Happy New Year from Who2
Ringing in the new year with a Civil War hero.
Yearly Archive: 2012
Wrapping Up 2012: Five People We’re Really Going to Miss
All sorts of people will be missed, of course, but these five people had a little something extra.
Norman Schwarzkopf Biography, Plus a Photo of Him Grimacing Along With President Bush
He was the Army’s big star of 1991, and now he’s dead.
Shinzo Abe is Back in the Saddle in Japan
He resigned in disgrace in 2007, but he’s once again the country’s prime minister.
Jack Klugman Biography: Lovable Slob Has Died at 90
When you play Oscar Madison in a hit TV show, you know which adjectives are coming in your obituary.
The Santas of Somerville
A quick tour of one town’s impressions of Santa Claus.
‘In Cold Blood’ Killers Exhumed
The two murderers portrayed in the book In Cold Blood have been exhumed in Kansas, in the hopes of solving murders in Florida.
Happy Birthday, Frank Zappa!
Frank Zappa died in 1993. Had he lived, he’d be celebrating his 62nd birthday. In his honor, watch an interview and listen to a song.
Robert Bork is Dead; Controversial Judge Was Blocked from the Supreme Court in 1987
Robert Bork was 87 years old and had been not on the Supreme Court for 25 years.
Christmas In Connecticut is Still Tops!
Here it is: our annual repost of praise to the most underrated Christmas movie of all time.
Gary Wills on Guns
The esteemed historian goes back to the Bible for a comparison.
Where E.B. White Wrote ‘Charlotte’s Web’
A fan visits the old Maine home of author E.B. White.
Martin Freeman Biography: New!
Once known as “Who’s Martin Freeman?” he’s now known as “that guy who was in The Hobbit.”
Edvard Munch Biography: New!
Did today’s date — 12/12/12 — make you want to scream? That’s because it’s Edvard Munch’s 149th birthday!
Ravi Shankar is Dead; Sitar Player Influenced the Beatles (and Steely Dan)
The famed Indian sitar player has died in San Diego at age 92.
Famous Deaths of 2012: Ranking the Mosts, Leasts and Oddests
Which 2012 death was the most startling? The oddest? Had the fastest burial? We’ve got the full list.
Margaret Atwood on Rachel Carson
Author Margaret Atwood praises Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, 50 years after the book’s publication.
Friedrich Nietzsche Biography: New!
Who2 has a new biography of German philosopher-slash-crazyguy Friedrich Nietzsche.
Rats! Charles Schulz’s Secret Letters For Sale
Peanuts creator Charles Schulz wrote flirty letters to a younger woman, even though he was married. Now they’re up for auction.
Dave Brubeck Obituary
Jazz great Dave Brubeck has died from heart failure, a day before his 92nd birthday.
Sheldon Adelson Biography: New!
We have a new biography of Sheldon Adelson, the casino tycoon who donated more than $100 million to Republican candidates in 2012.
Kate Middleton is Pregnant With the Next-Next-Next Queen or King of England
The Duchess of Cambridge is said to be less than 12 weeks pregnant with the child who will be third in line to the throne.
1876: When (Rutherford) Hayes Met Samuel (Tilden)
It wasn’t one of America’s prettiest elections.
Movie Stills, Put In Their Place
Christopher Moloney poses movie stills in front of their real-life locations. Fun!
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney: The Handshake
The challenger and the president have had a post-election chat.
George Sand Biography: New!
Outside of France, not so many people know about George Sand, a woman whose 19th century celebrity sounds like something right out of this year’s gossip pages.
Photos of Rock Stars Before They Were Famous
Can you name these future music stars?
Arafat Exhumed, Promptly Reburied
The body of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was exhumed and reburied in the early morning of 27 November, in an effort to determine if he was murdered.
Grover Norquist Biography: New!
To quote former President George H. W. Bush, “Who the hell is Grover Norquist, anyway?”
Psy Biography: 7 Things You Didn’t Know About the ‘Gangnam Style’ Singer
To which world leader did he teach the horsey dance?
Elizabeth Warren Biography: New!
Our biography of the first female U.S. senator from Massachusetts is now live.
Thanksgiving for Grandmothers
Thanksgiving is for pies, and pies mean grandmothers.
David Souter, Caviar-Munching Swashbuckler?
The “boring” Supreme Court justice was actually a sword-fighting scamp!
Albert Einstein’s Brain is Back on the Table
Scientists are looking at old post-mortem photos to see if the great thinker’s brain was bigger than ours.
Joe Biden is 70! Where Will He Be When He’s 82?
The cheerful vice president was born in Scranton on November 20th of 1942. Will he become the oldest first-time president in 2017?
Jenny McCarthy, Celebrity Vampire
At the American Music Awards Jenny McCarthy clutched Justin Bieber as if she needed his life essence to stay young.
The World’s Tallest Man: Weak Puns and Unreachable Women in This 1936 Video
Blast from the past: Robert Wadlow, age 17 and 8’4″ tall, poses for newsreels in 1936.
Obama Does the McKayla Maroney ‘Not Impressed’ Face
The unhappy Olympic silver medalist takes her face to the White House.
Juan Luis Guerra Biography: New!
Juan Luis Guerra won another Latin Grammy this week. Read our new biography of this Dominican star.
Tycho Brahe: Not Murdered, Nose Still Missing
Experts who dug him up in 2010 now say 16th century astronomer Tycho Brahe was NOT poisoned.
Agnes, Gangnam-Style
Did Psy borrow his Gangnam Style moves from Agnes DeMille?
Jill Kelley’s Obsessed, Shirtless-Photo-Sending FBI Friend Wasn’t Obsessed and Was Only Sorta Shirtless
As this photo shows, Fred Humphries is just a normal hardworking agent.
Jill Kelley Biography: New!
She’s the Tampa socialite whose call to an FBI friend started the whole crazy Petraeus story. Read on to learn more.
General John Allen Biography: New!
This week John R. Allen was to be promoted to be the top U.S. military man in Europe, but that plan got derailed with the Petraeus-Broadwell sex scandal.
The General Petraeus Affair Is a Little Bit Boring So Far
Dangerous breach of national security, or “life-distracting, heart-fluttering office nonsense”?
Paula Broadwell Biography: New!
The biographer of Gen. David Petraeus is suddenly famous, but not for her book.
‘A Late Quartet’ Review: One Thumb Up, One Thumb Hidden Out of Frame
A Late Quartet has a great cast, plenty of emotional moments, and some pretty good fake violin playing.
Behind the Scenes of ‘Skyfall’
See a photos from behind the scenes of the new James Bond movie Skyfall, and learn about stunt driver Ben Collins.
We Still Get to Kick Nixon Around
Fifty years ago Richard Nixon made his famous speech to the press that included “You won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore.”
Barack Obama’s Number-Crunchers
Google-style testing and measuring helped win the president his second term.
Barack Obama: Re-Elected
Barack Obama has been re-elected as president of the United States.
Election Day 2012: Vote, You Devils!
Barack Obama or Mitt Romney or Green/Libertarian/other? Today’s the day to choose sides.
Henri Poincaré Biography: New!
Why care about this 19th century French mathematician? Like it or not, he shaped your world view. Plus, he’s generated some really weird YouTube videos.
Idris Elba Meets Mumford and Sons
Idris Elba — Stringer Bell from The Wire — directs and stars in a new music video from Mumford & Sons.
Channeling Churchill
When historian William Manchester died before finishing his massive bio of Winston Churchill, a novice stepped into the breach.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead Biography: New!
We have a new biography of actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who you may remember from Death Proof or Live Free or Die Hard.
‘Buffy’ Musical Performed Live
Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will enjoy these videos of a live performance of the musical episode, “Once More With Feeling.”
Edward Gorey Biography: New!
We have a new biography of writer and illustrator Edward Gorey, and a couple of videos that show his work.
John Keats: Minute Biography
Happy Halloween and happy birthday to poet John Keats, born 31 October 1795.
Henry Fielding Biography: New!
Now that he’s been dead 258 years, we thought it would be safe to have a biography of 18th century novelist Henry Fielding!
Disney To Buy LucasFilm, Make More Bad Movies
Disney is buying LucasFilm for about $4 billion dollars, and threatening to make a new Star Wars movie by 2015.
James Bond Stuntman Stepping on Alligators
See behind the scenes, as a stuntman runs across a bunch of alligators — again and again — for a shot in the James Bond film To Live and Let Die.
Gabrielle Union Turns 40
Brrr, it’s old in here. There must be a birthday in the atmosphere — for Gabrielle Union, the star of Bring It On.
Louis C.K. and SNL
Read about Louis C.K.’s long sort-of relationship with Saturday Night Live.
Lena Dunham Biography: New!
Have you read about Lena Dunham lately and wondered, “who the heck is Lena Dunham?” Who2 has the answer — in our new biography.
Bob Dylan v. Andy Warhol
Maybe you’ve seen the Bob Dylan “screen test” film by Andy Warhol. If not, Who2 will save you the trouble. We’ll also try to find out if Bob Dylan hated Andy Warhol.
Eddie Redmayne Biography: New!
You’ve seen him in the recent Les Misérables promotions and thought he looked familiar. Our new biography will tell you why.
Denny’s Goes All Bilbo Brunchy
Denny’s restaurants will soon be sporting a new menu for the upcoming movie version of The Hobbit. Oin and Gloin sirloin? Gandwaffles?
Robert Hooke on the Web
Science writer Carl Zimmer leads the way to seeing Robert Hooke’s 17th century classic Micrographia online.
The Secret Recordings of John F. Kennedy
With the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis going on, the publication of secret recordings made by President Kennedy get new attention.
‘Lance Armstrong Deserves to Be Forgotten in Cycling’
The seven-time Tour de France winner is now officially a zero-time Tour de France winner.
Catherine Deneuve is 69, But Her Name is 52
The great French actress (born Catherine Dorléac) was born in October of 1943.
George Gallup Biography
Who2 has a new biography of pollster George Gallup, the man who started the Gallup public opinion polls in 1935.
Malala Yousafzai Biography
Who2 has a new biography of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl the Taliban tried to assassinate on 9 October 2012.
George McGovern Biography
We’ve posted a new biography of the senator from South Dakota and Democratic presidential candidate in 1972.
I Like To Go Swimmin’ With Binders of Women
The second presidential debate between President Obama and Governor Romney is over, and the most important takeaway was the phrase “binders of women.”
Ben Vereen Sings a Song from ‘Pippin’ — Plus Notes on Fosse vs. Schwartz
Did the director and the playwright want to kill each other? Not necessarily. Vereen rocked, in any case.
Happy Birthday, Angela Lansbury
Actress Angela Lansbury was born 16 October 1925 in London. That makes her 87 years old today.
Arlen Specter Biography: Former Senator Has Died at 82
He was a Democrat, a Republican, then a Democrat again in 50 years of public service.
Honey Boo Boo Biography: New!
Alana Thompson, the star of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, joins our database.
The Art of the Title: Cape Fear
Over at the Art of the Title they feature the opening credits to the 1991 version of Cape Fear.
