| From Script to Screen... "I started writing JERSEY GIRL in 1999," says writer/ director Kevin Smith, who was working on the Clerks cartoon at the time and wanted to write "something with a little more depth to it, in order to stay balanced." Smith explains, "My daughter was about six months
old and the three of us [my wife, my daughter and I] were staying in a rented apartment for a couple of months. I was thinking about my daughter [and the responsibilities of parenting] and I went upstairs and just started writing. After about two hours, I had the first fifty pages of JERSEY GIRL." Smith continues, "Those first scenes, including when the twist happens in the movie, didn't really change from that point on. They just sat on my computer for about two years until
I was at a Fourth of July party at Affleck's house. He was urging me to write something more like Chasing Amy again, something more character-driven. So I told him about the pages I had written and sent them over to him, and after he read them, he said 'finish this - this is what we should do next.' So, at that point I essentially started writing the role of Ollie for Ben, and by January 2002 I was finished with the first draft."
A prolific writer whose work has spanned film, television and comic books, Smith is perhaps most famous for his creation of characters Jay and Silent Bob, two modern-day nomads who begin their cinematic journey in Smith's Sundance acclaimed Clerks and culminate their voyage in the most recent installment of the series, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. But JERSEY GIRL marks something new for the filmmaker, as these recurring
characters do not appear in the film. Smith says, "The first five movies we made were all interconnected in one way or another, the most obvious being Jay and Silent Bob. The other differences are pretty glaring in that JERSEY GIRL is not about a couple of guys sitting around, ripping about pop-culture or talking about comic books. This is a very honest and human story. I was kind of working without a net in that it's not filled with the jokes and the humor that are so central to
my other films. Although the film begins with tragedy, there definitely is humor in the film as there is in life's most painful situations."
Affleck also recalls his first glimpse at JERSEY GIRL and the subsequent script. "I loved the initial pages of the story that Kevin sent me. It's a beautiful script and in some ways very classic. There is a certain feel to the script that is very traditional and 'PG-13,' which is a first for Kevin Smith. But, then it also has Kevin's sensibility, which gives it an edge and a certain perspective of the world that is uniquely
his."
For Affleck, working again with Smith [JERSEY GIRL is their fifth collaboration together, along with producer Scott Mosier] was intriguing and at the same time, a certainty. "It's exciting to work with Kevin so many times and to see him reach and break new ground," says Affleck. "I wanted to be included in the process. In some ways there's continuity to it, by the mere fact that Kevin and I have worked together
several times before. But, in other ways it's a brand new experience. It's like taking a trip to a place you've never been with an old friend. The history that I have with Kevin makes it nice. We've grown to communicate well together and share a particular sense of humor that he sort of writes for now."
Scott Mosier agrees. The producer, who has been partnered with Kevin since the two met at film school over a decade ago, notes the difference, "We were really young starting out and I think for the first three or four films there was a little feeling of being on shaky ground. With this film it feels like we are standing on concrete." On collaborating with Smith [this is the duo's sixth film under the View Askew Productions
banner], Mosier simply states, "We're very good friends, and we know we have to maintain that above everything else. The way we work is kind of like the yin-yang idea. Our personalities are a little bit different so we manage to offset each other's strengths and weaknesses. But at the end of the day, he's the director, and it's important that he gets what he thinks the movie needs."
The Characters...
In JERSEY GIRL, Affleck portrays a man who is transformed by an incredible emotional journey. The actor explains, "When Ollie fell in love, his priorities shifted more towards family, and then he and Gertrude have a child together. Here's a guy who is work-oriented, he's a publicist who spends a lot of time in the music business, and he's unaware of the sort of dual nature of it. On the one hand his job is fun and glamorous
and sexy, and on the other hand totally irrelevant to anything substantial in the real world. So, it takes this really significant relationship with his child to make him reevaluate his life. It sounds kind of sub-textual for a Kevin Smith movie, but it's a very traditional classic theme and story that never gets tired of being told if you do it well."
Liv Tyler enjoyed depicting Maya, Ollie's love interest after his wife passes away. "As an actress it has been incredible," she says. "I was thinking about it the other day because rarely do you see female parts like this. Maya is funny and incredibly intelligent and sensitive and womanly. She is totally independent and her own strong woman. She's all these things
in one. For that to be written on the page and to be able to come in and morph into this character was something I really enjoyed doing."
