| ORLANDO BLOOM portrays shoe designer and lost soul Drew Baylor, whose father’s death leads him on a journey to a new life.
Bloom, who had his first starring role in a feature film as elven warrior Legolas in Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” has captivated audiences and filmmakers alike. His appearances in the second and third installments of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “The Two Towers” and “Return of the King,” as well as his role as Will Turner in Jerry Bruckheimer’s blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl,” have cemented his status as a true box office star. He most recently starred in Ridley Scott’s crusades epic, “Kingdom of Heaven.”
In 2004, he played the love-struck Paris in Wolfgang Peterson’s epic “Troy” opposite Brad Pitt and Eric Bana. Other film credits include: Gregor Jordan’s “Ned Kelly” with Heath Ledger, the indie comedy “The Calcium Kid” as milkman-turned-boxer Jimmy, and Ridley Scott’s war epic “Black Hawk Down.”
Bloom was born in Canterbury, England and at age 16 moved to London where he joined the National Youth Theatre for two seasons and then gained a scholarship to train with the British American Drama Academy. On completion of his scholarship, Bloom played the lead in “A Walk in the Vienna Woods” and made his big screen debut with a small role in the feature film “Wilde,” based on the life of Oscar Wilde.
He was then accepted to Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and chose to put his screen career on hold for the opportunity to further his education. During his time at Guildhall, Bloom performed in several productions including “Little Me,” “A Month in the City,” “Peer Gynt,” “Mephisto,” and “Twelfth Night.”
Bloom is also currently in production on the second and third installments of the hugely successful “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise – reprising his role as Will Turner for director Gore Verbinski and opposite Johnny Depp and Keira Knightly. He also executive produced and stars in the indie film “Haven,” directed by Frank E. Flowers.
KIRSTEN DUNST (Claire) is the ever-optimistic airline attendant who enters Drew’s life and gives him a new perspective.
Kirsten Dunst most recently appeared in the romantic comedy “Wimbledon” as young tennis ace Lizzie Bradbury opposite Paul Bettany. Also in 2004, she reprised her role as Mary Jane in “Spider-Man 2,” the blockbuster sequel to “Spider-Man” and appeared in the critically acclaimed “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” written by Academy Award® nominee Charlie Kaufman, directed by Michel Gondry and starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet and Mark Ruffalo. In 2003, she was seen opposite Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles and Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Mona Lisa Smile.”
Dunst’s additional credits include “Spider-Man” opposite Tobey Maguire; the independent film “Levity” co-starring Billy Bob Thornton and Morgan Freeman; “The Cat’s Meow” playing Marion Davies in the semi-biographical murder-mystery directed by Peter Bogdanovich; the surprise box office hit “Bring It On;” Sofia Coppola’s critically acclaimed and haunting film “The Virgin Suicides,” with James Woods and Kathleen Turner; “Crazy/Beautiful” directed by John Stockwell; “Drop Dead Gorgeous” with Ellen Barkin and Kirstie Alley; “Dick” with Michelle Williams; “Little Women” with Susan Sarandon and Winona Ryder; “Jumanji” with Robin Williams; “Mother Night” with Nick Nolte; the Barry Levinson film “Wag the Dog” starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro; Neil Jordan’s “Interview with the Vampire” opposite Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt; and “Small Soldiers” with the late Phil Hartman.
Dunst has amassed a growing list of accolades. Her performance in “Interview with the Vampire” earned her a Golden Globe nomination, the Blockbuster Video Award for “Best Supporting Newcomer” and an MTV award for “Best Breakthrough Artist.” The Hollywood Reporter also named Dunst “Best Young Star” for her portrayal of a teenage prostitute in NBC’s hit series “ER.”
Dunst got her showbiz start at the tender age of three, when she began filming television commercials. With more than 50 commercials under her belt, she made the jump to the big screen in 1989 in Woody Allen’s “New York Stories.”
