Cast Bios Stephen Collins
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‘EVERY SECOND COUNTS’ CAST BIOS STEPHEN COLLINS (Joe Preston) – For Emmy®-nominated actor Stephen Collins, who most recently appeared in an emotional guest-starring role on “Law & Order: SVU,” the “7th” time was the charm. Playing the role of the thoughtful Reverend Eric Camden on television’s longest running family drama, “7th Heaven,” definitely brought him to national prominence. But this multi talented actor with preppy good looks is also known for his stellar work in motion pictures and on Broadway. In fact, Collins was listed as one of twelve “Promising New Actors of 1979,” by John Willis in the definitive cinema reference guide, Screen World. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Collins was raised in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. He studied Drama and English at Amherst College and graduated cum laude. He then spent a number of years on the road performing in various theatrical productions. In the summer of 1969, legendary producer/director Joseph Papp offered the young actor a small part in Twelfth Night at Shakespeare-in-the-Park in New York. His on and off-Broadway credits also include The Ritz, No Sex Please, We’re British, Beyond Therapy, Macbeth at Lincoln Center and Stephen Sondheim’s musical revue, Putting It Together at the Manhattan Theater Club, for which he sang on the original cast album. This summer, Collins will appear in the coveted role of King Arthur in the Broadway production of Monty Python’s Spamalot. Collins’ first feature film was the politically charged drama, “All the President’s Men” starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. Collins cites his experience of working on one of the cinema’s most brilliant films as “one of the best overall movie experiences” he ever had. Fans will also recognize him from “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” “First Wives Club” starring Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton, the comedy “Brewster’s Millions” starring Richard Pryor and John Candy, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Blood Diamond” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou. Most recently, Collins starred in the romantic comedy “Because I Said So,” opposite Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore. In addition to his success in films and theater, Collins earned acclaim for “7th Heaven,” a series that followed the trials and tribulations of Reverend Camden and his stay-at-home wife plus their seven children. His portrayal garnered him the 11th spot on TV Guide’s “50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time” list. Additionally, Collins directed and sang in several episodes of the primetime series. His other television credits include “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” starring Danny DeVito, “Batman Beyond,” “Sisters,” “Tattingers” and “Tales of the Gold Monkey.” In the 1970s, Collins appeared in several classic TV shows including “The Waltons,” “Barnaby Jones” and “Charlie’s Angels.” Along with his work in episodic television, Collins appeared in numerous television movies including “For Love Alone: The Ivana Trump Story,” “An Unexpected Family” starring Stockard (more) HALLMARK CHANNEL / ‘EVERY SECOND CO UNTS’ – Cast Bios – Page 2 Channing, Barbara Taylor Bradford’s “Remember,” “Summer Solstice” and “The Two Mrs. Grenvilles” starring the legendary actress Ann Margret, to name a few. Collins also appeared in several television mini-series credits including “The Rhinemann Exchange,” “Chiefs” and the Emmy®-winning “A Woman Named Jackie,” in which he portrayed John F. Kennedy opposite Roma Downey. Collins continues to tap into creativity. He has authored two successful novels, Double Exposure and Eye Contact, which he is currently in the process of adapting for the screen. He also wrote the play, Super Sunday, which was performed at the Williamstown Theater Festival in 1988. A talented musician, Collins released two CDs. His first album, entitled “Stephen Collins” was a mix of doo-wap and rock songs. He has his own band - called 7th Band – that performs at various LA nightclubs, as well as the occasional fund-raising benefit. His second CD, “The Hits of Rick Nelson,” was a tribute album released on the 20th anniversary of the singer’s death. Collins and his wife actress Faye Grant reside in Los Angeles with their daughter, Kate. # # # BARBARA WILLIAMS (Helen Preston) – Award-winning actress Barbara Williams has enjoyed a successful career in motion pictures, television as well as in the theater. Born on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Williams first started acting when she appeared in her high school’s production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Her teacher encouraged Williams to join the Drama