Lists of Albanians

This is a list of historical and living Albanians (including ethnic Albanians and people of full or partial Albanian ancestry) who are famous or notable, sorted by occupation and alphabetically.

Religious

thumb|150px|[[Fan Noli, champion of literature, history, theology, diplomacy, journalism, music, and national unity.]]

thumb|150px|[[Kristo Negovani, religious leader and writer for the Albanian cause.]]

thumb|150px|Holy [[Mother Teresa.]]

thumb|150px|[[Ernest Simoni, cardinal and presbyter.]]

thumb|150px|[[Pope Clement XI]]

Priests

Dhimitër Frëngu (1443 – 1525), friar and scholar of a noble family, treasurer and councilor of Giorgio Castriota, in 1480 wrote the first biography, in Latin, on the life of Skanderbeg, from which all later writers drew.
Father Marin Barleti (1450 – 1513), Catholic ecclesiastic and writer, author of the life of Skanderbeg.
Gjon Buzuku (1499 – 1577), bishop Catholic, author of the oldest known document in Albanian: a translation of the Roman Missal, "Meshari" (1555).
Pjetër Budi (1565 – 1622), Catholic priest and writer, published three books in Albanian and I leave several poems in his native language.
Papa Luca Matranga (1567 – 1619), priest and scholar, author of the first literary expression arbëresh of the Albanians in diaspora.
Frang Bardhi (1606 – 1644), Catholic bishop, lexicographer, folklorist and ethnographer, author of the first dictionary of the Albanian language known so far.
Pjetër Bogdani (1630 – 1689), Catholic bishop and writer, author of the first Albanian work in prose.
Papa Nikollë Filja (1691 – 1769), priest and writer.
Nicoleta Kenini (2005-), writer and priest
Mons. Giuseppe Crispi (1781 – 1859), one of the major figures of the Arbëresh community of Sicily of that era, wrote a number of works on the Albanian language.
Papa Francesco Antonio Santori (1819 – 1894), writer, poet and playwright.
Nikoll Kaçorri (1862 – 1917), Catholic religious, politician and patriot, deputy prime minister with Ismail Kemal, in the first Albanian government (1912–1913).
Gjergj Fishta (1871 – 1940), Franciscan friar, poet, politician and translator.
Mons. Theofan Stilian Noli (1882 – 1965), bishop and intellectual, writer, scholar, diplomat, politician, historian, orator, founder of the Orthodox Church of Albania.
Papa Marco La Piana (1883 – 1958), priest and scholar, gave his contribute through his studies on Albanian language.
Anton Harapi (1888 – 1946), Franciscan friar, teacher, writer and politician.
Zef Valentini (1900 – 1979), Italian Jesuit, albanologist, byzantinist and historian, naturalized Albanian.
Cyril of Bulgaria (1901 – 1971), the first Patriarch of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, born of an Albanian family.
Father Zef Pllumi (1924 – 2007), Franciscan priest and writer, author of the memoirs of Christian religious persecution in Albania.
Mons. Ercole Lupinacci (1933 – 2016), Bishop of Italo-Albanian Catholic Eparchies of Piana degli Albanesi and Lungro.
Mons. Sotir Ferrara (1937 – 2017), the Bishop of the Eparchy of Piana degli Albanesi, a diocese of the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church in Sicily, Italy.
Papa Eleuterio Francesco Fortino (1938 – 2010), priest of the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church, Archimandrite in the Eparchy of Lungro in Calabria, served as the Under Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and albanolog.
Arch. Rrok Kola Mirdita (1939 – 2015), Catholic archbishop.
Mons. Angelo Massafra (born 1949), metropolitan archbishop of Scutari-Pult and president of the Albanian Episcopal Conference.
Mons. Donato Oliverio (born 1956), Bishop of the Eparchy of Lungro.
Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani, Islamic scholar (specialising in the field of Hadith sciences) and Muslim revivalist in the 20th century. He is well known for his anti-extremist leanings all over the Muslim world.

