Syracuse’s Most Famous

Posted by: pllanathresh on: March 5, 2010

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What does Tom Cruise, Richard Gere, Rod Serling, Samuel Bayer, “The Wizard of Oz,” “SpongeBob” and Siobhan Fallon have in common? They or their creators were born or grew up in the city of Syracuse, N.Y.

Arguably, the most successful person born on July 3, 1962 in Syracuse is Tom Cruise. Playing lead roles in movies like “Risky Business,” “Top Gun,” the “Mission Impossible” films, “Jerry McGuire” and “A Few Good Men,” Cruise has one of the most well-known names in Hollywood today.

While Cruise was born in the city, Richard Gere was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on Aug. 31, 1949, but grew up in North Syracuse. He graduated from North Syracuse High School in 1967. Gere is best known for his characters in the films, “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Pretty Woman,” “Primal Fear,” “Runaway Bride” and “Chicago.”

Does “The Twilight Zone” ring a bell? Rod Serling, was the screenwriter and producer of CBS’ popular in the 1950s. After being born on Dec. 25, 1924 in Syracuse, Serling moved to Binghamton, N.Y. where he graduated high school and pursued his TV career. While Syracuse birthed the great creator of “The Twilight Zone” and winner of six Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe award, among others, ironically, Serling died on June 28, 1975 in Rochester, N.Y.

Directing music videos for some of the most popular bands in America, Samuel Bayer is among the list of successful people to come from Syracuse. Born on Feb. 17, 1962 in the city, Bayer went on to direct hundreds of music videos and commercials in 15 years. Some famous music artists Bayer has worked with to produce videos are, Metallica, Green Day, Blink 182, The Offspring, David Bowie, Poison, The Cranberries, Sheryl Crow and The Smashing Pumpkins.

The 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz,” was one of the best known films of all-time. It was based on the novel, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” which was written by L. Frank Baum. Baum was born on May 15, 1856 in Chittenango, N.Y. (a suburb of Syracuse). The small town puts on a celebration honoring Baum and the film every June that is called Oz-Stravaganza.

“Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants.” The voice of the Nickelodeon TV star, SpongeBob, was born on July 13, 1962 and spent his childhood in East Syracuse. Tom Kenny liked comics and drawing cartoons as a kid, so it makes sense he took a career being the voice in a cartoon TV show.

Born on May 13, 1961 in Syracuse, Siobhan Fallon may be a lesser known name in the acting business, but she has had small roles in many popular films. Fallon acted in films, such as, “Forrest Gump,” “Holes,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Fools Rush In” and “Baby Mama.”

Syracuse has produced and taught great actors and successful people in the Hollywood world since the 1800s and will continue to educate the great minds of future famous Syracusans.

Next week’s battle: Which city has the best places to shop?