Michael Riley is president, ABC Family, with oversight of original programming and acquisitions, franchise management, marketing, sales and operations, and responsibility for the overall strategic and creative direction for the channel. He joined the network in August 2010.

Riley greenlit five new original series as his first series pickups as head of ABC Family, marking the most ambitious original programming slate in the network's history. The four series which launched in Summer 2011 included the half-hour comedy series "State of Georgia," starring Raven-Symoné, and the one-hour scripted dramas "The Nine Lives of Chloe King," "The Lying Game" and "Switched at Birth" - which launched as the channel's No. 1 original series debut in the network's history in key target demos, including Total Viewers, Adults 18-34, Women 18-34, Adults 18-49 and Women 18-49. ABC Family delivered its largest summer audience on record in Prime, Total Viewers and across its core 18-34, 18-49 and 12-34 demos. The fifth series, a one-hour scripted drama, "Jane by Design," starring newcomer Erica Dasher and Andie MacDowell, is set to premiere in early 2012.

Riley previously served as senior vice president and general manager, Radio Disney, where he oversaw the strategic management of the Radio Disney network and its portfolio of 36 owned radio stations, leading them to record ratings through original multi-platform content achievements. He joined The Walt Disney Company in this role in April 2008.

Prior to that, Riley was senior vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System, Europe, Middle East and Africa. In this post he was responsible for developing the CNN commercial strategy and the overall brand strategy for the entertainment channels Cartoon Network, Boomerang, TCM, TNT and Adult Swim in Germany, Northern Europe, Middle East and Africa. Other key responsibilities included the management of advertising sales, marketing and interactive commerce functions, as well as supporting the company's programming development and acquisition strategy.

From 2004-06 Riley was vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System France, with responsibility for all Turner channels in that market. From 2000-03 he was vice president, Turner Classic Movies, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and from 1997-2000 was vice president, Business Development, Television and Interactive Media, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies.

From 1996-97 Riley was a strategy consultant with the global advertising and media conglomerate WPP Group in London and New York, where he conducted strategic reviews of the group's specialist communication companies including Ogilvy and Mather, J Walter Thompson. He was a business consultant for the Canadian Pacific conglomerate in Toronto from 1992-95, working across its Strategy and Information division on a range of interests including hotels, real estate, oil production, resorts and railroads.

Riley, who is fluent in French, was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and raised in Montreal, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He is a 1997 graduate of London Business School with a Masters in Business Administration, and completed an international program at Columbia Business School in 1996. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Administration and Commercial Studies from University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada in 1992.

ABC Family’s big summer hit, "Switched at Birth" returns with all-new episodes, on a new day and time, Tuesday, January 3, 8:00PM–9:00PM ET/PT. This season, the families must deal with the arrival of Bay’s biological father Angelo (Gilles Marini), inflaming old passions and creating new rivalries. All in all, everyone struggles to navigate family dynamics that seem to be getting more, not less, complicated. The series uses American Sign Language and explores deaf culture with an array of deaf and hard of hearing actors. The series was named the recipient of AFTRA’s (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) 2011 American Scene "Crystal" Award®" -- the top individual television program honoree in this year’s competition -- "for its groundbreaking and seamless inclusion of performers with disabilities, storylines that showcase new assistive technologies, and ethnic diversity." Most recently, Executive Producer Paul Stupin was awarded the 2011 Producers Guild of America George Sunga Award by the Media Access Awards. Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin, Gilles Marini and Austin Butler are recurring guest stars.

LIZZY WEISS, Creator/Executive Producer/Writer on ABC Family's "Switched at Birth"
Lizzy Weiss is the creator and executive producer of ABC Family’s groundbreaking drama "Switched at Birth." Weiss’ inspiration for the show came in part from her own life. She studied sign language in college, and she thought of the "switched" premise while pregnant with her daughter and already a mother to an 18 month old son, wondering what it would be like to find out that the child she had raised was not in fact her own.  

Prior to "Switched at Birth," Weiss wrote pilots for ABC, FOX, WB, CW, MTV, E, N, Lifetime, and HBO. She also wrote the surf-girl hit film "Blue Crush," and has written features for Paramount, Universal, MGM, MTV and Disney.

Weiss lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Dan, and their two children, Zane and Imogen. 

PAUL STUPIN, Executive Producer on ABC Family's "Switched at Birth"
Paul Stupin is one of the executive producers of ABC Family’s new series "Switched at Birth" and the hit series "Make It or Break It."

After graduating Williams College with a degree in English, Stupin began his television career in series development at NBC. From NBC, he segued to feature films at TriStar Pictures, then returned to television as the executive vice president of Programming at Fox. While at Fox, he oversaw the creation and development of "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "In Living Color."

Stupin moved from being an executive to a producer and his first show, "Dawson’s Creek," became an instant hit. After "Dawson’s Creek," he developed the groundbreaking "Beautiful People" for ABC Family and "In Plain Sight" for USA.

KATIE LECLERC
Daphne Vasquez on ABC Family's "Switched at Birth"

Katie Leclerc grew up in Lakewood, Colorado, the youngest of three siblings in a close-knit family. In grade school, her spunky personality and megawatt smile won her the lead role in a production of "Annie." It was in this play that she discovered her passion for acting, while juggling other after-school activities such as basketball, choir and dance. When her family moved to San Diego, Leclerc continued to pursue theatre at Valley Center High. She started booking commercials -- Pepsi, Cingular, Comcast, GE. Then she got her first big break, a role on the cult favorite TV show, "Veronica Mars," starring Kristen Bell.

Leclerc has continued to work in television. Her TV credits include "The Riches," "The Ex-List" and "The Hard Times of RJ Berger." She starred in the feature film "The Inner Circle" and was also in the feature "Flying By," with Billy Ray Cyrus. At home she loves to cook, and is excellent at it. You can often find her hiking away the calories from her sinfully delicious concoctions on one of L.A.’s hidden trails.

Katie Leclerc has Ménière's disease, a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo and tinnitus and degenerative hearing loss. Leclerc is fluent in American Sign Language.

VANESSA MARANO
Bay Kennish on ABC Family's "Switched at Birth"

Vanessa Marano started acting in the theater when she was seven years old, performing in numerous plays at A.C.T. in Agoura Hills, California. She began her professional career with several national commercials.

Marano is most recognized for her roles as April, the daughter of Luke, in the highly popular "Gilmore Girls," and as Francesca, the daughter of the Emmy® Award-winning Lisa Kudrow, in the HBO Original series "The Comeback." Recently she starred in "Scoundrels" as the scheming, school-skipping daughter of Virginia Madsen. She has had recurring roles in shows including "Dexter," "Without a Trace," "Trust Me" and "The Young and The Restless." Guest-starring credits include "Parenthood," "Medium," "Love Bites," "Ghost Whisperer," "Past Lives," "Six Feet Under," "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Grounded for Life."

Marano starred as a young girl who becomes a quadriplegic in the critically acclaimed television movie "The Brooke Ellison Story," directed by Christopher Reeve, and is working with Lucy Liu on a miniseries playing the troubled foster teenager, Immy, in "Marry Me." Her first film was the animated hit "Finding Nemo," followed by the independent films "Easy," "The Clique," "Stopping Power," "Dear Lemon Lima" and most recently "The Secret Lives of Dorks."

Marano speaks Italian and is enrolled in her sophomore year in college.

CONSTANCE MARIE
Regina Vasquez on ABC Family's "Switched at Birth"

Constance Marie is best known for her role as the hard-working and devoted wife, Angie, in "George Lopez," for which The Imagen Awards honored her with a Best Actress in a TV Series Award and a nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. She has made guest appearances on "CSI," "The Secret Life of an American Teenager" and "According to Jim," and starred opposite Jodi Lyn O’Keefe and Eric Roberts in The Hallmark Channel movie, "Class."

In her personal life, Marie recently welcomed her first child into the world, Luna Marie Katich. Candid about the difficulties she faced trying to get pregnant and eventually turning to IVF, Marie is determined to reach out to women in similar situations to let them know that they are not alone. In addition to being extremely knowledgeable about pregnancy wellness, she is a vegetarian and organic follower, and also practices a green lifestyle, decorating her daughter’s nursery with completely organic and non-toxic materials. She is also currently writing a baby blog for People.com, sharing her experiences and thoughts on trying to conceive, pregnancy, her daughter’s first year and green living.

In the debut year of "George Lopez," Marie was also starring in the Golden Globe®-nominated series "American Family," alongside Edward James Olmos, Sonia Braga, Esai Morales and Raquel Welch. Her career began when she was a teenager in Los Angeles’ underground break-dancing scene. She was selected out of a group of 500 hopefuls to dance on tour with David Bowie. Upon returning to Los Angeles, she was cast as a dancer in the movie "Salsa." The film’s choreographer, Kenny Ortega, introduced her to Steve Tisch, who offered Marie her very first acting job, a starring role as Penny on the CBS series "Dirty Dancing."

It wasn’t long before she was working in feature films, starring as Toni Sanchez in the New Line film "Mi Familia," directed by Gregory Nava. She won praise from fans for her portrayal of Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla’s mother, Marcella, in the blockbuster film "Selena" (only a year older than her onscreen daughter, Marie had to undergo extensive make-up in order to portray Selena’s mother), and also starred in the celebrated film "Tortilla Soup" as the daughter of Raquel Welch. "Tortilla Soup" received an Alma Award nomination for Outstanding Motion Picture.

Television producer Gary David Goldberg soon offered Marie a role as Michael J. Fox’s antagonist love interest, Gabby, on the hit series "Spin City." She also played Gabriella Diaz on "Union Square," for which she received an Alma Award nomination for Outstanding Female in a Comedy Series, and portrayed Detective Toni Brigatti for two seasons on the popular series "Early Edition," opposite Kyle Chandler.

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D.W. MOFFETT
John Kennish on ABC Family's "Switched at Birth"

D.W. Moffett has amassed an impressive list of stage and screen credits. A native of the Chicago suburb of Wilmette, he never gave a thought to acting until after he graduated from Stanford University with a degree in International Relations: While he went to work at Chicago’s Continental Bank, he also enrolled in an acting class on a dare…and that was the end of his banking career.

Moving along his new career path, Moffett became a founding member of Chicago’s Remains Theatre Ensemble, where he starred in, directed and/or produced over 40 productions. He first came to national attention starring in Larry Kramer’s landmark AIDS drama, "The Normal Heart," at The Public Theater in New York, opposite Brad Davis. Subsequently he appeared on Broadway in "The Boys of Winter," "The Real Thing" and "Contact." Most recently he appeared with Kevin Spacey in the critically acclaimed production of "The Philadelphia Story" at The Old Vic Theatre in London.

Since making the move to Hollywood, Moffett has divided his time between film and television. Favorite movie roles include appearances in, most recently, "The Sitter" with Jonah Hill; "Thirteen," starring Evan Rachel Wood; "Twisted," starring Ashley Judd and Samuel L. Jackson; and Steven Soderbergh’s "Traffic," for which he won a SAG Award. He also starred as a reprehensible entertainment lawyer in Bernardo Bertolucci’s "Stealing Beauty." Additional credits include "Falling Down," with Michael Douglas, "Black Widow," opposite Debra Winger, as well numerous independent films.

Television credits include the landmark TV movie "An Early Frost," as well as series regular roles on "Life is Wild," "Hidden Palms," "Skin," "For Your Love," "Chicago Sons," "The Oldest Rookie," and as the memorable and reviled Joe McCoy on the award-winning series "Friday Night Lights."

LEA THOMPSON
Kathryn Kennish on ABC Family's "Switched at Birth"

Moving between dramatic and comedic roles, Lea Thompson has established a career that encompasses film, television and theatre. She is perhaps best known for her role in "Back to the Future I, II, and III", and as the title character in the syndicated series "Caroline in the City," for which she won TV Guide and People’s Choice Awards.

A native of Minnesota, Thompson began her career as a professional ballet dancer and performed in more than 45 ballets with the Minnesota Dance Theatre. Her first taste of professional theatre was with the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, in "Madeline and the Gypsies" and "The Little Mermaid." After apprenticing with the Pennsylvania Ballet, she moved to New York at age 20 to pursue an acting career. She was first featured in a supporting role in the motion picture "Jaws 3-D," with Dennis Quaid, followed by a starring role opposite Tom Cruise in "All the Right Moves." Her film career took off after that with the "BTTF" films, "Red Dawn," and the now infamous "Howard The Duck." She met her future husband when he directed her in the John Hughes’ film "Some Kind of Wonderful." Some of her other favorite roles were in "Article 99," "Casual Sex?," "Dennis the Menace," "The Wizard of Loneliness,"  "Space Camp," "The Beverly Hillbillies," "The Little Rascals," "The Unknown Cyclist," "Fish Don’t Blink," "Exit Speed," "Mayor Cupcake" (which featured her two daughters as well),  "Thin Ice," "The Trouble with the Truth," and Clint Eastwood’s "J. Edgar."

Thompson’s television highlights include the Showtime original movie "The Right to Remain Silent"; NBC’s made-for television movies "The Unspoken Truth" and "The Substitute Wife," and the miniseries, "A Will of Their Own," with Thomas Gibson; TNT’s original movies, "Montana" and "Nightbreaker" with Emilio Estevez and Martin Sheen, for which she received a CableACE nomination; HBO’s "Tales from the Crypt" and USA’s "Stealing Christmas" with Tony Danza.  Thompson starred in "Stolen Babies" with Mary Tyler Moore, and in "The Debbie Smith Story/A Life Interrupted" for Lifetime, as well as being featured in the Lifetime series "Intimate Portraits."  Her NBC series "Caroline in the City" was must-see TV for four years, followed by the Lifetime series "For the People." She starred in the Hallmark Channel Mystery Film series, "Jane Doe," marking her first directorial achievements on a couple of the series’ films. Also for the Hallmark Channel, she starred in "Final Approach," a miniseries with Dean Cain, and "The Cabin," which filmed in Ireland. Notable television guest spots include "Friends," The Larry Sanders Show," "Ed," "Law and Order: SVU" and ABC Family’s "Greek."

Theatre highlights include "Bus Stop" at the Pasadena Playhouse; Tony Kushner’s "The Illusion" for the Los Angeles Theatre Center; "Long Time Coming" at the Powerhouse Theatre; "Charlie Bacon’s Family" at the John Drew Theatre in East Hampton; and "The Trip Back Down" at the Actors’ Repertory Theatre. Her personal favorite was as Sally Bowles in both the National Tour and the Broadway Studio 54 production of Sam Mendes’ revival of "Cabaret." More recently, Thompson has performed "The Vagina Monologues," the Los Angeles Reprise Series of "I Love My Wife" with Jason Alexander, and was the title character in "Caroline in Jersey" (no relation to "Caroline in the City") at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts.

Thompson can often be seen performing for various charity functions around Los Angeles, including Breast Cancer Research’s What A Pair, the Alzheimer’s Association, the WeSpark Foundation and the Schleroderma Foundation, to name a few.  She lives in Los Angeles with her husband of 22 years, film director Howard Deutch, their two very talented daughters, Zoey and Madelyn, and a menagerie of dogs, a cat, a parrot, loads of fish and several horses.

LUCAS GRABEEL
Toby Kennish on ABC Family's "Switched at Birth"

Lucas Grabeel began his career in 2003 by moving to Los Angeles from Springfield, Missouri. He first worked on the Disney Channel Original Movies "Halloweentown High" and "Return to Halloweentown." In 2006 he was cast as Ryan Evans in Disney Channel’s, "High School Musical," which led to "High School Musical 2," and a feature film, "High School Musical 3: Senior Year." In between films, Gabreel and the cast set out on two international concert tours across North and South America. 

Grabeel’s television guest appearances include "CSI," "Family Guy," "The Cleveland Show," "Boston Legal," "Veronica Mars" and "Smallville." He returned to the stage in 2009 under the direction of Jason Alexander in "The Fantasticks," also starring Eric McCormick. Some of his other movies include "The Adventures of Food Boy," "Alice Upside Down" and "College Road Trip." In 2008 he appeared in the Academy Award-winning film "Milk," directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Sean Penn. Gabreel co-stars in the upcoming film "What’s Wrong with Virginia," written and directed by Dustin Lance Black.

SEAN BERDY
Emmett Bledsoe on ABC Family's "Switched at Birth"

Sean Berdy was born to perform and has never let his deafness get in the way of following his passion for entertaining. His first stage as a young boy was his parents’ bed, where he put on shows for delighted family and friends alongside his younger brother, Tyler, who would handle DJ and lighting needs for the events.

At a young age, Berdy also became fascinated by magic, honed his skills in the art, and shared with Tyler the top award for young magicians at the World Deaf Magicians Festival held in St. Petersburg, Russia.
 
Berdy got his first big break in acting when a casting call went out for a young deaf actor for "The Sandlot 2," the 2005 comedic sequel to "The Sandlot." His formal acting career launched, he went on to play roles in films including "The Bondage" (2006), "The Deaf Family" (2007) and "The Legend of the Mountain Man" (2008). In addition to films, he has been featured in numerous public service commercials.

In between filming engagements, Berdy has toured the country performing with highly acclaimed musical groups. His inspired dance rendition of Michael Jackson’s "The Way You Make Me Feel," performed entirely in American Sign Language, was a tremendous hit among his deaf peers. He was named Mr. Deaf Teen America, a role which enables him to make public appearances across the country for one year. 

"Jane By Design" follows Jane Quimby (Erica Dasher), a quirky teen with an eclectic chic fashion sense who lands a job at a hip fashion house when they mistake her for an adult. Torn between her love of fashion and the need to finish high school, Jane conceals her true age to assist the demanding but talented Gray Chandler Murray (Andie MacDowell), who travels the world in search of the next big style trend. Jane quickly learns that working for a successful executive in the cutthroat world of fashion brings on adversaries like India Jourdain (India De Beaufort), an associate designer and Gray’s former assistant who is now gunning for Gray’s job. Fortunately Jane has the charming and handsome senior designer, Jeremy Jones (Rowly Dennis) on her side -- and peaking her interest -- although she still harbors feelings for long-time crush Nick Fadden (Matthew Atkinson) at school.

Jane’s best friend, Billy Nutter (Nicholas Roux), helps Jane keep up appearances as she toggles between two lives, and loyally guards her secret from her older brother, Ben (David Rogers). However, Billy has a secret of his own, hiding a relationship with Jane’s high school nemesis, Lulu Pope (Megan Tandy). Even with Billy’s support, will Jane’s ruse be a passing fad, or will she be able to fashion a career in the design business?

The series is executive produced by Gavin Polone ("Gilmore Girls," "Curb Your Enthusiasm"), April Blair ("Lemonade Mouth," "Monte Carlo") and John Ziffren ("Melissa & Joey," "Make It or Break It").

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 98 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today's families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relevant stories about today's relationships, all told with diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family's programming is a mix of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with "13 Nights of Halloween" and "25 Days of Christmas." ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.

ERICA DASHER
Jane Quimby on ABC Family’s "Jane By Design"

Houston-native Erica Dasher stars as Jane Quimby, a quirky teen with an eclectic chic fashion sense who is just trying to survive the perils of high school. When mistaken for someone else, Jane gets the chance of a lifetime to live out her dreams of working in the fashion world. Now she must juggle her double life and hope she doesn’t get caught.

Dasher was last seen in TheWB.com’s original web series "The Lake." The popular show, produced by former WB CEO Jordan Levin and Jason Priestly, followed the stories of four families as they spent their summer vacation around the fictional Lake Eleanor.

Dasher is also an accomplished filmmaker, having produced her own documentary feature, "Speak Easy," which documents the lives of a group of eccentric teenagers who vie for high school glory in the world of competitive acting, otherwise known as "Forensics." The film is currently in post-production.

Dasher – a graduate from USC’s prestigious School of Theater – currently resides in Los Angeles.

ANDIE MACDOWELL
Gray Chandler Murray on ABC Family’s "Jane By Design"

Andie MacDowell stars as steely fashion executive Gray Chandler Murray who travels the world in search of the next big style trend. With a full schedule and a lot of demand, Gray expects nothing but perfection from her assistant, Jane, not knowing Jane’s really a high school student.

MacDowell has established herself as an accomplished actress with worldwide recognition. She was recently seen on the big screen in the heartbreaking true story of the Abbate family, "The 5th Quarter," in "Monte Carlo" with Selena Gomez and Leighton Meester, and in the highly anticipated reboot of "Footloose." She has also completed production on the indie feature "Mighty Fine" with Chazz Palminteri and her own daughter, Rainey Qualley.

On TV MacDowell previously starred in back-to-back telefilms, "At Risk" and "The Front," both based on Patricia Cornwell crime novels. She earned praise for her performance in the Emmy-nominated, HBO original film, "Dinner with Friends." Additionally she co-starred with Rosie O’Donnell in the CBS telefilm "Riding the Bus with My Sister," directed by Anjelica Huston. Other dramatic feature performances include "The End of Violence," directed by Wim Wenders, which was selected to screen at the opening of the 50th Anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival; Robert Altman’s "The Player and Short Cuts," for which the cast earned a special Golden Globe Award for Best Ensemble; "Unstrung Heroes," directed by Diane Keaton, and the ever-popular "St. Elmo’s Fire."

MacDowell earned the worldwide title of No. 1 female box-office draw with her performances in the smash hit romantic comedy, "Four Weddings and a Funeral," for which she received a Golden Globe nomination, and in the western "Bad Girls" with Drew Barrymore. She also starred in the holiday classic "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray. In other comedies MacDowell continued to partner with top leading men, including with Gerard Depardieu in "Green Card," for which she again earned a Golden Globe nomination, with Michael Keaton in "Multiplicity" and with John Travolta in "Michael."

She first received critical acclaim and accolades for her performance as a repressed young wife in Steven Soderbergh’s "sex, lies and videotape." The film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and garnered MacDowell the Independent Spirit Award and the Los Angeles Film Critics Award for Best Actress, as well as her first Golden Globe nomination. Additionally, she has been presented with the coveted César d’Honneur for her body of work, the Golden Kamera Award from Germany’s Horzu Publications and the Taormina Arte Award for Cinematic Excellence.

For her philanthropic work, MacDowell was presented an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Lander University, and received an Honor of the Arts from Winthrop College. This year also marks the 25th Anniversary of MacDowell’s relationship with L’Oréal Paris, for which she serves as international spokesperson.

DAVID ROGERS
Ben Quimby on ABC Family’s "Jane By Design"

David Clayton Rogers portrays Jane’s brother, Ben Quimby. Having quit college to move home to take care of Jane after their father passed away, Ben finds himself in over his head when it comes to parenting.

Rogers’ other television work has includes guest roles on "Shark," "Numb3rs," "Brothers & Sisters," "Ghost Whisperer," "Cold Case," "Law & Order: Trial by Jury" and "Cougar Town." He has also been seen in the telefilms "Revenge of the Bridesmaids," "Pregnancy Pact," "Demons" and "The Legend of Butch & Sundance."

NICHOLAS ROUX
Billy Nutter on ABC Family’s "Jane By Design"

Nicholas Roux stars as Billy Nutter, Jane’s best friend from childhood. Billy would do anything for Jane, including help her pull off her double-life. But what Jane doesn’t know is that Billy is hiding something big from her – he is secretly dating her high school nemesis, Lulu.

Roux’s television credits include a starring role in the telefilm "Lemonade Mouth" and a guest starring spot on "The Suite Life on Deck."

An avid sportsman, Roux enjoys everything from snowboarding to surfing. In high school he was a four-year varsity golfer and CIF Champion.

Born in Long Beach, California, he currently resides in Rancho Margarita, California with his parents, younger sister and their three rescue dogs.

ROWLY DENNIS
Jeremy Jones on ABC Family’s "Jane By Design"

Rowly Dennis portrays Jeremy Jones, the charming and handsome senior designer at hip fashion house Donovan Decker. Known as a ladies’ man around the office, Jeremy quickly takes a liking to Jane.

