Famous Long Beach Polytechnic High School Alumni

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Updated June 1, 2019 70.0K views 26 items
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People on this list must have gone to Long Beach Polytechnic High School and be of some renown.

List of famous alumni from Long Beach Polytechnic High School, with photos when available. Prominent graduates from Long Beach Polytechnic High School include celebrities, politicians, business people, athletes and more. This list of distinguished Long Beach Polytechnic High School alumni is loosely ordered by relevance, so the most recognizable celebrities who attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School are at the top of the list. This directory is not just composed of graduates of this school, as some of the famous people on this list didn't necessarily earn a degree from Long Beach Polytechnic High School.

This list features graduates like Cameron Diaz and Snoop Dogg.

This list answers the questions “Which famous people went to Long Beach Polytechnic High School?” and “Which celebrities are Long Beach Polytechnic High School alumni?”
  • Cameron Diaz

    Cameron Diaz

    Model, Actor, Voice acting
    Cameron Diaz, born on August 30, 1972, in San Diego, California, is a renowned Hollywood actress who has made a significant impact within the global film industry. She began her career as a model at the tender age of 16, working for elite agencies such as Elite Model Management. Diaz's modeling career took her around the world, giving her exposure to different cultures and experiences. Her first break in acting came unexpectedly when she auditioned for The Mask, opposite Jim Carrey, despite having no previous acting experience. The film was a box office hit, propelling her into stardom and setting the stage for an illustrious acting career. Diaz's charm, comedic timing, and versatility set her apart from her contemporaries. Over the course of her career, she has showcased her talent in a wide range of genres, from comedy to drama, and has worked with some of the most respected directors in Hollywood. Some of her most notable performances include roles in There's Something About Mary, Charlie's Angels, and Vanilla Sky. Diaz's performance in Being John Malkovich earned her a Golden Globe nomination, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood's top actresses. Despite her success in the film industry, Diaz has never allowed herself to be boxed into a single role. In addition to acting, she is also a successful author and environmental activist. Her book, The Body Book: Feed, Move, Understand and Love Your Amazing Body, co-written with Sandra Bark, became a New York Times bestseller, demonstrating her ability to captivate audiences beyond the silver screen. As an environmentalist, Diaz is committed to raising awareness about environmental issues and advocating for sustainable living.
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  • Snoop Dogg

    Snoop Dogg

    Film Score Composer, Record producer, Rapper
    Snoop Dogg, originally named Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., is a multitalented American artist who has made significant contributions to the music industry, particularly in the realm of rap and hip hop. Born on October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California, his journey into stardom began when he was discovered by famed rapper Dr. Dre. This led to Snoop Dogg's debut album Doggystyle, released under Death Row Records, which quickly climbed its way up to No.1 on Billboard's hip-hop and Top 200 charts. Snoop Dogg's unique blend of melodious hooks and laid-back rhymes have become synonymous with West Coast rap. His ability to continually reinvent himself musically over time is a testament to his enduring impact on contemporary music culture. However, beyond music alone; Snoop has also made waves as an actor appearing in several films including Training Day, Starsky & Hutch, and Scary Movie 5. He has also hosted television shows like Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, Snoop Dogg's Father Hood and Dinner for Five. Despite facing numerous legal issues related to drugs throughout his career that could have potentially derailed it completely; resilience seems ingrained within Snoop's persona as he consistently bounced back stronger each time. His philanthropic endeavors are noteworthy too - from youth football leagues to hurricane relief efforts - reflecting another dimension of this varied personality outside entertainment circles. In summary, Snoop Dogg's life story serves as an epitome of overcoming adversity through talent and determination while leaving an indelible mark across various domains.
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  • Billie Jean King

