title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Seventeen-year-old Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time from October 26, 1985, to November 5, 1955, in a time machine built from a DeLorean by eccentric scientist Emmett "Doc" Brown, when they are attacked and Doc is apparently killed by Islamic terrorists from whom he stole the plutonium that gives the flux capacitor the 1.21 gigawatts it needs to time-travel. Soon after his arrival in 1955, Marty's mother, Lorraine, falls in love with him, rather than with his father George McFly, threatening to cause a paradox that would result in Marty ceasing to exist. Without plutonium to power the time machine, Marty must find the 1955 Doc Brown to help him reunite his parents and return to 1985.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The efforts of Biff Tannen, George's bully and supervisor, further complicate Marty's situation until Marty successfully causes his parents to fall in love and simultaneously convinces George to finally stand up to Biff. Returning to the future via a lightning strike that powers the machine, Marty discovers a vastly improved situation for the McFly family, as a much more confident George has become an accomplished science fiction author, Marty's two older siblings have better lives, he owns the car of his dreams, and an apparently-softened Biff is now an auto detailer, rather than George's supervisor. Despite 1955 Doc's insistence on not knowing details of the future, a note Marty leaves in his pocket on November 12, 1955, prevents him from being killed by the terrorists. In the film's final moments, Doc Brown appears in a modified version of the DeLorean and tells Marty and his girlfriend Jennifer Parker that they must travel to the future to fix a problem caused by Marty and Jennifer's kids.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The series continues as Doc Brown travels with Marty and Jennifer to the year 2015, where he has discovered Marty's family is in ruins. Shortly after rectifying the situation, Marty buys a sports almanac containing the outcomes of 50 years (1950–2000) worth of sporting events to make easy money. However, Doc talks him out of it and throws the almanac in the trash bin, where the 2015 Biff Tannen finds it. A sleeping Jennifer has been taken by police to her future home, needing Marty and Doc to retrieve her before returning to 1985. While Marty and Doc are at the 2015 McFly home, 2015 Biff steals the DeLorean time machine and gives the book to his 1955 self just before he goes to the dance at the end of the first film. When Doc and Marty return to 1985, they find that Biff has used the sports almanac's knowledge for financial gain, which allowed him to turn Courthouse Square into a casino with 27 floors, take over Hill Valley, get away with the murder of Marty's father, and later marry Marty's mother. Marty learns that Biff was given the book by 2015 Biff on November 12, 1955, so he and Doc go back to that date in order to steal the almanac from Biff before he can use it to destroy their lives. They accomplish this in a complex fashion, often crossing their own past selves' paths. When the duo is about to travel back to 1985, a lightning bolt strikes the DeLorean and activates the time circuits, sending Doc back to 1885 and leaving Marty stranded once again in 1955.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: After finding out that Doc Brown was trapped in 1885, Marty and the 1955 Doc find and fix the DeLorean. Learning that Doc gets shot in 1885 by Biff's great-grandfather, the outlaw Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen, Marty travels back in time to save Doc (who has become a blacksmith) and bring him back to the future. Arriving in the middle of a chase between the United States Cavalry and American Indians, Marty is forced to flee to a cave, discovering the DeLorean's fuel line is torn. Marty convinces Doc to come back with him and find a way to get back to his time before it is too late, but Doc is smitten after saving schoolteacher Clara Clayton. After running afoul of and defeating Buford Tannen and several dramatic action scenes involving using a speeding locomotive to push the DeLorean to , Marty returns to 1985 without Doc Brown. When the DeLorean appears in 1985, a modern train destroys it, with Marty barely escaping. Reuniting with Jennifer, Marty avoids a street race and the two visit the scene of the wreckage of the DeLorean. Suddenly, Doc, Clara and their children appear in a time-travelling steam locomotive. Doc reminds Marty and Jennifer that "[their] future is whatever [they] make it", so they must "make it a good one." The locomotive lifts off the tracks and departs from 1985, ending the trilogy.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Co-writer and director Robert Zemeckis, who has final rights to all films in the "Back to the Future" franchise, has stated that he will block all attempts to remake or reboot the original film. Co-writer Bob Gale has stated that he did not wish to see another film in the series without the Marty McFly character nor any other actor than Michael J. Fox playing him, while acknowledging that Fox's current health condition would make this impossible. He illustrated this at a 2008 fan convention in Florida, stating "The idea of making another "Back to the Future" movie without Michael J. Fox – you know, that's like saying, 'I'm going to cook you a steak dinner and I'm going to hold the beef." Gale also said that the is the closest thing to what a fourth film could be like. In an interview on October 21, 2015, the day of Marty McFly's purported arrival in the future, Christopher Lloyd stated that he would consider making a fourth film under the condition that the original cast and creative team returned, along with a story "worth telling". The same day, Lloyd reprised his role as Doc Brown in a brief segment in which the character returns to announce a special message (titled ""Doc Brown Saves the World""), explaining the discrepancy between reality and the future as depicted in the film. In 2020, actor Tom Holland claimed in an interview with BBC Radio 1 that he was approached by an unnamed producer over a possible reboot of the franchise with him starring the lead role as Marty McFly (or a similarly new character). However, Holland stated he was reluctant to take up this offer as he described the existing films as "perfect films", though he would be interested in re-creating scenes from the films in a deep-fake homage video or short film.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: "Doc Brown Saves the World" is a 2015 direct-to-video short film starring Christopher Lloyd as Emmett Brown. The short is featured on the 2015 Blu-ray and DVD release of the "Back to the Future" trilogy commemorating the franchise's 30th anniversary. The short was released in the United States on October 20, 2015.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Emmett Brown is in an undisclosed location outside Hill Valley, California. He sets a video camera to track his body in order to videotape a message for Marty McFly. He explains that it is October 21, 2015, one hour before Marty, Doc, and Jennifer Parker arrive from 1985. He explains that when he traveled to the future, he discovered that there was a nuclear holocaust that occurred on October 21, 2045. He tracked it down to four inventions: the food hydrator, self-lacing shoes, the hoverboard, and the Mr. Fusion home energy reactor.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The former three inventions led to the world becoming lazy and obese, leading to widespread waste. The invention of hoverboards led to hovercars, which led to people throwing their trash out of the windows, causing a great trash storm in 2021. All of this trash needed to be disposed of, which led to 100 million Mr. Fusion units being manufactured. All of the Mr. Fusion units had a tiny nuclear reactor inside, and all of them detonated on October 21, 2045. The chain of events that led to this happening began less than twenty-four hours after Marty caused Griff Tannen to crash his hoverboard into the Hill Valley Courthouse when Griff was sentenced. He vowed to get back at the world for laughing at him and planned to do it through a company that he would found, GriffTech.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Doc holds up a tablet computer with a digital version of the Hill Valley Telegraph. On June 13, 2032, GriffTech invented a social media network called ThingMeme, which secured funding from Douglas J. Needles. ThingMeme allowed inanimate objects to post selfies on the internet. However, it was a scam, as it allowed Griff to gain access to every object on Earth. On the 30th anniversary of his arrest, on October 21, 2045, he uploaded a virus that was supposed to flash the word "butthead" on everything. However, it short-circuited the Mr. Fusion network, causing nuclear explosions in 100 million homes worldwide.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Doc Brown travels to an unknown date to ensure these inventions are never created, which will prevent the nuclear explosion. He leaves his camera on, which captures the inventions being erased from history. He arrives back in 2015, in a winter jacket and ski goggles, declaring that the mission was more complicated than he calculated, but declaring it a success. He holds up the tablet computer, where the headline on the Hill Valley Telegraph changes from "Griff Tannen Founds Grifftech" to "Griff Tannen Found Guilty".


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Doc's excitement is short-lived, however, as he reaches in his pocket. He pulls out the Quantum Mind Jar, which he thought he disposed of in 2075. He is worried that not doing so will unravel everything they accomplished. The artificial intelligence of the Quantum Mind Jar tells Brown that they need to go back to the future, which he dismisses as he does not want to risk further time travel.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Another Emmett Brown then arrives, also declaring his experiment a success. Both versions of Brown, along with the artificial intelligence of the Quantum Mind Jar, are shocked at discovering that there are two Emmett Browns present.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: An animated television series, "Back to the Future: The Animated Series", lasted two seasons, each featuring 13 episodes, and ran on CBS from September 14, 1991, to December 26, 1992.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The TV series "Back to the Future" was an animated science-fiction comedy adventure television series for television, based on the live-action film trilogy. Although the series takes place after the films, creator Bob Gale stated that the animated series and the comic books take place in their own 'what if' and alternate timelines.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The show lasted two seasons, each featuring 13 episodes, and ran on CBS from September 14, 1991 to December 26, 1992 with reruns until August 14, 1993. The network chose not to renew the show for a third season (citing low ratings). It was later rerun on Fox, as a part of the FoxBox block, from March 22 to August 30, 2003. This show marked the debut television appearance of Bill Nye on a nationally broadcast show.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The central premise of the TV series was that, after the conclusion of "Back to the Future Part III", in 1991, Dr. Emmett Brown moved into a farm in Hill Valley with his wife Clara, their sons Jules and Verne, and the family dog, Einstein. As with the films, time travel was achieved through the use of a modified DeLorean, which had apparently been re-built after it was destroyed at the end of the trilogy. The DeLorean now has voice-activated "time circuits" and can also travel instantaneously to different locations in space and time, in addition to folding into a suitcase. The characters also travel through time using the steam engine time machine Doc invented at the end of the third film.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Although Marty McFly is the show's main character and Jennifer Parker makes occasional appearances, the show focused primarily on the Brown family, whereas the films focused on the McFly family. The film's villain, Biff Tannen, also appeared frequently. In addition, relatives of McFly, Brown, and Tannen families were plentiful in the past or future parallel time zones visited. Unlike the films, which took place entirely in Hill Valley and the surrounding area, the series frequently took the characters to exotic locations. At the end of every episode, Doc Brown would appear to do an experiment, often related to the episode's plot. The first season also included post-credits segments with Biff Tannen telling a joke related to the episode, alluding to Thomas F. Wilson's career as a stand-up comedian.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: , the "Back to the Future" series is the 14th-highest-grossing trilogy of all time at the domestic market (adjusted for inflation), 17th-highest-grossing trilogy of all time at the domestic market (not adjusted for inflation), and the 13th-highest-grossing trilogy of all time, worldwide (not adjusted for inflation).


