Title: List of people from Union City, New Jersey Content: The following is a list of notable people from Union City, New Jersey. (B) denotes that the person was born there, though births prior to 1925 would have been in West Hoboken or Union Hill which merged in 1925 to form Union City, as noted in some of these entries. * Akon (born 1973), rapper and R&B; singer."Deep Grooves". Billboard magazine. November 4, 2006. Page 36, via Google Books. Accessed November 3, 2011. * Andy Bakjian (1914–1986), Hall of Fame Track and Field official and author.(B)USATF Hall of Fame bio Accessed October 26, 2010. * Fred Barakat (1939-2010), college basketball coach.Dell, John. "Fred Barakat retires from ACC position" , Winston-Salem Journal, March 3, 2007. Accessed August 20, 2015. "Barakat grew up in Union City, N.J., and said he had no clue about the ACC until he enrolled at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass." * Jose Miguel Battle, Sr. (c. 1930–2007), former Bay of Pigs Invasion operative who became known as "Godfather of the Cuban mafia".Buder, Leonard. "11 Are Accused in Fatal Blazes at Betting Sites". The New York Times. October 8, 1985. Accessed January 5, 2008. "A former resident of Union City, N.J., Mr. Battle now lives in Miami."Rosero, Jessica (August 12, 2007). "Death of a legend: North Hudson's Cuban Godfather dead at 77". Union City Reporter. Pages 3 and 6. * Harold Bell (1919–2009), creator of Woodsy Owl.(B)Hevesi, Dennis. "Harold Bell, a Creator of Woodsy Owl, Is Dead at 90", The New York Times, December 12, 2009. Accessed August 20, 2015. "Born in Union City, N.J., on Oct. 5, 1919, Mr. Bell was one of three sons of David and Hilda Rosenthal Belsky." * Ben Blank (c. 1921–2009), television graphics innovator.Heller, Steven. Heller, Steven. "Ben Blank, Innovator of Graphics for TV News, Dies at 87", The New York Times, February 18, 2009. Accessed June 7, 2015. "Mr. Blank was born in San Francisco and as a child moved with his family to Union City, N.J." * Steve Bula, first-season cast member on the MTV reality television series From G's to Gents.Staab, Amanda (February 15, 2009). "Losing the baggy pants". The Union City Reporter. pp. 1 and 7 * James E. Buttersworth (1817–1894), British maritime painter.Halasz, Piri. "Art: Maritime Theme at Exhibitions; Appeal of Nostalgia History and Humor Portraits of Vessels", The New York Times, January 21, 1973. "James Butterworth (1817–1894), whose work is on view in Trenton, was an Englishman born on the Isle of Wight. By the time he emigrated and settles in West Hoboken (now Union City), America was in the heyday of its gallant clipper ships." * Bobby Cannavale (born 1971), actor known for his roles on Ally McBeal, Third Watch, and Will & Grace.Hernandez, Ernio; "Upcoming Hurlyburly Star Inks Deal for New NBC "French Connection" Drama"; Playbill, December 23, 2004. * Helen Castillo, fashion designer known as one of the cast members on season 12 of the reality television series Project Runway. Castillo was born and raised in Weehawken before later moving to Union City.Wenik, Ian (August 16, 2013). "Reality TV". The Union City Reporter. pp. 1 and 9. * Rene Paul Chambellan (1893–1955), architectural sculptor, known for his work in the Art Deco and Greco Deco styles.Shockley, Jay. "Russell Sage Foundation Building and Annex Designation Report" . New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. (June 20, 2000), p.5 * Gordon Chiesa, basketball coach, who was assistant coach for the Utah Jazz for 16 seasons from 1989–90 to 2004–05."Gordon Chiesa". NBA.com. Accessed August 30, 2013.Garcia, Julian (November 1, 2005). "PLANINIC WILL STAY EXTRA YEAR IN N.J." . Daily News (New York). * Norman Cousins (1915–1990), author and peace advocate.