Famous Faces on "OZ" (1st Season)!
No matter how hardened a criminal or killer, whether you're in for a few years or in for life, you have a role to play in Emerald City, an experimental unit of Oswald Maximum Security Prison or "OZ". Em City is about prisoner rehabilitation over public retribution. It is run by Tim McManus and overseen by Warden Leo Glynn.
Every group- Aryans, Italians, Latinos, Muslims- stick close to mutual friends and terrorize mutual enemies. Once inside, you must choose your friends carefully. Get yourself a weapon, Don't ever smile and try to stay on everyone's good side...if they have one.
Every group- Aryans, Italians, Latinos, Muslims- stick close to mutual friends and terrorize mutual enemies. Once inside, you must choose your friends carefully. Get yourself a weapon, Don't ever smile and try to stay on everyone's good side...if they have one.
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- Actor
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Craig muMs Grant was born on 18 December 1968 in Bronx, New York, New York, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Dark Water (2005), Side Effects (2013) and Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014). He died on 24 March 2021 in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA."OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
Poet (as muMs the Schemer)- Actor
- Producer
- Transportation Department
Frank Bonsangue also known as Frankie the butcher was born and raised in Astoria, Queens. He has appeared in many Films, TV shows and commercials. He has also appeared in many cooking shows including the Food Networks Hot Off The Grill Show with Bobby Flay as a series regular, Frankie The Butcher, Meat Expert and Co-Host [over 60 shows]. Frank is very grateful for Bobby Flay for giving him the exposure on his show. Frank is very passionate about what he does as an Actor and has a passion for Food and loves cooking. Frank attended and graduated from Long Island City High School. His family has been in the meat business since 1910 and was located in the heart of Greenwich village. Frank left the family business the North Pole Meat Market in 1988 to work in the Famous Waldorf Astoria hotel as a Buyer for meat, fish and poultry. Frank decided to go back to school and take a broadcasting course at announcer training studios [something he always wanted to do], where he discovered acting. He also took various Acting classes throughout the city, including Stella Adlers Acting Conservatory, Michael Howard Studio and Young Actors Workshop where he studied with Acting Coach and former High school English teacher Bernard Rachel who is a dear friend today and always encouraging never to give up. Frank appeared in a few Off-Broadway plays and did some dinner Theater such as Tony and Tina's wedding. He starred in [5 years] and was co-writer in the Off-Broadway Dinner theater Show The Godfathers Messhugener Wedding [N.Y. Dinner Theater].
Frank started Acting professionally in 1995 and hasn't stopped since. Frank also works [when he's not acting] as a Teamster in the Theatrical 817 local union. Frank still occasionally works as a butcher usually during the holidays. He loves Italian music and of course Italian food. Frank is really grateful to be able to do what he loves to do for a living and thanks God for making all of this possible. One day at a time, he couldn't have planned it better."Sicilian Crew"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
(uncredited)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)
(uncredited)- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Born in Queens, New York, but splitting time growing up between Newark, Delaware and Avondale, Pennsylvania, Tim Carr started out doing radio for various stations in the local area.
From radio, he moved on to TV, scoring a very small but recurring role on NBC's "Homicide: Life on the Street" from there, he began doing small parts in several films and TV shows, elevating to leading man status with Lionsgate's "Killer Instinct" and spending the next few years working alongside talent such as Holly Hunter, Jennifer Connelly, Sydney Pollack and Robert DeNiro. Also at this time, he appeared in several commercials which were filmed and have aired all over the world.
On a break from filming a pilot for Fox, Tim put together a short film, he wrote, starred and directed in "The Wrong Fortune Cookie". This film played everywhere from New York to Los Angeles to London to Bangalore, India, and received great reviews and was even applauded by industry film site "Ain't It Cool News". During a screening of "The Wrong Fortune Cookie", Tim was offered a role in a very edgy and quirky film called "13th Grade"
After appearing in Delaware filmmaker JJ Garvine's "13th Grade", Tim was given a role by Sylvester Stallone in his hit film "Rocky Balboa". At the very same time, Tim was nominated for a screen writing award at the "Hypefest" film festival in Hollywood for his screenplay "A Deeper Shade of Soul" and also wrote a pilot that went to 2 major networks called "Life Won't Wait". With years of working with Hollywood legends and experience in television, stage and film, Tim decided to put himself to the test and wrote, directed and played the lead role in the feature film, "Leaf" a bio pic on infamous NFL quarterback, Ryan Leaf.
