October 31st

It's Halloween night! What started as a way for ancient cultures to honor their dead (The next day, November 1st is All Saint's Day, or "All Hallowed Day" so this night is "All Hallow's Eve") has quickly become one of the biggest party days of the year. To honor the creepy, spooky spirit of Halloween, I'm writing to some of my favorite horror movie directors, actors, and special effects people.

Tobin Bell - Star of "Saw"

Shawnee Smith - Star of "Saw"

Linda Blair - Star of "The Exorcist"

Sir Anthony Hopkins - Star of "Silence of the Lambs"

Sigourney Weaver - Star of "Alien"

Robert Englund - Star of "Nightmare on Elm Street"

Bruce Campbell - Star of "Evil Dead"

Michael Rooker - Star of "Slither"

Brad Dourif - voice of Chucky in "Child's Play"

Jamie Lee Curtis - Star of "Halloween"

John Carpenter - Director, "Halloween"

Wes Craven - Director, "Nightmare on Elm Street"

George Romero - Director, "Night of the Living Dead"

Tobe Hooper - Director - "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"

Rob Zombie - Director - "House of 1,000 Corpses"

Joe Dante - Director, "Gremlins"

John Landis - Director, "American Werewolf in London"

Ridley Scott - Director, "Alien"

Mick Garris - Director, "The Stand"

Guillermo del Toro - Director, "Hellboy"

Rick Baker - special effects wizard

Stan Winston - creature creator

Roger Corman - King of the "B" Movies

October 28th - 30th

October 30th

1972 - The "Rumble in the Jungle" heavyweight fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. One of the most famous boxing matches ever held. It was televised live worldwide from Zaire and was so resonant that it has been the subject of an Academy Award winning documentary and two feature films. Unfortunately, due to his disability, I cannot write to Mr. Ali anymore, but I can write to some of the others who played key roles in this historic event.

George Foreman

Don King

Angelo Dundee



October 29th

1886 - the very first tickertape parade is held in NYC. Since then, there have been almost 300 of them. I'm writing to a man who has been honored twice, and who had the largest turnout ever in 1962.

John Glenn



October 28th

It's the 40th anniversary of one of my all-time favorite animated TV specials: "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!" Hard to believe it's been four decades since Snoopy fiorst fought the Red Baron and Linus hung out all night in the pumpkin patch. Charles Schultz, the creator of Peanuts passed away a few years ago, so I'm writing to the Emmy Award winning animator who brought life to these characters for TV.

Bill Melendez

October 27th

1682 - "The City of Brotherly Love" Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is founded. I'm writing to the current mayor of this great city and to some of my favorite entertainers that were born there.

John F. Street

David Brenner

M. Night Shamalyan

Tina Fey

October 26th

1972 - The details of the "Watergate" political scandal, which led to the downfall of President Richard M. Nixon, begin to be published in the Washington Post by two intrepid reporters. The story of their journalistic heroism will later be told in a book and Academy Award winning film: "All The President's Men." I'm writing to the two Pulitzer Prize winning reporters, the men who played them in the film, and the legendary editor who bravely risked his career to back them up.

Bob Woodward

Carl Bernstein

Robert Redford

Dustin Hoffman

Ben Bradlee

October 25th

Ireland becomes a free state - 1922

Mary McAleese - President of Ireland

October 24th

I posted about the beginning of World Series yesterday, and realized that I've written letters to the commissioners of all three other major sports in this country (football, basketball, hockey) during their championship matches, but negelected to write to the baseball commissioner. I'm correcting that omission now.

Bud Selig

October 23rd

It's World Series time again. Our national past time: baseball, the American game, born in Hoboken, NJ (just a few miles from where I grew up) 150 years ago.

Baseball has meant a lot to my family, and my father's life was literally changed by the game. (See February 24th posting for details)

One of the best essays ever done on how the game of baseball symbolizes all that we stand for in the United States and how it's a deep part of the American fabric was the 1994 PBS documentary by filmmaker Ken Burns. The movie was broken up into nine "innings" covering the timeline of baseball from the 1850's to the 1990's. I had the chance to watch a bit of it again tonight, and I'm writing to the director, and some of the notable people who show up in the film to comment on the sport.

