Erica Spiegelman is a foremost consultant, counselor and speaker who has made an indelible mark in the field of addiction recovery by treating individuals from a 360-degree perspective; Mind, Body and Spirit. Founder of www.ericaspiegelman.com a multi-media health and wellness platform, she provides consulting and counseling solutions for clients by providing them with tools on how to reach emotional, mental and physical freedom in places where they were previously stuck.
Erica also provides healthy solutions directly to clients, consumers and industry professionals via her blog, monthly newsletters, speaking engagements, live events and soon to be published book. She holds a Bachelor degree in Literature from the University of Arizona and a degree as a California State Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, CADAC- I from University of California, Los Angeles.
Ms. Spiegelman’s academic background, coupled with her range of experiences from counseling individuals, families and group therapy, consulting for sober livings, transitional living facilities and for businesses that want to implement personal growth programs for their staff, to her writing and books give her the unique ability to relate and touch people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Author, Screenwriter, Lecturer, Playwright, Ethlie Ann Vare has helped shape such popular television shows as Gene Roddenberry’s Andromeda, Adventure Inc. and the Jane Doe mystery movies on the Hallmark Channel. She has written for everything from CSI to VIP. A former rock journalist, Ethlie also worked in front of the camera as a “music gossip” on E! Entertainment Television. Yet, surprisingly, she is an award-winning historian, whose books and lectures about women inventors are lauded worldwide. Her latest book is LOVE ADDICT: SEX, ROMANCE AND OTHER DANGEROUS DRUGS.
Growing up in a small town in Chilliwack B.C Canada, Hayley was raised with morals from a loving grandmother with a strong christian Pentecostal influence. Addiction was very much a part of Hayley’s family history and she swore never to touch drugs or alcohol. Always feeling different from her peers, Hayley was looking for a way to spread her wings. One summer Hayley was discovered by Eileen Ford and her ticket to the fast lane of modeling opened up doors in a career that flew her all over the world. Being exposed to New York in the eighties, drugs were a staple, somehow able to manage close calls with addiction, she kept her career afloat and got married. Loving the family life, children came along as well as a move to Los Angeles with her producer husband. Swimming pools, movie stars, divorce and heartache soon followed. Alas the journey of addiction began. Alcohol allowed Hayley to move on with her life, date, and feel like the belle of the ball. With each year that passed the drinking and drug use increased, from a relationships gone bad to a home invasion in the Hollywood Hills. Hayley had finally hit her bottom and through the grace of God was able to seek help and get clean. Her company, Soberisexy is a T-shirt line that allows kids to identify. It’s edgy rocknroll punk rock image along with a positive message is able to reach kids and allow them to look at sobriety with some light at the end of the tunnel.
The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have been effectively helping individuals charged with crimes for over 35 years. Focusing the practice in the field of criminal law, Mr. Wolf is a recognized expert in Drunk Driving, Addiction-related offenses and Juvenile Law. Lawrence Wolf and his associate criminal lawyers have been pioneers in developing all forms of alternative sentencing such as house arrest and diversionary programs. They have established relationships with Judges and District Attorneys in Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento and Ventura Counties.
Dr. Fong is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. Dr. Fong completed his undergraduate and medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago. Currently, he is the co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program. He is the director of the UCLA Addiction Medicine Clinic, a teaching clinic that specializes in the treatment of all disorders of addiction. He is also the director of the UCLA Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship, which provides high-level training in addiction psychiatry.
Orna and Matthew Walters are a relationship coach duo. Orna is a Life Purpose Coach, professional hand analyst, and has been featured on Fox 11 News, NBC, and Dailycandy.com. Matthew has studied Hypnosis, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Therapeutic Imagery, and has appeared on the USA network among other TV and Radio shows. He is the co-founder of the most comprehensive hypnosis download website called Downloadsforchange.com.