With "Leaf" doing incredibly well at test screenings all over the country, as well as some solid award buzz surrounding "Leaf", Tim immediately took various roles in films such as "Down With The Boogey," and "Safe" opposite Chris Sarandon and Jason Statham. Adding television writing and various stage roles in New York City, Los Angeles and beyond to his repertoire, Tim continues to be among the hardest working talents around."OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
Irish Gen Pop Prisoner (uncredited)- Susan Floyd studied Shakespeare at the National Theatre of Great Britain and with Kenneth Washington. Originally Susan pursued a career in opera. She Lives in New York and works in the theater. She created the character of Suzanne in the hit play "Picasso at the Lapin Agile". Written by Steve Martin ,which premiered at the promenade theater in New york. Susan was cast in the film Chinese Coffee (2000) after Al Pacino saw her in the Off Broadway play "The young girl and the Monsoon" at playwrights horizons. Chinese Coffee (2000), originally a Broadway play, was written by and adapted for the screen by Ira Lewis. The film was directed by, and stars Al Pacino."OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)
"Genevieve Beecher" - Actor
- Additional Crew
- Producer
With a career that spans over 30 years, and a resume that reads like a book, chances are you have grown up with Ray Iannicelli in your household, and not even known it. His versatility in film, television, and on stage has left audiences alike captivated but also wondering where else do I recognize him from? His big break came when he was cast alongside Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner in the John Huston directed film Prizzi's Honor. He has since gone on to have over 100 film, television, and theatre credits under his belt. 2014 will be a busy year for this chameleon. First up, Ray can be seen showing off his comedic chops in St. Vincent, as Roger, St. Vincent's (Bill Murray) confidant and confessor. The comedy, which hits theaters this fall, is about a young boy who finds an unlikely friend and mentor in the misanthropic, bawdy, hedonistic, war veteran who lives next door. He will also share the big screen with Quvenzhané Wallis, Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx in the highly anticipated remake of the classic, ANNIE coming to theaters December 19th."OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)
"Officer Roger Brese"- Actor
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Zeljko Ivanek was born on 15 August 1957 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He is an actor and producer, known for Seven Psychopaths (2012), Argo (2012) and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)."Governor James Devlin"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actor
- Writer
- Music Department
Tomas Milian, an American actor born in Cuba; was trained at the Actors Studio. He appeared in a few plays on Broadway, as well as in a show by Jean Cocteau in Spoleto. Mauro Bolognini noticed him and that was the starting point of a rich cinematographic career in Italy, where he played in all manner of genres. He interpreted a mad psychopath in The Ugly Ones (1966) (aka "Bounty Killer"), a role he would then improve and diversify into an impressive gallery of neurotic and sadistic killers, first in "spaghetti westerns" (many directed by Sergio Corbucci), and then in violent action and police thrillers (many directed by Umberto Lenzi). His films gradually evolved into action comedies, as he played the recurrent characters of thief "Er Monnezza" and cop Nico Giraldi (the latter being originally based on the lead character in Serpico (1973)), two typically Roman characters who enjoyed great popularity in the '70s and '80s."OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)
"Ricardo Alvarez"- Actor
- Stunts
Leif Riddell was born on 7 October 1964. He is an actor, known for A Perfect Getaway (2009), Gotham (2014) and Oz (1997)."Mark Mack"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
(uncredited)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)
(uncredited)- Actor
- Additional Crew
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)
"Eduardo Alvarez" (as Jose R. Rosario)- Jon Seda's first passion was to be a championship boxer. After taking runner-up in the NJ Golden Gloves, the 1992 Olympics was the next goal. That's when fate stepped in; at his first audition, for Gladiator (1992), he was given a co-starring role! Since then he has branched off into numerous television and film roles. He has garnered critical acclaim for his roles in such films as I Like It Like That (1994), The Sunchaser (1996), Selena (1997), Undisputed (2002), and in television for his roles in Homicide: Life on the Street (1993), UC: Undercover (2001), Third Watch (1999), Oz (1997), NBC Chicago PD, and he also starred as Marine Sgt. John "Manila" Basilone in HBO's award-winning mini series The Pacific (2010)."OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"Dino Ortolani" - Actor
- Director
Skipp Sudduth was born on 23 August 1956 in Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Ronin (1998), Louie (2010) and Quarry (2016)."OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)
"Lenny Burrano"- Actress
- Producer
- Make-Up Department
Desiree Marie Velez is an American actress, producer and co-host born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. She relocated to Virginia to finish High School and College. She majored in Drama which she flourished at due to life experiences with a blue-collar family in N.Y which exposed her to all accents, cultures, toughness and humor.
Her approach to acting is just an absorption of real people she's met, ones who influenced her, hurt her, loved her, her own achievements, failures and unduplicated moments that make up the layers of this onion and create her acting believability. Because acting classes can't teach life. One must live it and breath it into the characters she creates.
She has survived dinner theatre, studied Shakespeare as well at the Folger in Washington, D.C. and in a Midsummer program in England. But her style and versatility and an ability to duplicate accents all came from New York. With a knack for Comedy she fell into a comic improve group which took part in the Comic Relief special hosted by Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg using comedy to raise awareness for poverty. Her desire for more serious parts took her to Stage, film and television. Her ability to switch back and forth she claims any good actor can do: Because a smile is just an upside-down frown. Her breakout roles in Washington, D.C. Theatre were Joan in St. Joan by Shaw; Pam & Popo in Fat Men in Skirts by Niki Silvers. Which she was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her most recent return to the stage was in Sotto Voce by Nilo Cruz as Lucinda. All tragic women who find humor beneath their tears.
