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Anne Ramsay |
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Anne Ramsay is an American actress best known for her role as Lisa Stemple on Mad About You, for which she shared a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Best Ensemble in a Comedy series.
She is well known for her role in the 1992 beloved film, A League of Their Own, where she played the Helen Haley. |
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Barbara Eden |
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Barbara Eden is an American actress, singer, and producer best known for her starring role as Jeannie in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970). Other notable roles include Roslyn Pierce opposite Elvis Presley in Flaming Star (1960), Lieutenant (JG) Cathy Connors in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961) and a single widowed mother, Stella Johnson, in the film Harper Valley PTA (1978). Due to the success of the film, Eden reprised her role as Stella Johnson in a two-season television series, Harper Valley PTA.
Eden's first public performance was singing in the church choir, where she sang the solos. As a teenager, she sang in local bands for $10 (roughly equivalent to $157 in 2021) a night in night clubs. At age 16, she became a member of Actor's Equity, and studied singing at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and acting with the Elizabeth Holloway School of Theatre. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco in the Spring Class of 1949 and studied theater for one year at City College of San Francisco. As Barbara Huffman, she was elected Miss San Francisco in 1951 and she also entered the Miss California pageant.
Eden began her television career as a semiregular on The Johnny Carson Show in 1955 She also made featured appearances on shows such as The West Point Story, Highway Patrol, Private Secretary, I Love Lucy, The Millionaire, Target: The Corruptors!, Crossroads, Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, December Bride, Bachelor Father, Father Knows Best, Adventures in Paradise, The Andy Griffith Show, Cain's Hundred, Saints and Sinners, The Virginian, Slattery's People, The Rogues, and the series finale of Route 66. She guest starred in four episodes of Burke's Law, playing different roles each time. She was an uncredited extra in the movie The Tarnished Angels with Rock Hudson, in partnership with 20th Century Fox studios. She then starred in the syndicated comedy TV series How to Marry a Millionaire. The series is based on the 1953 film of the same name.
Film director Mark Robson, who later directed Eden in the movie From the Terrace, took note of Eden's performance in a play with James Drury. and wanted her to work for 20th Century Fox studios. Her screen test was the Joanne Woodward role in No Down Payment (1957). Although she did not get the role, the studio gave Eden a contract. She did a screen test for the role of Betty Anderson in the 1957 film version of Peyton Place, but Terry Moore got the role. She had minor roles in Bailout at 43,000; Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?; and The Wayward Girl, then became a leading lady in films, starring opposite Gary Crosby, Barry Coe, and Sal Mineo in A Private's Affair. She had a co-starring role in Flaming Star (1960), with Elvis Presley.
The following year, she played in a supporting role as Lt. Cathy Connors in Irwin Allen's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. She starred in The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, a Cinerama film directed by George Pal for MGM, and another Irwin Allen production for 20th Century Fox, Five Weeks in a Balloon (1962). She was the female lead in the 1962 Fox comedy Swingin' Along, starring Tommy Noonan and Peter Marshall, in their final joint screen appearance. She did a screen test with Andy Williams for the 20th Century Fox movie State Fair, but did not get the role
Her last film for 20th Century Fox was The Yellow Canary (1963). She left Fox and began guest starring in television shows and acting in films for MGM, Universal, and Columbia. She played supporting roles over the next few years, including The Brass Bottle and 7 Faces of Dr. Lao
n 1965, producer Sidney Sheldon signed Eden to star in his upcoming fantasy sitcom I Dream of Jeannie for NBC. After various brunette starlets and beauty queens unsuccessfully tried out for the role, Eden was approached by Sheldon, who had seen her in The Brass Bottle and had received numerous recommendations for Eden from various colleagues. Eden played Jeannie, a beautiful genie set free from her bottle by astronaut and United States Air Force Captain (later Major) Anthony "Tony" Nelson, played by Larry Hagman..
Eden played this role for five years and 139 episodes. Additionally in eight episodes, Eden donned a brunette wig to portray Jeannie's evil sister (also named Jeannie) who lusts after Tony Nelson, and in two episodes played Jeannie's hapless mother
After Jeannie, Eden starred in an unaired pilot, The Barbara Eden Show, as well as another pilot, The Toy Game. Her first TV movie was called The Feminist and the Fuzz. Although she is best known for comedy, most of these films were dramas, as when she starred opposite her Jeannie co-star Larry Hagman in A Howling in the Woods (1971).
In The Stranger Within (1974), Eden played housewife Ann Collins, a woman impregnated by extraterrestrials. Later, Eden played a policewoman-turned-private detective investigating the disappearance of a missing heiress, in the critically acclaimed TV movie Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model? (1977). She starred in and co-produced, with her own production company (MI-Bar Productions), the NBC-TV romantic comedy movie The Secret Life of Kathy McCormick (1988). She also starred in and produced the romantic comedy TV movie Opposites Attract (1990), co-starring John Forsythe.[citation needed]
In 1978, she starred in the feature film Harper Valley PTA, based on the popular country song. This led to a namesake television series in 1981. In both the movie and the TV series, Eden played the protagonist Stella Johnson. It was a comedy version of Peyton Place, with Anne Francine playing wealthy villainess Flora Simpson Reilly] In one episode, Stella dressed in a blue and gold genie costume, and in another she played both Stella and her cousin Della Smith (similar to Jeannie's evil twin-sister character). It debuted January 16, 1981, winning 11 of its 13 time slots during the first season. It was renamed simply Harper Valley when it began its second season on October 29, 1981. During this time, Eden also became the spokeswoman for L'eggs pantyhose, and appeared in a series of print ads and TV commercials for the brand from 1979 to 1983
From April 3 through September 16, 1984, Eden starred in the Lee Guber and Shelly Gross national production of the John Kander and Fred Ebb Tony Award-winning musical comedy Woman of the Year, playing the role of Tess Harding Craig, alongside Don Chastain (as Sam Craig), and Marilyn Cooper. In 1990, Eden played a recurring role as a billionairess seeking revenge against J.R. Ewing in five episodes of the final season of Dallas, as the captivating character LeeAnn de la Vega, reuniting her with Hagman. In her final episode, the character admits that her maiden name is Nelson (a production gag, as "Nelson" was the surname of Hagman's character and Eden's character's married name in I Dream of Jeannie). In 1991 she starred in the stage play Same Time, Next Year with Wayne Rogers, and reprised her role of Jeannie in a television movie-of-the-week. In 1993, she starred in an 11-city national tour of the play Last of the Red Hot Lovers with Don Knotts.
Eden starred in such musical comedies as Nite Club Confidential (playing the role of Kay Goodman, in 1996), The Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun, South Pacific with Robert Goulet, The Pajama Game with John Raitt, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes playing Lorelei Lee. She has been a musical guest star in many variety television shows, including 21 Bob Hope specials, The Carol Burnett Show, The Jonathan Winters Show, The Jerry Lewis Show, This Is Tom Jones, Tony Orlando and Dawn, and Donny and Marie. She released an album titled Miss Barbara Eden in 1967 on Dot Records.
In March 2006, Eden reunited with her former co-star Larry Hagman for a publicity tour in New York City to promote the first-season DVD of I Dream of Jeannie. They appeared together on Good Morning America, The View, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Martha, and Showbiz Tonight, among other shows.
In March 2006, Hagman and Eden again reunited, this time onstage in New York for Love Letters at the College of Staten Island, and at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. This was Eden's first return-visit to the academy since appearing in the 1956 Ziv Television Programs, The West Point Story. Eden starred in the play Love Letters with Hal Linden in 2006, and a guest-starring role on the Lifetime series Army Wives, written and produced by her niece Katherine Fugate. In December 2008 she began filming the TV movie Always and Forever for the Hallmark Channel, which aired in October 2009.
