GEORGE CLOONEY
(Photo left) GEORGE CLOONEY stars as Danny Ocean in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ “Ocean’s Thirteen,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film also stars Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Ellen Barkin and Al Pacino. Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon
George Clooney (Danny Ocean) is an Academy Award-winning actor, who has also been honored for his work as a writer, director and producer. He next stars in the title role of the drama "Michael Clayton," for director Tony Gilroy. The film is slated for release in fall 2007.
He is currently in production on the romantic comedy "Leatherheads," which he is directing and producing from a screenplay he co-wrote. Clooney is also starring in the film opposite Renee Zellweger. "Leatherheads" is the first film to be produced by Smoke House, the production company Clooney recently launched with Grant Heslov. Later this summer, he begins filming the Coen brothers' dark comedy "Burn After Reading," in which he stars with Brad Pitt and Frances McDormand.
In 2006, Clooney earned three Academy Award nominations: Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for "Good Night, and Good Luck."; and Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Syriana." It marked the first time in Academy history that an individual received acting and directing nominations for two different films. Clooney won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar that year for his performance in "Syriana," on which he also served as executive producer.
Clooney's work on "Good Night, and Good Luck." and "Syriana" also brought him numerous other accolades. For the first, he garnered dual Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics' Choice Award nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay; nominations for both a Directors Guild of America Award and a Writers Guild of America Award; an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Director; and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nomination for Best Ensemble, shared with the cast. The Broadcast Film Critics Association also presented Clooney with its Freedom Award for "Good Night, and Good Luck." In addition, he won a Golden Globe Award and earned BAFTA, SAG and Critics' Choice Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Syriana."
Both films were produced under the banner of Section Eight, the production company in which Clooney was partnered with Steven Soderbergh. Section Eight also produced 2002's "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," which marked Clooney's film directorial debut. For his directing work on that film, he won a Special Achievement in Film Award from the National Board of Review. Other Section Eight films included "Insomnia" and "Far From Heaven," which Clooney executive produced; "Ocean's Eleven"; "Ocean's Twelve"; "The Jacket"; "Full Frontal"; and "Welcome to Collinwood." For Section Eight's television division, Clooney executive produced and directed five episodes of "Unscripted," a reality-based show that debuted on HBO in 2005. He was also an executive producer and cameraman for HBO's "K Street."
Clooney previously won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his work in the Coen brothers' acclaimed 2000 comedy "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" He also earned critical acclaim for his work in the award-winning drama "Three Kings" and the Oscar-nominated "Out of Sight," which was his first collaboration with Soderbergh. Clooney's other film credits include "Solaris," "The Peacemaker," "Batman & Robin," "One Fine Day" and "From Dusk Till Dawn."
Clooney has starred in several television series but is best known for his five years on the hit NBC drama "ER." His portrayal of Dr. Douglas Ross earned him Emmy Award, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations. Additionally, he was an executive producer and co-star of the live television broadcast of "Fail Safe," a 2000 telefilm based on the early 1960s novel of the same name. "Fail Safe" was nominated for both Golden Globe and Emmy Awards for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.
BRAD PITT
(Photo left) BRAD PITT stars as Rusty Ryan in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ “Ocean’s Thirteen,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film also stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Ellen Barkin and Al Pacino. Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon
Brad Pitt (Rusty Ryan), one of the film industry's most prominent stars, is an award-winning actor and has also gained great success as a producer under his Plan B banner.
Pitt most recently earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's acclaimed drama "Babel," opposite Cate Blanchett. He also shared in a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Motion Picture Cast.
Pitt next stars as Jesse James in Andrew Dominik's "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," which Pitt also produced through Plan B and is set for release this September. He then plays the title role in the romantic fantasy "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which reunites him with Cate Blanchett and marks his third collaboration with director David Fincher. The film is due out in May 2008. Later this year, he will begin filming the Coen brothers' dark comedy "Burn After Reading," in which he stars with George Clooney and Frances McDormand.
For Plan B, Pitt recently served as a producer on Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning Best Picture "The Departed," and Ryan Murphy's "Running with Scissors," starring Annette Bening, Gwyneth Paltrow and Alec Baldwin. Plan B's upcoming projects include "A Mighty Heart," starring Angelina Jolie; "Shantaram," starring Johnny Depp under the direction of Mira Nair; and "The Time Traveler's Wife," starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana. Plan B previously produced Tim Burton's fantasy hit "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," starring Johnny Depp; and Wolfgang Petersen's historical epic "Troy," in which Pitt also starred.
Born in Oklahoma, Pitt began his acting career with smaller roles in films and on television. In 1991, he first gained the attention of critics and audiences with his breakthrough performance as the seductive hitchhiker in Ridley Scott's controversial hit "Thelma & Louise." He went on to star in Robert Redford's "A River Runs Through It," Dominic Sena's "Kalifornia" and Neil Jordan's "Interview with the Vampire."
Pitt received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for his performance in 1994's "Legends of the Fall," in which he starred with Anthony Hopkins. Two years later, he was honored with an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Terry Gilliam's "Twelve Monkeys."
