04/21 FRANK STALLONE, UPCOMING PERFORMANCE AT SPAGHETTINI AND THE DAVE KOZ LOUNGE

FRANK STALLONE – ACTOR, SINGER, SONGWRITER – UPCOMING PERFORMANCE AT SPAGHETTINI AND THE DAVE KOZ LOUNGE 4/24 AT 8:30PM

Frank's live performance is now bigger and better with a newly added three-piece horn section, new energy and as always, great music. Be one of the first to experience his new sound and bigger show live.

Friday, April 24 at 8:30pm
Spaghettini and the Dave Koz Lounge
184 N Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, 90210
310-424-4600

Grammy and Golden Globe nominated artist Frank Stallone is one of the most versatile actors, singers and musicians in the business. His explosive voice and his range from comedy to drama and rock to blues to big band, leaves audiences entertained and captivated.

Frank has garnered four Platinum Albums, ten Gold Albums and five Gold Singles and has acted in over 60 films and TV shows including Walker Texas Ranger, multiple sitcoms and variety shows, Hudson Hawk, Staying Alive, Fred Claus, and Tombstone, in which he made a big impact as “Ed Bailey,” a dangerous gunslinger. One of his most memorable film roles was as “Eddie,” the bartender in Barfly, which was touted by critic Roger Ebert: “Barfly is a terrific film that features an outstanding performance by Frank Stallone…he’s both captivating and terrifying at the same time.” Frank recently made his online comedy debut with the parody film short CHUPACOBRA from Break Media (Break.com), will be seen in the upcoming film Reach Me from director John Herzfeld and will soon be heard as a new character in Hasbro’s hit animated series Transformers Prime.

Frank has written and published over 200 songs and, with a single in the hit film The Expendables 2 (Don’t Want to Fight With Me) and three original songs, written and performed by him in the upcoming film Reach Me (Dir. John Herzfeld, 2014), Frank has written and recorded compositions for twelve films. The list includes Rocky I, II and III, Rambo II, Paradise Alley and Over the Top. But, it was Frank's nine songs that he wrote and recorded for the Saturday Night Fever Sequel Staying Alive that earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Sound Track and a Grammy nomination for Best Original Song with his single, Far From Over. That song became a massive #1 hit around the world and stayed on the top charts for more than four months and his songs are still played on radio stations throughout the world.

At a young age, the Maryland-born, Philadelphia-raised native pursued his musical ambitions, forming a series of bands, and finally turned professional at the tender age of 15 (“I had to lie about my age,” admits Frank). His group, Valentine, included lead guitarist John Oates (Hall and Oates) and was signed to RCA Records in 1975, when they recorded their first album. Frank made his on-screen singing debut, performing the self-penned acapella song, Take You Back in the opening scene of the film Rocky. “The only reason I got the part was that I was the only musician my brother, Sylvester, knew…and I worked cheap.”

Frank has recorded nine solo albums receiving praise from legends Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Sammy Cahn. His rock-influenced Full Circle, “which I feel is my best” was followed by his American songbook albums, In Love in Vain, with Sammy Nestico, Stallone on Stallone by Request, a compilation of Frank's film soundtrack tunes, and Songs from the Saddle, showing Frank’s more acoustic side. He’s a big fan favorite in Australia and he performs in concert halls, theaters and clubs all around the world, gaining critical acclaim wherever he goes “he has the crowd enthralled.” (New York Daily News)

Frank is a guitar, music, mafia and art aficionado, is one of the best boxing historians and collectors in the world and is an avid collector of guitars, guns and memorabilia. When he’s not writing songs or filming a project, he can be found on a shooting range or at the gym but he’s happiest with a guitar, beautiful women and good glass of vino. If you ask why he’s never been married, he’ll tell you “I guess I just forgot.”

WWW.FRANKSTALLONE.COM

04/14 DAN LAURIA, DINNER WITH THE BOYS, JAMES WILDER, 3 HOLES AND A SMOKING GUN

DAN LAURIA - STAGE AND SCREEN VET DAN LAURIA WILL HEAD OFF-BROADWAY IN HIS NEW SELF-PENNED COMEDY, DINNER WITH THE BOYS

ABOUT DINNER WITH THE BOYS: 
Written by: Dan Lauria
Directed by: Frank Megna

Dinner with the Boys is the deliciously hilarious new comedy starring Dan Lauria (“The Wonder Years,” Lombardi), Ray Abruzzo (“The Sopranos”) and Richard Zavaglia (“Donnie Brasco”). When two wise guys from the old neighborhood, Charlie (Lauria) and Dom (Zavaglia), find themselves at odds with the Family, they must serve up perfectly seasoned performances with their puttanesca to escape danger. This odd couple await their fate as they prepare dinner for their special guests. It’s an evening filled with belly laughs, killer plot twists and plenty of garlic. The only question remaining – will this dinner be their last meal?

