N o w - H o l l y w o o d . b l o g s p o t .c o m

Seth Green



Seth Green, Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1974, Green was raised in the suburbs. At the age of 6, he was already set on acting, enrolling in lessons to help him along. His uncle, a casting director, was able to help him land jobs on television and he appeared in numerous commercials. Seth got a taste of better things to come when he appeared briefly in Hotel New Hampshire, with Brat Pack member, Rob Lowe. He would also appear in another 1980's classic, Can’t Buy Me Love.
Green continued to work into the 90s but the roles were small and failed to leave a lasting impression on audiences. His most notable roles were in the Stephen King miniseries, It, and in the teen angst flick Pump Up the Volume. Things went steadily from bad to worse, and by 1995, Seth was back to square one, with a role as “3rd Youth at Hot Dog Stand" in the little seen John Travolta movie, White Man’s Burden. I’m sure we all remember that one...Then came Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, the shagadelic hit by comedian Mike Myers. As the nefarious Doctor Evil’s progeny, Scott Evil, Seth got a lot of laughs, and even more exposure. The good fortune continued for Seth, as an appearance on the hit WB series Buffy the Vampire Slayer turned into a recurring role. He plays Oz, a young guitarist (who also has a slight werewolf problem), smitten with series regular, Alyson Hannigan (Willow). It is interesting to note that the two had previously starred together years before in the 1988 dud, My Stepmother Is an Alien.
Since Austin Powers and Buffy, Seth has continued his comeback with roles in Can’t Hardly Wait, with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ethan Embry, and Enemy of the State with Will Smith and Gene Hackman. The two films have assured his rising fame, and broadened his fan base even further. Things seem to be looking really good for Seth. Seth's first major role since making it big on Buffy came in Idle Hands. Unfortunately, the film about a teenager who wakes up one morning with a murderous hand, suffered from some very bad timing with its release coming just a week after the Columbine School shooting. Americans were not in the mood to see more teenage killing - real or fictional. The film looked good, but it quickly disappeared from theaters.
In addition to his new movies, Seth has also been very busy working on television. Not only does he appear regularly on Buffy but he is also providing voices for two new animated series, Batman Beyond and The Family Guy. Finally successful again after all these years, Seth does not seem to want to let up, and his fans are grateful.

Filmography
The Hotel New Hampshire (1984)
Something Special (1987)
Can't Buy Me Love (1987)
My Stepmother Is An Alien (1988)
Big Business (1988)
Stephen King's IT (1990)
Pump Up The Volume (1990)
The Day My Parents Ran Away (1994)
j Ticks (1994)
White Man's Burden (1995)
To Gillian On Her 37th Birthday (1996)
Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)
Can't Hardy Wait (1998)
Enemy Of The State (1998)
to be released:
Stonebrook (1999)
Idle Hands (1999)
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

scott baio


scott baio

Scott Baio was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 22, 1961 to Mario (from Italy) and Rose Baio. The youngest of three children, Baio approached his mother at the age of nine and told her directly, "I want to be on television." The parents obliged and took him on a few interviews in New York. Before long, their son had achieved his dream and was appearing in commercials.While still a novice performer, Baio was selected from a field of 2,000 other child actors for the starring role in the 1976 film "Bugsy Malone." Following his feature-film debut, he appeared in the television movie "Luke Was There" and his television career was born. In 1977, he became a regular on "Happy Days" as Fonzie's cousin, Chachi Arcola. He also appeared on two sitcoms that Garry Marshall wanted him to appear in: Blansky's Beauties in 1977 and Who's Watching the Kids in 1978. In 1978, his family relocated to Hollywood to keep up with his demanding career. Besides playing Chachi, the busy teenager also appeared in the films "Skatetown, USA" (1979), "Foxes" (1980), and "Zapped!" (1982). In 1982, Baio co-starred with Erin Moran in their own show, "Joanie Loves Chachi," a "Happy Days" spin-off. The series was cancelled after a single season and both actors returned to "Happy Days" in 1983 for the final year. For more information on what Scott Baio has done after Happy Days,
Scott Baio, television's beloved Chachi and Charles (in Charge), discovered recently that he had been killed off by the Internet. On the day comedian Chris Farley died, a rumor swept the Web that Baio had been killed in a car accident, and before too long, some news sources were reporting it as fact. "My parents called me, crying," Baio tells the New York Times Magazine. "They heard it from my brother, who heard it on the radio. And they're crying and I'm thinking, 'Someone died in my family!' Little did I know it was me." Soon the phone started ringing off the hook: "After a while I started answering my phone, 'I'm not dead.'" Baio joins such celebs as Corey Feldman, James Marsden, and Adam Sandler, who have all been mistakenly pronounced dead on the Internet. But he says he has indisputable truth that he's still on the earthly plane: "There's no body. And there's a new episode of the Nanny, which I shot after I was supposed to not be alive."
As comic great Carl Reiner puts it, Garry Marshall has talent. Period. End of discussion. To hear him praised by friends and colleagues alike in Bravo Profiles: Garry Marshall, premiering Monday, July 30 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. PT on Bravo, it’s hard to argue with Reiner. Garry Marshall, creator of three of the most successful and memorable sitcoms in the history of television and one of Disney’s highest grossing movies, has helped shape the cultural landscape of an entire generation. From his early television series to the feature film Pretty Woman, Marshall has made an indelible impact on popular culture. He discovered Henry Winkler and Robin Williams, re-discovered Ron Howard, and is credited with launching the feature film careers of Julia Roberts and Matt Dillon. Marshall got his start as a writer, penning scripts for The Dick van Dyke Show and other television comedies. He credits his family experiences, growing up in a volatile household in the Bronx, as the source of much of his comedic material. As sister Penny Marshall speculates, Garry grew up a sickly Italian kid in the Bronx with two parents who argued constantly and simply had to find something to laugh about. But according to actor and director Henry Winkler, his greatest contribution to pop culture may be his ability to spot great actors and then encourage them to reach their full potential, especially in terms of comedy. During the week of January 18, 1979, four of the top five U.S. television shows were created by Marshall - Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy and Angie. Not only is Marshall the creator of fourteen TV sitcoms and a dozen Hollywood films including Runaway Bride, Beaches and The Flamingo Kid, he’s also a writer, director, producer and even actor with dozens of cameos and long time recurring role on Murphy Brown. Marshall is known in Hollywood as an “actors’ director.” His special ability to put actors at ease is credited with eliciting strong comedic performances and encouraging the kind of improvisation that is often the basis for great comedy. Such was the case with Roberts in Pretty Woman in which he coaxed her into letting go of her ego and embarrassment for the memorable “nose-blowing” scene - one of the most hilarious and endearing in the entire film. This rare talent - not to mention his easy-going demeanor, his passion for his work, and his generous, loving disposition - have made him an undisputed favorite director in the acting community. As Roberts says, “no matter how low you get, if you can just get ‘Gar’ on the phone everything will be all right.” Despite Marshall’s incredible success, he has had to endure his share of critical and commercial flops. At one point, Marshall had both the top and the absolute worst rated shows on television. His response - “Guess that makes me the first and last name in comedy.” Of the fourteen sitcoms he developed, most were off the air in one season one of his personal favorite films, The Other Sister, starring Juliette Lewis and Giovanni Ribisi showed him that audiences apparently weren’t ready to find humor in mentally challenged characters. Marshall’s greatest love is the theatre, but he has yet to mount a successful theatrical run with any of his plays. He founded the Falcon Theatre in Burbank, Calif., which gives him the chance to work with the community, especially children, and his hallmark warmth and kindness are found in every project he directs. Interviews include actors Julia Roberts, Robin Williams, Henry Winkler, Carl Reiner, Julie Andrews, Hector Elizondo, sister Penny Marshall, daughter Kathleen and TV professor Robert Thompson. Bravo, The Film and Arts Network, offers critically acclaimed American and international films as well performing arts, including dance, theater, classical music and jazz.
Filmography
Baby Geniuses 2: Superbabies (2002) .... Stan Bobbins
Dumb Luck (2001)
Face to Face (2001) .... Richie
Face Value (2001) .... Barry Rengler
Bar Hopping (2000) .... Damian
Bread, My Sweet, The (2000) .... Dominic
Playboy: The Party Continues (2000) (TV) .... Himself
Very Mean Men (2000) .... Paulie Minetti
Detonator (1998) .... Zack Ramses
"Before They Were Stars" (1996) TV Series .... Host
Mixed Blessings (1995) (TV) .... Charlie Winwood
... aka Danielle Steel's 'Mixed Blessings' (1995) (TV)
Circus of the Stars Goes to Disneyland (1994) (TV) .... Ringmaster
"Diagnosis Murder" (1993) TV Series .... Dr. Jack Stewart (1993-1995)
Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Fashion (1991) (TV) .... Asst. D.A. Peter Whelan
"Baby Talk" (1991) TV Series .... James Halbrook
I Love N.Y. (1988) .... Mario Cotone
Truth About Alex, The (1986) (TV) .... Brad Stevens
Alice in Wonderland (1985) (TV) .... Pat (The Pig)
... aka Alice Through the Looking Glass (1985) (TV) (video title)
"Charles in Charge" (1984) TV Series .... Charles
Circus of the Stars #7 (1982) (TV) .... Ringmaster
Zapped! (1982) .... Barney Springboro
"Joanie Loves Chachi" (1982) TV Series .... Charles 'Chachi' Arcola
Stoned (1981) (TV) .... Jack
Senior Trip (1981) (TV) .... Roger Ellis
Circus of the Stars #5 (1980) (TV) .... Performer
Foxes (1980) .... Brad
Boy Who Drank Too Much, The (1980) (TV) .... Buff Saunders
Skatetown, U.S.A. (1979) .... Richie
"Who's Watching the Kids" (1978) TV Series .... Frankie 'the Fox' Vitola
"Blansky's Beauties" (1977) TV Series .... Anthony DeLuca
"Happy Days" (1974) TV Series .... Charles 'Chachi' Arcola (1977-1984)
... aka "Happy Days Again" (1974) (USA: syndication title)
Luke Was There (1976) (TV) .... Julius
Bugsy Malone (1976) .... Bugsy Malone
Television Guest Appearences
"Touched by an Angel" (1994) playing "Frank" in episode: "Death in the Family, A" (episode # 7.13) 2/4/2001
"Veronica's Closet" (1997) playing "Kevin" in episode: "Veronica's New Bookshelves" (episode # 3.14) 2/1/2000
"Nanny, The" (1993) playing "Dr. Frankie Cresitelli" in episode: "Rash to Judgment" (episode # 5.11) 1/7/1998
"Can't Hurry Love" (1995) playing "Matt" in episode: "Valentine's Day Massacred" (episode # 1.17) 2/12/1996
"Can't Hurry Love" (1995) playing "Matt" in episode: "Between the Lines" (episode # 1.16) 2/5/1996
"Jack's Place" (1992/I)
"Full House" (1987/I) playing "Pete Bianco" in episode: "Dr. Dare Rides Again" (episode # 3.9) 11/24/1989
"My Two Dads" (1987) playing "Scott Cameo" in episode: "She'll Get Over It" (episode # 1.17) 2/21/1988
"Out of This World" (1987) playing "Prince Neil" 1988
"Fall Guy, The" (1981) playing "Merrick Thorson" in episode: "Femme Fatale" (episode # 5.3) 10/10/1985
"Hotel" (1983) playing "Nick Tomasino" in episode: "Faith, Hope, & Charity" (episode # 1.8) 11/23/1983
"Fantasy Island" (1978) playing "Rob "Robbie" Collins" in episode: "Amusement Park / Rock Stars" (episode # 2.25) 5/13/1979
"Hollywood Squares, The" (1966) playing "Guest Panelist" 1978
"Love Boat, The" (1977) playing "Graham" in episode: "Ex Plus Y/Graham and Kelly/Goldenagers" (episode # 1.3) 10/8/1977

