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1-50 of 92
- Abe Meissner Yates was born in Pontiac, Michigan, to Joe Yates and Robin Meissner He became interested in Guitar and was talented on that subject he was also known by many as The Abester, Abeybaby, Rocket, Abob, Sir Dookie, and The Ginger Ninja. Abe was a critical thinker who liked to challenge himself (Math Rock key signatures). His whole life, he was mature beyond his years, but the goof came out occasionally he was also an actor that played in the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Freshman Year which is a fan-film.
- Editorial Department
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Adam Engler was born on 13 September 1985 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He is an actor, known for Piranha 3D (2010), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010) and Creepy Guy (2008).- Al Miller was born on 28 April 1907 in Pontiac, Michigan, United States. He died on 18 April 1967 in Standish, Michigan, United States.
- Alfred Taubman was born on 31 January 1924 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was married to Judith Mazor Rounick and Reva Kolodney. He died on 17 April 2015 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA.
- Allyn M. Schmitz was born on 28 September 1946 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was an actor, known for The Domestics (2018) and The Retirement of Joe Corduroy (2012). He died on 23 January 2020 in Lapeer, Michigan, USA.
- Amy Hurst was born on 15 May 1953 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. She died on 29 August 1982 in New Port Richey, Florida, USA.
- Director
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Producer
Anthony Kilburn was born on 9 January 1982 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He is a director and producer, known for This Film Hates You, Chiaroscuro, Baby (2009) and Gore-e-ography: The Making of Death Harmony (2010). He has been married to Halina Lubczanska since 10 March 2012. They have two children.- Bahni Turpin was born on 4 June 1962 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. She is an actress, known for Crossroads (2002), Malcolm X (1992) and Cold Case (2003).
- Composer
- Sound Department
- Additional Crew
Bill Williams was born on 29 May 1960 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was a composer, known for Defender of the Crown (1986), The Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare (1992) and The King of Chicago (1986). He died on 28 May 1998 in Rockport, Texas, USA.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Bret Miller is a documentary, commercial, and narrative filmmaker with DYNMC Films. He has directed feature films Some Are Born (2014) and Chasing The Star (2017) and has written genre scripts that have been sold, optioned, and produced for worldwide release. Bret lives with his family in Atlanta by way of Detroit.- Born January 9, 1955 in Pontiac, Michigan. Adopted at eleven, then raised by adopted father. Studied computer programming, moved to Los Angeles, California. Eventually settled in Santa Monica, CA, and began to get offers for acting gigs (commercials, print work, theatrical, films, and stunts). Was signed by first agent in 1991. Since 2009, working on producing own material.
- Location Management
Bridget Reddeman was born on 29 June 1977 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. Bridget is known for A Most Violent Year (2014), The Ides of March (2011) and Don't Breathe (2016).- Actor
- Stunts
- Writer
Bryan Massey was born in Pontiac, Michigan but moved to Dallas, Texas when he was just 7 years old. He began his illustrious acting career at the tender age of 9 when he made the local paper by winning the 5th grade talent show lip syncing to Steve Martin's "King Tut." At the age of 13, Bryan showed an interest in cartooning and filmmaking, so his Dad bought him a Super 8mm camera. Recruiting the neighborhood and his family, Bryan would spend his weekend's shooting comedic action shorts with his beloved camera. During high school, Bryan dropped out of football because it conflicted with his theater schedule.
In college, Bryan had lead roles in several musicals, participated in community theater, made several short movies with his buddies on campus, and was a nationally ranked member of the cheer-leading squad. After earning an Associate's Degree in Radio/Television, Bryan decided to pursue his acting career and moved to Hollywood, where he got his SAG card playing a Nazi on the X-Files. After spending 4 years in Los Angeles Bryan returned home to Texas, working in local improvisation troupes and continuing to write his own projects. With no local agent he would later go on to get a stint on Prison Break, only after crashing the audition!