DINNERWITHTHEBOYSPLAY.COM

LOCATED IN THE HEART OF BROADWAY
ACORN THEATRE AT THEATRE ROW
410 WEST 42ND STREET,
NEW YORK, NY 10036
212-239-6200

PERFORMANCES BEGIN APRIL 21

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
TUE 7, WED 2 & 8, THURS 8, FRI 8, SAT 2 & 8, SUN 3
RUNNING TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 95 MINUTES.

MORE ON DAN LAURIA:
Lauria, an Italian-American, was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Carmela (née Luongo) and Joseph J. Lauria. He also lived in Lindenhurst, New York. He graduated from Lindenhurst Senior High School in 1965 as a varsity football player, and he briefly taught physical education at Lindenhurst High School. A Vietnam War veteran, Lauria served as an officer in the US Marine Corps; he served at the same point in his life that Jack Arnold, his character in The Wonder Years did during the Korean War. He got his start in acting while attending Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut, on a football scholarship.

Lauria is best known for his portrayal of Jack Arnold, the money-conscious father on the TV series The Wonder Years, that ran from 1988 to 1993. He also played James Webb in the 1998 TV miniseries From the Earth to the Moon and Commanding Officer, USA in 1996's Independence Day. More recently he has appeared in a War Veterans public service announcement and as Police Commissioner Eustace Dolan in The Spirit. He appeared as Coach Hamstrung in The Three Stooges N.Y.U.K. onAMC in 2000. Lauria appeared on stage in New York in the summer of 2006 in an Off Broadway production of "A Stone Carver" by William Mastrosimone with Jim Iorio and Elizabeth Rossa. Lauria also had a small role in a Season two episode ofArmy Wives, as well as a season one episode of The Mentalist. In 2009, Dan has appeared as General Lee Whitworth, M.D. on T.V. series Criminal Minds Season 4. He has also appeared in an episode of Boy Meets World, starring Ben Savage, the younger brother of The Wonder Years's Fred Savage. In late 2009, Lauria returned to the Off Broadway stage, appearing asJimmy Hoffa in Brian Lee Franklin's Good Bobby, a fictionalized account of Robert Kennedy's rise. In 2010, Lauria appeared as Vince Lombardi in the Broadway play Lombardi. The play received positive reviews, with sports writer Jim Hague commenting, "Lauria truly becomes Vince Lombardi. You almost forget you're watching an actor. He's Lombardi through and through, down to the wire-framed glasses and intimidating scowl." North Bergen football coach Vince Ascolese, who met Lombardi, commented "I really felt like he was Lombardi. It was uncanny." Lauria's portrayal of Lombardi was used during the NFL on FOX introduction to Super Bowl XLV, where the Green Bay Packers, the team Lombardi coached to victories in the first two Super Bowls, defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 2012, Lauria played the part of Jean Shepard in the Broadway production of A Christmas Story: The Musical, a role which he reprised off Broadway at Madison Square Garden in 2013. From 2012 through 2014, he played Jack Sullivan on the Steve Byrne sitcom Sullivan & Son.


ACTOR JAMES WILDER, TALKING ABOUT HIS LATEST ROLE IN “3 HOLES AND A SMOKING GUN”            
 

For anyone who may have forgotten what a powerful and versatile actor James Wilder is, just check out his latest role in the indie psychological thriller “3 Holes And A Smoking Gun.” For his stunning portrayal of a duplicitous washed up screenwriter, Wilder garnered a Best Lead Actor nod at the Red Dirt International Film Festival, Best Actor at the Winter Film Awards, the Independent Spirit Award at the Garden State Film Festival and the Recognition of Dramatic Excellence at the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival. Wrote the London Film Review: “(Wilder delivers) an excellent performance and burns up the screen.” The film was also awarded the prestigious Grand Jury Prize at the Red Dirt International Film Festival and Best Screenplay honors at L.A.’s Downtown Film Festival.

