10 Memorable Mustaches

I went to bed last night intent on writing something about the brilliant, insightful comments the genius Mike Tyson made regarding the Travon Martin case.  But thankfully this morning I woke up and the first thing I heard was a comment on The Mike and Mike Show about the mustache of Jeff Fisher, head coach of the National Football League St. Louis Rams, and I realized writing about mustaches would be more fun and a better use of my time then writing about the opinion of a convicted rapist, professed drug addict, ear-biting former heavyweight champion of the world.  I will save that one for a day when I’m in a bad mood. 

The guys this morning said Fisher has a very good mustache and they speculate he may have entered the world with it.   I’ve never grown a mustache so I have no clue what it takes to get a good one but I started thinking of other guys with memorable growths above their upper lip, those you can’t imagine not having a mustache.  Here are my top ten.

Tom Selleck is best known for his role as Thomas Magnum on the 80’s television show Magnum, P.I. though my favorite Selleck role was in Quigley Down Under.  Did you know that Selleck played college basketball at the University of Southern California?

Wilfred Brimley, actor and the Quaker Oats guy.  Played the nice-guy manager of the New York Knights and Roy Hobbs in The Natural  and the bad-guy head of security in The Firm.    Did you know that Brimley was once a bodyguard for Howard Hughes?

Shahid Khan, the new owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, has gotten plenty of airtime and I suspect much of that is because of his mustache.  They show pictures of fans in the stands with fake stache’s which is probably the most fun those fans are having at a Jaguars game.  Did you know that Khan was born in the Punjab province of Pakistan?

Craig Stadler, professional golfer nicknamed “The Walrus”.  Stadler has won 13 times on the PGA tour, including the 1982 Masters.  Did you know that Stadler’s brother is a new age pianist, composer and songwriter?

Leroy Neiman, possible the most popular, living artist.  His use of brilliant colors makes his work easily recognized.  Did you know Neiman titled his autobiography,  All Told:  My Art and Life Among Athletes, Playboys, Bunnies, and Provocateurs?

Sam Elliott, actor known for playing the classic American cowboy.  Did you know that one of Elliott’s first film roles was as “Card Player #2” in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid?

Gene Shalit, bow tie wearing film and book critic for NBCs The Today Show for the past four decades.  Did you know that Shalit was the press agent for Dick Clark in the early 1960’s?

Charlie Chaplin, English-born actor, director and composer.  The American Film Institute ranked Chaplin the 10th greatest male screen legend of all-time.  Not bad for a guy that never had anything to say.  Did you know that Chaplin was 73 years-old when his last child was born?

Hollywood Hulk Hogan, professional wrestler and actor.  Born Terry Bollea in Augusta, Georgia, the Hulkster is likely the most well-known wrestler of all-time.  Did you know that Hogan was asked to endorse an indoor, electric grill?  But he didn’t respond quick enough so a former boxer, George Foreman, got the gig.

1972 Oakland Athletics Team was known for their colorful uniforms, owner and preponderance of facial hair.  Not all the players had mustache’s but I vividly remember Gene Tenace, Joe Rudi, Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers as they beat my clean-shaven Cincinnati Reds in the World Series.  Did you know this series was dubbed “The Hairs versus The Squares?”

The last two hours has been the longest I’ve ever spent talking, writing or even thinking about mustache’s which led me to one more did you know question.  Did you know that everyone named Ron has a mustache?  I only know four people named Ron (technically one is named Ronnie) and they all have mustache’s.  I guess Ron Howard blows that theory but I don’t know him.  Plus, if Opie came home with a lip caterpillar I bet Aunt Bea would be calling Sarah to get hold of Andy to tell him to get home, and to bring a razor.