The hamlet of Plainview has produced a remarkable range of notable individuals across entertainment, sports, government and the arts. From Grammy-nominated musicians and acclaimed actors to government officials and athletes, the community’s contributions span decades and disciplines.
Entertainment Industry Luminaries
Chuck Lorre, one of television’s most successful producers, graduated from Plainview-Old Bethpage High School in 1970. Known for his work on “The Big Bang Theory,” “Two and a Half Men” and “Young Sheldon,”
Diane Franklin, a 1980 graduate of the same school, gained fame in the 1980s for her roles in “Better Off Dead” and “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” Another notable alumna is Danielle Harris, a modern “scream queen” known for her performances in the Halloween horror franchise.
John Savage, born John Youngs, graduated in 1967 and starred in critically acclaimed films such as “The Deer Hunter” and “Hair.” Terry Finn, who lived in Plainview from 1955 to 1974, originated the role of Gussie Carnegie in the Stephen Sondheim musical “Merrily We Roll Along.”
Musicians from Plainview include Hoodie Allen, a professional rapper who graduated in 2006 and Frank London, a composer and member of the Klezmatics. Bruce Berman, who has established himself as a film and television composer and country singer Lisa Matassa, known for pioneering “Long Island Country,” also hail from the area.
Actor Harrison Chad, Class of 2010, gained early recognition as the voice of Boots the Monkey on “Dora the Explorer” and appeared on Broadway in “Caroline or Change.” Zachary Kutin, also raised in Plainview, has acting credits to his name, while Robert Longo, a graduate of the Class of 1970, is known internationally as a painter and sculptor.
Writers, Composers and Creatives
Philip Plotch, an author and professor, graduated in 1979, while Bruce Sussman, a songwriter and librettist, spent his formative years in Plainview, attending several local schools.
Composer Jack Gallagher, a 1965 graduate, has had his music recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra, adding another distinguished name to the town’s cultural legacy.
Sports and Athletic Achievement
Jessica Brungo played in the WNBA for the Connecticut Sun and Maxwell Jacob Friedman is a current professional wrestler and former AEW World Champion.
Brad Greenberg, Class of 1972 and Seth Greenberg, Class of 1974, both became NCAA Division I basketball head coaches, with Brad coaching at Radford University and Seth at Virginia Tech. Marc Iavaroni, Class of 1974, served as an assistant coach in the NBA, including a tenure with the Toronto Raptors.
Noah Millman, a welterweight boxer, also graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. Scott Ullger was a longtime coach and instructor for the Minnesota Twins of MLB.
Public Service and Government
Danny Werfel, a 1989 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, is the current commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. LeRoy Homer Jr., first officer on United Airlines Flight 93 during the September 11 attacks, was also from Plainview.
Jeffrey Miller, a Plainview native, was one of the four students killed in the Kent State shootings in 1970. A widely recognized photograph of his death became an iconic image of the era’s antiwar movement.
Charles W. Shea, a World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, also lived in the area. Shea’s gallantry during the war included single-handedly eliminating multiple enemy gun positions while capturing several prisoners during a mission in Italy.
Media, Academia and Business
Robin Young, a 1968 graduate, is a prominent radio and television personality.
Balaji Srinivasan, an influential entrepreneur and investor known for his roles in the tech industry, also has ties to Plainview. Comedian Aaron Karo, a 1997 graduate, rose to prominence with his observational humor and authored several books.
Lois Feinstein made her mark in television history by appearing on the premiere episode of “Jeopardy!” with Alex Trebek on Sept. 10, 1984.
