Trending
Popular people
Riccardo Muti
Biography
Riccardo Muti (born 28 July 1941) is an Italian conductor. He is current music director of the Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini. Muti has previously held posts at the Maggio Musicale in Florence, the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Salzburg Whitsun Festival, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He was named Music Director Emeritus in Chicago in 2023.
A prolific recording artist, Muti has received numerous honours and awards, including two Grammy Awards. He is especially associated with the music of Giuseppe Verdi. Among the world's leading conductors, in a 2015 Bachtrack poll he was ranked by music critics as the world's fifth best living conductor.
Muti was born in Naples but he spent his early childhood in Molfetta, near Bari, in the long region of Apulia on Italy's southern Adriatic coast. His father, Domenico, was a pathologist in Molfetta, as well as an amateur singer and great music lover; his mother, Gilda, was a reserved and severe Neapolitan woman with five children.
Muti graduated from Liceo classico (Classical Lyceum) Vittorio Emanuele II in Naples, then studied piano at the Conservatory of San Pietro a Majella under Vincenzo Vitale; here Muti was awarded a diploma cum laude. He was subsequently awarded a diploma in Composition and Conducting by the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory, Milan, where he studied with the composer Bruno Bettinelli and the conductor Antonino Votto. He has also studied composition with Nino Rota, whom he considers a mentor. He was unanimously awarded first place by the jury of the "Guido Cantelli Competition for Conductors" in Milan in 1967 and became, the next year, principal conductor and music director of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a post he held for eleven years.
Since 1971 he has been a frequent conductor of operas and concerts at the Salzburg Festival, where he is particularly known for his Mozart opera performances. From 1972 Muti regularly conducted the Philharmonia Orchestra in London and in 1973 he was appointed its principal conductor, succeeding Otto Klemperer.
In 1979, Muti became the music director and principal conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In 1986, he became principal conductor of the Filarmonica della Scala, Milan, with which in 1988 he received the Viotti d'Oro and toured Europe. In 1989 he conducted a live performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni that was recorded on a DVD. In 1991, after twelve years as music director, he announced his resignation from the Philadelphia Orchestra, effective at the end of the 1991–1992 season.
In 1995 he was the president of the jury of the International Composing Competition "2 Agosto".
Muti has been a regular guest of the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic. In 1996, he conducted the Vienna Philharmonic during Vienna Festival Week and on tour to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Germany; he most recently toured with the Vienna Philharmonic to Japan in 2008. Muti has also led the orchestra's Vienna New Year's Concert on seven occasions to date: in 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2018, 2021 and 2025. ...
Source: Article "Riccardo Muti" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Read more
Richard Trethewey
Biography
Richard Trethewey has been the plumbing and heating expert on the home improvement series This Old House since 1980, after taking over from his father, Ron Trethewey, who was the original expert in the first season. Born and raised in Dedham, Massachusetts, Richard grew up in a family deeply rooted in the plumbing trade—his family business, Trethewey Bros., was founded in 1902. Richard started working in the trade during summers from a young age and is a licensed master and journeyman plumber in Massachusetts. He is well known for his problem-solving approach to plumbing and heating challenges, making complex technical issues understandable for viewers. In addition to his television work, Richard founded RST Thermal, a company that provides training for skilled trades professionals. He remains actively involved in the industry alongside his two sons and enjoys sailing and home renovation. Richard is appreciated for his professionalism, passion for educating homeowners, and his down-to-earth style, which has made him a beloved figure on This Old House and the spinoff Ask This Old House.
Read more
Sean Connery
Biography
Sir Thomas Sean Connery (August 25, 1930 - October 31, 2020) was a Scottish actor and producer who won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards (one being a BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award), and three Golden Globes, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award and a Henrietta Award.
Connery was the first actor to portray the character James Bond in film, starring in seven Bond films (every film from Dr. No to You Only Live Twice, plus Diamonds Are Forever and Never Say Never Again), between 1962 and 1983. In 1988, Connery won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Untouchables. His films also include Marnie (1964), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Man Who Would Be King (1975), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Highlander (1986), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990), Dragonheart (1996), The Rock (1996), and Finding Forrester (2000).
