hmm...me...all the Jersey reality shows...Jerseylicious, Housewives of NJ...Jersey Shore...tons of comedians and actors hail from the Garden State....also...I think Sarcasm originated from NJ

wonderful

NEW JERSEY ENTERTAINERS
New Jersey has a rich history of contributing talent to the entertainment world, whether through theatre, television, movies or radio. In fact, no other category is as well-represented by Jerseyans as entertainment. All lists contain links when possible. I have included a separate category for Music.


William "Bud" Abbott - b. 1895 d. 1974
Asbury Park, NJ
The straight man in the world-famous comedy duo of Abbott and Costello, and one of 2 non-players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (the other being Lou Costello, see below).


Alan Alda - b. 1936
Leonia, NJ
Born Alfonso Joseph D'Abruzzo in New York City, Alda is perhaps best known for his role as Hawkeye Pierce in the TV show M*A*S*H, but has done numerous other film and television productions. He commuted from LA to his home in New Jersey every weekend for 11 years while starring in "M*A*S*H. His wife and daughters lived in NJ, and he did not want to uproot the family to LA, especially because he did not know how long the show would last.



Jason Alexander - b. 1959
Newark, NJ
Born Jay Greenspan in Newark, Jason Alexander grew up in Livingston, NJ, and is best-known for playing "George Costanza" on the television series "Seinfeld".


John Amos - b. 1941 (?)
Newark, NJ
Film, television and stage actor, perhaps best known for his roles in Good Times and Roots.



Joan Bennett - b. 1910 d. 1990
Fort Lee, NJ
Hollywood actress, with most of her film career being in the 1930s and 1940s. Later appeared in Dark Shadows, the 1960s Gothic Horror soap opera, as family matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard.
Credit for the correction to Tom Meyers, Fort Lee.


Jason Biggs - b. 1978
Pompton Plains, NJ
Born in Pompton Plains and raised in Hasbrouck Heights, Jason Biggs is probably best known for his roles in the "American Pie" movies, although he has appeared in numerous other films.
Thanks to Scott for this suggestion.


Robert Blake - b. 1933
Nutley, NJ
Born Michael Gubitosi, Blake began a film career as one of the Little Rascals, but is perhaps best known for playing Baretta on TV.



David Copperfield - b. 1956
Metuchen, NJ
Born David Kotkin, Copperfield has become a world-famous magician. At age 12, he was the youngest person ever admitted to the American Society of Magicians.


Lou Costello - b. 1906 d. 1959
Paterson, NJ
Born Louis Francis Cristillo, the second and clown half of the famous comedy duo of Abbott and Costello. Costello's hometown of Paterson has a city park dedicated to his memory.



Tom Cruise - b. 1962
Glen Ridge, NJ
Born in Syracuse, NY, as Thomas Cruise Mapother IV, the actor better known as Tom Cruise attended 15 schools in 14 years, before his family settled in Glen Ridge. Recent years have seen Cruise focus more frequently on action movies.


Vincent Curatola - b.1953
Englewood, NJ
Perhaps best known for playing the character 'Johnny Sack' on "The Sopranos", Mr. Curatola worked as a mason before his wife convinced him to return to school to pursue a career in acting.



Brian De Palma - b. 1940
Newark, NJ
Noted film director, credited with such films as Carrie, Body Double and The Untouchables.



Danny DeVito - b. 1944
Neptune, NJ
As a producer, director, actor and important Hollywood personality, DeVito is immediately recognizable wherever he goes. His work on the television series Taxi will live forever.



Michael Douglas - b. 1944
New Brunswick, NJ
Well-known television and film actor, as well as a movie producer. Oh yes, son of Kirk Douglas.


Kirsten Dunst - b. 1982
Point Pleasant, NJ
Still a young actress, Kirsten Dunst has been gradually making her mark. Ignore her at your peril. But seriously, Ms. Dunst has the chops to be the real thing. To be honest, I did not know she was NJ until recently.


