Sunday, December 19, 2010

The Bucket List's Top 5 Hoboken Resident Celebrities of 2010

Hoboken is not only a town of up and coming young professionals, ya know. This mile square town plays host to a handful of celebrities too. Like us, they too enjoy the solace of small town living, but enjoy the convenience of New York City's trendy traffic. According to thebokenonline.com, since the opening of the W residences, there have been rumors that LL Cool J, 50 Cent, and a handful of NFL players all shack up in pads with stellar skyline views!

I mean, Frank Sinatra's not the only one to bring Hoboken some hometown cool.


Fast Forward to 2010, we've come to see some great celebrity traffic ourselves, check out the Bucket List's Top 5 local Celebrities who make their presence known in the Hoboken community, sometimes in more bad ways than good.



Hear what these Hoboken locals have to say about living in Hoboken!


1. Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro

There hasn't been a character since Frank Sinatra himself to put Hoboken, New Jersey on the map quite like Buddy Valastro! This old-fashioned, Italian-American baker gives homage to his small town upbringing in Hoboken, New Jersey on his hit TLC show, Cake Boss. Carlo's Bakery has been family-owned in its prime 95 Washington Street location for the past 100 years. On any given day, at any odd hour, you can catch tourists and fans as they line up outside of the store to taste some his old-fashioned Italian baked goods. And, the only part of the family-run bakery that has demanded change during their 100 years in business is the impressive 10,000 square foot baking studio only a floor above the bakery, built to serve the demanding, ever-growing clientel, including Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus.



Last year, after much persistence, I had the opportunity to interview the family man about his unexpected fame and how he put Hoboken on the map.



Despite a hectic schedule since the show's premiere in 2008, the 32 year-old baker, always finds time to give back to his fans and his community. Buddy, in his signature white bakers coat, tells me, "I felt like it was my obligation to go out and greet those people in line. My dad taught me to always be true to who you are and make time for people. They waited on the line to see the bakery, to see me, so it's the least I could do."


Viewers watch every week as Buddy puts his skills, pricision and perfectionist touch to every project, especially in his work for Hoboken's social events, such as the inaugural cake he made for the inauguration for Hoboken's new mayor, Dawn Zimmer.


Buddy is humbled by his dedicated fans and commits to giving back to those who have made

him who he is today, America's Cake Boss. Now, when Buddy drives into Hoboken each day, the reflection of his hard work and dedication to his father's bakery are represented in the billboards on just about every street corner in Hoboken. Buddy smiles and says, "Hoboken's been great to me, seeing Hoboken love me back is just awesome."


2. Natalie Morales of the Today Show


Having recently woken up at 5a.m. to be at the set of ABC's Good Morning America last week, I'm taking the time to appreciate a woman who wakes up in the brisk hours of the early morning to get to the set of NBC's Today. As a National News Correspondant for the show, she's famous for covering the 2001 World Trade Center Attacks, the 2000 Presidential Election, and the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Recently, my good friend, and Hoboken local, Rory Chadwick,

caught up with the busy news correspondent to talk about living in

Hoboken.


On Hoboken dining: "My tops would be Cucharramama. I love the authenticity of the South American cuisine. I recently had my birthday dinner there and had an incredible appetizer to start which was a small pepper filled with sweet potato puree and topped with a Manchego Cheese sauce. Amazing. The Chef from Cucharramama recently cooked at the White House for the Obamas, that’s how good it is."


On Hoboken politics: "I’m disappointed, as so many in Hoboken are, over what has been one too many political disasters in town. It is infuriating as well to know our tax dollars are not being put to better use. I can’t believe there are not more schools and playgrounds being built as our town continues to bust at the seams."


On Hoboken living: "Running through town along Frank Sinatra Drive and hanging in Hoboken’s parks with my kids. We also enjoy “stooping” with the neighbors — meaning a glass of wine, the kids playing, and all of us hanging out on our stoops."


For the full interview with Rory, go to thebokenonline.com


3. NY Giants football star, Eli Manning


What makes more sense than to have a famous Giants football player living in a town composed of Giants fanatics? Eli Manning, brother of NFL

QB, Payton Manning, supposedly lives riverside in the Maxwell Place complex, however fans have rarely caught him on the streets. Despite his busy scheduling, he has been caught on camera at the bar scene, and like most men his age, he was caught with glazed-over eyes and a cute blonde back last year, typical! Well, although the 2008 MVP is often busy at work, you can always catch him on every screen at the bars during Sunday Football.







4. Comedian and Actor, Danny Aiello


Dany Aiello often frequents the upstairs lounge at Tutta Pasta, located at 200 Washington Street, with his outrageously funny comedy sketch routines. But, once upon a time this funny man had featured roles in some of the best movies of all time including Do the Right Thing, Moonstruck, and The Godfather Part II. So, this is one celebrity you can pay your way to see. For upcoming events at Danny Upstairs Lounge check out dannysupstairs.com
















5. The Howard Stern Show's, Artie Lange


Today, this satellite radio personality is known for bringing some of his improvisational comedy to the infamously raunchy

Howard Stern show. He was also part of the original Mad TV cast and known for his stand up shows around the country. But, on any given weeknight, he frequents Hoboken hotspots such as City Bistro, right down the street from his Hudson Tea Building

residence. Yet, locals have often caught the notoriously boozed up character in one of two compromising positions. Danny Aiello has often recruited the actor to appear in his comedy show at Tutta Pasta as well.


These resident celebrities have been spotted at some of the hottest nightlife spots, out

to decadent dinners, and out in Hoboken's parks. They know there's nothing better than taking in the New York Skyline from the Hudson River. And, after all, what's cooler than shacking up in Frank Sinatra's hometown?



1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the post! I was surprised and chuffed to learn that several of these celebs live in Hoboken -- although I have seen Danny Aiello dining al fresco at Tutta Pasta. Wonder if ex-Bachelor star, ex-Giant player and current NFL game announcer Jesse Palmer still lives in the Hudson Tea building. Oh, and my boyfriend recently spotted Real Housewife of New Jersey Danielle Staub strolling down Washington Street.

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