Denny Hamlin Biography and Full Profile.

Denny Hamlin was looking for 2010 to be his best chance to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship but a torn ACL may hinder him to begin the season. Hamlin sustained the injury
 playing basketball, Hamlin was scheduled to play in a skills competition at a Charlotte Bobcats home game. Michael Waltrip and Brad Keslowski were among the NASCAR stars that did participate in the event in Charlotte. In an interview discussing the ACL injury and and his disappointment of missing the skills competition, Hamlin jokes that he had a good chance of winning the event. To see the you tube video of the full interview look here.
The injury will affect Hamlin's ability to get in and out of the his car quickly and will hinder him at race courses where there will be a lot of braking, such as Martinsville. Aside from the injury, Hamlin and his Joe Gibbs owned #11 Fed Ex Toyota team, are an early favorite to win the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. Hamlin ended 2009 with a victory in the NASCAR finale at Homestead and he is looking to build on that success for 2010.
The torn ACL will not be operated on until next November when the season ends but Hamlin has already had surgery in December for an unrelated injury. Hamlin had to surgically repair the meniscus on his right knee, the operation was performed on December 16.

Hamlin has been living in the shadow of #18 M & M's sponsored driver, Kyle Busch, his fellow Gibbs teammate and now Joey Logano, the young phenom that replaced Tony Stewart in the #20 Home Depot car. Hamlin has become accustomed to playing third fiddle on his talented team but made some waves in 2009 and some enemies.
Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Denny Hamlin and Brad Keslowski had a serious rivalry most of the season. Each driver wrecking the other on several occasions and taking any opportunity to make the others life miserable. This year Keslowski has left Dale Earnhardt Jr's, JR Motorsports NASCAR Nationwide team and will race in NASCAR Sprint Cup for the 2010 season under the Penske Racing banner. It will be interesting to see if there is any carry over of bad blood between the two in 2010.

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Joan Baez Biography and Full Profile.

Joan Baez was born on January 9, 1941 in Staten Island, New York, the second of three daughters to Dr. Albert Baez, a physicist, and Joan Bridge Baez. Her mother was English-Scotish, the daughter of an Episcopalian Minister and a professor of drama who had migrated to the United States, and her father was of Mexican parentage, the son of a minister. Her father's activities as a physicist, researcher and UNESCO consultant took him to many parts of the country, and Joan's childhood was spent first in the small town of Clarence Center, New York, and then in Redlands, California. She developed both her social consciousness and her love for music at a relatively tender age. Picking up the ukulele, Baez made her performing debut at a high school talent show when she was 14, performing "Honey Love."

There she began singing both for the high school choir and for herself, and learned to accompany herself on the guitar. When her father took a job at M.I.T. a few years later,the family moved to Boston, where for a short time she studied drama at Boston University. She enrolled at the university and soon began singing at the Boston coffee houses, colleges and later concert halls along the East Coast to increasingly large crowds. Then came her 1959 Newport Folk Festival debut. Baez signed with the then relatively small folk label, Vanguard, which first released her performances at the Newport Folk Festival, and then released her first album, Joan Baez, in 1960 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Her admirers transcend musical strata and national boundaries. Her growth as a musician and as a human being have proceeded hand in hand. Enrolling herself in the Civil Rights cause and the peace movement, a spokesman for non-violent resistance to and protest against immoral authority, she has refused to pay taxes that go to escalate the war in Vietnam, and has sung at almost every historic demonstration, and fosters a school for non-violent protest in California.

Mini Biography
Joan Baez was the middle daughter of Albert Vinicio and Joan Bridge Baez. At age 10, her father took a job (and the family) to Baghdad, Iraq, for a year, after which they moved to Palo Alto, CA, home of Stanford University. In 1956, she bought her first guitar and heard Martin Luther King, Jr.'s lecture on nonviolence; the following year, she heard Ira Sandperl, a Gandhian scholar, who also influenced her strongly. She graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1958, failed with a demo album, and move the next year to Massachusetts where her father had taken a teaching position at MIT. She performed at Club 47, a folk music club in Cambridge, and participated in an album "Folksingers 'Round Harvard Square". The same year, she met Odetta and Bob Gibson while she was performing at Chicago's The Gate Of Horn. Bob invited her to perform July 11 at the Newport Folk Festival, which launched her fame as a folksinger. Her first album for Vanguard, "Joan Baez" (1960), was a huge success. The following year, she met Bob Dylan and released her second very successful album, followed the year later by many southern civil-rights performances and "Joan Baez in Concert" (a Grammy nominee). She launched a tax revolt as part of her protest of the Vietnam war, protested Pete Seeger's exclusion by ABC-TV, and joined in the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley and the civil rights march in Selma AL. In 1967, she spent two brief periods in jail for anti-war protests. In 1969, she gave birth to Gabriel Earl while his father, David Harris, was serving 20 months of a three year sentence for draft resistance. In 1971, her songs were featured in the films Sacco e Vanzetti (1971) (aka Sacco And Vanzetti) and "Celebration At Big Sur". A 1974 world tour included Japan, Australia, Israel, Lebanon, Tunisia and Argentina. The 1978 film Renaldo and Clara (1978) featured her performances in Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder tours. In 1980, Antioch University and Rutgers University awarded her the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for her music and her activism. Next year, PBS aired the documentary "There But For Fortune: Joan Baez in Latin America". The albums, causes and concerts continue, far too numerous to list here.

American folk singer Joan Baez is recognized for her nonviolent, antiestablishment (against a nation's political and economic structure), and anti-war positions. She has used her singing and speaking talents to criticize violations of human rights in a number of countries.
Early life
 
Joan Baez was born on January 9, 1941, in Staten Island, New York. Her father, Albert V. Baez, was a physicist who came to the United States from Mexico at a very early age, and her mother was of western European descent. Joan inherited her father's dark complexion, and the occasional racial prejudice (hatred of a race) she suffered as a child probably led to her later involvement in the civil rights movement, a movement that called for equal rights for all races. Although as an adult she claimed not to share her parents' strict religious faith, it undoubtedly contributed to what some called her keen "social conscience."

Baez was exposed to an intellectual atmosphere with classical music during her childhood, but rejected piano lessons in favor of the guitar and rock and roll. Her father's research and teaching positions took the family to various American and foreign cities. When Joan was ten, she spent a year in Iraq with her family. There she was exposed to the harsh and intensely poor conditions of the Iraqi people, something that undoubtedly had an affect on her later career as a singer and activist. Baez went on to attend high school in Palo Alto, California, where she excelled in music more than in academic subjects. Shortly after her high school graduation in 1958, her family moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where Baez's interest in folk music surfaced after visiting a coffee shop where amateur folk singers performed.
From Boston coffeehouses to Newport,
Rhode Island

Baez briefly attended Boston University, where she made friends with several semi-professional folk singers from whom she learned much about the art. In addition to simple folk songs, she began to sing Anglo American ballads, blues, spirituals, and songs from various countries. As she worked to develop her technique and range of songs, Baez began to perform professionally in Boston coffeehouses and quickly became a favorite of Harvard University students. She was also noticed by other folk singers, including Harry Belafonte (1927–), who offered her a job with his singing group.

In the summer of 1959 Baez was invited to sing at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island. This performance made her a star—especially to young people—and led to friendships with other important folk singers such as the Seeger family and Odetta. Although the performance brought her offers to make recordings and concert tours, she decided to resume her Boston coffee shop appearances.

After Baez's second Newport appearance in 1960, she made her first album for Vanguard Records. Simply labeled Joan Baez, it was an immediate success. She was then such a "hot item" that she could choose her own songs and prop designs for her performances. In the following years Baez sang to capacity crowds on American college campuses and concert halls and on several foreign tours. Her eight gold albums and one gold single demonstrated her popularity as a singer.
Politics a source of controversy

While many critics agreed that Baez's untrained singing voice was unusually haunting, beautiful, and very soothing, they saw her spoken words, lifestyle, and actions as conflicting and sometimes anti-American. In the changing world of the1960s, Baez became a center of controversy (open to dispute) when she used her singing and speaking talents to urge nonpayment of taxes used for war purposes and to urge men to resist the draft during the Vietnam War (1965–73; when the United States aided South Vietnam's fight against North Vietnam). She helped block induction centers (which brought in new recruits) and was twice arrested for such violations of the law.

Baez was married to writer and activist David Harris in March 1968. She was pregnant with their son, Gabriel, in April 1969, and three months later she saw her husband arrested for refusing induction into the military forces. He spent the next twenty months in a federal prison in Texas.
 
In the early 1970s Baez began to speak with greater harshness. By the end of the decade she had offended dozens of her former peace-activist allies—such as Jane Fonda (1937–) and attorney William Kunstler—with her views on postwar Vietnam. As she had done in the case of Chile and Argentina (without public outcries from former associates), Baez called for human rights to be extended to those centers in the war-torn country.
Baez's career through the 1980s and 1990s

In later years Baez's singing career faltered despite various attempts to revive it. Her 1985 effort featured a more conventional
Joan Baez. Reproduced by permission of AP/Wide World Photos.
Joan Baez.hairstyle and attire. Her supporters believed she would regain her prominence in the entertainment industry because her voice, although deeper, had the same qualities that made her so successful earlier. Meanwhile, she was quite busy throughout the world as the head of the Humanitas International Human Rights Committee, which concentrated on distracting (in any possible nonviolent way) those whom it believed exercised unauthorized power.

Baez has continued to make music and to influence younger performers. In 1987 Baez released Recently, her first studio solo album in eight years. She was nominated for a 1988 Best Contemporary Folk Recording Grammy Award for "Asimbonanga," a song from the album. Also in 1988 Baez recorded Diamonds and Rust in the Bullring in Bilbao, Spain. The album was released the following April. In 1990 Baez toured with the Indigo Girls and the threesome were recorded for a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) video presentation, "Joan Baez In Concert." In 1993 two more Baez recordings were released: Play Me Backwards, consisting of new material; and Rare, Live & Classic, a collection of her career from 1958 to 1989, featuring twenty-two previously unreleased tracks. Baez released Gone from Danger in 1997 and Farewell Angelina in 2002.

