NEWARK,
N.J., July 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels
of opening the New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream, the New
Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) announces its next class of Jersey
greats. The list of 18 Inductees includes Actress Meryl Streep, Actor Paul
Rudd, Founder and CEO of Jersey Mike's Subs Peter Cancro,
former NY Giants Quarterback Phil
Simms, and Singer-Songwriter Lesley Gore.
The Inductees will be honored at the 16th Annual New
Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This year's ceremony will
be a pre-taped television special on location at the
10,000-square-foot New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream and
other Hall of Fame satellite exhibits. The Ceremony will be aired
beginning November 13 on Fox 5 My9
and social media. There will be dozens of inductee events open to
the public throughout the year on inductee birthdays, beginning as
early as this summer.
"The 2024 class of Inductees of the New Jersey Hall of Fame
illustrate the New Jersey ethic of
hard work, determination, and grit," said Jon F. Hanson, Chairman of the NJHOF. "We are
thrilled to celebrate the contributions of 18 new Inductees so
future generations can learn about their journeys."
The New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is:
Arts & Letters
Gay Talese, Ocean City, journalist for The
New York Times and Esquire
magazine, a pioneer who pushed the boundaries of traditional
journalism
Education & Science
Elizabeth Coleman
White*, Whitesbog, botanist who developed the
nation's first cultivated blueberry
John Forbes Nash*/**,
Princeton, genius
mathematician who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for
Economics
Avi Wigderson, Princeton, computer scientist,
mathematician, and Turing Award winner, known for his
groundbreaking insights in computer science
Enterprise
George Cooney, Bogota, chairman emeritus of EUE/Screen
Gems Ltd, a visionary who built industry leading entertainment
service businesses for over 50 years catering to Madison Avenue and
Hollywood
Peter Cancro, Point Pleasant, founder of Jersey Mike's
Franchise Systems, Inc., entrepreneur, businessman and
philanthropist
Donald Katz, Newark, founder of Audible, Inc.,
award-winning journalist, and author
Performing Arts & Entertainment
Lesley Gore**,*,
Tenafly, singer-songwriter
known for top-chart hits including "You Don't Own Me" and "It's
My Party," she received an Academy
Award nomination for "Out Here On My Own" from the movie FAME and
three Grammy Award nominations
Warren Littlefield,
Montclair, NBC Entertainment
president who oversaw the groundbreaking "Must See TV" lineup,
including "Seinfeld"
Paul Rudd**, Passaic, actor who has been nominated for
a Golden Globe, two SAG Awards, and won a Critics' Choice Award
Kevin Smith, Red Bank, director, producer, writer, and
actor who helmed the Jersey-based comedy Clerks
Meryl Streep**, Bernardsville, actress who has won three
Academy Awards, eight Golden Globes, is a Kennedy Center Honoree,
and received a Presidential Medal of Freedom
Public Service
Father Edwin D. Leahy,
Newark, Benedictine monk and
Catholic priest, headmaster of St.
Benedict's Prep in Newark
Geraldine Thompson,
Lincroft, social reform
pioneer and founder of VNA Health Group who earned the nickname
"First Lady of New Jersey" due to
her philanthropic and social service activities
Sports
Dick Button, Englewood, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist
in figure skating, five consecutive gold medals from the World
Championships, and an Emmy Award-winning former TV Sport
Commentator
Tim Howard, New Brunswick,
former goalkeeper for the United States Men's National Team,
regarded as one of the greatest American players of all time
Ron Johnson*,
Madison, All-American running back and captain at the
University of Michigan, twice earned
All-Pro honors with the New York Giants, inducted into the College
Football Hall of Fame, and served as chairman of the National
Football Foundation
Phil Simms,
Franklin Lakes, former New
York Giants quarterback, Super Bowl MVP, and sports analyst
*Being honored posthumously.
**Previous Inductee, but being formally inducted this year.
The 18 Inductees in the six categories were chosen from 50
nominees after a public vote. The Hall of Fame reserves the right
to announce other Inductees at a later time.
ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY HALL OF
FAME
Because everyone needs a hero, the New Jersey Hall of Fame
(NJHOF) honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions to
society, the State of New Jersey,
and the world beyond. Since 2008, the NJHOF has hosted 15
ceremonies for more than 230 notable individuals and groups in
recognition of their induction into the Hall of Fame. In June of
2024, the New Jersey Hall of Fame opened the nation's first
state-of-the-art Entertainment and Learning Center at American
Dream. The NJHOF endeavors to present school children with
significant and impactful role models to show that they can, and
should, strive for excellence. The NJHOF is thankful for the
support of its many sponsors, including Hackensack Meridian Health,
without which none of our endeavors would be possible. For more
information, go to www.NJHOF.org
CONTACT:
Eliza Rosenthale,
eliza@princetonsc.com (609) 558-3330
Aimee Brooks, aimee@princetonsc.com
(917) 881-3849
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SOURCE New Jersey Hall of Fame