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- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Sara Rue was born in New York City, New York. She is an actress and producer, known for Popular (1999), Less Than Perfect (2002), The Ring (2002), The Big Bang Theory (2007), Rules of Engagement (2007), Malibu Country (2012), and Pearl Harbor (2001). She stars in the upcoming TV Land comedy, Impastor (2015) (summer 2015) as "Dora Winston", alongside Mircea Monroe, Mike Kosinski, David Rasche and Michael Rosenbaum. She currently resides in Los Angeles, with her husband, Kevin Price, and daughter, Talulah Rue Price.- Actress
- Producer
- Music Department
This year, award winning actress Molly C. Quinn can be seen starring in the indie horror/drama feature Agnes (2021), slated to debut in movie theaters nationwide and streaming on demand, December 10, 2021. Agnes (2021) emerged as a festival darling over the last few months, premiering at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival to intrigued and delighted reviewers. Directed and written by Mickey Reece (Climate of the Hunter (2019)), Agnes (2021) tells the story of demonic possessions at a religious convent, which prompts a church investigation into the strange happenings among its nuns. A disaffected priest and his neophyte are confronted with temptation, bloodshed, and a crisis of faith. Aside from starring in the film, Molly also holds the title of executive producer, bringing the project to life through her production company, QWGmire.
Molly may be best known for starring as Alexis Castle from 2009 through 2016 on ABC's award-winning drama series Castle (2009), opposite Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic. In film, Molly most recently appeared in Warner Bros' Doctor Sleep (2019) opposite Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson. Over the years, she has also lent her voice to various film and television projects, including Supergirl (in Superman: Unbound (2013)) for Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics, the voice of Bloom for Nickelodeon's hit series Winx Club (2004), and voicing the lead character in Simon and Schuster's YA series "The Mortal Instruments".
When Molly isn't in front of the camera, she is focusing on her burgeoning producing career. Her first role as a producer began on the cult classic horror comedy Hansel & Gretel Get Baked (2013), in which she also starred. She next executive produced the independent feature Welcome to Happiness (2015), which won best picture at the deadCenter Film Festival.
In 2019, Molly launched the production company shingle QWGmire with Elan Gale and Matthew M. Welty, with a focus on genre films. Additional projects in the works include indie drama Diary of a Spy (2022) directed by Adam Christian Clark and starring Tamara Taylor (Bones (2005)) and Reece Noi (When They See Us (2019)). Diary of a Spy (2022) centers on an alcoholic intelligence officer (Taylor) who is given the chance for one last mission: seducing an asset (Noi) connected to the Saudi Royal Family. Most recently announced is Lovely, Dark, and Deep (2023), which Molly wrapped production on in Portugal. The film stars Georgina Campbell (Apple TV+'s upcoming Suspicion (2022)), Nick Blood (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013)), and Wai Ching Ho (STXfilms's Hustlers (2019)).
Molly lives in the LA area with their two dogs, Piper and Pikachu.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Noel Fisher has become one of the entertainment industry's most sought-after and versatile performers, bringing to life memorable characters on the big and small screens over the past few years. Fisher's film and television credits include starring as Michelangelo in Paramount Pictures' summer hit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, playing Mickey Milkovich opposite William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum on the critically acclaimed Showtime series Shameless, and Vladimir in the final chapter of the worldwide phenomenon The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2. Additional credits include History Channel's miniseries Hatfields & McCoys; the blockbuster film Battle: Los Angeles with Aaron Eckhart; CBS' Two and a Half Men, The Mentalist, and Medium; recurring roles on NBC's Law and Order: SVU; Showtime's Huff; and FOX's Bones; as well as the Sundance film RED (Official Selection) and the critically acclaimed HBO miniseries The Pacific. Audiences may best remember Fisher from his breakout performance in the critically acclaimed FX series The Riches portraying Cal Malloy, the conniving and clever son of Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver. Fisher is represented by United Talent Agency, Industry Entertainment, and attorney Marcy Morris.- Actress
- Composer
- Producer
Meg Donnelly is positioned to be a breakout star in the entertainment industry, quickly becoming known for her impeccable comedic timing on camera, innate abilities in music, and the refreshing, free spirit she brings to every project she appears in. Donnelly can be seen starring on ABC's hit comedy series "American Housewife." The show follows Katie Otto (Katy Mixon) a strong-willed mother who is struggling to raise her flawed family in a wealthy town filled with perfect wives and their impeccable offspring. Now in its fourth season, Donnelly shines as 'Taylor', the eldest of Katie's three children, who was an awkward, homely student and suddenly grew out of her ugly-duckling phase.
On the film front, Donnelly can be seen starring as 'Addison' in the Disney Channel Original Movie "Zombies." The musical follows a semester at Seabrook High School, located in a suburban town preoccupied with uniformity, traditions and pep rallies. When transfer students from Zombietown are integrated into the school, all of their past customs and beliefs are suddenly changed. The film centers around cheerleader 'Addison' (Donnelly) and zombie football star 'Zed'. "Zombies" premiered on February 16, 2018 to record-breaking viewership. The sequel, "Zombies 2," debuted on February 14, 2020. Also on the film front, Donnelly can be seen in the indie drama 'The Broken Ones' (AMK Films), which premiered at the 2017 Soho International Film Festival in New York City.
Born in New York City and raised in Peapack, New Jersey, Donnelly got her start in the entertainment industry in commercial/print work, and in music. At the age of six, she started training in voice, dance, and acting at Annie's Playhouse - School of Performing Arts in Far Hills, New Jersey. Being a natural born performer, she was drawn to the stage and quickly became the youngest performer in the APX Conservatory, a singing/dancing group that performed in various venues throughout New Jersey. At only 11 years old she landed her first series regular role on Netflix's "Team Toon." For 26 episodes, she starred as 'Ash', one of four kid-creators of an animated online series called "Psycho Squirrel." Donnelly has also appeared on ABC's top-rated series "What Would You Do?"
In conjunction to working on these projects, Donnelly was still avidly working in music, becoming the understudy for the role of 'Louisa' in the groundbreaking NBC television special "The Sound of Music Live!" and was a featured soloist in the 54 Below production of "Von Trapp Children: from Sound of Music, Live." Most recently, she was named Radio Disney's Next Big Thing and has performed alongside the likes of Steve Aoki, Avril Lavigne, and Alessia Cara. Her debut album "trust," which released December 6, 2019, features tracks with KOTA The Friend and 2 Milly.
When she isn't on set or touring, Donnelly continues to learn and practice the Japanese language.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
O-T fagbenle is an Emmy nominated actor, director, writer and producer. From drama to comedy, writing, producing, and acting, O-T Fagbenle has become one of the most-watched talents in the entertainment industry today. He made history in 2020 by becoming the first person to create, write, direct, compose, executive produce, and star in the pilot of a television series broadcast on a major network with his original TV comedy series, "Maxxx." (Channel 4, Hulu). This year, Fagbenle was seen starring in a lead role opposite Scarlett Johansson in Marvel's feature film "Black Widow." The film premiered in the US on May 7, 2021.
On the television front, Fagbenle recently garnered a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the Golden Globe and Emmy award winning drama series "The HandmaidsTale" (HULU). Based on the best-selling novel by Margaret Atwood, the series is set in Gilead, a future totalitarian society that has formed throughout the United States. Fagbenle instantly became a fan favorite as Luke, June Osborne's (Moss) husband from the previous unrepressed world, and his heartbreaking scenes have contributed to the casts many award nominations and wins including: Outstanding Drama Series at the Primetime Emmy Awards, Best Drama Series for the Critic's Choice Television Awards, Best Television Series - Drama at the Golden Globe Awards, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Best International Programme at the BAFTA Television Awards.
Fagbenle recently wrapped production on Showtime's much anticipated anthology series "The First Lady" where he'll star as Barack Obama opposite Viola Davis, Gillian Anderson, and Michelle Pfeiffer. The limited series is a reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House. It was also recently announced that Fagbenle has joined the cast of Apple TV+'s limited series "WeCrashed" where he'll star opposite Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway. "WeCrashed" is about the greed-filled rise and inevitable fall of WeWork, one of the world's most valuable startups, and the narcissists whose chaotic love made it all possible. Fagbenle will play Cameron Lautner, a partner at a powerful investment firm who is tasked with trying to instill discipline at WeWork.
In Europe Fagbenle recently has held lead roles in two flagship UK series: Harlan Coben's "The Five" on Netflix and "The Interceptor" for the BBC. In theatre, Fagbenle led the National Theatre cast of August Wilson's New York Drama Critic Circle award-winning play, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, to the prestigious Olivier Award. Fagbenle was also nominated for Best Actor (alongside his alma mater Ralph Fiennes) for the illustrious Evening Standard Awards.
Additional film and television credits for Fagbenle include: the HBO film "Looking" completing his memorable characterization of Frank from the network's cult dramedy series of the same name, the BBC's critically acclaimed features "NW," by Zadie Smith and "Walter's War" as Walter Tull, a biopic of the first mixed heritage officer in the British Army," "Breaking and Entering" (Miramax) opposite Jude Law, Robin Wright, and Juliette Binoche,and "I Could Never Be Your Woman" (The Weinstein Co) alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Rudd, and Saoirse Ronan. Fagbenle also starred in the television series "Thorne," an adaptation of the Mark Billingham novels Sleepyhead and Scaredy Cat. Directed by "24" producer Stephen Hopkins, the six one hour episodes also starred Sandra Oh, and David Morrissey, and was sold to over 100 countries.
In addition to his work in front of the camera, Fagbenle has a passion for working behind the scenes as well. He wrote, produced, directed, composed, and starred in the British comedy series "Maxxx."The series centers around a formerly famous boyband star Maxxx (Fagbenle) who tries to make his music comeback in a bid to win back his famous supermodel ex-girlfriend (Jourdan Dunn), and prove to the world he isn't a washed up, has been.The series debuted in the UK on Channel 4 and made its US debut on Hulu in 2020.
Born in London and raised across London, Spain, and Nigeria, Fagbenle was a world traveler at a young age. As a child music was his passion and he played the saxophone in bands across Europe, performing at the Edinburgh Festival, Wembley Arena, the Royal Albert Hall, and even touring Spain. At 16 years old he landed his first proper role in a Nigerian adaptation of the William Shakespeare play Macbeth. He went on to attend the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating early in 2001 and joining alumni such as Sean Bean, Ralph Fiennes, and Anthony Hopkins. Theatre became his passion, as he appeared in dozens of plays across the UK, working in notable productions including the national tours of shows such as Ragamuffin, Romeo & Juliet [as Mercutio], and the West End debut of Porgy and Bess,The Musical. His work was met by outstanding reviews and multiple awards and nominations including an Off West End nomination for Best Actor for his leading role as Suplianek in The Conquest of the South Pole and taking home the M.E.N. Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his part in the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award nominated play Six Degrees of Separation.
When not on set, Fagbenle loves to play basketball, volunteers at numerous schools providing free drama and music classes for kids, and launched the charity organization ABC Foundation which is dedicated to providing tech opportunities to young women in Africa. Fagbenle currently splits his time between Los Angeles, London, and Atlanta.- Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Debby Ryan was born in Huntsville, Alabama on May 13, 1993, but she and her family moved to Texas when she was a small child and lived there for five years before moving to Wiesbaden, Germany. In Germany Debby became fascinated with acting in local plays and musicals. By age 9, she knew she wanted to be an actress. After three years in Germany, the family moved to Keller, Texas, where they lived until they moved to Los Angeles so Debby could pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
Debby got her start in film with roles in Barney: Let's Go to the Firehouse (2007) and the MGM feature film The Longshots (2008) alongside Keke Palmer and Ice Cube. She also appeared in a handful of national television commercials. From there, her career took off when she secured one of the series-regular roles on Disney Channel's The Suite Life on Deck (2008), which debuted in 2008. In 2010, she starred in the smash hit Disney Channel film 16 Wishes (2010), one of the first of many Disney co-productions. She took an active role employing online and guerrilla-marketing techniques to the film that had a tiny marketing budget. The movie premiered to 5.6 million viewers and made it as second on the list of cable's top 25 most popular shows of that week, twice. Since then, 16 Wishes (2010) has been successful in over 30 countries worldwide and continues to draw in strong viewership numbers.
In addition to her work with The Disney Channel, Debby appeared on ABC's Private Practice (2007), showcasing some of her dramatic acting chops playing Hailey, a recovering cocaine addict. She also appeared as a murder suspect on A&E's hit series The Glades (2010), in 2012. Debby has appeared in over 8 live-action Disney Channel series and countless interstitials. Her current hit series Jessie (2011) was the first live-action series in Disney history to be picked up with only her cast, the Show Runner, and the script. Debby starred in the Disney Channel original movie, Radio Rebel (2012), which premiered on February 17, 2012 to over 6 million viewers. It was based on Danielle Joseph's novel "Shrinking Violet", and Debby appeared as Tara Adams, a shy high-school senior who leads an alternate life as an anonymous DJ [called Radio Rebel]. In addition to starring in the movie, Debby produced the music video and contributed to three tracks on the soundtrack, including "We Got The Beat", "A Wish Comes True Every Day", and "We Ended Right". Aside from Radio Rebel (2012) and Jessie (2011), Debby is also widely recognized for her role as popular season regular Bailey Pickett on the Disney Channel series The Suite Life on Deck (2008), a role she held from 2008-2011. She flexed her voiceover skills in Secret of the Wings (2012) and Ultimate Spider-Man (2012).
When she isn't working, Debby is passionate about volunteering and is a Disney Friends for Change Ambassador. Her recent work with Friends for Change took her to India, where in partnership with Free the Children, Debby helped to build a new school for a local village. The documentary on her work was nominated for a daytime Emmy in 2013. Debby is also heavily involved in music and loves to collaborate with her brother, Chase Ryan, and her friends. Her self-written single debuted in 2010 on Disney Channel as a music video about her character in 16 Wishes (2010). It was featured on the 16 Wishes (2010) soundtrack. In July 2011, she released the single, "We Ended Right", which debuted on iTunes and was also picked up to be featured on the "Radio Rebel" soundtrack. Debby wrote her first EP entitled "One". This indie rock, self funded/produced record premiered in the Top 5 on the rock charts and was featured on Billboard. Debby directed plays and skits while she was younger and after years of shadowing successful directors, she was allowed to take the reins as a director for her live action hit series Jessie (2011). She will direct 3 more episodes before the season ends in February. On the business side, Debby is an active producer on Jessie (2011). She was there from the inception of the story, attends production meetings, and makes meaningful and significant contributions to Jessie (2011).
She launched a production company called Shadowborn Productions, where she produced the official music video for "Radio Rebel" and another one for Atlantic's "Fueled by Ramen". In 2016, Debby played the part of "Holli" on the YouTube Red series, Sing It! (2016). She is costarring in the upcoming films Rip Tide (2017), playing the role of Cora; and the comedy Life of the Party (2018), alongside Gillian Jacobs, Melissa McCarthy, and Maya Rudolph. Debby was also cast in the lead role of Patty in a pilot ordered by the CW, Insatiable (2018).- Actor
- Music Department
- Producer
Emmy-nominated actor and director Malcolm-Jamal Warner was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was named after Malcolm X and legendary jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal.
