Viola Davis

Born in South Carolina, Viola Davis grew up in Rhode Island, where she began acting — first in high
school, and then at Rhode Island College. After attending the Juilliard School of Performing Arts, Davis
made her Broadway debut in 1996 in Seven Guitars. She has won Tony Awards for her performances
in King Hedley II (2001) and a revival of August Wilson's Fences (2010), which co-starred Denzel
Washington. Her film work includes Doubt (2008), for which she received an Oscar nomination, The
Help (2011), Ender's Game (2013) and Get on Up (2014). In 2015 she became the first African-American
woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on the television
series How to Get Away with Murder. She reprised her role playing Rose Maxson in the 2016 film
adaptation of Fences, directed and co-starring Denzel Washington, for which she received an Oscar for
Best Supporting Actress in 2017.

Early Career
Growing up poor in Rhode Island, Viola Davis found an oasis from her family's financial woes in
watching movies. Her father worked at racetracks, often as a horse groomer. She discovered a love of
acting early in high school. At Rhode Island College, Davis earned her degree in theater in 1988. From
there, she soon continued her studies at the famed Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York City.
Before long, Davis began to establish a name for herself in the New York theater world. She made her
Broadway debut in August Wilson's tragic comedy Seven Guitars in 1996. In the play, Davis starred as
Vera, a woman who takes back the boyfriend who wronged her. She again worked with Wilson on his
2001 drama King Hedley II, for which she won her first Tony Award.

Movies and TV Shows

'Law & Order'
On the small screen, Davis tried her hand at series television with the medical drama City of Angeles, in
2000. She also made several guest appearances on other shows as well; one of her most notable
performances was as a serial killer on Law & Order. It is one of her favorite roles, despite some negative
reactions in the African-American community. "I've had backlash playing a serial killer ... Anthony
Hopkins didn't, but I did. I have to follow my heart at the end of the day," she later told the St. Louis Post-
Dispatch.

'Antwone Fisher'
After a few feature film parts, Davis caught the attention of critics with her small role in 2002's Antwone
Fisher. She made the most out of her one scene in the film, in which she barely speaks. Her turn as the
mother of a troubled navy sailor (Derek Luke) brought her critical praise and an Independent Spirit Award
nomination.

'Doubt'
In 2008 Davis' career reached new heights with her nuanced performance in Doubt. She, once again,
made a tremendous impression with a small supporting role, and showed she could hold her own against
some of Hollywood's greatest talents. In the film, Davis played the mother of a boy who may have been
sexually assaulted by a priest (played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman) at his Catholic school. She delivered
an especially strong performance, as her character clashes with the school's principal (Meryl Streep) over
her son and the alleged crime. For her work, Davis received an Academy Award nomination for Best
Supporting Actress.

'Fences'
Returning to the stage, Davis gave another show-stopping performance in Fences in 2010. She co-starred
with Denzel Washington in this revival of the August Wilson play, portraying the wife in a long-married
couple whose relationship is falling apart. The pair had great chemistry together, creating a believable and
compelling portrait of a struggling marriage undone by infidelity. Both Davis and Washington won Tony
Awards for their work on the production.
'The Help'
In 2011 Davis co-starred with Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain and Bryce Dallas
Howard in the film adaptation of the best-selling book The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This 1960s drama
shows the racial divide between white housewives and their African-American servants in a Southern
town.

In the film, Davis plays Ailbileen, a maid who is interviewed by a young white writer named Skeeter for a
book about the lives of "the help." The experiences of her character are familiar to Davis. "The women in
this story were like my mother, my grandmother," she explained to Variety. "Women born and raised in
the Deep South, working in tobacco and cotton fields, taking care of their kids and other people's kids,
cleaning homes."

Davis worked with the director and screenwriter Tate Taylor to refine her character, making sure that her
responses and actions were believable. Because racial tensions were so high during the time that the film
is set in, she believed her character would have been afraid of saying too much to anyone. Davis played
Aibileen with great restraint and won extensive praise for her work on the film.

However, during an interview with the New York Times in September 2018, Davis expressed regret for
having participated in the film.

“But not in terms of the experience and the people involved because they were all great, Davis explained.
"The friendships that I formed are ones that I’m going to have for the rest of my life. I had a great
experience with these other actresses, who are extraordinary human beings."

She continued: “I just felt that at the end of the day that it wasn’t the voices of the maids that were heard. I
know Aibileen. I know Minny [played by Octavia Spencer, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar].
They’re my grandma. They’re my mom. And I know that if you do a movie where the whole premise is, I
want to know what it feels like to work for white people and to bring up children in 1963, I want to hear
how you really feel about it. I never heard that in the course of the movie.”
Davis is set to star in the Steve McQueen-directed heist thriller Widows.

Emmy & Oscar Wins

As an African-American actress, Davis continues to look for more meaningful roles and perhaps start up
some projects of her own. "It is a time when Black women now have no choice but to take matters in their
own hands and create images for ourselves ... It's up to us to look for the material, it's up to us to produce
it ourselves, it's up to us to choose the stories."

Over the next few years, Davis took on some interesting parts. She appeared in the 2013 science fiction
movie Ender's Game and played singer James Brown's mother in the 2014 biopic Get on Up.

Davis then tackled an important television project. She stars in How to Get Away with Murder as
Professor Annalise Keating. The often edgy mystery drama series is the brainchild of Shonda
Rhimes of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal fame. In 2015, Davis won an Emmy for her role and made history,
becoming the first African-American performer to win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
The emotional Davis cited the experiences of Harriet Tubman and honored the work done by others,
including fellow black actresses, to bring forth a more diverse creative industry.

"The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy
for roles that are simply not there. So here’s to all the writers, the awesome people that are Ben Sherwood,
Paul Lee, Peter Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, people who have redefined what it means to be beautiful, to be
sexy, to be a leading woman, to be black," she said in her speech. "And to the Taraji P. Hensons,
the Kerry Washingtons, the Halle Berrys, the Nicole Beharies, the Meagan Goods, to Gabrielle Union:
Thank you for taking us over that line. Thank you to the Television Academy."

In the same year of her historic Emmy win Davis appeared in the thriller Blackhat with Chris
Hemsworth and the drama Lila & Eve with Jennifer Lopez. In 2016 she appeared in the
drama Courtroom, the action film Suicide Squad and she received a Golden Globe award for reprising her
role as Rose Maxson in the film adaptation of Fences, co-starring Denzel Washington. After receiving the
award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Davis dedicated the honor to her father,
who she said was “born in 1936, groomed horses, had a fifth-grade education, didn’t know how to read
until he was 15 . . . [but] he had a story and it deserved to be told, and August Wilson told it.”
In 2017 Davis received her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences. In
her powerful acceptance speech, Davis spoke about portraying "ordinary people" and their human
experience. “You know, there is one place that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered and
that’s the graveyard,” she said. “People ask me all the time — what kind of stories do you want to tell,
Viola? And I say exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories — the stories of the people who dreamed
big and never saw those dreams to fruition, people who fell in love and lost.”

“I became an artist and thank God I did,” she continued “because we are the only profession that
celebrates what it means to live a life.”

Husband & Daughter

Davis lives in Los Angeles with her husband, actor Julius Tennon. The couple adopted a daughter,
Genesis, in 2011.
 Ted Cruz

Synopsis
Born on December 22, 1970, American conservative politician Ted Cruz grew up in Houston,
Texas, earning his bachelor's at Princeton University and going on to Harvard Law School.
Working as an attorney for some time, Cruz later served as an adviser on the 2000 presidential
campaign of George W. Bush. In 2012 he won election to the U.S. Senate with the support of
the Tea Party and took office the following year, going on to orchestrate a governmental
shutdown in opposition to Obamacare. In 2015, he announced that he was running for the 2016
Republican presidential nomination.

