Chris Kyle - American Sniper

 

"I would love for people to be able to think of me as a guy who stood up for what he believed in and helped make a difference for the vets."

Christopher Scott Kyle was born in Odessa, Texas on April 8, 1974.  He was the oldest of two sons, receiving his first firearm from his father, a Sunday school teacher, when he was just eight years old.  He'd often go deer hunting with his father and brother, but it was evident from an early age just who was top shot in the Kyle family.

After high school and a brief career with the rodeo, Kyle decided to serve his country.  He was initially intent on joining the Marines, but as the recruiter had stepped out to lunch that afternoon, he joined the Navy Seals instead.

Kyle's proficiency with firearms landed him on SEAL Team 3, serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  Today, the Navy credits him with more than 160 confirmed kills.  He was honorably discharged in 2009, and went on to write a best-selling novel, American Sniper, detailing his experiences.  The film was later turned into a motion picture directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Bradley Cooper in the title role.

While Kyle was heavily involved in the production, he would never see the finished film.  On February 2, 2013, he and friend Chad Littlefield were both shot and killed by Ray Routh, a 25-year-old Marine Corps veteran, while the three were at a Texas shooting range.  With a history of schizophrenia and mental evaluations, Routh would later claim he killed the two since they were both ignoring him.

On February 11th, a memorial service was conducted at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.  It was followed by a funeral procession the next day, which traveled more than 200 miles to Austin, where Kyle was laid to rest at Texas State Cemetery.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• You can pick up your copy of American Sniper on Amazon.
  
  
• If you go to pay your respects, watch yourself.  The cemetery is in a very sketchy neighborhood.
  
  
• In 2012, Kyle stopped by Conan O'Brien's TBS talk show to promote the book's release.  You can watch the interview on YouTube.
  
  
• In 2006, Kyle boasted that he had punched out Jesse Ventura after the former made derogatory remarks about the military.  Ventura denied the incident and sued Kyle for defamation, a legal battle that ended with a settlement five years after Kyle's death.  Ventura, dubbing Kyle an "American Liar," received an undisclosed amount from Kyle's estate.
  
  
• A fan of the 1980s GI Joe cartoon series, Kyle dubbed his military vehicles after two of its more famous characters - Duke and Snake Eyes.  Yo Joe!

The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans

 

Marie Catherine Laveau was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 10, 1801, at a time when that future state was still under Spanish rule.  While slavery was still the law, she was born a free woman of color to her unwed mother Marguerite.  The identity of her father has never been conclusively confirmed, but many historians point to a local politician named Charles Laveau.

Today, Laveau is a folk figure known for her practice of the occult.  What is often forgotten is that she was also a shrewd businesswoman.  She owned a beauty parlor, catering to the elite and upper class of society, many of whom felt free to gossip while in her care.  Laveau would later use the information she'd overheard to enhance her reputation as a clairvoyant.  

She became a celebrated voodoo practitioner with three locations throughout the Big Easy.  Like the Miss Cleo commercials that would come two centuries later, Laveau's clients wanted help with their families, their finances, and their love lives.  She was so popular that she was named the third female leader of voodoo in New Orleans, a less-than official office granting her the titles of Queen and Priestess.

Marie Laveau died on June 15, 1881, at the age of 79.  She was entombed in Saint Louis Cemetery #1 just outside the French Quarter in New Orleans, ensuring that she would not return as a zombie.  Legend tells that if you draw three Xs on the tomb and leave an offering, your wish will be granted.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about Marie Laveau, take a voyage to Amazon.  Its all in books.
  
  
• In 1974, country singer Bobby Bare released his single Marie Laveau, a tribute to the Voodoo Queen.  It was an overnight success, reaching the top spot on the Billboard country chart.  Take a listen on YouTube.
  
