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1-33 of 33
- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Rodney Dangerfield was born Jacob Cohen on November 22, 1921 in Deer Park, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. He was the son of Dorothy "Dotty" (Teitelbaum) and Phillip Cohen, who performed in vaudeville under the name Phil Roy. His father was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents, and his mother was a Hungarian Jewish immigrant. Rodney began writing jokes at the age of fifteen, and started performing before he was 20. He took his act to the road for ten years, his stage name was "Jack Roy". While working as a struggling comedian, Rodney Dangerfield worked as a singing waiter. His first run at comedy was to no avail.
Rodney Dangerfield married Joyce Indig, in 1949 and had two children: Brian and Melanie. During the 1950s, Rodney was an aluminum siding salesman, living in New Jersey. The comedian made another attempt at stand-up comedy, this time as Rodney Dangerfield. In 1961, Rodney divorced from his wife.
When he appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" (The Ed Sullivan Show (1948)), Rodney Dangerfield made Ed Sullivan laugh. Few people ever provoked any kind of reaction out of the legendary Ed Sullivan. Dangerfield had the image of a lovable disgruntled every-man type that became a hit all across nightclubs in the 1960s. Dangerfield also made many appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) and The Dean Martin Show (1965) in the 1970s.
Rodney Dangerfield snatched a minor supporting part in the movie, The Projectionist (1970), in 1971. By the mid 1970s, he had cemented his image as a comedian constantly tugging at his red tie, always proclaiming he gets no respect. His big break came with many appearances on Saturday Night Live (1975), bringing himself to a much wider audience and proving hysterical on many occasions. In 1980, Dangerfield became a cornerstone of American comedy with the classic Caddyshack (1980).
Here, he played "Al Czervik", a rich golfer who was a basically nice guy who was extremely outspoken and very obnoxious. His character was often unhappy with the rich snobbery he was around, and he takes on the rich people that are so snobby to him.
The average guy that his character portrayed was an instant hit, and a formula that Dangerfield often stuck with. Also, in 1980, Rodney came out with a popular comedy album, "Rappin Rodney".
The album earned Dangerfield a Grammy for best comedy album. The next movie on Rodney's agenda was Easy Money (1983), a comedy that showed him as an insulting working class person who suddenly becomes a millionaire. The movie was also a big hit. Dangerfield became very sparse in his roles on TV and film about this time. The year 1986 saw the comedy, Back to School (1986), his biggest film to date. The comedy was one of the first to gross over 100 million. In 1994, Dangerfield starred in his first dramatic role in the successful Oliver Stone film, Natural Born Killers (1994).
He played an abusive father who drove one of the killers crazy. His part was critically-acclaimed. In 1995, Dangerfield entered the world of cyberspace, becoming the first entertainer to have a website on the world-wide web. In 1997, he starred in Meet Wally Sparks (1997), a political and talk show satire which was poorly received. In 2000, Dangerfield starred as "the Devil" in Little Nicky (2000). The movie was potentially a huge hit, but was a failure by most accounts. Dangerfield took a very small part, but was top-billed in the direct-to-video The Godson (1998), and starred in the direct-to-video link=tt0216930]. But it has not been all smooth sailing for this comedian. In 1997, he admitted to a lifelong bout with depression and, on his 80th birthday, had a mild heart attack. He has major fans from all kinds of people from all different backgrounds. Dangerfield had made a record 70 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962), and had discovered many struggling comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, Roseanne Barr, Robert Townsend, Sam Kinison and Tim Allen.
The comedian owned a legendary nightclub in Manhattan called "Dangerfield's". In the 1990s, he made highly-publicized appearances on The Simpsons (1989), In Living Color (1990), Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1995), Home Improvement (1991), Suddenly Susan (1996), among others.
In 1993, he married Joan Dangerfield (aka Joan Child), a woman thirty years younger than him, and a Mormon.
