Stars From The Boro

New York City, more than almost anywhere else in the world, generates a multifaceted and ever-evolving narrative. Locals chat with each other about what they love and hate; tourists share photos and stories with friends; and people who have never been here project their own hopes and dreams, using the many films and novels set here as a guide. In a sense, the city itself is its own greatest celebrity.

With the spotlight focused on Manhattan and Brooklyn, Queens—despite its size, burgeoning arts scene and diversity on so many levels—often gets short shrift. That’s usually fine with us locals, though. After all, not everyone needs to know about what makes our borough great — we can enjoy our home without all of the crowds.

Nevertheless, Queens residents are constantly making an impact in their respective fields, from art to business to the culinary world. To show that they are participating in a long tradition of motivated and talented people from the borough, we compiled a list of celebrities and stars born in Queens. Get ready to be star-struck.

50 Cent, Born in South Jamaica, 1975. Rapper & Actor.

50 Cent

Adrien Brody, Born in Woodhaven, 1973. Actor.

Al Roker, Born in St. Albans, 1954. Television Host & Weatherman.

Art Garfunkel, Born in Forest Hills, 1941. Half of Folk Duo Simon & Garfunkel.

Benh Zeitlin, Born in Queens, 1982. Filmmaker.

Bernadette Peters, Born in Ozone Park, 1948. Actress & Comedian.

Bernadette Peters

Billy Loes, Born in LIC, 1929. Major League Baseball Player.

Christopher Walken, Born in Astoria, 1943. Actor.

Cyndi Lauper, Born in Ozone Park, 1953. Musician, Known Best For “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

Daniel “Dee” Snider, Born in Astoria, 1955. Frontman of Heavy Metal Band Twisted Sister.

David Schwimmer, Born in Flushing, 1966. Actor, Producer & Director.

Dito Montiel, Born in Astoria, 1965. Musician & Author.

Donald Trump, Born in Jamaica Estates, 1946. Entrepreneur, Reality-TV Star.

Donna Karan, Born in Forest Hills, 1948. Fashion Designer.

Edward Burns, Born in Woodside, 1968. Actor.

Elizabeth Perkins, Born in Queens, 1960. Actress.

Elizabeth Perkins

Ethel Merman, Born in Astoria, 1908. Actress & Singer.

Fran Drescher, Born in Flushing, 1957. Actress.

Fran Drescher

Hank Azaria, Born in Forest Hills, 1964. Actor.

Havoc & Prodigy, Both Born in LIC, 1974. Rappers, Formed Hip-Hop Duo Mobb Deep.

Howard Stern, Born in Jackson Heights, 1954. Radio Personality.

Joey Ramone, Born in Forest Hills, 1951. Lead Vocalist of Punk Rock Band The Ramones.

Lamar Odom, Born in South Jamaica, 1979. Basketball Player & Husband to Khloé Kardashian.

Lamar Odom With Khloe Kardashian

Lucy Liu, Born in Jackson Heights, 1968. Actress.

Martin Scorsese. Born in Queens, 1942. Director, Producer & Screenwriter.

Martin Scorcese

Mercedes Ruehl, Born in Jackson Heights, 1948. Actress.

Nancy Reagan, Born in Flushing, 1921. Former First Lady.

Natalia Paruz, Born in Astoria. Musician, Known as the ‘Saw Lady.’

NeNe Leakes, Born in Queens, 1967. Actress.

Peter Facinelli, Born in Ozone Park, 1973. Actor.

Ray Romano, Born in Middle Village, 1957. Actor & Comedian.

Robert Mapplethorpe, Born in Floral Park, 1946. Photographer.

Russell Simmons, Born in Queens, 1957. Entrepreneur, Creator of Phat Farm & Co-Founder of Def Jam.

Tony Bennett, Born in Astoria, 1926. Singer, Best Known for “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

Tony Bennett

Photos From Getty Images.