Ask American Profile 4/29/2007

Q What is the background of Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the TV medical correspondent?
—J. Gupton, Crossett, Ark.

As CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Michigan native Gupta, 37, has covered everything from personal health to international events, including the 2001 anthrax scares, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, avian flu, Hurricane Katrina and battlefield doctors in Iraq. In addition to his broadcast duties, the married father of two performs surgery regularly at Atlanta’s Emory University Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital, where he’s the associate chief of neurosurgery. His first book, Chasing Life, was released recently.

Q My brother remembers a lady singing a World War II song called “Smoke on the Water.” Who was she?
—Kaffie Holman, Lebanon Junction, Ky.

“Smoke on the Water” was the rousing World War II fight song that marked the 1944 chart debut of country music star Red Foley. (The “smoke” referred to what would happen after American “ships and bombers make a graveyard of Japan.”) Immensely popular, the song was No. 1 for 13 weeks and was recorded by several other acts, including Merle Travis and Bob Wills. As the war drew to its crescendo in the Pacific and the song became even more of a battle cry, it almost certainly was performed by females also, although none ever had a hit with it.

Q Can you tell me about the beautiful actress Persia White from the sitcom Girlfriends?
—Amy Zagerman, South Lyon, Mich.

White, 34, born in Miami and raised in the Bahamas, has been performing since she was a 3-year-old ballet student. At 8, she joined a children’s theatrical group and she’s been acting ever since. She also enjoys performing with her band, XEO3. Like her character on Girlfriends, she’s a vegan and animal-rights activist. In 2005, she was named Humanitarian of the Year by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Her real-life daughter, Mecca, appeared with her on a 2002 Mother’s Day episode of Girlfriends.

Q Please help me settle an argument. I say the actor who plays the creepy Ben on Lost also was on The Practice, but my sister says I’m crazy. Who’s right?
—Maryanne Milsap, New London, Conn.

You are correct. Michael Emerson had an Emmy-winning recurring role as serial killer William Hinks on the series The Practice before joining the cast of TV’s Lost. You also may have seen him in the movies Saw, Unfaithful and Straight-Jacket, in which he appeared alongside his wife, actress Carrie Preston. A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Emerson, 52, worked as an illustrator for the Boston Globe and New York Times before his acting breakthrough.

Q What is the wacky Joan Rivers up to these days?
—Mary Dunn, Palestine, Texas

Rivers, 72, stays very busy during televised awards shows, including the Golden Globes, Emmys and Oscars, where she and her daughter, Melissa, provide colorful running commentary on the attendees and how they look—and she makes no apologies for her often-catty quips. “I am what I am,” she says. “I am irreverent, so that’s a given.” Rivers, whose successful jewelry and cosmetic lines are sold on the QVC network, has written eight books, performs her stand-up comedy on tour and hosts a television talk show in England.

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