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- Velma Connor and her identical twin sister, Thelma, started their careers on stage when they signed a singing contract with Gus Edwards in 1921. They toured the country with the Gus Edwards Revue until they soon caught the attention of the renowned Florence Zeigfeld. A new contract was signed and the twins headed to New York where they received some of the top billing at the Amsterdam Theatre for The Ziegfeld Follies 1922. They remained with the Follies through 1926. Throughout their stage career they worked with many great performers including Will Rogers, Gallagher and Shean, Gilda Gray, Fannie Brice, Sofie Tucker, and Bing Crosby. Many of the songs they performed were written especially for them by legendary writers including Cole Porter and Irving Berlin.
The twins left the theatre after the 1926 Follies ended. Each took their careers a different direction. Thelma continued her singing thru radio. She had her own broadcast show in New York.
Velma turned to motion pictures. She signed a contract with Universal Pictures and filmed dozens of silent westerns with cowboy stars Art Acord, Fred Hume, Jack Hoxie, Hoot Gibson, and Harry Carey. Art Acord nick-named her "Mickey", and that name stuck with her thru her family and closest friends for the rest of her life. After her contract ended with Universal, she signed with MGM. There she had the opportunity to work with legends Jean Harlow, William Powell, Rosalind Russell, Mickey Rooney, and Benny Rubin. Velma became well known and liked in Hollywood's circle. She made life-lasting friends with Jack and Flo Haley, Ray Bolger, Lurene Tuttle, the Duncan Sisters, Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton.
The twins returned to the stage in 1944. This time it was for a select audience. They were contracted under the William Morris Agency by Abe Lastfogel to appear for Camp Shows, Inc. with the USO. Their assignments were mostly in the hospitals for the wounded. After one of their performances, a nurse stopped them as they were leaving to thank them and to let them know that their beautiful singing voices had profoundly affected one of their patients. He had been unresponsive until that day. She thanked the twins for "bringing him back".
Velma officially retired as an actress in 1947, but she never left what she fondly referred to as "the business"! She remained in the industry through her active memberships with The Ziegfeld Club, Inc., Screen Actors Guild, and serving as a Board Member for the Film Welfare League.
Velma died on July 19, 1987 in Los Angeles. She was 82 years old. - Actor
- Director
- Writer
Fred Sadoff was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 21, 1926 to Henry Sadoff from Philadelphia and Bertha Leib Sadoff from Russia. He was the youngest in the family, his older brother Robert having been born in 1921. He served a year in the military from 1943-1944 and, when he got out, decided to give acting a try. He first cut his teeth in acting on the Broadway stage, appearing in "Wish You Were Here" in 1947 and the original production of "South Pacific". He got his film break in 1958, working with Audie Murphy and Michael Redgrave in The Quiet American (1958) as Dominguez. One role he appeared in, and was not given credit for, was a small speaking part in the (1952) movie Viva Zapata! (1952). He was still more interested in the live theater than in movies, though, and felt that film did not offer enough depth for acting. He was also interested in directing plays.
After having met Redgrave, Fred decided to move to Europe and secured a contract to direct plays. He formed his own company, "F.E.S. Plays Ltd.", which stood for Frederick Edward Sadoff. He spent a lot of time with Michael Redgrave and his family. His production company was doing quite well in England, producing such plays as "Huey" and "The Importance of Being Oscar". For ten years, things were going well, but then his life took a turn and things began to change. He never married and kept a rather secluded lifestyle, with a secret nobody knew very much about, as things like that were not talked about in those days. His company also ran into financial problems in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He felt it was time to move on in his life. He alternated between returning to the United States to do television series and then going back to Europe to finish dealing with the closing of his company.
It was not until 1972 that the movie industry would really notice Fred. A book written by Paul Gallico was being made into a movie. The film was The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and Fred played the character Linarcos. The film was a gigantic classic and Fred's film and television career skyrocketed. However, he still wanted to keep directing live theater and, to that end, formed a new company in Hollywood, The Actors Studio, with another actor, and he eventually moved to Los Angeles in 1974. Fred kept up a steady flow of work, appearing in such series as Barney Miller (1975) and The Rockford Files (1974) and had a recurring role as Dr. Lenny Murchison on The Streets of San Francisco (1972). He did several feature films and made-for-TV movies. His life was going in the direction he really wanted, admired by fans for his resonant voice and commanding appearance. He did not want a regular part on a series, preferring to appear in a series only as long as necessary.
He appeared on several soap operas, including Ryan's Hope (1975), All My Children (1970) and Days of Our Lives (1965). One of the last movies he did was the made-for-TV film The Murder of Mary Phagan (1988). He did not have a speaking part--he appeared in the last part of the movie--but was instantly recognizable. As it turned out, Fred was HIV-positive and was slowly dying of AIDS. It was in late 1993 that he realized he could not keep up the pace he had. Fred Sadoff died on May 6, 1994, peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, California. He gave much and those of us who recognized what he did, know that this was an actor who never got the due he richly deserved. He will truly be missed by all of us, those who loved him and those in the acting industry who could have benefited from his wealth of hard work and dedication it takes to be a class actor that he was.- Producer
- Writer
Giuseppe Ralph Janni, was born in Milan. His paternal grandfather was from Trieste (originally under Austrian rule but later reverted back to Italy) and was Chairman of Lloyd Triestino, specialising in shipping to India, and his grandmother was English. Janni's father, Rudi, was born in Rangoon in Burma and Janni's mother, Natalia, was Italian from a Milanese Jewish family.
Janni grew up during the years of Mussolini's rise to power. After leaving school,Janni attended the Milan Politecnico to study industrial engineering, but later switched to civil engineering. It was while Janni was a student in Milan that he first became seriously interested in films. He joined a university cine-club and worked on a co-operative amateur film venture. Each year Italian universities organised an annual Littoriali dello cultura competition sponsored by the Ministry of Education. One of the categories was film-making. With no money or sponsorship he set about finding a subject, script and actors for their project E Arrivato quel Signore (A Gentleman has Arrived). Some of his contemporaries, who went on to become successful in the Italian film industry, such as 'Renato Castellani' (who was a close friend), 'Luigi Comencini' and 'Nino Rota' attended the same university. Janni's film was completed and entered for the competition at the end of 1938. The judging took place in Venice and the film won first prize receiving the Scudetto D'Oro (golden shield). The euphoria as a result of this was to be short-lived. The film was disqualified because he was Jewish, due to the the Manifesto of racial laws introduced in November 1938. Finishing his degree in 1939, Janni discovered that he was also unable to receive his degree because he was 'of the Jewish race'.
As the situation deteriorated in Italy, Janni, together with his mother, (Janni's father, who had suffered ill health for many years, died in 1938) and uncle left Italy making their way to England, where they settled in Manchester. A few days after he had arrived, on 3 September 1939 Britain and France declared war on Germany. Janni did some work for the Ministry of Information writing satirical poems and humorous sketches against Fascism. Through an old friend of his Grandfather, Janni received an introduction to the film producer, 'John Sutro'. However, his brief introduction to the British film world was soon cut short as war between Italy and the Allies was declared and he became an enemy alien. Janni was taken to the Metropole camp on the Isle of Man. Following his release from internment in December 1940, he returned to London where he reacquainted himself with the contacts made in the film industry shortly after he had arrived in England.
Janni got his real introduction to the British film industry in 1941 by becoming an assistant to John Sutro who had his own production company, Ortus Films. Sutro was the production manager for the Powell and Pressburger film 49th Parallel (1941) and although it is not clear what role Janni had on this film, it is recorded that this was the first film that he was involved with. He later became assistant producer to 'John Corfield' and was associated with the production of He Found a Star (1941) a musical, and _Headlines (1943)_ a crime thriller. He set up his own production company, Vic Films in 1948 and his first film _A Glass Mountain (1949)_, was bases on an original idea of his with the music written by Nino Rota. It was a box-office success and one of the few films to be re-issued twice.
