Advanced search

A dark-haired, brown-eyed daughter of Ireland, Fintan Meyler (one of seven children) knew from girlhood that she wanted to be an actress, and yet as a kid she never revealed her secret ambition. But after completing her early years of schooling at a Dublin convent, she began studying at the Gate Theatre. Meyler next entered a beauty contest on a whim - and won. A two-week vacation in New York was part of the teenager's prize; she "lost her heart to this country" and refused to go home. Moving to California, she worked as a receptionist and an usherette (and did some stage work) before making her TV debut on the live series 'Matinee Theater'. She lost all interest in acting after the birth of her two daughters, Darcy and Rory. In later years, Meyler worked as a literary agent and acted in commercials.

Maidie Norman was born Maidie Ruth Gamble on October 16, 1912, in Villa Rica, Georgia, to Louis and Lila Gamble. She received a B.A. from Bennett College in 1934 and a master's degree from Columbia University three years later. She also attended the Actors Lab in Hollywood from 1946 to 1949.

Norman first appeared on film in The Peanut Man in 1947. Throughout the fifties-not a good time for film roles for black women-she appeared in a number of films, such as Bright Road (1953) with Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte and Torch Song (1953); About Mrs. Leslie and Susan Slept Here in 1954; and 1956's Written on the Wind. These were often servant roles, with a special fifties blandness. Still, Norman was skillful and professional in her execution of them. In 1962, she got a chance to chew up the scenery with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

In 1968-69, Norman was an artist-in-residence at Stanford University and, throughout the seventies, she was lecturer, director, and acting teacher at UCLA. At the same time, Norman was highly visible on television, appearing in Mannix, Adam 12, Streets of San Francisco, Kung Fu, The Jeffersons, and others. She was also part of the cast of Roots: The Next Generation in 1979.

Norman was a founding member of the American Negro Theater West; in 1977, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame; and an award in her name is presented each year for outstanding research by an undergraduate in Black Theater at UCLA. She died on May 6, 1998.

Joe Kapp was born on 19 March 1938 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for The Longest Yard (1974), The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) and Over the Edge (1979). He was married to Marcia Day and Jennifer Adams. He died on 8 May 2023 in San Jose, California, USA.

Charles Lampkin was born on 17 March 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for Cocoon (1985), That Girl (1966) and Ben Casey (1961). He was married to Myrtle L. Caldwell. He died on 17 April 1989 in San Jose, California, USA.

Paul Prokop was born on 28 July 1938 in Gary, Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for Guiding Light (1952), The Bridge at Remagen (1969) and The Born Losers (1967). He died on 4 September 1980 in San Jose, California, USA.

William Costello was born on 2 February 1898 in Rhode Island, USA. He was an actor, known for I Yam What I Yam (1933), Football Bugs (1936) and Grand Uproar (1930). He died on 9 October 1971 in San Jose, California, USA.

Julius Sumner Miller was born on 17 May 1909 in Billerica, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for The Hilarious House of Frightenstein (1971), Why Is It So? (1963) and The Don Lane Show (1975). He was married to Alice Brown. He died on 14 April 1987 in San Jose, California, USA.

Denis O'Dell was born on 2 May 1923 in Kensington, London, England, UK. He was a producer and assistant director, known for A Hard Day's Night (1964), A Christmas Carol (1951) and Robin and Marian (1976). He was married to Ruby Taylor and Donna Barnes. He died on 30 December 2021 in San José, Cabo de Gata, Almería, Spain.

Attended Horace Mann school in San Jose. Once belonged to a bicycle club there, known as the Garden City Wheelmen. His nickname in those days was "Spike", but thanks to the fame garnered from playing the comic strip character in the silent Universal short subject series, he would let himself be known as "Andy Gump". (San Jose Evening News, 25 April 1928)

Ed Harris was born on 30 November 1944 in Lynwood, California, USA. He was an actor, known for I'm in Love with a Church Girl (2013). He died on 27 January 2012 in San Jose, California, USA.

Fan Ho was born on 8 October 1931 in Shanghai, China. He was a director and actor, known for Ta Bei wu ai (1980), Ye ji qing (1989) and Hua jie (1982). He died on 19 June 2016 in San Jose, California, USA.