ryan phillippec

Matthew Ryan Phillippe was born on September 10th, 1974 in New Castle, Delaware. He was the only son of Richard and Susan Phillippe and is the only boy amongst three sisters - Kirsten, Lindsay and Katelyn.
His acting career began in 1992 when he landed the role of Billy Douglas on daytime TV's "One Life To Live". His character was the first openly gay teenager on daytime television and Ryan was praised for his portrayal. He stayed with the show for a year before moving on to "Lake Success" and other small TV roles.
He gradually made his move into film with small parts in big hits such as "Crimson Tide" alongside Denzel Wahington and Gene Hackman. It wasn't until 1994 that Ryan really started to get noticed. He was cast in the part of the ill-fated Gil Martin in "White Squall" starring Scott Wolf and Jeff Bridges. The film was about a crew of young students who attended a unique school on board a ship and the troubles they encounter. Although the film didn't make Ryan an overnight success, it can still be considered his big break into Hollywood.
With the release of the successful teen horror flick "I Know What You Did Last Summer," Ryan became a very recognizable name to many young fans. The role of Barry Cox, boyfriend to Sarah Michelle Gellar's character, was a big step in Ryans career. His popularity with the film led to more substantial and quality roles.
After appearing in a few independent films ("Homegrown," "Little Boy Blue," and "Nowhere") he was cast in the leading role in "54." He played Shane O'Shea, an employee at the infamous '70's nightclub. Then came the role of Keenan in "Playing By Heart" with Sean Connery and Gena Rowlands.
His next big hit was in "Cruel Intentions" with Reese Witherspoon. He played the part of Sabastian Valmont, a too rich, too bored teen in Manhattan. His off screen romance with Reese blossomed and in December of 1988 became engaged. The couple announced their engagement and the fact that they were expecting a baby in the fall of 1999. Although planning a wedding and pulling if off wasn't easy, the couple was married in South Carolina at the Wide Awake Plantation on June 5th, 1999.
His fame has been growing steadily and tinseltown is taking notice. Some studio's consider him the next Leonardo DiCapprio.

Russell Crowe Biography

Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe (born April 7, 1964) is a New Zealand-Australian actor. His acting career began in the early 1990s with roles in Australian TV series such as Police Rescue and films such as Romper Stomper. In the late 1990s, he began appearing in US films such as the 1997 movie L.A. Confidential. In the 2000s, he was nominated for three Oscars, and in 2001, he won the Academy Award as Best Actor for his starring role in the film Gladiator.
Russell Crowe Biography
After initial success in Australia, Crowe began acting in American films. He first co-starred with Denzel Washington in Virtuosity in 1995. He went on to become a three-time Oscar nominee, winning the Academy Award as Best Actor in 2001 for Gladiator. Crowe wore his grandfather Stan Wemyss's Member of the Order of the British Empire medal to the ceremony. Crowe received three consecutive best actor Oscar nominations for The Insider, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind. Crowe won the best actor award for A Beautiful Mind at the 2002 BAFTA award ceremony. However he failed to win the Oscar that year, losing to Denzel Washington. It has been suggested that his attack on television producer Malcolm Gerrie for cutting short his acceptance speech may have turned voters against him. All three films were also nominated for best picture, and both Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind won the award. Within the six year stretch from 1997-2003, he also starred in two other best picture nominees, L.A. Confidential and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, though he was nominated for neither. In 2005 he re-teamed with A Beautiful Mind director Ron Howard for Cinderella Man. In 2006 he re-teamed with Gladiator director Ridley Scott for A Good Year, the first of two consecutive collaborations (the second being American Gangster co-starring again with Denzel Washington, released in late 2007). While the light romantic comedy of A Good Year was not greatly received, Crowe seemed pleased with the film, telling STV in an interview that he thought it would be enjoyed by fans of his other films. On March 9, 2005, Crowe revealed to GQ magazine that Federal Bureau of Investigation agents had approached him prior to the 73rd Academy Awards on March 25, 2001 and told him that the Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda wanted to kidnap him. Crowe told the magazine that it was the first time he had ever heard of al-Qaeda (the September 11 attacks took place later that year) and was quoted as saying:
"You get this late-night call from the FBI when you arrive in Los Angeles, and they're, like, absolutely full-on. 'We’ve got to talk to you now before you do anything. We have to have a discussion with you, Mr. Crowe.'" Crowe recalled that "it was something to do with some recording picked up by a French policewoman, I think, in either Libya or Algiers...it was about taking iconographic Americans out of the picture as a sort of cultural-destabilization plan".
Crowe was guarded by Secret Service agents for the next few months, both while shooting films and at award ceremonies (Scotland Yard also guarded Crowe while he was promoting Proof of Life in London in February 2001). Crowe said that he "...never fully understood what was going on".
Russell Crowe Filmography
1990 Blood Oath Lt. Jack Corbeth
The Crossing Johnny
1991 Proof Andy
1992 Spotswood Kim Barry
Romper Stomper Hando
1993 Hammers Over the Anvil East Driscoll
Love in Limbo Arthur Baskin
The Silver Brumby The Man
For The Moment Lachlan
1994 The Sum of Us Jeff Mitchell
1995 The Quick and the Dead Cort
No Way Back FBI Agent Zack Grant
Virtuosity SID 6.7
Rough Magic Alex Ross
1997 L.A. Confidential Officer Wendell "Bud" White
Heaven's Burning Colin
Breaking Up Steve
1999 Mystery, Alaska Sheriff John Biebe
The Insider Jeffrey Wigand
2000 Gladiator Maximus
Proof of Life Terry Thorne
2001 A Beautiful Mind John Nash
2003 Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World Capt. Jack Aubrey
2005 Cinderella Man Jim Braddock
2006 A Good Year Max Skinner
2007 3:10 to Yuma Ben Wade
American Gangster Detective Richie Roberts
Tenderness Detective Cristofuoro completed
2008 Body of Lies Ed Hoffman pre-production
2009 Nottingham The Sheriff of Nottingham announced

