A Holiday Grab Bag from Who2
As we break for Christmas and the New Year, a selection of holiday classics past.
Yearly Archive: 2013
The Olympic Torch Procession is Not Going So Hot
The holy flame has gone out a few dozen times, caught three people on fire, and had to be relit with a disposable cigarette lighter.
Peter O’Toole is Dead
The Lawrence of Arabia star ‘had been ill for some time.’
Is Sasha Obama Taller Than an Elf?
Yes, the president’s daughter is definitely gaining on the elves.
John Kerry Turns 70, Talking and Shaking Hands All the While
When you’re the Secretary of State, you shake a *lot* of hands.
Nelson Mandela Biography: Prisoner and President Dead at 95
“Never discount the difference that one person can make.”
Captain Picard Sings ‘Let It Snow’… Almost
Next up, no doubt: Leonard Nimoy singing “The Illogical Drummer Boy.”
Paul Walker Coroner’s Report: Actor Died of Trauma and Burns in Car Crash
The ‘Fast and Furious’ actor died “within seconds,” says the Los Angeles County Coroner.
Paul Walker Biography: ‘Fast and Furious’ Star is Dead at 40
The handsome star of the long-running car chase series has died at age 40 in a crash near Los Angeles.
Grover Cleveland vs. Benjamin Harrison: The Dramatic Recreation!
The year is 1888, and the departing president and the president-elect face off in an emotional encounter — recreated through the power of animation.
Happy Thanksgiving From Who2!
Revisiting a favorite story of Thanksgiving, grandmothers and pies.
John F. Kennedy: A Few Thoughts on the 50th Anniversary of His Death
Remembering a president who would have turned 96 this year.
The Death of President Garfield
The 20th U.S. president was born 19 November 1831. He was fatally wounded just four months into his presidency.
How Can Taylor Swift Possibly Be the World’s Biggest Pop Star?
She’s had 43 songs reach Billboard’s pop Top 40 — and she was only born in 1989. How does Taylor Swift do it?
Thrill Ride: What It’s Like to Have Your Spy Plane Disintegrate Around You at 78,000 Feet
A test pilot recalls what it’s like to have a high-performance spy plane disintegrate around you at 78,000 feet and 2400 miles per hour.
P.L. Travers Biography — New!
She wrote Mary Poppins and hated the movie version. Now she’s the central character in a big new Disney movie starring Tom Hanks as Walt Disney.
Calvin Coolidge Shaved Himself For Marriage
Our 30th president was shaving himself, wearing only underwear and a top hat, when his future wife first laid eyes on him.
The Breeding Ritual of the Miley Cyrus
Summed up by Sir David Attenborough, it’s the tale of the wild Miley Cyrus, in a short, terrific video.
Phyllis Diller is Dead, But Not Recently So
Yes, the great Phyllis Diller has died — 15 months ago.
All America is an Insane Asylum
Poet Ezra Pound said “All America is an insane asylum,” after being released from an American insane asylum in 1958.
Mario Cuomo Didn’t See ‘The Godfather’ Until Just Now?
Was it principle, or was he just trying to one-up Robert Redford?
Al Gore Never Said He Invented the Internet, Even Though He Actually Kind of *Did* Help Invent It
Behind the snickers and sneers of Gore’s enemies, the truth is that he actually was instrumental in getting the information superhighway up and running.
Robert Redford Didn’t See ‘The Sting’ Until 2004?
“I thought it was a really good movie,” he said after waiting 31 years to see himself in his Oscar-nominated role.
Peter Higgs, Nobel Winner: The Who2 Biography
Peter Higgs, the brain behind the Higgs Boson, has won the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Who Is Who2’s Mr. or Ms. 4000 ???
Who2 has just completed its 4000th biography. Who is this mysterious winner?
10 Great Movie Eyepatches
A quick look at our favorite eyepatches of the big screen.
Meet ‘Mad Jack’ Churchill, the Bagpipe-Playing, Sword-Swinging Hero of WWII
He was a throwback.
Thursday Chuckle: ‘That’s My Face’
The practical realities you never see on ‘Star Trek.’
