2016 HONOREES & PRESENTERS
Jane Seymour is the recipient of the Officer of the British Empire (OBE), bestowed upon her by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. Other honors include a Golden Globe Award for her role as “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”, which made history, blazing a trail for family-worthy programming returning to series TV. Jane won a second Golden Globe Award for the highly acclaimed ABC adaptation of John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden”, and won an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Maria Callas in “The Richest Man Alive”. Seymour reached international stardom with such films as “Somewhere in Time” opposite Christopher Reeve and “Live and Let Die” opposite Roger Moore. Miss Seymour is actively involved in numerous charitable causes, including the Reeve Foundation which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis. Jane is a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet and helped participate in the vaccination of 13 million children against measles, which kills over one million children a year. Additionally Seymour is the International Ambassador for Childhelp, an organization dedicated to the research, treatment and prevention of child abuse and is a spokesperson for Camp Soaring Eagle, a medically based residential camp for children suffering with serious illnesses. In 2010 she launched the Open Hearts Foundation, which provides funds to charitable organizations in the areas of Health, Arts, Education, Sports, and honors individuals that exemplify the Open Heart Philosophy in their service to others. Prompted by a period of personal challenge nearly twenty five years ago, Seymour began painting, and her art became the expression of a very private healing process and emerged from this experience as an accomplished, passionate painter. Her talents as a fine artist have led to being selected as one of the official painters of the 2005 Torino Winter Olympics, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Seymour contributes proceeds from her artwork to numerous local and national charities, helping children in need, raising awareness for women’s heart health and other important issues dear to her heart. In 2008, Seymour teamed with Kay Jewelers to design a special jewelry collection called “Open Hearts by Jane Seymour”. The exclusive designs symbolize that love has no boundaries and flows unconditionally. The open heart design reminds us that if we keep our hearts open, love will always find its way in. We are honored to present Jane Seymour with this years ‘Awareness Award”.
JANE SEYMOUR: HONOREE
Nichelle Nichols (born Grace Dell Nichols), is an American actress, singer and voice artist. She began her show business career at age 16 as a singer with Duke Ellington in a ballet she created for one of his compositions and later sang with his band as well as with Lionel Hampton. After switching to acting, she was twice nominated for the Sarah Siddons Award for best actress in “The Blacks” and “Kicks and Company”. Her film debut found her dancing with Sammy Davis Jr. in Porgy and Bess. A guest appearance on The Lieutenant, led to an offer from Gene Roddenberry to join the cast of Star Trek. Her most famous role is that of communications officer Lieutenant Nyota Uhura aboard the USS Enterprise in the popular Star Trek television series (1966–1969), as well as the succeeding motion pictures, where her character was eventually promoted in Starfleet to the rank of commander. Nichols’ Star Trek character, one of the first African American female characters on American television not portrayed as a servant, was groundbreaking in U.S. society at the time. During the run of the series , Nichelle became frustrated with the limitations of her role, and was considering leaving the show. When she met Martin Luther King Jr. at an NAACP event, he told her he considered her a positive role model for African Americans, as she was playing the fourth in command of the Starship USS Enterprise. He persuaded her to remain on the show, and was quoted as saying “Her role became the first non-stereotypical portrayal of a black woman in American television history”. She later repeated her role in a string of successful Star Trek films, beginning with Star Trek: The Motion Picture as well as the succeeding motion pictures, where her character was eventually promoted in Starfleet to the rank of commander. Invited to join the board of directors of the National Space Institute, NASA asked her to participate in its astronaut recruitment program for the space shuttle project. For her work, she received NASA’s distinguished Public Service Award and 1992, received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Recently, she founded an educational consulting firm, Women in Motion Inc. To honor her work and celebrate Star Trek’s 50th anniversary, we are pleased to have Nichelle Nichols as one of this years special Honorees.
NICHELLE NICHOLS: HONOREE
Hal Alpert is a WWII veteran who served his country proudly from 1942 – 1945 in the United States Navy, as a Seaman 1st Class. During his call of duty he was attached to a ships company. When the ship arrived at the Island of Guam, Hal was recruited to serve with the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed on the Island. While guarding the barracks, Hal noticed something moving in the jungle. He went in and handily captured seven Japanese soldiers preparing and attack. He served the rest of his term on the Island until the end of the war, in August of 1945. After the war, Hal returned home to Brooklyn New York and pursued a career in acting. He met his lovely wife Jolie in 1955, on a blind date and they married one year later in 1956. They then moved to Southern California, and currently reside in Northridge California. He and his beautiful wife Jolie celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this past year. Hal continues to stay active in the film and television industry and still makes numerous appearances on national and local shows and recently, Hal Albert joyously celebrated his 90th birthday.
