‘SANTA SWITCH’
CAST BIOS
ETHAN ERICKSON (Dan) – A native of the Twin Cities, Ethan Erickson first performed as a gymnast before discovering a natural talent for performing on camera. Moving west for college, Erickson graduated from University of California Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature.
Lighting up the silver screen, Erickson has starred in feature films including thriller “Dorian,” “The In Crowd,” “Burn” and the critically acclaimed independent film “Jawbreaker.”
Erickson has also been seen on a variety of popular primetime dramas and comedies including recurring roles on “CSI: NY” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” He has guest-starred on everything from “Friends” and “Joey” to “Monk,” “The “Starter Wife,” “CSI: Miami” and “CSI,” completing the “CSI” trifecta. As a series regular, Erickson played designer John Cotter on the MY Network TV series “Fashion House.” Erickson starred opposite Jennie Garth in the Hallmark Channel Original Movie, “Accidentally in Love” and recently starred in the Hallmark Channel Original Movie, “I Married Who?”
Most recently, Erickson steamed up the CW’s update of “Melrose Place,” portraying epicurean executive chef and restaurant co-owner Marcello, boss to Violet and Auggie, played by Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Colin Egglesfield.
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SEAN ASTIN (Eddie) – Sean Astin is one of Hollywood's most respected young actors with a distinctive list of projects and credits. Astin starred as beloved Sam Gamgee in the Academy Award®-winning "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy." The three films have grossed over $3 billion worldwide and have entered the history books of classic cinema.
In Nickelodeon’s re-launch of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Astin lends his voice to Raphael in the latest animated incarnation of the hugely successful franchise. Currently, he is lending his voice to Playhouse Disney’s “Special Agent Oso.” Astin stars as a lovable, bumbling special agent-in-training who enlists viewers at home to help complete his missions.
Astin led an all-star cast in “And They’re Off,” an independent comedy about thoroughbred horseracing that also stars Kevin Nealon, Cheri Oteri and Martin Mull. Astin also has two other comedies in the can: “Stay Cool” about an older man’s homecoming whose cast includes Winona Ryder, Chevy Chase, Hillary Duff and more, and “Demoted” in which Astin plays a mean-spirited prank whose victim becomes his boss.
Adding to his seemingly boundless list of occupations, Astin released his acting memoir titled There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale. The book opened at #1 on the New York Times Best- seller list, putting him on the map as a true literary story-teller as well as the unabashed screen actor audiences fall in love with again and again. Published by St. Martin's Press and co-written (more) HALLMARK CHANNEL/ ‘SANTA SWITCH’ – Cast Bios – Page 2 with Joe Layden, the book is a very personal exploration of Astin's prestigious career, from his first big role as Mikey in Warner Bros. classic "The Goonies" through the 18 month arduous challenge of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy shoot.
Astin had a very successful run as Lynn McGill in Fox's hit series "24." He was recently seen in the British miniseries “The Color of Magic,” opposite Tim Curry and starred in the Steven Spielberg produced miniseries "Into the West," about the white man's expansion into western America. Astin also starred in NBC's four-hour miniseries "Hercules," from Hallmark Entertainment, playing Linus, Hercules' music teacher, alongside Leelee Sobieski, Timothy Dalton and British newcomer Paul Tefler in the title role. Astin also starred alongside his mother, Patty Duke, in the romantic comedy "Bigger Than the Sky" and co-starred in the Hallmark Channel Original Movie “Love’s Christmas Journey.”
Even with the busy schedule that his film career demands, Astin makes special time for his passion as a very involved public servant. He was invited to Washington, D.C. where his mother presented him with the Creative Coalition's prestigious Spotlight Award for his contributions to their cause. The coalition focuses on bridging the gap between Hollywood and Washington, with members meeting White House staffers to raise money for art programs in schools and promote art awareness in children around the country. Astin is also an adamant animal rights advocate.
Since 1995, Astin has been the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army. He is also an active supporter of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and The Wildlife Waystation. He took an oath of office with the White House Chief of Staff to serve on The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, working alongside such prominent public figures as Senator Bob Dole and Astronaut John Glenn. The mission of the council is to recognize and encourage outstanding volunteer service and civic participation by individuals, schools and organizations thereby encouraging more such activity, especially on the part of America's youth. Astin partnered with Verizon as the Verizon Literacy Champion benefiting the National Center for Family Literacy. In this position, he assists the NCFL in speaking out for family literacy issues across the country but closer to home; he greatly appreciates the importance, enormous benefit and simple joy that come from teaching his own children to read.
Astin is also a promising director. He directed a short film called "The Long and Short of It" which was featured at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. This short was shot on the set of "Lord of the Rings" and features cast and crew from the film. In 1994, he received an Academy Award® nomination and won a Jury Prize at the Texas Film Festival for his short film "Kangaroo Court," which he co-produced with his wife Christine. In addition to this short film, Astin has also directed an episode of the television hit "Angel" and an episode for the HBO anthology "Perversions of Science."
Astin is well known for playing the title role in the critically acclaimed "Rudy" and for his feature debut in "The Goonies." His other film credits include “The Final Season,” “What Love Is,” "Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School," which received critical praise at the
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Sundance Film Festival, “Click,” 50 First Dates," "Bulworth," "Smile," "Courage Under Fire," "Memphis Belle," "Encino Man," "Like Father Like Son," "Where the Day Takes You," "Staying Together," "War of the Roses" and "Safe Passage." He has also been seen in several independent movies, including "Deterrence," "Kimberly," "The Last Producer" and "Boy Meets Girl."
Astin has earned a degree in History/American Literature and Culture from UCLA. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife and their three daughters.
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DONOVAN SCOTT (Kris) – Donovan Scott studied at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and then went on to join the Comedia Del Arte’ Troup, where he eventually became the Artistic Director. He went on to tour the East Coast for several years directing, writing and performing with that troupe. Eventually, Scott returned to San Francisco were he did more theatre. His theatre experiences took him to Alaska, where he opened the Alaska Repertory Theater. His next move was to San Diego, where he performed leads in three plays at The Old Globe Theater. Next stop: Los Angeles to try his hand at television and feature films. Scott has made his living as an actor in Los Angeles ever since, working with Steven Spielberg in the movie “1941,” co-starred in Robert Altman's “Popeye” with Robin Williams, “Savannah Smiles,” “Zorro the Gay Blade,” “Sheena Queen of the Jungle,” “Police Academy,” “Back to the Future 3,” “Psycho 3” and over 30 other feature films.
Scott was under contract with NBC for five years, starred and co-starred in a variety of television series, mostly sitcoms, including the two series “Slap Stick Studios” (a Saturday morning kids show) and co-starred for 13 weeks with the great Lucille Ball in “Life with Lucy.” He has also starred or guest starred in over 50 television shows. Scott's illustrious repertoire also includes directing, co-writing and starring in three films and two mini-series in Russia, where he lived for five years. Scott was nominated for a Silver Bear Award in Germany for one of his television series. Since moving back to Los Angeles, he continues his work in television and films. His Santa characters can be seen in an abundance of television shows, national commercials and movies for television including the Hallmark Channel Original Movie “Matchmaker Santa.”
Scott also teaches improvisation and comedy for Carolyne Barry, where in 2010 and 2011, he was voted one of the top three improvisation teachers in the Los Angeles area. Scott is about to start his second season at the ACME theatre, with his popular web comedy variety show series “Scotty and Friends,” which he writes, directs, hosts, and performs in.
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