During his early film career he worked with the directors, 'Pat Jackson', White Corridors (1951) and Something Money Can't Buy (1952); 'Mario Camerini', _Honeymoon Deferred (1951)_; Renato Castellani, Romeo and Juliet (1954) and 'Jack Lee', _A Town Like Alice (1956)_, Robbery Under Arms (1957) and _The Captain's Table (1959)_. Although Janni's most important contribution to the British film industry was not made until 1962, when he teamed up with 'John Schlesinger' to make A Kind of Loving (1962) and the British 'New Wave' was well underway, it is his early years that helped shape his future role in the industry. As an 'Italian in the English School' his cultural background, early film training in Italy and the traumas of war all contributed to his passion for making 'realist' films.- Producer
- Additional Crew
Alexander Salkind is the legendary film producer. His father, Michael Salkind, was also a well-known, successful film producer. Also known as Alex Salkind, he was the father of Ilya Salkind. They were partners for decades, teaming up on the hits The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974), and taking credit for producing the first "comic book movie" with the blockbuster Superman (1978), which they followed with Superman II (1980) and Superman III (1983).
Together, the Salkinds are possibly one of the most successful father/son producing teams in motion picture history.- Gorgeous and reserved actress and dancer Mildred Boyd had a three decade movie career, starting in the 1920s in silents to the 1950s she graced the screen with her modest but illuminating, youthful presence whether in bit parts or dancing parts. Mildred Boyd is another unsung black performer and actress who goes uncredited in the history of entertainment and movie history, though she has contributed her talent and beauty to many films, some where she had gone uncredited, her warm presence was always a contribution to any film. Mildred was born in Tennessee and came to Los Angeles, California either during her teens or early 20s where she became a chorus girl at one of the premier black nightclubs on the West Coast, The Sebastian's Cotton Club, where she danced for many years and on the side she did movie work. Like girls of all races, pretty Mildred wanted to be in pictures, with the few roles offered to blacks being that of maids, Mildred played maid roles but played those roles with dignity, offering other admirable characteristics to the roles like her beauty, charm, and refinement, not only did she play maid roles, she contributed her dancing talents to Hollywood films that had black musical numbers and she danced as well in L.A. Black Cinema/Race films that had musical numbers and also doubled as an extra in those films. In some of the race films Mildred got a chance to really act where she proved herself a classy, demure actress without the maid costume. In the mid-1940s, she performed in quite a few soundies, she also starred in a soundie dancing with another female partner titled "Mildred and Bow" where Mildred showed her boogie talent. There were a few Hollywood films, such as "I Love a Bandleader" and film noir classic "Out of the Past" where Mildred got a chance to come out of the maid roles and give impressive performances as a true actress playing someone from all walks of life.
In the 1950s, Mildred retired from show business and along with it overlooked and forgotten in the field of entertainment, Golden Era Cinema, and black entertainment history. - Music Department
- Writer
- Composer
Gene Raskin was a very accomplished person - first, an architect, then a professor at Columbia University, then, a "variety act" duo with his wife: "Gene & Francesca", and, most notably, but definitely not most fascinating; Gene adapted a melody sung to him as a child by his Russian mother: this became the folk-pop song, "Those Were the Days", recorded by Mary Hopkin and produced by Paul McCartney.- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Harold Nebenzal, born in Berlin, is third in the line of film producers. After serving in the Marine Corps during WWll as a Japanese interpreter, he was apprenticed in film production at the Samuel Goldwyn Studios. Subsequently, he wore many hats as producer, assoc. producer, production supervisor, and screenwriter for the films of John Huston, Ingmar Bergman, Billy Wilder, Bob Fosse, Joe Losey, Carlo Ponti, Dino De Laurentis, etc. Nebenzal has worked with such legendary actors as William Holden, Liza Minelli, Deborah Kerr, Michael Caine, Sidney Poitier, Robert Mitchum, Marcello Mastroianni, and Sophia Loren. He has also authored a number of novels including the highly acclaimed Cafe Berlin. He has 2 children by actress Paula Corday and is presently married to Dorothy Lee and has a beloved cat named Sunshine.- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Andrew Prine, a well-known stage actor also known for military and western dramas, was first seen in Kiss Her Goodbye (1959), then in The Miracle Worker (1962). Prine, who has a Texan-sounding voice, was also well remembered in westerns like Texas Across the River (1966), Generation (1969) and Chisum (1970), which featured his close and well-known friends Christopher George, John Wayne and Richard Jaeckel. Prine next starred in Simon, King of the Witches (1971), One Little Indian (1973), The Centerfold Girls (1974) and Grizzly (1976), which also featured Christopher George and Richard Jaeckel. Prine also wrote his own little dialogue story for Grizzly (1976). During this time, through the '60s and '70s, Prine was married four times but kept his acting career up. Prine later was in The Evil (1978), Amityville II: The Possession (1982), Eliminators (1986), Chill Factor (1989) and Gettysburg (1993), which got Prine a big and great role. Prine is a great veteran actor in Hollywood who will always be remembered. He has also been in over 30 great films and made 79 guest appearances.- Milly Shapiro is an American actress and singer. She starred in the 2018 horror film Hereditary and originated the role of Matilda Wormwood in the Broadway production of Matilda. She has also played Sally Brown in an Off-Broadway production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. In 2021 she co-created the band AFTERxCLASS writing and singing for the band.
- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Deborah Richter was born September 7, 1961 and began working in TV and film as a young teen. She first became known for multiple TV series guest roles and Teen genre movies. She played Daryl Ann on Hill Street Blues from 1982-87 and was a series regular in the NBC sit com "All Is Forgiven". She also starred in "Square Dance" with Winona Ryder and Rob Lowe, in "Cyborg" with Jean Claude Van Damme in 1990. She is also known for producing and starring in a web series for Bad Possum Productions.- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Writer/Actress/Humanitarian, IMANI HAKIM is most recognized for portraying Olympic Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas in Lifetime's award winning TV movie, THE GABBY DOUGLAS STORY. In addition to her series regular role of Tonya, sister to Tyler James Williams Chris Rock in the acclaimed series EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS. Some of Imani's film credits include the Sundance Film Festival BURNING SANDS which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize, Syfy's mega TV movie SHARKNADO 4, and a lead role in Blumhouse's CAM a Netflix original. Imani is a series regular on MYTHIC QUEST, a comedy series for Apple from Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Megan Ganz which was picked up for a second season prior to the 2020 series launch.
As well as her film and TV work, Imani is passionate in serving her community. She was awarded "Youth Entertainer of The Year" for her dedication as a youth actor by the U.S. House of Representatives, United States Senate, The City of Los Angeles, The Los Angeles Police Department, and The Sheriff's Department."- Actress
- Director
- Producer
Katie Featherston is perhaps best known for playing the lead role in Paramount's 2009 smash hit Paranormal Activity, which earned her the Best Actress award at the 2009 Screamfest Film Festival. Made on a budget of approximately $15,000, the movie earned over $100 million dollars at the US box office, making it one of the most profitable movies ever made. Featherston has also appeared in the subsequent sequels, and was brought on to appear in multiple episodes of ABC's The River produced by Steven Spielberg.
Katie received her BFA from Southern Methodist University and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and family.- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Deborah Voorhees is the powerhouse her production company Voorhees Films, which has produced her most recent film is 13 Fanboy, which comes out October 22, 2021 in select theaters and on most major VOD, InDemand, and Pay-Per-View platforms. "The new film by director Deborah Voorhees follows the real-life cast of Friday the 13th and other horror icons as they are relentlessly stalked and gruesomely killed by a maniac who is obsessed with them and their films. This suspenseful shocker is loaded with old-school slasher film kills, gore and an intelligent and relevant story that delves into the psychology of stalking," writes Brian Steward, Fantasm Presents.
In 2015, Voorhees' screenplay Genevieve was an official selection of the Beverly Hills Film Festival. Her short film and music video Hip Hop Hamlet was an official selection of Kenneth Branagh's Shakespeare Film Festival, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England and played in 2016 at the Elsinore Shakespeare Conference in Denmark, as did her short film Othello: Good Night My Sweet. In 2014, Voorhees released her first full-length feature film Billy Shakespeare, which asks, What if William Shakespeare never existed until? Our Modern Bard is caught in a love triangle of confused sexuality, cross dressing, mistaken identity, and bedroom trysts. The film won the Bardie Award from The Shakespeare Standard. The quirky, off-beat film has been compared to the indie hit Waiting for Guffman and is now available on Amazon and IndieReign.com. Voorhees wrote, directed and produced the indie film, with her company Voorhees Films (VoorheesFilms.com).
