The origins of Tangled go way back. Since Walt Disney himself had attempted to adapt the story of Rapunzel into a feature-length animated film during the 1930s and 1940s. But his efforts never fully materialized because the original story was “too small.” The concept behind Tangled originated from supervising animator Glen Keane in 1996. Although Michael Eisner approved his pitch in 2001, he requested that the film be computer-animated. However, Keane was hesitant to do so because early 2000s CGI wasn’t quite as fluid or organic as traditional animation was at the time. Originally the story was supposed to center on 2 San Francisco teenagers who were transported to a fairy tale world where they’d inhabit the bodies of Rapunzel and her male love interest. But the team later decided to do something closer to the original story. Although made with CGI, Tangled was modeled on the traditional look of oil paintings on canvas. Rococo paintings of Jean Honore Fragonard were used as references for the film’s artistic style. To create a painting impression, non-photorealistic rendering was used. At a budget of $260 million, it would be the most expensive animated film ever made. And the title was changed to Tangled to appeal to a gender-neutral audience. Upon its 2010 release, it received rave reviews, $592 million at the box  office, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song. In this post, we’ll meet filmmaker Byron Howard as well as the voices behind Trixie, Mother Gothel, Big Nosed Thug, Vlad, Captain of the Guard, Short Thug, and 3 characters from Cars 2.

381. Kristen Schaal

Dates: 1978-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Longmont, Colorado and grew up on her parents’ cattle ranch in a rural area outside Boulder. Father was a construction worker. Mother was a secretary. Graduated from Skyline High School in 1996. Attended the University of Colorado in Boulder but graduated from Northwestern University. Moved to New York in 2000 to pursue a comedy career. Had her first break in 2005 when she was included in a New York magazine article “The Ten Funniest New Yorkers You’ve Never Heard Of.” Made film debut in 2001.

Movies and Cartoons: Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019) as well as various shorts and series, and the Toy Store 3 video game.

Characters: Trixie

Also Known For: Actress, comedian, and writer known for her distinctive high-pitched, childlike voice. Best known as Louise Belcher in Bob’s Burgers, Mabel Pines in Gravity Falls, Mel in Flight of the Conchords, The Guide in What We Do in the Shadows, Hurshe Heartshe in The Heart, She Holler, Carol Pillbasian in The Last Man on Earth, Sarah Lynn in BoJack Horseman, Amanda Simmons in The Hotwives of Orlando, Hazel Wassername in 30 Rock, Shannon in Despicable Me 2, Anne in Wilfred, and Sayrna in Anthem. Was an occasional commentator on The Daily Show from 2008 to 2016. Film appearances include Kate & Leopold, Poster Boy, Adam & Steve, Delirious, Norbit, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, When in Rome, Valentine’s Day, Shrek Forever After, Dinner for Schmucks, Going the Distance, Butter, The Muppets, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, Welcome to the Jungle, A Walk in the Woods, The Boss, All Nighter, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, Austin Found, Boundaries, My Spy, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Seal Team, and Thelma the Unicorn. TV appearances include The Education of Max Bickford, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Six Degrees, Ugly Betty, Freak Show, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Mad Men, How I Met Your Mother, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Comedy Showcase, Modern Family, Fact Checkers Unit, Scared Shrekless, WordGirl, The Penguins of Madagascar, Soul Quest Overdrive, American Dad!, The Simpsons, Adventure Time, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Archer, Glee, The Hotwives of Las Vegas, Transformers: Rescue Bots, Wander Over Yonder, Corporate, Future Man, Squinters, Bubble Guppies, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?, Dicktown, Big Mouth, Our Flag Means Death, and The Muppets Mayhem.

Personal Life: Married to comedy writer Rich Blomquist since 2012 and they both wrote a book called The Sexy Book of Sexy Sex that was published by Chronicle Books in 2010. Has a daughter named Ruby born in 2018. However, during a charity stream in 2017 with Ethan Klein, Schaal revealed that she suffered an ectopic pregnancy and a ruptured fallopian tube during a recording session for Gravity Falls. She lost at least 2 liters of blood and underwent emergency surgery after being rushed to the hospital.

Later Life: Currently lives in Los Feliz in Los Angeles.

Trivia: Has won an Annie Award for Gravity Falls and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for BoJack Horseman.