    Billie Jean King

    Tennis player, Film Producer
    Billie Jean King, a name synonymous with the advancement of women's sports, is an American former professional tennis player. Born in Long Beach, California, on November 22, 1943, she began her journey in tennis at the age of 10. With a career spanning over two decades, from 1959 to 1983, she emerged as one of the most dominant players in the sport's history. With numerous accolades under her belt, including 39 Grand Slam titles, 20 Wimbledon championships, and four Federation Cup victories, King redefined what it meant to be a female athlete. Beyond her impressive roster of victories, however, King's influence stretches far beyond the tennis court. She has been a tireless advocate for gender equality in sports, a cause that has shaped her legacy as much as her prowess with a racket. In 1973, she won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against Bobby Riggs, an event viewed by an estimated 90 million people worldwide, and a landmark moment in public acceptance of women's sports. Furthermore, she co-founded the Women's Tennis Association and continues to be a leading voice in the fight against gender discrimination in sports. In recognition of her contribution to tennis and to gender equality in sports, King has received multiple awards and honors. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 - making her the first female athlete to receive this honor. Additionally, the USTA National Tennis Center in New York was renamed the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in 2006. Billie Jean King's life and career serve as a testament to her determination, skill, and advocacy for equality, leaving an indelible imprint on the world of sports and beyond.
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  • Nate Dogg

    Nate Dogg

    Rapper, Actor, Singer
    Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (August 19, 1969 – March 15, 2011), known professionally as Nate Dogg, was an American singer, rapper, songwriter, and actor. Hale began his career as a member of the California rap trio 213, alongside his longtime friend Warren G and cousin Snoop Dogg. He eventually pursued a solo career, and released three solo albums, G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 in 1998, Music & Me in 2001, and Nate Dogg as a bootlegged album in 2003 and on CD in 2014. He was known for his deep, low-pitched singing voice, and for performing hooks, frequently collaborating with other artists such as Dr. Dre, Eminem, Warren G, Tupac Shakur, Westside Connection, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Ludacris, Xzibit, and Shade Sheist on many hit releases. Nate Dogg is regarded as one of the pioneers of G-funk and West Coast hip hop. Hale died in 2011 due to complications from multiple strokes.
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  • Andrea Lowell

    Andrea Lowell

    Model, Actor
    Andrea Lowell (born January 17, 1983) is an American actress and model most recognizable from her Playboy magazine nude pictorials and on air work for a variety of Playboy TV programs.
  • Tony Gwynn

    Tony Gwynn

    Baseball player
    Anthony Keith Gwynn Sr. (May 9, 1960 – June 16, 2014), nicknamed "Mr. Padre", was an American professional baseball right fielder, who played 20 seasons (1982–2001) in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres. The left-handed hitting Gwynn won eight batting titles in his career, tied for the most in National League (NL) history. He is considered one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. Gwynn had a .338 career batting average, never hitting below .309 in any full season. He was a 15-time All-Star, recognized for his skills both on offense and defense with seven Silver Slugger Awards and five Gold Glove Awards. Gwynn was the rare player in his era that stayed with a single team his entire career, and he played in the only two World Series appearances in San Diego's franchise history. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, his first year of eligibility. Gwynn attended San Diego State University (SDSU), where he played both college baseball and basketball for the Aztecs. He was an all-conference player in both sports in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), but was honored as an All-American in baseball. Gwynn was selected by the Padres in the third round of the 1981 MLB draft, as the 58th overall pick. He made his major-league debut the following year, and captured his first batting title in 1984, when San Diego advanced to its first-ever World Series. A poor fielder in college, Gwynn's work on his defense was rewarded in 1986, when he received his first Gold Glove. The following year, he won the first of three consecutive batting titles. Beginning in 1990, Gwynn endured four straight seasons which ended prematurely due to injuries, particular to his left knee. However, he experienced a resurgence with four straight batting titles starting in 1994, when he batted a career-high .394 in a strike-shortened season. Gwynn played in his second World Series in 1998, before reaching the 3,000-hit milestone the following year. He played two more seasons, hampered by injuries in both, and retired after the 2001 season with 3,141 career hits. A contact hitter, Gwynn excelled at hitting the ball to the opposite field. After meeting Hall of Famer Ted Williams in 1992, Gwynn became more adept at pulling the ball and using the entire field, as well as hitting for more power. He could also run early in his career, when he was a stolen base threat. Widely considered the greatest player in Padres history, Gwynn regularly accepted less money to remain with the small-market team. After he retired from playing, the Padres retired his No. 19 in 2004. Gwynn became the head baseball coach at his alma mater, and also spent time as a baseball analyst. Gwynn died of salivary gland cancer in 2014 at the age of 54.
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  • Marcedes Lewis

