Celebrity List Grows For Bob Hope Classic
The list of celebrities who will play in the Bob Hope Classic in 2011 keeps growing. Here is the current list of the stars hitting the greens:
Ron White
A Grammy Award-nominated stand-up comedian, White became a star when he was part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Two of his comedy albums went to number one: “You Can’t fix Stupid” in 2006 and 2009’s “Behavioral Problems”.
Steve Azar
A country music star, singer-songwriter and producer from Mississippi with his unique Delta Rock and Blues sound, Azar is most noted for the smash single “I Don’t Have To Be Me” (‘Til Monday), which has received the coveted 3 million airplay award at radio. His Video “Waitin’ On Joe” featured Academy Award Winner Morgan Freeman topped the Video Charts at #1. Steve also toured 46 nights with Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band which was Poll Star’s #1 tour in the land in 2007. Last August he released his fourth studio album, “Slide On Over Here”, which includes the hit single, “Moo La Moo” and his current top 20 Billboard hit “Sunshine”, (Everybody Needs A Little), who’s video fall of 2010 Reached #1 on Video charts, and was voted top 25 videos of the year on GAC! .”
Bret Baier
The host of “Special Report with Bret Baier” on Fox News, he was that network’s Chief White House Correspondent for three years and Pentagon correspondent for five years. “Special Report” is the number one political news show on cable.
Alice Cooper
The pioneer of “Shock Rock”, Cooper’s career has spanned five decades and has included such famed singles as “Welcome To My Nightmare” and “School’s Out For Summer.” In 2011, his long-awaited album “Welcome To My Nightmare II” is due for release.
Steve Cropper
Also known as “The Colonel,” Cropper is a guitarist and songwriter who “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked as #36 on the list of “All Time Greatest Guitarists.” He is the lead guitarist of Booker T & The MG’s but perhaps his most noted accomplishment is as co-writer , with Otis Redding, of “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.”
Bill Devane
Actor Devane first gained acclaim for playing President John F. Kennedy in the TV move “Missile of October.” In addition to appearing for ten seasons on “Knots Landing,” he’s also been in such films as “Marathon Man,” “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” and “Space Cowboys.”
Eric Dickerson After starring at SMU, Dickerson joined the Los Angeles Rams, where, in his first season — 1983, he was All Pro, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. He also set the single season rushing record of 2,105 yards the next year. In 1999, his first year of eligibility, Dickerson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Tony Dovolani
One of the “Dancing With the Stars” regulars, Dovolani has appeared in ten seasons of the popular show. On the program, he partnered such beauties as Susan Lucci, Kathy Ireland and Jane Seymour. He also was in the film “Shall We Dance” and coached Jennifer Lopez
Tom Dreesen
The long-time Master of Ceremonies of the Bob Hope Classic Ball, he has made over 500 appearances on National Television as a stand up comedian, including 61 appearances on the Tonight Show and guest hosting the David Letterman Show. For 14 years he toured the nation as the opening act for Frank Sinatra.
Julius Erving
“Dr. J.” helped launch a modern style of playing basketball which emphasized leaping and jumping above the rim. The fifth all-time scorer in pro basketball history, he was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
Marshall Faulk
This future Hall of Famer holds a number of NFL records and was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year three times. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Faulk played for the St. Louis Rams when they won Super Bowl XXXIV. An all-purpose back, he is the only player in history with 70+ rushing touchdowns and 30+ receiving TDs.
Don Felder
A former member (and guitar player) of internationally famed band, The Eagles, Felder wrote the title track for the group’s ground-breaking album “Hotel California.”
Grant Fuhr
Wayne Gretzky once described Fuhr as the greatest goaltender in NHL history, which is perhaps why he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003. He was a mainstay with the Edmonton Oilers when they won five Stanley Cups from 1984 to 1990.
Peter Gallager
Gallagher starred as Sandy Cohen in the long-running series “The O.C.” and now has a recurring role in the USA Network drama “Covert Affairs”. He starred in “Sex, Lies and Videotape” and played the comatose fiance in “While You Were Sleeping.”
Willie Gault
A wide receiver for the Raiders and the Bears, the latter when they won Super Bowl XX, he is one of the fastest humans ever. He was a member of the U.S. 4 x 100 meter relay team at the 1980 Olympics (which the U.S. boycotted).”
George Gervin
Nicknamed “The Iceman.” Gervin is one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA History. Most of the his 13 seasons were with the San Antonio Spurs, and he is still that team’s leader in field goals and field goal attempts. When he retired in 1986 he was the NBA leader in most blocks by a guard.
Pat Green
Has released ten studio albums, including the gold-record “Wave on Wave” in 2003; has toured with such stars as Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesny and Keith Urban.
Joel Gretsch
He has co-starred in several TV series, including the USA Network show “The 4400”, the Spielberg produced mini-series “Taken” and the ABC series “V”; he also portrayed Bobby Jones in the film “The Legend of Bagger Vance.”
Oliver Hudson
Since 2007 he has been one of the stars of CBS’s “Rules of Engagement” and previously appeared in “Dawson’s Creek”. He also has co-starred in several films, including “The Out-of-Towners” and “New Best Friend.”