Jesse Owens Was (Briefly) (Really!) a Coach for the Mets
He had a short “run” with baseball’s most hapless team in 1965.
Meet the WWII Reporter Who Almost Blew the A-Bomb’s Cover
What happened in 1944 when a vacationing reporter from Cleveland ran across a strange little town in New Mexico.
Pope Francis Speaks Warmly of Caravaggio, Richard Wagner, and the Films of Fellini
Some remarkable comments from a remarkable interview.
How Far Did Rocky Run?
Hint: more than a marathon. The Philly Post has a funny analysis.
Mark Hamill Is Getting Fit for the Next Star Wars Movie, Maybe
The once-young hero of Star Wars is not so young any more. Can they whip him back into shape for the new sequels?
Say Hello to Curiyo
A great new tool from the minds who brought you Answers.com.
Happy Birthday, Ruben Studdard!
As the American Idol winner turns 35, I found myself wondering, “what the heck is Ruben Studdard up to these days?”
The Death of Kingfish
Louisiana’s Huey P. Long died 10 September 1935, two days after being shot at the state Capitol. To some, there are still questions about who pulled the trigger.
On the Thomas Pynchon Trail
Vulture.com catches up (sort of) with mysterious author Thomas Pynchon, whose new novel is Bleeding Edge.
Ernest Hemingway’s Childhood Scrapbooks
In July the John F. Kennedy Library presented digital versions of Ernest Hemingway’s childhood scrapbooks.
Taking the Plunge: Red Bull Photo Contest Winners
The 2013 competition has some terrific winners.
Aaron Hernandez Was a Bad Boy
That’s what Rolling Stone magazine says in a new investigative piece.
Harvard Asks: Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?
And yes, they do mean men.
Remembering Marian McPartland
Saluting “the genteel Englishwoman who became a fixture of the American jazz scene.”
Elmore Leonard is Dead at Age 87, Alas
The esteemed crime and western novelist who wrote Get Shorty and Out of Sight has died a few weeks after suffering a stroke.
Oscar Pistorius Indicted For Murder
The South African Olympics star faces charges of murder and illegal possession of ammo in the death of his girlfriend.
Happy Birthday, Charles Bukowski
Writer Charles Bukowski was born in Germany on 16 August 1920. He was drunk by 17 August 1920.
Four Short Documentaries
See four short films about loss. Not cry-your-eyes-out grief — tales of loss that are both wistful and hopeful.
World Goes Nuts Over Bad Jerry Lewis Movie
Yes, it’s redundant to say “bad Jerry Lewis” movie, but footage of his famously bad clown-in-a-concentration camp movie has been released. That is, footage from the making of it.
Whitey Bulger Found Guilty
Boston mobster James “Whitey” Bulger was found guilty of a whole lotta crimes, including 11 murders.
Post No Bills
Pranksters in Portland respond to a golf course’s call for order.
James Wan Biography: New!
Read our profile of James Wan, the director of Saw, and see my brief review of his latest movie, The Conjuring.
Bread Trucks and Breakthroughs: Notes from the Early Days of Educational Computing
A look back from someone who was there: at Douglas Englebart’s famous 1968 San Francisco demo, and at the bright early days of computers in schools.
The Walter Mitty Trailer Looks a Little Too Deeply Meaningful
Please, no more life lessons from comedy heavyweights!
The Jane Austen 10-Pound Note: Did the Bank of England Bungle the Quote?
The words are all right, but the meaning is all wrong.
Pope Francis on Gay People: ‘Who Am I To Judge?’
The new straight-talking Pope is wasting no time shaking things up.
Rafael Nadal Flies Randomly Through the Air
Summer in Spain, where tennis stars are catapulted through the skies.
Who is Rosalind Franklin, and Why is Google Running a Doodle for Her?
For a primer on the whole Rosalind Franklin controversy, read on.
Taylor Schilling Biography — and Her Birthday!
We have a new profile of Taylor Schilling, the star of the new Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. And, as it happens, it’s her birthday.