Calista Flockhart - b. 1964
New Brunswick, NJ
Born in Illinois, Calista Flockhart's family moved to New Jersey where she attended high school in Medford, NJ. Also studied acting at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Best known as the lead role in the TV show "Ally MacBeal".
Thanks for this suggestion goes to Chris Holzhauer.
Thanks to Elizabeth Carmichael for the High School catch.



John Forsythe - b. 1918 d. 2010
Penns Grove, NJ
Born John Lincoln Freund, actor, known for the voice of Charlie in Charlie's Angels and Blake Carrington in Dynasty. His distinctive voice has led him to many narration jobs as well.


James Gandolfini - b. 1961
Westwood, NJ
A graduate of Rutgers University, Gandolfini, whogrew up in Park Ridge, is perhaps best known for his work as Tony Soprano on the ultra-popular HBO series The Sopranos. He has also appeared on over 20 films and plays.



Janeane Garofalo - b. 1964
Newton, NJ
Actress and comedian, Garofalo grew up in Madison, NJ. Her family moved to Houston in her senior year in high school.


Paul Gleason - b. 1939 d. 2006
Jersey City, NJ
A veteran character actor, most well-known for roles in "Trading Places" and "The Breakfast Club". He appeared in numerous film and television productions. You may not know the name, but you sure as heck know the face.



Anne Hathaway - b. 1982
Millburn, NJ
Born in New York and raised in Millburn, began her career in television but has recently been in several very well-reviewed and received movies.


Brian Keith - b. 1921 d. 1997
Bayonne, NJ
Born Robert Keith, he was a well-known television and film actor, perhaps best known for his work in "Family Affair". Also a decorated World War 2 veteran.



Ernie Kovacs - b. 1919 d. 1962
Trenton, NJ
Writer, director, actor, artist, but perhaps best known for his comedy and his early television comedy show. Tragically killed in a car crash in California.


Jane Krakowski - b. 1968
Parsippany, NJ
Born Jane Krajkowski, versatile actress, known for her work on the TV shows "Ally McBeal" and "30 Rock", but also a Tony award winner for her role in the musical "Nine".


Michael Landon - b. 1936 d. 1991
Collingswood, NJ
Born Eugene Orowitz in Queens, NY, his family moved to New Jersey when he was 5 years old. Best known for his roles in the TV shows "Bonanza" and "Little House on the Prairie".
Thanks to Tim Pascucci for this suggestion.



Nathan Lane - b. 1956
Jersey City, NJ
Noted stage and film actor, perhaps best known for his role as Max Bialystock in the staged version of The Producers.



Jerry Lewis - b. 1926
Newark, NJ
Born Joesph Levitch in Newark, an actor, writer, comedian, director, producer and all around busy person. One half of the comedy duo (Dean) Martin and (Jerry) Lewis.


Richard Lewis - b. 1947
Englewood, NJ
Born in Brooklyn, raised in Englewood, this comedian/actor has appeared in several TV shows and has a long-running stand-up comedy career.
Thanks to Joanie for this suggestion.


Ray Liotta - b. 1955
Newark, NJ
Actor Ray Liotta has been in daytime soaps and movies, including a gig portraying fellow Jerseyan Frank Sinatra.


Bill Maher - b. 1956
River Vale, NJ
Born in New York, but raised in New Jersey, comedian/satirist/political commentator Maher is well-known for his intelligent yet funny late night TV show "Real Time".


Camryn Manheim - b. 1961
Caldwell, NJ
Born Debra Frances Manheim, Camryn grew up in Illinois. This Emmy Award-winning actress has appeared in numerous television programs in addition to several film projects.


Jay Mohr - b. 1970
Verona, NJ
Actor and comedian, also a guest sportswriter for Sports Illustrated.
Thanks to Nick Frez for this suggestion.


Bebe Neuwirth - b. 1958
Princeton, NJ
Born Beatrice Neuwirth, an actress, singer, dancer, perhaps best known for playing "Lilith" on the TV shows Cheers and Frasier, however she has made a very successful career on Broadway.



Jack Nicholson - b. 1937
Neptune, NJ
Although born in New York City, multi-Oscar winner Nicholson grew up on the Jersey Shore, graduating from Manasquan High School.


