This is a LIST OF FAMOUS BASQUE PEOPLE. It includes people born or resident in the Basque Country and people born elsewhere with significant Basque ancestry.

Contents

1 Artists

2 Astronauts

3 Athletes

4 Business people

5 Clergy

6 Explorers and conquistadors

7 History related

8 Military

9 Musicians

10 Patrons of the Arts

11 Philosophers

12 Politicians

13 Scientists

14 Writers

15 References

ARTISTS

Isabel Allende, writer.

Jean Anouilh, dramatist

Joe Ansolabehere, animation screenwriter and producer

David Archuleta, singer

Montxo Armendáriz, filmmaker.

Pedro Armendáriz, actor

Bernardo Atxaga, writer

Juanma Bajo Ulloa, filmmaker

Pío Baroja, writer

Earl W. Bascom, American artist and sculptor

Carol and Darlene Bernaola, American models

Frank Bidart, poet

Samuel Esparza, painter, artist

Léon Bonnat, painter from Bayonne.

Eduardo Chillida, sculptor

Chumy Chúmez, cartoonist

Ramona Tompkins, artist

Juana Inés de la Cruz, Mexican poet

Marie Darrieussecq, writer

René Echevarria, television writer and producer.

Liza Echeverría, Mexican actress and model

Hector Elizondo, Puerto Rican actor

Luisito Escauriaga (Escauriaza), storyboard artist

María Félix, Mexican actress

Galen Gering, Movie actor

Agustín Ibarrola, painter

Álex de la Iglesia, filmmaker

Alejandro González Iñárritu, film director.

Alfredo Landa, actor. Born in Pamplona and raised in San Sebastian.

Mariasun Landa, writer

Paul Laxalt, U.S. Governor and Senator

Robert Laxalt, writer

John Leguizamo (Leguizamon), actor and film producer.

Maitena, Argentinian cartoonist of Basque-Polish descent.

Patricia Manterola, Mexican singer,actress ,model

Julio Medem, filmmaker

Aylin Mujica,actress,model,dancer

Jorge Oteiza, sculptor

Julia Otxoa, poet

Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, sculptor, architect.Peace Nobel Prize.

Jorge Perugorría, Cuban actor

Frederic Remington, American western artist and sculptor

Frank J. Urioste, film editor

Benjamin Urrutia, writer

Jenaro de Urrutia Olaran, painter

Matilde Urrutia, wife of Pablo Neruda

Cara Zavaleta, American model

Ignacio Zuloaga, painter

Jorge Oteiza, sculptor

Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza, architect from Navarre.

Roberto Matta Echaurren, Painter

Rafael Moneo, architect from Navarre.

Paco Rabanne, fashion designer.

Cristobal Balenciaga, fashion designer.

ASTRONAUTS

Léopold Eyharts, ESA astronaut, first Basque in space.

ATHLETES

Javier Aguirre, football coach and former footballer

Luis Arconada, footballer

Xabi Alonso, footballer

Amezola, Olympic gold medal.Paris 1900.

Mikel Arteta, footballer

Rodolfo Arruabarrena, el Vasco, footballer

Adolfo "Tito" Antuñano, 1967 world champion slalom waterskier

Earl W. Bascom, rodeo, Hall of Fame

Txiki Beguiristain, footballer

Joseba Beloki, cyclist

Alberto Berasategui, tennis player

Josune Bereziartu, Best female rock climber in the world.

Serge Blanco, rugby player (Basque mother)

Stanley Bordagaray, Major League Baseball Player (1934-45)

Jean Borotra, tennis player. Olympic medal, Paris 1924.

Jorge Burruchaga, footballer. World cup winner.

Juan Curuchet, cyclist, Olympic gold medal Beijing 2008

Didier Deschamps, footballer

Anthony Dupuis, professional tennis player from Bayonne.

Pierre Etchebaster, real tennis

Jean Etcheberry, rugby player , Olympic medal 1924.

Pierre Etchegaray, Olympic gold medal. Paris 1900.

Marco Etcheverry, Bolivian footballer

Xabier Fernandez Gaztañaga, sailing 49er; Olympic gold in 2004 & Olympic silver in 2008.

José Eulogio Gárate, footballer

Andoni Goikoetxea, the Butcher of Bilbao footballer

Sergio Goycochea, footballer

Imanol Harinordoquy, rugby player

Miguel Indurain, Navarrese cyclist. Olympic gold medal Atlanta 1996.

Alberto Iñurrategi, mountaineer

José Ángel Iribar, footballer

Alberto Juantorena, track athlete.

José Luis Korta, rowing recordman.

Luis María Lasúrtegui Berridi , rowing Olympic medal.1984.