mario lopez

mario lopez

Melvin Van Peebles aka Mario lopez once told his son that Hollywood wasn't predominantly black or predominantly white: it was predominantly green. With that in mind, young Mario got a B.A. in economics from Columbia University, and then got a job with a film investment firm, before pursuing a career in the more glamorous end of show business. He'd actually made his screen debut in the opening scene of his father's 1971 feature Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song but now, considerably more mature, he earned parts in such films as Heartbreak Ridge (1986, for which he won an NAACP Image Award), and Jaws The Revenge (1987), and such TV movies as Children of the Night (1985) and Blue Bayou (1990).
He got his first chance to direct on his own starring series, "Sonny Spoon" (1988), and went on to direct episodes of "Wiseguy," "21 Jump Street," and others, including an after-school special, "Malcolm Takes a Shot," in which he also appeared
In 1990 he collaborated with his father on a poorly received comedy feature, Identity Crisis (serving as writer, unofficial codirector, and coproducer), but it was 1991's New Jack City that really launched Mario's career behind the camera. This hyperkinetic, melodramatic antidrug movie certainly won Van Peebles notice as a novice director; he followed it with the black-themed Western Posse (1993), in which he also starred, then directed his father's script Panther (1995). In 1994 he starred in Gunmen and appeared in Highlander 3
Filmography
10,000 Black Men Named George (2002) (TV) .... Totten
Ali (2001) .... Malcolm X
Guardian (2000) .... John Kross
Sally Hemings: An American Scandal (2000) (TV) .... James Hemings
"Rude Awakening" (1998) TV Series .... Marcus Adams (2000-)
Blowback (1999) .... Inspector Don Morrell
Judgment Day (1999) (V) .... Payne
Raw Nerve (1999) .... Detective Blair Valdez
Love Kills (1998) .... Poe Finklestein
Valentine's Day (1998) (TV) .... Jack Valentine
... aka Protector (1998/II) (TV) (USA)
Killers in the House (1998) (TV) .... Rodney Sawyer
Mama Flora's Family (1998) (TV) .... Luke
Crazy Six (1998) .... Dirty Mao
Los Locos (1997) .... Chance
... aka Los Locos: Posse Rides Again (1997)
Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western (1997) (TV) .... Interviewee:Actor/director
Stag (1997) .... Michael Barnes
Riot (1997) (TV) .... Turner
... aka Riot in the Streets (1997) (TV) (video title)
Gang in Blue (1996) (TV) .... Michael Rhoades
Solo (1996) .... Solo
Panther (1995) .... Stokely Carmichael
In the Living Years (1994)
Highlander III: The Sorcerer (1994) .... Kane
... aka Highlander 3: The Final Conflict (1994) (Europe: English title)
... aka Highlander III (1995) (France)
... aka Highlander: The Final Dimension (1994)
... aka Highlander: The Magician (1994)
Gunmen (1994) .... Cole Parker
Full Eclipse (1993) (TV) .... Max Dire
Posse (1993) .... Jessie Lee
Real Malcolm X, The (1992) (TV) .... Himself (actor)
In the Line of Duty: Street War (1992) (TV) .... Raymond Williamson
... aka Urban Crossfire (1992) (TV)
Stompin' at the Savoy (1992) (TV) .... Walter
Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story, A (1991) (TV) .... Ricky Bell
New Jack City (1991) .... Stone
Blue Bayou (1990) (TV) .... Jay Filley
Identity Crisis (1989) .... Chilly D
"Sonny Spoon" (1988) TV Series .... Sonny Spoon
Child Saver, The (1988) (TV)
Jaws: The Revenge (1987) .... Jake
... aka Jaws 4 (1987) (USA)
Facts of Life Down Under, The (1987) (TV) .... David Johnson
Hotshot (1987)
3:15 (1986) .... Whisperer
... aka 3:15 a Time to Die (1986) (UK: video title)
... aka 3:15 the Moment of Truth (1986)
Last Resort (1986) .... Pino
... aka She Knew No Other Way (1986)
Heartbreak Ridge (1986) .... Cpl. 'Stitch' Jones
"L.A. Law" (1986) TV Series .... Andrew Taylor (1986)
L.A. Law (1986) (TV) .... Andrew Taylor
Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts (1985) (TV)
... aka American Masters: Eugene O'Neill: A Glory of Ghosts (1985) (TV) (USA)
Rappin' (1985)
South Bronx Heroes (1985) .... Tony
... aka Revenge of the Innocents (1985)
... aka Runaways, The (1985)
Children of the Night (1985) (TV) .... Roy Spanish
Delivery Boys (1984) .... Spider, the gangster wannabe
Cotton Club, The (1984) .... Dancer
Exterminator 2 (1984) .... X
"One Life to Live" (1968) TV Series .... Doc Gilmore (1982-1983)
... aka "One Life to Live: The Summer of Seduction" (1968) (USA)
Sophisticated Gents, The (1981) (TV) .... Nicholas
Sweet Sweetback's Baad Asssss Song (1971) (as Mario Peebles) .... Kid
Crosscurrent (1971/I) (TV) .... Raphael
... aka Cable Car Murder, The (1971) (TV)
Television Guest Appearences
"Martial Law" (1998/I) playing "Jake Cord" in episode: "Deathfist 5: Major Crimes Unit" (episode # 2.15) 2/12/2000
"Outer Limits, The" (1995) playing "William Clark" in episode: "Bodies of Evidence" (episode # 3.16) 6/20/1997
"Strangers" (1996/I) playing "Mac" in episode: "Leave" (episode # 1.3) 1996
"Living Single" (1993) playing "Cole Front" in episode: "Likes Father, Likes Son" (episode # 3.15)
"In Living Color" (1990)
"21 Jump Street" (1987) playing "Dancer" in episode: "Eternal Flame" (episode # 4.3) 10/2/1989
"21 Jump Street" (1987) in episode: "High High" (episode # 3.16) 4/23/1989
"Arsenio Hall Show, The" (1989) playing "Himself"
"Teen Summit" (1989) playing "Himself"
"L.A. Law" (1986) playing "Andrew Taylor" in episode: "Raiders of the Lost Bark" (episode # 1.6) 11/7/1986
"L.A. Law" (1986) playing "Andrew Taylor" in episode: "Slum Enchanted Evening" (episode # 1.5) 10/31/1986
"L.A. Law" (1986) playing "Andrew Taylor" in episode: "Those Lips, That Eye" (episode # 1.1) 10/3/1986
"L.A. Law" (1986) playing "Andrew Taylor" in episode: "Pilot" (episode # 1.0) 9/15/1986
"Cosby Show, The" (1984) playing "Garvin" in episode: "Clair's Sister" (episode # 2.9) 11/21/1985

