Happy Birthday John!

Today is John Travolta’s birthday (born in 1954), and I found an article on life-mag.net detailing some interesting tidbits about this amazing man!

1 He met his late wife, Kelly Preston, on the set of the 1989 film, The Experts:

At the time, Preston was married to actor Kevin Gage. But that didn’t stop their love as they got together after her divorce. They ended up getting engaged in 1991 in Switzerland and welcomed three children. Kelly sadly passed away in 2020 after a private battle with breast cancer. “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer. She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many,” Travolta shared on Instagram.

2 He’s still super close to his Grease co-star, Olivia Newton-John:

The pair first met on the 1978 musical film. “We were together not that long ago, about three months ago, and we text each other all the time,” he told Us Weekly in 2019.

3 When Olivia was diagnosed with breast cancer, he praised her for her strength:

 “She’s doing great,” John told Us Weekly at the premiere of The Fanatic. “And she looks fantastic! I’m so proud of her … she’s pulling it off like I’ve never seen anybody [do].”

4 He turned down the starring role in Forrest Gump:

Tom Hanks went on to win his second Oscar for the role. Even so, John doesn’t regret turning it down. “If I didn’t do something Tom Hanks did, then I did something else that was equally interesting or fun,” he told MTV in 2007.

5 He was once in a Pitbull music video:

If Saturday Night Fever taught us anything, it’s that Travolta never shies away from a dance floor. He appeared in the music video for “3 To Tango.” You don’t realize that it’s him until the end thanks to the bald head.

6 He had the “most despicable moment” in his acting career on The People v O.J. Simpson:

He told Parade that it was the scene where his character blackmailed Robert Kardashian. “I can’t believe that the character actually leverages him to try to settle, to convince the team to settle. It was such a strange day to play that and I want to see how that came out.”

7 Starring in a Western film was on his bucket list:

He managed to tick that off when he starred in In the Valley of Violence. “I think you have to do at least one Western, and it’s harder to do genre pieces today,” he told Slash Film. “Urban Cowboy was sort of a modern Western, but an old-fashioned one was what I really wanted to try,” he continued.  “And I so preferred what I was given to do in that—this legless, crotchety old marshall—it was so much more fun.”

8 He’s a licensed pilot:

He owns several planes and often flies his family around. But he once had a terrifying near-death accident when his plane experienced a total electrical failure. Thankfully, he was able to make an emergency landing.

9 His favorite movie role was on A Civil Action:

The reason why? “I really get a kick out of good writing,” he told The Consequence of Sound. He said that as soon as he saw the script for one of the scenes in the film, he “couldn’t wait to do this.”

10 He’s had some wild fan encounters:

Unfortunately, some of these mirror the obsessed fan he plays in The Fanatic. One time, a stranger entered his home. “We were having our Sunday afternoon and you’re like, ‘Who is this?’”

11 He’s the one who picked Olivia for the role of Sandy in Grease:

This is something that he takes immense pride in. “She’s got a huge soul,” he told Extra. “She is an eternal love for me and will always be… and I picked her. I take the pride of having picked Olivia Newton-John for ‘Grease.’”

12 He felt terrible for butchering Idina Menzel’s name at the Oscars:

Sooo many memes were created that day, but Travolta wasn’t laughing. “I’ve been beating myself up all day,” he said in a statement to E! News. Thankfully, he had some words of wisdom from Idina Adele Dazeem . “Then I thought…What would Idina Menzel say? She’d say, ‘Let it go, let it go!’” he said. “Idina is incredibly talented and I am so happy Frozen took home two Oscars Sunday night!” Thankfully, Idina laughed the incident off and even got her revenge.

13 He sang a duet alongside Miley Cyrus:

We never thought we’d see these two in a sentence together, much less a song, but here we are! The duo sang “I Thought I Lost You” on the 2009 soundtrack for the animated movie, Bolt .