Dennis was born in Cambridge, England, to Mary and Peter Dennis, the second of two children. The family lived in Hertfordshire, where Dennis grew up until leaving to attend Manchester University, and then later Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.

After working with the London Institute of Royal Arts and performing on the London stages, he began looking further afield to pursue his acting career and in 2006 relocated to Los Angeles.

Within months of his move Dennis was getting experience on camera, cast in such shows as "90210," "How I Met Your Mother" and "Desperate Housewives." He also was part of the Emmy Award-winning Television network, Current TV, writing and hosting weekly shows for almost two years.

INDIA DE BEAUFORT
India Jourdain on ABC Family’s "Jane By Design"

India De Beaufort portrays India Jourdain, an associate designer at Donovan Decker and Gray’s former assistant who is now gunning for Gray’s job. Seeing Jane as just a bump in the road to what she ultimately wants, India does her best to make Jane’s life difficult at the fashion house.

De Beaufort was born in London, England and was a creative and bright child who grew up in a family influenced by the stage. Her mother and father were both professional performers before her, in television and the West End, and it wasn’t long before she began to show signs of following in their footsteps.

After several television appearances as a child, De Beaufort landed her first principle role at the age of 15 on the BAFTA-nominated children’s sitcom, "The Basil Brush Show," for the BBC. During her three-year stint with the series, she also showed passion and talent as a singer/songwriter, performing live as a featured artist at The CBBC’s "Proms in the Park" at Hyde Park, as well as taking part in a U.K tour. During hiatuses De Beaufort also began to model, traveling worldwide through commercial endorsements. During this time, she studied fashion, performance studies and media studies at Esher College.

After leaving the "The Basil Brush Show," De Beaufort was cast as Maya in the feature film "Run, Fatboy, Run," directed by David Schwimmer. The romantic comedy was hugely successful, topping the UK box office in its opening weekend and remaining there for four more weeks.

At the age of 21, De Beaufort starred as Aneka, the lead female in the Comedy Central / BBC series "Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire," which aired both in the UK and the U.S. The following year she joined the cast of "One Tree Hill" as Miranda Stone, a character who became very popular with the show’s loyal fan base.

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MEGAN TANDY
Lulu Pope on ABC Family’s "Jane By Design"

Meagan Tandy portrays Lulu Pope, the most popular girl in school and Jane’s nemesis. Lulu makes it her main job to put Jane down, but what Jane doesn’t know is that Lulu is interested in her is because she’s secretly dating Jane’s best friend, Billy.

Tandy will star in John Gulagers remake of the iconic "Piranha 3DD,"premiering in 2012. Her first feature film role was in "Unstoppable" as Maya, the daughter of Denzel Washington’s character. On television she has guest starred on "90210," "CSI: NY," "Accidentally on Purpose," "10 Things I Hate About You," "Dark Blue" and "Single Ladies."

Born in Northern California, Tandy always knew she wanted to be an actress. Her supportive parents enrolled her in acting classes at the age of 10. She enjoyed filming her own reenactments of her favorite movies. When she was 19, Tandy thought it would be fun to enter the Miss California Teen Pageant, her first pageant ever. She won. A year later she was named Miss California USA 2007. It was a thrill to have both honors, but she kept her focus on acting.

Tandy has a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences and studied Business Administration at Cal Poly Pomona. As time permits between acting jobs, she is determined to finish her degree.

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MATTHEW ATKINSON
Nick Fadden on ABC Family’s "Jane By Design"

Matthew Atkinson portrays Nick Fadden, Jane’s long-standing school crush. The popular and athletic Nick hasn’t paid much attention to Jane, but something recently different about her starts to peak his interest.

Atkinson’s role on "Jane By Design" marks his first series regular role, but he is not unfamiliar to television audiences. He has been seen in "CSI," "Drop Dead Diva" and "One Tree Hill." He has also appeared in the Academy Award-winning feature film, "The Blind Side." His turns in theater include roles in "You Can’t Take It With You," "And Then They Came for Me," "Who Am I This Time?," "Hard Candy" and "Happily Never After."

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“The Revolution” is ABC Daytime’s new one-hour daily talk show from Time Square Studios that will revolutionize the lives of viewers from the inside out. The show features a stellar “dream team” of experts who will help complete transformations in all areas of life, including body, health, style, mind and environment. Produced by 3 Ball Productions/Eyeworks USA for the ABC Television Network, with JD Roth and Todd A. Nelson serving as executive producers, “The Revolution” will provide life changing tips and essential tools to motivate viewers and serve as a catalyst for change. Featuring design expert Ty Pennington, style guru Tim Gunn, celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Ashton and therapist Tiffanie Davis Henry, EdD, “The Revolution” is your daily boost, whether you’re looking for inspiration to accomplish little victories or in need of a road map for a major change. Additionally, each week the series will highlight one woman’s personal journey over the course of five months. “The Revolution” is produced in New York and airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (2:00-3:00 p.m., ET/ 1:00-2:00 p.m. PT/CT), on the ABC Television Network.

Design expert Ty Pennington, co-host of ABC’s “The Revolution,” offers encouragement and support to help achieve individual goals, as well as sharing his design expertise to create an environment for a better life. Pennington believes that, often, changing your life begins with changing your space and how you live in it. Along with his design expertise, he also brings his love of food, art, style and his passion for supporting and championing people to go after their dreams.

Style guru Tim Gunn, co-host of ABC’s “The Revolution,” is on a mission to make good style accessible to every woman of every body shape and at affordable prices. He is a strong believer in the importance of women expressing their true selves to the world. Gunn helps women embrace their individual style to look and feel their best.

Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, co-host of ABC ‘s “The Revolution,” will share his ‘make it count’ mantra with tips on how to make healthy choices and incorporate fitness into everyday life. Pasternak doesn’t believe in spending hours in the gym, and realizes everyone has limited time. He helps each individual find a personalized plan that works for them.

OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Ashton, co-host of ABC’s “The Revolution,” is a leading women’s health expert who is an advocate for patients, especially women, and helps them demand the best for themselves and from their doctors when it comes to their health and family. Dr. Ashton is passionate about bringing up-to-the-minute medical information that transforms health, saves money and might just save a life.

Therapist Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry, co-host of ABC’s “The Revolution,” is a relationship expert who helps people with their emotional well being by delving into issues and sharing powerful insights. Dr. Davis Henry’s philosophy is, if we allow our fears to mold our lives, we may never know what we are capable of being and miss our opportunity for greatness.

“The Revolution” is produced in New York and airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (2:00-3:00 p.m., ET/ 1:00-2:00 p.m. PT/CT), on the ABC Television Network.

JD ROTH, executive producer
JD Roth, founder and CEO of 3 Ball Productions/Eyeworks USA, serves as executive producer of ABC’s "The Revolution," an inspirational daily talk show about health and lifestyle transformations, featuring design expert Ty Pennington; style guru Tim Gunn; celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak; OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Ashton; and therapist Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry.

Additionally for ABC, Roth also executive-produces "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition," which premiered in May 2011 and returns to ABC in 2012. The show follows super-obese individuals over the course of an entire year as they work to shed hundreds of pounds and regain their lives.

Roth also serves as executive producer of NBC’s "The Biggest Loser," currently in production on its 13th season. With more than 25,000 pounds lost and more than 1,000 lives transformed, "The Biggest Loser" has inspired millions of viewers and fans around the world to apply the show’s optimistic message of transformation to their own lives.

Among "The Revolution," "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" and "The Biggest Loser,"in addition to the series "I Used to be Fat" for MTV, in production on its third season, and "What’s Eating You" for E!, Roth and 3 Ball Productions have created and produced more inspiring weight-loss and transformation television than any other production company.

Across other genres, Roth produces "Flying Wild Alaska" for Discovery, which became the highest rated new series premiere in the channel’s history when it launched to an audience of more than 6 million (the show is currently in production on season three), "Texas Women" for CMT, "Hair Battle Spectacular" for Oxygen, and "Bar Rescue" for Spike.

Other hit series include the worldwide franchise "Beauty and the Geek," "Age of Love" and "For Love or Money" (NBC); "Breaking Bonaduce," "The Pick-Up Artist" and "Scott Baio is 45 and Single "(VH1); "Hammer Time" (A&E); "Fourth and Long" (Spike); "Groomer Has It" (Animal Planet); "Opportunity Knocks "(ABC); and "Unan1mous" (FOX), among many others.

TODD NELSON, executive producer
Todd A. Nelson, founder and CEO of 3 Ball Productions/Eyeworks USA, serves as executive producer of ABC’s "The Revolution," an inspirational daily talk show about health and lifestyle transformations, featuring design expert Ty Pennington; style guru Tim Gunn; celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak; OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Ashton; and therapist Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry.

Additionally for ABC, Nelson also executive-produces "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition," which premiered in May 2011 and returns to ABC in 2012. The show follows super-obese individuals over the course of an entire year as they work to shed hundreds of pounds and regain their lives.

Nelson also serves as executive producer of NBC’s "The Biggest Loser," currently in production on its 13th season. With more than 25,000 pounds lost and more than 1,000 lives transformed, "The Biggest Loser" has inspired millions of viewers and fans around the world to apply the show’s optimistic message of transformation to their own lives.

Among "The Revolution," "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" and "The Biggest Loser,"in addition to the series "I Used to be Fat" for MTV, in production on its third season, and "What’s Eating You" for E!, Nelson and 3 Ball Productions have created and produced more inspirational weight-loss and transformation television than any other production company.

Across other genres, Nelson produces "Flying Wild Alaska" for Discovery, which became the highest rated new series premiere in the channel’s history when it launched to an audience of more than 6 million (the show is currently in production on season three), "Texas Women" for CMT, "Hair Battle Spectacular" for Oxygen, and "Bar Rescue" for Spike.

Other hit series include the worldwide franchise "Beauty and the Geek," "Age of Love" and "For Love or Money" (NBC); "Breaking Bonaduce," "The Pick-Up Artist" and "Scott Baio is 45 and Single "(VH1); "Hammer Time" (A&E); "Fourth and Long" (Spike); "Groomer Has It" (Animal Planet); "Opportunity Knocks "(ABC); and "Unan1mous" (FOX), among many others.

TY PENNINGTON
Co-host of the ABC Television Network's "The Revolution"

Design expert Ty Pennington, co-host of ABC’s "The Revolution," offers encouragement and support to help achieve individual goals, as well as sharing his design expertise to create an environment for a better life. Pennington believes that, often, changing your life begins with changing your space and how you live in it. Along with his design expertise, he also brings his love of food, art and style, and his passion for supporting and championing people in pursuit of their dreams.

As host of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," Pennington has helped transform the lives of thousands, while inspiring millions more around the world. Under the leadership of the charismatic home-design guru, "Extreme Makeover" is consistently rated among the top 20 television programs. It has won two Emmys for Outstanding Reality Program and two People’s Choice Awards.

Pennington took his talent for mobilizing volunteers to Great Britain for "Ty’s Great British Adventure," a community-improvement series airing on UKTV Home. In addition to hosting, he was also executive producer. Seasons 1 and 2 went on to become UKTV Home’s two highest-rated television series ever.

In the fall of 2010, Pennington expanded his international appeal with two new series. "Inside the Box with Ty Pennington," for Canada’s W Network, matched two amateur interior designers in a contest to decorate a room using only the contents of a mystery crate put together by Pennington. As part of Pennington’s ongoing relationship with Great Britain’s UKTV Home, his newest series, "Homes for the Brave," focused on improving the homes and lives of soldiers who served in Afghanistan for the British Army.

Pennington recently teamed up with industry leader Howard Miller to create Howard Miller Furnishings by Ty Pennington, a high-quality casual contemporary furniture line that is meant to be easily mixed and matched. Ty Pennington Style is Pennington’s seasonal home décor line carried at Sears, offering fun and stylish pieces at affordable prices and offering everything from bedding and rugs to lighting and dishware. And Pennington has partnered with Westminster Fibers to create Ty Pennington Impressions, a fabric line that he designed which reflects his casual but stylish approach to décor. He has also introduced the Ty Pennington Collection of hardwood floors for Lumber Liquidators.

Pennington’s book, How Good Design Can Change Your Life (Simon & Schuster), arrived in bookstores in 2008. It followed his New York Times bestseller, Ty’s Tricks (Hyperion), which is part reference, part behind-the-scenes in Ty’s own home, which he completely remodeled himself.

Recognized as a pioneer in the field of volunteerism for his work on "Extreme Makeover"and "Ty’s Great British Adventure," Pennington also serves as ambassador for the Sears American Dream campaign.

Pennington first won national attention as the quirky and creative carpenter on the groundbreaking home improvement series "Trading Spaces." He currently lives in both New York and Los Angeles.

TIM GUNN
Co-host of the ABC Television Network's "The Revolution"

Style guru Tim Gunn, co-host of ABC’s "The Revolution," is on a mission to make good style accessible to every woman of every body shape and at affordable prices. A strong believer in the importance of women expressing their true selves to the world, Gunn helps women embrace their individual style to look and feel their best.

Currently Gunn is Chief Creative Officer of Liz Claiborne Inc., where he is responsible for attracting, retaining and developing the creative talent within the Claiborne portfolio of brands. Prior to joining Liz Claiborne Inc., he served as a member of the administration and faculty at Parsons School of Design for 24 years, including the role as Chair of the Department of Fashion Design, where he was in charge of retooling and invigorating the curriculum for the 21st century. Under his direction, the department was repositioned as the indisputable leader in fashion design education in America and as one of only a handful of leading programs in the world. Upon leaving Parsons, Gunn received the title of Honorary Chair of Fashion Design at the school. In addition, Liz Claiborne, Inc. endowed a scholarship in his name.

Gunn serves as co-host of the seven-time Emmy-nominated "Project Runway," a reality-based fashion design incubator, the eighth season of which broke all previous seasons’ ratings records. In addition the showreceived GLAAD Media Awards in 2007 and most recently in 2011, and a Peabody Award in 2008.

Gunn has lectured widely on fashion and lifestyle design, and especially on Parsons’ profound role in putting America on the global design map, with interviews appearing in a wide range of publications from Newsweek and The New York Times to Entertainment Weekly and Women’s Wear Daily. He has also covered the red carpet at the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards and Golden Globes for "The Today Show"and "Entertainment Tonight," and co-hosted the Official Oscar Red Carpet Pre-Show in 2009 and 2011 for ABC.

Gunn has made cameo appearances on the television shows "Ugly Betty,""American Dad,""How I Met Your Mother," "Gossip Girl" and the ABC Family TV movie "Teen Spirit." He also appeared in the films "Sex and the City 2" and "The Smurfs." His first book, A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style, was the core of "Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style," a two-season makeover show on Bravo. His second book, Gunn’s Golden Rules, rose to No. 5 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2010. His 2011 book release, Shaken, Not Stirred,recounts his tumultuous childhood. He has also written articles for Elle, Seventeen, People, US Weekly and Fortune, and has a monthly feature in People Style Watch and Marie Claire.

Gunn gives much of his time to charitable organizations, especially those associated with domestic violence, AIDS awareness and LGBT issues, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline, GMHC, the Hetrick-Martin Institute, Bailey House and the Human Rights Campaign.

Gunn lives in New York City.

HARLEY PASTERNAK
Co-host of the ABC Television Network's "The Revolution"

Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, co-host of ABC ‘s "The Revolution," will share his ‘make it count’ mantra with tips on how to make healthy choices and incorporate fitness into everyday life. Pasternak doesn’t believe in spending hours in the gym, and realizes everyone has limited time. He helps each individual find a personalized plan that works.

 Pasternak holds a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto and an Honors Degree in Kinesiology from University of Western Ontario. He is also certified by The American College of Sports Medicine and The Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology.

Pasternak is a New York Times bestselling author. His books include 5-Factor Fitness, The 5-Factor Diet and The 5-Factor World Diet. Their success has led to translation in 12 languages in over 20 countries around the globe. 

In 2011 Pasternak unveiled a new product line on The Shopping Channel and HSN, including the 5-Factor Workout and Nutrition DVD, the Harley Bar dumbbell/barbell, 5-Factor nutrition bars, chips and cookies, as well as other nutrition and exercise-related products.

As a fitness and nutrition specialist, Pasternak has trained many celebrities, including Lady Gaga, Halle Berry, Katy Perry, Megan Fox and Jennifer Hudson. He has appeared on "The View," MTV, VH1, E!, "The Oprah Winfrey Show,""Dr. Oz," "The Tyra Banks Show," "Access Hollywood," "Extra," "Rachael Ray" "Next Top Model" and " The Today Show." In addition, he has been covered in a wide array of print publications, including daily newspapers and health & fitness, women’s, lifestyle and entertainment magazines such as the New York Post, LA Times, Washington Post, Shape, Men’s Health, Fitness, Woman’s World, Glamour, Elle, Allure, Jane, Seventeen, Marie Claire, Teen People, People, US Weekly, InTouch and Star.

Pasternak is a spokesperson for a variety of high profile health and fitness-related brands. He has made worldwide speaking appearances in over 30 countries for a diversity of Fortune 500 companies, health and fitness organizations and government entities.

Newly married, Pasternak is a Toronto native and currently resides in both New York and Los Angeles.

DR. JENNIFER ASHTON, OB-GYN, MD
Co-host of the ABC Television Network's "The Revolution"

OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Ashton, co-host of ABC’s "The Revolution," is a leading women’s health expert who is an advocate for patients, especially women, and helps them demand the best for themselves and from their doctors when it comes to their health and families. Dr. Ashton is passionate about bringing up-to-the-minute medical information that transforms health, saves money and might just save a life.

Dr. Ashton is a Board-certified OB-GYN and is on the attending staff of Englewood Hospital and Medical Center – an affiliate of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine – in Englewood, NJ. Her private medical practice, Hygeia Gynecology, is also located in Englewood, NJ, where she treats women of all ages for both medical and surgical gynecologic conditions such as depression, hypertension and obesity.

A graduate of Columbia College at Columbia University, she went on to receive her medical degree from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she was elected Class President for four consecutive years. Upon graduation, she was awarded the prestigious Bartlestone Award in Pharmacology. Dr. Ashton received her post-graduate training in women’s health and surgery at St.Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. She also served as Administrative Chief Resident and was awarded Chief Resident of the Year upon completing her residency.

Dr. Ashton is a member of the North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She has published articles in peer-review medical journals and presented at national clinical meetings in the fields of general surgery, critical care and gynecologic oncology. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation for Humanism in Medicine, which fosters the training and recognition of compassionate medical care.

Active in many charitable organizations, Dr. Ashton has been recognized for her philanthropic efforts by numerous foundations, including the Girl Scouts, at its Women of Achievement Awards Dinner (2007), and The Octoberwoman Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness, as the recipient of their Hope for The Future Award (2008). She has also been awarded the Policeman’s Benevolent Association Medal of Honor for providing emergency medical care to injured Englewood police officers during the snow storm of February 2008, and honored by the city of Englewood for heroic service to Haitian earthquake victims.

Most recently Dr. Ashton served as a medical correspondent for CBS News from 2009-2011, and was seen on "The Early Show" and "The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric." She received the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for Excellence in Journalism for her work on CBS’ "Children of the Recession" series. In addition, Dr. Ashton has been a regular expert guest on "Dr. Oz" and has appeared on The Learning Channel’s (TLC) "A Baby Story." From 2006-2009 she appeared on the Fox News Channel as a medical contributor, and was a featured expert guest on XM satellite radio’s "Oprah & Friends" with Dr. Mehmet Oz.

In January 2010, Dr. Ashton travelled to Haiti with a medical team, where she treated victims of the earthquake for eight days and reported her experience for CBS News.

Her award-winning book, The Body Scoop for Girls (Avery/Penguin), was released in January of 2010 and is a relatable guidebook for teenage health. Her second book, Your Body Beautiful (Avery/Penguin), will be released on January 5, 2012 and is a new-age, head-to-toe guide to vitality and beauty for women aged 30 and over.

Part of a family of six other physicians and one nurse, Dr. Ashton resides in New Jersey with her husband, renowned thoracic surgeon Dr. Robert Ashton, and their two children.

DR. TIFFANIE DAVIS HENRY
Co-host of the ABC Television Network's "The Revolution"

Therapist Dr. Tiffanie Davis Henry, co-host of ABC's "The Revolution," is a relationship expert who helps people with their emotional wellbeing by delving into issues and sharing powerful insights. Dr. Davis Henry's philosophy is, if we allow our fears to mold our lives, we may never know what we are capable of being and miss our opportunity for greatness.

Most recently Dr. Davis Henry ran a thriving practice in Atlanta that focused on helping women and couples forge healthier relationships. Originally from Charlotte, she obtained her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and her master's degree, specializing in professional counseling, at Argosy University in Atlanta, GA. She completed her doctoral degree in human sexuality education at Widener University in Chester, PA.

In addition to private practice, Dr. Davis Henry has published articles in The Gainesville Times. She has been featured in People You Need to Know Women's Magazine, Rolling Out magazine and Australian Women Online magazine, as well as written for fitAtlanta Magazine and Cosmopolitan magazine. Dr. Davis Henry is an active member of the American Psychological Association.

Additionally, as an expert in her field, Dr. Davis Henry has appeared on Seasons One and Two of the VH1 reality show, "What Chilli Wants," TLC's "My Strange Addiction," and in recurring episodes of "Swift Justice with Nancy Grace."

Dr. Davis Henry recently relocated to New York to join the cast of "The Revolution," and has been married for four years.

Ben Sherwood was named president of ABC News in December 2010. In this position he is responsible for all aspects of ABC News’ broadcasts, including "World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer," "Nightline," "Good Morning America," "20/20," "Primetime" and "This Week with Christiane Amanpour." In addition, Mr. Sherwood oversees ABC News Radio, ABCNEWS.com, ABC News’ satellite service, NewsOne and ABC News NOW.

During Mr. Sherwood’s first year at ABC News, the networked responded rapidly to breaking news covering the tragedy in Tucson, the revolutions in the Middle East, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, as well as the devastating tornadoes and floods that affected millions of Americans throughout the country. ABC News scored exclusive interviews with the key newsmakers of the year, including Commander Mark Kelly, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Jaycee Dugard.

In October 2011, Mr. Sherwood announced a game-changing partnership between ABC News and Yahoo!. The strategic online news alliance blends ABC News’ global newsgathering operation and unrivaled lineup of trusted anchors and reporters with Yahoo! News’ unmatched audience, depth and breadth of content. Together ABC News and Yahoo! stand as the No. 1 online source for news and information – reaching an unmatched 100 million U.S. users each month.

Mr. Sherwood began to explore a career in journalism with student internships at KCET public television in Los Angeles, The Los Angeles Times Washington Bureau, and the "CBS Evening News." In 1984-1985, during a year off from college, he worked for The News and Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina; The Los Angeles Times Paris bureau and the United Nations Border Relief Operation in Aranyaprathet, Thailand.

Mr. Sherwood launched his journalistic career in earnest when he joined ABC News in 1989, serving as an investigative associate producer and producer for ABC News’ "PrimeTime Live" with hosts Diane Sawyer and Sam Donaldson. During that time, his investigative reports explored flaws in the secretive B-2 stealth bomber program, the dangers of unlicensed mental health practitioners, and the unheralded risks of an overprescribed heart medication.

In 1997 Mr. Sherwood joined NBC’s "Nightly News with Tom Brokaw" as broadcast producer responsible for "In Depth" reports, then senior producer, and ultimately senior broadcast producer, where he helped guide coverage of the September 11th attacks and the controversy in Florida surrounding the 2000 Presidential election.

