Boy actors from the 70's and 80's
A list of boy actors from the 1970's through the 1980's
List activity
1.6K views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
26 people
- Actor
- Producer
- Director
After an eye-catching performance in the teen coming-of-age epic The Outsiders (1983), ex-child rodeo star C. Thomas Howell was a promising young actor in the mid-1980s.
Christopher Thomas Howell was born in Los Angeles to Candice (Webb) and Chris Howell (a professional bull rider turned stuntman). He started working in the film industry at the age of seven. In 1981, he was cast as Tyler in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). Shortly thereafter, he nabbed the lead in Francis Ford Coppola's classic The Outsiders (1983). Earmarked as an up-and-coming actor, his career soon skyrocketed with roles in films including the comedy Grandview, U.S.A. (1984), alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, and the violent Cold War invasion drama Red Dawn (1984). His career was not helped by the controversial racial comedy Soul Man (1986), which was not well-received. However, he did meet and fall in love with his co-star from that movie, Rae Dawn Chong, whom he later married. He has notched up in excess of 90 feature film appearances. including starring roles in Side Out (1990), Gettysburg (1993), Baby Face Nelson (1996), Fatal Affair (1998), Asylum Days (2001) and Hoboken Hollow (2006).
He played unpredictable Officer Bill "Dewey" Dudek in the TNT drama series Southland (2009) and as the sadistic serial killer "The Reaper" on CBS's Criminal Minds (2005). More recent television appearances include The Glades (2010) (A&E) and Torchwood (2006) (Starz Channel). He appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) (Sony). A budding film director, he has directed a number of films, including The Big Fall (1997), Pure Danger (1996), The Land That Time Forgot (2009), and The Day the Earth Stopped (2008).
Outside his acting career, Howell was an accomplished team roper and later, as 'Tommy Howell', a singer-songwriter.- Brian Forster was born in Los Angeles, California. He came from an acting family and his Mom started him in commercials to get money for college. Brian did his first commercial at age seven for Texaco. He did 21 commercials in total including United Airlines, Texaco, and one for Nestle's Quik. The commercial he did for Mattel Hot Wheels won an award. His Mom was an actress named Jennifer Raine. His father was an actor and his stepfather was a character actor named Whit Bissell. His great-great- great grandfather is Charles Dickens.
His first big role was as Susan Olsen's Prince on an episode of The Brady Bunch. During the rehearsal, he forgot his line. The Director thought the mess up was great and they decided to keep it in.
In 1970, Jeremy Gelbwaks was leaving The Partridge Family and they asked for Brian instead. He only went to one interview and they told him he got the job.
Brian was good friends with the late Suzanne Crough, and they kept in touch until she sadly passed in 2015. As kids they shared a trailer, rode bikes together, and they both had crushes on each other, even though Suzanne tried to deny it!
Brian is now a race car driver in California and lives a private life. - Actor
- Director
- Producer
Jeremy Licht was born on 4 January 1971 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Valerie (1986), Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) and Seat 23B (2023). He has been married to Kimberly Wallis since 26 May 2007. They have two children. He was previously married to Carol-Ann Merrill.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Evan Cohen was born on 31 March 1974. He is an actor, known for Summer of Sam (1999), It's Not Easy (1982) and Alice (1976).- Actor
- Producer
- Composer
Henry Jackson Thomas Jr. is an American actor. He began his career as a child actor and had a lead role in the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), for which he won a Young Artist Award and received Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award, and Saturn Award nominations. Thomas also had roles in films like Cloak & Dagger (1984), Fire in the Sky (1993), Legends of the Fall (1994), Suicide Kings (1997), All the Pretty Horses (2000), Gangs of New York (2002), 11:14 (2003), and Dear John (2010). Thomas was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Series, Miniseries or Television Film for his role in the television film Indictment: The McMartin Trial (1997).- Actor
- Soundtrack
Danny Cooksey was born on 2 November 1975 in Moore, Oklahoma, USA. He is an actor, known for Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Salute Your Shorts (1991) and Diff'rent Strokes (1978). He has been married to Amber Leigh Cooksey since 3 March 1998. They have two children.- Pat Petersen was born on 9 August 1966 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor, known for The Little Dragons (1979), Knots Landing (1979) and Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac (1997).