The actor’s indelible portrayals include an ambitious lawyer in the Emmy Award-winning drama “Equal Justice” (co-starring Sarah Jessica Parker) and the charmingly sleazy drug dealing seducer in “Melrose Place.” His demonically authentic rendering of serial killer Carl Isaacs in the acclaimed Miramax film “Murder One” that led the New York Times to comment: “James Wilder, as Carl Isaacs, is a thoroughly malevolent character, one in whom evil rather than insanity seems to prevail.”

Wilder, however, is no one-trick pony. In fact, acting wasn’t even on his radar when he started out as a street performer in his native San Francisco and later in LA, New York, and Europe. Renowned for juggling three running chain saws as part of his perilous crowd-pleasing act, Wilder was only 14 when he performed at the legendary Moulin Rouge in his mother’s native Paris and was barely out of his teens when he staged a one-man show on Broadway. When Wilder did catch the acting bug he threw himself into it like everything else he does. He studied at the famed NY Actors Studio and quickly began getting high profile roles. At some point, however, the offers ceased being interesting and he turned his attention to his other many artistic pursuits.

Although not formally trained, he has become a formidable architect and designer who transformed a dozen empty lots throughout California into singularly unique residential art spaces that have attracted a stellar cast of celebrities and creative types. Over the years many of his properties-- collectively known as The Modern Villas -- have hosted long-term A-list tenants and served as sites for numerous photo shoots and exclusive events. One of his homes was even recognized by HGTV -- alongside a Frank Lloyd Wright property -- as among LA’s top three architectural gems.  He also designs exclusive leather jackets and jewelry, refurbishes vintage furniture that he finds at auctions and flea markets, collects classic cars and commits to acting projects only when it inspires. “3 Holes And A Smoking Gun” is one such project.

JAMESWILDERACTOR.COM

04/07 JOHN PYPER-FERGUSON, TNT'S THE LAST SHIP, DON MOST

JOHN PYPER-FERGUSON – ACTOR, TNT'S THE LAST SHIP - PREMIERES ON JUNE 21ST      

John Pyper-Ferguson` has died over 40 times on screen in film and television and counting.  Pypers ‘ latest role as Tex Nolan on TNT’s new critically acclaimed hit series, THE LAST SHIP, produced by the phenomenal Michael Bay, fans tune in each week find out to find out the fate of his prolific character.

Over an extraordinary career, he has given many provocative performances playing characters such as the most anxious deputy in the West in Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven; a neurotic possessive narcissistic gunslinger in the cult series Brisco County Jr.; a shy, reclusive bassist in the mocumentary punk rock film Hard Core Logo; a preppy dad in the comedy She's the Man; and a quiet, driven, ruthless sheriff in Hungry Hills. Pyper-Ferguson has been in two movies titled Drive, one a kung fu classic, the other opposite Ryan Gosling. He has portrayed the occasional cameo appearance, in such movies as in Conviction, opposite Hilary Swank in order to challenge and expand his range.

Recently, on the big screen, Piper-Ferguson played the ever effervescent, happy-go-lucky, ferocious Wild Joe in David Hayter's directorial debut Wolves, and Pastor Shay, a conflicted man in search of his faith finding the courage to lead his flock, in The Remaining.

On television, Pyper-Ferguson portrayed a drug-addicted immortal on the TV show Highlander, for which he was nominated for a Gemini for Best Guest Star. He recently won Best Actor for his transformative performance as bereaving father seeking vengeance for his son's death on the ABC drama Motive. Audiences also recognize Pyper from such critically acclaimed dual-role performances as a profiler and serial killer on Fringe and as the penultimate villain in the final season of Burn Notice.

 Born in Australia and raised in Canada, Pyper-Ferguson currently resides in Los Angeles, where he considers himself a ‘20 song guy’ playing guitar in the intimacy of his living room and is inspired by artists like Lyle Lovett and ‘the Boss’.  He frequents the range with his ‘industry’ friends to improve his handicap and enter a place of Zen. He is also a huge fan of his Canadian hockey team, the Canucks as they battle in the rink.  That aside, Pyper mostly practices dying for a living or sweating it out at Birkim Yoga.


DON MOST - TO DISCUSS MUSIC, CAREER AND PROMOTE SHOW ON THE 9TH AT "ROCKWELL TABLE & STAGE" IN LA ON WITH JUDY NORTON

"Rockwell Table & Stage," in Los Angeles will soon be proudly introducing their new artist in residency - Donny Most (Happy Days), who will be "Singing & Swinging" with guest artist Judy Norton (The Waltons).

