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- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Charles Martin Smith is an American film actor, writer, and director. Born in Van Nuys, California, Smith was discovered by a talent agent while acting in a school play. After a few years of working in film, he landed the role of Terry "Toad" Fields in George Lucas' 1973 film, American Graffiti (1973). The sequel, More American Graffiti (1979), did not have the success of the original, but he gained additional notice in "The Buddy Holly Story" (1978), Carroll Ballard's "Never Cry Wolf" (1983) and John Carpenter's "Starman" with Jeff Bridges (1984).
Smith's acting career continued mainly in supporting roles. He received excellent reviews for his work in "The Untouchables" (1987). At the same time Smith launched his career as a writer and director, and in 1987 directed the cult classic horror comedy "Trick or Treat" for Dino DeLaurentiis. In the 1990s, Smith appeared as an actor in films, such as "Speechless" (1994) and "I Love Trouble" (1994). He had a leading role in the HBO Miniseries, "And The Band Played On", about the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic, a role of which he was very proud. Smith also turned in a well-regarded performance in the TV miniseries Larry McMurtry's "Streets of Laredo" with James Garner and Sam Shepard, (1995) and a minor role in the big budget "Deep Impact"(1998). He was also one of the directors of the TV series "Space: Above and Beyond" (1995), as well as the director of the initial episode ("Welcome to the Hellmouth") that launched the hit TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997). From the mid-1990s, Smith increasingly focused on his work behind the camera. He directed the feature film "Air Bud" (1997) (Disney), which was an international success, and two TV miniseries for Hallmark Entertainment, "Roughing It" (2002) and "Icon" (2005). He also wrote and directed the feature film, "The Snow Walker" (2003), for Lion's Gate Films, based on a story by Farley Mowat (who had also written Never Cry Wolf (1983)), which marked a return to the Arctic for Smith. The film was nominated for 9 Genie awards, including Best Director, Writer, and Best Picture He then wrote and directed the feature film "Stone of Destiny" (2008), for Infinity Features and Odeon Sky, the true story of four young Scottish students who broke into Westminster Abbey in London to take back a sacred Scottish relic. The film stars Charlie Cox, Kate Mara and Robert Carlyle, and was nominated for Best Picture by the Scottish BAFTAS.
His next film, "Dolphin Tale" (2011), for Alcon Entertainment (The Blind Side (2009)) and Warner Brothers, stars Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, and Winter, the dolphin with a prosthetic tail, who plays herself in the film. The film was a great success, rising to number 1 at the domestic North American box office in its second week of release. Smith next wrote and directed the sequel, "Dolphin Tale 2", also for Alcon and Warner Brothers, which brought back the original cast, and was also very successful. Following this, Smith directed "A Dog's Way Home" for Sony Pictures/Coumbia, based on the book by Bruce Cameron, with Ashley Judd and with Jonah Hauer-King. Then in 2019 he relocated to London to direct "A Gift From Bob", the sequel to "A Streetcat Named Bob". As COVID slowed production in the industry, Smith relocated to Palm Desert and he divides his time between there and Vancouver. In 2023, he acted in the Canadian production "This Time", produced and directed by Robert G. Vaughn. It marked Smith's first time back in front of the camera for many years.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
America Athene Olivo is an American actress and singer best known as a member of the band Soluna, for her roles in the films Bitch Slap (2009), Friday the 13th (2009) and Maniac (2012), as well as starring in the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Born in Van Nuys, California, she has dual citizenship to the United States and Canada. She is married to actor Christian Campbell.- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Cindy Williams was born Cynthia Jane Williams in Van Nuys, California on August 22, 1947. The Leo was 5'4" and, during her first years on Laverne & Shirley (1976), weighed a dainty 105 lbs. The brown haired, blue-eyed female was born the daughter of Francesca Bellini and Beachard Williams. Her father was an electronic technician, and Cindy grew up in reduced circumstances. She had one sister, Carol Ann Williams, and an older half-brother, Jim from her mother's first marriage.
As a child, she dreamed of being an actress. She used to create and perform her own plays and, as she grew, she wished that one day, Debbie Reynolds would see her in one of those amateur shows and whisk her away and put her in a film. Another thing that brought show business into her life was her alcoholic father's imitations of comics like Jackie Gleason and Milton Berle. She worked as a waitress, while she auditioned for commercials, television guest spots, and feature films. Her first step to fame was a movie in which she tap danced with Gene Kelly. She stepped on Kelly's foot, leaving her "really embarrassed". She landed important film roles early in her career.
Famed director George Cukor cast her in Travels with My Aunt (1972). Her next big role was for George Lucas in American Graffiti (1973), as Ron Howard's girlfriend, for which she earned a BAFTA nomination as Best Supporting Actress. That led to Francis Ford Coppola casting her in The Conversation (1974). The three instant-classic films should have propelled her into movie stardom, but her career inexplicably hit a lull. She couldn't go back to working as a waitress, because she was too well-known.
