Special Guests 2009
(2010 guests coming soon)
Academy Award Winner: Lou Gossett Jr.
Louis Gossett, Jr. is an internationally acclaimed actor, social entrepreneur, humanitarian, and a passionate advocate of civil rights and diversity.
An enduring Hollywood presence for more than five decades, Mr. Gossett ranks as one of the most respected and beloved actors of our time. He is perhaps best known for the role of “Fiddler” in the ground breaking 1977 television mini series “Roots” for which he won an Emmy. He is also the first African American to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as the hard-charging gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
Mr. Gossett, 72, was raised in Coney Island, NY, in an ethnically mixed neighborhood that would serve as the foundation for his commitment to promoting diversity and civil rights. He attended New York University on a basketball scholarship, and briefly played with the New York Knicks before deciding to focus exclusively on his professional acting career.
The recipient of every known acting accolade, including multiple Golden Globes, Emmys, and People’s Choice Awards, Mr. Gossett’s career has connected him with fans of all ages on a global scale. The International Press Academy recently honored him with their 2008 Mary Pickford Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry; he was the first African American to win the award.
Having acted in scores of movies, stage productions and television programs, Mr. Gossett has decided to dedicate the last quarter of his life to “an all-out conscientious offensive against racism.” In 2006 he founded the ERACISM Foundation which seeks to promote education and awareness of racism, ignorance and social apathy. The Foundation strives to empower individuals through their history and culture by connecting them with their past.
Cindy Williams
Cindy Williams is best known for her portrayal, from 1976 until 1982, of loyal and fun-loving brewery worker "Shirley Feeney" in the sitcom Laverne and Shirley. In films from 1970, Williams earned critical and popular plaudits for her work as Ron Howard's girlfriend in American Graffiti (1973) and as a highly unlikely murderess in The Conversation (1974). Williams' later TV-series credits have included Normal Life and Just Getting By. Increasingly active on the business end of show business, Cindy Williams served as co-producer of the two Father of the Bride films of the 1990s.
Dick Delson
Dick Delson has extensive public relations, advertising, promotional and marketing experience and expertise. He has written for film, television, radio and the press. In 2003, he was one of only three recipients of the prestigious Golden Satellite Award from the International Press Academy for Outstanding Service to the Entertainment Industry.
Delson has been involved in high level policy and project planning and execution for entities such as Walt Disney Productions, Filmways Pictures, MCA, Inc./Universal Pictures and the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, Puerto Rico's Industrial and Tourism program "Operation Bootstrap," and the Jamaica, West Indies Industrial Development Corporation.
In addition, Delson has provided publicity for the People's Choice Awards and strategized numerous Oscar & Golden Globe campaigns. Two years ago, motion picture clients scored a record 40 nominations in the 2002 Academy Award competition and won 9, including 8 for Miramax's Best Picture win "Chicago." Delson also worked on the film "Gangs of New York." Most recently, films publicized by Delson included "Kill Bill" Volumes 1 & 2.In 2001, motion picture clients scored a cumulative 31 nominations in the Academy Award Competition and won 5. The films he represented included releases by New Line, Miramax and Sony Pictures. They included the films "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and "I Am Sam" for New Line; "In The Bedroom," "Amelie," "Iris" and "Bridget Jones' Diary" for Miramax; and "Ali" for Sony Pictures. Eleven of the 20 possible acting nominations (for Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress) were from titles represented by Dick Delson.
Tony Pastor Jr.
Tony has directed and/or story edited over 800 hours of Television programming
including such hits as “Spider-Man”, “The Silver Surfer”, “Peter Pan”, “The Avengers”, and “The BackStreet Boys series”. Tony is also a recording artist, a record producer, a writer, and an accomplished stage and film actor.
Growing up in an artistic family (his father, Tony Sr. was the celebrated big band
leader and song stylist of the 40’s and 50’s), he pursued his acting interests and
moved to Los Angeles for the lead role of Tom Lee in the L.A. production of “Tea and Sympathy”. Spotted by a talent scout from Universal Pictures, Tony soon had his first film role acting with Cary Grant and Tony Curtis as Seaman Fox in the classic movie “Operation Petticoat”
Tony’s musical pursuits led him to tour with his brothers across the U.S. and Europe.
While attending college at Columbia University in New York City, Tony was a script reader for famed Broadway producer, David Merrick. Tony entered the advertising business where he quickly became Creative Director at Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample, one of the top ad agencies in the world at that time. Tony has created campaigns for the likes of Coke, Nissan, Maxell, Dr. Pepper, Firestone, Gulf Oil, to name a few.
A chance meeting with Joseph Barbera took Tony in a new direction, as Creative Director and head of development for Hanna-Barbera. Margaret Loesch, later president of Marvel Entertainment convinced Tony to join her and work with,
Creative Head of Marvel Entertainment, Stan Lee.
In 1990, Tony established Pastor Productions to produce family entertainment
for theatrical, television and home video markets. In 1998, Tony became Vice President of Creative Affairs at Stan Lee Media.
Joined Paulson-Matter inc. : in 2003 as VP of Creative Media Development for production of cd-rom/dvd products and special projects.
Brendan Wayne
Grandson of John Wayne, son of Toni Wayne, and newphew of Michael, Patrick, Melinda, Aissa, Ethan, and Marisa Wayne. Currently the star of "Mouth of Caddo: The Legend of Hell's Gate" and numerous other films such as, "The Fast and the Furious", "Hotel for Dogs", "S.W.A.T.", "Angel and the Bad Man", ect. Coming to Freedom Run Winery Saturday, May 9th to premire "Mouth of Caddo."
