25 Jersey girls in showbiz
South Jersey's SJ Magazine, in its May "Women's Issue," lists 40 "famous and fabulous" women from New Jersey.
No surprise that North Jersey dominates, producing the likes of Meryl Streep (Summit), Martha Stewart (Jersey City), Whitney Houston (Newark), Queen Latifah (Newark), Anne Hathaway (Milburn), Chelsea Handler (Livingston), Lauryn Hill (South Orange), Zoe Saldana (Passaic), Eva Marie Saint (Newark), Mira Sorvino (Tenafly) and Keshia Knight Pulliam (Newark).
But South and Central Jersey have a sizeable share:
CAMDEN COUNTY (South Jersey)
Kelly Ripa, who grew up in Gibbsboro, cohost of "LIVE! With Kelly and Michael."
Ali Larter, Cherry Hill, starred in NBC's "Heroes" and "Resident Evil" films.
Joanna Cassidy, Haddonfield, plays mom to main character Megan Hunt on ABC's "Body of Proof."
Tasha Smith, Camden, was Angela in two Tyler Perry films, a coach on "America's Next Top Model."
Brit Morgan, Marlton, has had roles in TV and film, including "True Blood" and "Two and a Half Men."
OCEAN COUNTY (Shore)
Kirsten Dunst, Point Pleasant, starred in several "Spiderman" flicks.
Tawny Cypress, Point Pleasant, NBC's "Heroes," 2011 film "Remains."
MONMOUTH COUNTY (Central Jersey / Shore)
Wendy Williams, Ocean Township, talk show host, former Philly radio DJ.
Melissa Rauch, Marlboro, Bernadette in CBS's "Big Bang Theory."
Ashley Tisdale, Deal, Disney's "Suite Life of Zack and Cody," "High School Musical," "Scary Movie 5."
MERCER COUNTY (Central)
Brooke Shields, Princeton grad who went to Englewood High, model, starred in film "Endless Love," TV's "Suddenly Susan."
Judith Light, Trenton, "Who's the Boss?" and TNT's "Dallas."
Bebe Neuwirth, Princeton, "Cheers," "Frasier," Broadway and Off-Broadway.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY (Central)
Susan Sarandon, Edison, "Thelma & Louise," "Bull Durham," "Dead Man Walking."