The film has received many stellar reviews: "Billy Shakespeare" is a spicy little independent film by Deborah Voorhees that imagines what might happen if William Shakespeare tried to make it as a writer in today's Hollywood rather than Elizabethan England. Quirky characters, compromising situations, and the kind of deadpan humor that fans of Waiting For Guffman will recognize collide with hilarious moments of camp to create a madcap world in which young Billy just can't get a break," writes Ellen Dostal with Broadway World. "...hilarious campy romp," says film critic Robert Kirchgassner with The Examiner. "Billy Shakespeare...for any Shakespeare lover should not miss for the world," writes Germana Maciocci, Italian film and theater critic with The Shakespeare Standard. "No other Billy like it! He's out of the box!" writes Arje Shaw Broadway playwright and creator of The Sonnet Man Hip Hop Shakespeare Fusion "Jason D. Johnson's interpretation of the title role is a marvel of emotional complexity. The element of comedy is at once rambunctious and bittersweet," writes film critic Michael H. Price "Definitely a future cult movie like Rocky Horror Picture Show," Sharon Stewart, fan Voorhees has just completed editing a dark comedy she directed titled Catching Up, written by New York playwright Tom Sime, and sent it to her award-winning composer Tamer Ciray. The film is about a socialite who becomes morbidly fascinated with an ex-con's past.
Voorhees' career as a writer began in 1990 at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. As a 16-year veteran journalist (mostly with The Dallas Morning News), she has covered a variety of stories: a mother on death row for killing her abusive husband, a schizophrenic psyche patient at the Austin State Hospital (who's also a nationally known folk artist), the fall of communism through the eyes of a Russian immigrant, a profile on Texas rancher Nan West (she's good with a gun, but never goes into town unless she dons a dress), a horseback adventure through the Badlands of Mexico (she rode illegally across the border for that story), master African-American muralist John Biggers' journey through the white art world.
Besides shooting indie films and music videos, Voorhees also shoots live concerts and theatrical and dance stage productions. Before directing and writing screenplays, Voorhees worked in Hollywood as an actress for Paramount Pictures horror franchise Friday the 13th, Part V, CBS's nighttime drama Dallas, NBC's detective drama Riptide, the day-time soap Days of Our Lives and many others.
Voorhees has also taught Acting for Film at Eastern New Mexico University as well as British Literature and journalism in Texas and New Mexico. As a journalist, she has written and edited for The Dallas Morning News, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Front Desk magazine, Modern Luxury magazine, and The Shakespeare Standard. Learn more about Voorhees and her company at VoorheesFilms.com.- Deborah Offner was born in NYC. Her father was Mortimer Offner, a blacklisted screenwriter. He wrote many of Katherine Hepburn's early films, was a well known portrait and studio photographer, and directed and produced on television and Broadway before his career was cut short. Her mother, Pauline, was a photography editor and worked for the first medical photography journal, "Scope". Deborah went to Sarah Lawrence College and NYU School Of The Arts. She has worked extensively in NY and regional theatre, including "Hair" on Broadway and many plays at Joseph Papp's Public Theatre, and 4 summers at the Eugene O'Neill Playwright's Conference. She currently (2010) lives in NY and Los Angeles, and is a song writer, playwright and director as well as an actress.
- Deborah Lynn Tucker was born in Evanston, IL and grew up in the Chicago area. She competed nationally and internationally as a figure skater and was the 1985 World University Games Ladies' Bronze Medalist, before graduating from Boston University with a bachelor degree in Broadcasting and Film.
Deciding to transfer her love of performing from ice to stage and screen, she studied at the Actor's Institute in London and Oxford School of Drama, followed by a performance at the Edinburgh Festival. Six months after arriving in Hollywood she landed a series regular role on sitcom "Living Dolls" followed by a recurring role on "Dallas", enjoying back-to-back employment between comedy and drama genres.
After a few more years of working in Teen and early 20's roles, it was time to grow up off screen. She married Ron Markezich in 1996 and they relocated to Seattle to begin a family. They have four children born in less than 3 1/2 years, including twins. As the children were in school, the "acting bug" bit again and Deborah returned to work in a leading role on a corporate film series (2008-2013) as well as some short films in the area. She continues to work on films, traveling between the Pacific Northwest, Los Angeles, Vancouver B.C., Texas, and hopefully soon to the Southeastern U.S. market as her oldest heads to college across the country and she'd like to combine work with Mom visits! - Actress
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Chloe Breen was bitten by the acting bug at the young age of four after being cast in a local commercial for a community hospital. Since then, it has been her passion and her dream to entertain, enchant, enlighten, and make people laugh. Chloe respects the profession, at all levels, and right out of college, she worked as a PA on the film Down Low and worked closely with the cast, directors, producers and staff. Learning the business from behind the scenes right out of the gate gave Chloe a greater respect for all that goes into the making of a film.
More recently, Chloe has been cast in several horror/thriller films, where she has unfurled a new skill-set. Chloe has also been able to pivot quickly between roles and recently was cast as a lead in an independent Christmas comedy film. Bringing all her skills together, Chloe also landed a role in The Mask Reboot. Chloe feels blessed to be part of an industry that is evolving constantly and is eager to share her talent with the world. She credits her successes to date to her unflappable and incredible family who has supported and inspired her dream from the start.- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Deborah Geffner is an actress, writer, director, singer, dancer, filmmaker, coach, animal-lover, and mom. She is best recognized for her role in Bob Fosse's Oscar-winning film All That Jazz (1979). You've seen her on TV in ER (1994), Grey's Anatomy (2005), Monk (2002), and Criminal Minds (2005), among others, and in films such as Living Out Loud (1998), Infestation, and Exterminator 2 (1984).
Deborah's passion is telling stories. She has loved acting ever since the age of five when she filled in for the little boy who got the measles on opening night of the Caucasian Chalk Circle at Carnegie Mellon. She got to say lines, fence with boys and eat cookies on stage. And at the end everyone applauded for her! (What could be better?!) Later engagements included 2 ½ years on Broadway in the original run of "A Chorus Line", the Broadway revival of "Pal Joey" and "Accomplice" at the Pasadena Playhouse.
While in New York, Deborah studied at Juilliard, at HB Studios and with great teachers: Larry Moss, Sam Schacht, then in Los Angeles with Peggy Feury, Peter Flood, The Groundlings, and the wonderful Richard Seyd. Soon after moving to LA, she was cast as a series regular in the pilot "Century Hill" and in the TV-movie Legs (1983). She starred as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette in Manhattan with one of her idols Gwen Verdon. It was there, on the day after Valentine's Day, that her boyfriend flew to New York and proposed to her in the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge after a snowstorm. They are still married.
After a break to raise two bizarre, sweet and fascinating daughters, she returned to acting full time and started writing, directing, and producing. She considers directing very relaxing. After living with teenagers, she finds it refreshing to have people actually listen to her.
