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1-50 of 118
- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
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).- Actress
- Soundtrack
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 Sweet and Lowdown (1999). She has been married to Derek Kelly since 13 October 2001. They have one child.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
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".- Actor
- Writer
- Director
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!- Actor
- Music Department
- Producer
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.- Actor
- Soundtrack
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 (1985). 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.- 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).
- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
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).- Robert Gunner was born on 27 July 1931 in North Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He was an actor, known for Planet of the Apes (1968), The Jackals (1967) and The Green Hornet (1966). He died on 18 December 2001 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
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.- Actor
- Sound Department
- Additional Crew
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.- 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.
- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
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 American Outlaws (2001). He has been married to Emily Arlook since 24 September 2013. They have two children.- Actress
- Additional Crew
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 American Playhouse (1980). She was previously married to Ted Danson.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Rob Kirkland is an American actor, writer, and filmmaker. He is best known for his work as Sheriff Bill Ramsey on the Kevin Costner lead series "Yellowstone", Cpt. Walter on the Jeremy Renner lead series "Mayor Of Kingstown", and his fan-favorite appearance as Aisha Tyler's (Dr. Tara Lewis) fiancé Doug Fuller in the CBS drama "Criminal Minds".
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.- Producer
- Writer
- Director
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).- Actor
- Additional Crew
For well over thirty years, Harry Johnson's voice was heard in over 2,000 television episodes, especially all the Law & Order shows and Wolf Films' Chicago shows, along with dozens of feature films, commercials and video games, mostly uncredited. His voice work continued for years.
Harry's extensive career began as a contract player for Universal Studios, leading to a starring role in the sci-fi classic Time Warp, opposite Adam West, followed by guest star roles in over four decades of TV shows and feature films.
Harry wrote books under the name Harry Castle. His first novel was Fugitive Romance: The Fictional Memoir of a Hollywood Screenwriter. His second book was a short story collection called Miracles & Misfits.- Additional Crew
- Actor
- Legal
Internationally renowned litigator Robert Shapiro is a senior name partner at Glaser Weil and was named one of the 100 most influential attorneys in America by the prestigious National Law Journal. He has consistently been named to Southern California Super Lawyers, has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, and is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell.
Mr. Shapiro's business and personal clients rely on his expertise in complex business litigation, class actions representing both plaintiffs and defendants, international law, white collar defense, SEC enforcement, and Foreign Corrupt Practice litigation. His corporate clients include multinational companies and major hotels. Well-known business figures and industry leaders such as Sumner Redstone, Kirk Kerkorian, Steve Wynn, Berry Gordy, Ray Irani of Occidental Petroleum, Scott Minerd of Guggenheim Investments, and Stephen Cloobeck of Diamond Resorts, International, have sought his counsel. He also represents sports figures, entertainers, and celebrities such as Oscar de la Hoya, Darryl Strawberry, Jose Conseco, George Brett, Ricky Henderson, Robert Downey Jr., Charlie Sheen, Billy Preston, Chaka Kahn, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Rod Stewart, Lamar Odom, Rob Kardashian, Smokey Robinson, Robert Evans, Evan Ross, Eva Longoria, and David Lee Roth.
Mr. Shapiro's transition to civil litigation from criminal defense in high profile cases such as those involving O.J. Simpson, Christian Brando, and F. Lee Bailey has given him a unique and extensive trial background. He successfully represented Wynn Resorts Ltd and the Wynn Resorts Board of Directors in the removal of their largest shareholder encompassing 5 years of litigation. He was lead counsel in Rockstar v. Pepsi, a contract dispute involving energy drinks, and successfully negotiated the extension of a distribution contract for his client. His successful representation of the president of Mobil Oil in proceedings arising out of a refinery explosion resulted in the dismissal of all claims and restoration of his client's reputation. His vigorous representation of Ecology Control Industries resulted a favorable settlement of a wage and hours class action. Diamond Resorts has relied on his expertise for numerous corporate and litigation matters involving its vacation, time share, and hospitality businesses. He also successfully defended Occidental Petroleum in a lawsuit brought in Los Angeles by Colombian residents arising out of the bombing in Colombia by the Colombian air force which killed 17 people. He acted as lead defense counsel in United States v. Samango, 450 F.Supp. 1097 (D.Hi. 1978), winning a dismissal of all charges against his client. On appeal, Mr. Shapiro secured Ninth Circuit's affirmance of the dismissal in a published opinion which is the leading decision in the Ninth Circuit on grand jury misconduct. United States v. Samango, 607 F.2d 877 (9th Cir. 1979).
