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- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Kirstie Louise Alley was an American actress. Her breakout role was as Rebecca Howe in the NBC sitcom Cheers (1987-1993), receiving an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe in 1991 for the role. From 1997 to 2000, she starred in the sitcom Veronica's Closet, earning additional Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.- Actor
- Music Department
- Producer
Brooke McCarter was born on April 22, 1963. He was named after his father and his mother's name is Maria. Brooke had a sister named Melissa and a brother named Robert. Brooke's family had been in entertainment for quite some time. His grandfather was an old Vaudeville actor and his father was a drummer. So it was only natural for Brooke to be musically inclined as well. He modeled and, when he was 14, he won a model contest called "New Faces".He was very athletic, went to college on a racquetball scholarship, and also studied communications. It was during this time that Brooke dropped out of college to study acting in New York City. Brooke was in the new The Twilight Zone (1985), an episode called Joy Ride/Shelter Skelter/Private Channel (1987). His next role was as Tyler in Thrashin' (1986), and then in 1986, he starred in the cult classic film The Lost Boys (1987), where he played Paul. While filming The Lost Boys the cast and crew got along well. Brooke met Corey Haim, and became his manager through the 90s. He was in a film with Corey called Double Switch (1987), and was credited as a song and song performer in his movie Fast Getaway (1991). It was never released commercially but the songs were I've got a Feeling, Miss Lucy You make me feel and Something Going On. Brooke worked on the soundtrack for the documentary America the Violent and is listed as a composer. The song You Make Me Feel was re-recorded in Long Beach California by Carlee Knight. Next, Brooke worked with Ali Handal, producing the track "Dirty Little Secret". He also moved back into making documentary films. In 2002, he directed the pot documentary Leaves of Green. Brooke has played drums with the band for several performances on the song Cry Little Sister, which was on The Lost Boys soundtrack. He worked with director Herschell Gordon Lewis on "The Uh Oh Show".
Brooke died of Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency on December 22, 2015, in Tampa, Florida.- Steve Tracy was born on 3 October 1952 in Canton, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens (1979) and Little House on the Prairie (1974). He died on 27 November 1986 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Tom Aldredge was born on February 28, 1928, in Dayton, Ohio. First appearing off-Broadway in 1957 in "Electra" and on Broadway in 1959 in "The Nervous Set," Aldredge has appeared in over 30 Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Others include "On Golden Pond," "The Litte Foxes" (opposite Elizabeth Taylor), "1776," "Into the Woods" (as the memorable narrator) and "Passion." Since 1972 Aldredge has been nominated for five Tony Awards. Also an accomplished actor on film and television, he received an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Shakespeare in CBS' production "Henry Winkler Meets William Shakespeare." Entering into his later years, Aldredge continues to make guest appearances in several television productions and has recently starred in "Twentieth Century Limited" and "Twelve Angry Men" on Broadway.- Actor
- Additional Crew
Dan White was born to George & Orpha White about one mile from the Suwannee River in Falmouth, Florida. Falmouth was a small sleepy town then, as it is still today. He was one of 13 siblings who were moved to Lakeland sometime around WW I. Lakeland is where Dan was introduced into show business in 1922 at the age of 14. He ran away from home when the show moved on and traveled thousands of miles throughout the South in tent, minstrel, vaudeville and theater shows. Dan performed on stage with his brother Willard for nine years with a stock company in Tampa's old Rialto Theater. Frances Langford worked with him during this time and it was Dan who told her to go to Hollywood. During this period he met Matilda "Tilda" Mae Spivey on the stage, and married her on February 25, 1933. Tilda had a two-year-old child from a previous marriage by the name of Arthur "Art" Grant Gifford. Times were tough, so Dan had to get out of show business for a while to make some real money. In 1934 he found work with the Conservation Corps in Homestead, Florida, but show business was always in his heart. Dan knew he had what it took to "make it" in Hollywood, so he decided to make the move to California in 1935. They packed all their possessions into their Ford and started the long, arduous trek across the country. This was during the Great Depression, and money was very tight. They had to stop frequently in various cities across the country to make extra money to continue their journey. Dan was a very good auto mechanic and never had a problem finding this type of work wherever he went. This skill paid off once during the filming of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). During the "mob" scene, one of the cars they were to drive away in would not start. Dan opened the hood, stepped onto the front bumper, and had the car running in no time flat.