She has made three award-winning short films to date, and directed three plays which got rave reviews. The last was chosen for Best Of Fringe in the 2012 Hollywood Fringe Festival.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Graduated from NATFA (National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts) in Bulgaria in 2011, Ivo is half Russian/half Bulgarian. Latest projects are Disney movie "The Princess" with Joey King and "Hitman's wife Bodyguard 2" with Ryan Reynolds. His theatre début was in 2009 with the role of Billy in Edward Albee's play "The Goat or Who is Sylvia" under his direction at the National Theatre. In the same year he participated in his first movie "Sneakers", which in 2012 - it won a prestigious awards presented by Geraldine Chaplin. His latest projects are a crime TV series named "The Family", TV drama "Dear Heirs" 2018 and TV comedy "Sunny Beach" 2019. He has more than 15 years of experience as an actor, and more than 30 played lead roles in both theatre and films. Ivo also played parts in movies with Jean Claude van Damme, Tom Sizemore, Vinnie Jones, Sam Spruell, Joey King, Rayan Reynolds, Salma Hayek and more.- Actress
- Producer
Sarah May Sommers is an Actress and Producer born and raised along the coastline of Los Angeles. At the ripe old age of 6, Sommers started performing in local theater companies, and later gravitated towards film - for acting as well as producing her own projects. Having both parents in the film industry Sarah was able to specify and articulate her course very early; extrapolating the parts of media production that best serve honest and diverse story telling.- Actress
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Producer
Deborah Lane Spencer (Actress, Director, Musician, Recording Engineer and Writer) Deb is from Detroit , MI but moved to Chicago (2009-2013) Producing Music and Acting with several Major Theater Companies including the Black Ensemble theater owned by the legendary Jackie Taylor. In 2013 Deborah returned back to Detroit and made her first TV20 debut with a Cameo appearance on Because we're Men playing "Takisha" which you can watch now on YouTube (Episode Glitter Effect) and she worked at the Star Factory as a Recording Engineer. Deborah has acted in 27 Stage plays 8 National Stage plays in Chicago, Alabama, Texas, Atlanta just to name a few, 14 Films and Assistant Directed for 3 Films. Want to see Deb in Action? On Tubi there's ( In a Sentimental Mood, Dear Future Husband, Birthday Behavior and Meeting Boone) or watch her on Amazon Prime (McGraw Ave, Forbidden) Deborah Lane's Motto is "I live to give", be it my time, my God given gifts or a kind word. Deborah is also the proud owner of "I REELY ACT LLC" a theatre school focused on teaching and giving Actors the proper recourses to thrive.- Courtney Tailor is an actress, known for Everybody Wants Some (2016). She was born in Midland, Texas in 1996 as Courtney Taylor Clenney. Her family moved to Austin, Texas when she was 7 years old. As a child, she took pride in her ability to entertain her friends and family, so from a very young age Courtney knew that she wanted a career in acting.
In Austin, Courtney has worked as a model and has had roles working in commercials and occasionally as an extra. Courtney now resides in Los Angeles. - Actress
- Producer
- Director
Deborah Dutch began her career on Broadway. Her destiny then led her to Hollywood to makes her dreams come true.
One of her first films was a kung-fu epic called America bangmungaeg (1976) (aka "Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave"), which earned her celebrity status in South Korea. Eventually, she got her break in "A" films with a cameo in The Amazing Howard Hughes (1977) with Tommy Lee Jones. She landed roles in Protocol (1984) with Goldie Hawn, The Man Who Wasn't There (1983) with Steve Guttenberg, D.C. Cab (1983) with Gary Busey, Action Jackson (1988) with Carl Weathers and such TV series as Miami Vice (1984), General Hospital (1963) and The Young and the Restless (1973).
Deborah became a "Scream Queen" from starring in many "B" horror movies. Among the most notable of them are Sorority Girls and the Creature from Hell (1990) (frequently shown on USA's "Up All Night"), Hard to Die (1990)--a Roger Corman cult classic--and the erotic hit Death Dancers (1993).
Deborah's newest releases are Dead Air (1999), in which she stars, and Baberellas (2003) as a guest star, a sci-fi comedy for Showtime movie channel. She has appeared in The Last Run (2004) starring Fred Savage and directed by Jonathan Segal, and American Ride (2005), a Gold-Dust Entertainment film.
Deborah Dutch has been in over 40 films, has been a cover girl for many magazines and is known worldwide through published trading cards, many media articles, and magazine pictorials. She is very excited about her own movie project in development, "The Hollywood Warrioress". She has created the concept and will star in the movie as well. There will also be a comic book modeled by her "Hollywood Warrioress". It is soon to debut. A model kit is also on the market called "The Warrior Goddess" with unlimited merchandising as a spin off.
Her motto is "never give up on your dreams..."- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Alejandra Toussaint was born in Mexico City. Writers' daughter and with everyone in her family involved in some kind of artistic branch she started to develop her skills at an early age. When turning 18 years old, she took advantage of her French-Mexican nationality to move to France and study acting. She gets into "Actor's Sud" school in Marseille and then perfects her skills in cinema acting with Patricia Sterlin in Paris. She decides to return to Mexico not without acting in various shorts in France. Alejandra Toussaint is a very experienced versatile actress. In cinema she has appeared in many movies, among the most notorious are: "Morgana" (2012); "Entre Piernas" (2010) and "Volverte a ver" (2008). In T.V. she has acted in the following soap operas: "Hasta que el dinero nos separe" and "Tormenta en el Paraiso". Alejandra was selected as spokeswoman for natural reserves in Mexico, hosting "Accion ecosistemas". Theatre being her great passion, she has been part of many national and international plays showed in diverse festivals. She has been directed by Jodorowsky, Gabriel Retes, Celine Pitavy, Pierre Courrege, etc.- Actress
- Writer
- Director
Young actress, singer, scriptwriter, and songwriter Taylor Castro was born on September 29th, 1999 in Broward County, Florida. She is best known for her acting roles in a series of killer-themed movies produced by Concord Films. Her most notable roles are Ayla in the Lifetime movie "Girlfriend Killer (2017)" (2017) and Abbey in "Marriage Killer (2019)." Her newest leading actress role is Mia Rodson, an up-and-coming singer learning to deal with fame in "Dream Killer (2019)," set to release in 2019.
Since her childhood, even before her debut film role in "Assumed Memories (2013)" (2013) at age 12, Taylor's passion for acting, singing, and writing has only intensified with each year as she continuously increases her professional repertoire to include acting roles in feature films and songwriter credits on her debut album PURE including the hit singles "Be Strong" featured in the film "Boyfriend Killer (2017)" and "I Got You" featured in the film "Girlfriend Killer (2017)." Her music is heard on national radio stations and available for download on all major music streaming platforms.
Taylor's professionalism and talent has been exemplified with seasoned acting professionals such as Christy Carlson Romano, Kate Mansi, Jason Cook, Dina Meyer, Casper Van Dien, Corin Nemec, and Jason London. Taylor's ability to encompass and meticulously portray emotion has been recognized by the Los Angeles Film Awards, who named her Best Young Actress for her portrayal of the increasingly self-doubting, moody-yet-sweet pop-star Mia Rodson in "Dream Killer (2019)." The Actor's Awards, as well, have honored Taylor by recognizing her abilities and granting her the award of Best Young Actress for the role of Abbey, a shy, insecure teenager who comes to find confidence through her intellect in "Marriage Killer (2019)."
Alongside Christy Carlson Romano, Carson Rowland, Gail Soltys, Jacy King, Mia Matthews, Brian Gross, and Miguel Fasa, Taylor Castro has excelled as the leading role of Mia Rodson in "Dream Killer (2019)" (post-production), receiving the award for Best Ensemble by the Actor's Awards.
Apart from acting, Taylor Castro released her debut album PURE on December 9th, 2018 featuring 11 original tracks written and co-written by her and some of the top talent in Miami's music industry including Rudy Perez, Willy Perez-Feria, and Kyng David.
Taylor Castro is also an accomplished screenwriter, currently working on a full-length screenplay with aspirations to be producer and star.- Actress
- Producer
Freya, a dual citizen of Australia and Ireland was born and raised in Brisbane, where her passion for all things creative began at a tender age. Dancing, Singing, Musical Theatre and piano have all played an important part in Freya's development. Working with industry professionals on both features and short films has been a great privilege and allowed Freya the opportunity to reflect on how hard work and dedication have lead to opportunities of growth. Recently Freya worked alongside Anna Paquin and Josh Lawson in True Spirit as Young Emily Watson, she has starred as Young Fiona in Gordon Frosts production of Shrek the Musical and as Young Corsette in the QLD Conservatoriums production of Les Miserable. Freya has been cast in many lead roles in short films including character of Vee Metzger in Wendy&Vee working with Andrew Condor and Jean-Baptiste Canac. Whilst naturally talented Freya continues to explore all aspects of acting by participating in stunt works, attending acting courses, checking in with her mentors and always being ready for new opportunities. On set Freya is noted for her pleasant and helpful demeanor, she is professional, hardworking and willing to give anything a go. In her spare time she loves to dabble on her piano, has a love for the beach being a Surf Life Patroller on the Gold Coast, she also is part of The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme where she learns new skills, gets to go on big adventures and gives back to society through service opportunities.- Actress
- Writer
- Director
After earning a degree from the Sorbonne Film School in Paris and attending classes and workshops with John Strasberg , Jack Waltzer and Susan Batson from the Actors Studio, Crystel Amsalem makes her initial steps in the film industry at the University of California, Santa Barbara (U.C.S.B), where she directs her first short film ANOTHER GIRL.
