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Public Figures – 10 Planets Below the Horizon
| Name |
Biography |
RR |
| Abbott, Roger |
Canadian comedian, a member of the nationally beloved comedy and radio troupe, "The
Royal Canadian Air Farce." The troupe has been extant since at least 1973 with a radio show
and a weekly TV show watched by over a million viewers. |
A |
| Annaud, Jean-Jacques |
French writer and director. He began with directing army educational films and
later moved into commercials and features. His work includes "Black and White in Color," and "Quest
For Fire." |
AA |
| Astaire, Robyn |
American jockey, the first female to ride professionally with her first race on
12/05/1969. Four years later, on 3/01/1973, she became the first woman to win a major stakes race
and the first to ride three winners in one day.
Robyns history remains one that has shades of doubt. She relates that she was "sold as a baby," and
went through a lot of foster homes. "She said, "If I had a choice of a wonderful childhood
or wonderful adulthood, I'd take the adulthood."
Originally a Hollywood aspirant in 1968, she learned to ride with first working as an exercise
girl. Alfred Vanderbilt took an interest in her career and helped her get a start. After their
separation, she met Fred Astaire, 46 years her senior, for the first time on 1/01/1973. Three years
later she moved to Los Angeles and they began to see each other. She filled a place for Astaire
that had been empty since his wife died. They
married 6/24/1980 when she was 35 and he, 81.
She was widowed on 6/22/1987 and well provided for; her inheritance included a $3 million home
in which she still resides. She did not date
or remarry, but remained protective of her married life with Astaire, keeping pictures and memories
close. She lived as a recluse, modestly, with one new hobby, that of taking flying lessons. Fiercely
private, she does not grant interviews. Slender and intense, she keeps her 110 lb weight by daily
running.
Holding sole rights to the film image of her late husband, she was asking $150,000 per minute of
footage. Legal roadblocks were overcome by MGM to show clips of Astaire dancing in the special, "That's
Entertainment III." Stating that she was following Astaire's wishes, Robyn was nonetheless
embroiled in controversy about the way she handled the estate. When he was shown dancing with a
cleaning tool in an technically enhanced commercial, the criticism deepened. |
A |
| Bottoms, Sam |
American actor from the age of 18. He comes from a family of four acting brothers
whose parents separated after 24 years marriage; the family is a physically affectionate one. Though
competitive in sports, there was little pro rivalry among the boys. He played the deaf-mute in "The
Last Picture Show" at Timothy's encouragement, then, at 18, appeared in "Zandy's Bride."
In 1987, the four brother were brought together for ABC's "Island Sons," which made a
debut on 5/15/1987. Timothy, 36, Joe, 33, Sam,
31 and Ben, 26, were cast together for the first time in their careers. |
AA |
| Browning, Elizabeth Barrett |
British poet in poor health who lived with her father. She was a 40-year old invalid
spinster when she met and fell in love with six-year-younger poet Robert Browning. With their love
and marriage in 1846, Browning wrote some of the most beautiful words in the English language in
her "Sonnets From the Portuguese."
Elizabeth's father, Edward Barrett, came of a Creole family from Jamaica. He had been born to wealth
and ease in a slave-owning family. Sent to England for his education, he fell in love at 19 with
a suitable English girl, six years his senior. Elizabeth was the first born of 12 kids in 19 years,
11 of whom lived to adulthood.
Elizabeth was a small, fine-boned, dark haired child who was the tyrant of the nursury, imperious
and high-tempered. Growing up in an elegant country estate with spacious, beautiful grounds, she
loved the out-doors and roamed freely. At 15, she suffered a spinal injury when saddling her horse
that caused severe recurring pain and muscle spasms.
She was also a talented linguist and poet, encouraged and admired by her parents; she was published
by the time she was 14.
In 1827, when Elizabeth was 21, her mother died after a long illness. Her dad was having financial
reversals and had the home mortaged. Five years later, the mortgage was foreclosed. Her dad was
crushed by the humiliation and had to find means of income. A year later, in 1833, England freed
its slaves and that put additional stress on the Jamaican source of family wealth.
The family moved to a lesser home for the next three years, by the sea, then to a furnished house
in London. In 1838 they settled in 51 Wimpole Street.
Elizabeth's health was becoming more delicate and she was sent for three years to Torquay, the
seaside, with one of her sisters attending her. She was diagnosed as not consumptive, though she
had coughed up blood, and her treatment consisted of brandy and opium to relieve her pain.
As she became more invalided and reclusive, her literary reputation was growing, for both her poetry
and criticism. Their possessive father forbade any of the children to marry and disowned the three
who did so during his lifetime, Elizabeth, Henrietta and Alfred! When she began seeing Robert Browning,
Elizabeth wrote to him that her father would never let her go, and if he realized their relationship,
he would be barred from the house.
