Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
A former home economics teacher, Kanae Minato rocked Japan’s literary world with her 2008 debut novel, “Confessions.” A movie adaptation of the psychological thriller was selected as Japan’s entry for the best foreign language film at the 2010 Academy Awards. This past summer, the book was released in English.
Though Dan Lauria has traveled to numerous destinations, the actor said he has never taken a proper holiday. “I’ve never taken a vacation,” says Lauria, who is best known for playing Fred Savage’s father on “The Wonder Years.” “I’ve never been to Europe. Every time I planned to do something big, I got a job and I could never pass that up.”
Lara Spencer has a lot on her plate these days. A co-anchor for ABC’s “Good Morning America,” she’s also the host of “Flea Market Flip” on Great American Country. She also has a new book out, “Flea Market Fabulous: Designing Gorgeous Rooms with Vintage Treasures” (Stewart, Tabori and Chang, $25.95). A resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, Spencer says that even though she travels constantly for her work, if the opportunity arises, she will never pass up the opportunity to head out for a few days with her family.
Best known for her roles on “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “What I Like About You,” Jennie Garth is showing fans another side of herself in “The Jennie Garth Project,” a new reality series in which the 42-year-old actress works with a contractor to remodel an outdated California house. Based out of Los Angeles, where she resides with her three children, Garth released her memoir, “Deep Thoughts from a Hollywood Blonde” earlier this year.
Actress Caitriona Balfe says she can relate to her time-traveling character, Claire Randall, in the Starz series “Outlander.” “I’ve lived in Los Angeles and New York for long periods of time,” she says. “And now I’m in Glasgow. It’s not like having different lives in each place, but each is unique. The country is a key character in the series. The Scottish Highlands are incredible. There seems to be magic and poetry everywhere.”
More famous than many of the celebrities with whom he is paired on “Dancing with the Stars,” professional dancer Derek Hough is a star in his own right. Hough, 29, has won an Emmy Award for his choreography on the series, as well as an unprecedented five Mirror Ball Trophies for his work on the show.
In her new book, “The Beat of My Own Drum: A Memoir,” musician Sheila E. talks candidly about her rise to fame, her engagement to Prince and the backstory to how Lionel Richie ended up adopting her niece, Nicole.
When former San Francisco Giant J.T. Snow retired from baseball, he knew what he wanted to do in the next phase of his life. The six-time Golden Glove recipient and his sister, Stephanie Snow Gebel, started the Jack and J.T. Snow Scientific Research Foundation, which supports diabetes research. (Former wide receiver, Jack Snow, is J.T.’s father.) Snow, 46, lives 30 minutes outside of San Francisco in Emerald Hills.
Before becoming known as a “Girl Hunter” (also the name of one of her books), Georgia Pellegrini trained as a chef at the French Culinary Institute and worked at the Gramercy Tavern and La Chassagnette in the South of France. The chef, hunter and author — her latest book is “Modern Pioneering” (Clarkson Potter, $24) — lived in France, Tennessee and California before settling in her current home of Austin, Texas.
I love Carl Reiner’s idea about teaching foreign languages to children when they’re young: “One of the things we should be doing is speaking to our children in at least two languages so that they are exposed to a foreign language and can grow up bilingual. If you expose a child to another language when they’re very young, they will pick it up much quicker than if you try to teach them in high school.”
Bob Bowman is the coach of the most famous swimmer in the world: Michael Phelps. While he won’t confirm if Phelps will compete in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, he says the two enjoy competition of another kind: horseracing. “Michael and I own some horses (Water Cube, By a Hundredth),” says Bowman, who is based out of Baltimore. “These horses are amazing athletes in their own right.”
Comedian Steve Hofstetter was a regular guest on shows such as “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Comedy All-Stars” and “Comics Unleashed.” Now, the entertainer is hosting and executive producing his own series, “Laughs,” on Fox. Besides traveling to scout talent for ‘Laughs,” Hofstetter, who has a role in Adam Carolla’s film “Road Hard,” is on the road for his stand-up comic gigs.You may also recognize him from his commercial for JDate, the dating site where he met his wife.
Few business journalists make their way into pop culture. Then there’s Maria Bartiromo, who was dubbed as the “Money Honey.” Joey Ramone of the Ramones was clearly smitten with her, too. He sang her praises in his song, “Maria Bartiromo.” “I’ve traveled the world, largely on business going from Asia to Europe and Brazil,” says the 46-year-old New Yorker. “I’ve been to so many places and it’s hard to get out and see all the things I want to because I’m so busy with work. But I try to make time and go back on my own.”
Born in Wales, Tom Ellis made a name for himself in the BBC soap opera “EastEnders.” The actor, 35, now stars as Dr. William Rush in the USA Network’s new medical drama, “Rush.” He calls London home, but is currently based out of Vancouver shooting his series. “Vancouver is such a beautiful city,” says Ellis. “It’s unreal. I love how it’s a city thoughtfully nestled within nature.”
Entrepreneur Dan Storper has always loved traveling and music. With Putumayo World Music — his independent record label that specializes in world music — Storper has been able to combine his two passions. “Most of my travel over the years has centered around business,” says Storper, 62. “But I love researching museums and hotels and usually let the people I’m meeting suggest the restaurants.”
For ESPN sportscaster Chris Fowler and his wife, Jennifer Dempster, travel is a way of life. “We never get sick of it,” says Fowler, 51. “Travel really is our vice, moreso than any possessions. We will spend money to enjoy a nice trip and see a place we haven’t visited before.” Fowler, whose duties include hosting “College GameDay” and ESPN’s tennis coverage, also is Brent Musburger’s play-by-play replacement for ABC’s “Saturday Night Football.”
Actor Bob Saget is best known for his work on the ’80s sitcom “Full House” and as the host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” But the comic also has a cult following of fans that enjoy his off-color stand-up routines. Saget, 58, is also an author who writes about his life in the book, “Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of a Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian” (It Books, $26.99). A resident of Los Angeles, the entertainer describes himself as a Twitter-head
On his truTV series “The Carbonaro Effect,” Michael Carbonaro puts a spin on the hidden camera reality series by adding a magical touch. Imagine “Candid Camera,” but with more pranks and sleight of hand tricks.
Musician Lisa Loeb (of “Stay” fame) has some tips for traveling with young children: “Prepare yourself! Bring tons of snacks and activities, make sure you get a good night’s sleep before you venture out, don’t forget extra diapers and bring strollers and car seats with you. And lots of wipes. And maybe some Starbucks gift cards for the people around you on the plane.”
“Property Brothers” star Jonathan Scott says, “I don’t think you can truly appreciate where you came from unless you have experienced how other cultures live. Travel has made me a more humble person with a better perspective on life.”