Farewell Lovely Jean Simmons

I just heard the sad news that Jean Simmons passed away yesterday at the age of 80. Six years ago I received a phone call from her agent. She was looking to take some new photos. They were interviewing photographers and looking at their portfolios to choose just the right person for the job. I was thrilled to be considered.

I went to the office in Culver City for my appointment and saw several "hip" photographers with slick portfolios looking very important. I only had a few photographs in an envelop to show the Hollywood Icon. I was still relatively new in Los Angeles and hoped that my work would be good enough to make up for my lack of flashy presentation.

I was called into the office to meet the legendary Miss Simmons. There was excitement in the air as I really wanted this job. I knew in my heart that I was the right photographer for her. I would be able to capture her legendary beauty the way she was meant to be captured. We were introduced as I pulled out some photographs, spreading them on the table in front of us. She instantly remarked that FINALLY she was seeing some photos she liked! I started to feel more relaxed at this point. Within a couple of minutes I had the job. I remember feeling so happy because I knew I was the one meant for this assignment.

A week later I photographed Miss Simmons at her home in Santa Monica. She couldn't have cared less about being a glamour girl but she knew I wanted to get a shot like that so she graciously found an old fur and suggested we use that for the look. Within a few minutes we had our shot and she was free to go on about her day. She appreciated this. We did enjoy hot tea and biscuits afterwards. I visited her a couple of times after that and sent birthday cards these last few years.

I have a beautiful framed 11x14 portrait of this shot that Jean Simmons autographed for me, "Dear Alan, Thank you for making magic. It was great fun. Fond love, Jean Simmons"
Now I say thank you Miss Jean Simmons for knowing I was the right photographer for you. "You created magic in my life and it was great fun!"

Linda Gray Can Do It All

photos: Alan Mercer

hair: Patrick Jagaille
make-up: Jai Lone
lighting: Eric Venturo
assistant: Richard Levi
assistant: Kristen Moser

Linda Gray is an award winning actress, an accomplished director, a former United Nations Ambassador and one of the world’s most recognized and admired stars. She is also one of the most beautiful stars of any time.

Her award winning portrayal of ‘Sue Ellen’, in the legendary TV phenomenon DALLAS, brought her international fame and critical acclaim, earning her an Emmy nomination for Best Actress, Germany’s Bambi Award (which is equivalent to the United States Academy Award), Italy’s Il Gato for Best Actress on television, and she was voted Woman of the Year from the Hollywood and Radio Television Society. After eleven unrivaled years on television, DALLAS is still in syndication around the world and still enthralling audiences. It was during this time that Linda made her directorial debut on DALLAS, gaining experience working as a director on the show.

In the mid-90’s Linda starred in a series of television fact-based movies for NBC, including WHY MY DAUGHTER?, THE GAYLE MOFFIT STORY and BROKEN PLEDGES: THE EILEEN STEVENS STORY, as well as numerous other television movie. Linda guest starred in the CBS hit TV series TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL. She took part in the CBS environmental special, WHAT ABOUT ME … I’M ONLY THREE, which was particularly meaningful to her as she is actively involved in world conservation and environmental issues.

She also guest starred as Heather Locklear’s mother in Aaron Spelling’s MELROSE PLACE, and also starred in Spelling’s TV series MODELS, INC. Linda reprised her role as ‘Sue Ellen’ in the CBS-TV movie DALLAS: JR RETURNS, re-uniting her with Larry Hagman and once again taking them to the top of the TV ratings around the world.

Among the projects that Linda executive produced, she was most proud of the two-hour community cable program, SANTA MONICA: A COMMUNITY CARES. This was a joint venture between the Director’s Guild of American and the City of Santa Monica cable television, City TV.

When it became clear that I would be working with Linda Gray there was a wave of excitement in the air. It is widely known that she is one of the classiest and nicest ladies in the business. She did not let us down. Her beauty is truly from the inside out. Our photo session was fun for all of us. Linda even called me up a couple of days later to say she had a great time shooting and hanging out.