Warner first rose to national prominence by starring on the celebrated and long-running classic television series "The Cosby Show." His work on the show garnered him a Primetime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
As a seasoned director, Warner has worked on a host of television series, including being a regular director [and producer] on the comedy series "Malcolm & Eddie," and also having directed several episodes of "The Cosby Show," "All That," "Keenan & Kel," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Sesame Street," and the AIDS awareness video "Timeout: The Truth about HIV, AIDS, and You' [which starred Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall, and earned Warner the NAACP Key of Life Image Award. His short film, "This Old Man," received critical acclaim on the theater festival circuit.
In addition to his television credits, Warner made his feature film debut in Paramount Pictures' "Drop Zone," and was also seen in Warner Bros' Pictures "Fools Gold" opposite Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, and Donald Sutherland. He also co-starred in the independent films "Restaurant" with Adrien Brody, "A Fare to Remember," and "The List" with Wayne Brady.
On stage, Warner has starred in the off-Broadway plays "Three Ways Home," "Cryin' Shame," for which he received the NAACP Theater Award for Best Supporting Actor, "Freefall" at the Victory Garden Theatre in Chicago, and in "A Midsummer Nights' Dream," at the La Jolla Playhouse in California. Warner received critical acclaim for his West Coast debut of his one-man theatrical production of "Love and Other Social Issues." He will return to the stage in September 2014, reprising Sidney Poitier's role as Dr. John Prentice in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," opening in Boston at The Huntington Theatre. Warner has held this role before, previously performing in the play at Washington D.C.'s esteemed Arena Theater.
In 2014, Warner can be seen recurring on two hit series: TNT's "Major Crimes," and FX's "Sons of Anarchy." He was most recently seen on NBC's critically acclaimed series "Community," and recently guest starred on "The Michael J. Fox Show," TNT's "Hawthorne", AMC's "The Cleaner," and Showtime's "Dexter." In 2011, Warner produced, directed, and starred in the BET original series "Reed Between the Lines" opposite Tracee Ellis Ross.
Warner's voice may be as well known as his likeness, for four seasons he was heard as the voice of the "Producer" on PBS' "The Magic School Bus." Currently, he can be heard on the audio book version of "The Marvelous Effect" published by Berkley Trade, as well as in Simon & Schuster's "Fatherhood" by Bill Cosby. When not acting and directing, Warner is a poet and a bass player. His jazz-funk band Miles Long has performed in several major jazz festivals, including the Playboy Jazz Festival, and has opened for high profile artists including Earl Klugh and the late Luther Vandross, and he recently performed at the historic Apollo Theater. Both of Warner's independently distributed CD's, "The Miles Long Mix Tape" and "Love and Other Social Issues". Warner is set to release brand new music, fall 2014.
Warner currently lives in Los Angeles, California.- Alix West Lefler is quickly becoming "one to watch" in film and television, taking the entertainment industry by storm. Lefler can next be seen starring in the upcoming indie thriller, The King Tide, alongside Frances Fisher and Clayne Crawford. The film is set on a small island fishing village that faces civil war after a child named Isla, portrayed by Lefler, gains special powers, and some villagers believe she has been sent for a larger purpose. The King Tide will make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023. Also in film, Lefler can next be seen starring as a supporting lead in Blumhouse and Universal's highly anticipated film, Speak No Evil, opposite James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, and Scoot McNairy. Speak No Evil is a new adaptation of the acclaimed Danish horror film Gæsterne, about a family invited for a weekend at an idyllic country house-a dream holiday that warps into a snarled psychological nightmare. Lefler will portray Agnes, the daughter of Louise (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben (Scoot McNairy). Speak No Evil is slated for theatrical release on August 9, 2024. Previous film credits for Lefler include her role in Netflix's critically acclaimed true crime thriller, The Good Nurse, from Tobias Lindholm. Based on the true story of Charles Cullen, one of the most prolific serial killers in history, Cullen, portrayed by Eddie Redmayne, was a married father who was thought to be an honest caretaker before he was implicated in the deaths of as many as 300 patients over 16 years. Lefler shined as Alex Loughren, a reliable, shy, and thoughtful tween with a bit of a punky style and prankster capabilities. Alex (Lefler) also has a close relationship with her mom, Amy Loughren (Jessica Chastain), a hospital nurse faced with the growing suspicion that her co-worker and friend (Eddie Redmayne) is quietly killing off patients. The film earned rave reviews, with critics calling the project "impressive" (variety), "a strong movie" (TV guide), and "both dynamic and compelling" (Paste). The Good Nurse premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2022 and is currently available to stream on Netflix. Additional credits for Lefler include a guest spot on ABC's The Good Doctor, recurring roles in Freeform's Siren as Hope, in which she won two Joey Awards for Best Actress in a Recurring Television Role (6-8 years old) and Most Promising Performer, Syfy's Resident Alien as Eleanor Wright, and The CW's smash hit television series Riverdale as Juniper. Consistently working, and in demand, Lefler recently wrapped filming on Netflix's upcoming drama series, My Life With the Walter Boys. Lefler portrays the role of Parker Walter, a sister to 10 brothers who loves sports and has a bit of a chip on her shoulder. The series follows Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez), a New York native who, after her family's tragic accident, moves to the farmlands of Colorado, where she is introduced to a different way of life. My Life With the Walter Boys is currently in post-production with no set release date. Lefler was bit by the acting bug at the age of 7 after she auditioned for a local play. She joined Biz Studios for lessons, eventually transitioning to the LeBlanc School of Acting. In addition to her love of acting, Lefler enjoys travel and adventure. Throughout her life, she traveled around Canada and New Zealand with her mom and dad, competing in live lumberjack shows, giving her a natural sense of wonder, excitement, and appreciation of the world. Lefler is a "Caniwi," meaning she is half Canadian and half New Zealander. In her free time, she competes in logger sports competitions and, despite her size, is an excellent axe thrower! When she is not grounding herself with a little axe throwing, honing her acting chops, auditioning, or attending school full time, you can find Lefler ensconced with her friends and her dog, Fred, in the vital occupation of being a kid. Lefler is currently based in Vancouver, Canada.
- Actress
- Producer
Born in San Diego, California, Betsy Russell is best known for her starring role as "Jill Tuck," the ex-wife of the Jigsaw Killer in the "Saw" film series. Russell was born into a family of educators--her father, iconic economist Richard Russell, wrote a news letter about the stock market for over 50 years called "Dow Theory Letters," and her grandfather, Max Lerner, was an author and syndicated columnist, said to be one of the great minds of our time. Russell seemed to be destined for greatness and decided to set the bar high for herself when making career moves and setting goals. At 16 years of age she landed her first real gig in the business, a Pepsi commercial in her hometown of San Diego, California. This sparked a fire within her, and she immediately made the move to Los Angeles to pursue acting full time.
Russell landed her first TV role on the series The Powers of Matthew Star (1982) with one line. After that TV roles began to pour in, until she landed an audition for a film that would change her career: the cult classic Private School (1983). She booked the role on the spot, being cast as "Jordon Leigh-Jensen," playing opposite her idol Phoebe Cates. The film launched Russell into Hollywood stardom, and she quickly became known as the "it-girl". Her scene riding a horse topless in slow motion made her an '80s icon. She continued to work steadily in film, starring in such films as Tomboy (1985), Avenging Angel (1985) and Cheerleader Camp (1988), and did guest-starring roles in such top-rated television series as The A-Team (1983), T.J. Hooker (1982) and Family Ties (1982). At the height of her career she met actor and tennis star Vincent Van Patten at The Playboy Mansion, where she visited frequently as her grandfather was a close friend of Hugh Hefner. Van Patten and Russell married in 1989 and had two beautiful boys. She decided to take a hiatus from acting, to focus on her family and raising her children.
Van Patten and Russell divorced in 2001, and she decided to move to Malibu, California, to continue raising her family. Soon after her divorce she received a call from "Saw" producer Mark Burg about an upcoming role in the series. Russell jumped at the opportunity to work in one of the biggest horror franchises in the history of film, and returned to the screen starring as "Jill Tuck" in Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures' Saw III (2006), Saw IV (2007), Saw V (2008), Saw VI (2009) and Saw 3D (2010).
Russell is an avid writer, has a huge passion for various charities, she holds a real-estate license and is a certified hypnotist. While she continues to love acting, she considers "Spiritual Psychology" and life coaching her other passion. She completed a three-year Masters program at The University of Santa Monica in this field, with an emphasis on consciousness health and healing, and hopes to help others with healing their issues and learning communication skills and has begun teaching workshops to actors on this subject.- In 2022 Jennifer Holland can be seen starring as Emilia Harcourt in HBO Max's highly anticipated action series "Peacemaker." Based on the DC Comics and executive produced and written by James Gunn, "Peacemaker" is the first DC Extended Universe television series, and follows Peacemaker (John Cena) who believes in achieving peace, at any cost. Holland shines as Harcourt, a loyal, lifelong black ops member who believes in her line of work, you do not hesitate to do your job. For Harcourt, emotions and friends are liabilities, and she is irked when inexperienced new recruit Leota Adebayo (Danielle Brooks) joins her team, just another liability to navigate. Holland debuted as Harcourt in Warner Bros' "The Suicide Squad," Gunn's hyper-violent, triumphant reimagining of the 2016 feature. "Peacemaker" picks up where "The Suicide Squad" left off, and will premiere on January 13, 2022 on HBO Max.
Additional television credits for Holland include starring in CMT's "Sun Records," "Rush Hour," "Perception," "The Glades," "American Horror Story," "Bones," "Rizzoli & Isles," "Cougar Town," and "CSI: Miami." In film, Holland recently appeared in Screen Gem's anti-superhero horror flick "Brightburn" opposite Elizabeth Banks.
Born and raised outside of Chicago, Holland grew up as a competitive gymnast, where she discovered her love of performing. She participated in theater throughout middle and high school, joining the drama and film clubs to further explore her love of bringing characters to life. At just 16 years old she decided to pursue a professional career in Los Angeles, and made the move to the west coast to immerse herself in the industry. She has been working ever since.
Over the years Holland has supported a myriad of charities as giving back is essential for her. She is an ongoing supporter of The Rainforest Trust, and is passionate about criminal justice reform, the reduction of human impact on the environment and climate change. When Holland isn't on set you can find her in the outdoors; she loves hiking, biking, kayaking, and being active. She is also a self-proclaimed astronomy geek; astronomers, theoretical physicists, engineers, and scientists are her heroes. Holland currently lives in the Los Angeles area, with her puggle Lola and cat Emily. - Avery Konrad was born on December 28, 1994, and is a famous actress from British Columbia. From bringing characters to life in film and television to performing on stage, Avery Konrad is quickly becoming "one to watch" in the entertainment industry. This year, Konrad can be seen starring in Epix's contemporary sci-fi horror series, "FROM". The series unravels the mystery of a nightmarish town in middle America that traps all those who enter. As the unwilling residents fight to keep a sense of normalcy and search for a way out, they must also survive the threats of the surrounding forest - including the terrifying creatures that come out when the sun goes down. Konrad shines as Sara Myers, a true wild card among the town's residents: some think her mind was simply fractured by the residents of the town; others wonder if, in her madness, Sara is closer to the secrets of this place than anyone else. "FROM" premieres on February 20, 2022.
In film, Konrad is set to star in Paramount+ "Honor Society", alongside Angourie Rice (Mare of Eas*own), Gaten Matarazzo (Stranger Things, Prank Encounters), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Super Bad, Kick-Ass). The film tells the story of Honor (Rice), a high school senior whose sole focus is getting into Harvard. Willing to do whatever it takes, Honor plans to take down her top three student competitors, until things take a turn when she unexpectedly falls for her biggest competition. "Honor Society" is slated to release in late 2022.
Additionally, Konrad was recently seen as Chance Sinclair, leading Amazon's horror-thriller, "Broil", opposite Timothy Murphy and Jonathan Lipnicki. The film premiered in fall 2020 and follows Chance after she is sent to live with her reclusive grandfather (Murphy). As she seeks to uncover the true origin of her eccentric grandfather's exorbitant wealth, and a mysterious familial health condition going back generations, she is caught between two warring factions of the family. Konrad was also seen portraying Roan Harper, sister to Juliette Lewis, in the acclaimed Facebook Watch series, "Sacred Lies: The Singing Bones". The series received rave reviews and was included in Paste Magazine's, "12 Best TV Shows on Facebook Watch". Additional credits include recurring roles in ABC's "The Good Doctor, Netflix's "Van Helsing", and CBC's "Unspeakable".
Born in Vancouver, Konrad was bit by the acting bug at a young age, when she took an intensive at the Vancouver Film School and performed her first monologue. The experience felt magical to her and that spark still remains to this day. Konrad landed her first role as Gina Sarland in R.L Stein's "The Haunting Hour" series (2012) and has been working ever since.
Aside from her work in film and television, Konrad is an accomplished dancer. Extensively trained in all styles of dance, she fell in love with the art form at three years old and competed throughout her childhood, garnering numerous awards and scholarships. She has also worked on several music videos and performances with her dance career. When her childhood friends opened Legacy Dance Productions in her hometown, she began teaching dance to children, which has grown into a huge passion for her to this day. She especially loves serving as a mentor to the next generation, on, and off stage, shaping their growth through dance and helping them reach their goals.
Growing up in an environment where creativity was celebrated has shaped Konrad into the person she is today, and she is grateful to have always had the support of her family in pursuing acting as a career.
Konrad currently resides in the Vancouver area. - Actor
- Director
- Producer
Michael Mosley has been bringing characters to life in film, television, and on stage for the past decade. Mosley can currently be seen starring on the USA series "Sirens," created by Denis Leary and Bob Fisher. The comedy based on the BBC show of the same name, follows three fast, ball-busting Chicago EMT's whose chief talents are saving lives and self-sabotage. On the film front, Mosley can next be seen in MGM's HOT PURSUIT opposite Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara [to be released May 2015]. He can also be seen in OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN, alongside Chad Michael Murray, Alexandra Breckenridge and directed by Liz Hinlein.
Born in Iowa City, Iowa, Mosley is an Alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, and was a 2001 company member. Upon graduating he performed in numerous theaters including the SoHo Playhouse, Cherry Lane, and Michael Imperioli's Studio Dante. He starred in Itamar Moses', Back Back Back at Manhattan Theatre Center, and in 2010 starred as the Gentlemen Caller in Roundabout's adaptation of The Glass Menagerie opposite Judith Ivey, Patch Darragh, and Keira Keeley. The production earned a Lucille Lortel Award for Best Revival. Film credits include Touchstone Pictures THE PROPOSAL, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's THE ACCIDENTAL HUSBAND, and Fox 2000 Pictures' 27 DRESSES. Mosley has also appeared in a host of independent features including SWIMMERS directed by Doug Sadler, where he starred alongside Cherry Jones, Sean Hatosy, and Sarah Paulson. SWIMMERS went to the Sundance Film Festival, and won the New American Cinema Award at the Seattle International Film Festival.