382. Donna Murphy

Dates: 1959-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Corona, Queens in New York City, the oldest of 7 children. Father was an aerospace engineer. Family later moved to Hauppauge, Long Island. At 3, Murphy asked for voice lessons and put on a shows as a child there. Later moved to Topsfield, Massachusetts where she graduated from Masconomet Regional High School in 1977. Studied in the New York University drama program but dropped out in her sophomore year when she was cast as an understudy for the Broadway musical They’re Playing Our Song in 1979, which later culminated in her break into show business. Also studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Made her film debut in 1995.

Movies and Cartoons: Tangled (2010) as well as Tangled: The Series and a few video games.

Characters: Mother Gothel

Also Known For: Actress best known for her work in musical theater. Best known roles include Fosca in Passion, Anna Leonowens in The King and I, Ruth Sherwood in Wonderful Town, Lotte Lenya in LoveMusik, Bubbie/Raisel in The People in the Picture, Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly!, Anji in Star Trek: Insurrection, Rosalie Octavius in Spider-Man 2, Dita Mandy in The Bourne Legacy, and Caroline Schermerthorn Astor in The Gilded Age. Stage appearances include They’re Playing Our Song, The Human Comedy, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Hello Again, Twelve Dreams, Wonderful Town, Follies, Anyone Can Whistle, Into the Woods, Dear World, and Gutenberg! The Musical!. Film appearances include Jade, October 22, The Astronaut’s Wife, Center Stage, The Door on the Floor, Ira & Abby, World Trade Center, The Fountain, The Nanny Diaries, Sherman’s Way, Higher Ground, Dark Horse, and Anastasia: Once Upon a Time. TV appearances include All My Children, Another World, Law & Order, Liberty! The American Revolution, The Practice, Ally McBeal, The Day Lincoln Was Shot, The Last Debate, What About Joan?, Hack, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Book of Daniel, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Damages, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Trust Me, Ugly Betty, Made in Jersey, The Mentalist, House of Versace, The Good Wife, Royal Pains, Resurrection, Mercy Street, Doubt, The Blacklist, Power, Gossip Girl, Inventing Anna, and Brilliant Minds.

Personal Life: Married to actor and singer Shawn Elliot from 1990 to his death in 2016. Stepmother to Elliot’s 2 daughters. They also adopted a daughter from Guatemala in 2005.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Has won 2 Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical and has been nominated for 5. Has also won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Special for Lifestories: Families in Crisis.

383. Jeffrey Tambor

Dates: 1944-present

Early Life and Career: Born in San Francisco, California. Father was a flooring contractor. Graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School and San Francisco State University, where he studied acting and went on to receive a master’s degree from Wayne State University. Began his career in a Milwaukee repertory theater and made his Broadway debut in 1976. Made his first film in 1979.

Movies and Cartoons: Tangled (2010) as well as several series and the TV movie Tangled: Before Ever After.