The singer's interest in politics and human rights has continued as well. In 1993 she was invited by Refugees International to travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina in order to help bring attention to the suffering there. In September of that same year Baez became the first major artist to perform in a professional concert on Alcatraz Island (the former Federal Penitentiary) in San Francisco, California. It was a benefit performance for her sister Mimi Farina's organization, Bread & Roses. She returned to the island for a second benefit in 1996 along with the Indigo Girls and Dar Williams. She has also supported the gay and lesbian cause. In 1995 she joined Janis Ian in a performance at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Fight the Right fundraising event in San Francisco.

In 2001 Farrar, Straus, and Giroux released Positively Fourth Street by David Hajdu. The book is an intimate portrait that explores the relationships between Joan, Mimi Farina, Richard Farina, and fellow folkster Bob Dylan (1941–) during New York City's folk scene of the early 1960s.

Read more: Joan Baez Biography - life, family, childhood, parents, school, mother, young, son, book, information, born, college, husband, house, year, sister http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ba-Be/Baez-Joan.html#ixzz15p3p8Ku3

Brett Favre Biography and Full Profile.

Brett Favre (born October 10, 1969 in Kiln, Mississippi) has been the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers football team in the National Football League since 1992.Favre played college football at Southern Mississippi, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1991, where he was a second string quarterback with unremarkable numbers. Favre was acquired by the Packers in 1992 in a trade with the Falcons.
He has started every Green Bay Packers game after September 20, 1992, when he was summoned in to replace an injured Don Majkowski during game 2 of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals. He holds the longest consecutive starts streak for quarterbacks in NFL history, a number that continues to grow despite numerous injuries, including a broken thumb on his right (throwing) hand that he played with for all of 2003.

Favre has won the National Football League's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award three times, all in consecutive years (1995-1997; the last was shared with Barry Sanders).During that time, while being treated for various injuries, Favre developed an addiction to Vicodin. He went public with his problem in May, 1996, and immediately sought rehabilitation after a press conference admitting his problem. He remained in rehab for 46 days. Shortly thereafter, he led the Packers to their greatest season in thirty years; the Packers won the Vince Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots at the end of the 1996 season.The Packers, led by Favre, fought their way to a second Super Bowl in the 1997 season, losing to the Denver Broncos.

One of the defining moments of Favre's career took place on December 22, 2003, in a Monday-night game against the Oakland Raiders. The day before, his father, who had been his high school coach and lifelong mentor, died. Where most players would have taken the week off, Favre elected instead to play. He threw for an outstanding 399 yards in the game. He then went to his father's funeral in Pass Christian, Mississippi and returned in time to lead the Packers to a 2003 NFC North title with a win over the Denver Broncos.
As of this writing, Brett Favre is still the starting quarterback for the Packers, although in his thirteenth season, rumors are beginning to surface about when he will retire. Favre himself has given indications that he will play for 5-7 more years.He led his team, the Green Bay Packers, to its first Super Bowl championship, in January 1997, since Vince Lombardi was coach, almost three decades earlier. The team won its first championship in 29 seasons, a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. Bret Favre also led his team to another Super Bowl the next season in Super Bowl XXXII, in which the Packers lost to the Denver Broncos 31-24. Despite playing with a painful thumb injury on his right or passing hand throughout the season in 1999, Favre became the most durable professional quarterback ever, playing in his 125th straight game. He beat the record of Ron Jaworski of the Philadelphia Eagles of 116 straight games from 1977-1984. He is the only quarterback ever to be named NFL “Most Valuable Player” for three consecutive seasons—1995-1997.

Bret Favre is known for more than football only, however. His Bret Favre Forward Foundation, which was established to support charities that provide aid for disadvantaged or disabled children in Mississippi or Wisconsin, has donated more than $395,000 to charities. The charity has given money to: Special Olympics; Cystic Fibrosis; Gaits to Success; Make-A-Wish; Hope Haven; U.S.M. Foundation: Cerebral Palsy; Mississippi Chapter Make-A-Wish Foundation; Mississippi Special Olympics; MHG Development Foundation and Candlelighter for Childhood Cancer.

Favre, who was originally from Mississippi, gives the money to charities in his home state and the state the Packers play in. Money is generated for the charities in a variety of ways including golf tournaments, softball games and dinners.From May 5-6, 2,000, the 5th annual Bret Favre Celebrity Golf Tournament was held at the Bridges Golf Resort in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. A pairings party was May 5, followed by the tournament on May 6.The Bret Favre Celebrity Softball Game was June 3, 2,000 at the Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, Wisconsin.

The golf tournament raised $100,000. The money was given to: Make-A-Wish Foundation, Mississippi Chapter, $20,000; Mississippi Special Olympics, $20,000; MHG Development Foundation, $10,000; Candelighter for Childhood Cancer, $10,000; Hope Haven, $20,000 and Gaits to Success, $20,000.

“ This is certainly a reward to me to be able to contribute money to the many worthwhile charities, which will benefit the children of Mississippi,” Favre said on the website, www.brunoeventteam.com. “ I am blessed for the opportunity to give back to the state of Mississippi and the communities that have supported me for years.”“The Brett Favre Found Forward Foundation is appreciative for the corporate support that allows us to distribute the funds generated for the state of Mississippi’s worthwhile charity organizations,” said Eric Wooten, attorney and Bret Favre Forward Foundation Board of Directors member on the same website.

The charity featured the Brett Favre Forward Foundation Dinner on September 24, 1999, in Green Bay Wisconsin at the Brett Favre Steakhouse. The dinner was preceded by a reception and silent auction. All the proceeds went to charities in Wisconsin and Mississippi. The event marked the first time the community in the Packers hometown became involved in supporting the charity.

There were two corporate packages offered as part of the dinner. In the “Gold” Package, participants paid $2,500 and received: a meal for eight; prepared by Bret’s chef; table wine; a reception prior to the dinner; one autographed Bret Favre jersey; a color photograph of Favre for everyone at the table and a raffle ticket for the Packers game against Seattle and other prizes.

Those purchasing a “Green” ticket for $1,500 received a table for eight, a meal prepared by Brett’s chef and wine and access to a reception prior to the dinner.

Those in attendance saw several highlights during the evening. Local sportscaster Larry McCarren was the emcee. Then Packer head coach, Ray Rhodes was the guest speaker. Packers Leroy Butler, Bernardo Harris and Matt Hasslebeck also made appearances.

During the softball game, the Packers’ defensive team beat the offensive team, 15-11. A capacity crowd of 6,279 watched the game. “Elvis Presley,” representing a local radio station, rushed pitcher Bill Schroeder for a pitch he thought was too close. The pitcher playfully dropped the pitcher to the ground, grabbed his wig and waved it to the crowd. Favre said he planned on making the game an annual event.

Many children who have terminal illnesses in the Make-A-Wish foundation, those with cerebral palsy, cancer and other conditions are glad Favre cares about them. His accomplishments in football are many. He has more goals than just championships and records, however.
 
There is no doubt, however, that his accomplishments will one day bring him entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Favre was originally a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons before being traded to Green Bay. Green Bay is the least populated city in the country with a major professional sports franchise. The team was hungry for another championship, as in the days of Vince Lombardi and a new star as it then had quarterback Bart Starr. Favre became the most popular NFL quarterback since Joe Montana.

Favre is one of only four quarterbacks to throw for more than 4,000 yards at least three times. The others were: Dan Marino, six times; Warren Moon, four times and Hall of Fame quarterback, Dan Fouts, three. Favre was also chosen as the ninth best player in NFL Player of the Century voting. He has also thrown for 30 or more touchdowns five times, more than any player in history. Marino accomplished the feat four times.

Considering the Packer’s history of championships years before Favre arrived, his club records might seem more impressive. During his tenure, the team had a club record seven straight winning seasons from 1992-1998 and a club record six consecutive playoff appearances from 1993-1998. He was also elected to five Pro Bowls in his first eight seasons and chosen as starter for the NFC from 1995-1997. He did not play in 1997 because of an injury.

Another impressive accomplishment is that Favre threw more touchdown passes than any quarterback in the 1990’s, even though he was not in the league in 1990 and barely played his rookie season with Atlanta. Other quarterbacks who played in the 1990’s included Dan Marino, John Elway, Joe Montana and Steve Young.

New Green Bay offensive coordinator, Tom Rossley said on www.packers.com that he is “excited about the opportunity to coach a three time MVP. I think there’s a great fire within him,” he said, adding he thinks Favre can with a fourth MVP.

Favre showed his skills before the NFL. At Southern Mississippi University he set school records for passing, 8,193 yards, attempts, 1,234, completions, 656, percentage, 53% and touchdowns, 55. His 1.57% interception rate was the lowest among the 50 top college passers.

He also showed his toughness just as much as he later would in the NFL. Seriously injured in a traffic accident before his senior season, he opened the season and played one month after having a great deal of his intestines removed. Favre led his team to an 8-3 record that season and was the MVP of the All American Bowl.

After leading Green Bay to it's second consecutive 12-4 record and the team's fourth division title and eighth playoff trip in his 11 years at the helm, the Kiln, Miss., native earned further accolades by being chosen NFL 'Player of the Year' by Sports Illustrated. "Brett is at a stage of his career where there is not a whole lot happening out on the field that he has not experienced at one time or another," explains Mike Sherman head coach of the Packers. "This experience, along with his God-given talent and never-ending passion to play, are what puts him in a league of his own."

A veritable sage in the 'West Coast' offense with over a decade of experience, Favre is equally valuable off the field for his game-planning contributions as he is on it with his patented spirals. His consistently high production level is attested to by his completions, attempts, yards and touchdown totals, tops in the NFL over the past 12 seasons (1991-2002).

