Not only is Jersey City home to some awesome bars and restaurants, but the city is also home to a wide variety of famous celebrities, ranging from actors and actresses to singers and rappers. Read on for a list of 12 Jersey City-born celebs that you might not have known were from right around the corner.
Christina Milian
Actress and “Dip It Low” singer Christina Milian was born in Jersey City before eventually moving to Los Angeles. She also showed off some of her moves on season 17 of Dancing with the Stars and in Bring It On: Fight to the Finish.
Read More: What’s Filming in Hoboken + Jersey City? An Ongoing List of Movies + TV Shows
Derek Luke
The JC-born Captain America: The First Avenger and Antwone Fisher star (casted by Denzel Washington himself), is also famous for appearing in Friday Night Lights (a football favorite), as well as the TV series The King of Queens.
Nancy Sinatra
The eldest daughter of the famous blue-eyed ‘Boken native Frank Sinatra himself, Nancy Sinatra is branded for her sultry music hits (These Boots Are Made for Walkin’, Summer Wine, etc.)
Richard Conte
Richard Conte, who appeared alongside Frank Sinatra in Ocean’s 11, also appeared in The Godfather. Conte, who was born in Jersey City in 1910, starred in many films between the ’40s and ’70s.
Flip Wilson
One of the most popular comedians, actors, writers, and hosts of The Flip Wilson Show was born in Jersey City. According to the New York Times, the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning Wilson, who died in 1998, was known for being one of the first successful African American entertainers.
Joe Budden
Rapper Joe Budden, who, like R&B singer Christina Milian, was signed by Def Jam, grew up in Jersey City. A few of Budden’s rhymes even allude to the rapper’s life growing up in Hudson County. He has also appeared on VH1’s TV show Love & Hip Hop.
Martha Stewart
One of the most undoubtedly famous Jersey City celebs is Martha Stewart, who is widely known for her recipes, cookbooks, and other publications.
Lester Green
Lester Green, widely known as “Beetlejuice,” is known for his frequent guest appearances on The Howard Stern Show (in addition to being a member of Stern’s “Wack Pack”). The Jersey City-born rapper also appeared in Scary Movie 2.
Paul Gleason
Do you recognize that grumpy principal from The Breakfast Club? Paul Gleason, who passed away in 2006, was notorious for his role in the classic film as Principal Richard Vernon. He also appeared in Trading Places, Die Hard, and the All My Children series.
Malcolm Jamal-Warner
More commonly known as The Cosby Show‘s endearing Theo Huxtable, Jamal-Warner is a Jersey City native who has starred in Malcolm & Eddie and Reed Between the Lines and made appearances on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Nathan Lane
“The Lion King” might have been set in Africa, but the voice behind the animated meerkat Timon himself hailed from Jersey City. The Saint Peter’s graduate Nathan Lane is known for his roles in The Lion King, The Producers, and The Birdcage.
See more: Martha Stewart Recalls New Jersey Upbringing in Netflix Documentary Martha
Susan Flannery
Emmy award-winning daytime actress Susan Flannery, born in Jersey City, has directed and starred in The Bold and The Beautiful for 25 years as Stephanie Forrester. Flannery has also appeared on the soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Hoboken Police Investigate ‘Unfounded’ Threats at Two Local Bars on Saturday Night
Hoboken residents reported police activity near 10th and Willow on Saturday night, with eyewitnesses citing that the bar was cleared due to a bomb threat. In addition to 10th and Willow, in downtown Hoboken, it was reported that Texas Arizona had a similar incident. The Hoboken Girl team reached out to the Hoboken Police Department for more info on the incidents — in which police were sent to investigate, determining both incidents 'unfounded.'
The Hoboken Police Department Director confirmed via the City of Hoboken's Communications Director on Sunday, February 16, 2025 that "HPD responded to two calls for service last night. Both incidents were unfounded."
Below is an image of the scene last night at 10th and Willow at 11:09PM from an eye witness, who shared with The Hoboken Girl, "Apparently someone called in a bomb threat, not sure toward the bar or the building. They brought in Transit Police k9 and swept the whole building. Thankfully finding nothing."
A thread was also posted on Reddit about the incident with little info about both Texas Arizona and 10th and Willow having police activity last night.
Residents also reported being able to return to the bar after the "all clear."
The Hoboken Girl has also reached out to the owners of 10th and Willow and Texas Arizona. Mario, the owner of 10th and Willow, shared "will have more info tomorrow," and we will add any additional comments from other parties in once received.
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