Mr. Shapiro received his undergraduate degree in finance from the UCLA Anderson Business School. He was a member of the UCLA board of governors and numerous honor societies. He received his law degree from Loyola Law School, where he received two American Jurisprudence awards, won the Scott Moot Court Competition, and was the Chief Justice of the Moot Court, as well as the president of the Loyola chapter of the legal society, Phi Alpha Delta.
Mr. Shapiro is admitted to all state and federal courts in California, and has been admitted pro hac vice in many state and federal courts including those of Nevada, Massachusetts, New York, Arizona, Washington DC and Oregon.- Actress
- Director
- Producer
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.- Actress
- Writer
- Additional Crew
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".- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
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.- Animation Department
- Art Department
- Director
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).- Editor
- Editorial Department
- Additional Crew
Lewis Schoenbrun was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is known for The Golem (1995), Mystic Pizza (1988) and UHF (1989).- George Guidall was born on 7 June 1938 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is an actor, known for Malcolm X (1992), The Doctors (1963) and Kennedy (1983).
- Actress
- Sound Department
- Additional Crew
Angela Summers was born on 13 September 1969 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. She is an actress, known for What a Show Show (2019), A Spy's Journey (2018) and Of the Flesh (2007).- Writer
- Director
- Producer
Chris Messineo is an award-winning writer and director.
As the owner and director of NJ Film School, he has taught the craft of independent filmmaking to hundreds of kids, teens, and adults - who have gone on to win their own awards for writing and directing.
He has worked as a director, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, script reader, screenplay consultant, and even a film festival judge.
He is the founder of Off Stage Films, an independent production company. Their films have played at festivals around the world and been recognized for screenwriting, acting, sound, cinematography, editing, score, and directing.
In 1998, he formed the NJ Screenwriter's Group and since then, they have held hundreds of original screenplay readings. In 2002, he created MoviePoet, a free online contest and forum to celebrate the art of short scripts and help bring screenwriters and filmmakers together resulting in the production of over 300 films.
Chris is passionate about filmmaking, teaching, and frequently lectures on Hitchcock, Film Noir, Chaplin and Keaton, and much more. He lives in New Providence with his wife and during the pandemic, he created a zombie video game, "Don't Get Bit", with his daughter.- 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.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Director
John Kennedy was born on 17 November 1967 in Plainfield, Indiana, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Old Dogs (2009), Cats & Dogs (2001) and Muppets from Space (1999).- Actor
- Soundtrack
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 Bewitched (1945). He was married to Carmelita. He died on 21 December 1973 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Director
- Animation Department
- Producer
David Hand was born on 23 January 1900 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He was a director and producer, known for Bambi (1942), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and The Cuckoo. He was married to Josephine Hale Marks. He died on 11 October 1986 in San Luis Obispo, California, USA.- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Michael Price was born on 22 October 1958 in South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for The Simpsons (1989), The Simpsons Movie (2007) and Lego Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles (2013).- Daniel Bardol was born on 9 April 1961 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He was an actor, known for Pretty Woman (1990), Murder, She Wrote (1984) and Baby Boom (1988). He was married to Jeanette Bybee . He died on 26 December 2017.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Jeff Panzarella was born on 5 August 1983 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Tulsa King (2022), WeCrashed (2022) and Blue Bloods (2010).- Special Effects
- Make-Up Department
- Additional Crew
Born in December 1948, in Plainfield, New Jersey, John Dods has been described by CNN as "one of the world's foremost masters of disguise." Dods has created makeups ranging from the AIDS victims of Longtime Companion (1989), to the aliens, vampires, and zombies of the TV-series Monsters (1988), to the Beast in Disney's Broadway musical (1994-2007). Other Broadway credits include Prosthetic Design for "The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein" (2007) and "The Toxic Avenger Musical" (2009).
