The following are notable people who were all born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with Youngstown, Ohio. Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Youngstown has its own metropolitan area, but the Pittsburgh Tri-State and Greater Cleveland influence the region. Youngstown lies west of the Pennsylvania state line, midway between New York City and Chicago.
The city was named for John Young, an early settler from Whitestown, New York, who established the community's first sawmill and gristmill. Youngstown is located in a region of the United States that is often referred to as the Rust Belt. Traditionally known as a center of steel production, Youngstown was forced to redefine itself when the U.S. steel industry fell into decline in the 1970s, leaving communities throughout the region without major industry.Bruno (1999), p. 10. The 2010 census showed that Youngstown had a total population of 66,982, making it Ohio's ninth largest city. A U.S. Census Bureau estimate released in July 2019 placed the population at 65,469.
Arts and entertainment
NameOccupationNotesSam AyersActor Born in YoungstownChristopher BarzakAuthor Novelist, short story writer, attended Youngstown State University; resides in YoungstownStiv BatorsSinger and musician Known for work with the punk rock band The Dead Boys; born and raised in YoungstownBilly BeckMusician Keyboardist, pianist, and songwriter for the Original and New Ohio Players, as well as Zapp and Roger; graduate of Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music; raised on Youngstown's south sideRobert and Ronald BellMusicians Members of funk and soul group Kool & the Gang; originally from Youngstown's east sidePat BilonActor Appeared in Under the Rainbow and E.T.; born in YoungstownMark BoalsMusician Vocalist, known for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring of Fire, and Royal Hunt; born in YoungstownMick BoogieDJ Official DJ of the Cleveland Cavaliers; born in YoungstownSimeon BookerJournalist First African-American reporter for The Washington Post; journalist for Jet magazine; reported on the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Youngstown Negro league baseball team; raised in YoungstownTiny BradshawMusician Jazz and rhythm and blues bandleader, known for 1950s "Train Kept A-Rollin'"; born in YoungstownLawrence BrownleeOperatic tenor Particularly associated with the bel canto repertoire; born in YoungstownJoseph G. Butler, Jr.Philanthropist Founder of Youngstown's Butler Institute of American Art, the first American museum dedicated exclusively to American art; lived in YoungstownJordan ChristopherActor and singer Lead singer of The Wild Ones; born in YoungstownJay ClaytonMusician Avant-garde vocalist and jazz educator; born in YoungstownFrançois ClemmonsSinger, actor, writer and teacher Best known as "Officer Clemmons" on the television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, born in Birmingham, Alabama, and raised in YoungstownClay ColeRadio personality DJ and host of The Clay Cole Show, 1959–1968; born in YoungstownJim CummingsVoice actor Known for providing the voice of Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger; originally from Youngstown's north sideMark DaileyTelevision host TV and radio news journalist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; voice actor for animated films including Medabots and The Ripping Friends; born in Youngstown; served briefly as Ohio state trooperTiffanie DeBartoloAuthor, director Writer and director of Dream for an Insomniac; born in YoungstownJohn DeMainConductor Former director of the Texas Opera Theater, Houston Grand Opera, and Opera Omaha; earned a Grammy for his recording of Porgy and Bess; born in YoungstownBob DiPieroSongwriter Has written 15 #1 country music hits for recording stars including the Oak Ridge Boys and former wife Pam Tillis; graduated from Youngstown State University; born and raised in Youngstown areaDonald ErbComposer Known for orchestral works such as "Concerto for Brass" and "Orchestra and Klangfarbenfunk"; born in YoungstownJoe FlynnActor Co-star of 1960s television series McHale's Navy; originally from Youngstown's north sideStan FosterProducer, actor, writer and director Best known for his role in the TV series Tour of Duty, where he played Marvin Johnson for 3 seasons; born in YoungstownBrian GageAuthor Writes satire and fiction; born in YoungstownEdmond HamiltonAuthor Pioneer science fiction writer; husband of screenplay writer Leigh Brackett; born in YoungstownGrant E. HamiltonArtist Artist, political cartoonist; born in YoungstownDian HartSinger Singer, recording artist and actor who recorded in 1960s and early 1970s; born in YoungstownElizabeth HartmanActress Actress of the stage and screen; born in YoungstownTony HinchcliffeComedian, writer, and podcasterComedianGrace KeagyActress Actress, best known for her work on the stage in character roles; born in YoungstownKhaledzouMusic producer Lead singer of indie rock band The Zou and member of the noise pop duo Munnycat; raised in YoungstownLady Miss KierMusician Born Kierin Magenta Kirby, singer and DJ; known for work with early 1990s band Deee-Lite; later became an influential house and dance music writer and producer; born in