91Èȱ¬

ÌýÌýPress Release

03.01.03

TV DRAMA

Taken - Cast biographies

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(In order by episode)

Dakota Fanning - Allie (narrates episodes 1-10, featured in episodes 7,8,9,10)

In her brief career as an actress, eight-year-old Dakota Fanning has worked with some of the top stars in the world.

She has earned a Screen Actor's Guild nomination - the youngest performer ever to do so - for her work in I Am Sam, in which she played opposite Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Fanning has also worked with Charlize Theron, Courtney Love and Kevin Bacon in Trapped, portrayed Reese Witherspoon's younger self in Sweet 91Èȱ¬ Alabama and is now filming opposite Mike Myers in Universal's film version of Dr. Seuss's children's classic, The Cat In the Hat.

Born and raised in Georgia, Dakota Fanning got her first taste of acting at age 6, when she began filming commercials.

She ventured to Los Angeles for pilot season, where she consequently landed roles on shows such as ER, Ally McBeal, The Practice, C.S.I., and Malcolm in the Middle.

Joel Gretsch - Owen Crawford (episodes 1,2,3,4,9)

Joel Gretsch landed his first major film role when he was cast as the legendary golfer Bobby Jones in the Robert Redford directed film The Legend of Bagger Vance opposite Matt Damon and Will Smith.

Since then Joel has appeared with Tom Cruise in Steven Spielberg's Minority Report and with Kevin Kline in the Michael Hoffman film The Emperor's Club.

A native of Minnesota, Joel studied acting at the renowned Guthrie Theatre before moving to Los Angeles, where he landed the starring role in the John Patrick Shanley play Danny and the Deep Blue See.

Television guest roles include: Married...With Children, Melrose Place and Friends.

Catherine Dent - Sally Clarke (episodes 1,2,5)

Catherine Dent stars in the Emmy-award winning dramatic series The Shield, playing Officer Danny Sofer opposite Michael Chiklis.

Born in Baton Rouge, and trained at the North Carolina School of the Performing Arts, Catherine made her film debut in 1994, playing Paul Newman's daughter-in-law in Robert Benton's film Nobody’s Fool.

Since then, she has appeared in number of features, starring opposite Jean Claude Van Damme in Replicant, playing Ashley Judd's sister in Tony Goldwyn's romantic comedy Someone Like You and appearing with Jim Carrey in Frank Darabont's The Majestic.

Catherine's independent film credits include appearances in A Girl's Guide To Sex, Jaded, A New Game, The Debutantes and Dangerous Proposition as well as Paul Schrader's upcoming Autofocus with Greg Kinnear.

Catherine also has an extensive list of television credits, guest starring in series such as Sopranos, Third Watch, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, New York Undercover, Frasier, Dharma and Greg, X-Files, Chicago Hope and The Invisible Man.

Steve Burton - Russell Keys (episodes 1,2,3)

Steve Burton is best known for playing Jason Quartermaine on the daytime drama General Hospital, a role that won him a daytime Emmy and three Soap Opera Digest Awards.

Steve made his major feature film debut playing opposite Robert Redford and James Gandolfinni in The Last Castle.

Born in Indianapolis and raised in Cleveland, Steve moved to California as a teenager.

After attending Beverly Hills High, he got his start in commercials before starring in the syndicated comedy series Out of This World.

In 1995, Steve also appeared on the cover of PlayGirl magazine, fully clothed.

Julie Benz - Kate Keys (episodes 1,2)

Julie Benz turned to acting after a figure skating career that saw her ranked 13th in the United States.

In 1996 Julie landed the role of Darla on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a character she also played on the Buffy spin-off, Angel.

Julie also maintained a recurring role as Kathleen Topolski on the popular series Roswell.

She has worked with Jack Nicholson in As Good as It Gets, Billy Crudup in Inventing the Abbots, David Spade in Black Sheep and starred opposite Rose McGowan in the 1999 comedy Jawbreaker.

Michael Moriarty - Colonel Campbell (episode 1)

Television audiences best remember Michael Moriarty for his work as Ben Stone on Law & Order, a role that earned him four Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination.

Born in Detroit, Michael attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London as a Fulbright scholar.

In the 1970s, he made memorable appearance in films such as The Last Detail and Bang the Drum Slowly, in which he starred opposite Robert De Niro.