Jerry Sandusky Sentenced to 30 Years in Jail And Then Some
Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to 30-60 years in prison, a life sentence for the 68 year-old convicted of sexually abusing children.
Marissa Mayer Biography: New!
Wisconsin native, computer scientist, CEO, mother… and she’s still just 37 years old.
Rothko Vandal Says “I’m Not a Vandal”
Sunday afternoon at the Tate Modern Gallery, Vlad Umanets defaced a painting by Mark Rothko. He told the press, “I’m not seeking attention.”
Free NASA Photos
From the Flickr pages for NASA on the Commons, we have a photo gallery from the history of American space exploration.
Steve Jobs Remembered, One Year Later
The Apple computer pioneer died last October. Yes, a year already.
Presidents Who Slugged Someone
You think Mitt Romney beat up on Barack Obama in the first presidential debate of 2012? Read about some real beatings in presidential history.
Brian Cox Pronouncing Scotch Brand Names
Actor Brian Cox — from Scotland! — pronounces the names of more than 40 brands of scotch.
D.B. Cooper and Bob Dole Have a Mysterious Bond
They shared a favorite plane.
Frida Kahlo’s Dresses Go On Display
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was a fashion heroine in the 1930s. In November hundreds of her dresses will go on display for the first time.
Dueling Michael Caine Impersonations… With Bonus Michael Caine!
Who does a better Michael Caine impersonation: these two terrific comedians, or Michael Caine himself?
David Bowie and Labyrinth
Let’s talk about the movie Labyrinth. Let’s talk about behind the scenes of Labyrinth.
James Bond’s Knee Suction Cups Can Be Yours
Christie’s is auctioning off a whole lot of James Bond memorabilia for the 50th anniversary of Dr. No.
Jimmy Hoffa’s Grave Has Been Discovered for the 25,000th Time
Now they think he’s under a driveway outside of Detroit.
Andy Williams is Dead at age 84
Singer and television star Andy Williams has died at the age of 84 from cancer.
Yes, King Abdullah Once Had a Walk-On Part on Star Trek
Truth is truly stranger than (science) fiction.
Ike’s Bluff: How a Canny President Kept the Cold War Cold
Wily Dwight Eisenhower used a combination of brains and befuddlement to keep nukes out of action in the 1950s.
Ichiro Suzuki Carries His Baseball Bats in a Stradivarius Case
The Japanese baseball maestro has a custom-built bat case with a built-in dehumidifier.
Presidents and Corn Mazes
The season for presidential politics meets the season for elaborate corn mazes.
Mitt Romney’s Tax Teaser: What Was He Thinking?
He sure seems to have something to hide. So why try to dance around it?
Clint Eastwood Hasn’t Taken Direction from Anyone But Clint Eastwood Since 1993
No wonder he wouldn’t let them vet his routine at the Republican Convention.
Funny Jennifer Lawrence Interviews
The star of The Hunger Games and Winter’s Bone is a comical chatterbox. See these collected clips.
Inside Barack Obama’s Old Harvard Law Apartment!
Barbells, beige carpet and a beat-up couch — still a student apartment, all right!
Randy Newman is ‘Dreaming of a White President’
The Toy Story composer goes back to his cynical roots with a song for Campaign 2012.
Jonny Quest Debuts, 48 Years Ago!
The 18th of September is the anniversary of the first-ever Jonny Quest episode. It’s his birthday, of sorts.
Lists of Lists of Eccentric People
In a world filled with reality TV shows, is it still possible to be famously eccentric? Read about some people who went down in history as eccentrics.
The Chuck Jones Centennial: Here It Comes, Doc!
Chuck Jones, the celebrated director of Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote and the Grinch, was born on this week in 1912.
Neil Armstrong Buried at Sea: Photos
The remains of the great astronaut have been committed to the Atlantic Ocean.
From Amanda Bynes to Sally Struthers
Actress Amanda Bynes is in trouble for driving recklessly — again. Meanwhile, actress Sally Struthers is in trouble for driving drunkenly.
Just a Nice Photo: The Duchess Visits a Mosque
Kate Middleton (that is to say Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) visited a mosque in Kuala Lumpur, looking smashing.
Isadora Duncan Died Her Amazingly Crazy Death 85 Years Ago Today
A dancer, a silk scarf, a sports car and Paris: a deadly combination.
Photos of a Giant Klaus Kinski Head
We’ve collected photos from here and there of the Klaus Kinski scupture by Paule Hammer.
Nicki Minaj Did Not Endorse Mitt Romney
Thank goodness we know who Nicki Minaj is endorsing for the U.S. presidency. I mean that.
Joe Biden and the Bikers: How a Smart Photographer Got the Shot
She asked for it, more or less.
Morgan Freeman Is Not Dead, So Hold Off On Those Bucket List Jokes
Don’t be shocked to see him around — it was all just a rumor.
Joe Biden Macks on Lady Biker at Ohio Diner
The vice president is out to win votes for Obama, one voter at a time.
Just a Nice Photo: Blake Lively
Blake Lively has married Ryan Reynolds. Here’s a swell 2012 photo of Lively.
Letitia Tyler Made White House History By Dying on This Day 170 Years Ago
She was the first First Lady to die in the White House — and also the first to die while holding a fake rose.
The Tom Brady Window Is Already Closed
With regret, our football editor declares the end of the Tom Brady Super Bowl era.
Neil Armstrong and the POWs
He was inspirational even at (very) long distance.
China Miéville Turns 40
Author China Miéville’s was born 6 September 1972. Happy birthday, China!
Bill Clinton’s Democratic Convention Speech: Text
The former president delivered a crowd-pleaser in Charlotte.
Swan Boat Morning Polish
One in our (seemingly endless) swan boat series.
Just a Nice Photo: The Father In Chief
The First Family watches as the First Lady gives her speech to the Democratic convention.
Celebrity Workout Video Weirdness
Thanks to Vulture.com for alerting us to Aaron Valdez’s archive of celebrity workout videos.
Chuck Norris v. Evil Obama
TV star Chuck Norris and his wife warn that re-electing President Obama is a step toward “1,000 years of darkness.”
Hal David: King of the Short Words
The songwriter was the true master of the light lyric.
Clint Eastwood’s Big Fail
I couldn’t stand to watch more than 20 seconds of “Clint Eastwood Unleashed.” I was too embarrassed, both for Eastwood and the GOP.
Why You Should Love Goalball
The Paralympics have started in London, and this is the year of Goalball.
Kurt Vonnegut’s Marital Contract
In 1947 Kurt Vonnegut drew up a contract with his wife — he didn’t want her to “nag, heckle or otherwise disturb” him.
President Obama Does Reddit
President Obama answered a handful of questions on Reddit today — and none of them had to do with Chewbacca.
Ingrid Bergman Died On Her Birthday
Ingrid Bergman was born on 29 August 1915 and Ingrid Bergman died on 29 August 1982, her 67th birthday.
No Orwell Statue for the BBC
There will be no statue of George Orwell at the headquarters of the BBC. Because he was too far left?
More Photos of Neil Armstrong
You should see this photo gallery of “the Armstrong the public didn’t always get to see.”
Neil Armstrong, The Man You Could Trust With Your Rocket Ship
Reflections on Neil Armstrong, the moon and 1969.
A Collection of Neil Armstrong Videos
The first man to step on the moon has died. Famously publicity shy, Neil Armstrong was hard to figure out. Watch him on video over the last four decades.
Will Lance Be Stripped?
Cycling champ Lance Armstrong has given up fighting charges that he used performance-enhancing drugs. Will he lose all his medals?
This Mysterious 92-Year-Old Czar Runs Tootsie Roll Industries With a Chocolatey Iron Fist
Melvin Gordon is the oldest CEO on the New York Stock Exchange. And he won’t let you into his factory.
Phyllis Diller Has Died; Groundbreaking Comedian was 95
The outlandish queen of the self-knocking one-liner “died in her sleep” at her home in Los Angeles.
Phyllis Diller Plays a Duet with Liberace
In honor of the great comedienne’s life, a truly Diller-y clip from 1969.
Tony Scott Had Brain Cancer: Report
ABC News is reporting that the action director had inoperable brain cancer when he jumped from a Los Angeles bridge yesterday.
Tony Scott Biography: ‘Top Gun’ Director Who Jumped to his Death
The director of stylish action films has committed suicide at age 68 by jumping from a Los Angeles bridge.
A Wonderful Prank in Pink
From Holland, a funny video of “Revenge is a Dish Best Served Pink,” in which a little brother learns a lesson.
Michael J. Fox Is Coming Back to TV?
The news that Michael J. Fox is returning to television has the Hollywood press all excited. Why?
Supercut Friday: Dana Scully to Don Draper
Watch our favorite supercuts from shows such as The X-Files, Mad Men and Breaking Bad.
Julian Assange’s Asylum, with Photos
The founder of Wikileaks has been granted asylum in Ecuador. But the U.K. isn’t going to let him go.
Signs of Bill Murray
Today I walked past a home that still hopes to have Bill Murray crash their party. See the photo of “Bill Murray Can Crash Here.”
Oprah’s Mutual of Aha Moment
Who knew that Oprah battled an insurance company over the rights to a common phrase?
295 Movies and ‘Baby Got Back’
A self-described nerd has re-done the Sir Mix-a-Lot song with clips from nearly 300 movies.
Alfred Hitchcock Photos: On the Set
We’re celebrating Alfred Hitchcock’s birthday with a gallery of photos of the great filmmaker.
Paul Ryan Biography: Fast Facts and Timeline
He’s 42, a seven-term Congressman, and has been married for nearly 12 years.
Paul Ryan is Mitt Romney’s Choice for Vice President
The Wisconsin Congressman and fiscal hawk will be #2 on the Republican ticket on November 6th.
‘Son of Sam’ Speaks
Mass murderer David Berkowitz says violence is bad. As if he didn’t already prove that 35 years ago.
Ian Anderson, the One-Legged Flute Guy, Turns 65 Today
The puckish front man for the alt-rock band Jethro Tull was born in 1947.
Photos from the Holi Festival of Colors
See photos by San Francisco photographer Thomas Hawk of the 2012 Holi Festival of Colors.
‘The Entertainer’ Marvin Hamlisch is Dead
Popular composer Marvin Hamlisch has died. He was 68.
How Much Hobbit is Too Much Hobbit?
Director Peter Jackson is stretching a modest little book into three big movies. Great idea or greedy blunder?
Adiós, Casablanca!
The editor laments the closing of an old favorite haunt.
Usain Bolt Wins Gold Again
The Jamaican sprinter sets a new Olympic record in the 100 meters.
The Swan Boats are Closed for the Evening
Summer is full of yearning.
Happy Birrrrthday, Mister President!
President Barack Obama is now 51 years old.
President Harry Truman Was ‘Kind of a Sissy’
He grew up to finish a world war and drop the A-bomb, but he wasn’t “big-fisted” as a boy.
What’s 5’3″, Weighs 107 Pounds, and Barks?
Hint: Unlike a dog, she has to practice her barking.
Gore Vidal is Dead; Novelist, Essayist, Irritant, Gadabout
The brainy and mischievous author has died in Los Angeles at age 86.
