List of people from Chula Vista, California
Encyclopedia
The following notable people were born in, residents of, attended an education institution in, or otherwise closely associated with the city of Chula Vista, California
. Notation next to name is not what they are notable for, but how they are connected to the city.
Chula Vista, California
Chula Vista is the second largest city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the seventh largest city in Southern California, the fourteenth largest city in the State of California, and the seventy seventh largest city in the U.S....
. Notation next to name is not what they are notable for, but how they are connected to the city.
Business
- Corky McMillinCorky McMillinMacey L. “Corky” McMillin Jr. was a well-known off-road desert racer, philanthropist and land developer.-Biography:...
- Resided in Chula Vista beginning in 1944 prior to moving to BonitaBonita, CaliforniaBonita is a census-designated place in southern San Diego County, California, nestled between the cities of Chula Vista, National City, and San Diego. The population was 12,538 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Bonita is located at ....
Crime
- Andrew CunananAndrew CunananAndrew Phillip Cunanan was an American serial killer who murdered at least five people, including fashion designer Gianni Versace, during a three-month period in 1997, ending with Cunanan's suicide, at age 27...
- Attended Bonita Vista Middle SchoolBonita Vista Middle SchoolBonita Vista Middle School , in Chula Vista, California is a middle school for grades 7 and 8. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District.-External links:*... - Jose Alberto "Bat" Marquez - Enforcer for the Mexican MafiaMexican MafiaThe Mexican Mafia , also known as La Eme , 13 is a Mexican American criminal organization, and is one of the oldest and most powerful prison gangs in the United States.-Foundation:...
and the Tijuana CartelTijuana CartelThe Tijuana Cartel is a Mexican drug cartel based in Tijuana. The cartel has been described as "one of the biggest and most violent criminal groups in Mexico"...
, raised in Chula Vista and attended Castle Park Middle School - Max Razo - Former Hells Angel, drug smuggler, off road racer, and author of the book "Born Under A Bad Sign"-resided in Chula Vista as a youth, and attended Castle Park Middle School and Chula Vista High School .
Actors & Actresses
- Charisma CarpenterCharisma CarpenterCharisma Lee Carpenter is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Cordelia Chase in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel, for which she was nominated for four Saturn Awards. In her most recent film she starred opposite Sylvester Stallone and Jason...
- Attended Bonita Vista High School; graduated from Chula Vista High SchoolChula Vista High SchoolChula Vista High School in Chula Vista, California, was founded in 1947. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District. The school colors are "spartan" blue and white, and the mascot is Sammy Spartan. CVHS underwent a renovation to several classrooms and received a new ASB building in...
, class of 1988 - Walter Emanuel JonesWalter Emanuel JonesWalter Emanuel Jones is an American actor and dancer known for playing the role of Zack Taylor, the Black Ranger on the hit television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.-Life and career:...
- Attended Chula Vista High School - Mario LopezMario LópezMario Michael Lopez, Jr. is an American actor who has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is best known for his portrayal of the character A.C. Slater on Saved By The Bell, which he also portrayed as a regular on Saved by the Bell: The College Years...
- Graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1991 - Jenna PresleyJenna PresleyJenna Presley is an American hardcore pornographic actress from Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. She started in the porn industry in 2005.- Biography :...
- Graduated from Hilltop High SchoolHilltop High SchoolHilltop Senior High is a four-year public high school located in Chula Vista, California and is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District . The school colors are kelly green, white, and black. The school mascot is the "Lancer"...
, class of 2005 - Adriana SageAdriana SageAdriana Sage is a Mexican-American pornographic actress and model.- Early life :Sage was born in Mexico, but was raised in San Diego, California...
- Resides in Chula Vista - Stephanie SwiftStephanie SwiftStephanie Swift is a former American pornographic actress who starred in over 370 adult movies between 1995 and 2009. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Following her diagnosis and subsequent treatment, she decided to quit the adult movie industry, a move she had been considering for...
- Graduated from Bonita Vista High School - Johnny SheffieldJohnny SheffieldJohnny Sheffield was an American child actor.-Early life:He was born as John Matthew Sheffield Cassan in Pasadena, California, the second child of actor Reginald Sheffield and Louise Van Loon...
- Lived In Chula Vista and Died in Chula Vista - Carmen SeranoCarmen SeranoCarmen Serano is a Hispanic American actress. She starred in the 2007 film Urban Justice alongside Steven Seagal. In 2008 she appeared in five episodes of the series, Breaking Bad.-Personal life:...
- Born in Chula Vista - Sean Murray - Graduated from Bonita Vista Middle SchoolBonita Vista Middle SchoolBonita Vista Middle School , in Chula Vista, California is a middle school for grades 7 and 8. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District.-External links:*...