Pitt subsequently earned praise for his work in the David Fincher films "Se7en" and "Fight Club"; Jean-Jacques Annaud's "Seven Years in Tibet"; and Guy Ritchie's "Snatch." He also joined an all-star ensemble cast, including George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Bernie Mac, in Steven Soderbergh's hit remake of "Ocean's Eleven." Pitt also starred in the sequel "Ocean's Twelve," which reunited the cast and director Soderbergh; and the smash hit action comedy "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," opposite Angelina Jolie.
Pitt's additional film credits include: Tony Scott's "Spy Game," with Robert Redford; Gore Verbinski's "The Mexican," with Julia Roberts and James Gandolfini; the title role in Martin Brest's "Meet Joe Black"; Alan J. Pakula's "The Devil's Own"; Barry Levinson's "Sleepers"; Tony Scott's "True Romance"; Ralph Bakshi's "Cool World"; and "Johnny Suede," which was named Best Picture at the 1991 Locarno International Film Festival. Pitt has also made cameo appearances in Soderbergh's "Full Frontal" and George Clooney's "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," and lent his voice to the title character in the animated feature "Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas."
MATT DAMON
(Photo left) MATT DAMON stars in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ “Ocean’s Thirteen,” distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film also stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Ellen Barkin and Al Pacino. Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon
Matt Damon (Linus Caldwell) is an Academy Award-winning screenwriter, in addition to being honored for his work as an actor. He most recently starred in Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning Best Picture "The Departed," with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg, and in Robert De Niro's dramatic thriller "The Good Shepherd," with De Niro and Angelina Jolie.
Damon next stars in "The Bourne Ultimatum," in which he reprises the title role of Jason Bourne from the hit action thrillers "The Bourne Identity" and "The Bourne Supremacy." Directed by Paul Greengrass, "The Bourne Ultimatum" is due out in August 2007.
Hailing from Boston, Damon attended Harvard University and gained his initial acting experience at the American Repertory Theatre. He made his feature film debut in "Mystic Pizza," followed by the TNT telefilm "Rising Son." His early credits also include roles in "School Ties," Walter Hill's "Geronimo: An American Legend" and Tommy Lee Jones' "The Good Old Boys," for TNT. Damon first caught the attention of critics and audiences with his portrayal of a guilt-ridden Gulf War veteran tormented by memories of a battlefield incident in 1996's "Courage Under Fire."
However, 1997 would prove to be Damon's breakout year. Together with his friend Ben Affleck, he co-wrote the acclaimed drama "Good Will Hunting," in which Damon also starred in the title role of a troubled math genius. The film brought him an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award (shared with Ben Affleck) for Best Original Screenplay. Damon also garnered Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for his performance in the film, as well as two Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nominations: one for his individual performance and a second for Outstanding Cast Performance. Also in 1997, Damon starred as an idealistic young attorney in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Rainmaker" and made a cameo appearance in Kevin Smith's "Chasing Amy."
In 1998, Damon played the title role in Steven Spielberg's award-winning World War II drama "Saving Private Ryan," for which he shared in another SAG Award nomination for Outstanding Cast Performance. That same year, he also starred in John Dahl's drama "Rounders," with Edward Norton.
Damon earned his third Golden Globe nomination for his performance in 1999's "The Talented Mr. Ripley," under the direction of Anthony Minghella. He also reunited with Ben Affleck and director Kevin Smith to star in the controversial comedy "Dogma."
In 2000, Damon starred in Robert Redford's "The Legend of Bagger Vance" and Billy Bob Thornton's "All the Pretty Horses." The next year, he joined an all-star cast, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, in Steven Soderbergh's hit remake of the Rat Pack comedy "Ocean's Eleven." Damon followed with his first action role when he starred as Jason Bourne in 2002's mega-hit action thriller "The Bourne Identity." In 2004, he starred in the sequels "Ocean's Twelve" and "The Bourne Supremacy."
Damon's recent film work also includes Stephen Gaghan's geopolitical thriller "Syriana," with George Clooney; the Farrelly brothers' comedy "Stuck On You," opposite Greg Kinnear; Terry Gilliam's "The Brothers Grimm," with Heath Ledger; and a cameo appearance in George Clooney's "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind."
Lifelong friends Damon and Affleck formed the production company LivePlanet to produce film, television and new media projects. LivePlanet produced three Emmy-nominated seasons of "Project Greenlight," chronicling the making of independent films by first-time writers and directors. The resulting "Project Greenlight" films to date are "Stolen Summer," "The Battle of Shaker Heights" and "Feast." The newest LivePlanet project is the documentary "Running the Sahara," directed by Academy Award winner James Moll.
ANDY GARCIA
Andy Garcia (Terry Benedict) is a multi-faceted artist who has been honored for his work as an actor, producer, director and composer/musician.
In 2005, Garcia made his feature film directorial debut with "The Lost City," a project he had been developing for 17 years. He also starred with Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray in the film, which was produced in association with Garcia's production company, CineSon Productions. In addition, Garcia composed the original score for the film and also produced the soundtrack, which features several legends from the Cuban music world. For "The Lost City," Garcia earned Best Director and Best Film Awards at the 2006 Imagen Awards. He also just received a Best Director Award nomination at the 2007 ALMA Awards.