James Bond Dies in the New James Bond Movie
And then he stays dead and the movie ends and that’s the surprise finale to the movie franchise, right?
Nelson Mandela’s Names: Just How Many Does He Have?
We’ve updated our 2007 study of Nelson Mandela’s many names to include the clan name Madiba.
Remember the Good Old Days of Pigeon-Shooting at the Olympics?
21 dead pigeons — still the Olympic record!
Mike Lupica on Dick Cheney: “Bully, Phony, Self-Important”
The NY Daily News columnist has a few choice words for the former vice-president.
Alex Morgan Biography — New!
The 23-year-old U.S. Olympic soccer star was also a star in Sports Illustrated earlier this year.
Just a Nice Photo: The Queen and the Torch
The monarch looks on as the torch is passed.
Sherlock Holmes and His Dippy Hat
A new exhibition of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia got me thinking about that goofy hat of his.
#RomneyShambles
Twitter users are having a ball with Mitt Romney’s trip to London.
Rare Stanley Kubrick Audio Interview
Writer Jeremy Bernstein interviewed Stanley Kubrick in 1965 and 1966, and Kubrick recorded it on tape. Listen.
Chad Everett, ‘Medical Center’ Star, Dead at Age 76
The longtime TV star has died after a battle with lung cancer.
Sherman Hemsley’s Death Foretold: Deadly Metaphors in the ‘Jeffersons’ Theme Song
“Movin’ on up” is just the start.
Bruce Springsteen at 62
The New Yorker has a terrific profile of Bruce Springsteen, “We Are Alive” by David Remnick.
The Dark Knight Rises: A Minority Report
“A whole lot of gabbing goes on” — our review of the new Batman movie.
Amerlia Earhart Google Doodle for Her 115th Birthday
The famous flyer was born 115 years ago in Kansas… and disappeared 40 years later in the South Pacific.
Free at Last! Ichiro Suzuki is Now a Yankee
After 12 mostly losing seasons in Seattle, the superstar gets a crack at winning. How do you say “Bronx Bombers” in Japanese?
A Sally Ride Biography in Photos
An daring life, seen in nine good photos.
Wow: Sally Ride is Dead
The first American woman in space was only 61 years old.
Chief Joseph’s Super-Expensive Poncho
At this week’s Coeur d’Alene Art Auction in Reno, Nevada, a “war shirt” that once belonged to Chief Joseph was one of the top-dollar items.
Here’s Ralph Fiennes in a Crazy Beard
The Oscar-nominated actor has turned into a hippie Shakespearian.
The Joe Paterno Statue Has Been Removed
Per order of the new president of Penn State, Rodney Erickson.
Did Neil Amstrong Say ‘One Small Step for A Man’?
The final word from the audio experts: no ‘A.’
The Seven Horses of Highly Effective People
With a nod in honor to the late Stephen Covey, we present a gallery of famous horses and their famous riders.
Former Art Forger Now Expert at Fooling Himself
“I’m convinced that if these artists were alive today, they would thank me,” he says.
Name This Chest From 1992
We mean “whose chest is this?” — not “I think I’ll dub that chest ‘President Mitt Romney’.”
Caster Semenya Biography — With Photos!
Declared officially female in 2010, she’ll run for South Africa in the London Olympic games.
Black Sitcom Theme Songs
Some hardworking fan has compiled Native Tongues — “A Cultural History of Black Sitcom Theme Songs.”
James Cagney’s Birthday
Hollywood star Jimmy Cagney was born 17 July 1899. Yes, that’s right — born in 1899.
Hobbits Were Real!
Homo floresiensis was 3’6″ tall and lived 800 million years ago in Middle Earth Indonesia.
Country Star Kitty Wells is Dead
She was the first woman to have a top hit in country music. Now Kitty Wells has died in Nashville at the age of 92.
Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is the UK Favourite
According to a new poll, the UK’s top pop song of the last 60 years is “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Oscar Pistorius Biography: New!
The double-amputee sprinter has qualified for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Philip K. Dick Books You’ve Never Heard Of: A Photo Gallery
A photo gallery of books by Philip K. Dick, most of which most people aren’t familiar with. In other words, books that aren’t Blade Runner.
Peter O’Toole Is Done With Acting Forever
The celebrated Lawrence of Arabia star says it’s time “to chuck in the sponge.”
Here is Slash Getting a Star on the Walk of Fame
It happened in Hollywood. Click through for a shot of Mrs. Slash and the kiddies.
Is Gabriel García Márquez Demented?
Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez is suffering from advanced dementia, says his brother. But the director of the Márquez Foundation says, naw…Gabo’s just old and has a bad memory.
Cindy Sheehan Can Retire in Ten Years
The anti-war activist turns 55 today.
Natalie Wood Drowning: Cause Now ‘Undetermined’
31 years after the actress died while yachting off Catalina Island, the cause of her death is still in dispute.
Ernest Borgnine, From ‘Eternity’ to Here (Revisited)
Ernest Borgnine has died at age 95. We revisit a favorite blog post from 2011, when (just in time, it turns out) he won a special lifetime award from the Screen Actor’s Guild.
Ernest Borgnine Dies at 95
Oscar-winning actor Ernest Borgnine has died. He was 95 years old.
Brad Pitt’s Famous Family
That Pitt family! First Brad’s brother makes the news with a funny video, then his mom makes the news with a letter to the editor.
25 People Who Played Vampires
Can you imagine Tom Cruise sucking the life out of someone? He’s one of 25 people in our gallery who’ve played vampires on the big (or little) screen.
Boston Common: Summer
Lunchtime at the Frog Pond, with fountains and balloons.
Watch Some Guys Play Marbles
Shake off those post-Fourth of July blues by watching people play competitive marbles.
The Higgs Boson Flow Chart
Ask yourself: are you confusing it with candy?
How Alec Baldwin Picks Up Women
The magic words are, “I must know you.”
A Biography of Peter Higgs, the Higgs Boson Guy
Finding the Higgs boson is the biggest news in physics in a quarter century, they say. Who is this Higgs guy? Find out in our biography.
John Hancock Was Even Bolder Than You Thought
John Hancock didn’t just sign his name large: he signed it weeks before everyone else.
Nora Ephron Biography and Photos
Read about the three Oscar nominations, three marriages and much more in our new biography of the writer and director.
Independence Day Babies are a Strange Blend
From Calvin Coolidge to The Situation, the odd bedfellows of July 4th.
Andy Griffith Has Already Been Buried
Always private, the famous actor was laid to rest before word of his death even spread.
Notes on Andy Griffith and Mount Airy
Television veteran Andy Griffith has died at the age of 86. See what the obituaries say and see some photos.
Anderson Cooper: “The Fact Is, I’m Gay”
Blogger Andrew Sullivan gets an unexpected (but not too startling) scoop.
Modern Furniture is Screwing Up Years of Firefighting Theory
The FDNY is burning down 20 rowhouses in a massive test as it rethinks modern firefighting techniques.
Children of the Rich and Famous, Euro Edition
Bruce Springsteen’s daughter and Richard Branson’s son horse around during Euro Summer 2012.
Behind the Health Care Ruling: Why John Roberts Switched
The Chief Justice’s decision to leave the law intact didn’t sit well with the court’s right-wing justices.
The Teen Journalist Who Inspired an Olympic Swimmer… and Vice-Versa
A class writing project leads to a moment of truth for a 13-year-old girl and the Olympic hopeful she interviews.
Gambling With Hemingway at the Ritz
A.E. Hotchner recalls good times with Ernest Hemingway at the swankiest hotel in Paris.
Katie Holmes Files for Divorce from Tom Cruise
In which we struggle to find a feline metaphor for the breakup of TomKat after 5+ years of marriage.
Amazing Saxophone Performance by Colin Stetson
Watch Montreal’s Colin Stetson play “Judges,” an incredible performance on the bass sax.
Is Choking on Crow Covered Under the New Health Care Act?
Chief Justice John Roberts surprises nearly everyone by voting to uphold the Affordable Care Act.
E.L. James is Earning a Cool Million Bucks a Week
The author of 50 Shades of Grey is making money handcuffs over fist.
Get Your Mind Off Health Care Reform With Cartoons
Perhaps you’ve heard enough about the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act. Take a break with these cartoons — about “Obamacare.”
Maybe LeRoy Neiman Wasn’t So Bad After All
An art critic comes around after sharing a stage with the artist.
Seth MacFarlane Paid for Carl Sagan’s Papers
Seth MacFarlane, the creator of TV’s Family Guy, paid good money to preserve the private papers of Carl Sagan.
Art Beast Pablo Picasso, The Video
A 1929 oil painting by Pablo Picasso was defaced in Houston. The act was captured on video, of course!
Mister Rogers’ Blood-Red Sweater Came from the Charge of the Light Brigade
Turns out that Mister Rogers’ cardigans got their start in the Crimean War.
Nora Ephron is, Surprisingly, Dead
The writer of When Harry Met Sally and director of Sleepless In Seattle has passed on at age 71.
Uggie Leaves His Pawprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater: Dial the Cute Meter Up to ’11’
Uggie the Dog — star of Oscar-winning film The Artist — has become the first dog to leave his pawprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
What Cricket Looks Like To Americans
Take five minutes to enjoy this very amusing video.
The Supreme Court Will Block Health Care Reform and Have a Fat Laugh Doing It (Reposted)
A repost of our prediction from March of 2012.
Andrea Pirlo’s Cheeky Chip to Beat England
Which is cooler: Andrea Pirlo’s right-down-the-middle chip-shot penalty kick for Italy vs. England, or his utter calm as he trots back to midfield after?
Jimmy Fallon Makes an Excellent Jim Morrison
If you ever wished the Lizard King would sing the Reading Rainbow theme…
Is King Tut Cursing ‘Downton Abbey’?
This could explain a few things.
Pixillated Birthday Boy: Can You Guess Who It Is?
Can you identify this famous Indiana University researcher, born on this day in 1894?
Jerry Sandusky Biography (and Four Photos)
Jerry Sandusky has been found guilty on 45 counts of child abuse. We’ve got his biography and a few odd photos.
Salvador Dali Painting Swiped in New York
A man walked into a New York art gallery with a shopping bag and walked out with a 1949 Salvador Dali painting. See the man, and watch an old clip of Dali on What’s My Line?
Mel Blanc, The Best in Cartoon Voices
Mel Blanc voiced Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Yosemite Sam and many other Looney Tune characters. Learn all about him, and watch a short video that could have been titled, “Wanna See Something Gross?”
The 1972 Olympic Trials: Behold the Mighty Athletes of Yore!
A gallery of shot-putters, sprinters and hurdlers from the 1972 Olympic trials.
Variety Slang: The Six Best and Six Most Annoying Terms
From “ankle” (good) to “cleffer” (bad): the 12 best and worst terms of the classic old trade paper.
Just a Nice Photo: Woody Allen
He was unusually playful last night at the premiere of To Rome With Love.
Happy Birthday, Eric Dolphy!
Jazz great Eric Dolphy was born 20 June 1928. He died in 1964, nine days after his 36th birthday. Listen to some music and see a photo gallery.
