Kens

10 Famous Ken’s Who Have Made it Into a Hall of Fame

July 6, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Just about every discipline you can think of has a hall of fame. Every actor, musician and athlete are moving one step closer to being immortalized by their peers and supporters as they work to make it to top of their game. Not everyone aims at a place in the hall of fame, but it’s a good place to lay down your hat if you can make the cut. For every legend that has walked those hallowed halls, there is no doubt on the world stage that they are among the best in their respective fields. These 10 entries are no exception, and they all proudly go by the name Ken.

Ken Griffey Jr. – Some call him the greatest Seattle Mariners player of all time. Well, that accolade was given a lot more weight when Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into the team’s hall of fame on August 10, 2013. He spent most of his career with the team as a star outfielder. Griffey is an All-Star 13 times over, and is renowned as one of the foremost home-run hitters of all time. Hopefully, he will make it into Cooperstown as well when he is eligible in 2016!
Ken DeStefanis – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s Connecticut chapter honored Ken DeStefanis with an induction on Saturday, April 20, 2013. A successful wrestler and part of a family wrestling franchise, DeStefanis has coached at high school, college and wrestling camps, rolling out programs that have helped countless young wrestlers find success.
Ken Buchanan – In the year 2000, Ken Buchanan was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He is a former Boxing Undisputed World Lightweight Champion, with a career spanning over 15 years in professional boxing. He is currently retired and living in his homeland of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Ken Shamrock – The mixed martial arts and UFC legend Ken Shamrock is known as the most dangerous man in the world. He earned the title after countless victories in the sport during its early professional outings. Ken is also one of the few people who officially holds a place in the UFC hall of fame.
Ken Curtis – Festus from Gunsmoke would be mighty proud to know that the actor who played him made it into the cowboy hall of fame. Ken Curtis was inducted into The Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1981. For a guy who was initially brought in for a bit part, that’s pretty good going.
Ken Jennings – Inductee into the Trivia Hall of Fame for 500? In case you haven’t guessed, the answer is: Who is Ken Jennings? This is a man with a winning streak so long on Jeopardy that he actually wins a place in the hall of fame as well.
Ken Dryden – Some know him as a Canadian member of Parliament, however, others will remember that Ken Dryden had a cool career in ice-hockey before turning to politics. That humble career earned him a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame, which makes him quite possibly the most famous Canadian politician of all.
Kenneth Treadway – With a surname like Treadway, it’s no wonder that this Ken made it into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Along with being an accomplished swimmer in his own right, Ken Treadway is a passionate ambassador for the sport he loves and the people who participate in it, too. Besides all his awards, Ken has also served on a number of committees, including during the Olympics.
Ken Nelson – As the person in charge of A&R for Capitol Records, Ken Nelson was used to working behind the scenes. However, his contributions did not go unnoticed, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Nelson was, in part, responsible for launching the hugely popular Hank Thompson, with his number one hit “The Wild Side of Life.” Ken passed away in 2007 at the grand ol’ age of 96 years old.
Ken Anderson – The hall of famer of the fans who, unfortunately, never was. Anderson spent his entire career playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and, despite being nominated for a place in the hall of fame on several occasions, Anderson has yet to make the touchdown. However, Ken is in the top 10 of those who should have made it into the hall of fame, which means he’s gaining yards. For the travesty that he is not in the hall of fame alone, Ken Anderson has earned a mention.

10 Famous Crime Fighters Named Ken

July 1, 2015 by Kenney Myers

The problem with trying to find crime fighters named Ken is that they, by their very nature, tend to be extremely protective of their true identity. However, as is the case with every great crime fighter, the super villain always unmasks them in the end. Of course, the adoring public are always quick to forget that the hero’s identity has been revealed, so here is a permanent record of crime fighters named Ken who shall remain unmasked.