Characters: Big Nosed Thug

Also Known For: Actor best known as Jeffrey Brooks in The Ropers, Hank Kingsley in The Larry Sanders Show, George Bluth Sr. and Oscar Bluth in Arrested Development, Maura Pfefferman in Transparent, Jay Porter in …And Justice for All, Jinx Latham in Mr. Mom, Sully in There’s Something About Mary, Mayor Augustus May Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Tom Manning in the Hellboy franchise, Sid Garner in The Hangover trilogy, Francis Silverburg in The Accountant, and Georgy Malenkov in The Death of Stalin. Film appearances include The Summertime Killer, The Man Who Wasn’t There (1983), No Small Affair, Lisa, Pastime, Life Stinks, City Slickers, Article 99, Crossing the Bridge, A House in the Hills, Radioland Murders, Doctor Dolittle, Big Bully, Meet Joe Black, Muppets from Space, Teaching Mrs. Tingle, Girl, Interrupted, Pollock, Never Again, Scorched, Malibu’s Most Wanted, My Boss’s Daughter, Under the Tuscan Sun, EuroTrip, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Slipstream, Superhero Movie, Monsters vs. Aliens, The Invention of Lying, Win Win, Flypaper, Paul, Lucky, Meeting Spencer, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, For the Love of Money, The Clockwork Girl, A Merry Friggin’ Christmas, The D Train, Trolls, 55 Steps, and Magic Camp. TV appearances include Kojak, Starsky & Hutch, Taxi, The Love Boat, Barney Miller, Three’s Company, Hill Street Blues, M*A*S*H, CBS Children’s Mystery Theatre, Cocaine: One Man’s Seduction, Sadat, Robert Kennedy and His Times, The Twilight Zone, Mr. Sunshine, The New Adventures of Johnny Quest, Max Headroom, Murder, She Wrote, The Golden Girls, Doogie Houser M.D., Who’s the Boss?, Tales from the Crypt, American Dreamer, Empty Nest, Batman: The Animated Series, 1775, Dinosaurs, Pinky and the Brain, The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat, Duckman, Johnny Bravo, The Lionhearts, Tracey Takes On…, The Practice, The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz, Law & Order, WordGirl, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Entourage, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Medium, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Archer, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Love Bites, The Trivial Pursuit of Arthur Banks, Bent, The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange, Next Caller, Bob’s Burgers, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Psych, Phil Spector, Bubble Guppies, The Good Wife, Raising Hope, The Millers, Star vs. The Forces of Evil, Yo Gabba Gabba!, and The Orville. Stage appearances include Sly Fox, Glengarry Glen Ross, and La Cage Aux Folles.

Personal Life: Has been married twice. First wife was Katie Mitchell from 1991 to their divorce in 2000. They have a daughter named Molly. Second and current wife is Kasia Ostlun since 2001. They have a son named Gabriel, a daughter named Eve Julia, and twin sons named Hugo Bernard and Eli Nicholas. Was reported to be a Scientologist in 2007 but disclosed that he left Scientology abruptly “when he was pressured to leave his second wife.”

Later Life: From 2017 to 2018, 3 women accused Tambor of sexual harassment including his assistant, his Transparent co-star, and a makeup artist from an earlier film. Retired in 2020.

Trivia: Has won 2 Primetime Emmys and a Golden Globe.

384. Richard Kiel

Dates: 1939-2014

Early Life and Career: Born in Detroit, Michigan. Grew to a height of 7’1 1/2” due to gigantism, a condition caused by an excess of the human growth hormone. At 9, his family moved to Los Angeles County, California, where Kiel graduated from Baldwin Park High School. Before becoming an actor, he held several jobs including door-to-door vacuum salesman, nightclub bouncer, cemetery plot salesman, and night school math teacher at the William P. Ogden Radio Operational School in Burbank, California. Made first film in 1957 and first appeared on TV in 1958.

Movies and Cartoons: Tangled (2010) and the Disneyland series.

Characters: Vlad

Also Known For: Actor often referred to as “the Gentle Giant” and best known as Jaws in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker, Mr. Larson in Happy Gilmore, and the giant alien in the highly-regarded 1962 The Twilight Zone episode, “To Serve Man.” Due to his enormous frame, Kiel was often cast as villains and henchmen in many of his screen appearances despite his nickname. Mainly earning his nickname for his off-screen nature as a kind and friendly man who was friends with many people he worked with. Film appearances include The Longest Yard, Force 10 from Navarone, Silver Streak, Cannonball Run II, Pale Rider, The D.I., The Phantom Planet, Roustabout, Two on a Guillotine, The Nasty Rabbit, The Human Duplicators, Brainstorm, The Las Vegas Hillbillies, A Man Called Dagger, Skidoo, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Deadhead Miles, Gus, The Humanoid, Think Big, The Giant of Thunder Mountain, and Inspector Gadget. TV appearances include The Rifleman, Klondike, Laramie, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., I Dream of Jeannie, The Wild Wild West, Gilligan’s Island, The Monkees, I Spy, Daniel Boone, Kolchak: the Night Stalker, Emergency!, Starsky & Hutch, Land of the Lost, The Incredible Hulk, The Fall Guy, Out of This World, Superboy, and Bloodhounds Inc.

Personal Life: Married twice. First wife was Faye Daniels from 1960 to their divorce in 1973.  Second wife was Diane Rogers from 1974 until his death. They had 4 children. Although Rogers was only 5’1”, she described their mutual attraction as “We see eye to eye on so many things.” Also was a born-again Christian, stating that his religious conversion helped him overcome alcoholism.