Favre Is assured of finishing his career in Green Bay upon the signing of a "lifetime" contract on March 1, 2001, Sherman, calling the signing day "historic," commented on the uniqueness of Favre's relationship with the Packers' organization and fans, saying, "No player in the NFL identifies, or is more closely linked to, a specific team like Brett Favre is to the Green Bay Packers. He embodies the spirit and character of Packer fans everywhere. I do not think there is a player in the NFL that experiences a relationship with the fans like Brett Favre does. That is very, very special." Favre echoed the sentiment, saying, "I enjoy it here. I enjoy the fans and I couldn't envision myself playing for another team."

In a time when personal statistics and individual accolades are often placed ahead of team success, the perennially productive field general desires nothing more than to lead his team to victory, a pursuit at which he has excelled in over a decade at the helm of the Packers.

Not just a football player Favre established the 'Brett Favre Forward Foundation' in 1996; over the past eight years, in conjunction with his annual golf tournament, celebrity softball game and fundraising dinners, foundation has donated in excess of $1.25 million to charities in his home state of Mississippi as well as to those in his adopted state of Wisconsin. An avid golfer, he possesses a handicap in the "one to two" range.

Some of his accomplishments are:

    * NFL's only three-time MVP (1995-97)
    * Voted to the Pro Bowl (as a starter) for the seventh time in 11 seasons with Green Bay
    * Second year in a row, leading vote-getter in fan balloting for the Pro Bowl
    * Posted a passer rating of 100-or-more in six games, second-most in the NFL in 2002
    * Ranks fifth all-time in passer rating
    * Ranked as the ninth-best player in 'NFL Player of the Century' voting
    * Won 115 games as a starter - fifth-most in NFL history
    * Won at least eight games an NFL-record 11 consecutive seasons (1992-2002)
    * Eight playoff berths, including a club-record six in a row (1993-98)
    * Three straight NFC Central Division crowns (1995-97)
    * Three consecutive NFC Championship Games (1995, 1996, 1997)
    * Back-to-back Super Bowl appearances
    * Started 173 consecutive games (190 including playoffs) - an all-time NFL record for a quarterback
    * Thrown 20-or-more touchdowns in nine consecutive seasons (1994-2002)
    * Third place in NFL history in career touchdown passes, with 314
    * Only the fourth player ever to reach 300 TDs
    * Owns the sixth-best career TD-to-INT ratio in NFL history
    * Fourth player in NFL annals to lead the league in TD throws as many as three consecutive seasons (1995-96-97)
    * In 2002, became just the eighth player in league history to post 40,000 career passing yards, attaining the plateau in 166 games - third-fastest in NFL history
    * Owner of 14 career 4-touchdown games - the third-highest total in NFL history behind only the 21 of Marino and the 17 of Johnny Unitas
    * Has (35) 300-yard passing performances - tops among active NFL players
    * Only the fourth player in NFL history to pass for both 40,000 yards in the regular season and 4,000 yards in the playoffs

(born Oct. 10, 1969, Gulfport, Miss., U.S.) American professional gridiron football player who broke all the major National Football League (NFL) career passing records as quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.

Favre grew up in Kiln, Miss., and attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he became the football team's starting quarterback while a freshman. He was drafted by the NFL's Atlanta Falcons in 1991 but was traded to Green Bay the following year after falling out of favour with Atlanta's coaching staff. Originally a backup quarterback, he started for an injured teammate in the third game of the 1992 season and never relinquished the position. In 1993 Favre led the Packers to their first play-off appearance in 10 years, and he established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL. Known for his agility, competitiveness, and field presence, he was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) a record three consecutive times (1995, 1996, 1997) and led the league in touchdown passes in each MVP year.

At the end of the 1996 season, Favre led the Packers to victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. He returned to the Super Bowl the following year, but the Packers lost to John Elway's Denver Broncos in the waning minutes of the game. The Packers were less successful in the years following their two Super Bowl runs, but Favre continued to be productive. He led the league in pass completions in 1998 and 2005, and he had the most passing yards and touchdown passes in 1998 and 2003, respectively. He finished in the top 10 in completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes in every season between 1992 and 2007. In addition to these single-season accomplishments, Favre reached unprecedented individual statistical milestones over the course of his career. In the 2007 season he broke Elway's record of 148 career wins as a starting quarterback and Dan Marino's all-time records of 420 touchdown passes and 61,371 passing yards, as well as George Blanda's career interception record of 277. Favre announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2007 NFL season.

In July 2008 Favre let it be known that he wanted to return to the NFL, and he was reinstated by the league the following month. However, his strained relationship with Packers management—as well as the team's commitment to a new starting quarterback—led the Packers to trade him to the New York Jets before the start of the 2008 NFL season. While he was named to his 10th career Pro Bowl in 2008, Favre's one season with the Jets was nevertheless a disappointment. Not only did he lead the league in interceptions and finish the year ranked 21st in passer rating, but, after an 8-3 start, the Jets won a total of only nine games and missed the play-offs. Citing diminished playing skills and an injured biceps, Favre retired once more in February 2009. His previous indecision led many to speculate that he would end his second retirement as the NFL season neared, and, just weeks after publicly stating that he would not be returning, in August 2009 Favre signed to play with the Minnesota Vikings.

Brendan Fraser Biography and Full Profile.

Name: Brendan Fraser
Born: 3 December 1968 (Age: 41)
Birth Stone:  Blue Topaz
Parents:  Peter J. & Carol G Fraser
City:  Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Siblings: Three  older brothers, Regan is 5yrs. older, Sean 6 yrs, and Kevin 8 yrs.
Eyes:  Blue
Married to:   Afton Smith, September 27th, 1998
Hobbies:  Photography, collecting old/antique Polaroid cameras, skiing, rock climbing.
Favorite Movie:   BladeRunner, The Director's Cut
Where: Indianapolis, USA
Height: 6' 3"
Awards: No major awards
In cinema, some reputations are hard to shake. Many, like Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy, have found it tough to escape their teen-movie past. Some, like Tim Allen, seem forever doomed to entertain an even younger audience. So the fact that Brendan Fraser has managed to have himself taken seriously as an actor is little short of miraculous. Breaking through in Encino Man and School Ties, then moving on to Airheads, George Of The Jungle and Dudley Do-Right, he could so easily have been trapped in one or both of the aforementioned cul-de-sacs. Yet suddenly there he was, up there next to Michael Caine and Ian McKellan, a bona fide thespian. How the hell did he DO that?

He was born Brendan James Fraser on the 3rd of December, 1968, in Indianapolis, to Canadian parents. The Frasers were an old Canadian family, with strong traditions in education and sport. Indeed, his uncle George had won a gold medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. His father, Peter, had been a journalist and now worked for the Canadian Government's office of tourism. Mother Carol was a sales counsellor, and also looked after Brendan and his three older brothers - Kevin, Sean and Regan. Peter's job took the family all over the world, meaning that, by the age of 13, Brendan had lived in Ottawa, Detroit, Cincinnati, London, Rome, Switzerland, Wassenaar in Holland, and Seattle. While in Holland, aged 7, he hung out with the "army brat" kids of military personnel, and took to calling himself a "Brochure Brat".

By 12, he was in London, and this is where he first made contact with acting. Seeing a matinee of Oliver! in the West End, he was immediately taken with the thrill of it all. When his parents then chose to settle in Seattle, young Brendan quickly joined the chorus of a school production of Oklahoma! In the 8th Grade at the Sacred Heart school in Redmond, a suburb of Seattle, he would play Captain Corcoran in HMS Pinafore. He remembers this as a real turning point. Making a grand entrance, he tossed his cape high in the air, only for it to land on his head. The audience, naturally, burst into laughter. What was he to do? Would he give in to embarrassment and walk off, or would he brave it out and continue? Recognising that, despite the laughter, he was having a great time, he went on. And has kept going on ever since.

At 13, Brendan had been sent to the Upper Canada College in Toronto, a prestigious boarding school. Here, though his academic averages were not good, he would work in the school's little theatre, appearing in plays and revues, and acting as stage manager and ticket seller. Before his final year, though, Peter opted to leave his government office, thus losing Brendan's tuition subsidy and bringing the boy back to Seattle.

A muscular, darkly handsome actor who defies easy categorization, Brendan Fraser has an enviable versatility that has allowed him to be equally convincing in comedies, dramas, and adventure films alike. The son of a Canadian tourism executive, Fraser was born in Indianapolis on December 3, 1968. Thanks to his father's job, Fraser and his family led a fairly peripatetic existence, living in locales as varied as Ottawa, London, Rome, and Seattle. During his time in London, Fraser became interested in theater and eventually enrolled in Seattle's Cornish Institute for training.
 
After an early appearance in Dogfight (1991), Fraser got his break in 1992's Encino Man as a Stone-Age man unfrozen in modern-day California. He went on to gain audience prominence in diverse roles such as a Jewish football player in an all-WASP environment in School Ties (1992), a grunged-out musician in Airheads (1994), a Harvard student who loses his thesis in With Honors (1994), and a quirky baseball phenom in The Scout (1994). Fraser has been quoted in one magazine article as saying that he seeks out roles combining "silliness and sexiness"; his work during the second half of the '90s certainly reflected this. Particular highlights were George of the Jungle (1997), a witty satire of jungle adventure films; Gods and Monsters (1998), the acclaimed rendering of the last days of director James Whale, for which Fraser earned particular praise in his role as Whale's strapping gardener; the romantic comedy Blast From the Past (1999); and a big-budget remake of The Mummy (1999) that effectively showcased Fraser as a hero well-suited to old-school adventure. So successful were the extravagantly computer generated exploits of the revived Mummy franchise that a sequel soon went into production, resulting in the decidedly Indiana Jones-flavored The Mummy Returns (2001). Pitting Fraser against not only the fearsome Imhotep but the dreaded Scorpion King (wrestling superstar The Rock) as well, The Mummy Returns upped the ante in terms of action and special effects, providing audiences with even more summertime chills and thrills than its predecessor. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for 2001's ill-received Monkeybone which, despite an energetic performance from Fraser, did not fare in the theaters as well as 20th Century Fox had hoped.
Luckily for him, Fraser's career remained intact despite Monkeybone and the equally mediocre Bedazzled (2000) with Elizabeth Hurley. In 2002, Fraser starred in the critically acclaimed The Quiet American, which featured the young actor as Alden Pyle, a naïve American who travels to Saigon as part of a medical mission. Fraser would rekindle his penchant for the silly in 2003, during which he made an appearance as himself in the David Spade vehicle Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, and again in Looney Tunes: Back in Action with Steve Martin and Jenna Elfman.