Mr. Sherwood returned to ABC News in April 2004 as executive producer of the network’s award-winning morning program, "Good Morning America." During his tenure with the network, Mr. Sherwood guided "GMA" to the two most successful seasons in its history, while overseeing prize-winning coverage of the tsunami in Southeast Asia, the devastation of hurricane Katrina and the presidential election of 2004.

Over the years, Mr. Sherwood’s journalism and non-fiction essays have been published in many respected publications, including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, New Republic, Washington Monthly, Parade and O magazine. He is also the author of two critically acclaimed best-selling novels:The Man Who Ate the 747 (2000) and The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud (2004). His fiction has been published around the world. In July 2010, The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud was adapted as a feature film starring Zac Efron, and was released by Universal Pictures under the title "Charlie St. Cloud." The Man Who Ate the 747 is also being developed as a major motion picture and Broadway musical.

Mr. Sherwood’s latest book, The Survivors Club, is a non-fiction exploration of the science and secrets of who bounces back from everyday adversity and who doesn’t; who beats life-threatening disease and who succumbs; and who triumphs after economic hardship and who surrenders. The book became an instant New York Times bestseller and has been featured widely in print and on television.

In January 2009, Mr. Sherwood founded TheSurvivorsClub.org, an online resource center and support network for people surviving and thriving in the face of all kinds of adversity. In September 2010, The Survivors Club relaunched in partnership with Hearst Digital Media, significantly expanding its reach and offerings.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Harvard College in 1986, Mr. Sherwood earned an AB degree in American government and history. From 1986 to 1989, as a Rhodes Scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford, he earned masters degrees in British imperial history and development economics.

Mr. Sherwood is currently a member of the board of directors of City Year (Los Angeles) and a member of the advisory board of the Center for Public Integrity in Washington, DC. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

Gary Marsh is president and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, a role he was promoted to in September 2011.

In this newly created leadership role, Marsh has both strategic business oversight and creative responsibility for Disney’s successful and burgeoning global kids TV business, comprising more than 100 kid-driven, family inclusive entertainment channels and feeds which are available in 169 countries and 35 languages. The portfolio spans Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Disney Cinemagic and Hungama brands plus the Radio Disney broadcast and satellite radio network and station group. Its multiplatform strategy includes subscription video-on-demand and the content-rich broadband websites (DisneyChannel.com, DisneyJunior.com, DisneyXD.com and RadioDisney.com). Through a strategic partnership with Disney-ABC-ESPN Television, Disney Channels Worldwide content is also distributed to third party broadcasters around the world.

Reporting in to Marsh is a global executive team representing Original Programming and Production, Disney Television Animation, Radio Disney, Business Affairs, Business Planning and Development, Marketing, Advertising Sales, Worldwide Programming Strategy, Planning and Acquisitions, Casting and Talent Relations for Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD platforms and brands.

Creative content is the driving force of Disney Channels Worldwide, and Marsh is responsible for leading the effort to develop Disney-branded programming for kids and families around the world. He is the executive in charge of Disney Channel’s extraordinarily successful original programming slate that includes the Emmy Award-winning hit series “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “Phineas and Ferb,” “Hannah Montana,” “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” “That’s So Raven,” “Shake It Up” and “A.N.T. Farm,” among many others.

In addition, he oversees the blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) franchise, comprising over 80 titles including the smash musical hits “High School Musical” and “High School Musical 2,” “Camp Rock” and “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam,” “Phineas and Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension” and “The Cheetah Girls” trilogy.

Soundtrack and music sales from the projects and talent that Marsh has developed at Disney Channel have exceeded 50 million units. The quadruple-platinum-selling soundtrack for “High School Musical” (the #1 selling album of 2006) made history as the first ever TV movie soundtrack to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

Marsh’s team also oversees Disney Junior, the popular programming multiplatform brand for kids age 2-7 which includes the TV series “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and “Handy Manny,” among many others.

From 2009-11, he was president, Entertainment and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. From 2005-09, he was president, Entertainment, Disney Channel Worldwide. From 2001-05, Marsh was executive vice president, Original Programming and Production, Disney Channel. He was executive vice president, Original Programming, from 1999-2001, and senior vice president, Original Programming, from 1994-99. He joined Disney Channel in 1988 as executive director, Programming, and was promoted to vice president within months.

Throughout his tenure at Disney Channel, Marsh has supervised projects that have garnered the highest industry and critical acclaim, including multiple Emmys and Humanitas Prizes, plus Peabody, NAMIC, Gabriel, Women in Film, Parents’ Choice and New York International Film and Television Festival Awards. He co-created and co-chairs City of Hope’s annual Concert for Hope, was an 2005 Honoree of Girls Incorporated, which recognizes industry leaders who are excellent role models for girls and young women, and was named among the 25 “Smartest People in Television” by Entertainment Weekly magazine.

Prior to joining Disney Channel, Marsh was director of Movies and Miniseries at Columbia Pictures Television. He was previously vice president, the Garth Group, a consulting firm in New York City, where he specialized in creating media for political campaigns.

Marsh is a Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles.

Disney Channels Worldwide is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.

A rousing, modern day story inspired by the ghostwritten love letters of Cyrano de Bergerac, "Let it Shine" is set in the world of hip-hop, rap and gospel music and expresses the importance of staying true to oneself.  Geared towards kids, tweens and families, the story follows a shy, talented musician who pens romantic hip-hop verses only to stand idly by as they're delivered to the girl of his dreams by a proxy, his best friend.

The movie premieres in June 2012 as part of the popular Disney Channel Original Movie franchise, the industry's gold standard when it comes to relevant stories, diversity and pro-social messages for a generation of kids.  A Disney Channel Original Movie has delivered cable television's #1 original movie telecast among Tweens 9-14 and Total Viewers for the past 10 and five years, respectively.  The 80+ movies share attributes that reflect Disney's heritage and core values:  trust, quality, optimism, self-expression, creativity, storytelling, imagination and entertainment.

The inspiring story unfolds in Atlanta, Georgia, as Cyrus DeBarge and his best friend Kris McDuffy reunite with their childhood friend, teenage singing sensation Roxanne "Roxie" Andrews, whose music label is sponsoring a songwriting contest at a teen club.  Cyrus, who writes music under the name "Truth," crafts a heartfelt and contest-winning rhyme about Roxie but to his dismay, his work is mistakenly attributed to Kris.  Lacking the confidence to step forward, Cyrus stands by while Kris not only takes credit for the lyrics but ultimately begins to win Roxanne's heart too.  Now, it's up to the true poet to overcome self-doubt, seize the opportunity to reveal his authentic self and pursue his dreams.  All the while, Cyrus must convince his preacher father that hip-hop music can have a positive message.

Starring are Tyler James Williams ("Everybody Hates Chris") as Cyrus DeBarge, Coco Jones (Radio Disney "N.B.T.") as Roxanne Andrews, Trevor Jackson ("Cold Case") as Kris McDuffy, Brandon Mychal  Smith ("So Random!") as Lord of Da Bling, Nicole Sullivan ("MADtv") as Roxanne's music manger Lyla, Courtney B. Vance ("FlashForward") as Cyrus' preacher father, Jacob DeBarge, and Dawnn Lewis ("A Different World") as Cyrus' mother, Gail.

The movie's soundtrack features 12 original songs by acclaimed music producers/songwriters/performers: Rock Mafia, Toby Gad, David Banner, Antonina Armato, David Banner, Andy Dodd, In-Q, J-Doe, Glorious Foreman, actor/recording artist Adam Hicks (of Disney Channel's "Lemonade Mouth" and Disney XD's "Pair of Kings"), Tim James, Steven Jones, Jay L'Oreal, Justin Mobley, Tocarra Phillips, Lindy Robbins, Thomas Armato Sturges, Dapo Torimiro, Anya Vasilenko, Jon Vella, Lambert "Stereo" Waldrip and Adam Watts.
"Let It Shine" was directed by two-time DGA award winner Paul Hoen ("Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam," "JONAS"), written by Eric Daniel and Don D. Scott ("Barbershop," "Barbershop 2: Back in Business") and choreographed by Danny Teeson ("American Idol") and Brandon Shaw.

Filmed in Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia, "Let It Shine" is a production of GWAVE Productions, LLC.

Title: "Let It Shine"

Franchise: Disney Channel Original Movie

Premiere:2011

Parental Guideline: TV-G

Synopsis:The movie follows 16-year-old Cyrus DeBarge, an aspiring musician who has a gift for rhyme yet lacks the self-confidence to take the stage and, through his rap song, tell his longtime crush, Roxanne Andrews, how he feels about her. After he and his best friend, Kris McDuffy, enter a songwriting contest, Kris is mistakenly named the winner for a song Cyrus wrote. Fearful of being thrust into the spotlight, Cyrus panics and allows Kris to take credit for his heartfelt lyrics, and soon he's standing by as Roxanne begins to fall for Kris.

Starring:
Tyler James Williams as Cyrus DeBarge
Coco Jones as Roxanne Andrews
Trevor Jackson as Kris McDuffy
Brandon Mychal Smith as Lord of Da Bling
Nicole Sullivan as Lyla
Courtney B. Vance as Jacob DeBarge
Dawnn Lewis as Gail DeBarge

Choreography by: Danny Teeson and associate Brandon Shaw

Edited by: Girish Bhargava

Production Designer: Mark Hofeling

Director of Photography: David Makin

Directed by: Paul Hoen

Produced by: Amy Gibbons

Written by: Eric Daniel and Don D. Scott

Casting by: Sally Stiner and Barbie Block

Costume Designer: Mona May

Songs:

"Make a Joyful Noise"
Written and Produced by Dapo Torimiro and Jay L'Oreal
Produced by Dapo Torimiro

"Tonight's the Night"
Written by Toby Gad, Lindy Robbins, David Banner and J-Doe
Produced by Toby Gad

"Self Defeat"
Written by Antonina Armato, Tim James, In-Q, Thomas Armato Sturges and Jon Vella
Produced by Tim James and Antonina Armato

"Don't Run Away"
Written by Antonina Armato, Tim James, In-Q, Thomas Armato Sturges and Jon Vella
Produced by Tim James and Antonina Armato

"What I Said"
Written by Lambert "Stereo" Waldrip, Justin Mobley, Anna Vasilenko, Tocarra Phillips and Steven Jones
Produced by Lambert "Stereo" Waldrip

"You Belong to Me"
Written by Antonina Armato, Tim James, In-Q, Thomas Armato Sturges and Jon Vella
Produced by Tim James and Antonina Armato

"Guardian Angel"
Written by Antonina Armato, Tim James, In-Q, Thomas Armato Sturges and Jon Vella
Produced by Tim James and Antonina Armato

"Around the Block"
Written by Antonina Armato, Tim James, In-Q, Thomas Armato Sturges and Jon Vella
Produced by Tim James and Antonina Armato

"Good to be Home"
Written and Produced by Adam Watts and Andy Dodd

"Me and You"
Written by Toby Gad, Lindy Robbins and Adam Hicks
Produced by Toby Gad

"Moment of Truth"
Written by Antonina Armato, Tim James, In-Q, Thomas Armato Sturges and Jon Vella
Produced by Tim James and Antonina Armato

"Let It Shine"
Written by Antonina Armato, Tim James, In-Q, Thomas Armato Sturges and Jon Vella
Produced by Tim James and Antonina Armato

Production Company: GWAVE Productions, LLC

Press Contact: Rachel Fox
(818) 569-3309
Rachel.H.Fox@disney.com

PAUL HOEN
Director

Paul Hoen is the director of the Disney Channel Original Movie "Let It Shine," a modern day teenage Cyrano de Bergerac set in the world of gospel music and hip-hop.

Hoen won a prestigious DGA Award from his peers at the Directors Guild of America for the DCOM "Jump In!" starring Corbin Bleu and Keke Palmer. Its premiere drew 8.2 million Total Viewers, the most ever for a DCOM at the time. He was also nominated for a DGA Award for "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam," which was 2010's No. 1 cable TV movie of the year in Total Viewers and TV's No. 1 movie among Tweens 9-14.

Among other titles in the DCOM franchise that Hoen has directed are "The Cheetah Girls One World," filmed entirely in India and also nominated for a DGA Award, the comedy adventure "Dadnapped," "Read It and Weep," "Eddie's Million Dollar Cook-Off," "You Wish!," "Luck of the Irish" and "Tru Confessions," winner of a Media Access Award.

Other directorial credits include Disney Channel's "JONAS L.A.," "Zeke and Luther" and "Even Stevens," as well as "Roundhouse," "The Secret World of Alex Mack," "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," "Cousin Skeeter," "The Jersey," "Just for Kicks," "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" and "Just Jordan."

Hoen has been nominated for two other DGA Awards -- bringing the total to four -- for the series "Even Stevens" in 2002 and for the ABC Family movie "Searching for David's Heart" in 2005, for which he also received the Humanitas Prize. He has also directed several episodes of "South of Nowhere," which received a GLAAD Award nomination for Best Teen Drama.

Hoen studied drama, film and television at the University of Santa Clara in California.

TYLER JAMES WILLIAMS
"Cyrus DeBarge"

Tyler James Williams stars as Cyrus DeBarge, a gifted rapper full of self-doubt, in "Let It Shine," a Disney Channel Original Movie.

Williams is perhaps best known for his starring role on the Emmy and NAACP Image Award-winning series, "Everybody Hates Chris," for which he won the 2007 NAACP Image Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.

Williams can be seen next in Tyler Perry's film, "We The Peeples." He also starred in the feature film "Unaccompanied Minors." He began acting at the age of four on "Sesame Street," and later co-starred in the animated series "Little Bill." Additional television credits include "Law & Order: SVU" and numerous appearances in sketches on "Saturday Night Live."

In his free time, Williams enjoys playing basketball and watching his favorite team, the Miami Heat. He also plays the drums and guitar.

Born October 9 in New York, Williams currently resides in Los Angeles with his mom, dad, and brothers Tylen and Tyrel, and their Silky Terrier, "Benny 'Ruff-Neck' Williams."

COCO JONES
"Roxanne Andrews"

Coco Jones stars as Roxanne Andrews, a fast-rising music star, in "Let It Shine," a Disney Channel Original Movie.

Jones is a 13-year-old pop singer and rapper, delivering hip-hop and upbeat pop tunes through her versatile voice talents. She was a featured artist in Season Three of Radio Disney's "N.B.T." (Next BIG Thing), a popular musical talent showcase that puts the spotlight on aspiring young recording artists and provides them with the chance to showcase their music across national broadcast and online platforms.

Most recently Jones guest starred and performed in Disney Channel's series "So Random!," performing her single, "Stand Up." In summer 2011, she headlined a series of Radio Disney concerts, including an appearance at Radio Disney's Birthday Jam at the Hard Rock CafŽ featuring Cody Simpson. In addition, she has performed at festivals, malls and theatres across the country.

In 2009 Jones performed the National Anthem twice at National Football League Games. She has lent her vocal talents to the Bleve Records compilation CD, singing a powerful rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Chain, Chain, Chain" with renowned Motown group "The Funk Brothers." She will be recording her debut album in 2012.

Born January 4, 1998 in Columbia, South Carolina and raised in Tennessee, Jones is a lover of all types of music. Her musical influences range from Aretha Franklin to Jennifer Hudson. In her spare time she enjoys working out, playing video games, shopping and spending time with her friends.

Jones currently resides outside of Nashville with her family.

TREVOR JACKSON
"Kris McDuffy"

Trevor Jackson stars as Kris McDuffy, a thrilling dancer with a larger than life personality and Cyrus' flighty best friend, in "Let It Shine," a Disney Channel Original Movie.

Jackson's television credits include "Harry's Law," "Cold Case" and "Eureka." Additionally he has appeared in national commercials for Microsoft, NBA, Target, Sony PSP, T-Mobile and American Family Insurance.

Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, at age three Jackson knew he wanted to be an entertainer and started performing in regional productions throughout the Midwest. He went on to star in "Beef and Boards Christmas," which led to his performance at the legendary Apollo Theater on "Showtime at the Apollo." From there Jackson landed the role of Young Simba in the Broadway National Tour of Disney's "The Lion King," which he performed for three years. He recently wrapped production on the feature film "A Beautiful Soul."

In addition to performing, Jackson enjoys playing basketball, skateboarding and surfing, as well as teaching Capoeira (Brazilian Martial Arts).

He was born August 30 and currently resides in Burbank, California.

COURTNEY B. VANCE
"Jacob DeBarge"

Courtney B. Vance stars as Jacob DeBarge, Cyrus' preacher father who opposes his passion for hip-hop music, in "Let It Shine," a Disney Channel Original Movie.

Vance stars in the feature film musical "Joyful Noise," alongside Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, as well as "Final Destination 5" and "The Divide." His additional film credits include "The Hunt for Red October," "The Preacher's Wife," "Space Cowboys," "Cookie's Fortune," "Hurricane Season" and "Nothing But the Truth."

His television credits include series regular roles on "FlashForward" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," for which he received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. Additionally, he had recurring roles on "The Closer" and "ER." Other distinguished performances include "Blind Faith," which earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination, and "The Piano Lesson," for which he was nominated for a Cable Ace Award. In addition to voicing the 2009 NFL Brand Campaign, he also starred in the acclaimed made for television movies "The Tuskegee Airmen" and "Twelve Angry Man."

Vance was nominated for a Tony Award for his performances in "Six Degrees of Separation" and "Fences," received a Theatre World Award and Clarence Derwent Award for his role in "Fences," and was the recipient of an Obie Award for his work in "My Children! My Africa!" He and his wife, Angela Bassett, returned to the stage in 2005 in "His Girl Friday" at Minneapolis' renowned Guthrie Theater.

A native of Detroit, Vance is a graduate of Harvard College and the Yale School of Drama. He is an Ambassador for the Boys and Girl Club of America and, along with his wife, a UNICEF Ambassador. Both are longtime members of West Angeles Church of God in Christ and serve on the board of Bishop Blake's orphan care initiative, Save Africa's Children. He and his wife also formed Bassett/Vance Productions and their first venture, "UNITED STATES," marks Bassett's directorial debut. The couple resides in Southern California with their twins, Bronwyn and Slater.

DAWNN LEWIS
"Gail DeBarge"

Dawnn Lewis stars as Gail DeBarge, Cyrus' mother and the wife of preacher Jacob DeBarge, in "Let It Shine," a Disney Channel Original Movie.

Lewis is best known for her starring roles on the hit television series "A Different World" and "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper." She has had recurring roles on "The Secret Life of An American Teenager," "One Tree Hill" and "Any Day Now" and guest starred on "Reed Between The Lines," "NYPD Blue" and "Girlfriends." Additionally, she has lent her voice to an array of animated television series including "The Cleveland Show," "The Life & Times of Tim," "Futurama," "King of the Hill," "The Boondocks," "The X-Men" and "Spiderman," among others.

Most recently, she appeared in the feature film, "The Preacher's Kid." She also appeared in "Dreamgirls," in addition to the animated films, "Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder" and "Dino Mom."

Lewis has also starred in a variety of theatre productions including "The Wiz," "Norman's Ark" and "Love Sweet Love." For her role in "Sister Act: The Musical," Lewis received the Best Actress Fred Award and Best Actress Suzi Award nomination. She was also honored with the 2008 Integrity Award from the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival.

A Grammy Award-winning singer and multiple ASCAP & BMI Award-winning songwriter, Lewis started her own record label, Morning Jewel Music, releasing her debut CD, Worth Waiting For. She has recorded with or composed for Everett Harp, Patrice Rushen, Vanessa Williams, Nancy Wilson, Take 6, Weyman Tisdale, Grover Washington Jr, Quincy Jones and Tom Scott, to name a few.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Lewis is on the National Advisory Board of the National Center for Civil & Human Rights and is in her third term on the SAG National Board of Directors, while continuing to serve as Chairman of the SAG Singers Committee. She mentors youth across the country by giving motivational lectures and lending her support to: The United Negro College Fund; American Cancer Society; The March of Dimes; Youth Entertainment Studios; the Inner City Games; Campfire Boys and Girls; The United States Conference on AIDS; The K.I.S. Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease; The NBA/WNBA, among others.

Single father George only wants the best for his 16-year-old daughter, Tessa. So when he finds a box of condoms on her nightstand, he moves them both out of their apartment in New York City to a house in the suburbs. But all Tessa sees is the horror of over-manicured lawns and plastic Franken-moms. Being in the ‘burbs can be hell, but it also may just bring Tessa and George closer than they’ve ever been.

Tessa (Jane Levy) and George (Jeremy Sisto) have been on their own ever since Tessa’s mom pulled a “Kramer vs. Kramer” before Tessa was even potty trained. So far George has done a pretty good job of raising Tessa without a maternal figure in their lives, but suddenly he’s feeling a little out of his league. So it’s goodbye New York City and hello suburbs. At first Tessa is horrified by the big-haired, fake-boobed mothers and their sugar-free, Red Bull-chugging kids. But little by little, she and her dad begin finding a way to survive on the clean streets of the ‘burbs. Sure, the neighbors might smother you with love while their kids stare daggers at your back, but underneath all that plastic and caffeine, they’re really not half bad. And they do make a tasty pot roast.

The show stars Jeremy Sisto (“Law & Order”) as George Altman, Jane Levy (“Shameless”) as Tessa Altman, Carly Chaikin (“The Last Song”) as Dalia Royce, Rex Lee (“Entourage”) as Mr. Wolfe, Allie Grant (“Weeds”) as Lisa Shay, Alan Tudyk (“V”) as Noah Werner, Cheryl Hines (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) as Dallas Royce and Ana Gasteyer (“Saturday Night Live”) as Sheila Shay. Jay Mohr appears in the recurring role as Steven Royce, Dallas’ husband.

Emily Kapnek (“Hung”) writes and executive-produces this bitingly ironic single-camera comedy. “Suburgatory” was directed by Michael Fresco (“Raising Hope”), who also executive-produced the pilot. It is produced by Warner Bros. Television.

“Suburgatory” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

EMILY KAPNEK, executive producer

Emily Kapnek was born and raised in New York City, but for a brief stint she lived in Larchmont, a suburb just outside the city. The years she spent there, and the subsequent culture shock, would become the basis for ABC's "Suburgatory." Kapnek moved to Los Angeles in 1997 when her first pilot, "As Told By Ginger," was picked up for series at Nickelodeon. After three seasons and three Emmy nominations, she transitioned into writing for live-action TV. Since then she has worked on several programs, including "Hung" for HBO and "Parks and Recreation" for NBC.

Kapnek has two children, Oszkar and Guy. Her husband, Dan Lagana, is also a writer.

JEREMY SISTO
George Altman on ABC's "Suburgatory"

Jeremy Sisto is probably best known for playing Billy Chenowith on Alan Ball's "Six Feet Under" for five years, a role which Ball wrote for him. Last year he finished a three year run on "Law & Order" as Detective Cyrus Lupo. He was also the lead in the short-lived but critically acclaimed Jason Smilovic show, "Kidnapped," and played the title role in the two miniseries "Jesus" and "Julius Caesar." Sisto makes his first foray into single-camera comedy "Suburgatory."

Sisto's film credits are eclectic and date back to the early '90s with titles such as "Grand Canyon," "Clueless," "Hideaway," "Moonlight and Valentino," "White Squall," "Without Limits," "Suicide Kings," "Thirteen," "Wrong Turn" and "Waitress." He is in two upcoming releases, "As Cool as I Am" with Claire Danes and James Marsden, and "Robot and Frank" with Frank Langella and Liv Tyler. He co-wrote the story and will star in the film "Break Point," a dramedy set in the professional doubles tennis world, produced by Smuggler Entertainment.