- Ronnie Scribner was born on 23 July 1966. He is an actor, known for Split Image (1982), Salem's Lot (1979) and Quincy M.E. (1976). He has been married to Jessica Garza since 1999. They have three children.
- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Elliott Mason was born on 12 June 1968. He is an actor and writer, known for Fear and Mistrust (2015), Solar (2014) and My Safe Space (2016).- Actor
- Soundtrack
Blue-eyed Benji Gregory was born in Encino, California, USA on May 26, 1978. His parents are Manny and Patti, and he has an older sister, Becky, and a younger brother, Matthew. His father, uncle and sister were all actors; his grandmother is his agent.
As a veteran of dozens of commercials, Benji literally grew up before the camera. At the age of five, he began auditioning for television and won numerous parts. His first acting job was in an episode of Fantasy Island (1977) and he followed that with guest-starring parts on The A-Team (1983), T.J. Hooker (1982), Amazing Stories (1985) and The Twilight Zone (1985). He also appeared in a TV pilot, "Fenster Hall," a Disney movie, Mr. Boogedy (1986), a TV movie, Thompson's Last Run (1986) and the feature film, Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986).
His three favorite collections are of rocks, shells and Garbage Pail Kids cards.- Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Director
After his career as a child actor, Meeno moved into photography, and has shot covers for major recording artists and ad campaigns for national brands. He's assisted by his wife and they travel with their two daughters, who he calls "his muses". He's also worked with politicians and, as he says, "all manner of real work-a-day folk".- Actor
- Stunts
Shane Sinutko was born on 16 March 1965 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor, known for The Bourne Supremacy (2004), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) and Minotaur (1984).- Marc Gilpin was born on 26 September 1966 in Austin, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Jaws 2 (1978), The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) and Where's Willie? (1978). He was married to Kaki Gilpin. He died on 29 July 2023 in Dallas, Texas, USA.
- Shane Butterworth was born on 3 October 1969 in Sherman Oaks, California, USA. He is an actor, known for The Bad News Bears (1979), Vibrations (1996) and Circus of the Stars #15 (1990).
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Years ago, Tallulah Bankhead's credited with having created the dictum, 'never work/appeared with small children or animals', as they have a built-in 'advantage'; the 'awww, look at how cute..'
Though it is true, there's been many young actors who actually had skills to back up that advantage.
One off them - who was part of the mid/late-70's group was a child actor, who worked under the stage name of 'Sparky Marcus'.
Sparky, - who's real name is Marcus Issoglio, was born in Hollywood, CA.
After being a being a familiar face of the late-70's, appearing in everything from Freaky Friday (1976), and Benji (1974), to TV shows like The Bob Newhart Show (1972), and the adult soap/comedy, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976) seemed to disappear.
One thing many child actors can't control is growing up, and aside from a very few, most former child actors will try to push against preconceived ideas, such as they're 'too old', or 'have no acting skills', but even when they do, it can be like trying to swim upstream. No matter how much, nor how hard they try, the entertainment business - which is already a very difficult business for any adult to try and enter, can seem to be much harder for someone who was once the 'go-to' face.
Marcus did continue to work through the mid 80s, segueing into doing voice-overs for animated shows and films.