Early Life and Education

Born on December 22, 1970, in Calgary, Canada, conservative politician Ted Cruz first rose to
national prominence in 2012 with his surprising win of a U.S. Senate seat. Then in 2015, he
became the first Republican to throw his hat into the 2016 presidential election. His father,
Rafael, came to the United States from Cuba in the late 1950s. His mother, Eleanor, was born in
the United States and met his father when she was a student at Rice University. Cruz's parents
split up for a time, but they reunited after Rafael developed a newfound interest in religion.
Cruz demonstrated his gift for public speaking at early age. He joined an after-school program
run by the Free Enterprise Institute, which introduced young people to free market economics.
The institute had created a youth group that focused on the Constitution. Cruz joined the group,
and he and his fellow Constitutional Corroborators gave speeches around Texas on related
issues.

The valedictorian of his class at Houston's Second Baptist High School, Cruz went on to
Princeton University. There he became an award-winning debater. He also found a mentor in
professor Robert George, a well-known religious conservative. After graduating from Princeton
in 1992, Cruz continued his education at Harvard Law School. There he challenged the liberal
ideals of lawyer Alan Dershowitz, one of his instructors. After law school, Cruz worked as a law
clerk for several judges, including Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist from 1996 to 1997.

Senate Seat
Cruz worked as a lawyer for a few years before jumping into politics, eventually serving as a
policy adviser to George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign. Cruz explained to The New
Yorker, "I essentially had responsibility for all the policy that touched on law" during the
campaign. He also acted on Bush's behalf during the fight for a recount of Florida's election
results.

After a stint as associate deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice, Cruz became
director of the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commission in July 2001. His time
at the FTC was marked by successful defeats of collective bargaining proposals between
physicians and health care programs, as well as legislation that aimed to curb below-cost
gasoline sales.

In 2003, Cruz became the solicitor general of Texas. He argued a total of eight cases before the
U.S. Supreme Court during his five years in the post, among his victories a case from 2008 in
which he advocated for the preservation of the death penalty for a Mexican citizen convicted of
raping and murdering two teenage girls.
Cruz then returned to private practice briefly before launching his own campaign for the Senate.
He initially appeared to be an underdog, taking on fellow Republican and Texas Lieutenant
Governor David Dewhurst. But his ultraconservatism won him the support of leading Tea Party
figures like Sarah Palin and Rand Paul, who campaigned for him. Cruz came in second to
Dewhurst in the first round of voting, but he won in the run-off election.

Government Shutdown
After taking office in 2013, Cruz made a name for himself with his speeches and tactics. He was
instrumental in bringing about the government shutdown that year after his 21-hour speech
against President Barack Obama's healthcare plan. Holding the Senate floor, Cruz tried to
convince his colleagues to cut funding for the program. He also used his time to read a story to
his daughters and share passages from one of his favorite books, Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn
Rand.

Cruz's actions have drawn the ire of some of the more seasoned "establishment" Republicans.
According to The Huffington Post, Senator John McCain said that Cruz, along with fellow
ultraconservatives Rand Paul and Representative Justin Amash, were "wacko birds" who got
the most media attention. "I think it can be harmful if there is a belief among the American
people that those people are reflective of the views of the majority of Republicans," said McCain,
adding, "They're not."

Presidential Ambitions
In 2014, Cruz renounced his dual Canadian citizenship, though his eligibility to run for president
was not in jeopardy.

In March 2015, Cruz officially announced his candidacy for president over Twitter. He then
appeared at Liberty University, a Christian college founded by Moral Majority leader Jerry
Falwell, to rally the faithful to his side. "Today, roughly half of born-again Christians aren't
voting," he said, according to CBS News. "Imagine instead millions of people of faith all across
America coming out to the polls and voting our values." His words struck a chord with many on
the religious right, and the day after his announcement his campaign brought in approximately
$1 million in donations.
On social issues, Cruz is pro-life and has stated his belief in “marriage between a man and a
woman.” He opposes abortion and same-sex marriage. "Instead of a federal government that
works to undermine our values, imagine a federal government that works to defend the sanctity
of human life, and to uphold the sacrament of marriage," he said in a speech announcing his run
for president.

As the son of a Cuban immigrant, Cruz says he “celebrates legal immigration,” according to
his official website. In 2014, Cruz proposed legislation to prevent President Obama from
expanding amnesty, and he is a vocal critic of the Obama administration’s immigration policies.
As a 2016 presidential hopeful, he has called for more “boots on the ground” to increase
security at the border.

Cruz is also in favor of abolishing the IRS and instituting a flat tax system. Regarding the issue
of climate change, the presidential hopeful acknowledges that climate change is real, but he has
questioned the scientific evidence of its causes and impact as presented by what he calls
“global warming alarmists.”

In February 2016, Cruz scored an important victory in his pursuit of the presidency. He edged
out fellow Republican hopeful Donald Trump in the Iowa Caucus, picking up eight delegates and
27.7 percent of the votes. Trump and Marco Rubio were close behind Cruz in the final results,
however, with Trump at 24.4 percent and Rubio at 23.1 percent, according to the Wall Street
Journal. In March, after Rubio lost his home state of Florida to Trump, he dropped out, making it
a three-way race between Trump, Cruz and Ohio governor John Kasich.

In April 2016, Cruz announced Carly Fiorina as his vice presidential running mate. Fiorina, the
former Hewlitt-Packard CEO, had dropped out of the presidential race in February and endorsed
Cruz in March. After losing the Indiana primary to Trump in May 2016, Cruz suspended his
campaign. "From the beginning, I have said that I will continue on as long as there is a viable
path to victory," Cruz told his supporters. "Tonight, I am sorry to say, it appears that path has
been closed."
Controversy at the Republican Convention
On July 20, 2016, Cruz delivered a controversial speech at the Republican National Convention
in Cleveland, Ohio, a day after his former opponent Donald Trump officially won the party’s
presidential nomination. Addressing the convention in primetime, Cruz congratulated Trump, but
did not endorse him, drawing boos from the audience of delegates and chants of “Vote for
Trump!” and “Go Home!”

“If you love our country, and love our children as much as you do, stand, and speak, and vote
your conscience, vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our
freedom, and to be faithful to the constitution,” Cruz said, eliciting jeers and chants of “Endorse
Trump!,” particularly from the delegation of Trump’s home state, New York.

Near the end of Cruz’s speech, Trump arrived in the arena and television cameras cut away to
show the presidential nominee. Trump reacted to Cruz’s controversial speech on Twitter,
criticizing Cruz for not honoring his pledge to support the party’s nominee. “Wow, Ted Cruz got
booed off the stage, didn't honor the pledge! I saw his speech two hours early but let him speak
anyway. No big deal!” Trump tweeted.

The next day Cruz addressed delegates from his home state of Texas, many of whom were
angry about his unwillingness to back Trump. “This isn't just a team sport," Cruz defended his
position. "We either stand for shared principles or we’re not worth anything.”

On September 23, 2016, Cruz finally endorsed his former rival just days before Trump’s first
presidential debate with his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. In a Facebook post, Cruz
wrote: “After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience,
I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump.”

In his long explanation supporting his endorsement, Cruz wrote: “Our country is in crisis. Hillary
Clinton is manifestly unfit to be president, and her policies would harm millions of Americans.
And Donald Trump is the only thing standing in her way.”
Trump responded in a statement to CNN: ”I am greatly honored by the endorsement of Senator
Cruz," he said. "We have fought the battle and he was a tough and brilliant opponent. I look
forward to working with him for many years to come in order to make America great again."
 Freddie Mercury

Who Was Freddie Mercury?

Singer-songwriter Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara on September 5, 1946, in Zanzibar,
Tanzania. He studied piano in boarding school in India and befriended numerous musicians at London's
Ealing College of Art. The music of Mercury's band, Queen, reached the top of U.S. and British charts.
Mercury died of AIDS-related bronchial pneumonia on November 24, 1991, at age 45.

Musical Education
Singer-songwriter and musician Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara on September 5, 1946, in
Zanzibar, Tanzania. As the frontman of Queen, Freddie Mercury was one of the most talented and
innovative singers of the rock era. He spent time in a boarding school in Bombay (now Mumbai), India,
where he studied piano. It was not long before this charismatic young man joined his first band, the
Hectics.
Moving to London with his family in the 1960s, Mercury attended the Ealing College of Art. He
befriended a number of musicians around this time, including future bandmates, drummer Roger Taylor
and guitarist Brian May. In 1969, Mercury joined up with a group called Ibex as their lead singer. He
played with a few other bands before joining forces with Taylor and May. They met up with bassist John
Deacon in 1971, and the quartet — who Mercury dubbed Queen — played their first gig together that
June.

