Raíºl Grijalva (1948–2025), U.S. representative from Arizona

Raíºl Grijalva was a Democrat who represented Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 until his death.

Ken Flores (1996–2025), stand-up comedian

Ken Flores was a stand-up comedian and the creator of the Chicago comedy showcase LatinXL.

Israel Vázquez (1977–2024), three-time world champion boxer

Israel Vázquez was a Mexican boxer nicknamed "El Magnifico" whose three world championships and rivalry with Rafael Márquez made him one of Mexico’s most beloved boxers.

Fernando Valenzuela (1960–2024), L.A. Dodgers great

Fernando Valenzuela was a Mexican-born Major League Baseball pitcher best known for his time with the L.A. Dodgers, during which he won a Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same year, sparking “Fernandomania.”

Eduardo Xol (1966–2024), Extreme Makeover: Home Edition star

Eduardo Xol was a television star best known for his work on the reality show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” 

Sergio Mendes (1941–2024), brought bossa nova to the U.S. charts

Sergio Mendes was a Brazilian musician best known for songs like “Mas Que Nada” and “The Look of Love,” which helped bring bossa nova and samba music to the U.S. charts.

Chi Chi Rodriguez (1935–2024), PGA superstar

Chi Chi Rodriguez was a World Golf Hall of Famer who won eight PGA Tour events and became known for his antics on the course.

Orlando Cepeda (1937–2024), famed slugger for the Giants

Orlando Cepeda was a Hall of Fame baseball player who was an 11-time All-Star, MVP winner, and a longtime teammate of on the San Francisco Giants.

Johnny Canales (1942–2024), Tejano singer and TV host

Johnny Canales was a Mexican Tejano singer and popular television show host who helped launch the career of singer Selena.

Rudy Moreno (1957–2024), "Godfather of Latino Comedy"

Rudy Moreno was an actor and comedian often called the “Godfather of Latino Comedy,” who as an actor appeared in “Arrested Development,” “The Shield,” “ER,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and other TV shows.

Cola Boyy (1990–2024), pop musician and disability rights activist 

Matthew Urango , better known as Cola Boyy , was a disabled pop musician and songwriter whose singles included “Penny Girl” and “Kid Born in Space.” 

Pete Rodriguez (1934–2024), I Like It Like That bandleader and pianist 

Pete Rodriguez was the bandleader and pianist for Pete Rodriguez y Su Conjunto, known for their 1967 boogaloo hit, “I Like it Like That.” 

José DeLeón (1960–2024), 13-year MLB veteran

José DeLeón was a 13-year veteran of Major League Baseball (MLB) who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and others.

Adan Canto (1981–2024), The Cleaning Lady star 

Adan Canto was a Mexican actor best known for playing Arman Morales on “The Cleaning Lady” for two seasons, as well his role as Aaron Shore on “Designated Survivor.” 

Kamar de los Reyes (1967–2023), One Life to Live star

Kamar de los Reyes was an actor who starred as Antonio Vega on “One Life to Live” and had a prominent video game role in several installments of “Call of Duty.”

Pat Corrales (1941–2023), first Mexican American MLB manager

Pat Corrales spent five decades in Major League Baseball (MLB), beginning as a player before moving on to managing and coaching. He was the first Mexican American MLB manager.

Sixto Rodriguez (1942–2023), 'Searching for Sugar Man' musician

Sixto Rodriguez was an internationally recognized Detroit musician best known in the United States for being featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man.” 

Joí£o Donato (1934–2023), Brazilian bossa nova pianist 

Joí£o Donato was a bossa nova composer and pianist who performed with such greats as and . 

Gustavo Badell (1972–2023), “The Freakin’ Rican” bodybuilder 

Gustavo Badell was a bodybuilder known as “The Freakin’ Rican.”

Leon Ichaso (1948–2023), Cuban-born filmmaker known for urban realism 

Leon Ichaso was a Cuban-born filmmaker whose gritty, realistic portraits of urban living explored life as a Latino in North America.

Joe Kapp (1938–2023), Minnesota Vikings quarterback 

Joe Kapp was a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings and in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Julián Figueroa (1995–2023), Mexican ballad singer 

Julián Figueroa was a Mexican ballad singer known for songs like “Yo sería,” “Ay amor,” and “Volaré.”

Andrés García (1941–2023), Mexican actor and telenovela star 

Andrés García was a Mexican actor who became a Latin American icon in the 1960s and ‘70s, with roles in over 50 films and many popular telenovelas.

Chabelo (1935–2023), longtime star of Mexican television

Born Xavier López Rodríguez but better known by his stage name, Chabelo was an actor, comedian, and TV show host beloved by generations of viewers. His best known work was “En Familia con Chabelo,” a family variety show that ran from 1967 to 2015. The show’s 48-year run made Chabelo a well-known personality to multiple generations of Latin American families and a mainstay of Sunday morning television.

