The three-year-old died after suffering a traumatic brain injury from a near-drowning incident on May 21.
Levi was hospitalized at a Salt Lake City hospital after accidentally driving a toy tractor into a river near the family’s home on May 21. Local law enforcement found Levi unconscious about a mile downstream.
Although he was initially declared brain dead and not expected to survive, the boy began showing signs of improvement.
“LEVI WOKE UP! I am shook, we don’t know much but the doctor said it was okay for me to get excited about that and I AM! My baby is so tough!” his mother Kallie Wright wrote on Facebook.
Unfortunately, the following day the results of an MRI “wasn’t good.”
“We’re shattered but it is just images that suggest a certain quality of life. Our real teller of all will be what Levi does over the course of a few days,” Kallie shared.
On June 2, Kallie shared devastating news.
“After several sleepless nights, lots of research, multiple conversations with the world’s best neurologists & millions of prayers we are here in the face of our biggest fear,” she wrote. “Levi showed us just enough to buy us time for all of this. We prayed those things were him defying odds & proving to us that he wanted to stay here but we see now he wanted to give us time to find peace with letting him go.”
After countless tests, scans, and consultations, the Wright family took Levi off life support.https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkallie.wonnacott.9%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02NLPak3Kkh6mvEJwL4zDf9mjQVtkeKtQzdh1euqWBosZLVscVjtDEyTumtzReQdVAl&show_text=true&width=500&preview=comet_preview
The following day, June 3, a family friend, Mindy Sue Clark, confirmed on Facebook that Levi had died.
“I cannot even begin to explain how hard the last two weeks have been. From the moment my phone rang the night of his accident, to last night receiving the message that he had to go. I don’t want to focus on the bad or sad, even though it feels like someone ripped my heart out and squeezed it right in front of me. I want to focus on the many miracles we all got to bear witness to in those 12 days.”
“The most perfect three year old there ever was. So perfect we didn’t get to keep him. This baby boy moved mountains the last 12 days. He brought so many people together. In a world so dark, we got to see light at the hands of a child. He’s everything his mom and dad could’ve wanted him to be.”
Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, is a fascinating figure known for his private and reclusive nature, which stands in stark contrast to his wife’s flamboyant and public persona.
Born on July 20, 1942, in Nashville, Tennessee, Dean’s journey to becoming the spouse of one of the world’s most beloved and iconic country music stars is a captivating tale of a quiet and supportive presence behind the scenes.
Despite his preference for a low-key life, Carl Dean has remained an integral part of Dolly Parton’s world, providing stability and unwavering support throughout their long and enduring marriage.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Carl Dean’s life is his avoidance of the spotlight. Throughout their more than five decades of marriage, he has rarely made public appearances with Dolly Parton and is known for his aversion to interviews and media attention.
This reclusive nature has fueled curiosity and speculation about their relationship, with many wondering about the dynamics of a marriage that seemingly exists outside the public eye. Dolly Parton has often mentioned in interviews that Dean prefers to stay out of the limelight and let her shine, a choice that she respects and admires.
Despite his preference for privacy, Carl Dean and Dolly Parton’s love story is a testament to enduring love and commitment. They met when Parton was just 18 years old and Dean was 21, and their connection was immediate and deep.
They married in 1966, and their relationship has endured the ups and downs of fame and the music industry. Dolly Parton often attributes the success and stability of her marriage to her husband’s unwavering support and understanding of her career and the demands it places on their relationship.
Carl Dean’s role as a supportive partner behind the scenes has allowed Dolly Parton to thrive both personally and professionally, making their relationship a unique and enduring love story in the world of entertainment.
After more than 40 years, Dolly Parton’s husband was seen in public. Dolly Parton loves to be the center of attention on every occasion, but her husband is more at peace with being in the shadows and having a private life.
Dolly respected her husband’s decision, but fans are curious to hear more about Carl Dean, the artist’s husband. Recently, some pictures of Dean appeared.
Carl Dean is 77 years old and has been married to Dolly for 53 years. He was recently spotted with his personal assistant outside the family estate in Brentwood, Tennessee.
As I mentioned, Dolly is a wonderful artist who has managed to stay in the spotlight for over 50 years, and her husband is the exact opposite, he has managed to avoid being photographed since the 1970s. Even in recent photos we can see that Carl seems to have a completely different style from his wife. Contrasts attract, don’t they?
Sources close to the couple said that Carl is a rather withdrawn person and avoids leaving the home, unless it is absolutely necessary.
Carl and Dolly met in 1964, and after 2 years of marriage they got married. The two managed to have a beautiful marriage for over 50 years, but it seems that now the two live in different houses, but in the same property.
Dolly said that although her husband does not accompany her to concerts and events, he is her biggest fan and always helps her and gives her good advice.
Dolly appreciates her husband’s help, especially since she had a modest childhood back in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.
Here is a portrait of Dolly from 1965, the same year she signed with Monument Records as a pop singer. Wasn’t she very beautiful?
