By Joseph Martinez -

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored the late Buddy Holly with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday, September 7, 2011. Buddy Holly would have been 75 years old had he not lost his life in a tragic plane crash on February 3, 1959.

Holly left a legacy of music for which he was honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony, held in front of the Capitol Records building at 1750 N. Vine Street, was attended by his widow Maria Elena Santiago, Phil Everly of the Everly brothers (close friends of Holly’s and played many shows together), Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon  (were inspired by Holly from the moment they formed their duo, and made Holly’s “True Love Ways” a worldwide hit), and actor Gary Busey, (played Holly in "The Buddy Holly Story." in 1978 and was later nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal).

In only 18 months, from when Buddy Holly and the Crickets hit the charts with their first release, “That’ll Be The Day,” to when he died in a tragic plane crash, Holly topped the charts with more than 27 Top 40 hits worldwide, with “That’ll Be The Day” going to No. 1. Even after his death, Holly went to No. 1 with “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore.” From rock to country to R&B, Holly’s songs have charted consistently for more than 50 years, a true testament to his music and his influence that continues to this day. Brian Wilson said it simply:  “Buddy Holly is unique…his music matters because it is timeless.”

Holly died on February 3, 1959, often referred to as “the day the music died.” But even in his short time, Buddy Holly changed the sound and look of rock 'n' roll forever, leaving a permanent standard that continues to influence artists all over the world.    


Buddy Holly Trivia per TV.com:

• Even though Buddy Holly is recognized as a legend in music, he never won a Grammy.
• Holly's hit, "Peggy Sue," was originally given the title of "Cindy Lou." However, Holly's drummer, Jerry Allison, asked Holly to rename it to Peggy Sue, in honor of his girlfriend and future wife, Peggy Sue Gerron.
• The Beatles got the idea of the name of their band from the name of Holly's band, The Crickets
• Buddy Holly died on February 3, 1959, in a plane crash, along with Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.
• Don McLean's 1971 hit "American Pie" was inspired by and makes reference to the tragic plane crash which claimed Buddy’s life.
• In 1986, he was among the first group of stars to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame upon its formation.
• Buddy Holly married Maria Elena Santiago August 15, 1958.
• The music group The Hollies were named in honor of Buddy Holly.
• In the movie The Searchers John Wayne’s character repeatedly says, “That’ll Be the Day”. This phrase influenced Buddy to write the hit song of the same name.
• Teenagers Paul McCartney and John Lennon saw Buddy and the Crickets play in Liverpool in March of 1958 and often cited Holly as a primary influence on their music.
• Although his last name is legally “Holley” an early record contract had his name misspelled “Holly” and he continued to use this spelling throughout his career.

Archival Publicity Photo Courtesy of The Hollywood Archive Picturevaults

By Joseph Martinez - 

In celebration of many successful years in entertainment, Ed O’Neill was honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 30th, 2011.       

Ed O’Neill is best known for his role as Al Bundy, on FOX Network’s long running sitcom, “Married…With Children.” The role prompted two Golden Globe Award nominations. He is currently seen on the award-winning ABC sitcom “Modern Family” in the role of Jay Pritchett, for which he received Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.  Fox Home Entertainment will release   “Modern Family” Season 2 on Blu-ray and DVD September 20th.

Born to an Irish Catholic family on April 12, in Youngstown, Ohio, O’Neill attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and Youngstown State University. Signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was cut in training camp and worked as a Social Studies teacher before becoming an actor. He has appeared in several movies including “The Bone Collector,” “Little Giants,” “Dutch,” the “Wayne’s World” series, and various films for Pulitzer Prize-winning screenwriter David Mamet including “The Spanish Prisoner,” “Spartan,” and the indie film “Redbelt.”          

