The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story 2009 premiere
Tuesday May 19th, El Capitan Theatre 6838 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
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- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Since attending U.C. Berkeley and graduating Magna Cum Laude from UCLA Film School, Jeffrey C. Sherman has written the features "The Soldier" and "Up the Creek." He wrote the features "Vine Street" and "Revenge of the Nerds III" for Interscope, "Summer Job" for Universal, "Teen Tour" for Paramount, "Respectable" for Norman Lear and Disney, "Rest Stop" for Hollywood Pictures, "The Late Robert Hampton" for Fildebroc (Paris), "Hot Deliveries" for ABC Motion Pictures, "Film School" for Rastar and many others.
In television, Jeff created, produced and wrote one of the first Disney Channel series, "The Enchanted Musical Playhouse" which featured songs by his father and uncle, the Sherman Brothers. Jeff has produced and written several network television series including ABC/Touchstone's "Boy Meets World" and "You Wish," UPN/Jim Henson's "Family Rules" and Buena Vista Partners' "Stick With Me, Kid." Jeff's television pilots include "Turner & Hooch," "The Secret Life of Girls," "Post Game," "Virtual Dad," "Family Tree," "Hillers" and the independently produced comedy "Katie Sullivan" starring Larisa Oleynik, Will Friedle, Alex Desert and Orson Bean.
Jeff wrote the longform "The Spike Girls" for the Disney Channel and his ABC Family film trilogy "Au Pair," "Au Pair II" and "Au Pair III" are among the highest rated programs to ever air on the network.
With his cousin, Jeff directed and produced the 2009 Walt Disney Pictures feature documentary, "the boys: the sherman brothers' story." The theatrical film chronicles the unparalleled career of the sibling songwriting team while taking an intimate look at the brothers' influences, differences and secret family rift. The film premiered at the 2009 San Francisco International Film Festival and has been selected for several major international festivals in Glasgow (Scotland), DocEdge (New Zealand), Shaw Festival (Toronto), Newport Beach (USA) and the Annecy International Animated Film Festival (France) the Animac Festival (Spain), the Melbourne International Film Festival (Australia) and the Biografilm Festival (Italy). "the boys" has screened at numerous Jewish film festivals including Los Angeles, San Diego, Ventura Country, Tucson, Las Vegas and St. Louis. In 2010, "the boys" was chosen as the opening night screening at the first-ever Disney D23 Expo.
In 2011, Jeff produced with John Landis Traveling Light Partners' original hour comedy special "Wendy Liebman: Taller on TV" which was licensed by Showtime and distributed worldwide by Image/RSL Entertainment.
Jeff has composed songs and music for television and film projects including "Boy Meets World," "The Enchanted Musical Playhouse" and the 2019 family feature film "3 Bears Christmas." Most recently he has collaborated on the script and song scores for two animated feature musicals, "Dogs of New York" (with Chely Wright and Kristin Chenoweth) and "Three Dog Knights" (with his sons Alex and Ryan Sherman).
In March 2021, Jeff released an album of original musical compositions entitled "Begin Again" and is finalizing his follow-up collection, "Afterglow."
Jeff is completing the book and song score for an original stage musical as well as a collection of autobiographical short stories.
Jeff lives in Los Angeles with his wife, comedian Wendy Liebman.- Writer
- Producer
- Music Department
- Editorial Department
- Additional Crew
- Producer
Stephen Buchsbaum is a producer, director and writer for film and television.
Stephen has more than 30 years of production and post-production experience. After a successful career as a television and commercial director, he moved to post production in 1980.
Stephen worked on such TV and Film projects as Star Trek, the next generation, Pee Wee's Playhouse, Quantum Leap, Law & Order, Beverly Hills Ninja, 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag. He has run post production companies, such as: The Post Group, Lightning Media, NovaStar Digital Sound, Runway Edit and iO Film.
In 2006, Stephen and Jeff Sherman joined up to produce the documentary "the boys" for Walt Disney Studios and together formed Traveling Light Partners in 2008. Stephen and Jeff have written and produced many projects together.
Stephen lives in Calabasas, CA and married to Stacey and has 5 wonderful children Samantha, Maxwell Brooke, Justin & Callie.- Producer
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Additional Crew
David Permut is a multiple Academy Award, Emmy, and Grammy Award winning producer whose career spans over four decades.
His most recent film RUSTIN which he Executive Produced with former President Barak and Michell Obama which marks their feature film debut. The film has garnered Colman Domingo a Best Actor nomination in the 2024 Academy Awards.In addition to nominations for Golden Globes, BAFTA, SAG, and numerous others for his starring role in the picture.
Permut also Executive Produced with Academy Award winner Taylor Sheridan (YELLOWSTONE), latest hit western series LAWMAN: BASS REEVES for Paramount, and starring David Oyelowo, who is nominated for a SAG Award and Golden Globe for his leading role in the series.The series recently broke all time records with audiences for Paramount.
He is currently in production on his recently announced dark comedy, TWINLESS for Paramount directed by next generation filmmaker James Sweeney, who's first film STRAIGHT UP won a Independent Spirit nomination.
His 2016 his box office hit HACKSAW RIDGE starring Andrew Garfield was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was named one of the Top 10 Films of the Year by the National Board of Review. Other awards included three Golden Globes nominations, Critics' Choice Awards, among other honors. The picture grossed over 259M and became a global hit.
He Produced the blockbuster hit FACE/OFF starring John Travolta and Nicholas Cage and directed by John Woo The picture was lauded with numerous awards including an Academy Award nomination and becomes an international hit and cult classic..The sequel is currently in the works at Paramount with Adam Winged set to direct.
Early in his career, Permut's first film GIVE EM HELL, HARRY! garnered James Whitmore a Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards in 1976, and even won Permut a Best Spoken Word album at the Grammy Awards..The film was the first of its kind in capturing a stage performance filmed in front of a live audience.
His follow up film was the classic and and acclaimed RICHARD PRYOR: LIVE IN CONCERT, which broke ground being the first live filmed comedy concert of its kind, and one of the most successful of all time grossing over an astounding 30M at the box office in 1979. It has set the bar for all the comedy concerts that followed over the years.
Other notable credits over the years include:
DRAGNET (Universal) starring Dan Ackroyd and Tom Hanks one of the first television to screen translations in 1987. And one of the top ten grossing movies of the year. Permut's concept of launching a theatrical release based on a television show, set a new trend in Hollywood.