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The trilogy was re-released in certain countries worldwide on October 21, 2015, to commemorate the date traveled to by the protagonists in "Back to the Future Part II" and generated $4.8 million on its opening day. In the United States and Canada, it earned $1.65 million from ticket sales across 1,815 North American theaters on its opening day. Germany opened with $1.4 million and the United Kingdom with $345,000. Revenues from other territories such as Australia, Austria, France, Italy were moderate.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The first movie in the trilogy returned to certain countries once again for the 35th anniversary of the first film. In the United Kingdom, this was originally scheduled to begin on May 29, 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the opening dates of various cinemas were delayed, and on a cinema-by-cinema basis slowly reopened. Many cinemas also showed the rest of the trilogy, partially due to the coinciding 30th anniversary of "Part III".


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Marty McFly and Doc Brown were included in "Empire"s 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time, ranking No. 39 and No. 76 respectively.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: October 21, 2015, the date used for the setting of the future events during the first act of the second film, has been called ""Back to the Future" Day" by the media. The year 2015 also commemorated the 30th anniversary of the release of the original film.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Many promotions were planned to mark the passing of the date, with many playing to the depiction of the future in the film, including:


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Cast members appeared on "Today" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on October 21, 2015. Nearly 2,000 theaters worldwide showed back-to-back screenings of the "Back to the Future" trilogy on October 21 and continuing through that weekend, which earned over $4.8M in single day ticket sales. Universal Studios offered location tours of the various filming locations around the date. The town of Reston, Virginia, temporarily changed its name to "Hill Valley" to commemorate the series during its annual film festival. Esquire Network aired the trilogy all day that day, plus all weekend.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: In July 1997, Universal Studios announced that "Back to the Future" would be one of their first ten releases on the new DVD format, though it ended up being delayed for five years. The films were released as a box set on VHS and DVD on December 17, 2002 in both widescreen (1.85:1) and full screen (1.33:1) formats. The widescreen DVDs had to be reissued a year later because of framing errors in converting from open matte to widescreen.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: In June 2008, a special screening of the trilogy was held in Celebration, Florida. Bob Gale told the crowd they were seeing the digitally remastered version that was going to be used for the Blu-ray version of the movies. The Blu-ray box set was released on October 26, 2010, and includes bonus features, such as a newly-produced six-part retrospective documentary titled "Tales from the Future". There have been numerous complaints about the R1 packaging, leading to the release of an instruction sheet on how to safely remove and insert discs.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: On October 20, 2015, one day before the date of the fictional events transpiring in the 2015 segment of "Part II," the trilogy was once again released on Blu-ray and DVD. A bonus disc was included, which featured new bonus material such as "Outatime" which is a look into the restoration of the time machine from 2012; "Doc Brown Saves the World!", a new short movie starring Christopher Lloyd; two episodes from "The Animated Series"; two novelty commercials about "Jaws 19" and the "2015 Hoverboard"; and other additional features.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: In July 2020, a new release was announced via a press release for "The Ultimate Trilogy," to celebrate the franchise's 35th anniversary, and featured a release on Ultra HD Blu-ray for the first time. The set included a new digitally remastered 4K picture, Dolby Atmos sound, and more previously unreleased content.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The "Back to the Future: Back in Time" board game was released in 2020. It is a fully cooperative game, in which each player is a character in the film, and must collect items to help Marty McFly and Doc to return from 1955 to their own time, as depicted in the first film in the trilogy.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: In 2010, Looney Labs introduced "Back to the Future: The Card Game", a strategy game using the same mechanics as the company's game "Chrononauts". In the game, a timeline of cards are laid out in a grid with each era in the movies grouped together. Randomly distributed ID cards outline goals or timeline changes necessary to make sure the future character exists. The license for this game expired in 2012 and is no longer being produced.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: A comic book series was published by Harvey Comics in 1992 detailing further adventures of the animated series. Only seven issues were produced. IDW published a mini-series which presents the first meeting of both Marty and Doc Brown and is written by co-screenwriter Bob Gale, which was released in stores on October 21, 2015, the same date that Marty travels with Doc Brown to the future depicted in the storyline for Part II. In issue 3, it was revealed that it had become an ongoing monthly comic due to popular demand.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Beginning in issue #6, the original format of one or two untold stories per issue was replaced with a multi-issue ongoing story arc. The original subtitle for the comic, "Untold Tales and Alternate Timelines", was used for the trade paperback which contained the first five comics in the series. The series has now gone on to what IDW calls "chapter 2" of the series with "Tales from the Time Train." This is a series of stories detailing where Doc and the Brown family went after time traveling at the end of "Back to the Future Part III". Other mini-series published by IDW include "Citizen Brown", which adapts the , and "Biff to the Future", which depicts Biff Tannen's rise to power after being given the almanac by his future self. The latter is also co-written by Gale.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: "Transformers/Back to the Future" is a four-issue crossover comic miniseries published by IDW Publishing, to commemorate the 35th anniversaries of "Back to the Future" and Hasbro's "Transformers" franchise. It was published from October 7, 2020, to May 12, 2021.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Each film in the trilogy also received a novelization that expanded on the movies by adding scenes, characters, and dialog, often culled from early-draft scripts.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: In 2012, Hasslein Books released "A Matter of Time: The Unauthorized Back to the Future Lexicon", written by Rich Handley. The book was released in cooperation with BTTF.com, the official Back to the Future website. A second volume, "Back in Time: The Unauthorized Back to the Future Chronology", by Greg Mitchell and Rich Handley, was released in 2013.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: "Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History" is an officially licensed book which includes 224 pages of behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, rare and never-before-seen images, concept art, storyboards, photos, and special removable replicas of paper items from the films. The book was written by Michael Klastorin, who was the production publicist on Back to the Future Part II and Back to the Future Part III, with Randal Atamaniuk. The book includes a foreword by Michael J. Fox, preface by Christopher Lloyd, introduction by Bob Gale and an afterword by Robert Zemeckis. It was released on October 16, 2015, to coincide with "Back to the Future" Day, and was published by Titan Books in the UK and Harper Design in the US. It was reissued on November 3, 2020, with added contents, to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the trilogy.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Various video games based on the "Back to the Future" movies have been released over the years for home video game systems, including the Atari ST, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Master System, Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Famicom, Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, iOS, Xbox 360 and Xbox One platforms.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: "Lego Dimensions" (2015) features two "Back to the Future"-themed toy packs. The Level Pack adds a bonus level that adapts the events of the first film and includes a Marty McFly Minifigure, along with a constructible DeLorean and Hoverboard. The Fun Pack includes a Doc Brown Minifigure and a constructible Time Train from "Part III". Both unlock access to an in-game open world set in Hill Valley. Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd reprise their roles as Marty McFly and Emmett "Doc" Brown respectively. A downloadable content pack for "Planet Coaster" (2016), titled the "Back to the Future Time Machine Construction Kit", includes customizable in-game replicas of the DeLorean time machine.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: "" (2010) was released from December 22, 2010, to June 23, 2011, developed and published by Telltale Games. The game is an episodic graphic adventure, and takes place in an alternate timeline based on the original trilogy. It was released as five episodes, with Christopher Lloyd reprising his role as Emmett "Doc" Brown, Claudia Wells reprising her role as Jennifer Parker, and Michael J. Fox making cameo appearances in the final episode. A. J. Locascio provided the voice for Marty McFly, and Bob Gale assisted with the script. Thomas Wilson reprised his role as Biff Tannen in the 2015 re-release.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The plot of the video game depicts Marty traveling back to 1931 to help Doc, who is in trouble again. The video game depicts several trips by Marty and Doc back and forth from 1931 to the present, due to multiple disruptions to the timeline. In several separate differing timelines, various altered outcomes are shown for the McFly family, and then separately for the entire Hill Valley region. At the conclusion of the game, the timeline is largely restored by Marty and Doc, although with some small differences from the "original" timeline.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: Two pinball adaptations of the film trilogy were released. The first pinball adaptation was a physical one produced by Data East, available in 1990, and titled "". Over two decades later, Zen Studios developed and released a new, digital pinball adaptation in 2017, available as add-on content for "Pinball FX 3" along with two other tables based on iconic classic films from Universal Pictures, "Jaws" and "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial". The latter table behaves differently than the original Data East version and features 3-D animated figures and visual effects that are impossible to reproduce on a physical table.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: "Back to the Future: The Musical" is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, and a book by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, adapted from their original screenplay. The show features original music alongside hits from the film, including "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode".


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: The musical originally was slated to make its world première in London's West End in 2015, the year to which the film trilogy's characters traveled in "Part II". However, after director Jamie Lloyd left the production in August 2014, due to "creative differences" with Zemeckis, the production's release date was pushed to a 2016 opening. In May 2019, it was announced the show would receive its world premiere at Manchester Opera House in February 2020, ahead of an expected West End transfer. The cast recording was initially set to be released on November 26, 2021, but was ultimately released on March 11, 2022.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: In 2015, Fox and Lloyd starred alongside popular YouTube science personality Go Tech Yourself in an extended Toyota commercial for Toyota's new fuel cell vehicle, the Mirai, entitled "Fueled by the Future". The commercial doubled as a tribute to the franchise and illustrated how the idea of converting trash into fuel had become reality. The commercial was released on October 21—the same date to which Marty, Doc and Jennifer traveled in "Back to the Future Part II".


