THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW adaptation (2010s decade)
NOTE -
1. I'm not going to cast ALL of the characters from the original stage musical of the same name; so if I happen to forget some, comment below and cast the person you think would be perfect for whichever role I didn't cast.
2. This is all opinion based; so if you disagree with some of my choices, like I said, comment below and cast the actors/actresses you think would be perfect to play these parts.
1. I'm not going to cast ALL of the characters from the original stage musical of the same name; so if I happen to forget some, comment below and cast the person you think would be perfect for whichever role I didn't cast.
2. This is all opinion based; so if you disagree with some of my choices, like I said, comment below and cast the actors/actresses you think would be perfect to play these parts.
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- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Laverne Cox is a three time Emmy-nominated actress, Emmy winning documentary film producer and a prominent equal rights advocate. Laverne's role of Sophia Burset in the critically acclaimed Netflix original series "Orange is The New Black" brought her to the attention of diverse audiences all over the world. This role lead to Laverne becoming the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for a Primetime acting Emmy.
An artist and an advocate with an empowering message of moving beyond gender expectations to live more authentically, Laverne is the first openly transgender person to appear on the covers of TIME Magazine, Cosmopolitan magazine and Essence magazines among others. She was named one of Glamour magazine's 2014 Women of the Year. Laverne also proudly holds two SAG Awards winning them with her Orange Is The New Black cast mates.
Laverne has been one of the faces of Beyonce's athleisure line, Ivy Park. She also collaborated with Orly to create "Celebrate Yourself" a Limited Edition collection of nail colors and teamed up with Ted Danson for Smirnoff's "Welcome To The Fun" campaign.
Laverne's Emmy winning documentary "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word" helped lead her to Executive Producing two powerful documentaries. The upcoming "Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen" is an unprecedented, groundbreaking look at the depiction of transgender characters throughout the history of film and TV and "Free CeCe" which tells the story of CeCe McDonald, a transgender woman who was controversially sentenced to 41 months in a men's prison for second degree manslaughter after defending herself against a racist and transphobic attack. The documentary focuses on McDonald's case, her experiences while incarcerated and the larger implications of her case for the transgender community and for communities of color at large.Dr. Frank-N-Furter - A Scientist- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Ryan McCartan was born on 14 June 1993 in Excelsior, Minnesota, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again (2016), Liv and Maddie (2013) and R.L. Stine's Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls (2015).Brad Majors - A Hero- Actress
- Composer
- Additional Crew
Victoria Justice is an American actress and singer. She was born on February 19, 1993 in Hollywood, Florida, USA. She is the daughter of Serene Reed and Zack Justice. Her mother has Puerto Rican ancestry, while her father is of English, German, and Irish descent. She has a younger half-sister, Madison Reed.
She rose to fame on Nickelodeon, starring as Lola Martinez in the television series, Zoey 101 (2005), and Tori Vega in the sitcom, Victorious (2010).
She starred in the films, The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (2010), The First Time (2012) and Fun Size (2012).
She released her debut single "Gold" on June 18, 2013.
She starred in the film, Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List (2015) in the MTV television series, Eye Candy (2015).Janet Weiss - A Heroine- Actor
- Composer
- Additional Crew
Reeve Carney originated the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, in the record-breaking Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn off The Dark" in 2010. A lifelong musician, Reeve jumped at the opportunity to perform a score by U2's Bono and The Edge--not to mention re-team with director Julie Taymor, with whom he worked in her film "The Tempest".
In 2013, however, Reeve finally hung up his Spidey suit and headed to Dublin for his latest project: Showtime's much buzzed-about new John Logan and Sam Mendes series Penny Dreadful (2014), in which Reeve plays reckless hedonist Dorian Gray.
When he's not finding new ways to terrify himself as an actor, Reeve is diving headfirst into his music. He's currently putting the finishing touches on his upcoming album "Youth is Wasted," which he recorded primarily in his New York apartment. With his demanding "Spider-Man" schedule, it was impossible to get back and forth to the studio, so Reeve decided to build his own studio--right in his living room.
His bizarre Broadway hours also made teaming up with other musicians all but impossible, so Reeve took matters into his own hands, literally, playing every single instrument himself. Thus, the album has a homespun quality, à la Paul McCartney's "Ram"--which just so happens to be Reeve's all-time favorite album.