The Incorrigible Weiner — I Mean, “Carlos Danger”
New York mayoral candidate and sex scandal veteran Anthony Weiner has been once again caught having online sex chats, this time as “Carlos Danger.”
Royal Baby Photos: You Know You Want Them
Stop griping at the news coverage, you old crab, and just look at the tyke’s li’l fingers.
The Prince of Cambridge Arrives: New Royal Baby and Heir to the Throne
The next-next-next King of England was born today in London at 4:24 pm, exactly.
Meet the Scottish Dad and Lad Who Built a Batmobile
Somewhere in the suburbs of Edinburgh, a father and son are fighting crime. Or at least looking the part.
Why Do We Re-Elect Politicians Who Cheat and Lie?
Just because we can, say the experts.
Questlove on the Trayvon Martin Case
“I have to be somewhere on Earth, correct?”
Cory Monteith Coroner’s Report: He Died of Heroin and Alcohol Toxicity
The coroner has ruled and the results are sad: booze and heroin.
Harold Edgerton’s Amazing Images
To accompany our new biography of Harold “Doc” Edgerton, we’ve gathered some samples of his amazing high-speed and strobe light photography.
‘Glee’ Star Cory Monteith is Dead at 31
Cory Monteith, who played hunky football star Finn Hudson on the popular TV show Glee, was found dead in a Vancouver hotel.
George Zimmerman Ruled Not Guilty in Trayvon Martin’s Death
The neighborhood-watch vigilante goes free after a six-woman jury rules him not guilty of second-degree murder.
Anita O’Day Sings ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ at Newport
Straight outta Newport! Anita O’Day in a feathered hat, bringing the swing in 1958.
Helen Reddy Biography: New!
Why a sudden bio of a 1970s pop star? Because I heard that weird song “Angie Baby” the other day.
Andy Murray Biography: New!
The hard-charging Scotsman has become the first British man in 77 years to win the singles title at Wimbledon.
Nelson Mandela’s Real Name: Revealed
Barack Obama called him Madiba — why? We’ve got the full story.
Douglas Engelbart Dead: Awesome Inventor of the Mouse
The super-brainiac from Portland, Oregon who invented the computer mouse has passed on at age 88.
Jim Kelly is Dead: Awesome Afro-and-Sideburns Guy from ‘Enter the Dragon’
He teamed up with Bruce Lee as one of the three fist-fighting heroes in the cult karate classic.
Claire Danes Photos for No Reason At All
A new collection of Claire Danes photos, just because we like her.
Aaron Hernandez Biography: NFL Star Charged with Murder
The former New England Patriots tight end, who signed a contract worth nearly $40 million last year, now sits in jail.
Lunch With Orson Welles
Read the transcript of a 1983 chat between filmmaker Henry Jaglom and name-dropper Orson Welles.
North West Biography: New!
The new daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West now has her own Who2 biography.
What Napoleon Really Looked Like
A death mask of French dynamo Napoleon Bonaparte sold this week for more than a quarter of a million dollars. It means your chance to see what he actually looked like.
Queen Elizabeth, Trooping the Colour in Style
She looked great, as always, while getting the royal salute.
Jimmy Hoffa Was Buried Alive, Says Former Mobster
Everyone figured he met a bad end, but he may have met a really bad end.
They’re Still Digging Around for Jimmy Hoffa
Police are once again hoping they’ve unearthed fresh clues. So to speak.
Kim Kardashian’s $4000-a-Day Birthing Suite is the Closest Thing to Giving Birth on the Las Vegas Strip
Free robes, two bathrooms and a doula with a view: how the stars give birth at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Hitchcock’s Story in Pictures for LIFE Magazine
Alfred Hitchcock “directs” this series of photos in 1942, telling the wartime story, “Have You Heard,” a bit of Allied propaganda whose message is “loose lips sink ships.”
Marlon Brando on Dick Cavett, in 1973
This Marlon Brando interview was just after he’d won the Oscar for The Godfather — and sent a surrogate to accept it, in a controversial move.
Heart Covers ‘Stairway,” Makes Robert Plant Cry
Well, heck, watch this video of Ann and Nancy Wilson performing “Stairway to Heaven,” and you’ll probably cry, too.