BLIND DATE (Try-Star) Bruce Willis feature film debut,costarring Kim Basinger and directed by Blake Edwards,
THE MARRYING MAN (Hollywood Pictures) acclaimed writer Neil Simon's romantic comedy starring Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin
SURVIVING THE GAME (New Line Cinema) starring Ice-T, F. Murray Abraham, Rutger Hauer
29TH STREET (20th Century Fox) starring Anthony LaPaglia, Danny Aiello and Lanie Kazan
CAPTAIN RON (Touchstone Pictures) starring Kurt Russell and Martin Short
CONSENTING ADULTS (Hollywood Pictures) starring Kevin Klein, Kevin Spacey directed by Academy Award nominated director Alan Pakula EDDIE (Hollywood Pictures) starring Whoopi Goldberg and Frank Langella DOUBLE TAKE (Touchstone Pictures) starring Eddie Griffith
DYSFUNKTIONAL FAMILY (Miramax) starring Eddie Griffith
PUNCHING HENRY starring Henry Phillips, Sarah Silverman, J.K. Simmonds, Tig Notaro and Mike Judge and premiered at SXSW Film Festival
THE POLKA KING (Netflix) starring Jack Black, Jenny Slate, Jack Schwartzman and Vanessa Bayer and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival,
MATCH (IFC) starring Patrick Stewart Carla Gugino and Mathew Lillard and premiered at Tribeca Film Festival
CHARLIE BARTLETT (MGM) starring Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey (singer Drake also appeared in one of his debut roles), it premiered at Tribeca Film Festival
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, starring Chris Colfer.Allison Janney Rebel Wilson and premiered at Tribeca Film Festival
YOUTH IN REVOLT (TWC) starring Michael Cera, Jean Smart, Ray Liotta, Rooney Mara and Zach Galifianakis and premiered at Toronto Film Festival
Permut produced numerous documentaries including THE BOYS: THE SHERMAN BROTHERS' STORY (Disney), the story of the relationship between songwriting brothers Richard and Robert Sherman (which Permut produced with Ben Stiller)
THE FABULOUS ALAN CARR about the iconic, flamboyant, film producer.
VISIBLE: OUT ON TELEVISION (Apple) a five part docu-series which explores the history of the American LGBTQ movement over the past several decades through the lens of TV, starting with the McCarthy hearings with Roy Cohn in the 1950's.
He also produced the stage production of THE INVESTIGATION: A SEARCH OF THE TRUTH IN TEN ACTS written by Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan (HACKSAW RIDGE) and directed by nine-time Tony nominee Scott Ellis, which was live streamed from New York with an all-star cast including John Lithgow, Annette Bening, Michael Shannon, Zachary Quinto, Kevin Kline, among others. Schenkkan's play incorporates the Mueller report, relating to the ten counts of obstruction of justice and received glowing praise from critics and audiences alike.
His multiple television credits include the critically acclaimed and Emmy and GLADD Award winning PRAYERS FOR BOBBY (2009) starring Sigourney Weaver in her debut television role based on the landmark book. Others included,
LOVE LEADS THE WAY (1984 Disney)
A TRIUMPH OF THE HEART: THE RICKY BELL STORY (1991 CBS) BREAKING THE SILENCE (1992 CBS)
THE COLOR OF RAIN (2014 Hallmark)
Permut Presentations upcoming high profile upcoming films include:
FACE/OFF II (Paramount Pictures) The sequel to his blockbuster FACE/OFF at Paramount Pictures with Adam Wingard (GODZILLA vs King Kong) directing
THE INVITE (FilmNation) An adaptation from the award winning Spanish language heartfelt comedy THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS about the complexities of relationships. Written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormick and directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE)
BEING HEUMANN (Apple) Based on the bestselling book BEING HEUMANN about activist Judy Heumann's fight for equality for the disabled community. Written and directed by Academy Award winner Sian Heder (CODA) To star Tony Award winner Ali Stroker
In addition, the company has a robust development slate, selected ones include:
DOCTOR WALKER (Walden) Based on the true story of Mary Edwards Walker who was the only woman to win the Congressional Medal Of Honor during the Civil War.
SHEELA (Amazon) Based on the true story of Ma Anand Sheela - one of the leaders in the controversial Rajneesh movement during the 1980s who used illegal tactics, including the largest bioterrorism attach on US soil, to silence local dissenters in Oregon. Priyanka Chopra will star as Sheela, under Academy Award winning Barry Levinson's direction.
TELL ME WHO I AM A series based on the best selling book, about identical twins and their mysterious past. To star Nicholas Hoult with Academy Award winning director Steve McQueen.
FRANZESE Based the true story of mob boss Sonny Franzese son, John who joined the family business reluctantly and became an addict living on the streets of New York. When he found sobriety, he rejoined the family business as an undercover informant and brought down many people, including his father who was sentenced to life in prison. .
THE GOLDSBORO INCIDENT The true story of a b-52 bomber plane that crashed in Goldsboro, North Carolina in 1962, killing three of the seven member crew. The damaged cargo bays had also launched two thermo nuclear bombs that hit the ground at seven hundred miles per minute...and no-one knew the status of the fail safe switch. To be directed by Academy Award winner Gavin Hood (TSOTSI).
DOCK The story of Major League baseball pitcher, Dock Ellis, an outspoken player for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1970s, who led them to the World Series championship and claimed to have pitched a no-hitter while on LSD. With LeKeith Stanfield to star.
RUSS & ROGER GOES BEYOND (STX) Independent filmmaker Russ Meyer teams up with film critic and fledgling screenwriter, Roger Ebert to make the 1970 film, "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
YOUTH IN REVOLT A television series based on CD Payne's landmark book and film. Directed by Jason Orley (BIG TIME ADOLESCENCE)
RABBIT GARDEN Jerzy Kosinski, acclaimed author of The PAINTED BIRD and BEING THERE, sees his life and literary career unravel after having the authenticity of his work called into question by two reporters from the Village Voice. To be directed by Agnieszka Holland (EUROPA EUROPA) and to star Jesse Eisenberg.
CENTURIANS OF ROME Recounts the wild story surrounding George Bosque, a Brink's security guard who stole $1.85M in the early 80s and disappeared into thin air. With the stolen money, while eluding authorities in NYC, he produced and financed Centurians Of Rome, the cult 1981 gay porn. With award winning directors John Requa and Glenn Ficarra.
BEAUTY Follows the story of Julia Pastrana, a woman who suffered from the rare genetic condition hypertrichosis. Directed by Yen Tan (1985)
ONE RIGHTEOUS MAN In 1919, a year in American history marked by nationwide race riots and lynchings, the first Black New York City policeman will be divided by his allegiance to the black community and an all white police force, when he's compelled to protect a fellow white officer responsible for killing an unarmed black boy. To be directed by Sherif Alabede
AMERICAN ECSTASY A docs-series based on the hit podcast THE RIALTO REPORT chronicling the history of the golden age of porn. With multiple Emmy Award winning director/producers Fenton Baily & Randy Barbato (RU PAUL'S DRAG RACE)
LOTTERY (3311) Based on Patricia Wood's bestselling book. A young man with Down Syndrome is sometimes marginalized until he hits a 5 million dollar winning lottery ticket. Alexis Jolly (HOMEWARD BOUND) is the screenwriter with PEANUT BUTTER FALCON star Zack Gottsagen in the lead role. Thor Freudenthal (PERCY JACKSON, DIARY OF A WHIMPY KID) to direct.
