Haley Joel Osment

Haley Joel Osment (born April 10, 1988) is an American actor. After a series of roles in television and film during the 1990s, including a small part in Forrest Gump playing the title character’s son, Osment rose to fame with his performance as Cole Sear in M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller film The Sixth Sense that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He subsequently appeared in leading roles in several high-profile Hollywood films including Pay It Forward and A.I. He made his Broadway debut in 2008 in a revival of American Buffalo, co-starring with John Leguizamo and Cedric the Entertainer.

Trivia:

Older brother of Emily Osment

Auditioned for Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), but didn’t get a callback.

Son of Eugene Osment

Became the eighth-youngest nominee for a competitive Academy Award in 2000.

He’s a big lover of lizards. He owns two leopard geckos from Pakistan as pets and, as a favorite pastime, likes to catch and release lizards in his backyard or on vacations.

He is a straight-A student

His favorite cuisine is Chinese, and he eats it constantly.

Started acting at age 4.

Ran cross country for Flintridge Prep.

Favorite authors: J.R.R. Tolkien and Edgar Allan Poe

Favorite music: R.E.M., Coldplay, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Flying Lotus, and Led Zeppelin.

His father, Eugene Osment, frequently makes cameo appearances in his movies.

Was wanted by Steven Spielberg to play Harry Potter when Spielberg was considered to direct Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001).

Though Osment is now a well-known actor, what many people don’t know is that Forrest Gump (1994), a very popular contemporary classic, was one of his first films. That is not surprising, since his screen time was only about two minutes, despite playing the son of the title character. It was another five years before he became famous with The Sixth Sense (1999), another popular contemporary classic.

He took a two-year break from filming after making Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001), before making a brief comeback with Secondhand Lions (2003), but he had plenty of commitments during those two years of absence from the screen. His work included making promotional tours for AI during the summer holiday in 2001, making TV appearances, and doing voice-over work.

Although gossiped to be Steven Spielberg’s favorite to play the title role in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), had Spielberg directed the film as once planned, Osment himself denied this and was vehemently against the series even being made into films lest the magic of the novels be ruined.

He donated many items to Rocky Stone to be given to less-fortunate kids as part of the Toy Mountain Campaign.

Was ranked #7 in E’s 50 cutest child stars all grown-up.(2005).

Fractured his right rib and right shoulder, and received lacerations to his body when he lost control of his car and crashed into a brick mailbox. [July 2006]

Making his Broadway debut on the play American Buffalo. [October 2008]

Sharon Stone

Sharon Yvonne Stone (born March 10, 1958) is an American actress, film producer, and former fashion model. She first achieved international recognition for her performance in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for her role in Casino.

Trivia:

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the “100 Sexiest Stars in Film History” (#49). [1995]

Sharon and husband Phil Bronstein, a newspaperman, adopted a child they named Roan Joseph Bronstein, born 22 May 2000 in Texas. He weighed 5 pounds, 6 ounces, and was adopted by Stone and Bronstein a week after birth. His first name is Celtic for “seal” and his middle name is a tribute to Stone’s father. [July 2000]

Playboy Magazine’s “100 Sexiest Stars of the Century,” Number 24. [1999]

Entered Pennsylvania’s Edinboro University at age 15.

Ranked #77 in Empire (UK) magazine’s “The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time” list. [October 1997]

Reported to be dating Columbia Pictures production boss, Barry Josephson. [November 1996]

Engaged to producer William J. MacDonald. [1993-1994]

Former model for the Eileen Ford Model Agency.

Owns her own production company, Chaos.

Lives in Beverly Hills.

Went to school at Saegertown High School, Saegertown, Pennsylvania.

Has a visible scar on her neck that is usually covered by clothing.

Has one older brother (Mike Stone), one younger brother (Patrick Stone), and a younger sister (Kelly Stone).

Auditioned for the Cathy Moriarty role in Raging Bull (1980).

As a teenager worked part-time as a McDonald’s countergirl.

One of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.” [1992]

Is allergic to caffeine.

One of People Magazine’s “25 Most Intriguing People” of 1992.

Auditioned for the Glenn Close role in Fatal Attraction (1987).

Auditioned for the Kim Basinger role in Batman (1989).

Auditioned for the Madonna role in Dick Tracy (1990).

Turned down the role in Exit to Eden (1994) that later went to Rosie O’Donnell.

Speaks Italian

Is asthmatic.

Ex-husband Phil Bronstein is one of the editors of the San Francisco Examiner.

Received a humanitarian award from the Human Rights Campaign, a well-funded organization specializing in gay and lesbian rights, for her role in If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000) (TV), in which she plays the lover to Ellen DeGeneres, with whom she wants to raise a child. [2000]

Stone’s former housekeeper Socorro Del Carmen Membreno pleaded not guilty to grand theft of $300,000 worth of jewelry and other valuables from Stone’s L.A. home two months earlier. [2 March 2000]

As a child, Sharon once said she would become the next Marilyn Monroe.

Sharon was granted a restraining order against Agostino P’omata, who allegedly had made threats of violence against her. [27 March 2001]

Dated Dwight Yoakam in the early 1990s, and was rather famously quoted as saying, “Kissing Dwight is like eating a dirt sandwich.”

Suffered a brain aneurysm and was hospitalized for a while. [October 2001]

Irish-American

Has one adopted son, Roan Joseph Bronstein, born on 22 May 2000.

Former daughter-in-law of Cloris Leachman and George Englund.

Is a close friend of Jeanne Moreau. Presented a 1998 American Academy of Motion Pictures life tribute to her.

Measurements: 35B-24-35 (as Ford model-1980), 36B-25-35 (self-described in 1993 as wearing a 36B bra), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

Spent many long workdays in agony while filming scenes for Casino (1995). She has back trouble due to an old injury, and the gold and white beaded gown she wore during a casino scene weighed 45 pounds.

She passionately kissed fan Joni Rimm for charity after she paid $50,000 for the pleasure. She auctioned the kiss in aid of Project Angel Food, a Los Angeles charity providing meals for homeless people. (August 12, 2003).

Made a teenage ballet star’s dreams come true by giving her $ 75,000 for tuition fees.

During Total Recall (1990) filming, she complained to director Paul Verhoeven that she wasn’t sure whether her character really was married to Doug.

