Westchester County is home to many notable names and familiar faces, whether on the basketball court, bookshelves, or TV screens. We talked with Barbara Davis, a Fox Lane alum who’s been the New Rochelle historian for 20 years, about some of the celebrated actresses and actors who graduated from Westchester high schools.
P.S. For those who are interested in more local history, Davis conducts a wide array of programs that dig into Westchester’s long, diverse past, including presentations on the “Leading Women and the Leading Men of Stage, Film, and Television.”
Susan Dey
Fox Lane High School, Bedford
Susan Dey graduated from Fox Lane High School in 1970. The actress is best known for her roles as Laurie Partridge on The Partridge Family from 1970 to 1974 and as Grace Van Owen on L.A. Law from 1986 to 1992. Before moving to Mount Kisco and attending Fox Lane, she attended Columbus Elementary School in Thornwood.
Kate and Rooney Mara
Fox Lane High School, Bedford
Kate and Rooney Mara were born in Bedford. Kate graduated from Fox Lane High School in 2002, while Rooney completed her education there in 2003. Kate graduated a year early and was accepted into the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University but deferred her slot to pursue acting. Kate is best known for her role as Zoe Brones on Netflix’s House of Cards, Shari Rothenberg on Fox’s 24, and Hayden McClaine on FX’s American Horror Story: Murder House, along with other starring roles. Rooney’s breakthrough role was Lisbeth Salander in the thriller The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, for which she earned the Academy Award for Best Actress. She also played a supporting role in The Social Network.
Vanessa Williams
Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua
Vanessa Williams is a longtime Chappaqua resident and graduated from Horace Greeley High School in 1981. Williams was the first African American recipient of the Miss America title in 1984. On the screen, Williams is known for her roles as Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty, Renee Perry on Desperate Housewives, and The Witch in a revival of Into the Woods. She made her Broadway debut in 1994 with Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Stanley Tucci
John Jay High School, Somers
The actor Stanley Tucci’s expansive career started when he was a student at John Jay High School. In high school, he was on the soccer and baseball team, although he was mainly interested in the school’s drama club. Tucci went on to graduate from SUNY Purchase in 1982 and made his Broadway debut that same year. He has earned six Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Tony Award. His debut film was Prizzi’s Honor in 1985. From there, he went on to star in films including The Devil Wears Prada, Julie & Julia, The Lovely Bones, Burlesque, Easy A, The Hunger Games, and plenty more.
Claire Trevor
Mamaroneck High School
The late Claire Trevor graduated from Mamaroneck High School after being raised in Larchmont from the age of 13. Throughout her career, Trevor appeared in 65 feature films between 1933 to 1982, won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Key Largo, and received nominations for The High and the Mighty and Dead End.
Richard Roundtree
New Rochelle High School
Dubbed by many as “the first Black action hero,” Richard Roundtree is best known for his role of private detective John Shaft in the film Shaft, which had four sequels. He was also famous for his roles in Roots, Generations, and Desperate Housewives. The actor graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1961. Roundtree passed away last year after a battle with breast and pancreatic cancer. The comedy drama Thelma was released this year, marking the last of Roundtree’s film appearances.
Peter Falk
Ossining High School
After graduating from Ossining High School in 1945, Peter Falk was extremely unsure about his career path and didn’t secure his first acting role until 1956. This role was for an off-Broadway production of Don Juan, which closed after its one and only performance. Later that year, the actor made his Broadway debut and continued pursuing his acting career in Albany. His breakout role was in Murder, Inc., a 1960 film. He later starred in films and shows including Columbo, Murder by Deaty, The Princess Bride, and Wings of Desire.
Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Rye High School
Kimberly Williams-Paisley grew up in Rye and graduated from Rye High School. The actress is known for her roles in Father of the Bride, According to Jim, Sister Swap, and The 10th Kingdom.
Related: Michael C. Williams Reflects on The Blair Witch Project