David Carlile was born on 9 February 1931 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Police Woman (1974), Ma Barker's Killer Brood (1960) and The Incredible Hulk (1977). He died on 1 April 2006 in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Paul Vasquez was born and raised in San Jose, California. He credits his parents for his passion to become an artist. His father is a lead guitar player and his mother is a fine dining chef. While growing up he found himself becoming an avid film buff and decided he wanted to become an actor after seeing performances by actors Anthony Quinn, Charles Bronson, James Remar, Robert De Niro and the late Raul Julia. Paul performed in his first play, "Ten Little Indians", at the young age of 5. He followed with more theater performances until the age of 18. His most notable theater performance was starring in the David Mamet play "The Frog Prince". His performance brought him critical acclaim in the San Jose theater community.

Paul moved to Hollywood to pursue an acting career two weeks after graduating high school in 1988. He immediately studied with the late and legendary acting teacher Stella Adler at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting West. He also studied with notable acting teacher Janet Alhanti. Both of their methods taught Paul to be a versatile actor. Paul made his television debut on the TV series Pilot (1987). He later followed with roles on the series Freddy's Nightmares (1988), the films Pump Up the Volume (1990) and the critically acclaimed Tulare City Limits (1990) starring alongside Richard Yniguez. His many other performances have established him as a character actor who can lose himself in the characters he portrays.

While still pursuing his acting career Paul has decided to expand his talent and move into the area of writing, producing and eventually directing. He was recently one of the producers of the documentary Quincy Coleman: It's All in the Song (2008) which screened successfully at several film festivals. He also on developing a few films he has written.

Paul is also involved in a few charitable organizations along with assisting under privileged children by exposing them to the arts and influencing them to follow their dreams. He is proud to be a part of the Latino community in Hollywood and is an advocate for his Mexican/Spanish culture to be seen in more diverse roles in mainstream films and television.

Merry Saltzman was born on 21 December 1946 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. Merry was a producer, known for Mermaid Down (2019). Merry died on 30 October 2024 in San Jose, California, USA.

Mary Cole was born on 5 December 1913. She was an actress, known for He Loved an Actress (1938), Clothes and the Woman (1937) and Mr. Satan (1938). She died on 16 March 1975 in San Jose, California, USA.

Buddy Butler was born on 31 December 1946 in the USA. He was an actor, known for Greaser's Palace (1972), Putney Swope (1969) and Where's Poppa? (1970). He was married to Betsy Meyerson Butler. He died on 13 January 2021 in San Jose, California, USA.

Blackie Fontana was born on 20 May 1985 in Los Angeles County, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Blackie Fontana x Spooky: Why You Lyin (2017). He died on 21 October 2017 in South San Jose Hills, California, USA.

Mark Buck is known for Starship Troopers (1997), Transformers (2007) and Planet of the Apes (2001). He was married to Mary Ann. He died on 16 October 2008 in San Jose, California, USA.

James Young was born on 12 January 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, USA. He was an actor and composer, known for Youth in Revolt (2009), Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) and Get Him to the Greek (2010). He was married to Sally. He died on 10 September 1984 in San Jose, California, USA.

Sylvia Browne was born on 19 October 1936 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. She was an actress, known for The Young and the Restless (1973), Horrorween (2011) and In Search of... (1976). She was married to Michael Ulery, Larry Beck, Kensil Dalzel "Dal" Brown, Gary Dufresne and Joe Tshcirhart. She died on 20 November 2013 in San Jose, California, USA.

Nora Lam was born on 4 September 1932 in Peking, China. She was a writer, known for China Cry: A True Story (1990) and Praise the Lord (1973). She died on 2 February 2004 in San Jose, California, USA.

Ómar Sánchez was an actor, known for Cuando quiero llorar no lloro (1991), El día que me quieras (1986) and Terror, Sex and Witchcraft (1968). He died on 15 December 1997 in San José, Costa Rica.

Álvaro Marenco was born on 22 April 1943. He was an actor and casting director, known for 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), El año que nací (2022) and Borders Without Life. He died on 9 February 2023 in San José, Costa Rica.

Charles Reade was born on 20 January 1915 in San Jose, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Everglades! (1961), Target (1958) and Sea Hunt (1958). He died on 5 April 2003 in San Jose, California, USA.

Doreen Erbert was born on 29 November 1952 in San Joaquin County, California, USA. She died on 31 October 1984 in San Jose, California, USA.