Anybody who loves Rock music and especially admires the musicians who are aptly identified as true “Rock stars” of our generation can appreciate Jon Bon Jovi’s musical accomplishments. His name will be enshrined in the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Halls of Fame forever.
But this 62-year-old New Jersey-born singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor, entrepreneur, and activist has another title he is humbly proud to hold – hero.
After being born and raised in Hollywood, my familiarity with the movie industry is more than casual. That is why so many of my friends and colleagues from outside California frequently ask me, “So, who is your favorite movie star?’
As for the female film greats, I can name many, including stars like Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Helen Mirren – the list goes on. However, to answer their question I always get a somewhat surprising glance when I include Annette Bening as one of my all-time favorites.
Few people can light up a room by merely entering it.
One of those people is Earvin “Magic” Johnson, former All-Everything basketball legend and highly successful American businessman.
Whenever we hear the name – Kathy Bates – most of us immediately identify her with the 1990 hit film, “Misery,” Stephen King’s thriller about a psychotic woman who tortures a novelist played by actor James Caan for killing off her favorite character.
The role catapulted the now 76-year-old actress into movie star status with an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, more Oscar nominations, and a host of iconic film appearances, mostly as a supporting actor.
“I can tell you the day The Beach Boys will no longer exist – never!” — Dennis Wilson
When Dennis Wilson answered a question about The Beach Boys’ never-ending existence, he also said: “We’ll be on stage in wheelchairs.”
She is, without question, one of the most acclaimed movie stars of our time. I am talking about Shirley MacLaine who just turned 90.
While her career is filled with movies, TV, and stage acting roles that can be labeled “clas- sics,” (we’ll get into those in a minute) her road to stardom is interesting from a personal perspective.
There has been a plethora of musicians who have molded the Rock ’n Roll and Folk Rock generation — iconic singers like Elvis Presley, Bob Dylon, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, and Bruce Springsteen – but so many others in that group also have played a role in what has been become known as the “Golden Age of Rock.”
If you are looking for an excellent potter or someone to teach you the Japanese art of flower arranging – Ikebana, you could try to get a hold of actress Marcia Gay Harden. Good luck with that effort.
But if you want to see the 64-year-old star of stage, screen, and television in action, you can catch her on her latest successful journey on the CBS drama “So Help Me Todd,” playing at 9 p.m. on Thursdays.
It’s not every day that behind the-scenes TV writers, producers, and directors find themselves as front-of-the-camera stars.
But that is exactly what happened to Bob Odenkirk, 62, one of America’s major entertainers who is best known for his acting and producing roles in “Better Call Saul” and HBO’s sketch comedy series “Mr. Show with Bob and David.”
If you happened to watch the Grammy Awards last month, you witnessed music history as legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell not only performed for the first time at the presentation but also won her 10th Grammy after getting nominated 18 times.
The win was in the best folk album category for “Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live).”