Francis Ford Coppola

Francis Ford Coppola (born April 7, 1939) is an Italian-American film director, producer and screenwriter. Away from show business, Coppola is also a vintner, magazine publisher and hotelier. He is a graduate of Hofstra University where he studied theatre. He earned an M.F.A. in film directing from the UCLA Film School. He is primarily known for directing the Godfather films, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now. He is immediately recognisable by his luxuriant beard.

Trivia:

Caught polio when he was a child. During his quarantine, he practiced puppetry.

Some sources say he is the uncle of Alan Coppola, but Alan’s name does not appear on any family tree authorized by the Coppola family.

Like Martin Scorsese, Coppola was a sickly youth, a case of polio which allowed him time to indulge in puppet theater and home movies.

Brother of Talia Shire.

Father of Sofia Coppola, Roman Coppola and Gian-Carlo Coppola.

Son of composer Carmine Coppola and Italia Coppola.

Received an M.F.A. in Film Production from the University of California in Los Angeles (1967).

Since 1978, owner and operator of a Rutherford, California vineyard making Rubicon wine.

Coppola began his winery enterprise by buying portion of historic Inglenook estate in 1975. His success in field is explored in book “A Sense of Place” by Steven Kolpan, 1999.

Brother-in-law of Bill Neil.

Was in the early stages of developing a script for a fourth Godfather film with Mario Puzo which was to tell the story of the early lives of Sonny, Fredo and Michael. After Puzo’s death in July of 1999, Coppola abandoned the project, stating that he couldn’t do it without his friend.

As of May 2002, the number of Coppola-family members appearing in or contributing to filmmaking stands at thirteen, spread over three generations.

Francis Ford Coppola has been in competition with Bob Fosse on several occasions. In 1972, Coppola was nominated for the Best Director Oscar (The Godfather (1972)), but lost to Fosse (Cabaret (1972)). In 1974, Fosse was nominated for Best Director (Lenny (1974)) but lost to Coppola (The Godfather: Part II (1974)). In 1979, both were nominated as directors (Apocalypse Now (1979) and All That Jazz (1979)), but both lost. When Fosse won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival (Coppola won the previous year), he tied with Akira Kurosawa, whose movie was produced by George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola.

Grandfather of Gia Coppola. Great-uncle of Weston Coppola Cage.

Has released his own line of specialty foods.

As a child, his bedroom was covered with pictures of his favourite film star, Jane Powell. When he discovered she’d married Geary Anthony Steffen, Jr., he tore them all down.

His wife arranged for him to meet Jane Powell as a 40th birthday present.

Out of all his peers who rose to fame and power in the 1970s “Golden Age” era, he is perhaps the only filmmaker still married to his first wife.

Made a commercial for Suntory whiskey with legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa in the 1970s, an event which later influenced a salient plot point in his daughter Sofia’s movie, Lost in Translation (2003).

Was voted the 21st Greatest Director of all time by Entertainment Weekly.

Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. “World Film Directors, Volume Two, 1945- 1985″. Pages 227-234. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1988.

George Lucas said that he based the “Han Solo” character from the Star Wars trilogy on Coppola.

Serves as the Honorary Ambassador of the Central American nation of Belize in San Francisco, California, USA. On their official roster of worldwide honorary consulates found on their official website, he is referred to as “His Excellency Ambassador Francis Ford Coppola,” although he is not a Belizean citizen.

In 1971 and 1973, George C. Scott and Marlon Brando refused their respective Best Actor awards for Patton (1970) and The Godfather (1972) – both written by Coppola.

Four of his relatives have been involved in the Star Wars films of his friend George Lucas. His brother-in-law, Bill Neil, worked at Industrial Light and Magic during the production of the original trilogy. His daughter, Sophia, and son, Roman, played a handmaiden and Naboo guard, respectively, in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). His nephew, Christopher Neil, who worked as a dialogue coach for both Francis (on Jack (1996) and The Rainmaker (1997) and Sophia (on The Virgin Suicides (1999)), did the same job on Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)–a job for which Coppola recommended him. In addition, his late older son was named Gian-Carlo. In Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), there is a Naboo vehicle called the Gian Speeder.

Directed 12 different actors in Oscar-nominated performances: Geraldine Page, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Robert De Niro, Michael V. Gazzo, Lee Strasberg, Talia Shire, Kathleen Turner, Andy Garcia and Martin Landau. Brando and De Niro won their Oscar for their performances as Vito Corleone.

In 1975, he accepted the Oscar for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” on behalf of Robert De Niro, who wasn’t present at the awards ceremony. De Niro won for his performance in Coppola’s The Godfather: Part II (1974).

The only person to direct a sibling in an Oscar-nominated performance (his sister Talia Shire was nominated as “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” for The Godfather: Part II (1974))

President of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1996

He is among an elite group of seven directors who have won Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay (Original/Adapted) for the same film. In 1975 he won all three for The Godfather: Part II (1974). The others are Leo McCarey, Billy Wilder, James L. Brooks, Peter Jackson and Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (the brothers co-produced, co-directed and co-wrote No Country for Old Men (2007) with each other).

Co-owns the Rubicon restaurant in San Francisco with Robert De Niro and fellow Bay area resident Robin Williams.

Was involved in both movies that his father and his daughter won Oscars: He was the director of The Godfather: Part II (1974)which won his father an Oscar for “Best Music, Original Dramatic Score” and he was the executive producer of Lost in Translation (2003) which won his daughter the Oscar for “Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen”.

There are three generations of Oscar winners in the Coppola family: Francis, his father Carmine Coppola, his nephew Nicolas Cage and his daughter Sofia Coppola. They are the second family to do so, the first family is the Hustons – Anjelica Huston, John Huston and Walter Huston.

Since the mid-90s (and possibly even earlier), he has been writing and re- writing an original screenplay entitled “Megalopolis”. Described as “one man’s quest to build utopia set in modern-day New York,” the project has been delayed due to Coppola’s constant tinkering with the script and the fact that the director is attempting to finance it himself. Several A-list actors have had their names attached to it and a great excess of second-unit footage (shot in 24p HD) has been captured by Coppola and the film’s cinematographer, Ron Fricke of Baraka (1992) fame.

Currently owns 2 resorts in Belize and 1 in Guatemala. They are the Blancaneaux Lodge in the Pine Ridge Region, Turtle Inn in Placencia and La Lancha near Tikal in Guatemala.

He, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg presented Martin Scorsese with his first ever Oscar for Best Director for The Departed (2006). All four directors were part of the “New Hollywood” movement in the 60s and 70s.

Brother of August Coppola.

Was named after his grandfather Francesco Pennino.

Uncle of Nicolas Cage, Christopher Coppola, Marc Coppola, Robert Schwartzman, Jason Schwartzman, ‘John Schwartzman (I)’, Matthew Shire and Stephanie Schwartzman.

Briefly attended the New York Military Academy where Troy Donahue was his classmate. They later worked together on The Godfather: Part II (1974).

His middle name was given to him to honor Henry Ford. Francis was born at the “Henry Ford” Hospital in Detroit; Francis’s father participated in a music show that Henry Ford really liked and they, in fact, met. So the middle name Ford was to honor Henry Ford himself. (Source: Francis Ford Coppola, “Inside the Actor’s Studio”).

As a hold-over from his days directing theater when he was young, he always engages his cast in a lengthy rehearsal period before filming. Occasionally, he finds film actors that are not used to this will bristle against the process.

In 1986 his 22-year-old son, Gian-Carlo, died in a boating accident.

Favorite movies from his own personal filmography: The Rain People (1969), The Conversation (1974), Apocalypse Now (1979), Rumble Fish (1983) and Youth Without Youth (2007).

Is a big fan of actress Diane Lane and has cast her in no less than 4 films, The Outsiders (1983), Rumble Fish (1983), The Cotton Club (1984) and Jack (1996).

Won five Oscars in four years – one in 1971 for Patton (1970), one in 1973 for The Godfather (1972), and three in 1975 for The Godfather: Part II (1974).

Has an IQ of 117.

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Jerome Tarantino (born March 27, 1963) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In the early 1990s he was an independent filmmaker whose films used nonlinear storylines and aestheticization of violence. His films include Reservoir Dogs (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994), Jackie Brown (1997), Kill Bill (2003–2004), Death Proof (2007) and Inglourious Basterds (2009). His films have earned him an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Palme d’Or Awards and he has been nominated for Emmy and Grammy Awards. In 2007, Total Film named him the 12th-greatest director of all time.

Trivia:

Together with Lawrence Bender founded record company called A Band Apart Records. It will focus on film soundtracks and its releases will be distributed through Maverick Records, owned by Madonna. [30 July 1997]

Was planning to direct an episode of “The X Files” (1993) but refused to join the Director’s Guild of America. The Guild refused his request for a waiver so that he could direct the show. [November 1996]

Claims that Tarantino acted in the film Dawn of the Dead (1978) or the film King Lear (1987) are incorrect. Quentin falsely listed these credits years ago on his acting resume to compensate for his lack of experience and these incorrect credits have subsequently been attributed to him in such places as Leonard Maltin’s Movie and Video Guide and the Cinemania CD ROM.

First noted screenplay was titled “Captain Peachfuzz and the Anchovy Bandit,” which was written in 1985.

Tarantino claims that James Best taught him how to act.

Collects old board games having to do with TV shows like “I Dream of Jeannie” (1965), “The Dukes of Hazzard” (1979), “The A-Team” (1983), etc.

In all of his original screenplays, the name of a police detective named Scagnetti is referred to at least once. Most of the times the particular scene was cut out of the final versions.

Is widely reported to have helped to write Tony Scott’s Crimson Tide (1995).

As of the year 2001, he wanted to begin filming the film Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) with Uma Thurman. Production was delayed because of Thurman’s pregnancy.

Is a big fan of The Three Stooges.

His father, actor/musician Tony Tarantino is of Italian descent, and his mother, Connie McHugh, is half-Irish and half-Cherokee.

Although he uses both elements in his films, he strongly detests violence and drugs.

Is listed in the acknowledgments of actor Ethan Hawke’s novel, Ash Wednesday.

Two of Tarantino’s favorite films are _’Manos’ the Hands of Fate (1966)_ (which he owns a 35mm copy of) and Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan (1982), which he references in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003).

Was the head judge at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, where Pulp Fiction (1994) won the Palme D’or, the top honor, only ten years earlier.

Considers Ride in the Whirlwind (1965) one of the finest Westerns ever made, even writing an extensive article about it for Sight And Sound magazine titled A Rare Sorrow. The article was featured in the Pulp Fiction (1994) Special Edition DVD as an extra and also appears in Paul A. Woods’ Film Geek Files (pgs. 129-132). Interestingly, the director of Ride in the Whirlwind, Monte Hellman, was the executive producer of Reservoir Dogs (1992).

Has an IQ of 160 despite dropping out of high school.

He is a good friend of Robert Rodriguez.

He has called Uma Thurman his muse.

Named after the Burt Reynolds character Quint Asper from “Gunsmoke” (1955)

Was at one point in his life considering to become a novelist. He said that he tried writing two chapters of a novel about his experiences working at the Video Archives in Hermosa Beach. As can be immediately seen, novelistic narrative techniques bear a strong influence on his distinct filmmaking style.

In 1994, before Pulp Fiction (1994), in an interview with Charlie Rose, he cited his three favorite films as Blow Out (1981) (directed by Brian De Palma), Rio Bravo (1959) (directed by Howard Hawks) and Taxi Driver (1976) (directed by Martin Scorsese).

In the last Sight & Sound Greatest Films Poll (2002), he listed his Top Ten films as: Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo. (1966) (aka “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” Leone), Rio Bravo (1959) (Hawks), Taxi Driver (1976) (Scorsese), His Girl Friday (1940) (Hawks), Rolling Thunder (1977) (Flynn), They All Laughed (1981) (Bogdanovich), The Great Escape (1963) (J. Sturges), Carrie (1976) (De Palma), Coffy (1973) (Hill), Dazed and Confused (1993) (Linklater), _Tian xia di yi quan (1973)_ (aka “Five Fingers of Death,” Chang) and Hi Diddle Diddle (1943) (Stone).

Considers two of his best friends to be Paul Thomas Anderson and Sofia Coppola.

His mother was only 16 when she gave birth to him.

Once a vocal proponent of celluloid-over-digital film-making, Tarantino got his first experience with the latter technology by directing a segment of the film Sin City (2005) with his friend ‘Robert Rodriguez’ (I) . Rodriguez, who lauds the technology at every opportunity, made it his mission to convert Tarantino as well. At the end of shooting, Tarantino is reported to have said simply, “Mission accomplished.”