Dan and his family lived in Panama City, Florida, and Shreveport, Louisiana for a while. They reached Texarkana, Arkansas in January 1937, and had to stop for a different reason this time. Tilda was carrying their unborn child, and it was showing signs that it could wait no longer. Tilda's sister Mary happened to live in Texarkana, and they were able to stay there for a few months until the baby was born and got big enough to travel. Daughter June Larue White was born February 14, 1937. On April 1, 1937, Dan, Tilda, Art and June continued their journey to Hollywood. They arrived 16 days later, and found a house to rent just an eye-shot away from the "HOLLYWOOD" sign. They lived in this house for 23 years where many movie deals were made, and scripts were written--right in their own living room! Upon arrival in Hollywood, Dan had a hard time finding work and found himself down in Panama working on the Pan American Highway for 6 months. When he returned home in 1938, he found work with Republic Pictures where he made at least 6 movies in his first year alone. His first known film was a western titled Prairie Moon (1938) with Gene Autry. Dan made $55 a week working on this production. Over the years in Hollywood, Dan claimed to have made nearly 300 films and 150 television appearances, with about 70% of all this work being in westerns. Among his most well-known pictures were The Yearling (1946), Distant Drums (1951), Red River (1948), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), Giant (1956), Duel in the Sun (1946), Four Faces West (1948), Jailhouse Rock (1957), Touch of Evil (1958) and many, many more. Somehow during all this filming, Dan and Tilda found time to have their third child--Donald Curtis White, born November 9, 1941; just 28 days before Pearl Harbor was bombed. Dan made his reputation in the numerous "B" westerns in which often played the villain (or "henchie"). His weathered, high-cheek boned face with its tight-drawn, expressionless mouth and beady snake eyes chilled the blood of many a Saturday matinee-er in the 1940s and 1950s. Dan loved his work, especially all of his "outdoor" pictures. In the 1950s and 1960s, when work in western films started to dry up, Dan turned to television. He was offered the role of Sam the Bartender in Gunsmoke (1955), but he didn't want to commit to something like that. He told his best friend Glenn Strange to apply for the job, and the rest is history. Dan lived in California for almost 40 years, but his real love was Florida where he grew up. Upon his retirement, he returned home to Tampa, just down the street from the old Rialto Theater where it all started. He made appearances in "Western Film Round-Ups" and television talk shows, and was frequently visited by his family in California until his death on July 7, 1980 at the age of 72. Dan left behind three children and 12 grandchildren. Not only will he be recognized and remembered for all his films, but he will also be remembered as a great father and grandfather. He will be missed and loved forever.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Peter Palmer was born on 20 September 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. He was an actor, known for Li'l Abner (1959), Edward Scissorhands (1990) and CBS Summer Playhouse (1987). He was married to Mary Lou "Aniko" Farrell and Jackalee Ann Gleason. He died on 21 September 2021 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Actress
- Make-Up Department
Marilyn Eastman was born in Iowa and later moved to Pittsburgh where her career with Karl Hardman ("Night" co-star and long-time colleague and companion) took off. She was a regular on several local radio shows that achieved much success, and later she and Karl formed Hardman/Eastman, Inc. They eventually joined forces with The Latent Image, Inc, another Pittsburgh company, which was headed by George A. Romero, to create the phenomenal horror classic Night of the Living Dead (1968), which was filmed in 1967 in and around Pittsburgh, PA and released in October 1968. Eastman not only acted in the film, she worked on make-up, props and contributed to the editing of the screenplay. Marilyn has done many industrial films with Hardman since "Night" and has worked on commercials as well as in theater. She appeared in the Night of the Living Dead: 25th Anniversary (1993) video that chronicled the film's incredible history and success.- Billy Mays was born on 20 July 1958 in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays (2009), Pitchmen (2009) and Grip Wrench Commercial (2002). He was married to Deborah Mays and Dolores DiDesiderio. He died on 28 June 2009 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Andrew Martin was born on 17 March 1975 in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. He was an actor, known for 18 Wheels of Justice (2000), WWE Smackdown! (1999) and WWE Metal (1999). He died on 12 March 2009 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Curt Hennig was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the son of one of wrestlings all time legends - Larry Hennig - Aka Larry The Ax Hennig. Curtbegan training to follow in his fathers footsteps when he was just 12 years old. Starting off in the AWA - Curt began his career as a tag team wrestler. He won the AWA Tag Team Championship with Scott Hall before concentrating on a singles career in the AWA. He became the AWA Heavyweight Champion in only his second year with the company before capturing the attention of the WWF. The WWF was looking to acquire the services of second generation stars and Curt Hennig fitted the bill perfectly. He made his debut in the WWF in 1988 as "MR.PERFECT". Curt's character was an instant hit with WWF fans and he quickly established himself as a quality technical wrestler. Fellow second generation WWF star and one of Curt's closest friends - Bret Hart aka Bret The Hitman Hart was also making waves in the WWF along the same time. Bret Hart and Curt Hennig began a legendary feud that would end in an Intercontinental Championship match at SummerSlam in 1992. Curt Hennig defended his WWF Intercontinental Title against Bret Hart at SummerSlam to end what had become a captivating feud between two of the best technical wrestlers in WWF history. However, Curt had suffered a serious back injury during a house show just prior to the big event. Against doctors orders, Curt Hennig made his way to the ring as Mr.Perfect and defended his Intercontinental Title at SummerSlam against the Hitman Bret Hart. Bret went on to win the match but was full of praise for his friend and opponent afterwards. Hart called Hennig "the best wrestler and one of the best workers he had ever worked with". Despite being praised for working a high profile match through a serious injury - Curt ended up paying a price. Curt's back injury had been aggravated and that caused him major problems in the future. After taking a few months of to rest his injury, Curt returned to the WWF, however his return was short lived as his back once again flared up in late 1993. As a result, Curt was out of the ring until 1996. During that period, Curt worked as a commentator for the WWF until his contract expired at the end of 1995. By this time, Curt's back had healed enough for him to consider a return to a WWF or WCW ring. Understanding the importance of having an Impact Player like Curt Hennig on their roster, WCW got involved in a bidding war for Mr.Perfect's services. In the end, WCW won and Curt Hennig signed a 4 year contract with WCW. Hennig returned to the ring for the first time in 3 years and in only his second official singles match since his return - Curt won the WCW United States Championship. He held the title on three separate occasions along with the WCW Tag Team Championship. However, his talents were being wasted in WCW and at the end of his contract in 2000, Curt decided against signing an extention with the company and proceeded to take a break from the sport altogether. In 2001, he returned to the ring with XWF and made appearances in Australia with the WWA. While these appearances were good enough as a stop-gap measure, Curt was hoping to make a comeback in the World Wrestling Federation - and sure enough the WWF contacted Curt Hennig to make his return to the WWF as Mr.Perfect in the 2002 Royal Rumble. What was initially billed as a one time arrangement, resulted in Curt Hennig once again re-joining the WWF after signing a long term contract. While Curt may have claimed to be perfect inside the ring, his life outside the ring was anything but perfect. In May 2002,he was fired by Vince McMahon after getting into a fight with Brock Lesnar on a charter flight. On February 10, 2003, he was found dead in a Tampa hotel. He was slated to wrestle on an independent card headed by Jimmy Hart at the Florida State Fair. The cause of death was later found to be acute cocaine intoxication. He left behind his wife of 20 years, Leonice, and four children.