Earlier this year, Garcia starred in Joe Carnahan's "Smokin' Aces," with Ben Affleck, Jeremy Piven and Ray Liotta, and he stars in the independent drama "The Air I Breathe," which premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. His recent film credits also include the title role in the biographical drama "Modigliani," which he also executive produced, and Philip Kaufman's thriller "Twisted," with Ashley Judd and Samuel L. Jackson. In addition, Garcia joined the all-star ensemble cast of Steven Soderbergh's hit remake of the Rat Pack comedy "Ocean's Eleven," and reunited with the director and the cast, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, in the sequel "Ocean's Twelve."
Garcia previously garnered Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather: Part III." He later received an Emmy Award nomination and his second Golden Globe Award nomination for his portrayal of legendary Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval in HBO's 2000 biopic "For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story." As the executive producer of the telefilm, Garcia also earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Made for Television Movie. The film was also Golden Globe-nominated for Best Miniseries or Made for Television Movie. In addition, Garcia produced the movie's soundtrack and the Emmy-winning score, featuring the music of Arturo Sandoval. The film won two ALMA Awards as Best Made for TV Movie or Miniseries and as Outstanding Latin Cast in a Made for TV Movie or Miniseries.
In 1991, Garcia formed his own production company, CineSon Productions. Under the CineSon banner, he made his directorial debut with the documentary concert film "Cachao...Como Su Ritmo No Hay Dos (Like His Rhythm There Is No Other)," about the legendary co-creator of the Mambo, Israel Lopez "Cachao."
On the music side, Garcia produced and performed on Volumes I and II of Cachao -- Master Sessions (Crescent Moon/Sony), the first a 1994 Grammy Award winner, and the latter a 1995 Grammy Award nominee. The CD Cachao - Cuba Linda (EMI Latin), produced by Garcia's CineSon record label, was nominated for a 2001 Grammy and a 2000 Latin Grammy Award. Garcia won both Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards for his latest collaboration with Israel Lopez "Cachao," !Ahora Si! (Univision), their fourth record on the CineSon label, released in 2004. Additionally, Garcia composed four songs for the soundtrack of the film "Steal Big, Steal Little," in which he also starred; and wrote, produced and performed several songs for the soundtrack of "Just The Ticket," a film he starred in and produced.
Born in Havana, Garcia was only five when his family fled to Florida after Fidel Castro's takeover of his homeland. He began acting in regional theatre before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a film career. Garcia first gained attention in Hal Ashby's "8 Million Ways to Die," and includes among his other films Brian De Palma's "The Untouchables," Ridley Scott's "Black Rain," Mike Figgis' "Internal Affairs," Kenneth Branagh's "Dead Again," Stephen Frears' "Hero," Luis Mandoki's "When A Man Loves A Woman," Gary Fleder's "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead," Sidney Lumet's "Night Falls on Manhattan" and Barbet Schroeder's "Desperate Measures."
DON CHEADLE
Don Cheadle (Basher Tarr) is an award-winning actor of the stage, screen and television. He was recently honored with an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his work in 2004's searing true-life drama "Hotel Rwanda." His portrayal of Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager who saved hundreds from slaughter during Rwanda's genocidal massacres, also brought him Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award nominations, as well as dual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nods, one for Best Actor and another as part of the nominated cast. In 2005, he joined the ensemble cast in Paul Haggis' Oscar-winning Best Picture "Crash," on which Cheadle also served as a producer. He earned a BAFTA Award nomination for his performance in that movie, in addition to sharing in a SAG Award for Outstanding Motion Picture Cast.
He most recently starred in the critically acclaimed drama "Reign Over Me," with Adam Sandler. This summer, he stars in "Talk to Me," a biopic about Ralph "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who became a popular 1960s talk show host and community activist. Cheadle also executive produced the film, which was directed by Kasi Lemmons.
Cheadle previously worked with director Steven Soderbergh in "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve"; the Oscar-winning drama "Traffic," for which he shared in a SAG Award for Outstanding Motion Picture Cast; and "Out of Sight." His film credits also include Brett Ratner's "After the Sunset"; "The Assassination of Richard Nixon," with Naomi Watts and Sean Penn; "The United States of Leland"; Dominic Sena's "Swordfish," with John Travolta and Halle Berry; Brett Ratner's "The Family Man," with Nicolas Cage; Brian De Palma's "Mission to Mars"; "Bulworth," directed by and starring Warren Beatty; Paul Thomas Anderson's critically acclaimed "Boogie Nights"; "Volcano," with Tommy Lee Jones; and John Singleton's "Rosewood," for which Cheadle earned an NAACP Image Award nomination. Cheadle's breakout performance had been in the 1995 crime drama "Devil in a Blue Dress," for which he had been named the year's Best Supporting Actor by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
Cheadle has also been recognized for his work on the small screen. In 1999, he won a Golden Globe Award and received an Emmy Award nomination for his portrayal of Sammy Davis Jr. in the HBO movie "The Rat Pack." That same year, he garnered a second Emmy nomination for his starring role in HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying," based on Ernest J. Gaines' best-selling novel. He earned a third Emmy nomination for his work in Showtime's "Things Behind the Sun," directed by Allison Anders. Cheadle more recently received his fourth Emmy nod for his recurring guest role on NBC's hit series "ER." His additional television credits include CBS's live broadcast of the Cold War drama "Fail Safe," directed by Stephen Frears; HBO's "Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault"; and a regular role on the David E. Kelley series "Picket Fences."