June 11, 2001: her husband, Phil Bronstein, underwent foot surgery after being attacked by a Komodo dragon during a private tour of the Los Angeles Zoo. The tour was arranged by Stone as a Father’s Day gift for Bronstein, who had always wanted to see one of the Indonesian lizards up close. The attack occurred after Bronstein had removed his white shoes. Zookeepers later speculated the 5-foot-long lizard may have mistaken the shoes for white rats it ate regularly.

Met her close friend Mimi Craven on the set of Deadly Blessing (1981). They subsequently worked together on the film Last Dance (1996) in 1996.

A sex scene in The Quick and the Dead (1995) between Ellen (Stone) and Cort (Russell Crowe) was shot, but Stone and director Sam Raimi decided that it wasn’t a necessary part of the story. The scene was not included in the American release of the film, but international versions do include it.

Received the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from the French government in 1995.

Is diabetic.

Her scar on her neck is from a childhood accident. She was riding a horse and she ran right into a clothes line and it ripped her neck open.

Is a big supporter of the AIDS research organization AMFAR.

Her famous “leg crossing” scene in Basic Instinct (1992) was voted “Sexiest Leg Moment on Screen” in a poll for Veet.

Entered the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant at age 17.

Moved to New York City (1977).

Appeared as spokesmodel contestant on the pilot for the syndicated series “Star Search” (1983); won the competition (1983).

Won the Miss Crawford County (Pennsylvania) beauty pageant and was also queen of her high school’s spring festival (1975).

As a child, put on theatrical productions in the family’s two-car garage before an audience of neighbors seated at a picnic table; as one garage door went down, the other would go up, revealing a new Stone-created set.

January 28, 2005, World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland – At the end of the debate on “funding the war on poverty”, she stood up and pledged $10,000 and asked people to follow her. Within five minutes they raised nearly $100,000 – she wanted to raise at least one million. It’s money that will go directly to the Global Fund to Fight Aids Tuberculosis and Malaria – to buy bed nets to stop deaths from malaria in the developing world.

Graduated from the Edinboro State University of Pennsylvania with a degree in creative writing & fine arts

Member of the Jury at Cannes Festival in 2002 alongside David Lynch, Christine Hakim, Claude Miller, Michelle Yeoh, Raoul Ruiz, Régis Wargnier, Walter Salles and ‘Bill August’ (full-length films category).

Created Officer in France’s Order of Arts and Letters by Festival President Gilles Jacob, 20 May 2005, on the sidelines of the 58th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival.

A dedicated fundraiser and advocate for AIDS research for the past 10 years, she received the Harvard Foundation’s 2005 Humanitarian Award at the Memorial Church. [14 March 2005]

Good friends with singer Christina Aguilera and attended Aguilera’s November 19, 2005 wedding to music producer Jordan Bratman in Napa Valley, California.

She donated many items to Rocky Stone to be given to less fortunate kids as part of the Toy Mountain Campaign.

Owns a ranch in New Zealand.

Her publicist is Cindi Berger.

Daughter of Joseph Stone, a tool and die manufacturer, and Dorothy Stone, an accountant and homemaker.

Mother of Roan Joseph Bronstein, Laird Vonne Stone and Quinn Kelly Stone.

Her aunt, Vonne Stone, was a painter and writer.

Met her close friend Mimi Craven on the set of Deadly Blessing (1981). They subsequently worked together on the film Last Dance (1996) in 1996.

Member of the Jury at Cannes Festival in 2002 alongside David Lynch, Christine Hakim, Claude Miller, Michelle Yeoh, Raoul Ruiz, Régis Wargnier, Walter Salles and Bille August (full-length films category).

Chosen by Australian men magazine Zoo weekly as one of the “Top 50 Hottest Babes Ever”. [March 2006]

Her adopted son Quinn Kelly Stone was born in June 2006.

Son, Roan Joseph Bronstein, born May 22, 2000 (adopted).

Son, Laird Vonne Stone, born May 7, 2005 (adopted).

For her role on The Quick and the Dead (1995), she was trained by renowned Hollywood Gun Coach Thell Reed, who has also trained such actors as: Russell Crowe, Val Kilmer, Edward Norton, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Foster and Girard Swan.

After Richard Gere introduced her to the The Dalai Lama, she converted to Buddhism.

Felt offended when Gwyneth Paltrow portrayed her on “Saturday Night Live” (1975) (1999).

Turned down the lead role in Exit to Eden (1994). The part later went to Rosie O’Donnell.

Was considered for the role of Lana in Risky Business (1983).

Appeared as one of the celebrity models in a charity fashion show staged by Thierry Mugler to benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles. [April 1992]

Auditioned for the role of Crystal Connors in Showgirls (1995).

Born at 4:52 PM (EST).

Lost custody of her son Roan to Phil Bronstein after their divorce.

Rachel Weisz

Rachel Hannah Weisz (born 7 March 1970) is an English actress and model.She gained wide public recognition after her portrayal of Evelyn “Evy” Carnahan-O’Connell in the films The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. In 2001, she starred opposite Hugh Grant in the hit About a Boy and continued to garner leading roles in Hollywood productions. Her performance in The Constant Gardener (2005) won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, along with other major motion picture awards.

Trivia:

She pronounces her last name “Vice.”

Studied English at Trinity Hall, Cambridge University.

Dated director Sam Mendes. [2001]

Studying English at Cambridge University, Weisz formed the Talking Tongues theater company and at 1991′s Edinburgh Festival won a student drama award for a play she wrote and acted in.

Lives in a US$450,000 London apartment and drives a Jaguar.

She has recently become a patron of The X Appeal, which is the official charity of the Royal College of Radiologists.

Her father invented respirators that supplied their own oxygen and machines that sense land mines.

1998: Named as one of European films’ Shooting Stars by the European Film Promotion Board.

She was awarded the 1994 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre) for Most Promising Newcomer for her performance in Design for Living.

Educated at the prestigious St Paul’s Girls School in London. Was in the same class as actress Emily Mortimer.

Lives in New York with director Darren Aronofsky (2004).

Ranked #30 in Stuff magazine’s 102 Sexiest Women in the World (2002).

Drives an old, black Jaguar 4.2 Sovereign with pepper-pot wheels.

Is the face of Revlon (2005).

Announced on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (1992) that she was five months pregnant and engaged to Darren Aronofsky. [January 6, 2006]

When asked who her idols were, she named Gena Rowlands, Katharine Hepburn, Jack Nicholson, Shirley MacLaine, Ingrid Bergman, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.

Rachel and her fiancé, Darren Aronofsky, became the parents of a son, Henry Chance on May 31, 2006.

