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List of people from New Jersey facts for kids

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New Jersey is a state on the East Coast of the United States. Many famous people have been born, grown up, or lived there. This article shares some of the well-known individuals connected to New Jersey, from actors and musicians to athletes and scientists.

Famous People from New Jersey

Born and Raised in New Jersey

Abbott and Costello 1950s
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin
JudyBlume2009(cropped)
Judy Blume
Jon Bon Jovi at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival 3
Jon Bon Jovi
Zach Braff by David Shankbone
Zach Braff
DCatAGT
David Copperfield
Danny DeVito cropped and edited for brightness
Danny DeVito
Peter Dinklage by Gage Skidmore
Peter Dinklage
Michael Douglas Deauville 2013
Michael Douglas
Bill Evans (1961 publicity photo by Steve Schapiro)
Bill Evans
Vera Farmiga at TIFF 2009
Vera Farmiga
Joe Flacco training camp
Joe Flacco
Connie Francis 1961
Connie Francis
  • Brenden Aaronson (born 2000), a professional soccer player for Leeds United and the U.S. national team. He is from Medford.
  • Bud Abbott (1895–1974), a famous actor and comedian, known for the duo Abbott and Costello. He was born in Asbury Park.
  • Buzz Aldrin (born 1930), a NASA astronaut and the second person to walk on the Moon. He was born in Glen Ridge and grew up in Montclair.
  • Jason Alexander (born 1959), an actor famous for playing George Costanza on the TV show Seinfeld. He was born in Newark and raised in Livingston.
  • John Amos (born 1939), an actor known for his roles in Good Times and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He is from Newark.
  • Jack Antonoff (born 1984), a musician and guitarist for the band Fun. He is from Bergenfield.
  • Virginia Apgar (1909–1974), a doctor who invented the Apgar score, which helps check the health of newborn babies. She was from Westfield.
  • Paul Auster (born 1947), a well-known author and screenwriter. He was born in Newark and grew up in South Orange.
  • Sean Baker (born 1971), a director known for films like Tangerine and The Florida Project. He is from Summit.
  • Count Basie (1904–1984), a legendary jazz pianist and bandleader. He was from Red Bank.
  • Bill Bellamy (born 1965), an actor and comedian. He is from Newark.
  • Jason Biggs (born 1978), an actor known for the American Pie movies. He is from Hasbrouck Heights.
  • Judy Blume (born 1938), a beloved author of many children's and young adult books. She is from Elizabeth.
  • Jon Bon Jovi (born 1962), a famous musician and lead singer of the band Bon Jovi. He was born in Perth Amboy and grew up in Sayreville.
  • Zach Braff (born 1975), an actor known for the TV show Scrubs. He is from South Orange.
  • William J. Brennan Jr. (1906–1997), a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. He was from Newark.
  • Aaron Burr (1756–1836), the third Vice President of the United States. He was from Newark.
  • Jordan Burroughs (born 1988), an Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Champion in freestyle wrestling. He is from Sicklerville.
  • Bobby Cannavale (born 1971), an actor known for his roles in TV shows like Third Watch. He is from Union City.
  • David Cassidy (1950–2017), an actor and singer who starred in The Partridge Family. He was from West Orange.
  • Michael Chang (born 1972), a professional tennis player. He is from Hoboken.
  • Chris Christie (born 1962), the 55th Governor of New Jersey. He was born in Newark.
  • Harlan Coben (born 1962), an author of popular mystery novels and thrillers. He was born in Newark and raised in Livingston.
  • David Copperfield (born 1956), a world-famous illusionist. He is from Metuchen.
  • Lou Costello (1906–1959), a comedian and actor, part of the Abbott and Costello duo. He was from Paterson.
  • Stephen Crane (1871–1900), a famous novelist and poet, known for The Red Badge of Courage. He was from Newark.
  • Victor Cruz (born 1986), a wide receiver who played for the New York Giants. He is from Paterson.
  • Joe Dante (born 1946), a film director known for movies like Gremlins. He is from Morristown.
  • Glenn Danzig (born 1955), the frontman for the bands Misfits and Danzig. He is from Lodi.
  • Sandra Dee (1942–2005), an actress known for films like Gidget. She was from Bayonne.
  • Danny DeVito (born 1944), a well-known actor and director. He is from Neptune City.
  • Peter Dinklage (born 1969), an actor famous for his role in Game of Thrones. He was born in Morristown and raised in Mendham Township.
  • Michael Douglas (born 1944), an Academy Award-winning actor and producer. He is from New Brunswick.
  • Asher Brown Durand (1796–1886), a notable American artist. He was from Maplewood.
  • Frankie Edgar (born 1981), a mixed martial artist. He is from Toms River.
  • Bill Evans (1929–1980), an influential jazz pianist and composer. He was from Plainfield.
  • Vera Farmiga (born 1973), an actress known for films like The Departed. She is from Clifton.
  • Anthony Firkser (born 1995), a football tight end for the New England Patriots.
  • Joe Flacco (born 1985), an NFL quarterback who played for the Baltimore Ravens. He is from Audubon.
  • Steve Forbes (born 1947), the editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine. He is from Morristown.
  • Connie Francis (born 1938), a popular pop singer. She is from Newark.
  • Barney Frank (born 1940), a former member of Congress from Massachusetts. He is from Bayonne.
  • Todd Frazier (born 1986), an infielder who played for the New York Yankees. He is from Point Pleasant.
  • Melissa Fumero (born 1982), an actress known for the TV show Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She is from North Bergen.

