From comedians Abbott and Costello to astronaut Buzz Aldrin, there are so many famous people from the Garden State. We’ve got Count Basie, Steve Forbes, Fran Leibowitz, Jerry Lewis, Jack Nicholson, Shaquille O’Neil—the list goes on.
Famous historical figures like Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein weren’t born in NJ but chose to live here. And modern-day favorites, like Kelly Ripa and of course The Boss, are synonymous with all things Jersey.
Last year, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority renamed service areas along the Garden State Parkway in honor of nine members of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. (Bruce Springsteen reportedly declined the honor.)
Montvale / James Gandolfini
Brookdale North / Larry Doby
Brookdale South / Connie Chung
Vauxhall / Whitney Houston
Cheesequake / Jon Bon Jovi
Monmouth / Judy Blume
Forked River / Celia Cruz
Atlantic / Frank Sinatra
Ocean View / Toni Morrison
As most New Jerseyans know, the rest stops along the New Jersey Turnpike already bear the names of historical figures with ties to NJ including Grover Cleveland, Thomas Edison, Alexander Hamilton, Vince Lombardi, Molly Pitcher, Richard Stockton and Walt Whitman.
The next time you’re taking a road trip, be sure to stop and learn more about some of New Jersey’s most iconic residents.