Cast Bios
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Richard Roundtree (J.T.) In Hollywood, Richard Roundtree has proven to be a star in every sense of the word. A leading actor for more than 30 years, he is established as an iconic presence in the entertainment industry. Discovering his joy of the spotlight while on a football scholarship at Southern Illinois University, Richard signed with Johnson Publications to model in their annual Ebony Fashion Fair, touring 79 cities in 90 days. He then returned home to New York, beginning acting lessons and later becoming a member of New York's acclaimed Negro Ensemble Company. A succession of Off-Broadway roles led to his starring role as Jack Johnson in The Great White Hope. Richard gained international fame when Gordon Parks chose him to star as John Shaft, private detective and super-cop hero in the feature film Shaft. He continued the franchise with Shaft's Big Score, Shaft in Africa, and the television series, Shaft. From Shaft, Richard quickly moved on to star with some of Hollywood's most legendary actors, including Clint Eastwood, Robert Shaw, Peter O'Toole, Richard Harris, David Niven, Tony Curtis, and Laurence Olivier. Recently, Richard was in the mega-hit Speed Racer with John Goodman and Susan Sarandon. Among his more than 70 feature films is the smash hit Seven; the critically acclaimed Once Upon A Time … When We Were Colored; the remake of Shaft, where he reprised the role that made him famous; Steel, with basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal; and George of the Jungle for Disney Pictures. Richard's television credits have included series regular roles on 413 Hope Street, where he garnered an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Series; and Buddies with Dave Chappel for ABC. He recently starred with Pam Grier in the Hallmark Channel's production of Ladies of the House. Other TV movies include the top-rated Having Our Say, in which he portrayed Booker T. Washington; Christmas in Connecticut; and Joe and Max. Richard is the recipient of a Peabody Award for his narration on the PBS documentary The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow. An advocate for the fight against breast cancer, Richard is currently an Ambassador for The Susan G. Komen Foundation, and takes part in events to help raise awareness and funds towards finding a cure for this disease. Back To Top |
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John Schneider (John Gunn) John Schneider has starred in six television series, including the latest, Smallville; five mini-series; four feature films; one soap opera; 14 television movies; two of his own television specials; and countless guest-starring roles on other television shows. A highlight of John's career was the successful move he made from a television "Duke" to a Broadway "Baron" in the Tony® Award-winning musical Grand Hotel. John has a wide array of talents and is best known worldwide for his roles as an actor and singer. However, the role that he holds dearest to his heart is being a daddy to his three children. A native of Mt. Kisco, New York, the Schneider family lives just outside of Los Angeles. John starred for six seasons as one of the fast-driving, fun-loving cousins of the Duke clan on the hugely popular 1980s' comedy-adventure series The Dukes of Hazzard. He reprised that role in the television movie The Dukes of Hazzard: Hazzard in Hollywood. Schneider was also a series regular on the family drama Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and the syndicated drama Heaven Help Us. John directed and starred in the original television movie Mary Christmas with Cynthia Gibb, which premiered in 2002. He also has appeared in numerous other original television movies, including Michael Landon, the Father I Knew; True Women; Night of the Twisters; The Legend of Ruby Silver, Texas; and Desperate Journey. He can also be heard as the voice of the lead character in the Kids' WB! animated series The Mummy. Back To Top |
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Jennifer O'Neill (Michele Gunn) Model, actress, author, and speaker Jennifer O'Neill's distinguished career began at age fifteen as a high-fashion model in New York City. By twenty-one, she had starred opposite John Wayne in Rio Lobo and quickly became a household name as she starred in scores of heralded films such as Summer of '42. She was also the spokesperson for CoverGirl Cosmetics for three decades. Her silver-screen leading men have included Anthony Quinn, Donald Sutherland, Robert Duval, and Chuck Norris. In addition, she has been seen on successful TV series and Movies of the Week throughout her ongoing career. Jennifer has spent the last decade traveling the country delivering God's message of unconditional love, forgiveness, healing, and hope. Visiting high schools, colleges and youth groups, she encourages abstinence, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In addition to her own conferences, Jennifer has spoken at Women of Faith and Extraordinary Women, reaching tens of thousands of people per gathering. She also hosts a one-hour special for World Vision filmed in Zambia concerning children orphaned by HIV. Her performances in Christian-based productions allow Jennifer to continue to showcase her versatility as an actress in projects that profess the ideals she holds dear. As on-going spokesperson for the National Silent No More Awareness Campaign, Jennifer makes regular pro-life, pro-family appearances on national radio and television shows. She also has testified at the U.S. Senate and Congress and was part of the team of presenters for the Family Research Council's Washington Briefing. The National Right to Life Committee honored Jennifer with the "Proudly Pro-Life" award for her work in communicating the negative impact abortion has on women and families. She has served as Chairperson for the American Cancer Society and the Arthritis Foundation. She has also served on the board of Media Fellowship International, an organization of Christian actors, directors and producers working to improve the quality of Christian media in the secular market. In addition, Jennifer actively supports the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools. In 1997, Jennifer was prompted by her children to write her autobiography, Surviving Myself, with the updated version, Hidden Love Revealed, released in 2009. With inspiring honesty, humor, and hope, her story tackles tough subjects including teen suicide, abortion, sexual abuse, domestic violence, depression, failed marriages, miscarriage, and near-death experiences. In From Fallen to Forgiven, she shares her journey of spiritual and emotional healing through God's grace. She also has a workbook and audio guide that accompanies the book. Her other books include You're Not Alone (Healing After Abortion), A Circle of Friends Just Off Main, Life Savers, and All That Glitters. In between speaking engagements, writing, directing, and performing, Jennifer enjoys spending time in Nashville where she continues to show her champion horses. She is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother of four. For more information, visit her website. Back To Top |
