For example, most people don't realise that Brad Pitt was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. That's how he did his great accent in Thelma and Louise, I'm sure. I don't think he owns up to being from Oklahoma very much, but that's OK. I'm not a major Pitt fan anyhow, not the way most women seem to be. I just think he's a good actor.
I never had appreciated that the well known and loved John Cleese, of Monty Python fame (sorry, I never did get into that business; too weird for me) and who also happened to have made some excellent employee training films about dealing with difficult people here in England (I attended lots of those courses), was once married to a woman named Alyce Faye Eichelberger, from Frederick, Oklahoma. Following their divorce, Cleese is quoted on Wikipedia has having said,
"I got off lightly. Think what I’d have had to pay Alyce if she had contributed anything to the relationship such as children or a conversation."Witty, yes, but not very gentlemanly, eh? [Then again, she did get £12 million off of him.]
My latest discovery is Suzy Amis, from Oklahoma City. Like most of my discoveries of this sort, it was by accident, only because she happens to be married to James Cameron, who used to be married to Kathryn Bigelow who won a bunch of BAFTA awards for her film, The Hurt Locker, which I never thought about seeing. I was just looking at the pretty clothes people wore! If you're interested in the other stuff, of course, you can always Google to your heart's content.
Anyhow, about Suzy. You know who she is, though you may not know it. She was Rose Dawson's grand-daughter, Lizzy Calvert, who accompanied her at the beginning of the movie, Titanic. Also, though currently married to Cameron, she used to be married to Jason Robards, ie. Lauren Bacall was her mother-in-law. I know it's silly of me, but I'm still impressed.
I may have to start my own list of famous people from Oklahoma, as others I've found thus far are woefully incomplete. Oh, wait a minute, try this one! You might be surprised by some of the names there.
Still, they didn't know about Alyce....
9 comments:
I am impressed by all the people who have made a name for themselves who are from OK. Even though I live here, always look for people from MN which is where I originated.
As that list shows Oklahoma has produced many famous people. Though we don't get much credit the state puts out a pretty hardy stock of folks, many of whom may not be considered "famous" but have made major contributions to the making of this country.
My son was offered a great scholarship by Univ of Tulsa--so he almost was from Oklahoma. I really wanted hom to take it--excellent school. Actually, I've read about lots of people in the arts haling from there--just can't think of any right now.
You know, this is a funny phenomenon I've noticed. When I worked with some docs from OK, they were remarkably reluctant about revealing their home state. That was always confusing, what's so embarrassing about OK? Given the snide remarks made by senior docs, I guess I can understand their defensiveness, but honestly, what's wrong with OK? Never did figure it out. :)
Revanche: There is nothing wrong with Oklahoma. What other state can boast of having one of the longest running Broadway plays named for and about their state? Just like is says on the state seal: "The Great State of Oklahoma". We are proud Oklahomans but please never call us Okies.
@Rick Stone: That's kind of what I thought. If nothing else, Oklahoma's rather a symbol of facing down adversity in the history of our country.
I am always amazed at how everyone from Oklahoma denigrates the place. I have always been impressed with the beauty of the countryside and the friendliness of the people.
It is no surprise to me that there are not that many famous people FROM Oklahoma, the sensible ones stay there
I know one guy who made it big in Michigan but you cant see his house for OU banners. He took Oklahoma with him
Oklahoma does have its own sort of beauty: it has a wide open sky (being mostly flat) and does incredible sunsets, the like of which I've not seen elsewhere. However, it is not blessed with the sort of history given to other parts of the US, nor is it a tourist attraction. Living abroad I can tell you what Oklahoma is known for: after the musical, it's known for being poor thanks to Grapes of Wrath and for the home-grown terrorism demonstrated in the bombing of the Federal Building. My Mom always objected to the term 'Okie' as well, though there was a governor (Nigh?) who tried to make it more popular. Not many have read the Grapes of Wrath these days; I only read it since moving here. It's rather a shocking book, actually, and I was left with amazement that anyone survived the dust and the depression.
Well, Shelley, I took you up on your (sort of) challenge and created my own blog... So, about OK: When I was pregnant with my first child, my then-husband and I went to OK over T'giving. We went to a mall (Perimeter?), and I stopped at a women's restroom at Penney's. There were MANY women in line. They took one look at my very-pregnant body...and all moved aside so I could use the next available stall. That's just one example of how kind Oklahomans are! Love, Patsy
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