Ask American Profile 3/8/2009

Jimmy Stewart, Eric Dane, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandra Lee, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Q Where can I find the lovely poem “Beau” by actor Jimmy Stewart?
—O.K. Markley, Jackson Center, Ohio

"Beau," a tribute by Stewart to his dog, was published in the 1989 book Jimmy Stewart and His Poems. A clip of Stewart reading the poem on The Tonight Show is widely circulated online.

Q What did Eric Dane do before playing Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy?
—Leona Crawford, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

The San Francisco-born actor, 36, who recently starred as Owen Wilson's buddy in the movie Marley & Me, caught the acting bug in high school. He landed small TV roles on Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years and Married with Children. His career picked up in 2000 when he was cast in a recurring role on Gideon's Crossing, which was followed by a two-year run on Charmed. But it was his memorable 2005 guest-starring role as McSteamy on Grey's Anatomy that led to him becoming a series regular. Dane has been married to actress Rebecca Gayheart since 2004.

Q I have been a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio’s since seeing Titanic, but I hear he was a child actor. Can you tell me about his early career?
—Brad Ashton, Taylorsville, Ky.

DiCaprio, 34, made his first appearance in front of the cameras on an episode of TV's Romper Room when he was 5. But his acting career began in earnest 10 years later when he was cast as Garry Buckman in the TV series Parenthood. He also guest-starred on the soap opera Santa Barbara and spent a year with Growing Pains. His movie breakthrough came in 1993 when he landed a role in This Boy's Life, which was followed by What's Eating Gilbert Grape, for which he received his first Academy Award nomination. His latest role, in Revolutionary Road, reunites him with his Titanic co-star, Kate Winslet.

Q Can you give me some background on Food Network cook Sandra Lee?
—Jean Sharrow, La Porte, Ind.

For Lee, 42, necessity was the mother of invention. When her teenage parents divorced early and she found herself taking care of her four younger siblings in Washington state, she learned to make delicious meals on a tight budget. Today, in addition to hosting her Semi-Homemade Cooking series on the Food Network, she oversees her own Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade magazine, which launched in February.

Q I am a fan of racecar driver No. 88, Dale Earnhardt Jr. When was he born? What is his middle name? How old are his siblings?
—Sue Sisco, Umatilla, Ore.

The NASCAR champ was born Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Oct. 10, 1974, in Kannapolis, N.C. He has an older sister, Kelley, 36, a half-brother, Kerry, 39, and a half-sister, Taylor, 20. Kerry also has the middle name of Dale.

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