Category Archives: where are they now

Yo, bitches! Can you believe it’s been 10 years…10 YEARS…since Breaking Bad started?

Widely thought to be one of the best TV shows EVER, Breaking Bad starred Bryan Cranston as a chemistry teacher-turned-drug dealer and Aaron Paul as his loyal sidekick, Jesse Pinkman. Part of AMC’s amazing 2000’s era line-up (Breaking Bad, Mad Men, The Walking Dead), this show broke records left and right, wracking up 16 Emmy Awards, 8 Satellite Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, 2 Critics’ Choice Awards, and so, so, so many more. By the time the series finale aired, Breaking Bad was among the most-watched cable shows on American television and in 2013 entered the Guinness World Records as the most critically acclaimed show of all time.

Not surprisingly, a show with that many accolades has to have a slammin’ cast. Let’s take a look and see what Walter, Jesse and the rest of the gang has been up to since the heartbreaking and emotional finale of Breaking Bad.

Can’t get enough Breaking Bad? Check out 45 Fun Facts about Breaking Bad for even more awesome info about Mr. White and company!

The Cast of Breaking Bad: Where Are They Now?

Bryan Cranston
(Walter White)

Cranston is one of the few actors actually born and raised in Hollywood, CA. A member of the high school chemistry club at Canoga Park High School, Cranston actually ended up earning an associate’s degree in political science from Los Angeles Valley College in 1976. A regular on TV before landing his breakout role in Breaking Bad, Cranston appeared in several other projects post-Walter White. He appeared in a handful of films, including The Lincoln Lawyer, Drive, and Argo before being cast as Lyndon B. Johnson in the Broadway production of All the Way. His performance earned him critical acclaim and he later won a Tony Award for the performance for Best Actor in a Play. Following his Tony win, Cranston went on to star in the Dalton Trumbo biopic, Trumbo, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination. His New York Times best-selling autobiography, A Life in Parts, his shelves a year later (2016). Most recently, Cranston can be heard voicing one of the adorable dogs in Wes Anderson’s film, Isle of Dogs.

Aaron Paul
(Jesse Pinkman)

Prior to being cast on Breaking Bad, Paul – a former The Price is Life contestant – appeared in several music videos, TV shows, and films.  His role as Scott Quittman on HBO’s Big Love gave him the most publicity before being cast in 2008 as the lovable Jesse Pinkman. Originally Paul’s character was supposed to be killed off Breaking Bad during the first season, but his chemistry with creator Vince Gilligan and Cranston was so strong that Gilligan changed his mind (thankfully!). For his role as Jesse Pinkman, Paul was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014. He took home the award three times (2010, 2012, 2014). After Breaking Bad, Paul starred in the film Smashed, which was one of the official selections for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Most recently, Paul played Eddie Lane in the Hulu series, The Path, which was recently cancelled (boo!). He has two 2018 films in development and one additional project in the works as of now.

Anna Gunn
(Skylar White)

No stranger to New Mexico, Gunn was raised in Santa Fe, NM before attending Northwestern University, where she majored in theater. Maybe best known for her portrayal as Skylar White in Breaking Bad, Gunn has also appeared in several other well-known TV shows, including Deadwood and The Practice. After Breaking Bad, Gunn went on to star in an off-Broadway production of Sex with Strangers, directed by David Schwimmer. She starred in the 2016 film, Equity, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was billed as the first female-driven Wall Street movie. She also starred in Sully alongside Tom Hanks.

Dean Norris
(Hank Schrader)

An Indiana native who would grow up to become his high school’s valedictorian, Norris appeared in several high-grossing films before being cast as the loveable DEA agent, Hank Schrader, in Breaking Bad. Often playing a cop or burly man of the law, Norris made his mark in Lethal Weapon 2, Total Recall, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Starship Troopers, and The Cell before being cast in Breaking Bad.  While filming Breaking Bad, Norris made a small cameo, alongside Bryan Cranston, in the beloved film Little Miss Sunshine, which was also filming in and around Albuquerque, NM. After Breaking Bad, Norris starred in the CBS series, Under the Dome, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. He also appeared in the 2015 film Sons of Liberty and the 2018 films Beirut and Death Wish.

R.J. Mitte
(Walter “Flynn” White Jr.)

This breakfast-loving actor and model was born in Jackson, Mississippi. He was delivered via emergency caesarian and was not breathing at the time of his birth, which resulted in permeant brain damage. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 3 and was fitted with leg braces to help him walk. He actually strengthened his body to the point where he didn’t need crutches to walk and he had to re-learn how to use them for his role on Breaking Bad. Before being cast as Walter’s son, Mitte had several roles as extras in various TV shows, including Hannah Montana. After his amazing role on Breaking Bad, Mitte was asked by the Screen Actor’s Guild to be the spokesman for actors with disabilities and he is currently the representative of “Inclusion in the Arts and Media of Performers with Disabilities”.  Mitte is currently producing and will star in the film Wildflowers, alongside his sister, Lacianne Carriere. He is also working as a producer on the documentary, The Kids of Widney High, about a music group composed of mentally disabled students from J.P. Widney High School in LA.

Betsy Brandt
(Marie Schrader)

Before being cast as the purple-loving wife of Hank Schrader, Brandt received her BFA in acting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1996. Before moving to LA, she was very active in the local theater scene of Seattle, WA. After her role in Breaking Bad, Brandt was cast as a lead character in the ABC series, Members Only, but the series did not go forward. Her most recent projects include the TV films, FANatic and Flint, as well as the 2018 film, We the Coyotes. She can also be seen in the CBS series, Life in Pieces.

Bob Odenkirk
(Saul Goodman)

Though Odenkirk is more recently known for his portrayal of Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and Jimmy McGill in the spinoff, Better Call Saul, Odenkirk has been around forever. With a resume that includes work on Mr. Show with Bob and David, SNL, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and The Larry Sanders Show, Odenkirk is no stranger to acting and writing. Born and raised near Naperville, IL, Odenkirk was cast as Saul Goodman after plans to have him star as Michael Scott in the US version of The Office fell through (he would later go on to make a guest-appearance on the show, anyway). After Breaking Bad, Odenkirk was offered the starring role in the BB spinoff, Better Call Saul, which takes place before the events of Breaking Bad. He’s also appeared in other successful films recently, including The Post, The Disaster Artist, The Spectacular Now, and Nebraska. He voices a character in the upcoming Pixar film, Incredibles 2, and has a 2019 film, Flarsky, currently in post-production.

