Gov. Jerry Brown today signed the measure which bars registered sex offenders from representing minors working in the entertainment industry. It also requires criminal background checks for managers, publicists, photographers and others with unsupervised access to young performers. The bill, AB1660, gained momentum last year after the arrest of a convicted child molester who had been working as a casting associate involving children in films. Authorities also determined Jason James Murphy had been employed on movies with children in their casts including J.J. Abrams’ Super 8. He was arrested on charges he violated state sex offender registry laws. A short time later, the Los Angeles Times reported that a manager representing young talent was arrested and subsequently convicted of felony child molestation. Until now, only agents and studio teachers have been subjected to fingerprinting and background checks.
- 9/28/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Todd Bridges and Corey Feldman are taking a stand in California court on Wednesday. The two former teen idols are making a public case that would protect child actors in the entertainment industry, according to the Los Angeles Times.Bridges, best known for his childhood portrayal of Willis Jackson on “Diff’rent Strokes,” and Feldman, who appeared in “The Goonies” and “Gremlins,” were both molested by men connected to the industry and then fell into depression and drug addiction. “We’re not doing enough to protect children, period,” Bridges told the Los Angeles Times.The proposed bill would prevent registered sex offenders from representing minors and require those who have unsupervised access to child performers to submit to criminal background checks, as well as provide fingerprints.In November of last year, the self-employed Hollywood child star agent Martin Weiss was arrested on suspicion of child molestation. Two weeks later, registered sex offender Jason James Murphy,...
- 4/18/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Briana Rodriguez)
- backstage.com
A convicted sex offender who used an alias to work as a casting assistant on director J.J. Abrams' Super 8 movie has been arrested in Los Angeles.
Jason James Murphy was convicted of kidnapping and molesting an eight-year-old boy in Washington state in 1996. He served five years in prison and underwent counselling as a sex offender before relocating to California in 2005.
He registered there as a sex offender, but then went to work as Jason James to land work in Hollywood, hiding his true identity.
State law requires sex offenders to notify authorities to any name changes, nicknames or pseudonyms, and bans convicts from working directly with children.
Murphy had also worked with young stars on the sets of Bad News Bears, The School of Rock, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and the much-anticipated new movie The Three Stooges.
No known complaints have been filed against Murphy, but he was arrested on Friday and charged with two felony counts for failure to file a name change and a change of address, reports the Los Angeles Times.
He was released on his own recognisance later on Friday.
Murphy, 35, faces up to three years in prison if convicted of the two charges.
Director Abrams recently expressed his shock after learning of Murphy's criminal history.
He said, "To think that someone like this was among us is unthinkable."...
Jason James Murphy was convicted of kidnapping and molesting an eight-year-old boy in Washington state in 1996. He served five years in prison and underwent counselling as a sex offender before relocating to California in 2005.
He registered there as a sex offender, but then went to work as Jason James to land work in Hollywood, hiding his true identity.
State law requires sex offenders to notify authorities to any name changes, nicknames or pseudonyms, and bans convicts from working directly with children.
Murphy had also worked with young stars on the sets of Bad News Bears, The School of Rock, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and the much-anticipated new movie The Three Stooges.
No known complaints have been filed against Murphy, but he was arrested on Friday and charged with two felony counts for failure to file a name change and a change of address, reports the Los Angeles Times.
He was released on his own recognisance later on Friday.
Murphy, 35, faces up to three years in prison if convicted of the two charges.
Director Abrams recently expressed his shock after learning of Murphy's criminal history.
He said, "To think that someone like this was among us is unthinkable."...
- 12/11/2011
- WENN
London, Dec 11: Former Hollywood child stars have made a series of serious revelations of sexual abuse in the industry after three showbiz figures were accused recently of preying on aspiring young hopefuls.
Recently, child talent manager Martin Weiss, 47, who provided kids for Disney shows, has been accused of eight sex charges while Sesame Street composer Fernando Rivas, 59, appeared in court over child porn.
Casting agent Jason James Murphy, 35, was also exposed as having been convicted of kidnapping and molesting an eight-year-old boy.
Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie Oleson in 1970s TV hit Little House.
Recently, child talent manager Martin Weiss, 47, who provided kids for Disney shows, has been accused of eight sex charges while Sesame Street composer Fernando Rivas, 59, appeared in court over child porn.
Casting agent Jason James Murphy, 35, was also exposed as having been convicted of kidnapping and molesting an eight-year-old boy.
Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie Oleson in 1970s TV hit Little House.
- 12/11/2011
- by Anita Agarwal
- RealBollywood.com
Associated Press:
Los Angeles -- A convicted child molester who worked under an alias in casting children's movies has been arrested on charges of violating sex-offender registration laws.
The Los Angeles Times reports that prosecutors charged Jason James Murphy on Friday with two felonies, failure to file a name change and a change of address.
An investigation of Murphy was sparked by Times stories that revealed he'd been working in casting offices in Hollywood under the name Jason James.
