Lists of Albanians

Religious

Priests

• Dhimitër Frangu, friar and scholar of a noble family, was treasurer and councilor of Giorgio Castriota. In 1480 he wrote the first biography, in Latin, on the life of Scandebeg, from which all later writers drew.
• Father Marin Barleti, Catholic ecclesiastic and writer, author of the life of Scanderbeg.
• Mons. Giovanni Castriota Granai, bishop and leader.
• Gjon Buzuku, bishop Catholic, author of the oldest known document in Albanian: a translation of the Roman Missal, "Meshari".
• Pjetër Budi, Catholic priest and writer. He published three books in Albanian and I leave several poems in his native language.
• Papa Luca Matranga, priest and scholar, author of the first literary expression arbëresh of the Albanians in diaspora.
• Frang Bardhi, Catholic bishop, lexicographer, folklorist and ethnographer, author of the first dictionary of the Albanian language known so far.
• Pjetër Bogdani, Catholic bishop and writer, author of the first Albanian work in prose.
• Papa Nikollë Filja, was a priest and writer.
• Mons. Giuseppe Crispi, was one of the major figures of the Arbëresh community of Sicily of that era, he wrote a number of works on the Albanian language.
• Papa Francesco Antonio Santori, was a writer, poet and playwright.
• Nikoll Kaçorri, Catholic religious, politician and patriot, deputy prime minister with Ismail Qemali, in the first Albanian government.
• Gjergj Fishta, Franciscan friar, poet, politician and translator.
• Mons. Theofan Stilian Noli, he was a bishop and intellectual, writer, scholar, diplomat, politician, historian, orator, founder of the Orthodox Church of Albania.
• Papa Marco La Piana, was a priest and scholar, gave his contribute through his studies on Albanian language.
• Anton Harapi, Franciscan friar, teacher, writer and politician.
• Zef Valentini, Italian Jesuit, albanologist, byzantinist and historian, naturalized Albanian.
• Cyril of Bulgaria, the first Patriarch of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, born of an Albanian family.
• Father Gjon Shllaku, Franciscan friar, teacher and publicist.
• Father Zef Pllumi, Franciscan priest and writer, author of the memoirs of Christian religious persecution in Albania.
• Mons. Ercole Lupinacci, was a Bishop of Italo-Albanian Catholic Eparchies of Piana degli Albanesi and Lungro.
• Mons. Sotir Ferrara, was the Bishop of the Eparchy of Piana degli Albanesi, a diocese of the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church in Sicily, Italy.
• Papa Eleuterio Francesco Fortino, was a priest of the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church, Archimandrite in the Eparchy of Lungro in Calabria, served as the Under Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and albanolog.
• Arch. Rrok Kola Mirdita, Catholic archbishop.
• Mons. Angelo Massafra, metropolitan archbishop of Scutari-Pult and president of the Albanian Episcopal Conference.
• Mons. Donato Oliverio, is the Bishop of the Eparchy of Lungro.
• Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani

  Martyrs

• Papa Kristo Negovani, was a religious leader and writer for the Albanian cause.
• Father Daniel Dajani, Jesuit religious and martyr, blessed of the Catholic Church. He was killed by the regime during the communist dictatorship in Albania.
• Father Anton Luli, Jesuit, martyr of Christ and blessed, killed during the communist dictatorship in Albania.

  Pope

• Pope Clement XI, Pope of the Catholic Church.

  Saints and blessed

• Blessed Father Giorgio Guzzetta, Servant of God and Apostle of the Albanians of Sicily, did his utmost to defend the eastern rite of the Albanians of Italy.
• Frano Gjini, blessed, Catholic bishop and martyr.
• Saint Gjon Pantalia, martyr Jesuit, blessed of the Catholic Church, killed during the communist dictatorship in Albania.
• Saint Papa Josif Papamihali, priest of Byzantine rite, formed in the Albanian communities of Italy, martyr of the Albanian Greek-Catholic Church, arrested, sentenced to forced labor and killed during the communist dictatorship in Albania.
• Holy Mother Teresa, was a Roman Catholic religious and missionary.

