Actors I have interviewed or talked to
by mskmaitland-65558 | created - 30 Dec 2015 | updated - 30 Dec 2015 | PublicI've had the opportunity to meet a number of actors/performers from the mid 90s to the 00s as a result of my working as a freelance writer from doing special extra gigs as a dancer.
1. Cloris Leachman
Actress | The Last Picture Show
The legendary actress set a record when at age 82, she appeared on Dancing with the Stars (2005). Cloris Leachman was born on April 30, 1926 in Des Moines, Iowa to Berkeley Claiborne "Buck" Leachman and the former Cloris Wallace. Her father's family owned a lumber company, Leachman Lumber Co. She ...
I met this Emmy winner at a fundraiser where Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was being launched in Toronto (I was there as a dancer/acrobat - I danced on the hoods of moving cars as they came in *oy*). Leachman was a treat and we talked about the arts and politics for half and hour.
2. Virginia Hey
Actress | Mad Max 2
Australian former actress/high-fashion model/Stylist Virginia Hey was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma DLBCL cancer in June 2022, which is cancer of the lymphatic system. It metastasized/spread into her bones, causing the destruction of a large part of her tibia bone in her right leg. ...
I met Ms. Hey at a Toronto Trek. Very zen. She was surprised that I remembered her from her Bond Girl role in The Living Daylights opposite John Rhys Davies. She loved JRD but when I asked her about Timothy Dalton (Bond) the pregnant pause before her quick response spoke volumes. I later discovered that she was the webmistress for her website. No fool is Hey.
3. Ron Glass
Actor | Serenity
Ron Glass was born on July 10, 1945 in Evansville, Indiana, USA. He was an actor and director, known for Serenity (2005), Barney Miller (1975) and Firefly (2002). He died on November 25, 2016 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Another Toronto Trek Media scrum. INTERESTING interview: we talked about Buddhism, his work with black youth (in a leadership capacity) and the fact that he is NOT a Sci-fi guy. Before the scrum he was in the gym where he met Steve Bacic having never met him before (I gathered). 3 hours later, after the scrum, Bacic came in for his interview and it was like the two had known each other forever. It was a touching thing to witness.
4. Gareth David-Lloyd
Actor | Torchwood
Gareth is an actor and singer. He fronts the metal progressive band called Blue Gillespie (previously known as "A Breath of Blue Fire").
Their first EP was "Cave Country" (December 2008) EP: "Cave Country Part 2" (August 2009) Album (debut): "Synesthesia" (May 2010) Album "Seven Rages of Man" (May ...
Another Toronto Trek scrum interview. Nice kid. Very sweet.
5. Rachel Luttrell
Actress | Stargate: Atlantis
Rachel Luttrell is an accomplished actress and singer who has worked in film, television, and on stage. Rachel Zawadi Luttrell was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and is the second-born of four daughters of Veronica Makihiyo Shenkunde Luttrell, the daughter of a powerful medicine man of the ...
I'm cheating here: I attended high school with Rachel Luttrell. Her older sister and I were in the same history class. Talented woman, I can say that.
6. Pragna Desai
Actress | The Sum of All Fears
Pragna Desai is known for The Sum of All Fears (2002), ER (1994) and Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye (2002).
I'm cheating again: Desai was a classmate of Rachel's (I'm older). Admittedly, I don't watch much TV from this side of the pond but when I looked at her IMDB I was pleased to see that she had done shows that I had liked, including ER and Lost Girl. Sistahfriend we need a pic, love!
7. Billy Ray Cyrus
Actor | Hannah Montana: The Movie
Billy Ray Cyrus was born on August 25, 1961 in Bellefonte, Kentucky, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009), Mulholland Drive (2001) and The Spy Next Door (2010). He has been married to Firerose since October 10, 2023. He was previously married to Tish Cyrus and ...
Yes, it's true. I was on a show with Billy Ray Cyrus (Doc). I was a dancer in a party sequence. I did talk to him over supper. The man was lonely and unhappy. Had no issue with Toronto but he clearly wanted to go home.
8. Arlene Duncan
Actress | Chloe
Arlene Duncan is known for Chloe (2009), Don't Say a Word (2001) and Little Bird (2022).
Paying gig. My Interview with this Little Mosque on the Prairie actor was held over tea at my house. She was surprised to find that my mother had been following her career over the years. At any rate, it was a lovely afternoon. Darling, IMDB needs a pic of you. love!
9. Ben Mulroney
Actor | Fantastic Four
Born in Montreal Quebec, Ben Mulroney is the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Mulroney has a law degree from Laval University and a history degree from Duke University.
Ben Mulroney began his career as an entertainment reporter as the Quebec City Correspondent for The Chatroom ...
I was there when Ben started his career on television - that listing of him as "host" on "The Chatroom" is false. Oh he was a host (I was one of his guests that day) but we were guests together on The Chatroom before that. It was Seamus O'Regan (a host) who asked him to be on the show.
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