Following is a list of notable people who were born in, residents of, or otherwise closely associated with East Orange, New Jersey.
Academia
Margaret Clapp (1910–1974), eighth president of Wellesley CollegeLindheim, Burton. "Margaret Clapp, 64, Dies; Wellesley Ex‐President", The New York Times, May 4, 1974. Accessed November 6, 2017. "Miss Clapp was born April 11, 1910, in East Orange, N. J., and graduated hi 1930‐from Wellesley, where as a senior she held the highest elective student office, that of president of College Government." Eric P. Hamp (1920–2019), Indo-European linguist and professor at the University of Chicago Robert Peace (1980–2011), scholar and teacher, subject of The Short and Tragic Life of Robert PeaceMaslin, Janet. "A Yalie's Promising Future Competed With a Darker Side; The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace, by Jeff Hobbs", The New York Times, September 10, 2014. Accessed June 10, 2016. "When Jackie found out what public school was like in East Orange, N.J., where they lived, she scrimped enough to get him a Catholic school education." Newton Phelps Stallknecht (1906–1981), philosopher, president of the Metaphysical Society of AmericaNewton P. Stallknecht papers, 1922-1980, bulk 1950-1971, Indiana University Archives Onlie. Accessed December 14, 2019. "Newton P. Stallknecht was born in East Orange, New Jersey, on October 24, 1906." Janet Sorg Stoltzfus (1931–2004), educator who established the Ta'iz Cooperative School in Yemen"Obituary: Janet S. Stoltzfus", Town Topics, March 10, 2004. Accessed October 23, 2022. "Born in East Orange, she was the daughter of the late Harrison Theodore Sorg and Mildred Sorg Blasius." Richard Thaler (born 1945), professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and recipient of the 2017 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic SciencesAppelbaum, Binyamin. "Nobel in Economics Is Awarded to Richard Thaler", The New York Times, October 9, 2017. Accessed October 11, 2017. "Professor Thaler, 72, was born in East Orange, N.J., and graduated from Case Western Reserve University before earning a doctorate in economics at the University of Rochester in 1974." Clarence Watters (1902−1986), organist an director of the music department at Trinity CollegeObituary of Clarence Watters, The Boston Organ Club Newsletter, Fall 1986. Accessed March 12, 2024. "Clarence E. Watters of East Hartford, Conn., died in Farmington, Conn., on July 26, 1986, at the age of 83. He was born in East Orange, N.J., in 1902, and studied with Marcel Dupré in Paris during the 1920's." Marion Thompson Wright (1902–1962), first African-American woman in the United States to earn her Ph.D. in historyGovan, Jennifer. "Today in History: Celebrating Marion Thompson Wright", Gottesman Libraries, September 12, 2019. Accessed February 6, 2022. "On September 12th, 1902, Marion Manola Thompson Wright was born in East Orange, New Jersey, to Minnie and Moses Thompson -- the youngest of four children." Gabrielle Yablonsky (born 1939), art historian specializing in Bhutanese artReports of the President and the Treasurer, p. 140. John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, 1974. Accessed December 21, 2025. "Yablonsky, Gabrielle. Appointed for a study of the living arts of the Himalayas. Born November 6, 1939, East Orange, New Jersey. Bryn Mawr College, B.A., 1961; University of Paris, 1959-60; Yale University, M.A., 1966; Boston University, M.F.A., 1965."