Ken Burns

Bob Costas

Mario Cuomo

George F. Will

Daniel Okrent

John Sayles

Studs Terkel

Good ole' Alice replies!

Ann B. Davis

Reference date: July 22nd






Just a few days ago, I posted a reply from Mrs. Brady, Florence Henderson. Little did I know that the housekeeper on the Brady Bunch, and another true TV legend, Ms. Ann B. Davis, would send me a note as well. I mentioned in my post about Florence Henderson that Mrs. Brady was the surrogate mom for a generation of children. If that's true, then Alice was the voice of common sense and quite often the comic relief. (Trivia question: What was Alice's last name? It was only mentioned once on the show. The answer will be at the end of this post.)

I learned much about comic timing by watching Ann B. Davis. Ms. Davis sent me an autographed photo, with a short note attached. This is what it said:

Dear Chris,

Good luck with your career!

Honesty and hard work are so important in our business too.

Use the gifts God gave you as well as you can.

All my love!

- Ann B. Davis

(she added a cross and a fish, the Christian symbols, after her signature)

I sent her a thank you card the next day.

Answer to trivia: Alice's last name was Nelson

October 22nd

I watched the annual Mark Twain Awards for American Humor from the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. tonight (I think it was a rerun from a previous year.) The honoree is an award winning comedienne who is a show business legend, and has inspired me over the years. I'm going to write her and send my congratulations. I'm also writing to one of her co-stars in the film "9 to 5."

Lily Tomlin

Dolly Parton

October 21st

The legendary platinum selling album "Bat Out of Hell" is released on this day in 1977.

Marvin "Meat Loaf" Aday

October 20th

Today is the beginning of Diwali, the "festival of lights" in the Hindu faith. The biggest concentration of Hindus in the world is in the country of India, so I am writing to the current President of that great nation to mark this happy occasion.

Dr. Abdul Kalam

October 19th

I renewed my subscription to Forbes Magazine today. I like the content, and am an admirer of it's former chairman and publisher, Malcolm Forbes. I'm writing to the current chairman.

Steve Forbes

October 18th

Geico (the insurance company with the British lizard as a mascot) has been airing a series of commercials where celebrities will narrate tales of ordinary customers. These celebrities have ranged from Charo and Little Richard to Peter Graves and Burt Bacharach. The one that caught my eye (and ear) featured the guy who narrates all the movie trailers and has become so well known that he's imitated by every hack comedian in the world. As a voice-over artist myself, I've been meaning to write to him over the years, but this seems like the perfect opportunity to do so.

Don La Fontaine

October 17th

The Walt Disney Company is officially formed - 1923

Robert Iger - Disney CEO

Mrs. Brady replies!

Florence Henderson

Reference Date: May 14th






Like most children raised in the 1970's, I had a surrogate TV mom. For people in the 1950's and 60's it was Donna Reed or June Cleaver, but for my generation it was none other than Carol Brady of "The Brady Bunch." Through countless reruns, Mrs. Brady dispensed motherly advice and wisdom, and had a direct impact on millions of impressionable young minds.

Though Carol Brady was fictional, the woman who played her, Florence Henderson, is an icon. To this day, she is closely identifuied with her TV alter ego, and is beloved by people in their 30's and 40's, many of whom (like me) are now parents.

I wrote to Ms. Henderson to express my admiration for her, and to ask for some advice on a show business career. She was kind enough to respond by email through her official website, FloHome.com . This is what she had to say:


Dear Chris,

Thanks for all your kind words.

I learned early in my career to keep a cool head and a warm heart.

Don't lose your individuality.

Try to stay centered and remember those who lend a helping hand.

The lesson I've learned is that our business is very tough and if your'e not willing to give 150% to every thing you do no matter how small it is, then you shouldn't be in this business.

I think prayer and hard work and the talents God gave me have been most responsible for my success.