Her career has not been limited to the big screen. In addition to a critically acclaimed recurring role on the hit television drama “ER,” she starred in Showtime’s “The Outer Limits” and “Devil’s Arithmetic,” produced by Dustin Hoffman and Mimi Rogers; the telefilm “Ruby Ridge: An American Tragedy;” the Wonderful World of Disney’s “Tower of Terror;” and Lifetime Television’s “15 and Pregnant.”
The actress recently reunited with director Sofia Coppola for “Marie-Antoinette,” portraying the ill-fated monarch opposite Jason Schwartzman. She is also looking forward to another reprisal of her role as Peter Parker’s love, Mary Jane, in the extremely successful “Spider-Man” series.
SUSAN SARANDON portrays Hollie Baylor, Drew’s mother who begins the arduous process of putting the pieces of her life together after the death of her husband Mitch.
The extremely versatile actress brings her own brand of sex appeal and intelligence to every role – from her fearless portrayal in “Bull Durham” to her Oscar ®-nominated performances in “Thelma and Louise,” “Lorenzo’s Oil,” “The Client,” and “Atlantic City” to her Academy Award ®-winning and SAG Award winning role in “Dead Man Walking” as Sister Helen, a nun consoling a death-row inmate.
In 2004, Sarandon was seen in “Alfie” opposite Jude Law, in “Shall We Dance” with Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez and in “Noel” with Robin Williams, Paul Walker and Penelope Cruz. She also starred in the 2003 CBS Movie “Ice Bound” as Dr. Jerri Nielson – based on Nielson’s real life survival story – and as Princess Wensicia Corrino in the Sci Fi Channel Mini Series “Children of Dune.”
Sarandon made her acting debut in the movie “Joe,” which she followed with a continuing role in the TV drama “A World Apart.” Her early film credits include “The Great Waldo Pepper,” “Lovin’ Molly,” “The Front Page” and the 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” In 1978 she played Brooke Shields’ mother in Louis Malle’s controversial “Pretty Baby” and went on to receive her first Oscar ® nomination in Malle’s “Atlantic City.”
More recently, Sarandon was seen in Brad Silberling’s “Moonlight Mile,” with Dustin Hoffman; in the comedy “Igby Goes Down,” with Jeff Goldblum; in “The Banger Sisters,” with Goldie Hawn and Geoffrey Rush; opposite Paul Newman and Gene Hackman in “Twilight;” in the poignant comedy “Stepmom” with Julia Roberts; in the erotic farce “Illuminata,” directed by John Turturro; Tim Robbins’ drama “Cradle Will Rock”; Wayne Wang’s “Anywhere But Here”; and Stanley Tucci’s “Joe Gould’s Secret.”
In addition to her many onscreen credits, she lent her vocal talents to the animated features “Rugrats in Paris,” “James and the Giant Peach,” and “Cats & Dogs” and served as narrator for Laleh Khadivi’s documentary “900 Women,” about female prison inmates.
The hard-working actress has made a career of choosing diverse and challenging projects both in film and television. Her additional feature credits include: “King of the Gypsies,” “The Hunger,” “Compromising Positions,” “The January Man,” “White Palace,” “The Buddy System,” “Sweet Hearts Dance,” “A Dry White Season,” “The Witches of Eastwick,” “Bob Roberts,” “Light Sleeper,” “Little Women,” and “Safe Passage.” She also starred in HBO’s “Earthly Possessions,” based on the Anne Tyler novel and directed by James Lapine; in the CBS Movie “Women of Valor;” and the HBO Miniseries “Mussolini: The Decline and Fall of Il Duce” opposite Bob Hoskins and Anthony Hopkins.
On Broadway, Sarandon appeared in Gore Vidal’s “An Evening with Richard Nixon” and received critical acclaim for her performances Off-Broadway in “A Coupla of White Chicks Sitting Around Talkin’” and the thriller “Extremities.” She also appeared, Off-Off-Broadway, in the moving post September 11th stage play “The Guys.”
