The New Jersey Hall of Fame has announced its 2024 inductees, a list that includes renowned actress Meryl Streep, actor Paul Rudd, and Peter Cancro, the founder and CEO of Jersey Mike's Subs. Other notable inductees include former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms and singer-songwriter Lesley Gore. The 18-member class was chosen from a pool of 50 after a public vote.
The inductees will be honored at the 16th annual New Jersey Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which will be a pre-taped television special filmed at the organization's Entertainment and Learning Center at American Dream and other satellite locations. The ceremony will air on November 13 on Fox 5 and MY9, as well as on social media.
Jon F. Hanson, Chairman of the NJHOF, said, "The 2024 class of inductees of the New Jersey Hall of Fame illustrate the New Jersey ethic of hard work, determination, and grit. We are thrilled to celebrate the contributions of 18 new inductees so future generations can learn about their journeys."
List of Nominees
Arts & Letters
- Gay Talese, Ocean City, author-journalist
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 Economic
- 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 aCritics’ 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