Much good luck to you,

Florence Henderson

I sent her a thank you email immediately after I got hers.

A major religious leader replies

Archbishop of Canterbury
Rowan Williams

Reference date: March 7th





I have always been an Anglophile (lover of all things British.) From the time I was young, I've identified with our cousins across the pond. Many of my friends and relatives are British, and I also have a close friend, Tim G., who worked for British Airways, and who kept me up to speed on the latest developments in U.K. politics and culture.

This British affection is reflected many times in this blog, as I've written to many British leaders, entertainers, and business people. One of the most notable people I wrote to was the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Church of England. The history of this most reverent office (The Primate of All England) goes back a long way, (back to Saint Augustine, in fact) and has been featured in literature and film ("Becket", "The Canterbury Tales") Since the man who holds this title is very busy, I never expected to get a personal, detailed reply to my questions, and was floored when the envelope arrived from Lambeth Palace (The Archbishop's official residence.) Here is the response:


Dear Chris,

Do forgive my slowness in replying to your letter - a full diary has left me a bit behind with letters. But I must write personally to thank you for your generous support and prayer. I hope you won't mind my not writing at great length - we go to China tomorrow for two weeks, and I'm struggling to clear my desk a bit!

Motivational advice? An old nun I knew said to me in my twenties, 'Don't try to suffer for the sins of the world; it's been done'. What she meant, I think, was that you have to try and work out what are the limits of your responsibility and capacity, and not be overwhelmed by the suffering around you. It's not about leaving compassion behind; quite the contrary. It's really saying, 'Don't confuse compassion with feeling terrible, and don't confuse your spiritual involvement in all suffering with tl)e responsibility to "solve" it'. That's been very important to me.

Habits? At least half an hour of silence each morning; and (thanks to Buddhist advice) be aware of your breathing when there is stress or pressure around, inside and outside. Take the trouble to breathe from the pit of the stomach for a few moments. And in general, again, try to sort out what you are and aren't responsible for.

Challenges? The worst for anyone in this sort of position is knowing that everything you say is public property, so that distorticn of the mo'st. gross kind is always possible, indeed likely, and more work is generated by explaining to correspondents that you didn't mean what some tiresome journalist said!

And hopes for the Church of England? That it will successfully go on being a welcoming space for the people of this country - to use a phrase of one of my former students, a place where people can put the experiences and emotions that won't go anywhere else. And that it will effectively find ways of diversifying its styles of worship and organisation so that it can keep up with shifting patterns of work and population. without losing its depth and integrity and faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

Every blessing and good wish to you. Thank you for writing.

Sincerely,

Rowan Williams

Archbishop of Canterbury


I sent him a thank you note the next day.

October 16th

The legendary hard rock/heavy metal band Metallica is formed - 1981

James Hetfield - lead singer/songwriter

October 15th

1878 - Edison Electric Light Company (now known as General Electric) is founded. I'm writing to the current and former CEO's of GE.

Jeff Immelt

Jack Welch

October 14th

1947 - The sonic barrier is broken for the first time by a pilot (and American legend with "the right stuff") travelling faster than the speed of sound.

General Chuck Yeager

October 13th

A.A. Milne's classic children's book Winnie the Pooh debuts on this day in 1926. I'm writing to the current voice of Pooh Bear in the Disney films. (The original voice, Sterling Holloway, died many years ago.)

Jim Cummings

October 12th

Today is Columbus Day. I'm writing to two men who have most recently played Christopher Columbus in onscreen biographies.

Gerard Depardieu

Gabriel Byrne

October 11th

My favorite TV show, one I never miss, debuted on this day in 1975 (No, it's not "The Simpsons", though I've never missed an episode of that series either.) "Saturday Night Live" (originally called "NBC's Saturday Night") appeared on NBC at 11:30PM and changed the face of comedy. In the last three decades, this show has spawned comedy legends and introduced many catchphrases to the American lexicon. I'm writing to the creator and executive producer of the show, as well as the surviving original cast members, writers, and the host and musical guests of the first program.

