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- Actress
- Producer
- Music Department
Elegant Nicole Kidman, known as one of Hollywood's top Australian imports, was actually born in Honolulu, Hawaii, while her Australian parents were there on educational visas.
Kidman is the daughter of Janelle Ann (Glenny), a nursing instructor, and Antony David Kidman, a biochemist and clinical psychologist. She is of English, Irish, and Scottish descent. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Washington, D.C., where Nicole's father pursued his research on breast cancer, and then, three years later, made the pilgrimage back to her parents' native Sydney in Australia, where Nicole was raised. Young Nicole's first love was ballet, but she eventually took up mime and drama as well (her first stage role was a bleating sheep in an elementary school Christmas pageant). In her adolescent years, acting edged out the other arts and became a kind of refuge -- as her classmates sought out fun in the sun, the fair-skinned Kidman retreated to dark rehearsal halls to practice her craft. She worked regularly at the Philip Street Theater, where she once received a personal letter of praise and encouragement from audience member Jane Campion (then a film student). Kidman eventually dropped out of high school to pursue acting full-time. She broke into movies at age 16, landing a role in the Australian holiday favorite Bush Christmas (1983). That appearance touched off a flurry of film and television offers, including a lead in BMX Bandits (1983) and a turn as a schoolgirl-turned-protester in the miniseries Vietnam (1987) (for which she won her first Australian Film Institute Award). With the help of an American agent, she eventually made her US debut opposite Sam Neill in the at-sea thriller Dead Calm (1989).
Kidman's next casting coup scored her more than exposure. While starring as Tom Cruise's doctor/love interest in the racetrack romance Days of Thunder (1990), she won over the Hollywood hunk hook, line and sinker. After a whirlwind courtship (and decent box office returns), the couple wed on December 24, 1990. Determined not to let her new marital status overshadow her fledgling career, the actress pressed on. She appeared as a catty high school senior in the Australian film Flirting (1991), then as Dustin Hoffman's moll in the gangster flick Billy Bathgate (1991). She reunited with Cruise for Far and Away (1992), the story of young Irish lovers who flee to America in the late 1800s, and starred opposite Michael Keaton in the tear-tugger My Life (1993). Despite her steady employment, critics and moviegoers still had not quite warmed to Kidman as a leading lady. She tried to spice up her image by seducing Val Kilmer in Batman Forever (1995), but achieved her real breakthrough with Gus Van Sant's To Die For (1995). As a fame-crazed housewife determined to eliminate any obstacle in her path, Kidman proved that she had an impressive range and deadly comic timing. She took home a Golden Globe and several critics' awards for the performance. In 1996, Kidman stepped into a corset to work with her countrywoman and onetime admirer, Jane Campion, on the adaptation of Henry James's The Portrait of a Lady (1996). A few months later, she tore across the screen as a nuclear weapons expert in The Peacemaker (1997), adding "action star" to her professional repertoire.
She and Cruise then disappeared into a notoriously long, secretive shoot for Stanley Kubrick's sexual thriller Eyes Wide Shut (1999). The couple's on-screen shenanigans prompted an increase in public speculation about their sex life (rumors had long been circulating that their marriage was a cover-up for Cruise's rumored homosexuality); tired of denying tabloid attacks, they successfully sued The Star for a story alleging that they needed a sex therapist to coach them through love scenes. Family life has always been a priority for Kidman. Born to social activists (mother was a feminist; father, a labor advocate), Nicole and her little sister, Antonia Kidman, discussed current events around the dinner table and participated in their parents' campaigns by passing out pamphlets on street corners. When her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, 17-year-old Nicole stopped working and took a massage course so that she could provide physical therapy (her mother eventually beat the cancer). She and Cruise adopted two children: Isabella Jane (born 1993) and Connor Antony (born 1995). Despite their rock-solid image, the couple announced in early 2001 that they were separating due to career conflicts. Her marriage to Cruise ended mid-summer of 2001.- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
From Timothy Olyphant's first screen appearances, such as his two-minute bit in The First Wives Club (1996), to "Nicko", whose presence at times dwarfed the island in A Perfect Getaway (2009), he has been a force to be reckoned with.
Born in Hawaii, Timothy David Olyphant was raised in Modesto, California. He is the son of Katherine Lyon (Gideon) and John Vernon Bevan Olyphant, a college teacher who was also an executive at E & J Gallo Winery. He has an older brother, Andy, who is in A&R for Warner Bros. Records, and a younger brother, Matt Olyphant, who was the lead singer for the punk rock group, Fetish, and is also an artist. He is a descendant of the prominent Vanderbilt and Olyphant families of businesspeople, and his ancestry includes Russian Jewish (from a maternal great-grandfather), English, German, Scottish, Dutch, and Irish. Timothy quickly became Modesto's favorite son, competing as a pro swimmer and excelling at drawing. It was, by chance, that he enrolled in an acting course as an elective and decided to pursue an acting career. He took his family and headed to New York City, where he studied the craft and began auditioning for roles. From the beginning, he tried to choose diversified roles and take chances with every genre and always approached everything he did with commitment, humor and grace. Timothy is married to his college sweetheart, Alexis Knief, and, together, they raise three children, one son and two daughters in California. He has managed to keep his personal life out of the tabloids. He obviously has his priorities straight, as this is no easy task in Hollywood.
