12/29 FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTE

In honor of his 100th Birthday joins us for a special 
TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA

Frank Sinatra was one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century, forging a career as an award-winning singer and film actor.

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 12, 1915, Frank Sinatra rose to fame singing big band numbers. In the '40s and '50s, he had a dazzling array of hit songs and albums and went on to appear in dozens of films, winning a supporting actor Oscar for From Here to Eternity. He left behind a massive catalog of work that includes iconic tunes like "Love and Marriage," "Strangers in the Night," "My Way" and "New York, New York." He died on May 14, 1998 in Los Angeles, California.

Early Life and Career
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was born on December 12, 1915, in Hoboken, New Jersey. The only child of Sicilian immigrants, a teenaged Sinatra decided to become a singer after watching Bing Crosby perform in the mid-1930s. He'd already been a member of the glee club in his high school and began to sing at local nightclubs. Radio exposure brought him to the attention of bandleader Harry James, with whom Sinatra made his first recordings, including "All or Nothing at All." In 1940, Tommy Dorsey invited Sinatra to join his band. After two years of chart-topping success with Dorsey, Sinatra decided to strike out on his own.

Solo Artist
Between 1943 and 1946, Sinatra's solo career blossomed as the singer charted a slew of hit singles. The mobs of bobby-soxer fans Sinatra attracted with his dreamy baritone earned him such nicknames as "The Voice" and "The Sultan of Swoon." "It was the war years, and there was a great loneliness," recalled Sinatra, who was unfit for military service due to a punctured eardrum. "I was the boy in every corner drugstore who'd gone off, drafted to the war. That was all."

Sinatra made his movie acting debut in 1943 with the films Reveille With Beverley and Higher and Higher. In 1945, he won a special Academy Award for The House I Live In, a 10-minute short made to promote racial and religious tolerance on the home front. Sinatra's popularity began to slide in the postwar years, however, leading to a loss of his recording and film contracts in the early 1950s. But in 1953, he made a triumphant comeback, winning a supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of the Italian-American soldier Maggio in the classic From Here to Eternity. Although this was his first non-singing role, Sinatra quickly found a new vocal outlet when he received a recording contract with Capitol Records in the same year. The Sinatra of the 1950s brought forth a more mature sound with jazzier inflections in his voice.

Having regained stardom, Sinatra enjoyed continued success in both movies and music for years to come. He received another Academy Award nomination for his work in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) and earned critical acclaim for his performance in the original version of The Manchurian Candidate (1962). Meanwhile, he continued to be a formidable chart presence. When his record sales began to dip by the end of the 1950s, Sinatra left Capitol to establish his own record label, Reprise. In association with Warner Bros., which later bought Reprise, Sinatra also set up his own independent film production company, Artanis.
Rat Pack and No. 1 Tunes

By the mid-1960s, Sinatra was back on top again. He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and headlined the 1965 Newport Jazz Festival with Count Basie's Orchestra. This period also marked his Las Vegas debut, where he continued on for years as a main attraction at Caesars Palace. As a founding member of the "Rat Pack," alongside Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, Sinatra came to epitomize the hard-drinking, womanizing, gambling swinger—an image constantly reinforced by the popular press and Sinatra's own albums. With his modern edge and timeless class, even radical youth of the day had to pay Sinatra his due. AsJim Morrison of the Doors once said, "No one can touch him."

The Rat Pack made several films during their heyday: the famed Ocean's Eleven (1960), Sergeants Three (1962), Four for Texas (1963) and Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964). Back in the world of music, Sinatra had a big hit in 1966 with the Billboard No. 1 track "Strangers in the Night," which won a Grammy for record of the year. He also recorded the duet "Something Stupid" with daughter Nancy, who'd previously made waves with the feminist anthem "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'." The two reached No. 1 for four weeks with "Something Stupid" in spring 1967. By the end of the decade, Sinatra had added another signature song to his repertory—"My Way," which was adapted from a French tune and featured new lyrics by Paul Anka.

After a brief retirement in the early 1970s, Sinatra returned to the music scene with the album Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back (1973) and also became more politically active. Having first visited the White House in 1944 while campaigning for Franklin D. Roosevelt in his bid for a fourth term in office, Sinatra worked eagerly for John F. Kennedy's election in 1960 and later supervised JFK's inaugural gala in Washington. The relationship between the two soured, however, after the president canceled a weekend visit to Sinatra's house due to the singer's connections to Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana. By the 1970s, Sinatra had abandoned his long-held Democratic loyalties and embraced the Republican Party, supporting first Richard Nixonand later close friend Ronald Reagan, who presented Sinatra with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, in 1985.

12/22 JOE MINOSO, STARS AS “JOE CRUZ” ON NBC’S HIT SHOW, CHICAGO FIRE

JOE  MINOSO, STARS AS “JOE CRUZ” ON NBC’S HIT SHOW, CHICAGO FIRE - CHRISTMAS TREE FIRES THREE TIMES MORE DEADLY THAN OTHER FIRES

Warning comes as actor Joe Minoso of NBC’s hit show Chicago Fire joins 

Shriners Hospitals for Children to help families Be Burn Aware this holiday season

Home fires and deaths increase significantly during the holiday months, with more cooking, decorations and open flames, and the biggest fire risk of all could be your Christmas tree. That is why Shriners Hospitals for Children® is joining forces with actor Joe Minoso of NBC’s popular television show Chicago Fire, to keep families safe from fires and burn injuries this holiday season.

Shriners Hospitals has created a new series of Be Burn Aware Public Service Announcements (PSAs) with Joe Minoso. The PSA series reminds families to take extra precautions with seasonal activities such as cooking, lighting candles and placement of holiday décor, to avoid tragedies.

Shriners Hospitals for Children offers these simple reminders to help families Be Burn Aware this holiday season:
• Water trees daily. Discard when dry.
• Keep trees away from heaters and flames.
• Discard lights with bare wires, frays or kinks.
• Never leave lit candles unattended.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so children cannot reach them.
• Never leave a hot stove or oven unattended.
• Keep a lid or cookie sheet nearby to cover a pan if it catches on fire.

MORE ABOUT JOE MINOSO
Joe Minoso stars as “Joe Cruz” on NBC’s hit show, Chicago Fire.  A native of Bronx, NY, Minoso makes Chicago his home now. He has appeared in several television shows, including Boss, Shameless, The Chicago Code and Prison Break.  He was also in the film, Man of Steel.  Minoso graduated from Adelphi University with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, and Northern Illinois University with a Master's in fine arts.

BEBURNAWARE.ORG

12/15 TAMARA TUNIE, LAW AND ORDER: SVU

By Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York (Hometown Heroes Awards) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Tamara Renee Tunie is an American film, stage, and television actress, director, and producer. She is best known for her portrayal of attorney Jessica Griffin on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns, and medical examiner Melinda Warner on the NBC police drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. From 2000 to 2007 (and again briefly in 2009 and 2010), she appeared on both series simultaneously. Tunie has also appeared in film, most notably playing the key supporting role of Margaret Thomason in the 2012 film Flight.

Early life
Tunie was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Homestead, the daughter of Evelyn (née Hawkins) and James W. Tunie. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to her roles on As the World Turns, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, she is also known for her recurring roles as Lillian Fancy in NYPD Blue (1994–1997) and as Alberta Green in the first season of Fox's 24. Tunie also guest-starred in many television series, including Spenser: For Hire, Tribeca, SeaQuest DSV, New York Undercover, Swift Justice, Feds, Chicago Hope, Sex and the City, and Law & Order: Trial by Jury "Survivor's Remorse".

Career
Tunie worked twice with Al Pacino; she portrayed his press secretary in the 1996 film City Hall and the possessed wife of a partner in his law firm in the 1997 film The Devil's Advocate. Her other film credits include Wall Street (1987), Bloodhounds of Broadway (1989), Rising Sun (1993), Eve's Bayou(1997), and The Peacemaker (1997).

In 2001, she received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Awards for her role in film The Caveman's Valentine, based on George Dawes Green's novel of the same name, opposite Samuel L. Jackson. She won a Tony Award in 2007 for the production of the Broadway musical Spring Awakening and a Drama Desk Award.

12/08 HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY TO FRANK SINATRA

In honor of his 100th Birthday on Saturday December, 12th joins us for a special 
TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA

Frank Sinatra was one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century, forging a career as an award-winning singer and film actor.

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 12, 1915, Frank Sinatra rose to fame singing big band numbers. In the '40s and '50s, he had a dazzling array of hit songs and albums and went on to appear in dozens of films, winning a supporting actor Oscar for From Here to Eternity. He left behind a massive catalog of work that includes iconic tunes like "Love and Marriage," "Strangers in the Night," "My Way" and "New York, New York." He died on May 14, 1998 in Los Angeles, California.

Early Life and Career
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was born on December 12, 1915, in Hoboken, New Jersey. The only child of Sicilian immigrants, a teenaged Sinatra decided to become a singer after watching Bing Crosby perform in the mid-1930s. He'd already been a member of the glee club in his high school and began to sing at local nightclubs. Radio exposure brought him to the attention of bandleader Harry James, with whom Sinatra made his first recordings, including "All or Nothing at All." In 1940, Tommy Dorsey invited Sinatra to join his band. After two years of chart-topping success with Dorsey, Sinatra decided to strike out on his own.

Solo Artist
Between 1943 and 1946, Sinatra's solo career blossomed as the singer charted a slew of hit singles. The mobs of bobby-soxer fans Sinatra attracted with his dreamy baritone earned him such nicknames as "The Voice" and "The Sultan of Swoon." "It was the war years, and there was a great loneliness," recalled Sinatra, who was unfit for military service due to a punctured eardrum. "I was the boy in every corner drugstore who'd gone off, drafted to the war. That was all."

Sinatra made his movie acting debut in 1943 with the films Reveille With Beverley and Higher and Higher. In 1945, he won a special Academy Award for The House I Live In, a 10-minute short made to promote racial and religious tolerance on the home front. Sinatra's popularity began to slide in the postwar years, however, leading to a loss of his recording and film contracts in the early 1950s. But in 1953, he made a triumphant comeback, winning a supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of the Italian-American soldier Maggio in the classic From Here to Eternity. Although this was his first non-singing role, Sinatra quickly found a new vocal outlet when he received a recording contract with Capitol Records in the same year. The Sinatra of the 1950s brought forth a more mature sound with jazzier inflections in his voice.

