The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) boasts notable alumni from University of Pittsburgh who have left indelible marks across entertainment, sports, politics, business, science, and more. These famous graduates of University of Pittsburgh exemplify the school's legacy of producing influential leaders and trailblazers. From gridiron legends to Nobel winners, Pitt's network inspires students eyeing higher ed jobs in Pittsburgh or beyond. Check professor reviews on Rate My Professor for University of Pittsburgh faculty to see the academic excellence behind these successes. Dive into categories below, with top talents highlighted for their entertaining feats (view full sports figures list).
Pitt has launched stars who dominate Hollywood and TV, blending creativity with Pitt's rigorous arts programs. These alumni entertain millions while crediting their time in Pittsburgh for honing their craft.
Pitt's athletic powerhouse has produced NFL icons and Heisman heroes, dominating football and beyond with unbreakable spirit from Oakland campus fields.
Pitt alumni shape policy in D.C. and locally, from senators to mayors tackling big issues with Panther tenacity (see politics list).
Pitt fosters tycoons in tech and industry, building fortunes from classroom ideas (academic jobs in Pittsburgh spark similar paths).
Pitt boasts scientific giants earning ultimate prizes (nobel-laureates details).
These University of Pittsburgh professors and alumni inspire; explore higher ed career advice or scholarships. For more, visit Pitt alumni list or official site. Considering Pitt? Rate courses on Rate My Course and find faculty jobs.
Discover the thrilling stories behind some of the most famous graduates of University of Pittsburgh, whose achievements continue to inspire students, faculty, and job seekers worldwide. From Pulitzer Prize-winning authors to iconic voice actors and NFL legends, Pitt alumni (often called H2P for 'Hail to Pitt') have turned their education into extraordinary careers, blending creativity, grit, and innovation.
Take Michael Chabon (A&S 1984), a standout among notable alumni from University of Pittsburgh. His debut novel, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, drew directly from his undergraduate experiences, catapulting him to fame. Chabon later clinched the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, a comic-book epic that captivated millions. His journey highlights how Pitt's vibrant campus life fuels literary breakthroughs—perfect motivation if you're eyeing creative writing programs.
In entertainment, Jeff Bergman (A&S 1983) embodies timeless icons, voicing Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and more for Warner Bros. This University of Pittsburgh celebrity proves the school's arts and sciences training launches voices into Hollywood stardom. For fantasy fans, Peter Beagle (A&S 1959), author of The Last Unicorn, earned a Hugo Award, showing Pitt nurtures imaginative talents that enchant generations.
Sports enthusiasts celebrate Pitt's athletic giants. Dan Marino, the quarterback phenom, shattered NFL passing records after starring for the Panthers, while Tony Dorsett rushed for Heisman glory and Super Bowl success. These famous graduates of University of Pittsburgh dominate sports figures lists, embodying the fierce Panther spirit.
Even in quieter realms, Fred Rogers ('Mr. Rogers') attended Pitt, pioneering children's television with kindness and education. Explore more on Pitt's official alumni highlights or the university's history page. Dreaming of similar success? Check Rate My Professor for Pitt faculty insights, browse academic jobs in Pittsburgh, or find higher ed jobs to launch your path. With over 90,000 alumni, Pitt's network opens doors globally—your story could be next!
Discover the stellar achievements of University of Pittsburgh notable alumni through our star ratings across key categories. These ratings reflect the breadth and impact of Pitt graduates' contributions, based on verified accomplishments from trusted sources like the university's official alumni records. Whether you're a prospective student dreaming of following in the footsteps of famous graduates of University of Pittsburgh or a job seeker inspired by their success, these insights offer motivation and practical advice. Ratings use a 10-point scale (✭ for filled stars), considering factors like global influence, awards, and innovation over the past decades. Trends show Pitt's strength in sports and medicine, with alumni making breakthroughs that shape industries.