Making music is nothing new to Reeve. He signed with Interscope/Universal at age 22 and formed his namesake band Carney soon after, with his brother Zane. The bank released its debut album, "Mr. Green Vol. 1,"(DAS Label/Interscope/Universal)in 2010 and a live album, "Live at Molly Malone's," in 2007(DASLabel/Interscope/Universal).
Reeve becoming a performer was all but a foregone conclusion: pretty much everybody in his family works in the arts. His great-uncle was actor Art Carney. His jewelry designer mother has a degree from Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, and his father wrote jingles. From early childhood. Reeve sang on his father's jingles. and at age 10, he was already recording with [link=nm0001391 on "HIStory."
Reeve spent much of his high-school years hanging out at blues clubs around Los Angeles, playing with musicians over twice his age--and getting a better music education than any class could provide. His dedication paid off, and, after graduating from Hamilton High School Academy of Music, he got into USC's prestigious Thornton School of Music, but he left after a year to pursue his music in earnest.
In an upcoming Jeff Buckley biopic, Reeve will play the late singer, marrying his love of both music and acting.Riff Raff - A Handyman- Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Christina Milian was born Christine Flores on September 26, 1981 in Jersey City, New Jersey & raised in Waldorf, Maryland. At the age of 19, Milian signed a contract with Def Jam. In 2001, Milian released her self-titled debut album, which featured the singles "AM to PM" and "When You Look at Me"; "AM to PM" charted within the Top 40 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and both peaked in the top three on the UK Singles Chart. In 2004, Milian released her second studio album It's About Time, which provided her first major U.S. hit, "Dip It Low", which reached number five on the U.S. Billboard chart. "Whatever U Want" was released as the album's second single. Both singles charted within the Top 10 of the UK chart.Magenta - A Domestic- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Annaleigh Ashford won the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for her portrayal of Essie in You Can't Take It With You on Broadway. She starred opposite Jake Gyllenhaal as Dot in Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park With George, and played Betty on Showtime's critically acclaimed Masters of Sex. Other Broadway credits include Sylvia in Sylvia, the original Lauren in Kinky Boots (Clarence Derwent Award, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations), Glinda in Wicked, Jeannie in Hair, and the original Margot in Legally Blonde the Musical. Off Broadway credits include Dot in Sunday in the Park with George at Encores!, Helena in Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delecorte Theatre for the Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park, Maureen in Rent, and Marcie in Dogfight. Other television and film credits include American Crime Story: Versace, Columbia in The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Fox, Nurse Jackie, The Big C, Law&Order SVU, Smash, Unicorn Store, Sex and the City, Better Off Single, Top Five, Rachel Getting Married, Frozen. Her critically acclaimed solo show, Annaleigh Ashford: Lost in the Stars Live at 54 Below was released by Broadway Records in 2016.Columbia - A Groupie- Actor
- Soundtrack
Staz can currently be seen starring as Tarak in Zak Synder's Netflix feature franchise REBEL MOON. Part One held the No. 1 spot worldwide in 92 countries and Part Two is set to premiere on April 19th 2024.
He is also filming the titular role in the new BBC crime thriller VIRDEE.
Prior to this, he played co-lead in the feature HARVEST MOON opposite Paul Bettany for Miramax.
Staz can be seen as the series regular role of William Dey in SUPERGIRL for the CW / DC Entertainment. He also recently filmed the guest lead role of Dax Baron (Doomsday) in the second season of KRYPTON for Syfy and DC Entertainment.
He can be seen as the recurring role of Qhono, Daenerys Targaryen's personal bodyguard, in Season 6-8 of GAME OF THRONES opposite Emilia Clarke.
Staz also played the recurring role of Gordon in the latest series of HUMANS opposite Gemma Chan and Colin Morgan.
He also played the role of Ahsan Alkaaf in the pilot LADY PARTS for Working Title and Channel 4.
Previous to this, he starred as Rocky in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW remake for FOX directed by Kenny Ortega - the cast also included Laverne Cox, Victoria Justice and Ryan McCartan.