Marino Lejarreta, cyclist. Vuelta España winner.

Bixente Lizarazu, footballer. World Cup winner.

Iker Martínez de Lizarduy , sailing 49er ; Olympic gold in 2004 & Olympic silver in 2008.

Leire Olaberria, cyclist. Olympic medal Beijing 2008.

Abraham Olano, cyclist. Olympic medal Atlanta 1996.

Juanito Oiarzabal, mountaineer. World record holder.

Julio Olarticoechea, footballer. World cup winner.

José María Olazábal, golfer and winner of the The Masters Tournament

Javier Otxoa Palacios, cyclist

Iñaki Perurena, stone-lifting recordman .

Miguel de la Quadra Salcedo, athlete, journalist and adventurer.

Julián Retegi, Pelota player

Joane Somarriba, cyclist

Jose Luis de Ugarte, brave solo-circumnavigator

Iñaki Urdangarín, His Excellency The Duke of Palma de Mallorca, Olympic Mens's Handball Bronze Medalist

Patricio Urrutia, World Cup footballer

José Ibar Urtain, boxer

Ismael Urzaiz, footballer

Patxi Usobiaga, rock climbing world champion

Paulino Uzcudun, boxer

Pichichi, footballer

Ted Williams, Former Major League Baseball Player

Telmo Zarraonaindía, also known as "Zarra", footballer

Andoni Zubizarreta, footballer

Jeret Peterson, Mallea Family Olympic Skiier & World Cup Champion.

BUSINESS PEOPLE

Jacques Laffitte

Pedro Altube 'Palo Alto', Californian businessman.

Dominique Amestoy, founder of the Farmers and Merchants Bank

Jose María Aristrain, steel industries.

John Arrillaga, real estate businessman in Silicon Valley and philanthropist .

Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala, Owner of Grupo Modelo Brewery, Richest woman in Mexico

Hilario Arbelaitz, world famous cook, main cook of the Restaurant Zuberoa

Karlos Arguiñano, cook and entertainer

José María Arizmendiarrieta, founder of the Mondragón cooperatives.

Juan María Arzak, cook. Michelin stars winner.

John Ascuaga, founder of John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks, Nevada

Emilio Azcarraga Vidaurreta, Televisa founder.

Martin Berasategui, cook. Michelin stars winner.

François Cabarrus, adventurer and Spanish financier from Bayonne, father of Madame Tallien

José Ramón Cengotitabengoa, president Society of Basque Studies in America

John A. Elorriaga, former U.S.Bank's Chairman and CEO, president of the U.S. Bancorp.

Robert F. Erburu, former Chairman, president and CEO of the Times Mirror company.

Roberto Goizueta, Cuban Exile, Former president,Chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company.

Jose María Korta, business association leader. Victim of terrorism.

Jacques Laffitte, banker and politician

Miguel Leonis, 'king of calabasas'. Leonis Adobe.

José Ignacio López de Arriortúa, automotive industry

Sir Ramón de la Sota, shipping businessman. 'Euskalduna' founder.

Pedro Subijana, cook. Michelin stars winner.

Zobel de Ayala family, real estate, banking, and telecommunications

Narcisa Tamborindeguy, businesswoman & socialite

Richard G. Navarro, former president of the AAA (American Automobile Association) Idaho.

Joseph A. Unanue, businessman, Goya Foods.

CLERGY

Saint Miguel Aozaraza

Pedro Arrupe, general of the Society of Jesus.

Martín de Azpilicueta

Earl W. Bascom, Mormon Bishop

Saint Valentín de Berrio-Ochoa

Ignacio Ellacuría, theologian.

Roger Cardinal Etchegaray

Michel Garicoïts, roman catholic saint.

Saint Domingo Ibáñez de Erquicia

Saint Martin Loinaz

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus

Francisco de Vitoria, jurist and theologian

Saint Francis Xavier, patron of Navarre and evangelizer of Asia.

Miguel Zugastegui

Friar Juan de Zumárraga

José Maria de Zalvidea

EXPLORERS AND CONQUISTADORS

Juan Sebastián Elcano

Lope de Aguirre

Pascual de Andagoya

Juan Bautista de Anza I

Juan Bautista de Anza

Domingo de Bonechea

Cosme Damián de Churruca y Elorza

Juan Sebastián de Elcano

Catalina de Erauso

Alonso de Ercilla

Juan de Esquivel

Martin Ruiz de Gamboa

Juan de Garay

Francisco de Garay

Martin de Goiti

Bruno de Heceta

Martin de Hoyarçabal

Diego de Ibarra

Francisco de Ibarra

Domingo Martinez de Irala

Miguel López de Legazpi

Martín Ignacio de Loyola

Felipe de Salcedo

Juan de Salcedo

Juan Ortiz de Zarate

Cristobal de Oñate

Juan de Oñate

Martín García Óñez de Loyola

Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa.

