Stars That Were Born in New Bedford [PHIL-OSOPHY]

"The new police recruits. Call them slobs. Call them jerks. Call them gross. Just don't call them when you're in trouble."

The 1984 comedy Police Academy gave birth to six sequels. I say gave birth because actor Andrew Rubin, who played Cadet George Martin, was born in New Bedford. Rumor has it that he'd write and perform sketches at the Jewish Community Center. Rubin graduated from New Bedford High School, winning a college acting scholarship.

All right, you're unmoved. If you're a fan of As The World Turns, did you know that Michael Champagne (Stone Pillow in 1985) was born here, too? I can see I'm dealing with a hard-hearted crowd here.

We're aware of legendary actress and dancer Carol Haney hailing from New Bedford and another proud graduate of NBHS, but it so happens that I discovered five or five dozen well known actors and celebs who were born right here in the city known for Down to the Sea in Ships and Moby-Dick. 

Let me challenge your grey matter with actor Ken Waters (Collateral) who attended Holy Family Holy Name and Bishop Stang, or from Hawaii Five-O, John Alexis Howard. There's Dave Baez from the TV series Dexter, and Ezra Stone, actor, producer, writer, teacher, lecturer who'll be forever known for his portrayal of Henry Aldrich on national radio and on stage. Did you like Wayne Fontes in Jerry Maguire or Jose Andrews in Crocodile Dundee II, Sleep with a Vampire and The Equalizer? All born in New Bedford.

Marc Valois is very well known for his work as an editor on Dark Assassin, The Perfect Gooseys and Advice and Dissent. And if you still need a boost of adrenaline, go to YouTube and pull up Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau presenting New Bedford's Brian Helgeland, North End boy, ex-scallop fisherman and 1983 UMass Dartmouth grad, and Curtis Hanson with the Oscar for Writing a Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published, for L.A. Confidential at the 70th Academy Awards in 1997.

Just thought you'd enjoy learning about some VIPs from New Bedford. I have another 45 more or so to share with you soon.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.