John Travolta Biography

John Travolta
John Travolta Born on February 18, 1954, in Englewood, New Jersey, of Italian-Ir ish descent. Highly popular young star of American TV and movies of the late 70's and later a likable lead of the 90's. A high school dropout at 16, he began his acting career in summer stock in New Jersey. After a period of training in acting and dancing he began doing commercials and off-Broadway. He moved to Hollywood, where he got occasional small roles on TV, then joined the national touring company of "Grease", eventually making the Broadway casts of "Grease" and the Andrews Sisters' musical "Over Here!". He got his big break in 1975 when he joined the cast of the TV series "Welcome Back, Kotter", in the role of dimwitted but lovable Vinnie Barbarino. Although his role in the series was secondary, he immediately attracted an enthusiastic following and soon became one of television's top stars. Film assignments quickly followed. An appealing young man with a dazzling grin, luminous blue eyes, and a characteristic cleft chin, he extended his popularity to the big screen with a convincing performance in the role of Tony Manero, king of the Brooklyn disco scene, in the film Saturday Night Fever (1977) and enjoyed another success with the screen version of Grease (1978), and with Urban Cowboy (1980), which helped popularize Western wear in the early 80's. During this period, he also released a few hit records, having done all his own singing in Grease. Born the youngest of six children to tire salesman and former semiprofessional football player Salvatore Travolta and high school drama teacher Helen Travolta, John was a late-in-life baby, and therefore a miracle according to his Roman Catholic parents: his upbringing was appropriately pampered and permissive. Encouraged to yield to creative whims, the Travolta offspring staged nightly shows in the basement of their suburban New Jersey home, where their kindly father had constructed a theatre for their amusement. This nurturing childhood naturally led to thoughts of a life onstage, and by the age of twelve, little Johnny had already joined an actors workshop in his hometown of Englewood. Soon he was appearing in local musicals and dinner-theatre engagements and indulging his natural inclination to groove by taking tap lessons from Gene Kelly's (lesser-known) brother Fred.
Travolta came away from the latter with something equally significant, his first major romantic relationship, with Diana Hyland, the older (by eighteen years) actress who played his mother in the movie. One year later, in 1977, Travolta held his lover in his arms as she died of cancer. (Travolta's mother succumbed to the disease within two years of Hyland; it was in the wake of her death that he first turned to the Church of Scientology seeking solace.) The very bad year ended on a happy note, though, when the release of John Badham's box-office smash Saturday Night Fever, in which Travolta played cocky Brooklynite disco king Tony Manero, birthed an honest-to-God John Travolta craze: before you could say "Stayin' Alive," three-piece polyester suits, gold chains, and duck-butt haircuts were making astonishing inroads into the fashion sensibility of an entire nation. (Tony's original white get-up recently fetched a record-setting $145,500 at a Christie's auction, to give you an idea of this guy's cultural impact.)
The touchstone of an era, Saturday Night Fever grossed over $350 million and paved the way to the promised land for its disco-dancing star. Travolta followed up his Oscar-nominated performance in the movie with lead roles in the film version of the musical Grease (as a slick, singing greaser), and in Urban Cowboy (as a macho honky-tonk-patronizing Texan). He seemed destined to symbolize the pop-culture landscape, regardless of role: his Tony Manero ignited the disco fad of the late seventies; his Danny launched a revival of fifties music and fashion; his Buford "Bud" Davis made mechanical bull-riding a nationwide fad of embarrassing proportions. Iconic status aside, Travolta's career was nonetheless headed for a major and inevitable derailment: the late seventies and most of the next decade dished up a seemingly endless string of box-office bummers (witness Moment to Moment, Two of a Kind, Perfect, and The Experts) and, for various reasons, he gave the thumbs-down to leads in Days of Heaven, American Gigolo, and An Officer and a Gentleman, plum roles greedily snatched up by Richard Gere. By the mid-eighties, Travolta was dodging the slings and arrows of outrageously bad fortune: if not persona non grata around Hollywood, he was certainly yesterday's news, and as yesterday's news he endured ugly tabloid rumors that he was gay, bisexual, fat, and hopelessly under the sway of a mind-controlling cult--the cult being the mysterious and misunderstood Church of Scientology.
Yet Travolta somehow preserved his innate cool through all his trials. Even during the darkest hours of his relegation to icon hell, his lavish lifestyle--complete with a twenty-bedroom waterfront Maine chateau, the French provincial in Florida, the pads in Carmel, Santa Barbara, and Hollywood, his stable of luxury automobiles, and the three jets he pilots himself--remained intact, for a number of reasons. Reason number one: Travolta had secured a percentage of the profits from the Saturday Night Fever and Grease soundtracks (which sold in excess of 19-million copies). Reason number two: not all of the doltish movies in which he starred during the dark years were flops (Look Who's Talking, and to a lesser extent its two equally inane sequels, were considered box-office winners). Reason number three: Travolta always maintained a winning attitude about his losing streak: "I've always thought that as long as I did the right things and had the right intentions, everything would fall into place."
Travolta's home life finally fell into place when he wed actress Kelly Preston in 1992; their son Jett arrived the following year. With the life-ordering support of family and his galvanizing faith in Scientology in place, career lightning up and struck a second time, in the form of Pulp Fiction. Just like that, Travolta once again topped every director's A-list. Not only did he resuscitate a basically flat-lined career with his winning portrayal of the paunchy, ponytailed Vincent, but he has thus far managed to keep hurtling forward at a dizzying pace, with roles as a loan shark-cum-film producer in Get Shorty, as a villainous bastard in director John Woo's Broken Arrow, and as a mechanic turned genius in Phenomenon. After the success of Get Shorty, everyone's favorite Comeback Kid landed a $17-million contract to headline Roman Polanski's The Double, but "creative differences" led to Travolta's swift exodus. Production ground to a halt (despite the fact that Travolta's reins were handed over to the capable Steve Martin, co-star Isabelle Adjani apparently developed her own case of cold feet) and Travolta was subsequently slapped with a breach-of-contract suit; he countersued for breach of contract, fraud, and interference. Not that Travolta doesn't have plenty of work to fill the void: apart from starring roles in Michael, Face/Off, and the upcoming Mad City, he inherited (from Tom Hanks) the role of a U.S. president whose libido runs amok, in Universal's adaptation of Primary Colors, the best-selling satire of Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign.

jake gyllenhaal




With a talent and instinct beyond his years, Jake Gyllenhaal (pronounced Jill-en-hall) is on the fast track toward stardom. Even in the early stages of his career, he has starred opposite several of today's most respected actors such as Dustin Hoffman, Laura Dern, Holly Hunter, Chris Cooper, John C. Reilly and Susan Sarandon. He has caught the attention of audiences and critics with a series of powerful performances, and this year will be no exception. Gyllenhaal's next project promises to establish him as a member of Hollywood's new generation of action stars. In Fox's The Day After Tomorrow, Gyllenhaal will star opposite Dennis Quaid in the futuristic film which will depict the devastating effects of global warming on Earth. It will be released worldwide on May 28, 2004. This fall, he can be seen in the screen adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof for director John Madden. The Miramax film also stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins.
Gyllenhaal recently landed the coveted role of "Jack" in Focus Features' adaptation of Brokeback Mountain. The film, which chronicles an intense relationship between two Wyoming stockmen, will be directed by Ang Lee and costars Heath Ledger. The high-profile project will go into production this summer.
Gyllenhaal was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for best actor in the critically acclaimed Donnie Darko. A favorite at the Sundance Film Festival, the New Market release combines elements of mystical fantasy and science fiction with teenage romance. The film, directed by first-time director Richard Kelly, co-stars Drew Barrymore, Jena Malone, and Noah Wyle.
Gyllenhaal starred in another Sundance favorite in 2002, The Good Girl. In the dark comedy, he portrays a young man who falls in love and has a torid affair with a married woman (played by Jennifer Aniston.) The film is directed by Miguel Arteta, and also stars John C. Reilly, Zooey Deschanel, and Catherine O' Hara. The film was distributed by Fox Searchlight.
Gyllenhaal also starred in the Touchstone film, Moonlight Mile, written and directed by Brad Silberling. Set in New England in the early 70s, the unlikely love story revolved around a young man who finds himself lingering in the family home of his fiancee, after her untimely death. While grieving along with her parents, played by Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon, he gets drawn into legal issues presented by a district attorney (Holly Hunter) seeking justice for the family, and finds himself falling in love with another woman against his own best intentions.
Marking his theater debut, Gyllenhaal appeared on the London stage with a starring role in Kenneth Lonergan's revival of This Is Our Youth. The play, which was a critical sensation on Broadway, ran for eight weeks in London's West End. Gyllenhaal portrayed a rich kid who spends a decadent weekend stealing, dealing, and consuming drugs along side Hayden Christensen and Anna Paquin. For the role, Gyllenhaal received an Evening Standard Theater Award in the category of "Outstanding Newcomer."
Gyllenhaal's other projects include Lions Gate Fims' Lovely and Amazing, a comedy starring Catherine Keener and Brenda Blethyn. The film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival and was released last summer. He was also seen in "Highway," a story of self-discovery in which he stars opposite Jared Leto and Selma Blair as a pair of best friends who travel to Seattle after Kurt Cobain's death to escape their dreary lives in Las Vegas.
Gyllenhaal also starred in the Walt Disney romantic comedy, Bubble Boy. The film is the story of his adventure outside the confines of his bubble as he goes after the woman he loves before she marries the wrong man. Bubble Boy also starred Swoosie Kurtz and Marley Shelton and was directed by Blair Hayes.
Gyllenhaal was first given notice for his heartwarming performance in the Universal film, October Sky, directed by Joe Johnston. The film tells the triumphant story of Homer Hickman, Jr. (Gyllenhaal), a gifted high school student in rural West Virginia, who seemed destined to repeat his father's harsh life in the coal mines until he turned his attention upward to the skies. The film also starred Chris Owen, William Lee Scott, Chad Lindberg and Laura Dern.
Gyllenhaal's previous credits include the films "Josh and S.A.M." and "Dangerous Woman" with Debra Winger. He also played Billy Crystal's son in the hit film "City Slickers" and Robin Williams' son in the highly acclaimed "Bop Gun" episode of the television series "Homicide."

