Discover the notable alumni of Pennsylvania State University. The list includes people like Laurene Powell Jobs, Immortal Technique, David Bohm, Tom Ridge & Paul Berg. This list of notable alumni is loosely sorted by popularity and has people from different domains of life, such as writers, film & theater personalities, scientists, intellectuals & academics and singers etc.

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 1 

Keegan-Michael Key

(Known for Co-Creating & Starring in the Comedy Central Sketch Series 'Key & Peele')

Birthdate: March 22, 1971

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Southfield, Michigan, United States

Keegan-Michael Key is an American actor, producer, comedian, and writer. He is credited with co-creating Comedy Central's sketch comedy series Key & Peele for which he has received a couple of awards including a Primetime Emmy Award. He is also known for his philanthropic efforts; he has participated in the Young Storytellers Foundation's annual fundraiser.

 2 

John Aniston

(Best Known for His Role as ‘Victor Kiriakis’ on the TV Series ‘Days of Our Lives’)

Birthdate: July 24, 1933

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Chania, Greece

Died: November 11, 2022

John Aniston is a Greek-born American actor best known for playing Victor Kiriakis on the popular daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives. Over the years, Aniston has been contributing immensely to the American TV industry, but perhaps his biggest contribution is mentoring his daughter, Jennifer Aniston, and allowing her to follow in his footsteps.

 3 

Lex Luger

(American Retired Professional Wrestler and Five-Time WWE United States Heavyweight Champion)

Birthdate: June 2, 1958

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States

Lawrence Wendell Pfohl, better known as “Lex Luger,” “The Narcissist,” and “The Total Package,” has won multiple titles, including one WWA, two WCW, and five NWA-WCW heavyweight championships. He was previously a footballer and had played for the USFL. He also became the second WCW Triple Crown Champion. 

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 4 

Franco Harris

(American Football Player)

Birthdate: March 7, 1950

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Fort Dix, New Jersey, USA

Height: 6'2" (188 cm)

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 5 

Jonathan Frakes

(Actor)

Birthdate: August 19, 1952

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, USA

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

Birthdate: December 4, 1974

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Queens, New York, United States

One of the best-performing Republican commentators on social media, Dan Bongino has donned many hats, from being an NYPD officer and a secret-service agent, to hosting a top-20 podcast and writing bestselling books. Though he was thrice unsuccessful in his run for Congress, Dan claims he loves “owning the libs.”

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 7 

Saquon Barkley

(American football player)

Birthdate: February 9, 1997

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: New York City, New York (state) New York

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 8 

Donald P. Bellisario

(Television producer and screenwriter who created and sometimes wrote episodes for the TV series)

Birthdate: August 8, 1935

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Cokeburg, Pennsylvania, United States

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Birthdate: February 19, 1978

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Lima, Peru

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

 10 

Joonas Suotamo

(Finnish Actor Best Known for Playing 'Chewbacca' in 'Star Wars' Film Series)

Birthdate: October 3, 1986

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Espoo, Finland

Joonas Suotamo is a Finnish actor and retired basketball player. Although he started his career as a basketball player, Suotamo has gained much popularity for his portrayal of Chewbacca in the famous Star Wars film series. He played the role in movies like The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.

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 11 

Trace McSorley

(American football player)

Birthdate: August 23, 1995

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Ashburn, Virginia, United States

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 12 

Valerie Plame

(Writer)

Birthdate: August 13, 1963

Sun Sign: Leo

Birthplace: Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.

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 13 

Bruce Davison

(Actor and Director Known for His Role as ‘Willard Stiles’ in the Horror Film ‘Willard’)

Birthdate: June 28, 1946

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Bruce Davison is best known for his performance as Willard Stiles in the horror film Willard and as Robert Kelly in the X-Men franchise. He also won a Golden Globe and earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as David in Longtime Companion. He has also performed on Broadway.

