To the majority of the public, Jayne Mansfield was a Hollywood sex symbol and superficial blonde, but few knew that her IQ was as high as 163.

She wasn’t ashamed to sell popcorn or candy just to pursue her dreams. She began her career as a nightclub entertainer and singer, and later became one of the first Playboy Playmates. Her popularity exploded, and film offers started pouring in.

She won Broadway in 1955, and the following year she became a Hollywood star. Although she left this world prematurely, at just 34 years old she managed to shoot over 30 films.

Jayne Mansfield remains remembered in Hollywood’s golden history as the first reality star, one of the most famous blond bombshells, and a serious rival to the era’s sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe.

Born April 19, 1933, in Pennsylvania as Vera Jane Palmer. Her family was very wealthy, and as the only child of Herbert William Palmer, she inherited a considerable fortune. It is estimated she received around $850,000 from her grandfather Thomas, and about $340,000 from her grandmother Beatrice Mary Palmer in 1958. She spent most of her childhood in New Jersey, where her father served as attorney for then-Governor Robert Meyner.

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Jayne’s father died suddenly of a heart attack in 1936, and three years later her mother married industrialist Henry Laurence Pierce and the family moved to Dallas – reports the portal Nova.

Dreaming Big from an Early Age

American actress, singer, and dancer Shirley Temple was her idol, and as a teenager she dreamed of limelight, performance, and fame.

At 12, Jane began dance lessons. During high school, she showed interest in violin, piano, and cello.

Marriage at 17 and College Enrollment

At only 17, Jane decided to marry Paul Mansfield on May 6, 1950. Six months later they became parents to a daughter.

The couple then enrolled in drama studies at Southern Methodist University. Thanks to her beauty and feminine attributes, Jane went to Los Angeles in 1951 to compete for Miss California. However, her husband Paul disapproved and Jane withdrew from the contest.

After that, the famous starlet and her husband moved to Austin, Texas, where they both studied drama at the University of Texas.

She Wasn’t Ashamed of Any Job

Jane was extremely hardworking and ambitious, juggling various jobs. She posed as an art model, went door-to-door selling books, and worked at a dance studio reception. She also performed with groups “Curtain Club” and “Camp Gordon,” while her husband Paul Mansfield served in the military during the Korean War.

Attractive and determined, in 1953 she returned to Dallas and studied acting under Baruch Lumet, founder of the Dallas Institute of Performing Arts. By chance, Jane met his son, film producer Sidney Lumet. In April 1954 she recorded her first screen test for Paramount with Lumet’s support. The Mansfield family moved to Los Angeles that same year. In the City of Angels she took odd jobs like selling popcorn and candy, teaching dance, modeling, and appearing in sessions at “Esther Williams’ Trails” restaurant.

While attending the University of Texas in Austin, her beauty didn’t go unnoticed. She won various pageant titles such as “Miss Photoflash,” “Miss Magnesium Lamp,” and “Miss Fire Prevention Week,” but she refused the title of “Miss Roquefort Cheese” as it didn’t sound prestigious enough.

How Did She Break Through to Hollywood Stardom?

Together with her husband, in 1952 she took part in smaller stage shows like “The Slaves of Demon Rum,” “Ten Nights in a Barroom” and “Anything Goes.” In 1953, Jane achieved notable theatre success in Arthur Miller’s tragedy “Death of a Salesman.” However, the path to fulfilling her dreams wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

Although Jane had everything needed for stardom, the media at the time thought her large bust was inappropriate for serious roles and advised her to step away. However, she didn’t let that stop her. Mansfield took auditions at Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros in 1954. Not securing roles, she dyed her hair blonde, but that didn’t help either.

Fame via Hugh Hefner

In December 1953, controversial businessman Hugh Hefner launched Playboy magazine, which became hugely popular thanks to blonde bombshells like Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield. Rumors circulated that Mansfield would overshadow Monroe.

“She imitates me in everything, and it’s very insulting to both her and me,” Monroe once said about Jane.

Jane never shied away from the rivalry. She famously chased John F. Kennedy, allegedly just to upstage Monroe.

“I bet Marilyn will crack over this!” Mansfield exclaimed. Playboy became a springboard for her popularity within the jet set. Posing nude for the Playboy calendar gave Mansfield her sex-bomb image.

As her fame grew, her marriage to Paul began to crumble. In 1956, her husband sought custody of their daughter, claiming Jane was an unfit mother because of her nude Playboy photos.

Three marriages, five children, and numerous affairs
Jane married for the second time in 1958, to actor and bodybuilder Mike Hargitay. They had three children and appeared in several films together. Despite being married, Jane had multiple affairs, and rumor has it she was involved with President Kennedy just to get back at her rival Marilyn Monroe.

In 1964 she married for the third time to Italian producer Matt Cimber, but this marriage also failed to bring her happiness.

Jayne Mansfield – Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett / Profimedia
She lived in a beautiful Barbie‑style pink villa with a large heart‑shaped pool.

