By Eric Kohanik,
ReMIND Magazine
They say that opposites attract. And that has certainly been the case in a number of celebrity pairings — either professionally or personally. What makes those opposites attract can vary greatly. Surprisingly, though, things can work out a lot better than one might expect. Here’s a look at some of the most peculiar polar opposites who ended up as unlikely — and sometimes perfect — pairings:
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
A redheaded comedian from Jamestown, N.Y., may not seem like any sort of perfect match for a heartthrob bandleader from Cuba. But the chemistry between Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz enchanted movie audiences in 1953’s The Long, Long Trailer and 1956’s Forever, Darling. It also captivated millions of TV viewers on I Love Lucy and, later, on The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour. Ball and Arnaz met in 1940 and eloped that same year. Their 20-year real-life marriage was a turbulent one, though, thanks in large part to Arnaz’s reputed penchant for alcohol and other women. Nevertheless, their onscreen charms did enthrall fans everywhere — and still does.
Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley
They were two of the most beloved performers in the music world. And they were true opposites in terms of their performance styles — and their legions of fans. But when Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley teamed up on an installment of Sinatra’s TV variety show in 1960, they came up with some music magic with a mashup of “Love Me Tender” and “Witchcraft.” It was the only time they worked together, even though both later came up with their own separate versions of “My Way.” They did keep in touch in the years that followed, though. In fact, Sinatra even let Presley borrow his private jet in 1967 so that Elvis and Priscilla could fly from Palm Springs to Las Vegas to get married.
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau
Although they teamed up for the original 1968 film version of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau actually met a couple of years before that, first working together on a flick called The Fortune Cookie. Their close friendship, coupled with their comedic “opposites” chemistry, would lead them to team up again and again in The Front Page (1974), Buddy Buddy (1981), Grumpy Old Men (1993) and several other big-screen attractions.
Gene Simmons and Cher
Long before his wife, Shannon Tweed, first came into his life in 1983, famed Kiss rocker Gene Simmons had already cut quite a swath when it came to the dating scene. Perhaps the oddest and most curious hookup was with Cher. The relationship lasted a few years and, in 1979, Cher proclaimed to People magazine that it was “the best relationship I’ve ever had with a human being.” As for Simmons, he was equally joyous in his praise for her. “I’m crazy about Cher, nuts about her,” he told People back then. “Cher’s an untainted soul who has never done anything bad to anybody.”
Groucho Marx and Alice Cooper
This was probably one of the most unlikely friendships in Hollywood history. But the link between legendary vaudeville/movie/TV comedian Groucho Marx and hard-rock star Alice Cooper was both comical and endearing. They teamed up at a birthday party for Frank Sinatra, singing a rendition of “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady,” the signature tune that Groucho first sang to moviegoers in 1939’s At the Circus. After they met, Marx and “Coop” (Groucho’s nickname for him) became close pals (they both lived in Beverly Hills) and would watch old movies together late at night in order to help Groucho overcome his insomnia.
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