Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
Only includes names with the selected topics
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
1-41 of 41
- Actor
- Director
- Additional Crew
Despite many a powerful performance, this actor's actor never quite achieved the stardom he deserved. Ultimately, Richard Basehart became best-known to television audiences as Admiral Harriman Nelson, commander of the glass-nosed nuclear submarine 'S.S.R.N Seaview' in Irwin Allen's Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964), shown on ABC from 1964 to 1968. Basehart's distinctively deep, resonant voice also provided narrations in feature films, TV mini-series and for documentaries.
Born in Zanesville, Ohio, on August 14 1914, Basehart was one of four siblings born to a struggling and soon-to-be widowed editor of a local newspaper. Upon leaving college, he worked briefly as a radio announcer and then attempted to follow in his father's journalistic footsteps as a reporter. Controversy over one of his stories led to his departure from the paper and cleared the path to pursue acting as a career. In 1932, Basehart made his theatrical bow with the Wright Players Stock Company in his home town and subsequently spent five years playing varied and interesting roles at the Hedgerow Theatre in Philadelphia. From 1938, he began to work in New York on and off-Broadway. Seven years later he received the New York Drama Critics Circle Best Newcomer Award for "The Hasty Heart", a drama by John Patrick, in which Basehart played a dying Scottish soldier. In 1945, he received his first film offers. When he heard director Bretaigne Windust was seeking an authentic Scot for the lead role in The Hasty Heart, Basehart not only effected an authentic enough burr to win the part, but won also the 1945 New York Critic's Award as the most promising actor of the year. His accent was so good that a visiting leader of a Scottish clan told the actor he knew his clan.
Basehart made his debut on the big screen with Repeat Performance (1947) at Eagle-Lion, a minor film noir with Joan Leslie, followed at Warner Brothers with the Gothic Barbara Stanwyck thriller Cry Wolf (1947). His third picture finally got him critical plaudits for playing a sociopathic killer, relentlessly hunted through drainage tunnels in He Walked by Night (1948), a procedural police drama shot in a semi-documentary style. Variety gave a positive review, commenting "With this role, Basehart establishes himself as one of Hollywood's most talented finds in recent years. He heavily overshadows the rest of the cast..."
It was the first of many charismatic performances in which Basehart would excel at tormented or introverted characters, portraying angst, foreboding or mental anguish. His gallery of characters came to include the notorious Robespierre, chief architect of the Reign of Terror (1949), set during the French Revolution. He was one of the feuding Hatfields in Roseanna McCoy (1949) and in Fourteen Hours (1951) (based on a real 1938 Manhattan suicide) had a tour de force turn as a man perched on the high ledge of an office building threatening to jump. For much of the film's duration, the camera was firmly focused on the actor's face. Basehart later recalled "It was an actor's dream, in which I hogged the camera lens, and the role called on me to act mostly with my eyes, lips and face muscles". The New York Times reviewer Bosley Crowther called his performance 'startling and poignant'.
Eschewing conventional movie stardom, Basehart meticulously selected and varied his roles, avoiding, as he put it, "stereotyping at the expense of not amassing an impressive bank account.'' In the wake of the sudden death of his first wife, Basehart left the U.S. for Italy. In March 1951, he got married a second time (to the actress Valentina Cortese) and appeared in a succession of European movies, playing the ill-fated clown Il Matto in Federico Fellini's classic The Road (1954); against type, essayed a swashbuckling nobleman reclaiming his titles and estate in Cartouche (1955), and (again for Fellini), played a member of a gang of grifters in The Swindle (1955). He was also ideally cast as the mild-mannered Ishmael in John Huston's excellent version of Moby Dick (1956) and as Ivan, one of The Brothers Karamazov (1958).
By 1960, Basehart's second marriage had ended in divorce and the actor returned to America where he found movie opportunities few and far between. The small screen to some extent reinvigorated his career with numerous series guest appearances and his lengthy stint in the popular Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. He also received critical praise for his role as Henry Wirtz, commandant of the Confederacy's most infamous prison camp, in the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning television drama The Andersonville Trial (1970).
Not only an active human rights campaigner, Basehart was also strongly opposed to the experimental use of animals. With his third wife Diana Lotery he set up the animal welfare charity, Actors and Others for Animals, in 1971. He died after suffering a series of strokes in Los Angeles on September 17 1984 at the age of 70.- Actor
- Soundtrack
He moved to Dayton, Ohio, with his family when he was 7. He was working as an MC at at club there during the 1950s when he entered the US Air Force. After his discharge, he continued to pursue his show business career. In films, he portrayed Bitterman in Arthur (1981) and its sequel Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988).