An accomplished stage actor, Cheadle originated the role of Booth in Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Top Dog/Underdog," under the direction of George C. Wolfe at New York's Public Theatre. His theatre work also includes productions of "Leon, Lena and Lenz," "The Grapes of Wrath," "Liquid Skin," "Cymbeline," "`Tis Pity She's a Whore" and Athol Fugard's "Blood Knot." He also directed productions of "Cincinnati Man," "The Trip" and "Three, True, One."
Apart from his acting, Cheadle is also a talented musician who plays saxophone, writes music and sings. He was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for his narration/dramatization of the Walter Mosley novel Fear Itself. In addition, he recently co-authored (with John Prendergast) the book Not on Our Watch - A Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond (Hyperion), to help focus the world's attention on this humanitarian crisis. The book offers strategies that readers can implement to make a difference in the fates of people in Darfur and other crisis zones.
BERNIE MAC
Bernie Mac (Frank Catton) has risen from the small comedy clubs of Chicago to become one of today's most popular comedy actors and stand-up comedians. In addition to starring in both films and television shows, he continues to sell out arenas and theatres across the country.
Mac recently signed a first-look deal with Lionsgate Entertainment, along with partner Steven Greener. Through his production company, MacMan Entertainment, Mac will produce and star in feature films for the studio, as well as develop four Dean Martin-style celebrity roasts that will go directly to DVD.
He can currently be seen in the Lionsgate feature "Pride," based on the true-life story of determined swim coach Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) who starts a swim team for troubled teens at the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. Mac plays the janitor who with Ellis fights to keep the recreation center open for the kids. This summer, Mac stars in the much-anticipated action adventure "Transformers," directed by Michael Bay.
Mac previously starred in Steven Soderbergh's ensemble caper comedies "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve." He has also recently starred in the feature films "Head of State," directed by and starring Chris Rock; the sequel "Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle"; the holiday hit "Bad Santa," with Billy Bob Thornton; the baseball comedy "Mr. 3000"; and "Guess Who," a comedy loosely based on the classic film "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner."
In 2001, Mac created the family television comedy series "The Bernie Mac Show," which he also starred in and produced. He received Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2002 and 2003, and the show won an Emmy for "Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series" in 2003. The show also received the Peabody Award, two Television Critics Association Awards for Best Comedy Series and Best Comedy Performance, and an NAACP Image Award for Best Comedy Series and Best Actor.
A founding member of the "Kings of Comedy," Mac displayed his trademark rapid-fire wit and hard-hitting delivery on the show's sell-out tour. The success of the tour spawned Spike Lee's 2000 hit concert film "The Original Kings of Comedy."
Born and raised in Chicago, Mac made his television debut on the landmark HBO comedy series "Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam," which led to his being cast in the Damon Wayans feature "Mo' Money," which marked Mac's feature film debut. His other film credits include the Eddie Murphy/Martin Lawrence comedy "Life," "House Party 3," "How to Be a Player" and "What's the Worst That Could Happen?"
Never one to focus on any single medium, Mac wrote his first book, entitled I Ain't Scared of You, which was published in Fall 2001. In it, he rips through such topics as sex, religion, hygiene, celebrity and more, without missing a beat. In his second book, a more traditional autobiography entitled Maybe You Never Cry Again, Mac tells of growing up in Chicago and the hardships and obstacles in his path to success.
ELLEN BARKIN
Ellen Barkin (Abigail Sponder) has been one of the industry's most respected actresses for more than 25 years, with a wide range of roles in projects encompassing major motion pictures and acclaimed independent films, as well as television and theatre. She recently received rave reviews for her work in the independent feature "Palindromes," directed by Todd Solondz, and also starred in Spike Lee's comedy "She Hate Me."
In addition, Barkin won an Emmy Award for her performance in the Oprah Winfrey-produced telefilm "Before Women Had Wings." Her portrayal of an alcoholic, abusive mother in that project also brought her a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.
Before starting her acting career, the Bronx native attended the prestigious High School of the Performing Arts in New York and studied drama and history at Hunter College. She continued to hone her acting skills in workshops at the renowned Actors Studio. Barkin made her professional acting debut in 1980, appearing in a theatrical production of "Irish Coffee." In 1982, she starred in the original off-Broadway production of "Extremities," with Susan Sarandon and James Russo.
That same year, Barkin broke onto the big screen as the female lead in Barry Levinson's acclaimed comedic drama "Diner," playing the vulnerable, neglected wife of an obsessive husband. Her early film work also includes starring roles in Bruce Beresford's "Tender Mercies," with Robert Duvall; Sidney Lumet's "Daniel"; "Eddie and the Cruisers"; "Harry & Son," directed by and also starring Paul Newman; and Jim Jarmusch's "Down by Law."
