One may resist celebrity culture, but most people have at least a few actors from pop culture history that mean something to them, whether they're from the silver screen or the flickering box.
Actors know how to spark our emotions and suspend our disbelief. They embody our favorite stories and the visions of our favorite filmmakers. The stars of film and television have the privilege of immortalizing themselves in certain times and places. But it is not just themselves that they immortalize. In their best projects, they capture many complexities of emotion and culture that are relevant to millions. Steve McQueen and his Mustang in "Bullet," Warren Beatty and his freewheeling libido in "Shampoo," Anthony Hopkins and his empathetic presidential turn in "Nixon" -- for better or worse, actors color our memories of the past in both trivial and important ways.
It can be wistful, therefore, when an old favorite passes,...
Actors know how to spark our emotions and suspend our disbelief. They embody our favorite stories and the visions of our favorite filmmakers. The stars of film and television have the privilege of immortalizing themselves in certain times and places. But it is not just themselves that they immortalize. In their best projects, they capture many complexities of emotion and culture that are relevant to millions. Steve McQueen and his Mustang in "Bullet," Warren Beatty and his freewheeling libido in "Shampoo," Anthony Hopkins and his empathetic presidential turn in "Nixon" -- for better or worse, actors color our memories of the past in both trivial and important ways.
It can be wistful, therefore, when an old favorite passes,...
- 2/11/2024
- by Jack Hawkins
- Slash Film
Hollywood star Carl Weathers, who starred as Apollo Creed in the first four ‘Rocky’ films opposite Sylvester Stallone, died on Thursday. He was 76.
Weathers manager Matt Luber confirmed to Variety.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s ‘Predator’ and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s ‘Happy Gilmore’. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Mandalorian’.
He voiced Combat Carl in ‘Toy Story 4’ and played a fictionalised version of himself in a recurring role on ‘Arrested Development’.
His other credits include the TV series ‘Street Justice’, ‘Colony’, ‘The Shield’, ‘Chicago Justice’ and ‘Brothers’, and the films ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, ‘Death Hunt’ and ‘The Comebacks’.
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy ‘Happy Gilmore’, Weathers briefly reprised his role in ‘Little Nicky’ and voiced a character in Sandler’s...
Weathers manager Matt Luber confirmed to Variety.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s ‘Predator’ and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s ‘Happy Gilmore’. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘The Mandalorian’.
He voiced Combat Carl in ‘Toy Story 4’ and played a fictionalised version of himself in a recurring role on ‘Arrested Development’.
His other credits include the TV series ‘Street Justice’, ‘Colony’, ‘The Shield’, ‘Chicago Justice’ and ‘Brothers’, and the films ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, ‘Death Hunt’ and ‘The Comebacks’.
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy ‘Happy Gilmore’, Weathers briefly reprised his role in ‘Little Nicky’ and voiced a character in Sandler’s...
- 2/3/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Sylvester Stallone is paying tribute to his longtime friend and “Rocky” co-star Carl Weathers, who died Thursday at age 76.
Speaking through a video posted to his Instagram Friday evening, Stallone recalled his longtime partnership with Weathers, through the “Rocky” series and their decades-long friendship. The star gave the message while standing in front of a painting depicting their characters, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, squaring off in the ring.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so torn up, I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success — everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos. Because when he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness. But I didn’t realize how great,” Stallone said. “I never could’ve...
Speaking through a video posted to his Instagram Friday evening, Stallone recalled his longtime partnership with Weathers, through the “Rocky” series and their decades-long friendship. The star gave the message while standing in front of a painting depicting their characters, Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed, squaring off in the ring.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so torn up, I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success — everything about it, I give him incredible credit and kudos. Because when he walked into that room and I saw him for the first time, I saw greatness. But I didn’t realize how great,” Stallone said. “I never could’ve...
- 2/3/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Carl Weathers, the former NFL player who made his mark in Hollywood as the boxer Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky films and with appearances in such other projects as Predator, Happy Gilmore and The Mandalorian, has died. He was 76.
Weathers died Thursday in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, his manager, Matt Luber, announced in a statement.
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” he said. “Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend.”
The charismatic Weathers portrayed Detective Beaudreaux on the 1991-93 syndicated cop show Street Justice; the chief of police Hampton Forbes on the final two seasons of CBS’ In the Heat of the Night in 1992-94; a caricature of himself on episodes of Fox...
Weathers died Thursday in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, his manager, Matt Luber, announced in a statement.
“Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life,” he said. “Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner and friend.”
The charismatic Weathers portrayed Detective Beaudreaux on the 1991-93 syndicated cop show Street Justice; the chief of police Hampton Forbes on the final two seasons of CBS’ In the Heat of the Night in 1992-94; a caricature of himself on episodes of Fox...
- 2/2/2024
- by Mike Barnes and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We come today bearing tragic news as Carl Weathers, the man who gave us memorable characters like Apollo Creed in the "Rocky" franchise, Chubbs Peterson in "Happy Gilmore," the titular "Action Jackson," and Greef Karga in "The Mandalorian" has left us at the age of 76. His family announced that he passed away yesterday, but the news broke today courtesy of Deadline.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers," said his family in a statement obtained by Deadline. "He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts, and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend."
A natural athlete, Weathers got his start as a college football player at San Diego State University...
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers," said his family in a statement obtained by Deadline. "He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024. Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life. Through his contributions to film, television, the arts, and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognized worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend."
A natural athlete, Weathers got his start as a college football player at San Diego State University...
- 2/2/2024
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Carl Weathers, who starred as Apollo Creed in the first four “Rocky” films opposite Sylvester Stallone, died Thursday, his manager Matt Luber confirmed to Variety. He was 76.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s “Predator” and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore.” He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian.”
He voiced Combat Carl in “Toy Story 4” and played a fictionalized version of himself in a recurring role on “Arrested Development.” His other credits include the TV series “Street Justice,” “Colony,” “The Shield,” “Chicago Justice” and “Brothers,” and the films “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Death Hunt” and “The Comebacks.”
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy “Happy Gilmore,” Weathers briefly reprised his role in “Little Nicky” and voiced a character in Sandler’s animated Hanukkah comedy “Eight Crazy Nights.
Weathers also starred in 1987’s “Predator” and had a memorable role in Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore.” He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian.”
He voiced Combat Carl in “Toy Story 4” and played a fictionalized version of himself in a recurring role on “Arrested Development.” His other credits include the TV series “Street Justice,” “Colony,” “The Shield,” “Chicago Justice” and “Brothers,” and the films “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Death Hunt” and “The Comebacks.”
After working with Sandler on the 1996 golf comedy “Happy Gilmore,” Weathers briefly reprised his role in “Little Nicky” and voiced a character in Sandler’s animated Hanukkah comedy “Eight Crazy Nights.
- 2/2/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
ABC has picked up the Latino drama project “Promised Land” to series. The show is described as an epic, generation-spanning drama about two Latinx families vying for wealth and power in California’s Sonoma Valley.