He quickly went on to sign with a local agent and due to his unique gruff voice, Bryan was able to participate in his love of cartoons by doing voice over work for many anime shows and video games. Bryan has booked several commercials and acted in many short films and independents. Bryan has also been able to go onto more prolific roles including playing Detective Brinkley, a cop in hot pursuit of Diane Keaton and Ted Danson in "Mad Money", as Skeeter, an oil man friend to Josh Brolin's portrayal of George W. Bush in Oliver Stones critically acclaimed "W" and can also be seen in this summer's much anticipated Judd Apatow comedy "Year One" starring Jack Black and Michael Cera, coming to theaters June 19th.- Producer
- Writer
- Director
Raised in suburban Detroit, Bryan Terry first got into the entertainment business as a member of the Detroit Children's Circus. Terry spent 3 summers flying through the air as a death defying acrobat and also trained the show's mules. He broke into TV in 1994 when we wrote, produced, and hosted the critically acclaimed public access television show "Lollapalooza '94." Terry earned his degree in Boradcast Journalism from the University of Missouri in 1998. He currently resides in New York City.- Producer
An entertainment industry veteran, Cathryn Jaymes helmed her management and production company successfully for nearly 30 years. She developed a reputation for tenacity, eclectic taste, and a sense of fair play, plus she introduced some of the most distinctively gifted and controversial talents in the industry. Cathryn helped pave the way for the careers of Academy Award Winners Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction) and Roger Avary (Killing Zoe, Pulp Fiction). She also worked with Steve Wang (Drive, Kung Fu Rascals), Gary Dauberman (Burst 3D), Clyde Hayes (The Gingerbread Man, Dream Coast), Anton Diether (Moby Dick, Cleopatra), Craig Hamann (Boogie Boy), and many other writers and directors.
Although Cathryn was primarily an artist manager, she also co-executive produced Boogie Boy with Roger Avary, co-produced Drive (which starred Brittany Murphy and client Mark Dacascos), and co-executive produced the award winning Stanley's Gig (which starred William Sanderson and Faye Dunaway). Cathryn always preferred to work with directors and writers, but occasionally she helped guide the careers of actors, Jason Stuart (The Birth Of A Nation), E.J. Peaker (Hello Dolly), Candi & Randi Brough (B.J. And The Bear) and most notably international star Mark Dacascos (Brotherhood of the Wolf,Boogie Boy, Drive, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, Crying Freeman,producer Milos Foreman's Nomad, the popular offbeat television gourmet show Iron Chef America, among many other projects).
Noted in multiple industry related books and media profiles, Cathryn was respectfully acknowledged for her personal integrity and the passionate dedication to any artist she elected to represent. She was memorably highlighted throughout Jane Hamsher's best seller "Killer Instinct: The Making of Natural Born Killers." Cathryn's honorable follow through and penchant for honesty in business practice was also mentioned in the Sharon Waxman book, "Rebels on the Backlot."
A Midwesterner, Cathryn was raised and educated in Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan, dividing her studies between business and the arts, while supporting her educational studies doing portraiture, novel illustrations, and selling Bibles door-to-door.- Additional Crew
- Actress
Chavon was born & raised in Pontiac, Michigan. She graduated from Oakland Community College with an AA in Liberal Arts. Following graduation in September 2003, Chavon packed up her Ford Focus with her granny and drove cross country to pursue her dream in the entertainment industry and never looked back.
Chavon was a point guard at Pontiac Northern High, tried out for the semi-pro league Women Spring Pro Basketball League & Detroit Shock.
Chavon has a sister named Vashanti who is 13 years old. They both have the same mother.- Actor
- Location Management
- Sound Department
Chris Dohany was born on 2 November 1978 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He is an actor, known for Heavy Mental: A Rock-n-Roll Blood Bath (2009), teleVision Quest (2016) and Suburban Heroes (2007).- Additional Crew
- Actor
Christopher Otto was born in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. Christopher is an actor, known for The Crow (1994), Street Fighter (1994) and Bad Lieutenant (1992). Christopher was previously married to Katie.- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Cody Stauber is an actor, director and cinematographer from Metro Detroit. He's a staff Director of Photography at M-1 Studios in Ferndale, MI and owner of Filmic Fondue (video production company) and C-47 (manufacturer of C-47 Production Clips). Cody is known for his height (6'7") and long hair. He's a 2013 graduate of Central Michigan University's School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts.- Curtis James Dean was born on 14 December 1952 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He died on 8 February 1991 in Victorville, California, USA.
- Actor
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Dan Hicks was born on 19 July 1951 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for Darkman (1990), Evil Dead II (1987) and Intruder (1989). He died on 30 June 2020 in California, USA.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Dan Sowels was born in Pontiac, Michigan and grew up in Holly. Throughout junior high he developed a fascination with film and acting which only increased in high-school. He wasn't into sports, and struggled with what he wanted to do with his life. In his sophomore year, he took dramatic arts, theater tech, and finally TV Production in his senior year where he won the district award for best music video in his class, which was a spoof of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal"
He began making short films and sketches on YouTube, ranging from horror, to science-fiction to comedy. Out of all the genres, science fiction remains his most favored one, as he's said it's more compelling and "you can come up with whatever you want, no matter how absurd it may be".
In 2013, Dan completed his first feature length film, titled Odyssey. He is now working on the short film titled "The Titan Project" set to be released in 2017.- Danny O'Shea was born on 13 February 1991 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA.