In 1974, he won two Emmys for his performance as Jim O'Connor in The Glass Menagerie and added another Emmy and a Golden Globe in 1978 for his performance as the vicious Erik Dorf in the mini-series Holocaust.

Since leaving Law & Order in 1994, Michael has been based in Canada, where he has earned a number of Gemini nominations.

In 2000 Michael wrote and starred in the film Hitler Meets Christ.

He also recently won an Emmy for his portrayal of James Dean's father in the TNT original movie James Dean.

Eric Close - John (episodes 1,5,10)

Eric Close's performance as Michael Wiseman in the CBS series Now and Again tipped him to be one of People magazine's Breakout Stars of 2000.

John, however, has been turning heads since he made his debut as Sawyer Walker on the daytime drama Santa Barbara in 1992.

Born on Staten Island, NY, and raised in San Diego, Eric studied communications at USC but turned to acting after a role in the stage production Rat Songs landed him an agent.

Since then he's starred in series such as McKenna, The Magnificent Seven, Sisters, Dark Skies, and TV movies such as Without Consent, The Stranger Beside Me, and Follow The Stars 91Èȱ¬.

Eric's film credits include American Me, The Sky Is Falling, and the independent romance-drama Liberty, Maine.

Eric currently co-stars in the new CBS missing persons drama Without A Trace.

Tina Holmes - Anne Crawford (episodes 1, 2, 3)

Tina Holmes earned rave reviews in her film debut as the girlfriend of a young man coming to grips with his homosexuality in 1998's Edge of Seventeen.

Since then, Tina has appeared in numerous feature films, including Todd Solondz's controversial film Storytelling in 2001.

On television, she has appeared as a regular guest on Third Watch.

Educated at Brown and Yale Universities, she has also studied with noted New York acting teachers Wynn Handman, Tony Greco, Sheila Gray, Greta Seacat and Jennifer Kapian.

Anton Yelchin - Jacob (episodes 2,3)

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1989 Anton Yelchin was brought to America as an infant by his parents, who were Russian National Pairs figure skating champions.

Anton's acting career began when he was nine years old.

Over the past four years, he's gone from appearing in television commercials to starring in movies such as Hearts In Atlantis, based on the Stephen King novel, for which Anton also won a 2001 Young Artists Award for best performer.

Anton has guest-starred on ER, appeared in the pilot of David Lynch's Mullholland Drive, and worked alongside Drew Carey on the Disney movie-of-the-week Gepetto.

Major roles in feature films soon followed, including the as yet unreleased A Man Is Mostly Water, a supporting role in 15 Minutes, and the title role in director Nick Castle's Independent film Delivering Milo, working with Albert Finney, Bridget Fonda and Campbell Scott.

He also starred with Morgan Freeman in Along Came a Spider.

He has since appeared in the Independent film A Time For Dancing.

Off-screen, Anton manages to live the life of an ordinary American boy, playing chess, reading, and learning to play Beatles songs while honing his guitar and piano skills.

James Kirk - Jesse Keys (episodes 2,3)

James Kirk first came to the attention of agents in Vancouver when he performed in the title role of an amateur production of the musical Oliver.

Shortly after, he landed a lead role opposite Tom Arnold in the Fox Family Channel comedy Golf Punks.

Since then, James has worked with Kathy Ireland on Once Upon a Christmas, Twice Upon a Christmas, and in TV projects such as Seven Days and Due East.

James is currently filming his fourth season on the hit Canadian series Edgemont.

Ryan Hurst - Tom Clarke (episodes 2,3,4,5,6,10)

California-native Ryan Hurst is no stranger to the business of Hollywood.

His mother is well-known acting coach Candy Kaniecki and his father, Rick Hurst, is an actor/producer, best known for his work in The Dukes of Hazzard.

Ryan has worked extensively in film, television and live theatre.

He recently wrapped production on the feature film Lone Star State of Mind.

Ryan's other notable film roles include appearances in We Were Soldiers Once, Remember the Titans, Rules of Engagement, Patch Adams, Saving Private Ryan and The Postman.

On the small screen, Ryan has guest starred on TV series such JAG, Wings and Beverly Hills 90210.

He is also an accomplished stage actor and director.