The cast includes John Ortiz as Joe Sandoval, Cecilia Suárez as Lettie Sandoval, Augusto Aguilera as Mateo, Christina Ochoa as Veronica Sandoval, Mariel Molino as Camila Sandoval, Tonatiuh as Antonio Sandoval, Andres Velez as Carlos, Katya Martín as Juana and Rolando Chusan as Billy.
Matt Lopez is set to write and executive produce the pilot. Lopez has developed a number of projects with ABC and other broadcasters in the past. He most recently created and executive produced the CTV drama “Gone,” starring Chris Noth, Leven Rambin and Danny Pino. As a feature writer, his credits include “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” “Race to Witch Mountain,” “Bedtime Stories” and “The Wild.” He is currently also a writer on...
The cast includes John Ortiz as Joe Sandoval, Cecilia Suárez as Lettie Sandoval, Augusto Aguilera as Mateo, Christina Ochoa as Veronica Sandoval, Mariel Molino as Camila Sandoval, Tonatiuh as Antonio Sandoval, Andres Velez as Carlos, Katya Martín as Juana and Rolando Chusan as Billy.
Matt Lopez is set to write and executive produce the pilot. Lopez has developed a number of projects with ABC and other broadcasters in the past. He most recently created and executive produced the CTV drama “Gone,” starring Chris Noth, Leven Rambin and Danny Pino. As a feature writer, his credits include “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” “Race to Witch Mountain,” “Bedtime Stories” and “The Wild.” He is currently also a writer on...
- 8/11/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Annie Gonzalez, currently seen in a key role on Netflix’s Gentefied, has signed with Innovative Artists for representation.
Gonzalez plays Lidia on the hit series Gentefied, which is heading into its second season on Netflix. Her other recent credits include the role of Amanda on Starz’s Vida, as well as Showtime’s Shameless and Amazon’s Good Girls Revolt.
Gonzalez, a Chicana actress and East Los Angeles native, grew up singing with the band Quetzal, which has been a noted force in the Chicano movement. She was one of the original dancers on Jamm X Kids for the WB and has been appearing on TV since the age of 10. She was recently cast in the series regular role of Jessie on ABC’s comedy pilot Bucktown, opposite Jane Lynch and Nicole Richie. She also has a YouTube page with videos dedicated to her thoughts on spirituality, self-love,...
Gonzalez plays Lidia on the hit series Gentefied, which is heading into its second season on Netflix. Her other recent credits include the role of Amanda on Starz’s Vida, as well as Showtime’s Shameless and Amazon’s Good Girls Revolt.
Gonzalez, a Chicana actress and East Los Angeles native, grew up singing with the band Quetzal, which has been a noted force in the Chicano movement. She was one of the original dancers on Jamm X Kids for the WB and has been appearing on TV since the age of 10. She was recently cast in the series regular role of Jessie on ABC’s comedy pilot Bucktown, opposite Jane Lynch and Nicole Richie. She also has a YouTube page with videos dedicated to her thoughts on spirituality, self-love,...
- 6/14/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC believes that its year-round development cycle will mean that it can give creators of pilots such as Kevin Costner’s National Parks and Epic from Once Upon a Time creators Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis a better shot of landing on the schedule.
The Disney-owned network still has a number of pilot projects in various states of production and ABC chief Craig Erwich told Deadline that it will “continue to evaluate” these dramas.
This comes after it handed series pickups for the 2021/22 broadcast season to pilots The Wonder Years, Queens, Maggie and Abbott Elementary and passed on pilots including Sam Esmail’s Acts of Crime and comedies Black Don’t Crack and Bucktown.
Erwich said crime drama National Parks, which the Yellowstone star co-wrote with Aaron Helbing and Jon Baird, is still in editing, while romantic anthology Epic, which stars Brittany O’Grady, Sarah Hyland and Eleanor Fanyinka, and Matt Lopez...
The Disney-owned network still has a number of pilot projects in various states of production and ABC chief Craig Erwich told Deadline that it will “continue to evaluate” these dramas.
This comes after it handed series pickups for the 2021/22 broadcast season to pilots The Wonder Years, Queens, Maggie and Abbott Elementary and passed on pilots including Sam Esmail’s Acts of Crime and comedies Black Don’t Crack and Bucktown.
Erwich said crime drama National Parks, which the Yellowstone star co-wrote with Aaron Helbing and Jon Baird, is still in editing, while romantic anthology Epic, which stars Brittany O’Grady, Sarah Hyland and Eleanor Fanyinka, and Matt Lopez...
- 5/18/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Comedies “American Housewife” and “Mixed-ish” and dramas “For Life” and “Rebel” have all been canceled at ABC. A cancellation for the comedy “Call Your Mother” was previously announced.
The network also passed on pickups for four pilots, the drama “Acts of Crime” from Sam Esmail and comedies “Adopted,” “Black Don’t Crack” and “Bucktown.” All for projects were produced by the ABC Signature banner.
“American Housewife” has aired five seasons and logged more than 100 episodes at ABC. It stars Katy Mixon, Diedrich Bader, Meg Donnelly, Daniel Dimaggio, Ali Wong, and Carly Hughes. Julia Butters starred in the show’s first four seasons but her role was taken over by Giselle Eisenberg for Season 5.
Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz are showrunners of the series. Aaron Kaplan, Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz are executive producers. “American Housewife” was created by Sarah Dunn. It is produced by ABC Signature and Kapital Entertainment.
“For Life...
The network also passed on pickups for four pilots, the drama “Acts of Crime” from Sam Esmail and comedies “Adopted,” “Black Don’t Crack” and “Bucktown.” All for projects were produced by the ABC Signature banner.
“American Housewife” has aired five seasons and logged more than 100 episodes at ABC. It stars Katy Mixon, Diedrich Bader, Meg Donnelly, Daniel Dimaggio, Ali Wong, and Carly Hughes. Julia Butters starred in the show’s first four seasons but her role was taken over by Giselle Eisenberg for Season 5.
Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz are showrunners of the series. Aaron Kaplan, Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz are executive producers. “American Housewife” was created by Sarah Dunn. It is produced by ABC Signature and Kapital Entertainment.
“For Life...
- 5/14/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
ABC has passed on three more pilots. Drama Acts of Crime and comedies Black Don’t Crack and Bucktown will not be picked up to series. They join comedy pilot Adopted, whose team was notified of ABC’s decision not to proceed with it Thursday night.
None of these pilots had stood out in the past months or so, with the frontrunners among ABC’s 2021 pilots produced before the upfronts, The Wonder Years, Queens, Maggie and Abbott Elementary all landing series pickups earlier today.
Meanwhile, several pilots were left in consideration for midseason, including Kevin Costner’s National Parks Investigation, which was filmed but not finished in time for the upfronts, drama pilots Epic, Promised Land and Dark Horse, which have not been shot, and off-cycle drama pilot Triage, which has undergone recuts with conflicting results.
Acts of Crime, written and directed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, marked Esmail’s first foray into broadcast television.
None of these pilots had stood out in the past months or so, with the frontrunners among ABC’s 2021 pilots produced before the upfronts, The Wonder Years, Queens, Maggie and Abbott Elementary all landing series pickups earlier today.
