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1-50 of 244
- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Tye Sheridan was born on November 11, 1996 in Palestine, Texas as Tye Kayle Sheridan. Having been named 1 of Variety's 10 Actors to Watch, he has emerged as 1 of Hollywood's most sought after young talents. He has been seen in Ready Player One (2018) as the lead character Wade Watts. He also starred as young Cyclops/Scott Summers in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), reprising the role in X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019). He also starred in The Mountain (2018), Age Out (2018) & The Night Clerk (2020).
He won the 2013 Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival for his performance in Joe (2013). Later that year, he was recognized by numerous film critics for his role in Mud (2012). He received a 2014 Critics' Choice nomination for Best Young Actor while the cast was honored w/ the 2014 Robert Altman Award at the Independent Spirit Awards.
He had 3 films at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival: The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015), Last Days in the Desert (2015) & Entertainment (2015). He followed up by starring in The Forger (2014), Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015) & Dark Places (2015).
He then starred in The Yellow Birds (2017) & The Mountain (2018), w/ the latter premiering at the Venice Film Festival in 2018. He won the Golden Goblet Award at the Shanghai International Film Festival for his performance in Age Out (2018).
He recently starred in The Night Clerk (2020).- Actor
- Soundtrack
Born in 1919 in Jerusalem, Nehemiah Persoff emigrated with his family to America in 1929.
Following schooling at the Hebrew Technical Institute of New York, he found a job as a subway electrician doing signal maintenance until an interest in the theater altered the direction of his life.
He joined amateur groups and subsequently won a scholarship to the Dramatic Workshop in New York. This led to what would have been his Broadway debut in a production of "Eve of St. Mark", but he was fired before the show opened. He made his official New York debut in a production of "The Emperor's New Clothes" in 1940.
WWII interrupted his young career in 1942, when he was inducted into the United Sates Army, returning to the stage after his hitch was over in 1945, three years later. He sought work in stock plays and became an intern of Stella Adler and, as a result, a strong exponent of the Actor's Studio. Discovered by Charles Laughton and cast in his production of "Galileo" in 1947, Persoff made his film debut a year later with an uncredited bit in The Naked City (1948).
Short, dark, chunky-framed and with a distinct talent for dialects, Persoff became known primarily for his ethnic villainy, usually playing authoritative Eastern Europeans.
In a formidable career which had him portraying everything from cab drivers to Joseph Stalin, standout film roles would include Leo in The Harder They Fall (1956) with Humphrey Bogart, Gene Conforti in Alfred Hitchcock's The Wrong Man (1956), Albert in This Angry Age (1958) and gangster Johnny Torrio in Al Capone (1959). That same year he played another gangster, the small role of Little Bonaparte, in Some Like It Hot (1959).
He was a durable performer during TV's "Golden Age" (Gunsmoke (1955), The Twilight Zone (1959)) and well beyond (Chicago Hope (1994), Law & Order (1990)), playing hundreds of intense, volatile and dominating characters.
In later years, his characters grew a bit softer as Barbra Streisand's Jewish father in Yentl (1983) and the voice of Papa Mousekewitz in the An American Tail (1986) will attest. Later stage work included well-received productions of "I'm Not Rappaport" and his biographical one-man show "Sholem Aleichem".
After declining health and high blood pressure forced him to slow down, Persoff took up painting in 1985, studying sketching in Los Angeles. Specializing in watercolor, he created more than 100 works of art, many of which have been exhibited up and down the coast of California. He celebrated his 100th birthday in 2019.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Ziva Rodann was born on 2 March 1933 in Haifa, Palestine [now Haifa, Israel]. She is an actress, known for The Story of Ruth (1960), The Private Lives of Adam and Eve (1960) and Macumba Love (1960).- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Topol was born on 9 September 1935 in Tel Aviv, Palestine [now Israel]. He was an actor and producer, known for Fiddler on the Roof (1971), Flash Gordon (1980) and For Your Eyes Only (1981). He was married to Galia Topol. He died on 8 March 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel.- Director
- Animation Department
- Writer
Ralph Bakshi worked his way up from Brooklyn and became an animation legend. He was born on October 29, 1938, in Haifa, Israel, the son of Mina (Zlotin) and Eliezar Bakshi, and is of Krymchak Jewish descent. He was raised in Brownsville, after his family came to New York to escape World War II. Bakshi attended the Thomas Jefferson High School and was later transferred to the High School of Industrial Arts and graduated with an award in cartooning in 1957.
At the Terrytoons studio, he started as a cel polisher then graduated to cel painting. Practicing nights and weekends, he quickly became an inker and then an animator. There, he worked on such shows as Mighty Mouse, Heckle and Jeckle, Deputy Dawg, Foofle and Lariat Sam. At 28 he created and directed a series of superhero spoof cartoons called The Mighty Heroes.
In 1967, Bakshi moved to Paramount Studios. Working with producer Steve Krantz, Bakshi worked on episodes of the Spider-Man TV series and several short films. In the 1970s, Bakshi set out to produce films using his innovative vision for how animated films should be. Krantz suggested Robert Crumb's "Fritz the Cat" comic book as Bakshi's first feature. The two set out to meet with Crumb and get the film rights. In 1972, the film premiered and was extremely successful, as the first feature-length animated film to receive an X rating by the American rating system (when it was distributed worldwide, it generally received lower ratings the equivalent of an R rating, and was released as being unrated on DVD).
The success of "Fritz the Cat" allowed Bakshi to produce films featuring his own characters and ideas, and so "Heavy Traffic" and "Coonskin" were produced, both of which were extremely controversial, but were praised by critics. During the same period, he shot and completed another feature titled "Hey Good Lookin'" for the Warner Brothers studio, who didn't think that a combination of live-action and animation would sell, and forced Bakshi to go back and animate the live action sequences.
