Tenacious D at American Idol
- Order:
- Duration: 3:02
- Published: 05 May 2007
- Uploaded: 18 Apr 2011
- Author: inkivistor
Jack Black appears on American Idol's charity special to perform Kiss From A Rose.
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Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led the country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War, preserving the Union, ending slavery, and rededicating the nation to nationalism, equal rights, liberty and democracy. Reared in a poor family on the western frontier, he was mostly self-educated and became a country lawyer, an Illinois state legislator, and a one-term member of the United States House of Representatives, but failed in two attempts at a seat in the United States Senate. He was an affectionate, though often absent, husband, and father of four children.
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Adam Shankman
Adam Michael Shankman (born November 27, 1964) is an American film director, producer, dancer, actor, and choreographer. He has been a judge on the television program So You Think You Can Dance since Season 3. He began his professional career in musical theater, and was a dancer in music videos for Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. Shankman also choreographed one of the Spice Girls' tours. He has directed several feature-length films, including A Walk to Remember, Bringing Down the House, and Hairspray.
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Allison Janney
Allison Brooks Janney (born November 19, 1959) is an American actress, best known for her role as C. J. Cregg on the television series The West Wing.
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Andy Richter
Paul Andrew "Andy" Richter (born October 28, 1966) is an American actor, writer, comedian, and late night talk show announcer. He is best known for his role as the sidekick of talk show host Conan O'Brien on NBC's Late Night between 1993 and 2000, and later The Tonight Show from 2009 to 2010, as well as on O'Brien's upcoming talk show, Conan on TBS. He is also known for his voice work in the Madagascar films and for starring in the sitcoms Quintuplets, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, and Andy Barker, P.I..
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Beck
Beck Hansen (born Bek David Campbell; July 8, 1970) is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known by the stage name Beck. With a pop art collage of musical styles, oblique and ironic lyrics, and postmodern arrangements incorporating samples, drum machines, live instrumentation and sound effects, Beck has been hailed by critics and the public throughout his musical career as being amongst the most creative and idiosyncratic musicians of 1990s and 2000s alternative rock.
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Ben Stiller
Benjamin Edward "Ben" Stiller (born November 30, 1965) is an American comedian, actor, writer, film director, and producer. He is the son of veteran comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara.
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Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin ( April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and the glass 'armonica'. He formed both the first public lending library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania.
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Carl Denham
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Charlie Haden
Charles Edward Haden (born August 6, 1937) is an American jazz musician. He is a double bassist, probably best known for his long association with saxophonist Ornette Coleman. Haden is also known for his signature lyrical bass lines and is one of the most respected bassists and jazz composers today.
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Cloris Leachman
Cloris Leachman (born April 30, 1926) is an American actress of stage, film and television. She has won eight Primetime Emmy Awards—more than any other performer—and one Daytime Emmy Award. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in the 1971 film The Last Picture Show. Her longest running role was the nosy, self-centered and manipulative landlady Phyllis Lindstrom on the 1970s TV series Mary Tyler Moore, and later on the spinoff series, Phyllis. She also appeared in three Mel Brooks films, including Young Frankenstein. In recent years, she had a recurring role as Lois's mother on Malcolm in the Middle.
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Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl (born January 14, 1969) is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. Grohl began his music career in the 1980s as the drummer for several Washington, D.C.-area bands, including the hardcore punk band Scream. In 1990 he became the drummer for grunge group Nirvana. Following the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain in April 1994, Grohl formed Foo Fighters as frontman and songwriter. In addition to leading Foo Fighters, Grohl has also been involved in other musical projects, including Queens of the Stone Age and his heavy metal side project Probot, and has performed session work for a variety of musicians, including Killing Joke, Tenacious D, Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy and Slash. Most recently, Grohl formed Them Crooked Vultures with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, Eagles of Death Metal) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin).
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Denis Leary
Denis Colin Leary (born August 18, 1957) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and director. He is known for his often biting comedic style and his chain smoking. Leary is the star and co-creator of the television show Rescue Me, which began its sixth season in June 2010.
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Dio (band)
Dio was an American heavy metal band led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, formed in 1982 after he left Black Sabbath. In an interview, available on the special edition re-release of Holy Diver, Dio states that he never intended to begin a solo career. His intention was to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial standpoint, as the name was already well-known at that time. Dio in Italian means "God".
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George Washington
George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)
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Giovanni Ribisi
Giovanni Ribisi (born December 17, 1974) is an American actor. His film credits include Gone in 60 Seconds, Boiler Room, Saving Private Ryan, The Mod Squad, The Gift, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Lost in Translation and more recently, Public Enemies and Avatar. He is also known for his role as Phoebe Buffay's brother Frank on the sitcom Friends. He also appeared in a music video for Crystal Ball by Keane.
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Jason Segal
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Jason Segel
Jason Jordan Segel (born January 18, 1980) is an American television and film actor, screenwriter, musician, known for his work with producer Judd Apatow on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, the movies Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, and I Love You, Man, and also for his role as Marshall Eriksen in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.
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Jenifer Lewis
Jenifer Jeanette Lewis (born January 25, 1957) is an American film and television actress and singer.
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Jessica Alba
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Jessica Marie Alba (born April 28, 1981) is an American television and film actress. She began her television and movie appearances at age 13 in Camp Nowhere and The Secret World of Alex Mack (1994). Alba rose to prominence as the lead actress in the television series Dark Angel (2000–2002). Alba later appeared in various films including Honey (2003), Sin City (2005), Fantastic Four (2005), Into the Blue (2005), and Good Luck Chuck both in 2007.
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Jesus Christ
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Jimmy Fallon
James Thomas "Jimmy" Fallon, Jr. (born September 19, 1974) is an American stand up comedian, television host, actor and musician. He is the host of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, a late-night talk show that airs Monday through Friday on NBC. Prior to that, he was best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1998-2004, as well as appearing in several feature films.
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Jimmy Kimmel
James Christian "Jimmy" Kimmel (born November 13, 1967) is an American television host and comedian. He is the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late-night talk show that airs on ABC. Prior to that, Kimmel was best known as the co-host of Comedy Central's The Man Show and ''Win Ben Stein's Money. Kimmel is also a television producer, having produced shows such as Crank Yankers and The Andy Milonakis Show''.
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John C. Reilly
John Christopher Reilly (born May 24, 1965) is an American film and theatre actor. Debuting in Casualties of War in 1989, he is one of several actors whose careers were launched by Brian De Palma. To date, he has appeared in more than fifty film productions, including three separate films in 2002, each of which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Chicago and a Grammy Award for the song "Walk Hard", which he performed in .
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John Cusack
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John Paul Cusack (born June 28, 1966) is an American film actor and screenwriter. He won the 1990 Most Promising Actor CFCA Award for Say Anything..., the 1998 Favorite Supporting Actor Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Con Air, and the 2000 Commitment to Chicago Award.
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Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31, 1981) is an American pop musician and actor. He has won six Grammy Awards as well as two Emmy Awards. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez. Timberlake became famous in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the boy band 'N Sync, whose launch was financed by Lou Pearlman.
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Kathy Najimy
Kathy Ann Najimy (born February 6, 1957) is an American actress, most notable as Olive Massery on the television series ''Veronica's Closet, Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act and the voice of Peggy Hill on the animated television series King of the Hill''. Prior to her film work, she was best known for two off-Broadway shows with Mo Gaffney working as the duo Kathy and Mo. One of the shows became an HBO comedy special and garnered Najimy her first nationwide fan base.
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Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Caroline Dunst (born April 30, 1982) is an American actress, model, and singer. She made her film debut in Oedipus Wrecks, a short film directed by Woody Allen for the anthology New York Stories (1989). At the age of 12, Dunst gained widespread recognition playing the role of vampire Claudia in (1994), a performance for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. The same year she appeared in Little Women, to further acclaim.
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Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth (born July 24, 1968) is an American singer and actress, with credits in musical theatre, film and television. She is best known on Broadway for her performance as Sally Brown in ''You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (1999), for which she won a Tony Award, and for originating the role of Glinda in the musical Wicked'' (2003). Her best-known television role is Annabeth Schott in NBC's The West Wing. As Olive Snook on the ABC comedy-drama Pushing Daisies, she won a 2009 Emmy Award.
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Kyle Gass
Kyle Richard Gass (born July 14, 1960), also known as KG or Kage, is an American rock musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter and occasional actor. He is a member of the bands Tenacious D and Trainwreck. In Tenacious D (which also features Jack Black), Gass plays lead guitar and sings backup vocals, and also plays the role of Black's comic foil in most of their comedy routines. He is the godfather of Jack Black's son.
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Lake Bell
Lake Bell (born March 24, 1979) is an American actress.
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Luke Wilson
Luke Cunningham Wilson (born September 21, 1971) is an American film actor. He is the youngest brother of actors Owen and Andrew Wilson.
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Marc Shaiman
Marc Shaiman (born October 22, 1959) is an American composer, lyricist, arranger, and performer for films, television, and theatre.
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Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho (born December 5, 1968) is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, and recording artist. Cho is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race, sexuality, and sex. She has also directed and appeared in music videos and has her own clothing line. She has frequently supported LGBT rights and has won awards for her humanitarian efforts on behalf of women, the transgender community, Asians, and the LGBT community.
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Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gaye, Jr. (April 2, 1939April 1, 1984), better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and instrumentalist with a three-octave vocal range. Starting as a member of the doo-wop group The Moonglows in the late fifties, he ventured into a solo career after the group disbanded in 1960 signing with the Tamla subsidiary of Motown Records. After starting off as a session drummer, Gaye ranked as the label's top-selling solo artist during the sixties.
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Maya Rudolph
Maya Khabira Rudolph (born July 27, 1972) is an American actress and singer best known for her comedic roles as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2000-2007. She most recently appeared in the 2010 films Grown Ups and MacGruber.
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Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday on September 27, 1947), better known by his stage name Meat Loaf is an American rock musician and actor. He is noted for the Bat Out of Hell album trilogy consisting of Bat Out of Hell, and . Bat Out of Hell has sold more than 43 million copies. After more than 30 years, it still sells an estimated 200,000 copies annually, and stayed on the charts for over nine years.
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Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris (born June 15, 1973) is an American actor, magician and singer. Prominent roles of his career include the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D., Colonel Carl Jenkins in Starship Troopers, the womanizing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, a fictionalized version of himself in the Harold & Kumar series, and the title role in Joss Whedon's musical web series ''Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. He also hosted the 63rd Tony Awards on June 7, 2009, and the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards on September 20, 2009. On March 7, 2010, he made a surprise appearance at the 82nd Academy Awards, delivering the opening musical number, and on August 21, 2010 he won two Emmy Awards at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony. He was named as one of Time'' magazine's 100 most influential people in 2010.
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Nicole Parker
Nicole Frances Parker (born February 21, 1978) is an American actress and singer best known for her work on Fox's sketch comedy show MADtv. She is the longest-serving female actress on the show since 2003. In July 2009, she concluded her run as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked.
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Olivia Olson
Olivia Olson (born ) is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She is known for her role of Joanna, singing "All I Want For Christmas Is You", in Love Actually (2003) and for her voice-roles as Vanessa Doofenshmirtz in Phineas and Ferb and as Marceline the Vampire Queen in Adventure Time with Finn and Jake.
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Owen Wilson
Owen Cunningham Wilson (born November 18, 1968) is an American actor, comedian, and writer.
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Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles (1960–1970) and Wings (1971–1981), McCartney is the most successful songwriter in the history of popular music, according to Guinness World Records.
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Pauly Shore
Paul Montgomery "Pauly" Shore (born February 1, 1968) is an American comedian and actor who starred in several comedy films in the 1990s and hosted a video show on MTV in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
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Petra Haden
Petra Haden (born October 11, 1971 in New York City) is an American violinist and singer. She is or has been a member of several bands, including That Dog, Tito & Tarantula, and The Decemberists; has contributed to recordings by The Twilight Singers, Beck, Mike Watt, Luscious Jackson, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Queens of the Stone Age, Weezer, Victoria Williams, Yuka Honda and The Gutter Twins. She is the daughter of the jazz bassist Charlie Haden; the triplet sister of bassist Rachel Haden (her bandmate in That Dog) and cellist Tanya Haden (married to singer and actor Jack Black) with whom she has performed as The Haden Triplets; and the sister of bassist-singer Josh Haden, leader of the group Spain.
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Rashida Jones
Rashida Leah Jones (born February 25, 1976) is an American film and television actress, comic book author, screenwriter and occasional singer. She is perhaps best-known for her portrayal of Karen Filippelli on The Office and Zooey Rice in I Love You, Man. As of 2009, Jones stars as Ann Perkins in the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation.
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Ron Silver
Ronald Arthur "Ron" Silver (July 2, 1946 – March 15, 2009) was an American actor, director, producer, radio host and political activist.
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Sarah Chalke
Sarah Chalke (; born August 27, 1976) is a Canadian actress, best known for portraying Dr. Elliot Reid on the NBC/ABC comedy Scrubs. She is also known for her roles "Second Becky" Conner Healy on Roseanne, and Stella Zinman in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.
