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1-50 of 92
- Actress
- Soundtrack
A curvaceous, dark-haired WWII pin-up beauty (aka "The Woo Woo Girl" and "The Girl with the Million Dollar Figure"), "B" film star Lynn Bari had the requisite looks and talent but few of the lucky breaks needed to penetrate the "A" rankings during her extensive Hollywood career. Nevertheless, some worthy performances of hers stand out in late-night viewings.
She was born with the elite-sounding name of Marjorie Schuyler Fisher on December 18, 1919 (various sources also list 1913, 1915 and 1917), in Roanoke, Virginia. She and her elder brother, John, moved with their mother to Boston following the death of their father in 1927. Her mother remarried, this time to a minister, and the family relocated once again when her stepfather was assigned a ministry in California (the Institute of Religious Science in Los Angeles).
Paying her dues for years as a snappy bit-part chorine, secretary, party girl and/or glorified extra while being groomed as a starlet under contract to MGM and Fox, her first released film was the MGM comedy Meet the Baron (1933), in which she provided typical window dressing as a collegian. For the next few years there was little growth at either studio, as she was usually standing amidst others in crowd scenes and looking excited. Finally in Lancer Spy (1937), she received her first billing on screen for a minor part as "Miss Fenwick". Though more bit parts were to dribble in, the year 1938 proved to be her breakthrough year. She finally gained some ground playing the "other woman" role in glossy soaps and musicals, first giving Barbara Stanwyck some trouble in Always Goodbye (1938).
Fox Studios finally handed her some smart co-leads and top supports in such second-tier films as The Return of the Cisco Kid (1939), Pack Up Your Troubles (1939), Hotel for Women (1939), and Hollywood Cavalcade (1939). Anxiously waiting for "the big one", she made do with her strong looks, tending toward unsympathetic parts. She enjoyed the attention she received playing disparaging society ladies, divas, villainesses, and even a strong-willed prairie flower in such films as Pier 13 (1940), Earthbound (1940), Kit Carson (1940), and Sun Valley Serenade (1941), but they did little to advance her in the ranks.
The very best role of her frisky career came with the grade "A" comedy The Magnificent Dope (1942), in which she shared top billing with Henry Fonda and Don Ameche. But good roles were hard to find in Lynn's case, and she good-naturedly took whatever was given her. Other above-average movies (she appeared in well over 150) of this period came with China Girl (1942), Hello Frisco, Hello (1943), The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1944), and Nocturne (1946).
With diminishing offers for film parts by the 1950s, she started leaning heavily towards stage and TV work. She continued her career until the late '60s and then retired. Her last work included the film The Young Runaways (1968) and TV episodes of "The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." and "The F.B.I." Divorced three times in all, husband #2 was volatile manager/producer Sidney Luft, better known as Judy Garland's hubby years later, who was the father of her only child. Her third husband was a doctor/psychiatrist, and she worked as his nurse for quite some time. They divorced in 1972. Plagued by arthritis in later years, Bari passed away from heart problems on November 20, 1989. Although she may have been labeled a "B" leading lady, she definitely was in the "A" ranks when it came to class and beauty.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Perhaps not so surprisingly, John Payne maintained that his favorite movie of all time was one of his own -- Miracle on 34th Street (1947) -- simply because it reflected his own strong and spiritual belief system. Today, of course, the film, which co-stars beautiful Maureen O'Hara, Oscar-winning Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle and little non-believing scene-steal Natalie Wood, is a perennial holiday favorite and his best-remembered film role despite the mighty fine product he turned out over the years.
Born John Howard Payne on May 28, 1912 (not May 23, according to his daughter, actress Julie Payne), he was the middle son of three boys (Peter and Robert were the others). His parents, businessman George Washington Payne and Ida Hope (ne Schaeffer) Payne were quite well-to-do and came from a rich heritage. John was named after an ancestor who wrote the song, "Home, Sweet, Home." The boys grew up privileged on a Roanoke, Virginia estate complete with equestrian stables and swimming pools. At his mother's request, John took singing lessons in order to curb an extreme shyness problem. During his teens, the boy was shipped off to Mercersburg Academy, a prep school in Pennsylvania, and later was studying at Roanoke College at the time his father died. John was forced to give up his studies in an effort to help support his family, finding work as a male nurse and, better yet, a radio singer at a local station. Eventually, he was able to return to his studies, enrolling at the Pulitzer School of Journalism at Columbia University. John continued to find work as a singer and even earned some extra cash as a boxer and wrestler.