- Actor
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Jacobs spent most of his childhood moving around the East Coast with his family, eventually settling in Tampa, Florida. As a drummer he won the 1978 "Most Talented" trophy at Greco Junior High School, but after relocating to Queens, New York (as a result of his parents' divorce), he traded his drums in for a set of turntables upon discovering and marveling over hip hop while the art form was still in an underground developmental stage. He was mentored in the craft by his cousin Rene Negron (a.k.a. DJ-Stretch), and their close friend Shawn Trone (a.k.a. MC Shah-T of the parody- rap group No Face) who suggested Greg use the name "Shah-G". Jacobs liked the idea, but mistakenly thought his friend said "Shock-G", and began using that name instead.
Less than two years later, after returning to Tampa, he dropped out of Chamberlain High School to form the Master Blasters, a mobile deejay crew which featured three DJs and four emcees at its height. They performed at parties, and also for the crowds at Riverfront Park's outdoor Sunday gatherings, eventually capturing the interest of Tony Stone, a program director at WTMP radio, which was the city's primary R&B station. Tony offered Jacobs, who was sixteen at the time, a job deejaying on the air, and for a short while, as "Gregory Racker," he was the youngest radio personality in central Florida with a regular time slot.[1] After being fired for playing the fifteen-minute-long album version of "(Not Just) Knee Deep" by Funkadelic in a five-minute time slot, and also after tensions with his father escalated, Jacobs found himself backpacking the United States for a few years, drifting through odd jobs and petty criminal adventures. It was during this excursion that his focus switched from deejaying to keyboard playing, and while utilizing piano practice-rooms at music stores and colleges around the country, he effectively taught himself to play the piano.
Deciding to pursue music seriously, he returned home, quickly obtained a diploma, and began attending Hillsborough Community College, where he studied music theory under Jim Burge and piano under Patricia J. Trice. It was there at HCC that he met and formed a bond with Kenneth Waters, and the two began performing together under various names including The Chill Factor, and also The Four Horsemen, which included MC Skoobie-D, and the MD Dazzlin Doc-P who had recently moved to Tampa from the Bronx, hip hop's birthplace. Then in 1985, after two years of producing local artists for hire, playing solo piano gigs around town, performing with Kenny, and being a keyboardist in Warren Allen Brooks' band, Greg and his aspiring-actress girlfriend (Davita Watts) set their sights beyond Tampa, and eloped to Los Angeles in search of greater opportunity. There he played keyboards in Kenny McCloud's pop-funk band "Onyx" before leaving LA and finally arriving in the San Francisco bay area where he found work in an Oakland music store, and where Digital Underground would happen a few years later.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Marty Balin was born on 30 January 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for Forrest Gump (1994), The Age of Adaline (2015) and Crank (2006). He was married to Karen Teresa Deal, Victoria Ann Martin and Susan Joy Finkelstein. He died on 27 September 2018 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. (August 22, 1934 - December 27, 2012) was a United States Army general. While serving as the commander of United States Central Command, he led all coalition forces in the Gulf War.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Schwarzkopf grew up in the United States and later in Iran. He was accepted by the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army in 1956. After a number of initial training programs, Schwarzkopf interrupted a stint as an academy teacher and served in the Vietnam War, first as an adviser to the South Vietnamese Army and then as a battalion commander. Schwarzkopf was highly decorated in Vietnam and was awarded three Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts, and the Legion of Merit. Rising through the ranks after the Vietnam war, he later commanded the 24th Mechanized Infantry Division and was one of the commanders of the invasion of Grenada in 1983.
Assuming command of United States Central Command in 1988, Schwarzkopf was called on to respond to the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 by the forces of Ba'atheist Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Initially tasked with defending Saudi Arabia from Iraqi aggression, Schwarzkopf's command eventually grew to an international force of over 750,000 troops. After diplomatic relations broke down, he planned and led Operation Desert Storm, an extended air campaign followed by a highly successful 100-hour ground offensive, which defeated the Iraqi Army and removed Iraqi troops from Kuwait in early 1991. Schwarzkopf was presented with military honors.
Schwarzkopf retired shortly after the end of the war and undertook a number of philanthropic ventures, only occasionally stepping into the political spotlight before his death from complications of pneumonia. A hard-driving military commander, easily angered, Schwarzkopf was considered an exceptional leader by many biographers and was noted for his abilities as a military diplomat and in dealing with the press. - Actor
- Additional Crew
Brian Adams was born on 31 January 1963 in Kona, Hawaii, USA. He was an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! (1999), WCW Saturday Night (1985) and Saturday Night's Main Event (1985). He was married to Irene Yumiko. He died on 13 August 2007 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Michael Lee Alfonso was an American professional wrestler. He was best known for his appearances with the American professional wrestling promotions Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment under the ring name Mike Awesome and for his appearances in Japan with Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling as The Gladiator.