Freddie Mercury's Teeth

Mercury was born with four extra teeth in the back of his mouth, causing his now-famous bucktooth grin.
In fact, his nickname growing up was Bucky. Mercury never got his teeth fixed because he was afraid it
would ruin his vocals.

Queen Reigns: 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' 'We Are the Champions'

In 1973, the band released their first self-titled album, but it took two more recordings for Queen's music
to really catch on. Their third record, Sheer Heart Attack (1974), featured their first hit, "Killer Queen," a
song about a high-class call girl. The single hit No. 2 on the U.K. charts, and peaked at No. 12 in the U.S.

With a sound that has been described as a fusion of hard rock and glam rock, Queen had an even bigger
hit the following year with their album, A Night at the Opera (1975). Mercury wrote the song "Bohemian
Rhapsody," a seven-minute rock operetta, for the album. Overdubbing his voice, Mercury showed off his
impressive four-octave vocal range on this innovative track. The song hit the top of the charts in Britain
and became a Top 10 hit in the United States.

In addition to his talents as a singer and songwriter, Mercury was also a skilled showman. He knew how
to entertain audiences and how to connect with them. He liked to wear costumes — often featuring
skintight spandex — and strutted around the stage, encouraging fans to join in the fun. Artistic in nature,
Mercury was also actively involved in designing the art for many of the group's albums.

Queen's popularity continued to soar through the late 70s and early 80s. "We Are the Champions," off
of News of the World (1978), became a Top 10 hit in the United States and in Britain. It was featured on a
single with "We Will Rock You" — both songs have taken on a life of their own as popular anthems
played at sporting events. Always exploring new and different sounds, Queen also tried their hand at the
big music trend of the time, with the disco-flavored "Another One Bites the Dust" in 1980. Off that same
album, The Game (1980), Mercury and the rest of the band showed their range as performers with the
rockabilly-influenced hit "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," which Mercury penned.

Memorable Performances: 1985 Live Aid Concert & More

The following year, the members of Queen collaborated with David Bowie to create "Under Pressure." A
No. 1 hit in Britain, the song's distinctive bass line was later reportedly used by Vanilla Ice for his 1990
rap hit "Ice, Ice Baby." The group's ability to sell albums began to wane by the mid-1980s after The
Works (1984), which featured the minor hit "Radio Ga Ga."

As a live act, Queen continued to draw huge crowds around the world. One of their most notable
performances was in 1985 at the Live Aid charity concert. Simply dressed in a tank top and jeans,
Mercury led the crowd through some of the band's greatest hits with great energy and style. He got the
thousands of music fans at London's Wembley Stadium to chant along to "We Will Rock You." For many
who watched the event live or on television, Queen gave one of the top performances of the day-long
event, which was organized by singer and activist Bob Geldof and songwriter Midge Ure to raise money
for victims of famine in Africa. Inspired by the event, the band wrote the hit "One Vision."

In addition to his work with Queen, Mercury released several solo albums, including 1985's Mr. Bad Guy.
He also collaborated with opera singer Montserrat Caballé for 1988's Barcelona.

17

GALLERY

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AIDS
Offstage, Mercury was open about his bisexuality, but he kept his relationships private. He also lived a
lavish lifestyle. He loved champagne and liked to collect art, once spending more than $400,000 on a set
of hand-painted china. Always one for a party, Mercury threw himself elaborate celebrations; for one
particular birthday he flew a group of friends to the island of Ibiza. The occasion was marked by
fireworks and flamenco dancing.
By 1989, Mercury largely retreated from public life. He did not promote or tour for Queen's next
album, Innuendo (1991), and rumors about possible health problems began to circulate. On November 23,
1991, Mercury released a statement: "I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV-positive and have
AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me.
However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope
that everyone will join with my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease."
The next day, he died from AIDS-related bronchial pneumonia at his London mansion. Mercury was only
45 years old.

Longtime friend and bandmate Roger Taylor provided some insight to Mercury's decision to keep his
battle with AIDS private. "He didn't want to be looked at as an object of pity and curiosity, and he didn't
want circling vultures over his head," Taylor said, according to a report in Entertainment Weekly. The
rock world mourned the loss of one of its most versatile and engaging performers.

To honor his memory, the Freddie Mercury Tribute: Concert for AIDS Awareness was held in April 1992
at Wembly Stadium. A diverse range of rock acts — from Def Leppard to Elton John — performed to
celebrate Mercury and advance the fight against the disease that took his life. That same year, Mercury's
mock operatic masterpiece, "Bohemian Rhapsody" made a return to the pop charts, illustrating its timeless
appeal.

Before his death, Mercury had done some work in the studio with Queen. These efforts were released in
1995 on Made In Heaven, the group's last album with all the original members. Gone but clearly not
forgotten, this collection of Mercury's final performances reached the top of the British charts. In 2001,
Mercury and the rest of the band received special recognition for their contributions to American music
history when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Freddie Mercury Movie

Set to premiere in November 2018, Bohemian Rhapsody, starring Mr. Robot's Rami Malek as Mercury,
follows the band's rise leading up to their legendary Live Aid performance in 1985.
Michael Jordan

Who Is Michael Jordan?

Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963) is a professional American basketball player,
Olympic athlete, businessperson and actor. Considered one of the best basketball players
ever, Michael Jordan dominated the sport from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s. He led the
Chicago Bulls to six National Basketball Association championships and earned the NBA's Most
Valuable Player Award five times. With five regular-season MVPs and three All-Star MVPs,
Jordan became the most decorated player in the NBA.

Net Worth
Between his six NBA championships, restaurants, stake in the Charlotte Hornets, corporate
sponsorship with Nike, and endorsement deals with Gatorade, Hanes and Upper Deck, Michael
Jordan’s estimated net worth is more than $1 billion.

How Tall Is Michael Jordan?

Basketball player Michael Jordan is 6 feet, 6 inches tall.
Michael Jordan’s Wives and Kids
In 1989, Michael Jordan married Juanita Vanoy. They had three children together: Jeffrey,
Marcus and Jasmine. After 17 years of marriage, the couple divorced in December 2006.

In 2007, Michael Jordan’s eldest son, Jeffrey Jordan, made the basketball team at the University
of Illinois. Both Michael Jordan and his ex-wife Juanita have supported their son and tried to
help him deal with playing in the shadow of an NBA legend.

"He wants to be a basketball player, but he wants to do it on his own terms ...The thing that we
have tried to tell Jeff is that you set your own expectations. By no means in this world can you
ever live up to someone else's expectations of who you are," Michael Jordan said during an
appearance on the Today show.

On April 27, 2013, Jordan married 35-year-old Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto in Palm
Beach, Florida. Tiger Woods, Spike Lee and Patrick Ewing, among other celebrities, reportedly
attended the wedding ceremony. The couple welcomed twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel, in
February 2014.

When and Where Was Michael Jordan Born?

Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York.

Childhood
Growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jordan developed a competitive edge at an early age.
He wanted to win every game he played. As his father James later noted, "What he does have
is a competition problem. He was born with that ... the person he tries to outdo most of the time
is himself."

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

Jordan enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981 and soon became an
important member of the school's basketball team. UNC won the NCAA Division I
championships in 1982, with Jordan scoring the final basket needed to defeat Georgetown
University. He was also singled out as the NCAA College Player of the Year in 1983 and in 1984.

Olympics
During the summer of 1984, Jordan made his first appearance at the Olympic Games as a
member of the U.S. Olympic basketball team. The team won the gold at the games that year,
which were held in Los Angeles. Jordan later helped the American team bring home the gold
medal at the 1992 Olympic Games, held in Barcelona, Spain.

Professional NBA Career

Jordan left college after his junior year to join the NBA. Drafted by the Chicago Bulls, he soon
proved himself on the court. He helped the team make it to the playoffs and scored an average
of 28.2 points per game that season. For his efforts, Jordan received the NBA Rookie of the
Year Award and was selected for the All-Star Game.