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Sean Combs
Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969), currently known by his stage name Diddy, is an American record producer, rapper, actor, and men's fashion designer. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award.
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Seann William Scott
Seann William Scott (born October 3, 1976) is an American actor and comedian. He is most widely known for playing Steve Stifler in the American Pie series of teen sex comedy films. He is also known for his roles in the films Final Destination, Road Trip, ''Dude, Where's My Car?, Evolution, The Rundown, The Dukes of Hazzard, Role Models, and Cop Out''.
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Steve Carell
Steven John "Steve" Carell (; born August 16, 1962) is an American actor, comedian, voice artist, producer, director and writer. Carell became famous for his roles in the television series The Daily Show with Jon Stewart from 1999 to 2004, and The Office from 2005 onwards. He has also starred in several Hollywood films, including , The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Little Miss Sunshine, Evan Almighty, Dan in Real Life, Get Smart, and Date Night; and voiced characters in the animated films Over the Hedge, Horton Hears a Who!, and Despicable Me.
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Tanya Haden
Tanya Haden (born October 11, 1971) is an American cellist and singer.
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The Times
The Times is a daily national newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785, when it was known as The Daily Universal Register.
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Thomas Jefferson
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Tim Robbins
Timothy Francis "Tim" Robbins (born October 16, 1958) is an American actor, screenwriter, director, producer, activist and musician. He is the former longtime partner of actress Susan Sarandon. He is known for his roles as Nuke in Bull Durham, Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, and as Dave Boyle in Mystic River, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
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Vince Vaughn
Vincent Anthony "Vince" Vaughn (born March 28, 1970) is an American film actor , producer and comedian. He began acting in the late 1980s, appearing in minor television roles before experiencing wider recognition with the 1996 movie, Swingers. He has since appeared in a number of films, mostly comedies. Including Swingers, other notable films include Old School, Starsky & Hutch, , Couples Retreat, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Wedding Crashers.
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Will Ferrell
John William "Will" Ferrell (; born , 1967) is an American comedian, impressionist, actor, and writer. Ferrell first established himself in the late 1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, and has subsequently starred in the comedy films Old School, Elf, ', ', Stranger than Fiction, Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro, and The Other Guys. He is considered a member of the "Frat Pack," a generation of leading Hollywood comic actors to emerge in the late 1990s and the 2000s including Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Steve Carell, Vince Vaughn, and brothers Owen and Luke Wilson.
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Big Sur, California
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British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. By 1922 the British Empire held sway over about 458 million people, one-quarter of the world's population at the time, and covered more than 13 million square miles (34 million km2), almost a quarter of the Earth's total land area. As a result, its political, linguistic and cultural legacy is widespread. At the peak of its power, it was often said that "the sun never sets on the British Empire" because its span across the globe ensured that the sun was always shining on at least one of its numerous territories.
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Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 large professional theatres with 500 seats or more located in the Theatre District, New York and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan, New York City.Although theater is the preferred spelling in the U.S.A. (see further at American and British English Spelling Differences), the majority of venues, performers, and trade groups for live dramatic presentations use the spelling theatre. Along with London's West End theatre, Broadway theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English-speaking world.
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California
California (pronounced ) is the most populous state in the United States and the third-largest by land area, after Alaska and Texas. California is also the most populous sub-national entity in North America. It's on the U.S. West Coast, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and by the states of Oregon to the north, Nevada to the east, Arizona to the southeast, Baja California, Mexico, to the south. Its 5 largest cities are Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, and Long Beach, with Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose each having at least 1 million residents. Like many populous states, California's capital, Sacramento is smaller than the state's largest city, Los Angeles. The state is home to the nation's 2nd- and 6th-largest census statistical areas and 8 of the nation's 50 most populous cities. California has a varied climate and geography and a multi-cultural population.
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Culver City
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Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; , Spanish for "The Angels") is the second most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of California and the western United States, with a population of 3.83 million within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Los Angeles extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of over 14.8 million and it is the 14th largest urban area in the world, affording it megacity status. The metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is home to nearly 12.9 million residents while the broader Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside combined statistical area (CSA) contains nearly 17.8 million people. Los Angeles is also the seat of Los Angeles County, the most populated and one of the most multicultural counties in the United States. The city's inhabitants are referred to as "Angelenos" ().
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United States
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The United States of America (also referred to as the United States, the U.S., the USA, or America) is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The state of Alaska is in the northwest of the continent, with Canada to the east and Russia to the west across the Bering Strait. The state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific. The country also possesses several territories in the Caribbean and Pacific.
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Jack Black on LSD
This is what happens when you take LSD
Spider-man Parody - Jack Black
SPECIAL THANKS TO MAD TV FOR MAKING THIS FUNNY VIDEO
Sesame Street: Jack Black defines Octagon
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:11
- Published: 18 Jul 2008
- Uploaded: 18 Apr 2011
- Author: SesameStreet
Check out the Sesame Street Facebook App! www.facebook.com Enjoy this sneak peek from Season 39 of Sesame Street, which launches on August 11 along with a fantastic new website at his excitwww.sesamestreet.org In this clip, Jack Black defines the word 'Octagon' with help from Elmo. Sesame Street is a production of Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization which also produces Pinky Dinky Doo, The Electric Company, and other programs for children around the world.
Lord of the Rings Parody - Jack Black
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:17
- Published: 10 Dec 2006
- Uploaded: 17 Apr 2011
- Author: mjollnir2310
Lord of the Rings Parody featured on MTV
Jack Black & James Corden do Kanye West
Jack Black & James Corden rap for Kanye West at the GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards 2009
TENACIOUS D - Jack Black on Piracy
Jack Black schools all of you on the truth about piracy. Remember, don't be a douche.
Jack Black doing Late Show Top Ten
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:52
- Published: 21 Feb 2007
- Uploaded: 18 Apr 2011
- Author: bantamdraper
'Top Ten Things You Don't Want to Hear in A Music Store' as performed by Jack Black Please check my 'I need Your help' video www.youtube.com I need help identifying two songs. Thanks! :) Enjoy ;)
High Fidelity - Monday Tape
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:12
- Published: 19 May 2006
- Uploaded: 17 Apr 2011
- Author: MaxpowerSupreme
The main protagonist, Rob Gordon, owns a record store, and his two quirky employees polar opposite tastes in music start a conflict which is sure to entertain.
High Fidelity - Jack Black - Let's Get It On
Jack Black singing Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On. This scene is just fantastic!
Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy 2010 with Jack Black and Jason Segel
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:17
- Published: 07 Dec 2010
- Uploaded: 18 Apr 2011
- Author: collegehumor
- http://wn.com/Peace_On_Earth_/_Little_Drummer_Boy_2010_with_Jack_Black_and_Jason_Segel
- Email this video
- Sms this video
Dowload this song on iTunes: bit.ly See exclusive articles and pictures on www.collegehumor.com ! Two huge comedy stars, one giant dose of Christmas cheer. Embed code and full credits here www.collegehumor.com LIKE us on: www.facebook.com FOLLOW us on: www.twitter.com FOLLOW us on: digg.com WATCH exclusive videos we can't put on YouTube at: www.collegehumor.com
TENACIOUS D - Kickapoo
The radical Kickapoo video from THE PICK OF DESTINY...featuring MEAT LOAF!
Jack Black wants the immigrant Song
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 3:35
- Published: 22 Jun 2008
- Uploaded: 16 Apr 2011
- Author: utahraptor88
Jack Black wants the immigrant Song.
Ask Jack Black
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:08
- Published: 22 May 2008
- Uploaded: 16 Apr 2011
- Author: NationalGeographic
Guess who's this month's guest editor of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS? Check out Jack Black, star of Kung Fu Panda,as he hilariously answers questions from kids (hm...what does bamboo taste like?) and shows off his best kung fu move.
The Pips: Jack Black, Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr.
Jack Black, Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr. dance to a Gladys Knight song.This was initially meant to be downloaded on Itunes to support a charity. So anyone who wants to have it download it on Itunes for only 99cents
Drunk History vol. 2 - Featuring Jack Black
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 5:02
- Published: 03 Feb 2008
- Uploaded: 18 Apr 2011
- Author: DrunkHistory
A Benjamin Franklin expert reveals his controversial theory about the discovery of electricity. Derek Waters presents: Drunk History vol. 2 Starring Jack Black and Clark Duke Witness history as it's never been told before...Drunk. Filmed, Edited & Directed by Jeremy Konner Created by Derek Waters Thanks to Eric Binns
Nacho Libre Jack Black Confessional #10
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 2:49
- Published: 28 Apr 2006
- Uploaded: 13 Apr 2011
- Author: thatsfunny
Jack tells the story of how he injured his eye on the set. Check out the tenth installment of Jack Black's confessionals behind the scenes of his new comedy "Nacho Libre," in theaters June 16.
JACK BLACK BEATS MICHEL GONDRY WITH HIS RUBIK'S CUBES
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 1:07
- Published: 28 Feb 2008
- Uploaded: 17 Apr 2011
- Author: partizangondry
Jack Black solves ten Rubik's cubes at the same time, one upping Michel Gondry's previous stunts. BE KIND REWIND - In theaters NOW!
Jack Black at McDonalds
Me and my buddy Billy and a few accomplaces pranked McDonlads by plugging in my computer to his iPod auxillary jack in his car and ordering with a Jack Black soundboard.
spider man spoof with jack black
haha funny
Jack Black & Kids - School Of Rock (Live At Jay Leno)
This is live! Jack Black is the one who puts the gang to play, the movie School of Rock, they are: Joey Gaydos Jr. (Lead Guitar), Kevin Clark (Drums), Rebecca Brown (Bass Guitar), Robert Tsai (Keyboards), Maryam Hassan, Caitlin Hale, Aleisha Allen (Singers).
American Idol Jack Black
- Order: Reorder
- Duration: 4:08
- Published: 22 Jun 2008
- Uploaded: 17 Apr 2011
- Author: utahraptor88
American Idol Jack Black
Lord of the rings Jack Black
Funny. I did not make this video and i do not own any rights to the lord of the rings series.
photo: WN movies film poster
Jack Black (WN movies film poster)
photo: Creative Commons / Justin
Jack Black /wam2
photo: Creative Commons / Justin
Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D performing live
photo: Public Domain / High Contrast
Jack Black during the inaugural opening ceremonies
photo: Creative Commons / Ertezoute
Jack black and tom howard
photo: Public Domain / Donna Lou Morgan
Jack Black during the inaugural opening ceremonies
photo: Creative Commons / Richie Diesterheft
Jack Johnson
photo: AP / Katy Winn
Rob Letterman, Jack Black, Jason Segel, and Emily Blunt
photo: AP / Koatsumi Kasahara
Hollywood stars,- Lucy Liu & Jack Black with Po the Panda
photo: army.mil
Boxing Tournament Brings Together Deployed Soldiers
photo: Public Domain / High Contrast
Jack Black at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2009, during the inaugural opening ceremonies.
photo: Public Domain / High Contrast
Jack Black at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2009, during the inaugural opening ceremonies.
photo: AP / Francois Mori
Actor Jack Black participates in a stunt on the Carlton beach pier for the film "Kung Fu Panda"
photo: GNU
Jack Russell Terrier
photo: army.mil
Boxing Tournament Brings Together Deployed Soldiers
photo: Creative Commons / Nehrams2020
Jack Black
photo: AP / Chris Carlson
Jack Black, left, and Jennifer Aniston are seen backstage as they wait to go on stage at the 81st Academy Awards
photo: U.S. Army/Spc. Eric S. Bartelt
Army lacrosse coach Jack Emmer (left) accepts a trophy commemorating his 301st win as a Division I coach from USMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. William J. Lennox Jr. April 1 at Shea Stadium after the Black Knights beat Lehigh 17-14.
photo: US Navy / Litographer's Mate Seaman Rosa Shatusky
MH-60S Seahawk helicopters assigned to the Black Jacks of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two One (HSC-21), transport ammunition.
photo: WN / Sebastián Castillos
FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 - Qualifier Montevideo Young girl wearing a black jacked Adidas yawning during the first period of the match that ended Brasil 8 Ecuador 3, Arena Del Plata Stadium, Pocitos Beach, Montevideo, Uruguay, 11th March, 2009
photo: US Navy / Photographer's Mate Airman Melissa Vanderwyst
A MH-60S Seahawk assigned to the Black Jacks of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two One (HSC-21), transports ammunition.
photo: Creative Commons / Lake Central
Haliburton in the Fall Paudash Lake lies within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Forest region. The native trees of the Paudash Lake area include the silver, red, sugar, mountain, and striped maple; the jack, red, and white pine; the large tooth and trembling aspen; the yellow and white birch; black, white
photo: US Navy / Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Elisabeth Ann Saccotelli
A MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to the Black Jacks of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two One (HSC-21), transports ammunition.
photo: US Navy / Photographer's Mate Airman Ashley Gayton
A MH-60S Seahawks helicopter assigned the Black Jacks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two One (HSC-21), transports ammunition.
photo: US Navy / Photographer's Mate Airman Roland Franklin
A MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to the Black Jacks of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two One (HSC-21), transports ammunition.
photo: Creative Commons / Norman.benton
The coral snakes are a large group of elapid snakes that can be divided into two distinct groups: New World coral snakes and Old World Calliophis snakes. There are three genera among New World coral snakes that consist of over 65 recognized species.
photo: European Community / tornadoes
Clark Bridge also known as 'Super Bridge' connects Alton, Illinois, to Black Jack, Missouri
photo: Creative Commons / David Edgar
Jack O'Shea's is an international Irish butcher chain located in Knightsbridge in London and in the European district of Brussels, selling organic fresh meat.
photo: US Navy / Photographer's Mate Airman Roland Franklin
Aviation Boatswains Mate Carlos Vasquez, directs a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to the Black Jacks of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two One (HSC-21), during an ammunition off load.
photo: US Navy / Journalist 2nd Class Zack Baddorf
Lt. Jessica Parker, a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter pilot, assigned the Black Jacks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two One (HSC-21), conducts a pre-flight check .
