Brian Dennehy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Born Brian Mannion Dennehy
July 9, 1938 (1938-07-09) (age 70)
Woodstock, Connecticut, USA
Occupation Actor
Years active 1977 - present
Spouse(s) Judith Scheff (1959-1974)
Jennifer Arnott (1988-present)
Awards won
Golden Globe Awards
Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
2001 Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
Laurence Olivier Awards
Best Actor
2006 Death of a Salesman
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
2001 Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
Tony Awards
Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
1999 Death of a Salesman
2003 Long Day's Journey Into Night
Brian Mannion Dennehy (born July 9, 1938) is an American two-time Tony Award-winning actor who has appeared in movies, on television, and performed in live theater.
Biography
Early life
Dennehy was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Hannah and Edward Dennehy, who was a wire service correspondent for the Associated Press; he has two brothers, Michael and Edward.[1][2] The family relocated to Long Island, New York, where Dennehy attended Chaminade High School in the town of Mineola.
Rather than immediately chase his dreams of stage and screen, Dennehy enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1959, actively serving until 1963. He went on to attend Columbia on a football scholarship to major in history, where he also became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, before moving on to Yale to study dramatic arts. He played rugby for Old Blue RFC.
Film
Dennehy is primarily known as a dramatic actor. His breakthrough role was as the overzealous Sheriff Will Teasle in First Blood (1982) opposite Sylvester Stallone as Rambo. His other roles include a corrupt sheriff in the western Silverado, and an alien in Cocoon, both released in 1985. He later played memorable supporting parts in such films as Legal Eagles (1986), F/X - Murder By Illusion (1986), Presumed Innocent (1990) and F/X2 - The Deadly Art Of Illusion (1991).
During the 1980s, Dennehy gradually became a valuable character actor in films and subsequently gained leading man status in the thriller Best Seller (1987) co-starring James Woods. He gained his arthouse spurs when he starred in the Peter Greenaway film The Belly of an Architect, for which he won the Best Actor Award at the 1987 Chicago International Film Festival. Commenting upon this unusual venture, Dennehy said, "I've been in a lot of movies but this is the first film I've made."
Perhaps one of his most well known roles was in the 1995 Chris Farley-David Spade comedy Tommy Boy as Big Tom Callahan.
Two of his earliest roles were in 10 with Bo Derek and Dudley Moore and Foul Play with Chevy Chase. Later, he would again star with Bo Derek in "Tommy Boy."
He also has had a role in the recent movie Ratatouille as Django, Remy the rat's (the main protagonist voiced by Patton Oswalt) father.
Television
Dennehy began his professional acting career is small guest roles in such 1970s and 1980s series as Kojak, Lou Grant, Dallas and Dynasty. He also appeared in an episode of "Miami Vice" during the 1987-88 season. Dennehy portrayed Sergeant Ned T. "Frozen Chosen" Coleman in the television movie A Rumor of War (1980) opposite Brad Davis. He continued to appear such high profile television movies as Skokie (1981), Day One (1989), A Killing in a Small Town (1990) opposite Barbara Hershey, In Broad Daylight (1991) and Scott Turow's The Burden of Proof. He also played a convincing Jackie Presser in HBO's Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story.
He also had a lead role as fire chief/celebrity dad Leslie "Buddy" Krebs in the short-lived 1982 series Star Of The Family. Despite his notoriety, that show was cancelled after only two seasons.
He was nominated for Emmy Awards six times for his television movies including one for his performance as John Wayne Gacy, for which he was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie. He was also nominated that same year in a different category, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie, for The Burden of Proof (1992). He was also nominated for an Emmy Awards for his work in A Killing in a Small Town, Murder in the Heartland (1993) and, most recently, for the Showtime cable TV movie Our Fathers (2005), which was about the Roman Catholic Church sex abuse scandal.
In 2000, Dennehy was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie for a television presentation of his performance as Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman which he had performed on Broadway. Although he did not win the Emmy (he has yet to win an Emmy), he did receive a Golden Globe award for the presentation.
He has starred in the popular crime drama Jack Reed TV movies. His also guest starred as a recurring character in the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me!
Dennehy was parodied in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999). He interrupts the song "What Would Brian Boitano Do?", asking if someone called his name. When he's rudely and bluntly told to leave, he says bye and leaves. In the episode "Jaws Wired Shut" of the Fox animated series The Simpsons while waiting for a film to start in a theater, the screen revealed a silhouette of an actor and the anagram "MOT HANKS". Lisa, believing it to be "obviously" Tom Hanks, is surprised when it is in fact Otm Shank, who Apu explains is "India's answer to Brian Dennehy".
