Patricia Arquette (ACTRESS)

1. Born: April 8, 1968 (age 46), Chicago, Illinois, United States
2. Height: 1.56 m
3. Siblings: Rosanna Arquette, David Arquette, Alexis Arquette, Richmond Arquette
4. Spouse: Thomas Jane (m. 2006–2011), Nicolas Cage (m. 1995–2001)
5. Children: Enzo Rossi, Harlow Olivia Calliope Jane

Mini Bio (1)

With her expressive blue eyes, soft, Southern-tinged voice and an acting range that can carry her from hysterically funny to terrifying in seconds, Patricia Arquette is one of the most underrated and talented actresses of her generation. Though she has been working for years, she's always stayed just under the radar of true stardom, despite a 1995 marriage to Nicolas Cage.

Patricia was born in Chicago, though the family soon moved to a commune near Arlington, Virginia. Her parents, Lewis Arquette, an actor, and Brenda Denaut (née Nowak), an acting teacher and therapist, had 4 other children: Rosanna Arquette, Richmond Arquette, Alexis Arquette, and David Arquette, all actors. Her paternal grandfather, Cliff Arquette, was also an entertainer. Patricia's mother was from an Ashkenazi Jewish family (from Poland and Russia), while Patricia's father had French-Canadian, Swiss-German, and English ancestry.

At 15, Patricia ran away from home to live with her sister Rosanna and, after initial insecurity, got her start in Pretty Smart (1987). A year later, she gained attention for her starring role in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), considered by many to be the best film of the Nightmare series. In 1989, Patricia's son, Enzo (father is Paul Rossi), was born. Soon after, her career took off, and she has since appeared in such critically acclaimed movies as True Romance (1993), Beyond Rangoon (1995), Ethan Frome (1993), Lost Highway (1997) and Flirting with Disaster (1996). She won a CableACE award in 1991 for her portrayal of a deaf epileptic in Wildflower (1991). In 1997, after her mother died of breast cancer, Patricia took the lead in the fight against the disease. She has run in the annual Race for the Cure and in 1999 was the Lee National Denim Day spokesperson.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Emily <PatriciaEmily@aol.com>

Spouse (2)

Thomas Jane	(24 June 2006 - 1 July 2011) (divorced) (1 child)
Nicolas Cage	(8 April 1995 - 18 May 2001) (divorced)

Trivia (24)

Daughter of Lewis Arquette and Brenda Denaut.

Granddaughter of the late Cliff Arquette, TV character "Charlie Weaver" and Julie Harrison.

Sister of Richmond Arquette, Alexis Arquette, David Arquette and Rosanna Arquette.

Former sister-in-law of Courteney Cox.

August 2002: Became engaged to actor Thomas Jane.

Attended Mid-City Alternative school on the corner of Adams Blvd. and Arlington Avenue in the mid 1970s. Her two brothers, David Arquette and Richmond Arquette, also attended this school.

Attended Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies in Los Angeles, California.

Was originally cast in the Jennifer Jason Leigh role opposite her brother, Alexis Arquette, in Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989) but had to drop out because of her pregnancy.

In an interview with Magnet (June-July 1999), Tom Waits admitted that a line in "Black Market Baby" was inspired by Arquette. His wife observed of Arquette, "She's a bonsai Aphrodite". The track is found on the "Mule Variations".

Former sister-in-law of Tony Greco, James Newton Howard and John Sidel. They were each married to her sister, Rosanna Arquette.

Married Thomas Jane at the Palazzo Contarini in Venice

Former stepmother of Nicolas Cage's son, Weston Cage.

Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002.

Actress Valeria Golino was her witness at her marriage to Thomas Jane.

Her NBC-TV show Medium (2005) briefly aired in the same time slot as her sister, Rosanna Arquette's ABC-TV show What About Brian (2006).

She was born at 11:55 a.m. (EST).

Aunt of Zoe Sidel and Coco Arquette.

The family surname was spelled "Arcouet" many generations back. Her father had French-Canadian, English, Swiss-German, German, Scottish, Irish, and Welsh ancestry. Patricia's maternal grandfather, Joseph Nowack, was a Polish Jewish immigrant, while Patricia's maternal grandmother, Claire Hibel, was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents.

Filed for divorced from Thomas Jane in January 2009, citing "irreconcilable differences", but they reunited just weeks later. They split for good in August 2010.

