Alumni News by decade

2010s

Jonathan Steiger, 2014 — After spending time as an usher for the hit Broadway show, "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," Steiger will join the San Francisco cast as Scorpius, the bewildered son of Draco Malfoy. Unlike his father, Scorpius is a sweeter, more sensitive character, with a sense of mischief and mayhem. Steiger refers to Scorpius as "the funny guy who is very relatable to a lot of people." Information and tickets available at: www.harrypotterplay.com/san-francisco See more
Chris Lanceley, 2010 — Lanceley played the character of Jonathan in the off-Broadway run of "The Play That Goes Wrong" at New World Stages. The comedy-farce played its final Broadway performance in Spring of 2019. Catch Lanceley on the hit series "Blue Bloods" and as MI5 Agent Simon in CBS's "FBI." See more
Juan Pablo Mendive, 2018 — Juan Pablo Mendive breaks new ground in the new play "Rapiña: Four Short Stories Of Love And Predation" in New York's Times Square. Penned by and featuring Argentinian artists, "Rapiña" delves into trials of the human spirit while bringing new and exciting voices to the arts. Mendive will continue to bring new stories to the arts community. See more
Amanda Toan, 2018 — Recent Alumni Amanda Toan is cast in "Neon Tide," the new cyberpunk video game based on the visual novel of the same name. Toan plays the character Aurora, who works an important and critical role. Developed by Skyride Studios, this new and exciting game will be released August 28th, 2019. See more
Benjamin Anderson, 2018 — Founded and run by Academy alum and faculty member Adam Chambers, The LOFT Ensemble is one of the most recognizable Theater Companies in Los Angeles. Recently, graduate Benjamin Andersen was seen starring in "Blues For Mister Charlie." The production was a resounding success and garnered praise from critics and audiences alike. See more

2000s

Katie Aselton, 2004 — Academy alumna Katie Aselton is set as the female lead opposite Nate Bargatze in his multi-camera ABC comedy pilot, from The Carmichael Show creators Jerrod Carmichael and Ari Katcher, showrunner Danielle Sanchez-Witzel and 20th Century Fox TV. See more
Tegan Summer, 2000 — During the curtain call of Broadways "Mean Girls," Tegan Summer got down on one knee. The cast and crew helped him finally pop the question to his girlfriend. Summer has been working consistently in the New York scene, as well as producing and building up Las Vegas arts. See more
Arturo Castro, 2007 — Arturo Castro stars in the new sketch show "Alternatino With Arturo Castro." Based on his own experiences as a Latino millennial in the United States, Arturo both stars and executive produces the show. Castro is also known for his starring roles in Comedy Central's "Broad City" and Netflix's "Narcos." See more
Angelica Briones, 2007 — "Anime Crimes Division" actor Angelica Briones is set to star in the film "The Debt of Maximillian" in 2019. Catch her in her role on "Sinister Minister," which first aired internationally in Summer 2018 that has been consistently re-airs since its debut. See more
Naomi McDougall Jones, 2008 — Writer, actress, producer, and Academy Grad Naomi Macdougall Jones creates TEDTalk. MacDougall Jones' speech titled "The Women in Film Revolution Begins With You" has received over 1 million views on TED.com. Founder & Chief Impact Officer of The 51 Fund, a new venture capital fund dedicated to financing films written, directed, and produced by women. Her new film, "Bite Me," released Spring of 2019 to rave reviews and audience favor. See more

1990s

Taylor Mac, 1996 — Alum and playwright Taylor Mac will receive special honors at the 85th Annual Drama League Awards on Friday, May 17, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York. Mac, whose new play "Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus" will star Nathan Lane and Kristine Nielsen, shall be honored with the Unique Contribution to the Theater Award. Mac was a 2017 Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama his work "A 24-Decade History of Popular Music." See more
Kevin Sussman, 1991 — Character actor and comedy talent Kevin Sussman plays the recurring role of Stuart Bloom in the hit series "The Big Bang Theory." His work in film and television include "Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp," the hit series "The Mentalist," "Burn After Reading," and many others. Sussman is known for strong characterization and impeccable comedic timing. See more

1970s

Steve Shoup, 1975 — Recently directed the one-act farce, "The Carpenter, The Flood, and the Fart," a contemporary update of one of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales." The play went up for the 8th Annual February Short Play Festival: Sex! in New York's Greenwich Village. See more

1960s

Danny DeVito, 1966 — Danny DeVito was doubly honored at the L.A. Italia Fest where he received the Jack Valenti Los Angeles and Italia Legend Award. Devito received Italy's highest civic honors at the ceremony, becoming a Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Devito has seen constant success throughout his career, with roles from Penguin in "Batman Forever," and Frank in the hit series "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." See more
Sandy Martin, 1969 — Making a name for herself over five decades on groundbreaking work, Martin lands the role of Mama Dixon in the film "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." Her eccentric character work landed her roles in "Napoleon Dynamite," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," and the live action remake of "Dumbo." Martin has been known to direct plays with The Los Angeles Company. See more

1950s

Gena Rowlands, 1952 — Receiving well-deserved recognition, Rowlands will join the 2019 Turner Classic Movie Flim Festival for a screening of her 1974 film "A Woman Under the Influence." Directed by Academy alumnus John Cassavetes, “A Woman Under the Influence” looks into the life of Mabel, a wife and mother struggling with mental illness. Rowlands career has marked six decades of award-winning and audience-admired work from "The Notebook," to the comedy series "Monk." See more
Robert Redford, 1959 — Legendary actor Robert Redford, produces a new movie titled "The Mustang". Robert Redford may or may not be retiring from acting, but he’s keeping busy behind the camera, executive producing an inspiring horse drama starring Red Sparrow‘s Matthias Schoenaerts and also features another legendary actor, Bruce Dern. In "The Mustang," Schoenaerts stars as a violent, unhinged convict who undergoes a unique state-mandated rehabilitation program that teaches him to tame wild horses. See more

1940s

Don Rickles, 1948 — Legendary comedian and actor Don Rickles voices Mr. Potato in "Toy Story 4." Rickles' extensive career was not limited to comedy however, performing in "Kelly's Heroes," and "Casino," making a name for himself as an Emmy winning actor. An alumnus of the New York campus, Rickles passed away April 6, 2017 at the age of 90. See more