This Day in Movie History: January 15

15 years ago Today in Movie History – January 15 – Johnny Mox made his debut in theaters with Varsity Blues, the Texas high school football flick that opened atop the box office on its way to an unexpectedly high $52 million domestic gross. James Van Deer Beek parlayed his success off TV’s “Dawson’s Creek” to the film world with Blues. Co-stars included Jon Voight as the hard-headed coach, Amy Smart, Ali Larter (three words: whipped cream bikini), Ron Lester as Billy Bob, Scott Caan, and the late Paul Walker.

As for birthdays, today would have marked the 101st birthday of Lloyd Bridges. The actor had over 150 film credits and to my generation, he may always be remembered for his role in 1980’s Airplane! (my favorite comedy of all time) and the Hot Shots! movies. He rose to huge stardom in the 1950s TV series “Sea Hunt”. Of course, he is also the father of the brother acting duo Beau and Jeff Bridges. The actor passed away in 1998.

Regina King is 43 today. She may be known best as Cuba Gooding Jr.’s tough as nails wife in 1996’s Jerry Maguire or Will Smith’s significant other in Enemy of the State. King appeared in director John Singleton’s first three pics: Boyz N The Hood, Poetic Justice, and Higher Learning.

As for Six Degrees of Separation between Mr. Bridges and Ms. King –

Lloyd Bridges was in Hot Shots! with Valeria Golino

Valerina Golino was in Rain Man with Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise was in Jerry Maguire with Regina King

And that’s Today in Movie History!