Sharknado 2: The Second One, the long-awaited sequel to Sharknado, premiered on the Syfy Channel July 30, 2014. This time the apocalyptic storm strikes New York City. It starred Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, and Vivica A. Fox (who has a birthday today!). It featured cameos by Judd Hirsch, Billy Ray Cyrus, Robert Hays, Matt Lauer, Al Roker, Michael Strahan, and the Naked Cowboy.
It referenced other movies such as Airplane! and Star Wars, and the Twilight Zone episode Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.
Actor-extraordinaire and one of my favorites, Laurence Fishburne, born July 30, 1961 in Augusta, Georgia, is an Emmy awarded actor, and has been nominated for an Oscar. When he was twelved, he was cast in a recurring role on One Life to Live, which lasted three seasons. He made his film debut in Cornbread, Earl and Me in 1975. He was cast in Apocalypse Now in 1979.
He appeared as Cowboy Curtis on Pee-wee's Playhouse, and appeared in guest roles on M*A*S*H, Trapper John, and Miami Vice. His breakout role came in Boyz n the Hood, and gained an Oscar nomination for his performance in What's Love Got to Do With It? in 1993 with Angela Bassett.
He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work in The Tuskegee Airmen in 1995. He won a Saturn Award in 2015 for Best Supporting Actor on Television for his work in Hannibal, and won a second in 2025 for the Lance Reddick Legacy Award.
Fishburne's Primetime Emmy Awards are for Outstanding guest Actor in a Drama Series in 1993 for Tribeca, Outstanding Made for Television Movie for Miss Evers' Boys in 1997, and Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for #Freerayshawn.
Robert Louis Behnken, born July 28, 1970 in St. Ann, Missouri, has been to space three times. He earned a BS in mechanical engineering and phusics from Washington University in St. Louis. Then he earned an MS and PhD in mechanical engineering from California Institute of Technology.
He entered the Air Force and after graduating he flew the F-15 and F-16.
His first trip into space aboard Endeavour (STS-123) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in March 2008. He spent almost 16 days in space.
Behnken's second trip was also aboard Endeavour (STS-130) as mission specialist to the ISS in February 2010. He spent almost 14 days in space.
His third and final trip was aboard Crew Dragon Endeavour Demo-2 as Joint operations commander to the ISS in May 2020. He remained on the space station as part of Expedition 63 before returning to Earth in August 2020. He spent 63 days in space.
Before Chris Evans steamed up the movie screen as the Marvel superhero, Matt Salinger brought Captain America to audiences July 27, 1990. Directed by Albert Pyun, it had a stacked cast: Ronny Cox, Ned Beatty, Darren McGavin, Michael Nouri, Melinda Dillon, and Bill Mumy.
It was not well-received and did poorly at the box office.
Marvel Cinematic Universe had a decent showing at the 38th Saturn Awards presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films July 26, 2012. Thor was nominated for four awards and X-Men: First Class received two nominations. Captain America: The First Avenger got seven nominations.
The first Thor movie starring dreamy Chris Hemsworth released in 2011 won Best Costume for Alexandra Byrne. It was nominated for Best Fantasy Film, Best Supporting Actor for Tom Hiddleston, and Best Production Design for Bo Welch.
X-Men: First Class won Best Make-up for Dave Elsey. It was nominated for Best Science Fiction Film.
Captain America: The First Avenger was nominated for Best Science Fiction film, Best Actor for Chris Evans, Best Supporting Actor for Stanley Tucci, Best Music for Alan Silvestri, Best Production Design, Best Costume, and Best Special Effects.
Caddyshack, the golf comedy from director Harold Ramis, opened in theaters July 25, 1980. It starred Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Ted Knight, and Rodney Dangerfield. Upon its release, it received mediocre reviews but has gained a cult following over the years. The main complaint was the three leads, Dangerfield, Chase and Murray, did not have much interaction, as if they were playing in three different movies. Chase and Murray have a long-standing feud, but were in one scene together.
Caddyshack has been recognized by the American Film Institute: Laughs, Movie Quotes, and #y on the Top 10 Sports movies.
Kenny Loggins' I'm All Right, from the movie made reached #7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in September 1980.
John Leguizamo, born July 22, 1960 in Bogota, Columbia, began his career as an extra in Madonna's Borderline video in 1984. His breakout performance was his role as Chi-Chi in To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, which garnered him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Since then, he has shown his immense talent for a variety of genres. He has voiced Sid the Sloth in the animated Ice Age franchise, appeared as Scrooge in comedy-horror Violent Night, and most recently, The Odyssey.
He has been nominated for four Primetime Emmys and won the Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program in 1999 for his performance in John Leguizamo: Freak. He was nominated for two Tony Awards in 1998 for Freak.
He frequently appears as a host for The Daily Show.