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KDVR
When we last left kung fu master Po, the Furious Five and Master Shifu three years ago in the animated blockbuster "Kung Fu Panda," they had rid the Valley of Peace from the evil snow leopard, Tai Lung. But Po...
The Examiner
Black Jack Bomber comes off of hiatus following drummers recovery. PALM HARBOR: After being on hiatus for over a month due to their drummers surgery to have a cancerous kidney removed, Tampa Bay cover band, Black Jack Bomber, are back in action. Black Jack Bomber drummer, Pete “Foots” Grata, was diagnosed with having a cancerous tumor on one of his kidneys, forcing the band to...
Jack Osbourne making Black Sabbath movie
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The Guardian
Directorial debut from Ozzy Osbourne's son will be an original horror film featuring his father's band's music Sabbath bloody sabbath ... Jack Osbourne (second left) is to direct an original horror film, featuring Ozzy's music. Photograph: Dave Hogan/Getty Images...
Danny McBride, Elijah Wood, Seth Rogan, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, and more in The Beastie Boys' new video
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IS THIS the most star-studded music video ever seen. Danny McBride, Elijah Wood, Seth Rogen, Will Ferrell, Jack Black and John C. Reilly are the main stars, playing the Beastie...
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Jersey City Jack Black
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The Examiner
For New Yorkers travelling soon, here are the locations:Miami April 16thSt. Louis April...Richard HuangNY Movies ExaminerApril 19, 2011 April 19, 2011 DVD & Blu-ray: Jack Black and Jason Segel in Gulliver's Travels Annie ChuApril 16, 2011 Gulliver’s Travels is a modern day retelling of the 18th century novel of the same name by Jonathan Swift. In this fantasy...
The Daily Mail
He may have been there to watch the basketball, but Jack Black looked like he was finding it difficult to keep his eye on the game last night. The 41-year-old actor was clearly enjoying himself as he checked out the cheerleading talent at the Lakers game in Los Angeles. Wearing a bright yellow Lakers T-shirt, jeans and a pair of sunglasses, Jack looked more than happy at...
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Gulliver’s Travels is a modern day retelling of the 18th century novel of the same name by Jonathan Swift. In this fantasy comedy film, Jack Black stars as Lemuel Gulliver, who is stuck at a dead end job in the mail room of a New York City newspaper. When the newcomer Dan, played by T.J. Miller, gets a promotion and becomes his boss, Gulliver decides it is time for a change. He...
Black Jack serious skincare for men
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Beauty as an industry caters mostly to women. Some people feel skin is skin and men and women can use the same skincare products. But there is a definite difference in women's skin and men's. For example, men have thicker skin, some up to 30% thicker, their skin is oilier and due to the coarse hair that grows on their face, their pores are larger. Seems like several reasons to...
Jack Black
| Name | Jack Black |
|---|---|
| Background | solo_singer |
| Birth name | Thomas Jacob Black |
| Alias | Jables, JB |
| Birth date | August 28, 1969 |
| Birth place | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Instrument | Vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboard |
| Genre | Heavy metal, comedy rock, hard rock, acoustic rock |
| Occupation | Musician, songwriter, actor, comedian |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Label | Epic, Sony BMG |
| Associated acts | Tenacious D, Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal, Probot, Foo Fighters, Meat Loaf |
| Url | www.tenaciousd.com |
Thomas Jacob "Jack" Black (born August 28, 1969) is an American comedian, actor and musician. He makes up one half of the comedy and satirical rock duo Tenacious D. The group has two albums and full-length films. His acting career is extensive, starring primarily as bumbling, cocky, but internally self-conscious outsiders in comedy films. He was a member of the Frat Pack, a group of comedians who have appeared together in several Hollywood films, and has been nominated for a Golden Globe award. He has also won an MTV Movie Award, and a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award.
Early life
Black was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of two satellite engineers, Judith (née Cohen), who worked on the Hubble Space Telescope, and Thomas William Black. Black's mother is Jewish and his father converted to Judaism. On The Tonight Show, he said his surname may have come from the occupational name Blacksmith. Black's parents divorced when he was 10; Black moved to Culver City with his father and frequently visited his mother’s home. As a child, Black appeared in a commercial for the Activision game Pitfall! in 1982, which was later shown during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and again on The Tonight Show with Conan O' Brien. When Black entered high school, his parents suggested that he should transfer to the Poseidon School, a private secondary school engineered specifically for students struggling in the traditional school system. Black eagerly accepted the proposition, as he didn't like public school. He also attended the Crossroads School, where he excelled in drama. Black later attended UCLA but dropped out during his sophomore year to pursue a career in the entertainment business, at which point his father discontinued his financial support. Fellow UCLA veteran Tim Robbins later cast Black in Bob Roberts. He also had recurring roles on the HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show.
Acting career
Black's Acting Career began with prime time TV. He played roles on several shows such as: The Golden Palace (Taxi Driver), Life Goes On (skinhead), Northern Exposure (Kevin Wilkins, prom king), HBO's Mr. Show, and Picket Fences (Curtis Williams). In a season 3 episode of The X-Files, titled "D.P.O.", Black played Bart 'Zero' Liquori, friend to Darren, a teen who could cause lightning strikes, played by Giovanni Ribisi. Black appeared in an un-aired pilot episode for a show directed by Ben Stiller called Heat Vision and Jack where he played an ex-astronaut pursued by actor Ron Silver. He was accompanied by his friend who had merged with a motorcycle, voiced by Owen Wilson.Black later took on small roles in Airborne, Demolition Man, Waterworld, The Fan, The NeverEnding Story III, The Cable Guy, Bob Roberts, Mars Attacks!, The Jackal, Bye Bye Love, Jesus' Son, Dead Man Walking, Enemy of the State, and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. In 2000, Black appeared in High Fidelity as a wild employee in John Cusack's record store, a role which Black himself considers his breakout.
His career soon led to leading roles in films such as Shallow Hal, Orange County, Saving Silverman, School of Rock, Envy, King Kong, Nacho Libre, Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, Be Kind Rewind, Kung Fu Panda, Tropic Thunder, The Holiday, Year One and Gulliver's Travels.
He guest-starred on The Office along with Cloris Leachman and Jessica Alba in a movie within the show. He also guest-starred in iCarly, in the episode iStart a Fan War.
Jack Black has appeared numerous times on the "untelevised TV network" short film festival Channel101, starring in the shows Computerman, Timebelt, and Laserfart. He also provided an introduction for the un-aired sketch comedy, Awesometown, donning a Colonial-era military uniform. In the introduction, he claims to be George Washington (and takes credit for the accomplishments of other American Presidents such as Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln), and gives viewers a general idea as to what they should expect from the show. Black has also guest starred in the Adult Swim show Tom Goes to the Mayor as a bear trap store owner.
Black hosted the 2006 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards on April 1, 2006 and hosted it again on March 29, 2008. He also appeared on the MTV video music awards on August 31, 2006. He is a member of the Frat Pack, a group of comedy actors who frequently work together, which also includes Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, and Steve Carell. Jack Black has made five appearances on Saturday Night Live: three times as a host, once as a musical guest (with Kyle Gass as Tenacious D), and another appearance with Tenacious D, not as a host or musical guest. He produced and appeared on VH1's internet video show Acceptable.TV.
Black has voice acted for The Simpsons episode "Husbands and Knives", which aired 18 November 2007, voicing the friendly owner of the rival comic book store, Milo. Black appeared in a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire celebrity edition along with Denis Leary, Jimmy Kimmel and others and walked away with US$125,000 in October 2001. On December 14, Jack Black hosted the 2008 Spike Video Game Awards. He voiced the main character, roadie Eddie Riggs, in the rock-themed action-adventure video game, Brütal Legend. At the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards, he was awarded Best Voice for the voice of Eddie Riggs in Brütal Legend. In April 2009, Black also appeared in an episode of the children's show "Yo Gabba Gabba!" on Nick Jr. singing songs such as "It's Not Fun to Get Lost", "Friends" and "Goodbye Song".
Music career
of Tenacious D.]] Black, also known as JB or Jables, is the lead singer for the rock comedy band Tenacious D. Along with Kyle Gass, they have released two albums, a self-titled debut, and the follow up, The Pick of Destiny, from which one of their songs "The Metal" was used in the music video games "" and "Brütal Legend". "Rock Your Socks" from the album "Tenacious D" was played in the music videogame "Rock Band Unplugged", and "Master Exploder" from "The Pick Of Destiny" went on to be used in music video games "Guitar Hero Van Halen" and "Rock Band 2", along with their song "Tribute" from "Tenacious D". "Master Exploder" and "The Metal" featured in the film Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. The film, directed by Tenacious D veteran Liam Lynch, features recurring characters such as Lee the superfan and Sasquatch. Tim Robbins cameos as does Dave Grohl as Satan. Ben Stiller also makes an appearance as a worker at Guitar Center, and also another appearance in the music video for "Tribute".Tenacious D helped the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation to raise awareness and funds in San Diego on June 16, 2007. Tenacious D can be seen performing in the Pauly Shore film Bio-Dome where the duo are performing their song "The Five Needs" at a "Save the Environment" party. Black was also a guest star on an episode of The Ellen Degeneres Show entitled "Ellen the Musical", alongside Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth and teenage singer-actress Olivia Olson. On the show, besides singing, he discussed his then-upcoming film Nacho Libre with the host.
Black has also appeared on Dave Grohl's Probot album, providing vocals for the hidden song "I Am The Warlock", and Lynch's Fake Songs album, providing vocals for the song "Rock and Roll Whore". Black performed a cover of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" in the last sequence of High Fidelity. He lent his musical abilities to the Queens of the Stone Age song "Burn the Witch" with rhythmic stomps and claps, some performed with his eyes closed. He also provided vocals for The Lonely Island's track "Sax Man" from the album Incredibad.
Black has also recorded a duet on Meat Loaf's new CD Hang Cool Teddy Bear. The song is called Like a Rose. Meat Loaf has also played Black's father in the Pick of Destiny movie. Hang Cool Teddy Bear also features Hugh Laurie, Kara Dioguardi, Brian May, Steve Vai & Patti Russo, produced by Rob Cavallo.
Black has appeared in music videos of Beck "Sexx Laws"; Foo Fighters "Learn To Fly", "Low", and "The One"; The Eagles of Death Metal's "I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)"; Sum 41's "Things I Want"; Dio's "Push"; and Weezer's "Photograph."
In October 2010, Tenacious D appeared at Blizzcon, a convention hosted by the game designers, Blizzard Entertainment.
Internet
In December 2008, Black appeared in a video on funnyordie.com as Jesus in a musical on Prop 8 titled 8 The Musical". The video was shot in Santa Monica, CA, at Santa Monica Community College and was the brainchild of five time Oscar nominee Marc Shaiman and directed by Adam Shankman. The video features a host of other celebrities including Neil Patrick Harris, John C. Reilly, Allison Janney, Kathy Najimy, Craig Robinson, Andy Richter, , Maya Rudolph, Rashida Jones, Lake Bell, Sarah Chalke, Margaret Cho, Jenifer Lewis, and Nicole Parker.Black also starred as Benjamin Franklin in two episodes of Drunk History on funnyordie.com.
Black voiced himself in an holiday-themed Collegehumor video, also featuring Jason Segel.
Comedic style
Black's comedic style combines many key elements from both sides of the traditional double act. Black typically begins a skit in which he presents an earnest introduction to a premise or subject that quickly reveals itself to be flawed or fundamentally ludicrous. Black then switches completely to a far-extreme caricature of human emotion.His would-be straight-man Gass often functions to trigger these outbursts. Tenacious D’s subject matter illustrates this technique. In "Tribute," Tenacious D tells a story in which they claim to have performed "The Greatest Song in the World" for a "Shiny Demon" who would otherwise "EAT THEIR SOULS." In "Inward Singing," Black does not merely discover a new vocal technique, he discovers what he refers to as "the most powerful tool in singing technology since yodeling." Black's skits also use the catchphrase "more cushion for the pushin'," a self-mocking reference to his own girth.
