Notable Alumni & Staff (Graduates and Instructors.)

Business-Industry

Donn Gerry Ziebell (1952) Metallurgical Engineer, Artist, Author
James Bjorken Ph.D (1952) theoretical physicist, made groundbreaking contributions to particle physics, particularly through his invention of “Bjorken scaling,” which revolutionized the understanding of proton and neutron behavior at high energies. His work at SLAC and Stanford earned him the Wolf Prize in Physics and the European Physical Society’s High Energy and Particle Physics Prize. Bjorken also advanced the theory of the “strong force,” and contributed to particle beam theory at Fermilab. Remembered for his creative thinking and collaborative spirit, Bjorken balanced his passion for physics with interests such as mountain climbing, skiing, and classical music. Until his final days, he engaged with physics, leaving a lasting legacy in the scientific community and beyond.
Nicholas Pissios (1997) Partner. Cinespace Chicago Studios.
Dean Pissios (1993) Vice President-Production. Cinespace Chicago Studios.
Alex Pissios (1990) President, CEO of Cinespace Chicago Studios known as the Hollywood of the Midwest,the largest independent movie studios outside of Los Angeles.web site
David Hiller (1971) publisher, president and CEO of the Chicago Tribune and subsequently the Los Angeles Times
James E. Challenger (1943) the founder, President, and CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Stanton Cook (1943) publisher of the Chicago Tribune and Chairman of the Chicago Cubs.

Sports

John Sebastian (Staff-Instructor-Maine East 1957-1965) Known as Mr. Two Hands. Saluki Hall of Fame 1980 Men's Basketball. Sebastian led the IIAC in scoring three times and was an All-Conference selection on SIU’s 1947 conference championship team. He played professionally with a touring team that played against the Harlem Globetrotters. Sebastian set a world record in 1972 when he sank 63 free throws while blindfolded. He also coached/trained the Harlem Glodetrotters. He was featured on various TV shows in the 60's.
Dave Bergman (1971 Maine South) is a former MLB player (New York Yankees, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers)
Steve Smith (1962) an American football player (1966, 1968–74)
Ivan Chukarov (2013) drafted in the 7th round of the 2015 NHL Draft.

Writing and journalism

Robert Appelbaum (1970) a professor of English literature at Uppsala University, Sweden, and the author of many articles and books on literary history and contemporary culture.
Marc Hempel (1975) a cartoonist and author.
Charles Hillinger (1943)was a journalist with the Los Angeles Times for 46 years.
Daniel S. Libman (1985) writer, author of Married But Looking, a collection of stories which won the Pushcart Prize for fiction and The Paris Review Discovery Prize.
Richard Maxwell (1986) a playwright who won a Special Citation Obie Award in 1999 for his play House.[citation needed]
Marshall Seese (1960) a meteorologist and founder of The Weather Channel.
Jay Smith (1985) News Director/Executive Producer for WTTW News.
Roz Varon (1975) Roz Varon made history as Chicago’s first morning news TV traffic reporter and one of the nation’s earliest in the role, spending an extraordinary 35 years at ABC7. Renowned for her expertise and rapport with viewers, Roz provided essential traffic and transportation updates to help Chicagoans navigate the city’s streets. A stage 4 breast cancer survivor, she has become a passionate advocate for cancer awareness and prevention, inspiring others through her motivational speaking and community engagement. Her numerous accolades include multiple Emmy Awards, Peter Lisagor Awards, and the Girl Scouts’ Thanks Badge. Beyond broadcasting, Roz volunteers at the Anti-Cruelty Society, reflecting her deep love for animals. Roz’s recent retirement marks the end of an iconic career, leaving an indelible impact on Chicago’s news and a legacy of resilience, advocacy, and public service.
Scott Cohn (1978) a senior correspondent at CNBC.

