Happy 87th Birthday, Sir Sean Connery!

Born August 25th, 1930 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
After more than 50 years, Sean Connery is still the James Bond all later actors try to become on-screen! He starred as 007 in seven films and his career soared after he left the role in 1983. Films like DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE, MARNIE, THE HILL, A FINE MADNESS, THE ANDERSON TAPES, THE OFFENCE, THE WIND AND THE LION, THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING, THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY, OUTLAND, THE NAME OF THE ROSE, HIGHLANDER, THE UNTOUCHABLES (for which he won the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1987), INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE, THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, JUST CAUSE, THE ROCK, RISING SUN, ENTRAPMENT, and FINDING FORRESTER, were among his greatest hits but he will always be remembered mainly for his seven classic outings as secret agent 007, which are regarded by many fans as the best Bond films ever!

For the record, his Bond films were:

DR. NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL, YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER and NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN!

Long Live Sir Sean Connery!

GOODBYE, JERRY LEWIS!

                           "I've had great success being a total idiot!" - Jerry Lewis quote.

Jerry Lewis, the comedian and filmmaker who was adored by many, disdained by others, but unquestionably a defining figure of American entertainment in the 20th century, died on Sunday morning at his home in Las Vegas. He was 91.

So read the news reports when Jerry Lewis passed on. His unique comedic talent  was not everybody's cup of tea but he earned a great following during his peak years.

Lewis burst literally into the spotlight as the crazy half of  the comedy team of Martin & Lewis. Singer Dean Martin was the straight man and Jerry stole the  show with his way out, over-the-top antics.

The pair split in 1956 and Jerry went on to gain even greater success in films like THE DELICATE DELINQUENT, THE LADIES MAN, THE BELLBOY, THE PATSY, THE DISORDERLY ORDERLY and THE NUTTY PROFESOR, which was his biggest success and the film he is mostly remembered for.

He hosted the annual Labor Day weekend telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association beginning in 1966 up until 2010, when some disagreements with the association's president, led to his resignation from the event.

In 2009 he was the recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his charitable activity.

Jerry was also the subject of a series of comic books published by DC Comics (first with Dean Martin and then as a single), in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

An animated cartoon series called "WILL THE REAL JERRY LEWIS PLEASE SIT DOWN?" by Filmation, ran on ABC from 1970 to 1972.

Thank you, Jerry, for all the joy, fun and laughter you gave me and millions of people all over the world!

SEINFELD!

One of my all-time favorite TV shows is comedian Jerry Seinfeld's SEINFELD which originally ran on NBC from 1989 to 1998, created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld himself. I recently had the chance to swing by and visit the actual location of the celebrated diner where Seinfeld and his three friends, George Costanza, Elaine Benes and Cosmo Kramer used to hang around. The interior of the restaurant is nothing like the one depicted in the series but the atmosphere is very nice, the prices are reasonable and the surrounding neighborhood is quite pleasant.  Jerry and George were nowhere to be seen during my visit but all in all, it was a memorable experience!

Eduardo del Rio, celebrated political cartoonist known as Rius, dies.

Eduardo del Rio, Mexico's celebrated political cartoonist known as Rius, died yesterday at 83 in Tepoztlan, Mexico.

Rius was one of the first people who helped me get into the cartooning business. I began publishing my cartoons in Mexico's long gone La Garrapata satirical magazine back in 1970 thanks to his recommendation and later on, we both contributed to the children's magazine CUCURUCHO Y TIO RIUS which ran 20 issues. Gone now but always remembered and admired by thousands!

In Memoriam : Oliver Hardy - (January 18, 1892 - August 7, 1957)

Oliver Norvell Hardy, who was one half of Laurel and Hardy, the unforgettable comic team that began in 1927 and lasted until 1951, passed away on August 7th, 1957. His humor, legacy and enormous talent as a comedian shall keep bringing joy and laughter to all of those lucky enough to watch any of his many, many films.