In 2006 Mosley booked a recurring role on NBC's "Kidnapped" opposite Timothy Hutton, Dana Delany, Jeremy Sisto, Olivia Thirlby, and Delroy Lindo. Later that year he was cast in "Alpha Mom," another pilot for NBC directed by Bill Lawrence, who would later remember him and cast him as a series regular in the 9th season of the hit comedy series "Scrubs." From 2009-10, Mosley starred as "Drew Suffin" in the farewell season of the ABC series. His role as the cynical, anti-social, med school dropout garnered him critical acclaim. He then went on to co-star as "Ted Vanderway" on ABC's "Pan Am," opposite Christina Ricci, Margot Robbie, and Kelly Garner. Other television credits include: recurring roles on A&E's "Longmire," FX's "Justified," NBC's "30 Rock," ABC's "Last Resort" CBS' "The Education of Max Bickford," and ABC's "Castle" as "Jerry Tyson," the 3XK killer. He has also held numerous guest starring roles, including ABC's "Happy Endings," TNT's "The Closer," and HBO's "Generation Kill," and "The Wire."- Actress
- Director
- Producer
From action to drama and romantic comedies, Michelle Borth has become known in the entertainment industry through the charismatic and versatile characters she has brought to life on screen. In 2019 Borth can be seen starring in New Line Cinema's highly anticipated, DC Comic superhero film "Shazam" opposite Zachary Levi. Critics have called the film "pure of heart," "incredibly funny," "clever, fun, an heroic," and "unlike anything DC has done before," ushering in a new era in for the DC Extended Universe. Borth shines when she is revealed as Mary Marvel, the grown up superhero of Mary Broomfield, teasing what is to come in future films. "Shazam!" is set to hit theaters nationwide on April 5, 2019.
Borth may be best known on television for portraying Navy Lieutenant Catherine Rollins on CBS' Golden Globe nominated series "Hawaii 5-0." She joined the cast in 2010 and quickly became a fan favorite starring opposite Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan. Borth received her big break in 2007, landing a lead role in HBO's short lived series "Tell Me You Love Me" opposite Luke Kirby, to which she received much critical acclaim. Additional credits for Borth include: Lionsgate's "Wonderland" opposite Kate Bosworth and Carrie Fisher, Endgame Entertainment's "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy" opposite Jason Sudeikis and Lake Bell, ABC's "The Forgotten," TNT's "Dark Blue," Lifetime's "Devious Nanny," and Netflix's "Teenage Cocktail."
Born in Secaucus, New Jersey, and raised in New York City, Borth found a love for acting at a young age. Upon graduating high school she went on to attend Pace University, home to the prestigious Actors Studio Drama School. She graduated Summa Cum Laude earning her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts, with a concentration in Performing Arts and Theater History. She has been working in film and television ever since.
On the charity front, Borth has a huge heart for giving back and has supported a plethora of organizations over the years. She works with The National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, a charity that she holds near and dear to her heart. She has worked tirelessly to raise money for research and resources for families affected by MS. She is also active with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Additionally, Borth spends her time helping out with Care Rescue LA, a nonprofit organization that rescues, houses, and places animals with foster and forever families. Fostering elder dogs is a personal passion of hers.
When she is not on set Borth can be found lounging around the LA area with her beloved dog Bean, dancing (she loves to dance, even just with herself!) and fostering animals, helping find their forever homes.- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Danielle Bisutti is a Los Angeles born and raised Emmy Award winning and BAFTA Award nominated actress, writer, producer, director and singer-songwriter. As a thespian, Bisutti has distinguished herself by bringing a wide range of diverse characters to life. The Actress: Danielle was nominated for a BAFTA for her performance as The Norse Goddess "Freya" in Sony PlayStation's top grossing video-game God of War, which won unanimous "Game of the Year" awards and 5 BAFTA Awards including "Best Game" in 2019. She won a Los Angeles area Emmy Award for her hosting role in Street Music Los Angeles in 2002. Danielle performance captured the role of "Claudia Grimstone" in Madden NFL 21: Face of the Franchise: Rise to Fame 2020, she voiced "Wonder Woman" in The Lego Movie 2 Video-game, she portrayed the ominous "Ms. Grey" in Lifetime's Nanny Killer, "Dana Gallagher in Shonda Rhimes' For the People and series regular role as Witch "Hexela" in BUYtv's Dwight in Shining Armor distributed by Paramount. Film credits include top grossing Sony Pictures' cult favorite Insidious: Chapter 2 (receiving rave reviews: "Bisutti's performance as [Mother of Parker Crane] the younger version of the Bride in Black is a most elegant personification of evil."), Starring in Universal Studio's Curse of Chucky, Michael Rosenbaum's indie comedy Back in the Day, Lionsgate's Venice Underground with Eric Mabius, The Neighbor with Matthew Modine, and the lead in Lionsgate's faith-based film, No Greater Love. Bisutti is perhaps best known for her series regular role as"Amanda Cantwell" opposite Keke Palmer on the hit Nickelodeon series True Jackson, VP. Her recurring roles on Matador for Robert Rodriguez's El Rey Network, Parks & Recreation, Last Man Standing, CSI Miami, Without A Trace, Raising the Bar and The O.C., Guest Starring roles on Anger Management, Grey's Anatomy, Mom, NCIS, NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Dr. Ken, Castle, Hot in Cleveland, Newsreaders, 90210, Rizzoli & Isles, Beauty and the Beast, Body of Proof, Leverage, Bones, Cold Case, Two and a Half Men and Boston Legal. Notable Theater credits include originating the role of "Diane" in the new musical Hipster Sweatshop at the Rockwell, "Sheila" in the musical HAIR Potawanami Tribe performed at the Democratic National Convention 1996 in Chicago followed by a 5 week tour at The New Athenaeum Theatre, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Maggie in Boy's Life, Yelena in Uncle Vanya, Victoria in Noel Coward's Tonight at 8:30, Fastrada in Pippin, and Ophelia in Hamlet. The Writer, Producer and Director: Her company Perfect Timing Productions current projects include: Mood Swings an TV comedy series for Pureflix 2019 and short film Little May "Official Selection" of Academy Award qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival and Fade In Awards Grand Jury Prize "Best Short Script" 2019, Projects in development include TV pilots: Wonderland, Damsels and feature films projects: The Fort, The Christmas Rebound, and Wake Me. The Singer-Songwriter: Danielle's original songs have been placed in films: Venice Underground, April Moon, In the Presence of, Shadowheart, and theme song Heaven for indie feature City of... which she performed live at the 19th Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Desert AIDS Project accompanying dancers Kupono and Marko from So You Think You Can Dance with with choreography by Ray Leeper. She received a Los Angeles Music Award for "Best Female Singer-Songwriter." Her album "Glimmer" was nominated for AAA Album of the Year and her song "In Passing" has received Unanimous Choice Recipient Award for Independent AC Single of the Year. Music Connection Magazine has featured Danielle in its Hot 100 Unsigned Artists list. Annually Danielle sings on stage with rock n' roll legends at the Venice Beach Sign Holiday Lighting ceremony, past artists: Al Jardine of The Beach Boys and Andy Summers of The Police. Danielle sings and plays piano, guitar and ukulele with her band Midnight Velvet, interweaving jazz and blues standards in their smooth, inventive way and reinterpret songs from the Great American Songbook to modern day rock-pop classics a la the vintage style of Postmodern Jukebox. Danielle received her Bachelor of Arts at California State University at Fullerton graduating Magna Cum Laude with a double emphasis on Acting and Musical Theatre. While attending CSUF, she received several nominations for the Irene Ryan Best Actress Award and took runner-up at The Lincoln Center Theatre in NYC. She studied producing, directing, and screenwriting at The Hollywood Film Institute with Dov Simens, ScreenwritingU and Screenwriter University at The Writer's Store. She continued her studies with Eric Kline at Film Actor's Workshop, Larry Moss, Lesly Kahn and Shari Shaw Studios and improvisation at Upright Citizens Brigade.- Actress
- Soundtrack
This summer Kelli Berglund will star in the highly-anticipated, STARZ drama "Heels," alongside Stephen Amell, Alexander Ludwig and Alison Luff. Written by Michael Waldron and directed by Peter Segal, "Heels" is set in a close-knit Georgia community and follows a family-owned wrestling promotion, as two brothers and rivals war over their late father's legacy. Berglund shines as Crystal, a 20-year-old wrestler's valet who yearns to transform out of her traditional day job and compete as a wrestler. "Heels" is slated to premiere August 15, 2021.
"Heels" marks Berglund's return to STARZ, following a lead role in the network's sexy and vibrant Steven Soderbergh-helmed series "Now Apocalypse." The series made its premiere as a Sundance selection in 2019 and Berglund was immediately deemed a breakout as Carly Carlson, being called "a feisty pleasure" (The Hollywood Reporter), "a sharp-tongued highlight of the series" (Collider), with "great comic timing" (AV Club), and the "perfect level of don't-give-a-f*ck" (Rolling Stone). Additional recent credits for Berglund include appearing as young Gwen Verdon in the Emmy-winning limited biopic series "Fosse/Verdon" for FX, the Apple original film "Cherry," opposite Tom Holland and Ciara Bravo, and recurring on TNT's longstanding, hit drama series "Animal Kingdom." In 2020 she appeared opposite Adam Sandler in Netflix's mystery/comedy "Hubie Halloween."
Berglund began her career in entertainment with a starring role as Bree Davenport from 2012-16 on Disney XD's hit series "Lab Rats" and "Lab Rats: Elite Force." While on "Lab Rats," Berglund also starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie "How to Build a Better Boy," opposite China Anne McLain and Noah Centineo, which became a smash hit for the channel. In theatre, Berglund brought her dancing, singing, and acting skills to the stage, starring as Belle in Pasadena Playhouse's featured winter production "Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose" (2017). Produced by Lythgoe Family Panto, the play offered an updated version of the classic tale, featuring family-friendly magic with a comedic twist, dancing, contemporary music, and more.
A California native, Berglund has worked closely over the years with the Audrey Hepburn CARES Center, in association with the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, which provides services for suspected victims of child abuse and their families, as well as People Concern, an organization aiming to end homelessness across LA county. She is also an accomplished dancer and has been honored with a number of awards for her talents in lyrical, contemporary, ballet, pointe, hip-hop, tap, and jazz.
Berglund currently resides in the Los Angeles area.- Actor
- Producer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
From bringing dynamic characters to life on screen to producing and writing films, award winning actor Mehcad Brooks has become known in the entertainment industry for his raw and refined talent, charisma, and moving presence. This year, Mehcad can be seen starring as Jackson 'Jax' Briggs, a cybernetically-enhanced super soldier and leader of Earthrealm in Warner Bros' highly anticipated action adventure feature film "Mortal Kombat." Directed by Simon McQuaid and produced by James Wan ("Aquaman"), the film is based on the iconic video game series that centers on an extensive roster of character fighters from a variety of realms in a fictional universe battling for supremacy; the series has sold over 49 million copies, spanning over a dozen canon games and expansions, making it one of the most profitable video game franchises of all time. "Mortal Kombat" was released simultaneously in theaters worldwide, and on HBO Max on April 16, 2021.
In film, Mehcad starred in Netflix's most watched thriller of 2020, Tyler Perry's "A Fall From Grace," which in its first four months following its debut remained one of the Top 10 Most Watched titles. He also recently starred in "Nobody's Fool" (Paramount Pictures) opposite Tika Sumpter, Tiffany Haddish and Whoopi Goldberg. Additional film credits include "In the Valley of Elah" opposite Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron, Disney's "Glory Road" produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, "Just Wright" opposite Queen Latifah, Common, and Paula Patton for Fox Searchlight Pictures and "About Last Night" opposite Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, and Regina Hall for Screen Gems.
On the television front, Mehcad most recently starred in the DC Comic superhero action-adventure series "Supergirl" (The CW) opposite Melissa Benoist. The series debuted in 2015 to critical acclaim, being called "a damn good time" by The New York Observer, "bright, fun, exciting" by Forbes and "just great television" by The Los Angeles Times. For five seasons, Mehcad was a fan favorite as friend, mentor, and object of affection to Supergirl (Benoist), James "The Guardian" Olsen.
Mehcad landed his first big break in television in 2005, securing the role of Matthew Applewhite (Alfre Woodward's son) on the award-winning series "Desperate Housewives" for ABC. During his time on the show he won a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, and also secured a NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Mehcad went on to co-star on the critically acclaimed Alan Ball HBO series "True Blood" as Benedict 'Eggs' Talley opposite Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer from 2008-2010. When his time on "True Blood" came to an end, he quickly booked a lead role on USA's drama series "Necessary Roughness," which was based on the true story of a female psychologist who worked for the New York Jets. Mehcad was a scene stealer as football player Terrence 'TK' King, a star wide receiver who becomes notorious for his frequent fumbles and regular run-ins with the law. The series ran for three seasons, from 2011-13. In between "True Blood" and "Necessary Roughness," Mehcad landed a celebrity endorsement deal with Calvin Klein, in one of the most notorious global campaigns to date, making international headlines as one of the four faces of their CK X underwear line two years in a row.
Born and raised in Austin, Texas Mehcad grew up excelling at academics while being immersed in sports, becoming an all-state basketball player. While he loved spending time on the court and in the classroom (being recognized nationally in academics), he had a deep-rooted passion for the arts, whether it was acting, playing music, producing, or writing. Upon graduating high school, he decided to forgo 26 basketball scholarships and a full academic scholarship to Yale. He decided to attend the prestigious University of Southern California to study at their School of Cinematic Arts, to further hone his craft. Early credits for Mehcad include: "Malcolm in the Middle," "Boston Public," "One on One," "Cold Case," "The Game," "Dollhouse," and "Ghost Whisperer."
While bringing characters to life remains one of Mehcad's biggest passions, his love for telling stories through music is equally important. Mehcad recently released his debut, full length album "May 20th" which was inspired by multiple near-death experiences, all taking place on May 20th and forever changing his life. "May 20th" is available on all digital platforms.- Actress
- Soundtrack
This year, actress-on-the-rise Farrah Mackenzie is positioned to take the entertainment industry by storm. She has established herself as a seasoned player in film and television, captivating audiences worldwide through the dynamic and emotionally complex characters brought to life on screen.
Farrah has starred in Chuck Lorre's "The Big Bang Theory" and CBS' new comedy series, "United States of Al" opposite Adhir Kalyan, Parker Young and Dean Norris. The series follows the friendship between Riley (Young), a Marine combat veteran struggling to readjust to civilian life in Ohio, and Awalmir, aka Al (Kalyan), the interpreter who served with his unit in Afghanistan and has just arrived to start a new life in America. Farrah stars as Hazel, Riley and Vanessa's (Kelli Goss) smart, fearless, and adventurous daughter.
In 2020, Farrah starred opposite John Cusack, Rainn Wilson, and Sasha Lane in Amazon's thriller series "Utopia." Created and Executive Produced by Gillian Flynn ("Gone Girl," "Sharp Objects"), the twisted thriller followed a group of young comic book fans who discover the conspiracy in a graphic novel is real and embark on a high stakes adventure to save humanity. Farrah shined as Alice, an adopted foster child who is bright and curious, with an unrelenting resolve when thrown into this dangerous world.
Additional credits for Farrah include starring as Stella Parton in NBC's "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" and the Emmy-nominated, "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love." Both television films were based on Dolly Parton's childhood growing up in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains in the 1950's, with a large family.