A woman of strength and vision, Velvet has been a transformational activist in the recovery community focusing her efforts on the healing and wellbeing of young women. She has incorporated her years of life experience and knowledge of women’s suffering and addiction into her mission and ultimately her sense of purpose. Velvet opened her doors and her heart to restore the soul sickness she once suffered from herself years ago and has now developed one of the leading women’s drug and alcohol treatment programs in Southern California, Safe Harbor Treatment Center. By breaking the silence women are so used to enduring in the grips of addiction, Velvet continues to change the stigma and barriers women face day to day. Through her divine visions and guidance Velvet is an inspiration to young women who walk side by side with her, learning what it means to be authentic, to live in ones truth, to live in recovery, to live in sobriety, and most importantly to live in love.
Anna David is the author of the novels Party Girl, Bought, and her latest memoir Falling for Me. A professional member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), Anna holds an Associate in Sex Education Certificate from The Institute of Advanced Study of Human Sexuality and was the host of the Playboy Network show Swing. Anna has been featured numerous times on The Today Show, Hannity, Red Eye (Fox News) and CNN’s Showbiz Tonight. She is currently the Executive Editor of the addiction and recovery website The Fix, and has been on staff at Premiere and Parenting, a full time freelancer for People, a contracted reporter for Us Weekly, and a sex columnist for Razor. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The LA Times, Vanity Fair, Cosmo, Redbook, Self, Stuff, TV Guide, Movieline, Women’s Health, Ocean Drive, Vegas, Esquire UK, Teen Vogue, Variety, LA Confidential, Tatler and Emmy. One of her first-person sex stories for Playboy was made into the reality show pilot “Better Luck Next Town” for TBS.
Sherri Lewis was a child star at the age of 5 acting on Romper Room, Wonderama, and Bozo the Clown. In 1979 she formed the power pop band GET WET that was soon to be discovered by Lou Reed then featured in Andy Warhol’s INTERVIEW Magazine and in Betsey Johnson’s fashion shows. In 1985 Sherri was diagnosed HIV positive. Empowered by love and support from her family and friends, and a deep spiritual connection, Sherrie joined the HIV/AIDS research project, Project Outreach. In 1995, The Boston Globe featured Sherri’s story in the article appropriately titled “Stagefight”. Today, she hosts her own online Podcast, “Straight Girl In A Queer World” and entertainment talk show, and her blog HIV DIVA on TheBody.com.
Jennifer Gimenez, of Argentinean descent, was born in the United States, at age 14 Gimenez was discovered by Bruce Weber and shot to stardom quickly as an international model. She was the youngest model to grace the cover of American Elle, and a successful career as a supermodel quickly took off. In 2001, Gimenez was named one of Maxim’s Hot 100. Gimenez went on to shoot numerous campaigns such as Calvin Klein, Guess, St. John, Avon and Paul Mitchell. She has graced the covers of numerous magazines including Flaunt, American Elle and Latina. Gimenez landed her first major film role in 2001 opposite Johnny Depp in Ted Demme’s film Blow. She went on to follow up with roles in movies such as Vanilla Sky, The Sweetest Thing, Corky Romano, Charlie’s Angels 2 and 9 Lives of Mara. Her most recent TV ventures -as the house manager for the VH1 reality show “Sober House with Dr. Drew”, and VH1′s “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” season 5.
Dr. O’Mahony is a licensed clinical psychologist. She has worked in the mental health field for over 13 years. She has worked with all populations and specializes in dual diagnosis. Dr. O’Mahony runs experiential groups to help clients not just talk about their maladaptive patterns but to help them transform them. She received her BA and Masters from Boston University and moved to Los Angeles in 2001. While working as a program director at the Salvation Army located at the West LA VA campus she received a lot of experience working with veterans diagnosed with PTSD and substance abuse along with other diagnoses. She received her Ph.D. from California Graduate Institute at the Chicago School in 2008.