On “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (1992), he stated his all-time favorite James Bond film is From Russia with Love (1963).

Hates product placement hence, the use of the fictional cigarette Red Apple and now-defunct cereal Fruit Brute in his films.

Dropped out of Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California, at the age of sixteen to pursue film making.

Six of his movies are mentioned in FHM’s (DK) 100 Best Male Movies Ever (7 October 2004 issue): True Romance (1993) at #75, From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) at #73, Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) at #26, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) at #25, Reservoir Dogs (1992) at #11, and Pulp Fiction (1994) at #1.

Was offered the role of the President of the United States of America in Batoru rowaiaru II: Chinkonka (2003) but had to decline due to scheduling conflicts.

Has stated that he would like to direct a James Bond movie at some point in his career.

Has named Rio Bravo (1959) as one of his favorite films.

Named his production company, A Band Apart, after the Jean-Luc Godard film Bande à part (1964) (Band of Outsiders).

Often references numerous attributes of the works of Jean-Luc Godard, particularly in Pulp Fiction (1994). The disjointed structure of Pulp Fiction (1994) may itself be an homage to Godard’s use of jump cuts in À bout de souffle (1960) (Breathless), the film that launched the French New Wave of cinema.

Is a huge fan of the Half-Life computer game series, and has considered possibilities of directing a movie adaptation.

Ranked #81 on Premiere’s 2004 annual Power 100 List. He was unranked in 2003.

Cites his influences as Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, Sergio Leone, and Jean-Luc Godard.

Ranked #8 in Empire (UK) magazine’s greatest directors ever 2005 poll.

Was the spokesman for SkyperfecTV, a Japanese based satellite TV network, a competitor to the now locally defunct DirecTV endorsed by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Was guest director for one scene for Robert Rodriguez’ Sin City (2005).

Eli Roth wanted to have the world premiere of Hostel (2005) at the 2005 Iceland Film Festival. During the festival, Roth and Quentin Tarantino were made honorary vikings at Viking Village, in a ceremony arranged by Eythor Gudjonsson. Roth’s Icelandic name is Eli Sheldonsson, and Tarantino’s Icelandic name is Quentin Conniesson.

His all-time favorite director is Howard Hawks.

Each of his movies, with the exception of Death Proof (2007), features someone from the cast of Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets (1973). Harvey Keitel from Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994), Robert De Niro from Jackie Brown (1997), David Carradine from Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004), and David Proval is in Four Rooms (1995).

Was originally offered the chance to direct Men in Black (1997), but turned it down.

Was originally offered the chance to direct Speed (1994/I), but turned it down.

Is godfather to two of Michael Madsen’s sons Hudson and Calvin Michael. Michael and his wife DeAnna joked in OK! magazine about naming Quentin godfather to their newest son Luke Ray as well.

Is spoofed in the short film Let’s Get Real! (1999), which contains several satirical references to Pulp Fiction (1994).

Has stated that he would like to make and star in a film telling the story of John Brown, the abolitionist.

Named his favorite films of 2005 as Sin City (2005), Domino (2005), Hustle & Flow (2005) and The Devil’s Rejects (2005).

Has named My Bloody Valentine (1981) his all-time favorite slasher film.

During his stay in the Philippines, Tarantino got trapped in traffic due to flooding as he was traveling to Malacanang Palace to meet President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and receive a lifetime achievement award. Refusing to give up, he and his partner Tikoy Aguiluz got off their limousine and took a pedicab each to reach the palace. After arriving, Tarantino stated “It was a lot of fun. It just took a long time but it was not bad at all”.

Has two sisters and one brother: Tanya Marie Tarantino (b. Pasadena, California, 4 Oct 1964), Ronnajean Tarantino (b. Arizona, Phoenix, 22 June 1969) and Edward James Tarantino (b. Simi Valley, California, Simi Valley, 3 Oct 1974).

His father was born in Queens, New York, and has a sister named Diane. Their parents are Dominic Tarantino and wife Elizabeth.

His mother was born in Tennessee on September 3, 1946. She is the adopted daughter of Ellis and Elizabeth (Betty) Shaffer.

After his parents divorced, his mother married Curtis Zastoupil.

As a child, one of his favorite movies was Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). He credits the film with helping him learn genre distinctions.

Wrote the forward for the book Unfiltered: The Complete Ralph Bakshi”.

Was offered a chance to direct Westworld (2012), but turned it down.

Was ex-girlfriend Mira Sorvino’s date the night she won her best supporting actress Oscar.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was raised in Los Angeles.

Close friends with Jennifer Beals.

Is of Italian, Irish and Cherokee descent.

In the 2008 Empire Magazine poll of the 500 Greatest Movies of All Time, Tarantino listed his favorite films as: 1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), (Sergio Leone), 2. Rio Bravo (1959), (Howard Hawks), 3. Blow Out (1981), (Brian De Palma), 4. Taxi Driver (1976), (Martin Scorsese), 5. His Girl Friday (1940), Howard Hawks), 6. 5 Fingers of Death / King Boxer (1972), (Chang-hwa Jeong), 7. Pandora’s Box (1929), (‘Georg Wilhelm Pabst’), 8. Carrie (1976), (Brian De Palma), 9. Unfaithfully Yours (1948), (Preston Sturges), 10. Five Graves to Cairo (1943), (Billy Wilder), 11. Jaws (1975), (Steven Spielberg). Choices #2, 3 and 4 are marked as “interchangeable”.

Lived with Jennifer Beals while getting his first films produced.

Directed 5 actors in Oscar nominated performances: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Robert Forster, and Christoph Waltz. Waltz won for his performance in Inglourious Basterds (2009).

His three favourite Alfred Hitchcock movies are; Suspicion (1941), Sabotage (1936) and Torn Curtain (1966).

Jason Sarayba is a huge fan of his.

He is mentioned in the cartoon “Courage The Cowardly Dog” as the zombie director Quintin Tarantella in several episodes, the first being “Everyone Wants To Direct”.

He screens Rio Bravo (1959) for potential girlfriends as a test of their compatibility.

Thanked by Nirvana in the liner notes of their album “In Utero”.