She was set up in a writing team with Penny Marshall and the girls were called by Penny's brother, Garry Marshall, to do a stint as two fast girls on Happy Days (1974). The public received them so warmly that Cindy and Penny soon got their own show and was referred to everywhere as "Shirley Feeney".
She earned a Golden Globe nomination as Best Actress in 1978. She left the show in 1982, pregnant with daughter Emily. She was married to Bill Hudson, who had previously been married to actress Goldie Hawn. Williams later gave birth to a son, Zachary, in 1986. She went on to make a few movies and co-produced "The Father Of The Bride" movies with Hudson. They divorced in 2000.
She did Jenny Craig commercials and acted on guest spots on the TV show For Your Love (1998) and reunited with Penny Marshall several times on television. In 2015, her memoir, Shirley, I Jest! (co-written with Dave Smitherman), was published.
Cindy Williams died, aged 75, following a brief, undisclosed illness, in 2023.- Actress
- Writer
- Director
Mary Beth McDonough was born on 4 May 1961 in Van Nuys, California, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for The Waltons (1972), Mortuary (1982) and The West Wing (1999). She has been married to Don since 4 June 2011. She was previously married to Rob Wickstrom.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Gary Lockwood was born John Gary Yurosek in Van Nuys, California to John and Margaret Emma (Kiel) Yurosek . He attended UCLA on a football scholarship.
He began his career as a movie stuntman, and a stand-in for Anthony Perkins, prior to his acting debut in 1959 in an uncredited bit role in Warlock (1959). He also appeared as a police officer in The Case of the Romantic Rogue (1959). Two series came early in his career, ABC's Hawaii-set Follow the Sun (1961) (1961-62) as an adventurous magazine writer in Honolulu. In 1961, he appeared as a rodeo cowboy in love with an 18-year-old singer (played by Tuesday Weld) in ABC's Cherie (1961). He then starred with Lloyd Bridges in My Daddy Can Lick Your Daddy (1963). In 1964, he starred as a young U.S. Marine lieutenant in the NBC series, The Lieutenant (1963). He then starred in another NBC television series, Kraft Mystery Theater (1961), opposite Sally Kellerman (with whom he would later appear in the second Star Trek (1966) pilot, Where No Man Has Gone Before (1966)) as "Lt. Cmdr. Gary Mitchell", and Kellerman as the ship's psychiatrist, "Dr. Elizabeth Dehner", who both develop destructive super powers.
In 1966, he guest-starred in the episode, Reunion (1966), of ABC's The Legend of Jesse James (1965). That same year, he appeared on Day of Thunder (1966) of the NBC's drama The Long, Hot Summer (1965), as well as appearing as "Jim Stark" in the two-part episode "The Raid" of CBS's Gunsmoke (1955).
He co-starred with Stefanie Powers (his wife at the time) in the episode, Love and the Phone Booth/Love and the Doorknob (1969), of ABC's Love, American Style (1969). In 1968, he was cast as the co-star in director Stanley Kubrick's legendary 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), starring as "Dr. Frank Poole". In 1983, he made a guest appearance as "Alex Carmen" in the Hart to Hart (1979) episode, Emily by Hart (1983).
Between 1959 and 2004, he had roles in some forty theatrical and made-for-TV features and made almost eighty TV guest appearances, including several as a villain on CBS-TV's Barnaby Jones (1973).- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Johnny Whitaker was born on 13 December 1959 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Tom Sawyer (1973), Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973) and A Talking Cat!?! (2013). He was previously married to Symbria Wright.- Actress
- Writer
Kristen Cloke was born September 2 in Van Nuys, California. She attended California State University, Northridge. Her first feature film role was the female lead in Megaville (1990), opposite Billy Zane. She is best known from her role as Shane Vansen in the television series Space: Above and Beyond (1995) and most recently the Academy Award nominated "Lady Bird". In addition to acting, she is a writer best known for "The X-Files" episode "Rm9sbG93ZXJz", as well as several episodes of BBC's "Intruders".- Producer
- Actor
- Make-Up Department
Peters made his Hollywood debut in Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments (1956) as the boy on the donkey crossing the Red Sea. He went on to be a hard-case kid who spent his formative years in and out of reform school. Peters entered the family business of hairdressing at age 14. Armed with an instinctive genius for self-promotion, he amassed a huge celebrity clientele at his trendy Jon Peters Salon on Rodeo Drive, raking in millions by merchandising the salon's ancillary cosmetic products. Privy to confidences that the rich and famous only reveal to their hairdressers, Peters became hip to the ways and means of Hollywood. In 1973, he fell in love with his client Barbra Streisand and proceeded to manage her early music and film career. He produced her 1976 remake of A Star Is Born (1976) which yielded over $100 million at the box office and four Oscar nominations including the Oscar-winning song, "Evergreen". Peters went on to produce a string of best-selling Streisand albums, "The Main Event", The Eyes of Laura Mars" and "Caddyshack". Peters blossomed into an A-list producer, a status he's maintained over 30 years.