Invited to join AMPAS in 2006.

Replaced Kate Moss as the new face of the Burberry campaign.

Was a radical feminist at University.

Her favorite movie is Nicolas Roeg and Donald Cammell’s psychedelic 1970 masterpiece Performance (1970).

Good friends with fellow British actors Jude Law and Susan Lynch.

Is very good friends with fashion designers Narciso Rodríguez and Donna Karan.

Was offered a large part in the Richard Gere movie King David (1985) when she was only 14. Her parents wouldn’t let her do it.

She was offered the role of “Becky” in Clerks II (2006). She couldn’t do it because of scheduling conflicts. The role eventually went to Rosario Dawson.

Is of Hungarian (from her father’s side) and Austrian-Italian (from mother’s side) descent.

Divides her time between New York and London, where she has a home on the same street as fellow British actor and good friend Jude Law.

Is semi fluent in German.

While filming The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2001), she formed a strong friendship with fellow co-stars John Hannah and Oded Fehr. They remain good friends.

Has a younger sister named Minnie Weisz.

Very good friends with the Fiennes family having worked with both Joseph Fiennes in Enemy at the Gates (2001) and twice with Ralph Fiennes in Sunshine (1999) and The Constant Gardener (2005).

Beat out Nicole Kidman for the role of Georgie Jutland in Dirt Music (2010).

Won her Oscar for playing a pregnant woman in The Constant Gardener (2005) while she was pregnant in real-life with her first child.

Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#37). [2007].

Had a role in the film Smart People (2008), but dropped out before filming began. As a result, Sarah Jessica Parker was given her role.

Ranked #85 on Askmen.com’s 100 Most Desirable Women in the World (2008).

Was originally considered for the role of Daisy in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) but later backed out due to scheduling conflicts. The part was then given to Cate Blanchett.

Ranked #44 on Glamour Magazine’s Most Glamourous Women in the World list (2009).

Her parents escaped to England from central Europe before the start of WWII.

Grew up a tomboy.

Voted #63 in FHM 100 Sexiest 2009.

Chris Weitz, who directed her in About a Boy (2002), was a classmate of Rachel when she attended Cambridge University.

Her part in Eragon (2006) made her one of the first actress in world history to have a leading role as a dragon.

The role of Hypatia in Agora (2009) was written with her in mind.

Good friends with Ian McKellan.

Returned to work four months after giving birth to her son Henry in order to begin filming My Blueberry Nights (2007).

Laura Dern

Laura Elizabeth Dern (born February 10, 1967) is an American actress, film director and producer. Dern has acted in such films as Smooth Talk (1985), Blue Velvet (1986), Fat Man and Little Boy (1988), Wild at Heart (1990), Jurassic Park (1993 plus sequels) and October Sky (1999). She has won awards for her performance in the 1991 film Rambling Rose, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She was awarded a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for her portrayal of Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris in the film Recount (2008).

Laura Dern

Trivia:

Daughter of Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd.

Once engaged to Billy Bob Thornton.

Once engaged to Jeff Goldblum for 2 years (1995-1997).

Her great-grandfather was governor of Utah.

Welcomed first child, son Ellery Walker, with boyfriend Ben Harper in Los Angeles. [21 August 2001]

Had an elder sister, born in 1961, who drowned at the age of 18 months, years before Laura was born.

Granddaughter of Mary Lanier

When she was cast in Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (1982) at the age of 13, her mother Diane Ladd refused to let her go, feeling she was too young to leave home for a movie shoot. Laura sued for emancipation and won, but the movie wasn’t a hit.

Announced engagment to Ben Harper in August 2004.

Second child, Jaya, a daughter, with boyfriend Ben Harper, born in Los Angeles on 28 November 2004.

She said that her idols are Katharine Hepburn, Barbara Stanwyck, and Lucille Ball.

Hers and her mother’s (Diane Ladd) Oscar nominations for Rambling Rose (1991) mark the first time a mother and daughter ever received Oscar nominations for the same movie.

Played daughter to real-life mother Diane Ladd in 5 movies: Citizen Ruth (1996), Daddy and Them (2001), Wild at Heart (1990), Rambling Rose (1991) and White Lightning (1973).

Both she and her mother, Diane Ladd, starred in 2 dinosaur-themed movies in 1993. Dern starred as Ellie Sattler in the box office smash Jurassic Park, while Ladd starred in the failed indie film Carnosaur.

Has starred in two films titled “Happy Endings”, one a television film in 1983 and the other an independent film in 2005.

Godmother is Shelley Winters.

Gene Hackman

Eugene Allen “Gene” Hackman (born January 30, 1930) is an American actor and novelist.

Hackman has made 80 films. He came to fame in 1967 when his performance as Buck Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde earned him his first Oscar nomination. His major roles include police detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection, surveillance expert Harry Caul in The Conversation, basketball coach Norman Dale in Hoosiers, the heroic Reverend Scott in The Poseidon Adventure, federal agent Rupert Anderson in Mississippi Burning, sadistic sheriff Little Bill Daggett in Unforgiven, arch-villain Lex Luthor in Superman (plus two of its sequels), Edward “Brill” Lyle in Enemy of the State, patriarch Royal Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums, submarine captain Frank Ramsey in Crimson Tide, professional thief Joe Moore in Heist and Admiral Leslie McMahon Reigart in Behind Enemy Lines.

Trivia:

Was the first choice to play Mike Brady on “The Brady Bunch” (1969).

He was the sixth choice to play Popeye Doyle in The French Connection (1971).

He lied about his age to join the Marines at 16 but left as soon as his initial 3 year tour was complete.

While at the Pasadena Playhouse, Hackman and a classmate were voted “Least likely to succeed”. The classmate was Dustin Hoffman.

Was the first choice to play Hannibal Lector in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Was also offered the chance to direct The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Turned down the part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Pearl Harbor (2001), which went to Jon Voight.

Jailed as a teen (c. 1946) for stealing candy & soda pop from a convenience store.

One of the most sustaining actors of all time, he still averaged two films a year in his 70s, having starred in six in 2001 alone. This all changed however in 2004, when he last acted in Welcome to Mooseport (2004). He has not appeared in anything since.

Has stated that his performance in Scarecrow (1973) is his personal favorite.

Often says he wants to quit acting in films, but that every time he has time off away from the set, he starts to miss it and wants to start another film.