Jedediah Smith

Juan de Tolosa

Andrés de Urdaneta

Martin de Ursua

Pedro de Ursua

Pedro de Zarate

Some of the Basque clergymen can be included in this explorers' chapter.

HISTORY RELATED

Doroteo Arango (Pancho Villa), Mexican revolutionary

Earl W. Bascom, rodeo history

Joanes de Echaniz ,Basque whaler, oldest will & testament in Canadian history (1584).

Antonio Fernandez Saenz, lawyer and human-rights defender

Dominique-Joseph Garat, writer and politician

Martin Guerre, French peasant object of a bizarre case of identity theft

Che Guevara, Argentinian revolutionary

Agustin Lizarraga, Melchor Arteaga, Toribio Recarte: discovery of Machu Picchu

Étienne de Silhouette, French Controller-General of Finances under Louis XV.

Zenón de Somodevilla y Bengoechea, Marquis of Ensenada, Prime Minister of Spain

Juan de Urbieta

John Sevier, First United States Congress member, governor of State of Franklin,1st governor of Tennesee

MILITARY

Carlos de Amésquita (Amezqueta), his expedition disembarked in England.

José de Armendáriz

Martin de Bertendona

Eugene W. Biscailuz, Sheriff - Los Angeles county - Founded 'California Highway Patrol'.

Cosme Damián de Churruca y Elorza

Catalina de Erauso

Antonio de Gaztañeta

Jean Isidore Harispe

Juan de Lezcano

Blas de Lezo, defeated the British Navy in Cartagena Indias. Largest naval engagement before D-day

Henning von Ondarza, German general and NATO commander

Martín García Óñez de Loyola

Charles de Salaberry

Tomás de Zumalacárregui, Carlist general

MUSICIANS

Maurice RavelJuan de Anchieta, composer

Juanes (Juan Esteban Aristizábal), singer and songwriter

Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, composer

Plácido Domingo, singer. Basque mother from Getaria.

Mikel Erentxun and/or Diego Vasallo : (Duncan Dhu,..)

Aita Donostia, composer

Francisco Escudero, composer

Tomas Garbizu, composer

Julián Gayarre, singer from Navarre

Jesús Guridi, composer

Alberto Iglesias, composer. Twice nominated for Oscar.

Paco Ibáñez, Spanish singer. His mother is Basque.

Sebastian de Yradier y Salaverri, composer

Jose Iturbi, composer, conductor, and pianist.

Imanol Larzabal, singer

Mikel Laboa, singer and songwriter

The group La Oreja de Van Gogh

Pablo de Sarasate

Luis Mariano, singer

The group Mocedades

Amaia Montero, singer

Fermin Muguruza, singer and songwriter

Javier Maria de Munibe Idiaquez, composer

Nemesio Otaño, composer

Enrique Ortiz de Landázuri Izardui (Enrique Bunbury)

Roland Orzabal, musician (Tears for Fears)

Maurice Ravel, composer

Domingo Samuido, from Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs

Pablo Sarasate, composer.

Pablo Sorozábal, composer

Álex Ubago, singer

Jaime Urrutia, singer.

Jorge Urrutia, Chilean composer

Jose Maria Usandizaga, composer

Nicanor Zabaleta, musician

PATRONS OF ARTS

Juan Antonio de Urrutia y Arana, Mexican patron of the arts.

Pedro Viteri , philanthropist

Rodrigo Mercado de Zuazola, bishop. Founded the 'University of Sancti Spiritus' known as 'University of Oñate' in 1540.

PHILOSOPHERS

Frédéric Bastiat, classical liberal author and political economist

John Etchemendy, Stanford University's provost.

Fernando Savater

Miguel de Unamuno, also listed as writer.

Xavier Zubiri

POLITICIANS

Michèle Alliot-MarieAbd-ar-Rahman III, Caliph of Cordoba (his mother and paternal grandmother were Basques).

Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo, son Hisham II

Michèle Alliot-Marie, French minister and mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Eduardo Aguirre, US ambassador to Spain.

José Antonio Aguirre (politician), leader of Basque Nationalist Party during 1930s

Jerry Apodaca, former Governor of New Mexico.

Sabino Arana, founder of the Basque Nationalist Party.

José Antonio Ardanza, Former Basque President

Xabier Arzalluz, PNV leader.

