Rod Steiger - ©Theda Bara

The name I highlight in this post is that of American actor Rod Steiger, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1968 for his performance in the film “In the Heat of the Night” (1967), playing the Southern sheriff “Bill Gillespie”.

In addition to the Best Actor Oscar, Rod Steiger won two BAFTA awards: Best Foreign Actor in 1967 and 1968, and a Golden Globe Award: Best Actor in a Drama Film in 1968.

The actor had a peculiar habit: from a young age, he always carried a red handkerchief in his suit pocket. Whether this was due to fashion or superstition was never revealed when questioned in the numerous interviews he gave.

Rod Steiger has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard, in the Cinema category.

Rodney Stephen Steiger was born on April 14, 1925, in Westhampton, New York, United States, and died on July 9, 2002, in Los Angeles, California, United States, at the age of 77.

Rod Steiger married five times throughout his life. His first wife was American actress Sally Gracie (1920-2001), from 1952 to 1958; his second wife was British actress Claire Bloom, born Patricia Claire Blume (1931-), from 1959 to 1969; his third wife was Canadian actress Sherry Nelson (1948-), from 1973 to 1979; his fourth marriage was to American art director Paula Jean Ellis (1950-2025), from 1986 to 1997; His last wife was the American actress Joan Benedict Steiger (1927-2024), to whom he was married for two years, from 2000 to 2002, until she was widowed.

Rod Steiger had two children: Anna Steiger (1960-), a British opera singer, from his marriage to Claire Bloom, and the American film producer Michael Steiger (1987-), from his relationship with Paula Ellis.

Haiku: Emerald Eyes - ©Theda Bara

Haiku and Art by ©Theda Bara — 2026

Nature wants to remain green

My eyes observe nature’s greenness

And this causes my eyes to transform into two precious emeralds!

Chuck Norris - ©Theda Bara

The name I highlight in this post is that of the American martial artist, actor, film producer, and screenwriter Chuck Norris, who passed away on the 19th, nine days after turning 86.

Norris’s only significant awards were three MTV Movie Awards in 1997, 1998, and 1999. But, within his style, he was a good actor and didn't use stunt doubles, performing high-risk scenes in his films.

After serving in the United States Air Force, Chuck Norris became known as a martial arts practitioner, which he brought to the cinema. In the digital age, Norris became the “King of Memes” on the internet, of the type: [Chuck Norris got stabbed in the eye and the knife went blind!] 🔪 

Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris was born on March 10, 1940, in Ryan, Oklahoma, United States, and died on March 19, 2026, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, United States, at the age of 86. 

Chuck Norris has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, in the Film category.

Norris was married twice. His first wife, Dianne Holechek (1941-2025), passed away after a long battle with dementia. The action movie star mourned the death of his ex-wife and called her an “incredible” person in a lengthy tribute. The former couple were married for 30 years, from 1958 to 1988, and had two sons: actor Michael R. Norris (1962-) and former American stock car driver and stuntman Eric Scott Norris (1965-). Norris’ second wife and widow is former American model Gena O’Kelley (1963-), to whom he was married from 1998 to 2026. The couple had twin children: American martial arts master (black belt) Dakota Alan Norris (2001-) and American actress Daniele Kelly Norris (2001-).

Paul Scofield - ©Theda Bara

The name I highlight in this post is that of British actor Paul Scofield, winner of the 1967 Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film “A Man for All Seasons” (1966), playing the respected British leader “Sir. Thomas More”. A very private man, Scofield avoided the spotlight and did not attend the Oscar ceremony to receive the statuette, remaining in England where he celebrated his victory with a glass of champagne at home, in the company of his wife, children and some friends.

In addition to the Best Actor Oscar for “A Man for All Seasons”, Paul Scofield won a Golden Globe, a Tony Award, and a BAFTA for the same film. Known for his Shakespearean performances, he achieved the “Triple Crown of Acting” (Oscar, Emmy, Tony). He also won two more BAFTA awards and one Emmy for Best Actor in a Leading Role for “Male of the Species” (1969), playing the character “Sir. Emlyn Bowen, Q.C.”.

Paul Scofield has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 1770 Vine Street, in the Motion Pictures category.

Paul Scofield was born on January 21, 1922, in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and died on March 19, 2008, in Brighton, Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom, at the age of 86.

Scofield was married only once, to the British producer and actress Joy Parker Scofield (1922-2012) from 1943 to 2008, when he left his wife a widow. Paul and Joy had two children: Martin (1945-), who became a professor of English and American literature at the University of Kent, and Sarah (1951-), who became a stage actress.

Haiku: Children’s Story - ©Theda Bara

Haiku and Art by ©Theda Bara — 2026

The rose laughs at the mouse’s thin tail

The mouse gnaws at the rose’s thin stem

The rose, furious, plunges its thorn into the rodent.