Barkin continued to captivate both critics and audiences when she starred as a sultry attorney in Jim McBride's crime drama "The Big Easy," with Dennis Quaid. She then delivered another memorable performance opposite Al Pacino in Harold Becker's hit romantic thriller "Sea of Love," starring as the seductive prime suspect in a string of murders who becomes involved with the lead detective on the case.
Barkin went on to earn a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for her performance as a man trapped in a woman's body in Blake Edwards' "Switch." She also starred opposite Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio in Michael Caton-Jones' drama "This Boy's Life," based on the autobiographical book by Tobias Wolff. Barkin portrayed Caroline, a mother who is trying to provide a stable life for her young son but whose marriage instead traps them in a life of dysfunction and abuse.
Her other notable film credits include "Someone Like You," with Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman; "Drop Dead Gorgeous," with Kirsten Dunst; Tony Scott's "The Fan," with Robert De Niro; "Wild Bill," alongside Jeff Bridges; "Bad Company," with Laurence Fishburne; Bob Rafelson's "Man Trouble," opposite Jack Nicholson; Mike Newell's "Into the West"; and "Desert Bloom," opposite Jon Voight.
AL PACINO
Al Pacino (Willy Bank) is one of the most honored actors of our time. An eight-time Academy Award nominee, he won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in "Scent of a Woman." His work in that film also brought him a Golden Globe Award. Pacino received his first Academy Award nomination in 1973 for his portrayal of Michael Corleone in "The Godfather." Over the next three years, he earned three consecutive Oscar nominations for Best Actor: for the title role in "Serpico"; for "The Godfather: Part II," reprising the role of Michael Corleone; and for "Dog Day Afternoon," as the would-be bank robber Sonny. Pacino has since earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for "...And Justice for All," and nominations for Best Supporting Actor for "Dick Tracy" and the screen adaptation of David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross," the last coming the same year as his nod for "Scent of a Woman."
Pacino most recently won Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance as the AIDS-stricken Roy Cohn in HBO's award-winning miniseries "Angels in America," directed by Mike Nichols. His many other acting honors include National Society of Film Critics and National Board of Review (NBR) Awards for "The Godfather"; a Golden Globe Award and another NBR Award for "Serpico"; a BAFTA Award for "The Godfather: Part II"; and BAFTA and Los Angeles Film Critics Awards for "Dog Day Afternoon," to name only a portion.
Stepping behind the camera, Pacino made his directorial debut on the documentary "Looking for Richard," which he also co-wrote, produced and narrated. He won a Directors Guild of America Award in the Documentary category and earned an Independent Spirit Award for the film.
Pacino was already an award-winning stage actor when he first gained attention for his starring role in 1971's "The Panic in Needle Park," directed by Jerry Schatzberg. Following his Oscar-nominated turn in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather," Pacino reunited with Schatzberg to star in "Scarecrow," winning the Best Actor Award at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival for his performance in the film. His other film credits include Sydney Pollack's "Bobby Deerfield"; William Friedkin's "Cruising," produced by Jerry Weintraub; Arthur Hiller's "Author! Author!"; Brian De Palma's "Scarface"; Harold Becker's "Sea of Love," opposite Ellen Barkin; and "Dick Tracy," directed by and starring Warren Beatty.
Reprising the role of Michael Corleone, he then starred in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather: Part III." His long list of film credits also include Garry Marshall's "Frankie and Johnny," opposite Michelle Pfeiffer; Brian De Palma's "Carlito's Way"; Michael Mann's "Heat," with Robert De Niro; Harold Becker's "City Hall"; Mike Newell's "Donnie Brasco"; Taylor Hackford's "The Devil's Advocate"; Michael Mann's award-winning true-life drama "The Insider"; Oliver Stone's "Any Given Sunday," as part of an all-star ensemble cast; Christopher Nolan's "Insomnia," with Robin Williams and Hilary Swank; Andrew Niccol's "S1m0ne"; "The Recruit," with Colin Farrell; the role of Shylock in the 2004 screen version of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice"; and D.J. Caruso's "Two for the Money."
In addition, he directed and starred in the indie "Chinese Coffee," and directed and wrote the upcoming drama "Salomaybe?," a behind-the-scenes look at his own stage production of Oscar Wilde's "Salome." He had previously starred as King Herod in the off-Broadway, Broadway and Los Angeles productions of "Salome."
Pacino's acting career began on the stage after studying with Herbert Berghof and then with Lee Strasberg at the Actor's Studio. In 1968, he won an Obie Award for his performance in Israel Horovitz's play "The Indian Wants the Bronx." The following year, he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his Broadway debut in "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?
He won his second Tony Award, this time for Best Actor, for his role in "The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel." Throughout his career, he has returned to the stage as both an actor and a director. His many theatre credits include the New York and London productions of David Mamet's "American Buffalo"; "Richard III" and "Julius Caesar" at Joseph Papp's Public Theatre; and Eugene O'Neill's "Hughie," which he starred in and directed, first at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, and then at New York's Circle in the Square.