  
• A number of documentaries on voodoo and Marie Laveau have been produced over the years, including the History Channel's The Truth of Voodoo Revealed, hosted by Leaonard Nimoy.  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• Not only is Laveau's grave a tourist attraction in New Orleans, but her house is as well - sort of.  The original structure was torn down in 1903, but today, the house built on its foundation welcomes visitors and their wallets for guided tours.  Interested?  Visit Ghost City Tours for more information.
  
  
• Although a free woman of color herself, Laveau owned many slaves.
  
  
• Vlogger Jacob the Carpetbagger toured the cemetery and Laveau's grave in 2018.  Check out his video on YouTube.
  
  
• While this blogger has visited hundreds of graves throughout the United States, this is the only one that charged an admission fee.  Saint Louis Cemetery is by guided tour only.

Dom DeLuise - Captain Chaos!

 

"I became a comedian when they laughed at my serious acting."

Dom DeLuise is known for many roles, but for my generation, he will always be Captain Chaos, aka Victor Prinzim, from the Cannonball Run movies.  In fact, until I wrote this blog, I had completely forgotten the character's real name.

He was born Dominick DeLuise in New York City on August 1, 1933.  He later graduated from Tufts University in Massachusetts with a degree in biology, most say to please his father, a garbageman, but Dom had his sights set on Hollywood.

He got his start working in children's television in the New York City area, taking over the role of Tinker the Toymaker on Tinker's Workshop, a role vacated by future Captain Kangaroo star Bob Keeshan. 

From there, he moved on to the New York theatre scene, appearing in a number of off-Broadway productions, including All in Love and Around the World in 80 Days before taking on the Great White Way in such productions as Last of the Red Hot Lovers.

In 1981, Dom was cast with longtime friend Burt Reynolds in the first Cannonball Run movie.  It was a box-office success, which guaranteed the 1984 sequel.  Dom would also appear with Reynolds in several other films as well, including Smokey and the Bandit Part 2 (1980), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), and an often-forgotten film about suicide called The End (1978).

In 2008, Dom was diagnosed with cancer.  It ultimately took his life just one year later on May 4, 2009, while Dom was sound asleep.  He was 75 years old.

Dom was cremated.  His ashes were laid to rest in the family plot at Calvary Cemetery just outside New York City.

Rest in peace, Captain.

Trivia

• Dom was a prolific author, who released a number of cookbooks (go figure) as well as a series of children's books.  Check out his library on Amazon.
  
  
• Dom was a prolific voice-over artist as well, appearing in such film as All Dogs go to Heaven (1989).  For the VHS release of the film, Dom appeared in a special segment as himself for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• Both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend of The Who have recorded a song called After the Fire.  Both versions reference Dom.  Take a listen on YouTube - Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey.
  
  
• Dom worked with all three of his sons on a number of TV series, including Stargate SG-1, SeaQuest 2032, and Third Rock From the Sun, as well as the 1979 film Hot Stuff.
  
  
• Dom spoofed The Godfather in two films - Cannonball Run II (1984) and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1991).
  

Brittany Murphy

 

"I would like to be very, very, very, very old.  With all the technology we are inventing and what they are coming up with scientifically, people are having longer lifetimes."

Brittany Anne Murphy was born in Atlanta, Georgia on November 10, 1977.  By the time she was just three years old, her parents had already divorced and her father, a member of the Italian mafia, was on his way to prison.  Brittany and her mom soon relocated to Edison, New Jersey.

By the time she was a teenager, Murphy was already intent on becoming an actress.  Her mother encouraged the dream by relocating the family to Hollywood.  It proved to be a smart bet, as Murphy quickly found work.  Her first role was in this flashback sequence on the hit comedy Murphy Brown. 

From there, she joined the cast of the FOX sit-com Drexell's Class, playing the daughter of series lead Dabney Coleman. Here's a cute clip on YouTube.  Her breakthrough role however, was in the 1995 film Clueless, playing transfer student Tai Frasier.  It was a box office success, earning $88 million worldwide and projecting Murphy to superstar status.

