June is Pride Month. Tom Spanbauer, the author of five novels, created a concept known as “dangerous writing.” His writing often focused on themes of race and sexual identity. As a teacher, he encouraged his students to overcome their fears and write painful personal truths. In his courses, he spoke of bringing one’s inner life …
Aspiring actress Mariana Levy landed her first role as a teenager, playing “Veronica” in the Mexican soap opera Vivir Enamorada. After taking a year off, Mariana returned to the small screen. She appeared in a long string of telenovelas, including a stint playing three different characters in Yo compro esa mujer. Mariana appeared with her …
Joel Fluellen took some small jobs while he pursued his dream of becoming an actor. After a few appearances on the New York stage, he moved to Hollywood and landed an uncredited role in the film Cabin in the Sky. As an active member of the Screen Actors Guild, Joel fought for more meaningful parts …
After working in a number of Clio Award-winning commercials, Ruth Buzzi performed as an inept magician’s assistant “Shakundala the Silent” on a 1964 episode of The Garry Moore Show, playing opposite comedian Dom DeLuise as an equally-inept magician. Later, she was a member of the repertory company on the short-lived variety show The Entertainers. A …
This is sad. This is really sad. Jill Sobule, the vivacious, insightful, funny singer-songwriter died on May 1st in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota. What makes Jill’s death particularly sad was that she was so full of life. She had plans for the immediate and long-term future. She had just wrapped up a tour …
After disbanding his group Mother’s Milk after just a year of performing, musical impresario Tom Sholz recorded a bunch of demos on which he played all of the instruments except for drums. Those duties were taken by Tom’s friend Jim Masdea. Vocals on the demo tracks were provided by Tom’s friend Brad Delp. Tom’s demo …
Susan Tyrrell was born of the fringe of show business. Through her father’s connections as a talent agent for the mighty William Morris Agency, young Susan was able to land auditions and roles in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. She appeared in a wide range of plays from broad comedy to Shakespeare to period pieces to …
A talent scout discovered 15-year-old Miho Nakayama in Harajuku, Tokyo’s well-known center for youth culture. She released her debut single “C” and was given a starring role in the film Be-Bop High School, based on the manga series of the same name. It was the beginning of a successful career that produced 22 albums and …
Jim Feezel joined the US Army in 1944 and became a tech sergeant in the 12th Armored Division. He was given the assignment of driver, operating a Sherman tank for the division. One year into his service, on April 29, 1945, Jim’s division pulled up to the front gate of Dachau, the notorious Nazi concentration …
Pennsylvania-born Felicity Colby enrolled in ballet and other dance classes as a child. She had dreams of becoming a professional dancer. She was lucky enough to be cast in several musicals before trying her hand at dancing on the London scene in the 1960s. In late 1966, Felicity — now going by “Flick” — founded …