As for Maya's relationship with Ollie, Tyler continues, "I think Maya is trying to show Ollie that what he has is okay, and the fantasy of what he wants is not necessarily what he needs. She feels safe around him, and she wants to help him."
On re-teaming with Affleck [the two starred together in Armageddon], Tyler says "This time it has been really great because we already had an understanding and a friendship coming into it. And we've gotten a lot closer." She adds, "Of all the leading male actors I've worked with, Ben really stands out. He is really present when he is acting with me, and a really good listener. We respond to each other and therefore
we can play and change lines around. He's very generous in that way. I really trust him."
Affleck adds, "Liv is a sweetheart. She's great in the film and there is an ease and a comfort I have working with her. Since Liv and I have known each other for some time, the only challenge was to try to forget all the history in order to portray these characters' relationship. We had to start over with this whole new dynamic."
Finding the young girl to play Gertie required a nationwide casting call. Mosier says, "At Miramax's recommendation, we enlisted Avy Kaufman, who had cast 'The Sixth Sense' and other films with strong children's roles. She crossed the country, looking at hundreds and hundreds of kids and then Kevin and I looked at her selects. Raquel was somebody that we picked very early on. She was always the one we
wanted in the back of our minds." Smith explains, "Raquel kind of rose to the top. I didn't want someone who was 'movie cute' and 'darling.' I wanted a more natural performance. Raquel was unpolished. In addition, it certainly didn't hurt that she bears a striking resemblance to Jennifer [Lopez], and even to Ben to some degrees. (When we were casting, we took Raquel's head shot and placed it next to Ben's and Jennifer's headshots and the resemblance was uncanny. She looked
like the child they would have.) But, primarily I went with Raquel because she was just not the obvious 'Hollywood' choice. Her delivery is far more organic than you would expect from a child who has so much screen time. Her performance plays like a real kid who we just plucked out of her own life."
For nine-year-old Raquel, who describes Gertie as "part tomboy, part girly-girl," JERSEY GIRL was a dream come true. "I really like working on the movie," she says. "It's pretty fun working with big stars, and Kevin is the best director. He's really funny and if I do something that I'm not supposed to, he just talks to me really nice."
As for working with her on-screen dad, Raquel adds, "It's fun because I've seen Ben in a lot of really big movies, and I feel really lucky. He's so funny. One day, when we were doing a scene in a kitchen, he forgot the stove was really on and he leaned back and burned his butt. He was like, 'Cut! I burned my butt!' He always comes up to me and picks me up and he kisses me. It actually does feel like he's my dad."
Affleck says, "I had never worked on a film that relied so heavily on a child. It's interesting because I was an actor when I was a little kid, and I have some good memories and some bad memories. So, there's a part of me that really does feel like a parent [to Raquel], and wants to protect her and make sure that she is able to have some perspective on what she's doing. By that same token, she's just great. She motors
along and really does a great job. And she looks a lot like Jennifer, I think, which is really affecting. She's really sweet."
Raquel enjoyed her experience working with each of the actors. She says that her friends were "pretty jealous" that she got to work with Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler. She also thinks that George Carlin is "hysterical." When asked what JERSEY GIRL is about, she simply states, "Well, I'm the Jersey Girl, so I guess it's sort of about me."
Playing the role of Bart Trinkie, Ollie's father, was somewhat of a new experience for comic legend George Carlin. "This is the longest acting part I've had," he states. But it is also is more dramatic than his previous roles. Carlin says, "You can see in the relationship between Ollie and Bart that there's a love underneath all the sort of playful bickering and exchange of wise guy attitudes. That's what shows
- that and a more serious side of the relationship." While very comfortable working with Affleck, Carlin also enjoyed doing scenes with his on-screen granddaughter: "She's very talkative, in a good way, She's very smart for her age and she's so bubbly and full of energy."
Jersey Girl is Carlin's third film under Smith's direction - the first two being Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Having such familiarity with Smith put Carlin at ease: "It's the only time I've ever worked more than once with a director, and I'm extremely comfortable with him. Also, he had written the role in my voice, so to speak, and I kind of understood a lot about what this fellow's background might be. It
felt like a really easy fit." On how this film differs from Smith's earlier films, Carlin explains, "Kevin has what I guess you would call a wonderful Eastern sensibility - not just Jersey - that is very in tune with a certain part of the population, a certain age group. He understands them very well and translates it to film well. Jersey Girl shows a more human side, in terms of romance and people's dreams."
