The following is a list of notable people from Jersey City, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. (B) denotes that the person was born there.
Academics and scientists Jean Anyon (1941–2013), education researcher who wrote Ghetto Schooling (B)Fox, Margalit. "Jean Anyon Dies at 72; Wrote 'Ghetto Schooling'", The New York Times, September 29, 2013. Accessed October 2, 2013. "Jean Maude Anyon was born in Jersey City on July 16, 1941. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a master's in education there and a Ph.D. from New York University in education and psycholinguistics." Max Berre (born 1981), EU-based economist who specializes in valuation, SMEs and "Bridge-to-Macro" research (B). Charles Cicchetti (born 1943), economist"Gallagher Announces Academy Appointments", The Jersey Journal, February 14, 1961. Accessed "Appointed to the Air Force Academy Charles J. Cicchetti, 5 Delaware Ave., Jersey City." Neilson Debevoise (1903–1992), historian of the Parthian Empire (B) Eby Friedman (born 1957), engineering researcher who specializes in high performance integrated circuit design of semiconductor chips (B)Deckert, Andrea. "Researcher, teacher are among the many hats he wears", Rochester Business Journal, April 4, 2008. Accessed March 22, 2023. "He may be a giant in the world of microchip design, but Eby Friedman sees himself as more of a kid from Jersey City.... Friedman was born and raised in Jersey City, N.J. He could see the Statue of Liberty from his high school chemistry class." Michael M. Gottesman (born 1946), biochemist and physician-scientist (B)Pharmacology Conference Speakers , Office of Research on Women's Health. Accessed April 20, 2023. "Michael Marc Gottesman was born on October 7, 1946 in Jersey City, New Jersey, and grew up in Flushing, New York." William Harkness (1837–1903), astronomer"Astronomer Harkness Dead.; Retired Rear Admiral of the United States, Who Had Charge of the Observatory in Washington.", The New York Times, March 1, 1903. Accessed January 8, 2024. "Rear Admiral William Harkness, United States Navy, retired, died of typhoid fever yesterday in his home, at 90 Mercer Street, Jersey City." Donald Landry, scientist, chair of the Department of Medicine at Columbia University, physician-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Irving Medical Center"Prep tops Science Day competition", The Jersey Journal, June 19, 1972. Accessed October 26, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "In addition, Donald Landry, a St. Peter's student placed first individually among all Hudson County participants in the chemistry section.... Young Landry, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Landry of Jersey City, was also an outstanding member of the track team while at St. Peter's, and plans to attend Lafayette College next year." Robert J. Morris (1914–1996), anti-communist activist, president of the University of Dallas, served as chief counsel to the United States Senate Subcommittee on Internal SecurityHays, Constance L. "Robert J. Morris Is Dead at 82; Crusader Against Communists", The New York Times, January 2, 1997. Accessed October 28, 2019. "Mr. Morris's interest in politics was part and parcel of his upbringing in Jersey City, where his father was known for organizing opposition to Frank Hague, the entrenched Hudson County boss." Joseph Russoniello (1944–2022), two-term U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California and former dean of San Francisco Law SchoolMazur, Janet. "Long Branch couple's son prosecutor in spy probe", Asbury Park Press, June 9, 1985. Accessed April 2, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Joseph P. Russoniello, who grew up in Jersey City and spent his summer vacations here, is the U.S. Attorney in California prosecuting the case against a family spy ring accused of selling military secrets to the Soviets."
Arts
Fine arts John Bachmann (1814–1896), lithographer who pioneered "bird's-eye view" prints, especially of New York CityJohn Bachmann: The Seat of War. Bird's Eye View of Part of Maryland, Distr of Columbia and Part of Virginia., Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps. Accessed November 4, 2016. "Following the war, Bachmann continued to produce fine city views from his studio in Jersey City, New Jersey." George Catlin (1796–1872), painter, author and traveler who specialized in portraits of Native Americans in the Old WestStaff. "Obituary; George Catlin, Artist", The New York Times, December 24, 1872. Accessed July 9, 2018. "George Catlin, the artist, died at his home in Jersey City, yesterday morning, at the age of seventy-four." Elaine Lustig Cohen (1927–2016), graphic designer, artist and archivist (B)Gates, Anita. "Elaine Lustig Cohen, Designer Who Left Her Mark Everywhere, Dies at 89", The New York Times, October 7, 2016. Accessed October 9, 2016. "Elaine Firstenberg was born on March 6, 1927, in Jersey City, the daughter of Herman Firstenberg, a plumber, and the former Elizabeth Loeb." Alphaeus Philemon Cole (1876–1988), artist, engraver and etcher; son of engraver Timothy Cole; died at age 112 (B)Kimmelman, Michael. "Alphaeus Cole, a Portraitist, 112", The New York Times, November 26, 1988. Accessed October 2, 2013. "Mr. Cole, whose father was Timothy Cole, a noted 19th-century engraver of Old Master paintings, was born in Jersey City, N. J., on July 12, 1876." Bernice Pauahi Fernow (1881–1969), miniature painter whose work is part of the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Archimedes Giacomantonio (1906–1988), sculptor known for his busts of noted figuresStatue of Christopher Columbus Journal Square, New Jersey City University. Accessed December 26, 2021. "Designed by sculptor Archimedes Giacomantonio (1905–1988) of Jersey City, the ten-foot bronze statue of Christopher