In 1980, Peters teamed with former Casablanca Records and Filmworks exec Peter Guber; together with Neil Bogart, Peters and Guber formed the Polygram Productions, later renamed the Boardwalk Company. A series of mergers and sell-offs later, Guber-Peters was born in 1983. The team's willingness to take enormous chances with huge amounts of money transformed Guber and Peters into the wunderkind of Hollywood, especially after such critical and financial successes as Missing (1982), Flashdance (1983), The Color Purple (1985), Witches of Eastwick (1987), Gorillas in the Mist (1988), and Rain Man (1989). Guber-Peters acquired Chuck Barris Productions (The Gong Show, The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game), cementing their role in television as Guber-Peters-Barris. The partnership took its biggest risk and scored its biggest hit with Batman (1989) which won Peters and his partner a multimillion-dollar seven-year WB contract. Within months, they were wooed away by Sony Corporation, which offered Guber and Peters one billion dollars to assume chief executive posts.
Peters left to start Peters Entertainment which has produced such blockbusters as Batman Returns, Wild Wild West, Ali, and Superman Returns. Peters has received over 254 nominations, and won multiple Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammys. The producer's combined grosses exceed $6 Billion worldwide and will continue to soar with two Superman sequels and a Star is Born remake in development. Peters is the proud father of five children: Christopher, Caleigh, Jordan, Skye, and Kendyl. Through the Peters Family Foundation he supports the Christopher Reeve Foundation, Life Rolls On, Homeboy Industries, My Friend's Place, Cambodian Children's Fund, Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation, Heartfelt Foundation, The Laurence School, the Sheriff's Youth Foundation, and countless other youth charities.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Julie Brown is an American actress, comedian, screen/television writer, singer-songwriter, and director. After moving away from her hometown of Van Nuys (aka "The Valley"), Julie began her career as a comedian in the clubs of San Francisco. After returning to Los Angeles, she immediately started working as an actress and writer.
After guest-starring in sitcoms, like "Laverne & Shirley," "The Jeffersons," "Newhart," and "Quantum Leap," Julie added singing to her act, producing her own EP with the hit songs "The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gone" and "Earth Girls Are Easy"- which through a stroke of show business luck became a movie she co-wrote and starred in (along with Geena Davis, Jeff Goldblum, and Jim Carrey). She also starred in and wrote the comedy show "Just Say Julie" for MTV and created a satire Madonna mockumentary for Showtime called "Medusa: Dare to be Truthful," which won her the Writers Guild award for Best Comedy Special. During this same time, Julie also co-created the FOX sketch comedy series, "The Edge," starring herself and Jennifer Aniston.
Julie was then cast as Ms. Stoeger in the movie "Clueless" and went on to write, direct, and star on the series version of "Clueless," which ran for three seasons. Julie also starred in and created "Strip Mall" for Comedy Central for two seasons. In addition, Julie co-wrote the Disney Channel original movie mega-hit "Camp Rock," which launched the careers of Demi Lovato and The Jonas Brothers. Julie was later a writer on the Kevin Hart series "The Big House." Julie also wrote multiple episodes of "Melissa and Joey," where she recurred as a guest star. Julie also had a recurring role on ABC's "The Middle" and was a guest judge on "RuPaul's Drag Race."
Julie has voiced many fan-favorite animated characters for TV and film, including "Animaniacs," "Batman," "Pinky and the Brain," and "A Goofy Movie."
Currently, Julie is working on a sequel to "Medusa," as well as "Earth Girls are Easy: The Musical," and her first Young Adult novel.- Actor
- Producer
Zen Gesner was born on 23 June 1970 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Ringer (2005), Kingpin (1996) and Dumb and Dumber (1994). He has been married to Cynthia Farrelly Gesner since 1995. They have three children.- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Dennis Burkley was born on 10 September 1945 in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor and director, known for Hollywood Homicide (2003), Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992) and Tin Cup (1996). He was married to Laura Burkley. He died on 14 July 2013 in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actor
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Robert Torti was born on 22 October 1961 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for She's the Man (2006), The Game Plan (2007) and Race to Witch Mountain (2009). He has been married to DeLee Lively since 24 June 1999. They have three children. He was previously married to Sandy Edgerton.- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Camryn Grimes was born on 7 January 1990 in Van Nuys, California, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for The Young and the Restless (1973), Swordfish (2001) and Magic Mike (2012).- Jake Richardson was born in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019), Clerks II (2006) and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001).
