Hofstra University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Hofstra University, ranked 403rd globally and 147th in the United States for alumni prominence, boasts a diverse and accomplished network of graduates who have made significant contributions across various fields. This article explores the remarkable achievements of some of Hofstra's most notable alumni, highlighting their impact on the world.

Arts and Entertainment

Hofstra University has a strong presence in the arts and entertainment industry, with alumni achieving success as actors, directors, writers, and musicians.

Film and Television

Francis Ford Coppola, a towering figure of New Hollywood, stands as one of cinema's most influential directors. His illustrious career has garnered him five Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, two Palmes d'Or, and a BAFTA Award, solidifying his place among the greatest filmmakers.

Christopher Walken, an American actor, has earned numerous accolades for his diverse work on stage and screen, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. His films have grossed more than $1.6 billion in the United States alone.

James Caan, known for his role as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather (1972), received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor. He was honored with a motion-picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978.

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Madeline Kahn, a celebrated actress, comedian, and singer, gained recognition for her comedic roles in films directed by Peter Bogdanovich and Mel Brooks. She received Academy Award nominations for her performances in Paper Moon (1973) and Blazing Saddles (1974).

Rosemarie DeWitt has starred in television series such as Standoff (2006-07) and United States of Tara. She garnered awards for her role in Rachel Getting Married (2008) and appeared in the Oscar-winning movie La La Land.

Robert Davi, an actor, singer, and filmmaker, has appeared in over 130 films, including The Goonies (1985), Die Hard (1988), Licence to Kill (1989), and Predator 2 (1990). On television, he starred in the NBC series Profiler (1996-2000).

Lainie Kazan, an actress and singer, received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for St. Elsewhere and a Tony Award nomination for My Favorite Year. She is known for her role as Maria Portokalos in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise.

Philip Rosenthal, a television writer and producer, is the creator, writer, and executive producer of the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005). He has also presented food and travel documentaries on PBS and Netflix.

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Joe Morton, a stage, television, and film actor, has worked with director John Sayles in The Brother from Another Planet (1984), City of Hope (1991), and Lone Star (1996). He has also appeared in films such as Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and Justice League (2017).

Susan Sullivan, an actress, is known for her roles in Another World (1971-76), Falcon Crest (1981-90), Dharma & Greg (1997-2002), and Castle (2009-2016). She received an Emmy nomination for Julie Farr, M.D. (1978) and a Golden Globe nomination for Dharma & Greg.

Margaret Colin, an American actress, is known for her roles as Constance Spano in Independence Day, Margo Hughes on As the World Turns and as Eleanor Waldorf-Rose on Gossip Girl.

Mike Starr, a character actor, has appeared in films such as Goodfellas, Dumb and Dumber, and Billy Bathgate. He was a regular cast member on The Young and the Restless and Ed.

Elizabeth Dennehy has appeared in television series such as Guiding Light, Seinfeld, Charmed, and Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as films such as Clear and Present Danger and Red Dragon.

Peter Friedman is an American stage, film, and television actor. He earned a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical nomination for his role as Tateh in Ragtime (1998).

Olivia Longott, known professionally as Olivia, is an American R&B singer and television personality, best known for her work with the hip hop group G-Unit and as a cast member on Love & Hip Hop: New York.

Carol Alt is an American model and actress.

Media and Journalism

Jonathan Cheban, also known as Foodgod, is a reality television personality, entrepreneur, and former publicist. He has appeared on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its spinoffs.

Katie Nolan is an American sports media personality and host. She has hosted shows on ESPN2 and Fox Sports and won a Sports Emmy Award in 2016.

Alan Colmes was a radio and television host, liberal political commentator for Fox News Channel, and blogger.

Pamela Geller is an American anti-Muslim, far-right political activist, blogger, and commentator.

Behind the Scenes

Avi Arad, an Israeli-American studio executive and producer, was the CEO of Toy Biz and chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment. He has produced numerous live-action, animated, and television comic book adaptations.

Heather Cohen is president of The Weiss Agency, a broadcast talent agency.

Christine Lubrano is senior vice president for creative writing operations at WWE.

Kieran Valla is a co-creator of Little Demon, an animated horror comedy series.

Steve Rubel is executive vice president, media insights and strategy for Edelman.

Sports

Hofstra University has produced a number of notable athletes who have excelled in various sports.