Meanwhile, several pilots were left in consideration for midseason, including Kevin Costner’s National Parks Investigation, which was filmed but not finished in time for the upfronts, drama pilots Epic, Promised Land and Dark Horse, which have not been shot, and off-cycle drama pilot Triage, which has undergone recuts with conflicting results.
Acts of Crime, written and directed by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, marked Esmail’s first foray into broadcast television.
- 5/14/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s been a busy day at ABC.
The network has handed series pickups to pilots The Wonder Years, Queens, Maggie and Abbott Elementary and passed on pilots including Sam Esmail’s Acts of Crime and comedies Black Don’t Crack and Bucktown.
But there are five pilots that are still in consideration for the 2021-22 broadcast season, including Kevin Costner’s National Parks Investigation, that will be considered for midseason.
These also include Dark Horse, Epic, Promised Land and Triage.
Dark Hose, Epic and Promised Land have yet to be filmed and will be considered after the upfronts, while the off-cycle Triage pilot was produced and went through a rollercoaster ride of a poorly received first cut, highly testing second cut and so-so screening response. National Parks Investigation was considered a wildcard for fall consideration but a final, broadcast-length cut of the pilot, was not delivered in time.
National Parks Investigation,...
The network has handed series pickups to pilots The Wonder Years, Queens, Maggie and Abbott Elementary and passed on pilots including Sam Esmail’s Acts of Crime and comedies Black Don’t Crack and Bucktown.
But there are five pilots that are still in consideration for the 2021-22 broadcast season, including Kevin Costner’s National Parks Investigation, that will be considered for midseason.
These also include Dark Horse, Epic, Promised Land and Triage.
Dark Hose, Epic and Promised Land have yet to be filmed and will be considered after the upfronts, while the off-cycle Triage pilot was produced and went through a rollercoaster ride of a poorly received first cut, highly testing second cut and so-so screening response. National Parks Investigation was considered a wildcard for fall consideration but a final, broadcast-length cut of the pilot, was not delivered in time.
National Parks Investigation,...
- 5/14/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC is filling out next season’s primetime schedule, starting with an old favorite.
A reboot of The Wonder Years from executive producer Lee Daniels earned one of four series orders handed out by the Alphabet network on Friday, TVLine has learned. Like the original 1988-93 series, the Wonder Years reboot is set during the turbulent 1960s, but this time, it follows a Black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama through the eyes of 12-year-old Dean (Elisha “Ej” Williams). Dule Hill (Psych) and Saycon Sengbloh (In the Dark) play parents Bill and Lillian, and Laura Kariuki (Black Lightning) plays Dean’s...
A reboot of The Wonder Years from executive producer Lee Daniels earned one of four series orders handed out by the Alphabet network on Friday, TVLine has learned. Like the original 1988-93 series, the Wonder Years reboot is set during the turbulent 1960s, but this time, it follows a Black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama through the eyes of 12-year-old Dean (Elisha “Ej” Williams). Dule Hill (Psych) and Saycon Sengbloh (In the Dark) play parents Bill and Lillian, and Laura Kariuki (Black Lightning) plays Dean’s...
- 5/14/2021
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
ABC will not be dialing Call Your Mother again.
The network has officially canceled the Kyra Sedgwick comedy after one low-rated season.
Sedgwick revealed the news on Twitter, while also taking a swipe at the way ABC scheduled the series.
"Before it goes out there in the world I want my fans to be the first to know that next Wednesday will be the last episode of Call Your Mother," the actress wrote.
"You guys have been so wonderful to tune in every week, or every other week or every two weeks! The rollout was nuts!"
Indeed, the rollout was not great, with the first five episodes airing without interruption.
The scheduling of the next seven episodes has been all over the place, but it could be attributed to the pandemic, which has changed the way TV is produced.
The ratings have not been good, with the series averaging just...
The network has officially canceled the Kyra Sedgwick comedy after one low-rated season.
Sedgwick revealed the news on Twitter, while also taking a swipe at the way ABC scheduled the series.
"Before it goes out there in the world I want my fans to be the first to know that next Wednesday will be the last episode of Call Your Mother," the actress wrote.
"You guys have been so wonderful to tune in every week, or every other week or every two weeks! The rollout was nuts!"
Indeed, the rollout was not great, with the first five episodes airing without interruption.
The scheduling of the next seven episodes has been all over the place, but it could be attributed to the pandemic, which has changed the way TV is produced.
The ratings have not been good, with the series averaging just...
- 5/14/2021
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
As we head into the first broadcast upfront presentations on Monday, the two networks that are going up first, NBC and Fox, have made the decisions on their outstanding pilots. This leaves ABC and CBS, which also are presenting next week, as well as the CW, which has some leeway as it is not unveiling its fall 2021 schedule until the week after. Things have never been murkier so close to showtime but here is what I have heard since publishing the initial 2021 Pilot Buzz last week.
No major changes at the front of the ABC echelon, with The Wonder Years reboot, from Saladin Patterson, the original series’ Fred Savage and Lee Daniels, and drama Queens, headlined by Brandy, Eve, Naturi Naughton, Nadine Velazquez and Pepi Sonuga, staying hot through the screenings and still looking good.
Comedy pilot Maggie lived up to the “dark horse” moniker I gave it in the original handicap.
No major changes at the front of the ABC echelon, with The Wonder Years reboot, from Saladin Patterson, the original series’ Fred Savage and Lee Daniels, and drama Queens, headlined by Brandy, Eve, Naturi Naughton, Nadine Velazquez and Pepi Sonuga, staying hot through the screenings and still looking good.
Comedy pilot Maggie lived up to the “dark horse” moniker I gave it in the original handicap.
- 5/12/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Eva Longoria’s prestige project “Flamin’ Hot,” about the inventor of the spicy Cheetos snack, has found its stars in actors Jesse Garcia and Annie Gonzalez.
An award-winning actor and prolific TV director, Longoria is ramping up to a feature directorial era with the Searchlight project, which tells the inspirational story of Richard Montañez. A janitor at Frito Lay, Montañez took inspiration from his Mexican American heritage to create the wildly popular snack Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Garcia will play Montañez and Gonzalez will portray his wife Judy. Additionally, Linda Yvette Chavez has taken a pass on the script from writer Lewis Colick (“October Sky”). Chavez is the acclaimed creator of the Netflix original series “Gentefied,” and also adapted the upcoming directorial debut from America Ferrera, the Netflix original “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.”
Longoria said it has been “my biggest priority to make sure we are telling Richard Montañez’s story authentically.
An award-winning actor and prolific TV director, Longoria is ramping up to a feature directorial era with the Searchlight project, which tells the inspirational story of Richard Montañez. A janitor at Frito Lay, Montañez took inspiration from his Mexican American heritage to create the wildly popular snack Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Garcia will play Montañez and Gonzalez will portray his wife Judy. Additionally, Linda Yvette Chavez has taken a pass on the script from writer Lewis Colick (“October Sky”). Chavez is the acclaimed creator of the Netflix original series “Gentefied,” and also adapted the upcoming directorial debut from America Ferrera, the Netflix original “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.”