Her resume is filled with film, voice over and episodic work. The most recent film role is in the critically acclaimed Coffin film franchise (COFFIN 2) as the character Wendy where she debuted as an associate producer. She currently has signed on to the role of Dr. Stanton in the thriller EMPATH and joined the producing team as well. She was cast in the film The Riddle House as Roz and as an associate producer.
She kicked off her episodic career as Virginia Ortolani opposite John Seda in the pilot of Oz. She has played supporting characters in the following Television series: October Road, Veep, The Haunting, Oz, Hack, Matlock and more. She has been blessed to play opposite Blair Underwood in a steamy scene in the film ASUNDER. She will always be grateful and honored to work alongside Blair Underwood, Michael Beech, Debbie Morgan, John Leguizamo, John Seda, Fiona Shaw, Samantha Mathis, Fisher Stevens the late Bob Hoskins, Andy Griffith and Dennis Hopper in projects you can see on IMDB at:
Instagram: only1desireemarievelez Twitter: Desireevelez10
Desiree prefers to be called Desi by her friends. She's a lover of Zumba, Dance, Native American culture, history and art. She is proud Puerto Rican/ Taino heritage. She is a face and body artist/owner of Mystical Smiles Face painting and events. And she is owned by an African Grey named Rosie, 2 Pitbull/lab mixes Calisto and Thor and 2 newly adopted kittens. Potter and Weasley. She teaches English as a second language to elementary school kids. And Hopes to take up snowboarding."OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"Gintare Ortolani"- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Avery Kidd Waddell was born on 10 September 1976. He is an actor and producer, known for The New Guy (2002), Questions (2023) and Soul (2020)."OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)
Young Man (uncredited)- Goodfella Mike G was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is known for Oz (1997)."Joey D'Angelo"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997) - Actor
- Writer
Handsome, rugged, and talented Italian-American actor Tony Musante was born on June 30, 1936 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to an accountant father and a school teacher mother. He attended both Northwestern University and Oberlin College. Tony worked as a school teacher prior to beginning his acting career in Off-Broadway theater in 1960. In 1962 Musante married his writer wife Jane Sparkes. He made his film debut in 1965 in "Once a Thief." Musante gave a chillingly believable and electrifying portrayal of nasty punk hoodlum Joe Ferrone in the harsh and hard-hitting "The Incident," a role which he had previously played in the hour long made-for-TV drama "Ride With Terror." Tony won a best actor award at the Mar del Plata Film Festival for his outstanding performance in "The Incident." Musante went on to act in a handful of features made in Italy; he was especially memorable as brash Mexican revolutionary Paco Roman in the superior spaghetti Western "The Mercenary" and as imperiled American writer Sam Dalmas in Dario Argento's masterful giallo murder mystery thriller "The Bird With the Crystal Plumage." In addition, Tony played more than his fair share of Mafiosa types: He was genuinely frightening as vicious hit man Paul Rickard in "The Last Run;" spot-on as smooth heel Eddie Hagan in Robert Aldrich's supremely gritty "The Grissom Gang;" excellent as Eric Roberts' mob-connected Uncle Pete in "The Pope of Greenwich Village;" and once again splendid as shrewd mob capo Nino Schibetta on the gritty cable TV prison drama "Oz." Musante had a starring role as real life chameleon-like New Jersey cop Dave Toma on the short-lived TV series "Toma." After Tony left the show due to creative differences with the producers, the program was changed to "Baretta" with Robert Blake in the lead. Among the TV shows Musante had guest spots on are "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour," "The Fugitive," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "The Rockford Files," "Medical Story" (Tony was nominated for an Emmy award for his performance in the episode "The Quality of Mercy"), "Police Story," "The Equalizer," "Night Heat," and "Nothing Sacred." Moreover, Tony had a recurring part on the popular daytime soap opera "As The World Turns." On stage Musante appeared in the Broadway productions of "P.S., Your Cat Is Dead!" (Tony was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his acting in this particular play), "A Memory of Two Mondays/27 Wagons Full of Cotton," and "The Lady from Dubuque." Musante died at age 77 on November 26, 2013 in New York City."Nino Schibetta"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Born and raised in the Bronx, and spent most of his formative years hanging out in New York City, Kirk Acevedo, who is of Puerto Rican descent, received his BFA from SUNY Purchase and founded a theater company called The Rorschach Group. After guest-starring on several television shows like New York Undercover (1994) and Law & Order (1990), he landed his best-known role as Alvarez, a morose and violent prisoner struggling for redemption on HBO's notoriously gritty Oz (1997). Though he was nominated for a Cable Ace award and an ALMA award for his work on Oz (1997), it was Acevedo's role as Pvt. Tella in The Thin Red Line (1998) that won him an ALMA."Miguel Alvarez"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997) - Actor
