Seinfeld Star Jason Alexander to Host New Jersey Hall of Fame Ceremony Sunday

The New Jersey Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set to take place with a one-hour virtual presentation 7 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 18) on WWOR and NJTV.

The 12th annual ceremony will feature New Jersey Hall of Famer and Tony and Grammy award-winning actor Jason Alexander as the event’s MC, while also inducting figures such as Rutgers women’s basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer, multiple award-winning actor Ed Harris, and Roots star John Amos. Strangers Things’Gaten Matarazzo will perform a musical tribute to health care professionals, as well as induct former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

 Four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening will present and accept on behalf of Academy Award-nominated actor Danny Aiello. Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy will present this year’s Unsung Heroes: the crew of the Battleship New Jersey, our country’s longest and most decorated battleship, and Bill Lavin, former president of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association and founder of the Where Angels Play Foundation.

The 12th annual ceremony is yet another opportunity to pay homage to New Jerseyans who have reached the pinnacle of their chosen professions, and at the same time inspire the next generation of young people to realize their highest and best sense of selves, with a moral excellence of character,” says Jon F. Hanson, chairman of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

“On October 18, New Jerseyans will witness history in the making,” says Bob Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health, lead sponsor for the New Jersey Hall of Fame. “As our health care workers continue to courageously battle COVID-19, we look forward to honoring their achievements and providing much-needed inspiration across the state.”

“New Jersey deserves a feel-good night to lift our collective spirits, and the October 18th ceremony will remind us that we have so much to be proud of,” says Steve Edwards, president of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. “This year’s televised ceremony will simply have something for everyone.”

Here is the list of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2019-2020 is (with occupation, name, N.J. town):

Arts & Letters:	Public Service:
Charles Addams*, Westfield, Cartoonist and creator of The Addams Family	Dr. Virginia Apgar*, Westfield, Anesthesiologist and inventor of the Apgar Score
Stephen Crane*, Newark, Author of The Red Badge of Courage	Sister Jane Brady, Paterson, Former president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health
Joyce Kilmer*, New Brunswick, Journalist, literary critic and poet best known for “Trees”	General Martin Dempsey, Bayonne, Former Army general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, USA Basketball chair
Fran Lebowitz, Morristown, World-renowned author and public speaker	Alfred E. Driscoll*, Haddonfield, 43rd Governor of New Jersey and president of Warner-Lambert
Mort Pye*, Tewksbury, 31-year editor of The Star-Ledger	Milton Friedman*, Rahway, Noble Prize-winning economist
Enterprise:	Sports:
The Borg Family, Hackensack, Former owners and publishers of The Record	Rick Barry, Roselle Park, NBA player named one of 50 greatest in history
Linda Bowden, East Brunswick, N.J. regional president at PNC Bank and N.J. Chamber of Commerce board chair	Gerry Cooney, Fanwood, Two-time boxing heavyweight contender
Fairleigh Dickinson*, Rutherford, Co-Founder of Fortune 500 company Becton Dickinson, benefactor of Fairleigh Dickinson University	Eli Manning, Summit, Former NY Giant quarterback and two-time Super Bowl MVP
Steve Kalafer, Flemington, Chairman of the Flemington Car and Truck Country Family of Brands	Robert Mulcahy, III, Mendham, Former athletic director of Rutgers University
Joseph Simunovich*, West New York, Former Hudson County freeholder director and chairman of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority	C. Vivian Stringer, Piscataway, Head coach of the Rutgers University women’s basketball team

Arts & Entertainment:

Danny Aiello*, Ramsey, Academy Award-nominated actor

John Amos, Newark, Roots and Good Times actor

Ed Harris, Tenafly, Multiple award-winning actor

Cissy Houston, Newark, Grammy Award-winning soul and gospel singer

Ernie Kovacs*, Trenton, Emmy Award-winning and influential comedian, actor and writer

The Nelson Family (Ozzie, Harriet, Ricky and Dave)*, Jersey City, Stars of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet

Flip Wilson*, Jersey City, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning host of The Flip Wilson Show, comedian and actor