Top Stars: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

Hayden Panettiere commercial-product endorser

Hayden Leslie Panettiere born August 21, 1989 is an American actress and Grammy-nominated singer. She came to professional prominence at the age of 10 with her portrayal of Sheryl Yoast in Disney's Remember the Titans, although for five years before that, Panettiere had held roles in two soap operas. She portrayed Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live from 1994–1997, and Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light from 1996-2000. Panettiere reached a wider audience with her starring role as cheerleader Claire Bennet on the NBC television series Heroes.
Contents
* 1 Early life
* 2 Career
o 2.1 Acting
o 2.2 Singing
o 2.3 Commercial-product endorser
* 3 Personal life
o 3.1 Activism
* 4 Filmography
* 5 Discography
o 5.1 Singles
o 5.2 Soundtracks and compilations
* 6 References
* 7 External links
Early life
Panettiere was born in and partly raised in Palisades, Rockland County, New York, the daughter of Lesley R. Vogel, a former soap opera actress, and Alan L. "Skip" Panettiere, a fire department lieutenant. Panettiere, whose surname means "baker" in Italian, is of Italian descent. She has one younger brother, fellow actor Jansen Panettiere.
Although Panettiere attended South Orangetown Middle School in New York, she was educated at home from the 9th grade through high school. For now, Panettiere is postponing higher education in favor of an acting career.
Career
Acting
Panettiere first appeared in commercials at 11 months, beginning with an advertisement for Playskool. She landed a role as Sarah Roberts on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live (1994–1997), and she followed that up by playing the part of Elizabeth "Lizzie" Spaulding on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light (1997–2000). While on Guiding Light, Panettiere's character Lizzie battled leukemia. For drawing the attention of daytime viewers to the disease, and for improving national awareness, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society gave her its Special Recognition Award.
Panettiere became most prominent as Claire Bennet in the NBC series Heroes, which was created by Tim Kring, as a high school cheerleader with regenerative healing powers. Thanks to her role on Heroes, she became a regular on the science fiction convention circuit, invited to attend conventions around the world in 2007, including Gen Con, New York Comic-Con, and Fan Expo Canada. Panettiere has complained that her acting options are sometimes limited because "people look at [her] as either the 'popular cheerleader' type or just 'the blonde.'"
Panettiere at Comic-Con 2008.
She has appeared in over a dozen full-length feature films, several made-for-TV movies. For her performance in Lifetime Television's 1999 TV movie If You Believe, she was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Young Actress Age Ten or Under in the category of Best Performance in a TV Movie or Pilot. She provided the voice for Dot in A Bug's Life. She played the role of Coach Yoast's daughter, Sheryl, in the 2000 Disney film Remember The Titans. In addition, she voiced Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts series of video games for the PlayStation 2. Panettiere appeared on Fox's Ally McBeal as the title character's daughter, had a recurring guest role on Malcolm in the Middle and guest starred in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.She starred in a 2005 film, Racing stripes where she plays Teenage girl with a pet Zebra named Stripes. She also starred in Bring It On: All or Nothing as a cheerleader and had a supporting role as Adelaide Bourbon in the recently released independent film Shanghai Kiss. She appeared in the Disney Channel film Tiger Cruise, in Raising Helen as Kate Hudson's adolescent niece, and in Ice Princess as a the title character's rival in a skating contest.
She appeared in the drama film Fireflies in the Garden as a younger version of Emily Watson's character, Jane Lawrence. In June 2007, she signed with the William Morris Agency, after previously being represented by United Talent Agency. Forbes estimated that she earned $2 million in 2007.
In early 2007, Panettiere appeared on the MTV show, Punk'd. The appearance was engineered by her mother and involved a male "fan" discussing her work with her, instigating a jealous reaction from the man's spouse. In December 2007 Panettiere was named GQ Magazine's Obsession Of the Year.
In September 2008, Panettiere appeared in a satirical video, a mock-PSA (public service announcement) on funnyordie.com entitled "Hayden Panettiere PSA: Your Vote, Your Choice."Again, in October, Panettiere appeared in another satirical PSA video on funnyordie.com entitled "Vote for McCain: He's just like George Bush, except older and with a worse temper.
In July 2009, Panettiere starred in the teen comedy I Love You, Beth Cooper. Daydream Nation, in which she was in line to appear, has since been filmed with Kat Dennings. On May 2010, Panettiere was cast in the upcoming sequel of the Scream franchise, Scream 4. She will play the role of Kirby Reed alongside Emma Roberts and Rory Culkin. Panettiere also provided the voice of Kate, along side Justin Long in 2010's Alpha and Omega .
In 2010, she was featured in the UK release video for Joshua Radin's song "I'd Rather Be With You," as the love interest.
In September 2010, Panettiere was signed to star as Amanda Knox in the controversial Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy.
In 2011, she replaced Anne Hathaway as the voice of Red for the animated sequel Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil.
Singing
Panettiere was nominated for a Grammy in 1999 for A Bug's Life Read-Along (2000). In 2004, She recorded a song entitled "My Hero Is You" with a video for the Disney Channel film she starred in, Tiger Cruise. The next year she recorded a song entitled "I Fly" for the Disney film Ice Princess in which she also co-starred. She recorded a song for the Hollywood Records compilation Girl Next (2006) and another song entitled "Go to Girl" for Girl Next 2 (2007). Also in 2007, She also recorded a cover for "Cruella De Vil" for DisneyMania 5, "Try" for the Bridge to Terabithia soundtrack and a ballad called "I Still Believe" for Cinderella III: A Twist in Time.
Panettiere's first single, "Wake Up Call," was digitally released on August 5, 2008. A clothing brand named Candie's announced that it was premiering an ad campaign for the single in late July. Similarly, Candie's would also provide additional promotion for the single with a television advertisement and a music video.
Commercial-product endorser
In late 2006, Neutrogena made Panettiere the cover girl for their new worldwide ad campaign;[ following in the footsteps of actresses Kristin Kreuk, Josie Bissett, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Mandy Moore, Mischa Barton, Gabrielle Union and Jennifer Freeman.
In September 2007, Panettiere appeared in a Heroes-themed Got Milk? ad for which the photographs were shot by Annie Leibovitz.
In February 2008, Kohl's announced that Panettiere would be their next Candie's spokesperson.