hugh jackman



Sydney, Australia, the birthplace for many a fine actor, is also home for Hugh Jackman, who was born in New South Wales on October 12th, 1968. The youngest of five children, Jackman pursued acting throughout childhood but majored in journalism at the University of Technology at Sydney.
With a love for the stage that he could not ignore, Jackman turned toward the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts to hone his skills. His teachers recognized something great in him, and it seems they were right, as he received a lead role in the Australian television drama Corelli in 1995. Jackman met his future wife, actress Deborra-Lee Furness, on the set of the show. They were married in February 1996, shortly after what Jackman claims was love at first sight.
The role in Corelli led to big things for Jackman: He followed it up with two films in 1999, Paperback Hero and Erskineville Kings. He took to the stage as Gaston in the Australian production of Beauty and the Beast, which is how Jackman discovered that he had potential singing talent; he perfected his skills by hiring a singing coach after he landed the role.
After starring in an Australian production of Sunset Boulevard, he was cast as Curly in the London production of Oklahoma!, which is what caught the attention of X-Men director Bryan Singer. Mission: Impossible 2's Dougray Scott was originally cast as Logan/Wolverine, but had to be replaced due to scheduling conflicts. Singer found his Wolverine in Jackman.
Like most actors, it would take one big break for Jackman to make it across the ocean in Hollywood. The popularity of 2000's X-Men translated into huge exposure for Jackman, who now had the privilege of choosing between several scripts that were incessantly arriving at his front door. He received a Breakthrough Performance nomination at the MTV Movie Awards in recognition of his feat.
The 2001 romantic-comedy Someone Like You came next and proved that he was capable of more than just a tough-guy role, turning on the charm for Ashley Judd as a womanizer. Swordfish, the high-impact action thriller that received lukewarm reviews, featured Hugh Jackman as a hacker alongside John Travolta and Halle Berry. Three movies into a Hollywood career, and Jackman was already deep in stardom.
The 2001 holiday season brought with it the romantic comedy Kate & Leopold, with Jackman playing a 19th century duke thrust into present-day New York City. In a role that required Jackman to learn how to ride a horse and charm the hell out of leading lady Meg Ryan, his performance once again did not go unnoticed as the Hollywood Foreign Press nominated him in the Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy category.
With roles in the short film Standing Room Only, directed by his wife and released in 2002, and the much-hyped X-Men 2 (also called X2) to be released in early 2003, Jackman has not let up one bit. He has succeeded at maintaining his modesty and impeccable demeanor throughout his (so far) brief but impressive career in North America. With films like Van Helsing in the works, there is no slowing this man down.
Despite all the activity, his wife and adopted son Oscar Maximillian are always in his thoughts -- they are the first thing he mentions whenever questioned about his priorities in life. Hugh Jackman could very well be the next Hollywood untarnished hero that we have been waiting for, as he certainly fits the mold.

kevin costner



Actor, producer, and director, born January 18, 1955, in Lynwood, California. An early encounter with John Ford’s How the West Was Won (1963) sparked a lifelong love affair between Kevin Costner and the movies. Any inclination the young Costner may have had to follow in the footsteps of that film’s great stars—Henry Fonda, James Stewart, and John Wayne—was discouraged early on, he has said, by the practical and inherently “normal” nature of his upbringing. His father, Bill, worked at Southern California Edison, while his mother, Sharon, had a job at the state welfare department.
In high school, Costner played basketball, football, and baseball; he hoped at one time to become a professional baseball player. During his senior year as a marketing and finance major at California State University at Fullerton, he auditioned—unsuccessfully—for a school production of Rumpelstiltskin. Displaying a resilience that would become a necessary characteristic later on in his career, Costner joined a community theater group and almost immediately he was hooked on acting. After graduation in 1978, and a breathlessly short stint at a marketing firm, Costner married Cindy Silva, his college sweetheart, and moved to Hollywood.
Costner’s first movie experience, a role in the smarmy, straight-to-video Sizzle Beach, U.S.A, was one he regretted immediately—doubtless even more when it was released in theaters in 1986, after he had become famous. After a series of bit parts, Costner landed a role in The Big Chill, a film about college friends who reunite after one of their group commits suicide. The film, released in 1983, was a success, but there was one problem for Costner: in the editing process, director Lawrence Kasdan had cut a fifteen-minute flashback sequence featuring Costner’s character, the man who commits suicide. Costner appears in the film only once—as a corpse-during the opening credits.
After The Big Chill, as the film critic Peter Rainer pointed out, Costner became a kind of inside joke in Hollywood. He kept his head high, however, and in 1985 Kasdan made it up to the actor by tailoring a role just for him in the sprawling Western Silverado, also starring Kevin Kline and Danny Glover. The movie won fans for Costner, who at the time was the least-well-known actor of the three. Over the next two years, Costner rejected a number of roles, presumably searching for a character he could identify with. In 1987’s The Untouchables, directed by Brian de Palma, Costner played Eliot Ness, the earnest young U.S. Treasury agent who seeks to destroy the Chicago gangster Al Capone, played in the film by Robert DeNiro. With the success of that film and of 1988’s No Way Out, Costner had become an infinitely marketable box-office commodity—a serious actor loaded with sex appeal.
In 1988, Costner turned in arguably his best performance to date as Crash Davis, the aging catcher of a minor league baseball team in Bull Durham. His steamy love scenes with Susan Sarandon exponentially increased Costner’s already formidable reputation as a sex symbol. More importantly, the movie marked the first time a connection was forged in the public’s mind between this all-American actor and that most American of pastimes: baseball. The link grew considerably stronger one year later, with the release of Field of Dreams, the sentimental tale of a man who mows under a section of precious Iowa corn to build a baseball field. After the 1990 Academy Awards, when Costner’s directorial debut, Dances with Wolves, earned both Best Picture and Best Director, it looked like the actor-turned-filmmaker could do no wrong in Hollywood. A mammoth film that Costner also produced and starred in, Dances with Wolves is the story of an injured Union Army officer who is adopted by a Native American tribe. Against all odds—the film is over three hours long and half of its dialogue is in Lakota Sioux dialect, with subtitles—Costner’s very own epic Western had become a box-office hit, grossing more than $900 million.
Unfortunately, Costner’s film career after 1990 did not live up to the tremendous success he enjoyed before that time. While mediocre films such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (in which Costner as Robin refused to adopt even the slightest trace of an English accent) and The Bodyguard, co-starring Whitney Houston, did well commercially, both of Costner’s big-budget directorial efforts-1995’s Waterworld in particular—tanked somewhat spectacularly. Another sprawling Western, Wyatt Earp(1994), was poorly received as well, despite a roster of big stars.
Through it all, Costner has defended himself against his numerous critics and remained supremely self-confident. In 1996, he brought a kind of Bull Durham-esque persona to the professional golf circuit in Tin Cup, a film which appeared to be a step in the road to the recovery of his once unassailable box office record. Message in a Bottle(1999), a romantic tear-jerker co-starring Robin Wright Penn and Paul Newman, had modest box office success as well. In 1999 he stepped back out on the baseball diamond—this time as a pitcher—in For Love of the Game. His production company, Tig Pictures, has a number of projects in development, including a sequel to The Bodyguard. In 2000, he starred in Thirteen Days, a drama about the Cuban missile crisis of 1962.
Costner and his wife Cindy divorced in 1994. They have three children, Annie, Lily, and Joe. Costner has also acknowledged that he fathered a son, Liam, during a brief involvement with Bridget Rooney, a television reporter, in 1996.
Filography
1982 Frances
1982 Stacy's Knights
1982 Night Shift
1982 Chasing Dreams
1983 Table for Five
1983 The Big Chill
1983 Testament
1984 The Gunrunner
1985 Silverado
1985 Fandango
1985 American Flyers
1986 Shadows Run Black
1986 Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.
1987 The Untouchables
1987 No Way Out
1988 Bull Durham
1989 Field of Dreams
1990 Revenge also Producer
1990 Dances with Wolves also Producer, Director
1991 Madonna: Truth or Dare
1991 JFK
1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
1992 The Bodyguard also Producer
1993 A Perfect World
1994 Wyatt Earp also Producer
1994 Rapa Nui Producer
1994 The War
1995 Waterworld also Producer, Director
1995 500 Nations (TV series) Producer
1996 Tin Cup
1997 The Postman also Producer, Director
1999 The Children of Heaven Producer
1999 Message in a Bottle also Producer
1999 For Love of the Game
2000 Thirteen Days also Producer

heath ledger



Heath Andrew Rufus Gregory Fitzpatrick Peter Bob Ledger III son of Kim and Sally Ledger was born April 4, 1979 in Perth, Western Australia. Heath Ledger has three sisters Catia, Olivia and Ashley. Heath began his career juggling hockey and acting until his hockey coach gave him an ultimatum. Making the decision without hesitation, Heath moved to Sydney where he landed the role of Connor in the short lived Television Show Roar. Heath attended an all boys private school Guilford Grammar school where he began showing promise in drama, winning numerous awards. Once he was forced to make a decision (hockey or Acting) he hasn't stopped. He does state that he misses hockey, but acting is his passion. In his short career he has had roles in such TV shows as Ship to Shore, Bush Patrol, Corrigan, Home And Away, Sweat, and Roar. He also has such film credits as Paws, Blackrock, Two Hands, Ten Things I hate about you, and Through the trees. Many of TV roles were achieved prior to immigrating to the United States to further his career. In addition to these, he has been in a number of theater productions.
Heath now lives in California where his handsome good looks and his Australian accent are giving him the reputation of a hunk which fans melt for. His resonant voice and dark good looks are proving irresistible to American fans. Especially the teen age group. Websites began springing up everywhere, ensuring that he would get his chance in the States. It was only a matter of time until he got this break. The break came in 1999, with the release of 10 Things I Hate About You. The comedy, an update of William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, was the sleeper hit of the spring.
If the fans have anything to say about it, it won't be long before heartthrob Heath Ledger lights up the marquees across the country. This 6 foot 2 inches, blonde, brown eyed, Australian accented actor is sure to make his mark in the U.S.A. as he has in his Australian homeland.