In 1985, Jordan finished his bachelor's degree in geography and continued to play basketball
professionally. While his second season was marred by injury, he was breaking new ground on
the court during the 1986-1987 season. He became the first player since Wilt Chamberlinto
score more than 3,000 points in a single season.

By the late 1980s, the Chicago Bulls were quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with, and
Jordan was an instrumental part of the team's success. The Bulls made it to the Eastern
Conference Finals in 1990 and won their first NBA championship the following year by defeating
the Los Angeles Lakers. A rising NBA superstar, Jordan became known for his power and agility
on the court as well as for his leadership abilities.

In 1992, the Chicago Bulls beat the Portland Trail Blazers to win their second NBA
championship. The team took their third championship the following year, dominating in the
basketball world.
Following a short stint in minor league baseball, in March 1995 Jordan returned to the basketball
court, rejoining the Chicago Bulls and eventually helping them win the championship against the
Seattle Sonics in the 1995-96 season.

The following season Jordan came back even stronger, averaging 30.4 points per game.
Starting all 82 games that season, he helped the team finish the regular season with 72 wins
and clinch a win in the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz. The two teams faced each other again
for the championships in 1998, and Jordan helped the Bulls beat them for the second year in a
row.

Retiring after the 1997-98 season, Jordan joined the Washington Wizards as a part owner and
as president of basketball operations. In the fall of 2001, Jordan relinquished these roles to
return to the court once more. He played for the Wizards for two seasons before hanging up his
jersey for good in 2003.

Baseball Career
In a move that shocked many, after the end of the 1992-93 basketball season, Michael
Jordanannounced his retirement from basketball to pursue baseball. For one year, Jordan
played for a minor league team, the Birmingham Barons, as an outfielder. This decision came
shortly following the loss of his father, James, to an act of violence: Two teenagers shot James
Jordan during an apparent robbery and were later convicted of the crime.

Businessman and Actor

Outside of his career in basketball, Michael Jordan has been involved in a number of profitable
business and commercial ventures.

Endorsement Deals
Over the years, Michael Jordan has signed a number of endorsement deals with brands
including Nike, Hanes, Upper Deck, Gatorade, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Chevrolet and Wheaties.
'Space Jam'
Jordan made a big splash in film as the star of the 1996 movie Space Jam. The film mixed live
action and animation and paired Jordan with cartoon legends Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck on
screen.

Part-Owner of the Charlotte Bobcats

In 2006, Jordan bought a share of the Charlotte Bobcats and joined the team's executive ranks
as its managing member of basketball operations. In 2010, he became the majority owner of the
Charlotte Bobcats and serves as the team's chairman. Improving the team's less-than-stellar
record seems to be Jordan's priority. He told ESPN in November 2012 that "I don't anticipate
getting out of this business. My competitive nature is I want to succeed. It's always been said
that when I can't find a way to do anything, I will find a way to do it."

The Michael Jordan Steakhouse

In 1998, Michael Jordan launched into the restaurant business as the owner of Michael Jordan’s
The Steak House N.Y.C. Designed to reflect Jordan’s tastes and style, this typical steakhouse
seats 150 and 60 at the bar, occupying 7,000 square feet in Grand Central Terminal. Other
locations include Uncasville, CT, Chicago, Ridgefield, WA.

Golf Charity
From 2001 through 2014, Michael Jordan hosted an annual charitable golf event known as
the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, with proceeds benefiting foundations including Make-
A-Wish, Cats Care, the James R. Jordan Foundation, Keep Memory Alive and Opportunity
Village.

The four-day tournament and celebration attracted celebrity participants including Wayne
Gretzky, Michael Phelps, Chevy Chase, Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Wahlberg.

Awards
Jordan received his first Most Valuable Player Award from the NBA in 1988—an honor he would
earn four more times in 1991, 1992, 1996 and 1998.
 In April 2009, Jordan received one of basketball's greatest honors: He was inducted into the
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Attending the induction ceremony was a bittersweet
affair for Jordan because being at the event meant "your basketball career is completely over,"
he explained.

In 2016, Jordan was presented with a Presidential Medal of Freedom honor by BarackObama.

Michael Jordan Stats

Vertical Leap
48 inches

Career Averages
 G: 1,072
 GS: 1,039
 MPG: 38.3
 FG%: 0.497
 3P%: 0.327
 FT%: 0.835
Rebounds per game:
 OFF: 1.60
 DEF: 4.70
 RPG: 6.20
 APG: 5.3
 SPG: 2.35
 BPG: 0.83
 TO: 2.73
 PF: 2.60
 PPG: 30.1
Career Totals
 MIN: 41,011
 FGM-A: 12,192-24,537
 3PM-A: 581-1,778
 FTM-A: 7,327-8,772
Rebounds:
 OFF: 1,668
 DEF: 5,004
 TOT: 6,672
 AST: 5,633
 STL: 2,514
 BLK: 893
 TO: 2,924
 PF: 2,783
 PTS: 32,292
 Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman is a British actress known for roles in a number of high-profile British TV series. In
2017 she won the role of Queen Elizabeth II in seasons three and four of the Netflix series 'The
Crown.'

Who Is Olivia Colman?

Olivia Colman has worked steadily as an actress on British TV since the early- to mid-2000s in hit shows
such as Accused, Mr. Sloane, Peep Show, and Broadchurch. She has also been seen in a number of
movies made in the U.K., including The Iron Lady and Hyde Park on the Hudson. In 2017 she was tapped
to play Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix's The Crown for the third and fourth seasons.

Olivia Colman attends a screening of 'The Lobster' during the BFI London Film Festival at Vue West End
on October 13, 2015 in London, England.
(Photo: Mike Marsland_WireImage via Getty)
Movies and TV Shows
'The Iron Lady,' 'Hyde Park on the Hudson'
Colman has appeared in The Iron Lady (2011), in which she played the daughter of Margaret
Thatcher (played by Meryl Streep) and Hyde Park on the Hudson (2012) starring Bill Murray as Franklin
Delano Roosevelt. In the movie, Colman played Lady Elizabeth, wife of King George VI of England and
mother of Queen Elizabeth II.

When Streep delivered an acceptance speech after winning a BAFTA (British Academy of Film
and Television Arts) Award for Iron Lady in 2012, she called Colman “divinely gifted.”

'Tyrannosaur'
She later earned recognition and critical acclaim as a dramatic actress in movies such as
2011’s Tyrannosaur, in which she played a battered wife who turns on her husband and kills him. Other
movies Colman has appeared in include: Locke (2013), The Thirteenth Tale (2013) and Lobster (2015).

‘Accused,’ ‘Peep Show’

Colman has become one of the most recognizable character actresses on British televisionthanks to a
string of prominent hits in which she appeared, including Beautiful People (2008), Twelve Twelve (2011)
starring Hugh Bonneville, Accused (2012), Rev. (2014), Mr. Sloane (2014) and Peep Show (2015).

She also notably guest starred in Doctor Who in 2010 on the episode "The Eleventh Hour."

‘Broadchurch,’ ‘The Night Manager’

Starting in 2013, her role in Broadchurch – as the lead detective in a child homicide case in a small
seaside town – catapulted her into the ranks of leading actresses in the U.K.

Her profile rose even higher as the result of starring roles in The Night Manager in 2016 (alongside Tom
Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie and Broadchurch in 2017. Colman was also seen in the Amazon comedy
series Fleabag in 2016.
Colman has won praise from critics and peers for her versatility in both comedy and drama. “She’s not
afraid to cry but she’s also incredibly tough,” says Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall. “She’s funny, but
she’s able to go into the deepest, darkest emotional territory. She inhabits a character from the inside out
and, most of all, she understands what it is like to be alive – how ridiculous it is, how heartbreaking it is
and how wonderful it is.”

‘The Crown’
In November 2017, just weeks before season two of The Crown was set to begin, Colman was announced
as the next actress who would take over the starring role of Queen Elizabeth II from Claire Foy, who had
played the younger Elizabeth for the Netflix series’ first two seasons.

Colman, who was 43 when she won the role, will play the Queen in middle age, starting in 1963. Foy
played the role in a time frame that began in 1947 – six years before Elizabeth’s coronation as Queen of
England. Foy is 10 years younger than Colman.