Hayden Panettiere

andrea savage personal life

Andrea Kristen Savage born February 20, 1973 is an American actress best known for her comedic roles in Comedy Central's mockumentry series Dog Bites Man and in the HBO sketch comedy program Funny or Die Presents.
Contents
* 1 Personal life
* 2 Career
* 3 Filmography
* 4 External links
Personal life
Savage was born in Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, California. She graduated from Cornell University where she Majored in Political Science and Spanish with a Minor in Law studies. She is an Alumna of the Groundlings Theatre. She has performed stand-up comedy at The Improv, The Comedy Store, The Ice House and other venues around Los Angeles. She is married.
Career
After taking off time to have her first child, in 2010 Andrea reappeared in the film "Dinner For Schmucks" opposite Steve Carell and Paul Rudd. She also filmed two television pilots. "The Strip" created by Tom Lennon and Ben Garant for NBC and "Wlifred," a dark Australian comedy being redone for FX. In addition, Andrea created and starred in a series of shorts for the HBO show "Funny or Die Presents" about a very pregnant woman trying to engage in some casual sex. She was also seen in the cult hit "Party Down" for Starz.
She is also currently writing a television pilot for Fox Studios, as well as an untitled screenplay for Castlerock Films.
Andrea can also be seen opposite Will Ferrell in Step Brothers and opposite Woody Harrelson in The Grand. Savage's other television credits include starring roles in Lies & The Wives We Tell Them To on NBC, Significant Others on Bravo, and the Sweet Valley High series on UPN. Additionally, she has guest-starred on other popular sitcoms such as Fox's Stacked with Pamela Anderson, CBS's Cold Case and The King of Queens, and NBC's The West Wing.
Andrea has starred in the Comedy Central series Dog Bites Man, Comedy Central's Lewis Black's Root of All Evil, and has made appearances on The Winner and Two and a Half Men. In 2009 she appeared in the film, I Love You Beth Cooper.
Filmography
Film
Year Film Role Other notes
1995 Song of the Sea Gertie Fitzpatrick Short film
2008 The Grand Renee Jensen
Step Brothers Denise
2009 I Love You, Beth Cooper Dr. Gleason
Lashisse Short film
2010 Dinner for Schmucks Robin
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1997 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Stacey Fink Episode: Sabrina Gets Her License (2)
1997–1998 Sweet Valley High Renata Vargas
1998 Suddenly Susan Episode: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Susan's Party
2000 Stark Raving Mad Missy Episode: He's Gotta Have It
2001 Inside Schwartz Alexa Episode: Event Night
2002 Good Morning, Miami Cindy Episode: The Way to Dylan's Heart
In-Laws Sarah Episode: Crown Vic
2003 The West Wing Heidi Choat Episode: Privateers
2004 Significant Others Chelsea 12 episodes
2004, 2005 The King of Queens Kate Episode: Tank Heaven
Episode: Cologne Ranger
2005 Cold Case Lindsay Episode: Schadenfreude
Stacked Barbara Episode: A Fan For All Seasons
2006 Dog Bites Man Tillie Sullivan 9 episodes
2007 The Winner Donna Episode: What Happens in Albany, Stays in Albany
Two and a Half Men Lena Episode: Mr. McGlue's Feedbag
2008 The Cleaner Nicole Episode: Let It Ride
Episode: Rebecca
2010 Funny or Die Presents Rebecca 3 episodes
Party Down Annie LeGros Episode: Precious Lights Pre-School Auction

