While Hitch (2005) is primarily set in Manhattan—featuring familiar New York landmarks such as the Hook & Ladder 8 firehouse, the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, Balthazar in SoHo, and the Seagram Building on Park Avenue
—it also includes a notable Long Island location. Several key scenes were filmed at Old Westbury Gardens in Nassau County. Though much of Hitch’s romantic and comedic action unfolds amid Manhattan’s bustle, this Long Island setting underscores the region’s visual and cultural importance to the film’s landscape.
That connection to Long Island extends beyond its scenery. One of the movie’s stars, Kevin James, who plays Albert Brennaman opposite Will Smith’s title character, is a native Long Islander—reportedly born in Mineola and raised in Stony Brook. Before achieving mainstream fame with The King of Queens and Hitch, James got his start performing stand-up in Long Island comedy clubs. His involvement adds an authentic local layer to the film, symbolizing the blend of Manhattan sophistication and Long Island relatability that defines much of the New York experience portrayed on screen.
Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on October 15, 2025.