14 Pitbull inspired him to shave his head:

If you’re wondering why he’s been rocking a bald head for years now, this is it: “I did a movie called From Paris, With Love where I shaved it. So I got used to it, some people got used to it,” he said on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “I became friends with Pitbull, and I loved how it [looked.] All us guys gotta stick together that do this.” He suits the look so more power to him!

15 He and Olivia once recreated their signature Grease looks:

It’s been 40 years since Grease came out but who can tell from looking at this picture? They had dressed up as their characters for special screenings of the film.

16 He never officially finished school.

“Not too many of my friends identified with what I was doing,” he told The Phoenix. “I participated in football and basketball, and did what they were doing, but not many kids understood my going to acting studios at night.”

17 He didn’t use a stunt double for Urban Cowboy.

He had his own mechanical bull installed in his house before they filmed the movie that way he could get used to the feeling. By the time it came to film, he didn’t need a double!

18 He regrets turning down Chicago.

It’s one of the bigger losses of his professional life. “Probably the one I didn’t explore enough is Chicago. (Studio executive) Harvey Weinstein offered it to me three times,” he said to Entertainment Tonight. “I never met with the director because I thought the play was about a bunch of women who hated men, and I like women who like men.” Even Hugh Jackman was offered the role, but ultimately the role went to Richard Gere.

19 Marlon Brando and Travolta had a close relationship!

Travolta revealed to Us Weekly that Marlon Brando told him he’d laughed a lot when Travolta imitated him on Saturday Night Live in 1994. Brando also gave him advice in the past. “The best piece of advice I ever received was from Brando. He said, ‘Don’t expect things from people that they can’t give you,’” Travolta wrote. Which to be fair, is amazing advice. Hopefully, Travolta took it to heart as much as possible.

20 He’s not the best cook but he can make a mean cup of coffee.

“I don’t often cook, but if I do, I’d consider myself a decent cook. I wouldn’t embarrass you, and I’d make it flavorful.” he admitted in Us Weekly. “I wake up and have the strongest cup of coffee you could imagine using half a pound of Starbucks Sumatra blend. It’s epic.”

21 He also told *Us Weekly* where his favorite places to visit are:

“My top five places to fly are Sydney, Australia, because it’s so inviting; Shannon, Ireland, because it’s beautiful; Hong Kong, China, because it’s exotic; São Paulo, Brazil, because the approach is between the high-rises; and Paris, because of the Eiffel Tower.”

22 Princess Diana wore an iconic dress that was later named after him.

She once wore an iconic gown to the White House and it was there that she danced with John Travolta. The dance was so famous, and the dress so beautiful, and their relationship so wonderful, that the dress soon got the nickname: “Travolta dress”.

22 One of his greatest celebrity experiences was not with Mariah Carey.

Although it certainly makes for a fantastic picture! He admitted to Us Weekly, “I’ll never forget flying with Muhammad Ali from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.” That must have been one heck of a conversation.

SOURCE: LIFE-MAG.NET

Arkansas State Motto

Arkansas’s state motto is Regnat Populus, which is Latin for “the people rule.” No other state employs this motto, in either Latin or English, although South Dakota’s comes close: “Under God, the people rule.” The motto’s use is mostly limited to the Seal of State and its derivatives used by various state officers.

The constitution under the terms of which Arkansas entered statehood in 1836 stipulated that the governor must “keep” the Great Seal of the State. Its design, mentioned in Article 5, Section 12, should be “the present seal of the territory, until otherwise directed by the general assembly.” That seal bore, among other elements, the Latin motto Regnant Populi, which could be translated as “the people rule.” The origin of the phrase, either in Latin or English, is unknown. Its promoter was likely the recording clerk of the first territorial assembly, Samuel Calhoun Roane, who is usually credited with the initial design of the territorial seal. The 1864 Arkansas General Assembly reiterated the phrase’s place in the state seal while specifying an updated, if not simplified, design for the omnibus emblem.