He died on October 5, 2004, after falling into a coma following heart surgery.- Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Sound Department
The youngest of three, Blair was born in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He lived on a pig farm just outside of Ponoka, Alberta until the age of four, when his family moved to Red Deer. His mother, Deborah, is a nurse, and his father, Warren, is an entrepreneur and owner of a telecommunications business. Blair, took to sports and academics all throughout school, specifically excelling in Hockey, Volleyball, Soccer, English and Sports Medicine. He began his acting career in 2003 in his first year of college. Focusing on a commerce degree, he filled his course load with drama classes, hoping to raise his GPA. At the conclusion of the first semester, he quickly changed his career direction after finding his true passion. In the spring of 2004, he was accepted into and in 2007 graduated from the highly acclaimed professional theatre training program at Studio 58 in Vancouver, BC. Having appearances on such TV programs as Bionic Woman (2007), Battlestar Galactica (2007), and The L Word (2008), Blair's first recurring role came with the show Aliens in America (2007) where he played the popular quarterback 'Dan Archer.' Since moving to Toronto, he has been seen in the TV series' Suits (2013), Beauty and the Beast (2014), Republic of Doyle (2014), Rookie Blue (2014). He has also had the pleasure of working with Black Walk Films for the TV series Dark Rising: Warrior of Worlds and Good Soldier Films for the feature films Night Cries and Country Crush. Recently he has been seen in the leading role of 'William Pinkerton' for the TV series, The Pinkertons which can be seen on CHCH and Netflix. Blair also still performs in various theatre productions throughout Canada. Also a part-time, laid-back musician, Blair studies music theory while playing classical guitar, and likes to plunk away on the piano. Blair resides in Toronto, Ontario with his wife and son.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Originally from Deer Park, Long Island, Eddie Alfano is a graduate of Fordham University where he played football until sidelined by injuries. As an actor he has appeared in dozens of Network Television shows, including the recurring roles of "KJ" on Showtime's "Shameless" and "Frazier" on CBS' "Criminal Minds."
Notable film roles include the leading role of "Don Small" in Gravitas Ventures', "Babysplitters," winner of the Panavision Spirit Award at the 2019 Santa Barbara Film Festival. In 2020, the Hollywood Reporter described his role of "Uncle Sal" in the Will Dennis Indie-Comedy, "Vanilla," as "nearly stealing the film." Additionally in 2020, he appeared as "Helena's Bodyguard" in the box office hit, "Birds Of Prey."
As a writer, his short film, "Cops and Robbers," which parodied his life as a typecast actor, played at numerous festivals across the country, winning the Audience Choice Award at the 2015 Stony Brook Film Festival. His next effort, "Internet Gangsters" premiered at the LA Shorts Fest in 2017 and played in festivals across the globe throughout 2018. His production company, "What A Nightmare Productions" continues to produce various short form content for digital platforms and film festivals.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Eric Gustafsson was born on 27 January 1989 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He is an actor and director, known for Helstrom (2020), Heartland (2007) and Bones of Crows: The Series (2023).- Phil Jackson is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
A power forward, Jackson played 12 seasons in the NBA, winning NBA championships with the New York Knicks in 1970 and 1973. Jackson was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 to 1998. He coached the Bulls to six NBA championships. He then coached the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2004 and again from 2005 to 2011; the team won five NBA championships under his leadership. Jackson's 11 NBA titles as a coach surpassed the previous record of nine set by Red Auerbach. He also holds the NBA record for the most combined championships, winning a total of 13 as a player and a coach.
Phil Jackson is known for his use of Tex Winter's triangle offense as well as a holistic approach to coaching that was influenced by Eastern philosophy, garnering him the nickname "Zen Master". Jackson cited Robert Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as one of the major guiding forces in his life. He also applied Native American spiritual practices, as documented in his book Sacred Hoops. He is the author of several candid books about his teams and his basketball strategies. In 2007, Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, as part of celebrations for the National Basketball Association's 50th anniversary, Jackson was named one of the 10 greatest coaches in league history.
Jackson retired from coaching in 2011 and joined the Knicks as an executive in March 2014. - Actor
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Richard Bennett was born on 21 May 1870 in Deer Creek, Indiana, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), Damaged Goods (1914) and The Eternal City (1923). He was married to Aimee Raisch Hastings, Adrienne Morrison and Grena Heller. He died on 22 October 1944 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Eddie Borden was born on 1 May 1888 in Deer Lodge, Tennessee, USA. He was an actor, known for Jungle Bride (1933), The Dove (1927) and Belle of the Nineties (1934). He died on 1 July 1955 in Hollywood, California, USA.- Writer
- Director
- Producer
George Massimillo was born in Deer Park, Long Island, New York, USA. He is a writer and director, known for Waning Poetic, It's Love, Bro (2023) and Enjoy Yourself (2009).- Jack McHugh was born on 25 May 1913 in Deer Lodge, Montana, USA. He was an actor, known for Stick to Your Story (1926), Chinatown Nights (1929) and Space Patrol (1950). He died on 13 January 1983 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
- Stunts
- Actress
Leslie McMichael, PhD has been a Canadian stunt performer since 1996 and a stunt coordinator since 2015. Her performing specialties are: martial arts, wire work, driving, fire and stunt acting. Leslie is the first female stunt coordinator in Alberta and has worked for studios such as Netflix, Disney, CBS, Paramount and Amazon. With a PhD in Media Psychology, Leslie has studied the effects of serial concussions in stunt performers and continues to educate and promote concussion awareness in the stunt community.- Visual Effects
- Producer
- Writer
Aurore de Blois' interests naturally drew her towards science fiction and an award-winning career in VFX spanning 25 years. In 2003, legendary and multiple award-winning VFX artist Doug Drexler discovered her: by this time, self-taught in numerous VFX disciplines. In 2005, she was invited as a founding member of the newly formed Battlestar Galactica in-house VFX Dept, led by visionary award-winning VFX Supervisor Gary Hutzel.