Staz also played one of the lead roles in the Bollywood feature BAZODEE cast by Kelly Valentine Hendry,
Other credits include a guest lead role in Series 2 of TYRANT for FOX 21 directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton and HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE.Rocky Horror - A Creation- Actor
- Soundtrack
Anthony Stewart Head was born on February 20, 1954 in Camden Town, north London, England. He grew up in Hampton, near Richmond upon Thames in London. He's the youngest son of Seafield Head (a documentary filmmaker) and Helen Shingler (an actress). He is the younger brother of musician/actor Murray Head who originated the role of Judas on the original album of 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. His long term partner is former theatre administrator Sarah Fisher who he met when he was 28, and they are the parents of actresses Emily Head and Daisy Head. Besides acting, Head takes after his brother in being an accomplished singer, and they have appeared in many of the same productions, although never at the same time. In 1983, he was in a band named "Two Way". The band released a 45 single with three songs, produced by Richard Dodd and Ron Roker. Head's other skills are horse riding, swimming, scuba diving, piano, guitar and stage fighting.Dr. Everett V. Scott - A Rival Scientist- Actor
- Music Department
- Composer
Adam Lambert is a Grammy-nominated international artist, actor, philanthropist, and LGBTQ+ activist.
As the first openly gay male artist to top the Billboard album charts, Adam has released five studio albums to date, amassing more than three million album sales worldwide-all while honoring the legacy of Freddie Mercury as the frontman of the iconic band, Queen.
Adam counts the British Royal Family among his fans. A personal invitation from HRH The Princess of Wales had him performing at last year's Royals: Together At Christmas and previously for HRH Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, opening the show alongside Brian May and Roger Taylor.
Recent highlights include the release of Adam's latest top 10 charting album, High Drama, headlining London Pride, and showcasing his acting skills in Sofia Coppola's Fairyland, as well as the five-time Academy Award-winning film Bohemian Rhapsody.
Continuing his support for the LGBTQ+ community, Adam founded the Feel Something Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting LGBTQ+ human rights. The foundation raises funds and contributes to marginalized and underrepresented groups globally.
Adam continues to gain superstar momentum worldwide. This year, he will join the judging panel of The Voice Australia, work on his highly anticipated 6th Studio Album, and embark on a stadium tour across Japan after a successful North American tour with Queen last year. In 2024, Adam will release an ITV documentary exploring the LGBTQ+ experience within the music industry, featuring interviews with iconic musicians spanning multiple decades.Eddie - Ex Delivery Boy- Actor
- Writer
- Music Department
Born in Cheltenham, England, Richard Smith's family moved to Tauranga, New Zealand, in 1951 when his father, an accountant, decided to become a sheep farmer. Watching horror and science-fiction double features in nearby Hamilton, Smith added an interest in acting to his love of rock and roll. He moved back to England in 1964, tried singing, then became a movie stuntman and fringe theater actor. He changed his name to O'Brien (his beloved maternal grandmother's name) one day while on the phone to British Actors Equity, to avoid confusion with another Richard Smith. He met director Jim Sharman in 1972, when Sharman cast him in the dual roles of Apostle and Leper for the London stage production (transferred from Sharman's native Australia) of "Jesus Christ Superstar". Working again with Sharman on a production of Sam Shepard's "The Unseen Hand", O'Brien mentioned a new rock musical he'd been writing called "Rock Horror." The play went into rehearsals as "They Came from Denton High," and at Sharman's suggestion, was retitled "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" before opening in June 1973.The Criminologist - An Expert- Actress
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Ivy Levan was born on 20 January 1987 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. She is an actress and composer, known for Spy (2015), The Hustle (2019) and The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again (2016).Usherette- Casting Director
- Casting Department
- Producer
David Rubin began his career in New York on the production staff of Saturday Night Live, before working on the casting of Ragtime, Silkwood and Amadeus. David then moved to Los Angeles to team with veteran casting director Lynn Stalmaster on 'The Name of the Rose', 'The Big Easy', 'Spaceballs' and many other films.
Opening his own casting office, David was responsible for assembling the casts of such films as: 'The Addams Family', 'Fried Green Tomatoes', 'My Cousin Vinny', 'The Firm', 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', 'Get Shorty', 'Romeo + Juliet', 'The English Patient', 'Men in Black', 'My Best Friend's Wedding' and 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'.
