A few years ago we ran a tongue-in-cheek post highlighting the many James Woodses of Los Angeles -- the actor, the Getty museum executive and the former labor leader, whose name adorns the Boulevard Formerly Known As 9th Street.
As we wrote then: A community activist and labor leader, James M. Wood is credited with helping alter downtown's skyline. Wood died in 1996, and the campaign to name a street after him began. James M. Wood Blvd. was later given that name (formerly 9th, between Western and Figueroa).
LAist dug deeper and asked the question: OK, but who really was James M. Wood?
The site tracked down Wood's widow, who told them a bit more about him: It wasn’t uncommon for Mrs. Wood to come home to find someone sleeping on a sleeping bag on their living room floor because they needed a place to stay, and he’d often use his own money to help someone who was down on their luck. “He helped pretty much anyone who asked him for help, if he could. And he helped people not because he had to or even because he should, but just because he could,” she said. “He helped people find jobs and housing, and he had a kind ear for someone who needed to tell their troubles to a caring listener.”
I'd say, just like the actor James Woods... but in his case, that charity is limited to twentysomething females. Or women named Charity.
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