Mariah Carey
Carey was born in Huntington and became a singer, songwriter, producer, and actress. With many chart topping songs, Carey has rocked the music and acting world with her talent. Carey’s stardom rose in 1990 when she released album Mariah Carey. Some songs released included “Vision of Love,” “Love Takes Time,” “Someday,” and “I Don’t Wanna Cry.” She’s continued to make her mark in the music industry internationally. In 2016, she tours Europe with “Sweet Sweet Fantasy.”
Harry Chapin
A resident of Jericho at death, Chapin is known for his folk rock songs including his biggest hit, "Cat's in the Cradle."
Kenneth Cole
Clothing designer, Cole graduated from Great Neck North High School and is now known for his deisgner brand and clothing.
Francis Ford Coppola
Graduate of Great Neck North High School, Coppola is a very well know filmmaker of The Godfather films and started many acting careers directing the film adpatation of The Outsiders.
John Michael Crichton
John Michael Crichton was a physician, screenwriter, producer, director, and best-selling novelist best known for writing Jurassic Park and Congo. He was born in Chicago and raised on Long Island in Roslyn.
Well-known actor, writer, producer, comdian and director Crystal was raised in Long Beach and graduated Long Beach High School. He attended Nassau Community College and later NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Many people know him for films such as When Harry Met Sally and children would know him for Monsters Inc.
Crystal’s stardom rose in the 1970s when he played Jodie Dallas on the sitcom Soap. He’s continued as a respectable figure hosting the Academy Awards as many as nine times (as recent as 2012). He’s also beloved by Long Islanders for his continuous support. In 2013, Crystal donated $1 million to Long Beach to help with Hurricane Sandy recovery and has shown further support appearing in a commercial campaign for Long Beach tourism in 2013.
Rodney Dangerfield
This funny man born in Deer Park is known for his comedy and films. No one can forget this catchphrase, "I don't get no respect."
Tony Danza
Moving with his famly to Malverne, Danza is best known for his acting roles in the TV shows Taxi, Who's the Boss?, The Tony Danza Show, and his brief stint as a talk show host. Danza has a degree in education and used it for one year of teaching for a reality show. Based on this experience, he has recently published a book about teaching. Danza received his high school education at Malverne High School (class of 1969). He pursued a bachelor’s degree in history from University of Dubuque, in Iowa. As recently as 2013, Danza was honored by USA Today at their annual National Make a Difference Day Awards for his commitment to helping others through his various charity efforts. Today he lives in New York City.
Howard Davis Jr.
Howard Davis Jr. was the eldest of 10 children. He was a professional boxer inspired by Muhammad Ali’s story and won the 1976 Olympic gold medal. After retiring in 1996, he moved on to become a trainer, motivational speaker, and musician. He was a native of Glen Cove and died in 2015 in Florida.
Taylor Dayne
This singer-songwriter from Baldwin is known for her hit song "Love Will Lead You Back" and many other billboard hits.
Nelson DeMille
Nelson Richard DeMill is an author of Thriller novels who was born in Queens, attended Elmont Memorial High School and Hofstra University, and resides in Garden City.
Brian Dennehy
This Chaminade graduate has appeared in many film, stage, and television shows. His most memorable role was in First Block with Sylvester Stallone.
Billy Donovan
William John Donovan Jr. was born in Rockville Centre in 1965 and graduated from St. Agnes Cathedral High School. He played for the New York Knicks briefly before going on to coach at the University of Florida.
Ashanti Douglas
Douglas was born in Glen Cove and has become to affluent singer-songwriter and actress. With many chart topping collaborations with many famous artists, she has also expanded to acting appearing in a few films and television shows. She even graced the stage as Dorothy in The Wiz back in 2009.
John “Jumbo” Elliot
John “Jumbo” Elliot was an offensive tackle for both the New York Giants and the New York Jets. He was born in Lake Ronkonkoma and won Super Bowl XXV with the Giants.
Julius “Dr. J” Erving
Born and raised in Nassau County, Julius “Dr. J” Erving graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1968. He entered the ABA in 1971 to play for the Virginia Squires and was traded to the New York Nets in 1973, where he remained until the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, after which he went to the Philadelphia 76ers. He was a two time ABA champion and one time NBA MVP.
