Behind the razzle-dazzle of fame and fortune, celebrities' lives are often marked by extreme highs and devastating lows, drug and alcohol abuse, and triumph and tragedy. Featuring several 20th century icons, The Story Of... revisits their key roles and reveals their off-camera lives through access to their friends, family, and those who knew them best.
The Story Of... airs Mondays at 2 p.m. starting May 9 on WSBE Rhode Island PBS.
The Story of Elizabeth Taylor - May 9 at 2 p.m.
Two-time Oscar winner Elizabeth Taylor was the unofficial Queen of Hollywood, a star from the age of 12 until the day she died. But behind the glitz, she led a life of extremes, with a rollercoaster of stellar successes and shocking tragedies. With first-hand accounts from friends, colleagues, and family members, as well as rarely-seen interviews with Taylor herself, we reveal the unwavering self-belief that enabled her to survive both good and bad fortune that cemented her legacy.
The Story of Jackie Kennedy Onassis - May 16 at 2 p.m.
In November 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy stepped off Air Force One in Washington, D.C., wearing a dress soaked in her husband’s blood. From that moment on, she became the ultimate image of survival. With insight provided by authors Barbara A. Perry, Kate Anderson Brewer, Tina Cassidy, and Nicholas O'Shaughnessy, two sides to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's life are revealed: heart-breaking tragedy and a powerful determination to survive.
The Story of Marilyn Monroe - May 23 at 2 p.m.
Although Marilyn Monroe featured in 30 films in her short life, her lasting star power has secured her place as an icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Featuring rare video and audio interviews, we reassess her life and career and reveal how she was systematically underestimated by sexist studio bosses who refused to recognize the intelligence and creative contribution of this tragic trailblazer.
The Story of John Travolta - June 13 at 2 p.m.
In the 1970s, John Travolta was considered Hollywood’s Prince of Cool, with breakthrough roles in Saturday Night Fever and Grease that propelled him to worldwide fame. But throughout his life, he has suffered terrible personal losses. From the tragic death of his girlfriend while filming Saturday Night Fever to the death of his beloved mother only a few months later, explore how Travolta has survived the ups and downs of his stellar career and a personal life ravaged by tragedy.
The Story of Clint Eastwood - June 20 at 2 p.m.
After 39 years in the film industry, Clint Eastwood attended the Oscars as a first-time nominee in 1992. Aged 62, he took home awards for Best Director and Best Picture for Unforgiven, a film that returned him to his cowboy roots and cemented his place as a star, producer, and director in some of the most iconic films in cinema. But away from the cameras, Clint Eastwood’s personal life has been messy and complicated. We hear from friends and colleagues who know him.
The Story of Patrick Swayze - June 27 at 2 p.m.
Patrick Swayze catapulted to fame in 1987 with Dirty Dancing, becoming a sex symbol for his era. Starring roles in Ghost and Point Break proved his status as a leading man adept at both action and romance. Yet behind the movie-star exterior was a man plagued by demons, scarred by regret, and driven to the brink of self-destruction. The private struggles and public successes of Patrick Swayze are revealed through the words of those who knew him best.
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36. Live stream the full schedule within the broadcast viewing area at watch.ripbs.org/livestream.