Lorne Michaels - producer

Chevy Chase

Jane Curtin

Garrett Morris

Laraine Newman

Al Franken

Tom Davis

Don Novello aka Father Guido Sarducci

George Carlin

Janis Ian

October 10th

Fiji becomes an independent nation - 1970

Ratu Josefa Iloilo - President

October 9th

The Japanese video game character Pac Man made his U.S. debut on this day in 1980, becoming an instant sensation. As someone who came of age in the 1980's, I can attest to the power of this game. It launched the video game craze in this country, and had arcades filled to the max. (I know i must have wasted many hours and hundreds of dollars worth of quarters.)

At one point, this yellow guy with the odd shape (its inventor said he was inspired by a pizza with a slice missing) was everywhere, even spawning a Saturday morning TV show and a Christmas special. It was also the best selling video game ever on the old Atari 2600 (which looks like a dinosaur today.) I'm writing to the CEO of Atari, the animation legend who brought Pac man to TV, and the guy who gave Pac Man a voice.

Nolan Bushnell - Atari founder

Joseph Barbera - CEO Hanna Barbera Animation

Marty Ingels

October 8th

The FOX Network debuts on this date in 1986. While they are now considered a top filght network, at first it took them time to be taken seriously and listed among the ranks of the "big three" networks (CBS, NBC and ABC - all of whom FOX now beats in the ratings on occasion.) I'm writing to some of the initial stars of the FOX Network in its infancy, and the men who ran it.

Joan Rivers

Garry Shandling

Tracey Ullman

Matt Groening - creator of "The Simpsons"

Dan Castellaneta - voice of Homer Simpson

Nancy Cartwright - voice of Bart Simpson

Yeardley Smith - star of "Herman's Head", voice of Lisa Simpson

Hank Azaria - star of "Herman's Head", many voices on the Simpsons

Stephen J. Cannell - creator "21 Jump Street"

Rupert Murdoch - FOX CEO

Barry Diller - FOX President


The cast of "Married With Children" - FOX's first big hit

Ed O' Neill

Katey Sagal

Christina Applegate

David Faustino

David Garrison

Amanda Bearse

A British acting legend replies

John Hurt

Reference date: March 19th





One of the most famous (and most parodied) scenes in movie history is from Ridley Scott's 1979 sci-fi horror classic "Alien", where one of the crew members gets sick after a meal, goes into convulsions, and has a slimy alien burst right out of his chest cavity.

The actor that played that role (and has recreated it in other films for comic effect) was British legend John Hurt. If that was his only contribution to cinema, he would be remembered forever. However, Mr. Hurt has had a long and distinguished career, from the title role in "The Elephant Man" to his most recent portrayal of a malevolent dictator in "V For Vendetta."

I wrote to Mr. Hurt to compliment him on his performance in that film, and for the body of his work. He was kind enough to send back an autographed photo, with a message included on it where he commented on my career. This is what it read:

To Chris,

Congratulations on your work as an actor.

Enjoy it all and keep it fun.

It's not just for them, it's for you to enjoy!

All the best!

- John Hurt

I sent him a thank you card the next day.

A Royal reply

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

Reference date: June 3rd





I wrote to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands expressing my fondness for her country (In my early days as a NYC tour guide, I worked at the New Netherlands Museum, playing an early Dutch settler in New Amsterdam - which became the City of New York.) I've never been to Holland, but I also told her that I will someday.

Being a naive American, who writes letters to big American political figures and gets responses (see President Clinton, etc.) I was unaware of the protocol governing letters to royalty. (I should have learned my lesson from the response to my letter to the King of Norway.) Here is what the Private Secretary to the Queen, who handles all correspondence, had to say:

Dear Mr. Lucas,

On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen I would like to thank you for your kind letter in which you tell her of your special interest in the Netherlands.

­Regarding your plans to visit our country and wishing to see the most interesting and beautiful spots during that trip, I would like to refer you to the website www.holland.com on which you will find elaborate information on the places of interest in our country.