Personal life
In January 2006, Black became engaged to Tanya Haden. She is the daughter of the jazz double bassist Charlie Haden, and sister of violinist and singer Petra Haden. Haden herself is an accomplished cellist. Both attended Crossroads school and met again 15 years after graduating, at a friend's birthday party. Black proposed marriage around Christmas 2005. They married on March 14, 2006, in Big Sur, California. Their son, Samuel Jason "Sammy" Black, was born on June 10, 2006, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. On May 23, 2008, Black and his wife had their second son, Thomas David Black.
Filmography
Film
{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1992 | Bob Roberts | Roger Davis | |- | 1993 | Airborne | Augie | |- | 1993 | Demolition Man | Wasteland Scrap | |- | 1994 | The NeverEnding Story III | Slip, Leader of the Nasties | |- | 1995 | Bye Bye Love | DJ at Party | |- | 1995 | Dead Man Walking | Craig Poncelet | |- | 1995 | Waterworld | Pilot | |- | 1996 | Bio-Dome | Tenacious D | |- | 1996 | The Cable Guy | Rick | |- | 1996 | The Fan | Broadcast Technician | |- | 1996 | Mars Attacks! | Billy Glenn Norris | |- | 1997 | Bongwater | Devlin | |- | 1997 | Crossworlds | Steve | |- | 1997 | The Jackal | Ian Lamont | |- | 1998 | Enemy of the State | Fiedler | |- | 1998 | I Still Know What You Did Last Summer | Titus Telesco | |- | 1998 | Johnny Skidmarks | Jerry | |- | 1999 | Cradle Will Rock | Sid | |- | 1999 | Jesus' Son | Georgie | |- | 1999 | The Love Letter | Fisherman | uncredited |- | 2000 | High Fidelity | Barry | Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor - Comedy/RomanceNominated — American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureNominated — Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated — MTV Movie Award for Best Music MomentNominated — MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Male PerformanceNominated — Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor |- | 2001 | Frank's Book | Performance Hipster | Short Film |- | 2001 | Saving Silverman | J.D. McNugent | |- | 2001 |Shallow Hal | Hal Larson | Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Film- Choice Actor, Comedy |- | 2002 | Ice Age | Zeke | Voice only |- | 2002 | Orange County | Lance Brumder | |- | 2002 | Run Ronnie Run | Lead Chimney Sweep | DVD Exclusive Award for Best Original Song in a DVD Premiere |- | 2003 | Melvin Goes to Dinner | Mental Patient | uncreditedPhoenix Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble ActingNominated — DVD Exclusive Award for Best Supporting Actor in a DVD Premiere |- | 2003 | School of Rock | Dewey Finn |MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic PerformanceNominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or ComedyNominated — MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen TeamNominated — Satellite Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or ComedyNominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actor- ComedyNominated — Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liar |- | 2004 | | Motorcyclist | uncredited (cameo) |- | 2004 | Envy | Nick Vanderpark | Nominated — People's Choice Award for Favorite Funny Male Star |- | 2004 | Laser Fart | The Elegant Hunter | Video |- | 2004 | Shark Tale | Lenny | Voice only |- | 2005 | King Kong | Carl Denham | Nominated — Teen Choice Award for Movies - Choice Sleazebag |- | 2005 | | Carl Denham | voiceVideo gameSpike Video Game Award - Best Leading Male Performance |- | 2006 | | Orson, Booker and Wolf | |- | 2006 | The Holiday | Miles | |- | 2006 | Nacho Libre | Nacho | Nominated — Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Male Movie StarNominated — MTV Movie Award for Best FightNominated — Teen Choice Award for Movies - Choice Actor: ComedyNominated — Teen Choice Award for Movies - Choice ChemistryNominated — Teen Choice Award for Movie - Choice Rumble |- | 2006 | Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny | Jack "Jables" Black (JB) | |- | 2007 | Margot at the Wedding | Malcolm | Nominated — Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast |- | 2007 | | Paul McCartney | Uncredited |- | 2008 | Be Kind Rewind | Jerry Gerber | |- | 2008 | Kung Fu Panda |rowspan="2" | Po | Voice onlyKids' Choice Award for Favorite Voice from an Animated MovieNominated — Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Animated Character in a Motion Picture |- | 2008 | The Secrets of the Furious Five | VoiceShort film |- | 2008 | Prop 8: The Musical | Jesus Christ | Viral videoshort |- | 2008 | Tropic Thunder | Jeff "Fats" Portnoy | Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cast |- | 2008 | Tropic Thunder: Rain of Madness | Jeff "Fats" Portnoy | Video |- | 2009 | Brütal Legend | Eddie Riggs | VoiceVideo gameSpike Video Game Award - Best Voice |- | 2009 | Year One | Zed | |- | 2010 | Gulliver's Travels | Gulliver | |- | 2010 | | Himself | |- | 2011 | Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil | Det. Bulldog R. Puppie | Voice only |- | 2011 | The Big Year | | |- | 2011 | The Muppets | Cameo Appearance/ along side Jason Segal | |- | 2011 | Kung Fu Panda 2 | Po | Voice only"post-production" |- | 2011 | Parker Redding's Big Movie | Sawyer Redding | In development |}
Television
{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1991 | Our Shining Moments | Teenage Boy | TV Movie |- | 1993 | The Golden Palace | Taxi Driver | episode "Seems Like Old Times: Part 2" |- | 1993 | Life Goes On | Skinhead | episode "Incident on Main" |- | 1993 | Marked for Murder | Car Thief | television film |- | 1993 | Northern Exposure | Kevin Wilkins | episode "A River Doesn't Run Through It" |- | 1994 | Blind Justice | Private | television film |- | 1994 | The Innocent | Marty Prago | television film |- | 1995 | All-American Girl | Tommy | episode "A Night at the Oprah" |- | 1995 | Pride & Joy | Man | episode "Brenda's Secret" |- | 1995 | The Single Guy | Randy | episode "Sister" |- | 1995 | Touched By An Angel | Monte | episode "Angels on the Air" |- | 1995 | The X-Files | Bart 'Zero' Liqouri | episode "D.P.O." |- | 1995–1996 | Mr. Show with Bob and David | Various | 4 episodes |- | 1995–1996 | Picket Fences | Curtis Williams | 2 episodes |- | 1997–2000 | Tenacious D | JB | 6 |- | 1999 | Heat Vision and Jack | Jack | television pilot |- | 2001 | Space Ghost Coast to Coast | Himself | episode "Sweet for Brak" |- | 2002 | 2002 MTV Movie Awards | Host | |- | 2002 | The Andy Dick Show | J.D. | episode "Flipped" |- | 2002 | Clone High | Pusher/Larry Hardcore | episode "Raisin The Stakes" |- | 2002 | Crank Yankers | Tenacious D | episode "#1.3" |- | 2002 | Jack Black: Spider-Man | Spider-Man | MTV Movie Awards segment |- | 2002 | Lord of the Piercing | Jack the Elf | MTV Movie Awards segmentFellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition easter egg |- | 2002 | MADtv | Tenacious D | episode "#7.22" |- | 2002 | Panic Room with Will Ferrell | Himself | MTV Movie Awards segment |- | 2003 | Player$ | Tenacious D | episode "Tenacious D a la Mode" |- | 2003 | Will & Grace | Dr. Isaac Hershberg | episode "Nice in White Satin" |- | 2003–2004 | Computerman | Computerman | 6 episodes |- | 2003–2004 | Time Belt | Computerman | 2 episodes |- | 2004 | Cracking Up | Brian | episode "Scared Straight" |- | 2004 | Tom Goes to the Mayor | Trapper JB | episode "Bear Traps" |- | 2005 | Awesometown | George Washington | television film |- | 2007 | The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show | Jables | episode "Break-Up" |- | 2007 | The Simpsons | Milo | episode "Husbands and Knives" |- | 2008 | Sesame Street | Himself | episode "The Golden Triangle Of Destiny" |- | 2009 | The Office | Sam | episode "Stress Relief" |- | 2009 | Yo Gabba Gabba | Himself | episode "New Friends" |- | 2010 | Community | Buddy | episode "Investigative Journalism" |- | 2010 | iCarly | Aspartamay | episode iStart a Fanwar |- | 2010 | Metalocalypse | Rehab Doctor | episode "Rehabklok" |- | 2010 | Take Two with Phineas and Ferb | Himself | episode "Jack Black" |- | 2011 | Fish Hooks | Chief | episode "Labor Day" |- | 2011 | Big Time Rush | Cupid | episode "Big Time Valentine" |}
References
External links
Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:American comedians Category:American comedy musicians Category:American film actors Category:American Jews Category:American male singers Category:American heavy metal guitarists Category:American heavy metal singers Category:American rock guitarists Category:American rock singers Category:American singer-songwriters Category:American television actors Category:American television writers Category:Actors from California Category:Jewish actors Category:Jewish American musicians Category:Jewish comedians Category:Jewish writers Category:Musicians from California Category:People from the Greater Los Angeles Area Category:Tenacious D Category:University of California, Los Angeles alumni
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
Michel Gondry
| Name | Michel Gondry |
|---|---|
| Caption | Michel Gondry in Paris in March 2008 |
| Birth date | |
| Birth place | Versailles, France |
| Occupation | Director, screenwriter |
| Years active | 1986-present |
Michel Gondry (born May 8, 1963) is a French film, commercial and music video director and a screenwriter. He is noted for his inventive visual style and manipulation of mise en scène.
Life and career
Gondry was born in Versailles, France. He is the grandson of inventor Constant Martin. He has a teenage son named Paul who is also an artist.His career as a filmmaker began with creating music videos for the French rock band Oui Oui, in which he also served as a drummer. The style of his videos for Oui Oui caught the attention of music artist Björk, who asked him to direct the video for her song "Human Behaviour". The collaboration proved long-lasting, with Gondry directing a total of seven music videos for Björk. Other artists who have collaborated with Gondry on more than one occasion include Daft Punk, The White Stripes, The Chemical Brothers, The Vines, Steriogram, Radiohead, and Beck. Gondry has also created numerous television commercials. He pioneered the "bullet time" technique later adapted in The Matrix, in a 1998 commercial for Smirnoff vodka, as well as directing a trio of inventive holiday-themed advertisements for clothing retailer Gap, Incorporated.
Gondry, along with directors Spike Jonze and David Fincher, is representative of the influx of music video directors into feature film. Gondry made his feature film debut in 2001 with Human Nature, garnering mixed reviews. His second film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (also his second collaboration with screenwriter Charlie Kaufman), was released in 2004 and received very favorable reviews, becoming one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year. Eternal Sunshine utilizes many of the image manipulation techniques that Gondry had experimented with in his music videos. Gondry won an Academy Award alongside Kaufman and Pierre Bismuth for the screenplay of Eternal Sunshine. The style of Gondry's music videos often relies on videography and camera tricks which play with frames of reference.
Gondry also directed the musical documentary Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) which followed comedian Dave Chappelle as he attempted to hold a large, free concert in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. His following film, The Science of Sleep, hit theaters in September, 2006. This film stars Mexican actor Gael García Bernal, and marked a return to the fantastical, surreal techniques he employed in Eternal Sunshine.
According to the Guinness World Records 2004, Michel Gondry's Levi's 501 Jeans "Drugstore" spot holds the record for "Most awards won by a TV commercial". The commercial was never aired in North America because of the suggestive content involving purchasing latex condoms.
He was asked by French comic duet Éric and Ramzy to direct Seuls Two, but declined ; by his suggestion, Éric and Ramzy subsequently asked Mr Oizo to direct another movie : Steak.
In September 2006, Gondry made his debut as an installation artist at Deitch Projects in New York City's SoHo gallery district. The show, called "The Science of Sleep: An Exhibition of Sculpture and Pathological Creepy Little Gifts" featured props from his film, The Science of Sleep, as well as film clips and a selection of gifts that the artist had given to women he was interested in, many of them former or current collaborators, Karen Baird, Kishu Chand, Dorothy Barrick and Lauri Faggioni. A leitmotif of the film is a 'Disastrology' calendar; Gondry commissioned the painter Baptiste Ibar to draw harrowing images of natural and human disasters.
His brother Olivier "Twist" Gondry is also a television commercial and music video director creating videos for bands such as The Stills, Hot Hot Heat, Daft Punk and The Vines.
Gondry was an Artist in Residence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2005 and 2006. Later directing the music video for the Paul McCartney song "Dance Tonight", in which Gondry makes a cameo appearance. Gondry directed of "Unnatural Love," the fifth episode in season two of HBO's Flight of the Conchords. Interior Design one third of the 2008 anthology film Tokyo! was next for Gondry. Interior Design was based on the comic book "Cecil and Jordan in New York" by Gabrielle Bell but was adapted from New York City to Tokyo for the film.
