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Melissa McCarthy was born in Plainfield, Illinois, to Sandra and Michael McCarthy, and was raised on her family's corn and soybean farm. She began her performing career as a stand-up comedian in New York where she appeared at the famous clubs, Stand Up New York and The Improv. She worked on her acting skills at The Actors Studio and appeared in many stage productions in the city before moving to Los Angeles in the late-1990s. She made a number of TV and movie appearances before making her big breakthrough as Sookie in Gilmore Girls (2000). A steady stream of comedy performances followed, leading to her starring role in the sitcom Mike & Molly (2010).

In the 2010s, McCarthy became known for her starring roles in the films Bridesmaids (2011), The Heat (2013), St. Vincent (2014), Spy (2015), Ghostbusters (2016), and Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018).

John DiMaggio is an American actor, voice actor, comedian, and producer from Plainfield, New Jersey. He is best known for voicing Bender on Futurama, Jake the Dog on Adventure Time, King Zøg on Disenchantment, The Joker from Batman: Under the Red Hood and Jerry Jumbeaux Jr from Zootopia. He can also be seen in Better Call Saul, Mythic Quest, The Newsroom, Modern Family, The League, Historical Roasts on Netflix and The Little Fockers. John had his own comedy show on MTV named after his comedy duo called Red Johnny and the Round Guy, and did stand up at home and abroad in the 1990s, with the likes of Dave Chapelle, Jeff Ross, Dave Attell, Greer Barnes and Dane Cook. He has been married to actress Kate Miller since 2014. He resides in both New York and Los Angeles.

Molly Price was born on 15 December 1966 in North Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. She is an actress, known for How Do You Know (2010), Third Watch (1999) and Babygirl (2024). She has been married to Derek Kelly since 13 October 2001. They have one child.

Talented and highly capable character actor Geoffrey Lewis, with rustic (sometimes sour-faced) looks, grew up in Rhode Island but was moved out to California at the age of ten. Lewis was very keen on the dramatic arts at high school, but often preferred to put on his own one-man shows rather than participate in larger school productions. His drama teacher took note of his growing talent and referred him to the Plymouth Theater in Massachusetts, where he appeared in summer stock. Afterwards he appeared in several off-Broadway productions in New York City. After spending considerable time traveling, in both the United States and abroad, Lewis turned his attention back to his love of the dramatic arts, and scored his first minor movie role in The Culpepper Cattle Co. (1972) as a somewhat jovial but deadly cowhand. He then cropped up as gangster Harry Pierpont in Dillinger (1973) before beginning a long association with Clint Eastwood, starting off with High Plains Drifter (1973), then as kind-hearted thief Eddie Goody in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), as Clint's buddy Orville Boggs in Every Which Way But Loose (1978) and Any Which Way You Can (1980), then as a henpecked husband in Bronco Billy (1980), as Ricky Z in Pink Cadillac (1989), and in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) also as patient Michael Kahn in Disturbed (1990).

Equally busy on the small screen, he has guest-starred in dozens of episodes of high profile TV series. Additionally, he received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the series Flo (1980). Apart from his extensive film and TV exposure, Lewis is also a member of the rather unique musical/storytelling "Celestial Navigations," along with award-winning composer songwriter Geoff Levin. Their performances have received terrific reviews from some of Hollywood's top actors and noted musicians, including Chick Corea. As Geoffrey Lewis approaches his seventh decade, nothing seems likely to slow down this multi-talented actor, storyteller and engaging entertainer!

Mary McCormack began her acting career performing in a stage production of Gian Carlo Menotti's Christmas opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors." "I was twelve but looked like an eight-year-old boy" she recalls. "As luck would have it, none of the boys in town could sing, so I got the part and wore a hat." Mary continued working regionally throughout New Jersey and continued her education at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. At Trinity, she majored in English and painting and continued her stage work in many more musicals. Mary finished an acting program at the William Esper Studio. She has worked in many New York theaters, some of which include The Atlantic Theatre Company, Alice's 4th Floor and Naked Angels, where she recently appeared in Jon Robin Baitz's "A Fair Country."

