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1-26 of 26
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Donald Jay Rickles was born May 8, 1926 in New York. Following the Golden Era of Hollywood, he remained active until early 2017. He got his start in night clubs, toiling for over 20 years, until 1958, when he made his film debut in U 23 - Tödliche Tiefen (1958). The movie was a big hit. Afterward, Rickles continued acting, starring in films like Der Mann mit den Röntgenaugen (1963), Bikini Beach (1964), Sein grosser Auftritt (1967), and Stoßtrupp Gold (1970). In 1973, Don became a regular on Dean Martin's Celebrity Roasts.
From 1973-84, he appeared frequently on Dean's show, paying tribute to some of his friends, like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and was even the roast master on the roast for Dean Martin himself. In 1976, he had his own TV series CPO Sharkey (1976), which enjoyed a two year run. After 1984, he slowed down, appearing in a few minor film roles. In 1995, he made a comeback, appearing with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen in Toy Story (1995) in the role of the grouchy Mr. Potato Head. In 1999, he returned as Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story 2 (1999). He died on April 6, 2017, in Los Angeles, California, aged 90. He is interred at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, in the Courts of Tanach.- Actor
- Soundtrack
James was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York. Started out doing impressions at stand up comedy clubs at 16. He eventually got an interest in acting classes in small spaces in small venues in Manhattan. First dramatic role was as John Proctor In Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" at Forest Hills High School. After high school, he attended the Juilliard School for Dramatic Arts. Since then, he has performed on various off-Broadway stages, and is seen going back and forth between stage and screen.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Vivacious blue-eyed blonde Penny Edwards was born in New York City in 1928 and displayed signs of musical talent as a youth. She began studying dance by age six and, as a teen, appeared on Broadway in "The Ziegfeld Follies of 1943". After a couple of other musicals and a stint with the St. Louis Municipal Opera, she was signed by Warner Brothers in 1947. She showed great perk and promise as a second lead, singing and dancing opposite the likes of Dennis Morgan and Ben Blue in her film debut, My Wild Irish Rose (1947). She continued on winningly in the Shirley Temple vehicle That Hagen Girl (1947); then alongside Morgan again in Two Guys from Texas (1948); with Donald O'Connor and Marjorie Main in the rube musical Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin' (1948); and in another musical, Tucson (1949).
After a successful vaudeville tour, Penny was signed by Republic Pictures and started off in a series of "prairie flower" ingénue roles while temporarily replacing a pregnant Dale Evans in a number of Roy Rogers oaters. In 1951, she wed agent Ralph Winters and had two daughters: Deborah Winters (born 1954), who would go on to become an actress in her own right, and Rebecca (born 1956). After a succession of "B" movies, Penny left Hollywood to focus on religious work. She later reappeared on the more popular TV shows of the day, including the westerns Wells Fargo (1957), Wagon Train (1957) and Bonanza (1959), and in light-hearted entertainment alongside Robert Cummings and Red Skelton in their respective shows. Penny's lovely, ladylike features also made a significant dent in the commercial market, appearing as "The Lux Girl", "The Palmolive Girl" and "The Tiparillo Girl".
Following her divorce in 1958, Penny married Jerry Friedman and they had a son, David. That 1964 union would end up in the divorce courts as well. Penny retired from show biz completely by the mid-1960s and died, in 1998, of lung cancer, just two days after her 70th birthday.- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Howard Allan Stern was born on January 12, 1954, in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, to Rae (Schiffman), an inhalation therapist, and Bernard Stern, who co-owned a cartoon/commercial production studio. His grandparents were Jewish emigrants from Poland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Stern's first radio experience was at Boston University, where he volunteered at the college radio station. Along with several other students, he created an on-air show called the King Schmaltz Bagel Hour, a takeoff on the popular King Biscuit Flour Hour. Predicting his penchant for controversy, the show was canceled after its first broadcast, which included the comedy sketch "Name That Sin," a game show where contestants confessed their worst sins. Stern graduated in 1976 with a 3.8 grade-point average and a bachelor's degree in communications. During his first paying radio gig, at an understaffed 3,000-watt station in Briarcliff Manor, New York, "It dawned on me that I would never make it as a straight deejay," Stern told James S. Kunen in an interview for People (10/22/84), "so I started to mess around. It was unheard-of to mix talking on the phone with playing music. It was outrageous, It was blasphemy."- Thom Christopher was born on 5 October 1940 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Liebe, Lüge, Leidenschaft (1968), Buck Rogers (1979) and Deathstalker III - Die Armee der Toten (1988). He was previously married to Judith Leverone.