Highlights of Olyphant's career include his riveting portrayal of "Sheriff Seth Bullock" in HBO's hit drama, Deadwood (2004). He now personifies intensity as complex Kentucky Marshal, "Raylan Givens", in FX's Justified (2010). On the big screen, in 2010's The Crazies (2010), he had the chance to infuse his character with doubts, fears and humaneness in an inhumane situation. Mr. Olyphant proved he could carry a major movie on his talent, alone. He recently appeared in I Am Number Four (2011), a sci-if thriller, in which Tim provided the adult mentorship, taking a back seat to the teen cast.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa was born on August 1, 1979, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the son of Coni (Lemke), a photographer, and Joseph Momoa, a painter. His father is of Native Hawaiian and Samoan descent; and his mother, who is from Iowa, is of German, Irish, and Native American ancestry. Jason was raised in Norwalk, Iowa, by his mother. After high school, he moved to Hawaii, where he landed a lead role, beating out of thousands of hopefuls in the TV series Baywatch (1989) (known as "Baywatch Hawaii" in its 10th season). When the show ended, he spent the next couple of years traveling around the world. In 2001, he moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to pursue an acting career. In 2004, after the short-lived TV series North Shore (2004), he was cast as the popular character "Ronon Dex" in the TV series Stargate: Atlantis (2004), which achieved a cult-like following. In 2010, he appeared in the Emmy-nominated HBO series Game of Thrones (2011), playing the Dothraki king, Khal Drogo. To illustrate to the producers that he was Khal Drogo, he performed the Haka, a traditional war dance of the Maori of New Zealand. The audition was with the same casting director who was casting the titular role in the reboot of Conan the Barbarian (2011). Four weeks after being cast as the popular Robert E. Howard character, Momoa began shooting in Bulgaria. His approach, like that of the filmmakers, was to pull from the eight decades of comics and stories as well as the Frank Frazetta images rather than the hugely popular 1982 movie. Jason has a production company, Pride of Gypsies, in which he is expanding his career from actor to filmmaker. He has directed a couple of short films and is working on his feature film debut Road to Paloma (2014), which is pulled from a series of stories that he's been developing over the years, which he calls the Brown Bag Diaries: Ridin' the Blinds in B Minor (2010). Jason lives with his wife, actress Lisa Bonet, with whom he has two children, Lola and Nakoa-Wolf.- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Aulii Cravalho is an American actress and singer who made her acting debut as the voice of the titular character in the 2016 Disney 3D computer-animated musical feature film Moana. She went on to star in the NBC drama series Rise (2018), the Netflix drama film All Together Now (2020) and the Hulu romantic comedy Crush (2022).- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Angelique Cabral was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. She is an actress and producer, best known for her roles in Big Sky (2022), Maggie (2022), Life in Pieces (2015), Enlisted (2014) and Friends with Benefits (2011). She has been married to Jason Osborn since 2013. They have two children together, Adelaide and Alden.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Kelly Preston was born on October 13, 1962 in Honolulu, Hawaii. A talented and captivating performer, she first garnered international attention with her role as "Marnie Mason" in Ivan Reitman's Twins (1988), starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. With her diverse character portrayals in films, such as director Cameron Crowe's Jerry Maguire (1996); Citizen Ruth (1996) for Alexander Payne; and For Love of the Game (1999), directed by Sam Raimi, she continued to capture audience attention.
In the early part of her career, Kelly worked with notable director John Frankenheimer in the Elmore Leonard film, 52 Pick-Up (1986), alongside Roy Scheider and Ann-Margret. Her career saw her cast her beside some of Hollywood's most notable names, including Kevin Spacey in Casino Jack (2010); Quentin Tarantino, George Clooney, and Harvey Keitel in Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn (1996); Kevin Bacon in Death Sentence (2007); Meg Ryan and Matthew Broderick in Addicted to Love (1997); Debra Winger, Zooey Deschanel, and Hank Azaria in Eulogy (2004); Mike Myers in The Cat in the Hat (2003); and Rod Steiger and Julie Harris in the Academy Award-nominated short, Little Surprises (1996).
Kelly was actively involved in education, drug reform and many charitable organizations. She was acknowledged with numerous awards as a result of her work. She married John Travolta on September 12, 1991, and they had three children.
Kelly died on July 12, 2020, in Ocala, Florida, after a two-year battle with breast cancer. She was 57.- Actress
- Soundtrack
On February 13th, 1968, a girl of Chinese, English, and Hawaiian ancestry was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her father, Herbert, was a salesman and her mother, Juanita, worked many odd jobs to help support the family. She has one older brother, Glenn. She is a former Miss Teen USA, and modeled in Japan and Italy for several months before deciding to relocate to L.A. and try her hand at show business. She received her break on TV's Growing Pains (1985) in 1987 and never looked back.- Amanda Schull is an American actress and former professional ballet dancer. She is known for her lead role in the 2000 film Center Stage, and for her recurring roles on the American television series One Tree Hill and Pretty Little Liars. She starred in the Syfy television series 12 Monkeys, and played a recurring role on the USA television series Suits before being promoted to series regular for the show's eighth and ninth seasons.
- Actress
- Producer
Margaret Denise Quigley was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a father of Polish and Irish descent (originally based in New York) and a Vietnamese mother. Her parents met during the Vietnam War. Maggie has two older half-siblings from her mother's previous marriage, and two older sisters. The family moved to Hawaii and settled in Mililani.
Maggie dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but modeled and found herself bursting onto the Hong Kong movie scene - eventually becoming a full-fledged superstar in Asia. She changed her name to the easily pronounceable "Maggie Q" (for the Chinese audience). She had a cameo in the Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker smash hit Rush Hour 2 (2001) and is part of the supporting cast in Mission: Impossible III (2006), starring Tom Cruise.- Actress
- Soundtrack
- Producer
Tia Carrere, born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, was discovered in a grocery store and landed the female lead in the film Aloha Summer. She then moved to Los Angeles and continued her ascent in the acting world as a series regular on General Hospital as well as a string of guest starring roles on MacGyver, Quantum Leap, Married With Children, and Friday the 13th among others. With her iconic breakthrough role as Cassandra in Wayne's World and Wayne's World 2, Tia was able to showcase both her considerable singing as well as acting chops. Wayne's World was a worldwide phenom and set the stage for the femme fatale role of Juno Skinner in James Cameron's film True Lies, opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger; the computer whiz Jingo Asakuma in Rising Sun opposite Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes; and her very own series lead as Sydney Fox in Relic Hunter. Other work includes Nip/Tuck, In Plain Sight, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and many more. Subsequently Tia returned to her Hawaii roots starring in Disney's animated film Lilo & Stitch, while on the musical front, being nominated four times and winning the Grammy twice with her records 'ikena and Huana Ke Aloha. She also co-hosted and performed during the ceremony. Lately, Tia can be seen in Michael Patrick King's series AJ & the Queen starring RuPaul, Amblin Films "Easter Sunday" starring JoKoy and Mindy Kaling's Never Have I Ever. She also just released a single and video of a song she wrote called "I'm Still Here".- Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Lauren Graham was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Donna Grant and Lawrence Graham, a candy industry lobbyist. Her father was from New York and her mother was from the American South, and Lauren has Irish, English, and Scottish ancestry. She grew up in Northern Virginia, USA (Fairfax, Arlington, and Great Falls, VA) Graduate of Langley High School, McLean, VA Graduate of Barnard College with a Bachelor's Degree in English. Graduate of Southern Methodist University with a Master's Degree in Acting. She was raised by a single parent, her father. Her parents divorced when she was 5. Growing up she wanted to be a jockey but her height precluded it. She traveled extensively with her father during her childhood and discovered acting while in elementary school. Her resume includes theatre, film and television.- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Shannyn Sossamon is an American actress and director. She is of Irish, French, Dutch, Hawaiian-Filipino, German and English ancestry. Growing up in Reno, Nevada, Sossamon spent most of her youth at a local dance studio. After graduating high school at age 17, she moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a life in the creative arts. Sossamon began acting in films at age 21 after being approached by casting director Francine Maisler, who was casting the starring role in Brian Helgeland's A KNIGHTS TALE opposite Heath Ledger. Additionally, she can be seen with Matt Dillon and Carla Gugino in the event series WAYWARD PINES, from M. Night Shyamalan, opposite Nicole Beharie and Tom Mison in Fox's SLEEPY HOLLOW, and as the lead of Blumhouse feature SINISTER 2, opposite James Ransone. Other credits include THE END OF LOVE starring Michael Cera and Mark Webber; OUR FAMILY WEDDING starring Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, WRISTCUTTERS: A LOVE STORY starring opposite Patrick Fugit; THE RULES OF ATTRACTION starring opposite James Van Der Beek; 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS starring opposite Josh Hartnett, and as the lead in Monte Hellman's ROAD TO NOWHERE. Recent credits include the feature films THERE ARE NO SAINTS and BACKSPOT, opposite Devery Jacobs. Sossamon spends her free time creating short videos for her project, THE MAUDE ROOM: A VARIETY SHOW, a short-form video project made especially for phone viewing.- Actor
- Stunts
- Director
Mark Dacascos is an actor, director, martial artist, and television personality. Whether seen on the big screen or small, playing the good guy or the bad, Mark has been making audience stand up and take notice for many years.