Comedians
- Mary CastilloMary CastilloMary Castillo writes chick lit romances with Latina heroines. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Castillo once considered medicine as a career thinking it would allow her to one day retire and write novels. She now considers herself fortunate to have had the good sense to follow...
- Graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1992 - Gabriel IglesiasGabriel IglesiasGabriel J. Iglecias , known professionally as Gabriel Iglesias, is an American standup comedian and actor, known for his shows I’m Not Fat… I’m Fluffy and Hot & Fluffy.-Early life:...
- Spent early childhood in Chula Vista
Musicians
- Matt CameronMatt CameronMatthew David "Matt" Cameron is an American musician who serves as the drummer for the American rock bands Pearl Jam and Soundgarden...
- Drummer for SoundgardenSoundgardenSoundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
and Pearl JamPearl JamPearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
, attended Bonita Vista High School - Marcos CurielMarcos CurielMarcos Curiel is the guitarist of rock bands P.O.D., The Accident Experiment and Daylight Division.Curiel was born in San Diego California in 1974 and is of Mexican descent. He grew up in the neighboring city of Chula Vista, where he graduated from Bonita Vista High School in 1992. Curiel started...
- Guitarist for P.O.D.P.O.D.Payable on Death is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. Their Christian faith is an important part of their music.They have released seven studio albums and...
and The Accident Experiment, graduated from Bonita Vista High School, class of 1992 - Ilan RubinIlan RubinIlan Rubin is an American musician, best known for being former drummer of Lostprophets & industrial rock act Nine Inch Nails during their last tour...
- Drummer for Nine Inch NailsNine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
and former drummer for LostprophetsLostprophetsLostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. Founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, they were originally a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance. To date, Lostprophets have released four studio...
, attended, Bonita Vista High School - Julieta VenegasJulieta VenegasJulieta Venegas Percevault , known professionally as Julieta Venegas, is a Mexican singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and producer, who sings pop-rock in Spanish. She speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish fluently. She has a twin sister, Yvonne, who is a photographer...
- Attended Southwestern CollegeSouthwestern College (California)Southwestern College is a public, two-year community college located in the city of Chula Vista, California. Southwestern College's football stadium hosts Bonita Vista High School's football games... - Tom WaitsTom WaitsThomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...
- Graduated from Hilltop High school. - Robert LopezEl VezEl Vez is the stage name of Robert Lopez, a Mexican-American rock and roll artist, who performs and records original material and covers classic rock songs...
- Guitarist for The Zeros, and the man behind the stage persona of El Vez, attended Chula Vista High School - Javier Escovedo - Vocalist and guitarist for The Zeros, attended Chula Vista High School.
- Karlos "Solrak" Paez - Vocalist and guitarist for the B-Side PlayersB-Side PlayersThe B-Side Players are a San Diego based band that incorporate the sounds of Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico and Brazil with the funk, rock, jazz and hip-hop rhythms of their homeland. The band also drops a bit of Cumbia, gritty street Samba, Son Montuno and Jarocho into the mix...
- Rob Moran - Bassist and guitarist for Unbroken, Some Girls, Over My Dead BodyOver My Dead Body (band)Over My Dead Body was a straight edge hardcore punk band from San Diego that featured former members from Built To Last, Forced Life, Palpatine, Four Walls Falling and Unbroken. David Kennedy of Box Car Racer, Hazen Street and Angels & Airwaves fame was also in the band for a short period between...
, and NarrowsNarrows (band)Narrows is an American mathcore band based in Seattle, but with members "spread out across both the United States and two continents." The band has been described as a supergroup, as its lineup includes Dave Verellen of Botch and members of bands including Unbroken, These Arms Are Snakes and Bullet...
, Chula Vista native, and graduate of Chula Vista High School. - Sal Gallegos - Drummer for Some Girls, Chula Vista native, and graduate of Hilltop High School, class of 1994.
Wrestlers
- KonnanKonnanCarlos Santiago Espada Moises , also known as Charles Ashenoff and better known by his ring name, Konnan, is a Cuban professional wrestler and rapper of Puerto Rican descent...
- Resides in Eastlake, Chula Vista - Rey Mysterio, Jr. - Born in Chula Vista
Writers
- J. Michael StraczynskiJ. Michael StraczynskiJoseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
- Attended Southwestern College - Joan D. VingeJoan D. VingeJoan D. Vinge is an American science fiction author. She is known for such works as her Hugo Award-winning novel The Snow Queen and its sequels, her series about the telepath named Cat, and her Heaven's Chronicles books.-Biography:...
- Graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1965 - Costa DillonCosta DillonConstantine Dillon , usually known as Costa, is an American writer and actor of Greek ancestry. He is most famous as the creator of the cult classic film Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! and its sequels:Return of the Killer Tomatoes!,...