During this period, Bakshi also produced two very successful fantasy films, "Wizards" and part one of an animated film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings." Although these films were financially successful, they were misunderstood by critics, and United Artists, the studio that produced "The Lord of the Rings" refused to fund the second part, or sequel to Bakshi's ambitious adaptation.
During the 1980s, animation went into a decline. "American Pop," done using the same style of realistic animation as "The Lord of the Rings" was not successful financially, and critics did not see the point of the film being animated. The finished version of "Hey Good Lookin'" was released during the same year as "American Pop," but was also unsuccessful financially. Bakshi's last film of the decade, "Fire & Ice," a collaboration with famed artist Frank Frazetta, was a flop.
Bakshi produced several television features with mixed results before returning to film with what would eventually become "Cool World" - the script was rewritten several times during production without Bakshi's knowledge until it came to the point where Bakshi did not recognize his own work. The film was critically scorned, and was a box office flop. Fans feel that the film is not a true Bakshi film.
Since then, the Internet and DVD releases of Bakshi's work have brought him a new generation of fans and increased interest, encouraging Bakshi to produce another film. "Last Days of Coney Island" is in production. Bakshi lives in New Mexico. A three-day retrospective was held at American Cinematheque at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California and the Aero Theater in Santa Monica, California in April, 2005.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Stylish, slender-framed, raven-haired Daliah Lavi was made for alluring, exotic types and princess roles with her mesmerizing beauty, chiseled cheek bones and long, flowing mane. The Israeli actress first became a star in Europe before making a dent in Hollywood as part of a wave of knockout foreign star imports that flooded Hollywood during the mid 1960s -- Claudia Cardinale, Julie Christie, Jeanne Moreau, Liv Ullmann, Melina Mercouri, Ursula Andress, Jacqueline Bisset, Romy Schneider, Elke Sommer, Senta Berger, Rosanna Schiaffino, Geneviève Bujold, Capucine, Shirley Eaton, Sylva Koscina, Barbara Bouchet, Susannah York, Rita Tushingham, Monica Vitti, Vanessa Redgrave and her sister Lynn Redgrave, and Catherine Deneuve and her sister Françoise Dorléac. Like most of the others, Daliah was to be viewed as a viable sex symbol contender. In her case, she found decorative, second-tier notice via tongue-in-cheek spy spoofs, crime mysteries, erotic thrillers and rugged adventures. In retrospect, she may have fallen short of the illustrious Hollywood pedestal, but she did create a fine, if brief, stir.
She was born Daliah Levenbuch in the Moshav Shavey Zion, in the British Mandate of Palestine on October 12, 1942. The daughter of Reuben and Ruth Lewinbuk (or Levenbuch), who were of German-Jewish and Polish-Jewish descent, she was sent as a child to Stockholm, Sweden in the early 1950s to train in dance. She made her first film there at age 13 in the drama Hemsöborna (1955) playing the daughter of a professor. Her start in films was interrupted when she returned to Israeli following her father's death and joined the Israeli Army.
Following this period, she returned to acting and, being fluent in many European languages, began to figure in prominently with a host of French, Italian, German and English productions, often as a co-star. Such early films include a starring role in the German/Israeli co-production Brennender Sand (1960); the classic Voltaire comedy Candide or The Optimism in the 20th Century (1960) co-starring as Cunegonde alongside Jean-Pierre Cassel in the title role; and the Martine Carol drama Un soir sur la plage (1961). She continued to build up a strong European film reputation with the war drama No Time for Ecstasy (1961) co-starring Peter van Eyck; the mystery crime The Return of Dr. Mabuse (1961) starring Gert Fröbe and post-Tarzan Lex Barker; and made her American movie debut (earning a Golden Globe "Newcomer" Award in the process) as the second femme lead in the Kirk Douglas starer Two Weeks in Another Town (1962), directed by Vincente Minnelli.
Daliah gained considerable ground enhancing and beautifying such foreign movie product as the ensemble French crime mystery Le jeu de la vérité (1961) (aka The Game of Truth); the German comedy satire Das schwarz-weiß-rote Himmelbett (1962); the title role of a sultry peasant girl accused of being a witch in the Italian/French co-production Il demonio (1963) (aka The Demon); the European western action film Old Shatterhand (1964) starring U.S. imports Lex Barker and Guy Madison; the continental costumed adventure Cyrano et d'Artagnan (1964) starring José Ferrer and Jean-Pierre Cassel as Cyrano and D'Artagnan; the German comedy thriller They're Too Much (1965) starring Curd Jürgens, and the one of the ensemble suspects in the internationally cast whodunit Ten Little Indians (1965).
The actress hit her height of international popularity with four popular English/US-based films: as "The Girl" in the epic adventure Lord Jim (1965) starring Peter O'Toole and James Mason; as Princess Natasha in the spy comedy The Spy with a Cold Nose (1966) opposite Laurence Harvey; an alluring double agent in the first Matt Helm entry The Silencers (1966) starring Dean Martin; and as a sexy enemy weapon in the phantasmagorical Bondian spoof Casino Royale (1967), starring Peter Sellers and an all-star international cast. The last-mentioned film, in particular, had American male audiences taking major notice.
Decked out in tight mini-skirts, thigh-high go-go boots and a helmet of black hair, Daliah fit in perfectly with the times, a swinging, gorgeous chick of the psychedelic 60s. She quickly lost momentum, however, cast in such overlooked films as Those Fantastic Flying Fools (1967), The High Commissioner (1968) and Some Girls Do (1969). Her final film would be in the western comedy Catlow (1971) starring Yul Brynner.