Jennifer Lopez, who plays Gertrude - the mother that Gertie never meets - came on board after Ben gave her the script to read. Although the role was small, Jennifer jumped at the opportunity to work with Kevin Smith. "I read the script and it was so strong," she comments. "Kevin really captures life in a way that is very special. Plus, the character was an unexpected type for me to play, and that really attracted
me to the project." On the message of the film, Lopez continues, "The film is not necessarily about the gains of the world, but rather the gains of your soul, and your heart, and doing right by that. That's how you become a fulfilled person."
Rounding out the cast is Jason Biggs in the role of Arthur, Ollie's protégé. Recently coming off his cameo in Smith's Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Biggs was eager to re-team with the director: "I heard Kevin was doing another movie and immediately sought out the script to find if there was a potential part for me." Once he read the script, Biggs realized the role was a perfect fit: "It was like
he wrote the part for me. I mean he wrote me."
On the cast, Smith comments, "The performances in the movie, I think, are kind of sublime. In my opinion, Ben's doing his best work. Liv Tyler has turned in her best performance to date that I've ever seen, and George Carlin is pulling out all the stops, doing something far more dramatic than he's ever done. Jason Biggs is great, as is Jennifer. And of course, Raquel is terrific. Across the board it's incredibly fulfilling
to see everybody so committed to the movie. It's a great compliment that everyone is willing to go above and beyond for the story."
The Look...
The filming of JERSEY GIRL primarily took place in Paulsboro, New Jersey and Philadelphia. On choosing these locations, Mosier says "The film is pretty much set in the town where Kevin grew up in Highlands, New Jersey, and that was a very important part to the script. But since we also had a lot to shoot in New York, we needed to make a cost effective decision. Philadelphia was a city that had a crew base and a great film
commission. So, making the decision to base in Philly allowed us access to a major city, a place to build a sound stage, office space, personnel and equipment. But then in five minutes, we could be over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and in New Jersey and have the look we needed." Other filming locations included the actual town of Highlands, New Jersey and of course, the Big Apple.
On certain days, hundreds of fans would come to the set of JERSEY GIRL to get a glimpse of the cast and cheer them on. Smith notes, "We were completely blown away. At first we were worried that it might interfere with filming, but people were really respectful and we didn't lose a single shot based on spectators. People are curious about how movies are made. Before I was a filmmaker, I was curious about it. That's why
we do the stuff that we do."
Legendary director of photography Vilmos Zsigmond and his team of expert lighting technicians created the look of JERSEY GIRL. As Mosier points out, this was a departure for Smith and a new area of focus: "On this film, we finally had a substantial budget and more time to spend on shooting, and we hired Vilmos who has an amazing vision. I think people will see something that is more put together, with smoother camera moves
as they watch these characters' lives unfold." Smith says, "Vilmos is a master of light, and he's really photographed a beautiful movie. I wish I could take the credit, but it's truly him. He took the script and went above and beyond the page."
Zsigmond says, "My approach in shooting films is based on the script and how to create a mood for each scene. In this picture, some of my favorite scenes to shoot were the scenes with Raquel, which were happy and colorful; the Lighthouse scene, which was full of mood; and the scenes in New York and especially Central Park, which was a magical location."
A legendary cinematographer with great technical expertise, Zsigmond insists that fancy camera moves were not his goal. "There were really no special techniques [in JERSEY GIRL]. I'm more interested in an honest attempt at storytelling. The script had meaning and sensitivity. Kevin told me it came from his personal experience, which really appealed to me. This was a movie about character development and people in whom
we can recognize ourselves."
On working with Smith, Zsigmond adds, "It was great to work with Kevin. I think we felt a tremendous amount of respect for each other. He recognized what I could do for the film, visually, and I greatly admired his work as a writer and director." On the cast and crew, he adds, "We had great actors, and I loved working with each of them. It was important to me that the hard work they put in come out 100% [on screen].
In addition, I had a first rate crew. Our chief lighting technician Bill O'Leary, whom I had never worked with before, and our key grip Dicky Deats and his team were great. So was the Philadelphia-based crew. I could not have done it without them. Together, we made this story come alive."
Production designer Robert "Ratface" Holtzman, who has designed the last three of Smith's films (Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Dogma, Chasing Amy) says, "The big thing is that we have Vilmos Zsigmond working with us. I wanted Kevin visually to open up more. Through the use of color and the way that Vilmos is shooting the film, we get to feel the emotional roller-coaster that Ben's character is going through."