Sisto's Los Angeles theater credits include "Take Me Out" (the role earned him a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Featured Performance), Sidney Kingsley's "Dead End" at the Ahmanson Theater, and the one-man show "Sanguine" at the 2nd Stage. In New York he made his Broadway debut in "Festen," a stage adaptation of Thomas Vinterberg's film "The Celebration," and he recently finished Beau Willimon's "Spirit Control" at the Manhattan Theater Club - a story that explores one man's 30-year struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Sisto also starred with Brian Dennehy in Bertolt Brecht's "Galileo" in Chicago. The play was directed by Robert Falls.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Chicago, IL
BIRTHDATE October 6

JANE LEVY
Tessa Altman on ABC's "Suburgatory"

Jane Levy grew up in Northern California. Though the acting bug bit her early on (she starred in community theater productions of "Annie" and "The Wizard of Oz") in high school, she was the captain of the varsity soccer team and on the hip hop dance team. She also excelled in chemistry.

After a semester in the liberal arts program at Baltimore's Goucher College, Levy moved to New York to pursue acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory. Two years later she moved to Los Angeles, and in a few weeks booked a five-episode arc as a trampy teen vixen in the John Wells Showtime series, "Shameless" (with William H. Macy). A round of general meetings with film and television executives led to her being cast as the lead in "Suburgatory."

Levy also recently appeared in her first feature, "Nobody Walks," written and directed by the team behind "Tiny Future," and she is currently shooting Josh Schwartz's debut feature film, "Fun Size," with Victoria Justice and Chelsea Handler.

Levy lives in Los Angeles and enjoys cooking.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Los Angeles, CA

CARLY CHAIKIN
Dalia Royce on ABC's "Suburgatory"

Carly Chaikin made her big screen debut in "The Last Song" starring alongside Greg Kinnear, Kelly Preston, Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus. She also appeared in the independent comedies "The Consultants" and "My Uncle Rafael."

More recently Chaikin wrapped on the indy horror film "Escapee," in which she starred with Dominic Purcell and Faith Ford.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Santa Monica, CA
BIRTHDATE March 26

REX LEE
Mr. Wolfe on ABC's "Suburgatory"

Rex Lee plays Lloyd, the engaging and extremely funny assistant to Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven), on HBO's "Entourage." When Lee landed the role, it was a four-episode arc. His portrayal of Lloyd was so well received that the role was expanded and he was added as a series regular. The hit show returned this summer for its eighth and final season.

In addition to receiving three SAG Award cast nominations, Lee's performance won him the 2007 and 2008 Asian Excellence Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in Television and the "KoreAm" Achievement in Entertainment Award in 2007.

Lee has a solid background in theatre and has several independent features to his credit, including the '08 ensemble comedy "Shades of Ray." He has guest starred in a number of TV shows, including "Dave's World," "Son of the Beach," "Lucky" and "Andy Richter Controls the Universe," and has appeared in numerous commercials.

Born in Warren, Ohio, Lee has been a Southern California resident since age nine. He studied music and theatre at Oberlin, where he received his BA, and returned to Southern California to pursue his career as an actor.

Early in his career Lee took jobs in retail and worked at a coffee house by day while acting in local theatre at night. While co-starring in such productions as the controversial AIDS polemic, "Queen of Angels," the revival of Charles Ludlam's "Camille" and "Letters to a Student Revolutionary" at East/West Players, Lee discovered how art can make lasting statements and generate debate about important issues. This experience shaped his passion for significant and controversial work.

Lee currently resides in Los Angeles.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Warren, OH
BIRTHDATE January 7

ALLIE GRANT
Lisa Shay on ABC's "Suburgatory"

Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Allie Grant has wanted to be an actress for as long as she can remember. At the age of 10 she was cast in the role of Isabella Hodes on the Showtime hit "Weeds," and shares 2007 and 2009 Screen Actors Guild nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Grant played Elizabeth Perkins' daughter on the show for five seasons.

In 2009 Grant had her stage debut in "How I Learned to Drive" at The Chandler Theatre Studio, North Hollywood. She played the role of 11 Year Old Lil'Bit. She has also guest starred on "Private Practice."

Grant is valedictorian of her high school graduating class of 2011. She will attend Harvard's Summer Program before shooting "Suburgatory" for ABC, in which she plays a socially awkward teen who befriends the series' lead.

Grant is 17 years old and resides in Los Angeles.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Miami Beach, FL
BIRTHDATE September 21

ALAN TUDYK
Noah Werner con ABC's "Suburgatory"

Alan Tudyk recently completed work in Fox's "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," playing Stephen A. Douglas, and will be seen in Paramount's feature film, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," playing the role of Dutch.

Tudyk quickly became a sought-after comedic actor following films like "Knocked Up," "28 Days," "A Knight's Tale" and "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story." Additional film credits include "3:10 to Yuma," "Death at a Funeral," "I, Robot," "Beautiful Boy," ""Serenity," "Ice Age: The Meltdown" and "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown."

On Broadway Tudyk appeared opposite Kristin Chenoweth in "Epic Proportions," played Lancelot with the original cast in Monty Python's "Spamalot," and more recently played the lead role of Peter in "Prelude to a Kiss," opposite John Mahoney. Additional television credits include "Firefly" and "Dollhouse" for creator Joss Whedon, "Arrested Development" and "Strangers with Candy."

Tudyk is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard Conservatory and grew up in Plano, Texas.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Plano, TX
BIRTHDATE March 16

CHERYL HINES
Dallas Royce on ABC's "Suburgatory"

Actress, producer and director Cheryl Hines is a two-time Emmy nominee for her role as Cheryl David on HBO's Golden Globe Award-winning series, "Curb Your Enthusiasm," the brainchild of "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David.

Hines' most recent television project was as executive producer of the NBC Television Series "School Pride," a proactive, alternative series that told the stories of communities coming together to renovate their aging and broken public schools. The cameras followed students, teachers and parents as they rolled up their sleeves and rebuilt their own schools, concluding with the unveiling of a brand new, completely transformed school.

Hines' feature film directorial debut, "Serious Moonlight," was released through Magnolia Films and premiered to critical acclaim at the Tribeca Film Festival. The screenplay was written by the late Adrienne Shelly, who directed Hines in "Waitress, " and centers on the troubled marriage of a high-powered female attorney (played by Meg Ryan) who learns that her husband (Timothy Hutton) is about to leave her for another woman.

Additional television projects included a major story arc on ABC's drama series "Brothers & Sisters" and a starring role opposite Megan Mullally in ABC's "In the Motherhood," a single camera comedy series chronicling the hilarious ups and downs of motherhood.

Hines has also produced and directed various television projects, including the award-winning comedy series "Campus Ladies" for the Oxygen Channel and the Starz Network's original comedy series "Hollywood Residential."

One of Hollywood's busiest film actresses, Hines has had starring roles in a number of critically acclaimed feature films and box office hits, including "The Ugly Truth," "RV," "Waitress," "The Grand" and "Bart Got a Room."

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Miami Beach, FL
BIRTHDATE September 21

ANA GASTEYER
Sheila Shay on ABC's "Suburgatory"

Ana Gasteyer is best known for her incomparable work on "Saturday Night Live." During her six-year stint, she created some of the most famous "SNL" characters, including middle school music teacher Bobbie Moughan-Culp, NPR radio host Margaret Jo, Lilith Fair poetess Cinder Calhoun, as well as spot-on impressions of Martha Stewart, Celine Dion and Hillary Rodham Clinton. She recently returned to "SNL" as Margaret Jo in "NPR’S Delicious Dish" and the now infamous "Muffin Top" sketch with Betty White, which Gasteyer created and wrote. She also recently appeared opposite Larry David in the latest season of HBO’s "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

On stage, Gasteyer made her triumphant Broadway debut as Columbia in "The Rocky Horror Show." Since then, she has earned raves as Elphaba in "Wicked" on Broadway, and originated the role for the Chicago production, earning a Jefferson Award nomination. Other New York theater credits include the Tony-nominated Broadway productions of "The Royal Family," directed by Doug Hughes, "The Threepenny Opera," with Alan Cumming and Jim Dale, Eve Ensler’s acclaimed Off-Broadway hit, "The Vagina Monologues," and Manhattan Theatre Club’s hit production of "Kimberly Akimbo," by celebrated playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. Gasteyer starred as Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl"at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera; as Fosca in Gary Griffin’s production of Sondheim’s "Passion" at The Chicago Shakespeare Theater, earning a Jefferson Award nomination for her performance; and co-starred in the one-night-only, star-studded Actors Fund benefit concerts of "Funny Girl," "Hair" and "A Centennial Celebration of Frank Loesser." In additon she can be heard on the Actor’s Fund Recording of Hair and the Reefer Madness Soundtrack. Other theatrical credits include the national tour of "The Real Live Brady Bunch," as well as productions of "The Odyssesy" and "The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci," both directed by by Mary Zimmerman.

Prior to joining "SNL," Gasteyer honed her comedy skills at "The Groundlings," the famed Los Angeles improv-sketch comedy group.

On film she has been seen in "Dare," "Mean Girls," "The Women," "What Women Want," "Woman on Top," "Dick," and "What’s the Worst that Could Happen?" Television credits include "The Good Wife," "Chuck," Showtime’s "Reefer Madness," "Frasier," "Just Shoot Me," "3rd Rock from the Sun," "NYPD Blue," "Mad About You," "Law & Order," "Party of Five," " Seinfeld" (the "Soup Nazi" episode), as well as guest hosting "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn," "Live with Regis" and "The Rosie O’Donnell Show."

Upcoming, Gasteyer will be seen in Sean Anders’ "I Hate You, Dad," co-starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg and James Caan; the Tyler Perry produced film "We the Peeples," opposite
Kerry Washington, David Alan Grier, Melvin Van Peebles and Diahann Carroll; the Lionsgate film "Rapturepalooza," with Anna Kendrick and Rob Corddry; and Paramount’s "Fun Size," with Johnny Knoxville, Victoria Justica and Chelsea Handler for director Josh Schwartz.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Washington, DC
BIRTHDATE May 4

Paul Lee is president, ABC Entertainment Group, a position he has held since July 2010. In this role Lee has oversight of all creative and business operations for ABC Studios and Times Square Studios, as well as all development, programming, marketing and scheduling operations for ABC Entertainment. He reports to Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group.

During the 2010-11 season, ABC claimed TV's No. 1 comedy ("Modern Family") and the No. 1 drama ("Grey's Anatomy") in Adults 18-49, as well as the most-watched new show overall ("Body of Proof"). In addition, ABC had six of the season's Top 15 highest-rated series with Upscale Adults 18-49, more than any other network.

For the 2011-12 season, Mr. Lee shepherded in 13 new series, working with some of the industry's biggest names, including Tim Allen in "Last Man Standing," Darren Star ("Sex in the City") for "G.C.B.," Ashley Judd in "Missing," Steven Spielberg for "The River," "Lost" writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz for "Once Upon a Time" and Shonda Rhimes for "Scandal."

In December 2011, Mr. Lee was given oversight of the newly-formed Times Square Studios, an integrated current entertainment programming and development division that produces non-scripted lifestyle and health content for daytime and syndication.

Prior to becoming president of ABC Entertainment Group, Lee led ABC Family from 2004-2010, where he revitalized the cable channel with an ambitious slate of original and acquired programs. In conceiving the mission of the network, he launched a plan to target the young adult Millennial audience on multiple platforms with relatable programming like "Kyle XY," "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," "Pretty Little Liars," "Greek," "Make It Or Break It" and "Huge." The network is also home to the biggest programming event on cable with "25 Days of Christmas." Under Lee, ABC Family had an amazing six+ years of consecutive growth.

ABC Family also made the most of new platforms to connect viewers with content. The industry recognized this push for creativity and innovation on this front by awarding ABC Family a 2007 Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Television, as well as an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media the following year.

Prior to joining ABC Family, Lee was chief executive officer and founder of BBC America, and was responsible for the development and launch of the company in March 1998, starting as general manager and then chief operating officer. During his tenure, the hit comedy series "The Office" (British version) garnered two Golden Globes. Other shows under his supervision included the BBC's "Changing Rooms," which formatted into TLC's signature show, "Trading Spaces," "What Not to Wear" and the "Graham Norton Show."

Before arriving stateside, Lee spent several years at the BBC, ultimately serving as channel editor for BBC Prime, the company's 24-hour entertainment channel.

Lee started his career as a reporter assigned to Belfast, Northern Ireland, at a particularly critical period in the conflict. Upon returning to London, he segued into entertainment, where he became a producer, director and showrunner, going on to earn a BAFTA and a BANFF Award for the BBC documentary series Arena for his portrait of Woody Guthrie.

In 1990 Lee branched out into drama, traveling to Moscow to direct and produce "Oblomov," starring George Wendt of "Cheers" fame. He also produced, directed and wrote TV movies. Before joining the BBC in 1984, Lee worked as an assistant production manager on novelas at the Brazilian national network Rede Globo in Rio de Janeiro.

Lee holds an MA in Modern Languages (Portuguese and Russian) from Oxford University in England.

After a naïve Midwestern girl’s big city dreams are dashed during her first week in New York, she finds herself living with her worst nightmare in this hilarious, contemporary comedy about a female odd couple who are surrounded by an outrageous cast of characters.

June (Dreama Walker) moves to Manhattan for a dream job and the perfect company apartment, only to have them disappear in a puff of reality, thanks to a CEO from the Bernie Madoff school of embezzlement. Deep in debt and out on the streets, June scrambles to land a job and a place to live. It seems that her luck has turned when she gets hired at a coffee shop and finds Chloe (Krysten Ritter), a charming, vivacious roommate – but with the morals of a pirate. Chloe soon swindles June out of all her savings, but she and her snarky friend, James Van Der Beek (playing himself), come to learn that, just because June’s naïve, she isn’t stupid. June ingeniously turns the tables on Chloe, who is so shocked about being scammed herself that she decides to pull June into her colorful band of friends. Sure, it’s all dysfunctional, bizarre and overwhelming, but so is New York City. And with the help of Chloe and the other oddballs around her, June might just learn the survival secrets she needs to make it there.

"Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" stars Krysten Ritter ("Breaking Bad," "Gilmore Girls") as Chloe, Dreama Walker ("The Good Wife," "Gossip Girl") as June, Liza Lapira ("Crazy, Stupid, Love") as Robin, Michael Blaiklock ("Secret Girlfriend") as Eli, Eric André (The Invention of Lying") as Mark and James Van Der Beek ("Varsity Blues," "Dawson’s Creek") as James Van Der Beek.

Created and written by Nahnatchka Khan ("American Dad"), "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" is executive-produced by Khan, David Hemingson ("American Dad," "How I Met Your Mother") and Jeff Morton ("Modern Family"). Jason Winer ("Modern Family") directed and executive-produced on the pilot. "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" is a production of 20th Century Fox Television.

NAHNATCHKA KHAN, creator and executive producer

Nahnatchka Khan attended the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television. She got her start in children’s television, then transitioned to primetime, where her credits include "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Good Morning, Miami." She has been on "American Dad" since its inception, most recently serving as executive producer, and was signed to an overall deal at Twentieth Century Fox. " Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" is the first series she’s created.

DAVID HEMINGSON, executive producer

David Hemingson has had the good fortune of working with some of the best writers in television on such shows as "Just Shoot Me," "Family Guy" and "How I Met Your Mother." He has gone on to create and executive-produce the Fox series "Kitchen Confidential," based on Anthony Bourdain’s best-selling memoir about a bad boy chef’s adventures in the culinary underbelly. The pilot received a WGA Award nomination for Best Comedy Teleplay. Hemingson also created and executive-produced the ABC series "The Deep End," about five earnest, twenty-something, first-year associates fighting to stay afloat in the shark tank that is the "winningest law firm on the West coast." Most recently Hemingson executive-produced the critically lauded Fox comedy "Traffic Light." 

Originally from New Haven, Connecticut, Hemingson currently resides in Los Angeles. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Yale College and holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law. 

JEFF MORTON, executive producer

Jeff Morton is co-executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning ABC comedy series "Modern Family." Over the last few years, he has been developing a model to allow writers/actors/directors a better way to tell their stories in the single camera comedy format. "Modern Family" is proof there are new ways to produce a television series. Morton has won both an Emmy and Producers Guild Award for "Modern Family."

Morton began his career working in development and talent management, and then segued into a producing career. He has produced 10 network television series, including "Traffic Light" for Fox, "Kitchen Confidential," starring Bradley Cooper, "Jake in Progress," starring John Stamos, along with dozens of television movies and miniseries. He has also produced a few of the best pilots never seen, and some that were lucky not to be seen.

KRYSTEN RITTER
Chloe on ABC’s "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23"

With her model looks and quirky style, actress Krysten Ritter is building an impressive body of work that encompasses both film and television. She will next be seen in Paramount’s "Killing Bono," with Ben Barnes, chronicling the early days of U2 from a rival band’s perspective. She also stars in the indie comedy "L!fe Happens," which she co-wrote and co-produced with director Kat Coiro, and which stars Kate Bosworth and Rachel Bilson.

Ritter has completed work on Amy Heckerling’s comedy, "Vamps," with Alicia Silverstone, about two young vampires in New York who have to gamble their immortality when they find love. She also recently wrapped production on the indie drama "Refuge," based on the stage play of the same title, written and directed by Jessica Goldberg and starring Brian Geraghty, Madeleine Martin and Logan Huffman.

Other film credits include starring alongside Jay Baruchel and Alice Eve in the Dreamworks’ comedy "She’s Out of My League," the Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer film "Confessions of a Shopaholic," opposite Isla Fisher, "What Happens in Vegas" with Ashton Kutcher, and "27 Dresses" with Katherine Heigl, in addition to numerous independent features.

On television, Ritter starred on the second season of AMC’s critically-acclaimed drama, "Breaking Bad," in the Starz original dark comedy, "Gravity," as well as in "Gilmore Girls," "Gossip Girl" and "Veronica Mars."

On the writing side, in addition to "L!fe Happens," Ritter has written and co-written several feature and TV scripts which are currently at various stages of development and production.

In theatre, she starred this past Summer in Zach Braff’s new play, "All New People," at the Second Stage Theater, alongside Justin Bartha. Other theater credits include "All This Intimacy" at 2econd Stage Theatre, and the 2006 "24 Hour Plays" at the Signature Theatre.

Ritter is a member of a rock band called Ex Vivian, which produced songs for a number of her projects, including "BFF & Baby," "Gravity," "The Last International Playboy" and "Buzzkill." She began her career as a client of Elite Model Management.

She currently splits her time between NY and LA.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Bloomsburg, PA
BIRTHDATE December 16

DREAMA WALKER
June on ABC’s "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23"

Dreama Walker is best known for her recurring character, Hazel Williams, on "Gossip Girl." Her work in ABC’s upcoming "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" represents her first major starring role on a primetime network television series.

With an already impressive list of credits to her name, Walker was most recently seen as a recurring character on the Emmy-nominated CBS drama, "The Good Wife." She has also guest-starred on "Mercy," "Ugly Betty," "Royal Pains" and "Law & Order," and played the lead in the Lifetime miniseries "Seven Deadly Sins" in 2010.

On the big screen, Walker played the granddaughter of Clint Eastwood’s character in the critically lauded "Gran Torino," directed and produced by the legendary Eastwood. She also appeared in "The Invention of Lying," with Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner, and just completed production on two independent films, "Chlorine," starring Kyra Sedgwick and Tom Sizemore, and "Compliance," opposite Ann Dowd and Pat Healy. Walker will next be seen alongside Jonah Hill in "The Sitter," set for release in December 2011.

She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Tampa, FL
BIRTHDATE June 20

LIZA LAPIRA
Robin on ABC’s "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23"

Liza Lapira began her career doing workshops and Off-Broadway plays with various theater companies, including Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, The Play Company and New Dramatists. Her theater credits include "As You Like It," "School for Wives," "The Odyssey" and "No. 11 (Blue and White)."

Lapira’s first television series regular role was as Maggie, Oliver Platt’s long-suffering assistant on the cable series "Huff." Most recently she played neuroscientist Ivy on Joss Whedon’s "Dollhouse." She has also had recurring roles on "Dexter," "ER," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "NCIS."

Film credits include Tony Scott’s "Domino," the independent feature "The Big Bad Swim," J.J. Abrams’ "Cloverfield," "21," "Fast & Furious" and "Repo Men." Lapira was most recently seen in "Crazy, Stupid, Love," opposite Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Kevin Bacon and Ryan Gosling.

Lapira is a proud supporter of LA’s BEST, an after-school enrichment program in conjunction with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Originally from Queens, NY, she currently divides her time between New York and Los Angeles.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Queens, NY
BIRTHDATE December 3

MICHAEL BLAIKLOCK
Eli on ABC’s "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23"

Michael Blaiklock was born and raised in Ashland, Massachusetts. A proud graduate of Emerson College in Boston, he began performing improv and sketch comedy with the acclaimed on-campus group, The Swolen Monkey Showcase.

Moving west in 2006, Blaiklock began performing at the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, where he still performs regularly with his sketch group, A Kiss from Daddy, the Harold Team Arts & Atheletics, and as a cast member of the fully improvised Twitter Show. Blaiklock has starred on HBO’s comedy "Hung," Comedy Central’s "Secret Girlfriend" and FX’s hit comedy, "It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia." He also co-starred in the Sony feature comedy "Fired Up."

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Ashland, MA
BIRTHDATE November 14

ERIC ANDRE
Mark on ABC’s "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23"

Originally from Boca Raton, Florida, actor/comedian Eric Andre now lives in Los Angeles (by way of New York) and performs live almost every night of the week. He brings a manic energy to the stage, combining autobiographical experience with experimental psychedelic rambling.

Andre has traveled the country performing stand-up at clubs, colleges and festivals. His numerous television appearances as a stand-up include "The Awkward Kings" and "Russell Simmons Presents Stand-Up at the El Rey" on Comedy Central, and "Lopez Tonight" on TBS.

In addition to his series regular role on ABC’s "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23," Andre just shot his own pilot, "The Eric Andre Show," for Adult Swim/Cartoon Network.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Boca Raton, FL
BIRTHDATE April 4

JAMES VAN DER BEEK
James on ABC’s "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23"

At age 20, James Van Der Beek burst onto the world scene as the title character in the hit television show "Dawson’s Creek," a groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that ran for six years, established the fledgling WB Network, and is now syndicated globally. On the feature film front, he anchored the sports classic "Varsity Blues," and subverted his teen idol image to great dramatic effect in Oscar winner Roger Avary’s "The Rules of Attraction," based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel.

Born in Connecticut to a professional baseball player and a former dancer, Van Der Beek grew up playing sports until a concussion sidelined him from football at age 13. He took the opportunity to do a play in his hometown of Cheshire, and fell in love with performing. He first began working professionally on the New York stage at age 16, with three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Albee in the NY premiere of his play, "Finding the Sun," which garnered rave reviews.

After more stage work and a few films, Van Der Beek took a break from acting to study English and Sociology on an academic scholarship at Drew University. It was toward the end of his sophomore year that he landed his big break on "Dawson’s Creek." The runaway success of the show and the subsequent movies he filmed during hiatus landed him on People Magazine’s "50 Most Beautiful" list, Premiere Magazine’s "100 most Powerful in Hollywood" list, earned him an MTV Movie Award (for "Varsity Blues"), and even got him a hosting gig on the legendary "Saturday Night Live," which provided a showcase for his before-then-untapped comedic chops.

Since the conclusion of "Dawson’s Creek," Van Der Beek has displayed an impressive dramatic range in numerous TV and film roles, portraying everything from a killer with multiple personality disorder in the two-hour "Criminal Minds"TV event; an FBI agent with an unshakeable moral compass in the independent film "Formosa Betrayed" (for which he and the film both won top prizes at the San Diego Film Festival); and an aging, balding former Mr. Teen Winnipeg on "How I Met Your Mother." Most recently he was seen in the NBC medical drama "Mercy" as Dr. Joe Briggs, and completed filming the feature "The Big Bang," opposite Antonio Banderas. Up next, Van Der Beek will be seen guest starring on the TNT series "Franklin & Bash"and as a series regular in the ABC comedy "Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23."