In the 1970s Daliah pursued a singing career in Germany after being discovered by record producer Jimmy Bowien. A popular draw, she had a few hit songs and covered many international songwriters and artists. She was also glimpsed again on German television in the 90s for a brief spell. Daliah died on May 3, 2017, in North Carolina. Her fourth husband of 40 years, Charles Gans, survived her, along with four children, including her son Alex Gans who follow in her footsteps in film as a film editor, producer and director.- Aliza Gur was born Aliza Gross in Ramat Gan, Israel, in 1944. She was Miss Israel of 1960 in the Miss Universe pageant, placing in the top 15. Her parents had fled Germany during the rise to power of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and they eventually settled in Israel, where she and her brother were born.
She emigrated to the US in her 20s and settled in California, where she began her film and television career. Her television credits include guest appearances on Get Smart (1965) and The Wild Wild West (1965), among other shows. Her film credits include From Russia with Love (1963), Kill a Dragon (1967) and the cult vampire film Beast of Morocco (1968) (she was also, at 12 years of age, an extra in The Ten Commandments (1956). Her parents came to the United States and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, for a time. They passed away in the mid-'70s. - Producer
- Writer
- Director
Menahem Golan was born Menahem Globus to parents of Polish decent in Tiberias, Israel, in May 1929. In his early years, he was a pilot for the fledgling Israeli Air Force, changing his surname to Golan for patriotic reasons in 1948. A few years later, he took the first step towards his future career by attending the Old Vic Theatre School in London. After returning to Israel, he produced for theater, until joining producer Roger Corman as an assistant on The Young Racers (1963). Golan's debut film in partnership with his younger cousin Yoram Globus was El Dorado (1963). The two cousins set up Noah Films to produce for the Israeli market. Golan's role was as producer and the creative partner, with Globus as the financial expert. The company was first recognized overseas when its production Sallah Shabati (1964) won an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and then won the Golden Globe in the same category in 1965. However, the cousins were desperate to break into the international market. Some of their films had been picked up for distribution in America, such as Kazablan (1973) by MGM, but this was not enough.
In 1979 the pair bought control of a failing production company, The Cannon Group Inc., from Dennis Friedland and Christopher C. Dewey, and it was this company that gave them international renown. Under their control, the Cannon Group grew from a small company making a few obscure pictures a year to a studio that produced 35 pictures in 1987 alone. They developed a large, independent, and international empire, with production, distribution, and exhibition interests across Europe. Golan and Globus hit their peak with Cannon in the mid-1980s, signing Sylvester Stallone for a record US$13 million in 1983 for Over the Top (1987) and purchasing the UK's Thorn-EMI Screen Entertainment in 1986. This last deal led to their ownership of the ABC cinema circuit and Elstree Studios in Britain. However, by 1987, the money was starting to run out. Many of their movies were not making enough at the box office despite the cousins' wide cinema ownership, and they had taken on a lot of debt during their rapid growth, making more expensive pictures in the process. They were initially rescued by Warner Bros., which took distribution rights to Cannon's better films--for example, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987), based on a character that Warner already owned--and also took an interest in some of its assets. The end of Cannon came in 1989 when, virtually bankrupt, the company was bought by the now-disgraced financier Giancarlo Parretti and renamed Pathé Communications (after the new MGM-Pathé collapsed in 1992, Globus produced pictures with Christopher Pearce, which were released under a resurrected Cannon Pictures label. The last of these was American Cyborg: Steel Warrior (1993) before the company folded for good).
Golan fell out with Parretti and Globus, leaving Pathé, and starting 21st Century Pictures. He produced a number of films that received widespread distribution, such as Death Wish: The Face of Death (1994) and Captain America (1990), but by the mid-1990s this company had folded, too. Golan's name was later linked with other new companies, such as International Dynamic Pictures and Magic Entertainment, and he rejoined cousin Yoram for both. However, the two soon fell out again and went their separate ways, with Golan writing and directing for other producers in the interim. Golan's latest company is New Cannon Inc., and his recent works include Crime and Punishment (2002) and Return from India (2002). Unfortunately for his fans, it now seems unlikely that Golan will recreate the success of his heyday. Menahem Golan has long been criticized (sometimes unfairly) for an emphasis on quantity rather than quality. It's true that some of the movies he has produced have been laughable or unwatchable. However, now out of the limelight of a critical industry, some of his company's once-derided films have achieved cult status, such as Mona Lisa (1986), Godfrey Reggio's Powaqqatsi (1988), and the "Lemon Popsicle" series. Golan's ongoing drive, energy, and past contribution to the world of cinema will undoubtedly and belatedly be recognized for the achievement this represents.- Actress
- Writer
Born in Palestine before the inception of the Israeli state in the city of Haifa, she first distinguished herself by winning one of the first beauty contests in the nascent Israel. Haya Harareet (also spelled Hararit) made her debut in Thorold Dickinson's film Hill 24 Doesn't Answer (1955) ("Hill 24 Doesn't Answer"). The landmark Israeli film, mostly in English, is also the first feature-length production to be shot and processed entirely in Israel, and made for international distribution. The film was an official selection at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival and Harareet won an award for her role in the film. She plays Miriam Mizrahi, a fourth generation, dark-eyed and beautiful Sabra, working for the underground.
Best-known for her role as Esther, opposite Charlton Heston in William Wyler's film classic Ben-Hur (1959), she also played in Francesco Maselli's The Doll That Took the Town (1957) ("The Doll that Took the Town") with Virna Lisi, _Edgar G. Ulmer''s Journey Beneath the Desert (1961) ("Journey Beneath The Desert", AKA "The Lost Kingdom")with Jean-Louis Trintignant, and Basil Dearden's The Secret Partner (1961) with Stewart Granger. She cowrote the screenplay for Our Mother's House (1967) which starred Dirk Bogarde.
Ms. Harareet was also credited as a presenter for 'Best Special Effects' at the 32nd Annual Academy Awards in 1960.
