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- Producer
- Writer
- Actor
Mike Judge is an American actor, animator, film director, screenwriter, and television producer.
In 1962, Judge was born in Guayaquil, the largest city of Ecuador and the country's main port. His parents were expatriate Americans. His father was archaeologist William James Judge and his mother was librarian Margaret Yvonne Blue. At the time of Mike's birth, William Judge was working for a non-profit organization which promoted agricultural development in Ecuador.
Around 1969, the Judge family returned to the United States, and settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mike spend most of his school years in Albuquerque. He received his secondary education at St. Pius X High School, a private, Roman Catholic high school located in Albuquerque. The school was named after Pope Pius X (1835-1914, term 1903-1914), who is venerated as a saint,
Following his graduation from high school, Judge enrolled at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The UCSD is a public land-grant research university, located in San Diego, California. Judge was interested in a science career, and followed science studies. In 1985, Judge graduated with a Bachelor of Science in physics. From 1985 to 1987, Judge held various jobs relating to either physics or mechanical engineering. He was dissatisfied with his work life, because he found that these jobs were boring.
In 1987, Judge was hired by Parallax Graphics, a startup video card company. Its headquarters were located in Santa Clara, California. Santa Clara is located at the center of Silicon Valley, and houses the headquarters of several high-tech companies. Parallax only had about 40 employees. Judge quit following only 3 months of work, because he disliked the company's corporate culture and his co-workers. In later interviews, Judge claimed that his co-workers reminded him of the Stepford Wives. His negative experiences contributed to his unflattering portrayal of Silicon Valley in his television career.
Judge next attempted to start a new career as a musician, serving as bass player in a blues band. For a couple of years, Judge was part of a music group headed by blues guitarist Anson Funderburgh (1954-). In the early 1990s, Judge worked alongside singer and drummer Doyle Bramhall (1949-2011). Bramhall was a well-known figure in the Texas music scene. During his musical career, Judge was taking graduate math classes at the University of Texas at Dallas.
In 1989, Judge was shown animation cels on display, and became fascinated with animation. Judge purchased a Bolex 16 mm film camera, and started working on his own animated short films. The amateur animator worked from his home at the time, located in Richardson, Texas. His short films were initially on display in local animation festivals.
In 1991, Judge developed "Milton", a series of short films satirizing the typical life of office workers. Judge voiced all the characters. The films were acquired by Comedy Central, and showcased Judge's talents to a wider audience. In 1992, Judge created the animated short "Frog Baseball", depicting two cruel and stupid teenagers. The short film was featured in the television series "Liquid Television" (1991-1995), which showcased works by independent animators. The network MTV was sufficiently impressed with the short film to order an animated television series featuring its main characters.
Judge's first work as a television producer was the animated series "Beavis and Butt-Head" (1993-1997), a satirical, scathing commentary on modern society. Besides producing the series, Judge voiced the two protagonists. He also wrote and directed most of its episodes. The series was considered quite controversial in its own era, but was commercially successful. In its initial incarnation, it lasted for 7 seasons, and 200 episodes. Judge gave permission for the use of supporting character Daria Morgendorffer in the spin-off series "Daria" (1997-2002), which was also successful. Judge was otherwise not involved in the production of the spin-off.
In 1997, Judge directed the animated feature film "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America". It featured the protagonists in a road trip across the United States. It earned about 63 million dollars in the North American box office, and was critically well-received as a satire of youth culture.
Judge's next television series was the animated sitcom "King of the Hill" (1997-2010), which was broadcast by the Fox Broadcasting Company. For this series, Judge's partner and co-creator was the experienced comedy writer Greg Daniels (1963-). Daniels was previously a screenwriter on the popular animated sitcom "The Simpsons". Daniels had written several episodes in seasons 5 to 7 (1993-1996), and some of them were considered among the highlights of the series. For "King of the Hill", the duo of creators decided to maintain a relatively realistic depiction of modern life. Much of the humor derived from depicting the frustrations and absurdities of an otherwise mundane existence. "King of the Hill" was both a critical and commercial hit, and commercial hit. It lasted for 13 seasons and 259 episodes.