AM: Hi Linda. I know you just made a film. What is the name of this new movie?

LG: I think it has been re-titled 'Expecting Mary.'

AM: Did you enjoy working on this film?

LG: It was such a joy to go to work everyday, which is rare in any job. To say, "I can't wait to go to work." The hours were very long. It was very hot.

AM: When did you shoot?

LG: We shot the film in August. We had a funny scene with a little pig named Georgiou. We were supposed to walk with the pig, but it was so hot the humane society wouldn't let her little feet touch the ground, because it was too hot. The script had to be re-written so that I am carrying Georgiou.

AM: What kind of character has a pig?

LG: Well Darnella does. Don't you love her name? Darnella is fabulous. That is the character I play. She is a former showgirl from Las Vegas. She was in Las Vegas during the time of showgirls. Back when they had clothes on more like a bathing suit. They would hold their arms out and they had feathers. They just walked around and looked pretty. Then Las Vegas changed to this topless and bottomless place. It was too much for Darnella. Time was moving in a different direction. She lost her job and now she lives in a trailer park in New Mexico where her next door neighbor, played by Cloris Leachman, raises pigs.

AM: Are there some other name actors in the movie?

LG: The owner of the trailer park is Della Reese. The woman who owns the Indian Casino where Darnella performs now on a stage the size of a table is Lainie Kazan. She has a man who is sweet on her played by Elliot Gould. Then a young girl, who I adore in real life, is played by Olesya Rulin, who was in all the High School Musical movies. She ends up in this trailer park and Darnella welcomes her in to take care of her. Her father is played by Gene Simmons of the rock group KISS. Her mother is played by Cybill Shepherd. So we have this pregnant young girl hanging out with Darnella. All kinds of wondrous things happen from there. It is a great cast and I am honored to have worked with every single one of them. It was a joy to be there everyday.

AM: That reminds me of the series you made in England called "Lovejoy." What was that like for you?

LG: Oh I loved "Lovejoy." The trivia people will like this. In the final scene I had in "Dallas" Ian McShane was my lover and I was whisked off to London with my son John Ross to get away from JR. We were divorced by then. So Ian said, "Why don't you come to London and do 'Lovejoy?' I said, "Sign me up, I'll be there."

AM: I notice you have a connection with the Brits.

LG: I love the Brits. I have way back family that I am hoping to go find sometime when I'm not working.

AM: Linda you belong on a very short list that consists of female directors. I know it was a struggle to even get to direct one episode of "Dallas." Can you comment on this?

LG: It was tough because it was in the eighties.

AM: It's still tough.

LG: It's very, very hard. I didn't want to be a diva and say I am on a hit series so therefor I am entitled to direct. I didn't ever want to do that. I thought that wasn't the way to approach it but I really, really wanted to direct.

AM: Did you study directing?

LG: I studied with Lillian Chovan. She has now passed away but she was a French woman director. I studied with her on my days off. She would teach me all about directing and camera angles and more. She said to let her know when I was ready. I'll let you know if it's premature. At the end of Season Eight I went to the producers and told them I would like to direct. No, no, no was the answer. I said, "What!?! Patrick is directing and Larry is directing. Why can't I?" They said if they let me direct then Barbara Bel Geddes and Charlene Tilton and Victoria Principal will all want to direct. I had already talked to them and they said they don't want to direct. So it got a little sticky.

AM: What did the producers say then?

LG: I told them I don't want any more money. I just want to direct one episode in the next two year cycle. I didn't think that was so horrible. I didn't want to direct six episodes. They still said no. Basically I was fired at the end of year eight. So I said good-bye and Larry said see you next season. I told him I won't be coming back. He said, "What!?!" I told him, "They fired me because I want to direct one episode and if that's there stance I'm out of here." He was stunned and he said if you go I go. He denies that to this day. He really went to bat for me. He said, "She can't go. We are family. Sue Ellen and J.R. have this magical rapport. She can't go, give her one show!"

AM: How did they handle that?