She was married to the British film director Jack Clayton until his death in 1995.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
R.J. is a combat veteran boasting a decade of remarkable service in both the Regular Army and Army National Guard. His military tenure includes substantial deployments such as a valorous period in Baghdad from 2004 to 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom and a pivotal role in Operation Jump Start along the Texas/Mexico border from 2006 to 2008. His dedication garnered him the Armed Forces Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, and other accolades.
In June 2023, R.J. entered a new life chapter, uniting with Deborah, a fellow educator with a deep-seated commitment to teaching. This union not only signifies love but also a shared dedication to nurturing future generations, bringing into the fold three loving daughters: Abrianna, Kianna, and Deianna Atkins. The family joy is further amplified with grandsons Zavion Atkins-Jackson and Adorian Kantrel Moten, and a cherished granddaughter, Nova Spurlock.
R.J. is not just a family man and veteran but also a visionary entrepreneur. Under Team Atkins, LLC, a promising enterprise is taking shape, encapsulating the American spirit of resilience, innovation, and excellence. A significant facet of his entrepreneurial journey is his unwavering commitment to social impact, establishing a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to cultivate communities where every individual is educated, enlightened, and emboldened to reach their utmost potential.
A shining embodiment of Team Atkins, LLC's principles is Sapper Pete's Coffee, which goes beyond a business to embrace the unique "BeanEthos," a commitment to ethical bean sourcing and offering quality in every cup, thereby fulfilling R.J.'s pledge to deliver the very best to his customers.
R.J.'s path is one of relentless determination and a pursuit of excellence, be it during his military service, in his role as a devoted family man, or as a businessman. In addition, his rich tapestry of life experiences brings a depth of authenticity and intensity to his acting roles, portraying characters with a realism that only such a diverse background can offer.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Mousa Kraish was raised in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn in New York City. His family owned a small grocery in the heart of Flatbush, Brooklyn where he worked while attending Brooklyn College. He gained a B.F.A in creative writing and a B.A. in film. He went on to work as a photographer and cinematographer for numerous media companies and went on to start to build a career as a Music Video Director.
In 2002, he attended the Atlantic Theater Company where he studied with Robert Bella through the studio conservatory for two years. Afterwards, he acted mostly in downtown spaces and black boxes, finding artistic homes with groups such as the Barrow Group and The Drilling Company. In 2005, Steven Spielberg cast him in Munich (2005), starring Eric Bana and Daniel Craig. Justin Lin cast him in his fourth feature, Finishing the Game (2007), which went on to premiere at the 2007 Sundance and San Francisco Film Festivals.
Since then, he has appeared in several independent and television films, as well as features, including such luminaries as Mike Nichols, Greg Mottola, Judd Apatow and Al Pacino. Other directors include Sidney Lumet, Steven Spielberg, and Todd Solondz. In 2005, he made his Off-Broadway debut in the Obie Award nominated play, Pentecost. Stage directors include Seth Barrish, Joe Clancy and Olga George.
Since his move to Los Angeles, he has been directing numerous projects including his current feature, How to Make a Dollarbill in Brooklyn (2009).- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Executive
Avi Lerner is the Chairman and founder of Nu Image, Inc., Millennium Films and all related companies. With more than 350 films to his credit, he is one of the most experienced, prolific and successful independent producers of our time.
Born and raised in Haifa, Israel, Lerner began as manager of Israel's first drive-in cinema. In 1979, Lerner anticipated the explosion of home video rental, which led to his pioneering the largest specialized video distribution company in Israel and becoming a partner in the country's largest theatrical distribution company.
In 1984, he executive produced the remake of King Solomon's Mines. He then sold his Israeli company and relocated to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he founded the Nu Metro Entertainment Group. The company's interests grew to include owned-and-operated theaters, a video distribution division representing top studios and independent companies, and a production arm that made over 60 features distributed worldwide by major studios. Lerner eventually sold Nu Metro to join MGM/United Artists.
In 1992, he moved to Los Angeles and opened Nu Image, Inc., focusing on production and distribution for the home entertainment market. In 1996, he launched Millennium Films, which produces theatrical motion pictures.
Under the Millennium Films label, Lerner has produced such films as Expendables 1, 2, and 3, Rambo IV, Olympus Has Fallen, London Has Fallen, Brooklyn's Finest, and The Mechanic.- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Actor
Arnon Milchan (PRODUCER) is widely renowned as one of the most prolific and successful independent film producers of his time, with over 100 feature films to his credit. Born in Israel, Milchan was educated at the University of Geneva. His first business venture was transforming his father's modest business into one of his country's largest agro-chemical companies. This early achievement was a harbinger of Milchan's now-legendary reputation in the international marketplace as a keen businessman.
Soon, Milchan began to underwrite projects in areas that had always held a special interest for him - film, television and theater. Early projects include Roman Polanski's theater production of "Amadeus," "Dizengoff 99," "La Menace," "The Medusa Touch" and the mini-series "Masada." By the end of the 1980s, Milchan had produced such films as Martin Scorsese's "The King of Comedy," Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America" and Terry Gilliam's "Brazil."
After the incredible successes of his films "Pretty Woman" and "The War of the Roses," Milchan founded New Regency Productions and went on to produce countless critical and box office successes including "J.F.K," "A Time to Kill," "Free Willy," "The Client," "Tin Cup," "Under Siege," "The Devil's Advocate," "The Negotiator," "City of Angels," "Entrapment," "Fight Club," "Big Momma's House," "Don't Say a Word," "Daredevil," "Man on Fire," "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "Alvin and the Chipmunks," "What Happens in Vegas," "Love and Other Drugs," "Noah" and "Gone Girl."