Alfonso achieved the biggest success of his career in FMW as The Gladiator, where he became a three-time world champion, with two reigns as Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion and one reign as Independent Heavyweight Champion. His second Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship reign from 1996-1997 was the longest reign in the title's history, lasting for 489 days. During this reign, he defeated W*ING Kanemura to unify the title with the Independent Heavyweight Championship at the 1996 Year End Spectacular. He would then tour with ECW, where he became a two-time World Heavyweight Champion. He was a member of two separate stables Team Canada in both FMW and WCW. - Robert Robinson was born on 10 July 1903 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He was an actor, known for El Diablo Rides (1939) and Cattle Queen (1951). He died on 1 September 1970 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Ron Slinker was born on 30 October 1945 in Kent, Washington, USA. He was an actor, known for Mr. No Legs (1978). He died on 28 March 2008 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Dwayne Schintzius was born on 14 October 1968 in Brandon, Florida, USA. He was an actor, known for Eddie (1996), Arli$$ (1996) and WWE Raw (1993). He was married to Lynn Avery and Lynn. He died on 15 April 2012 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Actor
- Music Department
- Additional Crew
Joe Lala was born on 3 November 1947 in Tampa, Florida, USA. He was an actor, known for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978), Seinfeld (1989) and Out for Justice (1991). He was married to Ginny McSwain. He died on 18 March 2014 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Robert Barron was born on 3 April 1898 in Wyoming, USA. He was an actor, known for The Vigilante: Fighting Hero of the West (1947), Song of My Heart (1948) and The Sea Hound (1947). He was married to Doris Douglass and Helen Elisabeth Landham. He died on 22 April 1958 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Peter Antoniou was an actor, known for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion (1999) and JAG (1995). He was married to Stephanie Swiniarski. He died on 29 October 2023 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Terry was born on April 25, 1930. On his tenth birthday he was given a Charlie McCarthy dummy as a gift from his uncle. For several years he honed his vent skills entertaining his friends. Within a few years Terry was winning talent contests as a ventriloquist. He invested in a couple of Turner figures from Lou Tannens in New York. It wasn't long after that he was appearing in nightclubs, USO show tours, The Kate Smith Hour (1950) and the Arthur Godfrey Time (1952). Bennett met and became friends with veteran ventriloquist dummy maker Frank Marshall, who created Red Flannels for Terry, This puppet is Bennett's most-remembered dummy. In 1951 Bennett was drafted for a two-year army stint in Orleans, France. Terry was allowed to bring his wooden partner along. While in the army he was part of a entertainment group in the troop, which he performed his ventriloquism act. After Terry was discharged from the army he married Joy Ann Page, who he meet in Florida during one of his acts. They married on June 18, 1953. The two of them, along with Terry's dummies went to Canada and did a new ventriloquist stage act. Terry was offered a job to work for Chicago television station WBKB in 1954. There, Terry took on the responsibilities of writer, producer, on-air promotion director, and program director. Sometime during his early days with WBKB he created the famous logo for ABC-TV channel 7 network. Terry longed to be in front of the camera. He approached general manager, Sterling Red Quinlan with his idea of a kid show that he could perform his ventriloquism with his dummy Red Flannels. Terry went back to Frank Marshall and had him create other dummy characters for the show. The television show became Jobblewocky Place (1957). Jobblewocky Place was very successful and was receiving its just praises from the public and press. Even earning three Emmy's later during its run. Not even halfway through the first season of Jobblewocky was Terry offered another job. This time Red Quinlan said to Terry Bennett that he was to be the new host of Shock Theatre (1957). This Saturday night show featured what was called "the Shock package", horror, mystery, monster movies. Terry created the character of Marvin for this show and his wife Joy, would become know as "Dear" on it. Once again the public went wild for this program. Press and papers praised it. Shock Theatre (1957) became so popular that a half hour extra show was added right after Shock and was called Aftershock (1958). 1959 was the year Shock Theatre ended. Jobblewocky Place ended in 1961. The Bennetts did one last show in Chicago called The Wacky World of Mr. B (1962). The Bennetts moved to New York where they worked for WPIX, channel 11. There Terry produced The Chuck McCann Show, The Clay Cole Show (1959), The Sammy Kaye Show (1950), and David Susskind's Hot Line. Terry returned to performing with the WPIX show Let's Have Fun (1965-1967). This was a show very much like Jobblewocky Place (1957) using many of the same dummies and puppets that were used on that show. In 1972 the Bennett family moved to Tampa, Florida. Around this time Terry created some characters for Burger King. It was during 1975 that Terry started becoming ill. This illness lasted long. On October 12. 1977 it took his life. Terry Bennett died at the age of 47. Terry's dummy, Red Flannels, can be seen in the Vent Haven Museum in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.- George Michael Steinbrenner III, one of the most successful sports franchise owners of the modern era, was born in Rocky River, Ohio on the Fourth of July, 1930, which is fitting for the owner of the New York Yankees, the premier baseball club in what is dubbed "America's Pastime". (To fans of the Yankees' archrival, the Boston Red Sox, he is considered the Head of the "Evil Empire").
After graduating from Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana (the alma mater of cult director Budd Boetticher), Steinbrenner attended the exclusive Williams College located in western Massachusetts (the alma mater of Elia Kazan, Class of 1930). Steinbrenner's interest in sports led to stints as an assistant football coach at Northwestern University in 1955 and at Purdue University the following year. While making his fortune in the shipping industry (he had joined his father's financially ailing American Shipbuilding Co., where he helped affect a turn-around), Steinbrenner bought the Cleveland Pipers of the National Industrial Basketball League in 1960. The team joined the American Basketball League the next year, and Steinbrenner made sports history by hiring John McLendon, the first African-American head coach in professional sports.