Joe Pantoliano - b. 1951
Hoboken, NJ
A well-known and busy character actor, "Joey Pants" as he is known, has appeared in many movies and television programs, and has also appeared on Broadway.
Thanks to John Brennan for this suggestion.



Joe Pesci - b. 1943
Newark, NJ
Oscar-winner Pesci has been appearing in movies for 20 years, though he has really only broken through in the past 10 years.


Joe Piscopo - b. 1951
Passaic, NJ
Actor and comedian, a one-time cast member of Saturday Night Live, known for his impression of fellow NJ person Frank Sinatra.


Keshia Knight Pulliam - b. 1979
Newark, NJ
Born in Newark, Keshia attended Rutgers Prep in Somerset, among other schools. Perhaps best known as "Rudy" on The Cosby Show, she has appeared in several movies.
Thanks to Mahogany Hendricks for this suggestion.



Tara Reid - b. 1975
Wyckoff, NJ
Tara got her career started as a child actor at age 6. Since then, she has starred in many movies, though her movie career has stalled at this time.
Suggested by Anthony Genchi.


Christina Ricci - b. 1980
Montclair, NJ
Born in Santa Monica, California, the family moved to Montclair, where Christina attended elementary, middle and high school. Has made various movies, not easy to pigeonhole, which will probably be good for her career.



Kelly Ripa - b. 1970
Stratford, NJ
Actress, but perhaps best known currently as co-host with Regis Philbin of the morning TV show Live with Regis and Kelly.


Paul Rudd - b. 1969
Passaic, NJ
Born in Passaic and raised in Kansas, Rudd is an extremely busy TV, film and stage actor.



Eva Marie Saint - b. 1924
Newark, NJ
Movie actress playing several memorable leading lady roles, including opposite Marlon Brando in "On The Waterfront" and Cary Grant in "North By Northwest".



Susan Sarandon - b. 1946
Edison, NJ
Born as Susan Tomalin in New York City, Sarandon is as well-known for her activism as she is for her filmography. Graduated from Edison High School.


Meryl Streep - b. 1949
Summit, NJ
Multi-Oscar winner Streep is considered by some to be the finest actress of her generation. Her 12 Oscar nominations placed her in a tie with the legendary Katherine Hepburn.


Loretta Swit - b. 1937
Passaic, NJ
Emmy Award winning actress, best know as "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the TV show "M*A*S*H".


Norma Talmadge - b. 1893 d. 1957
Jersey City, NJ
A model, but better known as an actress during the Silent Era.


John Travolta - b. 1954
Englewood, NJ
Actor who had his career resurrected with an Oscar nomination in Pulp Fiction. Travolta also starred in television (Welcome Back, Kotter) and movies such as Grease and Saturday Night Fever.


"Uncle" Floyd Vivino - b. 1951
Paterson, NJ
All around performer, last of a dying (dead?) breed. Floyd has been in movies and on television. His show is a real vaudeville throwback. Also well-known for his piano playing.


Bruce Willis - b. 1955
Penns Grove, NJ
Born in West Germany, Willis grew up mostly in Penns Grove. Has had numerous roles on television and in movies, as well as music performance.


Clerow "Flip" Wilson - b. 1933 d. 1998
Jersey City, NJ
Actor, comedian, hosted a successful TV variety show in the 1960s and 70s.

this here's a texas thread and i only have two words for ya jgirl

janis joplin

Janis Joplin was great....good pick Ese

thank ya kindly missy. oh and as vivian would say about NJ, bless their hearts

lol...ahh the Texas sarcasm...gotta love it!

Well Ese, you are here in Texas so that alone makes Texas great! To know you is to love you and we all have love for our bulldog.

have you spoken to carol about her mingle on wheels meet to nashville

Yes...it sounds like fun

Morning everyone.....

Morning everyone!

howdy y'all

come unload my truck ese

Yeah ese! Make it snappy!

yeah!!

Belonged once before...got bored. Checked it out recently and decided on the elliptical - it stares me in the face. There is no avoiding it!

You did ask for that...

Moi???

Yeppers!

Finally getting to my lunch before my next meeting! I could almost call it supper!

HELLO, TEXAS!!!

Hello Possum!