Much of Dolly’s early success is do to her spot on Porter Wagoner’s television series The Porter Wagoner Show. The two were very good friends and had a close relationship, which is why Dolly wrote “I Will Always Love You” when she left the show.
After leaving Porter Wagoner’s show, Dolly really started her music career and experienced the success we all know today.
With her signature big blonde wig and perfectly made up face, Dolly relaxes in a Chicago Holiday Inn.
The New York City nightclub dedicated an entire themed party to Doly, the theme being farm. There were even haystacks and live animals.
Below is Dolly with her costars Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. They really seem to have a good time together!
Did you know that Dolly still has 11 siblings?
Here she is spending time with her brother David, who keeps out of the public eye. Dolly managed to maintain a good relationship with all her brothers and sisters.
I think it is something to be appreciated when you manage to maintain a relationship with your brothers and sisters, especially when there is such a large number of children in a family. It seems that Dolly knows how to maintain a relationship over the years, both with family and friends, and with her husband.
Robert De Niro, a famous actor known for being honest about politics and social problems, has said that he is very angry about how things are going in America right now. He said in a heartfelt statement that he wants to leave the country and that one of the main reasons for his choice is a lack of respect.
A Time When There Was Respect
“This place used to be respected.” As De Niro laments, “Now I don’t see it anymore.” This shows how respect and standards are falling apart in American society. Although De Niro is a well-known actor and producer, he feels that the country no longer shares his values and the amount of respect he finds important.
Want to Buy a New House
De Niro hasn’t said where he plans to go, but he has told his fans that he needs to find a place that respects his views and way of life in order to be happy and healthy. This choice is important because it shows that a lot of people are also disappointed with the way things are going in the country right now.
The End of a Hollywood Legend
Robert De Niro’s decision to leave America is a loss for Hollywood and a mirror of the feelings of many people who share his anger. During his long and successful career, De Niro has not only been a famous actor but also a strong supporter of issues he cares about. His choice makes us think about how important it is to treat each other with care in public and how important it is for people to talk to each other in a constructive way.
Not One Response
People have had a lot of different reactions to De Niro’s news. Some people understand and agree with his anger, but others think his choice is too dramatic. De Niro is still set on his choice, though, and hopes to find a place that more closely fits his values.
Yasmine Bleeth, the stunning actress who rose to fame as Caroline Holden on the iconic television series “Baywatch” in the ’90s, had the world at her feet. However, her journey since her breakthrough on “Baywatch” has been marked by several tragic and heartbreaking events.
Born in New York City in 1968, Yasmine Bleeth’s career in the entertainment industry began at just 10 months old when she appeared in a commercial for Johnson & Johnson’s No More Tears baby shampoo. Her path to fame seemed clear from the start.
Her striking looks were inherited from her mother, Carina, a model who caught the attention of famous fashion photographer Francesco Scavullo. Scavullo, known for discovering stars like Brooke Shields, found Yasmine Bleeth while working with her mother. This early exposure to the world of modeling and entertainment set the stage for her future career.
Growing up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Yasmine’s parents separated when she was young, but they remained friends, making her upbringing as smooth as possible.
She started her acting career early, starring in her first movie at age 12 and later appearing in the daytime soap opera “Ryan’s Hope” from 1985 to 1989.
Yasmine’s life took a tragic turn when her mother, Carina, was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer and passed away at the age of 47. The grief was overwhelming for Yasmine, leading her to turn down job offers and retreat from public life for almost a year.
It was during her time on “Baywatch” that Yasmine Bleeth achieved international fame. Joining the show as Caroline Holden in its fourth season, she quickly became a fan favorite. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, “Baywatch” was the most-watched TV show globally for a period, and Yasmine became one of the iconic bikini-clad stars running along Santa Monica beach.
However, her role on “Baywatch” was not secured through a typical audition. The producers reached out to her, and Yasmine, who was at the beginning of her acting and modeling career, sought advice from her father before accepting the role.
Her success on “Baywatch” led to various opportunities, including modeling jobs and even her own swimwear line.
After leaving “Baywatch,” Yasmine starred in the TV series “Nash Bridges” from 1998 to 2000. However, by this time, her personal struggles were becoming evident.
Behind the scenes, Yasmine Bleeth was grappling with addiction, which began to affect her professional life. Colleagues noticed something was amiss, and her behavior led to her being blacklisted by many in the industry.
Yasmine’s addiction led her to isolate herself, lose contact with friends, and engage in self-destructive behavior. She maintained a facade of sobriety while on set, but her health deteriorated, and her colleagues observed alarming signs.
Her substance abuse took a heavy toll on her appearance, leading her to be unrecognizable compared to her time as a curvy model. She went from a size 6 during her golden years to a size 0. In addition to her physical health, her addiction had serious consequences for her career.
The turning point came when a doctor warned Yasmine that her body was on the brink of rupture due to an infection in her nose. The infection could have been life-threatening if left untreated. A collapse during a photoshoot in 2000 drove home the urgency of her situation, leading her to check into rehab.