In 2009 The Thorn in the Heart another feature documentary was released it is about Michel's aunt Suzette and her son Jean-Yves. In 2011 The Green Hornet a superhero film Gondry was hired to direct by Sony will come out staring Seth Rogen and Christoph Waltz; Rogen co-wrote the script.
Gondry lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Filmography
Feature films
art project.]]
Short films
Documentary films
Music videos
Advertisements
Television
Bibliography
References
External links
Category:1963 births Category:Advertising directors Category:Best Original Screenplay Academy Award winners Category:French film directors Category:Surrealist filmmakers Category:French music video directors Category:Living people Category:People from Versailles * Category:Writers Guild of America Award winners
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
Kanye West
| Name | Kanye West |
|---|---|
| Background | solo_singer |
| Birth name | Kanye Omari West |
| Born | June 08, 1977Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Instrument | Vocals, keyboards, sampler, percussion, synthesizer |
| Occupation | Producer, rapper, musician, singer |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Label | GOOD Music, Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam |
| Associated acts | Go Getters, Child Rebel Soldier, Jay-Z, Common, John Legend, Kid Cudi, Pusha T, Mr Hudson, Pusha T, Big Sean |
| Url |
West released his debut album The College Dropout in 2004, his second album Late Registration in 2005, his third album Graduation in 2007, his fourth album 808s & Heartbreak in 2008, and his fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in 2010. His five albums have received numerous awards, including a cumulative twelve Grammys, All have been very commercially successful, with 808s & Heartbreak becoming his third consecutive #1 album in the U.S. upon release. West also runs his own record label GOOD Music, home to artists such as John Legend, Common and Kid Cudi. West's mascot and trademark is "Dropout Bear," a teddy bear which has appeared on the covers of three of his five albums as well as various single covers and music videos. About.com ranked Kanye West #8 on their "Top 50 Hip-Hop Producers" list. On May 16, 2008, Kanye West was crowned by MTV as the year's #1 "Hottest MC in the Game." On 17 December 2010, Kanye West was voted as the MTV Man of the Year by MTV.
Early life
Kanye West was born in Atlanta, Georgia, where he lived with his parents. When he was three years old, his parents divorced, and he and his mother moved to Chicago, Illinois. West's mother, Dr. Donda West, was a Professor of English at Clark Atlanta University, and the Chair of the English Department at Chicago State University before retiring to serve as West's manager. He was raised in a middle-class background, attending Polaris High School in suburban Oak Lawn, Illinois after living in Chicago. When asked about his grades in high school, West replied, "I got A's and B's. And I'm not even frontin'".West attended art classes at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, and also enrolled at Chicago State University, but dropped out to focus on his music career.
Music career
Early career (1996–2003)
Kanye West's first career productions came on Chicago rapper Grav's 1996 debut album Down to Earth. West produced eight tracks on the album. While the album didn't attract much attention and would be the only album released by Grav, West would soon be producing for higher profile artists. In 1998-1999 he produced for well known artists such as Jermaine Dupri, Foxy Brown, Goodie Mob, and the group Harlem World.West got his big break in the year 2000 however when he began to produce for artists on Roc-a-Fella Records. He produced the well received Jay-Z song "This Can't Be Life" off of the album . West would later state that to create the beat for "This Can't Be Life" he sped up the drum beat from Dr. Dre's song "Xxplosive".
After producing for Jay-Z earlier, West’s sound was featured heavily on Jay-Z's critically acclaimed album The Blueprint, released on September 11, 2001. Jay-Z admitted that Roc-A-Fella was initially reluctant to support West as a rapper, claiming that he saw him as a producer first and foremost. Multiple record companies felt he was not as marketable as rappers who portray the "street image" prominent in hip hop culture. West's faith is apparent in many of his songs, such as "Jesus Walks", which became a staple at his benefit performances, such as the Live 8 concert. These songs were featured on West's debut album, The College Dropout, which was released on Roc-A-Fella Records in February 2004, and went on to receive critical acclaim. The album also defined the style for which West would become known, including wordplay and sampling. During 2003 West also co-produced songs for British singer Javine Hylton, even appearing in the music video to Real Things playing the love interest of Javine.
West was involved in a financial dispute over Royce Da 5'9"'s song "Heartbeat", produced by West and released on Build & Destroy: The Lost Sessions. West maintains that Royce never paid for the beat, but recorded to it and released it; hearing him on the beat, the original customers decided not to buy it from West. After the disagreement, West vowed to never work with Royce again. Other Kanye West-produced hit singles during the period The College Dropout was released included "I Changed My Mind" by Keyshia Cole, "Overnight Celebrity" by Twista and "Talk About Our Love" by Brandy. Like its predecessor, the sophomore effort garnered universal acclaim from music critics. Late Registration topped countless critic polls and was revered as the best album of the year by numerous publications, including USA Today, Spin, and Time. Rolling Stone awarded the album the highest position on their end of the year record list and hailed it as a "sweepingly generous, absurdly virtuosic hip-hop classic." The record earned the number one spot on the Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll of 2005 for the second consecutive year. Late Registration was also a commercial success, selling over 860,000 copies in its first week alone and topping the Billboard 200. Grossing over 2.3 million units sold in the United States alone by year's end, Late Registration was considered by industry observers as the sole majorly successful album release of the fall of 2005, a season that was plagued by steadily declining CD sales. The sophomore album earned eight Grammy Award nominations including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for the song "Gold Digger". The album is certified triple platinum.
On August 22, 2005, the MTV special All Eyes On Kanye West aired, in which West spoke out against homophobia in hip-hop. He claimed that hip-hop has always been about "speaking your mind and about breaking down barriers, but everyone in hip-hop discriminates against gay people." He then reflected on a personal experience. He said that he had a "turning point" when he realized one of his cousins was gay. He said regarding this experience: "This is my cousin. I love him and I've been discriminating against gays." He drew comparison between African Americans' struggle for civil rights and today's gay rights movement. The following year, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, West further expounded his experiences with and views on the relationship between the black and gay communities.
In September 2005, West announced that he would release his Pastelle Clothing line in spring 2006: "Now that I have a Grammy under my belt and Late Registration is finished, I am ready to launch my clothing line next spring." The current status of this project is unknown. In that year, West produced the hit singles "Go" by Common and "Dreams" by The Game.
Graduation (2007)
.]] In 2007, it was announced that West would be starring in a series directed by Larry Charles. He has been working on the pilot episode for the past two years with Larry Charles and Rick Rubin. He also had this to say on January 14: "I wouldn't do something as cliché as a reality show. At least give me the credit for being more creative than that. It's a situational half-hour comedy. It's fictional, and loosely based on my life. " West also collaborated with Japanese hip-hop group Teriyaki Boyz to produce the single "I Still Love H.E.R.," a reference to Common's 1994 single "I Used to Love H.E.R.". Further to this, during a radio appearance in early 2007, West, like many of his peers, recorded an impromptu freestyle to the popular song "Throw Some D's." The song that to all other rappers was about automobile rims, was used by West to comically refer to D-cup breasts. Because of the unexpected success of the song, West went on to make a video for the freestyle, in which he is seen playing his 'Old Ass Cousin'.
West was also featured in a new song called "Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)". It was believed to be a single for, Graduation, because he is featured on the track, but Nike quickly explained that it was for the Nike Air Force 1's anniversary. It was meant only to be an exclusive track for the company.
On March 25, 2007, he and his father Ray West supported World Water Day by having a "Walk for Water" rally. After a two-year break, West has returned to being a fashion columnist in lifestyle magazine Complex. On July 7, 2007, West performed with The Police and John Mayer at the American leg of Live Earth. West hosted the August 17 edition of British comedy- variety show The Friday Night Project.
In July 2007, West changed the release date of Graduation, his third album, from September 18, 2007, to the same release date as 50 Cent's album Curtis, September 11, 2007. 50 Cent later claimed that if Graduation were to sell more records than Curtis, he would stop releasing solo albums. However, 50 Cent would later dispel his comments. The album has been certified double platinum. Guest appearances included T-Pain, Mos Def, and Lil Wayne.
}}
On August 26, 2007, West appeared as himself on the HBO television show Entourage which he used as a platform to premier his new single "Good Life" during the end credits. On September 9, 2007, West performed at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, losing in every category he was nominated for; he gave an angry speech immediately afterward. (see "Controversies" section)
Following the MTV stint, West was nominated in eight Grammy Award categories for the 50th annual Grammy Awards. He won four of them, including Best Rap Album for Graduation and Best Rap Solo Performance for "Stronger" from Graduation. During the four-hour televised Grammy Awards ceremony, West also performed two songs: "Stronger" (with Daft Punk) and "Hey Mama" (in honor of his recently deceased mother).
Glow in the Dark Tour, 808s & Heartbreak (2008–09)
in Chicago]]West kicked off the Glow In The Dark Tour in Seattle at the Key Arena on April 16. The tour was originally scheduled to end in June in Cincinnati but was extended into August. Over the course of the tour West was joined by a varying group of opening acts, including Lupe Fiasco, Rihanna, N.E.R.D., DJ Craze, and Gnarls Barkley. On June 15, West was scheduled to perform a late night set at the Bonnaroo Music Festival. His performance started almost two hours late and ran for half of its alloted time, angering many fans in the audience. West later wrote an outraged entry on his blog, blaming the festival organizers as well as Pearl Jam's preceding set, which ran longer than expected.
On September 7, West debuted a new song "Love Lockdown" at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. "Love Lockdown" features no rapping and only singing using an auto-tune device. This song appears on West's fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak. The new album was expected to be released on December 16, but West announced on his blog on September 24, 2008, that he had finished the album and would be releasing it sometime in November, earlier than previously scheduled. In early October, West made a surprise appearance at a T.I. concert in Los Angeles, where he stated that 808s & Heartbreak was scheduled to be released on November 25, though it was actually released on the 24th, and that the second single is "Heartless". The album was another number one album for West, even though the first week numbers fell well short of Graduation with 450,145 sold.
Along with Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Leona Lewis, and others, West performed at the American Music Awards ceremony on November 23. That same night he won two AMA awards, including Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album for Graduation and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist. West performed at the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August 2008, along with Wyclef Jean and N.E.R.D. in support of Barack Obama. On January 20, 2009, Kanye West performed at the Youth Inaugural Ball hosted by MTV for Obama's inauguration.
On February 17, 2009, West was named one of Top 10 Most Stylish Men in America by GQ. The next day, February 18, 2009, West won International Male Solo Artist at The Brit Awards 2009. West was not in attendance but accepted his award with a video speech, saying "Barack is the 'Best Interracial Male' but I'm proud to be the Best International Male in the world.
In April 2009, Kanye West recorded a song called "Hurricane" with 30 Seconds to Mars to appear on their album This Is War, but was not released due to legal issues with both record companies. The song was eventually released on the deluxe version of This Is War, titled "Hurricane 2.0".
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Watch the Throne (2010–present)
In May 2010, West made an animated television guest appearance on Fox's animated television series The Cleveland Show (a spin-off of Family Guy) as the voice behind "Kenny West", a rival of Cleveland Brown's son. In his first episode he performed in a rap battle with Cleveland's son. The producers stated working with West was a very good experience and a reason they chose him was because they knew he was a fan of Family Guy. Kenny West re-appeared in the season 2 premiere of The Cleveland Show.West spent the first half of 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii, working on his new album with the working title "Good Ass Job", later named My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, released on November 22, 2010. West has cited Maya Angelou, Gil Scott-Heron and Nina Simone as his musical inspirations for this album. Outside production is said to come from RZA, Q-Tip, Pete Rock, and DJ Premier. West also had Justin Vernon flown into his studio on Oahu after seemingly expressing interest in sampling one of Bon Iver's songs; Vernon proceeded to feature on a number of new tracks, including "Lost In The World," which features Vernon's vocal line from Woods.
On May 28, the Dwele-assisted first single from the album, entitled "Power", leaked to the Internet. On June 30, the track was officially released via iTunes. The upcoming music video was quoted as being "apocalyptic, in a very personal way" by the director Marco Brambilla.
On September 12, 2010, West performed a new song, "Runaway" featuring Pusha T, at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Shortly after the performance, Kanye revealed he was working on a 35 minute short film based around the song. The movie is said to be influenced by film noir and concerns a fallen phoenix whom Kanye falls in love with. The short film debuted consecutively on VH1, MTV, and BET on October 23, 2010.
Watch The Throne, an upcoming collaborative studio album by West and Jay-Z, is scheduled to be released by Def Jam Recordings in 2011. It has been under production since August 2010 as part of West's GOOD Friday initiative of releasing new songs every Friday between August 20 and Christmas 2010. West said through a recent interview with MTV that the album is "going to be very dark and sexy, like couture hip hop. He appeared at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, performing the track "Lost in the World" from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. On January 6, 2011, Kanye announced via Twitter that the first official single from Watch the Throne would be a song called "H.A.M" produced by Lex Luger. The song was released on January 11, 2011.
