ROAD TO HELL
MiCHAEL PARE` as "CODY"
Michael Pare is an actor who experienced one of the most mercurial rises in the history of American Film. Born in 1959 to a French Canadian Father and an Irish American Mother, Michael was the eighth of ten children. In 1964 Michael's father succumbed after a brave battle to leukemia. His Mother faced great difficulties but raised her ten children in Brooklyn. Michael is a New Yorker. After High School Michael attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Poughkeepsie New York. student he was employed in major restaurants in New York as a sous chef before graduation.
While working at Tavern on The Green in NewYork, Michael was discovered by an agent for acting. Joyce Selznick at the time was leading a nationwide talent search. A legendary Agent and Casting Director, Selznick was famous for her discovery of Tony Curtis among others. But Michael whom she met on a cold call audition in New York would become her most renowned success. Upon her first meeting with Michael, Selznick intuited a talent and charisma that she believed was boundless. Almost immediately Michael was signed to Universal Talent contract, Selznick quickly becoming his agent, and in no short time
Michael was cast as a regular in The Greatest American Hero television series. EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS became vehicle to his remarkable ascension to stardom in Hollywood. Directed by Martin Davidson. Tom Berenger an established young star was to be the feature of that production until Michael's blazing performance in the title roll transformed the film and the young actor's career. A medium budget film, Eddie & The Cruisers became a runaway hit movie. Michael was now the most sought after young actor in Hollywood.
STREETS OF FIRE, Walter Hill's follow up to 48 Hours gave Michael his first major studio lead. Far ahead of its time, considered by many to be the precursor to MTV in style and substance, the originality and creativity of STREETS OF FIRE continues to be emulated by filmmakers. Playing Tom Cody, in Hill's surreal world, Michael was surrounded with a group of young actors who would achieve major stardom, such as Diane Lane, Amy Madigan, Willem Defoe and Rick Moranis among others. The film still enjoys a devoted following and the album was a best selling soundtrack for more than a decade.
Michael followed STREETS OF FIRE with another film, the cult classic THE PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT. But during this period, tragedy darkened his career ascent, as his mentor and friend Joyce Selznick passed on. Michael's career continued but the amazing trajectory, without Selznick's brilliant guidance,shifted.
Michael came to star in a television series, HOUSTON KNIGHTS, which again received a passionate following that continues to this day. For two years he played a tough Chicago cop, transplanted to Houston Texas and forced to work with a partner played by Michael Beck, who was his complete opposite. After Houston Knights Michael went on to star in numerous international productions. MOON 44 was Roland Emmerich's first film landed in US, Michael playing the classic Western Hero transplanted to outer space, the film is considered a science fiction classic. In other films such as INTO THE SUN, KILLING STREETS, POINT OF IMPACT (aka SPANISH ROSE), WARRIORS, SWORN ENEMIES (aka COYOTE RUN), Michael displayed a subtle passion that drove the material to unusual heights. Appearing in Sofia Coppola's VIRGIN SUICIDES, playing the older version of Josh Hartnett's teenager, Michael stood out in a film starring James Woods, Kathleen Turner and Claire Danes. Michael would also star in studio films such as John Carpenter's VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, and BAD MOON, as well as play a pivotal and resonant role in the very popular HOPE FLOATS.
As well as starring in numerous films, Michael came under the influence of the great American playwright Louis LaRusso, famed for his prizewinning LAMPOST REUNION. Michael would originate the role of the young Eugene O'Neill (Winner of the 1936 Nobel Prize in Literature) in SEA MOTHER'S SON to outstanding reviews. Ten years later in 1998, in an Off-Broadway showcase of BLACK MARBLE SHOESHINE STAND, Michael's performance as an alcoholic Irish policeman, would draw raves and acclaim, not only from audiences but from fellow actors among who were counted many members of the actors studio. It was in LaRusso's plays and under his direction that Michael's work reached new dimensions.
Married to his wife Marjolein, a former international model, he is a devoted father to his son. As well he remains an outstanding cook. His family counts brothers and sisters with numerous advanced degrees, working as health professionals and in the arts as writers and educators. Michael's sister Aileen is also an accomplished actor. Michael and his brethren, despite humble beginnings have achieved outstanding success. The mercurial charisma and the native passion of the early Michael have woven into an actor of strength and compassion. Michael's portrayals embody heroism and dignity as his career continues to inspire directors and actors and most importantly, his devoted admirers.
CLARE KRAMER as "CAITLIN"
A graduate of NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, Clare Kramer has proven to be one of the most versatile performers currently working in the entertainment industry.
Clare is best known for her bitchy roles such as “Courtney” (nominated for an MTV award) opposite Kirsten Dunst in the cheerleading comedy “Bring It On” and the character “Glory” opposite Sarah Michelle Geller in the cult classic “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
A veteran of both major studio and independent films, some of Clare’s film credits include “Gravedancers,” “Rules of Attraction,” “D.E.B.S.” and “The Thirst.” On the small screen she’s appeared in numerous TV shows including the Emmy winning “House”, “Tru Calling” and “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.”
She is currently filming “Road to Hell”, a riff on 1984’s Streets of Fire, and later this year is set to return to the NY theatre scene in Michael Weller’s “Loose Ends” directed by Austin Pendleton.
Originally from Ohio, Clare parlayed her success from the NY theatre scene into film and television. And true to her NY roots, she continues to create believable and unique characters that are always quite different. In fact – she is often unrecognizable from part to part.
COURTNEY PELDON as "ASHLEY"
Courtney Peldon (www.peldon.com) is best known as both an ardently working television and film actress in the entertainment industry as well as a burgeoning business woman with her own line of jewelry. Having been in the entertainment industry nearly all of her life, she has carved out a name for herself on both the large and small screen.