David Cronenberg

David Paul Cronenberg, OC, FRSC (born March 15, 1943)is a Canadian filmmaker, screenwriter, and occasional actor. He is one of the principal originators of what is commonly known as the body horror or venereal horror genre. This style of filmmaking explores people’s fears of bodily transformation and infection. In his films, the psychological is typically intertwined with the physical. In the first half of his career, he explored these themes mostly through horror and science fiction, although his work has since expanded beyond these genres.

Trade Mark:

His films generally involve the horror caused by a mutation, by a parasite, or by particular medical conditions.

Uses dark backgrounds.

Films often include explicit carnage.

Frequent references to the Flesh or the New Flesh.

Frequently uses the music of Howard Shore.

Frequently casts Robert A. Silverman.

Movies about crime families.

Frequently casts Viggo Mortensen.

Trivia:

Costumes in his films are usually designed by his sister Denise Cronenberg.

Was set to direct Total Recall (1990). He even wrote a few drafts of the script before Paul Verhoeven took over.

Brother of costume designer Denise Cronenberg.

Father of Caitlin Cronenberg and Brandon Cronenberg.

Uncle of Aaron Woodley

Is of German / Dutch descent

John Carpenter paid homage to him in Escape from New York (1981). One of the United States Police Force guards is on the line with Hauk, then adds that Cronenberg is on the line for him. Another person paid homage to in the movie was George A. Romero, who had Isaac Hayes’s right-hand man named after him.

President of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999

Directed an episode of “Friday the 13th” (1987), The Services, called Faith Healer. 13 years later, he appeared in the Friday the 13th film (unreleated to the series), Jason X (2001).

Was offered the chance to direct Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983) but he declined.

His crew referred to the final Brundlefly monster seen in the climax of The Fly (1986) as the Space Bug.

Father was a bookstore owner and sometime columnist for the Toronto Telegram. Mother was a piano rehearsal accompanist for the National Ballet.

Father died at age 61.

Deferred his own salary to make Spider (2002).

Father of Assistant Director Cassandra Cronenberg.

Cites Winter Kept Us Warm (1965) as his inspiration for becoming a filmmaker. It was screened at the University of Toronto when he was a student.

Has admired bugs and insects since childhood. This fascination has lingered on, and can be felt through many of his films.

At one point, Cronenberg was in line to direct the film “The Singing Detective” (2003), with Al Pacino in the lead.

Turned down the chance to direct “Top Gun” (1986).

Turned down the chance to direct RoboCop.

His regular cinematographer until 1988 was Mark Irwin until Dead Ringers (1988), on which Irwin was unable to work because of his commitment to The Blob (1988). Cronenberg then hired Peter Suschitzky, who became his regular cinematographer, and Cronenberg and Irwin have not worked together since then.

His father was a journalist and his mother played the piano. These roles are reversed in The Fly (1986), in which Jeff Goldblum plays the piano to impress Geena Davis, who plays a journalist.

Has often referred to The Brood (1979) as his own twisted version of Kramer vs. Kramer (1979).

Michael Ironside

Michael Ironside (born February 12, 1950) is a Canadian actor. He has also worked as a voice actor, producer, film director, and screenwriter in movie and television series in various Canadian and American works. He is best known for playing villains and “tough guy” heroes, though he has also portrayed sympathetic characters. Ironside is a method actor, who stays in character between takes.

Trade Mark:

A low, yet gravelly commanding voice.

Trivia:

Came to notice in the Canadian sci-fi horror classic Scanners (1981) in which he played the mind-controlling, head-blowing megalomaniac Daryl Revok, which led to a dynamic, infamous career of out-and-out baddies or edgy anti-heroes.
Has a daughter Findlay (born 1998) by second wife Karen.
His brother is a high school shop teacher in his hometown of Toronto, Canada.
Father of Adrienne Ironside.
Said in an interview he is mostly recognized by the public from his voice over work in the Splinter Cell (2002) (VG) series.
His daughter Adrienne is from a previous marriage.
Moved to Los Angeles, California, USA in 1982.
Was for some time attached to play the title role in RoboCop (1987), but the crew had to give up on the idea when they realized that he would have to have a much smaller frame to fit into the costume envisaged.
At the age of fifteen he wrote a play called “The Shelter” which won first prize in a Canada-wide university contest. He used the prize money to mount his own production of said play.
Like Terence Stamp, he has played both a Superman foe and friend. The foe he played was Darkseid, one of Superman’s greatest enemies, in the animated show “Justice League” (2001). The friend he played was Gen. Sam Lane, father of Lois Lane (Clark Kent’s future bride) on the TV show “Smallville” (2001).
A talented arm wrestler in his youth, he ironically often loses an arm and / or other limb in his films: Total Recall (1990), Starship Troopers (1997), El maquinista (2004) and Guy X (2005). If he hadn’t been too bulky he also would have played Murphy in RoboCop (1987), who loses both his arms.
Good friends with WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler.
Huge fan of Professional Wrestling.
Is of Scottish, English and Irish heritage.
His father, Robert, was a streetlight maintenance man, his mother, Patricia, a housewife.
Has had a love of reading since childhood, with which he credits his father instilling in him: “My dad gave me and my brother this rule – as long as we were reading and doing nothing else, we could stay up until dawn or until we passed out…whichever came first. That’s why, to this day, I’m a sucker for a good book”.

George Romero

George Andrew Romero (born February 4, 1940) is an American film director, screenwriter, editor and occasional actor, best known for his gruesome and satirical horror films about a hypothetical zombie apocalypse. He is nicknamed Grandfather of the Zombie.

Trademark:

Often features radio or television news broadcasts playing in the background.

Trivia:

Education: Carnegie-Mellon Institute (art, theatre, design).

Prior to Night of the Living Dead (1968), he was better known as an industrial film-maker, who created TV commercials, promotional featurettes and industrial training films. One of his assignments was to shoot short films that were used in the TV show “MisteRogers’ Neighborhood”.

Was originally slated to write and direct Resident Evil (2002).

Was slated to direct a theatrical version of Stephen King’s novel “The Stand,” adapted for the screen by Rospo Pallenberg. The film never materialised. Instead, the novel was adapted into a TV mini-series, “The Stand” (1994).

Frequently casts African-Americans as the heroes of his films, although the parts aren’t usually written specifically for any particular race, going against the stereotype of the Black character dying early in horror films.

