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1-18 of 18
- Actor
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Michael McMillian was born on 21 October 1978 in Olathe, Kansas, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for True Blood (2008), The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007) and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015).- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
"America's Boyfriend" Buddy Rogers was born in Olathe Kansas and became a talented musician on several instruments. He began acting in Hollywood in the 1920's and is probably best remembered as Clara Bow's love interest in "Wings". He also made several appearances in the "Mexican Spitfire" series with Lupe Velez, as well as being the nominal bandleader for several radio shows. He was married to Mary Pickford for forty-two years, until her death, and adopted two children. He appeared as a secondary character in scores of movies, and later became a frequent guest star on TV. Rogers died at age ninety-two in California. NOTE: The Charles Rogers whose biography also appears in this section is that of "Charley Rogers" a comedian and gagman for Hal Roach in the '20's and '30's. He is not the same Charles Rogers whose information is listed here.- Actor
- Soundtrack
When amiable Columbia Pictures actor Larry Parks was entrusted the role of entertainer Al Jolson in the biopic The Jolson Story (1946), his career finally hit the big time. Within a few years, however, his bright new world crumbled courtesy of the House Un-American Activities Committee after the actor admitted under pressure that he was once affiliated with the Communist Party. Although he unwillingly testified in 1951, he was still (unofficially) blacklisted. Never-say-die Larry managed to continue his career in years to come - both here and abroad, on stage and in nightclubs - alongside steadfast wife Betty Garrett. His film career, however, literally came to a standstill and would never be the same again.
Samuel Klausman Lawrence Parks was born in Olathe, Kansas, on December 13, 1914, of German and Irish descent. As a child growing up in Joliet, Illinois, he was plagued by a variety of illnesses, including rheumatic fever, but persevered with physical exercise and sheer strength of will. Majoring in science at the University of Illinois, his plans to become a doctor dissolved when, to the dismay of his parents, he found a passionate sideline in college dramatics.
He began appearing in touring shows, then made the big move to New York, finding initial employment as an usher at Carnegie Hall and a tour guide at Radio City. Following a number of summer stock shows, he made an inauspicious 1937 Broadway debut with a minor role in the Group Theatre's presentation of "Golden Boy". Developing a close-knit relationship with the Group, he was just beginning to build up his resumé in such Broadway outings as "All the Living", "My Heart's in the Highlands" and "Pure in Heart" when he had to return to his Illinois home following the death of his father.
He toiled for a time in Chicago as a Pullman inspector on the New York Central Railroad until the possibility of a film role had him re-setting his acting sights on Los Angeles. Although the film deal fell through, Larry stayed in L.A. and somehow made ends meet working construction. Columbia expressed interest in the fledgling actor and signed him up in 1941 after a favorable screen test. He stayed for nine years. His buildup was slow-moving, taking his first small step with a minor role in Mystery Ship (1941). Time, however, did not increase the tempo or quality of his movies. Either he was oddly cast, such as his role as an Indian opposite exotic Yvonne De Carlo in The Deerslayer (1943), or completely dismissed, as co-star of such obscurities as The Black Parachute (1944), Sergeant Mike (1944) or She's a Sweetheart (1944).
His association with the Group Theatre back in New York led to a chance introduction to musical actress Betty Garrett and the couple married in 1944. Larry had settled by this time in Hollywood but Betty was a hot item on Broadway. MGM finally offered her a contract and she relocated to Los Angeles to join her husband. The couple eventually had two children, one of whom, Andrew Parks, became a fine actor in his own right. Their other son, Garrett Parks, served as composer for the film Diamond Men (2000).
Larry scored an Oscar nomination playing Jolson (which was originally offered to both James Cagney and Danny Thomas), and hoped for equally challenging roles. His hopes were dashed as the studio instead continued casting him haphazardly in mild-mannered comedies and swashbuckling adventures. Other than the box-office sequel Jolson Sings Again (1949), most of Larry's films were hardly worthy of his obvious talent. To compensate somewhat, he managed to find a creative outlet in summer stock, and both he and Betty put together a successful vaudeville act with one tour ending up playing London's Palladium.
Following the completion of Love Is Better Than Ever (1952) with Elizabeth Taylor, the political scandal erupted and erased all of his chances to do film. One of many casualties of Hollywood "blacklisting", he was forced to end his association with Columbia, and he and Betty, whose own career was damaged, traveled to Europe to find work.
