I’m listing some people born in November 1953 because I was born in 1953. But I’m MUCH older.
Kate Capshaw (3rd) is a painter. I found this quote on Instagram: “As a painter, #Outwin2019 artist Kate Capshaw is deeply committed to revealing the crisis of homelessness as it affects young people. The alla prima painting sessions were in collaboration with the subjects, who were welcomed as guests to participate in this cycle of the series.”
Oh, yeah, she was an actor, appearing in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. She had been married to marketing manager Robert Capshaw (1976-1980); her given surname was Nail. She married the Temple of Doom director Steven Spielberg in 1991.
Kevin Nealon (18th) was a mainstay on Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, anchoring Weekend Update for three years. Dana Carvey and Nealon would “Pump… you up” as Hans and Franz.
Alan Moore (18th): I probably read his work before remembering because I was picking up some Marvelman/Miracleman. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes a “British writer whose works included some of the most influential books in comics history.” It claims, probably correctly, how Watchman defined the term “graphic novel” for many readers. Still, I’m a sucker for the Moore/Steve Bissette/John Totleben Saga of the Swamp Thing, which I have in a box set.
Tina Brown (23rd): I read several publications when she was editing them, including Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and The Daily Beast.
Someone I once knew
Darlanne Fluegel (25th): In 2010, Kelly wrote about Battle Beyond the Stars, a 1980 movie I’ve never seen, and he noted how cute Darlanne was. Months later, I posted a page from a Binghamton Central High School yearbook. I didn’t know her well, as I was more friends with her sister. Still, I was very sad to hear she suffered from early-onset Alzheimer’s at 56. She died from the disease in 2017 at the age of 64
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Harry Carson (26th) was a linebacker for my favorite team, the New York Giants. “Later in his career, when he was joined by outside linebackers Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks, there was no better linebacker trio in the NFL.” He was selected for 9 Pro Bowls in 13 seasons. Carson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Steve Bannon (27th): His poison resonates far too often. The Washington Post noted in mid-October 2023 that conservative media stars like Bannon helped fuel the GOP Speaker chaos. Here’s a 2022 BBC story about his downfall.
Lyle Mays (27th): He was a great jazz pianist who often played with jazz guitar great Pat Metheny. I associate both with Joni Mitchell’s live Shadows and Light album from 1980. He died in February 2020 from a recurring illness.
Michael Chertoff (28th) was the second Secretary of Homeland Security under George W. Bush. He was a co-author of the dreadful USA PATRIOT Act. Still, “In a July 2020 op-ed in The New York Times, Chertoff claimed” djt’s administration “was hijacking the DHS for political purposes.”
Shuggie Otis (30th) is the son of Johnny Otis, a legendary musician I wrote about in 2008. One of Shuggie’s albums features his composition Strawberry Letter #23, successfully covered by the Brothers Johnson.