ANDERSON — From early silent movies filmed in black and white to the latest in computer-animated storytelling, Madison County has left its footprint on American cinema.
Hollywood films like “Independence Day,” “Hoodwinked” and “That Darn Cat” and television shows including “Bonanza,” “I Love Lucy” and “Law & Order” have all featured Hoosier talent plucked from the county.
Actors, directors and screenwriters from Anderson, Elwood, Frankton and Pendleton are chronicled in Ball State University professor David Smith’s book, “Hoosiers in Hollywood.”
The earliest Madison County Hoosier on film, according to Smith’s list, was Helen Weir, a silent film actress from Anderson. Weir was featured in “The Builder of Bridges” (1915), “The Social Secretary” (1916), “The Incorrigible Dukane” (1923) and “Love’s Old Sweet Song” (1923).
Weir was followed into the film acting world by Anderson natives Michael Champion and James Rebhorn, who’ve found fame playing supporting roles in major Hollywood movies.
Champion’s career includes roles in “Beverly Hills Cop” (1984), “Total Recall” (1990) and “Toy Soldiers” (1991). Champion has since left Hollywood’s spotlight, but Rebhorn is continuing to add credits to his name.
From daytime television stints on “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns” to prime-time television shows like “Law & Order” and “The Practice,” Rebhorn, an alumnus of Madison Heights High School, has dominated the small screen. He has also played large roles in Hollywood blockbusters like “Basic Instinct” (1992), “Independence Day” (1996), “The Game” (1997), “I Love Trouble” (1994), “Carlito’s Way” (1993), “Meet the Parents” (2000) and “Cold Mountain” (2003). Viewers can catch Rebhorn playing a judge in the new Tina Fey comedy “Baby Mama,” in theaters now.
Rebhorn’s filmography, according to the Internet Movie Database, includes more than 100 roles in film and television.
Elwood actors David Canary, Mary Jane Croft and Greg Neff have also captivated American audiences in a collection of roles on both the big and small screens.
Canary has spent much of his career starring as Adam Chandler on the ABC daytime drama “All My Children,” interspersed with more than 30 roles on prime-time shows like “Touched by an Angel,” “Law & Order” and “Bonanza.”
Mary Jane Croft joined the “I Love Lucy” cast and made the transition with Lucille Ball into the sitcom that followed, “The Lucy Show,” as Lucy’s sidekick.
Greg Neff can soon be seen in theaters around the country in “Bait Shop,” Bill Engvall’s latest redneck comedy.
Isabel Withers, a Frankton native, stands as the town’s only known celebrity resident and played minor roles in films like “A Wonderful Life” (1950) and television shows including “Lassie” and “The Bob Cummings Show.”
William Walker, of Pendleton, had roles in “Porgy and Bess” (1959), “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) and “The Great White Hope” (1970).
Actors aren’t the only Madison County natives taking Hollywood by storm. Recently, the sons of Anderson University President James Edwards broke into the business with a twist on a classic children’s story.
Corey and Todd Edwards collaborated to write and direct “Hoodwinked” (2005), a computer-animated comedy about Little Red Riding Hood.
In an AU viewing of the show, Todd Edwards said filmmaking had been a lifelong dream for the brothers. “When we were kids, we wanted to make movies like ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark.’ When we got the opportunity to do this, I said I wouldn’t do a kid’s movie, but it began to make sense.”
The cast and production team of the movie is made up primarily of AU grads including Benjy Gaither, Preston Stutzman, Tye Edwards and Katie (Edwards) Hooten.
Other notable Madison County directors include Ray Enright and George Daugherty.
Enright, an Anderson native, directed 73 films including “Stolen Kisses” (1929), “Naughty but Nice” (1939) and “Wild Bill Hickok Rides” (1942).
Daugherty is a jack-of-all-trades of the music and film industry. As a writer, composer, director, actor and editor, Daugherty has worked all sides of the business, most notably as the director of the Broadway musical “Bugs Bunny on Broadway” (1990).
Home News (ADS ONLY)
Related Photos
-
John P. Cleary
-
John P. Cleary
Discussion
May 18, 2008
A+ SERIES: County's Hollywood connections
- Home News (ADS ONLY)
-
-
Photo gallery: AU vs Mount Saint Joseph Baseball
Photos from the baseball double header and senior night for Anderson University and Mount Saint Joseph on 5/7/10.
-
Comedian Harland Williams coming to Paramount
LOS ANGELES — Canadian Harland Williams was enjoying winter in Southern California. “It’s beautiful out,” said Williams, 47, familiar from roles in films like “Dumb & Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary.” “A bit cold, but is 65 cold? I’ll take this cold any day, thank you.” Williams, whose Indiana performances have been exclusive to Crackers in Broad Ripple, will take the stage at the Paramount on Friday, April 2.
-
Nancy Wood back in Anderson, with ASO
ANDERSON — Nancy Wood stared into the glass vase, full of clear water, with the bare roots of a plant dangling down into it.
-
Auction deal for buyers, not for owners
ANDERSON — An auction held Saturday at a former, popular cabinet manufacturer resulted in deals for local woodwork hobbyists and businesses, but earned less than the new owners hoped for.
-
Ann Duran on the air in Madison County
DALEVILLE — As a child, radio personality Ann Duran remembers her father calling her his mini-Barbara Walters.
-
Weights, measures officials protect consumers
ANDERSON — Whether consumers are filling up their cars’ gas tanks, buying a gallon of milk or drying clothes at a laundromat, one man in Anderson makes sure they always get their money’s worth.
-
AHS rocking to 'Schoolhouse Rock Live!'
ANDERSON, Ind. — With the end of the school year quickly approaching, Anderson High School Performing Arts students are springing into a favorite pastime. With the help of their director of six years, Tiffany Jackson, the group of 12 is putting on a musical, “Schoolhouse Rock Live!”
-
Anderson native to lead county ghost tour
ANDERSON — Growing up in Madison County, Nicole Kobrowski liked to visit some of the area’s creepier places, such as Moss Island Road just west of the city.
-
Sidewalk Prophets looking for a Dove
Sidewalk Prophets know how to please a crowd when they sing Christian pop at concerts across the nation.
Now, they’d like fans to reciprocate to help the band win a Dove Award. -
At Home: Project a bonding experience
PENDLETON — When a four-year project goes on for seven years, the result is often a strained marriage.
- More Home News (ADS ONLY) Headlines
-
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