Dods professional breakthrough happened in 1983 when his mechanical monsters for the indie-feature The Deadly Spawn (1983) appeared on 6 magazine covers and acquired cult status on Internet websites.
Dods fabricated Matt Dillon's death by train crash for A Kiss Before Dying (1991), turned Whoopi Goldberg into a statue for Naked in New York (1994), and Grace Jones into a corpse for Boomerang (1992). In 1998, then Vice-president Al Gore wore prosthetic by John Dods when he and wife Tipper went costumed as Beauty and the Beast to a Halloween ball. A "Theatre Crafts International" award recipient in 1997 for his work on Disney's Broadway show "Beauty and the Beast", Dods is the Prosthetic Designer for 7 international productions of B&B worldwide.
Dod's creations have appeared on the Tony Awards (1992 & 2008), the Academy Awards (1990), The Kennedy Center Honors Telecast (2009), and the floor of the New York Stock Exchange - when The Toxic Avenger rang the opening bell on 8/31/09. John Dod's work has appeared on the covers of film and theater magazines 38 times.
John Dods is an award winning stop-motion filmmaker whose animation models have appeared in in the network documentary "SPFX: The Empire Strikes Back", the CNN series "Future Watch", the TV series "Monsters", and television commercials for Honey Toasted Cheerios, Payday Candy Bar, Oreo Cookies, Lazyboy Furniture, and Munchies Breakfast Cereal (see "Other credits"). In 1989, John Dods was the Lead Model Maker for the construction of the "Ice Age" miniature set for Universal Studio's "Back To the Future" theme park attraction, Director Douglass Trumbull.
Dods articles on films and filmmaking have appeared for over 30 years, in "Starlog","Fangoria", "Cinemagic", "Scarlet Street", "Stop-Motion Magazine", "The Bolex Reporter", "Van Helsing's Journal", "Cinemagicians", and "Scarlett: The Film Magazine"- Brenda Logan was born in Plainfield, New Hampshire, USA. She is an actress, known for Serendipity (2001), Sex and the City (1998) and Vector III: Retribution.
- Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
Bill Evans was born on August 16, 1929 in Plainfield, New Jersey. His father was of Welsh descent, his mother was of Russian Orthodox background. His mother was an amateur pianist and gave Evans his first piano lessons at home as well as at her church. At the age of 6 he started classical piano training and later added flute and violin. At 12 he was able to fill in for his elder brother in Buddy Valentino's Jazz band. During the end of WWII and after the war, Evans played piano gigs in New York clubs. He graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University as a pianist in 1950, and later went to the Mannes College of Music, where he studied composition.
Bill Evans was hired by Miles Davis in 1958, as the only white musician in the all-star Miles Davis Sextet. It was a mutually beneficial collaboration and their album "Kind of Blue" is now one of the most referred to in Jazz. Their creative work is documented in The Miles Davis Story (2001). In 1959 Evans started his own trio with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian which became one of the most acclaimed trios. Four albums recorded by that trio in 1959-61 are Jazz classics. Evans' innovative "Conversations with myself" won him his first Grammy award in 1963. He recorded several albums with trios, of which a nice trio gig at the 1968 Montreux Jazz Festival with Eddie Gomez and Jack DeJohnette won a Grammy. His lyrical piano solo album "Alone" won him another Grammy in 1968.
Bill Evans' legacy includes over a hundred recorded albums and concert performances. In his improvisations Evans shines as a brilliant inventor, as well as remarkable timekeeper and polyrhythmic player. On records he plays with authoritative presence, marked with refined nuances and accentuations. His mastery of impressionistic voicings comes with supreme clarity and with definitive phrasing in many of his deliciously intertwined counterpoint lines. Evans makes the right balance in various settings; solo, in a duo, in a trio, in a small ensemble, and with a big band. His original style stands on the solid foundation of classical heritage from Sergei Rachmaninoff, Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy, to Erik Satie, Sergei Prokofiev and Igor Stravinsky, as he ingeniously included tiny bits of themes from these and other composers in his own improvisations.
