The Lion King 2019 premiere
Tuesday July 9th, Dolby Theatre 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
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- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
The multi-talented Donald Glover is a writer, actor, musician, comedian, producer and director, who performs under the stage names Childish Gambino and mcDJ. He was born Donald McKinley Glover at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and was raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia. His mother, Beverly (Smith), ran a daycare center, and his father, Donald Glover, is a retired postal worker. He is not, despite rumors, related to actor Danny Glover. He has a younger brother, Stephen Glover, a screenwriter and producer. Donald graduated from New York University with a degree in Dramatic Writing in 2006.
In 2006, at age 23, while still living in the NYU dorms, Glover joined the writing staff of NBC comedy 30 Rock (2006), for which he received a Writers Guild of America Award nomination in 2009. Later credited as an executive story editor, he also had several cameos in front of the camera. In 2009, he left "30 Rock" for a role on the comedy series Community (2009), in which he played an athlete in a rather odd study group, opposite Chevy Chase and Joel McHale. The show ran for six seasons.
Glover is the creator, writer, producer, director and star of the series Atlanta (2016), which debuted on FX in 2016. The series was an immediate critical and commercial hit, winning the 2017 Golden Globe Award for Best Series and Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series (Musical or Comedy) for Glover. At the 2017 Primetime Emmy Awards, Glover won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, while the show also earned four other nominations: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Glover (for the episode B.A.N. (2016)) and his brother, Stephen (for the episode Streets on Lock (2016)).
His first stand-up special aired on Comedy Central in March 2010. As Childish Gambino, Glover has released the studio albums "Camp" (2011), "Because the Internet" (2013) and "Awaken, My Love!" (2016). In 2015, he was nominated for Grammy Awards in 2015 for Best Rap Album for "Because the Internet" and Best Rap Performance for his single "3005" In 2018, he was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for "Awaken, My Love!" and Record of the Year for the hit "Redbone," winning the Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance.
On the big screen, Glover's credits include Magic Mike XXL (2015), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), and The Martian (2015). He will star as the young Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) and will provide the voice of Simba in a remake of The Lion King (2019).
In April 2017, Glover was named among Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World."- Music Artist
- Actress
- Music Department
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born on September 4, 1981 in Houston, Texas. Her mom, Tina Knowles designs their glittering costumes & her dad, Mathew Knowles manages Destiny's Child. Solange, her sister (they're 4 years apart) has released her debut album. She dances with her big sister during DC-3 concerts. Beyoncé's of Louisiana Creole & African descent.
She and her group were discovered by Whitney Houston. One of her favorite songs is "Lovefool" by The Cardigans. Her favorite item of clothing is a pair of path work metallic boots. She writes & produces many of the group's songs, including smash hits "Jumpin Jumpin", "Bootylicious", "Nasty Girl", "Independent Women", "Happy Face" and "Apple Pie a la mode".- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
An actor, comedian and writer, Seth Rogen has come a long way from doing stand-up comedy as a teen.
Rogen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, to Sandy (Belogus), a social worker, and Mark Rogen, who worked for non-profits. His father is American-born and his mother is Canadian. He is of Russian Jewish descent. He attended Vancouver Talmud Torah Elementary School and Point Grey Secondary School (although he dropped out of high school to move to Los Angeles) and was known for the stand-up comedy he performed at Camp Miriam, a Habonim Dror camp. At sixteen, Rogen placed second in the 1998 Vancouver Amateur Comedy Contest.
Soon after that he landed his first role in Judd Apatow's short-lived but well regarded TV series Freaks and Geeks (1999), taking on the role of Ken Miller. Though the show only lasted one season, it was the launching pad for many careers, including Rogen, Apatow, James Franco, and Jason Segel. This early work sharpened Rogen's keen improvisational skills, which he's used on many projects since.
Following Freaks and Geeks (1999), he participated in a few unsuccessful television projects, and then joined the American television version of Da Ali G Show (2000) as a writer during its second and last season, along with his childhood friend and writing partner Evan Goldberg. The writing team received an Emmy nomination. As a huge fan of the first season, Rogen was thrilled to get the chance to work with Sacha Baron Cohen.
Continuing his work with Apatow, he joined the cast of Apatow's debut film The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) and is credited as co-producer. After that he took the lead in Knocked Up (2007), Apatow's second movie and a huge success. He's since been a frequent collaborator with Apatow, in projects such as Superbad (2007), Pineapple Express (2008) and Funny People (2009). He co-wrote Superbad (2007), with Goldberg; the pair started the project when they were teens. They won the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Writing in a Film in 2008. They later wrote Pineapple Express (2008) and The Green Hornet (2011), also starring Rogen.
A talented voice artist, Rogen is in the animated films Horton Hears a Who! (2008), Kung Fu Panda (2008), and Monsters vs. Aliens (2009), and has voiced characters for The Simpsons (1989) and American Dad! (2005).
Rogen was named the Canadian Comedy Person of the Year by the Canadian Comedy Awards in both 2008 and 2009.
Rogen lives in Los Angeles with Lauren Miller Rogen, whom he met in 2004. They became engaged in September 2010 and married in October 2011.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
English actor, writer and director Chiwetel Ejiofor is renowned for his portrayal of Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave (2013), for which he received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations, along with the BAFTA Award for Best Actor. He is also known for playing Okwe in Dirty Pretty Things (2002), the Operative in Serenity (2005), Lola in Kinky Boots (2005), Luke in Children of Men (2006), Dr. Adrian Helmsley in 2012 (2009) and Dr. Vincent Kapoor in The Martian (2015).
Chiwetelu Umeadi Ejiofor was born on July 10, 1977 in Forest Gate, London, England, to Nigerian parents, Obiajulu (Okaford), a pharmacist, and Arinze Ejiofor, a doctor. Chiwetel attended Dulwich College in South-East London. By the age of 13, he was appearing in numerous school and National Youth Theatre productions and subsequently attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA).
Ejiofor caught the attention of Steven Spielberg who cast him in the critically acclaimed Amistad (1997) alongside Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins. He has since been seen on the big screen in numerous features including Stephen Frears' Dirty Pretty Things (2002) (for which he won Best Actor at the British Independent Film Awards, the Evening Standard Film Awards, and the San Diego Film Critics Society Awards), Love Actually (2003), Woody Allen's Melinda and Melinda (2004), Kinky Boots (2005), Inside Man (2006), Children of Men (2006), American Gangster (2007) and Talk to Me (2007), for which his performance won him an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Ejiofor has balanced his film and television commitments with a number of prestigious stage productions. In 2008, his portrayal of the title role in Michael Grandage's "Othello" at the Donmar Warehouse alongside Ewan McGregor was unanimously commended and won him best actor at the 2008 Laurence Olivier Awards and Evening Standard Theatre Awards. He also received nominations in the South Bank Show Awards and the What's On Stage Theatregoers' Choice Awards in 2009. His other stage roles include Roger Michell's "Blue/Orange" in 2000 which received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Play, and the same year Tim Supple's "Romeo and Juliet" in which Ejiofor portrayed the title role.
Following his television debut in the series episode Deadly Voyage (1996), Ejiofor has complimented his film and theatre work on the small screen in productions including Murder in Mind (2001), created by the award-winning writer Anthony Horowitz, Trust (2003), Twelfth Night, or What You Will (2003), and Canterbury Tales (2003). His television appearance in the hard hitting emotional drama Tsunami: The Aftermath (2006) alongside Toni Collette, Sophie Okonedo and Tim Roth earned him a nomination for a Golden Globe Award as well as an NAACP Image award.
Ejiofor also appeared in such notable films as Endgame (2009), Channel 4's moving drama set in South Africa for which his performance earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries; Roland Emmerich's action feature 2012 (2009), opposite John Cusack, Danny Glover and Thandiwe Newton; and Salt (2010), opposite Angelina Jolie and Liev Schreiber. In 2013, he starred in Half of a Yellow Sun (2013) and 12 Years a Slave (2013), receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for the latter film.- Actress
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Alfre Woodard was born on November 8, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the youngest of three children of Constance, a homemaker, and Marion H. Woodard, an interior designer. She was named by her godmother, who claimed she saw a vision of Alfre's name written out in gold letters. A former high school cheerleader and track star, she got the acting bug after being persuaded to audition for a school play by a nun at her school. She went on to study acting at Boston University and enjoyed a brief stint on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles, California. She got her first break in Remember My Name (1978) which also starred Jeff Goldblum. She lives in Santa Monica, California with her husband, writer Roderick M. Spencer, and their two adopted children: Mavis and Duncan. She was named one of the Most Beautiful People in America by People Magazine.- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Billy Eichner was born on September 18, 1978 and raised in New York City. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School (NY) in 1996. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he majored in Theater.
He is the star, executive producer and creator of Billy on the Street (2011), a comedy game show that airs on Fuse TV.
Billy will be a voiceover guest star on a season two episode of the animated series, Bob's Burgers (2011). He has been a regular performer at New York's Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. He is also a commentator on pop culture, via his Twitter account.- Writer
- Actor
- Producer
John Kani was born on 30 November 1942 in New Brighton, South Africa. He is a writer and actor, known for Black Panther (2018), Captain America: Civil War (2016) and The Ghost and the Darkness (1996).- Born in Kampala, Uganda Florence Kasumba is a German actress living in Berlin. She is best known for her work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe productions Captain America: Civil War (2016), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021). She has also appeared in the films I Love You Too (2001), Transpapa (2012) and in the TV series The Quest (2014), Dominion (2014), Emerald City (2016), Deutschland 86 (2018) and Criminal (2019).
- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Eric Samuel André is an American stand-up comedian, actor, producer, television host and writer. He is best known as the creator, host, and co-writer of the Adult Swim comedy series The Eric Andre Show (2012-present). He also played Mike on the FXX series Man Seeking Woman (2015-2017) and voiced Azizi in the remake of The Lion King (2019). He performs music under the name Blarf.- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Keegan-Michael Key was born in Southfield, Michigan and raised in Detroit. He was adopted as a child by a black father and a white mother. In 1989, he graduated from Shrine Catholic High School in Royal Oak, Michigan. Key attended the University of Detroit Mercy as an undergraduate and earned his Master of Fine Arts in Theater at Pennsylvania State University. While at The University of Detroit Mercy, he was a brother of Phi Kappa Theta.- Actor
- Music Department
- Manager
Jaydon McCrary (born July 18, 2007) is an American singer, dancer and actor. He is currently starring in The Paynes as Kenny Payne on the Oprah Winfrey Network. He starred in 2019's The Lion King as the voice of young Simba. He is signed to Hollywood Records and released his first extended play Shine, in April 2019.
McCrary began his acting career in 2015 at age 8 on K.C. Undercover, where he appeared on two episodes. In December 2016, he made a guest appearance on Childish Gambino's song "Terrified". He then had live performances on Little Big Shots singing The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back", The Ellen Show singing "Who's Lovin' You", and the 60th Annual Grammy Awards to support Childish Gambino's "Terrified". In December 2017, he sang the national anthem before a Los Angeles Clippers game after a viral singing display a few weeks prior. In 2017, he later appeared on I'm Dying Up Here and Teachers as minor roles.
On January 14, 2018 he released his first official single called "Inviting All of You". On August 13, 2018, it was announced that JD McCrary became the youngest artist to sign with Disney Music Group's Hollywood Records, as he released the music video to his second single "My Name" on August 28. On January 24, 2019, he released the first single after signing to the label called "Keep in Touch."
In 2019, McCrary co-starred in the Universal comedy film Little, and provided the voice of young Simba in the live action remake of the Disney film The Lion King. McCrary said that "Donald Glover (who voices adult Simba) is so talented that actually did have to take it into consideration, because if Simba is going to grow up to be some sort of figure and you know of it, you have to keep that motive." Also that year, McCrary also portrays a young Michael Jackson in the BET series American Soul, which premiered in February. On April 19, McCrary released his debut EP, Shine, which includes production from Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Shahadi Wright Joseph was born on 29 April 2005 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Us (2019), The Lion King (2019) and Throw it Back.- Music Artist
- Actor
- Composer
Chance the Rapper was born on 16 April 1993 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a music artist and actor, known for Waves (2019), Slice (2018) and Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021). He has been married to Kirsten Corley since 9 March 2019. They have two children.- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Initially an indie film favorite, actor Jon Favreau has progressed to strong mainstream visibility into the millennium and, after nearly two decades in the business, is still enjoying character stardom as well as earning notice as a writer/producer/director.
The amiable, husky-framed actor with the tight, crinkly hair was born in Queens, New York on October 19, 1966, the only child of Madeleine (Balkoff), an elementary school teacher, and Charles Favreau, a special education teacher. His father has French-Canadian, German, and Italian ancestry, and his mother was from a Russian Jewish family. He attended the Bronx High School of Science before furthering his studies at Queens College in 1984. Dropping out just credits away from receiving his degree, Jon moved to Chicago where he focused on comedy and performed at several Chicago improvisational theaters, including the ImprovOlympic and the Improv Institute. He also found a couple of bit parts in films.