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Cheshire, CT
BIRTHDATE March 8

Paranormal thriller "The River" follows the story of world famous wildlife expert and TV personality Dr. Emmet Cole, host of the beloved series "The Undiscovered Country." After Cole goes missing deep in the Amazon, his family, friends and crew set out on a mysterious and deadly journey to find him. Led by his wife, Tess, and estranged son, Lincoln, the rescue mission will take them deep into the unexplored reaches on the Amazon River. A place where nature is cruel, magic is real, and nothing is what it seems.

Famed explorer Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood) went looking for magic deep in the uncharted Amazon and never returned. The shocking truth about his disappearance is out there, waiting to be discovered. To the millions of kids who grew up watching his show, Dr. Cole was a hero. To his own son, Lincoln (Joe Anderson), he was more of an enigma. Now, six months after he vanished, Lincoln is finally ready to bury the past when Dr. Cole’s emergency beacon suddenly goes off. At the urging of his mother, Tess (Leslie Hope), Lincoln reluctantly joins her on a search for his father. To fund the rescue, they agree to let Dr. Cole’s cagey ex-producer, Clark (Paul Blackthorne), film the mission documentary-style. The mixed crew of old friends and new acquaintances includes the alluring and resourceful Lena (Eloise Mumford), loyal mechanic Emilio (Daniel Zacapa) and lethal bodyguard Captain Kurt Brynildson (Thomas Kretschmann).

"The River" stars Bruce Greenwood ("Star Trek") as Dr. Emmet Cole, Joe Anderson ("The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Parts 1 and 2") as Lincoln Cole, Leslie Hope ("24") as Tess Cole, Eloise Mumford ("Lone Star") as Lena Landry, Paul Blackthorne ("Lipstick Jungle") as Clark Quietly, Thomas Kretschmann ("King Kong") as Captain Kurt Brynildson, Daniel Zacapa ("Resurrection Blvd.") as Emilio Valenzuela, Shaun Parkes ("The Mummy Returns") as Andreus Jude ("AJ") Poulain and Paulina Gaitán ("Sin Nombre") as Jahel Valenzuela.

"The River," from Amblin's Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Television's Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, and showrunner/executive producer Michael Green ("Heroes," "Kings"), is also executive-produced by Oren Peli (creator of "Paranormal Activity"), Zack Estrin ("Prison Break") - who also serves as showrunner -- Jason Blum ("Paranormal Activity 1, 2 and 3") and Steven Schneider. Created by Oren Peli & Michael R. Perry; teleplay by Michael Green and Michael R. Perry; story by Oren Peli and Michael R. Perry. The pilot is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and produced by ABC Studios.

"The River" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

STEVEN SPIELBERG, executive producer
Steven Spielberg is a principal partner of DreamWorks Studios. Along with partner Stacey Snider, they joined with The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group in 2009 to form the new DreamWorks. This new entity is a continuation of DreamWorks Studios which was formed in 1994 by Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.

In its history, DreamWorks has enjoyed critical and commercial success, and has been responsible for some of the most honored films in recent years, including three consecutive Best Picture Academy Award® winners: "American Beauty," "Gladiator" and "A Beautiful Mind" (the latter two co-productions with Universal). They also brought to the screen such box office successes as "Transformers," "The Ring," "Minority Report," "Catch Me If You Can" and "Meet the Parents," as well as its sequel. One of the industry’s most successful and influential filmmakers, Spielberg has directed, produced or executive-produced some of the top-grossing films of all time, including "Jurassic Park," "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" and the "Indiana Jones" films. Among his myriad honors, he is a three-time Academy Award® winner, earning two Oscars® for Best Director and Best Picture for "Schindler’s List," and a third Oscar® for Best Director for "Saving Private Ryan."

More recently Spielberg directed the 2008 hit "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." His upcoming releases include the 3D animated film "The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn," which he directed and is due for release on December 21, 2011, as well as "War Horse," which he also directed. It is based on an award-winning novel and was also adapted into a major stage hit in London and New York. From DreamWorks Studios, the film is slated to open on December 25, 2011. Before that Spielberg served as an executive producer on the Academy Award-nominated film "True Grit," which was directed by the Coen brothers. He was also a producer on "Super 8," directed by J.J. Abrams, and executive producer on "Transformers 3," directed by Michael Bay, "Cowboys & Aliens," directed by Jon Favreau, and "Real Steel," directed by Shawn Levy. All were released in 2011.

Spielberg began his career in Television directing episodes of such shows as "Columbo," "Marcus Welby, MD," and "Night Gallery," among others. His movie "Duel" was later released as a theatrical film internationally and launched his motion picture career, leading to his first films, "Sugarland Express" and "Jaws."

His most successful series for television was the Emmy-winning "E.R." which he executive-produced with his Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros. TV. The miniseries "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific," both of which he executive-produced, won Emmys for the best in that category. He was an executive producer for the TV production of "The United States of Tara," and the current "Terra Nova," "Falling Skies," and the upcoming series "The River" and "Smash."

Spielberg has also devoted his time and resources to many philanthropic causes. He established The Righteous Persons Foundation using all his profits from "Schindler’s List." He also founded the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation, which in 2005 became the USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education. The Foundation has recorded more than 52,000 Holocaust survivor testimonies and is dedicated to research and scholarship in the humanities and social sciences.

DARRYL FRANK, executive producer
Darryl Frank serves as Co-president of DreamWorks Television, overseeing all series development, production, and long-form programming for the studio. Frank is executive-producing the period drama series "The Borgias" for Showtime, based on the infamous papal family, which was created by critically acclaimed writer-director Neil Jordan and stars Jeremy Irons.

In addition Frank is executive -producing "Falling Skies" for TNT, a drama series based on an original idea of Steven Spielberg’s which was created by Robert Rodat ("Saving Private Ryan") and stars Noah Wyle. He is also executive-producing the family adventure series "Terra Nova," and is currently executive-producing "Smash," a musical drama starring Emmy winner Debra Messing and Oscar winner Anjelica Huston.

In his 16-year tenure at the studio, Frank developed and served as executive producer for "Las Vegas" for all five seasons and 106 episodes. He also oversaw the development and production of "Spin City" for its entire six-season run. He served as co-executive producer on "Into the West," a limited series from executive producer Steven Spielberg which became the most Emmy-nominated program of the year in 2006, with 16 nominations, and earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. In addition Frank served as the co-executive producer on "Taken," the epic 20-hour miniseries which won the Emmy Award in 2002 for Best Miniseries and was nominated in the same category for a Golden Globe.

JUSTIN FALVEY, executive producer
Co-president of DreamWorks Television, Justin Falvey oversees all series development and long-form programming for the company. In June 2011, TNT premiered the highly rated alien invasion series, "Falling Skies," starring Noah Wyle and executive-produced by Falvey. Soon after, DreamWorks Television launched the seventh and final season of "Rescue Me," starring Denis Leary. Falvey also executive-produced "The United States of Tara" for Showtime, a show based on an original idea by Steven Spielberg and written by Diablo Cody ("Juno").

In September 2011, "Terra Nova" premiered, executive produced by Falvey, the producers of "24," Chernin Entertainment and Spielberg. In addition Falvey is executive-producing the hour-long drama series "Smash," which chronicles the development of an original Broadway musical from its creative inception through opening night, and the Showtime series "The Borgias," starring Jeremy Irons. He is also developing the New York Times best-selling novel Under the Dome, written by Stephen King, with Steven Spielberg attached to executive-produce it for Showtime.

During his 16-year tenure at the studio, Falvey executive-produced the drama "Las Vegas" for five seasons, and oversaw the development and current programming of "Freaks and Geeks," "The Job" and "Undeclared." He also served as a co-executive producer on "Into the West," an epic limited series from executive producer Steven Spielberg, which became the most Emmy®-nominated program of the year, with 16 nominations and a Golden Globe® nomination for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.

MICHAEL GREEN, executive producer
Michael Green landed his first writing job on the award-winning HBO series, "Sex and the City." The show’s breakout success launched Green onto the writing staffs of numerous network television shows, including "Cupid," "Smallville," "Everwood" and "Jack & Bobby."

Green subsequently wrote and co-executive produced NBC’s Emmy-nominated "Heroes," for which he shared an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Drama Series and a Writers Guild nomination for New Series, both for the 2006 season. He was also the creator and executive producer of NBC’s drama series, "Kings," which starred Ian McShane.

Green most recently co-wrote the Warner Bros’ film "Green Lantern," starring Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

A frequent contributor to DC Comics, Green is the author of the graphic novel"Batman: Lovers and Madmen,"and has been a regular writer for their ongoing comic series "Superman/Batman." He is currently part of the DC New 52, penning the new ongoing "Supergirl" series.

OREN PELI, executive producer
Oren Peli is a native of Israel who came to the U.S. at the age of 19. Back home, he had dropped out of high school at 16 to write a highly commercial painting program, then became a full-time software designer, using his skills to create animation programs and, ultimately, game software. 

"Paranormal Activity," which he wrote, directed and produced, was his first film. Since then, Peli has produced the hits "Paranormal Activity 2," "Paranormal Activity 3" and "Insidious." He is also the writer-director of the upcoming "Area 51," and the producer of upcoming horror film "The Bay," from director Barry Levinson, and "Lords of Salem" by writer/director Rob Zombie.

ZACK ESTRIN, executive producer
A Brooklyn native and USC graduate, Zack Estrin began his entertainment career in features, producing films like "Stranger than Fiction" and the contemporary Shakespearian adaptation of Othello, "O," before making his way to television as a writer. His early credits introduced him to the world of the supernatural, working on the first three years of the global hit series "Charmed," as well as ABC's "Miracles," Fox’s "Tru Calling" and "Point Pleasant."

From there Estrin moved away from genre programming and up the ranks to co-executive producer for four seasons of the critically acclaimed, award-winning, gritty drama series, "Prison Break."

Estrin lives with his wife and two daughters in Manhattan Beach, where he hopes the ocean is far less creepy than "The River."

JASON BLUM, executive producer
Since launching Blumhouse Productions in 2000, Jason Blum has produced more than 20 feature films that demonstrate his diverse taste and creative sensibilities. Through the production of ultra-low-budget films designed for wide release, Blum has pioneered a new model of studio filmmaking for the global marketplace.

His films include "Paranormal Activity 1, 2 and 3," which together have grossed close to $500 million worldwide, and James Wan’s "Insidious," which was one of the most profitable films of 2011. Blumhouse’s upcoming releases include Barry Levinson’s "The Bay" for Lionsgate, "Sinister" with Ethan Hawke for Summit, Rob Zombie’s "Lords of Salem," and the Jay Chandasekhar comedy "The Baby Makers." Blumhouse has a first-look feature film deal with Universal. 

BRUCE GREENWOOD
Dr. Emmet Cole on ABC's "The River"

With a wealth of film and television credits to his name, Bruce Greenwood is one of today’s most versatile and talented actors, having entertained audiences on screen for over 20 years. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of President John F. Kennedy, Jr. in "Thirteen Days," which earned him a Golden Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor.

In 2004 Greenwood was nominated for a Genie Award as Best Supporting Actor in the film "Being Julia." In 2005 he was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture when he starred opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Capote." And in 2007, Greenwood’s performance as singer Bob Dylan in "I’m Not There" earned him the Independent Spirit Awards’ Inaugural Robert Altman Award.

Beyond his exceptional roles in dramatic and independent films, Greenwood has also been featured in such action and family movies as "Eight Below," "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," "I, Robot" and "Rules of Engagement." His most recent work includes "Dinner for Schmucks," opposite Steve Carell and Paul Rudd, and J.J. Abrams’ "Star Trek."

Greenwood has also found success in television. In 2007 he starred in the HBO series “John from Cincinnati,” and earlier on in his career he also starred in "St. Elsewhere," the "Larry Sanders Show" and "Knots Landing."

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................Noranda, Québec, Canada
BIRTHDATE....................August 12

JOE ANDERSON
Lincoln Cole on ABC's "The River"

Joe Anderson was raised in London, England and studied photography before attending the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art to hone his acting talents.

Early in his career, Anderson worked in theater, television and film, but it wasn’t until the musical film "Across the Universe" that he broke out into the mainstream. He continued in such films as "Becoming Jane," "Love Happens," "Amelia" and "The Crazies." His most recent work, and perhaps the role for which he is best known, is as the vampire Alistair in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Parts 1 and 2."

Beyond acting, Anderson is a gifted musician, having performed several vocal numbers for the soundtrack of "Across the Universe," as well as playing the bass in “Control” and “The 27 Club,” the latter role garnering him the Best Actor, Drama Award at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival in 2008. He also received the Rising Star Award at the California Independent Film Festival in 2008.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................London, England
BIRTHDATE....................March 26

PAUL BLACKTHORNE
Clark Quietly on ABC's "The River"

Born and raised in England, Paul Blackthorne’s first acting experience came when he was eleven with the National Youth Music Theatre in the UK’s first production of "The Leaving of Liverpool."

Blackthorne found success with his recurring characters in UK television series "Peak Practice" and "Holby City." He made his U.S. small screen debut as Dr. Matt Slingerland in the drama "Presidio Med." From there, he established himself in Hollywood with roles on such high profile shows as "ER," "Lipstick Jungle," "Dresden Files" and, most notably, though with his breakout character of Stephen Saunders in "24." Most recently Blackthorne has held recurring parts on "The Gates" and "White Collar."

In addition to his accomplishments as a television actor, Blackthorne has appeared on the big screen, starring as Captain Andrew Russell in the Oscar-nominated film, "Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India."

An accomplished photographer, he was commended for donating the proceeds of his Bollywood Backpack exhibit, which he shot in Bhuj during the filming of "Lagaan," to the Red Cross Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund after the village was destroyed by an earthquake in 2001.

Blackthorne currently resides in Los Angeles.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................Wellington, Shropshire, England
BIRTHDATE....................March 5

PAULINA GAITAN
Jahel Valenzuela on ABC's "The River"

Paulina Gaitán started acting at age 9 and, at the age of 12, had a starring role in Luis Mandoki’s "Innocent Voices," about the civil war in El Salvador. After that, she got into the U.S. industry with the lead role in "Trade" (2007) for director Marco Kreuzpaintner, produced by Roland Emmerich and starring Kevin Kline, as well as the independent features "We Are What We Are"” and "“En Tus Manos." That same year Gaitan starred in "Insignificant Things," directed by Andrea Martínez and produced by Bertha Navarro, a performance for which she earned an Ariel Award nomination for Best Actress (Mexico’s biggest acting award). In 2010, was nominated for The Lanterna University International Film Festival as Best Actress.

Gaitan was the female lead in Cary Fukunaga’s feature, "Sin Nombre," which won numerous awards in Sundance. Other credits include "La Mitad del Mundo" (2008) by Jaime Ruiz Ibáñez, "Te Presento a Laura" by Fez Noriega, sharing roles with Kuno Becker and Martha Higareda, and "Days of Grace" (2009), directed by Everardo Gout with Dolores Heredia, Tenoch Huerta and Eva Longoria. On television she recently participated in "XY," a series for CANAL Once, "Capadocia: second season" on HBO, produced by Argos, and "Las Aparicio" for Cadena 3.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................Villa Hermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
BIRTHDATE....................July 23

LESLIE HOPE
Tess Cole on ABC's "The River"

A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Leslie Hope grew up with the desire to attend Harvard Law School. But by chance, or possibly fate, at the age of 15 she was cast in a film shooting at her school, and so started her acting career. After impressing director John Cassavetes, she then earned herself a role especially written for her in the film "Love Streams." From that point on, her career flourished.

Hope’s early television credits include roles in "Berrenger’s" and "Knots Landing." From there she starred in such films as "Kansas," "It Takes Two," "Talk Radio," "Men At Work"” "Paris, France," "Dragon Fly" and "Never Back Down." In 2001 Hope was back on the small screen as Teri Bauer in the first season of "24," which was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. In 2004 she played Charlene Fischer in the award-winning miniseries "Human Cargo," then starred as Lisa Cohen in the Emmy-nominated crime drama, "Line of Fire." She starred opposite Donnie Wahlberg in the CW series "Runaway" and also recurred in "Commander in Chief" in 2006, and recently in the hit series "The Mentalist."
           
Hope has expanded her talents beyond acting to directing, writing and producing. She has directed two television films, "A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride" and "A Neighbor’s Secret"” and is currently in production with "The Merry In-Laws" in Calgary.  She also executive produced the Lifetime telefilm "The Bling Ring," based on a true-story and directed an episode of "The Murdoch Mysteries."

After traveling to Cambodia in 2003, she was inspired to make a short documentary, directing and producing the award-winning "What I See When I Close My Eyes," which focuses on the lives of children from the Mith Samlanh/FRIENDS Training Center and the aftermath of a devastating war. Passionate about seeing the world, Hope has traveled to such far flung places as Iceland, Peru and the Amazon Jungle, where she lived with the Hourani tribe.

Most recently, Hope inserted her own brand of humor into writing & directing the outrageous short comedy film "GAYKEITH" (www.youtube.com/gaykeithmovie).  "GAYKEITH" is based on the true story by Scott Edgecombe – Scott’s been living the LA loser life: no job, no girlfriend, a lot of cereal & too much internet porn. On a particularly lonely Christmas Eve, Scott decides the answer to all his problems may lie in North Hollywood - his name is Keith and he’s willing to wear pantyhose if Scott comes over.  The raucous & hilarious short has garnered several awards at various comedy & short film festivals around the world.
           
Hope lives in Los Angeles with her husband, who is also a film & tv director.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................Halifax, Nova Scotia
BIRTHDATE....................May 6

ELOISE MUMFORD
Lena Landry on ABC's "The River"

Eloise Mumford was born and raised in the state of Washington, where she developed a love for the wilderness through a childhood spent on local beaches and mountains. The acting bug bit her at a young age, though, so she split her summers between local productions of musicals and adventuring in the outdoors. After deferring admission to college, Mumford spent five months teaching English in a Transylvanian village before heading to New York to pursue an acting career.

At NYU’s Tisch School of Arts, Mumford excelled both academically and theatrically, studying with The Atlantic Theater Company and receiving The Founders Day Award for Academic Excellence and The J.S. Seidman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama. Before graduating, she made her Broadway debut in "Speed the Plow," understudying Elisabeth Moss, then moved into the television world with the role of Megan Emory in the spin-off of the Oscar-winning film, "Crash."

After graduation, Mumford made her film debut starring in the 2009 AFI Award-winning short film, "Some Boys Don’t Leave," opposite Jessie Eisenberg. From there she went on to roles on the television series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Mercy." Most recently Mumford embarked on her first series regular role, as Lindsay on FOX’s critically acclaimed "Lonestar." Her most recent film project, "So Undercover" for The Weinstein Company, will be out in theaters this fall.

Mumford currently resides in Los Angeles.

Mumford currently resides in Los Angeles.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................Olympia, WA
BIRTHDATE....................September 24

SHAUN PARKES
Andreus Jude "A.J." Poulain on ABC's "The River"

Shaun Parkes was born and raised in England and trained at one of the leading drama schools in the UK, The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Following that, he had several recurring roles on television, but it wasn’t until his role as Koop in "Human Traffic" that he gained recognition on the big screen.

In 2001 Parkes broke into the mainstream American film industry with his role in the action-packed and suspenseful "The Mummy Returns." His range of work runs from the dramatic, in the original UK version of "Identity" and "Notes on a Scandal," to the comedic, in the film "Things to Do Before You’re 30." In 2008 he starred in the UK crime drama "Clubbed," which was nominated for the Raindance Award at the 2008 British Independent Film Awards.

Beyond his television and film career, Parkes has also had success in theatrical roles. He starred alongside David Threlfall and Neil Stuke in Joe Penhall’s London Critics’ Circle Theatre Award-winning play, "Blue/Orange," directed by Roger Michell. He also performed in "Elmina’s Kitchen," and played Booth in the UK version of 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning "Topdog/Underdog." He reprised his theatrical roles in "Elmina’s Kitchen" and "Blue/Orange" for the TV adaptations made for the BBC. His relationship with Joe Penhall continued when he starred as the eponymous hero in Penhall’s BBC series, "Moses Jones."

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................London, England
BIRTHDATE....................February 9

THOMAS KRETSCHMANN
Captain Kurt Brynildson on ABC's "The River"

Thomas Kretschmann was born in East Germany during the late 1960s’ Communist regime. In a time of war and repression, Kretschmann excelled at swimming and was enrolled in East Germany’s National Swimming School. It was there that he trained for the 1980 Olympics, but due to a Communist boycott, Kretschmann set out for a new life. After much planning and determination, he escaped East Germany on his own, arriving in West Berlin with a dream to become an actor.

In 1991 Kretschmann made his film debut in "Der Mitwisser" and won Germany’s prestigious Max-Ophuels Prize for Best Up and Coming Actor. It wasn’t until his role in the World War II epic, "Stalingrad," that Kretschmann became an international name, moving on to other European films like "Queen Margot" and "Prince Valiant."

Kretschmann continued to build film credits in Hollywood with roles in "U-571," opposite Matthew McConaughey and Harvey Keitel, as well as films such as "The Pianist," "Resident Evil: Apocalypse Now" and "King Kong." He can be seen in the upcoming film "Unleashed," opposite Jon Voight, and can currently be heard in Disney Pixar’s "Cars 2" as the voice of Professor Z.

Kretschmann currently resides in Los Angeles.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................Dessau, East Germany
BIRTHDATE....................September 8

DANIEL ZACAPA
Emilio Valenzuela on ABC's "The River"

Daniel Zacapa was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and raised in California’s San Francisco Bay Area. An avid baseball fan and follower of the San Francisco Giants, he still dreams of being invited to a Giants’ home game to sing the National Anthem or to throw out the first pitch.

Zacapa’s numerous film and television credits include "Hill Street Blues," "Seven" and "Up Close & Personal." His break-out role came as Ruben Santiago on the television series "Resurrection Blvd." In his film career, he has worked with such famed directors as David Fincher, Gore Verbinski and Robert Towne, and alongside legendary talents like Morgan Freeman, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
           
Beyond acting, Zacapa is passionate about speaking to youth about achieving their dreams, as well as reading to children in school. He continues to follow the Giants during baseball season.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................Tegucigalpa, Honduras
BIRTHDATE....................February 9

"THE MIDDLE"

EILEEN HEISLER & DeANN HELINE, creators, executive producers

Eileen Heisler & DeAnn Heline have enjoyed a 20-year career writing on some of television's biggest hits. They have been friends and writing partners since Heisler, who hails from a suburb of Chicago, met Heline, who comes from a suburb of Cincinnati, when they were assigned to the same dorm at Indiana University. Later they independently transferred to New York University, where they each earned B.F.A's in television from NYU's famed Tisch School of the Arts.

A break on ABC's "Doogie Howser, MD" led to writing on the staff of "Roseanne." During their tenure, the show won the Peabody Award, the Humanitas Prize and the Golden Globe. From there they went on to produce "Murphy Brown," where in two consecutive years series star Candice Bergen won Emmys for episodes written by Heisler & Heline, in addition to the series' Humanitas Prize. Heisler & Heline went on to executive-produce and showrun such successful series as "Ellen" and "How I Met Your Mother." Most recently they had several development deals during which they created and executive produced "Three Sisters," "Committed" and "Lipstick Jungle." During that time they also tried, with varying success, to maintain their sanity, raise their children and find decent parking in LA. With "The Middle," Heisler and Heline are happy to return to their roots at ABC, and to celebrate their roots in the Midwest... where there is always plenty of parking.

Heline currently resides in Pacific Palisades with husband Bruce Bolkin, president of Southland Publishing, and their two daughters, Kate (13) and Emery (11).