Later Life: In 1992, Kiel suffered a head injury in a car accident, which affected his balance. As a result, he had to rely on a cane for support. Later had to use a scooter or wheelchair for mobility. Published his autobiography titled Making It Big in the Movies in 2002. Died in 2014 at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, California from heart disease at 74.

Trivia: Co-authored a book about the abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay titled Kentucky Lion. Was once offered the role of Chewbacca but turned it down to play Jaws in the James Bond franchise (of course, we all make mistakes). Was said to be terrified of heights despite his giant frame. Lived in a custom-built house with the floor a few feet below ground level.

385. M. C. Gainey

Dates: 1948-present

Early Life and Career: Born Michael Connor Gainey in Jackson, Mississippi. Served in the US Army and was the company mailman at his post in Chakmakli, Turkey in 1969. Also worked as a mortician’s apprentice before he decided to study acting. Attended the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, California during the early 1970s. Made his film debut in 1975.

Movies and Cartoons: Tangled (2010) as well as the series Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure and the live-action The Country Bears.

Characters: Captain of the Guard

Also Known For: Prominent character actor who specializes in villain and henchmen roles. Film appearances include Con Air, Sideways, Django Unchained, Pennies from Heaven, Frances, Soul Man, Fatal Beauty, Spellbinder, Caddie Woodlawn, An Innocent Man, The Mighty Ducks, Leap of Faith, Two Idiots in Hollywood, Citizen Ruth, One Tough Bastard, The Secret Agent Club, Breakdown, Ringmaster, The Haunting (1999), Diary of a Sex Addict, Highway, The New Guy, The Cooler, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Wonderland, Club Dread, Are We Ther Yet?, The Dukes of Hazzard, Two Tickets to Paradise, Beerfest, Wild Hogs, Mr. Woodcock, All About Steve, Love Ranch, Stolen, The Babymakers, The Pardon, Shifting Gears, Emperor, and The Cleaner. TV appearances include Lost, Dynasty, Father Murphy, Happy Days, Knight Rider, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Blue and the Grey, The A-Team, Hart to Hart, Cheers, CBS Summer Playhouse, Hardball, Designing Women, Against the Law, Matlock, L.A. Law, Night Court, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Danger Theatre, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., Touched by an Angel, Nash Bridges, Walker, Texas Ranger, Days of Our Lives, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Pitts, Criminal Minds, Bones, The Young and the Restless, Cold Case, Burn Notice, Life, ER, Justified, Enlightened, Glee, The Walking Dead, The Mentalist, Revolution, Girl Meets World, Kingdom, The Magicians, Lopez, Maron, American Gothic, Riverdale, The Conners, 9-1-1, Bosch, and Tacoma FD.

Personal Life: Has been married to Kim Novicki since 2002.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

386. Paul F. Tompkins

Dates: 1968-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Mount Airy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the fourth of 6 children. First performed comedy in 1986 at 17 at The Comedy Works, where he performed as half of a comedy duo with Rick Roman. Attended Temple University but dropped out. Moved to Los Angeles in 1994. Met actor Jay Johnston through their mutual friend, actor and director Adam McKay whom Tompkins met in Philadelphia. Anyway, Tompkins and Johnston went on to create a live sketch show called “The Skates” that was seen by Bob Odenkirk and David Cross who helped them get hired to work on Mr. Show with Bob and David.

Movies and Cartoons: Tangled (2010) as well as the series Duck Tales and Tangled: The Series.