In 1968, he reinvented the horror genre with his Night of the Living Dead (1968), a cult classic that made its way onto the prestigious National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

The 2002 Sight & Sound Greatest Films Poll (2002) listed his Top Ten films as The Brothers Karamazov (1958), Casablanca (1942), Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), High Noon (1952), King Solomon’s Mines (1950), North by Northwest (1959), The Quiet Man (1952), Repulsion (1965), Touch of Evil (1958), and The Tales of Hoffmann (1951).

Originally set to direct Pet Sematary (1989), but when filming was delayed, he dropped out and Tom Savini was given the opportunity to direct the film but passed. Finally, Mary Lambert stepped in.

Began making movies at the age of 14 with an 8mm camera.

Is good friends with stuntman/special-effects artist/actor/director Tom Savini. The two have worked together on many films.

Dawn of the Dead (2004), the remake of his movie Dawn of the Dead (1978), was released before the fourth part of his Zombie-series, Land of the Dead (2005), was even filmed.

He has two children, a son and a daughter (who will be attending Tisch, NYU in the Fall 2006 to study film-making).

He resides in Toronto, Canada.

Was originally set to direct two Stephen King stories that would later turn into TV features: Salem’s Lot (1979) (TV) & “The Stand” (1994).

Father of Tina Romero and G. Cameron Romero.

When discussing his influences, he has that the Universal horror classic made a strong impression on him and his favorite horror film as a child was The Thing from Another World (1951). However, the film he said made him want to be a director was The Red Shoes (1948). While discussing the directors who made a strong impression on him, he said that Orson Welles and Howard Hawks were his favorites, surpassing Alfred Hitchcock.

Was originally attached to write and direct Resident Evil (2002), but left the project in 1999 due to creative differences over the script.

Of Cuban and Lithuanian descent.

A big fan of The Archers’ (aka the British team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger) movie The Tales of Hoffmann (1951), based on Jacques Offenbach’s operetta. He is interviewed at length about his love for the film and especially its artistic direction, use of color, and use of fantasy/horror themes in a special feature included on the Criterion Collection’s 2005 DVD release of the film. Before video tape and DVD versions of the film were available, Romero would frequently rent a 16-millimeter film copy–as would Martin Scorsese, he subsequently learned, from the very same New York City rental company. Alas, Romero reported that the two fans have not yet become aware of each other.

John Carpenter

John Howard Carpenter (born January 16, 1948) is an Academy Award winning, American film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, composer, and occasional actor. Although Carpenter has worked in numerous film genres, his name is most commonly associated with horror and science fiction.

His films are characterized by minimalist lighting and photography, static cameras, use of steadicam, and distinctive synthesized scores (usually self-composed). He describes himself as having been influenced by Howard Hawks, Alfred Hitchcock, Nigel Kneale and The Twilight Zone.

With the exception of The Thing, Starman, and Memoirs of an Invisible Man, he has scored all of his films (though some are collaborations), most famously the themes from Halloween and Assault on Precinct 13. His music is generally synthesized with accompaniment from piano and atmospherics.

Carpenter is a big fan of widescreen, and all of his theatrical movies (with the exception of Dark Star) have been filmed in anamorphic with an aspect ratio 2.35:1.

Trivia:

In the movie Change of Habit (1969) Elvis Presley plays a character named John Carpenter. In 1979 Carpenter directed the TV movie Elvis (1979/I) (TV) starring his good friend Kurt Russell.

Is a fan of the Quartermass movies (The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), Quatermass and the Pit (1967)), wrote Prince of Darkness (1987) under the pseudonym of Martin Quatermass, and the village in In the Mouth of Madness (1994) is named after a rail station in “Quatermass and the Pit”.

Appears in his own films under the name Rip Haight, appearing in in The Fog (1980), Starman (1984), Body Bags (1993) (TV), and Village of the Damned (1995).

Considers it bad luck to wear the hat of the show he’s working on. Will not wear a crew cap until the film is over.

Loves Elvis Presley and old Cadillacs.

Is a major NBA fan and has a satellite dish installed on his location trailer to keep up with the games. Always has a portable basketball hoop on location.

Favorite meal of the day is breakfast – any time of day.

He has a son, Cody Carpenter, with Adrienne Barbeau.

Is a great fan of Sergio Leone and cast Lee Van Cleef in Escape from New York (1981) because of his work with Leone.

Carpenter’s character Snake Plissken (of Escape from New York (1981) and Escape from L.A. (1996)) is about to become a comic book. Published by theCrossGen imprint Code 6 Comics, the book will be known as “John Carpenter’s The Snake Plissken Chronicles”. It is set for publication beginning in 2003.

With the exception of Escape from L.A. (1996), he has rarely made a sequel to any of his films. Has said that he got forced into writing Halloween II (1981), but refused to direct it because he “didn’t want to direct the same movie again”.

Biography in the following: John Wakeman, editor. World Film Directors, Volume Two, 1945- 1985. pp. 184-189. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1988.

Praised longtime friend and frequent collaborator Kurt Russell for being a hard-working, professional actor who isn’t afraid to take on roles that might hurt his image or make him look like a fool.

He is a big fan of The Beach Boys and Howard Hawks.

Was originally supposed to direct Firestarter (1984), and even had a screenplay written by Bill Lancaster. Both were replaced when The Thing (1982), a film on which they both collaborated, did poorly at the box office.

Said in a 1982 interview that he thought the R rating for Halloween (1978) was justifiable, but The Fog (1980) should’ve been rated PG.

Was given the chance to direct Mutant Chronicles (2008).

Was offered a chance to direct the Eddie Murphy film The Golden Child (1986), but turned it down.

Turned down the chance to direct Top Gun (1986).

Turned down the chance to direct Fatal Attraction (1987).

Was offered the chance to direct Armed and Dangerous (1986) but turned it down. The job went to Mark L. Lester who also directed Firestarter (1984), which was offered to Carpenter.

Is an avid fan of the Godzilla films. He considers the first Godzilla movie (Gojira) to be an inspiration for him.

Was approached to score Planet Terror (2007) for Robert Rodriguez, but was busy finishing up post-production on “Masters of Horror” (2005).

Close friend of actor Jeff Bridges.

Turned down the chance to direct Zombieland (2009).

In the 5th edition of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (edited by Steven Jay Schneider), 2 of his films are listed: Halloween (1978) and The Thing (1982).

