Notable People - Pomonok Houses

The most reliably documented notable people from NYCHA’s Pomonok Houses (the public housing development in Flushing/Queens, New York) are primarily local politicians, a longtime NYC weatherman, and a character actor. These connections are corroborated by local news articles, a 2015 documentary (Pomonok Dreams) by former residents, the filmmakers’ interviews, and Wikipedia’s entry on the Pomonok neighborhood (which explicitly includes the Houses).1 2

A separate fan/resident site lists bigger names like Fran Drescher, LL Cool J, Chuck D, and Adrien Brody, but these claims lack support from biographies, news articles, or other sources (e.g., Drescher is from nearby Kew Gardens Hills). They appear unreliable and are not included here.3

Here are the key verified figures, with brief backgrounds and what they’re known for (focusing on those with direct ties to the NYCHA Pomonok Houses):

Gary Ackerman (born 1942): Grew up in Pomonok Houses. He served as a U.S. Representative (Democrat) from New York’s Queens-area districts from 1983 to 2013. He was known for work on foreign affairs, veterans’ issues, and as a strong advocate for Israel. Multiple local articles and the documentary highlight him as a prominent alumnus.4
Barry Grodenchik (born 1960): Grew up in Pomonok Houses. He served in the New York State Assembly and later as a New York City Council member representing parts of Queens. He has deep roots in the community and has been involved in local government for decades. His brother Max Grodenchik also grew up there and became an actor (notably playing Rom on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine).4
Michael Simanowitz (1971–2017): Associated with Pomonok (listed for the neighborhood including the Houses). He served as a member of the New York State Assembly. He represented the area and participated in community events at Pomonok Houses.4
Irv Gikofsky (“Mr. G”) (born 1945): Grew up/lived in Pomonok Houses (his family moved into one of the buildings when they opened in the early 1950s). He was a popular New York meteorologist and weatherman on television (WCBS-TV, WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News) and radio (WCBS-FM) for over four decades. He was known for his enthusiastic, folksy style, educational approach, and catchphrases. He is frequently mentioned alongside Ackerman in articles about the development.1
Mike Starr: Character actor who grew up in Pomonok Houses (confirmed by former neighbors and the documentary filmmakers). He has appeared in over 100 films and TV shows, with notable roles including Frenchy in Goodfellas, parts in Dumb and Dumber, The Bodyguard, Ed Wood, and many others. He is one of the more prominent entertainment figures directly tied to the Houses.2

Additional note: J.R. Harris (born 1944), an explorer, author (Way Out There), and advocate who has completed dozens of major wilderness expeditions worldwide, also grew up in Pomonok Houses after moving to Queens as a child. He is active in The Explorers Club and works with underserved youth. He is notable in exploration/scouting circles but less widely known to the general public.5

Pomonok Houses (built in the late 1940s/early 1950s on the site of a former golf course) produced several people who achieved success in public service and entertainment despite (or because of) their working-class public-housing roots. The documentary Pomonok Dreams explores this community and interviews many of these individuals.6

The broader Pomonok/Electchester neighborhood (adjacent co-op housing) is also linked to figures like the Weinstein brothers (film producers), but they are tied to Electchester rather than the NYCHA Pomonok Houses specifically.7

Sources are primarily local Queens newspapers (QChron, QNS, NY Daily News), the filmmakers’ site, and Wikipedia. No major hip-hop, sports, or A-list Hollywood figures are reliably documented as having grown up in the specific NYCHA development.

From the Pomonok Houses public housing development in Queens, New York City, and the adjacent Electchester cooperative, a number of individuals have risen to prominence in various fields, including politics, entertainment, and media. Here are some of the notable people who have called this neighborhood home.

Politics and Public Service

Gary Ackerman: A former United States Representative, Gary Ackerman grew up in a New York City housing project and was featured in the documentary “Pomonok Dreams” about the development.1 He represented New York’s 5th congressional district, which includes parts of Queens, for three decades, from 1983 to 2013.2 During his time in Congress, he was a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services.

Barry Grodenchik: A lifelong Queens resident, Barry Grodenchik grew up in the Pomonok Houses.1 He has had a lengthy career in New York City politics, serving as a member of the New York City Council for the 23rd district from 2015 to 2021.2 Prior to that, he was a New York State Assemblyman.

Michael Simanowitz: The late Michael Simanowitz was a resident of the Electchester housing cooperative, which is located next to the Pomonok Houses.3 4 He served as a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly for the 27th district from 2011 until his death in 2017.2 4 Before his election, he was the chief of staff to his predecessor, Nettie Mayersohn.4

Entertainment

Bob Weinstein: A prominent film producer, Bob Weinstein, along with his brother Harvey, grew up in the Electchester cooperative housing complex.5 6 He is the founder of Dimension Films and was the co-chairman of Miramax Films and The Weinstein Company.5 He has produced numerous successful films, particularly in the horror and action genres.

Max Grodenchik: The brother of politician Barry Grodenchik, Max Grodenchik also grew up in the Pomonok Houses.1 He is an actor best known for his recurring role as Rom on the popular science fiction series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.7 He has also appeared in various other television shows and films.8

Mike Starr: Character actor Mike Starr is another notable former resident of the Pomonok Houses, as mentioned in the documentary “Pomonok Dreams”.1 9 With a career spanning decades, he is recognized for his roles as tough guys and mobsters in films such as Goodfellas and Dumb and Dumber.10

Action Bronson: While it’s widely reported that rapper, chef, and television personality Action Bronson is from Flushing, Queens, and lived in the same apartment for his entire life, his direct connection to Pomonok Houses is less definitively documented than the others.11 Some sources indicate his childhood home was in close proximity to the development.12 He has gained fame for his music career and his food-oriented television shows, including “Fuck, That’s Delicious.”

Media

Irv “Mr. G” Gikofsky: A well-known television meteorologist in New York City, Irv Gikofsky, popularly known as “Mr. G,” is cited as a famous former tenant of the Pomonok Houses in the documentary “Pomonok Dreams”.1 He has been a fixture on New York television for many years, delivering weather forecasts for WPIX.