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Arab Times
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
A star that ignites hearts and screens
With a career that defies borders and genres, Antonella Salvucci stands as a luminous figure in international cinema. From her roots in Italy to her work in Hollywood, Australia, and India, Salvucci's artistic journey is as diverse as it is inspiring. In this Arab Times exclusive, she shares candid insights into her creative motivations, the lessons learned from both triumph and rejection, her passionate advocacy for women, and her dreams for the future. Her story is not just one of personal success, but of using her platform to inspire and empower others For me, acting is not just about playing a role – it's about telling stories that matter. Every rejection, every challenge, became part of my growth. I believe we're all shaped by different cultures and experiences, and as artists, we have a duty to use our voice to inspire change, empower others, and remind people that resilience and hope can rewrite any script. Born and raised in Italy, Antonella Salvucci first caught the public's attention as a fashion model, gracing the covers of leading magazines in Italy and France. Yet, as she explains, it was her passion for storytelling and her curiosity about the world that soon drew her to acting—a field in which she has found both challenge and fulfillment. 'I really like the globalization of art,' Salvucci told Arab Times. 'I believe that each of us, based on our own background, origins, and experiences, is a kaleidoscope of cultures, languages, and new messages to be transferred. That's why I never stop in the discovery and human evolution that I try in my own way to impress also on the different characters that I go to interpret as an actress!' Her artistic wanderlust has been a defining force in her life. 'As a good Sagittarius, I am always traveling and with my suitcase ready. Since I was about twenty years old, I go especially to America to lock myself in theaters and in international acting masterclasses to feel at one with other artists from different countries, learn from them, compare myself with other methods, and also bring my enthusiasm and my Italian personality. I believe that you have to open your mind also to feel like a more complete human being.' This openness to learning and adaptation has shaped Salvucci's career. She immersed herself in acting workshops with legends like Lino Damiani, Anna Strasberg, and Ivana Chubbuck, and further honed her craft in Los Angeles under renowned coach Bernard Hiller and at the Actors Studio with Oscar-winner Martin Landau. Lessons from legends — and the power of rejection Salvucci's journey has not been without obstacles. She credits both her mentors and her detractors for fueling her growth. 'I thank one by one every single person I have met, especially those who closed the door in my face, who did not believe in me or who said no to me: those are the best teachings to not let you relax, to lower your guard, but they are the engine to make you get up with determination and bring out your talent!' She is quick to express gratitude for her family's support: 'I have wonderful parents who are always my best teachers to teach me the harmony of life.' Professionally, she has learned from some of the greatest names in cinema: 'From Martin Landau, who I had the privilege of following in his lessons at the Actors Studio, to Bernard Hiller my acting coach, to Paolo Sorrentino who directed me in 'The Family Friend,' to Peter Chelsom ('Serendipity,' 'Shall We Dance') with whom I worked in the film 'A Sudden Case of Christmas,' to the masters of Italian cinema like Pupi Avati.' Her resilience in the face of rejection has become a driving force, pushing her to continually evolve and excel. From Italy to the world: Building an international career Salvucci's versatility and commitment have led to a filmography that reads like a tour of world cinema. After establishing herself on Italian television in dramas such as 'The Marshal Rocca' and 'Carabinieri,' her breakout came with the role of a complex noblewoman in Aurelio Grimaldi's 'L'educazione sentimentale di Eugènie.' This performance caught the eye of Paolo Sorrentino and led to further high-profile roles. Her credits include collaborations with directors like Lamberto Bava ('The Torturer'), Giacomo K. Cimini ('Red Riding Hood'), Alessandro Perrella ('The Night of the Sinner' with Robert Englund), and Marco Carlucci ('Il punto rosso'). She has also worked in American productions filmed in Italy, such as 'The Voice & the Diva' (Michael Oblowitz), 'The American Connection' (Jeff Espanol), and 'The Mission Possible' with John Savage (Brett Roberts). Salvucci's artistic curiosity has taken her to India for commercials and film projects, and she has starred in stage comedies, musicals, and the hit Italian TV show 'I Delitti del Barlume 9.' Her recent credits include 'Lamborghini – The Legend' with Oscar-winner Bobby Moresco and a cameo in 'Kid Santa' alongside Alec Baldwin. Art meets advocacy: Using fame for good For Salvucci, acting is more than a profession—it's a platform for change. She is deeply involved in women's empowerment and anti-violence initiatives, seeing her advocacy as inseparable from her creative work. 