While there, he earned another bit role in the film, Rudy (1993), and met fellow cast mate Vince Vaughn. Their enduring personal friendship would play an instrumental role in furthering both their professional careers within just a few years. Jon broke into TV with a role on the classic series, Seinfeld (1989) (as "Eric the Clown"). After filming rudimentary roles in the movies Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994), Notes from Underground (1995) and Batman Forever (1995), he decided to do some risk taking by writing himself and friend Vaughn into what would become their breakthrough film. Swingers (1996), which he also co-produced, centers on Jon as a luckless, struggling actor type who is emotionally shattered after losing his girlfriend, but is pushed back into the L.A. social scene via the help of cool, worldly, outgoing actor/buddy Vaughn. These two blueprint roles went on to define the character types of both actors on film.
In 1997, Jon appeared favorably on several episodes of the popular TV sitcom, Friends (1994), as "Pete Becker", the humdrum but extremely wealthy suitor for Courteney Cox's "Monica" character, and also appeared to fine advantage on the Tracey Takes On... (1996) comedy series. He later took on the biopic mini-movie, Rocky Marciano (1999), portraying the prizefighter himself in a highly challenging dramatic role and received excellent reviews. Other engagingly offbeat "everyman" films roles came Jon's way -- the ex-athlete in the working class film, Dogtown (1997); a soon-to-be groom whose bachelor party goes horribly awry in the comedy thriller Very Bad Things (1998); a newlywed opposite Famke Janssen in Love & Sex (2000); a wild and crazy linebacker in The Replacements (2000); as Ben Affleck's legal partner in Daredevil (2003); and another down-and-out actor in The Big Empty (2003). He wrote and directed himself and Vaughn as two fellow boxers who involve themselves in criminal activity in Made (2001). Both he and Vaughn produced. He also directed the highly popular Will Ferrell comedy Elf (2003), in which he had a small part.
Jon went on to re-team favorably with his friend, Vince Vaughn, who enjoyed a meteoric rise into the comedy star ranks, in such light-weight features as The Break-Up (2006), Four Christmases (2008) and Couples Retreat (2009), the last of which he co-wrote with Vaughn.
Jon has made even greater strides as a writer, producer and/or director in recent years with the exciting mega-box office action-packed Iron Man (2008), starring Robert Downey Jr., and its sequels, Iron Man 2 (2010) and Iron Man 3 (2013). Jon's character of "Happy Hogan" would be featured in a number of Marvel Comic adventures. Other offerings behind the scenes have included the adventure dramedy Chef (2014), in which he also starred in the title role; the revamped film version of The Avengers (2012) also starring Downey Jr., and it's sequels Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019); and the animated Disney features The Jungle Book (2016) and The Lion King (2019) and the TV series The Chef Show (2019).
Favreau's marriage to Joya Tillem on November 24, 2000, produced son Max and two daughters, Madeleine and Brighton Rose. Joya is the niece of KGO (AM) lawyer and talk show host, Len Tillem. On the sly, the actor/writer/producer/director enjoys playing on the World Poker Tour.- Writer
- Additional Crew
- Producer
Jeff Nathanson was born on 12 October 1965 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997), Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017).- Producer
- Production Manager
Jeffrey Silver has Produced or Executive Produced 34 feature films, topping $6.2 billion at the Worldwide Box Office.
He's currently at work on a sequel to the metaverse-inspired, "Tron" (Disney) -- having produced the previous installment of the franchise -- directed by Joachim Ronning, and starring Jared Leto.
His most recent release was the remake of the under-the-sea classic, "The Little Mermaid" (Disney), directed by Rob Marshall, starring Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, and Javier Bardem.
Before that, Silver produced the photo-real re-imagining of "The Lion King" (Disney), starring Donald Glover and Beyoncé, directed by Jon Favreau. The Lion King broke new ground in animation, utilizing Virtual Production Technology to "shoot" an animated movie, resulting in an unprecedented level of digital reality. "The Lion King" went on to set records at the Worldwide Box Office, including being the #1 Disney-Branded Movie, the #1 Animated Movie, the #1 Musical Movie, and the #7 Highest-Grossing Movie of all-time.
Other recent releases include the epic fairy-tale, "Beauty & the Beast" (Disney), directed by Bill Condon, starring Emma Watson. "Beauty" went on to set records at the Worldwide Box Office, including the #1 Disney-Branded Live-Action Movie, the #2 Musical Movie, and the #16 Highest-Grossing Movie of all-time.
Silver is also known for sci-fi actioner, "Edge of Tomorrow", (Warners), directed by Doug Liman, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt; sci-fi fantasy, "Tron: Legacy" (Disney), starring Jeff Bridges; the global hit, historic fantasy, "300" (Warners), adapted from the graphic novel by Frank Miller, directed by Zack Snyder; cop-classic, "Training Day" (Warners), starring Denzel Washington, directed by Antoine Fuqua; and the holiday classics, "The Santa Clause" movies (Disney), starring Tim Allen.
Silver also produced the hit television series "The Wonder Years" (ABC), for which he received an Emmy as Producer for Best Comedy Series.
Silver's movies and television shows have been recognized for over 30 major awards including Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and the Independent Spirit, as well as awards from the Directors Guild of America, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Writers Guild of America.
In 1999, Silver co-founded FilmAid, a non-profit organization, dedicated to bringing movies to refugee camps around the world.
Silver grew up in Miami, and graduated Brandeis University with a degree in Theater.
Silver's wife, Lienna Silver, is a novelist, his daughter Sasha Silver, is Head of Drama at Hulu, and his son, Max Silver, is a filmmaker, and singer-songwriter.- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Visual Effects
- Producer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tom C. Peitzman is known for Kong: Skull Island (2017), Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022) and The Lion King (2019).- Cinematographer
- Director
- Camera and Electrical Department
Caleb Deschanel is an American film cinematographer and film/television director. He has been nominated for six Academy Awards, each time in the field of cinematography. The first nomination came in 1983 for the film The Right Stuff (1983). His second was in 1984 for The Natural (1984), the third in 1996 for Fly Away Home (1996), the fourth in 2000 for The Patriot (2000), the fifth for The Passion of the Christ (2004), and the sixth for Never Look Away (2018).
He is the father of actresses Emily Deschanel and Zooey Deschanel.- Production Designer
- Art Director
- Art Department
James Chinlund is known for The Batman (2022), War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) and The Fountain (2006).- Visual Effects
- Editor
- Editorial Department
Adam Gerstel was born on 20 July 1983 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an editor, known for Real Steel (2011), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) and Transformers: The Last Knight (2017).- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Editorial Department
- Music Department
- Composer
- Actor
German-born composer Hans Zimmer is recognized as one of Hollywood's most innovative musical talents. He featured in the music video for The Buggles' single "Video Killed the Radio Star", which became a worldwide hit and helped usher in a new era of global entertainment as the first music video to be aired on MTV (August 1, 1981).
Hans Florian Zimmer was born in Frankfurt am Main, then in West Germany, the son of Brigitte (Weil) and Hans Joachim Zimmer. He entered the world of film music in London during a long collaboration with famed composer and mentor Stanley Myers, which included the film My Beautiful Laundrette (1985). He soon began work on several successful solo projects, including the critically acclaimed A World Apart, and during these years Zimmer pioneered the use of combining old and new musical technologies. Today, this work has earned him the reputation of being the father of integrating the electronic musical world with traditional orchestral arrangements.
A turning point in Zimmer's career came in 1988 when he was asked to score Rain Man for director Barry Levinson. The film went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture of the Year and earned Zimmer his first Academy Award Nomination for Best Original Score. The next year, Zimmer composed the score for another Best Picture Oscar recipient, Driving Miss Daisy (1989), starring Jessica Tandy, and Morgan Freeman.
Having already scored two Best Picture winners, in the early 1990s, Zimmer cemented his position as a preeminent talent with the award-winning score for The Lion King (1994). The soundtrack has sold over 15 million copies to date and earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Score, a Golden Globe, an American Music Award, a Tony, and two Grammy Awards. In total, Zimmer's work has been nominated for 7 Golden Globes, 7 Grammys and seven Oscars for Rain Man (1988), Gladiator (2000), The Lion King (1994), As Good as It Gets (1997), The The Preacher's Wife (1996), The Thin Red Line (1998), The Prince of Egypt (1998), and The Last Samurai (2003).
With his career in full swing, Zimmer was anxious to replicate the mentoring experience he had benefited from under Stanley Myers' guidance. With state-of-the-art technology and a supportive creative environment, Zimmer was able to offer film-scoring opportunities to young composers at his Santa Monica-based musical "think tank." This approach helped launch the careers of such notable composers as Mark Mancina, John Powell, Harry Gregson-Williams, Nick Glennie-Smith, and Klaus Badelt.
In 2000, Zimmer scored the music for Gladiator (2000), for which he received an Oscar nomination, in addition to Golden Globe and Broadcast Film Critics Awards for his epic score. It sold more than three million copies worldwide and spawned a second album Gladiator: More Music From The Motion Picture, released on the Universal Classics/Decca label. Zimmer's other scores that year included Mission: Impossible II (2000), The Road to El Dorado (2000), and An Everlasting Piece (2000), directed by Barry Levinson.
Some of his other impressive scores include Pearl Harbor (2001), The Ring (2002), four films directed by Ridley Scott; Matchstick Men (2003), Hannibal (2001), Black Hawk Down (2001), and Thelma & Louise (1991), Penny Marshall's Riding in Cars with Boys (2001), and A League of Their Own (1992), Tony Scott's True Romance (1993), Tears of the Sun (2003), Ron Howard's Backdraft (1991), Days of Thunder (1990), Smilla's Sense of Snow (1997), and the animated Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) for which he also co-wrote four of the songs with Bryan Adams, including the Golden Globe nominated Here I Am.
At the 27th annual Flanders International Film Festival, Zimmer performed live for the first time in concert with a 100-piece orchestra and a 100-voice choir. Choosing selections from his impressive body of work, Zimmer performed newly orchestrated concert versions of Gladiator, Mission: Impossible II (2000), Rain Man (1988), The Lion King (1994), and The Thin Red Line (1998). The concert was recorded by Decca and released as a concert album entitled "The Wings Of A Film: The Music Of Hans Zimmer."
In 2003, Zimmer completed his 100th film score for the film The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise, for which he received both a Golden Globe and a Broadcast Film Critics nomination. Zimmer then scored Nancy Meyers' comedy Something's Gotta Give (2003), the animated Dreamworks film, Shark Tale (2004) (featuring voices of Will Smith, Renée Zellweger, Robert De Niro, Jack Black, and Martin Scorsese), and Jim Brooks' Spanglish (2004) starring Adam Sandler and Téa Leoni (for which he also received a Golden Globe nomination). His 2005 projects include Paramount's The Weather Man (2005) starring Nicolas Cage, Dreamworks' Madagascar (2005), and the Warner Bros. summer release, Batman Begins (2005).
Zimmer's additional honors and awards include the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in Film Composition from the National Board of Review, and the Frederick Loewe Award in 2003 at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. He has also received ASCAP's Henry Mancini Award for Lifetime Achievement. Hans and his wife live in Los Angeles and he is the father of four children.- Music Department
- Actor
- Composer
Lebo M. was born on 11 July 1964 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is an actor and composer, known for Congo (1995), The Lion King (1994) and Tears of the Sun (2003).- Visual Effects
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
Robert Legato was born on 6 May 1956 in Ocean Township, New Jersey, USA. He is an assistant director and director, known for Titanic (1997), Apollo 13 (1995) and Hugo (2011).- Producer
- Actor
Clarence Avant was born on 25 February 1931 in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. He was a producer and actor, known for The Color Purple (1985), Jason's Lyric (1994) and Deliver Us from Evil (1975). He was married to Jacqueline Avant. He died on 13 August 2023 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Born in San Diego, California, on October 10th, 1973, to Mario and Elvira, Mario Lopez's first professional role was on the series, a.k.a. Pablo (1984). Mario is probably best known to youngsters, however, as A.C. Slater from NBC's popular 1980s teen comedy series Saved by the Bell (1989). Among Mario's other credits are several other popular television series, such as Pacific Blue (1996) and the movies Colors (1988), Depraved (1996) and Eastside (1999). Mario has proven himself as a talented and prolific presenter, having hosted such series as Name Your Adventure (1992), The Other Half (2001) and Pet Star (2002).- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Yvette Nicole Brown is an Emmy-nominated actress, writer, producer and host best known for her series-regular and Special Guest Star* roles on the television shows: "Community", "The Mayor", "Drake and Josh", "The Odd Couple", Disney Plus' "Big Shot" and "Act Your Age"* on Bounce TV.
