Syracuse, New York in fiction
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Syracuse, New York has been portrayed in a range of literary, film and other fictional works.


Film

* ''
Adult World ''Adult World'' is a 2013 American comedy-drama film directed by Scott Coffey and written by Andy Cochran. The film stars Emma Roberts, Evan Peters, and John Cusack. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 18, 2013, and was released t ...
'' (Feature film, 2014) - Starring
Emma Roberts Emma Rose Roberts (born February 10, 1991 Additional on October 9, 2016) is an American actress. Known for her work in film and television projects of the horror and thriller genres, she has received various accolades, including a Young Arti ...
,
Evan Peters Evan Thomas Peters (born January 20, 1987) is an American actor. He is known for his multiple roles on the FX anthology series '' American Horror Story''; as Detective Colin Zabel in the HBO crime drama limited series '' Mare of Easttown'', w ...
,
Cloris Leachman Cloris Leachman (April 30, 1926 – January 27, 2021) was an American actress and comedian whose career spanned nearly eight decades. She won many accolades, including eight Primetime Emmy Awards from 22 nominations, making her the most nomina ...
,
Shannon Woodward Shannon Woodward (born December 17, 1984) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Sabrina Collins on the FOX sitcom ''Raising Hope'' (2010–2014), Elsie Hughes on the HBO science-fiction thriller series ''Westworld'' (2016 ...
, and
John Cusack John Paul Cusack (; born June 28, 1966)(28 June 1996)Today's birthdays ''Santa Cruz Sentinel'', ("Actors John Cusack is 30") is an American actor, producer, screenwriter and political activist. He is a son of filmmaker Dick Cusack, and his ol ...
. Filmed entirely in Syracuse, including the SU campus, the Carrier Dome, the Gear Factory, Recess Coffee, Little Italy, Clinton Square, Phoebe’s restaurant and the upside down traffic light on Tipperary Hill. * ''
A Clouded Name ''A Clouded Name'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Austin O. Huhn and starring Norma Shearer, Gladden James and Yvonne Logan.Jacobs & Braum p.69 Cast * Norma Shearer as Marjorie Dare * Gladden James as Jim Allen * Yvonne ...
'' (silent film, 1923) - Starring
Norma Shearer Edith Norma Shearer (August 11, 1902June 12, 1983) was a Canadian-American actress who was active on film from 1919 through 1942. Shearer often played spunky, sexually liberated ingénues. She appeared in adaptations of Noël Coward, Eugene O'N ...
. Scenes were filmed at the
State Fair A state fair is an annual competitive and recreational gathering of a U.S. state's population, usually held in late summer or early fall. It is a larger version of a county fair, often including only exhibits or competitors that have won in th ...
, the Calthrop mansion, and at the Liverpool's solar salt fields (which closed three years later). * '' Banana Split'' (feature film, 2018) - Starring
Hannah Marks Hannah Marks (born April 13, 1993) is an American actress, writer, and director. She played Amanda Brotzman on the television series '' Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency''. Early life Hannah Marks was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of R ...
,
Liana Liberato Liana Daine Liberato (born August 20, 1995) is an American actress. She played the younger version of the female lead in the 2014 film '' The Best of Me'' and starred in the drama films '' The Last Sin Eater'' (2007) and '' Trust'' (2010), the th ...

Dylan Sprouse
an
Jessica Hecht
Scenes were filmed at Heid’s ice cream shop — yes, a banana split is served — along with the Palace Theater in Eastwood, a private residence on Sedgwick Drive in Syracuse, and the former A.V. Zogg Middle School in Liverpool, now known as Syracuse Studios. * '' Big Daddy'' (Feature film, 1999) - Several mentions; Adam Sandler's character is a Syracuse University alumnus (attended Syracuse University College of Law) and wears various Syracuse sweatshirts and T-shirts. * ''
Big Time Adolescence ''Big Time Adolescence'' is a 2019 American coming-of-age comedy film written and directed by Jason Orley, in his directorial debut. It stars Pete Davidson, Griffin Gluck, Emily Arlook, Colson Baker, Sydney Sweeney and Jon Cryer. The film had ...