Jim Carrey Ankles ‘Dumb and Dumber’ Sequel
Well, Orson Welles never got Citizen Kane 2 off the ground, either.
Just a Nice Photo: Aung San Suu Kyi Fans
Every once in a while the good guys win a small victory.
Weird: George Zimmerman’s Jailhouse Phone Calls
They’re public, and they don’t make Florida teen killer George Zimmerman look so good.
Josh Cooley’s ‘Movies R Fun’
Pixar animator Josh Cooley’s fantastic collection of movie stills — in a children’s book!
The Roger Clemens Trial Was Not a Waste of Time
Think the feds shouldn’t have left Roger Clemens alone? Ray Ratto doesn’t want to hear it.
Critics of the War (of 1812)
Nothing like a mob with a cannon to bring a political argument to a head.
A Blast From Paul McCartney’s Past: Rare Photos and Go-Kart Love
For Sir Paul’s 70th birthday, The Guardian goes to its archives and a Manhattan gallery shows some grand old photos.
Usain Bolt Biography: New!
The three-time Olympic gold medal winner is gearing up for another big meet in London this summer.
Just a Photo of Noomi Rapace in ‘Prometheus’
The movie may be good or bad, but Noomi Rapace is pretty cool.
Nik Wallenda Critics Are All Wet, Say Ratings
His no-danger, safety-harnessed walk on a long straight wire was good for 13 million viewers.
Rodney King is the 19th Famous Person To Die in 2012
From sci-fi master Ray Bradbury to disco queen Donna Summer, it’s been an unpleasantly busy year for celebrity deaths.
How is James Brown Like Howard Hughes?
How a self-made man can make himself crazy.
Four Men, Five Stars: The Admirals Who Won the Sea in World War II
A new biography of four of the old salts who led the U.S. Navy into battle in the Big One.
Rodney King, L.A. Police Beating Victim, Dead at 47
Rodney King, the man whose 1991 beating by Los Angeles Police led to soul-searching, trials, and then riots, has drowned.
Francis Gary Powers Gets a Silver Star
Fifty years after being released from a Soviet prison, pilot Francis Gary Powers has been posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
Nik Wallenda Pulls Off the Impossible: Makes Walk Over Niagara Falls Boring
You might think it would be impossible to take the thrill out of a wire walk across Niagara Falls, but Nik Wallenda managed the trick last night.
A Photo Gallery of Prometheus Concept Art
View photo galleries of concept art and behind-the-scenes shots from the new movie Prometheus.
Unlikely Birthday Twins: Anna Hazare and Waylon Jennings
Two outlaws were born on this day 75 years ago. Only one plays country music.
Happy Flag Day, (Parts of North) America!
Join two of the most living of our former presidents in saying happy birthday, to Old Glory. June 14th is Flag Day.
Chris Brown and Drake Fight Over Rihanna?
While I was sleeping last night, Drake threw bottles and punches at Chris Brown in a bar fight over Rihanna. What did I miss?
Gregor Blanco’s Big Catch, Three Ways (Video)
Watch his perfect-game-saving grab with calls in radio English, TV English, and radio Spanish.
Ashley Olsen: Just Try to Catch Her Smiling
In which we set out to find a photo of her going past a tortured half-grimace.
Here’s the Bill Evans Omelette
While we’re talking about Bill Evans, let’s look at a jazzman’s favorite breakfast.
Bill Evans Plays Jazz in a Living Room in Finland
The Bill Evans Trio did a little gig in Helsinki in 1970, with hip Scandanvians all around.
Reggie Watts Biography: New!
Who’s Reggie Watts? Find out!
Betty White Poses With Presidents and Elephants
“Mister President, how about you be JFK and I’ll be Marlene Dietrich?”
Secretary of Commerce Bryson Takes Medical Leave After Seizures
John Bryson will get a full health workup and treatment for the seizures said to have caused his hit-and-run crashes this weekend.
Alan Menken Biography: New!
He’s the most-Oscared person alive (sort of) and he just won his first Tony. Do you know him?
A Dingo DID Take Her Baby, Coroner Rules
The Chamberlain family finally gets closure after their daughter’s sensational death in 1980.
John Bryson Has “Limited Recall” of Hit-and-Run Crashes: Update
The Secretary of Commerce is said to be back in the office after being involved in two car crashes on Saturday.
Secrets of the Buckingham Palace Mailroom
Stacks of envelopes and pictures of corgis. Well, what did you expect?
Pastor Creflo Dollar Arrested, Denies Charges
Megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar was arrested on 8 June 2012, accused of slapping and choking his 15 year-old daughter. He says he “never should have been arrested.”
Rafael Nadal Wins French Open for Record 7th Time
The Spanish tennis ace is now the all-time greatest men’s winner at Roland Garros.
Arnold Schwarzenegger With a Beard?
The movie star and governor is looking more like Louis C.K. these days.
Secretary of Commerce John Bryson Biography and Photo
The U.S. Secretary of Commerce has been cited on felony hit-and-run charges after two bizarre car crashes on Saturday.
Maria Sharapova Wins French Open and Completes Career Grand Slam
The tennis superstar began with Wimbledon in 2004 and now has wrapped up the career slam with the French Open.
I’ll Have Another Out of the Triple Crown Run
I’ll Have Another, the horse that won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, has been pulled out of the Belmont Stakes, ruining the chance for the Triple Crown.
Happy Birthday, Kanye!
Kanye West turns 35 years old on June 8th. To celebrate, here’s our gallery of Kanye stickers by KanyePDX, a sticker graffitt artist — slaptagger — from the Pacific Northwest.
Beatlemania in Hamburg is Kaput
The German museum has had only 150,000 visitors in three years. Is it finally curtains for the Fab Four?
Mr. Rogers Remixed
Watch this terrific video from PBS Digital Studios of a remixed song featuring the late Mr. Rogers.
Happy Birthday, Dean Martin!
Happy birthday to Dean Martin, born 7 June 1917. Dino passed away in 1995. Ah, but his music lives on… with video!
The World’s Biggest Children Parade
Portland, Oregon lays claim to the largest children’s parade in the world. I live there. The children aren’t all THAT large, as you can see from these photos.
Ray Bradbury, 1920-2012
Author Ray Bradbury has died at the age of 91.
NY Times Culture Critic Kicks the Snacks Out of NY Times Movie Critic
David Carr and A.O. Scott go at each other hammer, tongs and munchies.
Jeremy Bentham, Happy 180th Deathday to You
The great British thinker (and famous corpse) died on this day in 1832.
The Duchess of Cambridge Walked Up and Down Stairs Today (Photos!)
Those stairs were at St. Paul’s Cathedral for the Queen’s Jubilee celebration. The Duchess both ascended and descended the series of smooth granite risers.
Prince Charles Is Now Cool, Says the Telegraph
No longer a “meddler,” he’s now “a new and more loveable Prince of Wales who caught the public mood brilliantly.”
Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan: The 30th Anniversary!
The best of the Star Trek movies debuted 30 years ago this month.
IAmA: David Copperfield Answers Questions
Illusionist David Copperfield was on Reddit — “I Am David Copperfield. Ask Me Anything!” We have some quotes.
Five Photos of John Glenn Getting Older
He isn’t getting any younger, but he is wearing the Presidential Medal of Freedom. What are you wearing?
The Papercraft Trailer for ‘Prometheus’
A wonderful papercraft version of the new Prometheus trailer.
Annie Leibovitz’s Pilgrimage
Famed portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz has a new book and a traveling exhibit — this time without people in the photos.
Queen’s Jubliee Photos: The Royal Family Rocks the Thames
Queen Elizabeth II has her game face on for Diamond Jubilee weekend.
Richard Dawson Has Died at 79: Biography and Photos
The comic star of Hogan’s Heroes and longtime host of Family Feud is dead of esophagael cancer.
Queen Elizabeth’s Secret Formula For Looking Like the Queen
There’s a lot more going on with those cloth coats than you think.
Margaret Thatcher Wrote This Column When Elizabeth Became Queen
The young barrister-in-training hoped “a new era for women” was at hand.
Mike Baxter Shows How to Save a No-Hitter
Johan Santana did the throwing, but Mike Baxter did the catching.
Gaydar Is Real
Scientists say people can recognize random faces as gay or straight with “significant” accuracy.
Roy Lichtenstein in Chicago
There’s a new exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago of works by Roy Lichtenstein. See some videos of what’s going on.
The Mess Called John Edwards
A trial full of crazy lies ends in a mostly hung jury in the John Edwards trial. It was too hard to sift through the parade of shameless acts to determine what was actually against the law.
Wayne Newton Won’t Get Out of the Wayne Newton Museum
Arizona’s Wayne Newton Museum can’t get built because Wayne Newton won’t move out of it. That’s what a new lawsuit claims.
New Bush Portraits Unveiled
President Barack Obama hosted former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush to the White House, where new portraits of the two were unveiled.
Justin Bieber Fan in a Justin Bieber Shirt Takes a Justin Bieber Photo on a Justin Bieber Phone
Because you can never have enough Justin Bieber.
Harvard Graduation Rituals (and Superstitions)
They have a few strange ones, including not saying where you went to school.
Just a Nice Photo: Jon Stewart With Elmo and the Muppets
The comedian posed with the non-sentient constructions of nylon and plastic at a fundraiser for Sesame Street.
What’s George W. Bush Up to These Days?
Eating crabmeat soufflé and visiting Crawford, says The Daily Telegraph.
Doc Watson Dead; Flat-Picking Guitarist Was 89
The groundbreaking blind guitarist was beloved for his musical lore and finger-picking style.
Presidential Medal of Freedom Winners for 2012
A space man, a Supreme Court justice and a Secretary of State lead the list of 2012 honorees.
1962: The Year in Movies
The movie industry brought in $1.6 billion in revenue in 1962. What were the big movies half a century ago?
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: The ‘Surprise Hit of the Year’?
Well, there’s no accounting for taste.
Just a Nice Photo: Women Submariners
The U.S. Navy’s first class of women submariners visits the White House.
Brad Pitt Reflects on Cannes 2012
Brad Pitt thrills photographers to close the latest edition of the grand old film festival.
Cynthia Nixon Biography Update: She’s Married
The ‘Sex and the City’ star has wed the mother of her son.
Gen. George Marshall Is Definitely Cooler Than Adrien Brody
A Memorial Day salute to America’s first five-star general.
Adrien Brody Is Probably Cooler Than You
The Oscar-winning actor has a new go-to facial expression.
Men In Black 3: World’s Shortest Review
The quickest possible review of the weekend’s highest-grossing film.
Was 1982 the Best Summer in the History of Movies?
David Morgan says it was the vintage year for summer flicks.
Couch Potatoes in Mourning: Eugene Polley, Inventor of TV Remote, Dead at Age 96
It was 1955 when he created the wireless gadget that made couch potatoes bloom.
Meet the Pro Wrestlers of Senegal
Nicholas Loomis travels to Dakar to explore an exotic form of combat.
Sexy Photos of Gene Autry
Gene Autry was one of the greatest singing cowboy stars of all time. Going all the way back to the Pliocene Epoch.