Born and Raised in New Jersey (Continued)

Gandolfinigfdl
James Gandolfini
Praga 9 ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg
Ed Harris by Gage Skidmore
Ed Harris
Whitney Houston Welcome Heroes 7 cropped
Whitney Houston
Jared Kushner in 2018 face detail, from- Cumbre de líderes del G20 (46165280041) (cropped)
Jared Kushner
Artielangesit
Artie Lange
QueenLatifah08TIFF
Queen Latifah
Fran Lebowitz by David Shankbone (3465083206)
Fran Lebowitz
Jerry Lewis - 1960s
Jerry Lewis
RayLiottaTIFFSept2012
Ray Liotta
Marc Maron (2015) (cropped)
Marc Maron
George R. R. Martin 2016
George R. R. Martin
Tom McCarthy (cropped)
Tom McCarthy
Jason Mewes Comic Con 2013
Jason Mewes
Ricky Nelson
Jack Nicholson 2001
Jack Nicholson
Jerry Only live with the Misifts, Sala Copernico, Madrid, 2008-04-23 (2)
Jerry Only
BenUrichthumb
Joe Pantoliano
Kal Penn
Kal Penn
JoePesci-2009
Joe Pesci
JoePiscopoByPhilKonstantin
Joe Piscopo
Redman (rapper)
Redman
Kelly Ripa by Keith Wills cropped
Kelly Ripa
Michelle Rodriguez by Gage Skidmore 2
Michelle Rodriguez
Philip Roth - 1973
Philip Roth
Roy Scheider 2007
Roy Scheider
Jimmi Simpson by Gage Skidmore
Jimmi Simpson
Frank Sinatra Billboard
Frank Sinatra
Kevin Smith (42889982655)
Kevin Smith
Toddsolondz
Todd Solondz
MiraSorvino07TIFF
Mira Sorvino
Bruce Springsteen - Roskilde Festival 2012
Bruce Springsteen
Martha Stewart 2011 Shankbone
Martha Stewart
Meryl Streep by Jack Mitchell
Meryl Streep
Loretta Swit MASH 1972
Loretta Swit
  • James Gandolfini (1961–2013), an actor famous for his role in The Sopranos. He was from Park Ridge.
  • Allen Ginsberg (1926–1997), a very influential poet. He was from Paterson.
  • Gloria Gaynor (born 1949), a Grammy-winning singer known for "I Will Survive". She is from Newark.
  • Peter Greene (born 1965), an actor who appeared in Pulp Fiction. He is from Montclair.
  • Christina Grimmie (1994–2016), a singer-songwriter who was a contestant on The Voice. She was from Marlton.
  • Halsey (born 1994), a popular singer-songwriter. She is from Edison.
  • Chelsea Handler (born 1975), a stand-up comedian and TV host. She is from Livingston.
  • Ed Harris (born 1950), an Academy Award-nominated actor. He was born in Englewood and raised in Tenafly.
  • Whitney Houston (1963–2012), a legendary singer and actress. She was born in Newark and grew up in East Orange.
  • Frank Iero (born 1981), the rhythm guitarist for the band My Chemical Romance. He is from Belleville.
  • Michael B. Jordan (born 1987), an actor known for films like Black Panther. He was born in Santa Ana, California, but grew up in Newark.
  • Jared Kushner (born 1981), a businessman and former Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump. He is from Livingston.
  • Artie Lange (born 1967), an actor, comedian, and radio personality. He is from Livingston.
  • Queen Latifah (born 1970), a famous singer, actress, and TV personality. She is from Newark.
  • Fran Lebowitz (born 1950), an author and public speaker. She is from Morristown.
  • Jerry Lewis (1926–2017), a legendary actor, comedian, and director. He was from Newark.
  • Ray Liotta (1955–2022), an actor known for films like Goodfellas. He was born in Newark and raised in Union Township.
  • Carli Lloyd (born 1982), a soccer player who won two Olympic gold medals and two FIFA Women's World Cups with the U.S. team. She is from Delran Township.
  • Marc Maron (born 1963), a stand-up comedian and podcaster. He was born in Jersey City.
  • George R. R. Martin (born 1948), the author of the A Song of Ice and Fire book series, which inspired Game of Thrones. He is from Bayonne.
  • Tom McCarthy (born 1966), an actor, writer, and director. He is from New Providence.
  • Jason Mewes (born 1974), an actor known for his roles in Kevin Smith's films like Clerks. He is from Highlands.
  • Ezra Miller (born 1992), an actor known for The Flash and Fantastic Beasts films. He is from Wyckoff.