Having regained stardom, Sinatra enjoyed continued success in both movies and music for years to come. He received another Academy Award nomination for his work in The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) and earned critical acclaim for his performance in the original version of The Manchurian Candidate (1962). Meanwhile, he continued to be a formidable chart presence. When his record sales began to dip by the end of the 1950s, Sinatra left Capitol to establish his own record label, Reprise. In association with Warner Bros., which later bought Reprise, Sinatra also set up his own independent film production company, Artanis.
Rat Pack and No. 1 Tunes

By the mid-1960s, Sinatra was back on top again. He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and headlined the 1965 Newport Jazz Festival with Count Basie's Orchestra. This period also marked his Las Vegas debut, where he continued on for years as a main attraction at Caesars Palace. As a founding member of the "Rat Pack," alongside Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop, Sinatra came to epitomize the hard-drinking, womanizing, gambling swinger—an image constantly reinforced by the popular press and Sinatra's own albums. With his modern edge and timeless class, even radical youth of the day had to pay Sinatra his due. AsJim Morrison of the Doors once said, "No one can touch him."

The Rat Pack made several films during their heyday: the famed Ocean's Eleven (1960), Sergeants Three (1962), Four for Texas (1963) and Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964). Back in the world of music, Sinatra had a big hit in 1966 with the Billboard No. 1 track "Strangers in the Night," which won a Grammy for record of the year. He also recorded the duet "Something Stupid" with daughter Nancy, who'd previously made waves with the feminist anthem "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'." The two reached No. 1 for four weeks with "Something Stupid" in spring 1967. By the end of the decade, Sinatra had added another signature song to his repertory—"My Way," which was adapted from a French tune and featured new lyrics by Paul Anka.

After a brief retirement in the early 1970s, Sinatra returned to the music scene with the album Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back (1973) and also became more politically active. Having first visited the White House in 1944 while campaigning for Franklin D. Roosevelt in his bid for a fourth term in office, Sinatra worked eagerly for John F. Kennedy's election in 1960 and later supervised JFK's inaugural gala in Washington. The relationship between the two soured, however, after the president canceled a weekend visit to Sinatra's house due to the singer's connections to Chicago mob boss Sam Giancana. By the 1970s, Sinatra had abandoned his long-held Democratic loyalties and embraced the Republican Party, supporting first Richard Nixonand later close friend Ronald Reagan, who presented Sinatra with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, in 1985.

12/01 ROBERT WAGNER, BILL MEDLEY, THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS

ROBERT WAGNER TALKS ABOUT HIS BOOK YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS

Robert Wagner is one of the most popular and successful stars in the entertainment industry, boasting three hit series and an impressive list of both feature and television films. As a young man under contract to 20th Century Fox, Wagner was cast by Darryl F. Zanuck in "With a Song in My Heart." Although the part lasted a scant minute, his performance as a crippled soldier responding to the song of Susan Hayward brought immediate public reaction to the studio. Spencer Tracy saw him in "Beneath the Twelve Mile Reef" and requested Wagner for the role of his son in "Broken Lance." Tracy was so impressed with Wagner, he cast him as his brother again in "The Mountain." A small sample of his numerous film credits includes "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story," "The Pink Panther," "The Curse of the Pink Panther," "Midway," "The Towering Inferno," "Banning," "Harper," "Prince Valiant," "The True Story of Jesse James," and "All the Fine Young Cannibals." He recently re-created his role of "Number Two," the villainous henchman to Dr. Evil, the archenemy of Mike Myers' title character in "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me." Antonio Banderas also directed Wagner in "Crazy in Alabama." In 1998, the actor was in "Wild Things," starring Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon.

On television, Wagner has starred on three long-running series, "It Takes a Thief," with Fred Astaire, "Switch," with Eddie Albert and Sharon Gless and "Hart to Hart," with Stefanie Powers. He was nominated for an Emmy for his role as Alexander Mundy in "It Takes a Thief". Since the end of the regular run of the series, the actor has produced eight "Hart to Hart" movies for both NBC and cable's Family Channel. He also starred with Jaclyn Smith in the top-rated miniseries "Windmills of the Gods," based on Sidney Sheldon's best-selling novel; with Angie Dickinson in the miniseries "Pearl"; with Audrey Hepburn in "Love among Thieves"; with Lesley Anne Down in "Indiscreet" and in "North and South III," with Joanne Woodward in "A Kiss Before Dying"; and with Elizabeth Taylor in "There Must Be a Pony," which he also executive-produced. Wagner was chosen by Sir Laurence Olivier to star with him in the television adaptation of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," in which he costarred with his wife, the late Natalie Wood. Wagner also teamed up with Sir Laurence Oliver in "This Gun for Hire," Danielle Steel's "Jewels" and "To Catch a King."

In addition to all his film and television ventures, Wagner has toured the world performing A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters", with Stefanie Powers, who were the first to launch the tour Internationally. Currently, Wagner performs "Love Letters" at charity events with his wife, actress Jill St. John.

Wagner enjoys golfing and spending time with his 3 daughters, Katie (Television Personality), Natasha (Actress) and Courtney (Artist).

The legendary actor and bestselling author of Pieces of My Heart offers a nostalgic look at Hollywood’s golden age!

With a career spanning more than five decades, few actors are more qualified to recount the glamorous Hollywood era of the late 1940s and early 1950s than Robert Wagner. You Must Remember This is Wagner’s ode to a bygone age, to its incomparable style and how it was displayed, and to its legendary stars.

Wagner revisits the houses, restaurants, and other haunts of Hollywood’s elite, offering an intimate view of their lives on and off screen. He fondly recounts mythic figures simply entertaining at home among friends, away from the publicity machine and public eye that morphed into today’s paparazzi culture. Wagner also discusses the business of Hollywood and its evolution from an industry once dominated by moguls to one run by agents, and examines the career arcs of his peers, carefully considering why some survived and others faded.

Engaging and entertaining, You Must Remember This is a window into the splendors of an erstwhile era and an opportunity for readers to live vicariously through one its most beloved leading men.

WWW.ROBERT-WAGNER.COM

BILL MEDLEY – THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS - THE TIME OF MY LIFE 

Bill Medley's indelible baritone adorns some of the biggest hits of the twentieth century—"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration," "Rock and Roll Heaven"—and is prominent on the soundtrack of an entire generation. He and his musical partner, the late inimitable Bobby Hatfield, formed the Righteous Brothers in 1963 and forever changed the sound of popular music. The term "blue-eyed soul" was born.

After the Phil Spector-produced "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" hit #1 in 1964 and Bobby Hatfield's sweeping solo vocal turn on "Unchained Melody" enchanted millions, the Righteous Brothers found themselves in the thick of the musical and cultural changes sweeping the nation. They toured with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, became friends with Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys, and brought rhythm and blues to the largest cross-over audience it had reached to date.

The Time of My Life is an affecting and vivid memoir of those times and beyond, an unvarnished look at Bill Medley's personal triumphs and tragedies through the filter of five decades of musical, television, motion picture, and live-performance success. Medley opens his head and his heart, sharing his thoughts and feelings about the great African-American music that inspired him, his loving yet tumultuous and complicated relationship with Bobby Hatfield, the murder of his first wife Karen and his struggle to raise their son alone, his close friendship with Elvis and its sad ending, his deep depression over losing his voice (and how he got it back), his smash duet with Jennifer Warnes on "(I've Had) the Time of My Life" for the Dirty Dancingsoundtrack, and how he learned to settle down and become a family man and enjoy a nearly thirty-year (and counting) marriage.

But Medley's story isn't just about the #1 hits and the awards. It's the story of an immensely talented young guy who lived the rock star life and reached the pinnacle of fame, success, and excess, and how he was eventually able to renew his commitment to both his faith and his family.

WWW.BILLMEDLEY.COM

11/24 JOANNA GOING, HOUSE OF CARDS, KINGDOM

JOANNA GOING – HOUSE OF CARDS, KINGDOM 

Delicately beautiful, Joanna Going recently hypnotized audiences as the resolute "First Lady Tricia Walker" in the Emmy® nominated Netflix series, "House Of Cards" and returns to television this fall to reprise her starring role in DirecTV's gritty, provocative and highly anticipated second season of "Kingdom." Going plays hard-edged, drug addled, prostitute, "Christina Kulina," the estranged wife of "Alvey Henderson" (Frank Grillo) and mother to "Jay and Nate" played by Nick Jonas ("The Jonas Brothers") and Jonathan Tucker ("Parenthood"), set against the backdrop of a Mixed Martial Arts gym. KINGDOM premiered in season one to FANTASTIC ratings and Going's captivating performance and combination of brains & sex appeal promises to steal the show from the minute she walks on screen and we would love to set up an interview to discuss her exciting multifaceted role.

This beauty recently made a huge splash on the small screen starring as "First Lady Tricia Walker" opposite Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright and Michel Gill as in Netflix's Emmy® nominated series "House of Cards."  Prior to this, Going starred as sexy swinging soap opera diva "Arlene" on A MC's sixth season of "Mad Men," and recurred on Robert Rodriguez's new El Rey Network horror series, "From Dusk Till Dawn." A leading lady on the big screen as well, she's costarred opposite Sean Penn in the Terrence Malick directed, Oscar nominated film, TREE OF LIFE and alongside John Cusack, Elizabeth Banks and Paul Dano in the Brian Wilson/Beach Boys biopic LOVE & MERCY, helmed by Bill Pohlad (12 YEARS A SLAVE) in late 2014.

Growing up in Newport, Rhode Island, Joanna moved to New York where she graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and soon made her feature debut opposite Kevin Costner in 1994's WYATT EARP. Other feature credits include RUNAWAY JURY based on the John Grisham novel, coming of age drama, INVENTING THE ABBOTTS opposite Billy Crudup, and STILL BREATHING opposite Brendan Fraser.