Connery was polled in a 2004 The Sunday Herald as "The Greatest Living Scot" and in a 2011 EuroMillions survey as "Scotland's Greatest Living National Treasure". He was voted by People magazine as both the “Sexiest Man Alive" in 1989 and the "Sexiest Man of the Century” in 1999. He received a lifetime achievement award in the United States with a Kennedy Center Honor in 1999. Connery was knighted in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to film drama.
On October 31, 2020, it was announced that Connery had died at the age of 90.
Read more
Cice Rivera
Biography
Cice Rivera, (born June 20, 1970) is an American television and film actress, makeup artist, director, producer, photographer, writer and published author. She began acting classes at sixteen and made her first movie appearance in Carlito's Way (1992) and The Cowboy Way (1994). Since establishing her career as a rising Hollywood actress and author, with films such as Carlito's Angels and Blue's Clues shows, which received 3 wins and 30 nominations, NYTimes awards and award winning show. Early life Rivera was born in Newark, N.J. Currently resides in Hollywood, F.L. the daughter of Nilda Lopez, a Hispanic cosmetologist and Rafael Rivera Sr., a Hispanic entrepreneur from Arecibo Puerto Rico. Rivera's maternal grandparents are from Spain and Puerto Rico. On her father's side, she is descended from a prominent family in Puerto Rico. Rivera has an older brother Rafael, a younger brother Manuel and a adopted little sister Alexis. Rivera lived in West Orange N.J. until age eighteen, where she took art and writing classes at an art gallery nearby. She frequently wrote poetry and did canvas art for much of her childhood. Rivera studied art as a child and also taking small parts in any production. Rivera attended West Orange High School for a short period: Later attending and graduating from Florida School of Excellence. Rivera participated in high school theater productions, art, photography and fashion design. Rivera enrolled in the University of Metaphysical Science in California 2004. Prior to this, she worked as a bartender while pursuing an acting career. She went into Manhattan daily to pursue auditions and supported herself with a variety of odd jobs. Rivera later completed her coursework and was awarded a degree from UMS and Addiction Academy of SF and is furthering her education with a degree in psychology. She is Florida State licensed counselor. She is fluent in Spanish and intermediate in several languages. Career Modeling At 16, she began her career as a model. Rivera first modeling job was for a catalog. Following many fashion shows. She modeled for various photographers and companies.
Read more
Edith Evanson
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edith Evanson (née Carlson; April 29, 1896 – November 29, 1980) was an American actress of film, character and television during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
She was born in Tacoma, Washington, where her father was a Protestant church clergyman (a religion to which she adhered throughout her life). Her first job was as a court reporter in Bellingham.
On March 15, 1923, she married Morris Otto Evanson (1893-1975). The couple had no children
Her first film role came in The Man Who Wouldn't Talk (1940) in an uncredited role. In the 1940s she was in supporting roles mostly as a maid, a busybody, landladies, or middle-aged secretaries. Some of her other film roles include parts in Citizen Kane (1941), Blossoms in the Dust (1941), Woman of the Year (1942), Reunion in France (1942), The Strange Woman (1947), I Remember Mama (1948), Rope (1948), The Damned Don't Cry (1950), The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) and Disney's Toby Tyler (1960). During her time in Hollywood, she co-starred opposite some of its greatest legends, including Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Orson Welles, Joan Crawford, Michael Rennie, Glenn Ford, Patricia Neal, James Stewart, Irene Dunne, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Hedy Lamarr.
With the coming of television in the late 1940s she expanded in her career appearing on such shows as You Are There, The Loretta Young Show, Chevron Hall of Stars, Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre, The Millionaire, Zane Grey Theater, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Frank Sinatra Show, Bachelor Father, Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, and Lassie.
Following her retirement, she lived in Riverside, California, until her death from heart failure on November 29, 1980. Her ashes were scattered into the Pacific Ocean.