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: "Back to the Future the Ride" was a simulator ride based on and inspired by the "Back to the Future" films and is a mini-sequel to the 1990s "Back to the Future Part III". The original attraction opened on May 2, 1991, at Universal Studios Florida. It also opened on June 2, 1993, at Universal Studios Hollywood and on March 31, 2001, at Universal Studios Japan. The rides in the United States have since been replaced by The Simpsons Ride. The ride in Japan remained operational until May 31, 2016.


title: Back to the Future (franchise)

text: In the fall of 2015, after a successful Kickstarter project, the "Back in Time" documentary film was released. The film features interviews with the members of the cast and crew along with the cultural impact of the trilogy 30 years later. In 2016, the "OUTATIME: Saving the DeLorean Time Machine" documentary film was released and presents the efforts of Bob Gale, Universal Studios, and a team of fans as they work to restore one of the original screen-used DeLorean time machines. Like the "Back in Time" documentary, "OUTATIME" was also successfully funded by a Kickstarter project. A 2021 documentary, titled "Expedition: Back to the Future", featured Josh Gates and Christopher Lloyd searching for and restoring an original DeLorean used in the film, with appearances from several original cast members.


title: Paul Theroux

text: Paul Edward Theroux (born April 10, 1941) is an American novelist and travel writer who has written numerous books, including the travelogue, "The Great Railway Bazaar" (1975). Some of his works of fiction have been adapted as feature films. He was awarded the 1981 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his novel "The Mosquito Coast," which was adapted for the 1986 movie of the same name and the 2021 television series of the same name.


title: Paul Theroux

text: He is the father of British-American authors and documentary filmmakers Marcel and Louis Theroux, the brother of authors Alexander Theroux and Peter Theroux, and uncle of the American actor and screenwriter Justin Theroux.


title: Paul Theroux

text: Paul Theroux was born in Medford, Massachusetts, the third of seven children, and son of Catholic parents; his mother, Anne (née Dittami), was Italian American, and his father, Albert Eugene Theroux, was of French-Canadian descent. His mother was a former grammar school teacher and painter, and his father was a shoe factory leather salesman for the American Leather Oak company. Theroux was a Boy Scout and ultimately achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.


title: Paul Theroux

text: Theroux was educated at Medford High School, followed by the University of Maine, in Orono (1959–60), and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he obtained a B.A. in English in 1963.


title: Paul Theroux

text: After he finished his university education, Theroux joined the Peace Corps in 1963 as a teacher in Malawi. A new program, the Peace Corps had sent its first volunteers overseas in 1961. Theroux helped a political opponent of Prime Minister Hastings Banda escape to Uganda. For this, Theroux was expelled from Malawi and thrown out of the Peace Corps in 1965. He was declared "persona non grata" by Banda in Malawi for sympathizing with Yatuta Chisiza. As a consequence, his later novel "Jungle Lovers", which concerns an attempted coup in the country, was banned in Malawi for many years.


title: Paul Theroux

text: He moved to Uganda in 1965 to teach English at Makerere University, where he also wrote for the magazine "Transition". While at Makerere, Theroux began his friendship with Rajat Neogy, founder of "Transition Magazine", and novelist V.S. Naipaul, then a visiting scholar at the university. During his time in Uganda, an angry mob at a demonstration threatened to overturn the car in which his pregnant wife was riding, and Theroux decided to leave Africa.


title: Paul Theroux

text: In November 1968 the couple moved with their son Marcel to Singapore, where a second son, Louis, was born. After two years of teaching at the National University of Singapore, Theroux and his family settled in the United Kingdom in November 1971. They lived first in Dorset, and then in south London. When his marriage ended, early in 1990, Theroux returned to the United States, where he has since settled.


title: Paul Theroux

text: Theroux's sometimes caustic portrait of Nobel Laureate V. S. Naipaul in his memoir "Sir Vidia's Shadow" (1998) contrasts sharply with his earlier, admiring portrait of the same author in "" (1972). They had a long friendship, but Theroux said that events during the 26 years between the two books colored his perspective in the later book. The two authors attempted a reconciliation in 2011 after a chance meeting at the Hay Literary Festival, an episode described in postscript to the subsequent paperback edition of "Sir Vidia’s Shadow", and remained close friends until the death of Naipaul in 2018.


title: Paul Theroux

text: His novel "Jungle Lovers" (1971) was banned by the government in Malawi for many years. His novel "Saint Jack" (1973) was banned by the government of Singapore for 30 years. Both were banned because they were considered too critical of the government's leader(s), or cast the country in an unfavorable light. All Theroux's books were banned by the apartheid government in South Africa, but in 1995 after South Africa's transition to democracy, under the presidency of Nelson Mandela, the South African Department of Education made Theroux's “The Mosquito Coast” required reading as a set book for 12th grade students sitting their final (“Matric”) exam.


title: Paul Theroux

text: Theroux has criticized entertainer Bono, and actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as "mythomaniacs, people who wish to convince the world of their worth." He has said that "the impression that Africa is fatally troubled and can be saved only by outside help—not to mention celebrities and charity concerts—is a destructive and misleading conceit".


title: Paul Theroux

text: A review of "Dark Star Safari" (2003) in "Foreign Affairs" Nov/Dec 2003, described Theroux's portrait of Africa:


title: Paul Theroux

text: Before Theroux became a popular author of novels and travelogues, he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi and an instructor at Makerere University in Uganda. As his 60th birthday approached in 2001, he set out to traverse Africa north to south by road and rail, revisiting old haunts and taking the pulse of the continent. By the time he reached Malawi, he had been "abused, terrified, stranded, harassed, cheated, bitten, flooded, insulted, exhausted, robbed, lied to, brow-beaten, poisoned, stunk up, and starved," but found that he still loved Africa and Africans – or some of them, anyway. Tourists and foreign aid workers are another story; the latter get a drubbing for propping up corrupt regimes and putting Africans off the idea of solving their own problems ... [Dark Star Safari] is an intelligent, funny, and frankly sentimental account by a young-at-heart idealist who is trying to make sense of the painful disparity between what Africa is and what he once hoped it might become.


title: Paul Theroux

text: I'm not pessimistic about Africa. The cities just seem big and hopeless. But there's still a great green heart where there's possibility. There's hope in the wilderness ... What Africa needs is a little organization and better government.


title: Paul Theroux

text: Theroux has said that when he was in his early 20s, and joined the Peace Corps and went to Africa, he was an "angry and agitated young man". He felt he had to escape the confines of Massachusetts and a hostile U.S. foreign policy. He says he now has "the disposition of a hobbit," and remains optimistic about most of his subject matter. "I need happiness in order to write well ... being depressed merely produces depressing literature in my case," he explains.


title: Paul Theroux

text: In an op-ed in "The New York Times" on October 22, 2016, Theroux recommended that President Obama pardon John Walker Lindh. In the article, he compared his association with rebel ministers and own unwitting involvement, while a peace Corps volunteer, in a plot to assassinate President Hastings Banda of Malawi (noted above) to the complexities in the case of the convicted American citizen who fought with the Taliban in Afghanistan.


title: Paul Theroux

text: Theroux published his first novel, "Waldo" (1967), during his time in Uganda; it was moderately successful. He published several more novels over the next few years, including "Fong and the Indians", "Jungle Lovers", and "The Mosquito Coast". On his return to Malawi many years later, he found that "Jungle Lovers", which was set in that country, was still banned. He recounted that in his book "Dark Star Safari" (2002).


title: Paul Theroux

text: After moving to London in 1972, Theroux set off on an epic journey by train from Great Britain to Japan and back. His account of this journey was published as "The Great Railway Bazaar", his first major success as a travel writer and now a classic in the genre. The Nigerian reviewer Noo Saro-Wiwa writes” “Theroux’s book The Great Railway Bazaar (1975) sold 1.5 million copies and is often credited with launching the travel-writing boom of the late twentieth century." He has since written a number of travel books, including traveling by train from Boston to Argentina ("The Old Patagonian Express"), walking around the United Kingdom ("The Kingdom by the Sea"), kayaking in the South Pacific ("The Happy Isles of Oceania"), visiting China ("Riding the Iron Rooster"), and traveling from Cairo to Cape Town across Africa ("Dark Star Safari"). In 2015, he published ""Deep South"" detailing four road trips through the southern states of the United States. In 2019 he published On the Plain of Snakes, his account of his extensive travels in his own car throughout Mexico. He is noted for his rich descriptions of people and places, laced with a heavy streak of irony, or even misanthropy. Nonfiction by Theroux includes "Sir Vidia's Shadow", an account of his personal and professional friendship with Nobel laureate V. S. Naipaul, which ended abruptly after 30 years.


title: Paul Theroux

text: Theroux has worked extensively with the celebrated photographer Steve McCurry. Their book "The Imperial Way" appeared in 1987, and McCurry's photographs are included in Theroux's "Deep South" and "On the Plain of Snakes""." Magazines such as Smithsonian and the National Geographic have paired Theroux and McCurry on assignments.


title: Paul Theroux

text: A number of Theroux's books have been made into movies. His 1972 novel "Saint Jack" was filmed by Peter Bogdanovich in 1979, and starred Ben Gazzara. His novella "Doctor Slaughter" was filmed as “Half Moon Street,” in 1986, with Michael Caine and Sigourney Weaver. Peter Weir's film “The Mosquito Coast” (1986) had Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren and River Phoenix in the cast. Theroux's set of short stories "The London Embassy" became a six-part TV series on British television in 1987. “Christmas Snow,” a 1986 TV movie starring Sid Caeser was adapted from Theroux's novel "London Snow""." Theroux wrote the Hong Kong story on which the Wayne Wang film "Chinese Box" (1997) was based. In 2019, Apple Films announced that "The Mosquito Coast" was in production as a ten-part series that was broadcast in 2021.


title: Paul Theroux

text: His 2017 semi-autobiographical novel "Mother Land" (and an earlier related short story published in "The New Yorker" magazine and set in Puerto Rico) refer to an older son born from a college relationship; he and his unmarried partner are said to have given the boy up for adoption, though this individual apparently came back into his life at some point.


