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Thomas Edison: Sure, he had over 1000 patents to his name, and rarely slept. But according to his insurance inspection with Mutual Life, the bad boy inventor also sported a strange tattoo. While no one knows what it meant, Tommy had 5 dots tattooed onto his left forearm, positioned like they would be on dice.
Sean Connery: While it’s no surprise that Sean Connery’s been inked up a few times, with at least one of his tattoos paying tribute to his motherland, it’s a little more disconcerting to hear he also has a tattoo paying tribute to his mother. In addition to the “Scotland Forever” tat on his forearm, Connery sports one that says “Mum and Dad.”
Geraldo Rivera: While I normally wouldn’t feel sorry for the moron that is Geraldo, as a rebellious teen, the joke-reporter wanted to celebrate his Jewish heritage by getting a Star of David tattooed between his left thumb and forefinger. A sweet gesture, no doubt. Except that tattoos are strictly forbidden by Rabbinical Law—a fact he only learned after he’d gotten the work done.
Winston Churchill’s Mom: Speaking of mothers, Lady Randolph Churchill had a rather unladylike snake tattooed on her wrist. At the time, however, it was extremely fashionable for upper class women and socialites to get expensive tattoo work done, and the strategic placement meant that Lady Randolph could cover up the ink with a chunky bracelet when necessary. Like mother like son, young Winston followed in his mom’s wristy behavior, when he got an anchor drawn on his arm.
Diego Maradona: Despite intensely following the Argentinian footballer’s brilliance World Cup after World Cup, I had no idea of the tattoos #10 was wearing. Apparently, Maradona has a tat of Che Guevara on his arm, and one of Fidel Castro on his leg—both of which would have been covered up by shirts and shin guards during international play.
JFK, Jr.: Apparently, America’s “royalty” couldn’t resist the lure of a tattoo parlor, either. Many a tabloid has depicted the young Kennedy wearing tattoos—one of a shamrock on his foot, and another of a dagger on his arm.
PLUS two tattoos you won’t see any longer:
Tony Danza’s “Keep on Trucking” tattoo. Danza got the phrase inked onto him when he was 18, attending college on a wrestling scholarship. The “Who’s the Boss?” actor had it laser removed in the 90’s.
Johnny Depp’s “Winona Forever” tattoo. When the pair split up, Depp nixed two letters, and cleverly changed it to read “Wino Forever.” We’ll drink to that!
*Special thanks to our research editors Sandy and Kara for their research help on this one.
Comments (44)
Comment
LOL- Most people are shocked when they hear I have two tattoos too. As a homeschooling mom, people always assume differently, however having a tattoo doesn’t dictate who a person is or what their lifestyle is like either. Like your blog.
posted by Michelle on 5-17-2007 at 9:43 am
none of the links go to anything…
posted by gussie on 5-17-2007 at 9:50 am
yeah, actually that was a little tricky on my part. I just wanted to highlight those sections, to make sure readers saw them, not make them actual links. Sorry! I’ll try to get our designer to fix it so it doesn’t seem like a link…
posted by Mangesh on 5-17-2007 at 9:54 am
Helen Mirren has a small tattoo on her hand, I was surprised they didn’t cover it up in The Queen.
posted by beth on 5-17-2007 at 10:01 am
Get your site designer to add a class called ‘highlight’ to the stylesheet, and then you can wrap any text you want highlighted in a span. E.g.
Here is some text I want highlighted.
HTH!
posted by -@^@- on 5-17-2007 at 10:36 am
(ooops, see the source code of the comment to see what the html should be)
posted by -@^@- on 5-17-2007 at 10:38 am
The prohibition of tattooing is found in the Torah: “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise Cut into) any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:28).
tattoos are not gashed or incised into the skin, they are ppoked. minor loophole.
have a few. will get more, am jewish.
posted by Mpyre on 5-17-2007 at 10:39 am
heh… thanks! I’ll definitely get him to take a look at it soon…
posted by Mangesh on 5-17-2007 at 10:57 am
I took my Dad’s advice on tattoos and avoided them altogether. He got a tattoo while in the South Pacific in WWII; it featured a heart with a banner across the front with “Esther” - his sweetheart’s name - on it. It was quite a nicely done tattoo, but then he returned home and married Celeste. Oops.