Boomer Esiason
This former football quarterback and current commentator from East Islip is best known for playing for Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and ended his career back with the Bengals.
Edie Falco
Best known for her role on The Sopranos, Falco, a Northport High School Graduate, is currently acting in Nurse Jackie to critical acclaim.
Buzz Feiten
Buzz Feiten grew up in Huntington Station and Centerport. He’s a singer-songwriter, guitarist, session musician, and luthier. Some of his best work is on Bette Midler in Concert: Diva Las Vegas and Speed.
D'Brickashaw Ferguson
D'Brickashaw Montgomery Ferguson is a professional football player who plays left tackle for the New York Jets. He was born in New York and graduated from Freeport High School.
Amy Fisher
The "Long Island Lolita" is infamous for her affair with Joey Buttafuoco and later the attempted murder of his wife. Fisher was born in Wantagh. After serving time, she became a columnist and is currently working in the adult entertainment industry.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Though he was born in Minnesota and died in California, F. Scott Fitzgerald lived in Great Neck during the 1920s. His experience on Long Island’s Gold Coast was the inspiration for his classic novel, The Great Gatsby.
Flavor Flav
William Jonathan Drayton, Jr. grew up in Freeport and is best known by his stage name. He became best known as a member of the hip-hop group Public Enemy. Later he had many shows on VH1, including The Surreal Life, Strange Love, and various season of Flavor of Love.
William Floyd
Born in Brookhaven, Floyd was an influencial politician and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Many schools and locations on Long Island are named after him.
World Wresting Entertainment three-time champion Mick Foley holds up an America Supports You dogtag after taping a public service announcement thanking troops for their contributions and telling them the country is behind them. Photo by Donna Miles, via WikiCommons.
Mick Foley
Michael Francis Foley is a retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, and voice actor who is famous for having several different wrestling personalities including Mankind, Dude Love, and Cactus Jack. He was born in Indiana, but his family moved to East Setauket where he attended Ward Melville High School. Foley retired from wrestling in 2000, but had a second return to WWE with various feuds from 2004 – 2008 before exiting for his second retirement from wrestling at WWE. However, as recently as 2015, Foley has reappeared on WWE to help host events.
Melvin Fowler
Before Fowler was drafted to the Cleveland Browns to play guard and center positions, he was an all-county and all-Long Island selection for defense lineman at Half Hollow Hills High School West in Dix Hills. Fowler also went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, and Detroit Lions.
Born in Long Beach and currently residing in Manhasset, Frecesa is a radio personality on WFAN hosting his own show.
Debbie Gibson
Gibson was raised in Merrick and is best known for your singer-songwriting skills with her #1 single "Foolish Beat." She has also appeared on Broadway and with touring musicals. In recent years Gibson has been involved competing in the fifth season of The Celebrity Apprentice, she’s made a cameo appearance in the 2012 film Rock of Ages, and starred in the UP TV movie The Music in Me in 2015. In 2013 it was revealed she’s been battling with Lyme disease.
Morton Gould
Morton Gould was a world class composer, pianist, arranger, and conductor. He was born in Richmond Hill, New York, and lived in Great Neck for a time.
Sal Governale
Sal Governale became a writer/prank caller on the Howard Stern show, and later a producer, after working as a stockbroker in New York City.
Leroy Grumman
As a salutatorian at Huntington High School, he predicted that perfecting airplnes would be man's greatest triumphs and he was the one to do it. Known for being an aeronautical engineer and industrialist, he set up Grumman Aeronautical Engineering Co.
Steve Guttenberg
Raised in North Massapequa, Guttenberg is known for acting in the popular film Three Men and a Baby, Police Academy, and Short Circuit.
Melissa Joan Hart
Born in Smithtown, Hart is best known for your acting persuits in the schol Clarissa Explains It All, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, and Melissa & Joey, which had its series finale in August 2015. Hart’s career began early at the age of 4 with a television commercial for a bathtub doll called Splashy. When her parents divorced, she and her siblings were moved to New York City with her mother. In addition to her work on TV, Hart has also been involved in the off-Broadway production Love, Loss, and What I Wore. She’s also written a book called Melissa Explains It All: Tales from My Abnormal Life. IN 2013, Hart partnered with NutriSystem as a spokeswoman.
