Youve Got a Firend Cast Bios
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CAST BIOS JOHN SCHNEIDER (Jim Klecan) – Though he will forever be associated with the popular “The Dukes of Hazzard,” John Schneider’s career has run the gamut from film, TV, music and Broadway. Inspired by an early love of movies, such as film classics James Cagney’s “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” Schneider began acting at the age of eight, performing in theater in his native Mount Kisco, New York, where he was born in 1960. The young thesp continued stage acting in Atlanta, after a move with his mother in 1974. Four years later, after learning about a casting search 24-to-30-year-olds from the South for “Dukes,” the 18-year-old John auditioned the part of Bo Duke, lying about his age and background and bringing a six-pack of beer – and landing the part. The popular series ran for seven seasons on CBS from 1979 to 1985. John continued making countless appearances in TV and film throughout the 80s and 90s, including a 1986 remake of John Ford’s western classic, “Stagecoach,” this time starring Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Schneider as the coach driver originally portrayed by Andy Devine. He had the recurring role of Daniel Simon on CBS’s “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” as well as appearances on “Diagnosis Murder,” “Veronica’s Closet” and others – plus the first appearance, in 1995, of the devil on “Touched By An Angel,” a performance which convinced the network to pick up the fledgling series. John became familiar to a whole new generation of fans playing Clark Kent’s father, Jonathan, on “Smallville,” on the WB television network for five seasons, from 2001 to 2006. Schneider has continued stage acting throughout his career, most notably 487 performances in 1990-91 on Broadway in “Grand Hotel” with Cyd Charisse. Other shows have included “Will Rogers Follies,” “Oklahoma” and “Brigadoon.” From 1981 to 1987, he also recorded and released 11 country music albums, one of which, “A Memory Like You,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Music Album Chart – plus four No. 1 singles. In 1983, John helped co-found the Children’s Miracle Network, a charity which helps support medical care for young children throughout the U.S. and Canada. To date, the Network has raised over $3 billion, with Schneider continuing to participate in the organization’s annual telethons, raising millions. Most recently, Schneider directed, produced and edited “Collier & Co.,” a feature about an ex-race car driver’s desire to hold his family together, all the while keeping his toe in (more) HALLMARK CHANNEL/‘YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND’ – Cast Bios – Page 2 the water of the race car world. He will also be appearing alongside Amanda Bynes in this summer’s “Sydney White and the Seven Dorks.” John lives in Los Angeles with his wife of 13 years, Elly, and their three children. DYLAN MCLAUGHLIN (Bobby Graham) – In his short career, Dylan McLaughlin quickly jumped from watching his older brother, Derek, shoot commercials and TV to working alongside the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Will Ferrell. Born in San Diego in December 1993, at age nine Dylan began acting in commercials before swiftly moving into television, appearing in ABC’s 2003 reincarnation of “Dragnet” with Ed O’Neill and PAX TV’s “It’s a Miracle.” This was followed the same year by appearances in CBS’s “The Guardian” and Lifetime’s “The Division” – all before the age of 10. Dylan dipped his toe into comedy with an appearance on “MAD TV,” and in 2004, played the lead in James Franco’s (“Spider-Man”) short film, “Kyle.” That same year, he played opposite comic Andy Richter and Helen Slater in “Seeing Other People,” and in 2005 he portrayed Will Ferrell’s son in the family comedy “Kicking and Screaming.” Dylan also appeared as Daryl Hannah’s son in the 2005 motorcross actioner, “Supercross.” In the summer of 2006, he filmed an episode of Fox’s popular crime drama, “Bones.” Dylan will be seen this May in “Georgia Rule” – featuring a wrestling scene with star Lindsay Lohan, with the two getting separated by a hose from Jane Fonda. Later this year, Dylan will be seen starring opposite Alyson Stoner and Luke Perry in “Alice.” BITTY SCHRAM (Miss Nelson) - While Bitty Schram studied Commercial Art at the University of Maryland in the late 1980s, her heart was back in New York City and acting, where she would hit the stage on summer breaks. A native of nearby Mountainside, NJ, upon graduation the actress headed north to take acting classes with the likes of Sandra Lee, Terry Schreiber and the Gene Frankel Theater. After just 10 months in New York in Off Broadway performances, she landed her first film roles – including her breakthrough part as weepy right fielder Evelyn Gardner in Penny Marshall’s “A League of Their Own” in 1992. Schram worked alongside the likes of Geena Davis, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, and Tom Hanks, the latter admonishing her with the iconic line, “There’s no crying in baseball!” Schram returned to the stage after “League,” for Neil Simon’s Broadway production of “Laughter on the 23rd Floor.” Her film work continued in New York through the 90s. In 1996, she appeared alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and David Schwimmer in the comedy “The Pallbearer,” and worked with Diane Keaton and Robert De Niro in “Marvin’s Room.” Schram also was featured that same year in the popular George Clooney/Michelle Pfeiffer romantic comedy, “One Fine Day.” (more) HALLMARK CHANNEL/‘YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND’ – Cast Bios – Page 3 After relocating to Los Angeles the following year, Schram appeared again with Schwimmer in 1998 in “Kissing a Fool,” and several other roles, gradually making her way to television, with guest shots in 2001 in such series as “Strong Medicine,” “Roswell” and “Felicity,” where she was featured in the recurring role as the lovestruck Rita. But television audiences truly bonded with Schram with her performance as Tony Shalhoub’s feisty assistant in two seasons of USA Network’s popular series, “Monk,” garnering a Golden Globe nomination in 2004. She appeared most recently in the short- lived FX series, “Thief,” in 2006. Schram resides in West Hollywood. JASON BROOKS (Jeff Graham) – Like many thesps, Jason Brooks didn’t start out as an actor, but growing up in Los Angeles surrounded by the business ultimately changed his direction. After earning a business degree, he and future “Heroes” cast member Greg Grunberg started a yogurt company which eventually went under, sending both into their dream careers. After studying briefly, Brooks got his first role in 1990, a bit part in “Captain America.” After a few more films such as Tobe Hooper’s “I’m Dangerous Tonight” and TV spots “Doogie Howser,” “Baywatch”, Brooks landed the role of the nefarious Peter Blake on the NBC soap, “Days of Our Lives” in 1993, performing the character in more than 500 episodes over 3 ½ years. His first year, he was awarded the Soap Opera Digest Award for “Best Villain,” as voted by fans of the series. Following his departure from “Days” in 1997, Brooks made numerous appearances in TV movies, as well as series such as “Friends” and CBS’s “Early Edition,” before landing the recurring role of Thomas Gates on NBC’s “The Pretender.” That role led to two seasons filling David Hasselhoff’s shoes as the lead actor on “Baywatch Hawaii” from 1999 to 2000. Brooks has continued to be a sought-after face on American television, appearing in such series as “The Practice,” “CSI: Miami,” “JAG,” “Boston Legal,” “Pepper Dennis” and “CSI: NY.” The actor appeared in 2006 in an installment of The Hallmark Channel’s “Mystery Woman” series, “Wild West Mystery.” He currently lives with his wife and their two young boys in Santa Monica, CA. -- HALLMARK CHANNEL -- .