Ted Danson spent nights in the museum

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Tweet Dear Ken: Where is Ted Danson of the TV shows “Cheers” and “Becker” from? Edward Bridge Danson III was born in San Diego, Calif., and grew up in Flagstaff, Ariz., near a Navaho reservation as his father, Ned, was an archaeologist and director of the Museum of Northern Arizona. An environmental activist, the actor is a pal of former President Bill Clinton through his wife Mary Steenburgen, who, like Clinton, is an Arkansas native. Dear Ken: What actors have played Jesse James in film and on TV? Over 60 actors have portrayed the legendary train robber going back to the days of silent films. Among the most well known have been Brad Pitt, Colin Farrell, Rob Lowe, Kris Kristofferson, James Keach, Harris Yulin, Robert Duvall, Audie Murphy, Christopher Jones, Robert Wagner, Don “Red” Barry, MacDonald Carey, Dale Robertson, Clayton Moore, Lawrence Tierney, George Reeves, Rod Cameron, Tyrone Power and Roy Rogers. But the first to play Jesse was the outlaw’s own son, Jesse James Jr., born in Nashville, who portrayed his father in two silent movies in 1921. Dear Ken: Where is Ted Danson of the TV shows “Cheers” and “Becker” from? Edward Bridge Danson III was born in San Diego, Calif., and grew up in Flagstaff, Ariz., near a Navaho reservation as his father, Ned, was an archaeologist and director of the Museum of Northern Arizona. An environmental activist, the actor is a pal of former President Bill Clinton through his wife Mary Steenburgen, who, like Clinton, is an Arkansas native. Dear Ken: What actors have played Jesse James in film and on TV? Over 60 actors have portrayed the legendary train robber going back to the days of silent films. Among the most well known have been Brad Pitt, Colin Farrell, Rob Lowe, Kris Kristofferson, James Keach, Harris Yulin, Robert Duvall, Audie Murphy, Christopher Jones, Robert Wagner, Don “Red” Barry, MacDonald Carey, Dale Robertson, Clayton Moore, Lawrence Tierney, George Reeves, Rod Cameron, Tyrone Power and Roy Rogers. But the first to play Jesse was the outlaw’s own son, Jesse James Jr., born in Nashville, who portrayed his father in two silent movies in 1921. Dear Ken: What can you tell me about Gemma Arterton, who plays Tamina opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”? Arterton, 24, was born in Gravesend, Kent, England, and graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2007. Considered one of the fast-rising stars of this year, her credits include “St. Trinian’s,” “St. Trinian’s II,” “RocknRolla,” “Quantum of Solace,” “The Disappearance of Alice Creed” and “Clash of the Titans.” She had the title role in the 2008 miniseries “Tess of the D’Urbervilles” and stars later this fall in “Tamara Drewe.” Arterton was raised by a single mom who worked as a cleaner, while her dad is a welder. Behind her left ear the actress wears a tattoo of an angel wing.      Dear Ken: Where is the husband and wife duo the Captain & Tennille, who had pop hits in the mid-1970s? The “Captain,“ Daryl Dragon, 67, and Cathryn Antoinette “Toni” Tennille, 70, moved a few years ago to Prescott, Ariz., where Tennille participates in the annual Prescott Jazz Summit in late September. In 1975, their “Love Will Keep Us Together” won the Grammy for record of the year. Among their other hits were “Do That to Me One More Time,” “Lonely Night,” “Shop Around” and “Muskrat Love.” The couple has been married for more than 34 years. Check at their Web site at www.captainandtennille.net.