Category: 2020

Natasha Alam

Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Natasha, Russian abbreviation for Natalia, attended school at the University of Technology for Aviation. In search of independence, Natasha moved to Moscow to model under “Red Stars” model management. A few years later, Natasha was scouted by the Italian agency, “International Model Management” (“IMM”) that sent her to Rome, Paris, Milan, and London to model for Gucci, Versace, John Galiano, Rocco Barrocco, Christian Dior, Trussardi, Vivienne Westwood and many other top designers. In 1996 Natasha met Amir Ebrahim Pahlavi Alam, the grandson of the Shah of Iran. The couple married in New York in 1998 and moved to London where Natasha enrolled into “The Method Center” to study the “Lee Strasbergs Acting Technique.” In 2001 Natasha and her husband moved to Los Angeles to continue her studies in acting, vocals, speech, and accent reduction with Ivana Chubbuck, Howard Fine, Lesly Kahn, Carol Rogers, and Bob Corff. Natasha’s hard work started to pay off when she booked her first acting job on the television show Fastlane (2002). With their careers going separate ways, Natasha and Amir separated. Natasha moved to Hollywood and Amir went back to London. The divorce was finalized in 2005.

Best known for her role as Yvetta on the hit HBO series, “True Blood,” Natasha has found success on both the big and small screen since arriving in Hollywood all the way from Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After moving to Moscow, Natasha began a globe-trotting career as a print and runway model for Gucci, Versace, John Galliano, Christian Dior and many other top designers. Natasha then transitioned into acting, moving to London to train at “The Method Center” and learn the “Lee Strasberg Acting Technique. After studying under well known teachers Ivana Chubbuck, Howard Fine, Lesly Kahn and Bob Corff, Natasha booked her first acting job on the Fox Television show “Fastlane” (2002). She has since appeared on a wide variety of television shows, including “NYPD Blue”, “CSI”, “NCIS”, “Just Shoot Me”, “The Bold and The Beautiful”, “Nip/Tuck” and “Entourage” among others. Natasha has also appeared in over a dozen films, including “The Women (2008)”, opposite Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes and Bette Midler. Despite having a busy work schedule, Natasha loves spending time with her young daughter, Valentina, and her new role…as a mom.

– IMDb Mini Biography By: Ashley Brauer

 

Sharyn Wynters

Sharyn Wynters has always had an eye for the stage. But, her life has taken many turns, granting her the chance to evolve as a model-actress-naturopath-author-singer and champion for humanity. After high school, Sharyn entered a beauty pageant and became Miss Pennsylvania in the Miss World contest. This led to a modeling job in New York for Oleg Cassini, the world-renowned designer (and dress designer for Jacqueline Kennedy). While modeling, Sharyn met actress Bobbi Shaw, who convinced her to pursue a career in acting. As a young woman in her early twenties, she packed up her things and drove to LA-and within two weeks, she was cast as Cat Girl in the original Batman TV series . This led to a TV and film career, with credits including: The Rockford Files, Kojak, The Odd Couple, Hook Line & Sinker, Westworld, and Funny Lady. With a growing acting career, Sharyn’s life took another turn. She developed cancer and was told it would eventually take her life. Refusing to accept this, she traveled to Texas to enlist the help of Dr. William Donald Kelly. Her decision not only left her cancer-free, but also gave her a new passion. Sharyn studied dozens of healing disciplines including Metabolic Nutrition, Cranial Sacral, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Meditation, Pilates, Hypnosis, Rolfing, Feldenkrais, Yoga, and many others. She acquired a degree as a naturopath from the Clayton School of Natural healing, and a degree from the Santa Monica School of Massage Therapy. After many years as a naturopath, Sharyn decided to write a book. She is co-author of, The Pure Cure: A Complete Guide to Freeing your Life from Dangerous Toxins-a reflection of over 30 years of research into the dangers of the toxins in our modern living environment and how to avoid them. Of this part of her life Sharyn says: An important part of healing is learning to listen to your inner voice. Healing is an adventure! Illness is our body trying to teach us how to be well. Sharyn has a strong commitment to humanity and a passion for making a difference. Following the release of her book, she dedicated herself to influence as many lives as possible- in as many ways as possible. She became a popular speaker at conferences and seminars; she hosted a Talk Radio show on health and healing; and she worked with Fran Drescher, creator of the Cancer Schmancer movement (www.cancerschmancer.org). Sharyn is the recipient of the Naturopathic Doctor of the year award from the Qi Gong Congress (2011) and the Lifetime Achievement award from the Amazing Women Organization (2010). At the turn of the millennium, Sharyn asked herself, “What else have I always wanted to do that I have not already done?” The answer to that question came passionately-“…to be a torch singer of romantic jazz.” Sharyn contacted an old friend, Dini Clarke (Billie Holliday’s piano player)and began to take voice lessons. Within a year and a half she recorded her first album, “Reflections of Love.” Of this experience Sharyn says: As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to reach out and touch the souls of others. First it came through my modeling and acting, then by healing therapies. Now I am overjoyed that I can also heal through song. Then, on a Sunday morning in mid 2018, after a 40-year hiatus from acting, Sharyn was overcome with a strong desire to return to acting. She said out loud, “I want to get back into acting!” That same day, Sharyn went to a baby shower and sat next to a talent agent who asked, “Have you ever considered getting back into acting?” Within weeks, Sharyn re-connected with Bobbi Shaw-Chance (now a renowned acting teacher ) and following a showcase, was offered the starring role in Night Mistress. With the ability to captivate an audience and years of experience, Sharyn Wynters has begun yet another adventure.

