New Jersey’s identity has always been defined by impact. It is a state that consistently produces figures who shape industries, influence culture, and drive innovation far beyond its borders. That legacy is once again taking center stage as public voting officially opens for the New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2026, inviting residents across the Garden State to take part in one of its most meaningful civic and cultural traditions.
The process is straightforward but significant. Through May 5, New Jerseyans have the opportunity to cast their votes for a slate of 60 nominees representing a wide spectrum of disciplines, from arts and entertainment to science, public service, enterprise, and sports. The act of voting is more than participation—it is a collective acknowledgment of the individuals whose work continues to define what New Jersey represents on a national and global level.
Since its founding in 2008, the New Jersey Hall of Fame has inducted more than 260 individuals and groups, building a roster that reflects both the diversity and depth of the state’s influence. The criteria have remained consistent: honorees must demonstrate lasting contributions that extend beyond personal success and into meaningful impact on communities, industries, and society as a whole. It is not simply about recognition. It is about legacy.
The 2026 nominee class reinforces that standard with a cross-sector lineup that underscores the breadth of New Jersey’s reach. In Arts & Letters, names such as Mitch Albom and Janet Evanovich represent storytelling at the highest level, while media figures like Steve Adubato Jr. highlight the state’s role in shaping public discourse. These are individuals whose work has influenced how stories are told, consumed, and understood across generations.
In the category of Education, Research, Engineering & Science, the nominations reflect foundational contributions to global knowledge and technological advancement. Figures such as John Bardeen, whose work helped define modern electronics, and Alfred Kinsey, whose research reshaped cultural conversations, illustrate the intellectual weight carried by New Jersey’s academic and scientific community. This category alone reinforces the state’s longstanding position as a center for research and discovery.
The Enterprise category captures another dimension of influence: the ability to build, scale, and transform industries. Nominees like Barbara Corcoran and David Tepper reflect entrepreneurial success at the highest level, while others represent foundational leadership in corporate and financial sectors that continue to shape economic landscapes far beyond state lines.
Within Performing Arts & Entertainment, the list reads as a reflection of New Jersey’s deep cultural imprint. Actors such as Michael B. Jordan and Bobby Cannavale stand alongside music icons like SZA and legacy groups such as The Rascals. These are artists whose work has not only defined eras but continues to influence the direction of film, television, and music at a global level.
Public Service nominees bring a different but equally critical dimension to the conversation. Leaders such as Christine Todd Whitman and Bill Pascrell represent decades of public leadership, while historical figures like Lucy Stone remind voters that New Jersey’s contributions to civic progress are deeply rooted in the nation’s history.
The Sports category completes the slate with figures whose achievements have energized fan bases and elevated New Jersey’s presence on the global stage. From NFL standouts like Victor Cruz to hockey stars such as Jack Hughes and broadcasting icons like Jim Nantz, the category reflects both on-field excellence and the broader cultural impact of sports in the region.
What makes the Hall of Fame process particularly compelling is its integration of public participation with institutional recognition. Residents are not simply observing the selection—they are directly influencing it. That dynamic reinforces the Hall of Fame’s role as a living institution, one that evolves alongside the communities it represents.
The timeline ahead is clearly defined. Voting remains open through early May, after which the final inductees will be announced in June. The culmination will take place at the 18th Annual Induction Ceremony this fall, an event that has increasingly become one of the state’s signature cultural gatherings. Recent ceremonies have been held at American Dream, home to the Hall of Fame’s $20 million Entertainment and Learning Center, which opened in 2024 and serves as a permanent, interactive space dedicated to preserving and showcasing New Jersey’s legacy of achievement.
The broader significance of the Hall of Fame extends beyond the ceremony itself. It functions as a connective thread between generations, industries, and communities. It provides a structured way to recognize not just success, but influence—the kind that shapes how people think, create, lead, and compete. In doing so, it reinforces a central truth about New Jersey: its impact is not confined by geography.
This year’s voting cycle arrives at a time when the state’s cultural and economic influence continues to expand across multiple sectors, a trend reflected throughout the Explore New Jersey Entertainment landscape. From film and television production to live performance and sports, New Jersey is operating at a level of visibility and relevance that continues to grow. The Hall of Fame, in many ways, serves as both a record of that progress and a benchmark for what comes next.
Arts & Letters
- Steve Adubato Jr.
- Mitch Albom
- Michael Aron
- Janet Evanovich
- Elizabeth Gilbert
- Big Joe Henry
- Jennifer Jones
- Peter King
- Produce Pete Napolitano
- Marvin Scott
Education, Research, Engineering & Science
- John Bardeen
- William C. Campbell
- Lewis L. Coriell
- Tom Eastwick
- Val Fitch
- Alfred Kinsey
- Gregory Olsen
- Emily Roebling
- John Stevens
- James West
Enterprise
- Marc E. Berson
- James E. Burke
- William L. Clayton
- Barbara Corcoran
- Robert C. Garrett
- Peter Kellogg
- Chris Malachowsky
- Chris Paladino
- John Scher
- David Tepper
Performing Arts & Entertainment
- James L. Brooks
- Bobby Cannavale
- Tom Cantone
- Michael B. Jordan
- Marilyn McCoo
- Melba Moore
- Phoebe Snow
- SZA
- The Rascals
- Uncle Floyd Vivino
Public Service
- Nicholas F. Brady
- Michael Chertoff
- Geraldine Dodge
- Bruce Gordon
- William Livingston
- Gail McGovern
- Bill Pascrell
- Donald M. Payne Sr.
- Lucy Stone
- Christine Todd Whitman
Sports
- Al Attles
- Wayne Chrebet
- Hazel Clark
- Victor Cruz
- Jack Hughes
- John McMullen
- Jim Nantz
- Don Newcombe
- Drew Pearson
- Sonny Werblin
As ballots are cast and conversations unfold, the focus remains on recognizing those who have defined excellence in their respective fields while maintaining a connection to the state that shaped them. The Class of 2026 will ultimately join a lineage that tells a much larger story—one of ambition, resilience, and the kind of achievement that continues to position New Jersey as a force across every major industry it touches.