In January 2007, he starred as a retired criminal who wants to reconnect with his daughter and admit his crimes thus eventually clearing a wrongfully imprisoned inmate on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In April 2008, Dennehy guest-starred as a Teamster boss named "Mickey" in an episode of "30 Rock".
Dennehy is currently shooting footage for his upcoming mini-series on the History Channel called "Brian Dennehy's America." The show follows Dennehy as he explores the states, from his boyhood home in New England, all the way to the Pacific Northwest, interviewing the locals about why they love their state.
Theater
Dennehy has won two Tony Awards, both times for Best Lead Actor in a Play. The first win was for Death of a Salesman (for which he also won a Laurence Olivier Award for the production's London run), in 1999, and the second was for Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night in 2003. Both productions were directed by Robert Falls and were originally produced at the Goodman Theatre company in Chicago.
On stage, Dennehy has made frequent performances in the Chicago theatre world, and made his Broadway debut in 1995 in Brian Friel's Translations. In 1999, he was the first male performer to be voted the Sarah Siddons Award for his work in Chicago theatre. He made a return to Broadway in 2007 as Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind opposite Christopher Plummer. In 2008, Dennehy will appear at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada, appearing in All's Well That Ends Well and a double bill of plays by Samuel Beckett and Eugene O'Neill.
Fabrication of military service in Vietnam
In 1989, Dennehy told the New York Times that he received shrapnel wounds in the Vietnam War. In 1993, he told Playboy that he served five years in Vietnam. It was revealed, however, that he never served in Vietnam at all. In actuality, he served during peacetime in the Marine Corps from 1959-1963; with Okinawa being his only overseas service. In 1999, Dennehy apologized for the fabricated stories.[citation needed]
Personal life
At one point, Dennehy resided at West Gilgo Beach, Long Island NY and is currently a resident of Woodstock, Connecticut. He is the father of actresses Elizabeth Dennehy and Kathleen Dennehy.
Dennehy has undergone the Lap Band weight loss procedure, being an early entry on the growing list of celebrity lap band recipients.
Richard Roundtree
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Born July 9, 1942 (1942-07-09) (age 66)
New Rochelle, New York
Occupation Film, stage, TV actor
Richard Roundtree (born July 9, 1942) is an American actor and former male fashion model known for portraying John Shaft in the film Shaft (1971) and in its two sequels, Shaft's Big Score (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973).
Biography
Personal life
Roundtree was born in New Rochelle, New York, the son of Kathryn, a nurse and housekeeper, and John Roundtree, a caterer and garbage collector.[1] He attended Southern Illinois University.[2] Roundtree was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy.[3]
Career
Roundtree was a leading man in early 1970s Blaxploitation films. He also played a role in the 1977 television series Roots (TV miniseries), in the role of the slave Sam Bennett. Prior to becoming an actor, he was a football player and a model. Although Roundtree worked through the 1990s, many of his more recent films were not well-received, but he was able to find success in stage plays.
Since 1990, however, he reemerged as a cult icon. Roundtree appeared in David Fincher's critically acclaimed 1995 movie Se7en, the 2000 remake of Shaft as John Shaft's uncle, and guest-starred in several episodes of the first season of Desperate Housewives as an amoral private detective. He also appeared in 1997's George of the Jungle, as well as playing a high school vice-principal in the 2005 (General release: 2006) movie Brick Panic Button 2007 film. His voice was also utilized as the title character in the hit Play Station game Akuji the Heartless, where Akuji must battle his way out of the depths of hell at the bidding of the Baron himself.
In 1997, Roundtree had a leading role in the short-lived FOX ensemble drama 413 Hope St. He portrayed Booker T. Washington in the 1999 television movie Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years.
He has appeared in the television series Heroes as Simone's terminally ill father, Charles Deveaux. Next he appearred in an episode of Lincoln Heights. Most recently, Roundtree has a supporting role in the 2008 Speed Racer film as a racer-turned-commentator who is an icon and hero to Speed.
Edy Williams
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Born Edwina Beth Williams
July 9, 1942 (1942-07-09) (age 66)
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Other name(s) Edie Williams
Edythe Williams
Years active 1962-Present
Spouse(s) Russ Meyer (June 27, 1970 - November 7, 1975)
Edwina Beth Williams (born July 9, 1942) is an American television and film actress. She is sometimes credited as Edie Williams or Edythe Williams.
Early years
Born in Utah and raised in Oregon and Southern California, Williams began her career as a model and beauty pageant contestant. After winning several local pageants, Williams was signed as a contract player by 20th Century Fox.[1]
Career
Throughout the 1960s, Williams appeared in several television series and film including roles in The Beverly Hillbillies, Batman, Adam-12, Lost in Space, The Naked Kiss, and the Sonny & Cher film, Good Times.