Bill Evans' influence on modern music is growing as more musicians absorb his original ideas and study his music scores. The leading classical musicians, like Jean-Yves Thibaudet include compositions and arrangements by Bill Evans in their repertoire. Evans's inventive harmonization of all-so-familiar songs makes them sound fresh and tasty. His two recordings with Tony Bennett in 1975-77 are among the finest achievements of artistic interplay between singer and pianist, where two partners are improvising and stimulating each other's creativity and imagination. Musicians who played and recorded with Bill Evans often recognized him as the one who made the difference. His last trio recordings with the young Joe LaBarbera and Marc Johnson revealed even more of his unending creative and improvisational freedom.
He suffered from a drug addiction since his stint with the Miles Davis sextet in 1950s. He also suffered from hepatitis and had a perforated ulcer of the stomach. He died on September 15, 1980 in New York. Bill Evans is now considered one of the most influential pianists in the history of Jazz.- LaVita Raynor was born on 25 September 1981 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. She is an actress, known for Belly (1998), Blue Sombrero (2005) and The Games We Play.
- Additional Crew
- Actress
Meredith Crawford Collins was born on May 25, 1987 in Plainfield, NJ to an Irish American father and a Scottish/Welsh American mother. She studied English and Theatre Arts at Mount Holyoke College and graduated cum laude in 2009. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Margaret Davis Stitt Prize, a distinction honoring a member of the graduating class excelling in the dramatic arts.
In 2010, she went on to complete a Master's degree, in a little under a year, from Drew University, studying dramatic literature and earning her certification as a teacher. During her time as a student she consistently performed in stage productions. A decided provocateur when it came to the arts, she often found herself playing dark, thwarted, and conflicted women...and men. With a taste for the unique and mysterious, she found some genuinely interesting gender-bending roles come her way, such as the late nineteenth-century Swedish army captain, Adolf in August Strindberg's classic work The Father, and as a water demon in Camilla Ammirati's In the Ebb, marking Crawford's off-Broadway debut at HERE Mainstage in New York.
In 2011, she began booking consistent work in film, television, and theatre. She made her feature film debut in a fine LINE (2011 Best Picture, Luminaries Film Festival). 2012 was a particularly busy year; including her most notable leading role from the off-off Broadway revival of Sicks! An Evening with Six of the Most Notorious Women in History. Her portrayal of Queen Mary I aka "Bloody Mary" explored historically relevant events of the Tudor Dynasty, but with a darkly comedic delivery and was also featured in an article appearing in the arts section of The New York Post.
From there, Meredith moved to the sassy role of Myrna Malone, a XXX talent manager in Joseph Samuel Wright's operatic play, Rise. She then performed the highly sought after role of Li'l Bit in Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize winning play, How I Learned to Drive.
Consistently off-centered roles in the plays Far Away, The Father, The Bald Soprano and Rise; television appearances as convicted Russian spy, Cynthia Murphy on the BBC series, "Modern Spies" (2012), a sinister apparition on the Bio Channel series, "Celebrity Ghost Stories"; and her performance in the short film, "Blame" (2012) have only added to her mystique. "Blame" (2012) earned her a Luminaries Film Festival nomination for Best Actress.- Writer
- Producer
- Actor
Jay Williams is a television personality, New York Times Best Selling author, and former professional basketball player. He joined college basketball royalty at Duke University when he was named an All-American three times and was a key member of the 2001 NCAA Championship team. In 2002, he was drafted second overall by the Chicago Bulls and was on his way to becoming a household name. But once his first NBA season was over, he found himself in a hospital bed wondering if he could ever walk again after being in a near fatal motorcycle accident. Many people's stories would have ended there. Not Jay Williams. He has too much to say, and too much to offer. He has turned himself from a "could-have-been" to an inspiring public persona, often sharing his emotions and perspective on the tragedy that terminated his career, yet changed his life forever. Williams demonstrates a unique ability to connect with audiences and people alike, sharing a charismatic personality everywhere he goes.
He has appeared on shows and networks like Access Hollywood, Huffington Post, Fox Business, OWN, and ESPN as a host and guest on multiple programs such as Get Up, First Take, and more. His book, "Life Is Not An Accident: A Memoir of Reinvention", takes readers through the thought-process and mindset of a young and growing Jay Williams while earning him New York Times Best Selling honors.
