Monday, June 11, 2007

 

Spotlight: Happy birthday to comic star Gene Wilder, who turns 74 today. Even though he thought of himself as a dramatic actor, Wilder's collaborations with Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor brought his greatest fame. He was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Leo Bloom in The Producers (1968) and starred in comedy classics like Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), Silver Streak (1976) and The Frisco Kid (1979). Wilder won an Emmy for his guest-starring role in Will and Grace (2003). In 2005, he published his memoirs, Kiss Me Like a Stranger. Last month, Wilder's first novel, The French Whore, was released.

Quote: "A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men." — Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Holiday: Kamehameha Day (Hawaii)

Today's News:

• postpartum depression: strikes many dads, too (story)
• Rafael Nadal: wins French Open; keeps Federer away from Grand Slam (story)
• Tony Awards: go to Spring Awakening and The Coast of Utopia (story)

Today's History:

• Great Barrier Reef: British captain James Cook found the world's largest coral reef off Australia's coast (1770)
• sugar: US rationing ended after 5 bitter years (1947)
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: opened; heartwarming, it is now considered one of the top films ever made (1982)

Today's Birthdays:

• Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1910-1997): French oceanographer who invented the scuba with Emile Gagnan
• Joe Montana (51): 49ers quarterback and NFL MVP
• Hugh Laurie (48): star of House, MD