# Most big movie stars come from NJ **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 6, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520 "2008-01-06T19:17:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![petew83](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/1 "2008-01-06T19:17:15Z")
Type in any random big-name actor, and you will probably see in his bio that he came from NJ. Weird ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/2 "2008-01-06T19:35:11Z")
Ok, let’s see here… Anthony Hopkins Sean Connery Clive Owens Daniel Craig Hugh Grant Pierce Brosnan Christian Bale Daniel Day Lewis I think I might have discovered a flaw in your theory… 😉 OK, to be fair (in the order I typed them in)… Tom Hanks is from California Will Ferrell is from California Harrison Ford is from Chicago Tom Cruise is from New York **Jack Nicholson is from New Jersey…the 5th name.** Leonardo DiCaprio is from California Denzel Washington is from New York Will Smith is from Philadelphia Tommy Lee Jones is from Texas Matt Damon is from Massachusetts Nicholas Cage is from California Morgan Freeman is from Tennessee Steve Carell is from Massachusetts Samuel Jackson is from Washington, DC **John Travlota is from New Jersey…the 15th name.** Eh… ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/3 "2008-01-06T19:49:57Z")
One HUGE future star, and all-round magnificent human being harked from Douglas, Isle of Man… Originally from Accrington Lancashire. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2008, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/4 "2008-01-06T19:51:48Z")
Ian McKellen (Burnley) has played Gandalf, Magneto and voiced an armoured bear. He was also in the Da Vinci Code, but I think that was a rubbish script… Patrick Stewart (Yorkshire) has played Captain Picard, Xavier (and Gurney Halleck). Arnold Schwarzenegger (Austria) has been the Terminator, Conan and Douglas Quaid. Alec Guinness (London) has been Obi Wan Kenobe, George Smiley and Colonel Nicholson. Russell Crowe (New Zealand) has been Marcus Aurelius, Jack Aubrey and Bud White. Kurt Russell (Massachusetts) has been Snake Plissken, Jack Burton and ‘Bull’ McCaffrey. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/5 "2008-01-06T19:57:15Z")
[QUOTE=glee] Ian McKellen (Burnley) has played Gandalf, Magneto and voiced an armoured bear… [/QUOTE] Burnley!? That’s rather close to where I grew up. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/6 "2008-01-06T20:10:59Z")
[QUOTE=Lobsang] Burnley!? That’s rather close to where I grew up. [/QUOTE] Aye, lad. Young Ian ran down cobbled streets, with smoking mills in t’background. He’s done reet well since then… ---
**Author:** ![petew83](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2008, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/7 "2008-01-06T20:53:30Z")
[QUOTE=ArizonaTeach] Ok, let’s see here… OK, to be fair (in the order I typed them in)… Tom Hanks is from California Will Ferrell is from California Harrison Ford is from Chicago Tom Cruise is from New York **Jack Nicholson is from New Jersey…the 5th name.** Leonardo DiCaprio is from California Denzel Washington is from New York Will Smith is from Philadelphia Tommy Lee Jones is from Texas Matt Damon is from Massachusetts Nicholas Cage is from California Morgan Freeman is from Tennessee Steve Carell is from Massachusetts Samuel Jackson is from Washington, DC **John Travlota is from New Jersey…the 15th name.** Eh… [/QUOTE] Well, if u stretched the hypothesis to include ‘stayed in for a good length of time’… Tom Cruise - Glen Ridge Denzel Washington - Mt. Vernon Harrison Ford - Teterboro (briefly) So that’s about 1/3 of a random list, not bad. [Famous People of New Jersey](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=502hm-hWaT0) Heh, even [Michael Jackson](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312120,00.html) seems to have been a brief denizen recently. ---
**Author:** ![zagloba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/977dab/32.png) [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/8 "2008-01-06T20:55:22Z")
Kevin Smith is big, but it’s arguable whether he’s a movie star. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/9 "2008-01-06T21:28:06Z")
