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;void(0)) Back to Burt's Home Page • Lily Tomlin #1 • Susan Lucci #2 • Ed Koch #3 • Sammy Davis Jr. #4 • Doris Day #5 • Michael Buffer #6 • Deborah Allen #7 • Clint Eastwood #8 • Dina Merrill #9 • Mike Douglas #10 • Frances Langford #11 • Jim Carrey #12 • Lee Meriwether #13 • Leslie Nielsen #14 • Olivia de Havilland #15 • Mariska Hargitay #16 • Pat Harrington #17 • Jack Palance #18 • Edward Asner #19 • Stacy Keach #20 • Amanda Schull #21 • Irving R. Levine #22 • Jane Seymour #23 • Karl Malden #24 • Connie Haines #25 • Eli Wallach #26 • Bea Arthur #27   MAUDE PASSES ON JUST BEFORE HER 87th BIRTHDAY BEATRICE ARTHUR BY BURT RICHARDS She’s 5' 9 1/2 inches tall and a mouth just a large, but she means well as America’s comic actress who is an Actress-comedienne famous for her acid wit. The majority of her work has been on the stage and in television, but she has made some films. She was born in Bernice Frankel New York on May 13th, 1922.. but better known as Bea Arthur . Cancer struck again . When she only 26 she was a regular on Sid Caesar's show "Caesar's Hour" for one season in the 1950's. She first gained attention on stage while starring in the play "The Threepenny Operas" with Tallulah Bankhead. She married her first husband Gene Sacks in 1950 .Then, in 1964, she truly became famous when she appeared in the original production of "Fiddler on the Roof" as Yente the Matchmaker. In this supporting role, she stole the show night after night. In 1966, she went to work on a new musical, "Mame, " directed by her husband, Gene Asks. For the featured role of Vera Charles in "Mame" she won a Tony. The star of the show, Angela Lansbury, also won a Tony. In 1971, Bea appeared on the hit sitcom "All in the Family" as Maude Findlay, Edith Bunker's cousin, who was forever driving Archie Bunker crazy with her liberal politics. This guest appearance led to her own series, entitled "Maude, " in 1972. The show was a hit, and ran for six years, during which time many controversial topics, including abortion, were tackled. Bea also won an Emmy for her work on "Maude." During the show's run, Bea repeated the role of Vera Charles in the film version of Mame (1974), again directed by husband Gene Saks, and she was one of the few bright spots in a rather abysmal film. She also appeared on none other than The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) at the same time divorced from Saks . In 1983, she started work on a new sitcom, "Amanda's, " which was patterned after "Fawlty Towers, " but it didn't last long. In 1985, however, she got sweet compensation when her new sitcom, "The Golden Girls, " hit the air. Costarring Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty, it was a show about four middle-aged women living in Miami. It was an immediate hit, and ran for seven seasons. All of the cast members, including Bea, won Emmys during the show's run. It should be worth noting that both "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" had to be canceled when Bea announced she was leaving each of them. In both cases, she left when she thought each show was at its peak, and in both cases, the producers of the shows realized the shows just wouldn't be the same without her. Since "Golden Girls" was canceled in 1992, Bea had kept a low profile, appearing in only one movie, For Better or Worse (1996). She has made another movie, however, Enemies of Laughter (2000), that is in post production as of this writing and will be released in 2000. In 1999, she made a very successful and welcome appearance at the Friars' Club Roast of Jerry Stiller. She lives on a ranch in California. Bea Passed away April 25th 2009 short of her May 13th Birthday. ;void(0)) INNER-VIEWS WITH CELEBRITIES By Burt Richards ONE DING - A - LING * TWO DING - A - LING She was born Mary Jean Tomlin on September 1st, 1939, (will be 65) Detroit, Michigan, Known for her "Laugh-In" characters Edith Ann and Ernestine, the phone operator. Lily is currently on the hit show The West Wing where she plays the President’s (the Martin Sheen character) Executive Secretary, Deborah Fiderer. Lily was a pre-med student at Wayne State University before choosing acting as a career. She also studied mime with Paul Curtis. I did not get into her family or child life, just what she did as an adult. Tomlin gave away genuine locks of her hair as a bonus for buyers of her home video library in 1993. As an honor, Lily was one of twelve “Promising New Actors of 1977.” One of Lily's first “professional” working jobs was being a waitress in Howard Johnson’s on Broadway near Times Square. Her comments to customers and staff heard over the eatery's microphone attracted her first big-city audience. She also was to star in a film called "Illegitimate" around 1980. The film was never made. Was coached and studied acting under the famous Charles Nelson Reilly, who was master at the Burt Reynolds theatre in Jupiter, Florida. Reilly introduced Lily to the works of monologist Ruth Draper, a major inspiration for her work. Also, she’s acknowledged a romantic relationship with Jane Wagner for the past 30 years. A couple of her Quips: “I've always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.” And...“There will be sex after death - we just won't be able to feel it.” Lily made appearances back in 1999 at the Centennial Concert Hall, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada as guest speaker for “Exceptional Experiences” lecture series. A versatile actress and comedienne, Lily’s successes in television, nightclubs, and the theatre have yet to find a niche in motion pictures, despite her impressive screen debut. She was a regular on the popular, Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In TV comedy series from 1970 to 1973, creating several daffy characters. Most noted was Ernestine, who she portrayed at the switchboard; also, she made a successful record album and appeared in nightclubs. Tomlin made a widely praised Hollywood debut as the mother of a hearing-impaired child in Robert Altman's epic Nashville (1975), which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Not a conventional leading lady, Tomlin has had a hard time finding appropriate screen vehicles. She's had her share of successes including The Late Show (1977), the smash hit film with some other big stars 9 to 5 (1980), All of Me (1984), in which she was overshadowed by Steve Martin, and Big Business (1988), well teamed with Bette Midler. The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981) was a major disappointment and the jaw-dropping Moment by Moment (1978), in which she starred with John Travolta, has made many lists of all time worst movies. She also collaborated with Jane Wagner on two Tony award-winning Broadway shows, "Appearing Nightly" (1977) and "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe" (1986), which was filmed in (1991). Tomlin allowed documentary filmmakers Nicholas Broomfield and Joan Churchill to chronicle the preparation of the latter show in their feature-length film Lily Tomlin (1986). In 1993 she gave one of the warmer performances in Robert Altman's Short Cuts, as well as she played Miss Jane in The Beverly Hillbillies. In addition, Lily appeared in the prestige Tele-film, And the Band Played On (1994). Lily also produced two animated specials based on Edith Ann, the little girl character she introduced on "Laugh-In." In 1986 a documentary of Lily's one-woman show, was given a Tony award "The Search For Signs Of Intelligent Life In The Universe." Lily and her writer/partner Jane Wagner toured the country while they were working on this show, calling it simply "works in progress". They played little Theatres and Lily would go out before an audience with material Jane had typed out for her and work on the pieces, telling the audience it was very new. This is a documentary and it is a rare and fascinating look at the creative process these two women use to craft their talents into a brilliant evening of theatre; a 2 hour play. If it comes around again don't miss it. She’s one of America’s treasures for sure. COPYRIGHT BURT RICHARDS AUGUST 2004 INNER-VIEWS ;void(0)) FEATURE: SUSAN LUCCI BY BURT RICHARDS Susan Lucci was born on December 23rd 1946, Scarsdale, New York, a sort of Christmas present from her mom Jeanette, to her husband Victor. She was a school Cheerleader and graduated from Garden City High School in Garden City, NY in 1964. Five years later she married Helmut Huber 1969 and is still married to him, having 2 children, a son Andrea and daughter Liza and her 2 stepchildren. Susan is 5 ft 3 inches tall has chestnut hair and dark brown eyes and is one of the most nominated stars of soap opera’s, and after over 19 nominations and no wins, she finally won a Daytime Emmy Award for the role of Erica Kane in "All My Children" in 1999. She is one of two characters left from the AMC pilot, and is one of the most recognizable women on soaps. She started AMC shortly after graduating from Marymount College. Her daughter Liza Huber is also a soap starlet. Susan has also been a stage star and she replaced Bernadette Peters for several weeks in late 1999 and early 2000 in the Broadway revival of "Annie Get Your Gun." Bernadette was taking a Christmas vacation, and returned to the show in January. Lucci has done TV Commercials for Microsoft Web TV (1998); Ford (1993); Sweet 'n Low (1990). All of America stood and cheered when Susan Lucci won the Emmy Award for Best Actress in May 1999. It was a historic moment not only for Susan Lucci, but for all of television. For years audiences have been spellbound by the sexy, sassy, beautiful "woman you love to hate," Erica Kane. TV Guide calls her "unequivocally the most famous soap opera character in the history of daytime TV." Last January Lucci celebrated her 30th anniversary starring as the dazzling femme fatale on the ABC Television Network’s Emmy Award-winning "All My Children." During those more than two decades, she has seen Erica grow from troubled teen to international beauty, progressing over the years from high-fashion model to philanthropist to magazine publisher. She’s had nine marriages to six different men. She’s been kidnapped, survived a plane crash, stared down a grizzly bear, posed as a nun, driven a race car and attempted a daring helicopter rescue of one of her lovers from prison. But she always rises, Phoenix-like, from her own ashes. With the 1999 Emmy Award for Best Actress in addition to countless other honors – such as a 1992 People’s Choice Award, the 1993 Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress, the 1994 Crystal Apple Award, the 1985 People magazine poll as Best Soap Actress, the 1988 Soap Opera Digest Editor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Daytime Television, the 1989 Canadian TV Guide People’s Choice Award for Best Soap Opera Actress, and the Italian-American Welfare League’s "Woman of the Year" – it is understandable that Susan Lucci as Erica Kane is as popular as the show itself. Soap Opera Digest has chosen Susan Lucci as the most beautiful woman on television many times. Further proving the point, in June 1991, Ms. Lucci was one of a select group of individuals (including General Norman Schwarzkoff) to be honored with a prestigious American Academy of Achievement Award. She is also listed in the "Who’s Who in America" directory. In 1993, she was honored with the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actress. If there’s one thing Susan and Erica have in common, it’s their dedication to pursuing a career. In addition to her leading role on "All My Children," in the 1994-95 season, Susan starred in the movie for television, "Seduced and Betrayed"; and in the humorous remake of Scrooge, "Ebbie." During the 1993-94 season, she starred in the prime-time television film, "French Silk," for ABC; "Between Love and Hate," also for ABC, in the 1992-93 season; during 1991– 92, she starred in ABC’s "The Woman Who Sinned"; and in "Double Edge." Before that, she starred in the final season of the prime-time serial, "Dallas"; hosted "Saturday Night Live," and starred in the ABC television film, "The Bride in Black," which was the highest rated movie on ABC during the 1990-91 season. She also appeared in a critically acclaimed humorous television commercial for the sugar substitute, Sweet One; a television spot for Wendy’s, and has done a series of commercials for Ford. Ms. Lucci’s other made-for-television movies include "Lady Mobster," "Mafia Princess," "Invitation to Hell," "Anastasia" and "Haunted By Her Past." The versatile actress also served as co-host with Tony Danza on the ABC Television Network special, "99 Ways to Attract the Right Man," and appeared in the prime-time television extravaganzas, "Night of 100 Stars II and III." She also appeared in the feature film, "Young Doctors in Love." Outside of acting, Susan is also well rounded in her interests and activities, which include tennis, skiing and traveling. Lucci has been a popular spokesperson for Ford automobiles. Susan Lucci works tirelessly to support Little Flowers Children’s Services of New York, the largest child care agency in New York State providing foster care and adoption services to all five boroughs , as well as Long Island. She is thrilled to be the celebrity spokesperson for the March of Dimes’ National Ambassador Campaign in the year 2000. At 58, looking 40 itsh, she is still going strong and is the inspiration for Mattel’s phenomenally successful "Daytime Drama Series" of one-of-a-kind collector’s dolls celebrating the romances of Erica Kane. She Quipped; Her character is larger than life, the actress who has made this scheming temptress a household name, and added that " Erica is probably the best part ever written for a woman." BURT RICHARDS COPYRIGHT BANYON PUBLISHING 2004 ;void(0)) BANYON INNER-VIEWS BY BURT RICHARDS FEATURE EDWARD IRVING KOCH I was introduced to his Honor at a function at Florida Atlantic University some 8 or 10 years ago and always had an interest in the man; never being able to make contact until now, when I was able to corner him at his law office in New York, and so we have his story and Inner- View for you . Aside from his general information we offer his personal likes and dislikes. Edward Irving Koch was born in the Bronx on December 12, 1924. He served as the 105th Mayor of New York City for three terms from 1978 to 1989. He was the third Mayor who had a 12 year run. Ed served for nine years as a Congressman and two years as a member of the New York City Council. He attended City College of New York from 1941 to 1943. In his last year of college, he was drafted into the Army where he served with the 104th Infantry Division, received two battle stars, Combat Infantry badge, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 1946. In that year, Ed also attended the New York University School of Law, and received his L.L.B. degree in 1948 and began to practice law. In 1981, CCNY awarded Mr. Koch a B.A: degree. Ed is credited with many major achievements as Mayor. First and foremost, he restored fiscal stability to the City of New York, and he was responsible for placing the City on a GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practices) balanced budget basis. He created a housing program, which over a ten-year period, provided 150,000 units of affordable housing financed by city funds in the amount of $5.1 billion. He is currently a partner in the law firm of Bryan Cave LLP located in New York. He hosts a Sunday morning call-in radio program on Bloomberg AM 1130 (WBBR) and is also a commentator on that same station. Mr. Koch is a weekly guest on NY1 television, and each week he writes a political column and publishes movie reviews which appear in three newspapers. He also lectures around the country and overseas. His Honor was appointed by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell as chairman of the U.S. delegation to the Conference on Anti-Semitism sponsored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The conference, was held in Berlin, Germany, in April 2004, and was extraordinarily successful in binding the 55 member nations in their resolve to reduce and seek the elimination of rising anti-Semitism by enacting civil legislation and educating the youth throughout the world of the dangers of anti-Semitism. He is an author, has been a Saturday night host, and has made numerous films and is a movie star as well. Here are some personal human-interest questions I asked his honor. Q: What hospital, and location were you born? A: I was born at home I believe. Q: What schools did you attend-Elementary, Middle, H. S. & College? A: Southside H.S. in Newark, NYU law school. Q: Did you get good marks in school, any honors? A: Average Student. Q: Did you every hold any titles in school, Basketball, debating, etc? A: Debating team political as well. Q: What did your parents do, and their names? A: My father Louis and my mother Joyce. He was a furrier and my mother, before marriage, was a dress designer then housewife. Q: You’re like royalty, what should I call you? You have been credited with Honorable Edward I. Koch, Edward Koch, Ed Koch, Former Mayor Edward I. Koch etc, what would be your preference? A: ED. Q: In an interview for a book, you mentioned that the director of Central Intelligence George Herbert Walker Bush informed you in October 1976 that your sponsorship of legislation to cut off U.S military assistance to Uruguay on human rights grounds had provoked the secret police officials to put a contract out on your life? A: Yes! I lead the fight to cut aid to Uruguay, for its repression of its own people, as a result of that the secret service agency representing those countries put a contact out on me and wanted to punish me. I was in congress at the time with now President Bush Sr., he had left and so I received a phone call from the now 41st president George Bush Sr., who told me just what was going on and the reason for the death contract. I asked if he was going to protect me and he said NO, the CIA does not do that, and I said what should I do George, and he said be very careful. Q: You are also credited with the support of Municipal labor unions and the creation of the Municipal Assistance Corporation and you kept the city of New York from bankruptcy during the financial crisis of the mid 1970s. How does that make you feel as the Mayor