In admiration of each other's work, the couple corresponded about poetry before they met. Robert
first wrote to Elizabeth in January 1845 and called in person in May. They soon fell deeply in
love, a magic that transformed Elizabeth from a captive to a rebel.
She left her sick bed, first learning to walk about her room then up and down stairs. When she
ventured outdoors, she bought a new bonnet to celebrate. The lovers married secretly on 9/12/1846.
A week later, she slipped out of the house with her maid, her dog and a small amount of luggage,
eloping with Robert. They went to Paris and on to Italy, where they happily made their home at
the Casa Guidi in Florence, both writing.
Elizabeth's health improved for a while, and she had a son, but she was weakened by four miscarriages
and her strength began to fail. After a stay in Rome, she returned to Florence with a cold, leading
to bronchitis and a suspected abscess of the lung. On the morning of 6/29/1861, as Robert was feeding
her consomme, he thought she seemed dazed. "Do you know me?" he asked. She kissed him
repeatedly and told him how much she loved him. She died peacefully with a smile on her lips and her head against his shoulder.
Her face was so composed that she looked like a young girl.
Her tombstone bears the disconcerting inscription, "Be not afraid, it is I." |
B |
| Canoletti, Jessica |
Brazilian model who was seventh born of eight girls. She was a redhead who worked
in TV ads from 1981. |
AA |
| Cocker, Joe |
British musician, a singer and drummer known for gutsy vocals and spastic gestures.
Cocker joined his first group in 1959 with drums and harmonica, moving into lead vocals in 1961. A
white soul-singer with brilliant phrasing, he rose to fame with the "Grease Band" in
the mid '60s, putting out a string of hits, then with Leon Russell in the massive "Mad Dogs
and Englishmen" tour in 1970.
His solo career was punctuated with bouts of excessive drugs and booze that created speculation
on every tour about whether he'd make it through the night. At times he was so wasted that he could
not remember what song it was, let alone the words, and even vomited or passed out on stage. While
on the Australian tour he was arrested for drug possession.
By the late '90s, he was clean and dry, living comfortably in Aspen, CO at his Mad Dog Ranch. |
A |
| Coe, Boyer |
American male bodybuilder and physical culturist. He was a four-time winner of
the Mr. Universe contest. He retired from active competition to operate a health club in Metairie,
LA. |
AA |
| Crosby, David |
American musician who joined Roger McGuinn to form the nucleus of the "Jet
Set," later called "The Beefeaters" and finally, "The Byrds," 1964. Four
years later he moved on to team up with Stills and Nash to form their superstar group.
With decades of drugs including heroin and coke, he was in and out of jail on drug charges 1983-1986.
By 11/02/1994, his liver could not process any more abuse and he went into the hospital to either
get a new liver or die. A donor was found and the seven-hour operation successfully completed on
11/19/1994.
Crosby was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with the Byrds, and on 5/06/1997
for Crosby, Stills and Nash. |
A |
| Davies, Ray |
British musician who organized "The Kinks" in late 1963 with his brother
Dave after formerly being billed as "The Ramrods." They
built up a following in the London area. Ray was lead singer and electric guitarist, immensely
talented and one of rock's champion wacko's who would stop a song cold if the audience was not
participating enough. The group helped lead the British invasion of American in the '60s, became
an arena rock draw in the '70s and enjoyed a popular resurgence in the mid-'80s. After three decades
of prominence, he is still a top draw on tour in the '90s.
The Kinks entered the Rock'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, and Davies wrote a semi-autobiography "X-Ray" in
1995. |
A |
| Don, Adrianne |
American professional astrologer and columnist for Herald Examiner, 1960. Published "The
Social Whirl" magazine and was hostess on a radio program. Clients included royalty.
Died in Los Angeles on 07/30/1972. |
A |
| Doumer, Paul |
French politician; 13th president of the French Third Republic. Spartan early life.
Assassinated by gunshot 5/07/1932 , by a Russian emigre in Paris. |
AA |
| Duckworth, Edwin |
American scientist; chairman of the astronomy department at San Francisco City
College, from September 1972. He has an international reputation, and his lecture series called "Cosmic
Evolution", is sponsored by NASA and Americas Research Center, and is held each year in a
major american city. |
A |
| Eisenhower, Alex Richard |
American noted family, the son of Julie Nixon and David Eisenhower. |
A |
| Eldridge, Robin |
American actress whose career began when she was five. She toured with the American
Repertory Theatre in Paris at six, appeared on TV at nine in a drama, and did live theater at 13. |
AA |
| Engineer/ Mechanical |
American mechanical engineer with a B.S.degree and an M.S. in management science.