Ryan earned a Backstage West Award for his performance opposite Rhea Pearlman and Rebecca Gayheart in the Cannon Theatre's production of The Last Night of Ballyhoo.

Ryan also directed, and starred in, his own adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac for the Santa Monica Civic Light Opera.

Chad Morgan - Becky Clarke (episodes 2,3,4,5)

Chad Morgan's film credits include Pearl Harbor, The War At 91Èȱ¬, and Glitter Me Gold, and a starring role in the 1998 Sundance Film Festival film Whatever.

Chad has appeared in a number of television series, including a recurring role on The District and other appearances on Chicago Hope, Wasteland, and Brimstone.

In addition, she starred in the CBS production of William Inge's play, Picnic.

This year, Morgan also appeared on-stage in the 24-Hour Plays at the Henry Ford Theater in Los Angeles.

Willie Garson - Dr. Kreutz (episodes 2,3)

While best known for his recurring role as Stanford Blatch, Carrie Bradshaw's best friend and confidante on Sex and the City, Willie Garson has over 200 television guest appearances to his credit.

Garson has made guest turns on Ally McBeal, Friends, The X-Files, Stargate SG-1, and a memorable turn as Henry on NYPD Blue for two seasons.

He has also appeared in films such as There's Something About Mary, Groundhog Day, Kingpin, and Being John Malkovich.

Born in New Jersey, Willie began studying acting at The Actor's Institute in New York when he was 13 and continued on to major in theatre and psychology at Weslayan University.

Willie continues to work in theatre with companies such as Naked Angels, The Manhattan Theatre Club and the Roundabout Theatre.

Chad Donella - Jacob Clarke (episodes 4,5,6)

Chad Donella began acting in high school and after working in theatre in Toronto made his screen debut with a small part in Renny Harlin's action thriller The Long Kiss Goodnight.

He went on to star in the Canadian series Straight Up, Showtime's series Fast Tracks, and the ABC movie Superfire, as well as guest-starring in series such as ER, The X-Files, The Practice, and Smallville.

In film, Chad has worked opposite James Marsden and Katie Holmes in Disturbing Behavior and opposite Devon Sewa in Final Destination.

He recently starred in the Independent comedy Girl Fever, which is also known as 100 Women.

Desmond Harrington - Jesse Keys (episodes 4,5)

Georgia-born Desmond Harrington was first bitten by the acting-bug during high school, when the theatre department produced a play he had written.

After dropping out of college, Desmond worked odd jobs to pay for acting lessons with John Strasberg.

His dedication paid off when he landed a role opposite Milla Jovovich, John Malkovich and Dustin Hoffman in Luc Besson's Joan of Arc.

Since then, Harrington has appeared with Ben Affleck in Boiler Room, opposite Albert Brooks and Leelee Sobieski in Christine Lahti's My First Mister, and opposite Drew Barrymore in Penny Marshall's Riding In Cars with Boys.

Harrington recently completed work on the Content Films feature Love Object, and is currently featured in the Robert Zemeckis-produced thriller Ghost Ship.

Andy Powers - Eric Crawford (episodes 4,5,6,7)

Television audiences will recognise Andy Powers from his recurring role as Franklin Winthrop in the gritty prison drama Oz.

Raised in El Paso, Texas, Andy moved to New York after high school to study acting.

Andy eventually found his way to an apprenticeship with The Barrow Group.

He worked for several years in experimental and developmental theatre in and around New York.

Powers made his TV debut in 2001, guest starring in the pilot of Barry Levinson and Tom Fontana's Hudson's Way.

He has also appeared on Ed, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Third Watch, and will appear soon in the Independent feature Untitled: A Love Story, written and directed by Alex Baach.

Ryan Earl Merriman - Sam Crawford (episode 4)

Ryan Merriman stars in the new ABC action-adventure Veritas, playing the junior half of a father-son archeology team.

Ryan's acting career began in his home state, Oklahoma, where he worked in commercials and also in local theatre.

He headed to Los Angeles when he was 10, landing a regular role in the sitcom The Mommies, and guest spots on shows such as Touched by an Angel.

Ryan earned critical acclaim for his work opposite Michelle Pfeiffer in the film The Deep End of the Ocean, a performance that earned him his second nomination for the Hollywood Reporter Young Star Award and his fourth Young Artist of Hollywood Award.

