Ask American Profile 2/11/2007

Q I’d like to know more about my favorite Law and Order actor, Sam Waterston.
—Faye Thomas, Portland, Ore.

Born in Cambridge, Mass., Waterston, 67, received a bachelor’s degree from Yale University, where he studied French and history. He’s been nominated for a Tony for his stage role as Abraham Lincoln in Abe Lincoln in Illinois, and for an Oscar for his work in The Killing Fields. His role as Forrest Bedford on the TV series I’ll Fly Away was ranked No. 17 on TV Guide magazine’s list of TV’s “50 Greatest Dads of All Time.” He has four children and lives in Connecticut with his second wife.

Q What is singer Laura Branigan doing now?
—Donna Madden, Pine Knot, Ky.

The talented singer died Aug. 26, 2004, of a brain aneurysm. She was 47. While Branigan was best known for her 1982 hit single “Gloria,” she continued to release albums, earning four Grammy nominations and a Top 10 hit in 2004 with a 20th anniversary re-recording of her dance hit “Self Control.” Through the years, she juggled music and acting, appearing in popular TV series such as CHiPs and Knight Rider. In 2002, she received rave reviews for her portrayal of Janis Joplin in the New York stage play Love, Janis.

Q What can you tell me about TV and radio host Tavis Smiley? He’s fascinating.
—Marianne Groves, Coshocton, Ohio

Smiley, 42, a crusader for black rights, issues and opportunities, is a multimedia sensation. He hosts the nightly TV series that bears his name on PBS, plus Public Radio International’s weekly Tavis Smiley Show. Twice a week, he’s a commentator on The Tom Joyner Morning Show. He also is an author with a new autobiography, What I Know For Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America, now joining his 2005 bestseller The Covenant on the bookshelves. “I am tired of seeing black people live beneath our privilege,” says Smiley, whose favorite expressions are “love wins” and “keep the faith.”

Q I loved Samantha Mathis in The Thing Called Love. What’s she been doing recently?
—J.D. Powers, Big Spring, Texas

Hard to believe, but it’s been 14 years since Mathis starred with Sandra Bullock and River Phoenix in the movie The Thing Called Love. Now 36, she’s worked consistently on a variety of projects and appeared recently in the TV movies Absolution, Salem’s Lot and The Mists of Avalon, in Nightmares and Dreamscapes, and on episodes of House and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Fun fact: Of Austrian ancestry, Mathis has spoken fluent German since childhood.

Q I really enjoy John Stamos. What can you tell me about him?
—Marie Maleninsky, Scranton, Pa.

The California native, 43, got his acting break on General Hospital before becoming a full-blown celebrity on the TV series Full House in the late 1980s. During that time, he also performed as drummer for the Beach Boys, later directing one of their videos. In the ’90s, he wowed Broadway in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Cabaret. His seven-year marriage to actress Rebecca Romijn ended in 2005, just about the time he was beginning his most recent TV projects, the starring slot in Jake In Progress and a recurring role on ER.

Upload Your Own Stories, Photos and Videos

Every week, American Profile magazine brings you stories that celebrate the people and places that make America great. Now we want to hear your stories and see your photos, videos and even audio.

 Start Uploading Now!

 

Discuss this Article