While the French and those who somehow love them celebrate yet another Bastille Day, July 14 has even more festive repercussions around Defamer HQ and Hollywood at large. To wit: Megaproducer/amateur publicist/career advisor Joel Silver was born on this day in 1952. The pride of South Orange, New Jersey, Silver made his first impact in 1970 as the co-creator of Ultimate Frisbee and never looked back. NYU Film School preceded his journey west, followed by an assistantship (and eventual partnership) with producer Lawrence Gordon and, before long, his own shingle — Silver Pictures, the epicenter of bullying, intimidation, projectile paperweights and bona fide blockbusters like Predator, Die Hard, Lethal Weapon and The Matrix. The flops came as well, including Hudson Hawk, Richie Rich and House of Wax — the latter of which is avenged in a little tribute video we cobbled together after the jump.

Defamer wishes a happy 57th birthday to Tony Danza, whose 1980 big-screen masterpiece, Going Ape!, we were distressed to find among the more esteemed selections slated for oblivion in last weekend's Viacom bust-up. On this special day, we urge Sumner Redstone, Brad Grey, Matt Blank and all others involved to put their differences aside long enough to secure this film's rightful place in the VOD canon where it belongs. Thank you. [IMDB]