Jonathan Banks
(Mike Ehrmantraut)

Often cast as a wise guy or burly bad boy, Banks is actually a “cupcake”, according to his post Breaking Bad interview. Before starring as Saul’s go-to cleanup guy, Mike Ehrmantraut, Banks had very similar roles in 48 Hrs., Beverly Hills Cop, and Wiseguy. After his leave of Breaking Bad, Banks had a recurring role in the NBC sitcom, Community. He would later to go on to reprise his role as Mike in Better Call Saul. Banks’ recent projects include the 2018 films The Commuter, Incredibles 2, and Redbad.

Giancarlo Esposito
(Gustavo “Gus” Fring)

No stranger to acting, Esposito made his Broadway debut at the age of 8 opposite the one and only Shirley Jones in the musical, Maggie Flynn. He continued acting in several TV shows and movies before being cast as the villain, Gus Fring, on Breaking Bad. After he lost his FACE in the explosive fourth season finale, Esposito went on to appear in a few TV shows, including Community, and voiced characters in video games. Most recently, Esposito has joined the DC comic universe, appearing in Son of Batman and Batman: Assult on Arkham. In 2017, he also reprised his role as Gus Fring in Better Call Saul. Currently, Esposito has two 2018 movie projects: Maze Runner: The Death Cure and The Long Home. He’s currently starring in Better Call Saul and is the narrator in the show, Dear White People. He also appeared in the “Reunion” episode of the 2018 show, Westworld.

Matt Jones
(Brandon “Badger” Mayhew)

A California kid through and through, Jones got his start doing improv and was the singer/songwriter for the ska band, Faculty Four. After booking nearly 20 commercials in 2 years, Jones’ first theatrical audition was for Breaking Bad. After the show wrapped, Jones had appearances in How I met Your Mother, Reno 911!, and Community, as well as several MORE commercials. He had four appearances in The Office and was cast as a series regular in The Farm, a spinoff of The Office that was ultimately cancelled. Currently Jones has a leading role in Pig Goat Banana Cricket and Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh. He also appeared in a handful of episodes of Let’s Get Physical.

Charles Baker
(Skinny Pete)

The son of an army colonel, Baker traveled all over the world by the time he was 17 years old. He attended many schools and received a vocal scholarship to attend Tarrant County College in Texas, where he studied music. An amazingly gifted musician (you can actually hear him playing in Breaking Bad), Baker was cast as Jesse Pinkman’s friend, Skinny Pete in BB. Though his character is a drug-loving skinny stoner who spent time in prison, Baker himself has never done drugs or alcohol. After BB, Baker appeared in The Blacklist and was cast in Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon, in 2014.

Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!

 

Wondering where Dawson, Joey, Jen (RIP) and Pacey have landed post-Dawson’s Creek? Well, you don’t have to wait anymore…

Last month, Dawson’s Creek celebrated its 20^th anniversary (WHAT) with lots of fun throwbacks from Dawson and the gang:

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#tbt Squad ‘97. I’d known these people all of 7 days when this pic was taken. 20 years ago this week 😱 the little pilot we shot in that small town for that fledgling network aired, changed our lives and launched our careers. Thank you to the Wilmington, North Carolina crew and community who raised us & kept us sane, thank you to the many talented writers and producers who gave of your hearts talents and put up with us. And thank you especially to the fans of the show. It’s a funny relationship we have… your experience of this project is what you saw on camera, while my memories are mostly what I experienced off of it. And yes, it’s true that I haven’t seen most episodes (it became healthier at a certain point to just commit 100% on the day and let it go completely), but the beauty of this arrangement is that my impression of the show now is what you’ve all reflected back to me over the years… and it’s been lovely to witness. So thank you to anyone who’s ever expressed appreciation for the work we did – it makes me feel proud to be associated with these three fine people (and the rest of the cast), and proud to have been a part of #DawsonsCreek. This one will always have a special little place in my heart.

This got me to thinking…what ever happened to this fabulous foursome and the people from the Creek?

Though some of the cast has remained active in the spotlight (Michelle Williams, Busy Phillips, Katie Holmes), others have taken a break from showbiz and are enjoying the simpler life post-Capeside. If you’re wondering what ever happened to Mitch, Gail, Jack, Bessie, Audrey and the rest of the cast, this post is for you!

Want some additional fun facts about Capeside? Check out 15 Fun Facts about Dawson’s Creek for more juicy gossip!

The Cast of Dawson’s Creek: Where Are They Now?

James Van Der Beek
Dawson Leery

A native of Connecticut, VDB got his start acting at a young age. By the time he was 18, he had appeared in a couple off-Broadway plays and two films.

He won the title role of Dawson Leery in 1997 and also appeared in several more films while shooting the series, including Varsity Blues, Texas Rangers, Scary Movie, and The Rules of Attraction.

After his time on the Creek ended, VDB returned to the stage, appearing in the off-Broadway production of Rain Dance. He continued working on TV, appearing in small roles on Ugly Betty, Criminal Minds, and How I Met Your Mother. In 2010, VDB was cast in one of his first major roles since DC – Dr. Joe Briggs on the show, Mercy.

Most recently VDB was in Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 and made a cameo in the 2017 film, Downsizing. He maintains an active family life, just announcing that he and his wife are expecting their fifth child.

Katie Holmes
Joey Potter

Born in Toledo, OH, Holmes is the youngest of five children. Much like her character on Dawson’s Creek, Holmes was an amazing student and graduated the all-female Notre Dame Academy in Toledo with a 4.0 GPA. She was in a production of Damn Yankees when DC creator, Kevin Williamson approached her to audition for the Creek. Not wanting to let her school down, Holmes sent in a videotape of her auditioning for the role, with her mom reading the part of Dawson. Needless to say, she won the part (and was the only actor to appear in EVERY EPISODE of the series). During her time on the Creek, Holmes also acted in a few movies, including her first feature film role in 1998’s Disturbing Behavior.

After she left DC, Holmes went on to pursue her movie career. Her performance as April in Pieces of April (2003) was her first starring role post DC and is said to be her best performance ever (I would agree!). Since then she’s also appeared in Batman Begins, Thank You for Smoking, and a handful of other films that ultimately flopped at the box office. In 2008 she made her Broadway debut in a production of All My Sons, but received mixed reviews.

Most recently, Holmes has appeared in the comedy Logan Lucky and can be seen in the 2018 film, Dear Dictator, opposite Michael Caine.

Josh Jackson
Pacey Witter

Everyone’s favorite Creek-ster actually hails from the wonderful land of Canada and is the son of a casting director. Jackson got his start in several small roles before hitting his big break playing Charlie in The Mighty Ducks.

While filming DC, Jackson appeared in several films, including Cruel Intentions, The Skulls, The Safety of Objects, and The Laramie Project.

Shortly after DC ended, Jackson played the lead role in Americano, Shadows in the Sun, and Aurora Borealis. In 2005, he moved to the UK and made in stage debut with Patrick Stewart in David Mamet’s two-man play, A Life in the Theatre.