In 2006, Murphy began dating British screenwriter Simon Monjack.  Friends and family became increasingly distrustful of him and were often cautioning Murphy about the relationship.  She went ahead and married him anyway however, in a private ceremony in 2007.  The couple, joined by Murphy's mother, then moved into a Beverly Hills mansion formerly owned by Brittany Spears and Justin Timberlake.  

On the morning of December 20, 2009, paramedics were called to the mansion after Murphy was found unconscious on a bathroom floor.  She was transported to Cedars-Sinai Hospital, where she passed away following a cardiac arrest.  She was just 32 years old. 

On Christmas Eve, she was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.  The Associated Press filed this report from the cemetery. 

An autopsy cited a number of factors contributing to her death, including pneumonia, anemia, and drug intoxication.  Monjack and Murphy's mother publicly contested the autopsy, re-iterating that Murphy had never been a known drug user.  Then, just five months later, Monjack was also found dead in the home.  Amazingly, his death was also attributed to pneumonia and anemia, leading some to speculate that the house was full of toxic mold.  It remains a subject of great debate to this day.

Rest in peace.  As if!

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about Brittany Murphy, take a voyage to Amazon.  Its all in books.
  
  
• Four years after her death, independent lab tests funded by her father discovered the presence of ten heavy metals at levels deemed unsafe by the World Health Organization.
  
  
• Murphy was a talented singer as well.  In the 1990s, she collaborated with fellow actor Eric Balfour and launched the band Blessed With Soul.  You can check out her video for Faster Kill Pussycat on YouTube.
  
  
• Speaking of videos, in 2004, MTV followed Murphy to a Blockbuster video store in Manhattan, where she treated viewers to her movie picks, on VHS no less.  What did she recommend?  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• Murphy was a devout Christian and patriot, who visited our troops in both Baghdad and Kuwait during the War on Terror. 

Chris Farley

 

"I want to live fast and die young."

Christopher Crosby Farley was born in Madison, Wisconsin on February 15, 1964.  He was one of five children born to Thomas John Farley, Sr., owner of an oil company, and Mary Anne, a homemaker.

In 1986, he graduated from Marquette University in Michigan with a double major in communications and theatre.  While there, he honed his talent for comedy, making his way to Chicago's Second City Theatre following graduation.

In 1990, he began a five-year stint on Saturday Night Live (SNL), along with other newcomers Adam Sandler, Tim Meadows, and David Spade.  His most famous recurring character during this time was that of motivational speaker Matt Foley, who often reminded viewers that he "lived in a van down by the river."  He also formed an intense bond with Spade, which would lead to them making a series of films together.  Along with Sandler, Farley fired from SNL in 1995.

In late December 1997, Farley was entertaining a hooker in his apartment at the John Hancock Center in Chicago.  The two imbibed on one of Farley's oft-joked about subjects, cocaine and heroin.  An accidental overdoes would lead to his death at the young age of 33.  He was eventually found by his brother John on December 18th.

A private funeral was held in Madison on December 23rd.  More than 500 people attended, including former castmates Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, George Wendt and more.  Noticeably absent was his best friend Spade, who later recalled that it would have been too emotionally overwhelming.  Farley was then entombed in the main mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• Following his death, Heidi the Hooker sold photos of Farley's dead body to the Globe tabloid, which naturally published them.  This blogger has seen them, as they are easily searchable on the internet.
  
  
• Twelve years after Farley's passing, his older brother Tom decided to cash in by publishing The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts.  You can pick up a copy from Amazon.
  
  
• Farley was cast as the title character in the 2001 animated hit Shrek and even recorded dialogue for the film.  After his untimely passing however, the role was re-assigned to his SNL castmate, Mike Myers.  Test footage does survive however, including this version on YouTube.
  
  
• At the time of his death, Farley's next-door neighbor was talk show host and disgraced former mayor Jerry Springer.
  
  
• As a tribute to the comedian, the Red Hot Chili Peppers included the lyric "Farley is an angel and I can prove this" on their single Purple Stain.  You can hear it for yourself on YouTube.
  