Longoria said it has been “my biggest priority to make sure we are telling Richard Montañez’s story authentically.
- 5/4/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Jesse Garcia from Quinceañera will play Richard Montanez, the architect of the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto, and Annie Gonzalez of Gentefied will portray his wife, Judy, in Eva Longoria feature directorial debut Flamin’ Hot from Searchlight Pictures and Franklin Entertainment.
As Deadline first told you about the movie, Flamin’ Hot tells the true life story of Richard Montanez, the Frito Lay janitor who took inspiration from his Mexican American heritage to create Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, the snack that disrupted the food industry and became a pop culture phenomenon. Desperate Housewives actress and Telenovela, Grand Hotel, and Devious Maids EP Longoria beat out several directors for the job after impressing Franklin and Searchlight with her authentic approach to the project.
Said Longoria in a statement, “It has been my biggest priority to make sure we are telling Richard Montañez’s story authentically. I am so happy to have two extremely talented and...
As Deadline first told you about the movie, Flamin’ Hot tells the true life story of Richard Montanez, the Frito Lay janitor who took inspiration from his Mexican American heritage to create Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, the snack that disrupted the food industry and became a pop culture phenomenon. Desperate Housewives actress and Telenovela, Grand Hotel, and Devious Maids EP Longoria beat out several directors for the job after impressing Franklin and Searchlight with her authentic approach to the project.
Said Longoria in a statement, “It has been my biggest priority to make sure we are telling Richard Montañez’s story authentically. I am so happy to have two extremely talented and...
- 5/4/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s the first week of May, which is normally when Deadline does its final handicapping of the new crop of broadcast pilots’ pickup changes. As the TV industry — and the country — are starting to see the first signs of a return to normalcy, the broadcast networks are gearing up for the upfronts, in their usual timeframe just two weeks away. However, the pilot evaluation process is anything but conventional this year after the 2020 pilot cycle was delayed by the pandemic, so we see 2020 pilots being screened alongside 2021 ones and pilot-to-series orders being handed out alongside straight-to-series pickups and off-cycle pilot green lights.
It is risky trying to make any predictions this year, but, keeping up a Deadline tradition, here is what I hear is going on at the five broadcast networks.
ABC, which had a top executive change mid-development cycle, with Hulu’s Craig Erwich taking over programming, has...
It is risky trying to make any predictions this year, but, keeping up a Deadline tradition, here is what I hear is going on at the five broadcast networks.
ABC, which had a top executive change mid-development cycle, with Hulu’s Craig Erwich taking over programming, has...
- 5/3/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Insecure alum Y’lan Noel is entering the spy game: The actor will star in the FX drama pilot The Spook Who Sat by the Door, from executive producer Lee Daniels (Empire) and writer/showrunner Leigh Dana Jackson (Raising Dion), per The Hollywood Reporter.
Based on the novel by Sam Greenlee, the 1960s-set project follows Dan Freeman (Noel), the first Black operative in the CIA. He is a patriot, a Vietnam veteran and, secretly, a revolutionary. In the book, which is based in part on Greenlee’s experience at the United States Information Agency, Freeman goes through high-level combat and espionage training,...
Based on the novel by Sam Greenlee, the 1960s-set project follows Dan Freeman (Noel), the first Black operative in the CIA. He is a patriot, a Vietnam veteran and, secretly, a revolutionary. In the book, which is based in part on Greenlee’s experience at the United States Information Agency, Freeman goes through high-level combat and espionage training,...
- 3/22/2021
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
Jane Lynch, star of Glee and current host of NBC’s Weakest Link, has found her latest comedy role – joining ABC pilot Bucktown.
Lynch, who played Sue Sylvester on Fox’s musical dramedy, will star alongside Westworld’s Shannon Woodward in the comedy.
The show centers on Amy (Woodward), who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up.
Lynch, who also appears in Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, plays Helen, her mother, who’s rough around the edges and salty as hell but the most loyal woman you’ll ever meet.
2021 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
Nicole Richie also stars, as Jan, Amy’s boss, a self-centered force who tends to suck up all the energy in a room.
The show comes from a...
Lynch, who played Sue Sylvester on Fox’s musical dramedy, will star alongside Westworld’s Shannon Woodward in the comedy.
The show centers on Amy (Woodward), who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up.
Lynch, who also appears in Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, plays Helen, her mother, who’s rough around the edges and salty as hell but the most loyal woman you’ll ever meet.
2021 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
Nicole Richie also stars, as Jan, Amy’s boss, a self-centered force who tends to suck up all the energy in a room.
The show comes from a...
- 3/22/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Jane Lynch has been cast in a lead role in the ABC multi-cam comedy pilot “Bucktown,” Variety has learned.
Lynch joins previously announced cast members Shannon Woodward and Nicole Richie.
In the multi-cam sitcom, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, Amy (Woodward) finds refuge at her mom’s (Lynch) house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece, living there due to Amy’s sister’s latest rehab stint, and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t quite equipped to go it alone.
Lynch’s character, Helen, is described as rough around the edges and salty as hell, but the most loyal woman you’ll ever meet.
Lynch is one of the most celebrated comedy actresses working today. She is a 12-time Emmy nominee, having...
Lynch joins previously announced cast members Shannon Woodward and Nicole Richie.
In the multi-cam sitcom, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, Amy (Woodward) finds refuge at her mom’s (Lynch) house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece, living there due to Amy’s sister’s latest rehab stint, and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t quite equipped to go it alone.
Lynch’s character, Helen, is described as rough around the edges and salty as hell, but the most loyal woman you’ll ever meet.
Lynch is one of the most celebrated comedy actresses working today. She is a 12-time Emmy nominee, having...
- 3/22/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Jane Lynch has joined the cast of ABC’s comedy pilot Bucktown, from the producing team behind The Conners.
The Emmy winner will star with Shannon Woodward and Nicole Richie in the multi-camera pilot from ABC Signature about Amy (Woodward), a woman who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of getting promoted at work, moves back in with her mother and teenage niece in the titular Chicago neighborhood.
The network has also signed Betsy Thomas (My Boys, Superstore) to direct and serve as an executive producer on the pilot.
Lynch will play Amy’s ...
The Emmy winner will star with Shannon Woodward and Nicole Richie in the multi-camera pilot from ABC Signature about Amy (Woodward), a woman who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of getting promoted at work, moves back in with her mother and teenage niece in the titular Chicago neighborhood.
The network has also signed Betsy Thomas (My Boys, Superstore) to direct and serve as an executive producer on the pilot.
Lynch will play Amy’s ...
- 3/22/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Shannon Woodward (Westworld) has been tapped as the lead of ABC family comedy pilot Bucktown. Nicole Richie also has been cast in the project from a trio behind ABC’s The Conners, Emily Wilson, Sara Gilbert and Tom Werner.
Written by Wilson, Bucktown centers on Amy (Woodward), who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece living there due to her sister’s latest rehab stint and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t quite equipped to go it alone.