Heisler also resides in Pacific Palisades with husband Adam Wolman, a television executive, and their twin boys, Justin and Ben (12).

"SUBURGATORY"

EMILY KAPNEK, executive producer

Emily Kapnek was born and raised in New York City, but for a brief stint she lived in Larchmont, a suburb just outside the city. The years she spent there, and the subsequent culture shock, would become the basis for ABC's "Suburgatory." Kapnek moved to Los Angeles in 1997 when her first pilot, "As Told By Ginger," was picked up for series at Nickelodeon. After three seasons and three Emmy nominations, she transitioned into writing for live-action TV. Since then she has worked on several programs, including "Hung" for HBO and "Parks and Recreation" for NBC.

Kapnek has two children, Oszkar and Guy. Her husband, Dan Lagana, is also a writer.

"MODERN FAMILY"

STEVEN LEVITAN, creator and executive producer

“Modern Family” co-creator and executive producer Steven Levitan has been writing, producing, directing and creating television comedies for almost 20 years. His credits also include “Wings,” “Frasier,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Just Shoot Me” (creator), “Greg the Bunny,” as well as several comedies he’d like you to forget.

A Chicago native and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (The Harvard of Southwestern Wisconsin), Levitan’s honors include a Peabody Award, two Emmy Awards, two Writers Guild Awards, a Humanitas Prize, a Producers Guild Award, a Comedy Writer of the Year Award, two Television Critics Awards and most recently three Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for “Modern Family”; an Emmy Award, Producers Guild Award and the Humanitas Prize for “Frasier,” and three Emmy nominations for “Just Shoot Me” and “The Larry Sanders Show.”

Levitan’s wife, Krista, and their three children are tired of him reminding them about all this whenever he’s asked to do the dishes.

"HAPPY ENDINGS"

JONATHAN GROFF, executive producer
Jonathan Groff's first television writing job was on "The Jon Stewart Show" on MTV. He was a staff writer at "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and later became the head writer for five years, during which time the show was nominated for five Emmy Awards in writing and won two Writers Guild Awards. Groff helped develop and executive-produce "Father of the Pride," a 3-D animated series for NBC from DreamWorks Television. Alongside Conan O'Brien, he co-created the critically acclaimed "Andy Barker, P.I.," starring Andy Richter, for NBC. Before coming to ABC Studios and "Scrubs," he was a consulting producer on CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" for two seasons.

DAVID CASPE, creator, executive producer
David Caspe grew up in San Francisco and Chicago. He spent most of his life pursuing visual art. He received an MFA in painting from The School of Visual Art in Manhattan in 2006, and his work has been shown in galleries in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and abroad. After delving more and more into video art, Caspe decided to switch his focus to writing and directing movies. He moved to Los Angeles in 2007 and started writing features. His first spec sale was the dark comedy "The Karate Kids" to Summit Entertainment, with Benderspink producing. His other credits include "I Hate You, Dad" at Sony, with Happy Madison producing; and "Untitled David Caspe/Charlize Theron Comedy" at Skydance/Paramount, with Charlize Theron producing and attached to star. "Happy Endings" is his first foray into television.

Everyone has a secret... and Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the nation's elite and keeping those secrets under wraps. Revered and feared at the same time, Olivia, a former communications director to the President of the United States, left the White House to open her own prominent crisis management firm. She is hoping to start a new chapter in her life -both professionally and personally-but she can't seem to completely cut ties with her past. Slowly it becomes apparent that her dysfunctional staff, who specialize in fixing other people's lives, can't quite fix the ones closest at hand-their own. The creator and executive producers of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" delve into the behind-the-scenes machinations of a mesmerizing top crisis manager in ABC's highly anticipated new drama, "Scandal."

Olivia's accomplished staff, who would follow her anywhere and do whatever it takes to save someone's reputation, include Stephen Finch (Henry Ian Cusick), who has dated his share of women but is trying to settle down and have a family; Harrison Wright (Columbus Short), a slick litigator; Huck (Guillermo Diaz), hacker extraordinaire; investigator Abby Whelan (Darby Stanchfield), who has an enduring crush on Stephen; and Quinn Perkins (Katie Lowes), the new young woman in the office who is in awe of Olivia, but is initiated in a trial by fire on her very first day on the job.

Olivia's former boss, President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) and his chief of staff, Cyrus Beene (Jeff Perry), are never far from her beat. Her clients aren't the only ones with secrets, though; surprisingly, she may need to exercise all her damage control skills on her own behalf.

"Scandal" stars Kerry Washington ("Ray") as Olivia Pope, Henry Ian Cusick ("Lost") as Stephen Finch, Columbus Short ("Stomp the Yard") as Harrison Wright, Guillermo Diaz ("Half-Baked") as Huck, Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan, Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins, Tony Goldwyn ("Ghost") as President Fitzgerald Grant and Jeff Perry ("Grey's Anatomy") as Cyrus Beene.

Scandal" was written by Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice"). Rhimes and Betsy Beers ("Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice") are executive producers. Judy Smith is co-executive producer. Paul McGuigan is the director. "Scandal" is produced by ABC Studios.

"Scandal" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

SHONDA RHIMES, creator / executive producer, "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice" and "Scandal"

Shonda Rhimes is the creator of the hit ABC series "Grey's Anatomy," which chronicles the personal and professional lives of surgical residents in Seattle, and "Private Practice," which follows Addison Montgomery and her friends at Oceanside Wellness Group. Rhimes is also the creator and executive producer of the ABC drama "Scandal," which revolves around the life and work of a professional crisis manager and her dysfunctional staff.

In its eighth season, "Grey's Anatomy" continues to be hailed by audiences and critics. For her work on the series, Rhimes received the 2007 Television Producer of the Year by the Producers Guild of America, the 2007 Golden Globe for Outstanding Television Drama, the 2007 Lucy Award for Excellence in Television from Women in Film, the 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series, the 2006 Writers Guild Award for Best New Series, in addition to Emmy nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and Writing for a Drama Series. Rhimes was also the recipient of the 2010 RAINN Hope Award and a 2009 GLSEN Respect Awards Honoree.

Aside from her success with network television, Rhimes wrote the feature film "Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement," released in August 2004 by Disney. Additionally, her original script, "Crossroads," was released in 2002 by Paramount. She also co-wrote "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," produced by HBO and nominated for numerous awards, and for which Halle Berry won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for Best Actress in a miniseries for her portrayal of Dandridge.

Rhimes worked as research director on the Tollin-Robbins/Mundy Lane documentary "Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream." It was nominated for an Emmy Award and an Academy Award and won the Peabody Award, as well as the NAACP Image Award. She has been a guest speaker at the USC School of Cinema-Television, where she taught a course in scene writing.

Rhimes holds a BA from Dartmouth College in English Literature with Creative Writing. As director of Dartmouth's Black Underground Theatre and Arts Association, her work earned her numerous awards for excellence. She received her MFA from the USC School of Cinema-Television, where she was awarded the prestigious Gary Rosenberg Writing Fellowship.

The child of educators, Rhimes blames her parents for her rampant addiction to books. The youngest of six, she was born and raised outside of Chicago, IL, and now resides in Los Angeles.

BETSY BEERS, executive producer, "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice" and "Scandal"

For the past several years, Betsy Beers has served as an executive producer of the hit show "Grey's Anatomy" and its sister series, "Private Practice," and she now brings her producing talents to "Scandal" on ABC. During its eight seasons, "Grey's Anatomy" has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Television Series, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, and a Writers Guild of America Award for Best New Series. In addition, the show has been nominated for two consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Drama. For her work on the show, Beers has been nominated twice by the Producers Guild of America for their Television Producer of the Year Award and has won it once.

Most recently, Beers partnered with Shonda Rhimes and her company, Shondaland, to develop and produce additional feature film and television projects, including "Off the Map".

Before her foray into the realm of television, Beers was President of the Mark Gordon Company. While there she oversaw the development and production of its feature film and television projects, including helping to develop "Grey's Anatomy." While at the Mark Gordon Company, she also had an active hand in producing the feature films "The Hoax," starring Richard Gere, and "Casanova," with Heath Ledger, both directed by Lasse Hallstršm.

Previously Beers was President of director Mike Newell's Dogstar Films, where she produced the films "200 Cigarettes," starring a stellar young cast including Ben Affleck, Dave Chapelle and Kate Hudson, and "Best Laid Plans," with Reese Witherspoon. She has also developed such films as the cult movie "High Fidelity," directed by Stephen Frears and starring John Cusack, as well as "Pushing Tin," with Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie. She also served as executive producer on the movies "Safe Passage," starring Susan Sarandon, and "Witchhunt," starring Dennis Hopper, with producer Gale Ann Hurd.

JUDY SMITH, co-executive producer

Judy Smith is the founder and President of Impact Strategies, a leading strategic and crisis communications firm with offices in Washington DC and Los Angeles. Over the last 25 years, Smith has brought to bear her unique combination of communication skills, media savvy, legal and political acumen for clients facing a wide array of issues and challenges throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Smith has been put to the test during some of the most historic events of our time, including the Iran Contra investigation, the prosecution of former Washington DC Mayor Marion Barry, the 1991 Gulf War, the Los Angeles riots, the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Justice Clarence Thomas, Monica Lewinsky during the President Clinton scandal, the congressional inquiry into Enron, and during the United Nations Foundation and the World Health Organization response to the SARS epidemic.

Perhaps best known in media circles for her expertise as a crisis management advisor, over the course of her career Smith has served as a consultant for a host of high profile, celebrity and entertainment clients including Monica Lewinsky, Senator Craig from Idaho, actor Wesley Snipes, the family of Chandra Levy, NFL quarterback Michael Vick, and many other prominent figures.

In addition to her work as a communications advisor during high profile engagements, Ms. Smith also serves as a counselor to some of the nation's most highly regarded corporations, trade associations, and non-profit organizations. In this capacity she has provided strategic advice on a variety of corporate communications issues including high profile crises, mergers and acquisitions, product recalls, intellectual property litigation, corporate positioning, diversity and other challenges. She has also assisted leading companies such as BellSouth, Union Pacific, Starwood Hotels, Nextel, Federated Department Stores, United Healthcare, Americhoice, Wal-Mart, Radio-One Inc, Waste Management Corporation, and American International Group, Inc. (AIG) on a range of corporate, investor, and public relations matters.

On the domestic front, Smith continues to be involved in many of the public policy issues facing the nation. She has worked with the Department of Housing and Urban Development on national public education campaigns to address the housing crisis, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on creating ways to help combat the childhood obesity epidemic. She has also provided communications advice to government entities and municipalities including the United States Election Assistance Commission, the City of Cincinnati, the City of Detroit and Prince George's County, Maryland.

In the international arena, Smith has also provided counsel to several heads of state and executives of major corporations, including matters in the Philippines, Haiti, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos and Zimbabwe (Save Zimbabwe Campaign). In addition, she assisted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leadership with its communication efforts as part of the War on Terrorism.

Prior to founding Impact Strategies, Smith joined the White House with her appointment as Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary to President George H. W. Bush in 1991. During her tenure she provided the President and his Cabinet with communications advice on a wide range of foreign and domestic issues. In addition, she managed the Administration's response to the allegations of sexual harassment made during the Clarence Thomas nomination, the Los Angeles riots and the federal government shutdown. Smith was a partner at several Washington DC-based public relations firms. In 1997 she founded JAS Communications, which represented a number of high profile corporate, sports, entertainment and political clients, most notably Monica Lewinsky and her family during the Clinton impeachment proceedings.

Prior to her legal career, Smith worked as a writer and public affairs specialist for several publications and private organizations headquartered in Washington, DC. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from Boston University and graduated from the American University Washington College of Law, where she was the first African-American woman to serve as Executive Editor of the Law Review.

As a result of Smith's impressive career, Shonda Rhimes, creator of hit television dramas "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice," developed "Scandal," which is based on the world of crisis management inspired by Smith's career. The series revolves around the life and work of a professional fixer. Smith serves as co- executive producer of the project and provides insight and technical expertise on crisis management.

Smith is the author of a forthcoming book on crisis management to be published by Free Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. in March 2012. She has received numerous communications and leadership awards and is active in community service.

KERRY WASHINGTON
Olivia Pope on ABC's "Scandal"

A New York native, Kerry Washington performed with the Tada theater teen group and later graduated from The Spence School in Manhattan. She earned a Presidential Arts Scholarship to attend The George Washington University and, in 1994, was a winner of the YoungArts national program. In 1998 Washington graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from The George Washington University.

Washington's Hollywood career quickly took off after her role in the 2001 film "Save the Last Dance," where she received a Teen Choice Award for Best Breakout Performance. In 2002 she starred in "Lift," and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress for her role as Niecy. Then in 2004 she received the Hollywood Life Breakthrough Award, and the following year received the Young Artist Award from Americans for the Arts for her exemplary leadership. That same year Washington won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her role as Della Bea Robinson, the wife of famed Ray Charles, who was played by Jamie Foxx in the film "Ray."

Washington has garnered critical acclaim for her roles in "The Last King of Scotland," opposite Forest Whitaker -- which earned her a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture at the NAACP Image Awards in 2007 -- and for "The Dead Girl" and "Lakeview Terrace," opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Patrick Wilson. More recently she has starred in Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls," with Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad and Janet Jackson, as well as in "Night Catches Us," where she received an NAACP nomination for Best Actress. Most recently she was cast as the starring role in Quentin Tarantino's upcoming film, "Django Unchained," opposite Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio.

On television Washington appeared in Howard Zinn's documentary, "The People Speak," with Matt Damon, Josh Brolina and Sean Penn, which premiered on the History Channel in 2009. She is also the voice of Princess Shuri in the BET animated series "Black Panther." In 2010 she made her Broadway debut in David Mamet's provocative hit, "Race."

Aside from her acting career, Washington is an active member of the V-Counsel, serves on the board of non-profit arts and education group Voices of a People's History, and has received accolades including U.S. Conference of Mayors' Artist-Citizen Award for public leadership in the arts. In 2009 Washington was appointed by President Obama to the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

Washington was born in the Bronx and currently resides in Los Angeles.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Bronx, NY
BIRTHDATE January 31

HENRY IAN CUSICK
Stephen Finch on ABC's "Scandal"

Henry Ian Cusick trained at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama before joining the Citizens Theatre, where he played his first leading roles, including Dorian Gray in "The Picture of Dorian Gray," Hamlet in "The Marowitz Hamlet" and Horner in "The Country Wife." While at the Edinburgh International Festival, he appeared as Stolzius in "The Soldiers" and as Tasso in "Torquato Tasso," for which he received a special commendation for the Ian Charleson Award.

Other theatrical credits include roles as Cassio in "Othello," Demetrius in "A Midsummer
Night's Dream" and Pompey in "Antony and Cleopatra" for the Royal Shakespeare Company; Green in "Richard II," Arthur in "The Machine Wreckers" and Dollabella in "Antony and Cleopatra" for the Royal National Theatre; Nick in "The LA Plays" for The Almedia and Le Vicomte De Valmont in "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" for the Liverpool Playhouse.

On television Cusick has appeared in numerous British productions, including starring roles in the series "Casualty," "The Book Group" and "Two Thousand Acres of Sky," a recurring role in "Waking the Dead," guest starring roles in "Happiness" and "Midsomer Murders," and leading roles in the telefilms "Murder Rooms: The White Knight Stratagem," "Dinosaur Hunters" and "Carla." He also starred in Scottish television's "Taggart." In the U.S. he had a recurring role on "24" and appeared in the Lifetime movie "Perfect Romance." Most recently he received an Emmy nomination for his role on the award-winning "Lost."

On the big screen Cusick starred in "Hitman," opposite Timothy Olyphant and Dougray Scott, "Possession," and in the independent films "Half Light," "9/Tenths," "The Gospel of John," "Richard II" and "The Contract."

Cusick was born in Peru and raised in Trinidad and Scotland.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Trujillo, Peru
BIRTHDATE April 17

COLUMBUS SHORT
Harrison Wright on ABC's "Scandal"

Columbus Keith Short, Jr. was born in Kansas City, Missouri. At the age of three he began entertaining by putting on shows for his family. In his early teens, Short appeared in various television commercials and, when he was a senior at Orange County School of the Arts, was offered a part in Broadway's famed show "STOMP!" He then went on to choreograph Birtney Spears' "In the Zone" tour, launching his entertainment career.

Short started his acting career starring in the 2006 releases, "Save the Last Dance: 2" and "Accepted," opposite Jonah Hill and Justin Long. In 2007 he had an arc on Aaron Sorkin's critically praised showbiz drama, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," as Darius. Later that year his acting career took off when he landed the lead role as DJ in the Screen Gem film, "Stomp the Yard," which was No. 1 at the box office. In addition he starred in "This Christmas," alongside Idris Elba, Regina King and Chris Brown.

In 2008 Short starred in Darnell Martin's "Cadillac Records," opposite Beyoncé Knowles, Jeffrey Wright and Adrien Brody, as the young and talented but self-destructive harp player and singer, Little Walter. He went on to receive the NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for this role, legitimizing his abilities not only as an actor, but as a musician too. Short has gone on to work with award-winning producers the Avila Brothers on his much anticipated album entitled "Act One: Dimes and Dolls." He also plays the bass, piano and drums.

In addition to his success in dramas, comedies and in music, Short also starred in the action flick "Armored," wit opposite Matt Dillon and Laurence Fisbourne. He then went on to star alongside Kate Beckinsale in Dark Castle's adaption of the comic book "Whiteout," a thriller released in 2009. Additional film credits include "The Losers," "Death at a Funeral" and "Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming."

Short also has a passion for writing and producing television and film. He executive produced "Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming" and "Strange Fruit" through his production company, Great Picture Show Productions.

He currently resides in Los Angeles.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Kansas City, MO
BIRTHDATE September 19

GUILLERMO DIAZ
Huck on ABC's "Scandal"

Guillermo Diaz became a household name after starring as "Scarface" in the cult classic film. "Half Baked," in 1998, opposite Dave Chappelle and Jim Breuer. He also starred in other indie hits including "Party Girl," Nigel Finch's acclaimed film "Stonewall," "200 Cigarettes" with Christina Ricci, and "High School High."

In 2001 Diaz played the role of Kid in "Chelsea Walls," directed by Ethan Hawke, and went on to guest star in several television series, including "Third Watch," "Without a Trace" and "The Shield." Then in 2004 he appeared in the studio feature "The Terminal" for renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

In addition to his feature film credits, Diaz is well-known for his many appearances on Showtime's award-winning series "Weeds," where he plays Guillermo, as well as for his comedic performances on "Chappelle's Show" for Comedy Central. More recently he has appeared on such hit shows as "The Closer," "Criminal Minds" and "Royal Pains." Diaz has also been a series regular as Nurse Angel Garcia on the NBC drama "Mercy," and had a recurring role on "No Ordinary Family" as Detective Frank Cordero. In 2010 he played Poh Boy in Warner Bros.' action comedy, "Cop Out," opposite Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan.

Diaz currently resides in Los Angeles.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN New York, NY
BIRTHDATE March 22

DARBY STANCHFIELD
Abby Whelan on ABC's "Scandal"

Darby Stanchfield is best known for her role as Helen Bishop on AMC's Emmy(r) Award-winning drama, "Mad Men." The daughter of a commercial fisherman, she grew up in a remote fishing village, Dutch Harbor, Alaska (where "The Deadliest Catch" films.) She has a Master of Fine Arts from The American Conservatory Theatre.

In addition to "Mad Men," her television credits include her recurring role as Shannon Gibbs, Sgt. Gibbs (Mark Harmon's) first wife in "NCIS". She played Dr. April Green on " Jericho," and Nathan Fillion's ex-wife on "Castle." Additional credits include "How I Met Your Mother," "Burn Notice," "CSI:NY," "CSI:Miami," "24," "Bones," "Nip/Tuck," "Without a Trace," "Monk," "Strong Medicine" and "Angel."

Stanchfield was seen in Adrienne Shelley's critically acclaimed "Waitress," opposite Nathan Fillion and Keri Russell, and costarred opposite Josh Duhamel in an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

Stanchfield has recorded a number of radio plays for NPR, including Neil Simon's "Biloxi Blues," with Josh Radnor and Justine Bateman, produced by LA Theatre Works. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Dutch Harbor, AK
BIRTHDATE April 29

KATIE LOWES
Quinn Perkins on ABC's "Scandal"

Katie Lowes has been acting and singing for as long as she can remember. A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, she was cast in the mainstage play "Four Saints in Mexico" and quickly landed her first break as a small role in the pilot "Rescue Me," followed by "Hate" opposite Marcia Gay Harden. Since then, Lowes has established herself as a talented young actress in film, television and on stage.

Early in her career, Lowes guest starred in many television series, including "Guiding Light," "Damage Control," "As the World Turns," "The Sopranos" and "NCIS." In 2008 she landed a series regular role as Brandy Buffkin on the CW's "Easy Money." She made it to the big screen with featured roles in DreamWorks' "Transformers 2" and Bad Robot's "Super 8," directed by JJ Abrams.

Lowes has gone on to land roles in several independent films, including "Dinner for Four," "the Job," "Callers," "Bear" and "Café." More recently her television credits include roles on hit shows "The Closer," "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice," "Castle" and "Leverage."

In addition to her accomplishments as an actress, Lowes is a founding member of IAMA Theatre Company in Los Angeles, where she resides with her fiance.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Queens, New York

TONY GOLDWYN
President Fitzgerald Grant on ABC's "Scandal"

With a wealth of film and television credits to his name, Tony Goldwyn is one of Hollywood's most versatile and talented actors and directors. Goldwyn began his acting career on the stage, spending seven seasons at the Williamstown Theater Festival. His New York theater credits include "The Water's Edge," "The Dying Gaul" at the Vineyard Theater, "Holiday" opposite Laura Linney, "Spike Heels," with Kevin Bacon, and "The Sum of Us," for which he earned an Obie Award.

As an actor, Goldwyn first caught audiences' attention with his portrayal of the villain in the 1990 box office smash "Ghost." He went on to appear in numerous films, including "The Pelican Brief," with Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington, "Kiss the Girls," Oliver Stone's "Nixon," "The Last Samurai," opposite Tom Cruise, and the recent remake of Wes Craven's classic "The Last House on the Left." He was also heard as the title voice in Disney's 1999 animated feature "Tarzan." More recently Goldwyn has appeared in CBS Films' remake of "The Mechanic," with Jason Statham and Ben Foster.

Some of Goldwyn's notable television credits include "The Good Wife," "Dexter," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Without a Trace," "The L Word," the HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon," "Frasier," "Murphy Brown" and "Designing Women," where he portrayed the first AIDS victim on a prime time series.

In addition to his acting credits, Goldwyn made his directorial debut with "A Walk on the Moon" in 1999, starring Diane Lane and Viggo Mortensen. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and went on to receive universal praise from critics. Other feature directorial credits include "The Last Kiss," based on Gabriele Muccino's "L'Ultimo Bacio," and the romantic comedy "Someone Like You." On the small screen Goldwyn has directed such prestigious shows as "Justified," "Damages," "Dexter," "The L Word," "Law & Order," "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice" and "Without a Trace."

A Los Angeles native, Goldwyn lives with his wife and daughters.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Los Angeles, CA
BIRTHDATE May 20

JEFF PERRY
Cyrus Beene on ABC's "Scandal"

Jeff Perry is an actor, teacher and co-founder of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, where he has served as Steppenwolf Artist Director and has been an integral part to the founding of the School at Steppenwolf, where he continues to teach and direct. Perry has acted in -- and occasionally directed -- more than 40 Steppenwolf productions. His many acting credits at Steppenwolf include "Balm in Gilead," "The Time of Your Life," "Picasso at Lapin Agile," 1990 Tony Award-winning "The Grapes of Wrath," "The Caretaker" and "Streamers." In 2008 Perry was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play.