Anthony Heald
Born in Westchester, Anthony Heald’s family moved to Long Island when he was young; he graduated from Massapequa High School in 1962. Heald has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, including Frasier, The X-Files, Law & Order, and X-Men: The Last Stand. He is best known for his roles as Dr. Frederick Chilton in The Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon, and assistant principal Scott Guber on Boston Public.
Edwin Hoyt
Author of books dealing with WW2 and similar subjects. Historian who died in Japan. Wrote some of his books in Northport. Lived there in the late '50s/early '60s
Sarah Hughes
This Olympic Gold Medalist is from Great Neck and became well known during the 2001 and 2002 Olympics.
Peter Iacangelo
Born in Brooklyn NY, Peter Iacangelo is an actor known for his roles in such films as, Fight Club, The Rat Pack and Look Who's Talking Now.
Billy Idol
Though born in England, William Michael Albert Board moved to Long Island when he was two-years-old and resided in Patchogue. They resided there for 4 years before moving back to the UK. Billy Idol is a rock musician that first achieved fame with the punk rock band Generation X.
Bob Iger
Born in Oceanside, Iger is current chairman and chief executive of The Walt Disney Company. He oversaw the purchase of Pixar Animation Studios, aquired Marvel Entertainment, and Lucasfilms which boardened the Disney's company's franchises.
David Ippolito
David Ippolito, better known as “That Guitar Man from Central Park” became a phenomenon with his love songs and other politically-biting songs. He’s a grassroots entertainer building crowds each time her performed in Central Park. Some of his songs include “Bill O’Reilly: The Legend of the Big Giant Head” and “Talk Louder (The Cell Phone Song).” He was raised on Long Island and attended East Meadow High School.
Kevin James
Comedy actor, James was born in Mineola and raised in Stony Brook before acting in the sitcom The King of Queens and films, Hitch, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, and Here Comes the Boom.
Richard Jaeckel
Richard Hanley Jaeckel was an actor who appeared in numerous film and TV productions over the course of a 60-year career.
Chris Jericho
Born in Manhasset under the name Christopher Keith Irvine, Irvine took the name Chris Jericho as his professional wrestler name. He is signed with WWE and has wrestled internationally (he is well known in Canada). He is credited as being the first Undisputed WWF Champion, in addition to his 30 championship wins, and is also the lead singer of the Heavy Metal band Fozzy. Jericho also competed in the 2011 series of Dancing With the Stars. Most recently he returned to WWE appearing in the January 4, 2016 episode of Raw and he announced his participation in the 2016 Royal Rumble match.
Long Island would not be Long Island without the legendary Billy Joel. Raised in Hicksville, Joel released his first hit song, "Piano Man," in 1973. Other hits, to name a few, include “New York State of Mind,” “You May Be Right,” “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” “Allentown,” and “Uptown Girl.” Since December of 2013, Joel joined Madison Square Garden to perform a show a month. He was also the final performer before the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum closed for extensive renovation. Tickets to this final show were sold out in less than five minutes. Joel still lives on Long Island and has a motorcycle shop in Oyster Bay. He’s also beloved by Long Islanders for his continued support and generosity. When Hurricane Sandy hit, he helped raise awareness and money to help those effected, performing six songs at the “12.12.12 The Concert for Sandy Relief.”
Donna Karan
Hewlett High School graduate, Donna Karan, is a fashion designer known for her Donna Karan New York and DKNY brand clothes.
Andy Kaufman
Raised in Great Neck, this funny man is known for his comedy and his time of the hit TV show, Taxi. Kaufman was an entertainer who made people laugh, but he would tell people he disdained telling jokes.
Jack Kerouac
Lived in Northport for a while. Used to hang out at Gunther's in downtown Northport
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Raised in Rockville Centre, Doris Kearns Goodwin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, journalist, and historian. She served as a member of the White House staff under President Lyndon B. Johnson, taught at Harvard for a decade, and now regularly appears as a commentator on television news programs.