This May, Mark will be seen in highly anticipated film John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum playing the lethal assassin, Zero, opposite Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Asia Kate Dillon, and Laurence Fishburne.
Later this summer Mark can be seen in Roger Avary's film Lucky Day in the scene stealing role of Louis opposite Nina Dobrev and Crispin Glover and the new Netflix series Wu Assassins opposite Katheryn Winnick.
Dacascos has appeared in over 40 feature films including the haunting French film and box office success, Brotherhood of the Wolf, nemesis to Jett Li in Cradle to the Grave, and cult classic action film, Drive. He has also reprised the iconic role of Wo Fat in the hit CBS series Hawaii 5-0, Mr. Giyera on the hit television show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as the star of the series The Crow. Mark has appeared in numerous television shows such as Chicago P.D., Lucifer, and the hugely popular Hallmark franchise, The Perfect Bride and it's follow up The Perfect Bride: Wedding Bells.
Mark's turn as The Chairman on the Food Network's hit show, Iron Chef America launched him into pop icon status with over 200 episodes and counting on the Food Network. He also took his turn on the dance floor transforming his martial arts moves into dancing magic on ABC's hit show, Dancing With the Stars. Many millions have also enjoyed watching Mark in the hugely popular and uber successful web series Mortal Kombat Legacy and the international web series The Way.
Besides starring in television and films, Mark achieved a career milestone by directing his first feature film titled Showdown in Manilla starring Casper Van Dien and Tia Carrere.
The darkly exotic, multi-lingual, multi-skilled Dacascos is a mix of Japanese, Filipino, Spanish, Irish, and Chinese heritages. He was born in Hawaii and attended school in Germany. He is married and the proud father of 3 children.- Music Artist
- Actress
- Composer
Nicole Scherzinger was born on June 29, 1978 in Honolulu & raised in Louisville, Kentucky. While attending a performing arts high school, she won the Coca-Cola Classic Talent Contest & performed in many plays at The Actors Theatre of Louisville. She then furthered her studies, majoring in theater arts at Wright State University before joining the premiere season of WB's TV show Popstars (2000), where she earned the role of lead vocalist in the female pop group, Eden's Crush.
Outside of her work w/ The Pussycat Dolls, she recently performed w/ Japanese superstar Yoshiki at the Tokyo International Forum of Japan. She also had guest appearances on My Wife and Kids (2000) & Wanda at Large (2003). She also released a single, Breakfast in Bed out on Adam Sandler's 50 First Dates (2004) soundtrack.- Actress
- Talent Agent
- Producer
Erin Gray was born on January 7, 1950 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Gray moved with her family from Hawaii to California when she was eight years old and graduated from Pacific Palisades High School. She was fifteen when a chance meeting with Nina Blanchard, head of one of Hollywood's top model agencies, convinced her what she wanted to do in life. Moving to New York City, she became one of the town's most sought-after models, in elite company with Farrah Fawcett, Veronica Hamel and Susan Blakely. Television viewers encountered her commercials for Breck, Max Factor, Clairol, Camay Soap and RC Cola, and a classic spot--for English Leather cologne--in which she provocatively declared, "My men wear English Leather--or they wear nothing at all!" Between modeling assignments, she studied acting with well-known coach Warren Robertson and, when television movie offers came in, she was ready.
Universal was impressed by her performances on such series as Police Story (1973) and Gibbsville (1976) and signed her to a seven-year contract. Under that pact, the studio co-starred her as a tough-minded newspaper reporter in Irwin Shaw's Evening in Byzantium (1978). Her performance scored with both critics and audiences, and led directly to her role as Colonel Wilma Deering in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979). As a result, she has become a regular commuter between Hollywood and New York City, the hub of the magazine and fashion world. Many women admired her commanding role as Colonel Wilma Deering, while many men admired her beautiful looks and shapely figure.- Actor
- Casting Director
- Producer
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Titus always knew in his heart that he was meant to be in show business. Throughout his childhood, he was frequently relocated due to his father's military service, but being able to travel so much had an advantage as Titus was exposed to all forms of entertainment. Titus started to dance and sing around the age of nine in his elementary school talent show, took voice lessons in middle school, but did not start acting until his senior year of high school at the age of 17. It was at that point, when he secured a lead role in his first musical called "1940's Radio Hour."
After graduating from Buena High in Sierra Vista, Arizona, he was accepted into The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts' professional training program. During his first year in the program, he got a job as a New York Knicks Acroback Tumbler. They performed during half times at the Knicks Madison Square Garden home games. Titus was also a NY Liberty dancer, which is a co-ed hip hop dance team for the WNBA. However, once Titus graduated, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his entertainment career on a professional level.
He soon found success as a recurring character on Fox's hit show "Glee," and he is back for the 2nd season in a row. Titus plays David, a friend of Blaine's (Darren Criss), a Warbler at the Dalton Acad.