In 1970, she appeared as Ashley St. Ives in Russ Meyer's first mainstream film Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, followed by his second mainstream film The Seven Minutes (1971). Meyers and Williams married in 1970, shortly after the release of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
In March 1973, she was photographed for Playboy in a full color photo spread by then-husband Russ Meyer.[2]
After her divorce from Meyer in 1977, Williams continued acting, mainly appearing in films, many of which involving nudity.
In 1982, she appeared on an episode of The People's Court as a defendant in a case titled "The Star Who Wouldn't Pay". Williams was sued for payment for publicity work the plaintiff had done for her. She counter-sued for half of the retainer she'd paid him.[3]
After her appearance on The People's Court, Williams was sporadically active in films during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Later years
Since the 1990s, Williams has traditionally appeared at both the Academy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival in revealing and flamboyant outfits.[4]
Jimmy Smits
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Born July 9, 1955 (1955-07-09) (age 53)
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Spouse(s) Barbara Smits (1981-1987)
Emmy Awards
Supporting Actor - Drama Series
1990 L.A. Law
Golden Globe Awards
Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series - Drama
1996 NYPD Blue
Jimmy Smits (born July 9, 1955) is an American Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actor. Smits is perhaps best known for his long-running roles on the 1980s legal drama L.A. Law as Richard Dysart's youngest uptight law partner, Victor Sifuentes, who was also the firm's pro-bono lawyer (a role he played from 1986 to 1991), and as Dennis Franz's second partner, Det. Bobby Simone, in NYPD Blue (a role he played from 1994 to 1998), a police officer who was a widower, as well as his role on The West Wing as congressman and presidential candidate Matt Santos, opposite Alan Alda, Bradley Whitford, and Martin Sheen. He most recently played Alex Vega, the main character on CBS's prime-time serial, Cane. As an actor, he is noted for his portrayal of earnest, honest men with deep moral convictions.
Biography
Early life
Smits was born in Brooklyn, New York City. His father, Cornelis Smits, was a Surinamese immigrant of Dutch descent who managed a silk-screening factory. His mother, Emilina, was a Puerto Rican who worked as a nurse.[1][2] He has 2 sisters, Yvonne and Diana. He grew up in a devoutly Catholic family[1] in a working-class neighborhood and spent time in Puerto Rico during his childhood.[3][4] Smits earned a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College in 1980 and an MFA from Cornell University in 1982. Though born in New York, Smits has deep Puerto Rican roots and frequently visits the island. He was arrested for his participation in protests against U.S. Navy bombing practices in the Puerto Rican offshore island of Vieques.[5]
Career
A wider audience became aware of Smits for his appearance as Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan who becomes Princess Leia's adoptive father, in the films Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.
He also starred in the multigenerational story of a Chicano family in My Family/Mi Familia in 1995. Smits also played the Conky Repairman on Pee-wee's Playhouse as one of the show's memorable characters, and in one of his earliest roles. Another notable early role played by Smits was that of Eddie Rivera in the series premiere of Miami Vice. In the episode, he was Sonny Crockett's original partner, only to be shortly killed off in a sting gone wrong.
Smits was to have hosted the 2001 Latin Grammy Awards broadcast, but it was called off because of the terrorist attacks that day. He instead hosted a non-televised press conference to announce the winners.
Smits played the role of Congressman Matt Santos of Houston, Texas in the final two seasons of the American television drama The West Wing, joining fellow L.A. Law alumnus John Spencer. Smits's character eventually ran for and won the US Presidency in the series.
For the third season of Dexter, Smits has signed on to play the role of Miguel Prado, an attorney general who will at times team with Dexter on the hunt for a murderer.[6]
Personal life
Smits was married to Barbara Smits from 1981 until their divorce in 1987. They have two children, Taina (born in 1973) and Joaquin (born in 1983). Since 1986, Smits has been in a relationship with actress Wanda De Jesus. They reside in Los Angeles. Smits helped found the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts[7] to advance the presence of Latinos in the media, telecommunications and entertainment industries. Jimmy is also an advocate for diagnostic colorectal screening and has appeared in a public service commercial.
Kelly McGillis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Born Kelly Ann McGillis
July 9, 1957 (1957-07-09) (age 51)
Newport Beach, California, United States
Spouse(s) Boyd Black (1979-1981)
Fred Tillman (1989-2002)
Awards won
BAFTA Awards
Nominated: Best Actress in a Leading Role
1985 Witness
Golden Globe Awards
Nominated: Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture
1986 Witness
Kelly Ann McGillis (born July 9, 1957)[1] is an American actress, whose notable movies include Witness (for which she received a Golden Globe nomination), Top Gun, and The Accused.