Roles That Made Her Famous

Jane’s first film role was in the low-budget drama “Female Jungle,” shot in just a few days, earning her $150. Later, in 1955 her manager James Byron secured her a contract with Warner Brothers. Jane got small but significant parts in “Pete Kelly’s Blues,” “Hell on Frisco Bay,” and “Illegal.”

The glamor bomb finally landed leading roles in “Too Hot to Handle” and “The Girl Can’t Help It,” according to Kurir.

Jayne also appeared on TV shows like “Burke’s Law,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” and “The Red Skelton Hour.”

As demand for blonde bombshells waned and media scrutiny of her private life increased, she began a lucrative venture with elite nightclubs before her sudden death in a car accident. In “Promises” (1963), she became the first major American actress to appear nude in a mainstream Hollywood film.

Although her career was relatively short, she had several commercial successes and won the Theatre World Award and a Golden Globe.

Death at 34

She shared a fate similar to her fierce rival Marilyn Monroe. Just five years after Monroe’s death, Jane also died in a tragic accident.

In the early morning of 1967, Jane was traveling to New Orleans for a scheduled TV appearance the next day. During the long drive, she sat in front beside the driver and her boyfriend Samuel Brody. Her children were asleep in the back. Shortly after 2 AM, the car crashed into the rear of a truck, instantly killing the three passengers in front. The crash was so horrific that Jane was decapitated in the collision.

Miraculously, the children survived. One of them is Mariska Hargitay, now known as Detective Olivia Benson in “Law & Order.”

Mansfield, Brody, and Harrison didn’t die in vain. Their deaths led the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to mandate that all trailer trucks be equipped with underride guards to prevent such accidents.

After Jane’s gruesome death, rumors circulated across Hollywood and beyond that Anton LaVey, the notorious Satanist and Church of Satan founder, had cursed the blonde bombshell after she refused a romantic liaison.

He had a difficult and tragic life. He wrote perhaps the most important novels of the 20th century.

George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, was born on June 25, 1903, in the Indian city of Motihari and died on January 21, 1950, in London. His family belonged to the British middle class, reports Index.hr.

His father, Richard Walmesley Blair, was employed in the British colonial service, while his mother, Ida Mabel Blair, was the daughter of a French timber merchant.

When Eric was only one year old, his mother took him and his sisters to England, while his father remained working in India. The family lived modestly, relying on small income from the father’s job.

Orwell was a very intelligent child but did not enjoy the privileges of his wealthy classmates. As a scholarship student, he attended prestigious schools such as St. Cyprian’s and Eton. During his schooling, he was often subjected to social discrimination and humiliation due to modest means, which later influenced his understanding of class divisions.

Life in Burma and Return to Europe

At the age of 19, he joined the Indian Imperial Police in Burma, where he served for five years. During this time, Orwell witnessed the brutality of colonial rule, which caused a deep moral conflict in him. He left the service in 1927 and decided to devote himself to writing.

This experience significantly shaped his anti-imperialist political views, reflected in the essay "A Hanging" and the novel "Burmese Days".

In 1936, Orwell married Eileen O’Shaughnessy, who was a strong supporter of his career. The couple could not have children of their own, but in 1944 they adopted a son, Richard Blair.

Unfortunately, Eileen died in 1945 during a routine surgery, which deeply affected Orwell.

Later, in 1949, he married Sonia Brownell, an editor and intellectual, while he was seriously ill. By then, Orwell had already been suffering from tuberculosis for many years.

The Spanish Civil War

In 1936, Orwell went to Spain to join the Republican forces in the fight against the fascist regime of General Franco. There, he fought in the militia of the POUM (Workers' Party of Marxist Unification), where he was wounded in the neck.

His experiences from the war, including his disappointment with the factional conflicts on the left, are described in his memoir "Homage to Catalonia".

Orwell had poor health throughout his life. While in Spain and Burma, he developed chronic lung infections and was later diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Despite his illness, he continued writing, often under harsh conditions. He spent his last years in a sanatorium, where he completed the novel "1984".

Orwell was known for his simple lifestyle, which included gardening, animal husbandry, and fishing. He was devoted to nature and enjoyed spending time in remote rural areas.

Although skeptical of organized religion, he was interested in the moral and ethical dimensions of religious issues, which influenced some of his works.

His love for writing was reflected in his work ethic. He wrote intensively, often while ill and isolated, which speaks to his dedication to creating literature with political and moral messages.

Animal Farm and 1984

Orwell achieved worldwide fame with his works that criticize totalitarianism. Animal Farm (1945) is a satirical fable that allegorically depicts events in the Soviet Union, where domestic animals overthrow their human masters and establish their own order, which eventually becomes equally oppressive.

The novel 1984 (1949) portrays a dystopian future under the rule of a totalitarian regime led by Big Brother, where freedom of thought is strictly controlled and individuality suppressed.

Early Life

Morgan Freeman was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. His mother, Mayme Edna, was a teacher, and his father, Morgan Porterfield Freeman, was a barber. Freeman is the youngest of five children. During his childhood, the family moved frequently, and he spent part of his youth in Mississippi, Chicago, and Indiana.