andrea savage

andrea savage

Thursday, February 24, 2011

alicia keys american recording artist

Alicia Augello Cook born January 25, 1981, better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American recording artist, musician and actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began to play classical music on the piano. She attended Professional Performing Arts School and graduated at 16 as valedictorian. She later attended Columbia University before dropping out to pursue her music career. Keys released her debut album with J Records, having had previous record deals first with Columbia and then Arista Records.
Keys' debut album, Songs in A Minor, was a commercial success, selling over 12 million copies worldwide. She became the best-selling new artist and best-selling R&B artist of 2001. The album earned Keys five Grammy Awards in 2002, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year for "Fallin'". Her second studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys, was released in 2003 and was also another success worldwide, selling eight million copies. The album garnered her an additional four Grammy Awards in 2005. Later that year, she released her first live album, Unplugged, which debuted at number one in the United States. She became the first female to have an MTV Unplugged album to debut at number one and the highest since Nirvana in 1994.
Keys made guest appearances on several television series in the following years, beginning with Charmed. She made her film debut in Smokin' Aces and went on to appear in The Nanny Diaries in 2007. Her third studio album, As I Am, was released in the same year and sold six million copies worldwide, earning Keys an additional three Grammy Awards. The following year, she appeared in The Secret Life of Bees, which earned her a nomination at the NAACP Image Awards. She released her fourth album, The Element of Freedom, in December 2009, which became Keys' first chart-topping album in the United Kingdom. Throughout her career, Keys has won numerous awards and has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Billboard magazine named her the top R&B artist of the 2000–2009 decade, establishing herself as one of the best-selling artists of her time. In 2010, VH1 included Keys on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Contents
* 1 Life and career
o 1.1 1981–96: Early life
o 1.2 1997–2000: Career beginnings
o 1.3 2001–02: Songs in A Minor
o 1.4 2003–05: The Diary of Alicia Keys and Unplugged
o 1.5 2006–08: Film debut and As I Am
o 1.6 2009–present: The Element of Freedom, marriage and motherhood
* 2 Musical style
* 3 Philanthropy
* 4 Discography
* 5 Tours
* 6 Filmography
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 9 Further reading
* 10 External links
Life and career
1981–96: Early life
Keys was born Alicia Augello Cook on January 25, 1981, in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan, in New York City, New York. She is the only child of Teresa Augello, a paralegal and part-time actress, and Craig Cook, a flight attendant. Keys' mother is of Scottish, Irish and Italian descent, and her father is African American Keys has expressed that she was comfortable with her biracial heritage because she felt she was able to "relate to different cultures". Her parents separated when she was two and she was subsequently raised by her mother during her formative years in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan. In 1985, Keys made an appearance on The Cosby Show at the age of four, where she and a group of girls played the parts of Rudy Huxtable's sleepover guests in the episode "Slumber Party".Throughout her childhood, Keys was sent to music and dance classes by her mother. She began playing the piano when she was seven and learned classical music by composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Chopin.Keys enrolled in the Professional Performing Arts School at the age of 12, where she majored in choir and began writing songs at the age of 14. She graduated in three years as valedictorian at the age of 16.
In 1994 Keys met long-term manager Jeff Robinson after she enrolled in his brother's after-school program. The following year Robinson introduced Keys to her future A&R at Arista Records, Peter Edge, who later described his first impressions to HitQuarters: "I had never met a young R&B artist with that level of musicianship. So many people were just singing on top of loops and tracks, but she had the ability, not only to be part of hip-hop, but also to go way beyond that." Edge helped Robinson create a showcase for Keys and also got involved in developing her demo material. He was keen to sign Keys himself but was unable to do so at that time due to being on the verge of leaving his present record company. Keys signed to Columbia Records soon after. At the same time as signing a recording contract with Columbia Records, Keys was accepted into Columbia University. At first, Keys attempted to manage both but after four weeks dropped out of college to pursue her musical career fulltime.
1997–2000: Career beginnings
Keys signed a demo deal with Jermaine Dupri and So So Def Recordings, where she appeared on the label's Christmas album performing "The Little Drummer Girl". She also co-wrote and recorded a song entitled "Dah Dee Dah (Sexy Thing)", which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1997 film, Men in Black. The song was Keys' first professional recording; however, it was never released as a single and her record contract with Columbia ended after a dispute with the label. Keys was unhappy with the label because her career had stalled during her two years under contract at Columbia due to executive indecision over her direction and major changes within the company. Keys called Clive Davis, who sensed a "special, unique" artist from her performance and signed her to Arista Records, which later disbanded. Keys almost chose Wilde as her stage name until her manager suggested the name Keys after a dream he had. Keys felt that name represented her both as a performer and person. Following Davis to his newly formed J Records label, she recorded the songs "Rock wit U" and "Rear View Mirror", which were featured on the soundtracks to the films Shaft (2000) and Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001), respectively.