In May 2013, Eden appeared with former US President Bill Clinton, Elton John, and Fergie at the opening ceremony of the 21st Life Ball in Vienna, where Eden wore her famous Jeannie harem costume. In late 2013, Eden was cast in the movie One Song, filmed in Excelsior, Minnesota.
Eden has also done voice work for the animated children's television series Shimmer and Shine
In 1990, Eden played a recurring role as a billionairess seeking revenge against J.R. Ewing in five episodes of the final season of Dallas, as the captivating character LeeAnn de la Vega, reuniting her with Hagman. In her final episode, the character admits that her maiden name is Nelson (a production gag, as "Nelson" was the surname of Hagman's character and Eden's character's married name in I Dream of Jeannie).
In March 2006, Eden reunited with her former co-star Larry Hagman for a publicity tour in New York City to promote the first-season DVD of I Dream of Jeannie. They appeared together on Good Morning America, The View, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Martha, and Showbiz Tonight, among other shows
In March 2006, Hagman and Eden again reunited, this time onstage in New York for Love Letters at the College of Staten Island, and at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. This was Eden's first return-visit to the academy since appearing in the 1956 Ziv Television Programs, The West Point Story. in 2006, and a guest-starring role on the Lifetime series Army Wives,
In May 2013, Eden appeared with former US President Bill Clinton, Elton John, and Fergie at the opening ceremony of the 21st Life Ball in Vienna, where Eden wore her famous Jeannie harem costume In late 2013, Eden was cast in the movie One Song, filmed in Excelsior, Minnesota.
Eden has also done voice work for the animated children's television series Shimmer and Shine.
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Beverly Adams Sassoon |
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Beverly Adams Sassoon is a Canadian-American actress
she moved with her family to Burbank, California after the war where, as a teen, she competed in and won beauty contests before becoming an actress .She began working as a model while she was a student at Valley State College.
Adams, who initially wanted to become a doctor, had a weekend job in a dress shop while she worked during the week as secretary to a Superior Court judge in Los Angeles. When the dress shop had a fashion show televised, Adams modeled some of the dresses. An advertising man saw her modeling on that broadcast and invited her to make a commercial at a local television station. Ozzie Nelson was at the station at the same time, and he invited her to play a bit part in an episode of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
Adams appeared in various guest roles in television series of the 1960s, including a recurring role on the Dr. Kildare TV series. She was selected for Columbia Pictures' New Talent Program and was signed to a contract where she appeared on several Screen Gems television series and several films, including the recurring role of Lovey Kravezit in the Matt Helm movies starring Dean Martin.
After appearing uncredited in two films with Elvis Presley, Roustabout and Girl Happy, she played the redheaded Cassandra in How to Stuff a Wild Bikini
During her retirement from acting, Adams, going by her married name of Beverly Sassoon, published several books and served as a spokeswoman for Vidal Sassoon, Inc
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Billy Gray |
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Billy Gray is an American actor. He acted in more than 200 movies. He acted with stars such as Humphrey Bogart, Doris Day, Bob Hope, William Holden, Michael Rennie, Judith Anderson, Pat O'Brien and Barbara Stanwyck He did not attend school and was educated by teachers hired by the film studios, often having class in tents set up on studio lots.
He portrayed a young Jim Thorpe in Jim Thorpe – All-American and starred in the science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still. He portrayed Tagg "Bull's Eye" Oakley, younger brother of Annie Oakley in the pilot episode of Annie Oakley. He starred in the television series Father Knows Best and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. His father died when he was 16, while he was working on the show.] He was cast as Plato in Rebel Without a Cause but because a delay in shooting interfered with his commitment to Father Knows Best he had to give up the role. |
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Bitty Schram |
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Bitty Schram is an American actress best known for playing Sharona Fleming in the television series Monk and for playing Evelyn Gardner in the film A League of Their Own (1992).
The role that initially brought her note was that of Evelyn Gardner, the Rockford Peaches' right fielder, in the Penny Marshall film A League of Their Own. Her character was the recipient of the classic admonition by manager Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks), "There's no crying in baseball!"
During 1993-95, she appeared in the original Broadway production of Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor
In 2002,Schram landed a major role opposite Tony Shalhoub on the USA Network series Monk.
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Brian Krause |
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Brian Krause is an American actor. He is known for his role as Leo Wyatt on The WB television series Charmed (1998–2006) and for portraying the lead role of Charles Brady in the 1992 horror film Sleepwalkers
Krause landed his first role in 1989 as a student in the TV series TV 101. He then starred in the made-for-TV-movie Match Point, the CBS Schoolbreak Special "American Eyes", and An American Summer, before landing his first major role as Richard Lestrange, Jr. in the film Return to the Blue Lagoon (1991). He was a co-star in the Bandit series prior to his most notable role of Leo Wyatt, in The WB Network series Charmed (1998–2006). Krause originally auditioned for the role of Andy Trudeau but was cast as Piper's handyman/white lighter love interest.
Due to budget restrictions in the eighth season (2005–06), he only appeared in the first 10 episodes and last two episodes. After Charmed, he has appeared in made-for-TV-movies and TV shows such as Mad Men (episode 2x12 The Mountain King), The Closer (episode 4x01 Controlled Burn), and Castle (episode 3x03 Under the Gun) |
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Jaime Pressly
1st Hollywood Show Appearance! |
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Jaime Elizabeth Pressly is an American actress and model.
Known for her role as Joy Turner on the NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl (2005–2009), she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and received nominations for two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Satellite Award, and four Gold Derby Awards (winning once). She has appeared in such films as Can't Hardly Wait (1998), Inferno (1999), Not Another Teen Movie (2001), The Karate Dog (2004), and I Love You, Man (2009). For her portrayal of Jill Kendall on the CBS sitcom Mom (2014–2021), she was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
She spent her childhood and early teenage years training as a gymnast, which led her to modeling jobs At age 14, she appeared on her first cover, Teen Magazine, and became the spokesmodel for the International Cover Model Search. At 15, she dropped out of school and went to Japan on a modeling contract. She succeeded in having herself legally emancipated from her parents at 15 so she could travel to Japan, as neither of her parents could make the trip
After making an uncredited appearance in Baywatch in 1995, followed by filming a cameo in the film Mercenary in 1996, Pressly starred as Violet, a vengeful seductress, in the 1997 direct-to-DVD film Poison Ivy: The New Seduction, the third installment of the Poison Ivy series. After a small role in the teen cult classic Can't Hardly Wait, television appearances followed, with guest roles in the short-lived Push and Mortal Kombat: Conquest. She went on to play one of the leads in Jack & Jill, which aired for two seasons, from September 26, 1999, to April 15, 2001, on The WB. Pressly headlined the independent film Poor White Trash (2000), playing scheming gold-digger Sandy Lake, and appeared in three 2001 theatrical releases aimed at a teenage audience, which despite varying degrees of success, helped her receive more exposure. The parody film Not Another Teen Movie, most notably, featured her as Priscilla, a high school cheerleader opposite Chris Evans, while she took on the roles of a young wife in the sex comedy Tomcats and that of a Southern love interest in the comedy Joe Dirt, opposite David Spade.