Now, he also stars as the lead in the NBC Walmart/P&G family movie night film "Game of Your Life," co-starring Lea Thompson and Nathan Kress, and he has a leading role across Lucy Hale in the new ABC Family original movie, "A Cinderella Story: Once Upon A Song," set to premiere in February 2012. Titus also has done episodic work including "The Closer" with Kyra Sedgwick, among his various international appearances and tours related to "Glee."- Actress
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
- Soundtrack
Keiko Agena was born on 3 October 1973 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. She is an actress, known for Prodigal Son (2019), Gilmore Girls (2000) and Better Call Saul (2015). She has been married to Shin Kawasaki since 19 December 2005.- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Mageina Tovah was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. She is an actress and director, known for Spider-Man 2 (2004), The Magicians (2015) and Hux (2016).- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Keala Joan Settle (born November 5, 1975) is an American actress and singer. Settle originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody, which ran on Broadway in 2013, and was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. In 2017, she portrayed Lettie Lutz, a bearded lady, in the musical film The Greatest Showman. The song "This Is Me" from the film, principally sung by Settle, won the 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Settle was born in Hawaii, the eldest of five children of Susanne (née Riwai), who is of Maori descent from New Zealand, and British-born David Settle. She is a graduate of Kahuku High School (class of 1993), and an alumna of Southern Utah University. Settle made her Broadway debut in 2011 in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert as Shirley and in the ensemble.
Settle originated the role of Norma Valverde in Hands on a Hardbody, a musical which ran briefly on Broadway in 2013, and is based on the 1997 documentary about real people competing to win a new truck. The TheatreMania reviewer wrote: "Settle, as Norma, steals every scene she's in. The spectacularly bizarre lead-in to her big number, 'Joy of the Lord,' is more difficult to pull off than most Shakespearean monologues, and her solo vocals reveal a soulful, oversized gospel range that drives the Holy Spirit straight to the back of the theater. When she tearfully realizes what her faith in God may have wrought, it stings like a chigger bite. Settle's touching performance should go on the shortlist for every Best Featured Actress prize in town." For this role, Settle was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Additionally, she was awarded the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway debut performance during the 2012-13 theatrical season.
Settle played the role of Madame Thenardier in the revival of Les Misérables, starting in March 2014, and ending on March 1, 2015. Settle originated the role of Becky in the musical Waitress, which opened on Broadway on April 24, 2016, at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre after premiering at the American Repertory Theater in August 2015. Settle played the role of Tracy Turnblad in the national tour of Hairspray. In the review of the tour stop at the Kennedy Center in 2005, the Washington Post reviewer wrote: " As for Settle, she is a fine Tracy, even if she looks too old for graduate school, let alone high school." She appeared in the national tour of the Lincoln Center production of South Pacific as Bloody Mary, starting in 2009. The reviewer for the Pioneer Press, Massachusetts, wrote: "Better cast is Keala Settle, who plays the conniving Tonkinese trader lady Bloody Mary with a rolling gait, the venom of viper and-buried deeply but achingly visible in strategic moments-the maternal fierceness of a lioness." In November through December 2012, Settle played the role of Mrs. Fezziwig in the Pioneer Theatre Company (Salt Lake City) production of the musical A Christmas Carol. She played the role of the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Ogunquit Playhouse, Ogunquit, Maine from July 31 to August 25, 2013. Settle performed in the Encores! concert staging of Violet on July 17, 2013 with Sutton Foster, but did not move on to the Broadway revival due to taking the role Madame Thénardier in the revival of Les Misérables; she was replaced in Violet by Annie Golden. Settle discussed her career path, noting that "...I really am not a musical theatre performer. I'm more an R&B singer and have been doing that my whole life. My mother is-well, was-also an R&B singer, in New Zealand....I was too busy wanting to sing backup or doing studio work singing chorus stuff, and singing backup for Gladys Knight in Vegas." Further, after her run in Hairspray, she stated that she "...didn't know how to live in that world..." and so for several years worked backstage with designers until she was cast in South Pacific. In 2017, Settle portrayed Lettie Lutz, a bearded lady, in the biographical musical drama The Greatest Showman, alongside Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Zendaya. The song "This Is Me" from the film, principally sung by Settle, won the 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. On December 22, 2017, she released an extended play called Chapter One.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Multi Grammy Award-winning singer/comedienne/author Bette Midler has also proven herself to be a very capable actress in a string of both dramatic and comedic roles. Midler was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 1, 1945. She is the daughter of Ruth (Schindel), a seamstress, and Fred Midler, a painter. Her parents, originally from New Jersey, were both from Jewish families (from Russia, Poland, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire).
Midler studied drama at the University of Hawaii and got her musical career started by performing in gay bathhouses with piano accompaniment from Barry Manilow. Her first album was "The Divine Miss M" released in November 1972, followed by the self-titled "Bette Midler" released in November 1973, both of which took off up the music charts, and Bette's popularity swiftly escalated from there.
After minor roles in several film/TV productions, she surprised all with her knockout performance of a hard-living rock-and-roll singer (loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin) in The Rose (1979), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. In 1986, director Paul Mazursky cast Midler opposite Nick Nolte and Richard Dreyfuss in the hilarious Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), and so began a string of very funny comedic film roles. She played an obnoxious wife who was the victim of a kidnap plot by her scoundrel husband, played by Danny DeVito, in Ruthless People (1986), was pursued by CIA and KGB spies in Outrageous Fortune (1987), played mismatched twins with Lily Tomlin in Big Business (1988) and shone in the tear-jerker Beaches (1988).
Bette matched feisty James Caan in the WWII drama For the Boys (1991), made a dynamic trio with Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton in The First Wives Club (1996), was back on screen with DeVito for the tepid comedy Drowning Mona (2000) and turned up in the glossy remake of The Stepford Wives (2004). Apart from her four Grammy awards, Bette Midler has also won four Golden Globes, one Tony Award, and three Emmy Awards, plus she has sold in excess of 15 million albums worldwide. Most recently, she toured with her sassy "Kiss My Brass" show, and is promoting her album "Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook".- Actress
- Director
- Writer
B.K. Cannon was born on 27 August 1990 in Kailua, Hawaii, USA. She is an actress and director, known for Road House (2024), Why Women Kill (2019) and Switched at Birth (2011).- Actor
- Producer
Jacob Batalon is an American actor. Batalon achieved international recognition playing Ned Leeds in five Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films, beginning with Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Jacob Batalon was born on October 9, 1996, in Hawaii, to Filipino parents. Batalon has seven half-siblings: a brother and a sister from his mother, and three brothers and two sisters from his father.- Born in Hawaii, Teilor began her career early in her homeland when at eight years old she booked her very first audition for "Hawaii 5-0." The show went on for 10 seasons. Her character, Grace, become a fan favorite as they watched her grow up right in front of their eyes.
