Due to the turbulent history and challenging life conditions many Croatian people were forced to leave their country in the quest for a better life as they still do nowadays. Lots of Croatians chose to move to the US in order to start a new life so it's no wonder that many famous Americans today are of Croatian origins.

The world famous American Croat is the Academy Award nominee and the star of over 70 films, the actor John Malkovich. His grandparents were from Ozalj in Croatia.

Denise Richards, famous as a former Bond girl and Charlie Sheen's ex-wife, is one more Hollywood star which is of Croatian origin. She was born in Downers Grove, Illinois, to a Croatian mother.

Krist Anthony Novoselic is one of the few who has made such an impact on the world music industry. He was a bass guitar player and co-founder of the popular rock band Nirvana. Novoselic was born in Compton, California to Croatian parents. His brother introduced him to Kurt Cobain and the rest is history.

The lead guitarist of the American alternative rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars is Tomislav Milicevic who was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to Croatian parents. His older sister Ivana appeared in numerous TV shows and films such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Chuck, Banshee and Casino Royale.

Victor Grinich was born in Aberdeen, Washington to Croatian parents. He was a pioneer in the semiconductor industry and a member of the "traitorous eight" that founded Silicon Valley.

The Maglite flashlight was invented by Anthony Maglica, a Croat who was born in New York, but grew up on the Croatian island of Zlarin, the home of his parents. After the World War II he moved back to the US where he founded his company Mag Instruments which is famous for its Maglite flashlights.

Branko Lustig, is the Croatian film producer from Osijek who moved to the US in 1988. He is the only person born in the territory of present-day Croatia who won two Academy Awards. Lustig received his first Oscar in 1993 for the production of Schindler's List, whilst he received his second Oscar for the epic movie Gladiator.

American NFL also has a Croat in its ranks. William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is the head coach for the New England Patriots. He won three Super Bowl titles and NFL Coach of the year award in 2003, 2007 and 2010. His grandfather was from Karlovac, Croatia.