Bradford, a Registered Drama Therapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. After starring in such films as BACHELOR PARTY (playing Tom Hank’s best friend, Brad, go figure), John Huston’s ANNIE, DANGEROUSLY CLOSE and DAMNED RIVER, Bradford transferred his love of role playing, theatre games and improvisations into therapeutic techniques. Calling his work, REHEARSE FOR LIFE, Bradford plays with the confrontations and issues we have in our lives and looks at the choices we have available to us in a safe therapeutic environment. Bradford’s therapy work over the last fifteen years has taken him to many battered women’s shelters, hospitals, prisons and lots of drug and alcohol rehab centers. Working with such companies as the Unusual Suspects Theatre Company (with kids at risk), New Visions, and the Bridge Program (offering a free education to homeless and working poor people), Bradford continues to try and serve the community from the ground up.
Ro Delle Grazie started stand up comedy in 1999. Originally from New York at the start of her stand up career she was coached by Lisa Lampanelli. Ro went on the road opening up for her and working with her for 6 years. Ro has been featured on the Oxygen Network and Comcast TV. She also filmed a short movie called Cinderelli’s, the NY version of the fairy tale classic Cinderella where she played the wicked stepsister. The Cinderelli’s met rave reviews at the first LA Comedy Shorts Festival in 2009. You can also see her in the new original series “Ordinary Girl”. Ro has performed at the top comedy clubs across the country including Comic Strip Live, Caroline’s on Broadway, The Comedy Store and The Ontario & Hollywood Improvs just to name a few. As well as International tours for our Troops overseas. She’s had her own radio show called The Tingley Ro Show. You can also catch her on an episode of Lingo where Ro and her sister Maria made the debut of The Delle Grazie Sisters.
Celebrity comedian ANT was born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. In 1993 he moved to Los Angeles and began performing comedy full time. Throughout his career, ANT has appeared on many series and specials including, Tosh.0, America’s Next Top Model, The Insider, Kathy Griffin: My life on the D list, The Jamie Foxx Show, For your love, Son of a beach, Gene Simmons: Family Jewels, Sweet Valley High, Queer as Folk, Weekends at the DL, Nightstand, The Dennis Miller Show, But Can They Sing, Steve Harvey’s Big Time, The Tyra Banks show, Comics Unleashed and many others. His big opportunity came with NBC’s Last Comic Standing. He has been the host of the hit series Celebrity Fit Club for 6 of its 7 unprecedented seasons. He also released his hit live performance DVD entitled, “ANT: America’s Ready”. Over his career, ANT has appeared on numerous occasions on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (9 times), The Howard Stern Radio show, and garnered his own series on MTV Network’s Logo Channel which bears his name: The U.S of ANT.
Comedienne, Actress, Producer, Singer, Lisa Sundstedt is a true “Jack of all trades”. In 1995 she became a stand-up comic & created “Pretty, Funny Women”. She then landed herself a holding deal with TRI STAR Television and The Montreal Comedy Festival. She has written on several game shows, & TV series including Oxygen’s number one hit “Girls Behaving Badly” & “The Chelsea Handler Show” and “Chelsea lately” on E!”. She’s done hundreds of national commercials & voiceovers… and can be heard on Cartoon Network’s animated hit “Robot Chicken” with Seth Green. She hosts “Pretty, Funny Women” every 3rd Wednesday of the month at The Hollywood Improv, sold a pilot to WE Network a few years back, and is currently in development with Bunim-Murray prods. for PFW the reality series.
Patty Baret has been in recovery for 25 years. She has helped hundreds of alcoholics and drug addicts in recovery, many from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Throughout her 25 years in recovery and as a registered recovery worker, Patty has reached out to many struggling individuals. She has led recovery-based women’s groups and self-empowerment meetings, for which she addressed such issues as eating disorders, drug and alcohol addiction, and anxiety.
Lauren Arborio is a substance abuse counselor with UCLA training and has worked in the addiction field for over 5 years. She is passionate about helping others battling addiction and mental disorders. Lauren works and trains with the leading specialists in addiction psychiatry and pain management here in Los Angeles. She provides case management, family management and assistance to many patients and families in crisis.