The team won the 1962 ABL championship, and Steinbrenner then pulled off a major coup by signing Ohio State All-American Jerry Lucas, the #1 basketball prospect in the country, thus keeping him from going to the better established National Basketball Association. In fact, to get Lucas into their league, the NBA immediately made a deal with Steinbrenner to absorb the Pipers as its 10th team, but as he was unable to raise the $250,000 franchise fee and was facing a lawsuit from the ABL, the deal collapsed.
The Pipers soon went bankrupt, and Steinbrenner went back to the shipping industry, eventually buying the American Shipbuilding Co. outright. During the 1960s, Steinbrenner was a Broadway "angel" (investing in plays) and later acquired a small ownership stake in the NBA's Chicago Bulls. However, by 1971, Steinbrenner was wealthy enough to make a $9 million bid (approximately $43 million in 2005 dollars, when factored for inflation) to acquire the Cleveland Indians franchise in professional baseball's American League. However, the deal -- which was being negotiated by Indians General Manager Gabe Paul -- fell apart. When Columbia Broadcasting System Chairman William Paley decided to rid the television broadcast network of its New York Yankees subsidiary in 1972, Paul helped broker the $8.7 million deal by which Steinbrenner acquired the team. Steinbrenner then appointed him director of baseball operations for the club.
In January 1920, the Yankees -- then Gotham's also-ran baseball franchise after the fabled Giants of Coopers Bluff -- acquired the Red Sox's left-handed pitcher and star slugger Babe Ruth for $125,000 in cash and a loan to Red Sox owner Harry Frazee, a theatrical entrepreneur, who needed the loot to finance a Broadway show. During the previous season, the Bambino (a 24-game winner and E.R.A. champ as a starting pitcher, the Babe had set the World Series record by pitching 29 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in the 1916 matchup with the Brooklyn Dodgers, which was finally broken by Whitey Ford in 1961, the same year Roger Maris broke his home run record) had set the modern home run record with 29 dingers for the Boston nine. Behind their new New York strongboy, the Yankees won the 1921, '22 and 23 AL pennants, facing the Giants in three consecutive World Series, losing the first two contests before finally beating them for the World's Championship in 1923).
By the beginning of the 1970s, the Yankees had won 29 pennants and 20 World Series, but hadn't been in the October Classic since 1964. Seeking synergy that would become common in the 1990s, the TV network CBS had bought the franchise for $11.2 million after the 1964 season, from Dan Topping and Del Webb. In the 20 years they had owned the team, Topping and Webb's Yankees had missed appearing in the World Series only five times, racking up a 10-5 record. In contrast, the CBS-owned teams never made it to the World Series, and in 1965, the Yankees finished in the second division for the first time in 40 years. The year 1965 was crucial, as the major league amateur draft was implemented, which meant that the Yankees could no longer use its financial resources to sign any player they wanted. Also, the Kansas City AL franchise that the Yankees had used as a kind of farm club, cherry-picking its best players like Maris in return for worn-out veterans, had been acquired by maverick owner Charles O. Finley, who ended the special relationship. The Yankes in the mid-1960s could not replace their aging stars with quality players, and in 1966, the team finished in 10th place (last) in the AL for the first time since 1912 (when there were only 8 teams), and ninth in 1967.
After taking over the Yankees on January 3, 1973, Steinbrenner -- who knew little about baseball but had coveted a baseball franchise, and now owned the most famous team in North American sports (which is now worth at least 100 times what Steinbreener paid for it) -- pledged that he would not be a hands-on owner. He soon won himself the sobriquet "The Boss" for his autocratic management style, characterized by his criticizing players and managers through the media and the 20 managers he had in his first 23 years owning the club. (In fact, Steinbrenner made 17 managerial changes in his first 17 seasons!).
Controversy has been part of Steinbrenner's tenure as principal owner of the ball club and stadium that Babe Ruth and other Yankee greats made famous. In 1974, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspended him for two years following his conviction for making illegal political campaign contributions to President Richard Nixon's reelection committee, although he bitterly protested that - a Democrat- he had been shaken down by the corrupt Nixon administration as part
Steinbrenner was has been criticized by other owners for driving up the cost of ballplayers after the advent of free agency in 1976. Steinbrenner paid Catfish Hunter, who had been freed from his contract with Charles O. Finley, owner of the Oakland A's, by an arbitrator, an unprecedented $2.85 million for four years, over $700,000 a year when top stars like Carl Yastrzemski made $100,000 a year and Dick Allen was the highest paid player in the game at $200,000 a year. He then bolstered his pennant-winning 1976 team for the following season by acquiring Reggie Jackson, the 1973 American League M.V.P. when he was with the A's., with a $3 million, 5-year contract.
Reggie, the self-described "straw that stirs the drink", and the core of the '76 A.L. champs won back-to-back World Series in 1977 and '78, the Eastern Division title in 1980 (after winning 103 games under new manager Dick Howser, who was promptly fired for losing in the playoffs and would go on to win a World Series title in Kansas City in 1985), and the A.L. pennant in the strike-shortened 1981 season.
In the 1970s, Steinbrenner relied on solid baseball people such as Al Rosen and Gabe Paul, but in the 1980s, he became erratic, promoting yes-men into high position who rubber-stamped his preference for name-players. At the beginning of the free agency era, the Yankees under Rosen and Paul were able to do what the Yankees of the mid- to late-60s were unable to do since the demise of the "special" relationship with Kansas City and the advent of the amateur draft: sign quality players to fill vital gaps in the team. However, Rosen and Paul really rebuilt the Yankees via judicious trades, acquiring players like Graig Nettles and Willie Randolph to anchor the team.
