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In the Know: Is it true Oprah lives in Naples?
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Q: While listening on the Internet to the Naples High-Greenwich game being broadcast by a Greenwich radio station, one of the announcers ran off the names of stars who reside here, at least part-time. One name was Oprah Winfrey! Is this true? First time I heard about it. Other names mentioned were Donna Summer and Jack Nicklaus. Can you find out the names of any other biggies living around here?
-- Stewart Unangst, Naples
A: I sought help from co-workers on this one in an effort to get as detailed of a list as possible. But, of course, most celebrities understandably like to keep a low profile and sometimes own homes under another name.
And just because they own a home in Collier County doesn’t necessarily mean they personally use the home. Please let me know if I’ve omitted your famous neighbor.
Because the list of local celebrities is extensive, the answer will span two columns. Next week, I’ll feature the many sports celebrities who live here.
Some once-local residents, such as author Robert “Bourne” Ludlum and golfer Gene Sarazen have died. Others, such as part-time Marco Islanders George McGovern and country star Alan Jackson, have moved away.
It’s not the first time we’ve heard Oprah has a home here, but it is an unsubstantiated rumor. However, Collier County records show disco queen Donna Summer does own a North Naples condominium in Tiburon, although her permanent address is in New York City.
Rumors also abound that film director Steven Spielberg has a home here, but they appear to be unfounded. This hearsay may be fueled by a Wikipedia report claiming Spielberg and his wife, actress Kate Capshaw, and family move among their four homes in Pacific Palisades, Calif.; New York City; East Hampton, N.Y., and Naples.
It’s not a secret that Alex Lifeson, lead guitarist for Canadian rock band Rush, lives here part-time in a Pelican Bay condo. His permanent home is in Toronto.
County records show classic rocker Bob Seger owns two homes in the Naples area: a villa on the Gulf and a house in the Kings Lake area. Seger’s permanent address is near Detroit.
When not in Atlanta, nationally syndicated talk radio host Neal Boortz resides in the Naples area a few months out of the year. He and his wife, Donna, own a condo penthouse in North Naples and a home on a canal in Marco Island.
Peter Thomas, a popular voice-over artist, lives with his wife, Stella, in Old Naples. You’ve undoubtedly heard his instantly recognizable voice narrating the “Forensic Files” on truTV or on local commercials for the NCH Healthcare System.
Best-selling author Robin Cook, known for his mystery medical thrillers such as “Coma,” has been a part-time Naples resident for many years, with a second home in Boston. When in Naples, Cook and his family live in a penthouse pad on the Gulf.
And to give her the last word, TV judges Judith Sheindlin and her husband, Gerald, live in a $6 million waterfront condominium in Pelican Bay. Judge Judy may be Naples most visible celebrity.
Tim Aten is multimedia news editor of the Daily News. E-mail questions with your name and city of residence to intheknow@naplesnews.com.
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Another serious celebrity rumor is that the parents of Tom Cruise reside in Marco. Though, I suspect this is well established. Also, my nephew who works as a prosecuting attorney in Los Angeles tells me that notorious killer Chuck Manson of California also owns a condo in Pelican Bay, though is unable to visit due to legal constraints.
#1 Posted by LGoldstein on March 18, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cruise's parents do live on Marco.
#2 Posted by naplesregular on March 19, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've got a Condo in PB and you don't know my name, or who I used to be.
Better yet so what?
#3 Posted by MG on March 19, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who cares??
They put their pants on the same way I do.
#4 Posted by Native on March 19, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We may or may not own a condo anywhere.
You may or may not know my name.
I may or may not be famous.
What has Scientology got to do with any of this?
#5 Posted by lilyevans on March 19, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stephen King has a house in Port Royal and does use it. Really. Oh, and the house in Kings lake that Bob Segar owns? his Mom lives there. He ( Bob ) owns a condo in Naples Cay at the end of seagate drive.
#6 Posted by BignRich on March 19, 2008 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cruise's parents's home is in hideway beach on Marco.
#7 Posted by BignRich on March 19, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard Janet Evanovich lives somewhere behind the Publix across from the Mall
#8 Posted by demsrus88 on March 19, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hear Opera lives on Ruxton Road in Forest Park. Her house is currently on the market, has 4 bedrooms + a den, 3 full baths, and a great view. There usually an Open House there on Saturdays.