HAL ALPERT: HONOREE
Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Woodhams has served in the US Marine Corps, both active duty and in the reserves, for over 20 years. In 1999 he deployed as a Platoon Leader within the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. His platoon was designated as the ground quick reaction force for the humanitarian mission to the people of East Timor. As a Company Executive Officer for a Light Armored Reconnaissance company, his unit was the spearhead of the advance to Baghdad to remove Saddam Hussein from power. Following Saddam Hussein’s removal from power, Doug was deployed again to Iraq, as a military advisor and was promoted to the rank of Major. He then deployed to Iraq in the fight against ISIS and threats we face from abroad. Lt. Col Doug Woodhams has been the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with Gold Star in lieu of second award), the Navy and Marin Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and two Presidential Unit Citations.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL DOUGLAS WOODHAMS: HONOREE
Joe Lawson is the Visual Effects Supervisor for The Global Asylum now in his sixth year with the prolific Burbank based production company. Joe has worked a variety of media jobs including writing, directing, editing, producing, sound design and shooting television news. He was also the number one television weather announcer at KRTV-3, and was an Advertising Federation Silver Medal winner. Joe also won several Addy Awards and was an Emmy Award finalist. As a visual effects artist, Joe worked for companies such as Digital Domain, Rhythm & Hues, Zoic Studios, UFO Films in Burbank and The Asylum. He also has his own studio Lawson Digital Arts helping low budget and independent filmmakers achieve Hollywood level effects. His projects range from almost one hundred movies for The Asylum (including the pop-culture phenomenon Sharknado movies on Syfy) to killing director Peter Jackson in “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King”. Other credits include “Star Trek: Voyager” and the “Battlestar Gallactica” spin-off, “Caprica”. In addition to visual effects Joe has directed five varied films from science fiction and horror to comedy. From dinosaurs to a fantasy epic shot in far off Cambodia and a World War 2 drama. We are pleased to present local Burbank Visual Effects Supervisor Joe Lawson with a special Honoree Award.
JOE LAWSON: HONOREE
Kurt Yaeger is an actor, advocate for Performers With Disabilities, a former professional Extreme Sports Athlete and a motorcycle enthusiast. He’s widely recognized for his character “Greg the Peg” on the FX original television series “Sons of Anarchy”. He’s also known for roles in “Quarry”, “Shooter”, “Shameless”, “NCIS”, and “Dolphin Tale”. Yaeger auditioned for a Nickelodeon/Clear Channel Communications live tour based on the popular cartoon show “Rocket Power”. At the first day of rehearsals, the director found out that his BMX talent was at a professional level and incorporated it into the show. As a BMX rider, Yaeger gained the nickname “Crowbar” and acquired sponsors for his BMX riding, participating in tours and competing in events. But after experiencing many BMX-related injuries, he decided to go back to college to pursue a master’s degree in hydrogeology. In 2006, while attending school in San Francisco, he was in a motorcycle crash that resulted in multiple injuries. He hit a pole and went over a 40-foot embankment. His left leg was amputated, his pelvis and several ligaments were torn in half along with his bladder, seven vertebra were broken, his lungs collapsed, multiple ribs were broken, and he suffered a severe concussion. One year later, Yaeger made a full recovery, returning to his acting career. We are thrilled to have Kurt Yaeger to present this years “Diversity Award” to Danny Woodburn.
KURT YAEGER: PRESENTER
Patrick Fabian has a long and celebrated career, but he’s having the most fun right now playing Howard Hamlin on the hit television series “Better Call Saul” which is a spin-off of the Emmy Award-winning series, “Breaking Bad”. Television has been the bulk of his career and has had Recurring roles on “Big Love”, “Veronica Mars”, “Providence” and HBO’s “The Newsroom” to name a few. Guest starring roles include “Scandal”, “NCIS”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Criminal Minds”, “Bones”, “Star Trek: Voyager”, “CSI: NY”, “The Mentalist”, and “Friends”. His film the Last Exorcism was an independent 1.3 million dollar horror film which went on to gross over 70 million dollars worldwide and starred Patrick as the male lead. Fans loved his portrayal of the flawed exorcist Rev. Cotton Marcus and he was awarded Best Actor at the prestigious Sitges Catalonian International Film Festival. Other films include “Jimmy”, “Must Love Dogs”, “Tales of Everyday Magic”. “Bad Ass”,”Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike”, “Pig”, “My Greatest Teacher”, “The Good Mother” and “Bad Ass 2: Bad Asses”. On stage, Patrick has worked with some of best playwrights and directors around. He toured America with John Guare’s “Six Degrees of Separation”, directed by Jerry Zaks, Eric Bogosian’s “Humpty Dumpty”, and Nicky Silver’s “The Food Chain”. A converted Californian, Patrick is married to writer/director Mandy Fabian. They live in Los Angeles where they raise their two daughters and two dogs.