[Susan Sarandon](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Sarandon) She graduated from Edison [NJ] High School in 1964 \*\*[Ethan Hawke](http://www.netglimse.com/celebs/pages/ethan_hawke/index.shtml) \*\* Education: West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, New Jersey (1984-1986); Hun School of Princeton (graduated in 1988); \*\*[Bryan Singer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Singer) \*\*: He attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South (formerly just West Windsor-Plainsboro High School), graduating in 1984. Not only are they all from Jersey, They all went to West Windsor Plainsboro HS An entry for Wierd NJ? \*\*[Christopher McQuarrie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_McQuarrie) \*\* McQuarrie was born and raised in Princeton Junction, New Jersey, where he attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South \*with director Bryan Singer and actor Ethan Hawke!! \* :eek: The plot thickens! ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/10 "2008-01-07T01:20:16Z")
[QUOTE=petew83] Well, if u stretched the hypothesis to include ‘stayed in for a good length of time’… Tom Cruise - Glen Ridge Denzel Washington - Mt. Vernon Harrison Ford - Teterboro (briefly) So that’s about 1/3 of a random list, not bad. [/QUOTE] Umm…Mt. Vernon, New York is now in New Jersey? Teterboro (briefly) counts as “a good length of time”? Especially as he only went there to get flying lessons?!? But yes, Tom Cruise lived a couple years in New Jersey. So…no. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2008, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/11 "2008-01-07T02:04:49Z")
Jersey is better-known for really likable rock musicians (Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, Max Weinberg Seven) and curiously good pizza than its actors, I think. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2008, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/12 "2008-01-07T05:04:50Z")
Danny Devito is a Jersey Boy. Kirsten Dunst is from Point Pleasant, New Jersey Laura Prepon is from Watchung, New Jersey & her favorite book is the Hobbit! James Gandolfini is of course from NJ Jon Stewart was born in NYC but grew up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey Bud Abbott & Lou Costello of course. Jason Alexander, John Amos, Bill Bellamy, Ron Carey, Brian De Palma, Allen Ginsberg, Jerry Lewis, Ray Liotta, Shaquille O’Neal ;), **Joe Pesci** (Kind of the ultimate Jersey stereotype guy), Ice-T, Joe Rogan, Frankie Valli, Jack Warden, Gloria Gaynor, Judy Gold, Cissy Houston (Whitney’s Mom), Keshia Knight Pulliam, Queen Latifah (she’s got a lot of NJ attitude, doesn’t she?), Eva Marie Saint & Jennifer Schwalbach Smith (Kevin’s Wife) were all born in Newark, New Jersey Jeff Anderson (of Clerks, ok, I am cheating) Count Basie in Red Bank Jason Biggs in Pompton Plains Clint Black in nearby Long Branch (grew up in Texas though) Norman Mailer also in Long Branch **Bruce Springsteen** (our favorite son), in Long Branch and has lived all over Monmouth County. Jon Bon Jovi is from Perth Amboy and is another of our most famous singers I’ll throw \*\*Frank Sinatra \*\* of Hoboken in here. The Chairman of the Board. Paul Simon too, another baby of Newark. Zach Braff of course, famous for Garden State along with Scrubs of course. James L. Brooks born in North Bergen Roscoe Lee Browne of Woodbury King Kong Bundy is you count him an actor. Born appropriately in Atlantic City. I regret to admit to David Copperfield of Metuchen Jon Davison of Haddonfield Peter Dinklage of Morristown and the subject of a recent popular thread. Tate Donovan of Tenafly Mira Sorvino is also from Tenafly (we grow them beautiful in New Jersey) Michael Douglas of New Brunswick Robert Pastorelli & Joe Theismann are two more from New Brunswick Greg Evigan of South Amboy \*\*Time to save some space: \*\* Mel Ferrer, Roosevelt (Rosey) Grier, [Ed Harris](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000438/), [Sterling Hayden](http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0000808/), Jess