The Jersey Shore is the birthplace and home of many famous figures. From legendary rock musician Bruce Springsteen to media personality Wendy Williams, there are so many well-known people from various fields who have contributed to the rich cultural tapestry of the Jersey Shore area, making it a notable region beyond its beaches and proximity to New York City. There must be something in the saltwater in the seaside towns because the shore region claims some of the best musicians, actors, comedians, reality show stars, directors, and social media influencers as their own. Read on to learn more about the famous people who were born and raised at the Jersey Shore.
Alix Earle — Wall, New Jersey
TikTok star and social media influencer Alix Earle is a true Jersey Shore girl. Alix was raised in Wall, New Jersey and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, New Jersey in 2019. Her family owns Earle, a New Jersey-based construction company, as well as Surfside Frozen Custard in Sea Girt, New Jersey. Alix’s LinkedIn profile highlights working for both family establishments while she was in high school. A retail job with Hazel Boutique in Belmar, New Jersey, is what ultimately led Alix to pursue a career in social media, as she actively served as a Hazel model and contributed to the boutique’s Instagram account while working there. Alix moved to Florida for college where she received a degree in Marketing from the University of Miami. The Hot Mess podcast host currently lives in Miami but often returns home to Monmouth County to hit up some of her favorite spots, such as Fins, Baron’s Bagels, Rook Coffee, Parker House, and DJais — which is documented on her TikTok account.
Ashley Tisdale — Deal, New Jersey
Actress, singer, and producer Ashley Tisdale — most known for her roles on Disney Channel’s hit series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and movie franchise High School Musical — was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey. When Ashley was three years old, she was spotted by Bill Perlman, who became her manager, at a New Jersey mall. Quickly after getting scouted, she auditioned for, and appeared in, hundreds of national network television commercials. Ashley’s life at the Jersey Shore did not last very long as the Tisdale family relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her career in entertainment.
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Bruce Springsteen — Freehold, New Jersey
Arguably the most notable name on this list is singer, songwriter, and guitarist Bruce Springsteen. Bruce was born in Long Branch and raised in Freehold. He graduated from Freehold Borough High School and later attended Ocean County College before dropping out to focus on his music career. Bruce and his family currently live on a horse farm in Colts Neck. The Born in the U.S.A. singer put Asbury Park — the place where he got his start — on the map as a music mecca. Bruce Springsteen returned to the seaside town to headline the Sea. Hear. Now. music festival in 2024.
Charlie Puth — Rumson, New Jersey
Singer, songwriter, and record producer Charlie Puth was born and raised in Rumson, New Jersey. Growing up, Charlie participated in summer youth jazz ensembles and theatrical productions at the Count Basie Theatre — now known as the Count Basie Center for the Arts — in Red Bank, New Jersey. Charlie is a 2013 graduate of Berklee College of Music, where he majored in music production and engineering. The See You Again singer often gives a shout-out to Sea Bright Pizza for being his favorite Jersey Shore pizza establishment.
Danny Devito — Neptune, New Jersey
Actor Danny Devito was born at Raleigh Fitkin-Paul Morgan Memorial Hospital (currently known as Jersey Shore University Medical Center) in Neptune Township, New Jersey. The Emmy Award winner was raised in Asbury Park and attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. Devito’s love for New Jersey runs deep. The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star is the face of the beloved Jersey Mike’s Subs brand, which is fitting because he grew up not too far from the original Jersey Mike’s location. He even named his two production companies after his home state: Jersey Films and Jersey Television.
Deena Nicole Buckner — New Egypt, New Jersey
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Jersey Shore’s Deena Nicole Buckner was born and raised in New Egypt, New Jersey. The reality star attended New Egypt High School. After graduating high school she briefly attended Brookdale Community College in Middletown Township, New Jersey. Deena was cast by MTV to join its hit reality show Jersey Shore when Angelina Pivarnick left the show after season two. Deena joined the cast to film in Seaside Heights, New Jersey during season three and has been on the show — and the reboot: Jersey Shore: Family Vacation — ever since. Deena and her husband Christopher Buckner got married at Laurita Winery in New Egypt in 2017.
Demetri Martin — Toms River, New Jersey
Comedian, actor, writer, director, cartoonist and musician Demetri Martin grew up in Toms River, New Jersey. The stand-up comedian told NJ.com that as a teenager he worked at his family’s Greek food stand on the Seaside boardwalk and at his family’s diner in Beachwood. Demetri attended Toms River High School North and graduated in 1991.
Fletcher — Wall, New Jersey
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Popstar Cari Fletcher — stage name: Fletcher — was born and raised in Wall, New Jersey. The singer — who was featured on Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2022, NBD — graduated from Wall High School in 2012. Fletcher got her footing in the music industry by playing at local concert venues at the Jersey Shore such as The Saint and The Stone Pony. After high school, Fletcher attended the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University. The Undrunk singer has since gone on to become a force in the pop music scene and hosts the annual “Fletcher & Friends” concert at The Stone Pony Summer Stage for Pride Month in Asbury Park.