2005: Barack Obama Sizes Up Chief Justice John Roberts
Obama had the future Chief Justice figured out in 2005.
Nicole Kidman’s Reverse Angle Stays Busy at Cannes
A selection of reverse-angle photos of the distinguished actress.
Just a Nice Photo: Henrik Ibsen
Meet the playwright who knew how to rock muttonchops as well as ironic truths.
Xuxa Rejects Michael Jackson; World Loses Greatest-Ever Wedding
What might have been: the marriage of Xuxa and Michael Jackson.
Common Bonds: Publish and Perish
Six authors who made a bundle — after they were buried.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: An Unappreciation
Our reviewer gives the old-people-in-India movie less than high marks.
Moog’s Chief Engineer Shows You How To Play the Google Doodle
Cyril Lance shows you how to tickle your plastic laptop keys like a pro.
What is the Deal With Mitt Romney’s Laugh?
Historian Gary Willis asks the question.
Trailers for All The Paul Thomas Anderson Movies
The new Paul Thomas Anderson movie, The Master, now has a teaser trailer. So we collected trailers for all the other Paul Thomas Anderson movies.
Jason Schwartzman Biography: New!
Including one big fact we didn’t know about the actor’s family.
Prince Charles: A Month of Crazy Far-Flung Photo Ops
Even by the usual meet-and-greet standards of the Royal Family, the Prince of Wales has had a colorful month.
Nikola Tesla vs. Thomas Edison: The Great Electric Catfight Continues
Time once again for a battle between the most famous inventor and the most famous forgotten inventor in American history. Who ya got?
Amelia Earhart’s Transatlantic Crossing
In Londonderry, Ireland on 21 May 1932, Amelia Earhart landed her plane after flying solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Curse of the Standing Ovation
Theater critic Ben Brantley fires both barrels at “ovation inflation.”
Philip K. Dick: ‘Garage Philosopher’ or Madman?
Professor Simon Critchley thinks the sci-fi author was a self-taught genius.
Robin Gibb, Disco Prince, Dead at 62: Photos
Robin Gibb, singing star of the Bee Gees, finally lost his battle with cancer yesterday in England.
Mark Zuckerberg Marries Priscilla Chan In His Own Backyard
The Facebook founder has married his girlfriend of nine years. (No, not the one who ditched him at the start of ‘The Social Network.’)
Loretta Lynn: Old Miner’s Daughter
Loretta Lynn is three years older than we all thought she was, according to the Associated Press.
‘The Social Network’ by Different Directors
College Humor’s video compilation of what the movie The Social Network would have looked like if done by different directors.
Danny Devito Now Looks More Like Danny Devito Than Ever
Just a nice photo: Danny DeVito pauses for a photo with a London fan.
Mark Zuckerberg Just Got a Lot Richer
Why is this man smiling? Because he is now worth 16.9 billion dollars.
Donna Summer Biography and Photos
The disco queen has died at the very young age of 63. We’ve got a new biography and photos.
Drink Up! More Coffee = Less Death
Keep the java coming, baby. It’s GOOD for you.
A Famous Guy I’d Never Heard of: Chuck Brown
Chuck Brown is being hailed and mourned as everyone’s favorite dance music hero. So how come I’ve never heard of him?
Mary Richardson Kennedy Hanged Herself: Reports
An autopsy will be held today for Mary Kennedy, the wife of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Local news reports now say that she hanged herself.
Movie Photo of the Day: The Fondas in New York
Jane Fonda takes a moment with her dad and brother while filming your typical 1963 sex comedy in New York.
Francois Hollande Takes Charge: PHOTOS From Elysee Palace
With handshakes all around, Nicolas Sarkozy is out and Francois Hollande is in as the new President of France.
The White House Inserts Obama Into Bios
The White House has added Obama-flavored icing to several of the official biographies of former presidents. Doesn’t that make you furious?
Out with Merkollande, In with Frangela!
How can the French and Germans save the Euro if they can’t get the nickname right?
The Convent Crash of 1956
May 15 is the anniversary of one of Canada’s worst air crashes, when a convent full of recuperating nuns was blown up by a falling jet fighter.
Abraham Zapruder and His Camera: Dual Birthdays
The man who filmed President Kennedy’s shooting would be 107 this year; his camera turns 50.
Cromwell’s Cosmetics
Recent analysis shows that Oliver Cromwell owned pots of fancy scented soaps. Now he’s been branded by the U.K. press as a “metrosexual.”
Carrying the Loot: Why Butch Cassidy Had It Easy
Even bank robbers have to deal with inflation.
Noel Coward to Marlene Dietrich: “Snap Out of It, Girl!”
The urbane composer had a few choice words for Marlene Dietrich in 1956.
Manchester City Championship Photos: 1968 vs. 2012
Manchester City has won its first league championship in 44 years, and the lads will have a parade in the city tonight. How did the celebrations look in 1968?
Obit of the Day: Joyce Redman, of the Famous Tom Jones ‘Eating Scene’
She and Albert Finney gnawed, slurped and grinned their way through a much-loved comedy scene.
Obituary of the Day: Nicholas Katzenbach, Who Went Nose to Nose With George Wallace
He handed the defiant governor the papers that forced him to integrate the University of Alabama in 1963.
Laetitia Casta as She Was in 1993
The famous French model is turning 34. Here’s how she looked at age 15.
Vidal Sassoon: A Few Choice Photos
Five great images of an unusual talent.
Howard Carter and His Moustache Get the Google Doodle Treatment
The discoverer of King Tut’s tomb may not have realized that his facial hair would someday be featured in the logo of an Internet search engine.
Oetzi Gives the World’s Oldest Blood Sample
They’ve found a trace of blood on the Oezti Iceman, the mummified 5,300 year-old corpse found in the Alps in 1991. It’s the world’s oldest blood.
Remembering Maurice Sendak and Little Bear
The beloved illustrator and author of Where The Wild Things Are has died at age 83. But Wild Things wasn’t his only great work.
Thomas Kinkade Cause of Death: It Was Booze and Valium, Says the Coroner
More technically speaking, the ‘Painter of Light’ died of an unfortunate cocktail of ethanol and Diazepam.
Beastie Boys Video Round-up
In honor of the passing of Adam “MCA” Yauch, we’ve gathered a few choice Beastie Boys videos and put them in one spot.
Francois Hollande: Man of a Million Nicknames
From Monsieur Marshmallow to Mister Normal — the many nicknames of the new President of France.
Francois Hollande Biography and Photos – New!
Francois Hollande is the new president-elect of France. We’ve got his biography.
Frida Kahlo Goes to a Garage Sale
For just one dollar, Frida Kahlo can freak you out all day long.
Adam Yauch of The Beastie Boys Dies
Adam Yauch, also known as MCA of The Beastie Boys, has died from cancer at the age of 47.
The Falling Bear Has Been Killed by a Car, Alas
The end of the road for an ursine celebrity who fell to fame.
Here’s the Zapruder Film of Mariano Rivera Tearing His ACL in Batting Practice
Watch as the “indispensible Yankee” goes down beside a grassy knoll.
Another Crazy Expensive Painting
A new record was set for a painting sold at auction. The old record was $106.5 million for Picasso’s Eats Chutes and Leaves Nude, Green Leaves and Bust. The new record is $119,922,500.
Junior Seau Dead at 43: Facts and Questions
The NFL star played for 20 years and seemed to be healthy and happy right up until his apparent suicide yesterday.
Meet Ernst Lubitsch, Hollywood Legend
Ernst Lubitsch was a Hollywood legend and rom-com pioneer. Ever heard of him?
The Rock’s 40th Birthday: What to Get Him
The Rock was born on May 2nd, 1972. What are you getting him for his 40th?
Happy Birthday, Mr. Potato Head!
They say Mr. Potato Head came out on 1 May 1952. Now a senior citizen, he’s more popular than ever.
The Guinness World Record Holder for ‘Longest Time with a Bullet In the Head’ is Now Dead
94 years with a bullet in the head. Once word gets out that’s all it takes to get into Guinness, everyone will be doing it.
Bon Iver Erotic Stories: The Tumblr
The Grammy-winning indie musician is the object of certain unusual fantasies.
Neil Gaiman Interviews Stephen King
Comic book writer Neil Gaiman has a long conversation with tons-of-books writer Stephen King.
100 Facts for Universal Studios’ 100th Birthday
The studio that released both Dracula and Bridesmaids turns 100 today.
Bob Dylan Will Jam With Madeleine Albright at the White House
Both are rock stars, and both are getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Celebrities Touching Animals: New Photos!
Ever seen Oprah touch a koala? Here’s your chance.
E.L. Doctorow Tees Off
Celebrated author E.L. Doctorow offers a how-to guide to American “unexceptionalism.”
New York, City of Columbus and Combs
Scenes from a walk in New York City.
Photos Behind the GOP Primary, 2011
Photos from Brendan Hoffman of the Prime photo collective, from behind the scenes of 2011’s early days of the GOP primary.
Rodney King and the L.A. Riots, 20 Years Later
Twenty years ago, on 29 April 1992, Los Angeles erupted in riots after the acquittal of the cops who beat up Rodney King. Read what King (and others) have to say about it now.
Please Meet an Eccentric Wallpaper Designer from Germany
High fashion or Saturday Night Live sketch? You decide!
‘Drubbed Ain’t the Word’: The Dying Art of Sports Cartooning
A gallery of images from the old-time (and new-time) greats.
Tito Doing Stuff
Former Yugoslavian dictator Tito has a Tumblr! See sample photos here!
Hollywood Photos: Behind the Scenes
A gallery of photos from behind the scenes in Hollywood, from Marlene Dietrich to Mel Gibson.
Obama Spotted Alone on Park Bench, Eating Giant Sub Sandwich
A bad sign for his reelection hopes.
John Cusack IS Edgar Allan Poe: PHOTOS
If Sherlock Holmes can become an action hero, why not a shortish, sickly mystery author?
Two Sides of a Special Silver Dollar
This is the front of an old silver dollar I found on my bookshelf. The reverse side is even better.
Barack Obama on Jimmy Fallon: What Song for His Walk-On?
Will it be an obscure salute to Harry Truman and 1948?
Did Bigfoot Get a New Agent?
For a guy who’s never even been seen, Bigfoot sure has been getting a lot of press these last couple of years. Did he get a new agent?
Short List: 7 Other Things to Go Tell Aunt Rhody
Folk song lyrics updated for the modern era.
Happy Birthday, President Buchanan, You Lame-O
President James Buchanan was born 23 April 1791, the last U.S. president to be born in the 18th Century. Elected in 1856, he helped his country slide into the Civil War.
Somewhere, Captain Ahab is Frowning
Moby-Dick has been spotted off the coast of Russia.
Packy the Elephant is Now 50
The Oregon Zoo’s star elephant was born the same year as Tom Cruise and King Abdullah of Jordan. And he gets more cake than either one.
Behind the Scenes at the 1960 Democratic Convention
Garry Winogrand’s great photos show “the people watching the parade, not the parade.”