'' (Feature film, 2019) - Starrin
Griffin Gluck
Pete Davidson Peter Michael Davidson (born November 16, 1993) is an American comedian and actor. He was a cast member of the NBC late-night sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' (SNL) for eight seasons, running from 2014 to 2022. Davidson's ...
,
Jon Cryer Jonathan Niven Cryer (born April 16, 1965) is an American actor, writer, director and producer. Born into a show business family, he made his motion picture debut as a teenage photographer in the 1984 romantic comedy ''No Small Affair''; his bre ...

Sydney Sweeney
and
Machine Gun Kelly George Kelly Barnes (July 18, 1895 – July 18, 1954), better known by his pseudonym "Machine Gun Kelly", was an American gangster from Memphis, Tennessee, active during the Prohibition era. His nickname came from his favorite weapon, a Thom ...
. The movie was shot in 2018 with scenes at the Palace Theater in Eastwood, Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, the Sound Garden record store in downtown Syracuse, and the former A.V. Zogg Middle School in Liverpool, now known as Syracuse Studios. * ''
Born on the Fourth of July ''Born on the Fourth of July'', published in 1976, is the best-selling autobiography by Ron Kovic, a paralyzed Vietnam War veteran who became an anti-war activist. Kovic was born on July 4, 1946, and his book's ironic title echoed a famous line ...
'' (Feature film, 1989) -
Tom Cruise Thomas Cruise Mapother IV (born July 3, 1962), known professionally as Tom Cruise, is an American actor and producer. One of the world's highest-paid actors, he has received various accolades, including an Honorary Palme d'Or and three Go ...
's character attends a Vietnam War protest, which is held at Syracuse University. Tom Cruise was born in Syracuse and has appeared in several films referencing his hometown. This Oliver Stone film also starred Syracuse native
Frank Whaley Frank Joseph Whaley (born July 20, 1963) is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, and comedian. His roles include Brett in ''Pulp Fiction'', Robby Krieger in ''The Doors'', young Archie "Moonlight" Graham in ''Field of Dreams'', and Guy ...
and
Stephen Baldwin Stephen Andrew Baldwin (born May 12, 1966) is an American actor, producer and director. He has appeared in the films '' Born on the Fourth of July'' (1989), '' Posse'' (1993), '' 8 Seconds'' (1994), ''Threesome'' (1994), ''The Usual Suspects'' ...
, whose mother lives in Central New York. * '' Crooked Arrows'' (feature film, 2012) - Starring
Brandon Routh Brandon James Routh (; born October 9, 1979) is an American actor. He portrayed Superman in the 2006 film '' Superman Returns'', which garnered him international fame. In 2011, he played the titular character of the film '' Dylan Dog: Dead of N ...
. The story of a Native American lacrosse team in a prep school league tournament, filmed in Central New York with appearances by local lacrosse players and coaches, including SU's John Desko and Gary Gait. * ''
Freak Talks About Sex ''Freak Talks About Sex'', released for home video as ''Blowin' Smoke'' (its working title was ''Syracuse Muse''), is a 1999 film starring Steve Zahn and Josh Hamilton. The movie was shot in Auburn and Syracuse, New York. It deals with issues su ...
'' (also known as ''Blowin' Smoke'') (Feature film, 1999) - Starring
Steve Zahn Steven James Zahn (; born November 13, 1967) is an American actor and comedian. His film roles include ''Reality Bites'' (1994), ''That Thing You Do!'' (1996), ''Stuart Little'' (1999), '' Shattered Glass'' (2003), ''Sahara'' (2005), '' Chicken Li ...
. Filmed in Syracuse; life in Syracuse is part of the plot. * ''
God Bless America (film) ''God Bless America'' is a 2011 American action black comedy film written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. Combining elements of political satire with dark humor, the film stars Joel Murray and Tara Lynne Barr as a middle-aged man and a teena ...
'' (2011) - Written and directed by Syracuse-born native
Bobcat Goldthwait Robert Francis "Bobcat" Goldthwait (born May 26, 1962) is an American actor, comedian, director and screenwriter, known for his black comedy stand-up act, delivered through an energetic stage persona with an unusual raspy and high-pitched voice. ...
