The Carnegie Corporation of New York recently released its annual Great Immigrants list, recognizing the exceptional achievements of immigrants in the United States. Among the esteemed honorees are Pedro Pascal, renowned for his roles in “The Mandalorian” and “The Last of Us,” and Ke Huy Quan, who recently received his first Oscar. The list comprises 35 individuals from 33 countries, including Grammy-winning singers Alanis Morissette and Angelique Kidjo, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Olympian Bernard Lagat, and KIND snack food founder Daniel Lubetzky.
Dame Louise Richardson, President of Carnegie Corporation of New York, highlighted the extraordinary nature of these individuals and emphasized the significance of sharing their stories, which have made substantial contributions to American society. The Great Immigrants list has been compiled annually since 2006, recognizing naturalized American citizens for their accomplishments.
Pedro Pascal, originally from Chile and raised in San Antonio and Southern California, has garnered immense popularity for his portrayal of the title character in the live-action “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian” and the lead role of Joel Miller in HBO’s apocalyptic drama “The Last of Us.” Ke Huy Quan, born in Vietnam, gained prominence as a child actor in the 1984 film “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and recently won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” a science-fiction film centered around a Chinese-American family.
Esteemed musicians Alanis Morissette, a seven-time Grammy winner known for hits like “Ironic” and “You Oughta Know,” and Angelique Kidjo, a five-time Grammy winner who fled her home country of Benin due to dictatorship and later found success in France and New York, were also honored. Kidjo expressed the importance of working towards a better democracy for all in the United States, emphasizing the fundamental role immigrants have played in shaping the nation.
The Great Immigrants list serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate the significant impact made by immigrants, highlighting their achievements and their integral role in the United States’ history and culture.