Gave birth to her second child at age 34, a daughter Harlow Olivia Calliope Jane on February 23, 2003. Child's father is her boyfriend [now ex-second husband], Thomas Jane.

Gave birth to her first child at age 20, a son Enzo Luciano Rossi (aka Enzo Rossi) on January 3, 1989. Child's father is her ex-boyfriend Paul Rossi.

Was set to reprise her role of Kristen Parker in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988) but was forced to decline because she became pregnant of her son Enzo Rossi.

Sister-in-law of Todd Morgan, Rosanna's 4th husband.

Considered for the role of Dorothy Boyd in 'Jerry Maguire'.

Personal Quotes (12)

[commenting on her role as Allison DuBois in her TV series Medium (2005)] I wanted to play a woman who looks normal. It's important for me to be real.

I liked the premise of this material. I love the marriage relationship. They kind of keep each other honest, and they enjoy each other's sense of humor. Kind of a sexy but boring relationship.

Hippy people had a hopeful idea of what they wanted the world to be like, then most of them changed into corporate Yuppies. But I still have that hippy thing underneath somewhere.

You want your partner to objectify you.

We all have our own little thing, I think.

Neither of us entered marriage thinking it wouldn't be a strain. Life has strains in it, and he's the person I want to strain with.

I grew up in a hippie commune so I have a real hippie part of me.

I find that men are far more vain than women.

I don't read my reviews, but I have a bunch of them and I will when I'm 80.

I don't have a goal but I just want to work on movies that I really like.

[on her character in Boyhood shutting out her husband's abuse] Now, I wouldn't be like that. I would climb across the table and stab him in the head with a fork.

[on her vulnerable and melancholy rawness] Every man I've loved has tried to find it, fix it, soothe it.

Salary (1)

Medium (2005)

$225,000 /episode (2009-10)

GEORGE PAL (ACTOR)

 

 

Born	György Pál Marczincsak February 1, 1908 Cegléd, Kingdom of Hungary, Austro-Hungarian Empire, now Hungary
Died	May 2, 1980 (aged 72) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Heart Attack
Resting place	Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California
Nationality	Hungarian-American
Other names	Julius György Marczincsak
Citizenship	United States
Alma mater	Budapest Academy of Arts
Years active	1934–1975
Spouse(s)	Elisabeth "Zsoka" Pal (1930–1980; his death)
Children	2

Mini Bio (1)

George Pal was born on February 1, 1908, in Cegled, Austria-Hungary. Later, when he was still a child, his stage-entertainer parents divorced, and he was raised by his grandparents.

In 1928, Pal graduated from the Budapest Academy of Arts with a degree in Architecture and highly developed drawing skills. There were no opportunities for an Architect when he left the University, so, putting his other talents to work, he found employment at Hunnia Films in Budapest. Later on, through his films, Pal became an architect of worlds, but first...

At Hunnia, Pal drew lobby posters and created embellished titles for silent movies. He also quickly learned the craft of motion picture cartooning.

In 1930, George married Elisabeth Josepha (Zsoka) Grandjean, with whom he later had two sons, David (born, 1937) and Peter (born, 1941). Seeking work with better pay, the young couple moved to Berlin, a center for film innovation. Pal's talents were soon noticed.

From 1931-1932, Pal worked at UFA Studios in Berlin where he became head of the cartoon department. Then, he set up his own film studio elsewhere in Berlin. His credentials attracted orders from companies for animated advertising. Instead of the cartoon approach, he developed his own take on making inanimate objects move, even dance, using the still evolving art of stop-motion photography. Advertisements featuring, for instance, Overstolz cigarettes, outfitted with faces, arms, and legs, were shown on theater screens strutting and singing as if drawn by a cartoonist. These "puppets" without strings would later evolve into animated characters made of wood who would have names and star in their own films.

When the Nazi regime installed itself in Germany, George and Zsoka left for Prague for a short time. Then it was on to Paris where they received an invitation from Sies Neuman, head of Philips Radio's advertising, to move to Eindhoven, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands, and work there. Before long, he had his own studio and made commercials for Dutch, English, and American firms.