Husband
Colman married novelist Ed Sinclair in 2001. They have three children and live in London.

Early Life in Norfolk, England

Sarah Caroline Olivia Colman was born on Jan. 30, 1974, in Norfolk, England, where she subsequently
grew up. Her mother was a nurse and her father was what is known in the United Kingdom as a
“chartered surveyor,” which is a person who is an expert on the value, quality and characteristics of real
estate, including buildings and the land they are situated on.

Colman attended a local private school, Gresham’s School. There, she had her first acting experience, a
part in a school play, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, when she was 16.
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
After she graduated, she briefly considered pursuing a teaching career and took courses in teaching at
Homerton College at Cambridge.

She met her future husband, Ed Sinclair, then a law student, at Cambridge. Still harboring an ambition to
act, Colman followed him to acting school, Britain’s Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where she graduated
in 1999. The school’s alumni include Daniel Day-Lewis, Jeremy Irons, Patrick Stewart and others.

A Comedic Actress with ‘Mitchell and Webb’

In addition to acting school, Colman’s gateway into acting came in the form of friendships made early in
her career with the then-young English comedy team of David Mitchell and Thomas Webb. Known as
Mitchell and Webb, the two would go on to star in three sketch comedy shows on British TV. Colman
first made a name for herself as a comedic actress in their first show, The Mitchell and Webb Situation.
She was also seen on their subsequent shows, That Mitchell and Webb Look and Peep Show.

A Working Actress Devoted to Her Family

In interviews, Coleman acknowledges her versatility but refrains from assigning any specific method to
the way she approaches acting. Says she, “People say I am effortlessly laid-back in the roles I take. I’m
not sure that’s true – I just try to take a light-hearted approach to work because as important as it is, it’s
never more important than my family. That’s my formula.”
 Steven Soderbergh

Steven Soderbergh is a screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and director, known for directing
such films as 'Erin Brockovich,' 'Traffic' and 'Ocean's Eleven.'

Who Is Steven Soderbergh?

Steven Soderbergh is an American film producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, and an Academy
Award-winning film director. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, He gained recognition with his directorial
debut, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Later films include Kafka, The
Limey, Erin Brockovich, Traffic (Oscar, Best Director), Ocean's Eleven, Solaris and Magic Mike.

Oscar-Winning Director
Director, producer, and screenwriter, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He gained recognition with his
directorial debut, Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989), which was nominated for an Academy Award and won
the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Later films include Kafka (1991), The Limey (1999), Erin
Brockovich (2000), Traffic (2000, Oscar, Best Director), Ocean's Eleven(2001, sequels 2004, 2007),
and Solaris (2002).

In a 2011 radio interview, director Steven Soderbergh stated that he was done with filmmaking, as he felt
his career has run its course. "When you reach the point where you're, like, 'if I have to get into a van to
do another scout I'm just going to shoot myself,' it's time to let somebody else who's still excited about
getting in the van, get in the van," Soderbergh explained.

"For the last three years, I've been turning down everything that comes my way," Soderbergh said. He
stated that his last two projects would a Liberace biopic starring Matt Damon and Michael Douglas and
the remake of Man from U.N.C.L.E. starring George Clooney.

Following the release of the beefcake hit Magic Mike (2012), Soderbergh brought his Librace film Behind
the Candelabra to the small screen in 2013. The project earned much critical praise and several Emmy
Awards, including a win for Soderbergh as its director and for Michael Douglas for his starring turn as
Liberace.

Return to Film and New Approaches

Despite his stated intention to move on from directing, Soderbergh remained very much involved in the
craft by directing all episodes of The Knick, a medical drama that aired on Cinemax from 2014 to the end
of 2015. By 2017, he was back in the feature film game with the release of the ensemble heist flick Logan
Lucky.

Soderbergh then directed the six-episode murder mystery Mosaic, which began airing on HBO in January
2018. The episodes were also made available through an iOS/Android app which offered additional
features, including access to more backstory information and the ability to see the plot unfold through
different characters' points of view.

Continuing his pursuit of innovative techniques, Soderbergh put together a horror movie, Unsafe, through
footage shot entirely from iPhones. The film, starring Claire Foy, was scheduled for release in late March
2018.
Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She
celebrated 65 years on the throne in February 2017 with her Sapphire Jubilee.

Who Is Queen Elizabeth II?

Queen Elizabeth II was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in London, to Prince
Albert, Duke of York (later known as King George VI), and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She married Philip
Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, became queen on February 6, 1952, and was crowned on June
2, 1953. She is the mother of Prince Charles, heir to the throne, as well as the grandmother of
princes William and Harry. As the longest-serving monarch in British history, she has tried to make her
reign more modern and sensitive to a changing public while maintaining traditions associated with the
crown.

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Queen Elizabeth II’s Health

At the end of 2016, concerns about the Queen’s health grew. The Queen was reported to have a “heavy
cold” and missed several traditional holiday events, including Christmas and New Year's services. “The
Queen does not yet feel ready to attend church as she is still recuperating from a heavy cold,” the palace
said in a statement. She made her first public appearance in January 2017 since taking ill. At that time it
was also announced that she would be cutting the number of charities of which she is a patron in an effort
to reduce her work obligations.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Husband

Queen Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten (a surname adopted from his mother's side) in the autumn of
1947. Elizabeth first met Philip, son of Prince Andrew of Greece, when she was only 13. She was smitten
with him from the start. Distant cousins, the two kept in touch over the years and eventually fell in love.
They made an unusual pair. Elizabeth was quiet and reserved while Philip was boisterous and outspoken.
Her father, King George VI, was hesitant about the match because, while Mountbatten had ties to both the
Danish and Greek royal families, he didn't possess great wealth and was considered by some a bit rough
in his personality.

At the time of their wedding, Great Britain was still recovering from the ravages of WWII, and Elizabeth
collected clothing coupons to get fabric for her gown. The ceremony was held at London's Westminster
Abbey on November 20th. The family took on the name Windsor, a move pushed by her mother
and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and which caused tension with her husband. Over the years, Philip
has inspired numerous public relations headaches with his off-the-cuff, edgy comments and rumors of
possible infidelities.

Children and Grandchildren

Elizabeth and Philip wasted no time in producing an heir: Son Charles was born in 1948, the year after
their wedding, and daughter Anne arrived in 1950. Elizabeth had two more children —
sons Andrew and Edward — in 1960 and 1964 respectively. In 1969, she officially made Prince Charles
her successor by granting him the title of Prince of Wales. Hundreds of millions of people tuned in to see
the ceremony on television.

In 1981 Prince Charles wed 19-year-old Diana Spencer (best known as Princess Diana), with later rumors
surfacing that he was pressured into the marriage from his family. The wedding drew enormous crowds in
the streets of London and millions watched the proceedings on television. Public opinion of the monarchy
was especially strong at that time. The couple gave birth to Queen Elizabeth’s grandsons Prince William,
Duke of Cambridge and successor to the throne, in 1982, and Prince Harry in 1984. Elizabeth has
emerged as a devoted grandmother to William and Harry. Prince William has said that she offered
invaluable support and guidance as he and Kate Middleton planned their 2011 wedding.
On July 22, 2013, Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge,
welcomed their first child, George Alexander Louis — a successor to the throne known officially as "His
Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.” Elizabeth visited her new great-grandson after William
and Kate returned home to Kensington Palace from the hospital. Two years later, on May 2, 2015,
William and Kate welcomed their second child, Princess Charlotte, the Queen's fifth great-grandchild. On
April 23, 2018, the couple welcomed their third child, a son.

In addition to Prince William and Prince Harry, the Queen’s other grandchildren are Peter Phillips,
Princess Beatrice of York, Princess Eugenie of York, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and James,
Viscount Severn.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation

On February 6, 1952, Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, died, and she assumed the responsibilities of
the ruling monarch. (She and Prince Philip had been in Kenya at the time of her father's death.) Queen
Elizabeth’s official coronation took place on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey. For the first time ever,
the ceremony was broadcast on television, allowing people from across the globe to witness the pomp and
spectacle of the event.