  • Frankie Muniz (born 1985), an actor famous for Malcolm in the Middle. He is from Wood-Ridge.
  • Ricky Nelson (1940–1985), a popular singer and actor. He was from Teaneck.
  • Jack Nicholson (born 1937), a multi-Academy Award-winning actor. He is from Neptune City.
  • Jerry Only (born 1959), the bassist for the band The Misfits. He is from Lodi.
  • Joe Pantoliano (born 1951), an actor known for roles in The Matrix and The Sopranos. He is from Hoboken.
  • Kal Penn (born 1977), an actor and former White House staff member. He is from Montclair.
  • Joe Pesci (born 1943), an Academy Award-winning actor known for films like Goodfellas and Home Alone. He is from Newark.
  • Joe Piscopo (born 1951), an actor and comedian from Saturday Night Live. He is from Passaic.
  • Charlie Puth (born 1991), a singer-songwriter. He is from Rumson.
  • Redman (born 1970), a famous rap musician. He is from Newark.
  • Kelly Ripa (born 1970), an actress and television personality. She is from Stratford.
  • Michelle Rodriguez (born 1978), an actress known for the Fast and Furious movies. She was born in Texas but partly raised in Jersey City.
  • Philip Roth (1933–2018), a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. He was from Newark.
  • Paul Rudd (born 1969), an actor known for comedies like Clueless and superhero films like Ant-Man. He was born in Passaic.
  • Bobby Ryan (born 1987), an ice hockey winger who played in the NHL. He is from Cherry Hill.
  • Richie Sambora (born 1959), the guitarist for the rock band Bon Jovi. He was born in Perth Amboy and raised in Woodbridge Township.
  • Roy Scheider (1932–2008), an actor known for Jaws and The French Connection. He was from Orange.
  • Jimmi Simpson (born 1975), an actor known for Westworld and House of Cards. He is from Hackettstown.
  • Frank Sinatra (1915–1998), an iconic singer and Academy Award-winning actor. He was from Hoboken.
  • Kevin Smith (born 1970), a filmmaker known for movies like Clerks and Dogma. He is from Highlands.
  • Todd Solondz (born 1959), a filmmaker. He is from Newark.
  • Mira Sorvino (born 1967), an Academy Award-winning actress. She is from Tenafly.
  • Bruce Springsteen (born 1949), an iconic singer-songwriter, often called "The Boss." He was born in Long Branch and raised in Freehold.
  • Martha Stewart (born 1941), a famous lifestyle guide and entrepreneur. She was born in Jersey City and grew up in Nutley.
  • Meryl Streep (born 1949), a highly acclaimed, multi-Academy Award-winning actress. She is from Summit.
  • Loretta Swit (born 1937), an actress known for her role as Margaret Houlihan on M*A*S*H. She is from Passaic.
  • John Taylor (1836–1909), a businessman who created the famous Taylor pork roll.
  • Joe Theismann (born 1949), a former NFL quarterback and TV commentator. He was born in New Brunswick and raised in South River.
  • Ashley Tisdale (born 1985), an actress and singer known for High School Musical. She is from Ocean Township.
  • John Travolta (born 1954), an actor known for Saturday Night Fever and Grease. He is from Englewood.
  • Mike Trout (born 1991), a professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, considered one of the best players in the sport. He is from Millville.
  • Floyd Vivino (born 1951), an actor and TV personality, known as "Uncle Floyd." He is from Paterson.
  • Malcolm Jamal Warner (born 1970), an actor known for The Cosby Show. He is from Jersey City.
  • Dionne Warwick (born 1940), a famous R&B singer. She is from East Orange.
  • Gerard Way (born 1977), the lead singer of the band My Chemical Romance. He is from Belleville.
  • Spencer Weisz (born 1995), a professional basketball player.
  • Flip Wilson (1933–1998), a comedian and actor. He was from Jersey City.
  • Bernie Worrell (1944–2016), a keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic and Talking Heads. He was from Long Branch.
  • Rachel Zegler (born 2001), an actress known for West Side Story. She is from Hackensack.

