Entertainment Trivia: Famous People Who Worked at McDonald's

American entertainer Pharell Williams; American politician Paul Ryan; and American weatherman Willard Scott used to work at McDonald's.  No surprise because the first job one of my kids got was working at McDonald's. This restaurant hires a lot of teens. Who knows what their future holds? But McDonald's should take some credit for helping to encourage their work ethic. 😊

"40 Famous People Who Used To Work At McDonald's"

 

In Memory Of Harry Belafonte (1927 - 2023)

Harry Belafonte passed away, on April 25, 2023, at the age of 96. He left an indelible mark in the history and the heart of America. 

• If you were preparing a list of iconic and legendary American entertainers, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
• If you were making a list of notable civil rights activists in America, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.
• If you were making a list of humanitarians worthy of double honor for their good works, then Harry Belafonte would be on that list.

Harold George Bellanfanti Jr. known to the world as Harry Belafonte is a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, actor, activist, and humanitarian. Date of Birth March 1, 1927 — Date of Death April 25, 2023. Cause of death: Congestive heart failure.

Americans from my generation (50s, 60s, and 70s) know Harry Belafonte. We know the lyrics to the Banana Boat and Matilda songs, backward and forward. Several years back (1997) there was a special program on television — “An Evening With Harry Belafonte & Friends” — where he sang many songs accompanied by fabulous singers and musicians. He performed Banana Boat and Matilda. I’m sure he knew that if he had not sung those songs, the audience would have been very disappointed.

Mr. Belafonte is known for his singing, and also for the memorable roles he has played in several films like “Carmen Jones” (1954), and “Island in the Sun” (1957). He has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Kennedy Center Honors.

In addition to knowing him as an extremely talented triple threat, i.e. he can sing, dance and act — we also know him to be a civil rights activist and a humanitarian, involved in many good works.

Giving honor where honor is due, one person referred to Mr. Belafonte as “living history”. While he was alive, you did not have to read historical events in a book because you could just talk to him since he was alive during the time and actively participated in history-making.

Mr. Belafonte has passed from living to legend now. He was almost a centenarian; age 96.

“If I’ve impacted on one heart, one mind, one soul, and brought to that individual a greater truth than that individual came into a relationship with me having, then I would say that I have been successful.” ~ Harry Belafonte

IN MEMORY OF: Harry Belafonte (1927–2023)

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I hope that his amazing talent, his fight for human rights, and his selfless charitable acts will be appreciated and remembered by Americans for generations to come.

Original Source

How to watch and stream Harry Belafonte movies

In Memory of: Billie Holiday (1915 - 1959) | Jazz and Blues Lovers Will Always Love Lady Day

My late mother loved gardening. She had a way of arranging flowers in the front yard of our home, based on the season of the year. Do you remember back in the day when neighbors used to visit each other and sit outside and talk?  Well, I have a memory of one evening when my mom and some of her friends were sitting outside talking.  I don't know what season of the year it was, but when I came outside there was a wonderful scent in the air. I had to interrupt the adult conversation and ask my mom what was that delightful odor I was smelling. She told me it was the gardenias she had planted and that in the evening was the best time to smell their fragrance.

Image credit:  Amazon.com

Later on in life (in my teens), I learned about a jazz singer named Billie Holiday and she loved using gardenias to adorn her hair. I must say that she looked quite stylish. I wanted to copy her style so I bought fake flower hair ornaments. Sharing an image of the late Billie Holiday.  She was a great jazz vocalist but she had a really sad life. They did a movie about her life and Diana Ross played her part.  The movie was called “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972).  Some say a lot of the bio details are not accurate.  But don't most movies about famous people change details in the name of “artistic license”?  The film was adapted from a book, her autobiography by the same name, published by Doubleday in 1956.  Anyway!  Entertainment-wise, it was a really good film.  It's listed at TCM (Turner Classic Movies).  Even if you don't watch the movie, you should listen to music.  The soundtrack is pretty awesome!

• In Memory Of:  Eleanora Fagan Gough (1915-1959).  She chose the stage name “Billie Holiday” and was nicknamed “Lady Day” by Lester Young, a saxophonist in the Count Basie Orchestra.  The two worked together in nightclubs on New York's 52nd St.

LINKS OF INTEREST:

Billie Holiday: the highs and lows of Lady Day | Jazzwise

Lady Sings the Blues (1972) - Turner Classic Movies

‘Lady Sings The Blues’: Diana Ross Plays Billie Holiday | uDiscover

100 facts about Billie Holiday's life and legacy | USAToday

Why Do Gardenias Smell More at Night? | Home Guides | SF Gate

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In Memory of Billie Holiday (April 7, 1915 - July 17, 1959)