In film, Farrah was seen in Magnolia Pictures' "Please Stand By" appearing as a younger Dakota Fanning. She also appeared in Steven Soderbergh's "Logan Lucky" (Fingerprint Releasing) opposite Channing Tatum and Katie Holmes, as Tatum and Holmes' daughter, Sadie Logan. Additional film credits include the 2020 Cinequest Festival selection "Ascension" (California Pictures), indie drama "Amanda McKay," "You Get Me" (Netflix), "Apartment 407" (Gravitas Ventures) and "Nanny Cam" (Lifetime).
Born in Los Angeles to actors, Angela Little ("Walk Hard") and Andy Mackenzie ("Sushi Girl"), and granddaughter to DGA Award winning and Emmy Award nominated director, Will Mackenzie, Farrah was immersed in the arts from the time she was born. At five years old, she appeared in her first project, the indie fantasy short, "The Heart's Eye View" with her parents. She has been working ever since.
Aside from acting, Farrah has stated a love for reading including being a big Harry Potter fan. She loves to spend time in the outdoors, and with her family.- Actress
- Producer
Born in Mumbai, India and raised in Nigeria until the age of seven, Contractor was well-versed in world travels and a variety of cultures at a very young age. She attended boarding school in London from seven to nine years old, then her family moved to Toronto, Canada, where she spent the majority of her childhood and young adulthood. In Toronto, Contractor excelled in academics and trained as a classical ballerina. She attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts, a specialized public arts high school where she not only danced but studied theater as well. At the age of 16, after nearly 10 years of dance Contractor realized she wanted to pursue acting seriously. Upon graduating from high school she accepted a full scholarship to the University of Toronto, where she pursued a masters in theatre and a double major in psychology and sociology. After one year at University, Contractor went to an open call audition for the play Pericles at the prestigious, world-renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival [Ontario, Canada], and landed the lead role. She received rave reviews for her work in the 92 shows performed, the play was voted the #1 production of the year by Canadian critics, in 2002. Contractor was offered the opportunity to enroll in Stratford's conservatory program, where a select eight men and four women are accepted for a 20-week crash course on classical theater, which she eagerly took. Contractor was guaranteed a spot in the next season of plays, and landed the role of Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream. By the third season with the company, Contractor wanted to pursue film and television. In 2005 she booked a role in a FOX pilot by Anthony Hines [Borat, Bruno, The Dictator]. The role was intense, leaving the actors in character for eight to nine hours a day in front of an audience, and was a precursor to the style of film that Borat would be, just one year later. When the pilot did not get picked up, Contractor decided to go back to school and finish her education. While securing her degrees, she booked "The Border," a Canadian drama for CBC. She starred as Layla Hourani for 26 episodes, and the series aired worldwide. The role also garnered her a Golden Nymph Award at The Montecarlo Television Festival, in 2008. Once the show wrapped, Contractor made the move to Los Angeles.
In 2009, Contractor booked the role of Kayla Hassan, in 21 episodes of the hit FOX series "24." As President Omar Hassan [Anil Kapoor] and Dalia Hassan's [Necar Zadegan] daughter, she was a scene stealer, portraying a seemingly sheltered young woman, whose secret life ends up putting her in horrible conditions. While in production on "24" Contractor also booked a recurring role on CBS' "Rules of Engagement" opposite David Spade and Adhir Kalyan. Other television credits for Contractor include "Lone Star" [FOX] and "Last Resort" [ABC]. On the film front, Contractor has been seen in Seance: The Summoning [Lionsgate] in which she won Best Supporting Actress at WorldFest Houston, in 2012.
In May 2013, Contractor appeared as a devoted wife and mother facing extreme challenges in her family in the highly anticipated, Paramount feature film Star Trek Into Darkness (2013).
When not working, Contractor is an avid runner and yogi. She loves to travel the world, and her preferred method of transportation while in other countries is by motorcycle. She was also born into the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, and is one of the 150,000 Parsis in the world. Philanthropy is a huge priority for Contractor, she is a strong supporter of the organization Second Harvest to feed the homeless, and Look Good Feel Better, supporting women with cancer. She lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, son, and border terrier.- Actress
- Writer
Beth Dover has quickly become known in the entertainment industry for the charismatic characters she has brought to life on screen. Whether it be her undeniable comedic timing or her ability to improv and play in any situation thrown her way, Dover is one to watch, this year. She can currently be seen co-starring on the Golden Globe, Emmy, and SAG Award-winning series "Orange is the New Black" for Netflix. Introduced during season three, Dover shines as Linda Ferguson, an administrative stickler for MCC, the private company that owns Litchfield prison. Linda also just happens to be Caputo's (Nick Sandow) girlfriend. "Orange is the New Black" premiered season five on June 9, 2017.
In addition to "OITNB" Dover will be seen reprising her role as Shari in Netflix's "Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later," a follow up to the eight-episode limited series "Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp" starring Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Meloni, Janeane Garofalo, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Chris Pine, Jon Hamm and Kristen Wiig. The show was released on August 8, 2017. Lastly, Dover can be seen returning to season three of Comedy Central's historical satire series "Another Period" (release date TBA). The show follows the lives of the obscenely rich Bellacourt family and their many servants in turn-of-the-century Rhode Island in 1902. Dover plays Blanche, the long suffering housemaid who works for the family and is regularly in and out of mental hospitals. The show also stars Natasha Leggero, Riki Lindhome, Michael Ian Black, David Wain, Christina Hendricks, Jason Ritter, and Paget Brewster.
Born in Chicago, Dover's family was in the military and she moved every two years until she was 13 years old, even living in South Korea for a time. From an early age she loved creating characters and storytelling, memorizing commercials as a kid and begging her mom to let her be in them. Dover attended high school in Florida and went on to be a theatre major in college, then moved to New York City where she studied Meisner. She went on to settle in Los Angeles, where she discovered improv comedy and fell even further in love with the craft.
In 2010 Dover landed the role of Nurse Beth on the satirical comedy TV series "Childrens Hospital" for Adult Swim. The show, starring actor/comedian Rob Corddry, parodied the medical drama genre and went on for seven seasons with Dover appearing in 20 episodes. In 2012-13 Dover appeared as Lexie on 20 episodes of the E! series "Burning Love," a comedic sendup of dating shows like "The Bachelor" starring Ken Marino. Additional television credits include some of the biggest series in comedy: "Son of Zorn," "Bob's Burgers," "New Girl," "Truth Be Told," "Difficult People," "Big Time in Hollywood, FL," "Fresh Off the Boat," "Comedy Bang! Bang!," "Newsreaders," "Chasing Life," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "Dads," and "Whitney." On the film front, Dover appeared in "Life Partners" for Magnolia Pictures opposite Gillian Jacobs, Leighton Meester, Gabourey Sidibe, and Adam Brody.
When she isn't on set Dover is a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and the HRC. For fun, she spends entirely too much time in private karaoke rooms with friends, singing her heart out to her favorite jams. Dover currently lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, actor Joe Lo Truglio, and their son.- Actor
- Soundtrack
In 2022 Joshua Sasse can be seen starring in FOX's upcoming epic, multi-generational musical drama "Monarch." The series revolves around America's first family of country music; the reigning King of Country Albie Roman (Trace Adkins), and his insanely talented but tough-as-nails wife, Dottie (Susan Sarandon). Sasse shines as Luke Roman, Albie, and Dottie's smart, charming, straight-shooting, high-flying son who also happens to be the CEO of the family's business, Monarch Entertainment. "Monarch" features original music and covers, and is slated to premiere on Sunday September 11 and will move into its regular time period on Tuesdays at 9:00 PM on September 20th, 2022.
Additional recent credits for Sasse include his breakout role as Galavant on the Emmy nominated, ABC series "Galavant" (created by Dan Fogelman, 2015-16), and leading roles on "No Tomorrow" for The CW, "Rogue," for DirectTV, and ABC's "The Neighbors." In film, Sasse has starred in "Frankenstein's Army," and "The Big I Am."
Born in London, Sasse was raised in the Himalayas in Nepal until his father died in an air crash in Kathmandu, which brought his family back to England. He attended an English boarding school with aspirations of returning to Nepal to join the army. Upon finishing school, Sasse discovered his love of bringing characters to life on stage and decided to study performing arts at Hurtwood House College and later at Cygnet Training Theatre in Exeter. After joining the British Army as an officer, he left his place at Military academy and spent four years cutting his teeth in theater, touring with companies in the UK and Europe, and starring in the West End production of "Mamma Mia" at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London before making his way to America to fully pursue a career in film and television. He has been working ever since.
In 2017 Sasse took a brief hiatus from the entertainment industry, making the decision to step away from the limelight in order to re-root himself. He worked in a vintage car garage, lived on an island in Greece where he wrote two novels, collections of poetry, and penned a travel/remedial book. He started a Safari company in Zambia, and moved to Australia where he opened a café and bar. Sasse got married and had two children, in the process. Sasse notes this period of time changed his life and life changed him, marking a new chapter in his journey.
In 2020 during the pandemic, Sasse was finally published as a poet and dove deeper into his love of poetry, even launching a podcast entitled "The Poet's Voice" which features accessible, bite-size poems that erase the stigma placed on poetry by reading them in a way that everyone can enjoy. As a writer, Sasse is putting the finishing touches on his latest book "The Poetry Orchard," which is due to be published in 2022.
Sasse is a staunch supporter of anti-poaching and protecting wildlife across the world, and is one of the founders of 'Classic Zambia' a close to nature Safari experience with professional guides that have an unparalleled knowledge of the bush.
When he isn't on set, Sasse spends his time pursuing his writing and is most passionate about spending time with his wife and children.- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Nurturing an impressive body of work that encompasses film and television, award-winning actor, writer, and producer Stefanie Scott is one of Hollywood's most promising young talents. This year Stefanie will star in Peacock's upcoming thriller/supernatural series "Girl in the Woods." Set in the Pacific Northwest, "Girl in the Woods" follows Carrie's (Scott) escape from her mysterious, cult-like colony that guards the world against monsters hidden behind a secret door within the woods. She finds herself fighting to stay alive, in the previously sleepy, small town of West Pine. "Girl in the Woods" is slated to premiere in October 2021. In film, Stefanie can currently be seen starring in the independent horror/ drama feature "The Last Thing Mary Saw" alongside Isabelle Fuhrman and Rory Culkin. The film debuted at the Fantasia International Film Festival this year and will stream on Shudder in early 2022. Also in 2021, Stefanie starred in "Girl in the Basement" directed by Elisabeth Röhm and inspired by true events. The film tells the emotional story of Sara (Scott) a suburban teen who is imprisoned by her father Don (Judd Nelson) in the basement of their home. Stefanie received rave reviews for her harrowing portrayal of Sara, who was held captive for over 20 years.
Stefanie is often recognized for her plethora of roles in feature films over the years, including starring in Focus Features' and Blumhouse Productions' "Insidious: Chapter 3." Stefanie completed all of her own stunts in the film, which grossed over $110 million worldwide. In 2017 she appeared in "At First Light" opposite Théodore Pellerin, "Beautiful Boy" alongside Timothée Chalamet, and "Small Town Crime" opposite Octavia Spencer. In 2015 she starred in Universal Pictures' "Jem and the Holograms" (directed by Jon M. Chu and produced by Scooter Braun) where she was able to showcase her musical side, along with bringing the character of Kimber to life. More recent credits include the indie feature "Mary" opposite Gary Oldman and Emily Mortimer, and "Good Girls Get High" where she also served as an Associate Producer.
Some of Stefanie's early big breaks in the business came with appearing in Rob Reiner's "Flipped" (Warner Bros.) and co-starring as a young Natalie Portman in "No Strings Attached" (Paramount Pictures). She also lent her voice to the Oscar-nominated animated feature "Wreck-It Ralph" for Disney. In 2015 Stefanie appeared in a music video for Hayley Kioko entitled "Girls Like Girls" that went viral, hitting over 139 million+ views (and counting) on YouTube. The music video was groundbreaking for its time and a testament to marginalized connections. Born in Chicago, Illinois Stefanie moved to Florida with her family at a young age where she began auditioning for local theater productions. She was homeschooled in the Melbourne area, before moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career full time. As a singer/songwriter Stefanie loves to write and record her own music, along with playing her ukulele and guitar. Her music has been featured in a handful of projects including the single "Wherever I May Go" which was featured in "Girl in the Basement" and "Pretty Baby" which was on the soundtrack for the film "Spare Room."
Over the years Stefanie has actively supported The Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) visiting with kids that are battling ongoing illnesses & working to bring awareness to the great work CHOC brings to the community. On social media, Stefanie has nearly 3.6 million followers across all of her platforms and loves to utilize her following to give back to and raise awareness for causes near to her heart.- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Originally from Kelowna, British Columbia, actress on the rise Taylor Hickson has steadily made a name for herself in the entertainment industry through the dynamic characters she has brought to life on screen. From starring as the sweet, girl next door, to a relentless assassin in training, and a strong-willed, apocalypse survivor, Hickson has proved time and time again she can do it all.
Hickson was most recently seen starring in the critically acclaimed indie drama "Giant Little Ones" [Mongrel Media] alongside Maria Bello, Kyle MacLachlan and Josh Wiggins. The film follows two popular teenage boys, Franky Winter (Wiggins) and Ballas Kohl (Darren Mann), best friends since childhood, who discover their lives, families, and girlfriends dramatically upended after an unexpected incident occurs on the night of Franky's seventeenth birthday party. Hickson was a scene stealer as Natasha Kohl, Ballas' sister who is ostracized from the rest of their classmates. "Giant Little Ones" premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews with The Hollywood Reporter saying the film is, ".... beautifully acted story that manages to transcend quite a few - if clearly not all - of the coming-of-age genre's clichés."
On the television front Hickson can next be seen in the highly anticipated SYFY series "Deadly Class" (2019). Executive Produced by Joe and Anthony Russo ("The Avengers") the series follows a disillusioned teen recruited into a high school for assassins during the late 1980's counterculture. Hickson stars as gloomy goth girl Petra, one of the students at the School for the Deadly Arts. Hickson was also recently cast as the series lead in the drama pilot for Freeform "Motherland" (from "Claws" creator Eliot Laurence and executive producers Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Kevin Messick) which follows a secret government program that recruits witches to help with combat missions Additional credits for Hickson include appearing in Twentieth Century Fox's "Deadpool" opposite Ryan Reynolds, MGM's "Everything, Everything" opposite Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson, the indie thriller film "Residue," and starring on SYFY's apocalyptic series "Aftermath."
Born and raised in Canada, Hickson's career began at the age of twelve, singing alongside her father on stages throughout BC. As her passion for music deepened, she began writing her own material and graduated high school a year early to focus on her music career. She fell into acting after a relative encouraged her to audition for an agency at 16 years old. Once Hickson began auditioning, she landed roles right out the gate, one of the first being a part in the psychological thriller "Blackway" opposite Anthony Hopkins, Ray Liotta, and Julia Stiles. That was followed by a lead role in Canadian indie "Hunting Pignut" based on writer/director Martine Blue's true-life story. The film centers around Bernice (Hickson) a 15-year old runaway trying desperately to uncover the mystery of her father's disappearance. Hickson has been working non-stop ever since.
