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We just might be a hotbed of TV talent

Posted by Matthew Gilbert June 23, 2009 10:47 AM

jayharrington.jpg

"Better Off Ted," a breezily ironic workplace comedy, returns for the summer tonight at 9:30, and ABC has already renewed it for next winter. And guess what: Jay Harrington (above), who plays Ted, is a local boy. He grew up in Wellesley, and summered on the Cape.

Hey, I think Massachusetts may be a hotbed of TV talent, in addition to having produced a few movie stars including Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck. We've bred Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”), John Krasinski, Steve Carell, B.J. Novak, and Mindy Kaling (“The Office”), Eric Mabius (“Ugly Betty”), Denis Leary (“Rescue Me”), Ellen Pompeo (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Jeffrey Donovan (“Burn Notice”), Eliza Dushku (“Dollhouse”) and Tom Everett Scott (“Southland”).

Any others come to mind?

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56 comments so far...

  1. Casey Affleck, Elizabeth Banks, Kate Bosworth, Michael Chiklis, Dane Cook, Geena Davis, Rachel Dratch, Eliza Dushku, Lisa Edelstein, Chris Evans, Anthony Michael Hall, Matt LeBlanc, Bridget Moynahan, Leonard Nimoy, Edward Norton, Adrian Pasdar, Matthew Perry, Joe Rogan, Kurt Russell, Tom Everett Scott, James Spader, Uma Thurman, and Donnie Wahlberg.

    Posted by TVGuy June 23, 09 11:09 AM

  1. The Better Off Ted character looks strkingly like a guy I work with but the last name doesn't match so I won't ask if they are related.

    Interesting to know.

    Yeah Matt LeBlanc(FRIENDS) attended my college. Years before I arrived there.

    Posted by Andy June 23, 09 11:25 AM

  1. Monique Gabriela Curnen, Det. Allison Beaumont from "The Unusuals," cited in Sunday's "Renew these characters" story as one to bring back. She's from Framingham.

    Posted by tom June 23, 09 11:25 AM

  1. I believe Marcia Cross(Desperate Housewives) is a native of the Bay State too.

    Posted by Andy June 23, 09 11:26 AM

  1. Maura Tierney!

    Posted by tracey June 23, 09 11:26 AM

  1. Penn Jillette, as well.

    Glad you mentioned Elizabeth Banks--most Globe readers have no idea where Pittsfield (or any place in Berkshire County) is, even if they're lifelong MA residents.

    Posted by RJ June 23, 09 11:27 AM

  1. Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien.

    Posted by JOW June 23, 09 11:29 AM

  1. Julianne Nicholson of Law and Order:CI - born and raised in Medford.

    Posted by Legally Brunette June 23, 09 11:33 AM

  1. Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien. Pretty long list.

    Posted by burbsbedamned June 23, 09 11:35 AM

  1. Timothy Hutton is from Arlington

    Posted by Cbass June 23, 09 11:39 AM

  1. how bout Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien as well

    Posted by Bill June 23, 09 11:40 AM

  1. DOnt forget Kathryn Erbe, from law and order

    Posted by Darren June 23, 09 11:48 AM

  1. Sprauge Grayden (Daughter of the president on 24) and Josh Gates of Destination Truth are both from Manchester

    Posted by Robert June 23, 09 11:48 AM

  1. I dont feel like checking all the names that TVGuy listed but just off the top of my head I know that Edward Norton definitely should not be included with this group - despite the fact that he was BORN in Boston - he grew up in MD. (the fact that he is a die-hard O's found should exclude him alone)

    Also, has anyone mentioned Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien yet?

    Posted by stevie June 23, 09 11:56 AM

  1. ED MCMAHON (LOWELL) R.I.P.

    Posted by FFED June 23, 09 11:59 AM

  1. Howard Stern & Fred Smerlas !

    Posted by Swede June 23, 09 12:00 PM

  1. Ed McMahon. RIP

    Posted by Tom in Boston June 23, 09 12:05 PM

  1. Paul Guilfoyle -Captain Jim Brass on CSI is a local boy who went to BC High

    Posted by Richard June 23, 09 12:12 PM

  1. Amy Jo Johnson (from the Cape), Christine Elise (McCarthy, from Roslindale & JP). Christine went to the Mozart with my sister, Las Vegas comedian Cathe Jones.

    Posted by C Boudreau June 23, 09 12:22 PM

  1. Let us also not forget the up and coming Bo Burnham!

    Posted by Pete June 23, 09 12:22 PM

  1. Kate Bosworth was born in California I believe, but was raised in Cohassett, MA.

    Posted by Brian June 23, 09 12:31 PM

  1. Mike O'Malley (Boston, Massachusetts), Liza Snyder (Northampton, Massachusetts) Jean Louisa Kelly (Worcester, Massachusetts) & Anthony Clark (went to Emerson College and did comedy in Boston) of Yes, Dear. Lenny Clarke of Rescue Me is from Boston. Also Wrestler/Actor, John Cena is from West Newbury, Massachusetts.

    Posted by Anon June 23, 09 12:36 PM

  1. Howard Stern went to college in New England, he wasn't born or raised here.

    Posted by Redinboston June 23, 09 12:37 PM

  1. Callie Thorne, of Rescue Me, is from Sudbury
    Nancy (Walls) Carrell, of The Office and 40-Year-Old Virgin, is from Cohasset
    Matt LeBlanc is a Newton boy, but Matthew Perry was raised in Canada (despite being born in Western Mass).
    How about Jane Curtin, Tammy Grimes, Paul Michael Glaser and Olympica Dukakis?