(B)Rosero, Jessica. "Native sons and daughters Prominent author, peace advocate Norman Cousins lived here" Hudson Reporter; January 29, 2006 * Dominick V. Daniels (1908–1987), represented New Jersey's 14th congressional district from 1959–1977.Dominick Vincent Daniels, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed June 18, 2007. * Otis Davis (born 1932), Olympic track and field athlete who won two gold medals in the 400-metre dash and the 4 × 400 metres relay at 1960 Summer Olympics, setting a world record in the former event. * Louis Del Grande (born 1943), television writer and actor, best known for starring in the Canadian mystery/comedy series Seeing Things.Kaufman, Michael T. (May 21, 1984). "AMERICAN MYSTERY SERIES FOR CANADIAN TV A HIT". The New York Times. * Vincent John Dellay (1907–1999), represented New Jersey's 14th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1957–1959.(B)"DELLAY, Vincent John, (1907–1999)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 30, 2013. * Pietro Di Donato (1911–1992), Italian American novelist, and author of Christ in Concrete.(B)Severo, Richard. "Pietro di Donato Is Dead at 80; Wrote of Immigrants' Experience", The New York Times, January 21, 1992. Accessed December 10, 2007. "Mr. di Donato was born on April 3, 1911, in West Hoboken, N.J. His family had immigrated to the United States from Vasto, in the Abruzzi region of Italy." * Harvey B. Dodworth (1822–1891), bandmaster. * Harry Donovan (born 1926), professional basketball player who played for the New York Knicks. * Henry Escalante, pop musician, and one of the 15 finalists from the 2007 season of the MTV reality show Making Menudo.Hague, Jim; "A teen Latin pop star" Union City Reporter, November 11, 2007. * Hank Finkel (born 1942), retired NBA basketball player.(B)Hank Finkel , Basketball-Reference.com. Accessed December 10, 2007. * Marshall Flaum (1925–2010), documentary filmmaker.Martin, Douglas. "Marshall Flaum, Documentary Filmmaker, Dies at 85", The New York Times, October 8, 2010. Accessed October 9, 2010. * Rafael Fraguela (born 1955), member of the New Jersey General Assembly who also served on the Union City Board of Commissioners.Fraguela, Rafael, OurCampaigns.com, December 18, 2003. Accessed June 6, 2010. * Nick Galis (born 1957), retired Greek basketball player and member of the FIBA Hall of Fame.Yannis Psarakis. "Nikos Galis – Europe's Greatest-Ever Scorer", FIBA Europe. Accessed November 24, 2007. "Her horror at seeing her son come home every day with a new facial injury led to Galis taking up basketball and in 1970 began to play at Union Hill High School." * Rudy Garcia (born 1964), former Assemblyman and Mayor of Union City.Strunsky, Steve. "IN PERSON; A Former Sports Star Finds Politics A Rougher Field", The New York Times, October 22, 2000. Accessed June 4, 2010. * Anthony Vincent Genovese (born 1932), architect who practiced in the mid to late-twentieth- century New York and New Jersey as a partner in the architectural firm name Genovese & Maddalene."Anthony Vincent Genovese" . American Architects Directory. Third Edition (New York City: R.R. Bowker LLC, 1970), p. 317. * Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam (1905–1994), Rebbe of the Klausenberg Hasidic dynasty.Tannenbaum, Rabbi Gershon. "My Machberes", The Jewish Press, January 3, 2008. Accessed July 1, 2008. "The current Zvhiler Rebbe is a son-in-law of Rabbi Yekusiel Yehuda Halberstam, zt"l (1904–1994), Klausenberg Rebbe and founder of the Union City community." * Frank Haubold (1906–1985), Olympic gymnast who won a Silver and Gold medal in the 1928 Summer Olympics, and who, with his wife, Irma, were the first married couple to compete in the Olympics. * Irma Haubold (1908–1996), Olympic gymnast who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics,"Irma Haubold" . Sports-Reference.com: Olympic Sports. Accessed August 27, 2013. and who, with and her husband, Frank, were the first married couple to compete in the Olympics.