Other films include The Wiz (1978), Ragtime (1981), Amityville II: The Possession (1982), Police Academy (1984), The Fisher King (1991) and Stealing Home (1988). Television roles included a recurring role as Dean Harris on A Different World (1987) and The Cosby Show (1984) along with appearing in numerous shows such as The Jeffersons (1975), Benson (1979) and "The Equalizer" (1985).- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Dan Patrick was born on 15 May 1956 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Just Go with It (2011), The Ridiculous 6 (2015) and BASEketball (1998).- Addison Richards was born on 20 October 1902 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for The Ten Commandments (1956), Nick Carter, Master Detective (1939) and Ball of Fire (1941). He was married to Patricia Anne Sarazln and Anna Vivian Eccles. He died on 22 March 1964 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Otis Harlan was born on 29 December 1865 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for Show Boat (1929), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935) and Nine and Three-Fifths Seconds (1925). He was married to Nellie Harvey. He died on 21 January 1940 in Martinsville, Indiana, USA.- Writer
- Director
- Actor
Born Pearl Zane Gray on January 31, 1872, in Zanesville, Ohio--a town founded by his mother's family--famed western novelist Zane Grey was an athlete and outdoorsman from an early age, with his main interests being fishing and baseball. He attended the University of Pennsylvania on a baseball scholarship, graduating with a degree in dentistry in 1896. He played minor-league baseball for a short period for a team in West Virginia. He started a dentistry practice in New York city, where he met the woman who would become his wife, Lina Roth, who got him to focus more on his writing. He would, however, periodically take fishing trips to the upper Delaware River in Lackawaxen in Pike County, Pennsylvania. In 1902 he became a published author by selling a story about fishing. Three years later he and Lisa married and moved to a farm in Lackawaxen
Grey began to take an interest in the West after accompanying a friend to Arizona on a trapping expedition to capture mountain lions. He published his first western novel, "Spirit of the Border", in 1906, and it quickly became a best-seller. In 1912 he published what is probably his best-known western novel, "Riders of the Purple Sage", which was also a big seller. Aiming to get his books made into films, he formed his own motion-picture production company, which he later sold to Paramount Pictures executive Jesse Lasky. Paramount would produce a large number of westerns based on Grey's novels.
Unlike many successful authors, Grey didn't content himself with simply churning out more novels. He traveled all over the world and involved himself in a variety of endeavors, from working a mining claim on Oregon's Rogue River to fishing for sharks in New Zealand, and writing books--both fiction and non-fiction--about his adventures. He had a special affinity for New Zealand and wrote many best-selling books about his fishing experiences there, which helped to make the country a mecca for deep-sea sport fishermen. Grey himself held many world records for catching big-game fish.
He died in 1939 and is buried at the Union Cemetery in Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania. The city is also the location of the Zane Grey Museum, which is administered by the National Park Service.- Producer
- Writer
- Director
Leah Saint Marie (formerly Welch) is a workhorse and an award-winning screenwriter with a taste for deeply complex, thrilling, and genre-bending stories. This probably makes sense given her background as an investigative journalist who studied female serial killers after getting her MFA in Creative Writing. Before going all in on her filmmaking career, Leah was a film projectionist for ten years (a stint which included living on Block Island, RI, in the old movie house), studied film stunts with a stunt family in Virginia, and as an investigative journalist she helped exonerate a man from prison.- Actress
Lisa Figus was born on 24 October 1923 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. She was an actress, known for Dutch (1991), Armed and Dangerous (1986) and The Rockford Files (1974). She was married to Felice Figus and David White. She died on 20 February 2017 in Palm Desert, California, USA.- Director
- Producer
- Actor
Brad Hammer is an award winning director and producer, with over 35 wins in film festivals across the world. Brad's work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, Spin, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Huffington Post, Vanity Fair, InStyle, and more. Brad is widely known as one of the top producers and directors of LGBTQ music videos and commercials. Brad Hammer also creates inspirational documentaries that have been showcased across the world. He is also the owner of Brad Hammer Productions.- Gladden James was born on 26 February 1888 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for The Third Degree (1919), Iron and Steel (1914) and Weary River (1929). He died on 28 August 1948 in Hollywood, California, USA.