With costumes that reflect the same visual exploration, designer Juliet Polcsa ("Sopranos") had a wonderful time creating the wardrobe for the characters in JERSEY GIRL. Polcsa says, "We were looking for that element of realism to just keep everything natural and not overly-portrayed." On describing the highlights of individual characters, Polcsa notes the shift in wardrobe for Affleck's character as Ollie
continues his journey through the story. She also mentions the more relaxed, bohemian look of Liv Tyler's Maya who is somewhat of a "salt of the earth" type of character. And then there is Jennifer Lopez's Gertrude, whose color palette is soft and whose character's look "harkens back to a prototype for that classy woman from another era, who is still accessible in today's world."
Wrapping it up...
Observing the production in progress, Smith and Mosier couldn't be more proud. "Up and down the board, we've filled every position with really incredible people," says Mosier on the cast and crew of JERSEY GIRL. Smith adds that some things never change. Even when one embarks on new ground, it is essential to have a familiar team, "I always find it's best to continue working with people who have given you their
best in the past. It sounds trite and cliché, but why switch horses in mid-stream?"
As Affleck notes, "One reason there's been so much energy and excitement on the set of JERSEY GIRL is because everyone involved really gets along. Every once and a while you're lucky enough to work on a movie where you feel that way."
*****
Ben Affleck came to prominence at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival, when he starred in Kevin Smith's "Chasing Amy" and Mark Pellington's coming-of-age tale "Going All the Way". He captured an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award in 1998 for his first script, "Good Will Hunting," which he co-wrote with Matt Damon. He segued into big-budget action with
"Armageddon", and was among the ensemble cast of the Academy Award-winning "Shakespeare in Love". Affleck then went on to star in the romantic comedy "Forces of Nature", the fantastical comedy "Dogma", "Boiler Room", the suspense thriller "Reindeer Games", the romantic drama "Bounce", "Pearl Harbor", "Changing Lanes" and the political thriller "The Sum of All Fears".
In 2000, Affleck partnered with Matt Damon, Chris Moore and Sean Bailey to form LivePlanet, Inc. Their first endeavor, "Project Greenlight", aired on HBO and drew critical raves for its behind-the-scenes look at the challenges faced by a first-time filmmaker. The second season of "Project Greenlight" aired on HBO at the beginning of June 2003 and a third season is currently in the works. Affleck and Bailey
also co-wrote the innovative drama "Push, Nevada", which aired on ABC in the fall of 2002.
Ben Affleck most recently starred in the big-screen adaptation of Marvel Comics' "Daredevil" and the John Woo directed "Paycheck" and will next be seen in the comedy "Surviving Christmas".
RAQUEL CASTRO was born on November 17, 1994. By the time she could speak she was also singing, a talent she inherited from her dad Albee, a singer/songwriter. Her mom Kathy, an actress/songwriter, discovered Raquel's talent for performing. She sent in her pictures to Persona Management, and was immediately signed.
By the age of four, Raquel had already filmed a children's safety video for Boo Boo Productions. She had also recorded several children's songs, which will soon be released with a companion book.
Raquel made her television debut on HBO's "A Little Curious." She also appeared in "Nick Jr.," Michael Moore's "The Awful Truth", "Third Watch", several episodes of "Sesame Street" and numerous commercials.
Raquel lives in Long Island with her parents, her two brothers and two sisters. She studies gymnastics and is on her third belt in karate.
Raquel has two ferrets (Mia and Chia) and hopes to one day appear in a movie with them.
One of Raquel's dreams has already come true. She wanted, some day, to meet her idol Jennifer Lopez. How ironic that in Raquel's first film, she plays her daughter.
By the way, Raquel was named after her mom's favorite actress Raquel Welch.
Liv Tyler made her film debut with the leading role in "Silent Fall", directed by Bruce Beresford, opposite Richard Dreyfuss. After another lead in "Empire Records", Tyler portrayed a waitress in a local diner in James Mangold's "Heavy", a favorite at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival. She starred as 'Arwen' in New Line Cinema's blockbuster hits, "The
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers", and most recently reprised that role in the final installment of the "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, entitled "The Return of the King". She will soon begin production on "Lonesome Jim", a film starring and directed by Steve Buscemi. Casey Affleck co-stars, as well.
