Famous People from Long Island

Famous People from Long Island
From the stages of Broadway to the stadiums of the NFL, Long Island has contributed more than its share of influential figures to American culture and industry. Whether they got their start in a small-town high school or were inspired by the region’s rich diversity and strong communities, these individuals highlight Long Island’s unique ability to shape stars.

Long Island, New York, has long been a breeding ground for talent, producing countless individuals who have made their mark in entertainment, sports, politics, and business. Whether raised in its suburban neighborhoods or coastal towns, many well-known figures have proudly called Long Island home.

Music & Entertainment

  • Billy Joel (Hicksville) – Born in the Bronx and raised in Hicksville, Billy Joel is one of the most celebrated musicians in American history. Known for his piano-driven rock hits like “Piano Man” and “New York State of Mind,” Joel is deeply associated with Long Island culture and frequently references the area in his lyrics.
  • Mariah Carey (Huntington) – Raised in Huntington, Carey rose to superstardom in the 1990s with her five-octave vocal range and chart-topping pop and R&B hits. She remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time and a cultural icon.
  • LL Cool J (Bay Shore) – Born James Todd Smith in Bay Shore, LL Cool J became a pioneer in hip-hop with his groundbreaking albums in the 1980s and 1990s. He later transitioned into acting and has starred for years on “NCIS: Los Angeles.”
  • Debbie Gibson (Merrick) – A teen pop sensation in the 1980s, Gibson was born in Brooklyn and raised in Merrick. She wrote and produced her own music, scoring hits like “Only in My Dreams” and “Foolish Beat,” becoming the youngest female artist to write, produce, and perform a No. 1 single.
  • Pat Benatar (Lindenhurst) – Born in Brooklyn and raised in Lindenhurst, Benatar is a four-time Grammy Award winner known for her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence. Her hits like “Heartbreaker” and “Love Is a Battlefield” made her a trailblazer in the male-dominated rock world.
  • Lou Reed (Freeport) – A founding member of The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed was born in Brooklyn and raised in Freeport. His solo career and groundbreaking work with the band had a profound impact on punk and alternative music scenes.
  • Busta Rhymes (Uniondale) – Known for his rapid-fire delivery and energetic performances, Busta Rhymes spent part of his youth in Uniondale. He emerged as a defining voice in 1990s hip-hop and continues to influence the genre.
  • Flavor Flav (Roosevelt) – Born William Drayton in Roosevelt, Flavor Flav co-founded Public Enemy, one of the most politically charged and influential rap groups in history. His flamboyant personality and use of oversized clock necklaces made him a pop culture icon.
  • Prodigy (Hempstead) – Albert Johnson, better known as Prodigy, was born in Hempstead and became half of the influential rap duo Mobb Deep. He is remembered for his gritty storytelling and streetwise lyricism.
  • John Coltrane (Dix Hills) – One of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, Coltrane lived and recorded in Dix Hills during the final years of his life. His groundbreaking compositions and improvisational style redefined modern jazz.
  • The Lemon Twigs (Hicksville) – Formed by brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario of Hicksville, The Lemon Twigs are known for their theatrical performances and 1960s-influenced psychedelic pop sound.
  • Dee Snider (Baldwin) – Born in Astoria and raised in Baldwin, Dee Snider is best known as the lead singer of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister. He became a symbol of rock rebellion in the 1980s with hits like “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”
  • Taylor Dayne (Baldwin) – Born Leslie Wunderman in Manhattan and raised in Baldwin, Dayne broke out in the late 1980s with her debut single “Tell It to My Heart.” She became a staple of pop and dance music throughout the 1990s.
  • Chuck D (Roosevelt) – Carlton Ridenhour, better known as Chuck D, was raised in Roosevelt and co-founded Public Enemy. His authoritative delivery and politically conscious lyrics helped redefine rap as a platform for activism.
  • Richard Hell (Long Island) – A pioneering figure in punk rock, Richard Hell was born in Long Island and later became a major part of New York City’s punk scene. He was a founding member of several influential bands including Television and Richard Hell & the Voidoids.

