Bette Davis, Spencer Tracy, Julie Wilson...and MORE!

Holt McCallany, Debbie Damp, and Julie Wilson (who passed on a year ago today)

Happy Birthday, Gregory Peck

 Tough times don't last, tough people do, remember? Gregory Peck


Happy April 5th, 2016!
 April 5 is the 96th day of the year. There are 270 days remaining until the end of the year.
What is it about April 5th? Some of the greatest living legends of all time were born on this day. 
Happy Birthday to four icons of the silver screen: Spencer Tracy, Melvyn Douglas, Bette Davis, and Gregory Peck!
Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American actor, noted for his natural style and versatility. One of the major stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, Tracy was nominated for nine Academy Awards for Best Actor and won two, sharing the record for nominations in that category with Laurence Olivier.

Melvin Douglas came to prominence in the 1930s as a suave leading man, perhaps best typified by his performance in the 1939 romantic comedy Ninotchka with Greta Garbo. Douglas later took mature and fatherly roles as in his Academy Award-winning performances in Hud (1963) and Being There (1979) and his Academy Award-nominated performance in I Never Sang for My Father (1970).  Melvin Douglas and Spencer Tracy appeared together in the film, The Sea of Grass.

Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989)is regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she was noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic, sardonic characters and was reputed for her performances in a range of film genres, from

contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional comedies, although her greatest successes were her roles in romantic dramas.

Even when I was carrying a gun, she scared the bejeezus out of me. —Humphrey Bogart on Bette Davis
Gregory Peck (April 5, 1916 – June 12, 2003) was one of the most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1960s. Peck continued to play major film roles until the late 1970s. His performance as Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.












He had also been nominated for an Oscar for the same category for The Keys of the Kingdom (1944), The Yearling (1946), Gentleman's Agreement (1947) and Twelve O'Clock High (1949). Other notable films he appeared in include Spellbound (1945), The Paradine Case (1947), Roman Holiday (1953), Moby Dick (1956, and its 1998 miniseries), The Guns of Navarone (1961), Cape Fear (1962, and its 1991 remake), How the West Was Won (1962), The Omen (1976) and The Boys from Brazil (1978).

Christopher Hewett

Christopher Hewett (5 April 1921- 3 August 2001) was best known for his role as Lynn Aloysius Belvedere on the ABC sitcom Mr. Belvedere.
Gale Storm was born 94 years ago today in Bloomington, TX.
Judith A. Resnik was born 67 years ago today in Akron OH.
Happy Birthday to Jane Asher AND Roger Corman - Jane appeared with Vincent Price in Roger's MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH.
Happy Birthday to fright-writer Robert Bloch!
 1933 – Frank Gorshin, American actor (d. 2005)
Today also marks the one year anniversary of Julie Wilson's passing. One thing that all of these artists

Happy Birthday, Spencer Tracy

had in common, in addition, to all of them reaching the pinnacle in their careers, was their amazing work ethic. They ALL worked to the very end of their lives instead of fading into obscurity. I was lucky enough to call Julie friend. Debbie Damp was a TRUE friend to Julie as these photos show. Thank you, Debbie, for sharing these with me.

Debbie Damp celebrating with Julie Wilson

Debbie Damp celebrating with Julie

Debbie, Julie, and Holt (Julie's son)

Julie Wilson tribute at the Iridium Aug 13th 2013

 

These last photos are celebrating her 90th Birthday in Paris

Here is a previous blog I did on Julie. 

I cannot even count the number of times Julie was in my audience!

Richard Skipper and StageBuddy join together to make this celebrity filled video at the Plaza Hotel for Patty Farmers new book about the Persian Room. Featured are 9 tim Tony Award Winner Tommy Tune, Carol Lawrence and George Macy from the original cast of West Side Story - Plus Julie Wilson, Marge Champion, Eve Plumb (Brady Bunch!) and author Patty Farmer.

CLICK HERE 

Click HERE to see Julie Wilson at the top of her game. William Roy at the piano. 

