Sunday, May 14, 2006

Spotlight
Happy 37th birthday to Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett. Winner of the Best Supporting Actress award for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator, the Australian began her professional acting career on the stage, performing with the Sydney Theatre Company, and winning a 1993 Newcomer Award from the Sydney Theatre Critics Circle (for Kafka Dances) and a Rosemont Best Actress Award (for Oleanna). She was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her performance in the title role in Elizabeth, and played Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Quote
"If you know you are going to fail, then fail gloriously." – Cate Blanchett

Word of the day
phial: vial; Cate Blanchett's character Galadriel gave Frodo a crystal phial as a parting gift. (© )

Holiday
Mother's Day

Today's News

• Mount Merapi: Indonesian "mountain of fire" belches lava, forces evacuation of thousands (story)
• Emily, Jacob: are the top baby names of 2005 (story)
• Johnny Depp: is Hollywood's best autograph signer; Cameron Diaz is the worst (story)

Today's History

• Louis XIV: became King of France at age 4 (1643)
• Israel: Jewish state was declared (1948)
• Seinfeld: final episode aired (1998)

Today's Birthdays

• Otto Klemperer: German conductor (1885-1973)
• George Lucas: director, producer and screenwriter (62)
• Tim Roth: actor and director (45)