Mr. LI: Billy Joel, Howard Stern, Alec Baldwin, Jerry Seinfeld?

Who is “Mr. Long Island"? Billy Joel, Howard Stern, Alec Baldwin or Jerry Seinfeld?

As a low paid (when paid) reporter on the East End of Long Island, I have had the opportunity to observe Billy Joel, Howard Stern, Alec Baldwin and Jerry Seinfeld without the bright lights of show business. I have witnessed them all in East Hampton buying coffee in an empty Starbucks with their kids, buying art at Ashawagh Hall, inviting us to Maidstone for drinks or, in once instance, talking to an ex-wife playfully about things. One thing always was for sure, these men are, for many, "Long Island.”

I believe I share something with everyone on Long Island, that being, we have all seen one of these guys strolling around the area. All 4 are from Long Island, live on Long Island, and will forever love Long Island. All publicly always state how proud they are of being real home grown Long Islanders. These are men who have been at one time or another to almost every restaurant, club, stadium, mall and beach on the island growing up. None of them were born privileged; in fact, they had to work hard to become who they are. Their biographies are known by most Long Islanders, as if it were taught the tomes in grade school.

Billy Joel actually was born in the Bronx; however, he was raised in Levittown and is perhaps the father of the soundtrack of everyone’s personal Long Island life story movie. In his songbook there are songs that touch the essence of every Long Islander's soul. Billy didn’t aim to do that, but being pure Long Island it just flowed out of his talent. Being next to him walking through crowds or sitting next to him whispering to someone close, there is one thing you notice. He is a straight shooter, with a quick wit and a love for Long Island, including motorcycling riding or motor boating. One quiet summer day sailing with my buddy Todd in Gardiner’s Bay, I was taking a photo of a beautiful approaching boat. As it passed the camera caught the name, “Alexa Ray,” as the vessel passed by less than 20 feet off our portside. We were the only boats out that day.

Alec Baldwin, the son of teacher who lived in Massapequa, has a career that's a road map of movies we have all watched. You do need to go back and see "Working Girl" made in 1988 to see a very young Alec Baldwin. However, no matter the part, one things certain; “You can take the boy out of Long Island, but you can’t take Long Island out of the boy.” Lately his very popular SNL Donald Trump impersonation is sort of a Long Island guy dumping on a guy from Queens. Over the last 15 years I have witnessed Alec Baldwin with his family, with friends, on stage, backstage and unplugged. I even was at an 8 a.m. breakfast event, early, for sure, but for the cause, he was there. The last time I saw him I applauded him on his new slim downed look, and he whispered to me, “I’m working on it.”

Then we come to Howard Stern. Howard was born in Jackson Heights and attended Roosevelt High School. Didn’t we all know boys like Howard Stern growing up? We all knew friends with natural Yiddish sarcasm, multiple phobias, all coupled with pure Long Island common sense. I believe there is a little bit of Howard Stern in every Long Islander. He has always said out loud with so many think but rarely say publicly. Seeing Howard Stern mingling without fanfare in East Hampton teaches you one thing: His height, build and facial features made it impossible for him not to be noticed growing up. He is someone you would always have to take a triple look at. Even with his huge success, in person in his private life, he comes across as an introverted Long Islander. He does love watercolor paintings. I could tell watching him thumb through many before selecting one art a small art fair.

Finally we come to Jerry Seinfeld. One might say Jerry Seinfeld believes he is “Mr. Long Island.” He talks fondly of growing up in Massapequa. He knowingly — as do all the others — talks about every corner of Long Island and seems to know people still in every town, through friendships, family, and early life experiences. Watching Jerry interact with his son and daughter in East Hampton Village while it was practically deserted due to unseasonal bad weather was enlightening to the fact that his act, his show and his TV appearances are who he is. He was making his kids laugh. He is a such Long Island dad, too.

So who is the real “Mr. Long Island?” Although we all have favorites, the truth is I have to give the title to all 4 because collectively they all truly are “Mr. Long Island.” Somewhere at home they all must have a Mets hat they bought back at Shea Stadium while attending a Mets game.

Patch photos by T.J. Clemente.

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