And films as varied as "Dreamgirls""Tropic Thunder", "Avengers: Endgame" and Disney's "Disenchanted"
She has guest co-hosted "The View", "The Talk", "The Real", "Access Hollywood", "The Talking Dead", and has moderated numerous panels in the famed Hall H at San Diego Comic Con.
She's produced Disney's "The Big Fib", SyFy's "Cosplay Melee" and she is also a 2020 NAACP Image Award Nominated writer for "Always A Bridesmaid" - the Romantic Comedy she penned and Executive Produced that is streaming on Netflix and BET+.
Yvette believes in philanthropy and civic engagement and she proudly sits on the National Boards of Donors Choose (where she is Vice-Chair), EMILY's List, MPTF Next Gen and SAG-AFTRA.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Born August 29, in Middletown Township, New Jersey, US, Nicole Byer is an American comedian, actress, and television host, best known for hosting the bake-off competition show Nailed It! (2018). She moved to New York City in the early 2000s and worked as a waitress to support herself. She found she was bad at the job, but that people found her to be funny, which led her to the decision to study improv. She eventually graduated the American Musical and Dramatic Academy Certificate Program in Professional Performance. She first came to recognition and popularity in the early 2010s by appearing on MTV shows, and in 2016 the network produced Byer's own show *Loosely Exactly Nicole (2016). Since 2018 she's been hosting Nailed It and since 2021 she's been hosting a reboot of Wipeout (2021), along John Cena and Camille Kostek. She also hosts a number of podcasts, including Why Won't You Date Me? (2017) and Newcomers: Marvel, with Nicole Byer and Lauren Lapkus (2020). She lives in Los Angeles.- Producer
- Actor
- Director
Stephen Curry was born on 14 March 1988 in Akron, Ohio, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Finding Forrester, Breakthrough (2019) and Ballers (2015). He has been married to Ayesha Curry since 30 July 2011. They have three children.- Actress
- Producer
- Executive
Ayesha Curry was born on 23 March 1989 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is an actress and producer, known for Irish Wish (2024), Gary Unmarried (2008) and Love for Sale (2008). She has been married to Stephen Curry since 30 July 2011. They have three children.- Actress
- Producer
From pioneering women's MMA to blazing a trail in movies, GINA CARANO is one of Hollywood's most unique rising stars. Carano began her training with Muay Thai to competitive MMA, where she competed in Strikeforce and EliteXC. Her popularity led to her being called the "Face of Women's MMA" and she was the fastest-rising search on Google and third-most-searched person on Yahoo and ranked 5th on a list of the "Top 10 Influential Women" of 2008. In August 2009, Carano fought Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg, the first time two women headlined a major MMA event and at the time was the highest rated fight in Showtime history. Carano compiled a competitive record of 12-1-1 in Muay Thai and a 7-1 in women's MMA.[4]
Outside the ring, Carano served as a mentor to aspiring fighters in the 2007 Oxygen reality series Fight Girls and performed as 'Crush' in the revamped television series American Gladiators before her breakout performance in Steven Soderbergh's film HAYWIRE, holding her own against the likes of Michael Douglas, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, Bill Paxton and Antonio Banderas. Gina's authenticity to making the Action look real earned her performance a Critics Choice Award Nomination for Best Actress in an action film. Hot on the heels came a role in the worldwide hit FAST AND FURIOUS 6 for Universal Pictures opposite Dwayne Johnson furthering her appeal as an Action Star. Next up, she co-starred alongside Robert DeNiro, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Dave Bautista in Lionsgate's film HEIST followed by the role of 'Angel Dust' in the smash hit MARVEL/FOX film DEADPOOL opposite Ryan Reynolds based on the popular comic book. The film grossed over $870 Million dollars at the Box Office. After starring in the independent films DAUGHTER OF THE WOLF opposite Richard Dreyfuss and the dark comedy MADNESS IN THE METHOD with Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, Gina had secured a lead role in Jon Favreau's highly reviewed Star Wars TV show THE MANDALORIAN for Disney +. Gina played 'Cara Dune', a former Rebel Shock Trooper in the series. However, after sharing a controversial post on social media, Gina was fired by Lucas Film and her character was written out of the show.
Carano was born in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of Dana Joy (née Cason) and professional football player Glenn Carano who played for the Dallas Cowboys and was the backup quarterback to Roger Staubach. She has two sisters, one older and one younger.
*Gina became the first recipient of ActionFest's Chuck Norris (Best Female Action Star) Award, given to the female action star of the year.
*Gina received the Artemis Action Warrior Award for her contributions to the female action genre and women's MMA. The award was presented to her by Action legend Zoe Bell- Actor
- Director
- Producer
LeVar Burton was born on 16 February 1957 in Landstuhl, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. He is an actor and director, known for Star Trek: Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and Star Trek: Insurrection (1998). He has been married to Stephanie Cozart Burton since 3 October 1992. They have one child.- Actor
- Producer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Reggie Miller is an American retired professional basketball player who played his entire 18-year National Basketball Association (NBA) career with the Indiana Pacers.
Miller was known for his precision three-point shooting, especially in pressure situations and most notably against the New York Knicks. When he retired, he held the record for most career 3-point field goals made. He is fourth on the list behind Stephen Curry, Ray Allen, and James Harden. A five-time All-Star selection, Miller led the league in free throw accuracy five times and won a gold medal in the Atlanta 1996: Games of the XXVI Olympiad (1996).
Miller is widely considered the Pacers' greatest player of all time. He worked as an NBA commentator for TNT. On September 7, 2012, Miller was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Emily Erin Deschanel (born October 11, 1976) is an American actress and producer. She is best known for starring in the Fox crime procedural comedy-drama series Bones as Dr. Temperance Brennan since 2005.
Deschanel was born in Los Angeles, California, to cinematographer and director Caleb Deschanel and actress Mary Jo Deschanel (née Weir). Her younger sister is actress and singer-songwriter Zooey Deschanel. Her paternal grandfather was French, from Oullins, Rhône; her ancestry also includes Swiss, Dutch, English, Irish, and other French roots.
Deschanel attended Harvard-Westlake and Crossroads School in Los Angeles before graduating from Boston University's Professional Actors Training Program with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater.
In 1994, Deschanel made her feature film debut in It Could Happen to You. Her next notable role was in Stephen King's Rose Red in 2002. Then she appeared in Cold Mountain, The Alamo, and Glory Road and was named one of "six actresses to watch" by Interview Magazine in 2004.
In 2005, Deschanel won the role of Dr. Temperance Brennan with David Boreanaz as FBI agent Seeley Booth on the Fox crime procedural comedy-drama Bones, based on the novels and the career of forensic anthropologist and author Kathy Reichs that premiered on September 13, 2005. For her performance, she received a 2006 Satellite Award nomination and a 2007 Teen Choice Award nomination. Deschanel and Boreanaz served as co-producers at the start of the show's third season, before becoming producers in the middle of the show's fourth season.
Deschanel, with Alyson Hannigan, Jaime King, Minka Kelly, and Katharine McPhee made a video slumber party featured on FunnyorDie.com to promote regular breast cancer screenings for the organization Stand Up 2 Cancer. In recent years, her passion for animal welfare has led her to providing the narration for My Child Is a Monkey and serving as an associate producer on the documentary film How I Became an Elephant. Deschanel ranked number 72 in The 2012 Hot 100 on AfterEllen.
Deschanel is a vegan and a committed supporter of animal rights causes. She can be seen in an Access Hollywood video at the book launch event of Karen Dawn's Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals, discussing how vegetarian and vegan diets help the environment, and a video on the homepage of the book's website talking about the importance of animal rights. She collaborated with PETA on a video encouraging mothers to raise their children as vegans. In September 2014, she joined the board of directors at Farm Sanctuary.
Deschanel was raised Roman Catholic, but is no longer practicing, and has expressed agnostic views, saying "I am more of a spiritual person, if anything, and I am of the belief that we don't know, and I'm not going to pretend that I do."
On September 25, 2010, Deschanel married It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor and writer David Hornsby in a small private ceremony in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. On September 21, 2011, Deschanel gave birth to their son Henry Lamar Hornsby. On June 8, 2015, she gave birth to their second son, Calvin.
Deschanel is best friends with her Bones co-star Michaela Conlin, who plays her best friend Angela Montenegro on the show; she is also friends with her Bones co-star David Boreanaz with whom she has a strong working relationship.- Actress
- Producer
- Music Department
Zooey Deschanel's quirky charm, striking blue eyes, and distinctively offbeat humor have made her one of the most beloved indie darlings of recent decades. Hailing from a renowned entertainment family, she began her career in the late 1990s. Deschanel's talent shines through her diverse roles, encompassing both comedic and dramatic territory, as well as her musical abilities.
After a brief guest appearance on the sitcom 'Veronica's Closet,' Deschanel made her feature film debut in Lawrence Kasdan's 'Mumford' (1999). Her breakout role came courtesy of Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical 'Almost Famous' (2000), where she portrayed the enigmatic Anita Miller, the older sister of the film's protagonist. Deschanel effortlessly embodies the rebellious and free-spirited youth of the 1970s rock scene. Her nuanced performance in 'Almost Famous' solidified her status as a rising star.
Deschanel's reputation is built on her ability to portray endearingly awkward and unconventional female characters. Her portrayal of the heartbroken yet resilient Summer Finn in '(500) Days of Summer' (2009) became an iconic portrayal of unconventional romance in the 21st-century. Her deadpan delivery and self-aware humor found perfect expression in her most well-known role, Jessica Day, in the hit sitcom 'New Girl' (2011 - 2018). As the bubbly and optimistic school teacher who moves in with three male roommates, she quickly became a beloved television icon, earning numerous award nominations for her performance.
While widely recognized for her comedic roles, Deschanel has also proven her dramatic chops in independent films such as 'All the Real Girls' (2003). This critically-acclaimed film earned her recognition for authentically portraying a young woman navigating a complex relationship. She further demonstrated her versatility with the role of Trillian in the science-fiction comedy 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'(2005), demonstrating her ability to adapt to fantastical and quirky settings.
Deschanel's off-screen talents extend to her musical abilities. She often showcases her singing in films and television, notably in 'Elf' (2003) where her rendition of 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' with Will Ferrell is a holiday classic. She also starred in the television adaptation of 'Once Upon a Mattress' (2005). Deschanel formed the musical duo 'She & Him' in 2006 with singer-songwriter M. Zooey Claire Deschanel, is an American actress and musician.
Ward, where her retro-inspired vocals and songwriting talents have produced multiple successful albums.
Beyond acting and music, Deschanel has become a multi-faceted figure in popular culture. Her co-founding of the women-focused digital media company HelloGiggles in 2011 demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit and desire to empower women. Her carefully curated personal style, often featuring vintage-inspired pieces, has also earned her recognition as a fashion icon.
Deschanel's career has continued to thrive in recent years. She lent her voice to the animated film 'Trolls' (2016) and its sequel 'Trolls World Tour' (2020), playing the cheerful and optimistic Princess Bridget. She also took on supporting roles in films like 'Rock the Kasbah' (2015) and 'The Driftless Area' (2015). Alongside her continued musical endeavors, Deschanel remains an active figure on television, hosting 'The Celebrity Dating Game' (2021).
Looking ahead, Deschanel has several projects in development. She's attached to star in 'Dreamin' Wild', a biopic where she will portray legendary singer-songwriter Cass Elliot of The Mamas & the Papas. Deschanel is also slated to make a return to dramatic territory with the film 'Harold and the Purple Crayon,' a live-action adaptation of the beloved children's book. Her continued willingness to experiment across genres solidifies her place as a dynamic and enduring talent in the entertainment world.
With her endearing personality, comedic timing, and the ability to imbue both quirky and serious characters with depth and heart, Zooey Deschanel has built a captivating and enduring career. Her contributions to film, television, and music have earned her a devoted following and a position as a beloved figure in popular culture. As she ventures into new projects, Deschanel continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of charm, talent, and undeniable individuality.- Music Artist
- Composer
- Actor
Thomas Wesley Pentz Jr. (born November 10, 1978), known professionally as Diplo, is an American DJ and record producer based in Los Angeles, California. He is the co-creator and lead member of the electronic dancehall music project Major Lazer, a member of the supergroup LSD, with Sia and Labrinth also working with producer and DJ Skrillex as part of the electronic duo Jack Ü, as well as on Silk City with Mark Ronson. He founded and manages record company Mad Decent, as well as co-founding the non-profit organization Heaps Decent. Among other jobs, he has worked as a school teacher in Philadelphia. His 2013 EP, Revolution, debuted at number 68 on the US Billboard 200. The EP's title track was later featured in a commercial for Hyundai and is featured on the WWE 2K16 soundtrack.
