By Jill Jackson
HOLLYWOOD … Lets have a look at some of your favorite stars:
Julie Andrews was born in England in 1935. She only attended high school, no college. Her stage debut was in a play titled “Starlight Roof” in 1947. Her film debut was in “Mary Poppins” in 1964. At age 8, she had a fully formed adult throat and a four-octave voice. “The Sound of Music,” in which she played Maria, was the highest grossing film of its day, and today it is still pulling in the big numbers whenever it is rerun. For those of you who have never seen this magic, find it and enjoy. … And here is something you might not know: Andrews and her husband Blake Edwards adopted two Vietnamese girls during the Vietnam War. This multi-talented lady also has written two children’s books, “Mandy” and “The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles.” AND I betcha didn’t know that she tried to shed her Mary Poppins image by baring her breasts in “S.O.B.” in 1981. She won the Oscar for “Mary Poppins,” so that was a hard image to shake.
Sandra Bullock was born in Arlington, Va., in 1964. Her mother was a European opera singer, so as a child Sandra was shuttled back and forth between Austria, Germany and the U.S. In high school, she was a cheerleader and was voted “the person most likely to brighten your day.” She attended East Carolina University and the Neighborhood Playhouse. … Did you know her role in “While You Were Sleeping” was originally meant for Demi Moore? But Demi’s salary demands were too high, and the role went to Sandra. … Sandra can chalk up some interesting activities in her life. She spent time in a rehabilitation clinic to prepare for her role in “28 Days.” She also took a job as a waitress to pay the bills till her career took off. (Many young actresses and actors are doing the same.)
George Clooney was born in 1961 in Lexington, Ky. He attended Northern Kentucky University. Can you believe one of his original jobs was cutting tobacco? He also sold insurance door to door. His father is a former newscaster, and his aunt was famous singer Rosemary Clooney. As you know, he got his big break as an intern on the TV show “ER.” “Gorgeous” has had one marriage, many relationships and a potbellied pig named Max (who sadly passed away several years ago).
BIZARRE THINGS STARS HAVE DONE: Emilio Estevez has seen “Jaws” more than 70 times. … Warren Beatty has memorized the complete works of Eugene O’Neill. … Madonna once dyed her hair a different color every day of the week. … Larry Hagman has spent several Independence Days parading along the beach in a gorilla suit banging a drum. … Anthony Quinn ran backward for half a mile every day. … Robert Redford has booked whole rows of seats on a plane so he doesn’t have to speak to fellow passengers.
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BITS & PIECES: Phyllis Diller once said, “My photographs don’t do me justice. They look just like me.” … And would you believe a casting director once told Cary Grant that his neck was too thick and he was bowlegged.
© 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.