Seeing the More Human Side of Ten People We Grew Up Watching

Growing up in Chicago during the 1970s and 1980s, I admired every person on this list, with the exception of Colin Farrell, who is a few years younger than I am. However, I still had no problem including Farrell on this list because I fell in love with his acting work as an adult during the early 2000s. For example, the 2003 Daredevil movie starring Ben Affleck as Daredevil and Colin Farrell as Bullseye was widely criticized, but Farrell’s portrayal of Bullseye was unforgettably funny and over-the-top. Also, Farrell’s portrayal of the Penguin in The Batman and in The Penguin television series was absolutely brilliant.

I have a deeply personal affection and connection to every person on this list. Growing up in Chicago, I considered Siskel and Ebert to be national treasures. My first memories of them are watching them on At the Movies, their movie-review television program that was broadcast on Chicago’s PBS station, WTTW Channel 11, from 1982 to 1990 (Siskel and Ebert co-hosted the show from 1982 to 1986). They were master movie reviewers, but more importantly, they were master entertainers—funny, bright, engaging—and I respected their opinions, even when I disagreed with their assessments.

Another person on this list, Sir Patrick Stewart, is one of my personal heroes. Watching him as Starfleet Captain Jean-Luc Picard from 1987 to 1994 taught me more about how to be a man, the importance of ethics and morality, and how to be truly confident than any other source outside of my parents. For as long as I live, I’ll never forget the speech Picard gave to Cadet Wesley Crusher about the importance of telling the truth in Season 5, Episode 19 of Star Trek: The Next Generation: “The First Duty.”

In this list, we’ll see a more human side of the people we spent years watching on large and small screens. We’ll see them interacting with their relatives, sharing their pains, sharing their joy, and being characteristically and undeniably human.

Related: 10 One-of-a-kind People the World Said Goodbye to in July 2024

10 Actor Christopher Walken’s Family Secret

Christopher Walken is one of the most distinctive actors in Hollywood, known for his unique voice and bold performances. He won an Oscar in 1979 for The Deer Hunter and has appeared in films that have grossed over $1.6 billion in the U.S. But few people know about a surprising chapter in his family history.

On the PBS series Finding Your Roots, Walken learned about a secret that had been buried for generations. His grandfather, Joseph Egan, was born in 1845 in Glasgow, Scotland, and spent most of his adult life in prison. Egan was convicted of burglary at 18 and sentenced to ten years of hard labor.

Walken’s mother, Rosalie Russell, was born in Scotland and immigrated to the U.S. as a child. Her birth certificate listed no father—she was considered illegitimate. But the research team eventually uncovered the full truth. Watching Walken discover these revelations in real time is incredibly moving. He reached out to the show himself, hoping to fill the gaps in his family tree—and what he found was both startling and deeply human.^[1]

9 Charlie Rose Pulls Back the Curtain on Mr. Rogers

My first memory of Mr. Rogers is from preschool around 1976. Even though I watched him in a room full of kids, it always felt like he was speaking directly to me. There are many amazing stories about Fred Rogers, but the one that best captures who he was involves how he saved PBS in 1969. He testified before Congress, making a heartfelt speech about the value of public television for children. His sincerity helped reverse a planned funding cut—and secured PBS’s future.

In a 1994 interview with Charlie Rose, available on YouTube, we see a different side of Mr. Rogers. It’s quiet, reflective, and deeply moving. The comments section alone speaks volumes about the impact he had on people’s lives.

Teachers, including one in a 2024 article, have written about how much he influenced their approach to education. He wasn’t just a children’s entertainer—he was a moral compass, a gentle advocate for kindness, and a living example of how simple decency could change the world.^[2]

8 Colin Farrell and Danny DeVito

Imagine sitting in on a conversation between two of Hollywood’s most talented actors, Colin Farrell and Danny DeVito, as they discussed the ups and downs of their careers. That’s exactly what happened in an episode of Actors on Actors, the PBS SoCal/Variety series that’s been captivating viewers since 2014. In June 2025, Variety released its sit-down, and it was something special.

Their connection was clear from the start. Both played the Penguin in different eras of DC’s Batman films—DeVito in 1992’s Batman Returns, and Farrell in 2022’s The Batman. Their performances couldn’t have been more different, and that contrast sparked fascinating insights into their craft. They also opened up about their friendship, time on set, and how the characters affected them.

Their easy chemistry, funny stories, and behind-the-scenes memories revealed how deep mutual respect and shared passion can bring actors together. As they joked about possible cameos and future collaborations—maybe even an “Old Penguin” appearance—it reminded me how joyfully human even the biggest stars can be.^[3]

7 Star Trek Actor Avery Brooks Opens Up

I love Star Trek, so there are two Star Trek actors on this list. The first one is Avery Brooks. In the mid-2000s, he sat down for an interview featured in the Fan Collective: Captain’s Log DVD release. Brooks is best known for his portrayal of Captain Benjamin Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and also for his role as Hawk on Spenser: For Hire and its spinoff A Man Called Hawk.

Brooks came from a very musical family. His mother earned a master’s degree in music from Northwestern University, and his father was a member of the Wings Over Jordan Choir, which performed spirituals on CBS Radio from 1937 to 1947. In 1976, Brooks became the first African American to receive an MFA in acting and directing from Rutgers University.

