NATIONAL LITHUANIAN AMERICAN HALL OF FAME - Key Persons
Al Jolson was born as Asa Yoelson in what was then the village of Srednik, now known as Seredžius, in the Kaunas region of Lithuania.
Al Jolson (May 26, 1886-October 23, 1950) was an American singer, comedian, and actor who was dubbed as "The World's Greatest Entertainer." In the 1930s, he was America's most famous and highest paid entertainer. He is best remembered as the star in the first (full length) talking movie. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Jolson became the first star to entertain troops during WWII, and again in 1950, the first star to entertain troops in Korea. Defense Secretary, George Marshall, awarded the Medal of Merit, posthumously, to Jolson's family.
Ann Jillian was born Ann Jura Nauseda in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1950. She was born to Lithuanian immigrant parents and...
Anthony Kiedis, son of John Kiedis, known professionally as Blackie Dammett, and grandson of Antanas Kiedis (1878-1949) and grandmother Julija...
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Apolonija has had an extensive career in Lithuania as a cinema and theatrical actress. She received her degree in performing arts from the renowned Lunacharsky State Institute for the Theater Arts, in Moscow. While working with the Vilnius Youth Theater, Apolonija also performed in cinema, on television and radio, and at the Philharmonic. For a number of years, she worked extensively with students, teaching theater arts. Now living in the United States, Apolonija is continuing to promote Lithuanian culture through the theater arts in the Lithuanian-American community.
Benjamin David "Benny" Goodman (May 30, 1909 - June 13, 1986) was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist, and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing." In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America. His January 16, 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City is Described by critic Bruce Eder as "the single most important jazz or popular music concert in history: jazz's ‘coming out' party to the world of ‘respectable' music."
Goodman was born in Chicago, the ninth of twelve children of Jewish immigrants who lived in the Maxwell Street neighborhood. His father was David Goodman, a tailor from Warsaw; his mother was Dora Grisinsky, from Kaunas, Lithuania.
Robert Allen Zimmerman was born on May 24, 1941, in Duluth, Minnesota, and raised in Hibbing, Minnesota. His paternal grandparents,...
Job Titles:
- Member of the Auxiliary Board
Carol Ann Luschas is a 2005 graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor's of the Arts Degree in History with a minor in International Studies. In 2009 she was the valediction, graduated Summa Cum Laude and received an Associate's Degree in Medical Office Technology from McCann School of Business & Technology. She is a proud member of the Lithuanian-American community and very active in the Knights of Lithuania Council #144. She manages the Council's website, blog, and Facebook page. In her spare time she enjoys art, historical research, reading, photography, videography, travel, studying languages, and the origins of international flags.
Carol Ann Luschas is a 2005 graduate of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She received a Bachelor's of the Arts...
Charles Bronson, born Charles Dennis Buchinsky (or Buchinskas) in Ehrenfeld, Pennsylvania, in the Allegheny Mountain Coal region north of Johnstown. During the McCarthy hearings, he changed his last name to Bronson, fearing that Buchinsky sounded "to Russian." He was one of 15 children born to a Lithuanian immigrant father of Lipka Tatar ancestry, and a Lithuanian-American mother. His father hailed from the town of Druskininkai. His mother's parents were born in Lithuania.
Bronson was an American actor, best-known for such films as Once Upon a Time in the West, The Magnificent Seven, The Dirty Dozen, The Great Escape, Rider on the Rain, The Mechanic, and the popular Death Wish series. He often cast in the role of a police officer or gunfighter, often in revenge-oriented plot lines.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Daine received her BA in Journalism from Vilnius University, and Masters degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University. She has worked as a journalist in Lithuania, and is now Marketing Director at Cardiac Diagnostics, and a pro bono consultant at the Taproot Foundation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Auxiliary Board
Daiva has extensive experience as a counselor and educator; working as an individual counselor, family therapist substance abuse counselor, and school counselor. She received her Masters degree from Northeastern Illinois University. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Daiva is an art teacher, and her artwork can be viewed in art galleries in Chicago.