Family Tree
Queen Elizabeth II’s father, Prince Albert, was the second son of King George V and Queen Mary. She
has ties with most of the monarchs in Europe. Her ancestors include Queen Victoria (ruled 1837 to 1901)
and King George III (ruled 1760 to 1820).

In 1936, the course of Elizabeth's life changed with the death of her grandfather, George V, with whom
she was said to be close. Her uncle became King Edward VIII, but he was in love with American
divorcée Wallis Simpson and had to choose between the crown and his heart. In the end, Edward chose
Simpson and abdicated the crown. Elizabeth's father became King George VI in 1937.

Queen Elizabeth As a Child

Queen Elizabeth II was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on April 21, 1926, in London, England.
At the time of her birth, most did not realize Elizabeth would someday become queen of Great Britain.
Elizabeth got to enjoy the first decade of her life with all the privileges of being a royal without the
pressures of being the heir apparent.

Elizabeth’s father and mother, also known as the Duke and Duchess of York, divided their time between a
home in London and Royal Lodge, the family's home on the grounds of Windsor Great Park. Elizabeth,
nicknamed Lilibet, and her younger sister Margaret were educated at home by tutors. Academic courses
included French, mathematics and history, with dancing, singing and art lessons undertaken as well.

With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret largely stayed out
of London, having been relocated to Windsor Castle. From there she made the first of her famous radio
broadcasts, with this particular speech reassuring the children of Britain who had been evacuated from
their homes and families. The 14-year-old princess, showing her calm and firm personality, told them
"that in the end, all will be well; for God will care for us and give us victory and peace."

Elizabeth soon started taking on other public duties. Appointed colonel-in-chief of the Grenadier Guards
by her father, Elizabeth made her first public appearance inspecting the troops in 1942. She also began to
accompany her parents on official visits within Britain.

In 1945, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service to help in the war effort. She trained side-by-
side with other British women to be an expert driver and mechanic. While her volunteer work only lasted
a few months, it offered Elizabeth a glimpse into a different, non-royal world. She had another vivid
experience outside of the monarchy when she and Margaret were allowed to mingle anonymously among
the citizenry on Victory in Europe Day.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Job

Queen Elizabeth's long and mainly peaceful reign has been marked by vast changes in her people's lives,
in her country's power, how Britain is viewed abroad and how the monarchy is regarded and portrayed.
As a constitutional monarch, Elizabeth does not weigh in on political matters, nor does she reveal her
political views. However, she confers regularly with her prime ministers.
When Elizabeth became queen, post-war Britain still had a substantial empire, dominions and
dependencies. However, during the 1950s and 1960s, many of these possessions achieved independence
and the British Empire evolved into the Commonwealth of Nations. Elizabeth II has thus made visits to
other countries as head of the Commonwealth and a representative of Britain, including a groundbreaking
trip to Germany in 1965. She became the first British monarch to tour there in more than five decades.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Queen Elizabeth continued to travel extensively. In 1973 she attended the
Commonwealth Conference in Ottawa, Canada, and in 1976 traveled to the United States for the 200th
anniversary celebration of America’s independence from Britain. More than a week later she was in
Montreal, Canada, to open the Summer Olympics. In 1979, she traveled to Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia,
Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, which garnered international attention and widespread
respect.

In 1982, Elizabeth worried about her second son Prince Andrew, who served as a helicopter pilot in the
British Royal Navy during the Falklands War. Britain went to war with Argentina over the Falklands
Islands, a clash that lasted for several weeks. While more than 250 British soldiers died in the conflict,
Prince Andrew returned home safe and well, much to his mother's relief.

In 2011, Elizabeth showed that the crown still had symbolic and diplomatic power when she became the
first British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since 1911.

As queen, Elizabeth has modernized the monarchy, dropping some of its formalities and making certain
sites and treasures more accessible to the public. As Britain and other nations struggled financially, she
welcomed the elimination of the Civil List, which was a public funding system of the monarchy dating
back roughly 250 years. The royal family continues to receive some government support, but the Queen
has had to cut back on spending.

Despite the occasional call to step aside for Prince Charles, Elizabeth remained steadfast in her royal
obligations as she passed her 90th birthday. She continued making more than 400 engagements per year,
maintaining her support of hundreds of charitable organizations and programs.
However, in late 2017 the monarchy took what was considered a major step toward transitioning to the
next generation: On November 12, Prince Charles handled the traditional Remembrance Sunday duty of
placing a wreath at the Cenotaph war memorial, as the Queen watched from a nearby balcony.

Relationship With Prime Ministers

As of 2017, Elizabeth has had 13 prime ministers placed into power during her reign, with Queen and PM
having a weekly, confidential meeting. (Elizabeth has also met about a quarter of all the U.S. presidents in
history.) She enjoyed a father figure relationship with the iconic Winston Churchill, and was later able to
loosen up a bit and be somewhat informal with Labour leaders Harold Wilson and James Callaghan. In
contrast, she and Margaret Thatcher had a very formal, distant relationship, with the PM tending to be a
grating lecturer to the Queen on a variety of issues.

Tony Blair saw certain concepts around the monarchy as somewhat outdated, though he did appreciate
Elizabeth making a public statement after the death of Princess Diana. Later, Conservative leader David
Cameron, who is Elizabeth's fifth cousin removed, enjoyed a warm rapport with the Queen. He
apologized in 2014 for revealing in a conversation that she was against the Scottish referendum to seek
independence from Great Britain. The most recent PM, Theresa May, has been described as being tight-
lipped about Brexit plans to leave the European Union, with a rumor circulating that Elizabeth was
perturbed over not being informed about future exit strategies.

Threats
Elizabeth, as queen, worked tirelessly to protect the image of the monarchy and to prepare for its future.
But she has seen the monarchy come under attack during her lifetime. The once-revered institution has
weathered a number of storms, including death threats against the royal family. In 1979, Elizabeth
suffered a great personal loss when Lord Mountbatten, her husband's uncle, died in a terrorist bombing.
Mountbatten and several members of his family were aboard his boat on August 29th, off the west coast
of Ireland, when the vessel exploded. He and three others, including one of his grandsons, were killed.
The IRA (Irish Republican Army), which opposed British rule in Northern Ireland, took responsibility for
the attack.

In June 1981, Elizabeth herself had a dangerous encounter. She was riding in the Trooping the Colour, a
special military parade to celebrate her official birthday, when a man in the crowd pointed a gun at her.
He fired, but, fortunately, the gun was loaded with blanks. Other than receiving a good scare, the Queen
was not hurt. She had an even closer call the following year when an intruder broke into Buckingham
Palace and confronted Elizabeth in her bedroom. When the press got wind of the fact that Prince Philip
was nowhere to be seen during this incident, they speculated about the state of the royal marriage.

Tabloid Scandals
The marriage of Queen Elizabeth’s son, Prince Charles, to Princess Diana made headlines for years before
the couple announced plans to divorce in 1992. In the wake of Princess Diana's death in 1997, Elizabeth
went under intense media scrutiny. Her incredibly popular ex-daughter-in-law, sometimes nicknamed the
People's Princess, died from injuries in a Paris car crash on August 31st. The Queen was at her Balmoral
estate in Scotland with Prince Charles and his and Diana's two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, at
the time. For days, Elizabeth remained silent while the country mourned Diana's passing, and she was
sharply criticized for her lack of response. Stories circulated that the Queen did not want to give Diana a
royal funeral, which only fueled public sentiment against the monarch. Nearly a week after Diana's death,
Elizabeth returned to London and issued a statement on the late princess.

Another of Queen Elizabeth’s children, Prince Andrew, ended up in the tabloids, after photos emerged of
his wife Sarah Ferguson and another man engaged in romantic activity.

In November 2017, the media turned its attention back to the Queen, this time over reports of some $13
million invested in offshore accounts. The news came following the leak of the so-called "Paradise
Papers" to a German newspaper, which shared the documents with the International Consortium of
Investigative Journalists. The Duchy of Lancaster, which holds assets for the Queen, confirmed that some
of its investments were overseas accounts, but insisted they were all legitimate.

