Barry Sonnenfeld

Barry Sonnenfeld (born April 1, 1953) is an American filmmaker and television director. He worked as cinematographer for the Coen Brothers, then later he directed and produced big budget films such as Men in Black.

Trivia:

Was uninjured when a private jet he was travelling in collided with five empty ‘planes after a rough landing in Van Nuys, California. [16 February 1999]

Started his career as a cinematographer in porn films. He’s quoted in the January 26, 1998 Newsweek magazine (page 60) saying that he was depressed when he heard that Boogie Nights (1997) was being made (a film about making pornos) because he had wanted to make a movie about the time he shot 9 feature length pornos in nine days.

NYU Film School Assistant to Elliott Erwitt.

Lives in Long Island, NY.

Loves to eat smoked whitefish.

Was offered the job of directing Forrest Gump (1994), but declined. The job then went to Robert Zemeckis, who won an Academy Award for it.

Has a private bathroom designed to look like a public bathroom, complete with stalls and urinals in his house in New York.

One of his most embarrassing moments occurred when he was a teenager attending his first rock concert. His mom had the PA announcer say, “Barry Sonnenfeld, call your mother.”

Nephew of Vaudeville and screen comedian Gus Schilling, whose voice likeness he inherited genetically.

Father of Chloe Sonnenfeld.

Has stated in many interviews that before making Men in Black he was considering doing a live-action film version of The Jetsons. With Jim Carrey playing George Jetson and Nicole Kidman playing Jane Jetson.

Was set to direct “Fun with Dick and Jane” (2005), but bowed out citing personal reasons.

Was at one time attached to direct The Heartbreak Kid (2007).

John Turturro

John Michael Turturro (born February 28, 1957) is an American actor, writer, and director best known for his performances in Barton Fink (1991), Quiz Show (1994), The Big Lebowski (1998), and O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000). He has appeared in over sixty movies, and has worked frequently with the Coen brothers and Spike Lee. He is well known for his ability to change both his demeanor and physique.

Trivia:

Brother of Nicholas Turturro and Ralph Turturro.

Cousin of Aida Turturro.

Graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz.

The Turturro family originates from Sicily, Italy.

Son, Amedeo Turturro, was born in 1990.

Son, Diego Turturro, was born in 2000.

Has appeared in more films directed by Spike Lee than any other actor. They first worked together in Do the Right Thing (1989) and as of Miracle at St. Anna (2008) has appeared in nine of Lee’s films.

Graduated from Yale Drama School.

A native of Brooklyn.

Is a big fan of Big Trouble in Little China (1986).

Has his own production company called Humperdink Productions.

Is the second of three brothers.

Sicilian mother was a professional singer.

Based his character Bernie Bernbaum in Miller’s Crossing (1990) on the real- life personae of Director Barry Sonnenfeld (Get Shorty (1995), Men in Black (1997)), the film’s cinematographer.

Has starred in six movies with his former acting professor from SUNY New Paltz, Joe Paparone. In the film Mac (1992), he plays his deceased father.

Does an accurate impression of Burt Lancaster.

Had himself diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder after seeing the independent film “Billy The Kid.”.