Read more
Lijo Jose Pellissery
Biography
Lijo Jose Pellissery (born September 18, 1978) is a renowned Indian filmmaker and actor, primarily working in Malayalam cinema. He is celebrated for his bold, unconventional storytelling and experimental approach to filmmaking. Lijo’s films are known for their complex narratives, inventive visual style, and strong ensemble casts, often blending realism with surreal elements. Over the years, he has garnered critical acclaim and a strong cult following for pushing the boundaries of mainstream Malayalam cinema.
Lijo made his directorial debut with Nayakan (2010), but it was his later films that truly established his unique cinematic voice. His film Amen (2013), a quirky musical drama set in a small village, was a commercial and critical success, showcasing his ability to blend humor, romance, and social commentary.
However, it was Angamaly Diaries (2017) that brought him widespread recognition. The film, shot in a raw, naturalistic style with a cast of newcomers, depicted the vibrant, chaotic world of the titular town. Its famous 11-minute single-take climax became a defining moment in modern Malayalam cinema. Following that, Lijo’s Ee.Ma.Yau (2018) won several awards for its powerful portrayal of death and grief in a coastal village, using dark humor and deeply philosophical undertones.
Lijo continued to challenge conventional filmmaking with Jallikattu (2019), a visceral and visually stunning film about the chaos that ensues when a buffalo escapes in a rural village. Jallikattu was India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2020 Academy Awards, marking Lijo’s global recognition.
His films often explore the primal instincts of humans, societal chaos, and the dynamics of rural life, all while maintaining a sense of authenticity and local flavor. With his bold vision and fearless experimentation, Lijo Jose Pellissery has become one of the most innovative and influential filmmakers in contemporary Indian cinema.
Read more
Ben Stobber
Biography
Ben Stobber is a Student Emmy and Broadway World award winning actor. Born in Hudson, Wisconsin but raised in the small town of Pueblo West, Colorado, he developed his passion for acting since age five through talent shows, musicals, speech & debate, and love for Shakespeare. His move to Las Vegas in 2002 brought opportunities with Paramount in Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, followed by other local Vegas acting opportunities as a scare actor for Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, Blue Man Group at the Venetian, & Cirque du Soleil's Love at the Mirage. His first time in front of the camera was in 2004 for TNT's Dramatic Auditions when they were traveling around the country looking for the best actors. Of the many who auditioned, he was chosen as one of five semifinalists in the Las Vegas region. Biggest stage performance break came from being cast as the lead role of Ash in the Las Vegas premiere of Evil Dead the Musical. This lead him to his first starring performance on the strip at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino where he performed for almost three years. Other notable credits on the Las Vegas strip were Legwarmers, Divorce Party the Musical, & Awesome 80's Prom. Recent film credits include Immortal Wars(Eric Roberts, Tom Sizemore, Bill Oberst Jr.) distributed by ITN, Bus Party to Hell(Tara Reid, Sadie Katz, Devanny Pinn) distributed by Gravitas Ventures, Sunset Society(Lemmy, Dizzy Reed, Ron Jeremy, Steve-O) distributed by Cleopatra Entertainment, and Unwritten( Lorenzo Lamas).
IMDb Mini Biography By: Ben Stobber
Read more
David Beckham
Biography
David Robert Joseph Beckham (born 2 May 1975) is an English former professional footballer. He played for Manchester United, Preston North End (on loan), Real Madrid, AC Milan (on loan), LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain and the England national team, for which he held the appearance record for an outfield player until 2016. He is the first English player to win league titles in four countries: England, Spain, the United States and France. He retired in May 2013 after a 20-year career, during which he won 19 major trophies.
Beckham's professional club career began with Manchester United, where he made his first-team debut in 1992 at age 17. With United, he won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. He then played four seasons with Real Madrid, winning the La Liga championship in his final season with the club. In July 2007, Beckham signed a five-year contract with Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy. While a Galaxy player, he spent two loan spells in Italy with Milan in 2009 and 2010. He was the first British footballer to play 100 UEFA Champions League games. In international football, Beckham made his England debut on 1 September 1996 at the age of 21. He was captain for six years, earning 58 caps during his tenure. He made 115 career appearances in total, appearing at three FIFA World Cup tournaments, in 1998, 2002 and 2006, and two UEFA European Championship tournaments, in 2000 and 2004.