Steinbrenner went to the extreme of embracing the free agent market as a fix-all solution to build a winning team. Via free agency, the Yankees acquired stars who turned out to be either unable to handle the pressure of playing in New York (with its all-invasive media), unsuited for the uniqueness of Yankee Stadium (a right-handed hitter like Steve Kemp floundered in a stadium built to favor lefties), or who -- like two time Cy Young Award-winner Gaylord Perry -- were on the downside if not the end of their careers.
After the 1980 season, Steinbrenner offered San Diego Padres outfielder Dave Winfield, a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner who led the National League with 118 runs batted in in 1979, his biggest budget-busting contract (and the biggest in history at the time, which vastly inflated superstars' future salaries): a 10-year contract worth up to $25 million, according to the New York Times (Dec. 16, 1980). It was at least twice as high as any salary enjoyed by any other superstar. Expected to take the place of Reggie Jackson, who left the team after the 1981 season, Winfield -- a future Hall of Famer who was a consistent run producer and Gold Glove-caliber outfielder -- never lived up to Steinbrenner's expectations. During the 1981 World Series in which Winfield played with Jackson and other holdovers from the 1977 and '78 teams once again faced the Los Angeles Dodgers whom they had bested in both prior Series appearances, Winfield had one hit in 22 at bats for an anemic .045 batting average. After his freshman year with the club, the Yankees never again made the playoffs during his tenure with the team (1981-1990).
Because of Steinbrenner's profligacy, the Yankees would consistently have the highest payroll in baseball, making it hard for teams from small market clubs to compete (as well as to hold on to their players, who could be wooed away by Steinbrenner's gold after they became free agents). For the period of 1982-1995, the Yankees would have nothing to show for the hundreds of millions of dollars spent on players' salaries. After the 1981 World Series, which the Yankees lost two games to four to the Dodgers, the franchise hit a 15-season dry-spell without a championship season, the first time for such a drought since the franchise's initial establishment in Manhattan from 1902 to 1921. The first 23 years of Steinbrenner's regime was characterized by a managerial merry-go-round, a constant firing, rehiring, and firing of managers, including Bob Lemon twice and Billy Martin a ridiculous five times. Steinbrenner once fired Yogi Berra, who had gone to the World Series as manager in 1964 with the Yankees and in 1973 with the Mets, after eight days in the catbird seat. Yogi deserved better.
Steinbrenner's instability reached its high point in 1990, when he accepted a ban for life from managing the Yankees' day-to-day operations levied upon him by commissioner Fay Vincent for illicit dealings with gambler Howie Spira. Steinbrenner had hired Spira to dig up dirt on his star outfielder, Dave Winfield. A contrite Steinbrenner eventually was reinstated in 1993 as his son didn't like running the business and major league baseball had no desire to see its premier franchise flounder. After his return, he seemed to have matured, and three years later, he laid the groundwork for his regime's second dynasty by hiring Joe Torre as manager. Under Torre, who has been Yankees manager for 11 seasons (an unmatched period of managerial calm under Steinbrenner), the team has won ten division titles, five pennants, and four World Series from 1996 through 2005.
Red Sox fans and other Yankee haters wish for the return of the old Steinbrenner, who would have had 10 managers in 11 seasons rather than one in 11, as in the good old days. So far, he refuses to oblige them. - Stunts
- Actor
Joie Chitwood was born on 14 April 1912 in Denison, Texas, United States. He was an actor, known for Live and Let Die (1973), A Small Town in Texas (1976) and Phobia (1980). He died on 3 January 1988 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Actor
- Visual Effects
- Editorial Department
Award-winning executive producer, screenwriter, director and web pioneer, Craig Richards is a veteran of the film and television industry since the late 1970s and is a member/signatory of DGA, WGAW, ASC, AMPTP, PGA, IATSE Local 33 and SAG-AFTRA.
Second-born of eight children whose father Gerald was a career Marine, Craig's family moved to various assignments throughout the United States. After high school and his own stint in the U.S. Marine Corps, Craig began performing in live theatre in 1977 quickly landing lead roles as Detective Mark McPherson in "Laura" by Vera Caspary, Paul Bratter in "Barefoot In The Park" by Neil Simon, "Born Yesterday" by Garson Kanin and "Finishing Touches" by Jean Kerr, among others. Craig also directed the theatrical production of "Heaven Can Wait" by Harry Segall and produced and directed various television commercials for clients in the Palm Springs market. He was honored by his peers with the Inland Theatre League's "Best Supporting Actor" award for his 1978 performance as Bogey in "Play It Again, Sam" written by Woody Allen. Urged by his agent, Craig moved to Los Angeles, California (US) in 1980 where he lived and worked until 2002.
Beginning in the early 1980s, highlights of Mr. Richards' performances include Corky Romano (2001) starring Chris Kattan, Rat Race (2001) directed by Jerry Zucker, The Majestic (2001) directed by Frank Darabont and starring Jim Carrey and The Princess Diaries (2001) directed by Garry Marshall. Craig is also noted for his guest or recurring roles in primetime series television including Murphy Brown (1988), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993), Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993), The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993), Cafe Americain (1993), Sisters (1991), L.A. Law (1986), Picket Fences (1992), Melrose Place (1992), The Jersey (1999) and he starred as Captain Giles Slate in the science-fiction spoof The Micronots! (1993).
Upon relocating from Los Angeles to much slower-paced Bend, Oregon (US), Craig was able to return to his theatre roots, earning critical acclaim for his live performances at Bend's famous 2nd Street Theater stage, including the role of Congressman William Cheyney in the dramatic suspense "Final Reunion" written by Nicholas Montefeltro and directed by Steve Dougherty, and has starred in such roles as Secret Service Agent Parker in "Making the Call," as Sidney Black in the comedy "Light Up The Sky," as shy and awkward Geoffrey in the comedy "Stepping Out," as the charismatic Narrator in "The Rocky Horror Show," as the menacing Jonathan Brewster in "Arsenic and Old Lace" and as the professional male exotic dancer Buddy 'Keno' Walsh in "The Full Monty."
