Christopher Reeve - ©Theda Bara

The name I bring you in this post is the talented American actor Christopher Reeve, known for playing the most famous “Superman” in cinema, as well as for a series of four acclaimed films, beginning with “Superman” (1978), for which he was nominated for a BAFTA; and later in three other critically acclaimed films: “The Bostonians” (1984), playing “Basil Ransome”; “Street Smart” (1987), playing “Jonathan Fisher”; and “The Remains of the Day” (1993), playing “Jack Lewis”.

Christopher Reeve received a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the television film: “Rear Window” 1998, playing “Janson Kemp”, a remake of the (1954) classic of the same name. Reeve also won a Grammy Award for Best Album in 1999, for the documentary: “Still Me”.

On May 27, 1995, Reeve became a quadriplegic due to a fracture in the first two cervical vertebrae, which damaged his spinal cord. After a horseback riding accident during an equestrian competition in Culpeper, he began using a wheelchair for mobility and a portable ventilator for breathing. A year later, in 1996, he received a standing ovation at the Academy Awards. Since then, the actor led a campaign for the legalization of stem cell research and created the Christopher Reeve Foundation, in addition to co-founding the Reeve-Irvine Research Center. He died young due to a serious infection resulting from his frail health.

Christopher Reeve has a star on the Los Angeles Walk of Fame, located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard, in the Motion Picture category.

Christopher D’Olier Reeve, born on September 25, 1952, in New York, United States, died on October 10, 2004, in Mount Kisco, New York, United States, at the age of 52.

Christopher Reeve was married twice. First, to British model Gae Exton (1951-), known for her work in “Superman: The Christopher Reeve Story” (2024), from 1977 to 1987. The couple had two children: British-American Matthew Exton Reeve (1979-) and British actress Alexandra Reeve Givens (1983-). His second marriage was to American singer, actress, and activist Dana Charles Morosini Reeve (1961-2006). The couple had a son, American actor and producer Will Reeve (1992-), known for his work in: “Superman” 2025. As a boy, Will’s life was not the easiest, as his famous father became a quadriplegic. After his father’s death, Will was adopted by actor Robin McLaurin Williams (1951-2014), with whom Reeve maintained a close friendship. Early in their careers, Reeve achieved greater success and helped Robin, who, after the accident, began to reciprocate. With Reeve’s death and soon after that of Dana (from lung cancer), Robin adopted Will and raised him as her own son. But Will’s life never seemed to have a happy ending, as Robin Williams (who struggled with depression and had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and dementia) committed suicide in August 2014 and was found dead by his adopted son in his California home at the age of 63. The cause of death was asphyxiation by hanging.

Sammy Davis Jr - ©Theda Bara

The name I present to you in this post is that of the American actor, dancer, singer, musician and TV host, Sammy Davis Jr.

Davis spent his childhood in vaudeville and became known for his performances on Broadway and in Las Vegas, starring in television shows and films. He was part of the group of actors led by Frank Sinatra (1915-1998), with whom he was a great friend. Other names of Davis’ friends from Sinatra’s group were: Dean Martin (1917-1995) and Liza Minnelli (1946-)

Sammy Davis was also a close friend of Elvis Presley (1935-1977) and Michael Jackson (1958-2009), with whom he maintained good relations. Jackson had been a huge fan of Davis since he was a child and wrote the song “You Were There” for the Sammy Davis 60th birthday special, performing it live in 1989.

In 1954, Sammy lost his left eye in a car accident. In 1960, he appeared in his first movie, “Rat Pack”, without anyone noticing that he had lost an eye.

Sammy Davis Jr. was the first black artist to star in his own television show, but after converting to Judaism, he provoked great indignation in American conservative society and the public and, due to external pressure, saw his television show canceled by the network’s management. As an African-American, Davis was a victim of racism throughout his life and was a major funder of the civil rights cause.

“Why Me?” (1989), is an autobiographical book written by Sammy Davis Jr. - in it, the artist talks about his obsession with being a star, his fear of losing fame, his career in vaudeville, his friendship with American Protestant pastors and political activists Martin Luther King (1929-1968) and Jesse Jackson (1941-), and his estrangement from his family.

Davis never received an Oscar and was only recognized posthumously in 2001, receiving the Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Sammy Davis Jr. has his star on the Los Angeles Walk of Fame, at 6254 Hollywood Boulevard, in the Music category.

Samuel George Davis, Jr., born December 8, 1925, in Harlem, New York, United States, died at the age of 64 of esophageal cancer on May 16, 1990, in Beverly Hills, California, United States, and is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles.

Sammy Davis Jr. had three marriages: his first wife was American actress Loray White (1934–). The couple had a disagreement due to jealousy and the relationship lasted approximately 1 year, from 1958 to 1959; his second marriage was to Swedish Maybritt Wilkens, known as May Britt (1934–), from 1960 to 1968, with whom he had two children, writer Tracey Davis (1961–2020) and professor Jeff Davis (1963–); his third marriage was to actress and model Joanne Davis (1943–2009), from 1970 to 1990, when Joanne was widowed by Sammy. The couple adopted two brothers, actor Manny Davis (1960–) and former basketball player Mark Davis (1963–).

Bing Crosby - ©Theda Bara

The name I bring to you in this post is that of the American actor, singer, radio host, comedian and entertainer Bing Crosby.

With more than half a century of career, Bing Crosby received several awards, including an Oscar for best actor in 1945, for his performance in the film: “Going My Way” (1944) playing the role of the priest “Chuck O’Malley”. He later won two more major lifetime achievement awards: the Golden Globe in 1960 and the Grammy in 1962.

Bing Crosby was passionate about art, travel, dogs and pipes.

The actor is one of the record holders for stars on the Los Angeles Walk of Fame, with three of them: at 1611 Vine Street, Cinema category; at 6769 Hollywood Boulevard, Radio category and at 6751 Hollywood Boulevard, Music category.

Born Harry Lillis Crosby, May 3, 1903, Tacoma, Washington, United States, died October 14, 1977, Golf La Moraleja, Alcobendas, Spain, aged 74.

Bing Crosby was married 2 times. His first marriage was to the beautiful American actress, dancer and singer Dixie Lee (1909-1952) from 1930 to 1952, of whom Crosby was eventually widowed. The couple had 4 children, all American actors and singers: Gary Evan Crosby (1933-1995); the twin brothers born on (July 13, 1934) Dennis Michael Crosby (1934-1991) and Phillip Lang Crosby (1934-2004) and Lindsay Harry Crosby (1938-1989). His second marriage was to American actress and singer Kathryn Grant - Kathryn Crosby (1933-) from 1957 to 1977, widow of Bing Crosby. The couple had 3 children: American investment banker Harry Lillis Crosby III, better known as Harry Crosby (1958-); American actress Mary Frances Crosby (1959-) and American professional golfer Nathaniel Patrick Crosby (1961-).