Born: May 10, 1838 Died: April 26, 1865 I’m watching Manhunt (on AppleTV), the story of the assassination of President Lincoln and the manhunt for John Wilkes Booth … and decided to add Booth to my growing list of posts. Booth was the son of Junius Brutus Booth, a well-known British Shakespearean actor. Junius Brutus … Continue reading John Wilkes Booth: “He was regarded as a trifle crazy”
Month: March 2024
Ella Fitzgerald: “Can warble to beat the birds”
Born: April 25, 1917 Died: June 15, 1996 NEW ORLEANS – Gasping for breath, Ella Fitzgerald the “first lady” of swing,” emerged from her dance engagement at the New Rhythm Club here last week with her clothes tattered and torn as 4,000 frenzied patrons grappled with her for autographs. Approximately 2,500 on the outside, unable … Continue reading Ella Fitzgerald: “Can warble to beat the birds”
Charlie Chaplin: “His original ambition was to play tragedy”
Born: April 16, 1889 Died: December 25, 1977 Charlie Chaplin is known all over the world as the funniest man that ever appeared on a picture screen … You can never tell what new funny stunt he is going to do. Norwich Bulletin, Norwich, Connecticut, December 19, 1914 This wasn’t true at the start of … Continue reading Charlie Chaplin: “His original ambition was to play tragedy”
Ty Cobb: “Seiver’s face was a mass of bruises”
Born: December 18, 1886 Died: July 17, 1961 Just days before Ty Cobb began slashing hits and stealing bases at a sensational, record-setting pace, his parents back home in Royston, Georgia made the news in the most tragic of ways: Amanda Cobb shot and killed her husband, William Herschel Cobb. The shooting of Professor Cobb … Continue reading Ty Cobb: “Seiver’s face was a mass of bruises”
Bill Russell: “His interpretation of the Charleston is just about the best ever seen”
Born: February 12, 1934 Died: July 31, 2022 Bill Russell was a superstar basketball player in high school, right? Nope. Not even close … Coach George Powles’ defending champion McClymonds [High School] squad won all six of its practice games, including an impressive win over the University of California freshman. Four lettermen grace the starting … Continue reading Bill Russell: “His interpretation of the Charleston is just about the best ever seen”
Ron Howard: “He does get 25 cents a week allowance”
Born: March 1, 1954 Five-year old Ronny Howard has been signed to play Barnaby in “Mr. O’Malley,” the comic strip-based fantasy which will be the “General Electric Theater” Christmas program, in color, on the CBS Television Network Sunday Dec. 20, 8-8:30 p.m. CST. Comedian Bert Lahr stars in the title role, as the bumbling fairy … Continue reading Ron Howard: “He does get 25 cents a week allowance”
From Unknown To Famous 