Friday, June 7, 2013

Jean Stapleton

Actress and singer -- via the New York Times. Her biggest impact was as the character of Edith Bunker on the long-running American sitcom "All in the Family"; she started on stage, appearing in many key musicals of the 1950s and early '60s.



Jack Vance

Writer -- via the New York Times. He hated to be pigeonholed as a genre writer, but his prolific efforts took into the categories of science fiction, fantasy,and mystery, among others.

Tom Sharpe

Writer -- via the Guardian. Best known for his comic novels --


Richard Ballantine

Cycling advocate -- via the Guardian. His eloquent fascination with the bicycle helped to trigger the acceptance and use of it by adults for commuting, pleasure, exercise, and adventure!




Vollis Simpson

Artist -- via the New York Times.



Bob Fletcher

A decent human being -- vi the New York Times. He was an agricultural inspector in California. When Japanese families were forced off their lad ad into internment camps during World War II, he quit his job and  worked the fruit firms of some of those imprisoned, splitting the profits and saving the owners' share for them. When they returned, he turned their properties back to them in good working condition, and the money as well.


Claramae Turner

Contralto -- via the L.A. Times. She is best known for her role as Nettie Fowler in the 1956 film of "Carousel." Interestingly, she originated the role of Madame Flora in Menotti's "The Medium"; the song "I Left my Heart in San Francisco" was written for her -- she sang it first, but Tony Bennett recorded it first, making it his signature song.






William T. Cartwright

Film producer and editor; the man who saved Watts Towers! -- via the L.A. Times.