WILDFIRE After accidentally starting a wildfire, seven-year-old Lu, mute and from an abusive home, slyly tricks Merribelle, a hard-working trans woman, into kidnapping her -- sparking a beautifully unexpected bond with a devastating expiration date. To star Michaela (MJ) Rodriguez
THE PHARMACIST Based on the award winning Netflix documentary about Dan Schneider's quest for justice to solve his son's murder as a result of the opioid crisis.- Music Department
- Composer
- Writer
Richard Morton Sherman was born in the spring of 1928 in New York City to Rosa and Al Sherman. Together with his older brother, Robert B. Sherman, the Sherman brothers would follow in their songwriting father's footsteps to form one of the most prolific, lauded and long lasting songwriting partnerships of all time.
Richard was an enthusiastic and energetic child and youth, still bearing that trademark trait well into his seventies. Following seven years of frequent cross-country moves, the Shermans finally settled down in Beverly Hills, California in 1937. Throughout Richard's years at Beverly Hills High School and Bard College in upstate New York, he became fascinated with music and studied several instruments including the flute, piccolo and piano. At Bard, Richard majored in music and wrote numerous sonatas and "art songs" during his time there but it was Richard's ambition to write the "Great American Symphony" which eventually led him to write songs.
Within two years of graduating, Richard and his brother Robert began writing songs together on a challenge from their father. In 1957, Richard married Elizabeth Gluck with whom he had three children. In 1958, the Sherman brothers enjoyed their first hit with their song, "Tall Paul", sung by Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. The success of this song yielded the attention of Walt Disney, who eventually hired the Sherman brothers on as staff songwriters for Walt Disney Studios.
While at Disney, the Sherman brothers wrote what is perhaps their most well-loved song: "It's a Small World (After All)" for the New York World's Fair in 1964. Since then, "Small World" has become the most translated and performed song on earth.
In 1965, the Sherman brothers won 2 Academy Awards for Mary Poppins (1964), which includes the songs "Feed The Birds", "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and the Oscar winner, "Chim Chim Cher-ee". Since Mary Poppins (1964)' motion picture premiere, the Sherman brothers have subsequently earned nine Academy Award nominations, two Grammy Awards, four Grammy Award nominations, and an incredible 23 gold and platinum albums.
Robert and Richard worked directly for Walt Disney until his death in 1966. Since leaving the company, the brother songwriting team has worked freelance on scores of motion pictures, television shows, theme park exhibits and stage musicals. Their first non-Disney assignment came with Albert R. Broccoli's motion picture production Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), which garnered the brothers their third Academy Award nomination.
In 1973, the Sherman brothers made history by becoming the only Americans, ever, to win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for Tom Sawyer (1973). They also authored the screenplay for "Tom Sawyer".
In 1976, The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella (1976), was picked to be the Royal Command Performance of the year, and the event was attended by Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. A modern musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella story, "Slipper" also features both songscore and screenplay by the Sherman brothers. That same year, the Sherman brothers received their star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame" directly across from Grauman's Chinese Theater. Their numerous other Disney and Non-Disney top box office film credits include The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Parent Trap (1961), Charlotte's Web (1973), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), Snoopy Come Home (1972), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), and Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989).
Outside the motion picture realm, their Tony-nominated smash hit, "Over Here!" (1974) was the biggest grossing original Broadway musical of that year. The Sherman brothers have also written numerous top selling songs including "You're Sixteen", which holds the distinction of reaching Billboard's #1 spot twice; first with Johnny Burnette in 1960 and, then, with Ringo Starr, fourteen years later. Other top-ten hits include "Pineapple Princess", "Let's Get Together", and more.
In 2000, the Sherman brothers wrote the song score for Disney's blockbuster film The Tigger Movie (2000). This film marked the brother's first major motion picture for the Disney company in over 28 years.
In 2002, "Chitty" hit the London stage and received rave revues. "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Stage Musical" is currently the most successful stage show ever produced at the London Palladium. In 2005, a second company will premiere on Broadway (New York City). The Sherman brothers wrote an additional six songs specifically for the new stage productions.
In 2003, four Sherman brothers' musicals ranked in the "Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time" in a (British) nationwide poll reported by the BBC. The Jungle Book (1967) ranked at #7, Mary Poppins (1964) ranked at #8, The Aristocats (1970) ranked at #9 and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) topped the list at #1.
Richard Sherman resides in Beverly Hills, California with his wife, Elizabeth.- Producer
- Director
- Actor
John Landis began his career in the mail room of 20th Century-Fox. A high-school dropout, 18-year-old Landis made his way to Yugoslavia to work as a production assistant on Kelly's Heroes (1970). Remaining in Europe, Landis found work as an actor, extra and stuntman in many of the Spanish/Italian "spaghetti" westerns. Returning to the US, he made his feature debut as a writer-director at age 21 with Schlock (1973), an affectionate tribute to monster movies. Clad in a Rick Baker-designed gorilla suit, Landis starred as "Schlockthropus", the missing link. After working as a writer, actor and production assistant, Landis made his second film, The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977), in collaboration with the Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams. Landis rose to international recognition as director of the wildly successful National Lampoon's Animal House (1978). With blockbusters such as The Blues Brothers (1980), Trading Places (1983), Spies Like Us (1985), Three Amigos! (1986) and Coming to America (1988), Landis has directed some of the most popular film comedies of all time. Other feature credits include Into the Night (1985), Innocent Blood (1992) and the comedy/horror genre classic An American Werewolf in London (1981), which he also wrote. In 1986, Landis and four others were acquitted of responsibility for the tragic accident that occurred in Landis' segment of Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) in which actor Vic Morrow and two child actors were killed. The film also included segments directed by Joe Dante, George Miller and Steven Spielberg. In 1983 Landis wrote and directed the groundbreaking music video of Michael Jackson's Michael Jackson: Thriller (1983), created originally to play as a theatrical short. "Thriller" forever changed MTV and the concept of music videos, garnering multiple accolades including the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Overall Video, Viewer's Choice, and the Video Vanguard Award - The Greatest Video in the History of the World. In 1991 "Thriller" was inducted into the MVPA's Hall of Fame. In 1991, Landis collaborated again with Jackson (I) on Michael Jackson: Black or White (1991), which premiered simultaneously in 27 countries with an estimated audience of 500 million. Although it was not the first motion picture or music video to do so, "Black or White" popularized the use of "digital morphing", where one object appears to seamlessly metamorphoses into another; the project raised the standard for state-of-the-art special effects in music videos. Landis has also been active in television as the executive producer (and often director) of the Ace- and Emmy Award-winning HBO series Dream On (1990). Other TV shows produced by his company, St. Clare Entertainment (St. Clare is the patron saint of television), include Weird Science (1994), Sliders (1995), Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (1997), Campus Cops (1995) and The Lost World (1998). In 2004 the Independent Film Channel broadcast his feature-length documentary about a used-car salesman, Slasher (2004). Deer Woman, an original one-hour episode written by Landis and his son Max Landis, inaugurated the Masters of Horror (2005) series in the fall of 2005 on Showtime. "Masters of Horror" also features one-hour episodes by John Carpenter, Roger Corman, Tobe Hooper, Don Coscarelli, Mick Garris, Dario Argento and Larry Cohen.