Columbus is mounted on a white marble shaft and was dedicated on October 15, 1950." Grigory Gurevich (born 1938), painter, sculptor, graphic artist, photographer, illustrator, bookmaker, mime and inventorHortillosa, Summer Dawn. "Jersey City artist and son to perform, teach pantomime", The Jersey Journal, March 4, 2011. Accessed December 25, 2023. "No one knows the value of art and silence like long-time Jersey City resident Grigory Gurevich." Brian Hanlon, sculptor (B)Kronberg, Susan. "Made in Jersey: Acclaimed sculptor creates timeless memorials to heroes of all kinds", Jersey's Best, March 9, 2021. Accessed December 27, 2024. "Hanlon, born in Jersey City and raised in Holmdel, distinctly remembers the elementary school field trip to the museum at which the artist within him began to take shape." Carroll N. Jones III (1944–2017), artist in the style of American realismSmith, Ray. "Hoboken through the eyes of an artistJersey City painter's work shows scenes of the city as Americana", The Hudson Reporter, September 9, 2010. Accessed November 9, 2016. "Jones grew up in New Providence, N.J., but attended school in New York City.... Jones, 66, has been painting since he was 20-years-old, and now resides in Jersey City.... Jones lived in Hoboken for 15 years beginning in 1977." Kaws (born 1974 as Brian Donnelly), graffiti artist, limited-edition clothing and toy designerRobb, Adam. "Former Jersey City graffiti artist KAWS has first solo museum show", The Jersey Journal, June 25, 2010, updated January 18, 2019. Accessed November 22, 2019. "Stare long enough and you'll start to notice the faded graffiti tagged along the top floors of some surrounding factories, like the crude white letters spelling KAWS on two sides of a rooftop at 13th and Coles. It's the tag of Brian Donnelly, arguably Jersey City's most celebrated artist to date, who painted his pseudonym there in the early 1990s so it would be visible from his classroom window at nearby St. Anthony High School." Richard Lahey (1893–1978), artist who competed in the painting event as part of the art competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics (B)Joyce, Maureen. "Richard Lahey, Painter, Ex-Corcoran Principal", The Washington Post, August 3, 1978. Accessed August 6, 2020. "He began his career in earnest when he established a studio in Jersey City, where he had been born and began to show his work in exhibitions." Alexander Melamid (born 1945), Russian painterGopnik, Adam. "Bayonne", The New Yorker, April 24, 1989. Accessed July 9, 2016.Woodward, Richard B. "Art; Two Wild and Crazy Emigres Discover Bayonne", The New York Times, March 26, 1989. Accessed July 9, 2016. "Unlike Jersey City, where Mr. Melamid lives with his family (Mr. Komar still lives in Manhattan), Bayonne has never been either sufficiently run down or sufficiently desirable to invite gentrification." Herbert Migdoll (1934–2025), painter, environmental installation artist and photographer, company photographer for The Joffrey Ballet since 1968, and later as its design director (B)Knight, Meribah. A Vibrant Career at the Ballet, but With a Lens and Not Toeshoes", The New York Times, October 8, 2011. Accessed March 17, 2018. "The youngest of four siblings, Mr. Migdoll was born in 1944 in Jersey City to a Russian father and Polish mother who 'almost loved' his decision to become an artist." Chi Modu (1966–2021), photographer known for his photos of various pioneering hip-hop music entertainers Henriette Simon Picker (1917–2016), painter and fashion designer (B)Staff. "Henriette Simon Picker Museum of Art opens in Poughkeepsie", Poughkeepsie Journal, April 11, 2017. Accessed August 18, 2020. "Born Henriette May Simon on March 28, 1917 in Jersey City, she died in Poughkeepsie Jan. 5, 2016, according to the release." Arthur Secunda (1927–2022), painter, sculptor and printmaker (B)Arthur Secunda, Smithsonian American Art Museum. Accessed December 3, 2022. "Born Jersey City, New Jersey"
Movies, stage, television and modeling Nick Adams (1931–1968), actor who appeared in Hollywood films and on television during the 1950s and 1960sHyams, Joe. "It's More Than A Role: TV's Nick Adams Is The Rebel", The Tuscaloosa News, December 25, 1960. Accessed July 23, 2019. "Nick, who was Pennsylvania-born but Jersey City raised, came to our interview at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel wearing jeans, rough-out cowboy boots, an open neck shirt, tweed jacket, a rebel cap and the jaunty grin that is his trademark." Elizabeth Allen (1929–2006), stage and screen actress (B)Hevesi, Dennis. "Elizabeth Allen, 77, Stage Star Known for Memorable TV Line, Is Dead", The New York Times, October 9, 2006. Accessed October 2, 2013. "Elizabeth Ellen Gillease was born on Jan. 25, 1929, in Jersey City, the daughter of Viola and Joseph Gillease." Beetlejuice (born 1968), entertainer and Howard Stern Show personality (B)Schuh, Jamie. "Howard Stern Show's Beetlejuice makes an appearance in North Bergen", The Jersey Journal, August 28, 2009. Accessed July 9, 2016. "'It's about livin', livin' life. It's my life whether there's cameras there or not!' exclaimed famed Howard Stern sidekick and Jersey City native Beetlejuice, talking about his new reality series, which chronicles his hilarious exploits with best friend Bobby Rooney, a Bayonne native." Philip Bosco (1930–2018), stage and screen actor who was nominated for a Tony Award in 1996 for Best Actor in Moon Over Buffalo (B)Rosenfeld, Stacy. "Quite the Character: Haworth's Philip Bosco Reflects on his Illustrious Life and Acting Career", Bergen.com, April 16, 2014. Accessed November 4, 2016. "Born and raised in Jersey City, Bosco was a rough-and-tumble kid who found his place onstage." Lisa Brown (1954–2021), stage and screen actress known for her roles on Guiding Light and As The World Turns