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The New Jersey Hall of Fame unveiled its 2024 class of inductees July 16. The group spans categories such as enterprise, entertainment, education, sports and more. 

The Hall of Fame honors those who have made invaluable contributions to society, New Jersey and the world. Since 2008, the Hall of Fame has honored more than 230 inductees. 

The 2024 class is the first group recognized following the unveiling of the Hall of Fame’s new $20 million Entertainment and Learning Center at American Dream in June. The organization’s 16th annual induction ceremony will celebrate recipients. The pre-taped TV special will film at the new 10,000-square-foot center and at other Hall of Fame satellite exhibits. 

Organizers said the ceremony will air beginning Nov. 13 on Fox 5 My9 and on social media.

“The 2024 class of Inductees of the New Jersey Hall of Fame illustrate the New Jersey ethic of hard work, determination, and grit,” Jon Hanson, chairman of the NJHOF, said in a statement. Hanson is also chairman of The Hampshire Cos.

The 21 inductees across six categories were chosen from 50 nominees after a public vote.  

The New Jersey Hall of Fame 2024 honorees are: 

Arts & Letters

Gay Talese, Ocean City
Journalist for The New York Times and Esquire magazine

Education & Science

Elizabeth Coleman White (posthumous), Whitesbog
Botanist, developed the nation’s first cultivated blueberry  

John Forbes Nash (posthumous), Princeton
Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for Economics
– Previous honoree being formally inducted this year. 

Avi Wigderson, Princeton
Computer scientist, mathematician and Turing Award winner

Enterprise

George Cooney, Bogota
Chairman emeritus of EUE/Screen Gems Ltd. 

Peter Cancro, Point Pleasant
Founder of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems Inc. and philanthropist 

Donald Katz, Newark
Founder of Audible Inc., journalist and author

Performing Arts & Entertainment

Lesley Gore (posthumous), Tenafly
Singer-songwriter (“You Don’t Own Me,” “It’s My Party”) and Academy Award and Grammy Award nominee
– Previous inductee being formally inducted this year. 

Warren Littlefield, Montclair
Former NBC Entertainment president 

Paul Rudd, Passaic
Actor, Critics’ Choice Award winner and nominee for Golden Globe and SAG Awards
– Previous honoree being formally inducted this year. 

Kevin Smith, Red Bank
Director, producer, writer and actor 

Meryl Streep, Bernardsville
Actress, Academy Award and Golden Globe winner; Kennedy Center honoree; and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
– Previous honoree being formally inducted this year.

Public Service 

Edwin Leahy, Newark
Benedictine monk and Catholic priest, headmaster of St. Benedict’s Prep 

Geraldine Thompson, Lincroft
Social reform pioneer and founder of VNA Health Group 

Sports

Dick Button, Englewood
Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, World Championship gold medalist and Emmy Award-winning former TV sports commentator 

Tim Howard, New Brunswick
Former goalkeeper/soccer player for the U.S. Men’s National Team 

Ron Johnson (posthumous), Madison
Former New York Giants running back and chairman of the National Football Foundation 

Phil Simms, Franklin Lakes
Former New York Giants quarterback, Super Bowl MVP and sports analyst 

Educator of the Year

Andrew DeNicola (posthumous), Edison
Grammy Music Educator award finalist and American Bandmaster; director of bands at John P. Stevens High School

Unsung Heroes

Bob Guarasci, Paterson
Founder and CEO of New Jersey Community Development Corp.

Reva Foster, Willingboro
Director of Willingboro Township Senior Center

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11:36 a.m. EST Nov. 14, 2024, to include the Educator of the Year and Unsung Heroes honorees, which were unveiled separately from the original 18 inductees.