Joanna currently resides in Los Angeles with her daughter, Stella, and devotes her rare free time doing yoga, advocating for Breast Cancer Awareness and walking her two rescue dogs, Australian Shepherd mix, Maisie, and a Maltipoo named Honey Bee. Without a doubt, Going is a bona fide superstar and is quickly becoming one of Hollywood's leading ladies.

11/17 ACTRESS DANA GOURRIER JOINS QUENTIN TARANTINO’S FILM THE HATEFUL EIGHT

ACTRESS DANA GOURRIER TALKS ABOUT HER ROLL IN QUENTIN TARANTINO’S FILM THE HATEFUL EIGHT 

Dana Gourrier, a native of New Orleans, started in theater at a young age. She holds a BFA in Performance Art from UL Lafayette and an MFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts. Dana lives in Los Angeles, CA.

She is best known for her role as Cora in Quentin Tarantino’s film, Django Unchained, where she shared the screen with Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio. Gourrier will join forces with Tarantino again, who personally called her to work alongside him, playing the role of Minnie, in his new highly talked about Western film, The Hateful Eight, alongside Kurt Russell, Samuel L Jackson, and Channing Tatum, set for release this Christmas.

Dana was just seen in ABC’s Astronaut Wives Club. Dana has had recurring roles on the critically acclaimed shows: American Horror Stories: Coven, True Detective, Togetherness, FOX’s Red Band Society and HBO’s Treme.

Upcoming projects include Midnight Special alongside Kirsten Dunst and Adam Driver, Kidnap starring Halle Berry, and The Runner beside Nicholas Cage and Sarah Paulson, all set for release this year. She will also play the role of Willow in Same Kind of Different as Me next to Renee Zellweger and Greg Kinnear, which will release spring 2016.


RECIPES OF THE WEEK:

Nutella Brownies

Truffled Deviled Eggs

12 large eggs
1 cup mayonaise
1 tbs truffle oil
1 pinch cayanne pepper
chopped chives

Boil the eggs and let sit for 13 minutes. Drain eggs and run under cool water or put in fridge untill cool.

Peel eggs and cut into halves removing the yolk to a bowl. Mash the yolks and add mayonnaise, truffle oil and cayenne and whip until fluffy.

Use a disposable pastry bag or make one with a zip top baggy by cutting a corner of the bag. Place yolk mixture in the bag and pipe into the egg halves. Sprinkle with chives. Cool and serve.

Pasta with Sausage and Truffle Oil

1 lb pasta (any style)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pat butter
1 tbl truffle oil
1 handful Parmesan cheese

Take sausage out of casing and crumble to cook in olive oil and butter. Brown the sausage then add truffle oil.

Toss the done pasta with the sausage and sprinkle with cheese.

11/10 TOM SELLECK, BLUE BLOODS, MAGNUM P.I., JESSE STONE: LOST IN PARADISE, HALLMARK CHANNEL

It's a Magnum P.I. Reunion! Tom Selleck Joins the Show!

Thomas William "Tom" Selleck (born January 29, 1945) is an American actor and film producer. He is best known for his starring role as the private investigator Thomas Magnum in the television series Magnum, P.I. (1980 to 1988), based in Hawaii. He also plays Police Chief Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on Robert B. Parker novels. Since 2010, he has appeared as NYPD Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the drama Blue Bloods on CBS-TV.

Selleck has appeared in more than fifty film and television roles since his initial success with Magnum, P.I., including a co-starring role in the highest-grossing movie of 1987, Three Men and a Baby; Quigley Down Under; Mr. Baseball; and Lassiter, to name a few. Selleck has also appeared as Dr. Richard Burke on Friends, where he played the on-again, off-again love-interest of Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), and A.J. Cooper on Las Vegas.

Early life

Selleck was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Martha S. (née Jagger), a housewife, and Robert Dean Selleck (died 2001), who was an executive and real estate investor. His father was of English and distant German ancestry, and his mother was of English descent. Selleck's family moved to Sherman Oaks, California, during his childhood. Tom's siblings include brother Robert (born 1944), sister Martha (born 1953) and brother Daniel (born 1955). Selleck graduated from Grant High School, in 1962.

Along with modeling, Selleck attended the University of Southern California on a basketball scholarship where he played for the USC Trojans men's basketball team. He is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and a member of the Trojan Knights. While he majored in business administration, a drama coach suggested Selleck try acting. He then studied acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, under Milton Katselas.

Selleck served as a soldier in the 160th Infantry Regiment of the California Army National Guard and his unit was activated for the Watts Riots in Los Angeles.

Career

Early work and Magnum P.I.

Selleck's first TV appearance was as a college senior on The Dating Game in 1965, and again in 1967. Soon after, he appeared in commercials for products such as Pepsi-Cola.

He began his career with bit parts in smaller movies, including Myra Breckinridge and The Seven Minutes. He also appeared in number of TV series, mini-series and TV movies. Selleck also had a recurring role in the 1970s as "too good to be true" private investigator Lance White in The Rockford Files. Lance was very trusting and always lucky, much to the annoyance of Jim Rockford, the show's star private eye played by James Garner. White would frequently say to Rockford, "Don't worry Jim, clues will turn up" and then a clue would just turn up, much to Rockford's consternation, for whom obtaining clues required hard work and hard knocks. Selleck's character was based on one played in Garner's earlier TV series Maverick (1957) by Wayde Preston in the episode "The Saga of Waco Williams".

Selleck, an accessible but relatively untested actor, spent years receiving little interest from the entertainment industry. His big break came when he was cast in the lead role as Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P.I.. The producers would not release the actor for other projects, so Selleck had to pass on the equally enticing film project for the role of Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark", which then went to rising star Harrison Ford. The choice between the roles of Indiana Jones and Magnum actually haunted Selleck so much that before making the decision, he consulted his best friend on what to do. Together they came to the conclusion taking the high road and honoring the first contract with Universal Studios was the career-savvy direction. It turned out shooting of the pilot for Magnum was delayed for over six months by a writers' strike, which would have enabled him to complete "Raiders".

Film

Selleck starred in the 1979 TV movie Concrete Cowboys with Jerry Reed. He starred in a number of film roles during and after Magnum; among the most notable were as an acrophobic police detective in Runaway; as a stand-in father in Three Men and a Baby; and as an American 19th century sharpshooter in the Australian western Quigley Down Under – a role and film that he considers one of his best. His other films include Three Men and a Little Lady; High Road to China; Lassiter; Coma; Her Alibi; An Innocent Man; Folks!; Christopher Columbus: The Discovery; Mr. Baseball; In & Out and The Love Letter.

Selleck is an avid outdoorsman, and a marksman and knowledgeable firearms collector. These interests led him to leading-man cowboy roles in Western films, starting with his role as cowboy and frontier marshal Orrin Sackett in the 1979 film The Sacketts, opposite Sam Elliott, Jeff Osterhage, and Western legendsGlenn Ford and Ben Johnson. He followed The Sacketts with The Shadow Riders in 1982, then portraying a cat burglar in 1930s London in Lassiter in 1984.Quigley Down Under is probably one of his best known Western films, however he also won a "Western Heritage Award" for his 1997 role in Last Stand at Sabre River. His last two cowboy roles to date were in the 2001 TNT movie Crossfire Trail (based on a Louis L'Amour novel of the same name), and the 2003 motion picture Monte Walsh.

He most recently appeared in the film Killers, along with Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher.

Television

Magnum P.I.

Selleck played the role of Thomas Magnum in 1980 after six failed TV pilots. Magnum was a former U.S. Navy Officer, a veteran of a special operations unit in the Vietnam War, who had resigned his commission with the Office of Naval Intelligence and become a private investigator living in Hawaii. The show would go on for eight seasons and 162 episodes until 1988, winning him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1984. Selleck was famous for his mustache, a Hawaiian-style aloha shirt, a Detroit Tigers baseball cap, and the Colt Model 1911A1 .45 ACP Caliber pistol his character carried. Magnum drove a Ferrari 308GTSi in the series. The model became so identified with the role that Ferrari fans now refer to the red-painted model as a "Magnum" Ferrari.
Selleck has confirmed that he is the most popular choice by fans to play the role of Magnum in the rumoured upcoming Magnum P.I. movie.
Friends

In the late nineties, Selleck played the role of Richard Burke, Monica's boyfriend, at the end of the second season of the hugely successful TV series Friends. Richard was a divorced ophthalmologist who was a friend of Monica's parents, and at first the relationship was hidden from her parents. The relationship eventually ended over Richard's reluctance to commit to raising a family, though Selleck did make a few extra appearances in later shows.

The Closer

In February 1998, Selleck accepted the lead role in a sitcom for CBS called The Closer. In it he played Jack McLaren, a legendary publicist heading up a brand new marketing firm. His costars included Ed Asner, David Krumholtz, and Penelope Ann Miller. Despite the high pedigree, and the expectations for his first series since Magnum, P. I., low ratings caused the show to be canceled after ten episodes.

Jesse Stone series

Since 2005, Selleck has starred in the role of transplanted lawman Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on Robert B. Parker's novels. To date, the series comprises eight films, with the most recent released on May 20, 2012. In addition to his portrayal of the films' protagonist, Selleck now also acts as producer for the series. The fifth film, Jesse Stone: Thin Ice, was not adapted from Parker's novels, but rather an original story by Selleck.

Las Vegas

He joined the cast of the NBC drama Las Vegas in the season-five premiere on September 28, 2007. He played A.J. Cooper, the new owner of the Montecito Casino. He replaced James Caanwho left the cast in the same episode. This was Selleck's first regular role on a drama show since he played Thomas Magnum on Magnum, P.I..

Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods is an American police procedural/drama series on CBS, filmed on location in New York City. Frank Reagan (Selleck) is the Police Commissioner; the series follows the Reagan family of police officers with the New York City Police Department. The show premiered on September 24, 2010.

Other work

Selleck has also appeared in a number of made-for-TV movies in recent years. In particular, he has sought to help bring back to popularity the western, often playing one of that genre's typical characters but thrust into a modern context.

Selleck was offered the lead role of Mitch Buchannon in Baywatch, but turned down the role because he did not want to be seen as a sex symbol. The role eventually went to David Hasselhoff.