- Director
- Writer
Born and raised in London, England, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje began his career as a model in Milan. He graduated with a masters degree in Law from London's prestigious Kings College, before moving to Los Angeles to make the transition to acting. Fluent in several languages, including English, Italian, Yoruba and Swahili, he is best known for his roles in the movies Congo (1995) and The Mummy Returns (2001), and the HBO series Oz (1997)."Simon Adebisi"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actor
- Stunts
- Additional Crew
O.L. Duke's acting career breakthrough occurred when he replaced Denzel Washington in Charles Fuller 's Pulitzer Prize-winning original production of "A Soldier's Play" (later made into the film A Soldier's Story (1984). He was a member of both the renowned Actors Studio and the Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). He appeared in numerous off-Broadway plays and on other well-known stages throughout the US and abroad, including The Kennedy Center and Ford Theater in Washington, D.C.; Connecticut's Hartford Stage and The Long Wharf Theater; The Geva in Rochester, New York; The Guthrie in Minnesota; The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The ACT Theater in Seattle, Washington; and The Royal Lyceum Theater in Edinburgh, Scotland. Duke guest-starred and co-starred in award-winning television productions, such as Homicide: Life on the Street (1993), NYPD Blue (1993), Law & Order (1990), New York Undercover (1994), HBO's original series Oz (1997), and the PBS documentary _"This Far by Faith" (2003) (mini)_. Some of his theatrical film credits include Out of Time (2003), Antwone Fisher (2002), Piñero (2001), The Keeper (1995), Sugar Hill (1993), Malcolm X (1992) and The Five Heartbeats (1991)."Paul Markstram"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actress
- Producer
- Casting Director
Edith Falco, called Edie, was born on July 5, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York, to Judith Anderson, an actress, and Frank Falco, a jazz drummer. She is of Italian (father) and Swedish, English, and Cornish (mother) descent. Edie grew up on Long Island and attended SUNY Purchase, where she was trained in acting at the prestigious Conservatory of Theatre Arts and Film. She moved to Manhattan after graduation, auditioning for roles and supporting herself as best she could; for example, working parties for an entertainment company where she would wear a Cookie Monster costume and urge people to get on the dance floor. Falco began getting film roles, mostly smaller supporting parts, starting in the late 1980s. Her first notable role was a supporting part in Bullets Over Broadway (1994).
Ironically, it was in television where the conservatory-trained Falco's career first flowered. She obtained her first recurring roles in 1993, on the acclaimed police dramas Homicide: Life on the Street (1993), as the wife of a blinded police officer, and Law & Order (1990) as a Legal Aid attorney. Next came a recurring role on the prison drama Oz (1997), as a sympathetic corrections officer. All the while she continued to work in film, still in small supporting roles.
Supporting herself in acting continued to be a challenge until at last Falco found success in 1999, when she was cast in the HBO series The Sopranos (1999), as Carmela, the wife of New Jersey Mafia street boss Tony Soprano. "The Sopranos" gained her a great deal of visibility and praise for her exceptionally strong dramatic skills. In 2000 Falco became one of the few actresses in history to sweep all of the major television awards (the Emmy, the Golden Globe and the SAG Award) in one year for a dramatic role. She is also the first female actor ever to receive the Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Drama.
Interestingly, her roles have frequently put her on one side of the law or the other--a defense attorney, a corrections officer, a cop's wife, a mobster's wife, a police officer (in a pilot for a television adaptation of the movie Fargo (1996)). She has also worked frequently on the stage, such as her award-winning work in the play "Sideman," in "The Vagina Monologues," and in revivals of "Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune" (which was hugely successful) and "'night Mother."