During his rise to fame, Diplo worked with British musician M.I.A., an artist who is credited with giving him exposure in his early career. Later, he and fellow M.I.A. producer Switch created a Jamaican dancehall project and cartoon series titled Major Lazer. Since then, Diplo has worked on production and mixtape projects with many other pop artists, such as Gwen Stefani, M.I.A., Die Antwoord, Britney Spears, Madonna, Shakira, Beyoncé, No Doubt, Justin Bieber, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Trippie Redd, Chris Brown, CL, G-Dragon, and Poppy. His alias, short for Diplodocus, derives from his childhood fascination with dinosaurs.
Diplo was born on November 10, 1978, in Tupelo, Mississippi, the son of Barbara Jean (née Cox) and Thomas Pentz. He is of German and English descent. The influence of home-grown rap played a key role in helping shape his production style. He spent the majority of his youth in Miami, where he got a taste for the characteristic Miami bass. He began attending the University of Central Florida in 1997, and then moved to Philadelphia to continue his studies at Temple University, where he first garnered attention as a DJ. After frequently running into fellow DJ Low Budget, the two began throwing parties under the Hooked on Hollertronix moniker in 2003 as a way of maintaining control of what they were able to play during DJ gigs in Philadelphia. The success of these parties allowed the two to release mixtapes, both separate and together, gathering acclaim across the country. One such mixtape, Never Scared, was named one of The New York Times' top ten albums of 2003, and the Hollertronix name became synonymous with parties featuring guests like Maluca Mala, Bun B, Spank Rock, M.I.A., among others. Hollertronix's sound has been described as "disparate genres to be smashed together for maximum attention-grabbing impact" an aesthetic which takes from the "organic, cohesive, whole" aesthetic of acts such as Bun B, Lil Jon, Drama, M.I.A., Björk, Busta Rhymes, and others.
Diplo accentuated the club aesthetic of his Hollertronix music for a more reflective sound on his solo debut, Florida, which was released on the Ninja Tune imprint, Big Dada Records. The album Florida was pressed twice, first with a CD and the second with a CD and DVD. The DVD was created by System D-128, another artist who has collaborated with Diplo on some audio and video projects. Before Florida's DVD accompaniment, another DVD surfaced called Diplo: "Banned in Libya" which was released by Money Studies, the first label to release a solo project by Diplo under his original DJ name Diplodocus. It was a 45 rpm record called "Thingamajawn" for which there is also a music video System D-128 directed. Similar to the Florida DVD, "Banned in Libya" is an experimental audio and video mix of some of Diplo's original music blended with a number of other unidentified sources. His particular affinity for one genre of music called baile funk, or favela funk, would spawn a series of mixtapes (Favela on Blast, Favela Strikes Back), which served to bring the Brazilian dance music of the ghettos to the United States.
It was not long before his Hooked on Hollertronix parties would provide him the success necessary to move to the next logical step and build a studio where music would become his full-time focus. With this goal in mind, Diplo built "The Mausoleum," a video studio, recording studio, record label office, gallery, and event space in Philadelphia. Since its inception, The Mausoleum has become the home to recordings by artists like Christina Aguilera, Shakira, M.I.A., Santigold, Spank Rock, Plastic Little, Blaqstarr, Paper Route Gangstaz, and hosted concerts by Glass Candy, Skream, Boys Noize, Nicos Gun, and more.
Diplo's first collaborative full-length record was with Switch, this time under the guise of Major Lazer. Diplo incorporates such disparate influences as Miami Bass and Baile Funk into the high-tech eclecticism of his productions.[38] After landing a deal with Downtown Records before even recording a note of music, Diplo and Switch set out for Jamaica to record a project that, like most of Diplo's projects before it, would highlight the little-known subgenres, this time of Jamaica's dancehall scene. The two received support by many already established Jamaican artists such as Vybz Kartel, Elephant Man and Ms. Thing, and the resulting record Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do also featured vocals from Santigold, Amanda Blank, Nina Sky, Ricky Blaze and more. When discussing the Major Lazer project, Diplo described the dancehall sound as being " the end of the world, all the little influences-house, soca, oldies, R&B, jazz-it all ends up in Jamaica." The track "Pon De Floor" from Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do was sampled for Beyoncé's single "Run the World (Girls)".
Florida is the first studio album Diplo produced in 2004. This album was under the label Big Dada. This album created Diplo's genre of electronic/reggae/hip hop music. LSD is a pop supergroup composed of Diplo, Australian singer Sia, and English musician Labrinth. The trio have released four singles thus far, Genius (May 3, 2018), Audio (May 10, 2018), Thunderclouds (August 9, 2018). and Mountains (November 1, 2018.) Thunderclouds was featured in a commercial for the Samsung Galaxy Note9. Their singles Genius and Audio have seen official remixes from producers Banx & Ranx and CID, respectively.
Diplo is also an active fan of the Los Angeles Clippers, showing support via Snapchat and Instagram whenever he's at their games. He performed with Skrillex and Kai at the Staples Center during half-time at a Clippers game in 2015.
On February 24, 2016, Diplo endorsed Bernie Sanders as the Democratic presidential nominee. Sanders' ad "It's A Revolution" is soundtracked by Diplo's 2013 track "Revolution". On June 9, 2016, Diplo was featured on the cover of the American entertainment media magazine Billboard.- Producer
- Writer
- Director
Dave grew up in Mt. Lebanon, a suburb southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was in the marching band, and was the starting goaltender for half of his senior year on the hockey team. He graduated from high school in 1992 and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1996, where he played club hockey.
He served on animation staff on The Oblongs (2001) and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) before working his way up to director on episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005). His work there stood out to Lucasfilm Animation when he was hired to oversee direction on Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008). Due to his love for the franchise, he thought the initial phone call for the job was a practical joke. He worked alongside George Lucas on creating the series, which was canceled after six seasons when the Walt Disney Company acquired the studio. He was kept on staff to create Star Wars: Rebels (2014), which continued the character arc of fan favorite Ahsoka Tano, originally introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008). In 2017, he became the executive producer of all animated Star Wars series, including Star Wars: Forces of Destiny (2017).- Music Artist
- Actress
- Composer
LeAnn started singing at age 3, and has sold over 20 million records since. She was born August 28, 1982 in Jackson, Mississippi. By age 7, LeAnn made her stage debut in a Dallas musical production of "A Christmas Carol". Later, she would sing "The Star Spangled Banner" to open Dallas Cowboys football games. By age 11, LeAnn recorded her first album on an independent label only available in local stores in Dallas: "All That" which featured her signature song "Blue". This got the attention of Curb Records. In 1996, 14-year-old LeAnn recorded a major-label album. In 1997, LeAnn released "You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs" which debuted on 3 Billboard Magazine charts at the same time: Pop, Country, and Contemporary Christian (that had never been achieved before by a country singer). That year, LeAnn released "How Do I Live" which would set a record by staying #1 on Billboard Magazine's "Hot 100" chart for 69 weeks. LeAnn starred in the TV-movie Holiday in Your Heart (1997), based on a book which she had co-authored. Capping a great year for the 15-year-old LeAnn, she won an American Music Award, 2 Grammy awards, 3 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 4 Billboard Music Awards. In 1998, LeAnn won a Lone Star Film & Television Special Award for Rising Star Actress. In 1999, LeAnn released a namesake CD, offering her interpretations of 11 Country standards, including "Crazy" and "I Fall to Pieces" (originally recorded by Patsy Cline in 1960). LeAnn made a cameo in Coyote Ugly (2000) (the low budget movie that raked in big bucks) and she also recorded 4 Diane Warren songs, including "Can't Fight the Moonlight", for the movie soundtrack. An amazing career and, since she is only 18, I am sure there will have to be mini-bio updates in the future.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Tiffany Sara Cornilia Haddish is an American stand-up comedian and actress. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018, and The Hollywood Reporter listed her among the 100 most powerful people in entertainment in both 2018 and 2019.
After guest-starring on several television series, Haddish gained prominence for her role as Nekeisha Williams on the NBC sitcom The Carmichael Show (2015-2017). Her breakthrough came in with a leading role in the comedy film Girls Trip (2017), which earned her several accolades, such as nominations for two Critics' Choice Awards. In 2021, Haddish's performance was included on The New Yorker's list of the best film performances of the 21st century. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for hosting a Saturday Night Live episode (2017) and published a memoir, The Last Black Unicorn (2017).
Haddish starred in the TBS series The Last O.G. (2018-2020) and executive produced and voiced Tuca in the Netflix/Adult Swim animated series Tuca & Bertie (2019-present). Haddish released the album Black Mitzvah in 2019, for which she won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, making her the second African-American woman to win this prize after Whoopi Goldberg in 1986. In 2022, she was part of the main cast for the crime comedy series The Afterparty and is set to reprise her role in the show's second season.- Atandwa Kani is a Naledi Award winning South African film and theatre actor. He is the son of celebrated South African actor and Tony Award winner John Kani. He made his international stage debut in The Tempest at the Royal Shakespeare Company where he played Ariel alongside his father (Caliban) and Sir Anthony Sher (Prospero). In 2009 he made his international television debut in the CW TV Network show Life is Wild, an American adaptation of the popular ITV drama Wild at Heart which aired in the UK from 2006 to 2012
Atandwa went on to play the young Nelson Mandela in the film Mandela: Long Walk to freedom directed by Justin Chadwick acting alongside Idris Elba (Mandela), Naomi Harris (Winnie Mandela) and Terry Pheto (Evelyn Mase)
In South Africa Kani starred in Kowethu, an SABC 1 drama and featured in international BET series The Book of Negroes where he acted alongside Cuba Gooding Jr (Sam Fraunces) and Aunjanue Ellis (Aminata Diallo)
Kani performed Sizwe Banzi is Dead in New York, directed by John Kani and did a South African tour of the show from 2015 to 2016. In 2016 he starred in a Film adaptation of Can Temba's book The Suit which won a SAFTA in 2017 for Best Short Film. The Film was part of the 19th Zanzibar International Film Festival and the Urban World Film Festival in New York.
Recently he has been seen on Mzansi Magic's hit TV Series, It's Complicated and is set appear in Marvel's comic book film Black Panther, alongside his father, playing the young King T'Challa.
He resides in New York with his wife Fikile M Kani - Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Christine Michelle Metz is an American actress and singer. She played Kate Pearson in the television series This Is Us (2016-2022), which earned her nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. She has also appeared in films such as Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (2018) and Breakthrough (2019).- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Doua Moua was born in Thailand to parents, Cher Tong Moua and Pang Chang. After 6 months the family immigrated to the United States. Moua grew up with a large family in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He has one brother and three sisters. He started off his career with singing in choir and school. He has participated in many community and school plays, as well as awarding winning Show Choir and Concert Choir at the International School of MN.
Doua is a son to a Moua clan leader, the actor finds pressure to live up to his father's,and his people's, expectations. Because of this, pursuing his dream of being an actor/performer was a challenge for Moua.
He graduated from The International School of Minnesota in Eden Prairie in June 2005 with his three other cousins: Ka Moua, Yia Moua, and Ker Moua.
He now resides in New York City and studies at Marymount Manhattan College while participating in off-Broadway and off-off Broadway plays.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Tracy Morgan is an African-American comedian and actor from New York City who is known for playing Tracy Jordan from 30 Rock, Luiz from the Blue Sky Studios Rio franchise, Tray Barker from The Last O.G. and several roles on Saturday Night Live. He also was in Scoob, Fist Fight, G-Force, The Boxtrolls, The Longest Yard and Crank Yankers. He was married two times.- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Cedric Yarbrough is a multi-hyphenate performer who just wrapped production on the new AMC series, "Lucky Hank," starring opposite Bob Odenkirk and Mireille Enos. Cedric stars "Paul Rourke," a poetry professor at Railton College who self-identifies as the rival to Odenkirk's "Hank." He also shot several feature films including the indie comedy, "The Donor Party," starring opposite Malin Ackerman and Rob Corddry, the Netflix feature, "Unfrosted," directed by and starring opposite Jerry Seinfield, and the Universal Pictures/Apatow Productions feature comedy, "Please Don't Destroy," starring opposite Conan O'Brien and Bowen Yang.
Cedric was recently seen in the "Reno 911!" holiday special for Paramount+, "It's A Wonderful Heist," and continues to recur on the ABC series, "The Goldbergs." He starred on the CBS series, "Carol's Second Act," and spent three seasons starring on the ABC series, "Speechless."
A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Cedric started his film and television career as a series regular on the Comedy Central series "Reno 911!". He also starred in the series revival "Reno 911! Defunded" for Roku, and the Paramount+ movie "Reno 911! The Hunt For QAnon," which was nominated for a 2022 Emmy regarding Outstanding TV Movie. Since then, Cedric has gone on to appear as a series regular, recurring character, or guest star in close to 100 numerous series over the course of his illustrious career.
