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Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies
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Michael Denison to Carol L. Dudley
Kirk Douglas Biography (1916-)
Original name, Issur Danielovitch Demsky (some sources cite Isidore Danielovitch Demsky or Issur Danielovitch); born December 9, 1916, in Amsterdam, NY; son of Harry (in business) and Bryna (maiden name, Sanglel) Demsky; married Diana Dill (an actress; also known as Diana Darrid and Diana Douglas Darrid), November 2, 1943 (divorced, February, 1950; some sources cite 1951); married Anne Buydens (a casting director, publicity agent, and producer), May 29, 1954; children: (first marriage) Michael (an actor and producer), Joel (a producer); (second marriage) Peter Vincent (a producer), Eric Anthony (an actor andcomedian).
- Nationality
- American
- Gender
- Male
- Occupation
- Actor, producer, director, writer
- Birth Details
- December 9, 1916
- Amsterdam, New York, United States
Famous Works
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CREDITS
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Stage Appearances
- (As George Spelvin, Jr.) Western Union boy, Spring Again, Henry Miller's Theatre, New York City, 1941
- Orderly, The Three Sisters, Ethel Barrymore Theatre, New York City, 1942
- Lieutenant Lenny Archer, Kiss and Tell, Biltmore Theatre, New YorkCity, 1943
- Ray Mackenzie, Trio, Belasco Theatre, New York City, 1944
- Soldier, The Wind Is Ninety, Booth Theatre, New York City, 1945
- Steve, Alice in Arms, National Theatre, New York City, 1945
- Hopkins, Woman Bites Dog, Belasco Theatre, 1946
- Detective James "Jim" McLeod, Detective Story, Sombrero Playhouse,Phoenix, AZ, 1951
- Randle Patrick "R. P." McMurphy, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest,Cort Theatre, New York City, 1963
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The Boys in Autumn, San Francisco, CA, 1981
- Appeared in summer theatre productions, 1939-41; also appeared in Starin the Window.
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Stage Work
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Producer; with Others
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One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Cort Theatre, 1963
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Film Appearances
- Walter P. O'Neil, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, Paramount, 1946
- Peter Niles, Mourning Becomes Electra, RKO Radio Pictures, 1947
- Whit Sterling, Out of the Past (also known as Build My GallowsHigh), RKO Radio Pictures, 1947
- George Phipps, A Letter to Three Wives, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1948
- Noll "Dink" Turner, I Walk Alone, Paramount, 1948
- Owen Waterbury, My Dear Secretary, United Artists, 1948
- Tucker Wedge, The Walls of Jericho, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1948
- Michael "Midge" Kelly, Champion, United Artists, 1949
- Jim O'Connor, The Glass Menagerie, Warner Bros., 1950
- Charles Tatum, The Big Carnival (also known as Ace in the Hole and The Human Interest Story), Paramount, 1951
- Detective James "Jim" McLeod, Detective Story, Paramount, 1951
- Marshal Len Merrick, Along the Great Divide (also known as TheTravelers), Warner Bros., 1951
- Rick Martin, Young Man with a Horn (also known as Young Man ofMusic and Young Man with a Trumpet), Warner Bros., 1951
- Jim Deakins, The Big Sky, RKO Radio Pictures, 1952
- John (some sources cite Jim) Fallon, The Big Trees, Warner Bros.,1952
- Jonathan Shields, The Bad and the Beautiful, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,1952
- Hans Muller, The Juggler, Columbia, 1953
- Pierre Narval, "Equilibrium," The Story of Three Loves (also knownas Three Stories of Love), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1953
- Robert Teller, Act of Love (also known as Quelque part dans lemonde and Un acte d'amour), United Artists, 1953
- Ned Land and performer of song "A Whale of a Tale," 20,000 Leagues under the Sea (also known as Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues under the Sea), Buena Vista, 1954
- Dempsey Rae, Man without a Star, Universal, 1955
- Gino, The Racers (also known as Such Men Are Dangerous), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1955
- Johnny Hawks, The Indian Fighter, United Artists, 1955
- Title role, Ulysses (also known as Ulisse), Paramount, 1955
- Vincent Van Gogh, Lust for Life, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1956
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Van Gogh: Darkness into Light, 1956
- Colonel Dax, Paths of Glory, United Artists, 1957
- John H. "Doc" Holliday, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Paramount, 1957
- Major General Melville Goodwin, Top Secret Affair (also known as Their Secret Affair), Warner Bros., 1957