Despite several relapses, Yasmine Bleeth ultimately overcame her addiction. She met her future husband, Paul Cerrito, while getting clean at the Promises Rehabilitation Clinic in Malibu. They married in 2002 and began a new chapter in her life.
Today, Yasmine Bleeth lives a quiet life with her husband, splitting her time between Southern California and Scottsdale, Arizona. She remains away from the limelight, focusing on maintaining her sobriety and enjoying life with her loved ones.
While Yasmine Bleeth may no longer be in the public eye, she has left an enduring mark on the entertainment industry and the hearts of her fans. Her journey from fame and addiction to recovery and a quieter life is a testament to the power of personal growth and transformation.
In 2020, Yasmine Bleeth was spotted walking her dogs in California, looking different from her “Baywatch” days. Despite her journey through fame and addiction, she appeared happy and content, emphasizing the importance of well-being and personal happiness.
Yasmine Bleeth’s primary income has been derived from her acting career, and her net worth is estimated at $2 million.
Yasmine Bleeth’s story is a reminder of the challenges many celebrities face and the resilience it takes to overcome them. Her journey serves as an inspiration to those seeking to reclaim their lives and find happiness beyond the spotlight.
The late James Gandolfini wasn’t always the hulking, balding man the world grew to love as a ruthless yet sensitive mobster on The Sopranos.
Sometimes sensitive, other times sociopathic, Gandolfini’s landmark performance of the flawed gangster earned him numerous awards and international acclaim.
Speaking of the lovable but brutal Tony Soprano, James Gandolfini told Vogue: “I am playing an Italian lunatic from New Jersey, and that’s basically what I am.”
After a hugely successful six-season run, the series ended in 2007, leaving fans wondering if the blacked-out screen in the end meant the antihero is alive, or dead.
Tragedy in Rome
But, along with the legendary actor, the elder Soprano died on June 19, 2013, after a heart attack claimed the life of the beloved 51-year-old star.
The Jersey-born man was travelling with his family in Italy and was in the hotel with his then 13-year-old son Michael when he had a heart attack and died.
Gandolfini left behind his wife Deborah Lin, who he married in 2008, daughter Liliane (born 2012), and Michael, who he shares with first wife, Marcy Wudarski.
Almost 10 years later, Michael landed the biggest role of his life, playing the role of a young Tony Soprano in The Many Saints of Newark.
In September 2021, Michael spoke with the New York Times about capturing the complexity of the character his father so effortlessly played.
“I was always like, ‘I want to make my dad proud. I want to make my dad proud.’” The then 22-year-old actor continued, “I truly wasn’t aware of the legacy of him…My dad was just my dad.”
Though it’s cliché, Michael is his dad. The man inherited many of his father’s features and characteristics, like the sleepy yet inviting eyes, a menacing smirk and the soft voice mixed with the colorful language.
“The pressure is real,” he said of playing the mafia don as a youngster. “Not only was it the feeling of my dad – it was like, Tony Soprano is a f***ing hard character.”
‘Biggest flirt’
Before Gandolfini had three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe resting on his mantel, he was a regular Italian American kid growing up with his working-class family in a modest Westwood, New Jersey home.
His father served as the building maintenance chief at a Catholic school, and his mother worked as a lunch lady in a high school. He was a “happy, cute little boy,” as described by childhood chum Pam Donlan, who would later become a highly respected actor in Hollywood.
In 1979, the young man, who stood just over 6 ft., was a senior at Park Ridge High School in New Jersey, where he was one of the popular kids.
Excelling in both academics and extra-curricular activities, the Get Shorty star developed his skills as an actor while in high school, where he studied theatre.
It was in these years the Where the Wild ThingsAre star met John Travolta, whose father owned a store the senior Gandolfini patronized.
“My father sold tires to his father,” Travolta said after Gandolfini died. “I was his inspiration to get into the business…He would see pictures of me on the wall from movies and he decided that he wanted to be an actor.”
Before heading off to Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelors of Arts, Gandolfini first celebrated his last year at high school with classmates voting him “best looking” and – not surprisingly – “biggest flirt.”
On a Facebook post shared by the Park Ridge community, an old photo of the young star along with a woman, Donna Lange, shows the two as “class flirts.”
“I [love] this picture of Jimmy and Donna…I always remember him like this…happy kid with that killer smile,” writes one old friend. “It’s a great picture of Jim and Donna,” shares another.
Meanwhile, Duff Lambros remembers his childhood friend as having “a “quiet confidence,” and “a cool dignity.” He said, “Girls loved him. Guys loved him.”
The friend adds, “When he cracked that smile, it wasn’t just teeth, he smiled with his eyes. It felt like the sun was shining.”
Travolta – who shared the screen with Gandfolfini in several films – remembers his long-time family friend as a giant not only as an actor, but also in his personal life. “He was a people person first and then everything else,” Travolta said. “He was this beautiful man and I love him very much.”
Despite Tony Soprano’s imposing presence, Gandolfini exhibited remarkable humility and dedication. He humorously characterized himself as a “260-pound Woody Allen,” emphasizing his unassuming nature despite the larger-than-life character he portrayed on screen.