- Actress
- Producer
Porscha Coleman is an American actress, singer, dancer, and TV host, who is best known for her recurring television role as Erica Willis on The Parkers, Rachel in the Disney Channel Original Movie Pixel Perfect, and on MTV's improvisation show Wild 'n Out. She attended Millikan Middle School Performing Arts Magnet in Sherman Oaks, California, and Hollywood High School Performing Arts Magnet in Hollywood, California.
In 2014, she appeared as a guest star on the new HBO show, Silicon Valley and in 2015, she guest starred on Switched at Birth, alongside Lea Thompson.
She resides in California.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Furst started his career in television, portraying a wide variety of characters in dozens of network and cable series, before gaining recognition for his role as the original Lucas Hood in Cinemax's Banshee. He then expanded to supporting and roles in films like The Magnificent Seven, The Founder, Terminator Genisys and Focus. For his work in I Love You Phillip Morris, Variety wrote of Furst's ability to make a large impact with just a few scenes in the article entitled 'Not Nominate But Definitely Memorable.' Furst made his directorial debut with the horror feature 30 Days to Die, distributed by Lionsgate. His second feature, Starve, premiered as an official selection at the Stiges Film Festival. His early success with independent film garnered the attention of Universal Television, which commissioned Furst's directorial services on over a dozen Movies of the Week for their various networks. As of 2022, Furst has produced 37 movies. You Might be the Killer premiered at the Fantastic Film Festival, and Alice was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Furst is the president of Curmudgeon Films. My Sister's Keeper was the first film produced under his banner, starring Abigail Breslin and Cameron Diaz. In 2018, he produced You Might be the Killer, starring Alyson Hannigan. Furst then went on to work on the cult franchise Tales from the Hood, producing Part 2 and Part 3. The son of actor Stephen Furst (Animal House), Griff lives in Los Angeles.- Actress
- Cinematographer
- Producer
Mary LeGault was born on 22 January 1987 in Van Nuys, California, USA. She is an actress and cinematographer, known for Life on Top (2009), Forbidden Science (2009) and Preacher Six.- Actor
- Soundtrack
- Writer
Arch Hall Jr. was born on December 2, 1943 in Van Nuys, the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California, the only child of actor, writer and producer Arch Hall Sr. He began his career as a teen film actor and musician, appearing in a number of early 1960s films that were all produced by his father. Most of Hall Jr.'s films featured his particular musical abilities, a teenager's tenor voice and guitar riffs played with swamp blues inflection. Hall was also the front man for the rock n' roll combo Arch Hall Jr. and the Archers. The band, formed with high school friend Alan O'Day (who later wrote No. 1 pop hits in the 1970s) played in a number of Sunset Strip clubs such as the Whisky-a-Go-Go and Pandora's Box.
For the most part, Hall appeared in six feature films in the 1960s. The films produced by the Halls and their associates, which at one point included cult director Ray Dennis Steckler, are considered B-movies. Hall's roles ranged from a dune buggy-driving teenager to a rock n' roll singing spy wearing a white dinner jacket. His first film was that of being the leader of a teenage gang of car thieves in the 1961 independent film The Choppers (1961). His second role was Eegah (1962) as the lead protagonist, which has won him the most recognition, due in part to the television show Mystery Science Theater 3000 featuring the movie in a 1993 episode, and the late night comedy horror series Elvira's Movie Macabre.
His third role was that of playing a young musician named Bud Eagle who tries to make a living and deal with the corruption of the music business in Los Angeles in Wild Guitar (1962). In The Sadist (1963), Hall portrayed a psychopathic killer, named Charlie Tibbs, who terrorizes a trio of helpless people in a remote auto junkyard in the desolate Antelope Valley area of California which also netted him some praise for his performance which was loosely based on teenage spree killer Charles Starkweather.
In the comedy spoof The Nasty Rabbit (aka: Spies-a-Go-Go) (1964), Hall played Britt Hunter, a secret government agent trying to locate a Russian spy trying to use a rabbit to unleash a deadly virus at a remote Dude Ranch. In the western Deadwood '76 (1965) Hall played a drifter named Billy May who is mistaken for outlaw Billy the Kid which leads to some drastic consequences.
After appearing in his last film, Hall quit his acting career and became an airline pilot (his father had flown with the Army Air Force during the Second World War). In 1967, he went to work as a pilot for the cargo carrier Flying Tiger Airlines as an apprentice co-pilot on the L-1049H, and eventually became a captain flying the Boeing 747. In 1989, Flying Tiger was purchased by FedEx and Hall flew the DC-10 until he retired in 2003. He also flew airplanes for a private company with businesses in the U.S. and Japan.