From 2008 to 2013, Jackson returned to TV, playing the lead role of Peter Bishop in the sci-fi series, Fringe.

True to his beloved character, Pacey Witter, Jackson held and hosted Pacey-Con in 2010, directly across the street from the Dan Diego Comic-Con, sporting a classic bowling shirt and giving out fan fiction he wrote himself to those waiting in the Comic-Con line.

Jackson is currently performing in Children of a Lesser God, which is hitting Broadway this spring.

Michelle Williams
Jen Lindley

After her emotional and heart-wrenching death in the series finale of Dawson’s Creek, Williams went on to appear in a variety of small, independent films that she felt were more “suited to her acting style”. She called her time on the Creek “the best acting class” ever, but said that she was not as fully invested as she could have been considering she was still very much getting her feet wet at the time.

Her work in film post-DC is maybe the most impressive of the foursome, as her roles in Me Without You, The Station Agent, and Brokeback Mountain will attest to. She won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her part in Brokeback Mountain, but ultimately lost to Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener).

Williams continued to play roles of troubled women, starring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Shutter Island and opposite Ryan Gosling in Blue Valentine, a role which also earned her another Academy Award nomination, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.

A slew of other movie roles followed, including My Week with Marilyn, Take This Waltz, and many more. In 2014, she made her Broadway debut in the revival of Cabaret. After her work on Cabaret, Williams was eager to return to the theater and appeared in the 2016 revival of Blackbird, a role which earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress.

Most recently, Williams can be seen in The Greatest Showman and has a handful of other films in the works, including the lead role in an upcoming biopic about Janis Joplin.

Kerr Smith
Jack McPhee

Smith starred as Jack McPhee starting in the second season of DC. He was one of the first actors to portray a gay character on TV and was the first man to have an on-screen gay kiss on US television.

After his run on the Creek, he was the last person to ever be pranked on the MTV show, Punk’d before it ended in the early 2000’s. He appeared in several episodes of the TV series, CSI: NY and in the CW’s drama series, Life Unexpected.

He can currently be seen on The Fosters on Freeform Television.

Meredith Monroe
Andie McPhee

Monroe got her start acting in a variety of TV commercials, appearing in advertisements for L’Oreal haircare, Disney resorts, Huffy bicycles, Ford cars, and Mattel toys. She appeared on Dawson’s Creek for only two seasons as Pacey’s super-smart girlfriend, and returned as a special guest in the series finale in season 6 (her scenes were cut from the televised episode but can be viewed on the extended DVD release).

After she left the Creek, Monroe was in a handful of films, including Wake, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and The Edge of Seventeen. She also appeared in several TV shows, including roles in CSI: NY, Criminal Minds, and Castle.

Mary Beth Peil
Evelyn Ryan (Grams)

You wouldn’t think it, but good ol’ grams is actually a classically-trained opera singer. A student of Northwestern University, Peil toured with the Metropolitan Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro in the 1960’s and originated the role of Alma in the opera, Summer and Smoke in 1971.

After a variety of Broadway and off-Broadway performances in plays and musicals, Peil made her film debut in the 1992 film, Jersey Girl.

In 1998, she was cast as Evelyn Ryan in DC and was the only actress outside of the main four to appear as a credited regular throughout the show’s six season run.

After Dawson’s Creek, Peil went back to the theater, appearing in productions of Sweeney Todd, Nine, and Sunday in the Park with George.

Peil continues to perform on stage, most recently in productions of Anastasia and Les Liaisons Dangereuses. She can also be seen in the upcoming romantic comedy, Best Day of My Life, starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Simon Baker.

Busy Philipps
Audrey Liddell

A native of Oak Park, Illinois, Elizabeth “Busy” Philipps got her nickname because her parents said she was “always moving” when she was a kid.

Her first major role was as Kim Kelly in Freaks and Geeks and was cast as Audrey Liddell in DC a couple years later. Her role as Audrey Liddell earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination as well as critical appraise.

After the Creek, Philipps starred as Hope Bobeck on ER, alongside her Freaks and Geeks costar, Linda Cardellini. She also appeared as Laurie Keller in the TV series, Cougar Town.

In 2017, Philipps signed on as co-lead opposite Casey Wilson in Tina Fey’s comedy pilot, The Sackett Sisters on NBC. You can also see her in the upcoming Amy Schumer film, I Feel Pretty alongside her real-life BFF and DC co-star, Michelle Williams.

John Wesley Shipp
Mitch Leery

A regular on a variety of daytime soap operas, Shipp is no stranger to TV. He has appeared in As the World Turns, Santa Barbara, One Life to Live, and All My Children. In 1998, he was cast as Dawson’s father, Mitch Leery, on DC. He remained a part of the show for the first four seasons.

After the Creek, Shipp had a few more appearances on TV shows, including a short-term role on One Life to Live. He can currently be seen guest-starring in the CW series, The Flash.

Mary-Margaret Humes
Gail Leery

After leaving the Creek, Humes, who played Dawson’s mother Gail, continued to appear in a variety of TV shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, Touched by an Angel, Criminal Minds, and CSI: NY. She’s also appeared in a handful of made-for-TV movies, including Beverly Hills Cop, Dad’s Home, and The Republic.

Nina Repeta
Bessie Potter

Best known for her role as Joey’s older sister, Bessie on DC, Repeta actually attended East Carolina University with show creator, Kevin Williamson. After DC, Repeta had a very small appearance in the 2002 film, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. She’s remained out of the spotlight and hasn’t had a TV or movie credit since 2011.

Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!

 

The year 1993 was a magical time in cinematic history.  Throughout the course of the year, you could see Schindler’s List, The Fugitive, Sleepless in Seattle, Groundhog Day, Mrs. Doubtfire, Dazed and Confused, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, The Sandlot, The Last Action Hero, Philadelphia, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights in theaters.  But the highest grossing film, BY FAR, was the cult classic, Jurassic Park.

Bringing in $914,691,118 worldwide (about $470 million more than the next highest grossing movie, Mrs. Doubtfire), Jurassic Park was a monster success.  Not only did it break box-office records by becoming the highest-grossing film ever made (at the time), but it spurred an insane amount of merchandise and sequels that we’re still making to this day.

The newest installment in the Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, is due for release in June of 2018, but I think it’s safe to say that the original Jurassic Park is by far the best one.  With epic special effects that still stand up today, Jurassic Park is a favorite of sci-fi lovers of all ages.

Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Richard Attenborough, Jurassic Park has it all…an amazing score, a fantastic cast, a slew of awards, and Goldblum…

All the Goldblum.

You know you want to watch the original Jurassic Park now…and you know as soon as you watch it, you’re going to ask yourself, “I wonder what ever happened to little Timmy…”  Well, here lie the answers!