Bob Keeshan
This Lynbrook-born man is most notable for being the title character in the television show Captain Kangaroo. He portrayed this iconic character for 30 years.
Barbara Keiler
Barbara is a graduate of Bethpage High School and a best-selling author who has written many crime fiction and romance novels. She is more widely known by her pseudonym Judith Arnold. Other pseudonyms she has written under include Ariel Berk and Thea Frederick.
Clinton Kelly
Clinton Kelly is a fashion consultant and media personality who co-hosted the Reality TV show What not to Wear. He was born in Panama, raised in Port Jefferson Station, and Graduated from Comsewogue High School.
Jackie Kennedy
The wife of JFK was from Long Island's Southampton Area. As First Lady, many women iconized her for her fashion sense.
Alan King
Best known as an actor and comedian, Alan King grew up in New York City before moving to Queens and eventually Great Neck with his wife and kids, where he would live out the rest of his days.
Michael Kors
Karl Anderson Jr. who is now know as Michael Kors is a major fashion designer from Merrick. He is known for his women's line of clothes and handbags.
Jonathan Larson
Born in White Plains, Larson is known of composing and writing plays and musicals. He is best known for his smash hit Rent and tick, tick...BOOM!
Dan Lauria
Lauria graduated from Lindenhurst Senior High School and served in the Vietnam War as an officer in the US Marine Corps. He is best known for this role as Jack Arnold on The Wonder Years. He currently appears in the television show Sullivan & Son.
Ed Lauter
Edward Matthew Lauter II was an actor and comedian who appeared in over 200 films and TV episodes. He was born in Long Beach and graduated from the CW Post Campus of Long Island University.
Benjamin Lees
Although not born on Long Island, this Grammy nominated composer and was a longtime Great Neck resident who passed away in Glen Cove in May of 2010.
LL Cool J
Rapper and actor from Bay Shore, James Todd Smith is known for his hip-hop music. Some of his songs include "I Can't Live Without My Radio", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock The Bells" and "Mama Said Knock You Out." He has branched out from the music industry to films, including In Too Deep, Any Given Sunday, S.W.A.T., and Edison. Currently he stars in NCIS: Los Angeles and he’s the host of Lip Sync Battle on Spike.
Lindsay Lohan
Although news around Lohan has not been great lately, this Merrick and Cold Spring Harbor-raised actress calls Long Island her home. Known for her movies like the remake of The Parent Trap and Mean Girls, Lohan has made many films that people still enjoy.
Lori Loughlin
Before becoming Becky on Full House, Loughlin lives in Oceanside and moved to Hauppauge where she graduated high school. She has made many television appearances and is best known for her role on Full House.
Susan Lucci
Susan Victoria Lucci is an actress, TV host, and author known best for playing the character of Erica Kane on the Soap Opera All My Children. She graduated from Garden City High School in 1964.
Patti LuPone
Born in Northport, Lupone is a singer actress known for her performance as Eva Peron in the musical Evita and her performance in the originla London cast of Les Miserables.
Robert (Bobby) LuPone
Older brother of Patti LuPone. Graduated from Northport HS - one of his first performances was at Northport High School as the lead in Where's Charley". Played role of Director in Broadway original play A Chorus Line.
Ralph Macchio
Born in Huntington, Macchio is known for his roles in My Cousin Vinny, The Outsiders, and the Karate Kid films.
Steve Madden
Maybe you wear his shoes? Who knew that such a popular footwear CEO grew up in Lawrence.
The Marx Brothers
Originally from New York City, this family of world famous comedians once lived in Great Neck.
Jameel McCline
Jameel “Big Time” McCline is a professional boxer who was born in New York City and graduated from Comsewogue High School in Port Jefferson Station.
Buddy McGirt
This Brentwood raised Long Islander is known for his professional boxer career and being a boxing trainer.
John Melendez
Best known as Stuttering John, this former radio personality who worked with Howard Stern was born in Massapequa and attended Plainedge High School.
