Woody Guthrie: From Sea to Shining Sea

Here are 10 things you may (or may not) know about the Dust Bowl Troubadour, plus a few of our favorite Woody Guthrie songs.

Abel Fernandez (1930 - 2016), The Untouchables actor

Abel Fernandez, an actor whose credits include a role as federal agent William “Bill” Youngfellow on the TV series “The Untouchables,” died May 3, according to multiple news sources. He was 85.

Harry Dean Stanton (1926 – 2017), prolific actor with cult following

Harry Dean Stanton, the actor known for roles in movies including "Repo Man" and "Cool Hand Luke" as well as for the TV show "Big Love," died Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, according to the Associated Press. He was 91.

William H. T. Bush (1938 - 2018), brother and uncle to presidents

William H. T. Bush, a wealthy investor and the brother and uncle of presidents, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, according to The Associated Press. He was 79.

Sid Haig (1939–2019), star of “House of 1000 Corpses”

Sid Haig was a horror movie icon, starring in films including “House of 1000 Corpses” and “The Devil’s Rejects.”

Donald Stratton (1922–2020), one of the last survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack

Donald Stratton was a U.S. Navy veteran who survived the attack on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor in a daring escape from a burning ship. One of the last to escape the USS Arizona as it became engulfed in flames, Stratton was saved by a sailor on a nearby ship who threw a line for him to grab. In later years, Stratton worked to learn the identity of the sailor who helped — Joe George — and lobbied for George to receive the Bronze Star that was posthumously awarded to him in 2017. With Stratton’s death, only two survivors of the USS Arizona remain.

Ei-ichi Negishi (1935–2021), top scientist revolutionized drug-making, made OLED TVs possible

Dr. Ei-ichi Negishi was a scientist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work, which paved the way for new medicines and OLED televisions.

George Frayne IV (1944–2021), Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen frontman

George Frayne IV was a singer and pianist, the frontman for country rock band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen.

Bergen Williams (1959–2021), played Big Alice on “General Hospital”

Bergen Williams was an actress best known for her role on “General Hospital” as “Big Alice” Gunderson, the maid for the Quartermaine family.

Lee Elder (1934–2021), first Black golfer to play in the Masters

Lee Elder was a pioneering golfer who was the first Black golfer to compete in the Masters when he played in the tournament in 1974.

Ken Burrough (1948–2022), former Oilers star receiver

Ken Burrough was a star wide receiver for the Houston Oilers who has the second most touchdown catches in the team’s history.

Jim Gordon (1945–2023), Derek and the Dominos drummer

Jim Gordon was the drummer for Derek and the Dominos, who cowrote their song “Layla” and also played on many other hits of the 1960s and ‘70s.

Nick Benedict (1946–2023), All My Children actor 

Nick Benedict was an actor known for roles in such soap operas as “Days of Our Lives” and “All My Children.” 

Sheila Oliver (1952–2023), groundbreaking New Jersey elected official 

Sheila Oliver led a groundbreaking political career as a Garden State legislator, including being the first Black woman to serve as speaker for the General Assembly and the first Black woman elected as New Jersey’s lieutenant governor.0

Shirley Jo Finney (1949–2023), Wilma star and theatre director

Shirley Jo Finney was an actress who starred in the TV movie “Wilma” and worked widely in regional theatre as a director.

Christopher Priest (1943–2024), author of The Prestige 

Christopher Priest was an award-winning British science fiction author of such books as “The Prestige” and “The Islanders.” 

Lynn Loring (1943–2023), Search for Tomorrow actress

Lynn Loring was an actress in such TV shows as “Search for Tomorrow” and “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” as well as a notable television executive.