Additionally, Cedric is a talented voice-over artist working on many hit animated shows such as "Bojack Horseman," "Paradise P.D.," "Mike Tyson Mysteries," "Bugs Bunny," "Family Guy," and "The Boondocks."
In the feature world, Cedric has worked with titans of comedy such as Steve Carrell in '"Get Smart" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler in "The House," and Melissa McCarthy in "The Boss."- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Gary Oldman is a talented English movie star and character actor, renowned for his expressive acting style. One of the most celebrated thespians of his generation, with a diverse career encompassing theatre, film and television, he is known for his roles as Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy (1986), Drexl in True Romance (1993), George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), and Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour (2017), among many others. For much of his career, he was best-known for playing over-the-top antagonists, such as terrorist Egor Korshunov in the 1997 blockbuster Air Force One (1997), though he has reached a new audience with heroic roles in the Harry Potter and Dark Knight franchises. He is also a filmmaker, musician, and author.
Gary Leonard Oldman was born on March 21, 1958 in New Cross, London, England, to Kathleen (Cheriton), a homemaker, and Leonard Bertram Oldman, a welder. He won a scholarship to Britain's Rose Bruford Drama College, in Sidcup, Kent, where he received a B.A. in theatre arts in 1979. He subsequently studied with the Greenwich Young People's Theatre and went on to appear in a number of plays throughout the early '80s, including "The Pope's Wedding," for which he received Time Out's Fringe Award for Best Newcomer of 1985-1986 and the British Theatre Association's Drama Magazine Award as Best Actor for 1985. Before fame, he was employed as a worker in assembly lines and as a porter in an operating theater. He also had jobs selling shoes and beheading pigs while supporting his early acting career.
His film debut was Remembrance (1982), though his most-memorable early role came when he played Sex Pistol Sid Vicious in the biopic Sid and Nancy (1986) picking up the Evening Standard Film Award as Best Newcomer. He then received a Best Actor nomination from BAFTA for his portrayal of '60s playwright Joe Orton in Prick Up Your Ears (1987).
In the 1990s, Oldman brought to life a series of iconic real-world and fictional villains including Lee Harvey Oswald in JFK (1991), the title character in Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), Drexl Spivey in True Romance (1993), Stansfield in Léon: The Professional (1994), Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg in The Fifth Element (1997) and Ivan Korshunov in Air Force One (1997). That decade also saw Oldman portraying Ludwig van Beethoven in biopic Immortal Beloved (1994).
Oldman played the coveted role of Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), giving him a key part in one of the highest-grossing franchises ever. He reprised that role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007). Oldman also took on the iconic role of Detective James Gordon in writer-director Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins (2005), a role he played again in The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Prominent film critic Mark Kermode, in reviewing The Dark Knight, wrote, "the best performance in the film, by a mile, is Gary Oldman's ... it would be lovely to see him get a[n Academy Award] nomination because actually, he's the guy who gets kind of overlooked in all of this."
Oldman co-starred with Jim Carrey in the 2009 version of A Christmas Carol in which Oldman played three roles. He had a starring role in David Goyer's supernatural thriller The Unborn, released in 2009. In 2010, Oldman co-starred with Denzel Washington in The Book of Eli. He also played a lead role in Catherine Hardwicke's Red Riding Hood. Oldman voiced the role of villain Lord Shen and was nominated for an Annie Award for his performance in Kung Fu Panda 2.
In 2011, Oldman portrayed master spy George Smiley in the adaptation of John le Carré's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), and the role scored Oldman his first Academy Award nomination. In 2014, he played one of the lead humans in the science fiction action film Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) alongside Jason Clarke and Keri Russell. Also in 2014, Oldman starred alongside Joel Kinnaman, Abbie Cornish, Michael Keaton, and Samuel L. Jackson in the remake of RoboCop (2014), as Norton, the scientist who creates RoboCop.
Aside from acting, Oldman tried his hand at writing and directing for Nil by Mouth (1997). The movie opened the Cannes Film Festival in 1997, and won Kathy Burke a Best Actress prize at the festival.
Oldman has three children, Alfie, with first wife, actress Lesley Manville, and Gulliver and Charlie with his third wife, Donya Fiorentino. In 2017, he married writer and art curator Gisele Schmidt.
In 2018 he won an Oscar for best actor for his work on Darkest Hour (2017).- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Pedro Pascal is a Chilean-born actor. He is best known for portraying the roles of Oberyn Martell in the fourth season of the HBO series Game of Thrones (2011), Javier Peña in the Netflix series Narcos (2015), the titular character in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian (2019) and Joel Miller in the HBO series The Last of Us (2023).
He's long-time friends with Triple Frontier (2019) co-star Oscar Isaac.- Music Artist
- Actress
- Composer
Meghan Trainor is a Grammy-winning American pop singer known for such smash hits as "Lips Are Moving" and "All About That Bass." Born on December 22, 1993, Meghan Trainor was raised on Nantucket Island and spent her childhood surrounding herself with music, learning to play various instruments and writing her own songs. When she was 18, after having self-recorded three of her own albums, she was signed to a music publishing deal, which soon led to another with Epic Records. She then co-wrote "Meghan Trainor: All About That Bass (2014)" a song that the young singer soon took to No. 1 around the world. With follow-up songs such as "Meghan Trainor: Lips Are Movin' (2015)" and ""Dear Future Husband" by Meghan Trainor (2015)," Trainor's debut album also took the charts by storm. Her family had musical roots (her dad was a church organist and her uncle, Burton Toney, was a bona fide recording artist), and Trainor took an early interest as well. She tinkered with making music as young as age 7 while she learned the piano. It would only be a few years down the road that she wrote her first song at age 11. The following years would find her penning songs and branching out into playing the guitar, ukulele and percussion instruments. As she got more serious, her parents bought her software that allowed her to record her own songs, and she continued on the musical path right through her time at Nauset High School on Cape Cod. Those four years were spent singing, playing trumpet in the jazz band and honing her guitar skills, while also singing with local band Island Fusion. She was a two-time enrollee (2009 and 2010) in the Berklee College of Music's five-week Performance Program, and she made the finals of the program's songwriting competition. Also during this period, Trainor was named Best Female Artist at the 2009 International Acoustic Music Awards and won the grand prize at the 2010 New Orleans Songwriters Festival. Ever ambitious, by the time Trainor was 18 she had recorded three albums of her own material. Her parents were huge supporters, and they would take her to regional songwriting conventions through her teen years. The conventions were a chance for songwriters to get their material heard, and one such session led to the first big step in Trainor's career. When she was 18, Trainor signed a publishing deal with Nashville's Big Yellow Dog Music. With the deal in place, the first big piece of Trainor's dream fell into place and a realization took hold that she could make a career out of her music. Before long, Big Yellow Dog was sending Trainor-penned songs to the likes of Grammy winner Rascal Flatts, Sabrina Carpenter and a host of others. With that level of success under her belt, Trainor soon signed with Epic Records, where her first single was the massive hit "Meghan Trainor: All About That Bass (2014)," which was released in June 2014. At first, Epic pitched the song to several other singers to perform, but when there were no takers, Trainor herself sang it.- Producer
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Lena Waithe was born on 17 May 1984 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She is a producer and writer, known for Master of None (2015), Ready Player One (2018) and Queen & Slim (2019). She has been married to Alana Mayo since November 2019.- Producer
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Alana Mayo is known for Without Remorse (2021), Jonah Hex (2010) and Just Mercy (2019). She has been married to Lena Waithe since November 2019.- Producer
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- Actor
Taika Waititi, also known as Taika Cohen, hails from the Raukokore region of the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, and is the son of Robin (Cohen), a teacher, and Taika Waititi, an artist and farmer. His father is Maori (Te-Whanau-a-Apanui), and his mother is of Ashkenazi Jewish, Irish, Scottish, and English descent. Taika has been involved in the film industry for several years, initially as an actor, and now focusing on writing and directing.
Two Cars, One Night is Taika's first professional film-making effort and since its completion in 2003 he has finished another short "Tama Tu" about a group of Maori Soldiers in Italy during World War 2. As a performer and comedian, Taika has been involved in some of the most innovative and successful original productions seen in New Zealand. He regularly does stand-up gigs in and around the country and in 2004 launched his solo production, "Taika's Incredible Show". In 2005 he staged the sequel, "Taika's Incrediblerer Show". As an actor, Taika has been critically acclaimed for both his Comedic and Dramatic abilities. In 2000 he was nominated for Best Actor at the Nokia Film Awards for his role in the Sarkies Brother's film "Scarfies".
Taika is also an experienced painter and photographer, having exhibited both mediums in Wellington and Berlin, and a fashion designer. He attended the Sundance Writers Lab with "Choice", a feature loosely based on "Two Cars, One Night".
Taika became a blockbuster director with his film Thor: Ragnarok (2017), and received critical acclaim, and a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar, for his film Jojo Rabbit (2019).- Actress
- Composer
- Producer
Tenitra Michelle Williams was born on July 23, 1979 in Rockford, Illinois. When she was a child, she never imagined being in one of the most successful female groups in the country. When she was 17, she had a friend who was playing the keyboard for famous R&B star: Monica so, of course, she told him, like any other fan would do, to tell the star hi. Weeks later, she received a phone call from that friend telling her there were openings for a background singer, so she went on a flight to Atlanta for auditions and became Monica's background dancer. Then, about 3 years later, she received a call telling her she would be in the R&B/popular group, Destiny's Child. From then on, she, with the group, won numerous awards, including 2 Grammys, MTV VMA's, and "Soul Train Lady of Soul" Award and recorded her first album, with the group, which is titled "Survivor".- Music Artist
- Actress
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Kelendria Trene 'Kelly' Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, talent show judge, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. During the group's two-year hiatus, Kelly Rowland released her first solo album, Simply Deep (2002), which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. Rowland also ventured into acting with starring roles in the successful films Freddy vs. Jason (2003) and The Seat Filler (2004).
Following the disbandment of Destiny's Child in 2006, Rowland released her second album, Ms. Kelly (2007), which produced the international top-ten hits "Like This" and "Work". In 2009, she hosted the first season of The Fashion Show and was featured on David Guetta's "When Love Takes Over", which hit number one in many countries. Its success influenced Rowland to explore dance music on her third album Here I Am (2011), which spawned the UK top-ten singles "Commander" and "Down for Whatever". She became a judge on the eighth season of The X Factor UK (2004) in 2011 as well as the third season of The X Factor (2011) in 2013. Rowland's fourth album, Talk a Good Game (2013), became her third top-ten album on the US Billboard 200 chart. Rowland has continued her television career by hosting Chasing Destiny (2016) in 2016 and starring as a coach on The Voice (2012) since 2017.
Throughout her career, Rowland has sold over 30 million records as a solo artist, and a further 60 million records with Destiny's Child. Her work has earned her several awards and nominations, including four Grammy Awards, one Billboard Music Award, and two Soul Train Music Awards. Rowland has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of Destiny's Child, and as a solo artist, she has been honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and Essence for her contributions to music.- Actress
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Ali Wong was born on 19 April 1982 in San Francisco, California, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Ali Wong: Baby Cobra (2016), Always Be My Maybe (2019) and Beef (2023). She has been married to Justin Hakuta since 27 November 2014. They have two children.- Niles Fitch, an Atlanta native, follows his passion for connecting with others through stage, print, commercials, television, film, and voice over. He loves to model, sing, dance, act, and make you laugh.
His father (a financial advisor) and his mother(an attorney), encouraged his excitement of smiling for the camera by securing his first talent agent at 3 years old. Since then, Niles has continuously booked print and commercial advertisements. At 7 years old, he signed with Wilhelmina Models (an international top five agency) and began commuting to New York City with his parents. At 9 years old, Niles signed with J. Pervis Talent in Atlanta and also made his theatrical debut as "Young Martin Luther King, Jr." in the musical "I Dream." The musical ran in the summer of 2010 and was directed by the renowned Jasmine Guy.
Ready to take his career to the next stage, Niles relocated with his family to New York City in August, 2010. In 2011, he was cast as "Young Simba" in Disney's The Lion King musical North American Gazelle Tour. While on tour, Niles won the Denver Post Ovation Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Touring Show for his opening night performance and made his prime time television debut in an episode of Tyler Perry's House of Payne that aired on the same night (11/04/2011). In February, 2012 Niles returned to New York and continued the Young Simba role on Broadway. After ending his Broadway run Niles joined the cast of Army Wives in the role of Deuce, the son of Latasha Montclair (played by actress and Grammy Award winning singer Ashanti).
