[Quixote]

LA's biggest cultural export has been the Kardashians (yeah, I know), who objectively speaking, are quite popular and influential around the world.

TMZ, which was the first to break news of Kobe Bryant's (as well as his daughter and others) tragic death in that helicopter accident in Calabasas, was founded and is led by Harvey Levin, who was born and raised in Los Angeles.

Casey Wasserman secured the 2028 Olympics for LA.

LA's last three mayors (Karen Bass, Eric Garcetti, Antonio Villaraigosa) were born and raised in LA city.

Alex Padilla, California's junior U.S. Senator, was born and raised in LA.

Adam Schiff, Maxine Waters, and Doug Emhoff were born and grew up mostly elsewhere but made their careers in LA (a little different standard for politicians). Waters and Emhoff graduated from college here.

Richard Nixon was born in Yorba Linda and grew up in Whittier.

Randy Newman, singer and songwriter of "I Love L.A.," was born in LA, moved to New Orleans, and then returned to LA when he was 11.

Philippe Mathieu, who along with his brother established Philippe's (the birthplace of the French dip sandwich), emigrated from France to Buffalo in 1901 and then moved to LA in 1903.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie, two of the most famous and admired A-list Hollywood celebrities, were born and grew up in LA. Jolie lived in New York for five years beginning when she was six.

Half of the Friends cast has an LA connection. Lisa Kudrow is straight up from LA. Jennifer Aniston was born in LA but grew up in NYC. David Schwimmer was born in NYC but moved to LA when he was two.

Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Suge Knight...

Evan Spiegel (Snapchat), Michael Milken (Milken Institute), Jonathan Gold (LA Times), Henry Samueli (moved to LA at age 10; UCLA/UCI philanthropy and owner of the Anaheim Ducks).

Billie Eilish, Kesha, Adam Levine, all the members of Linkin Park...

Amanda Gorman...

Etc. A small selection of Angelenos who have made large and/or meaningful cultural contributions from LA and for LA. The list for NYC would be much, much longer and easier to put together. But for a city where "everyone is from someplace else," that's not a bad list.

+ Will Ferrell, Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)