Unlike her brashly assertive alter-ego Carmela Soprano, Falco is self-described as shy, but is clearly a witty and down-to-earth person. She sometimes travels with her beloved dog Marley, driving so that the dog does not have to travel in the baggage compartment. At one point Falco had a relationship with her "Frankie and Johnny" co-star Stanley Tucci. She was treated for breast cancer in 2004 and her prognosis is very good. In December 2004, Falco adopted a baby boy, whom she named Anderson, after her mother's surname. Another adoption, of a baby girl named Macy, followed in 2008."Officer Diane Whittlesey"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
As a child growing up in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Ernie Hudson wrote short stories, poems and songs, always thinking that his words might one day come to life on stage. After a short stint in the Marine Corps, he moved to Detroit where he became the resident playwright at Concept East, the oldest black theatre in the country. In addition, he enrolled at Wayne State University to further develop his writing and acting skills and found time to establish the Actors' Emsemble Theatre, where he and other talented young black writers directed and appeared in their own works. After graduating with a B.A. from Wayne State, he was rewarded a full scholarship to the M.F.A. program at the prestigious Yale School of Drama. While performing with the school's repertory company, he was asked to appear in the Los Angeles production of Lonne Elder III's musical "Daddy Goodness," which led to his meeting Gordon Parks, who gave Hudson the costarring role in his first feature film, Leadbelly (1976). Unfortunately, all that followed "Leadbelly" was a year of "bit parts and some harsh lessons about Hollywood," which led Hudson to enroll in another academic doctorate program at the University of Minnesota. He did not complete the program. Through his experience, he learned another vital lesson: "There are those who spend their lives studying it and those who spend their lives doing it." Hudson definitely wanted to be in the second group. Keeping in mind this self-revelation, Hudson accepted the starring role of Jack Jefferson in the Minneapolis Theatre In The Round's production of "The Great White Hope," a role that he put "everything he had into," including shaving his head. A series of starring and guest roles followed on such television shows as Fantasy Island (1977), The Incredible Hulk (1978), Little House on the Prairie (1974), Diff'rent Strokes (1978), Taxi (1978), One Day at a Time (1975), Gimme a Break! (1981), The A-Team (1983) and Webster (1983), as well as costarring roles in the TV movies White Mama (1980) with Bette Davis, Roots: The Next Generations (1979), Women of San Quentin (1983), California Girls (1985), Mad Bull (1977) and Love on the Run (1985). Other feature film credits include The Jazz Singer (1980), The Main Event (1979), Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983), Penitentiary II (1982), Going Berserk (1983), Joy of Sex (1984) and, of course, the mega-hit Ghostbusters (1984)."Warden Leo Glynn"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Terry Kinney, the stage, film and television actor, was born in Lincoln, Illinois and attended Illinois State University. While at university, his friend, the aspiring actor Jeff Perry, took Kinney to Chicago to see a production of "Grease" in which his best friend, Gary Sinise, was appearing. The like-minded trio of Sinise, Perry and Kinney opened their own Chicago theatrical troupe, the Steppenwolf Theatre, in 1973 in the basement of a church in Highland Park. The company's metamorphosis into one of the country's great regional theatrical companies began in 1976, after Kinney and Perry joined it full-time after graduating from college. The theater has, since 1976, put on a full season of ensemble works.
The founders of Steppenwolf supported the theater and themselves with odd jobs until he company began financially self-supporting in the early 1980s. Re-located in the old St. Nicholas Theater, Steppenwolf's productions began to attract a steady audience. Steppenwolf flourished artistically and financially in the '80s, and moved once again to its permanent home at 1650 N. Halsted Street in Chicago.
At the height of the company's fame, Kinney and Sinise were Steppenwolf's artistic co-directors, winning numerous awards, and even transferring some productions, such as their monumental adaptation of John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath", to Broadway. In addition to Kinney and Sinise, the company included such first rate actors as John Malkovich, Joan Allen and John Mahoney. As an actor, Kinney was nominated for a Tony Award for his appearance as the "Reverend Casy" in "Grapes."
Kinney made his movie debut in 1985, with a bit part in Seven Minutes in Heaven (1986), and has been much in demand as a supporting actor ever since. On television, he had a recurring role on Thirtysomething (1987) and appeared as a regular on the HBO prison drama Oz (1997)."Tim McManus"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
2022 is shaping up to be another breakout year for Leon! Leon is starring in the action movie "A Day to Die" opposite Bruce Willis and Frank Grillo in theaters March 2022. Leon can be seen in the Show:me Drama "City on A Hill". In 2020 Leon starred in Hallmark's #1 movie of the year, "Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas"! In 2019 Leon starred in the move "Her Only Choice", an International Press Academy nominee for Best Movie Made for TV, streaming on Netflix. Leon also co-starred and executive produced the award-winning, international TV series "40 & Single". Leon is one of the stars of the provocative series "A Luv Tale" and "Games Peoples Play" both premiered in 2021 as well as re-occurring role on CBS' "Blue Bloods." Leon has played a wide variety of memorable roles from his debut in Madonna's most famous video "Like a Prayer," to the lead role of Disney's blockbuster hit "Cool Runnings". He was the hero in New Line's urban sports drama "Above the Rim," the ruthless villain in Tri-Star's action hit "Cliffhanger," and is his most love-hate role, Russell in 20th Fox hit "Waiting to Exhale". He starred in the NAACP Best Picture Award winning "Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored," and HBO's first original series "OZ". Leon continued to shine in musical roles such as Robert Townsend's "The Five Heartbeats" (voted the #1 African American film by AOL), the Emmy Winning mini-series "The Temptations," as lead singer, David Ruffin and the NBC authorized biography of "Little Richard" both earning him NAACP Best Actor nominations. AOL named Leon as one of sexiest black actors of all :mes. Other credits include BAFTA Winner Leila Djansi's films, "And Then There Was You", and "Where Children Play,"as well as , "Cover" directed by Bill Duke. Leon's band, "Leon & The Peoples" released the band's second album, "Love Is A Beautiful Thing" on Spectra Music label with two top 20 Billboard singles and rave reviews. The groups music can be heard on all music streaming platforms and make sure to catch them live as they perform their reggae soul sound around the country! Leon works behind the scenes as well, producing music videos as well as films with his New York based production company Motion Mob Films. He is extremely proud of his PSA "We Will Thrive" and his band's "World's Gonna Come Around" music video which is an example of Leon's activism thru art."Jefferson Keane"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Stunts
- Additional Crew
- Actor
Tim R. McAdams is an extremely talented Actor & Stuntman with over 30 years experience in the performing arts industry. Tim was exposed to the performing arts industry in elementary school when he joined the drama department. At this early age, teachers and audiences recognized that Tim was a gifted performer and entertainer. As a youth, Tim starred in plays that won city-wide competitions. He was eventually given the opportunity to spread his wings into the local theater arena. Before the age of 13, Tim had performed on stage at The Kennedy Center, Olney Theater, Howard University, and the Arts of Washington. It was during his performance at The Olney Theater's production of "The Miracle Worker" that he was discovered by BET Studios. This launched Tim's on camera career.