In the late 1990s, Judge wrote and directed the live-action film "Office Space" (1999). It was loosely based in his own "Milton" series of animated short films,, but featured additional characters. The film under-performed at the box office, only earning about 12 million dollars from its worldwide release. However the film sold surprisingly well in the home video market, and became a cult hit.
In 2003, Judge and fellow animator Don Hertzfeldt (1976-) co-founded the annual film festival "The Animation Show". It showcased animated short films from various eras, with its initial goal being to cover "everything from forgotten classics to the very latest in computer animation". In its first year, the touring festival visited over 200 movie theaters in North America.
Judge's third feature film was the dystopian science fiction comedy "Idiocracy" (2006). It depicted a soldier from the early 21st century who spends 500 years in suspended animation. He awakes in the 26th century, in a future world which has fully embraced anti-intellectualism. The film never received a wide theatrical release, and only earned 495,000 dollars at the box office. However it sold very well in the home video market, and became a cult film.
In 2008, Fox decided to cancel "King of the Hill" despite the series' decent ratings. At the time it was the 105th most watched series on American television. The final group of episodes were broadcast over the following 2 years.
In 2009, Judge directed his fourth (and so far last) feature film. It was the live-action comedy film "Extract". It features a successful flavoring-extracts company who has to deal with a lawsuit by an injured employee, with the schemes of a female con-artist, and with the sexual frustration and impaired judgment of its owners. The film earned about 11 million dollars at the box office, and was critically well-received.
In 2009, Judge developed his third television series, the animated comedy "The Goode Family" (2009) for ABC. Compared to "King of the Hill", this series contained more political satire. The series failed to find an audience, and some critics considered that its humor more properly belonged in the 1990s than the 2000s. It only lasted 1 series and 13 episodes, canceled by ABC due to its low ratings. It was the first series created by Judge to be considered a failure.
In 2011, "Beavis and Butt-Head" was revived for another season, with Judge as a producer and an updated setting. The 8th season only lasted for 2 months (October 27-December 29, 2011) and 2011. The opening audience attracted an audience of 3,3 million viewers. Ratings fell during the season, and the final episode only had 900,000 viewers. MTV decided not to order a 9th season.
Judge next developed his fourth television series, the live-action comedy "Silicon Valley" (2014-2019). The original premise was to focus on the competitive business environment of the Silicon Valley. Following the first season's success, "Silicon Valley" continued in the long-term. The series lasted for 6 seasons and 53 episodes. The series received critical acclaim for its "hilarious" take on the business world and modern technology, and was nominated for several awards. Conversely, a number of critics felt that a number of its characters were stereotypical nerds, and lacked proper character development.
While "Silicon Valley" was still ongoing, Judge developed his fifth television series. It was the animated documentary series "Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus" (2017-2018), which focused on the oral history of professional musicians and their associated musical genres. It presented anecdotes concerning the featured musicians, "as told by their families, band-mates, and close associates". The series lasted 2 seasons and 16 episodes .The series was critically acclaimed, but never attracted a large audience.
In its relatively short run, this series featured biographies of (in order of presentation): Johnny Paycheck (1938-2003), Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-), George Jones (1931-2013), Tammy Wynette (1942-1998), Billy Joe Shaver (1939-2020), Waylon Jennings (1937-2002), Blaze Foley (1949-1989), George Clinton (1941-), Rick James (1948-2004), Bootsy Collins (1951-), James Brown (1933-2006), Morris Day (1957-), and Betty Davis (1945-).
In 2021, Judge was 58-years-old. He has never fully retired, though he has yet to make a television comeback. His professional career in television has lasted 30 years so far, and he has gained a reputation for innovative series concepts.- Actress
- Soundtrack
María Elisa Camargo is an Ecuadorian actress and activist, who began her career competing in The X Factor Colombia. From that moment she knew she'd devote her life to entertainment. Having studied theatre during her childhood, she decided to knock on doors and began participating in musical telenovelas. This lead to her first star role in Latin America.
