Racine Hall Of Fame
|
 |
KRISTIN BAUER
Born Kristin Neubauer on November 26, 1966 in Racine. She
graduated from The Prairie School in Racine in 1984. Actress:
A featured act in Dancing at the Blue Iguana, Maggie Reynolds
on The Crew, Geneva Renault in Total Security, Candy Cooper
in That's Life, Belinda Slypich in Hidden Hills, featured
in 50 First Dates, starred in the award winning short film
Room 302, The voice of the superhero Mera in Justice League,
vampire Pam on the HBO series True Blood. Guest appearances
on LA Law, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, Dark Angel,
Two and a Half Men, Star Trek: Enterprise, CSI: Crime Scene
Investigation, Desperate Housewives, George Lopez and others. |
|
 |
DR LAUREL CLARK
Was one of the Seven astronauts that perished aboard the Space
Shuttle Columbia STS-107 on February 1, 2003. Born on March
10, 1961, Clark grew up in Racine, WI. The oldest of four
children, Clark graduated from Racine Horlick High School
in 1979, as a nearly straight-A student. She went on to receive
her bachelor of science degree in zoology from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983 and a doctorate in medicine from
the same school in 1987. She was certified by the National
Board of Medical Examiners and held a Wisconsin medical license.
During medical school she did active duty training with the
Diving Medicine Department at the Naval Experimental Diving
Unit in March 1987. After completing medical school, Dr. Clark
underwent postgraduate Medical education in Pediatrics from
1987-1988 at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. |
|
 |
CHESTER COMMODORE
(August 22, 1914 – April 10, 2004) An African American
Political cartoonist - nominated for the Pulitzer Prize twelve
times. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Commodore was always interested
in drawing. He moved to Chicago, Illinois to attend high school,
and it was there that he studied art. While still in high
school, he tried to get a job with the Chicago Defender, one
of the country's most notable African American newspapers,
but he was told to finish his education first. Following school,
he got a job with the Pullman Company. He was always drawing,
and posted his drawings on company bulletin boards. He was
recommended for a staff position with the Minneapolis Star
in 1938, but when he showed up for the interview, he was told
that there was no such job. He eventually went to work for
the Defender, doing layout. When staff cartoonist Jay Jackson
died in 1950, he took over the position. Not only did he draw
political cartoons, he also drew the strips The Sparks and
The Ravings of Prof. Doodle.
|
|
 |
ELLEN CORBY
Born Ellen Hansen in Racine. Best known for THE WALTONS in
the 1970's, Ellen Corby won 3 Emmys for her role as Grandma
(Esther Walton). She is also known for her role as Aunt Trina
in I REMEMBER MAMA in 1948 and Starred in IT'S A WONDERFUL
LIFE in 1946. Ellen Corby has had a career with over 100 appearances
in Film and Television, including Mother Lurch on THE ADAMS
FAMILY and an appearance in 1966 on the Batman TV series.
|
|
 |
CHRISTOPHER CROWE
A native of Racine, UPN Television's SEVEN DAYS Executive
Producer Christopher Crowe has spent more than 15 years in
the entertainment business as a successful writer, producer
and director for film and television. Crowe's first film was
the movie NIGHTMARES, then the THE MEAN SEASON, starring Kurt
Russel, then "Whispers in the Dark", OFF LIMITS
starring Willem Dafoe and Gregory Hines. He co-wrote THE LAST
OF THE MOHICANS starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe.