Randy Danson was born on 30 April 1950 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. She is an actress, known for The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Equalizer (1985) and The Scenic Route (1978). She was previously married to Ted Danson.

Keith Silverstein is an American voice actor who primarily works on English dubs of Japanese anime and video games. He is best known for voicing Kimimaro Kaguya in the Naruto franchise, Hisoka in the 2011 version of Hunter × Hunter, and Vector the Crocodile in the Sonic the Hedgehog series since 2010. His other roles include Gabriel Agreste/Hawk Moth in Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, Torbjörn Lindholm in Overwatch, Zhongli in Genshin Impact, and Johan Liebert in Monster, among others.

Of Danish descent and born in Syracuse, New York, Phyllis Kirk worked as a waitress and a perfume counter clerk before she began a modeling career. Stage roles ensued before Hollywood beckoned. She was a contract player at MGM and then Warner Brothers, where in her most famous role she was stalked by maniacal sculptor Vincent Price in House of Wax (1953). Kirk's talents were better showcased on the small screen, where she had dramatic roles on many prestigious series and consequently made the covers of TV Guide and Life magazines. Probably her best-known TV role was Nora Charles, the daffy, fast-talking wife of Peter Lawford on The Thin Man (1957). During her acting career, she also worked as an interviewer and writer for the ACLU. After her final roles in the 1970s, she went to work in public relations before retiring.

Forrest Tucker, best known to the Baby Boom generation as Sergeant O'Rourke on the classic TV sitcom F Troop (1965), was born on February 12, 1919, in Plainfield, Indiana. He began his performing career at age 14 at the 1933 Chicago "Century of Progress" World's Fair, pushing big wicker tourists' chairs by day and singing at night. His family moved to Arlington, Virginia, where he attended Washington-Lee High School in 1938.

Big for his age, as a youth Tucker was hired by the Old Gayety Burlesque Theater in Washington, DC, to serve as a Master of Ceremonies for the burly-cue after consecutively winning Saturday night amateur contests. He was fired when it was found out that he was underage. When he turned 18, he was rehired by the Old Gayety.

After graduating from high school in 1938, the 6'4", 200-lb. Tucker played semi-pro football in the Washington, DC, area. He also enlisted in the National Guard and was assigned to a cavalry unit in Ft. Myers, Virginia. He started at the top when he entered the movies, in a supporting role in William Wyler's The Westerner (1940) opposite Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan, who won his third Oscar for portraying Judge Roy Bean in the picture. He got the role during his 1939 vacation from the Old Gayety, which shut down due to the District of Columbia's horrible summers in the days before air conditioning was common.He was signed to the part in the Wyler picture, which required a big fellow with enough presence for a fight scene with the 6'3" superstar Cooper.

Tucker moved to California and began auditioning for parts in films. After "The Westerner", it was off to Poverty Row, where he appeared in William Beaudine's Emergency Landing (1941) at rock-bottom PRC (Producers Releasing Corp.). He was soon signed by Columbia and assigned to the B-pictures unit, though he was lent to MGM for the Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn vehicle Keeper of the Flame (1942), his last film before going off to World War II.

Tucker served as an enlisted man in the Army during the war, being discharged as a second lieutenant in 1945. He returned to Columbia and resumed his acting career with an appearance in the classic film The Yearling (1946). He signed with Republic Pictures in 1948, which brought him one of his greatest roles, that of the Marine corporal bearing a grudge against gung-ho sergeant John Wayne in Sands of Iwo Jima (1949). At Republic Tucker was top-billed in many of the "B' pictures in the action and western genres the studio was famous for, such as Rock Island Trail (1950), California Passage (1950) and Ride the Man Down (1952), among many others. In 1958 he broke out of action / western pictures and played Beauregard Burnside to Rosalind Russell's Auntie Mame (1958), the highest grossing US film of the year. It showed that Tucker was capable of performing in light comedy.

