7. Celebrities

Bruce Willis was born, March 19, 1955, on a military base in Germany. In 1957, the family moved to New Jersey, the U.S.

In the U.S., Bruce's love for the stage grew as he did. As a child, Bruce suffered from a prominent stutter, but found he was most comfortable on the stage, performing. Bruce spent his high school days heavily involved in the drama club and even became president of the student council.

After giving the blue collar work a try and being a bodyguard, Bruce finally returned to what he loved most: acting. After countless Broadway roles, ad campaigns and small television show roles, Bruce finally caught his big break when he was cast as David Addison in the ABC show Moonlighting. From there, Bruce was cast in the role that would mark him as the actor he is today: John McClane in the first Die Hard (1988) installment. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Bruce Willis may be bald and over 50, but he can still give any 20-something thick-haired hot shot a run for his money when it comes to attracting women. To women, he's a manly, macho and charismatic figure. To men, he's the manly, macho and charismatic figure that they would all like to be. Bruce Willis is quite sure that his age is not indicative of his physical and emotional well-being, both of which are awesome.

Bruce Willis was associated with Demi Moore since their marriage in 1987. As one of the biggest power couples in Hollywood, their union produced three daughters, including actress Rumer Willis, but the couple split in 2000. After his another relationship failed, he married model Emma Heming in 2009, and remains open to the idea of adding to his family.

Collectively, the movies of Bruce Willis have gone up to $3 billion dollars, making him among the top 10 most bankable stars in Hollywood.

Notes: to catch a big break – отримати шалений успіх

give any 20-something thick-haired hot-shot a run for his money – дати

фори будь-якому пишноволосому красунчикові

stutter –заїкання

installment - постановка фільму

to hang one’s career hat on - підтримувати кар’єру

awesome - достойний заздрощів

observer - знавець

bankable- касовий

Ivan Mazepa was one of the greatest and the most contradictory Ukrainian Hetmans. He came to power at the time that was very difficult for Ukraine. The autonomy of Ukraine had been rapidly curtailed by tsarist Russia and Poland. So, Mazepa joined the Swedish King Karl XII to protect Ukraine from both Russian and Polish yoke.

Ivan Mazepa was the leader badly needed by Ukraine of that time. He was a distinguished man among the leaders known to the history of the European countries. Being an aristocrat, Ivan Mazepa was a European by his education. He studied in Kyiv collegiums and then in Warsaw. He travelled a lot round Europe. He had a remarkable memory. He spoke Latin perfectly well at the time when in Moscow Peter I could hardly find an interpreter speaking Latin. He was a keen observer of human nature, a good psychologist and this helped him to deal with people from different countries and social backgrounds. He had a remarkable talent for diplomacy. Ivan Mazepa had exquisite manners and was really a fascinating man. Whether it was his charming manner of communication or whether it was his brilliant mind, but all those who came in touch with him seemed drawn to him. Even Peter I, cruel and barbaric, but looking for European culture, respected him greatly.

He understood art in all its complexity, being himself a poet who created verse. Mazepa had a special liking for books and collected a big library at his residence in Baturyn. He was a real Maecenas. He gave great sums of money for building new schools and churches, and for the needs of education on the whole.

One can learn many interesting biographical facts about Hetman Ivan Mazepa, reading his own notes and letters and reminiscences of his contemporaries. There are many poems, dramas, novels and historical essays about Hetman Ivan Mazepa. The best known are written by Lord Byron, Victore Hugo, Bohdan Lepkiy, Renai Martel and others.

Ivan Mazepa was a very handsome and charismatic man. He had dark hair, beautiful black eyes and was very attractive till his old age. He met with his greatest love when he was nearly 60. She was Motrya Kotchubei, a very young and beautiful girl. This love story was very romantic, but tragic for both of them.

After the tragic for Ukraine Poltava battle Mazepa's plans were ruined. He was forced to immigrate to Benderi, where he died in a short period of time. It was not the age that killed this great patriot, it was nostalgia and the crush-up of his greatest dream.

For many years Russian and then Soviet history claimed Hetman Ivan Mazepa as a traitor and his name was forbidden to pronounce.

In the memory of the Ukrainian people Hetman Ivan Mazepa has become a symbol of love and devotion to his Motherland, to the idea of independence of Ukraine.

Notes: reminiscences – спогади