201 366 8692
In the 36 years since Jersey City's population hit its lowest in 1980, the town known as "The Sixth Borough" has enjoyed an era of rejuvenation and an influx of new residents taking advantage of the city's proximity to Manhattan and its burgeoning dining, nightlife and cultural scene.
With more than a quarter of a million residents, Jersey City is New Jersey's second largest municipality and home a diverse population and rich history. That history even includes a fair share of famous folk among the city's sons and daughters. Here we've run down a few of Jersey City's most famous faces.
Born in Hoboken, the all-time-great crooner moved to 137 Bergen Avenue in Jersey City after marrying first wife – and Jersey City native – Nancy Barbato. Sinatra’s first two children, Nancy and Frank, Jr., were born in Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City as well. Ol' Blue Eyes has yet another important Jersey City connection: his first radio gig as a singer was on a local station WAAT in 1936.
2. Raised in nearby Nutley, New Jersey, Martha Stewart was born Martha Helen Kostyra in Jersey City in 1941. She began modeling at age 13 and attended Barnard College before working as a stockbroker on Wall Street for a time. Of course all of that served as but a precursor to her incredible success as a media mogul and all-around lifestyle guru.
3. Nathan Lane
Born in Jersey City to a truck driver (and aspiring singer) father and a secretary mother, Nathan Lane attended St. Peter’s Preparatory High School on Grand Street where he caught the acting bug. He went on to attend college at St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia on an acting scholarship, sparking a career that would lead to Tony, Drama Desk, SAG, People's Choice and Daytime Emmy awards; multiple Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nominations; plus a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
4. The Members of Kool & the Gang
Brothers Ronald and Robert Bell were raised in Ohio before moving to Jersey City with their family in 1960. They’d go on to found Kool & the Gang with two Jersey City natives, Dennis Thomas and George Brown. Together, the band sold more than 70 million albums. They’re proud members of the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and this past spring, the band saw the Jersey City Council rename the corner of Maple Street and Pacific Avenue Kool & The Gang Way in their honor.
5. The legendary four-time NBA Champion and 2000 league MVP resided in Jersey City between the ages of 6 and 13, when he attended P.S. 14 across the street from his home at 101 Oak Street. It's an address he remembers well, and he had plans to buy the property just 12 years ago. Staying in Jersey City as his Miami Heat played the then-New Jersey Nets in the first round of the 2005 NBA playoffs, he told reporters, "I came back last year to Jersey City and was going to buy that house, even though it wasn't on the market. I was all set to make them an offer, but then my mother told me not to do it. She said it was stupid." To add injury to insult, the Heat swept the Nets 4-0 in that series.
6. Perhaps best known for her roles in "The Fast and the Furious" film franchise, Michelle Rodriguez bounced around a bit — from Texas to the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico — before landing in Jersey City at age 11. She credits her Jersey City roots with building the toughness and confidence that have served her well in roles ranging from her debut film "Girlfight" to her stint as Ana Lucia Cortez on the wildly popular series "Lost."
7. Akon
Born in St. Louis, Akon spent much of his childhood shuttling between Senegal, West Africa and New Jersey cities, including Union City, Newark and Jersey City. A triple-platinum hip-hop recording artist and an early supporter of Stefani Germanotta (AKA Lady Gaga), Akon attended Dickinson High School on Palisade Avenue, and he still frequents Ringside Lounge on Tonnele Avenue where he catches up with old friend and restaurateur Mario Costa.
8. Ozzie Nelson
A native of Jersey City, Oswald George Nelson went on to become patriarch of America's favorite family on "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." Originally a long-running radio show, "Ozzie and Harriet" became the first scripted television show to pass the 10-year mark, running from for 14 years between 1952 and 1966. Ozzie was raised just north of Jersey City, in Ridgefield Park, and was a star quarterback at Rutgers before turning his attention to showbiz.
Ever wonder who your well known Brooklynite neighbors are? From Brooklyn Heights to Williamsburg, we run down the familiar faces of the borough in our blog, A Who's Who of Brooklyn. 