Pacino has been honored with a number of career achievement awards, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the American Cinematheque Award, and the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award.
CASEY AFFLECK
Casey Afflack (Virgil Malloy) stars this fall in "Gone, Baby, Gone," based on Dennis Lehane's novel of the same title. Marking the directorial debut of Ben Affleck, who also adapted the screenplay, the film tells the story of two Boston detectives in search of a four-year-old girl who has been kidnapped. Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman and Michelle Monaghan also star in the film, which opens in October 2007.
Additionally, Affleck will be seen in the character drama "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford." Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, the film stars Affleck as Ford opposite Brad Pitt's Jesse James. The story follows Ford's sycophantic obsession with "the fastest gun in the West," which quickly turns into growing resentment after he joins the legendary outlaw's gang, leading to his subsequent plan to kill James and claim his rightful glory. The film also stars Sam Rockwell and Sam Shepard and will open this September.
An accomplished screenwriter, Affleck recently penned the original screenplay for "Aardvark Art's Ark," an animated family film that he will also executive produce. The film tells the story of a family of animals who set sail on Noah's Ark and find wild adventures when the waters get dangerous.
Previously, Affleck co-wrote, with Matt Damon, Gus Van Sant's independent road movie "Gerry," also starring alongside Damon in the film. He has also appeared in Van Sant's "Good Will Hunting" and "To Die For"; "Hamlet," with Ethan Hawke and Julia Stiles; Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve"; and Tony Goldwyn's "The Last Kiss," with Zach Braff, Blythe Danner, Tom Wilkinson and Jacinda Barrett.
Affleck's additional film credits include "Lonesome Jim," "Soul Survivors," "American Pie 2," "Attention Shoppers," "Committed," "Drowning Mona," "Floating," "American Pie," "200 Cigarettes," "Desert Blue" and "Race the Sun."
On the stage, Affleck appeared in the West End debut of Kenneth Lonergan's award-winning play "This is Our Youth." Affleck played the role of Warren, alongside Matt Damon and Summer Phoenix.
On television, Affleck was seen in the ABC miniseries "The Kennedys of Massachusetts" and the PBS telefilm "Lemon Sky," based on Lanford Wilson's play and starring Kevin Bacon.
SCOTT CAAN
Scott Caan (Turk Malloy) has appeared in both major motion pictures and independent feature films. In addition, he written, directed and starred in both independent films and theatrical plays that have received praise from critics, as well as his peers.
This spring, Caan is starring in the limited release "Brooklyn Rules," with Alec Baldwin, Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Mena Suvari. He also recently wrote and directed the indie "The Dog Problem," in which he also starred with Giovanni Ribisi, Lynn Collins, Mena Suvari and Kevin Corrigan, with an appearance by Don Cheadle.
The film was warmly received by critics and audiences when it premiered at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival. Caan had previously made his feature film writing and directing debut with "Dallas 362," in which he also starred with Shawn Hatosy, Jeff Goldblum and Kelly Lynch. The film premiered at the 2003 CineVegas International Film Festival, where it won the Critics Award. "Dallas 362" went on to screen at the 2003 Toronto Film Festival, and later received critical acclaim when it opened in limited release in 2005.
Caan more recently co-starred in Todd Robinson's crime thriller "Lonely Hearts," with John Travolta, James Gandolfini and Salma Hayek; the romantic comedy "Friends with Money," with Jennifer Aniston; and the action thriller "Into the Blue," alongside Paul Walker, Jessica Alba and Ashley Scott. He also starred in Steven Soderbergh's hit comedy caper "Ocean's Eleven" and the sequel "Ocean's Twelve," joining an all-star ensemble cast, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.
Caan's other film credits include the comedy Western "American Outlaws," with Colin Farrell; the dark comedy "Novocaine," with Steve Martin, Helena Bonham Carter and Laura Dern; the indie drama "Sonny," directed by Nicolas Cage and starring James Franco, Brenda Blethyn and Mena Suvari; Dominic Sena's crime actioner "Gone in Sixty Seconds," with Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie; the acclaimed drama "Boiler Room," with Giovanni Ribisi; and the wrestling comedy "Ready to Rumble."
He had earlier starred in the hip-hop drama "Black and White," and includes among his additional film work Brian Robbins' "Varsity Blues," Tony Scott's "Enemy of the State" and Greg Araki's "Nowhere."
Caan has also written several screenplays, including "Chasing the Party," a comedy about trying to crash the ultimate party at the Playboy mansion, which is set up at Jerry Bruckheimer Productions with Caan attached to star. He is also in the process of setting up two additional screenplays, a boxing drama entitled "The Fight" and an ensemble drama called "Lowest Common Denominator."
For the stage, Caan wrote, co-directed and starred in the play "Almost Love," which was presented in the fall of 2001 at L.A.'s Playhouse West.
