Celebrities

PHOTOS AUTOGRAPHED FOR ME BY CELEBRITIES I ADMIRE
(Note: these photos, books, etc., are NOT for sale... don't even ask!)
Updated: March 09, 2008

Regardless what the tabloids tell you about them, I believe that true "celebrities" (as opposed to people who are simply notorious) are defined by their efforts and accomplishments - in and out of the public eye - that are inspiring as well as appealing. As in virtually anybody's life, TIMING and LUCK sometimes play important roles a celebrity's success. So does having a great publicist and agent. But to become a celebrity with longevity takes exceptional talent, committment, and perseverance. That in itself is inspiring.

So I've begun writing to people I truly admire, telling them how they have inspired me. As a token of that connection, I also enclose a photograph or two, or a book they've written, in hopes he or she might autograph it or even inscribe it for me. I then use the photos, books, etc as visual sources of inspiration. If my spirit slumps while I'm working, I just look up at the photos or the book inscriptions - I get rejuvenated, and get back to work. That works for me!

(TIP: For more information about these or your favorite movie celebrities, check out the Internet Movie Database - http://www.imdb.com)

	EWAN McGREGOR - Most of you know him as a superstar of screen and stage. Here are some of his movies: * MISS POTTER - with Renee Zellwegler * STAR WARS - Episodes I, II, and III - as Obi-Wan Kenobi, * TRAINSPOTTING * MOULIN ROUGE! - with Nicole Kidman * DOWN WITH LOVE - with Renee Zellwegler * BIG FISH - with Albert Finney and Helena Bonham Carter * THE ISLAND - with Scarlett Johansson In addition to signing these two photos that I sent to him, he also sent me a nice note, congratulating me on my journey and sharing a comment of kindred spirits.
	EWAN and his best mate CHARLEY BOORMAN are also proactive motorcycle adventurers and goodwill ambassadors for UNICEF In 2004, EWAN and CHARLEY rode around the world on BMW R1150GS Adventure motorcycles. They and their support crew and back-home office team produced a great book and TV series, and DVD - They used their celebrity and journey to promote the viatl work of UNICEF. Check it out! LONG WAY ROUND: Chasing Shadows Around the World. dfdfd In 2006, CHARLEY took on one of the world's most gruelling races - the DAKAR RALLY - from Lisbon, Portugal to Dakar, Senegal. Charley rode a BMW F650 GS DAKAR. Check out the website, Charley's book, and the DVD: RACE TO DAKAR dfd In 2007, these best mates and their LWR crew completed an awesome 15,000-mile, 85-day journey on BMW R1200GS Adventure motorcycles from John O'Groats in Scotland to the tip of South Africa. Again, they highlighted the work of UNICEF by visiting several of their projects along the way. The BBC carried it with ongoing blogs, videos, and photos: BBC - Long Way Down Check out the website, BOOK and TV series for LONG WAY DOWN - John O'Groats to Cape Town. fdfdd Stay tuned! Ewan and Charley are already planning their third major journey - from the tip of South America to Alaska!

	ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER - He is someone who sets high goals for himself - and achieves them - including: * top in body-building, * successful businessman, * movie superstar, * activist and humanitarian, * Governor of California.... * President Schwarzenegger?

	RICHARD BACH - I also had a special copy of the cult classsic book, *JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL*, signed by its world-renouned author, Richard Bach. The story of Jonathan helped inspire me to make the world journey. During my travels, I often felt the universal spirit of Jonathan.

	TOMMY LEE JONES - He's a great Oscar-winning actor who's starred in many excellent movies, bringing dynamic realism to his wide range of characters - on both sides of the law. Some of his best known: * MEN IN BLACK - with Will Smith * THE FUGUTIVE - with Harrison Ford (Oscar - Best Supporting Actor) * DOUBLE JEOPARDY - with Ashley Judd * BATMAN FOREVER - with Val Kilmer, Nicole Kidman, and Jim Carrey * LONESOME DOVE - the TV mini-series