It was in Eindhoven that George and American film maker, Dave Bader, invented a name for the three-dimensional cartoons that George was also now producing: "Puppetoons." George made many films in Holland, including "The Ship of the Ether." He changed his last name from Marczincsak to Pal, and, in 1937, George and Zsoka's first son, David, was born.

During the 1930s, George and Zsoka applied for an American emigration visa, only to be told each time that the small Hungarian quota was filled. Then, in 1939, the American consulate granted a visa for them and their young son to leave for New York.

First, Pal made a solo trip to New York. Not long after arriving, Columbia University offered him a lectureship on the process of making stop-motion films. Coincidentally, Barney Baliban, the president of Paramount Pictures' New York office, saw one of Pal's Puppetoon films at a party. He was so impressed by it that he contacted Pal and offered him a contract to make them for Paramount, either in New York or at their animation studio in Florida.

Pal returned to Holland and made arrangements for his family to leave Europe and move to America. Then, Frank Freeman, the President of Paramount Studios in Hollywood offered him a studio of his own and a staff of 25 film makers. The Pals arrived in New York early in 1940 and were soon settled in Beverly Hills, California.

In 1941, George and Zsoka's second son, Peter, was born.

From 1941 to 1947, Pal created more than 40 Puppetoon films, and received a special Academy Award in 1943. His studio staffers included Willis H. O'Brien, Ray Harryhausen, Wah Chang, and Gene Warren. He was also close friends with animation producer, Walter Lantz, as well as film pioneer, Walt Disney.

From 1948 to 1949, he began work on his first full-length motion pictures that combined live action with special photographic and sound effects. In the 1950s and 1960s, six of his films received Academy Awards. He worked with many gifted talents, including: director Byron Haskin; writers Robert A. Heinlein, Barré Lyndon, and David Duncan; cinematographers George Barnes, and Paul Vogel; visual-effects masters Gordon Jennings and his crew at Paramount, plus A. Arnold Gillespie, Wah Chang, and Gene Warren at MGM.

Pal also worked with sound-effects wizards Gene Garvin, Harry Lindgren, Franklin Milton, and Van Allen James; art directors Albert Nozaki, Hal Pereira, Ernst Fegté, and William Ferrari; film editors Everett Douglas and George Tomasini; composers Leith Stevens and Russell Garcia; space artist Chesley Bonestell; many animation craftsmen, including his son, David Pal, (who brought the elves to life in "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm") and Don Sahlin who would later go on to design the original Muppet characters; plus countless actors and actresses, many of whom are remembered to this day.

Throughout the 1970s, Pal worked on several film proposals, but only one was distributed. He passed away on May 2, 1980 while working on "The Voyage of the Berg" for AIP Filmways. It was never finished, but his other films endure.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Edward E. Pringle (tedpringle@yahoo.com)

Spouse (1)

Zsoka Pal

(7 June 1930 - 2 May 1980) (his death) (2 children)

Trade Mark (1)

Appearance of Woody Woodpecker somewhere in all the films he either produced, directed, or both.

Trivia (9)

Pal and his crew (Galaxy Films and, at Paramount, the Cauliflower Ear Gang) worked special-effects miracles at a time when there were no computers to help and very little precedent on which to go. Martian military hardware, time travel, and spaceship launch systems were designed from scratch. These were high-risk ventures that required considerable imagination (genius, really), ingenuity, determination, tenacity, and courage.

Is co-author (with Joe Morheim) of a novel, Time Machine II, a sequel to the H.G. Wells classic.

Unfinished or unmade film projects to which George Pal committed his personal time, money, and energy include "After Worlds Collide" (Paramount, 1955) - a sequel to When Worlds Collide (1951) - unmade due to the poor returns of Conquest of Space (1955); "Logan's Run" (MGM, 1968) - unmade due to poor returns of The Power (1968), eventually made by Saul David as Logan's Run (1976); "When The Sleeper Wakes" (MGM, 1972), based on the science-fiction novel by H.G. Wells - unmade due to Woody Allen's parody version then in production, Sleeper (1973); "Doc Savage II" (Warner Bros., 1976) - unmade due to poor returns of Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975); "The Time Traveler" (MGM, 1977-1978) aka "Time Machine II," a sequel to his movie of H.G. Wells's The Time Machine (1960) - unmade due to MGM rejecting three scripts submitted by George Pal and Nicholas Meyer's film Time After Time (1979) in production; "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (MGM-Cinerama, 1979) - a sequel to MGM's The Wizard of Oz (1939) - unmade due to MGM not committing to a new deal with Cinerama Corp. to make this as a multi-million-dollar Cinerama film (in Super Panavision 70mm) and no script approval; "The Voyage of the Berg" (IPA-Filmways, 1979-1980) - in production several months, unfinished due to George Pal's death in May 1980; and "The Disappearance" (WB, 1980) - in pre-production planning in early 1980.

