Georges Seurat

Posted in Père Lachaise Cemetery with tags , on December 17, 2013 by Cade

seurat1December 2, 1859 – March 29, 1891

The father of the post-impressionist movement known as “pointilism”, Georges-Pierre Seurat is one of the most recognizable French impressionist painters. His masterworks like A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (1884–1886) and Bathers at Asnières (1883) stand as monuments to the late 19th century French collection as much as any Monet or Cézanne piece. His direct impact on the world of art was confined to a mere 31 years. Seurat died at that age of undisclosed causes in Paris. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Nicole Brown Simpson

Posted in Ascension Cemetery with tags on December 17, 2013 by Cade

brownsimpson1May 19, 1959 – June 12, 1994

Maybe, just maybe you have heard about the death of Nicole Brown Simpson.

Born in Germany, Nicole Brown’s family moved to California when she was young. She dabbled in acting, modeling and photography and lived the quintessential Orange County affluent life. When she was just 18, she met former football star O.J. Simpson. The two began a long relationship and were married seven years later. They had two kids together. However, the relationship – apparently – wasn’t all roses and sunshine. I know, right?

Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Freddie Prinze

Posted in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with tags , on December 16, 2013 by Cade

prinze1June 22, 1954 – January 29, 1977

Frederick Karl Pruetzel was a Hungarican (Hungarian/Puerto Rican – his word, not mine) actor and comedian who exploded onto the comedy circuit in the 1970’s. He wanted to be known as the Prince of Comedy, so he changed his name to Freddie Prinze and made people laugh. His short career was catapulted after an appearance on  The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and soon he was given his own sitcom: Chico and the Man. Continue reading →

3 Comments »

George Raft

Posted in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills with tags , , on December 16, 2013 by Cade

raft1September 26, 1895 – November 24, 1980

Some people are typecast from birth. For George Raft (Ranft), he was born to play a gangster. The rugged character actor was also an adept dancer and was a solid box office draw during his early career. But, when you are even friends with legit gangsters in real life, sometimes the image is hard to shake. Still, he turned it to his advantage, appearing opposite other perennial screen gangsters like Jimmy Cagney, he was poised to break through to be one of the biggest leading men of his generation. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Mario Lanza

Posted in Holy Cross Cemetery (CA) with tags , on December 16, 2013 by Cade

lanza1January 31, 1921 – October 7, 1959

A handsome tenor with an astounding voice, Mario Lanza took various stages and – ultimately – Hollywood by storm in the late 1940’s and ’50’s. His ability to bring heavy doses of charm and romanticism to his roles set him apart from many of his contemporaries. He was discovered by Louis B. Mayer at a 1947 performance at the famous Hollywood Bowl. Mayer immediately signed Lanza to a multi-year contract with MGM. He appeared in films like The Great Caruso, The Toast of New Orleans and Because You’re Mine churning out popular recordings from each.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

George M. Cohan

Posted in Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx) with tags , on November 20, 2013 by Cade

cohan1July 3, 1878 – November 5, 1942

George Michael Cohan was – to put it simply (and to steal mercilessly from many before me) – “the man who owned Broadway.” The son of Irish Catholic performers, Cohan grew up on stage as a member of the family vaudeville act, The Four Cohans. At an early age, he began writing his own skits…and then his own songs. Fast forward a few years and little George had over 300 songs to his credit, including classics like “The Yankee Doodle Boy,” “Give My Regards to Broadway” and “Over There.” Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Malcolm X

Posted in Ferncliff Cemetery with tags , on November 20, 2013 by Cade

x1May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965

Malcolm X was a controversial religious and civil rights activist during the tumultuous American 1950’s and ’60’s. A leader in the Nation of Islam, Malcolm – also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz – rose to prominence as the very public face of the very outspoken group. His views on race relations were seen by many as inflammatory and racist in their own ways. The Nation of Islam’s belief in Black supremacy and the the “white devil” did little to quell the controversy. In 1964, he split from the Nation and converted to Sunni Islam. The split was contentious and he received a number of death threats for his repudiation of the Nation’s teachings. Continue reading →

2 Comments »

Ulysses S. Grant

Posted in Grant National Memorial with tags , on November 19, 2013 by Cade

grant1April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885

You know you’ve had an eventful life when being the President of the United States is the SECOND most famous thing for which you are known. Ulysses S. Grant was – of course – the commanding officer of the Union Army that accepted Robert E. Lee’s surrender to end the U.S. Civil War. Three years following the end of the war, Grant was elected as the 18th U.S. President. His presidency was full of successes and of failures. No real surprise considering the state of the country at the time. During his time in office, the last of the Confederate states were restored into the union. He was also instrumental in the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which guaranteed the right to vote of (male) citizens, regardless of race. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Posted in Arlington National Cemetery with tags , on November 19, 2013 by Cade

kennedyoJuly 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994

Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis skyrocketed to international attention as the glamorous wife of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. However, in the years after JFK’s assassination, Jackie did not fade away and maintained a relatively high profile. In 1968, she married shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, and became – now, no longer entitled to Secret Service protection – a popular target for photographers and paparazzi. After Onassis died in 1975, Jackie committed herself to personal work. She worked as an editor and spent a lot of time campaigning for the preservation of historic landmarks and architecture. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

James Coburn

Posted in Westwood Memorial Park with tags , , on November 18, 2013 by Cade

coburn1August 31, 1928 – November 18, 2002

Best known for “tough guy” roles throughout his 45 year career, Academy Award winner, James Harrison Coburn III, was the epitome of cool. His huge, toothy grin was unmistakable and his hip demeanor was more “Rat Pack” than ruffian – despite his ominous presence on both the large and small screens. He is probably best remembered for his many roles in westerns and other action films. He appeared alongside fellow screen-toughies Charles Bronson and Steve McQueen in The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »