James Nathaniel Brown turns 79 today! A record setting fullback for the Cleveland Browns back in the day, Jim Brown proved to be a multi-faceted gem after leaving pro sports. He went on to act, produce and direct on both TV and in film and even has some blerd projects to his credit.
In sci-fi and action, Jim Brown’s talents are showcased in Mars Attacks! (1996), The Running Man (1987), Small Soldiers (1998), I’m Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) as well as on the original Knight Rider TV series.
In 1988, Brown founded the Amer-I-Can Program to empower at-risk youth and he also works with kids trying to break out of gang life in both LA and Cleveland.
Today in Blerd History, we remember Duane Jones, born on this day in 1937. A graduate of the Sorbonne in Paris and a professor of English lit, Jones also acted and directed for the stage and served as artistic director at the Richard Allen Center in his native New York City. When cast as the lead in George Romero’s indie classic “Night of the Living Dead” (1968), Jones broke pop culture ground in the horror genre by portraying an African American as the hero. As the indefatigable “Ben,” Jones brought a craftsmanlike artistry to the film that would set it far apart from its B-Movie contemporaries.
While continuing to pursue academia and theater, Jones would become iconic in indie horror throughout the 1970s and ’80s, but his life was cut tragically short when, in 1988, he passed from heart failure at age 52.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TAGtIQvebs
To learn more about Jones’ onscreen work, see his profile @ IMDb: Duane Jones
A native of Las Vegas, Rutina comes from talent- her dad, Ivery, is a tap dancer and mom, Cassandra, is a showgirl. Born on February 1, 1979, Rutina’s best-known blerdy acting credit is doubtlessly her 2008–2014 stint as Tara Thornton on HBO’s vampire series True Blood. Also in the horror genre, Rutina appeared in last year’s 13 Sins and in 2015 fans look forward to seeing her portray Reba McClane on NBC’s Hannibal.
To learn more hit up: Rutina’s IMDb
Grier was born on June 30, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan. He received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.F.A. from Yale School of Drama.
After graduating he was nominated for his role as Jackie Robinson for a Tony for Best Feature Actor in the 1981 musical “The First.” Grier has a long history on Broadway, having been nominated for Tony awards, and performing in productions such as “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, David Mamet’s play “Race” with James Spader, Kerry Washington and Richard Thomas, and “Porgy and Bess” with Audra McDonald.
Grier, however, is probaby best known for being a cast member on Keenen and Damon Wayans’ sketch show “In Living Color,” which ran from 1990 to 1994. He’s also had roles in shows and movies like superhero parody “Blankman,” Amazon Women on the Moon,” “The Cosby Show” spin-off “A Different World” with Lisa Bonet, “Boomerang,” Tales From the Hood,” “Pinky and the Brain” (voice), “McHale’s Navy” (1997), “Bewitched” (2005), and most recently “Peeples” with Craig Robinson and Kerry Washington.
Grier also co-starred with Bonnie Hunt in the film “Jumanji” before joining the cast of her show “Life with Bonnie,” which ran for two seasons.
Dark Matters remembers actor Pat Morita, born Noriyuki Morita in Isleton, CA, on June 28, 1932, and died November 24, 2005. It’s surprising to learn that Morita was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis at age 2, spent most of the nine following years in hospitals, at times wore a full bodycast, and was told he’d never walk again. At the age of 11, he had extensive spinal surgery and began the journey of learning how to walk. After his recovery he joined his family, who were being detained at a Japanese internment camp in Arizona during WWII.
After the war and their release, Morita’s family operated a restaurant, while he worked at various jobs, incuding a data clerk; he also began his career as a stand-up comedian, also performing in an improv comedy troupe called The Groundlings. His first film role was as a stereotypical “henchman” in the 1967 musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie” with Julie Andrews. A recurring role as a South Korean army captain in the TV show “M.A.S.H.” helped advance his career.
One of his best-known roles was on the hit show “Happy Days” as Matsuo “Arnold” Takahashi, owner of the diner Arnold’s for the show’s third season. He left “Happy Days” to star in the TV show “Mr. T. and Tina,” which although short-lived, was the first Asian-American sitcom on network TV. The other famous role is, of course, as Mr. Miyagi with Ralph Macchio in the three “Karate Kid” movies in the 1980s. For this performance, Morita was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1984.
Besides these famous roles, Morita accumulated a long list of performances in his career in shows like TV movie “Amos” for which he earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, TV shows “The Incredible Hulk,” “Love Boat,” “Blanksy’s Beauties,” “Baywatch,” “Sanford and Son,” “Love American Style,” and the lead role as Lieutenant Ohara in the crime drama “Ohara.” His film career includes performances in movies such as the sci fi flick “Shadow Fury,” horror movie, “Full Moon High,” “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues,” and “Mulan” (voice).
Pat Morita paved the way for Asian-American actors, and he continues to be missed.
Happy birthday to actor Yancey Arias, born June 27, 1971, in NYC. Of Puerto Rican and Colombian descent, Arias first demonstrated his talent for performing as a child. A professional singer, he began singing at 12, and his ability to act was discovered during his high school years, when he was selected to study drama summers at Stage Door Manor in New York state. Arias went on to study drama at Carnegie Mellon University, but left his junior year for a five-year stint performing in Miss Saigon on Broadway.
A familiar face to TV viewers, Arias first appeared on television as Emilio Gonzales on soap opera “One Life to Live” from 1994 to 1997. He’s also had roles in a long list of shows, including “The Mentalist,” “Knight Rider,” “Bones,” “Medium,” as appeared in movies like “Legion,” “Live Free or Die Hard,” “The Time Machine,” “CSI” and “CSI: Miami,” the miniseries “Kingpin,” “Charmed,” “The Sopranos,” “Elementary,” “Warehouse 13,” “Revenge,” and “Castle.”
With less of a presence on the “big screen,” Arias still has seen success playing in “Live Free or Die Hard,” and genre flicks, “The Time Machine” and “Legion.”
At only 43, Yancey Arias has seen much success, and with three releases due this year and in 2015, he is sure to continue to making his mark on both the small and big screens.
Dark Matters 
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