While acting and music are two of Hickson's greatest passions, she also has a big place in her heart for charity and actively supports International Justice Mission and Free the Children, both of which focus on saving or preventing children being sold into child slavery and providing relief to children living in extreme poverty. Hickson has participated in food drives, raised funds for both organizations, and while in high school raised enough money to build a school for underprivileged children and provide them with school supplies.- Actress
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Comedian, actress, and writer are all ways multi-hyphenate talent Sherry Cola could be described as she has emerged over the last year as one to watch in the entertainment industry. Named a "Fresh Face" at the world-renowned Laugh Factory, Cola has proved that from drama to comedy in the scripted world, to hilarious, original stand up sets on stage, she can do it all.
In 2019 Cola can be seen starring on Freeform's brand new series "Good Trouble," slated to debut on January 8. The series, a spinoff from the smash hit show "The Fosters," follows Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) as they embark on the next phase of their young adult lives in Los Angeles. Cola shines as Alice, a first-generation Asian-American who manages the apartment complex the ladies are living in. On the film front Cola recently wrapped production on the Untitled Drake Doremus Project opposite Shailene Woodley, Jamie Dornan, and Sebastian Stan. The film is set in present-day Los Angeles and follows Daphne (Woodley), a thirty-something woman navigating love and heartbreak over the course of one year.
Born in Shanghai China, Cola and her family moved to the United States when she was four years old, planting their roots in the San Gabriel Valley just east of Los Angeles. She attended California State University Fullerton where she majored in Entertainment and Tourism Studies, and worked for the campus radio station Titan Radio. Cola's innate ability to make people laugh and bring stories to life was indisputable, and students tuned in daily to listen to her funny commentary on celebrity news, fresh music picks, and more. Upon graduation Cola joined AMP Radio 97.1FM, spearheading promotions, social media, board operations, and even hit the street with a microphone talking to passerby's and music fans. Television host and radio personality Carson Daly took Cola under his wing at the station, helping her further hone her craft as she launched her own Sunday night show. Cola went on to interview top artists including: Noah Cyrus, Fifth Harmony, and Khalid. While Cola got her foot in the door in radio, she also had her hands in improv, writing and creating characters with friends around Los Angeles. When two friends launched a web series called "Luber," a parody of Lift/Uber drivers, one of Cola's most notable characters to date was born: Lil' Tasty. The Lakers loving, jersey wearing, Timberland rocking-rapper was an instant hit online, receiving over 20 million views on Facebook.
Cola got her break in television in 2017, landing a seven-episode arc on Amazon's "I Love Dick" opposite Kevin Bacon and Kathryn Hahn. She was a scene stealer as jewelry maker Natalie, one of Dick's (Bacon) students at the art institute in Marfa, Texas. Cola went on to work with MTV on the comedy series "Safeword," showcasing her comedic skills alongside Kevin Hart, Ludacris, and LaLa Anthony. In 2018 Cola booked a recurring role on the hit TNT series "Claws" opposite Niecy Nash, Carrie Preston, and Judy Reyes. Joining the cast in season two, the series follows five diverse and treacherous manicurists, who are good women caught in bad places with even worse men. Cola instantly became a fan favorite as FBI Special Agent Lucy Chun, and is slated to return to the series in 2019 for season three.
On the comedy front Cola is constantly working on new material as a stand up comedian, and performs regularly at The Laugh Factory, The Improv and The Comedy Store. She also recently filmed an episode of "Funny Dance Show" for E! (2019) alongside Jackie Tohn, Solomon Georgio, and London Brown, and has worked with Kevin Hart's LOL Network and Funny or Die over the years.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
This year, Jonathan Kite can be seen starring in the film "Needle Little Christmas," with Sara Waisglass and Thomas Lenon, which he is producing and in which he also makes his feature screenwriting debut. Most recently he appeared in the Netflix comedy series, "Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!" opposite Jamie Foxx. Kite shined as Johnny Williams, Brian's (Foxx) best friend since childhood, and an honorary member of the family. The series, inspired by Foxx's real-life relationship with his daughter Corinne, is streaming globally on Netflix.
Kite may be best known for his starring role as the hilarious and lovable Ukrainian cook Oleg in CBS' long-running, award-winning comedy series "2 Broke Girls" opposite Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs. The show, created by Michael Patrick King and Whitney Cummings, ran from 2011-2017 and was nominated for 12 Emmy Awards and four People's Choice Awards.
Additional credits for Kite include indie comedy feature "The Bellman" opposite Thomas Lennon and Richard Kind, horror feature "All the Creatures Were Stirring" alongside Constance Wu, and the Jamie Foxx produced sketch show, "In the Flow with Affion Crockett" for FOX. Aside from his live-action work, Kite has lent his voice to multiple films and series including the Warner Bros. feature film "Smallfoot," Dreamworks' "Adam's Family 2", Peacock's "Cleopatra in Space," Netflix's "The Boss Baby: Back in Business," Adult Swim's "Black Dynamite," FOX's "Family Guy" and "American Dad!" As a stand-up comedian, Kite has performed nationwide and internationally to sold-out audiences.
He is an expert impressionist, boasting over 250 celebrity impressions that include Donald Trump, Vince Vaughn, Tom Hanks, Anthony Bourdain, Seth Rogen, Brendon Fraser, Jason Statham, Jeff Bridges, Robert Downey Jr., and John Lithgow, to name a few. Born and raised in Skokie, Illinois, Kite studied drama in high school and at the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. He performed many times on stage in Illinois before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in voice-over acting, film, and television.
Kite also studied improvisation and sketch comedy with Chicago's Second City and The Groundlings in Los Angeles. He is a founding member of the improv group, L. Ron Jeremy, which in 2010 set the national Cage Match Competition record at the Improv Olympic West Theater, winning 52 weeks in a row and then retiring undefeated. In 2009, he created, wrote, produced, and starred in his own sketch comedy television pilot, "The Skokie-Jo and Shappy Show," which has been described as "Mr. Show" meets "Quantum Leap."
Kite currently resides in Los Angeles.- Actress
- Producer
- Executive
From drama to comedy, Daya Vaidya has made a name for herself through the dynamic characters she has brought to life on screen, and her ability to seamlessly transform into every role she embodies.
Daya starred for six seasons as political shark Jen Kowski on Amazon's hit thriller/drama series "Bosch," based on the best-selling novels by Michael Connelly. Daya also recently completed a major recurring arc on "Superman and Lois," bringing to life the DC Comics super villain - Onomatopeoia! She is also reprising her role as Jen Kowski on "Bosch: Legacy" and is starring as a series regular on the BET Plus series, "Black Hamptons."
In addition to her current work, Daya has appeared in critically acclaimed projects in film and television over the years, including a series regular role on the CBS hit "Unforgettable" where she starred as the savvy, street smart Nina Inara. Additional credits include: "Major Crimes," "Castle," "Twisted," "Two and a Half Men," and "Dexter." Daya has also worked behind the scenes with her husband, actor/writer/producer Don Wallace. The duo met on the set of the award winning, indie film "Blue" which they starred in together and Don wrote/produced.
Raised in Oakland, California, Daya was immersed in the arts from a young age. At just three years old she began dancing under the tutelage of Oakland Ballet's artistic director Ron Guidi and by the age of 11, she was performing with the prestigious Bay Area Youth Theater, playing Anita in West Side Story, Tzeital in "Fiddler on the Roof," among many others; as well as becoming a lead dancer in their 'Dance Wing' company. She also performed in her first Equity production of "Smile," at only 16 years old.
Daya attended UCLA where she majored in Dance. After two years Daya took a sabbatical from college and danced on scholarship with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. Although she loved to dance, Daya wanted to finish pursuing her degree and decided to change her major to Theater. She returned to Los Angeles and completed her studies at UCLA earning a BFA in Theater Arts. While in Los Angeles, she has starred in many regional theater productions, including the west coast premiere of Jose Rivera's "Marisol," where she played the title role.
Upon graduating, Daya began auditioning for film, dance and television projects...she has been working ever since. Additionally, Daya also loves to teach children dance and acting. She coached and taught at Walter Pridgen's Acting Studios, as well as privately coached dancers and actors alike- including several children who went on to become professional actors. Daya is a member of the Los Angeles based theater company - Theatre Tribe and continues refining her craft with award winning director and acting coach, Stuart Rogers.
As a multi-racial woman, whose father was South Asian Gujurati and whose Mother is of Italian and Spanish descent, Daya is a vocal peace activist fighting for social justice, diversity in Hollywood and women's rights. She is also a two-time breast cancer survivor and promotes breast cancer awareness and research. See less- Since her acceptance into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts at just 16 years old, Angel Parker has enjoyed a thriving and respected career through her talent, hard work, and sophisticated charisma. Angel's body of work reflects her ease with both comedy and drama across an array of networks and platforms.
Angel's recent and upcoming work includes a starring role in "Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas" on NBC and recurring roles on the CW's "Superman & Lois," ABC's "The Rookie," and "The Recruit" for Netflix. Previous series regular and recurring roles include "Marvel's Runaways," "Lab Rats," "The Strain," "Trial & Error," "ER," and the FX Emmy Award-winning "American Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpson." She has also achieved a formidable list of lead roles and guest-star appearances, including Hulu's "The Dropout," the pilot of "La Brea," Kevin Costner's ABC pilot "National Parks," "The Good Doctor," "Grand Crew," "Animal Kingdom," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "911: Lone Star," "REL," "Teachers," "Castle," and "Criminal Minds," among others. In film, Angel's work includes the lead role in "You Are My Home" opposite Alyssa Milano for Netflix and the independent feature "Prisoner's Daughter" starring Kate Beckinsdale and Brian Cox.
Angel's roots also remain in the theater, having studied and worked with the British American Drama Academy, Independent Shakespeare Company, and Will & Company. She has performed with the Blank Theatre's Young Playwright's Festival for over a decade. Angel currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children. She is represented by Innovative Artists and Joel Stevens Entertainment. - Actress
- Producer
- Production Designer
Diana Hopper can be seen starring as Billy Bob Thornton's daughter, Denise McBride, in the award-winning Amazon original drama series "Goliath" - created by David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, Big Little Lies). Lawrence Trilling (Parenthood, Alias) is Executive Producer.
Diana has also appeared on Hulu's critically acclaimed series "Casual," and past television credits also include "Criminal Minds" and the SyFy movie "Lavalantula."
Additionally, Diana is the lead in the several features including "Shooting in Vain," which won the Grand Jury Award at the Dances with Films festival, and "Bit" which is set to premiere at Frameline in San Francisco this June.
She is from Memphis, Tennessee.- Actor
- Soundtrack
From starring in critically acclaimed drama series to showcasing his natural ability in comedies on-screen, award-winning actor Yanic Truesdale has brought diverse and dynamic characters to life on screen over the years, and he is just getting started.
In 2022 Truesdale can be seen in Netflix's upcoming comedy series "God's Favorite Idiot" opposite Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone. "God's Favorite Idiot" follows a mid-level tech support employee who finds love with a co-worker at exactly the same time that he becomes the unwitting messenger of God. Truesdale shines as Chamuel, the new divine, archangel in town and if there wasn't a cataclysmic conflict tearing heaven and earth asunder, he'd try the nachos at that mall kiosk. "God's Favorite Idiot," which premieres this spring, reunites Truesdale with McCarthy nearly 15 years after wrapping their award winning, iconic series "Gilmore Girls."
Additional recent credits for Truesdale include appearing in the award nominated film "My Salinger Year" (IFC Films) opposite Sigourney Weaver and Margaret Qualley which opened the Berlin Film Festival, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" for HBO (where he played Lin-Manuel Miranda's agent) and is a part of the ongoing murder mystery franchise "Fallen Angels Murder Club" for Lifetime opposite Toni Braxton. Truesdale is currently in production on season three of the record-breaking, CBC Canadian series "Les Mecs," which just sold for distribution worldwide. The show follows four male best friends in their 50's trying to stay relevant in today's life.
Truesdale may be best known for his starring role opposite Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, and Melissa McCarthy as the opinionated, sarcastic, and good-hearted concierge of the Independent Inn, Michel Gerard, on the critically acclaimed, iconic series "Gilmore Girls." The role garnered Truesdale much critical acclaim, even landing him on the Variety 10 Actors to Watch list opposite Ryan Gosling and Jennifer Garner. The series was revived by Netflix in 2016 for four special episodes under the title "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life," which brought Truesdale back into homes as Michel, for ecstatic fans.
Born and raised in Montreal, Truesdale launched his acting career at just 17 years old when he joined the National Theatre School of Canada, where he was accepted to study and fine tune his craft. Upon graduation at 19, he began a robust acting career across Canada. One of his first big breaks was a starring role in "He Shoots, He Scores" a popular Canadian series about hockey. He went on to work for six years on a series entitled "The Duval Family," and in 1998 was nominated for his first Gemini Award (the Canadian Emmys) for Best Acting - Comedy Series or Special for his performance in the sitcom "Majeurs et Vaccinés." The series was a critical hit throughout Canada, with Truesdale portraying the only Black child in a while family. Truesdale then starred in "Mauvais Karma" which landed him his second Gemini nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy.
While his star power was growing in Canada, Truesdale desired to relocate and work in the states, so he moved to New York City where he studied at the renowned Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Truesdale's very first audition in Los Angeles was for the role of Michel on "Gilmore Girls," a character he portrayed for 158 episodes. He has been starring in film and television projects, ever since.
In addition to acting, Truesdale is a successful entrepreneur owning the indoor cycling studio Spin Energie in Montreal, for nearly a decade. The studio has been frequented by celebrities over the years including Charlize Theron, and Ariana Grande. Truesdale splits his time in Los Angeles and Montreal, both cities he considers home.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Over the last few years, Andrew Bachelor, better known as King Bach, has quickly parlayed from one of the most influential names on the internet to being an in-demand actor, producer, and content creator. His comedy has spawned national catchphrases, captured a global audience, and has launched him into the entertainment industry as a bonafide "one to watch".
Bachelor has starred in the films Fifty Shades of Black (2016), Meet the Blacks (2016), The Babysitter (2017), and Where's the Money (2017), and will appear in the upcoming films When We First Met (2018) and To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018). Additional television credits include Dead House (2017), which he created, directed and executive produced, Easy (2016), Resident Advisors (2015), Black Jesus (2014), The Mindy Project (2012), and Angie Tribeca (2016).
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and raised in the U.S., he graduated from Florida State University with a degree in business in 2010. While attending FSU, he was a high-jump star athlete, consistently ranking among the top fifteen high-jumpers in the NCAA. After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue one of his greatest passions, a career as an actor. He took acting classes at the New York Film Academy in LA, and Bachelor established his own production company, Bach Enterprises, where he produced, directed, and performed in several projects including the short film Agent Steele (2012). In a few short years, he rose to be one of the most-followed people on Vine with 15 million subscribers and over 5 billion total views. His other social media channels also flourished, with tens of millions following his content.
In 2003, Bachelor founded The RuJohn Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to provide the necessary tools for education to rural and inner-city schools throughout Jamaica and the United States. The foundation also organizes annual youth-focused financial literary workshops, sports camps led by professional athletes, and acting workshops led by successful actors and entertainers.