One of his last on-camera appearances was in The Man with Two Brains (1983), Marcus has since retired from the business.- Actor
- Location Management
Barret Spencer Oliver is an American photographer and former child actor. He is best known for his role as Bastian Balthazar Bux in the film adaptation of Michael Ende's novel The Neverending Story, followed by roles in D.A.R.Y.L., Cocoon, and Cocoon: The Return. Oliver had minor roles in television and film, until starring as Bastian in the 1984 movie The NeverEnding Story. Subsequently, he was cast as the lead in Tim Burton's short film Frankenweenie and as the android "Daryl" in the 1985 film D.A.R.Y.L., a part for which he won a Saturn Award.- Bradley Alan Lieberman was an American actor and member of the Jewish Actors Guild. Born on January 26, 1968 He played in several films, including "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" (1977), "Pandemonium" (1982), "Max Dugan Returns" (1983), "Blame It On The Night" (1984), "Sid And Nancy" (1986), "Circle Of Violence: A Family Drama" (1986), as well as performing as an extra in multiple television shows and movies. Bradley was the youngest of 5 children (4 boys and 1 girl) born to Art and Martha Lieberman, who survive him. His mother was a quadriplegic. Two of Bradley's brothers died young -- one from leukemia and another who was struck by a car at age 10. Following Brad's death, only two of the five Lieberman siblings remain alive as of 2020. At the time of his death, Brad was also survived by seven (7) nieces and nephews.
Brad was heading home from his brother Gene's house on a Honda Elite, when a drunken driver sped through a traffic light that was red, hitting and hit Brad, who died of internal bleeding. He was only 19 years old when he died. He is missed by all his friends and family. His memorial service, held at the Jewish Temple in the San Fernando Valley, California was filled with hundreds of people who loved him, both in the movie industry, and family and friends outside the movie industry. There was not enough room for all of these. Many remained in the parking lot, awaiting their chance to enter the temple and pay their respects. - Actor
- Producer
- Director
He was born Richard Bartlett Schroder, Jr., in Staten Island, New York on April 13th, 1970. His mother, Diane Schroder was an employee at AT&T, which is also the same company that employed his father, Richard Bartlett Schroder, Sr.
Eventually working his way up to management from being a telephone repairmen, Rick's father had known his mother since they attended junior high together. After his older sister and he were born, Rick's mother quit her job to raise the children. A good-looking child, Rick's mother began taking him to photo shoots when he was only three months old. In his own words, he must have been a natural, because he started working right away, never having taken an acting lesson in his life.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Corey Scott Feldman began his career at the age of three, starring in a Clio Award-winning McDonald's commercial and has sustained a career for nearly 50 years as a steadily working actor, with more than 80 films under his belt. Corey began his career in guest-starring roles on television series such as Mork & Mindy (1978), Alice (1976) and Eight Is Enough (1977), before landing a regular part on the sitcom, The Bad News Bears (1979). In the same year, Feldman made his big screen debut in Time After Time (1979). Over the next few years, Feldman continued making guest appearances in many television shows and, in 1981, Feldman supplied the voice of "Young Copper", in Disney's The Fox and the Hound (1981). Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) launched Feldman's career in the horror genre with the role of the main character, "Tommy Jarvis", as a child. He reprised that role in Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985). Feldman then began a series of appearances in blockbuster films such as Gremlins (1984), The Goonies (1985) and Stand by Me (1986). In 1987, Feldman won the Jackie Coogan Award for Stand by Me (1986), and appeared in the legendary cult classic film, The Lost Boys (1987), alongside Jason Patric and Kiefer Sutherland. In 1988, he won the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Horror Motion Picture for his performance in The Lost Boys (1987).
In 1989, Feldman appeared in The 'Burbs (1989), along with Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher, and also provided the voice of "Donatello" for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), which holds the biggest box office for an independent feature in history and also marked his thirteenth number-one box office hit in a row.
Feldman then took time off to focus on his personal life and returned to the film world with appearances is Loaded Weapon 1 (1993), Maverick (1994) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993). He was a regular on the CBS series, Dweebs (1995), followed by a starring role in the Richard Donner, Robert Zemeckis, Joel Silver-produced Bordello of Blood (1996) for Universal. In 1996, Feldman directed his first film, Busted (1997).