In 1907, the General Assembly acted to modify the motto’s Latin form in order to better communicate a sense of its English version. “The people rule” had originally been rendered in Latin as regnant populi, employing the plural form of the noun, i.e., “the (or ‘some’) peoples,” implying multiple groups. An act approved by Acting Governor Xenophon O. Pindall on May 24, 1907, modified the subject to populus, signifying a single group, as in “the people.” Adjusting the verb to agree with the subject resulted in regnat populus, in which form the motto survives today.

Happy National Wisconsin Day!

If you’re planning a trip to Wisconsin, here’s some “don’t miss” attractions according to Trip Advisor!

Taliesin Preservation – Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center

Taliesin, the home, studio and estate of Frank Lloyd Wright, is located in the Driftless Region of southwestern Wisconsin near Spring Green. It is the name of Wright’s house as well as the 800-acre estate that includes buildings from all decades of Wright’s career. Its many wings and terraces reach out around the ridge of the hill, embracing the site and standing as “brow.” Taliesin was the residence of Wright and the valley was his inspiration and life-long laboratory for architectural designs and innovation. Taliesin represents the most complete embodiment of Wright’s philosophy of Organic Architecture. The Taliesin residence is the heart of a series of buildings that Wright designed for himself and his family members on the estate.

Noah’s Ark Water Park

Located on 70 sprawling acres in the heart of Wisconsin Dells, the Waterpark Capital of the World, Noah’s Ark is recognized as both the Largest Water Park in America, and one of the best places to visit in Wisconsin Dells with kids. Noah’s Ark isn’t just big on thrills, we’re also committed to providing the safest, cleanest, and most unforgettable waterpark experience for the entire family. In fact, we’ve received the Top Award for Aquatic Safety every year since 1995!

House on the Rock

Located in the beautiful hills of Wisconsin, the House On The Rock is not just a house. It is a magical and whimsical location filled with artistic displays and fascinating oddities. The attraction is famous for its architecture that juts out over the amazing landscape, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The House On The Rock was created by Alex Jordan Jr. in 1945, and it has evolved over the years into a massive complex featuring unique galleries and imaginative creations.

Pabst Mansion

Featuring 37 rooms, 12 baths and 14 fireplaces, sea captain and beer baron Captain Frederick Pabst’s beautiful home was built in the Flemish Renaissance style on Milwaukee’s historic Grand Avenue. During docent-led tours visitors will see the first through third floors and learn about the Pabst Mansion and family. New tours are offered including a fine arts tour, happy hour tour, family-friendly tour and mimosa tour.

Witches Gulch

Step into Witches Gulch, a slot canyon that will capture your imagination and leave you in awe. This secluded treasure offers an exclusive glimpse into the raw power and delicate artistry of nature. Over thousands of years, the forces of wind and water have sculpted this breathtaking passage from the bed of an ancient lake, creating a natural wonder that feels almost otherworldly. As you venture into Witches Gulch, you’ll be greeted by towering sandstone cliffs draped in lush moss. The trail leads you through a narrow, winding passageway with stunning views at every turn. This short, captivating hike immerses you in serene beauty, making it a memorable adventure for nature enthusiasts and curious explorers alike.

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

What Shall We Bake Today?

Today’s recipe is a little complicated, but oh-so-worth it!! Oreo Cheesecake!

Ingredients

Crust:

Baking spray with flour

28 chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreo)

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Cheesecake:

3 (8-oz. each) packages cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. kosher salt

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

16 chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreo) chopped (about 2 cups), plus more for garnish

Sweetened whipped cream, for serving

Directions

Prepare pan:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap the exterior of a 9-inch springform pan with aluminum foil (see Note). Lightly coat pan with baking spray, and line bottom of pan with parchment paper. Lightly coat parchment paper with baking spray, and set aside.

Prepare Crust:

Put cookies in a Ziploc bag and using a rolling pin, crush the cookies.

Add butter to cookie crumbs:

Add melted butter and salt; mix with crumbs.

