Famous People From New Jersey & Celebs Born In New Jersey.

Located on the east coast of the USA, New Jersey is considered one of the most populated states in the whole of North America. Apart from these celebrities, there are many more famous faces who hail from New Jersey. It is also widely believed that it is one of the wealthiest states in the USA, perhaps why people move to this part of America in large numbers every year. Not many know that New Jersey has great historic significance. During recent times, many residents of New Jersey have hogged the limelight for their achievements. Musicians Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston and Paul Simon, Hollywood star Bruce Willis as well as American politician Cory Booker are a few distinguished personalities from New Jersey. Bon Jovi’s evergreen classics like ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ and ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ are favorites among even today’s teens. Bruce Willis’ performances in flicks like ‘Die Hard’, ‘Sixth Sense’ and ‘Pulp Ficion’ catapulted him to the status of a bankable star. The place has witnessed many episodes of the American civil war and several other conflicts. Scroll down to see their names, we bet you didn’t know these people belonged to or were born in this American state.

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Birthdate: March 6, 1972

Sun Sign: Pisces

Shaquille O'Neal is an American former basketball player who currently works as a sports analyst. Considered one of the greatest basketballers ever, O'Neal was also one of the heaviest and tallest players of all time. One of the most important players in the history of LA Lakers, O'Neal helped the team win three consecutive NBA championships between 2000 and 2002.

Birthdate: August 9, 1963

Sun Sign: Leo

Died: February 11, 2012

Amongst the best-selling recording artists of all time and an inspiration to millions of budding artists, Whitney Houston achieved stardom with her eponymous debut album. The success of her later albums consolidated her position and earned her a spot in the Guinness World Records as the most awarded female artist of all time. She struggled with drug abuse and troubled marriage and died of drowning in her hotel's bathtub. 

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Frank Sinatra

(One of The World's Best-selling Music Artists of All Time)

Birthdate: December 12, 1915

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Died: May 14, 1998

Amongst the most popular singers of the 20th century and one of the bestselling artists of all time, Frank Sinatra began his musical career singing with bands and later established his successful solo career with albums like The Voice of Frank Sinatra. Also an award winning actor, he featured in movies like From Here to Eternity and The Manchurian Candidate.

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Meryl Streep

(Regarded as 'The Best Actress of Her Generation')

Birthdate: June 22, 1949

Sun Sign: Cancer

Often described as the "best actress of her generation," Meryl Streep is acclaimed for her versatility. After debuting in the 1970s, she built a solid reputation by portraying challenging roles in dramatic films. In a career spanning over half a century, she has received numerous awards, including three Academy Awards and eight Golden Globe Awards.

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Jack Nicholson

(The Most Nominated Male Actor in the History of Academy Awards)

Birthdate: April 22, 1937

Sun Sign: Taurus

From being a stage and B movie actor, Jack Nicholson went on to become one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors and a huge star. The three time Academy award winning legendary actor has, in his six decades career, delivered performances that have become iconic. His notable performances include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and As Good as It Gets.

Birthdate: November 17, 1944

Sun Sign: Scorpio

An award-winning actor, Danny DeVito overcame a rare genetic disorder called Fairbank's disease to become an influential figure in the American film industry. Along with Michael Shamberg, he founded a production company called Jersey Films, which went on to produce films like Pulp Fiction. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.

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Michael Douglas

(One of the Most Popular and Critically Acclaimed Actors of His Generation)

Birthdate: September 25, 1944

Sun Sign: Libra

One of the most decorated American actors, Michael Douglas is popular for playing a variety of roles. Apart from acting, Michael Douglas has received attention for his political activism and humanitarianism. A cancer survivor, Douglas serves as an inspiration to those suffering from the disease; he recovered from stage IV tongue cancer.

