Ted Cassidy, Lurch from the Addams Family, born 1932

Actor Ted Cassidy, born July 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is best known for his role as the faithful butler to the Addams Family, which ran for two seasons in the mid-1960's.  He was a successful actor but also found success doing voice-overs.  He appeared on Star Trek as Ruk on What Are Little Girls Made Of?. He provided the voice of Balok's puppet in the Corbomite Maneuver and Gorn in Arena.

He appeared in I Dream of Jeannie, The Six-Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman.  He even provided the voice for Godzilla in the animated series in the late 1970's.

He passed away in January 1979 following heart surgery.

Happy birthday, Mr. Homn!

Carel Struycken, born July 30, 1948 in the Hague, Netherlands, has appeared as Lurch in the Addams Family movies and, most notably, Mr. Homn, valet to Lwaxana Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation.  He appeared five episodes. 

He also appeared in an episode of Babylon 5 and Star Trek: Voyager.  He stands 7 feet tall!

NASA launches Mars Perseverance rover today!

For the third time in only the last week and a half, a rocket was launched to Mars.  Today, NASA launched its spacecraft to the red planet, after China and the United Arab Emirates did the same.  Perseverance was launched from Cape Canaveral this morning and should reach Mars February 18, 2021.  The probe will be accompanied by a helicopter Ingenuity, which will help scout for locations for Perseverance to explore.

I'm thinking of AMEE from Red Planet.

"Cowboys & Aliens" released 2011

I enjoyed this movie despite all the negativity surrounding it.  Cowboys and Aliens was released into theaters July 29, 2011.  It starred Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Sam Rockwell and Olivia Wilde.  Jon Favreau.  Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard were among the producers.

Based on a comic book, the story is about an alien invasion in 1873 New Mexico.  It received mixed reviews but was nominated for several awards for its animation effects in a live action film and for its stunt ensemble. 

DubaiSat-1 launched 2009

DubaiSat-1, launched July 29, 2009, was the first satellite built by Emirates Institution For Advanced Science and Technology, which later became the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center in the United Arab Emirates.  It provides images for infrastructure development, urban planning, and environment monitoring and protection.

Babylon 5 episode "A Voice in the Wilderness" airs 1994

One of my favorite episodes of Babylon 5, A Voice in the Wilderness (Part 1) aired July 27, 1994.  The planet around which Babylon 5 is orbiting, has long been thought to be a lifeless rock.  All of a sudden, it comes alive and something under the surface awakens. 

Draal, an old friend of Delenn's, arrives on the station.  And a revolt on Mars breaks out, which has an effect on the crew.  Garibaldi asks Talia if she can find out about an old flame on Mars via her Psi-Corps connections.

The second part aired August 3.

I really miss that show!

Remembering John Saxon (1935-2020)

My favorite bad guy, John Saxon, passed away yesterday from pneumonia.  He would have turned 85 next week.  I always thought he was handsome and he was always popping up as the bad guy: The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, Murder, She Wrote.

He also appeared with Angela Lansbury in The Reluctant Debutante and with Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon.

Saxon won a Golden Globe in 1958 as Most Promising Newcomer - Male for his role in This Happy Feeling.

May he rest in peace.

Happy birthday, Helen Mirren!

Helen Mirren, born July 26, 1945 in London, is one of the most prolific and honored actresses of our time.  She has won an Academy Award (out of four nominations), won four Primetime Emmys, (out of eleven nominations ), two Golden Globes (out of eight nominations) and one Tony Award (out of three nominations).  Dame Mirren has won numerous other acting awards.  She is the only actress to portray three different British queens.

She became Dame Helen Mirren in 2003 for her services to drama.  She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013.

"Shin Godzilla" released 2016

Shin Godzilla premiered July 25, 2016 in Tokyo before being released to the rest of the country on July 29.  It is the first Toho Company production of Godzilla since Godzilla: Final Wars in 2004.  Also, it is considered a 'reboot' of the series since it is not a sequel to any of the previous movies.

It was released in the US in October starting with Los Angeles on Oct 3, New York City on Oct 5 and Columbus, Ohio on October 7.  Then it had a limited release on October 11.

At the Awards of the Japanese Academy, it won Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Lighting, Best Editing, Best Sound and Best Art Direction.  It was nominated for four more awards.

Happy birthday, Rogue!

Anna Pacquin, born July 24, 1982 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, has had a stellar career from a young age, but my favorite role of hers is Rogue, from the X-Men movies.  She won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Piano when she was just eleven years old.  She has also received numerous awards for her role in True Blood.

This is apparently a clip from X-Men: Days of Future Past that was cut from the final version.