Even as a child, he showed an interest in acting and had his first acting role in elementary school, performing in a school play. Although he was offered a drama scholarship after high school, he chose to join the U.S. Air Force in 1955, where he worked as a radar technician. However, after four years, he realized his true passion was not aviation, but acting.

Beginning of Acting Career

After military service, Freeman moved to Los Angeles and began taking acting lessons. He also worked as a dancer in various shows and performed in theater. In the early years of his career, he appeared in minor stage and television roles. He gained wider recognition in the 1970s for his role in the children’s educational show “The Electric Company”, where he appeared from 1971 to 1977.

Rise to Fame

His first major breakthrough in film came in the 1980s. He earned critical acclaim for his role as a tough but fair boss in “Street Smart” (1987), which brought him his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Over the next few years, Freeman starred in several films that brought him global fame, including:

• “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989) – playing chauffeur Hoke Colburn, earning his second Oscar nomination; the film won Best Picture.
• “Glory” (1989) – a historical drama about African-American soldiers in the American Civil War.
• “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (1991) – as Azeem, Robin Hood’s loyal companion.
• “Unforgiven” (1992) – Clint Eastwood’s western that won four Oscars.

Most Notable Roles and Recognition

In 1994, Freeman took on one of his most iconic roles in “The Shawshank Redemption”, portraying the inmate Red. The film became a classic and is still ranked among the greatest films of all time. He received another Oscar nomination.

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In 2004, he starred in “Million Dollar Baby” and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. That same year, he appeared in “Batman Begins” and later reprised his role in Nolan’s trilogy as Lucius Fox.

He also impressed as Detective Somerset in “Se7en” (1995), and starred in hits like “Deep Impact”, “Bruce Almighty”, “The Bucket List”, and “Invictus”, in which he portrayed Nelson Mandela and earned another Oscar nomination.

Distinctive Voice and Narration

Freeman is renowned for his deep, calm, and authoritative voice. He is often hired as a narrator in documentaries and feature films, including the famous “March of the Penguins” and “Through the Wormhole.”

Personal Life and Views

Morgan Freeman was married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw (1967–1979) and has several children and grandchildren. He is known for his dignified demeanor, advocacy for civil rights, and outspoken views on racism in American society.

In 2008, he was involved in a serious car accident that left lasting effects on his left hand, but he successfully returned to acting.

Awards and Honors

• Oscar for Best Supporting Actor – “Million Dollar Baby” (2005)
• Five Oscar nominations during his career
• Golden Globe for “Driving Miss Daisy”
• AFI Life Achievement Award (2011)
• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016) – the highest civilian honor in the U.S.

Legacy

Morgan Freeman is one of the most beloved and influential actors in Hollywood history. His ability to embody characters, his voice, and charisma have left an indelible mark on cinema. Despite his fame, he remains humble and committed to his craft, while actively participating in social and humanitarian causes.

What Marilyn Monroe was to Americans, the famous Brigitte was to Europeans. Brigitte Bardot is one of the few actresses who left a major mark in the history of world cinema. This French actress was declared a sex symbol of the 1950s and was considered one of the most beautiful and successful actresses of the 20th century. Where is this famous Spanish beauty now and what is she doing? Read on in the biography below.

Brigitte Bardot’s Birth, Education, and Early Beginnings…

The real name of this legendary beauty is Camille Javal, but she is publicly known under the pseudonym Brigitte Bardot. She was born on September 28, 1934, in Paris. Her mother was Anne-Marie Mucel, a housewife, and her father was Louis Pilou Bardot, an industrialist.

Her family was very religious, so she was raised in a strict Catholic environment from an early age. However, neither the conservative upbringing nor her parents’ opposition to her career could stop her from entering the world of art. In 1947, she enrolled at the National Conservatory of Dance. Her talent, beauty, and grace quickly stood out, and she met all the criteria to become one of the few students trained by Russian choreographer Boris Knyazev.

Over time, in addition to ballet, she began modeling, and her striking beauty attracted photographers. At seventeen, she even landed on the cover of the magazine “Elle,” where Roger Vadim and Marc Allégret noticed her, primarily because of her unusual beauty, and decided to cast her in their debut film.

She debuted under the stage name Brigitte Bardot in the 1952 project “Crazy for Love.” It took four years for her to land a leading role, which came in the French film “La Lumière d’en Face” in 1956. From then on, she started getting bigger roles in higher-quality productions. Ultimately, the film “And God Created Woman” brought her worldwide fame, established her as a sex symbol, and placed her among the top actresses of all time. Thanks to roles that showcased her sensuality, even Hollywood producers began showing interest in her.