'I think that every artist has almost a moral duty to commit to humanitarian causes and against violence against women—to use their visibility and influence in favor of important social issues, giving a voice to those who often don't have one and helping to raise public awareness,' she explains. She draws inspiration from actresses like Angelina Jolie, who have become ambassadors for international organizations. 'This is also a bit of my life goal — to unite the light side of the entertainment world with a more solid and structured substratum such as commitment and support for important issues.' Salvucci's advocacy is hands-on: she leads panels at major film festivals, works with the No Violence Project, and participates in global awareness events. 'The commitment for me as an actress and as a woman in these causes comes from the desire to make a concrete difference in the name of popularity to promote justice, solidarity, and social change.' The roles she loves — and the ones she still dreams of Salvucci's range as an actress is remarkable, from noblewomen to action heroines. Yet she remains hungry for new challenges. 'I love to continually change and explore different lives—that's why I like acting. It's like living more lives at the same time and going back to being a child with amazement in your eyes and that constant sense of wonder! There are many roles that I would like to play, certainly strong women with a certain personality and charisma, real women who have suffered but who fight with the strength of their smile and who have the ability to inspire and enchant.' Recent triumphs and future aspirations Recently, Salvucci filmed with Danny DeVito and his daughter Lucy, describing the experience as 'magical.' 'I have a beautiful memory of the set with Danny DeVito and his daughter Lucy DeVito—loving and simple people who love Italy and this job without ever complaining even in the most difficult scenes with the horses, in the rain, in the middle of the ravines.' Her appearance on 'The Bold & the Beautiful' was another milestone: 'The honor of having been on an iconic set that I dreamed of since I was a child will remain in my heart for a long time, next to actors with enormous sensitivity and generosity immediately ready to welcome new ones without stardom or competition. Now I understand why the series has maintained this great success with the public intact for almost forty years of programming!' Looking ahead, Salvucci is on the set of a new Italian film and preparing to shoot a television series that will take her away from Rome for several months. Yet she remains eager to expand her horizons even further: 'I hope with all my heart to be able to shoot a project in the Middle East and be influenced by that sense of happiness, belonging, elegance that you have always communicated to me!' A beacon for the next generation Antonella Salvucci's journey is one of relentless curiosity, artistic integrity, and social commitment. As her career continues to flourish, she remains a beacon of inspiration—an artist who uses her craft not just to entertain, but to empower and uplift.
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
James Dean's former NYC home lists for $6.25M
James Dean may have been Hollywood's classic 'bad boy' — but in 1953, he was living in a traditional Gilded Age brownstone on the Upper West Side. It's now on the market for $6.25 million. Built in 1884, the brownstone is located at 13 W. 89th St. — between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. The 'Rebel With a Cause' and 'On the Waterfront' actor lived there in 1951 as a struggling young actor with his then-girlfriend, Liz 'Dizzy' Sheridan, a dancer and actress who went on to play Jerry Seinfeld's fictional mother, Helen, in 'Seinfeld.' Sheridan later wrote a book about their love affair. Advertisement 9 James Dean. Getty Images 9 The exterior of the 19th-century property. Allyson Lubow 9 The cozy eat-in open chef's kitchen. Allyson Lubow Advertisement 9 An original fireplace in an open living room. Allyson Lubow 9 The listing delivers beautiful outdoor space. Allyson Lubow After a painful break-up, Sheridan burned many of her memories but later found Dean's New York Public Library card with this property's W. 89th St. address. They used to go to the library, where he'd often read about bullfighting as a way to confront fear, he once said. The library card expired in November 1955, shortly after the actor's 1955 death in a car accident at the age of 24. Advertisement While Dean was born in Indiana, he lived in New York in the early 1950s and studied at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg and Elia Kazan. While he first lived in Midtown at places like the Iroquois Hotel, he later moved to this home farther north. He then relocated to 19 W. 68th St., where he was often on the roof rehearsing. There, he also once played conga drums with Sidney Poitier while Harry Belafonte sang 'The Banana Boat Song: Day O,' according to reports. 