By Sharon Oliver
Contributing Writer
NEWTON – There is no question that an enormous number of notable people were born, raised and attended school in the Commonwealth. If there is one high school (among many, of course) that has had an extraordinary amount of talent roam through its halls it’s Newton North High School and Newton South as well. Some notable Newton North High School graduates include actor Robert Morse (1949), NASCAR driver and 1970 Daytona 500 winner Pete Hamilton (1960), and New Edition member Ronnie Devoe (1986).
Remarkably, the Gen Xers in Newton North’s Class of 1985 produced a couple of nationally known faces along with an MIT engineer and founder of a research organization, just to name a few.
Matt Leblanc
Before he became a household name as the good-natured Joey Tribbiani on the 62 Primetime Emmy Awards nominated sitcom “Friends,” Matt Leblanc got his start appearing in a 1987 Heinz Tomato Ketchup commercial. The following year, he starred in the television drama “TV 101,” which only lasted for one season. In 1991, Leblanc had a recurring role as Vinnie Verducci in the sitcom “Married…with Children.”
Photo/Wikimedia Commons
His biggest break came in 1994 when he joined an ensemble cast that included Jennifer Anniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry (also a Massachusetts native) for the groundbreaking sitcom “Friends.”
Louis C. K.
Fellow Newton North ’85 graduate Louis C. K. worked as an auto mechanic and at a public access TV cable station in Boston after receiving his high school diploma. Nevertheless, watching bad television shows inspired him to work in the television industry. He began writing for comedians Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, Dana Carvey, Chris Rock and “Saturday Night Live” in the 1990s. C.K. would go on to do stand-up himself, releasing nine comedy albums and starring in his own specials such as “Shameless” (2007), “Chewed Up” (2008), “Hilarious” (2010), and “Oh My God” (2013).
Photo/Wikimedia Commons
The actor and filmmaker also starred in the FX’s series “Louie” along with other television series and films performing voiceovers, winning six Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards, three Critics’ Choice Awards, three Peabody Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award and nominations for two Golden Globe Awards along the way.
James Heywood
James Heywood may not be a household name, but his achievements are nothing to yawn about. The MIT engineer founded the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) with his family after his brother Stephen was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in December 1998 at age 29. Stephen was a builder and self-taught architect who specialized in the renovation of old houses. James, brother Ben and longtime friend Jeff Cole also formed PatientsLikeMe, a disease-specific community that allows dialogue between patients on how to improve care and accelerate research. Unfortunately, Stephen passed away in 2006, but James and Ben Heywood continue their fight to advance ALS therapies.
Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan, host of the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, also graduated in 1985 but received his cap and gown at Newton South High School. In 2017 and 2018, the podcast was Apple’s second-most-downloaded podcast and consistently ranks among the top podcasts globally, pulling in millions of listeners. Rogan also spent 30 years as a stand-up comedian and turned his gift of gab into an empire with political force. He has appeared on several television shows like “Chappelle’s Show,” “MADtv,” “NewsRadio,” and “Last Comic Standing.”
Photo/Wikimedia Commons/Steve Crowder
Receiving honorary mention are “The Office” actor John Kransinski and actor and filmmaker Eli Roth – “Cabin Fever” (2002) and “Hostel” (2005) –who also graduated from Newton South High School.
Both Newton high schools’ talent pool consists of graduates who also went on to become Nobel Prize winners, professional athletes, musicians, and a Massachusetts congressman.
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