- Otto Sanchez is a native New Yorker. Growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens, he was raised by his mother, Violeta Carbajal. He is the youngest of four (an older brother and two older sisters). Otto's passion for painting was his first connection into the arts. After pursuing Advertising Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City from 1987-1989, and then at the Columbus College of Art and Design, in Columbus, Ohio, on a fine arts scholarship, his passion shifted and he dove into acting. Returning to New York in 1991, he studied acting under Jeanne Kaplan and Austin Pendleton at HB Studio. In 1996, He landed the role of Chico Guerra on the acclaimed HBO series Oz - Hölle hinter Gittern (1997). Chico Guerra put him on the map, landing him roles in film and television. His film credits range from Indies to commercially successful studio features: Carlos in Bad Boys II (2003), Negrito in Kill the Poor (2003)." Others include, Ping Pong in "Double Whammy" by Tom Dicillo, and Paul Diaz in "Push" by David Rodriguez.
Otto is no stranger to the stage. In 2004 he co-starred opposite John Ventimiglia (Die Sopranos (1999)) in the critically acclaimed three man Off-Broadway play "Ponies", produced by Michael Imperioli at the Studio Dante in New York City. He played the role of Wallace. - Music Department
- Composer
- Actor
Legendary rock'n'roll session guitarist par excellence Robert "Waddy" Wachtel was born on May 24, 1947 to Harry and Rhoda Wachtel in the Jackson Heights section of Queens, New York City. He acquired his unusual nickname "Waddy" when he was a teenager and took guitar lessons from teacher Gene Dell from ages nine to fourteen. Wachtel started out performing in local bands around the New York area. In 1970 Waddy moved to Los Angeles, California to work as a composer and producer for the Cowsills. He got his first big break in the music business when he was hired by singer/songwriter Warren Zevon to be a guitarist in the backing band for the Everly Brothers. Wachtel got his first major album credit on the 1972 Everly Brothers album "Stories We Could Tell" and subsequently went on tour with the famous duo. Waddy soon amassed a huge list of credits as a session guitarist, composer and producer who's contributed to hundreds of albums and singles; among the many folks he's worked with are Bob Dylan, Randy Newman, Bonnie Raitt, Kim Carnes, Maria Muldaur, the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards, Carly Simon, Bryan Ferry, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne (he does the fiery guitar solo on Browne's big hit song "Running On Empty"), Bog Seger, Iggy Pop, James Taylor, Don Henley, Cher, John Prine, J.D. Souther, Melissa Etheridge, Rosanne Cash, Joe Walsh, Adam Sandler, and Linda Ronstadt (he appears on stage with Ronstadt performing the Warren Zevon song "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me" in the comedy film "FM"). Wachtel is perhaps best known for his collaborations with Zevon; he co-produced Zevon's first two albums and even co-wrote Zevon's hit song "Werewolves of London." In 1980 Waddy formed the band Ronin; the group's self-titled debut album alas turned out to be a commercial flop. Among the artists he has toured with are Stevie Nicks (he has often worked with Nicks as a guitarist, band leader, and musical director, plus has been featured on all of her solo albums), Cher, James Taylor, the Everly Brothers, and Adam Sandler. He appears as the guitarist in the rock band in the classic 1972 disaster picture "The Poseidon Adventure." Wachtel has composed the scores for the movies "The House Bunny," "Strange Wilderness," "The Last Request," "The Bench Warmers," "Grandma's Boy," "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star," "Joe Dirt," and "Up in Smoke." Waddy Wachtel regularly performs every Monday night with his group the Waddy Wachtel Band at the Joint in Los Angeles.- Milton James was born on 7 December 1939 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Ninja Scroll (1993), Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! (1999) and Ghost in the Shell (1995). He died on 1 January 2018 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Producer
- Writer
- Director