9 One of the bedrooms comes filled with sunlight. Allyson Lubow 9 Another one of the bedrooms boasts original windows. Allyson Lubow Advertisement Dean often left Hollywood to return to the Upper West Side, even after 'East of Eden' made him a star. He also made his name with 'Rebel Without a Cause.' The 19.5-foot-wide residence now for sale is divided into a renovated owner's duplex and four rental units, but can also convert back to single-family use. The home also comes with 570 square feet of outdoor space. The seller bought it for $4.15 million in 2005, and is downsizing now that her kids are out of the house, listing brokers Richard Pretsfelder and Sophie Smadbeck, of Leslie J. Garfield, told Gimme Shelter. 9 The property also delivers built-in storage. Allyson Lubow 9 There's even exposed brick. Allyson Lubow Perks include two fireplaces and ceiling heights that range from 8.5 feet to just under 12 feet. The owner's duplex is on the second and third levels — and features a formal living and dining area, and a home office. A wraparound floating staircase connects both floors. Original prewar details include wood-framed bay windows. There's a two-bedroom apartment on the fourth floor with a private terrace and two one-bedroom units on the top floor — as well as a garden-level residence with an additional two bedrooms and private garden access.
The Sun
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Watch Celebrity Big Brother's Mickey Rourke forget who housemate is just days after he was axed from ITV show
MICKEY Rourke appeared to forget who a Celebrity Big Brother housemate is - just days after being axed from the ITV show. The Hollywood legend's controversial antics in the house led to an early exit. 4 4 4 Having landed back in LA, a content creator queried Mickey, 72, about his time in Celebrity Big Brother. They asked him, among other questions: "What would you say to JoJo Siwa? Do you have any comments for JoJo?" Looking perplexed, Mickey replied by asking: "Who's that?" "She was on the show with you - JoJo Siwa", the content creator reminded him. Viewers previously watched on as now-axed Mickey came under fire when he directed offensive slurs at US singer JoJo Siwa, who is a lesbian. JoJo's mum weighed into Mickey's actions which lead to his departure. Taking to social media, Dance Moms star Jessalynn Siwa wrote: "To be honest, this is exactly what I was afraid of, something physical. "I know some people think he was making good TV and will be sad he is gone but it's not worth it for ones in the room with him." The Sun revealed ITV bosses slashed Mickey's £500,000 show fee after he repeatedly caused chaos in the house. He joins stars including Roxanne Pallett and Jeremy Jackson who had their big-money fees slashed after being axed. A source said: ' Mickey won't be receiving all his money from ITV. 'If a celebrity gets removed from the house, they don't get the full fee. Mickey Rourke's Career Timeline 1970s: Early career Mickey Rourke began his acting journey in 1971 after studying at the prestigious Actors Studio in New York, under the tutelage of Lee Strasberg. He appeared in minor roles in television shows and films to gain experience. 1978: Made his film debut with a small role in the Steven Spielberg-directed comedy-drama 1941. 1980s: Breakthrough and stardom 1981: Achieved recognition with his role as the arsonist Teddy Lewis in Body Heat, a neo-noir thriller starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner. 1982: Delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Barry Levinson's Diner, showcasing his talent and earning attention as a rising star. 1983: Played a memorable role in Rumble Fish, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, alongside Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, and Dennis Hopper. 1986: Starred in 9½ Weeks, a provocative romantic drama opposite Kim Basinger. The film became a cult classic, cementing his status as a Hollywood leading man. 1987: Gave a standout performance in Angel Heart, a psychological thriller directed by Alan Parker, co-starring Robert De Niro and Lisa Bonet. 