In an interview, he stated that he takes much of the failure of his movies pretty hard. However, out of all the movies that he had done, he claimed that The Thing (1982) was the failure he took the hardest.

Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie (born Robert Bartleh Cummings on January 12, 1965) is an American musician, film director, screenwriter and film producer. He founded the metal band White Zombie and has been nominated three times as a solo artist for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.

He currently lives in Woodbury, Connecticut. He married longtime girlfriend Sheri Moon in 2002, whom he also frequently features in his horror films. Zombie has also established a successful career as a film director, creating the movies House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects, the 2007 remake of Halloween, its sequel, and The Haunted World of El Superbeasto. His next film will be the upcoming Tyrannosaurus Rex.

He is the brother of Spider One (Michael David Cummings), lead singer for Powerman 5000.

Trivia:

Brother Michael David Cummings is “Spider”, lead singer of the metal band Powerman 5000.

He had originally written the script for The Crow: Salvation (2000), and was also supposed to direct and supervise the music for the movie. Continual clashes with the producers led to his being fired from the movie. The script he had written is now the script for Legend of the 13 Graves.

Owns the “Zombie A Go Go” record label.

Directs all his own music videos.

Once managed his brother’s band, “Powerman 5000″.

Has many tattoos and designed most of them.

His wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, is on cover of his “American Made Music to Strip By” album.

Designed a maze for Universal Studio’s “Halloween Horror Nights” in 1999 and 2000.

Drew the hallucination scene in Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996).

Draws most of the illustrations on White Zombie’s and his solo CD booklets.

Universal dropped his film debut House of 1000 Corpses (2003), fearing it would get a NC-17 rating.

Loves horror movies.

His film, House of 1000 Corpses (2003), was inspired mainly by The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974).

He has a pair of boots that he’s been wearing for over 20 years.

He is a big fan of horror/zombie movies.

Is friends with metal legend, Ozzy Osbourne.

Has a fascination with Charles Manson.

Collector of classic movie posters including horror films and the classic Marx Brothers films, after whom he named several of the characters in House of 1000 Corpses (2003) (Otis Driftwood, Captain Spaulding, etc.).

Is close friends with his hero, Alice Cooper.

Named his first heavy metal band White Zombie, after the Bela Lugosi film White Zombie (1932).

Wants to open up his own night club for unsigned acts.

Member of the unofficial “Splat Pack,” a term coined by film historian Alan Jones in Total Film magazine for the modern wave of directors making brutally violent horror films. The other “Splat Pack” members are Alexandre Aja, Darren Lynn Bousman, Neil Marshall, Greg Mclean, Eli Roth, James Wan & Leigh Whannell.

Is an avid fan of “The Munsters” (1964).

Moved to New York at the age of 18.

Although his films tend to be very violent, he is a bigger fan of the horror films of the 30s and 40s than the later, more violent ones.

Long-time vegetarian.

Has a 12-foot stuffed bear in his living room. He also has a sarcophagus, an enormous Boris Karloff poster, a green, scaly Creature from the Black Lagoon statue, and real baby bats which have mounted and framed.

His parents were carnival workers.

In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his earnings for the year at $20 million.

Avoids doing casting himself or even giving himself cameos in any of his films. He has said that, as a director, he doesn’t feel comfortable in front of the camera and generally feels that directors should focus on directing rather than being in the film.

Turned down the opportunity to direct Freddy vs. Jason (2003) to work on House of 1000 Corpses (2003).

Is close friends with Horror Hostess Icon Cassandra Peterson (Elvira).

Was rumored to be the director of The Evil Dead (2010).

Originally stated he would never do a sequel to Halloween (2007), until the studio decided to make Halloween II (2009). Then he signed on to write and direct, because he didn’t want someone to ruin his vision. He did not sign on to direct the second sequel Halloween III (2011).

John Singleton

John Daniel Singleton (born January 6, 1968) is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. A native of South Los Angeles, many of his films consider the implications of inner-city violence like the critically acclaimed and popular Boyz N the Hood, Poetic Justice, Higher Learning and Baby Boy. He has recently branched out into mainstream territory with the blockbuster 2 Fast 2 Furious and Four Brothers.

Trivia:

Graduated from USC School of Cinema-Television (1990).

Daughter, Hadar, (b. 4/3/1997). with Oxford trained Ghanian princess Akosua Busia.

Youngest person ever to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Director (at 24).

Loves to collect and read comic books.

Started Ice Cube’s acting career; on the “Queen Latifah Show” (1999), Ice Cube stated that John Singleton screen-tested him to see if he could act.

Dated model Tyra Banks. They met when on his film Higher Learning (1995).

Sentenced to make a short film about domestic violence after pleading no contest to charges he assaulted the mother of his 6-year-old daughter Cleopatra. He was also placed on three years’ probation, fined $300, and ordered to undergo a year of domestic violence counseling. (22 June 1999).

Has a daughter named Cleopatra who appeared in Baby Boy (2001).

A member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Crossed Spring 1987 at Beta Omega Chapter (USC, Pepperdine, LMU).

His 1991 film, Boyz n the Hood (1991), made its way onto the prestigious National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

Graduated from Blair High School in Pasadena, California, in 1986.

Met Laurence Fishburne when he was a PA on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” (1986). Lawrence played Cowboy Curtis.

Taught an Advanced Directing Class at USC. (Spring 1997)

Favorite films include Raging Bull (1980), Bicycle Thief, Jaws (1975), Les quatre cents coups (1959) (400 Blows), and A Clockwork Orange (1971).

Director of music videos, his most famous one was Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” that included Magic Johnson and Eddie Murphy.

A huge fan of Westerns. In fact, many of the shots in his films are influenced by the genre.

Shares his birthday with Rowan Atkinson, Jenna Z. Wilson, and Gabrielle Reece.

Has family and friends in Switzerland.

While in high school, Singleton learned “that the film business was controlled by screenplays.” After graduating from high school in 1986, Singleton was accepted to the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television’s prestigious Film Writing Program. During his four-year studies there, he won three writing awards. These achievements in writing earned Singleton a contract with the powerful Creative Artists Agency during his sophomore year at USC. Columbia wanted to make the picture, but at first wanted someone else to direct it. Singleton believed only he could do it, and did.

Favorite directors are: Orson Welles, Francois Truffaut, Steven Spielberg, Akira Kurosawa, John Cassavetes, Martin Scorsese, and Francis Ford Coppola.