In 1998, Milchan received an Academy Award® nomination for producing the film "LA Confidential." He served as producer of back-to-back Academy Award® Best Picture winners "12 Years A Slave" (2013) and "Birdman" (2014), 2015's multiple Oscar® winners "The Revenant" (2015) and "The Big Short" (2015) and 2019's Golden Globe® and Oscar® winning "Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)".
Along the way, Milchan partnered with Twentieth Century Fox and has taken advantage of the growing television and new media marketplace. Milchan has also successfully diversified his company's activities within the sphere of entertainment, most specifically in the realm of television through Regency Television ("Malcom in the Middle" and "The Bernie Mac Show"), and sports where the company was once the largest shareholder of PUMA, the worldwide athletic apparel and show conglomerate based in Germany, which was later sold after a successful re-branding in 2003.- Producer
- Writer
- Director
Boaz Davidson is the Head of Development and Creative Affairs for Millennium Films. He has been with the firm and its parent company, Nu Image, Inc., since 1992. However, he is equally well known as the writer-director of the critically acclaimed worldwide hit film Lemon Popsicle, which debuted at the Berlin Film Festival, receiving its Panorama Audience Award and spawning more than a dozen sequels.
Davidson was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, graduated from London Film School, and moved to the United States in 1979. He joined Cannon Films, where he oversaw production on such films as: Going Bananas, Delta Force, American Cyborg, Salsa; and most notably an American version of Lemon Popsicle titled The Last American Virgin. Today both Israeli and American versions are considered cult classics.
In 1992, Davidson joined Nu Image, Inc. co-founders and played an integral role forming the new independent studio. He continued to write, direct, and produce such films as Looking for Lola, Shadrach, and The Big Brass Ring. In 1996, Nu Image formed Millennium Films, where Davidson has overseen the development and production of such films as The Expendables, Rambo IV, Righteous Kill, 16 Blocks, The Mechanic and Brooklyn's Finest and such forthcoming pictures as The Expendables 2, The Iceman, The Big Wedding, Playing the Field, and The Paperboy, an official selection of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.- Vic Tablian was born in Palestine, which was a British Mandate from 1917 to 1948. He is an actor known for his roles in the Indiana Jones' franchise: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) in which he had two roles, as Peruvian guide Barranca and the Nazi collaborating "Monkey Man", and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992) in which he played as Demetrios/Claw. He is also known for Midnight Express (1978), Navy Seals (1990), Sphinx (1981), Eleni (1985), The Bill (1984)...
- Mohamed Hadid was born on 6 November 1948 in Nazareth, Palestine. He is an actor, known for Ripple Effect (2007), Second Wives Club (2017) and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (2010). He was previously married to Yolanda Hadid and Mary Butler.
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Annemarie Jacir was born on 17 January 1974 in Bethlehem, Palestine. She is a director and writer, known for When I Saw You (2012), Salt of This Sea (2008) and Wajib (2017).- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Hani is an Arab American actor, writer and director of Palestinian descent. He was born in Bethlehem and spent the beginning years of his childhood in Beirut, Lebanon. At age 9 he attended Fettes College for Boys in Edinburgh, Scotland and then Hurtwood House in Surrey, England where he completed his school. His interest in acting started at an early age with school play renditions of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night Dream" and "Much Ado About Nothing". He was 12 when Andrew Lloyd Webber came to his school to cast his play "Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat" for it's Edinburgh premiere. Hani was selected to be in the choir and went on to be in the production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" as well.
After graduating from school, Hani moved to the United States to continue his education, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. His dedication and passion for acting and storytelling never wavered. Shortly thereafter Hani was discovered by casting director Judith Holstra when she cast him in his first movie role with Mariel Hemingway.- Ben Astar was born on 15 June 1909 in Palestine [now Israel]. He was an actor, known for Bye Bye Birdie (1963), The Magical World of Disney (1954) and 5 Fingers (1952). He was married to Isabella Milch. He died on 20 October 1988 in Tarzana, California, USA.
- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Yoram Globus is an Israeli film producer, cinema owner and distributor who is most famous for his association with Cannon Films Inc., a company he ran with his cousin Menahem Golan.
In 1978, Globus and Golan moved to Hollywood and purchased the film production company Cannon (The Cannon Group) for $500,000. By the mid-80s Cannon had produced an average of 40 films a year and had become the largest independent production company in the world with a net worth of over 1 billion dollars. Because of their fast, low-budget style of filmmaking, they earned the nickname "the Go-Go Boys." For years the name Golan-Globus symbolized Hollywood's last moguls and an inspiration corner stone to a new generation of film makers. In addition Golan and Globus opened the foreign market of the world film industry to the United States. Among the films produced by them are Bloodsport (1988) with Jean-Claude Van Damme, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) with Christopher Reeve, King Lear (1987) directed by Jean-Luc Godard, Runaway Train (1985), Over the Top (1987) with Sylvester Stallone and Street Smart (1987) with Morgan Freeman. In addition, they acquired the rights to properties like "Spider-Man", Captain America (1990) and more.
With Cannon's success Golan and Globus expanded the group's operations and entered into additional areas. Cannon acquired approximately 1,600 cinemas in Europe and the United States (some of which were acquired in later years by Silvio Berlusconi, who later became prime minister of Italy) Studios, a, film library and additional acquisitions expanded the activities of the Cannon and established it as a leading conglomerate in the world film industry. During these years, Cannon sold their movies by a new strategy invented by Globus, the pre-sale strategy. Substantial pre-sales of the next years' films were made based on the strong salesmanship skills of Globus, and the advertising created by Design Projects. The deposits made from these sales financed production of the first film in the production line-up, which-when completed and delivered to theatre owners around the world-generated enough money to make the next film in the line-up. For this purposes Cannon used to create posters of movies, before they even had a script, and large billboards prominently displayed at the Cannes Film Festival each year.