at that time and as a New Yorker? A: Yes, I saved the city, well I am very proud of it and it’s an achievement. Q: What jobs did you have before making it as a star and a mayor? What keeps you going? A: I am a lawyer by profession, and a partner at Bryan Cave law firm, and each week I write a political column and publish movie reviews, which appear in three newspapers. I also lecture around the country and overseas, I have a radio show and write books. Q: What are some of your memorable experiences or moments on air or in general or stories you related? Want to do Broadway? A: I don't believe I have done much acting but have been in 10 films with small parts and was a Judge on the People Court and brought my skills as a lawyer. Q: Have you won any special awards? A: No. Q: Any brothers, sisters in your family? A: I had a brother who passed away, Harold, he was four years older at 75, my younger sister Pat we are very close, she has 7 grandchildren, 3 sons married and their wives are Jewish, that made my sister very happy, she was surprised, it’s very rare these days. Q What is your favorite pastime Ed? A: Well, I love to talk to people and for the past 35 years I have met old friends every Saturday, about 10 of us, we meet, chat about everything, and then go to lunch. Q: What are some of your pet peeves? A: No pet peeves. Q: What are you pet likes? A: I like good food. Q: What is your pig out food? A: I like Ice Cream. Q: What is your favorite vacation spot? A: The homes of my sister and close friends. Q: Your favorite performance? Do you pattern yourself after anyone? A: I am just myself. Q: How would you like your friends from all walks of life and the people you have worked with to remember you? A: As a good friend. Q: What would you have liked to change in your life if you had to do it all over again? A: I am content now, it is not over and I had an interesting life. Q: What person in history would you like most to meet, or already have? A: Churchill would have been the one I would love to have met. Q: Right now at this stage of the game what is most important to you? A: Be yourself, be honest and tell the truth - that gives you a leg to stand on. Q: Mr. Koch one more final Special QUESTION. I would like to have a funny story or QUIP about your life or an experience in the business with a celebrity or what ever? A: When I left office because I ran for office for a fourth term and lost to David Dinkins, I was one of three Mayors who served for 12 years. LaGuardia, Wagner and me, but I ran for a fourth term hoping to make it 16 years. Dinkins ran for reelection against Guliani, Dinkins had race riots and Rudy had a reputation of being somewhat mean, so when I used to walk the streets the people used to say to me Mr. Mayor run again, and I said No you threw me out of office and now the people must be punished. Q: Did I cover it all, your honor, or would you like to add anything for my readers? A: You covered it all Burt, and send me a copy, where are you in Florida? BR: I am in Boca Raton, your honor. Thank you ________________________________________________________ COPYRIGHT BURT RICHARDS BANYON PUBLISHING 2004 ;void(0)) INNER- VIEWS FEATURE STORY SAMMY DAVIS JR. BY BURT RICHARDS The life and times of the man who was born on December 8th 1925, in Harlem, New York, son of Sammy Davis Sr. and Elvera Davis. He is credited as Sammy Davis and the Will Maston Trio. The man, the legend the ultimate entertainer, SAM as his friends called him. I first made contact with Sammy when he was appearing at the Singer Bowl at the 1964 Worlds Fair. It was a one on one at that time. He stood only 5' 3" tall but was the biggest in talent and in heart, you will ever find in this world. He got his first starring role in the 1964 Broadway Musical "Golden Boy" for which he was nominated for a Tony Award for "Best Actor in a Musical" in 1965; he lost to Zero Mostel whose most recognized role was that of 'Pseudolus' in the stage production, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. In 1966 he starred in "Golden Boy" with Paula Wayne. My friend Arty who had a valet business did all of Sammy’s cleaning at the theatre and his hotel, the Warwick in New York. Arty & I use to visit him back stage and meet and get to be with him and his star friends, it was something for me to be involved with in those days. No such thing as his bullies later on protecting him, we were a great group of friends Sammy, Arty and myself. He had a few wives as he got to be a bigger and greater star. His last was Altovise Davis from 1970 - 16 May 1990) his death. Swedish Blonde actress, May Britt from 1960 - 1968 they divorced and had 3 children , before it, also there was Loray White from 1958 - 1959, that ended with a divorce . TV composer Morton Stevens was Sammy's musical director from 1950 to 1960 before moving on he got into television, music composing. He then was called upon as the music director for Sammy, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Liza Minnelli in the late 80s. Sam did it all singer/dancer/actor, in addition to being a part of the "Rat Pack" with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop during the 1950s & 60s. They made some films as they all appeared in 'Ocean's Eleven’ (1960). Always articulate, and professional, he never attended school of any kind, and was performing in the streets since the age of five and was largely self-taught. Sammy Davis Jr.'s performances at the Copacabana were inspirational and he told me Burt, never bend down to tie your shoe laces at the Copa. Why I asked, he replied, “they will come by and put a tablecloth over you and place two chairs along side.” Many times Sam would perform in front of packed houses by dancing and singing on top of the Baby Grand Piano. There is no other person who, as the Copa so aptly puts it on the face of its table card, works such miracles of song and dance and impressions of great performers. Out of a small frame, with the waistline of a high-fashion model, comes such richness of tone, such high voltage movement and wit as to astound even the most attentive café goer. He recalls Fred Astair's earlier dancing days in the movies with an engaging version of "Change Partners." Then singing "When I Fall in Love." Then without any warning he goes into his impersonations, from Sinatra singing "Road to Mandalay" to Jerry Lewis with “Rock A Bye Your Baby.” Then some of Sinatra, and his big hit “All the Way” he sings the numbers with the voice impressions of Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Billy Eckstine, Vaughn Monroe, Jimmy Cagney, Marlin Brando, Louie Armstrong and Dean Martin. He lost his left eye in a car crash when he was on his way to record the theme song for the Tony Curtis film, 'Six Bridges to Cross,’ 1955. He wore an eye patch for sometime after that, but Humphrey Bogart ultimately convinced him to unmask when he told him that he didn't want to be known as the kid with the eye patch. He smoked 4 packs of cigarettes a day during his lifetime. Long-time friend Bill Cosby wore a small button with the letters "SD" on episodes of "The Cosby Show" after his death in 1990 as a tribute. Sam died the same day as Jim Henson. Sam’s Quips : "Being a star has made it possible for me to get insulted in places where the average Negro could never hope to get insulted." When asked what his golf handicap was, he replied, "My handicap? Man, I am a one-eyed, black Jew! THAT'S my handicap!" "I'm colored, Jewish and Puerto Rican. When I move into a neighborhood, I wipe it out!” You have to be able to look back at your own life and say 'Yeah, that was fun.' The only person I ever hurt was myself and even that I did to the minimum. If you can do that and you're still functioning, you're the luckiest person in the world." I had a friend and when ever I would visit California to go to his office, his personal secretary Treva Wilson would great me and we would hang out, she was a beautiful women and Sammy always needed beautiful women around him. Throughout his career he excited some genuine controversy with his marriage to a white actress, conversion to Judaism in the 1960’s and then some kinky intrigue, detailing a bit of pornography in his second autobiography, "Hollywood in a Suitcase." And could not get enough of Deep Throat star Linda Lovelace. Regardless of his exploits, I, and all of your fans love you Sam and the heavens are blessed and happy you are with them doing another show. COPYRIGHT INNER-VIEWS BANYON PUBLISHING SEPTEMBER 2004 ;void(0)) BANYON PUBLISHING INNER-VIEWS DORIS DAY FEATURE BY BURT RICHARD’S Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff was born to German Catholic parents April 3rd, 1924 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has some nick names Do-Do , for one Clara Bixby. According to her autobiography, she got the nickname Clara Bixby when Billy De Wolfe, friend, actor , told her, on the "Tea for Two" set, that she didn't look like a "Doris Day," but more like a "Clara Bixby." To this day, that remains her nickname among a close circle of old friends, such as Van Johnson. DORIS DAY had a brother Richard, who died before she was born and Paul, a few years older than her. Her father and mother split when she was about eight and her mother gained custody. Like most little girls, Doris liked to dance. She would sometimes dance with friends and, sometimes, just by herself. Soon enough she began the transition to have her dancing take her to loftier heights. At twelve, she had a dance act with a boy called Jerry Doherty, with whom - after winning $500 in a talent contest - she went to Hollywood. On returning to Cincinnati, aged fourteen, she had dreamed of being a ballerina, but an automobile accident ended what hopes she had of dancing on stage. It was a terrible setback. Doris then discovered that she could sing and began touring with the Les Brown Band, where she met Al Jorden, whom she later married. March 1941 - 1943. Al turned out to be a violent man and soon after the birth of her son Terry in 1942, who would later become a record producer, she initiated divorce proceedings. In 1946, after entertaining the troops for a couple of years, she met and married George Weidler, but this liaison lasted only eight months. While filming for Warners, she met Marty Melcher who became her agent and on her 27th birthday her husband. Doris was married four times, Barry Comden April 14th 1976 - 1981 - they divorced. Married Martin Melcher April 3rd, 1951 - till he died April 1968. George Weidler March 30th , 1946 - divorced May 31st , 1949. Doris seemed to find a new vocation. She sang with local bands. In 1946. Doris had an agent talk her into taking a screen test with possibilities of making motion pictures. The moguls of Warner Brother's liked what they saw and signed Doris to a contract. Her first feature film was as Georgia Garrett in 1948's Romance On The High Seas. In 1949, Doris made two films, My Dream Is Yours , and It’s a Great feeling. The contract between Doris and Warner's seemed a perfect match. All during the 1950's Doris turned in fine performances for Warner which in turn helped her to become a wonderful solo artist with hit after musical hit. Her film making pace was picking up with three films in 1950 and five in 1951. It was during the latter that Doris met Marty Melcher and he adopted her young son. In 1953, Doris starred in the title role in Calamity Jane. The film was a success and more followed. Lucky Me , The Man Who Knew Much , and Pillow Talk. What most people do not know but, Doris Day is slightly intertwined in the history with the crazed Charles Manson and the Manson Family. Doris' son, Terry Melcher, being a former record producer in the 60's, most notably producing 2 of The Byrds' albums, who were the hottest group in the USA at the time. Charles Manson had asked Terry to audition for him and listen to his songs. Terry listened but wasn't impressed. This infuriated Manson, who put him on the top of his hit list, and when he finally flipped his lid, he and his "family" went to Melcher's house on Cielo Dr. in L.A. to kill him. Unfortunately, Melcher had rented the house months ago to Roman Polanski and his wife, Sharon Tate. While Roman was away, Sharon had a party the night Charlie arrived, and thinking these were Melcher's friends, Manson's "family" butchered Sharon and her friends in retaliation. It was during the 60's that Doris began to slow down the pace somewhat. Her husband Marty had made deals for her to star in films she didn't really care about which led to a bout with exhaustion. Again, the films in which she appeared in were box-office success stories. With the death of husband Marty in 1968, Doris never appeared on the silver screen again, but she had been signed to do The Doris Day Show on television, in which she played Doris Martin. The show was, what else, a big TV hit. The run lasted from 1968 - 1973, whereupon Doris did only occasional appearances. Today at 80, she runs the Doris Day Animal League in Carmel, California which advocates homes and proper care of household pets. She operates a small hotel with her son in Carmel California. What else would you expect of America's older sweetheart? Some of her nominations and awards are 1948 AA Nomination for Romance On The High Seas Best Film Score and Title Song "It's Magic," 1949 AA Nomination for Title Song "It's A Great Feeling." 1951 Photoplay Gold Medal Award as Best Actress for Lullaby of Broadway. 1953 AA Award for Best Song "Secret Love" 1956 Columbia Gold Disc for over a million sales of "Que Sera, Sera" from The Man Who Man Who Knew Too Much 1958, A nomination to Fay & Michael Kanin song, Teacher's Pet. 1958 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Golden Award the World's Favorite Actress. 1959 Hollywood Foreign Press Association Nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy in It Happened to Jane. 1959 Photoplay Gold Medal as Most Popular Actress of the Year. Post Script, Burt Richards book Stars In My Eyes, Then & Now is available on his web site www.burtrichards.com Make contact for a personal autographed and copy of this wonderful fun book, featuring more stars than in the heavens. Price $20 delivered. COPYRIGHT BURT RICHARDS BANYON PUBLISHING NOVEMBER 2004 ;void(0)) INNER- VIEWS FEATURE STORY - MICHAEL BUFFER by BURT RICHARDS LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE WITH THE VOICE OF CHAMPIONS Who is this Michael Buffer, well he is world renowned for his tuxedo image, striking Grey hair and famous trademarked phrase "LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" (Here in after referred to as LGRTR®. He is considered one of the most recognized faces in the world of sports and entertainment due to his 20 plus years of announcing many of the biggest championship boxing events and many other internationally televised sports and entertainment events)? Mr. Buffer is inundated with requests to announce many different sports, entertainment, corporate and private events often utilizing LGRTR®. And giving yours truly the chance to interview him for this feature story. He is considered the "Voice of Champions" by millions of fans worldwide. His licensed LGRTR® bring lots on income , brand toys, video games and other licensed products surrounding the LGRTR® brand plus utilizing Mr. Buffer’s voice and persona have been developed and have grossed approximately $400,000,000 in retail sales internationally during the period of 1999 - 2004 and growing. His brother Bruce is a terrific talent and had this to say about Michael as his manager - "The future plans for Michael's and my own career are explosive! I've only touched on the possibilities. There is a lot more to come, I promise." Just some human interest personal questions. Birth Date Q. Where and when were you born? A. Philadelphia, November 2nd, 1944 Q. What hospital, and location? A. St. Agnes - South Philadelphia Q . What did your parents do and their names? A. My Father is retired and my Mother has passed away. Q . Any brothers or sisters and what do they do and names ? A. I have two brothers named Brian and Bruce. Brian is retired from the Police force after 22 years of service and lives in California. Bruce is my partner and manager now for the last 12-13 years and runs our entire business. Q. What schools did you attend? Elementary , Middle & H. S. College, Location? A. Roslyn Elementary school, Abbington Jr. & Sr. High Schools Q Best Subject? A. Art Q. Did you get good marks in school, Any honors ? A. Honors Art Student Q. Did you every hold any titles in School, Basketball , debating etc? A. No Q. Are your married? A. No I am not. Q Any children? A. Divorced with two children and one granddaughter. Q. What got you into announcing ? A. My love for boxing. Q. What got you into the fight game ? A. My love for boxing. Q. This is a FOUR PART question. What Jobs did you hold before you made it as star announcer, what keeps you going, what you do like about what you do, and do you enjoy travel today. A. Professional model. I enjoy what I do. The excitement about being in the middle of the action. I love to travel. Q. What are some of your memorable experiences on air or in public or stories you relate to? Would you like to do Broadway as an actor? A. So many it's hard to remember... but of course the time Fan Man crashed into the ring at Caeser's Palace during Holyfield/Bowe II and the riot at MSG during the Bowe/Golata fight. Of course in 1994 when Big George Foreman won the Heavy-weight title from Michael Moore. Q. Have you won any special awards? A. Inducted into the world Boxing Hall of Fame. Q. What do you see yourself doing at your retirement age ? A. Who wants to retire. Q. If you didn't get into the announcing or show business, what would you have done? A. I don't know. Q. What is your favorite pastime? A. Following various sports and finding a beach somewhere when my schedule permits. Q. What are some of your pet peeves? A. people that don't use their turn signals and the low life in this world that mistreat animals. Q. What is your pig out food? A. Crispy Creme donuts. Q. What is your favorite vacation spot? A. The Cayman Islands is beautiful. Q. Who is your favorite performer? Who do you pattern yourself after? A. My favorite performer is Luciano Pavorotti. I pattern myself after no one. Q. How would you like your friends from all walks of life and the people you have worked with to