title: Paul Theroux

text: When Theroux was in Uganda, his friends found him a teaching position at Makerere University in Kampala. There he met Anne Castle, a British graduate student teaching at an upcountry girls' secondary school in Kenya, via Voluntary Service Overseas. They married in 1967.


title: Paul Theroux

text: After leaving Asia and Dorset, they moved to South London, England in 1971, because it was cheaper than the United States. They had two sons: Marcel and Louis, both of whom are writers and documentarians. Theroux and Castle divorced in 1993.


title: Paul Theroux

text: Theroux married a second time to Sheila Donnelly, on November 18, 1995. His wife runs a luxury travel/hotel PR agency. They reside in Hawaii and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.


title: Atticus Shaffer

text: Atticus Ronald Shaffer (born June 19, 1998) is an American actor known for playing Brick Heck on the ABC sitcom "The Middle" (2009–2018), as well as for voicing Edgar in the film "Frankenweenie" (2012) and Ono on the Disney Junior series "The Lion Guard" (2016–2019), and for his brief appearance in "Hancock" (2008).


title: Atticus Shaffer

text: The role for which Shaffer is thus far most well-known is that of Brick Heck, a character in the American television sitcom "The Middle". The role was played by Shaffer during the show's entire nine-season run, from 2009 to 2018. Brick is the youngest of the three Heck siblings, and is highly intelligent and smarter than most people his age. He loves to read and has an ongoing fascination with fonts. Brick is socially awkward, and repeatedly overlooked by the members of his family, such as forgotten birthdays. The series and its cast were nominated dozens of times for awards, and won over a dozen collectively.


title: Atticus Shaffer

text: In a "Wired" magazine interview published in January 2013, Shaffer said his role as Brick was very similar to his own life, as he is also a "big reader" and "nerd[s] out over the weirdest stuff". In May 2011, a "TV Guide" article had reported the closeness as well. Brick's characterization, including his idiosyncratic palilalian repetition of words and phrases at the end of sentences, is actually based on "The Middle" co-creator Eileen Heisler's son, Justin.


title: Atticus Shaffer

text: Named after Atticus Finch, the lawyer in "To Kill a Mockingbird", Shaffer was born in Santa Clarita, California, to Ron and Debbie Shaffer. He lives in Acton, California.


title: Atticus Shaffer

text: Shaffer has type four osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition involving a defect in type 1 collagen, which causes fragile bones and short stature; he is 4' 8" (142 cm) tall.


title: Atticus Shaffer

text: Shaffer is a Christian and as of 2018 had a daily Bible study with his mother, alternating between the Old and the New Testaments. As of 2015, the year he was baptized, he was a fan of Contemporary Christian rock music and identified several Christian bands among his favorites.


title: Atticus Shaffer

text: Shaffer has official YouTube and Twitch video gaming pages, titled "AtticusShafferVlog", the latter of which he announced in December 2019. He plays "The Long Dark" and "" among other video games.


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: Insecure is an American comedy-drama television series created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore, and is partially based on Rae's acclaimed web series "Awkward Black Girl". The series is about the awkward experiences of a contemporary African-American woman. The series premiered online on September 23, 2016, via HBO Now and HBO Go, before airing weekly on HBO from October 9, 2016.


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: "Insecure" received critical acclaim since its debut in 2016. In 2017, the American Film Institute selected it as one of the top 10 television programs of the year. In 2020, the series received eight Primetime Emmy Award nominations for its fourth season, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. For her performance on the series, Rae received two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, in addition to two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2018, 2020 and 2022). Yvonne Orji received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2020 for her performance in the series.


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: On August 6, 2013, Rae began working on a comedy series pilot with co-creator Larry Wilmore. The show was planned to be about the awkward experiences of a contemporary African-American woman, and the pair eventually settled on the current title of "Insecure". HBO picked up the pilot on October 15, 2015, and it was subsequently greenlit for production.


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: At HBO's 2016 Television Critics Association session, which featured Rae, show runner Prentice Penny, and executive producer Melina Matsoukas, Issa Rae explained that the series will examine "the complexities of 'Blackness' and the reality that you can’t escape being Black." She also mentioned, in regard to the potential mainstream reaction to the series:We’re just trying to convey that people of color are relatable. This is not a hood story. This is about regular people living life.


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: Raphael Saadiq created original music for the first season. Solange Knowles served as music consultant for the show and was introduced by Matsoukas, who directed the music video for Knowles's song "Losing You".


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: On November 14, 2016, HBO renewed the show for a second season which premiered on July 23, 2017. On August 8, 2017, HBO renewed the show for a third season, which premiered on August 12, 2018. On September 6, 2018, HBO renewed the series for a fourth season which premiered on April 12, 2020. On May 1, 2020, the series was renewed for a fifth season. On January 13, 2021, HBO announced that the fifth season will be its last. The fifth and final season premiered on October 24, 2021.


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: Within the first season, eight episodes unpacked the story of the Black female experience from the perspective of two female protagonists, Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji), who have been best friends with each other since their college days at Stanford. Both in their late 20s, they navigate career and relationship experiences while living in their hometown of South Los Angeles, California. The two share a close bond, and throughout the show, they deal with internal struggles, their friendship and the African American community. Issa works at a non-profit that benefits middle-school aged students of color called "We Got Y'all". She struggles to reignite the passion in her relationship with her long-term boyfriend, Lawrence (Jay Ellis), who has been slacking in their relationship since his start-up company failed. Molly is a corporate attorney who has career success but difficulty with dating men. The half-hour series explores social and racial issues that relate to the contemporary American colored experience.


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: The soundtrack for the series is overseen by Rae, music supervisor Kier Lehmann and musician Raphael Saadiq. The soundtrack often uses modern alternative R&B artists. Compilations of songs used in the show have been released with each season. Several artists, such as Goldlink, Sampha, and The Internet, have experienced commercial success after being featured on the show. The success of the lead to Rae establishing her own record label, Raedio, in partnership with Atlantic Records and a publishing deal with Kobalt Music Group.


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a rating of 100% based on 65 reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10. The site's critical consensus reads, ""Insecure" uses star Issa Rae's breakout web series "Awkward Black Girl" as the basis for an insightful, raunchy, and hilarious journey through the life of a twentysomething black woman that cuts through stereotypes with sharp wit and an effusive spirit." On Metacritic, the season has a score of 84 out of 100, based on 33 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: Eric Deggans of NPR wrote that "Rae has produced a series that feels revolutionary just by poking fun at the life of an average, twentysomething black woman." Greg Braxton of the "Los Angeles Times" wrote: "The half-hour series explores the friendship between two African American women who deal with their sometimes stormy relationship while also grappling with conflicts inside and outside black culture. Much of the humor has a raw flavor, and does not hold back on sexually frank situations and dialogue."


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: On Rotten Tomatoes, season two has an approval rating of 98% based on 41 reviews, with an average rating of 8.11/10. The site's critical consensus reads, ""Insecure" displays title-defying confidence in its second season, upping the comedy and deepening the relationships between its talented ensemble." On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 90 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: On Rotten Tomatoes, season three has an approval rating of 94% based on 27 reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10. The site's critical consensus reads, ""Insecure" returns for a third season as authentic and exuberant as the star who made it, but with an added layer of growth that keeps it moving forward." On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 84 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: On Rotten Tomatoes, season four has an approval rating of 95% based on 20 reviews, with an average rating of 8.29/10. The site's critics consensus reads: ""Insecure" continues to be one of the funniest, warmest, and most beautifully-shot comedies that takes full advantage of its sunny L.A. setting." On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 80 out of 100, based on five critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".


title: Insecure (TV series)

text: On Rotten Tomatoes, season 5 has an approval rating of 100% based on 25 reviews, with an average rating of 9.3/10. The site's critical consensus states, "Issa's future remains uncertain, but "Insecure" enters its final season a fully confident comedy with plenty left to say about friendship, love, and self-esteem." On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 80 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".


title: Virtue

text: Virtue () is moral excellence. A virtue is a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. In other words, it is a behavior that shows high moral standards: doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong. The opposite of virtue is vice. Other examples of this notion include the concept of merit in Asian traditions as well as "De" (Chinese 德). Buddhism's four brahmavihara ("Divine States") can be regarded as virtues in the European sense.


title: Virtue

text: The ancient Romans used the Latin word "virtus" (derived from "vir", their word for "man") to refer to all of the "excellent qualities of men, including physical strength, valorous conduct, and moral rectitude." The French words "vertu" and "virtu" came from this Latin root. In the 13th century, the word "virtue" was "borrowed into English".


title: Virtue

text: Maat (or Ma'at) was the ancient Egyptian goddess of truth, balance, order, law, morality, and justice. The word maat was also used to refer to these concepts. Maat was also portrayed as regulating the stars, seasons, and the actions of both mortals and the deities. The deities set the order of the universe from chaos at the moment of creation. Her (ideological) counterpart was Isfet, who symbolized chaos, lies, and injustice.


title: Virtue

text: This enumeration is traced to Greek philosophy and was listed by Plato in addition to piety: (hosiotēs), with the exception that wisdom replaced prudence as virtue. Some scholars consider either of the above four virtue combinations as mutually reducible and therefore not cardinal.


title: Virtue

text: It is unclear whether multiple virtues were of later construct, and whether Plato subscribed to a unified view of virtues. In "Protagoras" and "Meno", for example, he states that the separate virtues cannot exist independently and offers as evidence the contradictions of acting with wisdom, yet in an unjust way; or acting with bravery (fortitude), yet without wisdom.