A sought-after commercial director, Landis has worked for a variety of companies including Direct TV, Taco Bell, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Kellogg's and Disney. He was made a Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 1985, awarded the Federico Fellini Prize by Rimini Cinema Festival in Italy and was named a George Eastman Scholar by The Eastman House in Rochester, New York. Both the Edinburgh Film Festival and the Torino Film Festival have held career retrospectives of his films. In 2004 Landis received the Time Machine Career Achievement Award at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain. Sent as a filmmaker/scholar by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, Landis has lectured at many film schools and universities including Yale, Harvard, NYU, UCLA, UCSB, USC, Texas A&M, The North Carolina School of the Arts, University of Miami and Indiana University. He has also acted as a teacher and advisor to aspiring filmmakers at the Sundance Institute in Utah. Additionally, he edited Best American Movie Writing 2001 (Thunder's Mouth Press, NY, 2001). Born in Chicago, Illinois, Landis moved to Los Angeles soon after his birth. He is married to Deborah Nadoolman, an Oscar-nominated costume designer, and President of the Costume Designers Guild, with whom he has two children.- Actress
- Producer
- Executive
While studying acting in New York with drama teacher William Esper, Heaton made her Broadway debut in the gospel musical "Don't Get God Started." She and her fellow students then formed Stage Three, an acting company that produced plays Off-Broadway. They took one production, "The Johnstown Vindicator," to Los Angeles, where Heaton's performance caught the eyes of casting directors. Consequently, Heaton portrayed the producer/daughter in the television series Room for Two (1992). Her additional television credits include a starring role in the series Someone Like Me (1994), a regular role in Women of the House (1995), and a recurring role on Thirtysomething (1987). She also starred in the highly rated television movie Miracle in the Woods (1997), with Della Reese. Her feature film credits include Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992), Beethoven (1992), The New Age (1994) and Space Jam (1996).
For her role in Everybody Loves Raymond (1996), Heaton won 2 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. She was nominated for a 1999 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and won the 1998-99 Viewers for Quality Television Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Award.
Heaton was born in Cleveland and lives with her husband, David Hunt, and their four sons in Los Angeles.- Music Artist
- Actor
- Composer
Kenny Loggins was born on 7 January 1948 in Everett, Washington, USA. He is a music artist and actor, known for Footloose (1984), Caddyshack (1980) and Top Gun (1986). He was previously married to Julia Cooper and Eva Ein.- Producer
- Writer
- Actor
Shaun Cassidy is an American singer, actor, writer and producer. He has created and/or produced a number of television series including "American Gothic" (produced with Sam Raimi), "Roar" (starring a then unknown Heath Ledger), "Cold Case," "Cover Me," "The Agency," "Invasion," and "Emerald City." Cassidy wrote and executive produced "Hysteria" for Amazon and serves as executive producer and writer for "New Amsterdam" on NBC.
Cassidy grew up in Los Angeles and New York City. While still in high school, he signed a contract with Warner Brothers records. This led to three multi-platinum albums, numerous top ten hits, and sold-out concerts at every major arena in the country including Houston's Astrodome and New York's Madison Square Garden. Almost concurrently, Cassidy starred in the ABC television series "The Hardy Boys Mysteries." Later, while appearing on Broadway in the hit musical drama "Blood Brothers," he wrote his first television pilot, "American Gothic." When the show debuted, The New York Times called it "The most original new show of the season." In 2020, Cassidy took his one man show "The Magic of a Midnight Sky" to the stage, playing to SRO crowds nationwide, his first live music performance in almost forty years.- Art Department
Steve Rushton is known for G:MT Greenwich Mean Time (1999).- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Jon Voight is an American actor of German and Slovak descent. He has won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his role as paraplegic Vietnam War veteran Luke Martin in the war film "Coming Home" (1978). He has also been nominated for the same award other two times. He was first nominated for his role as aspiring gigolo Joe Buck in "Midnight Cowboy" (1969), He was last nominated for the award for his role as escaped convict Oscar "Manny" Manheim in "Runaway Train" (1985). He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, for his role as sports journalist Howard Cosell (1918-1995) in "Ali" (2001).
In 1938, Voight was born in Yonkers, New York. His parents were professional golfer Elmer Samuel Voight (original name Elemír Vojtka) and his wife Barbara Agnes (Kamp). His paternal grandfather was a Slovak immigrant, as were the parents of his paternal grandmother. His maternal grandfather was a German immigrant, as were the parents of his maternal grandmother. His maternal great-uncle was political activist Joseph P. Kamp (1900-1993), a leader of the anti-communist organization "Constitutional Educational League".
Voight has two siblings: volcanologist Barry Voight (1937-) and singer-songwriter James Wesley Voight (pseudonym Chip Taylor, 1940-). Barry is most famous for first predicting and then investigating the eruption of Mount St. Helens (1980). James is most famous for writing the hit songs "Wild Thing" (1965) and "Angel of the Morning" (1967).
Voight was educated at Archbishop Stepinac High School, an all-boys Roman Catholic high school located at White Plains, New York. At the time, the school was operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. He took an interest in acting in his high school years, performing a comedic role in the school's annual musical, "The Song of Norway". He graduated in 1956, at the age of 18.
Voight continued his education at The Catholic University of America, located in Washington, D.C.. He majored in art, and graduated in 1960. He was 22-years-old at the time of graduation. He then moved to New York City, having decided to pursue an acting career.
In the early 1960s, Voight primarily worked as a television actor. He guest starred in episodes of then-popular television series, such as "Naked City", "The Defenders", "NET Playhouse", "12 O'Clock High", and "Gunsmoke". His first notable theatrical role was playing the illegal immigrant Rodolfo in a 1965 Off-Broadway production of the play "A View from the Bridge" (1955) by Arthur Miller (1915-2005). In the play, Rodolfo is the love interest of the American girl Catherine, and disliked by her uncle and guardian Eddie Carbone (who is in love with his niece).