Best-known for his roles in family-oriented adventure films like “The Mummy” franchise and “George of the Jungle” (1997), actor Brendan Fraser has enjoyed an unpredictable career that has taken him to the heights of art film greatness, as well as down to the depths of lowest common denominator comedy. It was from those depths that he began his career with “Encino Man” (1991), before going on to earn accolades for his clean-cut charisma in award-winning offerings like “Gods and Monsters” (1998), “The Quiet American” (2002) and the Oscar-winning Best Picture “Crash” (2005).

Born on Dec. 3, 1968 in Indianapolis, IN, Fraser’s father, who worked for Canada’s Office of Tourism, moved the family from place to place – all around Europe, the United States and Canada – during his youth. It was while in London that the elementary school boy saw his first live play – a West End production of “Oliver” – and became captivated by the theater. He jumped right into the school drama department and went on to earn a bachelor of fine arts in acting from the Cornish School of the Arts in Seattle, WA. He landed a one-line role in the River Phoenix film “Dogfight” (1991), which was shooting in Seattle, then decided to forego his graduate school plans and head to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. The 6’3” newcomer made an immediate impression, landing a series pilot and winning raves for his co-starring turn as Martin Sheen's son in the telefilm "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" (NBC, 1991).

By some miracle, Fraser’s first starring feature role as an unfrozen caveman unearthed by skateboarding valley teens in “Encino Man” (1992) failed to put the death knell on his fledgling career. He was subsequently cast as the lead in the drama "School Ties" (1992), effectively playing a new student at a private boarding school who encounters a backlash of anti-Semitism. The film was a great showcase of Fraser’s sensitive core and launched not only his career, but those of co-stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Chris O’Donnell. A string of respected indie films followed, including "Twenty Bucks" (1993), “Young and Younger” (1993) and the cult comedy classic "Airheads" (1994), where Fraser starred alongside Adam Sandler and Steve Buscemi as a rock band that takes a radio station hostage to get their music played.

His strapping athletic physique was tapped for the baseball comedy "The Scout" (1994), which paired him with neurotic sports scout Albert Brooks. He then returned to drama as a Harvard student who falls into an odd relationship with a conniving homeless man (Joe Pesci) in the wildly improbable “With Honors” (1994). Fraser had a stronger turn as a backwoodsman who goes mad from unrequited love in the stylish thriller "The Passion of Darkly Noon" (1996), while the period romantic comedy “Mrs. Winterburne” (1996) was an out-and-out misfire. Despite wanting to be taken seriously, Fraser struggled in his early dramas, but managed to triumph in several very different roles. He made for a sweet and very human incarnation of the cartoon character "George of the Jungle" (1997) in Disney’s family blockbuster and also shined in an award-winning portrayal of a street performer who falls for a grifter in "Still Breathing" (1998).

But Fraser’s ringing artistic accomplishment was his co-starring role in "Gods and Monsters" (1998), where he played a handsome gardener befriended by a gay, aging film director (Ian McKellen). The film earned several Oscar nominations won for Best Adapted Screenplay, while Fraser’s stellar performance created murmurs that he finally might be in the league of art film leading men. But that glimpse of craftsmanship was quickly forgotten with his next role in the stoner comedy "Blast From the Past" (1999), where he played a 35-year old raised in a bomb shelter who emerges to discover the world of the late 1990s. He went on to appear in his most commercially successful role as Rick O'Connell, a dashing, heroic Indiana Jones-like figure who discovers an Egyptian tomb unleashing "The Mummy" (1999). The adventure blockbuster marked the beginning of a profitable franchise. Before Fraser reprised his role in “The Mummy Returns” (2001), he starred in another cartoonish matinee offering as the live-action embodiment of square-jawed Royal Canadian Mountie "Dudley Do-Right" (1999), then played a dweeb granted seven wishes by a hellaciously tempting Satan (Elizabeth Hurley) in Harold Ramis' "Bedazzled" (2000).

Following the resounding financial failure of multi-media comedy "Monkeybone" (2001), Fraser returned to dramatic fare with a starring role in a well-received London stage revival of "Cat on Hot Tin Roof" opposite Ned Beatty and "Bedazzled" co-star Frances O'Connor. He went on to co-star as an undercover CIA operative opposite Michael Caine’s reporter in the excellent, but underappreciated adaptation of Graham Greene’s Vietnam saga, "The Quiet American" (2002). Though Caine and director Philip Noyce earned multiple award nominations and widespread critical praise for their efforts, Fraser was noted for his subtle standout performance, ably playing a character who is not what he appears to be and reminding audiences of a range that extended beyond gimmicky comedies. But old loves die hard. Fraser leapt headfirst into another cartoon-centric role when he took on the part of security guard DJ Drake, the human leading man opposite Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and the rest of the Warner Brothers stable of characters in "Looney Tunes: Back In Action" (2003).
 
Returning to serious fare, Fraser joined the A-list acting ensemble of the racially charged, multi-plot drama "Crash" (2005) for a brief turn as a high-powered Los Angeles District Attorney whose carjacking by a pair of black men looms as both a political and personal liability. The film received multiple Oscar awards, including Best Picture of the year. Fraser stayed in the indie world for another go-round, starring opposite Michelle Geller in “The Air I Breathe” (2007), an episodic crime drama that told four divergent stories centering around an ancient Chinese proverb about the emotional cornerstones of life: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. The following year, Fraser starred in a pair of summer adventure releases, starting with an adaptation of Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (2008), which was released in 3-D, then reprising the role of adventurer Rick O’Connell in “The Mummy: The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” (2008).

Also Credited As:
      Brendan James Fraser
    * Born:
      Brendan James Fraser on December 3, 1968 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
    * Job Titles:
      Actor

Family
    * Brother: Kevin Fraser. Born c. 1960
    * Brother: Regan Fraser. Born c. 1963
    * Brother: Sean Fraser. Born c. 1962
    * Father: Peter Fraser. Canadian; born c. 1936; worked for Canada s tourism office
    * Mother: Carol Fraser. Canadian; born c. 1936
    * Son: Griffin Arthur Fraser. Born Sep. 17, 2002; mother, Afton Smith
    * Son: Hudson Fletcher Fraser. Born Aug. 16, 2004; mother, Afton Smith
    * Son: Leland Fraser. Born May 2, 2006; mother, Afton Smith

Education
    * Upper Canada College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Milestones
    * 1991 Made feature debut in a bit part with one line in Nancy Savoca s Dogfight
    * 1991 TV acting debut in Guilty Until Proven Innocent (NBC)
    * 1992 First lead role, Encino Man
    * 1992 Played opposite Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Chris O Donnell in School Ties
    * 1995 Appeared in the L.A. production of John Patrick Shanley s play Four Dogs and a Bone
    * 1995 Had small role of a Vietnam veteran in the 1970s flashback segments of Now and Then
    * 1996 Made uncredited cameo appearance in Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy
    * 1997 Earned critical praise for his dramatic performance in Still Breathing
    * 1997 Had title role in the live-action, George of the Jungle
    * 1998 Portrayed the gardener who is befriended by film director James Whale in Bill Condon s Gods and Monsters
    * 1999 Cast as an Indiana Jones-like archeologist in the remake of The Mummy
    * 1999 Played a 35-year old who was raised in an underground bunker in the comedy Blast From the Past
    * 1999 Starred in the live-action adaptation of the cartoon Dudley Do-Right
    * 2000 Starred in the Harold Ramis remake of Bedazzled
    * 2001 Reprised role for the sequel The Mummy Returns
    * 2002 Co-starred in the drama feature The Quiet American
    * 2002 Made two-episode guest appearance on the NBC sitcom Scrubs
    * 2003 Starred as D.J. Drake in Looney Tunes: Back in Action
    * 2004 Revised his guest starring role on NBC s Scrubs
    * 2005 Starred in Paul Haggis directorial debut Crash ; a multicharacter study of L.A. race relations
    * 2007 Co-starred with Michael Keaton in The Last Time
    * 2008 Reprised role for the second sequel The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
    * 2008 Starred in the 3-D adventure film, Journey to the Center of the Earth ; also executive produced
    * 2009 Starred in the adaptation of the hit children s book Inkheart
    * 2010 Portrayed American biotechnology executive John F. Crowley in Extraordinary Measures, which is based on the true story of his fight to save his children
    * 2010 Starred in the family comedy Furry Vengeance
    * Interned at the Intiman Theatre in Seattle after college
    * Raised in Europe and Canada

Lady Antebellum Biography and Full Profile.

Born: 2006
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
Best Known As: The country music trio who did "I Run to You"

Country music's Lady Antebellum is a trio made up of singers Hillary Scott (b. 1 April 1984) and Charles Kelley (b. 11 September 1981) and multi-instrumentalist Dave Haywood (b. 1982). Kelley and Haywood grew up near Augusta, Georgia and met in middle school. Both graduated from the University of Georgia in 2004, and by 2006 they were in Nashville, Tennessee, trying to make a go of it in the music business.

They joined that year with Scott, a Nashville native whose solo career had led to industry contacts, if not record deals. Lady Antebellum -- or "Lady A" -- released their first album in 2007, and the self-titled debut hit the top of the charts upon its release. With solid hits like "I Run to You" and "Lookin' For a Good Time," the band became Nashville heroes in 2008 and 2009, scooping up Grammys and CMA awards. They toured with Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban, then went back to the studio. Their second release, Need You Now (2009), was equally successful, and Lady Antebellum entered 2010 with a number one hit, "American Honey."