1990s: Career decline and transition to boxing 1991: Mickey shifted focus from acting to professional boxing, citing dissatisfaction with Hollywood and the roles he was being offered. He competed in several matches and sustained injuries during his career in the ring leading which led to an addiction to plastic surgery. Throughout the 1990s, Rourke's film appearances were sporadic and mostly in lesser-known or poorly received productions. 2000s: Career comeback 2000: Returned to the screen in supporting roles, including in The Pledge, directed by Sean Penn, and Get Carter alongside Sylvester Stallone. 2005: Achieved a major career revival with his performance as Marv in Sin City, a visually striking neo-noir film directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller. 2008: Delivered an award-winning performance in The Wrestler, directed by Darren Aronofsky. Rourke played Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a washed-up professional wrestler seeking redemption. The role earned him a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. 2010s: Continued success 2010: Portrayed the villain Ivan Vanko/Whiplash in Iron Man 2, starring alongside Robert Downey Jr. 2011: Appeared in Immortals, a fantasy-action film directed by Tarsem Singh. Throughout the decade, Rourke continued acting in smaller films and projects, maintaining a presence in Hollywood while occasionally taking on eccentric or offbeat roles. "It's as simple as that and they will be discussing that with him. 'Mickey was ready to leave the house and it ended up feeling like a mutual decision between him and ITV in the end. "It was getting too much.' 4
New York Times
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Suzanne Rand, Half of a Once-Popular Comedy Team, Dies at 75
Suzanne Rand, who worked with John Monteith in a comedy team that was often compared to the groundbreaking Mike Nichols and Elaine May — and that, like them, became the stars of a two-person Broadway show — died on April 2 in Manhattan. She was 75. Ruben Rand, her stepson, confirmed the death, in a rehabilitation facility. The cause was cardiopulmonary arrest. Ms. Rand and Mr. Monteith — she was the exuberant one; he was the more low-key partner — had backgrounds in improvisational comedy when they formed their act in 1976. Their sketches included Ms. Rand's portrayal of a guilt-ridden fly killer who tries to revive a swatted pest, and the two of them as movie critics assigned to review a pornographic film who then mimic its action. They built sketches around suggestions from the audience — settings, pet peeves, objects, occupations, film and television genres — and performed scripted material. Their male-female partnership and their quick repartee led to comparisons with Nichols and May, who met in the 1950s and whose collection of wry, savvy and satirical improvisations, 'An Evening With Mike Nichols and Elaine May,' reached Broadway in October 1960 and ran for 306 performances. Ms. Rand and Mr. Monteith were thrilled that critics and audiences saw something of Nichols and May in their work. But they themselves saw some differences. 'Nichols and May came across more like neurotics trying to deal with the world,' Ms. Rand told The Plain Dealer of Cleveland in 1984, 'while I feel that we view ourselves as two people dealing with a neurotic world.' In 1978, Monteith and Rand were warmly welcomed at Manhattan clubs like Reno Sweeney and the Bottom Line, and at the Off Off Broadway Theater East. 'To be sure, some of their material is likely to stick in the mind more than others,' Thomas Lask wrote in a review of their Theater East show in The New York Times. 'My own favorite is Miss Rand's solo encounter with a marijuana-smoking bee, never seen but aurally very visible.' That September, they got the call all comedians coveted: Johnny Carson wanted them on 'The Tonight Show.' They performed on Oct. 5, the first of their two appearances on the show. Their success at Theater East led James Lipton, the future host of 'Inside the Actors Studio,' who was then a producer, to take them to a higher theatrical realm. 'He took us to Elaine's and said, 'I'm moving them to Broadway,'' said Bill Russell, who helped put Mr. Monteith and Ms. Rand together and for many years was their assistant, working on their sound and lighting. The show opened in January 1979. The reviews were good, but it was not a hit: It closed after 79 performances. They reprised their act for a Showtime cable special that year and for three public television shows in 1985. One of their fans was the conductor Leonard Bernstein, whose son, Alexander, said he invited them to his apartment at the Dakota in Manhattan. 