Characters: Short Thug

Also Known For: Comedian, actor, and writer who’s best known for his work on television and podcasts. Best known as Mr. Peanutbutter in BoJack Horseman. Film appearances include There Will Be Blood, The Informant!, Jack Frost, Magnolia, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny, Super High Me, Drones, Hell and Back, Between Two Ferns: The Movie, The Bob’s Burgers Movie, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, and The Thundermans Return. TV appearances include Mr. Show with Bob and David, Real Time with Bill Maher, Best Week Ever, Rutherford Falls, Tenacious D, The Daily Show, Super Adventure Team, NewsRadio, DAG, Comedy Central Presents, Fraiser, King of the Hill, Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, The Sarah Silverman Program, Weeds, Larry King Live, Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil, Pushing Daisies, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Community, Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time, Regular Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Raising Hope, Last Man Standing, Talking Dead, Bob’s Burgers, Key & Peele, The L.A. Complex, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Adventure Time, @midnight, WordGirl, The Thundermans, Kroll Show, Rick and Morty, Drunk History, Moonbeam City, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Venture Bros., Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, Adam Ruins Everything, Black-ish, Life in Pieces, Another Period, Big City Greens, You’re the Worst, Star Wars Resistance, American Dad!, Tuca & Bertie, Criminal Minds, Brockmire, The Twilight Zone, Corporate, Dicktown, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Central Park, Centaurworld, Jellystone!, HouseBroken, Miracle Workers, The Great North, The Simpsons, Lego Star Wars: Summer Vacation, Pantheon, The Ghost and Molly McGee, Invincible, Clone High, Smartypants, Make Some Noise, Monster High, After Midnight, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and Very Important People. Podcast appearances include Comedy Bang! Bang!, No, You Shut Up!, The Dead Authors Podcast, Spontaneanation with Paul F. Tompkins, Superego, Thrilling Adventure Hour, The Sound of Young America, Never Not Funny, Comedy and Everything Else, WTF with Marc Maron, A Bit of Chat, Stop Podcasting Yourself, Doug Loves Movies, The Nerdist Podcast, The Moth, The Apple Sisters, Earwolf Challenge, The Mental Illness Happy Hour, The Wolf Den, How Did This Get Made?, Who Charted?, Totally Laime, Team Coco, The Long Shot Podcast, Yo, Is This Racist?, International Waters, Pop My Culture, The Todd Glass Show, Analyze Phish, Hollywood Handbook, Judge John Hodgman, With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus, The Worst Idea of All Time, The Indoor Kids, Gillmore Guys, Throwing Shade, Off Book: The Improvised Musical, Hello from the Magic Team, Doughboys, Punch Up the Jam, Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, and Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.

Personal Life: Has been married to Janie Hadad since 2010.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: None.

387. Byron Howard

Dates: 1968-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Misawa, Japan. Raised by a middle-class family on the outskirts of Philadelphia and Issaquah, Washington. Had dreamed of working at Disney and had actually written to Master Animator Frank Thomas, one of Disney’s Nine Old Men, while growing up. Attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Began his career at Disney as a tour guide at Disney MGM Studios. Soon began the Disney Studio Internship and was hired in 1994 as an animator. Soon rose to director by the late 2000s.

Movies and Cartoons: Tangled (2010) and Zootopia (2016) as well as the short Tangled Ever After and Zootopia+.

Characters: Guard 2, Thug 2, Bucky Oryx-Antlerson, and Travis

Also Known For: Animator, character designer, story artist, film director and screenwriter. Best known as a director of Bolt (2008), Tangled (2010), Zootopia (2016), and Encanto (2021). Has worked behind the scenes of Pocahontas (1995), Mulan (1998), Lilo & Stich (2002), Brother Bear (2003), Chicken Little (2005), The Princess and the Frog (2009), Winnie the Pooh (2011), Wreck-It Ralph (2012), Frozen (2013), Big Hero 6 (2014), Moana (2016), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), Frozen II (2019), Raya and the Last Dragon (2020), Strange World (2022), Wish (2023), and Moana 2 (2024) as well as a couple of series and a few shorts.

Personal Life: In the Fusion documentary Imagining Zootopia, he’s admitted that he’s openly gay and married since 1988. Given that gay marriage hasn’t been legal in much of the world for very long, this makes me asks a lot of questions here on what he actually means. My best guess is that he’s been in a relationship with another man since that time and that’s the best I can do.

Later Life: Has Zootopia 2 coming out later in 2025.

Trivia: Has won 2 Golden Globes and 2 Academy Awards. First openly LGBT director to win an Oscar for Best Animated Feature twice for his work on Zootopia (2016) and Encanto (2021).

388. Emily Mortimer

Dates: 1971-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Hammersmith, London in England. Father was an attorney and dramatist Sir John Mortimer. Attended St. Paul’s School for Girls in West London where she appeared in several student productions. Went on to the University of Oxford where she read Russian at Lincoln College and performed in several plays. Before becoming an actress, Mortimer wrote a column for The Daily Telegraph and was screenwriter for an adaptation of Lorna Sage’s memoir Bad Blood. While acting in a student production, a producer spotted her and later cast her as the lead in a TV adaptation of The Glass Virgin in 1995. Made her first film in 1996 with The Ghost and the Darkness.