After relocating to Los Angeles in 2016 Niles became a series regular in the NBC #1 drama This Is Us as Teen Randall and also booked guest star roles in Mistresses, Best Friends Whenever, Mixedish, Atypical and other shows. Additionally, he booked leading roles in feature films Roman J. Israel, Esq. with Denzel Washington, The Fallout, and was Disney's 1st live action Black Prince in Secret Society of Second Born Royals.
Despite his rigorous schedule, Niles is a film student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. - Actress
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Rising star Marsai Martin, at just 18-years-old, is already on course to be a whirlwind sensation. At the age of five she landed her first national commercial and shortly after relocating to Los Angeles, she was cast as Diane Johnson on the ABC Emmy-nominated hit comedy Black-ish (2014). Alongside an all-star cast, the young starlet has stolen the hearts of viewers who tune in every week to see her hilarious and witty antics on the show. Her work on the show has earned her 9 NAACP Image Awards and 3 BET Awards. At the age of 10 she conceptualized and pitched a movie idea to Will Packer and Universal which became the feature film, Little (2019), which also earned her 2 more NAACP Image Awards. As the star and Executive Producer on the film, she has become a part of Hollywood history as the youngest person to EP a major Hollywood film. With opportunities presenting themselves daily, Marsai's excited about uplifting diverse and young voices through her production company, Genius Productions, who signed an overall deal with Universal. Genius Entertainment has expanded across all platforms including television, digital and live activation's. This past year announced projects include an interior design series for Discovery + called Remix My Space with Marsai Martin (2022) and a feature for Paramount+ partnered with The SpringHill Co and Awesomeness called Fantasy Football (2022). She recently served as an Executive Producer for Girls Inc Virtual Film Festival and co-created and produced a Gen Z financial literacy series for Verizon Media's "In The Know" called Money with Marsai Martin. Most recently you can see Marsai in the Universal/Dreamworks Animation Spirit Untamed (2021), as well as Paramount's feature film PAW Patrol: The Movie (2021).- Actress
- Producer
- Music Department
Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman, also known as Raven, is an American actress, singer, songwriter, executive producer, and director. She began her career as actress, appearing as Olivia Kendall on The Cosby Show (1984) and Nicole Lee on Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992). She starred as Raven Baxter on the television series That's So Raven (2003), for which she was nominated for numerous accolades.
In music, Pearman released her debut studio album at the age of seven, Here's to New Dreams (1993), which saw the moderate commercial success. Her subsequent studio albums, Undeniable (1999), This Is My Time (2004), and Raven-Symoné (2008) saw some commercial success on the Billboard 200 chart. She also contributed vocals to several soundtracks from her Disney projects, including The Cheetah Girls (2003), That's So Raven (2003), and The Cheetah Girls 2 (2005), several of which were certified platinum and gold.
In 2011, she starred in the lead role on the sitcom State of Georgia (2011). She also joined the panel of the ABC daytime talk show The View (1997) from 2015 to 2016. Since 2017, Pearman has reprized her role as Raven Baxter on Raven's Home (2017), for which she was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming.- Always playing pretend and finding comfort in her own imagination, Navia Robinson began pursuing the performing arts at just age 5. At the age of 6, Robinson's acting career began and her dreams came to fruition, as she starred as Mary Jane Paul's (Gabrielle Union) niece, D'Asia, in the hit BET Network drama, "Being Mary Jane." In early 2016, Nicki Minaj hand-picked Navia, much to her delight, to portray Tasha, Nicki's childhood best friend, for a pilot/ordered to series revolving around her life growing up in Queens, NY entitled, "Nicki," which was shot for ABC's Freeform Network. Shortly after, Robinson's passion took her to the United Kingdom where she starred as Rosie in Netflix's Emmy® Award-winning series, "Free Rein." Once she returned to the United States, she appeared in The CW's critically acclaimed "Vampire Diaries" as Janie.
Perhaps, Navia Robinson is most recognized as Nia Baxter, Raven's Baxter's (Raven Symone) smart and socially conscious teenage daughter, in Disney Channel's live-action comedy, "Raven's Home," a spin-off of the iconic comedy series, "That's So Raven."
Robinson is also the voice of endeared characters Zayla, daughter of Invisibilio and Shocktress in Marvel's "Marvel Rising: Playing With Fire" and Valkyrie on Disney's animated series, "Rocketeers." - Actress
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Nurturing an impressive body of work that encompasses both television and music, Sky Katz has established herself as Hollywood's most promising young talents. Sky currently stars as "Summer Torres" in the Netflix Series, "Surviving Summer" which premiered in June 2022. Before that Sky could be seen as the scene stealing confident and high spirited neighbor Tess, on Disney Channel's hit series Raven's Home, a spin-off of the iconic sitcom That's So Raven where she garnered a Daytime Emmy. As a contestant on Season 11 of America's Got Talent, Sky wowed the judges and audience with her impressive rapping skills and freestyle. This 17 year old free spirit immediately caught media attention. In addition to acting, Sky has been recording and performing music, first in hip hop doing a collaboration with Lil Tjay and now in the Punk Pop spectrum working with Joel Madden of Good Charlotte and Nick Anderson of The Wrecks. Outside of entertainment Sky's committed to philanthropic work as the National Ambassador for Sunrise Association. In between filming and recording in the studio, she's an extremely talented basketball player who enjoys spending time with her family, friends and 3 dogs.- Ruth Righi was born on 7 September 2005 in Santa Cruz, California, USA. She is an actress, known for Happy! (2017), Winnie Taylor's 4th & Inches (2024) and Unbroken (2022).
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Skai Jackson stars as the adorable "Zuri Ross" on the Disney Channel sitcoms Jessie (2011), with Debby Ryan, and Bunk'd (2015). Before that, we've seen her in small roles on Boardwalk Empire (2010) and Royal Pains (2009), and even in the film, The Smurfs (2011).- Actress
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Chloe Bailey was born on 1 July 1998 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She is an actress and composer, known for Praise This (2023), Last Holiday (2006) and A Wrinkle in Time (2018).- Actress
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- Music Department
Halle Bailey was born on 27 March 2000 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She is an actress and composer, known for The Little Mermaid (2023), The Color Purple (2023) and Last Holiday (2006).- Actress
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Yara Shahidi was born on 10 February 2000 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Salt (2010), Black-ish (2014) and Grown-ish (2018).- Actor
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Aubrey Joseph was born on 26 November 1997 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Cloak & Dagger (2018), Run All Night (2015) and Fading Gigolo (2013).- Actor
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David Dastmalchian is originally from Kansas. He moved to Chicago, IL, to study acting at The Theatre School, DePaul University. After college, David worked as a professional fisherman in Alaska, a circus performer, movie theatre usher and playwright. He is an ensemble member of Shattered Globe Theatre Company and Caffeine Theatre in Chicago.- Actor
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Tony Revolori was born Anthony Quinonez in Anaheim, California, and is the younger brother of actor Mario Revolori. He began acting when he was 2 years old. He is known for playing Zero Moustafa in Wes Anderson's critically acclaimed film The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). Revolori also played Flash Thompson in the 2017 Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming and its 2019 sequel. Tony is of Guatemalan descent.- Music Artist
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Frankie Valli was born on 3 May 1934 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. He is a music artist and actor, known for Grease (1978), Free Guy (2021) and Bumblebee (2018). He has been married to Jackie Jacobs since 26 June 2023. He was previously married to Randy Clohessy, MaryAnn Hannigan and Mary Mandel.- Actor
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Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the first incarnation of "In the Heights" his sophomore year at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Off-Broadway, "In The Heights" received nine Drama Desk nominations, including best music, best lyrics, and it won the award for outstanding ensemble performance; received the Lucille Lortel Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for best musical; received the Obie Award for outstanding music and lyrics; received a Theater World Award for outstanding debut Performance and the Clarence Derwent Award both for Mr. Miranda's performance. He is the recipient of the 2007 ASCAP Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award. He has appeared on The Sopranos (1999) and Sex and the City (1998), House (2004), and The Electric Company (2006). He is also a co-founding member of Freestyle Love Supreme, a hip-hop comedy group that tours comedy festivals all over the world.- Actor
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Neil Patrick Harris was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on June 15, 1973. His parents, Sheila Gail (Scott) and Ronald Gene Harris, were lawyers and ran a restaurant. He grew up in Ruidoso, New Mexico, a small town 120 miles south of Albuquerque, where he first took up acting in the fourth grade. While tagging along with his older brother of 3 years, Harris won the part of Toto in a school production of The Wizard of Oz (1939).
His parents moved the family to Albuquerque in 1988, the same year that Harris made his film debut in two movies: Purple People Eater (1988) and Clara's Heart (1988), which starred Whoopi Goldberg. A year later, when Neil was 16, he landed the lead role in Steven Bochco's television series about a teen prodigy doctor at a local hospital, Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989), which launched Harris into teen-heartthrob status. The series lasted1989-1993 and earned him a People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Performer in a New Series (1990) and a Golden Globe Nomination (1990). Harris attended the same high school as Freddie Prinze Jr., La Cueva High School in Albuquerque. Neil acted on stage in a few plays while there, one of which was his senior play, Fiddler on the Roof (1971), in which he portrayed Lazar Wolf the butcher (1991).
When "Doogie Howser, M.D." stopped production in 1993, Harris took up stage acting, which he had always wanted to do. After a string of made-for-television movies, Harris acted in his first big screen roles in nine years, Starship Troopers (1997) with Casper Van Dien and then The Proposition (1998). In July 1997, Harris accepted the role of Mark Cohen for the Los Angeles production of the beloved musical, Rent (2005). His performance in "Rent" garnered him a Drama-League Award in 1997. He continued in the musical, to rave reviews, until January 1998. He later reprised the role for six nights in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, in December 1998.
In 1999, Harris returned to television in the short-lived sitcom Stark Raving Mad (1999), with Tony Shalhoub. He was also in the big-screen projects The Next Best Thing (2000) and Undercover Brother (2002), and he can be heard as the voice of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the newest animated Spider-Man (2003) series. Harris has continued his stage work, making his Broadway debut in 2001 in "Proof." He has also appeared on stage in "Romeo and Juliet," "Cabaret," Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert (2001), and, most recently, "Assassins." In 2005, Harris returned to the small screen in a guest-starring role on Numb3rs (2005) and a starring role in the sitcom How I Met Your Mother (2005). Neil played the title role in the web-exclusive musical comedy Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008), widely downloaded via iTunes to become the #1 TV series for five straight weeks, despite not actually being on television.- Actress
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Whoopi Goldberg was born Caryn Elaine Johnson in the Chelsea section of Manhattan on November 13, 1955. Her mother, Emma (Harris), was a teacher and a nurse, and her father, Robert James Johnson, Jr., was a clergyman. Whoopi's recent ancestors were from Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. She worked in a funeral parlor and as a bricklayer while taking small parts on Broadway. She moved to California and worked with improv groups, including Spontaneous Combustion, and developed her skills as a stand-up comedienne. Goldberg came to prominence doing an HBO special and a one-woman show as Moms Mabley. She has been known in her prosperous career as a unique and socially conscious talent with articulately liberal views. Among her boyfriends were Ted Danson and Frank Langella. Goldberg was married three times and was once addicted to drugs.
Goldberg had her first big film starring role in The Color Purple (1985). She received much critical acclaim, and an Oscar nomination for her role and became a major star as a result. Subsequent efforts in the late 1980s were, at best, marginal hits. These movies mostly were off-beat to formulaic comedies like Burglar (1987), The Telephone (1988) and Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986). She made her mark as a household name and a mainstay in Hollywood for her Oscar-winning role in the box office smash Ghost (1990). Whoopi Goldberg was at her most famous in the early 1990s, making regular appearances on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). She admitted to being a huge fan of the original Star Trek (1966) series and jumped at the opportunity to star in "Star Trek: The Next Generation".
Goldberg received another smash hit role in Sister Act (1992). Her fish-out-of-water with some flash seemed to resonate with audiences and it was a box office smash. Whoopi starred in some highly publicized and moderately successful comedies of this time, including Made in America (1993) and Soapdish (1991). Goldberg followed up to her success with Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), which was well-received but did not seem to match up to the first.
As the late 1990s approached, Goldberg seemed to alternate between lead roles in straight comedies such as Eddie (1996) and The Associate (1996), and took supporting parts in more independent minded movies, such as The Deep End of the Ocean (1999) and How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998). Goldberg never forgot where she came from, hosting many tributes to other legendary entertainment figures. Her most recent movies include Rat Race (2001) and the quietly received Kingdom Come (2001). Goldberg contributes her voice to many cartoons, including The Pagemaster (1994) and Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990), as Gaia, the voice of the earth. Alternating between big-budget movies, independent movies, tributes, documentaries, and even television movies (including Theodore Rex (1995)).