- Actress
- Writer
- Composer
Nightbirde was born on 29 December 1990 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. She was an actress and writer, known for Nightbirde: Girl in A Bubble (2019), Leonard Knight: A Man & His Mountain (2015) and America's Got Talent (2006). She was married to Jeremy Claudio. She died on 19 February 2022 in the USA.- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Troy DeVolld was born in Zanesville, Ohio on November 17, 1970 to Robert and Gail DeVolld. He is a 1988 graduate of Brandon Senior High School in Brandon, Florida.
After briefly attending Flagler College as a Fine Art major, DeVolld was presented with the opportunity to write some television commercials for the Jefferson Mint. From there, he went on to write for shows like Prime Network's "Fight Night Showcase" and WB32 Tampa's "Billy's Bogus B Movies" before eventually enrolling at Full Sail University, a media school in Winter Park, Florida. A 1996 graduate of the film and video program at the school, he was later honored as the ninth graduate of the school to be inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2010.
DeVolld's career in national television began in late 2000, with a stint as a logger / transcriptionist on the Mtv show "Fear," where he rose to the level of producer quickly owing to the explosion of reality television spurred by the success of "Survivor" the same year. DeVolld then lucked into working on the celebrity reality smash "The Osbournes," and has continued to work steadily ever since -- earning a shared nomination for his work on Style Network's "Split Ends" in 2009.
In 2010, Troy began work on what would soon become the definitive text on reality television production, "Reality TV," which was released the following year by Michael Wiese Productions. The bestseller made its debut at number one on Amazon's Television Reference list. The second edition of the book repeated that success in 2016, even as Troy's second book, "And Another Thing: A Beginner's Guide to the Television Notes Process" made its debut. Both books have enjoyed success both within and beyond academic use.
DeVolld, in addition to his producing life, also lectures on reality and nonfiction production at universities and seminar series all over the world, notably with the TV Writers Summit in London and Tel Aviv and various University Film and Video Association events.
He is an avid collector of vintage television remotes and the current President of Alternative TV at The Big Picture Collective..- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Writer, musician and film producer whose greatest claim to fame is in being one of the country's greatest practical jokers. Four years out of Ohio State University, Abel perpetrated his first major hoax in 1959 as the mastermind of the "Society for Indecency to Naked Animals" in which he persuaded actor Buck Henry to portray the president of the Society and appear on Television recommending the diapering of farm animals for decency's sake. Other classic hoaxes by Abel involved him and his wife Jeanne lobbying for a nude postage stamp of Jane Fonda, promoting a fictional Sex Olympics, and convincing the press that General Idi Amin was getting married in a lavish wedding at New York's Plaza Hotel on the sly. Abel and his wife were constantly able to fool the public and the press alike.- Actress
- Additional Crew
Four short days after stepping into New York City, Amber Gristak was landed a role as a political supporter in the film "Maid in Manhattan." Audiences everywhere were surprised as they watched the blooper that made the final cut. The scene shows Ralph Fiennes calling Gristak by her real name before she introduces herself. Newspaper reporters back in Gristak's hometown of Zanesville, Ohio were eager to get all the details on the Zanesville native's quick leap into Hollywood. The newspaper sold out on the day Gristak's article appeared. Residents in the city were all gossip but more importantly they were proud to see a Zanesville native on the big screen.
Gristak accredits her crash course into the world of film to her work as a stand-in and photo double for Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind directed by Michelle Gondry. Following this experience, Gristak landed a reoccurring spot as a student for two seasons on NBC's popular sitcom, ED. During this time Gristak auditioned and was selected to perform the monologue "My Short Skirt" in Eve Ensler's highly acclaimed Vagina Monologues.
Gristak began training her vocals with industry staple Craig Derry. Derry has worked with such household names as Etta James, Mark Anthony, Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blidge, Ashanti, The Backstreet Boys, Kevin Lyttle and More.
Gristak spent 2004 as the main host on the IMM Show. Designers including the prestigious Diane Von Furstenberg contributed full racks of clothing for Gristak to pull from. The IMM Show filmed in both New York City and Los Angeles California. Initial broadcast of The IMM Show began on ITV (UK Number). Shortly after this launch the show's broadcast was extended to ITV's sibling stations around Europe and Asia. The IMM Show was later remade in French.
Gristak was chosen to be a co-host the Independent Movie Awards. Designer Betsey Johnson jumped on board to dress Gristak for the event. Following the awards, Gristak began working with various casting directors on her auditioning skills at The Actors Connection in New York City.
Gristak was then offered the chance to play "Leon's Mistress," a street-talking tough-girl confined in a detention home, in the film "House of D" directed by David Duchovny. Following this Gristak was offered and accepted the role as a "Well Wisher" in the independent film "Hard Rock."