Richie plays Jan, Amy’s boss. A self-centered force who tends to suck up all the energy in a room, Jan is very professional — except in the extremely unprofessional partnership with her husband,...
Written by Wilson, Bucktown centers on Amy (Woodward), who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece living there due to her sister’s latest rehab stint and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t quite equipped to go it alone.
Richie plays Jan, Amy’s boss. A self-centered force who tends to suck up all the energy in a room, Jan is very professional — except in the extremely unprofessional partnership with her husband,...
- 3/18/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Shannon Woodward and Nicole Richie have been cast in the ABC comedy pilot “Bucktown,” Variety has learned.
In the multi-cam sitcom, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, Amy (Woodward) finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece, living there due to Amy’s sister’s latest rehab stint, and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t quite equipped to go it alone.
Richie will star as Jan Amy’s boss. Described as a self-centered force to be reckoned with, Jan sucks up all the energy in the room. She is very professional, except when it comes to the wildly unprofessional partnership she has with her husband – Finn.
Woodward will next be seen in the Apple series “Corazon” opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
In the multi-cam sitcom, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, Amy (Woodward) finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece, living there due to Amy’s sister’s latest rehab stint, and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t quite equipped to go it alone.
Richie will star as Jan Amy’s boss. Described as a self-centered force to be reckoned with, Jan sucks up all the energy in the room. She is very professional, except when it comes to the wildly unprofessional partnership she has with her husband – Finn.
Woodward will next be seen in the Apple series “Corazon” opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
- 3/18/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Nicole Richie is headed back to broadcast TV.
The actress and entrepreneur has joined the cast of ABC’s comedy pilot Bucktown, which comes from The Conners team of writer Emily Wilson and executive producers Sara Gilbert and Tom Werner.
The multicamera pilot centers on Amy, a woman who gets dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion. She moves back in with her mom in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up, reconnecting with her teenage niece — who’s also living there due to Amy’s sister’s latest stint in ...
The actress and entrepreneur has joined the cast of ABC’s comedy pilot Bucktown, which comes from The Conners team of writer Emily Wilson and executive producers Sara Gilbert and Tom Werner.
The multicamera pilot centers on Amy, a woman who gets dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion. She moves back in with her mom in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up, reconnecting with her teenage niece — who’s also living there due to Amy’s sister’s latest stint in ...
- 3/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ABC’s comedy pilot Bucktown has cast two key roles.
Shannon Woodward will star in the project, and Nicole Richie is also set to be a regular. The multicamera pilot comes from the Conners team of writer Emily Wilson and executive producers Sara Gilbert and Tom Werner.
Bucktown centers on Amy (Woodward), a woman who gets dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion. She moves back in with her mom in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up, reconnecting with her teenage niece — who’s also living there due to Amy’s sister’s ...
Shannon Woodward will star in the project, and Nicole Richie is also set to be a regular. The multicamera pilot comes from the Conners team of writer Emily Wilson and executive producers Sara Gilbert and Tom Werner.
Bucktown centers on Amy (Woodward), a woman who gets dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion. She moves back in with her mom in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up, reconnecting with her teenage niece — who’s also living there due to Amy’s sister’s ...
- 3/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
ABC's reboot of The Wonder Years has found its lead.
Elisha Ej Williams has been announced will play the character at the wheel of the story.
The news was announced by Fred Savage, the lead of the original 1988-93 TV series.
The series will focus on a Black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama.
"Though a little insecure, a tad awkward, and a bit self-conscious, he is determined to make his mark on the world around him,” the character description reads.
In The Dark actress, Saycon Sengbloh was cast as Dean's mother, Lillian, earlier this month.
Lillian is described as a “confident, kind, perceptive” mother, wife, and full-time accountant.
Intelligent and hard-working, Lillian “knows exactly the right thing to say to convince you of anything,” but she will always go out of her way to put her family first.
Savage will also exec-produce along with Empire's Lee Daniels and Saladin K. Patterson.
Elisha Ej Williams has been announced will play the character at the wheel of the story.
The news was announced by Fred Savage, the lead of the original 1988-93 TV series.
The series will focus on a Black middle-class family in Montgomery, Alabama.
"Though a little insecure, a tad awkward, and a bit self-conscious, he is determined to make his mark on the world around him,” the character description reads.
In The Dark actress, Saycon Sengbloh was cast as Dean's mother, Lillian, earlier this month.
Lillian is described as a “confident, kind, perceptive” mother, wife, and full-time accountant.
Intelligent and hard-working, Lillian “knows exactly the right thing to say to convince you of anything,” but she will always go out of her way to put her family first.
Savage will also exec-produce along with Empire's Lee Daniels and Saladin K. Patterson.
- 3/15/2021
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
ABC has handed its latest pilot to Quinta Brunson’s workplace comedy Harrity Elementary. The single-camera project scored a put pilot commitment in September and now will aim to film a pilot over the next few months.
Created by, starring and exec produced by A Black Lady Sketch Show star Brunson, Harrity Elementary follows a group of teachers brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country simply because they love teaching. They will rely on one another to make it through the day and find a way to counteract the school district’s bullsh*t attitude toward educating children.
Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker, who co-created and executive produce DC Universe’s Kaley Cuoco animated comedy Harley Quinn, exec produce via their Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions banner.
The studios are Warner Bros TV, where Halpern and Schumacker are under a deal, and 20th Television.
2020-21 ABC Pilots...
Created by, starring and exec produced by A Black Lady Sketch Show star Brunson, Harrity Elementary follows a group of teachers brought together in one of the worst public schools in the country simply because they love teaching. They will rely on one another to make it through the day and find a way to counteract the school district’s bullsh*t attitude toward educating children.
Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker, who co-created and executive produce DC Universe’s Kaley Cuoco animated comedy Harley Quinn, exec produce via their Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions banner.
The studios are Warner Bros TV, where Halpern and Schumacker are under a deal, and 20th Television.
2020-21 ABC Pilots...
- 2/16/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The team behind The Conners is preparing another family comedy for ABC.
The Disney-owned network has handed a pilot order to Bucktown, a family comedy from Emily Wilson, co-exec producer of the Roseanne spinoff.
Wilson (left), who has also worked on The Kids Are Alright, The Muppets and Cougar Town, is writing and exec producing the multi-camera comedy, which is exec produced by The Conners pair Tom Werner and Sara Gilbert.
Deadline understands that the project has been in the works in various stages for about five years.
The show follows Amy, who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece living there due to her sister’s latest rehab stint and resolves to stay when she realizes...
The Disney-owned network has handed a pilot order to Bucktown, a family comedy from Emily Wilson, co-exec producer of the Roseanne spinoff.
Wilson (left), who has also worked on The Kids Are Alright, The Muppets and Cougar Town, is writing and exec producing the multi-camera comedy, which is exec produced by The Conners pair Tom Werner and Sara Gilbert.
Deadline understands that the project has been in the works in various stages for about five years.
The show follows Amy, who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood where she grew up. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece living there due to her sister’s latest rehab stint and resolves to stay when she realizes...