These ratings inspire notable alumni from University of Pittsburgh pursuits—focus on interdisciplinary studies, internships, and alumni networks for your edge. Explore more on Pitt's official alumni page or higher ed career advice to channel this legacy. With Pitt's track record, your breakthroughs await in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The University of Pittsburgh has produced notable alumni in entertainment fields such as actors, musicians, composers, filmmakers, and more, contributing significantly to film, television, music, and performing arts with influential performances, compositions, and creative works that have shaped popular culture.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorene Scafaria | Director and Screenwriter | English | 2002 | Directed Hustlers and wrote Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, earning acclaim for her work in independent film. |
| Ahmad Jamal | Jazz Pianist | Piano | 1950 | Influential jazz musician famous for 'Poinciana' and albums like At the Pershing, a Grammy-winning artist. |
| Billy Strayhorn | Composer and Arranger | Piano | unknown | Longtime collaborator with Duke Ellington, composing classics like 'Take the A Train' and 'Lush Life'. |
| Rob Marshall | Film Director | Theater | 1982 | Oscar-nominated director of Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Mary Poppins Returns. |
| David Newell | Actor | unknown | 1955 | Portrayed Mr. McFeely on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood for over 800 episodes. |
| William Powell | Actor | unknown | unknown | Golden Age Hollywood star known for The Thin Man series and My Man Godfrey, attended Pitt before transferring. |
| Joe Manganiello | Actor | Theater | 1998 | Known for roles in True Blood, Magic Mike, and Justice League, he graduated with a B.A. in theater and history. |
This section highlights notable athletes from the University of Pittsburgh, primarily in categories like football, basketball, and track & field. These alumni have achieved great success in professional leagues and international competitions, contributing to the university's strong athletic legacy and inspiring future Panthers.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Gilbert | NFL defensive tackle | 1992 | Pro Bowl defensive tackle who played for the Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Rams. | |
| Brad Lincoln | MLB pitcher | 2006 | First overall pick in the 2006 MLB Draft who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. | |
| Doc Medich | MLB pitcher | 1972 | Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the New York Yankees and others while pursuing medicine. | |
| Herb Douglas | Olympic long jumper | unknown | Bronze medalist in long jump at the 1948 Summer Olympics and Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame inductee. | |
| Billy Knight | NBA All-Star | 1973 | NBA scoring champion and All-Star who played for several teams including the Indiana Pacers. | |
| Jimbo Covert | NFL offensive tackle | 1983 | Pro Bowl tackle who helped the Chicago Bears win Super Bowl XX. | |
| Mark May | NFL offensive lineman | 1981 | Outland Trophy winner and member of Pitt's 1976 national championship team. | |
| Hugh Green | NFL defensive end | 1980 | College football standout who won the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award at Pitt. | |
| Darrelle Revis | NFL cornerback | 2007 | Shutdown cornerback who earned a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots and multiple All-Pro honors. | |
| Aaron Donald | NFL Defensive Player of the Year | 2014 | Dominant defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams who won three Defensive Player of the Year awards. | |
| Larry Fitzgerald | NFL All-Pro wide receiver | 2006 | Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals renowned for his longevity and receiving excellence over 17 NFL seasons. | |
| Dan Marino | NFL Hall of Fame quarterback | 1979 | Legendary quarterback for the Miami Dolphins who set numerous NFL passing records during his 17-year career. | |
| Mike Ditka | NFL Hall of Fame tight end and coach | 1961 | Played tight end for the Chicago Bears and coached them to Super Bowl XX victory in 1986. | |
| Tony Dorsett | NFL Hall of Fame running back | 1977 | Heisman Trophy winner (1976) and Super Bowl champion who rushed for over 12,000 yards with the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos. | |
| Bill Fralic | NFL offensive lineman | 1985 | Two-time All-American offensive tackle who played for the Pittsburgh Maulers and Atlanta Falcons. |
The University of Pittsburgh has produced influential figures primarily in U.S. politics, including U.S. Senators, Representatives, mayors, and diplomats, with categories focused on U.S. leaders and limited international representation, and no royalty or nobility. These alumni have shaped legislation, diplomacy, and local governance through their public service careers.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Ravenstahl | Mayor of Pittsburgh | Urban Studies | 2003 (BA) | Elected mayor at age 26 in 2006, serving until 2014 as one of the youngest mayors of a major U.S. city. |