	ANNE MURRAY - She's Canada's songbird, award-winning music icon, and a true international treasure. Her voice is one of the most soothing ever recorded. Her songs touch the heart. I often listen to Anne when I want to unwind or for gentle inspiration. A few of her great songs: * I Just Fall In Love Again * Could I Have This Dance * Shadows in the Moonlight * You Needed Me
	Anne also signed for me this original song sheet of one of her earliest mega-hits - Snowbird For more inforamtion about this wonderful lady and her amazing career, check out her official website: http://www.annemurray.com

	Robert Redford - Actor, producer, and Oscar-winning director (for ORDINARY PEOPLE) ... Robert Redford is living legend. Here are a but a few of the great movies he's starred in: * BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID - with Paul Newman * THE STING - with Paul Newman and Robert Shaw * OUT OF AFRICA - with Meryl Streep * THE HORSE WHISPERER - with Kristin Scott Thomas, Scarlett Johansson, and Sam Neil
	Mr. Redford also signed a special photo for me. It comes from the huge book LIGHT YEARS - Three Decades Photographing Among the Stars - a retrospective of the works of one of the world's best celebrity photographers - DOUGLAS KIRKLAND - see below. Douglas took this photo of Mr. Redford at Sundance, Utah, in 1988 (see page 100 of LIGHT YEARS). One of Mr. Redford's most inspiring and ongoing achievements goes on behind the camera - through the SUNDANCE INSTITUTE which he founded in 1981. It's a nonprofit organization that helps independent artists through its SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL and artistic development programs for filmmakers, screenwriters, composers, writers, playwrights and theatre artists. Check out the Institute's website at http://www.sundance.org

	Douglas Kirkland - photographer extraodinaire - Douglas is one the world's most sought-after celebrity / movie / commercial / fine arts photographers. He has worked on the sets of over 100 movies including THE SOUND OF MUSIC, ROMANCING THE STONE, OUT OF AFRICA, SHOWGIRLS, TITANIC and MOULIN ROUGE! His book - James Cameron's Titanic - was he first photo book to make the New York Times Best Sellers list. Douglas took this photo of ELIZABETH TAYLOR during an early session that became his "passport" to a much greater career in photography.
	I have the good fortune to call Douglas a friend. We met at his home in the Hollywood Hills as Melawend and I were returning from the world journey. Check out his website - http://www.douglaskirkland.com, the chapter summary that includes our meeting... better yet, buy IN THE LONG RUN and get the whole story. ELIZBETH TAYLOR and RICHARD BURTON ANN-MARGRET riding a chopper near Las Vegas More info about Douglas - see http://www.melawend.com/douglas.htm

	Jay Leno - One of the best and hardest working comedians in the business, Jay is an officando of classic cars and motorcycles. He has a personal collection of over 40 motorcycles and numerous classic cars. He inscribed this May 1993 issue of *Rider* Magzine for me. Now if I can only convince him to add a HONDA ELITE 250 to his collection!

	Jerry Lewis - During my childhood, Jerry was my favorite comedian, appearing in many great classic comedies including those listed below. He has been an inspiration for many of today's top comedians. He ruled as the #1 movie draw in 1957, 1959, and 1961 to 1964. And Jerry was nominated Nobel Prize for his 50 years raising money to fight muscular dystrophy. * THE STOOGE - with Dean Martin * VISIT TO A SMALL PLANET * THE BELLBOY * THE NUTTY PROFESSOR
	MARTIN & LEWIS - one of the greatest comedy teams ever. They worked together nightclubs, on radio, on television, and in film from 1946 until 1956, becoming the world's top box-office earners from 1950-56. Their parting in 1956 was acrimonious and they never performed together again (except for Martin's appearance on Jerry's telethon in 1979, arranged by mutual friend Frank Sinatra). But Jerry idolized Dean. And to give Dean the credit he feels critics overlooked in praising "the monkey" rather than the straight man, Jerry co-authored Dean & Me: A Love Story in 2005. Visit the official Jerry Lewis website http://www.jerrylewiscomedy.com to see was this inspiring entertainer and crusader is up to now...