The tall (6'2"), dark, and handsome Payne, in his mid-20s, eventually turned to the stage and, while understudying Reginald Gardiner in the musical "At Home Abroad," was spotted by Samuel Goldwyn during a performance signed for film work. Billed initially as John Howard Payne, he made his debut with a minor role in Dodsworth (1936), but nothing else came of it and he was released. Freelancing in minor musicals and comedies, he appeared in a starring role (billed now as John Payne) opposite soon-to-be acting guru Stella Adler in Love on Toast (1937), and also teamed up vocally with Betty Grable on a radio show. Payne met actress Anne Shirley during this time and the couple married in August of 1937. Three years later they had a daughter, Julie Payne, who would become an actress in her own right. The happiness for John and Anne wouldn't last, however, and the couple divorced in 1943.
In 1937, Paramount took over the actor's interest with a featured part in Bob Hope's College Swing (1938). Warner Bros. then signed him up briefly, allowing him a third-billed role in the Busby Berkeley musical Garden of the Moon (1938) starring Pat O'Brien and Margaret Lindsay in which he sang the title song as well as the tune "Love Is Where You Find It," among others. Again, John didn't have the right studio fit until 20th Century-Fox came along in 1940. Then it all began to happen for him. Co-starring roles opposite Alice Faye in the musicals Tin Pan Alley (1940) and Week-End in Havana (1941), and with popular skating star Sonja Henie in Sun Valley Serenade (1941) and Iceland (1942) started the ball rolling. But it was a starring role in the war tearjerker Remember the Day (1941), in which he was romantically paired with Claudette Colbert, that secured his place as a dramatic actor and gave him one of his best career showcases.
After co-starring with former radio partner Betty Grable in Springtime in the Rockies (1942), John served a two-year hitch (1942-1944) with the Army. Upon his discharge he went right back to courting Betty Grable in the musical film The Dolly Sisters (1945) and met 18-year-old singer/actress Gloria DeHaven during its shoot. The twosome wed in 1945 and a daughter and son were born within three years. Problems arose when Gloria insisted on continuing her career and the couple, after on and off separations, finally divorced in 1950. John's early post-WWII work offered some of his finest roles with significant non-singing parts coming in the form of Sentimental Journey (1946) with Maureen O'Hara which was a project he bought for himself, the glossy epic The Razor's Edge (1946) co-starring Gene Tierney, Miracle on 34th Street (1947), again paired up magically with O'Hara, and Larceny (1948) with Joan Caulfield.
After John left 20th Century-Fox, his film vehicles grew more routine. Crimers, war drama, and westerns became the norm but a smart and lucrative business arrangement (that included a seven-picture deal) with action producers William H. Pine and William C. Thomas (Pine-Thomas Productions) compensated greatly. As such John appeared in El Paso (1949), Tripoli (1950), Passage West (1951), Kansas City Confidential (1952). 99 River Street (1953), Silver Lode (1954) and ended the deal with Slightly Scarlet (1956). A shrewd businessman, Payne also obtained rights to these films in the aftermath. In 1953, he entered into his third and final marriage to Alexandra ("Sandy") Crowell Curtis, the former wife of actor Alan Curtis. In addition to returning to his singing roots with Las Vegas showroom engagements, John went on to star in his own western TV series The Restless Gun (1957) which lasted two seasons. Daughter Julie appeared in one episode.
A very serious 1961 accident, however, in which John was hit by a car in New York City, slowed him down considerably. It took well over two years for him to recover enough from his leg fractures and facial/scalp wounds to return to acting. In 1964, he co-starred on Broadway with Lisa Kirk in the Broadway musical "Here's Love". A decade later he returned to the arms of Alice Faye when they reunited on stage with a Broadway revival of "Good News". Unfortunately he had to leave the show prematurely as the dancing required was re-aggravating his leg pain. His 70s career ended with TV roles on such shows as "Gunsmoke," "Cade's Country" and "Columbo".