In 2002, Pressly starred as a college student trapped in a haunted island in the independent horror film Demon Island. Felix Vasquez of Cinema Crazed regarded it as a guilty pleasure and stated: "[She] does what she can with her character and comes off as a rather charming character". She next portrayed a crazed, motorcycle-riding criminal in the action thriller Torque (2004), alongside Ice Cube. In a profile, The New Yorker, describing this phase of her career, asserted: "She is typically cast on the strength of her looks and her Southern sassiness, and she has had girlfriend roles in several forgettable teensploitation flicks"
Between 2005 and 2009, Pressly played Joy Turner, the pessimistic, cold-hearted, stubborn and vain ex-wife of a small-time thief, in the NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl, which was a success with critics and audiences. She garnered nominations for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award, and in 2007, she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on the show. Pressly once called her role her "greatest release" and thanked creator Greg Garcia for restoring her faith in the business. She remarked: "[The series] came at a time when I was questioning whether this was the path I wanted to continue following. I was tired of living out of my suitcase, coming and going all the time. I wanted a little normalcy in my life."
During the early run of My Name Is Earl, Pressly produced and took on the role of a homicidal magazine editor in the independent film Death to the Supermodels (2005), a role she compared to that of Reese Witherspoon in Election. In his review for the film, Scott Weinberg of DVDTalk.com, wrote: "Jaime Pressly is a funny, funny woman. To those of you My Name Is Earl fans who are just now discovering the juicy talents of the perpetually sneering, eye-rolling, attitude machine known as Jaime Pressly, I'd recommend you check out her work in flicks like Ringmaster, Tomcats, Joe Dirt, Torque, and Not Another Teen Movie. Basically, if we were giving out an award for "the consistently best thing in a series of generally atrocious comedies," Jaime would be walking home with that prize, no sweat. Regardless of how bad the movie is [...] Jaime always seems like a kooky and kinetic cartoon character who somehow figured out how to become flesh & blood. Yes, she's sexy and all that, but Jaime Pressly is also funny, and that just amplifies all her other assets".
In DOA: Dead or Alive (2006), a British-German martial arts action film based on a Japanese video game franchise of the same name, Pressly starred as one of four female fighters working together to uncover the secret that the organizer of an invitational martial arts contest is trying to hide. While the film was relatively successful on some markets, it only found a limited audience in North America. In 2006, she also hosted the first annual VH1 Rock Honors, and an episode of Saturday Night Live, and guest-starred on MADtv, playing Hillary Clinton in a parody of My Name Is Earl, "My Name Is Dubya", in which George W. Bush (Frank Caliendo) makes a list of all the bad things he has done in the past and rectifies them one by one. She voiced a bird in the animated comedy film Horton Hears a Who! (2008)
In I Love You, Man (2009), Pressly starred opposite Paul Rudd and Jason Segel, as the best friend of a bride-to-be and one half of a volatile married couple. The film received critical acclaim and was a box office success, grossing US$92 million worldwide. Rolling Stone found her "terrific" in her role, asserting: "Her battles with [her on-screen husband] have genuine comic bite"
The ABC Family television film Beauty & the Briefcase (2010), co-starring Hilary Duff, featured Pressly as a primary editor at Cosmopolitan magazine. The premiere received 2.4 million viewers attracting a strong female audience that drove the network to an all-time high in viewers Smoke Screen, another 2010 television film, saw her star as a reporter finding herself in the middle of a murder investigation when she wakes up next to a dead body. In 2010, Pressly also guest-starred in two episodes of the CBS comedy Rules of Engagement, as a possible surrogate mother for Jeff and Audrey (Patrick Warburton and Megyn Price).
In 6 Month Rule (2011), an independent film released for limited theaters and digital markets, Pressly played what was described as a "harridan of an ex-fiancée" by the New York Times. She appeared in the interactive educational children's musical comedy The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure (2012), as a flamenco dancer riding a giant flying sombrero. Budgeted at US$20 million, the film only made US$445,000 in more than 2,000 screens during its opening weekend. Pressly next had regular roles in two short-lived series. The Fox sitcom I Hate My Teenage Daughter (2011–2012) saw her portray a mother fearing her daughter is turning into the kind of girl who tormented her in high school, while the TV Land comedy Jennifer Falls (2014) featured her as a single mother, who after being fired from a high-paying job, becomes a waitress in her brother's bar.
Pressly obtained leading roles in three 2014 film releases. In A Haunted House 2, Pressly starred as a mother of two and one half of an interracial couple, alongside Marlon Wayans. She had known Wayans for 15 years prior filming and the project marked the first time they worked together. Describing the process, she said: "It was a match made in heaven. It really was. We're both high energy, and we both like to do something new every take, and when you do comedy like this, where you get to improv the majority of the time, it's about trying to one-up each other, and that makes for a really great comedy". The film was panned by critics, but was a decent box office success. She starred opposite singer Robin Thicke in the romantic comedy Making the Rules, which was filmed in 2012.] Finders Keepers, a television horror film, saw Pressly play a divorced mother whose life is thrown into turmoil when her young daughter becomes obsessed with an evil doll left behind by the previous owners.
From 2014 to 2021, Pressly portrayed Jill Kendall, a wealthy socialite and alcoholic, in the CBS sitcom Mom.Mom was met with widespread critical acclaim and ran for eight seasons. Created and executive produced by Chuck Lorre, the show followed a group of women recovering from addiction.On August 4, 2022, Fox announced that Pressly had joined the cast of the sitcom Welcome to Flatch as a series regular for the second season
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Jan Smithers |
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Jan Smithers is an American former actress, model and singer. She is best known for playing Bailey Quarters on the CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati (1978–1982)
Smithers made her mark as a successful fashion model before embarking on an acting career. She was the co-lead singer of the early 1970s band Hot Cup of Friends which featured Christopher Mancini (the son of Henry Mancini)
Smithers, in her early 20s, won a role in the 1974 feature film, Where the Lilies Bloom, about a household of children surviving in the Appalachian Mountains. In 1978, she got her biggest break, landing a role on the situation comedy, WKRP in Cincinnati, playing Bailey Quarters
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Jennifer O'Neill |
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Jennifer O'Neill is a Brazilian-born American model, and former actress. After moving to the United States as an infant, she first came to prominence as a teenaged model, and for her spokesperson work for CoverGirl cosmetics, which began in 1963 and spanned three decades. She made her feature-film debut in the comedy film For Love of Ivy (1968), followed by a lead role in Howard Hawks's Western film Rio Lobo (1970).
O'Neill's breakthrough role came in Robert Mulligan's period drama Summer of '42 (1971), in which she portrayed the wife of an army serviceman during World War II who becomes the subject of a teenaged boy's romantic attraction. The same year, she starred in Otto Preminger's Such Good Friends. In the mid-1970s, she appeared in several Italian films, including Luchino Visconti's final feature, The Innocent (1976), and Lucio Fulci's giallo horror film The Psychic (1977). She later starred in David Cronenberg's cult horror film Scanners (1981), and in the short-lived television series Cover Up (1984–1985).
Since the 1990s, O'Neill has occasionally appeared in film and television, including roles in the independent film Doonby (2013) and the Rachel Scott biopic I'm Not Ashamed (2016).
After her family's relocation to New York City, two of O'Neill's neighbors suggested that she model: "That appealed to me, because then I could buy my own horse and no one could take anything away from me again. So I strolled into Eileen Ford’s agency, and she signed me on the spot."[8] By age 15, while attending the prestigious Dalton School in Manhattan, she began appearing on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Seventeen, earning $80,000 ($851,000 today) in 1962. Commenting on O'Neill in 1965, Diana Vreeland said: "O'Neill is a dream. She has great distinction."
O'Neill largely used her modeling income to fund her equestrian endeavors,which afforded her to purchase her own horse, named Alezon. When O'Neill was 15 years old, though, the horse balked before a wall at a horse show, throwing her, causing her to fracture her neck and lower spine in three places. The injury resulted in her suffering lifelong back pain. O'Neill eventually dropped out of the Dalton School at age 17
In 1963, O'Neill signed a contract with CoverGirl cosmetics, marking the beginning of a 30-year career as a spokesperson for the company. O'Neill is listed in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History's Center for Advertising History for her long-standing contract with CoverGirl cosmetics as its model and spokesperson in ads and television commercials.