In the pioneering days of BET, Tim was cast as the lead clubhouse kid, in their first Saturday morning show for kids, "Kimboo & Kids". This experience opened his eyes to the world of film and television. During these early days in his career, Tim worked on national industrial projects such as, AOL, Eye Bank and many more. He also appeared in a national commercial as a spokesperson for Roy Rogers. With an increasing desire to hone his talents, Tim auditioned to attend Duke Ellington School of Performing Arts. He was accepted into this prestigious school in Washington, DC and spent four years studying the Art of Theater. His talents were further developed in countless performances on the Ellington Stage.
Upon graduation, Tim continued his pursuit of the television and film industry. His first major role on network television was on NBC's, hit series, "Homicide - Life on the Street". His next big opportunity came when he had the opportunity to participate in the pilot for HBO's groundbreaking show, "Oz". Capturing the attention of the directors with his performance, he was cast in the series 1st season as "Johnny 'The Fool' Post". This role garnered national recognition for Tim.
After a sabbatical from the industry, Tim reemerged to the world of film & television in 2004. It was at this time that Tim was introduced to Stunt Performing. Tim's first opportunity to work as a stuntman was on HBO's hit series, "The Wire". Tim welcomed the opportunity and developed a passion for stunt performing. He was a natural. Tim worked as a stunt performer for "The Wire" for four seasons. His success on "The Wire" exposed him to some of the legends in the NY Stunt Community. This opened doors for him to enter into the major motion picture world.
His first film as a stuntman was on "Freedomland", starring Samuel L. Jackson. Since this time, Tim has continued his career as a "Hollywood Stuntman", working on blockbuster projects such as, Across the Universe (Tribute to the Beetles), American Gangster (Denzel Washington & Russell Crowe), Body of Lies (Leonardo DiCaprio), Salt (Angelia Jolie), Lottery Ticket (Ice Cube, Bow Wow, Brandon T. Jackson), Big Momma's House 3 (Martin Lawrence, and doubling Brandon T. Jackson), Bessie (Queen Latifah), Fast and Furious 7 (doubling the very talented "Ludacris"), Selma, Birth of a Nation, and many others. Tim has also had the opportunity to work as a stunt performer on many major television series such as Boardwalk Empire, The Walking Dead, Complications, Graceland, MacGyver, Atlanta, Outcast, Black Lightning, NCIS New Orleans, and many more. Recently, Tim had the wonderful opportunity to work with Marvel Studios on recording breaking films: Black Panther, Avengers "Infinity War", and Avengers "End Game". He also recently had the incredible opportunity to perform in a scene with Bill Murray on the film Zombieland 2.
Tim continues to study and train in the art of acting and stunt performance. He is truly a student of his crafts and is constantly working to improve his skills so that he can bring value to any production. There is no question Tim brings great motivation, focus, talent, skill, and desire to his work. The Sky is the Limit for what he can and will accomplish in the very near future."Johnny Post"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Rita Moreno is one of the very few performers to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Tony and a Grammy, thus becoming an EGOT. She was born Rosita Dolores Alverío in the hospital in Humacao, Puerto Rico on December 11, 1931 (but raised in nearby, smaller Juncos, which had no hospital), to seamstress Rosa María (Marcano) and farmer Francisco José "Paco" Alverío. Her mother moved to New York City in 1937, taking Rita with her while leaving her reportedly unfaithful husband and Rita's younger brother behind. Rita's professional career began before she reached adolescence.
From the age of nine, she performed as a professional dancer in New York night clubs. At age 11, she landed her first movie experience, dubbing Spanish-language versions of US films. Less than a month before her 14th birthday on November 22, 1945, she made her Broadway debut in the play "Skydrift" at the Belasco Theatre, costarring with Arthur Keegan and a young Eli Wallach. Although she would not appear again on Broadway for almost two decades, Rita Moreno, as she was billed in the play, had arrived professionally. In 1950, she was signed by MGM, but the studio dropped her option after just one year.