Martyrs

Papa Kristo Negovani (1875 – 1905), religious leader and writer for the Albanian cause.
Father Daniel Dajani (1906 – 1946), Jesuit religious and martyr, of the Catholic Church, killed by the regime during the communist dictatorship in Albania.
Stath Melani (1858-1917) was an Albanian Orthodox priest who participated in the Congress of Manastir and helped spread awareness of the Albanian written language in southern Albania.

Pope

Pope Clement XI (1649 – 1721), Pope of the Catholic Church.

Saints and blessed

Saint Papa Josif Papamihali (1912 – 1948), priest of Byzantine rite, formed in the Albanian communities of Italy, martyr of the Albanian Greek-Catholic Church, arrested, sentenced to forced labor, and killed during the communist dictatorship in Albania.
Saint Mother Teresa (1910 – 1997), Roman Catholic religious and missionary.
Saint Astius (2nd century AD), bishop of Dyrrhachium, martyr and saint venerated by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
Saint Pelinus (c. 620 – 5 December 662), native of Dyrrhachium and later Bishop of Brindisi in Italy.
Saint Angelina of Serbia (1440–1520), the Albanian Despotess consort of Serbian Despot Stefan Branković (r. 1458–1459), and a daughter of Albanian nobleman Gjergj Arianiti. She was proclaimed a saint and venerated as such by the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Saint John Koukouzelis (1300–c. 1350) recognized as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Saints Eleutherius and Antia venerated as Christian saints and martyrs in Greece and Albania by both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.thumb|Fresco of Saint Christos the gardener.Saint Christos the Arvanid Saint Christos the Arvanid or the gardener (Albanian: Shën Kristo Kopshtari) was an 18th-century Eastern Orthodox saint from Albania.
Therinus (Albanian: Terin, Greek: Θερινός), also known as Therius of Buthrotum, was a Christian saint revered in Albania.
Nicodemus of Elbasan The new martyr Nicodems also known as Nicodemus of Berat (Albanian: Shën Nikodhimi i Beratit) was born in Vithkuq in present-day Albania. He was married and had children there. Later he converted to Islam and then became a Christian again, at Mount Athos, Greece. After three years he decided to return in his native town, informing the Muslim authorities of his decision. He was beheaded on 11 July 1722. His relics are venerated in Berat.thumb|Photo of Shtjefën Kurti.Nephon II of Constantinople (Greek: Νήφων; died 11 August 1508), born Nicholas (Νικόλαος), was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople three times: from 1486 to 1488, from 1497 to 1498 and for a short time in 1502. He is honored as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church and his feast day is August 11.
Shtjefën Kurti (24 December 1898 – 20 October 1971) was an Albanian Roman Catholic priest killed during a period of communist persecution.
Çiprian Nika, OFM (Shkodër, 19 July 1900 – 11 March 1948) was an Albanian Catholic priest, Franciscan, teacher, and publicist.
Saint Laura of Constantinople (died 1453) was a Christian who lived in Constantinople during the 15th century. She was born in Greece into a noble family: her father was a Latin knight named Michael and her mother was Albanian. Her name was Theodolinde Trasci. After she became a nun in Constantinople, she changed it into Laura, eventually rising to become an abbess. She was martyred by the Ottoman Turks who took Constantinople on 29 May 1453. They scalded her to death with the other 52 sisters of her convent.
Bernardin Palaj (20 October 1894 — 8 December 1947) was an Albanian Franciscan friar, folklorist and poet.thumb|Painting of St. Laura of ConstantinopleVinçenc Prennushi (born Nikoll Prendushi, 4 September 1885 – 19 March 1949) was an Albanian Roman Catholic professed member from the Order of Friars Minor and he served as the Archbishop of Durrës from 1940 until his death.
Qerim Sadiku (12 February 1919 – 4 March 1946) was a Catholic Albanian blessed who had converted from Islam. He was executed by a firing squad in Shkodër along with clerics Danjel Dajani, Giovanni Fausti, Gjon Shllaku, Mark Çuni and Gjelosh Lulashi.
Lazër Shantoja (7 July 1891 – 5 March 1945) was an Albanian blessed, publicist, poet, satirist, and translator into Albanian from Goethe, Schiller and Leopardi, as well as his country's first Esperantist.
Alfons Tracki (2 December 1896 – 18 July 1946) was an Albanian Catholic priest of German origin, who died as a martyr as a result of the religious persecution by the regime of Enver Hoxha in communist Albania.
Maria Tuci was an Albanian laywoman and Roman Catholic martyr from Lezhë who was imprisoned and died in Shkodra.