Revealed on “Inside the Actors Studio” (1994) that two of the most important factors in deciding on which films he will work on are the script and the money.

2001: Was involved in a road-rage incident when two young men attacked him for hitting their car in Hollywood.

Father of Christopher Hackman. He also has 2 daughters named Leslie Hackman and Elizabeth Hackman.

Brother of Richard Hackman.

Has appeared in three films adapted from novels by John Grisham: The Firm (1993), The Chamber (1996) and Runaway Jury (2003).

Was in the Marine Corps. Toured in China. Based his role in The Conversation (1974) on one of his uncles and a fellow Marine he had known well. He characterized the Marine as someone “who probably became a serial killer.”.

Dustin Hoffman came to New York after finishing his training at the Pasadena Playhouse. The two of them roomed together in New York at Hackman’s one-bedroom apartment on 2nd Ave. & 26th St. Hoffman slept on the kitchen floor. Originally, Hackman had offered to let him stay a few nights, but Hoffman would not leave. Hackman had to take him out to look for his own apartment.

As roommates, Dustin Hoffman and Hackman would often go to the apartment rooftop and play the drums. Hoffman played the bongo drums while Hackman played the conga drums. They did it out of their love for Marlon Brando, who they had heard played music in clubs. They wanted to be like Brando and were big fans of his.

Dustin Hoffman asked for the part of Rankin Fitch in Runaway Jury (2003), which had gone to Hackman. Hoffman admits to asking, “Can’t you get rid of Gene and give me the part?”.

Runaway Jury (2003) was the first time he and former roommate Dustin Hoffman performed on the screen together.

Met actor Dustin Hoffman in the first month at Pasadena Playhouse. Had several classes with him.

Was admitted into the famed Pasadena Playhouse on the G.I. Bill. He failed out of it after 3 months and moved to New York to continue being a stage actor. Received 1 of the lowest grades the school had ever given (1.3 out of 10). He headed to New York with the intention of proving them wrong.

Was the subject of the song “Gene Hackman” by ‘Hoodoo Gurus’.

Turned down the lead roles in Jaws (1975), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).

7/7/04: Appeared on “Larry King Live” (1985). Larry King was surprised to find out that Hackman had no movies lined up, and Hackman replied by saying that he thinks it is the end of his career.

Says watching his own films makes him terribly nervous.

Reportedly turned down the role of Randall Patrick McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975).

Reportedly turned down one of the lead roles in Network (1976).

After he played Little Bill in Unforgiven (1992), Hackman vowed not to appear in any more violent films. After he had been in violent films dating back to Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and The French Connection (1971) (in a role refused by Peter Boyle for the same reasons), he said he was fed up with them.

Along with Margot Kidder, Hackman was appalled at the way Alexander Salkind and Ilya Salkind, the producers of the first three Superman films and 1984′s Supergirl (1984) film, had treated director Richard Donner, who had directed the first Superman (1978) and most of the second Superman film back-to-back before he was fired by the Salkinds over creative differences. Hackman, who said he only did the first two movies because of Donner’s persuasion, was so angry with the Salkinds that he vehemently refused to reprise the role of Lex Luthor in Superman III (1983), while Margot Kidder, who played Lois Lane, only appeared in a cameo role. Hackman was later persuaded to reprise the Luthor role in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987).

Enjoys painting and writing fiction.

Lives in New Mexico.

As a young man, Hackman attended a showing of the movie A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and was impressed by the performance of Marlon Brando due to his naturalism and the fact that he didn’t look like what a movie star typically looked like in the 1950s. After exiting the theater, he told his father that he wanted to be an actor.

Even though he is no longer a cigarette smoker, he played the role of a chain-smoker in Heartbreakers (2001). He was using a special kind of cigarettes that only gives heavy smoke without actually smoking.

Turned down the lead role of Roy Neary in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) because he was in a troubled marriage and could not spend 16 weeks outside of Los Angeles on location shooting.

In a 2004 Vanity Fair story on him, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert Duvall, Hackman said one of the worst memories of being a struggling actor, was working as a doorman in New York City. He recalled having seen former Marine officers pass him by when opening the door for them, of which one had said “Hackman, you’re a sorry son of a bitch.”

While a struggling actor in New York City, he worked as a soda jerk in a pharmacy and as a furniture mover.

After flunking out of the Pasadena Playhouse and moving to New York City with fellow drop-out Dustin Hoffman, Hackman worked at the Howard Johnson’s restaurant in Times Square as a doorman. One day, a Pasadena Playhouse acting teacher whom Hackman hated walked by him, stopped, and told him that he had been right, that Hackman would never amount to anything.

In Robert Osborne’s “Academy Awards 1972 Oscar Annual”, Hackman is quoted as saying Errol Flynn was his boyhood idol.

1990: Underwent successful angioplasty surgery after nearly suffering a severe heart attack.

Was voted “Least Likely to Succeed” in college.

Is one of only a few actors to win an Oscar for a supporting role after winning an Oscar for a leading role. (Others to do so are Jack Nicholson, Maggie Smith and Helen Hayes).

In the Superman movies, he didn’t like the idea of going bald for his role as Lex Luthor. He was allowed to wear wigs instead, and was convinced to wear a bald cap in only a few scenes.

Has played three fictional Presidents: he plays President Alan Richmand in Absolute Power (1997). His Superman (1978) character, Lex Luthor, became President of the United States in the year 2000, in the DC Comics. He also played President Monroe “Eagle” Cole in Welcome to Mooseport (2004).

Hackman replaced George Segal in the role of Kibby in the notorious flop Lucky Lady (1975). Possibly anticipating that the film would be a turkey, Segal bailed out of the production and Hackman was brought in at the last-minute. The desperate producers paid Hackman — riding high from the huge box office success of The Poseidon Adventure (1972), a reported $1.2 million for his role, $500,000 more than Segal’s going-rate. Hackman knew co-star Burt Reynolds from starring in the first episode of Burt’s short-lived 1966 TV series “Hawk” (1966).

His performance as Harry Caul in The Conversation (1974) is ranked #37 on Premiere Magazine’s 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).

Hackman has said that the failure of Scarecrow (1973) turned him off of art films due to the disappointment of working hard on a film that was critically acclaimed, but that tanked at the box office and failed to garner any awards. After this flop, Hackman mainly concentrated on acting for money, turning down such films as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) and Network (1976) for roles in films like March or Die (1977) and Lucky Lady (1975) that offered him fatter paychecks.