Voight made his film debut in the superhero comedy "Fearless Frank" (1967), playing the role of the eponymous superhero. Frank was depicted as a murder victim who gets resurrected and granted superpowers by a scientist. Voiight's second film role was playing historical gunman and outlaw Curly Bill Brocius (1845-1882) in the Western film "Hour of the Gun" (1967). The historical Brocius was an an enemy of the Esrp family, and was killed by Wyatt Earp (1848-1929).
Voigh't third film appearance was "Midnight Cowboy" (1969), his first great success. He played the role of a naive hustler from Texas who tries to become a gigolo in New York City. The film was critically acclaimed, and became the only X-rated feature to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Voight was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, but the award was instead won by rival actor John Wayne (1907-1979).
Voight's first role in the 1970s was playing lieutenant Milo Minderbinder in the black comedy "Catch-22" (1970). The film was based on a 1961 satirical novel by Joseph Heller (1923-1999), and offered a satirical view on war and bureaucracy. Voight's next role was playing the left-wing student A in the political drama "The Revolutionary" (1970).
Voight found further critical acclaim with the thriller film "Deliverance" (1972), playing Atlanta businessman Ed Gentry. In the film, Gentry and his first are targeted by villainous mountain men in the northern Georgia wilderness. The film earned about 46 million dollars at the domestic box office, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
His subsequent roles included idealistic schoolteacher Pat Conroy in "Conrack" (1974), journalist Peter Miller in "The Odessa File" (1974). His next great success was playing paraplegic war veteran Luke Martin in "Coming Home" (1978), in a role inspired by the life of war veteran and anti-war activist Ron Kovic (1976-). He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for this film. His co-star Jane Fonda (1937-) won her second Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in this film.
Voight's early 1980s roles included conman Alex Kovac in "Lookin' to Get Out" (1982) and widowed father J. P. Tannen in "Table for Five" (1983). His next big success was the role of escaped convict Oscar "Manny" Manheim in "Runaway Train" (1985). He was again nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, but the Award was instead won by rival actor William Hurt (1950-).
Voight's next role was that of Jack Chismore in the drama film "Desert Bloom" (1986). Chismore is depicted as a war veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who is trying to raise three stepdaughters. He frequently abuses his stepdaughter Rose Chismore (played by Annabeth Gish), but is genuinely concerned for her safety when Rose runs away from home. This film was Voigh's last film role for several years, as he took a hiatus from acting.
Voight returned to acting with the drama film "Eternity" (1990), where he was also the screenwriter. The film deals with reincarnation, as a medieval war within brothers continues in modern American politics. Following his return to acting, Voight started appearing frequently in television films and miniseries. He also guest-starred in a 1994 episode of "Seinfeld", playing himself.
Voight returned to film acting with the crime drama "Heat" (1995), where he had a minor role as a fence. He had a more substantial role in the spy film "Mission: Impossible" (1996), where he played spymaster James Phelps. The film was an adaptation of the popular television series "Mission: Impossible" (1966-1973), about the adventures of a group of secret agents. The role of James Phelps was previously played by actor Peter Graves (1926-2010). The film was a great commercial success, earning about 458 million dollars at the worldwide box office.
Voight appeared in six different films in 1997, one of the busiest years of his career. The most notable among them was the horror film "Anaconda" (1997), where he played obsessive hunter Paul Serone, the film's main antagonist. The film won about 137 million dollars at the box office, despite a mostly negative critical reception. For this role, Voight was nominated for the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor. He lost the award to rival actor Kevin Costner (1955-).
His next notable role was that Thomas Brian Reynolds, agent of the National Security Agency (NSA) in the action thriller "Enemy of the State" (1998). In the film, the NSA conspires to expand the surveillance powers of intelligence agencies over individuals and groups, at the cost of American citizens' right to privacy. The film was another box office success in Voight's career, earning about 251 million dollars at the box office.
In the same year, Voight played inspector Ned Kenny in the crime film "The General" (1998). The film was loosely based on the career of Irish crime boss Martin Cahill (1949-1994), who was nicknamed "the General". The film was critically acclaimed and director John Boorman won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Director.
Voight's next notable role was that of domineering coach Bud Kilmer in the sports film "Varsity Blues" (1999). The film dealt with the difficulties in the life of the players of a Texas-based high school football team, and was not expected to attract much attention by audiences. It earned about 54 million dollars at the box office, making it a modest box office hit. It is credited with introducing Voight to a next generation of fans.
Voight's final film in the 1990s was "A Dog of Flanders" (1999), based on a 1872 novel by Ouida (1839-1908). He played the role of artist Michel La Grande, the mentor of Nello (played by Jeremy James Kissner), who is eventually revealed to be Nello's biological father. The film failed at the box office, failing to earn as much as its modest budget.
Voight appeared in no film released in 2000, but had a busy year in 2001. He appeared in several box office hits of the year. He played President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945, term 1933-1945) in the war drama "Pearl Harbor", Lara Croft's father Lord Richard Croft in the action film "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider", coal-miner and working class father Larry Zoolander in action comedy "Zoolander", and sports journalist Howard Cosell in the biographical film "Ali". For his role in "Ali", Voight was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The award was instead won by rival actor Jim Broadbent (1949-). It was Voight's fourth and (so far) last nomination for an Academy Award.
Voight had a notable role playing Pope John Paul II (1920-2005, term 1978-2005) in the miniseries "Pope John Paul II" (2005). He was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, but the award was instead won by rival actor Andre Braugher (1962-).
Voight had a supporting role as John Keller, United States Secretary of Defense in the science fiction film "Transformers" (2007). The film was based on the Transformers toy line by Hasbro.It earned about 710 million dollars at the box office, one of the most commercially successful films in Voight's career.
In 2009, Voight had a notable television role, playing Jonas Hodges, the CEO of a Virginia-based private military company in the then-popular television series "24" (2001-2010, 2014). He was a main antagonist in the seventh season of the series. His role was inspired by the careers of Hessian colonel Johann Rall (c. 1726-1776), German industrialist Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach (1907-1967), and private military company CEO Erik Prince (1969-).
His 2010s notable film roles include the role of Dracula's enemy Loonardo Van Helsing in the horror film "Dracula: The Dark Prince" (2013), football coach Paul William "Bear" Bryant (1913-1983) in the sports drama "Woodlawn" (2015), and newspaper owner Henry Shaw Sr. in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" (2016). "Fantastic Beasts" earned about 814 million dollars at the worldwide box office, being one of the most commercially successful films that Voight ever appeared in.
