Famous Residents of Monmouth County

Since  the birth of our nation, Monmouth County has been home to some of the most well-known people of the last several centuries. One of the earliest well-known figures was Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley known as “Molly Pitcher”  who helped George Washington’s soldiers at the Battle of Monmouth in Freehold, NJ  on June 28, 1778.

Notable authors Stephen Crane and Mary Higgins Clark spent time at the Jersey Shore as well. Stephen Crane (1871-1900) is known for his book “The Red Badge of Courage” . He spent part of his short life with his family in Asbury Park, NJ. Mary Higgins Clark  has a summer home in Spring Lake, NJ. She has written 42 best-selling suspense novels which have sold over 80 million copies. She is also an owner of the NBA  NJ Nets.              

There are numerous professional sports figures with ties to Monmouth County, NJ. Miles Austin, a current Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, played his college games at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ. Other notable current and past professional football players from Monmouth County include current Indianapolis Colts running back Donald Brown from Red Bank Catholic High School, Rob Petitti from Rumson-Fair Haven High School who has played  offensive line for several teams including the  Dallas Cowboys whose current head coach, Jason Garrett, is from Monmouth Beach, NJ.  Bill Parcells who has won several Superbowl trophy as a head coach with teams like the New York Giants called  Sea Girt, NJ home for several years.  

Sam Mills, who became an All-Pro linebacker for the New Orleans Saints, graduated from Long Branch High School. Phil Villapiano an All-Pro receiver for the Oakland Raiders  graduated from Ocean Township High School and lived in Rumson, NJ after ending his football career. Greg Montgomery and Danny Stubbs both graduated from Red Bank Regional High School together and went on to have successful NFL careers. Greg Montgomery, originally from Shrewsbury, NJ became an All-Pro punter for the Houston Oilers and Danny Stubbs originally from Red Bank, NJ  was a member of the Superbowl Champion San Francisco 49ers.  Pete Carroll, the current head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, summered in Sea Girt, NJ. Former New York Jets players Joe Klecko and Wayne Chrebet reside in Colts Neck, NJ. Joe Klecko was an All-Pro defensive lineman and Wayne Chrebet was a wide receiver with the team. Joe’s son Dan played for several teams including the Atlanta Falcons football team. Knowshon Rockwell Moreno is a current member of the Denver Broncos football team. He grew up in Middletown, NJ where he attended Middletown South High School.  Former Dallas Cowboy defensive lineman Jim Jeffcoat graduated from Matawan Regional High School. And finally the most famous football coach of all times, Vince Lombardi, is buried in Middletown, NJ.  In addition to football players, Monmouth County has also developed professional Baseball players Ryan Kalish from Shrewsbury, NJ who graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School and currently plays for the Boston Red Sox. Manalapan’s David DeJesus currently plays for the Oakland A’s. Former professional baseball player Jeff Kunkel is from Middletown, NJ and Bobby Ojeda who played for the New York Mets resides in Rumson, NJ.

Former NBA player Lloyd Daniels resides in Colts Neck, NJ while Tim Perry is from Freehold, NJ and Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins resides in Tinton Falls, NJ.

In addition to professional sports and writing, Monmouth County, NJ also has many residents involved in television and movies. News and Sports reporters include NBC News Anchor Brian Williams who grew up in Middletown, NJ.

Connie Chung and Maury Povich are also from Middletown, NJ and at one time Geraldo Riveria lived on the Navesink River in  Middletown, NJ. Alisyn Camerota of Fox News grew up in Shrewsbury, NJ and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School. Jim Nantz of CBS Sports resides in Colts Neck, NJ and fellow sportscaster Melissa Stark lives in Rumson, NJ. News Anchor Jack Ford, who became well-known during the OJ Simpson trial resides in Spring Lake, NJ.

TV personalities Jon Stewart from the Daily Show has a home in Red Bank, NJ.

Danny Devito, who is currently on the show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, grew up in Asbury Park, NJ. Jersey Shore cast members Mike “The Situation” Sorentino is from Manalapan, NJ  and Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola is from Hazlet, NJ.  Talk show host, Wendy Williams, graduated from Ocean Township High School. Steve Van Zandt of the Sopranos as well as a member of the E Street Band is from Middletown, NJ. Many scenes from the Sopranos  were filmed in parts of Monmouth County, NJ including Long Branch, Sea Bright, Oceanport, and Monmouth Beach.

Movie creators and stars have also either moved to or grown up in Monmouth County. Actor Jack Nicholson graduated from Manasquan High School. Film Maker Kevin Smith grew up in Highlands, NJ and graduated from Henry Hudson High School. His film, Clerks, was filmed entirely in the Middletown and Highlands area. Another of his movies, Chasing Amy, was primarily filmed in Red Bank, Rumson, and Asbury Park, NJ. Here is a video of Kevin protesting his movie Dogma at the Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, NJ. 

Monmouth Park Race Track in Oceanport, NJ has been the backdrop of many films including 2010’s Jennifer Aniston movie The Bounty Hunter.

  Adrienne Barbeau, who is also Steve Van Zandt’s sister-in-law has a home  in Middletown, NJ.  Queen Latifah has a home in Rumson, NJ as did fellow actresses at one time Heather Locklear and Cher call Rumson, home. Ashley Tisdale of  Disney’s  High School Musical fame grew up in Ocean Township, NJ. Bud Abbott of Abbott and Costello was from Asbury Park, NJ. Kal Penn best known for Harold and Kumar go to White Castle graduated from Freehold Township High School.

But what the Monmouth County area is best known for is the great musicians that either were raised  here or moved here. Those that grew up here include Bruce Springsteen (Freehold) and the East Street Band (Max Weinberg, Middletown, NJ; Steve Van Zandt, Middletown, NJ; Gary Tallent Long Branch, NJ; Clarence Clemmons, Sea Bright,NJ Patti Scialfa from Deal, NJ). Southside Johnny is  from Ocean Grove, NJ and Count Basie was from Red Bank, NJ. The following video features Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt and Southside Johnny along with members of Bon Jovi, The Asbury Jukes and E Street Band.

Billy Howerdel of A Perfect Circle is  from Long Branch, NJ and  singer/song writer Nicole Atkins graduated from Neptune High School. Fred Schneider  is the singer for The B52’s and graduated from Shore Regional High School. Members of Monster Magnet are from Red Bank, NJ. Country singer Clint Black was born in Long Branch, NJ.   There are also those that discovered Monmouth County once they became famous. Jon Bon Jovi of Middletown, NJ and band mate Richie Sambora resided in Rumson, NJ.  Deborah Harry of Blondie lives in Middletown, NJ along with Sabastian Bach of Skid Row. Jim Babjak of the Smithereens is from Manalapan, NJ and John Eddie is from Highlands, NJ.

I am sure we have left off some other successful celebrities from our area as well.  Whether you like history, sports, literature, movies, or television you are bound to discover what the rich and famous already have, which is  that Monmouth County, NJ is a Great place to call home. If you are interested in relocating to this great area, please contact Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Preferred Properties at 732-224-9200 or visit us on the web at www.bhgmoves.com