Retiring in 1975, John focused quietly on reading, writing short stories, flying, and cooking. In addition to daughter Julie, two of his grandchildren went on to become actresses as well -- Katharine Towne and Holly Payne. The 77-year-old Payne died on December 6, 1989 at his Malibu home of congestive heart failure. A reliable and steady leading man who may not have been a great mover or shaker on screen, he nonetheless brought tremendous entertainment to the industry and his fans both musically and dramatically in a career that lasted four decades.- Actress
- Producer
- Music Department
The daughter of Ellen Lilley, a director of marketing/event planner, and Vince Lilley, Jennifer Elizabeth Lilley was born on August 4, 1984 in Roanoke, Virginia. She had wanted to become a singer since childhood, and in 2001 she garnered the National Educators award in Guatemala by giving several concerts for underprivileged Guatemalan youth. In late-summer 2007, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Lilley devotes her spare time to charities focusing on children, homelessness, and the world water crisis.- Actress
- Producer
Challen Cates is an American actress best known for portraying "Mrs. Jennifer Knight" on the TV series Big Time Rush (2009). As of 2007, she has been the executive producer of two American independent films, A Fare to Remember (1999) and The A-List (2001). In addition to producing, she's also playing the main character in both movies. In 2003, she also played the lead female role in the independent movie, They Would Love You in France (2003). Since the beginning of 2000, Cates has also appeared in minor roles in several American television series: Cybill (1995), Roseanne (1988), Diagnosis Murder (1993), 1-800-Missing (2003), Monk (2002), CSI: NY (2004), Criminal Minds (2005), Desperate Housewives (2004) and others. In 2007, she had a part in the TV movie, The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning (2007). She now has a supporting role in the Nickelodeon original series, Big Time Rush (2009). Challen Cates has also appeared in 4 Big Time Rush (2009) movies such as Big Time Audition (2009), Big Time Concert (2010), Big Time Christmas (2010) and Big Time Beach Party (2011).- In retrospect, he was considered an actor's actor to be sure. Renowned theater performer George Grizzard would make his biggest impact under the Tony-winning Broadway lights in a career spanning over five decades. Born an only child on April 1, 1928, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, George Cooper Grizzard, Jr. was raised (from age 7) in Washington D.C., and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1949. Precoccupied for a time in the advertising field, he then seemed bent on a radio broadcasting career when the "acting bug" suddenly bit.
Grizzard studied with respected acting coach Sanford Meisner in New York and went on to apprentice in stock plays. He eventually took on Broadway where he earned major kudos right off the bat for his debut role as Paul Newman's younger brother in "The Desperate Hours" (1955). More New York acclaim came in the form of "The Happiest Millionaire" (1956), for which he won the "most promising" Theatre World Award; "The Disenchanted" (1958), which earned him a Tony nomination; "Big Fish, Little Fish" (1961), for which he won the Outer Critic's Circle award; the Edward Albee's emotional roller-coaster ride "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1962), wherein he originated the rakish, fair-haired role of Nick; and, more recently, in a revival of "A Delicate Balance" (1996), wherein he finally won the coveted Tony. Never far away from Broadway, he returned again and again over the years in both comedies and dramas: "Mary, Mary", "The Glass Menagerie", "You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running", "The Country Girl", "The Royal Family", "California Suite", "Man and Superman", "Judgment at Nuremberg" and "The Creation of the World and Other Business" in which he played Lucifer himself. Other noteworthy theatrical events away from Broadway ranged from his title role in "Hamlet" at the Tyrone Guthrie Theater, to his mental patient who thinks he's Einstein in "The Physicists", to his Big Daddy in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" at the Kennedy Center.
Films beckoned in the 60s with a sampling of handsome, intellectual, white-collared roles. Making his Broadway debut with Paul Newman in 1955, he made his film debut with Newman as well, in the role of a ruthless young tycoon in From the Terrace (1960). He also earned excellent notices as a crafty senator in the well-mounted political drama Advise & Consent (1962). He found, however, more durable, frequent work on the smaller screen playing various politicians (presidents, governors, mayors, etc.), notably his Emmy-nominated portrayal as John Adams in The Adams Chronicles (1976). He won the Emmy for his portrayal of Henry Fonda's opportunistic son in the TV special The Oldest Living Graduate (1980). Often seen in a calculating, unsympathetic light, he continued to mix stage and on-camera work for the remainder of his career.