Ken Masters – Introduced to the world in 1987, Ken Masters is one half of crime fighting duo Ryu and Ken from the popular Street Fighter game series. Ken’s special moves include Hadoken, Shoryuken, Tatsumaki and Senpukyaku. The character was originally created by Capcom as Ryu’s counterpart in order to appeal to the American audience when the game was released globally.
Kenneth Dowler – He’s not so famous among everyday citizens, but Kenneth Dowler holds a very prominent place in international crime fighting circles. Dowler is the author of a number of important publications concerned with criminal processes and justice. With over 15 publications under his belt, Kenneth has made significant contributions towards understanding the media’s impact on criminal investigation and reporting.
Kenny McCormick – Mysterion, AKA Kenny McCormick from South Park, bears a striking resemblance to Batman, and even has the gruff voice down. The Mysterion character was first introduced to the show in the Season 13 episode “The Coon.” The crime fighter’s super power, not surprisingly, is the ability to come back to life after suffering fatal injuries, although his friends and family have no recollection of the event.
Kenneth Aubrey – As one of the main characters in Craig Thomas’s series of spy novels, Sir Kenneth Aubrey is a top handler with MI6. Thomas is most famous for the novel titled “Firefox,” which was adapted for film in 1982 with Freddie Jones playing Aubrey’s character. Although Tom Clancy had much more success in the British spy genre, Craig Thomas is regarded by many fans as the founding father of the genre.
Ken Follett – A crime fighter perhaps only in his own mind, Ken Follett has written more than six unique book series comprised of over 30 novels in total. Common threads found in Follett’s novels deal with crime, war and politics throughout the ages. The Welsh writer is also an avid supporter of the British Labour party, and even became involved in politics himself in the late 1970s.
Kenneth Hutchinson – You may not recognize his name, but you will recognize his nickname – Hutch of Starsky and Hutch fame. Although the show became incredibly famous all over the world, the original series only ran for four years on ABC. The show was also famous for introducing the much loved character “Huggy Bear” to the world. Huggy was later revamped by rapper Snoop Dogg in a movie remake of the show.
Kenneth Drury – Detective Chief Superintendent Kenneth Drury of Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad fell afoul of the law himself in a famous bribery and corruption scandal in 1977. The Flying Squad has always had close links to criminal elements as part of their mission, however, investigations were launched into the squad’s conduct due to public scrutiny of nefarious tactics and practices.
Kenneth Toby – Kenneth Toby appeared in a number of TV and movie roles throughout his career, which included many roles as crime fighting characters. Most of the roles that Kenneth played were as military men, however, he also played sheriff in “Big Top Pee-Wee” and a Twilight episode titled “A Day in Beaumont.” Kenneth Toby died on December 22, 2002; he was 85 years of age.
Ken Carson – Another name that you may not recognize, which is probably because he has kept it under deep cover. Ken Carson is better known as the Ken Doll – or Barbie’s other half. Of course, everyone knows that Ken can’t hold down a job for long, so it’s no surprise that he lists police officer as one of his many failed career choices.
Ken Wallis – This thrill seeking dare-devil has the honor of having doubled for James Bond in You Only Live Twice. Wing Commander Kenneth Horatio Wallis loves all kinds of vehicles, especially when he is inventing or racing them. Wallis created what is considered by many to be the original Scaletrix race tracks and cars. Unfortunately, he did not patent his invention, and thus lost out on the fortune that similar designs later brought for Scaletrix.

10 Professional Sports Coaches Named Ken

June 7, 2015 by Kenney Myers

A coach is someone who brings out the best in you. Professional sports coaches are renowned for driving athletes to give 100%, then turn around and give a 100% more. The 10 coaches in this list are no exception, and each one of them was blessed with the birth name Ken.