(B) * Alexis Hernandez, contestant on season 6 of the Food Network's Next Food Network Star.Diaz, Lana Rose. "Bringing the flavorUC native competes to be ‘Next Food Network Star’" , Hudson Reporter, May 30, 2010. Accessed August 20, 2015. "view slideshow (2 images)Though he now spends his days on a 65-acre farm in Indiana pulling beets and sweet potatoes from the land, Alexis Hernandez grew up in Union City surrounded by the Latin flavors of his Cuban family." * Antonio Jacobsen (1850–1921), maritime artist known as the "Audubon of Steam Vessels". * Paul Jappe (1898–1989), NFL player born in Union Hill who played for the New York Giants and Brooklyn Lions.(B)Paul Jappe , The Pro Football Archives. Accessed May 31, 2015. * Joe Jeanette (1879–1958), considered one of the best African American heavyweight boxers of the early 20th Century.(B)Rosero, Jessica; "Native Sons and Daughters: North Hudson Native and 20th Century Boxing Sensation Joe Jeanette" ; Union City Reporter February 19, 2006 * Vicki Johnson, woman believed to have perpetrated a hoax in which she fabricated a boy afflicted with AIDS, whose autobiography, A Rock and a Hard Place, fooled people such Armistead Maupin, Mr. Rogers and Oprah Winfrey, and became the basis of Maupin's fictionalized novel, The Night Listener, and the feature film of the same name starring Robin Williams.20/20. July 21, 2006. January 12, 2007 * Eugene Jolas (1894–1952), writer, translator and literary critic born in Union Hill.(B)"Guide to the Eugène and Maria Jolas Papers" . Yale University Library. Accessed August 30, 2013. * AJ Lee (born 1987), female professional wrestler, best known for her time in WWE.(B) * Dennis Locorriere (born 1949), singer, and one of the two frontpersons for the Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show.(B)"Hook'd On Hits". BBC. January 10, 2007. Accessed July 1, 2008."Dennis Locorriere was born on June 13, 1949 in Union City, New Jersey." * Luigi Lucioni (1900–1988), painter known for his realistic and precisely-drawn still lifes, landscapes, and portraits. Lucioni's family emigrated from Malnate, Italy in 1911 to New York City, and after moving several more times, settled in 1929 at 403 New York Avenue in Union City.Embury, Stuart P. (2006). "Chapter One: The Early Years". The Art and Life of Luigi Lucioni. Embury Publishing Company. pp. 1 -4. * Herb Maack (born 1917), head coach of the Rhode Island Rams from 1956 through 1960.(B)Herb Baack profile at Database Football; Accessed October 26, 2010. * Alicia Menendez (born 1983), TV commentator, radio host, and writer, and daughter of Senator Bob Menendez. * Bob Menendez (born 1954), Mayor of Union City from 1986 to 1992, and later a United States Senator.Senator Bob Menendez biography, accessed April 5, 2007. * W. S. Merwin (born 1927), Pulitzer Prize-winning poet.O'Driscoll, Bill. "Legendary poet W.S. Merwin returns to Pittsburgh". Pittsburgh City Paper. November 9, 2006. Accessed April 11, 2007. and United States Poet Laureate.Cohen, Patricia. "W. S. Merwin to Be Named Poet Laureate", The New York Times, June 30, 2010. Accessed June 7, 2015. "The son of a Presbyterian minister, Mr. Merwin grew up in Scranton, Pa., and Union City, N.J." In 2006 the city renamed a street near his former home W.S. Merwin Way. * Otto Messmer (1892–1983), creator of Felix the Cat.