alicia keys

alona tal israeli television actress

Alona Tal born October 20, 1983 is an Israeli television actress.
Contents
* 1 Career
* 2 Personal life
* 3 Filmography
* 4 References
* 5 External links
Career
Tal started her career fresh out of the Israel Defense Forces, with a children's musical video tape, in which she played an evil witch. Following that, she appeared in a commercial for a laundry detergent. After that she got the lead role in the Israeli film Lihiyot Kochav (To Be A Star).
During the filming of the movie, she was offered two roles in two different Israeli television shows, and she took both. The first was a soap opera named Tzimerim, about the life of a family that runs a hotel; the second one was HaPijamot (The Pyjamas), a sitcom about a struggling band, determined to make it in the real world. This sitcom ran for six seasons, which she took part at 3 of them, and later took part as a guest star, and gave Tal the chance to show her musical talent. Although she was the main character only in the first three seasons, she appeared in the fourth season for several episodes. Following that, Tal recorded several songs with Israeli rapper Subliminal.
Seeking some rest from her busy schedule, Tal went to New York City to live with her sister. In New York, she met singer Wyclef Jean and recorded a song with him (the song "Party to Damascus" has Tal singing the chorus in Hebrew). In a recent[when?] interview he referred to himself as her mentor, seeking to help her with her true passion, music.[citation needed] She learned to speak with an American accent for the trip to Los Angeles.[citation needed]
She landed a role on Veronica Mars, that of Meg Manning, one of Veronica Mars' few friends. Tal had originally auditioned for the lead eponymous role on the show, which went to Kristen Bell, but Rob Thomas liked her so much that he created the recurring role of Meg Manning specifically for her. She also played the recurring role Jo Harvelle on the second and fifth seasons of Supernatural. Tal also guest-starred on the series finale of Monk as Adrian Monk's stepdaughter, Molly Evans. In 2010 she performed the voice of Catherine-B320 (also known as Kat) in the video game Halo: Reach.
Personal life
Tal at the Children Uniting Nations Academy Award Viewing Party, February 2009.
Tal married actor Marcos Ferraez on June 5, 2007.
Filmography
Year↓ Title↓ Role↓ Notes
2002 Pim Pam Po BeArmon HaKsamim Shusha the Witch English title: Pim Pam Po In the Magic Castle
2003 Lihiyot Kochav Lilach English title: To Be a Star
2003-2006 HaPijamot Alona Tal TV series
2004-2006 Veronica Mars Meg Manning 10 episodes
2005 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Tally Jordan Episode: "Room Service"
2006 Cold Case Sally Episode: "8 Years"
2006 7th Heaven Simon's Mystery Friend Episode: "Highway to Cell"
2006 Commander in Chief Courtney Winters Episode: "State of the Unions"
2006 Split Decision Bex Christensen TV movie
2006-2007 Supernatural Jo Harvelle 4 episodes
2007 Frangela Sara TV movie
2007 Taking Five Devon
2007 Half Past Dead 2 Ellie Burke Video
2007 Cane Rebecca King Vega 13 episodes
2008 Cleaner, TheThe Cleaner Jackie Kemp Episode: "Rag Dolls"
2008 College Gina
2008 Ghost Whisperer Fiona Raine Episode: "Firestarter"
2009 Supernatural Jo Harvelle Episode: "Good God, Y'All"
Episode: "Abandon All Hope"
2009 Mentalist, TheThe Mentalist Natalie Episode: "Crimson Casanova"
2009 Knight Rider Julie Nelson Episode: "Knight and the City"
2009 Party Down Heather Episode: "California College Conservative Union Caucus"
2009 Monk Molly Evans Episode: "Mr. Monk and the End: Part 2"
2010 Independent Lens Hannah Senesh (voice) Episode: "Blessed Is the Match"
2010 Lie to Me Becky Turley Episode: "React to Contact"
2010 Leverage Kaye Lynn Gold Episode: "The Studio Job"
2010 Undocumented Liz
2010 Defenders, TheThe Defenders Ashley Episode: "Nevada v. Carter"
2010 Kalamity Ashley
2011 Pretty Little Liars Simone Episode: "Careful What U Wish For"
2011 Night of the Living Dead: Origins 3D Helen Cooper Post-production