    Marcedes Lewis

    American football player
    Marcedes Alexis Lewis (born May 19, 1984) is an American football tight end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earned consensus All-American honors, and was recognized as the top college tight end. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
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  • Chase Utley

    Chase Utley

    Baseball player
    Chase Cameron Utley (born December 17, 1978) is an American former professional baseball second baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 16 seasons, primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is a six-time All-Star, won a World Series with the Phillies in 2008, and was chosen as the second baseman on the Sports Illustrated All-Decade Team for the 2000s. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. After becoming a permanent fixture as the Phillies' second baseman, Utley demonstrated versatility, spending some time at first base as well. As his fielding has improved over his career, Utley was seen in combination with Jimmy Rollins as one of the best middle-infield combinations in the NL, until Rollins was traded to the Dodgers in the winter of 2014. Utley was considered by fans to be a team leader of the Phillies, alongside Rollins and Ryan Howard, and he has been noted for his leadership qualities with the Dodgers. Utley was known for his quiet understated demeanor, instead setting an example for teammates with his exhaustive preparation in the video room and the batting cage. Utley's seven career World Series home runs are the most for a second baseman, and he shares the single-series postseason record of five home runs with Reggie Jackson and George Springer. He is also noteworthy for having participated in seven no-hitters, of which he was on the winning side in four.
  • Marilyn Horne

    Marilyn Horne

    Actor, Voice acting, Singer
    Marilyn Horne (born January 16, 1934) is an American mezzo-soprano opera singer. She specialized in roles requiring beauty of tone, excellent breath support, and the ability to execute difficult coloratura passages. She is a recipient of the National Medal of Arts (1992) and the Kennedy Center Honors (1995). She has won four Grammy Awards.
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  • Ruth Ashton Taylor

    Ruth Ashton Taylor

    Journalist
    Ruth Ashton Taylor (born April 20, 1922) is a retired American television and radio newscaster, with a career in broadcasting that spanned over 50 years. She was the first female newscaster on television in Los Angeles and the West Coast. She has received many awards and honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • DeSean Jackson

    DeSean Jackson

    Athlete, American football player
    DeSean William Jackson (born December 1, 1986) is an American football wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of California, Berkeley, where he was recognized as a consensus All-American. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, and has also played for the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jackson has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and was the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year when he was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a wide receiver and return specialist.
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  • Carl Weathers

    Carl Weathers

    Television director, Television producer, Actor
    Carl Weathers, best known for his portrayal of Apollo Creed in the Rocky series, is a multi-talented individual who has proven himself as an actor, director, and former professional football player. Born on January 14, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Weathers pursued both athletics and academics with equal ardor. His athletic prowess led him to a brief stint in the NFL, playing linebacker for the Oakland Raiders and later the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League. Weathers transitioned into acting following his football career. He broke onto the Hollywood scene with his iconic role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise, starring alongside Sylvester Stallone. Weathers brought a depth and intensity to Apollo Creed that made the character memorable, enhancing the films' overall success. His performance garnered acclaim, and he continued to secure roles in notable films like Predator and Action Jackson, further cementing his position as a versatile and accomplished actor. Despite his successful acting career, Weathers did not limit himself to one aspect of the entertainment industry. He expanded his repertoire by stepping behind the camera as a director for numerous television episodes, showing an aptitude for guiding narratives and performances. His directorial ventures include episodes of Silk Stalkings and Sheena. In addition, Weathers has also made significant contributions to television as an actor, with roles in popular shows like Arrested Development and The Mandalorian.
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  • Wayne Thiebaud
    Wayne Thiebaud (born November 15, 1920) is an American painter widely known for his colorful works depicting commonplace objects—pies, lipsticks, paint cans, ice cream cones, pastries, and hot dogs—as well as for his landscapes and figure paintings. Thiebaud is associated with the pop art movement because of his interest in objects of mass culture, although his early works, executed during the fifties and sixties, slightly predate the works of the classic pop artists. Thiebaud uses heavy pigment and exaggerated colors to depict his subjects, and the well-defined shadows characteristic of advertisements are almost always included in his work.
  • Willie McGinest