The youngest of eight children, Lithuanian American Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus grew up in the Roseland area of Chicago's south...
Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus (born December 9, 1942) is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was drafted in 1965 and he is also widely regarded as one of the best and most durable linebackers of all time. Butkus starred as a football player for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. He played nine seasons in the NFL for the Chicago Bears. Billed at 6 ft 3 in, 245 lbs., he was one of the most feared and intimidating linebackers of his time.
Dr. Birute Galdikas is a scientist, conservationist, and educator. For four decades, Dr. Galdikas has studied and worked closely with...
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Since her arrival to the United States, Inesa has played a vital role in the Lithuanian community through her activism in the church, various organizations, and her current involvement in the Lithuanian-American Theater "VILTIS."
She obtained her BS in Civil Engineering, and BA in English Philology in Lithuania. She continued her studies in the U.S., and received her MA in Education (Mathematics) from Western Governors University. Her next project is the establishment of a Lithuanian language school in the Chicago area for the children of the Lithuanian diaspora.
Iveta Lukosiute was born in Klaipeda, Lithuania, and moved to the U.S. in 1997. She has been dancing since she was 6 years old.
Iveta personifies grace and elegance on the dance floor. Seldom has an individual dominated their sport/profession to the extent that Iveta has.
Iveta currently holds the title of two time World Professional Ten Dance Champion (2008, 2009); 5 times U.S. National and North American Professional Ten dance Champion; and 4 times U.S. National Classical Showdance Champion. She is the world's best in ten different styles of dance, the five International Ballroom dances: waltz, foxtrot, quickstep, tango, and Viennese waltz, along with the five International Latin Dances: rumba, samba, paso doble, cha-cha-cha and jive.
Iveta is in demand throughout the the world, and has been featured on PBS, ABC, MTV, and was a top finalist on the FOX hit, "So You Think You Can Dance." Iveta recently was a lead dancer in "Dancing With the Stars Live in Las Vegas."
In addition to her acclaimed dance performances, Iveta performs selflessly for various charitable causes, and teaches dance to the next generation of ballroom dancers.
Iveta sums up her love of dance as "Dance is my life and there is no greater pleasure than sharing that passion with the rest of the world."
Jack Benny was born Benjamin Kubelsky on February 14, 1894, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in neighboring Waukeegan, Illinois. He was the son of Meyer Kubelsky and Emma Sachs Kubelsky. Meyer was a Jewish saloon owner, later to become a haberdasher, who had emigrated to America from Poland. Emma had emigrated from Lithuania. Jack Benny was an American comedian, vaudevillian, and actor for radio, television and film. Widely recognized as one of the leading American entertainers of the 20th century, Benny played the role of the comic penny-pinching miser, insisting on remaining 39 years old on stage despite his actual age, and often playing the violin badly.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
James is a lawyer who represents injured workers throughout Illinois. He received his law degree from John Marshal School of Law, and established the law firm of Marszalek and Marszalek. James is active in various legal organizations, and is a frequent lecturer/guest speaker at University of Illinois Law School, and various unions throughout Illinois.
Heifetz was born into a Jewish family in Vilnius, Lithuania. His Father, Reuven Heifetz, was a local violin teacher and...
Job Titles:
- Member of the Auxiliary Board
As the son of famed NFL quarterback, Johnny Unitas, John, in his own right, has become a successful entrepreneur/realtor. His realty firm, Unitas Realty, serves clients throughout the Baltimore, MD region. John is also involved in philanthropic activities. As President of The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, John has presented scholarships to worthy students throughout the country. John's pride of his Lithuanian heritage is best exemplified by his support of various Lithuanian activities.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Founder
- Member of the Board of Directors
Jon is currently a teacher in the Chicago and Cicero Public Schools, as well as an owner/manager of two commercial cleaning companies. In the past, he has held management and executive positions in the health care and transportation industries; has owned and operated fast-food restaurants; established charitable foundations; and was a principal of a health care consulting firm which provided operational, financial, and management assistance to its clients. Jon attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, and received his teaching degree, and B.A. in Industrial Psychology from Chicago State University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Auxiliary Board
Jura Reilly comes from a Lithuanian background and graduated from Adelaide University, majoring in English and International Politics. After she gained her Diploma of Education from Rusden Teacher's College, Jura taught English and History in Victorian high schools for many years. In 1990, Jura gained her Graduate Diploma of Education Administration from Deakin University.