Hillary's mother is country singer Linda Davis (who had a 1993 hit with Reba McEntire, the duet "Does He Love You")... Kelley married Cassie McConnell in 2009.In the summer of 2006, three gifted young adults walked into a house hoping to create music together—and Lady Antebellum walked out.

The sound that Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood cooked up while hanging at the Nashville-area home of Charles’ brother throughout the summer of 2006 is a unique blend that mingles classic country, 1960s R&B soulfulness and the heart-on-the-sleeve openness of 1970s singer-songwriters, all presented with a razor-sharp contemporary edge. It’s a sound that had Lady Antebellum, as the threesome dubbed itself, generating deafening buzz as one of modern country’s brightest hopes even before the release of their new self-titled debut album.

Already the trio has been nominated for “Top New Group” at the 2008 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards. They’ve watched the group-penned first single from Lady Antebellum, “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” soar up the country radio charts, while its video has become a staple on CMT and GAC. They’ve performed on the legendary Grand Ole Opry, served as the opening act on Martina McBride’s 2008 arena tour, and opened shows for Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Rodney Atkins and Little Big Town. Outlets like Billboard, Country Weekly, MSN Music and the Boston Globe included Lady Antebellum among their annual shortlists of artists to watch in 2008, and Nashville Lifestyles magazine flat-out called them “the next big thing.” GAC has devoted a special, Introducing … Lady Antebellum, to tracing their brief but eventful history.

Martina summed up the general consensus of both fans and the media when she told one audience on their tour together, “You can say you saw them when.”
 
But it all began on that day in 2006 when Hillary Scott’s sultry alto, Charles Kelley’s gritty tenor and multi-instrumentalist/ harmony vocalist Dave Haywood’s musical overview first intersected. Hillary, whose parents are Grammy-winning country artist Linda Davis and accomplished musician Lang Scott, had met Charles at a downtown Nashville music spot—having recognized him from his MySpace page. She introduced herself, and they struck up a conversation that ended in an agreement to try writing together.

Enter Dave Haywood, Charles’ friend since they met at Riverside Middle School in Augusta, Ga., and co-writer since they attended college together at the University of Georgia. Dave had moved to Nashville in March 2006 at his pal’s suggestion, and both were staying at the home of Charles’ brother, singer-songwriter Josh Kelley. Hillary came by the house, and over the ensuing months she, Charles and Dave fell into a fruitful songwriting partnership. “We held ourselves hostage in a writing room until the early hours of the morning every night,” Dave remembers.

At first, the three weren’t sure what exactly they were writing for—but it soon became obvious that Charles and Hillary produced a combustible chemistry as a vocal duo, and that Dave’s instrumental prowess and harmony vocals filled out the picture perfectly. It helped matters a great deal that the three also sparked as friends, finding an easy balance of personalities. “I’m the analytical perfectionist, Hillary brings the silliness and the emotion, and Dave is the calming glue,” Charles explains. “Everyone balances everybody else out.”

Each also brought diverse influences into the collaboration, ranging from The Allman Brothers Band to Vince Gill, from The Eagles to Keith Urban, and from Gladys Knight to Travis Tritt. All those elements added up to something distinctly modern, yet grounded in old-fashioned gut-level passion. “It’s like a Neapolitan blend of all these flavors,” Dave says. “It’s a really great marriage, musically and lyrically.” Their old-school influences led them to choose an old-time moniker, inspired by a just-for-fun photo shoot in front of an Antebellum-style home: Lady Antebellum. (“There’s not anything too terribly meaningful behind it,” Charles admits.)

The three began posting demos on MySpace to see what kind of reaction they’d receive, and visitor feedback was immediately, overwhelmingly positive. Audience reaction was just as instantaneous when Lady Antebellum began playing small gigs around Music City. “It took on a life of its own,” marvels Dave, who booked their first shows himself. “There was no plan, we just kept churning out as many songs as we could.” Early fans soon took it upon themselves to bestow upon the trio the shorthand nickname “Lady A.”

By April 2007, the group had signed a recording contract with Capitol Nashville and begun work on their debut with the aid of megaproducer Paul Worley and award-winning songwriter Victoria Shaw. The resulting album is a vivid document of the group’s verve, versatility and vibrancy. Lady Antebellum’s 11 songs—10 of which were co-written by the band—effortlessly capture the trio’s musical interplay, emotional directness and all-for-one spirit. The chugging hit “Love Don’t Live Here” (inspired by a breakup Charles had just endured) announces their intent from its opening moments, as the chiming guitars give way to Charles’ gutsy voice, quickly seconded by Hillary’s backing vocal. Throughout the album, the two lead singers shift easily between taking the spotlight and sharing it, whether they’re trading off lines in the great tradition of country duet singers or supporting one another with sparkling harmonies.

The range of emotion on Lady Antebellum encompasses both the joyfully romantic “Love’s Lookin’ Good On You” and the desolation of the swelling ballad “All We’d Ever Need” (the very first song the trio composed together). Between those extremes is the driving “Long Gone,” a display of attitudinal assurance from Hillary; “Lookin’ for a Good Time,” an irresistible come-on from Charles; “Slow Down Sister,” a churning rocker with touches of Southern rock and Stax groove; and the pulsing “I Run to You,” in which the voices circle one another tantalizingly before melding seamlessly in the chorus. Fans drawn in by “Love Don’t Live Here” are about to discover just how much more there is to Lady Antebellum—and given the trio’s breathtaking rise to newly minted star status, it’s a sure bet that there are plenty of listeners out there waiting to do just that. “It still overwhelms me,” Hillary admits. “I’m a true believer that what’s meant to be will fall into place. When the ride starts, you’ve just got to jump on.”

With a one-of-a-kind vocal chemistry that evokes the tradition of classic country, an up-to-the-second modern sound, and a songwriting partnership that’s both timely and timeless, Lady Antebellum offers a combination that’s both shockingly fresh and as familiar as an old friend.

The meteoric rise of Lady Antebellum into one of Nashville’s premier vocal groups is the textbook definition of "overnight success." Most overnight success stories are founded on years of toil and hard work and unwavering perseverance. But shortly after friends Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood moved to Nashville and teamed up with Hillary Scott, the talented trio meshed instantly, and Music City was quick to notice—as did Rascall Flatts, who were summarily dethroned from their six-year reign as the CMA Vocal Group of the Year.

Origins and Early Musical Successes
The origins of Lady Antebellum began when friends, singer Charles Kelley and multi-instrumentalist Dave Haywood, began writing music together in Nashville in 2006. Kelley, who is the brother of singer-songwriter, Josh Kelley, had moved to Nashville from Winston-Salem, North Carolina to pursue a career in country music as a solo artist. Prior to moving to Nashville, he had worked with his brother, John, in construction. In Nashville, Kelley and Haywood, his classmate at the University of Georgia, wrote music together.

Soon, Kelley and Hillary Scott, who is the daughter of country singer, Linda Davis, and musician, Lang Scott, got to know each other through the social networking website, MySpace. Scott, who had previously received major-label interest, agreed to team up with Kelley and Haywood. The trio began making music together under the name Lady Antebellum.
Immediate Notice for the Group
Soon after forming, Lady Antebellum gained quick notice from the Nashville music industry. They began performing around town, and the positive buzz surrounding the group spread like wildfire, which resulted in even higher-profile gigs around town. In 2007, just one year after forming, Lady Antebellum made its recording debut as guest vocalists on adult-contemporary singer, Jim Brickman’s, single, “Never Alone,” which reached No. 14 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. Capitol Records signed Lady Antebellum in July of 2007 and sent them directly into the studio to record their debut album.

Debut Album Sizzles
Less than two years after forming, Lady Antebellum’s debut single, “Love Don’t Live Here,” was released in September of 2007. A music video for the song followed in December. The single climbed all the way to No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in May of 2008. The group’s debut album, Lady Antebellum, was released on April 15, 2008, and it became the first country album by a new duo or group to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Album chart.

The group’s second single, “Lookin’ for a Good Time,” was released in June of 2008. It peaked at No. 11 in December of 2008. The trio achieved its first No. 1 country hit in July of 2009 with “I Run to You.” The album, Lady Antebellum, achieved platinum status with the Recording Industry Association of America signifying shipments of 1,000,000 copies in the United States on October 7, 2009.

Lady Antebellum Gains Momentum
Released on August 24, 2009, Lady Antebellum’s fourth single, “Need You Now,” was the lead-off single to their second studio album, Need You Now. The single debuted at No. 50 on Billboard’s Hot Country chart and became the trio’s second No. 1 hit. In 2008, the group took home the Academy of Country Music trophy for Top New Duo or Group, as well as the Country Music Association (CMA) award for New Artist of the Year. They also received a Grammy nomination in 2008 for Best New Artist, while their single, “Love Don’t Live Here,” earned a Grammy nomination in the Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group category.

In November of 2009, Lady Antebellum upset six-time winner Rascall Flatts in the CMA’s Vocal Group of the Year category. They also took home the CMA award for Single of the Year for “I Run to You.”

Country music group Lady Antebellum were formed by Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott in 2006. Charles was the one who initiated the band. He persuaded his old middle-school classmate, Dave, to move to Nashville with him so that they could write songs together.

After successfully dragging Dave to Nashville, Charles met Hillary on MySpace and invited her to join the group. Like many other aspiring musicians, the trio started their career as indie artists. They showcased their talent by performing at local venues in Nashville before sealing a deal with Capitol Records in July 2008.

This band released their debut album "Lady Antebellum" in April 2008. The effort opened at number 4 on Billboard Hot 200 and at number 1 on Top Country Albums chart, selling 47,000 copies in its first week of release. They became the first country music group to have their debut album entering at the top slot of the Top Country Albums.Along with gaining success on the U.S. albums charts, trio Charles, Dave and Hillary also got coveted awards over the course of 2008. They won Top New Duo or Vocal Group at Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and was named New

Amber Portwood Biography and Full Profile.