The cover of the March 1, 1954, edition of "Life Magazine" featured a three-quarters, over-the-left-shoulder profile of the young Puerto Rican actress/entertainer with the provocative title "Rita Moreno: An Actresses' Catalog of Sex and Innocence". It was sexpot time, a stereotype that would plague her throughout the decade. If not cast as a Hispanic pepper pot, she could rely on being cast as another "exotic", such as her appearance on Father Knows Best (1954) as an exchange student from India. Because of a dearth of decent material, Moreno had to play roles in movies that she considered degrading. Among the better pictures she earned featured roles in were the classic Singin' in the Rain (1952) and The King and I (1956).
Director Robert Wise, who was chosen to co-direct West Side Story (1961) (the film version of the smash Broadway musical, a retelling of William Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet" with the warring Venetian clans the Montagues and Capulets re-envisioned as Irish/Polish and Puerto Rican adolescent street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks), cast Moreno as "Anita", the Puerto Rican girlfriend of Sharks' leader Bernardo, whose sister Maria is the piece's Juliet.
However, despite her talent, roles commensurate with that talent were not forthcoming in the 1960s. The following decade would prove kinder, possibly because the beautiful Moreno had aged gracefully and could now be seen by filmmakers, TV producers and casting directors as something other than the spitfire/sexpot that Hispanic women were supposed to conform to. Ironically, it was in two vastly diverging roles--that of a $100 hooker in director Mike Nichols' brilliant realization of Jules Feiffer's acerbic look at male sexuality, Carnal Knowledge (1971), and Milly the Helper in the children's TV show The Electric Company (1971)--that signaled a career renaissance.
Moreno won a 1972 Grammy Award for her contribution to "The Electric Company"'s soundtrack album, following it up three years later with a Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for "The Ritz" (a role she would reprise in the film version, The Ritz (1976)). She then won Emmy Awards for The Muppet Show (1976) and The Rockford Files (1974).
She has continued to work steadily on screen (both large and small) and on stage, solidifying her reputation as a national treasure, a status that was officially ratified with the award of the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in June 2004."Sister Peter Marie Reimondo"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Harold Perrineau is an American actor best known for his roles as Michael Dawson on the television series Lost (2004-2008; 2010), Augustus Hill in the television series Oz (1997-2003), Link in The Matrix franchise (2003), and Mercutio in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (1996). He has also starred in the films Woman on Top (2000), Smoke (1995), The Edge (1997), The Best Man (1999), 28 Weeks Later (2007), and Zero Dark Thirty (2012). His other television credits include Sons of Anarchy (2012), Constantine (2014-2015), Claws (2017-2022), and The Rookie (2019-2021). He was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in the hit indie film Smoke."Augustus Hill"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Steve Ryan was born on 19 June 1947 in Manhattan, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Arrested Development (2003), Crime Story (1986) and Daddio (2000). He was married to Wendy Sue Walton. He died on 3 September 2007 in Duarte, California, USA."Officer Mike Healy"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997) - Stunts
- Actor
- Producer
The acting career of Derrick Simmons began at the early age of 10. He attended Harbor JHS of Performing Arts in Harlem, New York. And attended Talent Unlimited where he majored in drama. An agent saw him in a showcase and sent him out on his first audition. He was booked opposite Stacey Dash in a National Burger King commercial. Years later, as an Actor who wanted to do his own action scenes. Derrick inspired to become a Stuntman. His love and passion for the Arts continues to grow. Derrick Simmons is well-respected and well-known in the Acting and Stunt community. His performance as 'Billie Keane' on HBO's gritty prison drama "OZ" was a strong statement of his undeniable talent."Billie Keane"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)- Actor
- Soundtrack
J.K. Simmons is an American actor.
He was born Jonathan Kimble Simmons in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to Patricia (Kimble), an administrator, and Donald William Simmons, a music teacher. He attended the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; University of Montana, Missoula, MT (BA in Music).
He had originally planned to be a singer and studied at the University of Montana to become a composer.
He starred as Captain Hook and Mr. Darling opposite gymnastics champ Cathy Rigby in the Broadway and touring revivals of Peter Pan.
He played Benny South-street in the 1992 Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls and can be heard on the cast recording.
He did a commercial voice-over work, including the voice of the yellow M&M in the candy's TV ads.
He appeared as police psychiatrist Emil Skoda on Law & Order (1990), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001).
As of 2011, has made five films with director Sam Raimi: For Love of the Game (1999); The Gift (2000); Spider-Man (2002); Spider-Man 2 (2004); and Spider-Man 3 (2007).
He won many awards from 2005 to 2007 in Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2014 won Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role. 2015 won a Golden Globe for his Best Performance as an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, BAFTA Film Awards Best Supporting Actor, Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Male."Vern Schillinger"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actor
- Soundtrack
He was born on July 8, 1965 in Ivoryton, Connecticut and is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. His brother, Chris Tergesen, is a music supervisor and music editor. Lee has been married three times and has been married to Yuko Otomo, an art therapist, since 2011. They have a daughter, Lily, born in 2012.