He found some TV parts after the controversy died down, and Betty and Larry were a delightful replacement for Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin on Broadway in "Bells Are Ringing". During the many meager times, he concentrated on becoming a successful businessman, including building apartment complexes. He made only two more films, last playing a doctor in the Montgomery Clift starrer Freud (1962). By the time he died of a heart attack on April 13, 1975, at age 60, Larry had long faded from view. Betty, however, managed to revitalize her career on TV sitcoms with regular roles on All in the Family (1971), Laverne & Shirley (1976), and roles on numerous other TV series before passing on February 12, 2011.- Writer
- Producer
- Director
Jerusha Hess was born on 12 July 1980 in Olathe, Kansas, USA. She is a writer and producer, known for Austenland (2013), Ninety-Five Senses (2022) and Napoleon Dynamite (2004). She is married to Jared Hess. They have one child.- Actor
- Producer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Adam Jamal Craig was born on 3 September 1980 in Olathe, Johnson, Kansas, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for In Time (2011), NCIS: Los Angeles (2009) and Crossing Jordan (2001).- Emily Grace Dunn was born in Olathe, Kansas on July 9, 1999.
Emily recognized early on that she had a passion for acting and singing. It wasn't until her freshman year in high school that Emily was able to start pursuing her dream of acting professionally. Emily attended training in the Dallas and Austin Texas area and was recognized for her abilities. Since that time she has had the privilege of working on commercials, short films, television and feature films.
Emily is now an Atlanta, Georgia based actress and a graduate from Savannah College of Art and Design (2021) majoring in Performing Arts with a minor in Casting.
Emily is known for playing 'Bea' on GENIUS: MLK/X (2024), Cat Crisforth in The Resident (2021), Abby in Abby's Rose (2019), and Natalie's Friend in Allegiant (2016). - Ryan Beard, better known online as Mr Beard, is an American comedy and commentary YouTuber and a TikToker. They are best known for their commentary videos and a contestant who attended eleventh season of America's Got Talent.
They studied piano, songwriting, and composition at Berklee College of Music before becoming famous. They are technically non-binary and pansexual but has stated that they don't like labels and identifies as simply "not straight or cis." They have no pronoun preference.
They created their channel in March 1, 2016 and made parody music videos. They became famous when they attended eleventh season of America's Got Talent by playing parody music. They quickly amassed 2 million followers on tiktok and 100,000 subscribers on YouTube.
They then started to make commentary videos to making fun of people on internet. They sometimes makes music parodies for their videos, for example their song "Hungry Happy Sad" (appeared on "Dixie D'amelio is a lyrical genius") being a satirical parody of Dixie D'Amelio's music. They moved on to making sociopolitical commentary on YouTubers like "Alpha males", bad rappers and "cancelled" YouTubers like David Dobrik, while also investigating unhealthy Tiktok trends such as cults. - Sharon Obermueller was born on 24 June 1984 in Olathe, Kansas, USA.
- Producer
- Executive
- Actor
Founder & Executive Producer of Just Fix It Productions, Los Angeles' premier immersive entertainment company for engaging experiences and live attractions, J.T.'s vast knowledge of the industry combined with his creative background & education in film has catapulted JFI into a highly sought-after, internationally recognizable brand. JFI Productions has partnered with Amazon, Facebook, Universal, Blumhouse and FX bringing their IP to life.
Pivoting from live experiences to features and other multimedia platforms, JFI has two original IP feature films green-lit & set to begin filming in 2022 that J.T. will produce alongside EP of The Trial of the Chicago 7, Ryan Smith.- Music Department
Beginnings - Kansas City
Richie Pratt (March 11, 1943 - February 12, 2015, born Richard Dean Tyree) was an American jazz drummer. He embarked upon a career as a professional musician on the New York scene in the early 1970s, it was as much due to an unanticipated sporting injury as anything else. Pratt was born into a musical family (his mother was a church pianist and a brother is saxophonist, Chris Burnett) and grew up in the Kansas City metro city of Olathe, Kansas. He first studied music via the piano, as well as, attended various music camps as a youth prior to attending college as a music major at the University of Kansas.
Prolific Years - New York City
Richie Pratt's prolific tenure as a first-call percussionist on the highly competitive New York City music scene began after he suffered a career-ending injury during his second season with the Giants. His professional tenure as a musician in New York actually began while he was employed as a host at the famed Village Gate.