(B)Rosero, Jessica (May 14, 2006). "Felix the Cat, created in Hudson County". The Union City Reporter. pp. 1 and 11Mavromatis, Kally; "Felix the Cat – Silent Star of April 1999", accessed April 5, 2007.Gordon, Ian. Felix the Cat at St. James Encyclopedia of Pop Culture, accessed April 5, 2007. * Erick Morillo (born 1971), DJ and music producer, known for producing the 1993 hit "I Like to Move It", which was features in the Madagascar film franchise.Machcinski, Anthony J. "House music superstar Erick Morillo returns to Union City for emotional street naming ceremony", The Jersey Journal, October 12, 2012. Accessed June 7, 2015. "Union City honored one of its own success stories yesterday when it renamed a section of Bergenline Avenue for music producer Erick Morillo." * Luis Moro (born 1964), actor, filmmaker and writer, best known for his history making- film Love and Suicide, which made him the first American to break the embargo on Cuba to film a feature there.Rosero, Jessica. "The revolution begins within: Hudson County native brings his Cuban people back home" , Union City Reporter, May 28, 2006. Accessed June 10, 2010. * William Musto (1917–2006), Mayor of Union City from 1962–1970 and from 1974–1982.Gettleman, Jeffrey. "William Musto, 88, a Mayor Re-elected on His Way to Jail, Is Dead", The New York Times, March 1, 2006. Accessed March 6, 2008. * Oscar Nunez (born 1958), Cuban American actor and comedian who stars in the American TV series The Office."'Office' worker Nunez has a second 'Home'". Daily News (New York). May 9, 2007. Accessed July 23, 2008. * Mitchell Olson, songwriter and contestant on Survivor: The Australian Outback, the second season of the reality television show Survivor.People Weekly Extra:All About Survivor Spring 2001, Page 29Preston, Rohan. "PEOPLE; Outback `Survivor' cast includes songwriter." , Minneapolis Star-Tribune, January 5, 2001. Accessed July 23, 2008. "Mitchell Olson, 23, a South Dakotan now living in Union City, N.J., is among the 16 contestants in the Australian edition of CBS' "Survivor" game." * Joe Oriolo (1913–1985), writer and cartoon animator who co-created Casper the Friendly Ghost and animated Felix the Cat.Kelly, Chris. "Cartoon Creator Dies at 72: Palm City Resident Developed Casper". The Palm Beach Post. December 28, 1985. Accessed March 25, 2011. "Born in Union City, N.J., Oriolo graduated from high school in 1931 then went to work for the Max Fleischer Studios in New York and Miami." * Cliff Osmond (1937–2012), character actor and television screenwriter best known for appearing in films directed by Billy Wilder. * Togo Palazzi (born 1932), retired NBA basketball player.Goode, Jon. "No stopping Togo; Catching up with Togo Palazzi", he Boston Globe, May 10, 2005. Accessed August 20, 2015. "WHERE DID YOU GROW UP: Union Hill, NJ" * Carol-Lynn Parente, executive producer of Sesame Street and winner of seven Emmy Awards for her work on the program.Production bios page at Sesame Archives, Accessed June 10, 2010. * Nick Piantanida (1932–1966), amateur skydiver who died four months after barely surviving a fall from 57,000 feet, in an unsuccessful attempt to break the world parachute jump record.Sherman, Ted. "A deadly fall: 46 years ago, a Jersey daredevil died while trying to set record", NJ.com, October 12, 2012. * Arthur Pinajian (1914–1999), Armenian-American artist and comic book creator, known as the creator of the characters Madame Fatal and Invisible Hood."'Lost & Found: Pinajian Discovery' debuts in NYC Feb. 13" . Auction Central News. January 8, 2013 * William Ranney (1813–1857), 19th Century Western painter.Millan, Nicholas (March 16, 2008). "Famed American 19th century painter called North Hudson home" . The Union City Reporter. * Dan Resin (1931–2010), actor known as Dr. Beeper in the film Caddyshack, and