Celebrities Find Their Own Paradise in Naples & Marco Island

Many well-known personalities from the worlds of broadcast media, film, business, music, books and politics have homes in Naples and Marco Island on Florida’s Paradise Coast.

The area has long attracted stars to its white-sand shores. The original Naples Hotel welcomed numerous notable guests. Rose Cleveland, the president's sister, was the first to sign the register upon the hotel's opening in 1890. Over the years Thomas Edison enjoyed Sunday dinner there during the many years he owned a winter home in nearby Fort Myers. After the hotel moved and expanded as The Naples Beach Hotel, actor Gary Cooper stayed while filming Distant Drums. 

Celebrities spotted around town in recent years include Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman and her husband, country singer Keith Urban. The pair strolled Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South and dined at two top restaurants during their stay: Sea Salt and Truluck's Seafood, Steak & Crab House. Aerosmith singer-songwriter Steven Tyler visited the popular Wind In the Willows shop on Fifth Avenue South in 2015 and graciously posed for photos with staff and customers after purchasing custom boots and a jacket. 

Celebrity chefs have come to town, too. Chef Emeril Lagasse filmed an episode of the "Emeril's Florida" cable television show in Naples several years ago. He has also participated in many Naples Winter Wine Festival events as a celebrity chef. That event has brought many notable chefs to the area each January, including Daniel Boulud, Wolfgang Puck, Tom Colicchio, Bill Telepan, John Besh, Eric Ripart, Michelle Bernstein and many more. 

When you visit the Naples area, be on the lookout for famous faces – you never know who you’ll be sharing paradise with. Read on to see a list of celebrities who either call the Naples area home or visit regularly.

Broadcast Media & Film

Judge Judy Sheindlin

The famous television judge owns a home in Pelican Bay. She's been spotted at the nearby Waterside Shops.

Sean Hannity

The syndicated radio talk show host and host of Hannity on the FOX News Channel owns a penthouse in the Moraya Bay Beach Tower.

Brett Baier

The host of Special Report with Bret Baier on FOX News Channel, one of the top cable news programs, owns a vacation condo in Naples. Both his parents and in-laws live in Naples.

Jane Seymour

The star of Doctor Quinn Medicine Woman, Live and Let Die and many other television shows and films makes appearances in Naples, typically related to displays of her artwork. 

Mary Carillo

The television personality, sports journalist and former professional tennis player splits her time between Naples and New York City's Greenwich Village. 

Neal Boortz

When not in Atlanta, the now-retired nationally syndicated talk radio host Neal Boortz resides in the Naples area a few months out of the year. He and his wife, Donna, own a condo penthouse in North Naples and a home on a canal in Marco Island.

Business

John Schnatter

The founder and chairman of Papa John’s pizza has a vacation home in Naples.

Shahid Kahn

Shahid Khan, who owns a home in Naples, is one of six Southwest Florida residents on the 2018 Forbes 400 list of richest Americans. He owns the automotive manufacturing company Flex-N-Gate, the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team, and the English Football (soccer) League championship team Fulham Football Club.

Richard Schulze

The founder and chairman of Best Buy, Richard Schulze, recently moved from nearby Bonita Springs to the exclusive Port Royal community in Naples. 

Tom Golisano

Golisano, founder and chairman of payroll firm Paychex, resides in Naples. His philanthropy is clearly evident in the region, with his name appearing on several top children's institutions including the Golisano Children's Museum of Naples and the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. 

Music

Alex Lifeson

The lead guitarist for Rush owns a condo in Pelican Bay.

Bob Seger

Rock musician Bob Seger owns a condo in Naples. 

Donna Summer

Disco queen Summer was living in a condo at Tiburon in North Naples when she passed away in 2012.

Sports Figures

Fuzzy Zoeller

Retired two-time major championship winning PGA Tour golfer Fuzzy Zoeller has been a part-time Naples resident since the early 70’s. 

John Kruk

The former Major League Baseball player John Kruk, best-known for his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, owns Kruk's Philly Steaks restaurant in north Naples. 

Rocco Mediate

Professional golfer Rocco Mediate, who won six times on the PGA Tour and 3 times on the Champions Tour, owns a home at Tuscany Reserve in Naples. 

Larry Bird

The NBA great has owned a waterfront home on Neapolitan Way for many years. It is currently up for sale.

Mike Ditka

The retired NFL coach is a long-time Naples part-time resident.

Dave Wannstedt

The former head coach of the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears owns a home in Port Royal in Naples.

Charlie Babb

The former Miami Dolphins safety started with the team in the 1972 Perfect Season. He has a home in Naples. 

Asa Parseghian

The former Notre Dame football coach is a part-time Marco Island resident. 

Earl Morrall

The former Miami Dolphins quarterback, who started nine games during the 1972 Perfect Season, retired to Naples. He passed away in April 2014. 

Gene Sarazen

The PGA Tour golf legend lived in Marco Island for 34 years until his death in 1999. 

Authors

Robin Cook

The famous novelist divides his time between his homes in Naples and New Hampshire.

Janet Evanovich

The novelist best-known for her Stephanie Plum series spends part of the year at her home in Naples. 

Ben Bova

Science fiction author Bova is a long-time Naples resident. 

Robert Ludlum

The famous writer lived in a high-rise condominium in the Park Shore area of Naples up until his death in 2001. 

Politics

Rick Scott

U.S. Senator and former Florida Governor Rick Scott lives owns a beachfront mansion on Gordon Drive in Naples. 

Charles Colson

The Nixon-era Watergate felon and prison reformer retired to Naples and lived there until his death in 2012.