Sports

  • Jim Brown (Manhasset) – Widely considered one of the greatest professional athletes in history, Jim Brown was raised in Manhasset and excelled in multiple sports. He went on to become a legendary NFL running back for the Cleveland Browns and later had a successful career in film and activism.
  • Sue Bird (Syosset) – Born in Syosset, Sue Bird is a four-time WNBA champion and five-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA. She played college basketball at UConn and became a cornerstone of the Seattle Storm and one of the most decorated athletes in women’s sports history.
  • Craig Biggio (Smithtown) – Biggio, who grew up in Smithtown and attended Kings Park High School, became a Hall of Fame second baseman for the Houston Astros. Over his 20-year MLB career, he tallied over 3,000 hits and became one of baseball’s most respected players.
  • Boomer Esiason (East Islip) – A former NFL quarterback and current sports broadcaster, Esiason was raised in East Islip and played for teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. He is also known for his charitable work in support of cystic fibrosis research.
  • Chris Weidman (Baldwin) – Weidman, a UFC Middleweight Champion, was born in Baldwin and made history by defeating longtime champion Anderson Silva. He is one of the most notable MMA fighters to come out of Long Island.
  • Al Oerter (West Islip) – Oerter, who hailed from West Islip, is one of the most accomplished Olympic athletes in American history. He won four consecutive gold medals in the discus throw between 1956 and 1968.
  • Matt Serra (East Meadow) – Born and raised in East Meadow, Matt Serra is a former UFC Welterweight Champion and Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert. He later became a coach and gym owner, mentoring fighters throughout Long Island.
  • Sarah Hughes (Great Neck) – Hughes, who grew up in Great Neck, captured America’s heart when she won the gold medal in figure skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Her performance was one of the most memorable upsets in Olympic history.
  • Nancy Lieberman (Far Rockaway) – A pioneer in women’s basketball, Lieberman was raised in Far Rockaway and broke barriers in both the WNBA and NBA as a coach and broadcaster. She is a two-time Olympian and hall-of-famer.
  • Julio Arce (Long Island) – A rising name in mixed martial arts, Arce trains on Long Island and competes in the UFC’s bantamweight division. Known for his technical striking, Arce is part of Long Island’s growing legacy in MMA.

Business & Politics

  • Bill O’Reilly (Westbury) – A well-known conservative political commentator and author, Bill O’Reilly grew up in Westbury. He rose to fame as the host of The O’Reilly Factor on Fox News and has published numerous best-selling books on politics and history.
  • Carolyn McCarthy (Mineola) – A former U.S. Congresswoman from Mineola, McCarthy entered politics after losing her husband in a mass shooting. She became a nationally recognized advocate for gun control and served in the House of Representatives for nearly two decades.
  • Steve Israel (Huntington) – A Huntington native, Steve Israel served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2017. He became chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and is also a published author.
  • Thomas Suozzi (Glen Cove) – Suozzi, a longtime Glen Cove resident, has served as both the Nassau County Executive and a U.S. Representative. Known for his moderate stances, he has been active in both local and national politics and returned to Congress in 2024 after a brief hiatus.
  • Al D’Amato (Island Park) – A powerful political figure from Island Park, Alfonse D’Amato served as a U.S. Senator from New York from 1981 to 1999. He was known for his influence on banking legislation and for being a prominent Republican voice in New York.
  • George Santos (North Shore) – Elected in 2022 to represent New York’s 3rd Congressional District, Santos quickly became a controversial figure due to revelations about his fabricated resume and background. He is originally from the North Shore of Long Island.
  • David Paterson (Hempstead) – Raised in Hempstead, Paterson became New York State’s first Black governor and the first legally blind person to serve as governor of any U.S. state. He assumed office in 2008 following Eliot Spitzer’s resignation.
  • Marjorie Merriweather Post (Brookville) – One of America’s wealthiest women in the early 20th century, Post had an estate in Brookville and was heiress to the Post cereal fortune. She was also a philanthropist and businesswoman whose Mar-a-Lago estate later became a presidential residence.