    Willie McGinest

    American football player
    William Lee McGinest, Jr. (born December 11, 1971) is a former American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New England Patriots fourth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at USC. McGinest also played for the Cleveland Browns.
  • Milton Bradley

    Milton Bradley

    Baseball player
    Milton Obelle Bradley, Jr. (born April 15, 1978) is an American retired professional baseball outfielder. Standing 6 feet (1.8 m) and weighing 215 pounds (98 kg), Bradley was a switch hitter who threw right-handed. During an 11-year career in Major League Baseball, Bradley played with the Montreal Expos (2000–01), Cleveland Indians (2001–03), Los Angeles Dodgers (2004–05), Oakland Athletics (2006–07), San Diego Padres (2007), Texas Rangers (2008), Chicago Cubs (2009), and Seattle Mariners (2010–11). His career was also marred by legal troubles and several notable on-field incidents. Born in Harbor City, California, Bradley attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School before he was drafted by the Expos in the 1996 Major League Baseball draft. After playing four seasons of minor league baseball for the organization, he made his major league debut on July 19, 2000. In 2001, Bradley was traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for pitching prospect Zach Day; he was again traded in 2004 to the Los Angeles Dodgers. After playing in 216 games for the Dodgers, the most among all teams he has played for, Bradley was traded to the Oakland Athletics for Andre Ethier. Bradley was traded to the Padres in 2007, was granted free agency after one season with the team, and signed with the Texas Rangers in 2007. He was voted to the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game with the Rangers, and led the American League with a .436 on-base percentage and a .999 on-base plus slugging percentage. For the year, Bradley finished 17th in American League Most Valuable Player Award voting. After becoming a free agent, Bradley signed with the Chicago Cubs in January 2009, who traded him in December of that year to the Seattle Mariners. In Seattle, Bradley batted .205 in 2010 and .218 in 2011 before he was released by the club. He has a career batting average of .271 with 135 home runs and 481 runs batted in (RBIs) in 1,042 games played, and was described as having "power, speed, a strong arm and star qualities", although "his temper … has never allowed him to fulfill his immense potential."In 2013, Bradley was convicted by a jury of nine counts of physically attacking and threatening his wife including four counts of spousal battery, two counts of criminal threats, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of vandalism and one count of brandishing a deadly weapon, and was sentenced to 32 months in prison.
  • Travon Patterson

    Travon Patterson

    American football player
  • Hershel Dennis

    Hershel Dennis

    American football player
    Hershel Dennis Jr. (born July 12, 1984) is a former American football running back. He played college football as a student athlete at the University of Southern California. During his six-year career, the Trojans went 70–8 making Dennis the first player to play on six Pacific-10 Championship squads and the player with the most wins in college football history. His nickname since childhood is "Patch"
  • Antoine Cason

    Antoine Cason

    American football player
    Antoine Brandon Cason (born July 9, 1986) is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Arizona where he was recognized as a consensus All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Cason also played for Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, and Baltimore Ravens.
  • Bobby Jones

    Bobby Jones

    Basketball player
    Bobby Ray Jones Jr. (born 9 January 1984) is an American-born naturalised-Equatorial Guinean professional basketball player who plays for NPC Rieti of the Italian Serie A2. He notably played for five different NBA teams in a single season (2007–08), later moving to Italy to continue his career.
  • Michael J. Pagan