Pratt began sitting in with Jaki Byard and word began to spread about the big guy from the Midwest who played drums. Bassist, Major Holley, eventually invited Pratt to jam on Sundays at Jacques, which resulted in Junior Mance hearing him play drums and offering him his first paid gig as a drummer in New York. He was sponsored into the American Federation of Musicians, Local 802 by pianist, Ahmad Jamal and eventually worked significantly as a studio session musician, contractor and sideman in numerous contexts.
Initially described in the New York press as a "bubbling cauldron of musical vitality", Pratt subsequently added musical diversity to his cauldron by performing with the American Symphony Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey; in the Broadway hits: Ain't Supposed To Die A Natural Death; Dude; Raisin; and notably, Pratt was the drum soloist in Broadway's smashing tribute to Duke Ellington, Sophisticated Ladies.
In the traditional jazz arena, Pratt spent over three years as a member of the New York Jazz Quartet, which included Sir Roland Hanna, Frank Wess, and George Mraz. Pratt also accompanied Billy Taylor, Milt Jackson, Milton Hinton, Frank Foster, Monty Alexander, Michel Legrand, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, and Benny Carter among others. The lightness and sensitivity of his drumming has enhanced such legendary vocalists as: Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Marlena Shaw, Barry White, Melba Moore, the Temptations, Della Reese, Johnny Hartman, Carol Sloane, and Johnny Desmond as well. Formative Years - Football Career - Homecoming
Pratt was born at the University of Kansas Medical Center to Wayne Tyree and Violet Lorraine Jackson Tyree, then later adopted by his great aunt and uncle, John and Willa Pratt in the Kansas City area.
Eventually growing into a rather large and powerful man, he attended the University of Kansas under a full four-year scholarship to play varsity football, majoring in music education.
While enrolled in school and living in Lawrence, Kansas he would not only block for Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Gayle Sayers as an All-Time KU Football Letterman, but Pratt also continued his musical development. He performed in orchestra,jazz and wind ensembles, along with performing in a student USO show that first took him to Hawaii as a performer. He was eventually drafted to play professional football by the NFL's New York Giants.
Pratt was based in Honolulu, Hawaii, upon leaving New York City and continued to be an active performer on the local Honolulu music scene, as well as co-founding and contributing to establishing such local groups as Honolulu Jazz Quartet. Pratt also often worked with touring artists, such as the Russian-born trumpeter, Valery Ponomerov, who make the Hawaiian islands part of their itineraries.
On October 6, 2012, Pratt returned home to the mainland to live in the Midwest and remained based permanently in his native Kansas City metropolitan area.
He died peacefully at his home on February 12, 2015.- Don Davis was born on 17 December 1972 in Olathe, Kansas, USA.
- Chris Chappelear was born on 22 November 1986 in Olathe, Kansas, USA.
- Robert Loper was born on 30 June 1925 in Olathe, Colorado USA. He was an actor, known for Joyride (1977) and An Innocent Love (1982). He was married to Loper, Shirley. He died on 7 July 2000 in Seattle, Washington USA.
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Editor
- Cinematographer
Michael E. Palm was born on 29 April 1988 in Olathe, Kansas, USA. Michael E. is an editor and cinematographer, known for The American Artist: The Life & Times of George Caleb Bingham (2016), A More Perfect Union: George Washington and the Creation of the U.S. Constitution (2017) and Washington's War: General George Washington and the Revolutionary War (2018).- Shanna Hogan was born in 1982 in Olathe, Kansas, USA. She was a writer, known for Secrets of a Marine's Wife (2021), Scorned: Love Kills (2012) and Snapped (2004). She was married to Matt LaRussa . She died on 1 September 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
- Don Tyson was born on 21 April 1930 in Olathe, Kansas, USA. He died on 6 January 2011 in Springdale, Arkansas, USA.
- Gary G. DeLaune was born on 20 June 1933 in Olathe, Kansas, USA. He was an actor, known for Battle Creek Brawl (1980), Johnny Be Good (1988) and JFK: The Lost Tapes (2013). He was married to Jo Fern Taylor DeLaune. He died on 6 February 2022 in San Antonio, Texas, USA.
- Sound Department
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ellynn is a 2024 graduate from the University of Kansas Film & Media Studies department. They have worked on multiple short films as a sound recordist, assistant director, director, writer, cinematographer, and script supervisor. When not making films, they enjoy creating poetry chapbooks, playing guitar, journaling, or playing with their cat, Ambrose.