Tyler's other film credits include: a starring role in the Bernardo Bertolucci film "Stealing Beauty" opposite Jeremy Irons, Pat O'Connor's "Inventing the Abbotts" with Joaquin Phoenix and Billy Crudup, and Michael Bay's "Armageddon" opposite Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. More recently, she has been seen in Robert Altman's "Cookie's Fortune" alongside Glenn Close, Julianne Moore, and
Charles Dutton, the Jake Scott-directed "Plunkett & MacLeane" and "Onegin" co-starring Ralph Fiennes.
Tyler is the new face for Parfums Givenchy, the first celebrity to be connected to the designer since Audrey Hepburn more than 40 years ago. She also serves as National Ambassador for the US Fund for UNICEF.
Born in New York, Tyler was raised in Portland, Maine until the sixth grade when her family returned to Manhattan. She began modeling at age 14 and was seen in numerous print ads and television commercials before moving into acting. Tyler currently resides in New York City.
GEORGE CARLIN began his professional career in radio at KIOE, Shreveport, LA in July, 1956 at the age of nineteen while serving in the USAF. Following KIOE, he landed at WEZE in Boston, MA. That job lasted three months in 1959.
The turning point for Carlin came in Fort Worth, Texas (1959) in KOXL. Together with newsman Jack Burns, he started developing comedy routines for an eventual nightclub act that led to a two-year stint, playing leading clubs and making a first appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Jack Paar. They also recorded an album, "Burns & Carlin at the Playboy Club Tonight", on ERA Records.
After splitting with Burns in 1962, Carlin spent about a year working in nightclubs without much success. In 1963, he found the Café au Go Go in Greenwich Village and spent the better part of two years developing his comic style. It was in this folk/Jazz setting that he developed the first bits that got him on television with "The Indian Sergeant", "Wonderful Wino" and "Hippy Dippy Weatherman".
In 1965, Carlin began to get extensive TV exposure: fifty-eight appearances in 1965 and 1966 alone, mostly on "Merv Griffin" and "Mike Douglas". Network spots during that period included "The Hollywood Palace", "Jimmy Dean", "Roger Miller" and Carlin was a regular on "Kraft Summer Music Hall" with John Davidson, and the following year he starred with Buddy Greco and
Buddy Rich on "Away We Go", the summer replacement for Jackie Gleason. His first album, "Take-Offs and Put-Ons", was released in 1967 on RCA Victor. Between 1967 and 1970, he made another eighty TV appearances, including "Ed Sullivan", "Tom Jones", "Steve Allen", "Jackie Gleason" and "Carol Burnett". He also worked in all major nightclubs, including the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas.
In 1972, a recording contract led to the release of "FM & AM", and album that won a Grammy Award after going gold. It was the first of four successive gold albums that Carlin recorded for Little David Records during the first half on the 1970s. In all, he released fourteen solo albums, ten of which have been nominated for Grammy awards. There have been four separate collections, the most notable being 1999's "George
Carlin: The Little David Years (1971-1977)".
In addition to recordings, Carlin has found wide exposure through cable television, specifically Home Box Office. In 1977, he taped "On Location: George Carlin at USC". This special at the California campus was the first in a string of twelve HBO comedy concert broadcasts, including the highly regarded "Carlin at Carnegie", taped at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1982, and the groundbreaking "Jammin' in
New York", broadcast live in 1992 from the Paramount Theatre in Madison Square Garden.
To date, Carlin's HBO specials have garnered three Emmy nominations and won six CableACE awards, and thus far eight of these shows have been released in two separate DVD packages. In the early 1990s, Carlin picked up two additional Emmy nominations for the "Mister Conductor" in forty-five episodes of the critically acclaimed PBS children's show "Shining Time Station".
In 1997, Carlin ventured into a new field as Hyperion published his first book, "Braindroppings", a collection of original routines, one-liners, commentaries and essays. The "book-on-tape" version, read by Carlin himself, won the 2001 Grammy in the Best Spoken Comedy category. He followed this title with "Napalm & Silly Putty" in April 2001, and both books found staying power on The New York
Times bestseller list, the latter reaching #1 in its second week. A third book, "When Will Jesus Bring The Pork Chops?" will be published by Hyperion in the fall of 2004.
In August 2001, "The George Carlin Collection", a special package of Carlin's first four HBO stand-up concert shows (1977-1984) was released on DVD and VHS. In November 2001, Carlin performed his twelfth special "Complaints and Grievances", live, from New York's Beacon Theatre. The album of the same name was released in December.
Recently he has been doing extensive voice-over work in three animated films now in production: "Tarzan II", "The Wild Live", and "Happily N'ever After".