Personal life
Relationships
Kanye West and designer Alexis Phifer ended their 18-month engagement in 2008. The couple had been dating on and off since 2002, with West eventually proposing in August 2006. According to a friend, the couple's relationship had been straining, significantly influenced by the sheer amount of time and attention West was dedicating to his current concert tour. "It's always sad when things like this end, and we remain friends," Phifer told People.West was also in a high profile on/off relationship with Amber Rose from 2008 until the summer of 2010.
Mother's death
On November 10, 2007, West's mother, Donda West, died of complications from cosmetic surgery involving abdominoplasty and breast augmentation. TMZ reported that Beverly Hills physician Andre Aboolian had advised Donda West not to have surgery because of a health condition that placed her at risk for a heart attack. He had previously been under scrutiny by the medical board. Adams appeared on Larry King Live on November 20, 2007 but left before speaking. Two days later, he appeared again, with his attorney, stating he was there to "defend himself." He said that the recently released autopsy results "spoke for themselves". The final coroner's report January 10, 2008 concluded that Donda West died of "coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors due to or as a consequence of liposuction and mammoplasty."The funeral and burial for Donda West was held in Oklahoma City on November 20, 2007. West held his first concert following the funeral at The O2 in London on November 22. He dedicated a performance of "Hey Mama", as well as a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", to his mother, and did so on all other dates of his Glow in the Dark tour.
At a December 2008 press conference in New Zealand, West spoke about his mother's death for the first time. "It was like losing an arm and a leg and trying to walk through that," he told reporters.
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger passed the "Donda West Law," a legislation which makes it mandatory for patients to provide medical clearance for elective cosmetic surgery.
Musical style and influences
(left)]] At the start of his career, Kanye West's production style often used pitched-up vocal samples, usually from soul songs, with his own drums and instruments. His first major release featuring his trademark vocal sampling style was "This Can't Be Life", a track from Jay-Z’s . West said he sped up the drum beat of Dr. Dre's "Xxplosive" to use as a replacement for his drums on "This Can't Be Life". and has said on numerous occasions that Wu-Tang rappers Ghostface Killah and Ol' Dirty Bastard were some of his all-time favorites, "Wu-Tang? Me and my friends talk about this all the time... We think Wu-Tang had one of the biggest impacts as far as a movement. From slang to style of dress, skits, the samples. Similar to the [production] style I use, RZA has been doing that." RZA himself has spoken quite positively of the comparisons, stating in an interview for Rolling Stone, "All good. I got super respect for Kanye. He came up to me about a year or two ago. He gave me mad praising and blessings... For people to say Wu-Tang inspire Kanye, Kanye is one of the biggest artists in the world. That goes back to what we say: 'Wu-Tang is forever.' Kanye is going to inspire people to be like him."While his use of sampling has lessened over time, West's production continues to feature distinctive and intricate string arrangements. This characteristic arose from him listening to the English trip hop group Portishead, whose 1998 live album Roseland NYC Live, with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra inspired him to incorporate string sections into his hip hop production. Though he was unable to afford live instruments beyond violin riffs provided by Israeli violinist Miri Ben-Ari around the time of his debut album, its subsequent commercial success allowed him to hire his very own eleven-piece string orchestra. For a time, West stood as the sole current pop star to tour with a string section. Both a fan and supporter of indie culture, West uses his official website to promote obscure indie rock bands, posting up music videos and mp3s on a daily basis. This musical affinity is mutual, as West has collaborated with indie artists such as Santigold, Peter Bjorn and John and Lykke Li while his songs have gone on to be covered countless times by myriad rock bands.
Other ventures
Business ventures
In August 2008, West revealed plans to open 10 Fatburger restaurants in the Chicago area; the first was set to open in September 2008 in Orland Park. The second followed in January 2009, while a third location is yet to be revealed, although the process is being finalized. His company, KW Foods LLC, bought the rights to the chain in Chicago. Additionally, West planned to launch his fashion career, and applied for internships with major European fashion houses. He is due to release his own clothing line called Past Tell in 2009. He also collaborated with Nike to release his own shoe, Air Yeezys.On January 22, 2009, during Paris Fashion Week, West introduced his first shoe line designed for Louis Vuitton. The line was released in summer 2009.
Philanthropy
West started the "Kanye West Foundation" in Chicago in 2003. On August 24, 2007, West hosted the inaugural benefit concert to launch the foundation's partnership with Strong American Schools. It is focused on helping Latino and African American children stay in school and to get a proper education through grade school, high school, and college. The foundation also helps children to stay in high school by finding a path through music. West has contributed over $500,000 to his foundation. The foundation has also been called the "Donda West Foundation".Kanye West has appeared and participated in many fundraisers, benefit concerts, and has done community work for Hurricane Katrina relief, the Kanye West Foundation, the Millions More Movement, 100 Black Men of America, a Live Earth concert benefit, World Water Day rally and march, Nike runs, and a MTV special helping young Iraq War veterans who struggle through debt and PTSD a second chance after returning home.
Controversies
Media
West has had several controversies throughout his career. On September 2, 2005, during a benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina relief on NBC, A Concert for Hurricane Relief, West was a featured speaker. When West was presenting alongside actor Mike Myers, he deviated from the prepared script. Myers spoke next and continued to read the script. Once it was West's turn to speak again, he said "George Bush doesn't care about black people." At this point, telethon producer Rick Kaplan cut off the microphone and then cut away to Chris Tucker, who was unaware of the cut for a few seconds. Still, West's comment reached much of the United States. Bush stated in an interview that the comment was "one of the most disgusting moments” of his presidency.In January 2006, West again sparked controversy when he appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone in the image of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns.
Award shows
Later in 2006, West had his first of a number of incidents involving music award events. After the 2006 Grammy nominations were released, West said he would "really have a problem" if he did not win the Album of the Year, saying, "I don't care what I do, I don't care how much I stunt — you can never take away from the amount of work I put into it. I don't want to hear all of that politically correct stuff." On November 2, 2006, when his "Touch the Sky" failed to win Best Video at the MTV Europe Music Awards, West went onto the stage as the award was being presented to Justice and Simian for "We Are Your Friends" and argued that he should have won the award instead. Hundreds of news outlets worldwide criticized the outburst. On November 7, 2006, West apologized for this outburst publicly during his performance as support act for U2 for their Vertigo concert in Brisbane. He later spoofed the incident in the season premiere of Saturday Night Live. On September 9, 2007, West suggested that his race had to do with his being overlooked for opening the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in favor of Britney Spears; he claimed, "Maybe my skin’s not right." West was performing at the event; that night, he lost all 5 awards that he was nominated for, including Best Male Artist and Video of the Year. After the show, he was visibly upset that he had lost at the VMAs two years in a row, stating that he would not come back to MTV ever again. He also appeared on several radio stations saying that when he made the song "Stronger" that it was his dream to open the VMAs with it. He has also stated that Spears hasn't had a hit in a long period of time and that MTV exploited her for ratings.On September 13, 2009, during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards while Taylor Swift was accepting her award for Best Female Video for "You Belong with Me", West went on stage and grabbed the microphone to proclaim that Beyoncé's video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", nominated for the same award, was "one of the best videos of all time". He was subsequently removed from the remainder of the show for his actions. When Beyoncé later won the award for Best Video of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", she called Swift up on stage so that she could finish her acceptance speech. and by President Barack Obama, who called West a "jackass" in an off the record comment. In addition, West's VMA disruption sparked a large influx of Internet photo memes with blogs, forums and "tweets" with the "Let you finish" photo-jokes. He posted two apologies for the outburst on his personal blog; one on the night of the incident and the other the same day he appeared on The Jay Leno Show, on September 14, 2009, where he apologized again. After Swift appeared on The View two days after the outburst, partly to discuss the matter, West called her to apologize personally. Swift said she accepted his apology. In September 2010, West wrote a series of apologetic tweets addressed to Swift including "Beyonce didn't need that. MTV didn't need that and Taylor and her family friends and fans definitely didn't want or need that" and concluding with "I'm sorry Taylor." West also revealed he had written a song for Swift and if she didn't accept the song, he would perform it himself.
Legal issues
In December 2006, Robert "Evel" Knievel sued West for trademark infringement in West's video for "Touch the Sky." Knievel took issue with a "sexually-charged video" in which West takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" and attempts flying a rocket over a canyon. The suit filed in federal court claims infringement on his trademarked name and likeness. Knievel also claims the "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video damage his reputation. The suit seeks damages and to stop distribution of the video. West's attorneys argued that the music video amounted to satire and therefore was covered under the First Amendment. Just days before his death in November 2007, Knievel amicably settled the suit after being paid a visit from West, saying, "I thought he was a wonderful guy and quite a gentleman."On September 11, 2008, West and his road manager/bodyguard Don Crowley were arrested at Los Angeles International Airport and booked on charges of felony vandalism after an altercation with the paparazzi in which West and Crowley broke the photographers' cameras. West was later released from the Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Division station in Culver City on $20,000 bail bond. On September 26, 2008 the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said it would not file felony counts against West over the incident. Instead the case file was forwarded to the city attorney's office, which charged West with one count of misdemeanor vandalism, one count of grand theft and one count of battery and his manager with three counts of each on March 18, 2009. West's and Crowley's arraignment was delayed from an original date of April 14, 2009. West was arrested again on November 14, 2008 at a hotel near Gateshead after another scuffle involving a photographer outside a nightclub in Newcastle Upon Tyne. He was later released "with no further action", according to a police spokesperson.
Discography
; Studio albums; Live albums
; Collaboration albums Watch The Throne (2011) (with Jay-Z)
Awards and nominations
References
External links
Category:1977 births Category:1990s singers Category:2000s rappers Category:2010s rappers Category:2000s singers Category:2010s singers Category:African American rappers Category:African American singers Category:American bloggers Category:American hip hop record producers Category:American music video directors Category:American pop musicians Category:American record producers Category:Songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state) Category:BRIT Award winners Category:Chicago State University alumni Category:Electro-hop musicians Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Hip hop musicians Category:Hip hop singers Category:Living people Category:Mercury Records artists Category:People from Atlanta, Georgia Category:Rappers from Chicago, Illinois Category:Roc-A-Fella Records artists Category:World Music Awards winners
This text is licensed under the Creative Commons CC-BY-SA License. This text was originally published on Wikipedia and was developed by the Wikipedia community.
Jay Leno
| Name | Jay Leno |
|---|---|
| Caption | Leno in July 2008 |
| Birth name | James Douglas Muir Leno |
| Birth date | April 28, 1950 |
| Website | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno |
| Spouse | Mavis Leno (1980–present) |
| Signature | Jay Leno Autograph.svg |
| Notable work | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (host, 1992–2009)The Jay Leno Show(host, 2009–2010)The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (host, 2010– ) |
From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. (Eastern Time, UTC-5), also on NBC. After The Jay Leno Show was canceled in January 2010 amid a host controversy, Leno returned to host The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on March 1, 2010.
Early life
Jay Leno was born in New Rochelle, New York, on April 28, 1950. His mother, Catherine (née Muir), a homemaker, was born in Greenock, Scotland, and came to the United States at age 11. Her schooling was limited and as a result she prized her children's successes. Leno's father, Angelo, who worked as an insurance salesman, was born in New York to immigrants from Flumeri, Italy. Leno grew up in Andover, Massachusetts, and although his high school guidance counselor recommended that he drop out of school, he later obtained a Bachelor's degree in speech therapy from Emerson College, where he started a comedy club in 1973. and a lawyer. Leno continued to perform as a stand-up comedian throughout his tenure on The Tonight Show.In 2004, Leno signed a contract extension with NBC which would keep him as host of The Tonight Show until 2009. Later in 2004, Conan O'Brien signed a contract with NBC under which O'Brien would become the host of The Tonight Show in 2009, replacing Leno at that time.
During the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, Leno was accused of violating WGA guidelines by writing his own monologue for The Tonight Show. While NBC and Leno claim there were private meetings with the WGA where there was a secret agreement allowing this, the WGA denied such a meeting. Leno answered questions in front of the Writers Guild of America, West trial committee in February 2009 and June 2009, and when the WGAW published its list of strike-breakers on 11 August 2009, Leno was not on the list.
Leno said in 2008 that he was saving all of his income from The Tonight Show and living solely off his income from stand-up comedy.
On April 23, 2009, Leno checked himself into a hospital with an undisclosed illness. He was released the following day and returned to work on Monday, April 27. The two subsequently cancelled Tonight Show episodes for April 23 and April 24 were Leno's first in 17 years as host. Initially, the illness that caused the absence was not disclosed, but later Leno told People magazine that the ailment was exhaustion.
Michael Jackson trial
In the 2005 trial of Michael Jackson over allegations of child molestation, Leno appeared as a defense witness (many celebrity defense witnesses had been expected, but Leno was one of the few whose testimony was actually needed). In his testimony regarding a call by the accuser, Leno testified that he never called the police, that no money was asked for, and there was no coaching — but that the calls seemed unusual and scripted.As a result, Leno was initially not allowed to continue telling jokes about Jackson or the case, which had been a fixture of The Tonight Show's opening monologue in particular. But he and his show's writers used a legal loophole by having Leno briefly step aside while stand-in comedians took the stage and told jokes about the trial. Stand-ins included Roseanne Barr, Drew Carey, Brad Garrett, and Dennis Miller among others.