J.J. Abrams Biography: New!
Who2 has a new biography of TV producer and movie director J.J. Abrams. His latest, Star Trek Into Darkness, is now playing everywhere.
Four Big Trials Set to Begin… Finally
In the next week, four criminal trials will begin for events that have captured the nation’s attention. Events that happened two, four and and even forty years ago.
Lou Reed Has a New Liver
Velvet Underground founder and rock legend Lou Reed was saved by a transplant. Read about Lou’s new liver and discover other famous people who’ve had liver transplants.
Grumpy Cat is Going Hollywood
The popular feline meme is soon to be a star of books and (maybe) major motion pictures.
Captain Picard To The Rescue
While the new Star Trek was saving the box office, Patrick Stewart — Jean Luc Picard — was saving the world, with a hug at Comicpalooza.
When Vice President Was King
William Rufus de Vane King, that is. He took the oath of office on foreign soil, and died 25 days later, on 18 April 1853.
Pope Francis Has Been Great for Souvenir Sales
The newer, friendlier Pope has crowds coming back to the Vatican and buying more mementoes.
Sally Ride Honored at the Kennedy Center
Sally Ride, America’s first woman in space (and the youngest) will receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom this year. Ride died last year of cancer, at the age of 61.
Geena Davis Stands Tall For Girls
See some public service announcements from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender and Media. She won an Oscar, you know.
Charles Lindbergh Embarks on Solo Trip
On 20 May 1927, Charles Lindbergh left New York and made the first solo flight across the Atlantic.
John F. Kennedy and Ireland: The Love Affair Continues
Near the 50th anniversary of his famous visit, John F. Kennedy is still beloved in his ancestral home.
Into Dorkness
Celebrate the new Star Trek movie by getting a glimpse behind the scenes.
George Wallace Was Shot on This Day
On 15 May 1972, Governor George Wallace of Alabama was shot in Maryland, ending his campaign for the U.S. presidency.
Dr. Joyce Brothers Has Died
America’s best-known pop psychologist from the 1960s has died at the age of 85.
Jack Bauer Returns
Kiefer Sutherland is set to return to TV in an updated 24. Just when he thought he was out, they pulled him back in.
The Friendly Rivalry of the Brothers DiMaggio
Joe wasn’t the only DiMaggio playing center field in baseball’s big leagues.
Spock vs. Spock: For Audi!
Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto team up in a surprisingly witty ad for Audi.
Harry Truman, Jesse James, and a Bucket of Warm Spit
For Harry Truman’s 129th birthday, a photo of him horsing around with Vice President John Nance Garner.
Neil Armstrong’s EKG Can Be Yours for $200, Maybe
When Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon, NASA had his heart wired up. You can start the bidding for the EKG at $200.
Chinua Achebe Biography, New!
We have a new profile of Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, who died 21 March 2013, at the age of 82.
Happy Birthday, Wes Anderson!
Filmmaker Wes Anderson turns 44 years old today. See some videos in celebration.
Jason Collins Biography: Meet the NBA’s First Openly-Gay Player
America has its first openly-gay male athlete who is actively playing a major professional sport. If that description doesn’t include too many qualifiers for you, then read on to learn about Jason Collins.
George Jones Biography
The country music legend nicknamed “The Possum” has gone to the Great Beyond.
Randy Newman: Photos of a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer
Randy Newman was just inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We’ve updated our photo files.
Just Because It’s a Funny Photo
So, a Subway shop in Manhattan has a statue of Jarvis Jones made of smoked chicken.
Richie Havens Dies at 72
Folk singer Richie Havens has died. He’s fondly remembered for his performance at Woodstock.
Richard LeParmentier, Actor Choked by Darth Vader, Dead at 66
We all have to go sometime, but some have better epitaphs than other.
What’s Queen Elizabeth Up to Lately? A Photo Extravaganza
Because you can never have enough photos of the Queen.
Sportscaster Pat Summerall Died
Pat Summerall has died, at the age of 82. I don’t even watch sports on TV, but I still recognize Pat Summerall as one of the greats when it comes to TV broadcasters.