When Maria moved to Mexico her international acting career took off, obtaining many villain roles in Televisa's prime time shows, and got featured in People en Español's "50 Most Beautiful". Telemundo signed her as their prime star, where her series "Under the Same Sky" created a new record for the network, beating its direct competitor Univision.
Maria's career has evolved to cinema, starring in the Dominican movie "Los Leones" alongside Ozuna. She moved to Los Angeles and got her first shot in a role in the United States playing a guest star for Cinemax's "Warrior" and starred in the Dominican movie "Infatuation". Her Mexican career continued with a lead role in "Dulce Obsesión" (Feature Film) a dark thriller for VIX+. Then in Colombia's "Mala Yerba" a 10 episode series for Lionsgate+ and the first Hispanic musical series "A Grito Herido", for Prime Video.
Afterwards, Maria got into the gaming universe landing a villain role for Activision's "Call of Duty". Her appearance as "Valeria" for this franchise got so much popularity, she became the main operator for "Warzone 2" Season 3.- Actor
- Producer
- Composer
Gerardo Mejía was born on 16 April 1965 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He is an actor and producer, known for Breakneck, Colors (1988) and Can't Buy Me Love (1987). He has been married to Kathy Eicher since 15 July 1994. They have three children.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Albert Paulsen's pronounced accent and clipped manner may have marked him as German, Austrian or some East European nationality--roles he played often--but he was actually born in Guyaquil, Ecuador, in 1925. Although he did appear in some films and on stage, he was mainly a television actor, with numerous appearances in dramas and action shows, especially in such series as Mission: Impossible (1966) and Combat! (1962), and played a succession of Communist spies, Russian generals, East European dictators, Nazi officers and the like. However, he did show up once on the comedy series The Odd Couple (1970) playing a European opera star who wasn't quite as uptight as everyone thought he was. He died in his sleep in Los Angeles, CA, in 2004.- Danilo Carrera was born on January 17, 1989 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He began his modeling career in Ecuador, made walkways, worked in an Avena Toni commercial, and with Abercrombie & Fitch. In 2007, he was part of the Ecuadorian team Emelec sub-18 in which he was crowned champion. In 2008, he joined the Ecuadorian team Barcelona Sporting Club in which he played until 2009. In that same year, he left Ecuador to move to Miami, Florida. There, he went to Miami Dade College where he took basic classes and studied international relations. In January 2011, he began his acting career by working in theater plays. Later in August of that same year, he was called by Telemundo to participate in the casting of Relaciones Peligrosas, in which he starred in as Leonardo 'Leo' Maximo. That role made him a winner in the Best Male Revelation category at the Miami Life Awards. In 2014, he starred in Cosita Linda as Federico 'Fede' Madariaga. He also worked with the cast of El Gordo y La Flaca in Univision. Then, in 2015, he starred in Pasión y Poder as Franco Gomez-Luna with Susana González, Fernando Colunga, Jorge Salinas, Fabiola Guajardo, and others. When he's not on television shows or theater plays, he likes to play football, it's his favorite sport and hobby.
- --Versatile Actor with a Global Presence-- Hailing from the culturally vibrant landscapes of Ecuador, Paúl Ponce is a seasoned actor whose passion for storytelling knows no bounds. Born amidst the rich tapestry of Ecuador's artistic heritage, Paúl has emerged as a distinguished figure in the world of cinema and television.
--Training and Expertise-- Paúl's journey into the realms of performance began with a solid foundation at the University Central del Ecuador. His commitment to honing his craft led him to engage with luminaries in the industry, participating in workshops with notable names such as David Victori, Teo García, Óscar Pedraza, and Ángeles González Sinde. This diverse training, spanning from classical theater to cutting-edge film techniques, has shaped Paúl into a multifaceted artist.
--Global Accolades-- In 2023, Paúl earned acclaim as the Best Actor at the Horror Film Festival of Belgium Cinema for "XY", a testament to his ability to captivate audiences with his immersive and compelling portrayals. This accolade adds to the growing list of achievements that underscore his dedication to the art of acting.