In 1968, O'Neill landed a small role in the comedy film For Love of Ivy. In 1970, she played her first lead role in the Howard Hawks film Rio Lobo co-starring John Wayne. She had a supporting role in Otto Preminger's Such Good Friends (1971) starring Dyan Cannon and Ken Howard.
In the 1971 film Summer of '42, O'Neill played Dorothy Walker, the early-20s wife of an airman who has gone off to fight in World War II. She stated in a 2002 interview that her agent had to fight to even get a reading for the part, since the role had been cast for an "older woman" to a "coming of age" 15-year-old boy, and the director was only considering actresses over the age of 30. The film was a box-office success and went on to attract a cult following.
In 1972, she co-starred with Tom Jones in David Winters's television special The Special London Bridge Special. The same year, she starred in the crime thriller The Carey Treatment (1972), and the drama Glass Houses, the latter of which was filmed in 1970. This was followed by a lead role in Lady Ice (1973) opposite Donald Sutherland and Robert Duvall.
O'Neill next had a leading role in the psychological horror film The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975), co-starring with Michael Sarrazin and Margot Kidder, and directed by J. Lee Thompson.The same year, she appeared opposite Elliott Gould in the Ted Post-directed comedy Whiffs
By the mid-1970s, O'Neill had forged a career in Italy, first starring in Luigi Zampa's drama The Flower in His Mouth (1975) opposite James Mason, which was shot on location in Sicily. The following year, she starred in Luchino Visconti's final directorial feature, The Innocent, and subsequently starred in Lucio Fulci's The Psychic (1977), portraying a clairvoyant whose visions lead to the discovery of a murder.
She was in the movie Caravans (1978) with Anthony Quinn, Christopher Lee and Michael Sarrazin.
She was originally cast in the Disney film The Black Hole (1979), but was told she needed to cut her hair because it would be easier to film the zero-G scenes. She gave in, drinking wine during the haircut and leaving noticeably impaired. She lost the part after a serious car crash on the way home. O'Neill was instead cast in the action martial arts film A Force of One (1979), co-starring with Chuck Norris
1980–1990: Subsequent film and television
O'Neill starred opposite David Carradine in the aviation-themed drama Cloud Dancer (1980), followed by a lead role in David Cronenberg's science-fiction horror film Scanners (1981), portraying a woman who leads an oppositional group against a malevolent private military company creating biokinetic and psychokinetic humans.
When her movie career slowed, O'Neill took roles in series television. She starred in NBC's short-lived 1982 primetime soap opera Bare Essence and played the lead female role on the 1984 television series Cover Up. On October 12, 1984, Jon-Erik Hexum, O'Neill's co-star in the Cover Up television series, mortally wounded himself on the show's set, unaware that a gun loaded with a blank cartridge could still cause extreme damage from the effect of expanding powder gases. He died six days later.
O'Neill continued to appear in film and television throughout the late 1980s, including in the drama film I Love N.Y. (1987) and in the Perry Mason television film Perry Mason: The Case of the Shooting Star (1986).
In 1991, O'Neill starred in the thriller film Committed, portraying a nurse who discovers the fellow staff at the psychiatric hospital where she has been hired are in fact inmates. She later starred opposite James Brolin in The Visual Bible: Acts (1994), which depicts the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament.
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Karen Sharpe-Kramer |
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Karen Sharpe-Kramer was born in San Antonio, Texas, and was an acclaimed actress for over twenty years, enjoying decades in the film and entertainment industry. She is a Golden Globe winner and an Emmy Nominee, was a guest star in over ninety television shows and ten motion pictures, is a renowned pioneer of live television. Karen was put into ballet shoes as a youngster. Her initial excursion to California was, at age 12, with the interest of becoming a professional ice skater, but the lure of becoming a professional actress intervened. Her training as a teenager in the theater paid off and, in 1952, she appeared in Stanley Kramer's production of "The Sniper " directed by Edward Dmytryk. Her role consisted solely of three lines delivered while sitting on a drugstore stool and ordering a cherry phosphate. Although she did not personally meet Kramer at the time, it would be a foreshadow of a future lifelong relationship.
Not"- Juanita Moore Productions.
In her salad days, she paid the rent and more as a billboard model and graced such popular magazine covers "Cosmopolitan" and "Pageant." On film, MGM featured her as Janice Rule's kid sister in "Holiday for Sinners" opposite William Campbell Producer Hal Roach gave her a break by featuring her in the popular "White Rain" commercials, where she danced her way to fame across the tops of rows of shampoo bottles. She was Modern Screen Magazine's Golden Key Award winner as 1952's "Star of Tomorrow." Columbia Pictures picked up on this recognition and placed her in the Hugo Haas melodrama "Strange Fascination" (1952). Monogram Pictures offered her a starring role in "Army Bound", which led to her being cast in Walter Mirisch's cult programmer, "Bomba and the Jungle Girl" also in 1952, with Johnny Sheffield, who played "Boy" in the Tarzan series. He played Bomba to Karen's "Jungle Girl." The John Payne western "The Vanquished" followed, for Paramount Pictures. The film also starred Jan Sterling, who went on to appear with Karen in a couple of other major films and became a close friend and mentor.
After filming the crime drama "Mexican Manhunt" (1953) starring George Brent, for Allied Artists, Karen received the biggest break of her young career. Director William A. Wellman cast her in the Wayne-Fellows-Warner Brothers epic airline disaster film "The High and the Mighty" (1954). An all-star ensemble, it featured Karen as "Nell Buck', a young bride opposite John Smith as her new husband "Milo." Karen's standout performance garnered her the 1954 Golden Globe Award for "New Star of the Year" (1954). The film's star and producer John Wayne put her under contract to his new company, Batjac. Sharpe was then loaned out to Ida Lupino's company for "Mad at the World" (1955) Karen then co-starred in United Artists' "Man with the Gun" opposite Robert Mitchum. Cast in Batjac's "Man in the Vault" (1956) Sharpe went on loan again, this time for Columbia's war picture, "Tarawa Beachhead" (1958). During the 1950's, against concerns of the studios, but with the encouragement of John Wayne, he advised Sharpe to "do anything and everything you can to grow as an artist", Karen took Wayne's advice to heart and made herself available for television.
Karen was cast as the female lead in the prestigious Hall of Fame, the first hour-long live telecast "The Life of Moses." She starred in Playhouse 90,Studio One ,Matinee Theater, General Electric Theater, Climax!, Lux Playhouse among others., Life Magazine called her "the busiest actress in television" in the 1960's. Karen excelled at comedy with appearances in "Abbott & Costello- The Honeymoon House," "The Smothers Brothers," "Gomer Pyle" and more. She was well known for her stellar acting in the Western genre, including Aaron Spelling's first television series, "Johnny Ringo," "Gunsmoke," "The Wild Wild West," "Rawhide," opposite Clint Eastwood "The Dakotas," "Laramie," "Stagecoach West," "Bonanza," "Overland Trail," "The Texas Trackdown," "The Range Rider," "Death Valley Days," She also appeared in episodes of classic TV shows " The Loretta Young Show," "Perry Mason," "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse," "77 Sunset Strip," "Mike Hammer," "Conflict" with Dennis Hopper,” The Man From U.N.C.L.E", "Yancy Derringer," and "Hawaiian Eye" among others.
