List of people from Chula Vista, California facts for kids

Chula Vista is a city in California, and many interesting people have lived, worked, or studied here! This article tells you about some of the famous actors, musicians, athletes, and other important figures who have a connection to Chula Vista.

Business Leaders

Some people connected to Chula Vista have become successful in business.

• Corky McMillin lived in Chula Vista in 1944 before moving to Bonita.
• Brent R. Wilkes grew up in Chula Vista. He is known as an entrepreneur, defense contractor, and someone who helps the community.

Entertainment Stars

Chula Vista has been home to many talented people in the entertainment world.

Actors and Actresses

Many actors and actresses have a connection to Chula Vista.

• Michael C. Burgess is an actor. He was also an editor for The Star-News newspaper.
• Charisma Carpenter went to Bonita Vista High School and later graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1988.
• Grey DeLisle graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1991.
• Rita Hayworth was a famous actress who lived in Chula Vista in the 1930s.
• Walter Emanuel Jones attended Chula Vista High School.
• Mario Lopez graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1991.
• Sean Murray graduated from Bonita Vista Middle School.
• Jennifer Paredes graduated from Otay Ranch High School.
• Jenna Presley graduated from Hilltop High School in 2005.
• Carmen Serano was born in Chula Vista.
• Johnny Sheffield lived and passed away in Chula Vista.

Music Bands

Several bands got their start or had members from Chula Vista.

• Some Girls is a hardcore band from San Diego. It included Sal Gallegos III (drums) and Rob Moran (guitar), who are from Chula Vista.
• Unbroken was another hardcore band from San Diego. Rob Moran, from Chula Vista, helped form this band. They were very connected to the hardcore punk music scene in Chula Vista.
• The Zeros is a punk band that formed right here in Chula Vista.
• Ati's Warriors is a funk-punk band. It formed in Chula Vista after the band Unbroken broke up. Members Atilla Moran (vocals) and Rob Moran (keytar) are from Chula Vista.

Comedians

Chula Vista has also produced some funny comedians.

• Mary Castillo graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1992.
• Gabriel Iglesias spent his early childhood in Chula Vista.

Musicians

Many talented musicians have ties to Chula Vista.

• Matt Cameron is the drummer for famous bands like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. He went to Bonita Vista High School.
• Ilan Rubin is the drummer for Nine Inch Nails and Angels & Airwaves. He also played drums on Paramore's Grammy-winning album. He is the youngest person to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He went to Bonita Vista Middle School and Bonita Vista High School.
• Marcos Curiel is the guitarist for P.O.D. and The Accident Experiment. He is from Chula Vista and graduated from Bonita Vista High School in 1992.
• Gonjasufi is a musician from Chula Vista.
• Robert Lopez was the guitarist for The Zeros. He is also known for his stage character, El Vez. He attended Chula Vista High School.
• Jessica Sanchez was the second-place winner on American Idol in season 11.
• Julieta Venegas attended Southwestern College.
• Tom Waits graduated from Hilltop High School.

Wrestlers

Professional wrestlers have also called Chula Vista home.

• Konnan lives in Eastlake, a part of Chula Vista.
• Rey Mysterio Jr. was born in Chula Vista.

Writers

Several writers have connections to Chula Vista.

• Costa Dillon graduated from Bonita Vista High School.
• Neil Raymond Ricco lived in Chula Vista in the 2000s.
• J. Michael Straczynski attended Southwestern College.
• Joan D. Vinge graduated from Hilltop High School in 1965.

Government and Public Service

People from Chula Vista have served in the military and in politics.

Military Heroes

Some brave military members have lived in Chula Vista.

• John William Finn received the Medal of Honor. He lived in the Veterans Home of Chula Vista for a short time before he passed away.
• John J. McGinty also received the Medal of Honor and lives in Chula Vista.
• Melvin Storer was a Chula Vista resident and a United States Navy shipfitter. He survived the Attack on Pearl Harbor.

Political Leaders

Chula Vista has been home to many people involved in politics.

• Brian Bilbray attended Southwestern College from 1970 to 1974.
• Cheryl Cox graduated from Hilltop High School in 1966. She served as the Mayor of Chula Vista.
• Bob Filner was a former Representative for California's 51st congressional district. He was also the 35th Mayor of San Diego.
• Kyle Foggo graduated from Hilltop High School. He was a former executive director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
• Shirley Horton attended Bonita Vista High School.
• Nick Popaditch is a Chula Vista resident and a candidate for Congress.
• Mary Salas served as the Mayor of Chula Vista from 2013 to 2022.
• Ur Jaddou is the 6th Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• Steve Padilla is a California State Senator.
• Greg Cox is a San Diego County Supervisor.

