Piano prodigy Ryan Wang recently performed an extraordinary private concert for 101-year-old Dorothy Landry, months after he captivated audiences on “The Ellen Show” and graced the stage at Carnegie Hall. This special performance was organized by CBC Music, a Canadian digital music distributor, and featured five-year-old Ryan playing “Variations on an Inner Mongolian Folk Song” exclusively for Landry.
Although Dorothy had been an avid fan of Ryan since he was three years old, her hearing impairment made it difficult for her to fully enjoy his public performances. To address this issue, CBC Music arranged a private concert that gave Dorothy an intimate musical experience.
In a cozy atmosphere, Dorothy sat in her wheelchair while young Ryan performed beside her, clutching a large teddy bear and jumping with excitement. Ryan expressed to “Grandma Dorothy” how much it meant to him to play just for her, and her face beamed with joy at the personal touch of the performance.
Dorothy was keen to show her gratitude by calling Ryan a “very special little human” and sharing her excitement for his future performances. She also invited Ryan to visit her again after his upcoming trip to China and expressed her heartfelt thanks. This heartfelt exchange highlights the profound connections that music can create across generations and borders.
From humble beginnings to Hollywood fame: What does the iconic actor look like today?
Earl Holliman’s path to Hollywood is a compelling story of ambition and aspiration. At the age of 14 in 1943, he was resolute in his desire to become a movie star.
Raised in Oil City and Mooringsport, often mistakenly identified as Shreveport, he embarked on his journey to Hollywood through several stops along the way. His adventure began with a trip to visit relatives in Camden, Arkansas, followed by a bus ride to Texarkana, Texas. From there, he hitchhiked to Hollywood.
Having saved some money working as a theater usher and during the night shift at a café near Barksdale Air Force Base, Holliman had also connected with a serviceman who offered a lead on a place to stay. However, this turned out to be in El Monte, California, a significant distance from Hollywood. Looking back, Holliman acknowledges that it was a risky decision, one that wouldn’t be advisable in today’s world.
His initial foray into Hollywood didn’t pan out, prompting him to return home briefly before enlisting in the Navy. Nevertheless, his dream of becoming an actor remained alive. He eventually made his way back to Los Angeles, where he honed his craft at the Pasadena Playhouse and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Holliman’s determination paid off, leading to an impressive film career with notable roles in classics like “Giant” (1956), “Forbidden Planet”, “The Rainmaker”, and “The Sons of Katie Elder”. He also became well-known on television, especially for his work alongside Angie Dickinson in “Police Woman” and with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward in “The Thorn Birds”.
He fondly reminisces about his early days in Hollywood, particularly his first morning in El Monte, when he wore a short-sleeved silk shirt and dark glasses while walking in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, fantasizing about being mistaken for a star. It was a moment filled with youthful dreams and innocence.
See below how Earl Holliman looks today at 96.
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