Entertainment

Accomplished stage and screen actor Simon Callow wrote a biography of Charles Laughton, from whom he drew tremendous inspiration. Callow says Laughton's skill in part stemmed from the late actor's self-hatred and closeted homosexuality.

Kirk Douglas says that growing up in abject poverty was an advantage: he had nowhere to go but up. Often known for his tough guy roles, he also enjoys playing men who are weak, lost and vulnerable. He started his own production company to make movies he believed had depth and substance. His new autobiography looks back on his career so far.

Folk singer Michael Cooney says that several classic songs from the early 20th century have verses that never made it onto recordings or sheet music. He joins Fresh Air to sing some of those forgotten words.

Japanese American actor Mako appears in two new films out now: Tucker and The Wash. He moved to the United States shortly after World War II, and later served in Korea. He considered dodging the draft, but worried ihs actions might affect his parents' immigration status in America.

Jazz guitarist Marty Grosz returns to Fresh Air to sing songs about cities where he's lived.

The former child actor dropped out of the film industry and later worked in real estate. He's recently made a comeback with movies like Married to the Mob and Blue Velvet. Stockwell tells Fresh Air guest host Sedge Thomson about the new perspective he's gained an adult.

Comedy legend and Monty Python co-founder John Cleese wrote and stars in the new movie A Fish Called Wanda. He talks about the development of the film with co-stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline and director Charles Chrichton.

Bill Harley writes music for children. His songs are inspired both by different folk traditions and his experiences as a father. He performs some of his music for Fresh Air guest host Liane Hansen.

Lou Diamond Philips had his breakout role in the film La Bamba. Now he gets to stretch his acting chops as a knife-wielding, peyote-eating cowboy in Young Guns. He says he chooses his roles carefully to avoid being typecast as an "ethnic" actor.

Singer Bonnie Koloc sings a new song she said was inspired by a magical night in the countryside. She is accompanied by pianist Howard Levy.

Now in her 80s, Frances Williams is still acting -- long after many of her peers have retired. She has a storied career in theater and film, and helped found nine theater companies. An advocate for meaningful roles for African Americans, she now costars in the television show Frank's Place.

Singer-songwriter Bonnie Koloc performs two summer-themed songs. She is accompanied by pianist Howard Levy.

The New Orleans-based, twenty-year-old pianist and singer started performing when he was five, and later studied with Ellis Marsalis. Connick says, as a younger musician, he has more to prove -- which fuels his drive to learn more.

The husband-and-wife rock duo -- with a boombox for a rhythm section -- joins Fresh Air for an in-studio concert. They recently found commercial success with their hit, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades."

Susannah McCorkle joins Fresh Air to discuss and perform some of Cole Porter's songs. She is accompanied by pianist Ben Aronov and bassist Chip Jackson.

The Warner Bros. studio created several iconic cartoon characters for their shows Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, including Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. Writer Steve Schneider has published a book about their history and influence, called That's All Folks!

Dave Van Ronk. He was part of the folk music scene that flourished in Greenwich Village in the 1960s. His musical interests have ranged from traditional folk styles and jug band music to blues and jazz. He is known as a talented guitarist and singer who helped bring the relevance of black music to white audiences both in the United States and abroad. He'll also perform in today's show.

The final performance in a month-long series by fiddler Michael Doucet and two members of his Cajun band BeauSoliel.

Part two of an interview with Ron Shelton, director and writer of the new hit film "Bull Durham," starring Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon. In this segment, Shelton, a former minor league player in the Baltimore Orioles farm system, discusses the making of the film.

Actor Bob Hoskins. He stars in the new film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" in which he acts opposite an animated rabbit. Hoskins' other roles include the mob chief in "The Long Good Friday," a low-level hudlum in "Mona Lisa," and the gangster club owner in "The Cotton Club."