Born and raised outside of New York City, and sober since the age of 20, Donna Mizani is recognized for her innovative fashion sense and ultra-feminine creations. Shortly after studying fashion design, Mizani’s trend-spotting intuition and strong work ethic quickly caught the eye of various heavyweight design houses and in 2010 she went on to launch her self-named label, which garnered success with its international debut.
David is a stand-up comedian/multi-instrumentalist jazz vocalist and has performed in a wide variety of venues throughout the United States including, NA, AA, CA, DA, OA, CEA-HOW and GA comedy festivals and conventions, prisons, nightclubs, universities, theaters, retirement homes, corporate events, private parties, temples, weddings, funerals, birthday parties, affairs of state, spiritual living centers, a few churches and one briss. David has written two a books. One called, “The Complete Book Of Everything, Part I” which is a compilation of his comic monologues. His autobiography is called, “The Joy of Suffering.” And he recorded a comedy CD entitled “Honey Take Me Home”.
Carlos Herrera is a stand-up comedian, writer and former agency-assistant based out of Los Angeles. He performs at The Comedy Store, The Hollywood Improv, Velvet Jones in Santa Barbara and The Steve Allen Theater amongst others. Herrera has also been featured on The Naughty Show Podcast as well as co-hosting his own called PodKatz. He also co-produces “The Mostly Normal Show” at The Improv Lab.
Matthew A. Torrington, M.D., is a board certified Family Medicine physician with a specialty in Addiction Medicine. Having completed his fellowship at UCLA’s Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Dr. Torrington is also a Clinical Research physician. Dr. Torrington is certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as a medical review officer and by the American Academy of Pain Management. He is licensed to practice in the state of California and is involved in residential and outpatient treatment of substance abuse disorders in addition to his clinical research activities. Dr. Torrington has a clinical focus on the treatment of stimulant dependence, alcohol dependence, opiate dependence, and pain.
Eric Hahn is a hapless ex-restaurant manager fired by his old company (which shall remain nameless: it’s initials though are CPK), for talking just a bit of smack about the company while on stage for the very first time. Eric Facebooks and Tweets way too much, watches porn incessantly and loves his Hollywood life! You can catch him performing all over Los Angeles in comedy clubs, Laundromats, 7-11s: anywhere he can.
Before his retirement in 2009, Jim Clemente had been a Senior Supervisory Special Agent in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit in Quantico since 1998. Before he joined the FBI, he was a prosecutor in the New York City child sex crimes division. He is a nationally recognized expert in the fields of child sexual victimization, child sex offender typologies, and child pornography. Clemente has investigated and consulted on thousands of cases involving the sexual victimization of children, and he has interviewed hundreds of victims and offenders. He has also testified as an expert witness and lectured on these topics across the country and around the world. In his spare time, he is a writer and consultant for the Criminal Minds television series. Many of the story ideas used in the series are his.
Stevie Mack has been performing stand-up comedy and improv from a very young age. He brought his funny to the stage at the world famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA in 1991. Crowned the King of Comedy Walk, he continues to build a dedicated following while headlining at major clubs and universities across the country guiding the audience with his quick wit and savvy style, allowing guest to feel connected to his humor on an interpersonal level. He expanded his improvisation and acting skills by joining the Groundlings and Upright Citizens Brigade improve troupes. You’ve seen Stevie Mack on NBC, UPN, Last Comic Standing, HBO, Spike TV, BET, Discovery Health Channel, the Howard Stern Show, E!-True Hollywood Story, VH1, and MTV.