All of his movies feature a cameo appearance from Woody Woodpecker somewhere because he and Walter Lantz were close friends. Andy Panda, another Lantz character, appears in Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975), which also features a cameo by Grace Stafford, the voice of Woody.

The estate of H.G. Wells was so impressed with The War of the Worlds (1953) that they offered Pal an option on any of Wells's science fiction stories. Pal choose The Time Machine (1960).

He was one of Ray Harryhausen's early employers and mentors.

Despite being born to theater parents, Pal was said to have despised the stage.

Once designed art subtitles for silent films in the 1920s to keep food on the table.

Was mentioned in the song "Science Fiction Double Feature" on the Rocky Horror Picture Show" soundtrack in the line "And When worlds collide, Said George Pal to his bride, I'm gonna give you some Terrible Thrills".

Personal Quotes (3)

After viewing Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) in 1977: "A special effect is as big a star as any in the world."

[on February 12, 1979, in a telephone interview with the Orson Welles Theater (Cambridge, MA), Pal was asked what film of his was his favorite.] His reply: "The next one."

None of my past films are my favorites. My next film is always my favorite. I don't like to cry over something that didn't turn out. I always try to do better the next film.

RONALD JEREMY

Born	Ronald Jeremy Hyatt[1] March 12, 1953 (age 61)[2] Queens, New York, USA[2]
Nationality	American
Other names	R. J., Ronald Jeremy, Ron Jeremey, Ron Jeremy, David Elliot, Big Daddy, The Hedgehog, Ronnie, Ronny
Occupation	porn-actor, actor
Years active	1979–present
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
No. of adult films	2216 as actor, 285 as director
				John Holmes in March 1988, the short, mustachioed, heavyset Ron Jeremy has assumed the mantle as the number one U.S. male star of adult cinema. However, don't confuse Ron with the similar looking mustachioed 1970/'80s adult film star, Harry Reems, who has long since retired from the adult film industry. Portly Ron is not blessed with film star looks and a chiseled six-pack (a decidedly unchiseled 12- or 18-pack would be more like it) - his appeal and talents lie in other areas (which happen to be in his long 'member' measuring nearly 10 inches, erect!) and his "regular guy" appearance and amazing endurance in front of the camera have undoubtedly contributed to his phenomenal success in an industry notorious for dumping those men who can't perform on cue. He's also one of the very few adult film stars to make the jump into mainstream cinema, with minor appearances in movies such as Reindeer Games (2000), Detroit Rock City (1999) and The Boondock Saints (1999). He was born Ron Jeremy Hyatt on March 12, 1953, in New York City and graduated from Cardozo High School (Queens, NY) in 1971, attained a masters degree from Queens College and then commenced special educational teaching in the New York City area. In 1978, a girlfriend sent his photo off to "Playgirl" magazine for appearance in its "Boy Next Door" pages. It was an understatement to say that Ron was deluged with female fan mail, and letters of interest from adult filmmakers! Beginning in 1979, he has appeared in well over 800 adult feature films including Inside Seka (1981), Debbie Does Dallas Part II (1981), Terms of Endowment (1986) Lust of Blackula (1987), 21 Hump Street (1988) and Natural Born Thrillers (1994). At 50+ years of age, the charismatic and often comedic Ron Jeremy is still appearing in front of the camera in adult films and he's definitely attained iconic status in the adult entertainment industry and beyond. Trivia (17) Used to be the host of 1980s Manhattan public access late-night nude/porn talkshow: Interludes After Midnight. He was a former high school teacher in New York City. According to Jeremy in an interview with "Time Out New York" magazine, in order not to upset nor alert executives at Disney, Jeremy's role as Blisterface in the children's series Bone Chillers (1996) was kept secret. Producers disguised Jeremy so much that he is unrecognizable, which helped them from alerting pro-family studio executives that a pornstar was on their payroll. He holds a master's degree in Special Education. Is quite a talented piano player (and pipe organ by extension) -- yet for whatever reason has never pursued a career as a silent film organist or general organist. Played small parts in five films for director John Frankenheimer, 52 Pick-Up (1986), Dead Bang (1989), George Wallace (1997), Ronin (1998), and Reindeer Games (2000). His part in Ronin (1998) was cut by the studio but he still was credited. Appears in the Guinness Book of World Records for "Most Appearances in Adult Films" (1,750, and counting). He is a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity. Directed Penthouse Pet turned adult film star Racquel Darrian in Charlie's Girls 3 (1990). The two never performed on-screen together officially, but Racquel has referred to him as "hands-on director." The two have been friends for years. Is a millionaire but is well known around Hollywood to be extremely frugal with his money. According to the documentary, Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy (2001), he allegedly hates spending his own money on anything, even going so far as using garbage bags as luggage when he travels. His rap single "Freak Of The Week" stayed 27 weeks in the Billboard Charts. His father Arnold was a physicist, his mother a book editor. Classmate of former CIA director George Tenet and Reginald VelJohnson at Cardozo High School in Queens. WWE pro wrestler Matthew Kaye (aka Matt Striker) also attended Cardozo High. Frequently cast in bit parts in Roger Avary's films. Release of his book, "The Hardest Working Man in Showbiz". Host of "Techsmart", a technology review series on the website Heavy.com. [April 2007] Recently opened an "18 and over" "Gentlemen's" club in Portland, Oregon. [October 2009] Personal Quotes (2) I still have a valid teaching license. But if parents see me with a kid, they'll want to call 911. Freedom of speech doesn't protect speech that you like, freedom of speech protects speech that you hate. Salary (2) World's Biggest Anal Gang Bang (1998) $150 Crazy Animal (2007)