- David Wagner was born on 2 June 1980 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He is an actor, known for Under a Spell (2009).
- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Derek Houck was born on 27 April 1984 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Cataclysmo and the Time Boys (2007), Cataclysmo (2011) and Napoleon Bon Appétit (2010).- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
- Actor
Dirk Craft was born on 7 December 1965 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was an assistant director and director, known for National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002), The Crucible (1996) and Burn Notice (2007). He was married to Sande Alessi. He died on 24 March 2014 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Donna Harken was born in Pontiac Michigan and originally planned on a journalism career. She served as her High School newspaper editor for three years and co-editor of the yearbook for one year. On entering Michigan State University she entered the wrong line during a crowded registration and as a result found herself in an acting class. It seemed the road to least resistance to remain in class. As a result she graduated with a drama major.
BA - Michigan State University (major in Communications), MS - University of Nevada (major in Family Life Education) where she was a teaching assistant with U of N and directed Extension majors on TV presentations and script writing. EDS - Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.
Teaching experience included high school productions. Her experience in local live theatre included production, direction and acting. Her retirement from teaching was her entrance into local theatre and film. From Michigan, she migrated to the Orlando, Florida area and began working for several area film training schools (Full Sail Films and Central Florida University) and many independent film makers. Her breakthrough film work was with Edward Jordon's _Bollywood and Vine (2003) (V)_. - Visual Effects
- Animation Department
- Special Effects
Dorse A. Lanpher was born on 10 June 1935 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He is known for The Black Hole (1979), Hercules (1997) and Aladdin (1992). He was married to Vera Pacheco and Judith O'Neal. He died on 16 December 2011 in Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Drake Zimmerman started acting at 12 in a school drama class for 2 years. He has been in various student films and shot for various companies. He is a photographer, musician, vocalist, director, writer and actor. He is currently working on various projects including local musicians videos in Los Angeles. He has three films he has written in the process of casting and shooting.- Art Director
- Art Department
- Production Designer
Edward C. Jewell was born on 5 January 1894 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was an art director and production designer, known for State Department: File 649 (1949), His First Command (1929) and Born to Speed (1947). He died on 25 September 1963 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Elijah Noble El was born on 17 January 1995 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Goodnight and Goodbye (2021), Dog-Faced Honey (2016) and Baby's Breath (2017).- Music Department
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Elvin Jones was born on 9 September 1927 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was an actor, known for The General's Daughter (1999), Zachariah (1971) and Charmed (1998). He was married to Keiko Jones and Shirley DeFranco. He died on 18 May 2004 in Englewood, New Jersey, USA.- Erika Schultz was born on 27 December 1976 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. She is an actress, known for August Underground's Mordum (2003).
- Gary Peters was born on 1 December 1958 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA.
- Writer
- Director
- Producer
Born in Michigan, raised wherever the pursuit of happiness took his family, served four years with U.S. Naval Intelligence, was a shrimp boat captain, trained in law enforcement, quit college, slaved away in corporate America, was a rock-n-roll roadie, traveled the world with a camera on his shoulder, sold some writing, screeched into Hollywood with a horror script, produced, and wrote two books with more on the way.- Composer
- Music Department
- Actress
Geri Allen was born on 12 June 1957 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. She was a composer and actress, known for Drugstore Cowboy (1989), Kansas City (1996) and Afterglow (1997). She was married to Wallace Roney. She died on 27 June 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.- Director
- Producer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gordon Wiles was born on 20 June 1929 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was a director and producer, known for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967), Ginger in the Morning (1974) and Big John, Little John (1976). He died on 27 April 2014 in Irvine, California, USA.- Greg Zellen was born on 9 May 1950 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was an actor, known for Hatred of a Minute (2002) and Jimmy B. & André (1980). He was married to Gail Zellen. He died on 18 June 2006 in Michigan, USA.