 14 

John Doman

(Actor)

Birthdate: January 9, 1945

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

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 15 

Matt Rhule

(American Football coach)

Birthdate: January 31, 1975

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: New York City New York, United States

Birthdate: December 8, 1983

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: New York

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

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 17 

Carl Nassib

(American football player)

Birthdate: April 12, 1993

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States

Height: 6'7" (201 cm)

 18 

Phil Davis

(Mixed Martial Artist)

Birthdate: September 25, 1984

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Mr. Wonderful Phil Davis is a popular American MMA fighter who represents Bellator MMA. He has previously been a four-time NCAA D-I All-American at Penn State and also boasts of a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He had also excelled in tennis and cross-country running in his younger days.

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 19 

Patrick Fabian

(Actor)

Birthdate: December 7, 1964

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 20 

Chris Godwin

(American football player)

Birthdate: February 27, 1996

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

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 21 

Allen Robinson

(American football player)

Birthdate: August 24, 1993

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

 22 

Jack Ham

(American football player)

Birthdate: December 23, 1948

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

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 23 

Sean Lee

(American football player)

Birthdate: July 22, 1986

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Height: 6'2" (188 cm)

 24 

Adam McKay

(Comedian, Director, and Writer for the NBC Sketch Comedy Show ‘Saturday Night Live’)

Birthdate: April 17, 1968

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Denver, Colorado, United States

Adam McKay began as the chief writer of Saturday Night Live. The Academy Award-winning screenwriter later co-founded the Upright Citizens Brigade and directed the Anchorman films. Along with Will Ferrell, he co-wrote several films and series and founded the site Funny or Die. He has also hosted a science podcast.

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 25 

Mark Parker

(Entrepreneur)

Birthdate: October 21, 1955

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Poughkeepsie (city), New York Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S.

Birthdate: March 14, 1951

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States

Height: 5'3" (160 cm)

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 27 

Deborah Birx

(White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator from 2020 to 2021)

Birthdate: April 4, 1956

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States

Doctor and diplomat Deborah Birx was the Trump administration’s coronavirus response co-ordinator. The renowned HIV/AIDS researcher, however, quit the virus team after reports suggested she had attended a Thanksgiving family gathering, breaching COVID-19 protocol. She later joined the air-cleaning company ActivePure, amid reports of it using banned technology.

 28 

Joe Brady

(American football coach)

Birthdate: September 23, 1989

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Miami Lakes, Florida, United States

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 29 

John Urschel

(Canadian-American Mathematician, Former Professional Football Guard and Centre)

Birthdate: June 24, 1991

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Winnipeg, Canada

Part of the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list of young scientists, Canadian-American mathematician John Urschel has previously had an illustrious football career as part of the NFL team Baltimore Ravens. He played with the Ravens without revealing that he was a full-time graduate student at MIT.

 30 

Guion Bluford

(Former NASA Astronaut Who Became the 1st African-American to Go into Space)

Birthdate: November 22, 1942

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Retired US Air Force officer and NASA astronaut Guion Bluford scripted history as the 2nd African-origin person and the 1st African-American to go into space. A trained fighter pilot, he also flew over 100 combat missions in the Vietnam War. The STS-8 Orbiter Challenger crew member later worked in IT and engineering services.

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 31 

Alex Eala

(Filipino Professional Tennis Player)

Birthdate: May 23, 2005

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Quezon City, Philippines

Alex Eala is a Filipino professional tennis player best known for winning the US Open Junior title in 2022. Eala first achieved popularity in 2020, when she won the Australian Open Junior Doubles title. The following year, Alex Eala won the French Open Junior Doubles title. In 2021, she also won three bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Games. 