In 1986, Cannon Films bought Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment (see EMI Films) and the film library for £175,000,000, and Cannon sold its British Film Library Thorn-EMI Screen Entertainment Library which consisted of some 2,000 British films to Weintraub Entertainment Group in for approximately $85,000,000.
In 1989, 39.4% of the shares were acquired by the group Pathé Communications, a holding company controlled by Italian businessman Giancarlo Parretti in the amount of about $250 million. At the same year, Golan, citing differences with both Parretti and Globus, resigned from his position and left Cannon to start 21st Century Film Corporation, while Globus remained with Pathé. Globus and Paretti took over in 1990 through Pathé Communications for the American film company MGM and Yoram Globus became president of MGM.
In 1993, after he produced almost 300 films, Globus returned to Israel and has since focused on Israeli film and television production. His company GG Studios owns a large film and television studio in Neve Ilan, Israel where various Israeli broadcast stations, such as the Israeli News Company. Among its holdings of Israel Yoram Globus, of the Globus Group that includes a private arm Globus that owns the largest TV and film studio (Neveh Ilan) and is responsible for a significant part of film distribution industry (Noah CPP). In addition, Globus holds a public arm Globus Max that owns theaters in Israel. In 1999, Yoram Globus won other Ophir Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Israeli Academy of Film and Television.
In 2014 there were two documentary films released about the story of Golan & Globus in Cannon Films. Ratpac Entertainment released Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (2014) and The Go-Go Boys: The Inside Story of Cannon Films (2014), which was launched at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.- Music Department
Jenny Jones was born on 7 June 1946 in Bethlehem, Palestine. She is known for Jenny Can Cook (2010), Jenny Jones (1991) and Lorena (2019). She was previously married to Buz Wilburn, Al Gambino and Jack Howard Poster.- Private First Class Jessica Lynch was a 19-year-old U.S. Army supply clerk with the 507th Maintenance Company based in Fort Bliss, Texas. While stationed in Iraq, she was injured and captured by Iraqi forces on March 23, 2003 after her convoy was ambushed near the city of Nasiriyah. Eleven other soldiers in the company were killed in the ambush. Accounts of the events in between Lynch's capture and her rescue were incomplete and contradictory, and Lynch herself has no recollection of this period. On April 1, 2003, U.S. forces, acting on a tip from a local Iraqi man, rescued Lynch from an Iraqi hospital. Media reports of Lynch's rescue, as well as the extent of Lynch's injuries, were reportedly distorted and exaggerated. She suffered a head laceration, an injury to her spine and fractures in her arms and legs. Initial reports also stated that Lynch had suffered gunshot and stab wounds, and was sodomized during her captivity, based on medical records and injury patterns. However, Lynch has no memory of being assaulted or tortured during her captivity. On April 12, 2003, Private Lynch was flown back to the United States and awarded the Bronze Star for Bravery. She was given an honorable discharge in August 2003. The fellow members of Lynch's company were subsequently given posthumous Purple Hearts. Lynch's rescue was the first of an American POW since World War II and the first ever of a woman.
- Anne Crawford was born on 22 November 1920 in Haifa, Palestine [now Israel]. She was an actress, known for The Peterville Diamond (1943), The Hundred Pound Window (1944) and Knights of the Round Table (1953). She was married to Wallace Douglas and James Hartley. She died on 17 October 1956 in London, England, UK.
- Godfrey Quigley was born on 4 May 1923 in Jerusalem, Palestine [now Israel]. He was an actor, known for A Clockwork Orange (1971), Barry Lyndon (1975) and Get Carter (1971). He was married to Genevieve Lyons. He died on 7 September 1994 in Dublin, Ireland.
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Assi Dayan was born on 23 November 1945 in Moshav Nahalal, British Mandate of Palestine [now Israel]. He was an actor and writer, known for Life According to Agfa (1992), Mr. Baum (1997) and Electric Blanket (1994). He was married to Aarona Malkind, Vered Tandler-Dayan, Caroline Langford and Smadar Kilchinsky. He died on 1 May 2014 in Tel Aviv, Israel.- Director
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- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Joel Silberg was born on 30 March 1927 in Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine. He was a director and writer, known for Hershele (1977), Lambada (1990) and The Simhon Family (1964). He died on 18 February 2013 in Tel Aviv, Israel.- Born of Ukrainian Jewish immigrant parents in Palestine in 1915, Moshe Dayan joined the Haganah (Defense) the underground Jewish army in Palestine in 1929 with aimed to protect Jewish people from harassment and violence from the Muslim Palestinian population with resented Jewish presense in Palestine. In 1937 Dayan became a sergeant with the Jewish settlement police mobile unit and within a year launched raids against occupying British and local Palestinian troops. Within a year he was captured and imprisoned, but released in 1941 with an offer to join the British army in Palestine in fighting the pro-nazi Vichy French and Arab and German allies. It was during an early engagement in Lebanon that Dayan lost his left eye in combat. Dayan spent the rest of the war recovering from his wounds and slight seeing loss. In 1947 he became an officer in the Haganah for local Arab affairs and in 1948, at the start of the Israeli War for Independence, Dayan became a Colonel in the Israeli Army and saw many actions throughtout 1948. In 1952 Dayan became Chief of Operations in the Israeli army and in 1956 saw the highlight of his military career with the Sinai Campaign against Egypt (October 29-November 5) which his forces captured Sinai and the Gaza Strip. In 1958 he retired from active duty and spent time as a writer, journalist and military advisor. In 1967 Dayan became Minister of Defense for Israel which he was one of those who mastermined the decisive Six-Day War (June 5-10) against Egypt, Jordan and Syria which Israel again won the Sinai, Gaza Strip, as well as the West Bank of Jordan and the Golan Heights. Critized for the Israeli's army unreadness for the Yom Kipper War of 1973 (October 6-24) Dayan resigned as Minster of Defense on June 3, 1974. From 1977 to 1979 he was the Foreign Minster of Israel which he helped negotiate the final peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Living from then on in virtual retirement, Moshe Dayan died in 1981.