In 2002, Feldman appeared in the comedy, Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003), for which he wrote and performed a song for the soundtrack, shortly followed by an opportunity to work with Wes Craven on Cursed (2005).
In 2004, Feldman was honored with a Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement Award. 2006 found him receiving the best actor award at the Luxemburg Film Festival for his performance in The Birthday (2004), a film that he feels to be his finest work to date. The Eyegore Awards honored Feldman with an award for Legendary Work in Horror Films in 2007.
The hit show, The Two Coreys (2007), not only starred Feldman, but he also executive produced two seasons, as well as Lost Boys: The Tribe (2008). He starred in Terror Inside (2008) in 2008, for which he won the Crystal Reel Best Actor Award, and Feldman executive produced and starred in Lost Boys: The Thirst (2010), which was released in 2010. Other work this decade , includes: Operation Belvis Bash (2011) and Lucky Fritz (2009), plus Henry Jagloms "The M Word", the mind bending performance in "Zero Dark Dirty" as Comedian {Samuel Stillman}, & his most recent theatrical release 2019's "Corbin Nash" in which Feldman takes his biggest departure yet, as the Transvestite Vampire {Queenie}.
Now a husband, father and environmentalist, Feldman is focused on his career as an adult. Nurturing a growing music career with seven albums and seven sound tracks, he has toured North America twice with his band, "The Truth Movement" and five times as a solo artist. Including his last tour in 2017 with Corey's Angels.
In 2013 Corey Feldman wrote a New York Times Best Selling Autobiography that was met with incredible reviews.
Off-screen, Feldman is a spokesperson for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), the world's largest animal rights organization, and the Amie Karen Cancer Fund, as well as a supporter of environmental charity, Global Green. In 2009, he was presented with The Paws of Fame Award from Wildlife Waystation for his exemplary work in support of animal rights.
Corey is also the National Ambassador for CHILD USA, a non profit designed to fight statute of limitations preventing children who were sexually abused from obtaining justice. Corey helped change laws in the States of New York in 2018 and California in 2019 giving victims a chance for justice by opening look back windows for civil cases in those states.
Corey also self produced and self financed a Documentary about the abuse he and his best friend endured as children called "My Truth: The Rape of Two Corey's".- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Corey Haim was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Judy Haim, an Israeli-born data processor, and Bernie Haim, a clothing sales representative. He has a sister, Carol, and a half-brother, Daniel. His family is Jewish. He was raised mostly in Willowdale.
Corey appeared in 26 episodes of the early 1980s Canadian series The Edison Twins (1982). He broke into the film industry in 1984, playing a young child caught up in a family war in the movie Firstborn (1984). The following year, he starred in the TV movie A Time to Live (1985), for which he received a Young Artist Award, appeared in the comedies Secret Admirer (1985) and Murphy's Romance (1985), and had the leading role, Marty Coslaw , in the Stephen King werewolf film Silver Bullet (1985). Lucas (1986), in which he starred alongside Kerri Green and Winona Ryder, showed his acting abilities, with praise coming particularly from Roger Ebert.
In 1987, he had a breakthrough when he played one of the major roles, Sam Emerson, in Joel Schumacher's The Lost Boys (1987). He later starred in the comedy films License to Drive (1988) and Dream a Little Dream (1989), the horror movie Watchers (1988), and the science fiction action drama Prayer of the Rollerboys (1990). Many of his 1990s and 2000s roles were in direct-to-video releases, and he also had a cameo in the action film Crank: High Voltage (2009). His last two films were The Hostage Game (2010) and Decisions (2011).
He died suddenly on March 10, 2010 in Burbank, California, of pneumonia.- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Without a doubt Gary Coleman was THE child TV star of the late 1970s and early 1980s. A refreshingly confident little tyke with sparkling dark, saucer-like eyes and an ingratiating, take-on-anyone burst of personality, the boy charmed the pants right off of TV viewers the minute he was glimpsed in national commercials. Amazed by how mature he came across, Gary was in truth older than he looked, which was brought upon by a congenital kidney condition. Sadly, the pint-sized phenomena outgrew his chubby-cheeked welcome and found the course of his grown-up Hollywood career brutally rough and patchy. The fragile condition of his health coupled with this lack of adult career acceptance, sparked an aggressively defensive behavior mechanism in his adult years and led to great personal unhappiness, chronic legal/financial hassles and early death.