Also FEAR, starring Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon and
THE BONE COLLECTOR starring Denzel Washington and Angelina
Jolie.In television, Crowe was creator and executive producer
of UPN's THE WATCHER. He was also executive producer of THE
UNTOUCHABLES. Crowe's credits include ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS"
which he executive produced; the landmark series MIAMI VICE,
which he directed; and STREETS OF JUSTICE, which he created,
directed and executive produced. |
|
 |
KEN DAVIS
Learned to sing and accompany himself
on guitar/electric bass shortly after his graduation from
Racine's William Horlick High School in 1954. Incorporating
the influences of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Buddy Holly
and Elvis. Ken still lives here in Racine with his wife, three
grown children, and three grandsons. He is amazed that his
old records in recent years have popped up on "CD's"
released in several countries. Ken says: "In my early
20's I was following a musical dream - 40 years later that
dream is "following me!" Music: Sittin'
Pretty/Bundle of Lovin' (1958) Uh-Huh, That's Right/Without
Her Love (1958) Shook shake/Echo Rock (1958) Shook Shake/Echo
Rock, (1959) Oh So Blue/Gone Again (1959) The Next Little
Town/Because I'm Blue (1962) Play Ginger Play/What Would I
Do Without Dreams? (1967) Shook Shake/Echo Rock (Re-Issue),
(1982) |
|
 |
VICTOR DELORENZO
From Racine, Victor Delorenzo is best known as the drummer
for Violent Femmes.Some of the band's most popular songs including
"Blister In The Sun," "Add It Up" and
"Kiss Off." Their music, generated much by teen
angst, caught on like wildfire with suburban kids in the early
1980's. The band continued to record and tour into the 1990s.
DeLorenzo left the band in 1993 to pursue a solo career and
was replaced former BoDeans drummer Guy Hoffman.
Before becoming a professional drummer, Delorenzo was an actor
with the Milwaukee, Wisconsin experimental theater group Theatre
X. |
|
 |
NORMAN GOLDEN II
He and his family live on what they like to call the Third
Coast, in fabulous Racine, Wis., on lovely Lake Michigan.
Starring as 9-year old Devon Butler in COP AND A HALF with
Burt Reynolds in 1993. Golden also played Pip in USA Network's
TV movie MOBY DICK with Patrick Stewart and Gregory Peck in
1998. |
|
 |
GREG GRAFFIN
As a child, his family settled in Racine until his parents
divorced. A founding member of BAD RELIGION, Graffin has become
one of the most recognized and admired political lyricist
in the modern music industry. Along with former partner in
crime Brett Gurewitz and now Brian Baker, he strings out intelligently
written stanzas and verses as well as harmonic vocal lines.
He writes mostly his own riffs too. |
|
 |
BEN HECHT
Ben grew up in Racine. He worked in a Racine shop after school,
taught himself how to type. At the age of 16 he started working
as a reporter for the Chicago Journal newspaper. Later, he
became known as "the Shakespeare of Hollywood".
Ben received screen credits for the stories or screenplays
of more than 70 films. He had his own TV talk show. He won
the first Academy Award for writing for UNDERWORLD and script-doctoring
GONE WITH THE WIND in 1929, THE SCOUNDREL (1935)and Co-writing
WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939). He authored 35 books and created
some of the most entertaining screenplays or plays in America. |
|
 |
KEVIN HENKES
Kevin was born in Racine, Wisconsin in 1960 and he has vivid,
often sensory images of his childhood. His home was a place
of comfort and safety and, although the outside world sometimes
brought problems and frustrations, they tended to be transitory.
This security is reflected in his picture books which usually
deal with a childhood problem but the touch is light and the
ending hopeful. A Caldecott Meldal winner. Kevin authored:
A WEEKEND WITH WENDELL (1987), CHESTER'S WAY (1989), JULIUS,
THE BABY OF THE WORLD (1990), CHRYSANTHEMUM (1991), WORDS
OF STONE (1992), OWEN (1994), PROTECTING MARIE (1995)
|
|
 |
KAREL JONAS
Lived at 1337 N Erie, Racine and spent 30 years in Racine
as a newspaper editor and politician. Karel was on the Racine
Common Council, first as assemblyman for the 1st District,
then as a state senator, and finally as Lieutenant Governor
under Governor George W. Peck. Karel was born in Bohemia in
1840. He came to Racine in 1863 to escape persecution as part
of the Czech National Movement. Erected in 1912, his statue
stands in Flatiron Square — the center of the early
Bohemian settlement in Racine.
|
|
| |
 |
JIM KRUETZER
Endodontist (root canal specialist) from Racine had decided
he wanted to make a movie. With "Fever Lake," Kreutzer
had caught the moviemaking bug that led him to the "Just
Write" project. Jim and Terri Kreutzer have three children.