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Lizzie, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1957
- Einar, The Vikings, United Artists, 1958
- Marshal Matt Morgan, Last Train from Gun Hill (also known as One Angry Day), Paramount, 1959
- Richard "Dick" Dudgeon, The Devil's Disciple, United Artists, 1959
- Larry Coe, Strangers When We Meet, Columbia, 1960
- Title role, Spartacus, Universal, 1960
- Brendan O'Malley, The Last Sunset, Universal, 1961
- Major Steve Garrett, Town without Pity (also known as Shocker and Stadt ohne Mitleif), United Artists, 1961
- Jack Andrus, Two Weeks in Another Town, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1962
- John W. "Jack" Burns, Lonely Are the Brave (also known as LastHero), Universal, 1962
- Sergeant P. J. Briscoe, The Hook, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1962
- Deke Gentry, For Love or Money (also known as Three on a Match and A Three-Way Match), Universal, 1963
- George Brougham, The List of Adrian Messenger, Universal, 1963
- Colonel Martin "Jiggs" Casey, Seven Days in May, Paramount, 1964
- Commander Paul Eddington, In Harm's Way, Paramount, 1965
- Dr. Rolf Pedersen, The Heroes of Telemark, Columbia, 1965
- Colonel David "Mickey" Marcus, Cast a Giant Shadow, United Artists, 1966
- General George S. Patton, Jr., Is Paris Burning? (also known as Paris brule-t-il?), Paramount, 1966
- Lomax, The War Wagon, Universal, 1967
- Senator William J. Tadlock, The Way West, United Artists, 1967
- Frank Ginetta, The Brotherhood, Paramount, 1968
- Jim Schuyler, A Lovely Way to Die (also known as A Lovely Way to Go), Universal, 1968
- Himself, Rowan & Martin at the Movies, 1968
- Eddie Anderson/Evangelos, The Arrangement, Warner Bros., 1969
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French Lunch (short film), 1969
- Paris Pitman, Jr., There Was a Crooked Man, Warner Bros., 1970
- Andrej, To Catch a Spy (also known as Catch Me a Spy and Les doigts croises), Rank, 1971
- Will Denton, The Light at the Edge of the World (also known as La luz del fin del mundo), National General, 1971
- Will Tenneray, A Gunfight, Paramount, 1971
- Peg, Scalawag (also known as Un magnifico ceffo di galera),Paramount, 1973
- Wallace, A Man to Respect (also known as Hearts and Minds,
The Master Touch,
Ein Achtbarer Mann, and Un uomo da rispettare), Warner Bros., 1974
- Marshal Howard Nightingale, Posse, Paramount, 1975
- Mike Wayne, Once Is Not Enough (also known as Jacqueline Susann's Once Is Not Enough), Paramount, 1975
- Peter Sandza, The Fury, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1978
- Robert Caine, The Chosen (also known as Holocaust 2000 andRain of Fire), American International Pictures, 1978
- Cactus Jack Slade (title role), The Villain (also known as Cactus Jack), Columbia, 1979
- Dr. Tuttle (the Maestro), Home Movies (also known as The Maestro), United Artists, 1979
- Adam, Saturn 3, Associated Film Distributors, 1980
- Captain Matthew Yelland, The Final Countdown, United Artists, 1980
- Colonel "Buster" Marzack, Eddie Macon's Run, Universal, 1983
- Harrison and Spur, The Man from Snowy River, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1983
- Archie Long, Tough Guys, Buena Vista, 1986
- Provolone Sr., Oscar, Buena Vista, 1991
- Quentin, Veraz (also known as Welcome to Veraz and Bienvenido a Veraz), 1991
- Uncle Joe McTeague, Greedy, Universal, 1994
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A Century of Cinema (documentary), 1994
- Ed Reece, Lies Boys Tell (European theatrical release of the television movie Take Me Home Again), 1995
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A Song for David, 1996
- Harry Agensky, Diamonds, Miramax, 1999
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Film Work
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Director
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Scalawag (also known as Un magnifico ceffo di galera), Paramount, 1973
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Posse, Paramount, 1975
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Executive Producer
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The Vikings, United Artists, 1958
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The Devil's Disciple, United Artists, 1959
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Spartacus, Universal, 1960
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The Last Sunset, Universal, 1961
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Eddie Macon's Run, Universal, 1983
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The Man from Snowy River, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1983
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Producer
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The Indian Fighter, United Artists, 1955
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Paths of Glory, United Artists, 1957