Literature

thumb|150px|Blessed P. Giorgio Guzzetta, Apostle of the Albanians of Sicily.

thumb|150px|[[Girolamo de Rada foremost figure of the Albanian Renaissance movement in 19th century Italy.]]

thumb|150px|[[Giuseppe Schirò among the most important figures of the Albanian cultural and literary movement of the 19th century in Italy.]]

thumb|150px|Romantic writer [[Dora d'Istria was a vocal advocate of Albanian rights in Western Europe.]]

thumb|150px|[[Ismail Kadare is the best-known novelist of the past century in Albanian literature.]]

Writers

A–G

H–L

M–S

T–Z

Poets

thumb|150px|[[Giulio Variboba priest poet who gave an important contribution to the literature in the Albanian language.]]

thumb|150px|[[Gabriele Dara one of the early writers of the Albanian National Awakening.]]

thumb|150px|[[Naim Frashëri is regarded as the national poet of Albania]]

thumb|150px|[[Gjergj Fishta author of the epic poem Lahuta e Malcís.]]

thumb|150px|[[Lasgush Poradeci poet of 20th century Albania.]]

Screenwriters

Journalists

Folklorists

thumb|150px|[[Shtjefën Gjeçovi considered the father of Albanian folklore studies.]]

Translators

thumb|150px|Scholar and translator [[Kostandin Kristoforidhi.]]

Academic sciences

Scientists

thumb|150px|Scholar and philosopher [[Hasan Tahsini first rector of Istanbul University.]]

thumb|150px|[[Ferid Murad physician and pharmacologist, and co-winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.]]

thumb|150px|Albanian-American astronaut [[William G. Gregory.]]

Teki Biçoku (1926–2009) geologist; former member and president of the Academy of Sciences of Albania
Gjon Gazulli (1400–1465) astronomer
Pandi Geço geographer
Shtjefën Gjeçovi (1874–1929) ethnographer
Sotir Kuneshka physicist
Rexhep Meidani physicist
Laura Mersini-Houghton Albanian-American cosmologist and theoretical physicist; associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; proponent of the multiverse hypothesis which holds that our universe is one of many
Betim Muço seismologist
Ferid Murad (1936–2023) physician and pharmacologist; co-winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Shefqet Pllana (1918–1994) ethnographer
Niko Qafzezi (1914–1998) agronomist and pedagogue
Nijazi Ramadani (born 1964) ethnographer
Andrea Shundi (1934–2024) agronomist of the 20th and 21st century
Xhezair Teliti mathematician

Philosophers

Marin Beçikemi (1468–1526) 15th- and 16th-century humanist, orator, and chronist
Sami Frashëri (1850–1904)
Gani Bobi (1943–1995) philosopher and sociologist from Kosovo
Ibrahim Gashi (born 1963) Kosovar Albanian academic and philosopher
Ukshin Hoti (1943–1999) Kosovo Albanian philosopher and activist
Zef Jubani (1818–1880)
Muhamedin Kullashi
Shkëlzen Maliqi (born 1947) Kosovo Albanian philosopher, art critic, political analyst and intellectual; was involved in politics in the 1990s
Arshi Pipa (1920–1997) Albanian-American philosopher, writer, poet and literary critic
Petro Zheji (1929–2015) linguist, translator, philosopher, and author from Gjirokastër; lived and worked in Tirana, Albania

Gëzim Alpion academic, political analyst, writer, playwright, and civil society activist
Albert Doja (born 1957) social anthropologist, member of the National Albanian Academy of Sciences and University Professor of Anthropology at the University of Lille, France.