Beyond Perry's impressive accomplishments in theater, he has also seen success on the big screen and television. After moving to Los Angeles, Perry appeared in several films, including "Remember My Name," "A Wedding," "The Grifters," "Storyville," "Wild Things" and "The Human Stain." He also has numerous television credits, including his role as Inspector Harvey Leek on the crime drama "Nash Bridges," and recurring roles on "My So-Called Life," "LA Law" and "Prison Break."

More recently Perry guest starred on "Lost," "Fringe" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." He also notably played Meredith Grey's estranged father, Thatcher Grey, on the popular drama "Grey's Anatomy."

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Highland Park, IL
BIRTHDATE August 16

Becca Winstone (Ashley Judd) learns that her son disappears while studying abroad, and it's a race against time when she travels to Europe to track him down. A surprising turn of events reveals just how far one mother will go to protect her family. Exotic locations and thrilling twists will keep you riveted in "Missing."

How far would you go to save the only thing you have left in the world? At 8 years of age, Michael Winstone watched as his father, CIA agent Paul Winstone, was murdered. Now 10 years later, Paul's wife, Becca, is faced with the reality that her son is growing up. When Michael is afforded the opportunity to study abroad, his mother reluctantly agrees it's time to let him go. But just a few weeks into his trip, Michael disappears, and Becca immediately suspects foul play. When she arrives in Rome, she begins piecing together the clues left behind. It isn't long before the kidnappers realize they've picked a fight with the wrong woman, because Becca has a secret of her own -- before Paul's death, she was also a lethal CIA operative. If she wants to find her son alive, Becca will have to rely on old friends and reopen old wounds. All of her resourcefulness, skill and determination will be put to the test -- but a mother's love knows no limits.

"Missing" stars Ashley Judd ("Double Jeopardy," "Kiss the Girls") as Becca Winstone, Sean Bean ("Game of Thrones") as Paul Winstone, Cliff Curtis ("Trauma") as Dax Miller, Adriano Giannini ("Oceans Twelve") as Giancarlo Rossi, Nick Eversman ("Cinéma Vérité") as Michael Winstone and Tereza Voriskova ("Borgia") as Oksana.

"Missing" is produced by Stillking Films. The drama series comes from creator/executive producer Gregory Poirier ("National Treasure: Book of Secrets") and executive producers Gina Matthews & Grant Scharbo ("The Gates"), Steve Shill (an Emmy winner for directing "Dexter"), and James Parriott ("Sons of Anarchy").

"Missing" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound.

GREGORY POIRIER, creator/executive producer

Gregory Poirier was born and raised on a hippie commune on the Hawaiian island of Maui, largely without shoes. Growing up, he worked extensively in youth and community theater. He has a BFA in theater from USC and an MFA in screenwriting from UCLA.

Poirier won the Paul Selvin Award from the Writers Guild of America for his first film, "Rosewood," directed by John Singleton. Since then he has written the screenplays for such diverse films as the Jerry Bruckheimer Disney film, "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," the thriller "Gossip," the children's films "The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" and "See Spot Run," the sci-fi film "Sound of Thunder" and "The Spy Next Door," starring Jackie Chan. He also wrote and directed the teen comedy "Tomcats." Poirier has provided uncredited rewrites for such films as "Eight Below," "The Shaggy Dog" and "Gone In 60 Seconds." "Missing" is his first foray into television.

Poirier lives in Agoura Hills, CA, with his wife, Anya, their four children, a black Lab named Ringo and a python named Monty.

GINA MATTHEWS & GRANT SCARBO, creator/executive producers

Since joining forces in marriage and business, Gina Matthews & Grant Scharbo have produced a number of high profile projects for film and television through their Little Engine Productions banner. Most notable among them is Paramount's "What Women Want," starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. The film grossed $402 million worldwide, making it the most successful romantic comedy of all time.

Also among their box office hits is Revolution Studios' "13 Going On 30," starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, as well as Sony's successful horror franchise, "Urban Legend" and "Urban Legend 2: Final Cut." Among their feature projects, Little Engine is currently developing "Counter-Clockwise," with Jennifer Aniston attached to star.

In television Matthews & Scharbo also created and were executive producers of ABC's "The Gates," created the series "The Mountain" and executive-produced the sci-fi drama "Jake 2.0." Prior to that, Matthews co-created and executive-produced the hit series "Popular," and served as executive producer on the hit series "The Chronicle."

Little Engine has ventured into long-form television, where Matthews developed and produced two films written by Scharbo for Showtime Networks - "Summer's End," starring James Earl Jones, which received two Emmy Awards (Matthews & Scharbo won for Best Picture/Family Film, while Jones won for Best Actor/Family Film); and "The Wishing Tree," starring Emmy Award winner Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood. The movie received three Emmy nominations.

STEVE SHILL, executive producer/director

Steve Shill is an executive producer and director of episodes 1 through 4 of "Missing," the new one-hour drama series for ABC.

Schill won an Emmy Award for directing "Dexter." His other directing credits include "The Sopranos," "The Tudors," "Rome," "ER," "The West Wing," "Law & Order" and "The Wire."

He received a Writers Guild of America Award nomination in 2006 for his screenplay for "Deadwood," which he also directed.

A graduate of Fine Arts from Leeds University and the BBC Drama Director's Course in London, Shill also directed the 2009 Screen Gems movie "Obsessed," starring BeyoncŽ Knowles, which opened at No. 1 in the U.S.

JAMES PARRIOTT, executive producer/writer

James Parriott has a Mass Communications/Theatre degree from the University of Denver, an MFA in screenwriting from UCLA, and over 30 years of continuing education as a writer, producer and director in Hollywood. Shows Parriott created include "Defying Gravity" for ABC, "The American Embassy" for FOX, "Matt Waters" for CBS and the cult hit "Forever Knight." He has served as executive producer/showrunner on many TV series, including the first two seasons of "Grey's Anatomy," as well as "Ugly Betty," "Sons of Anarchy" and "Covert Affairs."

Parriott has two Writers Guild Awards, two Golden Globes, a PGA Award and an award from the Television Critics Association. He also has two Emmy and Gemini nominations, and has one produced film as a writer/director, "Heart Condition," starring Denzel Washington, Bob Hoskins and Chloe Webb.

ASHLEY JUDD
Becca Winstone on ABC's "Missing"

An eighth generation Eastern Kentuckian, Ashley Judd first proved her acting abilities in her debut film role as Ruby Lee Gissing in the acclaimed "Ruby In Paradise." Having won major acting awards worldwide, Judd has demonstrated her range in a variety of genres, most recently appearing in "Dolphin Tale" alongside Morgan Freeman, Harry Connick Jr. and Kris Kristofferson.

In 2010 Judd co-starred with Dwayne Johnson in the comedy and fantasy film "Tooth Fairy." In 2009 she was in the independent film "Helen." In 2006 she starred in "Come Early Morning," written and directed by Joey Lauren Adams, and "Bug," written by Tracy Letts and directed by William Friedkin. "Bug" won the International Press Award in Cannes, and Judd's performance earned her critical acclaim. The film was embraced by critics at the Sundance Film Festival, marking Judd's first time back at the Festival since her debut in "Ruby in Paradise."

On the small screen, Judd appeared in a National Geographic documentary about her travels to India in early 2007 as Global Ambassador for YouthAids. The documentary aired on December 1st, World Aids Day. In 2006 another documentary on The Learning Channel featured her travels to Central America with her friend, colleague, actor, feminist and human rights activist Salma Hayek. Still for television, Judd received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of Norma Jean Dougherty in "Norma Jean & Marilyn" (1996).

In 2004, Judd delivered an emotional performance as socialite Linda Lee Porter in the Cole Porter bio-pic, "De Lovely," for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination. Also in 2004 she starred in the film "Twisted," as well as on Broadway for six months in the leading role of Maggie in Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

In 2002 Judd made a small but significant appearance as Tina Modotti in the Julie Taymore-directed "Frida Kahlo." In addition, she had a strong supporting role in "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood," alongside Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Maggie Smith and James Garner. Also that year she starred in "High Crimes," re-teaming her with "Kiss the Girls" (1997) co-star Morgan Freeman, and starred with Greg Kinnear and Hugh Jackman in "Someone Like You."

Other film credits include "Where the Heart Is," opposite Natalie Portman; "Double Jeopardy," opposite Tommy Lee Jones; "Eye of the Beholder" with Ewan McGregor; "Simon Birch," based on the John Irving novel, A Prayer for Owen Meaney; "The Locusts," opposite Vince Vaughn and Kate Capshaw; "Heat," for which she won critical acclaim opposite Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Val Kilmer; and "A Time to Kill," opposite Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey.

Judd made her debut theatre performance in the Naked Angels' production of "Busted," directed by Timothy Hutton. She went on to star as Madge on Broadway in William Inge's Pulitzer-prize winning play, "Picnic," at the Roundabout Theatre Company, while simultaneously filming an unforgettable supporting role in "Smoke" as the daughter of Harvey Keitel and Stockard Channing.

Judd is on the board of directors for PSI (Population Services International), a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization operating in more than 65 countries. With programs in malaria, reproductive health, child survival and HIV, PSI promotes products, services and healthy behavior that enable low-income and vulnerable people to lead healthier lives. Judd joined PSI as a board member in 2004, after serving as Global Ambassador for PSI's HIV education and prevention program, YouthAIDS, since 2002. She has visited PSI programs in Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar, Kenya, South Africa, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, India, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In her work, she witnesses the lives of the exploited and poor, and seeks to help educate people about global poverty and finding solutions to social injustice and gender inequality.

Judd has been the subject of three award-winning documentaries aired in more than 150 countries worldwide on VH1, The Discovery Channel and The National Geographic Channel. In her role as PSI board member, she has graced the covers of countless magazines and been the subject of newspaper and television interviews, bringing vital awareness to issues closest to her heart - the alleviation of gender inequality and poverty. She has visited legislators on Capitol Hill, addressed the General Assembly of the UN on the scourge human trafficking, spoken at the National Press Club, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the protection of vulnerable women from violence, sexual abuse and HIV, and, most recently, served as an expert panelist at Clinton Global Initiative to discuss the issue of safe water and the empowerment of girls in the developing world.

Judd has also served as a spokesperson for the organizations Defenders for Wildlife and The Sierra Club, providing her time and voice to advocate against practices of aerial wolf hunting (Defenders for Wildlife) and mountaintop removal coal mining (The Sierra Club).

A Phi Beta Kappa nominee and Honors Program student of the University of Kentucky with a major in French and four minors, Judd studied the Meisner technique in acting when she first went to Hollywood. In May 2010, she received her Mid-Career Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Judd resides in Tennessee and Scotland with her husband, international racing star Dario Franchitti.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN: Granada Hills, CA
BIRTHDATE: April 19

SEAN BEAN
Paul Winstone on ABC's "Missing"

A charismatic screen presence who proved equally effective in romantic leads and as a villain, actor Sean Bean carved his path through the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before making a name for himself on British television and in American films. He most recently starred in the successful series "Game of Thrones," portraying the part of Lord Eddard Stark in the first season.

After spending the latter half of the 1980s making smaller films, Bean made his U.S. feature debut as a vengeance-minded IRA terrorist in the hit spy thriller, "Patriot Games," which opened the doors for the actor to play a wide range of bad guys. The following year, he was featured as a tough 19th Century British officer in the long-running made-for-television movie series, "Sharpe." He also starred as a former 00 agent-turned-traitor in "Golden Eye," before playing an inexperienced spy in the thriller "Ronin," opposite Robert DeNiro. But it was his supporting turn as the proud warrior, Boromir, in "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" that exposed Bean to his biggest audience and turned him into a widely-recognized figure. From there, he had supporting roles in the large scale features like "Troy" and "The Island," while offering compelling turns in smaller movies such as "North Country" and "The Hitcher," displaying a versatility that separates Bean from his contemporaries.

Born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, Bean was raised in Handsworth by his father, Brian, a welder and steel factory owner, his mother, Rita, a secretary. Having dropped out of school at age 16, he worked a variety of odd jobs before deciding to enroll at the Rotterham College of Arts and Technology. But he left to briefly attend the Granville College of Education in 1979, only to return to Rotterham where he eventually discovered acting, performing in such shows as "Cabaret" and "The Owl and the Pussycat." Deciding to pursue acting as a career, he enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art on scholarship to further hone his craft.

After graduation from RADA in 1983 with a Silver Medal for his performance in "Waiting for Godot," Bean made his professional stage debut -- then billed as Shaun Behan - as Tybalt in a production of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury. Following his British television debut in "Winter Flight," he spent a season on stage with the Young Writers Festival before joining the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company, where he acted in repertory, playing Romeo to Niamh Cusack's Juliet.

Bean made his feature debut in Derek Jarman's film, "Caravaggio," playing a man involved in a love triangle with the famed Baroque painter (Nigel Terry) and his other lover (Tilda Swinton). He reunited with the director on "War Requiem," a docudrama detailing the experiences of a soldier fighting in World War I. Bean had his first notable film role as an Irishman who becomes involved with the shady characters in the moody, jazz-influenced "Stormy Monday," directed by Mike Figgis. He shone as Richard Harris' repressed son in "The Field," while proving himself to be an effective villain in the Thames Television production "Lorna Doone. Turning to romantic leads, Bean delivered a fine portrayal of the vile Robert Lovelace in the adaptation of Samuel Richardson's "Clarissa," before managing to bed Joely Richardson in a steamy adaptation of D.H. Lawrence renamed "Lady Chatterly."

Back on British television, Bean starred in the four-part series, "Extremely Dangerous," playing a former MI5 agent who goes on the run to clear his name after being accused of brutally killing his wife and child. He next garnered praise for his portrayal of real-life British soldier Andy McNab, who led a secret mission during the Persian Gulf War in the British television drama "Bravo Two Zero." He returned to villainy as a wife-beating ex-con in "Essex Boys" and a malevolent kidnapper-jewel thief in "Don't Say a Word."

After roles in the futuristic thriller "Equilibrium" and the off-kilter comedy "The Big Empty," Bean returned to epic-style filmmaking when he played the legendary Greek hero Odysseus in "Troy," starring Brad Pitt as the hero Achilles. He followed this with a turn as Nicolas Cage's villainous rival in "National Treasure"; played yet another villain in the sci-fi thriller "The Island," from Michael Bay; had a supporting role as the captain of an airline flight in "Flightplan," with Jodie Foster; and shifted gears to show warm charm in the drama "North Country," as the protective husband of a female miner (Frances McDormand). In "Silent Hill" Bean played the husband of a desperate mother (Radha Mitchell). He followed this up with strong performances in thrillers like "Outlaw" and "The Hitcher." In 2009 he appeared in the three-part British series "Red Riding," and in 2010 played Zeus in "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightening Thief.".

Bean has just completed filming "Cleanskin," in which he plays a secret service agent faced with the task of pursuing and eliminating a suicide bomber and his terrorist cell. The film stars Charlotte Rampling, James Fox, Abhin Galeya, Tuppence Middleton and Michelle Ryan, and was written, produced and directed by Hadi Hajaig. He will also reprise his role as Christopher Da SIlva in the upcoming "Silent Hill" film sequel, "Silent Hill: Revelation 3D."

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN: Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
BIRTHDATE: April 17

CLIFF CURTIS
Dax Miller on ABC's "Missing"

Cliff Curtis is one of New Zealand's most successful acting talents, having worked with such acclaimed directors as Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann, David O. Russell, Danny Boyle, Frank Darabont, Jane Campion, Antoine Fuqua, Darren Aronofsky, Wayne Kramer, Roland Emmerich and Niki Caro.

Curtis has played a diverse range of characters, including his role opposite Academy Award nominee Keisha Castle Hughes in "Whale Rider." He has also appeared in the Academy Award-winning films "Training Day," with Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke, "The Insider," with Al Pacino and Russell Crowe, and his very first film, "The Piano," with Holly Hunter, Anna Paquin and Harvey Keitel.

Among Curtis' other films are "Columbiana," with Zoe Saldana, "10,000 B.C.," "Push," with Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning, "Sunshine," "Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard," opposite Bruce Willis, "Fracture," with Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling, "Blow," with Johnny Depp, "Three Kings," with George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube, and M. Night Shyamalan's "The Last Airbender" with Dev Patel. He will next co-star in the yet to be released "A Thousand Words" with Eddie Murphy.

Curtis worked with director Stephen Hopkins on the Emmy-nominated miniseries "Traffic." He also starred as daredevil flight medic Reuben "Rabbit" Palchuk on "Trauma" and, most recently, recurred as the love-interest to Dana Delany on ABC's "Body of Proof."

Among his numerous accolades in his native New Zealand, Curtis received a New Zealand Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in "Desperate Remedies," the same year that he received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the film "Once Were Warriors," directed by Lee Tamahori. He also starred in "Jubilee," which earned him a New Zealand Best Actor Award, and "Overnight," for which he received a New Zealand Television Award nod for Best Actor.

Curtis has also worked extensively in New Zealand theatre. He trained at the New Zealand Drama School before attending the prestigious Teatro Dimitri Scoula in Switzerland. His stage credits include "Macbeth," "The Cherry Orchard," "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Happy End," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Man of La Mancha" and "Porgy and Bess."

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN: Para Para Umu, New Zealand
BIRTHDATE: July 27

ADRIANO GIANNINI
Giancarlo Rossi on ABC's "Missing"

Adriano Giannini speaks Italian, English, French and Spanish. With his acting and language skills, Giannini recently won an award for dubbing the Joker (Heath Ledger) role in "The Dark Knight," and also recently also voiced Christian Bale's role in "The Fighter" in Italian.

In 2011 Giannini won Best Actor at the B.F. Film Festival for the movie "Sandrine Nella Pioggia," directed by Antonio Zangardi. In 2009 he wrote, directed and produced a short film based on a novel by Andrea Camilleri, "II Gioco." The movie was nominated at the Venice Film Festival, winning the Silver Ribbon as Best Short Film.

In addition to working in many European feature films, Giannini's other movie credits include "Black Thirst," "Ocean's Twelve" and "Swept Away" for American audiences. Though he has appeared on many European television shows, "Missing" is his first role on an American television series.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN: Rome, Italy
BIRTHDATE: May 10

NICK EVERSMAN
Michael Winstone on ABC's "Missing"

Nick Eversman was recently seen in HBO's critically acclaimed and Emmy-nominated "CinŽma VŽritŽ" as Grant Loud. He can currently be seen starring in the indie horror film "Urban Explorer," which just earned Best Picture at ScreamFest 2011.

Eversman's big screen credits include the "Twilight" parody "Vampires Suck," "The Runaways" and "Hellraiser Revelations." On the small screen, he has guest starred on "NCIS," "House," "The Ghost Whisperer" and "CSI: Miami."

Eversman was born in Madison, Wisconsin and currently resides in Los Angeles.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN: Madison, WI
BIRTHDATE: February 15

TEREZA VORISKOVA
Oksana on ABC's "Missing"

Tereza Voriskova has been engaged in dancing, singing and acting since childhood. From 11 to 15 years of age, she travelled the world with the children's troupe Valasek and attended festivals in China, America, Mexico and other countries. She has performed in over five series, fourteen movies, and is a member of Komedie Theatre (Comedy Theatre) in Prague, having studied Drama and Acting Conservatoire there.

Voriskova was 15 when she became famous for her role in the movie "Raftaci." That same year, she filmed "Venkovsky Ucitel" ("Country Teacher"), which screened at the Toronto and Venice festivals. She was nominated for The Cesky Lev Prize (Czech Leo Prize) in 2010 for Best Actress in "Zemsky raj to napohled" ("Heaven on Earth"), which won Best Picture at the Moscow and Polish fim festivals. Her last film, "Alois Nebel," premiered in Venice, was screened at the Toronto Film Festival and is currently running in Czech theatres.

Voriskova values her collaboration with director Oliver Hirschbiegel on his European TV series, "Borgias," but considers "Missing" her most interesting and grandest foreign adventure so far. She is planning to relocate to Los Angeles, and appreciates work, and family and friends for their great and unshakable support.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN: Prague, Czech Republic
BIRTHDATE: June 29

All good things eventually come to an end, and in the final season of this landmark show, the stakes are at an all-time high. Winner of both the 2005 and 2006 Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series -- Musical or Comedy - "Desperate Housewives" is a primetime soap with a truly contemporary take on "happily ever after." The series, which takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia -- where the secret lives of housewives aren't always what they seem -- began with Mary Alice Young inside her perfect house, in the loveliest of suburbs, taking her own life. Commenting from her elevated point of view, she took us into the lives of her family, friends and neighbors.

For Season Eight, Carlos' murder of Gaby's abusive stepfather and the cover up by Susan, Gaby, Bree and Lynette had far-reaching effects. Feelings of guilt began to overcome everyone in different ways, and the knowledge that someone out there knows what they have done has rattled the ladies to their core. Susan withdrew from her friends and family, but found solace in an art class; Gaby continues to ensure that Carlos gets well, as his guilt weighed so heavily upon him that he began drinking heavily and ended up in rehab; Lynette and Tom continue to grapple with their difficult separation; and Bree's life began spiraling into despair when her friends abandoned her after they blamed her for scorning Detective Chuck Vance and causing him to take out his vengeance on them. But with the recent murder of Vance, could one of the ladies be his assassin? Meanwhile, sexy neighbor Ben Faulkner remains Renee's first order of business.

"Desperate Housewives" stars Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis, Vanessa Williams as Renee Perry, Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Carlos Solis, Doug Savant as Tom Scavo, Charles Mesure as Ben Faulkner and Madison de la Garza as Juanita Solis, with Brenda Strong as Mary Alice Young and James Denton as Mike Delfino.

Marc Cherry created the series. Cherry is executive producer, along with George W. Perkins, Bob Daily, Sabrina Wind, Matt Berry, David Grossman, Jeff Greenstein and Marco Pennette. "Desperate Housewives" is produced by ABC Studios.

MARC CHERRY, Creator and Executive Producer on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

Marc Cherry spent the early years of his childhood in Buena Park, California, a suburb of Orange County. The family moved to Oklahoma and lived on his grandmother’s farm while his father went to school to earn a Masters Degree and his mother stayed home and raised three young children. After his father graduated and began a new career as a corporate accountant, the family relocated several times to and from Orange County, and exotic countries around the world. From Oklahoma, the family moved to Huntington Beach, California for a couple of years, then to Hong Kong for a brief period, back to Huntington Beach, followed by nine months in Iran, and then back to Fullerton, California, where they stayed. In high school Cherry excelled in drama and majored in theatre at Cal State Fullerton. In the late 1980s he won $15,000 on the Dick Clark game show, "$100,000 Pyramid," took his winnings and moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in writing.

Cherry began as a personal assistant to Dixie Carter on the set of"Designing Women," and early success as a writer soon followed. His writer/producer credits include the beloved television classic "The Golden Girls" and the sequel to the series, "The Golden Palace." He also served as writer and executive producer on the television comedies "Some of My Best Friends," "The Crew" and "The Five Mrs. Buchanans." Following a difficult three-year hiatus of unemployment, during which his long-time agent was arrested and charged with embezzlement, Cherry got his second big break in 2004 when ABC and Touchstone Television picked up his original "Desperate Housewives" script for production. In its first year the series proved to be a ground-breaking success, a ratings powerhouse, and quickly developed a devoted worldwide fan base.

Cherry is creator and executive producer of "Desperate Housewives," now in its eighth season. In the first season, "Desperate Housewives" won two Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series -- Musical or Comedy, and Best Performance by an Actress -- Musical or Comedy -- by Teri Hatcher. The People’s Choice Awards fans voted the show as Favorite New Television Drama in 2005. The Screen Actors Guild honored the series with an award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actress in a Comedy Series to Teri Hatcher in 2005 and to Felicity Huffman in 2006, and Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in both 2005 and 2006. In September 2005 the show was nominated for 15 Emmys, with wins in six categories, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Felicity Huffman. And in January 2006, the show won its second Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series -- Musical or Comedy.