Morton DaCosta, his director on "Auntie Mame", cast Tucker as "Professor" Harold Hill in the national touring production of The Music Man (1962), and he was a more than credible substitute for the great Broadway star Robert Preston, who originated the role. Tucker made 2,008 appearances in The Music Man over the next five years, then starred in "Fair Game for Lovers" on Broadway in 1964.

However, it was television that provided Tucker with his most famous role: scheming cavalry sergeant Morgan O'Rourke in "F Troop", which ran from 1965 to 1967 on ABC. Ably supported by Larry Storch, Ken Berry and James Hampton, Tucker showed a flair for comedy and he and Storch had great chemistry, but the series was canceled after only two seasons. It has, however, remained in syndication ever since.

Following "F Troop", Tucker returned to films in supporting parts (having a good turn as the villain in the John Wayne western Chisum (1970)) and character leads (The Wild McCullochs (1975)). On television he was a regular on three series: Dusty's Trail (1973) with Bob Denver; The Ghost Busters (1975), which reunited him with Larry Storch; and Filthy Rich (1982). Tucker was also a frequent guest star on TV, with many appearances on Gunsmoke (1955) and in the recurring role of Jarvis Castleberry, Flo's estranged father, on Alice (1976) and its spin-off, Flo (1980). He continued to be active on stage as well, starring in the national productions of Plaza Suite (1971), Show Boat (1936), and That Championship Season (1982). He also toured with Roy Radin's Vaudeville Revue, a variety show in which, as a headliner, he told Irish stories and jokes and sang Irish songs.

Tucker returned to the big screen after an absence of several years in 1986, playing hero trucker Charlie Morrison in the action film Thunder Run (1986). His comeback to features was short-lived, however, as he died on October 25, 1986, in the Los Angeles suburb of Woodland Hills, of complications from lung cancer and emphysema. He was 67 years old. Tucker was buried in Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Brenna D'Amico was born in Plainfield, Illinois, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Descendants 3 (2019), Crushed (2022) and Night Night (2021).

Traci Wolfe was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. She is an actress, known for Lethal Weapon (1987), Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) and Lethal Weapon 3 (1992).

Will McCormack was born on 13 January 1974 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Celeste & Jesse Forever (2012), If Anything Happens I Love You (2020) and Toy Story 4 (2019). He has been married to Emily Arlook since 24 September 2013. They have two children.

Kate is a Steppenwolf Ensemble member best known for her work onstage, especially with Steppenwolf in Chicago. She has performed on Broadway in Grace with Paul Rudd, Ed Asner, and Michael Shannon and Our Mother's Brief Affair with Linda Lavin. She is married to actor Michael Shannon with whom she has two daughters.

Henry H. Daniels Jr. was born on 27 January 1921 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He was an actor, known for Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), The Burning Cross (1947) and The Chicago Kid (1945). He was married to Carmelita. He died on 21 December 1973 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Robert Gunner was an American actor who played the role of Lieutenant John Landon in the film, Planet of the Apes (1968). A six-foot-one, 200-pounder from North Plainfield, New Jersey, it was military service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War which landed Bob Gunner in show business - on a weekly Navy hour televised from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Later, he studied with Sanford Meisner at the Neighbourhood Playhouse in New York and became a professional model - the 'Marlboro Man' in TV commercials and magazine ads and the 'Quiet Man' in Ford video commercials. He had been seen previously in the smaller role of a detective in Caprice (1967).

Leigh-Ann Rose was born on 23 June 1982 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. She is an actress, known for The Young and the Restless (1973), FBI: Most Wanted (2020) and Catfish Christmas (2022).

Dennis Madalone was born on 29 September 1954 in South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Island (1980), 21 Bridges (2019) and Darkman (1990). He is married to Linda L.C. Madalone.