Sarandon recently appeared in the TV Movie “The Exonerated,” directed by Bob Balaban. She will soon be seen in a musical comedy for director John Turturro entitled “Romance and Cigarettes,” starring opposite James Gandolfini, Kate Winslet and Steve Buscemi. She will also soon star opposite Billy Bob Thornton and Seann William Scott in the comedy “Mr. Woodcock.” She was most recently seen in a cameo role, as herself, in Martin Short’s comedy “Jiminy Glick in La La Wood.”
ALEC BALDWIN , who portrays Phil, the Zen-like founder of Mercury Shoes, has received wide acclaim for his many roles in motion pictures, on television and on the stage.
Born April 3, 1958, Baldwin grew up in Massapequa, Long Island, where his father was a high school teacher for 28 years and his mother raised six children, including his sisters, Beth and Jane. Alec is the eldest of his brothers, Daniel, William, and Stephen Baldwin, all of whom are actors in film and television.
Baldwin attended George Washington University and planned to attend law school, when he auditioned for the New York University Undergraduate Drama Program on a dare. He was accepted, and in 1979 began what would become his professional training. In 1980, he was cast in the daytime TV series “The Doctors” on NBC and he has worked in nearly every venue as a professional actor ever since.
Whether in regional theater or on “Saturday Night Live,” blockbuster movies or Broadway, literary festivals or television mini-series, Baldwin has always attempted to balance his love of communicating with an audience with the demands of a motion picture career.
On Broadway, Baldwin recently appeared in The Roundabout Theatre Company’s 2004 revival of Hecht and MacArthur’s “The Twentieth Century,” directed by Walter Bobbie, co-starring Anne Heche. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the 1992 revival of Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire,” was nominated for an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the television movie of that same production, won an Obie Award for the 1991 off-Broadway production of Craig Lucas’ “Prelude to a Kiss,” and a Theatre World Award in 1986 for his turn in Joe Orton’s “Loot” on Broadway. He has also performed on Broadway in Caryl Churchill’s “Serious Money.” Other stage includes David Mamet’s “Life in the Theatre,” (directed by the late AJ Antoon), the Williamstown Theatre Festival, and at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, New York, where he performed in Ira Lewis’s “Gross Points.”
Baldwin has starred in several films, including “The Hunt for Red October,” “Miami Blues,” “Prelude to a Kiss,” “Malice,” “The Shadow,” “Glengarry Glen Ross,” “Heaven’s Prisoners,” “Ghosts of Mississippi,” “The Edge,” “Pearl Harbor,” and “The Cat in the Hat,” among others. In 2004, Baldwinreceived a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award ® nomination for his role in Wayne Kramer’s “The Cooler.” That year, Baldwin was awarded the National Board of Review Best Supporting Actor honor for “The Cooler.” He also recently appeared in “The Last Shot” with Mathew Broderick and Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator.” Later this year, Baldwin can be seen in Jim Carrey’s new comedy “Fun with Dick and Jane,” also starring Tea Leoni and directed by Dean Parisot.
His production company, El Dorado Pictures, has co-produced “The Confession” (winner of the 2000 Writers Guild Award for best adapted screenplay by David Black) for Cinemax Television, “Nuremberg: Infamy on Trial” for Turner Network Television, “State and Main,” a motion picture comedy written and directed by David Mamet and TNT Productions “Second Nature” co-starring Powers Boothe.
Baldwin is an outspoken supporter of various causes related to public policy, including environmentalism, the government’s support of the arts, campaign finance reform, animal rights and gun control. He serves on the board of directors of The Bay Street Theatre (Sag Harbor, Long Island), The New York University/Brennan Center for Justice Program Advisory Board, People For The American Way and the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, dedicated in honor of his mother. He is a vigorous supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and The Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Baldwin is a dedicated supporter of the East Hampton Daycare Center.
He is a graduate of New York University (BFA, Tisch School of the Arts), 1994. He has a daughter, Ireland Eliesse.
