Many of New York's famous residents have originally migrated here for one reason or another, mainly to flee poverty and repression in their own country.
Everyone in the world is supposed to have at least 15 minutes of fame in their lifetime and many aspiring actors and actresses come to New York hoping to make their dreams of riches and stardom a reality.

Famous New York Residents

1785-1851
John Audubon
Most famous ornithologist in America

1807 -1882
Giuseppe Garibaldi
Italian freedom fighter spent 4 years on Staten Island in exile.

1809-1849
Edgar Allan Poe
Famous writer - known for his detective books and thrillers.

1835-1919
Andrew Carnegie
Scottish industrialist and philanthropist

1844-1923
Sarah Bernhardt
French actress

1849-1914
Jacob Riis
Danish writer - famous for writing "How the Other Half Lives"

1858-1934
Cass Gilbert
Architect who built the Woolwich Building in 1913 and other famous landmarks.

1874-1926
Harry Houdini
Escape artist born in Budapest

1887-1940
Marcus Garvey
Jamaican born black leader

1887-1968
Marcel Duchamp
The French Dadaist climbed Washington Square Arch in 1917 in protest over the US participation in the first World War.

1888-1989
Irving Berlin
Famous composer - born in Siberia - composed "White Christmas"

1904-83
George Balanchine
Russian ballet choreographer who formed the New York City Ballet.

1904-1991
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Polish Jewish novelist

1914-1953
Dylan Thomas
Welsh poet who drank himself to an early death.

1926-1987
Andy Warhol
Pop artist who made some cult films at 33 Union Square

1940-1980
John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Liverpool musician - member of the World Famous Beatles
Lived here with his wife Yoko until he was tragically gunned down and killed in 1980