Jose Joaquin de Arrillaga, California Governor

Rodrigo Soriano Barroeta Aldamar

Manuel A. Odría, President of Peru

Fernando Belaúnde, twice President of Peru

David H. Bieter, mayor of Boise, Idaho

Simón Bolívar, South American revolutionary whose family came from Bolibar, Biscay

Juan María Bordaberry, President of Uruguay

Bryant B. Brooks, governor of Wyoming

René Cassin, jurist and judge from Bayonne, recipient of the 1968 Nobel Peace Prize

Michel Camdessus, from Bayonne, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 1997 to 2000.

Pete T. Cenarrusa, secretary of State of Idaho

Luis Echeverría, president of Mexico

Peter Echeverria, lawyer and former president of 'American Board Of Trial Advocates'.

Vicente Emparan, involved in the Independence of Venezuela

Pete Ernaut, state assemblyman, Nevada

Juan José Ibarretxe, current Basque President

Manuel Fraga Iribarne, Spanish politician.

Carlos Garaikoetxea, Former Basque President

John Garamendi, Lt. Governor of California

Emilio Garrastazu Medici, president of Brazil

Che Guevara, revolutionary

Hisham II, caliph of Cordoba

Juan José Ibarretxe, Current Basque President

Dolores Ibárruri, Pasionaria, 'La Pasionaria'

Ignace-Michel-Louis-Antoine d'Irumberry de Salaberry, politician

Agustín de Iturbide, Emperor of Mexico

José de Iturriaga, Compañía Guipuzcoana de Caracas.

José de Iturrigaray,viceroy of New Spain.

Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo(Larrasolo), former governor of New Mexico.

Paul Laxalt, Governor of Nevada and US Senator for Nevada

Jesús María de Leizaola, Former Basque President

Martín de Mujica y Buitrón, governor of Chile from 1646 to 1649

Sabino Arana

José F. Ozámiz, Philippine senator from Misamis Occidental

Ron Parraguirre, Nevada Supreme Court Justice

Eva Peron, Argentine first lady

Rafael Urdaneta, last president of the Republic of Great Colombia

Roberto Urdaneta, President of Colombia

Álvaro Uribe Vélez, current President of Colombia.

Carlos Luis de Urrutia, governor of Santo Domingo

Francisco Jose Urrutia, Panamanian diplomat and statesman

Manuel Urrutia, President of Cuba

Ben Ysursa, Secretary of State of Idaho

Juan Zarate, Deputy Assistant to the U.S.President

Idoia Zenarrutzabeitia, Basque Vice-President

Máxima Zorreguieta, Argentinian wife of the heir of the Dutch throne

Don Diego de Gardoqui, diplomat

Also: Iñigo Arista, Kings of Navarre

SCIENTISTS

Jesus Altuna, archaezoologist ,paleontologist

Telesforo Aranzadi, scientist

José Miguel de Barandiaran, anthropologist, paleontologist and Catholic priest

Florence Bascom, geologist

Antoine-Thomson d'Abbadie, explorer, anthropologist, linguist and astronomer

Louis Daguerre, inventor of photography

Armand David, priest/zoologist/botanist, first European to discover the Giant Panda

José de Echegaray, mathematician

Pedro Miguel Echenique, scientist

Fausto Elhúyar and José Elhuyar, first to isolate wolfram/tungsten.

Pierre Hérigone, mathematician and astronomer.

Nicolas Louis de Lacaille

WRITERS

Ignacio Aldecoa

Gabriel Aresti

Bernardo Atxaga

Pedro Agerre Axular

José de Arteche

Resurrección María de Azkue

Pío Baroja

Alexandre Dumas fils (Basque mother)

Salvador Elizondo

Lucía Etxebarria. Born in Valencia to Basque parents.

José de Echegaray Eizaguirre. Literature Nobel Prize 1904.

Bernard Etxepare

Juan Pablo Fusi, historian

Esteban de Garibay,16th C. Historian

Jon Juaristi

Robert Laxalt

Joanes Leizarraga

Xabier Lizardi

José Carlos Mariátegui

Gabriela Mistral. Lucila Godoy Alcayaga. Literature nobel prize.

Koldo Mitxelena, linguist

Juan Antonio Mogel

Arnauld de Oihenart

Nikolas Ormaetxea Orixe

Joseba Sarrionandia

Alfonso Sastre

José Ignacio Tellechea Idígoras. Historian, Theologian

Miguel de Unamuno

Kirmen Uribe

Estepan Urkiaga Lauaxeta

Ignacio Jose Urrutia, Cuban historian

Agustin Xaho

References:

Pierson, Peter (1999). The History of Spain. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 0313302723.

Trask, Robert Lawrence (1997). The History of Basque. London: Routledge. ISBN 0415131162