Date:     April 9th, 2015
When:   Doors Open 6:30pm / Show 8:00pm
Where:  Rockwell Table& Stage (1714 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 323-669-1550).
Tickets: $20 /

Both Don and Judy were singing before being cast in their iconic TV roles (Ralph Malph & Mary Ellen Walton) and have now very successfully returned to their first loves - Music.

Edited sample links to use on air: http://vimeo.com/102595928, http://vimeo.com/103193659, http://vimeo.com/103105493

Donny Most  recently appeared before a standing room only capacity at the Catalina club with "Donny Most Sings and Swings."   Although best known for the role of "Ralph Malph" in the hit series "Happy Days," it is his first love as a skilled singer that is literally taking center stage now. Most's style is reminiscent of era that has and continues to thrive.  His Rat Pack quality seems to bring in audiences of all ages and backgrounds, as he offers classic renditions of "Lady Is A Tramp," "It Had to Be You," "Im Beginning To See The Light," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Shake, Rattle & Roll," "Mack The Knife," and much more. Shifting easily between vocal styles, Most pays homage to The Chairman of the Board, Dean Martin, and his idol Bobby Darin, while paying tribute to the path that brought him back to his musical roots.

SHORT BIO:
Don is probably best known for his co-starring role as Ralph in the long running television series “Happy Days”. During this time, he worked with such emerging talents as Ron Howard and Garry Marshall. Recently, Don was seen in a recurring role on the hit TV show – “Glee”, as well as starring roles in the indie film – “The Yankles”, and “Chez Upshaw”, starring Kevin Pollack and Illeana Douglas. He just finished starring in “Campin Buddies”, along with a role in the independent film – “Remember Isobel”, and the short film – “Duality” Most’s other feature film credits include “ED TV”, directed by Ron Howard; “Crazy Mama”, directed by Jonathan Demme, and “The Great Buck Howard”, starring John Malkovich. In television, his other guest starring roles include “Men Of A Certain Age”, “Century City”, ‘Star Trek: Voyager’, ‘Yes, Dear’, ‘The Crow, ‘Sabrina’, ‘Sliders’, ‘Dark Skies’ and ‘The Family Guy’.

Following in the footsteps of some of his peers, Don has now directed three feature films. “His first, “The Last Best Sunday”, had its World Premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival, and was a feature film winner at the Telluride IndieFest. “Moola”, starring William Mapother, Shailene Woodley, Treat Williams, Daniel Baldwin, and Curtis Armstrong, premiered at The Newport Beach Film Festival, where it earned Most The Outstanding Achievement In Directing Award. Don also directed “Harley’s Hill”, his first family film, which was recently seen on Showtime, Starz and Encore. In another area, Don has recently gone back to his first love – singing. Don has always loved the standards/swing/big band style of music, and has just mounted his show – “Donny Most Sings And Swings”. He recently performed it at “Catalina’s Jazz Club” in Hollywood, CA…and “Vitello’s Jazz Club”, in Studio City, Los Angeles to great acclaim.

WWW.DONMOST.NET

03/31 ROBERT DAVI

ROBERT DAVI – ACTOR & SINGER

While he is recognized as one of film’s best-known tough guys, Robert Davi has been winning the respect and admiration of fans, critics and fellow artists with his expressive singing. His Album, Davi Sings Sinatra: On The Road To Romance, produced by the legendary Phil Ramone, catapulted its way into Billboard magazine’s top ten (#6) traditional jazz chart.

While, Davi Sings Sinatra: On the Road to Romance and his dynamic livevperformances may have surprised some of his fans, Davi’s love of music and entertaining began at an early age. At 15, he won First Place in the prestigious New York State School Music Association Solo Competition. As a young adult, he studied under several top vocal teachers including the legendary Tito Gobbi, Dan Ferro of Juilliard, Samuel Margolis (who taught Robert Merrill) and most recently, renowned vocal coach Gary Catona.