"Catwoman" released 2004

So it wasn't exactly a milestone in movie history, or at least not in a positive way.  Catwoman, starring Halle Berry in the titular role, was released July 23, 2004.  It has been universally panned as one of the worst movies ever.  Halle Berry won a Razzie Award for worst actress. She is the first actress to receive her Razzie Award while holding her Oscar award. 

Halle Berry has rarely been sexier.  Benjamin Bratt is always sexy.  Frances Conroy is always good.  Alex Borstein is always funny!

China launches Tianwen-1 to Mars today!

The China National Space Administration launched Tianwen-1, a robotic mission to Mars, earlier today!  The name Tianwen means "Heavenly Questions" or "Questions to Heaven".

After a failed partnership with Russia in 2011, China began their own project which culminated in the launch today.  The spacecraft consists of an orbiter and a lander with a rover.  The lander will use a parachute, retrorockets and an airbag to land on the surface of Mars.  The lander will release a rover.

It should enter orbit around Mars in February 2021, and the lander should touch down in April.

"Captain America: The First Avenger" released 2011

Captain America: The First Avenger was released into theaters July 22, 2011.  The comic book hero was played by totally sexy Chris Evans, with Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Stanley Tucci and Samuel L. Jackson.

The movie showed the beginning of Captain America as Steve Rogers is desperate to fight for his country in WWII, but is too small.  He is injected with a serum that turns him into a super-soldier.  The scientist who concocted the serum (played by Stanley Tucci) is killed just after the experiment is shown to be a success.

Captain America goes on to fight Nazis in WWII.

It opened to mostly positive reviews and made $65.1 M, the second highest-grossing opening weekend for a superhero film in 2011, behind Thor.

Tsygan and Dezik, first cosmo-dogs in space 1951

Dezik and Tsygan

On July 22, 1951, the Soviet Union launched Tsygan (Gypsy) and Dezik, the first animals to reach space and return safely to Earth.  They reached an altitude of 110 km, farther than any other higher organism. 

Dezik would fly on another flight with a new dog, Lisa, but with tragic results.  Thus, Tsygan was retired, and did not fly again.

Charley Pride gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 1999

Charley Pride, who broke all sorts of color barriers in country music, got a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame July 21, 1999.  He received four Grammys and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

United Arab Emirates mission to Mars launched today!

The United Arab Emirates launched their first mission to Mars, Hope, earlier today.  The mission is expected to reach Mars in February 2021.  It will study the Martian atmosphere, weather cycles and events to understand why the atmosphere is losing hydrogen and oxygen into space.

It was built by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center with the University of Colorado, Arizona State University and the University of California, Berkeley. 

If it is successful, it will be the first mission to Mars by any Arab or Muslim country.

Glenn Hughes, Village People leather man, born 1950

Glenn Hughes, born July 18, 1950 in Bronx, New York, was the original leather man for the Village People.  He was working as a toll collector at the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel when he responded to an ad for "macho" singers and dancers. 

He was listed as People Magazine's Most Beautiful People in 1979.

He passed away in March 2001 from lung cancer.

Billy Joel's "Glass Houses" reaches #1 1980

Glass Houses, the seventh studio album from Billy Joel released in March 1980, reached #1 on the Billboard 200 July 18, 1980 and stayed there for six weeks.  It ranked #4 for the year on the Billboard charts. 

Billy Joel won a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.  The album was nominated for Album of the Year. 

He won an American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album and he received a nomination for Favorite Pop/Rock Artist.

Jerry Doyle, Babylon 5 actor, born 1956

Handsome actor Jerry Doyle, born July 16, 1956 in Brooklyn, New York, is best known for his role as Michael Garibaldi on Babylon 5. He was married to co-star Andrea Thompson for two years and they have a son together.

Doyle passed away in July 2016.

Endeavour (STS-127) launched 2009

STS-127 crew (L-R): David Wolf, Chris Cassidy, Doug Hurley, Julie Payette, Mark Polansky, Thomas Marshburn, Timothy Kopra

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-127), launched July 15, 2009, delivered the final components of the Japanese Experiment Module to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Commander Mark Polansky, Pilot Doug Hurley, Chris Cassidy, Julie Payette (CSA), Thomas Marshburn, David Wolf, and Timothy Kopra.

It was the first time two Candians were in space at the same time: Payette and Robert Thirsk.  Wolf, Kopra, Marshburn, and Cassidy performed 5 EVAs during the mission.

Kopra stayed on board the ISS and Koichi Wakata returned with the rest of the crew on July 31.

