Gene Autry, The Singing Cowboy

Gene Autry was always one of my favorites. I was too young to have grown up with him, but I always enjoyed listening to CDs of his old Western songs. He was one of the first people I ever wrote to. He was always a true gentleman- definitely lived up to the persona he portrayed on the screen. Needless to say I was pretty thrilled when I got this one back!

Sir Alec Guinness

Sir Alec Guinness probably received a ton of fan mail from people who knew him as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. Personally I preferred watching his other roles. I wrote to him in 1995 and I don't think i even mentioned Star Wars at all. The picture I chose to draw him from was from one of his first films, Great Expectations (if I remember right). His signature is in the lower left corner.

Ralph Fiennes- A Villianous Nazi

Not in real life of course, but Ralph Fiennes won much acclaim for his role as Nazi Concentration Camp Commandant Amon Goeth in the film "Schindler's List." His portrayal was so realistic that one of the real Schindler Jews shook in terror upon meeting him on the set when he was in full costume.

The Weavers

Sixty years ago, four singers got together and formed a group, performing Traditional Ballads, Folk Songs from around the world, Blues, Labor Songs, etc. They sang about the common man, and were immensely popular. They popularized obscure folk songs which are now considered standards like "On Top of Old Smokey" and "Midnight Special." The personal beliefs of the members of The Weavers, combined with the many songs they sung that were supportive of worker's rights and other "Socialist" themes caused them to be Black-listed in the 1950's. Eventually this faded, and their concerts and later their reunion concerts generally sold out.

It is amazing that a group formed 60 years ago still has three of its four members living. Lee Hayes passed away in 1981, but Ronnie Gilbert, Pete Seeger, and Fred Hellerman are all still living. Seeger and Gilbert both still regularly perform. I first sent this to Pete Seeger, and he was very kind to provide me with addresses for Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman. Pete did not keep the extra one, and signed them both. I managed to get Ronnie Gilbert and Fred Hellerman to also sign two instead of just one. This is one of my favorites.

"Slammin Sammy" Sam Snead

Sam Snead was one of the all-time great Golfers. His acheivements speak for themselves. Originally I had received the drawing back unsigned, with a price list enclosed of how much he charged to sign various things. I hesitated a bit, especially since the money was not going to a charity (I don't mind paying when the money is donated to charity). A few weeks later I sent it back (minus the extra one for him to keep....) along with a check for $40. I was kind of ticked off I had to pay so much for him to sign this, but now that he's gone, I'm glad I did.

Ted Briggs, Last Survivor from the Sinking of the HMS Hood

Ted Briggs passed away October 4, 2008 at age 85. In 1941 he was one of over 1,400 British Seamen serving aboard H.M.S. Hood, one of the most celebrated ships in the Royal Navy. The Hood and HMS Prince of Wales were dispatched to intercept the German Battleship Bismarck. Bismarck's massive guns fired, and HMS Hood exploded, splitting in half and sinking. Ted Briggs was one of only three sailors who survived. Since 1995 he had been the last of these three survivors.

Living through such a nightmare is unimaginable. Not surprisingly, he couldn't ever shake the memories of that day. I managed to write to him through a fellow seaman who had served on the Hood before the War, and Ted gave me a gracious response. I really think he enjoyed the picture that he kept- he didn't seem to mind complying with my request. The true heroes are the ones who didn't come back, but we are only able to convey our thanks to those who did. I'm glad I got to thank him just 8 months before he passed away.

Gene Wilder- Willy Wonka

Gene Wilder in my opinion always seems best when playing a quirky character. Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and of course Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It's usually tough to get him to sign things through the mail. You have to catch him at the right time from what I've read. I found out that during WWII he served in a military hospital that was about 15 miles away from my house. When I wrote to him I barely even mentioned his acting career- but thanked him for his service in the War and mentioned that I live very close to where he was working at during that time. A few months later I got this back with his signature on it. I absolutely loved him as Willy Wonka- I was really glad to have hi sign this for me.