Movies and Cartoons: Cars 2 (2011) as well as the live-action Mary Poppins Returns and several video games.

Characters: Holley Shiftwell

Also Known For: British-American actress and filmmaker best known as Mackenzie McHale in The Newsroom and Sophie in Howl’s Moving Castle. Film appearances include Scream 3, Match Point, Lars and the Real Girl, Chaos Theory, Harry Brown, Shutter Island, Hugo, Relic, The Ghost and the Darkness, Elizabeth, Notting Hill, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Lovely & Amazing, A Foreign Affair, The Sleeping Dictionary, The Kid, Bright Young Things, Young Adam, Dear Frankie, City Island, Spectral, The Sense of an Ending, The Party, The Bookshop, Write When You Get to Work, Head Full of Honey, Good Posture, Phil, Mary, Paddington in Peru, and Jay Kelly. TV appearances include Doll & Em, The Pursuit of Love, The Glass Virgin, Screen Two, Silent Witness, No Bananas, Midsomer Murders, Coming Home, Cider with Rosie, Noah’s Ark, 30 Rock, and The New Look.

Personal Life: Half-sister of producer and director Jeremy Mortimer. Married to actor Alessandro Nivola since 2003. They have 2 children including their actor son Sam born in 2003 and their daughter May born in 2010.

Later Life: Became an American citizen in 2010. Lives in Boerum Hill in Brooklyn, New York City.

Trivia: Has won an Independent Spirit Award for Lovely & Amazing in 2003. Nominated for a BAFTA for Pursuit of Love.

389. Thomas Kretschmann

Dates: 1962-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Dessau, Bezirk Halle in what was then East Germany. At 19, he began a month-long trek from East to West Germany to escape Communism, losing part of his finger to frostbite. Crossed 4 borders with nothing other than his passport and the equivalent of $100 in his possession. Was trained as an Olympic swimmer. Has been acting since he was 25 starring in numerous European films and TV shows. In 1991, he was awarded the Max Ophuls Prize for best young actor for his role in Der Mitwisser. Went on to star in his first film Stalingrad in 1993. Achieved international recognition as sadomasochistic rapist and murderer Alberto Grossi in The Stendhal Syndrome. Although popular in his homeland, Kretschmann didn’t achieve notice in Hollywood until he starred in The Pianist in 2002.

Movies and Cartoons: Cars 2 (2011)

Characters: Professor Zundapp

Also Known For: German actor who’s appeared in many European and American films. Best known as Lieutenant Hans von Witzland in Stalingrad, Hauptmann Wilm Hosenfeld in The Pianist, Captain Englehorn in King Kong (2005), Hermann Fegelein in Downfall, Major Otto Remer in Valkyrie, Jürgen Hinzpeter in A Taxi Driver, and Baron Wolfgang von Strucker in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron. Film appearances include Shining Through, The Warrior’s Hart, La Reine Margot, The Stendhal Syndrome, Marching in Darkness, U-571, Hostile Takeover, The Knights of the Quest, Blade II, In Enemy Hands, Immortal, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Schneeland, Grimm Love, The Celestine Prophecy, Next, In Transit, Eichmann, Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps, The Young Victoria, Jungle Child, What a Man, Dracula 3D, Open Grave, The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden, Plastic, United Passions, Hitman: Agent 47, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Central Intelligence, Stratton, The Saint, Jungle, Dragged Across Concrete, Balloon, Waiting for Anya, Greyhound, American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally, Infinity Pool, Last Sentinel, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Gran Turismo, Deliver Us, American Star, Upgraded, and Putin. TV appearances include Derrick, Esther, 24, The Karate Dog, Frankenstein, Bionic Woman, Mogadischu, FlashForward, The Cape, The River, Dracula, Berlin Station, Lore, Project Blue Book, Westworld, Das Boot, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, and Biohackers.

Personal Life: Is currently in a relationship with Brittany Rice since 2011. Has 3 children.