In 2008, Craig co-founded and served as first president of Film Oregon Alliance, an advocacy organization formed to attract more film and television projects with their living-wage jobs to cinematic Central Oregon.
Busier than ever behind the camera, feature projects Craig has produced, written and/or directed include family comedy Hawaiian Vacation, dramatic thriller Open, romantic tragedy Infidel, historic drama Kent State and outrageous comedy Extremely Used Cars: There Is No Hope (2015) written by Mark Donnell, as well as numerous award-winning television commercials and promotional projects. Mr. Richards is attached to produce and direct the film Knocked Down written by Shawn Downey and the pilot episode of upcoming one-hour action/drama Smoke Eaters and is slated to write and direct several of its episodes in the first season.
For TLC's unscripted cable show Buying Naked (2013), Mr. Richards is featured throughout all episodes of season 2. In 2010, Craig starred as The Bartender/Satan in the dark thriller Lurk directed by Nathan Ludwig, as a relentless mob assassin in the multiple-award-winning film Lucky Star (2009) directed by Hans Skjersaa, as the State Trooper in the comedy feature Man Maid (2008) directed by Chris Lusvardi, as Deputy Sheriff Jones in the off-the-rails drug-induced drama Punk Love (2006) directed by Nick Lyon and as T. Griffin Sanders in the award-winning dramatic fantasy Surrender (2003) directed by Tammy Sanderson, among others.
In 2014, Craig Richards relocated his production company 'Dolphin Heart Productions [us]' to sunny Tampa, Florida (US).- Ray Hernandez was born on 7 May 1956 in Tampa, Florida, USA. He was an actor, known for WWF Championship Wrestling (1972), Saturday Night's Main Event (1985) and WrestleMania III (1987). He was married to Debra Garcia. He died on 6 March 2004 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Music Artist
- Composer
- Music Department
Chick Corea was born Armando Anthony Corea on June 12, 1941, in Chelsea, Massachussetts, USA. He began studying piano at the age of four. He started professional career with Cab Calloway, then continued with the bands of Mongo Santamaria, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, flutist Herbie Mann and saxophonist Stan Getz. Chick Corea made his recording debut as a leader with 'Tones for Joan's Bones' (1966). In 1967, he accompanied 'Sarah Vaughan' and also performed with Dizzy Gillespie. From 1968-1970, he played piano and keyboards with Miles Davis on five albums and numerous live performances, including the August 1970 appearance at the Isle of White Festival in England, captured by director Murray Lerner in his documentary, Miles Electric: A Different Kind of Blue (2004).
Chick Corea is regarded as one of the most prolific composers and recording artists of the 20th century. His albums 'Return to Forever' (1972), 'Light as a Feather' (1972), 'Hymn to the Seventh Galaxy' (1973), and Grammy-winning 'Romantic Warrior' (1976), are among the recordings that defined the style of jazz-rock. Mr. Corea has been a multi-faceted performer with a hand in every music style, ranging from the classical piano concertos by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to acoustic and electronic experiments with fusion, cross-style, and cross-genre performances. During the 1980's and 1990's, he performed and recorded with his Akoustic Band and Elektric Band. He also wrote several film scores and other music commissions. Chick Corea is widely-acclaimed for his virtuosity on the piano as well as for his highly original music compositions.
Chick Corea was awarded nine Grammy Awards for his recordings. His most popular composition "Spain" has been performed and recorded by many other musicians across the world. Chick Corea is a leader of his own band and performs over a 100 live concerts a year.- Actor
- Special Effects
- Camera and Electrical Department
Ross Sturlin was born on 5 June 1931 in Teton County, Wyoming, USA. He was an actor, known for Combat! (1962), Cuba Crossing (1980) and Night of the Blood Beast (1958). He died on 20 August 2002 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Jack Brisco was born on 21 September 1941 in Blackwell, Oklahoma, USA. He was an actor, known for WWF Championship Wrestling (1972), WCW Worldwide (1975) and Saturday Night's Main Event (1985). He was married to Jan Carol Bateman and Sandra Lee Riney. He died on 1 February 2010 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Writer
- Animation Department
- Art Department
Keith Ian Giffen is an American comic book writer and artist from Queens, New York who is known for co-creating Lobo, Ambush Bug and Rocket Raccoon. He also worked on Legion of SuperHeroes and Justice League. Lobo got adapted into a 2000 animated series starring Greg Eagles and Kevin Michael Richardson.- Norma Taylor was born on 19 January 1910 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. She was an actress, known for Tumbling Tumbleweeds (1935), Poppin' the Cork (1933) and The Adventures of Rex and Rinty (1935). She died on 5 June 1983 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Dorothy Keller was born on 20 November 1920. She was an actress, known for Bigfoot (1970), Single Room Furnished (1966) and SeaQuest 2032 (1993). She died on 3 December 2009 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Justin Holecek was born on 21 March 1979 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. Justin died on 18 September 2009 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Charles Martin Garcia was born on 5 July 1988 in Tampa, Florida, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for American Hostage (2015), April Fools Day (2014) and Dream Weaver Chronicles Vol 4: Second Sight (2011). He died on 25 October 2018 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Music Department
- Actor
- Writer
Tom Sullivan was an actor and writer, known for Cocaine Cowboys (1979). He died on 14 June 1981 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Actress
- Executive
Born Joy Ann Page, Joy would met her future husband Terry Bennett while he was performing at a Florida gig in 1950. Three years later, on 18 June 1953, they married in New York and embarked on a one year Canadian tour with Red Flannels (ventriloquism doll) in tow. When they returned to the states, they chose Chicago as the place to be to try out the act they'd been honing for the last year up north.
