From Our Neck of the Woods

Today's the first day of the new line-up at Armstrong Circus, and the focus is on our local/extended community of Cincinnati. Today we're going to talk about Famous People born in Cincinnati. I know, not necessarily educational but fun and interesting (or is it?).

Steven Spielberg:

Born in Cincinnati December 18, 1946. The brilliant director of Jaws, E.T., Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Close Encounters, et al was born right here in Cincinnati. Sure, his family moved nearly immediately after his birth to Camden, New Jersey; but we'll stake our claim to him.

The Naked Cowboy:

Born in Cincinnati December 23, 1970. You know who he is right? Right? The (mostly) naked dude that plays his guitar in nothing but cowboys boots and a cowboy hat in Times Square (well, he has underwear on too)? The Naked Cowboy got his first big break after winning a contest to have a role on "Baywatch". He took some singing lessons, searched for stardom and found himself outside of David Letterman Show in NYC; using the "underwear" gimmick and long story short, he got famous. (Read the entire "story" of the Naked Cowboy here if you wish).

Charles Manson:

Born in Cincinnati November 12, 1934. Wow, very sorry about this one. Charles was born to a 16 year old prostitute, 5 years later ending up in the care of his aunt and uncle in West Virginia. The rest of the story you probably know.

Harriet Beecher Stowe:

though not born in Cincinnati, she had a short but impacting stay in our fare city (as Cincinnati was a free state, bordering a slave state, and was a refuge for many slaves who escaped via the Underground Railroad -- all things that Beecher Stowe was passionate about). The famous author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for a time in her life (before she married) lived in Cincinnati in her parents house right near downtown.

Roy Rogers:

Born in Cincinnati November 5, 1911. Most of us aren't old enough to have grown up watching Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger on the Zenith B&W. Roy appeared in over 100 movies and had his on show "The Roy Rogers Show", with his very famous side-kick; the crotchety Gabby (played by Gabby Hayes, whom Will Ferrell parodied in his skit "The Old Prospector")

Other Notables: George Clooney Jerry Springer (sorry) -- former Mayor of Cincinnati turned trash TV host Sarah Jessica Parker Carmen Electra Shaun Alexander (running back in the NFL)