My Life , My Blog

  In 1843 bevindt de gevierde Britse romanschrijver Charles Dickens zich op een dieptepunt in zijn carrière met drie mislukkingen achter de rug en familiekosten die zich thuis opstapelen. Vastbesloten om te herstellen, besluit Dickens een kerstverhaal te schrijven en het in minder dan twee maanden zelf te publiceren. Terwijl Dickens op zo'n korte termijn aan het schrijven is, komen zijn vervreemde vader en moeder bij hem logeren. Nog steeds geplaagd door pijnlijke herinneringen aan zijn vader die zijn jeugd verpestte door zijn financiële onverantwoordelijkheid, ontwikkelt Dickens een schijnbaar onoplosbare writer's block. Dickens moet zijn persoonlijke demonen onder ogen zien die worden belichaamd door zijn personages, met name in zijn denkbeeldige gesprekken met Ebenezer Scrooge. Met een naderende deadline worstelt Dickens met inspiratie tegen zijn frustraties en de meningen van zijn personages in een literaire uitdaging om een ​​klassiek verhaal te creëren dat de essentiële z...

  Sir Anthony Hopkins is a legendary Welsh actor, director, and producer, born on December 31, 1937, in Margam, Wales. His journey to stardom began at a young age, influenced by his family’s appreciation for the arts. After studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Hopkins honed his craft in theater before making his way to film. His early roles showcased a talent that would soon capture the attention of audiences and critics alike. Hopkins gained international recognition in the 1970s with his role in "The Lion in Winter," where he portrayed Richard the Lionheart. However, it was his chilling performance as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs" that catapulted him to iconic status. This role earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, and his portrayal of the sociopathic psychiatrist became one of the most memorable performances in cinematic history. Hopkins’ ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety set him apart from his contemp...

  Steve Martin is an iconic American actor, comedian, writer, and musician, renowned for his innovative and versatile contributions to comedy and entertainment. Born on August 14, 1945, in Waco, Texas, Martin’s career spans several decades and includes achievements in stand-up comedy, film, television, and literature. Martin first gained prominence in the 1970s as a stand-up comedian, known for his absurdist humor, elaborate stage performances, and unique style. His comedic persona, characterized by his eccentricity and intellectual wit, was showcased in his groundbreaking stand-up routines. Martin’s comedy albums, such as Let's Get Small (1977) and A Wild and Crazy Guy (1978), received critical acclaim and earned him Grammy Awards. His work in stand-up comedy established him as one of the leading figures in the field and paved the way for his subsequent success in other areas of entertainment. Transitioning to film, Steve Martin became one of the most popular and versatile actors ...

  Tom Selleck, born on January 29, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, is an iconic American actor and producer best known for his charismatic roles in television and film. After earning a degree in business administration from the University of Southern California, Selleck initially pursued a career in modeling before transitioning to acting. His breakout role came in the popular television series "Magnum, P.I." (1980-1988), where he portrayed private investigator Thomas Magnum. The show’s success catapulted him to stardom, and Selleck became known for his signature mustache and laid-back charm. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Selleck starred in a variety of films, including "Three Men and a Baby" (1987) and "Quigley Down Under" (1990). His performances often blended humor with action, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Selleck's strong screen presence and distinctive voice made him a favorite among audiences, allowing him to maintain a successful career...

  Kirk Douglas’s life took a pivotal turn when he crossed paths with Anne Buydens, a film publicist and producer, in 1953 under unexpected circumstances. At the time, Douglas was in Paris filming "Act of Love" and, in an attempt to impress, invited Anne to dinner. To his surprise, she declined, unfazed by his celebrity status. Known for her sharp wit and independence, Anne didn’t easily succumb to the charms of Hollywood icons. This, however, piqued Douglas’s interest, and what started as a challenge soon developed into a meaningful connection. Anne would eventually become Kirk Douglas’s second wife, and their marriage became one of the most enduring unions in Hollywood history. They tied the knot in 1954, and from that moment on, Anne wasn’t just his spouse but a steadfast partner who played a crucial role in his life. She provided a sense of balance for Douglas, supporting him through the pressures of fame and his personal life. Despite facing difficulties like any couple, ...

  Bud Spencer was an iconic Italian actor, filmmaker, and musician, renowned for his roles in action-comedy films, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. Born Carlo Pedersoli on October 31, 1929, in Naples, Italy, he initially pursued a career as a swimmer, becoming Italy’s first swimmer to break the 1,000-meter freestyle record. His athletic background not only contributed to his physical presence but also informed his later film roles. Spencer transitioned into acting in the late 1950s, adopting his stage name as a tribute to his favorite beer and the actor Spencer Tracy. He gained fame as part of the "spaghetti western" genre, frequently collaborating with fellow actor Terence Hill. Their films, such as "They Call Me Trinity" (1970) and its sequel "Trinity Is Still My Name" (1971), became hugely popular, blending action with slapstick humor. Spencer's unique combination of humor and physicality made him a beloved figure in Italian cinema. His trad...