Walter Elias “Walt” Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon and philanthropist. Disney is famous for his influence in the field of entertainment during the twentieth century. As the co-founder (with his brother Roy O. Disney) of Walt Disney Productions, Disney became one of the best-known motion picture producers in the world. The corporation he co-founded, now known as The Walt Disney Company, today has annual revenues of approximately U.S. $35 billion.

Disney is particularly noted for being a film producer and a popular showman, as well as an innovator in animation and theme park design. He and his staff created a number of the world’s most famous fictional characters including Mickey Mouse. He received fifty-nine Academy Award nominations and won twenty-six Oscars, including a record four in one year,  giving him more awards and nominations than any other individual. He also won seven Emmy Awards. He is the namesake for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in the United States, Japan, France, and China.

Disney died of lung cancer on December 15, 1966, a few years prior to the opening of his Walt Disney World Resort dream project in Florida.

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Trivia:

Wife Lillian Disney passed away. [16 December 1997]

Death caused by circulatory failure due to complications from lung cancer

Disney’s death spawned two rumors that became urban legends. The first is that he had his body cryogenically frozen. The second held that he was buried somewhere on the grounds of Disneyland. Both rumors are completely untrue. Disney was cremated and his ashes interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Active anti-communist

As a teenager, Walt Disney was a member of the Order of DeMolay, a youth organization affiliated with Free Masons.

Interred at Forest Lawn, Glendale, California, USA. Facing the Freedom Mausoleum, to your left hand side are two small private gardens. His is the one farthest back. Plaque is on the wall behind the trees (to your left standing at the gate).

Holds the record of winning the most Academy Awards with 22 wins in competitive categories. Additionally, he won three honorary Oscars and an Irving Thalberg Memorial Award.

Identified as the founder of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority in film clips shown in the queue area of Rocket Rods (formerly, the CircleVision 360 Theater) at Disneyland

Became interested in personalizing animals’ characters after carelessly killing a small owl as a young boy. He felt deeply remorseful and guilty and vowed never again to kill a living creature.

Father of Diane Disney (born December 18, 1933).

Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2000 for the multiplane camera.

Worked as a paperboy as a youth.

Briefly worked for Walter Lantz as an animator.

In the animated short Mickey’s Rival (1936), a character named Mortimer Mouse was modeled after him.

Chose Anaheim, California for the location of Disneyland after demographics experts convinced him it would become a major population center within 10 years. They were right.

His death was not publicly announced until after his funeral, which was attended only by close family members.

Reportedly, his famous trademark signature was designed for him by one of his animators.

Was a frequent target of satire by animator Jay Ward.

Reports surfaced that shortly after his death, Disney Company executive board members were shown a short film that Disney had made before his death, where he addressed the board members by name, telling each of them what was expected of them. The film ended with Disney saying, “I’ll be seeing you.”

Mickey Mouse’s birthday is November 18, 1928, the date when Steamboat Willie (1928) was released.

Donald Duck’s birthday is June 9, 1934, the date when The Wise Little Hen (1934) was released.

The name Donald Duck is frequently written in on voting ballots in Scandanavian countries as a protest vote.

Inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians in 1993.

Shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, an Army draft notice, addressed to Mr. Donald Duck, was delivered to the Disney studios.

Tribute in the Memory of Film section at the Flanders International Film Festival in Ghent, Belgium. [2001]

The Disney family came from Kilkenny, Ireland. The D’Isney family settled in County Kilkenny to escape religious persecution and later traveled to America.

Daughter Sharon Disney was adopted.

Grandfather of Christopher Disney Miller, Joanna Miller, Tamara Scheer, Jennifer Miller-Goff, Walter Elias Disney Miller, Ronald Miller, Victoria Brown.

Brother of Herbert Disney, Raymond Disney, Roy O. Disney and Ruth Disney.

Son of Elias Disney and Flora Disney.

Was dyslexic.

After adapting Ludwig van Beethoven’s 6th Symphony for the soundtrack of Fantasia (1940), he exclaimed, “My God, this Beethoven will go a long way!”

Pictured on a 6¢ US commemorative postage stamp issued in his honor, 11 September 1968.

In 1981, Walt Disney Productions (now The Walt Disney Company) purchased the rights to the Disney name from Retlaw Enterprises, the Disney family’s company. Retlaw is Walter spelled backwards.

His grandfather lived in Ontario, Canada. From there he moved to the United States.

Was a major contributor to the success of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, primarily via his creative use of audio-animatronics (lifelike, internally animated figures). Among other things, he designed the Carousel of Progress for the General Electric exhibit, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln for the State of Illinois exhibit, and, most enduringly, It’s a Small World for Pepsi Cola. One of the most popular attractions at the Fair, featuring animated figures of children from all over the world, the latter has since successfully established itself as a perennial crowd-pleaser at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. All three exhibits were transformed into attractions at Disneyland. Only the Carousel of Progress is not still open. It was closed to be turned into America Sings in Tomorrowland.

It is Hollywood legend that, lying on his deathbed at St. Jospeh’s Hospital in Burbank (across the street from the Disney Studios) his last words were about how shabby the studio’s water tower looked. Visible from a nearby freeway, towering above the backlot, it is adorned with the image of his most beloved creation, Mickey Mouse. In adherance with what they believed were their founder’s last wishes, studio executives have made sure the water tower was regularly repainted since he died in 1966.

He was a chain smoker. He avoided smoking when he was in public view, especially where he might be seen by children. His smokers’ cough often heralded his arrival in a particular wing of the studio, allowing off-task employees time to get on task.

In his autobiography, one-time Disney storyboard artist Bill Peet essentially described Walt Disney as a chain-smoking “work-a-holic” who was prone to strong mood swings.

He often called composer Robert B. Sherman into his office to play the piano for him. His favorite song was Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins (1964).

He got his idea and inspiration for Disneyland, when he visited the “Tivoli”-park in Denmark.

Was initiated into DeMolay at the Mother Chapter in Kansas City Missouri, in 1920.

Received the DeMolay Legion of Honor in 1931.

On November 13, 1986, he was a member of the first group to be inducted into the DeMolay Hall of Fame.

His father, Elias Disney, was a professional carpenter by trade who, among other things, worked on the construction of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, the prototype for all World’s Fairs to follow. When Walt and his brother Roy O. Disney were boys, their father would tell them of the many wonders of the Fair, such as the first ferris wheel, thus inspiring the dreams that would make them both successful as adults.