The Boston Marathon Explosion: An Earwitness View
Yup, we were down there.
Abigail Breslin Looks Slightly Different These Days
For one thing, she’s at least an inch taller than she was in Little Miss Sunshine.
Remembering Jonathan Winters
Comedian Jonathan Winters died this week at the age of 87. Read the Who2 biography of Jonathan Winters and watch some video clips.
Arnold Palmer’s Still Got It
He was looking good as the ‘Big Three’ led off the 2013 Masters golf tournament.
Fridtjof Nansen Biography: New!
Who2 has a new biography of Norwegian explorer Fridtjof Nansen. Read about his life, his work and his relationships with Roald Amundsen — and with Robert Scott Falcon’s wife!
The Dresses (and Skeletons) of the First Ladies
John Bailey Owen imagines a strange new wing of the Smithsonian.
Spring Comes to Boston (Maybe)
It’s still only April, but things are looking up.
Disney Favorite Annette Funicello is Dead
Annette Funicello, who made her fame on The Mickey Mouse Club television show in the 1950s, has died at the age of 70.
Margaret Thatcher Biography and Photos
The “Iron Lady” — the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom — has died after a stroke.
Breaking Down the ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Movie
Dig into the story of the making of that godawful Super Mario Bros. movie from 1993. We even have Roger Ebert reviewing it on his TV show.
Here’s The Very First Line of Roger Ebert’s Very First Movie Review
He seemed to know what he was doing right from the start.
Roger Ebert Biography: Lovable Movie Critic is Dead at 70
Holy cow. The dean of American movie reviewers has suddenly lost his fight with cancer.
Jay Leno Is Leaving the Tonight Show (Yes, Here We Go Again)
For the second time in four years, Jay Leno says he is leaving The Tonight Show for a younger replacement. Does he mean it this time?
Remembering Jane Henson, Mother of Muppets
She was Jim Henson’s partner in puppetry right from the start.
Picking on Lichtenstein
At London’s Orbital Comics there’s an art show running called Image Duplicator. See how artists rib pop art icon Roy Lichtenstein.
John Connally, the Man Who Was Shot With JFK
Remembering the Texas governor who was sitting right in front of the president when it all went down.
John F. Kennedy Didn’t Quite Sleep Here
Seen in the lobby of a small Ohio hotel: a glimpse of John F. Kennedy’s run for president.
Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe: Odd Beatles Out
Meet the two lads who left the band just before John, Paul, George and Ringo hit it big.
Actresses Without Teeth
See some samples from the Tumblr “Actresses Without Teeth.”
J.R.R. Tolkien is Spinning in His Grave (and Coming Up 7-7-7)
The great author labored for 20 years to bring forth the epic tale that could inspire a fancy slot machine.
John O. Brennan Biography: New!
John O. Brennan took the oath of office 9 March 2013 and became the 21st Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Read more in the Who2 biography.
Garish Photos of a Dozen Famous Weddings
Just-slightly-weird wedding shots of the DiMaggios, the Presleys, the Obamas and more.
Oh, No: Amanda Knox to be Tried Yet Again
Diabolical she-devil or innocent college student? Italian courts want to ask that question all over again.
George Martin Biography: New!
Meet the superproducer for the biggest superband in pop music history.
Tilda Swinton Photos: A Dozen New Ones, for Almost No Reason at All
She’s sleeping in a glass box at the Museum of Modern Art. And what are you doing with your day?
Death to Punxsutawney Phil?
The beloved groundhog has been sentenced to death in Ohio for falsely predicting an early spring.
The Beatles and ‘Please Please Me’: The 50th Anniversary
The lads from Liverpool released their first album on March 22, 1963.
Was ‘Baghdad Bob’ Right After All?
His crazy predictions were ridiculed in 2003, but they don’t sound quite so crazy now.
Jeff Bezos Finds Apollo Parts in the Ocean
Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos and his team have recovered discarded rocket engine parts from the bottom of the ocean.
Happy Birthday, Wyatt Earp!
The frontier lawman was born 19 March 1848. Coincidentally, I recently watched a 1957 movie about him.
