Ask American Profile

Wolf Blizter, Jean and Liz Sagal, Rattlesnake Annie

I enjoy the reporting of CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. However, I’ve wondered, is that his real name? Is he really “Mrs. Blitzer’s little boy Wolf”? Can you tell me about his personal background and how he got into journalism?
—Marshall B., Virginia

Wonder no more. He really is “Mrs. Blitzer’s little boy Wolf,” named for his grandfather. Blitzer was born in Buffalo, N.Y. He majored in history at SUNY Buffalo and spent the summer of 1968 studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He went on to earn a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University. Although he never studied journalism in college, Blitzer was intrigued by a program offered by Reuters news agency. He applied, was accepted, and went back to Israel, this time learning the ropes as a young reporter in Tel Aviv. He went on to become the Washington correspondent for The Jerusalem Post and spent 15 years reporting from the nation’s capital. He joined CNN as military-affairs reporter in 1990 and was among the network team that won a CableACE award for their Gulf War coverage. He also won an Emmy for his coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing. Currently, he anchors Wolf Blitzer Reports and hosts Late Edition With Wolf Blitzer. He lives in Maryland with his wife and daughter.

Several years ago there was a television comedy called Double Trouble that starred two very talented twins. What happened to them?
—Susan Z., Indiana

Jean and Liz Sagal, now 41 years old, are still in the entertainment business, but they’ve worked mostly behind the cameras since their short-lived sitcom went off the air. Liz, who played Allison in Double Trouble from 1984-85, now writes for television shows. Her credits include Mad About You and Two Guys and a Girl. Jean, who played Kate, works as a director and technical coordinator. The twins also guest-starred on the series Picket Fences and other shows. Jean and Liz started out as dancers and made their movie debut in Grease 2. It’s no surprise that the Sagals ended up in show biz. Their father, the late Boris Sagal, was a director. Their mother, who passed away when the twins were just 14 years old, was one of the first women producers in Hollywood. Older sister Katey is an actress, best known for playing Peg Bundy on Married With Children.

A country singer named Rattlesnake Annie used to perform on TNN years ago. What is she doing now?
—Edwin H., Vermont

Rattlesnake Annie still makes records and tours regularly. For the last 18 years, the Paris, Tenn., native has made her home in southern Spain, where she has honed her skills as a Flamenco guitarist, singer, and recording artist. While that might seem surprising at first, Rattlesnake Annie always has absorbed different types of music and incorporated them into her own style. As a baby, she was carried in a washtub out to the fields, and she grew up listening to migrant workers and local pickers ease their hard work with field calls, spirituals, blues, and amusing stories. Rattlesnake Annie started writing songs and playing guitar at age 10 and performing by age 12. By 16 she was playing in Memphis, Tenn., learning her craft from such legends as Muddy Waters and Lightnin’ Hopkins. In the 1960s, she went to Texas, where she met Willie Nelson. Eventually, she landed a recording contract and had a number of hits on the country charts. Her success in the United States took her to Europe and Asia, where her unique blending of American musical styles was warmly welcomed.

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