Albanian has produced an incredible list of talented, intelligent and beautiful people who have entertained, educated and astounded the world. Some are direct Albanian’s, some grew up in other countries but parents are from Albania and some, some are American’s with a great great great great 2nd cousin that was from the region – most likely Kosovo or Greece.
Jim Belushi
Jim. A famous hollywood actor turned cannabis farmer who is known for movies such as Twin Peaks, Trading Places, K-9, The Ghost Writer, Underdog and Saturday Night Live. Jim Belushi’s parents emigrated to America from Korce, Albania. Belushi was born in the US and attended Southern Illinois University, attaining a degree in Speech and Theatre Arts. He is a proud Albania, even doing his part to help encourage more people to visit the country.
John Belushi
Jim’s brother John Belushi was an actor, comedian and singer. His intense energy on screen and stage is unforgettable. He started his own comedy group at a young age before spending a stint on Saturday Night Live. Unfortunately Belushi suffered from personal issues including drug and alcohol abuse leading to his death from an overdose in 1982
Eliza Dushku
The buffy star, Eliza Dushku is part Albanian, part Danish – born in America – Watertown, Massachusetts. Dushku has been in the limelight since the age of 10 having starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in The Boy’s Life. She then went on to appear a number of other films, video games and disney animations.
If you have 56 minutes to spare, I encourage you to watch Eliza’s discovery of her homeland.
Fadil Berisha
Fadil is an Albanian-American photographer who currently lives in New York. Hailing from Tepelena, Fadil worked as a photographer for Miss USA, Miss Universe and Rolex. Aas well as the photographer for Vogue, Elle, Allure and Cosmopolitan campaigns. Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, V, Vanity Fair, W, Esquire, GQ et Seventeen.
Ferid Murad
Ferid was born in 1936 to an Albanian father and an American mother. Studied chemistry in the pre-med program of the DePauw University before obtaining a doctorate in medicine and a doctorate in pharmacology at the Case Western Reserve University in 1965.
Bebe Rexha
Born in New Yorn, Bebe’s parents hail from Albania. From her young age, she played the trumpet and learned alone to play the piano and the guitar before rejoining a choir while she was still at school. Bebe is famous for songs and has featured on tracks with the likes of Selna Gomez, Iggy Azalea and David Guetta.
Inva Mula
Inva Mula is a opera singer who has critical acclaim inside and out of Albania. Inva was born in Tirana to a Russian mother and an Albanian father in 1963. She started singing early in her life before winning the Cantante d’Albania in Tirana and the George Enescu Contest in Bucharest. Later, Inva has performed all over the world and even starred in the hollywood production – “The Diva Dance” and the Fifth Element (she’s the blue opera singer)
Mother Theresa
Theresa was an influential figure in the later half of the 20th century. Sometimes referred to as “controversial” and “divisive”.
She was born Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, in Skopje, which at the time was a part of Kosovo but is now Macedonia. After spending 18 years living in Macedonia, Theresa moved to Ireland followed by India. The Christian organisation, headed up by the Vatican in Italy declared Mother Theresa a saint in December 2015 – their highest honour. This sparked discussion over her methods and motives but she continues to be appreciated for her charity work.
Ismail Kadare
Kadare is a writer, novelist, poet and playwriter. He is considered as the leading figure in literature in Albania and some would say he is one of the best writers of the 20th century. You might know him from books such as The Siege, The General of the Dead Army, The Palace of Dreams and The Successor
Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg
Thee Albanian commander and nobleman. Skanderbeg served the Ottoman Empire between 1423-43 as well as Venice and Naples up until his death in 1468. He is the national hero of Albania owing to his part in the rebellion against the evil Ottoman Empire. This was an important step towards defining the ethnic identity of the Albanians.
Rita Ora
Despite her thick London accent, Rita Ora was born in Kosovo, to Albanian parents. They fled the country due to the turmoil after the break up of Yugoslavia. Rita is fluent in Albanian and promotes connections between Kosovo and the UK
Dua Lipa
The English singer is proud of her Albanian roots. Born to Kosovar parents, Dua (meaning love) started her career at the age of 14 on Youtube, posting covers. At just 15, Dua was snapped up by Warner Music Group who had been prowling YouTube for young girls with talent.