakan, Armenian SSR
Yuri Vardanyan is considered one of the greatest weightlifters in history. He set 11 world records and won the 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal, becoming a Soviet and Armenian national legend. His clean-and-jerk record stood for years. Armenia has produced an extraordinary number of elite weightlifters relative to its population, and Vardanyan represents the pinnacle of that tradition.
Did you know? Armenia — a nation of just 3 million people — has won Olympic medals in weightlifting, wrestling, chess, boxing, and gymnastics at a rate that rivals far larger nations. Athletic achievement is a matter of deep national pride, closely tied to the Armenian cultural value of proving oneself under pressure.
Science, Medicine & Invention
Armenian inventors and scientists have contributed breakthroughs that changed everyday life for billions of people.
Medicine / MRI Inventor
Raymond Damadian
1936–2022 — Forest Hills, New York
Dr. Raymond Damadian was the Armenian-American physician and biophysicist who invented the MRI scanner — one of the most important medical devices in history. He built the first MRI machine capable of scanning the human body in 1977 and received the National Medal of Technology from President Ronald Reagan. The MRI has since been used in billions of medical scans worldwide, transforming diagnostic medicine entirely.
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Invention / Faucet & Industry
Alex Manoogian
1901–1996 — Smyrna (İzmir), Turkey
Alex Manoogian was an Armenian Genocide survivor who emigrated to the United States and went on to found Masco Corporation — today a Fortune 500 company. In 1954, he invented the Delta single-handle faucet, which revolutionized plumbing fixtures and is still found in millions of American homes. He was also a major philanthropist for Armenian causes worldwide, donating over $200 million to Armenian institutions, churches, and the rebuilding of Armenia.
Invention / ATM Pioneer
Luther George Simjian
1905–1997 — Zarar, Ottoman Empire
Armenian-American inventor Luther George Simjian held over 200 patents in his lifetime. Among his inventions was an early prototype of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM), patented in the 1960s, as well as self-focusing cameras, flight simulators, and medical devices. Born in what is now Turkey to Armenian parents, he immigrated to the United States in 1920 and became one of the most prolific inventors of the 20th century.
Astronomy / Astrophysics
Yervant Terzian
1939–2019 — Alexandria, Egypt
Born in Egypt to Armenian parents, Yervant Terzian became one of America's leading astrophysicists and a longtime director of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (Arecibo Observatory). A professor at Cornell University for over four decades, he was known for his research on interstellar plasma and ionized gas, and he served as chairman of the Carl Sagan Institute. A dedicated advocate for Armenian science education.
Arts & Literature
From Nobel-nominated novelists to abstract expressionist painters, Armenian artists reshaped modern culture.
Literature / Pulitzer Prize
William Saroyan
1908–1981 — Fresno, California
One of the most beloved American authors of the 20th century, William Saroyan was born in Fresno to Armenian Genocide survivor parents. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for The Time of Your Life (1940) — and famously refused it, declaring that commerce should not judge the arts. His memoir My Name Is Aram remains a defining portrait of Armenian-American immigrant life. He won the Academy Award for Best Story for The Human Comedy.
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Painting / Abstract Expressionism
Arshile Gorky
1904–1948 — Khorkom, Ottoman Empire
Considered one of the founders of American Abstract Expressionism, Arshile Gorky was born Vosdanig Adoian in what is now Turkey. He survived the Armenian Genocide as a child, witnessed his mother's death from starvation, and eventually made his way to New York, where he became a towering influence on artists like Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock. His work hangs in the Whitney Museum, MoMA, and major collections worldwide.
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Classical Music / Composer
Aram Khachaturian
1903–1978 — Tiflis (Tbilisi), Georgia
One of the greatest composers of the Soviet era, Aram Khachaturian was of Armenian descent and is celebrated as Armenia's most iconic musician. His Sabre Dance from the ballet Gayane is one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music ever written. His Adagio from Spartacus became famous as the theme for the BBC TV series The Onedin Line. He received multiple Stalin Prizes and the Lenin Prize.
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Architecture / Urban Design
Calouste Gulbenkian
1869–1955 — Istanbul, Ottoman Empire
Known as "Mr. Five Percent" for his legendary stake in the Iraq Petroleum Company, Calouste Gulbenkian was an Armenian oil magnate and philanthropist who became one of the wealthiest men on earth. He used his fortune to build the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon — one of the world's most important cultural foundations — and assembled a priceless art collection now housed in the Gulbenkian Museum. He funded countless Armenian schools, churches, and cultural institutions worldwide.
Business & Entrepreneurship
Armenian entrepreneurs have built some of the most iconic American companies, from movie studios to hotel empires.