- 2/12/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC has confirmed that it is picking up a new multi-camera comedy pilot, “Bucktown,” hailing from ABC Signature studios and written and executive produced by Emily Wilson, co-executive producer of “The Conners.”
“Bucktown” centers on a protagonist named Amy, who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood she grew up in. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece living there due to her sister’s latest rehab stint and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t entirely equipped to go it alone.
Wilson is also known for her work on “The Kids Are All Right,” “Superior Donuts,” The Muppets” and “Cougar Town.” Also attached to executive produce “Bucktown” are longtime collaborators Tom Werner and Sara Gilbert, who will be joined by executive...
“Bucktown” centers on a protagonist named Amy, who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood she grew up in. Amy reconnects with her teenage niece living there due to her sister’s latest rehab stint and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t entirely equipped to go it alone.
Wilson is also known for her work on “The Kids Are All Right,” “Superior Donuts,” The Muppets” and “Cougar Town.” Also attached to executive produce “Bucktown” are longtime collaborators Tom Werner and Sara Gilbert, who will be joined by executive...
- 2/12/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
The Conners executive producers Sara Gilbert and Tom Werner are backing another comedy at ABC.
The pair are executive producing Bucktown, which like the Roseanne spinoff is a multicamera show about a blue-collar family. The ABC Signature project has received a pilot order from the network.
Meanwhile, ABC has opted not to move forward with two comedy holdovers from the 2020 development cycle: Work Wife, based on the relationship between Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest, and an untitled workplace show starring Lucy Liu.
Bucktown comes from Emily Wilson, a writer and co-executive producer on The Conners. It centers on Amy, who after being dumped and kicked out ...
The pair are executive producing Bucktown, which like the Roseanne spinoff is a multicamera show about a blue-collar family. The ABC Signature project has received a pilot order from the network.
Meanwhile, ABC has opted not to move forward with two comedy holdovers from the 2020 development cycle: Work Wife, based on the relationship between Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest, and an untitled workplace show starring Lucy Liu.
Bucktown comes from Emily Wilson, a writer and co-executive producer on The Conners. It centers on Amy, who after being dumped and kicked out ...
- 2/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Conners executive producers Sara Gilbert and Tom Werner are backing another comedy at ABC.
The pair are executive producing Bucktown, which like the Roseanne spinoff is a multicamera show about a blue-collar family. The ABC Signature project has received a pilot order from the network.
Meanwhile, ABC has opted not to move forward with two comedy holdovers from the 2020 development cycle: Work Wife, based on the relationship between Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest, and an untitled workplace show starring Lucy Liu.
Bucktown comes from Emily Wilson, a writer and co-executive producer on The Conners. It centers on Amy, who after being dumped and kicked out ...
The pair are executive producing Bucktown, which like the Roseanne spinoff is a multicamera show about a blue-collar family. The ABC Signature project has received a pilot order from the network.
Meanwhile, ABC has opted not to move forward with two comedy holdovers from the 2020 development cycle: Work Wife, based on the relationship between Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest, and an untitled workplace show starring Lucy Liu.
Bucktown comes from Emily Wilson, a writer and co-executive producer on The Conners. It centers on Amy, who after being dumped and kicked out ...
- 2/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
” My ass may be dumb, but I ain’t no dumbass. “
This Friday, July 10th, Tarantino’s Jackie Brown will play for a week at The Galleria Cinema in St. Louis For more info and showtimes, go Here
When Jackie Brown was released 23 years ago expectations were off the charts. It had been three and a half long years since Quentin Tarantino had rocked the movie world with the one-two punch of Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994). Since then he had laid relatively low, directing a segment of the anthology Four Rooms, writing the vampire hybrid From Dusk Til Dawn, and performing several forgettable “acting” roles (remember Destiny Turns On The Radio? ……didn’t think so.) I remember my own expectations and anticipation for Jackie Brown when I first heard that Tarantino had cast ebony action icon Pam Grier in the lead. I assumed that he was going to take...
This Friday, July 10th, Tarantino’s Jackie Brown will play for a week at The Galleria Cinema in St. Louis For more info and showtimes, go Here
When Jackie Brown was released 23 years ago expectations were off the charts. It had been three and a half long years since Quentin Tarantino had rocked the movie world with the one-two punch of Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994). Since then he had laid relatively low, directing a segment of the anthology Four Rooms, writing the vampire hybrid From Dusk Til Dawn, and performing several forgettable “acting” roles (remember Destiny Turns On The Radio? ……didn’t think so.) I remember my own expectations and anticipation for Jackie Brown when I first heard that Tarantino had cast ebony action icon Pam Grier in the lead. I assumed that he was going to take...
- 7/9/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Arthur Marks, a writer, producer and director best known for his work on CBS series Perry Mason and for directing blaxploitation films, has died at age 92, his family confirmed to Deadline.
Marks was born August 2, 1927 in Los Angeles. His grandparents acted in silent pictures and his father Dave Marks was an assistant director and production manager at MGM.
Arthur Marks began his film career as a background actor and in bit parts on such films in the 1930s and ‘40s as Boys Town, The Good Earth and the Andy Hardy series.
Marks left Hollywood to join the United States Merchant Marines during World War II and served in the Navy during the Korean War.
He briefly attended Santa Monica College and the University of Southern California, before landing a job in the production department at MGM Studios. His career took off in the 1950s as an assistant director at Columbia.
Marks was born August 2, 1927 in Los Angeles. His grandparents acted in silent pictures and his father Dave Marks was an assistant director and production manager at MGM.
Arthur Marks began his film career as a background actor and in bit parts on such films in the 1930s and ‘40s as Boys Town, The Good Earth and the Andy Hardy series.
Marks left Hollywood to join the United States Merchant Marines during World War II and served in the Navy during the Korean War.
He briefly attended Santa Monica College and the University of Southern California, before landing a job in the production department at MGM Studios. His career took off in the 1950s as an assistant director at Columbia.
- 11/23/2019
- by Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
Prolific producer and director Arthur Marks, who worked on “Perry Mason” and blaxploitation movies including “Detroit 9000” and “Friday Foster,” has died. He was 92.
Marks died Nov. 13 at his home in Woodland Hills, Calif. His son, “Narcos” producer Paul Marks, confirmed his passing to Variety.
Marks was a native of Los Angeles who was born in 1927 into a show business family. His grandparents were actors in silent pictures and his father, Dave Marks, worked as an MGM assistant director and production manager who worked on “The Wizard of Oz” and “Easter Parade.” Arthur Marks worked as a child actor, getting work as an extra and bit player on “The Good Earth” (1937), “Boys Town” (1938) and Mickey Rooney’s Andy Hardy series.
Marks joined the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy during World War II and served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He began working in the production department at MGM,...
Marks died Nov. 13 at his home in Woodland Hills, Calif. His son, “Narcos” producer Paul Marks, confirmed his passing to Variety.
Marks was a native of Los Angeles who was born in 1927 into a show business family. His grandparents were actors in silent pictures and his father, Dave Marks, worked as an MGM assistant director and production manager who worked on “The Wizard of Oz” and “Easter Parade.” Arthur Marks worked as a child actor, getting work as an extra and bit player on “The Good Earth” (1937), “Boys Town” (1938) and Mickey Rooney’s Andy Hardy series.