--A Glimpse into Paúl's World-- Recent productions, like supporting actor in the feature films "Malditos Fantasmas" (2022) and "Hard Choices" (2023). Including the short films lead actor in "XY" (2022). lead actor in "Iat. Realis" (2023) and lead actor in "Flashdrive" (2023) showcase Paúl's dynamic range and his knack for seamlessly navigating various genres. From the haunted corridors of horror to the intricate nuances of drama, Paul Ponce effortlessly brings characters to life, leaving an indelible mark on every short film project he undertakes.
--A Unique Artistic Voice-- What sets Paúl apart is not just his acting prowess but also his unique perspective on storytelling. His ability to infuse authenticity into characters and his dedication to pushing artistic boundaries make him a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.
--Collaborations and Community Involvement-- Paúl's collaborative spirit is reflected in his partnerships with acclaimed directors such as Paul Victory Ikehi, Oleg Voloshchuk, and Fernando Verniere. As a proud member of the Academia Valenciana del Audiovisual (AVAV), Paúl is committed to contributing to the growth and vibrancy of the global audiovisual community.
In both his native Spanish and fluent English, Paul Ponce continues to captivate audiences worldwide, proving that storytelling transcends borders. His journey is a testament to the power of passion, skill, and a deep love for the art of acting. Watch this space as Paúl Ponce continues to redefine the boundaries of cinematic expression. - Maria-Rosa Rodriguez was born on 7 November 1942 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She is an actress, known for Peligro...! Mujeres en acción (1969), Ne jouez pas avec les Martiens (1968) and What's Cooking in Paris (1966).
- Producer
- Director
- Production Manager
Jamaicanoproblem was born on 21 February 1982 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He is a producer and director, known for A Son of Man (2018), Waorani Omede Beye Ante Nee Adani (2023) and Lions of the Sea.- Additional Crew
- Actor
- Writer
The founding father of British ballet, he developed the "English style" of classical dancing. He saw Anna Pavlova dance in 1917, which inspired him to a lifetime in ballet. He studied in London with Léonide Massine and Marie Rambert. He joined the Vic-Wells ballet, which later became the Royal Ballet of London, of which he eventually became director, succeeding Ninette de Valois during one of its greatest periods.- Rafael Correa was born on 6 April 1963 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Ricky Brava has excelled as an Executive Producer with his ability to oversee the work of the producers on behalf of the financiers and or the distributors. As a successful entrepreneur Ricky brings his business acumen to the entertainment industry. "Ensuring that the films are completed on time, within budget, and to agreed artistic and technical standards is more than a job description for me, it's a passion" - Ricky Brava. Ricky is working on a full slate of feature films as well as scripted and non-scripted television and alternative media projects. Mr. Brava has received Honorable Citations from The New York State Assembly and New York City Council, as well as being recognized by New York State Senators for his leadership and service to his community. Ricky Brava is considered an alternative investments expert.- Music Department
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Julio Jaramillo was born on 1 October 1935 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He was an actor, known for Rage (2009), Chance (2016) and Rumba (2008). He was married to María Eudocia Rivera. He died on 9 February 1978 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.- Actress
- Additional Crew
Julia Delgado Caro was born on 2 October 1893 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She was an actress, known for La reina mora (1955), Death of a Cyclist (1955) and La violetera (1958). She was married to Luis Martínez Tovar. She died in 1975 in Spain.- Actor
- Production Designer
- Art Department
Not a stranger to the art world, Victor San Andrés is considered a renaissance man of his time. He has worked in different industries in his 30-plus years in The United States. Born in Ecuador with humble beginnings, Victor moved to Virginia Beach where he learn how to hustle and survive living alone while a teenager. He moved to New York and got himself into every single opportunity and industry he can handle. He has done photography for over a decade and has worked in the film industry as a Production Designer since 2004. He learned how to work and collaborate with different people in all departments and He can now direct, shoot and edit. During the pandemic, He wrote three screenplays and directed a short film called Human. His IMDb credits are extensive. His artwork has been acquired from collectors not only in New York but London, and Stockholm, Sweden. He has extensive connections in the film industry, design, real estate, and finance. He has been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and BlackBook magazine and he was commissioned by GANT to do a campaign in Europe.