Following a hiatus from Hollywood, while straightening out family estate matters, Karen was cast in the 2nd episode of the iconic television series "I Dream of Jeannie" (1965) starring Barbara Eden. Sharpe was excellent as "Melissa Stone" as Larry Hagman's fiancé, and " Jeannie's" nemesis. It was during this time that comedy legend Jerry Lewis signed Karen to play opposite him as his leading lady "Julie Blair" in the Paramount comedy " The Disorderly Orderly." (1964) It was during this time she had a chance encounter with Stanley Kramer, who was directing "Ship of Fools" (1965) on the lot. She eventually married the legendary Mr. Kramer in 1966, giving up her flourishing acting career to work alongside her husband as a producer. Their first collaboration was the landmark, Oscar-winning classic "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner/" starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, introducing Hepburn's niece, Katharine Houghton, whom Karen was instrumental in casting in the movie. Stanley taught her the ropes, and she worked alongside him on all his later films. Karen didn't take credit because she wanted to earn her own respect. She raised four children, including her two daughters with Mr. Kramer, Katharine "Kat" Kramer, named for her Godmother Katharine Hepburn, and Jennifer Kramer. She founded The Stanley Kramer Library, and her own production company KN'K Productions Inc, co-founded along with her actress daughters. Karen has produced and/or executive produced numerous films, including the award-winning short film "Nakusa" written directed and starring Jennifer Kramer. as well as a box set with Sony Pictures of the Stanley Kramer Film Collection Volume 1. She produced and hosted the "special features" section, organizing interviews and commentary from Steven Spielberg, Tom Brokaw, Taylor Hackford, Harrison Ford, the late Quincy Jones, and more. The participating talent waived their fees and greatly revere the Kramer Legacy.
In 2001, Karen established the prestigious Stanley Kramer Award at the Producer's Guild of America, and the Stanley Kramer Fellowship in Directing at UCLA School of Film/Television. As a producer of live events, Karen produced both the 40th and 50th Anniversaries of "It's A Mad Mad Mad World" at the Cinerama Dome , the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Egyptian Theatre as well as the 50th Anniversary of "Judgment At Nuremberg,", the 40th Anniversary of "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?", the Stanley Kramer Centennial Celebration Opening Night and three month long retrospective at the Billy Wilder Theatre both at UCLA's Billy Wilder Theatre She has also introduced her late husband's films, and is a fixture on panels, with Stanley Kramer films, as well as her own film historian,
When the Tribeca Film Festival honored Kramer's first film "So This Is New York" as part of their "Restored and Rediscovered" series, established by Martin Scorsese and restored by the Film Foundation, Karen took the stage with Mr. Scorsese to introduce the film and participate in the panel/Q and A. Karen co-produces the international cinema series "Kat Kramer's Films That Change The World". She is a long-time member of the Producer's Guild and has been a member of various guilds including SAG-AFTRA and The Television Academy.
Karen has received numerous awards as a producer and for keeping the Stanley Kramer Legacy alive. In 2017, she received the "first” UNITY Award from the Women's Image Network. She accepted the Icon Award for the late Sidney Poitier from the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) and the organization has since created the Karen and Stanley Kramer "Social Justice" Award during awards season. Karen is a consulting producer on the new stage adaptation of Stanley Kramer's "High Noon" written by Eric Roth. Karen co-produced the "High Noon" re-make starring Tom Skerritt for TBS. She is the Board Chair for the non-profit "Forget Me |
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Kristen Bauer |
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Kristin Bauer is an American film and television actress, notable for her roles as vampire Pamela Swynford De Beaufort on the HBO television series True Blood, Jerry's girlfriend Gillian ("man hands") on Seinfeld, and as Maleficent in the ABC series Once Upon a Time
In 1995, Bauer van Straten had her first regular role in a television series, as Maggie Reynolds on The Crew. Other recurring roles include Geneva Renault in Total Security, Candy Cooper in That's Life, Rebecca Colfax in Dirty Sexy Money, and Belinda Slypich in Hidden Hills. Perhaps her best known film role was in Dancing at the Blue Iguana in 2000. Bauer van Straten played a porn star appearing as the featured act at a Los Angeles strip club and performed an extended nude dance.
In 2001, she starred in the award-winning short film Room 302, and in 2004 she had a minor role in the film 50 First Dates, which starred Adam Sandler. In the animated series Justice League, she supplied the voice of the superhero Mera.
She has also made a number of guest appearances in several television shows, including LA Law, Seinfeld, Everybody Loves Raymond, Dark Angel, Two and a Half Men, Star Trek: Enterprise, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Desperate Housewives, and George Lopez. She famously appeared in a Seinfeld episode (The Bizarro Jerry) as Gillian, Jerry's girlfriend with "man hands", although the actual "man hands", seen only in close-ups, belonged to a member of the production crew.
From 2008 to its conclusion in 2014, Bauer van Straten played the vampire Pamela Swynford De Beaufort on the HBO fantasy drama series, True Blood.On December 8, 2009, TV Guide confirmed she had been promoted from recurring status to a series regular.
In 2011, she was cast in the fantasy television series Once Upon a Time as the evil fairy Maleficent (the wicked fairy godmother, using the name from Disney's Sleeping Beauty), the rival of the Evil Queen of Snow White.
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Megan Cavanagh |
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Megan Cavanagh is an American actress, who is best known for portraying Marla Hooch in A League of Their Own and the voice of Judy Neutron in Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.
Cavanagh made her film debut in Penny Marshall's A League of Their Own starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, and Lori Petty. Film critic Vincent Canby of the New York Times praised the film writing ""A League of Their Own" is one of the year's most cheerful, most relaxed, most easily enjoyable comedies. It's a serious film that's lighter than air, a very funny movie that manages to score a few points for feminism in passing." He went on to list Cavanagh as among "the excellent supporting players",
Following her film debut, Cavanagh was cast in two Mel Brooks' comedies. The supporting roles were Broomhilde in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) and Essie in Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995). Other films include supporting roles in For Richer or Poorer (1997) starring Tim Allen, Kirstie Alley, and Jay O. Sanders, and Disney's That Darn Cat starring Christina Ricci and Doug E. Doug.
She voiced Judy Neutron and Sasha Vortex in the 2001 Oscar-nominated animated feature Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Cavanagh was featured in the short-lived second season of Bob (1993) and played the recurring role of Trudy McHale, who married Al Borland in the series finale, on the sitcom Home Improvement starring Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson and Earl Hindman (1998–99).
She reprised the role of Judy Neutron in The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and several TV movies including The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour, Jimmy Neutron: Win, Lose and Kaboom, and The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 2: When Nerds Collide. She also voiced Slog in Tak and the Power of Juju and Hilary Higgenbottom in The Mighty B!.
She appears in the American sitcom Friends as Luisa the ex-classmate of Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Monica (Courteney Cox) who works for animal control. She is only in one episode.
Cavanagh makes an appearance in Season 3, Episode 4 of Will and Grace entitled "Girl Trouble." She plays Terry. |
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Nancy Kwan |
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Nancy Kwan is a Chinese-American actress whose career benefited from Hollywood's casting of more Asian roles in the 1960s, especially in comedies. She was considered an Eastern sex symbol in the 1960s
Except during World War II, Kwan had a comfortable early life. Cared for by an amah a woman who looks after children, Kwan owned a pony and spent her summers in resorts in Borneo, Macao, and Japan.An affluent man, her father owned a several-acre hilltop property in Kowloon. In her youth, she was called "Ka-shen". She wrote in 1960 that as an eight-year-old, her fortune-teller "predicted travel, fame, and fortune for me"
When Kwan was 18, she pursued her dream of becoming a ballet dancer by attending the Royal Ballet School in London. She studied performing arts subjects such as stage make-up and danced every day for four hours. Her studies at the Royal Ballet School ran concurrently with her high-school studies. Because Kwan's high school had deep connections with nearby theatre companies, Kwan was able to take small parts in several of their productions. Upon graduating from high school, she took a luxurious trip to France, Italy, and Switzerland. Afterwards, she travelled back to Hong Kong, where she started a ballet school.