LG: The producers came back to me and reluctantly gave me one show. I didn't care how I got it. The funny thing was in 'Dallas' most of the scenes were always two people in bed or an office. My first episode was a costume ball in Martinique with German Shepherds and gurneys. It wasn't two people. They thought OK she wants to direct we will let her direct. I opened the script and went 'Holy Crap' what is all this? They just threw it at me. I called Lillian and told her they were out for me. She said, "Of course. Just take a deep breath and get out there and show them." She was my support so I went in and did it. After that it was, "Do you want to do another one?"

RL: That must have been so fulfilling for you.

LG: It was and you know it was a different time. Not to say that it is easy for female directors now because it isn't. Back then in the eighties it was really challenging. Yes I was a cast member so I had the support of the cast and crew. I felt really blessed and I kept that focus.

AM: Do you still have an interest in directing?

LG: I would direct but I would have to direct something that appealed to my heart. I couldn't just direct, it's not my deal. I read a lot of scripts and if I found something that I really felt would enhance people's lives I would do it.

AM: Tell us about being the UN Goodwill Ambassador.

LG: I did that from 1997 to 2007. I traveled around the world helping women and children with their health issues. Once again I feel very blessed to be able to have done this. I saw places that a travel agent would not send you, sitting in little huts with concrete floors. I always asked them what they wanted and was told they wanted clean water, a healthy child birth and an education. To this day if I have a little bottle of water I have to finish it. We take so much for granted. It totally changed my life. The first day I was in Nicaragua I went back to my hotel and sobbed and started journaling. They don't have anything.

RL: You saw it one on one and really got to experience it.

LG: Oh yes I was the interviewer and they would tell me things that were important to them. I didn't want to be this American and go there and tell them what they needed. We were invited in.

AM: How true is this rumor of a new 'Dallas' series?

LG: I will tell you the full scope of what I know. I was driving along when my phone rang and it was this lady who told me there was a possibility of putting together a new Dallas focusing on the younger cast like John Ross and Christopher. She asked me would I be interested. I said, "Sure." They were checking with me, Larry and Patrick. She then said, "OK, we'll get back to you." From then on it exploded with the New York Times and Google. We then did the CBS Morning show but they didn't ask us anything about it. It puts you in a very precarious situation. You don't want to be the publicity person. We don't want to be used like that.

AM: It spread like wildfire.

LG: Yes it did spread like wildfire. People were talking all over the place. First of all there has never been a discussion, no talks of dates or time or money. I know we'd all think twice if we had to go back to Southfork. None of this has been discussed. That's the honest truth. We don't want it to be a T&A show if they are going to focus on young kids half naked and drag in the old people who made it a huge success and then have a crappy script. Are we interested? Yes, but there are a lot of things that have to go on before we commit.

AM: You did something a little different for an Actress of your stature by being on "The Bold & the Beautiful." Were you a fan?

LG: I was asked to come on and do ten episodes. I played the mother of a not-very-nice lady. It was a great part. I did the ten episodes. That was the hardest job. I'd never done a Soap Opera. You never see the director. I was looking around going where is the director and I heard a voice come over the speaker saying, "I'm up here." It's three camera and I'd never done that before. I like to know all about as much as I can. I've done London Theatre and Broadway.

AM: Are you interested in more Theatre?

LG: I love Theatre.

AM: That means you are a real Actor. You are not the typical Actress anyway. You seem to have had a life first. Is this true?

LG: Yes it is.

AM: I also know you are the leg in the famous poster shot from the classic film, 'The Graduate.'

LG: Then I got to play Mrs. Robinson on the stage. I look at my resume of women and it's Sue Ellen, Mrs. Robinson, and in 'Terms of Endearment' I played Aurora. For me those are the kinds of women that are interesting.

AM: It's so far away from the real you isn't it?

LG: Oh yeah. When you see Darnella, you will fall in love with her. I've never played anyone like that in mini-skirts and tights and five-inch high heels. She is just charming and adorable like a Fairy Godmother.

