The following is a list of notable people from Union City, New Jersey. (B) denotes that the person was born there, though births prior to 1925 would have been in West Hoboken or Union Hill which merged in 1925 to form Union City, as noted in some of these entries.
Akon (born 1973), rapper and R&B singer"Deep Grooves". Billboard magazine. November 4, 2006. Page 36, via Google Books. Accessed November 3, 2011. Charles Avedisian (1917–1983), football player who played in the NFL for the New York Giants(B)Chuck Avedisian Stats, Pro-Football-Reference.com. Accessed August 15, 2019. "Born: September 19, 1917 in West Hoboken, NJ" Andy Bakjian (1914−1986), Hall of Fame Track and Field official and author(B)USATF Hall of Fame bio Accessed October 26, 2010. Al Bansavage (1938–2003), American football linebacker who played in the American Football League for the Los Angeles Chargers (1960) * Oakland Raiders"Colts Sign Bansavage For 1960", The Evening Sun, May 12, 1960. Accessed January 20, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "The Colts today came up with an added starter when Al Bansavage, Southern California guard, signed for the coming National Football League season. Bansavage, who migrated from coast to coast to play college ball (he hails from Union City. N. J.), gave up his final year of eligibility with the Trojans to try his luck with the world champions." Fred Barakat (1939−2010), college basketball coachDell, John. "Fred Barakat retires from ACC position", Winston-Salem Journal, March 3, 2007. Accessed August 20, 2015. "Barakat grew up in Union City, N.J., and said he had no clue about the ACC until he enrolled at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass." José Miguel Battle Sr. (1929–2007), former Bay of Pigs Invasion operative who became known as "Godfather of the Cuban mafia"Buder, Leonard. "11 Are Accused in Fatal Blazes at Betting Sites", The New York Times. October 8, 1985. Accessed August 29, 2018. "A former resident of Union City, N.J., Mr. Battle now lives in Miami."Rosero, Jessica. "Death of a legend: North Hudson's Cuban Godfather dead at 77" , The Hudson Reporter, August 19, 2007. Accessed August 29, 2018. "After returning to the States, Battle served as a second lieutenant in the United States Army for a few years, before moving to Union City, NJ." Harold Bell (1919–2009), creator of Woodsy Owl(B)Hevesi, Dennis. "Harold Bell, a Creator of Woodsy Owl, Is Dead at 90", The New York Times, December 12, 2009. Accessed August 20, 2015. "Born in Union City, N.J., on Oct. 5, 1919, Mr. Bell was one of three sons of David and Hilda Rosenthal Belsky." Ben Blank (1921–2009), television graphics innovator.Heller, Steven Heller, Steven. "Ben Blank, Innovator of Graphics for TV News, Dies at 87", The New York Times, February 18, 2009. Accessed June 7, 2015. "Mr. Blank was born in San Francisco and as a child moved with his family to Union City, N.J." Steve Bula, first-season cast member on the MTV reality television series From G's to GentsStaab, Amanda. "Losing the baggy pants UC man says ‘From G’s to Gents’ changed his life" , The Hudson Reporter, February 15, 2009. Accessed August 29, 2018. "After recently appearing on the MTV reality series From G’s to Gents, a once misdirected Union City man says he is now on his way to turning his life around." James E. Buttersworth (1817–1894), British maritime painterHalasz, Piri. "Art: Maritime Theme at Exhibitions; Appeal of Nostalgia History and Humor Portraits of Vessels", The New York Times, January 21, 1973. "James Butterworth (1817–1894), whose work is on view in Trenton, was an Englishman born on the Isle of Wight. By the time he emigrated and settles in West Hoboken (now Union City), America was in the heyday of its gallant clipper ships." Bobby Cannavale (born 1971), actor known for his roles on Ally McBeal, Third Watch, and Will & GraceHernandez, Ernio; "Upcoming Hurlyburly Star Inks Deal for New NBC "French Connection" Drama"; Playbill, December 23, 2004. Helen Castillo, fashion designer known as one of the cast members on season 12 of the reality television series Project Runway. Castillo was born and raised in Weehawken before later moving to Union CityWenik, Ian (August 16, 2013). "Reality TV". The Union City Reporter. pp. 1 and 9. Rene Paul Chambellan (1893–1955), architectural sculptor, known for his work in the Art Deco and Greco Deco stylesShockley, Jay. "Russell Sage Foundation Building and Annex Designation Report". New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. (June 20, 2000), p.5 Gordon Chiesa, basketball coach, who was assistant coach for the Utah Jazz for 16 seasons from 1989 to 1990 to 2004–2005"Gordon Chiesa". NBA.com. Accessed August 30, 2013.Garcia, Julian. "Planinic Will Stay Extra Year In N.J.", New York Daily News, November 1, 2005. Accessed August 23, 2017. "Assistant coach Gordon Chiesa, the most experienced member of Frank's staff, resigned unexpectedly yesterday, citing family issues. Chiesa, a former coach at Manhattan and a native of Union City, N.J., was hired in June to replace Brian Hill, who left to become head coach in Orlando." Hallice Cooke (born 1995), guard for Nevada Wolf Pack basketball teamBernstein, Jason. "Hallice Cooke of St. Anthony commits to Oregon State", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 10, 2012. Accessed August 23, 2017. "Hallice Cooke of St. Anthony has made a verbal commitment to Oregon State University.... 