MANILA, Philippines?Did you know that Sophia Loren was born to an unwed mother? In war-torn Sicily, she was so undernourished that she was nicknamed The Sticks. She later developed into a modern-day Aphrodite?and one of Europe?s greatest film exports!

Did you know that Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland and Elizabeth Taylor had stage mothers who managed their colorful careers?

Did you know that Judy Garland?s father was gay?

Alcoholic father

Did you know that Jack Nicholson was raised by his grandmother after his alcoholic father skipped town? On the other hand, we knew that Norma Jean Mortensen?better known as Marilyn Monroe?was left in foster homes by her mentally disturbed mother. But, that tragic part of her life was only ?embroidered? by her studio?s publicity men, who wanted to add pathos to the early life of Hollywood?s Sex Siren of the ?50s.

Did you know that Mel Gibson is the sixth of 11 children?

Did you know that Anne Bancroft (aka Mrs. Robinson) was the original star of ?Funny Girl,? until she quit for lack of the required vocal range? Her loss was Barbra Streisand?s gain!

Did you know that Elvis Presley made 30 films in quick succession during his heyday?

Did you know that two-time Academy Award winner, Spencer Tracy, who effortlessly portrayed priests, lawyers and other men of integrity in his films, was expelled from a dozen grade schools because of ?attitude? problem?

Did you know that Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland made what were known as ?barnyard musicals? for MGM? The dynamic duo was well-suited to each other: He was blond, and she was dark haired. He was 5?3?, she was 4?11!? They gave new meaning to ?small but terrible?! Other small-but-terrible stars included Alan Ladd, Edward G. Robinson, James Cagney, Gloria Swanson and Vivien Leigh.

Did you know that balladeer Dean Martin was a boxer before he opted to become a crooner? His comic partner, Jerry Lewis, was expelled from high school for punching the school principal!

Did you know that, upon being introduced to costar Marilyn Monroe on the set of ?River of No Return,? Robert Mitchum released a loud fart to make the actress relax? But, did you know that he was Deborah Kerr?s favorite leading man?

Did you know that Rock Hudson necessitated 38 takes to utter his screen-test dialogue, ?Pretty soon, you?re going to have to get a new blackboard??

Did you know that former child superstar, Shirley Temple, turned 80 last April 23?