Lights, Camera, Garden State! How New Jersey Became a Star in the Entertainment World
New Jersey has always been a place where dreams take flight, whether you’re building a thriving business, finding your perfect home, or discovering the next big talent. And when it comes to the dazzling world of entertainment, the Garden State is truly having its moment in the spotlight! From nurturing legendary performers to hosting blockbuster productions, New Jersey is proving it’s more than just a backdrop – it’s a creative powerhouse.
For an even deeper dive into the magic happening behind the scenes and on location, visit: https://explorenewjersey.org/film/
From Maplewood to Masterpiece: Jason Alexander’s Jersey Roots
Before he was the iconic George Costanza on Seinfeld, a Broadway sensation, or a familiar voice in countless animated features, Jason Alexander was simply a kid from New Jersey. His journey from Maplewood to Livingston, and ultimately to global stardom, began with a surprising twist of fate and a very relatable challenge: his hands.
As Alexander recently recounted at the Lighthouse International Film Festival on Long Beach Island, his initial passion was close-up magic. However, destiny, in the form of his “small hands” that couldn’t quite palm a standard deck of cards, nudged him towards a different stage. At just 12 years old, this budding magician, fresh from a move to Livingston, discovered the local theater scene. What started as an attempt to impress a girl at the community pool quickly ignited a genuine love for performance.
Those early experiences in Livingston’s community theater, coupled with regular trips to New York City to soak in Broadway shows with his friends, were pivotal. Alexander fondly recalls an early preview of Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin, a show that profoundly illuminated the connection between magic and acting. Witnessing the illusions and Ben Vereen’s mesmerizing performance, he realized that theater was “the combination of magic being used to tell a story. So I’m sitting there, and as I’m sitting here, [I’m thinking], it’s an illusion. I can do that illusion. I can have tiny hands and do that.” This revelation, born in a New Jersey-bred imagination, set him on an incredible path.
His time honing his craft in New Jersey, followed by his studies at Boston University, equipped Alexander with the versatile skills needed for the stage and screen – from singing and dancing to even rollerblading! This foundation eventually sharpened his comedic timing, a talent that culminated in his nine-season, Emmy-nominated portrayal of George Costanza, a character that helped cement Seinfeld as one of television’s greatest comedies. A proud graduate of Livingston High School (class of ’77), Alexander stands among other notable alumni like Chelsea Handler and former Governor Chris Christie. His induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2019 was a fitting tribute to a career deeply rooted in our state.
New Jersey’s Starring Role: A Booming Film & Television Production Hub
Jason Alexander’s journey is a fantastic example of the talent cultivated in the Garden State, but now, New Jersey itself is taking center stage as a premier destination for film and television production. The buzz is undeniable: the state is on track to surpass its combined production levels from 2023 and 2024, signaling an unprecedented boom in the industry right here at home.
The biggest news dominating headlines is Netflix breaking ground on its monumental $1 billion studio in Eatontown. This isn’t just an investment; it’s a transformative development, converting a former military base into a state-of-the-art film and production facility. This massive project promises to be an economic engine, creating jobs, attracting top-tier talent, and firmly establishing New Jersey as a global player in content creation.
The recent NJ Film Expo celebrated this incredible growth, highlighting the expanding opportunities and advancements across the industry. And the evidence is already appearing on screens big and small:
- The highly anticipated film “Deliver Me from Nowhere” was partly filmed right here in New Jersey and is slated for a 2025 release.
- “Ponyboi,” which premiered to acclaim at Sundance, is set for release on June 27, 2025, also featuring scenes shot in our diverse landscapes.
- A captivating science fiction film with the working title “Non-View” has been utilizing various picturesque New Jersey locations, from Tuckahoe and Woodbine in Cape May County to Montville and Middlesex County.
- Fans of critically acclaimed television can look forward to Jon Hamm’s Apple TV+ series, “Your Friends and Neighbors,” which chose the charming streets of Princeton for some of its filming.
- And for those who appreciate historical dramas, “The History of Sound,” starring talented actors like Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, beautifully captured its World War I romance in the historic settings of Hoboken and Jersey City.
This influx of diverse projects, from major studio ventures to independent films and television series, showcases the incredible versatility of New Jersey’s locations, skilled workforce, and supportive infrastructure. The Garden State is providing everything filmmakers need, from stunning natural backdrops to vibrant urban streetscapes and dedicated production facilities.
New Jersey is no longer just a place from which stars emerge; it’s a place where stars are made, and where cinematic dreams come to life. The future of film in New Jersey is brighter than ever, promising a golden age for storytelling and visual artistry right here in our incredible state.