| Frank Mascara | U.S. Representative | unknown | unknown | Represented Pennsylvania's 20th congressional district from 1995 until his death in 2004. |
| William S. Moorhead | U.S. Representative | Law | 1949 (LLB) | Served Pennsylvania's 27th congressional district from 1965 to 1979, chairing the House Foreign Affairs Committee. |
| Joseph M. Gaydos | U.S. Representative | unknown | unknown | Represented Pennsylvania's 20th and 25th congressional districts from 1969 to 1985. |
| Austin J. Murphy | U.S. Representative | Liberal Arts | 1950 (BA) | Served Pennsylvania's 20th and later 23rd congressional districts from 1979 to 1995. |
| Keith Rothfus | U.S. Representative | Law | 1990 (JD) | Represented Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district from 2013 to 2019. |
| Guy Reschenthaler | U.S. Representative | Law | 2003 (JD) | Serves Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district since 2019; previously a Pennsylvania State Senator and judge. |
| Tom Murphy | Mayor of Pittsburgh | Economics | 1970 (BA) | Served as Pittsburgh's mayor from 1994 to 2006, leading economic revitalization and downtown redevelopment efforts. |
| Melissa Hart | U.S. Representative | Law | 1988 (JD) | Represented Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district from 2001 to 2007, noted for her work on education and technology issues. |
| Jason Altmire | U.S. Representative | Political Science | 1990 (BA) | Served Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district from 2007 to 2011 as a moderate Democrat. |
| Mike Doyle | U.S. Representative | Political Science | 1977 (BA) | Represented Pennsylvania's 14th and 18th congressional districts from 1995 to 2022, focusing on infrastructure and energy policy. |
| William J. Burns | Director of the Central Intelligence Agency | Law | 1985 (JD) | Career diplomat who served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State (2011-2014) and U.S. Ambassador to Russia before becoming CIA Director in 2021. |
| Arlen Specter | U.S. Senator | Law | 1956 (JD) | Served as U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania for 30 years (1981-2011), known for his role in major judicial confirmations and party switch from Republican to Democrat. |
University of Pittsburgh has nurtured several alumni who rose to become millionaires and billionaires, making profound impacts in business, finance, sports ownership, and philanthropy through innovative enterprises and generous contributions. These trailblazers demonstrate the power of Pitt's rigorous academic training in fostering entrepreneurial excellence and wealth creation.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Tepper | Hedge fund manager | Economics | 1978 | Billionaire founder and president of Appaloosa Management, owner of the NFL's Carolina Panthers and MLS's Charlotte FC, with a net worth over $20 billion. |
| Mark Cuban | Serial entrepreneur and investor | 1976-1977 (attended) | Billionaire owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, Shark Tank investor, and co-founder of Broadcast.com sold to Yahoo for $5.7 billion. | |
| William S. Dietrich II | Industrialist and philanthropist | Metallurgical Engineering | 1967 (BS), 1975 (PhD) | Billionaire founder of Dietrich Industries sold to U.S. Steel for $1.5 billion, whose $265 million donation established the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences at Pitt. |
Although the University of Pittsburgh is renowned for its positive contributions to society through alumni in various fields, a small number have been associated with criminal activities. This list includes verified individuals linked to the university who gained notoriety for serious crimes, based on reliable sources like Wikipedia's List of University of Pittsburgh people.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Spotz | Serial killer | unknown | Convicted of murdering three women in a 1995 crime spree across central Pennsylvania while fleeing from police after killing his girlfriend. |
The University of Pittsburgh has produced and hosted exceptional scholars recognized with the Nobel Prize, highlighting its commitment to groundbreaking research in sciences. These laureates have profoundly influenced global advancements in chemistry, genetics, and medical imaging through innovative discoveries.
| Name | Job Title | Discipline | Class Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yuan T. Lee | Nobel Laureate in Chemistry | Chemistry | Ph.D. 1965 | Awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing molecular beam techniques to study chemical reaction dynamics. |
| Oliver Smithies | Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine | Human Genetics | Faculty 1988-2001 | Received the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for pioneering gene targeting techniques in mice that enable precise genetic modifications. |
| Paul Lauterbur | Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine | Chemistry | Faculty | Co-awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for key developments in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). |