gary sinise


The intense, wiry, dark-haired Gary Sinise first made his mark in the burgeoning theater scene of his native Chicago. Just out of high school, he joined with Terry Kinney and Jeff Perry (and others) to band together and form the Steppenwolf Theater, which in 1974, was housed in a church basement in Highland Park. Serving as artistic director until 1987, Sinise honed his skills as both actor and director. Striking out for the West Coast, he landed in Southern California in the late 1970s but found few roles beyond extra work in disco scenes on the ABC daytime drama "General Hospital" and bit roles in primetimes shows (like CBS' serial "Knots Landing"). Returning to Chicago and Steppenwolf, he earned widespread praise for his staging of Sam Shepard's drama of sibling rivalry "True West" in 1982. The production was brought to NYC's Off-Broadway with Sinise starring opposite John Malkovich, again to nearly universal acclaim. (The production was preserved on tape and later aired on PBS in 1984.) Sinise became a talent in demand in NYC's theatrical community and he alternated as director (John Guare's "Landscape of the Body" 1984, "Orphans" 1985) and actor ("Balm in Gilead" 1985, under Malkovich's direction). Inevitably the lure of Hollywood prevailed and Sinise once again opted to try his luck in L.A.
Unlike his first sojourn, this time Sinise found a newfound respect. He directed episodes of NBC's Chicago-set drama "Crime Story" in 1987 and ABC's relationship series "thirtysomething" in 1989. Sandwiched between was his motion picture directorial debut "Miles From Home" (1988), an earnest if ultimately off-putting drama of a family losing its farm in which Chicago actors like Kinney, Malkovich. Laurie Metcalf and Kevin Anderson were featured. Sinise returned to the stage as Tom Joad in a highly-praised adaptation of the John Steinbeck classic "The Grapes of Wrath". Originating at Steppenwolf, the production moved to Broadway where it won the Tony Award as Best Play (and Sinise scored a nomination as lead actor in a play) before heading to London and eventually PBS.
Sinise made his debut in front of the film cameras in a memorable turn as the emotionally fragile soldier in "A Midnight Clear" (1992), Keith Gordon's underappreciated adaptation of William Wharton's novel. Later that year, he returned to Steinbeck and served triple duty as producer, director and star of a remake of "Of Mice and Men" which Roger Ebert has termed "a quiet triumph". Playing George, the caretaker to Malkovich's slow-witted Lennie, Sinise had the more difficult role but managed to imbue the character with a simple grace and dignity. Behind the camera, he kept things equally uncomplicated, zeroing in on the human elements of the story and eliciting fine performances from his cast that included Ray Walston and Sherilyn Fenn.
If "Of Mice and Men" had been more successful at the box office, Sinise might have been content to remain behind the camera. Instead, he continued to act, proving a fine albeit surprising romantic lead (opposite Molly Ringwald) in the ABC miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's "The Stand" (1994). Later that year, Sinise offered a riveting portrait of an embittered and acerbic paraplegic Vietnam veteran in "Forrest Gump", a part that brought him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. He followed up with another unlikely role, as Sharon Stone's father (seen in flashbacks) in the flawed "The Quick and the Dead" and was the grounded astronaut Ken Mattingly whose illness precluded a trip on the ill-fated "Apollo 13" (both 1995). Sinise rounded out the year with an Emmy-nominated turn as "Truman" (HBO), the first of two TV biopics that solidified his reputation as one of America's finest actors. The other was his Emmy-winning portrayal of "George Wallace" (TNT, 1997). In both cases, the actor not only physically captured the men but also managed to evince their inner lives, allowing audiences to empathize with each, despite some less than admirable qualities. This ability has allowed the actor to be cast as everything from less than heroic types (as in "Ransom" 1996) to outright villains (as in "Reindeer Games" 2000) to more conventional leads ("Mission to Mars" 2000).
Despite his preference for film work, Sinise has never abandoned his stage roots. He earned a second Tony nomination for his direction of Sam Shepard's "Buried Child" in 1996 and undertook the daunting role of Stanley Kowalski in a 50th anniversary staging of "A Streetcar Named Desire" at Steppenwolf. He again returned to Chicago to star as the rebellious inmate Randle McMurphy in a 2000 revival of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".

ewan mcgregor



Having gained his first theatrical experience at the Perth Repertory Theatre, Ewan trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

He played the lead role of 'Julien Sorel' in Ben Bolt's three-part BBC TV adaptation of Stendahl's classic 19th Century novel, Scarlet and Black, and was 'Jimmy' in Family Style, a short film of a Lloyds Bank Challenge-winning script, directed by Justin Chadwick for Channel 4.
Other television credits include: 'David Armstrong' in the first series of Kavanagh QC (Central TV, directed by Colin Gregg); 'Tom' (opposite Elliott Gould) in Doggin' Around, a Screen One written by Alan Plater, directed by Desmond Davis; Cold War - an episode of Tales from the Crypt - for HBO directed by Andy Morahan; and a guest part in an episode of ER.
Ewan plays the lead role of 'Alex' in Shallow Grave, a feature film produced by Andrew MacDonald and directed by Danny Boyle for Figment Films. Shallow Grave was named Best Film at the 1994 Dinard Film Festival. Ewan shared the Best Actor award with co-stars Christopher Ecclestone and Kerry Fox, and it won the BAFTA Alexander Korda Award for The Outstanding British Film of the Year and the BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Feature Film.
Ewan plays the role of 'Dean' in the feature film Blue Juice, directed by Carl Prechezer and produced by Peter Salmi for Skreba Films; 'Jerome' in The Pillow Book directed by Peter Greenaway; 'Mark Renton' in Danny Boyle's and Andrew MacDonald's film of Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting; 'Frank Churchill' in Doug McGrath's film adaptation of Emma for Miramax Pictures; 'Andy' in Brassed Off directed by Mark Herman for Prominent Features; 'Martin' in Nightwatch for director Ole Bornedal for Miramax; 'Chrome' in The Serpent's Kiss for director Phillipe Rousselot and most recently A Life Less Ordinary for director Danny Boyle and producer Andrew MacDonald and Velvet Goldmine for director Todd Haynes.

eric bana



Eric Bana had become a star in his native Australia with his stand-up routines and his appearances on various TV series including "Full Frontal" and his own eponymous show. The compact, handsome performer of Croatian and German ancestry began performing comedy in 1991 at a local bar in Melbourne. Within two years, Bana had progressed to being featured on television. Although his sharp wit and skills as a sketch comic had some calling him the next breakout Australian star, he was relegated to a supporting role in his feature film debut in "The Castle" (1997) and a featured part in the Australian drama series "Something in the Air" beginning in 2000.
Then came "Chopper", the somewhat fanciful biography of one of Australia's most notorious figures. Bana gained some 30 pounds, shaved his head and underwent extensive makeup daily to cover his body in tattoos to transform into Mark Read, a cult celebrity thanks to a best-selling memoir. In addition, the actor did extensive research for the role, including interviewing the subject. While the resultant feature divided critics and audiences -- some felt it was an intelligent and thought-provoking portrait of the criminal mind, while others decried the depiction of such a charismatic killer -- few could dispute the power and skill of Bana's central performance. He earned near unanimous praise for his skillful, compelling work and picked up several accolades, including the Best Actor citation from the Australian Film Institute.
Even before the international release of "Chopper", Bana had determined to leave "Something in the Air" and concentrate on an international career. Ridley Scott tapped him to portray an American sergeant in the contemporary war drama "Black Hawk Down" (2001), about the conflict between US forces and Somalis during a humanitarian mission. Those who had scoffed at the late 90s prediction that Bana would be the next big thing from Down Under perhaps would come to regret their derision, particularly in light of his being cast in the coveted role of Dr. Bruce Banner in the Ang Lee-directed adaptation of "The Incredible Hulk" (2003).

ed norton



Edward James Norton, Jr. was born on August 18, 1969 to parents Edward James Norton Sr, an attorney who works for the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Robin Norton, a former foundation executive and teacher who passed away of brain cancer on March 6, 1997. Edward also has two younger siblings named James and Molly. From the age of 5 onward, the Yale graduate (majoring in history) has always been interested in acting. At the age of 8, he would ask his drama teacher what his motivation in a scene was. He attended theater schools throughout his life, and eventually managed to find work on stage in New York as a member of the Signature players, who produced the works of playwright and director Edward Albee. Around the time when he was appearing in Albee's Fragments, in Hollywood, they were looking for a young actor to star opposite Richard Gere in a new courtroom thriller, Primal Fear (1996). The role was offered to Leonardo DiCaprio but he turned it down. Gere was on the verge of walking away from the project, fed up with the wait for a young star to be found, when Edward auditioned and won the role over 2000 other hopefuls. Before the film was even released, his test screenings for the part were causing a Hollywood sensation, and he was soon offered roles in Woody Allen's Everyone Says I Love You (1996) and People vs. Larry Flynt, The (1996). Edward won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Primal Fear (1996). In 1998, Norton gained 30 pounds of muscle and transformed his look into that of a monstrous skinhead for his role as a violent white supremacist in American History X (1998). This performance would earn him his second Oscar nomination, this time for Best Actor. In 1999 came the critically acclaimed Fight Club (1999) and in 2000 came his directorial debut in Keeping the Faith (2000).