Also in 2017, the former owner of the lingerie company Rigby & Peller, which had serviced Queen
Elizabeth for more than 50 years, wrote a tell-all autobiography that included some of her experiences
with the royal family. Although the author insisted that "the book doesn’t contain anything naughty," the
Queen responded in early 2018 by revoking Rigby & Peller's royal warrant.

Loss and Change

After the start of the 21st century, Elizabeth experienced two great losses. She said goodbye to both her
sister Margaret and her mother in 2002, the same year she celebrated her Golden Jubilee, or 50th year on
the throne. Margaret, known for being more of an adventurous soul than other royals and who was barred
from marrying an early love, died that February after suffering a stroke. Only a few weeks later,
Elizabeth's mother, known as the Queen Mother, died at Royal Lodge on March 30th at the age of 101.

Known to be a stickler for ceremony and tradition, Elizabeth eventually started to show signs of softening
her stance. She had objected to the relationship between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, with
the pair having been involved while the prince was married. When the two wed in 2005, Elizabeth and
Prince Philip had a reception in their honor at Windsor Castle.

Diamond Jubilee
Elizabeth celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, marking 60 years as queen. As part of the jubilee
festivities, a special BBC concert was held on June 4th featuring the likes of Shirley Bassey, Paul
McCartney, Tom Jones, Stevie Wonder and Kylie Minogue. Elizabeth was surrounded by family at this
historic event, including her husband Philip, son Charles and grandsons Harry and William. On
September 9, 2015, she surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as Britain's longest ruling
monarch, who reigned for 63 years.

Sapphire Jubilee
On February 6, 2017, the Queen celebrated 65 years on the throne, the only British monarch to ever
celebrate her Sapphire Jubilee. The date also marks the anniversary of the death of her father. The Queen
chose to spend the day quietly at Sandringham, her country estate north of London, where she attended a
church service.

In London, there were royal gun salutes at Green Park and at the Tower of London to mark the occasion.
The Royal Mint also issued eight new commemorative coins in honor of the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee.

Movies and Plays on Queen Elizabeth II

Keeping in mind the duration of her reign, Elizabeth has been played by a number of well-known
actresses on both stage and screen. She has perhaps most famously been portrayed by Helen Mirren, who
received an Oscar and Golden Globe, among other accolades, for her starring role in 2006's The Queen,
directed by Stephen Frears. Mirren later played Elizabeth in The Audience, a West End and Broadway
play which chronicled the Queen's aforementioned meetings with various prime ministers and for which
the actress earned a 2015 Tony Award. Elizabeth later received a dramatic stage treatment from the
formidable Kristin Scott Thomas, who starred in The Audience in 2015.

The Queen has also been played in various films over the decades by lookalike Jeannette Charles and was
portrayed by Emma Thompson in the Playhouse Presents TV episode Walking the Dogs (2012). Elizabeth
has been more recently portrayed on television screens by Claire Foy; the actress depicts the future
monarch at the time of her marriage and political relationship with Churchill (John Lithgow) in
Netflix's The Crown, which debuted in autumn 2016. Foy received a Best Actress Golden Globe for the
role.

Personal Life
For much of her life, the Queen has surrounded herself with dogs. She is especially known for her love of
corgis, owning more than 30 descendants of the first corgi she received as a teenager, until the death of
the final one, Willow, in 2018. Elizabeth is also a horse enthusiast who bred thoroughbreds and attended
racing events for many years.

Not one for the spotlight, Elizabeth likes quiet pastimes. She enjoys reading mysteries, working on
crossword puzzles and even watching wrestling on television.
 Stan Lee

Stan Lee was a revered comic-book creator who co-launched superheroes like the Fantastic
Four, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange and the X-Men for Marvel Comics.

Who Was Stan Lee?

Born in New York City on December 28, 1922, Stan Lee went on to work for the company that would
eventually become Marvel Comics. With artist Jack Kirby, Lee launched the superhero team the Fantastic
Four in 1961, and was soon responsible for creating popular characters like Spider-Man, the X-Men, the
Hulk and Thor. Lee later worked in a number of comic-related business and multimedia ventures.

Early Life and Career

Stanley Martin Lieber was born on December 28, 1922, in New York City to Romanian immigrants Celia
and Jack Lieber. With part of his childhood spent during the Great Depression, Lieber and his younger
brother, Larry, watched his parents struggle to make ends meet for the family.

Lieber, who later shortened his name to "Lee" as a writer, went on to be hired as an office assistant at
Timely Comics in 1939 and became an interim editor for the company in the early 1940s. Lee also served
domestically in the Army during World War II, working as a writer and illustrator.
Co-creating the Fantastic Four
In the early '60s, Lee was called upon by his boss to create a series for Marvel Comics (Timely's new
name) that could compete with rival DC Comics' hit title Justice League of America. Citing writing
influences like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Jules Verne, and following the encouragement of his wife,
Joan, Lee did away with some of the usual superhero conventions. Hence, with artist and co-creator Jack
Kirby, the Fantastic Four was born in 1961.

Hulk, Spider-Man and More Join Marvel's Lineup

Following the success of the Fantastic Four, a slew of new characters soon sprung from Lee and his
Marvel cohorts, including the Hulk, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Daredevil and the X-Men.

Lee was particularly known for his dynamism with copy and for imbuing his characters with a sense of
humanity, tackling real-world issues like bigotry and drug use, which would influence comics for decades.
An outgoing, humorous showman, he also developed a number of slogans as part of his shtick, including
a Latin-derived call to rise, "Excelsior!"

Marvel Comics became a highly popular franchise, and Stan Lee was promoted to editorial director and
publisher in 1972. He later moved to the West Coast to be involved in Marvel's film ventures and
eventually became chairman emeritus.

Shepherding the Rise of a Blockbuster Industry

Lee has become involved in a variety of multimedia projects while also serving as an ambassador for
Marvel, even though he has filed lawsuits against the company and been the subject of debate over
appropriate compensation for comic creators. The writer has seen Marvel develop into an entity that has
inspired blockbuster film entertainment like the Iron Man, X-Men, Thor and The Avengers franchises.

Lee started intellectual-property company POW! Entertainment in 2001 and the following year published
his autobiography, Excelsior! The Amazing Life of Stan Lee. Later in the decade he received a Medal of
Arts honor from President George W. Bush and launched the History Channel show Stan Lee's
Superhumans, a series that looked at people with remarkable skills and abilities.
2012 saw more new ventures. Lee co-wrote a graphic novel, Romeo and Juliet: The War, which landed
on The New York Times' best-seller list and launched a YouTube channel, Stan Lee's World of Heroes,
which features comic, comedy and sci-fi content. At the end of the year, the ever-active Lee turned 90.

Later Health Problems, Legal Battles & Death

Lee endured the loss of his wife of nearly 70 years, Joan, in July 2017. He then gave fans a scare when he
checked into a hospital for an irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath the following January. However,
the comic book titan was discharged shortly afterward, and announced he was ready to resume a full
schedule with the latest Marvel feature, Black Panther, soon to be released.

Although things seemed to be humming along nicely for Lee and the Marvel universe, an April 2018
feature in The Hollywood Reporter painted a far different story. According to the publication, Lee's
daughter J.C. and other insiders were engaged in a battle over care of the 95-year-old and the future of his
estate, the sides pitting Lee against one another and inducing him to dismiss formerly trusted associates.
The piece also described J.C.'s tempestuous relationship with Lee, including an incident in which she
physically assaulted both of her elderly parents.

Lee died on November 12, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.

 J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling is the creator of the 'Harry Potter' fantasy series, one of the most popular book and
film franchises in history.

Who Is J.K. Rowling?