In his latest film role, Davi adds to his movie legacy. He joins the most recent installment of the popular franchise “The Expendables 3,”. From the memorable villain, Colombian drug lord Frank Sanchez, in the Bond film “License to Kill” (voted one of the top Bond villains of all time) to his stand-out performances in “The Goonies,” “Die Hard,” ”Kill the Irishman,” “The Iceman” and many other films to the respected series “Profiler” and “Stargate: Atlantis,” Davi has appeared in over 100 movies and many television programs. He has garnered praise from critics, directors and co-stars, including Steven Spielberg, Richard Donner, Blake Edwards, John McTiernan, and Paul Verhoeven. He has acted opposite Marlon Brando, Roberto Benigni, Bruce Willis, Clint Eastwood, Benicio Del Toro, Danny Glover, Michael Shannon, Chris Evans, James Franco, and Val Kilmer, among others. GQ Magazine has compared him to silver screen classics Robert Mitchum and Lee Marvin. His tough exterior masks an inner sensitivity, which he has brought to his roles as a Palestinian terrorist in the award-winning TV movie, “Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami,” and in memorable appearances in “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” ”Without a Trace,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Criminal Minds” and many more.

In 2007, Davi produced, directed co-wrote and starred in “The Dukes,” the story of a successful Doo Wop group who falls on hard times. At the Monte Carlo Festival of Comedy, Davi was awarded Best First-Time Director and Best Screenplay for the film and he was the only first-time director in the Premiere Section of the International Rome Film Festival, with films by Sean Penn, Robert Redford, Sidney Lumet and Julie Taymor.

Hailing from Astoria, Queens, NY, Davi attended Hofstra University on a drama scholarship. He moved to Manhattan to study with legendary acting coach Stella Adler, who became his mentor. He subsequently became a lifetime member of the Actors Studio, studying with acting teacher Lee Strasberg and also studied under Sandra Seacat, Larry Moss, Milton Katselas, Martin Landau, Mala Powers, and George Shdanoff, the creative partner and collaborator with the influential Michael Chekhov. His first screen appearance was opposite Frank Sinatra in the telefilm, “Contract on Cherry Street.”

Besides working in music, film and television, and raising his five children, four dogs, and two cats, Davi is an active supporter of The Dream Foundation, Exceptional Children’s Foundation, Heart of a Child Foundation, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Youth Foundation, The Humane Society of the United States, Heart of a Horse, NIAF, The Order ’Sons of Italy’ in America (OSIA), and UNICO National. Since its inception in 1998, Davi has been the National Spokesperson for i-Safe America, which is regarded by many internet experts as the most complete internet safety program in the country and is available in grades K- 12 in all 50 U.S. states.

Davi has received numerous awards for career achievement and community involvement, including the George M. Estabrook Distinguished Service Award from the Hofstra University Alumni Association (past recipients include Francis Ford Coppola and William Safire). He has received the FBI’s Man of the Year Award in Los Angeles and was also named KNX radio’s “Citizen of the Week” for saving a young girl from a fire in her home. Other public service awards include the Sons of Italy’s Royal Court of the Golden Lion Award and the 2004 STEP Award (Science, Technology and Education Partnership), whose past recipients include Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2007, Davi received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Italian Board of Governors in New York, and in 2008, he received the Italo-Americano Award from the Capri-Hollywood Festival. In 2011, Davi was awarded the ”Military Order of the Purple Heart” (MOPH) Special Recognition Award for dedication and service honoring America’s service members and veterans.

UPCOMING SHOWS (DAVI SINGS SINATRA)

April 23, 2015
Davi Sings Sinatra – Uppsala Konsert & Kongress

April 25, 2015
Davi Sings Sinatra – Splendid Palace

April 27, 2015
Davi Sings Sinatra – Papp László Budapest Sportaréna

DAVISINGSSINATRA.COM

03/24 RED WEST, PHILLIP KEENE, MAJOR CRIMES

RED WEST - ACTOR, STUNTMAN & SINGER/SONGWRITER

Robert Gene "Red" West (born 1936) is an American actor, film stuntman and songwriter. He was a close high school friend of rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. He is probably best known to American film audiences for his role as Red in Road House, alongside Patrick Swayze.

Early life:
West was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Lois and Newton Thomas West. An excellent athlete and former U.S. Marine, West played football for his high school and junior college teams and was a boxer in the Golden Gloves championships.