– IMDb Mini Biography By: Sharyn Wynters

 

Tom Sizemore

Tom Sizemore rose in prominence throughout the 1990s, establishing himself as a memorable tough-guy actor, sought by the most respected directors in the business.

Thomas Edward Sizemore, Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Judith (Schannault), an ombudsman staff member, and Thomas Edward Sizemore, Sr., a lawyer and professor. Sizemore grew up idolizing the tough-guy characters of the movies he watched. After attending Wayne State University, he got his master’s degree in theatre from Temple University in 1986.

Like many, he moved to New York City and struggled, waiting tables and performing in plays. His first break came when Oliver Stone cast him in a bit part in Born on the Fourth of July (1989). Bigger roles soon followed throughout the early 1990s, such as Guilty by Suspicion (1991), True Romance (1993), and Striking Distance (1993). 1994 proved to be an even bigger year for Sizemore, as he won the role of “Bat Masterson” in Kevin Costner‘s star-studded biopic Wyatt Earp (1994), as well as one of his first truly memorable roles as “Detective Jack Scagnetti” in Oliver Stone‘s controversial Natural Born Killers (1994). In 1995 he appeared in Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), Strange Days (1995), as well as the acclaimed crime epic Heat (1995), directed by Michael Mann. Sizemore’s first big leading role is in The Relic (1997), the big-budget effects thriller directed by Peter Hyams.

According to a 2001 interview in The Calgary Sun, Sizemore entered a drug rehabilitation program in 1998 after his mother and his friend Robert De Niro appeared on his door-step during the filming of Witness to the Mob (1998). Telling him they were there to drive him to jail or to rehabilitation, Sizemore chose the latter. After completing rehabilitation, he counseled adolescents involved in substance abuse.

Offered roles in W.W.II films directed by both Terrence Malick and Steven Spielberg, Sizemore chose the role of “Sergeant Horvath” in Saving Private Ryan (1998). The role and film received wide acclaim and introduced Sizemore’s talents to a much broader audience in a more human and well-rounded role than he had previously been given. Sizemore also credits this shoot and Steven Spielberg for helping him with his recovery from addiction, with Steven Spielberg threatening to reshoot the entire film if Sizemore failed a drug test even once.

After a flamboyant and uncredited mobster role in Enemy of the State (1998), Sizemore then portrayed a psychotic paramedic in Bringing Out the Dead (1999) directed by Martin Scorsese. Seemingly taking it easy, he then turned in fine but stereotypical performances in Play It to the Bone (1999), Red Planet (2000), and Pearl Harbor (2001). Sizemore then received another leading role in the high-profile military drama Black Hawk Down (2001) directed by yet another legendary director, Ridley Scott.

Specializing in the sort of ultimate tough-guy/manly man roles that hearken back to a different era in film, Sizemore continues to be a favourite of Hollywood’s greatest directors. Never afraid to speak his mind about anyone and anything, his sense of blunt honesty and lack of pretension is refreshing. A commanding voice and presence on film, Sizemore looks to continue as one of Hollywood’s greatest actors.

 

 

May Chang