Murphy served five years in prison after a conviction for molesting a boy he met at a summer camp, where he worked as a teen counselor.
His credits include the films "Bad News Bears" and "Super 8."
Murphy surrendered to authorities and was being held on $500,000 bail.
He faces a maximum of three years in prison.
Murphy served five years in prison after a conviction for molesting a boy he met at a summer camp,...
Los Angeles -- A convicted child molester who worked under an alias in casting children's movies has been arrested on charges of violating sex-offender registration laws.
The Los Angeles Times reports that prosecutors charged Jason James Murphy on Friday with two felonies, failure to file a name change and a change of address.
An investigation of Murphy was sparked by Times stories that revealed he'd been working in casting offices in Hollywood under the name Jason James.
Murphy served five years in prison after a conviction for molesting a boy he met at a summer camp, where he worked as a teen counselor.
His credits include the films "Bad News Bears" and "Super 8."
Murphy surrendered to authorities and was being held on $500,000 bail.
He faces a maximum of three years in prison.
Murphy served five years in prison after a conviction for molesting a boy he met at a summer camp,...
- 12/11/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Jason James Murphy, a casting professional who helped place child actors in the summer blockbuster "Super 8," has been revealed as a registered child molester, the Los Angeles Times reported yesterday.J.J. Abrams, who directed "Super 8," learned of Murphy's past this week, and the Los Angeles Police Department began an investigation on Thursday into whether Murphy complied with the state requirements for registered sex offenders."It's shocking and it's devastating, not just as a filmmaker but as a father and someone who is entrusted to make sure that everyone I work with, especially children, are safe," Abrams told the Times. "To think that someone like this was among us is unthinkable."In 1996, Murphy was convicted of kidnapping and molesting an 8-year-old boy in suburban Seattle. Murphy pleaded guilty to child molestation and kidnapping, and he spent five years in jail for the offense.State authorities required that Murphy register as a sex.
- 11/18/2011
- by help@backstage.com (Suzy Evans)
- backstage.com
Los Angeles -- A casting assistant who helped choose child actors for some kid-friendly movies is a convicted child molester, according to a newspaper report.
California law prohibits offenders like Murphy from working alone with minor children. The Times said police were looking into whether Murphy is in compliance with state requirements for sex offenders.
In his credits, which include the films "Bad News Bears" and "Super 8", Murphy is listed as a casting director or a casting associate.
Murphy served five years in prison for the 1996 crime of kidnapping and molesting an 8-year-old boy in suburban Seattle and underwent sex-offender counseling.
Murphy was already out on bail and awaiting arraignment on charges of molesting the boy when, as a 19-year-old, he dressed up as a woman to abduct the little boy from his elementary school and flew with him to New York City.
Three days later, "America's Most Wanted...
California law prohibits offenders like Murphy from working alone with minor children. The Times said police were looking into whether Murphy is in compliance with state requirements for sex offenders.
In his credits, which include the films "Bad News Bears" and "Super 8", Murphy is listed as a casting director or a casting associate.
Murphy served five years in prison for the 1996 crime of kidnapping and molesting an 8-year-old boy in suburban Seattle and underwent sex-offender counseling.
Murphy was already out on bail and awaiting arraignment on charges of molesting the boy when, as a 19-year-old, he dressed up as a woman to abduct the little boy from his elementary school and flew with him to New York City.
Three days later, "America's Most Wanted...
- 11/18/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
A casting assistant who helped choose child actors for some kid-friendly movies is a convicted child molester, according to a newspaper report. Jason James Murphy, 35, has worked with children in Hollywood for a decade by using the name Jason James, according to the Los Angeles Times. California law prohibits offenders like Murphy from working alone with minor children. The Times said police were looking into whether Murphy is in compliance with state requirements for sex offenders. In his credits, which include the films Bad News Bears and Super 8, Murphy is listed as a casting director or a casting associate.
- 11/18/2011
- by Associated Press
- EW - Inside Movies
Filed under: Movie News
Jason James Murphy, who helped cast young actors in films such as 'Super 8,' 'Bad News Bears,' 'School of Rock' and 'Cheaper By the Dozen,' is a convicted sex offender. According to the La Times, Murphy was convicted of kidnapping and molesting an 8-year-old boy in suburban Seattle in 1996. After an extensive manhunt, the show 'America's Most Wanted' helped track him down, and he was sentenced to five years in prison. In 2005, Murphy moved to Los Angeles, where he registered as a sex offender under his original last name. This ended up screening him from co-workers who only knew him as Jason James.
Continue Reading...
Jason James Murphy, who helped cast young actors in films such as 'Super 8,' 'Bad News Bears,' 'School of Rock' and 'Cheaper By the Dozen,' is a convicted sex offender. According to the La Times, Murphy was convicted of kidnapping and molesting an 8-year-old boy in suburban Seattle in 1996. After an extensive manhunt, the show 'America's Most Wanted' helped track him down, and he was sentenced to five years in prison. In 2005, Murphy moved to Los Angeles, where he registered as a sex offender under his original last name. This ended up screening him from co-workers who only knew him as Jason James.