Appeared on Richard Nixon’s infamous “List of Enemies” during the 1972 presidential election, the only time Hackman was publicly involved in politics. During an interview on “Larry King Live” (1985) in July 2004, Hackman stated that although he is a Democrat, he liked President Ronald Reagan, who had died the previous year.

Before he decided to become an actor, he worked numerous jobs including announcing at small radio and TV stations.

Studied journalism and TV production at the University of Illinois.

Raised in Danville, Illinois.

Is a Dallas Cowboys fan.

In contrast with his on-screen image of tough guy and reactionary, in real life Hackman is said to be an extremely gentle, shy person who holds very progressive political views.

Turned down the role of Sheriff Teasle in First Blood (1982).

Friends with Kris Kristofferson since Cisco Pike (1972).

Telly Savalas

Aristotelis “Telly” Savalas (January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994) was an American film and television actor and singer, whose career spanned four decades. Best known for playing the title role in the 1970s crime drama Kojak, Savalas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Birdman of Alcatraz (1962). His other movie credits include The Young Savages (1961), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), Battle of the Bulge (1965), The Dirty Dozen (1967), The Scalphunters (1968), supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), Kelly’s Heroes (1970), Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971), Inside Out (1975) and Escape to Athena (1979). He was easily recognizable with his shaved head and strong, masculine features.

Trivia:

Early in his career he played mainly brutish criminals until he changed his image completely in the 1970s, when he was cast as a homicide detective in the acclaimed TV-movie The Marcus-Nelson Murders (1973) (TV) and its spin-off series, “Kojak” (1973).

He used off-script phrases and mottoes in Greek during filming.

His brother, George Savalas, starred in “Kojak” (1973) with him.

Father of Christina Savalas (with Katherine Nicolaides); Candace Savalas and Penelope Savalas (with Marilyn Gardner); Nick Savalas (with Sally Adams); and Christian Savalas and Ariana Savalas (with Julie Hovland).

On January 21 1994, he celebrated his 72nd and last birthday with his family, friends and colleagues at the Universal Sheraton Inn in Universal City, California, 1 day before his death.

Godfather of Jennifer Aniston

Was originally slated to play Luke in Cool Hand Luke (1967), but the producers were unable to wait for him to complete his boat trip from Europe to the U.S. Therefore, Paul Newman played the role instead.

Early in his career, he directed stage plays at a theater in Connecticut.

He was an accomplished poker player.

His son Nick Savalas’s half-sister, Nicollette Sheridan, and his former “Kojak” (1973) co-star, Kevin Dobson, both starred in the popular 1980s soap opera, “Knots Landing” (1979).

Before becoming an actor, he had many odd jobs, from newspaper vendor to lifeguard.

Was a member of Company C, 12th Medical Training Battalion, 4th Medical Training Regiment at Camp Pickett, Virginia.

Was the second of 5 children.

He had many hobbies including golfing, swimming, gambling, collecting luxury cars, spending time with his family, horse racing, motorcycle racing, watching football and reading romantic books.

Purchased a house in the Southern California desert community of Palm Desert because he enjoyed playing golf so much.

Interred at the George Washington Section of Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Attended Columbia University in New York, New York.

When he worked as a lifeguard, he failed to save a man from drowning, and was troubled by the memory forever after.

Was involved in a serious car accident in Virginia during his hitch in the army.

Met his first wife (Katherine) at a Greek dance while attending Columbia University.

Hosted a popular radio program, “Telly’s Coffeehouse,” in the early 1950s.

Left index finger was deformed.

Reason why he sucked on a lollipop during “Kojak” (1973): to help him to quit smoking.

Graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York, in 1942.

Met his last wife, Julie Hovland, on the set of “Kojak” (1973) while he was traveling with her to Minnesota in 1977.

Would always refuse to talk about his service during World War II.

Spoke Greek fluently

Former stepfather of Nicollette Sheridan. (Sheridan’s mother is Sally Sheridan .).

He didn’t appear in his first film until he was 37.

Had a fear of flying. Ironically, he played a pilot in Capricorn One (1977).

Has the distinction of playing two Alcatraz prison inmates; Feto Gomez in Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) and Cretzer in Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980) (TV).

Was the first choice for the role of Harry Orwell in the TV series “Harry O” (1973). He declined due to filming commitments in Europe. David Janssen was eventually cast in the role.

Owned a wide variety of luxury vehicles, including Cadillacs, Lincolns, Fords, Pontiacs, Mercedes and DeLoreans.

Loved gambling and was a very successful gambler, winning many Vegas poker tournaments and losing few.

After portraying Pontius Pilate in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), he chose to remain completely bald and this signature look, somewhere between the comic and the ominous, stood him in good stead in the years that followed.

In 1990 the city of New York declared The Marcus-Nelson Murders (1973) (TV) as the official movie of New York City, and awarded Telly with the Key to the City. The film was the one that introduced Savalas’ most famous character, Lt. Theo Kojak, later made famous on its spin-off series “Kojak” (1973).

His mother, Christina, was a world recognized contemporary of Pablo Picasso, and Savalas himself released several records, the most remembered being his version of “If”, that was #1 in Europe for 10 weeks in 1975.

He was also a strong contributor to his Greek Orthodox roots through the Saint Sophia and Saint Nicholas cathedrals in Los Angeles, and was the sponsor of bringing electricity in the ’70s to his ancestral home, Yeraka, Greece.

Uncle of Australian-born actor Peter Cavnoudias.

Born on the same day as Benny Hill, who impersonated Savalas’s “Kojak” (1973) character on “The Benny Hill Show” (1969).

Enjoyed watching “Jeopardy!” (1984).

Loved to read historical biographies and, somewhat surprisingly, romance novels.

Underwent successful surgery for prostate cancer in 1989, but in 1991 was diagnosed with bladder cancer which spread to his bones and pancreas.

Did the narration on several tourist information films on British Cities during the 1970s. Apparently he recorded them all during one visit to the UK to promote his Kojak show.

Best remembered by the public for his starring role in “Kojak” (1973).

Was good friends with Burt Lancaster, Angie Dickinson, Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra and Shelley Winters.

His mother, Christina, died in 1989.

He wasn’t the first choice to audition for “Kojak” (1973), when Marlon Brando had been offered the role.

At first, Telly was an executive director and then senior director of the news special events at ABC, Savalas then became an executive producer for the “Gillette Cavalcade of Sports,” where he gave Howard Cosell his first job.

