Sunday, August 27, 2006
Local
Racine is famous for more than just kringle
By Lee Roberts
While some Racinians know famous people, others who hail from our city on the lake have gone on to become celebrities. Here are a few examples: * Victor DeLorenzo did Racine proud a few weeks ago when he performed at Chicago's giant Lollapalooza music festival with the rest of the rock group the Violent Femmes. And that certainly isn't the first time that the percussionist, who is originally from Racine (born 1954), has made a name for himself. In addition to his work with the Violent Femmes - a Milwaukee-bred band that he helped found and make nationally famous - DeLorenzo has had an acting career, including performances in the Obie Award-winning New York production of "A Fierce Longing" with Milwaukee's experimental theater company, Theatre X. He also played the role of the sheriff in the cult horror film "The Unearthling," which was screened at the Sundance Film Festival, and, in 1986, DeLorenzo started his own recording studio, jOeS', where artists such as k.d. lang, the Spanic Boys, John Wesley Harding, and others have recorded. DeLorenzo released his debut solo album, "Peter Corey Sent Me," on the Dali/Chameleon label in 1990. His second solo release, "Pancake Day," (Almo Sounds, 1999) is named after Racine's own annual flapjack event. Visitors to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame might also find evidence of DeLorenzo there, as the pair of brushes he used to play the Tranceaphone - a percussion instrument he created - are now part of the drumstick collection there. These are just a few of his accomplishments. For more information on DeLorenzo, visit: http://www.victordelorenzo.com * Another Racine native whose name rolls off the lips of music fans is Barbara McNair, who left Racine after graduating from Park High School in 1952 to seek fame and fortune in New York, California and beyond. McNair went on to build a very successful singing and acting career. Along with starring in movies with Sidney Poitier, Elvis Presley and James Darren, she has performed before sellout crowds in New York, Atlantic City and Canada. Most recently, McNair has appeared in Berlin in "Sophisticated Ladies," a celebration of the music of Duke Ellington. For more on Barbara McNair, visit: http://www.barbaramcnair.com * Oscar-winning actor Frederic March was born in Racine in 1897 and grew up on the city's east side. He is probably best known for his roles in films such as "Les Miserables," "Anna Krenina" and "Death of A Salesman," but March's best actor Oscars were for his roles in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," (1932) and "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946). When he died at age 77 in 1945, March had completed 69 movies.
* Jerry Rannow is a Racine name more recently associated with Hollywood. Having begun his show-business career as a professional actor, he moved on to writing and producing for network television series such as "Happy Days," "Welcome Back Kotter," "Love Boat" and "Head of the Class." Through the years, Rannow has also taught humor and television writing classes, some of which have been offered at the University of Wisconsin. Rannow is also the author of two books: "Surviving Hollywood: Your Ticket to Success" and "Writing Television Comedy."
* Another Hollywood/Racine connection is that of Christopher Crowe, who has written and produced a range of films and television shows - the most well-known of which are probably the movie "The Last of the Mohicans," and the TV show "The Untouchables." Ever since he sold his first screen play, which was made into the movie "The Last Chase," (he got $50,000 for the script in the 1970s), Crowe has been writing, directing and producing in Tinsel Town.
* Lisa Marie Wells may not be a name often heard on entertainment news shows, but her husband, Kevin Cronin, has had his share of the limelight. Kronin, vocalist for the rock group REO Speedwagon, married Wells, a Racine native, during a ceremony held here in April of 1992. Wells graduated from St. Catherine's High School in 1980 and after earning degrees in social work and psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, went to Hollywood to pursue her dream of working in the music business. She met Cronin while working as a director of music publishing at Geffen Records.
* Jane Hamilton's connection to Hollywood comes via her 1994 novel "A Map of the World." The author, who lives in Rochester, has also written "The Book of Ruth," which was a selection of the Oprah Book Club, and her most recent novel "The Short History of a Prince," was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 1998.
* Jerry Rannow is a Racine name more recently associated with Hollywood. Having begun his show-business career as a professional actor, he moved on to writing and producing for network television series such as "Happy Days," "Welcome Back Kotter," "Love Boat" and "Head of the Class." Through the years, Rannow has also taught humor and television writing classes, some of which have been offered at the University of Wisconsin. Rannow is also the author of two books: "Surviving Hollywood: Your Ticket to Success" and "Writing Television Comedy."
* Another Hollywood/Racine connection is that of Christopher Crowe, who has written and produced a range of films and television shows - the most well-known of which are probably the movie "The Last of the Mohicans," and the TV show "The Untouchables." Ever since he sold his first screen play, which was made into the movie "The Last Chase," (he got $50,000 for the script in the 1970s), Crowe has been writing, directing and producing in Tinsel Town.
* Lisa Marie Wells may not be a name often heard on entertainment news shows, but her husband, Kevin Cronin, has had his share of the limelight. Kronin, vocalist for the rock group REO Speedwagon, married Wells, a Racine native, during a ceremony held here in April of 1992. Wells graduated from St. Catherine's High School in 1980 and after earning degrees in social work and psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, went to Hollywood to pursue her dream of working in the music business. She met Cronin while working as a director of music publishing at Geffen Records.
* Jane Hamilton's connection to Hollywood comes via her 1994 novel "A Map of the World." The author, who lives in Rochester, has also written "The Book of Ruth," which was a selection of the Oprah Book Club, and her most recent novel "The Short History of a Prince," was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 1998.
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