Happy Birthday: Steve Howey

Steve HoweyDate of Birth 12 July 1977, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Birth Name Steve Michael Robert Howey
Nickname Vodka
Height 6′ 3½” (1.92 m)

The least amount of info actors get, the better. Actors are always like, ‘What is my motivation for this?’ You didn’t write it. Just say the lines.

When I don’t feel like working out, lifting weights or doing serious cardio, the best thing for me to do is just go on the treadmill and walk. I walk and listen to music and 10 minutes will go by, then 15, and then I’ll speed up a bit. Once my blood really starts flowing, I’ll get a second wind and then I want to work out.

Getting into shape helped get me into a better mood, and when I’m in a better mood, I’m funnier. My general attitude is better.

Happy Birthday: Topher Grace

Topher GraceDate of Birth 12 July 1978, New York City, New York, USA
Birth Name Christopher John Grace
Height 5′ 10¾” (1.8 m)

“Some of my favorite films include Out of Sight (1998) and Schizopolis (1996). So, the thing that got me most excited about getting the part was the opportunity to work with Steven Soderbergh”. (when asked why he chose the part in the film Traffic (2000)).

[Talking about his scene with Michael Douglas in Traffic (2000)]: “I threatened Michael Douglas! Oh, man, that guy could beat me over the head with his Oscar!”

[on quitting That ’70s Show (1998)]: “It’s heartbreaking because there’s no funner job in the universe than being one of those six kids. I was in my teens when I started. It’s ridiculous to even try to imagine my life without being able to laugh all day with those five people. I never cry, like ever, but I have a feeling it’s coming.”

Happy Birthday: Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle RodriguezDate of Birth 12 July 1978, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Birth Name Mayte Michelle Rodriguez
Nickname MRod
Height 5′ 5″ (1.65 m)

I think empathy is a beautiful thing. I think that’s the power of film though. We have one of the most powerful, one of the greatest communicative tools known to man. It’s a form of communication and it’s gonna reach you in a way of growth – most of the time.

I don’t want people thinking of me sexually. I don’t want people to be like, “She’s hot-looking,” you know? I want them to listen to me for what I am saying. And I think the best way to do that is to sniff my armpits, and like, sit and burp every now and then. It just completely throws people off. I had a couple of offers to do some hot scenes in the shower with some guy and to make it real hot and sexy. The next thing you know, I’d be the next J.Lo or something. But that’s easy. I want [success] the hard way.

My favorite part of my body is my brain. I think no matter what my body looks like, I won’t be satisfied unless I know how to use it.

I don’t think it’s narcissistic at all to love yourself and believe in yourself. I think some people are really scared to do that. I have to. If I don’t, I would not succeed in what I do.

No matter what, people are so narrow minded that it won’t ever be Michelle Rodriguez the actress, it will always be Michelle Rodriguez the Latin actress. And it’s just something that I have to live with, because of the fact that people need labels to understand things. I can’t even get into this ignorance that I’m dealing with. So I just ignore it, you know? Ignore the ignorance.

Happy Birthday: Mindy Sterling

Mindy SterlingDate of Birth 11 July 1953, Paterson, New Jersey, USA
Birth Name Mindy Lee Sterling
Height 5′ 2½” (1.59 m)

It is so important to talk about your cancer and the feelings you have about it.

I know it was harder for me taking care of my dad during his cancer than it was going through my own. You feel more helpless as a caregiver.

Breast cancer is scary and no one understands that like another woman who has gone through it too.

Happy Birthday: Bruce McGill

Bruce McGill.jpg
Date of Birth 11 July 1950, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Birth Name Bruce Travis McGill
Height 5′ 9¼” (1.76 m)

(2012, on Matchstick Men) I think it’s one of a handful of the best movies I’ve done. I think it’s one of Nic Cage’s top performances. Sam Rockwell and myself and Nic just loved that movie. It’s a really good grown-up comedy. I just think the world of that. And to play the two realities at all times was very liberating.

