Exclusive Portrait

CHICAGO – Singer Bobby Brown has been all over the news of late, mostly because of the new memoir he’s authored (with Nick Chiles) called “Every Little Step.” He aims to set the record straight on his tumultuous career, especially regarding his marriage with the late Whitney Houston, which culminated when they split in 2007.

CHICAGO – To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, former First Lady Laura Bush has written a children’s book – co-authored by her daughter Jenna Bush Hager – called “Our Great Big Backyard.” Anderson’s Bookshop of Naperville, Ill., sponsored an appearance by Ms. Bush, at the North Central College there, which benefitted the Naperville Education Foundation.

CHICAGO – Holly Robinson Peete is a notable television actor (“21 Jump Street,” “Hanging with Mr. Cooper”), but her true life’s work is as a national spokesperson for autism. Currently, her family is featured on the reality show “For Peete’s Sake,” on the OWN Network, and she has written a new book, “Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express.” She recently appeared at Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Ill., to promote the book.

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. – She was an actress, model, bodybuilder and even adult film star, but Chyna – AKA Joanie Laurer – will always be remembered as the “Ninth Wonder of the World” during her undefeated reign as World Wrestling Federation (WWF) Woman’s Champion and gender crossover WWF Intercontinental Champion. She was found dead on April 20th, 2016, in her Redondo Beach (California) home at the age of 45.

CHICAGO – In the 1960s, the entertainment world was summed up by the three “B’s” – Bond, Beatles and…Batman. On January 12th, 1966, the pop culture TV phenomenon called “Batman” – starring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin – made its debut on ABC-TV. Happy 50th Anniversary to the Dynamic Duo.

CHICAGO – Jennifer Hudson has won an Academy Award and a Grammy. Not bad for the 33-year-old singer and actress who was discovered as a runner-up on “American Idol.” She will perform in Downers Grove, Ill. this Thursday, July 30, 2015 at Art Van Furniture’s grand-opening event “The Art of WOW!”

CHICAGO – The Windy City is now the go-to town for major theatrical previews. The latest stage musical – that will eventually head to Broadway – is “On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan,” which chronicles one of the greatest Latin singers ever. It’s now playing at the Oriental Theatre through July 5th, 2015.

CHICAGO – The six foot, eight inch Brad Garrett is used to towering over the competition, but it is his comedic chops that got him the part of Robert Barone in the popular sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Garrett was at Hollywood Palms Cinema, on behalf of Anderson’s Bookshop, both in Naperville, Ill., to promote his new book, “When the Balls Drop.”

CHICAGO – The 2015 TV season just got a little more intriguing, with the premiere of “Wayward Pines” on the FOX network on Thursday, May 14th. The series features Matt Dillon, and the Executive Producer and Director of the first episode, filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan (“The Sixth Sense”).

CHICAGO – April 29th is Kate Mulgrew’s 60th birthday, and what better way to celebrate than Exclusive Portraits of the former Starfleet Commander (“Star Trek: Voyager”). Mulgrew was in Chicago promoting her memoir, “Born with Teeth.”