Known for his range of passing, crossing ability and bending free-kicks as a right winger, Beckham has been hailed as one of the greatest and most recognisable midfielders of his generation, as well as one of the best set-piece specialists of all time. He was runner-up in the Ballon d'Or in 1999, twice runner-up for FIFA World Player of the Year (1999 and 2001) and in 2004 was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players. He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2021. A global ambassador of the sport, Beckham is regarded as a British cultural icon.
Beckham has consistently ranked among the highest earners in football, and in 2013 was listed as the highest-paid player in the world, having earned over $50 million in the previous 12 months. He has been married to Victoria Beckham since 1999 and they have four children. He has been a UNICEF UK ambassador since 2005, and in 2015 he launched 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund. In 2014, MLS announced that Beckham and a group of investors would own Inter Miami CF, which began play in 2020.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Read more
Harold Young
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harold Young (November 13, 1897 – March 3, 1972) was an American film director, editor, and occasional actor.
Born in Portland, Oregon, Young was active as a film editor from 1923-1934, working first on a series of George O'Hara short subjects under the director Malcolm St. Clair.
Young's best-known early directoral assignment is probably The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934), starring Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon, one example of his occasional work in Britain. He died on March 3, 1972 in Beverly Hills, California.
Read more
André Glucksmann
Biography
André Glucksmann (19 June 1937 – 10 November 2015) was a French philosopher, activist and writer. He was a leading figure of the new philosophers.
Glucksmann began his career as a Marxist, but went on to reject communism in the popular book La Cuisinière et le Mangeur d'Hommes (1975), and later became an outspoken critic of the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russian foreign policy. He was a strong supporter of human rights. In later years he opposed the claim that Islamic terrorism is the product of the clash of civilizations between Islam and the West.
André Glucksmann was born in 1937 in Boulogne-Billancourt, the son of Ashkenazi Jewish parents from Austria-Hungary. His father was from Czernowitz in northern Bukovina, which later became part of Romania and is now in Ukraine, and his mother from Prague, which later became the capital of Czechoslovakia.
Glucksmann's father was killed in World War II, and his mother and sister were active in the French Resistance. The family "narrowly escaped deportation to the camps" during the Holocaust, which influenced Glucksmann's developing ideas of "the state as the ultimate source of barbarism".
He studied at the Lycée la Martinière in Lyon, and later enrolled at École normale supérieure de Saint-Cloud. His first book, Le Discours de la Guerre, was published in 1968.
In 1975 he published the anti-Marxist book La Cuisinière et le Mangeur d'Hommes - subtitled Réflexions sur l'État, le marxisme et les camps de concentration, in which he argued that Marxism leads inevitably to totalitarianism, tracing parallels between the crimes of Nazism and Communism. In his next book Les maitres penseurs, published in 1977 and translated into English as Master Thinkers (Harper & Row, 1980), he traced the intellectual justification for totalitarianism back to the ideas articulated by various German philosophers such as Fichte, Hegel, Marx, and Nietzsche. In the years of the Vietnam War, Glucksmann rose to national prominence after expressing his support for Vietnamese boat people. He began working with Bernard-Henri Lévy criticizing Communism. Both had formerly been well known Marxists. Shortly afterwards they became known, along with others of their generation who rejected Marxism, as New Philosophers, a term coined by Lévy.
In 1985, Glucksmann signed a petition to President Reagan urging him to continue his support for the Contras in Nicaragua. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Glucksmann became an advocate for the use of nuclear power. In 1995 he supported the resumption of nuclear tests by Jacques Chirac. He supported the NATO intervention in Serbia in 1999. He also called for Chechnya to become independent.
In his book Dostoyevsky in Manhattan, Glucksmann asserts that nihilism, particularly as depicted by Dostoyevsky in his novels Demons and The Brothers Karamazov, is the 'characteristic form' of modern terrorism. Drawing on Ivan Karamazov's dictum that "If there is no God, everything is permitted", Glucksmann argues that: "The inner nature of nihilistic terrorism is that everything is permissible, whether because God exists and I am his representative, or because God does not exist and I take his place." ...
Source: Article "André Glucksmann" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Read more