His point was that no matter how cool it looks or how appropriate it is when you get it, things change and it’s very likely that you’ll regret it.
posted by Dave on 5-17-2007 at 11:21 am
I stopped dreaming of the perfect tatoo when i was little & at the pool with my mom. there was this lady swimming that had a few really cool tatoos, but she was like 70 or something and the skin was just hanging there and the pictures were all messed up… it was really gross. that defentally cured me of my tatoo stage. ewww!!
posted by ashley on 5-17-2007 at 1:31 pm
Thomas Edison’s “electric pen” is actually the premise for tattooing guns still used today. So I don’t find it surprising that he had some sort of ink…
posted by Yerg on 5-17-2007 at 1:44 pm
absolutely right… you know, I’d discovered that fact a while back, and yet I never imagined he actually used it on himself. I guess mainly because it’s rarely talked about in articles about the pen origins.
posted by Mangesh on 5-17-2007 at 1:49 pm
Another weird one, I think, is the guy from Air Supply. The one with the dark, frizzy hair. I’m pretty sure he has tattoos all over his arms. If I am wrong, then I have no idea why I think this is true! I will go look it up…
posted by Stephanie on 5-17-2007 at 2:18 pm
Several people have been surprised to learn that I have tattoos- even those I’ve known for years- because I followed the Yakuza principle (if I’m wearing a mid-length t-shirt, you’d never know). All six of them were acquired within a 6-month period of rebellious adolescent boredom when I was 18 or so. Yes, I occasionally regret some of them, but they’ve become a part of me, like my myriad scars and thinning hair. Most are from my own designs, and I generally avoided areas which were going to sag or be exposed to excessive sun. They also give me the option of scaring people. Nobody quite knows what to make of the guy with the shaved head and the banner across his stomach that reads “Ubermensch” (my tattoo phase unfortunately coincided with a brief period of Nietzschian fandom). C’est la vie.
posted by Andrew on 5-17-2007 at 3:50 pm
I waited till I was almost 50 before I got my first–and so far only–tattoo. (Planning on getting at least one more.) This was so I wouldn’t get one that was too juvenile for an adult to carry till death. Most people don’t expect a mother of two, grandmother of five, to have a tattoo–so the shock value is an added bonus.
posted by cmk on 5-17-2007 at 11:35 pm
Tattoos seem to inspire bonding moments for people. At the restaraunt I used to work at, everyone was a little surprised that quiet lil’ me had a tattoo on my shoulder, and then told me about the ones they had. It was really interesting because a lot of them weren’t the kind you’d expect to have tattoos.
And I think I might know that Thomas Edison’s tattoo was for. In ancient European folk magic, five dots tattooed on the body in a specific formation warded off the evil eye. Perhaps he got it to protect himself from irate competitors.
posted by heather on 5-18-2007 at 1:11 am
My girlfriend is a tattoo-artist, and I know that at least 60% of her clients are women over the age of 30… at least half of those are house wives!
posted by Jaco on 5-18-2007 at 8:34 am
Anymore, the shock is NOT having a tattoo.
posted by W on 8-28-2007 at 12:32 pm
Regarding “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise Cut into) any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:28). This should apply to piercings as well. Including ear piercing. I am especially appalled at the wanton torture of small children, even newborn babies, by piercing their ears (among other body parts). I really believe that no person under the age of 18 should be allowed by law to be pierced (or inked) with or without parental permission. Prosecution of same should follow child abuse laws. Besides the risk of infection and scarring, defiling the temple of God in the name of vanity is sin. I am truly baffled, however, that Jewish law requires circumcision, clearly an identifying mark, but marketed under the banner of hygiene. So many contradictions…..
posted by Marcia Mason on 8-28-2007 at 1:11 pm
To Ms. Mason, Jewish law requiring circumcision is not related to hygeine, but as a final confirmation of belonging to the covenant G-d made with the tribes of Israel. Besides, anyone wishing to prosecute parents for peircing their kids ears is a tad extreme. It’s not exactly “wanton torture” as you term it. Just my opinion…
posted by Mike on 8-28-2007 at 2:35 pm
I agree with Marcia. My wife, who is “Latina,” had our daughters’ ears pierced right after they were born. It was clear to me there was sort of an emotional element to it in the way of marking “possession” of creatures that she had carried around for 9 months. Still, I couldn’t believe it. I was shocked. I think people should have the right to choose for themselves (preferably at an adult age) whether they want to be poked, cut, marked, or otherwise.
posted by TTJ on 8-28-2007 at 3:09 pm
Wilford Brimley has a fantastic panther on his leg. Looks very cool. I about soiled myself when I saw it.
