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Paula Abdul -

Her father, Harry Abdul, was of Syrian Jewish heritage. Paula Abdul is know as a singer, choreographer, and TV personality in shows such as 'American Idol,' 'The X Factor,' and 'So You Think You Can Dance.'

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Gigi Hadid -

The famous model is of Palestinian descent. Gigi Hadid was the first cover model on Vogue Arabia in 2017.

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Bella Hadid -

Gigi's sister, Bella Hadid, who is also a successful model, is also a famous Arab American. The Hadid sister's Palestinian heritage comes from their father, Mohamed Hadid.

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Tony Shalhoub -

The award-winning actor, best know for his role in the show 'Monk' (2002-2009), is of Lebanese descent. Tony Shalhoub's Lebanese father immigrated to America, where he met and married his mother, who was a Lebanese-American.

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Jenna Dewan -

The American actress and dancer has Lebanese ancestry from her father's side of the family. Dewan is best known for her role in the 2006 movie 'Step Up,' and for having worked as a backup dancer for artists such as Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Missy Elliott.

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Kathy Najimy -

The actress, best know for the 'Hocus Pocus' and 'Sister Act' movies, has parents with Lebanese ancestry.

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Hoda Kotb -

Hoda Kotb is best known for hosting the 'Today Show' on NBC. The television personality was born to Egyptian parents. Hoda Kotb was born in Norman, Oklahoma, but lived in Egypt for a year.

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Shannon Elizabeth -

The actress, best known for her roles in 'American Pie' (1999) and 'Scary Movie' (2000), is of Syrian and Lebanese descent from her father's side.

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Rashida Tlaib -

In 2018, Rashida Tlaib became the first female Muslim to be elected to the House of Representatives. Tlaib was also the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress.

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James Jabara -

The son of Lebanese immigrants, U.S. Air Force Colonel James Jabara became the first American jet ace in history. This means that he took down five or more jets during World War II.

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Ahmed Zewail -

The Egyptian-American chemist known as the "father of femtochemistry" was awarded the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

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Khalid Khannouchi -

The Morocco-born runner became an American citizen in 2002 and currently holds the American record for the marathon.

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Christa McAuliffe -

The late teacher and astronaut was of Lebanese descent. Christa McAuliffe tragically lost her life in the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster in 1986.

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Dr. Farouk el-Baz -

The Egypt-born geologist helped plan the Apollo moon landings. He's also a space photographer pioneer, having managed to find ground water in numerous deserts across the planet using such images.

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Doug Flutie -

Doug Flutie had an outstanding career in football, in both the NFL and the Canadian Football League. The former quarterback's paternal great-grandparents immigrated to the US from Lebanon.

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Bobby Rahal -

The race car driver is best known for winning the 1986, 1987, and 1992 PPG Indy Car World Series, as well as the 1986 Indianapolis 500. Rahal has Lebanese ancestry.

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Steve Jobs -

The late co-founder of Apple, Steve Job's biological father, Abdulfattah John Jandali, was originally from Syria.

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Linda Sarsour -

Political activist Linda Sarsour has been associated with a number of campaigns and events, including the Women's March. Born in New York City to Palestinian immigrants, Sarsour was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2017.

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Candy Lightner -

Candy Lightner is best known as the founder of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), which became one of the world's largest crime victims' assistance organizations. Lightner's maternal grandparents were originally from Syria.

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Jeff George -

The former NFL quarterback has family roots in Syria. Jeff George is arguably the greatest Arab American athlete from Indianapolis.

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Salma Hayek -

The Mexican-American actress is also of Lebanese descent. Her Lebanese heritage comes from her father's side.

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Maysoon Zayid -

Maysoon Zayid not only is one of America's first Muslim comedians, she also has one of the most-watched Ted Talks of all time. Of Palestinian descent, Zayid is know to spend three months per year helping children in refugee camps in the territories.

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Elias Zerhouni -

The Arab-American scientist, radiologist, and biomedical engineer was born in Algeria. In 2002, Zerhouni became the first immigrant to head the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha -

Born to Iraqi parents, the pediatrician and professor is best known for being a whistleblower in what became known as the Flint Water Crisis—when contaminated water in Flint, Michigan, caused a public health crisis.

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Dina Habib Powell -

The former Deputy National Security Advisor was born in Cairo, Egypt. Powell has an impressive resume when it comes to business and politics.

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Donna Shalala -

The academic and politician served in both the Carter and the Clinton administrations and was in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2019 to 2021. Shalala's mother was among the first Lebanese-Americans to graduate from Ohio State University.

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Fady Joudah -

The Palestinian-American poet was born in Austin, Texas, but grew up in Saudi Arabia and Libya. Joudah won the 2007 Yale Series of Younger Poets Competition, as well as the 2013 International Griffin Poetry Prize.

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Darrell Issa -

The businessman and politician, who serves as the US representative for California's 48th congressional district, has Lebanese grandparents.

Sources: (Woman's Day) (U.S. Embassy in Georgia) (ShareAmerica) (Learning for Justice)

See also: Celebrities you didn't know are Muslims

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Notable public figures you didn't know were Arab Americans - Notable public figures you didn't know were Arab Americans

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