Biography
Career
She attended The Juilliard School's Drama Division, graduating in 1983. There, she performed in William Congreve's "Love for Love" directed by John Blatchley. In 2004, she appeared in the stage play The Graduate as Mrs. Robinson, touring the United States. In 2007, according to Variety Magazine, she joined the cast of Showtime's The L Word for its fifth season.
Personal life
McGillis was born in Newport Beach, California, the daughter of Joan (née Snell), a homemaker, and Donald McGillis, a general practitioner of medicine.[2] She married Boyd Black in 1979, divorcing in 1981. She married Fred Tillman in 1989, and they had two daughters: Kelsey and Sonora. The couple divorced in 2002 and she is currently single. She and her daughter Sonora live in Mohnton, PA.[3]
In 1982, McGillis and her roommate were assaulted and raped in their home by the escaped rapist Leroy Johnson after McGillis came home from work.[4] This experience encouraged the actress to pursue her film role as the lawyer who supports Jodie Foster's character in The Accused. McGillis was originally approached for the role of the rape victim in that film. She turned it down, feeling it would be too close to her real life ordeal. The part eventually went to Jodie Foster, who won an Oscar for her performance.
McGillis had once owned Kelly's, a restaurant in Key West, Florida, that she and her ex-husband founded. Although the restaurant is still open, she says she is "no longer a part of that restaurant at all," since her second divorce, according to a 2006 TV interview on "Good Day Sacramento".
The supermarket had a sale on boneless chicken breasts. I intended to stock up. At the store, however, I was disappointed to find only a few skimpy prepackaged portions of the poultry, so I complained to the butcher lady.
"Don't worry," she said, "I'll pack some more trays and have them ready for you by the time you finish shopping."
Several aisles later, I heard the lady butcher's voice boom over the public-address system: "Will the gentleman who wanted bigger breasts please meet me at the back of the store."
Good joke, bobsmythhawk
Happy Birthday to Jimmy Smits. His 1995 film, My Family, had this McGuire Sisters hit on it's soundtrack. On this clip, it's followed by an equally upbeat hit from Bobby Day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEWC8rF6Brk
well, folks, we truly enjoyed edgar's funny little bit between Merle and Marty. Thanks for the smile, Texas.
firefly, I really loved Nana's lovely song, and it did faintly resemble Elvis' "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You."
Hope all went well with your karaoke, Bio Bob, and thanks for the humorous story about life's embarrassing moments. We always learn something from your background on famous folks, and we do appreciate your efforts.
Although this man was not among the hawkman's biographies, I found that today was his birthday as well. Let's listen to this one, shall we?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByU0RjEnOkw&feature=related
On his birthday, let's listen to Ed Ames, still looking, and sounding, great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiHhTgRAfp4&feature=related
And, for Kelly McGillis, let's listen to this song from her 1986 film, Top Gun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-pcOQ7Lyf8
firefly, what a phenomenon Ed Ames is. Reminds me of Tony Martin. Both are still with us and still performing.
Lovely song from Top Gun, and once again you have inspired me to recall one of my favorite actors of all times.
Also from Top Gun, y'all..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bqt2Xhwg1g
I must give another birthday nod to Tom Hanks, simply for this incredible scene from Philadelphia. While not, strictly speaking, a musical selection, it captures the awesome power of music in stunning performances by both Hanks and Maria Callas. Bravo! to both of them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b0p9mTJOJI
Good afternoon WA2K.
Thank you Firefly.
I was just getting ready to find that aria. Absolutely beautiful.
I'd like to add another Ed Ames song before I post pictures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ5MxSmOdOQ
First allow me to acknowledge firefly's poignant scene in Philadelphia. The combination of Maria Callas' aria and Denzel Washington's still features as Tom is living each word and coming to terms with the fact that he is dying of aids, is very moving.
Raggedy, your Ed Ames song reminded me of a Gregorian chant. Your wonderful montage of photo's was superior. Thanks, PA.
Speaking of Gregorian chants, listeners, I haven't heard one word from smokingun. He lives in Northern Ireland and is a devout Roman Catholic, so we will dedicate this one to him and our soccer George.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MbDqc3x97k&feature=related
Art Garfunkel
All I Know
Don't hear that much from him these days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33aoxUeAw0E
Letty mentioned Ireland, and that made me want to listen to these fellows.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BEl5hTNWh8&feature=related
And, listening to the Clancy Brothers, reminded me how much I enjoyed listening to the new group, Celtic Thunder, when I first heard them on St. Patrick's Day. Here they are, at their most rousing, and patriotic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlnLk4Y_kKM&feature=related
edgar, I searched out Simon and Garfunkel and found this song. Odd, it's Wednesday. That song by Art was lovely. What a wonderful voice he has.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K0eknfuix8
firefly, I love the Clancey Brothers. Thanks and we'll dedicate that one to Mike, Al, and Imur.