Hall wrote the novel Apsara Jet, which was published in 2001 under the pen name Nicolas Merriweather (a name often used by his father). The book draws on Hall's knowledge of both commercial airlines and Southeast Asia in telling the story of a Vietnam War vet who gets involved in the illegal drug trade.
A career-spanning 51-page interview with Hall appears in the book Earth vs. the Sci-Fi Filmmakers (McFarland & Co., 2005) by Tom Weaver. Hall's anthology, Wild Guitar, was released on Norton Records. The anthology, with liner notes and biography, collects the original '60s output of Arch Hall Jr. and the Archers, much of which was unreleased at the time.- Music Artist
- Composer
- Music Department
Diane was born in Van Nuys, California, USA on September 7, 1956 to parents David and Flora Warren. She become a prolific writer in her neighborhood, writing songs every day and eventually surpassing 1,000 of them. Her dad (an insurance salesman) took Diane to see publishers who said she had potential, but to come back and see them in the future. After signing with producer Jack White, circa 1983, the partnership produced her songs "Solitaire" and "Hot Night", which was recorded by Laura Branigan for the Ghostbusters (1984) soundtrack. It was also the beginning of a long line of film song projects, which produced many Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. After a legal battle with producer Jack White, Diane started her own publishing company called "Real Songs" in the late 80s. The company has the rights to all her songs and makes deals with hundreds of artists (and record companies) who record them.- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Tracey Birdsall was born in Van Nuys, California, the youngest of three daughters born to Ronald Birdsall and Carol Birdsall (born Carol Stone). She was raised in Southern California and is primarily of British and European descent. Bert Lewis, the famous Walt Disney composer, was her great-grandfather.
Birdsall trained in dance, singing, and musical theater throughout her youth, which later led to her studying various acting techniques. She claims her real breakthrough in her training was when working with renowned acting coach Margie Haber, who taught her to simply create and be the character - no matter how excruciating.
Known for her meticulous preparation, Birdsall is recognized worldwide for her diverse and challenging roles and for working across genres. In the recently released and highly anticipated Science Fiction film Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter (2016), Birdsall garnered awards including the esteemed Female Action Performer of the Year Award at the Action on Film Festival, Best Actress Jury Award from the West Coast Film Festival, Best Actress Jury Award from Los Angeles Theatrical Release Awards Competition, and was the only American actress nominated for Best Actress at the 50th Annual WorldFest Houston 2017 - for her role as Sienna. In March, 2019, she was honored by the WeLink International Film Festival in New York City - in association with the United Nations and Women in Film - with the Best Actress Award, which was presented to her at a Gala Awards Ceremony held at The United Nations.
Birdsall can also be seen in the title character of the comedy feature Who's Jenna...? (2018), in addition to the recently released Season 2 of the Tim Robinson helmed outrageous comedy Netflix show I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (2019) as Janeane.
Up-coming projects in post production include the lead role in the the time travel series The Time War (2017), the lead role in the television series Age of Darkness: the lead role in the science fiction film Evolution War, and the feature film Hotel Underground (2024).- Actor
- Director
- Composer
Brandon Boyd was born on 15 February 1976 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Stealth (2005), Spawn (1997) and Little Nicky (2000).- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Nathaniel J. Potvin was born on 2 October 1999 in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor and director, known for The Prom (2020), American Vandal (2017) and Five Points (2018).- Camera and Electrical Department
- Director
- Writer
BJ McDonnell is a Director and motion picture camera operator. He is a member of the DGA , ICG Local 600 , and SAG.
In 2008, McDonnell won a Telly award for cinematography and camera operation.
IN 2012 McDonnell directed "Hatchet III". McDonnell also directed the critically lauded live action rendition of the "Dead Island" commercial which received over 1 million hits in the first week of its release on Youtube.
In 2015, McDonnell wrote and directed a music video for the metal band Slayer for the song "Repentless". It has gained 37 million views on you tube. The music video also won the "Loudwire 5th Annual Music Awards" for best metal video of 2015. Repentless spawned two more videos McDonnell wrote and directed of a prequel and a sequel for Slayer. "You Against You" which gained 15 million views and "Pride In Prejudice" which has 5.4 million views on YouTube. In 2021 McDonnell wrote and Directed a music video for the band Exodus " The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves".
In 2022 A film directed by McDonnell starring the Foo Fighters called " Studio 666 " will be released worldwide by Open Road pictures.- Dan Stanton was born on 22 December 1952 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).
- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Producer
Russell Carpenter was born on 9 December 1950 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is a cinematographer and producer, known for Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), Titanic (1997) and Ant-Man (2015).- Don Stanton was born on 22 December 1952 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003) and Good Morning, Vietnam (1987).