Club. Her powerful performance as Catherine Holly in Tennessee Williams’ Suddenly Last Summer, earned her the Best Actress Award at the British Columbia Drama Festival. The young actress went on to win a scholarship at Vancouver City College where she studied theater. During the course of her career, Williams has starred in numerous stage productions. Her theater performances include starring as Amelia Earhart in the musical Amelia and portraying Joan Baez in Dreams Die Hard at the Met Theater in Los Angeles. She also portrayed Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” under the direction of Des McAnuff, a Tony Award winning director, at the La Jolla Playhouse. In addition to her stage performances, Williams has appeared in numerous motion pictures, both independent and big budget films. Her movie credits include “The Inner Circle,” “Perfect Pie,” “They Come At Night,” “Love Come Down” and “Inventing the Abbotts” starring Joaquin Phoenix, Billy Crudup and Academy Award® winning actress Jennifer Connelly. Williams also appeared in “City of Hope,” a film by John Sayles, which won an Independent Spirit Award. Her television credits include “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Picket Fences,” “The Outer (more) HALLMARK CHANNEL / ‘EVERY SECOND CO UNTS’ – Cast Bios – Page 3 Limits,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Bones,” and “Quarterlife.” It was Williams’ incredible performance in the starring role of teamster Diana Kilmury in “Mother Trucker: The Diana Kilmury Story,” which garnered the actress a Gemini Award in 1996. The TV movie tells the true story of trucker Diana Kilmury’s battle with the Canadian Teamster’s Union over disability benefits for her son who is seriously injured in a car accident. Despite several attempts by the mafia to ruin her, Kilmury brings down the corrupt head of the Teamsters and reforms this powerful union. Daily Variety called Williams’ performance “strong but subtle” in this emotionally charged TV drama. Williams, an accomplished musician, released her first CD in 2000 entitled Forgiving Ocean, featuring her own songs, singing and guitar playing. Currently, she is in the process of writing a one woman autobiographical show with music. Williams and her husband, author and activist Tom Hayden, reside in Los Angeles with their son, Liam. # # # MAGDA APANOWICZ (Brooke Preston) – Magda Apanowicz may be best known to fans of the hit sci-fi series “Kyle XY,” for her recurring role as Andy Jensen, a young teen struggling with cancer. Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Apanowicz has been acting since she was 15. Her film credits include “Slither” and the sci-fi thriller “The Butterfly Effect” starring Ashton Kutcher. Apanowicz played a leading role in the motion picture “Riverburn,” which won the Best Short Film Award during the Vancouver Film Festival in 2004. In addition to her film work, Apanowicz has numerous television credits, including the pilot for “Caprica,” the highly-anticipated prequel to Sci Fi’s critically-acclaimed “Battlestar Galactica.” She has appeared in NBC Television’s turbo charged series “Bionic Woman,” “Cold Squad,” “Jeremiah” and has a recurring role on the Canadian series “Renegade Press.com,” where she portrays a troubled teen. She has also appeared on Showtime’s drama series “The L Word” starring Jennifer Beals. In May 2008, she appeared in A&E network’s “The Andromeda Strain,” based on Michael Crichton’s best selling novel. Along with series television, Apanowicz has appeared in several television movies including “All I Want For Christmas,” “Devil’s Diary” and “Holiday Wishes.” During her free time, Apanowicz enjoys snowboarding, skydiving and bungee jumping. # # # BRETT DIER (Caden) – Born on Valentine’s Day, Canadian actor Brett Dier sets young hearts aflutter with dashing good looks and memorable performances. From a young age, Dier knew he wanted to be an actor. His television credits include the popular teen drama series (more) HALLMARK CHANNEL / ‘EVERY SECOND CO UNTS’ – Cast Bios – Page 4 “Smallville,” “Seventeen and Missing,” “Kaya,” “Comfort House,” “Family in Hiding,” and sitcom, “Aliens in America.” Last year, Dier appeared in the motion picture, “Battle in Seattle” written and directed by Stuart Townsend. The indy film, which stars Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson and Ray Liotta, is based on the true story of a group of activists who meet in Seattle to protest the meeting of the World Trade Organization. “Battle in Seattle” debuted at the Toronto Film Festival. In addition to acting, Dier is a talented musician playing both the piano and guitar. An accomplished athlete, he has a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and is an experienced swimmer. When he is not appearing in front of the camera, Dier enjoys breakdancing. -- HALLMARK CHANNEL -- .