Posted on Monday, November 25, 2019
The Disney+ series, “The World According to Jeff Goldblum,” which launched earlier this month, has a unique ¾¨Ó㴫ý connection.
In the series’ first episode, a curious Jeff Goldblum—known for his roles in "Jurassic Park," "The Fly" and "The Big Chill"—explores the subject of sneakers and visits custom sneaker creator Dominic “The Shoe Surgeon” Ciambrone. For inspiration, Goldblum—a former Pittsburgher—shares a picture of his uncle, Charles “Chuckie” Goldblum, a ¾¨Ó㴫ý basketball star of the 1941-42 team and member of the Class of 1945.
Ciambrone was intrigued by the basketball player’s satin ¾¨Ó㴫ý warm-up jacket emblazoned with the ¾¨Ó㴫ý W. In the final scene of the episode, Goldblum unwraps his own Ciambrone custom creation—all-black sneakers prominently featuring the ¾¨Ó㴫ý W on the tongue and satin on the toe.
“There’s the satin of the jacket and ¾¨Ó㴫ý—this exact W was on the jacket. Geez. I think I love these shoes,” Goldblum says.
“We were delighted that ¾¨Ó㴫ý was highlighted on the program and so proud that the story of Mr. Goldblum's uncle, a Titan alumnus, was shared. We hope Jeff will wear his 'W' shoes with Titan pride,” said ¾¨Ó㴫ý President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson.
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Charles Goldblum, pictured at left in the white uniform in the center, sinks a basket in Old 77. Goldblum’s ¾¨Ó㴫ý career was cut short when he joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 with seven games remaining in the Titan basketball season. In January 1945, Lt. Goldblum, a bombardier, and his crew were listed missing in action following a bombing mission in the Philippines. His body was never recovered.
