Ask American Profile

Can you give me a brief history of Roy Orbison’s life?
—Kristi K., Colorado

Born in Vernon, Texas (pop. 11,660), on April 23, 1936, Orbison remains one of the most influential men in rock music history. During the 1960s, he celebrated a four-year run of hits, including Crying, Pretty Paper, Blue Bayou and Dream Baby, which made him the top-selling act in the nation. His biggest hit was 1964’s Oh, Pretty Woman. However, he found as much tragedy as fame. His first wife, Claudette, died in a motorcycle accident in 1966, and two of their three sons perished in a fire two years later. The singer died of heart failure at age 52 during a comeback with the Traveling Wilburys in 1988. Orbison is survived by his wife, Barbara, whom he married in 1969, and their sons, Roy Jr. and Alex, as well as son Wesley, whom he had with Claudette. Barbara now devotes her days to keeping the music of Orbison alive. Upcoming projects include three new DVD releases and a duets project.

What are the Oak Ridge Boys doing now?
—Ralph L., Kentucky

Individually the four members of The Oak Ridge Boys have their own interests: Joe Bonsall is a writer, whose most recent books are An Inconvenient Christmas, a children’s story, and The Oak Ridge Boys: An American Journey, an anecdotal history of the group since the 1970s. William Lee Golden paints, while Duane Allen is a music producer. Richard Sterban is part-owner of a minor league baseball team. But as The Oak Ridge Boys, they’re singing, just as they have been for decades, performing about 170 shows a year across the country. Their most recent album is called The Journey. "We love doing this, that’s obvious," Bonsall says, explaining their longevity. "God blessed us with good health, so we’re feeling good—and singing good! But we also have the opportunity to make new music, and that keeps you excited."

One of my favorite Western–comedy movies is 1974’s My Name Is Nobody, starring Henry Fonda and Terence Hill. Did Terence Hill star in any other movies?
—Debbie R., New Mexico

He most certainly did. Born Mario Girotti in Venice, Italy, Hill has a slew of European-made films to his credit, in addition to two Hollywood films, March or Die and Mister Billion. He began acting at age 12 and had 25 films to his credit by 1963, when he landed a role opposite Burt Lancaster in The Leopard. A few years later, the Italian-made films known as "spaghetti Westerns" became popular, and he got a role in one, God Forgives, I Don’t. After changing his name to a more American-sounding one, Hill went on to star in Ace High, Boot Hill and the comedic Western They Call Me Trinity and its sequel, Trinity Is My Name. "Cowboys have an adventurous side to their personality," Hill says of the Western’s appeal. "That’s what I look for in every character I play, since the times of Trinity." Hill, who has a TV series in Italy and also works as a film producer, lives with his wife, Lori, in Massachusetts.

Can you tell me about the great character actor J.K. Simmons of TV’s Oz?
—Dave F., Missouri

Jonathan Kimble Simmons, born in Detroit on Jan. 9, 1955, has been lucky enough to split his career between quality television and films. Besides Oz, his TV series credits include Law & Order—his recurring character Dr. Emil Skoda has appeared on several of the series’ spin-offs—and The D.A. He’s also starred in commercials for Norelco razors and provided the voice of the yellow M&M. But his films (Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2 and The Ladykillers) have especially distinguished him. The University of Montana graduate is married to Oz actress Michelle Schumacher.

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