In 1957, Terry Bennett was presented with an interesting challenge. Screen Gems had packaged 52 of the old Universal horror films for the local TV market, including 1931's Frankenstein. The management of WBKB thought it would be a good idea if the movies had an emcee, someone they hoped would be more popular to watch than the old films themselves - "Shock Theatre" was born. Joy would play "Dear", the faceless victim of Marvin's macabre sense of humor on Shock Theatre.
The show gained so much popularity that management decided to expand the series an additional half hour after the movie. This new segment, called The Shocktale Party, Marvin and Dear are joined by Shorty, resembling the Frankenstein Monster played by Bruce Newton; and Orville, a grotesque character created and portrayed by Ronny Born. The show even boasted a studio "Shocktale" band called The Deadbeats.
Sadly, after a two year illness, Terry Bennett passed away on 12 October 1977. Joy passed away on 15 December 2005 in Tampa, Florida.- Writer
- Actor
John F. Eastman was born on 14 August 1928 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA. He was a writer and actor, known for The Fugitive (1963) and Rooster: Spurs of Death! (1978). He was married to Marilyn Eastman. He died on 4 May 2008 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Eddie Graham was born on 15 January 1930 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. He died on 21 January 1985 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Actor
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Handsome Noble Sissle is one of the unsung legends of ragtime, blues and early jazz. He and his band had an easy-listening, hot and breezy sound unlike any other contemporary band. When you went to see Sissle you got more then an earful of good music--you got good entertainment that would put a smile on your face. He was an energetic, charismatic, humorous band leader, which was an ingredient for the success of his band because it rubbed off on his band. He was also a dancer, singer and songwriter.
Sissle was partners with another musical genius, songwriter / band leader / composer / arranger Eubie Blake. Together they wrote "I'm Just Wild About Harry" and other standards. They helped create the famous "Shuffle Along", "Chocolate Dandies" and "Harlem Calvacade", which in turn helped launch the careers of Florence Mills (I), Josephine Baker, Valaida Snow, Blanche Calloway and other black performers. The dancing in the shows so impressed impresarios Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. and George White that they paid the artists in the show to come down and teach their white dancers how to dance. During the 1930s and 1940s he and his band appeared in various films. Not only was the music energetic and hot, the band had an energy that appealed to audiences. However, when the "Big Band" era ended, so did Sissle's tenure as a band leader.
He was involved in many things, like forming the Negro Actors Guild, for which he served as president. He continued working with partner Eubie Blake until the end. A book was written about them called "Reminiscing with Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake", by Robert Kimball and William Bolcom.- Lauren Swinney was born on 25 February 1923 in Tampa, Florida, USA. She was an actress, known for Left Behind (2014), Waiting... (2005) and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009). She died on 1 July 2020 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- David Ferrier was born on 30 November 1962 in Grove City, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for WWE Raw (1993), WWF Superstars (1986) and WWF Challenge (1986). He died on 6 December 2014 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Rosa Lee Hawkins was born on 23 October 1945 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. She was a composer, known for Knockin' on Heaven's Door (1997), Mission: Impossible II (2000) and The Skeleton Key (2005). She died on 11 January 2022 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Stunts
- Actor
Stefano Capriati was born on 27 March 1935 in Italy. He was an assistant director and actor, known for The Last Run (1971), Chato's Land (1972) and 'Doc' (1971). He was married to Denise. He died on 18 April 2015 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Actor
- Producer
Phil Berle was born on 21 January 1901 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for The Hollywood Knights (1980), Jerks of All Trades (1949) and This Is Your Life (1950). He died on 2 January 1999 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Bob Windham was born on 25 November 1941 in Sweetwater, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for WWF Championship Wrestling (1972), WCW Worldwide (1975) and Saturday Night's Main Event (1985). He was married to Julia. He died on 7 April 2016 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Robby Steinhardt was born in 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for The Suicide Squad (2021), James at 16 (1977) and Kansas: Play the Game Tonight (1982). He was married to Cindy. He died on 17 July 2021 in Tampa, Florida, USA.- Producer
- Actor
Lorin E. Price, began producing in 1959, beginning Off Broadway with shows like 'The Mime and Me' and 'The Tiger Rag.' His first Broadway production was 'The Natural Look,' a play about Helena Rubinstein, which opened in 1967 with Gene Hackman, Brenda Vaccaro and Jerry Orbach in the leading roles. His first big success was 'George M!,' the 1968 musical about George M. Cohan, with Joel Grey and Bernadette Peters. The show received a Tony Award nomination for its star, Grey, and a Tony Award for the choreographer, Joe Layton. His credits also included 'Show Me Where the Good Times Are,' a musical adaptation of Moliere's 'Imaginary Invalid,' in 1970, and 'Seesaw,' a musical based on William Gibson's play, 'Two for the Seesaw.' Choreographed by Michael Bennett and starring Michelle Lee, Ken Howard and Tommy Tune, the show opened in 1973 and Bennett and Tune won Tonys.- Sterling Magee was born on 20 May 1936 in Mount Olive, Mississippi, USA. He died on 6 September 2020 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Shooter448 was born on 13 May 1995. He was an actor, known for Shooter448 feat. OMT Yung Jay: Issues (2020) and Shooter448 feat. Been Rich Dixon: On God (2021). He died on 16 January 2022 in Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Jim Barringer was born on 25 May 1943 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans (1957), The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) and Channing (1963). He died on 23 October 2002 in Tampa, Florida, USA.