Idina Menzel
Raised in Syosset, Menzel is best known for her singing and acting in Broadway shows such as Rent and playing the lead rold of Elphaba in the Broadway Blockbuster Wicked.
Chris Messina
Chris Messina is an actor who was born in Northport and has had roles in television and movies including Argo and You’ve Got Mail.
Method Man
Born in Hempstead, Clifford Smith is known by his stage name and a member of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. Not only is he a musician, he is also an actor appearing in a few motion pictures, as well as some HBO dramas.
Harvey Milk
Born in Woodmere, Milk made history by being their first openly gay person to be elected to office in California. He served only 11 months before be assissinated. Before his death he was responsible for passing gay rights ordinances in San Francisco.
Larry Miller
Larry Miller is a comedian who hails from Valley Stream. He’s played the doorman on Seinfeld. He’s also appeared in films like The Nutty Professor and Pretty Woman. He also has a podcast called The Larry Miller Show.
Chieli Minucci
Born in Huntington, this smooth Jazz composer and guitarist has recorded and performed with many top musical artists - like Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, and more!
Billy Mira
Billy Mira was a comedian, singer and a personality on the Howard Stern radio show. He grew up in Westbury.
Eddie Money
Raised in Plainedge, Money is known being a singer songwriter during the 70s and 80s.
Brandon Moore
This current free agent from East Meadow is a linebacker who debuted back in 2002 with the 49ers.
Colin Moriarty
Colin Moriarty is a YouTube star known for his work on Kinda Funny: The Animated Series as a video game journalist. Moriarty is from West Babylon.
Eddie Murphy
Raised in Roosevelt, Murphy is known for his comedy, acting, writing, singing, directing, and music. His career has spanned from Saturday Night Live, Coming to America, Shrek, and The Nutty Professor.
Paul Newman
Paul Newman was an actor, director, race car driver, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Newman’s Own food company. He was born in Ohio and died in Connecticut, but also lived in Great Neck for a period of time.
Soledad O'Brien
From St. James, O'Brien is a journalist who has appeared on CNN and HBO.
Cameron Ocasio
Cameron Ocasio started acting at the young age of 7. He’s had appearances on shows including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Sinister. He’s also stared in the television series Sam & Cat. Ocasio was born and raised on Long Island and has an older brother and younger sister.
Rosie O'Donnell
Comedian, actress, and TV personality O'Donnell was born in Commack and graduated from Commack High School. She is best known for her stand-up comedy, her TV talk show, and her time on The View. O’Donnell made the announcement to leave The View in February 2015 citing it was for personals reasons. Outside of acting and comedy, O’Donnell helped bring attention to gay adoption issues being a foster and adoptive mother.
Bill O'Reilly
Chaminade graduate, O'Reilly is a poliical commentator on the Fox News Channel program The O'Reilly Factor. He has also authored numerous books, including “Killing Kennedy: The End of a Camelot” (2012), “Kennedy’s Lads Days: The Assassination That Defined a Generation” (2013), “The Strange Death of World World II’s Most Audacious General” (2014), “Hitler’s Last Days: The Death of the Nazi Regime and the World’s Most Notorious Dictator,” (2015), and “Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault That Changed a Presidency” (2015).
He grew up in Levittown and currently resides in Manhasset.
Opie and Anthony
Both raised on Long Island, Gregg Hughes and Anthony Cumia host a talk radio program on satellite radio. Their raunchy humor brings the listeners in and, sometimes, shock their listeners.
Adam Pascal
Gradating from Syosset High School, this acter and singer is known for his performance as Roger Davis in the Broadway Musical Rent.
Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult is a best-selling novelist who was born in Nesconset and raised there until the age of 13. In addition to her many novels, Picoult also wrote several issues of DC’s Wonder Woman.
AJ Pierzynski
Anthony John Pierzynski is an MLB catcher and two-time All Star. He has played for the Twins, Giants, and Rangers, and won a World Series with the White Sox in 2005. Pierzynski is originally from Bridgehampton, and the nephew of MLB Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski.
