Dick Buckley, Chicago Jazz Stalwart

Dick Buckleyhosted jazz programs on WBEZ in Chicago for 30 years.

Theo Albrecht, Unknown Billionaire

He hadn’t spoken publicly since 1971. The last photograph taken of him was snapped in 1987. He was once kidnapped for 17 days, and liked growing orchids. Oh, and he had an estimated net worth of $16.7 billion...

Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Late Blooming Tenor

Susan Boyle wasn’t the first British singing sensation to blossom relatively late in life. Anthony Rolfe Johnson became an opera star despite not even being able to read music at age 30.

Peter Fernandez, Voice of Speed Racer

Fans of anime and manga owe a debt of gratitude to Peter Fernandez, who helped bring "Speed Racer" to American audiences in the 1960s.

Bruce Lee: Still Kicking

was the most influential martial artist of the 20th century,an iconic figure whose films brought him worldwide popularity and helped spark interest in the martial arts in the West. Though he , at 32, he still looms large on the pop culture landscape. Opening this week in Asia is Bruce Lee, My Brother ,a film about his Hong Kong childhood as told through the memories of his siblings. Early next yearColumbia Pictures will release a film version of Lee's 1960s American TV show, The Green Hornet , in which he starred as crime-fighting sidekick Kato. A Broadway musical based on the life of Lee is also due next year.

Syd Barrett Shines On

Syd Barrett, founding member of Pink Floyd, would have been 69 today. In honor of the influential musician's birthday, we revisit his life and legend.

Rod Steiger’s Best Roles

Rod Steiger was one of the greatest actors of his generation. Of his more than 100 films and TV performances, here are a few of our favorites.

Betty Ford, Modern First Lady

Outspoken and passionate, Betty Ford used her platform as first lady to speak her mind.

Sherwood Schwartz: The Brains Behind Gilligan and the Bradys

We remember veteran TV writer Sherwood Schwartz with some facts about his career and some video clips of his hit shows "Gilligan's Island" and "The Brady Bunch"...

Lucian Freud painted people “how they happen to be”

We look at the art of renowned British painter Lucian Freud.

America will miss Dan Peek

Today we got word that , a founding member of 1970s folk rock band America, has passed away. When I heard the news, I went straight to my favorite song of theirs — one that's on many of my personal playlists and has been part of my life since I was a kid.

Glamorous Eva Gabor

When people think ofEva Gabor, there's one memorable role that probably comes to mind. Get ready for an earworm that's going to stay with you all day.

Tammy Faye: Anything But Boring

There was more to Tammy Faye Bakker Messner than scandal and smudged makeup.

Do You Know Karl Malden?

Today would have been Karl Malden's 100th birthday, and we're noting the day with a look at three memorable examples of his work.

Marlon Brando: Bad and Brilliant

On what would have been Marlon Brando’s 88th birthday, we share eight facts – about both his legendary talent and his fabled personal life.

Jimmy Stewart, Nice Guy

By all accounts, Jimmy Stewart was as likable in real life asthe many nice-guy characters he played in the movies.

Remembering Luther Vandross, 15 Years Later

sang songs that made us fall in love – with his music, and with each other.

The Very Versatile Andy Griffith

Andy Griffith was one of those rarest of performers – the kind who play one very iconic role, but don't spend the rest of their lives trying to escape from that role's shadow.

Very Vivien Leigh

We wish we had more movies from Vivien Leigh, but we're also glad of the great performances she left behind – and today, we're remembering her three award-winning roles.

Isabel Sanford's Piece of the Pie

In 1981,  moved on up and broke one of the glass ceilings of show business when she became the first black woman to win an Emmy for lead actress. It was a pinnacle in a rich career… one that included critically acclaimed movie roles and viewer favorites on TV. Eight years after her death, we remember the pioneering actress.

The Softer Side of Ernest Borgnine

It’s interesting to see which of Ernest Borgnine's movies and TV shows his fans remember him by—and not surprising that they love his lighter roles, just like we do.

Lovin' Minnie Riperton

Long before Mariah Carey became famous for her five-octave vocal range, there was another, a singer who could do five octaves and then some. Carey was barely out of diapers when Minnie Riperton was being celebrated for her rare five-and-a-half-octave range and her amazing ability to enunciate even in her very highest register.

Kitty Wells, Queen of Country Music

Kitty Wells was a pioneering country musician who skyrocketed into the spotlight, becoming country's first female superstar. But her fame and fortune almost didn't happen.

Bob Babbitt: The Shadows of Motown

You may never have heard the name Bob Babbitt before today, and you may not recognize his face… but we can guarantee you've heard his music...