The Most Popular Films of the European Marilyn Monroe

The attractive Frenchwoman, dubbed the European Marilyn Monroe by journalists, experienced skyrocketing success in film. She became the first French actress outside the Anglo-Saxon world to bring acclaim to French cinema. Here are some of her most notable films:

“Crazy for Love” (1952) as Lemonida,
“Girls in Bikinis” (1952) as Namina,
“His Father's Portrait” (1953) as Domina,
“School for Love” (1955) as Sotia,
“The Grand Maneuver” (1955) as Lucy,
“The Naughty Girl” (1956) as Brigitte,
“A Night in Paradise” (1958) as Ursula,
“Love is My Past” (1958) as Margaret,
“Come Dance with Me” (1959) as Virginia,
“The Truth” (1960) as Dominique,
“Viva Maria” (1965) as Maria,
“Two Weeks in September” (1967) as Cécile,
“The Women” (1969) as Clara,
“The Novices” (1970) as Agnes,
“Don Juan” (1973) as Jeanne.

Four Suicide Attempts and Four Husbands

Roger Vadim was captivated by her beauty when he first saw her on the cover of “Elle.” After working together on a film, the two began a romance and quickly decided to marry. Brigitte was only seventeen at the time, and despite her parents’ opposition, she insisted on the marriage. After her parents refused to give their blessing, she attempted suicide. Faced with no other choice, her parents finally allowed the wedding. Their marriage lasted five years before ending in divorce due to numerous affairs on both sides. Interestingly, they remained close friends and continued working together after the divorce.

Two years later, Bardot married actor Jacques Charrier. A year after the wedding, they had a son, Nicolas. However, Bardot claimed she had the child only because her husband demanded it and never felt particularly attached to him. She even stated publicly that she wasn’t ready for motherhood and viewed the pregnancy as one of the worst things to happen to her.

Eight months after giving birth, the French actress attempted suicide for the second time—on her 26th birthday—citing marital issues as the reason. She divorced Jacques in 1962. The suicide attempt and divorce brought her massive public attention, resulting in many fans expressing their love and concern for her.

Brigitte never sought fame, so she avoided the public eye as much as possible. In 1974, she retired from acting and drastically changed her lifestyle. Still, the press remained interested in her, and in 1983 a trilogy about her life and work was released. Just days later, unable to handle the pressure, she attempted suicide for a third time.

She was briefly married to German millionaire Gunter Sachs, with whom she remained on friendly terms after their divorce. Her fourth and current marriage is with Bernard d'Ormale, whom she married in 1992 and is still with today.

Popular Quotes by Brigitte

“I’ve always done what I wanted. I know I have more guts than most men. They could learn from me. I’ve always stood by what I’ve done and said.”
“When you enter a room, walk with your head high and look like you want to sleep with everyone. You’re the most beautiful woman in the world—enjoy it, it won’t last.”
“You can be barefoot and still be happy. I’ve often been on the verge of suicide. I had everything, yet I was miserable. It’s a miracle I’m still alive.”
“My experiences with men: some hesitate too long, never find the beginning, and never reach the end. Others want to start with the end.”
“It’s better to be unfaithful than to be faithful without the desire to be.”
“They may call me the biggest sinner, but I’m at peace with myself.”
“If there’s a woman in the world who never sought fame but got too much of it, it’s me.”
“I gave my beauty and youth to men, but my wisdom and experience I’ll give to animals.”
“I’ve realized that the most important things in life are kindness and tenderness. I can’t live without them.”

Did You Know That…

…the famous writer Jeanette Vincendeau wrote a biography titled “Brigitte Bardot: Life, Legend, Film,” in which she claims Bardot had over 100 lovers of both genders?
…Brigitte is a great humanitarian, especially for animal rights. In 1986, she founded an animal protection foundation, which she funded by selling her jewelry?
…she despises all things artificial, especially plastic surgery, and has accepted aging as a natural process—stating she’s one of the few actresses aging naturally and gracefully?
…this legendary beauty is 169 cm tall and weighs 57 kg?
…in 1969, her likeness was chosen as the model for the French national symbol, Marianne?
…her co-stars included iconic actors such as Alain Delon, Jean Gabin, Sean Connery, Claudia Cardinale, Marcello Mastroianni, Jane Birkin, and Jeanne Moreau?

Brad Pitt (born William Bradley Pitt, December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma) is an American actor and film producer, one of the most prominent and awarded artists of his generation.

Early Life and Education

Brad grew up in Springfield, Missouri, in a family with two younger siblings. His father, William Alvin Pitt, owned a trucking company, while his mother, Jane Etta Pitt, worked as a school counselor. He was raised in a conservative Southern Baptist environment but later explored various spiritual paths.

He attended Kickapoo High School, where he was active in sports such as golf, swimming, and tennis, as well as in school debates and drama clubs. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Missouri, majoring in journalism with a focus on advertising. However, two weeks before graduation, he decided to leave college and move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

Career Beginnings (1987–1993)

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Brad took acting lessons with Roy London and worked various jobs to support himself. His early acting roles included guest appearances in TV series such as "Another World", "Dallas", and "21 Jump Street".

Brad Pitt first gained major attention with his role as J.D., a charming criminal, in the film "Thelma & Louise" (1991). This role established him as a sex symbol and opened doors to more significant projects. This was followed by roles in "A River Runs Through It" (1992) and "Legends of the Fall" (1994), which further solidified his status in Hollywood.