Press Crust into pan, and bake:

Spoon crumb mixture into prepared pan. Press firmly into bottom and about 1 1/2 to 2 inches up sides of pan. Bake in preheated oven until set and fragrant, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

Meanwhile, prepare the Cheesecake:

Beat cream cheese, sugar, and salt with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, light, and fluffy, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add eggs and vanilla:

With mixer on low speed, add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined after each addition. Beat in vanilla until combined.

Add sour cream and flour:

Add sour cream and flour; beat on medium-low speed until combined, 15 to 30 seconds.

Add cookies:

Fold in chopped cookies until evenly distributed.

Add batter to pan:

Pour batter into cooled crust, and spread into an even layer. Place springform pan in a large roasting pan, and pour hot water into roasting pan until it comes halfway up sides of springform pan.

Bake cheesecake:

Bake at 325°F until edges are set and top appears mostly dry but cheesecake still jiggles as a whole, 50 to 55 minutes.

Cool cheesecake in oven:

Turn off oven, and crack oven door open; allow Cheesecake to cool in oven 1 hour. Remove from oven, and let cool at room temperature on a wire rack 1 hour.

Refrigerate cheesecake:

Refrigerate, uncovered, until set, at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours. (Loosely cover with aluminum foil only when completely cool to prevent condensation buildup.) Run a small offset spatula around edges, and remove Cheesecake from pan.

Top with whipped cream, and garnish with additional chopped cookies.

ENJOY!

Birds That Mate for Life: Part 2

Just Birding lists these 8 birds as top picks for Birds That Mate for Life.

Albatross

When it comes to bird love, nobody does it like albatrosses. These birds may travel hundreds of miles across the oceans for long periods of time, but they always return to the same breeding spot and the same mate. How romantic is that? Considering the fact that they live up to 50 years and mate for life, that means they stay married longer than many humans. Plus, they prove that long distance relationships can work if you are dedicated.

Spending much of their time gliding in the wind over oceans near Antarctica, Australia, South Africa, South America, and the North Pacific, these large seabirds settle together in colonies on isolated islands when it’s time for amoré. Mostly white with dark wings and tails, webbed feet, wide wingspans, and long, hooked beaks, albatrosses are wise and take their time before marrying because they do not become sexually mature until five or ten years old. They actually need those years to master their elaborate courtship dance that involves a series of bowing, fencing and beak clattering. Albatross pairs take care of their single chicks for several months until they are ready to fledge out on their own.

Black Vulture

Black vultures prove you don’t have to be beautiful to enjoy a committed, long-term relationship. Looking dressed more for a funeral than a wedding, these scavenger birds feature all-black plumage with bumpy, featherless grayish-black heads, and short, hooked beaks. Found in open habitats and along roads from the southeastern United States to South America, black vultures are all about family life. They form bonds that last their whole lives (about 10 years).

Pairs hang out with each other all year-round instead of just during the breeding season. They take fidelity seriously, and there have been instances where males were observed attacking another male for the crime of adultery. Keeping strong family bonds are important to black vultures, and they often roost with large flocks of their relatives. However, they build their nests in tree hollows, caves, and abandoned buildings where both parents take care of their two chicks.

Geese

Male geese, or ganders, take their roles as providers and protectors seriously. They diligently root up plants for the female to eat. They are also devoted to guarding the female, especially when she is incubating eggs. They will fight an intruder and inflict injury if necessary. It is believed that one of the reasons ganders don’t cheat is because they have too much fear of leaving their mates vulnerable to predators.

Females build their nests with grasses, mosses, and other plant material along with down feathers nearby water and lay anywhere from two to nine eggs, depending on the breed. Goslings begin eating on their own within a day of hatching, but Mom and Dad both keep a close watch on them for several weeks until they are able to fly on their own.