As a songwriter:
Red West contributed to several songs written by Elvis Presley in 1961 and 1962. He received help from Elvis Presley in writing two songs in the early 1960s, which were collaborations: "You'll Be Gone" and "That's Someone You Never Forget." "You'll Be Gone" was also co-written with Charlie Hodge, and appeared on the Girl Happy soundtrack album and as a 45 single in 1965. The single reached number 35 on the Canadian singles chart in 1965. "That's Someone You Never Forget" was the final track on the 1962 album Pot Luck and was released as a 45 B side single in 1967 and was featured on the Artist of the Century compilation. Red also co-wrote "If You Think I Don't Need You" with Joey Cooper for the motion picture Viva Las Vegas. He teamed up with Joey Cooper again on "I'm A Fool," which Ricky Nelson recorded. "I'm A Fool" later became a hit for Dino, Desi and Billy, the partnership of Dean-Paul "Dino" Martin, Desi Arnaz Jr., and William "Billy" Hinsche. He also collaborated on authorship and composition of the selections "Seeing Is Believing" and "Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees," both with Glenn Spreen, "Separate Ways" with Richard Mainegra, and "If You Talk In Your Sleep" with Johnny Christopher; Presley himself recorded the last of these in the early 1970s. The Christmas song "If Everyday Was Like Christmas" was written by West and recorded by Elvis in 1966. Red had put out his own recording of "If Every Day Was Like Christmas" in 1965 on the Brent label. It was not known to have charted as of late July 2012.

Career in film and television:
When Presley was making films in the 1960s in Hollywood, Red West appeared in small roles in sixteen of the star's films. During this time, West became good friends with actor Nick Adams and his physical abilities got him hired on as a stuntman on Adams' television series, The Rebel. From there, West went on to do more stunt work in film as well as developing a career as an actor in a number of motion pictures and on television. He was often on screen as a henchman in the television series The Wild Wild West. He was also a stuntman on the series and developed a strong friendship with the star Robert Conrad Red had a tiny role as an ice cream man in the 1967 movie Clambake, starring Bill Bixby and Shelly Fabares.

West played Master Sergeant Andy Micklin in the 1978 Robert Conrad series Baa Baa Black Sheep. He also guest starred twice on the CBS hit Magnum, P.I. (as different characters), as four different characters on NBC's hit The A-Team, Knight Rider pilot episodeKnight of the Phoenix, and in The Once and Future King (The Twilight Zone) as the man who played an Elvis impersonator's boss at the Crown Electric company (and who was a real-life schoolmate and best friend of Elvis). In 1989 West appeared in the action film Road House with Patrick Swayze as Red Webster, the auto parts store owner.

West continued to work in motion pictures as of early February 2013. His most recent role was in the 2013 film Safe Haven.



PHILLIP P. KEENE - ACTOR, TNT’S HIT SERIES ‘MAJOR CRIMES’  

Phillip joined the cast as Buzz Watson from TNT’s ‘The Closer’ in 2005 and then in 2012, their spinoff series Major Crimes aired, where his character Buzz was placed as one of the leads.
Phillip plays the LAPD’s Major Crimes Unit’s electronics room technician as well as the videographer of all crime-scene documentation for their division.

Recently, Phillip spoke with Yahoo Voices, TV Grapevine and Star Scoop to discuss the series and himself. We have attached the interviews.

In 2008, 2009 & 2010, ‘The Closer’ received nominations for an Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Phillip P. Keene went to UCLA and studied history and art history before he discovered his passion for acting.

BIO
Phillip P. Keene, the handsome and intriguing character, Buzz Watson on TNT’s most popular series - Major Crimes, is quite a fascinating character both on and off screen.

Currently known for his role of videographer and surveillance expert – Buzz Watson, on TNT’s original series The Closer, which is also followed up by Phillip’s starring role in Major Crimes, has been one of the most popular characters in the franchise.

Ironically, this is one of Keene’s first acting endeavors and has enabled him to garner a terrific fan base; previous television experience includes hosting the series Home, as well as making a guest appearance on the ABC series – The D.A. Phillip made his feature debut in the Tony Alda film – Role of a Lifetime.

Keene, who is also fluent in Spanish and German, earned a degree in both history and art history from UCLA, as well as received his pilot’s license before deciding to eagerly pursue his love of acting. He has studied with the finest -- Howard Fine, Heidi Davis, Margie Haber, and Tony Sepulveda to name a few. One of Keene’s passions is collecting rare Pan Am memorabilia, which was put on exhibit at Modernism Week in Palm Springs. His other hobbies include surfing, golf, and renovating homes. He lives in both Los Angeles and Palm Springs.

03/17 JOE MANTEGNA & FRANKIE AVALON

JOE MANTEGNA

Joseph Anthony “Joe” Mantegna, Jr. (born November 13, 1947) is an American actor, producer, writer and director. He is best known for his roles in box-office hits such as Three Amigos (1986), The Godfather Part III (1990), Forget Paris (1995) and Up Close & Personal (1996). He currently stars in the CBS television series Criminal Minds as FBI Special Agent David Rossi.

