List of people from Chula Vista, California

The following notable people were born in, residents of, attended an education institution in, or otherwise closely associated with the city of Chula Vista, California. Notation next to name is not what they are notable for, but how they are connected to the city.

Business[]

Corky McMillin - resided in Chula Vista in 1944 prior to moving to Bonita^[1]
Brent R. Wilkes - grew up in Chula Vista; entrepreneur, defense contractor, civic leader and philanthropist

Crime[]

John Ronald Brown - surgeon who was convicted of second-degree murder ; lived in Chula Vista while practicing medicine in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico^[2]
Andrew Cunanan - murderer of Gianni Versace; attended Bonita Vista Middle School^[3]
Robert Alton Harris - murderer who was executed by gas; resided in Chula Vista with his father during his late teen years^[4]
Christopher George "Chris Petti" Poulos - Chula Vista resident and Chicago Outfit associate who ran a mafia crew out of San Diego. The FBI jokingly dubbed him "The Rodney Dangerfield" of the mafia.^[5]

Entertainment[]

Actors and actresses[]

Charisma Carpenter - attended Bonita Vista High School, graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1988
Grey DeLisle - graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1991
Rita Hayworth - lived in Chula Vista in the 1930s^[6]
Walter Emanuel Jones - attended Chula Vista High School^[7]
Mario Lopez - graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1991
Sean Murray - graduated from Bonita Vista Middle School
Jenna Presley - graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 2005
Carmen Serano - born in Chula Vista
Johnny Sheffield - lived and died in Chula Vista
Stephanie Swift - graduated from Bonita Vista High School

Bands[]

Some Girls - San Diego hardcore collective that included Chula Vista natives Sal Gallegos III (drums) and Rob Moran (guitar)
Unbroken - San Diego hardcore band co-formed by Chula Vista native Rob Moran (bass); Unbroken was closely associated with the Chula Vista hardcore punk scene
The Zeros - punk band formed in Chula Vista

Comedians[]

Mary Castillo - graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1992
Gabriel Iglesias - spent early childhood in Chula Vista^[8]

Models[]

Raquel Pomplun - Playboy's 2013 Playmate of the Year, Chula Vista native and Southwestern College alum^[9]

Musicians[]

Matt Cameron - drummer for Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, attended Bonita Vista High School
Marcos Curiel - guitarist for P.O.D. and The Accident Experiment; Chula Vista native, and graduated from Bonita Vista High School, class of 1992
Gonjasufi - Chula Vista native^[10]
Robert Lopez - guitarist for The Zeros, man behind stage persona of El Vez, attended Chula Vista High School
Jessica Sanchez - second place on American Idol, season 11
Julieta Venegas - attended Southwestern College
Tom Waits - graduated from Hilltop High School

Wrestlers[]

Konnan - resides in Eastlake, Chula Vista^[11]
Rey Mysterio Jr. - born in Chula Vista

Writers[]

Costa Dillon - graduated from Bonita Vista High School
J. Michael Straczynski - attended Southwestern College
Joan D. Vinge - graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1965^[12]

Government[]

Criminal justice[]

A. J. Irwin - grew up in Chula Vista; former federal agent

Military[]

John William Finn - Medal of Honor recipient, lived in the Veterans Home of Chula Vista for a short period of time before his death
John J. McGinty - Medal of Honor recipient, resides in Chula Vista^[13]

Politics[]

Brian Bilbray - attended Southwestern College, 1970–1974
Cheryl Cox - graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1966; Mayor of Chula Vista
Bob Filner - former Representative of California's 51st congressional district, 35th Mayor of San Diego
Kyle Foggo - graduated from Hilltop High School, former executive director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Shirley Horton - attended Bonita Vista High School
Nick Popaditch - Chula Vista resident; Congressional candidate
Mary Salas - Chula Vista Mayor (2013–present)

Sports[]

Baseball[]

