September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006
William Everett Preston was a celebrated studio musician (piano/organ – mainly) who worked with an astonishing list of artists that includes Little Richard, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Sam Cooke, Johnny Cash and The Beatles. It was his work with the latter during the “Let it Be” and “Abbey Road” sessions that led to his unofficial designation as “the fifth Beatle.1” He also played extensively with The Rolling Stones both live and in the studio. Not bad.
March 24, 1924 – December 14, 1998
Norman Fell was a well-loved character actor who made appearances in many films including Catch-22, The Graduate, It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and the original Ocean’s 11 (the one with Sinatra and co.) But, he is most known to television audiences as half of the original landlord couple, Stanley and Helen Roper, on the ’70s hit, Three’s Company. Even after the disastrous spin-off, The Ropers, people still loved Norman. He continued to work in TV and film and even reprised Mr. Roper on an episode of Ellen a year before his death. Continue reading
May 16, 1919 – February 4, 1987
Władziu Valentino Liberace was a slightly eccentric and subtly flamboyant pianist and entertainer. He was known for his modest costumes and occasional use of candelabras and jewels. Liberace was not even remotely sparkly. And, despite all of his obvious understated-ness, he was still known to many as “Mr. Showmanship.” I guess I just don’t see it. Continue reading
October 17, 1918 – May 14, 1987
Actress, dancer and all-around bombshell, Rita Hayworth, captivated Hollywood audiences throughout the 1940s and ’50s. Glamorous and talented, she was the quintessential Golden-era beauty. Her personal life was quite public and tremendously busy. She once quipped that men “fell in love with [her iconic character] Gilda, but they wake up with me.” She was married five times, including to actor/director Orson Welles and Prince Aly Khan. Rita struggled with alcohol most of her life. She died from complications from Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 68. Continue reading
March 22, 1912 – July 1, 2009
Mladen George Sekulovich was born in Chicago into a Serbian family. At the age of 22, he changed his name to Karl Malden and embarked on a 60 year film career that gave us iconic movies like A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront, Gypsy and How the West Was Won. Malden also worked in television and notably hawked American Express cards in the ’70’s and ’80’s. Continue reading
December 8, 1936 – June 3, 2009
He was Caine. He was Bill. He was the Barefoot Legend.
A prominent pop-culture figure, actor and martial artist David Carradine’s career spanned decades in television, film and even music. He is probably best known for his role in the TV series, Kung Fu, and to younger audiences, as the titular boss/revenge target in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill movies.
November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003
Born Charles Dennis Buchinsky, Charles Bronson was a classic Hollywood tough guy. In addition to starring turns in such iconic movies as The Dirty Dozen, The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape and Death Wish, he was also a B-29 gunner in World War II. He received a Purple Heart. He was a total badass.
February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948
Look, I hate the Yankees. I have hated the Yankees my whole life. I HATE, hate them. Hate.
But, George Herman Ruth transcends mere pinstripes. He is perhaps the most famous baseball player of all time. Brandishing nicknames like “The Great Bambino,” “The Sultan of Swat” and – most simply and memorably – “Babe,” he dominated the game for 20 years. Continue reading
November 25, 1920 – January 14, 2009
Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro “KHAAAANNN!” Montalbán y Merino, the Mexican-born actor who literally invented a fake type of leather, was probably best known to American television audiences as the charming Mr. Roarke on the 1970’s-’80’s ABC series, Fantasy Island. Of course, hanging out in trippy paradise with Hervé Villechaize wasn’t Montalbán’s only claim to fame. He also rose to pop-culture infamy by portraying Khan in both the TV and motion picture versions of Star Trek. Continue reading
October 5, 1902 – January 24, 1975
Louis Feinberg – known to the world as Larry Fine – was a vaudeville and film entertainer who was a member of the classic comedy team, The Three Stooges. Larry was asked by creator Ted Healy to join brothers Moe and Shemp Howard1 in their stage act. He said ‘yes’ and the rest was history.
