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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are famous people from South Orange, NJ?
Notable people with South Orange roots include musician Lauryn Hill, actor and director Zach Braff, actors Elisabeth and Andrew Shue, E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg, film producer Joel Silver, and novelist Paul Auster.
What high school did Lauryn Hill and Zach Braff attend?
Columbia High School, the shared South Orange–Maplewood high school. Its alumni also include Elisabeth Shue and producer Joel Silver.
Are there any Olympians from South Orange?
Yes. South Orange native Platt Adams won track-and-field gold in the standing high jump at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.
What pro athletes are from South Orange?
Besides Olympian Platt Adams, South Orange is home to MLB pitcher Joe Martinez, who played for the Giants, Indians, and Diamondbacks, and NFL and AFL offensive lineman Don Rogers.
What is South Orange known for?
For a town of about 18,500, South Orange is known for producing a remarkable run of talent, including Grammy winners, Hollywood stars, novelists, and an Olympic gold medalist, much of it through Columbia High School.