Brett recently made guest star appearances on the hit TV shows “House” and “Bones”. He stared in a pilot for Comedy Central, written by T. Sean Shannon. He was a Series Regular on the Martin Short show “Primetime Glick” for 3 seasons, and had a Recurring Role as Deputy Dave on “General Hospital”. He was also in the Oscar nominated movie “Ghost World” with Scarlett Johanson as well as “Wild Things 2″. You may also have seen him on: “Becker”, “Malcolm in the Middle”, “Mad TV”, “The War at Home”, “Angel”, “That’s Life”, “NYPD Blue”, “Jack & Jill”, and “The Guardian”. Brett has done over 40 national commercials including: McDonald’s, Twix, Dunkin Donuts, and a Superbowl Pepsi spot with Britney Spears. Brett has been doing stand up comedy for over 10 years and is working on his second album/DVD.
L.W. Walman, Has been in recovery since 1986. Over twenty years later he is deeply rooted and involved in the recovery community. He is a free spirit and world traveler known for his compassion and empathy. Combining a keen understanding of the alcoholic/addict mind and a thorough knowledge of the tools of recovery he is always eager to help anyone overcome their fears and addictions. He has worked specifically in the field as an interventionist and sober companion since 2006 and is currently working to be credentialed as a drug and alcohol councilor.
Weiss, a recovering alcoholic from New York City, came to Riverside, CA to attend a rehab facility as a result of an intervention. In 2006, shortly after his first year clean and sober, Richard began writing comedy and debuted his stand-up act at the Hollywood Improv where he closed out the show. The humorist has gone on to perform stand-up in just about every major club in and around Los Angeles. Recently, together with the Improv group the Berubians, he wrote and appeared in the sketch comedy Sketch and the City which ran at the Next Stage Theater. Richard is currently filming a comedy called Another Superhero Story. Grateful to be clean and sober, Weiss feels blessed that he can share his experiences with others in a humorous vein.
Mark Gantt is a Los Angeles based actor, producer, writer, director, and photographer. Mark’s latest project that he co-wrote, produced and starred in called The Bannen Way has been an incredible success. Financed by Sony’s Crackle distribution arm, this unique Web Series/Feature Film, has broken records with over 14 million views, won 4 Streamy Awards including Best Actor (Mark), Best Drama, Best Director and was nominated for 2 Webby Awards. Due to its vast success, Sony Pictures Television is currently developing the project into a TV series.
Doug Cain started studying and learning addiction treatment in a residential program 1999 – he says he’s never stopped learning. In 2006, as a widely experienced, powerful and compassionate professional, Doug founded Sober Champion – an international sober coaching company offering services in 4 continents. He is now a sober coach on A&E’s Relapse, helping many addicts get sober all over the world.
Matt Knost is currently touring the country killing audiences with his honest and genuine act laced with personal stories and an observational humor that resonates with crowds of all ages from colleges to comedy clubs to theaters. He relates his life with a humor that’s unmatched in comedy from a young man that’s been working in the industry for over 8 years. Over the past few of those years, he’s begun to open up more and more about his former alcohol abuse, which he refers to as “hedonistic”, because it’s “cathartic” to find humor in one’s mistakes and embarrassments.
Dr. Jason Coe is the Medical Director of Psychiatric Services at KLEAN Treatment Center. He has an extensive background in forensic psychiatry, receiving recognition as an expert psychiatric witness in the courts of New Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes. Dr. Coe is the co-founder of Paradym Health Systems, INC. Dr. Coe has a wealth of experience in the field of addiction and dual diagnosis.
Vicki Abelson is the founder of “Women Who Write”, a bi-coastal literary salon, and is awaiting the publication of her first book, “Don’t Jump”. Vicki has been a comic, a director, a rock promoter, a publicist, a manager, a fundraiser, and a producer. She recently co-starred in a Comedy Central Pilot and optioned a music reality show.
Amber Tozer is a writer, a stand-up comic, and, most importantly, she’s not really a lady. She lives in Los Angeles where she does stand-up comedy, works with kids with Autism, and reflects on the days when she used to sell illegal mattresses on Craigslist. Tozer has been featured on LAST COMIC STANDING, appeared on Nickelodeon’s SOUTH OF NOWHERE, and has starred in various short films. She wrote and was the voice for her animated short film series, THE TOZER SHOW, and had an advice column, ASK AMBER, on comedy.com. She has also written feature pieces for The Onion and the NY Post. Oh, and she makes dance videos in public when she has nothing else to do.
