The world lost a number of iconic stars in 2009. Here are a few and what I will remember most about each:
David Carradine: 1936-2009
"Kwai Chang, what will you do now?"
"Wait. Wander. Rest when I can."
I never got to watch Kung Fu as a kid (I was only 6 when the series ended), but I remember this verbal exchange from the commercials. Truth is, I may not even have the quote correct. But that's how I remember it!
Ricardo Montalban: 1920-2009
"Smiles. Smiles, everyone. Welcome to Fantasy Island."
As a kid, my parents were pretty good about filtering my television viewing. But for some reason they never stopped us from watching Fantasy Island on Saturday nights - at the Galbraiths on hamburger night! Of course, we were watching this show right after we'd watched Love Boat. Hmmmm.
Ricardo will also be carved in my memory as Khan (1982). Who can forget that?!
Ed McMahon: 1923-2009
It was my generation's American Idol; Star Search was our chance to see the future of American talent! With categories like "Male Spokesmodel" and "Teen Dancer," it was a thrill! The voice of Ed bellowing, "Three and a half stars!" is as fresh in my memory as if it happened yesterday.
A few notable celebs who made competitive appearances on Star Search (during the McMahon era):
- Rosie O'Donnell, 1984 (Comedian)
- Sinbad, 1985 (Comedian)
- Sharon Stone, 1984 (Spokesmodel)
- Alanis Morissette, 1988 (Singer)
- Christina Aguilera, 1990 (Singer)
- Britney Spears, 1992 (Singer)
John Hughes: 1950-2009
Although most of us probably had no clue who he was, nearly every teen in America between 1984 and 1989 would have been influenced by his persepctive on the world.
Personally, I would have to say Breakfast Club was probably the most important film he made, but I was a Weird Science kind-guy myself.
Patrick Swayze: 1952-2009
While I'm sure the marjority of Swayze's fans (currently 40-something women) will point to Dirty Dancing and Ghost as his greatest flicks, any red-blooded boy of the 80's would have to give shout-outs to The Outsiders and Red Dawn. Once we got to college, we jumped to the Point Break bandwagon. It was all pretty macho stuff.
What more would one expect from a Texas-bred ballet dancer!?
The rest of the list:
Bea Arthur, Dom Deluise, Farrah Fawcett, Les Paul, Lou Albano, Steve McNair...RIP