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- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Edward Jackson "Jack" (Cul) Pepper was a vaudevillian actor and buddies with Bob Hope, occasionally traveling overseas with him to entertain the troops and appearing on his TV specials. He had a vaudeville show with his sisters, Helen and Winnie Mae, called "Salt and Pepper". While married to Ginger Rogers, they had a show titled "Ginger and Pepper". He is the father of actress Cynthia Pepper (mother, Dawn Pepper).- Actress
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Gila Almagor was born on 22 July 1939 in Haifa, Palestine [now Israel]. She is an actress and writer, known for Munich (2005), The Summer of Aviya (1988) and Under the Domim Tree (1994). She was previously married to Ya'ackov Agmon.- Actor
- Music Department
- Composer
Probably the pre-eminent violinist of our time, Itzhak Perlman is known for his brilliant technique, direct interpretation and precision. Mr. Perlman's recordings include not only all standard violin repertoires but those of contemporary composers. He has appeared with every major orchestra in the world, showcasing his talent at music festivals, recitals, and concerts around the world. The man who plays sitting down has never ceased to bring audiences and truly, the world, to its feet in appreciation of his gifts. Mr. Perlman was born to a barber in Israel in 1945. He contracted polio and lost the use of his legs at the age of four. Shortly after, he began to study the violin. After learning the violin at Shulamit High School in Tel-Aviv, he was performing with the Israel Broadcasting Orchestra. He toured with Ed Sullivan's Caravan of Stars, a showcase of talented children. He emigrated to the US in 1958 and under scholarship, Mr. Perlman went on to study at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York with Ivan Galamian. Mr. Perlman made his professional debut playing Wienawski F-sharp minor Concerto at Carnegie Hall in 1963. He won the Leventritt Memorial Competition in 1964, which helped paved the way to his illustrious international career. Mr. Perlman returned to Israel in 1965 with a stunning eight concert and in 1968, made his British debut at Festival Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra. On the 4th of July in 1986, Mr. Perlman was one of 12 first-generation US citizens to be honored with the Medal of Liberty by President Ronald Reagan, in recognition and appreciation of his contributions to America. In December 2000, President Clinton awarded Mr. Perlman the "National Medal of Arts." With the Israel Philharmonic, Mr. Perlman performed several notable recitals in countries previously closed off. In November of 1987, the Philharmonic and Mr. Perlman performed in Warsaw and Budapest. It was the first time the Philharmonic and the violinist had performed in the Eastern Bloc. In April and May of 1990, the Philharmonic and Mr. Perlman journeyed to Russia for the first time, performing recitals in Moscow and Leningrad. The timing of this tour coincided with the 150th anniversary of Tchaikovsky's birth and Mr. Perlman honored the composer. In December 1994, Mr. Perlman and the Israel Philharmonic performed in China and India, marking the first time the Philharmonic played in either nation. Perhaps one of his greatest moments as an artist came when he collaborated with legendary composer John Williams. The film score that was created, with Mr. Perlman as a soloist, was used in the film _Schindler's List (1993)_ which won an Academy Award. Ever a teacher and holder of many teaching posts, Mr. Perlman participated in London South Bank Summer Music Series in 1968 and 1969. He created a master class in violin in 1970, at the Meadowbrooks Festival in the US. Mr. Perlman and his wife founded the Perlman Music Program in 1998 to nurture young musicians, ages 11-18. The program is costly but three quarters of the children receive some sort of financial aid. It includes year-round instruction and mentoring, a six-week summer residency on Shelter Island, New York and an annual international study/performance tour. In Mr. Perlman's 50th birthday year, he performed the major violin repertoire in a special concert series in London. That year was the launch of the Perlman Edition to commemorate his birth. The 20 CD set was released in May 1995. It was chosen by Mr. Perlman himself and included some of his favorite pieces by Sarasate, Wieniawski, Kreisler and Tchaikovsky. Later that year, EMI released a live recording of Beethoven's Triple Concerto with Yo-Yo Ma and the Berlin Philharmonic. The holder of honorary degrees from Harvard, Yale, and Yeshiva Universities, among others, it's Itzhak Perlman's passion for music that recommends him to the world. The joy of making music has seldom been translated so well and it is this combination of talent and personal charm which makes him such an outstanding violinist and the greatest violin virtuoso of our time.- Actor
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Uri Geller was born on 20 December 1946 in Tel Aviv, Palestine [now Israel]. He is an actor and producer, known for Once Upon a Time in Dublin (2009), An Honest Liar (2014) and Sanitarium (2001). He has been married to Hanna Shtrang since 1979. They have two children.- Director
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- Cinematographer
Mohammed Almughanni was born on 31 December 1993 in Gaza, Palestine. He is a director and writer, known for Shujayya (2016), Son of the Streets and An Orange from Jaffa (2023).- Yusef Bulos was born on 14 September 1940 in Jerusalem, Palestine [now Israel]. He is an actor, known for The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), Awakenings (1990) and Simon (1980).
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- Soundtrack
Daoud is a native Texan living and working in New York for almost two decades. His real estate career has spanned the entire NYC landscape allowing him to successfully navigate the needs of sellers, buyers, landlords, renters and developers. Known for his savvy business sense when it comes to negotiation and his ability to dissect the objective data of the marketplace, his value to his clients is unparalleled. In addition to servicing clients, Daoud, was a sales manager overseeing transactions for 125+ agents at a boutique brokerage in NYC.