Amber Portwood from "Teen Mom" is one of the teenage mothers featured on the MTV reality series. Previously, Amber was on "16 & Pregnant."Amber from "Teen Mom" is a self-declared teenage party girl who dropped out of high school and grew up fast when she got pregnant with her baby, Leah. While her fiancé, Gary, works 12-hour days to support the family, Amber Portwood from "Teen Mom" stays at home alone with Leah all day, and the stress of being a full-time mom is starting to add up.
 
Amber Portwood's parents aren't able to help, and they can't afford childcare, so she does it alone. Amber from "Teen Mom" doesn't have time or energy to see her friends, and when she tries to go out, Leah cries all the time. Gary doesn't understand, and they fight constantly about taking care of the baby. Amber Portwood from "Teen Mom" wants to finish high school and realize her dreams of opening her own beauty salon—but juggling high school, adult responsibilities, and a baby proves to be a lot harder than she thought.
Amber Portwood – find more information about it. Articles, pictures, videos and more. Amber Portwood Facebook Sign Up Sign up for Facebook to connect with Amber Portwood. Amber Portwood.amber portwood All World News amber portwood . September 29 2010 by itartass Leave a Comment. Teen Mom Season 2 Episode 10: Farrah Abraham Kassy Underwood discuss baby’s father who died. Teen Mom Season 2 Episode 10 aired Tuesday on MTV . On Teen Mom reunion special which premiered on Tuesday, Amber Portwood got the viewers wondering when she revealed that she might be pregnant again. On the evening, viewers got . Is Teen Mom Amber Portwood Pregnant Amber Portwood

Amber Portwood Teen Mom Star lost an impressive 65 Pounds The Indiana-born MTV star Amber Portwood told the magazine about her post-baby body. The 5ft-4inch Amber Portwood lost a huge 65 Lbs and now weighs 118 Lbs. MySpace profile for Amber Portwood. Find friends, share photos, keep in touch with classmates, and meet new people on MySpace. Amber Amber Portwood MySpace

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The story centers on teen mother Amber Portwood of Indiana. According to one source, Portwood came to Sevierville with her boyfriend and their 2-year-old child on the invitation of her brother, who rented a place at the resort for a few . Amber Portwood Teen Mom – Amber Portwood Pictures, Biography, News Amber Portwood Teen Mom – Get Amber Portwood Teen sex Mom pictures, biography, dating, movies, tv shows, height, latest news, forum and more. Amber Portwood from Teen Mom is . Daily News Compilation Amber Portwood
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Christina Aguilera Biography and Full Profile.

Born Christina Maria Aguilera on December 18, 1980, in Staten Island, New York. The daughter of a military father and a musician mother, Aguilera appeared on Star Search at age 9 and was a cast member of the Mickey Mouse Club for two years before recording the hit duet "All I Wanna Do" in Japan with local pop star Keizo Nakanishi.

In 1998, the pop artist began her rapid ascent to stardom when she recorded "Reflection" for the soundtrack of Disney's Mulan. Her self-titled debut album followed shortly thereafter, with the single "Genie In A Bottle" becoming the biggest selling U.S. single of the year.
After winning a Grammy in 1999 for Best New Artist, Aguilera topped the charts again in January 2000 with "What A Girl Wants" and "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You).The savvy release of a Spanish collection of hits titled Mi Reflejo and a cover version of LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade" for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack kept the star in the limelight.

In 2002, Aguilera unveiled a controversial sexually charged image for her second studio album, Stripped. The album's first single, "Dirrty," drew similar controversy for its decidedly steamy music video.

In 2006, Aguilera appeared somewhat more subdued when she released her third studio album Back to Basics. She considered it to be a modern spin on the jazz, blues, and soul music from 1920s to the 1940s. Though one track, "Still Dirrty," indicated that she was not completely shedding her sexy image.

In late 2007, rumors started to swirl around Aguilera about a possible pregnancy. Paris Hilton leaked the news at a September party in Las Vegas, saying "congratulations to the most beautiful pregnant woman in the world" to Aguilera, according to a report in People magazine. Despite this public declaration, Aguilera remained mum on the subject of whether or not she was pregnant.

Aguilera finally confirmed the rumors in early November that she and her husband of two years, music executive Jordan Bratman, were expecting their first child. The singer told Glamour's U.K. edition that her plans for New Year's Eve involve a new baby.

"That'll be about the time I enter into mommy hood so I'm hoping to have started a beautiful family with my husband!" Aguilera is quoted in a story posted on the magazine's Web site. Later that month, a very pregnant Aguilera modeled her baby bump on the cover of Marie Claire magazine.

The couple welcomed Max Liron Bratman on January 12, 2008. On the day of his birth, Aguilera posted a message on her website to her fans. Here is a part of that message, expressing their delight over their new addition: "Today is a very joyful and special day for Jordan and I as we welcome our first son into this world."
The next month Aguilera made her first public appearance since Max s arrival. To promote her new DVD Back to Basics: Live and Down Under (2008), she signed autographs at an electronics store in West Hollywood, California.

Teen pop diva Christina Aguilera was born December 18, 1980 in Staten Island, NY; the careers of her military father and musician mother ensured that the family traveled the globe before finally settling in Wexford, PA. By the time she was five, Christina knew all the songs from The Sound of Music and performed them at neighborhood block parties. It wasn't long before Christina Aguilera was performing the National Anthem at professional sporting events in the area. The youngster first began performing in area talent shows. At age eight, Aguilera appeared on the syndicated television series Star Search.

At ten she sang the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins. When Christina Aguilera was 10, she also went to an open audition for The Mickey Mouse Club. She didn't make the cut, but two years later Disney invited her back. She got a part and became a Mouseketeer working with now-famous co-stars like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez (of *NSYNC ) and Keri Russell from Felicity. Christina Aguilera sang, danced and performed her heart out during her two years on the show.
During her Mouseketeer days, Christina Aguilera caught the eye of manager Steve Kurtz, who requested a demo tape to send to RCA exec, Ron Fair. Amazed by her voice and beauty he offered her a record deal when she was 15. As luck would have it, around the same time he received a call from a friend who worked at Disney who was looking for someone to sing Reflection, the lead song in the upcoming animated Mulan flick. His first thought was his new singer Christina Aguilera. She got the gig and the song was eventually nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture.

After two years on the show, Christina traveled overseas to further hone her musical skills. She recorded the duet "All I Wanna Do" with Japanese pop star Keizo Nakanishi. Aguilera's first pop music success came in Japan thanks to a smash duet "All I Wanna Do".

And later, Christina almost caused a riot at Romania's Golden Stag Festival when she waded into the crowd of 10,000 while performing her two-song set on a bill which included Sheryl Crow and Diana Ross.

Upon returning to the States in early 1998, Christina auditioned to sing "Reflection," a track which appears on her debut album, for Disney's animated film "Mulan." The film makers needed someone "who could hit a high E above middle C" according to Christina, who then cut a one-take demo in her living room singing to a karaoke tape of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Run To You." The demo was rushed to Disney, and within hours, Christina was in a Los Angeles studio recording "Reflection." That same week, RCA Records signed her to a record contract. "Mulan" premiered in America in June 1998, and "Reflection" became a Top 15 US single.

On her self-titled debut album for RCA in 1999, Christina showcased her many talents. From the sparkling upbeat dance-pop of the "Genie In A Bottle" to the soulful gospel strains of "So Emotional" and the awe-inspiring ballad "I Turn To You," Christina's powerful voice intertwined themes of finding one's own identity with the uncertainties of growing up. The album, which Christina says was very scripted for her, leaving her with little real involvement, fitted in with the popular music of the time to reap high sales.

October 2000 saw the release of "My Kind Of Christmas," a soulful collection of sacred carols, holiday pop classics, and newly written songs for the season. Said Christina, "I wanted to bring a real R&B edge to some of these songs. Making the album really unleashed the soul in me. I'd say it's an all-around feel-good album."

Christina was established fully in the industry, having three top 50 US albums, including a massive selling #1, and she said at the time, "It's been quite a roller-coaster ride but I think I've grown and learned a lot about myself. In this business, it's often all about hype, record sales, and parties, and it can be easy to get lost in believing in all that. But I try to monitor myself on a regular basis. The greatest thing is being able to touch peoples' lives. I know that's a greater accomplishment than selling records. I simply love what I'm doing everyday".

However, this joy was not to be for long and after having her heart broken for the first time and experiencing a close to breakdown stage in her life through stress, Christina went off and decided to be normal and rebuild her life. In that time she wrote as a way of relaxing and as therapy and set about recording a new album in 2002. The product, which was postponed and postponed as it was not "perfect" was finally released in October. With a very strong promotional campaign, the lead single "Dirrty" managed to be a worldwide hit. Combining a killer hip-hop hook and R&B chorus, the track hit #1 in the UK, and the only country where it underperformed was in America, where the single did not take off at radio, only reaching #48 in the national Billboard charts. Unbroken by the lack of love America was showing "Dirrty," Christina released "Stripped," her first album in over 2 years where it debuted at #2.

Aguilera topped the pop charts with the single "Genie in a Bottle." Christina Aguilera sold over 10 million copies worldwide in just under a year and turned its namesake into a superstar. She followed this successs with performances at the Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show and for President Clinton, and won a Best New Artist Grammy. Just over a year after she released her debut album, Aguilera released Mi Reflejo, a collection of Spanish-language songs, as well as a holiday album.

"Mi Reflejo," Christina's first Spanish language album, was a recording project very close to her heart. Her second album, produced by Latin music master Rudy Perez (Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias) and recorded in Miami, the album included several new songs as well as five smash English language hits of Christina's, translated and re-recorded especially for the new album. Executive producer Ron Fair, producer Rudy Perez, and Christina sifted through more than 300 songs before making their final selections. Said Christina, "It's very cool for me personally, because it gives me a chance to explore my Latin side, something I've wanted to do for a long time, even before I was signed. I love the Spanish language, which opens up a whole new musical arena for me. This will make my grandparents proud."