Carlin still manages to perform 90 concerts each year around the country, selling nearly a quarter of a million tickets. Eight weeks annually at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas rounds out a very full road schedule. Carlin is also currently working on his thirteenth HBO comedy special, "George Carlin: Right Near Broadway", which will air in the fall of 2005. A CD of the show will follow, bringing his album total to 25,
including compilations and books on tape.
JASON BIGGS became one of Hollywood's most talked-about young actors after "American Pie" was released in 1999. Nominated that year for two MTV Movie Awards (both Best Comedic Performance and Best Breakthrough Male Performance), a Blockbuster Award, and a Movieline Magazine Award, Biggs quickly became one of the most sought-after young actors in Hollywood.
Having returned for some time to New York to appear in the Broadway production of "The Graduate" with Kathleen Turner in the U.S. Most recently, Biggs was most recently seen on-screen in the latest Woody Allen project, "Anything Else," opposite Christina Ricci, Danny DeVito and Stockard Channing. He will soon be seen co-starring again with Christina Ricci in the film adaptation of Elizabeth Wurtzel's best-selling
biography, "Prozac Nation." In the Miramax film, Biggs plays 'Rafe,' Elizabeth's boyfriend in director Erik Skjoldbjaerg's film.
The fall of 2003 marked the release of the last in the trilogy of the "American Pie" series, "American Wedding." His film credits also include the romantic comedy "Saving Silverman" with Jack Black, Steve Zahn, and Amanda Peet; the Amy Heckerling film "Loser;" and the romantic comedy, "Boys and Girls" opposite Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Claire Forlani. Biggs began his career in
television on the soap opera "As the World Turns," for which he won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series. He also appeared on the shows "Drexel's Class" and "Total Security."
The Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey native started acting at the age of five, with national commercials and modeling. At age thirteen, he made his Broadway debut opposite Judd Hirsch in the critically acclaimed Broadway play, "Conversations with My Father." Biggs currently resides in Los Angeles.
JENNIFER LOPEZ earned widespread acclaim for her work in the title role of Selena which garnered her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Shortly thereafter, she was showered with extensive praise for her role opposite George Clooney in Steven Soderbergh's "Out of Sight." In 2000, she starred in the psychological thriller "The Cell," playing the role of
a gifted psychiatrist who must journey inside the mind of a comatose serial killer in the hopes of saving his latest victim. The film opened number one at the box office in August 2000, grossing $17.5 million, and eventually reaching $60 million.
History was made in January 2001, when Lopez became the first woman to have the number one movie and the number one album in the same week. The romantic comedy "The Wedding Planner" co-starring Matthew McConaughey and released by Columbia Pictures, was the nation's top grossing film while her sophomore recording release "J.Lo" debuted at the top of the Billboard Top 200 Chart.
In 2002, Lopez was awarded "ShoWest Female Star of the Year." Additionally, the National Council of La Raza, the largest Latino advocacy group in the nation, named her "Entertainer of the Year" at the American Latino Media Arts Awards (ALMA) for TV and film.
Lopez made her feature debut in the highly acclaimed feature "Mi Familia," garnering an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her role as the young mother 'Maria Sanchez.' Her other film credits include Oliver Stone's "U-Turn," "Money Train," with Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes, Francis Ford Coppola's "Jack" with Robin Williams, "Blood and Wine" opposite Jack Nicholson,
Luis Mandoki's "Angel Eyes," Michael Apted's thriller "Enough" and "Anaconda" with Jon Voigt, Eric Stoltz and Ice Cube. Her voice can also be heard in the animated feature "Antz" opposite Woody Allen and Sylvestor Stallone.
In December 2002, Lopez starred in Revolution's romantic comedy "Maid in Manhattan" co-starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Bob Hoskins and Natasha Richardson. The Wayne Wang film opened at number one at the box office with close to $19 million; establishing an opening day record for her.
Lopez will appear this summer opposite Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon in "Shall We Dance?" a remake of the critically acclaimed Japanese film of the same title. Later this year, she stars with Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman in Lasse Hallström's "An Unfinished Life." This spring, she begins shooting the romantic comedy "Monster-in-Law" with Jane Fonda for director Robert Luketic ("Win
A Date With Tad Hamilton!!!," "Legally Blonde").