Let’s dive in and take a look at what the cast of the original Jurassic Park movie is up to nowadays…

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The Cast of Jurassic Park: Where Are They Now?

Jeff Goldblum
Ian Malcolm

Let’s be honest, we all know Jeff Goldblum was the real star of Jurassic Park.  After his sexy and snarky portrayal of Ian Malcolm, Goldblum went on to appear in Independence Day, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Lost World, and several other films.  He’s done voice work for Apple commercials, including the iMac and iBook, and has also voiced commercials for Toyota and the National Lottery.  Most recently, Goldblum has appeared in the ID sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.  He can also be seen in the 2017 film, Thor: Ragnarok and the 2018 Jurassic World sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (!!!).

Sam Neill
Alan Grant

A native of Northern Ireland, Neill has studied and worked all over Europe.  After his work on Jurassic Park, he appeared in a handful of other films, including Sirens, Event Horizon, and Bicentennial Man.  He’s also appeared in a handful of New Zealand films, most notably The Piano and Perfect Strangers.  He returned to Jurassic Park in Jurassic Park III and stars alongside Jeff Goldblum again in Thor: Ragnarok.  Neill will also play the voice of Old Mr. McGregor in the 2018 release of Peter Rabbit.

Laura Dern
Ellie Sattler

The lovely Laura Dern has certainly made a glorious comeback since her work on Jurassic Park.  Since leaving the island, Dern has appeared in several award-winning films, including October Sky and Wild, for which she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.  She had a minor role in Jurassic Park III and has continued to work both on film and TV pretty actively.  Dern can be seen in the most recent Star Wars film, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and has appeared in episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Twin Peaks.

Ariana Richards
Lex Murphy

Ariana Richards was a gem of a child actress in her day, but recently has spent her adult life focusing on her art career.  She has appeared in the Christmas film, Prancer, and the B-cult classic Tremors, as well as reprising her role as Lex Murphy in The Lost World: Jurassic Park.  Her last film was in 2013 (Battledogs) and has since put her time into painting.  You can view her gallery at http://www.galleryariana.com.

Joseph Mazzello
Tim Murphy

Though he was only 10 years old when he appeared in Jurassic Park, Joseph Mazzello had already appeared in five films before that, including Radio Flyer, for which he was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture.  After Jurassic Park, Mazzello did a handful of other films, including an appearance in The Lost World: Jurassic Park.  In 2001, he got into USC School of Cinematic Arts with a recommendation letter from Steven Spielberg himself.  He paid for his education with his small appearance in The Lost World, something Mazzello jokingly refers to as his graduation present from Spielberg.  In 2010, he played one of the co-founders of Facebook in the film, The Social Network and made his directorial debut with the short film, Matters of Life and Death, in which he also stars.

Richard Attenborough
John Hammond

Richard Attenborough, the older brother of naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough (Planet Earth) was a product of the stage.  His film career didn’t begin until he was 19, with an uncredited role in In Which We Serve.  Working primarily in British films, Attenborough enjoyed a long and lucrative career on the big screen.  After Jurassic Park, he made an appearance in the sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and played Santa himself in Miracle on 34^th Street the year after Jurassic Park came out.  His last film was Jurassic World in 2015, which came out the year after he passed away.

B.D. Wong
Henry Wu

A celebrated Tony Award-winning actor and performer, B.D. Wong is no stranger to the big and small screens. His more notable roles include parts on Law and Order: SVU, Oz, and a reoccurring role as Dr. Henry Wu in the Jurassic Park series. He has appeared in several Broadway shows, including M. Butterfly, a role that earned him a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Clarence Derwent Award, and Theatre World Award all for the same role (he’s the only actor to achieve this monumental feat). He voiced Li Shang in Disney’s Mulan and was in the TV series Gotham for 12 episodes.  Fans of Dr. Henry Wu can catch Wong again in the 2018 film, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

Wayne Knight
Dennis Nedry

You might know him from Seinfeld, Space Jam, or Toy Story 2, but chances are most people know him as “that guy from Jurassic Park”.  The first actor to be cast in Jurassic Park, Knight went on to have a stable career in TV and film.  He has voiced several TV cartoon characters and has made appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and Bones.  Most recently, Knight was in the Coen Brother’s 2016 film, Hail, Caesar!

Martin Ferrero
Donald Gennaro

The man who met his ill demise on the toilet in Jurassic Park has stayed pretty clear of movie and TV.  He had appearances in the 1995 film, Get Shorty and Heat, and his last film appearance was in 2001 in The Tailor of Panama.  In 2011, he reprised his role of Donald Gennaro in a CollegeHumor parody of Jurassic Park and as of 2008, has been a member of the Antaeus Company, an LA classical theater ensemble.

Bob Peck
Robert Muldoon

It should come as no surprise that Bob Peck was a man of the stage.  He was a regular actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company alongside Ian McKellen and Judi Dench.  After Jurassic Park, he appeared in several TV series and direct-to-TV films, including The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, The Merchant of Venice, and The Miracle Maker, which was released a year after his death from cancer.

 

 

Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!

Whenever I need a little pick-me-up or something to do on a rainy day, I almost always pop in an episode or three of ABC’s Pushing Daisies.  A whimsical and delicious wonderland of a TV show, Pushing Daisies was the story of a pie maker named Ned who had the ability to bring the dead back to life with a single touch.  Of course, this came with a catch…he could only keep the dead alive for one minute before he had to touch them again and make them dead forever.  If he kept something alive for longer than a minute, something else would have to die.  To make matters worse, once Ned touched a dead thing once, he could never touch it again.

I know it sounds confusing, but it’s quite simple…and Jim Dale is there to narrate your way through it!  I mean, that alone is pretty awesome!  But just in case, here’s an example pulled right from episode 1:

Ned’s dog, Digby, gets hit by a car and is instantly killed.  Ned touches Digby and brings him back to life.  Now, he can touch him again and Digby will be dead forever, OR he can let Digby live and something else would then drop dead (in this case, it was a squirrel).  However, Ned can never touch or pet Digby because if he does, Digby will instantly die.  Make sense?  OK, off we go!

So in between baking pies, Ned works alongside Emerson Cod, a hilarious detective who uses Ned’s power to ask murdered victims “who dun it” before Ned touches them again and they go back to being dead.  Then they both collect – and split – the monetary reward.  I know this sounds SUPER morbid, but it’s so enjoyable and whimsy!

Now, all that’s well and good, but when Ned discovers his childhood sweetheart was killed on a cruise and he has the ability to bring her back to life, he’s faced with a tough choice…he can do it, but in doing so, he’d certainly kill someone else and he’d never be able to touch, hug, kiss, or embrace his sweetheart ever again…

#SpoilerAlert

So begins Pushing Daisies.