Anthony Neste/Getty Images
What are your favorite memories of James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, or in another role? Please let us know what you think in the comments section below and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!
Blueberry Cheesecake Cake is a two layer lemon blueberry cake with a layer of cheesecake in the middle. It’s covered with cream cheese frosting.
You’ve probably seen my cheesecake cakes before. My all-time favorite is my red velvet cheesecake cake. It’s a favorite “special occasion” cake in our family, and I published the recipe in the Recipe Girl cookbook too. So I’ve made several different flavors of cheesecake cakes over the years. This blueberry cheesecake cake is my latest!
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If you want to make one, it can be a bit of a project but it’s worth it in the end because it’s so delicious! Just take it one step at a time. And start the project a couple days before you want to serve it.
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Ingredients needed:
cream cheese
white sugar
salt, baking powder and baking soda
eggs
sour cream
heavy whipping cream
vanilla extract
salted and unsalted butter
all purpose flour
buttermilk
lemon
blueberries
powdered sugar
mint leaves
Follow the instructions in the recipe to make the cheesecake. It will be cooked in a water bath. And it will be a thinner cheesecake than what you’re used to seeing. It will be the middle of the cake, so that’s okay! You’ll put the cheesecake in the freezer and let it freeze completely before assembling.
Follow the instructions to make the two lemon blueberry cake layers too.
When ready to assemble, follow the instructions to make the frosting too.
Then it’s time to assemble the cake. Place one cake layer into the center of a cake plate or platter. Remove the cheesecake from the freezer, take off the sides of the pan, and slide a knife under the parchment to remove the cheesecake from the pan. Peel off the parchment. Measure your cheesecake layer against the cake layers. If the cheesecake layer turns out to be a slightly larger round than your cake, move it to a cutting board and gently shave off some of the exterior of the cheesecake to get it to the same size as your cake layers. Place the cheesecake layer on top of the first cake layer. Place the 2nd cake layer on top of the cheesecake.
Apply a crumb coat layer to the cake- use a long, thin spatula to cover the cake completely with a thin and even layer of frosting. Be sure to wipe off your spatula each time you are about to dip it back into the bowl to get more frosting (this way you won’t be transferring any red crumbs into the bowl of frosting). Don’t worry at this point about the crumbs being visible in the frosting on the cake. When your cake has a thin layer of frosting all over it, place it into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to “set” the frosting. Once the first layer of frosting is set, apply the 2nd layer. Start by adding a large scoop of frosting onto the top of the cake. Use a long, thin spatula to spread the frosting evenly across the top and then spread it down the sides of the cake too. Because you applied a crumb-coat layer, you shouldn’t have any crumbs floating around in the final frosting layer. Decorate, as desired. I recommend piping a little more frosting decoratively on top.
Sprinkle on some fresh blueberries and lemon zest. Perhaps mint leaves too. Keep this cake refrigerated until ready to serve.
The result is such a gorgeous cake. If you know someone with a birthday coming up, consider making a blueberry cheesecake cake to surprise them!
You’ll want to keep the cake refrigerated because of the cheesecake layer and the cream cheese frosting. Take it out about an hour before you want to serve it. Because it’s cold, you should be able to get nice, clean slices.
The lemon blueberry cake is really good. The layer of cheesecake in the middle lets you eat two desserts in one. It’s a very decadent cake. And it’s worth every itty bitty calorie. Enjoy!
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place a large roasting pan on the lower third rack of the oven. Place a kettle of water on the stove to boil. Spray a 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray and line the bottom with a round of parchment paper. Wrap a double layer of foil around the bottom and up the sides of the pan (you want to seal it so the water from the water bath doesn’t seep into the pan). In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to mix the cream cheese- blend until it is nice and smooth and creamy. Mix in sugar and salt and blend for 2 minutes, scraping down sides of the bowl as needed. Add eggs, one at a time, blending after each addition. Finally, mix in sour cream, whipping cream and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Set the pan into the roasting pan in the pre-heated oven. Carefully pour the hot water from your kettle into the roasting pan (it will fill the pan surrounding the cheesecake). Pour enough water so that there is about an inch of water coming up the foil along the sides of the cheesecake pan. Bake the cheesecake for 45 minutes. It should be set to the touch and not jiggly. Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan and let it cool on a wire rack for at least an hour. When it has cooled, place the pan into the freezer and let the cheesecake freeze completely. This can be done in several hours- or overnight.
PREPARE THE CAKE LAYERS:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray two 9-inch round pans with baking spray.
In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter on medium-speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add the sugar, beating until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Gradually beat in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla. Toss the blueberries with the tablespoon of flour. Gently fold the blueberry/flour mixture into the batter. Divide the batter between the two pans.
Bake for 23 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes, the remove the cakes to the wire racks and let them cool completely.
PREPARE THE FROSTING:
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla until it is smooth and creamy (do not over beat).