Worked at the Garden City Theatre Center where he met and fell in love with Marilyn Gardner.

He was an active liberal Democrat.

Remained good friends with Kevin Dobson during and after “Kojak” (1973).

Of Greek descent.

Was a spokesperson for the Players’ Club Gold Card from 1981 to 1990.

Jude Law

David Jude Heyworth Law (born 29 December 1972) is an English actor, film producer and director.

He began acting with the National Youth Music Theatre in 1987, and had his first television role in 1989. After starring in films directed by Andrew Niccol, Clint Eastwood and David Cronenberg, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1999 for his performance in Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. In 2000 he won a Best Supporting Actor BAFTA Award for his work in the film. In 2003, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in another Minghella film, Cold Mountain.

In 2006, he was one of the top ten most bankable movie stars in Hollywood.In 2007, he received an Honorary César and he was named a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.

Trivia:

Former roommate of Ewan McGregor.

On People (USA) magazine’s ’50 Most Beautiful’ list in 2000 and 2004.

Jude’s parents, Peter Law & Maggie Law, were school teachers, but now run a theater company in France. He has one older sister, Natasha, who is a photographer.

Has a tattoo on his left forearm of words from a Beatles song, “Sexy Sadie”, which states “You came along to turn on everyone Sexy Sadie”, representing his ex-wife Sadie Frost.

During a guest appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (1992), Jay Leno asked him where his name came from, and he replied that he was named after the Beatles song “Hey Jude.” [15 June 2001]

Dropped out of the movie From Hell (2001).

Welcomed third child son Rudy on September 10, 2002. The baby weighed 5lbs 5oz.

Broke a rib after falling backwards while filming the murder scene on the boat in the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).

He kept the shirts his characters in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) and Gattaca (1997) worn in the scenes when they were killed.

When joining the N.Y.M.T., he was placed in the wrong dormitory because they thought he was a girl because of his name. He never told anyone but was soon caught and moved.

Supports Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in London, UK.

Was originally considered for the role of Shinzon of Remus in Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).

Named “Sexiest Man Alive” 2004 by People Magazine.

Was the host of “Saturday Night Live” (1975) the night of the infamous Ashlee Simpson-Wentz incident.

Children: Son Rafferty Law (born October 6th 1996), Daughter Iris Law (born October 25th 2000) and Son Rudy Indiana Otis Law (born September 10th 2002) with Sadie Frost.

Was nominated for Broadway’s 1995 Tony Award as Best Actor (Featured Role – Play) for “Indiscretions.”

Attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama

Has done 2 movies with director Anthony Minghella, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) and Cold Mountain (2003), and got Oscar nominations for both. He is now doing a third movie with Minghella, Breaking and Entering (2006).

Is a former partner in the production company Natural Nylon.

Dropped out of school at age 17, to star in the daytime soap “Families” (1990).

Nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award of Outstanding Newcomer.

Received the Ian Charleson Award for Outstanding Newcomer for “Les Parents Terribles” (“Indiscretions”).

At the age of 12, started acting with the National Youth Music Theatre.

Learned to play saxophone for the film The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999).

Band Brand New has a song named after him, titled ‘Jude Law and a Semester Abroad’, featured on their album Your Favorite Weapon.

Became engaged to actress Sienna Miller in January 2005. In July 2005, she ended the engagement and he publicly apologized for cheating on her with nanny Daisy Wright. They reconciled briefly and broke up again in 2006.

He and his ex-wife Sadie Frost fought a custody battle for over 2 years.

Attended the Cream reunion at the Royal Albert Hall in May of 2005.

Kate Moss is the godmother of his daughter Iris

Considered for the role of Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003).

Good friends with Rachel Weisz.

Voted #3 in Elle (France) Magazine’s “15 Sexiest Men” poll (June 2007).

Is a huge fan of Little Britain.

Plays the lead role in Alfie (2004) and Sleuth (2007). Both films had previously been made with Michael Caine in the roles played by Law.

Director Bryan Singer originally wanted him to play Zod in Superman Returns (2006). That role was previously played by Terence Stamp, who originally played the title role of Alfie on stage.

Good friends with Jonny Lee Miller and Ewan McGregor.

In 2007, he spent 10 days in Afghanistan touring the country and filming a documentary.

Friend of Andrea Logiudice.

Originally was godfather of Kate Moss’ daughter Lila, but when he got divorced from Sadie Frost, with whom Moss was close friends with, she relieved him of all duties.

Model Samantha Burke revealed that she is seven months pregnant with a baby girl by Law. They met each other outside of a New York night club while Law was shooting Sherlock Holmes (2009) and had a very short relationship that was already over by the time Burke discovered she was pregnant. [August 2009]

On September 22nd, 2009, Jude’s former girlfriend Samantha Burke gave birth a baby girl named Sophia. She is the fourth child for Jude, who has three other children with his ex-wife, Sadie frost. Sophia weighed 5lbs, 12oz at birth.

Julia Roberts

 

Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967) is an American actress. She became well known during the early 1990s after starring in the romantic comedy Pretty Woman opposite Richard Gere, which grossed $463 million worldwide. After receiving Academy Award nominations for Steel Magnolias in 1990 and Pretty Woman in 1991, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2001 for her performance in Erin Brockovich. Her films, which also include romantic comedies such as My Best Friend’s Wedding, Mystic Pizza, Notting Hill, Runaway Bride, and crime films such as The Pelican Brief and Ocean’s Eleven and Twelve have collectively brought box office receipts of over $2 billion, making her the most successful actress in terms of box office receipts.

Roberts had become one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, topping the Hollywood Reporter’s annual “power list” of top-earning female stars from 2002 to 2005, until 2006, when Nicole Kidman won the top spot. Her fee for 1990′s Pretty Woman was $300,000; in 2003, she was paid an unprecedented $25 million for her role in Mona Lisa Smile. As of 2007, Roberts’s net worth was estimated to be $140 million.

Roberts was the first actress to appear on the cover of Vogue. GQ once erroneously claimed she was the first woman to appear on their cover, but later retracted the statement (Carol Channing appeared on a GQ cover in 1964). She has been named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” eleven times, tied with Halle Berry. In 2001 Ladies Home Journal ranked her as the 11th most powerful woman in America. Roberts has a production company called Red Om Films, formerly Shoelace Productions (“Moder” spelled backwards, after her husband’s last name).

Trivia:

Lent her celebrity name to help raise money for research to develop a cure for Rett Syndrome (a disease which is potentially fatal and randomly strikes girls between the ages of 2 to 6 years).