Also starring Swoosie Kurtz and Kristin Chenowith, alongside a whole slew of guest stars (including David Arquette, Diana Scarwid, Raul Esparza, Paul Reubens, Carlos Alazraqui, Mo Collins, Molly Shannon and SO MANY MORE), Pushing Daisies not only has magical storylines with hilarious death scenarios (death by scratch-n-sniff, death by taffy, death by hugging machine, death by deep fryer…you get the picture), it also includes fantastic makeup and visual effects – and don’t even get me started on the costumes!

Even though this show only lasted a short two seasons before it was cancelled, many of the cast members were nominated for awards for their work on the show and the show itself won an Emmy and several other accolades during its short time on air.  There have been whisperings about giving the show closure in the form of a movie or comic book, but nothing concrete has been mentioned as of yet.

If you were a fan of Pushing Daisies and wanted nothing more than to jump through your screen into The Pie Hole with Olive and the gang, here’s a little update as to what the cast has been up to since Pushing Daisies wrapped in 2009.

 

The Cast of Pushing Daisies…Where Are They Now?

Lee Pace
Ned the Pie Maker

A graduate of the Julliard School Drama program, Lee Pace is a classically trained theater actor, having performed in a variety of Shakespearean plays, including Romeo and Juliet (Romeo), Richard III (Richard III), and Julius Caesar (Cassius).  After his time in Julliard, Pace made his Broadway debut in 2011 in the play The Normal Heart.  His first movie role came in the film, Soldier’s Girl, a true story about a transsexual soldier who falls in love with a military man.  He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work on the film.  Pace went on to act in a few other movies, including Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and When in Rome, before his work on Pushing Daisies.  For his role as Ned, Pace was nominated for several awards, including:  Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series, and a Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Television Series.  After Pushing Daisies, Pace went back to the big screen and has done several great movies, including Lincoln (2012), The Hobbit (2013), and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).  Currently Pace can be seen in the TV show, Halt and Catch Fire on AMC.

Anna Friel
Charlotte “Chuck” Charles

Born in Greater Manchester, Anna Friel is a gift given to us by our friends across the Pond.  An actress since the age of 13, Friel got her start on TV in British soap operas.  She was one half of the first on-air lesbian kiss in British soap history (on the program, Brookside) and won a National Television Award for her work on the series.  Friel gained even greater exposure when she appeared in the TV film, The Tribe, which included nudity and a controversial menage a trois scene between two of her male co-stars.  After her work on Pushing Daisies, Friel was offered six pilots following the cancellation of the show, but she declined all of them to focus on expanding her film career.  Unfortunately, the films she was in were a series of flops, including Land of the Lost (2009).  In 2011, she decided to do a few TV appearances and has done mainly TV work ever since.  She was most recently seen in the 2016 film, I.T., alongside Pierce Brosnan.

Kristin Chenoweth
Olive Snook

A star in her own right, Kristin Chenoweth continues to impress with her amazing talent.  With a slew of awards under her tiny little belt, Chenoweth has not slowed down one bit since leaving The Pie Hole.  Her role as Olive Snook earned her two Emmy nominations, one of which she won in 2009.  After her work on Pushing Daisies wrapped, Chenoweth went on to guest-star as April Rhodes in FOX’s, Glee, a role she’d rehash several times throughout the run of the series.  She’s also since appeared in three Broadway shows, about 30 TV shows and movies, and a variety of other specials and theatrical performances.  Chenoweth is currently touring her new album, “The Art of Elegance”, and has recently signed on to star in a new CBS pilot titled Perfect Citizen.

Chi McBride
Emerson Cod

Kenneth “Chi” McBride was born in Chicago, IL, which is how he got his nickname he goes by today.  Originally wanting to pursue a career in music, McBride studied several instruments and joined a gospel choir in Chicago before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia to work as a billing clerk.  His first success in show business came with the hit song, “He’s a Champ”, written about boxer Mike Tyson and actress Robin Givens.  Convinced he should try his hand in front of the camera, McBride moved to LA and landed guest spots in In Living Color and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.  Typically typecast as “the right hand man” or “the crass detective”, McBride delighted viewers with his portrayal of Emerson Cod in Pushing Daisies.  Since retiring from undercover work with The Pie Maker, McBride has done lots of TV and movie roles, most very similar to his role as Detective Cod.  He’s currently starring as Captain Lou Grover in Hawaii Five-O and has also appeared recently in Gone in 60 Seconds, The Terminal, and Draft Day.

Ellen Greene
Vivian Charles

Similar to her character on Pushing Daisies, Ellen Greene is a true lover of music, theater, and entertainment.  A singer and actress by trade, Greene was in several Broadway shows and performances before landing her role as the artsy and whimsical Vivian Charles.  After Pushing Daisies ended, Greene starred as Miss Adelaide in the Broadway musical, Guys and Dolls and had a small story arch in the soap opera, The Young and the Restless.  Greene’s more recent work has included a handful of voiceover opportunities, as well as appearances in The Walking Dead web series.

Swoosie Kurtz
Lily Charles

Named after her father’s military Boeing Flying Fortress bomber, Swoosie Kurtz is no stranger to TV, film, or stage.  Perhaps best known for her role as Alex Reed Halsey on the NBC drama, Sisters, Kurtz acted in a handful of television shows before landing the role of the tough but sweet one-eyed foil to Vivian, Lily Charles.  Kurtz’s recent work has included guest spots in ER, LOST, Desperate Housewives, Nurse Jackie, and Mike & Molly.

Jim Dale
Narrator

There’s no denying that Pushing Daisies wouldn’t be the wonderful show it is without the voice of the narrator.  Voiced by none other than Jim Dale (the same man who narrated the Harry Potter audiobooks – a role that got him two Grammy Awards), the narrator provides whimsy banter that’s only occasionally topped with Emerson’s clever one-liners.  Dale recently had an off-Broadway one man show, titled Just Jim Dale, which one him the 2015 Outer Critics Award and the Drama Desk Award.  He’s also provided narration for a handful of audiobooks, including The Night Circus, The Emerald Atlas, and The Fire Chronicle.

 

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You love it or hate it, but there’s no denying that Reno 911! was good for a laugh at least once or twice!  I have to say, the first time I watched this show, I just didn’t get it…the humor was way over my head…but in time, I came to love it…and now I can’t get enough!

The thing I love about Reno 911! is that you can just watch any episode at random and still enjoy the show.  There are some continual storylines but, for the most part, everything wraps up nice and neat in about 30 minutes.

Starring an amazing cast of comedians, writers, and improve actors, Reno 911! introduced the world to actress Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids, The Goldbergs) and helped put the writing team of Tom Lennon and Robert Ben Garant (Night at the Museum, The Pacifier) on the map.

