Shaping culture and breaking barriers
John Francis Bongiovi Jr. may be the pride and joy of New Jersey, but his family back in Sciacca, Sicily (from his father's side) are also proud of his achievements in music.
Born Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, the actor who played the iconic Italian stallion Rocky actually has Italian roots. Sly's father, Frank Stallone Sr., was born in Gioia del Colle, Italy.
The famous TV host's mother has Italian ancestry. Her family originally moved to the US from Ischia, Naples.
The television host and comedian has Italian ancestry from his father's side. Leno's father, Angelo, was born in the US to immigrants from Flumeri.
The award-winning actor's father, painter Robert De Niro Sr., was of Italian descent. The actor's Italian family roots come from Ferrazzano.
The actor's father, Salvatore "Sam" Travolta, had Sicilian roots, more specifically from Godrano, Palermo.
Rocco Francis Marchegiano is one of the most important figures in boxing history. The boxer was born to Italian immigrants Pierino Marchegiano and Pasqualina Picciuto. Marciano's father was originally from Ripa Teatina, Abruzzo, and his mother was from San Bartolomeo in Galdo Campania.
The famous actor has Italian roots from both sides of his family. His ancestry can be traced back to San Fele and Calabria.
Lady Gaga's real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. Sounds pretty Italian, right? That's because both her parents have Italian ancestry.
Of course, the actor who played Michael Corleone in 'The Godfather' movies has Italian roots. Pacino's parents, Rose Gerardi and Salvatore Pacino, both had Italian blood. The family of the actor's mother was from Corleone, Sicily (cool coincidence, right?), and his father's family hailed from San Fratello, Sicily.
Leo DiCaprio's father, George DiCaprio, has Italian roots, hence the name. The actor's grandfather, Salvatore Di Caprio, was the son of Italian immigrants.
The famous director is known to have grown up in New York's Little Italy. Both Scorsese's parent were of Italian descent. The director's paternal grandparents emigrated from Polizzi Generosa, and his maternal grandparents moved to America from Ciminna; both in the Province of Palermo, Sicily.
The man who directed 'The Godfather' trilogy also has Italian blood. Coppola's family hails from Bernalda, Basilicata, from his father's side, and his maternal grandfather emigrated from Naples.
Born Nicolas Kim Coppola, the Hollywood star is the nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola, so he also has Italian ancestry.
Born Ashley Tyler Ciminella, the actress has Italian ancestry from her paternal grandfather, who was from Sicily.
The Aerosmith front man was born Steven Victor Tallarico. Tyler's paternal grandfather, Giovanni Tallarico, was originally from Cotronei, Calabria.
The 'Friends' actor has Italian ancestry from his mother's side. Matt LeBlanc's family can be traced back to the Province of Frosinone.
Alicia Augello Cook has a diverse ancestry, including Italian. Her mother's paternal grandparents hailed from Sciacca in Sicily and Lamezia Terme in Calabria.
The actor has Italian roots from his mother's side. Penn's mother, Eileen Ryan (née Eileen Annucci), was born to an Italian-American father, Amerigo Giuseppe Annucci.
The actress also has Italian roots, from her mother's side. Kate Walsh's family can be traced back to Province of Potenza in the Basilicata region.
The award-winning actress has Italian ancestry from her mother's side. Lenora Marie Criscione's family roots come from the regions of Tuscany and Sicily.
"The Boss" is yet another famous Italian-American on this list. He may have been born in the USA, but his maternal grandfather was born in Vico Equense.
The actor and director has Italian blood from his maternal side of the family. His mother's ancestry can be traced back to Abruzzo and Naples.
Music and acting extraordinaire Frank Sinatra needs no introduction. Both his parents were Italian immigrants. Sinatra's mother was born in Lumarzo, and his father hailed from Lercara Friddi in Sicily.
A sports star and a celebrity, DiMaggio went down in baseball history as one of the greatest of all time (and he was also known for being married to Marilyn Monroe). Joe DiMaggio's parents were both from Sicily.
The physicist fled to America after winning the Nobel Prize in Physics. Fermi then became involved in the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic bomb. Enrico Fermi created the world's first nuclear reactor.
Sources: (Italy Magazine) (Biography) (IMDb)
See also: The remarkable impact of Irish-American culture on the USA
The 'Goodfellas' (1990) actor has Italian ancestry from both his parents. His family hails from Turin and Aquilonia.
The famous singer and actor also had Italian roots. Martin's father was from Montesilvano, Pescara. His mother was from Ohio, but her father hailed from Monasterolo del Castello, Bergamo.
America was built by people from all across the globe, and the East Coast in particular has always had a strong Italian heritage. For years, Italian immigrants arrived in the United States looking for a better life. From 1880 to 1924 alone, it is estimated that over four million Italians immigrated to the US. Today, a few generations later, Italian-Americans celebrate their heritage and culture.
Click through the following gallery and get to know some of the most famous Italian-Americans, past and present.
Madonna Louise Ciccone has Italian roots. Her grandparents from her father's side were originally from Pacentro.
Do you recognize these Italian-Americans?
These stars celebrate their Italian heritage
CELEBRITY Immigrants
America was built by people from all across the globe, and the East Coast in particular has always had a strong Italian heritage. For years, Italian immigrants arrived in the United States looking for a better life. From 1880 to 1924 alone, it is estimated that over four million Italians immigrated to the US. Today, a few generations later, Italian-Americans celebrate their heritage and culture.
Click through the following gallery and get to know some of the most famous Italian-Americans, past and present.