He was a professional engineer with California State, the engineering manager for American Hospital
Supply Company. |
A |
| Feld, Eliot |
American ballet dancer and choreographer. He produced the ballet "A Footstep
of Air" in 1977 and in 1985. The production was staged by his own company, the Elliot Feld
Dance Ensemble, in 1989. |
A |
| Frangione, Nancy |
American actress, known for her role in TV soaps; Camille in "Another World," and
Tara in "All My Children." |
AA |
| Gifford, Kathie Lee |
French-American unabashed optimist and delightful TV series co-host of "Live
with Regis and Kathie Lee" and wife of Frank Gifford, noted Monday Night football commentator.
Raised in a loving family with solid Christian values, Gifford moved to the U.S. with her family
when she was four. She has one brother and one sister.
In 1971, she won a beauty pageant, sang on the gospel circuit and made a first marriage that lasted
six years.
Her second marriage was to sportscaster Frank Gifford in 1986 and they have two children, son Cody
born in 1990 and daughter Cassidy on 8/02/1993. She suffered a miscarriage in August 1992.
Her professional career has had ups and downs, with great popularity of her TV morning show series,
spokes person for a cruise line, business owner with her name on a line of clothing. However, in
the mid and late '90s, she was subjected to bad publicity, public scorn and her private life being
torn apart. Her clothing line was exposed of using underpaid labor in sweatshops, of which she
denied any knowledge. Her marriage went on public display when her husband was accused of having
an affair with an airline attendant, a scandal that was crowed about in the gossip rags.
Gifford is the author of two autobiographies and a noted series of children's books and videos.
Her first book was a spiritual diary published in 1976, "The Quiet Riot" and her autobiography
was released in 1992, "I Can't Believe I Said That." She is also active in children's
charities, originating and helping to maintain a home for children called "Cody's House."
Through heavy criticism, negative publicity and having her life open to all of America, Kathie
Lee has maintained a quiet calm, riding through all her adversity with dignity.
In January 1997, the singer/talk show host/ clothier/ cruise line pitch woman/ writer signed a
five-figure deal with Random House Children's Publishers to pen five kiddie books based on her
Rock and Tots videos. |
AA |
| Gigout, Eugene |
French composer, musician and organist; published large amounts of organ music,
including 400 short pieces with pedal ad lib, and church music.
Died 12/09/1925, Paris. |
AA |
| Guerrini, Orso Maria |
Italian film and theater actor. |
AA |
| Gustafson, William |
American homicide victim, murdered by drowning 12/01/1987 at age five, along with
his eight-year-old sister Aligail, allegedly by LaPlante. |
AA |
| Heiden, Beth |
American champion skater with her brother, Eric who were winning international
titles by the time they were in their teens. Beth took home a Bronze Medal in the 3,000 meter women's
speed-skating competition at the Lake Placid Olympics.
She married a math teacher and by 1992, had two children. |
AA |
| Khan, Aga, Sultana |
French-Pakistani royalty born a Roman Catholic and the daughter of a hotel keeper;
she was modest and charming. Khan was engaged to Sultan Mahomet Shah, the Aga Khan, a spiritual
leader of 50 million followers of Islam, on December 29th. After her marriage, she lived in numerous
palaces. |
A |
| Mathy, Mimie |
French dwarf actress seen with Andy Garcia in a Jerry Schatzberg film. |
AA |
| McKinley, William |
American lawyer and politician who was a Member of Congress from 1877-1891, Governor
of Ohio from 1892-1896 and President of the United States from 1897-1901.
McKinley was elected President in 1896, and re-elected in 1900, only to be shot by
Leon F. Czolgosz on 9/06/1901 at 4:07 PM in Buffalo, NY. He died from his wounds on 9/14/1901 at
2:15 AM, Washington, DC. |
A |
| Nelson, Cindy |
American skier who, by 1976, was know as America's best downhiller. She was named
to the 1972 Olympic team, but broke her hip and could not compete. In 1974, however, she won the
World Cup. She had her first race at age 11, and at 15 began seriously training for downhill. Her
career was launched at a ski resort developed by her grandfather.
She was the middle of five kids and daughter of two ski-instructor parents. |
AA |
| Perry, Troy |
American author and minister, the pastor of a homosexual congregation of the Los
Angeles Metropolitan Church who conducted his first service on 10/06/1968. His autobiography, "The
Lord is My Shepherd and He Know's I'm Gay," was published in 1972. |
AA |
| Priesand, Sally |
American ecclesiastic, the first female Rabbi in the U.S.. As well as her normal
religious services, she leads study groups, councils and works with children. |
AA |
| Prostakoff, Theodore |
American piano prodigy. By the age of three he was tapping out tunes and had his
first professional debut with the Boston Philharmonic at seven. He played with every major orchestra
by the age of 16, in every state of the country and every country worldwide. A whirlwind tour 1969-1970
of over 250 concerts led to complete emotional and physical breakdown, resulting in his retirement
at 16. After recovery, he only performed for charitable benefits and good will organizations.