Barn Owl

Barn owls have a short lifespan of only about 4 years, but they sure know how to make the best of that time. They don’t just mate for life. They love for life. Barn owls are said to be affectionate with their partners even outside of the breeding season. Some of the ways they do is this by mutual grooming, leaning on each other, and cheek-rubbing.

Distributed all over the world, except Antarctica, barn owls are beautiful birds with creamy white underparts and reddish-gold wings and tails. Their white, heart-shaped faces are not just for looks. They also have facial muscles that they use to communicate and convey emotions to one another. If a barn owl loses a mate, it may die of a broken heart by becoming catatonic and starving to death.

When a young, male barn owl is trying to woo a female, he seeks to impress her by offering her food, such as a dead mouse, from his beak while fluttering his wings open. (Doesn’t that just make you want to swoon?) Young lovers will also form new bonds by chasing one another in flight displays. After making a nest in an existing cavity, Mom incubates an average of five eggs while Dad goes out hunting for food to bring back to her. After the chicks have hatched, Dad will continue to bring the bacon home, and Mom will try to evenly distribute it to her chicks.

SOURCE: JUSTBIRDING.COM  DREW HAINES

Happy Birthday Bandit!

I found this article about Burt Reynolds (9 Things You Never Knew About Burt Reynolds) on the remindmagazine.com website.

1 He was almost a Pro Football Player

While growing up in West Palm Beach, Florida, he was extremely committed to football in high school and had plans to go to Miami, but since he was so into the ladies, he went to Florida State because the ratio of girls to boys was higher. After being offered a contract to play for the Baltimore Colts, his dreams of going pro were dashed when he succumbed to a knee injury. He at least starred in a few movies about his favorite sport.

2 He started out in Spaghetti Westerns

In the early 1960s, both Burt and Clint Eastwood were under contract at Universal, but they couldn’t get the movie roles they desired. So, they both went to Italy to do movies and got their start in Spaghetti Westerns. Eastwood struck gold with The Good, The Bad & the Ugly; meanwhile, Burt made what is considered one of the worst movies of the genre, Navajo Joe in 1966.

3 Late Night talk shows loved him

Burt soon became a fixture on late-night talk shows due to his funny and charming personality. It was one appearance on the Johnny Carson Show that Deliverance director John Boorman spotted him and wanted to cast him immediately for the film. Burt felt it was truly the first good movie he made, as he would often make fun of himself and his roles in the talk show circuit.

4 A famous photo shoot made him a sex symbol

The infamous Cosmopolitan photo shoot stemmed from once hosting the Johnny Carson Show and Cosmo editor Helen Gurley Brown was one of the guests. Making the point that Hugh Hefner had female centerfolds for years, she felt it was time for the ladies to have one and asked Burt to do the photo shoot. While he was a little concerned about how it would affect his career and being taken as a serious actor, he took the gamble anyway and it shot him to sex symbol status. However, Hollywood was not happy about it and the photo shoot is thought to have ruined his chances of getting an Oscar nomination for Deliverance.

5 He claimed bankruptcy several times

Living a very extravagant lifestyle with a private jet, helicopters, the Tampa Bay Bandits football team, a house in Hawaii, several houses in Florida, the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater, and donations of money left and right, he spent every dime he made as he made it. It wasn’t until a few bad investment opportunities that he had to claim bankruptcy and sign his residual checks over for several years to pay off the bankruptcy. The crown jewel of his money though went to the Jupiter Ranch, a 144-acre ranch that he bought in Jupiter, Florida. He once held an opening for the sprawling estate in 1974. He invited the press and locals and 10,000 people showed up! Sadly, he once again had to claim bankruptcy in the ’90s and had to sell it.

6 Smokey and the Bandit tanked at first

Hal Needham was the stunt guy in Hollywood and, wanting to direct, he wrote the script for Smokey and the Bandit. Hal and Burt were best friends since he was Burt’s stuntman, although Burt did many of his own stunts. Hal got him to sign on for the film. While the film tanked at both NYC and LA premieres, Burt said they released it wrong. Being known for his Southern charm, he said it had to be released in the South, and so it was. It went on to be the 2nd biggest movie in 1977, behind a little movie called Star Wars.