The Flying Wallendas Are Still Wire-Walking — This Time In a Movie
Now in its eighth generation, the famous wire-walking family is the topic of a new documentary.
Chuck Colson, Nixon’s Master of Dirty Tricks, Dead at 81
Jailed for obstructing justice, he embraced Christianity and became an advocate for prisoners.
Andrew Breitbart’s Cause of Death: Heart Failure
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s report blames an enlarged heart and heart disease.
Barnabas Collins Dies, Barnabas Collins is Reborn
Canadian actor Jonathan Frid died. He played vampire Barnabas Collins on TV’s Dark Shadows in the 1960s. Frid is dead, but Barnabas Collins is alive and well.
Anders Breivik Biography: New
The Norwegian extremist is currently on trial for the killing of 77 people last July.
The Patriarch of Moscow Has a Very Cool Helmet of Salvation
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev appeared yesterday with the Patriarch of Moscow, and guess who had the cooler hat?
The ‘Darling Companion’ Reviews: How Bad Are They?
“Bland.” “Cornball.” “Limp.” “Flailing.” And those are the reviews that don’t make canine jokes.
Kristen Stewart Meets Jack Kerouac
The film adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road is coming to a theater near you. If you live near Cannes. The ads boast Kristen Stewart as one of the stars. The Twilight star is once again torn between two lovers, except this time they pretty much love each other.
Pat Summitt Steps Down Quietly After 1098 Wins
The winningest coach in NCAA basketball history has ended her run.
Betty White is a Darn Good Clue-Giver
Watch her go for 25 large on Dick Clark’s old game show The $25,000 Pyramid.
2012: A Banner Year for Celebrity Deaths?
Dick Clark is just the latest. Celebrity deaths in 2012 are way past 2011 numbers.
Dick Clark Dead at 82: Biography and Photos
The American Bandstand host died of a “massive heart attack” today at home in New York.
Grace Kelly Marries Prince Rainier of Monaco, 1956
Oscar-winning beauty Grace Kelly left Hollywood behind and married into the royal family of Monaco on 18 April 1956.
What In the World Happened to Lawrence Kasdan?
How did the genius who wrote Raiders of the Lost Ark and Body Heat end up making so many small, dull movies?
Double Dutch Dog!
Yes, it’s a dog jumping rope. Better than you can do it, too.
Lawrence Kasdan to Tavis Smiley: ‘There Is Nothing More Invigorating’
Lawrence Kasdan talks to the PBS interviewer about directing, his new movie, and working with Kevin Kline.
Jackson Pollock Would Be 100
Jackson Pollock would have been 100 years old this year, had he not drunkenly flipped his Oldsmobile and died in 1956.
‘Wear Sunscreen’ Email Author Wins Pulitzer Prize
Mary Schmich, longtime columnist for the Chicago Tribune (and author of that email) has won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary.
D.C. Hockey Fans Harass Tim Thomas with Obama Photos
A new one: Washington Capitals fans use the president to taunt a goalie.
Oval Office Photo of the Day: Biden and Barack
Joe Biden and Barack Obama talk it over, as seen through a doorway at the executive mansion.
George W. Bush and the National Guard: Still a Mystery
Texas Monthly takes another pass at his missing year, with mixed results.
Shocker: Healthy Living Expert Actually Lives to Age 97
Finally! An expert on longevity practices what he preaches.
Mickey Rooney for Rainier Beer
The old trouper starred in what was possibly the greatest and strangest beer ad of all time.
Photos of Hip Hop Stars
A simple gallery of some musical greats, from the book Hip Hop Immortals: The Remix.
Helpful Newark Mayor Now Saving People from Housefires in His Spare Time
Last winter, Newark mayor Cory Booker helped dig out snowbound cars. This year he’s moved on to stone-cold lifesaving.
Rima Fakih, Former Miss USA, Pleads No Contest to Drunk Driving
The beauty queen was pulled over doing 60 in a Jaguar with an open bottle of Champagne.
Obituary of the Day: Raymond Aubrac, French Resistance Hero
Aubrac and his wife helped fight the Nazis in the south of France during World War II.
Was Thomas Kinkade Murdered by the Illuminati?
Did the Illuminati get to Thomas Kinkade? That’s the rumor on the internets.
J.K. Rowling’s New Novel Announced
The Little, Brown Book Group has announced the publication date of the next J.K. Rowling novel.
George Zimmerman Mug Shot and Jail Map
The mug shot, a map of the region and a bonus photo of the gated community where it all went down.
Trayvon Martin Case: George Zimmerman Charged With Murder
After weeks of uncertainty, Florida prosecutors have brought charges.
Six Photos of Sofia Vergara and A Smurf
A bonus photo gallery to go along with the new Who2 profile of Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara.
Is This Charles Manson’s Last Parole Hearing?
Aging killer Charles Manson is boycotting his parole hearing today. And this could be his last one until 2027.
How Raymond Chandler Wrote ‘The Long Goodbye’
Hard-boiled author Raymond Chandler used some idiosyncratic methods to write his “most ambitious” mystery novel.
Simpsons Shocker! Springfield is in Oregon (maybe)
Creator Matt Groening says that The Simpsons’ hometown is named for Springfield, Oregon.
Rick Santorum Ends His Campaign, the Video
Republican candidate Rick Santorum ended his campaign for the presidency today. See the video.
Marie Curie Finger Puppet Biography
A fact-filled video about “superhero” Marie Curie, with finger puppets.
Here’s What a Naked Swan Boat Looks Like
Springtime! The swallows return to Capistrano and the swan boats come back to the Public Garden.
Thomas Kinkade Autopsy Results: 12-20 Weeks Away
The coroner’s office says it may take until August for test results to come back on the artist, who died suddenly on Friday.
Hoboes or Movie Stars? You Decide!
Are those men members of the Screen Actors Guild, or are they just unloading old Christmas trees in April?
A Short History of Mike Wallace, Broadcast Brawler
Before he was respectable, the celebrated interviewer was a “stage actor, game show host, radio announcer, and commercial pitchman.”
Bill Murray Doing the Dishes
A photograph of Bill Murray washing dishes.
The Thomas Kinkade Autopsy: Did He Die In His Sleep?
The painter “died in his sleep” says his live-in girlfriend. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
Mike Wallace Wasn’t Doing So Well The Last Few Years
He’d been in a care facility and his memories of 60 Minutes were “completely gone.”
Michael Cunningham Biography: New!
Remember The Hours? This is the guy who wrote it. Our new biography of Michael Cunningham is now live.
President Eisenhower Had His Own Cool Cabin at Augusta National
If you were the Supreme Commander during World War II and president, you get your own cabin at the site of The Masters.
Mike Wallace: Obituary First Lines
Dogged, merciless, pit bull, grand inquisitor… that’s how the papers are summing up Mike Wallace.
Rachel Maddow Biography: New!
She’s a Rhodes scholar, a volleyball player, and a super-popular TV personality. Our new biography is up and running.
Six Photos From Beyoncé’s Tumblr
Yay! Beyoncé’s on the internet! Here are six great photos of B. from her very own Tumblr (and one more, just because it’s cool).
A.O. Scott Really Hates ‘American Beauty’
“Count yourself lucky” if you haven’t seen it, he says. And that’s just his latest smackdown.
Marshall Amps Founder Dies at Age 88
Jim Marshall, the man behind rock music’s biggest, loudest amplifiers, has died at the age of 88.
Not So Nice a Photo: Charles Manson
Charles Manson is up for parole next week in California.
Another Nice Photo: President Obama and Lt. Uhuru
From the Twitter account of actress Nichelle Nichols, of Star Trek fame.
The 12 Best Course Names at the New Dr. Seuss Medical School
Cancer of the Lorax is finally being recognized as a major problem.
Just a Nice Photo: Masters Honorary Starters
Three old lions of golf teed it up first at The Masters.
“20 Bucks Says Phil Mickelson Hooks This Next Drive”
Betting on the Masters is big business, thanks to the wonders of the Internet.
This Week in Wax: Prince William and Kate Middleton
Now their upper lips are stiffer than ever!
Han Solo, Disco Dancer
The new Kinect Star Wars video game includes a Galactic Dance Off feature. Now we can see Han Solo do things he was never meant to do.
Rough Year for French Intellectuals in New York City Hotels
Last May it was Dominique Strauss-Kahn at the Sofitel. Now an esteemed French scholar has passed at the Michelangelo.
Rick Perry to Brits: “We Don’t Need Your Limey Climate Science”
The British goverment spent its own money to educate Texas conservatives about climate change science, and Rick Perry is tetchy about it.
Neil deGrasse Tyson Changed the Ending to ‘Titanic’
Astrophysicist and chatterbox Neil Degrasse Tyson says he got director James Cameron to change the ending of Titanic.
Herb Ritts Photos in ‘L.A. Style’ Exhibit
A new exhibit at the J. Paul Getty Museum provides photographs from Herb Ritts, known for his black and white nudes and celebrity portraits from the 1980s and ’90s.
Is Adele Singing the Next James Bond Theme Song?
Bond fans are reading the tea leaves, as always.
Murray Lender: Obituary of the Day
The Big Schmear of frozen bagels has died at age 81.
Prowling Around Keats and ‘To Autumn’
Poetry lovers from Aberystwyth University are hot on the historical trail of John Keats’s poem “To Autumn.”
Dan Clowes: ‘I’m Always Horrified By How Deeply Personal It Is’
Daniel Clowes talks to The Times about the inner worlds of the cartoonist.
I.K. Kim’s $117,000 One-Foot Miss
Golfer I.K. Kim missed a one-foot putt yesterday and lost the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Mini-Landslide for Aung San Suu Kyi’s Party
The opposition party of “Mother Suu” claimed at least 43 of the 44 available seats in Parliament.
George Lucas Has Finished His Own Version of ‘Casablanca’
Rick’s Cafe becomes Rick’s Cantina in George Lucas’s new reissue of the Hollywood classic.
No Joke: Jeremy Lin Needs Knee Surgery
Lin-sanity is over! The left lin-niscus needs lin-throscopic surgery.
Aung San Suu Kyi, Member of Parliament?
She’s been elected, say reports. If the vote holds up, it will be an amazing turn of events.
Al Gore is 64 and May Be Tired of Being Right
He was right about the Internet and he was right about climate change. What will he be right about next?
Peter Dinklage Does Not Play Leprechauns
The Game of Thrones star will play a lot of things, but never “the cutesiness of little people.”
Ernest Hemingway Had Swell Handwriting
The manly old scribe had clean, well-lighted script.
Just a Nice Photo: Earl Scruggs
Banjo great Earl Scruggs was still going strong in 2007.
For $3000, You Can Be Buried in Bacon
Or a reasonable facsimile thereof.
Don’t Mess With ‘Foggy Mountain Breakdown’
Earl Scruggs invented banjo pickin’ as we know it today.
Kate Winslet Looks Mighty Classy
Kate Winslet dressed up for the Titanic 3-D premiere in London.
Shepard Fairey Off to Jail?
Shepard Fairey is guilty of contempt of court. Prosecutors are pushing for jail time. He’ll be sentenced in July.