AM: Can you tell us about 'Santa Monica: A Community That Cares?'

LG: I produced that and I think every community should have it. It's a community service program. Say if you move to a new city and need some assisted living information. We took seventeen female directors and gave them a thousand dollars each. We married them with a service organization like a retirement home or Alcoholics Anonymous. Anyway we gave them the money and said you can spend it on lunch or film, or music for the film. We gave them seven minutes for their reel. They had to go to their respective service organizations and tell us what they are about.

AM: What does this service do for Santa Monica?

LG: If I just moved here from New York who is going to help me? I need some insight into what you do. It played for two years twenty-four hours a day. It was on an endless reel all about these seventeen different organizations. It was magical. If you are new to the community you get to learn a little about all these services. It was fabulous.

AM: You have been a delight to work with and I am so grateful for this opportunity.

LG: Thank you, that is kind. I feel the same way. There was never an awkward moment and you shoot the way I love to be shot.



To learn more about Linda Gray check out her web site http://www.lindagray.com/

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Tattoos have grown in popularity over the past 10 years. The idea that tattoos are rebellious, shocking or reflect a girls moral character is being disssolved. The popularity of tattoos has increased rapidly and so has their acceptance. This is due largely to an increase in the celebrities happily sporting them. It is estimated that thirty six percent of those ages 18 to 25 have at least one tattoo and 40% of people ages 26 to 40 have at least one tattoo. more than men women having tattoos.



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Rudy Calvo

Photos by Alan Mercer

Le Chapeau by Alakazia

Over the course of a career that has spanned more than thirty years, Rudy Calvo became one of the industries most sought after makeup artists. His prodigious talents have touched the faces of such notable celebrities as Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Queen Latifah, Will Smith, Angela Basset, Natalie Cole, Chaka Khan, Jill Scott and living legends Etta James, Nancy Wilson and Gladys Knight among countless others.

Calvo’s excellent reputation as the make-up artist to female vocalists is a natural outgrowth of his love for them. He is a passionate collector of vintage vinyl recordings, photographs, video clips, books and sheet music of such icons as Ethel Waters, Tina Turner and The Ikettes, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Josephine Baker and Patti LaBelle. LaBelle relied upon Calvo’s extensive knowledge of her career for her autobiography, “Don’t Block The Blessings.” As a result, Calvo helped provide a comprehensive discography and several rare photos that were incorporated into the book. Another discography that he was asked to help write was for the autobiography, “My Name Is Love," The Darlene Love Story. Currently he is working on his own book, “Songbirds”, in which he pays homage to the careers of many legendary female vocalists and will feature his unique makeup techniques.

What initially began as a hobby has mushroomed into a full-fledged archival service know as The Rudy Calvo Collection. He has been called upon to lend his collection to the A&E “Biography” series, Lifetime’s “Intimate Portrait” and BET’s “Journeys In Black with Patti LaBelle” on which he was also interviewed. Additionally he has worked on the British television special “Top Ten 60’s Soul” and has been seen on the BBC biography series “Black Legend” based on the life of Diana Ross, as well as appearing on another recent BBC special based on the legends of the dance world called “Queens of Disco” for which he also provided images from his vast collection.

His collection has become an invaluable resource for record labels such as MCA, Warner Bros., Hip-O, Ace, Brunswick, Reel Music and Motown (A subject that he is considered an expert on); as well as writers, producers and recording artists researching material currently out of print. He has also been a US correspondent for the UK magazine “In The Basement” that is dedicated to real soul music. His collection has also been seen in books such as "Black Hollywood Tragedies" and “California Soul,” which was based on the music of African Americans in the west.

I met Rudy Calvo nine years ago when I first moved to Los Angeles. He has been a great friend all this time. What a pleasure to share with you a little of my 'friend experience' with the one and only Rudy Calvo!

AM: Hi Rudy, Do you think you are gaining a high profile reputation for your Collection?