remember you? and who do you pal with? A. As the best ever at what I do. I have an eclectic group of friends from entertainment, sports and some good old fashion blue collar buddies. Q. What would you have liked to have changed in your life if you had to do it all over again. A. Hopefully in my lifetime I will see the electoral vote college eliminated so that every vote counts. Q. What person in history would you have liked most to meet , or already have? A. Muhammed Ali. He is a personal friend and I am honored to be his friend. Q. Right now at this stage of the game what is most important to you ? A. Having other ring announcers stop imitating me so I have some legacy to leave once I am gone. Q. What is the most important thing you've ever learned ? A. More than I can mention. Q. Would you like to be an interviewer in the fight game or have your own talk show inviting those you have introduced? A. Absolutely not. Q. Now Michael one more final Special QUESTION. I Would like to have a funny story or QUIP about your life or an experience in the ring, travel with a celebrity or what ever. A. I got a call from Cary Grant before he passed away. I thought it was an imitator and it wasn't but I imitated his voice while answering his questions regarding a bow tie he saw me wearing during a recent fight on TV. I then realized it was the real Cary Grant and we got along famously and spoke for another 20 minutes or so. Q. What does the future hold for Michael Buffer? A. I like everything the way it is going now and working with my brother Bruce as my manager, I'm sure it will be more of the same and much more for a long time to come. I love what I do and I enjoy all my free time. Q Did I cover it all Mr. Rumble? Or would you like to add anything for my readers on my web site www.burtrichards.com A. I think we did and I appreciate the interview and wish you all the best for the future. Thank you. COPYRIGHT INNER-VIEWS BANYON PUBLISHING SEPTEMBER 2005 ;void(0)) FEATURE DEBORAH ALLEN BY BURT RICHARDS She was born to Rosetta and Leon Thurmond, September 30th 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee. Her real name is Deborah Lynn Thurmond. Her birth included the gift of music coursing through her veins, cutting a path in her life as relentlessly as the Mississippi carves through Memphis. Before her music encouraged her to pack a bag and set out on her hearts musical odyssey, Deborah told me a southern childhood rich in love, color, and drama was the beginning of her success. She is the youngest of the three daughters; their dark haired, hazel-eyed child, from the earliest age, seemed to draw from her family’s wellspring of talents. She told me that her destiny was preordained by a prayer said by her Mother who, while pregnant with Deborah, became concerned about a vocal problem of her own. She had always prayed for the health of her babies, but with Deborah, she instinctively added, and please let this baby have a strong voice! Her prayers were answered, and confirmed when at a mere three years old, Deborah, confided to her that she would like to be a singer and an actress. Filled with excitement, her Mother assured Deborah that anything is possible, there is nothing you cant do with a suitcase full of local talent contest and performance credits from Memphis, Deborah was 18 when she headed for Nashville. Always the romantic adventurer at heart, even the faded rented room in a boarding house on Nashville’s infamous Music Row seemed full of mystery and charm. She laughs at the recollection, her wide eyes dancing with the childlike nature that even today is one of Deborah’s most enduring charms. Everyone talks about paying your dues in Nashville. She would come home each night to her little rented room and think to herself, “man with all the dues I’m paying right now I should be a really big star someday!” “There I was with literally nothing, but I had the most important thing of all and that was my dream.” While working as a waitress she had a chance to encounter with a legend that started her wheels in train motion. Meeting Roy Orbison gave Deborah the opportunity to share her dream of a career in music with him. Obviously impressed by the spunk and personality she told me he later hired her to sing background vocals on his upcoming session. The $90.00 she was paid might as well have been a million. An incredible voice, beauty and her always handy confidence quickly landed her a job at Opryland as a regular cast member of the theme parks Showboat. Showcasing her talents regularly at the park led in quick succession to Deborah being invited to join Tennessee Ernie Ford as a part of a cast production he was taking on tour to The Soviet Union. It proved to be an invaluable experience. When safely back home in the states, the career momentum was now officially picking up speed. Veteran songwriting genius Shel Silverstein took Deborah under his wing, and considering the sea of pretty faces and new singers vying for their own star in the skies over 16th Avenue, he had one important piece of advice for her - write songs. His friendship, interest, and wisdom changed her life immediately and forever. Deborah said, “I was so naive, I thought if someone as great as Shel Silverstein thought I could be a songwriter well, I guess I’m a songwriter now!” While working on an Opryland TV special for Sandy Duncan, Deborah met singer/comedian Jim Stafford, who after seeing Deborah perform, asked her to be a part of his cast on his new summer replacement TV series on ABC. This opportunity meant a move to Los Angeles where she would spend the next two years working with Stafford on television, as well as performing on his concert dates as an opening act. Even with all the wonderful influences and experience she gained, the seductive lure and often too slick music scene in L.A. couldn't inspire Deborah’s soul. She recorded Don’t Let Me Cross Over, Oh How I Miss You Tonight, and Take Me In Your Arms And Hold Me, all reached the top 10, proving that Jim Reeves career on record had not yet ended, and Deborah Allen’s was just about to begin. Basking in the warm glow of recognition along the corridors of Music Row, word was out with music business insiders that there was a young artist with the potential of full-blown stardom. Deb was signed to Capitol Records, her first album release, Trouble In Paradise, received wide critical acclaim. Included in that session was a song called Baby I Lied, which Deborah had co-written. Impressed with both the singer and the song, RCA Records picked up Deborah’s session masters and immediately released the song. In addition to becoming a major country hit, Baby I Lied, from her first RCA album titled, Cheat The Night, achieved huge success in the pop charts as well. This recognition in both fields got her two Grammy nominations as a singer and songwriter. Her next release for RCA, Let Me Be The First, lived up to its title! Coming on the heels of Deborah’s CMA new artist nomination for the Horizon Award, and two more major follow up singles, (I’ve Been Wrong Before, and I Hurt For You). The “Let Me Be The First” project was the very first totally digital album recorded and released in Nashville history! During this period, another career highlight for Deborah was a duet with the King Of Country Music, George Jones, on his Ladies Choice Album for CBS. A double treat, because not only did she get to sing with George, but also because the song, Our Love Was Ahead Of Its Time was a song she had co-written especially for the two of them. While establishing herself as a major recording artist, Deborah’s incredible string of successes as a songwriter were fast establishing her as one of the hottest young writers in town. By this time, major cuts had come from artists as diverse as Diana Ross, Loretta Lynn, Sheena Easton, Lee Greenwood, Mac Davis, Janie Frickie, Jon Conlee, Barbara Mandrell, Marie Osmond, Lorrie Morgan, Mickey Gilley, Kenny Rankin, Isaac Hayes, Millie Jackson, and Conway Twitty to mention several. Her first recording project for Giant Records, Delta Dreamland, in 1993, included the hit singles, Rock Me, and If Your Not Gonna Love Me, making a welcomed re-emergence of Deborah Allen on the charts. Her next CD, All That I Am, on Giant Records further displayed the passionate intensity of her singing and the lyrical beauty of her songwriting. The 90’s brought even more great successes as a writer. In 96, the newly discovered teenage sensation, LeAnn Rimes Blue album carried two Deborah Allen songs to multi-platinum status with both Hurt Me, and My Baby included. Three more of Deborah’s songs, All The Loving And The Hurting Too, Undeniable, and Rock Me appeared on LeAnns follow up CD Sittin On Top Of The World. Patty Loveless ("Hurt Me Bad In A Real Good Way"), Mindy McCready ("All That I Am"), Tanya Tucker ("It Hurts Like Love"), and Fleetwood Mac ("Talkin’ To My Heart" and "I've Got It In For You") added their artistry to Deborah’s songs as well. In the year 2000 the release of her CD on Curb Records "The Best Of Deborah Allen" was yet another creatively fulfilling chapter of Deborah’s boundless career. During this time her song We Can Get There performed by pop diva Mary Griffin on the hit soundtrack for the movie "Coyote Ugly" moved Deborah in to multi-platinum status as a songwriter once again. A world-class singer, songwriter, and producer Deborah’s creative skills are second to none. As the consummate performer, her genuine warmth and natural love of performing shines through her high energy, and in her more intimate moments as she wrings emotion into every note she sings. Now in the new millennium, with her talents culminating into international performances with world-renowned symphonies, Deborah remains as current as tomorrow morning’s news. Deborah has never stopped growing, never lost that first love feeling for the music that wells up naturally inside her, and allowed me to visit with her and do this feature story. The result is quite simply the musical genius of a little girl from Memphis who had a dream and her dream came true. It has also made my dream come true, as a Celebrity Reviewer, as well with this feature. Thanks Debbie. COPYRIGHT BURT RICHARDS BANYON PUBLISHING 2005 ;void(0)) FEATURED: CLINT EASTWOOD By Burt Richards HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLINT and ME (BURT RICHARDS) TOO! What more can be said about this macho movie star, and a living legend by the name of Clinton Eastwood Jr. We all know him as Clint. Yes he is 6' 4". I suppose the only reason I am writing this feature is because my friend and I celebrate our May birthday together and I am 2 days older then him at 75 years old. Mine being May 29th 1930 and Clinton Jr. was born May 31st 1930 in San Francisco. Over three thousand miles apart but we made it all this time. He was the son of a steel worker. He was a college dropout from Los Angeles College, attempting a business related degree. We will not go into schooling but right into his creative work as he found in B-rated films. Eastwood may have been too young to fight in World War II, but he managed to miss out on action in Korea too. On leave as a G.I., his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean and Clint swam three miles to shore. He later was made boot camp swimming instructor and missed out on action in Korea as he was confined to base. Encouraged to try acting by two of his Army buddies, David Janssen and Martin Milner, he landed a contract at Universal Studios in 1954, earning $75 a week playing bit parts. He got his first breakthrough with the long-running TV series Rawhide, as Rowdy Yates. He made the show his own and became a household name around the country; since then he has made some 68 films with some 26 personal appearances on Television programs. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly was a big hit for him and he became an instant international star. Eastwood got some excellent roles thereafter. Another was in the TV series McCloud and the unusual but successful film Paint Your Wagon where he sang his first song I Talked To The Trees. In 1970 Eastwood went in an experimental direction again with the offbeat Kelly’s Hero’s, which was yet again a success. In 1971 it proved to be his best year in films, or at least one of his best. He starred in the thriller Play Misty For Me. But it was his role as the hard edge police inspector in Dirty (Make My Day) Harry that gave Eastwood one of his signature roles and invented the cop genre that has been imitated even to this day. Eastwood still found more work in Spaghetti westerns. The Outlaw Josey Wales considered to perhaps be one of the quintessential westerns. Clint married Maggie Johnson December 19th 1953 – 1978, it ended in a divorce with two children; he’s still married to wife Dina (March 31st 1996). Clint has seven children, has been married twice, and had a long time relationship with frequent co-star Sondra Locke. He is aging now, but Clint Eastwood has surprised us before, and who knows, he may surprise again. Like most superstars, Clint Eastwood's success can be attributed to equal parts good fortune, tenacity, and talent. He is at this stage now and considered one of the finest film Directors ever to sit in the director’s chair. Many awards and more films to his credit, he took the Oscars by storm with his sensation film MILLION DOLLAR BABY. And now is working on another about the WAR YEARS. At the end of the movies he directs, during the credits the camera will move around the location it was filmed in, then he freeze frames for the rest of the credits. Frequently uses shadow lighting in his films. The lead characters in his movies are often outsiders with a dark past they prefer not to remember. He is a partial owner of the Pebbles Beach Golf Country Club in Monterey Peninsula, California. Owns the Inn Mission Ranch, Carmel, California. Received an honorary Cesar award in Paris, France in 1998 for his body of work. Ranked #2 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list, October 1997. His Daughter, Morgan, with Dina Ruiz, was born December 12th 1996. He wore the same poncho, without ever having washed it, in all three of his "Man with No Name" Westerns. ________________________________________________________________________ BURT RICHARDS BANYON PUBLISHING MAY 2005 ;void(0)) FEATURED: DINA MERRILL RICH , FAMOUS AND BEATIFUL THAT'S DINA BY BURT RICHARDS Her real name was Nedenia Hutton. She was born on December 9th 1925 in New York, the socialite daughter of America's stockbroker, Edward F. Hutton, her mother Marjorie Meriwether Post, also high society. Her grandfather on her mother's side was Charles William Post, founder of Post cereals. Her first cousin, Barbara Woolworth Hutton, a high society member, and wife of Cary Grant. As a mature women she has attained her stature in triple Glamour, Beauty and Generosity and you can’t beat that. Her scope has been on Broadway, on television, films, musicals, drama and comedy. Not bad for a blonde who was brought up to take a place in the Fashion Hall of Fame. She soon established herself as an up and coming professional actress. She took leave for a few years taking time off to marry and have children and to spend time with them. She has starred in twenty two motion pictures, and on television, has guest starred in many major shows, including Murder She Wrote, Repeat Performance and The Brass Ring. In between, she accomplished two of her major goals, starring on Broadway in the drama, Angel Street, along with two time Tony Award nominee singer / actress Christine Andreas, On Your Toes, My Sister Eileen. She devotes a great deal of her time working for the disadvantaged, principally for the New York City Mission Society. When one of her children was diagnosed with diabetes, Dina become one of the founders of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which is dedicated to diabetic research. She was a presidential appointee to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She divides her home between New York and Los Angeles, her film production base for RKO Pictures. She is still married to Ted Hartley, since 1989 and he is Chairman of RKO Pictures. To quote Dina Merrill, "My work with RKO Pictures is an exciting extension of my career and keeps me in close contact with the creative community, but my husband runs the show." She has been honored and is extremely proud of her Living Legacy Award for her contributions as an actress, vision, humanitarianism, and a good friend to children. Earlier she was married to Stanley M. Rumbough, Jr. from 1946 - 1966 and divorced with 3 children. Was also married to actor Cliff Robertson back in those Hollywood days from 1966 - 1986, they were divorced. Current hubby Hartley, was a regular on the "Peyton Place" 1964 television series. In 1989, they bought RKO Pictures, which they run today. The studio's hit was Mighty Joe Young 1998. She received the Women's International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award in 1994. Her mother's first husband, Edward Bennett Close, later became the grandfather of actress Glenn Close. Spent her winters growing up at Mar-A-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida's largest and most elaborate estate. Some personal questions asked the star. Q. Where were you born, what hospital? A. Not in a hospital was in my home in New York Q. What schools did you attend A. Hewet in NY kindergarten I think. Greenvale on Long Island, American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Q. Did you get good marks in school, any honors ? A. Yes Honors too. Q. Who got you started in the stage and film industry? A. Me. Q. When did you think you would be able to make it as an actress? A. When I was 16 then went into a stock company. Q. What keeps you going, with what you did like about running the RKO studios office. A. Not me. my husband does Q. Did you ever think that someday you would be giving out with your story. Q. What were some of your most difficult features or stars to work with, and good ones. A. My most difficult director was John Frankenheimer, he a was awful, I think he had his own problems, and took it out on everyone else. Q. Did you ever win any awards, How does that change ones life winning ? A. No never had. I guess they make more money their fees go up Q. Do you have children? How many and their names . A . Yes I have three, Stanley, Nino and