EDDIE JEMISON
Eddie Jemison (Livingston Dell) first worked with Steven Soderbergh when he made his feature film debut in the director's 1996 indie comedy "Schizopolis." In 2001, Soderbergh cast Jemison as Livingston Dell in the remake of the Rat Pack comedy "Ocean's Eleven," marking the actor's first leading role in a major feature film. Three years later, Jemison reunited with the director and the star-studded ensemble cast for the first sequel, "Ocean's Twelve."
Jemison most recently co-starred with Keri Russell in the independent romantic comedy "Waitress," directed by the late Adrienne Shelly. His other film credits include the crime thriller "The Punisher," with John Travolta and Thomas Jane; "The Relic"; "Pizza Wars"; "Junk"; and the BBC film "March in the Windy City." He will also be seen in the upcoming independent films "On the Doll" and "Snappers."
On television, Jemison has guest starred on such series as "The Closer," "NCIS," "ER," "Judging Amy," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "CSI: Miami," "Strong Medicine" and "Six Feet Under."
A native of New Orleans, Jemison graduated from Louisiana State University and Swansea University in Wales. He began his career in Chicago, where he spent 12 years acting in films, television and the theatre. He received a number of Chicago acting honors, including Jeff Award nominations for his performances in "Loot," "Only Kidding" and "The Wizards of Quiz." His most recent stage appearance was as Launce in "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
SHAOBO QIN
Shoabo Qin (Yen), a member of the internationally acclaimed The Peking Acrobats (R), was touring with the troupe when he was spotted and asked to audition for the part of Yen in "Ocean's Eleven." Winning the role, Qin made his feature film debut in the film, joining an ensemble cast that included George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Julia Roberts, under the direction of Steven Soderbergh. Two years later, he reprised his role in the sequel, "Ocean's Twelve." He more recently appeared in the film "Funky Monkey," with Roma Downey and Matthew Modine.
Born in Guangxi, China, in 1982, Qin saw his first acrobatic performance at the age of eleven and knew immediately that he wished to pursue a career as an acrobat. Ironically, that summer when his family enrolled him in an acrobatic arts school, he ran away after only two days. It took three more tries before he found the courage to stay and dedicate himself to the intense training required.
While he was still at acrobatic school, Qin was selected for the touring company of The Peking Acrobats. It was then that he came to the United States, where he trained in Los Angeles for the company's national and international tours, honing his skills as an acrobat, contortionist, tumbler and juggler. He toured with The Peking Acrobats for four years, performing in many venues across the U.S. and Canada, including Six Flags Theme Parks, Paramount Theme Parks, and various fairs and festivals. In 2001, Qin appeared on Broadway with The Peking Acrobats when they played to sold-out houses at The New Victory Theater. He was also part of an elite group of performers who went on The Peking Acrobats' Premiere Italian Tour in 2005.
In addition, Qin appeared with The Peking Acrobats on Fox's "Guinness World Records: Primetime," where he participated in setting the world record for the Human Chair Stack--where six people balance precariously perched atop six chairs 21 feet in the air without safety lines.
CARL REINER
Carl Reiner (Saul Bloom) is a true comedy legend. In a career spanning more than 60 years, he has made a lasting impact on the worlds of television, films, comedy albums and books. He first came to fame during the Golden Age of Television as a co-star on "Your Show of Shows." He would later change the face of television comedy with the creation of "The Dick Van Dyke Show." As a filmmaker, he directed such movies as "Oh, God!" and "The Jerk." Earlier this year, the Directors Guild of America presented him with its Honorary Life Member Award.
Born in the Bronx, Reiner enrolled in drama school at age 16, and soon landed a part in an updated version of "The Merry Widow." During World War II, he trained as a radio operator in the Air Force and studied French to serve as an interpreter. He continued to entertain as a comedian and actor with Maurice Evans' Special Services Entertainment Unit, touring the Pacific for eighteen months in G.I. revues.
Upon his honorable discharge in 1946, Reiner won the leading role in the national company of "Call Me Mister." After three years in various Broadway musicals, he entered the emerging medium of television, joining Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca on "Your Show of Shows." In 1954, Reiner earned an Emmy Award nomination for his performance on the series. He later won two Emmy Awards for his work on the show "Caesar's Hour."
In 1961, Reiner created "The Dick Van Dyke Show," which would become one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history, catapulting the careers of both its title star and Mary Tyler Moore. Audiences also remember Reiner's recurring role as the toupee-wearing producer Alan Brady. During the show's five-year run, Reiner won five Emmys for his work as a producer and writer on the series. Reiner won another Emmy in 1967 for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Show for his special with Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca and Howard Morris.
While working on "The Dick Van Dyke Show," Reiner wrote his first feature film, "The Thrill of It All," starring Doris Day and James Garner. He made his feature film directorial debut on 1967's "Enter Laughing," which he also co-wrote, based on his own book. He then directed "The Comic," which he also co-wrote and produced. Reiner has directed four films starring Steve Martin: "The Jerk," "All of Me," "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" and "The Man with Two Brains," the last two of which he also co-wrote. His film credits as a director also include "Where's Poppa?" starring George Segal and Ruth Gordon; "Oh, God!" starring George Burns and John Denver; "The One and Only," with Henry Winkler; "Summer Rental," starring John Candy; "Summer School," starring Mark Harmon; "Bert Rigby, You're a Fool," which he also wrote; "Sibling Rivalry," with Kirstie Alley; "Fatal Instinct," with Armand Assante and Kate Nelligan, and "That Old Feeling," starring Bette Midler and Dennis Farina.