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE:
Place one cake layer into the center of a cake plate or platter. Remove the cheesecake from the freezer, take off the sides of the pan, and slide a knife under the parchment to remove the cheesecake from the pan. Peel off the parchment. Measure your cheesecake layer against the cake layers. If the cheesecake layer turns out to be a slightly larger round than your cake, move it to a cutting board and gently shave off some of the exterior of the cheesecake to get it to the same size as your cake layers. Place the cheesecake layer on top of the first cake layer. Place the 2nd cake layer on top of the cheesecake.
FROST THE CAKE, AND SERVE:
Apply a crumb coat layer to the cake- use a long, thin spatula to cover the cake completely with a thin and even layer of frosting. Be sure to wipe off your spatula each time you are about to dip it back into the bowl to get more frosting (this way you won’t be transferring any red crumbs into the bowl of frosting). Don’t worry at this point about the crumbs being visible in the frosting on the cake. When your cake has a thin layer of frosting all over it, place it into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to “set” the frosting. Once the first layer of frosting is set, apply the 2nd layer. Start by adding a large scoop of frosting onto the top of the cake. Use a long, thin spatula to spread the frosting evenly across the top and then spread it down the sides of the cake too. Because you applied a crumb-coat layer, you shouldn’t have any crumbs floating around in the final frosting layer. Decorate, as desired. I recommend piping a little more frosting decoratively on top. Sprinkle on some fresh blueberries and lemon zest. Perhaps mint leaves too. Keep this cake refrigerated until ready to serve.
Melanie Griffith’s life has been quite a rollercoaster. The iconic actress, daughter of actress Tippi Hedren, made her debut on the screen at age 12 – and since then, she’s starred in several big productions.
Melanie Griffith really had something in the ’80s. She was erotic and sexual in a way that European actresses sometimes are and American actresses almost always are not. And she could act, even though I don’t think Melanie ever truly realized her potential.
I loved her in the movie Working Girl and Paradise!
She was born on August 9, 1957, in New York City to parents Peter Griffith and superstar actress Tippi Hedren, most commonly known for her role in the Hitchcock classic, The Birds.
In hindsight, Griffith’s life has been rather incredible. However, it’s been tragic at the same time. The famous actress, who became known for playing strong-but-sexy characters, has been involved in a car accident, battled with drinking problems, and went through three divorces.
From the start of her life, she was exposed to the pressure of a life in show business. Her mother, Tippi, was, as mentioned, a superstar, and her childhood was extravagant in a very special way – even by Hollywood standards.
When Griffith was seven years old, her mother married agent and producer Noah Marshall. After coming back from a trip to Africa, the couple decided to make a film about lions. An animal trainer gave them a unique idea: to get to know the big cat better, they could welcome one into their home.
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
So, Melanie Griffith grew up with a pet lion, living with them in the 1970s at their home in Los Angeles, California.
”I grew up with lions, tigers, and two elephants,” Griffith said.
The pet lion, Neil, lived together with the family. Life Magazine documented the extraordinary event, with pictures showing Hedren resting on Neil’s back. The lion even slept under blankets in Melanie Griffith’s bed.
”It was stupid beyond belief,” Griffith later explained.
Even though she wasn’t involved in any incidents with Neil, years later, in another encounter, things didn’t end that well.
Melanie Griffith starred in her first commercial before she turned one. She continued to do commercials and modeling work for some years, and at 12, she made her debut in Extra!, even though she was uncredited.
At the age of 14, she appeared in The Harrad Experiment, and on set, she met her first big love. Griffith met actor Don Johnson on set, and the two fell madly in love. At the time, however, their age difference was somewhat controversial. Don Johnson was 22 at the time – eight years older than Melanie – but their love for one another didn’t stop them.
”I thought he was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen,” Griffith said.
Her mother feared for the two because of her age but eventually gave in. At 15, Melanie Griffith moved in with Don Johnson, and on her 18th birthday, the two got engaged.
”They were two beautiful, wonderful people, and here, my daughter was showing signs that I had never seen before in her, with an older man, and there was just sheer panic,” her mother, Tippi Hedren, recalled.
Griffith and Johnson tied the knot in Las Vegas in 1976. And, after just six months of marriage, the two split. However, they would rekindle their romance later on, exchanging vows a second time in 1989.
Melanie Griffith lion accident
Melanie Griffith started her promising acting career in the 1970s, starring in films such as Night Moves and Joyride.
In 1981, Melanie Griffith starred in the film Roar. Even though her mother and stepfather raised lions to shoot a film, things turned out ugly on the set of Roar. It was very dangerous being in front of the camera, and Melanie got injured.
She was mauled near the eye, and she feared losing her sight. She needed plastic surgery, while her mother Tippi Hedren contracted gangrene and needed skin grafts, according to a piece in the New Yorker.
As reported by The Guardian, Melanie Griffith said that the lioness ”didn’t mean to hurt me. Just, after seven years growing up with the lions, I forgot you have to be careful. You can never be sure you’re safe, and just a blow can pop your head like a ping pong ball.”