7 A stunt gone wrong left him badly injured

While filming City Heat with Clint Eastwood, he got injured doing one of the stunts, which led to a hairline fracture in his jaw that turned into TMJ syndrome. With it being incredibly hard for him to eat, he lost a ton of weight, and at the time he was rumored to have AIDS. Due to the tremendous amount of pain he was in, he became a pain pill addict and almost died from trying to quit them cold turkey once. He sadly struggled with this addiction for many years.

8 He had many loves

When Burt and Loni Anderson finally married in 1988, he bought her wedding ring in every gem possible so she could never say it didn’t match her dress. The pair were together since 1982 and shared an adopted son, Quinton, but later went through a very messy divorce after splitting in 1993. It was in 2015 that Burt came out saying that he let the real love of his life, Sally Field, get away.

9 He HATED Boogie Nights

While always hungry for an Academy Award, he didn’t receive his first award until it came in the form of an Emmy with his hit TV show Evening Shade in the early ’90s. When Boogie Nights came along, he was adamant he didn’t want to do it and was often yelling at the director about how much he didn’t want to. It wasn’t until Nights director Paul Thomas Anderson said to him, “You act this way in the film, and it will win you an Academy Award” that he agreed. He was nominated for his only Academy Award as porn producer Jack Horner but lost out to Robin Williams. He still despised doing the role.

SOURCE: REMINDMAGAZINE.COM  KAREN RUUD

Know-It-All Tuesdays: Valentine’s Edition

In the Victorian era, mean-spirited Valentine’s Day cards were called “___ Valentines.”

From where was the oldest-known Valentine’s Day message sent?

Who invented the first Valentine’s Day candy box?

On average, how many marriage proposals are there on every Valentine’s Day?

What brain chemical is known as the “cuddle” or “love hormone”?

How many people typically buy Valentines for their pets?

What state produces most of America’s red roses?

Women purchase what percentage of all Valentines sold?

What major invention was patented on Valentine’s Day?

What is the Guinness World Record for the longest marriage ever recorded?

What do yellow roses symbolize?

What insanely popular website debuted on Valentine’s Day in 2005?

Why did women and girls eat bizarre foods on Valentine’s Day in medieval times?

What fruit was once known as a “love apple” for its alleged aphrodisiac properties?

So, how did you do?

Answers:

Vinegar

Prison

Richard Cadbury

220,000

Oxytocin

9 million

California

85 percent

The telephone

86 years, 290 days

Friendship

YouTube

To dream about their future spouses

Tomatoes

Until next month…stay sharp!

My Cousin Vinny

Today is Joe Pesci’s birthday (born in 1943) so I brought an article from discoverwalks.com detailing 10 little known facts about Joe!

Joe Took Acting And Music Classes When He Was Young 

Joe Pesci was born on 9th February 1943 in Newark, but he was raised in Belleville, both in New Jersey. His parents were Angelo Pesci who worked multiple blue-collar jobs including driving a forklift and bartending, and Maria (Mesce) Pesci who was a barber. They were both Italians, the family was catholic and Joe had two siblings. From as young as 5 years old, the boy was enrolled in dancing, music, and acting classes. He immediately started acting on New York stage productions and when he was 10 years old, he was a regular on a TV variety show called Startime Kids that was airing on New York’s WNBC. His co-host was Connie Francis, who went on to become a successful actress and singer. 

As A Teenager He Changed His Focus From Acting To Music 

Joe went to Belleville High School. As a teenager, he lost interest in acting and decided to explore his musical talent. He co-founded a successful rock band, The Four Seasons, with Bob Gaudio, Frankie Valli, and Tommy DeVito. After graduation from high school, the young Joe took up various jobs, including cutting people’s hair just like his mum did. He also worked as a waiter and singer at night clubs still molding his talent.  He released an album titled ‘Little Joe Sure Can Sing!’ under the name Joe Ritchie in 1968. Thirty years later, in 1998, he released his second album Vincent LaGuardia Gambini (his character in the movie ‘My Cousin Vinny’) Sings Just for You. His third album, Pesci… Still Singing, was released in 2019. This time the silent period was 21 years. 