As an actor, Reiner has been the "elder statesman" in the all-star ensemble casts of Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve." His earlier film acting work also includes "The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming," "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," "The Gazebo," "Generation," "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid," "The End" and "Slums of Beverly Hills."
In 1995, Reiner won an Emmy Award for his guest role on the comedy series "Mad About You." His recent television appearances also include guest roles on "Beggars and Choosers," for which he was Emmy-nominated, "The Bernie Mac Show," "Crossing Jordan," "Life with Bonnie" and "Boston Legal." In 2004, Reiner executive produced and starred in "The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited," which garnered an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Class Program.
Reiner is also an accomplished author. In 1958, his first book, the semi-autobiographical novel Enter Laughing, was published. Years later, the book became the basis for a Broadway play (adapted by Joseph Stein) and a feature film. His subsequent books include the novel All Kinds of Love (1993), the novel Continue Laughing (1995), a book of short stories entitled How Paul Robeson Saved My Life (1999), the memoir My Anecdotal Life (2003), the children's book Tell Me A Scary Story (2003), The Two Thousand Year Old Man Goes to School (2005) and NNNNN: A Novel (2006).
In 1997, Reiner and Mel Brooks released a CD and book with new material entitled "The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000," for which they won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word/Comedy Album. In 1999, Reiner was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame, and, the following year, he received the Mark Twain Humor Award at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
ELLIOTT GOULD
Elliot Gould (Reuben Tishkoff) is an Academy Award- and Golden Globe-nominated actor who has appeared in more than 75 feature films in a career spanning over 35 years.
In the tumultuous late 1960s and early '70s, Gould was among a handful of actors who personified the changes in the American zeitgeist, becoming a counterculture favorite. He earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance in Paul Mazursky's 1969 sexual revolution comedy "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice." The following year, Gould originated the role of warfront surgeon "Trapper" John McIntyre in Robert Altman's seminal comedy "M*A*S*H," which put him on the cover of Time magazine and brought him a Golden Globe Award nomination. Also in 1970, Gould starred in "Getting Straight," with Candice Bergen.
He more recently joined the ensemble cast of the remake of the Rat Pack comedy "Ocean's Eleven" and its sequel, "Ocean's Twelve," both directed by Steven Soderbergh. Contemporary television fans know Gould best for his recurring role as Jack Geller, Ross and Monica's father, on the long-running NBC comedy series "Friends."
Gould began his career on the stage in such Broadway productions as "Rumple," "Say Darling" and "Irma La Douce." On the heels of those successes, Gould won the lead role, opposite Barbra Streisand, in David Merrick's production of "I Can Get It for You Wholesale," directed by Arthur Laurents and choreographed by Herbert Ross and Nora Kaye. Traveling across the Atlantic, he starred in Comden & Green's classic musical "On the Town" in London's West End.
Gould then joined Carol Burnett to star in the CBS television special "Once Upon a Mattress." Returning to the stage, he toured with Liza Minnelli in "The Fantasticks," and with Shelley Winters in "LUV." He also appeared in the original Broadway productions of Ira Levin's "Drat! The Cat" and Jules Pfeiffer's "Little Murders."
Gould made his feature film debut in 1964's "The Confession," starring Ginger Rogers. Four years later, he landed his first film starring role, playing Billy Minsky in "The Night They Raided Minsky's," directed by William Friedkin. His early film work also includes "Move," "I Love My Wife," "Little Murders," and Ingmar Bergman's first English-language film, "The Touch." He went on to reunite with director Robert Altman in 1973's "The Long Goodbye," portraying Raymond Chandler's famed detective Philip Marlowe, and in 1974's "California Split."
During the 1970s, Gould starred in two dozen films, also including Peter Hyams' "Busting" and "Capricorn One"; Richard Attenborough's "A Bridge Too Far"; Mark Rydell's "Harry and Walter Go to New York"; "The Lady Vanishes"; and "The Muppet Movie." His subsequent film credits include "The Last Flight of Noah's Ark," "The Devil and Max Devlin," "Over the Brooklyn Bridge," "The Muppets Take Manhattan," Barry Levinson's "Bugsy," "Kicking and Screaming," "Johns," "The Big Hit," "American History X," "Playing Mona Lisa" and "Picking Up the Pieces." He also made cameo appearances in Altman's "The Player" and "Nashville."
Gould has also worked extensively on television, including the longform projects "Bad Apple"; "Good as Gold," with Mary Tyler Moore; the miniseries "The Shining"; "Bloodlines: Murder in the Family"; "Somebody's Daughter"; "Vanishing Act"; and "The Rules of Marriage." He also starred in the comedy series "E/R," which introduced a young George Clooney. Gould has also guest starred on numerous series, most recently including the acclaimed British series "Poirot," NBC's "Las Vegas" and a recurring role on HBO's "K Street."
DVD (2004)