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Quick Links Robert Redford's Dazzling Political Dramedy The Candidate's Surprising Ties to the Real World The Candidate Becomes a Cinema Success

Silver screen legend Robert Redford is no stranger to starring in beloved classics and delivering unforgettable performances, and he knocked it out of the park when he appeared as an unconventional U.S. Senate hopeful in the satiric 1972 political dramedy The Candidate. The sharp and witty film chronicles Redford's lawyer-turned-politician as he wades into foreign waters while on his quest to "defeat" the Republican nominee, with the charismatic character initially being chosen only because he had zero chances of winning.

The Candidate went on to achieve widespread acclaim, and Jeremy Larner took home the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, with the brilliant writer having had quite a bit of personal experience in the world of politics in preparation for penning the celebrated '70s hit. Let's explore...

Chuck Norris has carved out a reputation for starring in some of the best action movies of all time, particularly his groundbreaking work in the 1980s that put gritty action thrillers into the mainstream. Perhaps he is known predominantly now as a folktale legend told through jokes and memes about his physical prowess and athletic abilities, but these all started with a genuine origin. Like many martial arts film stars, Norris' fighting ability came first before his venture into Hollywood, with a martial arts background that saw him secure several championships and develop skills in multiple disciplines.

Some of Norris' best films show him as a one-man army fighting against forces of evil, but he is just as comfortable in an ensemble cast that band together to get the job done. His role as the iconic J.J. McQuade in Lone Wolf McQuade showcases the blend of individual bravado and exceptional combat skills,...

David Soul's passing left behind a substantial net worth, estimated between $1-6 million despite four divorces and six children. Soul's notable career included starring roles in "Here Come the Brides" and "Starsky & Hutch," as well as a successful music career. A respected singer, David Soul topped the US and UK charts, with hits such as "Don't Give Up on Us" and "Silver Lady."

David Soul was a prolific TV and movie actor best known for his starring role on Starsky & Hutch, all of which led to the man leaving behind a substantial net worth when he passed away. Soul began his acting career in 1966, in a small part on the beloved TV show, I Dream of Jeannie. After that came several smaller roles until his breakout with Here Come the Brides, followed a few years later by his starring performance in the famed '70s cop show,...

Lynne Marta, the actress who appeared in films including Joe Kidd and Footloose, as a regular on Love, American Style and as a guest star on dozens of other TV shows, has died. She was 78.

Marta died Thursday in her Los Angeles home after a battle with cancer, her friend Chris Saint-Hilaire told The Hollywood Reporter.

The New Jersey native also showed up on episodes of such Aaron Spelling-produced series as The Mod Squad, The Rookies, Starsky & Hutch, Charlie’s Angels, Vega$ and Matt Houston and on Quinn Martin productions like The F.B.I., Dan August, Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco, Barnaby Jones, The Manhunter and Caribe.

As the companion of a wealthy landowner (Robert Duvall), Marta caught the eye of a bounty hunter (Clint Eastwood) in John Sturges’ Joe Kidd (1972), and she portrayed Lulu Warnicker, the aunt of Kevin Bacon’s Ren, in the Herbert Ross-directed Footloose (1984).

The younger of two daughters,...

1953: Love of Life's Meg was upset with Vanessa.

1983: Guiding Light's Mike investigated a birth certificate.

1988: General Hospital's Grant tried to kidnap Robin.

1993: NBC aired the final episode of Santa Barbara."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1953: On Love of Life, Van (Peggy McCay) and Meg (Jean McBride) were at odds over Meg's son, Beanie (Dennis Parnell). Meg later asked Van, "How can you go on being friends with a man who threatened my life?" McCay left Love of Life in 1955 after 4 years.

1953: Love of Life's Meg was upset with Vanessa.

1983: Guiding Light's Mike investigated a birth certificate.

1988: General Hospital's Grant tried to kidnap Robin.

1993: NBC aired the final episode of Santa Barbara."History is a vast early warning system."

― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1953: On Love of Life, Van (Peggy McCay) and Meg (Jean McBride) were at odds over Meg's son, Beanie (Dennis Parnell). Meg later asked Van, "How can you go on being friends with a man who threatened my life?" McCay left Love of Life in 1955 after 4 years. She currently stars as Caroline Brady on Days of our Lives.

Thanks to...

Young Robert Redford and politics: 'The Candidate' and 'All the President's Men' (photo: Robert Redford as Bob Woodward in 'All the President's Men') A young Robert Redford can be seen The Candidate, All the President's Men, Three Days of the Condor, and Downhill Racer as Turner Classic Movies' Redford series comes to a close this evening. The world of politics is the focus of the first three films, each one of them well-regarded box-office hits. The last title, which shows that politics is part of life no matter what, is set in the world of competitive sports. 'The Candidate' In the Michael Ritichie-directed The Candidate (1972), Robert Redford plays idealistic liberal Democrat Bob McKay, who, with no chance of winning, is convinced to run against the Republican incumbent in a fight for a California seat in Congress. See, McKay is too handsome. Too young. Too liberal.

The Octagon

Stars: Chuck Norris, Tadashi Yamashita, Karen Carlson, Lee Van Cleef, Art Hindle, Carol Bagdasarian | Written by Paul Aaron, Leigh Chapman | Directed by Eric Karson

Chuck Norris, the man and the legend, he’s made movies that can truly make you cringe; for all the wrong reasons. The Octagon in some respects is one of these cringe-worthy films with its truly strange script and its use of the “ninja”, but we can’t blame Norris of course or he’ll give us that intense stare and probably whisper to himself some philosophical thought that would warp our tiny little minds. Yes, if The Octagon is to be believed Chuck Norris has an internal monologue and it’s a whisper, which sounds very much like a serial killer planning your death. Chuck Norris is Scott James a man haunted by his past. Trained as a martial artist with his friend...