Was awarded an honorary Oscar “For the creation of Mickey Mouse” by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences at the fifth Awards ceremony held on November 10, 1932, at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. It was only the second honorary Oscar yet awarded by the Academy. The recipient of the first honorary Oscar, Charles Chaplin, was supposed to present the award to Disney, but he stayed home that night.

He also founded the motion picture distribution company Buena Vista Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of his empire. His empire now includes Hollywood Pictures Company and its specialty films unit; Caravan Pictures; Touchstone Pictures; Miramax Films Corporation and its specialty films unit, Dimension Films; American Broadcasting Company (ABC), ABC Family Channel, and ESPN.

According to former Disney animators, the whispered code that Walt Disney was nearby was “Man is in the forest,” a sly reference to the film Bambi (1942).

Profiled in in J.A. Aberdeen’s “Hollywood Renegades: The Society of Independent Motion Picture Producers.”.

Although he has been called politically conservative, actually voted mainly for Democrats until the 1940 presidential election. This was a main reason why he was asked by HUAC to testify, and was always particularly anti-communist, because his worst nightmare was being called one.

In 1964, Disney was one of several Americans chosen by President Lyndon Johnson to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The award ceremony was held at the White House on 14 September 1964. The urban myth that Disney wore a “Vote for Goldwater” button during the ceremony to endorse Johnson’s opponent in the upcoming election, Republican Barry Goldwater, is completely false and has been debunked many times.

He was one of the founding members of the right-wing Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals in February 1944, along with Robert Taylor, Adolphe Menjou, Sam Wood, Norman Taurog, Gary Cooper, Clarence Brown and Clark Gable.

Wanted to name Mickey Mouse “Mortimer Mouse” when he drew him. He showed the picture to his wife and his wife did not like the idea and told him to name him “Mickey Mouse”. Some historians believe that Mickey’s name was inspired from a toy mouse by Performo Toy Company named “Micky” (spelled without an “e”), which was extremely popular and had already been selling at the time when Disney was developing his Mickey Mouse.

Was first nominated for an Oscar (as producer) in 1932, the year he also got the honorary award for creating Mickey Mouse. From that year until 1965 (the year before his death), Disney received one or more Academy Award nominations every year except 1933 and 1941.

Supported Ronald Reagan’s run for governor of California in 1966.

The last animated movie he ever put his personal touch on was The Jungle Book (1967).

Disney had been in bad health for a few months, before he finally entered St. Joseph Hospital in Burbank, California, on 2 November 1966, complaining of pain in his neck and back. An X-ray revealed a tumor on his left lung and surgery was advised. Disney, however checked out to finish some studio business and re-entered the hospital on 6 November. Surgery was performed the next day and his left lung was found to be entirely cancerous and was removed.

He refused to allow Alfred Hitchcock to film at Disneyland in the early 1960s, because Hitchcock had made “that disgusting movie Psycho (1960).”.

Served in a Red Cross unit with Ray Kroc, future founder of the McDonald’s fast food chain.

Disney is credited as Retlaw Yensid for Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. (1966)’s original story. The pseudonym is Walter Disney reversed. The Disney family’s company was named Retlaw Enterprises, Disney’s first full name reversed.

Theme parks Disneyland and Disneyworld are respectively located in Orange County (Anaheim, California) and Orange County (Orlando, Florida).

Disney’s record-breaking streaks of consecutive Oscar wins include: 1934-1940 (7) and 1951-1956 (6).

Has a record of 59 Oscar-nominations.

Walt’s ancestors were named d’Isigny, and came from Isigny-sur-Mer in Normandy, France. In 1066, two soldiers, Hughes d’Isigny and his son Robert, fought with William the Conqueror during the conquest of England. After the conquest, Hughes d’Isigny and his son decided to stay in England. Their name was, over the generations, transformed into “Disney”. In the XVII century, a branch of the Disney family emigrated to Ireland. In 1834, Arundel Elias Disney and his brother Robert emigrated from Kilkenny County, Ireland, to Northern America with their families. They left Liverpool and arrived to New York on October 3rd. Once in America, the two brothers parted. Robert established himself in a farm in the Midwest, whereas Arundel decided to reach Goderich Township, Ontario, a few steps from Canada.

Became friends with Charles Chaplin during their respective days at United Arists in the 1930s; Disney credited Chaplin for helping him correctly pace his feature films.

Personally disliked Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Peter Pan (1953) because of the lack of “heart” and “warmth” in their main characters. Was very sad about the unfavorable reception of Fantasia (1940) as he was proud of the film. Ironically, the first re-issue of Fantasia (1940) after his death was the first time it turned a profit.

Among his favorite desserts were lemon meringue pie and chocolate ice cream soda.

Survived the 1918 flu.

Although he wore a mustache all his life, he forbade his employees to wear them, not wanting to compromise on the “clean-cut image” that the Disney company had.

Before his 35th birthday, his brother Roy encouraged employees to throw the boss a surprise party. Two of the animators thought it would be hilarious to make a short movie of Mickey and Minnie Mouse “consummating their relationship.” When Disney saw the animation at the party, he feigned laughter and playfully asked who made the film. As soon as the two animators came forward, he fired them on the spot and left.

The day that he opened Disneyland in Anaheim, a plumber’s strike broke out and water pressure was restricted to avoid plumbing problems. Disney had to choose between either water fountains or toilets, there wasn’t enough water for both. He chose toilets, causing one reporter to half-jokingly quip, “Walt’s trying to force us to buy Coca-Cola.”.

Steve Oedekerk (born November 27, 1961) is an American comedian, director, editor, producer, screenwriter and actor. Oedekerk is best known for his collaborations with actor Jim Carrey (particularly the Ace Ventura franchise), his series of “Thumbmation” shorts and his film Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002).

Oedekerk gained popularity with his series of “Thumbmation” shorts: Thumb Wars, Bat Thumb, The Godthumb, Frankenthumb, The Blair Thumb and Thumbtanic.

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Trivia:

Is highly involved in Martial Arts.

Is best known for the “Thumb” movies.

Was a contestant on “Star Search” (1983), and appeared on the TV series “Full House” (1987) as Joey Gladstone’s (Dave Coulier) competitor on Star Search in the episode “Star Search”.