Tommy Cooper was a popular British comedian for four decades. The hulking funnyman, never without his trademark red fez, would perform magic tricks… most of which failed miserably. He used his failures as fodder for rapid fire one-liners that had his audiences rolling in the aisles. In April 1984, Tommy was performing on the popular …
Twenty-one year old Christa Speck was working as a secretary at Bank of America when she was discovered by Playboy talent scouts. Soon the German-born beauty found herself gracing the pages of the September 1961 issue as the “Playmate of the Month.” Her popularity earned her the title of “Playmate of the Year,” the first …
There are two things I love: unusual and obscure baseball statistics and celebrity deaths. The story of former Major League Baseball pitcher Odalis Pérez fits into both categories. Odalis signed with the Atlanta Braves in 1998, making his big league debut in September of that year. His regular season record was 0-1, however he won …
Michael Rockefeller was the youngest child of New York Governor (and eventual Vice-President) Nelson Rockefeller. Michael was a graduate of Harvard University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in history and economics. After a brief stint in the US Army, Michael joined an expedition from Harvard’s Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology to study the Dani tribe of …
12 year-old Rosemary Yuro began singing as a novelty in her parents’ Italian restaurant. Soon, much to her parents’ opposition, she was getting booked into local clubs in Los Angeles. One night, she caught the eye of talent scout Sonny Knight, who decided to help the young singer on a path to stardom. First, she …
Sister Rosetta Tharpe invented rock and roll. “What?” you’re probably saying to yourself. “Wait just a second! Little Richard invented rock and roll!” Or maybe you’re saying “Elvis Presley invented rock and roll!” Or perhaps you know that Chuck Berry invented rock and roll. (Maybe you’re saying nothing and just wishing I would get on with …
The daughter of a US Congressman from Oklahoma, Doralyn Cartwright attended Stephens College in Missouri and later American Academy in New York with her sights set on a career in acting. At 30, she made her film debut in the Western Black Patch, alongside her husband, actor/writer Joe Gordon. Joe was a prolific character actor, …
Teen-age Jeanne Carmen left rural Arkansas for New York City with dreams of becoming a star. She worked as a burlesque dancer and posed for pin-up pictures in the 1950s. She was also an expert trick-shot golfer. Jeanne and her manager would tour country clubs and hustle unsuspecting members, betting on whether or not this …
Betty Wright started singing as a child. She performed with her family gospel vocal group, Echoes of Joy, before switching to rhythm & blues. She was spotted by a Miami record label owner who signed 12 year-old Betty to a contract. She released a few songs that gained local recognition. In 1972, Betty released her …
Slim Galliard’s early life is sketchy, as he offered different origin stories to different people. He did, however, serve in World War II as a bomber pilot, briefly interrupting his successful music career. He insisted that he worked as a hat maker in Greece and a hearse driver turned rum-runner in Detroit, but these are …
