American People Project

the photographs: men

Men account for 49.9 percent of the U.S. population, and have an average lifespan of 75.2 years. There are approximately 159,000 stay-at home dads in the U.S., and these fathers cared for 283,000 children.

Name:TitusAge:52Date photographed:August 21, 2006State of birth:Territory of Hawaii (before it was a State)Ethnic heritage:HawaiianOccupation:Professional surfer (big wave), currently 8th in the worldMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Meeting my wife, my two daughters and meeting God
   
Name:RickAge:58Date photograhed:April 4, 2007City of birth:Elmhurst, ILEthnic heritage:Danish, Norweigen, Swedish, part Sioux IndianOccupatoin:Songwriter - Musician/Member of Cheap TrickMilitary experience:USO Tours - Musical Director - "First Airborne Rock and Roll" Division GS15Something you have always wanted to do:Act and sing - not react and screamWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:I'm an only child, self taught musician, not opinionated, and a poor liarWhat would your dream job be:I'm living my dream
   
Name:KarlAge:89Date photographed:November 10, 2007City of birth:Prakendorf, GermanyEthnic heritage:GermanOccupation:Retired Actor ("Wizard of Oz" Munchkin) and Animal TrainerMost life-changing event that has happened to you:While working with the"Singer Midgets" I was in an accident with a carnival ride; I was inside the ride turning on lights when someone started it. I fractured my pelvis, but miraculously sruvived when my body got stuck in the ride and caused it to stopWhat would your dream job be:Working with animals
     
  
Name:FrankAge:108Date photographed:April 3, 2008City of birth:Bethany, MOEthnic heritage:Scotch, Irish, EnglishOccupation:Steamship business-at sea from 1923-after 1946. Traveled to South America, Central American, and the Philippines. In 1954, my wife and I settled on a 330 acre cattle farm, near the area where my forefather settled in 1732. I still manage the farm with the help of my only daughter and son-in-law.War(s) in which you served:WWI-(1917-1920) Army Corporal - training at Fort Riley, Kansas. Served as a driver in England and France, and a prisoner-of-war escort in Germany. WWII - spent 3 1/2 years as a civilian prisoner-of-war in Japan. I was on assignment with a steamship business in the Philippines, when the Japanese invaded in December of 1941. I was rescued by the 11th Airborne Division on February 23, 1945. Best thing about being your age:I have seen a lot of changes. I have a strong desire to live, I am in great shape and excercise everyday. What would people be surprised to learn about you:-I am the last living WWI U.S. Veteran. I was only 16 when I enlisted with the Army in 1917. I tried twice to sign with the Marines and the Navy in Wichita, KS, then tried the Marines and Navy again in Oklahoma City, KS but was turned down each time because of my age. I then tried the Army. They asked for my birth certificate and I told them Missouri did not keep public records of births at that time and the only record was in my family Bible. They accepted me and I was sworn in at Fort Logan, CO. I give at least one interview on a daily basis. I also speak German and Spanish and studied French, Italian, and Portugese.
   
Name:Erik (a.k.a. Lizardman)Age:34Date photographed:July 1, 2006Occupation:Performance Artist
   
Name:IraAge:47Date photographed:February 12, 2007City of birth:Baltimore, MDEthnic heritage:JewishOccupation:Journalism; Host of radiio NPR talk show This American LifeSomething you have always wanted to do:I'm kind of doing what I want to doMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Starting a radio showWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:In person: sorta boringWhat would your dream job be:My job, but only 40 hours a week
     
  
Name:TerryAge:54Date photographed:September 2, 2006City of birth:St. Louis, MOEthnic heritage:African AmericanOccupation:ChauffeurBest thing about being your age:Feels goodMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Meeting a nice womanWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:I have always wanted to be a singer
   
Name:WaltAge:46Date photographed:September 3, 2006City of birth:Chicago, ILEthnic heritage:AmericanOccupation:Police SergeantMost life-changing event that has happened to you:My jobBest thing about being your age:Wisdom
   
Name:DonovanAge:39Date photographed:October 6, 2006City of birth:Lake City, IAOccupation:Operations ManagerWhat would your dream job be:House husbandMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Donating my liver to my father
     
  
Name:PercyAge:67Date photographed:September 3, 2006City of birth:Freeport, ILEthnic heritage:African AmericanOccupation:WhateverWhat is your dream job:What I'm doing now
   
Name:AliAge:19Date photographed:July 26, 2007City of birth:Baghdad, IraqEthnic heritage:Iraqi/ArabicOccupation:Undergraduate studentSomething you have always wanted to do:Ride a motorcycleMost life-changing event that has happened to you:I received a bone marrow transplant from my twin brother when I was 18 years old.What would people be surprised to learn about you:I'm from Iraq and I lived through the Gulf War
   
Name:AmmarAge:19Date photographed:July 26, 2007City of birth:Baghdad, IraqEthnic heritage:IraqiOccupation:StudentSomething you have always wanted to do:Backpack across Europe during the summerMost life-changing event that has happened to you:My twin brother was ill last year and required a bone marrow transplant, and I donated my bone marrow to save him.What would your dream job be:General Surgeon
     
  
Name:LaVerneAge:88Date photographed:May 24, 2007City of birth:Rockford, ILEthnic heritage:SwedishOccupation:Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds at a public libraryMilitary experience:6 years in the NavyWar(s) in which you served:WWII-3 ships: USS Nevada, USS Chester, and USS Essex - at Pearl Harbor and in the PacificMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Surviving the attack of Pearl Harbor on the USS Nevada (they lost 55 people) which was behind the USS ArizonaWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:I was a boiler room machinist on the USS Nevada at Pearl HarborWhat would your dream job be:Work at a hospital or public library-get to meet people
   
Name:JoshuaAge:9Date photographed:September 23, 2006City of birth:Rockford, ILOccupation:4th gradeSomething you have always wanted to do:Go huntingBest thing about being your age:I don’t have to workMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Getting a helmentWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:I like the ArmyWhat would your dream job be:Being in the Army
   
Name:KentAge:42Date photographed:March 6, 2007City of birth:Honalulu, HIEthnic heritage:White-French, GermanOccupation:Truck DriverSomething you have always wanted to do:I've always wanted to be alone in the wild and take shots of wolves in their natural habitatMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Getting stuck in the wild and almost dyingWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:How much I love wolves and the different aspects of their livesWhat would your dream job be:To run the Iditarod and win
     
  
Name:SamAge:58Date photographed:January 17, 2006Ethnic heritage:African AmericanOccupation:LandscaperWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:I play the trumpet
   
Name:KimAge:54Date photographed:August 2, 2006City of birth:Washington, D.C.Ethnic heritage:Swedish, Scottish, DutchOccupation:AttorneyMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Gas explosion in 1954, and meeting my wife
   
Name:LawrenceAge:30Date photographed:September 3, 2006City of birth:Rockford, ILEthnic heritage:PolishMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Finding out that no matter how alone I am in this world I'm not emptySomething you have always wanted to do:Have children
     
  
Name:AllenAge:85Date photographed:September 3, 2006City of birth:Honolulu, HIEthnic heritage:ChineseOccupation:Pediatric DentistSomething you have always wanted to do:Be a world traveler
   
Name:ManuelAge:50Date photographed:September 2, 2006City of birth:Chihihuahua, MexicoEthnic heritage:MexcianOccupation:WelderBest thing about being your age:Being healthyMost life-changing event that has happened to you:DivorceSomething you have always wanted to do:Have my own businessWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:How much I know about everything