Art and architecture
Sarah Charlesworth (1947–2013), conceptual artist and photographerSmith, Roberta. "Sarah Charlesworth, Artist of Deconstructed Photographs, Dies at 66", The New York Times, June 30, 2013. Accessed July 20, 2025. "Ms. Charlesworth was born on March 29, 1947, in East Orange, N.J., the eldest of five children of Roger and Sarah Morgan Charlesworth." Freeman Craw (1917–2017), typeface designer"Freeman Godfrey; Graphic artist and designer innovator in visual Identity field, typefaces that bear his name, of Tinton Falls, 100", The Star-Ledger, May 28, 2017. Accessed May 7, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "Freeman Godfrey Craw, 100, of Tinton Falls, N.J., passed away peacefully on Monday, May 1, 2017.... Born and raised in East Orange, N.J., Jerry graduated from Cooper Union For The Advancement of Science and Art in 1939." Randall Davey (1887–1964), painter and art educatorDavey, Randall, Columbus Museum. Accessed July 11, 2019. "Born in East Orange, New Jersey, Randall Davey became an influential figure in early 20th century art, including the art community of Santa Fe. He became a painter of portraits, still lifes, nude figures, and horse-racing genre." Branson DeCou (1892–1941), photographer and traveler"He Will Present 'Drean Pictures'", Star Tribune, January 19, 1933. Accessed January 17, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Branson deCou of East Orange, N J, world traveler and lecturer, will present another of his series of 'dream pictures,' colored travelogues of Egypt and Russia at two lectures Monday in the Woman's club assembly under the auspices of the women's society of the Westminster Presbyterian church." Dorothy Eaton (1893–1968), visual artistDorothy Eaton, AskArt.com. Accessed September 28, 2022. "Born: 1893 - East Orange, New Jersey" Edward Townsend Howes (1877–1964), architect and artist Marietta Patricia Leis (born 1938), multimedia artist and poetRoberts, Kathaleen. "Artist’s cyanotypes are blueprints of the natural world", Albuquerque Journal, May 4, 2014. Accessed January 7, 2021. "'I grew up in Newark and East Orange, New Jersey,' Leis said." Robert Opel (1939–1979), photographer and art gallery owner most famous for streaking across the stage during the 46th Academy AwardsBlancaflor, Saleah. "John Cena naked on Oscars stage was a history lesson with a N.J. tie", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, March 10, 2024. Accessed September 8, 2025. "The streaker, Robert Opel, was a photographer and art gallery owner, born in East Orange, who pretended to be a journalist to get into the awards ceremony."
Business
Balanda Atis (born 1972/73), cosmetic chemist at L'Oréal"Local Chemist Changing the Face of Makeup Around the World", TAP into East Orange / Orange, October 6, 2015. Accessed August 6, 2022. "East Orange native and L’Oréal chemist Balanda Atis is helping the cosmetics giant break color barriers all across the globe. Atis, who grew up in a Haitian community in East Orange, saw her friends and family struggling to find makeup that looked good on their skin." Robert H. B. Baldwin (1920–2016), chairman of Morgan StanleyMcFadden, Robert D. "Robert H.B. Baldwin, Transformer of Morgan Stanley, Dies at 95", The New York Times, January 6, 2016. Accessed October 31, 2021. "Robert Hayes Burns Baldwin was born on July 9, 1920, in East Orange, N.J., to John Frank and Anna Burns Baldwin." George Whitman (1913–2011), proprietor of the Paris bookstore Shakespeare and CompanySimons, Marlise. "George Whitman, Paris Bookseller and Cultural Beacon, Is Dead at 98", The New York Times, December 14, 2011. Accessed December 18, 2011."George Whitman was born on Dec. 12, 1913, in East Orange, N.J., and grew up in Salem, Mass."
