Queen Latifah, Gov. Brendan Byrne announced as New Jersey Hall of Fame class of 2011 inductees

Other inductees include John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Leon Hess, and Mary Higgins Clark Watch video

TRENTON — One is a classic heartthrob whose gyrating hips, leather jacket and 1948 Ford convertible made preteens swoon in the 1970s.

Another weaved tales of deception, betrayal and suspense for millions of readers worldwide.

And another chose to return to the Pacific in 1945, even after his celebrated homecoming, where he was killed in the battle of Iwo Jima.

Actor John Travolta, author Mary Higgins Clark and World War II hero John Basilone were rarely linked — until Thursday, when they were named to the fourth class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Together, the 13 inductees announced Thursday have impressive credentials: military medals from both World Wars; six Super Bowl appearances; at least 16 Grammys, four Emmys and a Golden Globe award; dozens of best sellers. Some carved legends in music and business. One left his heart in San Francisco, one saw dead people and another taught America how to entertain.

All either hail from the Garden State or moved to New Jersey.

"I think the pride in New Jersey is deserved," said former Gov. Brendan Byrne, one of the inductees announced at the State Museum in Trenton. "It's a great honor."

The nominees also include singer Tony Bennett, Admiral William "Bull" Halsey, football hall-of-famer Franco Harris, Super Bowl star Joe Theismann, former oil giant and Jets owner Leon Hess, actress, rapper and singer Queen Latifah, jazz great John "Bucky" Pizzarelli, domestic guru Martha Stewart and actor Bruce Willis.

The 13 New Jerseyans will be formally inducted at a Red Carpet Gala at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on June 5. New Jersey residents voted on the nominees, and also selected a slogan for the Hall: "We're Jersey Proud."

"As with our first three classes of inductees, this roster of New Jersey Hall of Famers is impressive," said Bart Oates, chairman of the New Jersey Hall of Fame Board of Commissioners. Carol Higgins Clark, daughter of mystery writer Mary Higgins Clark, said her mother was "just thrilled when she found out."

Just three months after her mother moved to New Jersey, she sold her first short story, Clark said, so the Garden State holds particular importance to her mom.

Carol Higgins Clark also went to high school with Pizzarelli's children in Saddle River. She said it is especially special for her mother to be inducted into the Hall with Pizzarelli.

Currently, the only location for the Hall is an exhibit in Asbury Park, but leaders say they are planning exhibits in other parts of the state, along with a mobile museum intended to visit schools and communities.

"It makes New Jersey a national symbol of good things, not bad things," said Gov. Chris Christie, who announced the winners. "I think people are starting to feel good about New Jersey ... the New Jersey Hall of Fame is part of that."

Click to read about an inductee: John Basilone | Tony Bennett | Brendan Byrne | Mary Higgins Clark | Admiral William "Bull" Halsey | Francisco Harris | Leon Hess | Queen Latifah | John "Bucky" Pizzarelli | Martha Stewart | Joe Theismann | John Travolta | Bruce Willis

John Basilone (1916-1945) — Once called a "one-man army" by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, United States Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone was the only enlisted marine during World War II to to receive the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross and Purple Heart. He fought in the battle of Guadalcanal, and was killed in the battle of Iwo Jima on Feb. 19, 1945, at age 28.

Basilone was a native of Raritan in Somerset County, and his legacy is still remembered today. Raritan hosts an annual Basilone Parade. Montclair State University recently renamed a wing of a residence hall after him. He was also recently portrayed in the HBO miniseries, "The Pacific."

Tony Bennett (1926 - ) — Englewood resident Tony Bennett — born Anthony Dominick Benedetto — sang at his first nightclub in 1946, the Shangri-La in Astoria, Queens. In 1949, Bob Hope noticed the rising star in Greenwich Village and recruited him to sing at the Paramount.

Today, he has sold more than 50 million records. He's won 15 Grammy awards and two Emmy Awards, and was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2005. His hits include the famous "I Left My Heart in San Francisco, "I Wanna Be Around,” “The Good Life,” and “Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me).”