Though I watched Deep Space Nine religiously in the 1990s and 2000s, I knew little about Brooks until researching this list. In the interview, he emphasized how important it was to portray strong, principled characters. He took pride in showing Sisko as a devoted single father, something deeply personal to him.

What struck me most was Brooks’s presence—his voice, his inflection, his ability to say so much with so little. To me, the interview was a joy to watch.^[4]

6 Two G.O.A.T. Bodybuilders Work Out

In the world of bodybuilding, few names loom larger than Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman. Schwarzenegger won Mr. Olympia seven times (1970–1975, 1980), and Coleman tied the record with eight wins (1998–2005). If bodybuilding had a Mount Rushmore, both of their faces would be carved onto it.

In August 2023, the two legends reunited for a joint workout at Gold’s Gym in Venice, California. The YouTube video shows them lifting weights, teasing each other, laughing, and reminiscing about their glory days. It’s a powerful and joyful watch. As of July 2025, the video has over four million views.

They weren’t just flexing muscles—they were showing the genuine bond between two athletes who changed their sport forever.^[5]

5 Good Morning America Recruits Stars to Celebrate 1970s Classics

During the 2019 holiday season, Good Morning America brought together an all-star cast for a live tribute to two groundbreaking 1970s sitcoms: All in the Family and Good Times. Both shows were bold, funny, and socially conscious—and they became staples of American television.

Woody Harrelson stepped into the shoes of Archie Bunker, originally played by Carroll O’Connor, while Viola Davis portrayed Florida Evans, the beloved matriarch from Good Times, originally brought to life by Esther Rolle. One of the most moving moments came when original cast member John Amos returned to play a role in the Good Times segment. He passed away in 2024, so this appearance now feels even more meaningful.

Watching that live broadcast was a beautiful reminder of the power of television to bring people together—and of the timeless humanity in stories told decades ago.^[6]

4 The Cast of Cheers Reunites and Reminisces

Cheers aired as part of NBC’s powerhouse Thursday night lineup, and though it had a slow start in 1982, it grew into one of the most beloved sitcoms in TV history. Set in a cozy Boston bar, the show followed Sam Malone, Diane Chambers, and an unforgettable gang of quirky regulars. The bar’s exterior was based on the Bull & Finch Pub near Boston Common, now renamed Cheers Beacon Hill.

In June 2023, several cast members reunited at the ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the finale. Ted Danson, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, and co-creator James Burrows shared stories, laughs, and heartfelt memories—like the food fight episode or the moment they realized the show had become a global cultural force.

What struck me most was how human they all seemed. It wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was about seeing the affection they still had for each other, and for a show that had defined an era of television.^[7]

3 Longtime Movie Review Duo Siskel and Ebert

Growing up watching Siskel and Ebert, I found them endlessly entertaining because they were so intelligent, so opinionated, and so passionate. Even when I didn’t agree with their reviews, it was clear that they did their homework and believed every word they said. I especially remember their split review of Star Trek Generations—Siskel liked it (somewhat), while Ebert thought it was deeply flawed.

In 1997, the two critics sat down with Conan O’Brien for an interview that showcased their healthy, sibling-like rivalry. Conan teased them, and they delivered—quick wit, light jabs, and real affection. You could tell they genuinely enjoyed sparring, but there was deep respect beneath it all.

The thing I loved most about them was their energy and clarity. I think film students today could learn a lot just by watching how they debated. They were from a generation that combined intelligence, humor, strong opinions, and sheer class—and we haven’t seen many like them since.^[8]

2 Robin Williams Plays Tennis with His Mom

My favorite childhood memories of Robin Williams are watching him on Happy Days and Mork and Mindy during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was impossible to watch him and not laugh—he was a comedic genius. I didn’t discover the video of him playing tennis with his mom until this year, and it was incredible to see how his comedic mind never turned off, even around his family.

The clip, from a 1984 Mother’s Day TV special called Superstars and Their Moms, shows Robin and his mom goofing around on the tennis court and sitting for a sweet interview. At one point, she jokingly pretends to pull a rubber band out of her nose, sending Robin into a fit of childlike giggles. The moment has recently gone viral again. I found it heartwarming to see that the man who made the world laugh could be reduced to joyful tears by his mother’s silly antics. It reminded me how deeply personal comedy often is.^[9]

1 Sir Patrick Stewart Grabs a Beer with His Older Brother

When I was growing up in Chicago, I almost viewed Jean-Luc Picard, the captain of the starship Enterprise, as my second dad. Some people seem like they were always 50 years old—commanding, composed, and wise. For me, Captain Picard was one of those people. And as I got older, I realized Patrick Stewart himself was similar to Picard—except funnier, livelier, and so broadly talented.

I remember when Stewart appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show around 1991. At one point, he used the phrase “poverty-stricken language,” which stunned me. Growing up in inner-city Chicago, I understood what he meant—but I was also a bit offended. Years later, I realized that Stewart wasn’t critiquing any group; he was speaking from personal experience. He grew up poor under an abusive father, and he transformed himself into a master of Shakespearean dialogue and a revered actor in every genre.

In a video of Stewart sharing a beer with his older brother in an English pub, I relived so much of my childhood and early adulthood. The word that kept coming to mind was “character.” Both brothers endured hardship and built their lives around integrity. Watching that moment reminded me of Picard’s speech in “The First Duty”—a formative lesson about truth that still echoes in my mind.^[10]