Chosen of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by People magazine in 2000.

Ranked #66 in Empire (UK) magazine’s “The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time” list (October 1997).

Was engaged to Kiefer Sutherland for a short period.

Sister of Lisa Roberts Gillan and Eric Roberts.

Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World in 1990 and 1991.

Has “movie within a movie” scenes in The Player (1992), Notting Hill (1999), America’s Sweethearts (2001) and Full Frontal (2002).

Was considered for the role of Poison Ivy in Batman & Robin (1997).

She once tried out for a part on “All My Children” (1970), but was turned down.

Born to Walter Grady Roberts, a vacuum cleaner salesman, and his wife Betty Lou Bredemus, a one-time church secretary and real estate agent.

Ranked #1 (in Hollywood Power) and #12 (in $$) on Forbes magazine ‘Power 100′.

Tops the list of the 200 “hottest” actors and actresses in the business in “James Ulmer’s Hollywood Hot List: The Complete Guide to Star Power – 2000″ book which is published in October 2000 (June 2000).

Turned down the Sharon Stone role in Basic Instinct (1992).

Frequently works with Steven Soderbergh

After George Clooney and Brad Pitt found out that she was going to be joining them in Ocean’s Eleven (2001), they sent her a card that read “We heard that you get 20 per film” and in it was a $20 bill; the joke was that she reportedly gets $20 million per film.

Named one of People Magazine’s ’25 Most Intriguing People of 2001′.

Named one of E!’s “top 20 entertainers of 2001″.

At the 2002 Peoples Choice Awards she admitted to being a huge fan of “Days of Our Lives” (1965) and asked to be seated near the cast.

Splits her down time between her ranch in Taos, New Mexico and a home in New York City.

Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2002.

Was ranked 6th of the 100 Sexiest Women by FHM Taiwan (2001).

Married boyfriend, cameraman Daniel Moder, at their ranch home in Taos, New Mexico in a midnight ceremony. Bruce Willis was the only celebrity that attended her wedding to Daniel Moder. Julia wore a simple pink cotton halter dress by pal Judith Beylerian (4 July 2002).

She never acted in a sequel until Ocean’s Twelve (2004).

She has Irish ancestry.

Moved from rank # 18 in 2002 to rank #16 in 2003 on Premiere’s Annual Hollywood Power List. Also in 2003 Julia ranked #10 in Star TV’s Top 10 Box Office Stars of the 1990s. In 2005, Premiere Magazine Stars in Our Constellation feature ranked Julia as the #7 Greatest Movie Star of All Time. in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005).

Ranked #10 in Star TV’s Top 10 Box Office Stars of the 1990s (2003)

Measurements: 34B-23-34 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

She is a huge fan of actress Aishwarya Rai, whom she once commented on being “The most beautiful woman in the world, more beautiful than any Hollywood actress.”

Pakistani film director Rauf Khalid wanted her to work in his film, and even invited her to Pakistan to discuss the project, but she refused because of prior commitments.

Observed art history classes at New York University in order to prepare for her role in Mona Lisa Smile (2003).

Her Oscar-winning performance as Erin Brockovich-Ellis was ranked #31 on the American Film Institute’s Heroes list of the 100 years of The Greatest Screen Heroes and Villains.

Announced that she and husband Daniel Moder are expecting twins. Twins run in her family. She is due in early 2005. [June 2004].

Shares a birthday with actor Joaquin Phoenix.

A 9000 year old female skeleton excavated in Bulgaria in November 2004, was called by the archaeologists “Julia Roberts” because of the perfect teeth it had. They said that woman would have had a perfect smile – just like the actress.

Has worked with both Hector Elizondo and Richard Gere in two different movies, first in Pretty Woman (1990), and then again in Runaway Bride (1999).

Because Erin Brockovich-Ellis is right handed and Roberts is not, she had to learn to use her right hand for Erin Brockovich (2000).

Premiere Magazine ranked her as the #7 Greatest Movie Star of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005).

Has played an art historian twice, once in Everyone Says I Love You (1996) and also in Mona Lisa Smile (2003).

First actress to reach 20 million dollar mark salary (for Erin Brockovich (2000))

She and her Ocean’s Eleven (2001) / Ocean’s Twelve (2004) co-stars, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Elliott Gould, all have guest-starred on the TV show “Friends” (1994), though not in the same episodes

Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2005 and appeared on the cover of the May 9, 2005 issue.

“The Alchemist” is one of her favorite books.

Roberts’ production company “Red Om” films is her husband Danny’s second name reversed

As a gesture of thanks for giving her children music lessons, Coretta Scott King paid the hospital bills when the pregnant Mrs. Roberts’ delivered her next child. That child ended up being Julia.

Early in her career, she auditioned unsuccessfully for two soap opera roles. She lost the part of “Linda Warner” to Melissa Leo on “All My Children” (1970); and the part of “Hayley Benson” to Stacy Edwards on “Santa Barbara” (1984).

Was named of the 100 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2006.

Her great-grandmother Elin (Eleanor) was Swedish, born 1884 in Värmland, Sweden. She died in Minneapolis 1960, seven years before Julia was born.

Chosen “Sexiest Bespectacled Star” by the readers of “In Touch” magazine ahead of Felicity Huffman and Alicia Keys (November 2006).

Her Broadway debut in the play “Three Days of Rain” received terrible reviews for her performance and ran only 70 performances.

Cited as America’s Favorite Movie Star in a Harris Poll conducted in 2001.

Ranked #8 in Forbes the 20 Richest Women In Entertainment.

She won an Oscar for playing Erin Brockovich-Ellis in Erin Brockovich (2000), making her one of eleven actors to win the Award for playing a real person who was still alive at the evening of the Award ceremony (as of 2007). The other ten actors and their respective performances are: Spencer Tracy for playing Father Edward Flanagan in Boys Town (1938), Gary Cooper for playing Alvin C. York in Sergeant York (1941), Patty Duke for playing Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker (1962), Jason Robards for playing Benjamin C. Bradlee in All the President’s Men (1976), Robert De Niro for playing Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull (1980), Sissy Spacek for playing Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980), Susan Sarandon for playing Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking (1995), Geoffrey Rush for playing David Helfgott in Shine (1996), Jim Broadbent for playing John Bayley in Iris (2001/I) and, most recently, Helen Mirren for playing Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen (2006).