He Was Part Of A Comedy Duo 

He is very hard-working and proactive, still working as a waiter. He tried standup comedy, teaming up with Frank Vincent, and together the duo did insult comedy which was quite popular then. The two developed a bond and they performed as “Vincent and Pesci” from 1970 to 1976. 

Joe’s Rib Was Broken While Acting

In 1976, Joe landed his first role in the film, Death Collector, a low-budgeted crime movie. When Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro saw Pesci’s acting skills therein, they were incredibly impressed.  In 1979, the actor/director duo cast Pesci for a role as Joey LaMotta in their upcoming project, The Raging Bull. As they were filming, De Niro accidentally broke Joe’s rib when he hit him with a bit of strength. Doors opened wide for the actor after this and he got offered several other roles. Fast forward to 1995, in another project (The Casino) with both Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, Joe broke the same rib he had broken 15 years before. He was hit with a baseball bat in his last scene. 

He Played Golf Every Morning While Filming ‘Home Alone’ 

In 1990, Pesci played one of the dim-witted burglars in the Christmas comedy film, Home Alone. He was delighted that there was a golf course near the set, and the producers allowed him time to play golf before filming started. With so many children on the set, adult cast members used the word “fridge” instead of bad language. Anyone who said terrible words would deposit change into their personal swear jar. Joe filled up his jar on the first day. Although most of the stunt scenes had doubles, Joe did some of the stunts on his own. Some were quite painful because he suffered severe burns when he was set on fire and had to treat some painful burns. 

Joe Has Acted With De Niro In Amazing Films 

Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro work very well together. They are mostly in Mafia and Mob movies. Most of these famous films were directed by Martin Scorsese and in some, the two don’t appear together.  These films included Casino, Goodfellas, The Good Shepherd, A Bronx Tale, Raging Bull, Once Upon A Time In America, and The Irishman. The actor announced his retirement from acting to focus on music in 1999. He has however come out of retirement several times after that to act in films, some of which did very well at the box office. 

This Actor Has Been Married And Divorced Three Times 

Joe has been in three marriages but they all ended in divorce. He was also engaged at some point but the relationship ended before they said I do. He has two daughters, one from his first marriage and the other from his third marriage. 

He Gained Weight For A Role That He Didn’t Act 

Pesci sued a production company, Fiore Films, the makers of the movie Gotti. They had promised him a role in the film and he had gained 14 kilograms (30 lbs) in readiness. He sued them for $3 million, which was the payment he had been promised. The case was settled out of court and the terms were not disclosed.

Joe Was Almost Arrested For Attempted Murder  

After her divorce from Joe, actress Claudia Haro got engaged to Garret Warren, an ex-stuntman. In May of 2000, Garret was shot at the front door of his house in Westlake Village in California. Luckily, he survived but he wears an eye patch since he lost his right eye.  A witness claimed to have seen Joe Pesci paying the hitman but after thorough investigations, evidence pointed to Claudia. She had hired a hitman to kill Garret, which earned her 12 years and 4 months in prison. 

He Won An Oscar That He Was Not Expecting   

When Joe Pesci’s name was called out as the winner of the Best Supporting Actor award for the film Goodfellas at the 1991 Oscars, he was excited but also mostly surprised. He made his way to the stage, received the award, and gave the shortest acceptance speech in history. 

He said, “It’s my privilege. Thank you!” Then he walked off the stage. It was one of the shortest acceptance speeches in Oscar history. When asked why his speech was so short, he confessed that he didn’t think he would win, so he hadn’t prepared a speech. 

SOURCE: DISCOVERWALKS.COM