Bachelor has been named one of the "top influencers" by both Forbes and Time, and in 2015 he received the Streamy Award for Viner of the Year. The following year, he won the Shorty Award for Viner of the Year, and in 2017 he was nominated for the Streamy Award for Storyteller of the Year. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most-followed account on Vine.- In 2021, acclaimed actor John Hoogenakker can be seen starring in Hulu's limited series "Dopesick" opposite Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Kaitlyn Dever, and Rosario Dawson. Inspired by the New York Times bestselling book by Beth Macy, "Dopesick" takes viewers to the epicenter of America's struggle with opioid addiction, from the boardrooms of Purdue Pharma, to a distressed Virginia mining community, and to the hallways of the DEA. Hoogenakker shines as Randy Ramseyer, an assistant US Attorney prosecuting the infamous and ongoing Purdue Pharma case. "Dopesick" is slated to premiere in October 2021. In addition to "Dopesick," Hoogenakker most recently recurred on the Hulu mystery series "Castle Rock" as Carl Wilkes, opposite Lizzy Caplan. He is perhaps best known however, for his role as black-ops CIA operator Matice in the hit Amazon series "Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan" opposite John Krasinski and Wendell Pierce. Additional credits include: "A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas," "Public Enemies" opposite Marion Cotillard and Christian Bale, USA's "Colony," STARZ's "The Girlfriend Experience," and Fox's "Empire," to name a few. Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hoogenakker became an actor at an early age. As a two-time state and district high school debate champion in Humorous Interpretation, Hoogenakker went on to attend The Theatre School at DePaul University, in Chicago. He found his calling on stage, appearing in many of the city's illustrious houses including The Goodman, Writers' Theatre, Court Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and the renowned Steppenwolf Garage. His varied stage work ranges from Chris Smith in Tracy Letts' Killer Joe to the role of Hamlet at The Illinois Shakespeare Festival. At the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York, he received excellent reviews as the tragic alcohol-addled Willie Oban in the acclaimed remounting of "The Iceman Cometh," alongside Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy. One of his first on-camera credits came in the 2006 feature "Flags of Our Fathers," under the esteemed direction of Clint Eastwood. While Hoogenakker holds an illustrious resume in film and TV, he has also appeared in millions of homes across the country on the commercial front. From Pepsi/NASCAR, Baskin-Robbins, Avocados of Mexico, Hyundai, to voicing campaigns for McDonald's, BMO Harris, Nintendo, Tyson and Sears, and even working with Robert De Niro for Santander, Hoogenakker has had a lucrative career commercially. His work as the Bud Light King helped introduce the nonsensical phrase 'Dilly Dilly' into the cultural lexicon, and he has been seen most recently with his sidekick Walter the cat, for Chevy. When Hoogenakker is not on sets around the world, he enjoys spending time with his family and being outside as much as possible.
- Actor
- Music Department
Tristen J. Winger made his television acting debut in Issa Rae's HBO Original Series, "Insecure." Winger portrays the character of "Thug Yoda," an intimidating, yet comedic and loving father who also happens to be a local gang member. As Issa's neighbor in the series, Winger's character provides both "Yoda-like" wisdom as well as the occasional comedic relief throughout the show.
Born and raised in South Los Angeles, Winger became immersed in the arts at an early age. In 2000, he was enrolled in The Colburn School of Performing Arts and later joined the Amazing Grace Conservatory where he was inspired to develop his skills in acting, voice, and dance. Years later, Tristen landed a role on the critically acclaimed web series, "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl" as the unknowingly soft-spoken character, baby-voiced "Darius". Soon after, Tristen began taking improv classes at The Upright Citizen's Brigade in addition to courses at Lesly Kahn & Co.
He enjoys spending his off screen time writing, traveling, producing music, and impersonating characters and people from everyday life. Winger recognizes and credits his passion and growing success to his mother, a retired touring ballroom dancer who consistently sought out activities to foster his creative development.- Actress
- Producer
- Additional Crew
This year actress on the rise Gabriela Milla can be seen starring on season 2 of Apple TV+'s hit bilingual comedy series, "Acapulco." The show follows Máximo Gallardo, whose dreams come true when, in 1984, he lands the job of a lifetime as a cabana boy at the hottest resort in Acapulco. He soon realizes the job is far more complicated than he ever imagined as all his beliefs and morals come into question. Gabriela joins the cast in a standout role for season two as Isabel, Maximo's outspoken and mischievous new love interest that soon knocks him off his feet.
Created by Austin Winsberg ("Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist"), season one of "Acapulco" was met with rave reviews, being called: "a skillful comedy... tenderhearted" (Indiewire), "a well-balanced show... with a whole roster of equally charming supporting players" (AV Club), "Acapulco has a ton of heart, plenty of humor and looks stunning" (The Globe and Mail), and "a surprisingly charming trip back in time to the Mexican resort town in the 1980's" (TheWrap). "Acapulco" also picked up a handful of award nominations at the 2022 Imagen Awards, including Best Primetime Program - Comedy. Season 2 is slated for release on October 21, 2022.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana Gabriela was immersed in the arts and a melting pot of culture from a very young age. Her Venezuelan mother and Honduran father decided when she was seven years old to make the move back to Honduras, where she spent the rest of her childhood and attended high school. Growing up in Latin America, Gabriela was surrounded by a supportive family who cherished the arts and made sure she cultivated that love and passion - solidifying her future career path in acting. She made the move back to the United States for college attending Emerson in Boston, Massachusetts where she studied Broadcast Journalism & Acting and began the auditioning process to land her first job.
After several years of auditioning and coming close to many projects, Gabriela decided to take a break and in 2019 stepped away from acting and moved to Miami. There, she spent two years writing and creating, even launching a podcast based on the lessons she learned from recent breakups. She became passionate about empowering women through the content she wanted to make. In 2022, Gabriela came back to acting after receiving an audition opportunity from Susan Vash, the Casting Director for "Acapulco." Gabriela sent in a self-tape for the role of Isabel and landed the job, the rest is history.
While working in film and television keeps Gabriela busy, she is a big believer in giving back and volunteering. She has been actively involved with "The Miracle Project," a fully inclusive theater, film, and expressive arts program focused on building communication, self-esteem, job and social skills for individuals with autism and all abilities - speaking and non-speaking. She started out as a volunteer and then taught for several years. Gabriela also loves to play tennis, cook, dance, and go to yoga classes. Traveling is also one of her greatest passions, she loves to explore museums, discover new restaurants, and sift through bookstores. Gabriela currently lives in the Los Angeles are- Teri is a Northern California native, has lived in Houston, Texas, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and now resides in Los Angeles, California. She is a certified personal trainer and sucker for black coffee and early morning weight lifting. Teri is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Romulo Barral.
She studied to be an actress in the BFA theater program at UC Santa Barbara and the MFA theater program at UC San Diego.
Teri recurs as Marlena in Ssn 2 of Netflix's The Punisher, as Dorothy in ABC's Once Upon a Time, was series regular Dr. Hallie Casey opposite Jesse Spencer in the NBC's Chicago Fire, and starred as KJ Jameson in Hulu's first original scripted show Battleground. She has numerous recurring and guest star credits and has also appeared in several independent films.
Teri is a producing member of Ovation Award winning Chalk Repertory Theatre where she frequently appears in stage productions. - Actress
- Soundtrack
- Music Department
From a dry, intelligent teenager with a dark sense of humor navigating the waters of her parents divorce, to portraying one of the most notable former members of Charles Manson's commune, to a 16-year-old girl who embarks on a nation-wide killing spree of the country's dumbest, most irritating celebrities, Tara Lynne Barr has quickly become known in the entertainment industry for the complex characters she has brought to life in film and on television.
Tara is best known for her starring role in Hulu and Lionsgate Television's original comedy series Casual (2015). Executive produced by Jason Reitman, Tara is a scene stealer as Laura, the sarcastic yet wise and witty daughter of Valerie (Michaela Watkins). The series follows a bachelor brother (Tommy Dewey) and his newly divorced sister (Watkins) as they navigate the crazy world of dating while living together and raising a teenager. Casual premiered in October 2015 to critical acclaim, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical. In addition to working with Hulu, Tara was also seen throughout the summer of 2015 on NBC's 1960's thriller-drama series Aquarius (2015). She appeared opposite Golden Globe winner David Duchovny, who stars as a police sergeant in Los Angeles who embarks on an undercover investigation of a cult leader: Charles Manson. Tara portrayed the character of Katie on the show, who was based on real life Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel.
Tara made her feature film debut in the award-winning independent film God Bless America (2011), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011. Written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, Tara commanded the screen as Roxy, a 16-year old girl who teams up with terminally ill Frank (played by Joel Murray), and heads out on a mission to rid society of its most repellent citizens. The film, which has since gone on to become a cult hit, was nominated for an Audience Award at the 2012 SXSW Film Festival, and Tara earned a Young Artist Award nomination as Best Leading Young Actress in a Feature Film for her work in the project. In 2014, Tara once again made waves in the indie scene (in another 1960's period piece) starring as the title character in the short film Dawn, Rose McGowan's directorial debut. The dark and dramatic film premiered at Sundance, and was nominated for the Short Film Grand Jury Prize.
Born and raised in Orange County, California, Tara got her start in theater at the age of seven. She was instantly drawn to the stage, and loved bringing diverse characters to life. Although acting quickly became her passion, she also desired a sense of normalcy and realized early on that driving back and forth from the OC to Los Angeles took up a ton of time from school. She dabbled in the Disney and Nickelodeon world growing up and appeared on a handful of series, however at the end of the day, she wanted to wait to seriously pursue a career in acting until after graduating from high school. Shortly before graduation, Tara booked God Bless America (2011), and she has been working ever since.
While working in television and film are two of Tara's greatest passions, she also has a love of music. She sings, is a self-taught guitar player, and has hopes to learn how to play the bass in the near future. Tara is a fan of the arts, she loves plays, musicals, supporting local theater, and reading crime mystery novels. She also is a big fan of horror films, from classic to contemporary, she tries to see them all. Tara currently lives in the Los Angeles area.- Born and raised in Colima, Mexico to actor parents, Carsa found his passion for the arts at a young age. He began attending a performing arts school at age seven where he studied voice, dance, and acting. Following a seven-year stint in the program, Carsa moved to the U.S. with his eyes set on Broadway. Carsa went on to attend Fullerton College where he earned an Associate's Degree in Theatre Arts, before becoming the first transfer student in six years accepted into UCLA's Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program. His UCLA productions included: "Lainie's Cabaret: Movie Musicals," "CAMP SONG: A New Musical," "Rebel Genius," and "Lydia." Serendipitously, Carsa booked "Acapulco," which marks his television debut, six months following his graduation from UCLA.
When he isn't on set or stage, Carsa is likely dancing to Britney Spears, an inspiration who taught him how to speak English and live more authentically. He currently resides in the Los Angeles area. - Actor
- Producer
- Executive
August Maturo may be best known nationally and internationally for his starring role on the hit Disney Channel Original Series "Girl Meets World." He was a scene-stealer as 'Auggie,' the precocious son of Cory [Ben Savage] and Topanga [Danielle Fishel] Matthews. 'Girl Meets World' was an instant hit and premiered to 5.2 million viewers and Maturo filmed over 70 episodes. The show was nominated for three Emmy Awards for 'Outstanding Children's Program' as well as three Teen Choice Awards, and a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award. Additional credits for Maturo include: 'Teachers,' 'The Odd Couple', 'Weeds', 'Dads', 'Bones', 'Raising Hope', 'See Dad Run', 'Suburgatory', 'The Connors', 'S.W.A.T.', and 'How I Met Your Mother'. In 2023, Maturo will be seen guest-starring in the new FOX crime anthology series 'Accused' by Howard Gordon opposite Rachel Bilson, Jack Davenport, and Reid Miller, as well as a guest-starring role opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt in FOX's '9-1-1'.
Maturo made the jump from television to film in the wildly successful horror movie 'The Nun' (Warner Bros) which grossed over $366 Million worldwide. Maturo portrayed 'Daniel', opposite Demián Bichir, Taissa Farmiga, and Bonnie Aarons.
Maturo can also be seen starring as the lead in two feature films. He plays Joshua in the independent feature 'Shepherd: The Story of a Jewish Dog' (also released as 'Shepherd: The Story of a Hero Dog'). Based on the bestselling Israeli novel 'The Jewish Dog' by Asher Kravitz, it is written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Lynn Roth ('The Little Traitor') and produced by Howard Rosenman ('Call Me By Your Name'). This award-winning film was one of the first films to be shown in theaters during the pandemic, alongside 'Cruella' and 'A Quiet Place 2'. Maturo won the MovieBuff 2021 Independent Film Award for Best Breakthrough Performance for his role in the film.
Maturo also plays the lead role of Lucas in the Shudder/AMC+ horror/thriller 'Slapface' currently streaming on all platforms. 'Slapface' follows the story of a young boy who deals with the death of his parents and the physical and emotional abuse of being bullied by creating a dangerous relationship with a monster. Maturo won the Best Actor Award at Grimmfest in the UK for this role and received incredible reviews with a 91% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Born in Ventura, California in 2007 to an Italian father and Jordanian mother, Maturo began acting professionally at the age of four after appearing in a church play. He loved being on stage and bringing stories to life, so his parents decided to take him to a handful of film and TV auditions, testing the waters in the entertainment world. Maturo instantly captivated casting directors and producers and began landing back to back projects. His first major television role was a top of show guest star appearance at only four years old on HBO's 'Weeds'. He shortly thereafter was cast in a recurring role on 'How I Met Your Mother' He booked 'Girl Meets World' at the age of 5, the youngest person ever to be offered a Disney Channel contract.
A cause that is important to Maturo is spreading awareness and promoting the importance of creating an action plan for children and adults who are affected by life-threatening food allergies, something that has challenged Maturo and his family since he was three years old. In 2022, Maturo launched his own production company 'Maturo Entertainment' For his first production, he partnered with Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmakers 'Just Like You Films' to produce and star in a docu-drama hybrid feature film about food allergies. The film was also shot in virtual reality, and through immersive story-telling, will show audiences first-hand what it's like to be a young person living with life-threatening food allergies.
In 2022, Maturo graduated high school and began attending college at age the age of 14. He currently lives in the Los Angeles area with his parents and younger brother, actor Ocean Maturo.- Actor
- Producer
Atkins Estimond is quickly making a name for himself in the entertainment industry by playing an array of characters from a doctor to a hacker, from a laidback optimist to a gangster who follows a code of ethics. He currently stars in Jerry Bruckheimer's critically acclaimed drama series, "Hightown" (STARZ) alongside Monica Raymund and James Badge Dale. Set in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the series follows a hard-partying National Marine Fisheries Service agent, Jackie Quiñones (Raymund), whose life is thrown into disarray when she discovers a body on the beach - another casualty of the opioid epidemic. She is convinced it is up to her to solve the murder, putting her at odds with Cape Cod Interagency Narcotics Unit sergeant, Ray Abruzzo (Dale). Estimond shines as Osito, a hardened gangster, who is of Haitian and Dominican decent, and is connected to the investigation. Critics have praised Estimond's performance: "the standouts include...Estimond as a killer with a philosophical cast of mind" (The New York Times) and "With every episode, Estimond adds new fascinating layers to his character" (RogerEbert.com) to name a few. Season two of "Hightown" premiered on October 17, 2021.