JASON LONDON

1. Born: November 7, 1972 (age 42), San Diego, California, United States
2. Height: 1.80 m
3. Siblings: Jeremy London, Dedra London
4. Spouse: Sofia Karstens (m. 2011), Charlie Spradling (m. 1997–2011)
5. TV shows: Jason and the Argonauts, Possible Side Effects

    Jason London and his twin brother Jeremy London were born in San Diego, California, and were raised in Oklahoma and DeSoto, Texas. Jeremy was the first of the two to start auditioning, but it was Jason who nabbed the first role in the movie The Man in the Moon (1991). Jason also got a role in the dramatic series "I'll Fly Away" (1991), starring alongside Sam Waterston, but had to turn it down because of another job. So Jeremy auditioned for the role and got it instead.
   
   Jason is an actor and producer, known for Dazed and Confused (1993), Jason and the Argonauts (2000), and The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999). He has been married to Sofia Karstens since July 16th, 2011. He was previously married to Charlie Spradling.

   
   

   Spouse (2)

   Sofia Karstens	(16 July 2011 - present) (separated)
   Charlie Spradling	(15 September 1999 - 17 March 2011) (divorced) (1 child)

   
   

   Trivia (10)

   Twin brother of actor Jeremy London.

   Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world.

   His younger sister, Dedra London, died in a car accident in 1992, when she was 16.

   Daughter Cooper London was born to him and wife Charlie Spradling on his 24th birthday [7 November 1996].

   He grew up in a family of five children; he, twin-brother Jeremy London, younger sister Dedra London and two step-siblings.

   His mother is Debbie London. She divorced his father when he was very young, and Jason and his siblings lived with their mother after the divorce.
   

   He is part Cherokee Indian.

   Brother-in-law of Melissa Cunningham.

   Shannen Doherty is godmother to his daughter, Cooper.

   He and his identical twin brother Jeremy London made guest appearances on The Outer Limits (1995).

   
   

   Personal Quotes (1)

   [on his role in Dazed and Confused (1993)] To play "Pink", I had to lose a lot of maturity that I gained . . . lose lovers, lose experiences . . . I had to go back to being that unaware person again.

