Trusted Local News

NJ Hall of Fame announces 12th class of inductees

  • State of NJ

Jersey Made: NJ Hall of Fame inductees welcome visitors at Terminal A at Newark Liberty Airport.

The New Jersey Hall of Fame has announced the inductees for the incoming Class of 2019-2020 a who's who of some of the Garden State's best and brightest.

The 12th annual induction ceremony will be a one-hour virtual pre-recorded ceremony that will take place on Sunday, Oct. 18 and will be broadcast on several television, radio and prominent social media platforms throughout New Jersey. The Class of 2019-2020's Unsung Hero will be announced in early October.

These Garden State heroes perfectly represent what makes our state great, says Jon F. Hanson, chairman of the NJHOF. It's our privilege to honor these inductees for their outstanding contributions to our state.

Previous inductees from the Atlantic County area include Peace Pilgrim (Mildred Norman Ryder) of Egg Harbor City and Kelly Ripa of Stratford (Class of 2016) and philanthropist Lewis Katz (Class of 2015), who summered in Longport.

The New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2019-2020 is:

Arts & Letters:



Charles Addams*, Westfield, Cartoonist and creator of The Addams Family

Stephen Crane, Newark, Author of The Red Badge of Courage

Joyce Kilmer*, New Brunswick, Journalist, literary critic and poet best known for Trees

Fran Lebowitz, Morristown, World-renowned author and public speaker

Mort Pye*, Tewksbury, 31-year editor of The Star-Ledger

Public Service



Dr. Virginia Apgar*, Westfield, Anesthesiologist and inventor of the Apgar Score

Sister Jane Brady, Paterson, Former president and CEO of St. Joseph's Health

General Martin Dempsey, Jersey City, Former Army general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, USA Basketball chair

Alfred Driscoll*, Haddonfield, 43rd Governor of New Jersey and president of Warner-Lambert

Milton Friedman*, Rahway, Noble Prize-winning economist



Enterprise:


The Borg Family, Hackensack, Former owners and publishers of The Record

Linda Bowden, East Brunswick, N.J. regional president at PNC Bank and N.J. Chamber of Commerce board chair

Fairleigh Dickinson*, Rutherford, Co-Founder of Fortune 500 company Becton Dickinson, benefactor of Fairleigh Dickinson University

Steve Kalafer, Flemington, Chairman of the Flemington Car and Truck Country Family of Brands

Joseph Simunovich*, West New York, Former Hudson County freeholder director and chairman of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority



Sports:


Rick Barry, Roselle Park, NBA player named one of 50 greatest in history

Gerry Cooney, Fanwood, Two-time boxing heavyweight contender

Eli Manning, Summit, Former NY Giant quarterback and two-time Super Bowl MVP

Robert Mulcahy, III, Mendham, Former athletic director of Rutgers University

Vivian Stringer, Piscataway, Head coach of the Rutgers University women's basketball team

Arts & Entertainment



Danny Aiello*, Ramsey, Academy Award-nominated actor

John Amos, Newark, Roots and Good Times actor

Mary Chapin Carpenter, Princeton, Five-time Grammy award winner, singer-songwriter

Ed Harris, Tenafly, Multiple award-winning actor

Anne Hathaway, Millburn, Academy and Emmy Award-winning actor


Cissy Houston, Newark, Grammy Award-winning soul and gospel singer

Ernie Kovacs*, Trenton, Emmy Award-winning and influential comedian, actor and writer

The Nelson Family (Ozzie, Harriet and Ricky*), Jersey City, Stars of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

Flip Wilson*, Jersey City, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning host of The Flip Wilson Show, comedian and actor

* Being honored posthumously.