Heather is a Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League Award-nominated producer. Critically acclaimed hits on Broadway include Reasons To Be Pretty by Neil LaBute (three Tony nominations including Best Play) starring Thomas Sadoski, Piper Perabo, Marin Ireland, and Steven Pasquale, and the musical [title of show] (Tony Nomination for Best Book of a Musical). She produced the hugely successful Under My Skin segment of 'The Pink Campaign' on Broadway for which all proceeds went to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and she also produced and directed the California Theatre's acclaimed productions of Driving Miss Daisy and Love Letters. Provost produced the short film Harmony starring Jason Alexander and the feature film Racing Colt which she produced and co-directed. Provost was the creator and executive producer of the TV show Reality Check and creator of Who Knew?...The In-the-Know Travel Show. She produced the It's Showtime series at The Colony Theatre and was the Creator/Camp Director of Camp C.R.E.A.T.E. at The Colony for which she was recognized by the California Legislature for her service. She also directed and produced Driving Miss Daisy at The Colony Theatre starring Donna Mills. Other producing credits include Page To The Stage, History of Musical Theater, Chix 6, series Penelope P.C.S.A. starring Dave Foley, and Associate Producer on the feature films To The Beat! and its sequel To The Beat! Back to School. She and writing partner Scott Damian most recently wrote A Joyous Christmas starring Natalie Knepp, Michael Rady, and Bonnie Bedelia for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries as well as Hallmark's hit Season for Love starring Autumn Reeser and Marc Blucas, which dominated the weekly cable ratings and became one of Hallmark's most popular summer movies of all time. They are currently in active development on multiple projects for both Hallmark and Stargazer Films, respectively, as well as an upcoming rom/com feature film for MarVista Entertainment. The pair recently signed a deal with a popular streaming app as creators/showrunners for an upcoming rom/com series, and are in active development on an hourlong original drama series. They are currently in pre-production on the feature suspense/thriller Among which they co-wrote and will also co-direct. Heather is founding partner at Provost Entertainment Inc., a proud graduate of The Florida State University, the current Producing Artistic Director at The Colony Theatre in Burbank, and was on the faculty at The Commercial Theater Institute in New York City.- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Lively childish leading lady on stage and films during the transition to sound. She began on stage at seventeen and went on to films in 1929. She made several early talkies at Paramount but her popularity soon waned.- Jeffrey Frank was born on 11 April 1965 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Freibeuter des Todes (1980) and Blut und Ehre: Jugend unter Hitler (1982).
- Actress
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Additional Crew
Karen Starr-DelloIacono is the creative mind behind the fashion label Starr D. A native New Yorker, she is the grand-daughter of Thomas Starr, a tailor from Tipperary, Ireland whose skills were sought out by old time, famed notables such as international film star Hildegard Knef and film/TV star Richard Boone to name a few. After working as a tech writer in software development and traveling the world in the airline industry, the decision to continue in her grandfather's footsteps became apparent. A new generation of celebrities such as Beyonce, Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani and Jessica Alba now wear her designs.- Actor
- Sound Department
Bart Fasbender was born on 10 September 1966 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Daria (2002), My Name Is David (2015) and Daria (1997).- Music Department
Jeffrey Schindler was born on 21 December 1957 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is known for X-Men: Zukunft ist Vergangenheit (2014), Next (2007) and X-Men: Apocalypse (2016).- Michael Den Dekker was elected to the New York State Assembly (34th AD) on November 4, 2008. He represents Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst and Woodside. He remains an active member of SAG and continues to work in Background and bit parts. He played Judge Pasqua in Spike Lee's Inside Man (2006)and a Legal aid attorney in Miracle at St. Anna (2008). Mike has also appeared in several movies and television shows. He has spent most of his acting career in the Community Theater in Queens County starring in numerous plays but is best loved for his portrayal in such roles as Mel in Prisoner of Second Avenue and Ben in the Sunshine Boys. Mike is married to his wife Angela and has four children Elizabeth, Michael, Linda and Jason, who is married to Jessica. He has one grandchild named Jasen.