Peter Billingsley (ACTOR PRODUCER)

1. Born: April 16, 1971 (age 43), New York City, New York, United States
2. Height: 1.77 m
3. Parents: Gail Billingsley, Alwin Michaelsen
4. TV shows: Real People, Sherman Oaks
5. Upcoming movie: Term Life

   Peter Billingsley has been a member of the Hollywood community since he was a small child, achieving success and accolades, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. The highly-successful child actor-turned-producer received an Emmy Award nomination, in 2005, as co-executive producer on the critically acclaimed Independent Film Channel show, Dinner for Five (2001), with Jon Favreau. He also served as executive producer on the hit summer film, The Break-Up (2006), and recently wrapped production on Marvel Comics feature film, Iron Man (2008), directed by Jon Favreau.
   
   Billingsley also served as co-producer on the Artisan Entertainment classic, Made (2001), starring Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn, as well as Sony's recent science fiction release, Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005), directed by Favreau.
   
   Billingsley recently became a principal in "Wild West Picture Show Productions". The production company, founded by Vince Vaughn, currently has a first look production deal with Universal Studios.
   
   Growing up in the public eye, Billingsley began his acting career, at the age of three, in some of the '70s most memorable television commercials. After appearing on numerous television shows and films during his youth, the Emmy Award-nominated actor delivered a performance for the ages in the beloved holiday film, A Christmas Story (1983). Playing humorist Jean Shepherd's youthful alter-ego "Ralphie", Billingsley's repeated requests, in the film, for a genuine Red Ryder B-B gun quickly catapulted the actor to instant stardom and has since driven the film into pop culture lore as the classic modern-day Christmas tale.
   
   Born in New York City, Billingsley currently resides in Los Angeles.
   
   
   

    

   Trivia (11)

   Great-grandnephew of Stork Club impresario Sherman Billingsley (his maternal great-grandfather was Fred Billingsley who was Sherman's brother).
   

   Younger brother of Melissa Michaelsen and Neil Billingsley.
   

   Became best friends with Vince Vaughn, after they shared the screen on CBS Schoolbreak Special: The Fourth Man (1990).
   

   Was number 63 on vh1's The Greatest: 100 Greatest Kid Stars (2005)
   

   His second most famous role as a child actor (next to "Ralphie" in A Christmas Story (1983)) was probably that of "Messy Marvin" in the Hershey's Chocolate Syrup commercials.
   

   By age 11 he had acted in over 120 TV commercials, two feature films, two made-for-TV movies and three TV shows.
   

   Back in the 80s he was the national spokesman for President Ronald Reagan's Young Astronaut Council, which was an educational program aimed at kids.
   

   Wrote the Introduction to the 1994 autobiography "Dreamer", written by his friend Brian Evans, in 1994.
   

   Found friend and singer/songwriter John O'Brien deceased in Brien's hotel room.
   

   Appeared on September 29 2005 in Memphis, Tennessee with the "Vince Vaughn Wild West Comedy Show" as a surprise guest. [September 2005]
   

   Producing "A Christmas Story: The Musical", a musical based on his classic movie, A Christmas Story (1983), on Broadway.

FRANCO NERO (ACTOR)