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Bruce Springsteen

(One of the Best-Selling Rock Singer-Songwriters and Founder of the Rock Band 'E Street Band')

Birthdate: September 23, 1949

Sun Sign: Libra

Considered one of the greatest rock stars, Bruce Springsteen’s catalogue of songs over many decades is unparalleled. His fame skyrocketed in 1975 after the release of his third album, Born to Run, and it reached dizzying heights with his seventh album, Born in the USA, in 1984. He was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

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Joe Pesci

(Known for Portraying Tough, Volatile Characters)

Birthdate: February 9, 1943

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

Birthdate: March 18, 1970

Sun Sign: Pisces

Queen Latifah is an American musician and actress whose song U.N.I.T.Y. played a major role in raising awareness about women's rights worldwide. Dubbed Queen of Jazz-Rap, Latifah has influenced several soul, R&B, and hip-hop artists like Remy Ma, Lil' Kim, Ivy Queen, Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and Eve among other artists. As an actress, Latifah has won several prestigious awards.

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Ice-T

(Co-Founder of the Heavy Metal Band “Body Count”)

Birthdate: February 16, 1958

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Rapper, singer, songwriter, musician, and actor, Ice-T is known for his fusion music that combines elements of rock and hip hop. Beginning his career as an underground rapper in the 1980s, he went on to release many albums that were commercially and critically successful. He is also an actor and voice actor.

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Jon Bon Jovi

(Founder and Frontman of The Rock Band "Bon Jovi")

Birthdate: March 2, 1962

Sun Sign: Pisces

Known as the iconic founder of the popular rock band Bon Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi is a record producer and singer-songwriter. In 2012, he was named in Billboard magazine's The Most Powerful and Influential People In The Music Business list. Also a well-known philanthropist, he founded the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation in an attempt to eradicate poverty and homelessness.

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Birthdate: September 20, 1948

Sun Sign: Virgo

George R. R. Martin wrote the epic fantasy series of novels, A Song of Ice and Fire, which inspired the iconic Emmy-winning HBO series Game of Thrones. Also known as the "American Tolkien," he was featured on TIME 100. He has earned the Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker awards, too.

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Derek Jeter

(American Former Professional Baseball Shortstop and Executive)

Birthdate: June 26, 1974

Sun Sign: Cancer

Derek Jeter is an American former baseball player whose popularity had made him one of the most marketed sportsmen of his generation during his playing career. Since 2017, he has been playing a key role as part owner and the chief executive officer of the Miami Marlins. Also a well-known philanthropist, Jeter created a charitable organization called Turn 2 Foundation.

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Birthdate: May 26, 1975

Sun Sign: Gemini

Famous rapper and singer, Lauryn Hill, is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time and a pioneer in the Neo soul genre. The artist whose album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill won five Grammy Awards, is an inspiration for numerous singers and rappers. Earlier, she gained recognition as member of Fugees, an award-winning hip hop group.

Birthdate: August 3, 1941

Sun Sign: Leo

The founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Martha Stewart has found success with several business ventures. She is also the publisher of a magazine called Martha Stewart Living and has written many bestselling books. Although she was convicted of charges pertaining to the ImClone stock trading case, she made a comeback and became chairwoman of her company.

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Dennis Rodman

(Former Professional Basketball Player Who was Arguably the Best Rebounding Forward in NBA History)

Birthdate: May 13, 1961

Sun Sign: Taurus

Former professional basketball player, Dennis Rodman came to prominence in the 1980s as a power forward known for his defensive and rebounding abilities. Hailed as "arguably the best rebounding forward in NBA history," he earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors seven times. He has a media presence as well and has appeared in many TV shows.

Birthdate: October 13, 1941

Sun Sign: Libra

One half of the popular musical duo Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon is a singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists and songwriters of all time. His career, which has spanned more than 60 years, has been so influential that Time named him among the 100 People Who Shaped the World in 2006.

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Halsey

(Pop Singer-Songwriter Best Known for Her Album 'Manic')

Birthdate: September 29, 1994

Sun Sign: Libra

Halsey is an American singer and songwriter. She serves as an inspiration to several aspiring singers as she became a professional singer after posting self-released music on the internet. In 2020, she was named in Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world list. Also an activist, Halsey has been involved in racial justice protests and suicide prevention programs.