Marks joined the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy during World War II and served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He began working in the production department at MGM,...
- 11/23/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
J.D.’s Revenge will be available on Blu-ray November 14th from Arrow Video
It wasn’t long before the Blaxploitation boom moved into the horror market, bringing the world Blacula, Blackenstein, Abby (Blaxploitation’s The Exorcist) and cult favorite J.D.’s Revenge.
Law student Ike is enjoying a night on the town with his friends when his life changes dramatically. Taking part in a nightclub hypnosis act, he becomes possessed with the spirit of a violent gangster murdered in the 1940s. Believing himself to be the reincarnation of murderous J.D., Ike launches a revenge campaign against those who had done ‘him’ wrong all those years ago…
Directed by Arthur Marks (Bucktown, Friday Foster) and starring Glynn Turman (Cooley High) and Academy Award-winner Louis Gossett Jr (An Officer and a Gentleman), J.D.’s Revenge is a alternately tough and terrifying – a Blaxploitation gem waiting to be rediscovered!
It wasn’t long before the Blaxploitation boom moved into the horror market, bringing the world Blacula, Blackenstein, Abby (Blaxploitation’s The Exorcist) and cult favorite J.D.’s Revenge.
Law student Ike is enjoying a night on the town with his friends when his life changes dramatically. Taking part in a nightclub hypnosis act, he becomes possessed with the spirit of a violent gangster murdered in the 1940s. Believing himself to be the reincarnation of murderous J.D., Ike launches a revenge campaign against those who had done ‘him’ wrong all those years ago…
Directed by Arthur Marks (Bucktown, Friday Foster) and starring Glynn Turman (Cooley High) and Academy Award-winner Louis Gossett Jr (An Officer and a Gentleman), J.D.’s Revenge is a alternately tough and terrifying – a Blaxploitation gem waiting to be rediscovered!
- 11/7/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
This November, Arrow Video is giving horror fans a lot to be thankful for with several Blu-ray releases that are highly anticipated, including the George A. Romero Between Night and Dawn collection and the Hellraiser 30th anniversary SteelBook, and we have full release details on both holiday wish list items:
Press Release: Winter chills just mean that it's November, and Arrow Video are set to heat things up with a George Romero box set, a blaxploitation chiller, classic horror in steelbook form, a modern-day Russian black comedy, and a cult thriller directed by Steve Buscemi! With plenty of lavish packaging and limited edition items, Christmas has come early for film collectors!
Legendary horror cinema innovator, George A Romero, is responsible for arguably the most influential zombie films of all time. But he doesn't just make undead epics, and the three films collected here in the box set George Romero...
Press Release: Winter chills just mean that it's November, and Arrow Video are set to heat things up with a George Romero box set, a blaxploitation chiller, classic horror in steelbook form, a modern-day Russian black comedy, and a cult thriller directed by Steve Buscemi! With plenty of lavish packaging and limited edition items, Christmas has come early for film collectors!
Legendary horror cinema innovator, George A Romero, is responsible for arguably the most influential zombie films of all time. But he doesn't just make undead epics, and the three films collected here in the box set George Romero...
- 11/2/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
The one and only Pam Grier will be honored by Cinema St. Louis with a ‘Women in Film Award’ when she’s in town for this year’s St. Louis International Film Festival. Pam’s iconic movie career began when she moved to Los Angeles in the late ‘60s from her native North Carolina at age 18. After a tiny role in Russ Meyer’s Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970), she landed a job as a receptionist for American International Pictures where she was discovered by Jack Hill, an Aip director who cast her in a pair of women’s prison films: The Big Doll House (1971) and The Big Bird Cage (1972). Soon she was known as the “Queen of Blaxploitation” at a time when film roles for African-American women were, as Grier puts it, “practically invisible, or painfully stereotypical”.
Sliff, which runs Nov. 2nd-12th will kick off with...
Sliff, which runs Nov. 2nd-12th will kick off with...
- 10/12/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Of the many faces that defined the Blaxploitation wave in American cinema during the 1970s, Pam Grier is one of the most important. She anchored pictures like "Foxy Brown" and "Coffy" while starring in numerous other pictures that became cult favorites and alternatives to the fare Hollywood was churning out. And in 1975, she was busier than ever, with three films hitting cinemas, including "Bucktown," "Friday Foster," and "Sheba, Baby." And today, we have an exclusive clip from the latter, which has just landed in a fresh edition on Blu-ray. Read More: Before Katniss: 25 Of The Most Kick-Ass Movie Heroines Ever Directed by William Girdler, the story follows Sheba Shayne, a private eye based in Chicago who is called to her hometown to stop the local mob boss from moving in on her father's loan business. Aided by her father's partner, Brick Williams, Sheba finds out that the violent thugs aren't...
- 2/9/2016
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Coffy/Foxy Brown/Friday Foster
Coffy and Foxy Brown written and directed by Jack Hill
Friday Foster written by Orville H. Hampton, directed by Arthur Marks
USA, 1973/1974/1975
Olive Films recently released several Blaxploitation titles on Blu-ray for the first time, all on the same day. This included the Fred Williamson-starring Hammer, from 1972, as well as three Pam Grier films: Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1974), and Friday Foster (1975). Hammer isn’t a particular favorite, but these latter three were most welcome, especially Coffy, which is quite possibly the greatest of all Blaxploitation features, even better than the more popular Shaft (1971) and Super Fly (1972). As much as anything, these three releases are notable for showcasing Grier at her finest during a period of immensely enjoyable work and exceptional productivity—15 films from her minor debut in Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) to Friday Foster. Around these films, she also starred in several other...
Coffy and Foxy Brown written and directed by Jack Hill
Friday Foster written by Orville H. Hampton, directed by Arthur Marks
USA, 1973/1974/1975
Olive Films recently released several Blaxploitation titles on Blu-ray for the first time, all on the same day. This included the Fred Williamson-starring Hammer, from 1972, as well as three Pam Grier films: Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1974), and Friday Foster (1975). Hammer isn’t a particular favorite, but these latter three were most welcome, especially Coffy, which is quite possibly the greatest of all Blaxploitation features, even better than the more popular Shaft (1971) and Super Fly (1972). As much as anything, these three releases are notable for showcasing Grier at her finest during a period of immensely enjoyable work and exceptional productivity—15 films from her minor debut in Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970) to Friday Foster. Around these films, she also starred in several other...
- 6/21/2015
- by Jeremy Carr
- SoundOnSight
Towering aggressively over the legacy of the problematic film movement of 1970s Blaxploitation is the iconic figure of actress Pam Grier, emblazoned in our memories as the self-reliant beauty holding her own (well, mostly) with her male co-stars prior to her white female counterparts, like Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton. She’s an important cinematic figure, and much like the symbolic essence of Marilyn Monroe, her reputation outweighs familiarity with many of the films that brought her iconicity. Arriving in the middle of her gamut of classic titles was 1975’s Friday Foster, of which Grier is the eponymous star. Campy, cringe worthy, and so remarkably asinine it may just as well be classified as sci-fi, production values and an impressive supporting cast surely solidifies the title as requisite viewing for Grier’s fan base. Unfortunately, for all involved, their talents (a common complaint of the genre) are worthy of less slipshod silliness.