Zoltán “Zoli” Téglás is an American singer, songwriter and producer. He is the frontman of Ignite and Pennywise. He has collaborated with other bands including The Misfits, Motörhead and Blind Myself. Téglás has another side project called Zoli Band, which plays acoustic music. He lives in Los Angeles, California, and is head volunteer for Pacific Wildlife Project; he rescues and takes pelicans and other sea birds to rehabilitation hospital.
Pat Leborio, AKA “The Razorman,” is a long-time veteran of standup comedy.
Pat has been seen in Austin Powers – Goldmember, Fox TV’s Malcolm in the Middle and Comedy Central’s Make Me Laugh and Reno 911 to name a few. Some of his 85 TV commercials include Coke, Reebok and Snickers. Pat has performed around the World and is known for his strong presence and great physical comedy.
Originally from Upstate New York, Sam Tripoli got his start in comedy in Las Vegas and currently resides in Los Angeles. Sam views comedy as a calling rather a profession. It’s a religion that he’s been preaching to audiences at comedy clubs across the country and on television, including his hit new show The Wild World Of Spike on Spike TV. He has also appeared on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Sam recently performed for our nation’s armed forces as part of an all-star line up of a comedy event organized by Vince Vaughn.
Bob Forrest is the lead vocalist and lyricist for Los Angeles bands Thelonious Monster and The Bicycle Thief. In September 2006 he released his first solo album, Modern Folk And Blues Wednesday. He is also a drug counselor, appearing alongside Dr. Drew on VH1′s Celebrity Rehab and Sober House. Forrest is the subject of a documentary about his music career and battles with drug addiction called Bob and the Monster. The documentary is due for release in March 2011.
McCoppin’s early career began as an actress, doing commercials and having bit parts on TV shows such as The Sopranos and Entourage. She also worked as a body double for stars such as Kim Cattrall, Kate Moss, and Ashley Judd. Later in her career McCoppin covered nightlife for celebrity magazines such as Life & Style, In Touch, and served as an LA correspondent for British publications such as The Daily Mail, and The Sun. In 2008 McCoppin became a nightlife and sex columnist for Playboy Magazine, as well as a comedic online personality. and is a spokesperson for the dating site, Voiceplate.com. McCoppin is a human rights advocate and has volunteered as a Freedom Writer for Amnesty International for the last 12 years. She is a member of Food on Foot, a Los Angeles based charity dedicated to helping the homeless.
Marty was born in Wilmington, Massachusetts where he was first bitten by the Stand up Comedy bug at the young age of twelve. Unfortunately for comedy he was also bitten by the drug and alcohol bug at that same age. Forced to choose Marty put down the microphone and picked up the straw. Posing a double threat with drug and alcohol addiction, Marty went on to have an illustrious career in both. After a decorated 11 year career Marty retired from drugs and alcohol, his razor blade and straw can be seen on display in Canton Ohio at the Narcotics Hall of Fame. He has been performing for well over 10 years and headlines comedy clubs from coast to coast. You may also have seen Marty in several commercials and independent films.
Carmine Thompson is one of the leading and most successful Intervention specialists, and the founder of “Intervention Allies”. Thompson started “Intervention Allies” as a way to properly assist others who are dealing with the ravages caused by alcoholism, substance abuse, eating disorders and other compulsive behaviors.
Rick Shapiro is a Los Angeles based comedian. He first gained attention in the stand-up scene based around the Lower East Side in New York. He is highly regarded in the underground comedy scene for years, performing a regular Wednesday night set at the Sidewalk Cafe in New York, until his role on Louis CK’s sitcom, Lucky Louie elevated him to a wider audience. Rick has spoken openly about his younger years when he first became addicted to heroin and resorted to male prostitution to support his habit. Rick speaks about this troubled past in his comedy, making light of what many comedians see as a difficult topic.