Gov. Brendan Byrne (1924 - ) — The 47th governor of New Jersey, Brendan Byrne was born in West Orange. During his two terms as governor from 1974 to 1982, he legalized casino gambling in Atlantic City, established New Jersey Transit, worked to restore the Hudson River Waterfront, developed financing for the construction of Giants Stadium and authored the nation's first program for the public funding of gubernatorial elections.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943, and attained the rank of lieutenant with the 414th Bomb Squadron of the 15th Air Force. He graduated from Princeton in 1949 and received his law degree from Harvard University.

Mary Higgins Clark (1927 - ) — Saddle River resident Mary Higgins Clark has sold more than 80 million books. She is the author of more than two dozen mystery novels, two of which , "Where Are the Children?" and "A Stranger Is Watching" have been turned into feature films.

Clark was born in the Bronx and also wrote radio scripts. Her first suspense novel, "Where Are the Children?" was published by Simon & Schuster in 1975. She graduated from Fordham University at Lincoln Center in 1979, with a B.A. in philosophy.

Admiral William “Bull” Halsey (1882 - 1959) Admiral Halsey was born in Elizabeth. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1904 and commanded the U.S. Third Fleet during World War II. He was present at the Japanese surrender that ended World War II.

He commanded the South Pacific Area in 1942 and was promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the the Third Fleet in 1944. He is a 5-star Fleet Admiral, one of only five men to have held that rank. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Franco Harris (1950 - ) Franco Harris, born in Fort Dix, was the first African American to be named a Super Bowl MVP. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

Harris was selected to nine Pro Bowls and played in five AFC championships and four Super Bowls. He rushed for 158 yards in Super Bowl IX, helping the Steelers win their first ever league title with a 16-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

Leon Hess (1914 – 1999) — Leon Hess got his start running a one-truck oil delivery business in Asbury Park during the Depression. Today, Hess is one of the largest oil companies in the United States, with more than 1,360 Hess stations, refineries in New Jersey and the Virgin Islands, and operations in US, South America, Africa, Europe, Eurasia and Asia Pacific.

Hess became sole owner of the Jets in 1984, and moved the team from Shea Stadium to Giants Stadium. He was known for being private in his management of the team, giving only three news conferences during his tenure.

Queen Latifah (1970 - ) — Musician, actress and entrepreneur Queen Latifah hails from Newark. She has been nominated for four Grammy awards and took home the Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance in 1994. The Queen has starred in "Chicago," "The Secret Life of Bees," "Bringing Down the House," and "The Last Holiday." She released Grammy-nominee album Trav'lin Light in 2007. She has been nominated for an Emmy and an Academy Award.

She also owns her own production company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, based in New Jersey. She also recently penned a book on self-esteem, titled "Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman."

John "Bucky" Pizzarelli (1926 - ) — Legendary jazz guitarist John "Bucky" Pizzarelli lives in Saddle River and was born in Paterson. He's played with Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman and Ray Charles,

He's also collaborated with legendary musicians Les Paul, Stephane Grappelli and Benny Goodman.

Martha Stewart (1941 - ) — Talk-show host, author and domestic expert Martha Stewart was raised in Nutley. Known for her expertise on cooking, gardening and homekeeping, Stewart published her first book, "Entertaining," in 1982.

Stewart, who worked as a stockbroker on Wall Street after graduating from Barnard, owns Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and award-winning magazine Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Weddings, plus nationally-syndicated talk show "The Martha Stewart Show."

Joe Theismann (1949 - ) — South River High School graduate Joe Theisman played in the National Football League for 12 years before the Washington Redskins player's leg was snapped in two places by Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, ending his career and marking one of the most replayed moments of football history.

His career included a Super Bowl championship, a Super Bowl loss and two Pro Bowls. He also boasts a television career with CBS and ESPN.

John Travolta (1954 - ) — Actor, movie producer and humanitarian John Travolta is known for his roles in everything from "Pulp Fiction," "Grease," and "Saturday Night Fever, " to "Welcome Back Kotter."

Travolta has been nominated for two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe. He lives in Englewood and holds 10 jet licenses.

Bruce Willis (1955 - ) — Golden Globe Award winning actor Bruce Willis grew up in Penns Grove. He has appeared in movies including the "Die Hard' series, "The Sixth Sense" and "Pulp Fiction."

Willis won an Emmy for his role in the ABC series "Moonlighting."