She adored being raised on beautiful Oahu. Teilor excelled in water sports and hiking. As a little girl she was fascinated in learning the history of the land and of her ancestors.
She was an all-star cheerleader and loved competing in gymnastics.
In 2016, Teilor took the big leap to the mainland. She booked her first feature film, the period piece "The Dawn."
Voicing the character of Leilani in the "Legend of Hallowaiian" is a dream come true. Besides always wanting to work in animation, she felt inherently connected to the story. It was so fun for her to bring to life and share with audience some of the thrilling Hawaiian traditions she learned as a child, her favorite being the mischievous Menehunes. - Heidi Swedberg was born on 3 March 1966 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. She is an actress, known for Galaxy Quest (1999), Hot Shots! (1991) and Dragonfly (2002). She has been married to Philip Holahan since 1994. They have two children.
- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Janel Parrish is an American actress and singer who portrayed Mona Vanderwaal in Pretty Little Liars (2010).
She was born Janel Meilani Parrish on October 30, 1988 in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, to parents Joanne (Mew) and Mark Phillip Parrish. Her mother is of Chinese descent and her father is Caucasian. Her sister, Melissa Nohelani, is eight years her senior. At age 6, Parrish began piano lessons, and within a year was also studying acting, singing, tap dance and jazz dance. She was educated at Moanalua Elementary and Moanalua High School, but left after ninth grade to be home schooled. At 14, she moved to Los Angeles with her family. That same year, she entered the talent competition Star Search (2003), but did not progress further than the first round.
Parrish began her acting career in 1996 with the role of Young Cosette in "Les Misérables", first performing in the U.S. national tour and then transferring to the Broadway production. She subsequently guest starred in various television series, before landing her breakthrough role as Jade in Bratz (2007). Three years later, she was cast in her most notable role, Mona Vanderwaal, in Pretty Little Liars (2010). Parrish won four Teen Choice Awards for her performance throughout the series' run.
In addition to acting, Parrish also competed in the nineteenth season of Dancing with the Stars (2005), in which she finished third, and released her first single as a singer-songwriter in 2007 through Geffen Records.- Actress
Karen Steele was born on March 20, 1931, in Honolulu, Hawaii. A former cover girl and model, she was one of the most strikingly beautiful actresses to ever work in film and television. She went to the University of Hawaii and to Rollins College in Florida before gracing our film screens with her first film in 1952. Rumor has it she was mistaken for another actress by producer Delbert Mann when he cast her as a hard case in the drama film Marty (1955). Like many actresses, as she got older, she turned to television commercials for income. She also became involved in charitable causes and community service. Karen Steele died of cancer in Kingman, Arizona, on March 12, 1988, little more than a week before her 57th birthday.- Actor
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The younger son of vaudeville great Clarence Stroud (of the Stroud Twins) and singer Ann McCormack, who toured the world with Frank Sinatra, Don Stroud grew up on the beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, where his stepfather, Paul Livermore, and his mother, Ann, owned and operated the popular Embers steakhouse/nightclub where his mother performed nightly. He thrived on Waikiki Beach under the watchful eyes of such mentors as Blackout, Mud, Buckshot, Rabbit and Steamboat. In 1960, at the age of 17, he placed fourth in the "Duke Kahanamoku World Surfing Championship" at Makaha, Hawaii.
Don was surfing at Waikiki when he was discovered. Actor Troy Donahue was filming Hawaiian Eye (1959) and needed a stunt double for his surfing scenes. At 18, 6' 2" and 175 pounds, Stroud stepped up and was hired on the spot. He decided to go to Hollywood to give it a try. Upon arriving in L.A., he landed a variety of jobs, including parking cars, bouncer and then manager of the world famous "Whiskey A Go-Go" nightclub on the Sunset Strip, where such greats as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison of the "Doors" appeared. It was at the "Whiskey" that actor Sidney Poitier turned Don on to his acting career. He has appeared in more than 100 movies and 175 television shows to date. He starred in four television series, notably The New Mike Hammer (1984) and The New Gidget (1986).- Actor
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Tahj Mowry, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, is known for playing the young prodigy on the Disney sitcom, Smart Guy (1997). He is the son of Darlene Renee (Flowers), who eventually ended up managing the siblings' early career, and Timothy John Mowry, a police officer and a veteran of the war. His mother is of Afro-Bahamian descent and his father, who is caucasian, has English ancestry. Tahj Mowry made his acting debut at the age of four, in 1990, on the television series, Who's the Boss? (1984), as a one-time guest star character, "Greg". After that, followed several other roles on memorable television sitcoms, like Where I Live (1993), Out All Night (1992), Aladdin (1994), Sonic the Hedgehog (1993), and his most memorable role, in 1990, as "Teddy" on the hit-sitcom, Full House (1987). Tahj Mowry had accomplished all these reprising guest and recurring roles before even reaching the age of ten! In 1994, Mowry joined his twin sisters, Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry-Housley, on their ABC hit-sitcom, Sister, Sister (1994), in the roles of "Cousin Taj", "Sammy" and "T.J. Henderson". By the time he had joined the Disney sitcom, Smart Guy (1997), in 1997, he was already an accomplished actor, starring in movies, sitcoms and even cartoon series. Every sibling in the Mowry family during the late 90's were stars of hit-sitcoms on different television networks. The show ran for fifty-one episodes and three seasons. The show was canceled, as Mowry stated several years later, due to a "contract-dispute". What came next for Mowry after he starred on a hit-sitcom was the star of several Disney movies, such as Seventeen Again (2000), which he co-starred with his twin sisters, Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry-Housley. Other Disney movies such as Hounded (2001) in 2001, with actor 'Shia Labeouf', as well as The Poof Point (2001). In 2002, Mowry once again returned as a voice actor, by starring in the successful animated show, Kim Possible (2002), as the computer-genius "Wade Load". Mowry's character on "Kim Possible" was inspired by the character he played on Smart Guy (1997). Several "Kim Possible" movies were released during the syndication of the series, all of which Mowry starred in. The "Kim Possible" series and franchise ended in 2007, after winning several prestigious awards. Tahj Mowry, in 2007, also starred in a movie, with rapper/actor/comedian "Ice Cube", called Are We Done Yet? (2007). Mowry played the role of "Danny Pulu". In the late 2000s, Mowry signed onto a label, and began to pursue a singing career, citing he wanted to do more than be an actor and had other passions. Mowry will be forever remembered as a versatile entertainer and as one of many favorite child stars.- Actor
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Keone Young is an Asian-American actor who is known for playing Mr. Wu from Deadwood and voicing Kaz Harada from Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi. He also acted in Men in Black 3, Samurai Jack, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, Codename: Kids Next Door, The Mighty B, American Dragon: Jake Long and the Spider-Man 3 video game. He speaks English, Japanese and Chinese.- Actor
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Darin Brooks was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Blue Mountain State (2010), Amber Brown (2022) and The Croods: Family Tree (2021). He has been married to Kelly Kruger since 21 March 2016. They have one child.- Actress
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Julie McCullough was born on 30 January 1965 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for The Blob (1988), 2012: Ice Age (2011) and Top of the World (1997). She was previously married to David Sutcliffe.- Jennifer was born in Bay City Michigan. She is most well-known for three episodes of Seinfeld playing Tia the Calvin Klein model. She also played many characters on Baywatch, lastly replacing Gina Lee Nolan's character. She was a lead in the Aaron Spelling series Robins Hoods starring Linda Purl and Rick Springfield. She has raised a beautiful son and daughter.
