Ask American Profile

John Mahoney is great on Frasier. What else has he done?
—Rich R., New Jersey

Mahoney, 60, who is wonderful in the role of retired police officer Martin Crane, was born in Manchester, England. He immigrated to the United States after high school and joined the Army. He received his bachelor’s degree from Quincy College and a master’s degree in English from Western Illinois University. He then took a position as an editor of medical trade publications for doctors and college professors. At 37, however, he decided it was time to pursue his lifelong love for the theater as a career and enrolled in the David Mamet-founded St. Nicholas Theater. There he worked with John Malkovich, who asked him to join the Steppenwolf Theatre. In addition to appearing in more than 30 Steppenwolf productions, he won a Tony Award for his performance in House of Blue Leaves. He has appeared in such television shows as The Human Factor, H.E.L.P, and Lady Blue. His movie credits include Tin Men, Moonstruck, Barton Fink, Suspect, Russia House, and Betrayed. His most recent movies include Primal Fear with Richard Gere and She’s The One with Ed Burns and Jennifer Anniston. He’s currently working on the movies Almost Salinas, The Broken Hearts Club, and is lending his voice to the Disney-animated film Teacher’s Pet.

When did Randolph Scott die? Tell me something about his family.
—Barry B., North Dakota

Randolph Scott, one of the biggest Western stars, died from heart disease in March 1987 at age 89. He had been ill for several years and died in his sleep at his Bel Air, Calif., home. With his quiet but powerful and fearless demeanor, the handsome, lanky actor epitomized Western heroes. He emerged as a leading man in the 1930s with such films as The Last of the Mohicans, Jesse James, and High, Wide and Handsome. He starred in nearly 30 Westerns, including Santa Fe, Fort Worth, Man in the Saddle, and Sugarfoot, and also appeared in musicals such as Roberta and Follow the Fleet, both starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. His last film was Ride the High Country in 1962. Born in Orange County, Va., he graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of North Carolina. He lied about his age to enlist in World War I. After the war, he joined the Pasadena Playhouse and landed his first role in The Far Call in 1929. At the time of his death, he had been married to former actress Patricia Stillman for 43 years. The couple had a son, Christopher Scott, a daughter, Sandra Scott Tyler, and three grandchildren.

Are football player Yancey Thigpen and the actress in The District related?
—Anita W., Tennessee

The former Tennessee Titans wide receiver is not related to actress Lynne Thigpen, but both possess extraordinary talent. Lynne Thigpen, who plays Ella Farmer, was born and raised in Joliet, Ill., and lives in New York. She’s been in such movies as Tootsie, Bob Roberts, Lean on Me, Shaft, and The Insider. She won a Tony Award in 1997 for her role in Broadway’s An American Daughter. Two-time Pro Bowler Yancey Thigpen was born in Tarboro, N.C. A former Winston-Salem State player, he just finished his ninth year in the NFL. Yancey joined the Titans in 1997 and was cut from the team earlier this year. He previously spent six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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