 32 

Larry Johnson

(American Football player)

Birthdate: November 19, 1979

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Pomfret, Maryland, United States

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

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 33 

Anthony Adams

(American football player)

Birthdate: June 18, 1980

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

 34 

NaVorro Bowman

(American football player)

Birthdate: May 28, 1988

Sun Sign: Gemini

Birthplace: District Heights, Maryland, United States

Height: 6'0" (183 cm)

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 35 

Christian Hackenberg

(American football player)

Birthdate: February 14, 1995

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Lehighton, Pennsylvania, United States

Height: 6'4" (193 cm)

 36 

Harry J. Anslinger

(1st Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics)

Birthdate: May 20, 1892

Sun Sign: Taurus

Birthplace: Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: November 14, 1975

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 37 

Tamba Hali

(Former American Football Linebacker)

Birthdate: November 3, 1983

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Gbarnga, Liberia

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

 38 

Kelly Ayotte

(Former United States Senator)

Birthdate: June 27, 1968

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S.

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 39 

Kerry Collins

(American footballer)

Birthdate: December 30, 1972

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Lebanon, Pennsylvania, USA

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

 40 

Matt Anderson

(American Professional Volleyball Player)

Birthdate: April 18, 1987

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States

Height: 6'10" (208 cm)

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 41 

Michael Robinson

(American football player)

Birthdate: February 6, 1983

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Richmond,Virginia, United States

 42 

Odafe Oweh

(American football player)

Birthdate: December 15, 1998

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Hackensack, New Jersey, United States

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

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 43 

Mark Deklin

(Actor)

Birthdate: December 3, 1967

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Height: 6'1" (185 cm)

 44 

Courtney Brown

(American Football Player)

Birthdate: February 14, 1978

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Birthplace: Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Height: 6'5" (196 cm)

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 45 

Ki-Jana Carter

(American football player)

Birthdate: September 12, 1973

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Westerville, Ohio, United States

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

 46 

Hugh Rodham

(Businessman)

Birthdate: April 2, 1911

Sun Sign: Aries

Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States

Died: April 7, 1993

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 47 

Mike Gesicki

(American Football player)

Birthdate: October 3, 1995

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Manahawkin, Stafford Township, New Jersey, United States

Height: 6'6" (198 cm)

 48 

K. J. Hamler

(American football player)

Birthdate: July 8, 1999

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Pontiac, Michigan, United States

Height: 5'9" (175 cm)

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 49 

Mike Munchak

(Coach, American football player)

Birthdate: March 5, 1960

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States

Height: 6'3" (190 cm)

 50 

William J. Perry

(Mathematician)

Birthdate: October 11, 1927

Sun Sign: Libra

Birthplace: Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, United States U.S.

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The famous Pennsylvania State University, located in the United States is one of the best educational institutions in the world and is popular especially among students who are looking for intensive research oriented courses. The campus of this esteemed institution is called the 'University Park' and is spread over 3.9 square kilometers. According to sources, the land which currently belongs to the institution was donated by a yesteryear politician named James Irvine. When it started back in 1855, this institution was relatively smaller in size and then known as ‘Farmers’ High School Of Pennsylvania’. Since then, this University has progressed by leaps and bounds. Several buildings are located on the ‘University Park’ campus, namely ‘Waring Commons’, ‘Warnock Commons’, ‘Redifer Commons’ and ‘Pollock Commons’. The alumni of this famous institution include several noteworthy names such as photographer Steve McCurry, pilot Guion bluford, comedian Keegan-Michael Key and Basketball player John Amaechi. Steve McCurry is famous for clicking remarkable award winning pictures which have got attention from people all over the world. His picture of the ‘Afghan Girl’, clicked in the 1980s, was published in the ‘National Geographic Magazine’ continues to haunt the world and is a favorite among many photography aspirants. Another notable alumnus of the ‘Pennsylvania State University’ is entrepreneur Bennett Cohen, co-owner of the renowned ice cream manufacturing giant ‘Ben & Jerry’s’. We have compiled a list of notable alumni of the renowned ‘Pennsylvania State University’ who have left a lasting impression on the minds of many with their accomplishments.