Whoopi is accredited as a truly unique and visible talent in Hollywood. Perhaps she will always be remembered as well for Comic Relief, playing an integral part in almost every benefit concert they had. Whoopi is also the center square in Hollywood Squares (1998), sometimes hosts the Academy Awards, and is an author, with the book "Book."- Actress
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Isabella Rossellini, the Italian actress and model who has made her home in America since 1979 and holds dual Italian and American citizenship, was born cinema royalty when she made her debut on June 18, 1952 in Rome. She is the daughter of two legends, three-time Oscar-winning Swedish-born actress Ingrid Bergman and neo-realist master Italian director Roberto Rossellini. She was also the third wife of Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese from 1979 to 1982 and the partner of legendary director David Lynch.
She made her movie debut in Vincente Minnelli's A Matter of Time (1976), which starred her mother. She then made a couple of Italian pictures and worked as an American correspondent for Italian television network RAI before appearing in Taylor Hackford's Cold War drama White Nights (1985) in 1985. She followed that up with her most memorable role, as the abused chanteuse in Lynch's masterpiece Blue Velvet (1986), she earned an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. She then went on to win a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress, for her performance as Lisle, the mysterious socialite, forever in her youth in Death Becomes Her (1992). In 1997, she was nominated for an Emmy Award as Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for a guest appearance on Chicago Hope (1994).- Actor
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Alton Fitzgerald White is known for The Goldfinch (2019) and Bull (2016).- Actor
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Gary Alan Sinise was born in Blue Island, Illinois, to Mylles S. (Alsip) and Robert L. Sinise, A.C.E., a film editor. He is of Italian (from his paternal grandfather), English, Scottish, Irish, French, German, and Swedish ancestry. His family moved to Highland Park, where he attended high school. He was something of a rebel, playing in bands but paying little attention to school.
Gary and some friends tried out for "West Side Story" as a lark, but Gary was hooked on acting for life by closing night. Gary credits his love for theatre to his drama teacher, Barbara Patterson. In 1974, Gary, Terry Kinney, and Jeff Perry founded the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. Initially performing in a church basement, the company grew and gained stature in the Chicago area. In addition to acting in many plays, Gary also directed some of Steppenwolf's most notable productions, including Sam Shepard's "True West". The company made its off-Broadway debut with that production, starring Gary and John Malkovich, and its Broadway debut with "The Grapes of Wrath" at the Cort Theatre in 1990. Gary's Hollywood career also started in the director's chair with two episodes of the stylish TV series Crime Story (1986), followed in 1988 by the feature Miles from Home (1988) starring Richard Gere. Gary's first feature film as an actor was the World War II fable A Midnight Clear (1992) in 1992. That year also found Gary combining his acting and directing talents with the critically acclaimed Of Mice and Men (1992). His first real notice by the public came in 1994, however. He starred in the blockbuster miniseries The Stand (1994), rapidly followed by his bravura performance as "Lt. Dan" in Forrest Gump (1994). His portrayal of the disabled, emotionally tortured veteran earned Gary numerous awards and an Oscar nomination. Busy 1994 was followed by busy 1995, first reuniting with Tom Hanks in Apollo 13 (1995) and then starring in the HBO film Truman (1995) which earned him the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards and an Emmy nomination.
Gary is married to Moira Sinise, an actress and original member of the Steppenwolf company. They have three children, Sophie Sinise, McCanna Anthony Sinise and Ella Sinise.- Producer
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Pat Sajak was born on 26 October 1946 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Wheel of Fortune (1983), Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) and The A-Team (1983). He has been married to Lesly Brown since 31 December 1989. They have two children. He was previously married to Sherrill.- Actress
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As a child, Geena dreamed of being an actress. While in high school, she felt left out and had low self-esteem because, at 6 feet, she was the tallest girl in school. After high school graduation, Geena entered New England College in New Hampshire and then transferred the next year to Boston University, where she majored in drama. In 1977, she left BU and moved to New York to start her career. Her career consisted of sales clerk and waitress. She worked at Ann Taylor, where she eventually rose to Saturday window mannequin while trying to get a job with a modeling agency. Eventually signed by the Zoli Agency, she wound up as a model in the Victoria Secret's Catalogue. Ever vigilant, Sydney Pollack was looking for new talent in the catalog when he spotted Geena and cast her in Tootsie (1982). With good reviews, Geena moved to Los Angeles where she was cast as Wendy in the short-lived but critically acclaimed television series Buffalo Bill (1983) with Dabney Coleman. A starter marriage to restaurant manager Richard Emmolo dissolved around this time. Her next appearance on television was in her own series Sara (1985), which was also good, but soon canceled. Geena then returned to the big screen in the below-average Transylvania 6-5000 (1985) followed by the successful Chevy Chase movie Fletch (1985). From there on, she was on a roll with second husband Jeff Goldblum in the horror remake The Fly (1986). More successful were Tim Burton's dark comedy Beetlejuice (1988) and The Accidental Tourist (1988). For the last film, she was the surprise winner of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. More fun movies followed with the flying-saucer-in-the-pool Earth Girls Are Easy (1988) and everyone-loves-a-clown Quick Change (1990) with Bill Murray. The very successful Thelma & Louise (1991), directed by Ridley Scott, again garnered nominations for the Academy Award and Golden Globe. A League of Their Own (1992), with Tom Hanks and directed by Penny Marshall, was the turning point as her next film, Hero (1992), was only average. Then she married director Renny Harlin and they set up a production and development company called "The Forge". Their first film was Speechless (1994), which flopped at the box office. Undeterred, Renny decided to film the big-budget Cutthroat Island (1995), starring Geena as pirate leader Morgan, which also flopped. Geena has since starred in the thriller The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) and played Eleanor Little in Stuart Little (1999) and Stuart Little 2 (2002). She's also returned to TV, headlining The Geena Davis Show (2000) and Commander in Chief (2005). Both shows were canceled after one season, but she won a Golden Globe for the latter. In 2008, after being missed from the big screen for some years, Geena ventured to Sydney, Australia, playing the foul-mouthed mother of Harry Cook and Harrison Gilbertson to shoot the dark comedy Accidents Happen (2009).- Actor
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Steven Curtis Chapman was born in Paducah, Kentucky on November 21, 1962. His parents are Herb and Judy Chapman. He attended Heath High School in Paducah Kentucky and received the title "Mr. Heath" in his Senior year. He wrote and was a songwriter before he made his first CD "First Hand". Since then, he has received 43 Dove awards, 4 Grammys, and countless other honors. He is known and loved for his style of making his audience feel like they are family. All of these things come together to make him the most successful man in Christian Music. Steven has six children, three of which are adopted from China. Their names are Shaohannah, Stevey Joy and Maria.- Actor
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Born February 24, 1947, in East Los Angeles, at The First Japanese Hospital to Pedro Olmos and Eleanor Huizar. Raised on Cheesebrough's Lane, he attended Greenwood Elementary and Montebello Junior High. He then graduated from Montebello High School in 1964. After which he received an Associative Arts Degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice at East Los Angeles College in 1966. Olmos since then has gone on to receive many accolades from the City of Montebello, including the Alumni of The Year from Montebello High School in 2014, and Man of the Year Award from The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation in 2015.
He has achieved extraordinary success as an actor, producer and humanitarian. The Tony, Emmy and Academy Award® Nominated actor, is probably best known to young audiences for his work on the SYFY television series "Battlestar Galatica" as Admiral William Adama. Although the series kept the actor busy during its run from 2003 through 2009, it didn't stop him from directing the HBO movie "Walkout" in 2007, for which he earned a DGA Nomination in the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television category.
Olmos' career in entertainment spans over 30 years. In that time he created a signature style and aesthetic that he applies to every artist endeavor, often grounding his characters in reality and gravitas. His dedication to his craft has brought him attention across the industry, and with audiences worldwide.- Actress
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Marlee Beth Matlin was born on August 24, 1965 in Morton Grove, Illinois, to Libby (Hammer) and Donald Matlin, an automobile dealer. She has two older brothers. Her family is of Russian Jewish and Polish Jewish descent.
Marlee lost much of her hearing at the age of eighteen months. That did not stop her from acting in a children's theater company at age seven; she was Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz". Her deafness never held her back. As an adult, she said it so eloquently: "I have always resisted putting limitations on myself, both professionally and personally." Marlee studied criminal justice at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, and maintained her passion for acting after graduating. While performing on stage through Chicago and the Midwest, Marlee attracted notice for her performance in a production of the Tony Award-winning play "Children of a Lesser God" and was cast in the movie version Children of a Lesser God (1986). Although this was her movie debut, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. While shooting her next movie Walker (1987), in Nicaragua, large-hearted Marlee took time to visit both hearing and hearing-impaired children. She continued this tradition of visiting local children through her travels to Germany, England, Italy, Australia, Mexico, Canada, etc.
Her interest in the criminal justice field played a role in her on screen career; she portrayed an assistant D.A. on the television series Reasonable Doubts (1991), while off screen she married police officer Kevin Grandalski on August 29, 1993. The couple has four children: Sarah (born 1996), Brandon (born 2000), Tyler (born 2002), and Isabelle (born 2003). In 1994, Marlee was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance as Laurie Bey on the television series Picket Fences (1992). Marlee is also a spokeswoman for the National Captioning Institute. In 1995, she testified at a congressional hearing and helped get a law passed that requires all television sets 13 inches or larger to be manufactured with built-in chips to provide closed captioning on their screens; this was a godsend for deaf viewers.
Marlee serves as the national spokeswoman for the largest provider of television closed captioning, and has spoken on behalf of CC in countries such as Australia, England, France and Italy. She also serves on the boards of a number of charitable organizations, including Very Special Arts, the Starlight Foundation, and other charities that primarily benefit children. As someone who loves children so much, it is only fitting that she has four of her own. Professionally, Marlee has even tried producing, being the executive producer for Where the Truth Lies (1999).- Producer
- Actress
- Writer
Lisa Ling was born on 30 August 1973 in Sacramento, California, USA. She is a producer and actress, known for Our America with Lisa Ling (2011), Birth, Wedding, Funeral and The View (1997). She has been married to Paul Song since 26 May 2007. They have two children.- Paxton Booth began his professional acting career at the age of 2 ½. He has since appeared in dozens of national commercials and landed several guest star roles on popular television shows, including the Emmy Award-winning sitcom "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," ABC's "The Real O'Neals," "Teachers," "Another Period" and the anthology web series "The Romanoffs." He was also a judge on the unscripted ABC series "The Toy Box." Paxton is in production, set to play series regular "Ollie Wrather" on Disney Channel's Coop and Cami Ask The World.
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- Writer
- Cinematographer
Kevin Doan is a filmmaker and photographer based in New York, NY where he specializes in the creation of media in the commercial space working primarily with musicians, brands, and magazines. His narrative work appears in and has shown in Los Angeles Film Festival, Orlando Film Festival, Iowa Film Festival, and more.- Actress
- Composer
- Producer
Meg Donnelly is positioned to be a breakout star in the entertainment industry, quickly becoming known for her impeccable comedic timing on camera, innate abilities in music, and the refreshing, free spirit she brings to every project she appears in. Donnelly can be seen starring on ABC's hit comedy series "American Housewife." The show follows Katie Otto (Katy Mixon) a strong-willed mother who is struggling to raise her flawed family in a wealthy town filled with perfect wives and their impeccable offspring. Now in its fourth season, Donnelly shines as 'Taylor', the eldest of Katie's three children, who was an awkward, homely student and suddenly grew out of her ugly-duckling phase.
On the film front, Donnelly can be seen starring as 'Addison' in the Disney Channel Original Movie "Zombies." The musical follows a semester at Seabrook High School, located in a suburban town preoccupied with uniformity, traditions and pep rallies. When transfer students from Zombietown are integrated into the school, all of their past customs and beliefs are suddenly changed. The film centers around cheerleader 'Addison' (Donnelly) and zombie football star 'Zed'. "Zombies" premiered on February 16, 2018 to record-breaking viewership. The sequel, "Zombies 2," debuted on February 14, 2020. Also on the film front, Donnelly can be seen in the indie drama 'The Broken Ones' (AMK Films), which premiered at the 2017 Soho International Film Festival in New York City.
Born in New York City and raised in Peapack, New Jersey, Donnelly got her start in the entertainment industry in commercial/print work, and in music. At the age of six, she started training in voice, dance, and acting at Annie's Playhouse - School of Performing Arts in Far Hills, New Jersey. Being a natural born performer, she was drawn to the stage and quickly became the youngest performer in the APX Conservatory, a singing/dancing group that performed in various venues throughout New Jersey. At only 11 years old she landed her first series regular role on Netflix's "Team Toon." For 26 episodes, she starred as 'Ash', one of four kid-creators of an animated online series called "Psycho Squirrel." Donnelly has also appeared on ABC's top-rated series "What Would You Do?"