Ryan's other credits include playing the young Meyer Lanksy in 1999's Lansky and an award-winning performance as Young Jarod on the series The Pretender.

Matt Frewer - Dr. Chet Wakeman (episodes 5,6,7,8,9,10)

With his uncanny sense of comedy and flair for inhabiting characters with unique personalities, versatile actor Matt Frewer most recently brought the famed detective Sherlock Holmes to life in four original television movies for the Odyssey Network.

His dual-portrayal of cyber-personality Max Headroom and Max's human alter-ego, journalist Edison Carter launched the characters into a television, film, and primetime series on HBO and ABC, as well as international appeal.

Matt's diverse list of both dramatic and comedy television credits include the weekly syndicated series PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal, hosted by Dan Aykroyd.

He had a starring role in the irreverent CBS comedy series, Doctor, Doctor, the Fox series, Shaky Ground and the Stephen King mini-series The Stand.

His featured films include Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Short Time, and The Lawnmower Man 2.

Classically trained at the distinguished Bristol Old Vic Repertory and the National Youth Theatre, Matt performed for ten years on the English stage.

Labelled as a committed environmentalist, Matt is also a volunteer spokesperson for the Rainforest Action Network.

Adam Kaufman - Charlie Keys (episodes 6,7,8,9,10)

Fans of Buffy The Vampire Slayer will recognise Adam from his role as Parker Abrams in Season Five.

Adam has also appeared in a recurring role on Dawson's Creek, and appeared as a guest star on Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Adam studied drama at Lynchburg College, the Circle in The Square theatre school, and at the Eugene O'Neill Center's National Theater Institute.

Emily Bergl - Lisa Crawford (episodes 6,7,8,9,10)

Emily Bergl made her screen debut in 1999, earning raves for her performance as Rachel, a teenager with telekinetic powers, in The Rage: Carrie 2.

Since then, she's appeared in two films, starring opposite Jeff Daniels in Chasing Sheep and opposite Brad Renfro and Dominique Swain in Happy Campers.

Born in England, Emily grew up in Chicago and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Grinnell College in Iowa.

She trained at the Eugene O'Neill Center's National Theater Institute, and has worked in New York theatre, where she won an award for best Broadway debut for her performance in The Lion in Winter, and in regional theatres such La Jolla Playhouse and the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

On television, Bergl has guest-starred on shows such as NYPD Blue, Providence, ER and Gilmore Girls.

James McDaniel - General Beers (episodes 6,8,9,10)

James McDaniel is best known to TV viewers for his long-running performance as Lieutenant Arthur Fancy on NYPD Blue, a role which earned him an Emmy nomination in 1996 for outstanding supporting actor, and four Screen Actor's Guild award nominations.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a degree in veterinary medicine, McDaniel first made his mark on the New York stage, earning an Obie for his work in Before It Hits 91Èȱ¬.

James also won the Clarence Derwent Award, for recognition as the promising actor on the New York stage, for his performance as Paul Portier in Six Degrees of Separation.

After guest starring on shows such as Kate and Allie, Hill Street Blues and Crime Story, James landed a regular role in the short-lived Cop Rock before debuting as Lt. Fancy in 1993.

Other notable television credits include working opposite Anthony Quinn in The Old Man and the Sea, an appearance in the mini-series Queen and an appearance on the PBS children's series Storytime, that also earned McDaniel a Daytime Emmy nomination.

McDaniel's film credits include appearances in Woody Allen's Alice, Spike Lee's Malcolm X and, most recently, John Sayles's Sunshine State.

Heather Donahue - Mary Crawford (episodes 6,7,8,9,10)

Heather Donahue was introduced to fans in the indie hit The Blair Witch Project.

Since then, she has appeared in theatricals such as Boys and Girls, the independent comedy, New Suit and the ensemble drama Seven and a Match.

Taken is Heather's first foray into television.

Before entering the film and television realm, Heather participated in theatre on the East Coast.

She was a member of two theatre companies in New York – Collision Theory and Red Shag Improv Comedy.

Heather has a BFA in Theatre from the University of the Arts in her native Philadelphia.

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Production notes

Steven Spielberg - Biography

Production Biographies

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