    Michael J. Pagan

    Screenwriter, Actor
    Michael Jamon Pagan (born January 12, 1985) is an American actor and screenwriter.
  • Mack Calvin

    Mack Calvin

    Basketball player
    Mack Calvin (born July 27, 1947) is an American former basketball player.
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  • Craig Hosmer

    Craig Hosmer

    Politician
    Chester Craig Hosmer (May 6, 1915 – October 11, 1982) was a United States Representative from California. Hosmer was born in Brea, California, in Orange County. He attended the public schools, graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Hosmer graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1937. Hosmer attended the University of Michigan Law School in 1938 and graduated from the University of Southern California Law School in 1940. He was admitted to the bar in 1940 and began practice in Long Beach, California. He enlisted in the United States Navy in July 1940 and advanced to the rank of commander; rear admiral, Naval Reserve. He was an attorney with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission at Los Alamos, New Mexico and special assistant United States District Attorney for New Mexico in 1948. He then returned to Long Beach, California to private practice. Hosmer was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for election in 1950 to the Eighty-second Congress. He was elected as a Republican to the Eighty-third and to the ten succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1953, until his resignation December 31, 1974. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1974 to the Ninety-fourth Congress. He was president of the American Nuclear Energy Council from 1975-1979. He was a resident of Washington, D.C. until his death on October 11, 1982, aboard a cruise ship bound for Mexico. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
  • Samantha Larson

    Samantha Larson

    Samantha Larson (born 1988) is an American mountain climber from Long Beach, California. On May 16, 2007, at the age of 18, she became temporarily the youngest non-Nepalese woman to summit Mount Everest. By reaching the top of Everest, she also became temporarily the youngest person to have climbed the Seven Summits (the "Bass list"), the tallest mountains on each of the seven continents. She and her father, Dr. David Larson, became the first father-daughter team to complete the Seven Summits. In August 2007 they climbed the Carstensz Pyramid, thereby also completing the "Messner list" of the Seven Summits.The Nepalese government said that she was the youngest foreigner ever to reach Everest's summit, but some climbing Web sites claim a 17-year-old boy from France did it in 1990. 15-year-old Ming Kipa from Nepal was the youngest ever to climb Everest.Larson began climbing with her father, David Larson, while in the sixth grade at Hughes Middle School. They began the Seven Summits by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2001, when she was 12. Larson graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in June 2006, deferring her freshman year at Stanford University for a year to train for the Everest climb. Larson was nominated for an ESPY Award in 2007 and was on the Dare To Explore chapter on the March 2008 issue of National Geographic Kids. In 2009, she was also featured as one of Venus Zine’s “25 under 25” list for her climbing achievements.
  • Chuck Stevens

    Chuck Stevens

    Baseball player
    Charles Augustus Stevens, Jr. (July 10, 1918 – May 28, 2018) was a first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Browns in parts of three seasons (1941, 1946, 1948). Listed at 6' 1", 180 lb., Stevens was a switch-hitter and threw left-handed. He was born in Van Houten, New Mexico.
  • Donovan Warren

    Donovan Warren

    American football player
    Donovan Jamelle Warren (born January 31, 1989) is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. Warren was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 NFL Draft and has also played with the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears. He attended the University of Michigan through his junior year. During his three years playing for the Michigan Wolverines football team, he started in 34 of 36 games. As a member of the 2009 Michigan Wolverines football team, whom he led in interceptions, he earned 2009 first team All-Big Ten recognition from the media and second team recognition from the coaches. He had chosen Michigan over his hometown favorite University of Southern California because he believed that he would be able to play immediately there. Warren had played high school football at Long Beach Polytechnic High School in California.
  • John Pawson

    John Pawson

    California Science Teacher of the Year 1984, Member of National Commission on Excellence in Education 1982-1985, Member of California Science Education Committee, 1986-89.