Besides his roles on “Married…With Children,” and “Modern Family” O’Neill’s television credits include the reincarnation of Sgt. Joe Friday on Dick Wolf’s remake of “Dragnet,” the recurring role of Baker (D-PA), a potential Vice Presidential candidate on the NBC drama “The West Wing,” the role of Detective Michael Mooney on David Milch’s CBS series, “Big Apple,” and most recently that of a retired cop on HBO’s “John from Cincinnati,” from the creator/producer of “NYPD Blue” and “Deadwood.” O’Neill’s talent also took him to Broadway starring in productions “Lakeboat” and “Keep your Pantheon.”  (Photo © 2011 Joe Martinez / PictureLux)

Ed O'Neill Trivia Per IMDB:

• Was nearly cast as "Sam Malone" in the TV show "Cheers" (1982); the role went to Ted Danson instead.
• Taught Social Studies in Youngstown before acting.
• Expected "Married with Children" (1987) to be canceled within the first 6 episodes.
• Was considered for the role of patriarch "Steven Keaton" in "Family Ties" (1982); the role went to Michael Gross instead.
• He graduated from Ursuline High School
• Often plays cops on TV shows or movies. On an episode of "Married with Children" (1987), he dreamed that he was a detective.
• Learned (and still practices) Brazilian Ju-Jitsu from the famous Gracie family.
• The first actor from Fox to host "Saturday Night Live" (1975) in 1990; three years later his "Married with Children" (1987) co-star, Christina Applegate hosted the show.
• Invented the popular sandwich called the "Boone" at the famous Se-port Deli in Setauket, New York.
• Plays handball.
• Has two young daughters.
• In 2007 Ed earned his black belt in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu after 15 years of training.
• O'Neill was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969 as an outside linebacker. He was released before the start of the 1969 regular season.
• Lives in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, California.
• Irish-American

By Joseph Martinez -

Friends and former co-stars Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds reunited on the red carpet while Olivia Wilde looked red-hot for the LA premiere of "The Change-Up" held at the Regency Village Theatre in Westwood, Monday, August 1, 2011.

Bullock showed up in a chic black strapless Lanvin jumpsuit with strappy black sandals, gold hoop earrings and a stack of gold bracelets. She was all smiles, posing for pics with Reynolds, her co-star in the 2009 film, "The Proposal."

Olivia Wilde sported a fiery look wearing a red Antonio Berardi Pre-Fall 2011 dress matched with red satin Brian Atwood ‘Maniac’ pumps.

Other celebs in attendance included co-stars Jason Bateman and Leslie Mann among others. (photo by © 2011 Joe Martinez / PictureLux)

About the Film:

Growing up together, Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) and Dave (Jason Bateman) were inseparable best friends, but as the years have passed they've slowly drifted apart. While Dave is an overworked lawyer, husband and father of three, Mitch has remained a single, quasi-employed man-child who has never met a responsibility he liked. To Mitch, Dave has it all: beautiful wife Jamie (Leslie Mann), kids who adore him and a high-paying job at a prestigious law firm. To Dave, living Mitch's stress-free life without obligation or consequence would be a dream come true. Following a drunken night out together, Mitch and Dave's worlds are turned upside down when they wake up in each other's bodies and proceed to freak out. Despite the freedom from their normal routines and habits, the guys soon discover that each other's lives are nowhere near as rosy as they once seemed.

The film opens nationwide on Friday, August 5, 2011.

View more celebrity photos of Ryan Reynolds at PictureLux Imagesearch

By Joseph Martinez -

Stars Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell showed up at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood for the big event on July 19, 2011, the Los Angeles Premiere of 'Captain America: The First Avenger'. Both were dressed to impress as they worked it for the cameras before heading inside.

Other Marvel stars in attendance included Mr. Tony Stark himself, Robert Downey Jr., "Thor's" Chris Hemsworth, who posed with his wife Elsa Pataky, and Samuel L. Jackson. The actors are expected to reprise their respective roles and share the screen with Evans in the highly anticipated superhero-studded movie,"The Avengers".

Fashion Watch:

Vanessa Hudgens showed off her legs (and new haircut) on the red carpet in a gold mini-dress. Hudgen's chopped off her hair for a role as a homeless teen in "Gimme Shelter."

Actress Zoe Saldana also showed off her toned legs in a Balmain Resort 2012 ensemble. The printed bomber jacket gold epaulets was teamed with matching shorts, a simple v-neck white tee and Brian Atwood ‘Pois’ pumps.

About the film:

"Captain America: The First Avenger" will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) to wage war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull (Hugo Weaving.)

One of a continuing slate of films being produced by Marvel Studios based on the Marvel characters, "Captain America: The First Avenger" opens  July 22, 2011.


View more celebrity photos of Vanessa Hudgens at PictureLux Imagesearch