    Posted by Dalton Jones June 23, 09 12:53 PM

  1. David E. Kelley, though not an actor, is a television success and is from Belmont.

    Posted by Jetta June 23, 09 12:54 PM

  1. This was about TV talent. Actors like the Affleck's, Kurt Russell and Edward Norton are more movie than TV. Howard Stern and Fred Smerlas while they occasionally show up on TV are primarily radio personalities.

    Posted by fifity8th June 23, 09 12:54 PM

  1. Shawn Tempesta of the Rhode Show.

    Posted by Eric June 23, 09 01:03 PM

  1. Jack Lemmon was born in an elevator at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

    Posted by Damian June 23, 09 01:10 PM

  1. And Ed McMahon...may he rest in peace! Lowell boy.

    Posted by Massachusetts June 23, 09 01:16 PM

  1. James Spader is from Andover

    Posted by jenn June 23, 09 01:18 PM

  1. Maria Menounos....MEDFA, MA

    Posted by Massachusetts June 23, 09 01:21 PM

  1. Bette Davis, born in Lowell, MA

    Posted by Massachusetts June 23, 09 01:23 PM

  1. Eric Bogosian of Woburn, Oberlin College and Law & Order CI

    Posted by cph June 23, 09 01:23 PM

  1. Scott Grimes, (ER, Party of Five, Band of Brothers) is from Lowell.

    Posted by Rosie June 23, 09 01:24 PM

  1. Hot bed? I'm not sure about that if you compare Massachusetts to New York or California. Though, it has had its share.

    Betty Davis (Lowell) , Jane Curtin (Cambridge), Neal McDonough (Desperate Housewives, Dorchester), Jere Burns (TV Actor, Cambridge), Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky and Hutch, Cambridge), Scott Grimes (ER, Lowell), Olympia Dukakas (movie actress, Lowell), Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek, Boston), Mario Cantone (Sex and the City, Boston)

    Posted by Jim June 23, 09 01:25 PM

  1. In a word, "NO."

    Posted by Jack Higgins June 23, 09 01:34 PM

  1. "Grandpa Joe" Jack Albertson from the original Willy Wonka movie was born in Malden.

    Posted by kdilkington June 23, 09 01:36 PM

  1. Joe Czick is the guy in the new Showtime show Nurse Jackie, i think hes from just outside boston.

    Posted by Pedro June 23, 09 01:43 PM

  1. Steve DeOssie, Emerill Lagasse & Fred Smerlas........

    Posted by takjon June 23, 09 01:46 PM

  1. Sid & Marty Kroft born in Quincy.......

    Posted by level June 23, 09 01:48 PM

  1. Not to spoil the fun, I wouldn't be surprised if every state (even Alaska) has a similar long list of home-grownTV stars.

    Posted by noopc June 23, 09 01:51 PM

  1. David Morse (Hamilton)

    Posted by david June 23, 09 02:02 PM

  1. dane cook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELLO!!!

    arlington, ma

    Posted by sufi June 23, 09 02:18 PM

  1. Uma Thurman grew up in Amherst

    Posted by Shane June 23, 09 02:29 PM

  1. Walter Brennan, three-time Oscar winner, was born in Lynn and attended Rindge Tech H.S.

    Posted by Jim Nagle June 23, 09 02:39 PM

  1. Hope Brady? (real name????) and Gina Davis right?

    Posted by Me June 23, 09 02:51 PM

  1. Actor Jonathan Togo from the series CSI: Miami is from Rockland High School Class of 1995

    Posted by GG June 23, 09 03:05 PM

  1. Tom Bergeron, John Cena and Bill Hammond from Haverhill, MA

    Posted by kickboxxer2001 June 23, 09 03:23 PM

  1. Eddie Mekka, Carmine on Laverne and Shirley, is from Worcester.

    Posted by Kevin lindquist June 23, 09 03:24 PM

  1. JoJo

    Posted by Rusell B June 23, 09 03:27 PM

  1. STEPHANIE LEMELIN FROM PEABODY!!!!!! (Cavemen, Rules of Engagement, CSI, about 100 tv pilots!!!)

    Posted by AJAY June 23, 09 09:33 PM

  1. Stephanie Lemelin (Reggie's daughter) is a rising actress from Peabody, MA. She's been on a bunch of TV shows, quite a few movies...

    Posted by Shiny Moon June 23, 09 09:40 PM

  1. Jennifer Coolidge (aka Stiffler's mom!) is from Norwell.

    Posted by Jen June 23, 09 10:38 PM

  1. Meg from the upcoming MTV "Making His Band" grew up with Stephanie Lemelin in Peabody and Lynnfield, MA.

    Posted by M June 24, 09 01:07 PM

  1. Stephanie Lemelin was also in "Anonymous Rex", Rules of Engagement", "Run of the House", Malcolm in the Middle", "CSI Las Vegas", "The Mullets" and many many more to come. Keep your eye on her.

    Posted by Anorwoods June 25, 09 04:03 PM

  1. Nichole Hiltz ("In Plain Sight") is from Hanover.

    Posted by A fan June 26, 09 05:15 PM
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Matthew Gilbert is the Globe's TV critic.
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