- Sasha Feline Barrese is the daughter of actress and model Katherine Barrese. Katherine was a model when she gave birth to baby Sasha. The two lived in Maui, Hawaii and soon moved to Paris, France. There, Katherine continued to model and take Sasha to work with her. Sasha got a lot of early modeling experience by going to the photo shoots with her mom.
In 1989, the pair got their debut acting roles in the movie Homer and Eddie (1989). Katherine and little Sasha went on to star as the younger and older versions of a character named "Jezebel" in 1990's Jezebel's Kiss (1990). This film was the only role in which Sasha is credited by her real name, Alexandra Barrese.
Katherine worked hard to put her little girl through good private schools. Pre-teen Sasha attended Ojai Private School in Ojai Valley, California and graduated middle school in 1995. She continued on to Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts and graduated high school in 1999. She did some modeling during her school years for NEXT Agency, Elite, and Guess? Jeans.
After graduation, she went on to do more television and film work, including Supernatural (2005), Hellraiser: Inferno (2000), The Ring (2002), Just Shoot Me! (1997), MTV's Undressed (1999) and WB's Run of the House (2003). Sasha says she and her mom, Katherine, are very close. They lived together for many years in Beverly Hills, California. - Claire Griswold was born on 30 October 1936 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. She was an actress, known for The Investigators (1961), Studio One (1948) and The Twilight Zone (1959). She was married to Sydney Pollack. She died on 28 March 2011 in West Hollywood, California, USA.
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Sydney Agudong is an actress, singer, and professional songwriter, born and raised on the island of Kaua'i, Hawai'i. Throughout her life, performing followed her everywhere, on and off camera and on the stage. In 2018, Sydney moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion for acting and singing. She has been a lead or supporting actress in numerous projects ranging from TV, Film, Music Videos, and a YouTube Web Series. Sydney just wrapped her latest project as the lead role in an independent feature, At Your Feet. She also just wrapped an indie film, Trapped in the Farmhouse, in a supporting role and worked as a co star on NCIS. Sydney can be seen in a supporting lead role in the 2022 indie film, Infamously in Love, and as the leading role of Jasmine, in the feature film West Michigan, a coming-of-age feature on Amazon and iTunes. She recurred as Charlize in season 4 of Netflix's On My Block.
Sydney is filming on the island of Oahu for the Disney film, Lilo and Stitch. She will be bringing the beloved character of Nani to life in this new live action feature.
In addition to her acting, Sydney is working with FR8 Train Music Publishing, a publishing company founded under Westlake Studios, as a top-liner/songwriter for sync and other artists. She released her debut original song in 2022 "Welcome to Hollywood" under her artist name "Jayne Doe" and it has been recognized by magazines and publications including Earmilk, Sweetyhigh, and more. Sydney has been working hard and is very excited to release more original music this year!
Sydney is represented by AEFH Talent Agency, Trilogy Talent Management, Inc. and attorney Howard Fishman of HWHM+F.- Randall Duk Kim was born on 24 September 1943 in Hawaii, USA. He is an actor, known for Dragonball Evolution (2009), The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and Kung Fu Panda (2008). He is married to Annie Occhiogrosso.
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Maile Flanagan won an Emmy for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (2003) in 2006.
She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She lived in Bangkok, Nurnberg and Munich, and then attended Boston College. After Boston College, she was in the improv comedy troupe Every Mother's Nightmare with Wayne Wilderson, Tom McCarthy, Andrea Beutner (Hutchman), Kevin Kappock, Peter Civetta and Nancy Walls (Carell) and others in Minneapolis. Did stand-up and improv in Minneapolis at the Comedy Gallery and Knuckleheads and also with Dudley Riggs' Brave New Workshop. She moved to to LA with the Theatre 911's production of Bad Seed, which won an LA Weekly award for Best Comedy Ensemble.
She does television, commercials, animation and and film and was nominated for an Annie Award for Voice Acting in an Animated Television Program at the 32nd Annual Annie Awards in 2005.
She has numerous LA theater credits including working with writer/director Justin Tanner at Third Stage in Burbank in his shows "Wife Swappers", "Pot Mom", "Oklahomo!", "Zombie Attack!" and "The Strip".- Actor
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Anthony Ruivivar was born on 4 November 1970 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Starship Troopers (1997), Tropic Thunder (2008) and Beware the Batman (2013). He has been married to Yvonne Jung since 4 January 1998. They have two children.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Gavin Leatherwood was born on 7 June 1994 in Hawaii, USA. He is an actor, known for It's What's Inside (2024), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018) and The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021).- Actor
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Clyde Kusatsu was born on 13 September 1948 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Paradise Road (1997), The Interpreter (2005) and Midway (1976). He has been married to Gayle Shuffler since 29 August 1976. They have two children.- Actor
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Thomas "Tom" Louis Villard was born in Waipahu Hawaii, the son of Ronald Louis Villard, a photochemical engineer and Diane Ruth Villard née MacNaughton, a teacher for students with emotional challenges. to Ron and Diane and grew up in Spencerport, New York. He has two brothers and one sister. After graduating from E. J. Wilson High School in Spencerport, he attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania for two years. After college, he moved to New York City. There he attended the Lee Strasberg Acting Studio and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Tom moved to Los Angeles in 1980. During Tom's film career, he landed roles in numerous films and television shows. Tom passed away on November 14, 1994, from AIDS related pneumonia.- Siena can currently be seen starring in the 2022 Netflix franchise live action series, "Resident Evil" as well as in the recently released, blockbuster franchise film, "F9" / "Fast and Furious 9" in a supporting role. The Disney + original movie, "Upside Down Magic", was released in 2020 with Siena starring as the evil antagonist, Reina.