Ken Carter – Very few coaches can claim the distinction of having a movie made about them, but Ken Carter can. In 2005, the basketball coach was played by Samuel L. Jackson in the movie Coach Carter. The values that Carter set down for his college team during the 1999 season, mixing a solid grounding in academics with performance on the field, were the main subject of the movie that made him famous.
Kenneth S. Hitchcock – Currently coaching the St. Louis Blues, Hitchcock is an NHL coach and pro scout. In 1999, he coached the Dallas Stars to victory in the Stanley Cup, and has also acted as head coach for the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets. Kenneth S. Hitchcock, or “Hitch” as he’s better known, is a native of Western Canada.
Ken Mushinskie – Until early 2013, Ken Mushinskie was the coach for the Beckman High School Patriots. After only two seasons with the team, he was forced to retire, citing a dispute of the direction the team was going. For the two seasons that Ken spent with the team, the Patriots had a record of 14-11, and he led them to the CIF Southern Division title game in 2011.
Ken Whisenhunt – The San Diego Chargers is where Whisenhunt currently hangs his hat, however, from 2007 – 2012 he was the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals. During his time with the Cardinals, Ken brought the team to the Super Bowl in 2008, which marked the first time in their history. Earlier coaching roles included the Baltimore Ravens (1997–1998), Cleveland Browns (1999), New York Jets (2000) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (2001–2003).
Ken Shamrock – Opposite his upcoming opponent, Tito Ortiz, who he was set to fight at UFC 61, Shamrock acted as head coach on the third season of the franchise reality TV competition The Ultimate Fighter. Team Ortiz dominated the competition, which was to become an omen of future for Shamrock at the main event. Ortiz beat Ken, effectively heralding the end of Shamrock’s UFC career.
Kenny Adams – An amateur boxer in his own right, Adams helped the U.S. team bring back nine gold medals from the 1984 Olympic games. In 1989, Kenny coached French fighter Rene Jacquot to victory against Donald Curry. He has also coached B.J. Flores, Michael Nunn and Ray Mercer.
Ken Niumatalolo – The United States Naval Academy is proud to have Ken Niumatalolo currently serving in the position of head coach. Ken came up through the ranks of college football as a quarterback, when he played for University of Hawaii. When he wasn’t playing football, Niumatalolo was pursuing his other love on the basketball court. He took on the position of head coach with the Naval Academy on December 8, 2007.
Ken Wood – With over four decades of coaching under his belt, Wood has helped a number of world champion-caliber swimmers achieve gold. He is currently acting as the head coach at Redcliffe Leagues Swimming Club in Queensland, Australia. Wood faced controversy after the 2008 Summer Olympics, due to one of his swimmers leaving his camp. The swimmer in question, Jessicah Schipper, left because he sold her training regime to rival Liu Zige of China. The move cost Schipper her 200m Butterfly world record and a defeat at the hands of Zige.
Ken Chertow – This American wrestler competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Chertow now runs extensive wrestling training camps throughout the U.S., which have produced a number of college wrestling champions. He dedicates most of his time to perfecting his program, which he also promotes across the country. Ken has won a number of titles in the sport, including the Olympic Festival Champion and the Tulsa National Team Championship.
Kenny Dalglish – One of the best known names in British soccer, Dalglish was instrumental in the coaching style of Liverpool FC. Kenny became player-manager for the side in 1985. Among some of the titles that Kenny won as a player with Liverpool are six Football League First Divisions, two FA Cups and four League Cups. He resigned in 1991, only to return as manager from May 2011 until he was released in May 2012.

10 Famous Lawyers Named Ken You May Debate

May 24, 2015 by Kenney Myers

There are ten lawyers in this list, all of whom are named Ken. However, that’s not the only thing that they have in common, as each of these Kens has also flirted with fame over the course of their career. Robert Frost once said, “A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer.” If that’s true, then each of these lawyers has more than adequately presented his case.

Ken Starr – Arguably the most famous lawyer in the world during his heyday, Ken Starr played a pivotal role in a number of investigations during Bill Clinton’s presidency. Two of Starr’s most controversial investigations were the death by suicide of White House counsel Vince Foster, and the Whitewater scandal involving Bill and Hilary Clinton’s real estate investments.
Ken Dryden – Before his career in law, Ken Dryden had already made his name as a NHL (National Hockey League) goaltender. In fact, due to his impressive record, he is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Ken earned his degree in Law at McGill University, before eventually going into politics. From 2004 to 2011, Dryden held a seat in the Canadian government as a Liberal Member of Parliament.
Kenneth Feinberg – No stranger to difficult and sensitive cases, Kenneth Feinberg was Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and administrator of the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster Victim Compensation Fund. Feinberg is usually the first choice when it comes to legal administration, and has served as a professor at the Columbia University School of Law.
Kenneth Kleinberg – Lawyer to the stars, Kenneth Kleinberg has represented the elite of Hollywood. Although Kleinberg’s client list is highly confidential, his string of awards – which includes the “2011 Entertainment Lawyer of the Year” – speaks volumes about his success in the industry. Kenneth Kleinberg is a graduate of UCLA School of Law, and has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Weintraub Entertainment Group.
Kenneth Okonkwo – A popular Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo holds a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy. The actor is best known for his role as “Andy” in the Nigerian film Living in Bondage. Although qualified to practice law, Okonkwo decided to step out of the limelight for another calling; he now frequently appears at Christian events as a guest minister.
Ken McKenna – In his long and successful career, Ken McKenna has worked on a number of high profile cases. However, the biggest case of his career was in representing the mother of a teenage suicide victim against the might of the record industry. The case involved two teenage boys who created a suicide pact while listening to the heavy metal band Judas Priest. One of the boys died instantly from a shotgun blast, while the other survived with serious face and head injuries. During the case, McKenna identified alleged subliminal messaging in a track that the boys had been listening to, which led to a landmark decision in the case.
Kenneth Clarke – This Conservative politician was first elected to the British parliament in 1970. Clarke is one of Britain’s best known politicians, and holds an honours degree in law from Cambridge University. Kenneth Clarke has held some of the highest positions in British government, including Health and Education Secretary. However, he saw his most successful years in government during his role as Chancellor of the Exchequer from May of 1993 to May of 1997.
District Attorney Ken Anderson – Former District Attorney for Williamson County in Texas, Ken Anderson found himself on the wrong side of the dock after being implemented in hiding crucial evidence in the murder trial of Michael Morton in 1987. Morton was subsequently given life for the murder of his wife, Christine Morton.
Ken Thompson – As a lifelong advocate of truth and justice for the poor and unrepresented masses, Ken Thompson has made quite a name for himself. Thompson was first thrust into the public light when he represented Abner Louima, in what would become one of the biggest police brutality cases to take place in New York. Two police officers were later found guilty of brutal attacks on Louima, which are still referenced in human rights cases today.
Ken Corning – Everyone has heard of the fictional lawyer, Perry Mason. However, few will know that the character was born in an earlier guise under the name, Ken Corning. Corning was a sleuthing lawyer and the main character of six short stories, which were featured in “Black Mask,” a popular magazine where Perry Mason creator Erie Stanley Gardner was a lead writer.