Succession by Conan O'Brien and The Jay Leno Show
Because Leno's show continued to lead all late-night programming in the Nielsen ratings, the pending expiration of Leno's contract led to speculation about whether he would become a late-night host for another network after his commitment to NBC expired. Leno left The Tonight Show on Friday May 29, 2009, and Conan O'Brien took over on June 1, 2009.On December 8, 2008, it was reported that Leno would remain on NBC and move to a new hour-long show at 10 p.m. Eastern Time (9 p.m. Central Time) five nights a week. This show follows a similar format to The Tonight Show, tapes at the same lot, and retains many of Leno's most popular segments. Late Night host Conan O'Brien was his successor on The Tonight Show.
Jay Leno's new show, titled The Jay Leno Show, debuted on September 14, 2009. It was announced at the Television Critics Association summer press tour that it would feature one or two celebrities, the occasional musical guest, and keep the popular "Headlines" segments, which would air near the end of the show. First guests included Jerry Seinfeld, Oprah Winfrey (via satellite), and a short sit-down with Kanye West discussing his controversy at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
Timeslot conflict and return to The Tonight Show
]] In their new roles, neither O'Brien nor Leno succeeded in delivering the viewing audiences the network anticipated. On January 7, 2010, multiple media outlets reported that beginning March 1, 2010, Jay Leno would move from his 10pm weeknight time slot to 11:35pm, due to a combination of pressure from local affiliates whose newscasts were suffering, and both Leno's and O'Brien's poor ratings. Leno's show would be shortened from an hour to 30 minutes. All NBC late night programming would be preempted by the 2010 Winter Olympics between February 15 and February 26. This would move The Tonight Show to 12:05am, a post-midnight timeslot for the first time in its history. O'Brien's contract stipulated that NBC could move the show back to 12:05 a.m. without penalty (a clause put in primarily to accommodate sports preemptions).On January 10, NBC confirmed that they would move Jay Leno out of primetime as of February 12 and intended to move him to late night as soon as possible. TMZ reported that O'Brien was given no advance notice of this change, and that NBC offered him two choices: an hour-long 12:05am time slot, or the option to leave the network. On January 12, O'Brien issued a press release that stated he would not continue with Tonight if it moved to a 12:05am time slot, saying, "I believe that delaying The Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t The Tonight Show."
On January 21, it was announced that NBC had struck a deal with O'Brien. It was decided that O'Brien would leave The Tonight Show. The deal was made that O'Brien would receive a $33 million payout and that his staff of almost 200 would receive $12 million in the departure. O'Brien's final episode aired on Friday, January 22. Leno returned as host of The Tonight Show following the 2010 Winter Olympics on March 1, 2010.
On July 1, 2010, Variety reported that total viewership for Jay Leno's Tonight Show had dropped from 5 million to 4 million for the second quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. Although this represented the lowest second-quarter ratings for the show since 1992, Tonight was still the most-watched late night program, ahead of ABC's Nightline (3.7 million) and David Letterman's Late Show (3.3 million). Ratings over the following summer, when compared to the same period in 2009 with O'Brien hosting The Tonight Show (including O'Brien's highly rated debut), showed that while total viewership was 12% higher for Leno, viewership in the important "adults aged 18-49" demographic was 23% lower. NBC ratings specialist Tom Bierbaum commented that due to the host being out of late night television for a period of time and the subsequent 2010 Tonight Show conflict, Leno's ratings fall was "not a surprise at all".
Public image
Criticism of Leno
Leno has faced heated criticism and some negative publicity for his perceived role in the 2010 Tonight Show timeslot conflict. Critics have pointed to a 2004 Tonight Show clip, wherein Leno claimed he would allow O'Brien to take over without incident. At the time, Leno stated he didn't want O'Brien to leave for a competing network, adding, "I'll be 59 when [the switch occurs], that's five years from now. There's really only one person who could have done this into his 60s, and that was Johnny Carson; I think it's fair to say I'm no Johnny Carson."Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt was among the first celebrities to openly voice disappointment with Leno, saying, "Comedians who don't like Jay Leno now, and I'm one of them, we're not like, 'Jay Leno sucks;' it's that we're so hurt and disappointed that one of the best comedians of our generation... willfully has shut the switch off." Rosie O'Donnell has been among O'Brien's most vocal and vehement supporters, calling Leno a "bully" and his recent actions "classless and kind of career-defining." Howard Stern, who has been openly critical of Leno for years, has become even more so in the wake of the controversy.
Bill Zehme, the co-author of Leno's autobiography Leading with My Chin, told the LA Times: "The thing Leno should do is walk, period. He's got everything to lose in terms of public popularity by going back. People will look at him differently. He'll be viewed as the bad guy."
Support for Leno
NBC Sports head executive and former Saturday Night Live producer Dick Ebersol spoke out against all who had recently mocked Leno, calling them "chicken-hearted and gutless." Jeff Gaspin also defended Leno: "This has definitely crossed the line. Jay Leno is the consummate professional and one of the hardest-working people in television. It's a shame that he's being pulled into this." Responding to the mounting criticism, Leno claimed that NBC had assured him that O'Brien was willing to accept the proposed arrangement and then would not let either host out of his contract. Leno also said that the situation was "all business."
Personal life
in March 2009 ]] Leno has been married since 1980 to Mavis Leno; they have no children.He is known for his prominent jaw, which has been described as mandibular prognathism. In the book Leading with My Chin he stated that he is aware of surgery that could reset his mandible, but does not wish to endure a prolonged healing period with his jaws wired shut.
Leno is dyslexic. He claims to sleep only four to five hours each night. Leno does not drink or smoke, nor does he gamble. He spends most of his free time visiting car collections or working in his private garage. his total net worth is unknown, but has been estimated to be at least $150 million or more. In an interview with USA Today, Leno claimed that he has never spent any of the money he's made from The Tonight Show, and has always lived off of the millions of dollars he makes each year from performing stand-up.
Charity
In 2001, along with his wife, he donated $100,000 to the Feminist Majority's campaign to stop gender apartheid in Afghanistan, to educate the public regarding the plight of women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Mavis Leno is on the board of the Feminist Majority.In 2009, he donated $100,000 to a scholarship fund at Salem State College in honor of Lennie Sogoloff. Mr. Sogoloff gave Leno his start at his jazz club, Lennie's-on-the-Turnpike.
in his Hispano-Suiza Aero]]
Vehicle collection
Leno owns approximately 200 vehicles, including about 100 cars. He also has a website called "Jay Leno's Garage," which contains video clips and photos of his automobiles in detail.He has a regular column in Popular Mechanics which showcases his car collection and gives advice about various automotive topics, including restoration and unique models, such as his jet-powered motorcycle and solar-powered hybrid. Leno also writes occasional "Motormouth" articles for The Sunday Times, reviewing high-end sports cars and giving his humorous take on automotive matters.
References
External links
Category:American stand-up comedians Category:American television talk show hosts Category:American voice actors Category:Emerson College alumni Category:Emmy Award winners Category:Car collectors Category:Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductees Category:People from Andover, Massachusetts Category:People from New Rochelle, New York Category:SEMA Members Category:1950 births Category:Living people Category:American people of Italian descent Category:American people of Scottish descent *
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Jason Segel
| Caption | Segel at the World of Color premiere, 2010 |
|---|---|
| Birthname | Jason Jordan Segel |
| Birth date | January 18, 1980 |
| Birth place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, screenwriter, musician |
| Yearsactive | 1998–present |
Early life
Segel was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of a lawyer, and was raised in Pacific Palisades, California. His father is Jewish and his mother is Christian; he was raised in his father's religion, but also attended a Christian school. He has stated that he and his older brother were not close while growing up.Following elementary school, Segel completed his middle and high school studies at Harvard-Westlake School, where his 6' 4" (193 cm) frame helped him as an active member of the state champion boys' basketball team. He had hopes of becoming a professional actor while in college, and acted in local theater productions at Palisades Playhouse.
Career
He is known for his role "Freak" Nick Andopolis on the short-lived NBC comedy-drama series Freaks and Geeks, about a group of suburban Detroit high school students circa 1980. He also personally wrote a song for his character, Nick, to sing to the lead female character, Lindsay (Linda Cardellini), in an episode of Freaks and Geeks. She and Segel dated for a few years following the show's cancellation. It was rumored that she broke up with him for gaining twenty pounds, but it has since emerged that the statement was in fact a joke taken out of context.Segel had recurring roles on as Neil Jansen and on Undeclared as Eric. He currently plays Marshall on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Feature film appearances include Slackers, SLC Punk!, The Good Humor Man, and Dead Man on Campus. In 2007, he appeared in Knocked Up, directed by Freaks and Geeks director Judd Apatow. Segel starred in the lead role of 2008's Forgetting Sarah Marshall, a film he wrote and Apatow produced with Shauna Robertson for Universal Pictures. He also starred in I Love You, Man, which was released on March 20, 2009 by Dreamworks.
Along with director Nicholas Stoller, Segel has recently been enlisted by Disney to write the next Muppets film. In Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Segel's character writes a "Dracula" musical performed by puppets. During an interview with Opie and Anthony, when they were on 104.1 WBCN in Boston, he stated that the Dracula musical with puppets, as well as being broken up with while naked, were real experiences he wrote into the movie. Those cloth creatures were custom-made by the Henson puppeteers, and the experience emboldened Segel to pitch his concept for a Muppets movie. Segel performed his Dracula's Lament on the 1000th episode of Craig Ferguson's show, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
For the 2010 comedy Get Him to the Greek, Segel co-wrote most of the soundtrack's music which was performed by the fictional band Infant Sorrow. He also appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and sang an original song entitled "Wonky Eyed Girl". |- | rowspan="4"| 2011 || The Muppets || Gary || Director; Writer; filming |- | Bad Teacher || || Post-production |- | Jeff Who Lives At Home || Jeff || Post-production |- | Friends With Benefits || || |} Disney Princess; A Christmas Of Enchantment 2 GooBlob
Television
References
External links
in 2009Category:1980 births Category:Actors from California Category:American film actors Category:American Jews Category:American television actors Category:Living people Category:Jewish actors Category:Jewish American musicians Category:Jewish writers Category:People from Los Angeles, California
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James Corden
| Name | James Corden |
|---|---|
| Caption | Corden in December 2008 |
| Birthname | James Kimberley Corden |
| Birth date | June 17, 1978 |
| Birth place | Hillingdon, London, England |
| Occupation | Actor, television writer and presenter, comedian, singer, songwriter |
| Yearsactive | 1996–present |
| Partner | Julia Carey (2010–present) |
Early life
Corden was born in Hillingdon, Greater London, He has an older sister Ange, and a younger sister Ruth.
Career
Corden obtained his first part after eight years in the musical Martin Guerre. He then starred in the British television series Fat Friends as Jamie Rymer, and played Gareth Jones in the series Boyz Unlimited. His television work includes a credited minor role as Razor #1 in Renford Rejects (Series 1 Episode 2, 1998) ,a role playing a bookish student in Teachers (Series 1, 2000) and he also made a guest appearance in Little Britain. Corden's film credits include Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? (1999) and Mike Leigh's All or Nothing (2002).In 1998, Corden appeared in an advertising campaign for Tango, where his every word is being copied by overweight balding ginger men using megaphones that the company were promoting as a free gift. The advert was subsequently banned after complaints of a trend in school children bullying others in the same manner as the advert.
Corden played a small part in Channel 4/T4's Hollyoaks. He played a caretaker of the local college briefly around 2001–02. In an August 2008 interview with Esquire Magazine, he commented on his disdain for the programme and members of the cast, falsely believing he had a right to criticise anything but himself.
Corden played the role of Timms in the original London stage production of Alan Bennett's play The History Boys, as well as in the Broadway, Sydney, Wellington and Hong Kong productions and radio and film versions of the play. Corden stars in the BBC Three comedy Gavin & Stacey that he co-wrote with his Fat Friends co-star Ruth Jones.
Corden guest hosted Big Brother's Big Mouth with his Gavin & Stacey co-star Mathew Horne in August 2007. He appears in the film of Toby Young's autobiography How to Lose Friends & Alienate People and series two of Gavin & Stacey.
In February 2008 he shot a BBC pilot, Hey, Hey, We're The Monks. He collaborated with Horne on a new sketch show named Horne & Corden, a "traditional" "comedy" show in the style of Morecambe and Wise.
In February 2009, he co-presented the Brit Awards with Mathew Horne and Kylie Minogue.
On 13 March 2009, he appeared in a sketch for Comic Relief giving the England football team a motivational talk. He later went on to present a section with Mathew Horne showing their best bits of comedy from the last two years along with highlights from the night.
In 2009 he had a minor role in The Boat That Rocked as Bernard, a deejay for Radio Sunshine. This clip was taken out of the film for the US release, Pirate Radio, and is now in the deleted scenes feature on the DVD.