PATRICK FABIAN: PRESENTER
Kristen has been following her passion as an actress from the early age of 17 when she was cast in The Sausage Factory, a wonderfully quirky series for MTV. Currently, Kristen had a recurring role as “Ima” on the critically acclaimed FX series, “Sons of Anarchy” and played Morgan Hollingsworth on NBC’s popular daytime drama series, “Days of Our Lives”, as well as many memorable guest appearances on hit TV shows including, “The OC”, “CSI:Miami”, “CSI:NY”, and “The Glades”. Recent projects include a hilarious pilot for CBS called “Friend M”, as well as a terrifying short “Girl at the Door” directed by Academy Award Nominee Colin Campbell. Kristen recently won “Best Actress” at the Claremont Film Festival for her short “Love In Our Time” which she co-produced. She was able to show her comedic side while playing Charlie Sheen’s love interest in “Anger Management”, and is proud of her recent war drama, “Battle Scars”, which portrays the often dark reality service men and woman face adjusting to home life after returning from war. We are pleased to once again have Kristen as one of our celebrity presenters.
KRISTEN RENTON: PRESENTER
John’s first major film role was starring opposite Robert Deniro and Christopher Walken in the “The Deer Hunter”, which garnered five Academy Awards. Another legendary role was playing Claude Bukowski in the film adaptation of the Broadway hit, “Hair”. Other feature films include Terrence Malick’s war film, “The Thin Red Line”, “The Onion Field”, “White Squall” and “The Godfather Part III”. On stage, John appeared on Broadway in David Mamet’s iconic play, “American Buffalo” with Robert Duvall. In more recent years, John’s work has been seen on the small screen as well. He was the recurring character of Donald Lydecker in James Cameron’s series “Dark Angel”, Captain Ransom in the two part episode “Equinox” on “Star Trek: Voyager” and a recurring role as Henry Scudder in the HBO series “Carnivàle”. Other notable TV credits include Guest Starring roles on “Fringe”, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”, “The District”, “Everwood” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”. He is currently starring in the western thriller “The Sorrow” with Michael Madsen and has several upcoming films including the dark romantic comedy “Hit List”, “Bullett” and can be seen playing the President of the United States in the SYFY Original movie “Bermuda Tentacles”. John will be presenting the award to this years recipient for “Best Actor”.
JOHN SAVAGE: PRESENTER
At the age of 13, Kirkland began making super 8 films and working for his father creating “making of” films for major production companies and sparked Kirkland’s desire to seek a career in the entertainment industry. Kirkland developed an interest in drawing at an early age. At the age of 17, he began studying in the Experimental Animation Program at the California Institute of the Arts, earning a BFA degree. In 1976, he won the Student Academy Award for the graphically animated film made to the song “Fame” by David Bowie. After graduating, he applied to Disney, but he was not accepted and instead began working for Hanna-Barbara. He began working on The Simpsons in season two and has since directed over 78 episodes and in season 18, he became the show’s supervising director. Kirkland has won three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Environmental Media Awards and a Pioneer in Television Animation Award from the Burbank International Film Festival for his work on The Simpsons. As an independent filmmaker, Kirkland has written, directed and produced award-winning short films which have been shown at film festivals around the world and screened at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Kirkland is also an accomplished still photographer whose images have been published in US and People magazines. In 2014, we presented Mark with the “President’s Innovation Award” for his short film “The Moving Picture Co. 1914”. We are pleased to have Mark presenting this years Animation Award.
MARK KIRKLAND: PRESENTER
June Squibb’s most recent film appearance was in Alexander Payne’s Nebraska as Kate Grant starring opposite Bruce Dern. She was nominated for “Best Supporting Actress” at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Sag-Aftra Awards, Critic’s Choice Awards, and the Independent Spirit Awards. She had also appeared in director Payne’s earlier film About Schmidt opposite Jack Nicholson. Other films include Welcome to Mooseport, In and Out, Scent of a Woman with Al Pacino and Far From Heaven. Her most recent Indie film (currently in post production) is I’ll Be Seeing You with Blythe Danner. She recently appeared on TV in Getting On, Girls, Glee, Devious Maids, and the upcoming HBO Comedy Special, 8 Days in Hell. On Broadway, June played Electra, the stripper, in Gypsy with Ethel Merman, Happy Time (the musical), Gorey Stories and Sacrilege. We are proud to once again have Oscar Nominee June Squibb as a presenter at this years Awards Show.