In 2020, was 82-years-old, and he is still working as an actor.- Actor
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Johnny Whitaker was born on 13 December 1959 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Tom Sawyer (1973), Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973) and A Talking Cat!?! (2013). He was previously married to Symbria Wright.- Actor
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Larry Gilman was born on 3 April 1950 in New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Final Destination (2000), Cool Runnings (1993) and M*A*S*H (1972).- Actor
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David Hunt is known for Amazing Grace (2006), The Dead Pool (1988) and Unexpected (2023). He has been married to Patricia Heaton since 13 October 1990. They have four children.- Actress
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Blonde, buoyant Donna Mills began acting in local amateur and professional productions in her home town of Chicago. Donna made her Broadway bow as a harem girl in Woody Allen's play "Don't Drink the Water," then played recurring roles on the Manhattan-based TV soap operas The Secret Storm (1954) and Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (1967). Her first film was The Incident (1967), a hard-hitting drama which co-starred fellow up-and-comers Martin Sheen and Beau Bridges. After playing Clint Eastwood's imperiled girlfriend in the cult thriller Play Misty for Me (1971), Mills guest-starred on numerous top-rated series and carved a niche for herself in made-for-TV movies, usually typecast as a damsel in distress. On the big screen, she scored another coup when she acted with Don Stroud in Murph the Surf (1975). Donna forever altered her on-screen image from trembling helplessness to calculating truculence in the role of Abby Cunningham Ewing, second wife of Dallas (1978) "black sheep" Gary Ewing (Ted Shackelford), in the nighttime serial Knots Landing (1979); coincidentally, Mills had co-starred with J. R. Ewing himself (aka Larry Hagman) on the short-lived sitcom The Good Life (1971). Three times she won the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Villainess: 1986, '88, and '89. She also earned a Soap Opera Digest nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role on a Prime Time Serial. After nine years as Abby, Mills decided to leave the long-running hit in pursuit of other opportunities. She continued to headline a range of television films, several of which she produced, often highlighting important social issues. These including Outback Bound (1988), The World's Oldest Living Bridesmaid (1990), Runaway Father (1991), In My Daughter's Name (1992) and My Name Is Kate (1994). Mills returned to Knots Landing for its final episode in 1993, and again for the reunion miniseries Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac (1997). In between she had a brief recurring guest role as Jane Mancini (Josie Bissett)'s mother on Melrose Place (1992). In 2014, Donna joined ABC's General Hospital (1963) as yet another wealthy troublemaker, Madeline Reeves. For this role, she won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series. Donna has since appeared in the feature films Joy (2015) and Nope (2022), and starred in the reality show Queens of Drama (2015).
Donna has long been a supporter of various political and human rights causes, including Easter Seals, Women in Film, and ECO (Earth Communications Office). Unmarried, she adopted a daughter, Chloe, in 1994. She lives in Beverly Hills with her longtime boyfriend, Larry Gilman. She was previously in a long-term relationship with Richard Holland.- Actress
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This tall, attractive, rubber-faced, tunnel-mouthed comedienne with the trademark bouffant black hair is a one-of-a-kind commodity and certainly no shrinking violet when it comes to entertaining. Unapologetically, she adores the center stage...and vice versa -- the stage loves her. Like several of her Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967) cohorts, Jo Anne Worley zoomed to overnight cult stardom in the late 1960s but, in her case, was able to extend her wild and woolly popularity to several other levels once her "fifteen minutes" of fame was over. Over the years, she has situated herself nicely into night clubs, musical theater productions, game shows, talk shows, commercials, and even cartoons. Four decades plus later, Jo Anne continues to delight and is instantly recognized with a mere raucous laugh or pointy digit embedded in her cheek.
The brassy, indefatigable Jo Anne was born in Lowell, Indiana, on September 6, 1937, the third of five children and has always separated herself from the crowd with her distinctively loud voice, whether singing or not. The writing was on the wall when she was crowned "school comedienne" in high school.
Following graduation (1955), she traveled east to pursue her dreams and initially apprenticed with the Pickwick Players. After a two-year dramatic scholarship to Midwestern State University, she transferred to Los Angeles City College and also trained at the Pasadena Playhouse. It did not take long before she made her professional debut in a production of "Wonderful Town." In 1961, she garnered some attention in the popular L.A. musical revue "Billy Barnes People," a show that took her all the way, if very briefly, to Broadway.
Performing in assorted musicals and revues over the next few years including "Carnival" (1962), "Second City Review" (1964), and "Hotel Passionato" (1965), Jo Anne's career was given a boost when she co-starred with fellow up-and-comers Linda Lavin and Paul Sand in the Mad Magazine-inspired off-Broadway revue "The Mad Show" in 1966. That same year, she received the break she was looking for when she was discovered by talk-show host Merv Griffin while showcasing her nightclub act in Greenwich Village. Griffin took a strong liking to her and gave her a viable comedy platform to play on with approximately 200 appearances in all. Producer George Schlatter caught Jo Anne's zany antics on Griffin's show and invited her to swinging TV stardom in 1968. The rest is history.
It's not always easy to stand out in a large ensemble but Jo Anne did, complete with unabashed manic energy and faux operatic tones on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967) as part of the "let it all hang out" generation. In this psychedelic, irreverently political pastiche of comedy slapstick and music, Jo Anne found a perfect forum for her talents. Her bold, infectious comic flair proved a real crowd pleaser, and the big boned brunette became a certifiable TV star. While the show also made stars out of Ruth Buzzi, Henry Gibson and Arte Johnson and superstars out of Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin, it also managed to rebuff the somewhat fading stars of co-hosts Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, and singer/actress Judy Carne.
In 1970, Jo Anne left the celebrated madness at the peak of the show's popularity to pursue a variety of other creative outlets. She made onscreen guest appearances on several TV shows, notably Love, American Style (1969), and was a steadfast presence on the talk show, variety show and game show circuits. Strangly enough, however, she never found a sitcom or another TV vehicle to adequately test-drive her comedy revvings.
With such a high-wattage personality that invites comparisons to Carol Burnett, Carol Channing and Ethel Merman, Jo Anne may have out-sized herself for films but her larger-than-life presence perfectly fit the musical theater bill. For decades she found a vast number of showcases to logically suit her. Her many musical tours have included, notably, "Gypsy" as Mama Rose, "The Wizard of Oz" as the Wicked Witch, and "Mame" as the title socialite. In addition, Jo Anne has found marvelous vehicles in "The Pirates of Penzance," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Anything Goes," "Nunsense," "Grease!," "Call Me Madam," and "Annie". Her non-singing theater resume includes "Luv," "Same Time, Next Year," "Lovers and Other Strangers," "Moon Over Buffalo," "Steel Magnolias," and the female version of "The Odd Couple." Many of these shows co-starred then-husband Roger Perry, whom she married in 1975. The couple had no children and divorced in 2000.