For six years, from 1998 until 2004, Rubin closed his casting office to develop and produce films with Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella at Mirage Enterprises.
In recent years, he assembled the casts of such films and television programs as 'Hairspray', 'Lars and the Real Girl', 'Yes Man', 'Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay', 'On the Road', 'Game Change' (HBO) for which he won an Emmy Award, 'Gravity', 'Wild', 'Trumbo' and 'Big Little Lies' (HBO) for which he won his second Emmy.
In 2001, David was the recipient of the Hollywood Film Festival Award for Outstanding Career Achievement in the field of Casting, presented by Sydney Pollack. In 2002, Baz Luhrmann presented him with an honorary Career Achievement Award from the Casting Society of America.
David is an officer of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and serves on the Academy's Board of Governors, representing the Casting Directors Branch.casting director #1- Casting Department
- Casting Director
Ronna Kress was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Ronna is a casting director, known for Moulin Rouge! (2001), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) and The Fault in Our Stars (2014).casting director #2- Editor
- Editorial Department
- Sound Department
Don Zimmerman entered the business of show in 1969 as an apprentice editor in music and sound effects. He worked for the Mirisch Co. under Dick Carruth, Frank Warner and Jim Richards on films such as: The Hawaiians, Gaily, Gaily, Little Big Man, The Godfather, Where's Papa and Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
He then became a picture assistant editor for Hal Ashby on films such as: The Landlord, Harold and Maude, Shampoo and Bound for Glory. After eight years in the industry, Don became a picture editor on the Hal Ashby film Coming Home, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. He also edited the film Being There for Hal.
In 1993, Don met Tom Shadyac on his first feature film, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Don has since edited The Nutty Professor and Liar Liar for Tom. Don feels Patch Adams is Tom's best work to date, and hopes to continue working with him in the future.editor- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Richard Hartley's long and varied career as a musical arranger and composer has included just about everything, from playing piano in a r&b band in Paris to scoring strings for reggae records to arranging scores for experimental plays, TV and films. Hartley was brought in to help with musical auditions for the London production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972, where he first met director Jim Sharman and actor Richard O'Brien. While scoring Sharman's production of Sam Shepard's The Unseen Hand in 1973, Hartley was asked to work with O'Brien on his new rock musical, The Rocky Horror Show. Playing keyboards as one of the original four-piece show band, Hartley also arranged O'Brien's songs, expanding his work later for The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). As well as collaborating further with O'Brien on plays and films, notably on Shock Treatment (1981), Hartley scored films for director Joseph Losey, and went on to become one of England's most successful film composers.music score- Production Designer
- Director
- Art Director
Bo Welch was born on 24 December 1951 in Yardley, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a production designer and director, known for Edward Scissorhands (1990), Men in Black (1997) and A Little Princess (1995). He has been married to Catherine O'Hara since 25 April 1992. They have two children.production designer- Art Department
- Art Director
- Production Designer
Maya Shimoguchi was born in 1962. She is an art director and production designer, known for War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), The Batman (2022) and Ford v Ferrari (2019).senior art director- Art Director
- Art Department
- Production Designer
Kevin Ishioka is known for Avatar (2009), Dunkirk (2017) and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003).supervising art director- Set Decorator
- Art Department
Cheryl Carasik was born in 1952. She is a set decorator, known for Men in Black (1997), The Birdcage (1996) and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006).set decorator- Costume Designer
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
- Additional Crew
costume designer- Make-Up Department
- Special Effects
- Producer
Vincent James Guastini started his own special make-up effects company at the age of 22, originally in New Jersey and New York for 15 years, and then later in Hollywood for 19 years. Specializing in prosthetics, creature effects, design, and animatronics.
Vincent's big breakthrough film came in 1991 when asked to take over the prosthetic effects for Michael Mann's 60 million dollar film "The Last of the Mohicans" for 20th Century Fox. After this film Vincent went on to supervise and design creature effects for various studio and independent films. In 2001 Vincent moved his company to the West Coast and is now one of the top effects & design studios in Hollywood where Vincent lives and is based out of for the past 20 years.
