NEW YORK (AP — Linda Lavin, a Tony Award-winning stage
actress who became a working class icon as a paper-hat
wearing waitress on the CBS – TV sitcom "Alice," has died.

Her representative, Bill Veloric, said Lavin died in Los
Angeles on Sunday of complications from recently
discovered lung cancer.

Photo shows Linda Lavin (as waitress Alice Hyatt) and Vic Tayback (as Mel Sharples, owner of the diner) from "Alice."

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song originally written and
first recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda under the title
"Mbube", through South African Gallo Record Company.

In 1961, a version adapted into English by the doo-wop
group the Tokens became a number-one hit in the United
States on this day in 1961. It earned millions in royalties
from cover versions and film licensing.

Lyrics of Linda’s original version were written in Zulu, while
those from the Tokens’ adaptation were written by George
David Weiss.

The song has been adapted and covered internationally by
many pop and folk artists. It was first recorded in the United
States by the Weavers in November 1951, and published
under the title "Wimoweh."

The Tokens

On December 6, 1961, Syracuse running back Ernie Davis
became the first African American player to win the
Heisman Trophy, college football’s top individual award,
beating Ohio State fullback Bob Ferguson. Earlier in day,
Davis met with President John Kennedy at the Waldorf-
Astoria Hotel in New York. "I never thought I’d ever be
shaking the hand of the President of the United States,"
he says.   

As a senior in 1961, Davis rushed for 823 yards and scored
14 touchdowns. The previous season, he rushed for 877
yards.

Davis was the first pick in the 1962 NFL draft, by Washington,
which traded him to the Cleveland Browns. But he never
played in the NFL. Davis was diagnosed with leukemia later
in 1962, and died on May 18, 1963. He was only 23.         

Walter Elias Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966)

A pioneer of the American animation industry,Walt introduced
several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film
producer, he holds the record for most Academy Awards earned
(22) and nominations (59) by an individual. 

Walt Disney was presented with two Golden Globe Special
Achievement Awards and an Emmy Award, among other honors.

Several of his films are included in the National Film Registry
by the Library of Congress and have also been named as some
of the greatest films ever by the American Film Institute.

Taxi Driver (1974

Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster is a actress and filmmaker who 
has received numerous accolades, including two Academy
Awards, three BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globe Awards
and a Primetime Emmy Award. She was also honored with
the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2013 and the
Honorary Palme d’Or in 2021.

Foster began her professional career as a child model and
later gained recognition as a teen idol through various
Disney films.       
       
Jodie Foster’s early film work includes the Raquel Welch
vehicle Kansas City Bomber (1972) filmed in Portland,
Oregon. Foster played Rita in her second appearance
in a feature film.

1988

Foster made her directorial debut
with this 1991 film.

2005

2007