Early career
Stage producer Ray Stark posted an advertisement in the Hong Kong Tiger Standard (later renamed The Standard) regarding auditions for the character Suzie Wong for a play. The ad asked applicants to present their pictures, résumés, and proportions. Kwan submitted her application and actually met Stark in a film studio that her father had constructed. After auditioning for Stark, she was asked to screen test to play a character in the then-upcoming film The World of Suzie Wong. Stark preferred Kwan over the other applicants because she "would have more universal acceptance". Another applicant, French actress France Nuyen, played the stage version of the role and had been called a "businessman's delight" by a number of reviewers. Stark disliked this characterization, as well as "happy harlot" characters such as Melina Mercouri in Never on Sunday. Stark wanted an Asian actress because reshaping the eyes of a white actress wouldn't look authentic. He also praised Kwan's features: an "acceptable face" and "being alluringly leggy [and] perfectly formed".
For each screen test, Kwan, accompanied by her younger sister, was chauffeured to the studio by her father's driver. Stark characterized Kwan's first screen test as "pretty dreadful" but one that hinted at her potential. After four weeks of training with drama teachers, including hours of lessons with Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright–screenwriter John Patrick, Kwan's second screen test was a significant improvement.
Although she had not yet become an actress, Stark said, there was a "development of her authority". Once, upon viewing her screen test, Kwan said, "I'm a terrible girl" and "squealed with embarrassment"; acting as a prostitute was a vastly different experience from her comfortable life in Hong Kong. The reaction prompted Stark to forbid her from viewing the dailies. Kwan did a third screen test after four months had passed, and he producers couldn't decide whether to choose Kwan or Nuyen.
Owing to Kwan's lack of acting experience, at Stark's request she travelled to the United States, where she attended acting school in Hollywood and resided at the Hollywood Studio Club, a chaperoned dormitory with other apprentices actresses. She later moved to New York. Kwan signed a seven-year contract with Stark's Seven Arts Productions at a starting salary of $300 a week, even though she was not given one, or any particular role.] In 2005, Edward S. Feldman and Tom Barton characterized Kwan's wages and her employment as "indentured servitude". In a retrospective interview, Kwan told Goldsea that she had no prior acting experience and that the $300 a week salary was "a lot of money to me then".
When The World of Suzie Wong began to tour, Kwan was assigned the part of a bargirl. In addition to her small supporting character role, Kwan became an understudy for the production's female lead, France Nuyen. Though Stark and the male lead William Holden preferred Kwan despite her somewhat apprehensive demeanor during the screen test, she did not get the role. Paramount favored the more accomplished France Nuyen, who had been widely praised for her performance in the film South Pacific (1958) Stark acquiesced to Paramount's wishes. Nuyen received the role and Kwan later took Nuyen'a place on Broadway. In a September 1960 interview with Associated Press journalist Bob Thomas, , leaving an opening for Kwan to ascend to the lead female role in the touring production. In 1959, one month after Nuyen was selected for the film role and while Kwan was touring in Toronto, Stark told her to screen test again for the film. Kwan responded to his phone call from London, asking, "How can I come? I'm in this show." To provide a pretext for Kwan's sudden hiatus from the touring production, Stark sent a cablegram to her superiors saying her father had become ill and had been hospitalized. Kwan later recalled in an interview about three years later, "So I went to the manager and told him a lie. It was not very nice, but what could I do?" After Kwan accepted the role, the Broadway play producer sued her for leaving with little notice.
Nuyen, who was in an unstable relationship with Marlon Brando, had a nervous breakdown and was fired from the role because of her erratic behavior.The film's director, Jean Negulesco, was fired and replaced by Richard Quine. Kwan, who had never previously been in a film, got the part by beating out over 30 actresses from Hollywood, France, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. On February 15, 1960, she began filming the movie in London with co-star William Holden.
During the filming, Kwan's only trouble was a lingerie scene. Robert Lomax, as played by Holden, tears off her Western dress and says, "Wear your own kind of clothing! Don't try to copy some European girl!" Director Richard Quine was displeased with Kwan's underclothes: She wore a full-slip rather than a half-slip and bra. Finding the attire too modest and unrealistic, he asked Stark to talk to Kwan. Stark discovered Kwan taking refuge in her dressing room, sobbing hysterically . He warned her, "Nancy, wear the half-slip and bra or you're off the picture. France Nuyen is no longer in it, remember? If you're difficult you'll be off it too. All we want to do is make you the best actress possible." Kwan bashfully returned to the set after lunch having made the requested wardrobe changes and acting as if the events of the morning's shoot had never happened.
Owing to Kwan's evident Eurasian appearance, the film's make-up artists attempted to make her look more Chinese. They plucked her eyebrows and sketched a line across her forehead. In movies where Kwan plays Asian roles, the makeup artists reshaped her brown eyes. Gossip columnist Hedda Hopper wrote that Kwan, as a Eurasian, does not look fully Asian or European. Hopper wrote that the "scattering of freckles across her tip-tilted nose give her an Occidental flavor".The production spanned five months, an unusually lengthy shoot for that time
The World of Suzie Wong was a "box-office sensation". Critics lavished praise on Kwan for her performance. She was given the nickname "Chinese Bardot" for her unforgettable dance numbers. Kwan and two other actresses, Ina Balin and Hayley Mills, were awarded the Golden Globe for the "Most Promising Newcomer–Female" in 1960. The following year, she was voted a "Star of Tomorrow". Scholar Jennifer Leah Chan of New York University wrote that Suzie provided an Asian actress—Kwan—with the most significant Hollywood role since actress Anna May Wong's success in the 1920s.
Following The World of Suzie Wong, Kwan was totally unprepared for fame. While she was purchasing fabric in a store on Nathan Road, she found people staring at her from the window. Wondering what they were staring at, it suddenly struck her that she was the focus of attention Kwan remarked that in Beverly Hills, she could walk without attracting attention. She reasoned, "[It] is better in America because America is much bigger, I guess". When people addressed her father after watching the film, they frequently called him "Mr. Wong", a name that really annoyed him. Kwan said in a 1994 interview with the South China Morning Post that even decades after her film debut and despite her having done over 50 films in the interim, viewers continued to send her many letters about the film. and adorned in a dazzling cheongsam, while showing a "deliciously decadent flash of thigh", became an iconic image. Similarly attired, Kwan appeared on the cover of Life magazine's October 1960 issue, cementing her status as a sex symbol for the 1960s. Nicknamed the "Suzie Wong dress", the cheongsam in the portrait spawned thousands of copycat promotional projects. In a 1962 interview, Kwan said she "loved" the cheongsam, calling it a "national costume". She explained that it "has slits because Chinese girls have pretty legs" and "the slits show their legs
Many Chinese and Chinese-Americans were upset after seeing the depiction of Chinese women as promiscuous. Tom Lisanti and Louis Paul write that the wave of unfavorable media attention drove filmmakers to try to capitalize on the attention and create an even bigger production for Kwan's next film. In 1961, she starred in Flower Drum Song playing a similar role. The film was distinguished for being the "first big-budget American film" with an all-Asian cast. Kwan did not have any songs in the musical; the vocals for Linda Low were performed by B. J. Baker. Comparing Suzie Wong and Flower Drum Song, she found the latter much harder because the girl she played was "more go-getter". Her prior ballet education provided a strong foundation for her role in Flower Drum Song, where she had much space to dance.
After starring in The World of Suzie Wong and Flower Drum Song, Kwan experienced a meteoric rise in fame. Scholar Jennifer Leah Chan of New York University chronicled the media attention Kwan received after starring in two Hollywood films, writing that Kwan's fame peaked in 1962. In addition to being featured on the cover of Life magazine, Kwan was the subject of a 1962 article in McCall's, entitled "The China Doll that Men Like".