Vincent's practical effects work is mostly known for his 30 plus years in the business in creating the ground breaking animatronic wings and creature effects in Kevin Smith's film "Dogma" and for Darren Aronofsky's film, "Requiem for a Dream", he designed sculpted and applied prosthetics changing Oscar nominated actress Ellen Burstyn into a thinning decaying women. The prosthetic transformation made Vincent an Oscar hopeful that year and is looked at as one of the most convincing transformations in prosthetic makeup history for subtlety and realism. He later worked with Aronofsky again on the film "Aftermath" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger where Vincent's team created silicone bodies for a graphic plane crash.
Vincent's other groundbreaking effects include the first use of silicone technology with fire victim effects for Clint Eastwood's "Letters of Iwo Jima" and "Flags of Our Father". Other films include the Bryan Singer produced horror film hit "The Taking of Deborah Logan". With the help of prosthetic silicone appliances and puppets Vincent and his team transformed actress Jill Larson into a crazed demonic possessed creature.
Film History & Background:
V.G.P. Film & TV Projects: Vincent's film and T.V. credits include either as an effects technician, or supervisor and designer are, Dogma, Requiem for a Dream, The Last Of The Mohicans, Letters Of Iwo Jima, Flags of Our Father, Stephen King's Langoliers, Stephen Kings Thinner, Stephen Kings Mr. Mercedes, World War Z, Scary Movie 4, Super Mario Bros The Movie, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, Child's Play 3, Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, Virus, Man On The Moon, The Taking of Deborah Logan, V/H/S/ Viral, Cabin Fever Patient Zero, Sushi Girl, The Devil's Carnival 1& 2, Till Death, Silent Night, Night of The Tommyknockers, NIX", Saturday Night Live, Third Watch, Dr. Phil Show, The Howard Stern Show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, Law and Order, Conan O'Brien, Animal Planet's Lost Tapes, Comedy Central's This is Not Happening, and the Get Shorty T.V. Series. Vincent was also nominated for his prosthetic work for TV's "Saturday Night Live" and was Will Ferrell's straight & prosthetic makeup artist for 4 years.
Development & Design: I Frankenstein, Watchmen, Hannibal, Battlestar Galactica, (Bryan Singer Version) Creature of the Black Lagoon, Preacher, Green Hornet, Doom the Movie, I Am Legend, The Thing prequel.
V.G.P. Design Team & Makeup Effects Crew Credits include: Original Hellboy, remake, Predator 2019, Tron Legacy, Jurassic Park, Terminator 2, Edward Scissor Hands.
Vincent's many clients & companies include: Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann, Darren Aronofsky, Kevin Smith, Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Milos Forman, James Gunn, David Zucker, Bryan Singer, Joe Dante, Tom Holland, Darren Lynn Bousman, Mary Lambert, Fred Caruso, Roland Emmerich, Christopher Walken, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mark Hamill, Bob Hoskins, Daniel Day Lewis, Crispin Glover, Snoop Dogg, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, Black Eyed Peas, Disney, 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Screen Gems, The Weinstein Company, Lions Gate, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Spelling Entertainment, Millennium Films, Nu Image, Centropolis Xbox Live, SCI FI Network Etc. Netflix, & Disney, to name a few.
Producer & Director Info: Vincent recently garnered producing and directing credits on feature films as co-producer and executive producer. One being The 5 Million Dollar remake of "Silent Night Deadly Night" renamed "Silent Night" starring Malcolm McDowell and Sin City's Jamie King. Others include "The Employer" Hidden in the Woods" and the 2 million dollar feature film "Rock Paper Dead" Starring Michael Madsen & Oscar winner Tatum O'Neal released by Lions Gate. Vincent has also made his directing debut in two upcoming horror science fiction anthology films, "The Hellevator Man" due for release in 2021 and "The Dark Tapes" which was the number one awarded horror movie of 2016 winning over 60 film awards and 88 approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Vincent is in development on his next directing project "The Astronaut" with the financier of the Matrix and Fight Club.special makeup effects artist, creator, designer, and supervisor / creature effects and design artist, creator, designer, and supervisor- Sound Department
Jeremy Peirson is known for I Am Legend (2007), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) and Looper (2012).sound designer / supervising sound editor / sound re-recording mixer- Sound Department
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Peter Kurland was raised in Nashville and has been in production sound for 36 years including all Coen Brothers films, booming on 'Blood Simple' then mixing 'O Brother' through "Ballad of Buster Scruggs". He also mixed "Walk The Line" and many Barry Sonnenfeld films including "Men in Black" I, II. and III. He has won two Grammys, four Oscar nominations, a BAFTA and three CAS Awards. He lives in Nashville where he is Business Agent for IATSE Local 492 when otherwise unemployed.production sound mixer- Special Effects
- Producer
- Stunts
Matt Kutcher started Spectrum FX in 1993, and has established the brand as being a leader in the film and television industry, with resources to facilitate production worldwide.
