Arte Johnson was in a lot. Sure, you remember him peeking through the ferns at the end of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, offering a corny pun in an affected German accent. Or as the doddering old Tyrone, attempting to make a move on the uptight Gladys Ormphby, as played by Ruth Buzzi, only to get …
Denise Nickerson was best remembered for her iconic role as “Violet Beauregard,” the gum-snapping daughter of a pushy used car salesman in the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Fresh from her multi-character casting on the Gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, Denise’s popularity was given a huge boost as a result of her appearance …
“Come Get It, Get It, Come, Come / Walk on guilded splinters Come Get It, Get It, Come, Come / Walk on guilded splinters” Dr. John explained that the song “Walk On Guilded Splinters” was based on a traditional voodoo church song. He said, “It’s supposed to be ‘Splendors’, but I turned it into ‘Splinters’… …
In 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower issued Executive Order 10450, establishing who could receive a federal security clearance. The order named security risks as Communists, subversives, drunks and drug users, and “sexual perverts.” As far as this order was concerned “sexual perverts,” meant homosexuals. Frank Kameny was employed as an astronomer for the US Army’s cartography …
From 1970 until 1972, Gilbert Baker served as a medic in the US Army while stationed in San Francisco at the beginning of the gay rights movement. He always exhibited artistic tendancies and was taught to sew by a fellow activist. After his discharge from the service, he began to create banners for demonstrations in …
Audre Lorde was a writer and civil rights activist. As a poet, she is best known for her extremely expressive style. Her poems express anger and outrage at the civil and social injustices she observed throughout her life. The overall themes of her poetry and prose focused largely on issues related to civil rights, feminism, lesbianism, …
Sylvia Rivera was a pioneering advocate for civil rights. She, and her friend Marsha Johnson, co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, a group to help homeless gay youth on the streets of New York City. Sylvia fought hard for the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act in New York. The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the …
Freddie Starr, leading his Mersey Beat group The Midnighters, set out for fame in the early 60s. Despite being represented by Beatles manager Brian Epstein and having singles produced by music impresario Joe Meek, Freddie could not catch a break. It wasn’t until an appearance on the British talent show Opportunity Knocks that Freddie’s popularity …
Larri Thomas started her career as a dancer and actress, nabbing a few roles in various television commercials. She was chosen by noted film producer Samuel Goldwyn to be one of his “Goldwyn Girls.” Larri was one of six young ladies who performed on a promotional tour for the big-screen version of the musical Guys …
Tim Conway was a funny guy. Unfortunately, Hollywood had a difficult time placing him in just the right vehicle to showcase his talent for comedy. Sure, he had a successful run playing second fiddle to Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine on McHale’s Navy, but Tim’s own variety show was cancelled after the standard 13 weeks, …