don cheadle




This engaging, stage-trained black actor spent several years making guest appearances on TV dramas ("Hill Street Blues", "China Beach") and sitcoms ("Night Court", "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air") before landing a berth as the fastidious hotel manager of "The Golden Palace" (1992-93), the CBS sitcom spin-off from the successful "Golden Girls". As the foil for Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, Cheadle more than held his own. With the cancellation of the sitcom, he segued to drama joining the cast of CBS' "Picket Fences" as the crusading district attorney John Littleton, a role he played from 1993 until 1995. Cheadle blended well into the ensemble, anchoring several controversial stories including those dealing with court-ordered busing, euthanasia and the use of bovines as surrogate mothers for humans. His character also briefly toyed with an interracial romance with Deputy Maxine Stewart (Lauren Holly).
Cheadle made his feature film debut in a bit part in "Moving Violations" (1985) and followed as a soldier in John Irvin's Vietnam combat drama "Hamburger Hill" (1987). After a pivotal turn as a volatile gang leader in "Colors" (1988), he acted in such films as "Roadside Prophets" (1992) and "The Meteor Man" (1993). Director Carl Franklin tapped him for the short film "Punk" (1989) and later cast Cheadle in a critically acclaimed, star-making performance in "Devil in a Blue Dress" (1995). As Mouse, a trigger-happy old acquaintance of detective Easy Rawlings (Denzel Washington), Cheadle stole every scene in which he appeared and despite winning awards from critics' groups, the expected Oscar nomination was not forthcoming. Nevertheless, the actor went on to deliver strong performances as a Harlem basketball star who career is sidelined by drugs in "Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault" (HBO, 1996), the town resident willing to stand his ground against racists in the underrated "Rosewood" and a porno star with dreams of owning a stereo equipment store in "Boogie Nights" (both 1997). In addition, he again stole scenes as the Rolaids-popping entrepreneurial gang leader in "Bulworth" (1998). Cheadle also earned kudos (and separate Emmy nominations) for his impersonation of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1998 HBO biopic "The Rat Pack" and as a teacher attempting to reach a death row prisoner in the beautifully realized "A Lesson Before Dying" (HBO, 1999). In 2002, he was cast in Soderbergh's blockbuster, "Ocean's 11"

dennis quaid




Texas born and bred, Dennis Quaid followed in the shadow of his older brother Randy, beginning to act in high school productions and at Randy's alma mater the University of Houston. Success in a 1974 college production of "Bus Stop" led him to head to L.A. and try his luck. With his killer smile, rugged good looks and well-defined physique, Quaid soon found himself in demand. A role in "The Missouri Breaks" (1976) ended up on the proverbial cutting room floor. His first feature role was as one of a group of friends helping Richard Thomas cope with the death of his idol James Dean in James Bridges' overlooked "9/30/55" (1977) but it was his turn as the frustrated Midwestern teenager in "Breaking Away" (1979) that brought Quaid to the attention of Hollywood. Whether he received bad career guidance or just worked for the cash, Quaid's subsequent career veered from prestige material to outright embarrassments.
Teaming with his brother Randy to play the outlaw Miller brothers in Walter Hill's Western "The Long Riders" (1980) was a highlight as was his turn as the cocksure astronaut Gordon Cooper in "The Right Stuff" (1983). These roles allowed the charismatic actor a chance to demonstrate just how good he could be. Throughout much of the early 1980s, however, Quaid was trapped in substandard fare (e.g., "G.O.R.P." 1980, "Jaws 3-D" 1983). After appearing on stage opposite Randy Quaid in Sam Shepard's blistering "True West" in NYC and L.A., his sagging career received a much-needed boost with his excellent turn as a Louisiana detective in "The Big Easy" (1987), directed by Jim McBride. Relaxed and sporting a Cajun accent, the actor was sexy and swaggeringly charming and had palpable onscreen chemistry with co-star Ellen Barkin. While he delivered fine performances in a series of follow-up films, including as a former high school football star in "Everybody's All American" (1988), the movies were not box-office hits. Even an anticipated reteaming with Jim McBride on "Great Balls of Fire" (1989), the biopic of singer Jerry Lee Lewis, failed to find an audience. Off-screen, the actor was battling an addiction to cocaine and following his turn as a roguishly charming cad in "Postcards From the Edge" (1990), he underwent treatment for substance abuse, followed by a two-year self-imposed hiatus from acting.
Returning to work, Quaid starred in three features released in 1993, the bizarre and confusing "Wilder Napalm", the precious "Thin Man" wannabe "Undercover Blues" and the murky but well-acted "Flesh and Bone". The actor literally transformed himself, dropping some 40 pounds to play the tubercular Doc Holliday in Lawrence Kasdan's epic "Wyatt Earp" (1993). While the film failed to find an audience, reviewers singled out Quaid's performance. He was back to speed as the charming ne'er-do-well husband of Julia Roberts in "Something to Talk About" (1995) and brought a level of surprising believability to his turn as a medieval knight in "Dragonheart" (1996). Quaid continued in more family fare, co-starring with Natasha Richardson in the 1998 remake of Disney's "The Parent Trap".
After offering a stellar performance as a mercenary in the little-seen "Savior" (1998), Quaid turned in a fine performance as an aging quarterback in the Oliver Stone-directed "Any Given Sunday" (1999). He followed with a turn as a firefighter who is able to communicate across time with his grown son (James Caviezel) in the fantasy "Frequency" and then was cast as a slippery lawyer advising the wife of a drug lord in "Traffic" (both 2000).
After starring in the critically acclaimed television film "Dinner With Friends," Quaid returned to the big screen in the surprise hit film "The Rookie" (2002). He starred in the true story of a middle-aged high school baseball coach who tries out for the Major Leagues and becomes the league's oldest rookie. He next appeared with Julianne Moore in the intense drama "Far From Heaven" (2002). Set in Connecticut the 1950s, the film explored the tensions within marriages during that time and the racial issues of the day, and Quaid was pitch-perfect in a fearless performance as a family man who is secretly homosexual, a secret which makes him neglectful, abusive and alcoholic. Universally praised for his tragic, tormented turn, Quaid--who has survived the tabloid headlines surrounding his marital break-up to deliver both a hit film and a powerful performance--was suddenly a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood again.

david boreanaz

David Boreanaz, the co-star of Buffy the vampire slayer, has recently started his own show, 'Angel,' starring himself. He is a rising star and will be in the up coming movies 'First Light,' and 'Valentine.' David's show 'Angel' will be entering its second season this year. David Boreanaz was born in 1971 in Philadelphia. He had no intentions of entering the acting career while growing up. His inspiration came in Ithaca College in upstate New York. He went to Los Angeles after graduating college. In Los Angeles, he did not hit stardom immediately. Like many actors and actresses, he had to work at many jobs before landing a role. He did get a few jobs doing commercials, but no large productions. He made appearances on "Married...With Children" and made a few films. He had even been a weather forcaster like his father.
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer", which debuted in 1996, was his largest project yet. David's character, Angel, made only guest appearances in the first season. His fans were excited when Joss Whedon announced that Angel would be part of the regular cast for the second season. His popularity on the show grew so much that Joss Whedon decided to make a spin-off from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" entitled "Angel", which debuted in the Fall of 1999. Unlike "Buffy", "Angel" was directed toward an older age group. In it, he continues to play the role of Angel, a vampire with a soul, with Charisma Carpenter, also from "Buffy".
Name: David Boreanaz
Birthday: 05/16/1971
Birthplace: Buffalo, NY
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 218 lbs
Filmography
2001: Valentine - Adam
2000: First Light - unknown
1999: Angel - Angel
1997: Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Angel
1996: Macabre Pair of Shorts - a victim
Film credits:
"Aspen Extreme,"
"Best of the Best 2"
"Eyes of the World."
"Macabre Pair of Shorts"
"Valentine"
Television Movies:
"Men Don't Lie."
"TV shows"
"Married with children (series)
Angel (series)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (series)
Stage Credits:
"Hatful of Rain," at the Ensemble Theater
"Italian-American Reconciliation" at the Gardner Stage
"Fool for Love," at the Gardner Stage
"Cowboy Mouth." on Theatre Row