Cherry has a development deal with ABC Studios, producing under the banner Cherry Productions.

BOB DAILY, Executive Producer on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

Bob Daily is executive producer of the critically acclaimed ABC series "Desperate Housewives," for which he was nominated for a 2007 Golden Globe Award.

For his work on "Frasier," where he served as writer and co-executive producer, Daily received an Emmy Award nomination and won two consecutive Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards in the category of Outstanding Script –- Television Comedy. He also won four Gold World Medals from the New York Television Festival and was nominated for a Humanitas Award. He worked for five seasons on "Frasier," writing 15 episodes (one of which was included in the book, The Very Best of Frasier).

Prior to "Frasier," Daily worked as a writer/producer on a variety of TV series, including "Out of Practice" (CBS), "Rugrats" (Nickelodeon) and "Costello" (Fox).

Daily began his career as a journalist in Chicago, serving as contributing editor at Chicago magazine. He wrote for a variety of publications, including Spy, Men’s Journal, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader and Boston Globe. He has also published six books for children. In 1997 his biography, Elvis Presley (Franklin Watts/Grolier Press), was named one of the year’s best books for young readers by the New York Public Library.

TERI HATCHER
Susan Mayer on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

Teri Hatcher has delivered memorable performances in movies, television and on stage since 1990. Her wildly successful portrayal of Susan Mayer in the award-winning ABC comedy “Desperate Housewives” earned her a 2005 Golden Globe Award (Best Actress in a Leading Role, Musical or Comedy, Television), a 2005 Screen Actors Guild Award (Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series), a 2006 Golden Globe Award nomination, a 2005 Television Critics Award nomination and a 2005 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy. The role of the single mom searching for love in the sometimes sordid, always intriguing world of Wisteria Lane has vaulted Hatcher to the pinnacle of today’s hottest comic actresses.

Having also starred as Lois in the ABC series “Lois and Clark,” Hatcher often finds herself a role model to young women in journalism and carries a Superman fan base that is nothing short of global. Coming full circle, she recently guest starred as Lois Lane’s mother, Ella Lane, on an episode of “Smallville.” “Her first movie role in Christopher Guest’s “The Big Picture” remains one of her career highlights, along with movie roles in “Soapdish,” “Spy Kids,” “Tomorrow Never Dies” and, most recently, when she voiced ALL THREE mothers in Henry Selick’s Oscar-nominated animated film, “Coraline.”

Hatcher’s fearless desire to challenge herself and experience the world led her to star as Sally Bowels in the Sam Mendes-directed touring company of “Cabaret” in 1999, for which she received critical acclaim and standing ovations from Los Angeles to Boston. Her comedic expertise was wildly noted when she hosted “Saturday Night Live” in 1995, landing at least two of her sketches in the “Best of SNL” highlights series.

In 2006 Hatcher wrote her first book, a funny and inspiring look at a woman finding balance between family, career and self, entitled Burnt Toast and Other Philosophies of Life. It remained on the New York Times Bestseller list for four weeks.

Hatcher is currently filing her eighth season of “Desperate Housewives.”

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN...................Sunnyvale, CA
BIRTHDATE......................December 8

FELICITY HUFFMAN
Lynette Scavo on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

Felicity Huffman has proven herself an exceptional actress in both dramatic and comedic roles. She earned an Academy Award nomination for her stunning performance in “Transamerica,” as well as a Golden Globe Award and Independent Spirit Award for the same role. She has also been honored with an Emmy and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on “Desperate Housewives.”

Huffman can currently be seen starring as Lynette Scavo on the ABC hit “Desperate Housewives.” The cast won the 2004 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, and also won a Golden Globe for Best Television Series -- Comedy or Musical. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Television Comedy for her role in the show.

Huffman’s recent feature, THINKFilm’s “Phoebe in Wonderland,” was released in 2009 and starred Elle Fanning and Patricia Clarkson. In 2007 she appeared in Universal Pictures’ “Georgia Rule,” directed by Garry Marshall and co-starring Jane Fonda and Lindsay Lohan. In 2006 she starred in the critically acclaimed Weinstein Company film, “Transamerica,” which was written and directed by Duncan Tucker and was the first ever acquisition for the company. In addition to an Oscar nomination, Huffman won a Golden Globe and Independent Spirit Award for the role. She was also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, was awarded Best Actress by the National Board of Review, and received a nomination for Best Actress from the Broadcast Film Critics Awards. Multiple film festivals screened the film, including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival. Huffman received Best Actress awards from the Tribeca Film Festival, the San Diego Film Festival, the Aspen Film Festival, the Florida International Film Festival, and was honored by the Palm Springs International Film Festival. She was also honored by Movieline’s Hollywood Life with their Breakthrough Performance Award. In 2004 she appeared in the feature film “Christmas with the Cranks,” which starred Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. She also appeared in “Raising Helen,” with Kate Hudson and John Corbett.

On the small screen Huffman was seen in 2004 in the television movie “Reversible Errors,” with William H. Macy, Tom Selleck and Monica Potter. Among her television movie credits are “Out of Order,” the critically acclaimed “Door to Door,” starring William H. Macy, “Path to War,” starring Alec Baldwin and Donald Sutherland, “The Heart Department,” “Harrison, Cry of the City,” “Quicksand,” “Heart of Justice,” “The Water Engine” and Underworld.” Other television credits include “Chicago Hope,” “The X-Files,” “Law & Order,” “Bedtime Stories” and appearances as a series regular on “The Human Factor,” the ABC series “Sports Night,” “Thunder Alley,” “Early Edition,” “Jules” and “The Golden Years.”

Huffman is a founding member of the Atlantic Theater Company, an off-Broadway theater company where she has been featured in numerous plays, including “Dangerous Corner,” “Shaker Heights” and “The Joy of Definitely Going Somewhere.” Among her other stage credits are “Oh Hell,” directed by Greg Mosher at the Lincoln Center Theatre, “Boy’s Life,” directed by William H. Macy, “The Loop” and “Grotesque Love Songs.” Huffman also appeared in David Mamet’s “Speed the Plow.” She received an OBIE Award for her portrayal of Donnie in Mamet’s “Cryptogram.”

Huffman resides in Los Angeles with her husband, actor/director William H. Macy.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................Bedford, NY
BIRTHDATE.....................December 9

MARCIA CROSS
Bree Van de Kamp on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

Marcia Cross stars in the smash hit television series "Desperate Housewives." In 2005 and 2006 she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in the Best Actress category. She was also nominated for an Emmy in the Best Actress in a Comedy Series category in 2005.

Cross recently completed filming the independent feature "Bringing Up Bobby," alongside Milla Jovovich and Bill Pullman, written and directed by Famke Janssen. Previously she appeared in the feature film "Just Peck," a comedy starring Adam Arkin, Camryn Manheim, Keir Gilchrist and Brie Larson. Prior to her role on "Desperate Housewives," she starred as Dr. Linda Abbott on The WB's critically-acclaimed series, "Everwood." She is also well known for her role as Dr. Kimberly Shaw on the hit drama "Melrose Place."

Born and raised in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Cross was determined to become an actress from the moment she performed in her first school play, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond," in the sixth grade. At the age of 18 she was accepted at The Juilliard School.

On stage, Cross performed in "The Merchant of Venice" at the Folger Theatre, "La Ronde" at the Williamstown Theater Festival, "Twelfth Night" at the Hartford Stage Company, and in "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.

Her first television job was on the daytime drama, "The Edge of Night." Cross reluctantly left New York to try her luck in Los Angeles. She was soon landing roles in television movies such as "The Last Days of Frank and Jessie James," co-starring with Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Her memorable role on "Melrose Place" began when she was hired for one episode. The producers were so impressed that they kept asking her back for additional appearances, eventually bringing her character back from the dead to continue on the hit show.

Cross also guest-starred on such series as "Seinfeld," where she played Jerry's dermatologist girlfriend, and "Cheers," where she portrayed Susan, the younger sister to Kirstie Alley's Rebecca. She has also appeared on the comedies "Ally McBeal," "Spin City," "The Garry Shandling Show" and "The King of Queens." Her dramatic roles include appearances on "CSI," "Profiler" and "Touched by an Angel," and her film credits include ""Living in Fear," "Always Say Goodbye," "Dancing in September" and "Bad Influence."

Aside from her successful career as an actress, Cross has also made time to continue her education, earning a master's degree in psychology. She makes her home in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Marlborough, MA
BIRTHDATE March 25

EVA LONGORIA
Gabrielle Solis on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

Golden Globe-nominated, Screen Actors Guild Award-winning and ALMA Award-winning actress Eva Longoria currently stars as Gabrielle Solis on the ABC-megahit, “Desperate Housewives.” She has received numerous awards, including a People's Choice Award for Favorite Female TV Star, Teen Choice Award, TV Guide’s “TV’s Sexiest Star,” People's “50 Most Beautiful People,” People's “100 Most Beautiful People,” People En Español’s “50 Mas Bellos,” Rolling Stone's “People of the Year,” and was ranked three years in a row in the prestigious Forbes Celebrity 100, as well as two years in a row as the “No. 1 Hottest Woman in the World” on Maxim's annual “Hot 100” list.

On the film front, Longoria filmed “Baytown Disco” over the summer, starring with Billy Bob Thornton. Additionally, she is set to star in two upcoming feature films scheduled for a fall 2011 release -- “Cristiada,” a period piece set in Mexico chronicling the historic Cristeros War, opposite Andy Garcia and Peter O’Toole, and “Without Men, co-starring Christian Slater, Oscar Nunez (the “Office”) and Kate del Castillo (“Weeds”). Longoria lends her voice, along with Charlie Sheen, Wayne Brady and Hilary Duff, to the upcoming Lionsgate animated feature “Foodfight!,” slated for release this year. She also starred in New Line/Gold Circle Films’ “Over Her Dead Body,” alongside Paul Rudd, Lake Bell and Jason Biggs, in Fox/Regency/Further Films’ “The Sentinel,” opposite Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland and Kim Basinger, as well as alongside Christian Bale and Freddie Rodriquez in the indie film ”Harsh Times,” written and directed by David Ayer. In addition, Longoria had a cameo in “The Heartbreak Kid,” directed by the Farrelly Brothers and starring Ben Stiller and Malin Akerman, and had a leading role opposite Rob Corddry, Monica Potter and Jason Biggs in the independent film “Lower Learning,” with writer/director Mark Lafferty.

This September marks Longoria’s return as both host and executive-producer of the National Council of La Raza ALMA Awards, which honors Latino artistic achievement in the television, film and music industry. She created UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, her own production company, which develops films and television shows. She is also working as an executive producer in collaboration with Academy Award-nominated Shine Global, a non-profit film production company that is dedicated to the elimination of child exploitation and abuse through the production of films to raise social awareness and effect political change, for the documentary film, “Harvest.” (www.ShineGlobal.org). Longoria combines the pride of her Latin heritage with her strong support of the 2010 Census by partnering with Pepsi to direct and produce a documentary film for the “Yo Sumo” Campaign (www.PepsiYoSumo.com), which encourages Latinos to go beyond being counted and begin “to count” by sharing experiences that have helped shape the landscape of this great country. This also marks Longoria’s directorial debut.

Longoria partnered with Celebrity Chef Todd English and opened Beso Hollywood (www.BesoHollywood.com) in March 2008. In December 2009, she brought her world-renowned and famed restaurant to the gorgeous 8.5 billion-dollar CityCenter in Las Vegas (www.BesoLasVegas.com).

Longoria launched her first fragrance, EVA by Eva Longoria, in April 2010. In addition she represents L'Oreal Paris as an international spokesperson, is the face of Bebe Sport, and was the spokesperson for Heineken Light in a very popular worldwide campaign.

Longoria released her first New York Times best selling cookbook, Eva’s Kitchen: Cooking with Love for Family and Friends, on April 5, 2011. This flavor-packed cookbook of recipes reflects her passion for cooking and her fascinating life story, from her Texan roots and Mexican heritage to her close family ties and incredibly successful career.

Longoria’s dedication to a better earth has lead to her becoming an investor in the eco-friendly development firm The GreenVille Project (www.TheGreenVilleProject.com), which is committed to designing, building and maintaining community-based, sustainably-built and energy-neutral retail marketplaces. She also has her own charities and organizations that are very close to her heart, and pours her free time, energy and love into philanthropic missions that make a difference in the Latino community. She serves as the national spokesperson for PADRES Contra El Cáncer (Parents Against Cancer) (iamhope.org), a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families. She was also the honorary chair for “Rally for Kids with Cancer,” where all money raised benefited PADRES and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. In addition to PADRES, she works with the Special Olympics and founded the non-profit organization “Eva’s Heroes” (www.EvasHeroes.org), which is dedicated to enriching the lives of those with developmental challenges. She has taken an active role in Make-A-Wish France (www.MakeAWishFrance.org), an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

In addition to her work with her own charities, Longoria has donated a new home to a victim of Hurricane Katrina through the Oprah’s Angel Network. She was recently selected as one of 12 female celebrities, including Sienna Miller, Milla Jovovich, Emily Blunt, Susan Sarandon, Helen Hunt and Mira Sorvino, to take part in the “Montblanc Signature for Good” charity initiative to benefit UNICEF’s battle against illiteracy. When the earthquake hit the people of Haiti, Longoria was one of the first celebrities to step up and lend a hand, volunteering her time to her friend George Lopez’s “Help Haiti” fundraiser. She has since remained active and has become an ambassador for “aHomeInHaiti” (www.aHomeInHaiti.org). Longoria participated in the first EVER celebrity Twitter auction called “TwitChange”- in which celebrities auction off “tweets” and “mentions” for charity. Longoria raised over a half a million dollars to benefit Haiti. Celebrities taking part include Zachary Levi, Jewel, Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba, the Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Demi Moore, Kelly Clarkson, Kim Kardashian, Shaquille O’Neil, and many more. In her second round of TwitChange, she plans to raise money to benefit CARE. CARE is dedicated to helping disenfranchised and marginalized people around the world – namely the millions of girls and women who are struggling to lift themselves and their families out of poverty and create lasting change in their communities.

Amongst Longoria’s many philanthropic awards are the Horizon Award from the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts (2005), Latina Visionary and Community Empowerment Award from the Women’s Corporation (2006), Mujer/Chair Award from the National Hispania Leadership Institute (2006), Corazones Unidos Award from the Larry King Cardiac Foundation in partnership with the American Heart Association (2006), Hope of Los Angeles Award (2008), Cesar Chavez Legacy Award (2009), Community Service Award by the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF) (2009), the Premio de Oro—Distinguished Business Leadership Award (2010), the “Medallion of Excellence Award” by CHCI (2010) and the National Freedom Award by the National Civil Rights Museum (2010).

Longoria currently works closely with the United Farm Workers, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Dolores Huerta Foundation and the National Council of La Raza. In addition, she was recently selected by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as an appointee to the National Museum of the American Latino Commission. The National Museum will create a home for the historical artifacts, images and personal stories documenting more than 500 years of American Latino contributions to the United States.

Longoria is invited to speak all over the country on issues pertaining to philanthropy, civil rights, labor issues, literacy, education, poverty and disabilities. Whether she is volunteering during a presidential campaign, fundraising, engaging Latino voters or spending time with her family, Longoria proves that ambition can be applied to philanthropic ventures, as well as a successful career that knows no boundaries, both in the United States and around the world. Additionally, Longoria is currently in grad school to get her master’s in Chicano studies/political science.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................Corpus Christi, TX
BIRTHDATE.....................March 15

VANESSA WILLIAMS
Renee Perry on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

Vanessa Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in entertainment today, conquering musical charts, Broadway, music videos, television and motion pictures. She has sold millions of albums worldwide and achieved critical acclaim as an actress on stage, film and TV.

Williams starred for four seasons as Wilhelmina Slater on ABC’s critically-acclaimed hit series, “Ugly Betty,” for which she won or was nominated for numerous individual and ensemble awards, including the Emmy, SAG Award, Golden Globe and NAACP Image Awards.

Her albums “The Right Stuff,” “The Comfort Zone and “The Sweetest Days” earned multiple Grammy nominations and have yielded such classic hits as “Save the Best for Last,” “Dreamin,” “Work to Do” and “Love Is,” and the Academy Award-winning single “Colors of the Wind,” from Disney’s “Pocahontas,” among many others. Her recordings also include two holiday albums, “Star Bright” and “Silver & Gold,” “Vanessa Williams Greatest Hits: The First Ten Years,” “Everlasting Love,” a romantic collection of love songs from the 1970s, and “The Real Thing.”

In 1994 Williams took Broadway by storm when she replaced Chita Rivera in “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” winning the hearts of critics and becoming a box-office sensation. She garnered rave reviews and was nominated for a Tony Award for the 2002 revival of “Into the Woods.” She also headlined a limited special engagement of the classic, “Carmen Jones,” at the Kennedy Center, and starred in the Encore! Series staged concert production of “St. Louis Woman.” She received a Drama League nomination for her recent run in Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine’s new original Broadway musical, “Sondheim on Sondheim.”

She made her film debut in 1986 in “Under the Gun,” and went on to star in “Eraser,” “Hoodlum,” “Soul Food,” “Dance With Me,” “Light It Up,” “Shaft” and “Johnson Family Vacation.” She also starred in the independent features “My Brother” and “Somebody Like You,” and co-starred in Disney’s “Hannah Montana: The Movie.” On television Williams has starred in such movies and miniseries as “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “The Boy Who Loved Christmas,” “The Jacksons: An American Dream,” ABC’s revival of “Bye, Bye Birdie,” “Nothing Lasts Forever,” “The Odyssey,” “Don Quixote” and “Keep the Faith, Baby,” and she executive-produced and starred in Lifetime’s “The Courage to Love” and the VH1 Original Movie, “A Diva’s Christmas Carol.”

In 2007 Williams achieved a career pinnacle with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her accomplishments as a performer. Her charitable endeavors are many and varied, embracing and supporting such organizations as Special Olympics and many others.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN...................New York, NY
BIRTHDATE......................March 18

RICARDO ANTONIO CHAVIRA
Carlos Solis on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

A native of South Texas, Ricardo Antonio Chavira was born in Austin and raised in San Antonio, where he graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, now the Performing Arts School, and Incarnate Word College. He received his MFA from the highly regarded UC San Diego's Professional Actor Training Program in 2000, and moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter. Since then he has worked consistently in all areas of the entertainment industry - film, television and theatre.

Chavira's film credits include "Piranha 3D," Touchstone's "The Alamo" and several independent films. His television credits include a series regular role on "The Grubbs," recurring roles on "Six Feet Under" and "The Division," and guest starring roles on "Monk," "Joan of Arcadia," "Kingpin," "24," "George Lopez Show" and "JAG," as well as "NYPD Blue" and two other Steven Bochco series, "Philly" and "City of Angels." He also co-starred in the A&E film, "Kings of South Beach."

Chavira starred in a production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" at The Guthrie Theater and also starred in "Tracers" at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles. He has worked at some of the country's top regional theatres, including the La Jolla Playhouse in "Dogeaters," the San Diego Rep in "Bandido" and the Seattle Rep & Missouri Rep, where he starred in a co-production of "Living Out."

Chavira is a well known advocate in the fight against Breast Cancer, a cause that became highly personal to him at the age of 15 when he lost his own mother to breast and ovarian cancer. He has worked closely with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Cancer Support Community to raise awareness of the effects of the disease and importance of finding a cure. He was recently honored for his work by the Associates for Breast & Prostate Studies with the Excellence in the Arts Award at a benefit luncheon for the John Wayne Cancer Institute.

Chavira calls Texas home, where you can find him riding his motorcycle in the Texas Hill Country and with his son, Tomas Antonio, and daughter, Belen Elysabeth.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN San Antonio, TX
BIRTHDATE September 1

DOUG SAVANT
Tom Scavo on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

Doug Savant is back for the eighth season of ABC’s television phenomenon “Desperate Housewives” as Tom Scavo.

Savant is no stranger to “appointment television,” having gained his first major success on “Melrose Place” as Matt Fielding, one of television’s first openly gay characters. Like “Housewives,” the iconic 1990s series became a national fixation and sparked water cooler conversations week after week.

On the big screen Savant has starred in such films as “Masquerade,” opposite Rob Lowe, “Hanoi Hilton” and “Red Surf,” opposite George Clooney. Following “Melrose,” he took on a supporting role in the Dean Devlin/Roland Emmerich mega-production, “Godzilla,” starring Matthew Broderick.

His other television appearances include such hit shows as “24,” “According to Jim” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”

Savant is married to actress Laura Leighton, and they have four children.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN..................Burbank, CA
BIRTHDATE.....................June 21

JAMES DENTON
Mike Delfino on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

Currently starring as Mike Delfino in the Golden Globe and SAG Award-winning "Desperate Housewives," Nashville native James Denton, who originally attended college on a basketball scholarship, wasn't bitten by the acting bug until he was 28. He landed the role of George Gibbs in a Nashville production of "Our Town," got fine reviews, but thought there was a more solid career in selling advertising. He did that in Tennessee and then in North Carolina for four years before taking off for Chicago to risk everything to become a professional actor.

He soon was accepted as one of Chicago's brightest stars. After earning a key casting when the "Untouchables" series came to town to film, Denton was drawn to Los Angeles, where his strong theatre reputation had preceded him, and he was locked in with choice turns in film, on TV and on the stage.

He started building his big screen profile with performances in such films as "Primary Colors," "Face/Off" and "That Old Feeling," but soon off-beat roles in adventurous TV series were claiming his time. In 1997 Denton landed the role of the eerily sociopathic Mr. Lyle on NBC's hit drama, "The Pretender." The series' multi-year run was followed by "The Pretender" television films, "Pretender 2001" and "Pretender: The Island of The Haunted." In 2001 Denton was cast by ABC to star opposite Kim Delaney in Steven Bochco's "Philly," which was critically acclaimed but short-lived. But Denton's growing reputation quickly led to a new series casting him as a top player in this nation's homeland security community, Special Agent Jon Kilmer on "Threat Matrix." In addition to his series starring roles on TV, his guest appearances include "JAG," "Slider," "Dark Skies," "Two Guys and a Girl," "Ally McBeal" and "The West Wing." In 2006 Denton hosted the prestigious Miss America Pageant on the CMT Network.

Acting obviously is serious work for the handsome and athletic star. His Chicago training with some of that area's most excellent teachers pointed him in that direction. His first role there was as Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire," and his last was the terrorist in the French farce, "Lapin, Lapin." He was a company member of the Griffin Theatre and at the Strawdog Theatre Ensemble. He added a steady string of roles and accolades to his quickly growing list, including one of the leads in the world premiere of "Flesh and Blood," performing in and composing the music for "The Night Hank Williams Died," and his portrayal of Kentucky preacher C.C. Showers in "The Diviners," which gained him a coveted Joseph Jefferson Best Actor nomination. For these performances, Denton was listed as one of Chicago's hottest actors by Screen Magazine. In Los Angeles, he appeared in the premieres of "Asylum" at the Court Theatre, "Locked Up Down Shorty's" at the Powerhouse Theatre, and "In Walked Monk" at the Hudson Theatre.

Denton, who lives with his family in Los Angeles, became part owner of the Orange County Flyers baseball team in 2007. He also is part of Band from TV, formed by Greg Grunberg and including fellow television stars Jesse Spencer, Bob Guiney, Scott Grimes, Adrian Pasdar and Hugh Laurie. The band plays several shows around the country every year to raise money for charity.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN...................Nashville, TN
BIRTHDATE...................January 20