Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame facts for kids
The Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame was created in 1998. Its goal is to honor people from Alabama. These people have made big contributions to movies, TV shows, or plays. Theatre Tuscaloosa and Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama work together to support this organization.
First Stars Honored
The Hall of Fame welcomed its first group of honorees in April 1999. This first class included some famous names.
- Tallulah Bankhead was a well-known actress. She was famous for her unique voice and personality.
- Fannie Flagg is an actress and author. She wrote the popular book Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.
- Mr. and Mrs. Winton M. Blount were also honored. They were philanthropists, meaning they gave a lot of money to good causes. They donated over $21 million for a new home for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
The 2000 honorees were also very impressive:
- Lois Wilson was an actress. She appeared in more than 130 films between 1917 and 1965. She also performed on Broadway and TV.
- Polly Holliday is an actress. Many people know her as "Flo" from the TV show Alice. She has had a long career in movies and on stage.
- John Badham is a director. His movie Saturday Night Fever was a huge hit. It helped define the disco music era.
- Nell Carter was an actress and singer. She won a Tony Award for her amazing performance in the musical Ain't Misbehavin'.
More Amazing Inductees
Each year, new people are added to the Hall of Fame. Here are some more of the talented individuals who have been honored:
- 2006: Actor Jim Nabors. He was famous for playing Gomer Pyle on TV.
- 2004: Actress and comedian Brett Butler. Also, actor Johnny Mack Brown, who was a star in Western films.
- 2003: Director and producer Tom Cherones. And the legendary singer and actor Nat King Cole.
- 2002: Actor George "Goober" Lindsey, known for his role as Goober Pyle. Actor Dean Jones, who starred in many Disney movies. And composer and lyricist Hugh Martin.
- 2001: Author Truman Capote, who wrote famous books like Breakfast at Tiffany's. Singer and actress Rebecca Luker. And the classic film To Kill a Mockingbird, which was set in Alabama.
Each year, a special event is held to honor the new inductees. This annual gala features dancers and singers from Theatre Tuscaloosa. They perform with the Steve Sample Orchestra. The music arrangements are by Steve Sample, Sr. and Ray Reach.