Mike has also had many roles in public service. He joined the New York City Department of Sanitation in 1995 and was promoted to the rank of Supervisor in 2001, where he was assigned to the Bureau of Public Information and Community Affairs. After the events of September 11, 2001, Mr.Den Dekker was detached to the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management as a Public Information Officer assigned to the Joint Information Center. In this capacity, Mr. Den Dekker was responsible for assisting with the proper dissemination of information and statistics as they related to the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. In March 2003, he was given additional responsibilities as a Special Projects Coordinator. In this position, he has worked on the Ready NY campaign, Public Service announcements, and the OEM Speakers Bureau. Dekker also served during the anthrax attack, the crash of American Airlines Flight 587, the 14th Street Con Ed explosion, the 2003 Power Outage, the Staten Island Ferry Accident, and NYC's Hurricane Katrina Response Effort. He has received Certificates of Achievements in Weapons of Mass Destruction, Basic Incident Command, Leadership and Influence, Emergency Program Manager, Decision Making and Problem Solving and has received unit citations in Public Information for his work during the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Crash of Flight 587.
In March 2006 he was appointed Facilities Manager for the New York City Council. In this capacity he was responsible for all day to day operations of all City Council Member offices and facilities and also assisted in the operations of City Hall. - Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Born and raised in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York to Italian immigrants, Christopher Caliendo was invited to Los Angeles to finish his graduate work at UCLA by Henry Mancini after winning his Scholarship for Film Composition. After orchestrating "Victor Victoria", Mr. Mancini introduced Christopher to television composer Jerrold Immel where began a five year collaboration composing and orchestrating for CBS's "Dallas", "Knott's Landing", "Paradise" and "Guns of Paradise". Christopher received an Emmy nomination for Paradise's "Ghost Dance", in 1988.
In 1991 Christopher traveled to Italy to trace his Italian upbringing. In Rome, he met concert promoter Giorgio Gallo who introduced Christopher to Virgilio Levi, "commissioner of arts" at the Vatican. In March, 1992, Christopher received a call from the Vatican announcing a commission as the first American composer in Vatican history to compose a vocal/orchestral work for the prestigious "Encounters of Sacred Music Festival" televised and broadcast live in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy. He received a second commission in 1995. Today, the entire four act musical drama "The Mystic Saints", is being considered by the new "Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels" as a world-wide television special directed by legendary Emmy and Ace award winning director Steve Binder, filmed by National Emmy winners Fisher/Merlis television, with set designs by multiple Emmy winner, Charles Lisanby.
Upon returning to Los Angeles Christopher was awarded a decorative scroll from the city of Los Angeles for his Vatican commissions. Encouraged by the success of his theatre work Christopher began composing and concertizing "Chamber Jazz", a unique new sound mixing American jazz with European chamber music. The group's first album was recorded at Capitol Studios in 1995. It was voted "best new jazz artist" by the South Hampton Jazz Critics Review, 1996.
In 1995 Christopher launched Efficaci records and Caliendo Music Publishing to fill a niche in the flute publishing world by selling and recording his original American Tango and Gypsy music for flute and guitar. Since 1997 Christopher has recorded with Mr. Sheridon Stokes - Hollywood's number one flautist for 45 years - his collection of twenty one American tangos on CDs, "Torbellino" and "Ardiente". Their third CD, "Rinascimento" will be released in 2002.