Heather. Q. How long have you been married to your recent husband? A. 15 years Q. Do you have a star on the Hollywood walk of fame? A. NO, you wind up spending about 20 thousand dollars to do that, I did not think it was worth it. Q. What do you see yourself doing at your retirement age ? A. Who is going to retire. Q. If you didn't get into show business, what would you have done? A. As a kid thought I would be a gymnasts , then I thought to be a doctor because I am very interested in medicine and still am. Q. What are some of your pet peeves ? A. Aragent people Q. What are you pet likes ? A. Ha thats funny, I like very friendly outgoing people who are interested in others. Q. What is your pig out food? A. Love Chinese. Q. How would you like your colleagues and stars you wrote about and you have worked with remember you. A. Well! I hope they would feel I am a good actress and give them what they need to better themselves. Q. What would you have like to change in your life if you had to do it all over again. A. I would not change anything. Q. Would appreciate a funny story related to one of your interviews or stars who zinged you. A. I was doing what we call the subway circuit , and doing show. My Sister Eileen on stage I got stuck in the John, the part called for me going into the bath room to change while having a conversation with the actor on stage. By accident I flipped the locked on the door locked myself in and so I came out through the scenery. Q. I understand your off to do something and show somewhere. A. No actually we are off going up to Colorado for Christmas, my husband still ski’s, I don’t , I gave it up. We are pleased to be able to get this interview with you and wish you all the luck in the world. Thank you. COPYRIGHT BURT RICHARDS BANYON PUBLISHING MAY 2005 ;void(0)) MIKE DOUGLAS FEATURE: JULY 2005 BY BURT RICHARDS Mike Douglas got his start as TV host in Cleveland. Television talk show hosts of the 20TH century owe much to this man who made news in Cleveland four decades ago. From 1961 to 1965, Mike Douglas hosted a talk show out of then-KYW-TV Channel 3. The show went into national syndication in 1963. Before Douglas hit it big on television, he was a singer. In the 1940s, Douglas sang with band leader Kay Kyser. And in 1966, his song The Men in My Little Girl's Life was a hit single. The giant of the television talk shows back in 1961 was the one and only Mike Douglas who was born Michael Dowd Jr. in Chicago, Ill. on August 22nd 1925. Some 25 years later he was the dubbed voice of Prince Charming in CINDERELLA in the 50’s and at the age of 19 he married his sweetheart Genevieve Purnell 1944 , and they are still married today. They have 3 daughters, including twins. But I am getting a head of myself with am mention of his hit recording with "The Men in My Little Girl's Life" in February 1966, reaching #6 on the U.S. charts. Now for over two decades. Mike Douglas's name was synonymous with television entertainment in America and the world. The Mike Douglas Show, which aired each weekday, became the prototype for all future talk shows that sought to combine spontaneous conversation - on virtually any subject - with the best in entertainment. In those twenty years and more than four thousand shows, virtually all the greatest performers - actors, singers, comics - and many outstanding sports figures as well as prominent statesmen, Presidents included, appeared with Mike, performing and chatting informally in front of the show's many millions of viewers. He wrote a best seller called I'LL BE RIGHT BACK, those are the memories of TV’s greatest talk show by Mike Douglas with Thomas Kelly and Michael Heaton. There is an ongoing want for Clips from THE MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW and it can now be licensed from King World Productions. Since the majority of programs from 1964 through 1980 are available. As a special treat, he had John Lennon and Yoko Ono make a bit of bizarre television history when they served as co-host of The Mike Douglas Show for a week in 1972. Lennon and Ono were then the world’s most popular, outspoken counterculture couple, while host Douglas was the king of daytime TV and personified Middle America and the establishment. Some personal human interest question were pleasantly offered to this writer. Q. Date of birth and year? A. August 22nd 1925. Q. What hospital, and location? A. Not sure so long ago. Q. Have you won any special awards? A. Yes , many. Q. Any brothers sisters in your family? A. Yes. Q. You have been married since 1944, to whom and what does the wife do? A. Well she became my bride when I was 19 and she was 16. Oh and she plays golf with me. Q. What do you see yourself doing at your retirement age? A. Always busy not retiring, perhaps show business, but everything else is a go. Q. Mike, What is your favorite pastime? A. Playing Golf. Q. What is your pig out food? A. Oh my goodness Meat Loaf. Burt: Well, you have to try Toms not to far from where you live in Palm Beach. Q. What is your favorite vacation spot? A. Wherever I travel too. Q. Favorite Music or performer? A. Richard Pryer, I asked him to co - host my show with me and you know what, he said yes, but did he not really know what to do. Q. How would you like your friends from all walks of life and the people you have worked with remember you? A. As a nice guy. Q. What person in history would you like most to meet , or already have? A. Jesus. Q. With all the guests you've had on your show, who didn't you get? A. There were two that I thought would come on, being one did the Ed Sullivan show but did not do mine. Elvis Presley and the other Frank Sinatra. Q. Mike one more final Special QUESTION. I would like to have a funny story or QUIP about your life or an experience in the business with a celebrity or what ever? A. Well as I told you I was trying to get Frank Sinatra on my show, he would not appear. Then one day I was appearing at an event as was Sinatra. He was about to go on and he wanted to start off with a joke so he asked me, Mike do you have a joke for me? I gave him one and after his appearance and he was a success he thanked me and said Mike I owe you one. Then for sure I had my chance to get Sinatra and guess what, he never appeared. I never collected. Could never figure that one out, even till today. Q. Did I cover it all or would you like to add anything for my readers A. Burt, You did just fine. ________________________________________________ COPYRIGHT BURT RICHARDS BANYON PUBLISHING 2005 ;void(0)) FRANCES LANGFORD LAST OF THE BALLADERS FRANCES LANGFORD - OUR HEROINE AND THE WAR YEARS After being invited to her home aboard her 110 Ft. Yacht, she calls a boat, I was treated royally and was received with the greatest loving from any star I have ever met or interviewed. Born Frances Newbern Langford on April 4th, 1914 in Lakeland, Florida. At 89 she is alive and well and enjoying her life. She stands 5 feet tall, and has a big heart. Frances not only did over 30 motion pictures playing herself as well as other characters she will always be remembered as the THRUSH GIRL who helped raise money, gave her time, talents and almost her life entertaining the United States Armed forces during the World War II years of 1942, along with the Bob Hope Troupe. She also won fame on radio, primarily with recordings. In spite of the fact, that she acted mostly in minor roles, she introduced many major songs that are still played today in the great musicals like "You are My Lucky Star" "Rhythm' in Melody of 1936" "Hooray for Hollywood." Married now to 'Harold Stuart' for the past 7 years, he was a General in the Army under the Truman administration. She was also married to Ralph Evinrude in August 1955 until his death, in May 1986. She was also married and divorced from screen idol Jon Hall of the South Sea's films. She used to own a big motel on the Florida coast, that included a nightclub, called the Frances Langford Outrigger Resort in Jenson Beach where she was seen all the time and singing. She gave her last public concert in 1966 during a tour for the U.S. Forces in Vietnam. Nobody's ever accused Langford of being a great actress, but few could resist her crooning "I'm in the Mood for Love" (in her debut film, 1935's). As a slender, dark - haired vocalist - already popular on radio - she seemed ill at ease before the cameras in her appearances, but subsequently sang "Broadway Rhythm" and "You Are My Lucky Star "with great assurance. After a few years, Langford filled out, dyed her hair blond, and relaxed considerably before the camera, becoming a capable, pleasing performer. She played leads and supporting parts in a number of fluffy Hollywood musical comedies over the next decade or so, including, (both 1936 & 1937), All-American Co-Ed (1941), (1942, belting out "Over There" with James Cagney) (all 1943), (1944), (1945), and (1947). She even appeared in a Western, (1949), co-starring with then husband, Jon Hall. (She was also a featured performer on the Hope radio show.) Langford played herself in her last film to date, (1954). She was most proud of her association with Don Ameche playing the Bickersons on radio, called The Frances Langford - Don Ameche Show, During her tour with Hope she had written a column for the Hurst papers about the War heroes, who were presented with The Purple Heart for bravery and who were wounded in action. There is not one serviceman alive today who does not know the name. FRANCES LANGFORD and I am proud to know her too. Some questions proposed to her, I was on her Yacht. in Jenson Beach Fl. Q. What hospital were you born in? A. I wasn't born in a hospital; I was born in a house. Q. Where? A. My dad Kid Langford used to worked in a Phosphate mine and we lived in a little house, everyone had a house that worked there and I was born in that house. My mother Ann was a concert pianist, and I as far as I know, I have been singing at a young age ever since I can remember. My father Kid Langford became a contractor and that sort of thing. Q. What schools did you attend? A. I went to school in Lakeland Florida. don't remember the name Q. Did you go to college? A. Yes, Southern College Q. Did you get good marks? A. No, she laughed. Q. Did you get honors? A. No. Q. What drove you to the Theatrical field or did you have a choice? A. No. I had no choice this is what I wanted to do. Q. You were discovered by Rudy Vallee when you were 17? A. The story is, I was 16, and he was in Miami. I was singing on a radio station in Tampa for Eli Whitt a cigar manufacturer, and Mr. Whitt was a friend of Rudy Vallee and Vallee was coming to Miami and he wanted me to sing for him and Vallee told me he that he was going to New Orleans to play for the parade and wanted me to sing there. My mother took me there and we did the performance, and then he told me he was going to be on the NBC radio show and wanted me there too. Eddie Cantor was his guest star and Vallee wanted me to sing on the program. I met Eddie Cantor and he liked me and took me to New York to sing and that's it. Q. I know you are retried. What keeps you active? A. Oh I fish a lot, deep-sea tournaments, anyway I do pretty well in them and the biggest fish that I caught was 750 pounds a Blue Fin Tuna, off of Cat Kay Island in the Bahamas, I caught Marlins and they are big too and others. Q. Did you ever go into Universal and catch JAWS. Just a joke Frances. She laughed… Q. What are some of your memorable moments? A. Not so much the shows that I did, but what I really enjoyed doing the most was my radio show with Don Ameche, called THE BICKERSONS, I would rather do that any day He was a wonderful snorer, and I was the miserable radio wife. Q. Are the tapes for sale? A. Yes in bookstores and music stores. Q. How's about Bob Hope? A. I sang his radio show with whatever songs they had to give me with Les Brown and we had Skinny Ennis, Jerry Colonna and Tony Romano a great guitar player. Q. Do you have children? A. No, I have a lot of family, When I was married to Ralph Evinrude, he had a daughter and a son, and they got married they have children and then the children had children have 8 grandchildren 9 great grandchildren. Q. How do you see yourself as a grandmother? A. I love it. They all know I and am their grandmother, they live around here. I see them. Q. What are you pet likes? A. I Love to work in my garden, I love to cook. And try various recipes. Q. How would you like your acting friends and the people you have worked with remember you? A. Oh! I don't know your asking questions like Barbara. I would like to Know that people liked me. Q. Do you do any charity work? A. You name it and I have done it. We give parties on my boat, and raised a lot of money, you see you buy a ticket to the party, then they dine on my boat, buy another big price ticket and we raise a lot on money. We seat about 35 people. I have my small band aboard. Q. When did you write the Army diaries? A. Well, I did that for the Hurst papers and when I went to the South Pacific, I did it for the army personnel. Q. Would you ever think of writing a book? A. Well I thought I would a small book, from a women's point of view, it would be funny and will call it a FOX HOLE POWDER ROOM. They wrote about those sort of articles in the Star and Stripes, but I have better ones. Q. How do you keep so physically fit? A. I watch myself, I am on vacation all the time. I have had a wonderful life, even though I was strafed, bombed, shot at and all that, that's exciting I want you to know. Well dear Frances we are pleased to be able to get this interview with You and wish you all the luck in the world. Thank you, My dear friend Frances passed away on Monday July 11th, 2005. We will always be in the Mood For Love. _______________________________________ Copyright Burt Richards Banyon Publishing 2005 ;void(0)) comedians/actors to emerge ont the Hollywood scene in a long time. Feature: Jim Carrey By: Burt Richards Well, after contacts with agents, managers, office secretary, etc., no one ever got back to me for my personal interview with the this HUGE money machine and so I will allow him a shot at immortality in my Feature on him that I have accumulated. (He did send me a photo) Well here we go. He was born James Eugene Carrey on January 17, 1962, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. He does not look it but stands 6ft 2 inches tall. The youngest of four children born to Percy (an accountant and aspiring jazz saxophonist) and Kathleen, Jim Carrey was an incurable extrovert from day one. As a child he performed constantly, for anyone who would watch, and even mailed his resume to "The Carol Burnett Show" (1967) at age 10. In junior high he was granted a few precious minutes at the end of each school day to do stand-up routines for his classmates (provided, of course, that he kept a lid on it the rest of the day). Carrey's early adolescence took a turn for the tragic, however, when the family was forced to relocate from their cozy Toronto suburb to the industrial town of Scarborough. They all took security and janitorial jobs in the Titan Wheels factory, Jim working 8-hour shifts after school let out (not surprisingly, his grades and morale both suffered). When they finally deserted the factory, the family lived out of a Volkswagen camper van until they could return to Toronto. Back on firmer ground, Carrey decided to strike out into the comedy club scene. He made his (reportedly awful) professional stand-up debut at Yuk-Yuk's, one of the many local clubs that would serve as his training ground in the years to come. He dropped out of high school, worked on his celebrity impersonations (among them Michael Landon and James Stewart), and in 1979 worked up the nerve to move to Los Angeles. He was sometimes credited as James Carrey, Tony Clifton and Jim Carrey. He finessed his way into a regular gig at The Comedy Store, where he impressed Rodney Dangerfield so much that the veteran comic signed him as an opening act for an entire season. During this period Carrey met and married waitress Melissa Womer, with whom he had a daughter (Jane). The couple would later go through a very messy divorce, freeing Carrey up for a brief second marriage to actress Lauren Holly. Carrey began to look around for other performance outlets. He landed a part as a novice cartoonist in the short lived sitcom "The Duck Factory," while the show fell flat, the experience gave Carrey the confidence to pursue acting more vigorously. He scored the male lead in the not well received Lauren Hutton vehicle “Once Bitten” and a supporting role in “Peggy Sue Got Married,” before making a modest splash with his appearance as the alien Wiploc in Earth Girls. Carrey's transformation from TV goofball to marquis headliner happened within the course of a single year. He opened 1994 with a starring turn in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” a film that cashed in on his extremely physical brand of humor (the character's trademark was talking out his derriere). Next up was the manic super hero movie Mask, the film that had audiences wondering just how far Carrey's features could stretch. Finally, in December, he hit theaters as a loveable dolt in the Farrelly brothers' “Dumb & Dumber” (his first multimillion dollar payday). Now a box office staple, Carrey brought his manic antics onto the set of “Batman Forever,” replacing Robin Williams as The Riddler. He also filmed the follow-up to his breakthrough, “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls,” and inked a deal with Sony to star in “Cable Guy,” Replacing Chris Farley for a cool $20 million--at the time, that was the biggest up front sum that had been offered to any comic actor. The movie turned out to be a disappointment, both critically and financially, but Carrey bounced back the next year with the energetic hit “Liar Liar.” He married Lauren Holly on September 23 1996 and on July 29 1997 they were divorced. Worried that his comic shtick would soon wear thin, Carrey decided to change course. In 1998, he traded in the megabucks and silly grins to star in Peter Weir's “Truman Show,” playing a naive salesman who discovers that his entire life is the subject of a TV show. Carrey demonstrated an uncharacteristic sincerity that took movie-goers by surprise. He won a Golden Globe for the performance, and fans anticipated an Oscar nomination as well--when it didn't materialize, Carrey lashed out at