as the Ty-D-Bol man in toilet cleaner commercials.Maurer, Mark. "Dan Resin, at 79; 'Caddyshack' actor did TV commercials". The Jersey Journal. August 3, 2010; Page 24 * Dwayne Sabb (born 1969), football player for the New England Patriots."Dwayne Sabb" . databaseFootball.com. Accessed August 27, 2013. * Esther Salas, the first Hispanic woman to serve as a United States magistrate judge in the District of New Jersey, and the first Hispanic woman to be appointed a U.S. District Court judge in New Jersey.Sanabria, Santo (July 24, 2011). "Local roots". The Union City Reporter. pp. 1 and 12 * Renoly Santiago (born 1974) Puerto Rican actor, singer and writer known for his appearances in films such as Dangerous Minds, Hackers and Con Air."Biography". Renoly Santiago – Official Website. Accessed February 11, 2014. * Pedro Sosa (born 1984) former American football offensive tackle for the Hartford Colonials of the defunct United Football League, and later a member of the Miami Dolphins."Pedro Sosa Stats". ESPN. Accessed August 30, 2013."Pedro Sosa, G". CBS Sports. Accessed August 30, 2013. * Brian P. Stack (born 1966), Assemblyman, New Jersey state senator, and mayor of Union City since 2000.Senator Brian P. Stack , New Jersey Legislature. Accessed March 25, 2011. * Aaron Stanford (born 1976), actor known for his role as Pyro in the films X2: X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand.Gorov, Lynda. "Catching fire", aaronstanford.com, reprinted from the Boston Globe, May 8, 2003. Accessed April 15, 2007. * Allison Strong, actress/singer known for her Broadway work in the musicals Bye Bye BirdieMoses, Claire (October 15, 2009). "Hudson teen in Broadway cast of 'Bye Bye Birdie'. NJ.com. October 15, 2009 and Mamma Mia!Hortillosa, Summer Dawn (August 12, 2011). "Union City actress lands a role in Broadway's 'Mamma Mia'". NJ.com * Alexandria Suarez, child actor who performs the voice of Backpack on Dora the Explorer, beginning with that show's fifth season.Amanda Staab. "Local girl is voice of cartoon" The Union City Reporter. September 14, 2008 * Janine Pommy Vega (1942–2010), poet associated with the Beats.Grimes, William. "Janine Pommy Vega, Restless Poet, Dies at 68". The New York Times, January 2, 2011. * Walter Walsh (born 1907), FBI agent and Olympic sharpshooter who participated in the capture of outlaw Arthur Barker.(B) * Gene Wettstone (1913–2013), gymnastics coach, known as the "Dean of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches", for leading Pennsylvania State University to a record nine N.C.A.A. championships in the sport, and for coaching the United States men's teams in the 1948 and 1956 Summer Olympics. Born in West Hoboken.(B)Eugene Wettstone papers, 1920-1997, Pennsylvania State University. Accessed June 7, 2015. "Eugene Wettstone was born in 1913 of Swiss immigrant parents and grew up in Union City, New Jersey." * Frank Winters (born 1964), National Football League player (1987–2002) for the Green Bay Packers.Staff. "SPORTS PEOPLE: FOOTBALL; Giants Sign Center And Backup Safety", The New York Times, March 17, 1989. Accessed June 7, 2015. "The 6-3, 282-pound Winters comes from Union City, N.J., and played for Western Illinois." * Jules Witcover (born 1927), author and political journalist for The Baltimore Sun, the now-defunct Washington Star, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and Tribune Media Services.Horner, Shirley. "ABOUT BOOKS", The New York Times, October 29, 1989. Accessed June 7, 2015. "Although Mr. Witcover is a native of Union City and the explosion occurred just six miles away from where he was raised, he said in an interview that he had never heard the incident mentioned in elementary school or high school."