BRUCE McGILL , who plays Bill Banyon, has been one of the industry’s most recognizable and prolific character actors for more than 25 years - with over 60 motion pictures to his credit. He was most recently seen in Ron Howard’s critically acclaimed drama “Cinderella Man.” Prior to that, he was the villainous Pedrosa opposite Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx in Michael Mann’s thriller “Collateral” – marking his third feature film collaboration with the director following “Ali” and “The Insider.” His history working with Mann goes back to the mid-1980s when he was given a guest role on Mann’s popular TV crime drama “Miami Vice.” He also recently starred in “Runaway Jury” with John Cusack, Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman; Ridley Scott’s “Matchstick Men;” and the hit comedy “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.”
McGill first came to fame when he rode his motorcycle up the staircase of the frat house as Daniel “D-Day” Simpson in the classic “National Lampoon’s Animal House.” His numerous film credits include: “The Sum of All Fears,” “Shallow Hal,” “Exit Wounds,” “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” “Lawn Dogs,” “Rosewood,” “Courage Under Fire,” “A Perfect World,” “Cliffhanger,” “My Cousin Vinny,” “Silkwood,” “The Hand” and “Handle With Care,” in which he made his feature film debut.
McGill has had an equally prolific career in television, garnering starring and supporting roles in some of the most acclaimed television movies of recent years. He was last seen as CNN reporter Peter Arnett in the HBO movie “Live From Baghdad.” His additional TV-movie credits include: “Path To War” and “61*” both for HBO, and “Running Mates” for TNT. He has also been featured in guest or series regular parts in several popular television series including: “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “The Practice,” “Home Improvement,” “Quantum Leap” and “MacGyver.”
Hailing from Texas, McGill earned a BFA in acting from the University of Texas and began his career on the stage. He made his professional debut as a member of Rhode Island’s Trinity Square Repertory Company. Relocating to New York, McGill appeared in the New York Shakespeare Festival’s presentation of “Hamlet,” produced by the legendary Joseph Papp. This began a long association with Papp and the NYSF, which encompassed roles in such classics as “Henry V” and “Othello.” On Broadway, McGill co-starred in the 22-month run of the musical “My One and Only.” His other theatre work includes performances at New York’s Ensemble Studio Theatre, with the National Shakespeare Company in Washington, DC, and at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
With a genuine gift for comedy and an engaging on-screen presence, JUDY GREER, who portrays Drew’s sister Heather Baylor, has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most captivating young talents.
This fall, Judy will reprise her hilarious guest-starring role as Kitty Sanchez on Fox’s critically acclaimed hit show, “Arrested Development.”
She will then star in CBS’ and Sony Pictures Television’s new show “Love Monkey,” opposite Tom Cavanaugh. Greer plays Bran, a stylish, sweet, smart woman who is a producer for a nighttime news magazine show. Bran is best friends with Tom, a laid-back guy with a keen love of rock and roll and an even keener eye for the ladies. Tom hits a low point when he loses his record company job and girlfriend in the same day. Underneath Bran and Tom’s platonic friendship, there is a definite sexual chemistry between the two and Bran thinks she might be the woman Tom needs in order to settle down.
Greer has also recently signed on to star opposite Sigourney Weaver and David Duchovny in the indie satire “The TV Set,” which follows the making of a television pilot. This comes after just finishing production on Paul Weitz’s new film “American Dreamz,” opposite Hugh Grant and Mandy Moore. Greer recently wrapped production on Danny Leiner’s “The Great New Wonderful” opposite Thomas McCarthy. She will also be seen in the independent film “The Moguls” opposite Jeff Bridges and Jeanne Tripplehorn, slated for release next spring.
Greer starred in writer/director M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village” opposite Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt, which Disney released in the summer of 2004. She also starred opposite Jennifer Garner in Revolution Studios’ romantic comedy, “13 Going On 30.” The film was directed by Gary Winick and released by Columbia Pictures.
