May 12, 1925 – On this date in New Jersey history, Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra was born. Although he was born in St. Louis, Yogi has been a New Jersey resident for over 60 years. He and his wife, Carmen (who passed away last year) lived in Montclair for nearly 40 years before moving to an assisted living facility in West Caldwell last year.… Read more...
May 7, 1951 – On this date in New Jersey history, actor Robert Hegyes was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Hegyes grew up in Metuchen, New Jersey, and graduated from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University), with a B.A. in Speech/Theater and Secondary Education. He became famous for his portrayal of “Epstein” (Juan Luis Pedro Felipo de Huevos Epstein) in the award-winning ABC comedy series, Welcome Back, Kotter.… Read more...
May 6, 1937… On this date in New Jersey history, the German airship Hindenburg exploded as it attempted to dock at the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The fiery tragedy resulted in thirty six deaths and marked the end of the airship era due to shattered public confidence.… Read more...
On this date in New Jersey history, screenwriter / director / producer Kurt Sutter was born in Rahway, New Jersey in 1964. Sutter grew up in Clark, New Jersey, and graduated from Roselle Catholic High School in 1982. Sutter attended Rutgers University and graduated in 1986 with a BA in mass media and a minor in English.… Read more...
On this date in New Jersey history, singing superstar Frankie Valli was born in Newark, New Jersey. Born Francesco Stephen Castelluccio in 1934, Frankie began his professional singing career in 1951 as a guest singer in the Variety Trio with fellow New Jerseyans Nickie DeVito, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Macioci.… Read more...
On this date in New Jersey history, singing superstar Lesley Gore was born. Although born in Brooklyn, Lesley was raised in Tenafly, New Jersey and attended the Dwight School for Girls in nearby Englewood. She became famous when her song “It’s My Party” became a number one hit in 1963 (It was the first hit single for producer Quincy Jones).… Read more...
