Celebrating remarkable people who got their start right here in the Queen City.
E. Ray Goetz- Born: June 12, 1886
Buffalo’s Gift to Broadway
E. Ray Goetz grew up in Buffalo at the turn of the 20th century, a time when the city was a thriving hub of culture and innovation. That environment helped shape one of the most influential lyricists and theater producers of his era. He distinguished himself early as a songwriter with a gift for capturing joy, romance, and emotional depth — collaborating with legends like Irving Berlin and co-authoring enduring songs including “For Me and My Gal,” which became a staple of American popular music.
A Producer Who Defined an Era
Goetz didn’t stop at songwriting. He became a major force in Broadway production, staging revues and musical comedies that defined the spirit of the Roaring Twenties — light-hearted, ambitious, and full of spectacle. From Buffalo to the bright lights of New York City’s theater district, his career stands as a testament to the creative power this city has always cultivated.
Christine Healy- Born: June 13, 1950
A Buffalo Actress Built for the Long Haul
Christine Healy grew up in Buffalo, where the city’s close-knit arts community and industrious spirit laid the foundation for a career defined by range and staying power. She went on to become a familiar face on some of television’s most acclaimed dramas, including ER, The Practice, L.A. Law, and Murder, She Wrote — consistently bringing authority, nuance, and humanity to every role she took on.
Joe Grifasi- Born: June 14, 1944
From Canisius High to Yale to Hollywood
Joe Grifasi is the kind of actor that other actors notice. Born and raised in Buffalo, he attended Canisius High School before earning his training at the Yale School of Drama — one of the most prestigious programs in the country. He built a career on versatility and quiet precision, appearing in a remarkable string of films including The Deer Hunter, Batman Forever, Presumed Innocent, The Flamingo Kid, and The Naked Gun 33⅓.
The Buffalo Work Ethic on Screen
Grifasi never chased the headline role — he focused on doing the job right and letting the work speak for itself. It’s a philosophy that maps perfectly
onto the no-nonsense, blue-collar ethos of the city that raised him. Over four decades in film, television, and stage, he has remained one of Hollywood’s most reliable and quietly indispensable character actors. A true Buffalo original.
Kathleen Tocke- Born: June 14, 1979
From Lake Erie to the World Stage
Growing up alongside Lake Erie gave Kathleen Tocke an early love of the water, and the Buffalo Canoe Club gave her the skills to act on it. She went on to compete at the collegiate level for Hobart and William Smith Colleges before joining the U.S. National Sailing Team, competing across multiple disciplines including the 470, Snipe, and Laser Radial classes. Her resume includes three Pan American Games medals — silver in 2011 and 2023, and bronze in 2015 — as well as a Masters World Championship title in the Snipe class in 2016.