Other credits include writer/director Adam Goldberg’s psychological drama “I Love Your Work” (debuted at the 2003 Toronto Film Festival), “The Hebrew Hammer” (debuted at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival), Charlie Kaufman’s critically-acclaimed “Adaptation,” “The Wedding Planner,” “What Women Want,” “What Planet Are You From?,” “Three Kings,” “Jawbreaker,” “The Specials,” and “Kissing a Fool,” among others.
Greer was born and raised outside of Detroit. She trained for nearly ten years in classical Russian ballet and then shifted her interest to acting and was accepted into Chicago’s prestigious Theatre School at DePaul University.
Jessica Biel (Ellen), with her striking good looks and wide range of talent, has become one of Hollywood’s most sought out actresses. Her television series-acting debut on the WB’s number one rated show “7th Heaven” has helped her emerge as a breakout star. Biel recently finished filming “The Illusionist” in Prague alongside Ed Norton and Paul Giamatti.
Biel recently wrapped production on the independent film “London,” the drama that follows the warped relationship of two young adults. This film will premiere at the 2005 Montreal Film Festival.
Biel can currently be seen starring in Sony Pictures’ “Stealth” alongside Josh Lucas and Jamie Foxx in the drama about three pilots in a top-secret military program struggle to bring an artificial intelligence program under control before it initiates the next world war.
Biel was most recently seen in New Line Cinema’s “Blade: Trinity,” in which she costars with Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson and Ryan Reynolds. Biel’s other film credits include New Line Cinema’s Blockbuster hit remake of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” New Line Cinema’s “Cellular,” co-starring Kim Basinger and Chris Evans, Lions Gate Films’ “The Rules of Attraction” for director Roger Avary, the Warner Brothers romantic comedy “Summer Catch,” co-starring Freddie Prinze Jr., and the Disney holiday film, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” with Jonathan Taylor Thomas. In an impressive display of versatility, Biel garnered rave notices for her portrayal as the rebellious daughter in Victor Nunez’s critically acclaimed film, “Ulee’s Gold,” with Peter Fonda. Selected as the Centerpiece Premiere for the 1997 Sundance Film Festival and presented at Cannes, the movie opened to glowing reviews.
As a child, she initially pursued a career as a vocalist, performing in musical theatre. Starting at age nine, she starred in such productions as “Annie,” “The Sound of Music,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” A natural beauty, Biel soon turned to modeling and commercial work by competing in The International Modeling and Talent Association’s Annual Conference in 1994.
After completing a year and a half of college at Tufts University in Boston, Jessica plans on going back to school in California for the remainder of her college years. In her spare time, Biel is involved with charities such as Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and PETA. Her hobbies include ballet, soccer, running, yoga, and hiking with her dog, East. Biel currently resides in Los Angeles.
PAUL SCHNEIDER , who plays Drew’s cousin Jessie, is breaking through as an actor with starring roles in highly anticipated films. He will soon appear in 20th Century Fox’s comedy “The Family Stone” opposite Luke Wilson and Claire Danes and was recently cast as a lead actor in “The Assassination of Jesse James” opposite Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck. He will also lead the cast of the heist comedy “Live Free or Die.”
Schneider was most recently seen in the romantic comedy “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” and in the satirical comedy “Crude.” His other film credits include “George Washington,” written and directed by David Gordon Green; “Security Colorado;” and “The Rough South of Larry Brown.” In 2002, Schneider starred in and co-wrote the critically acclaimed indie film “All the Real Girls,” directed by David Gordon Green. The film was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and Schneider was nominated for a Gotham Award for his performance.
Schneider studied film editing at the North Carolina School of the Arts and two of his films, “All The Real Girls” and “George Washington,” were made by a collective of friends that he met during his tenure studying film. When he is not acting, Paul attends to his interview and photo series - a project for his website that consists of articles and photo essays focusing on artists and their work.
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