She will Never Leave us

Notable Transitions on this Day
Sam Walton, American businessman, founded Walmart and Sam's Club (March 29, 1918 – April 5,

Remembering Sam Walton today

1992).
Kurt Cobain died 22 years ago today in Seattle age 27.
40 years ago right now, billionaire aviator Howard Hughes dies on a plane flying from Acapulco to Houston.
In 2005, Debralee Scott died on this date in Amelia Island, Florida, USA.
Gene Pitney, American singer-songwriter (February 17, 1940 – April 5, 2006)

In Other Entertainment News
A little more than one year ago, Peter Napolitano was brainstorming.William V. Madison told him that his book was **finally** coming out, and he had some ideas to help promote it. "What about panel discussions?" he said. "Get some of Madeline's friends to talk about her. People would love that."
Flash forward to tonight, when Valerie Smaldone (Click HERE to see my interview with Valerie) will moderate a conversation with Barbara Barrie, Maddie Corman Joanna Gleason, Austin Pendleton, and William, at the 92nd Street Y.

Tonight's the night! READ MORE

This is the third such event, following the Drama Book Shop in June and the Grove Barnes & Noble in February.
Who would like to join our party tonight? I'm looking forward to seeing William V Madison, Joanna Gleason, Barbara Barrie, Austin Pendleton, Maddie Corman celebrating Madeline Kahn and William's biography. It is all moderated by Valerie Smaldone. Book sales benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance.
Don't you know the meaning of propriety?
Click HERE for more details.

Thank you, to all of the artists mentioned in this blog for the gifts you have given to the world and continue to give!

With grateful XOXOXs ,

 

 

Check out my site celebrating the legacy of Dolly Gallagher Levi!

Natalie Douglas with Julie Wilson (Julie was originally sought to portray Dolly in the Australian Company of Hello, Dolly! (When Julie was unavailable, Carole Cook took over)

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.  FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!

Please do what YOU can to be more aware that words and actions DO HURT...but they can also heal and help!   

        

Here's to an INCREDIBLE tomorrow for ALL...with NO challenges!

Please leave a comment and share on Twitter and Facebook

Keeping Entertainment LIVE!
 

TILL TOMORROW...HERE'S TO AN ARTS FILLED DAY

Richard Skipper, Richard@RichardSkipper.com

PLEASE CELEBRATE WITH US THURSDAY NIGHT April 7th in NYC


Don't Tell Mama Presents...

Wendy Scherl returns in What Do You Do All Day?  Directed by the incredible Helen Baldasarre with great musical direction by Matthew Martin Ward. Wendy is an amazing vocalist with a rangy and rich sound. “This is someone to watch!” Go see her, you can thank me later.
- Sue Matsuki   In “What Do You Do All Day”, Wendy Scherl shares anecdotes and song about the numerous hats she wears every single day as a wife, a mother of two boys and two dogs, a short order cook, a daughter, a house manager, a chauffeur and Cabaret Singer! Her show is both touching and real, theatrical and funny!
This show WILL sell out! So reserve today and be a part of his star studded audience!
You will truly be amazed by what this full-time executive director of a family of four accomplishes every day!  Wendy will wow you with both her choice of material and her talent!
After graduating from Northwestern University with a BA in Theatre, Wendy performed in numerous
regional theatre productions around the country, including some of her favorite productions: Hair (The official 20th Anniversary Production in Chicago), Grease (numerous roles), Annie (Grace), The Pajama Game (Babe), and Godspell.  

$20.00 Cover/Two Drink Minimum Cash Only Reserve at 212-757-0788 (after 4PM or through me)

$5.00 OFF COVER OF ALL MAC MEMBERS
Richard Skipper Celebrates is the publicist for Wendy Scherl and What Do You Do All Day? at NYC's Don't Tell Mama. For press reservations, interview requests, or more information, contact Richard Skipper at Richard@RichardSkipper.com or 845-365-0720