100 years ago today, the HOLLYWOOD sign was officially dedicated in Los Angeles. At 44 feet tall (13.4 m), the sign was originally created in 1923 as an advertisement for a local real estate development, but became part of the local culture and was kept in place. The sign is protected and was renovated by the nonprofit Hollywood Sign Trust, while its site is amidst the wilderness of Griffith Park. READ more… (1923)
Originally the sign said “Hollywoodland,” the name of the original development. As American as the Hollywood sign is, it was designed by an Englishman: Thomas Fisk Goff.
During the great depression, no lots were being sold in Hollywoodland, so the sign’s caretaker stripped the copper wire from the lighting and sold it for scrap.
Today the sign has as much security as Fort Knox.
MORE Good News on this Day:
- The Olympics allowed women to compete for the first time (1908)
- Frank Sinatra sang on his first commercial record, From the Bottom of My Heart—a 78 rpm that sold 8,000 copies (1939)
- Roger McGuinn, guitarist and vocalist for The Byrds (Mr. Tambourine Man), was born (1942)
- John F. Kennedy won the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles (1960)
Happy 81st Birthday to actor Harrison Ford. His many memorable characters include Han Solo in Star Wars, archeologist Indiana Jones, a police detective in Witness, a doctor who was framed in The Fugitive, and an American president in Air Force One. He is the recipient of various accolades, including the AFI Life Achievement Award and the Cecil B. DeMille Award, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award and four Golden Globe Awards. Outside acting, Ford is a licensed pilot who has often assisted the emergency services in rescue missions near his home in Wyoming. WATCH a video clip of his Top 10 Performances… (1942)
Another role for which Harrison has made a home inside hearts was Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, a role he reprised, as he did for Han Solo and Indiana Jones, in much-delayed sequels. He often described filming the original Blade Runner as mentally difficult, and very challenging.
Ford’s Bell 407 aircraft has been used twice in mountain rescues during his assigned duty time with Teton County Search and Rescue. On one of the rescues, Ford recovered a hiker who had become lost and disoriented. She boarded Ford’s helicopter and promptly vomited into one of the rescuers’ caps, unaware of who the pilot was until much later; “I can’t believe I barfed in Harrison Ford’s helicopter!” she said later.
See all his films and DVDs on Amazon.com… because why not?
Happy Birthday to Sir Patrick Stewart who turns 83 years old today. The English actor of stage and film grew up poor, yet not only excels in Shakespeare, but plays the lead in his own science fiction series—Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also stars as Charles Xavier in the superhero X-Men series.
He became best friends with fellow English thespian Sir Ian McKellen having bonded during the filming X-Men. “We had adjoining trailers… and, the charm of it is, we had so much in common.” McKellen even officiated at the marriage of Stewart and wife, singer Sunny Orvell.
Known for his strong and authoritative voice, which was featured on many animated and narrative projects, he has also recorded an album of country songs, Patrick Stewart Sings Cowboy Classics. WATCH him in Feb. 2020 answer the most googled questions about himself… (1940)
And, on this day in 1985, the Live Aid benefit concerts were held in London, Philadelphia, Sydney and Moscow.
“Feed the World” was sung or shouted by 60 legendary performers during 16 hours of music in the largest satellite link-up television broadcast in history. The telethon, which reached an estimated 1.5–2 billion TV viewers, ultimately raised $200 million to aid starving people in Ethiopia and around Africa and inspired future shows like Farm Aid and Live 8. The hunger relief event was organized by Bob Geldof, the Irishman who previously produced the Christmas fundraising song, “Feed the World.” (DVDs on Amazon or see some highlights and films on YouTube)
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