What do Rainn Wilson, Selma Blair, Zooey Deschanel and Will Ferrell have in common with Ray Charles, Betty Carter, Willie Nelson and Norah Jones? Each has recorded Frank Loesser's Oscar-winning standard "Baby It's Cold Outside."
Loesser, who would have turned 100 on June 29, 2010, wrote over 700 songs and five Broadway musicals, including "Guys and Dolls."
On May 3, The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC will host two special events: Millennium Stage will unveil a new stage work based on Frank Loesser's previously unheard "animal songs." Later that evening, the Terrace Theater will present "Broadway Up Close and Personal: Frank Loesser." ASCAP's Michael Kerker will interview Jo Sullivan Loesser about the composer and lyricist's work and life.
Other centennial year events will be announced shortly.
"Baby It's Cold Outside" has been recorded by an incredible array of singers including Johnny Mercer & Margaret Whiting, Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan, Dean Martin, Louis Armstrong & Velma Middleton, and more recently, Lady Antebellum and has been featured in films, on television and even in the occasional ad.
As you can see from the below links, Loesser's songs remain as fresh and relevant today as when they were written.
Rainn Wilson and Selma Blair put their stamp on the tune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hEJQbEYjRg And here's Zooey Deschanel's memorable duet with Will Ferrell in Elf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp3UoqOkFJoLastly, as we look forward to this year's Oscars, we leave you with this ditty by Mae West and Rock Hudson from 1957's Oscar telecast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZUVP_nsRjw 