Aurore received her first Emmy Award in 2008 for the Season Four Battlestar Galactica episode 'He That Believeth in Me' - making her the first transgendered Emmy recipient.
She contributed significantly to each of BSG's record-breaking awards which include: a Peabody in 2005, four VES Awards, three additional Emmy Awards, two additional Emmy nominations and three additional VES nominations. She moved to Los Angeles in 2009 with an O-1 Visa for Avatar and in 2011 relocated to London, UK with a Tier-1 Exceptional Talent Visa, where she worked on numerous major motion pictures.
After nearly 5 years in the UK and EU, Aurore paused her VFX career in 2014 to focus on her long-unrealized sci-fi miniseries, ATSF. Sequestering herself in a 17th Century mansion in Amsterdam for a month, she wrote the first draft of ATSF before returning to Canada after 8 years abroad. She then began Swedish language classes in 2015 while resuming her VFX career and writing and developing ATSF further. In 2020, Aurore was awarded a prestigious month-long artist residency at the Ingmar Bergman Estate - where she finalized her scripts within the inspiring atmosphere of Ingmar's own home and most recently returned to the UK on a Tier 1 Global Talent Visa.- Hailing from Alberta, Canada, Dreyden Free was first introduced to the world of acting when he auditioned for the role of "Young Brian" through his eighth-grade drama teacher, as part of Super Channel's "It's Not My Fault and I Don't Care Anyway," featuring the late Alan Thicke. Dreyden landed the role in the film and his passion for acting was ignited, marking the beginning of his career in the industry.
Dreyden then set off to Vancouver to pursue a career in film and television. Since then, he has studied acting at the Railtown Actors Studio and has appeared in numerous projects including The CW's "The Flash", Paramount + and Nickelodeon's "Monster High: The Movie" and "Monster High 2", Lifetime's "Midnight Whispers", and GAC's " A Christmas for the Ages".
In addition to his successful acting career, Dreyden excels as a versatile dancer and accomplished choreographer, actively sharing his expertise through regular teaching engagements.
Dreyden is excited for what comes next in his career as he explores more of his creative side through pursuing new acting roles, writing scripts, and exploring the film and TV world through the lens as a director. - Composer, author, pianist and organist Ruth Lyons is a Cincinnati institution, known for her work as one of the nation's premier broadcasters in the 1940s, '50s and '60s, and for her charity, the Ruth Lyons Children's Fund. Ruth was educated at the University of Cincinnati, where she wrote musical productions, and the Conservatory of Music. In 1929, she began her career in radio at Cincinnati's WKRC as a pianist, organist and music librarian, eventually becoming the station's music director. She moved to WLW and WSAI in 1942 to host "Petticoat Partyline", an afternoon show for women. Next came "The WLW Consumer's Foundation", featuring Ruth, Frazier Thomas and organist Arthur Chandler. (The show was later renamed "Morning Matinee.") In 1949, while continuing her duties on "Morning Matinee," Ruth debuted the "50 Club" on WLW, the show for which she is best remembered. Named for the number of people in the studio audience each day, the 90-minute weekday show soon became the "50-50 Club" when it began simulcasting on WLW and WLWT television. By 1951, Ruth Lyons was a household name outside of Cincinnati. NBC aired the "50-50 Club" nationwide for eleven months that year, one of several programs produced in Cincinnati by WLWT and broadcast by every station in the network. The show marked another milestone in 1957 by becoming the first color TV broadcast in Cincinnati. Ruth had a number of co-hosts during her years on the "50-50 Club," including Paul Jones, Willie Thall, Peter Grant and Bob Braun, and the latter stepped in when Ruth retired in 1967. Joining ASCAP in 1957, her popular-song compositions include "Wasn't the Summer Short?", "The Ten Tunes of Christmas", "Let's Light the Christmas Tree", "This Is Christmas", and "Christmas Is a Birthday Time".