Rise to Fame and Acclaim

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Brad demonstrated his versatility with roles in films such as "Se7en" (1995), "12 Monkeys" (1995), for which he won a Golden Globe and received an Oscar nomination, "Fight Club" (1999), "Snatch" (2000), and "Ocean's Eleven" (2001), including its sequels.

His ability to portray complex characters led to roles in films like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008), "Inglourious Basterds" (2009), and "Moneyball" (2011), earning him multiple nominations and critical acclaim.

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Producer and Oscar Winner

In addition to acting, Brad has found success as a producer. His production company, Plan B Entertainment, is behind award-winning films such as "12 Years a Slave" (2013), which won the Oscar for Best Picture, "The Big Short" (2015), and "Moonlight" (2016).

In 2020, Brad won his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (2019), directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Personal Life

Brad was married to actress Jennifer Aniston from 2000 to 2005. He then began a relationship with actress Angelina Jolie, with whom he has six children, including three adopted ones. The couple married in 2014 but divorced in 2016.

Their shared property, the Château Miraval vineyard in France, became the subject of legal disputes following the divorce.

Legacy and Influence

Brad Pitt is recognized as one of the most influential actors of his generation, known for his choice of challenging and diverse roles that reflect his dedication to the craft. His work, both in front of and behind the camera, has left a lasting mark on contemporary cinema.

She had her first performances in small clubs, where she regularly sang for dinner and a few dollars.

Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand, born on April 24, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, grew up in a Jewish family where poverty and loss were deeply ingrained in everyday life.

Her father, Emanuel, who worked as a high school teacher, died of an epileptic seizure when Barbra was only 15 months old.

Her mother, Diana, a former secretary and singer, was left alone with two children, and their lives suddenly shifted from financial security to a struggle for survival.

Her childhood was marked by emotional distance and a lack of parental support, which made her feel isolated among her peers. Streisand knew from an early age that she wanted to become an actress. She loved music but considered acting her true ambition.

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At the age of thirteen, she recorded her first demo, and in high school, she was part of the choir where she sang alongside her classmate Neil Diamond. She had her first performances in small clubs, where she regularly sang for dinner and a few dollars.

She was determined, confident, and talented, and after graduating high school at just 16, she rented a small apartment in New York so she could audition for local theaters, despite her mother’s opposition.

Defying Stereotypes and Breaking Into the Scene

Her voice, with its incredible range and sensitivity, soon set her apart from the crowd. Nevertheless, it was the release of her album “The Barbra Streisand Album” in 1962 that captured the attention of a wider audience and music critics, earning her two Grammy Awards.

While her music career rapidly blossomed, Streisand persistently returned to her original love – acting. In 1968, she made her film debut as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl,” an adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name.

The film was a huge success, and Streisand won an Oscar for Best Actress for her debut. That moment marked the beginning of one of the longest and most influential film careers in American cinema history.

In films such as “Hello, Dolly!” (1969), “The Way We Were” (1973), and “A Star Is Born” (1976), Streisand combined her acting instincts and musical talent, giving her characters authenticity and depth.

Actress, Director, Producer – A Woman Ahead of Her Time

Barbra Streisand refused to accept passivity, both in life and on screen. At a time when women rarely took control of production, she founded her own production company, Barwood Films.

In 1983, she directed and starred in the film “Yentl,” the story of a Jewish girl who disguises herself as a boy to be able to study. The film was a risky project but won the Golden Globe for Best Picture, and Streisand became the first woman in history to win a Golden Globe for directing.

She continued to direct and produce films that reflected her interests—emotional stories with strong female characters, often infused with themes of identity, family, and unfulfilled desires. Among them are the notable “The Prince of Tides” (1991) and “The Mirror Has Two Faces” (1996), which further cemented her position in Hollywood not just as an actress but also as a director.

Her success was accompanied by a constant need for validation—because of her appearance, voice, Jewish heritage, and ambitions that many were either unaware of or unwilling to accept. Streisand never had a nose job despite studio pressure and never changed her last name to make it sound more appealing. It was precisely her determination to preserve her identity that made her a symbol of authenticity.

Private Life and Social Engagement

Although Barbra Streisand’s private life was often a topic for tabloids, she always avoided sensationalism. She was married to actor Elliott Gould with whom she has a son, Jason, and later married actor James Brolin with whom she has been happily married for many years.

Besides music and film, she dedicated herself to social engagement. She is active in the fight for women's rights, environmental protection, LGBTQ+ equality, and liberal political values.

She founded her own foundation that funds numerous humanitarian projects, with a special focus on equality in healthcare and access to education.

Highly Awarded Yet Independent

Barbra Streisand has won numerous awards: two Oscars, ten Grammys, five Emmys, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She is one of the rare individuals to achieve all four major American entertainment awards (EGOT), and her contributions to music and film are considered timeless.

Despite occasional retreats from public life, she would return with concerts, album releases, and participation in public debates, according to Index.hr.

Barbra Streisand is not just an actress, singer, or director—she is a cultural icon. Her career has spanned more than six decades, during which she refused to stay silent or conform, making her one of the most powerful and influential figures in American popular culture.

