In our sixth installment of Famous Brooklynites, we look at the celebs who have once called Kings County home. (The list is probably longer than you think!) The latest additions include Jerry Seinfeld, Mary Tyler Moore, Scott Baio, Mos Def, Jessica Walter, and Larry David. Keep reading for details on all six celebs.
Mos Def was born Dante Terrell Smith in Bedford Stuyvesant, the eldest of 12 children and step-children. He first picked up a love of acting at the Philippa Schuyler Middle School 383 in Bushwick and eventually dropped out of high school to work as an actor in both Los Angeles and New York.
New York City remained a great inspiration to Mos Def after he got into music. On his album Black on Both Sides there’s a song called “Brooklyn,” which is dedicated to Mos’ hometown of Bed-Stuy.
Rock the Bells photo courtesy of choco via Flickr.
The Seinfeld fan tour at iconic Tom’s Restaurant | Luna Junkie via Flickr
Jerry Seinfeld
One of the most iconic Upper West Side residents was born in Brooklyn. He was born in the borough in 1954 to Kalman Seinfeld, a signmaker, and his wife, Betty. However, the Seinfeld family moved to Long Island when Jerry was only two, and he spent much of his childhood there. Seinfeld now lives in Manhattan, but can be spotted at the occasional Brooklyn Nets game.
Jessica Walter and fellow Archer stars at New York Comic Con | Edward Liu via Flickr
Jessica Walter
These days, Jessica Walter is best known for playing Lucille Bluth in the popular comedy Arrested Development. But she has a long career in acting, especially on Broadway. Walter was born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens before heading off to Manhattan’s High School of the Performing Arts. Brokelyn even ran a tribute to the actress and her Brooklyn roots.
Larry David on The set of Curb Your Enthusiasm in NYC | Sean Ganann via Flickr
Larry David
Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld’s famous partner in comedy, was born in 1947 in Sheepshead Bay to a Jewish family. (His childhood address: 3655 Shore Parkway.) He attended Sheepshead Bay High School before leaving for the University of Maryland, then came back to New York City to pursue his comedy career. In this entertaining New Yorker article, he visits his childhood home to see what’s changed.
Mary Tyler Moore at Broadway Barks | Ed and Eddie via Flickr
Mary Tyler Moore
Mary Tyler Moore was born in Brooklyn Heights as the oldest of three children. Soon after her birth, her family moved to Flushing, Queens, and she was only 8 when the family made another move to Los Angeles. She started appearing in commercials there when she was still a teenager.
Scott Baio | via Decider
Scott Baio
Scott Baio was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to an Italian family. (The neighborhood, historically, is home to a large Italian-American population.) He attended Xaverian High School in the neighborhood before going on to play the title character of Bugsy Malone, Baio’s first big break. Fun fact: Baio and Jessica Walter worked together on Arrested Development.
For more on Famous Brooklyn, check out our articles: Five famous and historic Brooklyn stoops, Famous Brooklyn movie locations, Famous Brooklynites part 1, Famous Brooklynites part 2, Famous Brooklynites part 3, and Famous Brooklynites part 4, and Famous Brooklynites part 5.