Estimond is also set to appear in BBC One and Netflix's four-part thriller series, "Inside Man" opposite Stanley Tucci (premiere date TBA). The series follows a prisoner on death row in the US, a Vicar in a quiet English town, and a maths teacher trapped in a cellar, as they cross paths in the most unexpected way. He is also known for his role as the eternal optimist, Gerson, in AMC's and Paul Giamatti's critically acclaimed dramedy series, "Lodge 49" alongside Wyatt Russell.
Additional television credits include recurring roles in FOX's "The Resident," Crackle's "StartUp" alongside Adam Brody, and Playstation Network's "Powers" with Sharlto Copley, as well as guest starring roles in ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder," YouTube Premium's "Step Up: High Water," truTV's "Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters," OWN's "Love Is_" and SundanceTV's "Hap and Leonard."
On the film side, his credits include Roadside Attractions' "Trial by Fire," Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Lila & Eve" with Jennifer Lopez and Viola Davis, Gravitas Ventures' "Folk Hero & Funny Guy" and "An Actor Prepares," Columbia Pictures' "SuperFly," Universal Pictures' "Get On Up" and his film debut in "Dumb and Dumber To" opposite Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.
Born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and raised in Atlanta to Haitian immigrant parents, Estimond started acting in high school productions his freshman year. His love of acting began from watching movies as a child and seeing his older brother perform in plays at the local Boys & Girls Club. After graduation, he pursued a career in music, playing guitar in a band. Then, he went on to pursue acting, booking roles in "Dumb and Dumber To" and Lifetime's hit series' "Devious Maids." Additionally, Estimond enrolled at University of North Georgia, to hone in on his craft, majoring in Theatre, while continuing to book roles in film and television. He eventually decided to pursue acting full time and has been working ever since. He hopes that by increasing his visibility that he can inspire more Haitians to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and ultimately be able to tell stories about Haiti and its rich culture.
Estimond currently resides in Atlanta with his wife, Kristen, and their two daughters. When he's not on set, he enjoys spending time with family, playing music and traveling.- Actress
- Producer
Sophisticated and hard-working, with undeniable talent, veteran actress KJ Smith's honest portrayals of strong female characters are the true personification of black excellence, leaving her mark on Hollywood as one of its hottest stars.
This year, Smith can be seen starring in the leading role of Andi Barnes on Tyler Perry's highest-rated series for BET Networks Sistas. Currently airing its fifth season, the dramedy centers around four single Black women from different walks of life who bond over their one common thread: "Why am I single?" Smith shines in her breakthrough role as Andi, a high-powered attorney who must navigate her complicated love life in a fast-paced, high-stakes industry with the help and advice of her close-knit girlfriends. Sistas continuously leads Wednesday night network ratings, ranking #1 amongst cable network shows in their hour, with new episodes airing weekly through 2022-2023. Smith's portrayal of Barnes has also garnered multiple award nominations, including the two-time consecutive Best Actress in a TV Series wins for the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards (HAPA) in 2021 and 2022.
Smith can also be seen starring in the major recurring role of Palomar in season two of the top-rated Power prequel series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, on STARZ. From creator and showrunner Sascha Penn, Power Book III: Raising Kanan takes viewers back to the '90s and the early years of the now-deceased Kanan Stark, portrayed in Courtney Kemp's original series by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. Palomar is one of Famous' (Antonio Ortiz) new neighbors and a young mom frequently mistaken for her daughter, Corinne's older sister. Any responsible parent wouldn't let their daughter within a mile of Kanan, Famous, and their friends, but Palomar is seemingly not that parent.
Additional television credits for Smith in top-rated network and cable television include the CW's fan-favorite drama series, Dynasty, Issa Rae's Giants, CBS' NCIS: Los Angeles, ABC's Black-ish, Freeform's The Fosters, Fox's Lethal Weapon, Netflix's Fuller House, three-season recurring roles on Bounce TV's Family Time and BET's The Family Business, Netflix's Family Reunion and #BlackAF, CBS' All Rise, and ABC's legal drama The Fix, where Smith starred as the quick-witted paralegal, Charlie.
In her most challenging role in film, Smith recently starred in the lead role in The Available Wife (2020) as Nicole Wright, a beautiful and successful music CEO whose life is on the verge of crumbling when money, affairs, power, and deception collide.
Other credits include Netflix's Fatal Affair (2020), Lionsgate's A Madea Family Funeral (2019) opposite world-renowned director, screenwriter and actor Tyler Perry, and Baker's Man and Throwback Holiday.
Offscreen, KJ is fashion fearless. Her divinely feminine and classic red carpet glamour tops fashion's best-dressed lists for bold and eye-catching celebrity styles. With a commitment to preserving the legacy of Black excellence through HBCU education and community, Smith partners for impact tours and commencement addresses with historically black colleges and universities nationwide. And through her advocacy for mental health, Smith uses her platform to share life experiences and her journey to mental wellness and volunteers with the Youth Emerging Stronger foundation to spark positive change.
Smith currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, with her fiance' and former co-star, Skyh Black, and their beloved toy poodle, Billionaire Black.- From bringing characters to life on stage and appearing in hit television series, award-nominated actor Tunji Kasim has quickly made a name for himself in the entertainment industry as "one to watch," and he isn't slowing down anytime soon. This year, Tunji reprises his starring role as Ned 'Nick' Nickerson on The CW's hit supernatural thriller/drama series "Nancy Drew". Based on the iconic books created by publisher Edward L. Stratemeyer and written by a variety of authors under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene, the show follows brilliant teen sleuth Nancy Drew (Kennedy McMann) as she solves mysteries in her hometown of Horseshoe Bay, Maine. Tunji instantly became a fan favorite as Nick, a former teenage convict (also Nancy's ex-boyfriend) who is forced to confront his previous life in Florida, while working to help solve crimes alongside his new friends in Maine. Season three of "Nancy Drew" is slated to premiere on October 8, 2021.
Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and raised in Nigeria until he was 12, Tunji is the youngest of three children. Having a Nigerian father, a Scottish mother and growing up in both countries, Tunji and his sisters were immersed in a rich, diverse, blended cultural experience. Upon moving back to Scotland as a pre-teen, Tunji enrolled in drama classes and began participating in local musicals and theatre. At 17 he was accepted into the prestigious Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, and before he even graduated was cast in Michael Attenborough's Big White Fog at the Almeida Theatre in London, making his professional onstage debut. Arriving in London as a young man and being exposed to a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities from all walks of life, Tunji felt a surprising sense of relief. Growing up in Nigeria with a predominantly Black community and in contrast, moving to Scotland, which is largely white, arriving in London married multiple worlds together. For the first time, Tunji didn't feel out of place.
On stage, Tunji went on to star in The Brothers Size written by Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney ("Moonlight") and directed by Bijan Sheibani. He was nominated for an Ian Charleston Award for starring in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Julius Caesar and went on to be in a handful of plays with the RSC, which brought him to New York City's Park Avenue Armory, marking his first time working in the United States. Additional theatre credits for Tunji include Network by Lee Hall (adapted from the 1976 film), Simon Godwin's Antony and Cleopatra, and Yael Farber's Les Blancs, all at the National Theatre. As well as David Farr's King Lear and Chris Luscombe's Much Ado about Nothing at the RSC. Film credits for Tunji include Bill Condon's "Good Liar," and Dan Krauss' "The Kill Team."
When he isn't on set, you can find Tunji barefoot-running, always setting a new physical challenge for himself. Last year he ran a sub-20-minute 5km, incorporating fundraising for Covenant House Vancouver, which provides support for at-risk street youth in the Vancouver B.C. area. This year he has challenged himself to run a total of 1000km. Tunji is also vegan and is passionate about living a life that excludes all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, whether it be from food, clothing, and more. He has a huge place in his heart for giving back and has been active with a handful of organizations over the years. He currently splits his time between London and Vancouver, where he films "Nancy Drew." - Kelly Karbacz has been making a name for herself on the screen and on the stage over the past decade by taking on high-caliber roles and giving exceptional performances. Karbacz stars as inmate, Kasey Sankey, on Netflix's award-winning series, "Orange is the New Black." Introduced in season four, Sankey is a primary member of the White Power Group, inadvertently created by fellow inmate, Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling). Throughout the season, Karbacz is a scene-stealer as her character finds herself in multiple altercations with the other inmates and pursues Piper to be an active member of her "movement." Karbacz returned for season five where Sankey can be seen working together with the other inmates during the riot, and part of her backstory is revealed. In 2018, Karbacz and her co-stars were nominated for a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Karbacz also starred alongside Judd Hirsch, Daniel Stern and John Francis Daley as Joanie Binder in the ABC sitcom, "Regular Joe." Her other television credits include guest appearances on NBC's "Do No Harm," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order" and "Third Watch," CBS' "Without a Trace" and "Queens Supreme" and FOX's "Undeclared."
On the film front, Karbacz appeared in the action comedy, "Get Smart" (Warner Bros.), alongside Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway and Dwayne Johnson, playing the snarky receptionist, Judy, at the top-secret intelligence agency, CONTROL. She reprised her role in the spin-off film, "Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control" opposite Masi Oka and Nate Torrence. Additionally, she shared the screen with Victor Williams and Melissa Leo, as Hannah, in the indie short, "First Breath."
On the theatre side, Karbacz made her Broadway debut in the leading role of Maureen Johnson, in "Rent" at the Nederlander Theatre, directed by Michael Greif. She also earned a Helen Hayes nomination for 'Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical' for her performance as Emily Andrews, in the world premiere of "Liberty Smith" at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Her other theatre credits include Alfred Uhry's "Without Walls" at The Williamstown Theatre Festival, "Nighthawks" at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, "First Date" at the ACT/5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, and "The Sound of Music" at Lincoln Center's New York City Opera, where she starred as Louisa.
Born in Queens, New York and raised in Queens and Manhattan, Karbacz graduated from the prestigious Stuyvesant High School, and studied drama at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute part of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. - Actor
- Soundtrack
- Writer
By only 16 years old Dante Brown had established himself as a bonafide "one to watch" talent in the entertainment industry, known not only for the diverse and engaging characters he has brought to life on screen, but also for excelling in music, dance and creating innovate online content to connect with Generation Z. This fall 2016 Dante can be seen on FOX's highly anticipated, new series "Lethal Weapon." Set to premiere just before Empire on September 21, the show is based off the 1987 film, and follows Roger Murtaugh [Damon Wayans Sr.] and Martin Riggs [Clayne Crawford] as a pair of mismatched L.A.P.D. detectives. Dante shines as Roger "R.J." Murtaugh Jr, Murtaugh's good but slightly rebellious teenage son who is trying to carve out his own place in the world outside of his parents' expectations.
Born and raised in Chicago, Dante began acting and modeling as a baby, quickly landing campaigns for Keebler and Sears within a month of getting started. His bubbly and charismatic personality was nurtured by his parents, whom along with industry pros, identified the "it" factor in their baby boy. One of Dante's big breaks came when he was only 5 years old, when he caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey. After auditioning with over 500 children, Dante was chosen to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show's first "Amazing Kids" episode, featuring Jay Leno as host. Dante was able to showcase his talents in comedy, acting and dance. His performance on the show solidified him as one of Oprah's "All-Time Smartest and Most Talented Kids." By 2012 Dante had become a popular face in Young Hollywood, racking up dozens of credits in television and film and embracing his new nickname deemed by casting directors and growing fans, a "Young Denzel Washington".
His first feature, the Lifetime movie "America" which he appeared alongside Rosie O'Donnell, landed him a Young Artist Award Nomination in 2009 for "Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special - Supporting Young Actor." It was only up from there, as Dante went on to appear on a plethora of TV series including NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," Michael Bay and TNT's "The Last Ship," Showtime's "Shameless," Nickelodeon's "Henry Danger," NBC's "Community," NBC's "Southland," and CBS' "NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service," to name a few. Dante held his first series regular role in 2015, co-starring opposite comedian Craig Robinson on NBC's "Mr. Robinson." On the film front, Dante made his feature debut in 2012 appearing alongside Oscar Nominated, Emmy Winner Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal in "Won't Back Down" for Twentieth Century Fox Films. Summer 2016 placed Dante in production filming the short, Black Doves, as one of the lead characters alongside his brother Dusan Brown.
When not on set you can find Dante in the recording studio, laying down tracks under his moniker "DanteThePoet." A Grammy Camp alumni and independent artist, Dante takes the blueprint of Childish Gambino, the lyricism of Kendrick Lamar, and the hustle-nomics and genius of Kanye West, to create a sound that is on the forefront of hip hop music, inspiring and uplifting other post-millennial teens, like himself. As to be expected, Dante's working on recording his debut album, and plans to release his 2nd mixtape, "Bipolar" as a Back to School event via www.Soundcloud.com/DanteThePoet.
Dante also has a passion for creating scripted projects - over the past few months he's been writing his first animated series which he hopes to be able to pitch to networks, within the year, and is the co-creator of Talking with The Brown Boys [YouTube Webisode] alongside his younger brother Dusan. Although acting has been Dante's bread and butter over the years, his music, a strong second, Dante is also a self taught dancer, taking first place at the Monsters of Hip Hop Freestyle Battle, and has future plans and aspirations to launch an innovative, cool teen clothing line.
On the charity front, Dante has big ideas for how he wants to give back to the community in the near future including launching a youth concert entitled DanteThePoet + Friends, which will showcase local teen, rising stars, and provide youth a fun, safe place to gather with their friends every month. In today's political climate with police brutality on the rise, gun violence, gang violence, and teen drug abuse, Dante has made it a personal goal to set a good example for youth, bringing awareness to various organizations who work to uplift young, Black men and women in Dante's hometown of Chicago, as well as where he resides with his family, Los Angeles.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Mimi Kirkland is a film and television actress. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Kirkland always had a love for acting and entertaining audiences. In 2013 Kirkland made her big-screen debut, appearing in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' Safe Haven (2013). Starring opposite Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough, Kirkland was a scene-stealer as Lexie - Alex Wheatley's [played by Duhamel] daughter who helps to bring innocence and love back into the lives of her father and his newfound love, Katie [played by Hough]. Cobie Smulders also stars in this Relativity feature, directed by Lasse Hallström.
In 2015, Kirkland appeared on Disney Channel's hit series, Austin & Ally (2011), as Lily, a spunky and energetic fan who begins taking music lessons from Ally so she can hang out with the star. Aside from "Austin & Ally" Kirkland can be seen in the TNT drama series, Murder in the First (2014). Set in San Francisco, "Murder in the First" follows homicide detectives Terry English ( Taye Diggs ) and Hildy Mulligan ( Kathleen Robertson ) as they investigate two seemingly unrelated murders. Kirkland can be seen as Louise Mulligan, Hildy's precocious daughter. In 2016, Kirkland landed a role as Rachel Ward in The Walking Dead (2010) as a member of Oceanside. She appeared in seven episodes during seasons seven through nine.- Over the last few years actress Gabrielle Elyse has quickly become known for her natural talent, charm, beauty, and passion for her craft, positioning her as "one to watch" in the entertainment business. In 2017 she can be seen starring as Hayley Chamberlain (lead) in the horror-comedy series "Snatchers," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight Episodic Showcase in January.