Historians

Economists

Kostandin Boshnjaku (1888–1953) banker, politician, one of the earliest Albanian communists
Shkëlqim Cani (born 1956) Governor of the Bank of Albania, 1997–2004
Sokrat Dodbiba (1899–1956) economist and politician who served as Minister of Finance of Albania, 1943–44
Ardian Fullani (born 1955)
Ilir Hoti (1957–2016) economist and banker
Arben Malaj (born 1961)
Qirjako Mihali (1929–2009)
Filip Noga (1867/1868–1917) politician; Minister of Finance of the country for four months in 1914; also known as Philippe Nogga
Gramoz Pashko (1955–2006) economist and politician
Ferit Vokopola (1887–1969)
Vrioni family one of the great aristocratic and biggest landowner families of Albania

Publishers

Scholars and linguists

thumb|150px|scholar of the early Albanian National Awakening period, [[Naum Veqilharxhi, wrote the first textbook in the Albanian language, created a unique alphabet known as the Vithkuqi script.]]

Rulers

thumb|150px|[[Ismail Qemali|Ismail Kemal founder of modern-day Albania and country's first prime minister]]

Skanderbeg (1405–1468) 15th-century Albanian lord; "Hero of Christianism"; initiated and organized the League of Lezhë, which proclaimed him Chief of the League of the Albanian people
Karl Thopia (Albanian: Karl Topia; 1331 – January 1388) was an Albanian feudal prince and warlord who ruled Albanian domains from 1358 until the first Ottoman conquest of Albania in 1388. He claimed the titles Prince of Albania, Lord of Krujë and Duke of Durrës
Andrea II Muzaka (c. 1318-1372) was an Albanian nobleman of the Muzaka family and the ruler of the Principality of Muzaka in the 14th century. He inherited the principality from his father, Teodor I Muzaka, who died around 1331. Andrea II is known for having expanded the Principality of Muzaka to its greatest extent, from the southern Adriatic coastline of Albania in the west to Kastoria in the east by the time of his death in 1372. He claimed the titles Despot of the Kingdom of Albania, Marshal of Albania and Despot of Epirus.thumb|228x228px|Depiction of Andrea II Muzaka in the Church of St. Athanasius of Mouzaki in [[Kastoria]]
Demetrio Progoni (Albanian: Dhimitër Progoni) was an Albanian leader who ruled as Prince of the Albanians from 1208 to 1216 the Principality of Arbanon, the first Albanian state. He was the successor and brother of Gjin Progoni and their father, Progon of Kruja.thumb|Bust of Demetrio ProgoniGjin Progoni (Latin: Ginius) was an archon (or lord) of Kruja, located in present-day Albania, from c. 1198 until his death in 1208. He succeeded his father, Progon of Kruja, becoming the second ruler of the Principality of Arbanon. During his reign, he controlled the areas around Elbasan and the fortress of Krujë. He also maintained good ties with the Despotate of Epirus due to the Venetian threat in northern Epirus. Gjin was succeeded by his younger brother Dhimitër Progoni.
Progon was the first Albanian ruler known by name, an archon of the Kruja Fortress (modern Krujë) and its surroundings, known as the Principality of Arbanon. He ruled between 1190 and 1198. Progon was succeeded by his two sons, Gjin, and Dimitri.
Gregorios Kamonas (<abbr>fl.</abbr> <abbr>c.</abbr> 1215 – ?) was the Greek-Albanian Lord or Prince of Krujë (Arbanon) in <abbr>c.</abbr> 1215. Demetrios Chomatenos (1216–1236) mentioned him as having the title of sebastos, given to him by the emperor Alexios III Angelos after 1205, during his stay in the Despotate of Epirus at the court of his nephew Michael I Komnenos Doukas. He first married the daughter of Gjin Progoni, then married Serbian princess Komnena Nemanjić, the daughter of King Stefan Nemanjić and widow of Dimitri Progoni, thus inheriting the rule of Arbanon. He strengthened ties with Serbia and secured Arbanon through an Orthodox alliance. He had a daughter together with Komnena, who married Golem of Kruja the later lord of Kruje.
Golem of Kruja was an Albanian nobleman who ruled the Principality of Arbanon, in its phase of semi-independency. He was the last ruler of Arbanon before its final annexation in the reemerging Byzantine Empire. His holdings included Krujë and probably Ohrid.
Leke III Dukagjini (1410-1481) was a 15th-century member of the Albanian nobility, from the Dukagjini family. A contemporary of Skanderbeg, Dukagjini is known for the Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit, a code of law instituted among the tribes of northern Albania. Dukagjini is believed to have been born in Lipjan, Kosovo.
Zog (born Ahmed Muhtar Zogolli; 8 October 1895 – 9 April 1961) was the leader of Albania from 1922 to 1939. At age 27, he first served as Albania's youngest ever Prime Minister (1922–1924), then as president (1925–1928), and finally as king (1928–1939).

