Timelines for year 1962
Bruce Lee
Lee knocked out Uechi in 10 seconds in a 1962 Full-Contact match in Seattle. It was refereed by Jesse Glover.
Rock Hudson
He was Universal Studio's first choice to play Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird , but was rejected as being too young at 36.
Michael Landon
Before his death, he appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" to talk about his brave battle against cancer and his life and it was the highest-rated show of all time.
Rip Torn
Was nominated for Broadway's 1960 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "Sweet Bird of Youth," a performance he recreated in the film version with the same title, Sweet Bird of Youth .
Charlton Heston
Was offered the role of Colonel Benjamin Vandervoort in The Longest Day , but John Wayne signed for the part before Heston could accept.
Roseanne
On 23 August 1985 she made her national TV debut on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" . This marked the turning point in her career, and she was deluged with job offers thereafter.
Meryl Streep
Early in her career, Streep received a letter from Bette Davis, whom most critics and cinema historians ranks as the greatest American movie actress ever. Davis told Streep that she felt that she was her successor as the premier American actress. Davis, a double winner who was nominated 10 times for an Academy Award, all of them Best Actress nods, set the record for most acting nominations with her tenth in 1963 for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? , a record later surpassed by Katharine Hepburn with her 11th nomination (and 3rd win) for The Lion in Winter . Hepburn extended her record with her 12th nomination (and fourth win) for On Golden Pond , a record ironically eclipsed by by Streep -- the actress anointed Davis' successor -- with her own 13th nod for Adaptation. though three of the nominations were for best supporting actress.
Doris Day
Profiled in the book "Film Fatales: Women in Espionage Films and Television, 1962-1973" by Tom Lisanti and Louis Paul (McFarland, 2002).
Elton John
Changed his name legally to Elton Hercules John. He chose the middle name "Hercules" not after the hero of mythology, but after the horse named Hercules on the British sitcom "Steptoe and Son" .
William Friedkin
While on his first directing assignment for "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" , he was reprimanded by Alfred Hitchcock for not wearing a tie.
Ron Howard
Played Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man , and the title role in Huckleberry Finn (TV). Both roles were previously played by Eddie Hodges.
Bette Davis
Bette Davis had been nominated for Best Actress in her film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? , which also starring Joan Crawford. If Bette had won, it would have set a record number of wins for an actress. According to the book "Bette & Joan - The Divine Feud" by Shaun Considine, the two had a life long mutual hatred, and a jealous Joan Crawford actively campaigned against Bette Davis for winning Best Actress, and even told Anne Bancroft that if Anne won and was unable to accept the Award, Joan would be happy to accept it on her behalf. According to the book - and this may or may not be 100% true, but it makes a good anecdote - on Oscar night, Bette Davis was standing in the wings of the theatre waiting to hear the name of the winner. When it was announced that Anne Bancroft had won Best Actress for The Miracle Worker , Bette Davis felt an icy hand on her shoulder as Joan Crawford said "Excuse me, I have an Oscar to accept".
Joan Crawford and Davis had feuded for years. During the making of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? , Bette had a Coca-Cola machine installed on the set due to Crawford's affiliation with Pepsi (she was the widow of Pepsi's CEO). Joan got her revenge by putting weights in her pockets when Davis had to drag her across the floor during certain scenes.
Desperately wanted to win a third Best Actress Oscar for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? , as three wins in the leading category was unprecedented (Walter Brennan had won three Oscars, but all of his were in the supporting category). It was the general feeling among Academy voters that while Davis was superb, the movie itself was little better than a potboiler exploitation film, the kind that doesn't deserve the recognition that an Oscar would give it.
While touring the talk show circuit to promote What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? , she told one interviewer that when she and Joan Crawford were first suggested for the leads, Warner studio head Jack L. Warner replied: "I wouldn't give a plugged nickel for either of those two old broads." Recalling the story, Davis laughed at her own expense. The following day, she reportedly received a telegram from Crawford: "In future, please do not refer to me as an old broad!".
Gary Cooper
Although he was in failing health, his friend, director Henry Hathaway, had arranged to use him in his segments of How the West Was Won . Upon his death, James Stewart, his best friend, accepted the role.
Before his cancer was found to be terminal, he had intended to play James Stewart's role in How the West Was Won .