Then, she works as an actress on several short films, feature films, TV shows, in France and in the U.S such as HIGHLANDER, NINE MONTHS, DIRTY TRICKS. She soon evolves to producing and directing shorts films and music video clips.
Crystel Amsalem directs her first feature film, WHEN ANGELS INTERFERE...., released in March 2006 in France, which won the Award for best actor, Alexandre Brasseur, at the Paris Film Festival. The film was also nominated in several festivals in New York, Boston, Melbourne, Palm Beach, Washington, and many other festivals all around the world...
She pursues her career as an actress in TV shows. She also directs many commercials and music video clips in France and in the U.S.
Currently, Crystel Amsalem is about to direct her second feature film ART, LOVE & MONEY, a female-driven film set in the art world, co-written with Patrick Levy.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Randy Jay Burrell is an American actor, writer, director and musician from Tampa, Florida. He is the son of Don Burrell, an insurance agency owner, and Laurie Burrell, a healthcare professional. Randy grew up in a close, loving, adventurous family and is the eldest of four children, three boys and one girl. His well-rounded childhood included family travels to Africa, Australia, Europe, playing football, basketball, surfing and martial arts plus, a household of pets.
From an early age, Randy knew he wanted to work in entertainment. At the tender age of 5, Randy displayed an actor's preparedness and generosity in his first theatrical role as the Tin Man in his Kindergarten production of "The Wizard of Oz." Randy knew all of his lines and those of the other characters, which saved the day when the Cowardly Lion forgot his lines and Randy was able to feed his young co-star the lines live on stage. As a boy, he liked creating his own home-movie documentaries of his action figures, getting into character every Halloween, and making people laugh.
Beginning at age 10, Randy worked professionally in modeling and acting in Miami, Tampa and Orlando for department stores, TV commercials, book covers and print ads. In his teens, his Uncle Tom introduced Randy to the acoustic guitar, which led to Randy teaching himself classic rock songs and writing his own music.
Randy attended the University of South Florida studying theatre performance and entertainment business. While in college, Randy acted in plays, commercials and independent film projects. Shortly before arriving in Los Angeles, he worked on the Florida location of the feature film "Dolphin Tale" (2011) as the double for Harry Connick, Jr. and enjoyed a round of golf with Connick's co-star Morgan Freeman, who motivated Randy to pursue his dream and move to Los Angeles.
Once in Los Angeles, Randy earned roles quickly in film, television and commercials. He also performed in an all original rock band in live venues on Sunset Boulevard and all around Los Angeles. Creative on the other side of the camera, Randy has written, directed and produced short films, tv pilots and Web series.
Acting has always been a passion of Randy's and he has his sights set on a full career like the greats he admires: Carrey, Costner, Hanks, DiCaprio and Eastwood, the latter whom he had the privilege of meeting in Los Angeles two weeks before filming "Doc Holliday's Revenge", Randy's first western and starring role in a feature.
In his free time, Randy enjoys music, movies, video games, all that is Marvel and DC, hiking, surfing, skating, exploring nature, traveling and rooting for his home state teams the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays and the Orlando Magic.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Douglas Taurel recently played Joe Petito in the upcoming Lifetime Movie, The Gabby Petito Story. He worked opposite Thora Birch, who also directed the film. He was cast as a voice in the popular video game Red Redemption and has appeared in numerous television shows and independent films. Including The Cobbler (starring Adam Sandler and Dustin Hoffman) and The Kindergarten Teacher (starring Maggie Gyllenhaal), which premiered at Sundance. He's built a seasoned resume with characters living on the edge of life. The Los Angeles Times said his work on Nurse Jackie, "Nurse Jackie gets her most fascinating character yet to date."
He recently finished directing and starring in the TV series Landing Home which he wrote. It recently earned Best Drama at the GI Film Festival, and he was nominated for Best Actor and Best First Time Director at the GI Film Festival. The series also earned Best Drama by the Wings of Honor Festival. It is now streaming on Amazon, Apple, Google Play, Tubi and Vudu, and Vimeo On Demand.
Douglas is well known for his solo show, The American Soldier, which has been nominated for the Amnesty International Award. A play that he wrote to honor Veterans and their families. It is based on actual letters from veterans and their families that span from the Revolution through the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is touring throughout the country and has performed in over 34 cities. Including notable spaces like The Kennedy Center in 2016 and 2019, The Library of Congress, and Off-Broadway at 59east59th street. It earned four out of 5 stars at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and The Huffington Post said the play was "Flawless and powerful ." It's been mentioned featured in The Washington Post, Washington Times, DC Metro, US Veteran Magazine, Austin Chronicle, Broadway World, The Military Times, Playbill, and Time Out, to name a few.
As a writer, he was commissioned by the Library of Congress to write, create and perform his second solo show, An American Soldier's Journey Home. It commemorates the ending of the First World War and tells the story of Irving Greenwald, a soldier in the 308 Regiment and part of the Lost Battalion. He has performed the play twice at the Library of Congress and the Hoboken Museum.
In addition, he's been nominated for the Innovative Theatre Award. He has performed in numerous Off-Broadway productions in some of New York's most established theaters, and The New York Times said his work as George in Of Mice and Men. "Douglas Taurel is a fine actor." Other Off-Broadway plays include Hard Rain (Cherry Lane Theatre), An Enemy of the People (Barrow Group Theatre), (The Shakespeare Project), Gloria(Playwrights Horizons), The Deputy (Theatre for a New Audience), and King Lear (Houston Shakespeare Festival). He reversed both roles of Lee & Austin in True West at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Three Weeks Daily, saying his portrayal of Austin was "a moving and stunning work by an actor."
Douglas grew up in Houston, Texas, and is the son of Latin American parents. His mother is from Colombia, and his father is from Argentina and is fluent in Spanish. Constantly challenging himself mentally and physically, Douglas boxed in college, has run two marathons (New York & Philadelphia), bagged all 10 Scottish Munros, and ran with the bulls in Spain on his honeymoon, and in 2012 climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. He's lives in Hoboken, New Jersey, loves a good bourbon, and is an Ole Miss alumni.- Actress
- Producer
Rough. Brusque and thorny. But there's a soft gooey center inside. Recognized most often as Olga, the Penguin's devious Russian maid on Gotham, she has also appeared in Prodigal Son as Luisa (a Russian maid), Motherless Brooklyn, Eighth Grade, Orange Is the New Black, Kevin Can Wait, Difficult People, and the up-coming Dash and Lily. Hang around. It ain't boring.- Amanda was born in 2003 in the suburbs of California. When she became of school age she was quickly known as the "Very Quiet Girl" , although before long she had amazed her friends and teachers when she had the opportunity to perform on stage. Amanda enjoyed performing as the lead and co-lead in several musicals at her school and community.
In 2015, Amanda pursued the Hollywood Entertainment Industry. The First lead role Amanda landed was in a Student Film Thesis The Evans Girl (2016) in which she performed as "Eliza Evans". This Short film has been presented in many film festivals. As a result, Amanda has been nominated at the _First Glance Festival of Los Angeles(2017)_ as the "Best Young Actor" Award.
