On October 19, 1985, the first Blockbuster video-rental store
opened, in Dallas, Texas. At a time when most video stores
were small-scale operations featuring a limited selection of
titles, Blockbuster opened with some 8,000 tapes displayed
on shelves around the store and a computerized check-out
process.

The first store was a success and Blockbuster expanded
rapidly, eventually becoming one of the world’s largest
providers of in-home movies and game entertainment,
before eventually filing for bankruptcy in 2010.

Blockbuster was founded by David Cook, who had previously
owned a business that provided computer software services
to the oil and gas industry in Texas.

In 1987, he sold part of the business to a group of investors
that included Wayne Huizenga, founder of Waste Management,
Inc., the world’s biggest garbage disposal company.

Founder David Cook.

As of August 2018, the last Blockbuster store is in Bend,
Oregon.

Diane Keaton as Kay Adams, Michael Corleone’s wife
(Al Pacino right). Adams’ character was introduced in
The Godfather (1972).

Diane Keaton (January 5, 1946 – October 11, 2025)

(FOX NEWS) -  Diane Keaton has died at the age of 79 in California
following a recent decline in her health.

People magazine reported the actress’s family has requested
privacy at this time,

Keaton is known for her performances in "The Godfather" films
and her role in "Annie Hall" in 1977, for which she won the Oscar
for Best Actress.

Actress Gwyneth Kate Paltrow was born in Las Angele,
California to filmmaker Bruce Paltrow and actress Blythe
Danner. 

She established herself as a leading lady appearing in
primarily mid-budget and period films during the 1990s
and early 2000s, before transitioning to blockbusters
and franchises.

Her accolades include an Academy Award, a Golden
Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award.

1998

2013

Author Stephen Edwin King, .dubbed the "King of Horror," is
widely known for his horror novels and has also explored other
genres, among them suspense, crime, science-fiction, fantasy,
and mystery..

Though known primarily for his novels, he has written about
200 short stories, most of which have been published in
collections.

His debut page-turner, Carrie (1974), established him in
horror.

Sophia Loren is an Italian actress whose beauty and acting
in films like "Two Women" won her both popularity and an
Oscar.

With a career spanning over 70 years, she is one of the last
surviving major stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood
cinema.

1960