In conjunction to working on these projects, Donnelly was still avidly working in music, becoming the understudy for the role of 'Louisa' in the groundbreaking NBC television special "The Sound of Music Live!" and was a featured soloist in the 54 Below production of "Von Trapp Children: from Sound of Music, Live." Most recently, she was named Radio Disney's Next Big Thing and has performed alongside the likes of Steve Aoki, Avril Lavigne, and Alessia Cara. Her debut album "trust," which released December 6, 2019, features tracks with KOTA The Friend and 2 Milly.
When she isn't on set or touring, Donnelly continues to learn and practice the Japanese language.- Brennen Frost resides in Los Angeles, California. She is a 17 year old and legal 18. She is an American actress and musician who has trained across the country, known for Erin & Aaron, Dark Waters: Murder in the Deep, and Manifest. Her hobbies include singing, playing piano, hiking, baking, and going to Dodger games!
- Music Department
- Actor
- Soundtrack
James Larson is known for 5 More Sleeps 'til Christmas (2021), Annette (2021) and Perry Mason (2020).- Actor
- Additional Crew
Krystian Alexander Lyttle is one of the most promising young actors to emerge out of Los Angeles. He has just completed a Brilliant Performance for "Foster Boy" as Young Jamal, The Supporting Lead .
Shane Paul McGhie stars in "Foster Boy," a legal drama about a high-powered litigator who takes on the case of a disadvantaged African-American young man. They uncover the abuses of the for-profit foster care system.
Other cast members include Julie Benz, Amy Brenneman, Greg Germann, Evan Handler, Jordan Belfi, Lex Scott Davis
The script is written by attorney-turned-screenwriter Jay Paul Deratany, based on his experiences as a litigator in Chicago. "Foster Boy," which is shooting in Los Angeles, is directed by Youssef Delara. Lyttle's television credits also include Grey's Anatomy, Roseanne, The Mayor, Alex Inc., Bunk'd and Body Double for Will Packers New Movie "Breaking In"- Matt Marr is an Acadian Canadian living in Los Angeles.
Matt was raised in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, beginning a professional career in Toronto before moving to the states.
Matt appeared on So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Season 4, placing 3rd.
Matt is a Dancer, Actor, and Writer - Actress
- Executive
Jessica Mikayla has an impressive resume that includes projects for Disney+, FX, Showtime, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Netflix and more. She has been nominated for a 2024 NAACP Image Award and recently won a 2023 SOVAS Award. Both as a theatrical and voice over actor, Jessica is one of the leading up and coming talents in the industry.
Jessica recently won the 2023 Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS) Award for Outstanding Dubbing - International - TV or Streaming - Best Voiceover for Hawa, seen on Amazon Prime. Her voice can also be heard as 'Western Honey' in the animation series "LOL Surprise! Tots Road Trip" and "House of Surprises." Additionally, she lends her voice to characters on "Stillwater," "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," "The Chi," "Mindhunter," and the Oscar-winning animated feature film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
In front of the camera, Jessica has landed roles on "Fresh Off the Boat," "You're the Worst" and "Diary of a Future President." She has been nominated for a 2024 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Short Form Series for her work in Disney Launchpad Season 2. Fellow nominees include Kevin Hart and Leslie Jones.
Growing up in Compton, Jessica volunteers as a Children's Church Leader discussing the need to stop gun violence and the importance of literacy in the inner city. Last year, she was named Rising Star Honoree by EmpowHer, the non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women as they strive to achieve their goals, fostering a collective journey of growth and success. This year Jessica will be their emcee and lead two voice-over workshops on April 12, 2024.- Actress
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- Soundtrack
Mila Nabours is an American Actress known for her lead roles in the films "Feet of Fire" and "Nina Saiza" which have earned her multiple awards as Best Young Actress. In addition, her recurring roles in Dhar Mann have gotten her immense recognition all over the world. Her talent can also be seen on tv in shows such as People Magazine Investigate as well as commercial campaigns, web series, and music videos. Most recently, Mila was part of a new CDPH Anti-Weed campaign, now being advertised on many different social platforms. The daughter of professional classical musicians, Mila is a recording artist herself who released her first original music in early 2021 which was followed by an EP titled "Vision". This three song EP includes 3 songs: Hypnosis, New Moon, and Catch Me. Vision speaks to a generation of teens trying to discover themselves and their life's direction in a post-Covid world. Her latest single Memory is dedicated to those who have family members suffering from Alzheimer's. In addition to bringing awareness to Alzheimer's, the song mainly regards losing someone. In Mila's case, it related mainly to Alzheimer's, but the song is up for interpretation based on personal experience. After the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Mila was chosen to dedicate a performance at London Fashion week in her honor, and performed "Memory" during the weekend of her funeral. In addition to her artistry, Mila also speaks up and brings awareness to autism through the charity Spreading the Love. With this being said, Mila also promotes several other charities and organizations on her social media, such as raising money for the children struggling in Ukraine. In the past couple of years, Mila has recorded numerous soundtracks for various movies and tv shows. Outside of the entertainment world, Mila is a typical teenager that enjoys biking, laughing with friends and making comedic content.- Hailey Jade is a 14 year old seasoned dancer, seen as the thumbnail for the trailer of the movie "In the Heights". She is an upcoming actress from New Jersey with a love for dancing, performing, and entertaining, since she could walk. She possesses a presence that sets any stage on fire and has started to make her mark in this world. She trains in various styles of dance and with many top Choreographers. One of her biggest accomplishments is that she cast in the movie "In The Heights" written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Directed by Jon Chu, which hit the big screen in the Summer of 2021. In addition, she just recently had a speaking role in a Disney movie, "Better Nate Than Ever". She's been blessed to have an excellent resume at such a young age. She has worked on various national commercials for dance and has hit the stage on many amazing platforms. She has performed on stages at the Billboard Music Awards with Nicki Minaj, Radio Disney Music Awards, Little Mermaid Live, danced in a music video with Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, and even performed "Havana" with Camila Cabello's personal approval on the opening episode for Lip Sync Battle Shorties and so much more. From modeling to the live stage, she is proud of all her accomplishments thus far and pours her heart into every project. She is looking forward to continue her success, as she continues to grow and learn in this industry. She wants to teach and inspire which is her ultimate goal. She is grateful to everyone who has guided her, supported her, and helped her so far on this beautiful journey she's on.
- Actor
- Stunts
A native of Southern California, Benji decided he wanted to be an actor and quickly discovered he lives in the perfect place to pursue his passion. At the age of 8 he booked a national commercial after his very first audition and has been pursuing acting ever since.
Benji performed in three seasons on Disney Junior's animated series, "Vampirina," in a recurring role as the voice of "Edgar Peepleson" and on Amazon's animated series, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" in a recurring role as the voice of "Leo". Benji is inspired by all aspects of voiceover work and loves bringing animated characters to life.
Benji has also appeared in several national television commercials, short films, web series, community and high school theater productions, high school musical theater productions and high school concert choir performances. He enjoys acting, singing, and stunts/stage combat.
When not pursuing his acting career, Benji enjoys dirt biking, video games, listening to music, making short films, and hanging out with friends.- Actress
- Director
- Soundtrack
Olivia Sanabia is an up-and-coming young actress, she is a Southern California native. She began acting professionally after her early start in musical theater at the age of 6. She recently stepped back onto the stage to star as Snow White in "A Snow White Christmas" with Lythgoe Family Panto. A few of her early credits include numerous commercials and guest-starring roles on many television shows such as Sam & Cat (2013), Extant (2014), Life in Pieces (2015), before landing the starring role in Amazon's hit original series Just Add Magic (2015). Following four successful seasons, she transitioned to starring in Disney Channel's sitcom Coop and Cami Ask the World (2018), where she displays her musical talents and exceptional comedic skills. Olivia is a multifaceted actress, singer, and songwriter. She has released two original singles, "Stars Crossed" and "The Train", in which she displays her powerful voice and masterful lyrics. She plans to continue releasing music and hopes to inspire her dedicated fan base through her songs. Olivia aspires to explore the world of film and star on Broadway. Outside of entertainment, she donates her time to the non-profit organization Cookies for Kids' Cancer. Sanabia is committed to promoting positivity to empower her large fan base on her social platforms including Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.- Music Department
- Actress
Mila Tambaoan is known for Spiderhead (2022), A Wrinkle in Time (2018) and Peter Pan & Wendy (2023).- Actor
- Producer
Albert Tsai is an American actor. He started his professional career at the age of 9. Albert won rave reviews and multiple awards recognition for his breakout role as Bert on the ABC comedy series Trophy Wife, including a "Best Supporting Actor" nomination from 2014 Critics' Choice Television Awards, and "The Breakout TV Stars of 2013" by The Huffington Post, Hollywood.com, and E! Online. In 2015, he was named one of Entertainment Weekly's 12 Best Child Actors.
Albert was born on August 5, 2004 in San Jose, California. He discovered his passion for acting at seven years old, when he participated in a school play. He made his TV debut on CBS' hit series "How I Met Your Mother" in May 2013. Since then, Albert has starred on four network comedy series including ABC's "Trophy Wife", "Dr. Ken", CBS' 9JKL, and Disney Channel's "Coop and Cami Ask the World". He also made guest appearances on "Fresh Off The Boat", "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend", "Hot In Cleveland", and "Benched". In 2019, Albert stars as Peng in Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation's feature film "Abominable" opposite Chloe Bennet and Sarah Paulson.
When not working, Albert loves to read, swim & surf, and go horseback riding. He is bilingual and speaks Chinese Mandarin fluently. He enjoys traveling and has been to many different places in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Sanai Victoria, is a 17-year-old American actress who began her career at the age of 7. Currently you can see her on Diary of a Future President as Melissa on Disney+ as well as Netflix's No-Good Nick as Tamika.
At the tender age of 2½, she had already begun piano, gymnastics, voice, and dance lessons and has continued to excel in performing arts. Sanai started in natural pageants, at the age of six, where she instantly excelled winning several Miss California titles up to the age of eleven.
Shortly thereafter Sanai decided to test her fate in the acting industry. She immediately started booking numerous national commercials. Booking the very first audition that she went on.
Within a year of acting, Nickelodeon gave her the call that catapulted a trajectory to her comedic career as they recognized Sanai's talent and gave her a starring role on the Nickelodeon pilot Future Shock, where she starred as Kylie Parker, a tenacious, wise-beyond-her-years 8-year-old.
Comedy has come naturally for this bright, charismatic young actress, throughout the years Sanai has been seen as Vera on ABC's Modern Family and Cousin Diamond on Black-ish. She has also guest starred on many Disney shows including Sydney to the Max, Lab Rats Elite Force, Girl Meets World, and Bizaardvark. She was nominated and won a Young Artist Award for her portrayal of Zoe in Lab Rats Elite Force. At the age of 9 Sanai had the pleasure of working with the very talented Tyler Perry as a series regular on "The Payne's" which aired on the OWN Network.
Her voice can be heard as a series regular in animated projects such as, Tessa on Little People by Fisher Price on Sprout and Disney's Whisker Haven Tales with the Palace Pets, as Treasure, on Disney Junior. In addition to recurring on Vampirina as Phoebe on Disney Junior and Madagascar: A Little Wild as Claire, on Hulu respectively.
While she has obvious comedic instinct, Sanai loves to explore theatrical and dramatic acting. She has always been cognitively beyond her years and enjoys bringing true stories to life on the screen. She began as Victoria Whitney in Lifetime's remake of the classic Beaches, opposite Idina Menzel and Nia Long. Sanai also she stars as Lola in the independent feature, Summering, directed and produced by James Ponsoldt.
When Sanai is not working, she is a straight A honor roll student, enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) college courses at school. She's on the cheer team and loves to hang out with the four-legged best friend Sasha Fierce. She enjoys supporting charities and is currently working on developing her own nonprofit that will help foster care youth and the mentally ill. She enjoys being a regular teenager on TikTok @SanaiVictoria and on Instagram @iamsanaivictoria. She is represented by Tanesia Tramell at Eleven 7 Artist Management and Paradigm Talent Agency.- Actor
- Soundtrack
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Kylie Cantrall was born on 25 June 2005. She is an actress, known for Ron's Gone Wrong (2021), Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024) and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019).- Jackson Dollinger was born on 19 January 2007 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Pretty Freaking Scary (2023), Life by Ella (2022) and *Loosely Exactly Nicole (2016).
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- Additional Crew
Mckenna Grace is an American actress and singer from Grapevine, Texas who is known for playing Phoebe Spengler from Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Jasmine from Crash & Bernstein, Faith Newman from The Young and the Restless and Mary Adler from Gifted. She also acted in I, Tonya, Amityville: The Awakening, The Handmaid's Tale, Spirit Untamed and Scoob.