Brian Barden - infielder, MLB and for Hiroshima Toyo Carp, attended St. Pius Elementary School
Marshall Boze - retired pitcher for Milwaukee Brewers, attended Southwestern College
Benji Gil - shortstop for Anaheim Angels, graduated from Castle Park High School, class of 1991
Adrián González - first baseman for Los Angeles Dodgers, graduated from Eastlake High School, class of 2000
Tommy Hinzo - retired second baseman for Cleveland Indians, graduated from Hilltop High School (class of 1982) and Southwestern College
Mike Jacobs - first baseman for five MLB teams, born and raised in Chula Vista, graduated from Hilltop High School
John Jaso - catcher for Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays, born in Chula Vista
John Tortes "Chief" Meyers - MLB catcher, lived in Chula Vista for a period in the 1930s^[14]
Kevin Mitchell - former Major League Baseball outfielder, San Diego native who lived in Chula Vista
Bob Natal - catcher, graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1983^[15]
Todd Pratt - catcher, attended Hilltop High School^[16]
Carlos Quentin - outfielder for San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox, raised in Chula Vista, attended St. Pius Elementary School
Alex Sanabia - pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, graduated from Castle Park High School
Jose Silva - pitcher, MLB and for Dorados de Chihuahua, graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1991
Ty Wigginton - third baseman for eight MLB teams, graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1995
Joel Zumaya - retired relief pitcher for Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins, born and raised in Chula Vista, graduated from Bonita Vista High School

Basketball[]

Adrian Garcia Marquez - play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers, raised in Chula Vista and attended Southwestern College

Football[]

Donnie Edwards - linebacker, Chula Vista native, graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1991
John Fox - Chicago Bears coach, graduated from Castle Park High School and attended Southwestern College
Jerome Haywood - defensive tackle in the CFL, attended Castle Park High School
Tony Jefferson - safety for the Arizona Cardinals, graduated from Eastlake High School, class of 2010
Moses Moreno - quarterback, Chula Vista native, graduated from Castle Park High School
Zeke Moreno - linebacker, Chula Vista native, graduated from Castle Park High School
Jason Myers - kicker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, born in Chula Vista, attended Mater Dei
Ogemdi Nwagbuo - defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers, attended Southwestern College
Luis Perez - quarterback for Los Angeles Rams, attended Southwestern College
Steve Riley - offensive tackle, born and raised in Chula Vista, attended Castle Park High School
Scott Shields - safety, graduated from Bonita Vista High School

Golf[]

Billy Casper - graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1950

Hockey[]

Craig Coxe - born in Chula Vista

Horse racing[]

Charles E. Whittingham - Hall of Fame trainer, born in Chula Vista

- Jockey

Mixed martial arts[]

Dominick Cruz - resides in Chula Vista^[17]^[18]
Shannon Gugerty - Chula Vista native, graduated from Hilltop High School
Dean Lister - graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1994
Waachiim Spiritwolf - attended Hilltop High School^{[citation needed]}
Brandon Vera - resides in Chula Vista

Soccer[]

Charles Adair - forward, graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1989
Jennifer Lalor - midfielder, born in Chula Vista, graduated from Bonita Vista High School
Cesar Romero - forward for Chivas USA, graduated from Otay Ranch High School^[19]
Paul Arriola - midfielder for D.C. United

Track and field[]

Tim Danielson - attended Chula Vista High School
Desiree Davila - attended Hilltop High School in Chula Vista

Other[]

Hector X. "Shipwreck" Delgado - born in Chula Vista; a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toy line, cartoon series, and comic books
M. Brian Maple - physicist at UCSD, born in Chula Vista
John Rojas, Jr. - historian, founded Chula Vista Historical Society (which later merged with Chula Vista Heritage Museum)
Wolfman Jack - radio personality who broadcast out of XERB in Chula Vista during the 1960s

References[]

