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1-25 of 25
- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Cleft-chinned, steely-eyed and virile star of international cinema who rose from being "the ragman's son" (the name of his best-selling 1988 autobiography) to become a bona fide superstar, Kirk Douglas, also known as Issur Danielovitch Demsky, was born on December 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, New York. His parents, Bryna (Sanglel) and Herschel Danielovitch, were Jewish immigrants from Chavusy, Mahilyow Voblast (now in Belarus). Although growing up in a poor ghetto, Douglas was a fine student and a keen athlete and wrestled competitively during his time at St. Lawrence University. Professional wrestling helped pay for his studies as did working on the side as a waiter and a bellboy. However, he soon identified an acting scholarship as a way out of his meager existence, and was sufficiently talented to gain entry into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He made his Broadway debut in "Spring Again" before his career was interrupted by World War II. He joining the United States Navy in 1941, and then after the end of hostilities in 1945, returned to the theater and some radio work. On the insistence of ex-classmate Lauren Bacall, movie producer Hal B. Wallis screen-tested Douglas and cast him in the lead role in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946). His performance received rave reviews and further work quickly followed, including an appearance in the low-key drama I Walk Alone (1947), the first time he worked alongside fellow future screen legend Burt Lancaster. Such was the strong chemistry between the two that they appeared in seven films together, including the dynamic western Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), the John Frankenheimer political thriller Seven Days in May (1964) and their final pairing in the gangster comedy Tough Guys (1986). Douglas once said about his good friend: "I've finally gotten away from Burt Lancaster. My luck has changed for the better. I've got nice-looking girls in my films now."
After appearing in "I Walk Alone," Douglas scored his first Oscar nomination playing the untrustworthy and opportunistic boxer Midge Kelly in the gripping Champion (1949). The quality of his work continued to garner the attention of critics and he was again nominated for Oscars for his role as a film producer in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) and as tortured painter Vincent van Gogh in Lust for Life (1956), both directed by Vincente Minnelli. In 1955, Douglas launched his own production company, Bryna Productions, the company behind two pivotal film roles in his career. The first was as French army officer Col. Dax in director Stanley Kubrick's brilliant anti-war epic Paths of Glory (1957). Douglas reunited with Kubrick for yet another epic, the magnificent Spartacus (1960). The film also marked a key turning point in the life of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy "Red Scare" hysteria in the 1950s. At Douglas' insistence, Trumbo was given on-screen credit for his contributions, which began the dissolution of the infamous blacklisting policies begun almost a decade previously that had destroyed so many careers and lives.
Douglas remained busy throughout the 1960s, starring in many films. He played a rebellious modern-day cowboy in Lonely Are the Brave (1962), acted alongside John Wayne in the World War II story In Harm's Way (1965), again with The Duke in a drama about the Israeli fight for independence, Cast a Giant Shadow (1966), and once more with Wayne in the tongue-in-cheek western The War Wagon (1967). Additionally in 1963, he starred in an onstage production of Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," but despite his keen interest, no Hollywood studio could be convinced to bring the story to the screen. However, the rights remained with the Douglas clan, and Kirk's talented son Michael Douglas finally filmed the tale in 1975, starring Jack Nicholson. Into the 1970s, Douglas wasn't as busy as previous years; however, he starred in some unusual vehicles, including alongside a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in the loopy western comedy The Villain (1979), then with Farrah Fawcett in the sci-fi thriller Saturn 3 (1980) and then he traveled to Australia for the horse opera/drama The Man from Snowy River (1982).
Unknown to many, Kirk has long been involved in humanitarian causes and has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the US State Department since 1963. His efforts were rewarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1981), and with the Jefferson Award (1983). Furthermore, the French honored him with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. More recognition followed for his work with the American Cinema Award (1987), the German Golden Kamera Award (1987), The National Board of Reviews Career Achievement Award (1989), an honorary Academy Award (1995), Recipient of the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award (1999) and the UCLA Medal of Honor (2002). Despite a helicopter crash and a stroke suffered in the 1990s, he remained active and continued to appear in front of the camera. Until his passing on February 5 2020 at the age of 103, he and Olivia de Havilland were the last surviving major stars from the Golden Years of Hollywood.- Jessica Samko was born on 1 June 1982 in Amsterdam, New York, USA.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Arthur Freed discovered Lucille when she was working in a nightclub doing a specialty dance act, and decided to cast her as Rose Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis, and began building up her career which never really took off despite being put in 3 big musical productions at MGM. When she married, she decided to retire.- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Joe Towne was born on 24 April 1975 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Isn't It Romantic (2019), Significant Mother (2015) and Fringe (2008). He has been married to Erin Cardillo since 5 November 2011. They have one child.- Errol Trotman Harewood, a British native born in Guyana, South America, was passionate about the arts from an early age. His musical education started at nine years old when he joined the local Militia Band under the direction of Mr. Randolph Bennett. After reuniting with his mother in England, a State Registered Nurse, he went on to qualify as a drummer and percussionist.
Whilst stationed in Germany with the British forces, Errol began to make a name for himself as a musician and tutor. He also directed big bands and founded ensembles that played various music, such as jazz and R&B, funk, blues, and even avant-garde.