  Literature

Writers

A–G

H–L

M–S

T–Z

Poets

Screenwriters

Journalists

Folklorists

Translators

Academic sciences

Scientists

Philosophers

• Gëzim Alpion academic, political analyst, writer, playwright, and civil society activist
• Marin Beçikemi 15th- and 16th-century humanist, orator, and chronist
• Sami Frashëri
• Gani Bobi philosopher and sociologist from Kosovo
• Ibrahim Gashi Kosovar Albanian academic and philosopher
• Ukshin Hoti Kosovo Albanian philosopher and activist
• Zef Jubani
• Muhamedin Kullashi
• Fatos Lubonja
• Shkëlzen Maliqi Kosovo Albanian philosopher, art critic, political analyst and intellectual; was involved in politics in the 1990s
• Arshi Pipa Albanian American philosopher, writer, poet and literary critic
• Petro Zheji linguist, translator, philosopher, and author from Gjirokastër; lived and worked in Tiranë, Albania

  Historians

Economists

• Kostandin Boshnjaku banker, politician, one of the earliest Albanian communists
• Shkëlqim Cani Governor of the Bank of Albania, 1997–2004
• Sokrat Dodbiba economist and politician who served as Minister of Finance of Albania, 1943–44
• Ardian Fullani
• Ilir Hoti economist and banker
• Arben Malaj
• Qirjako Mihali
• Filip Noga politician; Minister of Finance of the country for four months in 1914; also known as Philippe Nogga
• Gramoz Pashko economist and politician
• Ferit Vokopola
• Vrioni family one of the great aristocratic and one of the biggest landowner families of Albania

  Publishers

Scholars and linguists

Rulers

• Skanderbeg 15th-century Albanian lord; "Hero of Christianism"; initiated and organized the League of Lezhë, which proclaimed him Chief of the League of the Albanian people

  Politicians and diplomats

• Agim Nesho
• Ismail Qemali
• Esad Toptani
• Ahmet Zogu
• Enver Hoxha
• Ravesa Lleshi UN Ambassador
• Mehmet Shehu
• Ramiz Alia
• Fatos Nano
• Sali Berisha
• Ilir Meta
• Edi Rama
• Hashim Thaçi

  Visual Arts

Multimedia artists

• Ilia Xhokaxhi scenographer
• Saimir Strati multi-media artist, achieved six Guinness World Records
• Anri Sala – contemporary artist

  Architects

• Andrea Alessi – architect, painter and sculptor
• Sedefkar Mehmed Agha – chief architect of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
• Architect Kasemi master of Ottoman classical architecture
• Carl Ritter von Ghega – engineer and designer of railways
• Qemal Butka architect, painter, politician and postage stamps engraver
• Enver Faja architect and diplomat
• Valentina Pistoli architect

  Painters

Cartoonists and illustrators

• Ali Dino cartoonist
• Shyqri Nimani graphic designer
• Agim Sulaj illustrator and cartoonist

  Sculptors

• Dhimitër Çani
• Agim Çavdarbasha
• Sadik Kaceli
• Kristina Koljaka
• Genc Mulliqi
• Vasiliev Nini
• Janaq Paço
• Odhise Paskali
• Ardian Pepa
• Agim Rada
• Kristaq Rama
• Murad Toptani
• Sislej Xhafa
• Helidon Xhixha

  Photographers

• Fadil Berisha official photographer for Miss Universe, Miss USA and Rolex
• Emin Kadi fashion photographer, journalist, art director and magazine publisher
• Gegë Marubi photographer
• Kel Marubi photographer
• Gjon Mili photographer known for his work published in Life Magazine
• Burim Myftiu photographer
• Kristo Sulidhi photographer and writer
• George Tames photographer for The New York Times
• Mimoza Veliu photographer

  Performing arts

Actors and actresses

Comedians and satirists

• Spiro Çomora
• Julian Deda
• Besim Dina
• Zyrafete Gashi
• Bes Kallaku
• Ermal Mamaqi
• Gentian Zenelaj