Politicians and diplomats

thumb|240 px|Ambassador [[Besiana Kadare in the UN General Assembly hall]]

Ramiz Alia (1925-2011)
Taulant Balla (born 1977)
Sali Berisha (born 1944)
Enver Hoxha (1908-1985)
Besiana Kadare (born 1973)
Ravesa Lleshi (born 1976)
Ilir Meta (born 1969)
Fatos Nano (1952–2025)
Agim Nesho (born 1956)
Ismail Kemal (1844-1919)
Edi Rama (born 1964)
Ibrahim Rugova (1944-2006)
Dashnor Shehi, 20th-century
Mehmet Shehu (1913-1981)
Hashim Thaçi (born 1968)
Esad Toptani (died 1920)
Ahmet Zogu (1895-1961)

Visual arts

Multimedia artists

Anri Sala (born 1974) – contemporary artist
Armando Lulaj (born 1980) - contemporary artist
Burim Myftiu (born 1961) – contemporary photographer
Ilia Xhokaxhi (1948–2007) scenographer
Pleurad Xhafa (born 1984) - contemporary artist
Saimir Strati (born 1966) multi-media artist, achieved six Guinness World Records

Architects

thumb|150px|[[Carl Ritter von Ghega Albanian-Austrian engineer and architect who designed the Semmering railway, the world's first mountain railway.]]

Andrea Alessi (1425–1505) – architect, painter and sculptor
Architect Kasemi (1570–1659) master of Ottoman classical architecture
Carl Ritter von Ghega (1802–1860) – engineer and designer of railways
Enver Faja (1992–1996) architect and diplomat
Petro Korçari (c. 1770–1812), Albanian architect and master builder, chief architect of Ali Pasha of Ioannina; designed Gjirokastër Castle, Porto Palermo Castle and the Gjirokastër Aqueduct
Qemal Butka (1907–1997) architect, painter, politician and postage stamps engraver
Sedefkar Mehmed Agha (1540–1617) – chief architect of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
Valentina Pistoli (1928–1993) architect

Painters

thumb|150px|Portrait of a young [[Kolë Idromeno.]]

thumb|150px|Impressionist painter [[Vangjush Mio.]]

Cartoonists and illustrators

Agim Sulaj (born 1960) illustrator and cartoonist
Ali Dino (1889–1938) cartoonist
Fahri Axhanela cartoonist
Shyqri Nimani (1941–2023) graphic designer

Sculptors

Dhimitër Çani (1904–1990)
Agim Çavdarbasha (1944–1999)
Sadik Kaceli (1914–2000)
Kristina Koljaka (1916–2005)
Genc Mulliqi (born 1966)
Vasiliev Nini (born 1954)
Janaq Paço (1914–1991)
Odhise Paskali (1903–1985)
Ardian Pepa (born 1977)
Agim Rada (1953–2023)
Kristaq Rama (1932–1998)
Murad Toptani (1867–1918)
Sislej Xhafa (born 1970)
Helidon Xhixha (born 1970)

Photographers

thumb|150px|[[Kel Marubi photographer during the post-Independence years.]]

