Bergen County Well Represented in 2013 NJ Hall of Fame Nominees

With 51 New Jersey natives nominated to the 2013 Class for the state Hall of Fame, Bergen County has dominated the list claiming one-fifth of the nominees. Twelve former County residents have been named to the list of nominees.

Among this year's County representatives are Alice Guy Blanche (Fort Lee/Mahwah), Elizabeth Cady Stanton (Tenafly), Fairleigh S. Dickinson (Rutherford), Paul Volcker (Teaneck), Alan Alda (Leonia), Dizzy Gillespie (Englewood), Eddie Murphy (Englewood), Brooke Shields (Haworth), Dick Button (Englewood), Bill Parcells (Englewood/Oradell), Sonny Werblin (East Rutherford), and Brian Williams (Ridgewood).

Below is the breakdown of Bergen County nominees by category:

Historical

Alice Guy Blaché, Fort Lee/Mahwah (1873-1968) Born in Paris and a noted French filmmaking pioneer, by the early 1900’s she was directing films in color and synchronized sound.  She came to America in 1912 and built a $100,000 studio, Solax, in Fort Lee, then America’s film center. Before U.S. women had the right to vote, she wrote, directed, and produced hundreds of films through World War I.  

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Tenafly (1850-1902) Activist, abolitionist and a leading figure in the early woman’s right movement, she helped organize the first women’s rights convention, became the first president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association and co-authored “History of Woman Suffrage.”

Enterprise

Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Rutherford (1866-1948) A former colonel, he became a businessman, founded Becton Dickinson and was a benefactor of the school that is now named for him, Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Paul Volcker, Teaneck (1927 - ) Born in Cape May, Volker graduated from Teaneck High School and Princeton University to become a leading economist and Chairman of the Federal Reserve under Presidents Carter and Reagan.

Arts & Entertainment

Alan Alda, Leonia (1936 - ) Popular actor, director and screenwriter, he is best known for his role as Hawkeye in the TV series “M*A*S*H,” for which he was nominated for 21 Emmy Awards and won five. He is very active in support of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. 

Dizzy Gillespie, Englewood (1917-1993) In addition to being a renowned jazz trumpet player, he was also a bandleader, singer, composer and teacher. He pioneered Afro-Cuban jazz and has won several Grammy Awards.

Eddie Murphy, Englewood (1961 - ) Influenced by Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor, he became a comedian, appearing regularly on “Saturday Night Live,” before starring in films such as Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, Coming to America, Shrek and Dreamgirls, for which he received a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award nomination.

Brooke Shields, Haworth (1965 - ) Before she graduated from Princeton University, she already established herself as a well-known model and actress, starring in Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon. She was recently featured in the TV shows “Suddenly Susan,” “That ‘70s Show” and “Lipstick Jungle.”

Sports

Dick Button, Englewood (1929 - ) A two-time Olympic figure skating champion, he dominated men’s figure skating in the late 40s and early 50s, winning seven straight U.S. championships and five consecutive world titles.

Bill Parcells, Englewood/Oradell (1941 - ) The former head coach of the New York Giants, the New York Jets and New England Patriots, he has won three Super Bowl titles and currently serves as an ESPN football analyst. Earlier this year he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Sonny Werblin, East Rutherford, Piscataway (1907-1991) Builder and manager of the Meadowlands Sports Complex, he also was an owner of the New York Jets and Chairman of Madison Square Garden.

General

Brian Williams, Ridgewood/Monmouth (1959 - ) Succeeding Tom Brokaw as anchor of NBC Nightly News, he is also the managing editor of the program.

Residents can vote for the 12 County natives and the other nominees at NJHallofFame.org until May 6. The winners of this sixth class of inductees will be announced later this spring and will be formally inducted later in the year.