Then, in 1991 and 1995, Jura was invited by the Lithuanian Ministry of Education to conduct English work shops for students and teachers. In 1983, Jura published her first book of poetry, "Lithuanian Lady." In 2003, she assisted with the translation and editing of, "In Light of Lyre," by the Lithuanian partisan poet, Juozas Grusys-Zilvinas. Jura's short stories and poetry written in English and Lithuanian have been published in a number of publications and can be viewed at www.austlit.edu.au.
In addition, Jura has joined our staff as one of NLAHF's Facebook Administrators. Visit our Facebook page to see some of her wonderful posts.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Kestutis is an urban designer living in South Bend, Indiana. He holds both Lithuanian and U.S. citizenship. He is an ardent fan of basketball (especially LTU), rock n' roll and the art of M.K. Ciurlionis. He is a member of Korp! Neo-Lituania, and the Beverly Shores American-Lithuanian Club. His father, Kazimieras Pocius, was a well-known supporter of Dirvas, Draugas and BALFAS.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Lina, received her Masters degree in finance from Vilnius University, and worked as an accountant for the Lithuanian military, implementing new accounting policies and procedures. Soon after her arrival to Chicago, Lina received a Masters degree in Computer Science. Since then, she has decided to pursue her passion in accounting, and currently works for a major financial trading institution in Chicago.
Marija Gimbutas (1921-1994) was a Lithuanian-American archeologist, who had worked at Harvard and UCLA Universities. She was known for her...
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Matt Butkus is a third generation Lithuanian American and a downtown Chicago resident.
For the past decade, Matt has pursued entrepreneurial ventures in real estate, development, insurance and community infrastructure through M. Butkus Development and Realty. He also represents his family through Team Butkus and the Butkus Foundation.
Matt is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, and often is dubbed the "second son of ‘51'". Matt was born in Chicago Heights and was raised in Florida and California before making Chicago his permanent residence in 2003. He has a degree in communications from the University of Southern California, where he played defensive lineman for the Trojan football team and was part of the 1990 Rose Bowl championship squad.
Through Team Butkus and the Butkus Foundation, Matt helps drive business and charitable initiatives. Among them: The Butkus Award® honoring the nation's top linebackers; I Play Clean™ program encouraging proper nutrition, training and participation by athletes, and; wellness initiates through the Dick Butkus Center for Cardiovascular Wellness in Irvine, California.
Matt's grandfather John moved to the United States through Ellis Island, married Chicago native Emma Goodoff, and had nine children, the youngest of which is Dick Butkus. Dick and his wife Helen have three children - Nicole ("Nikki"), Richard Marvin Butkus Jr. ("Rick"), and Matthew ("Matt"). Nicole is married to Francis Parrish and has two sons, Ian and Gavin. Rick and his wife Renee have two children, Richard Marvin Butkus III and Raymond Matthew. Matt is single.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Auxiliary Board
Matthew Valentinas is a second generation Lithuanian American from Boston, Massachusetts who works as an entertainment lawyer and literary manager. Matt has a fervent passion to partner with authors, producers, filmmakers, and academics in bringing the unique and storied history of the Lithuanian people to Hollywood and global media markets. Matt is currently awaiting approval of his dual citizenship application and looking forward to one day visiting the town of Radsviliskis where his family was millers for generations. Matt invites you to connect on LinkedIn and Twitter @MattValentinas or contact him through his website MatthewValentinasLaw.com.
