Jersey Mike’s founder Peter Cancro, Audible founder Don Katz and EUE/Screen Gems Chairman Emeritus George Cooney are among the 2024 class of inductees for the N.J. Hall of Fame.
The honorees list includes a number of well-known entertainers, including legendary actress Meryl Streep, actor Paul Rudd, film maker Kevin Smith and director Warren Littlefield.
Former Giants’ Super Bowl-winning QB Phil Simms and former U.S. men’s soccer national team goalie Tim Howard will be honored, as will longtime St. Benedict’s Prep headmaster Father Ed Leahy, along with a number of others.
The Inductees will be honored at the 16th Annual New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the new 10,000-square-foot New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream.
The ceremony will be aired beginning Nov. 13 on Fox 5 My9 and social media.
N.J. Hall of Fame Chairman Jon Hanson saluted the class.
“The 2024 class of Inductees of the New Jersey Hall of Fame illustrate the New Jersey ethic of hard work, determination, and grit,” he said. “We are thrilled to celebrate the contributions of 18 new Inductees so future generations can learn about their journeys.”
Among other members of the Class:
Gay Talese: A journalist for The New York Times and Esquire magazine, he was a pioneer who pushed the boundaries of traditional journalism;
Elizabeth Coleman White: She was a botanist who developed the nation’s first cultivated blueberry
John Forbes Nash: A genius mathematician at Princeton who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for economics;
Avi Wigderson: Turing Award winner was a computer scientist, mathematician at Princetion, where he was known for his groundbreaking insights in computer science;
Geraldine Thompson: She was a social reform pioneer and founder of VNA Health Group who earned the nickname “First Lady of New Jersey” due to her philanthropic and social service activities;
Dick Button: The two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in figure skating was also known as being an Emmy Award-winning former TV sports commentator;
Ron Johnson: An All-American running back and captain at the University of Michigan, he twice earned All-Pro honors with the New York Giants.
The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society, the State of New Jersey, and the world beyond. Since 2008, the NJHOF has hosted 15 ceremonies for more than 230 notable individuals and groups in recognition of their induction into the Hall of Fame.
In June of 2024, the New Jersey Hall of Fame opened the nation’s first state-of-the-art Entertainment and Learning Center at American Dream.
