- Notes provided by Warner Bros. -

No one enjoys the holidays more than Brad and Kate.
Every December 25th, this happily unmarried, upscale San Francisco couple embark on a holiday tradition they have shared every year since they met-ditching their crazy families for a relaxing, fun-filled vacation in some sunny exotic locale.
There, sipping margaritas by the pool, they toast the season, knowing they have once again avoided the chaos and emotional fallout of their four respective households: divorced parents, squabbling siblings, out-of-control kids and all the simmering resentments and awkward moments that are the hallmarks of every family Christmas.
But not this year.
Shorts and sunglasses packed, Brad (VINCE VAUGHN) and Kate (REESE WITHERSPOON) are trapped at the San Francisco airport by a fogbank that cancels every outbound flight. Worse yet, they are caught on camera by a local news crew, revealing their whereabouts to the whole city...and to their families. With no escape and no excuses, they are now expected home by Brad's father.
And Kate's mother.
And Brad's mother.
And Kate's father.
Four Christmases in one day.
As they brace themselves for a marathon of homecomings, Brad and Kate expect the worst-and that's exactly what they get. But as Brad counts down the minutes to their freedom, Kate surprisingly finds herself tuned to the ticking of a different clock.
At the end of the day, each will gain a new perspective on where they came from...and where they're going. Getting to know themselves and each other as they really are could finally give them a chance at the kind of love they've only been playing at.
Vince Vaughn ("Wedding Crashers") and Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon ("Walk the Line") lead a stellar ensemble cast in the romantic comedy "Four Christmases." The film also stars Academy Award® winner Robert Duvall ("Tender Mercies"), Jon Favreau ("The Break-Up"), Academy Award® winner Mary Steenburgen ("Melvin and Howard"), Grammy Award winner Dwight Yoakam, Grammy Award winner Tim McGraw, Emmy Award nominee Kristin Chenoweth ("Pushing Daisies"), Academy Award® winner Jon Voight ("Coming Home") and Academy Award® winner Sissy Spacek ("Coal Miner's Daughter").
The film is directed by Seth Gordon ("The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters") from a screenplay by Matt R. Allen & Caleb Wilson and Jon Lucas & Scott Moore, story by Matt R. Allen & Caleb Wilson. It is produced by Roger Birnbaum ("Wanted"), Gary Barber ("Wanted") and Jonathan Glickman ("27 Dresses"). Peter Billingsley, Toby Emmerich, Michael Disco, Richard Brener, Mark Kaufman and Guy Riedel serve as executive producers, with Derek Evans co-producing.
The creative team includes director of photography Jeffrey L. Kimball, production designer Shepherd Frankel, editors Mark Helfrich and Melissa Kent, and costume designer Sophie de Rakoff. Music is by Alex Wurman, with additional music by John O'Brien.
New Line Cinema presents, in association with Spyglass Entertainment, a Birnbaum/Barber Production, a Wild West Picture Show / Type A Films. "Four Christmases" will be released domestically by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. It is rated PG-13 for "some sexual humor and language." Soundtrack album on New Line Records. www.fourchristmases.com
For downloadable general information and photos for "Four Christmases," please visit: http://press.warnerbros.com