His acting career began in 1978 when he was discovered by Siemen Ruehaak, a reputable theatre director, who directed his debut lead role as Alboury, the protagonist in B.M. Coltes political drama Blacks Battles with Dogs. His break into films came in 1998 in the action thriller Straight Shooter. From there, he has continued to diversify his roles and explore new places.
Errol was called upon to take on challenging roles during the pandemic, one being the Chief Judge of the Laws of The Seas in the ARD/Degeto TV Movie, "The Protector." This organisation oversees the laws of all the waterways within the western hemisphere. He was also unexpectedly given the chance to star in a film titled "Home Shoppers Paradise" nine months after being rejected for the same role. Once cast, he discovered three days into production that he was the lead actor. In addition, just two weeks into filming, he was asked to replace another actor in the role of Detective Inspector Lomboto of the Mombasa Police, investigating a murder case.
Errol Trotman presently resides in Berlin, Germany but travels frequently to the various film sets wherever they may be. Another passion of his are the challenges of various cuisines in the kitchen. - Music Department
- Actor
- Writer
Tim Buckley was born on 14 February 1947 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), Lost Highway (1997) and Candy (2006). He was married to Judy Fern Brejot and Mary Guibert. He died on 29 June 1975 in Santa Monica, California, USA.- Devon Pierce was born on 6 February 1967 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Hunter (1984), The Twilight Zone (1985) and The Allnighter (1987).
- Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Additional Crew
David Weaver was born on 14 January 1982 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for The Last Frankenstein (2021), The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) and Babysitter Massacre: Heavy Metal.- Don Percassi was born in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He is known for Enchanted (2007), Broadway: The Next Generation and Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2021).
- Writer
- Producer
David Pietrusza is the author of a series of critically-acclaimed works detailing presidential electoral history.
He is also the winner of the CASEY award for his biography of Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, "Judge and Jury: The Life and Times of Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis."
His "Rothstein" was an Edgar Award finalist. His "Roosevelt Sweeps Nation" won the Independent Publisher Book (IPPY) Awards Silver Medal for US History; while his "1932" captured the IPPY Awards Bronze Medal for World History, and his "TR's Last War" won the IPPY Awards Silver Medal for US History.
Widely seen on such TV outlets as C-SPAN BookTV, C-SPAN American History TV, the Fox News Channel, the History Channel, MSNBC, ESPN, the MLB Network, the Fox Sports Channel, and Compound Media, he served as a regular panelist on FoxNews.com Live appearing with such hosts as Kimberly Guilfoyle.- Producer
Peter Farina was born on 15 March 1984 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He is a producer, known for Make Me Italian.- Thomas A. Stewart was born on 10 June 1947 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Jaws 2 (1978), The Adams Chronicles (1976) and Project U.F.O. (1978).
- Art Department
Edward Cotugno was born on 3 June 1987 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. Edward is known for Set It Up (2018). Edward was married to Tia. Edward died on 24 July 2023 in Altamont, New York, USA.- Chet Curtis was born in 1939 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He was married to Natalie Jacobson and Helen Wagner. He died on 22 January 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
- Make-Up Department
Cassandra Helfand was born on 24 March 1986 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. Cassandra is known for Alone with Her (2006), Rolling (2007) and Ranchero (2008).- Camera and Electrical Department
- Cinematographer
- Producer
Dara Selbert was born on 17 November 1984 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. Dara is a cinematographer and producer, known for Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008), Date Night (2010) and Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010).- Writer
- Director
- Actor
Scott Merrow was born on 28 May 1951 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He was a writer and director, known for The Impact (2022), The Spider Experiment (2007) and Santa's Little Ferrets (2014). He died on 14 March 2019 in Monument, Colorado, USA.- Paul Tonko was born on 18 June 1949 in Amsterdam, New York, USA.
- Joe Pepe was born on 5 November 1970 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Laurina (2022).
- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Born in Amsterdam, New York, William Kronick graduated from Columbia College, then served in the U. S. Navy as a Photographer's Mate. He enjoyed a long career as a filmmaker, beginning with his apprenticeship to Ingmar Bergman at Svenskfilmindustri Studios, Stockholm. He then joined the Louis de Rochemont Company in New York as a production assistant. His first film, the featurette A Bowl of Cherries, a comedy set in the New York art scene, originally played in nearly a thousand theaters in this country and abroad. During his lengthy career as director, producer and writer he received an Academy Award Special Certificate of Merit for The Ends Of The Earth, his feature-length chronicle of the British Transglobe Expedition. Mr. Kronick resides in Los Angeles where he recently completed his fifth novel.- Writer
- Additional Crew
- Script and Continuity Department
Sarah Bellardini was born on 26 March 1992 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. She is a writer, known for Lady Gaga for Tiffany & Co. (2017), Tig N' Seek (2020) and AOK (2016).- Carolyn Jansen was born on 21 May 1958 in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York, USA. She died on 1 June 2002 in Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado, USA.
- Rocco Petrone was born on 31 March 1926 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He was married to Ruth Holley. He died on 24 August 2006 in Palos Verdes Estates, California, USA.
- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Chad Nell was born on 22 January 1973 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Natural Selection (1999), Self Portrait (2013) and Revamped (2007).- Lewis Strang was born on 7 August 1884 in Amsterdam, New York, USA. He was married to Jennie Louise Spalding. He died on 20 July 1911 in Blue River, Wisconsin, USA.