RC: Yes, it's been growing for the last ten years little by little. Word got out in England especially so I have been getting more and more calls by people who are researching for certain photos or songs. It's taken on a life of it's own.

AM: Was this your goal from the beginning?

RC: No, I have been collecting since I was a little kid. I did wonder why I was collecting as much as I was. It got to a point where I said, "What am I going to do with all this stuff?"

AM: Was the collection started as a fan of the music?

RC: Yes, it was all about my love of the music.

AM: When did you realize this could be something of importance?

RC: Years back when I got a call from Motown Records asking if I had any images of 'The Marvelettes?' It turned out I did have a few images in my collection that they didn't have. It ended up being the front and back covers of their box set called "Deliver The Singles."

AM: Who at Motown knew that you had a picture?

RC: One of the art directors knew that I was a collector and they called and asked if I happen to have any photos? That was one of the beginnings.

AM: Who is the most sought after artist that you have in your collection?

RC: Probably Patti LaBelle because I have had so many calls from different documentaries about her. I contributed nine photos for her autobiography. Patti always says, "Call Rudy because he will remember when I did something. He knows more about my career than I do." I get the calls about Labelle and Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles.

AM: Do you think Patti gave you a credibility as a Soul Music expert?

RC: She is one of the people. I did start out as her make-up artist, but I was a fan first and I had already started collecting her history. As I was working with her more and more she realized how much I knew about her career and how much I have collected about her.

AM: Tell me about your Ikettes collection?

RC: I like anything relating to Ike & Tina Turner, but especially the early Ikettes, Robbie Montgomery, Venetta Fields, and Jessie Smith who are all dear friends to this day. Ace/Kent records released a collection of their Modern Records recording and my photo ended up on the cover. It was a picture that nobody else had. I contributed a lot of photos and sheet music. Ady Croswell who is one of the heads of Ace Records, happened to be visiting Los Angeles and he came to my house for dinner, and he started going through my collection. He saw how much I had on the Ikettes. They already had a cover for the CD but it was the wrong grouping of girls. I said to him if they ever reissue the Ikettes CD it would be great to let me contribute some photos. He went back to England and then got a hold of me and I have been contributing a lot for Ace Records. They are the premiere label for reissuing Soul Music, really any kind of music as a matter of fact. They are a pleasure to work with.

AM: Do you consider yourself an expert on Soul music or 60's music or what?

RC: I LOVE IT ALL! I'm pretty much a walking encyclopedia of all music but I especially have a love for 60's Soul because I was collecting when I was a kid. The first record I ever bought was Dee Dee Sharp, "Rock Me In The Cradle Of Love." It's a very up tempo, gospel, type song. What made a kid of ten years old be so attracted to that sound? Something about it really attracted my spirit.

AM: Did you hear these songs on the radio?

RC: Probably I don't remember.

AM: Do you think anyone in your collection will be retro-hot soon?

RC: I've provided some photos of Brenda Holloway who was one of Motown's premiere female artists in the 60's. She did not get the proper dues back then. They just reissued all her pre-Motown recordings. She is someone I have been really passionate about collecting all these years; I had several images of her they had not seen. One of them made the cover as well as the inside centerfold. Brenda has always been at the top of my list. She seems to be having a resurgence. She is better known over seas than here in the United States as most of these artists are. They are never embraced in the States the same way.

AM: Why do you think that is?

RC: The over seas market seems to be filled with more connoisseurs of music and they go for more obscure stuff. They tend to embrace those songs that never gpt played here or sometimes even the B-side of some records.

AM: What is your goal with your collection?

RC: I would like to donate it to a museum like the Schaumburg in Harlem, where I know it will be preserved and embraced.

AM: Do you find your collection to be as gratifying as being a make-up artist?

RC: It's different. As a child and teenager I always wanted to be involved in music. Both professions have allowed me to work in the music industry. It's pretty fulfilling because I always wanted to work in this industry.

AM: Are there any other projects you want to discuss?