In his spare time, he runs a non-profit for the parks around his New York City neighborhood and restores vintage furniture and art. Also, his book "Inappropriate People" was released on Amazon in April 2013.- Luis Felipe Fernandez-Salvador y Campodonico was born on 21 February 1982 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He is an actor and producer, known for Nature's Guardians and A Son of Man (2018).
- Editor
- Director
- Composer
Iván Mora Manzano was born on 13 May 1977 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He is an editor and director, known for No Autumn, No Spring (2012), La Playa de los Enchaquirados (The Beach of Enchaquirados) (2021) and Yellow Sunglasses (2020).- Actor
Juan Arzube was born on 1 January 1918 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He was an actor. He died on 25 December 2007 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Hugo Savinovich was born on 15 February 1959 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He is an actor, known for Lucha Libre Internacional (1969), WWF Super Astros (1998) and WWE Raw (1993).
- Editorial Department
- Director
- Producer
James Garcia Sotomayor was born in Ecuador - a country with almost no film industry - and has come a long way from his very humble beginnings. He earned a degree in Electronic Engineering, although his dream has always been making movies, but there were no schools teaching filmmaking in Ecuador.
James arrived to USA in 1998 to study CGI and 3D animation at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. In 2000, he relocated to Los Angeles where he worked as a Video Editor. In 2003, he moved to New York where he became a Video Engineer at Viacom, MTV Networks. During that year he decided to follow his vocation and started his self-education on film, working on friends' projects and directing/producing his own short films.
In 2009, he co-wrote, directed and produced the very successful short film 'Taught to Hate', which was inspired by hate crimes against two Ecuadoreans in New York. The film won the prestigious Imagen Awards to Best Short film in 2010.
James' biggest influences are the Italian Neo-realism and Charles Dickens. Among his favorite directors are Pedro Almodovar, Charlie Chaplin, Ernst Lubitsch, Howard Hawks, Martin Scorsese and Guillermo Del Toro- Camera and Electrical Department
- Producer
- Director
Luis Avilés was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Luis is a producer and director, known for Final Minute (2018), El Fútbol del Cerro (2011) and Apartment 30 (2023).- Actress
- Soundtrack
Sharon La Hechicera was born on 28 March 1974 in Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador. She was an actress, known for La Hechicera (2003) and Wena Onda (2013). She was married to Geovanny López. She died on 4 January 2015 in San Pablo, Santa Elena, Ecuador.- Actor
- Sound Department
Mauricio Viteri is an actor known for "Undecided " (TV mini-series) (2016) Honky Holocaust (2014) Shades of Gray (2014) and Noah(2011).Born Mauricio Ernesto Viteri-Rizzo on May 2,1974 in Guayaquil,Ecuador to parents of Italian descent. Mauricio moved from Guayaquil,Ecuador to the United States with his parents and older sibling at the age of 5,speaking no English at all.Arriving and lived in the city of Jersey city,New Jersey for two years before moving up a town over to Paterson,New Jersey for a few more years.In 1986 the whole family moved to Boston,Massachusetts in a small quiet town called Jamaica Plain.It was there where Mauricio would pretty much settle in and would be raised for most of his life.(I Feel like my life has been a journey and I still haven't found what I'm looking for)Mauricio Viteri.- Daniel Noboa was born on 30 November 1987 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He has been married to Lavinia Valbonesi since 28 August 2021. They have one child. He was previously married to Gabriela Goldbaum.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Gladys del Pilar was born on 11 October 1967 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She is an actress, known for Before We Die (2017), The Laundromat (Tvättstugan) (2021) and Saliga sånger - Nashville (2023).- Pancho Segura was born on 20 June 1921 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He was married to Virginia Smith and Beverley Moylan. He died on 18 November 2017 in Carlsbad, California, USA.