Business / Billionaire
Kirk Kerkorian
1917–2015 — Fresno, California
Born to Armenian immigrant parents in Fresno, Kirk Kerkorian became one of the greatest dealmakers in American business history. A former WWII fighter pilot, he built MGM Studios, the MGM Grand Hotel (then the world's largest hotel), and transformed Las Vegas into the entertainment capital of the world. At the time of his death, his net worth exceeded $4 billion. He donated $1 billion to Armenian causes over his lifetime — the largest individual donation in Armenian philanthropic history.
Business / Nightlife & Hotels
Sam Nazarian
b. 1974 — Los Angeles, California
Sam Nazarian is the founder and CEO of sbe Entertainment Group, one of the most influential hospitality and entertainment companies in the world. Born in Los Angeles to Iranian-Armenian parents, he built an empire that includes SLS Hotels, Katsuya restaurants, Hyde Lounge, Skybar, and dozens of premier venues across the US and internationally. He was named one of the most powerful men in the hospitality industry by multiple publications.
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Business / Media & Philanthropy
Vartan Gregorian
1934–2021 — Tabriz, Iran
Born in Iran to Armenian parents, Vartan Gregorian became one of the most respected intellectual leaders in America. He served as President of the New York Public Library (transforming it into a national institution), President of Brown University, and for 20 years as President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, one of the world's most powerful philanthropic foundations. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2004.
Politics & Public Service
Armenian Americans have served at the highest levels of American government and public life.
Politics / California Governor
George Deukmejian
1928–2018 — Menands, New York
George Deukmejian was the 35th Attorney General and 36th Governor of California — the first Armenian American to serve as governor of any U.S. state. Born to Armenian Genocide survivor parents, he served as California's governor from 1983 to 1991, overseeing a period of strong economic growth and fiscal responsibility. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for Los Angeles mayor in 1969 before rising to become one of California's most significant Republican governors.
→ Read Full Biography
Diplomacy / UN Representative
Edward Djerejian
b. 1937 — New York City
Edward Djerejian is one of America's most distinguished diplomats of Armenian descent. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Syria and then to Israel, as well as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He founded the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University and has been a consistent voice for Armenian-American concerns in U.S. foreign policy.
Law / Supreme Court (Armenia)
David Ananian
Active 2000s–present
Armenian-American attorney and community leader David Ananian has served as one of the most visible advocates for Armenian-American legal and civic rights, including leadership of the Armenian Bar Association. The Armenian-American legal community in Los Angeles is one of the largest ethnic bar associations in California, reflecting the deep roots of Armenian professionals in Southern California's legal establishment.
The Armenian community in Los Angeles is one of the most politically engaged ethnic communities in California. With over 200,000 Armenians in the greater LA area — concentrated in Glendale, Burbank, and Hollywood — Armenian-American voters have shaped local, state, and national politics on issues ranging from Genocide recognition to Middle Eastern affairs. Support Armenian-owned businesses in LA →
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the most famous Armenian Americans?
Some of the most famous Armenian Americans include: Cher (singer/actress, born Cherilyn Sarkisian), System of a Down (all members Armenian-American), Andre Agassi (tennis champion), Kirk Kerkorian (billionaire MGM mogul), William Saroyan (Pulitzer Prize author), Arshile Gorky (abstract expressionist painter), Raymond Damadian (MRI inventor), George Deukmejian (California Governor), Alex Manoogian (Delta faucet inventor and Masco Corporation founder), and Sam Nazarian (sbe Entertainment Group).
Is Cher Armenian?
Yes. Cher — born Cherilyn Sarkisian — has Armenian heritage through her father John Sarkisian, who was of Armenian descent. She has spoken publicly about her Armenian roots and has been a vocal supporter of Armenian Genocide recognition throughout her career. She is one of the most famous Armenian Americans in entertainment history.
Is System of a Down Armenian?
Yes. All four members of System of a Down — Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan — are of Armenian descent. The band formed in Los Angeles in 1994 and has been one of the most prominent advocates for Armenian Genocide recognition globally. Their music regularly references Armenian history and identity, and the band members have been active in awareness campaigns for decades.
Is Andre Agassi Armenian?
Andre Agassi has Armenian heritage through his father, Emmanuel "Mike" Aghassi, who was born in Iran to Armenian parents. The family surname was originally Aghassi — a common Armenian name. Agassi won 8 Grand Slam titles including all four majors (Career Grand Slam), an Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games, and held the world No. 1 ranking for 101 weeks across his career.
Who are some famous Armenians from Armenia itself?
Famous Armenians from Armenia include: Aram Khachaturian (composer of Sabre Dance), Tigran Petrosian (World Chess Champion 1963–1969), Charles Aznavour (legendary French-Armenian singer whose parents were Genocide survivors), Yuri Vardanyan (Olympic weightlifting champion), William Saroyan (born in Fresno, but his parents were from the Armenian homeland), and Calouste Gulbenkian (Armenian oil magnate and philanthropist, born in Istanbul). Modern Armenians include Artur Aleksanyan (Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling champion) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (international football star).
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