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Mike Trout

(American Professional Baseball Center Fielder)

Birthdate: August 7, 1991

Sun Sign: Leo

Mike Trout is an American baseball player. An eight-time MLB All-Star, Mike Trout is widely regarded as one of the best Major League Baseball (MLB) players of the current generation and one of the best young players in baseball history. He is also one of the most popular American sportsmen, with endorsement deals worth $2.5 million in his kitty

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Paul Rudd

(Best Known for His Role of 'Ant-Man' in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Films)

Birthdate: April 6, 1969

Sun Sign: Aries

Comedy films like This is 40, The 40-year-old virgin, Wanderlust and The object of my affection made Paul Rudd a bona fide comic actor. He has also acted in some serious films like The cider house rules and The great Gatsby and has been part of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s popular Ant-Man franchise and the highest-grossing film of all time Avengers: Endgame.

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John Travolta

(Actor Best Known for His Performance in Films: 'Saturday Night Fever' & 'Pulp Fiction')

Birthdate: February 18, 1954

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Actor John Travolta’s career has seen significant ups and down. Starting with minor roles, he shot to international fame with Saturday Night Fever and Grease. For the cultural icon of the 1970s, the 80s and early 90s were disappointing, but an impressive comeback with Tarantino's Pulp Fictionresurrected his career.

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Birthdate: May 8, 1940

Sun Sign: Taurus

Died: December 31, 1985

Ricky Nelson was an American pop pioneer, rock & roll star, and singer-songwriter. After establishing himself as a top teen idol during the 1950s, Ricky Nelson went on to release several chartbusting songs. He achieved great popularity and was ranked 91st on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list.

Birthdate: November 14, 1964

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Patrick Warburton is best known as David Puddy in Seinfeld, Lemony Snicket in A Series of Unfortunate Events, and the title character in The Tick. He won multiple awards for The Civilization of Maxwell Bright and has lent his voice to characters such as Kronk in The Emperor's New Groove. 

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Kirsten Dunst

(Best Known for Her Role as 'Mary Jane Watson' in Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man' Trilogy)

Birthdate: April 30, 1982

Sun Sign: Taurus

Actress Kirsten Dunst gained recognition for her performance in the 1994 horror film Interview with the Vampire. Later she attained more fame when she acted in the Spiderman, its sequels Spiderman 2 and Spiderman 3. The Virgin Suicides, Elizabethtown, Marie Antoinette, Melancholia and The Beguiled are some of her other notable films. She has also acted in television series like Fargo.

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Dionne Warwick

(One of the Most-Charted Vocalists of All Time)

Birthdate: December 12, 1940

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Dionne Warwick is an American singer, TV host, actress, and former FAO Goodwill Ambassador. Warwick was one of the most successful singers between 1955 and 1999, ranking among the 40 biggest hitmakers according to the Billboard Hot 100. 80 of her singles have been featured on Billboard's music charts, making Warwick one of the most-charted female singers in history. 

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Peter Dinklage

(Best Known for His Role as 'Tyrion Lannister' on the HBO Series 'Game of Thrones')

Birthdate: June 11, 1969

Sun Sign: Gemini

Peter Dinklage is an American actor who gained international recognition after playing Tyrion Lannister in one of the most popular TV series of all time, Game of Thrones. Over the years, Peter Dinklage has portrayed important characters in popular films, serving as an inspiration to those suffering from dwarfism, a condition which caused his short stature.

Birthdate: June 19, 1978

Sun Sign: Gemini

American actress, Zoe Saldana, is best known for starring in fantasy-adventure films like Star Trek, Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, which were massive worldwide hits. She faced flak in 2016 when she used skin-darkening makeup to play jazz musician Nina Simone in the biopic Nina, which led to debates about colour bias in society.

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Ray Liotta

(Actor and Producer Best Known for His Roles as ‘Shoeless Joe Jackson’ in Film ‘Field of Dreams’)

Birthdate: December 18, 1954

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Died: May 26, 2022

Ray Liotta was an American actor who voiced the central character, Tommy Vercetti, in one of the most popular video games of all time, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Ray Liotta's incredible journey from being an abandoned child, who was adopted from an orphanage, to becoming a popular actor is a ray of hope for many people.