- Taylor Kowalski was born in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Snowfall (2017), The Detour (2016) and Homeland (2011).
- Scott Curtis was born on 5 May 1976 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Cranium Command (1989), Santa Barbara (1984) and Cameron's Closet (1988). He has been married to Jennie Curtis since 9 April 2005.
- Actor
- Stunts
Mitch Gaylord first thrilled the world in 1984 when he led the United States Olympic gymnastics team to its Gold Medal victory. In addition to being the first American Gymnast in history to score a Perfect "10", Mitch went on to capture a Silver medal for Vaulting and two Bronze medals for Rings and Parallel Bars. As the number one ranked gymnast in 1983 and 1984, Mitch invented two skills now named internationally after him. To this day, the Gaylord Flip and the Gaylord Two are considered among the most difficult and spectacular feats in gymnastics.
After the Olympics, Mitch was appointed to the President's Council for Physical Fitness by President Reagan and was asked to return for a second term under President George Bush, Senior. During this time, he fulfilled numerous speaking engagements, endorsements and appearances across the country. In 1986, Mitch made his acting debut in Columbia Pictures' "American Anthem" and went on to appear in several commercial advertisements including Diet Coke, Nike, Vidal Sassoon, Soloflex, Levi's, and Texaco to name a few.
In 1995, he was inducted into UCLA's Hall of Fame, and in 2006, he was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame. Mitch has served as a journalist/broadcaster for FOX Sports during the Atlanta Olympics and anchored the 2009 Maccabiah Games in Israel with JLTV. He has also served as a Celebrity Judge on NBC's "Celebrity Circus".
As a motivational speaker and fitness expert, Mitch was asked to endorse several fitness products for the DRTV market including Suzanne Somers' "Torso Track" and "Body Row", as well as, "OrbiTrek Platinum" for Thane International.
With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Mitch went on to create Gold Medal Fitness, LLC and the "Melt it OFF! with Mitch" workout program, which has been on-air for the last four years. It was through this project he personally motivated, trained, and inspired over 100 people to achieve their health and fitness goals by teaching them to Embrace their Greatness.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Jeff Denton was born in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Toybox (2018), Syndrome of the Trespasser Island (2004) and Daisy.- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Born in Indonesia to Cantonese parents, Lo migrated to Hong Kong in his teens, where he attended acting school and in 1962 joined the Shaw Bros. film company. By 1969 he had become the first kungfu superstar, preceding the legendary Bruce Lee. He acted in more than 100 films, usually cast as villains, then turned to directing in the 1980s. For over a decade ending in 1999, Lo was involved in television work in Hong Kong, until failing health forced him into semi-retirement.- Don Drysdale was born on 23 July 1936 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He was an actor, known for The Greatest American Hero (1981), The Last Time I Saw Archie (1961) and Then Came Bronson (1969). He was married to Ann Meyers and Ginger Drysdale. He died on 3 July 1993 in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Producer
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Ken Weiler was born on 11 January 1967 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Better Things (2016), Hollywood (2020) and Operation Varsity Blues (2021).- Erika Remberg was born on 15 February 1932 in Medan, Oostkust van Sumatra, Dutch East Indies [now Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia]. She was an actress, known for Sehnsucht hat mich verführt (1958), Saturday Night Out (1964) and So viel nackte Zärtlichkeit (1968). She was married to Sidney Hayers, Gustavo Rojo and Walther Reyer. She died on 10 November 2017 in Benidorm, Alicante, Valencia, Spain.
- Magda Harout was born on 22 April 1926 in Van Nuys, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Baggage Claim (2013), The Golden Girls (1985) and Quantum Leap (1989). She was married to Robert T. Kardashian. She died on 9 September 2021 in North Hollywood, California, USA.
- Actress
- Producer
Patrice Jennings was born on 9 November 1966 in Van Nuys, California, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Society (1989), What I Like About You (2002) and Untitled Tony Thompson (Drummer) Project. She has been married to Darin Rado since 16 June 2013. She was previously married to Tony Thompson.- Nick Hogan was born on 27 July 1990 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Masterminds (2012), Kill Katie Malone (2010) and WWE Smackdown! (1999).
- Helen Wallace was born on 23 October 1889 in Van Nuys, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Matinee Theatre (1955), The Twilight Zone (1959) and The Midnight Story (1957). She died on 17 December 1970 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Dr. Robert R. Cargill is Roger A. Hornsby Associate Professor in the Classics at The University of Iowa. He teaches ancient Judaism, biblical archaeology, and early Christianity.