MIKE STARR's next two feature releases will be "Elvis has left the Buliding" with Kim Bassinger, and opposite Harry Connick Jr. in "Mickey" directed by Hugh Wilson and written by John Grisham. "Tempted" in which he starred opposite Burt Reynolds, directed by Bill Bennett is currently airing on (Showtime) Cinemax. Mike has most recently been seen playing
the loveable Kenny on the NBC hit series "Ed." Well known for many high-profile roles, Mike has worked with the top artists in American film. He has performed twice with Robert De Niro in "Goodfellas," directed by Martin Scorcese, and in "Mad Dog and Glory," with Bill Murray and Uma Thurman. Mike starred with Johnny Depp in "Ed Wood," directed by Tim Burton, and with Jim Carrey in "Dumb and Dumber," directed by Peter Farrelly. Sidney
Lumet directed Mike in the remake of John Cassevetes' "Gloria" with Sharon Stone while Brian DePalma helmed "Snake Eyes" in which Mike works with Nicholas Cage. Other major films include "The Bodyguard" with Kevin Costner, "Billy Bathgate" with Dustin Hoffman, "Lean On Me" with Morgan Freeman, "The Natural," "Uncle Buck," "Two if by Sea," and "Millers Crossing" directed by the Coen brothers. Recent
releases include "Summer of Sam," directed by Spike Lee, and a starring role in the independent film "The Deli" on Showtime. Other releases: "The Next Big Thing," "Monkeybone" with Brendan Fraser, "Thr3 A.M." with Danny Glover, which premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, and the independent feature "The Cactus Kid."
In addition to "Ed," Mike has made numerous television appearances including a memorable turn as Sen. Anthony Merino on "The West Wing" (NBC). Mike starred twice last year opposite Gene Wilder in "Murder in a Small Town" and "The Lady in Question" for A&E. He appeared last summer in an arc on "Falcone" (CBS) and he was a series regular on the highly acclaimed "E Z Streets"
(CBS). His other television appearances include the pilots "Jersey" (NBC), "The Doyles" (ABC), and the series "Hardball." His MOWs include "The Last Don" and he is a veteran of many comic and dramatic episodes including "Third Rock from the Sun," "Martial Law," "Newsradio," and "Frasier."
Mike made his Broadway debut in "The Guys in the Truck" with Elliot Gould. He is a graduate of Hofstra University and currently lives in Chicago with his wife, pediatric heart surgeon Joanne Starr. He is proud of his three children - Cassie 24, John 21, and Nicole 18.
STEPHEN ROOT has been entertaining television and film audiences not only in front of the cameras, but behind them as well. He provided the voice of 'Bubbles' the fish in last summer's hit, Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar "Finding Nemo."
Root voices 'Chode' in "Tripping the Rift," Sci-Fi Channel's first animated series, premiering March 4, 2004. This edgy half-hour CGI-animated series is based on the award-winning short film of the same name. "Tripping the Rift" follows the adventures of The Free Enterprise, a smuggling vessel led by Root's character, a stumpy purple alien. 'Chode,' along with his colorful group of misfit shipmates, battles
arch enemies and new obstacles in space each week.
Fans continue to approach Root with how much they adored 'Jimmy James' on "NewsRadio." He found inspiration for the eccentric, down-to-earth, cut-to-the-chase businessman and owner of the fictional WNYX news radio station‹in his own father. "My father, a construction supervisor, just knew how to get things done in a simple, to-the-point manner." The half hour comedy, "NewsRadio" ran on NBC
TV from 1995-1999.
Rave reviews came his way from critics who adored his performance as the blind 'Radio Station Man,' in the Coen Brothers feature "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" for Universal/Disney. He co-stars in his second Coen Brothers film, "The Ladykillers," out, Friday, March 26.
He starred as the put-upon 'Milton Waddams' in the Twentieth Century Fox film, "Office Space," with Jennifer Aniston, released in 1999. This comedy about the plight of white-collar workers in today's corporate world marked a unique re-teaming for Root and director Mike Judge, who debuted in his first live-action feature film. Judge, creator of the Emmy winning hit animated television series "King of the Hill"
cast Root as the voice of 'Bill,' Hank Hill's next door neighbor on the series. Bill is described as "a lonely-hearted Army barber with low self-esteem." He also provides the voices of 'Strickland,' Hank's boss and 'Topsy.' " King of the Hill" won the 1998-99 Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program.