, who shot part of this dark satire featuring
Joel Murray Joel Murray (born April 17, 1963) is an American comedy actor. He is well known for his roles in the television series ''Mad Men'', ''Grand'', '' Love & War'', '' Dharma & Greg'', '' Still Standing'', and '' Shameless''. He has also appeared in ...
(
Bill Murray William James Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his deadpan delivery. He rose to fame on ''The National Lampoon Radio Hour'' (1973–1974) before becoming a national presence on '' Saturday Nig ...
's brother) in Clinton Square, downtown Syracuse. * ''
Holly Slept Over ''Holly Slept Over'' is a 2020 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Joshua Friedlander, in his directorial debut. It stars Josh Lawson, Nathalie Emmanuel, Britt Lower, Erinn Hayes, and Ron Livingston. The film was released on video- ...
'' (Feature film, 2017) - Starring
Nathalie Emmanuel Nathalie Joanne Emmanuel (born 2 March 1989) is an English actress. Emmanuel began her acting career appearing in theatre in the late 1990s, acquiring roles in various West End productions such as the musical ''The Lion King''. In 2006, she be ...
,
Ron Livingston Ronald Joseph Livingston (born June 5, 1967) is an American actor. He is known for playing Peter Gibbons in the 1999 film ''Office Space'' and Captain Lewis Nixon III in the 2001 miniseries '' Band of Brothers.'' Livingston's other roles include ...
,
Josh Lawson Joshua Lawson (born 22 July 1981) is an Australian actor and filmmaker best known for his role as Doug Gugghenheim in '' House of Lies'', Tate in '' Superstore'' and as Kano in the 2021 film ''Mortal Kombat''. Early life Lawson was born and ra ...
, and
Britt Lower Brittney Leigh Lower () is an American actress known for her roles as Liz in ''Man Seeking Woman'', Tanya Solibakke in ''Unforgettable'' and Helly R in ''Severance''. Early life Lower was born on August 2, 1985, in Heyworth, Illinois, to Steven ...
. Filmed entirely in Syracuse suburbs. First release from Liverpool-based American High. * '' Lady in White'' (Feature film, 1988) - Starring
Lukas Haas Lukas Daniel Haas (born April 16, 1976) is an American actor and musician. His acting career has spanned four decades, during which he has appeared in more than 50 feature films and a number of television shows and stage productions. Early life ...
,
Len Cariou Leonard Joseph Cariou (; born September 30, 1939) is a Canadian actor and stage director, best known for his portrayal of Sweeney Todd in the original cast of '' Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'', for which he won the Tony Award ...
, Alex Rocco, and
Katherine Helmond Katherine Marie Helmond (July 5, 1929 – February 23, 2019) was an American actress. Over her five decades of television acting, she was known for her starring role as Jessica Tate on the sitcom ''Soap'' (1977–1981) and her co-starring role as ...
. Opening sequence filmed in
Syracuse Hancock International Airport Syracuse Hancock International Airport is a joint civil–military airport five miles (8 km) northeast of downtown Syracuse, New York, and south of Watertown. Operated by the Syracuse Department of Aviation, it is located off Interstate 81, ...
; much of the rest of the movie was filmed in the villages of Lyons, Newark, and Phelps, approximately 50 miles west of Syracuse. * ''
Looks That Kill "Looks That Kill" is a song by American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. It was released as a single in January 1984. The song is considered one of their best. Background The track was written by bassist Nikki Sixx and spent 10 weeks on the ' ...
'' (Feature film, 2018) - Starring
Brandon Flynn Brandon Paul Flynn (born October 11, 1993) is an American actor, known for his role as Justin Foley in the Netflix series '' 13 Reasons Why'' (2017–2020), as well as appearing as himself in the short film ''Home Movies'', and Mike the Intern i ...
,
Julia Goldani Telles Julia Goldani Telles (born March 18, 1995) is an American actress and ballet dancer. She is known for playing Sasha Torres on the short-lived ABC Family series ''Bunheads'', Iris in the third season of '' The Girlfriend Experience'' and for he ...
, and
Ki Hong Lee Ki Hong Lee (born September 30, 1986) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Minho in the Maze Runner (film series), ''Maze Runner'' film series and Dong Nguyen in the Netflix sitcom ''Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt''. Early life an ...