title: Virtue

text: In his work "Nicomachean Ethics", Aristotle defined a virtue as a point between a deficiency and an excess of a trait. The point of greatest virtue lies not in the exact middle, but at a golden mean sometimes closer to one extreme than the other. However, the virtuous action is not simply the "mean" (mathematically speaking) between two opposite extremes. As Aristotle says in the Nicomachean Ethics: "at the right times, about the right things, towards the right people, for the right end, and in the right way, is the intermediate and best condition, and this is proper to virtue." This is not simply splitting the difference between two extremes. For example, generosity is a virtue between the two extremes of miserliness and being profligate. Further examples include: courage between cowardice and foolhardiness, and confidence between self-deprecation and vanity. In Aristotle's sense, virtue is excellence at being human.


title: Virtue

text: Epicurean ethics call for a rational pursuit of pleasure with the aid of the virtues. The Epicureans teach that the emotions, dispositions and habits related to virtue (and vice) have a cognitive component and are based on true (or false) beliefs. By making sure that his beliefs are aligned with nature and by getting rid of empty opinions, the Epicurean develops a virtuous character in accordance with nature, and this helps him to live pleasantly.


title: Virtue

text: The Pyrrhonist philosopher Sextus Empiricus described Pyrrhonism as "a way of life that, in accordance with appearances, follows a certain rationale, where that rationale shows how it is possible to seem to live rightly ("rightly" being taken, not as referring only to virtue, but in a more ordinary sense) and tends to produce the disposition to suspend judgment..." In other words, by eschewing beliefs (i.e., dogmas) one would live in accordance with virtue.


title: Virtue

text: Seneca, the Roman Stoic, said that perfect prudence is indistinguishable from perfect virtue. Thus, in considering all consequences, a prudent person would act in the same way as a virtuous person. The same rationale was expressed by Plato in "Protagoras", when he wrote that people only act in ways that they perceive will bring them maximum good. It is the lack of wisdom that results in the making of a bad choice instead of a prudent one. In this way, wisdom is the central part of virtue. Plato realized that because virtue was synonymous with wisdom it could be taught, a possibility he had earlier discounted. He then added "correct belief" as an alternative to knowledge, proposing that knowledge is merely correct belief that has been thought through and "tethered".


title: Virtue

text: The term "virtue" itself is derived from the Latin "virtus" (the personification of which was the deity Virtus), and had connotations of "manliness", "honour", worthiness of deferential respect, and civic duty as both citizen and soldier. This virtue was but one of many virtues which Romans of good character were expected to exemplify and pass on through the generations, as part of the "mos maiorum"; ancestral traditions which defined "Roman-ness". Romans distinguished between the spheres of private and public life, and thus, virtues were also divided between those considered to be in the realm of private family life (as lived and taught by the paterfamilias), and those expected of an upstanding Roman citizen.


title: Virtue

text: Most Roman concepts of virtue were also personified as a numinous deity. The primary Roman virtues, both public and private, were:


title: Virtue

text: While religious scriptures generally consider "dharma" or "aṟam" (the Tamil term for virtue) as a divine virtue, Valluvar describes it as a way of life rather than any spiritual observance, a way of harmonious living that leads to universal happiness. For this reason, Valluvar keeps "aṟam" as the cornerstone throughout the writing of the Kural literature. Valluvar considered justice as a facet or product of "aram." While many before his time opined that justice cannot be defined and that it was a divine mystery, Valluvar positively suggested that a divine origin is not required to define the concept of justice. In the words of V. R. Nedunchezhiyan, justice according to Valluvar "dwells in the minds of those who have knowledge of the standard of right and wrong; so too deceit dwells in the minds which breed fraud."


title: Virtue

text: In the 8th century, upon the occasion of his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne published a list of knightly virtues:


title: Virtue

text: The Baháʼí teachings speak of a "Greater Covenant", being universal and endless, and a "Lesser Covenant", being unique to each religious dispensation. At this time Baháʼís view Baháʼu'lláh's revelation as a binding lesser covenant for his followers; in the Baháʼí writings being firm in the covenant is considered a virtue to work toward.


title: Virtue

text: In Christianity, the three theological virtues are faith, hope and love, a list which comes from 1 Corinthians 13:13 ( "pistis" (faith), "elpis" (hope), "agape" (love), ). The same chapter describes love as the greatest of the three, and further defines love as "patient, kind, not envious, boastful, arrogant, or rude." (The Christian virtue of love is sometimes called charity and at other times a Greek word "agape" is used to contrast the love of God and the love of humankind from other types of love such as friendship or physical affection.)


title: Virtue

text: Christian scholars frequently add the four classic cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, temperance, and courage) to the theological virtues to give the seven heavenly virtues; for example, these seven are the ones described in the "Catechism of the Catholic Church", sections 1803–1829.


title: Virtue

text: The Bible mentions additional virtues, such as in the "Fruit of the Holy Spirit," found in Galatians 5:22–23: "By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit it is benevolent-love: joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, benevolence, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is absolutely no law against such a thing."


title: Virtue

text: In 410 CE, Aurelius Prudentius Clemens listed seven "heavenly virtues" in his book Psychomachia (Battle of Souls) which is an allegorical story of conflict between vices and virtues. These virtues (later called the seven capital virtues) depicted were:


title: Virtue

text: The medieval and renaissance periods saw a number of models of sin listing the seven deadly sins and the seven capital virtues opposed to each.


title: Virtue

text: In Islam, the Quran is believed to be the literal word of God, and the definitive description of virtue while Muhammad is considered an ideal example of virtue in human form. The foundation of Islamic understanding of virtue was the understanding and interpretation of the Quran and the practices of Muhammad. Its meaning has always been in context of active submission to God performed by the community in unison. The motive force is the notion that believers are to "enjoin that which is virtuous and forbid that which is vicious" ("al-amr bi-l-maʿrūf wa-n-nahy ʿani-l-munkar") in all spheres of life (). Another key factor is the belief that mankind has been granted the faculty to discern God's will and to abide by it. This faculty most crucially involves reflecting over the meaning of existence. Therefore, regardless of their environment, humans are believed to have a moral responsibility to submit to God's will. Muhammad's preaching produced a "radical change in moral values based on the sanctions of the new religion and the present religion, and fear of God and of the Last Judgment". Later Muslim scholars expanded the religious ethics of the scriptures in immense detail.


title: Virtue

text: Virtue, as seen in opposition to sin, is termed "thawāb" (spiritual merit or reward) but there are other Islamic terms to describe virtue such as "faḍl" ("bounty"), "taqwa" ("piety") and "ṣalāḥ" ("righteousness"). For Muslims fulfilling the rights of others are valued as an important building block of Islam. According to Muslim beliefs, God will forgive individual sins but the bad treatment of people and injustice with others will only be pardoned by them and not by God.


title: Virtue

text: Loving God and obeying his laws, in particular the Ten Commandments, are central to Jewish conceptions of virtue. Wisdom is personified in the first eight chapters of the Book of Proverbs and is not only the source of virtue but is depicted as the first and best creation of God (Proverbs 8:12–31).


title: Virtue

text: A classic articulation of the Golden Rule came from the first century Rabbi Hillel the Elder. Renowned in the Jewish tradition as a sage and a scholar, he is associated with the development of the Mishnah and the Talmud and, as such, one of the most important figures in Jewish history. Asked for a summary of the Jewish religion in the most concise terms, Hillel replied (reputedly while standing on one leg): "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary; go and learn."


title: Virtue

text: Buddhist practice as outlined in the Noble Eightfold Path can be regarded as a progressive list of virtues.


title: Virtue

text: Buddhism's four "brahmavihara" ("Divine States") can be more properly regarded as virtues in the European sense. They are:


title: Virtue

text: There are also the Paramitas ("perfections"), which are the culmination of having acquired certain virtues. In Theravada Buddhism's canonical Buddhavamsa there are Ten Perfections ("dasa pāramiyo"). In Mahayana Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra ("Saddharmapundarika"), there are Six Perfections; while in the Ten Stages ("Dasabhumika") Sutra, four more "Paramitas" are listed.


title: Virtue

text: "Virtue", translated from Chinese "de" (), is also an important concept in Chinese philosophy, particularly Daoism. "De" () originally meant normative "virtue" in the sense of "personal character; inner strength; integrity", but semantically changed to moral "virtue; kindness; morality". Note the semantic parallel for English "", with an archaic meaning of "inner potency; divine power" (as in "by virtue of") and a modern one of "moral excellence; goodness".


title: Virtue

text: In early periods of Confucianism, moral manifestations of "virtue" include "ren" ("humanity"), "xiao" ("filial piety"), and "li" ("proper behavior, performance of rituals"). The notion of ren – according to Simon Leys – means "humanity" and "goodness". Ren originally had the archaic meaning in the Confucian Book of Poems of "virility", but progressively took on shades of ethical meaning. Some scholars consider the virtues identified in early Confucianism as non-theistic philosophy.


title: Virtue

text: The Daoist concept of "De", compared to Confucianism, is more subtle, pertaining to the "virtue" or ability that an individual realizes by following the Dao ("the Way"). One important normative value in much of Chinese thinking is that one's social status should result from the amount of virtue that one demonstrates, rather than from one's birth. In the "Analects", Confucius explains "de" as follows: "He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it." In later periods, particularly from the Tang dynasty period, Confucianism as practiced, absorbed and melded its own concepts of virtues with those from Daoism and Buddhism.


title: Virtue

text: There are symbols that represent virtue in Chinese Culture. Chinese classic paintings have many symbolic meaning representing virtue. Plum Blossom represents resilience and perseverance. Orchid represents elegance, gentleness and quietness. Bamboo represents loyalty, trust-worthiness and humility. chrysanthemum represents genuineness and simplicity.


title: Virtue

text: Virtue is a much debated and an evolving concept in ancient scriptures of Hinduism. The essence, need and value of virtue is explained in Hindu philosophy as something that cannot be imposed, but something that is realized and voluntarily lived up to by each individual. For example, Apastamba explained it thus: "virtue and vice do not go about saying – here we are!; neither the Gods, Gandharvas, nor ancestors can convince us – this is right, this is wrong; virtue is an elusive concept, it demands careful and sustained reflection by every man and woman before it can become part of one's life.