Melanie Griffith came through the scary incident. She continued to star in movies, however, without any live wild animals. She appeared in Body Double, Something Wild, and The Working Girl, among others, with the last one earning her an Academy Award nomination in 1989.
In the 1980s, Melanie Griffith also found love for the second time. She married actor Steven Bauer in 1981, and four years later, they welcomed a son, Alexander Bauer.
Melanie Griffith – daughter Dakota Johnson
Their relationship lasted until 1989 when the couple divorced – with Griffith finding love in Don Johnson again. They divorced again in 1996, after welcoming daughter and now actress Dakota Johnson in 1989.
”You have to understand that we have a tie, and I love him,” Melanie Griffith said and added:
”I will always love [Don Johnson]. But just because you love someone doesn’t necessarily mean that you can live with them.”
Shutterstock/Tinseltown
Dakota Johnson has become a prominent actress, starring in Fifty Shades of Grey and The Social Network. But because her parents divorced when she was only seven years old, she had a turbulent childhood. She moved around plenty, went to several different schools, and was even homeschooled for a while.
She was often hanging around her parents on film sets from a young age. It made her want to become an actress as well, which she did.
However, the childhood of Dakota Johnson was also filled with much trouble because of her family situation. As a result, she started to go to therapy at age three.
“The whole shebang,” Dakota Johnson told Vogue. “All the help you can get.”
Melanie Griffith – marriage to Antonio Banderas
”I was so consistently unmoored and discombobulated, I didn’t have an anchor anywhere, I never learned how to learn the way you’re supposed to as a kid. I thought, ‘Why do I have to go to school on time? What’s the point when you’re living in Budapest for six months while your stepdad films Evita and you go to school in your hotel room?’ I was a disaster, and I thought for so long that there was something wrong with my brain. Now I realize that it just works in a different way.”
Dakota Johnson’s childhood could’ve become the thing that put her on the wrong foot. However, a new person soon entered her life, who changed everything. Just as she mentioned, she needed an anchor. And that was precisely what she got in her stepfather, Antonio Banderas.
Shutterstock/Paul Smith / Featureflash
In 1996, the same year as Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson split, Banderas also went through a divorce with Ana Leza, whom he’d been married to for nine years. He had long admired Melanie Griffith after seeing her in Gone Girl and on the red carpet at the Academy Awards.
“The first time I went to the Academy Awards after we got a nomination for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, we got on the red carpet, and I saw this blonde woman, and I knew her because I saw movies of her, but I didn’t remember [her name] at the time,” Banderas told Vulture.
Shutterstock/Tinseltown
“So, I said to [director Pedro Almodóvar] ‘Who is she? Who is she? What is her name?’ Pedro said, ‘That’s Melanie Griffith!’ I said, ‘That’s it. Oh my God.’ Six years later, I was married to her.”
Dakota Johnson’s relationship with stepfather Antonio Banderas
The two met while filming the comedy film Two Much in 1995, and they had one actual thing in common. Both were unhappy in their marriages – and Banderas and Griffith recognized each other’s situations.
Antonio Banderas instantly felt an attraction to Melanie Griffith when working together. He thought she was funny, generous, sweet, and beautiful, and after Two Much, the two stayed in touch. In May 1996, the two tied the knot and welcomed daughter Stella later the same year.
Not only did Antonio Banderas become a father to Stella, but the well-respected actor also became a stepfather to Alexander – from her second marriage to Steven Bauer – and Dakota Johnson.
For both Alexander and Dakota, Antonio Banderas became vital, as they finally got a stepfather who was there for her all the time.
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In the beginning, however, Banderas explained that it was difficult for the children to accept him because they didn’t know how long he’d stick around.
“I was totally inexperienced. Suddenly I had a 6-year-old girl, a 10-year-old boy, and Stella came along almost immediately,” he told AARP. “I was, ‘Oh, my God!’ But as soon as the kids knew that I was there to stay, they were fine. They needed solid ground in which they could grow. As soon as I realized that, I started establishing my relationship, giving them security, little by little doing the father thing.”
Changed Dakota Johnson’s life
Dakota and Alexander realized that Antonio Banderas was not a temporary man. He took on the role of their stepfather and helped them in any way possible.
For Dakota, this was especially important. Her childhood had been more than stressful and uncertain. In Banderas, she got a stepfather that taught her many things, including “true passion and discipline.”
In 2011, he revealed that the kids call him “Paponio, “which is a mix of “Papa” and “Antonio.”
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During an award ceremony in 2019, when Antonio Banderas received the Hollywood Actor Award, Dakota Johnson and Melanie Griffith presented him with the trophy.
”I come from a family of many a marriage, and I got very lucky,” Johnson said in her speech.
”I got a bonus dad who I realized that, over time, is actually one of the most influential people in my whole life. When I was six years old, my mother married a man who brought an unbelievably bright light, a whole new world of creativity and culture, and one remarkably magical little sister into our family.”
”He loved my mother, and my siblings and I so big, and so fiercely and so loud, that it would change all of our lives together,” Dakota added in her speech.