chris tucker



Chris Tucker- There is nothing tranquil about comedian/actor Chris Tucker. A limber, wiry fellow with a high-pitched voice and a delivery as fast as a mosquito's wing beats, he seems energy incarnate. In regard to his acting, some have hailed him the next Eddie Murphy; indeed, Murphy was one of Tucker's icons while growing up.
A native of Atlanta, GA, Tucker's proclivity for comedy has been lifelong, beginning when he, the youngest of six children, used humor as an attention-getting device and as a way to get his brothers to allow him to hang around them. In addition to Eddie Murphy's comedy, Tucker was heavily influenced by that of Richard Pryor. In high school, Tucker was one of those class clowns who was able to make even his teachers laugh and it was one of his instructors who suggested Tucker display his gifts in a school talent show. He proved a roaring success and following graduation, decided to become a professional. His classmates, having voted him "Most Humorous," supported his efforts. Tucker made his debut at a local comedy club. Because he was underage, Tucker had to sneak in and then do some real fast talking to be allowed to perform. He succeeded and his routine garnered a tremendous response. More local successes followed and this emboldened the then 19-year-old Tucker to try his luck in Los Angeles. Soon after arriving on the West Coast, Tucker had established himself in the major comedy clubs and, after appearing on HBO's Def Comedy Jam found himself a bona fide rising star.
Tucker made his film debut with a small but memorable role in House Party 3 (1994). The following year, Tucker appeared in F. Gary Gray's crazy comedy Friday, playing Smokey, a lazy pot-smoking drug dealer who could be quite rich if only he'd stop using the merchandise himself. Tucker's hilarious improvisation during filming helped to make the film a sleeper hit. In his next film, Dead Presidents, directed by brothers Allen Hughes and Albert Hughes, Tucker hinted at some real talent as a dramatic actor. In regard to movies, 1997 proved a very good year for Tucker who was given his first showcase film in the action comedy Money Talks, which he executively produced. He also had a small but memorable role in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown and played a hyper-manic intergalactic DJ in Luc Besson's The Fifth Element. In 1998, Tucker had his second starring role, working opposite international action superstar Jackie Chan in the action-packed comedy Rush Hour. While his movie career continues its rapid ascent, Tucker remains passionate about performing live and still appears in comedy clubs and other venues. Well known for parodying the Cuban accent of the Tony Montana character from Scarface (1983). Chris Tucker is Left handed. His breakout role was that of "Smokey" in Friday (1995). In 1999, Chris Tucker signed a two-picture $45 million deal with New Line Cinema -- including $20 million to co-star in Rush Hour 2 (2001) and $25 million to co-write, direct and star in Mr. President (2002). However, Tucker agreed to receive NO backend percentage of the box office gross. Graduate of Columbia High School.
Actor - filmography
Rush Hour 3 (2004) .... Detective James Carter, LAPD
Mr. President (2002) .... The President of the United States
Rush Hour 2 (2001) .... James Carter, LAPD
32nd NAACP Image Awards (2001) (TV) .... Host
Next Friday (2000) (uncredited) (archive footage) .... Smokey
Rush Hour (1998) .... Detective James Carter, LAPD
Jackie Brown (1997) .... Beaumont Livingston
Money Talks (1997) .... Franklin Hatchett
Fifth Element, The (1997) .... Ruby Rhod
... aka Cinquième élément, Le (1997) (France)
Dead Presidents (1995) .... Skip
Panther (1995) .... Bodyguard
Friday (1995) .... Smokey
Def Comedy Jam Primetime (1994) (TV) .... Def Jam Comedian
House Party 3 (1994) .... Johnny Booze
Notable TV guest appearances
"Big Breakfast, The" (1992) playing "Himself" 7/11/2001
"Priory, The" (1999) playing "Himself" 7/10/2001
"Larry King Live" (1985) playing "Himself" 10/25/2000
"Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" (1992) playing "Rapper" in episode: "Please Pass the Jock" (episode # 1.4) 10/20/1992
"Roseanne" (1988) playing "Himself" in episode: "Radio Days" (episode # 1.5) 11/29/1988

chris rock



Chris Rock was born February 7, 1966, in Andrews, South Carolina, to parents Julius (former truck driver) and Rose (teacher). Raised in the neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York, Chris always knew he was cut out to be a comedian, and took his talent to the New York comedy club circuit after dropping out of high school. Who better to discover a young aspiring comedian than Eddie Murphy, who caught Rock's act at a club and was so impressed that he cast him in Murphy's 1987 Beverly Hills Cop II, in his film debut as a parking valet.
With the support of the late Sam Kinison as well as Murphy, Rock was cast in a string of television shows and films, albeit in small parts. His early roles include 1988's I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and an episode of Miami Vice, before appearing in 1991's New Jack City, 1992's Boomerang (also an Eddie Murphy film), and starring in 1993's CB4, a parody of the gangsta rap world.
In the early '90s, Rock received the coveted part of any comedian's career, as a cast member and writer on Saturday Night Live. With three years of SNL experience under his belt, Rock was cast in the comedies Sgt. Bilko, Beverly Hills Ninja, as well as 1998's Doctor Dolittle (as a voice) and the 4th installment of the Lethal Weapon series. In 1996, he was also a correspondent and writer for "Indecision 1996," on the then Comedy Central show, Politically Incorrect.
While Rock wasn't achieving great cinematic success, he was scoring big with his own stand-up comedy shows. 1997's HBO special Bring the Pain -- which practically revived Rock's career -- garnered the comedian two Emmys, one for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special and one for Outstanding writing. 1999's stand-up album and HBO special, Bigger & Blacker, was also lauded as an abrasive "commentary" on family values and American politics and racial issues. Rock picked up a Grammy for Best Spoken Comedy Album for Bigger & Blacker in 1999.
More critical and commercial praise came Rock's way, thanks to his Emmy-nominated HBO comedy and variety show, The Chris Rock Show. The trash-talking show debuted in 1997, and enjoyed a successful three-year run marked with two CableACE awards, for Variety Special or Series and for Entertainment Host. The show made a television star of Rock, and spawned memorable characters such as Pootie Tang, which was developed into a feature film of the same name in 2001.
Speaking of films, Rock's film career has taken an upwards turn since 1999, with a larger role in the star-studded Dogma, and a role alongside Morgan Freeman and Renee Zellweger in the critically-acclaimed Nurse Betty. But then Rock starred in the disappointing Heaven Can Wait remake, Down to Earth, which Rock also wrote and produced. Rock bombed again as a voice in the animated feature Osmosis Jones, before appearing in Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
Rock once said in a Larry King Live interview that he seems to get the "black guy lead roles" that guys like Will Smith turn down, but he is certainly coming into his own with a starring role opposite Gene Hackman and Garcelle Beauvais in the 2002 action/comedy, Bad Company.
The television host (Rock's hosting stint for the 2000 MTV Movie Awards was one of the highest rated), producer (he is now executive producer of TV's The Hughleys) and writer (in addition to screenplays, he wrote a book, Rock This) can now add directing to his resume, with his film directorial debut for the upcoming Head of State.
As for his family life, Chris Rock has been married to Malaak Compton-Rock since November 1996.
The man Time has named the "funniest man in America" and one of America's best entertainers, the caustic comedian is proving to be a force to be rockened with.

chris klein



Chris Klein, Posessing the sort of apple-cheeked, translucent-skinned All-American wholesomeness that has made him a natural for the pretty boy jock roles which began his career, Chris Klein started a minor sensation after appearing in only two films. The actor, who is a testament to both good PR and the American appetite for all that is young, athletic, and bearing no discernible acne scars, was born in Chicago on March 14, 1979. After spending the first thirteen years of his life there, he moved with his family to Nebraska. It was while he was in high school that Klein was discovered by director Alexander Payne, who was busy casting his upcoming film, Election (1999). Klein won the role of Paul Metzler in Payne's film, which opened to enthusiastic reviews. As Paul, Klein played the dim but sweet football player persuaded by Matthew Broderick's Jim McAllister to run against the unopposed Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) in the school's student council election. Klein played a similar character in his next film, the 1999 summer smash American Pie. As Chris "Oz" Ostreicher, Klein was again seen as a sweetly dim high school jock, who, rather than wanting to win an election, channeled his energies toward losing his virginity. The success of the film was great enough to lead Klein to drop out of Texas Christian University (where he had been a freshman) to follow an acting career that had certainly gotten off to a serendipitous beginning.
Filmography
United States of Leland, The (2002) .... Allan Hughes
We Were Soldiers (2002) .... 2nd Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan
Rollerball (2002) .... Jonathan Cross
... aka Rollerball (2002) (Germany)
American Pie 2 (2001) .... Chris 'Oz' Ostreicher
Say It Isn't So (2001) .... Gilbert Noble
2000 MTV Movie Awards (2000) (TV) .... Presenter
Here on Earth (2000) .... Kelvin 'Kelley' Morse
Spotlight on Location: American Pie (1999) (TV) .... Himself
... aka Making of 'American Pie', The (1999) (TV) (USA: DVD title)
American Pie (1999) .... Chris 'Oz' Ostreicher
"WWF Smackdown!" (1999) TV Series .... Himself
... aka "Smackdown! Xtreme" (1999) (USA)
... aka "Vince MacMahon's SmackDown!" (1999) (USA)
... aka "World Wrestling Federation Smackdown!" (1999) (USA)
Election (1999) .... Paul Metzler
Television Guest Appearences
"WWF Smackdown!" (1999) playing "Himself" 1/31/2002
"Real World/Road Rules Extreme Challenge, The" (2001) playing "Himself"(episode # 1.5) 2/6/2001