^ Williams, Jack (23 September 2005). "'One-of-a-kind' builder turned mom-and-pop business into empire". San Diego Union Tribune. Copley Newspapers. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
^ http://www.laweekly.com/news/why-did-he-cut-off-that-mans-leg-2131451
^ Lawson, Kristan; Anneli Rufus (2000). California Babylon. New York, New York: Macmillan. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-312-26385-0. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
^ http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/doane/RobertAltonHarris.htm
^ http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/metro/20060114-9999-7m14petti.html
^ Davalos, Carlos R. (20 July 2010). "From dancer to silver screen siren". The Star News. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
^ "2012 June" (PDF). enewsletter. Chula Vista Police Officers Association. June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
^ "Gabriel Iglesias". LatinoComedy.com. Net Noggins. Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
^ Matthew T. Hall (9 May 2013). "Chula Vista native named Playboy's Playmate of the Year". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
Bruna Nessif (13 May 2013). "Playboy Playmate Raquel Pomplun: 5 Things to Know". E Online. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
^ http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/jam-session/2012/jan/20/gonjasufi-extended-interview/
^ Soto, Hiram (5 May 2007). "Lords of the ring". San Diego Union Tribune. Copley Newspaper. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
^ "Sweetwater Hall of Fame Welcomes a Dozen More". Sweetwater in the News. Sweetwater Union High School District. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
^ Jerry Soifer (22 October 2010). "INLAND: State VFW officials tour area, visit memorial". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
^ https://articles.latimes.com/1986-08-06/news/vw-1388_1_chula-chula-vista
^ Ello, Chris (15 May 1987). "San Diego Sluggers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
^ "1985 Draft -- June Regular Phase". MLB Advanced Media. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
^ http://www.sportofboxing.com/from-fighters-to-coaches-from-relative-obscurity-to-national-tv-celebrities/
^ http://www.fox5sandiego.com/sports/kswb-go-dominick-cruz-8-9-10,0,3374487.story^{[permanent dead link]}
^ Scott French (3 February 2012). "CHIVAS: Solid midfield, interesting end". ESPN. Retrieved 28 February 2012. So might Romero, a former U.S. under-18 national-teamer from Chula Vista who has played in Mexico's (with Murcielagos FC) and Germany's (with TSG Thannhausen) lower divisions and is tearing up the Premier Arena Soccer League (local entrants: Anaheim Bolts) -- with 33 goals in seven games, including two nine-goal games, for the Tijuana Revolucion.

[1] Williams, Jack (23 September 2005). "'One-of-a-kind' builder turned mom-and-pop business into empire". San Diego Union Tribune. Copley Newspapers. Retrieved 8 August 2009.

[2] ttp://www.laweekly.com/news/why-did-he-cut-off-that-mans-leg-2131451

[3] Lawson, Kristan; Anneli Rufus (2000). California Babylon. New York, New York: Macmillan. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-312-26385-0. Retrieved 4 June 2011.

[4] ttp://uhaweb.hartford.edu/doane/RobertAltonHarris.htm

[5] ttp://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/metro/20060114-9999-7m14petti.html

[6] Davalos, Carlos R. (20 July 2010). "From dancer to silver screen siren". The Star News. Retrieved 26 November 2014.

[7] "2012 June" (PDF). enewsletter. Chula Vista Police Officers Association. June 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2014.

[8] "Gabriel Iglesias". LatinoComedy.com. Net Noggins. Archived from the original on 3 August 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2009.

[9] Matthew T. Hall (9 May 2013). "Chula Vista native named Playboy's Playmate of the Year". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
Bruna Nessif (13 May 2013). "Playboy Playmate Raquel Pomplun: 5 Things to Know". E Online. Retrieved 15 May 2013.

[10] ttp://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/jam-session/2012/jan/20/gonjasufi-extended-interview/

[11] Soto, Hiram (5 May 2007). "Lords of the ring". San Diego Union Tribune. Copley Newspaper. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2009.

[12] "Sweetwater Hall of Fame Welcomes a Dozen More". Sweetwater in the News. Sweetwater Union High School District. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2009.

[13] Jerry Soifer (22 October 2010). "INLAND: State VFW officials tour area, visit memorial". The Press-Enterprise. Retrieved 8 February 2013.

[14] ttps://articles.latimes.com/1986-08-06/news/vw-1388_1_chula-chula-vista

[15] Ello, Chris (15 May 1987). "San Diego Sluggers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 August 2009.

[16] "1985 Draft -- June Regular Phase". MLB Advanced Media. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 9 August 2009.

[17] ttp://www.sportofboxing.com/from-fighters-to-coaches-from-relative-obscurity-to-national-tv-celebrities/

[18] ttp://www.fox5sandiego.com/sports/kswb-go-dominick-cruz-8-9-10,0,3374487.story^{[permanent dead link]}

[19] Scott French (3 February 2012). "CHIVAS: Solid midfield, interesting end". ESPN. Retrieved 28 February 2012. So might Romero, a former U.S. under-18 national-teamer from Chula Vista who has played in Mexico's (with Murcielagos FC) and Germany's (with TSG Thannhausen) lower divisions and is tearing up the Premier Arena Soccer League (local entrants: Anaheim Bolts) -- with 33 goals in seven games, including two nine-goal games, for the Tijuana Revolucion.

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