#9 Posted by JackSkeleton on March 19, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Elvis lives next door to me...really. You can't tell because it looks like an abandoned flip house right now, but hey....I know he's there.
#10 Posted by 12gauge on March 19, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree - who cares? I guess it might help to drive up the price of real estate! Judge Judy lives here too. I've seen her shopping. Once I saw Shania Twain in a shop, but I don't know if she lives here. As someone else expressed earlier...big deal.
#11 Posted by ngstargazer on March 19, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I want to just add - today is the 5th anniversary of the invasion on Iraq. The Fed dropped the rate by a huge .75% of a point yesterday. Certainly this news is much more important than which movie or TV star lives in Naples?
#12 Posted by ngstargazer on March 19, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
stargazer, The Iraqi war anniversary and Fed rate cut have been reported on this website. I must admit though, viewing news about the Fed continually jockeying lending rates and another costly year in Iraq has become monotonous reading material. Perhaps, this is why you missed those reports.
#13 Posted by PuffyStormClouds on March 19, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JackSkeleton you're a riot! Good luck with the open house on Sunday - maybe it'll sell this time.
You probably have enough time to etch a piece of toast with her likeness and invite the eBayers too!
#14 Posted by wonderwoman on March 21, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
whoops - Saturday
#15 Posted by wonderwoman on March 21, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Unless the homes are owned by masking trust, all one has to to is to use the property appraisers' website to "find" owners by name. If you think you know where someone lives, you can plug in the address and take a look that way, too. Not hard but sometimes trusts can make such a search tough.
I really don't give a flip who lives in the county as far as the "celebrities" go. So what? They are just people. I have a frosted flake for sale: It looks just like...a frosted flake! LOL
#16 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on March 21, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BTV...I'll trade your frosted flake for a cup of sand that Oprah looked at! WHO CARES??!!
#17 Posted by eaglebeak on March 21, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cruise's parents do not live on Marco.
His mother used to live there with her husband (not Tom's dad) for many years. But she left her husband not that long ago to live in CA with Tom.
#18 Posted by lovemywork on March 21, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Janet Evanovich lives in PORT ROYAL and works all day and night while the husband frolocks in the wonderful life of the rich and famous.
Stephen King has lived here seasonally.
Hey,I live here too!
Ain't that special?
#19 Posted by dkboniface on March 21, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Papa John" Schnatter of "better pizza" fame lives on the north side of town. I saw him at a local gym one day. Not a world-class celebrity, but fairly well known. I think a lot of Naples area celebrities are more of the understated type, if one can be an understated celebrity.
#20 Posted by abo_rh on March 22, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
does Larry Bird still live here?...
#21 Posted by prometheus on March 22, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ruxton Road is packed with celebs. Oprah, Magic Johnson, Trump, Spitzer. It's the who's who.
#22 Posted by TripleWideThought on March 22, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Any football fans? Ditka still owns a home here. My dad was a died in the wool Bears fan. One of the first words I said was Ditka (only kidding.)
#23 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on March 22, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who is Janet Evanovich???
#24 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on March 22, 2008 at 7:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Janet Ihaveanitch is an author of teen romance novels. I have seen her on the Naples Pier at night writing.
#25 Posted by cornandbeans on March 24, 2008 at 6:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks cornandbeans. I know why I haven't heard of her. No more teen girls at home! Our daughter never read this kind of book, she was a Sci-Fi and mystery fan (still is) when it came to novels.
#26 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on March 24, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know if he was living around here at the time or just visiting, but one night a few years ago while Christmas shopping I saw the pro wrestler Sgt. Slaughter at Coastland Mall. I debated for a time if it was him until I could see his profile...can't miss that jaw!
#27 Posted by pauls on March 24, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw Phil Donahue at the Perkins in North Naples...does he live around here?
#28 Posted by dolphinfan on March 24, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I saw Jenna Jameson here once, but she left after seeing all the scum here.
#29 Posted by cheetahtomoh on March 25, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yes shania twain did have a house biult in marco. My friends husband did the electrical work in it.and also chuck mangioni the jazz player has a condo in the Dunes in north naples. he his very low key. i know the realtor who sold him and his wife the place
#30 Posted by Peachy1970 on March 26, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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