Animation Fun Facts for Jan 24, 2013

Birthdays: Roman Emperor Publius Hadrian AD117, Farinelli the Castrato-1707, Pierre De Beaumarchais, Swedish King Gustavus III, Frederick the Great, Edith Wharton, German Field Marshal Model, Sharon Tate, Ernest Borgnine, Mary Lou Rhetton, John Belushi, Disney director Wilfred Jackson, Warren Zevon, Yakov Smirnoff, Daniel Auteuil is 63, Orel Roberts, Natassia Kinski is 54 1927- The Pleasure Garden premiered, the first film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. 1942- Producer David O. Selznick signed young star Jennifer Jones. He became infatuated with her and left his wife Irene, the daughter of Louis B. Mayer to marry Jones. 1961- Warner Bros. cartoon voice actor Mel Blanc had a terrible auto crash. He lingered in a coma for several weeks. The way the doctor brought him around was to say: “Hey Bugs Bunny! How are we today?” Blanc replied in character:” Ehhh…fine,doc!” 1983- Hulk Hogan pinned the Iron Sheik to win his first World Wrestling Federation title. 1986 –The Voyager 2 spaceprobe flew by Uranus. 2006- The Walt Disney Company acquired CG animation studio PIXAR. Apple and PIXAR head Steve Jobs got a seat on Disney Board, Ed Catmull was named head of the studio and director John Lasseter became it’s creative head.