Christina Aguilera has had a huge impact on the international music scene since 1999. A huge American story (three #1 smash hit singles, performing for the US President, taking home a Grammy for Best New Artist and a mammoth summer/autumn 2000 tour) has been reflected in her worldwide, and more specifically, her UK profile. Her debut album "Christina Aguilera" has sold thousands, peaking at #14 in the UK album charts, and produced some hugely enjoyable singles, including the two top 3 hits "Genie In A Bottle" and "What A Girl Wants," and it is of course near impossible to avoid the ludicrous media circus which follows her around.

"When you're seventeen years old, green and inexperienced, you're grateful for any guidance and direction you can get." Says Christina on her rocket sled ride to the top following the 1999 release of her eponymously-titled debut album, with its string of consecutive chart toppers, including "Genie In A Bottle" and "What A Girl Wants." It was a feat she would repeat the following year with Mi Reflejo, the smash Spanish language version of her debut, followed by her hit holiday release, My Kind Of Christmas.

Christina is an eclectic, seasoned artist and every single from "Stripped" - in fact every single song on the album - is different, reflecting this. From the jazz soul of "Walk Away" to the rock of "Fighter," to the beautiful ballad "Cruz" and the neo-soul of "Impossible," not to mention the R&B of "Get Mine, Get Yours," no two tracks sound the same. Feeling more "real" and safe inside her own skin, Christina's new image is her most personal and most real.

The sixteen new tracks that comprise Stripped, including her sensational debut single, "Dirrty," showcases an unadorned, unfettered and fearlessly outspoken artist who has liberated herself, her soul and her music on an album that is as much a declaration of independence as it is a convincing demonstration of her fierce and original talent. Simply put, this is the real deal.

Recorded over an eighteen-month stretch, with Christina firmly at the helm every step of the way, Stripped slowly but surely took shape, not only as an exercise in breathtaking stylistic diversity but as a resonant and revealing look into the mind and emotions of a young woman on the verge of personal and professional liberation.

The result is resonant and revealing original tracks that decisively shred Christina's squeaky clean persona, even as they set the stage for a career that, millions of albums and concert tickets later, is only now just getting started.

The proof is all over Stripped, from the opening notes of "Impossible," the smoky ballad by Alicia Keys, to the romantic revelations of "Can't Hold Us Down," featuring the persuasive production of Scott Storch; from the soaring affirmations of "Beautiful," to blistering licks of "Make Over," to the superheated funk of "Dirrty," featuring Redman and Rockwilder. "I loved 'Let's Get Dirty,'" Christina reveals, "So I asked Rockwilder to put something together kind of like that for me." She laughs. "What I got was a little too close, but then I figured, 'Why not?' The track is like an answer song to the original, only from a female point of view."

As much excitement and surprise as a first listening to Stripped might generate, there are other textures, urgent, honest and unguarded, that emerge with time. "Everything I sing about in 'I'm OK' is real," she asserts. "I took it right out of my life and I'm singing it right to my Dad." While another Stripped standout, "Can't Hold Me Down," may at first sound like payback to a certain superstar rapper, for Christina that's hardly the point. "I haven't got time for all that," is her retort. "I'm more interested in helping girls stand up for themselves. That's what the song is about - double standards and how we're supposed to look and act a certain way just to please men. If I have any influence as an entertainer, I want it to be optimistic and uplifting, to make this world a little better place to live."

For Christina Aguilera, it all begins by getting real. "This music is who I am," she confidently asserts. "You can take it or leave it, but I'm not going to change, not for anyone." In the end, she says, it's a tribute to the millions of worldwide fans who have made her a household name. "Fans grow up, too," she smiles. "We're all reaching out for something more real and if we really want it, we're going to find it. This album is for anyone who really wants it."

Denis Leary Biography and Full Profile.

Born: 18 August 1957
Birthplace: Worcester, Massachusetts
Best Known As: Star of cable TV's Rescue Me

Denis Leary was an acerbic Boston comedian until 2004, when he refashioned himself as a serious dramatic actor in the cable TV series Rescue Me. A graduate of Boston's Emerson College, he worked the comedy clubs in the northeastern U.S. in the 1980s and got his big break through MTV: Leary did promotional spots in which he smoked cigarettes and ranted with comic urgency on pop culture. That led to national success as a stand-up comedian, a couple of comedy records (1993's No Cure for Cancer and 1997's Lock 'n' Load) and the beginnings of an acting career. While still doing stand-up, he got good notices for his roles in the movies The Ref (1994, starring Kevin Spacey), Underworld (1996), and Suicide Kings (1997,
starring Christopher Walken). By the end of the 1990s Leary was working steadily in the movies. He co-created and took the lead in Rescue Me, a melodrama set in post-9/11 New York, a series apparently inspired by the attacks in 2001 as well as a 1999 tragedy in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts that killed six firefighters. Rescue Me earned him critical acclaim and Emmy nominations, but his comedy -- on stage and in his 2008 book Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid -- remains provocative enough to maintain his reputation as an edgy outsider. His other film credits include Wag the Dog (1997, with Dustin Hoffman), A Bug's Life (1998) and Ice Age (2002).

Leary has created two non-profit organizations to benefit families of firefighters: The Leary Firefighters Foundation (inspired by the Worcester fire) and the Fund For New York's Bravest (inspired by the attacks of 9/11).Denis Leary made an angry mark in the early 1990s with cynical stand-up comedy that lambasted every aspect of popular culture - from rehab to flavored coffee. When he transitioned into film acting, the industry did not quite know how best to use the abrasive Bostonian, and bombs like "Operation Dumbo Drop" (1995) outnumbered his sturdy performances in "Monument Ave" (1998), "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1999) and "Jesus' Son" (1999). But the former college writing teacher eventually found his groove as the co-creator and star of refreshingly original TV shows, including the gritty, award-winning firehouse drama, "Rescue Me" (FX, 2004- ).

Denis Leary was born on Aug. 18, 1957, the second of four children of Irish immigrants, Jack and Nora Leary. He was raised in Worcester, MA, where his father was a mechanic and, by his own description, pretty much everyone in the neighborhood grew up to be a cop, firefighter, teamster or criminal. Leary first had his sights set on becoming a professional hockey player until a viewing of Martin Scorsese's "Mean Streets" (1973) altered his world view. He was so captivated by the realness of the characters onscreen, he decided he wanted to try acting. He became involved with community theater groups after graduating from St. Peter-Marion Catholic high school in 1975, then moved to Boston to study writing and theater at Emerson College.

At Emerson, Leary fell in with other talented up-and-comers - including future stand-ups Steven Wright and Mario Cantone - and in 1976, he co-founded the Emerson Comedy Workshop, a writing and performing group that survives today. He appeared in sketch comedy shows and one-act plays, eventually wanting to try stand-up comedy. At the time, Boston had a thriving local comedy scene that launched the careers of Lenny Clarke, Colin Quinn, Paula Poundstone, Wright and Cantone. In addition to schoolwork and Emerson productions and hosting his own stand-up night at the club Play it Again Sam's, Leary also formed a band with musicians from the Comedy Workshop. The group performed comical songs that would become a trademark of Leary's eventual breakout.

Following his graduation in 1979, Leary was offered a job teaching comedy writing at his alma mater. He stayed in Boston another five years; long enough to work up solid stand-up material and marry one of his students, writer Ann Lembeck. The pair eventually moved to New York City, where Leary began to break into the city's standup scene and land writing work. In one of his earlier gigs, Leary was a writer and performer on MTV's Colin Quinn-hosted game show "Remote Control" (1987-1990), where Leary made walk-on appearances as Andy Warhol and a lion tamer with a kitten, among others.

In London, he served as host of the "London Underground" TV variety show and while he was there he debuted his one-man show "No Cure for Cancer" at the Edinburgh International Arts Festival. His performance swept the Critic's Award and established Leary's onstage persona as an angry, chain smoking, cynical social observer preoccupied with red meat, death and rock 'n' roll. He expounded on such issues as smoking ("I'm going to get a tracheotomy so I can smoke two cigarettes at the same time") to pop stars ("Sting - he wants to save the seals, he wants to save the rain forests . . . how about saving your hair, OK, pal?"). The show landed a sold-out run on London's famed West End and the Learys returned to New York and a four-month run off-Broadway.
MTV tapped Leary's rebellious attitude for a series of image spots and he became an instant icon of the era, pacing back and forth in a black leather jacket in a squalid urban setting, smoking furiously, and ranting about everything from Cindy Crawford to the hypocrisy of "political correctness." "No Cure for Cancer" was aired on Showtime in 1992 and released as an album in 1993, spawning a single and music video for "Asshole," Leary's searing musical ode to the "average J " living the American consumerists' self-centered dream. Leary's instant fame had its detractors, however. Following the widespread popularity of "No Cure for Cancer," comedy insiders stepped forward to accuse Leary of plagiarizing from similarly angry, nicotine-addicted Bill Hicks. There were claims that Leary not only used some of the comedian's material verbatim but also co-opted his stage persona. Hicks remained relatively unknown when he died of cancer in 1994 which further enraged accusers who believed Leary had shot to fame based on someone else's material.

Leary's MTV work led to product endorsements for Nike, and naturally the acting offers began to come in. The year 1993 found him appearing in nearly half a dozen films, where the 6'3" blond was generally limited to comic cameos ("National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1"), evil heavies ("Judgment Night"), and regular guys ("The Sandlot"). In 1994 he began a long-term association with budding young director Ted Demme, who cast him as a burglar trapped in a house with dysfunctional hostages in "The Ref" (1994). The black comedy was a perfect vehicle for Leary, while his follow-up "Operation Dumbo Drop" (1995) was historically unsuccessful. Leary teamed with wife Lembeck to collaborate on the story for "Two If By Sea" (1996), but sadly the romantic comedy co-starring Sandra Bullock was also a bomb. Leary and Lembeck teamed up again for the "Lust" segment of "National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins" (Showtime, 1996), earning a CableACE Award for the short written by Lembeck and directed by Leary. The coffee and cigarettes kept Leary going full speed, and in 1997, he acted in five films - including the forgettable titles "The Matchmaker" and "Love Walked In" - as well as the mildly successful political satire "Wag the Dog" with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman.