Bob started his comedy career at the famous Laff Stop in Newport Beach, California. Bob is one of the most requested acts at Clean and Sober Conventions across the country doing his One Man Show at over 150 12-Step conventions in the last nine years alone. Bob has traveled the country and recently did a tour overseas. He is currently writing a book on recovery.
Lindsay was picked up by Sacred Cow Productions, where he helped produce (and had a cameo in), Showtime’s documentary: “American Drug War: The Last White Hope”. While there are multiple underground stories about Mack Lindsay that circulate to this day: drug use, melt downs, and not to mention the numerous threats of violence from gun-toting rednecks… Lindsay has moved on to become as pure of a performer as he can be. Mack Lindsay is currently a paid regular at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles and was chosen as the first comedian to headline the stand up portion of the “Van’s Warped Tour 13″.
Jack Grisham is the vocalist for the punk band T.S.O.L. (True Sounds of Liberty), which emerged from the 1980s Los Angeles punk rock scene, along with Black Flag, Circle Jerks and Social Distortion. Grisham has also fronted the bands The Joykiller, Tender Fury and Cathedral of Tears. He currently records with T.S.O.L. and Jack Grisham and the West Coast Dukes. Grisham was a candidate for Governor of California in the 2003 recall election. In 2004, he ran for governor of California on a social democratic platform.
Mick Betancourt is a writer and comedian who has written scripts for several television shows on major networks. Betancourt was born in Chicago in 1974 and currently lives in Los Angeles. He sold his first television show to CBS Television at age 30 and has since written on The Black Donnellys, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Detroit 187. Recently he directed his first short film which was well received at independent film festivals. He also has performed at The Chicago and Montreal Comedy Festivals as well as performed stand-up on NBC, HBO, TBS, and Comedy Central. He was featured in Studs Terkel’s book, Death-Will the Circle Be Unbroken.
Brian Scannell is an actor and producer, born 1966 in Boston Massachusetts and currently lives in Los Angeles. Brain has a had a successful career in the entertainment industry after getting sober. You may have seen him in “The Town”, written and produced by Ben Affleck. Brain also stars in the TV series Brotherhood, playing the role of Silent John, among many other appearances in several network television shows.
Alonzo Bodden is an American comedian and actor from Queens NY, and known for winning the grand prize in the third season of the “Last Comic Standing”. In 2005, he released his DVD, “Tall, Dark and Funny”. He was a talent judge in NBC’s 5th season of Last Comic Standing. Alonzo has performed on numerous television shows including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Make Me Laugh, Late Friday, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Comedy Central Presents, and It’s Showtime at the Apollo. He is also a voice actor who has worked on Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue, Masked Rider, and O’Grady.
Comedian Steve Mittleman got his start as the fireman in Steve Martin’s comedy “Roxanne”. Mittleman has worked with Woody Allen, Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno to name a few. He’s appeared on HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, VH1 and preformed numerous times on the Tonight Show with Johnny and Jay and Late Night With David Letterman. According to Jerry Seinfeld; “Mittleman is always funny”.
Reef Karim is a physician, psychiatrist, addiction medicine specialist and relationship therapist. He is the host of the TV show “House of Clues”, occasionally appears on CNN as a psychiatric commentator and was named one of “The Sexiest Men Alive” by People magazine. Karim has appeared on television and talk shows including: Oprah, Larry Kind Live, Anderson Cooper 360, ABC’s Nightline, The Today Show, O’Reilly Factor, and Chelsea Lately.
He is well known for his role as mob boss Ray Luca on the 1980s NBC television show Crime Story which ran from 1986 to 1988. Afterwards he starred and guest-starred in several crime movies and television programs, notably Wiseguy, in which he portrayed undercover agent John Henry Raglin penetrating the corrupt New York garment trade, City of Hope (1991).
