October 19th

Today is the birthday

… of Bob Strauss, the politico and diplomat. Ambassador Strauss is 91. Once upon a time NewMexiKen’s boss was Bob Strauss Jr.

… of John LeCarre. The author is 78.

… of Peter Max. The artist is 72.

… of John Lithgow. He’s 64. He’s become somewhat a buffoon on TV in the sitcoms and commercials. Makes it hard to remember that he’s twice been nominated for the best supporting actor Oscar — Terms of Endearment and The World According to Garp.

… of Jeannie C. Riley, singer of the hit “Harper Valley P.T.A.” She, too, is 64.

… of Jennifer Holliday. The Tony Award winner is 49.

… of Evander Holyfield, 47.

… of one-time first daughter Amy Carter. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s little girl is 42.

… of academy award nominee for directing Jason Reitman. He’s 32. The nomination was for Juno.

Robert Reed was born on this date in 1932. A fine actor but one who will always be remembered most as the dad on The Brady Bunch. Reed’s best TV role was as Kenneth Preston, son in the excellent early 1960s father-son lawyer drama The Defenders. His father was played by E. G. Marshall. Reed died in 1992.

Winston Hubert McIntosh was born on this date in 1944. A founding member of The Wailers, Peter Tosh also was an international solo star and songwriter. He was shot and killed along with five others by a friend during an argument on September 11, 1987.