After performing in several industrial commercials and Music Videos , Amanda was cast as a guest star on the CBS hit show " Young Sheldon". Since becoming a member of the Sag-Aftra union, Amanda now resides in Los Angeles to better pursue her acting career. - Actress
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Deborah Grausman is an actor, singer, voiceover artist, and producer. She can be heard as the voice Smartie, Elmo's new friend on "Sesame Street," airing on HBO and PBS. In addition to her voiceover work, she has delighted audiences across the U.S. and Canada as Chava in the North American Tour of "Fiddler on the Roof," starring the film's star, Topol, and later, Harvey Fierstein and Theodore Bikel.
Deborah's voice has been heard on national campaigns for Subway, Liberty Mutual, and on promos for Food Network. Recently, she recorded the audiobook, "What the Night Sings" (Penguin Random House), and she is in development for the new series, "Two Sopranos and a Chef."
Producing and fundraising efforts include the critically-acclaimed "Broadway in the Berkshires" (with hosts Dick Cavett, John Douglas Thompson, and Chip Zien) benefitting Shakespeare & Company, "Broadway in Charlottesville" benefitting Charlottesville Opera, and "Fiddlin' Around," a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS with host, Harvey Fierstein.
Deborah spends her free time serving on the boards of two nonprofit organizations, the Edna Y. Schwartz Scholarship Fund and Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP). A native New Yorker, Deborah is a graduate of Duke University and The Spence School, is a member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA, and is the sister of filmmaker, Jennifer Grausman.- Deborah Estelle Philips is an American Actress and Southern California native. Multicultural in background, Deborah is of Jamaican and Trinidadian descent. At a young age, she enjoyed exploring her artistic expression, but did not pursue a career in Hollywood until her early twenties. After a few years of auditioning, she eventually began building momentum, making appearances on hit television shows such as 7th Heaven and Days of our Lives but was best known for her role as Katie Walker on Power Rangers Time Force.
Since then, Deborah has developed a passion for theater and began performing on-stage at The Rock Church World Outreach Center in San Bernardino with the creative ministry which led to writing, casting and directing. Deborah is an American Immersion Theater actress in Northern California and thoroughly enjoys every opportunity she has to connect with the power ranger fandom at various conventions throughout the world. - Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Anna Borchert is former ballet dancer, who grew up in Vermont but left to study acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre's conservatory program in NYC. After graduating, she moved to LA where she co-created Daughters of Pop, the first Instagram micro-series with over 80 episodes and 15k views per episode. She also co-wrote, produced and starred in The Day the AC Went Out which was a finalist at the Big Vision Empty Wallet film festival as well as co-writing, producing and starring in What Dreams Mae Come which was a finalist for the WIF B-STEM Hall of Fame Film Festival.- Actress
- Additional Crew
English/Canadian actress and model Tiffany Louise Hannam-Daniels was born in Poole, Dorset to her Canadian father and Bermudian mother.
At aged 7 her parents decided to send her to drama school to overcome her shyness where immediately Tiffany knew she wanted to be an actress. She studied singing, dance and acting appearing in numerous Musical Theatre and Shakespeare productions. Tiffany achieved top marks in all of her LAMDA exams up to Gold Medal, competed in the Speech & Drama section of the Bournemouth Music, Speech & Drama festivals for 11 consecutive years until age 18, winning numerous individual categories and both the Junior and Senior Championships twice. In addition she was honoured to receive the most outstanding competitor award in the drama section three times.
Her first professional role was at age 10 playing the young Jamie King in 'True True Lie', followed by a Disney Hannah Montana promo and voice over for the ghost of John Cusack's dead daughter in the adaption of Stephen King's feature film '1408', also starring Samuel L. Jackson. In November 2013 played the part of Gabriele Dillmann, the heroic German stewardess in the hijacking of Lufthansa flight 181 at Mogadishu in 1977, in a television docudrama.
Tiffany graduated with a BA Hons degree from the Arts University Bournemouth in 2016.
Her most recent role is in 'River Of Blood' filmed in Thailand, directed/filmed/produced by Howard J Ford and written by Tom Boyle, in which she acted as well as worked as production assistant.- Toshia Caityln Galligan, appearing opposite Jamie Foxx in the must-see Heaven sequence in Not Another Church Movie (2024). After several auditions and a screen test, Toshia landed her role as Earth Angel. Her delightful character, who bounces off the screen in this hilarious comedy, written and directed by Johnny Mack.
Toshia first made her debut in the entertainment industry as a teenager. She launched her career as a swimsuit model, quickly turning to fashion, and later, acting. Toshia first appeared on the screens, on TV Pilots and Music Videos; including the short film Art of Anarchy (2023), starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and directed by Dale Resteghini. - Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Constance Zaytoun is a New York-based actor, writer, and producer, best known for the role of Dr. Norton (psychiatrist), in the Hulu drama, "Saint X."
Zaytoun grew up in North Carolina as second-generation Lebanese-American, the youngest of nine children. She has degrees from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NYU, and CUNY Graduate Center, where she earned her PhD in Theatre Studies. She is also a certified associate teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®.
To gather material for her dissertation on the origins of feminist performance, Zaytoun interviewed visual and theatre artists over a home-cooked meal. The experience of talking with artists and cooking for them ultimately became the basis for "Constance Cooks," the award-winning culinary comedy series she created with her spouse, Marc Weitz. Marylouise Burke plays her character's academic mentor, and Isiah Whitlock, Jr., plays himself as the artist she is tracking down for an interview.
During the SAG/AFTRA strike in 2023, Zaytoun starred as Alex, in the Off-Broadway world premiere of "Sex Work/Sex Play," by Caytha Jentis. "Zaytoun invests Alex with a relatable mix of wry world weariness, resolve and poor impulse control." - Thinking Theater NYC- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Stunts
- Actor
Jeff Habberstad has been working in film for over 30 years. Starting as a stuntman specializing in aerial work, Jeff quickly made a name for himself, winning the award for "Best Aerial Stunt" in one of the first ever Stunt Awards. Jeff has gone on to receive 4 Emmy nominations, winning the Emmy for an action sequence he directed for the TV series, "Alias". Before starting in the film business, Jeff attended college in Washington State, specializing in the odd but productive combination of Engineering, Business and Film. This, along with a natural mechanical ability has led to some great innovations in wire work. Jeff has established himself as a creative and innovative 2nd Unit Director. His many notable credits include "Spider-man", "The Sixth Sense", "There Will Be Blood", the "X-Men" series and multiple Marvel films, including "Doctor Strange", for which he directed nearly the entire 3rd act. As seen on his resume, he has collaborated with many great filmmakers. Jeff is married to his wife, Debbie. They have 3 kids. The oldest, Trevor, an established stuntman and Stunt Coordinator, passed away at 27 from a rare form of cancer, delivering the worst possible blow to our family. Shane is a USC grad and is quickly advancing in the film business. The youngest is our daughter Allie, a USC grad, and the first of the kids to marry.- Actress
- Editor
- Writer
Deb Snyder's versatility as an actor shows in the variety of roles she plays. From national commercials and film to stage and television, she has worked with an impressive array of talent, both on and off camera. Snyder knows how to deliver a comedic performance, while keeping her characters grounded in reality, making the result both laughable and relatable.
Snyder recurred in a guest starring role as 'Dolores' on ABC's Season 2 of "mixed-ish." Dolores is a sad sack, needy junior attorney at Alicia's law firm who overshares way too much. Snyder's additional television work includes her role as 'Marsha' on the 'Kill Me' episode of HBO's "Big Little Lies," and guest appearances on "Life in Pieces," "Boston Legal," "Unscripted," "Sins of the City," and "General Hospital." Snyder has appeared in numerous national television commercials, playing a wide range of characters including a tuba-loving Mom and a hungry truck driver. Her 2019 Bombas Sock commercial, where she plays perfectly opposite a Yorkie Terrier mix, was 'one of the holiday's most talked about commercials,' per Ad Week. It was also chosen for the CW's Greatest Holiday Commercial Countdown!
Snyder's film credits include Random Hearts (directed by Sydney Pollack) where she played a clueless art gallery assistant opposite Harrison Ford and a starring feature role in Ang Lee's Pushing Hands. Other film credits include Landfall, Sins of the City, and Detour.