Fadil Berisha (born 1973) official photographer for Miss Universe, Miss USA and Rolex
Emin Kadi fashion photographer, journalist, art director and magazine publisher
Gegë Marubi (1907–1984) photographer
Kel Marubi (1870–1940) photographer
Gjon Mili (1904–1984) photographer known for his work published in Life Magazine
Burim Myftiu (born 1961) photographer
Kristo Sulidhi (1858–1938) photographer and writer
George Tames (1919–1994) photographer for The New York Times
Mimoza Veliu (born 1979) photographer

Performing arts

Actors and actresses

thumb|150px|[[Aleksandër Moisiu actor of European stage.]]

thumb|150px|[[Bekim Fehmiu]]

thumb|150px|Actor [[Jim Belushi born in Chicago to Albanian parents.]]

Comedians and satirists

Spiro Çomora (1918–1973)
Besim Dina (born 1971)
Zyrafete Gashi (1955–2013)
Ermal Mamaqi (born 1982)

Film and television directors

Dancers and choreographers

thumb|150px|Dancer and choreographer [[Angelin Preljocaj is a recipient of the Prix Benois de la Danse award.]]

Olta Ahmetaj choreographer and dancer
Esdalin Gorani ballet dancer
Tringa Hysa ballet dancer
Ilir Kerni ballet dancer
Spartak Hoxha ballet dancer
Kledi Kadiu dancer on the popular talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi; starred in Passa a Due in 2005
Altin Kaftira ballet dancer
Eno Peçi ballet dancer
Enkel Zhuti ballet dancer
Tony Dovolani (born 1973) Albanian-American professional ballroom dancer, instructor and judge; known for his involvement in the American version of Dancing with the Stars; appeared in Shall We Dance?; spent time coaching actress Jennifer Lopez
Angelin Preljocaj (born 1957) choreographer of contemporary dance
Ferbent Shehu dancer and choreographer

Models and beauty pageant participants

thumb|150px|Supermodel [[Emina Cunmulaj]]

thumb|150px|Fashion model [[Afërdita Dreshaj is married to former Czech ice hockey player Jakub Kindl.]]

thumb|150px|Beauty queen, model, and TV personality [[Drita Ziri won Miss Earth 2023. And became the first Albanian woman to win any of the Big Four international beauty pageants.]]

Television personalities

Blendi Fevziu (born 1969) – television host
Ardit Gjebrea (born 1963) – producer, television host, singer-songwriter
Baton Haxhiu (born 1967) – journalist, television host
Claudia Conserva (born 1974) Chilean actress, model and television presenter; of Italian-Albanian (Arbëreshë) descent
Benet Kaci (born 1978) Kosovan television personality; from Kosovo
Florina Kaja (born 1982) American reality-television participant, singer and actress
Drita D'Avanzo – reality TV star on the VH1 series Mob Wives

Music

Composers

Pianists

Ilir Bajri (born 1969)
Lola Gjoka (1910-1985)
Mariela Cingo (born 1978)
Paul Leka (1943-2011)
Pjetër Dungu (1908-1989)

Violinists

Shkëlzen Doli (born 1971)

Guitarists

Bledar Sejko (born 1985)
Dren Abazi (born 1985)
Faton Macula (born 1972)
Petrit Çeku (born 1985)

Singers

thumb|150px|[[Rita Ora during a performance in Glasgow.]]

thumb|150px|[[Dua Lipa at the Roskilde music festival.]]

Tenors and sopranos

thumb|150px|[[Tefta Tashko-Koço|Tefta Tashko operatic singer of the pre-war period.]]

thumb|150px|[[Inva Mula during a performance.]]

Sports

thumb|150px|[[Tie Domi former professional ice hockey player known for his time as the enforcer of the Toronto Maple Leafs.]]

thumb|150px|Australian rules footballer [[Adem Yze.]]

Football players

thumb|150px|[[Fatmire Bajramaj former World Cup winning midfielder who placed third in the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or competition, an annual award given to the world's best player.]]

thumb|150px|Footballer [[Xherdan Shaqiri was one of four players of Albanian descent who represented Switzerland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.]]