Strong bond to this day
The relationship between Antonio Banderas and his stepchildren continued to be strong even after he and Melanie Griffith divorced in 2014.
Even though Melanie Griffith and Antonio aren’t married anymore, their family bond will forever be strong. As of today, Banderas is in a relationship with Nicole Kimpel. But as soon as he is in Los Angeles, he makes sure to spend time with his stepchildren and ex-wife.
The divorce between the two in 2014 wasn’t dramatic at all, for which his stepchildren were very grateful, Banderas explained.
He added that he will always cherish the time he and Melanie had together – and that he always will love her. And regarding his stepdaughter, Dakota Johnson, he is like her biological, very proud father.
“I remember those years as very effervescent and really beautiful. I am not married with Melanie anymore, but she is my family. She is probably one of my best friends, if not the best friend that I have. My family is there, Dakota [Johnson], Little Estella and Alexander,” Antonio Banderas told Vulture in 2019.
”I met her when she was five years old,” he added. “I followed every single step of it. I’m so proud of her. I saw her the other day in Toronto, and she looks — as I said in the social networks when I put a picture of her and myself, I put there, ‘My radiant Dakota.’”
Melanie Griffith is seen on September 14, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Melanie Griffith today
At 65, Melanie Griffith is happily single. Her last appearance on the big screen was in 2020, when she had a minor role and co-starred alongside her daughter Dakota in The High Note.
Today, she devotes her time to her family, and according to BestLife, Melanie is currently writing her memoir. And there will probably be a lot to pen down – including her battle against cancer.
The actress was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2010, and eight years later, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
Doctors had to remove a cancerous cell on her nose, the whole event took a toll on Melanie.
“It’s a scary thing when you’re an actress and you depend on your face for work,” the actress told InStyle and continued:
“But I realize I have to put a Band-Aid on it, and it’s fine. I just look like a dork.”
Luckily, everything went fine in the end – Melanie is now a loud advocate of cancer and also supports the efforts of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Born Demi Gene Guynes on November 11, 1962, actress Demi Moore, who changed her surname after marrying her first husband, Freddy Moore, at the age of 18, has had a tough upbringing that profoundly affected her life and helped shape her identity.
Moore’s father left before she was born and she was raised by her mother, Virginia King, and her step-father, Dan Guynes.
Her childhood was traumatic because her mother battled substance abuse most her life. In fact, their relationship was strained and rocky from the start. Her mother attempted suicide multiple times, and Moore, although a young child, took the role of a caregiver at times and was there to save her mother. One time, she was forced to dig the pills her mom had swallowed out of her mouth.
In her book Inside Out, the Ghost star opened up about her dark past, writing that after her parents’ split, her mom would often take her to bars for men to notice her. Heartbreakingly, one of those nights ended in rape.
Moore was just 15 when she was sexually assaulted by a man whom her mother knew. Speaking to Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, the actress revealed that after the assault, he asked her how it felt like “to be wh***d by your mother for $500.”
Asked if she believed the man’s words were true, Moore told Sawyer, “I think, in my deep heart no. I don’t think it was a straightforward transaction.
“But she still – she did give him the access and put me in harm’s way.”
Despite the struggles and the challenges she had faced because of her mother, Moore tried to reconcile with her multiple times throughout her life. Eventually, Virginia King passed away in 1998 due to cancer.
Demi Moore’s mother pictured in 1992
Moore was able to distance herself from her mother during her teenage years and to protect herself from her destructive behavior.
Eventually, she made a name for herself and became an A-list actress with a number of famous movies under her belt.
In 1987, she married actor Bruce Willis with whom she has three daughters. Their union lasted for 13 years. However, the divorce affected her relationship with Willis and her daughters, and with that, her physical and mental health.
“I guess the fundamental question that came forward for me was, ‘How did I get here?’” Moore told Sawyer. “I mean, from where I started to what I’ve experienced, where I’ve been, like, how did I get here?”
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Just like Moore’s relationship with her own mother, her connection with one of her daughters, Talullah Willis, has also been a troubled one at some point. This was influenced by various factors, and Moore’s high-profile marriage to actor Ashton Kutcher, who was 15 years her junior, added another layer of complexity to their relationship.
Though they have faced difficulties, they have strived to improve their relationship and have shared moments of reconciliation.
Both have expressed a commitment to backing each other and have openly admitted their efforts to foster a more profound connection.
A 13-year-old boy has died after being struck by a falling bullet that was likely shot into the air like a firework in northwest Indiana last weekend.
Noah Inman, of the 1600 block of 171st Pl. in Hammond, was pronounced dead at 2:06 p.m. Friday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.
At around 9:30 p.m. on July 1, police said Inman had been playing basketball with a group of kids in the 7300 block of Harrison Ave. when he suddenly fell down.
Witnesses at the scene thought he may have had a seizure and called for an ambulance. Once at the hospital, officials discovered Inman had been hit by a falling bullet that was shot into the sky by someone in a nearby community.
He was flown to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago where he died Friday.
Police said an investigation determined the bullet was “most likely fired into the air like a firework.”