Spectrum FX, has been recognized with awards and nominations from Visual Effects Society, Motion Picture Academy, Television Academy, Online Film and Television Association, and the International Press Academy. Spectrum has become the "go to" resource for projects involving complex mechanical effects, extreme environments, and challenging action sequences, regardless of location.
Spectrum FX has become as much a production company as it is a special effects company. With the addition of Donnie Dean, John Bush, Ty Abrahams, Justin Johnson, and Matt's sons Matthew and Zackary, the volume of quality work this team is able to facilitate is expanding exponentially by the day. Spectrum regularly operates from its headquarters in New Orleans and is able to simultaneously provide services across multiple television series and feature films, in multiple US states as well as internationally with it's team of Special Effects Coordinators.special effects supervisor- Visual Effects
- Special Effects
- Additional Crew
Since 1995, Mark Stetson has been working as a visual effects supervisor. In 1997, he won a BAFTA (British Academy) Award for visual effects in his debut effort, Luc Besson's The Fifth Element. In 2002, he won an Academy Award and his second BAFTA Award for visual effects in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings; The Fellowship of the Ring. In 2007, he was nominated for both his third Academy Award and his third BAFTA Award for Bryan Singer's Superman Returns. Stetson gained international recognition in 1982 for his miniature effects work on Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. He was nominated for his first Academy Award for his miniature effects work on 2010. He worked on over 50 films as a model shop/prop shop/creature shop supervisor, a designer/illustrator, an effects facility founder, and an art director.visual effects supervisor- Actor
- Writer
- Music Department
Born in Cheltenham, England, Richard Smith's family moved to Tauranga, New Zealand, in 1951 when his father, an accountant, decided to become a sheep farmer. Watching horror and science-fiction double features in nearby Hamilton, Smith added an interest in acting to his love of rock and roll. He moved back to England in 1964, tried singing, then became a movie stuntman and fringe theater actor. He changed his name to O'Brien (his beloved maternal grandmother's name) one day while on the phone to British Actors Equity, to avoid confusion with another Richard Smith. He met director Jim Sharman in 1972, when Sharman cast him in the dual roles of Apostle and Leper for the London stage production (transferred from Sharman's native Australia) of "Jesus Christ Superstar". Working again with Sharman on a production of Sam Shepard's "The Unseen Hand", O'Brien mentioned a new rock musical he'd been writing called "Rock Horror." The play went into rehearsals as "They Came from Denton High," and at Sharman's suggestion, was retitled "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" before opening in June 1973.writer- Producer
- Director
- Cinematographer
Barry Sonnenfeld was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from New York University Film School in 1978. He started work as director of photography on the Oscar-nominated In Our Water (1982). Then Joel Coen and Ethan Coen hired him for Blood Simple (1984). This film began his collaboration with the Coen Bros., who used him for their next two pictures, Raising Arizona (1987) and Miller's Crossing (1990). He also worked with Danny DeVito on his Throw Momma from the Train (1987) and Rob Reiner on When Harry Met Sally... (1989) and Misery (1990). Sonnenfeld got his first work as a director from Orion Pictures on The Addams Family (1991), a box-office success released in November 1991 followed by its sequel, Addams Family Values (1993). He received critical acclaim for his fourth directorial effort, Get Shorty (1995). Produced by Jersey Films and based on a novel by Elmore Leonard, the film won a Golden Globe for best male performance. In 1996 Steven Spielberg asked him to direct Men in Black (1997). Starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, the movie was a critical and financial smash. Producer Jon Peters then asked Sonnenfeld to direct Wild Wild West (1999), an adaptation of an old TV series. He also directed the comedy Big Trouble (2002), after which he made his most successful film sequel, Men in Black II (2002).director