- Special Effects
- Editor
- Cinematographer
Hal White was born on 9 May 1972 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He is an editor and cinematographer, known for Daniel's Lot (2010), The Castro Conspiracy (2001) and Heart of the Matter (2015).- Director
- Writer
- Producer
As a nationally touring comedian Heather Turman has performed in 20 US states and 75 cities. She has appeared on the FOX series "Laughs" and the SeedandSpark original "Everything Is Fine!" stand-up comedy special. She has also appeared at major festivals including RIOT LA!, SLO-fest and the Westside Showdown in LA where she was a top-finalist twice. Heather is also an award-winning writer, producer and actor. She sold her first feature-length screenplay "The Catch" to Principle Entertainment and then wrote and produced the feature film "Stuck" starring Joel McHale, Heather Matarazzo and SNL's Chris Redd. "Stuck" took home a plethora of awards on the festival circuit before securing global distribution. Prior to making her feature debut with "Stuck," she produced a handful of short films, including "Subdivision" with Larry Laboe (NBC's Ctrl and Fact Checkers Unit), and on the new media front Turman made a splash when she wrote, produced, directed and starred in the original series "Conversations with Future Stars" which was subsequently licensed by RevryTV. Additionally, Turman was a sketch writer for the 2015 CBS Diversity Showcase and her latest screenplay "Snapped" was a top-five finalist at the 2020 Portland Comedy Festival, an Official Selection at Script Summit, and a Semi-Finalist in Coverfly's Unique Voices Screenwriting Competition.- Actress
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
Hollie Johnson has performed on stage, television, and on film. Beginning in Detroit, from 1978-2004, with a dance background of 14 years in ballet and jazz; then at nineteen she started modeling for Midwest Photography Studios. Growing more confident, she pursued a start in acting with Black Swan Productions in made-to-order films. Combining interests in alternative lifestyles and performance she was seen acting on stage for a local event by Noir Leather, "Hellbound."
She moved to Shanghai, China in 2004 and found opportunities to work as an expatriate. The first professional experience was as an extra for the Ishmael/Merchant film "The White Countess" playing two different characters (lead secretary and bar civilian in the dancing scene). Inspired and encouraged to pursue acting by Ms. Vanessa Redgrave, she attended workshops in the Stanislavski method held by trained actor Paul Cascante, then began stage acting with a new venture, East/West Shanghai Theater.
Locally made films and TV commercials made between 2005-2007, by both expatriates and Chinese producers, found her in main and supporting roles. Chinese TV commercials, TV shows, and infomercials all were produced and shown on television but no copy was provided her for her own show reel.
In 2007, Hollie moved to the Gold Coast in QLD, and was hired on to help wardrobe for The Dark Lurking (2008) until an extra role was offered. Since then, she was married, had two boys, and took a break from acting to focus on family. As of 2014, she lives in the Brisbane area and has begun a return to her acting career.- Irene Hunt was born on 18 May 1902 in Pontiac, Illinois, USA. She was a writer, known for Across Five Aprils (1990). She died on 18 May 2001 in Champaign, Illinois, USA.
- Controversial pathologist, writer and inventor, Jack Kevorkian was the only son of Levon Kevorkian a former auto-factory worker who owned an excavating company and his homemaker wife. He had 2 sisters. Kevorkian's parents were Armenian refugees, whose relatives were among the 1.5 millon victims of Turkish atrocities in World War I. As a young boy he quit Sunday school because he did not believe in Armenian Orthodox teachings. He taught himself German and Japanese in high school during World war II. Kevorkian graduated from Pontiac High School with honors in 1945 at 17. He then enrolled at the University of Michigan from where he graduated from Medical school in 1952. Kevorkian completed an internship in Pathology at Henry Ford hospital in Detroit, during which period he had an epiphany when he saw a woman who was dying of cancer. It was then that he began to think of ways to alleviate suffering in his patients. In 1953 he got his medical license for Michighan state. He then did a 15 month stint in Korea as an Army Medical Officer during the Korean War. He returned and completed his residency at Pontiac General Hospital, Michigan. He got his nickname 'Dr. Death' in 1956 when he started photographing the retinas of patients at the moment of death to differentiate between coma and death. From 1956-57 he did research in West Germany. In 1957 he obtained his California medical license. In 1958 he presented a paper on 'Capital Punishment or Capital Gain' at the American Association for the Advancement of Science' at Washington, DC. He suggested the harvesting of organs from death row prisoners. This was considered controversial because death row inmates don't necessarily have any rights. By 1960 he was licensed in Pathological Anatomy and in 1965 in Clinical Pathology. In April 1960 he testified before a Joint Judicial Committee in Columbus, Ohio to revise the death penalty and to legalize medical experimentation on condemned inmates. In 1976 he moved to Los Angeles, California. He changed jobs frequently. Between 1982 to 86 he mainly did his writing and research. In 1988, even the pro-suicide Hemlock Society founder, Derek humphry rebuffed his methods as "too perilous and risky". In 1989 after reading about a patient who had asked for euthanasia he began working on a lethal-injection machine that would be able to do the task at the 'flip of a switch'. It was called the Thanatron (and later Mercitron). He got a lot of publicity because of this. On June 4, 1990 he performed the first of his 'medicides' as he liked to call physician-assisted suicide. His 'client' was a 54 year old woman suffering from Alzheimer's. She had contacted him herself after reading his ads in the papers. It was performed in the back of his VW van. She received sodium pentothal (an anesthetic) and potassium chloride (to stop the heart). By the time of this 3rd medicide his medical licemse was revoked for violating Michigan state laws regarding euthanasia. One of his 'clients' was even found on autopsy not to have any major pathology. He continued to do his medicides by giving his clients carbon-monoxide. There were reports that one patient had asked her mask to be removed twice (maybe a change of mind) but Kevorkian had continued with his task. On August 17, 1993 he was formally charged with violating the law. By then he had already helped 20 clients to their peaceful deaths. He was jailed first in November 1993 and then again in December 1993. Kevorkian went on a liquid only fast for 18 days and was acquitted in May 1994. By now he had even gained several supporters in the general community. By 1998 he hed committed over 100 medicides. Relatives of some of his clients claimed that he had continued despite protests from his 'victims'. He was now charged with 2nd degree murder. During his trial he was defended by the flamboyant lawyer Geoffrey Fieger. In March 1999 Dr. Kevorkian was sentenced by a Michigan jury to 10-25 years for his crime.
- Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
Jackson Linn is an artist whose focal point is identifying the complex characteristics of human beings and implementing them in various forms of storytelling. Having a diverse upbringing and a fascination with the studies of Kurt Lewin, he enrolled himself in "The Identity School of Acting" to further his development. Past works include: Camp Good Works (2016), The First Time Club (2016). Previous awards: Nomination- Best Supporting Actor in the 168 Film Festival.- James was born in Pontiac, Illinois, the youngest of three. The family relocated to Gresham, Nebraska in the early 70s where they operated a small town grocery store for many years. While attending York High School, York, Nebraska, James was active in theater at school and the Yorkshire Playhouse. After graduation he moved to Omaha to attend school, eventually working in both sales and restaurant management. In 1997 James entered the Omaha theater community where he worked at SNAP! Productions, Blue Barn Theatre, Chanticleer Community Theatre and Stage West to name a few where he became comfortable working on stage and behind the scenes. In December 2005 he made the move to Los Angeles, California to chase the dream of becoming a star.
- Jeanette Eymann was born on December 5,1919 in Pontiac, Illinois, USA. She was the daughter of of Joseph and Nellie Mae Weber Eymann. Joseph worked in 1920 as a farm elevator manager, and in the 1940's her parents managed the Imperial Hotel in Pontiac, Illinois. Joseph was born November 27, 1887 and died October 24, 1955, Nellie Mae was born February 23, 1891 and died December 23, 1994.
Jeanette's first husband, Hollis F. Bridwell, was a musician in the Stan Kenton Band. Hollis was born on September 1, 1916 and died on March 14, 2001. Her second husband, Kenneth E. Barnes, was an engineer in the aircraft industry. He was born on April 30, 1914 and died on January 26, 1990.
While visiting a brother living in Los Angeles in the summer of 1946 Jeanette decided to leave the teaching profession in Illinois after three years teaching high school speech and art and answered a blind newspaper ad. She interviewed for an ad agency which led to her subsequent hiring as the secretary to Hilliard Marks, producer of the Jack Benny Show on radio.
Over the years she became a script writer for both the Benny radio and television programs. When Mary Livingstone, Benny's wife and sister of Hilliard Marks, developed a phobia about reading her radio show lines before a live studio audience, Jeanette read them for her. After the reading before the live audience technicians dubbed in Mary's voice which she had taped in private for the Sunday evening CBS broadcasts. The radio audience never heard Jeanette's voice.
Later when the radio show ceased and the Jack Benny Program became a weekly televised comedy show, Jeanette occasionally was called upon for small parts, i.e., unseen voice on a telephone call, receptionist, doctor's assistant, etc. She became a member of the Screen Actors Guild and is credited with nineteen appearances. When the programs with her appearing became summer reruns she received a $22 residual for each program rebroadcast.
Jeanette Eymann Barnes passed away in 2013 after living for many years in Van Nuys, California, USA, - Jerry Rush was born on 7 August 1942 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He is an actor, known for Paper Lion (1968), That's the Way of the World (1975) and The NFL on NBC (1965).
- Jim Bates was born on 31 May 1946 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA.
- Joe Urla was born on 25 December 1958 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He is an actor, known for Sleepers (1996), Deep Impact (1998) and The Bodyguard (1992).
- John Currie Slade was born on 11 April 1948 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was an actor, known for L.A. Confidential (1997), Voyagers! (1982) and Slam Dance (1987). He was married to Laurie Walters and Betsy Slade. He died on 7 July 2017 in Ventura, California, USA.