Born	Francesco Sparanero 23 November 1941 (age 72) San Prospero, Parma, Italy
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1962–present
Spouse(s)	Vanessa Redgrave (2006–present)
										Blue-eyed well-built Italian actor Franco Nero, once was a painting photographer, when he was discovered as an actor by director John Huston. Grew up in provincial northern Italian town in the family of a strict police sergeant, Nero got on the scene at six-years-old. Studied economics and trade in Milan University and, during that time, he was appearing in popular Italian photo-novels. This gave him a chance to gain a little role in Carlo Lizzani's La Celestina P... R... (1965). Year later, the handsome face of Nero was noticed by John Huston who chose him for the role of "Abel" in The Bible: In the Beginning... (1966) (aka La Bibbia). But success came after he got the role of the lonely gunfighter, dragging a coffin in one of the best spaghetti-westerns; Sergio Corbucci's Django (1966). Nero then filmed a few other westerns of that style as Ferdinando Baldi's Goodbye Texas (1966) and Lucio Fulci's Massacre Time (1966) and furthered his career by filming in all genres of the cinema and TV. During filming of Joshua Logan's _Camelot (1967), he met actress Vanessa Redgrave, who become his long-time partner. Played with Catherine Deneuve in Luis Buñuel's Tristana (1970) and with Sergey Bondarchuk in the war drama The Battle of Neretva (1969). Later, director Bondarchuk cast Nero for the role of famous American reporter "John Reed" in two-part "Krasnye kolokola II" (1982). In the late 60s and during the 70s, Nero played many different roles, but most of them connected with political and criminal genre, criticized Italian justice system. In the early 80s, Nero was chosen for the role of the white ninja, "Cole", in Enter the Ninja (1981) and in 1990 as terrorist "Gen. Esperanza", opposite Bruce Willis in Renny Harlin's Die Hard 2 (1990). Being a personage from more than 25 different nationalities; from Russian to American, from Egyptian to Israeli, with 150 roles. He worked with the top European directors from Carlo Lizzani, Damiano Damiani, Luigi Zampa, Luis Buñuel, Elio Petri, Mihalis Kakogiannis, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Claude Chabrol, 'Vatroslav Mimica', Marco Bellocchio, etc. At the beginning of the 80s, he also began producing, writing and directing. Between films, he participates in various theatrical events. Apart from his cinematographic work, Nero also works for charitable organizations.Franco Nero, a leading actor in international cinema, was born in Parma (Northern Italy). His inclination for acting had already become obvious in his teenage years when he began organizing and participating in student plays. After a short stint at a leading theater school, he moved to Rome where he joined a small group of friends for the purpose of making some documentaries. Still unsure of his ultimate vocation, he worked various jobs on the crew. The role as Abel in John Houston's film "The Bible" marked a crucial point in his career. A few months later he had his big break with the internationally acclaimed cult-classic Spaghetti-Western "Django". The following year Joshua Logan cast him in the film version of "Camelot" (Warner Bros.), opposite Vanessa Redgrave, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe award. Nero has appeared in more than 195 movies around the world and has worked with Europe's top directors, such as Luis Bunuel, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Claude Chabrol, Sergei Bondarciuk, Michael Cacoyannis, Elio Petri, Marco Bellocchio, Enzo G. Castellari, just to mention a few. He has also payed the roles of leading national heroes, such as "Garibaldi" (Italy), "Arpad" (Hungary", "Banovic Strahinja" (Yugoslavia). In the USA he has been in successful mini-series such as "The Pirate" (Warner Bros), "The Last Days of Pompeii" (CBS), "Young Catherine" (TNT), "Bella Mafia" (CBS), "The Painted Lady", "Saint Augustine", and movies such as "The Legend of Valentino", "21 Hours to Munich", "Force 10 from Navarone", "Enter the Ninja", "The Versace Murder", "Die Hard 2", and recently "Letters to Juliet". At the beginning of the 80's, he also began producing, writing and directing. Between films, he participates in various theatrical events. Over the last 45 years he has been a benefactor of the Don Bosco orphanage in Tivoli. He has received many awards and in 1992 for his artistic merits a knighthood of the Italian Republic was bestowed on him by the President of Italy. In 2011 he was honored by Brunel University of London with the honorary degree of doctor of Letters honoris causa and in Toronto with a star on the walk of fame. Trivia (7) Father, with Vanessa Redgrave, of Carlo Gabriel Nero. His luggage always includes a suitcase full with medicines. Gave away Natasha Richardson at her wedding to Liam Neeson. Stepfather of Joely Richardson and the late Natasha Richardson. Brother-in-law of Lynn Redgrave and Corin Redgrave. Son-in-law of Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson. His appearance with wife-to-be Vanessa Redgrave in Uninvited (1999), marked the only time the couple were directed by their only son Carlo Gabriel Nero. Personal Quotes (3) [interview in Toronto Globe and Mail, 11/12/1982] I would speak to Vanessa's [Vanessa Redgrave] father [Sir Michael Redgrave], or Laurence Olivier or John Gielgud, and they told me that, at a certain point, I had to make a choice. I could be a star and maybe make lots of money, or I could change roles all the time and have a more interesting--and longer--career. People will criticize you, they said, but if you keep changing, you'll win in the end. on 11/27/1978] I was working as a set photographer on [Dino De Laurentiis'] The Bible: In the Beginning... (1966). Director John Huston had seen a photo of me and said, "That's the face I want". [to L.A. Times columnist Roderick Mann] If you're a big Hollywood star, you make one movie a year at the most. I can make five in Europe.