"No Good Nick" fans will recognize Siena as the titular role of "Nick", in the Netflix original series "No Good Nick", alongside Sean Astin and Melissa Joan Hart. In early 2018, Siena starred in both the Nickelodeon series "Star Falls", and the Warner Brothers/Nickelodeon feature, "Alex & Me", an inspirational soccer movie also starring Olympic Gold medalist, Alex Morgan.
Siena was born and raised in Hawai'i and began her career in early 2013 at the age of 8, booking a recurring role on ABC's Texas Ranger drama, "Killer Women" with Tricia Helfer and Michael Trucco. She went on to become a recurring guest star on multiple series: TVLand's "Teachers", Nickelodeon's "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn. She also guest starred on Disney's, "Sydney to the Max"; Raven's Home and CBS's "Hawai'i Five 0".
Siena has earned several Young Entertainer and Young Artist award nominations and in 2017, she won "Best Guest Starring Young Actress 12 & Under" at the Young Entertainers Awards held at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California.
Outside of acting, Siena's passions are found in the outdoors. She can often be found hiking, surfing or skateboarding and in addition, is very involved in helping to save the Coral Reef. - Actress
- Soundtrack
Kaliko Kauahi was born in Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii, USA. Kaliko is an actor, known for Superstore (2015).- Producer
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U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama II was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. His mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was a white American from Wichita, Kansas. His father, Barack Obama Sr., who was black, was from Alego, Kenya. They were both young college students at the University of Hawaii. When his father left for Harvard, his mother and Barack stayed behind, and his father ultimately returned alone to Kenya, where he worked as a government economist. Barack's mother remarried an Indonesian oil manager and moved to Jakarta when Barack was six. He later recounted Indonesia as simultaneously lush and a harrowing exposure to tropical poverty. He returned to Hawaii, where he was brought up largely by his grandparents. The family lived in a small apartment - his grandfather was a furniture salesman and an unsuccessful insurance agent and his grandmother worked in a bank - but Barack managed to get into Punahou School, Hawaii's top prep academy. His father wrote to him regularly but, though he traveled around the world on official business for Kenya, he visited only once, when Barack was ten. Obama attended Columbia University, but found New York's racial tension inescapable. He became a community organizer for a small Chicago church-based group for three years, helping poor South Side residents cope with a wave of plant closings. He then attended Harvard Law School, and in 1990 became the first African-American editor of the Harvard Law Review. He turned down a prestigious judicial clerkship, choosing instead to practice civil-rights law back in Chicago, representing victims of housing and employment discrimination and working on voting-rights legislation. He also began teaching at the University of Chicago Law School, and married Michelle Robinson (now Michelle Obama, a fellow attorney; their daughters are Sasha Obama and Malia Obama. Eventually, he was elected to the Illinois state senate, where his district included both Hyde Park and some of the poorest ghettos on the South Side. In 2004, Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Democrat, representing Illinois, and he gained national attention by giving a rousing and well-received keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. In 2008 he ran for President, and despite having only four years of national political experience, he won. In January 2009, he was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, and the first African-American ever elected to that position. Obama was re-elected to a second term in November 2012 - and was sworn in in January 2013. His presidential term ended in January 2017- Actress
- Soundtrack
Kellye Nakahara was born on 16 January 1948 in Oahu, Hawaii, USA. She was an actress, known for Clue (1985), M*A*S*H (1972) and Doctor Dolittle (1998). She was married to David Wallett. She died on 16 February 2020 in Pasadena, California, USA.- Actress
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Candis was born in Maui, Hawaii. Candis Cayne has become one of the United States' most popular and sought-after transgender actresses. Candis first made a name for herself at the famed NYC gay hot-spot "Boy Bar", where her performances drew raves. A classically trained dancer, Candis has thrilled audiences from coast-to-coast with her amazing gift for dance, choreography and glamour.
Candis can be seen in the hit ABC series Dirty Sexy Money where she played actor Billy Baldwin's (Patrick) transgender love interest Carmelita. Candis was the first transgender actress to have a recurring role on a prime-time series. Recently, Candis has had guest-starring spots in various shows and a recurring role in The Magicians. Also, check out the 2020 Netflix documentary "Disclosure" for a more in-depth understanding of transgender representation in media and society where Candis speaks candidly about her experiences as a transgender actress.- Actress
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Kristina Anapau is an actress, writer, and producer. Born in Hawaii, Kristina Anapau spent her youth studying classical ballet, music and theatre. She graduated from high school at the age of 15 and, that same year began her studies at The University of Hawaii. With dreams of pursuing a professional dance career, Anapau's life would soon take a fateful turn, as she was cast in Universal Television's Escape from Atlantis (1997), landing her first professional starring role at the age of 16. Soon after, she relocated to Los Angeles where she continued to work steadily, both theatrically and commercially. At age 20, Kristina landed a recording contract with Hollywood Records and spent much of that year recording an album and opening for Destiny's Child on MTV's TRL Tour, but her true love and passion remained performing in film and television.
Anapau has trained and performed theatrically under the tutelage of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and on the ballet front with American Ballet Theater and The Joffrey Ballet in New York City.
She acted alongside Golden Globe-winner Diane Venora and Greg German in ThinkFilm's independent feature Self Medicated (2005), winner of over 35 international film awards. Anapau starred with Christina Ricci and Jesse Eisenberg in Dimension Films' thriller, Cursed (2005), directed by Wes Craven, and shined as Cassie Merteuil in the Sony Pictures/Newmarket Films release Cruel Intentions 3 (2004). She appeared in the films Madison (2001), starring Jim Caviezel and Bruce Dern, as well as, the Lionsgate comedy, 100 Girls (2000).