  
• Farley often appeared as former House speaker Newt Gingrich on SNL.  Following the former's first 100 days in that role, Farley played the part live at a meeting on Capitol Hill.  C-SPAN covered the event, which you can watch on YouTube.

The Babe!

"The only game, I think, in the world is baseball."

George Herman "Babe" Ruth was born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 6, 1895.  He was the son of German immigrants and one of only two siblings (out of seven) to survive past infancy.

Though much of his childhood remains a mystery, it is believed that his interest in baseball first began while as a student at St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys.  There, he was mentored by Brother Matthias Boutlier, himself a skilled baseball player.

When Ruth was 19, he began his career with the Baltimore Orioles.  It was here that he earned his nickname, due to both his young appearance and his almost familial relationship with team owner, Jack Dunn.  He was later sold to the Boston Red Sox, where he had a well-earned reputation as an outstanding pitcher.

In 1920, Ruth was sold again, this time to the New York Yankees.  Over the next 15 years, he'd help them win seven American League pennants and four World Series.  By the time he retired in 1935, he'd achieved 714 home runs in his big-league career, a record that would stand until 1974, when Hank Aaron scored 715.

By 1946, Ruth was experiencing the early symptoms of cancer.  He'd continue traveling the country however, doing promotional work for the Ford Motor Company.  He also collaborated on his autobiography The Babe Ruth Story.  During one of his final public appearances, he donated a copy of the yet-unpublished manuscript to Yale University.  There, he met the captain of the baseball team, future President George H.W, Bush.

Babe Ruth passed away on August 16th, 1948, at the age of 53.  He was laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• If you want to learn more about Babe Ruth, take a voyage to Amazon.  It's all in books.
  
  
• The eulogy that appears on Ruth's marker (shown above) was delivered by Cardinal Francis Spellman, who served as Archbishop of New York and officiated at the funeral.
  
  
• The Babe had a tendency to call each of his teammates "kid."  It wasn't a term of endearment; rather, he could never remember their names.
  
  
• The Babe's father once owned a pub in downtown Baltimore.  The neighborhood was later redeveloped and turned into Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles.  It is said that the pub was located at what is now center field.
  
  
• Camden Yards also includes a tribute to the Babe in the form of a statue.  Unfortunately, it incorrectly portrays him as a right-hander.  The Babe was a lefty.

Buried in a Pringles Can?

 

Fred Baur is not exactly a household name, but the product he created certainly is. At some point in your life, you've probably had Pringles, the uniquely shaped stackable potato chip he created for Procter and Gamble in 1966.  Five years later, he received a patent for the tubular can that would help make the chips a household name.  It would also play a pivotal role in his demise.

Baur was born in Toledo, Ohio on July 14, 1918.  He received his master's degree from Ohio State University, then did a tour with the Navy during World War 2.  After the service, he returned to Ohio and began a career as an organic chemist and food storage scientist.  

Baur died of Alzheimer's disease on May 4, 2008.  He was 89 years old.  For many, that would have been the end of the story, were it not for the unique final arrangements he had requested in the days leading up to his death.

Baur was cremated, and his ashes were divided into thirds.  The first set was given to his grandchildren.  The remaining two sets were buried at Arlington Memorial Gardens in Mount Healthy, Ohio, just twenty minutes outside Cincinnati.  Two separate containers were used - a traditional urn and a standard Pringles can.  Baur had requested that a portion of his remains be interred with the product he had given to the world.  

Artist's rendition.

Rest in peace.

Trivia

• This blogger has been to known to consume an entire can of Pringles in one sitting.  Favorite flavors include original, Buffalo Ranch, Sour Cream and Onion, and Honey Mustard.
  
  
• In addition to developing Pringles and its packaging, Baur created frying oils and freeze-dried ice cream.
  
  
• In 2012, Kellogg's acquired Pringles from Procter and Gamble for the tidy sum of $2.7 billion.
  
  
• There are a number of YouTube videos regarding Baur, Pringles, and the grave.  Unfortunately, they all suck.  Here's one that sucks less than the rest.