In March 2010, Corden began hosting the Sky One comedy/sports panel show A League of Their Own alongside team captains Andrew Flintoff and Jamie Redknapp. In March 2010, he presented Sport Relief 2010 alongside Davina McCall and others and contributed a "sequel" to the 2009 England football team sketch this time giving a motivational talk to various sport stars including Jenson Button and David Beckham.
In March 2010, Corden took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala, a benefit show held in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, filmed live at the O2 Arena in London on 30 March. On 5 June 2010, he performed his England World Cup single with Dizzee Rascal on the finale of Britain's Got Talent. All of the proceeds from the single will be going to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
In June 2010, his episode of 'Doctor Who' was broadcast. Corden played Craig Owens, in which the Doctor moved in with him.
In December 2010, This Is JLS, an hour long Christmas special featuring the boyband and The X Factor runners up, was aired on ITV1, with Corden writing and producing some of the sketches featured in the special.
Personal life
Corden is in a relationship with Julia Carey. The couple annouced in late September 2010 that they are expecting their first child together. He previously shared a house with Dominic Cooper who introduced him to his current girlfriend.Corden won Best Male Comedy Performer and Gavin & Stacey won Best New British Television Comedy at the 2007 British Comedy Awards.
At the 2008 Television BAFTAs, Corden won the BAFTA for Best Comedy Performance.Gavin & Stacey won the Sky+ Audience Award for Programme of the Year, the only award at the ceremony voted for by the public, beating the likes of The Apprentice and Britain's Got Talent.
Gavin & Stacey won the award for Most Popular Comedy Programme at the National Television Awards 2010, beating other nominees Benidorm and Harry Hill's TV Burp.
Selected credits
Theatre
Film
Television
Video games
References
External links
Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century actors Category:21st-century actors Category:21st-century writers Category:BAFTA winners (people) Category:Big Brother (UK TV series) Category:English film actors Category:English stage actors Category:English television actors Category:English television presenters Category:English television producers Category:English television writers Category:People from High Wycombe
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Ben Stiller
| Name | Ben Stiller |
|---|---|
| Caption | Stiller photographed by Jerry Avenaim in 2006 |
| Alt | In the black and white image, Stiller is facing the camera. He has his right arm crossed in front of him and left hand raised to his chin, with the pointer finger right below his lips. He is wearing a black suit. |
| Birth name | Benjamin Edward Stiller |
| Birth date | November 30, 1965 |
| Birth place | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, director, producer, screenwriter |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Spouse | Christine Taylor (2000–present; 2 children) |
After beginning his acting career with a play, Stiller wrote several mockumentaries, and was offered two of his own shows, both entitled The Ben Stiller Show. He began acting in films, and had his directorial debut with Reality Bites. Throughout his career he has since written, starred in, directed, and/or produced over 50 films including Heavyweights, There's Something About Mary, Meet the Parents, Zoolander, , and Tropic Thunder. In addition, he has had multiple cameos in music videos, television shows, and films.
Stiller is a member of the comedic acting brotherhood colloquially known as the Frat Pack. His films have grossed more than $2.1 billion domestically (United States and Canada), with an average of $73 million per film. Throughout his career, he has received several awards and honors including an Emmy Award, several MTV Movie Awards, and a Teen Choice Award.
Early life
Stiller was born in New York City. His father, Jerry Stiller, is Jewish; his mother, Anne Meara, who is of Irish Catholic background, converted to Judaism after marrying his father (though the family celebrated both Hanukkah and Christmas). Stiller's parents frequently took him on the sets of their appearances, including an appearance on The Mike Douglas Show when he was six. He admitted in an interview that he considered his childhood unusual: "In some ways, it was a show-business upbringing—a lot of traveling, a lot of late nights—not what you'd call traditional." His sister, actress Amy Stiller, has made appearances in many of his productions, including Reality Bites, , and Zoolander.He displayed an early interest in film making and made Super 8 movies with his sister and friends. At 10 years old, he made his acting debut as a guest on his mother's television series Kate McShane. In the late 1970s he performed with the New York City troupe NYC's First All Children's Theater, performing in several roles, including the title role in Clever Jack and the Magic Beanstalk.
Stiller attended the Cathedral School in and graduated from the Calhoun School in New York in 1983. He started performing on the cabaret circuit as opening act to the cabaret siren Jadin Wong. Stiller then enrolled as a film student at the University of California, Los Angeles. After nine months, Stiller left school to move back to New York City. He made his way through acting classes, auditioning, and trying to find an agent.
Acting career
Beginning career
Stiller landed a role in the Broadway revival of John Guare's The House of Blue Leaves, alongside John Mahoney; the production would garner four Tony Awards.In 1989, Stiller wrote and appeared on a season of Saturday Night Live as a featured performer. However, since the show did not want him to make more short films for the show, he left after five shows. The film starred friends and co-stars John Cusack, Jeremy Piven, Mike Myers, Andy Dick, and Jeff Kahn.
The Ben Stiller Show
MTV was so impressed with Back to Brooklyn that they offered Stiller a 13-episode show in the experimental "vid-com" format. Entitled The Ben Stiller Show, this series mixed comedy sketches with music videos and parodied various television shows, music stars, and films. It starred Stiller, along with main writer Jeff Khan and Harry O'Reilly with occasional appearances by his parents Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, and sister Amy Stiller. Among the principal writers on The Ben Stiller Show were Stiller and Judd Apatow, with the show featuring the ensemble cast of Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Andy Dick, and Bob Odenkirk. Both Denise Richards and Jeanne Tripplehorn appeared as extras in various episodes. Throughout its short run, The Ben Stiller Show frequently appeared at the bottom of the ratings, even as it garnered critical acclaim and eventually won the Emmy for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program" after it was canceled.
Directorial debut
After a few minor film roles in the early 1990s, such as Stella, Highway to Hell, and a cameo in The Nutt House, Stiller devoted his time to writing, fund raising, recruiting cast members, starring in, and directing Reality Bites. Reality Bites debuted as the highest-grossing film in its opening weekend and received mixed reviews.He joined his parents in the family film Heavyweights, in which he played two roles, and then had a brief uncredited role in Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore. Next, he had lead roles in If Lucy Fell and Flirting with Disaster, before tackling his next directorial effort with The Cable Guy which starred Jim Carrey. Stiller once again was featured in his own film as twins. The film received mixed reviews, but was noted for paying the highest salary for an actor up to that point. Jim Carrey received $20 million for his work in the film. The film also connected Stiller with future Frat Pack members Jack Black and Owen Wilson.
Also in 1996, MTV invited Stiller to host the VH1 Fashion Awards. Along with SNL writer Drake Sather, Stiller developed a short film for the awards about a male model known as Derek Zoolander. It was so well received that Stiller developed another short film about the character for the 1997 VH1 Fashion Awards and finally remade the skit into a film.
In 1999, he starred in three films, including Mystery Men, where he played a superhero wannabe called Mr. Furious. He returned to directing with a new spoof television series for Fox entitled Heat Vision and Jack, starring Jack Black, however, the show was not picked up by Fox after its pilot episode and the series was cancelled.
2000 would be a better year for Stiller as he starred in three more films including one of his most recognizable roles, as a male nurse named Greg Focker in Meet the Parents opposite Robert De Niro. The film was well-received by critics, grossed over $330 million worldwide, and spawned two sequels. Also in 2000, MTV again invited Stiller to make another short film and he developed Mission: Improbable, a spoof of Tom Cruise's role in and other films.
at Camp Pendleton on August 3, 2008.]] In 2001, Stiller would direct his third feature film, Zoolander, which focused on the character Derek Zoolander (played by Stiller) that he developed for the VH1 Fashion Awards. The film featured multiple cameos from a variety of celebrities including Donald Trump, Paris Hilton, Lenny Kravitz, Heidi Klum, and David Bowie among others. The film was banned in Malaysia (as the plot centered on an assassination attempt of a Malaysian prime minister) while shots of the World Trade Center were digitally removed and hidden for the film's release after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
After Stiller worked with Owen Wilson in Zoolander, they joined together again for The Royal Tenenbaums. Over the next two years, Stiller continued with the lackluster box office film Duplex and several cameos in Orange County and Nobody Knows Anything!. He also guest-starred on several television shows, including an appearance in an episode of the television series King Of Queens in a flashback as the father of the character Arthur (played by Jerry Stiller). He also made a guest appearance on World Wrestling Entertainment's WWE Raw.
In 2004, Stiller appeared in six different films, all of which were comedies, and include some of his highest grossing films. They include Starsky & Hutch, Envy, , an uncredited cameo in , Along Came Polly, and Meet the Fockers. While Envy only grossed $14.5 million worldwide, his most successful film of the year was Meet the Fockers, which grossed over $516.6 million worldwide. In 2005, Stiller would begin his first attempt at a computer-animated film with Madagascar, which performed so well at the box office that it resulted in a released in 2008.
In 2006, Stiller had cameo roles in School for Scoundrels, and Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny, for which he served as executive producer. In December, Stiller starred in the lead role of Night at the Museum. Although not a critical favorite, it earned over $115 million in ten days. In 2007, Stiller starred alongside Malin Åkerman in the romantic comedy The Heartbreak Kid. The film earned over $100 million worldwide despite receiving mostly negative reviews. Tropic Thunder, a film he directed, co-wrote, and co-produced, and in which he starred with Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black, was released on August 13, 2008. In May 2009, he starred with Amy Adams in the sequel . In 2010, Stiller made a brief cameo in Joaquin Phoenix's mockumentary I'm Still Here and played the lead role in the comedy-drama Greenberg. Stiller again portrayed Gaylord 'Greg' Focker in Little Fockers, the second sequel to Meet the Parents. Stiller had planned to voice a character in Megamind, but later dropped out while still remaining a producer.
Upcoming projects
For 2011, Stiller will join Eddie Murphy and Alan Alda in Tower Heist about a group of maintenance workers planning a heist in a residential skyscraper. Filming began in November 2010.Stiller, along with Tom Cruise, is attached to a comedy adaptation of The Hardy Boys entitled The Hardy Men. It has also been revealed he will star alongside Will Arnett and Katherine Heigl in Buggs P.I., which is set to be released in 2011.
The Frat Pack
Stiller is the "acknowledged leader" of the Frat Pack, a core group of actors that has worked together in multiple films. The group includes Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Steve Carell, and Paul Rudd. Stiller has been acknowledged as the leader of the group due to his multiple cameos and for his consistent use of the other members in roles in films which he produces and directs. Of the 35 primary films that are considered Frat Pack films, Stiller has been involved with 20, in some capacity. In May 2000, Stiller married Christine Taylor, whom he met while filming a never-broadcast television pilot for the Fox Broadcasting network called Heat Vision and Jack, which starred Jack Black. The couple appeared onscreen together in Zoolander, , and Tropic Thunder. He and Taylor reside in Hollywood HillsStiller is a supporter of the Democratic Party and donated money to John Kerry's 2004 U.S. Presidential campaign. In February 2007, Stiller attended a fundraiser for Barack Obama and later donated to the 2008 U.S. Presidential campaigns of Democrats Obama, John Edwards, and Hillary Clinton. Stiller is also a supporter of several charities including Declare Yourself, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. In 2010, Stiller joined Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Robin Williams, and other Hollywood stars in "The Cove PSA: My Friend is... ", an effort to stop the slaughter of dolphins and protect the Japanese population from the toxic levels of mercury found in dolphin meat.
In a 1999 interview with GQ and later in a 2001 interview with Hollywood.com, Stiller was quoted as saying that he has bipolar disorder, an illness he said that ran in his family. In one interview he clarified, "I said jokingly in GQ that I was, like, crazy, and it came out as: Ben Stiller, bipolar manic-depressive!"
Stiller frequently does impersonations of many of his favorite performers, including Bono, Tom Cruise, Bruce Springsteen, and David Blaine. In an interview with Parade, he commented that Robert Klein, George Carlin, and Jimmie Walker were inspirations for his comedy career. He frequently references the show in his work, and named his production company Red Hour Productions after the original Star Trek episode "The Return of the Archons".
Filmography
Actor
Director and producer
Television work
Music videos
Awards and honors
Stiller was awarded an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program"for his work on The Ben Stiller Show. Princeton University's Class of 2005 inducted Stiller as an honorary member of the class during its "Senior Week" in April 2005. On February 23, 2007, Stiller received the Hasty Pudding Man of the Year award from Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals. According to the organization, the award is given to performers who give a lasting and impressive contribution to the world of entertainment. On March 31, 2007, Stiller received the "Wannabe Award" from the Kids' Choice Awards. On May 31, 2009, Stiller received the MTV Generation Award, at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. It is the ceremony's top honor.
References
Further reading
External links
Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:Actors from New York Category:American Jews Category:American comedians Category:American film actors Category:American film directors Category:American film producers Category:American people of Irish descent Category:American screenwriters Category:American television actors Category:American television directors Category:American television writers Category:American voice actors Category:California Democrats Category:Emmy Award winners Category:Jewish actors Category:Jewish comedians
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