He was born in Los Angeles, California to Leonard and Sharon Cargill (née Costales) on February 22, 1973 (Pisces, Ox). He is of Spanish/Basque descent on his mother's side, and Italian on his father's side, with the Cargill name being of Scottish origin. His family soon relocated to Madera, a small town in central California that he called home for 15 years. Dr. Cargill has experienced every level of public education in California: elementary, junior high, and high school, graduating from Bullard High School in 1991. He turned down undergraduate admission offers to attend UC Berkeley, USC, and Pepperdine, choosing instead to attend local community college. By working the graveyard shift at a local Walgreens, he put himself through Fresno City College, where he earned his A.A. degree and won a state championship in 1992 as a catcher with the baseball team. He then transferred to California State University, Fresno, where he followed a premedical curriculum and earned a B.S. degree in Human Physiology.
Dr. Cargill then accepted the J.P. Sanders Scholarship to attend Pepperdine University, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Ministry and his seminary degree, the Master of Divinity. While studying biblical studies at Pepperdine, he began studying archaeology and ancient southwest Asian cultures. He then accepted a fellowship to attend UCLA, and earned an M.A. in Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations and his Ph.D. under Dr. William Schniedewind in the UCLA Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, with an emphasis in Second Temple period archaeology and biblical studies. His dissertation work focused on the archaeological remains of Qumran, the site associated with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Prior to coming to Iowa, Dr. Cargill taught at Pepperdine University, Azusa Pacific University, Portland State University, and UCLA. He teaches courses on the Dead Sea Scrolls, the History of Jerusalem, and a course comparing the evolution of the Mythologies of Otherworld Journeys in various religions. He teaches popular online courses including Cities of the Bible and Ancient Origins of Religious Conflict, along with courses in Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, and biblical studies.
Dr Cargill's first book, Qumran through (Real) Time: A Virtual Reconstruction of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Gorgias Press, 2009), was one of the early attempts to incorporate virtual reality and other digital technologies to examine the settlement of Qumran (the site associated with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls) and to produce a virtual digital archaeological reconstruction of Qumran to support his hybrid occupation theory of the site.
His second book, The Cities that Built the Bible (HarperOne, 2016), was a popular book that "blends archaeology, biblical history, and personal journey as he explores these cities and their role in the creation of the Bible." It was awarded the 2017 Illumination Book Awards Gold Medal in the Bible Study category. It has been published in hardcover and paperback, and has been translated into Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese.
His third book, Melchizedek, King of Sodom: How Scribes Invented the Biblical Priest-King (Oxford University Press, 2019), explores the biblical figure of Melchizedek and claims that the text of Genesis 14:18 originally names Melchizedek as the king of Sodom, not Shalem. It contends that Shalem was not an early name of Jerusalem, but was only associated with Jerusalem much later during the Second Temple period.
Robert Cargill is an established public scholar who has appeared as an expert on over three dozen television shows and documentaries airing on CNN, History, Discovery, NatGeo, and other networks. Among them, he hosted the 2010 National Geographic special, Writing the Dead Sea Scrolls. In 2013, Dr. Cargill served as the Consulting Producer and appeared in the History series, Bible Secrets Revealed. In 2017, he appeared on season 2 of CNN's Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery. In 2019 he served as consultant and contributor for History's Jesus: His Life. In 2021, he served as a consultant and appeared in CNN's Jerusalem: City of Faith & Fury.
On Jan. 1, 2018, Dr. Cargill was named Editor of Biblical Archaeology Review, after having served as Associate Editor for much of 2017. He served as editor until January 2021, when he launched a new University of Iowa online publication entitled Bible & Archaeology, where he serves as Editor.
Dr. Cargill was married to his partner, Roslyn, on March 20, 2010. He has a daughter, Talitha; a son, MacLaren; fraternal twins-a son, Quincy; and a daughter, Rory Kate; and a son, Judah. He resides in Iowa City, IA. He is a member of American Mensa and spends much of his spare time YouTubing, camping, reading, and building things in the yard.- Riki Rachtman was born on 15 June 1965 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Mystery Men (1999), Wild Roomies (2004) and Rebel Highway (1994). He has been married to Lea Vendetta since 12 December 2021.
- On October 12, 1972, Neriah Davis was born in Southern California to two fun- loving "hippie" parents from the 60's. Raised in a simple lifestyle in Northern California until the age of 18, Neriah did not have a TV in the town of 300 where she grew up. A simple farming life with no electricity was the way of Neriah's youth, until she left for LA once she turned 18-years-old. After arriving in LA, Neriah moved quickly into the modeling and acting scene. She shot The Bikini Carwash Company (1992) while turning 19, and then started right into modeling swimsuit and some work with Playboy Book of Lingerie. Neriah was discovered by Playboy Magazine at the age of 20 and was busy shooting her centerfold on her 21st birthday. After a wild ride as a playmate, Neriah decided she needed a break from the fast-paced LA life, so she moved back to the country for two years. The country was needed rest but eventually Neriah got the modeling/acting bug, again, and had to move back to LA. And boy did things take off when she came back... Almost instantaneously Neriah was smothered with requests from top name companies such as "Fredericks of Hollywood", "Shirleys of Hollywood", and practically ever other lingerie catalog in LA. Soon-to-follow were national commercials for the likes of Miller, Nintendo, JC Penney's, and national print ads for Camel Cigarettes, Wellbody Skincare, BodyGlove, and Inside Sports. Neriah had the opportunity to travel to such exotic and rare places as Hong Kong, Acapulco, France, London, and all over the states for the Playboy agency.