In 1989, Jo Anne returned to Broadway to appear in the original performance of "The Prince of Central Park." Her work over the years has been plentiful, especially for the Disney people, including the movie The Shaggy D.A. (1976) and animated features Beauty and the Beast (1991) (as the voice of the Wardrobe) and A Goofy Movie (1995).
Nearing the millennium, Jo Anne has made sporadic guest appearances on such TV shows as "Mad About You," "Caroline in the City," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," "Boy Meets World," "Wizards of Waverly Place," "Bones," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Jessie" and "The Middle."
In other pursuits, Jo Anne has been active on the lecture circuit and has also served on the Board of Directors for Actors and Others for Animals. She also performs in concert, typically offering parodies of well-known songs to suit her man-chasing personality. A culinary enthusiast, she has also been seen whipping up specialties on the Food Network ("Ready Set Cook" and "Chef du jour").- Actor
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Richard A. Doyon was born on 26 November 1948 in Manchester, New Hampshire, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for The Legend of Tillamook's Gold (2006), The Mission (2003) and Debussy Has Left the Building.- Suzanne Marie Doyon was born on 10 May 1991 in Seattle, Washington, USA. She is an actress, known for The Mission (2003), The Legend of Tillamook's Gold (2006) and Debussy Has Left the Building.
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Benjamin Edward Meara Stiller was born on November 30, 1965, in New York City, New York, to legendary comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. His father was of Austrian Jewish and Polish Jewish descent, and his mother was of Irish Catholic descent (she converted to Judaism).
His parents made no real effort to keep their son away from the Hollywood lifestyle and he grew up among the stars, wondering just why his parents were so popular. At a young age, he and his sister Amy Stiller would perform plays at home, wearing Amy's tights to perform Shakespeare. Ben also picked up an interest in being on the other side of the camera and, at age 10, began shooting films on his Super 8 camera. The plots were always simple: someone would pick on the shy, awkward Stiller ... and then he would always get his revenge. This desire for revenge on the popular, good-looking people may have motivated his teen-angst opus Reality Bites (1994) later in his career. He both directed and performed in the film, which co-starred Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke.
Before he got to Hollywood, he put in several consistently solid years in the theater. After dropping out of UCLA, he performed in the Tony Award winner, "The House of Blue Leaves". While working on the play, Stiller shot a short spoof of The Color of Money (1986) starring him (in the Tom Cruise role) and his The House of Blue Leaves (1987) costar John Mahoney (in the Paul Newman role). The short film was so funny that Lorne Michaels purchased it and aired it on Saturday Night Live (1975). This led to his spending a year on the show in 1989.
Stiller made his big screen debut in Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun (1987) in 1987. Demonstrating early on the multifaceted tone his career would take, he soon stepped behind the camera to direct Back to Brooklyn for MTV. The network was impressed and gave Stiller his own show, The Ben Stiller Show (1992). He recruited fellow offbeat comedians Janeane Garofalo and Andy Dick and created a bitingly satirical show. MTV ended up passing on it, but it was picked up by Fox. Unfortunately, the show was a ratings miss. Stiller was soon out of work, although he did have the satisfaction of picking up an Emmy for the show after its cancellation.
For a while, Stiller had to settle for guest appearance work. While doing this, he saved up his cash and in the end was able to scrape enough together to make Reality Bites (1994), now a cult classic which is looked upon favorably by the generation it depicted. Ben continued to work steadily for a time, particularly in independent productions where he was more at ease. However, he never quite managed to catch a big break. His first big budget directing job was Jim Carrey's The Cable Guy (1996). Although many critics were impressed, Jim Carrey's fans were not. In 1998, There's Something About Mary (1998) had propelled Stiller into the mainstream spotlight. He also starred in such hit movies as Keeping the Faith (2000) and Meet the Parents (2000).- Actor
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Rider Strong is an American actor from San Francisco. He has often worked as a voice actor in animated series. His best known roles were those of rebellious teenager Shawn Hunter in the sitcom "Boy Meets World" (1993-2000), football quarterback Brick Flagg in the action comedy series "Kim Possible" (2002-2007), and demon prince Tom Lucitor in the magical girl series "Star vs. the Forces of Evil" (2015-2019).
In 1979, Strong was born in the city of San Francisco, a financial center in California. The city has been an important port city since the mid-19th century, and used to be the city with the highest population in the West Coast of the United States. Rider's father was the firefighter King Arthur Strong, while his mother was teacher and nutritionist Lin Warner. Both of his parents were from Pennsylvania, but had moved to California during their working lives. Rider has primarily English and Irish ancestry.
Rider started his career as a child actor c. 1988. He took part in a theatrical adaptation of "Les Misérables", playing the street child and revolutionary Gavroche Thénardier. In the original novel, Gavroche is abandoned by his abusive parents, joins the anti-monarchist June Rebellion (1832), and gets killed while participating in a street fight.
Strong started appearing in minor television roles in the early 1990s, guest-starring in then-popular series such as "Going Places", "Bobby's World", and "Home Improvement". He gained his first regular television role in the short-lived sitcom "Julie" (1992). He played Adam McGuire, stepson of the protagonist Julie Carlisle (played by Julie Andrews). The series was canceled due to low ratings, and only 7 episodes were ever produced.
Strong made his film debut in the thriller film "Benefit of the Doubt" (1993). He played Pete Braswell, son of the protagonist Karen Braswell (played by Amy Irving). In the film, Karen gets reacquainted with her estranged father Frank (played by Donald Sutherland) who was incarcerated for 20 years as the main suspect in a murder. Frank tries to convince his family that he was innocent, but there are circumstantial evidence that he was a serial killer. The film was produced by the German film production company CineVox (1983-1999), and its distribution rights were acquired by Miramax.
Strong received his big break when cast as Shawn Hunter in the then-new sitcom "Boy Meets World" (1993). In contrast to the neurotic main character Cory Matthews, Shawn was depicted as rebellious and prone to risk-taking. Shawn was depicted as the son of a troubled family, having an alcoholic father and a mother who run away for extended periods. The sitcom turned out to be a ratings hit, ranking in the top 50 shows for its first 4 seasons. It lasted for 7 seasons and 158 episodes, covering the lives of the main characters from middle school to their college years. Strong became a household name and was among the most prominent members of the cast.
During, the last few seasons of "Boy Meets World", Strong attended morning classes at Occidental College, a private liberal arts college in Los Angeles. He later attended Columbia University as an English major, graduating in 2004. In 2009, he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction and literature at Bennington College. During his college years, Strong starred in the horror comedy film "Cabin Fever" (2002). It depicted vacationing college students becoming infected with a flesh-eating virus. The film took inspiration from real-life skin infections. It was filmed on a small budget and earned 30.6 million dollars at the worldwide box office.