Created and written by Stephen Cedars, Benji Kleiman, and Scott Yacyshy, the eight-episode series follows a status-obsessed teen who has sex for the first time and finds herself pregnant, with an alien. She teams up with her nerdy ex-best friend (Elyse) to fight back against an extraterrestrial threat and hopefully keep her mom and friends from finding out. "Snatchers" will be available to watch on the new streaming service Stage 13, a division of Warner Bros. In addition to "Snatchers" Gabrielle can also be seen in an episode of the upcoming anthology series "Dimension 404" for HULU opposite Lea Michele, Joel McHale, and Sarah Hyland. She will also appear in the Valentine's Day episode of "Blackish," for ABC.
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Gabrielle's passion for acting came at an early age. At 10 years old she knew she wanted to be an actress, and asked her parents to put her into classes and for the opportunity to audition for local casting jobs. By 15 years old she had started to book some notable roles, and made the move to Los Angeles with her mom. Gabrielle got her start working for Disney appearing on top shows including "Liv and Maddie" and "Austin & Ally." In 2014 she landed her first series regular role as Josie on Nickelodeon's "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, & Dawn." She continued her work with Nickelodeon recurring on the network's long running hit series "The Thundermans" from 2014-16. While getting her start on Disney & Nick was an amazing opportunity to open doors for Gabrielle, she wanted to pursue characters and opportunities outside of that world and accomplished that goal throughout 2016. Gabrielle appeared on the hit TNT drama series "Rizzoli & Isles," then on "Teen Wolf" for MTV, and went on to book "The Catch" for ABC, "Dimensions 404" and "Blackish."
On the film front, Gabrielle's credits include a starring role in the silent short film "The Money Tree" and a co-starring role in the indie film "Good After Bad" opposite Billy Burke (The Twilight Saga) and Maddie Hasson (The Finder).
When Gabrielle isn't on set she is an avid music and comedy fan, and can likely be found shopping at a record store or enjoying a comedy show. She is currently training at UCB, honing in on her own comedy skills. Gabrielle prides herself on being multi-racial and is passionate about breaking African American stereotypes, and bringing light to racism in the US. She currently resides in the Los Angeles area. - Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Actress on the rise, Travina Springer, is quickly positioning herself as one-to-watch in the entertainment industry today. This year, Travina will join the Marvel Universe appearing in Disney+ and Marvel Studios' highly anticipated, brand-new series, "Ms. Marvel." The series follows Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), a Pakistani-American teenager living in Jersey City obsessed with superhero culture and the various heroes of the world. As she navigates high school, she comes in possession of magical bangles that give her the ability to harness cosmic energy that puts her on the path to becoming her own hero. Travina shines as Tyesha Hillman on the show, who has a strong sense of confidence, style and is not afraid of following her own path. Travina's character is also a Muslim convert who cares deeply about her faith, family and loves all things 'nerd.' "Ms. Marvel" marks a new chapter for Disney as the studio explores these characters' Muslim and Pakistani heritage, putting diverse storytelling at the forefront of this title. "Ms. Marvel'' will premiere on June 8, 2022.
Additional credits for Travina include CBS' "Life in Pieces," Paramount+'s "Strange Angel," and the Clint Eastwood helmed feature film, "The Mule." In comedy, Travina was a performer in the 2017 CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase, and her stand-up was featured on the reboot of BET's "Comic View." Over the years she has been an active member at UCB Comedy, performing on the Maude team, Mama at the Upright Citizens Brigade.
Travina's father was an Army Military Intelligence Officer who was stationed in various parts of the country before landing the family in Oviedo, Florida where Travina spent most of her childhood. Travina went on to attend Florida State University where she majored in Communication Studies. During her time at Florida State, she explored the idea of bringing characters to life on stage and in film/television through theater and acting classes, while also participating in student films. She fell in love with the craft, and upon graduation moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting full time. She has been working ever since.
Fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), Travina has volunteered and worked as an ASL interpreter over the years which supported her as a performer in the Los Angeles-based non-profit arts organization Deaf West Theatre, performing in their Equity regional tour for children titled "Shel Stories." Travina is also an active supporter of the organization Vigilant Love. Based in the Los Angeles Area, #VigilantLOVE creates spaces for connection and grassroots movement to protect the safety and justice of communities impacted by Islamophobia and violence.
When Travina's not on set you can find her baking for her friends, at the beach or on the hunt for the best vegan donuts in LA. She is a convert to Islam, like her character in "Ms. Marvel," and found that through their shared experiences, she connected with the role on a very organic level.- Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Miriam A. Hyman is an American actress. She was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and raised in Philadelphia. Hyman is a BFA graduate from University of the Arts and a MFA graduate from the Yale School of Drama. From bringing diverse, impactful characters to life on the screen and stage, to writing and recording brazen, vulnerable hip-hop lyrics, award-winning actress/lyricist Hyman aka Robyn Hood has emerged in the entertainment industry as a powerful force to be reckoned with. She's a recipient of both the prestigious Princess Grace Award and Leonore Annenberg Fellowship for Performing Arts. In television this year, Hyman lit up screens as the new US Attorney, Stacy Marks on Starz's latest hit new series Power Book IV: Force(renewed for a 3rd season) as well as returning for season 6 as Dre in Showtime's critically acclaimed series "The Chi".- Actor
- Stunts
- Additional Crew
From sharing the silver screen with award-winning actors, to playing a fan-favorite character on network television, actor Hunter Clowdus is proving that from comedy to drama, he can do it all. This year, Clowdus will reprise his role in season four of The CW drama series "All American." Based on a true story, the series follows Spencer, a high school football player from South LA who gets recruited to play for Beverly Hills High School. Clowdus shines as JJ Parker, the life of every party and outside linebacker turned quarterback for the Beverly Hills Eagles. "All American" first debuted in 2018 to rave reviews, with the first three seasons currently available to stream on Netflix. Season 4 will premiere on The CW on October 25, 2021. Additional television credits for Clowdus include MTV's "Teen Wolf," TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles," and Netflix's "American Vandal," to name a few. Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Clowdus grew up excelling in sports. He attended the University of Alabama as a pre-dental student and shortstop for the Alabama Crimson Tide. As a natural-born talent, Clowdus booked a small role on MTV's "Teen Wolf" during his first semester of college. Shortly after, Clowdus made his feature debut in the 2013 biographical sports drama "42," opposite the late Chadwick Boseman. The film, which follows the beginning of Jackie Robinson's career, allowed Clowdus to explore his physicality as an actor, which is now considered one of his strengths in the industry. Additional film credits for Clowdus include "Bennett's War" (ESX Entertainment), "La La Land" (Lionsgate), and the hit franchise "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" (Lionsgate), to name a few. When he isn't on set, Clowdus is likely creating content or working out in his home gym. He is passionate about inspiring others to live authentically and often shares his words of wisdom with his growing TikTok and Twitch audiences. He currently resides in the Los Angeles area.- In 2022, actor on the rise Andre Dae Kim will star in Peacock's brand-new supernatural thriller series, "Vampire Academy." Slated to premiere on September 15th, 2022, and based on the bestselling books by Richelle Mead, "Vampire Academy" is set in a world of privilege and glamour, where two young women's friendship transcends their strikingly different classes as they prepare to complete their education and enter royal vampire society. Andre shines as Christian Ozera, an intelligent, thoughtful, yet snarky Royal Moroi vampire who has become an outcast and shunned by high society due to his parent's unforgivable societal sins. Well-read and hungry for knowledge, he searches for faith-based answers and discovers a kindred spirit who is also looking for the truth. In addition to "Vampire Academy," Andre recently held a recurring role Netflix's hit series "Locke & Key," and starred as Chief Kyle in the critically acclaimed, Emmy nominated Paramount+ series "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."
Andre landed his first big break joining the cast of the Canadian YA drama series "Degrassi: The Next Generation" in the thirteenth season. From 2013-15, he starred as smart and sarcastic high school student Winston Chu, an instant fan favorite. Andre went on to reprise the role in "Degrassi: Next Class" from 2016-17 and appeared in the film "Degrassi: Don't Look Back" in 2015. Post "Degrassi," Andre landed roles on "Schitt's Creek" for CBC/PopTV, "Salvation" for CBS, "American Gods" for Starz, "Northern Rescue" opposite Kathleen Robertson and "The Hardy Boys" for Hulu. In film, Andre starred in the short drama "Whistleblower" (2018) as Tim, a distraught teenager who struggles with being able to trust the people around him after documenting a humiliating incident that involved older students.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta and raised in the Toronto area, Andre grew up with an innate love for film. While both of his parents are not in the entertainment industry, the trio loved to watch movies with favorites being the "Indiana Jones" franchise and "Lord of the Rings." Andre was also drawn to Japanese animation, noting Ghibli's "Totoro" and "Kiki's Delivery Service" as two of his favorites. Andre attended a high school that was rooted in the arts, furthering his interest in the craft. Upon graduation he began auditioning for local acting roles in the Toronto area, and he has been working ever since.
When he isn't on set you can find Andre gaming, playing volleyball, and he also loves anime and is an avid foodie. He is also experienced in martial arts, jiu-jitsu, and can play the guitar as well as the Ukulele. Andre currently lives in the Toronto area. - Jada Facer is a pint-sized actress who recently got her big break in the hit ABC Family series "Melissa and Joey," portraying the surprise daughter to Joey Lawrence. Facer arrives and stirs things up as 'Dani,' the spunky, feisty and rebellious daughter to 'Joe' and 'Felicia' (Brooke Burke Charvet). Fans get to see more of Facer in season 4 of the beloved series (Fall 2014) as she moves in with Mel and Joe.
Facer discovered her love for professional acting after an opportunity came to her to work on a short film titled "Y: The Last Man," a horror film based on a book. Thereafter, you can find Facer in a variety of productions including television series ABC's "Mistresses," CBS' "Bad Teacher" and independent and short films including "One Bad Thing," "Nina Del Tango" and "Father's Promise." Her most memorable role is in the 1800s period piece, the Hallmark original film "Love's Christmas Journey," which has become a staple on the network every year during Christmastime.
Facer, who is a Utah native, moved to Los Angeles when she was just nine years old. Growing up with a love for Shirley Temple, she played dress up and pretended to be the tiny actress. Facer participated in choir, musical theater and Community Theater with a desire to entertain from a young age. Her favorite part of acting and performing is the ability to make the audience identify with the character and emotions. When Facer is not acting, she likes writing music and singing. During her spare time she enjoys drawing, cooking special dinners and desserts with her parents, spending time outdoors and spending time with her dogs. - Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Liana Mendoza, is an Indigenous Latinx Actor, Producer, Writer and Director. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her first "breakout role" was in "Mothers and Daughters" starring alongside Susan Sarandon, Mira Sorvino and Selma Blair. Since then, she joined the cast of the Emmy Award winning Proud Family: Louder and Prouder as a Voice Actor. Mendoza has joined the cast of many hit television shows such as "Bones", "Scandal", "Walk the Prank", "Better Call Saul", "Ray Donovan", "The L Word", "Baskets" and "American Horror Story" to name a few.
Mendoza began her career when she was 1 of 15 students invited to attend Hamilton High School the Academy of Music and Performing Arts. By 18, her calling was clear, Liana starred in the theatre portrayed lead role of Disney's Princess Jasmine for several years on the Disneyland Resort stage. Eventually, accepted into NYU Tisch on scholarship to complete the education needed to achieve new heights as an Actor, Writer, Producer and Director. Earning her MFA while learning from great professors and academic directors; some of which include David K. Irving, Thomas J. Mangan, Sam Pollard, and Janet Grillo. A real treat was learning from Judd Apatow.
She continues to refine her craft by studying under the direct tutelage of world renowned teacher Ivana Chubbuck. And graduated from her master class.
An Indigenous Afro-Latina woman who's family originates from both the Aztec and Hopi Tribe, with additional Indigenous roots that tie back to the Bantu people of West Africa and the Polynesian Islands.
Mendoza has earned Congressional recognition for her contributions to society through her charity work which is something she continues to be passionate about. Altruism is one of the most important forms of expression to her. She utilizes the arts as a platform to advance her outreach.- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Actress on the rise, Michele Dawson, is quickly positioning herself as one-to-watch in the entertainment industry today. This year, Dawson can next be seen starring as Nurse Deb in the unexpected final chapter of Universal Pictures' "Halloween" franchise, "Halloween Ends," from David Gordon Green.
"Halloween Ends", set four years after the events of the second film of the relaunched "Halloween" franchise, follows Laurie Strode (Jamie lee Curtis) in a final confrontation with Michael Meyers. Laurie is living with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and is finishing writing her memoir. Michael Myers hasn't been seen since. Laurie, after allowing the specter of Michael to determine and drive her reality for decades, has decided to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life. But when a young man, Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell; The Hardy Boys, Virgin River), is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can't control, once and for all. Dawson portrays the role of Nurse Deb, a determined nurse, who might appear to be the mindless beauty but don't be fooled by her irreverence. She is already one step ahead of you. Deb is unrelentingly searching for the joy in the next moment. Fearless and in constant motion if she possessed wings, she would try to fly. "Halloween Ends" is slated for theatrical release on October 14, 2022. The film will also debut on NBC Universal's Peacock streaming service on the same day-and-date.
Additional credits for Dawson include her first television role in CBS' 'Criminal Minds,' and the short film 'Flattest' by Michael Gallagher which debuted at Cannes Film Festival. Prior to booking her role in 'Criminal Minds,' Dawson studied theatre at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. During her time at LMU Dawson immersed herself into the theatrical community pursuing roles in 'Macbeth,' 'The Seagull,' 'Skin of Our Teeth,' and 'South Pacific.' Upon graduating with a BFA in Theatre, Dawson went on to advance her formal acting training through Meisner-based classes with Andrew Benne, and landed at Stan Kirsch Studios, where she continues to train and hone her craft.
From a young age, Dawson always wanted to be an actress, although she was shy as a child. A natural athlete, growing up in Atlanta Georgia she trained as a competitive gymnast and much of her childhood was spent inside a gymnastics gym or doing homework. Gymnastics helped break Dawson out of her shell through her performances on the mat, which led her to exploring her love for performing further, transitioning into acting when she graduated high school. While her career as an actress is Dawson's key focus, she spends her free time practicing partner acrobatics, a passion she discovered through social media in 2019. Dawson performed all of her own stunts in her role in "Halloween Ends," allowing her to showcase her athleticism on-screen.
When Dawson is not on-set, gracefully flipping through the air at the gym, or learning new partner acrobatic skills she can be found rock climbing at the climbing gym and practicing yoga. Additionally, she enjoys educating her clients on the clean products that Beautycounter has to offer. While Beautycounter is committed to offering clean beauty products and packaging to their clients they also are also starting a movement that's taking a stand to change the beauty industry. The goal of the movement is to create cosmetics and skin care that are healthier for everyone. Additionally, Beautycounter has engaged their movement to Washington D.C. and are actively trying to change the laws on the beauty industry which is one of the things that sets them apart from other companies.
Dawson currently splits time between Atlanta and Los Angeles.