. Filmed throughout Syracuse and Liverpool in 2018. * ''Sid is Dead'' (Feature film, 2019) - Starring
Joey Bragg Joey Franklin Bragg (born July 20, 1996) is an American actor and comedian. Career Bragg is known for his role as Freddie Raines in ''Call Your Mother'' and previous role as Joey Rooney in the Disney Channel sitcom ''Liv and Maddie'', which ai ...
, Jack Griffo, Tyler Alvarez,
Genevieve Hannelius Genevieve Knight Hannelius (born December 22, 1998) is an American actress, singer, and YouTube personality who made her acting debut starring as Courtney Patterson on the ABC series ''Surviving Suburbia'' (2009). She had recurring roles on the ...
, and
Mary Stuart Masterson Mary Stuart Masterson (born June 28, 1966) is an American actress and director. She has starred in the films '' At Close Range'' (1986), '' Some Kind of Wonderful'' (1987), '' Chances Are'' (1989), ''Fried Green Tomatoes'' (1991) and '' Benny & ...
. Filmed in Syracuse suburbs and the American High film hub in Liverpool, New York. * '' Slap Shot'' (Feature film, 1977) - Starring Paul Newman and
Michael Ontkean Michael Leonard Ontkean (born 24 January 1946) is a retired Canadian actor. Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Ontkean relocated to the United States to attend the University of New Hampshire on a hockey scholarship before pursuing ...
. One of the hockey teams is the (fictional) Syracuse Bulldogs, and parts of the movie were filmed at the Onondaga County War Memorial in downtown Syracuse. * '' Snow Day'' (Feature film, 2000) - Starring
Chevy Chase Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (; born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, actor and writer. He became a key cast member in the first season of ''Saturday Night Live'', where his recurring ''Weekend Update'' segment became a staple of the ...
, Chris Elliott, Mark Webber, Schuyler Fisk,
Jean Smart Jean Elizabeth Smart (born September 13, 1951) is an American actress. After beginning her career in regional theater in the Pacific Northwest, she appeared on Broadway in 1981 as Marlene Dietrich in the biographical play '' Piaf''. Smart was ...
, Iggy Pop,
Pam Grier Pamela Suzette Grier (born May 26, 1949) is an American actress and singer. Described by Quentin Tarantino as cinema's first female action star (although, there are some who dispute that claim and believe Cheng Pei-pei actually holds that distinc ...
, John Schneider,
Josh Peck Joshua Michael Peck (born November 10, 1986) is an American actor and comedian. Peck began his career as a child actor in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and had an early role on the Nickelodeon sitcom ''The Amanda Show'' from 2000 to 2002. Peck ...
,
Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Sophie Anne Chriqui ( ; born 10 December 1975) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her performance on HBO's '' Entourage'' as Sloan McQuewick, Claire Bonner in '' Snow Day'', Dalia in '' You Don't Mess with the Zohan'', Lorelei ...
,
David Paetkau David Paetkau is a Canadian actor who has played Evan Lewis in ''Final Destination 2'' (2003), the customs officer in ''LAX'' (2004), Beck McKaye in '' Whistler'' (2006–2008), Ira Glatt in '' Goon'' (2011), and Sam Braddock in the CTV/CBS tel ...
, and Rozonda Thomas ('Chili' from TLC). Syracuse is portrayed as a small village with high snowfall. Filmed in
Edmonton Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city ancho ...
and Calgary. * '' The Commuter'' (Feature film, 2018) - In the opening sequence, Michael MacCauley's (
Liam Neeson William John Neeson (born 7 June 1952) is an actor from Northern Ireland. He has received several accolades, including nominations for an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Tony Awards. In 2020, he was placed 7th on ''The I ...
) teenage son is trying to meet Syracuse University's early-admissions deadline. On the commute back from work that day, he informs a train regular (
Vera Farmiga Vera Ann Farmiga ( ; born August 6, 1973) is an American actress who is best known for portraying paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren in the Conjuring Universe films '' The Conjuring'' (2013), '' The Conjuring 2'' (2016), '' Annabelle Co ...