He was born Gary Wayne Coleman on February 8, 1968, to a homeless woman, and was adopted by a fork-lift operator and his nurse practitioner wife from a Chicago hospital when he was just a few days old. Raised in Zion, Illinois, it was discovered that little Gary had severe health issues before the age of 2. Born with one atrophied kidney and an endangering weak second one, he had two kidney transplants by the time he reached age 16 and the effects of his dialysis medication permanently stunted his growth (to 4'8").
A highly precocious comedy cut-up on-camera, Gary proved a natural in local Chicago commercials. As his commercials spread nationwide, audiences began wondering just who this diminutive dynamo was. Norman Lear's talent scout spotted him in a Chicago bank commercial (he was 9 at the time) and decided to reveal to the world who the little guy was. Brought in to brighten up such Lear sitcoms as "The Jeffersons" and "Good Times" (the latter as a friend of little Janet Jackson's character), NBC quickly recognized the boy's comedy prowess and handed the 10-year-old his own prime-time sitcom playground to mug in.
While Diff'rent Strokes (1978)'s underlying approach was to preach racial and social tolerance (it revolved around two lower-class African-American brothers from Harlem who are taken in and adopted by a wealthy, debonair Park Avenue white man after their housekeeper mother dies), the show's powers-that-be smartly deduced that it was the wisecracking gifts of young Coleman, who played the youngest brother, Arnold Jackson, that gave the show its spark. Deemed "NBC's Littlest Big Man," Gary's sly, pouting-lipped delivery of, "What'chu talkin' about, Willis?" soon became a popular American catchphrase.
Legendary comics such as Bob Hope and Lucille Ball absolutely gushed about the little boy's comedy genius and Gary soon became a hit on the talk show circuit, trading clever banter with the likes of Johnny Carson among others. The boy was also outfitted with a series of lightweight TV-movie showcases which included The Kid from Left Field (1979), Scout's Honor (1980), The Kid with the Broken Halo (1982), The Kid with the 200 I.Q. (1983), The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins (1984) and Playing with Fire (1985). All of them wisely centered around Gary's adorable persona. Modest film comedies also came his way with On the Right Track (1981) and Jimmy the Kid (1982). Topping it all off, the Hanna-Barbera-produced series The Gary Coleman Show (1982) produced an animated version of the child star. Little Gary would make close to $18 million during his nearly decade-long TV reign.
Like many others in his shoes, however, the aging Coleman felt trapped and pigeonholed by his stifling juvenile image and begged to get out from under it. The 18-year-old was truly thankful when the series ended in 1986. Coleman found, however, that a very fickle public was not as receptive to seeing him grow up. Like fellow TV star Emmanuel Lewis, Coleman began aging in appearance but remained trapped in the body of a young boy and the contrast proved too strange for audiences. As a result, Hollywood had little resources as to what to do with Gary Coleman the man. It wasn't long before Coleman was reduced to making weird guest appearances and small parts in even smaller films.
This crash course in reality triggered an increasingly erratic and aggressive behavior in Gary Coleman as he became increasingly angry and bitter about his lack of work when he was so used to be on top of everything. The subsequent tragedies suffered by all three young stars from the "Diff'rent Strokes" show, in fact, was sold out as a jinx package known as the "Diff'rent Strokes curse". While distaff co-star Dana Plato fell heavily into drug addiction, petty crime and pornography before taking her own life in 1999, Todd Bridges, who played Coleman's older brother, battled major cocaine abuse and was later charged (but acquitted of) attempted murder in the late 1980s.