- Graduated from Bonita Vista High SchoolBonita Vista High SchoolBonita Vista High School is a public, four year high school located in the city of Chula Vista, California. Bonita Vista High School is one of the few schools that has both the IB and AP programs. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, and currently has about 2,800 students....
Politics
- Brian BilbrayBrian BilbrayBrian Phillip Bilbray is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2006, and previously for the 49th district from 1995 to 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party. Bilbray is Chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus and a member of the influential...
- Attended Southwestern College, 1970–1974 - Cheryl CoxCheryl Cox-Biography:Cox, daughter of retired United States Navy Officer, John Willett. Cox, and her husband of 30 years, San Diego County Supervisor and former Chula Vista Mayor Greg Cox, have two daughters, Elizabeth and Emmie...
- Graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1966; Mayor of Chula Vista - Bob FilnerBob FilnerRobert Earl Filner is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the 50th, serving since 1993, and Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
- Current Representative of California's 51st congressional districtCalifornia's 51st congressional districtCalifornia's 51st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district includes all of Imperial County and the extreme southern portions of San Diego County that run across the U.S.-Mexico border... - Chris HazelChris HazelLowell Christopher Hazel, known as Chris Hazel , is an attorney from Pineville, Louisiana, and a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 27, which encompasses northern Rapides Parish....
- Worked as Border PatrolUnited States Border PatrolThe United States Border Patrol is a federal law enforcement agency within U.S. Customs and Border Protection , a component of the Department of Homeland Security . It is an agency in the Department of Homeland Security that enforces laws and regulations for the admission of foreign-born persons to...
agent at Chula Vista Station. - Shirley HortonShirley HortonShirley Horton is a U.S. politician, having served as a Republican Member of the California State Assembly. Horton represented the 78th Assembly District, which includes southern San Diego, Chula Vista, Lemon Grove and...
- Attended Bonita Vista High School - Nick PopaditchNick PopaditchNick Popaditch is a medically retired United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who gained fame as the "Cigar Marine", recipient of the Silver Star and Purple Heart, and the unsuccessful 2010 Republican candidate for California's 51st congressional district, losing to Democrat Bob...
- Chula Vista resident; Congressional candidate - Mary SalasMary SalasMary Salas is a California politician. She is a former California Assembly member who represented the 79th Assembly District, which includes the communities of National City, Coronado, Imperial Beach and parts of Chula Vista and San Diego. Salas was elected to her office in November 2006 on the...
- Former Chula Vista City Council Member (1996–2004), and former California State Assembly representative for the 79th District (2006-2010)
Baseball
- Benji GilBenji GilRomar Benjamin Gil Aguilar is a former Major League Baseball utility player.Gil made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on April 5, 1993...
- Retired shortstop, graduated from Castle Park High SchoolCastle Park High SchoolCastle Park High School, established in 1963, is a high school in Chula Vista, California. It offers Advanced Placement classes. Along with Bonita Vista High School, it is one of only two schools in the Sweetwater Unified School District that offers International Baccalaureate classes...
, class of 1991 - Adrian GonzalezAdrián GonzálezAdrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he...
- First baseman for the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, graduated from Eastlake High School, class of 2000 - Mike Jacobs - First baseman in MLB (currently a free agent), born and raised in Chula Vista, graduated from Hilltop High School.
- Bob NatalBob NatalRobert Marcel Natal is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He is an alumnus of the University of California, San Diego....
- Retired catcher, graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1983 - Todd PrattTodd PrattTodd Alan Pratt is a former Major League Baseball catcher from 1992-2006. He has primarily served as a back-up catcher for most of his career....
- Retired catcher, attended Hilltop High School - Jose SilvaJosé Silva (baseball)José Leonel Silva is a right-handed pitcher. He currently plays for the Dorados de Chihuahua of the Mexican League...
- Former MLB pitcher, and Current pitcher for Dorados de ChihuahuaDorados de ChihuahuaDorados de Chihuahua were a baseball team from the city of Chihuahua. Recently Tuneros de San Luis moved to Chihuahua and took the Dorados namesake, which also brought the LMB Mexican Baseball League to Chihuahua for the first time since 1982. The Dorados played their home games at Estadio...
, graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1991 - Ty WiggintonTy WiggintonTy Allen Wigginton is an American professional baseball infielder for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball. He is known as a utility player, having platooned as an infielder and an outfielder during his career. He bats and throws right-handed...
- Third baseman for the Colorado Rockies, graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1995 - Joel ZumayaJoel ZumayaJoel Martin Zumaya is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher known for his record-breaking fastballs.-Baseball career:...
- Relief pitcher for the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, born and raised in Chula Vista, graduated from Bonita Vista High School - Carlos QuentinCarlos QuentinCarlos Josè Quentin is an American outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. In 2008 and in 2011, Quentin was selected as an All-Star.-Early career:...