posted by Saratoga on 8-28-2007 at 4:02 pm
I’m a Seventh-Day Adventist girl in my 30’s, born and raised SDA. Growing up I was reminded that my body is the temple of the Lord. That’s why (similar to jewish faith) we take care of ourselves — no smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, no pork or shellfish (scavengers of the sea who eat the remains of other fish), of course no tats, and many SDAs don’t even pierce their ears. None of the older generations of women in my family pierced their ears. Anyway, most people find this all foreign and strange I guess, but it’s just good clean living. BTW, many SDAs live into their ’90s or older…
posted by Cari on 8-28-2007 at 4:08 pm
SIGH
posted by Sudsy on 8-28-2007 at 4:43 pm
I don’t know why anyone would want a tatoo on their body. They look like a dark stain after a while. I guess people want to look tough or think they are radical. Why don’t people be radical by not acting stupid? I just wish I was a dematologist so I can cash in on all the idiots that will soon regret getting them.
posted by Joe Blow on 8-28-2007 at 4:44 pm
Ms. Mason,
It’s the American medical system that “markets” circumcision “under the banner of hygiene,” not Judaic law. And no respectable tattoo artist will tattoo anyone under 18, even with their parents permission. Personally, when I begged my mom to let me have my ears pierced at 8 years old, it was hardy “wanton torture.” And I’m curious, what other body parts do you suspect parents are having pierced on their newborns?
posted by Dari on 8-28-2007 at 4:45 pm
“SIGH” I can remember when the guys had tattoos and the girls wore earrings.
posted by SUDSY on 8-28-2007 at 4:47 pm
I honestly can’t believe TTJs comment. The piercing is a symbol of our culture, not a way of marking a possession. All of the female members of my family have had their ears pierced as infants. I expect to do the same to my daughter should I have one.
posted by Jush on 8-28-2007 at 5:41 pm
Anyone who thinks getting a tattoo is a fashion trend or a cool fad seriously needs a history lesson. Tattooing is an ancient artform. The remains of pre-historic man found in Europe recently were adorned with tattoos. Most serious tattoo fans know it’s an ancient art form and will pay top dollar for a tattoo an consider the tattoo artist a true artist. Rushing into it a sure waay to get something you may regret. I have three tattoos an don’t reget any of them. Yes, my body is a temple….and I’m just doing some decorating.
posted by Inked Buckeye on 8-28-2007 at 6:40 pm
You would never know it by looking at me but I an a tattoo artist. I think tattooing is becoming a part of our culture for maybe many reasons: Decoration, Personal statement even to express personal religion or for celebrating the birth or death of a love one.
For many any culture it is or was for rights of passage or religion reasons.
Just because one has their beliefs about tattooing doesn’t mean that is the truth for everyone.
Alls kinds of people get tattooed who’s to judge. My husband will never get a tattoo and that is fine. For me I just love being creative and skin is a very interesting medium. For me tattoos is art. Some are great and some aren’t and it is always a good idea to think before you ink.
posted by Mari on 8-28-2007 at 10:24 pm
Mr. Rogers had tatoos. I heard he wore the long sleeve cardigans because he had to cover them up.
posted by Sally Jane Beaufort on 8-28-2007 at 10:58 pm
Talking about regrets, do you remember the Swedish king, Charles XIV (1763-1844), who is said to have had a tatoo displaying the words “Mort aux Rois”. He would have had this mention tatooed in another life, when he was a french revolutionary called Jean-Baptiste-Jules Bernadotte (nickname : “Sergent belle-Jambe”)… Yes, things change !
posted by Alain Guillot-Pingue on 8-29-2007 at 4:05 am
Everything one does in life is, most times, a matter of personal choice.Same goes for getting tattoos. I have always loved tattoos and got one on my right shoulder blade early this year[i plan to get another one on the spot Brandy has hers in the video ‘Full Moon’].Some members of my family were scandalized,but i don’t care.There r loads of bible verses that some pple deem to mean:’don’t pierce,don’t tattoo,don’t wear trousers[females]’ etc,but for me,it’s the inside of the person that matters.My tattoo doesn’t show unless i’m wearing a low-backed dress/top,or a spag top,but i love it[and the interest it generates cuz it’s mandarin for ‘princess’] when it shows, and i don’t think i’ll regret it,ever.And i don’t have to b scared of how it’d look when i’m 90 yrs old;i’m dark-skinned.
posted by Funke on 8-29-2007 at 4:15 am
I don’t mind tats, but I have to ask - why do women ALWAYS seem to place one on them of their breasts? I’m sorry but whenever I see beautiful breasts with a tatoo I think trailer trash…
Let the hate mail begin….
posted by Dave on 8-29-2007 at 10:18 am
I think tatoos are an individual expression. I’ve never gotten one, though I did think about it when I was younger. I was too chicken for the pain, I guess.