Academy members for their narrow minded selection process. Perhaps inspired by the snub, Carrey threw himself into his next role with abandon. After edging out a handful of other hopefuls (including Edward Norton) to play eccentric funnyman Andy Kaufman in “Man on the Moon” (1999), Carrey disappeared into the role, living as Kaufman--and his blustery alter ego Tony Clifton for months (Carrey even owned Kaufman's bongo drums, which he'd used during his audition for director Milos Forman). His sometimes uncanny impersonation was rewarded with another Golden Globe, but once again the Academy kept quiet. An indignant Carrey next reprised his bankable mania for the Farrelly brothers in “Me, Myself & Irene” (2000), playing a state trooper whose Jekyll and Hyde personalities both fall in love with the same woman (Renée Zellweger). Carey's real-life persona wound up falling for her too--a few months after the film wrapped, the pair announced they were officially a couple. By then, Carrey had already slipped into a furry green suit to play the stingy antihero of Ron Howard's “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” He planned to take a break from the limelight after the holiday flick (as he put it, "I'm looking forward to getting out of America's face"). Is there another Carrey reinvention in the works? If so, he's not talking. So at another time we will catch up with him. _______________________________________________________ COPYRIGHT BURT RICHARDS BANYON PUBLISHING 2005 ;void(0)) LEE MERIWETHER BY BURT RICHARDS AMERICA'S SWEETHEART - She's 5 foot 7 inches tall, a Blue/Green eyed beauty, with auburn hair. She was born as a Gemini on May 27th?? in Los Angeles, but moved with her family to Phoenix, Arizona, and went to Emerson school. Before entering the fifth grade her dad was transferred to San Francisco. As she got older she was encouraged to attend acting classes at her George Washington High School, and pursue acting, pulling all A's and 1 F. Another young talent at the school, namely Johnny Mathis remembers Lee as the girl with the curlers in her hair. She went on to win her titles, Miss San Francisco and Miss California while she was attending City College of San Francisco as a radio and T.V./Theatre arts major. After entering in the pageants, she was to be honored with the title of MISS AMERICA. Her pageant scholarships were able to help her with her acting studies with renowned director Lee Strassberg of the New York Actors Studio. In addition to dancing, fencing, singing with some top coaches, she made lead part in films and T.V. roles. She was of course better known for years after as co-star with Buddy Ebson in Barnaby Jones, and Nominated for a Golden Globe and Emmy awards. She has been on every show you can imagine, that total 9. Lee was the first news editor on the Dave Garaway, the original on the Today Show, plus three years as Lilly on the Munsters, Today Show, then there was Time Tunnel, The New Andy Griffith Show, Mission Impossible, The FBI, 12 O'clock High and Dr. Kildare. She has played Catwoman in the Batman series and did many guest appearances on All My Children, starred opposite Rock Hudson and many other major male stars, Swam with Mamu, and played a man that was killed by Kim Novak in The Legend Of Lylah Clare. Live theatre is what Lee Meriwether is all about and has toured the country in national shows as in the Female Odd Couple, Last Summer At Blue Fish Cove. She received the Best Actress Drama Logue award as well as the San Francisco Critics Award. More with Van Johnson, in Business Of Murder and numerous shows, The king and I, Mame, Dolly, I Do I Do, & Plaza Suite (with husband Marshall Borden) who she married on September 21st 1986 while the two were working in another play that he wrote called, The Artful Lodgers. She is a human being who gives much more than she gets. She recently worked with Frank Gorshin in Play It Again Sam. It's not all show business with Lee, as she has raised a family and is active in humanitarian endeavors and charities. She has been honorary chair of Crippled Children's Society, served as National Education Chairperson of The American Cancer society also L.A. for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and has a special place in her heart for the Blind Children's Center and is involved with animal rights groups, plus she is involved with Actors and Others for animals. Getting to our finish I asked her some questions that she was eager to Answer, so here goes. I know all about some of the active roles you have been involved with but just some human interest questions. Q. Did you get good marks in school, Any honors ? A. I was a B all the way as a student till, I went to college. Q. What did your parents do for a living? A. My father was a liqueur salesman and an accountant, my mother was a Housewife and then the both ran the family liqueur store. Q. What drove you to the Theatrical field? A. I always wanted to be an actress when I went to school, did not think I would ever make it. Q. When did you decide to enter the Miss America pageant? A I didn't enter myself, I was entered by a fraternity, it was a black fraternity and they did not have a Black sorority, and it was the membership council that nominated me, and no one told me until years and years later. Q. When did you become Miss America ? A. I became Miss America in 1955. Q. What keeps you going, with what you do like about theatre, films etc.? A. I just love the theatre so much , I have a lot a fun and like to do more, but not to much work for me. Q. What are some of your memorable moments on stage ,Television or films ? A. Well every time I do the play " Plaza Suite " with my husband Marshall, I have to keep from breaking up and laughing in the last scene. Q. Have you won any awards other than becoming a Broadway Ziegfeld Girl in Florida ? A. Yes many awards. Q. Do you have children? How many and their names? A I have two daughters, Kyle & Lesley Q. How long have you been married to your Marshall ? A. We were married in 1986. My children are from my first husband Frank Aleter Q. Do you work together as a team? What shows ? A Marshall and I work a lot together, he wrote a wonderful play The Artful Lodger. Q What do you see yourself doing at your retirement age ? A. Ha hA hA, I'm retired now, but I'm working, but not retirement age. I am going to keep working until I can't stand. Q. If you didn't get into show business and become Miss America what would you have done ? A. I would have liked to have been a teacher. Q Do you have grandchildren ? A. Sure, Ryan Isabel she's 7 years old Q. How do you see yourself as a grandmother? A. She keeps me Perky. Q. What would you advise them as far as careers, would it be show business like you A. We are going to urge her but she wants to be a teacher be happy, and get a good education. Q. What are some of your pet peeves. A. Oh, people who waste time, Oh I know, you know those automatic toilets in airports, they flush all the time and the water is wasted and I hate it. Q. What are you pet likes? A. Oh my well working, Marshall's cooking, I love Marshals cooking. Q. What is your pig out food ? A. Ice cream Q Ever thought of writing a book ? Titled LEE MERIWETHER AT LARGE ? A. Not that title, no, but I am in the process of writing something. Q. How would you like your acting friends' and the people you have worked with remember you. A. A good person and good friend, good actress, I guess. Q. In closing this exciting interview Lee, Have I covered it all? Would you like to add something? A. No, no, you did it good, I have lived a wonderful life and hopefully will be doing the same thing. Q. What would you have like to change in your life if you had to do it all over again. A. I would have liked to have studied more, I study on stage and would have liked to go to London and studied at the Royal Academy. Q. Any hopes of doing Sunset Boulevard ? A. Oh Burt, from your lips to god's ears. In conclusion, Lee I just want to say that I, hope you were pleased and the best of luck in the world. Thank you, Miss Lee Meriwether, Mrs. Marshall Borden. MR. RICHARDS BEST SELLING BOOK “STARS IN MY EYES THEN AND NOW“ That feature 38 of the great star legends of Hollywood , from Stage, Television and Film, can be purchased on his WEBSITE go to: www.burtrichards.com ;void(0)) FEATURE LESLIE NIELSON BY BURT RICHARDS Fun guy Leslie William Nielsen, best known as Leslie Nielsen, was born on February 11th 1926 in Regina Saskatchewan, Canada. But was raised in Tulita Northwest Territories. His father was a Canadian Mountie and a strict disciplinarian. His mother was Welsh. Mr. Nielsen studied at the Academy of Radio Arts in Toronto before moving to New York and appearing at the Neighborhood Playhouse. His real acting career started at a much earlier age when he was forced to lie to his father in order to avoid severe punishment. He has been making films since 1950, a star in most of his over fifty movies and many more TV films. One special appearance stands out in my mind in Bonanza as the Sheriff of a town with strict law and order and then goes berserk shooting and killing others he tried to protect. One of his two brothers became the deputy prime minister of Canada. Nielson was recently returned to Saskatchewan for their 100 CENTENIAL and met with the Queen. What other actor do you know that would dress up in a condom to make love to Pricilla Presley? He went to High School in Edmonton, Alberta, at Victoria Composite High School. He has a half brother named Gilbert Nielsen who lives in Hobbs, New Mexico. Leslie made "Honorary West Virginian and Ambassador of Mountain State Goodwill" on February 20, 2002 by then Secretary of State, now Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia. He married Monica Boyer in 1950 and divorced 1956, trying it again he latched on to Alisande Ullman in 1958 and had two children, Thea who lives in Wyoming. She's married, with a baby. She's a near-Olympics level dressage competitor, as is her sister, Maura. Thea and her husband have a horse ranch, where they train and board the animals. Maura is also married, lives in Los Angeles, and is a real estate developer. Nielson divorced Alisande in 1973. Nielson figured one more time and caught the eye of Brooks Oliver and tied the knot in 1981 and once again divorced in 1983. Leslie is now married to Barbie Earl Nielson for some time now. He just loves to kid around and has expressions when delivering sophomoric punch lines with a deadpan expression. Just loves "Whoopee cushion" gags. He's a good, solid actor who spent many years in movies and on TV playing good, solid roles before achieving significant success in, of all things, lowbrow comedy. As a surprise Leslie is a nephew of character actor ( Dr. Christian of 1940’s Radio fame ) Jean Hersholt, was a radio announcer and D.J. before turning to acting. He played a stolid spaceship commander in Forbidden Planet 1956, Debbie Reynolds' love interest in Tammy and the Bachelor 1957, the Revolutionary War hero "Swamp Fox" on "Walt Disney Presents" on TV, 1959-61, a Howard Hughes prototype in Harlow 1965, a movie studio chief on "Bracken's World" also TV, 1970, the ill-fated captain in The Poseidon Adventure 1972, a drug kingpin in Viva Knievel! 1977, and more cops, doctors, and attorneys than you could shake a nightstick- stethoscope - law book at, among his "straight" roles. But it's his mastery of deadpan farce that brought him belated, unexpected stardom in his 60s. Just some human interest questions. Q. Any Brothers or Sisters? A. Two brothers. Eric, now retired, but formerly a major figure in Canadian national politics, Head of the Loyal Opposition, and the second most powerful man in the country's politics. Gordon is deceased. Margaret lives in Los Angeles, Eric in Canada. Q. What schools did you attend? Elementary, Middle & H. S. College? A. Schooled at home while father was a constable near the Arctic Circle, then our family moved south to Edmonton, where I finished my education. WWII interrupted, so, no college, instead became an aerial gunner in the RCAF. Q. When and why did you decide to move to New York to get established? A. After the war, I returned to Edmonton, and eventually became a disc jockey. I applied for two scholarships, one to Lorne Green's radio school (Lorne was at that time the most famous newsman on national Canadian radio. He was called The Voice of Canada, and it was said that the nation paused whatever he was doing to hear his newscast every night). The other scholarship was to the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. I was granted both scholarships, but felt that New York had promise of a better future, and so I went there. It must have been the right choice, I began working in television after only a few months, did 50 shows in my first year. Q. What got you into wanting to be an actor? A. Opportunity knocked. Must admit that I'm still fearful it will knock again, tell me that I have absolutely no talent, and take everything back. Q. This is a FOUR PART question. What Jobs did you have before made it as star, what keeps you going, what you do like what you do, how do you choose the parts you play? A. Working as a disc jockey in Canada. Nothing of any real duration once I moved to New York, and as luck would have it, I hit right away, and made my living as an actor. I love what I do, and there's never been any challenge to keep me going, what's not to love about the life I've been fortunate enough to lead. I've never really had to seek work, there have always been offers, and at first I took what ever came my way, but in later years the criterion was what challenges the jobs held. Q. Want to do Broadway? A. Not really. I toured with "Darrow," initially sought for the role after Henry Fonda left the play. Worked in that throughout the United States, in New York, of course, and in Holland and England Q. Have you won any special awards? A. The Jack Benny Award from UCLA. Among previous winners were such folks as Carol Burnett, Johnny Carson, Lilly Tomlin, Steve Martin, Whoopie Goldberg, George Burns. Q. What do you see yourself doing at your retirement age? A. I play more golf now than before, still not well. As for retiring, what's to retire from -- it's not like acting requires any heavy lifting. Q. If you didn't get into stage and the film industry or show business, what would you have done ? A. I'd like to have become a professional golfer. Unfortunately, I have this handicap , I play badly. Q. What is your favorite pastime? A. Traveling with my wife, Barbie playing golf. Q. What are some of your pet peeves, dislikes? A. Although I don't talk about it much, I HATE Limburger cheese. Q. What are you pet likes? A. Laughing with friends. Q. What is your pig out food? A. Whadda ya have? Q. What is your favorite vacation spot? A. Our second home in Connecticut, or any golf course, playing with friends. Q. How would you like your friends from all walks of life and the people you have worked with remember you ? A. As a gentle man with a sense of humor, and a loving friend. Q. What was your most memorial screen performance and the female star you worked with? A. I loved an episode of MASH, in which I did my first comedy role. Also Shadow Over Elveron, a western, and played the sheriff, a complex heavy. Q. What would you have like to change in your life if you had to do it all over again? A. How could I ever have been more fortunate? Q. What person in history would you like most to meet, or already have? A. Clarence Darrow. I admire him greatly. Q. Right now at this stage of the game what is most important to you? A. Having fun. Q. Why do you like comedy over straight acting? A. I like them both. Each has its benefits. People forget that the vast majority of my career was as a straight actor. Thank you. Leslie _____________________________________________________ COPY RIGHT BURT RICHARDS BANYON PUBLISHING NOVEMBER 2005  By Burt Richards Olivia de Havilland in a publicity shot by Bert Six for Warner Bros., circa 1940s. If you travel to Hollywood for the awards this will be an event to remember as the Oscars will have Oscar-winning screen legend Olivia de Havilland on hand to be honored with an Academy Tribute on June 15, 2006, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The two-time Academy Award winner will travel from her home in France to the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills for the event, which will feature film clips of her most-admired performances and discussion with colleagues from throughout her career. Born on July 1, 1916, in Tokyo to English parents, De Havilland made her screen debut as Hermia in Max Reinhardt’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 1935, a role that she had also played on stage at the Hollywood Bowl. Her pairing with Errol Flynn in “Captain Blood,” also in 1935, proved a great success and subsequently the two starred together in seven more films, helping to solidify her leading lady status. De Havilland earned the first of her five Academy Award nominations for her supporting performance as Melanie Hamilton in “Gone with the Wind.” Two years later, in 1941, her lead performance as Emmy Brown in “Hold Back the Dawn” was nominated. She earned her first Oscar statuette for her portrayal of Jody Norris in “To Each His Own” (1946). “The Snake Pit” (1948), in which she played Virginia Stuart Cunningham, provided de Havilland with another nominated lead performance and in 1949 she took home her second Academy Award for her role as Catherine Sloper in “The Heiress.” Among the directors with whom she worked during this period and later in her career were Michael Curtiz, Victor Fleming, Lewis Gilbert, John Huston, Stanley Kramer, Mitchell Leisen, Anatole Litvak and William Wyler. Tickets for An Academy Tribute to Olivia de Havilland will go on sale June 1, 2006, for $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members. They will be available for purchase at the Academy during regular business hours or by mail. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information call 310-247-3600.  