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Lonely Are the Brave (also known as Last Hero), Universal,1962
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The List of Adrian Messenger, Universal, 1963
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Seven Days in May, Paramount, 1964
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The Brotherhood, Paramount, 1968
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A Gunfight, Paramount, 1971
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The Light at the Edge of the World (also known as La luz del fin del mundo), National General, 1971
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Summertree, Columbia, 1971
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Scalawag (also known as Un magnifico ceffo di galera), Paramount, 1973
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Posse, Paramount, 1975
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Home Movies (also known as The Maestro), United Artists, 1979
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The Villain (also known as Cactus Jack), Columbia, 1979
- (With Peter Vincent Douglas) The Final Countdown, United Artists,1980
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Production Consultant
- (As Issur Danielovitch) Tough Guys, Buena Vista, 1986
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Television Appearances
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Miniseries
- Alex Vandervoort, Arthur Hailey's The Money Changers (also known as The Money Changers), NBC, 1976
- David Konig, Queenie, ABC, 1987
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Movies
- George Anderson, Mousey (also known as Cat and Mouse), ABC,1974
- Hershel Vilnofsky, Victory at Entebbe, ABC, 1976
- Joe Rabin, Remembrance of Love (also known as Holocaust Survivors ... Remembrance of Love), NBC, 1982
- Harry H. Holland, Draw!, HBO, 1984
- Amos Lasher (title role), Amos, CBS, 1985
- Matthew Harrison Brady, Inherit the Wind, NBC, 1988
- Mike Dunmore, The Secret (also known as Family Secrets andWhat's the Matter with Danny Dunmore?), CBS, 1992
- Ed Reece, Take Me Home Again, NBC, 1994 released theatrically in Europe as Lies Boys Tell, 1995
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Specials
- Host, The General Motors Fiftieth Anniversary Show, NBC, 1957
- Narrator, The Legend of Silent Night, ABC, 1968
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Special London Bridge Special, NBC, 1972
- Title roles, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, NBC, 1973
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Show Business Salute to Milton Berle, NBC, 1973
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The American Film Institute to Henry Fonda, CBS, 1978
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The Stars Salute Israel at Thirty, ABC, 1978
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A Tribute to "Mr. Television" Milton Berle, NBC, 1978
- Host and narrator, I'd Rather Be Dead, syndicated, 1979
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Johnny Cash: The First Twenty-Five Years, CBS, 1980
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Celebrity Daredevils, ABC, 1983
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Salute to Lady Liberty, CBS, 1984
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Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS,1985
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Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes All-Star Fiftieth Anniversary, CBS, 1986
- Host, Circus of the Stars, CBS, 1987
- Narrator, The War in Korea, TBS, 1988
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America's Tribute to Bob Hope, NBC, 1988
- "Anthony Quinn," Crazy about the Movies, Cinemax, 1990
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The Music Center 25th Anniversary, PBS, 1990
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Larry King TNT Extra, TNT, 1992
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Great American Music: A Salute to Fast Cars, The Family Channel, 1994
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Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS,1994
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Awards Presentations
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The 19th Annual American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award: ASalute to Kirk Douglas (also known as AFI Salute to Kirk Douglas),CBS, 1991
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The 46th Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1992
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The 66th Annual Academy Awards Presentation, ABC, 1994
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Episodic
- "Jam Session at Jack's," The Jack Benny Program, CBS, 1954
