Curated playlist

Age controversies

Joan CrawfordA 1938 ad called Joan Crawford "box office poison," but Mildred Pierce later won her an Academy Award.
Rachel WeiszRachel Weisz first made headlines in 1984 by saying no. She was a teenage model who had started working at the age of 14, and she turned down an offer to star in King David opposite Richard Gere. The British actress, born on the 7th of…
Olivia ColmanOlivia Colman was born Sarah Caroline Colman, and she had to give up that first name before her career properly began. The actors' union Equity already had a Sarah Colman on its books, so the newcomer needed another. She took the name of a…
Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton was still a teenager in 1771 when the owner of Beekman and Cruger, an import-export firm on the island of Saint Croix, sailed away and left him running the place for five months. The young man had been born out of…
Maharishi Mahesh YogiMaharishi Mahesh Yogi arrived in Hawaii in 1959 with no money and nothing to carry.
Bing CrosbyBing Crosby had to re-record "White Christmas" in 1947 because the 1942 master had worn out.
Julie ChristieJulie Christie turned down roles that won other actresses Oscar nominations. She also retreated to a farm in Wales.
Phil SpectorPhil Spector's first number one song came from his father's gravestone.
Yi JianlianYi Jianlian's own agent warned the Bucks not to draft him. Milwaukee took him sixth overall in 2007 anyway.
Carly SimonCarly Simon, an American singer, songwriter and author, recorded a line that strangers still sing back at her: "You're so vain, I bet you think this song is about you." Listeners have argued about the target of that accusation ever since.…
Eva PerónEva Perón rode through Buenos Aires beside her husband on the 4th of June 1952, in a parade celebrating his re-election as president. She was so ill that she could not stand without support. Hidden beneath her oversized fur coat was a…
Gloria GaynorGloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" was first placed on a B-side. Her label thought it less radio-friendly.
ShivajiShivaji, the Maratha ruler of the Deccan, was known to Aurangzeb and his generals as a "Mountain Rat." They meant it as contempt. The target was a man who struck their armies and then slipped away into the hills. He ended his life as a…