Late summer 2005 Gristak was asked back to the Independent Film Awards to be the main Host. Following the event, Gristak was inspired by the ceremony and decided to tune in on her acting skills. She auditioned and was cordially invited to attend the prestigious William Esper Studio.
Early 2006 Gristak contributed the poem "Grandma Tell Me Again" to be used in the book "Beyond Memories." The book was released and sold by the Outreach for Breast Health Foundation (OFBH) to raise money to fund mobile mammogram stations and promote the early detection of breast cancer. After the success of the books initial release the OFBH has continued to sell copies of the book at their other events, fundraisers and auctions.
Gristak recently released her first compilation book "O.F.O.N: String of Consciousness." The book overviews a journey through the changing perception of a youth made in America!- Tristen Neibarger was born on 3 August 1999 in Zanesville, Ohio.
- Wanda Kaczynski was born on 13 May 1917 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. She was married to Theodore Richard Kaczynski. She died on 16 September 2011 in Schenectady, New York, USA.
- Hugh Wiley was born on 26 February 1884 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. He was a writer, known for Mr. Wong, Detective (1938), The Fatal Hour (1940) and The Mystery of Mr. Wong (1939). He died on 30 December 1968 in Berkeley, California, USA.
- Vincent Dennis was born on 26 May 1893 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for The Rogues' Tavern (1936), Taming the Wild (1936) and Too Much Beef (1936). He died on 7 July 1973 in Pinellas, Florida, USA.
- Editor
- Additional Crew
- Editorial Department
Dante Wyatt was born on 26 April 1983 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. He is an editor, known for Love for Sale (2008), Frat Brothers (2013) and Man of Her Dreams (2009).- Eva Prout was born on 9 October 1894 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. She was an actress, known for Little Red Riding Hood (1911), The New Church Organ (1912) and Margaret's Awakening (1912). She was married to Earnest Bailey Geiger. She died on 12 November 1980 in Coral Gables, Florida, USA.
- Christopher Gaiters was born on 12 December 1967 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA.
- Bobby Beathard was born on 24 January 1937 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. He was married to Christine Van Handel and Larae Rich. He died on 30 January 2023 in Franklin, Tennessee, USA.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Earl 'Hap' Hogan was born on 9 February 1880 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln (1924). He died on 14 October 1944 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actress
- Production Manager
- Writer
The opportunity came to do some extra work in the John Travolta film "I Am Wrath" and as the door was closing on the retail business (Radio Shack) Ellen made the leap to walk through the door of acting. After "I Am Wrath" she went on to do "My Blind Brother" and "In Search of Fellini". She was accepted by Pro Model and Talent Management where she has continued her education in the acting field as well as any online classes she could take to further her education in the craft. She has worked with Angela Boehm casting, (previously opacasting) and is also listed with Now Casting database. Has continued to take classes through both of these. Also listed with katzcasting. With a speaking role in Devils With A Smile, as Counselor Janice, the hope to work as more than background became a confident reality. Following every opportunity to work as background, extra, commercial, submit for auditions and train in the craft itself became an everyday reality. The reality of just because you do the work doesn't mean you make the cut, only drives her to work harder and reach out to her peers for guidance to perfect what she does such as Amy Jo Berman. 2020 she signed with Cam Talent and a renewed drive to become a full time working actor took hold.
Ellen Marie Pepper, born June 22, 1961 to Jeston George Pepper and Barbara Ellen Allton Pepper, the oldest of 5 children. Ellen is the only daughter, single, and no children of her own. Hometown is Zanesville, Ohio but the family spent much time when the children were younger between the country life of the farm and the city.
Working from the time she was old enough to start babysitting, she did so along with cleaning houses, working the farm with her father and brothers, she learned how to work hard and earn a living. The desire to act was always there taking advantage of the opportunities to do so through girl scouting and drama class in high school. Acting was however not practical and earning a living at a regular job was the important thing.
Just working was never enough and branching out to learn other skills was the avenue she took to find what she really wanted to do with her life. Now with a degree in Child Development, as well as an education in wedding and event planning and some law school, the circle has been made and the acting bug struck again.
With the onset of the pandemic and an accident resulting in a broken back, she moved to writing instead of acting. March 2024 she published her first book Faith and Conviction to be followed later the same year with the novel Gray Shadows. This she coauthored with director, writer, producer David Walker and is the book for the film if the same name in which she co-starred.- Barbara Morse was born on 15 November 1958 in Zanesville, Ohio, USA. She is an actress, known for Providence (1999).