Surprising many of his fans, Selleck unexpectedly played the role of General Dwight D. Eisenhower in A&E's 2004 made-for-TV movie Ike: Countdown to D-Day. The movie showed the planning, politics, and preparation for the 1944 Invasion of Normandy, and Selleck was critically lauded for playing a cool, calm Eisenhower.

Selleck appeared in a recurring role on the acclaimed ABC drama Boston Legal as Ivan Tiggs—the troubled ex-husband of Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen)—and as novelist Robert B. Parker's character Jesse Stone in several CBS made-for-TV movies, earning a 2007 Emmy nomination for Jesse Stone: Sea Change.

Broadway

In 2001, Selleck played the lead role of Murray in a Broadway revival of Herb Gardner's comedic play A Thousand Clowns. It ran for only two months. Critics, though far from uniformly negative about Selleck's performance, generally compared it unfavorably to that of Jason Robards, Jr., who won awards in the 1960s for playing the character on the stage and in a movie version. (It remains the role with which Robards is most identified.) Playwright Gardner, however, actually preferred Selleck to Robards in the part, and even said that Selleck was the way he had always envisioned Murray.

‘JESSE STONE: LOST IN PARADISE’ DEBUTS OCT. 18 ON HALLMARK CHANNEL

Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise — which costars William Devane (24), Gloria Reuben (Mr. Robot), Leslie Hope (24) and Luke Perry (Beverly Hills, 90210) — will then air on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel the following Sunday, Oct. 25, at 9 pm.

Based on the bestselling books by Robert B. Parker, the Jesse Stone films previously aired on CBS.
The films’ 10th-anniversary installment finds Paradise Police Chief Stone (Blue Bloods‘ Selleck) agreeing to serve as a consultant on an unsolved murder case in Boston. The local police suspect “The Boston Ripper,” a killer who is already behind bars, but Stone believes the murderer is a bit closer to home, setting him off on an investigation filled with surprises and grave danger.

11/03 RICHARD SHERMAN, MILT LARSEN, "SMASH FLOPS": CLASSIC COMEDY SONGS BY TWO HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS

RICHARD SHERMAN & MILT LARSEN - "SMASH FLOPS": CLASSIC COMEDY SONGS BY TWO HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS

Magic Castle Records is pleased to announce the release to The Orchard of the new comedy compendium of old and new Smash Flops - a collection of songs that just missed being smash hits due to unfortunate timing.  Words and music by the team of Richard M. Sherman and Milt Larsen.

Richard M. Sherman and Milt Larsen both have stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame - but for other reasons: Two time Oscar and two Time Grammy Winner, Richard M. Sherman, is the composer/lyricist of "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Jungle Book" and many more (Nine Academy and four Grammy nominations).  Milt Larsen is a lyricist, actor, author, entrepreneur and creator of the world famous Magic Castle private club in Hollywood.

In addition to the new re-mastered  previous smash flops like “Bon A collection of songs that just missed being smash hits due to unfortunate timing, “Bon Voyage, Titanic,” “When the Hindenburg lands today,” “Congratulations Tom Dewey,” “The Confederate Victory Song” and many others, the team of Sherman and Larsen have written dozens of near misses over the years. Included in the new CD collection are two new songs, “The Palin for President Polka” (Sung by her fans who won't give up.) and “The Fracking Song” (Sung by hard-hatted Friends of Fracking).

Milt and Richard have been friends and collaborators for over 60 years and have written many songs and shows, including their latest musical comedy, “Pazzazz!” that tells the story of a very young George M. Cohan and the gay nineties comedy team of Weber and Fields. Richard currently wrote words and music for a new song to accompany the fireworks finale celebrating the Disneyland 60th Anniversary. Their offbeat comedy songs are now available on line.  Go to Sherman and Larsen at iTunes or Amazon to enjoy their comedy songs today.


RICHARD M. SHERMAN BIO - composer/lyricist of "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Jungle Book" and many more (Nine Academy and four Grammy nominations)

Throughout the legendary Sherman Brothers' career, Richard M. Sherman, along with his late brother, Robert B. Sherman, have written more songs for motion pictures than any team in cinematic history. For generations, the Shermans, foremost composer-lyricists in family entertainment, have written the soundtrack of our childhood, including the most translated song on earth, IT'S A SMALL WORLD (AFTER ALL).

The Sherman Brothers' prolific career has spanned over six decades.  Their achievements include: two Academy Awards for MARY POPPINS (score) and CHIM CHIM CHER-EE (song), nine Oscar nominations, three Grammy Awards, twenty-four Gold and Platinum albums, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, an honorary Doctorate from their alma mater, Bard College and in 2008 at the White House, 'National Medal of Arts' the highest honor bestowed on American-born artists.

The brothers first gained recognition in popular music with Top 10 hits YOU'RE SIXTEEN, LET'S GET TOGETHER and TALL PAUL. In 1960, the Sherman Brothers were signed to an exclusive contract by Walt Disney, himself, becoming the Disney Studio's first (and only) staff songwriters. The Sherman Brothers wrote over 200 songs featured in Walt's films, TV shows and Theme Parks. The Shermans' 36 feature Disney film credits include: JUNGLE BOOK, THE PARENT TRAP, SUMMER MAGIC, THE ARISTOCATS, BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS, THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE, THE FAMILY BAND, THE SWORD IN THE STONE, and the WINNIE THE POOH series. They wrote Disney's long-running TV theme song, THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR and their many contributions to Disney theme parks include: THE TIKI TIKI TIKI ROOM, THERE'S A GREAT BIG, BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW (Carousel of Progress), and ONE LITTLE SPARK (EPCOT).

After their Disney decade, The Shermans had continued musical success, writing words and music for CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, SNOOPY COME HOME, CHARLOTTE'S WEB, and their first Broadway musical, OVER HERE! The brothers then penned both the screenplays and song scores for TOM SAWYER, HUCKLEBERRY FINN, THE MAGIC OF LASSIE, and THE SLIPPER AND THE ROSE (the 1976 Royal Command film).  In 2000, the Sherman Brothers returned to Disney to write the song score for the animated feature, THE TIGGER MOVIE.  In 2009, Disney Studios released the critically-acclaimed documentary, “the boys: the sherman brothers' story” which chronicles the brothers' personal lives and professional partnership.

The Shermans' songbook continues to delight audiences around the world. After a record-breaking four year run at The London Palladium, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG plays national tours in the U.S and U.K. The stage production of MARY POPPINS, which ran on Broadway for over six Supercalifragilistic years, continues wowing audiences with worldwide touring companies circling the globe. For decades, Richard has enjoyed raising money for numerous worthwhile causes by performing at charitable events.  One of his proudest moments came when he, along with former president, George H.W. Bush, was awarded the Gold Medallion of Honor by UNICEF for his help in raising funds for children with HIV/AIDS.

Richard M. Sherman continues writing songs and composing music every day. Recently, two collections of his solo instrumentals were released on Solid Air CD:  “Forgotten Dreams” (2010) and “Keys of Love” (2012).

A song Richard penned, “Make Way for Tomorrow Today” was featured in the blockbuster film, IRON MAN 2.   Recently, Richard served as Musical Consultant on the Walt Disney film, “Saving Mr. Banks,” which tells the story of how Walt Disney acquired the rights to produce his masterpiece, MARY POPPINS. Also, Richard is working on a stage version of the animated classic, “The Jungle Book”, and PAZZAZZ!, a new comedy musical written in collaboration with Milt Larsen.


MILT LARSEN BIO - a lyricist, actor, author, entrepreneur and creator of the world famous Magic Castle private club in Hollywood

MILT LARSEN IS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS ROLE IN THE WORLD OF MAGIC.   In September 2006 he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his annual stage show It’s Magic!  The event was commemorated with an all-star show at Hollywood’s famed Kodak Theater.  At that time Milt and his late brother Bill were honored with a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame.
In 1963 he founded the world famous private club for magicians, the Magic Castle in Hollywood.  He is the President of Magic Castles, Inc.   In the year 2000 Magic Magazine polled their international readership and voted Milt Larsen as one of the 100 most influential individuals in the history of magic.  He is a true renaissance man in that his career encompasses writing, producing and performing.

As a writer he is best known in the field of audience participation having written Truth or Consequences starring Bob Barker for an incredible run of eighteen years!  In his early days he authored five joke books and three books involving Magic Castle.  He writes a weekly column for members of the club as well as editing their monthly newsletter.

In the songwriting field the team of Sherman and Larsen have a cult comedy following for their outrageous songs (for their time) that can be heard currently on CD’s “Bon Voyage Titanic – Smash Flops” and “Banned Barbershop Ballads.  He has written many stage revues and musicals.     A new musical, “Pazzazz” Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Milt Larsen, enjoyed a full-scale premiere production at the University of Texas in Arlington, Texas.  It will have its world premiere at Santa Barbara’s Lobero Theater March 27-30, 2008.

His collaborator is Richard M. Sherman who has won two Academy Awards (Mary Poppins song and score) and eight Oscar nominations.  He is a member of the songwriter’s Hall of Fame and currently has two major stage hits “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” in London and “Mary Poppins” in London and on Broadway. The Sherman Brothers also were honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

As a producer, in addition to The Magic Castle and It’s Magic! Larsen owned and operated to Mayfair Music Hall in Santa Monica producing live stage revues for 10 years and the Variety Arts Theater, a 1200 seat variety theater in downtown Los Angeles for 12 years.  He has produced TV special for ABC, CBS and NBC.  He was the creator and consultant for the fifty million dollar Caesars Magic Empire at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

As a performer he is an active member of SAG and AFTRA and has been seen yanking tablecloths in films and commercials. He has been the opening act for The Amazing Johnathan in Las Vegas.  He has been a lecturer at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and magic conventions in America, Mexico, Europe and Japan.

On radio, for several years Larsen was the Monday morning guest on Ron “The Baron” Herrons popular KZBN 1290 AM Breakfast Club Show in Santa Barbara.   This led to his creating a weekly radio feature “HEAR THEM AGAIN – for the first time”- featuring recordings from the first half of the twentieth century.   The show is now heard on CRN the Digital Cable Network coast to coast Saturday morning at 6-7 AM and Sunday at 4-5 P.M.  TV Channel 946.  www.CRNTALK.COM. The show is also heard worldwide Saturday afternoons at 4:30-5:30 on Satellite radio www.yesterdayUSA.com

Milt Larsen lives on Santa Barbara’s picturesque Mesa overlooking the Harbor with his wife, award winning costume designer Arlene, and their two lovable mutts, Angel and Wizard.