	Christopher Plummer - As I see it, the UK gave the world SIR LAWRENCE OLIVIER - Canada gave it CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER From IMDB.com: "Christopher Plummer is arguably the finest actor of the post-World War II period never to be nominated for an Academy Award... the premier Shakespearean actor to come out of North America in the 20th century." * THE LAKE HOUSE (2006) - Simon Wyler * THE NEW WORLD (2005) - Captain Newport * SYRIANA (2005) - Dean Whiting * NATIONAL TREASURE (2004) .... John Adams Gates * A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001) .... Dr. Rosen * THE INSIDER (1999) - Mike Wallace * STAR TREK: THE KLINGON ACADEMY (2000) and * STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY (1991) - General Chang * "Counterstrike" .... Alexander Addington (TV series, 43 episodes, 1990-1993) * "THE THORN BIRDS (1983) (mini) TV Series .... Archbishop Vittorio Contini-Verchese * THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (1975) .... Rudyard Kipling * THE NIGHT OF THE GENERALS (1967) .... Field Marshal Rommel * THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965) .... Captain Georg von Trapp

	Bryan Adams - Many of you know this internationally famous rock singer, songwriter and guitarist - but BRYAN ADAMS is also renouned activist (Live Aid concerts, breast cancer, children), photographer (a bookwith Calvin Klei - American Women, photos of Queen Elizabeth, one of which was made into a postage stamp, international exhibitions and awards..), and a three-time Academy Award nominee. One of my favourite songs of all time is his "(Everthing I Do) I Do It For You" written for the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves soundtrack. Check out his official website: http://www.bryanadams.com Some of Bryan's best-selling albums include: * Reckless * 18 'Til I Die *Waking Up the Neighbours

	Ann-Margret - Okay, I confess, like many a pubescent boy my age, I had a crush on the beautiful and vivacious Ann-Margret. Through the years, she became a superb actress, recording artist, dancer and iconic Las Vegas performer who is still wowing audiences with her beauty and many talents. Here are just a few of her early and recent movies: * VIVA LAS VEGAS - with Elvis Presley (1963) ... Rusty Martin * THE PLEASURE SEEKERS (1964) ... Fran Hobson * GRUMPY OLD MEN (1993) ... Ariel Truax * GRUMPIER OLD MEN 1995) ... Ariel Gufstafson * THE BREAK UP (2006) ... Wendy Meyers * THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: The Escape Clause (2006) ... Sylvia Newman

	Michael Shapiro - MICHAEL SHAPIRO, writer and editor - winner of the 1998 Lowell Thomas award in the "Travel News and Investigative Reporting", author of acclaimed books including *NetTravel: How Travelers Use the Internet* and *Internet Travel Planner* - has given us a superb book: *A SENSE OF PLACE* (published byTravelers' Tales)- taking us on his two-year odyssey of interviewing some of the greatest travel writers at their homes, getting them to talk candidly about their craft, lives, and inspiration. He did this against the backdrop of his father's terminal illness. What you get is a down-to-earth, sensitive, and generous look at the lives of 18 great writers - including Paul Theroux, Jan Morris, Bill Bryson, Arthur Frommer, Pico Iyer, Eric Newby, Jonathan Raban, and Tim Cahill. Michael's website: http://www.michaelshapiro.net

	Valerie Hemingway - VALERIE HEMINGWAY, writer and editor - author of *Running with the Bulls: My Years with the Hemingways*. Read Valerie's fascinating behind-the-scenes memoir of how a young Irish journalist's assignment to interview Ernest Hemingway changed her life forever. Find out how she grew from and endured life with Ernest and Mary Hemingway and as wife of Ernest's son Gregory, and mother of his children. Photo at left: Lynn Donaldson Valerie's website: http://www.valeriehemingway.com

	Patrick Hemingway k PATRICK HEMINGWAY - the last surviving of Ernest Hemngway's three sons. Patrick took on the formidable task of editing the manuscript his father had written for his last African Safari - *TRUE AT FIRST LIGHT* - and the result is a joy to read... learn more... Patrick inscribed the book for me, adding a great sketch of a lion! He also sent me a nice hand-written letter. Photo - Patrick Hemingway with his father in a restaurant in 1944.

	John Williams fdfdf JOHN WILLIAMS - we know him most as the brilliant Academy award-winning composer, conductor and collaborator on the soundracks of numerous blockbuster individual and serial movies including (just a few): * E.T * Indian Jones * Star Wars * Jaws * Superman * Harry Potter