Joanne Rowling (born July 31, 1965), who goes by the pen name J.K. Rowling, is a British author and
screenwriter best known for her seven-book Harry Potter children's book series. J.K. Rowling was living
in Edinburgh, Scotland, and struggling to get by as a single mom before her first book, Harry Potter and
the Sorcerer's Stone, was published. The children's fantasy novel became an international hit and Rowling
became an international literary sensation in 1999 when the first three installments of Harry Potter took
over the top three slots of The New York Times best-seller list after achieving similar success in her native
United Kingdom. The series has sold more than 450 million copies and was adapted into a blockbuster
film franchise. Rowling published the novel The Casual Vacancy in 2012, followed by the crime
novel Cuckoo Calling under the pen name Robert Galbraith in 2013. In 2016, she released a play, Harry
Potter and the Cursed Child, and a movie, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

JK Rowling
J.K. Rowling’s Net Worth
According to The Sunday Times 2017 Rich List, J.K. Rowling’s net worth is £650 million (about $850
million) — making her wealthier than even Queen Elizabeth II. Forbes put her wealth at $650 million in
2017, in large part due to the 450 million copies of Harry Potter sold to-date and the subsequent movie
franchise that has grossed $7.7 billion. (Her worth would've been more in Forbes if it were not for the
$150 million she has donated to various charities.) In the first half of 2017, Rowling took home an
estimated $95 million thanks to her new play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and movie, Fantastic
Beasts and Where to Find Them.

J.K. Rowlings Books

J.K. Rowling’s New Book
In July 2017, J.K. Rowling announced on her website that she would publish two new books for an
exhibition at the British Library that celebrates the 20th anniversary of the publication of her first
novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The books, Harry Potter: A History of Magic (described
as the adult version) and Harry Potter: A Journey Through a History of Magic (the kid-friendly version),
were released on October 20th and feature manuscripts, original illustrations and an exploration of
the Harry Potter characters and magic.

'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone'

After a number of rejections, J.K. Rowling finally sold her first book for the equivalent of about $4,000.
(The word "Philosopher" in the book’s original title was changed to "Sorcerer" for its publication in
America.) The book, which first hit shelves in June 1997, was the start of a seven-book series chronicling
the life of the young wizard Harry Potter and his motley band of cohorts at the Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry.

'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'

The second book in the Harry Potter series came out in July 1998.

'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'

The third book in the series hit shelves in July 1999. By the following summer, the first three Harry Potter
books had earned approximately $480 million in three years, with over 35 million copies in print in 35
languages.
'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'
The phenomenal response to Rowling's books culminated in July 2000, when the fourth volume in the
series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, became the fastest-selling book in history. The book saw a
first printing of 5.3 million copies and advance orders of over 1.8 million.

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'

After a postponed release date, the fifth installment hit bookstores in June 2003.

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

The sixth installment, released in July 2005, sold 6.9 million copies in the United States in its first 24
hours, the biggest opening in publishing history.

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'

Prior to its July 2007 release, the seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series was the largest
ever pre-ordered book at Barnes & Noble and Borders bookstores and at Amazon.com. Rowling does not
plan to write any more books in the series, although she has not entirely ruled out the possibility.

'The Tales of Beedle the Bard'

This collection of five fables mentioned in the Harry Potter book series was released on November 4,
2008 at a tea party for 200 schoolchildren at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. Rowling
donated all royalties from the book to the Children's High Level Group (which has been renamed Lumos),
a charity that she co-founded to support institutionalized children in Eastern Europe.

'The Casual Vacancy'

Rowling's first book aimed at adults was published in September 2012. The novel, a dark comedy about a
local election in the small English town of Pagford, received mixed reviews. A book review in The New
York Times called the novel "disappointing" and "dull." A review in The Telegraph, however, gave the
book three out of five stars, stating that “Jane Austen herself would admire the way [Rowling] shows the
news of Barry’s death spreading like a virus round Pagford."
'Cuckoo Calling,' 'The Silkworm,' 'Career of Evil,' and 'Lethal White'
In April 2013, Rowling broke into a new genre, crime fiction, with a novel she published under the pen
name Robert Galbraith. In its first few months of release, the novel had modest sales and received positive
reviews. Sales for the work skyrocketed in July when its author's identity was discovered. According to
Bloomberg News, Rowling said that "I had hoped to keep this secret a little longer, because being Robert
Galbraith has been such a liberating experience. It has been wonderful to publish without hype or
expectation, and pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name."

Rowling published two more books under the pen name Robert Galbraith: The Silkworm and Career of
Evil, both released in June 2014 and released Lethal White in September 2018.

'Very Good Lives' (Rowling’s Harvard commencement speech)

In April 2015, Rowling’s 2008 Harvard commencement speech was published in book form as Very Good
Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination. The self-improvement guide
offers personal anecdotes and advice on how to embrace failure and use your imagination to succeed.
Proceeds from the book benefit Lumos, J.K. Rowling’s non-profit children’s organization.

Husband and Children

On December 26, 2001, J.K. Rowling married anesthetist Dr. Neil Murray at the couple's home in
Scotland. They have two children together, David (born in 2003) and Mackenzie (born in 2005). Rowling
has one child, Jessica (born 1993), from her previous marriage.

When and Where Was J.K. Rowling Born?

J.K. Rowling was born on July 31, 1965, in Yate, England. She adopted her pen name, J.K., incorporating
her grandmother's name, Kathleen, for the latter initial (Rowling does not have a middle name).

Early Life
A graduate of Exeter University, Rowling moved to Portugal in 1990 to teach English. There, she met and
married the Portuguese journalist Jorge Arantes. The couple's daughter, Jessica, was born in 1993. After
her marriage ended in divorce, Rowling moved to Edinburgh with her daughter to live near her younger
sister, Di.
While struggling to support her daughter Jessica and herself on welfare, Rowling worked on her first book
in the Harry Potter series. The idea for the book reportedly occurred to her while she was traveling on a
train from Manchester to London in 1990.

'Harry Potter' Movies

A film version of Rowling’s first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, was released in November
2001 and was directed by Chris Columbus and starred Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
In its opening weekend in the U.S., the film debuted on a record 8,200 screens and smashed the previous
box-office record, earning an estimated $93.5 million ($20 million more than the previous record holder,
1999's The Lost World: Jurassic Park). It ended the year as the top-grossing movie of 2001.

The second and third films in the series — Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), directed by
Columbus, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), directed by Alfonso Cuarón — each
enjoyed similar record-breaking box-office success. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, directed by
Mike Newell, was released in 2005.

The fifth movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, directed by David Yates, was released in
2007. The film featured a script by screenwriter Michael Goldenberg, who replaced Steve Kloves,
scriptwriter of the first four films. The film version of the sixth installment, Harry Potter and the Half-
Blood Prince, directed by Yates, was released in July 2009. The final film for the seventh book in the
series was released in two installments: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010) and Part
2 (2011), both directed by Yates.

'Fantastic Beasts'
In 2013, Rowling announced a new film series with Warner Bros. According to Entertainment Weekly,
Rowling explained that the movies, based on her 2001 Hogwarts textbook Fantastic Beasts and Where to
Find Them, would draw from "the worldwide community of witches and wizards where I was so happy
for 17 years," but "is neither a prequel nor a sequel to the 'Harry Potter' series, but an extension of the
wizarding world."

Developed from a script by Rowling — her screenwriting debut — and starring Eddie
Redmayne, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them earned its release in November 2016. Following in
the footsteps of Rowling's previous creations that made it to the big screen, Fantastic Beasts dazzled
audiences with its depictions of sorcery and grossed more than $800 million worldwide.

The film's sequel generated controversy ahead of its planned November 2018 release date for the decision
to include Johnny Depp in the cast. During a time when influential Hollywood actors and executives were
coming under fire for past indiscretions, fans were troubled by the allegations of domestic abuse that
contributed to Depp's divorce from Amber Heard. However, in late 2017, both Rowling and Warner Bros.
issued statements in support of Depp. “The filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our
original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies,” said
Rowling.

J.K. Rowling’s Website

In 2014, Rowling published a short story about grown-up Harry Potter and a Hogwarts school reunion on
her website Pottermore. Since the site launched, she’s added more stories and information about all things
Harry Potter.

Harry Potter Play

In June 2016, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a two-part play written by Jack Thorne and director
John Tiffany and based on Rowling’s story, debuted on the London stage to a sold-out audience.
Although she had originally stated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows would be the final book in the
series, the play features an adult Harry Potter and has been officially touted as the eighth installment of
the series.

The play’s cast differs from that of the original films. The next month, as with her previous books, fans
lined up at bookstores pending the midnight release of Jack Thorne’s script forHarry Potter and the
Cursed Child.