Famous SUNY Graduates

by Sage Levene

Before they were well known and successful, they were just regular college students. Do you share an Alma mater with anyone famous?

Wolf Blitzer

Journalist and TV news anchor

University at Buffalo 1970

BA in History, and was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi.

Michael Kors

Designer and Chief Creative Officer for Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.

Fashion Institute of Technology

Attended for 9 months in 1977 but never graduated.

Calvin Klein

Designer and founder of Calvin Klein Inc.

Fashion Institute of Technology

Attended but never graduated. Received an honorary doctorate in 2003.

Al Roker

TV personality, weather forecaster, actor and author

SUNY Oswego 1976

BA in Communications.

Harvey Milk

First openly gay politician to be elected to public office in California

University at Albany (was then called “New York State College For Teachers”) 1951

Majored in mathematics. He wrote for the college newspaper.

Stanley Tucci

Actor, writer producer and director

SUNY Purchase 1982

Majored in Acting.

Kevin James

Actor, comedian, screenwriter and producer

SUNY Cortland (Didn’t graduate)

Majored in sports management. Played on varsity football team.

William Baldwin

Actor producer and writer

Binghamton University 1985

Degree in Political Science. Was a varsity wrestler.

Bill Pullman

Actor

Attended SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Delhi in the 1970s.

Al Schneir

Musician, guitarist for the band moe.

SUNY Oneonta 1990

BA in Philosophy and BA in Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Arts.

Joy Behar

Comedian, writer, actress and TV personality

Stony Brook University 1966

MA English Education.

Regina Spektor

Singer-songwriter and pianist

SUNY Purchase 2001

Graduate from the Conservatory of Music Program with honors.

John Turturro

Actor, writer an, director

SUNY New Paltz

Majored in Theatre Arts.

Jerry Seinfeld

Comedian, actor, writer and producer

SUNY Oswego

Never graduated, attended until his sophomore year.

Tim Robbins

Actor, screenwriter, director, producer and musician

SUNY Plattsburgh

Attended for two years.

Geraldo Rivera

Attorney, reporter, author and talk show host

SUNY Maritime College

Attended from 1961-1963, was a member of the rowing team.