10 Sitcom Stars Named Ken

May 23, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Sitcoms are a treasured institution in television, with roots that reach all the way back to the earliest days of programming. These 10 men have brought to life some of the most beloved characters in sitcom history, sharing in the grand tradition of making people laugh. In addition to a shared career path, the 10 people on this list also share a given name. For your reading enjoyment, here are 10 of the most well-known sitcom stars named Ken.

Ken Berry – While Ken Berry started his career as a dancing military man, he found lasting fame as a sitcom star. His breakout role in the classic show “F Troop” allowed him to make a name for himself, with roles on “Mayberry R.F.D” and “Mama’s Family” to follow. “Mama’s Family,” a spin-off of “The Carol Burnett Show,” allowed Ken’s character to live on in syndication for the better part of 20 years.
Ken Jenkins – While Ken Jenkins is something of a Hollywood veteran, his real claim to fame is an eight-season stint as the irascible Dr. Kelso on the hit sitcom “Scrubs.” He’s also an accomplished theatrical star, with an average of 10 stage productions under his belt each year for the last three decades. A playwright, director and an actor, Ken Jenkins is one artist whose contributions to the dramatic arts stretch far beyond a few supporting sitcom roles.
Ken Curtis – While “Gunsmoke” was a long-running Western, there were elements of comedic relief to be found amidst the gunslinging and outlaw behavior. Ken Curtis, the actor behind the role of “Festus,” was often the source of those laughs. Unfortunately, this Hollywood treasure passed away in 1991 after suffering a heart attack in his sleep. Still, his legacy lives on, as “Gunsmoke” is still in syndication 50 years after it first hit the airwaves.
Ken Jeong – While this Korean-American star may have started out in the field of medicine, he’s quickly become a household name in comedic circles. In addition to his work on laugh-riot films like Knocked Up and The Hangover franchise, he’s also enjoyed a bit of sitcom fame. The role of Señor Chang in the hit series “Community” has solidified his place in television history.
Ken Marino – Launched to fame in the MTV sketch comedy series “The State,” Ken Marino has since enjoyed steady work in film and television. His roles on sitcoms like “Eastbound & Down” and “Reaper” have earned him the title of “sitcom star,” but he’s most well-known for appearing in the cult hit “Veronica Mars.” Much to fans’ delight, he will reprise his role in the upcoming feature film that follows up the abruptly canceled series.
Ken Foree – With roles in a variety of horror films, Kentotis Foree may not be the first Ken who comes to mind when you think of sitcom stars. Still, he did enjoy quite a stint on the Nickelodeon hit sitcom “Kenan and Kel,” which helped costar Kenan Thompson become a full-fledged member of the “Saturday Night Live” cast.
Ken Howard – After a breakout role on the long-running drama The White Shadow, Ken Howard went on to star in a variety of sitcoms and to head up the Screen Actors’ Guild. Most recently, he’s been acclaimed for his turn as Hank Hooper on the hit series “30 Rock,” which was sadly canceled in 2013.
Ken Osmond – Kenneth Charles Osmond, better known as “Ken,” was never able to break out of the typecasting mold after bringing Eddie Haskell to life on the family hit “Leave it to Beaver.” While he later became a Los Angeles police officer after the cancellation of “Leave it to Beaver,” he still lives on in the hearts of fans everywhere.
Ken Lerner – Roles on classic, hit sitcoms like “Happy Days,” “Lavern & Shirley,” “Newhart,” “Valerie,” “Family Ties,” “The Facts of Life,” “Who’s the Boss,” “Dharma & Greg” and “Will and Grace” have solidified Ken Lerner’s place in sitcom history. His most famous role, though, is that of Principal Flutie in the Joss Whedon cult hit “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Ken Weatherwax – No list of sitcom stars named Ken would be complete without child star Ken Weatherwax, the actor behind the iconic role of Pugsley Addams on the iconic series “The Addams Family.” While his career stalled out after his stint on the hit show, his childhood face is still immediately recognizable to legions of stalwart fans.