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Mosley Agin was born on 20 February 1985 in Van Nuys, California, USA. She is a writer and actress, known for Promise (2023), Ophelia (2020) and Outdoor Summer. She has been married to Kenton Duty since 1 July 2019.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Kadir Çermik was born on 21 July 1977 in Van, Turkey. He is an actor, known for Ivy (2015), The Wild Pear Tree (2018) and Bornova Bornova (2009).- Music Department
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Karyn Rachtman is best known for music supervising films such as Pulp Fiction, Clueless, Boogie Nights, and Reality Bites. She was the executive soundtrack producer for the notable soundtracks of Moulin Rouge!, Romeo + Juliet, Office Space & many more. Rachtman set a new standard for children's movie soundtracks - hiring artists like Gwen Stefani, Busta Rhymes, and Iggy Pop to record original songs for The Rugrats Movie. Throughout her career, Karyn's distinct ability to pair artists and create unlikely collaborations (Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach) has made her one of the best "matchmakers" in soundtrack history. She is also responsible for the New York Times best selling children's book series "Hip Kid Hop", in which rappers (Doug E. Fresh, LL Cool J Shaggy, etc) wrote and recorded a "read and rap-a-long" - which was distributed by Scholastic nationwide. Karyn also produced the award winning documentary "Sweet Micky For President" alongside Pras Michel of The Fugees. Rachtman is currently the CEO of Mind Your Music - a music consulting agency that offers a series of services for film, TV, video games, and brands. Mind Your Music has offices based in Los Angeles and New Zealand.- Producer
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David Jacobson was born in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is known for Dahmer (2002), Down in the Valley (2005) and Criminal (1994).- Art Department
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- Actor
Trevor Larkin was born on 24 September 1980 in Van Nuys, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Bubble Boy (2001), Zodiac (2007) and Ford v Ferrari (2019).- Actor
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Originally from a small city in the northwest corner of Ohio named Van Wert. He was born on March 22, 1959. In 1974 Gary's father took a new job in Dallas and brought his family all the way south to the great state of Texas. This is where Gary was going to get the show business bug. Gary loved performing in front of his family so much that he tried out for the lead in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" in 1975, and got it. He not only got the lead role, but Gary got bit with the acting bug. Playing an extra in Ron Howard's first TV movie, Cotton Candy (1978), Gary knew what he wanted to do. Several years had passed and Gary found himself living two doors down from the Director of Photography of Robocop (1987) Gary's friend let him slip into it!
Many years later, Gary loves to perform and write, hoping to one day find the time to write the perfect screenplay or script that will showcase his comedic prowess. Most of his friends knew and hoped that one day he would follow his calling and pursue his dream of acting on the big screen. It wasn't until 2005 that Gary began to focus seriously on his determination to succeed in the brutal entertainment industry.
Gary Jerome currently lives in Twin Falls, Idaho, Dallas and Austin, Texas. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Tech University in Finance.
He has signed with Acclaim Talent in Austin - Open Range Management in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and continues to build up his body of work.- Producer
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Turkish director Sinan Cetin founded Plato Films in 1986. Since then he has shot 11 feature films and has become one of the most famous and successful directors in Turkey. He has also directed and produced hundreds of commercials. Plato Film Prod. is now a creative pool for young people enamored of scriptwriting, directing, or post-production and allows a unique independence most film-makers only dream of.- Casting Director
- Casting Department
Sarah Domeier Lindo was born on 1 September 1987 in Van Nuys, California, USA. She is a casting director, known for Halloween (2018), Get Out (2017) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018).- Actor
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Paj is the son of actress Tina Cole and Fillmore Crank, Jr. Maternal grandparents: musician Edwin Lamar Buddy Cole (1916-1964) and Yvonne King Burch (of The King Sisters); and also producer William N. Burch (1918-2005). His paternal grandparents are: Fillmore Pajeau Crank, Sr. (1921-1999) and Barbara Helen Logan (1921-1957); and also Beverly Lucy Fessenden Crank (aka actress Beverly Garland). Paj has 3 siblings: older brother, Volney Erskine Howard IV (Volney Howard), and younger sisters, Chelsea Yvonne Crank (Chelsea Crank) and Samantha Logan Crank.