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Heidi Gunn (Herself) Heidi Gunn Heidi Gunn's God-given gifts and passion for the arts has motivated her ever-growing ministry, which includes singing, modeling, acting, dancing, drawing, painting, and writing … in addition to her foreign missions work. Heidi's ministry with her husband Randy and their band "GunnPoint" allows her to take Christ outside of the church as they reach countless people across the country at citywide outreaches and major cowboy and rodeo events. Her love for horses has helped her in the competitive sport of Cowboy Mounted Shooting, where she won a national title and gained respect and acceptance in the Cowboy world. That has helped her in her prayer to influence the lives of that community. Heidi, Randy, and their band have been recognized for their vocal and musical talents, winning numerous entertainment awards. Heidi has begun work in the recording studio for her solo-debut CD, as well as a new CD with Randy. The couple's "A Colorado Christmas" will be released in the fall of 2009. Heidi enjoys drawing and painting; she is contributing art for the new GunnPoint calendar and a GunnPoint book, which will also include her writings. A talented and gifted lady, Heidi is best known for her love of God and people. Her heart's desire is to take the gifts that God has given her, and use them for His glory. Back To Top |
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Randy Gunn (Himself) The ministry of Randy and Heidi Gunn, which features Randy speaking at major World and National Rodeo events, has earned the couple the title of "Official Pastors" of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association. Their music, message, and lifestyle has impacted the hearts and lives of thousands of people, and they have been honored as ministry of the year by the Country Gospel Connection. Randy's ministry was foreshadowed at the age of 5 when he sang his first song in church: "Christian Cowboy." His vocal and musical talents have earned the Inspirational Country Music Male Vocalist of the Year. With Heidi, and their band GunnPoint, they have been awarded Duo of the Year and Band of the Year. Randy has been riding, learning, working, and training horses for more than 25 years. In the eight years he has participated in Cowboy Mounted Shooting, he has earned a World Championship and three National Championships. He uses horse-training principles and his outdoor wilderness experiences to relate the Gospel of Christ to cowboys and cowgirls in a way they can relate to. This has helped birth a nationwide Cowboy Church program that ministers to thousands. In addition to their worldwide written ministry through the GunnPoint Newsletter, Randy's messages have been featured in numerous publications. Randy and Heidi will soon be publishing their first book—a collection of their GunnPoint messages. Through all of his opportunities, Randy considers the greatest compliment to be when he's told that his fame hasn't changed who he is. Randy's true desire is for others to see Jesus through him. Back To Top |
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Ronnie Alvarez (Rey) Ronnie Alvarez has been acting since he graduated from the University of California. He has studied acting under Larry Moss for the last five years in Moss' master scene study class. Ronnie's television credits include Still Standing, Hannah Montana, 8 Simple Rules, Life, and a recurring role on the Gilmore Girls. His film credits include the yet-to-be-released Food Stamps, starring Danny Trejo and Tiny Lister, and Parkside, starring Luis Guzman. Ronnie has also been in commercials for McDonald's, Nike, Chevy, Ditech, Wendy's, Mountain Dew, Mervyns, JCPenney, among many. In addition to his work in film and television, Ronnie enjoys stage work. Currently in an original piece entitled, "Best Wishes" at the Crown City Theatre Company in North Hollywood. He will next be playing Billy in Edward Albee's "The Goat" at the Edgemar Theatre in Santa Monica. Back To Top |
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Ary Katz (Marcus) The arts and entertainment have always been part of Ary Katz's life. He was born and raised in Los Angeles with parents who are a visual artist and a musician. He asked for and received his first guitar for his seventh birthday. That year, he also had his first starring role … as Horton the elephant in his second grade play! Ary graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2005. In the ensuing years, he has become an accomplished actor, musician, and writer (both stage and screen). Ary is currently NBC's Los Angeles "Golden Local" and a model for Adidas running apparel and Kid Dangerous Couture. In 2009, he will release his dual debut EPs entitled RevolutionARY and Give It Away. Set Apart is his first feature film, while Stuck in the Corners is the first film project in which he serves as Producer, Director, Writer, and Actor. Back To Top |
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Marina Shtelen (Korina) Marina Shtelen's performance career began with extensive training at the British American Drama Academy and the CCPA Conservatory in Chicago. That led to numerous appearances on stage in Chicago, Cleveland, and the UK. She made her film debut as the lead in the Variety-acclaimed Sympathy. Her rave reviews in that film led to various television roles, including a recurring role on The Young and the Restless. Marina is dedicated to her love of music and dance, excelling in ballet, hip hop, and jazz. She is also fluent in a number of languages including Russian and Ukrainian. Her well-rounded life, along with a sincere respect, ambition, and enthusiasm for her craft, shows onscreen and off as she continues to embark on the creative road ahead. Back To Top |
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Brandon Wilson (Anthony) At the young age of six, Brandon Wilson expressed his desire to be on TV. Soon afterward, his mother enrolled him in acting classes, then they hired an agent, and Brandon's been on the move ever since. His first TV commercial was with Ray Charles. That led to print ads, TV commercials, and even a major role in a feature film while still living in Atlanta. In 2003 his family relocated to the Los Angeles area where Brandon pursues his love of acting. He has continued working in TV, including a guest-starring role on Reba, working alongside Reba McEntire and Jo Marie Payton, who played his grandmother in the episode. Brandon also loves sports, basketball in particular. Brandon, who was born in Dunwoody, Georgia, lives in Los Angeles with his mother, his brother Paul, and their dog Pebbles. Back To Top |