RC: Yes, as you know, I've been working on a book with you and some other photographers. This is where I will utilize a lot of the collection because I am using a lot of vintage pictures of long forgotten artists who are not known here but they are women of substance who have contributed a lot to the music industry. Maybe they haven't had a hit in thirty years but the fact that they still work makes them relevant. They should be recognized. The book will have a contemporary portrait and a vintage picture from their heyday. Another thing I am working on is compiling music for CD's. That is really exciting to me because I have always wanted to bring light to certain groups I am passionate about. I am working on a project I can't mention yet but it is thrilling for me to bring a lot of the music I have loved through the years back to life!

Markina Brown

Markina Brown is the primary meteorologist for KTLA's Prime News. She joined KTLA in August of 2008, from WOIO/WUAB-TV in Cleveland, Ohio.

Prior to Cleveland, Markina worked at WBBM-TV, in Chicago, Illinois where she served as the weekday morning meteorologist. She joined the station as weekend meteorologist/weather reporter.

The Detroit native has a B.S. degree in Geosciences with a concentration in Meteorology from Mississippi State University, and from Central Michigan University, she's earned a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and Cinematic Arts, and a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations.

In addition to all of that, Markina holds the Television Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association. She is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, National Council of Negro Women -- and is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Markina is the third reporter I have photographed from KTLA. As you can see from these photos she is a natural beauty with a lot of poise. I have a feeling she will be successful at anything she goes for. The fabulous TJ Romeland did hair, make-up and styling.

AM: Hello Markina, How long have you been in Los Angeles?

MB: Just since August of 2008, so really not that long.

AM: Did you already have your job at Channel 5?

MB: I came here for the job.

AM: Did you work in television in Detroit?

MB: No Detroit is where I'm from but I never worked there. My previous job before Los Angeles was Cleveland, Ohio and then I worked in St. Louis before that and Chicago before that so I've been all over.

AM: Were you doing the weather at all these stations?

MB: Yes I was.

AM: How did you get into weather?

MB: A lot of people ask me if this was something I always wanted to do because a lot of kids are very interested in weather. It's always so intriguing to them, and not to say that it isn't to me, but growing up, this is not what I wanted to do.

AM: What did you dream about doing?

MB: I wanted to be a TV reporter, not an anchor, just a reporter. After I went to college I applied for my first on air job. They told me they wanted to offer me the job but it was weekend weather reporter. I told them I had never done weather before. I didn't want them to put me on TV thinking they were going to see this great weather person. I wanted to be upfront with them about that. The news director said they would teach me. So I started following the meteorologist at the station and went to school for it, and liked it. I loved it after I got my degree and I have been doing it ever since.

AM: But you would be happy to have another kind of reporting job now wouldn't you?

MB: Yes I am in Los Angeles now and there are so many other types of reporting that you see and that you can be open too. There are more options here. News is great and that's what got me here. I'll always have my meteorology degree. No one can ever take that away from me no matter what I do.

AM: Was it a goal to get to Los Angeles?

MB: That wasn't a goal until I got here. In 2008 I said to my then fiancé, "What do you think about getting out of here and going somewhere warm?" He was born and raised in Ohio so we both knew about big winters. He said he wouldn't mind it, so I talked to my agent about looking for a job here and got it.

AM: Now that you are here you like it, and you have set your sights even higher.

MB: Absolutely, you have to do that.

AM: What is your ultimate goal?

MB: I don't know. I can't answer that. If anyone would have ever told me that I would come to LA and be thinking of a job outside of news I would have said, "No way!" I can't say because I don't know. Coming here all I wanted to do was the weather, now I am thinking about other things. Who knows, actress, game-show host, you name it.

AM: Do you like interviewing people?

MB: I do very much.

AM: Is there anything else you want to tell me about?

MB: No, we are here enjoying the sunshine. As far as my career goes, we will just have to see what happens.

AM: Do you want to have a family?

MB: I would like one child. I think I'd love to have one kid and if I can get that done I will consider myself to be extremely blessed and happy.

photos: Alan Mercer Hair, Make-up & Styling: TJ Romeland