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Josh Groban, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bob Hayes

A young man named Josh Groban was featured on Ally McBeal in a couple of episodes. He has such a beautiful voice. Has he recorded any CDs, and if so, what are the titles and type of music?
—Mary P., Tennessee

Twenty-one-year-old Josh Groban recently released his first, self-titled album, filled with songs of all types in both English and Italian. He’s joked that nobody knows what bin to put his album in since it includes such a variety of music—ballads, classical, and opera— but he describes it as pop. Groban, a Los Angeles native, has been training his voice since he was a child but only started to view his talent seriously after attending the prestigious Interlochen Arts Program. Word of his singing soon reached producer and songwriter David Foster, who asked Groban to perform at the California governor’s inauguration. He did so well that a month later Foster called him again—this time asking him to sing with Celine Dion at rehearsals for the 1999 Grammys. Just 17 at the time, he ably handled the Andrea Bocelli part on the duet, The Prayer. Next came the role in Ally McBeal, which was so successful that he returned for a second episode. Groban also sang The Prayer with Charlotte Church at the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics. He hopes to go on tour this fall.

I think Julia Louis-Dreyfus of Watching Ellie has a splendid authentic jazz vocal style. What is her professional background prior to creating the role of Elaine on Seinfeld?
—William P., Nevada

The Emmy-winning actress was on Saturday Night Live from 1982-85 and made her movie debut in the 1986 Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 41, also co-starred in a couple of movies and television series, such as Soul Man and Day by Day, before hitting it big with Seinfeld in 1990. Louis-Dreyfus also got to show off her singing skills as the Blue Fairy in the 2000 television movie Gepetto. Louis-Dreyfus knew she wanted to act at an early age and went on to study theater at Northwestern University. While in college, she was a member of an improvisational group called The Practical Theater Co. She later worked with the renowned Second City troupe, which launched the careers of John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Gilda Radner. Louis-Dreyfus is married to Brad Hall, executive producer and creator of Watching Ellie. The two met in college and have been married for 15 years. They also were co-stars on Saturday Night Live. Louis-Dreyfus lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.

I’m an avid sports fan and wonder what happened to Bob Hayes, the famous track star and former Dallas Cowboys receiver.
—Ron J., Iowa

The man once known as “Bullet Bob” still has a need for speed. The 59-year-old Hayes doesn’t do much sprinting himself, but for the last 37 years he’s hosted the Bob Hayes Invitational Track & Field Meet in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla. Hayes was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor last year, and he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Florida Sports Awards this year. He’s the only man to have earned two Olympic gold medals and a Super Bowl ring. Hayes loved football and played in high school and at Florida A&M University (FAMU). The line coach for the football team at FAMU, who was also the track coach, noticed Hayes’ speed and recruited him for track and field. Participating in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he won the gold in the 100-meter dash and 400-meter relay. Hayes joined the Dallas Cowboys the next year. His speed as a receiver forced other teams to rework their strategy, resulting in the zone defense. Hayes has been battling health problems, including a bout with prostate cancer. He has made several public appearances since his release from the hospital and periodically appears at sports memorabilia shows.

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