AM Prep-Entertainment History: WED JULY 23

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! ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY !

On July 23rd, 1969, James Brown walked out of Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty's office when the mayor failed to show up on time to present the singer with a proclamation for "James Brown Day." In 1980, former Grateful Dead keyboardist Keith Godchaux was killed in a car accident in Marin (mah-RIN') County, California. He was 32.

In 1982, actor Vic Morrow and two children were killed during the Filming of "Twilight Zone: The Movie" when a helicopter crashed. Director John Landis and four others were acquitted of charges in the deaths.

In 1984, Vanessa Williams became the first Miss America to resign her title, after nude photographs of her were published in "Penthouse" magazine.

In 1990, production began on the film "Falling From Grace," which marked John Mellencamp's acting and directing debut.

Also in 1992, Chicago got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1999, Woodstock '99 began in Rome, New York. The three-day festival started off peacefully but ended in fires, lootings and accusations of rape.

Also in 1999, musician Phil Collins married Orianne Cevey in a private civil ceremony in Switzerland. He was 48, she was 27. They have since split up.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Gloria DeHaven is 83. Radio personality Don Imus is 68. Country singer Tony Joe White is 65.

Actor Larry Manetti ("Magnum, P.I.") is 61. Singer David Essex is 61. Singer-turned-Congressman John Hall (Orleans) is 60. Guitarist Blair Thornton of Bachman-Turner Overdrive is 58. Actress Belinda Montgomery ("Doogie Howser, MD") is 58. Actor Woody Harrelson is 47. Guitarist Martin Gore of Depeche (duh-PESH') Mode is 47. Actor Eriq Lasalle ("ER") is 46. Drummer Yuval Gabay (Soul Coughing) is 45. Guitarist Slash of Velvet Revolver (and Guns N' Roses) is 43.

Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman is 41. Model Stephanie Seymour is 40.

Singer Sam Watters of Color Me Badd is 38. Actress Charisma Carpenter is 38. Singer Dalvin DeGrate of Jodeci is 37. Country singer Alison Krauss is 37. Drummer Chad Gracey of Live (LYV) is 37. Actor-comedian Marlon Wayans ("The Wayans Brothers") is 36.

Country singer Shannon Brown is 35. Actor Omar Epps is 35. Singer Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child) is 28. Actor Daniel Radcliffe ("Harry Potter" movies) is 19.

(Above for release Wednesday, July 23rd) Copyright 2008, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-14-08 0918CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list