Media, Art & Culture

  • Bob Keeshan (Babylon Village)) – Best known for creating and portraying the beloved children’s television character Captain Kangaroo, Bob Keeshan lived in Babylon Village). His show ran for nearly 30 years and left a lasting impact on generations of American children with its gentle, educational format.
  • Bob Costas (Commack) – Raised in Commack, Bob Costas is a celebrated sportscaster who has covered nearly every major sporting event, including multiple Olympic Games. Known for his articulate commentary and deep sports knowledge, he has won over 25 Emmy Awards during his decades-long career.
  • Wendy Kaufman (Smithtown) – Known affectionately as the “Snapple Lady,” Kaufman grew up in Smithtown and became the face of Snapple’s quirky and memorable TV commercials in the 1990s. Her charm and real-life employee status turned her into a national icon.
  • Willem de Kooning (East Hampton) – Though born in the Netherlands, de Kooning spent the later years of his life in East Hampton, where he produced some of his most significant abstract expressionist works. He remains one of the most influential modern artists of the 20th century.
  • Stan Lee (Long Island) – The legendary Marvel Comics creator, Stan Lee, spent time living on Long Island during his career. As the creative force behind Spider-Man, the X-Men, Iron Man, and countless others, his work helped define American pop culture.
  • John Williams (Floral Park) – Born in Floral Park, Williams is one of the most acclaimed composers in film history, known for scoring iconic soundtracks for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, E.T., and many more. His orchestral compositions have become synonymous with cinematic grandeur.
  • F. Scott Fitzgerald (Great Neck) – Though not a native, Fitzgerald lived in Great Neck during the early 1920s. His time there inspired the setting for The Great Gatsby, drawing from the opulence of Long Island’s Gold Coast and the Jazz Age elite.

Authors & Literature

  • Thomas Pynchon (Glen Cove) – The reclusive author of postmodern classics like Gravity’s Rainbow and The Crying of Lot 49, Pynchon was born in Glen Cove. Known for his dense, intricate novels, he has had a significant influence on contemporary American literature.
  • Nelson DeMille (Garden City) – A bestselling author of thriller novels such as The General’s Daughter and Plum Island, DeMille was raised in Garden City and frequently sets his books in Long Island locations.
  • Jodi Picoult (Nesconset) – Although born in Long Island and later moving elsewhere, Picoult’s emotionally resonant novels have earned her a devoted following. Her works often tackle controversial ethical and moral issues.

Science & Innovation

  • Dr. Michio Kaku (San Jose/Queens/Long Island) – A theoretical physicist, futurist, and popular science communicator, Dr. Kaku spent part of his early academic career on Long Island. He’s known for making complex scientific topics accessible to the public.
  • Ray Kurzweil (Queens/Melville) – An inventor and futurist associated with major developments in artificial intelligence and text-to-speech technology, Kurzweil lived and worked on Long Island during key parts of his career.

Reality TV & Internet Personalities

  • JWoww (Franklin Square) – Born Jennifer Farley, JWoww gained national fame as a cast member of MTV’s Jersey Shore. Raised in Franklin Square, she became a household name during the show’s original run.
  • Vinny Guadagnino (Staten Island/Long Island) – While primarily associated with Staten Island, Vinny has family ties to Long Island and appeared alongside JWoww on Jersey Shore, becoming one of the show’s breakout personalities.

Historical Figures

  • Theodore Roosevelt (Oyster Bay) – The 26th President of the United States, Roosevelt maintained his family estate, Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay. The home served as his “Summer White House” and is now a national historic site.
  • Robert Moses (Babylon area) – The master builder of mid-20th century New York, Moses significantly reshaped Long Island’s parkways, beaches, and infrastructure. Though a controversial figure, his legacy on Long Island’s development is enormous.

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