While working as a waiter, he did his first stage work in New York. He landed his first major movie parts in Point Break (1991), Wayne's World (1992) and Wayne's World 2 (1993). In 1993, he played a recurring character, Chris Thormann, on Homicide: Life on the Street (1993). Next year, he got a starring role as Chett Donnelly on Weird Science (1994), which lasted until 1998. In 1997, he got another starring tv role on HBO's Oz (1997), as Tobias Beecher. It lasted until 2003.
Since Oz, he has appeared mostly on tv. He has had recurring or starring roles on Rescue Me (2004), Wanted (2005), Desperate Housewives (2004), Generation Kill (2008), Army Wives (2007), The Big C (2010), Red Widow (2013), Longmire (2012), The Americans (2013), Alpha House (2013) and American Horror Story (2011). After the Wayne's World movies, he has appeared in movies like Shaft (2000), Monster (2003), The Forgotten (2004), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006), Silver Tongues (2011), Red Tails (2012) and The Collection (2012).
Lee has also been busy in commercials. His "I love you, man!" line from Wayne's World (1992) was used by Budweiser in its beer commercials. Between 2003-2004, he provided the voice-over in Advil's commercials. Between 2011-2012, he provided the voice-over of TV commercials in Ally Bank's "People Sense" ad campaign."Tobias Beecher"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, New York among eight siblings, including her twin sister Lorraine, Lauren Velez dreamed of becoming an actress ever since she played a groundhog in a school play in second grade. Immediately following high school, she received a scholarship from the Alvin Ailey Dance School which led to her first job performing in the national touring company of the musical "Dreamgirls". Later she became understudy for actress Phylicia Rashad in Broadway's "Into the Woods". Her most visible role was that of "Nina Moreno" on the cop drama New York Undercover (1994). With her varied performances and Afro-Latin background and appearance, Velez's success is considered -- by fans and critics alike -- a breakthrough for Latina actresses who do not fit the stereotypical "Europeanized Hollywood" version of Latin females. As a result, Velez deservedly has a large multi-ethnic following."Dr. Gloria Nathan" (as Lauren Velez)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997) - Actor
- Soundtrack
Eamonn Walker was born on 12 June 1962 in London, England, UK. He is an actor, known for Oz (1997), Unbreakable (2000) and Lord of War (2005). He is married to Sandra Walker. They have three children."Kareem Said"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actor
- Producer
Dean Winters is known for his role as Ryan O'Reily on HBO's award-winning series Oz (1997) and as Tina Fey's character's "Beeper King" boyfriend on the Emmy-winning comedy, 30 Rock (2006). His noteworthy comedic performance was recently included in Entertainment Weekly's "Must List" as well as Variety's short-list of Emmy-worthy guest performances. In addition to being featured in the film P.S. I Love You (2007) with Hilary Swank, Winters was a series regular on FX's critically-acclaimed, one-hour drama Rescue Me (2004), in which he played Denis Leary's character's brother, Johnny Gavin, an NYPD police detective.
He recurred as Lena Headey's former love interest on the Fox series, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008). He can also be seen as the Allstate spokesmodel character known as Mayhem.
Winters also played Detective Brian Cassidy on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999). Other television credits include guest-starring roles in CSI: Miami (2002), Sex and the City (1998), Third Watch (1999), The Twilight Zone (1985), Millennium (1996), New York Undercover (1994), NYPD Blue (1993) and Homicide: Life on the Street (1993). Some of Winters's film projects include Winter of Frozen Dreams (2009), Bristol Boys (2006), Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002), Bullet in the Brain (2001), Snipes (2001), Undercover Angel (1999), All Shook Up (1999), Conspiracy Theory (1997), starring Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts, Firehouse (1996), Sidney Lumet's television movie Strip Search (2004) and The Devil You Know (2013)."Ryan O'Reily"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 1
The Routine (12 Jul 1997)
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Actor
- Director
- Soundtrack
BD Wong was born and raised in San Francisco, California. He made his Broadway debut in "M. Butterfly." He is the only actor to be honored with the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Clarence Derwent Award, and Theater World Award for the same performance. He starred in the television series All-American Girl (1994), and has made guest appearances on Sesame Street (1969) and The X-Files (1993). He was in the off-Broadway musical revival of "As Thousands Cheer" and followed with a critically acclaimed performance as "Linus" in the revival of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," returned to SVU, and is now starring in the revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Pacific Overtures.""Father Ray Mukada"
"OZ": Season 1, Episode 2
Visits, Conjugal and Otherwise (14 Jul 1997)- Producer
- Writer
- Actor
Sean Whitesell was born on 11 March 1963 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for The Killing (2011), Oz (1997) and Cold Case (2003). He was married to Maria Quiban. He died on 28 December 2015 in Los Angeles, California, USA."Donald Groves"- Actor
- Producer
- Additional Crew
George Morfogen was born on 30 March 1933 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for V (1983), What's Up, Doc? (1972) and She's Funny That Way (2014). He was married to Gene Laughorne. He died on 8 March 2019 in New York City, New York, USA."Bob Rebadow"