In 1997 Leary finally taped his second stand-up show, "Denis Leary: Lock 'n' Load" (HBO), where no one was safe from his acid wit, least of all, O.J. Simpson. ("I hope your kids pull a Menendez on you, O.J. And they'll be forgiven, 10 times over.") Big screen offers in the family comedy "Wide Awake" (1998) and "Small Soldiers" (1998) kept his profile high and his bank account full, but still failed to capitalize on Leary's creative talents. He decided it was time to start his own production company. Apostle, he hoped, would help him gain more creative control over projects and expand his options as an actor and writer.

He reunited with Demme to co-produce and star in "Monument Ave" (1998), a dark drama about the Irish mob set in Charlestown, MA, which opened to favorable reviews (under the original title "Snitch") at the Sundance Film Festival. He went on to enjoy a scene-stealing supporting role in the remake of "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1999), with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo, and earned a Blockbuster Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also gave a powerful, understated performance as a working class alcoholic down on his luck in the indie "Jesus' Son" (1999), which was one of the top critic's picks of the year.

In December of 1999, news came from home that Leary's cousin Jerry Lucey and his childhood friend Tommy Spencer - both firefighters - had been killed in a savage warehouse blaze in Worcester. In response, he formed the Leary Firefighters Foundation to raise money for survivors of firefighters killed in the line of duty and help supply necessary training and equipment for local fire departments. Perhaps as a tribute, Leary played a firefighter in the David Mamet adaptation "Lakeboat" (2000), before putting features on hold and launching a new phase of his career.

In 2001, Leary debuted "The Job" (ABC, 2001-02), a half hour, single-camera police dramedy co-created with Peter Tolan. Leary starred as the wise-ass, straight shooting, and believably flawed detective Mike McNeil in the standout series - which he also wrote and produced. Despite critical raves, ABC executives seemed unsure what to do with the project and eventually cancelled it, but with all Leary had learned about TV production, he was hungry to take a second crack at it. Meanwhile, the staggering number of firefighting deaths resulting from September 11th prompted him to form The Fund for New York's Bravest, an offshoot of the Leary Firefighters Foundation devoted to the needs of New York firefighters and their families. While co-developing his next television project with Tolan, Leary appeared in the 2002 crime drama "Bad Boy" and the well-received indie "The Secret Lives of Dentists" (2002), playing a patient of dentist Campbell Scott who becomes the voice of his paranoia. He also voiced saber-toothed tiger Diego in the hit CGI-animated film "Ice Age" (2002).

Leary was finally able to combine his long-time loyalty towards firefighters with his writing and acting talent in the co-creation of "Rescue Me." The hour-long drama/comedy hybrid starred Leary as Tommy Gavin, a seemingly fearless and tough-as-nails New York firefighter battling alcoholism, the disintegration of his marriage and family, and hallucinations of his firefighting cousin who died on September 11th. An outstanding ensemble cast represented several generations of hard-living blue collar workers daily surviving intense drama with ball-busting wit. Fortunately the show was picked up by edgy cable network FX, which allowed the raunchy firehouse talk and often controversial situations so crucial to its gritty realism to remain intact.

With "Rescue Me," Leary finally proved that when given the chance to follow his vision, his work was top notch. In 2005, he was nominated for a Best Performance Golden Globe Award. Leary was also nominated for an Outstanding Writing Emmy in 2005 and Outstanding Lead Actor Emmys in 2006 and 2007. Meanwhile, he was a significant player in a strong ensemble cast in "Recount" (HBO, 2008), a made-for-television movie the depicted the behind-the-scenes action during the month-long election fiasco between George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000. Leary played Democratic consultant and strategist, Michael Whouley, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a series, movie or miniseries. Meanwhile, Leary unsurprisingly generated some controversy after the release of his book, Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid (2008), in which he called autistic children "dumb-ass kids," "morons," "stupid" and "lazy." Leary claimed he was taken out of context, saying that he was commenting on the over-diagnosis of autistic children, though he did later publicly apologize.
Family
    * Cousin: Conan O Brien.
    * Daughter: Devin Leary. Born in 1992; mother, Ann Lembeck
    * Father: John Leary. Irish-American; died in 1985 one day after his 60th birthday
    * Mother: Nora Leary. Irish-American
    * Son: Jack Leary. Born in 1990, three months prematurely; mother, Ann Lembeck

Significant Others
    * Wife: Ann Lembeck.

Education
    * Emerson College, Boston , Massachusetts, Performing Arts, 1979
    * Saint Peter-Marian High School, Worcester , Massachusetts
Milestones

    * 1990 Hosted the cable comedy showcase London Underground
    * 1990 West End theater debut, No Cure For Cancer
    * 1990 Wrote the one-man show, No Cure For Cancer ; debuted at the Edinburgh International Arts Festival
    * 1991 Began doing promos for MTV
    * 1991 Off-Broadway debut, No Cure For Cancer
    * 1992 Feature acting debut, Strictly Business
    * 1992 Published book, No Cure For Cancer
    * 1993 First leading role in a feature, Judgment Night
    * 1993 Released first comedy album, No Cure For Cancer ; executive produced Denis Leary: No Cure for Cancer for the small screen
    * 1994 Breakthrough role as the smart-talking thief in Ted Demme s The Ref
    * 1995 Directed Lust segment (written by wife Anne Lembeck) of National Lampoon s Favorite Deadly Sins
    * 1995 Formed Apostle Pictures
    * 1996 First writing credit, Two If By Sea ; co-wrote wife Ann and Mike Armstrong; also acted opposite Sandra Bullock
    * 1997 Featured in Wag the Dog and Suicide Kings
    * 1997 Returned to the one-man rant in a live show Denis Leary: Lock n Load ; filmed by Demme for HBO s Comedy Hour
    * 1998 First co-producing credit, Monument Ave ; re-teamed with director Demme and writing partner Armstrong
    * 1998 Provided the voice of Francis in the animated feature A Bug s Life
    * 1999 Co-starred with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo in the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair
    * 1999 Played a supporting role in Jesus Son starring Billy Crudup
    * 2000 Had supporting role in Company Man
    * 2001 Co-created the ABC sitcom, The Job ; also played the lead role of a Irish-American police officer
    * 2001 Played a mental patient in the digitally-shot Final ; directed by Campbell Scott
    * 2002 Voiced a saber-toothed tiger in the animated feature Ice Age
    * 2004 Cast as Tommy Gavin, a Manhattan firefighter in the FX drama Rescue Me ; also served as creator, writer and executive producer; received Golden Globe (2004) and Emmy (2006, 2007) nominations for Best Lead Actor
    * 2004 Released the album, Merry F#%$in Christmas , which included a mix of new music and previously unreleased recordings
    * 2006 Once again voiced Diego the saber-toothed tiger, in the sequel Ice Age: The Meltdown
    * 2008 Portrayed Democratic political consultant, Michael Whouley in the HBO film, Recount ; earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for Supporting Actor in a TV-Movie
    * 2008 Produced the FOX show Canterbury s Law ; also wrote and directed the pilot episode
    * 2009 Reprised role of Diego the saber-toothed tiger for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
    * Appeared in skits on the MTV game show Remote Control ; popular characters were musician Keith Richards and artist Andy Warhol
    * Began performing stand-up comedy in the late 1970s
    * Co-founded the Comedy Workshop in Boston
    * Hosted his own show at the underground club Play It Again Sam
    * Raised in Boston, Massachusetts
    * Taught comedy writing classes at Emerson College
    * Worked as a contributing editor for Details magazine

Comedian, actor, writer, producer. Born on August 18, 1957, in Worcester, Massachusetts. After becoming popular as a fast-talking, sarcastic comedian in the 1990s, Denis Leary has demonstrated his ability to be a dramatic performer and creative force behind the camera. Born into a blue-collar Irish family, he did not consider an acting career until a teacher persuaded him to perform in a school production. Leary later attended Emerson College and was one of the founders of the Emerson Comedy Workshop. After graduation, he briefly taught acting and screenwriting at the school. All the while, Leary continued to develop his comic talents, doing stand-up at the local comedy clubs.

After a few years in New York City, Leary traveled to London to appear on a television show in 1990. Traveling with him was his pregnant wife Ann. Unfortunately, during their stay, her water broke and their son Jack was born prematurely. Because of their son's health crisis, they had to remain in the country for several months. Despite of his difficult family situation, Leary was able to write his first one-man show, No Cure for Cancer.

It seemed that nothing was off-limits for Leary in No Cure for Cancer. Along with the title subject, he ranted about everything from war to the muppets. His sharp, funny observations — delivered in an angry, rapid-fire style and accompanying cigarettes and obscenities — made him a huge hit with audiences. They also enjoyed the show's humorous songs. After the show debuted at the Edinburgh International Arts Festival in 1990, Leary performed it in London and in New York City, earning strong reviews. The show later aired on the Showtime cable network as a comedy special.

But it was Leary's short comedy spots on the MTV cable network that him nationally known. These clips featured him launching into a quick verbal assault on popular figures, such as the rock group R.E.M., and other topics, including racism. And usually, Leary delivered these clever quips while holding his trademark cigarette. Concerned about typecasting, he took a leading role in The Ref (1994). In the film, he played a burglar who takes a bickering married couple hostage, gets ensnared in their family squabbles, and ends up acting as a peacemaker for the dysfunctional family.

While some of his film choices seem questionable, such as the box office bomb Operation Dumbo Drop (1995), he has given strong performances in several movies. Wag the Dog (1997) gave him the chance to work two legendary performers, including Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman. That same year, Leary gave fans another taste of his dark, gritty humor with his cable comedy special Lock 'N Load.

Returning to films, True Crime (1999) put him on screen with famed actor-director Clint Eastwood. But perhaps his greatest box office success has been as the voice of a sabertooth tiger named Diego in Ice Age (2002) and its sequel Ice Age 2: The Meltdown (2006).