As a Hollywood icon, Kwan lived in a house atop Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles. She drove a white British sports car and danced to Latin music. She enjoyed listening to Johnny Mathis records and reading Chinese history books.[10] In 1962 (when she was 22), Kwan was dating Swiss actor Maximilian Schell. In an interview that year, she said she did not intend to get married until she was older, perhaps 24 or 25. She said a number of Americans married just to leave home or to "make love". Kwan said this was problematic because she found dialogue and an ability to appreciate and express humor important in a marriage: "You can't just sit around and stare at walls between love-making."[32]
In 1961, Kwan offered to work as a teacher for King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The infantry was training for military deployment in Malaya (now part of Malaysia), and the regiment's commanders believed that the infantrymen should be taught the Chinese language and how to handle chopsticks. Captain Anthony Hare announced that the infantry needed a teacher – an attractive one. He later acknowledged that he specified that the teacher "must be attractive" so that more soldiers would attend the sessions. Kwan, in Hollywood at the time, replied via cable: "Please consider me a candidate as Chinese teacher for Yorkshire Light Infantry. I am fluent in Chinese, fabulous with chopsticks, and fond of uniforms." Captain Hare commented, "Miss Kwan is too beautiful. I think she would be too much of a distraction." Her belated interest was not considered as the infantry had already accepted the application of another Chinese woman.
In 1963, Nancy Kwan's long hair, famous from The World of Suzie Wong, was chopped into a sharp modernist bob by Vidal Sassoon for the film The Wild Affair, at the request of director John Krish Her bob cut in the film drew widespread media attention for the "severe geometry of her new hairstyle". Sassoon's signature bob became known as "the Kwan cut", "the Kwan bob", or just "the Kwan"; photographs of Kwan's new hairstyle appeared in both the American and British editions of Vogue
Kwan's success in her early career couldn't be replicated in later years, due to the cultural nature of 1960s America. Ann Lloyd and Graham Fuller wrote in their book The Illustrated Who's Who of the Cinema: "Her Eurasian beauty and impish sense of humor could not sustain her stardom". Her later films were more varied, comprising movie and television roles in the US and Europe.Kwan discovered that she had to journey to Europe and Hong Kong to escape the ethnic typecasting in Hollywood that limited her to largely Asian roles in spite of her Eurasian appearance
Her third movie was the British drama film The Main Attraction (1962) with Pat Boone. She played an Italian circus performer who was Boone's love interest. While she was filming the movie in the Austrian Alps, she met Peter Pock, a hotelier and ski instructor, with whom she immediately fell in love. She reflected, "The first time I saw that marvelous-looking man I said, 'That's for me.'" After several weeks, the two married and took up residence in Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria. Kwan later gave birth to Bernhard "Bernie" Pock.[40] In December 1963, Pock was constructing a luxury hotel in the Tyrolean Alps. During Christmas of that year, Nancy Kwan visited that location and was able to participate in several pre-1964 Winter Olympics events despite being busy with work. Her contract with film production company Seven Arts led her to travel around the world to film movies. She found the separation from her son, Bernie, who was not yet a year old, difficult. She said, "He's coming into a time when he's beginning to assert his personality." Fair-skinned and blue-eyed, Bernie more strongly resembled his father.
Kwan met Bruce Lee when he choreographed the martial arts moves in the film The Wrecking Crew (1969) As part of Kwan's role in the film, she fought Sharon Tate's character by throwing a flying kick. Her martial arts move was based not on karate training, but on her background in dance. Author Darrell Y. Hamamoto noted that this "ironically" tweaked Kwan's "dragon-lady role" number by notably replacing Kung Fu with Western dance moves. She became close friends with Lee and met his wife and two children. In the 1970s, both Kwan and Lee returned to Hong Kong, where they remained friends.
She did not stop working, starring as Dr. Sue in the film Wonder Women (1973). While in Hong Kong, Kwan founded a production company, Nancy Kwan Films, which made ads largely targeted at the Southeast Asian market. In the 1980s, she returned to the United States, where she played characters in the television series Fantasy Island, Knots Landing and Trapper John, M.D.. |
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Patti Pelton |
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A highly-regarded award winning, creative and strategic industry professional. Patti Pelton has extensive experience both in front of and behind the camera. Her impressive roster of film, TV and stage experience was launched when she was cast as one of the Rockford Peaches in the classic film A League of Their Own, directed by Penny Marshall.
She is known for New Amsterdam (2018), Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018) and CSI: NY (2004). |
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Paul Shortino |
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Paul Shortino is a legendary American rock vocalist whose powerful voice and commanding stage presence helped define the hard rock and heavy metal scene of the 1980s and beyond. Best known as the lead singer for Rough Cutt and later Quiet Riot and for playing “Duke Fame” in Rob Reiner’s 1984 Mockumentory: “This Is Spinal Tap.”
Shortino has built a career spanning more than four decades, earning recognition as one of rock’s most respected and underrated vocalists. Born in Ohio, Shortino first rose to prominence on the Los Angeles rock scene with Rough Cutt, a band managed early on by Wendy Dio and closely associated with the late Ronnie James Dio. Rough Cutt quickly became a standout act of the Sunset Strip era, featuring future members connected to bands such as Ozzy Osbourne, Dio, and Ratt.
In 1987, Paul Shortino joined Quiet Riot as the replacement for Kevin DuBrow, recording the self-titled album “QR” and touring internationally with the band. Though his tenure with Quiet Riot was brief, his soulful, blues-infused vocals earned praise from fans and fellow musicians alike, with many considering his work among the strongest performances of the era. Throughout his career, Shortino has collaborated with some of rock’s most iconic artists and projects, including the all-star charity recording “Hear ’n Aid” alongside legends such as Rob Halford, Geoff Tate, and Don Dokken. He has also fronted bands including Bad Boyz, King Kobra, and Shortino, while continuing to record and perform around the world.
Beyond music, Paul gained cult recognition appearing in the classic mockumentary film “This Is Spinal Tap” as “Duke Fame” and later introduced his voice to a new generation of fans through Sega’s Sonic Adventure series, performing the character theme “E.G.G.M.A.N.” . for Dr. Eggman.
Today, Paul Shortino continues to perform internationally, captivating audiences with the same raw energy, authenticity, and unmistakable voice that made him a staple of the golden era of rock. He is also featured as one of the powerhouse performers in “Icons of Classic Rock”, bringing fans an unforgettable live celebration of classic rock’s greatest hits and legendary voices. Revered by longtime fans and rediscovered by new generations, Paul Shortino remains one of the true voices of classic hard rock. |
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Rachel Sterling |
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Comedic actress Rachel Sterling began her training at the Piero Dusa Acting Conservatory in Santa Monica California. Her years at the conservatory laid the foundation that would lead to a love and respect of the fundamentals of theater.
Originally known for being a pin up model and music video vixen, appearing first in Playboy’s College girl issue, then appearing in videos for Kid Rock, Dr. Dre, Shaggy, Sugar Ray, Ja Rule, Velvet Revolver, No Doubt, Wyclef Jean, Enrique Iglesias, Nas, Third Eye Blind, Lil Kim, Blink 182, Chief Wakil, Limp Biszket, Saliva, and George Michael. The transition to film and television came with her debut as Cherry in the comedy film TomCats, followed by her series regular role on the Comedy Central series The Man Show staring Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla.