The Idealist of the Cuban Revolution

Ernesto Guevara de la Serna (June 14, 1928–October 9, 1967) was an Argentine physician and revolutionary who played a key role in the Cuban Revolution. He also served in the government of Cuba after the communist takeover before leaving Cuba to try to stir up rebellions in Africa and South America. He was captured and executed by Bolivian security forces in 1967. Today, he is considered by many to be a symbol of rebellion and idealism, while others see him as a murderer.

Fast Facts: Ernesto Guevara de la Serna
Known For: Key figure in the Cuban Revolution
Also Known As: Che
Born: June 14, 1928 in Rosario, Santa Fe province, Argentina
Parents: Ernesto Guevara Lynch, Celia de la Serna y Llosa
Died: October 9, 1967 in La Higuera, Vallegrande, Bolivia
Education: University of Buenos Aires
Published Works: The Motorcycle Diaries, Guerrilla Warfare, The African Dream, The Bolivian Diary
Awards and Honors: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross
Spouse(s): Hilda Gadea, Aleida March
Children: Hilda, Aleida, Camilo, Celia, Ernesto
Notable Quote: "If you tremble with indignation at every injustice, then you are a comrade of mine."

Early Life

Ernesto was born into a middle-class family in Rosario, Argentina. His family was somewhat aristocratic and could trace their lineage to the early days of Argentine settlement. The family moved around a great deal while Ernesto was young. He developed severe asthma early in life; the attacks were so bad that witnesses were occasionally scared for his life. He was determined to overcome his ailment, however, and was very active in his youth, playing rugby, swimming, and doing other physical activities. He also received an excellent education.

Medicine

In 1947, Ernesto moved to Buenos Aires to care for his elderly grandmother. She died shortly thereafter and he began medical school. Some believe he was driven to study medicine because of his inability to save his grandmother. He was a believer in the idea that a patient's state of mind is as important as the medicine he or she is given. He remained very close to his mother and stayed fit through exercise, although his asthma continued to plague him. He decided to take a vacation and put his studies on hold.

The Motorcycle Diaries

At the end of 1951, Ernesto set off with his good friend Alberto Granado on a trip north through South America. For the first part of the trip, they had a Norton motorcycle, but it was in poor repair and had to be abandoned in Santiago. They traveled through Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela, where they parted ways. Ernesto continued to Miami and returned to Argentina from there. Ernesto kept notes during his trip, which he subsequently made into a book, "The Motorcycle Diaries," which was made into an award-winning movie in 2004. The trip showed him the poverty and misery all throughout Latin America and he wanted to do something about it, even if he did not know what.

Guatemala

Ernesto returned to Argentina in 1953 and finished medical school. He left again almost immediately, however, heading up the western Andes and traveling through Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia before reaching Central America. He eventually settled for a while in Guatemala, at the time experimenting with significant land reform under President Jacobo Arbenz. It was about this time that he acquired his nickname "Che," an Argentine expression meaning (more or less) "hey there." When the CIA overthrew Arbenz, Che tried to join a brigade and fight, but it was over too quickly. Che took refuge in the Argentine Embassy before securing safe passage to Mexico.

Mexico and Fidel

In Mexico, Che met and befriended Raúl Castro, one of the leaders in the assault on the Moncada Barracks in Cuba in 1953. Raúl soon introduced his new friend to his brother Fidel, leader of the 26th of July movement which sought to remove Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista from power. Che had been looking for a way to strike a blow against the imperialism of the United States that he had seen firsthand in Guatemala and elsewhere in Latin America; he eagerly signed on for the revolution, and Fidel was delighted to have a doctor. At this time, Che also became close friends with fellow revolutionary Camilo Cienfuegos.

Transition to Cuba

Che was one of 82 men who piled onto the yacht Granma in November 1956. The Granma, designed for only 12 passengers and loaded with supplies, gas, and weapons, barely made it to Cuba, arriving on December 2. Che and the others made for the mountains but were tracked down and attacked by security forces. Fewer than 20 of the original Granma soldiers made it into the mountains; the two Castros, Che, and Camilo were among them. Che had been wounded, shot during the skirmish. In the mountains, they settled in for a long guerrilla war, attacking government posts, releasing propaganda, and attracting new recruits.

Che in the Revolution

Che was an important player in the Cuban Revolution, perhaps second only to Fidel Castro himself. Che was clever, dedicated, determined, and tough, though his asthma was a constant torture for him. He was promoted to comandante and given his own command. He saw to their training himself and indoctrinated his soldiers with communist beliefs. He was organized and demanded discipline and hard work from his men. He occasionally allowed foreign journalists to visit his camps and write about the revolution. Che's column was very active, participating in several engagements with the Cuban army in 1957 and 1958.

Batista's Offensive

In the summer of 1958, Batista sent large forces of soldiers into the mountains, seeking to round up and destroy the rebels once and for all. This strategy was a huge mistake and backfired badly. The rebels knew the mountains well and ran circles around the army. Many of the soldiers, demoralized, deserted or even switched sides. At the end of 1958, Castro decided it was time for the knockout punch. He sent three columns, one of which was Che's, into the heart of the country.