Michelle Obama in Vogue
Well, she looks great. Let’s just admit she looks great.
Papa Francesco’s First Day
He prayed at Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s oldest basilicas.
Pope Francis I Biography: New!
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina has become Pope Francis I.
Every Time They Choose a Pope, Barcelona Wins 4-0
At this rate they may make Lionel Messi the first Latin American pope.
Two More Popefuls: New Biographies of Papabiles!
Black smoke today means the College of Cardinals has not decided on a new pope. We have new biographies of Peter Turkson and Angelo Bagnasco, two possible replacements — papabiles!
Papal Smoke Cam: Live!
If you’re waiting for the white smoke, here’s your view.
Mrs. Robert Falcon Scott’s Awesome Story
The wife of South Pole explorer was a famous sculptor whose story is as fascinating as her more famous husband’s.
Betting On the Pope
It may not be the Super Bowl, but papal betting has a lively history.
Joel Osteen and Arthur Schopenhauer: A Friendly Conversation
Schopenhauer influenced Nietsche, and Osteen influenced Oprah. Who comes out on top?
Sheryl Sandberg Biography: New!
The powerful Silicon Valley businesswoman is in the news with her new book, Lean In.
Dress Like Lou Gehrig For Under a Million Bucks
At an auction of sports memorabilia last month, Lou Gehrig’s old Yankee jersey and cap fetched a goodly sum.
Matt Groening’s Artwork For Apple
Vintage Zen has uncovered more posters done for Apple in 1989 by The Simpsons creator Matt Groening.
How One Large Omelet Led to Disney Buying Lucasfilm
Young George Lucas probably didn’t imagine he’d sell his empire to Disney for $4 billion someday. Here’s how it happened.
Justin Bieber in a Gas Mask? Yup, Justin Bieber in a Gas Mask
The pop singer has found the perfect accessory for a Brooklyn Nets baseball cap.
The Miseducation of Lucy Van Pelt
What if Charlie Brown is really a young Eminem?
Hugo Chavez: His Top 10 Public Moments
Love him or hate him, el Presidente was certainly colorful.
Hugo Chavez Biography: 1954-2013
The Venezuelan leader who called George W. Bush “the devil” has died at age 58.
Archduke Ferdinand, Animal Killer
Spiegel Online reports on a newly-published diary by Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the man whose assassination sparked World War I. He killed a lot of animals. A lot of animals.
Tojo Trivia! They Drilled ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’ Into His Dentures
The strange story of the false teeth made for Tojo as he awaited trial for war crimes.
WWII Soldier Who Saved Tojo for Execution Has Died at 93
Lt. John J. Wilpers, Jr. captured the former prime minister and saved his life — so he could be executed for war crimes three years later.
Fixing the Oscar Host Problem
In which we wade in, clean up the mess, and pick the perfect host for next year.
Jack Lew Biography: New!
The new Secretary of the Treasury is “exceedingly meticulous” and “the most unassuming power broker in Washington.”
Dorie Miller Biography: New!
One of the first American war heroes of World War II was an African-American named Doris Miller. Heard of him?
Photos of a Gutted White House
NationalJournal has posted some photos from during the reconstruction of the White House during the Truman years.
Benedict XVI’s Last Day as Pope: His Surprising Final Acts
What does the pope have lined up for his last day in office?
Who’s Turning 80 in 2013?
Take a look at some celebrities who become 80 year-olds in 2013.
Benedict XVI Will Keep His Name But Lose His Red Shoes
He’ll keep his papal name rather than revert to Joseph Ratzinger. The shoes are another matter.
Gobs of Photos From the Oscar Telecast
Family Guy’s Seth MacFarlane hosted the 85th Academy Awards and we have photos from the telecast.
Oscars Live Blog 2013! As They Happened
Show us your guns, guns, guns! Our live coverage of the Academy Awards is here.
Best Picture Nominees: Negging Our Way to the Winner
Amour is out, right off the bat.
Oscar’s Young Misses
Quvenzhané Wallis is a nine-year old and an Oscar nominee. Who are some of Oscar’s other youngest actress nominees?