Mantegna has gained Emmy Award nominations for his roles in three different miniseries, The Last Don (1997), The Rat Pack (1999) and The Starter Wife (2007). Mantegna served as executive producer for various movies and television movies, such as Corduroy (1984), Hoods (1998), and Lakeboat (2000), which he also directed.

On television, Mantegna starred in the short lived series First Monday (2002) and Joan of Arcadia (2003–2005). Since the 1991 episode "Bart the Murderer", Mantegna has had a recurring role on the animated comedy series The Simpsons as mob boss Fat Tony, reprising the role in The Simpsons Movie (2007). He also played Robert B. Parker's fictional detective Spenser in three made-for-TV movies between 1999 and 2001.

FRANKIE AVALON

Frankie Avalon (born September 18, 1940) is an American actor, singer, playwright, and former teen idol.

Life and career

Avalon was born Francis Thomas Avallone in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Mary Loretta and Nicholas J. Avallone. By the time he was 12, Avalon was on U.S. television playing his trumpet. As a teenager he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints. In 1959, "Venus" (5 weeks #1) and "Why" went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. "Why" was the last #1 of the 1950s. Avalon had 31 charted U.S. Billboard singles from 1958 to late 1962, including "Just Ask Your Heart" (U.S. #7), "I'll Wait For You" (U.S. #15), "Bobby Sox to Stockings" (U.S. #8), and "A Boy Without a Girl" (U.S. #10). Most of his hits were written and/or produced by Bob Marcucci, head of Chancellor Records. He was less popular in the U.K., but did still manage four chart hits with "Why", "Gingerbread", "Venus" and "Don't Throw Away All Those Teardrops".

Teamed frequently with Annette Funicello, Avalon starred in a number of popular "beach party" comedy films during the mid-1960s. The wholesome and romantic coupling of "Frankie and Annette" in summer movies such as Beach Party and Beach Blanket Bingo became iconic figures in American films during that era.

Avalon also had straight dramatic parts in the John Wayne historical western film The Alamo, as well as the science-fiction story Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961) with Barbara Eden.
Materializing as a character called Teen Angel, his performance of "Beauty School Dropout" in the hit 1978 film of the musical Grease introduced Avalon to a new generation of viewers.

Avalon appeared in nearly two dozen TV episodes, including ABC's The Bing Crosby Show and The Patty Duke Show, appearing often as himself. Later, he became a national television spokesperson for Sonic Drive-In. In 1965 he appeared in the Combat! episode "Brother, Brother" as a childhood friend of Pfc.Kirby, played by Jack Hogan.

The 1980 film The Idolmaker, written by Ed Di Lorenzo and directed by Taylor Hackford, was a thinly-disguised biography of Avalon ("Tommy Dee" in the film) as well as 1950s teenage star Fabian (called "Caesare" in the film), along with songwriter/producer Bob Marcucci (called "Vinnie Vacarri"). In the movie, Dee clashes with the record producer and younger singer Caesare, who he feels threatens his career. Eventually, Dee and Caesare quit the label, but their record careers collapse just as the British Invasion begins. The real Fabian threatened a lawsuit, despite the filmmakers' insistence that the film presented only fictional characters (though Marcucci was a paid consultant). Avalon denied most of the movie's events.

Avalon married Kathryn "Kay" Diebel on January 19, 1963. She was a former beauty pageant winner, and Avalon met her while playing cards at a friend's house. He told his friend that Kay was the girl he was going to marry. His agent warned Avalon that marriage would spoil his teen idol mystique. Still together, they have eight children - Frankie Jr., Tony, Dina, Laura, Joseph, Nicolas, Kathryn and Carla. They have 10 grandchildren. Frankie Avalon Jr. is a former actor who appeared in the original The Karate Kid and is now a musician, and Tony, the second oldest son, plays guitar and taught at the Rock Nation School. Both sons play on tour with their father.
In 1987, Avalon and Annette Funicello returned to movies with Back to the Beach. In 1989 they also appeared as themselves in cameo roles out jogging the streets in Troop Beverly Hills. Not long afterwards, Funicello was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and retired.

Afterwards, Avalon turned to marketing and created Frankie Avalon Products, a line of health and cosmetic aids. Avalon promotes his products on the Home Shopping Network with host Bob Circosta. He made a cameo appearance as himself with Robert De Niro in the 1995 film, Casino.