His gripping story is often a topic of discussion, but Williams' unique talents on the screen are what sets him apart. In addition to his ESPN College Gameday analysis, he can also be seen in the new YouTube Red series, "Best Shot", produced by LeBron James' production company Springhill Entertainment. In it, he mentors an inner-city basketball team towards becoming better players and men in the process.- Writer
- Producer
- Additional Crew
John Aboud was born on 7 March 1973 in South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Penguins of Madagascar (2014), Close Enough (2020) and The Fake News with Ted Nelms (2017).- Actress
- Music Department
- Sound Department
Erika was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, and grew up in the neighboring small town of Mountainside. She attended Kent Place School in Summit, New Jersey, and then went on to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Drama. After college, she moved to Los Angeles, where she worked steadily as an actress and singer and fronted her own successful alternative rock/pop band, Velvet Chain - best known for their work on the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV show and soundtrack album. She recently relocated to New York, where she continues to work on stage and in film.
In addition to "Buffy," Velvet Chain has also had songs used on MTV's "Road Rules" and "Live Through This," VH1's "Sparkle Lounge," HBO's "Sex and the City," ABC's "Big Shots," and E!'s "Fashion Television," among others.- Steve Schmidt was born on 28 September 1970 in North Plainfield, New Jersey, USA.
- Writer
- Producer
David R. Schwartz was born on 24 February 1911 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964), The Bobo (1967) and The Alan Young Show (1950). He was married to Myra. He died on 14 October 2003 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Writer
- Animation Department
- Art Department
Chris Moeller was born on 5 October 1967 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He was a writer, known for Tripping the Rift (2000), Tripping the Rift (2004) and The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat (1995). He died on 31 December 2014 in the USA.- Additional Crew
Irving Penn was born on 16 June 1917 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. Irving is known for Paul Bowles: The Complete Outsider (1994), Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe (2007) and The Miles Davis Story (2001). Irving was married to Lisa Fonssagrives. Irving died on 7 October 2009 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Lawrence Blume was named one of the "Ten Rising Stars of Comedy" by the Hollywood reporter for his first feature-length film,Martin & Orloff (2002) which premiered at the 2002 US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. The film has gone on to win the Chris Weztel Prize for Independent comedy from the Art Institute of Chicago, The Audience Award for Best Feature at the Lansing Film Festival, "Best of Fest" award at the Sarasota Film Festival, and was the headlining film at the Toyota NY Comedy Festival. 'Martin & Orloff' made its television debut on Comedy Central.
Lawrence recently wrote and directed _Tiger Eyes (2011)_, based on the bestseller by his mother, Judy Blume. 'Tiger Eyes' stars Willa Holland, Cynthia Stevenson, Tatanka Means and Russell Means. It was shot on location in Santa Fe, Los Alamos and the surrounding canyons of northern New Mexico. It is scheduled for release in 2012.
Blume has also directed two short dramatic films; "To Walk A City's Street" (Sci-Fi Channel), a science fiction thriller adapted from Clifford Simak's short story, and "Otherwise Known As Sheila The Great", a Weekend Special for ABC Television.
Lawrence has been a sound designer, film editor, and was the founder/co-owner of PostWorks, New York's largest post-production company. As a pioneer in non-linear editing he ran the post-production center at the Sundance Filmmaker's Lab and worked as a consultant to Avid Technology.- Additional Crew
- Writer
- Producer
Geraldine Laybourne was born in 1947 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. She is a writer and producer, known for Turkey Television (1985), Launch Box (1991) and Count Duckula (1988). She has been married to Kit Laybourne since 24 June 1970. They have two children.- Visual Effects
- Additional Crew
- Editorial Department
Anthony Ceccomancini was born on 16 June 1969 in North Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He is known for I Am Legend (2007), Watchmen (2009) and Johnny Mnemonic (1995).- Actor
- Composer
- Director
Pat DiNizio was born on 12 October 1955 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Backdraft (1991), Bull Durham (1988) and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997). He died on 12 December 2017 in Summit, New Jersey, USA.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Vita was born on 25 September 1976 in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA. She is an actress, known for The Fast and the Furious (2001), Swordfish (2001) and Big Momma's House (2000).