“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” a comedy
based in the fictionalized world of American stock car
racing, premiered in movie theaters around the United
States on August 4, 2006.

The comedian Will Ferrell (who also co-wrote the screenplay
with director Adam McKay and served as an executive
producer) starred as Ricky Bobby, a leading driver on the
National Association for Stock Auto Car Racing (NASCAR)
circuit.

John William Ferrell (56)

Born in New York, Mel (Melvin James) Brooks is a actor,
filmmaker, comedian,songwriter, and playwright.   

With a career spanning over seven decades, he is known as
a writer and director of a variety of successful broad farces
and parodies.

A recipient of numerous accolades, he is one of 22 entertainers
to win the EGOT, which includes an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar,
and a Tony. He’s 99 years old today.

                     
MIKE GRACIA                                                

Groundhog Day premiered at the Fox Village Theatre on February
4, 1993 and was released by Columbia Pictures on February 12.
Earning over $105 million, it became one of the year’s highest-
grossing films. It also received generally positive reviews.

William (Bill) James Murray is 75.

Zany, satirical and brimming with countercultural energy,
"Rowan & Martin’s  Laugh-In" sketch comedy TV show
premiered on NBC and ran until July 23, 1973, on the
NBC television network , launching the careers of Lily
Tomlin and Goldie Hawn.  

Gary Owens