A co-founder of the APA Repertory Company in New York, Grizzard took his final Broadway bow bantering with life-sized lizards in the surreal Edward Albee drama "Seascape" in 2005. His last movie role was a part in Clint Eastwood's memorable Flags of Our Fathers (2006). He died the following year, on October 2, 2007, of complications from lung cancer at a New York City hospital. His sole survivor is long-time partner William Tynan. - Kristen's life started somewhat humdrum, compared to others. She graduated from Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, VA (the star city of the South) and then went on to Mary Baldwin College in Stanton VA, where she earned a degree BA in Film and Television. Not long after graduating, the modeling world found Kristen, and she found herself traveling the globe. From Virginia to New York, then to the UK, Paris and Milan, Kristen was on magazine covers and lauded brands all over the world. Within a month of returning to New York City (after a whirlwind multi-year modeling career), Kristen landed her first union acting gig and became a working actor.
Not long after completing her first professional acting gig, Kristen packed her bags and drove to Los Angeles. It wasn't long before she had roots, was in several acting classes and booked her first major feature film, David Lynch's "Inland Empire", not to forget several Award Winning short films. From weeks of work in LA and Poland (for Inland Empire), Kristen finished the project with a greater, deeper perspective on her skill and desire. The door swiftly opened, and Kristen found herself booking television and film projects.
With a slew of films under her belt, a few TV series finished, Kristen still isn't satisfied and knows there's so much more to experience. Kristen lives in Los Angeles. - Actor
- Producer
Jack Gwaltney was born on 15 September 1960 in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Casualties of War (1989), Safe (2012) and The Siege (1998).- Writer
- Producer
- Actress
Tanquil Lisa Collins was born on 10 July 1962 in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. She is a writer and producer, known for Baywatch (1989), SAF3 (2013) and Baywatch Nights (1995). She was previously married to Stuart M. Lucas.- Actress
Lisa Aliff was born on 10 September 1960 in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. She is an actress, known for Dragnet (1987), You Can't Take It with You (1987) and Remote Control (1988). She has been married to Todd David Greenleaf since 3 July 2004. She was previously married to Lewis Richard Hawkins.- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Chris Daughtry was born on 26 December 1979 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, USA. He is an actor, known for Wanderlust (2012), Criminal Minds (2005) and NCIS: Los Angeles (2009). He has been married to Deanna Daughtry since 11 November 2000. They have four children.- Actor
- Director
- Cinematographer
Sterling Hurst is an award-winning actor who got his start in TV commercials, representing over 50 brands including NASCAR, Duke Energy, and Mountain Dew. Hurst made his feature debut in Shifting Gears, alongside M.C. Gainey (Django Unchained) and M. Emmet Walsh (The Jerk). Next, he shared the screen with Shawn Pyfrom (Desperate Housewives) in Hard Surfaces. Hurst then stepped up to 'leading man' in three feature films. Small Group, nominated in 4 categories at the International Christian Film Festival - including a Best Lead Actor nomination for Hurst - won Best Picture. For his "astounding performance" in Dark Harbor, Hurst won Best Supporting Actor at WorldFest Houston and Best Actor at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival. Hurst was born in Virginia and raised in North Carolina. He earned a B.F.A. in Acting through UNC Greensboro's meisner-based conservatory program. In NYC, he completed UCB's Long-form Improv training, plus advanced classes.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Kent Faulcon is an actor-writer-director who has been seen in memorable films like "Selma," "War of the Worlds," "Men in Black," and television shows including ABC's hit series "Blackish" and six seasons as a series regular on OWN's "For Better or Worse." His directorial feature debut "Sister's Keeper" screened in dozens of film festivals in the U.S. and internationally. Kent's most recent television directing project was helming an episode of the new DC superhero series "Naomi" on The CW.- Michael Huddleston was born on 10 November 1952 in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. He was an actor, known for Vampires (1998), Wyatt Earp (1994) and The Desperate Trail (1994). He was married to Nancy Jean Foster. He died on 6 May 2021 in Arcadia, California, USA.
- Stunts
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jon Valera was born on 2 October 1975 in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. He is an actor and assistant director, known for Aquaman (2018), Atomic Blonde (2017) and John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019).- Rima Laibow was born on 30 September 1943 in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. She was previously married to Albert Stubblebine.
- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina in 1954. Graduated University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1977 with a BFA. Kern moved to NYC where he met up with artists, writers, actors and bohmemains such as David Wojanarowicz, Lydia Lunch, Nick Zedd, Lung Leg and others. With the most basic of filming equipment Kern set out to show the seedier, drug-ravaged side of NYC in Regan's Eighties. _Manhattan Loves Suicides (1985)_ is a classic example of this type of film making.
Kern's masterpiece is Fingered (1988). A hardcore story based on the sex-violence fantasies of Lydia Lunch. This movie is the most traditional in form and style than his other works. Lunch plays a hornier-than-thou phone sex worker who begins a tear through the Californian landscape with real-life former lover Marty Nations. Along the way there are hardcore sex scenes, including one with a loaded gun. At the film's climax Nation and Lunch abuse and defile Lung Leg. Lung Leg claimed to be tripping on Acid the whole time.
Kern is probably known best for his photography, which ranges from city shots to hardcore bondage series. Also directed videos by Sonic Youth and Marilyn Manson.- Actor
- Editorial Department
Michael Silberblatt was born in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for Hawkeye (2021), Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens (2020) and Legacies (2018).- Tony Atlas was born on 23 April 1954 in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for WWF Championship Wrestling (1972), WWE Smackdown! (1999) and Spectrum Wrestling (1977). He has been married to Monika DeRanek since 27 June 1990. He was previously married to Lisa.
- Actress
- Producer
Kelly Cheston was born on 30 June 1972 in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Remember the Titans (2000), One Life to Live (1968) and Dawson's Creek (1998).- Brian Hall was born and raised in Roanoke Va. He was the son of Dennis and Sandra Hall. His father was an accounting manager for a huge parts company. His mother runs a daycare business. He attended William Byrd Highschool. While attending he wrestled, played football, and trained in martial arts. After serving in the Navy during the Persian Gulf War and getting an associate's degree from ECPI, he started acting. In 2007 he packed up his Nissan Sentra and headed for Los Angeles with a few grand in his pocket. Since then he has appeared in many films, Deceit. 2010's Moby Dick, Wedding Day, DarkTourist, Lost Revolution, and the series Slaphouse.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Calvin Remsberg was born on 17 September 1949 in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. He was an actor, known for Pretty Woman (1990), Shrek (2001) and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982). He died on 29 January 2022 in Rancho Mirage, California, USA.- Writer
- Director
- Producer
Mark Freiburger was born in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. Mark is a writer and director, known for Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014), Ordinary Angels (2024) and Dog Days of Summer (2007).- Actor
- Soundtrack
Lew DeWitt was born on 12 March 1938 in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. He was an actor, known for Pulp Fiction (1994), Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) and Dolly (1976). He was married to Joyce Anne Arehart, Glenda Kay Simmers and Judy Fitzgerald Wells. He died on 15 August 1990 in Waynesboro, Virginia, USA.- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Production Manager
In 17 years in the film business, Christopher Bates has traveled the world to shoot over 25 studio and independent feature films on location in the USA, Europe & Asia. Chris has experience from development through post-production, including co-founding management of a digital media services company in Los Angeles.
As Line Producer in China, Chris most recently prepped "Man of Tai Chi" being directed by Keanu Reeves in Winter/Spring 2012; and completed the feature film "Man with the Iron Fists" for Universal Pictures, directed by RZA from WuTang Clan. Iron Fists was produced by Marc Abraham, Quentin Tarantino & Eli Roth, and stars Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, RZA, Cung Le & Dave Bautista among many others. Iron Fists will be released worldwide in late 2012.
Additionally, the team at Maxmedia has be involved in production, acquisition and distribution of films from all over the world including "The Others", "Vanilla Sky", "Sea Inside", "Abre Los Ojos", "Sky Blue", "Emperor and the Assassin" among many others. In the early days, Chris started worked for Filmwerks and Director Albert Pyun, making Action Movies fast and furious in locations all over the world.
From 2003-2007, Chris was part of the co-founding management of "MESoft", a Media Services company that specialized in securely transferring media worldwide for Hollywood Studios and Production Entities. The company was purchased by venture capital company Sid Bass Associates in 2007.- Art Department
- Production Designer
George W. Harding III was born in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, USA. George W. is known for Virus (1999), Into the Blue (2005) and The Notebook (2004).