) his son is indeed going to Syracuse. Vera Farmiga is an alumna of Syracuse University. * '' The Express: The Ernie Davis Story'' (Feature film, 2008) - Starring Rob Brown,
Dennis Quaid Dennis William Quaid (born April 9, 1954) is an American actor known for a wide variety of dramatic and comedic roles. First gaining widespread attention in the late 1970s, some of his notable credits include '' Breaking Away'' (1979), '' The ...
, Charles S. Dutton and (briefly)
Chadwick Boseman Chadwick Aaron Boseman (; November 29, 1976August 28, 2020) was an American actor. During his two-decade career, Boseman received two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award, ...
. The movie is about Ernie Davis, a Syracuse University football player, who is the first African-American to win the Heisman trophy. Parts of the movie were filmed in Syracuse and the world premiere took place at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse. * ''
The Purge ''The Purge'' is an American anthology media franchise centered on a series of dystopian action horror films distributed by Universal Pictures and produced by Blumhouse Productions and Platinum Dunes, which are written and in some cases also ...
'' - 2013 - Syracuse appears in Purge Feed (during the 2017 Purge) in the film's introduction.


Television

* The Detour is a 2016-2019 TBS comedy about a family from Syracuse. The show begins in Syracuse, and one episode of Season 4 is set there, but most of the show takes place in other locations. *
New Girl ''New Girl'' is an American television sitcom created by Elizabeth Meriwether and produced by 20th Television for Fox that originally aired from September 20, 2011, to May 15, 2018. The series revolves around a kooky teacher, Jessica Day ( Zoo ...
is a 2011-2018 Fox sitcom in which three male leads went to Syracuse University. Some flashbacks take place in Syracuse. * Ordinary Joe is a 2021-2022 NBC drama about a music major from Syracuse University who’s at a crossroads on his graduation day at SU in 2011. * The ''
Quantum Leap ''Quantum Leap'' is an American science fiction television series, created by Donald P. Bellisario, that premiered on NBC and aired for five seasons, from March 26, 1989, to May 5, 1993. The series stars Scott Bakula as Dr. Sam Beckett, a phys ...
'' episode "Catch a Falling Star" was set in Syracuse. * The short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom '' The Trouble with Larry'', which starred Bronson Pinchot and
Courteney Cox Courteney Bass Cox (previously Courteney Cox Arquette; born June 15, 1964) is an American actress and filmmaker. She gained international recognition for her starring role as Monica Geller on the NBC sitcom ''Friends'', which aired from 1994 ...
, was set in Syracuse. The show was cancelled after three episodes. * In '' Unforgettable'', Two of the main characters (played by
Poppy Montgomery Poppy Montgomery (born Poppy Petal Emma Elizabeth Deveraux Donahue; June 19,1972) is an Australian-born actress. She played FBI agent Samantha Spade on the CBS mystery drama ''Without a Trace'' from 2002 to 2009 and played Detective Carrie Well ...
and
Dylan Walsh Dylan Walsh (born Charles Hunter Walsh; November 17, 1963) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Dr. Sean McNamara in the FX television series ''Nip/Tuck'', Al Burns in ''Unforgettable'' and Sam Lane in ''Superman & Lois''. E ...
)IMDb
/ref> used to work for the Syracuse Police Department and flashbacks often take place in Syracuse.


Literature

* Most ''
Freddy the Pig Freddy the Pig is the central figure in a series of 26 children's books written between 1927 and 1958 by American author Walter R. Brooks and illustrated by Kurt Wiese, consisting of 25 novels and one poetry collection. The books focus on the adven ...
'' books take place on farm a few miles outside of Syracuse. * '' Speak'' by
Laurie Halse Anderson Laurie Halse Anderson is an American writer, known for children's and young adult novels. She received the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 2010 for her contribution to young adult literature. She was first re ...
is a novel set in Syracuse. *'' I’ll take you there'' by Joyce Carol Oates is set at Syracuse University. * ''Wayward'' by
Dana Spiotta Dana Spiotta (born 1966) is an American author. She was a recipient of the Rome Prize in Literature, a Guggenheim Fellowship and a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship. Her novel ''Stone Arabia'' (2011) was a National Book Critics Circle ...
is set in and features the city of Syracuse.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Syracuse, New York In Fiction Culture of Syracuse, New York New York (state) in fiction Fiction