In addition to his life-long health issues, Gary's adult problems came in the form of scattered financial and legal entanglements, as well as scrapes with the law. He was once arrested in 1999 for punching a persistent female autograph fan, in which he was fined and ordered to take anger-management classes. This became tabloid fodder for late night comics who joked that he must have landed "several good uppercuts." He also had many disorderly conduct and reckless driving charges brought up against him at various times. He would admit that the tally of his life problems led to more than a few feigned suicide attempts. In 1989, Coleman successfully sued his adopted parents and business manager after they allegedly pilfered his youthful fortune for their own self interest totaling $3.8 million in losses, and he won $1,280,000. Despite the large settlement, all of the money was soon spent on taxes, legal fees, as well as his increasingly high medical bills for his continuing dialysis treatments. As a result by 1999 (with no steady acting work) Coleman had to declare bankruptcy, finding work outside the Hollywood industry as a security guard. For self-preservation, he went the reality-show route and became the object of self-mocking cameos to help bring in some cash. As a gag, he ran for California's 2003 governorship during its recall election.
In 2007, he married the much younger actress Shannon Price, whom he met on the set of the low budget film Church Ball (2006), but the quickly marriage dissolved quickly into domestic squabbles that put him in front of the court system yet again on domestic abuse charges. He later moved and settled in Utah.
In early 2009, Coleman managed to star in his very last film, the crude independent comedy Midgets vs. Mascots (2009) filmed in Dallas, Texas before the end came. Following heart surgery complicated by pneumonia in the fall of 2009, he suffered a heart seizure in February 2010 while performing on a Hollywood set. The 42-year-old actor died of a brain hemorrhage on May 28, 2010, after suffering an epidural haematoma from a fall at home. A sad end to a very bright and talented, but very troubled and bitter, child star who, at his peak, brought such joy to TV audiences.- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Emmanuel Lewis was born March 9th, 1971 in Brooklyn, New York. The youngest son of Margaret Lewis, a former computer-science professional, Emmanuel attended regular public schools in Brooklyn until his busy acting career took him to Hollywood. He has four siblings. His acting career began one day when he was jogging with an actor-friend who asked him if he wanted to be in the business. The friend suggested that Emmanuel's mother contact the Shuller Talent Agency, which handles gifted children for TV commercials. He thought that Emmanuel had the perfect face and personality for commercials. The friend proved right. Emmanuel was signed by the agency the minute the agents saw him and before long he was appearing in commercials for such products as fruit juice, cars, stereos, glue, soup, toys, coffee, pudding, pizza, and, of course, Burger King. He did around 50-60 commercials including one for Campbell's Soup and Life Cereal and the 4 Burger King commercials. His Colgate commercial can be seen in the movie 'Splash' when Madison (the mermaid) goes to the mall (it can be seen on the TVs in the background).
The first acting job Emmanuel had that wasn't in a commercial was the part of The Changeling Boy in the Joseph Papp New York Shakespeare Festival Production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Emmanuel also guest-starred on such TV talk shows as "The Tonight Show" and "The Phil Donahue Show" but "Webster" was Emmanuel's first major role on a TV series.
Emmanuel also became one of the biggest stars in Japan as well as America. He made three personal-appearance tours in that country, and a record he made there shot to the top of the charts. He even made a television movie for Japanese television called Samurai in New York.
He has maintained a friendship with music superstar Michael Jackson for many years. It all began when they met at an awards ceremony. After that, Michael insisted that Emmanuel accompany him to such events as "The Emmy Awards Show" and "The Academy Awards Presentations" (they would often dress alike). The two young men spent many happy hours together discussing performing and show business.
Besides Webster, Emmanuel has done guest spots on The Love Boat, In the House, Family Matters (as himself), Malcolm & Eddie (as himself), and Moesha (in the episode "The Short Story"). He also did a 1985 TV movie called Lost in London which co-starred Ben Vereen. He also did 'The New Adventures of Mother Goose Special' with Sally Struthers.