His oldest daughter has a small part as a tourist in the movie,
and utters the line: "We're from Wisconsin."
FEVER LAKE (1995), THE LAST GREAT RIDE (1999), JUST WRITE
(1999) |
|
 |
FREDRIC MARCH
Born Ernest Frederick Bickel in Racine. Lived at 1635 College
Avenue as a child. Won two Oscars for DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
1931 and THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES 1946. Won Tonys "Years
Ago" 1947 and LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT 1957. |
|
 |
BARBARA McNAIR
Raised in Racine. Barbara toured with Nat 'King' Cole. Motown
Superstar: 'The Real Barbrara McNair ' (1969), 'It
Happens Every Time', 'Here I Am' (1966), 'Everything is good
about you', 'For Once In My Life' and 'You're gonna' love
my baby'. Posed for Playboy. TV Star: "GENERAL
HOSPITAL", Dr. Kildare, The Eleventh Hour, I Spy, Mission:
Impossible, Hogan's Heroes and McMillan and Wife. She had
her own show "THE BARBARA MCNAIR SHOW". (She was
the first African-American to host own TV show). Movie
Star: If He Hollers Let Him Go (1968) Change of Habit
(1969), They Call Me MISTER Tibbs! (1970) and its sequel,
The Organization (1971).
|
|
 |
ROBERT McRAY
Born in Racine. At age of 5 on Romper Room. Edgar Bergen and
Charlie McCarthy helped him to become a professional ventriloquist
by the age of 12. At the age of 17 he joined the United States
Navy where he was awarded Naval honorman. He graduated from
the Ron Baillie School of Broadcast in Washington state in
1983. Movie Star: Legend of the Phantom Rider,
The Mob, Quiet Waters, Victim, Double Crossed and Conan the
Adventurer. Sculptorer: His collections
around the world. His larger-scale sculptures can be seen
as both landmarks and commercial displays, including a 25-foot-tall
Bigfoot sculpture in the Canadian town of Creston, British
Columbia. |
|
 |
GENERAL BILLY MITCHELL
He was educated at Racine College and at Columbian University.
He had a twenty-year's advocacy of the use of military air
power. General Mitchell was an air officer of the American
Expeditionary Forces and air officer of I Corps, a combat
post. He outspokenly advocated the creation of a separate
air force. He infuriated the Navy with claims that they had
inferior defense. Later he was court-martialed for insubordination
after accusing Army and Navy leaders of an "almost treasonable
administration of the national defense" and was returned
to his permanent rank of Colonel. He continued working on
improvements in aircraft and their use. He authored OUR AIR
FORCE, THE KEYSTONE OF NATIONAL DEFENSE (1921), WINGED DEFENSE
(1925), SKYWAYS, A BOOK OF MODERN AERONAUTICS (1930).
|
|
 |
EDWARD PIEL SR
Born in Racine. Starred as Sam Houston in "Heroes of
the Alamo" 1938, also father of Wisconsin actor Edward
Piel Jr. |
|
 |
WARNER P. RICHMOND
Born in Racine. Played Zandor in 1938 "Flash Gordon's
Trip to Mars" Films also include: SCARFACE (1932), THE
PHANTOM EMPIRE (1935), OREGON TRAIL (1939), COURAGEOUS AVENGER
(1935), FIGHTING MARINES (1935).
|
|
 |
JEFF WARD
Jeff currently resides on Racine's South Side. At a very early
age Jeff was classically trained on violin. In his early teens
he learned to play the guitar and his love for the traditional
music of his Irish heritage grew. Jeff has performed for audiences
at major Irish Music Festivals in Milwaukee, Chicago, Cincinnati,
Indianapolis, Peoria, West Dundee and at Concerts and Pub
venues throughout the mid-west, creating an atmosphere of
warmth, laughter and good cheer, leaving audiences shouting
for more. |
|
|
|
 |