  Terence Hill is an acclaimed Italian actor, director, and producer best known for his work in action-comedy films, particularly in collaboration with fellow actor Bud Spencer. Born Mario Girotti on March 29, 1939, in Venice, Italy, he began his acting career at a young age, appearing in films and television series. Hill's striking blue eyes and charismatic screen presence quickly made him a popular figure in Italian cinema. In the 1960s, he adopted the stage name Terence Hill and rose to prominence in the "spaghetti western" genre, where he starred in films like "A Fistful of Dollars" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." However, it was his partnership with Bud Spencer that solidified his status as a beloved action-comedy star. Films such as "They Call Me Trinity" (1970) and its sequel, "Trinity Is Still My Name" (1971), showcased their unique blend of humor and action, earning a dedicated fanbase across Europe and beyond. Hill...

  Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells) (October 1, 1935) She is an English actress, singer, and author. She has made 39 films between the years 1952 and 2022; 47 television appearances between the years 1953 and 2023; and has been in a featured role in 6 Broadway musicals in between 1956 and 1998. She has received several awards and award nominations for her work on both the screen and stage. Among them, she has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, two Emmy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards and three Grammy Awards. In addition to she has received several honorary accolades including the Kennedy Center Awards in 2001, the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, the Venice International Film Festival's Golden Lion in 2019 and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2022. She earned a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1979, and received the Disney Legend in 1991 for her work on Mary Poppins. . She has also won accolades from the New York Film Critics Circle A...

  Anne Celeste Heche (May 25, 1969 – August 12, 2022) Heche came to recognition portraying twins Vicky Hudson and Marley Love on the soap opera Another World (1987–1991), winning her a Daytime Emmy Award and two Soap Opera Digest Awards. She came to greater prominence in the late 1990s with roles in the crime drama film Donnie Brasco (1997), the disaster film Volcano (1997), the slasher film I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), the action comedy film Six Days, Seven Nights (1998), and the drama-thriller film Return to Paradise (1998). She also portrayed Marion Crane in the remake of Psycho (1998), which earned her a Saturn Award nomination. Heche went on to have roles in many independent films, such as the film Birth (2004), Spread (2009), Cedar Rapids (2011), Rampart (2011), and the film Catfight (2016). She received acclaim for her role in the television film Gracie's Choice, which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. In addition to her film and stage roles, Heche sta...

  Sinéad O'Connor, born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor (December 8, 1966 – July 26, 2023) Her debut studio album, The Lion and the Cobra, was released in 1987 and charted internationally. Her second studio album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990), received glowing reviews upon release and became her biggest success, selling over seven million copies worldwide. Its lead single, "Nothing Compares 2 U", was named the number one world single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards. Two years after her massive hit, O'Connor made headlines once more with an infamous appearance on Saturday Night Live, during which she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II after performing an a cappella version of "War" by Bob Marley. She then told the audience to "Fight the real enemy." The gesture was O’Connor's response to the Catholic Church's alleged cover up of the sexual abuse of children. She released ten studio albums: 1992's Am I Not Your...

  Admiral Nelson's Defiance Inspired the Saying “To Turn a Blind Eye” The expression “turning a blind eye” denotes the deliberate choice to ignore or overlook something, especially wrongdoing or undesirable information. While deeply ingrained within the English language, its origins remain somewhat elusive. Many attribute its origin to naval terminology, and the saying has been linked to the famed Admiral Nelson. Legend suggests that during the siege of Copenhagen in 1801, Nelson pretended not to see a withdrawal signal from his cautious superior by putting his telescope to his blind eye. Nelson's Famed Act of Defiance at the Battle of Copenhagen Admiral Horatio Nelson, a legendary British naval officer, is renowned for his strategic brilliance and leadership during the Napoleonic Wars. He is particularly revered for his victories at the Battle of the Nile and the Battle of Trafalgar. In folk etymology, Admiral Nelson has also been linked to the phrase “to turn a blind eye” in ...

  Shannen Doherty (April 12, 1971 – July 13, 2024) She was known for her many roles in television and film, including as Jenny Wilder in Little House on the Prairie (1982–1983); Maggie Malene in Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985); Kris Witherspoon in Our House (1986–1988); Heather Duke in Heathers (1989); Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–1994), 90210 (2008–2009) and BH90210 (2019); Prue Halliwell in Charmed (1998–2001); and Dobbs in Fortress (2021). The actor developed a reputation for being difficult to work with on the set — purportedly feuding with cast and crew members, especially with co-star Jennie Garth. The headlines and reports on the entertainment news shows made her as infamous as she was famous. In addition, she had many notable failed relationships. Her marriage to Ashley Hamilton, son of actor George Hamilton, in 1993 ended in divorce in 1994; the other to Rick Salomon ended in a 2002 annulment nine months after the wedding. In April 2023, Doherty filed for ...