Before it was ultimately cancelled, Reno enjoyed a nice run on Comedy Central and still has a cult following of those who just can’t get enough of Lieutenant Jim Dangle and the gang.

A few days ago I was talking to a friend about what ever happened to the cast of Reno 911!, so I decided to dive in and find out!  Still writing, acting, and making us laugh, here’s what Dangle, Trudy, Travis, Jones, and the rest of the crew are up to these days…

The Cast of Reno 911: Where Are They Now?

Thomas Lennon
Lieutenant Jim Dangle

A native of Oak Park, IL, Lennon was a born comedy writer and performer.  He met fellow co-worker, Kerri Kennedy-Silver while at theatre camp at Northwestern University and the two later attended NYU together, where Lennon joined a comedy troupe called The New Group.  He later joined forces again with Kennedy-Silver and writing pal, Robert Ben Garant, to write and star in Comedy Central’s Reno 911!.  After Reno ended, Lennon went on to appear in dozens of TV shows, including New Girl, How I Met Your Mother, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, and Friends.  He also appeared in several films, including Memento, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and The Dark Knight Rises.  In 2008, Lennon started doing stand-up, occasionally playing guitar and incorporating music into his routine.  Currently, Lennon is working as a screenwriter and script consultant.  Most of his screenplays are written in collaboration with Garant and their films (Night at the Museum, The Pacifier, Let’s Go To Prison) have earned more than $1.4 billion worldwide.  He and Garant also wrote a book (Writing Movies for Fun and Profit: How We Made a Billion Dollars at the Box Office and You Can Too!) and they continue to work on various projects to this day, most recently writing Hell Baby, which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.  Lennon can also be seen occasionally performing with the ‘Sweet and Tender Hooligans’, a The Smiths tribute band, as a guest guitarist.

Robert Ben Garant
Deputy Travis Junior

A native of Tennessee, Garant is best known for his role on Reno 911!.  As stated above, he’s partnered with Thomas Lennon on several projects and screenplays, including the box office hit, Night at the Museum.  Most recently he’s serving as the director for the comedy series, Bijillion Dollar Propertie$, and was a writer on the 2016 film, The Veil.

Kerri Kennedy-Silver
Deputy Trudy Wiegel

Having worked with fellow co-stars Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant on several projects before Reno, Kennedy-Silver was no stranger to comedy.  The daughter of a popular voice actor, Kennedy-Silver did some voice over work after her run on Reno 911! and went on to appear in a few TV shows and movies, including Still Standing, All About Steve, Balls of Fury, Role Models, and Wanderlust.  In 2015, she began voicing the character of Miriam in the Nickelodeon series Harvey Beaks and can currently be seen in in the Netflix original series, Love.

Niecy Nash
Deputy Raineesha Williams

A beloved, loud, and exuberant character on Reno 911!, Nash made audiences fall in love with her with her portrayal of Raineesha Williams.  An outspoken activist for anti-violence in schools after the shooting death her younger brother, Nash has made several guest appearances on various TV shows and programs.  She also played civil rights activist Richie Jean Jackson in the historical film, Selma.  Nash was also on the tenth season of Dancing with the Stars and left taking 5^th place in the competition.  In 2013, Nash starred in the HBO comedy series, Getting On, a role which scored her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, as well as a Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.  Nash has also made appearances on The Mindy Project and Scream Queens, a role she holds currently.

Cedric Yarbrough
Deputy S. Jones

A native of Burnsville, Minnesota, Yarbrough attended high school and college in his local home state.  After his hilarious portrayal as Deputy Jones on Reno 911!, Yarbrough went on to appear in a variety of TV shows and movies, including Arrested Development, Meet the Fockers, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Get Smart, The Penguins of Madagascar, and BoJack Horseman, among many others.  Most currently he’s worked with fellow co-star, Robert Ben Garant, in Bijillion Dollar Propertie$ and can be seen on the ABC sitcom, Speechless.

Carlos Alazraqui
Deputy James Garcia

You may not recognize Alazraqui’s face, but his voice acting resume will certainly bring back all the warm and fuzzy memories of your childhood.  Most notably, Alazraqui is known for his role as the voice of Rocko and Spunky in Rocko’s Modern Life, and has also voiced the Taco Bell Chihuahua, Bobbi Fabulous on Phineas and Ferb, and has done work for Family Guy and The Fairly OddParents, as well as a whole slew of popular Nickelodeon cartoons (CatDog, Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel).  After Reno 911!, Alazraqui went back to his roots and can now be heard voicing the character of Tio Tortuga in the new Disney Junior show, Sheriff Callie’s Wild West.

Wendi McLendon-Covey
Deputy Clementine Johnson

A native of The Groundlings Theater company, McLendon-Covey was classmates with Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig during her time with the troupe (she would later work with both of them again in her blockbuster film, Bridesmaids).  Hard to believe, but Reno 911! was actually McLendon-Covey’s first professional acting gig, and she’d go on to star in the Lifetime comedy show, Lovespring International and provide commentary for E!, TV Guide Channel, and VH1.  Besides Bridesmaids, recent projects have also included The Office, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, and Cougar Town.  In 2014, McLendon-Covey was cast in the lead role of the ABC series The Goldbergs, a role which earned her a nomination for a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.  McLendon-Covey has a variety of films coming out in 2017, including Speech & Debate and Felt, a film that’s also set to star Liam Neeson, Diane Lane, and Kate Walsh.

Mary Birdsong
Deputy Cherisha Kimball

A former correspondent on The Daily Show and Crossballs, Birdsong felt right at home when she was brought on as Deputy Kimball on Reno 911!.  A popular voice actress, Birdsong has offered her voice to such shows as Goldie and Bear, Stroker and Hoop, T.U.F.F. Puppy, as well as the video game, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.  From July 2006 to January 2007, Birdsong performed alongside Martin Short in the comedy musical, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me and won a Theatre World Award in 2007 for her role in the show.  In January of 2008, Birdsong joined the Broadway cast of Hairspray, playing the role of Velma Von Tussle and has also done one-woman shows and performed in comedy showcases.

Nick Swardson
Terry Bernadino

The recurring troublemaker, Terry, has to be everyone’s favorite goof ball.  Constantly getting under the skin of the Reno squad, Swardon’s Terry character has become one of his most famous roles.  After his great work on Reno 911!, Swardson went on to partner with friend Adam Sandler on the 2006 film Grandma’s Boy.  Four years later, he came out with a sketch comedy show, Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time, on Comedy Central, which was run by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions.  His recent projects have included Pixels, The Do-Over, and Sandy Wexler, which is due for release in 2017.

Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!

