MIKE GRACIA
On this day in 1961, the Peace Corps was formally authorized by Congress. President John F. Kennedy (seated) signs legislation
creating the organization.
Ronald William "Ron" Howard is 63 years old today.
Ron Howard studied film at the University of Southern California,
but dropped out before graduating.
William "Bill" Paxton (May 17, 1955 – February 25, 2017)
The actor/director died on Saturday due to complications of
surgery.
1996
Stars Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton
John Howard Carpenter was born in Los Angeles, California.
Director John Carpenter is known for his horror, thriller and science fiction
films such as The Thing (1982), Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Halloween
(1978), Escape from New York (1981) and Starman 1984).
He made short horror films on 8mm before high school. He was enrolled at the
University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, but dropped out.
From left: John Carpenter with Jamie Lee Curtis on the set of
Halloween.
Mel Colmcille Gerard Gibson was born in Peekskill, New York. He
moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia, when he was 12
years old.
Mel Gibson directed and starred in the 1995 film Braveheart which won the
Academy Award for Best Picture. His best known roles as an actor include
Martin Riggs in the Lethal Weapon series (1980s – 1990’s) and the title role
in the Mad Max series beginning in 1979. He also starred in The Patriot
(2000) and directed the critically-acclaimed 2000 film Apocalypto and
Hacksaw Ridge (2016). He wrote and directed The Passion of the Christ
(2004), which became a cult classic amongst Christian viewers.
ROSS SIMPSON
Steven Allan Spielberg is 70 years old today.
Spielberg charged friends and family to watch the 8mm adventure
films he made growing up. His 1968 short film Amblin’ inspired the
name of his future production company Amblin Entertainment. His
1977 science fiction feature Close Encounters of the Third Kind
was labeled "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant"
by the U.S. Library of Congress and chosen for preservation
in the National Film Registry.
