We all have our favorite celebrities, whether their an actor, musician, athlete or social media influencer. But we always seem to have a little extra love for those who are from our home state of New Jersey. Some of you may go through this list and already know that these stars are from the Garden State, but hopefully I’ll be able to shock you with some of the names you’re about to see. Here are 20 celebrities that you may not know were born in New Jersey.
Meryl Streep
One of the greatest actresses of all time, Meryl Strep was born in Summit, New Jersey on June 22, 1949.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 29: Actor Meryl Streep attends The 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 29, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. 26592_012 (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for TNT)
Jon Bon Jovi
Rock and Roll hall of famer, John Bon Jovi was born on March 2, 1962 in Perth Amboy.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 29: Jon Bon Jovi of the band Bon Jovi performs on stage during Rock In Rio day 3 at Cidade do Rock on September 29, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)
John Travolta
Born on February 18, 1954 in Englewood John Travolta is a first class actor who received over 50 acting award nominations throughout his career
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 27: John Travolta attends the Governors Ball during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Kirsten Dunst
The original love interest to your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman, Kristen Dunst
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 11: Kirsten Dunst attends the Jury Photocall during the 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
was born April 30, 1982 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.
Frank Sinatra
Do I need to say anything else? Frank freakin Sinatra, one of the greatest musicians of all time was born on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, NJ.
13th April 1956: Frank Sinatra (1915 – 1998), American singer and film star, arriving at an airport. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Paul Rudd
Some call him Paul, others call him Antman. Either way, he was born on April 6, 1969 in Passaic, New Jersey.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 07: Paul Rudd attends SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s 4th Annual Patron of the Artists Awards at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on November 07, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Jane Krakowski
Actress, singer, comedian & host of the Name That Tune game show, Jane Krakowski was born on October 11, 1968 in
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 16: Jane Krakowski attends 2022 Fox Upfront on May 16, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ
Kelly Ripa
Talk show show and former star of All My Children, Kelly Ripa was born on October 2, 1970 in Stratford, New Jersey.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 19: Award-Winning Kelly Ripa Announces New Role as Persona™ Nutrition’s Celebrity Brand Ambassador on February 19, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Persona™ Nutrition)
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens, known professionally as Queen Latifah was born on March 18, 1970 in Newark, New Jersey.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 01: Queen Latifah attends Netflix’s “Hustle” World Premiere at Regency Village Theatre on June 01, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Jack Nicholson
John Joseph Nicholson better know as
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Jack Nicholson attends the NBA All-Star Game 2018 at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
is a retired American actor and filmmaker and was born on April 22, 1937 in Neptune City, New Jersey.
Michael Douglas
Michael Douglas who received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the AFI Life Achievement Award was born on September 25, 1944, in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: Michael Douglas attends the 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Barker Hangar on February 27, 2022 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Bobby Cannavale
Known for various film, stage, and television roles, Bobby was born in Union City on May 3, 1970.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 22: Bobby Canavale attends the “The Many Saints Of Newark” Tribeca Fall Preview at Beacon Theatre on September 22, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Nathan Lane
Acting in film and stage for over 40 years, Nathan was born on February 3, 1956 in Jersey City, New Jersey.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 13: Nathan Lane of “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels” speak during the Showtime segment of the 2020 Winter TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on January 13, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Zach Braff
Known for his role as J.D. on the NBC/ABC television series Scrubs, Nathan was born on April 6, 1975, South Orange, NJ
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 12: Zach Braff attends the 75th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Derek Jeter
The Captain, number 2 was born on June 26, 1974, Pequannock Township, NJ
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 15: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the New York Mets on May 15, 2014 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Yankees defeated the Mets 1-0.
Joe Rogan
The former host of Fear Factor, current commentator for the UFC and the owner of the biggest podcast in the world, Joe Rogan was born on August 11, 1967 in Newark, NJ.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 07: Ultimate Fighting Championship color commentator, Joe Rogan during UFC 274 at Footprint Center on May 07, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Frankie Muniz
What ever happen to Malcom? Is he still stuck in the middle? Frankie was born on December 5, 1985 in Wood-Ridge, NJ.
WESTWOOD, CA – APRIL 3: Actor Frankie Muniz poses with products at the Distinctive Assets lounge for Nickelodeons’ Kid’s Choice Awards on April 3, 2004 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Ed Harris
Performances in Apollo 13, The Truman Show, Pollock, and The Hours earned him critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations. Ed Harris was born November 28, 1950 in Englewood, New Jersey.
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Actor Ed Harris attends the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDb)
Whitney Houston
A voice we lost to soon. Whitney Houston was born on August 9, 1963 in Newark, NJ.
LAS VEGAS, NV ? SEPTEMBER 15: Singer Whitney Houston is seen performing on stage during the 2004 World Music Awards at the Thomas and Mack Center on September 15, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Dennis Rodman
The most controversial athlete
CLEVELAND, OHIO – FEBRUARY 20: Dennis Rodman reacts after being introduced as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
of our time, Dennis Rodman was a stud on the court, but and odd ball off of it. He was born on May 13, 1961 in Trenton, New Jersey.