‘Les Miserables’ Is Not the Saddest Movie In the World, Scientists Say
Anne Hathaway may be sad enough for Oscar, but she’s not sad enough for scientists. Their landmark is a surprising film from 1979.
Ernest Lehman Biography: New!
Ernest who? That was his big complaint, that writers for the movies never get their due. And most people have seen at least ONE of Lehman’s movies, and probably more.
Chuck Hagel Biography: New!
Who2 has a new biography of former U.S. Senator and Almost-But-Not-Quite Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. Find out more.
Pre-Oscar Glam: The Vanity Fair Photo Booth
Stars cram into the photo booth at Vanity Fair’s annual Oscar party for a good cause: Hollywood glamour.
Great Diamond Heists Through History
The boys from Brussels were just following in a long tradition.
Oscar Pistorius Tells His Side of the Story
Accused of murder, he says it was all a terrible mistake.
Reeva Steenkamp Biography: New
The late South African model is, sadly, in the news.
Eisenhower and Nixon Fishing: Whatta Photo
Has a less-believable photo ever been issued in any presidential race?
Ulysses S. Grant: His Last Desperate Days
The cancer-ridden president knocked out 10,000 words a day as he raced to complete his memoirs before his death.
They’re Digging Up Pablo Neruda
Next month in Chile they’re going to exhume poet Pablo Neruda. Why exactly?
Valentine’s Day Special: Paperman
Disney’s romantic animated black-and-white short is nominated for an Academy Award.
Oscar Pistorius Charged With Murder of His Girlfriend
It’s a shock. The double amputee, who ran in the Olympics last year, is one of South Africa’s most famous athletes.
Valentine’s Day Special: Esperanza Spalding Plays ‘Overjoyed’
The super-bassist plays one of Stevie Wonder’s most hopeful love songs at the White House.
Heidi Klum on Rodeo Drive: Photo of the Day
Does this photo show the most disinterested man in Los Angeles?
Headline of the Day
Not even sure this qualifies as irony.
Meet the Billionaire Female Drag Racer Who Now Owns In-N-Out Burgers
She’s 30, thrice-married, wears Wayne’s World t-shirts, and owns the greatest hamburger chain on the planet.
Nicholas Hoult Biography: New!
Who2 has a new biography of English actor Nicholas Hoult. See videos of his early roles, including About a Boy and Skins, and his two new movies, Warm Bodies and Jack the Giant Slayer.
Eva Longoria and Salty Snacks: Random Photo of the Day
Is posing at the stock exchange with Lays potato chips a sign of being on the way up or on the way down?
Creating the ‘Twin Peaks’ Theme
Composer Angelo Badalamenti tells and shows how the theme song to Twin Peaks was created, in this short and funny video.
Meet the Man Who Shot Osama bin Laden
A remarkable interview with the anonymous Seal Team 6 member who shot Osama bin Laden.
What Will Pope Benedict XVI Do Next?
No, he’s not going to be surfing the web.
Pope Benedict XVI Resigns in Shocker: “I Renounce the Ministry of Bishop of Rome”
A true surprise: his papacy will end at 8:00 pm local Rome time on the last day of February.
Quvenzhané Wallis Biography: New!
Who2 now has a new biography of Quvenzhané Wallis, the youngest person ever to be nominated for an Oscar as a leading actress. We even tell you how to pronounce her name.
Paul Cuffe Biography: New!
For Black History Month, we have a featured biography of Paul Cuffe — the Massachusetts mariner who was the richest African American of his time.
Rosa Parks Postage Stamp: Nice!
The US Postal Service has released a handsome stamp for her 100th birthday.
Teen Activist Malala Yousafzai Recovers and Speaks
Teenager Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban in October of 2012 — because she wants girls to be educated. Now she’s on the mend, and she’s released her first video since the assassination attempt.
How is Dave Barry Looking These Days?
The popular writer has a new book and an old haircut.
Colin Kaepernick Biography: New!
The finger-licking good not-quite-Super-Bowl-winning quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers is the subject of our latest biography.
Punxsutawney Phil: Has Fame Gone to His Head?