by Burt Richards She was born on Janaury 24th 1964, in Los Angeles California. After following up on this young talented actress I found out she was the daughter of a dear customer of mine when I had a valet business with my friend Arty at the Warwick hotel in New York and visited with her mom Jane when she was on Broadway in Will Success Rock Hunter, doing all her dry cleaning and the show too. She was the bombshell of that era before any one of those girls you see now seeking glory. My STAR for today is Mariska Hargitay who headlines the NBC crime drama "Law & Order Special Victims Unit," now in its seventh season, as the veteran detective Olivia Benson. Her portrayal of Benson won her the 2005 Golden Globe for Lead Actress in a Drama Series, as well as Emmy and SAG nominations for Lead Actress in 2004. Mariska's many other honors include nominations in the show's beginning seasons of 1999-2000 for best actress by the viewers of television, for favorite actress in a new series by the TV Guide Awards, and for best performance in a drama series by the International Press Academy. She is also the recipient of the 2004 Gracie Allen Award for Individual Achievement for best female lead actress in a drama series on behalf of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT). Mariska, says, being a women " is gratifying to play a part that's a multi-layered challenge. Olivia is not only a competent, street-smart cop, she's an empathetic woman who can respond to victims of terrible crimes. Mariska's work on SVU has prompted her to help real-life survivors of sexual assault. In 2002, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, which is dedicated to introducing dolphin-human therapy to survivors of sexual assault. Working hand in hand with rape-crisis centers and counselors, the Joyful Heart Foundation synthesizes all of the components of the healing process, mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental into one therapeutic experience. Mariska sits on the board of the Mount Sinai SAVI, Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention, program and has done public service announcements for NBC's "The More You Know" campaign, as well as for Safe Horizons, a national advocacy program for victims of crime and abuse. She has also lent her time and resources to many other worthy organizations, such as the Santa Monica Rape Crisis Treatment Center; Project ALS; the Girl Scouts of America, for whom she gave talks for young women; and the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness (JRI), for which she hosted the 2003 event "An Evening of Music, Laughter, Inspiration and Awareness" in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mariska is the youngest daughter of screen legend Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay. Mariska is married to actor Peter Hermann and lives in New York City. ;void(0)) HE IS HIS FATHERS SON Pat Harrington has been playing character roles for 44 years. He's been nominated 6 times. In this time frame Pat has created not one, but two legendary characters in the television lexicon. He was born August 13 in New York, N.Y. Hells Kitchen. First off, his 65 appearances on the Jack Paar Show as was the first character 'Guido Panzini' in the late 50's is regarded today as a creative Television improvisation. For over a period of 2 years, the pair thoroughly hoodwinked America. The entire Country accepted Guido as an articulate and discerning Italian visitor to America!,(and Pat is Irish ) The crowning touch for Harrington and Parr occurred, in 1958, when The United States Immigration Service called the show and requested a Date of Entry and Port of Entry for Mr. Panzini!, not knowing he was Harrington. For this landmark work he received the Radio/TV Daily, Best Male Newcomer Award for 1959. An outstanding achievement. His second and most recent creation, 'Dwayne Schneider', as the comedic Janitor on "One Day at a Time". This 10-year CBS hit allowed Pat to elevate the concept of Janitor to the exalted position of Building Maintenance Supervisor! Pat's work on this Series earned him 3 nominations. Pat told me he has studied with the best acting workshops in Los Angeles, including the Milton Katselas Saturday Morning Masters Class. A sampling of his recent theatrical credits includes: The Pajama Game - Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 1989. The House Of Blue Leaves - Skylight Theatre, Los Angeles 1990 (Dramalogue Critics Award). Showboat – National Tour, 1997/98. Love Letters with Michael Learned 1997/98/99. Into The Woods - Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, St. Paul, Mn., Nov/Dec.2000 One Day At A Time is Pat's sixth series. The others: The Jack Parr Show, Steve Allen Show, Danny Thomas Show, Mr. Deeds Goes To Town and Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law. Mr. Harrington has either auditioned for or performed in every television show ever produced! He is also getting his Comedy act together with Howard Storm, a television Director of Laverne & Shirley and others. They both should be ready by 2004 with 1 and 1/2 hours of hilarious routines, they are writing themselves including Pat's famous Italian, and you saw it here first. Just some human-interest questions. Q. What schools did you attend? A. St Paul on 59th and 9th Avenue, LaSalle Military Academy Q. Did you get good marks in school, any honors? A. Pretty good, I. also attended Fordham University, B.S. - 1950; Graduate School 1952 went into the military U.S. Air Force, 1952-54, and became a First Lieutenant. Q. What did your parents do, and their names? A Pat Harrington Sr. was a vaudevillian, song and dance man, and comedian and did 17 major Broadway shows all musicals with the biggest stars. Q. Any brothers or sisters? A. One brother was a stevedore on the waterfront for 55 years. Q. What got you into the Theatrical field? A. I was my father's son, the apple did not fall far from the tree. When I was going to school in the morning and it would not be a surprise to see Jimmy Dunn, Pat O'Brien, or Crosby, having eggs with my dad. Q. When did you think you would make it as an actor? A. When I started out I started at the top and Jack Parr was a hottest thing in town and I was a salesman for N.B.C. I made my first sale on the show. I didn't figure I would make it, but this it what I wanted to do. Q. What keeps you going, with what you do like about Stage, T.V. and Films etc? A. I like performing. I like using what I have. I'm not a banker or an insurance guy. but I do know how to do what I do, and I like it. Q. How's about stage? A. I have done a thousand stage productions. Q. What are some of your memorable moments on Stage in Television & Films? A. I played Captain Andy for over a year in Show Boat, for Hal Prince. Q. Memorable moments? A. Well my Panzini thing was my thing and Jack Parr is a remarkable man, and falling into the Steve Allen shows. Q. You won an Emmy 1984 and a Golden Globe in 1981 for One Day at a Time and received a lot of other nominations. A. Right. Q. I know you have children? Their names please. A. Yes. The oldest to the youngest Patrick, has two daughters, then Michael, has two daughters and there is Terry and Teresa. My grandchildren are: Caitlin, Lauren, Kelly and Brooke! Q. How do you see yourself as a grandpa? A. I love my kids and especially my four grand daughters. Q. What do you see yourself doing at your retirement age? A. Well I passed retirement age, I am going to keep doing what I am doing, I am going to Kansas City in April for three months to do Father of The Bride. Q. If you didn't get into show business what would you have done? A. Have no idea, but I would have gotten into the field later on. Q. Do you advise your children as far as careers, would it be show business like you ? A. Absolutely, my grandchildren have some great parents, but if they want me, fine whatever they want. Conclusion, Pat Harrington is a humble, likable guy and tells it straight and when I asked if there would be a Pat Harrington show he said I don't know, we all like to think that, but I don't think so I think I deserve that. He quipped me with this "I don't like guy's who don't know how to tell a joke, telling me jokes." "I am finding myself appreciating other people's talents more and more "I am glad we got this opportunity it's hectic around here and thanks. Pat and Director Howard Storm, director of the Laverne & Shirley show and others are putting a comedy club act together and will debut in 2004, look for them, you saw it here first. _______________________________________________________ COPYRIGHT BURT RICHARDS BANYON PUBLISHING JULY 2006  FEATURE: WALTER (JACK) PALANCE by BURT RICHARDS from his book Stars In My Eyes Then & Now available from Burt directly, no other source has it. Jack Palance was one of the great movie heavies of the 1950s, often cast as sinister villains in film noirs, westerns and melodramas. Jack Palahnuik (Birth Name) Walter Palance. He’s America’s most serious actor at 6 ft. 3” never watches his films and he is a lovable guy in person and over the phone, he is even funnier. He was born and named Vladimir Palanuik on February 18, 1919, Lattimer Mines, Pennsylvania. Sometimes Credited As: Walter Jack Palance American actor, with ukrainian origin. Married to Elaine, they both shared their home in 125 miles north of L.A. and on a Pennsylvania farm. Father of Brooke and Holly Palance. He was flying over in England in 1943 during World War II. According to a 1985 TV Guide interview with Palance, when his plane crashed and he was busted up. The story is only a rumor as far as his surgery. He replaced Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski in the Broadway production of "A Streetcar Named Desire". Jack Palance finally won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for City Slickers (1991), playing a tough, wheezy, old cowboy with rapidly hardening arteries. As he accepted his award, he felt compelled to demonstrate that his physical condition in the film had nothing to do with the actual state of his health, and he demonstrated his physical prowess by doing a set of one-arm push-ups. Palance's rugged face, which took many beatings in the boxing ring, was disfigured during World War 2. Plastic surgeons repaired the obvious damage but left him with a distinctive, somewhat of a serious character look. He became an actor after the war and had several stage roles before coming to the movies. In his first film (billed as Walter Jack Palance), Elia Kazan's tingling Panic in the Streets (1950), the actor made a definite impression, as a plague-carrying fugitive hunted by military physician Richard Widmark. Following Halls of Montezuma (1950), he got to menace Joan Crawford in Sudden Fear (1952) and was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. He received a second nomination for his unforgettable portrayal of a pathological gunfighter who always wore his gloves before he killed someone in Shane (1953), and won an Emmy for Best Actor as the prizefighter in "Requiem for a Heavyweight" on CBS' "Playhouse 90" (1956). His other films during this fertile period include The Silver Chalice (1954), Palance was toiling in a seemingly endless string of marginal films, including Sword of the Conquerer, The Mongols (both 1961), and Warriors Five (1962). A happy exception was 1963's Contempt for director Jean-Luc Godard in 1963-64 Palance played the part of Johnny Slate in the ABC series "The Greatest Show on Earth." The Professionals (1966) brought Palance back to the attention of American filmmakers; he landed a meaty role in The Desperados and played Fidel Castro in Che! (both 1969). Then City Slickers offered him a role with humor and heart, a perfect invitation for Oscar voters to respond not only to a performance but to a career. More recently, he appeared in Solar Crisis (1992), Cops and Robbersons (1994, playing straight to Chevy Chase), and City Slickers2: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994, as his deceased character's twin brother). What most people don’t know is that Palance has a talent for art and poetry, landscapes and life, plus he supplies a poem with each one of his works when he feels like it is needed. Recently in Ft. Lauderdale showing off his artwork. Q. What was the feeling when you took over for Marlon Brando in Street Car Named Desire? A. That’s old hat and rather not talk about it. Q. Other than your ART show now, and your best selling book on Poems 1995 Forest Of Love, what else? A. Nothing else Q. You won an Oscar playing an old timer in City Slickers, and a Golden Globe. How does that change ones life? A. It does not change at all, it’s the same. Q How do you know how good you are, when you never see the films you’ve made? A. You can know how your doing by doing it, that’s why I don’t like talking about it or seeing it Q Do you have grandchildren? A. I have three, the oldest is 15, then a 12 and an 11 year old. Q What are some of your pet peeves? A. We went over them Q. What are you pet likes? A. The opposites of my pet peeves. Q. How would you like your acting friends' and the people you have worked with to remember you? A. It really doesn’t matter to me. Q. Now for your ART work, how long have you been doing it? You do landscape and ad a poem to it? A. I do more than that, and if I feel it needs explanation I write a poem. I have a friend in Florida and she has 30 to 40 works of mine and sometimes asks me to visit to help promote them and sell them, not that I need the money. Q. What would you have like to change in your life if you had to do it all over again? A. I would have liked to have started at 21, when I did Shane my first film, I was 40. Q. Any hopes of going back to Broadway? A. No stage work. Q. How do you pick a part that you would like to do? A. I don’t pick any parts at my age, you get offers and make up your mind. Q. How did you feel working with the legend Joan Crawford? A. She was a nice woman. He Quipped "The only two things you can truly depend upon are gravity and greed." After more than 40 years in pictures I guess I am doing O.K. ;void(0)) EDWARD ASNER by Burt Richards HE'S A GIANT TEDDY BEAR In tribute to my friend and who every one loves. It's been 20 years now since I first met Edward Asner (his real name) at one of my Professional meetings in Florida. You see he was the President of my union the Screen Actors Guild. I feel kind of proud knowing Ed and when he relied on my judgment to re - run for office of the guild he said O.K. and was elected again for another 2 years back in 1981. A long time has passed and my relationship has grown to that of him becoming a great friend to me, my wife Geri and my family and I admire him a great deal. Ed became an honorary Uncle to my late daughter Susan Barbara Truglio and helped her with Public Service announcements for her Videophone Foundation that she and my wife started for Cancer Patients in Isolation. It's now time to let everyone know what kind of terrific guy he is & how he always looks out for the under dog. He sometimes lands in jail, as he did when he demonstrated in protest against U.S. Military Aid to El Salvador. You all remember him as Lou Grant on the Mary Tylor Moore Show and of course he became world known on his own Lou Grant Show. But this hazel eye Giant was born in Kansas City, Mo. November 15th, 1929. He is the youngest of five children and was active in sports and drama in high school and was also voted all city tackle for Wyandotte High School, he edited the school paper and appeared in the schools plays. Ed enrolled in the University Of Chicago and became a member of the campus dramatic group and appeared in works by Shaw & Yeats. He joined the Tonight At Eight Thirty Club and was directed by Mike Nichols. Then two years of Army life for Ed, but as soon as his hitch was up he headed to join the Chicago Playwrights Theater for two years. His dream became a reality when he returned to New York, appeared in summer stock, Off Broadway in New York, working with Jack Lemmon in " Face A Hero." He did numerous productions for the American & New York Shakespeare festival during that time. His work really paid off back in 1961 when he arrived in Hollywood and began to make a name for himself as a heavy character actor, comedy and leading man, getting parts in films, Peter Gunn, Fort Apache, Eldorado, They Call Me Mr. Tibbs and many other films. His great successes came when he worked for the various Television stations, NBC, CBS, ABC, DISNEY, TV / CABLE MINI SERIES REGULAR T.V. SERIES & SHOWTIME. Some exceptional Television work was started in 1996 with The Doomsday Flight. Through the years with Rich Man Poor Man, Roots, Gypsy, Slattery's People and during the years of 1970 - 77 with The Mary Tyler Moore Show as Lou Grant. Then the popular Edward Asner show as Lou Grant from 1977 to 1982. Another for one year in 1985 was his own Off The Rack, then 1987 - 1988 The Bronx Zoo, Hearts Afire came 1992 - 1993 and finally Thunder Alley for 1994 - 1995. Edward Asner has received an acclaimed 16 nominations for his work and received a prestigious record high 7 Emmy Awards for, Roots, Mary Tyler Moore, Lou Grant, Rich Man Poor Man. Not to forget his Golden Globe awards a total of 5 for Rich Man, Lou Grant & Mary Tyler Moore. Just for kicks he received another 2 awards from the Critics Circle. His boundless energy affords him the ability to be active in many Humanitarian and political organizations as well as his dramatic projects and charitable causes being honored by Bnai Brith, plus having his star on the Hollywood walk of fame sidewalk. Each time I speak with him he going someplace to film, Connecticut, or wherever, he just has to work, then taking a cruise to Alaska with his family and then returning to do another film. To top it all in October 1996, Disney was celebrating their 25th year anniversary and Edward Asner was in Orlando at the Disney Studios to be inducted into the Television Hall Of Fame, along with such luminaries as Angela Landsberry, Steven Bosko, and Charles Karault. I am happy to say I was there to see it all. What an HONOR for me. A great family man, and a likeable guy. He is a humanitarian and gentleman and will fight for causes he believes in and is generally in favor of the underdog. You get to enjoy him in person as well as on T.V. or on the big screen and as a special kind of actor. When I am with him dining or other wise he gets noticed wherever he goes and people love to talk with him and make a fuss over him, when we are together he always introduces me to them by saying, " This is my friend Burt Richards." One occasion a woman came up and asked me if that was really Ed Asner because she told me it did not look like him. So I