In recent years, Avalon has starred in stage productions of Grease in the role of Teen Angel and Tony n' Tina's Wedding as a caricature of himself. Additionally, in 2007, he performed "Beauty School Dropout" with the four remaining female contenders (Kathleen Monteleone, Allie Schulz, Ashley Spencer, and winner Laura Osnes) for the role of Sandy on the NBC television reality show Grease: You're the One that I Want! On April 8, 2009, he performed on American Idol.

Legacy

He was mentioned in the System of a Down song "Old School Hollywood". The song supposedly is about Daron Malakian's experience in a celebrity baseball game, where he and Avalon were both ignored.

Avalon is also mentioned in "It Takes Two", a song from the hit musical Hairspray, sung by the character Link Larkin, and in a song by the Wu Tang Clan called "The City" which refers to his experiences of being a big part of the beach party film genre ("Ride the wave like Frankie Avalon").

One of numerous obscure cultural references present in Midway's video game Mortal Kombat 3 was a lo-res image of Frankie Avalon's face that would dart up in the lower right-hand corner of the screen when Goro killed his opponent by knocking him into the spike pit on the Bridge level.
His song "Venus" was featured in Cranium Command (1989–2005), an attraction at Epcot's Wonders of Life Pavilion (now closed) at Walt Disney World. In the attraction, a 12-year-old boy named Bobby (Scott Curtis), tries to survive the pressures of life and falls in love with a beautiful girl named Annie (Natalie Gregory) at school.

He and his song "Venus" are mentioned in Wendy Wasserstein's 2005 play Third. The main character, English professor Laurie Jameson, watches a PBS reunion show featuring Avalon singing the song, and sings a line of it to her daughter. In stage productions of the show, part of the song is played and a portion of the supposed PBS special is screened as part of the scenery.

He is also mentioned in Adam Sandler's 2008 comedy, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, for his haircut, which the Zohan (Sandler's character) thinks is the latest hairdo. He is also numerously referenced in the 1994 film, The Stöned Age, in which he makes an ending scene cameo appearance.
His song "Venus" additionally appeared in season 4 of the TV series Dexter in which John Lithgow's character, Arthur Mitchell, plays it to remember his deceased sister.

Avalon is also mentioned in The Vaccines song 'Teenage Icon'. Where they claim they are no teenage icon, "no Frankie Avalon".

www.frankieavalon.com
wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankie_Avalon

03/03 PHILLIP P. KEENE, TNT, MAJOR CRIMES, THE CLOSER

PHILLIP P. KEENE - ACTOR, TNT’S HIT SERIES ‘MAJOR CRIMES’  

Phillip joined the cast as Buzz Watson from TNT’s ‘The Closer’ in 2005 and then in 2012, their spinoff series Major Crimes aired, where his character Buzz was placed as one of the leads.
Phillip plays the LAPD’s Major Crimes Unit’s electronics room technician as well as the videographer of all crime-scene documentation for their division.

Recently, Phillip spoke with Yahoo Voices, TV Grapevine and Star Scoop to discuss the series and himself. We have attached the interviews.

In 2008, 2009 & 2010, ‘The Closer’ received nominations for an Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Phillip P. Keene went to UCLA and studied history and art history before he discovered his passion for acting.

BIO
Phillip P. Keene, the handsome and intriguing character, Buzz Watson on TNT’s most popular series - Major Crimes, is quite a fascinating character both on and off screen.

Currently known for his role of videographer and surveillance expert – Buzz Watson, on TNT’s original series The Closer, which is also followed up by Phillip’s starring role in Major Crimes, has been one of the most popular characters in the franchise.

Ironically, this is one of Keene’s first acting endeavors and has enabled him to garner a terrific fan base; previous television experience includes hosting the series Home, as well as making a guest appearance on the ABC series – The D.A. Phillip made his feature debut in the Tony Alda film – Role of a Lifetime.

Keene, who is also fluent in Spanish and German, earned a degree in both history and art history from UCLA, as well as received his pilot’s license before deciding to eagerly pursue his love of acting. He has studied with the finest -- Howard Fine, Heidi Davis, Margie Haber, and Tony Sepulveda to name a few. One of Keene’s passions is collecting rare Pan Am memorabilia, which was put on exhibit at Modernism Week in Palm Springs. His other hobbies include surfing, golf, and renovating homes. He lives in both Los Angeles and Palm Springs.