Dec. 18, birthdays for Katie Holmes, Brad Pitt, Keith Richards

Brooklyn Today

December 18, 2014 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Katie Holmes celebrates her birthday today. AP photo

Share this:

ON THIS DAY in 1912, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article titled “Took Fatal Poison to be Beautiful.” The article focused on a woman who took Bichloride of Mercury for cosmetic reasons.

“Clara Zanarthas, a Grecian woman and the belle of Wallabout Street… died today, a martyr to her ambition to become the most beautiful of all women and a victim of the cruel advice of friends, who told her that if she took Bichloride of Mercury in small doses she would become beautiful beyond her wildest dream,” the Eagle reported. “The young woman died in the most acute agony, breathing her last through a silver tube inserted in her throat.”

****

NOTABLE PEOPLE born on this day include singer Christina Aguilera, who was born in Staten Island in 1980; “Thor” actor Josh Dallas, who was born in 1981; “Brothers & Sisters” actress Rachel Griffiths, who was born in 1968; “Dawson’s Creek” actress Katie Holmes, who was born in 1978; “Field of Dreams” actor Ray Liotta, who was born in 1955; movie critic Leonard Maltin, who was born in 1950; former basketball player Charles Oakley, who was born in 1963; “Ocean’s Eleven” actor Brad Pitt, who was born in 1964; Rolling Stones musician and singer Keith Richards, who was born in 1943; and multiple Oscar Award-winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who was born in 1947.

****

JOSEPH GRIMALDI was born on this day in 1778. Grimaldi was known as the “greatest clown in history” and the “king of pantomime.” He began his stage career at age 2. He is best remembered as the original “Joey the Clown.”

****

A LITERARY POT LUCK will take place at 8 p.m. tonight at the Old Stone House (336 Third St. in Park Slope). The potluck party is presented by Brooklyn Reading Works and is hosted by Louise Crawford.

****

Special thanks to “Chase’s Calendar of Events” and Brooklyn Public Library.