replied that's because he is Lou Grant. Ed has three children with his first wife, twins Mathew & Liza 37 years old and daughter Kate is 33. He also has another son Charles by second wife Cindy who is still in school, he's 13. Ed's wife Cindy is a producer, son Mathew is also a producer and Liza is a special events coordinator for the Portland Market in Oregon. Kate is an actress and perhaps you've seen her on T.V., Kate Asner. Grandson Jacob is Matthew's first. Ed operates a production company called Quince Productions and has a home in Studio City California. He just completed the film Animal, directed by Rob Reiner soon to be released. To sum up the story, in speaking with him over the phone not to long ago, this is what I got as reply to some of my questions. Q. What do you see your self doing when you retire? A. What retire. Q. If you weren't an actor, what would have like to have been? A. Archeologist or Deep sea diver. Q. How do you see yourself as a grandfather? A. Not to much so far, I just became a grandfather from my son and my grandbaby is 10 months old, named Jacob Asner. I just love him. Q. Ed. What are some of your pet peeves? A. One of them is Spineless Democrats. Q. What are your pet likes? A. Liberals. Q What is your pig out food? A. Pop Corn and Assorted peanuts. No cashews. Q. How would you like to be remembered? A. Being a square shooter. Q. How would you like your funeral to be held? Cremated? A. I have dreamed of having my body aboard a huge boat, filled with about 100 people and a big band with plenty of Corned beef, Lox, Rye Bread, have a great party and then dump me at sea for the sharks to have a good time. He certainly will be a force to remembered and loved. BURT RICHARDS copyright 2001 ;void(0)) By Author Burt Richards Stacy Keach (Jr.) was born in Savannah, Georgia on June 2, 1941. His parents tell the story that the night he was born there was a fire at their small house due to the fact that lightning hit the chimney and it caught on fire. Stacy's parents (who celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary this year) have often referred to that moment as "a sign of someone special coming into the world". The question is, was this a good sign or a bad sign. Ask Stacy's folks and they'll tell you it was good, except for the fact that Dad had to rush back to the house to let the firemen in while Mom was having the baby, and Dad later discovered that his fire insurance didn't quite cover the damages. Keach Sr. was teaching Drama at the time at Armstrong Junior College, and was making a modest salary, but he really wanted to try his luck in Hollywood. Soon afterwards, dad was called out to the Pasadena Playhouse to join the company as both an actor and a director. So, in the early days of 1942, Mary and Stacy Sr. put their young son, Stacy Jr., in the back of their Nash rambler and headed for Pasadena, California. Stacy Keach, Sr., has been a successful actor, producer, writer and director for over fifty years. He created, produced and directed the legendary "Tales of the Texas Rangers" for NBC Radio in the early 1950's. The show still airs on KNX 1070 on Thursday nights. The Ranger Show was also included in the Smithsonian Archive Presentation of the most famous Radio Detective shows of the 20th Century. In the world of commercials, Stacy Sr. recently played the crotchety old chairman of the board for Psi.net after his success as the grouchy Mercury patriarch, and was seen as Clarence Birdseye for over five years. Active as a Rotarian and a member of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, Stacy Sr. gives back to the community, is a loving husband, father and grandfather, and serves as a great role model for both Stacy Jr. and brother James Keach who is married to Jane Seymour, Dr. Quinn M.D. Stacy began his theatrical career in Taft, Texas, playing Old King Cole in the local school pageant. He was six years old, but he remembers his costume being made by Mrs. Hess, the lady who lived next door to his grandmother's house. It was a large white furry collar with black birds sewed into the cloth, and, in his own words, said: " I'd put that on, and then donning my crown, I really felt like a King. I guess I just liked being somebody else." He began acting in school plays in Junior High and at Van Nuys High School in the 1950's, and majored in Drama and English at UC Berkeley in the 1960's. Stacy spent a summer at Tufts Arena Theatre between his college sophomore and junior years, working at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and gained his first National attention from critic Henry Hewes, then writer for The Saturday Review. Hewes called Stacy's portrayal of Henry the Fifth and Mercutio "masterful". He won a scholarship to the Yale Drama School in 1964 and that summer made his professional debut, cast as Marcellus and The Player King in Joseph Papp's production of Hamlet in New York's Central Park. After Yale, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to London's Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (1965-66), and on his return to America was accepted into the Lincoln Center Repertory's maiden season at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. Stacy's rendering of Macbird!, a satirical off-Broadway dark comedy, written by Barbara Garson, suggesting that Lyndon Johnson (in the guise of Macbeth) killed John F. Kennedy. It won him an Obie for his performance. Joseph Papp approached Keach to play Falstaff in both parts of Shakespeare's Henry IV. Soon afterwards he returned to Lincoln Center to play the Bastard, Edmund, in Lee J. Cobb's interpretation of King Lear. The following year, Spring 1969, Stacy went to the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., to star as Buffalo Bill in Arthur Kopit's Indians. The play was a huge success and came to Broadway later that year, Stacy receiving a Best Actor Tony nomination for his Director John Huston once said of him, "He is not just a star, he is a constellation. The audience will come to see whatever character he portrays." Stacy began his professional film career in the 1968 with The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and has since played a wide variety of characters in over fifty films. In 1972, Stacy was proud to have worked with legendary actor/director John Huston. Huston directed Fat City , told me a story Reminds me when I was doing Fat City and being directed by John Huston , we had some boxing scenes. Huston told me just go out there and box, we had no choreography so we went out and boxed. I was fighting with a boxer named Cysto Rodriqes he had arms as hard steel, so I hit him in the stomach really hard and without any notice, his right arm came flying out and knock me cold and Houston used the shot in the movie. and The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. Stacy also acted with Huston and Henry Fonda in The Greatest Battle. Catching him at Breakfast he was having Oatmeal to help keep his Cholesterol down Q. Who are your favorite directors? A. It's tough to say, because I've had the privilege of working with many fine directors. Aside from John Huston, I guess I would have to say Franco Zefferelli (Jesus of Nazareth) and Robert Altman (Brewster McCloud). Even though I only worked with him as an actor, I was always asking Orson Welles (Butterfly) for tips on how to survive a bad movie. Q. What was your favorite film role? A. Of all the films that I've done the most important one is the one I'm working on at the moment…which at this moment is a film entitled Unshackled. It's a prison film set in 1970's Georgia, chronicling the racial tensions and integration of both the prison system and of southern culture through the sport of basketball. Based on a true story by Harold Morris, I play Warden Kelso, a man caught a political vice between his own personal feelings towards blacks and the new laws. Unshackled begins principal photography March 1, 2000, in Atlanta, Georgia. Q Who are your favorite Leading Ladies? A. Joan Collins (Love Letters), Faye Dunaway (Doc), Jamie Lee Curtis (Roadgames), Lauren Hutton, Tanya Roberts, Linda Carter, Sharon Stone, Delta Burke (Mike Hammer), Ursula Andress (Mountain of the Cannibal God), Virna Lisi (Mystery of the Dark Jungle), Claudia Cardinale and Lindsay Wagner (Princess Daisy). And of course the leading lady of his real life, wife, Malgosia, who was playing a small role in the Mike Hammer series in 1983. They were married in 1986 and have two children, their son, Shannon, age 16 and their daughter, Karolina, age 14 Malgosia loves Yoga, hates computers, and is a native of Warsaw, Poland. Q. Are you grooming your kids for Showbiz like your dad did ? A. Not really, dad didn't really groom us for it, it was done unconsciously, he wanted us to have security in life and wanted me to be a lawyer and brother James to be a doctor. I dabbled with it, but it was not for me. Q. What thrills you the most being on stage or in a film. A. Stage - First of all you get to do the beginning , the middle and an end in front of a Live audience. Q What character would you like to play that you have not yet portrayed ? A., Thats a good question, I still like to do Shakespeare. Lear is waiting for me someplace and I always wanted to do Teddy Roosevelt and I am getting a script submitted to me about his trip down the Amazon. Q. Any others ? A. Well 17 years ago we made the film Hemingway, and just now coming out on VHS and is available, People can get to pick it up . go to my WEB sight WWW.STACYKEACH.COM we just put up the Hemingway stuff Q. What is your pig out food. A. Oh my ! I just love donuts. Q What are some of your pet peeves. Q. And your pet likes ? A. I hate to stand in line, don't we all? Q. What are your pet likes? A. I like my pets, I have three dogs, Mid Asian Shepherd a big dog one of only 4 in the United States, there bred to hunt Tigers in India, they I have a Doberman pit bull named King and a tiny mutt, she is sweet heart name is Blue Q. How would you like to be remembered by your piers and your public? A. Thats another good question, I haven't thought of that. That I was a good dad and a good actor plus, I was daring. Q Would you consider retiring ? A. No. Q Listen Stacy, If you had to do it all over again. What changes would you make if any? A. I don't think I would go near drugs. Q. Well I remember the incident you had in the United Kingdom. A. Well Burt! I am a survivor.  QUIPS FROM STARS FEATURE AMANDA SCHULL Aside from STARRING in the film CENTER STAGE 2007,, She is a member of the CORPS DE BALLET, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA When I first saw this very talented young lady , it was love at first sight and I just had to get to know her and do a feature story. And so I confess to my readers and offer you a star who will be long remembered; Amanda Schull was born August 26th, 1978 in Hawaii where she studied ballet with John Landovsky of the Hawaiian State Ballet. As a child, Amanda acted in various theatrical productions, including “A Little Night Music,” “Evita,” “Gypsy” and “Into the Woods.” With Ballet Hawaii, Amanda performed in Nutcracker and Carmen, and danced in Nutcracker, Esmeralda, Carmina Burana, Hamlet and Paquita for the Hawaiian State Ballet Junior Company. She attended the University of Indiana for two years and in 2000, became a full-fledged Company member in the Corps de Ballet after a one-year apprenticeship with the Company. With San Francisco Ballet, Amanda has danced in Giselle, Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, Balanchine’s Symphony in Three Movements and various roles in Nutcracker. Amanda made her motion picture debut in the film’ “Center Stage,” as Ballerina, Jody Sawyer which Columbia Motion Pictures released in May of 2000. She is Blonde, Beautiful, and 5 ft. 5. Amanda is a corps de ballet member so she doesn't have the lead in any productions. Q What hospital were you born in? A. Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children Q What Schools did you attend? A. I went to Punahou School from kindergarten to me senior years through High School. Q. Did you get good marks in school, Any honors ? A. I did, I was actually on the deans list and made the honor roll in my last couple of years in High School Q. What did your parents do for a living? A. My mother Susan is an interior decorator, my father is an attorney in Honolulu his name is Gunner. Q. What drove you to the Theatrical field ? A. Well, ever since I was young I was in musicals and plays on the stage, I really love to be on stage. Q. When did you come to the states ? A. I went to college after high school, in 1996 in Indiana. Q. When did you audition for the part in the film Center Stage as Jody? A. Must have been 1996, I think, they had a casting agent that used to dance with the American Ballet Theatre, and they sent her across the country and she would up on the west coast. and looking for a professional Dancer and I was still in the San Francisco Ballet school, and she went to watch a rehearsal, and she saw me , I was getting a lot of corrections from my teacher and she saw that as that was what Jody gets in the script. She immediately thought that I would fit the bill, and she gave me a script and read for her the next morning and called me again to look at another part to read, and I left the room and when I came back into he room to read the other part she told me she called her boss and gave me the part. She really knew as soon as she met me. Q. What happened to you after to you finished the film, you disappeared for a while, A. Well I came back because I already had my contract with San Francisco. I finished the film and came back to work. Q. How long have you been with them now ? A. I have been here for my 3rd year now with the company. Q. When will you be finishing off ? A. I don't know ! As of right now I am planing to stick it out. Q What keeps you going, with what you do like about the stage live concerts theatre. A. I told you I love performing and I think, the immediate reaction from the audience something that was missing from the movie , that was different for me and you had you have several chances to get it right, you didn't have a live audience there and love the adrenaline rush of getting to the audience like the . Q. That was a starring role for you., are you featured in any of the ballets. A. Last year I had one opportunity to do a principal role, but I am still in the chorus for the most part I am dancing with the girls. Q What are some of your memorable moments on stage ? A. On Stage. Q. How did you mother come to name you Amanda? A. I think it means worthy of giving love. Q. Have you won any awards ? A. I won The National Society of arts and letters first place for my first year at Indiana. . Q. What do you see yourself doing at your retirement age ? A. I'm getting a couple degree’s a bachelor of Science and journalism degree. I was interested in broadcast journalism. Q. If you didn't get into show business what would you have done ? A. I think I would have been a journalist its sort of performing. Q. Do you have a fan club ? A. I hear I do, I don’t know I heard theses things on the Internet. Q. What would you advise them as far as careers, would it be show business like you A. Keep doing what makes them happy Whatever makes them happy, as I have little girls are happy that I made the movie because they have always been told the were over weight and never make it ? Q. What are some of your pet peeves ? A. Well I hate people with poor grammar. Q. What are you pet likes ? A. Pets likes, Ah I really enjoy a good laugh. Q. What is your pig out food ? A. I just love to eat sweets. Q Ever thought of writing a book? A. My mom teased me to write a tell all book. but I don’t have enough juice yet. Q. How would you like your show business friends' and the people you have worked with remember you. A. I like people to remember me as to making them laugh and happy to be around me. Q. Do you have any boyfriends? A. Not right now. Q. What would you have like to change in your life if you had to do it all over again ? A. Not at all. Q. Any hopes of doing any Broadway musical? A. Not right now but in the future Q. Any brothers or sister ? A. I do , I have one brother and one sister, she has beautiful feet and a beautiful body for ballet , but actually hates it. In conclusion, Amanda I just want to say that I was pleased to be able to get this interview with you knowing how busy you are and wish you all the luck in the world. Thank you, your a sensational talent.  