Birthdate: August 6, 1973

Sun Sign: Leo

Vera Farmiga is a famous American actress and filmmaker. She is widely regarded as one of the most popular scream queens of Hollywood, thanks to her roles in movies like The Conjuring, Annabelle Comes Home, Joshua, and Orphan.

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Charlie Puth

(Singer-Songwriter and Record Producer Known for His Singles ‘See You Again’, and ‘We Don't Talk Anymore’)

Birthdate: December 2, 1991

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Charlie Puth initially gained fame through his covers and originals on his YouTube channel, CharliesVlogs. He briefly worked under Ellen DeGeneres's label. He is known for the multiple-Grammy-nominated track See You Again by rapper Wiz Khalifa, which featured him, and his chartbusters One Call Away and We Don't Talk Anymore.

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Joe Rogan

(Podcaster, Sports Commentator)

Birthdate: August 11, 1967

Sun Sign: Leo

Height: 5'7" (170 cm)

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James Gandolfini

(Best Known for His Role as ‘Tony Soprano’ in the TV Series ‘The Sopranos’)

Birthdate: September 18, 1961

Sun Sign: Virgo

Died: June 19, 2013

James Gandolfini was an American actor who achieved the rare feat of being identified more as the character he performed rather than as himself. Years of immaculately performing the role of a powerful crime boss for the TV series, The Sopranos, defined Gandolfini’s legacy forever as a character actor, a legacy he gracefully carried over to the big screen.

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Laura Prepon

(American Actress Known for Her TV Series: 'That '70s Show' and 'Orange Is the New Black')

Birthdate: March 7, 1980

Sun Sign: Pisces

Laura Prepon is best known as Donna Pinciotti from That '70s Show. Her role as Alex Vause in Orange Is the New Black won her both the Satellite and SAG awards. Fans also loved her in The Girl on the Train and as real-life serial killer Karla Homolka in Karla.

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Buzz Aldrin

(American Astronaut, Fighter Pilot and the Second Person to Set Foot on the Moon)

Birthdate: January 20, 1930

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Buzz Aldrin became the second person to set foot on the Moon, as the pilot of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission, 19 minutes after Neil Armstrong stepped on the Moon, on July 21, 1969. Aldrin has also been a U.S. Air Force officer and flew fighter jets in the Korean War.

Birthdate: February 6, 1756

Sun Sign: Aquarius

Died: September 14, 1836

A soldier, lawyer and one of the founding Fathers of America, Aaron Burr rose to become the third Vice president of the United States. His turbulent political career, which included bitter rivalry with Alexander Hamilton, concluded when he mortally wounded Hamilton in a duel and was later charged with treason.

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Birthdate: March 2, 1994

Sun Sign: Pisces

Died: June 10, 2016

Christina Grimmie was an American singer-songwriter, actress, and YouTuber. She was fatally shot in 2016 when she was signing autographs after performing at The Plaza Live in Florida. Following her murder, celebrities demanded better security measures at concert venues and Billboard published an open letter demanding background checks for gun purchases. Several venues observed safety precautions like adding metal detectors.  

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Jerry Lewis

(Comedian, Actor and One of the Most Significant American Cultural Figures of All Time)

Birthdate: March 16, 1926

Sun Sign: Pisces

Died: August 20, 2017

One half of the popular American comedy duo Martin & Lewis, Jerry Lewis was nicknamed The King of Comedy for his comedic skills. Also a filmmaker, Jerry Lewis helped develop video assist and went on to popularize the system, which is widely used today. Also a humanitarian, Lewis worked closely with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, raising awareness about muscular dystrophy.

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Birthdate: June 23, 1980

Sun Sign: Cancer

Melissa Rauch is an American actress whose portrayal of Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz in the popular TV sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, was instrumental in the success of the show. She is also credited with voicing Harley Quinn in the popular animated superhero movie Batman and Harley Quinn.

Birthdate: May 3, 1970

Sun Sign: Taurus

Bobby Cannavale is known for his Emmy-winning performances as Vince D'Angelo in Will & Grace and Gyp Rosetti in Boardwalk Empire. Fans also loved him in his Tony-nominated and Drama Desk-winning role in the Broadway play The Motherfucker with the Hat. His other notable projects include Third Watch and Homecoming.

