When asking Americans throughout my years studying and traveling who they recognize as famous Greek figures, they almost always respond with characters from Mythology, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or an actor from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. What many do not realize is that there are many popular names in the world of Entertainment, Finance, and Athletics that most have heard of, but are not aware of their Greek heritage. The list below consists of a few major names many have heard of, but not aware of their Greek roots.
Tina Fey – Most known for her roles on Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, Mean Girls, amongst other tv shows and movies, she has also had success as an author and on the broadway stage. Born in Pennsylvania to an American Father and Greek Mother, whose name is Zenobia Xenakes, who resided in Greece until moving to the USA later in life, Tina Fey is of half Greek blood. To this day she practices the Greek Orthodox Religion, and is active in Greek charities. Her name is Stamantina, but was shortened to “Tina” during her years as a toddler.
Betty White – Although not a name that comes off as Greek at all, Betty White’s Mother was of Greek heritage and carried the surname Cachikis. Betty White is most known for her roles in sitcom and American television, specifically during the 1970’s- era, where women did not have dominant roles in Television.
John Varvatos – A name that is found in many chic men’s fashion boutiques and closets, John Varvatos is a famous contemporary designer who grew up in Detroit. Originally from the island of Kefalonia, Varvatos first introduced his clothing products to the Greek market beofre bringing them to the United States, where his business saw substancial growth. John Varvatos flourished as a clothing producer and designer, and visitis Greece very summer in order to “keep in touch with his Greek element” according to an interview by theGreekreporter, a Greek newspaper based in the USA.
Aristotle Onasis – The most powerful name on this list, Onasis was in control of the largest privately owned shipping fleet in the world, and was also one of the wealthiest men in the world to date. Born in Greece and growing up in Greece, Onasis moved to Argentina during the first world war, where he put his foot into the shipping world as a tobacco trader. Acquiring ships by the Second World War Era, Onasis’s success took him from there. Onasis was very much onvolved in the Greek Orthodox Church through his devout practice of the Religion and financial contributions to the Greek Church’s, Charities, and businesses. Onasis is known for his sharp businesses skills and his life story; coming from a poor Greek family to being a millionare at 25, to one of the world’s richest men to date.
Tommy Lee – The drummer for famous Motley Crue band, Tommy Lee was born in Athens, Greece, before his family moved to California as a child. His Mother spoke to him in Greek as a child frequently, as she was Greek, while his Father is an American. In fact, Tommy Lee’s Mother was Miss Greece, a beauty pagent title given to the most beautiful woman in Greece during the 1950’s. Although not fluent in the Greek language, Tommy Lee frequently visits Greece for vacation.
From Businessmen and Entertainment figures, to established names in Fashion, there are many Greeks who have left their mark in the American society, and the World. There are of course other important figures who are out there, and others who will continue to contribute to the world. Again, this is just a short list of those who would catch the average person’s surprise of their Greek heritage, specifically Betty White, and Tommy Lee. With numerous awards and recognition in the world of business, entertainment, fashion, Greeks continue to raise the bar of excellence in their fields of occupation. Enjoy this list as there are other interesting reads similar to this one that are going to be released in the future.
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