The arts

Bob Abrahamian (1995) a soul music deejay, historian, archivist and record collector.
Karen Black (1957) an Oscar–nominated and two–time Golden Globe-winning actress (5 Easy Pieces, Easy Rider).[citation needed]
Hugh Brannum (1927) an actor best known for his portrayal of Mr. Green Jeans on the children's show Captain Kangaroo.
Harrison Ford (1960) an Oscar and Golden Globe–nominated actor best known for playing roles such as Indiana Jones, Han Solo and Jack Ryan.
Jami Gertz (1983) a distinguished actress and philanthropist, is an accomplished alumna of Maine East High School. Rising to fame in the 1980s, she starred in roles such as Star in The Lost Boys (1987) and appeared in films like Less Than Zero and Twister (1996), along with television successes like Still Standing (2002–2006). Ms. Gertz also co-founded a production company with her husband, Tony Ressler. Together, they established the Gertz Family Foundation, which supports education, health, and community development. Known for significant contributions to cancer research and other health initiatives, Ms. Gertz has leveraged her platform to champion numerous charitable causes, solidifying her legacy as both a talented performer and a committed philanthropis
Steve Goodman (1965) a two–time Grammy Award–winning folk singer-songwriter best known for writing "City of New Orleans" and "Go, Cubs, Go".
Dorothy Gregory (1940) a radio actress at WGN. Graduated Maine at 16, starred in several soap operas before dying of leukema at age 18. Article
Jim Hager (1960) a singer; Hager Brothers and The Hagers, a duo of American country music singers and comedians who first gained fame on the TV series Hee Haw. They were identical twin brothers. 
Jon Hager (1960) a singer; Hager Brothers and The Hagers,
Rich Koz (1970) a Chicago born radio and television personality best known for playing the Son of Svengoolie.
Josephine Lee (1993)an Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated conductor, pianist, singer, and producer, has made remarkable contributions to music and education through her visionary leadership and artistry. As President of Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir), Lee has transformed the organization into a premier cultural institution, doubling its student reach and tripling its budget. She has spearheaded groundbreaking performances and collaborations, including projects with Chance the Rapper, Yo-Yo Ma, Karol G, and Andrea Bocelli, as well as high-profile appearances at the Kennedy Center, Ravinia Festival, and Saturday Night Live. Lee’s original composition Multiverse and other works highlight her innovative approach to music as a tool for cultural diplomacy and creative expression. Ms. Lee has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Kennedy Center’s Arts Advocacy Award and Harvard’s Roman Nomitch Fellowship, Lee continues to inspire with her artistic and educational impact.
Scott Mutter (1961) An internationally acclaimed artist, his photo-montages were exhibited in galleries around the world, featured in calendars and as posters, and collected in the best-selling book, 'Surrational Images.' His papers are part of the permanent archives at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.
Bruce "Buzz" Podewell (1961) assistant on Watch Mr. Wizard 1951. Professor of Theater History, Tulane U.
Bruce Lindgren (1957) assistant on Watch Mr. Wizard 1951-
Carrie Snodgress (1963) an Oscar–nominated and Golden Globe–winning actress (Diary of a Mad Housewife).

Politics, Legal and Government

Hillary Clinton (Maine South 1965) was First Lady of the United States (1993–2001), a United States Senator from New York (2001–09), U.S. Secretary of State (2009-13), and a candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination for President of the United States (2007–08) and (2015-16). Clinton attended Maine East from 1961–1964, but transferred to the newer Maine South.
Gordon Fornell (1954) was a Lt. General in the United States Air Force, and served as senior military assistant to Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger.
John Jovanovic (2004) Appointed by President Trump in 2025 as Chairman and CEO of the Export-Import bank of the U.S. (EXIM)
Larry Kramer (1976) a distinguished legal scholar and leader, has made profound contributions to academia, philanthropy, and global policy. A graduate of Maine East High School (1976), Brown University (1980), and the University of Chicago Law School (1984),PhD Kramer clerked for Judge Henry Friendly and Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., before joining the faculty at prestigious law schools, ultimately serving as Dean of Stanford Law School. There, he redefined legal education, emphasizing public service, globalization, and multidisciplinary approaches, elevating Stanford to the top U.S. law school. As President of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Kramer oversaw nearly $6 billion in grants, advancing efforts to combat climate change, address cybersecurity, and protect ecosystems across North America. Dr. Kramer was recently appointed President of the London School of Economics.
James B. Loken (1958) has served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit since 1990, and has been its Chief Judge since 2003.
Ameya Pawar (1998) currently serves as the alderman for the 47th Ward of the City of Chicago. Pawar is the first Indian American and Asian American in Chicago City Council history. In 2017 he was a candidate for the Democratic primary for Governor of Illinois for the 2018 election.
Philip Tone (1940) was a U.S. District Court judge who from 1974–80 served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He helped investigate Billy Carter's involvement with the government of Libya.