The 3' 6" tall (he says there is no known medical reason for his still-short stature and has grown 6" since the age of 12) Lewis graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a theater arts degree in 1997. He is said to be looking for another TV series and to possibly go into directing. He is good friends with Marc Price ('Skippy' on Family Ties and now a stand-up comedian) and has gone on tour with him and done various promotional appearances with him.
He founded his own musical label called Emmanuel Lewis Entertainment. He is said to have a black belt in karate and is a martial arts expert. He also is a student of Billy Blanks' Tae-Bo.
Emmanuel guest-starred on the new original USA Network thriller called GvsE. In the August 1st 1999 episode, he played an...uh...explosive character proving that not only Good things come in small packages.
In February 2002, he appeared in a commercial for Denny's.- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Producer
David Mendenhall's career began at the age of four, when he appeared in a commercial for Mattel Toys. By the time he reached his teens his appearances included more than 150 commercials for both television and radio, plus roles on such television shows as "Our House" (two seasons), "Taxi" (two seasons as Marilu Henner's son), "Diff'rent Strokes," "The Twilight Zone," "The David Copperfield Special" (as the young Copperfield), and "The Wayne Newton Special" (as the young Wayne Newton).
From 1979 - 1986, David regularly appeared as "Mike Webber" on ABC's "General Hospital" for which he was honored with a Soapie for "Best Youth Actor In a Daytime Continuing Drama" by the Soap Opera Digest Awards. He also collected several Youth in Film Awards during the same time span, including "Best Youth Actor In A Daytime Drama Series." Soon he became heavily involved in feature films, and by the late 80s, David's image was seen in every major teen magazine. Along the way, he had the opportunity to work alongside major entertainment industry figures representing a spectrum of media and eras, including Danny Kaye, Sammy Davis, Jr., Roger Corman, Danny DeVito, Bill Bixby, Janusz Kaminski, Ruth Buzzi, Brock Peters, Burgess Meredith, Demi Moore, and Menahem Golan.
Movie appearances included opposite Christina Applegate in the gritty thriller "Streets" (1990); with Sally Kellerman and Michael Moriarty in "Secret Of The Ice Cave" (1990); "Going Bananas" (1988) with Dom DeLuise and Jimmy Walker; as the son of Sylvester Stallone in "Over The Top" (1987, for which he infamously "won" two Razzies in the same year - Worst New Star and Worst Supporting Actor); with comedian Johnny Yune in "They Still Call Me Bruce" (1987); as part of an ensemble including Shelley Winters in the thriller "Witchfire" (1985); and co-starring in his first feature with Vince Edwards in Roger Corman's "Space Raiders" (1983).
David's experience in the 80s extended to performing voice-over roles for many cartoon specials, series, and feature films, including: "The Cabbage Patch Christmas Special," "Robo Force," "Puff The Magic Dragon," "The Smurf's Christmas Special," "Kangaroo," "Potato Head Kids," "Galtar," "The Berenstain Bears" (as Brother Bear), "G.I. Joe," "Transformers," "The Transformers Movie," and "The Rainbow Brite Movie." In addition, David recorded several story-albums for Disney Records, including "The Black Stallion," "E.T.," "Gremlins," "Goonies," and "The Swiss Family Robinson."
After the very busy 80s came to a close, and after coping with the loss of his father from cancer, David began a course towards achieving a higher education. In 1998 he graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor's degree in Theatre and Cinema- Television. Next, in further pursuit of his goal to one day form his own production company, he proceeded to earn his Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern University School of Law (2001). Credentials in hand, David began his career anew in the entertainment industry, first, as a contract attorney inside major studio law departments, including the NBC network and Universal Studios. A devoted writer from an early age, Mendenhall also spent time during the 2000s as a journalist for such publications as Indie Slate Magazine and the Daily Journal.