(2012, on handling rejection) One of the defense mechanisms I have for the difficulties in the business, one of which is rejection, is that if I do the work, I go in, and I’m prepared and I audition and they don’t hire me, I’m always just amazed, thinking, “Wow! For that money, they could’ve had Bruce McGill, and they didn’t take me? I just think that’s amazing. Well, too bad for them.” Rather than go, “Oh, what did I do wrong?” I just don’t do that. I don’t go down that road. So it’s a built-in defense mechanism, but also, I feel that way. I feel like with what I know and what I can deliver, if I look enough like the guy they want to even have me in, and they don’t use me, then that’s their shortcoming. It’s a reflection on their inability to see what’s right in front of them rather than my inability to get the role.

(2012, on The Hand and working with Oliver Stone) I was looking for any A-features, and Michael Caine really made it an A-feature. So I thought, “Well, sure, that’d be great!” And it was a great experience. I really loved working with Michael Caine. He’s a really skilled and experienced actor. I learn something from everybody, but when you work with somebody like that, you actually learn things you can put in your toolbox, things about craft. Not necessarily life lessons, but actual things he knows that you can pick up. To watch Oliver (Stone) direct his first film-I wouldn’t change anything. I was really glad to be there, and then I was glad to see him again when we did W. He’s a really smart guy, he’s a really good writer, and…He has a certain kind of personality. But I really enjoy him. He’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but I like him a lot.

Happy Birthday: Richie Sambora

Richie Sambora.jpgDate of Birth 11 July 1959, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA
Birth Name Richard Stephen Sambora
Nicknames King of Swing
Dean
Sambo
Height 6′ 0½” (1.84 m)

Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence in Laguna Beach, California. Sentenced to three years of informal probation, three months of first offender alcohol awareness classes and standard fees. Also ordered to not partake of any drugs or alcohol for the duration of his probation [April 22, 2008].

Graduated From Woodbridge High School in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

Lives in Laguna Beach, Westlake Village, Calabasas, California and Point Pleasant Boro, New Jersey.

His parents, Joan (Sienila) and Adam Sambora, were both of Polish descent. His surname, “Sambora”, is Polish.

Happy Birthday: Lil’ Kim

Lil' Kim.jpgDate of Birth 11 July 1974, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Birth Name Kimberly Denise Jones
Nickname Queen Bee
Height 4′ 11″ (1.5 m)

I love being the underdog sometimes.

Honestly, I can’t survive without my MAC gloss, pigment – sometimes MAC powder. But definitely my gloss and pigment and liner. I don’t do mascara all the time. I do when I wear no lashes. I use the mascara, but when I wear lashes, I don’t always do mascara, because it makes it real heavy sometimes.

When you are a real artist who is serious about your craft, you love good music. Period.

I’ve always expressed my love for fashion through my music.

I’m blessed enough to been in the game for a while and still have my beautiful fans and still have the respect. That’s something that gets me going. I’m also fortunate enough to take vacation and take a little hiatus.

Happy Birthday: Tom Holland

Tom HollandDate of Birth 11 July 1943, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA
Height 5′ 10″ (1.78 m)

Characters undergoing massive physical transformation, usually being very thin/skeletonized (Thinner (1996), Fright Night (1985), Masters of Horror: We All Scream for Ice Cream (2007), hallucination sequence in The Langoliers (1995)).

Often casts Chris Sarandon, ‘William Forsythe (I)’, his son Josh Holland. Also frequently has himself and/or Stephen King in cameos.

Happy Birthday: Sela Ward

Sela Ward
Date of Birth 11 July 1956, Meridian, Mississippi, USA
Birth Name Sela Ann Ward
Height 5′ 7″ (1.7 m)

[after being rejected for the femme fatale role in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) at age 39] I’d never felt more sexy and more confident as a woman, and more ready as an actress. Yet, as I quickly discovered, if you were over 35, you weren’t any of those things as far as Hollywood is concerned.