Born in New Jersey, Raised Elsewhere

StephenGroverCleveland
Grover Cleveland
Janeane Garofalo 2012
Janeane Garofalo
Derek Jeter batting stance allison
Derek Jeter
Shaquille O'Neal October 2017 (cropped)
Shaquille O'Neal
Joerogan
Joe Rogan
Antonin Scalia Official SCOTUS Portrait crop
Antonin Scalia
Kevin Spacey @ San Diego Comic-Con 2008 - b
Kevin Spacey
William Carlos Williams passport photograph 1921 (cropped)
William Carlos Williams
  • Jozy Altidore (born 1989), a soccer player for the U.S. men's national team. He was born in Livingston but raised in Florida.
  • Robert Blake (1933–2023), an actor known for the TV show Baretta. He was born in Nutley but raised in Los Angeles.
  • Mary Chapin Carpenter (born 1958), a Grammy-winning folk and country singer. She was born in Princeton but moved to Japan and then Washington, D.C.
  • Grover Cleveland (1837–1908), the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. He was born in Caldwell but raised in New York.
  • Kirsten Dunst (born 1982), an actress known for the Spider-Man movies. She was born in Point Pleasant but raised in Los Angeles.
  • Janeane Garofalo (born 1964), a comedian and actress. She was born in Newton but raised in California and Texas.
  • Derek Jeter (born 1974), a legendary shortstop for the New York Yankees. He was born in Pequannock but raised mostly in Michigan.
  • Richard Kind (born 1956), an actor known for Mad About You and Spin City. He was born in Trenton but raised in Pennsylvania.
  • Joshua Lederberg (1925–2008), a Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist. He was born in Montclair but raised in Manhattan.
  • Norman Mailer (1923–2007), a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist. He was born in Long Branch but raised in Brooklyn.
  • Kate Micucci (born 1980), an actress, comedian, and singer-songwriter. She was born in New Jersey but raised in Pennsylvania.
  • Shaquille O'Neal (born 1972), a basketball Hall of Famer and one of the greatest NBA centers. He was born in Newark but grew up in Texas.
  • Joe Rogan (born 1967), a comedian, actor, and UFC commentator. He was born in Bridgewater but raised in Massachusetts.
  • Zoe Saldana (born 1978), an actress known for Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy. She was born in Passaic but raised in Queens, New York.
  • Antonin Scalia (1936–2016), an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was born in Trenton but raised in Queens, New York.
  • Cindy Sherman (born 1954), a famous artist and photographer. She was born in Glen Ridge but raised in New York.
  • Kevin Spacey (born 1959), an actor. He was born in South Orange but grew up in Southern California.
  • William Carlos Williams (1883–1963), a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. He was born in Rutherford but grew up in the Dominican Republic.