In 2008, Mendenhall pivoted back towards his true passion, entertainment production. He first had the opportunity to spend time behind-the-scenes at work for Lock and Key Productions (Endemol) seasons 3 & 4 of the hit NBC program, "Deal or No Deal." Since then, he's earned producing credits on other prime time network programs.
Over the years, David has also channeled his energy into supporting many non-profit causes. He's participated in numerous special events on behalf of such organizations as the American Cancer Society, The Adam Walsh Foundation, The Just Say No Foundation, The Motion Picture and Television Hospital, the D.A.R.E. program, the March of Dimes, Actors and Others for Animals, the Starlight Children's Foundation, and Make-A-Wish.
A true "theatre person," David continues to participate in stage productions on a regular basis, having appeared in and/or been directly involved with many live productions in the Los Angeles area since the early 90s. He is currently a member of Above The Curve Theatre group. As a professional actor, 2016 marked his 40th anniversary as a member in good standing of Screen Actors Guild-AFTRA; he recently enjoyed playing a feature role in Bobcat Goldthwait's dark comedy "God Bless America." On a regular basis, David also participates as a member of the SAG-AFTRA National Young Performers Committee, which advocates for protections on behalf of children who work in front of the camera.
David's engaged with several productions in various stages of development for worldwide digital, television, and theatrical distribution.- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Lukas was born on April 16, 1976 in West Hollywood, California. His Texas-born mother, Emily Tracy, is a writer, and his German-born father, Berthold Haas, is an artist. He has twin brothers, Simon and Nikolai. It's widely noted that Lukas was discovered at the age of five by casting director Margery Simkin while he was in kindergarten.
While his first screen role was as the youngest of the doomed children in the 1983 nuclear Holocaust film Testament (1983), it was his second appearance, in Witness (1985) opposite Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis, that earned attention and acclaim. In Peter Weir's 1985 film, Lukas portrayed Samuel, an Amish child who was the sole witness to an undercover cop's murder, and his work earned him starring roles in such films as Lady in White (1988), The Wizard of Loneliness (1988), and Alan & Naomi (1992) - the latter film co-written by his mother.
He continued to distinguish himself in film in starring roles including: Music Box (1989) with Jessica Lange and director Costa-Gavras; Convicts (1991) and Rambling Rose (1991) (both with Robert Duvall); and Boys (1996) with John C. Reilly and Winona Ryder.
On stage, in 1988, Lukas performed alongside Steve Martin and Robin Williams in Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" at Lincoln Center in New York City for director Mike Nichols. He also starred with Martin in the film Leap of Faith (1992).
Lukas went on to work with directors Woody Allen in Everyone Says I Love You (1996), Tim Burton in Mars Attacks! (1996), and Alan Rudolph in Breakfast of Champions (1999). He had a pivotal role in Brick (2005), Rian Johnson's directorial debut with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He next appeared in the Kurt Cobain-inspired Last Days (2005), directed by Gus Van Sant, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Roles in Material Girls (2006), slasher movie send-up The Tripper (2006), Who Loves the Sun (2006), Gardener of Eden (2007), While She Was Out (2008), and Death in Love (2008) followed.
Recently, Lukas had a supporting role in Christopher Nolan's Inception (2010) opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, Elliot Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine and Marion Cotillard. He then appeared in Red Riding Hood (2011) for director Catherine Hardwicke, and Contraband (2012), director Baltasar Kormákur's English-language remake of the movie he starred in, Reykjavik-Rotterdam (2008).
Lukas was most recently seen in Crazy Eyes (2012). He has several projects in production, including Meth Head (2013) written and directed by Jane Clark.
Also a talented musician, Lukas plays drums and piano in the band The Rogues.- Sean Michaels is known for Simon & Simon (1981) and CHiPs (1977).
- Steve Shaw was born on 19 February 1965 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He was an actor, known for Knots Landing (1979), Centennial (1978) and The Waltons (1972). He died on 5 December 1990 in Los Angeles, California, USA.