The New Jersey Hall of Fame has announced its inductees for the incoming Class of 2019–2020—the largest in its history.
The 12th annual induction ceremony—a virtual one-hour event—will air Sunday, October 18, on several local TV channels and radio stations, as well as social-media platforms.
“These Garden State heroes perfectly represent what makes our state great,” said NJ Hall of Fame chairman Jon F. Hanson. “It’s our privilege to honor these inductees for their outstanding contributions to our state.”
The Class of 2019–2020 (with asterisks denoting posthumous honors) is as follows:
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, New Jersey regional president at PNC Bank; N.J. Chamber of Commerce board chair
- Fairleigh Dickinson*, Rutherford, cofounder 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; 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 New York Giants quarterback; 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, 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 acto
The class’s Unsung Hero will be announced in early October. Prior to the induction ceremony, the class may expand to include previous honorees who were unable to attend a previous induction.
Last year’s inductees included Jason Alexander, Southside Johnny, and the Smithereens.
For more information, visit www.njhalloffame.org.