Advanced search

The son of a steel worker from Beaver Falls, Pa., Joseph William Namath (Joe Willie) came from the rich football tradition that is in Pennsylvania. After starring for Paul 'Bear' Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide teams in the 1960s, Namath was drafted by both the National Football League's (NFL) St. Louis Cardinals and the rival American Football League's (AFL) New York Jets in 1965. Namath, known as a brash performer in college, signed with the Jets for a then-record $450,000 and gave the upstart, struggling AFL instant credibility in its war with the NFL. Although he didn't turn the Jets into instant winners, he did improve their fortunes his first three years in the league. Namath delivered on his promise as one of the most exciting players in the AFL, by becoming the first quarterback in history to pass for more than 4,000 yards. Namath was also popular off the field, especially with the ladies (which he indulged in, happily) and was known for his love of the New York nightlife. Because of this, he was dubbed "Broadway Joe" by the New York press. Namath gained his legend with not only his performance, but his mouth. After leading the Jets to the AFL championship over the Oakland Raiders, Namath, weary of all the press knocking him and his team and openly favoring the NFL champion Baltimore Colts, boldly lashed out and predicted victory for him and the Jets. He also showed his poise by talking his way out of a potentially explosive situation with Colts' Defensive Tackle, Lou Michaels. Namath and a teammate were in a restaurant talking about how the Jets were a better team than the Colts, when Michaels (who was in earshot) challenged Namath. The cocky QB, instead, bought Michaels dinner, drinks and gave him a ride home. In the game that many felt made the Super Bowl the spectacle it is today, Namath and the Jets were nearly flawless in beating the 17-point favorite Colts, 16-7. Namath became a household name and gave the Jets and the AFL the respectability they were so desperate to have. Namath continued his all-star performances in New York, although he never again played in the Super Bowl. For several years, he was the entertainer of the NFL (the AFL merged with the NFL in 1970) and even dabbled in movies and television (including a memorable performance in pantyhose for a commercial). He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1977, but his failing knees finally gave out and he retired at the end of the season. Namath was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and, for a few years, was a member of ABC's NFL Monday Night Football (1970) crew. Namath now lives in Florida.

Tony Lip (born Frank Anthony Vallelonga) was raised in the Bronx, New York. He worked for twelve years at the world-famous Copacabana Nightclub in New York City. At the Copa, he played host to the most famous personalities of the era, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Bobby Darin. Lip then went on to a career in acting. He got his first big break when he was cast in the hit film, The Godfather. He then appeared in several major motion pictures including Crazy Joe, The Pope of Greenwich Village, The Year of the Dragon, Honor Thy Fathers, Goodfellas, and Donnie Brasco. He was most recently featured as the New York mob boss Carmine Lupertazzi on the hit HBO series, The Sopranos. He also added "author" to his credits. In his book "Shut Up and Eat!" Lip shares personal stories as well as his family's favorite Italian recipes. He gathered his favorite Italian-America actors and friends, including Danny Aiello, James Gandolfini, Chazz Palmintieri and Joe Mantegna to do the same. For the first time ever, these actors-stars of such hits as The Godfather, Goodfellas, Donnie Brasco, Moonstruck, The Sopranos, and A Bronx Tale-shared their families' secret recipes. Plus told tell their own stories of growing up as Italian-Americans. This delightful cookbook, full of photos, personal stories, and favorite recipes, shows why preparing and sharing an Italian meal is a truly rich experience.

In 2018, a film depicting Tony's road trip and friendship with Don Shirley, Green Book (2018), was released, with Viggo Mortensen as Tony, in an Academy Award for Best Actor-nominated performance.

Kenny Easterday was born in 1974 in West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania with only half a spine, a condition known as sacral agenesis. When he was six months old both of his underdeveloped legs were amputated and the bones were used to reconstruct his spine. He gained some notoriety following the 1988 release of the Canadian movie The Kid Brother (1988), in which he played a fictionalized version of himself. The film developed a small "cult" following in Canada, the US and the UK. To this day, Easterday refuses to use a prosthesis, preferring to walk on his hands or roll around on a skateboard. He was married at the age of 19 to an able-bodied woman named Sarah and often appears on camera as a messenger on The Jerry Springer Show.

Josh Berresford was born on 11 July 1978 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Set It Up (2018), Dante's Cove (2004) and Aleksandr's Price (2013).

Joanie Dodds was born on 20 September 1981 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. She is an actress, known for Bigfoot: The Movie (2015), Lone Star Trixie (2011) and Run My Renovation (2010). She has been married to Chris Sprague since 19 September 2015. They have one child.

Madge Levinson was born on 14 April 1924 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. She was an actress, known for Whip It (2009), The Five-Year Engagement (2012) and This Must Be the Place (2011). She was married to Al Levinson. She died on 22 March 2023 in Toledo, Ohio, USA.

Nelson Fair was born on 19 September 1922 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He was an actor, known for Hawaii Five-O (1968) and Fantasy Island (1977). He was married to Electra Gailas. He died on 24 October 1980 in Hawaii, USA.

Rian Garrick was born on 29 October 1935 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Battle of the Coral Sea (1959), Edge of Eternity (1959) and The Flying Fontaines (1959).

Dan Rosenberg was born on 28 August 1970 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for It's a Lot, Dan Rosenberg: Finger Quotes (2024) and Dan Rosenberg: OverExposed (2020).

Joe Walton was born on 15 December 1935 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. He was married to Patty Sheehan and Ginger. He died on 15 August 2021 in Englewood, Florida, USA.

Angela D'Ambrosia was born on 16 March 1937 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. She was an actress, known for The Doctors and the Nurses (1962), The Bride in Black (1990) and Guilty Until Proven Innocent (1991). She died on 27 April 2006 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Lilene Mansell was born on 4 August 1944 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. Lilene is known for The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), Frequency (2000) and The Sixth Sense (1999). Lilene died on 4 April 2004.

Catherine Gaudio was born on 11 May 1929 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. She is known for Malcolm X (1992), Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) and Search for Tomorrow (1951). She died on 7 April 2020 in New York City, New York, USA.

John Guzzetti was born on 12 September 1956 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Captured Alive (1997), Star of Jaipur (1999) and Backstreet Justice (1994).

Jim Mutscheller was born on 31 March 1930 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. He was married to Joan Claire Ederer. He died on 10 April 2015 in Towson, Maryland, USA.

Chelsea Bartley was born on 15 January 1993 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, USA. She is an actress and assistant director, known for Halott Falut (2014), The Onyx (2012) and Cross Threads (2012).