- Actress
- Art Department
- Assistant
Cova Brouwer Gentry is a Dutch Canadian screenwriter based out of Los Angeles, California. She was born in Red Deer, Alberta Canada, and was deeply impacted by the beautiful landscapes and outdoor adventures of her childhood. She attended Savannah College of Art and Design for Dramatic Writing. Cova primarily writes features with a focus on adventure, nature, and history. Cova's Canadian screenwriting production company -- Sincerely, Bigfoot Productions -- focuses on writing features that celebrate Canada's natural legacy and heritage. Additionally, Cova also co-writes with her father, Canadian author Sigmund Brouwer. Cova is represented by American Talent Management.- Costume and Wardrobe Department
- Costume Designer
J.B. Owen was born on 12 June 1970 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. She is a costume designer, known for Walking Tall (2004), Saved! (2004) and Mr. Rice's Secret (1999).- Christopher Hopp was born on 20 April 1985 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He is an actor, known for Flicker (2007), Mediocritization (2008) and Surreal (2008). He has been married to Kristen since 1 September 2007.
- Sara Bruner was born on 21 August 1977 in Deer Lodge, Montana, USA. She is an actress, known for Tattoo: A Love Story (2002), Most Funniest (2005) and MDs (2002).
- Andria grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She attended Keyano College where she received a Drama Diploma with Distinction, after which she continued on to the University of Victoria to study Theatre, and she subsequently graduated from Toronto Film School. She and her family happily reside in Courtenay British Columbia on Vancouver Island.
- Visual Effects
- Actor
- Set Decorator
Simon Ager was born on 8 December 1969 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He is an actor and set decorator, known for I, Robot (2004), The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003) and Stargate: Atlantis (2004).- Additional Crew
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
Born in Milwaukee, WI and raised in the neighboring suburb of Brown Deer, Michael D. Witman was curious since his childhood about the majestic world of film. From an early age of eight, he voiced to his mother his interest in being a stunt man. However soon after, as he began to grow, Witman realized the dangers in that choice and, to his mother's rejoices, decided against that particular career path. Still his interest in the film industry continued to persist throughout his young years. Throughout grade school and his years as a Boy Scout, Witman explored the industry through reading, research, and experimentation. With several papers and the loads of research that came with those papers, he found himself fascinated with the process behind the filmmaking. In particular, Witman was captivated as to how movies could trick an audience into believing things that were only possible in the imagination. Using visual effects and camera manipulation to control the audience's perception of the story being told continued to be key in the subjects of his writing and research. Through the Boy Scouts, Witman quickly became his troop's videographer, recording events on trips and editing them together afterward to record those moments for the troop. He was even recruited by the Milwaukee County Boy Scout Council to capture and present several council-wide events. After high-school, Witman attended Webster University for an undergraduate film production program. Throughout those years, he directed eight short films, and helped his fellow classmates with countless other films. He also found himself deeply involved in several organizations including the Media Association and Gorlok television, the campus-wide TV station. During this time and for several years after, Witman also worked as a volunteer at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT. He graduated successfully after completing his final and most complicated short film, Red Ink, which was screened at over a dozen venues around the nation including the St. Louis International Film Festival and the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival. Since college, Witman has moved to the west coast and currently resides in the Los Angeles area working in the film industry. He began working as a set production assistant and got the opportunity to be part of several larger features including Live Free or Die Hard and Eagle Eye. From his work as a PA, Witman quickly began working as an assistant director in the world of independent film. After racking up a resume of over 25 features and shorts, he took an opportunity to work in television as both a set PA and an office PA. Currently, Witman is the production secretary for the hit show, Modern Family. In the near future, Witman hopes to produce and direct his first feature length film in Los Angeles. He is currently in the stage of rewriting a script with the help of several writers, with hopes of bringing it to life and beginning a path to his true career goals of directing.- Darren Dreger was born on 13 June 1968 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He has been married to Holly since 18 May 1991. They have two children.
- Dan Steiger was born on 7 September 1985 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He is an actor, known for American Beer (1996) and True Blue Beauty (2003).
- Actor
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Bill Bourne was born on 28 March 1954 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He was an actor and composer, known for The Carol Project (2006), A Raven's Song (2014) and Bill Bourne: Portland (2002). He died on 16 April 2022 in Canada.- Actor
- Producer
Spandy Andy Rimer was born on 27 December 1986 in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. He is an actor and producer, known for Bad Weather Films (2010), Brothers TV (2004) and The Charlie Da Clown Show (2010).- Darren Langdon was born on 8 January 1971 in Deer Lake, Newfoundland, Canada.