Famous People from South Orange, NJ
For a town of ~18,500, South Orange has produced a remarkable run of talent — Grammy winners, Hollywood stars, novelists, and even an Olympic gold medalist.
A lot of this talent runs through Columbia High School — the shared South Orange–Maplewood high school whose alumni include Lauryn Hill, Zach Braff, Elisabeth Shue, and producer Joel Silver (Maplewood neighbor SZA went there too). Here’s a fun, non-exhaustive roll call of people with South Orange roots.
Grammy-sweeping artist with The Fugees and the solo landmark “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
Star of “Scrubs”; wrote and directed “Garden State.”
“The Karate Kid,” “Adventures in Babysitting,” Oscar-nominated for “Leaving Las Vegas,” and “Cobra Kai.”
“Melrose Place,” a pro soccer career, and co-founder of CafeMom.
Drummer for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and bandleader on Conan O’Brien’s late-night shows.
Blockbuster producer behind “Die Hard,” “Lethal Weapon,” and “The Matrix.”
Acclaimed novelist of “The New York Trilogy.”
Prolific young-adult author and editor.
Track-and-field gold medalist at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics (standing high jump).
Major League pitcher for the Giants, Indians, and Diamondbacks.
Pro football offensive lineman in the NFL and AFL.
A non-exhaustive list of notable current and former residents — born, raised, or shaped in South Orange. Spot someone we missed? It’s a deep bench.