Lived in New Jersey

Alan Alda drawing
Alan Alda
Muhammad Ali NYWTS
Muhammad Ali
Connie Chung
Connie Chung
Thomas Edison2
Thomas Edison
Albert Einstein Head
Albert Einstein
Michael Landon 1990
Michael Landon
Walt Whitman - Project Gutenberg eText 16786
Walt Whitman
Thomas Woodrow Wilson, Harris & Ewing bw photo portrait, 1919
Woodrow Wilson
Dave Winfield - New York Yankees - 1981
Dave Winfield
  • Alan Alda (born 1936), an actor known for M*A*S*H. He lives in Leonia.
  • Muhammad Ali (1942–2016), a legendary heavyweight boxing champion. He lived in Cherry Hill.
  • Trey Anastasio (born 1964), the guitarist and vocalist for the band Phish. He was raised in Princeton.
  • Anthony Bourdain (1956–2018), a famous chef, author, and TV personality. He grew up in Leonia.
  • James Comey (born 1960), a former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He grew up in Allendale.
  • Tom Cruise (born 1962), a famous actor. He grew up in Glen Ridge.
  • Thomas Edison (1847–1931), a brilliant inventor who created the light bulb and phonograph. He lived and worked in Newark and West Orange.
  • Albert Einstein (1879–1955), one of the most famous scientists in history, known for his theory of relativity. He lived in Princeton.
  • Althea Gibson (1927–2003), a pioneering tennis player who broke racial barriers. She lived in East Orange.
  • Debbie Harry (born 1945), the lead singer of the band Blondie. She grew up in Hawthorne.
  • Anne Hathaway (born 1982), an Academy Award-winning actress. She grew up in Millburn.
  • Ethan Hawke (born 1970), an actor. He was partly raised in West Windsor Township.
  • Orel Hershiser (born 1958), a Cy Young Award-winning baseball pitcher. He grew up in Cherry Hill.
  • Whitney Houston (1963–2012), a legendary singer and actress. She grew up in East Orange.
  • Ice-T (born 1958), a rapper and actor. He moved to Los Angeles but was born in Newark.
  • Kyrie Irving (born 1992), a professional basketball player. He was raised in West Orange.
  • Jay-Z (born 1969), a famous rapper and businessman. He lives in Alpine.
  • Michael Landon (1936–1991), an actor known for Little House on the Prairie. He lived in Collingswood.
  • Carl Lewis (born 1961), a track and field legend with nine Olympic gold medals. He grew up in Willingboro Township.
  • G. Gordon Liddy (1930–2021), a figure in the Watergate scandal. He grew up in Hoboken and West Caldwell.
  • Bill Maher (born 1956), a comedian and TV host. He grew up in River Vale.
  • Brittany Murphy (1977–2009), an actress. She grew up in Edison.
  • Thomas Nast (1840–1902), a famous caricaturist and political cartoonist. He lived in Morristown.
  • Richard Milhous Nixon (1913–1994), the 37th President of the United States. He lived in Saddle River.
  • Christopher Reeve (1952–2004), an actor famous for playing Superman. He grew up in Princeton.
  • Geraldo Rivera (born 1943), a journalist and TV personality. He lived in Middletown Township.
  • Chris Rock (born 1965), a famous comedian and actor. He lives in Alpine.
  • Carl Sagan (1934–1996), a renowned astronomer and author. He grew up in Rahway.
  • Gene Shalit (born 1926), a film critic for NBC's Today show. He was raised in Morristown.
  • Brooke Shields (born 1965), an actress and model. She grew up in Englewood.
  • Steven Spielberg (born 1946), a legendary Hollywood director and producer. He was partly raised in Haddon Township.
  • Jon Stewart (born 1962), a comedian, actor, and TV host. He grew up in Lawrence Township.
  • Steven Van Zandt (born 1950), a rock musician and actor from The Sopranos. He grew up in Middletown Township.
  • Walt Whitman (1819–1892), a very famous American poet. He lived in Camden.
  • Brian Williams (born 1959), a news anchor. He was partly raised in Middletown Township.
  • Bruce Willis (born 1955), a famous actor. He grew up in Penns Grove.
  • Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924), the 28th President of the United States and a former Governor of New Jersey. He lived in Princeton.
  • Dave Winfield (born 1951), a Hall of Fame baseball player. He lives in Teaneck.
  • Stevie Wonder (born 1950), a legendary musician and singer. He lives in Alpine.

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