'He was sure they were about to collaborate on something,' Alexander Bernstein said in an email. But they never did. Suzanne Lorraine Eckmann was born on Sept. 8, 1949, in Chicago and grew up in nearby Highland Park with her mother, Flora, and her father, William, who worked at companies that produced films for television and later worked for the State of Illinois. Suzanne made her acting debut at age 4 as Queen Esther in a nursery school Purim show. As a teenager, she sang in nightclubs and at charity events. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater in 1971. She was hired at the Second City, the celebrated improvisational theater in Chicago, but she did not enjoy her short stay there. 'I had a miserable time,' she told The Times in 1978, adding, 'It's a wonderful place if you have a background, but you can't learn there.' In 1972 she moved to another improvisational company, the Proposition in Cambridge, Mass., where she met Mr. Monteith. They joined forces and, in 1976, were the warm-up act for the singers Janet Hood and Linda Langford, who performed as Jade & Sarsaparilla. Eventually, Monteith and Rand became headliners. They broke up in the early 1990s, Mr. Russell said, although he added in an interview: 'I'm not sure what happened. I think the gigs just dried up.' In addition to her stepson, from her relationship with Lanny Rand, a restaurant manager who died in 2020, Ms. Rand is survived by her brother, William Eckmann. Ms. Rand's work fell off after she split with Mr. Monteith, who taught improvisation at the HB Studio in Manhattan for 25 years and died in 2018. She did voice-over work for advertisers and worked with Summer Salt, a group of writers and improvisers who meet every summer in Chatham, Mass., helping them tinker with scenes for new plays, screenplays, TV scripts and sketches. Jeffrey Sweet, director of Summer Salt's Improv to Script program, recalled how Ms. Rand once displayed her quick wit by resolving a problem in a proposed play. When a bride falls off a mountain and dies on the Friday before her wedding, the groom matter-of-factly tells their immediate families that he's going to hold a celebration of life for her instead — without informing the guests flying in from all over about her death. 'The family around him is appalled,' Mr. Sweet said in an interview. 'Somebody says, 'When people show up, what on earth will we stay to them?' 'And Suzanne said, 'Chicken or fish?''
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
The Martial Artist' to hit North America, UK theatres on April 4
After being postponed due to the LA wildfires, Shaz Khan's The Martial Artist has finally locked a global release date. As per Variety, the film is set to hit theatres in North America and the UK on April 4, just after Eid. Meanwhile, the film is slated for a March 30 release in Pakistan and May 8 in the MENA region, with other global dates yet to be confirmed. Starring Shaz, Faran Tahir, and Sanam Saeed, the film follows the journey of a Pakistani-American MMA fighter who reconnects with his roots in order to defeat the obstacles weighing him down in his career. "MMA provided a compelling lens to explore these themes, especially given its global popularity yet relative absence in cinema," Shaz told Variety. "Beyond the familiar hero's journey of self-discovery and redemption, I saw an opportunity to weave in cultural reclamation and Eastern philosophy through the mentor archetype." Having directed and co-written the script with Michael Ross Albert, the Parwaaz Hai Junoon actor added that the film wishes to highlight that true mastery doesn't come from physical prowess but through self-exploration, be it in fighting or life in general. "This film is about more than MMA - it's about what happens when we strip everything away and confront who we really are," he said. "It's about honouring the past while forging a new path. It's about redemption, not through victory alone, but through understanding what truly matters." Shaz announced the film's postponement in January on Instagram. "Due to the tragic fires in Los Angeles and the circumstances surrounding them, The Martial Artist's release date is going to be pushed forward. We will share the new release date when it is locked. Thoughts and prayers to all those who are affected in these trying times," he wrote. The Moor actor added that he had attached a link to his bio that would redirect his followers to a Go Fund Me campaign for his friend Vince's family. "They suffered an unimaginable loss, losing their entire home and car in the fires. Vince and I have been friends since my Actors Studio days in New York. He was also instrumental in helping us with the edit of The Martial Artist." He expressed his gratitude to fans for their support towards him and the project. "Thank you all for your understanding and support for the past few months," he concluded.
