‘HITCHED FOR THE HOLIDAYS’
CAST BIOS
JOEY LAWRENCE (Rob) – Charming and entertaining, business-savvy and an undeniable talent, Joey Lawrence is one of the most sought after actors in the entertainment business today. With a career spanning over twenty five years in film, television, and music, Lawrence has been in the public eye since he was six years old. He rose to pop culture fame as a teenager on the 90’s hit television series “Blossom,” where his character Joey Russo stole the hearts of teenage girls around the globe, and helped aid in a flannel-grunge fashion craze. Today, Lawrence can be seen starring on the #1 ABC Family series “Melissa & Joey,” co- starring Melissa Joan Hart. After a successful first season appealing to over 2 million viewers, season 2 is set to be released in the summer of 2012. In addition to starring on the show, Lawrence also holds Executive Producer credits and directed an episode for season 2.
Over the years Lawrence has starred on a handful of sitcoms, including “Run of the House,” (WB) “Brotherly Love” (Disney) with his brothers Mathew and Andrew, and booked a recurring role on “American Dreams” (NBC). Some of his other acting credits include: “CSI: NY,” “Half & Half,” starring in the Broadway hit Chicago as Billy Flynn, and starring in the feature film “Urban Legends: Final Cut.” In 2009, Lawrence placed third on the smash hit series “Dancing with the Stars,” (ABC) and also appeared on the TLC series “Masters of Dance.” He then went on to star in the ABC Family movie “My Fake Fiancé” opposite Melissa Joan Hart, that scored huge ratings for the network, and created an on-camera dynamic between Hart and Lawrence that had to be pursued further by the network. “Melissa and Joey” was created soon after the movie aired.
Lawrence began his music career at the age of 16, and in 1993 he released his self-titled debut album. The album was produced by Terry Lupton, Ian Prince, and Teddy Riley. Lawrence co- wrote several songs on the album, including the international hit single “Nothin’ My Love Can’t Fix” (hit # 6 on Billboard Hot 100 Airplay, hit #10 on Billboard Top 40 Mainstream, and hit #19 on Billboard Hot 100). Lawrence still has a huge passion for music today, and spends his down time in the studio recording new music. He is currently working on his third studio album, and in late 2011 released the brand new single “Rolled.”
Aside from acting and music, Lawrence has also made his mark on the business side of the industry, producing and directing projects over the years. He owns and runs a full service production company, JL VERITAS, which serves as a development slate for both scripted and non-scripted shows. The company currently produces “Melissa & Joey” for ABC Family. In addition to “Melissa and Joey” Lawrence recently sold a script to Disney with the producers of “Wedding Crashers” called “Mr. Everything,” which he will co-produce and star in, and he recently sold a project to Nickelodeon.
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In his spare time, Lawrence actively supports March of Dimes, helping promote the research of problems that threaten the health of babies. He also has a huge love for fashion, and is currently working on developing a ready-to-wear line for men and women. Lawrence currently lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and two daughters.
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EMILY HAMPSHIRE (Julie) – Born and raised in Montreal, Emily Hampshire has made an indelible mark on the Canadian film and television industry in a relatively short period of time. Her work has been recognized by the Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television with 3 Genie Award Nominations, a Gemini Award for her work on the small screen and was chosen by her peers in the Canadian Actors Guild as a nominee for Outstanding Female Performance at the ACTRA Awards.
She is most widely known to international audiences for her role as Vivienne Freeman opposite Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver in the Berlin Film Festival opener, “Snow Cake” (Revolution) and was most recently seen staring opposite Jay Baruchel in director Jacob Tierneys festival favorite, “The Trotsky” (Alliance / Tribeca Films).
Hampshire promptly re-teamed with Baruchel and Tierney for the directors next feature, “Good Neighbours” (Alliance / Magnolia Pictures). Her latest film, “Cosmopolis” directed by the legendary filmmaker David Cronenberg, had its world premiere at the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival this past May.
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MARILU HENNER (Maxine) – With the energy of a teenager, the wisdom of a sage, and the memory of a super hero, Marilu Henner has deservedly earned the nickname “Perpetual Motion.” Along with starring in over thirty films, six Broadway Shows, and two hit classic sitcoms, “Taxi” and “Evening Shade,” this five time Golden Globe® Nominee is also a New York Times Best-selling Author of nine books on health, fitness, and lifestyle improvement (Total Health Makeover, Healthy Life Kitchen, Healthy Kids, Wear Your Life Well, etc.), changing the lives of millions in her quest to make the world a healthier place. She also has hosted and executive produced three talk shows, appeared as a competitor on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” and hosted and guest-starred on many TV shows, in addition to being “Talk Show Guest of the Year”!
As one of only twelve people documented with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory, Henner was the subject of a two-part special on “60 Minutes” and on “60 Minutes Australia.” She also serves as the consultant on the CBS series “Unforgettable,” which premiered in the fall of 2011.
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Her ninth book, Total Memory Makeover: Uncover Your Past, Take Charge of Your Future!, was released on April 24, 2012 and is already a New York Times Best-seller and on the Publishers Weekly Best-seller list. The release of Henner’s book was followed by a national multi-media book tour which included appearances on “Good Morning America,” “The View,” “Anderson,” “Piers Morgan” and “The Talk,” just to name a few. Henner can also be seen around the country in her one-woman show A Memorable Evening With Marilu Henner! and will appear in the feature film “Vamps” scheduled for release in October 2012.
Henner was a pioneer on the Internet, starting her own website, Marilu.com in 1999. She has taught classes for her growing membership ever since, as well as offering online counseling and support.
Henner has spoken before Congress in Washington on several occasions as an expert on dietary supplements, women’s cardiovascular disease, deadbeat parents, and she was one of only two private citizens selected to contribute to the shaping of our Government’s food pyramid. In the spring of 2010, she again faced Congress to present healthy dietary guidelines for kids as part of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 2010. Henner lectures frequently throughout the country as a keynote speaker and motivator for professional organizations, universities, government agencies, interest groups and corporations on topics ranging from diet and fitness, memory, women’s health issues, cardiovascular disease, cancer survival and child rearing; as well as lifestyle, entertainment and business organization strategies.
Henner is married to Michael Brown, CEO and Founder of Browntrout Publishers, (a calendar company!) and the busy mother of two teenage boys, Nick and Joey. Because she practices what she preaches, she has truly become the quintessential portrait of what health and fitness can do for one’s life, and loves to give back to her community in so many ways!
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