Scott Hamilton
Hamilton is one of the most successful men’s figure skaters of all time, winning four consecutive U.S. and World titles plus the Gold Medal at the 1984 Olympic Games. A frequent skating commentator and producer of ice shows, Hamilton also is on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics International.
Bo Jackson
One of the most celebrated athletes of all time, Jackson was the winner of the 1985 Heisman Trophy. He played baseball for the Kansas City Royals and football for the Los Raiders, becoming the first person to become an All Star in two professional sports.
Richard Kind
Richard Kind was last seen in Clint Eastwood’s “The Hereafter”. He was recently seen in the Coen Bros’ Academy Award nominated film “A Serious Man”. He has appeared in many TV shows, most notably “Mad About You”, “Spin City”, and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Broadway shows include “The Producers” and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. He can presently be heard in “Toy Story 3” and seen in the upcoming HBO series “Luck”.
Sugar Ray Leonard
The first boxer to earn more than $100 million in purses, Leonard is widely considered one of the best boxers of all time. He won world titles in five different weight divisions, defeating four Hall of Famers in the process. Named the “Boxer of Decade” for the 1980s, he’s making his first appearance at the Bob Hope Classic.
Ann Liguori
One of the original hosts on WFAN-NY Radio, she is that station’s golf and tennis correspondent. She also was one of the original hosts of The Golf Channel. Each year her foundation organizes a charity golf tournament in the Hamptons.
Evan Longoria
Although he’s only played three seasons, he’s turned the Rays into playoff contenders. The American League Rookie of the year in 2008, he’s a three-time All Star and recently won his third consecutive Golden Glove Award.
Ryan Longwell
A former California Golden Bear, Longwell is the placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings. Previously he was the kicker for the Green Bay Packers, for whom he is the all-time leading scorer with 1054 points. He is the fifth most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history.
Nigel Lythgoe
One of the original executive producers of “American Idol,” Lythgoe has returned to the show for its 10th season, which premieres in January 2011. He also is co-creator, executive producer and judge on “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Greg Maddux
One of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball, Maddux was the first person ever to win four consecutive Cy Young Awards and is the only player in history to win at least 15 games in 17 consecutive seasons. He ranks 8th on the all-time career wins list with 355 and won 18 Gold Glove awards, more than any player in history.
Rob Morrow
Noted star of TV and film, Morrow is making his first appearance at the Classic. On TV he first gained fame on the hit series “Northern Exposure”, followed by “Numbers” and currently “The Whole Truth”. He also co-starred in the films “Quiz Show” and “The Bucket List.”
Kevin Nealon
Was a cast member of Saturday Night Live for nine seasons, including hosting the Weekend Update segment. Now he co-stars in Showtime’s “Weeds.”
Craig T. Nelson
Currently starring as the family patriarch on the NBC series “Parenthood”, he first gained fame in the blockbuster film “Poltergeist”. He has starred in two long-running TV series, “Coach” and “The District.”
John O’Hurley
O’Hurley was the host of “Family Feud” for four seasons and hosted “To Tell The Truth” for two years. He played Mr. Peterman on “Seinfeld” and has appeared in such musicals as “Chicago” and “Monty Python’s “Spamalot.”
Kurt Russell
An actor for four decades, Russell has starred in several box office mega hits such as “Backdraft”, “Escape from LA”, “Escape from New York” and “Silkwood”, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. In 2011 he stars in the film “Touchback.”
Danny Seraphine
Seraphine was the original drummer and a founder member of the legendary rock group Chicago. During his 23-year tenure with the band, he co-wrote several of the groups songs, including “Lowdown,” “Little One” and “Take Me Back to Chicago.” In 2006 he premiered a new band, California Transit Authority.
Sterling Sharpe
Selected to five Pro Bowl teams, this former wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers led the National Football League in touchdowns scored twice. After his retirement, he first worked as a TV analyst for ESPN, now serving in the same capacity with the NFL Network.
Danny Sullivan
The winner of 15 races on the CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) circuit, he became internationally famous with his victory in the 1985 Indy 500. In that race, he passed Mario Andretti twice to win the title. Since retirement he has served as a TV analyst and as a drivers’ representative on Grand Prix stewards panels.
Tommy Thayer
Thayer is the lead guitarist for Kiss, one of the most popular rock bands of all time. Since 2007, he has hosted a celebrity golf tournament to raise funds for Pacific University”s athletic programs.
Gary Valentine
Brother of actor Kevin James, Valentine is a stand-up comic who also has appeared in films and TV series. He appeared in “The King of Queens” and had his own special on Comedy Central. He is the executive producer of the upcoming TV series “The Bachelor Chronicles.”
Scott Wolf
Famed for his starring role in the TV series “Party of Five”, Wolf also starred in the show “Everwood” and appears as a journalist in the ABC series “V”.
Frank WycheckFrank Wycheck A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Wycheck played tight end for the Washington Redskins and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans in the NFL. During his 11-year career, he is one of only six tight ends to make more than 500 receptions. He currently hosts a sports talk radio show on WGFX in Nashville.