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Person to Person, CBS, 1957
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The Steve Allen Show, NBC, 1958
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This Is Your Life, NBC, 1958
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The Best of Paar, NBC, 1960
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The Jack Paar Show, NBC, 1960
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Person to Person, CBS, 1960
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Here's Hollywood, NBC, 1962
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The Tonight Show, NBC, 1962
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The Tonight Show, NBC, 1963
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The Steve Allen Show, NBC, 1964
- "Lucy Goes to a Hollywood Premiere," The Lucy Show, CBS, 1966
- Narrator, "Cortez and the Legend," Saga of Western Man, syndicated, 1967
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Champlin on Film, Bravo, 1989
- General, "Yellow," a segment of "Two-Fisted Tales," Tales from the Crypt, HBO, 1991
- Himself, "The Popcorn Bowl," Coach, ABC, 1994
- Voice of Chester J. Lampwick, "The Day Violence Died," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 1996
- Himself, Clive Anderson All Talk, 1999
- Ross Burger, "Bar Mitzvah," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 2000
- Himself, Parkinson, 2001
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Television Work
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Director; Movies
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Mousey (also known as Cat and Mouse), ABC, 1974
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RECORDINGS
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Audio Books
- Recorded his autiobiography, The Ragman's Son, for Simon & Schuster.
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WRITINGS
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Novels
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Dance with the Devil, Random House (New York City), 1990
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The Gift, Warner Books (New York City), 1992
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Last Tango in Brooklyn, Warner Books, 1994
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Nonfiction
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Autobiographies
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The Ragman's Son, Simon & Schuster (New York City), 1988
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Climbing the Mountain: My Search for Meaning, Simon & Schuster, 1997
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Writings for Children
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The Broken Mirror (novella), Simon & Schuster Books for YoungReaders, 1997
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Young Heroes of the Bible, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1999
Further Reference
OTHER SOURCES
Books
- Darrid, Diana Douglas, In the Wings: A Memoir, Barricade Books (New York City), 1999
- Kaye, Annene, and Jim Sclavunos, Michael Douglas and the Douglas Clan, [London], 1989
- Lacourbe, Roland, Kirk Douglas, PAC (Paris, France), 1980
- McBride, Joseph, Kirk Douglas, Pyramid Publications (New York City), 1976
- Munn, Michael, Kirk Douglas, St. Martin's Press (New York City), 1985
- Press, Skip, Michael and Kirk Douglas, Crestwood House (Parsippany, NJ), 1995
- Thomas, Tony, The Films of Kirk Douglas, Citadel (Secaucus, NJ), 1991
Periodicals
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American Film, March, 1991
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Architectural Digest, April, 1990
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Daily News, October 28, 1991
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Empire, Issue 61, 1994, pp. 86-93; October, 1997, p. 197
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Harper's Bazaar, June, 1990
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Interview, January, 2000, p. 44
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Ladies Home Journal, April, 1988
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New York Post, March 3, 1994
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New York Times, March 22, 1996
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Parade, January 23, 2000, p. 12
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People Weekly, October 3, 1988
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Premiere, July, 1991
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Tikkun, September, 2000, p. 55
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TV Guide, March 6, 1999, pp. 32-35
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USA Today, December 14, 1994
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