COLLECTOR/HISTORIAN
IN ADDITION TO HIS OTHER INTERESTS Milt Larsen is a well-known theatre historian and record collector.  Many consider the closing of the famed Palace Theater in New York in 1932 as the final curtain for vaudeville.  At that time Milt was only one year old.  He became interested in the vaudeville era as a kid and loved talking to as many of the “old-timers” still around at the time.   He was an aspiring comedy writer and was fascinated by the comedians of the past.  He started collecting recordings of showbusiness personalities as a teenager.  His hobby grew into a passion and his collection of thousands of vintage 78’s and LP’s is a treasure trove of variety history.
Through his magical family he met and got to know famous people who were stars long before he was born.  Working as a writer for Ralph Edwards TV Productions he was often called upon to keep subjects of his “This Is Your Life” TV show occupied while the production team set up their surprise for the subject.  Edwards knew his young writer was enamored with the older stars and enjoyed talking to them.  Thus Milt entertained legends like Buster Keaton, Stan Laurel, Ed Wynn, Mack Sennett, George Burns, Jack Benny and many others.   While still in High School he worked as a record archivist for Eddie Cantor.  Veteran stars Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Buddy Ebsen and Steve Allen often called upon Larsen for his consultation on songs and variety acts.

He has always loved radio and his first job as a professional writer was with the ABC Radio network. It was a daytime audience participation show with variety acts and a 25-piece house orchestra.  While still a teenager he was the weekly guest with radio personality Jim Hawthorne on a CBS radio program that featured milt’s old records and commentary by CBS founder Andrew White.

His weekend national radio shows recorded in his studio on the premises of the Magic Castle in Hollywood.  His facilities house his huge record collection and his studio is designed specifically to play the old 78-RPM vintage recordings.   His studio console turntables were originally installed at the NBC Radio City studios at Sunset and Vice in Hollywood.    The shows are recorded using the newest state of the art MAC computer technology which includes to ability to clean up the snap, crackles and pops associated with the old records.

The concept of the show is that younger generations have never heard samples of the great performers of the past.  Like an old joke, if you never heard it before --- it’s brand new with that in mind he leads you down the path to discovery.   He introduces young people of today to a time of laughter and silly songs mixed in with some of the greatest music of all time.   Oscar winning songwriter Richard M. Sherman (The Sherman Brothers – Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, It’s a small World After All etc) is a guest on every show talking about the great songwriters of Tin Pan Alley.  His other guest is a character known as Professor Hockmann, the world’s oldest magician and vaudevillian who always plays just one of those really old acoustical records from Milt’s collection.

10/27 BOBBY FLAY, BRUNCH @ BOBBY’S, JOE PISTONE, DONNIE BRASCO

CELEBRITY CHEF, RESTAURATEUR AND BESTSELLING AUTHOR BOBBY TALKS ABOUT HIS NEWLY RELEASED COOKBOOK BRUNCH @ BOBBY’S

BRUNCH @ BOBBY’S - 140 RECIPES FOR THE BEST PART OF THE WEEKEND

Bestselling author and Food Network star Bobby Flay may be best known for his skills at the grill, but brunch is his favorite meal of the day. In BRUNCH @ BOBBY’s: 140 Recipes for the Best Part of the Weekend (Clarkson Potter; On Sale: September 29th, 2015), Bobby includes 140 recipes for his all-time favorite breakfasts starting with the lip-smacking cocktails we have come to expect from Bobby—along with spiked and virgin, hot and iced coffees and teas. He then works his way through eggs, pancakes, waffles, and french toast (including flavored syrups and spreads), pastries (a first for Bobby), breads, salads and sandwiches and side dishes all in signature fashion.

Eggs Benedict head to the Gulf Coast for an upgrade, served atop homemade johnnycakes and crab cakes with Old Bay hollandaise sauce. Pancakes get a double dose of chocolate before being drowned in salted caramel sauce. English popovers come stateside when made with cracked black pepper and Vermont cheddar. And salmon definitely benefits from a bright and crunchy Brussels sprout-apple slaw. So pull up a seat at the table and enjoy a Sangria Sunrise, Carrot Cake Pancakes with Maple-Cream Cheese Drizzle, Sautéed Bitter Greens Omelets, and Wild Mushrooms-Yukon Gold Hash.  This is how Bobby does brunch.

BOBBY FLAY, a New York Times bestselling author, is the chef-owner of six fine-dining restaurants, including Gato, Bar Americain, Mesa Grill, and Bobby Flay’s Steak, and an expanding roster of Bobby’s Burger Palaces. He is the host of numerous popular cooking shows on Food Network—from the Emmy-winning Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction to the Iron Chef America series, Throwdown! With Bobby Flay, and Food Network Star—as well as Brunch@Bobby’s on Cooking Channel.

BOBBYFLAY.COM


JOE PISTONE – DONNIE BRASCO WAS THE ALIAS OF JOSEPH PISTONE, AN UNDERCOVER FBI AGENT THAT INFILTRATED THE BONANNO CRIME FAMILY

Joseph Dominick Pistone, alias Donnie Brasco, (born September 17, 1939), is a former FBI agent who worked undercover for six years infiltrating the Bonanno crime family and to a lesser extent the Colombo crime family, two of the Five Families of the Mafia in New York City. Pistone was an FBI agent for 27 years and is considered to be one of the greatest FBI agents.

Pistone was a pioneer for deep long-term undercover work. The FBI's former director, J. Edgar Hoover, who died in 1972, did not want FBI agents to work undercover, because of the danger of the agents becoming corrupted. But Pistone's work later helped convince the FBI that using undercover agents in lieu of relying exclusively on informants was a crucial tool in law enforcement.

Biography
Pistone was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Paterson, New Jersey. He graduated from Paterson State College (now William Paterson University) with a B.A. in elementary education social studies in 1965, then worked as a teacher for one year before taking a position at the Office of Naval Intelligence. Pistone joined the FBI in 1969; after serving in a variety of roles, he was transferred to New York in 1974 and assigned to the truck hijacking squad.

His ability to drive 18-wheel trucks and bulldozers led to his being chosen for what would become his first undercover operation, infiltrating a gang stealing heavy vehicles and equipment. His penetration of the group in February 1976 led to the arrest of over 30 people along the Eastern Seaboard - described at the time as one of the largest and most profitable theft rings ever broken in America. The name Donald ("Donnie") Brasco was chosen to be Pistone's alias.
Operation Donnie Brasco (1976–1981)

Pistone was selected to be an undercover agent because he was of Sicilian heritage, fluent in Italian and acquainted with the mob from growing up in New Jersey. He also said that he did not perspire under pressure and was aware of the Mafia's codes of conduct and system. The operation was given the code name "Sun-Apple" after the locations of its two simultaneous operations: Miami ("Sunny Miami") and New York ("The Big Apple"). After extensive preparation including FBI gemology classes and again using the alias Donnie Brasco, he went undercover as an expert jewel thief.
In September 1976, Pistone walked out of the FBI office and did not return for the next six years. The FBI erased Pistone's history. Officially, he never existed; and anyone who called asking for him would be told that no one by that name was employed there. His co-workers, friends, and informants had no idea what had happened to him. Pistone stated that it was not the original aim to penetrate the Mafia; rather, the focus was to be on a group of people fencing stolen property from the large number of truck hijackings taking place each day in New York (five to six a day). It was intended that the undercover operation last for around six months.

An FBI surveillance photograph of Donnie Brasco, Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggieroand Tony Rossi. Original notations by Joseph D. Pistone, made during the filming of Rossella Biscotti's 2008 film The Undercover Man.

At the same time that Pistone was investigating the Bonanno crime family, Bob Delaney of theNew Jersey State Police, under the assumed names of "Bobby Covert" and "Bobby Smash", began investigating the New Jersey organized crime scene. During the investigation, he maintained an open association with the crime families who would alleviate their business pressures from the unions for a price. The two met through Colombo crime family caporegimeNicholas Forlano, although at the time neither man knew that the other was working undercover.

Pistone became an associate in Jilly Greca's crew from the Colombo family. Greca's crew was involved mostly in hijacking trucks and selling the stolen merchandise. Because only a few people knew Pistone's real identity, FBI and NYPD investigations had Pistone down as an actual Mafia associate called Don Brasco. He later moved to the Bonanno family and subsequently developed a close relationship with Anthony Mirra and Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano, and was tutored in the ways of the wise guy by Bonanno soldier Benjamin "Lefty Guns" Ruggiero. It was by doing this that Ruggiero inadvertently provided much evidence to Pistone, as Mafia members will not normally talk to non-members about the inner workings of the Mafia. Ruggiero became very close friends with Pistone and told him that he would "die with him".

Pistone was responsible for a lucrative business venture in Holiday, Florida, when he opened and operated the King's Court Bottle Club. In Florida, Pistone worked with another FBI agent working undercover as Tony Rossi. Pistone stated that he would have become a mademember of the Bonanno family if he had murdered capo Philip Giaccone in December 1981. The hit was called off, but Pistone was later contracted to murder Alphonse "Sonny Red" Indelicato's son, Anthony "Bruno" Indelicato, who previously evaded a meeting which left Indelicato, Giaccone and Dominick Trinchera dead.

After Pistone had spent six years undercover, he was ordered to end his operation. He wanted to continue at least until he became amade man; he believed Napolitano would lie about him "making his bones," participating in a mafia-ordered hit to prove his loyalty, and felt the FBI would never again have the opportunity to humiliate the Mafia by revealing that an agent had been inducted into the ranks. However, Pistone's superiors decided that the operation was becoming too dangerous and set an end date of July 26, 1981. Only after Pistone departed did FBI agents Doug Fencl, Jim Kinne, and Jerry Loar inform Napolitano and Ruggiero that their longtime associate was an FBI agent.

