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]
Richard "Cheeks" Buchanan - Mexican Mafia member; originally from Chula Vista's Otay neighborhood
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]
Jose Alberto "Bat" Marquez - Mexican Mafia member; resided in Chula Vista's Castle Park neighborhood for a time
Larry Millete - suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Maya Millete
Christopher George "Chris Petti" Poulos - Chula Vista resident and Chicago Outfit associate who ran a mafia crew out of San Diego; jokingly dubbed "the Rodney Dangerfield" of the mafia by the FBI^[5]

Entertainment

Actors and actresses

Michael C. Burgess - actor and former editor of The Star-News
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
Jennifer Paredes - graduated from Otay Ranch High 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

Bands

Ati's Warriors - funk-punk fusion band formed in Chula Vista after the breakup of Unbroken, includes Chula Vista natives Atilla Moran (vocals) and Rob Moran (Keytar)
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
Ilan Rubin - drummer for Nine Inch Nails and Angels & Airwaves, drummed on Paramore self-titled Grammy-winning album, youngest member inaugurated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, went to Bonita Vista Middle School and Bonita 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
Neil Raymond Ricco - lived in Chula Vista in the 2000s
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 before his death
John J. McGinty - Medal of Honor recipient, resides in Chula Vista^[13]
Melvin Storer - Chula Vista resident,^[14] United States Navy shipfitter who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor

Politics

Brian Bilbray - attended Southwestern College, 1970–1974
Cheryl Cox - graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1966; Mayor of Chula Vista
Greg Cox - San Diego County Supervisor
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
Ur Jaddou - 6th Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Steve Padilla - California State Senator
Nick Popaditch - Chula Vista resident; Congressional candidate
Mary Salas - Chula Vista Mayor (2013–2022)

Sports

Baseball

Greg Allen - outfielder for the New York Yankees, attended Hilltop High School
Brian Barden - retired MLB and NPB infielder, attended St. Pius Elementary School
Marshall Boze - retired MLB and NPB pitcher, attended Southwestern College
Calvin Faucher - pitcher for Tampa Bay Rays, born in Chula Vista, graduated from Hilltop High School
Benji Gil - infield coach for the Anaheim Angels, graduated from Castle Park High School, class of 1991
Adrián González - retired MLB first baseman, graduated from Eastlake High School, class of 2000
Tommy Hinzo - retired MLB and CPBL second baseman for Cleveland Indians, graduated from Hilltop High School and attended Southwestern College
Mike Jacobs - retired MLB first baseman, born and raised in Chula Vista, graduated from Hilltop High School
John Jaso - retired MLB position player, born in Chula Vista
Marcelo Mayer - shortstop, fourth overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox, graduated from Eastlake High School, class of 2021
John Tortes "Chief" Meyers - MLB catcher, lived in Chula Vista for a period in the 1930s^[15]
Kevin Mitchell - retired MLB position player, San Diego native who lived in Chula Vista
Bob Natal - retired MLB catcher, graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1983^[16]
Todd Pratt - retired MLB catcher, attended Hilltop High School^[17]
Carlos Quentin - retired MLB outfielder, raised in Chula Vista, attended St. Pius Elementary School
Johnny Ritchey - first African American to play in the Pacific Coast League, lived in Chula Vista after he retired from baseball
Alfonso Rivas - MLB first baseman, resided in Chula Vista as a child after moving from Tijuana, Mexico
Alex Sanabia - pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, graduated from Castle Park High School
Casey Schmitt - infielder for the San Francisco Giants, graduated from Eastlake High School
Jose Silva - retired MLB and LMB pitcher, graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1991
Ty Wigginton - retired MLB third baseman, graduated from Chula Vista High School, class of 1995
Joel Zumaya - retired MLB relief pitcher, 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

Mixed martial arts

Dominick Cruz - resides in Chula Vista^[18]^[19]
Shannon Gugerty - Chula Vista native, graduated from Hilltop High School
Dean Lister - graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1994
Waachiim Spiritwolf - lived in Chula Vista and attended Hilltop High School^{[citation needed]}
Brandon Vera - resides in Chula Vista

Soccer

Charles Adair - forward, graduated from Hilltop High School, class of 1989
Paul Arriola - midfielder for D.C. United
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^[20]

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; fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toy line and cartoon series
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.
^ "Why Did He Cut off That Man's Leg?". 15 December 1999.
^ Lawson, Kristan; Anneli Rufus (2000). California Babylon. New York, New York: Macmillan. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-312-26385-0. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
^ "Birth to Death Row, Violence Surrounded Harris History: Abused as a child, he became an abuser. He killed a neighbor before the murders of two teen-agers brought him to face the gas chamber". Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
^ "The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, California & National News". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
^ 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.
^ "Gonjasufi Extended Interview | San Diego Reader".
^ 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. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.
^ "Melvin Storer Obituary (2004) - San Diego, CA - San Diego Union-Tribune". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
^ "Archives". Los Angeles Times. 6 August 1986.
^ 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.
^ "From fighter to coach, from relative obscurity to National TV Celebrity". 8 March 2012.
^ 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] "Why Did He Cut off That Man's Leg?". 15 December 1999.

[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] "Birth to Death Row, Violence Surrounded Harris History: Abused as a child, he became an abuser. He killed a neighbor before the murders of two teen-agers brought him to face the gas chamber". Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-08-04.

[5] "The San Diego Union-Tribune - San Diego, California & National News". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2021-11-04.

[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] "Gonjasufi Extended Interview | San Diego Reader".

[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. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013.

[14] "Melvin Storer Obituary (2004) - San Diego, CA - San Diego Union-Tribune". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2023-05-19.

[15] "Archives". Los Angeles Times. 6 August 1986.

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

[17] "1985 Draft -- June Regular Phase". MLB Advanced Media. Major League Baseball. Retrieved 9 August 2009.

[18] "From fighter to coach, from relative obscurity to National TV Celebrity". 8 March 2012.

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

[20] 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]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]