Some famous (and not so famous) people I like

 

Steve Irwin, the "Crocodile Hunter", along with his wife Terri and daughter Bindi Sue (who's now 3 and handling snakes.) Modern day Indiana Jones, Steve is a research scientist, conservationist, and TV star. He and Terri run Australia Zoo in Queensland, and can be seen on the Animal Planet TV network.

 

The lovely and talented Martina Hingis was the world's #1 ranked female tennis player for the better part of 4 years, before her "retirement" in 2003. In her career, the Swiss Miss won 5 Grand Slam titles- including the Australian Open 3 years in a row (1997 to 1999)- 40 WTA Tour titles, and 36 Doubles titles. Born in Kosice, Slovakia, she and her mother emigrated to Trubbach, Switzerland, which is her official residence. Martina may not have been the flashiest player on the tour, but she kept her #1 ranking through hard work and consitency. Martina advanced at least to the semifinals in nearly every tournament she played.

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Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, pictured here with Albert Einstein in 1931. The Little Tramp starred in, directed, produced, and composed the music for more than 100 films in his 50+ year career. Sadly, he was one of many people who fell victim to the "Red Scare" in America in the 1950s. Long suspected of being a communist by then FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, Chaplin was exiled from the U.S. and retreated to his native London. He eventually returned in 1973 to receive an honorary Academy Award for his outstanding achievements in Amercian Cinema. Not just a comedian, most of Chaplin's films were also social commentaries, including "Modern Times" and "The Great Dictator."

 

Björk Gudmundsdottir, better known as just Björk. This is one of my favorite pics of her, taken during her days with the Sugarcubes in the early 90s. Since then, she has embarked on a fantastically successful solo career, including starring roles in two independent films, "The Juniper Tree" and "Dancer in the Dark". The latter won her a Palm D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000, and she was also nominated for an Oscar. The diminutive Icelandic diva is one of the most unique and innovative voices in contemporary music, mixing dance rhythms with strings and influences from her native Iceland.

 

Mr. Alfred Hitchcock, the "Master of Suspense". "Hitch" became an American icon in the 1950s with such blockbuster hits as "Rear Window", "Vertigo", and "North by Northwest." He had been directing films since the 1920s, however, and in all he was behind the camera for more than 60 films (of which I have seen 31 and counting.) The innovative director, who ate potatoes with every meal, had a penchant for using blonde actresses in his films, the most famous of which was Grace Kelly. Two other legendary actors are associated with Hitch, Cary Grant and James Stewart, each of which played the leading man in 4 films.

 

Polly Walker, the most beautiful and talented actress you've never heard of. A Brit, Polly got her start in the popular "Poirot" TV series starring the incomparable David Suchet, which can be seen on the cable network A&E. Since then, she has done a handful of mainstream films, and many more that are obscure but worth seeing. My favorite performance was Lady Caroline Dester in "Enchanted April", a wonderful film also starring Miranda Richardson and Joan Plowright. Other memorable films include "Restoration",  "Talk of Angels", "For Roseanna", and a small role in "Patriot Games".