Discovery (STS-70) launched 1995

STS-70 crew (L-R): Kevin Kregel, Nancy Currie, Terence Henricks, Mary Weber, Donald Thomas

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-70), launched July 13, 1995, was the last to carry a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite.  Its crew consisted of Commander Terence Henricks, Pilot Kevin Kregel, Donald Thomas, Nancy Currie, and Mary Weber.  Thomas and Weber oversaw the deployment of the TDRS.

They returned to Earth July 22.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut George Nelson!

George Nelson, born July 13, 1950 in Charles City, Iowa, is a veteran of three space flights.

His first trip was aboard Challenger (STS-41-C) as a mission specialist in April 1984.  He conducted two EVAs with fellow astronaut James van Hoften for a little over 10 hours.

His second trip was aboard Columbia (STS-61-C) as mission specialist in January 1986.  The mission was delayed four times and resulted in a delay for the next launch. 

His third and final trip was aboard Discovery (STS-26) as mission specialist in September-October 1988.  It was the "Return to Flight" mission, the first flight after the Challenger disaster.

"Moon" released 2009

Moon, released July 9, 2009, is a sleeper movie that has won numerous awards for its star Sam Rockwell and its director Duncan Jones.  It was co-produced by Sting's wife, Trudie Styler.

Rolling Stone ranked it as #23 on its list of the top 40 Sci-fi movies of the 21st century.  It was nominated for a BAFTA for Best British Film.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Ivan Vagner!

Ivan Vagner, born July 10, 1985 in the former Soviet Union, is currently aboard the International Space Station.  He launched aboard Soyuz MS-16 as a flight engineer.  He is participating in Expeditions 62 and 63. 

Adrastea, Jupiter's moon, discovered 1979

Adrastea, discovered in photographs taken by Voyager 2 July 8, 1979, is the small of the inner four moons of Jupiter. It is the first natural moon to be discovered by images taken by a spacecraft, instead of a telescope.  Two more inner moons Thebe and Metis were discovered in images taken by Voyager 1 a few months earlier.

It has a strange shape, measuring 20x16x14 km across.  It orbits Jupiter every 7 hours.

"Fantastic Four" released 2005

Marvel Comics brought its superhero quartet to the big screen, Fantastic Four, July 8, 2005. The film starred Ioan Gruffud as Mr. Fantastic, Jessica Alba as the Invisible Woman, Chris Evans as the Human Torch and Mike Chiklis as the Thing.  Stan Lee made a cameo appearance as the Richards' mailman.

It was a commercial success although critics were not impressed.

I still like it!

"Warehouse 13" premieres 2009

Warehouse 13, a SyFy Channel original, aired its first episode July 7, 2009.  Super-sexy Eddie McClintock and Joanne Kelly starred as Secret Service agents who are re-assigned to South Dakota to Warehouse 13.  There they find a covert building that houses many supernatural objects or "artifacts" as they are called.  They are sent on many adventures to retrieve more artifacts as they can possess immense powers.  Saul Rubinek and CCH Pounder also starred.

Happy birthday, space tourist Richard Garriott!

Richard Garriott, born July 4, 1961 in Cambridge, England, is the son of NASA astronaut Owen K. Garriott.  He went into space aboard Soyuz TMA-13 in October 2008 as a private citizen to the International Space Station.  He remained on board for 12 days and returned on Soyuz TMA-12.  His father Owen was present at blast-off and touchdown in Kazakhstan.

It was the second time a son of an astronaut had gone into space.  The first was Sergey Volkov, son of Alexander Volkov, who went into space aboard Soyuz TMA-12 in April 2008.

Soyuz TM-17 launched 1993

Soyuz TM-17 crew (L-R): Vasili Tsibliyev, Aleksandr Serebrov, Jean-Pierre Haignere

Mission patch

Soyuz TM-17, launched July 1, 1993, was the seventeenth mission to the space station Mir.  Its crew consisted of Commander Vasili Tsibliyev, Aleksandr Serebrov, and Jean-Pierre Haignere (ESA).  The spacecraft struck the station twice about 2 seconds apart, but fortunately neither the Soyuz capsule nor Mir were seriously damaged.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Ed Lu!

Edward "Ed" Lu, born July 1, 1963 in Springfield, Massachusetts, is a veteran of three space flights.

His first mission was aboard Atlantis (STS-84) as mission specialist to Mir in May 1997.  While aboard, a fire broke out, but caused little damage. 

His second mission was again aboard Atlantis (STS-106) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in September 2000. During the mission he conducted an EVA with fellow astronaut Yuri Malenchenko for 6 hours, 14 minutes.

His third and final flight was aboard Soyuz TM-2 as flight engineer to the ISS in April 2003. He participated in Expedition 7 and returned to Earth in October after almost 185 days in space.