Harnell (voice Actor, including [Wakko Warner](http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0028759/)), Richard Kind, Zalman King, [Ernie Kovacs](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0468237/), The Amazing Kreskin, [Frank Langella](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001449/), Paul Le Mat, Jason Mewes, Jay Mohr, [Frankie Muniz](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005260/), Ozzie Nelson, Ricky Nelson, [Joe Pantoliano](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001592/), Bill Parcells, Joe Piscopo of course, [Michael J. Pollard](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0689488/), Nelson Riddle, the zany ‘Ritz Brothers’ Al, Jimmy and Harry Ritz, [Paul Robeson](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0732079/), Tony Siragusa, Kevin Smith of course, Kevin Spacey, John & Joey Travolta, [Patrick Warburton](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0911320/), Jack Warden, [Malcolm-Jamal Warner](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0912528/), Max Weinberg (I like to include him as he married a girl from my neighborhood), Flip Wilson & [Robert Wuhl](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0943237/). Finally to the Jersey Girls: [Elizabeth Peña](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001615/), Priscilla Barnes (threes company), Joanna Cassidy, Sandra Dee, Hope Davis, Kirsten Dunst, Connie Francis, [Janeane Garofalo](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000413/), Whitney Houston, Linda Hunt, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Jane Krakowski, Ali Larter, Sue Ane Langdon, Queen Latifah, Judith Light, Amy Locane, Camryn Manheim, Lisa Marie, Marilyn McCoo, Heather McComb, Mary McCormack, Bebe Neuwirth, Laura Prepon, Tara Reid, Kelly Ripa, Eva Marie Saint, Laura San Giacomo, Patti Scialfa, Debralee Scott, Natalie Schafer (yes, Mrs. Lovey Wentworth Howell), Nancy Sinatra, Mira Sorvino, Meryl Streep, Loretta “hotlips” Swit & Ellen Travolta. \*\*Of course the Movie Industry itself was born in New Jersey. \*\* Jim –\>Here is my search too. [http://www.imdb.com/BornWhere?+new+jersey,+usa&skip=600<--](http://www.imdb.com/BornWhere?+new+jersey,+usa&skip=600<--) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2008, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/13 "2008-01-07T11:29:12Z")
You know, I’d think Bruce Willis deserved at least a mention. I mean, he’s not as big a movie star as Robert Wuhl or Joey Travolta, but still… ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/14 "2008-01-07T15:08:07Z")
[QUOTE=Alessan] You know, I’d think Bruce Willis deserved at least a mention. I mean, he’s not as big a movie star as Robert Wuhl or Joey Travolta, but still… [/QUOTE] Hey, I was tired, it was late and technically, while he did indeed grow up in NJ and knows about things like TastyKake [he was born in Idar-Oberstein, West Germany](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Willis#Early_life) and most of my list were just actors born in NJ. I am sure I missed a lot more actors that grew up in Jersey and I am sure many of those I listed grew up elsewhere. A lot of actors born in NYC grew up in New Jersey. This is extremely common, I did not list most of them. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-big-movie-stars-come-from-nj/432520/15 "2008-01-07T19:57:25Z")
Jim you got a lot of them but I know there are more. Just can’t think of too many off the top of my head. Mel Harris (New Brunswick), Britney Murphy (Edison). Not born here but Teller taught Latin (to my brother-in-law) at Laurenceville High School. Born in New York but Alan Alda has lived in Leonia for decades. He commuted to work on M_A_S\*H and everything since. Comedians Jim Norton, Rich Vos, Jim Florentine, Artie Lange, Ben Baily(CashCab), Jay Mohr. Avery Brooks not born in NJ but has been a tenured professor at Rutgers for years. Kal Penn (Harold and Kumar he was Kumar). One of my favorite actors, Andre Braugher lives in the Oranges. Dule Hill from Psych and the West Wing. The King Ad-Rock (Adam Horovitz). Roy Schieder. Kevin Spacey.