Snyder guest starred in the recurring role of 'Dolores' on ABC's Season 2 of "mixed-ish." Dolores is a sad sack, needy junior attorney at Alicia's law firm who overshares way too much. Snyder's additional television work includes her role as 'Marsha' on the 'Kill Me' episode of HBO's "Big Little Lies," and guest appearances on "Life in Pieces," "Boston Legal," "Unscripted," "Sins of the City," and "General Hospital." Snyder has appeared in numerous national television commercials, playing a wide range of characters including a tuba-loving Mom and a hungry truck driver. Her 2019 Bombas Sock commercial, where she plays perfectly opposite a Yorkie Terrier mix, was 'one of the holiday's most talked about commercials,' per Ad Week. It was chosen for the CW's Greatest Holiday Commercial Countdown.
Snyder received her MFA from Brandeis University in Boston. She studied overseas at British European Theatre Studies Group in London with teachers from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). She received her BA from Kalamazoo College.
When she isn't performing, Snyder enjoys spending quality time with her two rescue dogs and cat. She is a board member and volunteer for Urban Harvester, a nonprofit that connects untapped food resources to the nearest shelter, soup kitchen, and pantry.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
The daughter of an Air Force Lt. Colonel (Ret), Deborah Flora was born on March 9, 1965 in Izmir, Turkey as Deborah Riecks. She is an actress and producer, known for A Distant Thunder (2005), Lt. Dan Band: For the Common Good (2011) and Hip! Edgy! Quirky! (2002). She has been married to Jonathan Flora since July 2, 2000. They have two children.- Actress
- Director
- Cinematographer
Comedy writer, actress, filmmaker, and cartoonist. Based in NYC and Austin, TX. Deborah Finley was raised in the Northeast, and also live(d) in Brazil, Georgia, and Texas. She has a Masters degree in Communications from The University of Texas at Austin, where she studied journalism, photojournalism, filmmaking, and graphic design. She has Bachelor of Arts degree from Simmons College/University, where she concentrated on psychology, business and English.
As a actress, Deborah Finley has acted in a variety of films/shows: movies, TV, independent, shorts commercials, Web productions, theater improvisation, sketch comedy shows, and print. She studied comedy writing and improvisation at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), Magnet Theater, Peoples Improv Theater (The PIT), and Merlin Works (Zach Theatre). Also, studied theater and acting at American University, Texas State Theater, and Actors Connection NY. She joined SAG-AFTRA in 2015, and is now SAG-Core.
As a multimedia producer/filmmaker/photographer, Deborah Finley is typically, "a one-person band". She finds and produces her own multimedia stories, commercials and features. Finley shoots video, still photography, and records audio. She generates the story ideas, conducts the interviews, researches, writes, edits, and incorporates the graphics, and music. Sometimes, she includes her own graphics such as her cartoons and illustrations. Typically, she manages the entire production process, including generating ideas, meeting budgets and deadlines.
Deborah Finley's video feature stories were published in The Daily Texan. Several of Deborah Finley's films have been featured and won awards.
AWARDS:- Gulf Coast Film and Video Festival 2010, Best Documentary: Humble Trash
- 2010 Faces of Austin Multimedia Showcase Selection: Humble Trash
- REEL WOMEN 2010 Showcase SXSW Selection: Mind Over Polio
- 64th College Photographer of the Year (CPOY), Multimedia Category, Semi-Finalist: Mind Over Polio
- 2008 Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival, Student Category, Grand Prize: Mind Over Polio
- Austin Film Festival 2006 Humorous Short Film Competition, Finalist: Rock'n with Rocky
- Photographer's Forum magazine's College Photography Contest, Four-Time Finalist
- Producer
- Production Designer
- Director
Raaj Rahhi is a trailblazing force in the entertainment industry, and is based in the vibrant city of New York. With an impressive career spanning over 27 years, Raaj has established himself as an innovative producer, director, and distribution consultant. His constant endeavor is to leave his indelible stamp in the world of television, films, and media events.
Well known and well-respected for his exceptional talent and expertise, Raaj has collaborated with esteemed companies such as Sony Pictures, Lions Gate, Time Warner-Pictures House, HBO, and Fox Searchlight, to name just a few. His creative prowess has also caught the attention of international powerhouses like Universal, Magnolia Pictures, and Jackie Chan Production House, further solidifying his reputation as a highly regarded professional in his field.
Having worked extensively across the United States, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Africa, and beyond, Raaj possesses a unique understanding of global cinema and the intricacies of film production. His invaluable experience has shaped his perspective and allowed him to navigate the diverse, challenging and intricate landscapes of the entertainment industry with finesse and ease.
Raaj's educational background is equally impressive. He has studied Film Distribution and Production at New York University. He has done graduate work in Feature Filmmaking at the prestigious Hollywood Film Institute. Additionally, he holds a postgraduate degree in TV production and advertising from India. His education further enhances his comprehensive knowledge of the film industry.
In 2024-25, Raaj's focus will be in the co-production, acquisition, and distribution of Hollywood as well as Bollywood movies as well as more global content for electronic media. With his keen eye for captivating storytelling and his ability to identify promising projects, Raaj is at the forefront of bringing exceptional content to audiences across the globe.- Actress
- Producer
- Stunts
Lauren was born and raised in Central Florida. Her career on stage began at the age of 6 when she was given the lead role in a school play.
She began college when she was 16 and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at the age of 20. Then she moved to London to pursue a Master's degree in TV/Film Production with focus on Broadcast Journalism.
While in London, she worked in student television covering major stories. She became a skilled "one man band" journalist with knowledge and experience in writing, filming, interviewing, presenting and editing. She also interned at the BBC as a producer. For her dissertation, she traveled to South Africa and produced an in depth documentary on AIDS orphans.
Once Lauren completed her Master's Degree and returned to the U.S., she decided to pursue acting. She now resides in Los Angeles.- Jamie Ann Burke, a LA & NYC -based actress, graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Computer Science Specialization) degree. Burke is best known for her starring role in "The Power of The Heart," where she was flown to Amsterdam to portray a strong Rwandan survivor of the 1994 genocide. The film also stars the great Maya Angelou, Deepak Chopra, Isabel Allende, and Paulo Coelho. Jamie also starred in the 2016 Emmy Award Winning Short Film "Surviving an Active Shooter" where she collaborated with the Los Angeles Sheriff's department to bring an informative and dramatic project. Jamie loves the stage and electrified the audience in her portrayal of Queen Guinevere in Theatrum Elysium's Lady of Shallot. Jamie excels at African accents, physical comedy, martial arts, and high-stakes emotional expression as demonstrated in the Indie Sci-Fi Film "One Under The Sun," available on Amazon Prime Video. Jamie Ann Burke founded Thespian Heart Clothing, inspired by actors for the artistic at heart. Jamie trains in the Brazillian Martial Art of Capoeira, loves her 2 puppies Trinity (Aussiedoodle) & Neo (Irishdoodle), and hubby Jake.
- Writer
- Actor
- Director
Chip Perro was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the son of Rick Perro and Deborah Perro. A family move brought him to Massachusetts between years in middle school. Chip participated in drama and speech in high school, qualifying for Nationals in speech three years in a row. He graduated from Natick High School in 2002. Chip founded his production company, F.R. Perro Inc. while in college, and produced his first feature film, Remedial Attraction, before the start of his senior year. In 2006, Chip graduated from Harvard University through the Extension School.
A martial artist since the age of six, Chip holds a second degree black belt ranking with the Japanese Karate Association, and enjoys both choreographing and performing in his films.
Chip wrote and directed the action/drama series High Heel Samurai, an early web-television series debuting in 2007. In 2010, Chip wrote and directed Mission Park, a stylized superhero film. In 2018, Chip wrote and directed RoseForce. In 2020, Chip wrote and directed Lipstick Dojo, a martial arts drama.- Actor
- Director
- Composer
Corey Champagne was born and raised in Atlanta, Ga, where his desire to fulfill a career in Entertainment took shape. Named after character Corey Baker of the groundbreaking '60s series Julia. It seemed that from birth he was destined for the spotlight.