- 6/9/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
• The Film Society of Lincoln Center just announced the lineup for its “Foxy, The Complete Pam Grier” series, running Friday-Sunday, March 15-17 at the Walter Reade Theater (165 West 65th Street) and the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center (144 West 65th Street, noted with a below). While not every one of the cult-fave actress’ movies are showing, it’s a very healthy selection, with Grier herself attending several of the screenings. Here’s the complete rundown:
Friday, March 15
2 p.m.: Black Mama, White Mama
4 p.m.: Foxy Brown
6 p.m.: The Big Bird Cage with Grier in attendance
8:15 p.m.: Jackie Brown with Grier in attendance
11:59 p.m.: Scream, Blacula, Scream (pictured above) with Grier in attendance*
Saturday, March 16
4:45 p.m.: Above The Law
7 p.m.: Greased Lightning with Grier in attendance
9:30 p.m.: Coffy with Grier in attendance
Sunday,...
Friday, March 15
2 p.m.: Black Mama, White Mama
4 p.m.: Foxy Brown
6 p.m.: The Big Bird Cage with Grier in attendance
8:15 p.m.: Jackie Brown with Grier in attendance
11:59 p.m.: Scream, Blacula, Scream (pictured above) with Grier in attendance*
Saturday, March 16
4:45 p.m.: Above The Law
7 p.m.: Greased Lightning with Grier in attendance
9:30 p.m.: Coffy with Grier in attendance
Sunday,...
- 2/12/2013
- by gingold@starloggroup.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
• The Film Society of Lincoln Center just announced the lineup for its “Foxy, The Complete Pam Grier” series, running Friday-Sunday, March 15-17 at the Walter Reade Theater (165 West 65th Street) and the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center (144 West 65th Street, noted with a below). While not every one of the cult-fave actress’ movies are showing, it’s a very healthy selection, with Grier herself attending several of the screenings. Here’s the complete rundown:
Friday, March 15
2 p.m.: Black Mama, White Mama
4 p.m.: Foxy Brown
6 p.m.: The Big Bird Cage with Grier in attendance
8:15 p.m.: Jackie Brown with Grier in attendance
11:59 p.m.: Scream, Blacula, Scream (pictured above) with Grier in attendance*
Saturday, March 16
4:45 p.m.: Above The Law
7 p.m.: Greased Lightning with Grier in attendance
9:30 p.m.: Coffy with Grier in attendance
Sunday,...
Friday, March 15
2 p.m.: Black Mama, White Mama
4 p.m.: Foxy Brown
6 p.m.: The Big Bird Cage with Grier in attendance
8:15 p.m.: Jackie Brown with Grier in attendance
11:59 p.m.: Scream, Blacula, Scream (pictured above) with Grier in attendance*
Saturday, March 16
4:45 p.m.: Above The Law
7 p.m.: Greased Lightning with Grier in attendance
9:30 p.m.: Coffy with Grier in attendance
Sunday,...
- 2/12/2013
- by gingold@starloggroup.com (Michael Gingold)
- Fangoria
After all the debates, controversies, and stereotype accusations have cleared, looking back on Blaxploitation cinema today it’s easy to see healthy portions of the crime and action genres. Using these genres and the struggles of the black community, these films were created for those that wanted to see African American characters on the big screen not taking shit from the man, “getting over”, and–above all else—being the heroes in movies. In the documentary Baad Asssss Cinema, Samuel L. Jackson gives his take on the heroes of Blaxploitation: “We were tired of seeing the righteous black man. And all of a sudden we had guys who were…us. Or guys who did the things we wanted those guys to do.”
The unsung supporting players in these films that backed Fred Williamson and Pam Grier and many other stars were people acting and making a living off of it.
The unsung supporting players in these films that backed Fred Williamson and Pam Grier and many other stars were people acting and making a living off of it.
- 12/4/2012
- by Gregory Day
- SoundOnSight
Congratulations to the Missouri Black Expo for securing such an amazing line-up of movie celebrities for this year’s convention. Missouri Black Expo is an organization whose mission is to provide attendees with exposure to outstanding resources to promote youth development, health education and awareness and community development. This year is their 19th annual expo and will take place at the America’s Center in downtown St. Louis this weekend, August 26 – 29. The Missouri Black Expo always brings an impressive line-up of guests from the worlds of sports, literature, politics, and entertainment. This year they’re bringing in a trio of film legends that would make any movie geek drool.
First up is acting legend Lou Gossett Jr. who was the first African-American to win the Oscar for actor in a supporting role when he did so for his unforgettable part as the tough-as-nails Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 classic An Officer And A Gentleman.
First up is acting legend Lou Gossett Jr. who was the first African-American to win the Oscar for actor in a supporting role when he did so for his unforgettable part as the tough-as-nails Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 classic An Officer And A Gentleman.
- 8/23/2010
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Celebrities and Filmmakers, Vampires and Zombies, Fans and Ghouls, Creatures and Creepazoids, Artists, Bands, Movies… the weekend of April 30 through May 2 was filled with all of this and much more. So, the big question is… Where were you? If you were in, or near, St. Louis then the place to be was Con-tamination 2010 at the Holiday Inn Viking Center where fans converged in one location, despite daunting weather. So, what did you miss?
Opening Night… What a Fright!
One could certainly surmise that the truest fans were present on opening night of Con-tamination 2010, braving strong winds, horizontal rain, lightning and tornado warning sirens to show up for the frightening festivities. On the other hand, the weather added a certain level of mood enhancement to the theme of the event, whereas sunshine and calm skies could not. Opening night included, amongst other devilish delights, a tribute for Forry Ackerman by Scott Ford...
Opening Night… What a Fright!
One could certainly surmise that the truest fans were present on opening night of Con-tamination 2010, braving strong winds, horizontal rain, lightning and tornado warning sirens to show up for the frightening festivities. On the other hand, the weather added a certain level of mood enhancement to the theme of the event, whereas sunshine and calm skies could not. Opening night included, amongst other devilish delights, a tribute for Forry Ackerman by Scott Ford...
- 5/9/2010
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
When Jackie Brown was released twelve years ago expectations were off the charts. It had been three and a half long years since Quentin Tarantino had rocked the movie world with the one-two punch of Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994). Since then he had laid relatively low, directing a segment of the anthology Four Rooms, writing the vampire hybrid From Dusk Til Dawn, and performing several forgettable “acting” roles (remember Destiny Turns On The Radio? ……didn’t think so.) I remember my own expectations and anticipation for Jackie Brown when I first heard that Tarantino had cast ebony action icon Pam Grier in the lead. I assumed that he was going to take a crack at the Blaxploitation genre that he was a such a fan of and was honestly expecting afros, pimps, and bell-bottoms but, with the exception of it’s lead and some funky music from those films,...
- 8/19/2009
- by Tom
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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