Courtney is an energetic actress who made her mark early in Hollywood, memorably as Jonathan Taylor Thomas’s girlfriend on the hit ABC series “Home Improvement” and quickly moved on to the popular David E. Kelley FOX drama “Boston Public.” Courtney started working as an actress at the age of 3 years old in New York City, where she was born. After completing literally hundreds of commercials as a young child, she was offered the coveted role of ‘Tootie’ in the first ever Broadway version of the admired Judy Garland musical “Meet Me in St. Louis”. She performed the show at the Gershwin Theater for its entire Broadway run, concluding with a live performance on the Tony Awards the year the show was nominated.Courtney has also been part of such television shows as ‘That 70s Show’, ‘3rd Rock From the Sun’, ‘Entourage’, ‘Star Trek – Deep Space 9’, and ‘The Pretender’. With multiple television series to her name, Courtney has also had a busy film career and has worked with some of Hollywood’s most influential people such as Steven Spielberg in ‘Little Giants’, Matthew Broderick in ‘Out on a Limb’, and the Farrelly brothers in the comedy ‘Say it Isn’t So’.
Most recently, she completed the horror film ‘Mortuary’ directed by Tobe Hooper, the romantic comedy ‘National Lampoon’s Adam & Eve,’ and the upcoming sci-fi drama ‘InAlienable’ which was written and produced by Walter Koenig of Star Trek fame. Courtney is also slated to star in the highly anticipated comedy/horror film ‘2001 Maniacs’. Her work in ‘Road to Hell’ was exciting for the young actress as she got to play a tragically disturbed character caught up in the midst of madness.
About one year ago, Courtney started her own product line called *Charmed Jewelry* (www.starringjewelry.com) which is made from fair trade materials, purchased from fair wage countries, and can be found at Whole Foods Life Style stores, the Jennifer Kaufman boutique, and at various boutiques and stores across the country.Courtney is also a Skidmore College graduate with an admirable degree in Abnormal Psychology and she is interested in obtaining a master's degree as well. In her spare time, Courtney is busy raising her 6 dogs, swimming, reading, and branding herself not only as actress, but as young business woman and an education oriented role model.
ANITA LEEMAN as "ELLEN"
The Tao of an Actress
.
Born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Anita Leeman moved to British Columbia, Canada at the age of 6. Having a natural feel for dance she began training in all different styles since the age of 8. A passion to perform quickly ensued and Anita knew she wanted to dance and act for the rest of her life. It was quite a large decision for a 10 year old to make but a true one.
After making the move on her own to Toronto, Canada to fully pursue her dreams she quickly began to land jobs dancing in music videos, back up dancing, acting in commercials as well as independent films. After a challenging 3 year stint, Anita decided to move to California to fulfill her unwavering desire to perform solely as an actress.
Upon her arrival in Hollywood, Anita Leeman was able to secure an agent and begin developing the tools necessary to be successful in the film industry. Co-owner of Whitney Productions, Anita is also able to express her creativity through writing, producing and acting in her own short films that cater to film festivals and to the ever expanding internet audience.
Recently, Anita Leeman has just finished wrapping a number of projects which gave her the ability to work with some wonderful actors such as: Michael Madsen, Gary Graham, Tim Russ, and Emilio Rivera. She is currently prepping for the lead in a feature film, which begins pre-production this Fall.
DEBORAH VAN VALKENBURGH as "SISTER"
After receiving a Fine Arts Degree in Painting & Drawing from Pratt Institute, Deborah’s passion for performing took her directly to Broadway where she made her professional debut in the revival of HAIR.
This was swiftly followed by her memorable performances as both "Mercy" in Walter Hill’s cult classic film The Warriors, and "Jackie Rush" on the ever-popular sitcom Too Close For Comfort.
Ms. Van Valkenburgh's eclectic career has since taken her far & wide, to Eastern Europe, the Northern “arctic” regions of Canada, the heart of Mexico and all points in between, where she has performed on both stage & screen.
Her most recent theatrical credits include Hedda Gabler, The Book Of Liz, Antigone, The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?, The Beauty Queen Of Leenane, Picasso At The Lapin Agile and Dancing At Lughnasa, for which she received in her outstanding performance as “Maggie” the AriZoni Award. Deborah has also appeared in countless musicals including I Love You You're Perfect Now Change, Company, Hello Again, Club Termina, Ruby's Bucket O' Blood, Pump Boys & Dinettes, and Livin' Dolls by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman.
Film and Television credits include Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects, Criminal, Backwoods, Walter Hill's Streets Of Fire also with Michael Pare, William Friedkin's Rampage & C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf, Free Enterprise with William Shatner, Albert Pyun’s cult favorites Mean Guns & Brainsmasher: A Love Story, Firestarter: Rekindled, A Bunny's Tale and numerous guest appearances on such shows as Criminal Minds, Cold Case, The Shield, ER and Star Trek: DS9.
A self-declared Renaissance Mama, Deborah's art still flourishes.
Currently she has an original line of “vintage-style” greeting cards at diverse venues throughout Los Angeles, and they will become available soon on her own website-in-development www.deborahvanvalkenburgh.com
Road To Hell delightedly reunites Ms. Van Valkenburgh with the talented Albert Pyun, and Deborah’s eternal tribal brother the indelible Michael Pare.
LAUREN SUTHERLAND as "MC COY"
Lauren Sutherland came to acting by accident. She was on vacation at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii where Albert Pyun was shooting a film. They lost an actress at the last minute when the producer spotted Lauren and asked her to appear. Always the adventurous, Lauren was happy to help out. Besides ROAD TO HELL, Lauren has appeared in FINAL EXAMINATION, MORE MERCY, COOL AIR and INVASION aka INFECTION.
Lauren is a seasoned world traveler, a lover of horses, nature and all things wild.