We all have TV shows that have changed our lives – shows that stick with us forever and that we can go back and re-watch over and over again without exhaustion.  When I think of shows under this category, a few come to mind…but none as prominent as The Wonder Years.

I don’t know if it’s because I was Kevin Arnold’s age when I started watching the show…or maybe it’s because it was a show my dad and I watched together, but The Wonder Years remains, to this day, one of the best series I’ve seen on television.  I identified with it when I was 10, and then fell in love with it in a completely different way when I watched the series again when I turned 30.  Though the music and the clothes might date it a little, the themes of this show still ring true even in today’s day and age.

Starring a very young Fred Savage, The Wonder Years tells the story of a boy named Kevin Arnold.  Together with his childhood friends, Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar) and Paul Pfeiffer (Josh Saviano), Kevin learns valuable lessons about love, loss, family, and understanding.  The show brings controversial themes to the forefront, including war, violence, death, abuse, drugs, and alcohol…and through the voice of a narrator, eventually revealed to be Kevin as an adult, we learn all about these magical years of wonder and adventure as we grow and learn with Kevin and his friends.

The Wonder Years gained valuable praise during its run (1988 – 1993) and won a Primetime Emmy Award after only six episodes.  In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked it #63 on its list of the 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time and the cast of The Wonder Years has remained very close to this day…several of them even acting in other projects together.

It’s a format that worked well for TV, especially for Savage’s younger brother, Ben, and his successful show, Boy Meets World.  Though much more upbeat in nature, Boy Meets World has a similar makeup, with similar characters in similar situations.  Both shows are staples in the lineup of the best coming-of-age TV shows and both hold loyal and true fandoms made up of viewers of all ages.

It’s been about 24 years now since The Wonder Years ended…and the cast that once made up this groundbreaking show remains active.  Check in below to see what’s happening with Kevin, Winnie, Jack, Wayne, and the rest of the characters we’ve grown to know and love through this amazing television classic.

The Cast of The Wonder Years…Where Are They Now?

Fred Savage
Kevin Arnold

OMG HE LOOKS THE SAME!!
Fred Savage, a native of Illinois, grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago before moving out to LA.  Before being cast in The Wonder Years, Savage had several small roles in movies and TV, perhaps most notably in The Princess Bride.  For his work on The Wonder Years, Savage received two Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and was the youngest actor ever to receive both honors (he was 13 at the time).  After The Wonder Years ended, he did mostly guest spots on TV and film, including a cameo on his younger brother’s show, Boy Meets World.  In 2015, Savage returned to acting with the FOX series, The Grinder.  Throughout the early 2000’s, Savage also dabbled in directing, standing behind the camera to produce several TV episodes, including work on the short-lived NBC sitcom, Working.  He’s also directed episodes of Modern Family and 2 Broke Girls.  Currently, Savage serves as a producer on the hilarious show, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.  Unlike Kevin Arnold, Savage actually married his childhood sweetheart in 2004 and they have two children together.

Danica McKellar
Winnie Cooper

Oh, Danica…the ultimate in beauty and brains.  Scoring the role of Winnie in The Wonder Years in her early teens, McKellar found it difficult to transition into adult acting after having so much of her childhood dedicated to one job.  After The Wonder Years ended, McKellar had several guest roles in various TV shows and appeared in a couple Lifetime TV movies.  She returned briefly to TV with roles on The West Wing and How I Met Your Mother and even did some work as a voice actress in a variety of video games.  Outside of acting, McKellar got her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, graduating summa cum laude, from UCLA in 1998.  She’s a huge proponent of the importance of mathematics in education, especially for young women, and has authored four books on the subject:  Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail (a New York Times bestseller), Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss, Hot X: Algebra Exposed, and Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape.  Her latest book, a children’s book titled Goodnight, Numbers, is available for pre-ordering now.  And for those who are obsessive like me, McKellar, Savage, and Saviano all still talk and keep in touch!

Josh Saviano
Paul Pfeiffer

Josh Saviano, who played Kevin’s best friend, Paul Pfeiffer, throughout the series, grew up in New York and New Jersey before being cast in The Wonder Years.  His role as Paul is actually one of his few TV or movie roles.  He stopped acting after The Wonder Years to continue his education at Yale University, where he studied Political Science.  After graduating in 1998, he decided to enter Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in August of the same year.  He passed the bar and joined the law firm of Morrison Cohen LLP in New York, becoming a Senior Counsel in 2011 and Partner in 2013.  He left Morrison Cohen two years later and founded two start-up endeavors:  the JDS Legal law firm and the celebrity brand consulting agency, Act 3 Advisors.  Saviano returned to acting briefly in 2014 and 2015 to play a lawyer on the NBC series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Jason Hervey
Wayne Arnold

Another actor who had various childhood roles before The Wonder Years, Jason Hervey got his start with small parts in several popular films, including Back to the Future, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, and Diff’rent Strokes.  His big break came when he was cast as Kevin’s big brother, Wayne, on The Wonder Years, a role which helped Hervey launch a somewhat successful voice-acting career.  While his on-screen credits are few and far between these days, Hervey does maintain ties to the entertainment industry as the producer of various sports-themed videos and specials, most notably with the World Championship Wrestling channel.  From 2001 to 2003, Hervey served as the Senior Vice President of Media Communications for HealthSouth Corporation in Alabama.  He was involved in a fraud scandal and later sued his employer, demanding $300,000 in compensation.

Dan Lauria
Jack Arnold

A Vietnam War veteran, Dan Lauria served as an officer in the US Marine Corps; ironically, he served at the same time his character on The Wonder Years was shipped off to serve in the Korean War.  Best known for his role as one of the greatest TV dads of our age, Lauria has also had several roles in various TV shows and on and off-Broadway stage productions.  In 2010, he appeared as Vince Lombardi in the Broadway play, Lombardi and was cast as Jean Shepherd in the 2012 Broadway production of A Christmas Story: The Musical.  Most recently, Lauria can be seen in the FOX series, Pitch.

Alley Mills
Norma Arnold

Another native of Chicago, IL, Alley Mills starred as the loving mother, Norma Arnold, on The Wonder Years.  Since its end, Mills has had recurring roles in various soap operas, including Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and The Bold and the Beautiful.  Outside of her work on the soap opera circuit, Mills has been pretty quiet.  She married actor Orson Bean in 1993 and currently lives in LA.