Fito Olivares (1947–2023), Tejano musician known for Juana La Cubana

Born Rodolfo Olivares, musician Fito Olivares began playing the saxophone at 12 and by 16 was performing professionally. He soon began writing his own compositions, establishing himself as an artist who embraced new directions in Mexican cumbia music as adeptly as he adhered to the traditional. He is best known for his hit songs “Juana La Cubana” and “El Colesterol,” which are mainstays at weddings and quinceañeras.

Polo Polo (1944–2023), Mexican comedian

Polo Polo was one of Mexico’s most popular comedians, with an international following.

Lauro Cavazos (1927–2022), first Latino cabinet member

Lauro Cavazos was the first Latino cabinet member as he served as secretary of education under presidents and .

Vicente “Chente” Fernández (1940–2021), beloved Mexican singer and actor

Vicente “Chente” Fern ández was an iconic Mexican singer and actor called “The King of Ranchero Music.”

Famous Hispanic Americans

During Hispanic Heritage Month and throughout the year, we remember and celebrate the contributions of Latinx Americans in a broad range of fields, from the arts to science, education and politics. These Latino and Latina Americans were pioneers and trendsetters, and they remain inspirations to anyone who aspires to achieve greatness.

Roberto Roena (1940–2021), legendary salsa percussionist

Roberto Roena was a Puerto Rican salsa percussionist known for his work with legendary bands including El Gran Combo and Fania All Stars.

Johnny Ventura (1940–2021), legendary merengue singer

Johnny Ventura was a superstar of merengue music who later became the mayor of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic.

José Baselga (1959–2021), oncologist who revolutionized breast cancer treatment

Jos é Baselga was a Spanish oncologist who developed highly effective new drugs for treating breast cancer.

Luis Palau (1934–2021), evangelist called “the Billy Graham of Latin America”

Luis Palau was a popular Christian evangelist who worked with and became one of his successors as he preached to the Spanish-speaking audience.

Johnny Pacheco (1935–2021), musician who helped popularize salsa music

Johnny Pacheco was a musician who co-founded Fania Records, where he helped create salsa music and bring it into the mainstream.

Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones (1955–2020), dancer who starred in “Breakin’”

Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Qui ñones was a dancer, actor, and choreographer best known for starring as Ozone in “Breakin’” and “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo.”

Diego Maradona (1960–2020), soccer legend

Diego Maradona was one of the greatest soccer players of all time, leading Argentina to a World Cup win in 1986.

Cándido Camero (1921–2020), pioneering Latin jazz percussionist

C ándido Camero was a percussionist who is considered one of the fathers of Latin jazz, best known for his conga and bongo drumming.

Guadalupe “Shorty” Ortiz (1941–2020), Tejano music legend

Guadalupe “Shorty” Ortiz was a Tejano musician known for leading Shorty and the Corvetts as well as Mariachi Corbetas.

Erick Morillo (1971–2020), “I Like to Move It” DJ

Erick Morillo was a DJ and producer known for the dance music hit “I Like to Move It.”     

Manuel “El Loco” Valdes (1931–2020), Mexican comedy legend

Manuel “El Loco” Valdes was an actor and comedian who was a Mexican pop culture legend.

Arcelio Garcia (1946–2020), lead singer for Latin rock band Malo

Arcelio Garcia was the lead singer for the Latin rock band Malo, known for their 1972 hit single “Suavecito.”

Trini Lopez (1937–2020), “Lemon Tree” singer

Trini Lopez was a popular singer whose version of “Lemon Tree” was a hit song.

El Dany (1989–2020), singer with Cuban duo Yomil y El Dany

El Dany was a singer with the Cuban duo Yomil y El Dany, who had hits including the recent release “No Volveré.”

Rudolfo Anaya (1937–2020), “godfather” of Chicano literature

Rudolfo Anaya was called the “godfather” of Chicano literature. He was best known for hisnovel, “Bless Me, Ultima.”

Manuel Donley (1927–2020), “The Godfather of Tejano music”

Manuel “Cowboy” Donley was a Tejano music legend called “The Godfather of Tejano Music.” 

Benny Mardones (1946–2020), “Into the Night” singer

Benny Mardones was a singer known for the hit song “Into the Night” which hit the top 20 on the Billboard charts twice.

Linda Cristal (1931–2020), starred as Victoria Cannon in “The High Chaparral”

Linda Cristal was an actress who starred as Victoria Cannon in the popular Western series “The High Chaparral” from 1967 to 1970.

Jorge Santana (1951–2020), guitarist for Malo and Carlos Santana’s brother

Jorge Santana was the guitarist for Malo, who had a 1972 hit with “Suavecito.” He was also the younger brother of Carlos Santana.

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (1920–2020), former secretary-general of the United Nations

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar served as secretary-general of the United Nations for two terms, from 1982 to 1991. During that time, he mediated disputes such as the Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina as well as conflicts in Central America. The end of his term saw the collapse of the Soviet Union, the independence of Namibia in Africa, and a cease-fire in Western Sahara.