Later Life: Currently resides in Los Angeles.

Trivia: Often re-records his own parts in German. Has also worked as a fashion model, including a stint as a face for a scent by Hugo Boss.

390. Joe Mantegna

Dates: 1947-present

Early Life and Career: Born in Chicago, Illinois. Parents were Italian immigrants. Mother was a shipping clerk. Father was an insurance salesman who died of tuberculosis in 1971. Attended J. Sterling Morton High School in Cicero, Illinois. Went to Morton College and the Goodman School of Drama at the then Art Institute of Chicago (now DePaul University), leaving just before graduation in 1969. Played bass in a band called the Apocryphals, which later played with another local group, The Missing Links, who went on to form the band Chicago. Started off in the film industry as a headshot photographer. Made his acting debut in the Chicago production of Hair. Co-wrote the award-winning play Bleacher Bums, which was performed at Chicago’s Organic Theater Company and was part of the original cast. Made first film in 1977.

Movies and Cartoons: Cars 2 (2011) as well as the series Kim Possible.

Characters: Grem

Also Known For: Actor best known as FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi in Criminal Minds, Fat Tony in The Simpsons and The Simpsons Movie, Richard Roma in Glengarry Glen Ross, and Spenser in a series of TV movies between 1999 and 2001. Film appearances include Lakeboat, House of Games, Things Change, Homicide, Redbelt, Three Amigos, The Godfather Part III, Forget Paris, Up Close and Personal, The Money Pit, Off Beat, The Medusa Challenger, Towing, Critical Condition, House of Games, Weeds, Suspect, Bugsy, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Baby’s Day Out, For Better or Worse, Eye for an Eye, Underworld, Albino Alligator, Thinner, Jerry and Tom, Boy Meets Girl, The Runner, Liberty Heights, The Trumpet of the Swan, Off Key, Uncle Nino, Stateside, Nine Lives, Edmond, The Kid & I, Elvis and Annabelle, Cougar Club, Stories USA, Witness Protection, Childless, The Last Hit Man, Lonely Street, Archie’s Final Project, Valentine’s Day, Compulsion,10 Cent Pistol, Kiss Me, Deadly (2015), and The Bronx Bull. TV appearances include First Monday, Joan of Arcadia, The Last Don, The Rat Pack, The Starter Wife, Elvis, Bleacher Bums, Soap, Bosom Buddies, The Greatest American Hero, Archie Bunker’s Place, The Twilight Zone, Saturday Night Live, The Comrades in Summer, The Water Engine, Fraiser, State of Emergency, Duckman, Rugrats, The Sopranos, Hell’s Kitchen: All Stars, As We See It, and Barry. Stage appearances include Hair, Working, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Speed-the-Plow.

Personal Life: Has been married to Arlene Vrhel since 1975. Vrhel owned a Chicago-themed restaurant in Burbank, California called Taste Chicago which closed in 2019 for personal reasons. They have 2 daughters including an autistic makeup artist named Mia (who’s appeared with her dad on KCAL-TV in support of Autism Awareness Month) and actress Gia. Was stricken with Bell’s Palsy in 1988. Although it’s considered temporary Mantegna still has persistent facial characteristics of the disease.

Later Life: Still actively working as of 2025.

Trivia: Had a small role in the film Xanadu. Although his part was cut, his name was still listed in the credit and still receives residuals from the film. Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011. Also the same year, there’s an honorary street sign on the northeast corner of 25^th Street and Austin Boulevard that’s now Joe Mantegna Boulevard and it’s in high school’s location. Received a star on the Italian Walk of Fame in Toronto in 2014. In 2017, Chicago dedicated Joe Mantegna Way, a section of Armitage Avenue where he lived during his early acting days. Received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Film and Television from the Riverside International Film Festival in 2015. That same year, he also received the Saint Pio Award from the Saint Pio Foundation in recognition of his contribution in being an extraordinary individual in “providing relief from suffering to those in need.” Helped Verne Troyer get into the industry and presented him with the Media Access Award before his death. Has co-narrated the National Memorial Day Concert on the Mall in Washington D.C., with Gary Sinise since 2006. Has won a Tony Award and a Joseph Jefferson Award for the play Glengarry Glen Ross. Has been nominated for 3 Emmys.