Her television credits are impressive as Kristina has recurred and guest starred in many noteworthy productions, including: True Blood (2008), The Glades (2010), House (2004), Monk (2002), CSI: NY (2004), Without a Trace (2002), Once and Again (1999), General Hospital (1963) and Knight Rider (2008). She also starred opposite popular comedian Dane Cook in the Sony Television-produced pilot Cooked (2005).
Anapau recurred on the hit HBO series True Blood (2008) as the enchanting Maurella. She played Galina in Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan (2010), in which she acted opposite Oscar-winner Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey.
In her spare time, Anapau enjoys skiing and horseback riding. She has been a contributing editorial writer for The Stndrd Magazine and The Hollywood Film Journal among others. Anapau is a graduate of Skidmore College in New York.- Producer
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Destin Daniel Cretton is an American filmmaker, writer and producer from Haiku, Hawaii. He is known for directing The Glass Castle, I Am Not a Hipster, Short Term 12, Just Mercy and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He is the second Asian-American filmmaker to direct a Marvel film following Ang Lee's Hulk.- Writer
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Mark Edward Fischbach, known by his Internet persona and main YouTube username Markiplier, is an American Internet and YouTube personality star. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Fischbach began his career in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is currently based in Los Angeles, California. Generally, he gained fame as Markiplier, uploading videos of him and sometimes his friends playing and commenting on video games.
He was born on June 28th, 1989 in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States and has American and Korean ancestry. His father served in the military where he met his mother of Korean origin. His family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally, Fischbach studied to become a medical engineer at the University of Cincinnati, but dropped out of college to pursue his YouTube career. Before his YouTube fame, He originally aspired to become a voice actor.
Markiplier is perhaps one of the icons of famous Internet and YouTube stars. As of April 2022, his channel has over 17.9 billion total video views and over 32.7 million subscribers, and is the 17th most subscribed individual user channel on YouTube. Fischbach specializes in Let's Play game-play commentary videos and indie games, commonly of survival horror and action video games, and some film production.
Starting his Internet web video YouTube career, Fischbach first joined YouTube on May 26, 2012, creating a channel under the username "Markiplier". Fischbach's first series was a play-through of the video game Amnesia: The Dark Descent. After playing several other game series, including Penumbra and Dead Space, YouTube banned Fischbach's AdSense account. Though he appealed to YouTube as a last effort, the appeal was ultimately lost. Because of this, a new and current channel was created and dubbed MarkiplierGAME. In 2014, Fischbach's YouTube Channel, Markiplier, was listed on New Media Rockstars Top 100 Channels, ranked at #61.
Since then, he has collaborated with many others, including Jacksepticeye, LordMinion777, Muyskerm, CrankGameplays, PewDiePie, Matthias, GameGrumps, Cyndago, Yamimash, Jacksfilms, CaptainSparklez and LixianTV, as well as acting appearances in TomSka's asdfmovie series (voice only) and in Smosh: The Movie. He has also played many games on his channel, including the Five Nights at Freddy's series, Garry's Mod, Happy Wheels, Surgeon Simulator 2013, Minecraft (while intoxicated), SCP - Containment Breach, HuniePop, SOMA, Until Dawn, Octodad: Dadliest Catch, To the Moon, The Evil Within, Alien: Isolation, Among the Sleep, Grand Theft Auto V, and many more. He has also done "Impossible Challenges" (spicy peppers, painful trials, etc.), sketch comedy with Matthias and Cyndago, and played horror spin-off parodies from games like Slender: The Eight Pages and Five Nights at Freddy's. At the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con, Fischbach appeared on a panel with Red Giant Entertainment including Benny R. Powell (Wayward Sons), David Campiti (Pandora's Blogs), Mort Castle (Darchon), David Lawrence, and Brian Augustyn. He also co-hosted the 2015 South By Southwest (SXSW) Gaming Awards with The Legend of Korra voice actor Janet Varney. Fischbach and fellow Youtuber Jenna Mae appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in September of 2014 following backlash that Kimmel received regarding jokes he had made about YouTube and Let's Play videos. Fischbach joined the Red Giant Entertainment board in November 2014. He was featured in Youtube Rewind 2015. He has made an interactive sketch story called A Date with Markiplier (ADWM), which premiered on February 14, 2017, that is dedicated to Valentine's Day and has a total of 10 different outcomes depending on the choices of the viewer. He also made the series called Who Killed Markiplier? (WKM) - Chapters1-4, which premiered over the course of four days from October 10th, 2017. He also created Wilford 'MOTHERLOVING' Warfstache, and Damien soon after for further story and character development after his WKM series. He has made a new, free, YouTube Red series called A Heist with Markiplier (AHWM). This is an interactive story with 31 possible endings to it, and it premiered on October 30, 2019. Fischbach is often referred to as one of the most kind, generous, and down-to-earth YouTubers. He has done many charity live-streams, donating to charities such as Doctors Without Borders and to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, located in his hometown. Fischbach also enjoys keeping a close relationship with his viewers, often going to conventions and interacting with them on social media. He also highly praises his community's support, taking much pride in how his viewers care about each other as well as him.
In his Cyndago collaboration, Fischbach made many comedy videos together with the YouTube sketch comedy and music channel, Cyndago. The channel was founded in 2012 by Daniel Kyre and Ryan Magee in South Carolina, stemming from Magee's post-high school film work. Matt Watson from Maker Studios later joined Cyndago after they moved to Los Angeles. Their work was noted for having unexpected endings and dark, often disturbing, humor. Following Kyre's attempted suicide on September 16, 2015 and subsequent death two days later, the remaining members of Cyndago chose to disband. At the time of their disbandment, the group had done forty sketches and fourteen original songs, many of them featuring Fischbach. Watson and Magee then decided to work on Watson's own comedy and music channel, Kids w/ Problems, and they continue to collaborate with Fischbach. After the death of Daniel Kyre and disbandment of Cyndago, Fischbach temporarily halted uploads and went on hiatus from September 17 to October 5, 2015.
On March 23, 2015, he had emergency surgery and posted a video from his hospital bed which received over 5 million views. Fortunately, the surgery was a success and mark returned to vlogging afterwards.- Taylor Wily (Teila Tuli) has the distinction of competing in the first bout held in Ultimate Fighting Championship (2000) or UFC. Wily was a sumo wrestler when UFC was created to determine the best style of fighting. Wily fought Gerard Gordeau at UFC 1: The Beginning (1993) where he quickly lost. Wily never again competed in the sport now known as Mixed Martial Arts, and later became an actor.