David Thomson Worries That ‘The Hunger Games’ Will Mess Up Jennifer Lawrence
The distinguished reviewer is worried that the series will ruin Jennifer Lawrence.
Yes, That WAS Laurie Dhue on the JetBlue Flight With the Freaked-Out Pilot
By coincidence, the former Fox News newsreader was on the JetBlue flight that turned crazy.
Hey Hey! We’re Smarter Than Jeffrey Toobin!
Veteran legal analysts are shocked, shocked that the Supreme Court’s conservatives are shooting down a Democratic health care plan. Yet we predicted it last week.
Hoodie Hubbub a Geraldo Highlight
A joke — how can you tell when Geraldo Rivera is saying something stupid? His lips are moving. Oh, and he put it on Twitter.
The Newt Gingrich Campaign: Top 12 New Slogans
Now that Newt Gingrich is charging his fans $50 for a photo, here are a dozen great new slogans for his campaign.
Newt Gingrich Is Charging $50 for Photos?
Strange but true: Newt Gingrich is actually charging his fans for a snapshot.
Don Draper Biography: Updated!
Don Draper is back for the fifth season of Mad Men. We’ve got his bio, plus quotes.
Just a Nice Photo: Michelle Obama, Heisman Hopeful
Michelle Obama hams it up with the Dallas Cowboys.
Tiger Woods Wins First PGA Tournament in 30 Months
He gets a “stress-free, five-stroke victory” at the Arnold Palmer Invitational — his first since his divorce.
Dick Cheney Is No Longer Heartless
His new heart should last him until 2017, more or less.
Harper Lee and ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’
American Masters from PBS presents ‘Harper Lee: Hey, Boo’ on April 2nd.
A Brief Interview with Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu, she’s “artistic, altruistic” and more!
A 1973 MAD Magazine in German
Here some samples from a MAD magazine I’ve had since the summer of 1973.
Joseph Kony Biography: New and Frightening
The murderous leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army is a strange and cruel character.
Watergate History: John Dean and Richard Nixon
John Dean had an important meeting with President Richard Nixon on 21 March 1973 — 39 years ago — and it marked beginning of the end to Nixon’s presidency.
Tim Tebow Traded to the Jets (Twice!)
It’s TebowMania, Manhattan-style! Well, Jersey-style, actually. But you know what we mean.
25-Ton Boulder Crushes House and Honda, Spares Humans
Tim Pfaff of Athens, Ohio got a special delivery from the mountain gods last night.
Betty White and Slash at the Zoo
Betty White and Slash have teamed up for this commercial for the Los Angeles Zoo.
Here is Your Five-and-a-Half-Minute Video of Peyton Manning’s Airplane Coming In For a Landing
Because when you’re signing a $96 million contract, you don’t fly Southwest.
History and Band Names
From History Today, a list of famous bands named for historical people or events.
David Letterman Can’t Get Michelle Obama to Crack on Joe Biden
She loves Bo the Dog and won’t take the bait on Biden.
The Amelia Earhart Case: Maybe Hillary Clinton Can Solve It?
The Secretary of State gives valuable face time to Earhart enthusiasts.
Let’s Be Honest: The Supreme Court Has Already Decided to Block Health Care Reform
Can we please stop pretending that the Supreme Court’s decision on health care mandates is in doubt?
Snoop Dogg’s Football for Women and Children
Snoop Dogg has put a financial stake in the Los Angeles Riderettes, one of the new teams in the Lady Arena Football League.
Jim Halpert Stars in ‘The Hunger Games’
Funny how all the hype about The Hunger Games doesn’t even mention that it stars Jim Halpert from The Office. That’s who that is, right?
Peyton Manning Goes to Denver
NFL quarterback Peyton Manning is going to the Denver Broncos, they say. What will happen to Tim Tebow?
Kate Middleton’s First Speech
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, made her first public speech since getting married to Prince William last year. Watch all two and a half minutes of it.
Bruce Willis at 57: Recent Photos
Bruce Willis is now 57 years old. What’s he up to, and how’s he looking?
A Photo of Louis Vuitton: We Finally Have One
The elusive luggage paterfamilias has been captured on film.
Four Views of Blanche Bruce, the Slave Who Became a U.S. Senator
Blanche Bruce, one of America’s first African-American senators, once sat for Mathew Brady’s camera.
Even More Rare Images of Marilyn Monroe
This week there were more headlines about Marilyn Monroe, for petessakes — never before seen images! We have them here.
Here, Again, Is a Dog In a Saint Patrick’s Day Outfit
It’s a Saint Patrick’s Day tradition!
Jennifer Lawrence In ‘The Bodyguard’ — PHOTOS
Jennifer Lawrence was watched over by a grim Costner type at the Hunger Games premiere in Paris last night. What was he thinking?
‘Portlandia’ Star Carrie Brownstein Interview
The Seattle Times has a fine profile and interview with rock-and-comedy star Carrie Brownstein of Portlandia.
Gillian Anderson’s XX Files
In the newest issue of Out magazine, X-Files star Gillian Anderson talks about her career, but it’s her mention of romances with women that got the attention.
Jack Ruby’s Death Sentence
Jack Ruby was sentenced to death on 14 March 1964 for killing Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who had killed President John F. Kennedy. That was Ruby’s first trial.
Two Einstein Photos For Einstein’s Birthday
Try not to think of Einstein and just enjoy the photographs.
Kyle Lambert’s Toy Shining
Artist Kyle Lambert’s iPad paintings that mash up The Shining with Toy Story are again making the rounds.
Shriver, Schwarzenegger and Ski Accidents
Patrick Schwarzenegger — that is, Patrick Shriver — posted this photo of himself after a skiing accident and scared celebrity watchers, but it’s okay now.
Comics Great Moebius is Dead
French artist Jean Giraud, who went by the name Moebius, died 10 March 2012. He was 73 years old.
Paula Deen Riding Things Called Headlines
Good ol’ Paula Deen. She was one of 2011’s great meme generators, and she’s been a headline queen since 2012 began.
M.I.A.’s ‘Bad Girls’ Video
Just because… it’s a great video, and a catchy song.
What Do Mitt Romney and Jack Kerouac Have in Common?
Hint: it’s not lifestyle. Or bank account.
Peter Bergman of The Firesign Theater is Dead
He was the bald one with the fringe of hair. He’s dead of leukemia at age 72.
Darth Vader, On a Unicycle, Playing the Bagpipes
The Force is strong with this one. Laddie.
Johnny Depp is Tonto
Yes, that’s him with the wings. He’s playing the Old West’s most famous sidekick in a new movie next year.
Renaissance Art With a Stapler
Artist Baptiste Debombourg created these giant “paintings” by putting staples in a wall. About half a million of them.
James Cameron Is Going Seven Miles Down and it Sounds a Little Scary
The wily film director and ocean explorer is on a voyage to the bottom of the sea.
Charlotte Casiraghi Photos: In a Gucci Ad, On Horses, and in a Summer Dress
Charlotte Casiraghi likes horses and Gucci likes horses. Here’s a photo feature that, for the sake of life balance, also includes non-horse photos.
The Boston Public Garden Is Not Quite Ready for Spring
But it may be the one thing that Colonel Sanders and Melissa Etheridge have in common.
Theft of 900 Year-Old Heart Rocks Dublin
Maybe it didn’t exactly rock Dublin, but Christ Church Cathedral had a break-in over the weekend. The thief made away with just one item: a 900 year-old heart.
At 35, Peyton Manning Is No Longer a Colt
Indianapolis lets its superstar quarterback walk after 14 years.
726,000 Reasons Why Mitt Romney Didn’t Criticize Rush Limbaugh
Three-quarters of a million dollars buys a lot of Romneyesque restraint.
Ralph McQuarrie, Original ‘Star Wars’ Designer, Dies at 82
His spectacular drawings helped convince 20th Century Fox execs to finance the very first film.
Ron Paul Hates the Feds But Loves the Keds
His Libertarian streak runs right down to his shoes.
These Famous People Sold Drugs
These seven historical figures share a common bond — they all worked in a pharmacy.
Cat Slapping to Joy Division
More than a minute’s worth of entertainment! Cats! Joy Division!
Vladimir Putin Is On His Way to 43 Straight Years as Ruler of Russia
Two terms here and two terms there and pretty soon you’re talking real power.
The Surreal Life of the Modern Celebrity
Natalie Portman gets the modern paparazzi treatment on a trip out with her baby.
Thomas Jefferson’s Favorite Apple: The Spitzenburg
While he was busy running the country, the garden-loving president still took time out to plant some lovely red apples.
Andrew Breitbart Biography and Photo
The right-wing firebrand and champion of biased reportage has died at age 43.
Andrew Breitbart’s Father-in-Law Was Game Show Star and ‘Communist Sympathizer’ Orson Bean?!?
The star of To Tell the Truth and a conservative blogger? Yes, the two men were related by marriage.
The Old Granary Burying Ground in the Rain
Say hello to Crispus Attucks, John Hancock and Ben Franklin’s parents.
Davy Jones of The Monkees is Dead
Davy Jones, the lead singer of The Monkees, is dead at the age of 66.
David Koresh and the Waco Siege
Federal agents tried to enter the compound of David Koresh and the Branch Davidians on February 28, 1993. A shootout left 10 people dead and began a 51-day siege.
Claymation Classic: The Great Cognito
A World War II classic from the golden era of clay animation.
Movie Ads From 1990s Comic Books, Part II
Yes, another gallery of movie ads from the backs of my comic books from the early 1990s.
The Oscars: Seven Fun Photos and One Slightly Scary One
The winners weren’t the only ones having a good time at the 2012 Oscars, and one grizzled nominee is getting maybe a little too grizzled.
Christopher Plummer is the Oldest Person Ever to Win an Acting Oscar
At age 82, Christopher Plummer has outlasted a mess of famous actors to become The Oldest Winner Ever.
Octavia Spencer Claims the First Acting Oscar of 2012
She played Minny Jackson in The Help, and now she’s an Oscar-winner. Ladies and gentlemen, Octavia Spencer.
Oscar Nominees 2012: The Class Portraits
What do you get when 20 Oscar nominees sit down for quick portraits?
Downton Abbey vs. The X-Files: The Song is Out There
Ever compare the theme music of Downton Abbey and The X-Files?
‘Albert Nobbs’: Did Glenn Close Steal It from Robin Williams?
Shocking but true: Glenn Close’s dream project is a secret remake of the 1999 weepie Bicentennial Man.
Oscar Nominees 2012: The Final Recap
Surely they won’t snub Meryl Streep again, will they? Yes, we think they will.
Black History Month: Mae C. Jemison
Mae Jemison is not exactly a famous name. But she was the first black woman in outer space. Think about how tough you have to be for that.
Oh Dear Lord, Not Shirley MacLaine in ‘Downton Abbey’
Hit show Downton Abbey has been ruined forever by the addition of Shirley MacLaine. And they haven’t even filmed the episodes yet.
Jeremy Lin as a Lad
What was NBA phenom Jeremy Lin like in the Palo Alto years? “Rail-thin” and determined.
Drew Barrymore is Still Only 37 (Photos!)