Continue Reading...
- 11/18/2011
- by Moviefone Staff
- Moviefone
Star Trek director J.J. Abrams has been left stunned after discovering a casting assistant on his Super 8 movie has a record as a sex offender.
Police records show Jason James Murphy was convicted of kidnapping and molesting an eight-year-old boy in Washington state 15 years ago.
Abrams recently learned the 35 year old is the same person his casting directors hired as an assistant to the kids on the set.
He tells the Los Angeles Times newspaper, "It's shocking and it's devastating, not just as a filmmaker but as a father and someone who is entrusted to make sure that everyone I work with, especially children, are safe. To think that someone like this was among us is unthinkable."
Murphy, who has been using the name Jason James while doing business in Hollywood in recent years, has also worked with young stars on the sets of Bad News Bears, The School of Rock, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and the much-anticipated new movie The Three Stooges.
The Los Angeles Times reports Murphy served five years in prison and underwent counselling as a sex offender. In 2005 he moved to California and registered as a sex offender, but then went to work as Jason James, thus hiding his true identity.
There are no known complaints that Murphy acted inappropriately with any minor in his casting business, but it appears he has broken a number of state laws, which dictate he must notify the authorities to any name changes, nicknames or pseudonyms, and he cannot work directly with children.
Abrams insists there was nothing to suggest the man he knew as Jason James was a child sex offender.
He adds, "(We) had absolutely no knowledge of his real name, nor of his status. He applied for the job under an alias."
Super 8's casting directors, April Webster and Alyssa Weisberg, insist they were unaware of Murphy's background when they hired him as an assistant, but they tell the publication he was never alone with children while in their offices.
Police records show Jason James Murphy was convicted of kidnapping and molesting an eight-year-old boy in Washington state 15 years ago.
Abrams recently learned the 35 year old is the same person his casting directors hired as an assistant to the kids on the set.
He tells the Los Angeles Times newspaper, "It's shocking and it's devastating, not just as a filmmaker but as a father and someone who is entrusted to make sure that everyone I work with, especially children, are safe. To think that someone like this was among us is unthinkable."
Murphy, who has been using the name Jason James while doing business in Hollywood in recent years, has also worked with young stars on the sets of Bad News Bears, The School of Rock, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and the much-anticipated new movie The Three Stooges.
The Los Angeles Times reports Murphy served five years in prison and underwent counselling as a sex offender. In 2005 he moved to California and registered as a sex offender, but then went to work as Jason James, thus hiding his true identity.
There are no known complaints that Murphy acted inappropriately with any minor in his casting business, but it appears he has broken a number of state laws, which dictate he must notify the authorities to any name changes, nicknames or pseudonyms, and he cannot work directly with children.
Abrams insists there was nothing to suggest the man he knew as Jason James was a child sex offender.
He adds, "(We) had absolutely no knowledge of his real name, nor of his status. He applied for the job under an alias."
Super 8's casting directors, April Webster and Alyssa Weisberg, insist they were unaware of Murphy's background when they hired him as an assistant, but they tell the publication he was never alone with children while in their offices.
- 11/18/2011
- WENN
Steven Schwankert
A convicted sex offender has worked on the casting of children in films, including J.J. Abrams' Super 8, according to the Los Angeles Times. Jason James Murphy, who has used the professional name Jason James, has helped cast numerous films with child actors, such as Cheaper By The Dozen 2 and School of Rock, according to IMDb. His listing on the National Sex Offender Public Website cited his current residence as being in West Hollywood. Murphy was convicted of the kidnap and molestation of an eight-year-old boy in Seattle in 1996, and served five years, according to the
read more...
A convicted sex offender has worked on the casting of children in films, including J.J. Abrams' Super 8, according to the Los Angeles Times. Jason James Murphy, who has used the professional name Jason James, has helped cast numerous films with child actors, such as Cheaper By The Dozen 2 and School of Rock, according to IMDb. His listing on the National Sex Offender Public Website cited his current residence as being in West Hollywood. Murphy was convicted of the kidnap and molestation of an eight-year-old boy in Seattle in 1996, and served five years, according to the
read more...
- 11/18/2011
- by Steven Schwankert
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
What a way to launch your career. Newcomer Joel Courtney landed the lead role in J.J. Abrams's summer sci-fi blockbuster Super 8. Joel plays Joe, a kid just trying to make it through the summer with his distant deputy father after his mom dies in a freak accident. While shooting a zombie movie late one night, Joe and his friends witness a horrific train wreck that brings the military and unexplained occurrences to this small Ohio town. We sat down with Joel, who told us about how he snagged his first acting gig, pranking J.J., and staying humble. Your first movie role is a doozy. How did it all come about? My acting coach, Patty Callas, is also a casting director. Her protege, Jason James, was down in...
- 6/9/2011
- FEARnet
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