10 Famous Scientists Named Ken

April 30, 2015 by Kenney Myers

The world of science, innovation and technology is a cornerstone of modern life. From changing the way the world is viewed to making everyday life simpler and safer, advances in science are the result of diligent work and effort from pioneers in their fields. Even the world of science fiction brings a bit of entertainment to the world of scientific speculation and imaginative study. It is easy, however, to sometimes forget the great pioneers who make life so much easier through their contributions. Here are ten Ken’s who became famous because of their work and background in various scientific fields.

Ken Ham – As one of the founders of the Creation Science Foundation, Ken Ham is one of the world’s leading young-Earth advocates. Ham believes that the world is 6,000 years old and that dinosaurs coexisted with man. The Australian scientist, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Science, with an emphasis in Environmental Biology, also questions the reliability of the radiometric dating method used by geologists to determine the age of various rocks.
Ken MacLeod – Although MacLeod holds a degree in zoology and wrote a master’s thesis on biomechanics, his claim to fame is as a science fiction writer. Two of his books, which are part of a series, are Fractions: (The First Half of the Fall Revolution), and Divisions: (The Second Half of the Fall Revolution). Other titles include Newton’s Wake: A Space Opera, Learning the World: A Novel of First Contact and The Highway Men.
Sallman Ken – The fact that this Ken’s name serves as his surname is not the only deviation he takes from the rest of the entries on the list. Sallman Ken, as it happens, is also an alien. Before you go running for the hills, though, you should know that he is a fictional school science teacher from the book Iceworld, written by Hal Clement. An astronomer who was educated at Oxford, Clement is better known for his books, Mission of Gravity and Needle.
Kenneth Ford – Already a big name in Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC), Ford was thrust into the public spotlight with the announcement that he would head The Defense Science Board, which is part of the US Department of Defense. The board was put in place to provide valuable scientific knowledge on advances in weaponry, as well as to determine the best utilization of new technology.
Kenneth Branagh – Sir Kenneth Branagh himself may not be a scientist, but he did play the infamously experimental Victor Frankenstein in the 1994 version of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, opposite Robert DeNiro as the notorious monster. Branagh’s version included the artistic telling of the tale along with the monster’s ability to speak, which had been left off previous big-screen releases of Shelly’s masterpiece.
Ken Kennedy – Here is a scientist whose achievements in computer science are almost too many to list. Kennedy held, among many other accolades, a fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Association for Computing Machinery, and a W. W. McDowell Award. The Ken Kennedy CS Award was named in his honor after he succumbed to pancreatic cancer on February 7, 2007, at the age of 61.
Ken Yeang – Renowned as the world’s greatest green architect, Yeang has a background in ecological science and, of course, architecture. By combining the two, he aims to create sustainable, green eco-architecture. So important are Ken Yeang’s designs to potential future environmental sustainability that he has won a number of awards, including the particularly relevant Merdeka Award in the “Environment Category.”
Kenneth J. Dunkley – 3D glasses have revolutionized the cinematic experience, and it’s all thanks to Kenneth J. Dunkley. By blocking two points in a human’s peripheral vision, Dunkley was able to create a 3D effect from a 2D image. He went on to file a patent in 1986 for his 3D viewing glasses, which didn’t require the use of mirrors or special lenses, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Kenneth Libbrecht – It may surprise you to learn that this solar astronomer, rather than gazing out at the stars, is most famous for his fascination with snowflakes. Libbrecht is so awestruck with winter’s most beautiful crystals that he has written a number of popular books on the subject. Some of Ken’s most successful titles are affectionately named, The Snowflake: Winter’s Secret Beauty, Ken Libbrecht’s Field Guide to Snowflakes and The Little Book of Snowflakes. When he is not out wandering in winter wonderlands, Libbrecht can be found serving as a professor of physics at Caltech.
Kenneth R. Miller – A Roman Catholic cell and molecular biologist, Miller is a strong advocate for the compatibility of evolution and the belief in God. However, he is an opponent of the Creationist theory, and has written two popular books on the subject, Finding Darwin’s God and Only a Theory. Kenneth R. Miller is also a Professor of Biology and a Royce Family Professor for Teaching Excellence at Brown University.