An accomplished equestrienne, Julia did her own riding in Runaway Bride (1999).

Turned down leading role in Sleepless in Seattle (1993) which went to Meg Ryan.

Received the American Cinematheque Award (10 October 2007).

Is an alumni of the Lee Strasberg Institute such as actors Angelina Jolie, Frank Miranda, Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson, Rosario Dawson, Dennis Hopper.

Five directors that cast Julia at least twice are: Mike Nichols, Steven Soderbergh, Garry Marshall, Robert Altman and Joel Schumacher.

Good friends with Bruce Willis.

After divorcing Walter Roberts in January 1972, her mother Betty Lou married theater critic Michael Motes (11 September 1972).

Her films have grossed more than $ 2 billion at the US box office, making her the biggest female movie star of all time (February 2007).

Has supported UNICEF enthusiastically.

Buys her own organic greens at the market near her apartment in New York.

In 2006, she earned $5 million for endorsing Gianfranco Ferre. She posed for eight print ads, which was equivalent for one day of work.

Named #57 on Empire Magazine’s 100 Sexiest Movie Stars. (2007).

By 2004, she had a fortune estimated to be worth $212 million.

In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated her earnings for the year at $9 million.

Made just one movie – Blood Red (1989) – with brother Eric Roberts.

Ranked #1 on Forbes magazine ‘Celebrity 100′ (2000).

Is one of six actresses that have won an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award and SAG Award for the same performance. The others in chronological order are Renée Zellweger for Cold Mountain (2003), Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line (2005), Helen Mirren for The Queen (2006), Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls (2006) and Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008).

Celebrate the horror classic that stars Vincent Price as an obsessed scientist who discovers where fear grows in the human body and how to destroy it.    Also Starring: Judith Evelyn and Darryl Hickman 
Director: William Castle

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtQTVLutDWI]

The Tingler (1959)

The financial success of House on Haunted Hill was reason enough for Columbia to produce The Tingler. Vincent Price was on board again, this time with Darryl Hickman playing his assistant and newcomer Pamela Lincoln playing his sister-in-law. Patricia Cutts played Price’s beautiful but unfaithful wife, Isabel.

Director William Castle was never one to miss an opportunity for publicity. He convinced Pamela Lincoln’s real life fiancé Darryl Hickman to join the cast as her fiancé in the film. At first Darryl declined but finally agreed after William Castle convinced him it would help Pamela’s career. According to Darryl, William Castle did such a good job of convincing him it would help Pamela that he did the part for no salary. Darryl Hickman who was 1.78 m (5’10″) was required to wear lifts in his shoes for the scenes with 193 cm (6’4″) Vincent Price to offset the disparity of their heights.

William Castle and Vincent Price

Judith Evelyn was hired at the request of Vincent Price who previously worked with her on Broadway. She also received attention in another prominent “non speaking role” as the suicidal “Miss Lonelyhearts” in Hitchcock’s Rear Window (1954). Dal McKennon, who played the projectionist (uncredited in the film) had a successful career as the voice of many screen and TV characters including “Buzz Buzzard” in the Woody Woodpecker cartoons and “Gumby” in the TV clay animation series. Jack Dusick, makeup artist for The Tingler was the father of singer/actress Michelle Lee.

The Tingler was Vincent Price’s second and last outing with William Castle and the fifth performance that would ultimately brand him as “The Master of Menace”.

Film Prologue:

Much in the manner of Universal’s groundbreaking Frankenstein (1931), William Castle opened the film with an on screen warning to the audience:

“I am William Castle, the director of the motion picture you are about to see. I feel obligated to warn you that some of the sensations— some of the physical reactions which the actors on the screen will feel— will also be experienced, for the first time in motion picture history, by certain members of this audience. I say ‘certain members’ because some people are more sensitive to these mysterious electronic impulses than others. These unfortunate, sensitive people will at times feel a strange, tingling sensation; other people will feel it less strongly. But don’t be alarmed— you can protect yourself. At any time you are conscious of a tingling sensation, you may obtain immediate relief by screaming. Don’t be embarrassed about opening your mouth and letting rip with all you’ve got, because the person in the seat right next to you will probably be screaming too. And remember— a scream at the right time may save your life.”

—William Castle, opening scene

Gimmicks:

William Castle became famous for his movie gimmicks, and The Tingler featured one of his best, “Percepto!”. Previously he had offered a $1,000 life insurance policy against “Death by Fright” for Macabre (1958) and sent a skeleton moving above the audiences’ heads in the auditorium in House on Haunted Hill (1959).

Percepto: “Scream for your lives!”

For “Percepto!” William Castle attached electrical “buzzers” to the underside of several seats in the auditorium. The buzzers were small surplus vibrators left over from World War II. They had been installed inside the wings of air craft and when activated would vibrate to help de-ice the wings by shaking and cracking the ice. The cost of this equipment added $250,000 to the film’s budget. It was predominantly used in the larger theaters.

During the climax of the film, the tingler escaped into a movie theater. On screen the projected film appeared to break as the silhouette of the tingler moved across the projection beam. The film went black, all lights in the auditorium were turned off and Vincent Price’s voice warned the audience “The Tingler is loose in THIS theater! Scream! Scream for your lives!” This cued the theatre projectionist to activate the buzzers and give several audience members an unexpected jolt.

An alternate warning was recorded for Drive-in Theatres, this warning advised the audience the tingler was loose in the drive-in. Vincent Price’s voice was not used for the Drive-in version.

William Castle’s autobiography Step Right Up!: I’m Gonna Scare the Pants off America, erroneously stated that “Percepto!” actually delivered electric shocks to the theater seats.

Two Joe Dante films contain scenes which reference the Percepto gimmick: “Gremlins 2: The New Batch” (1990) and “Matinee” (1993).

The Bloody Bathtub Scene:

Although The Tingler was filmed in black and white, a single b&w/color sequence was spliced into each print of the film. It showed a sink (in black and white) with bright red “blood” flowing from the taps and a black and white Judith Evelyn watching a bloody red hand rising from a bathtub filled with bright red “blood”. Castle used color film to film the effect. The scene was accomplished by painting the set white, black, and gray and applying gray makeup to the actress to simulate monochrome.

Get the tingler on DVD

Tingler on DVD Special features: scream for your life featurette subtitles: english spanish portugese chinese korean thai talent files theatrical trailers and more.

The Tingler 27 x 40 poster

Just for FUN! Get the Tingler Head Massager! (not part of the film)