Sherman Hemsley: Movin' On Up

When learning of Sherman Hemsley's death yesterday, many fans mourned for the loss of George Jefferson, Hemsley's on-screen alter ego, almost as much as they did for Hemsley himself...

Barry White's Candlelit Rendezvous

Back in the '70s, Barry White's songs were the gold standard for setting a romantic mood...

The Truth about Cass Elliot

One of the most pervasive untruths of the celebrity world is the myth of how Cass Elliot died.

Bob Ross and the Joy of Painting

Bob Ross was the beloved host of PBS’s “The Joy of Painting.

The Highs and Lows of Charlie Rich

On the 80th anniversary of Charlie Rich's birth, we remember the high points of his career - and a low point, too.

Mary Wells, First Lady of Motown

Born 70 years ago this week, Mary Wells helped shape the Motown sound. We remember some of the ways she blazed trails for the other talented women who came after her...

Mel Blanc: Man of a Thousand Voices

One hundred and five years ago, a voice was born … or was it a thousand voices?

Michael Landon Was a Teenage Werewolf

During his decades on screen, Michael Landon was a rancher, a pioneer, an angel f and a werewolf.

Howlin' at the Moon with Wolfman Jack

In a time when radio DJs were stars, one of the brightest was Wolfman Jack.

Betty Grable's Million Dollar Legs

Blonde bombshell Betty Grable wowed crowds in Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and '50s, showing off her strong voice, skilled dancing and, of course, her million dollar legs.

Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys

When Roy Rogers began his movie career in the 1930s, the cowboy was achieving new fame on the silver screen—and he became one of the most famous of them all.

Buddy Ebsen, Hoofer at Heart

Buddy Ebsen became famous as an actor, but his first love was dancing.

Peek-a-boo, Veronica Lake

The hairstyle that made Veronica Lake famous wasn't planned.

Lon Chaney Jr.: A Monster of a Star

Werewolves and vampires and zombies have enjoyed top billing on the silver screen in recent years. But if anyone thinks that today’s sparkly vamps and rabies-infected undead are the start of a trend, they’re dead wrong. Movie monsters have been around for just about as long as movies have, and one of the greatest monster actors of them all died 40 years ago today. He was Lon Chaney Jr. , and you might say he was born to be a monster.

The Communicator, Dave Garroway

Hosting morning television was a different ball game when Dave Garroway introduced it in January 1952.

Davey Allison, NASCAR Legend

NASCAR driver Davey Allison was the proud new owner of a Hughes helicopter when, just a foot from landing at his beloved "home track" of Talladega Speedway, the craft nosed up and crashed. Allison, rising star of the legendary Alabama racing family, was skilled at controlling cars capable of going more than 200 miles an hour, but he lost control of the copter at a crucial moment and he died the next day of his injuries.

¡Azucar, Celia Cruz!

Celia Cruz's sweet beginnings led to a savory career as the Queen of Salsa.

Remembering Cory Monteith

For an actor with no background in musical theater, Cory Monteith sure managed to win hearts with his songs on "Glee."

Influenced by Nico

On the 25th anniversary of Nico's death, we offer a side-by-side comparison of a few of her best performances with the artists who paid homage to them.

Talia Joy Castellano, Cover Girl

When harsh cancer treatments took Talia Joy Castellano's hair, she didn't turn to a wig, as many fighting cancer do. Instead, she honed her face-painting skills and declared, "Makeup is my wig."

Bruce Lee: Born a Dragon

In 1973, martial arts master Bruce Lee was young and in seemingly good health. But while planning his next movie in Hong Kong, he suffered a cerebral edema and died July 20. Only 32 at the time of his death, Lee didn't have many years to make his mark — but the legacy he left is indelible. During his short life, he brought martial arts to Hollywood, ushering in a karate craze in the U.S. and helping to elevate the perception of Asian actors. He taught martial arts, invented Jeet Kune Do, and even wrote poetry.

Robert Young Knew Best

Although his movie career began in the early 1930s and lasted more than two decades, Robert Young wouldn't start raking in the awards until he made the move to television. It was on the small screen, as an iconic dad and, later, as a kindly doctor, that Young truly made his mark. On the , we're remembering the two TV shows that brought him his greatest fame.

Estelle Getty, Golden Girl

Today we're remembering a career crowned by Estelle Getty's 10-year turn as wise-cracking Sophia Petrillo.

Bob Hope on the Road

Alongside costars Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour, Bob Hope made seven classic adventure comedies between 1940 and 1962: the "Road" series.

Buffalo Bob Smith: It's Howdy Doody Time!

Buffalo Bob Smith and Howdy Doody: the two were inextricably linked thanks to pioneering children's television show "Howdy Doody," which ran on NBC from December 1947 through September 1960.