title: Virtue

text: Virtues lead to "punya" (Sanskrit: पुण्य, holy living) in Hindu literature; while vices lead to "pap" (Sanskrit: पाप, sin). Sometimes, the word "punya" is used interchangeably with virtue.


title: Virtue

text: The virtues that constitute a dharmic life – that is a moral, ethical, virtuous life – evolve in vedas and upanishads. Over time, new virtues were conceptualized and added by ancient Hindu scholars, some replaced, others merged. For example, Manusamhita initially listed ten virtues necessary for a human being to live a "dharmic" life: "Dhriti" (courage), "Kshama" (patience and forgiveness), "Dama" (temperance), "Asteya" (Non-covetousness/Non-stealing), "Saucha" (inner purity), "Indriyani-graha" (control of senses), "dhi" (reflective prudence), "vidya" (wisdom), "satyam" (truthfulness), "akrodha" (freedom from anger). In later verses, this list was reduced to five virtues by the same scholar, by merging and creating a broader concept. The shorter list of virtues became: "Ahimsa" (Non-violence), "Dama" (self restraint), "Asteya" (Non-covetousness/Non-stealing), "Saucha" (inner purity), "Satyam" (truthfulness).


title: Virtue

text: The Bhagavad Gita – considered one of the epitomes of historic Hindu discussion of virtues and an allegorical debate on what is right and what is wrong – argues some virtues are not necessarily always absolute, but sometimes relational; for example, it explains a virtue such as Ahimsa must be re-examined when one is faced with war or violence from the aggressiveness, immaturity or ignorance of others.


title: Virtue

text: In Jainism, attainment of enlightenment is possible only if the seeker possesses certain virtues. All Jains are supposed to take up the five vows of ahimsa (non violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non stealing), aparigraha (non attachment) and brahmacharya (celibacy) before becoming a monk. These vows are laid down by the Tirthankaras. Other virtues which are supposed to be followed by both monks as well as laypersons include forgiveness, humility, self-restraint and straightforwardness. These vows assists the seeker to escape from the karmic bondages thereby escaping the cycle of birth and death to attain liberation.


title: Virtue

text: Sikh ethics emphasize the congruence between spiritual development and everyday moral conduct. Its founder Guru Nanak summarized this perspective:Truth is the highest virtue, but higher still is truthful living.The Five Virtues of Sikhism are Sat (truth), Daya (compassion), Santokh (contentment), Nimrata (humility), and Pyaar (love).


title: Virtue

text: For the Rationalist philosopher René Descartes, virtue consists in the correct reasoning that should guide our actions. Men should seek the sovereign good that Descartes, following Zeno, identifies with virtue, as this produces a solid blessedness or pleasure. For Epicurus the sovereign good was pleasure, and Descartes says that in fact this is not in contradiction with Zeno's teaching, because virtue produces a spiritual pleasure, that is better than bodily pleasure. Regarding Aristotle's opinion that happiness depends on the goods of fortune, Descartes does not deny that these goods contribute to happiness, but remarks that they are in great proportion outside one's own control, whereas one's mind is under one's complete control.


title: Virtue

text: Immanuel Kant, in his "Observations on the Feeling of the Beautiful and Sublime", expresses true virtue as different from what commonly is known about this moral trait. In Kant's view, to be goodhearted, benevolent and sympathetic is not regarded as true virtue. The only aspect that makes a human truly virtuous is to behave in accordance with moral principles. Kant presents an example for more clarification; suppose that you come across a needy person in the street; if your sympathy leads you to help that person, your response does not illustrate your virtue. In this example, since you do not afford helping all needy ones, you have behaved unjustly, and it is out of the domain of principles and true virtue. Kant applies the approach of four temperaments to distinguish truly virtuous people. According to Kant, among all people with diverse temperaments, a person with melancholy frame of mind is the most virtuous whose thoughts, words and deeds are one of principles.


title: Virtue

text: Friedrich Nietzsche's view of virtue is based on the idea of an order of rank among people. For Nietzsche, the virtues of the strong are seen as vices by the weak and slavish, thus Nietzsche's virtue ethics is based on his distinction between master morality and slave morality. Nietzsche promotes the virtues of those he calls "higher men", people like Goethe and Beethoven. The virtues he praises in them are their creative powers (“the men of great creativity” – “the really great men according to my understanding” (WP 957)).


title: Virtue

text: According to Nietzsche these higher types are solitary, pursue a "unifying project", revere themselves and are healthy and life-affirming. Because mixing with the herd makes one base, the higher type “strives instinctively for a citadel and a secrecy where he is saved from the crowd, the many, the great majority…” (BGE 26). The 'Higher type' also "instinctively seeks heavy responsibilities" (WP 944) in the form of an "organizing idea" for their life, which drives them to artistic and creative work and gives them psychological health and strength. The fact that the higher types are "healthy" for Nietzsche does not refer to physical health as much as a psychological resilience and fortitude. Finally, a Higher type affirms life because he is willing to accept the eternal return of his life and affirm this forever and unconditionally.


title: Virtue

text: In the last section of "Beyond Good and Evil", Nietzsche outlines his thoughts on the noble virtues and places solitude as one of the highest virtues:


title: Virtue

text: And to keep control over your four virtues: courage, insight, sympathy, solitude. Because solitude is a virtue for us, since it is a sublime inclination and impulse to cleanliness which shows that contact between people (“society”) inevitably makes things unclean. Somewhere, sometime, every


title: Virtue

text: Genuine honesty, assuming that this is our virtue and we cannot get rid of it, we free spirits – well then, we will want to work on it with all the love and malice at our disposal and not get tired of ‘perfecting’ ourselves in our virtue, the only one we have left: may its glory come to rest like a gilded, blue evening glow of mockery over this aging culture and its dull and dismal seriousness! (Beyond Good and Evil, §227)


title: Virtue

text: These are the virtues that Benjamin Franklin used to develop what he called 'moral perfection'. He had a checklist in a notebook to measure each day how he lived up to his virtues.


title: Virtue

text: Marc Jackson in his book "Emotion and Psyche" puts forward a new development of the virtues. He identifies the virtues as what he calls the good emotions "The first group consisting of love, kindness, joy, faith, awe and pity is good" These virtues differ from older accounts of the virtues because they are not character traits expressed by action, but emotions that are to be felt and developed by feeling not acting.


title: Virtue

text: In the Taoist traditions, emotions have been used as the excessive or deficient branch of its root virtue, through the study of the Wuxing (five elements). It has been said, Correct Actions lead to virtues intention, as Virtuous intentions lead to Correct Actions.


title: Virtue

text: Immanuel Kant, in his "Observations on the Feeling of the Beautiful and Sublime", predicts and replies to Marc Johnson's view of emotions as virtues. To be goodhearted, benevolent and sympathetic is not regarded as true virtue, for one acts merely episodically, motivated by appeasing those naturally limited feelings, such as in the presence, for example, of a needy person in the street: in such a case, we do not act for a universal motive but simply as a response to end with a particular, individual, personal distress raised on us by our own sentiments.


title: Virtue

text: Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, two leading researchers in positive psychology, recognizing the deficiency inherent in psychology's tendency to focus on dysfunction rather than on what makes a healthy and stable personality, set out to develop a list of "Character Strengths and Virtues". After three years of study, 24 traits (classified into six broad areas of virtue) were identified, having "a surprising amount of similarity across cultures and strongly indicat[ing] a historical and cross-cultural convergence." These six categories of virtue are courage, justice, humanity, temperance, transcendence, and wisdom. Some psychologists suggest that these virtues are adequately grouped into fewer categories; for example, the same 24 traits have been grouped into simply: Cognitive Strengths, Temperance Strengths, and Social Strengths.


title: Virtue

text: The opposite of a virtue is a vice. Vice is a habitual, repeated practice of wrongdoing. One way of organizing the vices is as the corruption of the virtues.


title: Virtue

text: As Aristotle noted, however, the virtues can have several opposites. Virtues can be considered the mean between two extremes, as the Latin maxim dictates "in medio stat virtus" – in the centre lies virtue. For instance, both cowardice and rashness are opposites of courage; contrary to prudence are both over-caution and insufficient caution; the opposites of pride (a virtue) are undue humility and excessive vanity. A more "modern" virtue, tolerance, can be considered the mean between the two extremes of narrow-mindedness on the one hand and over-acceptance on the other. Vices can therefore be identified as the opposites of virtues – but with the caveat that each virtue could have many different opposites, all distinct from each other.