FEATURE BY BURT RICHARDS Irving R. Levine’s insightful reports and commentaries were regular features on "NBC Nightly News," "The Today show" and NBC News special broadcasts. He was born on August 26th 1922 Pawtucket Rhode Island and is a former journalist for NBC. During his 35-year career, he reported from over two dozen countries, which led to him becoming the first foreign correspondent accredited in the Soviet Union (as a result of which he wrote three best-selling non-fiction books on life in the USSR). He resides in both Boca Raton and Washington D.C. He reported and interpreted fast-breaking news and major economic, political and social trends on TV and radio on four continents and brings a half-century of journalism experience in his current role as Dean of the College of International Communications at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. Some early and personal history on Levine is that he was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, attended school in Providence, received a Phi Beta Kappa Key from Brown University and his master’s degree from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. He began his journalism career with the Providence R.I. Journal-Bulletin and started his career as a foreign correspondent in Vienna, Austria, as bureau chief for the International News Service. In my first encounter with Mr Levine I was so in awe of him I did not know what to call him , so I ask how can I address you sir? Mr. Levine, Irivng R, or what. He told me I had asked the same question that was asked of Henry Kissinger. And Levine replied Kissinger said he does not go for protocol so you can just me YOUR EXCELLENCY. We laughed and I addressed him as such. Irving R. Levine has been an NBC correspondent for more than 45 years and is considered one of the most renowned and respected journalists in broadcasting. He founded CNBC, NBC’s business-news channel and delivered weekly economic commentaries for six years. As part of his coverage of the economy, Levine accompanied Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton to the annual G-7 Economic Summit meetings in London, Paris, Versailles, Tokyo, Bonn, Munich, Venice, Naples, Toronto, Halifax, Puerto Rico, Williamburg and Houston. Some of his other momentous events were reporting the Berlin airlift; the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia; the Eisenhower-Krushchev Paris Summit; and the Kennedy-Krushchev Vienna Summit that set the stage for the Cuban missile crisis. Levine explained that "on many of the assignments there was nothing particularly frightening or startling, with the exception of covering the Korean War and covering the Belgian Congo when the government set the Congo loose in 1960 with no control. There was total anarchy and you were in danger every day from vigilantes and people who were carrying guns." Levine has received many prestigious awards, such as the "1995 Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame"; an Overseas Press Club honor for the "Most Outstanding Radio and TV Reporting from Abroad," a "Headliners’ Award," and an Emmy Citation. He was the first recipient of the prestigious Martin R. Gainsborough award. Levine was referred to by Time magazine as the pioneer of economics reporting on television, and became the first network correspondent to cover economics full-time. He reported on recession, and recovery, taxation and tariffs, and money and markets. Mr. Levine is the author of four books: Main Street U.S.S.R., that was on the national non-fiction best-seller lists and has been used as a university textbook; Travel Guide to Russia, described by Life magazine as the one essential book for anyone traveling to the Soviet Union; The New Worker in Soviet Russia, and Main Street, Italy. He has been married to his wife, Nancy over twenty-five years and they have three grown children. When asked if he had any pet peeves, Levine said: "I have a number of pet peeves, but will share only three of the top ten: 1) I am annoyed by politicians who use the phrases ‘TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST,’ or ‘TO BE FRANK,’ because the words would indicate that the politician has not been honest up until that point; 2) I am peeved by people on television who use the words ‘YOU KNOW,’ and 3) I am particularly annoyed by the common practice of the automated phone system which offers you an endless menu of options, such as press 1, press 2, instead of hearing a human voice." A few funny quips from Levine are: "In broadcasting, there are always restrictions of time in television programming, for example: the nightly news runs about 23 minutes plus commercials. At one point I was asked to shorten a script before I went on, so they could catch a couple of seconds here or there so they asked me whether I would mind dropping the R in Irving R. Levine and I said no, but said, I would rather drop the B in NBC." Another quip was about his famous bow ties: "I have a lot of funny reasons why I wore bow ties, but the truth is because of a lot of people I admired, like Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, and a news radio commentator named Elmer Davis, wore them." Burt Richards is a prominent actor, celebrity, theatre and travel syndicated reviewer, award-winning producer and master of ceremonies. You may recognize him in TV commercials or as a performer at charitable functions. Comments E Mail: Theater-Travel-News.1@Juno.com BURT RICHARDS copyright Banyon Publishing 2007 ;void(0)) By Burt Richards Before she was involved with the Television Show Dancing With The Stars. I knew her and still do . A great lady and one of my favorites. If there ever was a woman that could keep attracting men, even being near age 57 it would be Jane Seymour. Only one word describes her: PERFECT. She was raised with class, has that delightful refined English accent men love, is hard working, has a warm charitable heart, and is stunningly beautiful. Her career spans decades and she is one of the best known television actresses ever. She was even a Bond girl. They say having children wears you down so much that your appearance fades more quickly. Well, Jane has had four, and she has barely changed at all in the last thirty years. Guess that saying isn't true at all. In the 20th century Today she was Dr. Quinn, the western doctor with the right prescription and a movie career "To Die For". As the queen of the miniseries, Jane Seymour has taken us "East of Eden" and taught us of "War and Remembrance." This Bond girl, earth mother and painter has packed in a lot of living. Maybe it's because she's always been something of an overachiever, multi-tasking long before that word was part of the vernacular. A British born beauty Jane Seymour is the Emmy nominated actress you've enjoyed watching on shows such as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Born Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg on February 15, 1951 in Wimbledon, England, at age 17, she decided to change her name to Jane Seymour because "it scanned nicely and rolled trippingly from the tongue." Frankenberg, on the other hand sounded too close to Frankenstein. Daughter of a British obstetrician and his Dutch wife, Jane was born in Wimbledon, England. She began training in dance at an early age, and was just thirteen when she made her professional debut with the London Festival Ballet. That same year, she entered the Arts Educational Trust for dance, music and theater training and danced with the visiting Kirov Ballet. Jane started with the dream of a career in ballet. At 17, during her first performance in the well-known Russian Kirov Ballet, she incurred a serious knee injury. Following this occurrence, she moved onto musical comedy and then acting, where she dedicated herself to that craft with the same commitment she had given her ballet. After moving to the United States, Seymour faced struggles landing parts for her acting career. Many found her too exotic for a professional actress. Jane, not giving up eventually landed a part, which later earned her an Emmy nomination. This was when her career began to bloom and became one of the most sought-after actresses and received several Emmy nominations and two Golden Globes. Her film debut was as a chorus girl in Richard Attenborough's "Oh, What A Lovely War," which resulted in her being discovered by the top agent in the United Kingdom. She played roles in a range of classical plays and performed in radio dramas, such as the BBC's six-hour version of "Far From the Maddening Crowd." But it was as Winston Churchill's first love, Pamela Powden, in the Carl Foreman motion picture, "Young Winston," that Jane attracted the attention of top producers. Her first (and only other) television series was the BBC-TV project, "The Onedin Line," and this led to her casting in the starring role of Solitaire in one of the most popular James Bond films, "Live and Let Die." This attracted Hollywood interest, but she wanted to return to the boards of English repertory theatres and to tackle such classic leading ladies as Shakespeare's Ophelia and Lady Macbeth, and Ibsen's Nora in "A Doll House." She returned to film with "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger," followed by a string of America-bound British television specials including "Frankenstein: The True Story," Dickens' "Our Mutual Friend," and "King David." Able to convey virtually any accent with accuracy, she demonstrated this with her first Hollywood starring role in the six-hour television mini-series, "Captains and Kings." Her portrayal of a proper Bostonian brought her the first of many Emmy nominations. Jane was soon cast opposite Christopher Reeve in a favorite romantic film for many which is now a cult classic and most recently had its 20th Anniversary re-release on the "big screen." She then starred with Chevy Chase in followed by the highly acclaimed ABC-TV adaptation of John Steinbeck's "East of Eden," for which she won the Golden Globe Best Actress Award as Cathy/Kate. On the Broadway stage, she originated the role of Constanza Weber, wife of Mozart in the Broadway hit "Amadeus." Television mini-series also proved to be a favorable medium for Jane's talents. She won recognition for her work in "Jack, The Ripper," and For the latter, she was nominated on two successive years in the Best Actress category for both the Emmy and Golden Globe Awards. She won the Emmy Award as Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Maria Callas in ABC-TV's "The Richest Man Alive," based on the life of Aristotle Onassis. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe Best Actress Award for her performance as the Duchess of Windsor in the CBS-TV movie "The Woman He Loved." A multiple Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Jane Seymour has proven her talents in virtually all acting venues: the Broadway stage, motion pictures and television. Seymour made television history with her six season series, blazing a trail for family-friendly programming to return to series TV. The program fostered a devoted audience and wide audience demand for fulfilling, informative drama that parents could share and enjoy with their children. This was so strong that a national, in fact, international, furor was occasioned by the series' cancellation, even though it had handily won its slot in every season. Jane not only succeeded in making Saturday night a respectable series address again but also effectively activated family audiences to demand alternative to violent and sexual programming. Most recently the actress has starred in several highly-rated television movies, filmed through Catfish Productions, including a Movie-of-the-week sequel to her series "Dr. Quinn: The Movie." The beloved "Dr. Quinn" series was the latest success in a star career encompassing international movie stardom, Broadway and London stage acclaim (including creating the role of Constanza in "Amadeus" in New York) and a number of highly-regarded mini-series and movies. Apart from the "Dr. Quinn" honors, she also has been awarded or nominated for roles as diverse as her concentration camp survivor in "War and Remembrance," John Steinbeck's fascinating "East of Eden" vixen and her riveting evocations of Maria Callas and Wallis Simpson. The artist has also emerged as a significant producer of distinguished projects. Through Catfish Productions, in which she is partnered with her husband, she has executed such programs as "Sunstroke" and "A Passion For Justice." The company's most recent high-rated movies include "The Absolute Truth" and "A Marriage of Convenience", both which brought hot reviews and high audience numbers. The Author In addition to acting, Jane established herself as a successful author, publishing her first book, in 1986. She also teamed with her husband to write a series of exceedingly successful children's books entitled inspired by her highly and delightfully altered life since she gave birth to their twins in late 1995. Before the twins were born, at the couple's sonogram visits, Jane would ask, "How is this one doing?" or "What about that one?" Hence the title of the series. Published by Putnam, the books transpose their household into a family of cats whose lives are constantly energized by the antics of their toddler kitty twins, This One and That One. The twins give gray whiskers to their parent cats, Lady Jane and Big Jim. Recently, Jane has authored a book on The Charity Worker Apart from her busy life of acting, producing, mothering and painting, Jane Seymour is also a dedicated activist for a number of charities...seeking to improve the desperate lot of many of the world's children. Seymour is the Honorary Chairperson for City Hearts, an organization that enriches the lives of abused children, inner-city children, and incarcerated delinquent youths, by teaching the performing arts, including painting, dancing and acting. She is, as well, ambassador for children's issues for the film world's charitable arm, Entertainment Industries Foundation/Permanent Charities. Actively involved in numerous charitable causes, Jane works for Childhelp USA, a national organization dedicated to the research, treatment and prevention of child abuse, as International Ambassador. The organization's "Woman of the World" award is one of many honors she has won for her social and charitable achievements. Seymour has also been involved with a number of other charity organizations, including UNICEF, City Hearts, and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Her talents as a watercolor and sketch artist led to the production of a series of greeting cards sold to support her charities. One of her watercolors is featured on a special Discover Card, raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, following the work's charity auction for $25,000 at the Guggenheim Museum. Similarly for charity, she designed and painted a special edition bottle for Korbel Champagne. Pregnancy Difficulties Jane was in her 40's when she discovered she was again pregnant, only this time with twins - John and Kristopher. Before their birth, Jane faced two miscarriages. Although delighted with the news of the twins, a month before Jane was due, she suffered "the silent killer"- commonly referred to when blood pressure rises to an abnormal level. This put Jane and the babies' lives on the line. Fortunately, Jane entered the hospital in time and had a C-section, delivering the twins safely and averting long-term harm to them She is, additionally, the hands on mom for twins John and Kristopher, teen-agers Sean and Katie, her stepdaughter Jenny and stepson Kalen. Seymour and Keach reside in Malibu, and she owns a house near Bath England. Additional information can be found Children will be children. The twins, John and Kristopher love the "Teletubbies" and "Barney," and like many families, they watch videos including "Mulan," "The Little Rascals," and "Willy Wonka" over and over. How does Seymour manage to maintain her life of mothering, acting, producing, painting, children's book writing and involvement with charities? Jane says, "You just have to learn to balance all the pieces of your life and have a good support team of friends and family Family always comes first. Whether Seymour is acting or involved in charity work, she is always in reach if her children need her. It is also important to prioritize needs. Although Seymour would like to help out in many more charities, she realizes that she is only one person and people are not going to place a negative impression on her if she has to distribute her time to her family. Spending time as a family is very important. Some questions proposed to Miss Seymour were. Q What schools did you attend? A Arts Educational Trust, Ballet/Theatre school Wimbledon High School until age 13 Private Girls School Q. Did you get good marks in school, Any honors ? A. "A" Level art O level in general subjects. Many ballet honors. Q. What did your parents do for a living? A. Mother ran business from the house selling wine/Tabasco/furnishings to diplomats in UK. Father was an obstetrician and Gynecologist "Fellow of Royal College specialized in infertility. Q. What drove you to the Theatrical field ? A. Love of Dance from Age 2 Passion for Ballet/music/acting/painting Q. When did you think you would be able to make it as an actress? A. At school I won awards and when I starred in "Stares Family" at age 19 Q. What keeps you going, what you do like best T.V or Films etc. A. I love creating new characters in film and TV. TV has been especially good to me given me very varied roles in good projects Q. Did you ever do or want to do stage work, touring etc. other than your past show D.C. A I love stage work but time and children have made it difficult. However I will return one day. Q What were some of your memorable moments working with others in Films and T.V shows you have made. A. So many I could write a book. Q Do you have children? How many and their names A . 4 children Katie 19, Sean 16, John and Kris are twins 9 1/2 yr., 2 step children Kalen Keach 29, Jennie Flynn - 26 Q. How long have you been married to James? A Since 1993, May Q. Do you work together as a team? A Often, we have a joint production company Catfish Productions. We are partners in many but not all ventures. Q What do you see yourself doing at your retirement age ? A. I doubt I will retire as I'm always interested and involved in something whether its acting art or design. Q. If you didn't get into show business, what would you have done? A. Probably art and design Q. What would you advise your children as far as careers, would it be show business like you A. Each of my children is encouraged to follow their dreams in whatever field that is and they are all completely different. If they choose showbusiness they know what hard it is to succeed. Q. How would you advise others on how to succeed in the theatrical field and in getting to be an actor? A You have to want it a lot and be passionate enough to study and of course thickskin to deal with rejection Q What are some of your pet peeves. A. People who lie or are devious Q. What are you pet likes? A. The ocean, children, art supplies and flowers Q. What is your pig out food ? A. Guacamole and chips and pistachio nuts and string black licorice. Q. How would you like your acting friends' and the people you have worked with remember you. A. As a good friend and a person who cares about humanity and those less fortunate. Q. What would you have like to change in your life if you had to do it all over again. A. This has been my journey - But I would have liked to have been taller Q. Any hopes of doing Sunset Boulevard, Do you sing ? A. No Q. When did you start your painting career. A 10 years ago - but I've always drawn and painted for pleasure Q. Who was instrumental in guiding you in art ? A. Every artist that I have befriended and painted with. THANK YOU JANE , THE BEST TO YOU BurtRichards.com | What's New with Burt? | | The BANYON NETWORK | Betty Byers | MUSINGS | INNER-VIEWS WITH CELEBRITIES | Whitlow Synopsis | ECLECTIC REVIEWS | The NEWS | SHORT STORIES CORNER | Francine Silverman | BOOK REVIEWER'S CORNER | | Return Home | GREAT LINKS | CONTACT US | BLOG PORTAL | |
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