Ask American Profile 12/17/2006

Q Who performs “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at the end of the movie 50 First Dates? I remember this particular version also was used on ER when Dr. Greene died.
—Mary Hall, Ore City, Texas

The lovely, ukulele-backed version was recorded in 1993 by Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, more widely known as “Iz” and also known for his physical stature, standing 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing some 700 pounds. After his death in 1997 of weight-related respiratory illness, his striking version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” also was used in the movies Finding Forester and The Big Bounce, for TV episodes of Providence, Charmed and Party of Five, and in a 2006 commercial for Rice Krispies.

Q Please give me some information on my favorite actor, Sean Penn. Where is he from, is he married and—most of all—is that beautiful head of hair all his own?
—Peggy G., Philadelphia

Penn, 46, was born in Santa Monica, Calif., and now lives in San Francisco with his wife, actress Robin Wright-Penn, and their two children. He made a rare TV appearance on Larry King Live last September to promote his latest film, All the King’s Men, and chuckled after watching a segment on the different hairstyles he’s sported over the years. “I’m a hair actor!” he said, laughing. And yes, those locks are really his.

Q Whatever happened to the young actress Janet Munro? She played in Darby O’Gill and the Little People.
—Susan S. Geneseo, New York

Munro died in 1972 at age 38 from an illness associated with heart disease. The spunky actress grew up on British TV and in 1959 caught the eye of Walt Disney, who gave her starring roles in several films, including Darby O’Gill and the Little People and Swiss Family Robinson. After winning a Golden Globe award for most promising newcomer, she began to outgrow youthful roles and lost momentum in her career. Two failed marriages and two miscarriages led to a bout with alcoholism before her untimely death.

Q Who is the youngest person to ever receive an Academy Award? My husband says Shirley Temple, but I think he’s wrong.
—Abbie R., Boaz, Ala.

He’s not completely wrong—but not completely right, either. Five-year-old Shirley Temple received an honorary “Special Oscar” in 1934, but it was not in one of the official Academy-voted competitive categories. Otherwise, the record-holder is Tatum O’Neal, who was 10 when she took home the Best Supporting Actress Award in 1973 for the movie Paper Moon. Thirty-three years later, O’Neal’s still in the game. Her latest project: playing a devious spurned lover on the series Wicked Wicked Games on the new MyNetworkTV network.

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