title: Virtue

text: Within the Chinese Wuxing philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine vice and virture are expressed as excess or deficiency.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: The Jerusalem artichoke ("Helianthus tuberosus"), also called sunroot, sunchoke, wild sunflower, topinambur, or earth apple, is a species of sunflower native to central North America. It is cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: "Helianthus tuberosus" is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to tall with opposite leaves on the lower part of the stem but alternate towards the top. The leaves have a rough, hairy texture. Larger leaves on the lower stem are broad ovoid-acute and can be up to long. Leaves higher on the stem are smaller and narrower.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: The flowers are yellow and produced in capitate flowerheads, which are in diameter, with 10–20 ray florets and 60 or more small disc florets. The flowers are briefly fragrant, giving off a light, vanilla-chocolate perfume.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: The tubers are often elongated and uneven, typically long and thick, and vaguely resembling a ginger root in appearance, with a crisp and crunchy texture when raw. They vary in color from pale brown to white, red, or purple.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Before the arrival of Europeans, indigenous peoples cultivated "H. tuberosus" as a food source. The tubers persist for years after being planted, so that the species expanded its range from central North America to the eastern and western regions. Early European colonists learned of this, and sent tubers back to Europe, where it became a popular crop and naturalized there. It later gradually fell into obscurity in North America, but attempts to market it commercially have been successful in the late 1900s and early 2000s.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: The tuber contains about 2% protein, no oil, and little starch. It is rich in the carbohydrate inulin (8 to 13%), which is a polymer of the monosaccharide fructose. Tubers stored for any length of time convert their inulin into its component fructose. Jerusalem artichokes have an underlying sweet taste because of the fructose, which is about one and a half times as sweet as sucrose.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: It has also been reported as a folk remedy for diabetes: since inulin is not assimilated in the intestine, it doesn't cause a glycemic spike as potatoes would. Temperature variances have been shown to affect the amount of inulin the Jerusalem artichoke can produce. It makes less inulin in a colder region than when it is in a warmer region.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Despite one of its names, the Jerusalem artichoke has no relationship to Jerusalem, and it is not a type of artichoke, though the two are distantly related as members of the daisy family. Italian settlers in the United States called the plant , the Italian word for sunflower, because of its familial relationship to the garden sunflower (both plants are members of the genus "Helianthus"). Over time, the name "girasole" (pronounced closer to in southern Italian dialects) was corrupted to Jerusalem. An alternative explanation for the name is that the Puritans, when they came to the New World, named the plant with regard to the "New Jerusalem" they believed they were creating in the wilderness. Also, various other names have been applied to the plant, such as the French or Canada potato, "topinambour", and lambchoke. Sunchoke, a name by which it is still known today, was invented in the 1960s by Frieda Caplan, a produce wholesaler who was trying to revive the plant's appeal.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: The artichoke part of the Jerusalem artichoke's name comes from the taste of its edible tuber. Samuel de Champlain, the French explorer, sent the first samples of the plant to France, noting its taste was similar to that of an artichoke.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: The name "topinambur", in one account, dates from 1615, when a member of the Brazilian coastal tribe called the Tupinambá visited the Vatican at the same time that a sample of the tuber from Canada was on display there, presented as a critical food source that helped French Canadian settlers survive the winter. The New World connection resulted in the name "topinambur" being applied to the tuber, the word now used in French, German, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, and Spanish.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Jerusalem artichokes were first cultivated by the Indigenous peoples of the Americasthis extensive cultivation obscures the exact native range of the species. The French explorer Samuel de Champlain discovered that the native people of Nauset Harbor in Massachusetts had cultivated roots that tasted like artichoke. The following year, Champlain returned to the same area to discover that the roots had a flavor similar to chard and was responsible for bringing the plant back to France. Some time later, Petrus Hondius, a Dutch botanist, planted a shriveled Jerusalem artichoke tuber in his garden at Terneuzen and was surprised to see the plant proliferate. Jerusalem artichokes are so well-suited for the European climate and soil that the plant multiplies quickly. By the mid-1600s, the Jerusalem artichoke had become a very common vegetable for human consumption in Europe and the Americas, and was also used for livestock feed in Europe and colonial America. The French in particular were especially fond of the vegetable, which reached its peak popularity at the turn of the 19th century. The Jerusalem artichoke was titled 'best soup vegetable' in the 2002 Nice Festival for the Heritage of the French Cuisine.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: The French explorer and Acadia's first historian, Marc Lescarbot, described Jerusalem artichokes as being "as big as turnips or truffles", suitable for eating and taste "like chards, but more pleasant". In 1629, English herbalist and botanist, John Parkinson, wrote that the widely grown Jerusalem artichoke had become very common and cheap in London, so much so "that even the most vulgar begin to despise them". In contrast, when Jerusalem artichokes first arrived in England, the tubers were "dainties for the Queen".


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Due to its rapid growth, and its ability to reproduce from buried rhizomes and tubers, the uncontrolled spread of the Jerusalem artichoke is facilitated. The vegetative propagules can be transported via rivers and water streams and begin a new population on riverbanks. Dispersal by animal is also possible, as animals feed on tubers and rhizomes and excrete the propagules in new areas. With the cultivation by humans there is additionally a risk of unintended escape of the Jerusalem artichocke into the wild. The reproduction of Jerusalem artichoke through seeds is also possible. Its relatively long flower period enables the plant to increase its reproductive potential.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Once originated in North America the Jerusalem artichoke can now be found in several countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In Central Europe it is one of the most expanding invasive plant species. It can grow in many geoclimatic regions and different type of soils. However, Jerusalem artichoke prefers moist habitats and seems to be less tolerant of dry conditions.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Because of its ecological and biological attributes, the Jerusalem artichoke is highly competitive to other plant species. For instance, the carbohydrates in the tubers serve as an energy source for a rapid growth in spring . The plant expands rapidly and creates shading, which has a suppressing effect on neighbouring plants. Therefore the risk of outcompeting and repressing of the growth of native plants is increased.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Unlike most tubers, but in common with many other members of the Asteraceae (including the artichoke), the Jerusalem artichoke tubers store their carbohydrate as inulin (not to be confused with insulin) rather than as starch. So, Jerusalem artichoke tubers are an important source of inulin used as a dietary fiber in food manufacturing.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Jerusalem artichoke can propagate with seeds and tubers but the use of tubers leads to higher yields. For the plantation of Jerusalem artichoke the tubers are cut into pieces with three to five buds that are placed in 5–10 cm depth in the soil. Jerusalem artichoke have low nutrient requirements and need less nitrogen than other energy crops. The competitiveness against weeds is high which makes the weed control easier but also makes it harder to grow a new culture after Jerusalem artichoke since usually small pieces of tubers remain in the ground after harvest. Reasons for the high competitiveness could be the allelopathic effects, the high plant size and the rapid growth rate of Jerusalem artichoke.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Crop yields are high, typically for tubers, and green weight for foliage. Tubers remaining in the ground lie dormant over winter and can handle temperatures as low as . Jerusalem artichoke also has potential for production of ethanol fuel, using inulin-adapted strains of yeast for fermentation.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: The tubers are used for cooking and baking in the same ways as potatoes, but unlike the potato they can also be eaten raw. They have a similar consistency, and in their raw form have a similar texture, but a sweeter, nuttier flavor. When raw and sliced thinly, they are fit for a salad. Their inulin form of carbohydrates give the tubers a tendency to become soft and mushy if boiled, but they retain their texture better when steamed. The inulin cannot be broken down by the human digestive system but it is metabolized by bacteria in the colon. This can cause flatulence and, in some cases, gastric pain. John Gerard's "Herbal", printed in 1621, quotes the English botanist John Goodyer on Jerusalem artichokes:


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Jerusalem artichokes have 650 mg potassium per 1 cup (150 g) serving. They are also high in iron, and contain 10–12% of the USRDA of fiber, niacin, thiamine, phosphorus, and copper.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: In former times, the Jerusalem Artichocke was used as forage for domesticated cattles, horses and pigs. The Jerusalem Artichoke has valuable nutrient contents and various bioactive compounds, therefore the Jerusalem Artickokes are used today as animal feed source or for the animal health of several species. Pigs for example can eat the tuber directly from the ground or the green plant biomass (stalks and leaves) from the pasture  or the dried Jerusalem Artichoke. The washed Jerusalem Artichoke tubers can be fed to the most animals. Silage can be produced from the harvested stalks and leaves. The silage has high nutrient values and satisfactory digestion performance for ruminants. The high inulin content has a positive effect on the rumen metabolism and microflora. Cutting the tops to produce silage greatly reduces the harvest of the tubers. There are also many other Jerusalem Artichoke products on the market, like supplementary feed for horses, dogs and small animals.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: In Baden-Württemberg, Germany, over 90% of the Jerusalem artichoke crop is used to produce a spirit called "", the German word for Jerusalem artichoke. By the end of the 19th century, Jerusalem artichokes were being used in Baden to make a spirit called ""Topinambur-Branntwein"" (Jerusalem artichoke brandy), ""Topinambur"" (Jerusalem artichoke), ""Topi"", ""Erdäpfler"", ""Rossler"", or ""Borbel"". "Topinambur" produced in the European Union and Switzerland must be made exclusively from Jerusalem artichokes, contain at least 38% alcohol by volume, and may not contain added alcohol or flavorings. Caramel color is the only permitted additive.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Jerusalem artichoke brandy smells fruity and has a slight nutty-sweet flavor. It is characterized by an intense, pleasing, earthy note. The tubers are washed and dried in an oven before being fermented and distilled. It can be further refined to make "Red Rossler" by adding the roots of the common tormentil, giving it a bitter and astringent taste and a red color. Red Rossler contains other ingredients such as currants, producing a schnapps with about 50% alcohol used as digestif and as a remedy for diarrhea or abdominal pain.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: In the 1980s, the Jerusalem artichoke also gained some notoriety when its seeds were planted by Midwestern US farmers at the prodding of an agricultural attempt to save the family farm. This effort was an attempt to teach independent farmers to raise their own food, feed, and fuel. Little market existed for the tuber in that part of the US at the time, but contacts were made with sugar producers, oil and gas companies, and the fresh food market for markets to be developed. Fructose had not yet been established as a mainstay, nor was ethanol used as a main fuel additive as it is today. The only real profit in this effort were realized by a few first-year growers (who sold some of their seed to other farmers individually as well as with the help of the company attempting this venture). As a result, many of the farmers who had planted large quantities of the crop lost money.


title: Jerusalem artichoke

text: Stem rot disease is caused by the fungus "Sclerotium rolfsii", which is one of the most important pathogens causing tuber and stem rot and up to 60% loss in Jerusalem artichoke yield. Growing resistant varieties is an important method of controlling "S. rolfsii."


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: Corbin Dean Bernsen (born September 7, 1954) is an American actor and film director. He appeared as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series "L.A. Law", as Dr. Alan Feinstone in "The Dentist", as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series "Psych", and as Roger Dorn in the films "Major League", "Major League II", and "". He also appeared regularly on "The Resident", "General Hospital", and "Cuts", and has had intermittent appearances on "The Young and the Restless".


