Ellis Island National Monument
Destined For Fame
These immigrants passed through Ellis Island and went on to illustrious careers.
Name (Date of Birth—Death) Native Country Arrived Field
Charles Atlas (1894—1972) Italy 1903 Bodybuilding
Irving Berlin (1888—1989) Russia 1893 Music
Frank Capra (1897—1991) Italy 1903 Film
Claudette Colbert (1903—1996) France 1906 Film/Theater
Xavier Cugat (1900—1990) Spain/Cuba 1915 Music
Max Factor (1872—1936) Russia 1906 Cosmetics
Father Edward Flanagan (1886—1948) Ireland 1904 Religion
Felix Frankfurter (1882—1965) Austria 1894 Law
Irene Bordoni (1895—1953) Corsica 1907 Theatre
Kahlil Gibran (1883—1931) Lebanon 1895 Literature
Arshile Gorky (1904—1948) Armenia 1920 Art
Bob Hope (1903—2003) England 1908 Show Business
Al Jolson (1886—1950) Lithuania 1894 Show Business
Elia Kazan (1909—2003) Turkey 1913 Film/Theater
Ruby Keeler (1909—1993) Canada 1912 Dance
John Kluge (1914— ) Germany 1925 Business
Bela Lugosi (1882—1956) Hungary 1921 Film/Theater
Pola Negri (1894—1987) Poland 1941 Film
Warner Oland (1880—1938) Sweden 1894 Film
Adm. Hyman G. Rickover (1898—1986) Russia 1904 Naval Science
Edward G. Robinson (1893—1973) Romania 1903 Film
Knute Rockne (1888—1931) Norway 1893 Sports
Erich von Stroheim (1885—1957) Austria 1909 Film
Arthur Tracy (1899—1997) Russia 1906 Music/Film
Rudolph Valentino (1895—1926) Italy 1913 Film
Baron von Trapp & Family Austria 1938 Music
Compiled by Barry Moreno, NPS Library, Ellis Island
Ellis Island In Depth
- Ellis Island
- At A Glance
- At Your Fingertips
- Chronology
- Destined For Fame
- Ellis Island Immigration Center
- Ferry Building Restoration
- History of Ellis Island
- Immigration Journey
- They Came From Many Lands
- Transportation
- Visitor Services
- Welcome to Ellis Island
- Your Ancestors
- Ellis Island Map
- Ellis Island Photos
- Recent Ellis Island News
News from the Parks
October 3, 2008 - 8:43pm
It’s the time of year when ghouls, goblins, ghosts and good witches show up in public. And as people of all ages embrace their inner child and alter egos, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd. Instead of fighting the masses at your local costume store, save a little dough and create a custom costume that reuses fabrics and items from around your house. Our teammate Leyla inspired us with her homemade strawberry costume. Made from pillowcases, buttons and colored stockings, it’s a shining example of how to be unique and green—whether your kids are trick or treating or you’re heading to a Halloween ball. Take a closer look at Leyla’s technique, and get inspired to think outside of the storefront and see the costume potential all around you. Leyla’s costume consists of two, red heavyweight pillow shams that she folded—like the first step of a paper airplane nose—into tapered berry-like edges. She used safety pins to secure these edges (so you don’t have to be a wiz on the sewing machine for this). She secured the tops of the pillows together in the same way, leaving an opening in the middle for her head. For a final touch on the berry look, she sewed white seed beads to the cases. You can use green felt and pipe cleaners with a hot glue gun to make a strawberry leaf crown. Leyla suggests wearing a green beret as an alternative, if you can find one. With all of the main components in place, the wearer can use their judgment about green or red apparel and stockings. You can find other great costume ideas here: http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm. Learn how you can transform into a bunch of grapes using purple or green leotards and balloons; a bag of jellybeans costume using colored balloons and a clear garbage bag; and a bat costume using black umbrella and tights. Have a Green Halloween!
October 3, 2008 - 3:57pm
Steve Fossett's plane and a tiny amount of human remains have been found in California near Yosemite National Park, officials confirmed today. The millionaire U.S. adventurer has been missing since early September 2007.
October 3, 2008 - 3:52pm
Hear the sound of the elk echoing through the Rockies. View the golden aspens glistening in the sunlight. Take a deep breath in of the cool mountain air and watch the majestic bull elk chase his harem through Rocky Mountain National Park. Elk Fest celebrates fall in the Rockies and all things Wapiti — the American elk that calls Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park “home.”
October 3, 2008 - 3:51pm
The man who was killed this week trying to ski on Taylor Glacier in Rocky Mountain National Park was identified today as Matthew Chesaux of Boulder. Chesaux, 40, died of blunt force injuries, according to the Larimer County coroner. The death also was ruled an accident.
October 3, 2008 - 3:37pm
A prescribed fire is planned in Zion National Park during the week of Oct. 6. The Three Finger Mesa prescribed fire is 2,100 acres, and the exact date of ignition will depend on weather conditions and the availability to firefighter resources.
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