Gaten Matarazzo — Tuckerton, New Jersey
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Gaten Matarazzo — the actor most known for his role as Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things — was raised in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey and attended Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton. The Ocean County native pursued vocal training at Starlight Performing Arts Center located in Manahawkin, New Jersey. Gaten went on to star on Broadway in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert before landing a role on the Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things. While production for the fourth season of Stranger Things was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gaten decided to take up a part-time job as a food runner at a Long Beach Island restaurant. Though he never confirmed the restaurant, it is believed that he worked at Bird + Betty’s in Beach Haven, New Jersey. Gaten’s family members have reportedly been employed at the eatery and his band — Work in Progress — performed a concert at the establishment in 2019.
Jack Nicholson — Neptune, New Jersey
Actor Jack Nicholson was born in Neptune City and grew up in Spring Lake and Manasquan. The Academy Award winner graduated from Manasquan High School in 1954. According to an article published in The Asbury Park Press in 1953, Nicholson was listed as “best actor,” “chatterbox,” as well as both “class pessimist” and “class optimist” in a poll of seniors taken by Manasquan High School’s Blue and Gray newspaper.
Jon Bon Jovi — Sayreville, New Jersey
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Bon Jovi frontman Jon Bon Jovi (legal name: John Bongiovi) was born in Perth Amboy and raised in Sayreville. He attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen during his freshman and sophomore years and then transferred to Sayreville War Memorial High School in Parlin. Jon Bon Jovi got his start opening for New Jersey bands, such as Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, at local venues like The Stone Pony. Much like Bruce Springsteen, the“Livin’ on a Prayer singer put Asbury Park’s live music scene on the map.
Kevin Smith — Red Bank, New Jersey
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Director, producer, writer, and actor Kevin Smith was born in Red Bank and raised in Highlands. Kevin attended Henry Hudson Regional High School and graduated in 1988. The Clerks director owns and operates a comic book store called Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash in Red Bank, New Jersey and bought his childhood movie theater and reopened it as SModcastle Cinemas in Atlantic Highlands. He was inducted into the 2024 New Jersey Hall of Fame in the Performing Arts + Entertainment category.
Kiersten Dunst — Point Pleasant, New Jersey
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Actress Kiersten Dunst was born in Point Pleasant and lived in Brick Township until she was eleven years old. The Golden Globe winner attended the Ranney School in Tinton Falls. When her parents separated, she moved to Los Angeles with her mother and pursued a career in acting.
Midori Francis — Rumson, New Jersey
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Actress Midori Francis — known for her roles on the Netflix series Dash & Lily and Grey’s Anatomy — grew up in Rumson, New Jersey. Midori attended Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in 2014.
Mike Sorrentino — Manalapan, New Jersey
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Jersey Shore star Mike Sorrentino — known as “The Situation” — was born in Staten Island, New York but raised in Manalapan, New Jersey. The television personality graduated from Manalapan High School in 1999. The Situation obtained an associate degree from Brookdale Community College which is where he met his now wife, Lauren Sorrentino. Mike told Fox News that he also attended Kean University and Monmouth University. The Reality Check: Making the Best of The Situation author and his family currently live in Holmdel.
Paul Wesley — Marlboro, New Jersey
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American actor, director and producer Paul Wesley — most known for his role as Stefan Salvatore in the hit television series The Vampire Diaries — was born in New Brunswick and grew up in Marlboro. Wesley attended Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey, and Marlboro High School during his high school years. He started college at Rutgers University in New Jersey but left after one semester to pursue a career in acting.
Piper Perabo — Toms River, New Jersey
Actress Piper Perabo was raised in Toms River, New Jersey. Piper graduated from Toms River High School North in 1994. She went on to have lead roles in films such as Coyote Ugly, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Because I Said So.
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Samantha Giancola — Hazlet, New Jersey
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Samantha Giancola — also known as Sammi Sweetheart — was raised in Hazlet, New Jersey. The Jersey Shore star attended Raritan High School and then went on to major in sociology at William Paterson University, where she also played as a midfielder on the school’s Division III women’s soccer team. The MTV reality star owns and operates a boutique called Sweetheart Coast on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. Despite what was shown on her hit television show, Sammi Sweetheart did actually end up finding love at the Jersey Shore. She celebrated her engagement to now-fiance Justin May at La Mondina in Brielle in April 2024.
Wendy Williams — Asbury Park, New Jersey
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Media personality and television host Wendy Williams was born and raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey. She graduated from Ocean Township High School in 1982. In 2014, the council of Asbury Park renamed the street on which she grew up Wendy Williams Way.