Unfortunately it is not possible to give you an answer to your more personal questions to the Queen. I am sure you will appreciate this.

I hope you and your family will indeed have the opportunity to visit the Netherlands in the near future, and that this experience may confirm the stories of your friends.

Yours Sincerely,

Private Secretary to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix

I sent her a thank you the next day

October 7th

The sometimes controversial Fox News Channel made its debut in the U.S. ten years ago today. I'm writing to three of the more notable hosts in their history.

Roger Ailes

Bill O'Reilly

Sean Hannity

October 6th

The MPAA Film Ratings system (i.e, rated G, PG, R, X) is established in 1968.

Jack Valenti

October 5th

"American Bandstand" debuts - 1952

Dick Clark

Barry Manilow

October 4th

The comic strip "Dick Tracy" celebrates its 75th anniversary today. Though the creator, Chester Gould, passed away twenty years ago, it is still running all over the world. I'm a big fan, and I'm writing to the artists who continued Gould's work and the stars of the 1990 big budget film version of the strip.

Dick Locher

Max Allan Collins

Warren Beatty

Glynne Headly

William Forsythe

Mandy Patinkin

October 3rd

Today is my 8th wedding anniversary. While reseraching gifts, I found out that the traditional gift for the 8th anniversary is clay or pottery. In honor of that, I'm writing to a few people associated closely with those items. Five of whom are directors who have made movies and TV shows using clay,two of whom were in the most famous movie scene ever filmed using a pottery wheel, one of whom is the CEO of the biggest pottery store in the world, and the last one an actor who used clay as his stage name. (In case you are wondering, I already wrote to Clay Aiken a few months ago.)

Jules Bass - "The Year Without a Santa Claus"

Arthur Rankin - "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"

Will Vinton - "California Raisins"

Nick Park - "Wallace & Gromit", "Chicken Run"

Art Clokey - "Gumby", "Davey & Goliath"

Patrick Swayze - star of "Ghost"

Demi Moore - star of "Ghost"

Howard Lester - Pottery Barn CEO

Andrew Dice Clay (Formerly Andrew Silverstein)

October 2nd

I saw the movie "Walk the Line" on TV tonight. It's the life story of Johnny Cash, and although I've seen it four times before, it still inspires me. Mr. Cash was an artist who, in the very beginning of his career, had confidence enough in his talent to continue plugging away at a music career even when the money wasn't coming in. He was also ready at the exact moment when Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records, asked him to perform the one song that he would sing if his life was about to end and he wanted the world to remember him. That song was "Folsom Prison Blues" and it launched Johnny Cash's career. This moment in the film is my reminder that luck is just hard work and preperation meeting opportunity.

Anyway, I'm writing to the director, producer, and talented actors (who, incidentally, did their own singing) that starred in the movie.

James Mangold

James Keach

Joaquin Phoenix

Reese Witherspoon

The King Replies!

Richard Petty

Reference date: June 17th





Usually when people in America say "The King", Elvis Presley is the first person that comes to mind. Well, I'm not expecting a letter from Elvis anytime soon. The other guy known as "The King" is NASCAR legend Richard Petty, one of the winningest drivers of all time. I wrote him a letter a few months ago, and he was kind enough to take the time to reply personally. He even signed it on the bottom with a flourish. (I've been told that it takes forgers ten minutes to reproduce his autograph. You can see an example of it above.) This is what "The King" had to say:

Dear Chris,

Thank you for the kind words.

The most encouragement I had in my early years came from my parents. If you are true to God first and then yourself and stay true to who you are, then most things will fall into place.

Life is our mentor if we will listen to the ones along the way that went before us.

Love what you do and it will help you to stay focused. Never let money be your motivation.

Life is a lesson every day.

I happened to come along at the right time and right place for what I needed to succeed in life.

With Regards,

Richard Petty

I sent him a thank you the next day.

October 1st

1971 - The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida opens. On the same day in 1982 - EPCOT Center opens.

Meg Crofton - President WDW

Al Weiss - Director, Disney parks Worldwide