“The Hammond Police Department would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the Inman family,” police said in a statement Sunday.
“We wish you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead, and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts,” the statement continued. “Our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow. When reason fails, pray for peace. We will be praying with you.”
Hammond authorities issued a reminder that it is never legal to discharge a weapon in city limits, and asked the public to call 911 to report anyone they believe is using a firearm as part of a celebration in the summer holiday season.
No one is in custody in connection with the shooting, according to Hammond police, who continue to investigate.
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps remains a beloved figure, not just for his astounding sporting achievements but also for his endearing charm that continues to captivate fans.
While Phelps’s Olympic medals solidify his status as one of the greatest athletes of all time, it’s his heartwarming love story with former Miss California, Nicole Johnson, that adds a charming twist to his remarkable journey.
Fans admire not only his athletic prowess but also Phelp’s good looks and his wife’s striking beauty.
Michael Phelps at a press conference held at McBurney YMCA in New York City on August 28, 2008 | Source: Getty Images
Olympic legend Michael Phelps, often hailed as one of the greatest Olympians in history, continues to capture hearts, but it’s not just his sporting prowess that fans adore. With his staggering 28 Olympic medals, including a remarkable 23 golds, Phelps stands as a sports icon like no other.
Michael Phelps proudly displays his eighth gold medal, wearing a smile and the American flag, following the Men’s 4×100 Medley Relay at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 17, 2008, in Beijing, China | Source: Getty Images
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Born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland, Phelps embarked on his extraordinary journey from a young age and achieved unparalleled success in the pool.
One can debate the greatest Olympian of all time with names like Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, and Nadia Comaneci in contention, but when it comes to sheer medal count, Phelps is the undisputed champion.
Michael Phelps celebrates his fourth gold medal with a hand gesture after his victory in the Men’s 200m Individual Medley Final at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games | Source: Getty Images
His 23 gold medals alone surpass the combined medal count of most other Olympians, including swimmers. Apart from legends like Mark Spitz, Matt Biondi, and Jenny Thompson, no other swimmer has come close to Phelps’s remarkable tally of gold medals.
Michael Phelps joyously celebrates during the medal ceremony for the Men’s 200m Individual Medley Final on Day 6 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Source: Getty Images
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Fans’ Heartfelt Admiration for Phelps
Phelps’s journey to greatness began in his hometown of Baltimore, where he was born to his mother, Deborah, alongside his sisters Hilary and Whitney. He honed his skills at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club and quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing his exceptional talent for swimming.
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Beyond the pool, Phelps has earned admiration and adoration from fans worldwide. His Instagram is filled with comments from devoted followers expressing their admiration and infatuation for him.
with some declaring him their idol. One fan even playfully admitted to the athlete being their “crush,” while others said he was a “legend.” Others have even expressed their “obsession” for the athlete. Phelps has also been an inspiration to many and some consider him their “idol.”
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Some have even confessed they can’t get enough of him and openly call him their “idol,” while others cheekily admit he’s their “crush.” Many fans hail him as a “legend,” and some even confess their “obsession” with the athlete. Even as Phelps continues to inspire countless people, the Olympic superstar’s life isn’t just about medals and accolades.
Phelps opened up about his family during the ESPY Awards, where he was honored with awards for Best Record-Breaking Performance and Best Male U.S. Olympic Athlete. Phelps expressed his excitement about sharing his achievements with his family.
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The ESPY Awards hold a special place in Phelps’s heart, not just because they celebrate his incredible athletic feats but also because it’s where he first crossed paths with his wife, Nicole Johnson, a decade ago.
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The Strength Behind the Legend
Johnson is more than just a pretty face; her role as an Ambassador for the Michael Phelps Foundation since 2015 speaks volumes about her commitment to their shared passions. Beyond her ambassadorship, Johnson boasts an impressive background in modeling and beauty pageants.
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At the age of 24, she achieved the title of Miss California USA 2010, showcasing her beauty and grace on a grand stage. Her journey in the world of beauty pageants includes being a runner-up in Miss California National Teenager 2004 and securing a spot in the top 15 during her first attempt at the Miss California USA crown in 2006.
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As Phelps shared glimpses of his life on Instagram, fans couldn’t help but notice the stunning beauty of his wife. Comments from fans poured in, describing her as cute and pretty.
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Others praised the couple as being exceptionally good-looking. One fan summed it up by saying, “Your wife is absolutely beautiful,” while another gushed, “Looking pretty.”
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Beyond her beauty, Johnson plays a pivotal role in Phelps’ life. With his battles against anxiety and depression, Phelps appreciates her unwavering support. He shared, “There’s no other person that would be able to support me like she has. She’s the glue that holds all of us together.”
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Phelps and Johnson’s family includes their four sons Boomer, Beckett, Maverick, and their new addition Nico.
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Phelps, the swimming sensation, has not only dominated the Olympic pool but has also found a love that is as remarkable as his athletic achievements.
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His journey with his wife, Johnson continues to inspire many, proving that love, like his gold medals, is worth celebrating.