He provided the voices for two other animated series, in Columbia Tri-Star's "The Big Guy" and "Rusty the Robot," as 'Donovan' and Disney's "Star Command," as 'Sheriff.' His features include Twentieth Century Fox's "Ice Age," in which he voiced a hilariously menacing 'Rhino' and 'Zeb' in Walt Disney's feature film, "Country Bears."
Numerous feature-film credits include: the upcoming "Raving Genius Dodgeball: A True Underdog's Story" and "Anchorman." He also starred in "Bicentennial Man," "Krippendorf's Tribe," "Bye Bye Love," "Dave," "Kindergarten Cop," "Extreme Justice," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Robocop III," "V.I. Warshawski," "Ghost,"
"Black Rain," "Crocodile Dundee," "Guilty by Suspicion" and "Stanley and Iris."
Root first TV series was Stephen King's "The Golden Years." He won the role of 'R.O. Moon' in the short-lived series "Harts of the West" and had recurring roles on the award-winning HBO series, "From the Earth to the Moon," "The Betty Broderick Story," "Sweet Justice" and "L.A. Law." He starred on the series "Ladies Man," a half hour comedy for CBS television.
His additional TV credits include guest-starring roles on "C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation," "Grounded for Life," "Malcom in the Middle," "Christy," "Chicago Hope," "NYPD Blue," "Murphy Brown," "Home Improvement," "Party of Five," "Northern Exposure" and "Roseanne."
Root also appeared in the NBC miniseries "Pandora's Clock" and was nominated for a CableACE Award for his performance in the cable movie "Road to Galveston," with Cicely Tyson and Piper Laurie.
In his off-camera hours, Root likes to spend time with his family and golfing.
KEVIN SMITH
In the few years since his entry into the indie film community, Kevin Smith has seen it all - from the surprise critical and commercial success he received for his debut film "Clerks", to the disappointing critical and commercial drubbing he took on his second outing "Mallrats". He caught a break on his third film, the critically hailed "Chasing Amy", and managed not to get killed by the religious zealots over his fourth film, the comedic meditation "Dogma".
With the aptly titled "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back", Smith wrapped up the five film Jersey Trilogy and headed for more grown up territory with the forthcoming "Jersey Girl". The Miramax film stars longtime Smith collaborators Ben Affleck and George Carlin, as well as Jennifer Lopez and Liv Tyler.
Along the way, Smith has also found time to make himself a nuisance by smearing his name all over John Pierson's Indie Film bible, "Spike, Mike, Slackers and Dykes". He's published the screenplays to all five of his previously released films, written comic books featuring not only his own characters (the multiple-printed Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob), but also legendary mainstays of the superhero world (the award-winning
Daredevil and Spider-Man and the Black Cat at Marvel Comics, and the award-winning Green Arrow at DC Comics), and written a monthly column for UK based Arena Magazine. With his View Askew partner, Scott Mosier, he's also executive-produced four low budget, first film efforts (including Bryan Johnson's Lion's Gate release "Vulgar") and one large budget, multiple Academy Award winner ("Good Will Hunting").
Besides Mallrats, however, Smith has survived other humbling "creative" experiences which he inexplicably has failed to suppress-such as his ill-fated "Superman Lives" screenplay for Warner Brothers, and his animated series version of "Clerks" for ABC primetime, which the network unceremoniously aired only twice.
Smith was one of the first filmmakers to venture into cyberspace, establishing the insanely popular View Askewniverse website (www.viewaskew.com) in the mid-nineties and more recently Movie Poop Shoot (www.moviepoopshoot.com), And if the film thing doesn't pan out, he owns a comic book store - Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, in beautiful downtown Red Bank, New Jersey.
As for the hood ornaments he's collected, there's plenty of tin to go around: the Filmmaker's Trophy at Sundance for "Clerks"; the Prix de la Jeunesse and the International Critic's Week Award at the Cannes Film Festival, also for "Clerks": The Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay for "Chasing Amy", and a Humanitas Award for "Good Will Hunting". Smith also received the Defender
of Democracy Award from Norman Lear's People for the American Way organization for his production of "Dogma". For his writing in the comics field, Smith has received a Harvey Award, a Wizard Fan Award, an Eagle Award, and had "Green Arrow Quiver" named as one of 2003's Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association's Young Adult Library Service. In the fall of 2002, the town of Paulsboro in NJ named a street after him: Kevin Smith Way.
Yet at the end of the day, the two titles Smith touts most proudly are "husband" and "father." He married wife Jennifer in April '99 and celebrated the birth of their daughter, Harley Quinn, in June of that same year (you do the math). |