Rob Kirkland is an American actor, writer, and filmmaker. He is best known for his work as Sheriff Bill Ramsey on the mega hit series "Yellowstone", Cpt. Walter on the acclaimed Jeremy Renner lead series "Mayor Of Kingstown", and his fan-favorite appearance in the CBS drama "Criminal Minds" as Aisha Tyler's (Dr. Tara Lewis) fiancé Doug Fuller, Esq.

Kirkland has also won writing and producing awards, and finalist placements in the 2023 UK Outstanding Screenplays, 2022 Screencraft, 2022 Montreal Intl, and 2022 Los Angeles Intl Screenplay competitions.

Janice Kent was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. She is an actress and director, known for The New Leave It to Beaver (1983), Castle (2009) and Criminal Minds (2005). She has been married to Barry Brayer since 13 October 1996.

Tim Sullivan moved to Los Angeles where he worked in development at New Line Cinema, co-producing Detroit Rock City (1999) (1999) with Gene Simmons of KISS and current Warner Brothers Chairperson and former classmate Michael De Luca. Sullivan's mainstream directorial debut was the well-received LionsGate's horror-comedy 2001 Maniacs (2005) (2005), produced by Eli Roth. This was followed by Driftwood (2006) (2006), 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams (2010) (2010), and Chillerama (2011) (2011). Sullivan gained additional notoriety as celebrity director of Vh1's hit series Scream Queens (2008) (2010) (handpicked by James Gunn to succeed him). Under his own production banner New Rebellion Entertainment, Sullivan will produce the psychological thriller Lullaby, to be directed by M.J. Bassett ( Reacher (2022)) , along with the romantic comedy A Boyfriend for My Wife) , also written by Sullivan.

Sullivan was previously married to Originals Film head Tania Landau (De Luca and current Universal president Donna Langley served as best man and maid of honor respectively).

Reid Cruickshanks was born on 27 June 1923 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He was an actor, known for High Plains Drifter (1973), Runaway Train (1985) and 48 Hrs. (1982). He died on 11 December 2008 in Marina del Rey, California, USA.

Rich Vos was born on 30 June 1957 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for The King of Staten Island (2020), Rock Bottom (2002) and Chappelle's Show (2003). He has been married to Bonnie McFarlane since 17 September 2005. They have one child. He was previously married to Kelly.

Veronica Alicino is best known for her comedic roles in Family Feature Films. Her acting career began with parts in the series "Hudson Street" with Tony Danza (ABC, 1995-96) and "George & Leo" (CBS, 1997-98) opposite Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch, and the comedy "Muppets From Space" (1999) with Jeffrey Tambor. Veronica also lent her voice to various characters in "SpongeBob SquarePants" (Nickelodeon, 1998), and "Action League Now"(Nickelodeon 1996-97). In 1999, she starred opposite Gabrielle Anwar in "Kimberly" with Alex D Linz in the Disney Feature comedy "Max Keeble's Big Move" (2001). Recently , she was seen opposite Jane Lynch and Jason Lee , in the Mixed-Media Box Office hit "Alvin and the Chipmunks" (2007). She also worked in television during these years, including a part on "CSI: New York" (CBS, 2004-2013) "Players" (Comedy Central) "General Hospital" and "Sketchy" opposite Rob Riggle. Alicino's more recent roles included the romantic comedy "Made of Honor" (2008) with Patrick Dempsey. Most recently, she appeared in "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever" (Lifetime, 2014-15) With the Voice Role of Carla the Snake, as well. She can also be seen in the upcoming Robert DeNiro Family Film "The War With Grandpa".

Craig Kellman was born on 28 September 1971 in North Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is a director, known for Penguins of Madagascar (2014), Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013) and Samurai Jack (2001).

Lewis Schoenbrun was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is known for The Golem (1995), Mystic Pizza (1988) and UHF (1989).