  Film and television directors

Dancers and choreographers

• Esdalin Gorani ballet dancer
• Tringa Hysa ballet dancer
• Ilir Kerni ballet dancer
• Spartak Hoxha ballet dancer
• Kledi Kadiu dancer on the popular talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi; starred in Passa a Due in 2005
• Altin Kaftira ballet dancer
• Eno Peçi ballet dancer
• Klaudia Pepa participant in Italian program Amici di Maria De Filippi; one of the four finalists
• Enkel Zhuti ballet dancer
• Tony Dovolani Albanian-American professional ballroom dancer, instructor and judge; known for his involvement in the American version of Dancing with the Stars; appeared in Shall We Dance?; spent time coaching actress Jennifer Lopez
• Angelin Preljocaj choreographer of contemporary dance
• Ferbent Shehu dancer and choreographer

  Models and beauty pageant participants

Television personalities

• Blendi Fevziu – television host
• Ardit Gjebrea – producer, television host, singer and songwriter
• Baton Haxhiu – journalist, television host
• Hana Cakuli singer; from Montenegro
• Claudia Conserva Chilean actress, model and television presenter; of Italian-Albanian descent
• Benet Kaci Kosovan television personality; from Kosovo
• Florina Kaja American reality-television participant, singer and actress
• Drita D'Avanzo – reality tv star on the VH1 series Mob Wives

  Music

Composers

Pianists

• Ilir Bajri
• Mariela Cingo
• Lola Gjoka
• Paul Leka

  Violinists

• Tedi Papavrami
• Shkëlzen Doli

  Guitarists

• Dren Abazi
• Petrit Çeku
• Faton Macula
• Bledar Sejko

  Singers

Tenors and sopranos

Sports

Football players

• Ansi Agolli
• Kosovare Asllani
• Fatmire Bajramaj
• Valon Behrami
• Besart Berisha
• Erjon Bogdani
• Loro Boriçi
• Lorik Cana
• Sulejman Demollari
• Blerim Džemaili
• Elseid Hysaj
• Andi Lila
• Admir Mehmedi
• Perlat Musta
• Shkodran Mustafi
• Panajot Pano
• Altin Rraklli
• Armando Sadiku
• Hamdi Salihi
• Artim Shaqiri
• Xherdan Shaqiri
• Ervin Skela
• Thomas Strakosha
• Igli Tare
• Rudi Vata
• Qemal Vogli
• Granit Xhaka

  Martial artists

• Enver Idrizi Karate World Champion
• Majlinda Kelmendi Judo World and Olympic Champion
• Xhavit Bajrami boxer and kickboxer
• Elis Guri wrestler
• Besim Kabashi kickboxer
• Majlinda Kelmendi judoka
• Luan Krasniqi boxer
• Ilir Latifi MMA fighter
• Azem Maksutaj kickboxer
• Sahit Prizreni wrestler
• Kreshnik Qato boxer
• Shaban Sejdiu wrestler
• Nuri Seferi boxer
• Naim Terbunja boxer
• Shaban Tërstena wrestler
• Valdrin Vatnikaj kickboxer
• Gzim Selmani MMA fighter and pro wrestler

  Other sports

• Ermal Kuqo player for the Turkish team Anadolu Efes
• Aldo Zadrima former national champion
• Erjon Tola Olympic skier
• Frank Leskaj – Olympic swimmer
• Donald Suxho – US Olympic team volleyball player
• Adem Yze – Australian rules footballer
• Tie Domi – ice hockey enforcer
• Molly Qerim sports anchor and moderator for ESPN's First Take.

  Ottoman era Albanians

Others

• Joseph Ardizzone organized crime boss
• Joseph J. DioGuardi American certified public accountant and a Republican politician; his family traces its roots to the Arbëreshë people
• Kara DioGuardi American contemporanean composer of Albanian descent
• Donald Lambro American journalist; chief political correspondent of The Washington Times; columnist nationally syndicated by United Feature Syndicate
• Laura Mersini-Houghton theoretical physicist-cosmologist; professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Martin Shkreli pharma executive and convicted felon

  Native communities

• Arbanasi
• Arbëreshë people
• Arvanites
• Cham Albanians
• Albanians in Kosovo
• Albanians in Montenegro
• Albanians in North Macedonia