Santa Clara

Che was assigned to capture the strategic city of Santa Clara. On paper, it looked like suicide. There were some 2,500 federal troops there, with tanks and fortifications. Che himself only had roughly 300 ragged men, poorly armed and hungry. Morale was low among the Cuban soldiers, however, and the populace of Santa Clara mostly supported the rebels. Che arrived on December 28 and the fighting began. By December 31, the rebels controlled the police headquarters and the city but not the fortified barracks. The soldiers inside refused to fight or come out, and when Batista heard of Che's victory he decided the time had come to leave. Santa Clara was the largest single battle of the Cuban Revolution and the last straw for Batista.

After the Revolution

Che and the other rebels rode into Havana in triumph and began setting up a new government. Che, who had ordered the execution of several traitors during his days in the mountains, was assigned (along with Raúl) to round up, bring to trial, and execute former Batista officials. Che organized hundreds of trials of Batista cronies, most of them in the army or police forces. Most of these trials ended in a conviction and execution. The international community was outraged, but Che didn't care: he was a true believer in the Revolution and in communism. He felt that an example needed to be made of those who had supported tyranny.

Government Posts

As one of the few men truly trusted by Fidel Castro, Che was kept very busy in post-Revolution Cuba. He was made the head of the Ministry of Industry and head of the Cuban Bank. Che was restless, however, and he took long trips abroad as a sort of ambassador of the revolution to improve Cuba's international standing. During Che's time in governmental office, he oversaw the conversion of much of Cuba's economy to communism. He was instrumental in cultivating the relationship between the Soviet Union and Cuba and had played a part in trying to bring Soviet missiles to Cuba. This, of course, was a major factor in the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Ché the Revolutionary

In 1965, Che decided he was not meant to be a government worker, even one in a high post. His calling was revolution, and he would go and spread it around the world. He disappeared from public life (leading to incorrect rumors about a strained relationship with Fidel) and began plans for bringing about revolutions in other nations. The communists believed that Africa was the weak link in the western capitalist/imperialist stranglehold on the world, so Che decided to head to the Congo to support a revolution there led by Laurent Désiré Kabila.

Congo

When Che had left, Fidel read a letter to all of Cuba in which Che declared his intention to spread revolution, fighting imperialism wherever he could find it. Despite Che's revolutionary credentials and idealism, the Congo venture was a total fiasco. Kabila proved unreliable, Che and the other Cubans failed to duplicate the conditions of the Cuban Revolution, and a massive mercenary force led by South African "Mad" Mike Hoare was sent to root them out. Che wanted to remain and die fighting as a martyr, but his Cuban companions convinced him to escape. All in all, Che was in Congo for about nine months and he considered it one of his greatest failures.

Bolivia

Back in Cuba, Che wanted to try again for another communist revolution, this time in Argentina. Fidel and the others convinced him that he was more likely to succeed in Bolivia. Che went to Bolivia in 1966. From the start, this effort was also a fiasco. Che and the 50 or so Cubans who accompanied him were supposed to get support from clandestine communists in Bolivia, but they proved unreliable and possibly were the ones who betrayed him. He was also up against the CIA, which was in Bolivia training Bolivian officers in counterinsurgency techniques. It wasn't long before the CIA knew Che was in the country and began monitoring his communications.

The End

Che and his ragged band scored some early victories against the Bolivian army in mid-1967. In August, his men were caught by surprise and one-third of his force was wiped out in a firefight; by October, he was down to only about 20 men and had little in the way of food or supplies. By now, the Bolivian government had posted a $4,000 reward for information leading to Che. That was a lot of money in those days in rural Bolivia. By the first week of October, Bolivian security forces were closing in on Che and his rebels.

Death

On October 7, Che and his men stopped to rest in the Yuro ravine. Local peasants alerted the army, who moved in. A firefight broke out, killing some rebels, and Che himself was injured in the leg. On October 8, he was captured alive, allegedly shouting out to his captors "I am Che Guevara and worth more to you alive than dead." The army and CIA officers interrogated him that night, but he did not have much information to give out. With his capture, the rebel movement he headed was essentially over. On October 9, the order was given, and Che was executed, shot by Sergeant Mario Terán of the Bolivian Army.

Legacy

Che Guevara had a huge impact on his world, not only as a major player in the Cuban Revolution but also afterward, when he tried to export the revolution to other nations. He achieved the martyrdom that he so desired, and in doing so he became a larger-than-life figure.

Che is one of the most controversial figures of the 20th century. Many revere him, especially in Cuba, where his face is on the 3-peso note and every day schoolchildren vow to "be like Che" as part of a daily chant. Around the world, people wear t-shirts with his image on them, usually portraying a famous photo taken of Che in Cuba by photographer Alberto Korda (more than one person has noted the irony of hundreds of capitalists making money selling a famous image of a communist). His fans believe that he stood for freedom from imperialism, idealism, and a love for the common man and that he died for his beliefs.