Chris Weidman is a professional mixed martial artist and former UFC Middleweight Champion.

Jon Cooper is the head coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Cooper won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021.

Devale Ellis is an actor and former American football wide receiver.

Politics and Law

Hofstra University has a strong tradition of producing leaders in politics and law.

Maryanne Trump Barry, an attorney and United States federal judge, was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit by President Bill Clinton in 1999.

David Paterson served as the 55th governor of New York from 2008 to 2010, becoming the first African-American governor of New York.

Mary Matalin is a political consultant who has worked with the Republican Party. She served under President Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

Norm Coleman served as a United States Senator for Minnesota from 2003 to 2009 and as mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, from 1994 to 2002.

Other Fields

Hofstra University alumni have also made significant contributions in other fields, including:

Michael Franzese, a former mobster, was a caporegime in the Colombo crime family. He later became a motivational speaker and writer.

Meredith Eaton, an actress, is known for portraying the attorney Emily Resnick on the CBS television series Family Law.

Nelson DeMille is an author of action adventure and suspense novels.

Recent Graduates Making Waves

The tradition of excellence continues with recent Hofstra graduates making their mark in the media industry:

Alexis Sansone '16: VFX supervisor for Phosphene VFX in NYC.
Ryan Smith '05: Documentary filmmaker and producer/editor at NFL Network and Amazon Thursday Night Football.
Adrian Saba '10: Peruvian-Spanish film director and screenwriter.
Ali Lanyon '00: Morning anchor at abc27 in Harrisburg, PA, and journalism instructor at Elizabethtown College.
Katerina Belales '21: Anchor and senior multimedia journalist for News 12 Westchester/Hudson Valley.
Briana Smith '16, '17: General assignment reporter for 6 ABC, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, PA.
Scott Ahahoni '16: Director of Leylak, which won the Special Jury Prize at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival.
Kristen V. Carter '06: Showrunner and executive producer of a documentary series for OWN/Discovery+.
Matt Pieper '05: Emmy Award-winning news anchor/reporter.
Samantha Manning '09: Joined KIRO 7/Cox Media Group's Washington D.C. bureau.
David Goldberg '89: President and CVO of Digital Waterworx.
Shannon Nia Alomar '15: Kindergarten science teacher at Neighborhood Science Charter Schools.
Michael Notarile '07: TV writer and producer on Fox's The Cleaning Lady.
Amanda Kenney '09: Public relations and editorial specialist for Eddy Alexander.
Leah Williams '10: Writer for Marvel Comics and BOOM! Studios.
Max Knoblauch '14: Writer for Sherwood Media.
Jillian E. Jeff Billings '08: Los Angeles-based director of photography.
Sidney Madden '14: Reporter and editor for NPR Music.
Brit DeLillo '10: First assistant editor at Marvel Studios.
James Cohen, PhD, '04, '10: Assistant professor in the Media Studies program at CUNY Queens College.
Priti Malik '07: News presenter for Virgin Radio in Dubai.
Cameron Kadison '03: Founding partner of Mortar Media.
Sarabeth Ackerman '12: Emmy Award-winning morning news anchor at NBC5 Burlington, Vermont.
Marcus Vanderberg '08: Deputy editor, Combat Sports, at ESPN in Los Angeles, CA.
Janeita Bellamy '08: Senior creative producer for Prime Video and Amazon Studios.
Jordan M. Thompson '09, 12 JD: Associate with Davis & Gilbert LLP.
Jennifer Joas '10: Reporter for NBC Connecticut.
Maryann Watson '00: Vice president for client success at Maven Clinic.
Jacqueline Hlavenka-Sansone '09: Lead communications consultant - Northeast Region at Wells Fargo.
Kenny Porpora '08: Author of The Autumn Balloon.
Liana Satenstein '12: Senior fashion writer for Vogue.com.
Michael Sorrentino '05: President of Sorrentino Media, LLC.

Business and Leadership

Hofstra's business programs have also fostered successful leaders and entrepreneurs:

Avi Arad, B.B.A.
Charles Kushner, J.D.
Ralph S. Larsen, B.B.A.
Bernie Madoff, B.S.
Kathryn V. Marinello, M.B.A.
James C. Metzger, B.A.
Scott Ross, B.S.
Steven C. Witkoff, B.A. 1980, J.D.

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