Strong had a recurring role in the animated series "Kim Possible" (2002-2007), voicing football quarterback Brick Flagg. Brick was depicted as the slow-witted and kind boyfriend of Bonnie Rockwaller, one of the series' main supporting characters. The character of Brick was written out of the series in 2004, having graduated high school.
Strong was cast in a regular role in the short-lived comedy-drama series "Pepper Dennis" (2006). He played professional cameraman Chick Dirka, who regularly worked with television reporter Pepper Dennis (played by Rebecca Romijn). Chick's unrequited love for Pepper was a plot point. The series lasted for a single season and 13 episodes. It was one of the last shows broadcast on the network "The WB", which shut down in 2006.
Strong co-directed the short film "Irish Twins" (2008), which debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film won a number of film awards at film festivals. He returned to acting with a starring role in the science fiction horror film "Darkening Sky" (2010), which focused on the topics of alien abductions and unreliable memories.
In October 2013, Strong married his long-term girlfriend, the actress Alexandra Barreto. They were involved in a romantic relationship since 2006. In 2014, Strong joined the cast of the sitcom "Girl Meets World" (2014-2017). The series was a sequel to "Boy Meets World", and focused on a daughter of Cory Matthews. Strong returned to the role of Shawn Hunter, depicted as a professional writer and a photographer. During the series, Shawn served as a father figure, to troubled teenage girl Maya Hart (played by Sabrina Carpenter). Shawn officially adopted Maya during the series finale. The series lasted for 3 seasons and 72 episodes. There were reportedly plans for a 4th season, but no network was interested in financing it.
In 2015, Strong joined the cast of the animated series "Star vs. the Forces of Evil" (2015-2019), voicing the demon prince Tom Lucitor. He was depicted as the ex-boyfriend of extra-dimensional princess Star Butterfly (played by Eden Sher) who sets out to regain her love. The character's flaws included lifelong anger-management issues and recurring jealousy towards Star's other love interest. The series lasted for 4 seasons and 77 episodes.
Strong has not been particularly active during the 2020s, having no prominent roles. By 2022, he was 42-years-old and it is unclear whether he has further career plans. He remains popular due to his past roles in television, and his involvement with several popular series over the decades.- Actor
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Bennett "Ben" Joseph Savage was born on September 13th, 1980, in Chicago, Illinois. Ben got his start in acting when he appeared in his first commercial at the tender age of 5. From there, his first major speaking role was in the comedy series, Dear John (1988), opposite Judd Hirsch and fellow Chicago-native, Isabella Hofmann. He starred in a handful of made-for-TV movies and other films, most significantly Wild Palms (1993), until being cast in the lead role in the series Boy Meets World (1993), which catapulted him into stardom. Ben didn't put aside his studies in the course of his acting career, graduating in 2004 from the famed Stanford University with a degree in Political Science. In the summer of 2003, he got an internship with the office of US Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) and seems to be well on his way to another chapter in his life.- Producer
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Katharine "Kat" Kramer founded Kat Kramer's Films That Change the World to showcase motion pictures that raise awareness about important social issues. In so doing, she is following in the foot steps of her late father, the legendary producer/director Stanley Kramer, who was known for taking artistic and financial chances by making movies about controversial subjects.
Selections in Kat's screening series have included Teach Your Children Well (2010), which deals with the growing problem of bullying in schools; The Cove (2009), which exposed the slaughter of dolphins in Japan; Elephants and Man: A Litany of Tragedy (2011), about the suffering of elephants in captivity; and Barbra Streisand's Yentl (1983), which focused attention on women's equality, and was used as a springboard for a discussion about the widespread sexual abuse of women in the Congo. Kat most recently celebrated the 5th anniversary and 5th installment for "Kat Kramer's Films That Change The World" by presenting the U.S. premiere of Fallout (2013) hosted by Lily Tomlin. This was followed by the 6th installment screening of documentary The Decent One (The Decent One (2014)) and most recently presented the 7th installment, Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain (2014) hosted by Martin Sheen and Mischa Barton.
As an actress, Kat has appeared on stage and screen. She has starred in two popular one-woman shows, The Colors of Myself and Kriss Krossing. Kat has played the classic roles and won awards as Helen Keller in "The Miracle Worker," Anne Frank in "The Diary Of Anne Frank," Estella in "Great Expectations," Lisa in "David and Lisa," and Saint Joan in "The Lark." She has also appeared in such films as Hollywood Dreams (2006), Going Shopping (2005), What Just Happened (2008), and Little Fockers (2010). She will also be seen in the upcoming film Katie Q, with Karen Black, Paul Sand and Zack Norman. As a singer, Kat is recording Gemstone, an album of Mick Jagger love songs, each as a duet with a different artist who has previously worked with Jagger. As a producer, she is developing a web series about the making of her album, titled My Duet with Mick.
Kat has performed special tributes twice for the legendary Lily Tomlin. Kramer served on the Dais and opened the program at the Pacific Pioneers Broadcaster's Awards in February 2012 honoring Tomlin. Kat received a standing ovation with a special musical salute to her mentor with the original parody "Dear Lily Tomlin."
She most recently sang a heartfelt rendition of "Bless The Beasts And Children" from her father's landmark film for Tomlin when she was honored with the Hope Award from the Petco Foundation. Kramer made her Avalon Hollywood debut with Le PeTiT CiRqUe for Circus Paws in front of a star-studded audience that included Lily Tomlin, Susan Sarandon, Lainie Kazan and Stewart Copeland. She has recorded the new re-imagined version of "Bless The Beasts And Children" that will be released as a single for PAWS and animal-rights organizations. Kat also performed a humorous kitsch version of the song for the PAWS/LA Fundraiser sponsored by Wells Fargo and the Petco Foundation.
Kat previously received the "Compassion Award" from the Braveheart Women and recently sold-out her first workshop with "Meet The Biz" titled "An Evening With Kat Kramer." She is set to launch "An Evening With A Trailblazer" series along with "Meet The Biz."
She performed a stand-up routine at Hard Rock Hollywood to Benefit "Comedy For Caleb" and Kat has been a presenter for LA Comedy Awards twice. She was also a celebrity judge for the LA Music Awards. Kat was most recently named Entertainer of the Year by the LA Comedy Awards. Kramer has headlined at awards shows and galas for such luminaries as Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Shirley MacLaine.
Kat, who is the Godchild/Namesake of screen icon the late Katharine Hepburn, proudly serves as the West Coast representative of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. She was an in-studio guest on Larry King Live (1985) for a tribute to Hepburn after her death in 2003.
Kat is set to launch her new one-woman show "My Duet With Mick." In addition, she co-stars as Frances Rye and multiple characters in Seasons 3 and 4 of popular web series Child of the '70s (2012). She was recently selected for the Advisory Board of the prestigious LA Press Club. A former Miss Golden Globe, Kat resides in Los Angeles.