Sports Stars

Many athletes from various sports have a connection to Chula Vista.

Baseball Players

Chula Vista has produced many talented baseball players.

• Brian Barden is a retired infielder for MLB and NPB. He went to St. Pius Elementary School.
• Marshall Boze is a retired pitcher for MLB and NPB. He attended Southwestern College.
• Calvin Faucher is a pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. He was born in Chula Vista and graduated from Hilltop High School.
• Benji Gil is an infield coach for the Anaheim Angels. He graduated from Castle Park High School in 1991.
• Adrián González is a retired MLB first baseman. He graduated from Eastlake High School in 2000.
• Tommy Hinzo is a retired second baseman for MLB and CPBL (Cleveland Indians). He graduated from Hilltop High School and attended Southwestern College.
• Mike Jacobs is a retired MLB first baseman. He was born and raised in Chula Vista and graduated from Hilltop High School.
• John Jaso is a retired MLB player who was born in Chula Vista.
• John Tortes "Chief" Meyers was an MLB catcher. He lived in Chula Vista for a time in the 1930s.
• Marcelo Mayer is a shortstop who was the fourth overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox. He graduated from Eastlake High School in 2021.
• Kevin Mitchell is a retired MLB player. He was from San Diego and lived in Chula Vista.
• Bob Natal is a retired MLB catcher. He graduated from Hilltop High School in 1983.
• Todd Pratt is a retired MLB catcher. He attended Hilltop High School.
• Carlos Quentin is a retired MLB outfielder. He was raised in Chula Vista and attended St. Pius Elementary School.
• Alfonso Rivas is an MLB first baseman. He lived in Chula Vista as a child after moving from Tijuana, Mexico.
• Johnny Ritchey was the first African American to play in the Pacific Coast League. He lived in Chula Vista after he retired from baseball.
• Alex Sanabia is a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He graduated from Castle Park High School.
• Casey Schmitt is an infielder for the San Francisco Giants. He graduated from Eastlake High School.
• José Silva is a retired pitcher for MLB and LMB. He graduated from Hilltop High School in 1991.
• Ty Wigginton is a retired MLB third baseman. He graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1995.
• Joel Zumaya is a retired MLB relief pitcher. He was born and raised in Chula Vista and graduated from Bonita Vista High School.
• Greg Allen is an outfielder for the New York Yankees. He attended Hilltop High School.

Basketball Players

• Adrian Garcia Marquez is a play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was raised in Chula Vista and attended Southwestern College.

Football Players

Many football players have come from Chula Vista.

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

Golfers

• Billy Casper graduated from Chula Vista High School in 1950.

Hockey Players

• Craig Coxe was born in Chula Vista.

Horse Racing

• Charles E. Whittingham was a Hall of Fame horse trainer. He was born in Chula Vista.

Mixed Martial Arts Fighters

• Dominick Cruz lives in Chula Vista.
• Shannon Gugerty is from Chula Vista and graduated from Hilltop High School.
• Dean Lister graduated from Hilltop High School in 1994.
• Waachiim Spiritwolf lived in Chula Vista and attended Hilltop High School.
• Brandon Vera lives in Chula Vista.

Professional Wrestling

• Rey Mysterio is a famous professional wrestler.

Soccer Players

• Charles Adair is a forward. He graduated from Hilltop High School in 1989.
• Jennifer Lalor is a midfielder. She was born in Chula Vista and graduated from Bonita Vista High School.
• Cesar Romero is a forward for Chivas USA. He graduated from Otay Ranch High School.
• Paul Arriola is a midfielder for D.C. United.

Track and Field Athletes

• Tim Danielson attended Chula Vista High School.
• Desiree Davila attended Hilltop High School in Chula Vista.

Other Notable People

Here are some other interesting people connected to Chula Vista.

• Hector X. "Shipwreck" Delgado was born in Chula Vista. He is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toy line and cartoon series.
• M. Brian Maple is a physicist at UCSD. He was born in Chula Vista.
• John Rojas, Jr. was a historian. He started the Chula Vista Historical Society, which later joined with the Chula Vista Heritage Museum.
• Wolfman Jack was a famous radio personality. He broadcasted from XERB in Chula Vista during the 1960s.