- Outfileder for the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, raised in Chula Vista, attended St. Pius Elementary SchoolSt. Pius X School , Chula VistaSt. Pius X school is an elementary school in Chula Vista, California, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. It is one of two Catholic schools in Chula Vista; the other is St. Rose of Lima school.-History:... - Brian BardenBrian BardenBrian David Barden is an American professional baseball infielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball. He has played as a second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop.-Early life:...
- Former MLB infielder, and Current infielder for Hiroshima Toyo Carp, attended St. Pius Elementary SchoolSt. Pius X School , Chula VistaSt. Pius X school is an elementary school in Chula Vista, California, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. It is one of two Catholic schools in Chula Vista; the other is St. Rose of Lima school.-History:... - John JasoJohn JasoJohn Edward Jaso is an American professional baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:...
- Catcher for the Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay RaysThe Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
, born in Chula Vista - Alex Sanabia - Pitcher for the Florida MarlinsFlorida MarlinsThe Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, graduated from Castle Park High SchoolCastle Park High SchoolCastle Park High School, established in 1963, is a high school in Chula Vista, California. It offers Advanced Placement classes. Along with Bonita Vista High School, it is one of only two schools in the Sweetwater Unified School District that offers International Baccalaureate classes... - Park View Little League - 2009 Little League World Series2009 Little League World Series-Pool play:The top two teams in each pool move on to their respective semifinals. The winners of each will meet on August 30 to play for the Little League World Championship. Teams marked in green qualified to the knockout stage, while teams marked in red were eliminated.Ties are broken based on...
Champions
Football
- Donnie EdwardsDonnie EdwardsDonnie Edwards is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
- Retired linebacker, Chula Vista native, graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1991 - John Fox - Current Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
coach, graduated from Castle Park High School and attended Southwestern College - Jerome HaywoodJerome HaywoodJerome Haywood is a Canadian football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Ottawa Renegades in 2002...
- Defensive tackle in the CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(currently a free agent), attended Castle Park High School - Moses MorenoMoses MorenoMoses Moreno was an American football quarterback. His brother, Zeke Moreno, also played in the National Football League as a middle linebacker....
- Retired quarterback, Chula Vista native, graduated from Castle Park High School - Zeke MorenoZeke MorenoEzekiel Aaron Moreno is a professional American football linebacker.-Early years:Moreno attended Castle Park High School in Chula Vista and was a letterman in football and baseball. In football, as a senior, he led his team to a state championship in 1996...
- Retired linebacker, Chula Vista native, graduated from Castle Park High School - Ogemdi NwagbuoOgemdi NwagbuoOgemdi Sharron Nwagbuo is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Michigan State...
- Defensive tackle in the NFL (currently a free agent), attended Southwestern College - Steve Riley - Retired offensive tackle, born and raised in Chula Vista, attended Castle Park High School
- Tony JeffersonTony JeffersonTony Jefferson is an American football safety. He currently attends the University of Oklahoma in his sophomore year. Jefferson was a 2010 Freshman All-American by College Football News, The Sporting News, and Big 12 Conference co-Defensive Freshman of the Year .Jefferson attended Eastlake High...
- Safety for the University of OklahomaUniversity of OklahomaThe University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, graduated from Eastlake High School, class of 2010 - Scott ShieldsScott Shields (American football)Scott Paul Shields is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft and also played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004. He played college football for the Weber State Wildcats....
- Retired safety, graduated from Bonita Vista High SchoolBonita Vista High SchoolBonita Vista High School is a public, four year high school located in the city of Chula Vista, California. Bonita Vista High School is one of the few schools that has both the IB and AP programs. It is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, and currently has about 2,800 students....
Soccer
- Charles Adair - Retired forward, graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1989
Mixed Martial Arts
- Dean ListerDean ListerDean Richard Lister is an American mixed martial artist and a former King of the Cage champion. He currently fights at the Middleweight division after moving down from the Light Heavyweight class...
- Graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1994. - Shannon GugertyShannon GugertyShannon Kevin Gugerty is an American mixed martial artist. He has competed primarily in the Total Combat promotion, making his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night: Silva vs...
- Chula Vista native, graduated from Hilltop High School.
Other
- John Rojas, Jr.John Rojas, Jr.John Rojas, Jr was a Chula Vista, California resident who collected and disseminated information about the history of Chula Vista and its foliage. In 1981 he founded the Chula Vista Historical Society which later merged with the Chula Vista Heritage Museum...
- Chula Vista historian, Founded the Chula Vista Historical Society (Which later merged with the Chula Vista Heretige Museum) - John William FinnJohn William FinnJohn William Finn was a sailor in the United States Navy who, as a chief petty officer, received the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II...
- Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient, lived in the Veterans Home of Chula Vista for a short period of time before his death.