JUNE SQUIBB: PRESENTER
Blanca Blanco landed her first lead role in the feature film “Doomed Inheritance” quickly followed by “Dark Reel” worked opposite with Edward Furlong. She starred and produced the Independent film “Cruzando Barreras,” which chronicled her life as an aspiring actress. Blanca is known for her work in “Anatomy of Deception” as well as “Crimes of the Mind” which aired on Lifetime. She worked with Danny Trejo in the film “Bullet” and has also been seen on ION television’s “Defending Santa” and in the SYFY original movie “Bermuda Tentacles”. Blanca is currently working on “In Dubious Battle” directed by James Franco. Blanco’s humanitarian efforts to help people who are living in poverty, has influenced her volunteer work, such as becoming a supporter of the Salvation Army, Lupus LA, CASA LA, Autism Speaks, AIDS society, Breast Cancer Alliance, American Cancer Society and an expert in End of Life issues becoming a leader in educating the community on issues of death of dying and terminal care.
BLANCA BLANCO: PRESENTER
Isaac C. Singleton Jr. not only makes a living playing big, scary guys, but is also known for his comedic wit. The 6-foot-5 actor can be seen as the menacing Bo’sun in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. For Pirates, he admits his character only had two emotions in the film, angry and annoyed. Other roles include the air marshal in the feature film Anger Management, an evil alien in Galaxy Quest and an ape-soldier in Planet of the Apes. Isaac is extremely well-spoken and articulate and has the kind of resonating bass voice reminiscent of James Earl Jones. Isaac has done voice-over work on over 100 video games including Transformers, Halo 4, Street Fighter 3 & 4 and World of Warcraft. On television, his dramatic credits include The X-Files, Crossing Jordan, Marshall Law and Wanted to name a few. Isaac also showed off his comedic chops on hit comedy shows including The Sarah Silverman Project, Arliss, Sabrina The Teenage Witch and MAD-TV. We are pleased to once again have Isaac as one of our celebrity presenters this year.
ISAAC C. SINGLETON JR.: PRESENTER
Crystal Allen is a Canadian actress with major roles in television and film. She starred opposite Brandon Routh in “Crooked Arrows” and “Ghost Storm” with Carlos Bernard. She is currently a series regular on the Canadian sitcom Canooks as a series regular and is also known for her portrayal of the Orion Slave Girl D’nesh on the Star Trek series “Enterprise” and as Navigator Yara in the popular independent film, “Of Gods and Men”. Allen’s additional notable performances are on hit TV shows such as “Castle”, “Body of Proof”, “Haven”, “Prison Break”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Boston Legal”, “Navy NCIS”, “Modern Men”, “Sex and the City”, “The Sopranos”, and the feature film “Maid in Manhattan” and the Hallmark movie “Falling in Love with the Girl Next Door”. Allen starred in the latest two sequels to their already hit films Anaconda 3 & 4. Crystal has been a guest to the Monaco TV Festival in past years and in 2013 was a member of the festival jury. We are pleased to once again have Crystal as one of our celebrity presenters this year.
CRYSTAL ALLEN: PRESENTER
Patrick Kilpatrick’s entertainment career has spanned more than 125 films and television shows as lead actor, producer, screen writer, and director, – from Steven Spielberg’s “Minority Report” to James Cameron’s “Dark Angel”. His action film appearances span a multitude of genres including “The Replacement Killers” against Yun-Fat Chow; Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Caan in “Eraser”; “Last Man Standing” opposite Bruce Willis; “Under Siege 2: Dark Territory” opposite Steven Segal; “The Presidio” opposite Sean Connery and Mark Harmon; and the ever-popular action mainstay “Death Warrant” opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme. He has even done battle with the largest mammal on earth in “Free Willy 3: The Rescue”. Kilpatrick’s notable TV appearances include “Burn Notice”, “Cold Case”, “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”, “Chuck”, “Nip/Tuck”, “24″ as Secret Service Agent Dale Spaulding (the man who “killed” Jack Bauer), “Criminal Minds”, and “The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” Kilpatrick is currently directing and producing the feature film “Active Shooter”. We are pleased to once again have Patrick as one of our celebrity presenters this year.
PATRICK KILPATRICK: PRESENTER