'It’s a great environment there in Corvallis, OR, way different from being in the city,' said Cooke, a Union City native." Norman Cousins (1915–1990), author and peace advocate(B)Rosero, Jessica. "Native sons and daughters Prominent author, peace advocate Norman Cousins lived here" , The Hudson Reporter, January 29, 2006. Accessed August 23, 2017. "Union City native Norman Cousins was a prominent political journalist, author and advocate for world peace who left his mark worldwide through his writings and strong liberal views." Dominick V. Daniels (1908–1987), represented New Jersey's 14th congressional district from 1959 to 1977Dominick Vincent Daniels, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed June 18, 2007. Ronald Dario (1937–2004), politician who represented the 33rd Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1984 to 1986Sullivan, Joseph F. "Politics; '87 Fallout Is Seen For Municipal Elections", The New York Times, May 11, 1986. Accessed January 20, 2022. "Mr. Kean also visited Union City to lend his support to the Alliance Civic Association ticket in the City Commission elections. Assemblyman Ronald Dario, Republican of the 33d District (part of Hudson County), is on the slate." Otis Davis (1932–2024), Olympic track and field athlete who won two gold medals in the 400-meter dash and the 4 × 400 meters relay at 1960 Summer Olympics, setting a world record in the former eventHague, Jim. "Truant officer was Olympic hero; Emerson High has gold medalist in midst" , The Hudson Reporter, May 14, 2006. Accessed October 1, 2016. "In 1991, Davis wanted to move closer to New York, so he just chose Jersey City and then eventually settled in Union City." Louis Del Grande (born 1943), television writer and actor, best known for starring in the Canadian mystery/comedy series Seeing ThingsKaufman, Michael T. "American Mystery Series For Canadian TV A Hit", The New York Times, May 21, 1984. Accessed October 1, 2016. "After trying almost everything, from producing cut-rate kitsch to arcane documentaries, the national network has stumbled onto a remarkable method: It has given a free hand to Louis Del Grande, a refugee from both Union City, N.J., and Hollywood, enabling him to produce, write and star in a sophisticated comic mystery series that not only is a hit in Canada but has been sold to the Public Broadcasting Service and has a growing cult following in the United States." Vincent John Dellay (1907–1999), represented New Jersey's 14th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1957 to 1959(B)"Dellay, Vincent John, (1907–1999)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed August 30, 2013. Pietro Di Donato (1911–1992), Italian American novelist, and author of Christ in Concrete(B)Severo, Richard. "Pietro di Donato Is Dead at 80; Wrote of Immigrants' Experience", The New York Times, January 21, 1992. Accessed August 29, 2018. "Mr. di Donato was born on April 3, 1911, in West Hoboken, N.J. His family had immigrated to the United States from Vasto, in the Abruzzi region of Italy." Harvey B. Dodworth (1822–1891), bandmaster Harry Donovan (born 1926), professional basketball player who played for the New York KnicksBenson, Michael. Everything You Wanted to Know About the New York Knicks: A Who's Who of Everyone Who Ever Played On or Coached the NBA's Most Celebrated Team, p. 474. Taylor Trade Publishing, 2007. . Gary T. Erbe (born 1944), self-taught oil painter, best known for his Trompe-l'œils(B)"Gary Thomas Erbe", askART. Accessed November 24, 2018. "Gary Erbe, a self-taught painter was born in 1944 in Union City, New Jersey where he maintained his studio from 1972-2006." Henry Escalante, pop musician, and one of the 15 finalists from the 2007 season of the MTV reality show Making MenudoHague, Jim. "A teen Latin pop star" Union City Reporter, November 11, 2007. Accessed November 24, 2018. Lucio Fernandez Cuban-American politician and entertainer, who works as the Commissioner of Public Affairs in Union City. Hank Finkel (born 1942), retired NBA basketball player(B)Hank Finkel, Basketball-Reference.com. Accessed December 10, 2007. Marshall Flaum (1925–2010), documentary filmmakerMartin, Douglas. "Marshall Flaum, Documentary Filmmaker, Dies at 85", The New York Times, October 8, 2010. Accessed October 9, 2010. Margaux Fragoso (1979–2017), memoirist, author of Tiger, Tiger Rafael Fraguela (born 1955), member of the New Jersey General Assembly who also served on the Union City Board of CommissionersFraguela, Rafael, OurCampaigns.com, December 18, 2003. Accessed June 6, 2010. Nick Galis (born 1957), retired Greek basketball player who is a member of the FIBA Hall of Fame and the Naismith Hall of FameYannis Psarakis. "Nikos Galis – Europe's Greatest-Ever Scorer", FIBA Europe. Accessed November 24, 2007. "Her horror at seeing her son come home every day with a new facial injury led to Galis taking up basketball and in 1970 began to play at Union Hill High School." Rudy Garcia (born 1964), former Assemblyman and Mayor of Union CityStrunsky, Steve. "In Person; A Former Sports Star Finds Politics A Rougher Field", The New York Times, October 22, 2000. Accessed June 4, 2010. Anthony Vincent Genovese (born 1932), architect who practiced in the mid to late-twentieth-century New York and New Jersey as a partner in the architectural firm name Genovese & Maddalene"Anthony Vincent Genovese" . American Architects Directory. Third Edition (New York City: R.R. Bowker LLC, 1970), p. 317. Shlomo Goldman (1947–2017), Grand Rabbi of the Sanz-Klausenberger community in Union CitySchapiro, Sara. "Remembering Rav Shlomo Goldman zt”l, Sanz-Zvhiller Rebbe of Union City", The Jewish Link, August 3, 2017. Accessed January 10, 2022. "Rav Shlomo Goldman, the Sanz-Zvhiller Rebbe, of Union City, New Jersey, passed away on July 21.... He served as the head of the kollel in Kiryat Sanz until 1971, when his father-in-law appointed him to be the leader of the recently established community in Union City." Steven Gonzalez (born 1997), American football guard for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football LeagueSteven Gonzalez, Penn State Nittany Lions football. Accessed June 2, 2024. "Hometown: Union City, N.J. High School: Union City"