Natalie Portman
Born in Israel and raised in Jericho, Portman started young in her acting career in Off-Broadway and Broadway productions. Many Star Wars fans know her as Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Mario Puzo
Mario Puzo is best known for his novel, “The Godfather.” The author, screenwriter and journalist also went on to author critically acclaimed novels, “The Dark Arena” and “The Fortunate Pilgrim.” Some of his screenplays include Godfather and Earthquake. Puzo was born in Manhattan’s West Side but he lived in Bay Shore until his death in 1999.
Lou Reed
This rock musician raised in Freeport is best known for his career with The Velvet Underground.
Paul Regina
Paul Regina was an American actor who was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Medford and graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School. Paul was in television series like Police Woman, Brothers, L.A. Law and The Untouchables. He died in 2006 at age 49 from liver cancer.
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., before he was a rapper, was a resident of Uniondale as well as a Uniondale High School graduate. Rhymes is best known for his music as well as his affliation with other rappers, such as Jay-Z, DMX, and The Notorious B.I.G.
Carlton Douglas “Chuck D” Ridenhour
Best known by his stage name, Chuck D, Carlton Ridenhour was born in Queens, but lived in Roosevelt as a child and graduated from Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School before attending Adelphi University. Chuck D was a member of Public Enemy and has contributed to numerous other musical projects.
Geraldo Rivera
Geraldo Rivera ran the talk show Geraldo from 1987 to 1998. The daytime talk show often featured controversial guests that provided drama. He also hosted Rivera Live, and evening news show. He grew up in Brooklyn and West Babylon and went on to attend high school at West Babylon High School.
Phil Robinson
Phil Alden Robinson is a director and screenwriter whose best known works include Field of Dreams and The Sum of All Fears. He was born in Long Beach.
Jai Rodriguez
Jai Rodriguez is an actor and musician best known for his role as a host on the Reality TV series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. He was born in Brentwood and attended Smithtown High School.
Jordan Rudess
Jordan Rudess is best known for his work with the progressive metal/rock band Dream Theater. He’s a keyboardist and composer and was born and raised in Great Neck.
Joe Satriani
This Westbury-born guitarist is best know for his collborations with many musicians, including Mick Jagger.
Telly Savalas
Savalas, born in Garden City, is best know for winning an Academy Award Winning Actor in the Birdman from Alcatraz.
Jack Scalia
Jack Scalia, born in Brooklyn in 1950, graduated from Brentwood High School. He has appeared in a number of movies and TV shows, including the popular soap opera All My Children.
Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer moved from Manhattan to Long Island during her teens. She attended South Side High School in Rockville Centre, graduating in 1999. She was voted “Class Clown and “Teacher’s Worst Nightmare.” She reached stardom with her comedic nature having had success in stand-up comedy, theatre, television and films. Some of her successes include films like Trainwreck and Snatched.
George Segal
Raised in Great Neck, Segal is best known for his film, stage, and television acting. He appeared on the sitcom Just Shoot Me!, Entourage, and currently appears on The Goldbergs.
Jerry Seinfeld
Growing up in Massapequa, Seinfeld developed an interest in comedy and is known for his television show, Seinfeld, and stand-up comedy.
EPMD's Erick Sermon & Parrish Smith (PMD)
Born in Bay Shore and Smithtown respectively, Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith are best known for being a part of the hip hop group EPMD, which has its origins in Brentwood.
Rakim (William Michael Griffin Jr.)
Revolutionizing the world of hip hop with Eric B. & Rakim, the incomparable Rakim was raised in
Wyandanch and has released acclaimed albums as both a solo artist and member of the duo.
Matt Serra
Now a UFC on Fox analyst, Serra is a practitioner of mixed martial arts and former UFC Welterweight Champion and Ultimate Fighter winner. He was raised in East Meadow.
Brian Setzer
This Massapequa born guitarist, singer, and song writer is known for his rockabilly group Stray Cats.
Talia Shire
Shire, from Lake Success, is best known as Adrian from the Rocky films.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Soprano star Sigler was born in Jericho and studied at the Cultural Arts Playhouse in Old Bethpage. She is known for her role as the daughter of mob boss, Tony Soprano.
James Lawrence Slattery AKA "Candy Darling"
Although born in Queens, this actress and muse of Andy Warhol spent her early years in Massapequa Park.