MEGAN FOX (ACTRESS)

Quick Facts

• NAME: Megan Fox
• OCCUPATION: Film Actress, Television Actress, Model
• BIRTH DATE: May 16, 1986 
• PLACE OF BIRTH: Memphis, Tennessee
• Full Name: Megan Denise Fox
• AKA: Megan Fox
• ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus 

• Best Known For

  Megan Fox is an American actress known for her featured role in the Transformers film series.
  
  

  Synopsis

  Megan Fox was born on May 16, 1986, in Memphis, Tennessee. After winning modeling awards, she dropped out of high school and moved to LA. Her first big break came with the 2001 Olsen twins film, Holiday in the Sun. In 2007 Fox was cast opposite Shia LaBeouf in the block buster Transformers. She also appeared in the sequel but was cut from the third installment. Fox is married to Brian Austin Green
  

  Early Life

  Megan Denise Fox was born on May 16, 1986, in Memphis, Tennessee. At the age of 5, Fox began taking singing and dancing lessons, which continued when she and her family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, when she was 10. At age 13, she added modeling classes to her repertoire.
  In 1999, Fox won multiple awards at the American Modeling and Talent Convention. This success convinced her to drop out of high school and move to Los Angeles, California just a few years later, at the age of 16. That year, Fox landed her first big break when she was cast as a bratty heiress in the 2001 Olsen twins comedy film, Holiday in the Sun. The film, which had a large cult fanbase, went straight to DVD.
  Over the next few years, Fox continued to appear in guest-spot television roles. Her next role was in 2002, when she appeared in the Swedish-produced soap opera, Ocean Ave. That same year, Fox also appeared in a guest-starring role on the WB network show What I Like About You, starring Amanda Bynes.
  

  Television Roles

  The year 2004 was a big one for Megan Fox. She made an appearance in the CBS hit comedy Two and a Half Men, starring Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer, and was a series regular on the short-lived WB sitcom, The Help. She also began appearing on the ABC sitcom Hope & Faith, in which she played the daughter of Faith Ford's character in the second and third seasons. Her performance earned her a Young Artists Award nomination in 2005. Fox also returned to film work that year when she won the role as Carla Santi, a rival of Lindsay Lohan's character, in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.
  

  Career Breakthrough

  But Fox landed her biggest break in 2007, when she was cast alongside Shia LaBeouf in the Steven Spielberg-produced blockbuster Transformers. Fox played romantic lead Mikaela Banes in the film. She was nominated for the 2008 MTV Movie Award for breakthrough performance. The following year, Fox joined the cast of the comedy How to Lose Friends and Alienate People. The movie did well in England due to featuring lead comedian Simon Pegg, but didn't achieve much commercial success in the United States.
  In 2009, Megan reprised her role as Mikaela Banes in the sequel to the hit Transformers in Transformers: Rise of the Fallen. The sequel was again a box office success, and kept Fox in the media spotlight. She signed on to do the third installment of the franchise, which is tentatively titled Transformers 3, but later left the project. Rumors swirling around the sudden casting change suggest that Fox was released from the film after making several disparaging remarks about director Michael Bay to prominent media outlets.
  Both parties deny the allegation.
  In 2009, Fox appeared in the horror film Jennifer's Body, which opened to minor success. Later film credits include playing Leila, the gun-toting mistress, in the Wild West film Jonah Hex (2010), and starring in This Is 40 (2012). More recently, she signed on to star as April O'Neil in the 2014 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
  

  Personal Life

  Fox has appeared in several "sexiest" lists in recent years, including FHM magazine's "Sexiest Woman Alive" list and Maxim's "Hot 100" collection (2009). She has also been ranked in the Top 20 on multiple "rising star" lists, including No. 1 on Moviefone's list of "The 25 Hottest Actors Under 25" and No. 17 on Interview magazine's "Future Stars of Tomorrow."
  In June 2010, Fox became engaged to actor Brian Austin Green (of Beverly Hills: 90210 fame). The couple had been engaged previously, following a two-year relationship, but canceled their wedding in 2009. Shortly after their second engagement, Fox made headlines when she lost her two-carat diamond ring on a beach while vacationing with Green in Hawaii. It was later revealed that the couple actually exchanged vows while they were in Hawaii.
  In 2012, Fox announced that she was pregnant with her first child with Green, who already has one child from a previous marriage. The couple welcomed their first child together, Noah Shannon Green, on September 7, 2012. The following August, the couple announced that they are expecting a second child.