I’ve been surprised at some who have tats. My first female supervisor had some tats, but always kept them covered up for work. She was also fairly endowed, but kept that covered also, so male counterparts would take her seriously and not keep their eyes too low.
My first fiance has several little tats - including a Tweety Bird on her hip, I think. I know lots of Marines and Navy with them, especially when the grandfather clause for “below the short sleeve” was going into affect - they cannot get arm tattoos that show below the short sleeve or they reprimanded and possibly tossed out. Samoan tats and Oriental stuff are very popular with them.
Go to metacafe.com and look up “lower back tattoo remover” … parody about a tattoo remover - utterly hysterical!!
Some of the very colorful tattoos are very cool but I don’t care for them. I try not to think “trailer trash” but I think that idea is very out-dated so I try to rework my own mind and attitude.
My daughter did not get her ears pierced until she asked for it personally. I think that was around 5 years old. My wife has pierced ears. My son does not , as yet. I almost pierced my left ear while on a tahitian cruise, crossing the equator for the first time (old sailor tradition, or so they say.) I decided against it.
posted by Rug on 8-29-2007 at 2:25 pm
@Dave: How many women have you MET? “Always” is a bit overdone, i think.
All in all, many of the comments here are ridiculous. Tattoos, if well thought out and well designed, can be a nice art form, but too many people tattoo other people’s names on themselves… which always turns out to be a problem. (My friend once considered tattooing her boyfriend’s name on her shoulder. I’m glad I convinced her not to. She broke up with him two weeks later.)
posted by Kaye on 8-29-2007 at 3:41 pm
I am a librarian, happily married, and I have four tattoos and counting. I plan to dedicate my right arm to classic film stars, such as the Marx Brothers and Marilyn Monroe, while the ones I have so far are family oriented. I have two shamrocks on my chest, English ivy wrapping around my left arm, and my maiden name on my back. I consider my body completely sacred and completely mine and I intend to live with it as I desire it to be. Everyone’s tattooing stories and reasons for having their feelings on the subject are different but for each person it has to be about who they really are and what they’re doing it for. Live and let live, man.
Oh, I would recommend never getting any mate’s name tattooed on your body. You don’t want a Wino Forever situation there.
posted by Amber on 8-30-2007 at 12:33 pm
One of my pseudo-biker friends got a tattoo years ago when he was very drunk. It says REFER.
posted by Dr Atomic on 10-3-2007 at 9:32 am
Just a comment to the SDA person - clean living is not a necessary precursor to long life. My grandfather died in his 90’s and he had black lung disease from working in a coal mine many years ago. It’s a combination of heredity and living….
posted by jp on 10-3-2007 at 1:44 pm
I have three tattoos and people are shocked when they find out I have them. Everyone thinks I am conservative, which has nothing to do with tats. I am about to get my fourth. I am Christian and they are all Christian related. They are an expression of who I am.
posted by Seech on 10-3-2007 at 4:26 pm
As a Director-level professional in one of the world’s most prestigious consulting firms, my subordinates and superiors alike would be stunned to learn of MY tattoo… oh well!
posted by Lisa on 10-3-2007 at 5:17 pm
Tatoo’s are just one of many ways of self expression. To each his own! I have always been curious about the decision making that goes into that final body artwork. Some apparently didn’t put alot of thought into it, some with no imagination and some that I have found to be totally out of this world and beautiful.
I think the most appealing tatoo I have ever seen though was on a buddy of my son’s. Both of them tough marines, I might add. There for all the world to see was a small penguin wearing a pink tutu and holding a lacy pink parasol. It was cute and totally unexpected and showed that this guy was really self confident and had a great sense of humor. So sometimes the tatoo tells the story of the person wearing it.
posted by Pc on 10-3-2007 at 7:28 pm
I have one of the invisible man. When I got it I felt as though people could not see me when in public. I felt as though I melted into the crowd. I no longer feel that way, as my self esteem has improved. However, people will see it and not know what it is. Obviously only his clothes are visible. When I tell them what it is, I also say I have him on the other arm as well, only he is naked!
posted by gus on 6-13-2008 at 5:51 am
To jp,
You are right longevity is a mixture of lifestyle and heredity, but there is a third factor–environment. You example about your grandfather supports more the notion of this third factor rather than heredity. Out of the three factors, though, lifestyle is the one that you can do the most about to hopefully live longer(unless you get hit by a bus or something). :-)
BTW, another SDA in his 30’s here. We don’t get much PR, but it’s weird, I have seen references to SDAs in several sources in the past few days, including Djuna Barnes’s “Nightwood”.
posted by Scott A. on 6-13-2008 at 10:18 am