Dee Snider
Graduating from Baldwin Senior High School, Daniel Snider is most famous for his role as the frontman for Twisted Sister, a heavy metal band. The most successful singles from his band are "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock."
Born Lara Christine Von Seelen, Lara Spencer grew up in Garden City and graduated from Garden City High School. She is an anchor for Good Morning America and a correspondent for Nightline and ABC News; she has previously hosted The Insider and Antiques Road Show. While she’s known for her work on TV, what most don’t know is she was a nationally ranked competitive diver, attending Penn State University on an athletic scholarship for springboard and platform diving. Spencer at one point was married to CNNfn journalist David Haffenreffer, but they divorced in June 2015. The two have two children together.
Dawn Steel
Dawn Steel was one of the first women to run a major Hollywood studio, becoming president of Columbia Pictures in 1987. She was born Dawn Spielberg (no relation to Steven Spielberg) in New York City, and raised in Great Neck.
Howard Stern
Radio personality, Stern, graduated from South Side High School in Rockville Centre before becoming a radio host. He is best known for his radio show on Sirius XM Radio and his raunchy humor. The Howard Stern Show ran from 1986 to 2005 before it moved too Sirius XM Radio. In December of 2015, it was announced that Stern signed a new deal with Sirius XM to be on for the next 5 years. Between 2012 to 2015, Stern also served as a judge on America’s Got Talent.
Antoine de St Exupery
Lived in Asharoken/Eaton's Neck when he left France during WW2. Wrote "The Little Prince" there. A French teacher who later taught in the Northport school system assisted in the writing of the book. She fell in love with St. Exupery
Susan Sullivan
Raised in Freeport, Sullivan is an actress who has appeared in genres such as soap operas and comedy. He is best known for her role in Dharma & Greg and currently is appearing in Castle.
The Good Rats
This Long Island rock band was started by five St. John’s University students. With their mixing of rock with blues and pop they are best known my Long Islanders. Recently, Peppi Marchello passed away.
Jon Taffer
Born in Greak Neck, Jon Taffer is a TV personality, bar consultant and author. He is well-known as the host of Bar Rescue on Spike.
Vinny Testaverde
Vincent Frank Testaverde is a retired professional quarterback who played for the Browns, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Jets, Panthers, Patriots, and Ravens. He was born in Brooklyn, raised in Elmont, and attended Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park.
Thomas Truxton
Maybe not familiar by name, but Truxton was an important part of the American Revolution. He was an naval officer and born in Hempstead.
Jenna Ushkowitz
Glee star Ushkowitz was born in South Korea and adopted by a family in East Meadow. She graduated from Holt Trinity in Hicksville and had her first roles on Sesame Street and Broadway.
Steve Vai
This guitarist from Carle Place toured with Frank Zappa and has won 3 Grammy's during his solo career.
Clarence “Foots” Walker
Born in Southampton, Foots Walker played professional basketball for ten years, first as a point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and then as a member of the New Jersey Nets.
Chris Weidman
Born in Baldwin, Chris Weidman is a mixed martial artist who won the UFC Middleweight Championship on July 6, 2013. He attended Baldwin Senior High School where he was a Nassau County and New York State wrestling champion, and went on to attend Nassau Community College and Hofstra University.
Meg Whitman
Whitman is president and chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard. Born in Cold Spring Harbor, Whitman has served as executive for eBay, The Walt Disney Compant, DreamWorks, Procter & Gamble, and Hasbro.
Walt Whitman
This famous writer was born in West Hills in the Town of Huntington. He was a poet and journalist. Many locations on Long Island are named after Whitman. You can still visit his birthplace in Huntington across the street from the Walt Whitman Mall.
John Williams
This famous composer born on Long Island is known for composing music for such films as Jaws, the Star Wars series, Superman, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter.
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl “Yaz” Yastrzemski, born in Southampton, is a Hall of Fame baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox from 1961-1983. He was an American League MVP, 7-time gold glover and 18-time All Star.
If you know anyone else famous from Long Island, and think they should be added to this list, let us know! Email us here!