Shortly after a 5 episode run as the On The Red Carpet correspondent for ShowTime, an offer came to join Robin Antin’s original Pussycat Dolls live at the Viper Room. This opportunity would change her life forever. After years of working the showgirl circuit before coming to Hollywood, burlesque became second nature to Rachel. It was a dream come true becoming the Dolls burlesque solo artist. Her performance in the bath tube and Champagne glass have been often imitated but never duplicated. Under Jimmy Iovine at Interscope Records, The Pussycat Dolls transformed from a burlesque revue to pop girl band group originally having 12 members including Carmen Electra. The opportunity to appear in a small role in The Wedding Crashers along side Vince Vaughn would guide Rachel back to her original path toward acting. Rachel would leave the Dolls to pursue acting. Returning years later for 6 months as the Headliner at The Pussycat Doll Lounge at Caesars Palace.
The success of The Wedding Crashers coupled with the notoriety of being an original Pussycat Doll landed Magazine features and covers globally for Maxim, FHM, Stuff, Esquire, Front, Frank 151, and in various photography art books. Most notable is her work with Ellen Von Unwerth, Nick & Adam Hayes as well as close friends Estevon Oriol, Patrick Hoelck, and Scott Cann. During this time Rachel toured America and Canada as the burlesque headliner coupled with famous DJs at numerous nightclubs, theaters, events and even Hugh Hefner’s famous Playboy Mansion.
After honing her improv chops at Upright Citizens Brigade, Rachel quickly found a place on The Carpet Brothers along side Will Ferrell as Bianca Jaguar, and as Madam Caramel for 2 seasons on Reno 911. It was this role that got Hugh Hefner’s attention and the celebrity pictorial for Playboy Magazine. Proving once and for all that personality counts.
Her time studying at the John Rosenfeld Studios was time well spent and, soon after, landed her television roles on Wilfred, How I Met Your Mother, Entourage, Workaholics, House MD, True Blood & 90210. Rachel also makes a cameo along side Chelsea Handler in Fun Size and makes her debut into the horror world in indie film The No Vacancy. This past year Rachel not only posed images with photographer Tibor Glob for clothing companies Want My Look and Stephanie Costello couture, but made a cameo on Australia’s Dancing With The Stars with her partner Damian Whitewood ,as well and landing an invitation to appear on NBC’s Truth Be Told staring Vanessa Lachey, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Bresha Webb, and comedian Tone Bell.
Rachel also performs stand-up comedy, notably at Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, and the Improv. The former Pussycat Doll uses her unconventional upbringing and experiences in Hollywood as the basis for her anecdotal comedy. Rachel’s observational and topical humor brings the audience on a joy ride into her world of Hollywood glamour, mental health issues, life lessons, several marriages, and her troubling addiction to celebrity gossip.
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Tanya Lemani |
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Tania Lemani played Kara in the Star Trek: The Original Series second season episode "Wolf in the Fold". She filmed her scenes on Monday 3 July 1967 at Desilu Stage 10.
Tania was born in Iran to Russian parents. When she was 13 years old, her family came to America where Lemani began her career with a classical ballet dance troupe, but when she traveled to Las Vegas in search of more work, she was offered a job as a belly dancer, not a ballet dancer. She ultimately got her own show in Vegas, as well as offers to dance on television and film. She also began receiving more serious acting roles after a member of her show's audience offered her a role in the pilot for Alexander the Great, starring William Shatner in the title role (although the pilot failed to be picked up as a series). Regardless, Lemani retired from acting in 1969.
One of her earliest film appearances came in the 1964 comedy A Global Affair, which also featured Nehemiah Persoff and fellow TOS guest actress Barbara Bouchet. She went on to appear in such films as Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (in which she, Sabrina Scharf, Vic Tayback, and George D. Wallace appear unbilled, along with billed actors Michael Strong and Phillip Pine) and Gambit (with Roger C. Carmel, Arnold Moss, John Abbott and Vic Tayback) in 1966. She also had a supporting role in Joseph Sargent's 1968 drama To Hell with Heroes, along with William Marshall and Sid Haig, written by Harold Livingston. In total, she had roles in nearly twenty films. |
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Tara Reid |
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Tara Reid is an American actress. Her film roles established her status as a sex symbol in the late 1990s.
In film, Reid was the lead ensemble role as Vicky Lathum in the American Pie film series (1999–2001; 2012). Her other notable lead film roles include Urban Legend (1998), Body Shots (1999), Josie and the Pussycats (2001), Van Wilder (2002), My Boss's Daughter (2003) and Alone in the Dark (2005). She had supporting roles in the films The Big Lebowski (1998), Cruel Intentions (1999), Dr. T & the Women (2000), and Just Visiting (2001).
In television, Reid had recurring roles as Ashley on the soap opera Days of Our Lives (1995) and Danni Sullivan on the NBC series Scrubs (2003–2005). She had a co-lead role as secondary protagonist April Wexler in the Sharknado television film series (2013–2018). Reid hosted her own reality series on E!, titled Taradise (2005–2006)
Reid began acting at age six.She appeared in the game show Child's Play and appeared in commercials for Jell-O, McDonald's, Crayola, and Milton Bradley. As a teenager, she was on Saved by the Bell: The New Class.
After moving to Hollywood in 1997, Reid transitioned to movies, landing a role in 1998's The Big Lebowski. Though the film disappointed at the box office, grossing only $17 million in the United States, it became a cult film. Later that same year, she appeared in a larger role in a more financially successful film, Urban Legend, where she portrayed a sexy radio host and which grossed just under $40 million in the United States and led to two sequels, though neither included Reid. In 1999, she appeared in a tiny role in Cruel Intentions. Reid achieved mainstream success when she portrayed the role of the virginal Vickie in American Pie (1999), which grossed over $100 million in the United States. The film also marked her first film to reach number one at the box office. In 2001, she reprised the role in American Pie 2, which opened to $45 million and grossed over $145 million in the United States, almost 50% more than its predecessor. Reid did not return for American Wedding (2003), but did reprise the character in the fourth theatrical film in the series, American Reunion (2012).
Following the success of American Pie 2, Reid starred in several commercial and critical misfires, including Josie and the Pussycats and Van Wilder. She also starred as the youngest daughter of a Texas gynecologist in Robert Altman's Dr. T & the Women, alongside Richard Gere. She returned to the small screen as a recurring character on the NBC sitcom Scrubs, appearing in 11 episodes of season three. Shortly thereafter, she appeared alongside Ashton Kutcher in My Boss's Daughter, for which she was nominated for both Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Screen Couple at the 2004 Golden Raspberry Awards.
In 2005, she co-starred in infamous German filmmaker Uwe Boll's Alone in the Dark with Christian Slater. Her mispronunciation of "Newfoundland" became a popular Internet catchphrase. The film was panned by critics and Reid received a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress. Reid signed on to host the E!'s Wild On Tara Reid (later renamed Taradise), a program that showcased high-society vacations and hot spots] The show premiered on August 10, 2005
On August 18, 2011, Reid was the second housemate to enter the British reality series Celebrity Big Brother 8. On September 2, she received the fewest votes and became the third celebrity to be evicted from the house.[citation needed]
In October 2011, Reid appeared in Jedward's music video for "Wow Oh Wow" In 2014, she appeared in their music video for "Ferocious".
In 2013, she appeared in the hit Syfy film Sharknado which spawned five sequels in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Other projects Reid appeared in during the mid-2010s included comedy spoof The Hungover Games, horror film Charlie's Farm, the Bollywood film Tie the Knot, and the television series The Big Big Show with Andrew Dice Clay and Tom Green.
In 2019, Reid guest-starred as herself in an episode of The Boys where she attended a comic convention with Billy Zane.
In 2023, she appeared in 2 episodes of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test
Reid has appeared on the cover of magazines including CosmoGirl, Rolling Stone, Seventeen, Maxim, Playboy, Stuff, and FHM. |
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