Aftermath
Shortly thereafter, Napolitano was murdered for having allowed an FBI agent to infiltrate the family; he was shot dead and his hands were cut off.  Anthony Mirra, who initially brought Donnie Brasco to the family, was also killed. Ruggiero was to be killed as well, but was arrested by the FBI while on his way to a meeting, in order to prevent his death.  Napolitano's girlfriend Judy later contacted Pistone and told him, "Donnie, I always knew that you weren't cut out for that world because you carried yourself different, you had an air of intelligence, you know? I knew that you were much more than just a thief. You were a good friend to Sonny and me. Sonny didn't have any ill feelings toward you." Even after finding out that Pistone was an undercover agent, Napolitano expressed no ill will, even saying, "I really loved that kid."

The Mafia put out a $500,000 open contract on Pistone and kicked the Bonanno family off the Commission. FBI agents visited Mafia bosses in New York and told them not to even bother with the contract. The evidence collected by Pistone led to over 200 indictments and over 100 convictions of Mafia members. Although the infiltration of Donnie Brasco nearly destroyed the Bonanno family, it later became a blessing in disguise for the family. When the Mafia Commission Trial saw the top leadership of the Five Families sent to prison, the Bonanno family was the only major family whose leadership was not decimated because the family had been kicked off the Commission. By dodging this bullet, the family kept its leadership intact and was able to consolidate its power once again. The boss who led that resurgence, Joseph Massino, was convicted in 2004 of ordering Napolitano to be killed for allowing Pistone into the family.

Pistone still travels disguised, under assumed names and with a license to carry a firearm. He will not set foot in any location with high Mafia presence. However, in the book Unfinished Business, he said that he went to New York while working as a consultant on the movie Donnie Brasco and mentions that some people recognized him. Pistone continues to be active as an author and consultant to worldwide law enforcement agencies, including Scotland Yard, and has been called to testify before the United States Senate as an expert on organized crime.

In September 2012, Pistone testified in Montreal, Quebec at the Charbonneau Commission public inquiry into corruption, as an expert witness.

Media
Pistone detailed his undercover experience in his 1988 book Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia. The book was the basis for the critically acclaimed 1997 film Donnie Brasco, starring Johnny Depp as Pistone and Al Pacino as "Lefty" Ruggiero, and for the short-lived 2000 TV series Falcone, starring Jason Gedrick as Pistone (whose mob alias was changed from "Donnie Brasco" to "Joe Falcone" for copyright reasons). Pistone was a consultant on Donnie Brasco to add authenticity to the fictionalized portrayals and settings. His life was used in an episode of FBI: The Untold Stories.

Pistone revisited his experiences as Donnie Brasco in his books The Way of the Wiseguy (2004) and Donnie Brasco: Unfinished Business(2007). Pistone wrote a novel titled, The Good Guys, with Joseph Bonanno's son, Salvatore "Bill" Bonanno. He has also written several works of fiction such as Deep Cover, Mobbed Up and Snake Eyes. He has served as an executive producer on movies relating to the Mafia, including the 2006 film 10th & Wolf. In 2008, Italian artist Rossella Biscotti interviewed Pistone in her video The Undercover Man. A play based on Donnie Brasco opened at the Pennsylvania Playhouse.

Pistone is featured in the eighth episode of UK history TV channel Yesterday's documentary series Mafia's Greatest Hits. A Secrets of the Dead episode, "Gangland Graveyard," features Pistone and his infiltration of the Mafia as part of the long-running investigation into the murder of three Mafia captains by Massino.

10/20 LEO ROSSI

LEO ROSSI – ACTOR, PRODUCER & WRITER

Leo Rossi (born June 26, 1946) is an American actor, writer and producer. He is known for his role as Budd in the 1981 horror film Halloween II, as Turkell from the 1990 horror sequel Maniac Cop 2, and as Detective Sam Dietz in the Relentless franchise. His other films include Heart Like a Wheel(1983), River's Edge (1986), The Accused (1988), Analyze This (1999), One Night at McCool's(2001), and 10th & Wolf (2006). Rossi also co-scripted Gotti with the film's director, Barry Levinson;Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father is a Crime film starring Al Pacino and John Travolta.

CAREER
Rossi began his career with small roles in successful films, such as the Rick Rosenthal-directed – John Carpenter-scripted – Halloween II (1981) with Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence, in which he falls victim to the suburban maniac Michael Myers.  Subsequent roles in Jonathan Kaplan's Heart Like a Wheel (1983) opposite Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges, Tim Hunter's River's Edge (1986) with Dennis Hopper andKeanu Reeves, and Bob Rafelson's Black Widow (1987) – also with Hopper, Theresa Russell and Debra Winger – paved the way for a starring role opposite Jodie Foster and Kelly McGillis in Kaplan's The Accused (1988); Rossi delivers a chilling performance as the film's central antagonist, Cliff "Scorpion" Albrect. The Accused in turn led to Rossi winning a starring role in William Lustig's Relentless (1989), a serial killerfilm which co-stars Judd Nelson and Robert Loggia; however, this time Rossi plays the central protagonist – Detective Sam Deitz – a role he would reprise in three sequels. Rossi followed up Relentless with Lustig's Maniac Cop 2 (1990), a horror film sequel starring Bruce Campbelland scripted by Larry Cohen.

During the 1980s, Rossi was also a prominent face on TV: he made guest appearances in the police procedural Hill Street Blues (1982), a recurring role; the science fiction series Amazing Stories by Steven Spielberg (1985); the crime drama 21 Jump Street with Johnny Depp (1988); and the Vietnam War drama Tour of Duty (1989).

Rossi began the 1990s with a memorable performance in the action comedy Fast Getaway (1991): the film is about a father (Rossi) and son (Corey Haim) who rob banks together until the former is caught and imprisoned, and the latter is forced to break him out; Fast Getaway has one of the highest ratings on cable TV. Rossi then took a supporting role in Where the Day Takes You (1992), a drama featuring an all-star cast including Sean Astin, James LeGros, Dermot Mulroney, and Christian Slater; the film depicts the lives of teenage runaways trying to survive on the streets of Los Angeles. He played a detective in the Pamela Anderson vehicle Raw Justice (1994), a street preacher in the teen comedyDream a Little Dream 2 (1995) starring Corey Feldman and Corey Haim, and reprised his role opposite Haim in Fast Getaway 2 (1994).  Rossi saw out the twentieth century with a lead role in the Harold Ramis box office comedy Analyze This (1999), in which he plays the evil cousin toRobert De Niro; other co-stars include Billy Crystal, Chazz Palminteri, and Lisa Kudrow.

TV appearances during the 1990s included Murder She Wrote (1992), Frasier (1997), JAG and a recurring role in ER (TV series) (1999). He portrayed a special agent in Kaplan's adaptation of Truman Capote's psychological drama In Cold Blood (1996); the latter – a miniseries set in 1950s America – co-stars Sam Neill and Eric Roberts.

The 2000s saw Rossi in a variety of roles: having exhibited a natural talent for comedy in Analyze This, he took a supporting role in the Harald Zwart comedy One Night at McCool's (2001) in which he shared the screen with Matt Dillon, Michael Douglas, John Goodman, and Liv Tyler; the same year he accepted a role in the mobster thriller One Eyed King (2001) co-starring with Armand Assante, William Baldwin, Bruno Kirby, and Chazz Palminteri. Next came a supporting role in the experimental drama The Business of Fancydancing (2002) and a part in Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003) alongside a talented and extensive cast that includes Timothy Dalton, Brendan Fraser, Heather Locklear, and Steve Martin; Looney Tunes is a live action-animation comedy directed by Joe Dante. Rossi then both produced and starred in the thriller 10th & Wolf(2006) in which he plays an FBI Agent partnered with Brian Dennehy; the two agents attempt to infiltrate – and bring down – a Sicilian (Mafia) family business. 10th & Wolf is loosely based upon the true story of undercover FBI agent Joseph Pistone aka "Donnie Brasco"; other cast members include Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, James Marsden, Brad Renfro, Giovani Ribisi, and Lesley Ann Warren.

In TV, Rossi starred in another drama based on the life of Joseph D. Pistone: Falcone (2000); the show aired on CBS and also featured performances by Amy Carlson, Jason Gedrick, and Eric Roberts; it is based on the book Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia by Pistone and Richard Woodley. He also appeared in Judging Amy (2001) and Without a Trace (2006).

10/13 KRISTIN CHENOWETH, BUDDY MCGIRT

STAGE AND SCREEN SUPERSTAR KRISTIN CHENOWETH TALKS ABOUT HER CAREER, CURRENT PROJECTS AND BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Daughter of a Two-time Breast Cancer Survivor Takes Time Away from Her National Tour to Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth is a multi-dimensional talent who’s at home on the stage, the big screen and the small screen. The actress is currently traveling the country on her “Coming Home” tour, wowing audiences with her amazing talent.

In between it all, she recently got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and closed out the Tanglewood season with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in early September. Her lengthy resume also includes Broadway roles in “Wicked,” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” in addition to the TV show, “The West Wing.”

Yet, as the name of her “Coming Home” tour implies, she’s a woman who cares deeply about home and family. Her mom is a two-time breast cancer survivor and Chenoweth took time off from her career several years ago to care for her when she battled the disease for a second time.

As a result, Chenoweth is passionate about sharing what she’s learned about this disease, in hopes of helping more women have the best possible chance for early detection. When breast cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is 100%.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Chenoweth wants women to know that they need to be advocates for their health, because all mammograms are not the same. A newer technology, the first-of-its-kind, 3D mammography, is the only mammogram clinically proven to detect up to 41% more invasive cancers than traditional 2D screenings. It also reduces the number of call-backs by 40% for additional tests from “false positives” that can happen with traditional 2D mammograms.

Unfortunately, not all insurance carriers cover this more accurate screening technology, so Kristin is urging women to contact their insurers and demand coverage and a better chance for survival.

OFFICIALKRISTINCHENOWETH.COM


AMERICAN BOXING TRAINER AND RETIRED BOXER BUDDY MCGIRT – TALKS ABOUT MAKING HIS ACTING DEBUT ON HAWAII 5-0 WITH LARRY MANETTI 

James Walter "Buddy" McGirt (born January 17, 1964) is an American boxing trainer and retired boxer. During his ring tenure, McGirt was the IBF light-welterweight champion, and Lineal/WBC welterweight champion.