His breakout came when he starred as Kadeuce Porter in the Emmy winning Netflix limited series Seven Seconds alongside Regina King and Russell Hornsby for which he received critical acclaim. His work earned him a Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series/TV Movie. Corey has been featured in multiple Film and TV projects including The CW's supernatural drama The Originals in addition to various theater productions.
Although naturally gifted, Corey credits his formal acting training to the renowned Alliance Theatre starting at age six. While attending Alliance he was selected as a Junior Player and won the lead in the play The Case of the Missing Metaphors. As a graduate of North Springs Arts & Science Charter School (notable alumni include Usher & Raven-Symone), he immersed himself in multiple facets of the arts including Drama,Chorus, Photography, Broadcasting and Musical Theatre. He was chosen one of select student composers to write & star in a music video for the John Lennon Tour Bus. Fiercely determined to be heard, Corey performed every chance he got. Notably, he successfully won over the notorious crowd at the World Renowned Apollo Theatre's Amateur Night in Harlem,NY.
Corey attended Florida A&M University where he worked with the schools budding Music and Entertainment Industry Studies program before eventually transferring to Georgia State University majoring in Film.- Actor
- Additional Crew
Daniel, born in October, is a versatile actor celebrated for his contributions to both film and television. Renowned for his roles in Paramount's "Joe Pickett," HBO's "The Last of Us," and Epix's "Billy the Kid," Daniel has become a notable figure in the entertainment industry.
Prior to his acting career, Daniel showcased a diverse background as an athlete and musician, a testament to his multifaceted talents. Making the leap to acting in 2018, he has since left an indelible mark, featuring in various independent films and commercials.
Daniel's ability to embody diverse characters has garnered acclaim from audiences and industry peers alike, earning recognition from Actra and placing him in the limelight alongside his fellow actors.
Beyond acting, Daniel maintains a fervor for football, engages in stunts, and aspires to create his own films in the future.
With a burgeoning career and an expanding portfolio, Daniel continues to captivate audiences with his performances, leaving an enduring impact on the world of entertainment.- Actress
- Director
- Script and Continuity Department
Simone Haines is one of the most talented up and coming actresses hailing from Dallas, TX. While her resume continues to grow, Simone's credits include TV, film and national commercials. With a passion for dramatic and unique roles, Simone is surely on her way to a successful acting career.
Currently, Simone plays the leading role of 'Tweet' in Truffle Sauce, a coming-of-age drama short film directed by Isaac Yowman (Sony's upcoming biopic DJ Screw) and written by Shannan E. Johnson. The film examines how trauma presents itself when an unhealed and misguided 25-year-old college student tries to escape the grips of human trafficking by selling truffle sauce. "Simone Haines is a superstar. Remember I told you so," says Isaac Yowman, multi-platinum, Grammy & Stellar nominated music artist and filmmaker. The powerful film has partnered with United Against Human Trafficking, The Landing, and Compton Human Trafficking Task Force CHTTF.
Her other recent projects include Frame of Reference, Recession Proof (starring Clifton Powell) and Run Hide Fight (starring Radha Mitchell and Thomas Jane).- Michael C. Matthews was born in Chicago Illinois on May 2, 1962. He grew up on Chicago's South Side, nicknamed The Wild 100s, aka Chiraq. Michael was surrounded by violence, poverty, and crime. In spite of his circumstances, Michael had an intense love and burning desire for acting, singing, dancing, and performing. Michael performed and competed in plays, several talent shows, and debate tournaments, often taking first place.
He studied Drama at Chicago Vocational High School, inspired by artists like Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Mohammad Ali, and Billy Dee Williams. In the early 1980s, he moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue his dream to become a actor. He studied acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Selleck, Priscilla Presley, and Jermaine Jackson.
In 1986, Michael landed a lead role in a television movie, "The George McKenna Story", opposite Denzel Washington and Lynn Whitfield, later re-released as "Hard Lessons". The film topped television's Nielsen ratings and also won the The Christopher Award in a category of television specials. It was a game changer. Critics' reviews said newcomer Michael Matthews was compelling and gave a powerful performance. Michael gained instant notoriety. In 1987, Michael demonstrated his versatility in playing multiple roles as a guest star in "Hollywood Shuffle", directed and produced by his fellow Chicagoans, Robert Townsend, Keenen Ivory Wayans, and Damon Wayans. The film received a Golden Unicorn Award and other nominations. Michael quickly caught the attention of television producer Steven Bochco, and was cast as a guest star on "Hill Street Blues". Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he continued to work in several television productions and feature films. He appeared in "Superior Court" by Ralph Edwards Productions, in Dick Clark's "Trial by Jury", "The Hogan Family", and "Matlock".
As television worked continue to pour in, Michael longed for the big screen. In 1990, he starred in a television special of "America's Most Wanted", covering the notorious LA street gangs, Bloods and Crips. His unique and original gangsta persona had a major impact. His powerful portrayal of Long Beach Crip gang member Kool-Aid inspired 2Pac & Snoop Dogg's song, "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted". The song peaked at #46 on the Billboard music charts. Michael appeared in a television horror mystery movie, "Donor", co-starring Melissa Gilbert. Throughout the 1990s, he co-starred in features, including "Shocker", produced by Wes Craven, "Crack House", co-starring Jim Brown and Richard Roundtree, and a starring role in "Night Children" opposite David Carradine and Griffin O'Neal. In the late 1990s, Michael starred as The Cab Driver in Foster Farms commercials.
After a nearly 25 year hiatus, Michael starred in the short comedy film, "Ghetto Counselors" as Maniac . In 2017, he made a memorable guest appearance as Roy Larue in the hit television series "Decker", starring and produced by Tim Heidecker. He later gained notoriety for his appearance in the television special, "The New On Cinema Oscar Special". In 2019, Michael returned to the "On Cinema at the Cinema" series in S11E4. He also appeared in "On Cinema at the Cinema" S11E7. He made a special appearance in "The Seventh Annual 'On Cinema' Oscar Special". In 2020, Michael impressed his fans by demonstrating his versatility as the voice of CIA Agent Jeremy Coleman in the animated pilot of "Decker Classified" on Adult Swim. He most recently starred in a commercial as Flex Man for Flex Tape, produced by Flip Phone Productions.
Throughout Michael's career, he's been featured in radio and television interviews as well as several newspapers and magazines, including Jet Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, TV Guide, Backstage West, The LA Times, and United Vision. - Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Anthony Guerino began his acting and writing career in 2005 in New York and has appeared in 3O ROCK, is a recurring guest star on Fusion TV's "Happy Ending With Nando Villa", and is the titular character and star of the feature comedy Bruce. In 2017 Anthony won Best Supporting Actor at IndieFest for his role as Barney Allen in the feature drama "The Meanest Man in Texas". He has studied at Atlantic Acting School & The New School, as well as the highest levels at Groundlings, UCB, and the Second City Conservatory. He has written, performed, and starred in numerous theatre productions in New York and Los Angeles, including "Nickel Dickers" at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.- Draegon began his acting career as a child in Los Angeles, California, on stage as Orlando in Shakespeare's As You Like It, at Theatricum Botanicum and Grant in Disney Channel's Bunk'd in the episode titled, "How the Griff Stole Christmas." Draegon co-founded a small experimental theater group, adapting Shakespeare's Tempest into an immersive stage experience and later on, co-directed a short film version, as well, titled, Mary and the Battle of Kings. During Junior High and High School, Draegon performed more on-screen work alongside voice acting. He is a founding member of Hennessy Family Films, along with his parents and brother. Together they have been writing, directing and starring in short films for over a decade and won Family Friendly Film of the Year Award in 2019 for #SaySomethingNice. Draegon dubbed characters in the main cast of several well known Telenovelas including Just Looking, My Three Daughters and Rodrigo, in 100 Days to Fall in Love on Paramount+. He dubbed many Netflix drama series including the character Adam in Hold Tight and Nico in the feature film A Thousand Miles from Christmas. Draegon is also a competitive Esports Gamer in the EGFH League for Overwatch. He co-founded an Esports Team and gained an invitation to the 2022 National Championships at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando where their team held a Top 10 standing.