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: Bernsen was born in North Hollywood, California, the eldest son of Harry Bernsen Jr., a Hollywood producer, and veteran soap actress Jeanne Cooper, who appeared on "The Young and the Restless". He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1972. Bernsen is also a "double Bruin," having received both a BA in Theatre Arts in 1977 and an MFA in Playwriting in 1979 from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: After a two-year appearance on the soap opera "Ryan's Hope", Bernsen was cast as lawyer Arnold Becker on the Steven Bochco television series "L.A. Law" in 1986. The series became a hit, and the role earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, appearances on magazine covers, and guest-starring roles on "Seinfeld" and "The Larry Sanders Show". He remained on "L.A. Law" for the entire run of the show, until it ended in 1994.


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: Bernsen appeared with the British actor Bruce Payne in the films "Kounterfeit" and "". He starred as the title character, Dr. Alan Feinstone, in the horror film "The Dentist" and its sequel. Bernsen was also cast as a "prima donna" third baseman, Roger Dorn, in the sports comedy "Major League" and appeared in both of the film's sequels. Bernsen portrayed John Durant on "General Hospital" from September 2004 until the character was murdered in May 2006.


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: Bernsen played Jack Sherwood on "Cuts", appeared twice on "Celebrity Mole", and played a lawyer on "Boston Legal". He appeared as Q2 on "". He also had a recurring role as Captain Owen Sebring on the military drama "JAG" and played a Republican senator on two episodes of "The West Wing". He directed, produced, and appeared in the horror film "Dead Air". Bernsen also co-starred in USA's "Psych", playing the role of Henry Spencer, the father of the main character, Shawn Spencer (James Roday). In the film "Rust", Bernsen plays a former minister who returns to his hometown.


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: Bernsen appeared in "25 Hill", a film he produced, directed and wrote, which is centered on the All-American Soap Box Derby, and is planning a baseball movie about zombies, called "Three Strikes, You're Dead".


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: He also appeared as a guest star in "Switched at Birth", the ABC Family television series, in season 1, episode 22 (2012), "Venus, Cupid, Folly, and Time." Bernsen currently appears as Kyle Nevin on the television series "The Resident".


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: Bernsen was president and co-owner of Public Media Works, a new media company that develops entertainment for targeted fan bases. He directed and starred in "Carpool Guy", the company's first film; it was targeted at soap opera fans and released on DVD in 2005.


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: Bernsen then went on to form Team Cherokee Productions. According to the book "One Red Paperclip", in June 2006, Bernsen traded a role in the film "Donna on Demand" to Kyle MacDonald for a snow globe of the band KISS. It was this role that MacDonald eventually traded for a two-story farmhouse.


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: In recent years, Bernsen focused on stories that explore aspects of faith in today's world and how that can contribute to, but also tends to divide our common humanity. His first such film was "Rust", released in 2010 by Sony Pictures. Bernsen, along with producing partner Chris Aronoff, formed Home Theater Films, an independent production company that develops, produces, and markets films and television shows. "25 Hill," the company's first title, was released in July 2012. This was followed by "3 Day Test" (2012), "Beyond the Heavens" (2013), and "Life with Dog" (2017). Their upcoming film "Mary 4 Mayor" is due out in the fall of 2020.


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: In October 2015, the Pelican Book Group released Bernsen's debut novel. The book, "Rust: the Novel", is an adaptation of Bernsen's 2010 feature film, "Rust", in which he played the main character and served as writer and director. Bernsen and his wife, Amanda Pays, have co-authored two books, "Change Houses, Not Spouses" and "Open House: Reinventing Space for Simple Living", a coffee table book featuring remodeling and design ideas they have learned from remodeling their own homes.


title: Corbin Bernsen

text: Bernsen was married to Brenda Cooper from 1983 to 1987. Bernsen has been married to British actress Amanda Pays since 1988. They have five sons: Oliver, Angus, Bunsen, Henry and Finley. Pays and Bernsen moved to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York in 2019 where he now focuses on film and television projects that can be shot locally.


title: Joseph Parker (boxer)

text: Joseph Dennis Parker, (born 9 January 1992) is a New Zealand professional boxer. He held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the WBO Oriental, Africa, and Oceania titles; as well as the PABA, OPBF, and New Zealand titles. As an amateur, he represented New Zealand at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the super-heavyweight division, and narrowly missed qualification for the 2012 Summer Olympics.


title: Joseph Parker (boxer)

text: Parker turned professional in July 2012 with Duco Events in Auckland, under the tutelage of Sir Bob Jones. After defeating Andy Ruiz for the vacant WBO title, Parker became the first heavyweight boxer from either New Zealand or the Pacific Islands to win a major world championship. As of October 2021, he is ranked as the world's fifth best active heavyweight by "The Ring" magazine, sixth by "BoxRec" and ninth best by "TBRB". During his reign as WBO champion, he reached a peak active heavyweight ranking of third by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.


title: Joseph Parker (boxer)

text: Joseph Parker was born in South Auckland on 9 January 1992, to Dempsey and Sala Parker. His father Dempsey was named after world heavyweight champion American boxer Jack Dempsey. Parker grew up in the large suburb of Mangere in Auckland, and attended Marcellin College in the suburb of Hillsborough. At the age of three, he enjoyed jabbing into his father's palms and while he was still a young boy Dempsey gave him boxing gloves and a punching bag. When he was ten years old, he joined the Papatoetoe Boxing Club to pursue and learn more about the sport. He was trained by Grant Arkell and former boxer Manny Santos.


title: Joseph Parker (boxer)

text: When Parker was growing up, he admired David Tua and Maselino Masoe who were from the same area as him. Parker is the middle child; he has one older sister, Elizabeth, and a younger brother, John, who is currently a professional boxer. He is of predominantly Samoan descent, with his ancestry roots going back to the Faleula Village on the main island of Upolu where his mother hails from. Both of his parents migrated to New Zealand from Samoa in the early 1980s. Parker also comes from a religious family, belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


title: Joseph Parker (boxer)

text: Parker had success during his 66-fight amateur career, becoming a two-time New Zealand amateur heavyweight champion in 2010 and 2011, as well as winning several amateur tournaments and scoring some notable wins on the international circuit. Having his first fight at the early age of twelve, Parker grew and progressed, winning the 2009 New Zealand Golden Gloves Tournament in Palmerston North. He followed up with a second placing at the New Zealand Elite National Championships, losing to rival Junior Fa.


title: Joseph Parker (boxer)

text: Parker started boxing internationally at sixteen years of age. His first international tournament was at the Commonwealth Boxing Championships in 2010 where he won silver. Parker's first major event was the AIBA Youth World Championships in Azerbaijan. He was looked after by the Australian National Team Management as his coach Grant Arkell could not afford to accompany him. He was the sole representative of his country in the quarterfinals after he beat Turkey's Yusuf Açik to face the Pan-American champion Yuniel Castro Chavez from Cuba. Parker won the bout on points, 8:1 to advance to the semifinals. There he fought Croatia's Filip Hrgović. They traded punches in a closely matched bout that saw the scores remain within one point of each other for most of the match. In the end it was the Croatian who managed to gain the upper hand in the final round and push ahead to an 8:6 victory. Despite leaving the ring nursing a nose injury, Parker won bronze. Parker then travelled to Singapore, to compete at the Youth Olympics. He won silver after defeating Jozsef Zsigmond in the semifinals. He then proceeded to the final where he lost on points against Tony Yoka of France.


title: Joseph Parker (boxer)

text: After what was a busy season for Parker, he finished the year featuring in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. The then 18-year-old beat Canadian Didier Bence 14:7 in a fiery contest, charging home late in the third and final round when it appeared the fight was slipping away. Parker was down 7:5 on points when he landed a decisive right hand to Bence's head with one minute 15 seconds remaining. It knocked the Canadian down and effectively ended the fight as Parker registered the last nine points. Parker then advanced to the quarterfinals, losing to Tariq Abdul Haqq. The fight was tied at 7:7 after Parker landed a late punch to tie up the scores. The judges, however, gave Abdul Haqq the win by a majority decision of three of the five judges, meaning that Parker missed earning a medal.


title: Joseph Parker (boxer)

text: In 2011, Parker won his first notable gold medal in Darwin, Australia, at the Arafura Games. He began with two wins by stoppage, with a first round victory in the quarterfinals over Jean Tuisamoa of New Caledonia. After winning the semifinals against Jake Ageidu, he met Emile Gineste from Tahiti in the Final. Parker had little trouble with his opponent, with the referee ending the contest in the first round. Parker continued his rise up the World Amateur standings, with further gold medal success. He opened his Chinese campaign in Guiyang at the China Open tournament, stopping Iderbat Davaalkhagva from Mongolia. In the final he was opposed by Ospanov Doszham from Kazakhstan. Parker was awarded the victory by way of a six-point winning margin. At the 50th Belgrade annual boxing tournament, Parker ended his amateur career defeating 2012 London Olympics berth winner, Johan Linde of Australia, to claim his third gold. He had previously beaten Erik Pfeifer of Germany on points to secure a place in the finals.


title: Joseph Parker (boxer)

text: Parker made his professional debut SkyCity's Convention Centre in Auckland. Dean Garmonsway was chosen as Parker's first opponent. A Hamilton physical education school teacher and former Waikato Rugby league representative, Garmonsway had only three professional boxing bouts, amounting to two wins and one loss. The bout featured on the undercard of "Godfather of All Fight Nights", Shane Cameron vs. Monte Barrett title eliminator. At the time, Parker was considered New Zealand's most promising boxer since David Tua. Parker defeated Garmonsway by technical knockout midway through the second round.


title: Joseph Parker (boxer)

text: After scoring a number of consecutive victories in New Zealand and the US, Parker agreed to fight Francois Botha. Botha was known to be capable of landing a quality punch or two and had the ability to send fighters to the canvas, though Parker was considered the favourite to win. He defeated Botha in June 2013 by a second-round knockout over the former four-time world heavyweight contender.