Many despise Che, however. They see him as a murderer for his time presiding over the execution of Batista supporters, criticize him as the representative of a failed communist ideology and deplore his handling of the Cuban economy.

Around the world, people love or hate Che Guevara. Either way, they will not soon forget him.

Sources
Castañeda, Jorge C. Compañero: the Life and Death of Che Guevara. New York: Vintage Books, 1997.
Coltman, Leycester. The Real Fidel Castro. New Haven and London: the Yale University Press, 2003.
Sabsay, Fernando. Protagonistas de América Latina, Vol. 2. Buenos Aires: Editorial El Ateneo, 2006.

Born: June 1, 1926
Los Angeles, California
Died: August 5, 1962
Los Angeles, California
American model and actress

Decades after Marilyn Monroe's death, the film actress and model has remained one of Hollywood's greatest sex symbols with her eye-catching style, champagne blond hair, and breathless manner of speaking.

Growing up Norma Jean

Norma Jean Baker, better known as Marilyn Monroe, experienced a disrupted, loveless childhood that included two years at an orphanage. When Norma Jean, born on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, was seven years old, her mother, Gladys (Monroe) Baker Mortenson, was hospitalized after being diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, a severe mental condition. Norma was left in a series of foster homes and the Los Angeles Orphans' Home Society. The constant move from one foster home to another resulted in Norma's "sketchy" educational background.

After Norma's sixteenth birthday, her foster parents had to move from California. To avoid an orphanage or a new foster home, Norma chose to get married. On June 19, 1942, Norma married James Dougherty, but the marriage would all but end when he joined the U.S. Merchant Marines in 1943. Though her difficult childhood and early failed marriage would make Norma Jean a strong and resilient woman, these experiences would also add to her insecurities and flaws—things that would ultimately shape her into a great tragic figure of the twentieth century.

Becoming Marilyn

During World War II (1939–45; a war fought between the Axis powers: Japan, Italy, and Germany—and the Allies: England, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States), Norma Jean worked at the Radio Plane Company in Van Nuys, California, but she was soon discovered by photographers. She enrolled in a three-month modeling course, and in 1946, aware of her considerable charm and the potential it had for a career in films, Norma obtained a divorce from Dougherty. She then headed for Hollywood, where Ben Lyon, head of casting at

Twentieth Century Fox, arranged a screen test. On August 26, 1946, she signed a one hundred twenty-five dollar a week, one-year contract with the studio. Ben Lyon was the one who suggested a new name for the young actress—Marilyn Monroe.
During Monroe's first year at Fox, she did not appear in any films, and her contract was not renewed. In the spring of 1948 Columbia Pictures hired her for a small part in Ladies of the Chorus. In 1950 John Huston (1906–1987) cast her in Asphalt Jungle, a tiny part which landed her a role in All About Eve. She was now given a seven-year contract with Twentieth Century Fox and appeared in The Fireball, Let's Make It Legal, Love Nest, and As Young as You Feel.

In 1952, after an extensive publicity campaign, Monroe appeared in Don't Bother to Knock, Full House, Clash by Night, We're Not Married, Niagara, and Monkey Business. The magazine Photoplay termed her the "most promising actress," and she was earning top dollars for Twentieth Century Fox.

Popularity and personal failures

On January 14, 1954, Monroe married Yankee baseball player Joe Di Maggio (1919–1999). But the pressures created by her billing as a screen sex symbol caused the marriage to fall apart, and the couple divorced on October 27, 1954.

Continually cast as the "dumb blond," Monroe made The Seven Year Itch in 1954. Growing weary of the stereotyping (broad generalizations based on appearance), she broke her contract with Fox and moved to New York City. There she studied at the Actors Studio with Lee and Paula Strasberg. Gloria Steinem (1934–) recalls a conversation with Monroe during that time in which Monroe referred to her own opinion of her abilities compared to a group of notables at the Actors Studio. "I admire all these people so much. I'm just not good enough."

In 1955 Monroe formed her own studio, Marilyn Monroe Productions, and renegotiated a contract with Twentieth Century Fox. She appeared in Bus Stop in 1956 and married playwright Arthur Miller (1915–) on July 1, 1956. Critics described Monroe in the film The Prince and the Showgirl, produced by her own company, as "a sparkling light comedienne." Monroe won the Italian David di Donatello award for "best foreign actress of 1958," and in 1959 she appeared in Some Like It Hot. In 1961 she starred in The Misfits, for which her husband Miller wrote the screenplay.

End of a star

The couple was divorced on January 24, 1961, and later that year Monroe entered a New York psychiatric clinic. After her brief hospitalization there she returned to the Fox studio to work on a film, but her erratic (unsteady and irregular) behavior betrayed severe emotional disturbance, and the studio fired her in June 1962.

Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Los Angeles bungalow on August 5, 1962, an empty bottle of sleeping pills by her side. The exact events surrounding her death are not totally known and have been the subject of many rumors and books over the years. Monroe's image is one of the most lasting and widely seen of any star in the twentieth century—and today. As a subject of biographies, more than twenty books have been written about her short and tragic life.

Source: Marilyn Monroe Biography