Miz received his BA in Finance from University of Illinois at Chicago. As a seasoned mortgage banker, Miz's passion includes providing a deep commitment to his customers to help provide financing solutions for many different types of scenarios. He is a driven entrepreneur, and is managing and growing his mortgage business in the Chicagoland Area.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
After receiving his Presidential Scholarship, Philip graduated, cum laude, from Northeastern Illinois University with a degree in music education. Philip is currently a music teacher and choir director in the Chicago Public School system. His passion is theater, and has had lead acting roles throughout his high school career. He has also appeared in numerous university operatic and theatrical productions, including, Susannah, Cinderella, and La Boheme. His latest acting role was in the recent, well received, amateur production of The Complete Works of Shakespeare-Abridged.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Auxiliary Board
Richard is an American born Lithuanian, and currently lives in Olmstedville, New York, in the Andirondack Mountains. He is a semi-retired book seller, and is currently involved in presenting Lithuanian history in various media, including many internet forums. Richard is a proud father of 2 and a grandfather of 5.
Robert is a talented educator, business man, and entrepreneur. He holds a PhD in Business Administration, and is Professor Emeritus, City Colleges of Chicago. In addition, Robert has been a Director of Patient Services at several major Chicago area hospitals, and owner of two Japanese restaurants in Old Town, Chicago. When not working, he enjoys hiking, fishing, and photography. Born in California, Robert now lives in Chicago and Nevada.
Robert Lee Zemeckis is an American film director, producer and Screenwriter. Zemeckis was born in Chicago, Illinois, to a Lithuanian American father and an Italian American mother, and Grew up on the south side.
Zemeckis came to public attention in the 1980s as the director of the comedic time-travel, Back to the Future, film series, as well as the Academy Award winning live-action/animation epic Who Framed Roger rabbit (1988). In 1994, he won an Academy Award for Best Director for Forrest Gump. His other films include, The Polar Express (2004), Beowulf (2007), and A Christmas Carol (2009).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Auxiliary Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Auxiliary Board
Ruta Lee (Ruta Mary Kilmonis) has had and still has an illustrious stage, screen, and television career. This Canadian born actress, daughter of Lithuanian immigrants, has appeared in over 20 feature films, and graced TV screens world-wide with over 2,000 appearances in drama, comedy, game, and variety shows. Many have dubbed her as the hardest working actor in Hollywood.
Throughout her career, Ruta has received accolades and awards, including, stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Palm Springs Walk of Fame, as well as, the Star Walk at Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, and Western Stars Way, in Kanab, Utah. She is also the proud recipient of the prestigious, Yellow Rose of Texas, from President George W. Bush, for her philanthropic service, and the Cross of the Knight of the Order for Merits to Lithuania, awarded her by President Valdas Adamkus in an official ceremony at the Lithuanian White House.
Ruta is also highly acclaimed for her leadership role in the Thalians, a charitable organization which is committed to good mental health. She has been either chairman or president for over 45 years. She has been honored for her dedication to mental health, and joined the ranks of previous honorees, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, and Clint Eastwood, to name just a few.
Durbin was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, to an Irish-American father, William Durbin, and a Lithuanian-born mother, Ann Kutkin (Lithuanian: Ona Kutkaitė).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Stanley was chosen from over 1,000 member companies to be named the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association's 2004 Paratransit & Contracting Operator of the Year. Stan is an advocate of the physically and mentally challenged, and brings more than thirty (30) years of experience as a manager and executive officer in the health care and transportation fields. Prior to founding SCR, Stan was a principal in a health care consulting firm which provided its clients with operational, financial, and management assistance.
Vytautas Kevin Gerulaitis (July 26, 1954 - September 17, 1994) was born on July 26, 1954, in Brooklyn, NY, to Lithuanian immigrant parents, and grew up in Howard Beach, Queens.
Lithuanian born, Zydrunas Ilgauskas is now a former professional basketball center who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association.