These celebrities have visited the New Bedford area. Here's why.

NEW BEDFORD -- Even though Hollywood may seem worlds away, it's not uncommon to catch a glimpse of some A-list celebrities in the humble city of New Bedford.

The Whaling City has become a popular destination for film productions and has also drawn in famous names for leisurely visits and dining experiences. Here are some of the memorable celebrities who have made their way to New Bedford over the years, including renowned stars such as Justin Timberlake and Tommy Lee Jones.

Tommy Lee Jones

In May 2022, the feature film "Finestkind," was filming all over the New Bedford area and parts of the SouthCoast. Celebrities such as Ben Foster ("Hell and High Water"), Toby Wallace ("The Society"), Tim Daly ("Wings") and Jenna Ortega ("Wednesday) were all spotted filming in places such as Custom House Square, on the Fairhaven bridge, a Fairhaven bar and a house in the North End. Directed by New Bedford native Brian Helgeland, the film is about two brothers pulled into a deal with an organized crime syndicate in Boston.

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Oscar-Award winning actor Tommy Lee Jones was spotted at The Black Whale.

"It was cool," said William Silverstein, general manager of the seafood restaurant on the pier in a previous article. "Nice guy. He kept to himself, no one bothered him either."

Tatiana Maslany

In November 2022, the downtown area of New Bedford was transformed to the 1930s to film scenes for the AMC series, "Invitation to a Bonfire." The production also filmed at the Wamsutta Club as well as in front of The Whalehouse on Madison Street.

Although the show was unfortunately canceled mid-production, Marvel's "She-Hulk" actress Tatiana Maslany popped up to film her scenes as well at a few shops in the downtown area.

Bill Murray

In August 2022, Bill Murray enjoyed dinner at Turk's Seafood in Mattapoisett after a round of golf at the Kittansett Club in Marion.

"I was a big fan, so I flipped out," said Kimberly McCarthy in a previous Standard-Times interview.

McCarthy, who has worked at Turk's Seafood for over four years, was in charge of takeout for the night when she was quickly shifted to the dining room. When Murray arrived, he surprised them with a group of 13.

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This wasn't the only time Murray was spotted in the South Coat area. On Aug. 12, 2019, Patti's Pierogis' Owner Patti Geary said she was shocked when she realized that Murray was seated in her restaurant. Ten days after being spotted at Patti's, Murray made another surprise appearance at Café Mimo, a Portuguese restaurant located at 1528 Acushnet Ave.

Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel

In September 2008, news spread fast after Justin Timberlake and his then-girlfriend (now wife) Jessica Biel, were spotted having breakfast at Margaret's in Fairhaven.

According to a Standard-Times interview, the couple was in town for a wedding of a college classmate of Biel's, who went to school at Tufts University in Boston. Timberlake was spotted also dancing in the street while they waited about 20 minutes for a table.

Taylor Schilling

Netflix's "Orange is the New Black" star Taylor Schilling was spotted in New Bedford in March 2019, raving about the former Jerky spot Brother's Artisanal on Williams Street in New Bedford. Schilling's father and brother live in the New Bedford area. Her brother, Sam, was working at the jerky spot.

In January 2023, Schilling returned to be the opening reader for the New Bedford Whaling Museum's annual Moby-Dick Marathon.

Martha Stewart

On July 16, 2009, Martha Stewart arrived unannounced, with an entourage of six people, to the Portuguese restaurant. According to a report, Stewart has a summer home in Mount Desert Island and wanted to try some seafood. Antonio's was recommended to her.

Kevin James

In September 2021, "The King of Queens" actor Kevin James visited the former Whaling City Diner on Purchase Street. James asked Sterling how to properly pronounce the name of the popular (in these parts, at least) Portuguese smoked sausage -- having never head of linguica.

James is best known for his Emmy-nominated role as Doug in the CBS sitcom, "The King of Queens." He is also known for the films, "Grown Ups," "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," "Here Comes the Boom" and "Zookeeper." He recently starred in the Netflix series, "The Crew."

Tony Danza

Tony Danza was also spotted walking around the downtown New Bedford area in November 2022, before performing his one-man show at The Zeiterion Theatre.

"I've been doing this kind of thing for a while and it's finally clicked. So I'm really excited about it," Danza said.

Danza is known for starring on the television series "Taxi," "Angels in the Outfield" and "Who's the Boss?" for which he was nominated for an Emmy and four Golden Globe Awards. The actor recently made headlines for joining the cast of the second season of "Sex and the City" spinoff "And Just Like That."

Alan Cumming

"Spy Kids" and "The Good Wife" Tony-winning actor Alan Cumming stepped through DATMA's "Threshold" piece in Custom House Square with his dog Lala in June 2023.

While visiting the downtown area before performing in his "Och & Oy" cabaret, opposite Ari Shapiro at the Zeiterion, Cumming took to Instagram to record a video of himself visiting the 17-foot-high doorway.

"It's Saturday night on Broadway. Pow!" he sang in front of the doors.

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin James; celebrities spotted in New Bedford