Professional boxing career
McGirt’s aspirations of becoming a professional boxer existed at an incredibly young age."They said I was too small," McGirt says now. "They said I couldn't do it. I said I could. I said I'd be the first world champion from Long Island - so the guy they said couldn't do it is the one who did it." Fulfilling this childhood dream, he did so with a vengeance, turning professional in the year 1983, the year he graduated from Brentwood High School.

In 1988, McGirt defeated Frankie Warren, avenging what was at that time his only defeat, to win the IBF light welterweight title.In his second defense, he lost the title to Meldrick Taylor.

In November 1991, he defeated Simon Brown to win the Lineal and WBC welterweight titles.
Buddy was a scrappy, talented fighter who had an outstanding career in the ring. He defeated men such as Simon Brown, Livingstone Bramble, Saoul Mamby, Edwin Curet, Howard Davis, Frankie Warren, Tony Baltazar, Gennaro Leon, Patrizio Oliva, Gary Jacobs, Tommy Ayers, Willie Rodriguez, Ralph Twinning, Buck Smith, Kevin Pompey, Rafael Williams, John Senegal, Eric Martin, Joe Manley, Tyrone Moore, Nick Rupa, Joe Gatti and George Heckley.

At the beginning of 1993, McGirt was the world's top-ranked 147-pound boxer, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world; but in the first week starting off the year he tore up his left shoulder while training. Without his money punch, the left hook, he had to box virtually one-handed for a total of 24 rounds in two championship fights. He won the first fight, but he lost his title in the second. McGirt lost the title to Pernell Whitaker in 1993. The following year, he again lost to Whitaker in an attempt to regain the title.

In 1997, he retired with a record of 73-6-1 (48 KOs).

Training career
Following his retirement from the ring, "Buddy" has been quite successful working with up-and-coming young fighters, as a trainer.

It took Buddy McGirt six years to become a world champion. It took him just six days to become the trainer of a champion. The fighter he trained first was super middleweight Byron Mitchell. Scheduled a mere six days after becoming his coach, was the fight against Manny Siacca for WBA title. The fight ended with a hook to the body followed with a quick hook to the head, knocking Siacca out. Becoming an instant champion, McGirt knows its usually not that easy.

He's a full-time trainer now and is committed to the challenge of preparing others to step into the ring. "Anybody can train but not many people can teach," McGirt said. "And that's what boxing is missing now, teachers. There are not many old-school trainers around.". McGirt won the Boxing Writers' Association of America Trainer of the Year Award for 2002.

McGirt's son, James McGirt Jr., is also a professional boxer. McGirt also trains Kurt Pellegrino's boxing, his first venture into MMA, and trains heavyweight boxer Taishan Dong.

Buddy was trained and managed by Al Certo and Stuart Weiner. McGirt and some of the fighters he trains are documented in the book "Bring it to the Ring: A Boxing Yearbook and Inspirational Message to Today's Youths." The book was published in 2005.

10/06 KRISTIN CHENOWETH, BUDDY MCGIRT

STAGE AND SCREEN SUPERSTAR KRISTIN CHENOWETH TALKS ABOUT HER CAREER, CURRENT PROJECTS AND BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Daughter of a Two-time Breast Cancer Survivor Takes Time Away from Her National Tour to Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth is a multi-dimensional talent who’s at home on the stage, the big screen and the small screen. The actress is currently traveling the country on her “Coming Home” tour, wowing audiences with her amazing talent.

In between it all, she recently got her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and closed out the Tanglewood season with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra in early September. Her lengthy resume also includes Broadway roles in “Wicked,” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” in addition to the TV show, “The West Wing.”

Yet, as the name of her “Coming Home” tour implies, she’s a woman who cares deeply about home and family. Her mom is a two-time breast cancer survivor and Chenoweth took time off from her career several years ago to care for her when she battled the disease for a second time.

As a result, Chenoweth is passionate about sharing what she’s learned about this disease, in hopes of helping more women have the best possible chance for early detection. When breast cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is 100%.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Chenoweth wants women to know that they need to be advocates for their health, because all mammograms are not the same. A newer technology, the first-of-its-kind, 3D mammography, is the only mammogram clinically proven to detect up to 41% more invasive cancers than traditional 2D screenings. It also reduces the number of call-backs by 40% for additional tests from “false positives” that can happen with traditional 2D mammograms.

Unfortunately, not all insurance carriers cover this more accurate screening technology, so Kristin is urging women to contact their insurers and demand coverage and a better chance for survival.

OFFICIALKRISTINCHENOWETH.COM


AMERICAN BOXING TRAINER AND RETIRED BOXER BUDDY MCGIRT – TALKS ABOUT MAKING HIS ACTING DEBUT ON HAWAII 5-0 WITH LARRY MANETTI 

James Walter "Buddy" McGirt (born January 17, 1964) is an American boxing trainer and retired boxer. During his ring tenure, McGirt was the IBF light-welterweight champion, and Lineal/WBC welterweight champion.

Professional boxing career
McGirt’s aspirations of becoming a professional boxer existed at an incredibly young age."They said I was too small," McGirt says now. "They said I couldn't do it. I said I could. I said I'd be the first world champion from Long Island - so the guy they said couldn't do it is the one who did it." Fulfilling this childhood dream, he did so with a vengeance, turning professional in the year 1983, the year he graduated from Brentwood High School.

In 1988, McGirt defeated Frankie Warren, avenging what was at that time his only defeat, to win the IBF light welterweight title.In his second defense, he lost the title to Meldrick Taylor.

In November 1991, he defeated Simon Brown to win the Lineal and WBC welterweight titles.
Buddy was a scrappy, talented fighter who had an outstanding career in the ring. He defeated men such as Simon Brown, Livingstone Bramble, Saoul Mamby, Edwin Curet, Howard Davis, Frankie Warren, Tony Baltazar, Gennaro Leon, Patrizio Oliva, Gary Jacobs, Tommy Ayers, Willie Rodriguez, Ralph Twinning, Buck Smith, Kevin Pompey, Rafael Williams, John Senegal, Eric Martin, Joe Manley, Tyrone Moore, Nick Rupa, Joe Gatti and George Heckley.

At the beginning of 1993, McGirt was the world's top-ranked 147-pound boxer, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world; but in the first week starting off the year he tore up his left shoulder while training. Without his money punch, the left hook, he had to box virtually one-handed for a total of 24 rounds in two championship fights. He won the first fight, but he lost his title in the second. McGirt lost the title to Pernell Whitaker in 1993. The following year, he again lost to Whitaker in an attempt to regain the title.

In 1997, he retired with a record of 73-6-1 (48 KOs).

Training career
Following his retirement from the ring, "Buddy" has been quite successful working with up-and-coming young fighters, as a trainer.

It took Buddy McGirt six years to become a world champion. It took him just six days to become the trainer of a champion. The fighter he trained first was super middleweight Byron Mitchell. Scheduled a mere six days after becoming his coach, was the fight against Manny Siacca for WBA title. The fight ended with a hook to the body followed with a quick hook to the head, knocking Siacca out. Becoming an instant champion, McGirt knows its usually not that easy.

He's a full-time trainer now and is committed to the challenge of preparing others to step into the ring. "Anybody can train but not many people can teach," McGirt said. "And that's what boxing is missing now, teachers. There are not many old-school trainers around.". McGirt won the Boxing Writers' Association of America Trainer of the Year Award for 2002.

McGirt's son, James McGirt Jr., is also a professional boxer. McGirt also trains Kurt Pellegrino's boxing, his first venture into MMA, and trains heavyweight boxer Taishan Dong.

Buddy was trained and managed by Al Certo and Stuart Weiner. McGirt and some of the fighters he trains are documented in the book "Bring it to the Ring: A Boxing Yearbook and Inspirational Message to Today's Youths." The book was published in 2005.

09/29 EMMY AND TONY AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS JUDITH LIGHT

EMMY AND TONY AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS JUDITH LIGHT 

KNOWN FOR HER WORK ON THE COMEDY “TRANSPARENT.” THESE DAYS, SHE’S TACKLING A DIFFERENT SORT OF ROLE.

WITH FLU SEASON UPON US, SHE’S WORKING ON AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOW SERIOUS THE FLU CAN BE, ESPECIALLY AMONG SENIOR CITIZENS.

JUDITH LIGHT JOINS US NOW WITH RESULTS OF AN EYE-OPENING NEW SURVEY.

BIOGRAPHY
Actress Judith Light is currently starring in the new Broadway play Therese Raquin and will appear in the second season of Amazon Prime’s Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated series, Transparent (created by Jill Soloway). She is also returning for a second year as a campaign ambassador for the National Council on Aging’s national public education initiative Flu + You, which aims to educate older adults and those who care for them about the seriousness of influenza (“the flu”), the importance of prevention and available vaccine options.

Judith’s television career began with her two-time Best Actress Emmy award-winning turn on “One Life to Live.” She then went on to co-star in the hit comedy series “Who's the Boss?” She starred on the Emmy Award-winning ABC-TV series “Ugly Betty”, for which she received an Emmy nomination, and she also played a recurring role on NBC’s long-running drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Judith also starred in the series “Phenom” (created by James Brooks), “The Simple Life” (created by Herb Hamsher) and “The Stones” (created by Max Mutchnick, David Kohan and Jenji Kohan) and in over 15 television movies, including her role as Ryan’s mother in “The Ryan White Story.” More recently Judith has created recurring characters on TNT’s “Dallas” and TV Land’s comedy series “The Exes.”

A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA, Judith has worked on Broadway stages and in repertory theaters throughout the United States and Canada, as well as a USO Tour of "Guys and Dolls" that performed throughout Europe. Judith’s Broadway debut was in “A Doll’s House” with Liv Ullmann.  In 2012, Judith starred in “Other Desert Cities,” for which she won the Tony Award for “Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play,” and the Drama Desk Award for “Best Featured Actress”.  She was also nominated for a Tony Award for her work in “Lombardi” in 2011.