Entertainment
David Ackroyd (born 1940), actor, who came to prominence in The Secret Storm and Another WorldDenis, Paul.Daytime TV's Star Directory, p. 30. Popular Library, 1976. Accessed July 21, 2019. "David Ackroyd Personal Life: Born in East Orange, N.J., David's family (of Irish-English background) moved to Wayne, N.J., when he was 12." John Amos (1939–2024), actorvia Associated Press. "'Roots' Lead Man Waiting For Windfall", Ocala Star-Banner, February 14, 1977. Accessed November 23, 2024. "Amos, born in Newark, raised in East Orange, N.J., once tried to be a pro football player." S. H. Barnett (1908–1988), screenwriter, won an Academy Award in the category Best Original Screenplay for the 1964 film Father GooseFolkart, Burt A. "Obituaries : Sanford Barnett, 79; Writer Won Oscar", Los Angeles Times, April 16, 1988. Accessed December 4, 2024. "In an obituary he prepared himself, Barnett noted that he had been born in East Orange, N.J., and was--over the years--an errand boy at radio stations, a newspaper reporter who contributed sketches to the Rudy Vallee radio show, and a writer for the old Believe It or Not radio series." Betty Bronson (1906–1971), television and film actress, began her career during the silent film eraHanson, Bruce K. Peter Pan on Stage and Screen, 1904–2010, 2d ed., p. 127. McFarland & Company, 2011. . Accessed November 6, 2017. "Born Elizabeth Ada Bronson in Trenton, New Jersey, on November 17, 1907, she left East Orange High School and convinced her parents to let her move to California to aid her career in films." Frank E. Butler (1852–1926), marksman who performed in Wild West variety shows, lived at 22 Eppirt Street between 1905 and 1908Kasper, Shirl. Annie Oakley, p. 189. (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1992). . Accessed October 9, 2013. Kerri Chandler (born 1969), deep house DJ and producerMatos, Michaelangelo. "Kerri Chandler spins a little bit—OK, a lot—of jazz in this week’s recommended mix", City Pages, November 30, 2017. Accessed August 24, 2018. "Kerri Chandler knows a thing or two about slipping between and tying together musical worlds. Before his career as a deep-house producer took off, the East Orange, New Jersey-bred Chandler made hip-hop beats, working with future major-label rapper Chino XL." Bill Chinnock (1947–2007), singer-songwriter and guitarist; part of the Asbury Park music scene with Bruce Springsteen in the late 1960sLustig, Jay. "Bill Chinnock tribute hits the Stone Pony on Saturday", The Star-Ledger, March 26, 2010. Accessed September 24, 2013. "Chinnock was born in Newark and spent most of his childhood in Millburn and East Orange." Chino XL (1974–2024), hip-hop lyricistPareles, Jon. "Shooting for Excess", The New York Times, September 9, 1996. Accessed January 23, 2011. "Sharing the bill was Chino XL, a fast-talking rapper from East Orange, NJ, who respects no one." Robyn Crawford (born 1960), author, producer; former assistant to and creative director for Whitney HoustonDavis, Arianna. "Robyn Crawford Opens up to Lena Waithe About Her Relationship With Whitney Houston", Oprah Daily, November 12, 2019. Accessed September 5, 2025. "Crawford grew up in East Orange, New Jersey, one of three siblings, the daughter of a single mother who left her husband after years of abuse." Frances Day (1907–1984), actress, cabaret singer, and television celebrityMusel, Robert. "Frances Day Gets Shaw Play Lead; Actress Jumps From Tex Guinan To World Premiere For G.B.S.", Windsor Star, July 25, 1949. Accessed September 6, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Back in the days when speakeasy and night club were synonyms, a cute little blonde crossed the Hudson River from East Orange, N.J., and got herself a job with the late Tex Guinan." DJ Kay Gee, member of Naughty by NatureNorris, Chris. "Pop Goes the Ghetto", New York, June 19, 1995. Accessed September 11, 2011. "Treach – Naughty's machete-wielding, padlock-and-chain-wearing lead rapper – was drawing lines in his lyrics between Them and Us, set in a musical backdrop that erased them. And with that – and two more giant-selling singles – three kids from the slums of East Orange, New Jersey, became a pop band." Philip Egner (1870–1956), director of the West Point Band and composer of the West Point fight song "On, Brave Old Army Team"Staff. "Mattituck", The Long Island Traveler Mattituck Watchman, June 21, 1945. Accessed May 14, 2016. "Captain and Mrs. Philip Egner of East Orange, N. J., have been guests at the home of their cousin, Mrs. Alvah S. Mulford, on the Main Road. Capt. Egner, before retiring, was at West Point twenty-five years."