Samuel L. Jackson - ©Theda Bara

 

The name I am highlighting in this post is that of American actor Samuel L. Jackson, who works across various media beyond film, including television series and voice acting.

The actor has built an iconic career; although he is one of the most popular and highest-grossing actors in film history, his focus tends to be more on entertainment than on traditional awards. For this reason, Jackson has won few international awards and received only one honor from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: an Honorary Oscar in 2022. Other notable awards include a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor (1995) and an MTV Movie Award (2013).

Samuel L. Jackson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 7020 Hollywood Boulevard, in the Motion Pictures category.

Samuel Leroy Jackson was born on December 21, 1948, in Washington, D.C., United States, and is 77 years old.

Samuel L. Jackson is married to actress and director LaTanya Richardson (1949-). They met in college in 1974 and married in 1980. Their relationship, spanning over 45 years, is considered one of the longest-lasting in Hollywood. They attribute the success of their union to mutual commitment and a pact to overcome adversities together; the actor has stated that he and his wife have done “crazy things” throughout their more than four decades of marriage. LaTanya also helped the star overcome alcohol and illicit drug abuse early in his career. They have a daughter, producer and assistant director Zoe Jackson (1982-).

Haiku: Wrinkles - ©Theda Bara

Haiku and Art by ©Theda Bara — 2026

 Enjoy your youth
Because everything passes so quickly
And when old age arrives, respect your wrinkles!

Willem Dafoe - ©Theda Bara

The name I want to highlight in this post is that of the excellent American actor Willem Dafoe. Known for his prolific career, the actor became famous for the variety of characters he plays, possessing the ideal appearance to portray everything from hero antagonists to demented individuals, corrupt police officers, and traumatized or troubled people.

Despite being very talented, awards are not Willem Dafoe’s strong suit. He received four Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, but never won.

Dafoe has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 6271 Hollywood Boulevard, in the film category.

William James “Willem” Dafoe was born on July 22, 1955, in Appleton, Wisconsin, United States, and is 70 years old.

Willem Dafoe had a long 27-year relationship with the American director of experimental theater, dance, and media, Elizabeth LeCompte (1944-), a founding member of The Wooster Group, but they never married. The couple has one son, actor Jack Frank Dafoe (1982-). Dafoe is currently married to Italian director and actress Giada Colagrande (1975-), a relationship that began in 2005. A curious detail: Dafoe and Giada were having lunch together when he suddenly asked, “Do you want to get married tomorrow?”. The next day, they held a small ceremony with only two friends as witnesses and were married in the presence of a notary and a priest.

Haiku: Beautiful and Brief Life - ©Theda Bara

Haiku and Art by ©Theda Bara — 2026

 I wish you eternal kisses and words
In this beautiful and brief life
So full of empty mouths!

Valerie Perrine - ©Theda Bara

The name I highlight in this post is that of the American actress and model Valerie Perrine. She became known for her role as “Miss Eve Teschmacher” in “Superman” (1978); and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1975 (but did not win) for “Lenny” (1974), a biographical character based on “Honey Bruce”, born Harriet Jolliff (1927-2005), a former Las Vegas stripper and wife of the controversial comedian Lenny Bruce, born Leonard Alfred Schneider (1925-1966).

The only significant award of her career was the BAFTA for Best New Actress in 1976, for “Lenny”.

The actress passed away without having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Valerie Ritchie Perrine was born on September 3, 1943, in Galveston, Texas, United States, and died on March 23, 2026, in Beverly Hills, California, United States, at the age of 82, after living with Parkinson’s disease for years.

Valerie Perrine never married and had no children. In 1969, the actress became engaged to collector Bill Haarman (1919-1969), but he tragically died after a firearm accident. The importer and gun collector was killed when a pistol kept in his belt fell to the floor and discharged; the bullet ricocheted off a door and struck his heart. This event occurred a month before their wedding date.