Christopher's new production, Gypsy Americano, an original style of music blending dance, American jazz and world Gypsy music was produced in Dallas, Texas last year at the National Flute Convention. Twenty four arrangements from the CD Gypsy Americano were released, one of which, "Meriben" was awarded first prize for newly published flute music in the United States. The same award was given to Caliendo Music Publishing in 1999 for Mr. Caliendo's arrangement of "La Milonga" for multiple flutes. In residence at the 1998 Cabrillo Music Festival with Academy Award winning composer John Corigliano, Christopher premiered his "Trio Concertino" featuring himself on guitar, violinist Rachel Purkin and Double Bassist David Young and large orchestra. The performance led to "Jazz Flight" a commission by the Redland Symphony Orchestra once again featuring Mr. Caliendo on acoustic guitar.
Christopher's love for silent film scoring was made evident when SONY pictures commissioned a rescore of the Betty Compson silent film, "La Belle of Broadway". A chance screening at SONY was heard by Charles Tabesh at Turner Classic movies who commissioned Christopher to score Norma Shearer's last silent picture A Lady of Chance (1928) with his "Chamber Jazz" ensemble.
Christopher's passion for all aspects of music and music making has continued to excite and interest his commercial and serious activities. His unusual blending of musical style and instrumentation and continuous respect for popular and serious musical culture has generated a personal catalog of over 500 works. Sacred music, opera, folk, gypsy, tango, classical, jazz to popular music - Christopher continues to enjoy arranging and composing music for a 21st century audience whose musical needs are as varied as his own.
Christopher has an AA in Humanities a BA from the New England Conservatory of Music and an MFA from UCLA in Theory Composition. His teachers have been Henry Mancini, Frank Zappa, Jerrold Immel, Neal Hefti, Henry Lazarof, Paul Reale and Pierrre Boulez.- Billy Quinn was born on 12 April 1945 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Sweet Jesus, Preacherman (1973), The Edge of Night (1956) and Studio One (1948).
- Sound Department
- Writer
- Producer
Lorenzo Collado was born on 21 August 1967 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Domingo Marte, Chasing Rubi and Threading Needles (2011).- Jami Bernard is an award-winning film critic, media consultant, and author. Her books include "Quentin Tarantino: The Man and His Movies," Chick Flicks," "First Films," "Total Exposure," "The Incredible Shrinking Critic," and "Breast Cancer: There & Back." She is a former chair of the New York Film Critics Circle, and a member of the National Society of Film Critics and editor of its anthology "The X List: The Movies that Turn Us On."
- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Juan Arauz was born on 2 December 1986 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is a director and actor, known for Dark Ronin Hunters and Hangin with Web Show (2015). He has been married to Patricia Arauz since 2009.- Arte Phillips was born in 1959 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Victor/Victoria (1995). He died on 12 November 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Born to Irish immigrants who had studied Shakespeare, Johnny Gleeson had drama in his blood. His dreams of acting came true when he was cast, along side his son, as a hard-nosed cop in "Body of Love". Hollywood took notice and utilized his Irish/New York accent for more street savvy cop roles. He currently resides in Venice, California.
- Editor
- Director
- Producer
Stolis Hadjicharalambous was born on 4 November 1986 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is an editor and director, known for The Pit and the Pendulum - a musicabre (2022), Follower (2022) and The Tell-Tale Heart - a musicabre (2019).- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Vincent DeVeau was born on 15 September 1952 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is an assistant director, known for Romanze ohne Ende (1989), Full House (1987) and Fast Times (1986).- Director
- Writer
- Editor
David Diaz was born on 27 March 1989 in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is a director and writer, known for Cobbler: Der Schuhmagier (2014), The Close Call (2011) and Running Away (2011).