32 Facts About Richard Blackwell

Richard Blackwell was an American fashion critic, journalist, television and radio personality, artist, former child actor and former fashion designer, sometimes known just as Mr Blackwell.

Richard Blackwell published the "Fabulous Fashion Independents" list and an annual Academy Awards fashion review, both of which receive somewhat less media attention.

Richard Blackwell wrote two books, Mr Blackwell: 30 Years of Fashion Fiascos and an autobiography, From Rags to Bitches.

Blackwell was born Richard Sylvan Selzer in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn to Henry Selzer, a working-class printer, and Eva Selzer, who were the American-born children of Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire.

Richard Blackwell claimed he was severely beaten by a stepfather, often sleeping in the alley beneath a fire escape with a broken bottle for protection rather than face further abuse.

Richard Blackwell told Howard Stern that as a 7-year-old boy, he had once had to beg for a quarter on the street so he could buy something to eat.

Richard Blackwell's father was frequently absent or drunk, and men would take him to a nearby alley and abuse him.

Richard Blackwell was scared, hungry, and did whatever he could to stay alive.

Richard Blackwell only went as far as the third grade in school.

Richard Blackwell returned to Broadway in 1944 for Catherine Was Great, which starred Mae West, but left acting to become a Hollywood agent.

Richard Blackwell discovered his talent for fashion design while making stage costumes for his clients.

The name "Mr Richard Blackwell" came in the late-1950s when he launched his clothing line.

Richard Blackwell was an important designer and during the 1960s he became the first in history to present his line on a television broadcast, and was the first to make his line available for plus-size women.

Richard Blackwell was syndicated in The Globe tabloid and wrote features in newspapers and lifestyle magazines.

The first "Ten Worst-Dressed Women" list premiered in 1960, to moderate media success, but as the House of Richard Blackwell became more successful, the list took off.

Forty-seven years after first release, Richard Blackwell annually spent a week after its publication on telephone interviews to fashion magazines, radio programs and news networks.

However, Richard Blackwell has displayed personal missives from many celebrities including Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey and country singers Barbara Mandrell and Tanya Tucker expressing their thanks for being selected.

Not all are lists, but virtually all include jibes and jabs similar to those that Richard Blackwell first used to capture media attention in the early 1960s.

Mr Richard Blackwell was a pioneer in television fashion and had been a fixture in the medium throughout his career as a designer and critic.

Richard Blackwell continued to be recognized as preeminent during his years in the field.

Also in 1968, Mr Richard Blackwell released an LP album of a show titled "The Mr Richard Blackwell Show" on the Rob Rich Records label that was presented on stage at The Desert Inn in Las Vegas in 1967, as well as The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in early 1967 as well.

The album features Mr Richard Blackwell reciting fashion commentary over a musical background.

Richard Blackwell often participated in audience critique segments on daytime talk and variety shows.

Richard Blackwell appeared on The Mike Douglas Show on numerous occasions, and on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, as a guest on the first broadcast after Carson moved the show from New York to Burbank.

Richard Blackwell appeared on a total of four additional Tonight Shows between August 1970 and January 1973 and is included in the series Best Of The Tonight Show DVD sets.

Richard Blackwell lived in the Hancock Park enclave of Los Angeles with his partner of 60 years, Robert Spencer.

Richard Blackwell was an artist known for his avant-garde, and he published several editions of his work, including his "Mother America" series.

In 2001, Richard Blackwell was diagnosed with Bell's palsy, which causes limited to severe paralysis of facial muscles and can affect eyesight as well.

Richard Blackwell was unable to unveil the 2000 list at a live news conference for the first time in its 40-year history and remained out of the public eye for six months.

Richard Blackwell came back for the 2001 "Worst Dressed" and returned to a full, normal social life.

Richard Blackwell died in Los Angeles on October 19,2008, of complications from an intestinal infection.

Richard Blackwell was played by Harry Shearer on the May 20,1995 episode of SCTV's, The Show Formerly Known as The Martin Short Show.