Is the Garbo of Gobbler’s Knob losing his edge?
Gore Vidal, Ladies’ Man
There’s a good feature in Vanity Fair about writer and high society gossipmonger Gore Vidal.
To Honor Hillary Clinton’s Last Day as Secretary of State: A Folger’s Coffee Commercial
Just a bit of historical context for her achievements.
John Kerry is Your New Secretary of State
After 28 years in the Senate, he’s now America’s point man for foreign affairs.
Is This Man Suffering From Chronic Depression?
British writers take a fresh (and cynical) look at the cast of Pride and Prejudice.
Randy Quaid v. Hollywood Star-Wackers, Round 3
Actor Randy Quaid has lost his bid for permanent residency status in Canada, where he’s been since 2010, hiding from the “Hollywood Star-Wackers” who are out to get him.
JonBenet Ramsey Update: Grand Jury Voted to Indict Her Parents in 1999
A grand jury voted to indict John and Patsy Ramsey, say reports, but the district attorney decided not to follow through.
Queen Beatrix Biography
The Queen is abdicating, as her mother and grandmother did before her. We’ve got the story on her life and career.
Princess Diana Photo, Once Banned, Sells for $18,306
The not-quite-risque photo couldn’t be published in 1981.
Donald Hornig, Who Baby-Sat the A-Bomb, Is Dead at 92
He was the last person to lay eyes on the original atomic bomb before it was detonated in 1945.
You Get One Phone Call from Prison, Charlie Brown
The arrest story of Peter “Charlie Brown” Robbins gets a little crazier.
President Bush: My Truck For Your Missing Limbs
Former President George W. Bush’s truck was sold at a charity auction this week for $300,000. Hey! That would buy about 30 prosthetic limbs for the (American) survivors of the war he started!
Pyongyang Rocks Not Quite Like a Pendulum Do
Google’s Eric Schmidt leads a delegation to the strange little world of North Korea.
You’ve Been Handcuffed at the Mexican Border and Charged With Stalking, Charlie Brown
Not-so-good grief: The actor who voiced Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas has been arrested and charged with felonies including stalking and making death threats.
‘Good Job, Dad. You Didn’t Mess Up.’
With his hand on the family Bible, President Barack Obama has taken the oath of office for his second term.
Sunita Williams Gives You A Tour of the International Space Station
The former commander takes you on a spin around the floating space platform.
Lance Armstrong: Five Other Shocking Things He Admits in His Oprah Interview
It’s a lot more than doping.
Picasso Vandal Update
Uriel Landeros, the man who defaced a Picasso painting in Houston, will stay in jail, held on a $500,000 bond because he’s a flight risk.
Ten Instagrams to Follow
See our gallery of ten Instagram accounts worth seeing.
Natalie Wood’s Undetermined Death
The Los Angeles coroner has officially changed Natalie Wood’s cause of death to “undetermined,” thus ending three decades of mystery. Right?
Steven Soderbergh is 50
The director of Solaris, Out of Sight and Traffic says he’s retiring.
Photos of Queen Elizabeth With 12 U.S. Presidents
She’s zipped through an even dozen presidents during her 60 years on the throne.
Rock Stars, Then and Now
They’ve all held up in their own special way — some more special than others, of course.
Happy Birthday, Millard Fillmore!
Millard Fillmore was born 7 January 1800 in Cayuga County, New York. Happy birthday, Millard! His presidency isn’t memorable, but his final words are.
Pete Souza’s Favorite White House Photos of 2012
The ace White House photographer releases his favorite shots of Barack Obama and family.
Lucretia Mott: 220 Awesome Years
Born on January 3rd of 1793, Lucretia Mott changed the course of history for women, slaves and all Americans.
Is Apollo Robbins the World’s Greatest Pickpocket?
Meet the man who stole the badge right off a Secret Service agent.
Yoko Ono Didn’t Break Up the Beatles, Says Yoko Ono
…and if she just keeps saying it, maybe it will become true!
The Big Big Birthdays of 2013
From Archimedes to Xuxa (and Jesse Owens too), some very famous people celebrate landmark birthdays this year.