American icon Elvis Presley was born on this day in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935. While he is better known as the King of Rock & Roll, Presley also made many lasting contributions to the world of cinema that should not be overlooked. Presley starred in a whopping 33 films after being catapulted to worldwide celebrity status, made bankable by the King’s recognizable, catchy vocals setting the scene. In addition to his own acting vehicles including Love Me Tender, Blue Hawaii and Viva Las Vegas, the King’s crooning has provided the soundtrack to nearly 200 film and television programs, such as Barry Levinson’s Diner, David Lynch’s Wild at Heart and Tim Burton’s Big Fish.
Film Star Factoid: As a young man, Elvis worked as a movie theater usher before moving on to pursue a career in the music industry, where he became perhaps the most famous figure in rock and roll history.