Judith is a Board Member and advocate for many organizations and charities representing AIDS-related and Human Rights issues including: Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS, The Names Project/The AIDS Memorial Quilt, The AIDS Memorial Grove, CDC’s Business Responds to AIDS/Labor Responds to AIDS, Hollywood Health and Society, Project Angel Food, The Matthew Shepard Foundation, The National Aids Memorial Grove, The Point Foundation, The Rome Chamber Music Festival, Faith In America, Drama League National Advisory Council and The Trevor Project.

Judith lives in New York and Los Angeles and is married to writer/actor, Robert Desiderio.

WWW.JUDITHLIGHT.COM
NCOA.ORG/FLU

09/22 TOM SELLECK, BLUE BLOODS, MAGNUM P.I., JESSE STONE: LOST IN PARADISE, HALLMARK CHANNEL

It's a Magnum P.I. Reunion! Tom Selleck Joins the Show!

Thomas William "Tom" Selleck (born January 29, 1945) is an American actor and film producer. He is best known for his starring role as the private investigator Thomas Magnum in the television series Magnum, P.I. (1980 to 1988), based in Hawaii. He also plays Police Chief Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on Robert B. Parker novels. Since 2010, he has appeared as NYPD Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the drama Blue Bloods on CBS-TV.

Selleck has appeared in more than fifty film and television roles since his initial success with Magnum, P.I., including a co-starring role in the highest-grossing movie of 1987, Three Men and a Baby; Quigley Down Under; Mr. Baseball; and Lassiter, to name a few. Selleck has also appeared as Dr. Richard Burke on Friends, where he played the on-again, off-again love-interest of Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), and A.J. Cooper on Las Vegas.

Early life

Selleck was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Martha S. (née Jagger), a housewife, and Robert Dean Selleck (died 2001), who was an executive and real estate investor. His father was of English and distant German ancestry, and his mother was of English descent. Selleck's family moved to Sherman Oaks, California, during his childhood. Tom's siblings include brother Robert (born 1944), sister Martha (born 1953) and brother Daniel (born 1955). Selleck graduated from Grant High School, in 1962.

Along with modeling, Selleck attended the University of Southern California on a basketball scholarship where he played for the USC Trojans men's basketball team. He is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and a member of the Trojan Knights. While he majored in business administration, a drama coach suggested Selleck try acting. He then studied acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, under Milton Katselas.

Selleck served as a soldier in the 160th Infantry Regiment of the California Army National Guard and his unit was activated for the Watts Riots in Los Angeles.

Career

Early work and Magnum P.I.

Selleck's first TV appearance was as a college senior on The Dating Game in 1965, and again in 1967. Soon after, he appeared in commercials for products such as Pepsi-Cola.

He began his career with bit parts in smaller movies, including Myra Breckinridge and The Seven Minutes. He also appeared in number of TV series, mini-series and TV movies. Selleck also had a recurring role in the 1970s as "too good to be true" private investigator Lance White in The Rockford Files. Lance was very trusting and always lucky, much to the annoyance of Jim Rockford, the show's star private eye played by James Garner. White would frequently say to Rockford, "Don't worry Jim, clues will turn up" and then a clue would just turn up, much to Rockford's consternation, for whom obtaining clues required hard work and hard knocks. Selleck's character was based on one played in Garner's earlier TV series Maverick (1957) by Wayde Preston in the episode "The Saga of Waco Williams".

Selleck, an accessible but relatively untested actor, spent years receiving little interest from the entertainment industry. His big break came when he was cast in the lead role as Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P.I.. The producers would not release the actor for other projects, so Selleck had to pass on the equally enticing film project for the role of Indiana Jones in "Raiders of the Lost Ark", which then went to rising star Harrison Ford. The choice between the roles of Indiana Jones and Magnum actually haunted Selleck so much that before making the decision, he consulted his best friend on what to do. Together they came to the conclusion taking the high road and honoring the first contract with Universal Studios was the career-savvy direction. It turned out shooting of the pilot for Magnum was delayed for over six months by a writers' strike, which would have enabled him to complete "Raiders".

Film

Selleck starred in the 1979 TV movie Concrete Cowboys with Jerry Reed. He starred in a number of film roles during and after Magnum; among the most notable were as an acrophobic police detective in Runaway; as a stand-in father in Three Men and a Baby; and as an American 19th century sharpshooter in the Australian western Quigley Down Under – a role and film that he considers one of his best. His other films include Three Men and a Little Lady; High Road to China; Lassiter; Coma; Her Alibi; An Innocent Man; Folks!; Christopher Columbus: The Discovery; Mr. Baseball; In & Out and The Love Letter.

Selleck is an avid outdoorsman, and a marksman and knowledgeable firearms collector. These interests led him to leading-man cowboy roles in Western films, starting with his role as cowboy and frontier marshal Orrin Sackett in the 1979 film The Sacketts, opposite Sam Elliott, Jeff Osterhage, and Western legendsGlenn Ford and Ben Johnson. He followed The Sacketts with The Shadow Riders in 1982, then portraying a cat burglar in 1930s London in Lassiter in 1984.Quigley Down Under is probably one of his best known Western films, however he also won a "Western Heritage Award" for his 1997 role in Last Stand at Sabre River. His last two cowboy roles to date were in the 2001 TNT movie Crossfire Trail (based on a Louis L'Amour novel of the same name), and the 2003 motion picture Monte Walsh.

He most recently appeared in the film Killers, along with Katherine Heigl and Ashton Kutcher.

Television

Magnum P.I.

Selleck played the role of Thomas Magnum in 1980 after six failed TV pilots. Magnum was a former U.S. Navy Officer, a veteran of a special operations unit in the Vietnam War, who had resigned his commission with the Office of Naval Intelligence and become a private investigator living in Hawaii. The show would go on for eight seasons and 162 episodes until 1988, winning him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1984. Selleck was famous for his mustache, a Hawaiian-style aloha shirt, a Detroit Tigers baseball cap, and the Colt Model 1911A1 .45 ACP Caliber pistol his character carried. Magnum drove a Ferrari 308GTSi in the series. The model became so identified with the role that Ferrari fans now refer to the red-painted model as a "Magnum" Ferrari.
Selleck has confirmed that he is the most popular choice by fans to play the role of Magnum in the rumoured upcoming Magnum P.I. movie.
Friends

In the late nineties, Selleck played the role of Richard Burke, Monica's boyfriend, at the end of the second season of the hugely successful TV series Friends. Richard was a divorced ophthalmologist who was a friend of Monica's parents, and at first the relationship was hidden from her parents. The relationship eventually ended over Richard's reluctance to commit to raising a family, though Selleck did make a few extra appearances in later shows.

The Closer

In February 1998, Selleck accepted the lead role in a sitcom for CBS called The Closer. In it he played Jack McLaren, a legendary publicist heading up a brand new marketing firm. His costars included Ed Asner, David Krumholtz, and Penelope Ann Miller. Despite the high pedigree, and the expectations for his first series since Magnum, P. I., low ratings caused the show to be canceled after ten episodes.

Jesse Stone series

Since 2005, Selleck has starred in the role of transplanted lawman Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on Robert B. Parker's novels. To date, the series comprises eight films, with the most recent released on May 20, 2012. In addition to his portrayal of the films' protagonist, Selleck now also acts as producer for the series. The fifth film, Jesse Stone: Thin Ice, was not adapted from Parker's novels, but rather an original story by Selleck.

Las Vegas

He joined the cast of the NBC drama Las Vegas in the season-five premiere on September 28, 2007. He played A.J. Cooper, the new owner of the Montecito Casino. He replaced James Caanwho left the cast in the same episode. This was Selleck's first regular role on a drama show since he played Thomas Magnum on Magnum, P.I..

Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods is an American police procedural/drama series on CBS, filmed on location in New York City. Frank Reagan (Selleck) is the Police Commissioner; the series follows the Reagan family of police officers with the New York City Police Department. The show premiered on September 24, 2010.

Other work

Selleck has also appeared in a number of made-for-TV movies in recent years. In particular, he has sought to help bring back to popularity the western, often playing one of that genre's typical characters but thrust into a modern context.

Selleck was offered the lead role of Mitch Buchannon in Baywatch, but turned down the role because he did not want to be seen as a sex symbol. The role eventually went to David Hasselhoff.

Surprising many of his fans, Selleck unexpectedly played the role of General Dwight D. Eisenhower in A&E's 2004 made-for-TV movie Ike: Countdown to D-Day. The movie showed the planning, politics, and preparation for the 1944 Invasion of Normandy, and Selleck was critically lauded for playing a cool, calm Eisenhower.

Selleck appeared in a recurring role on the acclaimed ABC drama Boston Legal as Ivan Tiggs—the troubled ex-husband of Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen)—and as novelist Robert B. Parker's character Jesse Stone in several CBS made-for-TV movies, earning a 2007 Emmy nomination for Jesse Stone: Sea Change.

Broadway

In 2001, Selleck played the lead role of Murray in a Broadway revival of Herb Gardner's comedic play A Thousand Clowns. It ran for only two months. Critics, though far from uniformly negative about Selleck's performance, generally compared it unfavorably to that of Jason Robards, Jr., who won awards in the 1960s for playing the character on the stage and in a movie version. (It remains the role with which Robards is most identified.) Playwright Gardner, however, actually preferred Selleck to Robards in the part, and even said that Selleck was the way he had always envisioned Murray.

‘JESSE STONE: LOST IN PARADISE’ DEBUTS OCT. 18 ON HALLMARK CHANNEL

Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise — which costars William Devane (24), Gloria Reuben (Mr. Robot), Leslie Hope (24) and Luke Perry (Beverly Hills, 90210) — will then air on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel the following Sunday, Oct. 25, at 9 pm.

Based on the bestselling books by Robert B. Parker, the Jesse Stone films previously aired on CBS.
The films’ 10th-anniversary installment finds Paradise Police Chief Stone (Blue Bloods‘ Selleck) agreeing to serve as a consultant on an unsolved murder case in Boston. The local police suspect “The Boston Ripper,” a killer who is already behind bars, but Stone believes the murderer is a bit closer to home, setting him off on an investigation filled with surprises and grave danger.