“Ik woon hier helemaal alleen met mijn sneeuwbal, mijn kleine witte poedel – hij werd mij gegeven door mijn dierbare oude vriend Frank Sinatra.  Ik noem hem Maf.”  Marilyn Monroe Frank Sinatra gaf Marilyn een kleine witte poedel cadeau.  Frank had de hond gekocht van de moeder van Natalie Wood.  Marilyn noemde de hond Maf, als een humoristische verwijzing naar Sinatra's vermeende connectie met de maffia.  Maf sliep op de dure witte beverjas die hij haar cadeau had gegeven.  Toen Marilyn terugkeerde naar Hollywood nadat zij en Miller waren gescheiden, liet ze Maf naar Hollywood vliegen om bij haar te zijn.  Na haar dood werd Maf geërfd door de secretaris van Frank Sinatra, Gloria Lovell.  Hoewel Maf Marilyn al lang overleefde, werd hij helaas op tragische wijze overreden en verloor hij zijn leven. In 2010 werd een boek uitgebracht met de titel “Het leven en de meningen van Maf the Dog en zijn vriend Marilyn Monroe.”  een heel origineel idee om...

Rin Tin Tin In de Eerste Wereldoorlog werd in Frankrijk een Amerikaanse korporaal erop uitgestuurd om een geschikt stuk land te vinden voor een vliegveld. Hij trof een bijna volledig door bombardementen vernietigd Duits kamp aan. Alleen een hondenkennel stond nog overeind. De Duitsers, evenals de geallieerden, gebruikten honden voor velerlei taken zoals bewaking, het versturen van boodschappen en het rondbrengen van eerste hulpmiddelen. Op het eerste gezicht zag hij alleen maar dode honden liggen, totdat hij een geluid hoorde en een Duitse Herdershond met vijf puppy's ontdekte. Hij nam ze mee naar zijn basis en gaf de moeder en drie puppy's aan andere soldaten. Hijzelf hield een mannetje en een vrouwtje. Hij gaf ze de naam Nanette en Rin Tin Tin, naar de toen populaire Franse gelukspoppen. Hij nam ze overal mee naartoe. Aan het einde van de oorlog slaagde hij erin om ze mee naar Amerika te nemen. Nanette stierf daar aan een longontsteking. Rin Tin Tin werd uiteindelijk door Hol...

Hachiko (1923-1935) Hachiko werd geboren op een boerderij in de buurt van de stad Odate in de prefectuur Akita. In 1924 werd hij gekocht door Hidesaburo Ueno, een professor aan de Universiteit van Tokio, die hem meenam naar Tokio. Ueno nam elke dag de trein naar de universiteit vanaf het station Shibuya. Al snel leerde Hachiko om zijn baasje ’s ochtends naar het station te begeleiden en ’s middags weer bij het station af te halen. Deze routine werd door de twee herhaald tot mei 1925. Die maand stierf Ueno op de universiteit aan een hartverlamming. Hachiko wachtte die dag tevergeefs bij het station. Hoewel Ueno uiteraard nooit meer kwam opdagen, bleef Hachiko elke dag, zoals hij gewend was, terugkeren naar het station. Toen Ueno’s dood bekend werd, werd Hachiko aan een nieuwe eigenaar gegeven. Hij ontsnapte echter geregeld, waarna hij altijd weer terugkeerde naar het huis van Ueno dan wel het treinstation. Door dit gedrag werd Hachiko al snel bekend bij...

Trivia of Dolores del Rio (3 August 1904 - 11 April 1983) *Dolores del Rio’s family was full of celebrities.Her parents were members of the Mexican aristocracy that existed during the time of dictator Porfirio Diaz. Her maternal relatives were famed personalities. The filmmaker Julio Bracho, actors Ramón Novarro, and Andrea Palma were her cousins.On her paternal side, she was a cousin to Mexican sculptor Ignacio Asúnsolo and social activist and model Maria Asúnsolo. This is evidence that Dolores came from an artist’s family. *She was discovered by film director Edwin Carewe. He happened to be in Mexico attending a wedding of actor Bert Lytell and Clare Windsor. The filmmaker was captivated by the performance of Dolores’s tango dance at the wedding.Dolores' interest was dancing but the film director managed to convince her to also try acting as it fit her personality. He even offered Dolores a role in his film titled Joanna which was scheduled to premiere in 1925. *She contributed m...