Drew Barrymore has been acting since 1978 — and she’s not even 40.
Billy Crystal: How Old Do You Have to Be to Remember Him?
He’s a beloved figure if you’re a certain age. So what IS that certain age?
Some Drawings of Some Presidents
I found some drawings of U.S. presidents in the neighborhood. How about a little presidential trivia to go along with them?
Old Photos of John Glenn
From the archives of LIFE magazine, rare photos of John Glenn.
A Tower of Lincoln Books
Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. is where Abe Lincoln got shot in the head. Their Center for Education and Leadership is now open to the public and features a tower made of books about Lincoln.
Movie Ads from 1990s Comic Books
Here’s a small gallery of scans from the backs of comic books from the 1990s. Today’s special is “buddy movies.”
Is Jeremy Lin Annoying the Tiger Moms?
He only got Bs at Harvard and he shoots hoops for a living. What kind of role model is that?
Meet the Patriotic, Tube-Yanking Former Sailor Who’s Running GM
Dan Akerson, the CEO who’s turning General Motors around, is a Naval Academy graduate and a bit of a patriot.
Bill Clinton on Monica Lewinsky: “I Screwed Up With This Girl”
Now we know why Monica Lewinsky is getting so many page views.
Kate Upton: Biography and Photos
Who is Kate Upton and why is The New York Times saying such nice things about her?
Black History Month: W.E.B. Du Bois
Meet prolific writer and editor William Edward Burghardt Du Bois. He had a topsy-turvey relationship with the NAACP, he was tried for being a foreign agent and he died in Africa.
Valentine’s Day Special: Dancing Cheek to Cheek
Nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers with romantic Spanish subtitles.
Hugh Laurie Alert: ‘House’ Is Ending After Eight Seasons
The British actor has three more months to crank up the cranky on his hit show.
Adele Wins 7.69% of All Available Grammys
Adele waved to fans and then wiped the floor with the competition at the 2012 Grammy Awards.
Jeremy Lin Biography: New!
Feel the “Linsanity” with our new profile of NBA star Jeremy Lin.
Celebrity Deaths of 2012: Whitney Houston Joins the List
Five celebrity deaths in 23 days: it’s been quite a melancholy run.
Exit Only: Whitney Houston’s Body Leaves the Beverly Hilton
Photo of the day: Whitney Houston leaves the Beverly Hilton hotel under a bad sign.
Whitney Houston Death: Fire Department Was Already Nearby
EMTs were just down the hall, it seems,when Whitney Houston was found on Saturday.
Whitney Houston is Dead: Photos and Videos
Singer Whitney Houston has died at age 48, her publicist announced on Saturday. We look back at her early hits.
The Phantom Menace: Dreadful, Calamity, or Just Pretty Bad?
Critics hate the 3D reissue of The Phantom Menace. Let’s enjoy!
Steve Jobs’ FBI File: Distortion, Drugs and Funny Fax Forms
Even the Feds knew about the famous Steve Jobs “reality distortion field.”
‘On The Whole, I’d Rather Be Eating 337 Chicken Wings in Philadelphia’
Super-glutton Takeru Kobayashi downed 337 chicken wings in 30 minutes at Wing Bowl 20. And lived to talk about it.
Which Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model is Now a Big-Haired $350 Million Mogul?
It’s not Heidi Klum and it’s not Christie Brinkley. But you’re getting warmer.
The World’s Most Expensive Painting
The world’s most expensive painting is The Card Players, by Paul Cézanne. It sold in late 2011 for an estimated $250 million.
Oscar Nominee Michel Hazanavicius Talks About Uggie the Dog
In which a blog post about a celebrated French director is hijacked by a cute li’l Jack Russell terrier.
Literal Titles for Dr. Seuss Books
Good old Dr. Seuss did tend to write “message” books in his later years. What if he’d put the messages right on the cover?
Is God Necessary?
Writer (and atheist) Kenan Malik asks a roomful of theology students: “Who Needs God?”
The Charles Dickens – Amy Winehouse Connection
What do they have in common? Crazy old Camden Town.
60 Years as The Queen
Queen Elizabeth II was in Kenya when she found out her father King George VI had died. That was 60 years ago, and 2012 brings her Diamond Jubilee.
Eli Manning Biography and Photos
Just in time for Super Bowl XLVI: a new biography of Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
3 Out of 4 Fortune Tellers Agree: The Super Bowl’s in the Bag for the Patriots
The Knight of Swords card says victory for Tom Brady… but only after three bad calls from referees.
Black History: Odetta
In honor of Black History Month, we’ve added another activist-entertainer to our files: Odetta, the folk singer who came to fame in the 1960s for her powerful voice in protest songs.
Donald Trump Endorses Mitt Romney: Six Photos
The many faces of Donald Trump were on display as he endorsed Mitt Romney for president in the lobby of the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas.
Groundhog Day 2012: Punxsutawney Phil Saw His Shadow!
Punxsutawney Phil saw “many shadows” and scurried back to his burrow. Six more weeks of winter, kids.
Tom Brady Likes New Socks
Truer words were never spoken by any philosopher: “I love new socks.”
Don Cornelius and the Soul Train Dance Line
In honor of the late Don Cornelius: Great moments from the Soul Train dance line.
The Vampire Novel of the Century
What’s the most influential vampire novel from the last 100 years? The Horror Writers of America have narrowed it down to six nominees. Hint: Twilight isn’t one of them.
Does Mitt Overdo It?
Mitt Romney is trying to seem more warm and friendly with voters. But is he trying too hard?
Black History Month Biographies for 2012
Black History Month is here! We’ve got your guide to biographies of great black figures from the past and present.
Djokovic vs. Nadal in the Australian Open: By the Numbers
It took nearly six hours for Novak Djokovic to beat Rafael Nadal in a five-set classic at the Australian Open 2012.
Secret Symbols in ‘The Shining’: What Was Stanley Kubrick On About?
The Shining: is it about American Indians, the Holocaust, or the faked Apollo moon landing?
Star Wars: The Crowdsourced Version
What happens when hundreds of people send in homemade 15-second clips from Star Wars and it all gets stitched together? Magic! Sort of.
Edgar Allan Poe’s Wife
The Poe Museum in Richmond, Virginia currently has an exhibit that includes a rare photo of his young wife, Virginia. At least they think it’s her.
James Cromwell on ‘The Artist’
James Cromwell (“That’ll do, pig”) is one of the many faces in the Oscar-nominated film The Artist. He explains to Moviefone why.
Meryl Streep: Why The Academy Just HAD To Nominate Her Again
What if they gave an Academy Awards and Meryl Streep wasn’t nominated?
Obama’s 2012 State of the Union Address: Transcript
President Barack Obama has delivered his State of the Union address for 2012. We have the transcript, plus a plea for an end to ‘Skutniks.’
Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin In… The Hangover?
What if today’s movies had been made with stars from 50 years ago?
Hanksy Pranks Banksy
Banksy is the mysterious graffiti artist who went international with the 2010 movie Exit Through the Gift Shop. The movie was a prankster’s prank. And now Banksy’s being pranked by Hanksy.
Is It Curtains for William Shatner’s Priceline Negotiator?
Is Priceline really killing off negotiator-in-chief William Shatner in a fiery bus plunge? It sure looks like it.
Gabrielle Giffords Steps Down: Video and Transcript
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head by a gunman just over a year ago, will give up her seat in Congress this week. She made the announcement in a YouTube video today.
Joe Paterno Is Now Dead
Joe Paterno is dead. After CBS News ran with the story too soon on Saturday night, the former Penn State football coach did indeed die on Sunday.
Howard Hughes Was Fastest
Howard Hughes was a dashing millionaire who’d just turned 32 years old when he set a new speed record for a transcontinental flight on 19 January 1937.
Robert Falcon Scott’s Centennial
Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole 100 years ago, too late for glory and doomed to die on ice. Was he a tragic hero or a bumbling fool?
Miss America’s Father Was Part of a $6.3 Million Ponzi Scheme
Jeff Kaeppeler, the father of new Miss America Laura Kaeppeler, was a hometown Kenosha boy and college baseball star who spent 18 months in federal prison after a Ponzi scheme that led two victims to commit suicide.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Controversy
Martin Luther King, Jr. still stirs controversy, four decades after his murder. This time it’s about a national monument.
Miss America 2012, Laura Kaeppeler: Biography and Photos
Your Miss America 2012 is Laura Kaeppeler, a singer and church music teacher from Kenosha, Wisconsin. We’ve got the photos and a fast biography.
Tebowmania Just Got a Little Bit Eerie
Three years to the day after Tim Tebow wore his famous “John 3:16” eye black, he threw for 316 yards in a win against the Steelers. Should the Patriots be worried?
New Profile: Octavia Spencer
The Oscars will be awarded on the 26th of February this year. One actress who’s been mentioned as a possible nominee is Octavia Spencer of The Help.
How Much Do You Like Ray Bradbury?
Do you like Ray Bradbury enough to read this weird piece that somehow screws Ray Bradbury’s work into a political screed? I do.
Stephen Hawking at 70
Computer chip maker Intel said on the occasion of Stephen Hawking’s 70th birthday that they were going to try to help him regain the power of speech.
Sylvia Plath Could Draw
Sylvia Plath was mostly known for her poems and her novel The Bell Jar. A recent exhibit at a London gallery reminds us she was also a fine artist.
‘Doonesbury’ on Newt Gingrich
Ouch! Newt Gingrich got slapped hard by a comic strip. You don’t see that every day. Because it was in the Sunday comics.
Teddy Roosevelt Died on January 6th in 1919
It was a surprise to everyone when Teddy Roosevelt died on this day in 1919. He was only 60 years old, but he’d had a bad year.
Nobel Prize Committee to J.R.R. Tolkien: Drop Dead
The secret deliberations of the 1961 Nobel literature committee led to one conclusion: J.R.R. Tolkien must die!
‘McCain Slams Gingrich for Calling Romney a Liar’
It’s either the dumbest or the truest headline of the day. Or both.
Frampton’s Guitar Comes Alive!
1970s rock icon Peter Frampton has been reunited with his favorite guitar after 30 years. He thought it had burned up in a plane crash, but it hadn’t.
Michele Bachmann Drops Out of the Race
Michele Bachmann’s campaign has “cratered like a rock tossed off a New Hampshire cliff.” She’s out of the GOP presidential race.
Mitt Romney Claims Iowa Caucus, With Santorum 8 Votes Behind
Mitt-mentum is back: Mitt Romney has won the Iowa Republican caucus by eight votes out of 122,255 cast.
Naming the GOP Candidates
A new poll about Mitt Romney’s real name made me realize none of the leading Republican candidates for president go by the name they were given at birth.
20 Artists Actually Truly Share Their Creative Tricks
The Guardian asked 20 artists, dancers and builders how to find creative inspiration. And they actually replied!
Barack Obama’s Birth Certificate: The Mug
The Barack Obama campaign has put his birth certificate on a coffee cup. Drink that, doubters!
The Big Big Birthdays of 2012
Which creepy Roman celebrates his 2000th birthday this year? Which author turns 200? Which action star hits 50? Answers after the jump.