(NEWARK , NJ) -- The New Jersey Hall of Fame’s 12th Annual Induction Ceremony, to be held virtually on Sunday, October 18 at 7:00pm, will feature many of the Garden State’s greatest performers and icons. Tony and Grammy award-winning Jason Alexander will be the event’s MC, while also inducting figures such as Rutgers women’s basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer, multiple award-winning actor Ed Harris, and Roots star John Amos. Strangers Things’ Gaten Matarazzo will perform a musical tribute to health care professionals, as well as induct former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Wyclef Jean will perform during the ceremony, and we’ll hear from four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening as she presents and accepts on behalf of Academy Award-nominated actor Danny Aiello. Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy will present this year’s Unsung Heroes: the crew of the Battleship New Jersey, our country’s longest and most decorated battleship, and Bill Lavin, former president of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and founder of the Where Angels Play Foundation.
The ceremony will be a 1-hour, pre-recorded ceremony broadcast on NJTV and WWOR/MY9NJ. Online viewers can catch the event on NJ.com, Facebook, and YouTube.
“The 12th annual ceremony is yet another opportunity to pay homage to New Jerseyans who have reached the pinnacle of their chosen professions, and at the same time inspire the next generation of young people to realize their highest and best sense of selves, with a moral excellence of character,” says Jon F. Hanson, chairman of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
“On October 18, New Jerseyans will witness history in the making,” says Bob Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, lead sponsor for the New Jersey Hall of Fame. “As our health care workers continue to courageously battle COVID-19, we look forward to honoring their achievements and providing much-needed inspiration across the state.”
“New Jersey deserves a feel-good night to lift our collective spirits, and the October 18th ceremony will remind us that we have so much to be proud of,” says Steve Edwards, president of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. “This year’s televised ceremony will simply have something for everyone.”
The New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2019-2020 is (with occupation, name, N.J. town):
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, Multiple 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 actor
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
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 NY Giant quarterback and 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
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, N.J. regional president at PNC Bank and N.J. Chamber of Commerce board chair
Fairleigh Dickinson*, Rutherford, Co-Founder 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 and chairman of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority
*-Being honored posthumously.
In the case of someone who has been selected for the Hall but not inducted due to not being able to attend a previous ceremony, the NJHOF may add to the list of inductees prior to the Oct. 18 ceremony.
The Foundation for New Jersey Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization honoring citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society, the State of New Jersey and the world beyond. Since 2008, the NJHOF has hosted 10 ceremonies for over 140 notable individuals and groups in recognition of their induction into the Hall of Fame. The NJHOF endeavors to present schoolchildren 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, without which none of our endeavors would be possible.
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