Admir Mehmedi (born 1991)
Altin Rraklli (born 1970)
Andi Lila (born 1986)
Ansi Agolli (born 1982)
Anxhelo Mumajesi (born 1997)
Armando Sadiku (born 1991)
Artim Shaqiri (born 1973)
Besart Berisha (born 1985)
Blerim Džemaili (born 1986)
Cyme Lulaj (born 1989)
Elseid Hysaj (born 1994)
Erjon Bogdani (born 1977)
Ervin Skela (born 1976)
Fatmire Bajramaj (born 1988)
Granit Xhaka (born 1992)
Hamdi Salihi (born 1984)
Igli Tare (born 1973)
Kosovare Asllani (born 1989)
Kristjan Asllani (born 2002)
Lorik Cana (born 1983)
Loro Boriçi (1922–1984)
Mehmet Durakovic (born 1965)
Migjen Basha (born 1987)
Nedim Bajrami (born 1999)
Panajot Pano (1939–2010)
Perlat Musta (born 1958)
Qemal Vogli (1929–2004)
Rudi Vata (born 1969)
Shkodran Mustafi (born 1992)
Sulejman Demollari (born 1964)
Taulant Xhaka (born 1991)
Thomas Strakosha (born 1995)
Valon Behrami (born 1985)
Xherdan Shaqiri (born 1991)

Martial artists

Azem Maksutaj kickboxer
Aziz Salihu boxer
Besim Kabashi kickboxer
Elis Guri wrestler
Enver Idrizi Karate World Champion
Ilir Latifi MMA fighter
Kreshnik Qato boxer
Luan Krasniqi boxer
Majlinda Kelmendi judoka
Naim Terbunja boxer
Nuri Seferi boxer
Gzim Selmani MMA fighter and pro wrestler
Sahit Prizreni wrestler
Shaban Sejdiu wrestler
Shaban Tërstena wrestler
Valdrin Vatnikaj kickboxer
Xhavit Bajrami boxer and kickboxer

Other sports

Adem Yze (born 1977) – Australian rules footballer
Aldo Zadrima (born 1948) former national chess champion
Donald Suxho (born 1976) – US Olympic team volleyball player
Emerson Jeka (born 2001) – Australian rules footballer
Erjon Tola (born 1986) Olympic skier
Ermal Kuqo (born 1980) basketball player for the Turkish team Anadolu Efes
Frank Leskaj (born 1971) – Olympic swimmer
Harley Reid (born 2005) – Australian rules footballer
John Ibrahim (born 1943) – Australian rules footballer
Linda Zetchiri (born 1987) badminton player
Molly Qerim (born 1984) sports anchor and moderator for ESPN's First Take.
Rrapush Papoj (born 1965) – cyclist, coach
Tie Domi (born 1969) – ice hockey player

Ottoman era Albanians

thumb|150px|[[Ali Pasha of Ioannina was an Ottoman Albanian ruler who served as pasha of a large part of western Rumelia, the Ottoman Empire's European territories, which was referred to as the Pashalik of Yanina.]]

Others

thumb|150px|Albanian-Danish chef [[René Redzepi founded the two-Michelin star restaurant Noma in 2003.]]

thumb|150px|[[Martin Shkreli gained notoriety for raising the price of life-saving drug Daraprim by 5,000 percent.]]

Joseph Ardizzone (born 1884, vanished 1931) organized crime boss
Joseph J. DioGuardi (born 1940) American certified public accountant and a Republican politician; his family traces its roots to the Arbëreshë people
Kara DioGuardi (born 1970) American contemporary composer of Albanian descent
Donald Lambro (1940–2023) American journalist; chief political correspondent of The Washington Times; columnist nationally syndicated by United Feature Syndicate
Laura Mersini-Houghton Theoretical Physicist-Cosmologist; Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Martin Shkreli (born 1983) Pharma executive and convict.
Arber Ndreu Tour Guide 25 country's Europe, Azia, Ballkans. Activist and famous for first program : Table Of Orator!