YoungstownEmanuel KiriakouSongwriter, musician, executive He co-wrote and produced BillboardHot 100 charting singles; graduated from Youngstown State UniversitySorche Nic LeodhasAuthor Writer of prizewinning children's books based on Scottish legend; recipient of Newbery Honor and Caldecott Medal; born in YoungstownNanette LeporeFashion designer Born in Youngstown and attended Youngstown State UniversityDave MalkoffJournalist Network television news correspondent for CBS News; originally from Liberty Township and Youngstown's north sideOmarosa Manigault-StallworthTelevision personality Raised on the city's north sideVal MayerikArtist Comic book artist; co-creator of Howard the Duck; born in YoungstownMaureen McGovernSinger and actress Known for "The Morning After" from the film The Poseidon Adventure and her ongoing recording, performance and stage career; born and raised in YoungstownMichael McGovernAuthor A product of Youngstown's 19th-century steel mills who became nationally known as "the Puddler Poet"Rev. Darren Cushman Wood, "Radicals, Revivalists, and Reformers: The Heritage of Labor and Religion in the United States", Division of Labor Studies, Indiana University, September 4, 2002.Michael J. Moritz Jr.Producer and musical director Producer of 2013 Broadway musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and 2013 Broadway musical A Night with Janis Joplin; also musical director for many musicals and cabaret showsBooker Newberry IIIMusician Member of mid-1970s soul groups Sweet Thunder ("Baby I Need Your Love Today") and Impact; born in YoungstownEd O'NeillActor Known for TV series Modern Family and playing Al Bundy on Married... with Children; originally from Youngstown's north sideSonny ParkerMusician Blues and jazz singer, dancer and drummer who performed with Lionel Hampton; born in YoungstownMichael PatakiActor Veteran of television shows including The Green Hornet, The Flying Nun, McCloud, and Star Trek; born in YoungstownAnthony PeckActorAppeared in Die Hard, The Hunt for Red October, Last Action Hero, and Die Hard with a Vengeance; born in YoungstownMichelle PesceDJInternational performances; born in YoungstownJane RandolphActress Known for leading roles in low-budget film noir classics such as Cat People; born in YoungstownOlga RudgeMusician Concert violinist; known in early years for recovering lost works of Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi; later gained notoriety as the long-term lover of expatriate poet Ezra Pound; born in Youngstown Bill SalugaComedian Known for character of Ray J. Johnson, who appeared on popular Miller Lite commercials in the 1980s; from YoungstownRae SamuelsVaudeville entertainer Known as "the Blue Streak of Vaudeville", born in YoungstownVictor SlezakActor Appeared in The Bridges of Madison County and The Devil's Own; portrayed John F. Kennedy in science fiction cult classic Timequest; appeared in several episodes of Law & Order; audiobook narrator; born in YoungstownDavid C. SmithAuthor Author of fantasy, horror, and suspense fiction; medical editor; essayist; born in YoungstownRoss H. SpencerAuthor Mystery writer best remembered for satirical spoofs of private eye genre; lived in YoungstownMichael TrikilisFilm producer Playboy TV pioneer; film producer; born and raised in YoungstownRick UngarWriter, executive producer Known for producing animated TV series Biker Mice From Mars; born in YoungstownPaula WagnerFilm producer Formed Cruise/Wagner Productions with film star Tom Cruise, which produced The Last Samurai, War of the Worlds, and the Mission: Impossible sequels; born in YoungstownJennifer WalcottActress Limited film appearances; Playboy centerfold model, raised in YoungstownBob WalkerPhotographer Nature photographer and environmental activist; grew up in YoungstownAlbert WarnerMovie pioneerCo-founder of Warner Bros. Studios; lived on Youngstown's north sideHarry WarnerMovie pioneer Co-founder of Warner Bros. Studios; lived on Youngstown's north side Jack L. WarnerMovie pioneer Co-founder and eventual head of Warner Bros. studios; raised on Youngstown's north sideSam WarnerMovie pioneer Co-founder of Warner Bros.; procured technology for first feature-length talking picture; spent youth and early adulthood on Youngtown's north side Mel WatkinsAuthor Known for memoir Dancing with Strangers; raised on Youngstown's south sideJames WeidmanJazz pianist Born in Youngstown
Musical groups NameStyleNotesThe EdselsDoo-wopTheir song "Rama Lama Ding Dong" peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; from the Youngstown areaGil Mantera's Party DreamSynth pop Known for their spectacular live shows and as part of the Van's Warped Tour; Ultimate Donny and Gil Mantera were born and raised in YoungstownGlass HarpRock From the Youngstown area The Human BeinzRock and roll Members of the 1960s singing group known for their hit single "Nobody but Me"; from YoungstownCherry MonroeAlternative / glam Debut single "Satellites" reached #85 on Billboard Hot 100 in 2005; from YoungstownMUNNYCATNoise pop Music has been featured over 100 times by brands such as EA Sports's FIFA 19, New Balance, Wendy's, eBay, Xbox, JCPenney, and Target; both members were raised in YoungstownYoungstownRock/pop From Youngstown and nearby Campbell, Ohio
Business