NJ Hall of Fame

YOGI BERRA

Sports | Montclair (1925)

A Montclair resident since 1959, Lawrence Peter Berra is one of the most beloved baseball players in history. This New York Yankees catcher played in 1 World Series, holds numerous World Series records, played on 10 championship teams, was selected to 15 All-Star Games and won three most valuable player awards. Yogi is one of only a handful of manager to win pennants in both the American and National Leagues. He was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. His Yogi Berra Museum on the campus of Montclair University is very popular destination for families and school trips. Yogi may have grown up in St. Louis, but he has been adopted as one of New Jersey’s favorite sons.

GEN. NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF

General | Trenton (1934)

Born in Trenton and raised in Lawrenceville, Norman Schwarzkopf went on to become one of the most distinguished military leaders of the 20th century. Before he became the very visible commander during the Gulf War, General Schwarzkopf had a very distinguished military career, which took him to a high position in the Pentagon. He was beloved by his men, no doubt because of his philosophy, “It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” His awards are too numerous to mention, but include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Purple Heart and France’s Legion of Honor. The son of the head of the New Jersey State Police, General Schwarzkopf makes us proud of the great men and women in our Armed Forces.

MERYL STREEP

Arts & Entertainment | Bernardsville (1949)

Born in Summit and raised in Bernardsville, Meryl Streep is considered by many to be the greatest of all living film actresses. Streep was not only an excellent student, but a mainstay in high school productions. Educated at Vassar and at Yale, she made her breakthrough with Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Theatre and has never looked back. With more Academy Award nominations than anyone, this “Jersey Girl” has earned two Oscars, six Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Grammy nomination and a BAFTA Award. Although it seems she is always working, she actually concentrates most of her time on her family and her charity work. She was awarded France’s Order of Arts and Letters and we are proud to induct her into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Arts & Entertainment | Freehold | Colts Neck | Asbury Park (1949)

Few artist have tapped into the thoughts and emotions of the average person better than Bruce Springsteen. With eighteen Grammy awards, an Oscar, and untold record sales to his credit, Bruce is among the most successful entertainers of our time. His ballads and anthems cross all generations and speak to all people. He is, in the truest sense of the word, a hero to millions of working class Americans. Born in Long Branch and most frequently associated with Asbury Park, Bruce exudes a love for New Jersey than is evident in his music, and his generous support for causes across our great state.

ALBERT EINSTEIN

Historical | Princeton (1879 – 1955)

Regarded as the most important scientist of the twentieth century; Einstein emigrated from Germany to New Jersey in 1933, joining the Institute for Advanced Study. He lived in Princeton for 22 years until his death in 1955. Awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize for Physics, Albert Einstein is best known for his theory of relativity and the ubiquitous formula E=MC². He challenged himself consistently as evidenced by his statement, “A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new.” Universally recognized as one of the supreme intellects of all time, Einstein was named “Person of the Century” by Time Magazine in 1999.