An extremely talented young man, with a sense of humor and impish smile, he has lived in New York
alone since he was ten. He never attended regular school but studied at Juillard and was a student
of Horowitz for over a year. He has played at the White House for three Presidents and has also
performed at the Vatican and Buckingham Palace. |
A |
| Raspe, Jan Carl |
German terrorist, a member of the Red Army activist group led by Andreas Baader
in Berlin. Along with Baader, he was captured 6/01/1972 after a shoot-out shown live on German
TV. Tried, he was found guilty and given life in prison. He had a pistol smuggled in to him and
committed suicide 10/18/1977. |
AA |
| Ricci, Nora |
Italian film and stage actress and noted family, the daughter of actors Renzo Ricci
and Margherita Bagni; married actor Vittorio Gassman, mother of Paolo Gassman.
Ricci died of liver ailment April 1976, Rome. |
AA |
| Ricelli, Carlos A. |
Brazilian handsome dramatic actor and sex-symbol. He is married to actress Bruna
Lombardi, they have one son and have lived in L.A. since the '90s. |
A |
| Riklis, Kady Zadora |
American noted family, the daughter of entertainer Pia Zadora and her 31-year-older
multi-millionaire husband, Meshulam Riklis. In 11/93, they separated after 16 years of marriage
with Kady then eight and Kristofer six. |
A |
| Rowe, Ruth E. |
American athlete, a member of the 1984 Olympic Archery team. |
A |
| Santana, Carlos Humberto |
Mexican-American musician, leader of the band "Santana." First formed
in 1967 in San Francisco as the "Santana Blues Band," they played local gigs. Virtually
unknown before appearing at the 1969 Woodstock Festival, this stunning lead guitarist along with
the band captured national prominence for their performance in a 12 inch segment in the film "Woodstock."
His interest in music began early as a child of nine, playing the clarinet, violin and guitar until
1961. His family then moved to San Francisco in 1962.
The original band members disbanded and new members joined the band from 1971 to 1973, leaving
Santana as the only original member of the band. The group continued to record hits into the 1980s.
After 30 years of making great music, Santana still has a sense of wonder and passion, putting
out blockbuster concerts in the '90s. |
AA |
| Schenk, Ard |
Dutch ice-skater. A world champion in 1970, he later became a sportscaster. |
AA |
| Starr, Ringo |
British musician, drummer and superstar with "The Beatles." He became
a part of the all-time phenomena in the 60's and was a member of the group until their breakup
in 1971.
As an only child, he grew up longing for brothers, a desire which was fulfilled when he joined
the group. Starr is married to Barbara Bach. |
A |
| Stokowski, Leopold |
British-American famed conductor, violinist and organist by the age of 16. He emigrated
to the U.S. in 1905 and began to conduct in 1908. Stokowski worked at the Cincinnati Symphony from
1909-1912, the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1914-1926 and the New York Symphony from 1944-1945.
He was married to Gloria Vanderbilt.
Died on 9/13/1977, Hampshire. |
A |
| Testa, Armando |
Italian executive and advertising director whose work is well-known and often quoted. |
AA |
| Twigg, Arlena |
American newsfigure, swapped at birth in the hospital with Kimberly Mays. Arlena
was raised by Rebecca and Ernest Twigg and their seven kids. Born with a deformed heart, her condition
deteriorated until surgery was necessary, and she died of complications at age nine, August 1988.
Pre-surgery, blood work revealed that she could not be the biological daughter of the Twiggs. She
never knew of the dilemma, but after her death, the Twiggs filed a $100 million lawsuit against
the hospital, doctors and nurses on duty. Eventually they were awarded $7 million in damages. |
A |
| Viola, Dino |
Italian soccer manager, the President of Rome's soccer team. In the Spring of 1985
he was taken to court; he won the case. Later in the same year, however, he was incriminated of
corruption in relation to bribing games. |
A |
| Watts, G.F. |
British artist who, after winning a painting prize of 300 pounds in 1842, went
to Italy to study and continue his style development.
He had a very delicate childhood, barely surviving measles at the age of six. Two of his brothers
died of childhood diseases.
In 1864 he married the great stage actress, Ellen Terry. His marriage ultimately ended in divorce;
it was not until 22 years later that he married for the second time.
Died on 6/01/1904, Compton, England |
AA |
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