Daoud is also a successful working actor, having appeared on Broadway, TV and film, most notably opposite Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider with You Don't Mess with the Zohan. Born in Bethlehem, Daoud grew up and attended college in Texas and received a Master's Degree from the University of California, San Diego. He has traveled and lived all over the world, from Ireland to Australia, but is proud to call Washington Heights home, where he lives with his wife and two cats. He is fluent in English and Arabic.- Sirhan Sirhan was born on 19 March 1944 in Jerusalem, Palestine [now Israel].
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Born in Jerusalem November 4th, 1929. Fourth generation Israeli. Educated at "Alliance" school of Jerusalem. In his teens studied at "Haohel" Theatre Studio. At the age of 15 joined the "Palmach" underground forces and participated in safeguarding the convoys to Jerusalem. Also fought at the "Palyam" (Palmach's Naval section), where he met Dan Ben-Amotz, who was very impressed with his comic talents, and appointed him to his friend Haim Heffer, founder of the "The Cheezbatron", the Palmach's entertainment troupe. Ophir was the first person asked to contribute his multi-talents to the band and became its undisputed star. Besides his many comic pieces, he became a musical performer, singing the band's first songs: "Dahilak Motke" with Naomi Polani, "Inyan Shel Offi" (A matter of character) with Rivka Kramer and "Ani Akiva". He met his first spouse, the singer Ohela Halevi at The Cheezbatron.
Was invited by Marlene Dietrich to join her in creating a show. The great actress also designated him words of admiration in a book written by her. Life magazine defined him as standing in line with Marcel Marceau as one of the world's best mime artists.- Director
- Editorial Department
- Editor
Seth Holt began as an assistant editor at Ealing in 1944, graduating to editor (1949), producer (1955) and director (1958).He returned to editing for Charles Crichton's The Battle of the Sexes (1960) and for Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960). Probably his best known film is The Nanny (1965), with Bette Davis. He was working on Blood from the Mummy's Tomb (1971) when he died.- Actress
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Anne Marisse was born on 15 December 1935 in Palestine [now Israel]. She was an actress and writer, known for Graduation Day (1981), Haunts (1976) and High Street (1976). She was married to Herb Freed. She died on 18 February 1984 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Tsilla Chelton was born on 21 June 1919 in Jerusalem, Palestine [now Israel]. She was an actress, known for Auntie Danielle (1990), Pandora'nin Kutusu (2008) and The Musketeer (2001). She was married to Jacques Noël. She died on 15 July 2012 in Brussels, Belgium.
- Manny Dworman was born on 23 December 1930 in Tel Aviv, Palestine. He was an actor, known for The Fat Black Pussycat (1963) and Comedian (2002). He was married to Ava Dworman. He died on 28 December 2003 in Hartsdale, New York, USA.
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- Stunts
Ahd Tamimi was born in Jerusalem, Palestine. He is an actor and writer, known for River City (2002), Vikings: Valhalla (2022) and The Darkness.- Actor
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- Music Department
Yehoram Gaon was born on 28 December 1939 in Jerusalem, Palestine [now Israel]. He is an actor and writer, known for Operation Thunderbolt (1977), I Am a Jerusalemite (1971) and Sabri Maranan (2011).- Yael Dayan was born on 12 February 1939 in Nahalal, Mandatory Palestine. She was married to Dov Sion. She died on 18 May 2024 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Nurith Aviv was born on 11 March 1945 in Tel Aviv, Palestine [now Israel]. She is a cinematographer and director, known for Des mots qui restent (2022), Yiddish (2020) and Lettre errante (2024).- Cinematographer
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Mohamed Jabaly is a Palestinian filmmaker and artist from Gaza City. He won several Awards for his work, including Best Directing at IDFA for his latest film "Life is Beautiful - Al Haya Helwa", the Grand Prix Award at FIFDH, the International Competition Jury Award for Best Film at One World Festival and the Audience Award at Docville Belgium. His previous award-winning documentary, "Ambulance", has been shown at some of the world's largest film festivals and has been broadcast globally. Mohamed has held workshops in filmmaking for young people and served on juries for several film festivals. Mohamed holds a BA from Nordland Film & Art College in Northern Norway and is currently pursuing his MA at the National Academy of Arts in Oslo while touring his new film.- Director
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Amos Kollek was born in 1947 in Jerusalem, Palestine [now Israel]. He is a director and writer, known for Sue (1997), Fast Food Fast Women (2000) and Restless (2008). He has been married to Osnat Shalev since 11 September 1994. They have one child.- Actress
- Additional Crew
Damita Jo Freeman was born on 26 February 1953 in Palestine, Texas, USA. She is an actress, known for Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988), Private Benjamin (1980) and The Man with One Red Shoe (1985).- Eddie Carmel's abnormal growth started when he was a teenager. He suffered from acromegaly because of a pituitary gland tumor that was incurable at the time. As an adult, the only work he could find involved exploiting his freakishness. With his best friend, Irwin Sherman, they worked together as stand-up comedians in New York.
Carmel starred in a B-grade monster movie (The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)) and made two 45-rpm records ("The Happy Giant" and "The Good Monster"). He joined the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Baliey Circus from 1961 to 1968. They presented him as "The World's Greatest Giant" and "The Tallest Man on Earth." His height was billed at 8' 9" (a 14-inch exaggeration). He very much wanted to be respected for his talent and said, "I'd like someday to reach the point when I'm known as the reverse Mickey Rooney."
He developed severe kyphoscoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) at the time of his death that shortened his height to about 7 feet (213 cm). Eddie died at the age of 37 in Montefiore Hospital. - Director
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Rashid Masharawi was born in 1962 in Al Shati, Gaza Strip, Palestine. He is a director and writer, known for Laila's Birthday (2008), Ticket to Jerusalem (2002) and Attente (2005).- Director
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Emad Burnat was born on 1 January 1971 in Palestine. He is a director and cinematographer, known for 5 Broken Cameras (2011), P.O.V. (1988) and Keywords (2010).