Day Tripping: October 1
Art Imitates Life
Richard Harris was born in Limerick, Ireland in 1930 and as a boy, was touted as a prospective rugby player. But, after contracting tuberculosis, his athletic career came to an end. Instead, he moved to Great Britain to work in theatre.
After a series of small parts in films, Richard got the starring role playing a coal miner who becomes a famous rugby player in The Sporting Life. Harris followed that acclaimed feature with the lead in Camelot and A Man Called Horse.
Between films, Richard Harris sang the hit song, MacArthur Park which reached number 2 on the Billboard charts.
“I often sit back and think, I wish I’d done that, and find out later that I already have.”
His hard-drinking lifestyle became as legendary as his film roles, but Harris showed incredible range in his various roles. Harris quit drinking and drugs in 1981, going into semi-retirement to clean up his act.
When he emerged again, Richard continued to choose different parts. In 1992, he played the gunfighter, British Bob, in Unforgiven and then finally as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies.
A year before his death in 2002, Harris gave a newspaper interview where he said, “I don’t just want to be remembered for being in those bloody films, and I’m afraid that’s what’s going to happen to me.”
Today is:
Coffee Day — Always, and goes very nicely with Homemade Cookies Day — and it’s ok if they are Less Than Perfect Day — because every day is Music Day.
But no, I will not show appreciation for Raccoon Appreciation Day — these miserable bandits are a menace in my neighbourhood.
Musical Ride
Bob Dylan opened his show at Carnegie Hall in 1965 by introducing his new backup group, the Hawks. Those players would later change their name to The Band.
Interesting Notes
At the 1932 World Series in Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Yankees slugger Babe Ruth stepped up to the plate in the 5th inning. According to some, Ruth was being heckled by the Cubs bench, so he pointed to a spot in the bleachers and promptly hit a home run to that spot. The ‘called shot’ has been disputed and there is no film proof, but the event further solidified the legend of Babe Rith.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Working as a photographer for Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue magazines, Richard Avedon developed a reputation for use of light and shadow to create iconic portraits of famous people like Marylin Monroe, Andy Warhol, and The Beatles. Avedon passed away in 2004 at the age of 81.
Notable Births
1920 — Walter Matthau said, “My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn’t pay the bill he gave me six months more.”
1950 — Randy Quaid said, “I’m not crazy. I play a lot of crazy characters, but I’m an actor.” — Hmm, want to think about that one, Randy?
K. Barrett Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr. Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, Ph.D. Terry Trueman Dr. Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster Nora Thewriteyard David Perlmutter Joe Luca Holly Kellums Michael Burg, MD Lucy Dan Dave Logan
All previous Day Tripping entries are available at the following links:
The Story Of Day Tripping Through History What’s Past Is Often Present
A comprehensive directory for Day Tripping