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Taissa Farmiga

(American Actress Known for Her Numerous Appearances in Horror Films)

Birthdate: August 7, 1994

Sun Sign: Leo

Taissa Farmiga is an American actress whose performance in horror TV series like American Horror Story earned her a reputation as a scream queen of the current generation. She is also credited with bringing the famous character Raven to life with her impressive voice-acting skills.

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Lauren Cohan

(American-British Actress Known for Her Role as ‘Maggie Greene’ in the TV Series ‘The Walking Dead’)

Birthdate: January 7, 1982

Sun Sign: Capricorn

British-American actress Lauren Cohan is the quintessential action heroine of the present-day American television with leading roles in series like The Walking Dead, Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, Chuck, and Whiskey Cavalier. Characterized by her distinctive Mid-Atlantic accent, Cohan has also played important roles in popular films, such as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

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Ashley Tisdale

(Actress and Singer Known for Her Role in the TV Sitcom ‘The Suite Life of Zack & Cody’)

Birthdate: July 2, 1985

Sun Sign: Cancer

Ashley Tisdale is an American actress and singer. Regarded as a sex symbol, Tisdale frequently appears on lists, such as Maxim's Hot 100. Also an influential social media personality, Tisdale was named by The Huffington Post as one of the most influential women on Twitter. Ashley Tisdale uses her popularity to raise funds for charitable organizations.

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Paul Wesley

(Actor, Director and Producer Known for His Role as ‘Stefan Salvatore’ in the TV Series ‘The Vampire Diaries’)

Birthdate: July 23, 1982

Sun Sign: Leo

Paul Wesley is an American actor and filmmaker. The Vampire Diaries star has had significant roles in the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival and the 2020 Mastercard Off Camera film festival, serving as a jury member on both occasions. Also a well-known humanitarian, Wesley was honored with the Humane Generation Award for his contribution to the Humane Society.

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Carli Lloyd

(Former American Professional Soccer Player and Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist)

Birthdate: July 16, 1982

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthdate: March 18, 1837

Sun Sign: Pisces

Died: June 24, 1908

Grover Cleveland, a Democratic Party member, was the President of the United States from 1885 to 1889 and then again from 1893 to 1897. He is known for his campaign for political reform and fiscal conservatism. However, he was unable to deal with the economic depression in his second term as President, which led to massive decline in his popularity.

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Birthdate: April 9, 1977

Sun Sign: Aries

Best known as the co-founder of the rock band, My Chemical Romance, Gerard Way is a popular singer and songwriter. Also a famous comic book writer, Gerard Way co-founded DC's Young Animal imprint and wrote the Eisner Award-winning book series ,The Umbrella Academy. After struggling with prescription drug addiction and alcoholism, he has been maintaining sobriety for many years now.

Birthdate: June 7, 1991

Sun Sign: Gemini

Rapper Willie Junior Maxwell II, better known as Fetty Wap, rose to fame with his Billboard-charting and two-time Grammy-nominated debut track Trap Queen. He often wears the Haitian flag. He has often found himself in the midst of lawsuits for offenses ranging from copyright infringement to assault.

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Birthdate: June 2, 1968

Sun Sign: Gemini

Despite being born with conditions like microcephaly and dwarfism, Beetlejuice went on to become a popular film, radio, and TV personality. A prominent member of Wack Pack, which is part of The Howard Stern Show, Beetlejuice was named the greatest Wack Packer ever by Howard Stern in 2015.

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Zach Braff

(Actor and Filmmaker Best Known for His Role as ‘J.D.’ in TV Series ‘Scrubs’)

Birthdate: April 6, 1975

Sun Sign: Aries

American actor Zachary Braff made his mark in the entertainment industry with the long running television series Scrubs and later with Alex, Inc. As a director and scriptwriter, his first movie Garden State was critically acclaimed and won numerous awards including a Grammy. The popular actor has done theatres and also voiced for many commercials and Disney animations like Chicken Little.

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