Olivia d’Abo
Karen Arnold

Known for her role as Kevin’s rebellious hippie sister, Karen, Olivia d’Abo is a British actress who starred on The Wonder Years for the first four of its six seasons.  She had two guest appearances in the final two seasons, as well.  After her work on The Wonder Years, d’Abo had a recurring role in the NBC series, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and has been cast in numerous supporting roles in other TV programs and films, including The Spirit of ’76, The Big Green, and The Twilight Zone.  She also appeared in the 2005 Broadway production of The Odd Couple alongside Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane.  Like her fellow The Wonder Years cast members, d’Abo has also done a fair share of voice acting and has lent her voice to several video game characters.  Like Karen Arnold, d’Abo is also a singer-songwriter and guitarist.  She has composed music for several movie soundtracks, including the song “Broken” from the movie, Loving Annabelle.  Her debut album, Not TV, was released in July of 2008.  Most recently, d’Abo was in the 2016 films, Blue Weekend and the made-for-TV film, Inspired to Kill.

Daniel Stern
Narrator/Adult Kevin Arnold

Yes, yes that’s Marv from Home Alone.  I know, I know!!  You’ll never look at The Wonder Years in the same way again!  After a variety of small successful films, Stern was cast as the narrator/adult Kevin Arnold on The Wonder Years.  Ironically, both he and Fred Savage appeared in the film, Little Monsters, with Stern playing Arnold’s father.  Stern also directed several episodes of The Wonder Years and would go on to direct other shows, including the CBS series, Danny.  Currently, Stern works as an artist, specializing in bronze sculpture.  He’s created art for public projects in San Diego, Agoura Hills, and Pasadena.  He is also the artist in residence at Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo.  Him and his wife have started several arts commissions and clubs and, in 2009, President Barak Obama awarded him the highest honor for volunteerism, the President’s “Call to Service” Award.  Stern now owns a 500-acre cattle ranch in California’s central valley.

Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!

It’s been a little over a year now since AMC’s Mad Men went off the air.  An amazing period drama about an advertising firm in the 1960’s, Mad Men starred such beautiful people as Jon Hamm, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, and January Jones.  Taking place in a fictional firm in New York, Mad Men helped bring to life some of the most popular advertising campaigns of the time.  Complete with period references, characters, and costumes, Mad Men celebrated a wide span of critical acclaim, including winning 16 Emmy Awards and 5 Golden Globe Awards.  The show was also the first basic cable series to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in each of its first four seasons.  By both critics and fans alike, it’s widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time.

Though she may have played one of the least-liked characters on the show, January Jones (Betty Draper) is actually quite a peach…and it’s her birthday today!!  To help celebrate her birthday and perhaps the role that brought her into the spotlight, here’s a look at what the cast of Mad Men has been up to since the show ended in May of 2015.

The Cast of Mad Men…Where Are They Now?

Jon Hamm
Don Draper
Though Jon Hamm has been acting in small films for a while now, it wasn’t until his role as Don Draper that he started to get noticed.  His performance in Mad Men earned him Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award and opened the door for him to do full-length feature films and projects.  After his run on Mad Men, Hamm appeared in a remake of the science fiction film, The Day the Earth Stood Still.  He finally got his first leading role in a film two years later when he starred in the independent thriller, Stolen.  Throughout 2010 and 2011, he had various supporting roles in The Town, Sucker Punch, and Bridesmaids.  Most recently, you can see him on the Netflix original series, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and in the animated films, Shrek Forever After and Minions.

Christina Hendricks
Joan Holloway
Curvy and sassy, Christina Hendricks became an instant role model for curvy women after her role as Joan Holloway in Mad Men.  Her performance as a strong female employee in a company dominated by men earned her critical praise, resulting in six Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.  After Mad Men, Hendricks appeared in the action-thriller, Drive, alongside Ryan Gosling.  She also appeared in the thriller Dark Places.  Just like her character in Mad Men, Hendricks is a gifted accordion player.  Currently, Hendricks can be seen in the film, Bad Santa 2 and has two films as of now coming out in 2017.

January Jones
Betty Draper
Before her role as the tortured Betty Draper, January Jones appeared in a few films, including Anger Management and Love Actually.  She was cast as Betty Draper and appeared as the character throughout the run of the series, a role that gave her two Golden Globe nominations and one Emmy nomination.  After Mad Men, Jones appeared in a handful of other productions and can currently be seen in the Fox series, The Last Man on Earth.  She is also a member of Oceana as a celebrity spokesperson, working to save endangered sharks.

Elisabeth Moss
Peggy Olson
Before her amazing and historical role as Peggy Olson in Mad Men, Elisabeth Moss starred as the youngest daughter of President Josiah Bartlet on the NBC series, The West Wing.  Her part on Mad Men earned her six Emmy Award nominations and one Golden Globe nomination, though she never won either award for her role on Mad Men (though she did eventually win a Golden Globe in 2013 for her part in the miniseries, Top of the Lake).  Since the ending of Mad Men, Moss has performed in several theater productions, including a role in The Heidi Chronicles that awarded her a Tony nomination.  Currently Moss is working on a biopic of the Scottish psychiatrist, R.D. Laing, titled Mad to Be Normal, and is in a film adaptation of The Seagull by Chekov due out in 2017.

John Slattery
Roger Sterling
Another well-loved actor, John Slattery was the comic relief of Mad Men, playing the womanizing but loveable Roger Sterling.  A long and successful career got Slattery into the spotlight and he continues to celebrate success with almost everything he does.  After Mad Men ended, Slattery went back to film acting, cast as a journalist in the Oscar-winning film, Spotlight.  He also appeared in the Netflix comedy series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp with his buddy, Jon Hamm.  An avid athlete, Slattery is a gifted skier and surfer.  Most recently, Slattery played Dwight Eisenhower in the film Churchhill and had a small arc on the TV series, Veep.

Vincent Kartheiser
Pete Campbell
Admittedly my favorite character in Mad Men, Vincent Kartheiser played the slimy ad man, Pete Campbell…a role which earned him two Screen Actors Guild Awards.  After Mad Men ended, Kartheiser starred in a film titled A Kind of Murder, but for the most part stayed out of the spotlight.  He sold his penthouse and removed himself from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood and now enjoys what he calls, “simple living”.  He has two movies as of now coming out in 2017 and has appeared on stage in several theatrical productions, including playing Mr. Darcy in an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.  He’s married to his Mad Men co-star, Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) and they have one son together.

Kiernan Shipka
Sally Draper
A native of Chicago, Illinois (REPRESENT!!), Kiernan Shipka blew minds with her performance as Don and Betty’s troubled daughter, Sally Draper.  Initially a recurring guest star, Shipka was upgraded to series regular at the end of the third season, due to her well-received performance.  She was named one of “The Most Influential Teens” in 2014 by Time magazine and received two Screen Actors Guild Awards for her performance as Sally.  Most recently, Shipka appeared in an episode of The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and voiced a couple characters in the video game, Marvel Avengers Academy.

Sometimes you just need a little fun in your life! Check back every week for a new “Just Bee-cause” post, where I discuss everything from celebrity news to favorite videos and websites!