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Home for the Holidays
"This is a movie about the universal theme of the holidays: anxiety," director Seth Gordon deadpans, observing that "holidays, home and family have a way of bringing us back to our roots and exposing our vulnerabilities like nothing else. Which, of course, is fertile ground for comedy."
More specifically, he adds, "'Four Christmases' is about the ongoing struggle we all face, between who we are versus who we were raised to be and, ultimately, who we need to become. That's why going home can be so difficult. The minute you walk in that door you're confronted by images of who you used to be-or how your parents and siblings still see you-and maybe that's not who you are anymore. It's instant discomfort."
The only thing worse than having to suffer such a humbling and embarrassing experience would be having to do it in the company of your significant other, that one person above all others in the world you want to think you're cool. Or, at least, normal. Or, at the very least, not genetically compromised by that socially dysfunctional hive you call family.
"In 'Four Christmases,' Brad and Kate feel that discomfort to the extreme, because they're seeing their histories for the first time through each other's eyes," says Jonathan Glickman, who, along with Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber, produced the film. "For three years, they've been relating as sophisticated, attractive, confident people. In the course of this one day they see the worst of each other, everything they've been trying to hide and protect themselves from. It all comes out."
"The truth is, no matter how much you think you know a person, you can always learn more by watching them interact with family and seeing their childhoods revealed. Parents and siblings really know how to push those buttons," says Vince Vaughn, who stars as Brad.
Reese Witherspoon, who stars as Kate, acknowledges, "The truth is, people tend to evaluate their own relationships in comparison to that of their parents, and that can be a daunting prospect in many ways."
That's precisely why Brad and Kate have been deftly sidestepping the show-andtell, notes Vaughn. "They really love each other and don't want to ruin it. As the story progresses, you realize how they've been hurt by their childhoods and the demise of their parents' marriages. They see the stresses and obligations of family life but none of its joy. So they reinvent themselves as independent adults and stay away to avoid making the mistakes their parents made and so have a happier life."
It's a plan that has been working fairly well, until their Christmas escape gets cancelled and they are suddenly forced to deal with everything...together...all at once.
"When Brad and Kate get caught at the airport and roped into a round of family visits, it results in some uncomfortable, long overdue and very funny moments, as they begin to discover some not-so-flattering aspects of each others' pasts. The story then becomes not only about whether or not their relationship will survive long-term in the light of all this honesty, but whether it will survive the day," says Peter Billingsley, one of the film's executive producers. Billingsley also turns in a cameo as an airline ticket agent facing the couple's frustration when their holiday plans implode.
Appropriately enough, production on "Four Christmases" began in early December, then took a break for the holidays, allowing cast and crew their own private celebrations with loved ones. Naturally, the themes of the movie followed them home. For most, it provided additional comic ammunition for their return to the set.
Gordon recalls, "During the hiatus, I was reminded why this story is so universal. It was tense at home: my sister was annoyed with me, there was this whole thing about who was picking up Grandma for dinner, and I thought, 'This is what makes Christmas funny.' So many details rang true from the movie and made me feel the way I did when I laughed out loud reading the script for the first time. This movie takes all those family dynamics everyone relates to, and just pushes them out a lot farther."
"Everyone brought their neuroses to the table," Glickman confirms. "Whether it was the director, the screenwriters, the actors-everyone has experienced some version of this. We can all relate, no matter how we feel about our individual families, and we all have stories. There are some of Vince's own experiences in here, some of Reese's-it's a mix of everyone's ideas."
"As a documentarian," he adds, "Seth commits to an essential structure but he's willing to let things unfold and, for this kind of movie and this kind of cast, that's exactly what we needed."
Seth Gordon earned widespread acclaim, including a nomination from the Chicago Film Critics Association, for his 2007 documentary "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters," which chronicled an intense rivalry between two men for a video game championship. Offering both humorous and poignant insights, it captured the attention of the "Four Christmases" producers as well as Vince Vaughn, who says, "My thought was, 'this guy is really fresh and funny and thinks outside the box.'"
Supporting Vaughn and Witherspoon in their "Four Christmases" relay is an outstanding ensemble of acclaimed artists whose careers encompass, collectively, the stage, screen, television and music industry. Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek portray Brad's long-divorced parents Howard and Paula, whose lives since their split have grown so far apart it's hard to believe they still share the same language, while Mary Steenburgen and Jon Voight star as Kate's equally incompatible parents, Marilyn and Creighton. Dwight Yoakam stars as Pastor Phil, Marilyn's latest in a series of boyfriends for whom she transforms her life. Jon Favreau and Tim McGraw gang up on Brad as his big brothers Denver and Dallas, and Kristin Chenoweth, as Courtney, puts Kate in her place with a dose of sibling rivalry, sister-style.
Says Gordon, "These are some of the best actors of their generation-of any generation-and their commitment took everything to a higher level. I would have felt lucky to have worked with any one of them."
Throughout production, collaboration most often took the form of improv, with Vaughn setting the pace for the ensemble cast as they explored the comic potential of key scenes and generated new punch lines.
"Vince is a force of nature," Witherspoon attests. "You just let him do his thing and hope you can react around him. He's extraordinarily good at being funny but it's not all for laughs; he never loses sight of where the character is going and the level of emotion involved. I had a lot of fun bouncing ideas around with him and the other actors, watching the story grow and develop. Sometimes we'd feel that we really pinned down a scene and then someone would think of another angle and we'd go back and add more, kind of layering things on top of each other and seeing what works. It was great to see people so inspired and excited about a project."
"Reese's reactions and comebacks were easy to play off, because she comes into it with such an understanding of her character that she can be comfortable playing around in the moment," says Vaughn. "Improv isn't just saying whatever comes into your head when the cameras roll; you have to have a game plan. It's about figuring out what serves the scene."

"All we have to do is get through this day as quickly and painlessly as possible."
First Christmas: Brad's father, Howard
Brad and Kate start their festivities with a bang (and a crash) at Brad's childhood home. Here, his father Howard, played by Robert Duvall, has ruled supreme in butt-scratching bachelorhood since Brad's mother bailed out some 20 years ago, and it shows. From the Ultimate Fighting Championship posters and the motley collection of furred creatures that Brad's brothers have personally shot and stuffed, to Howard's old rabbit-eared TV and his fridge full of beer, "this is clearly a case of testosterone run amok," says Glickman. "With no female interference there's no modulating his behavior and Howard is a wild man. It's like a house of wolves."
Howard's not a bad guy, Duvall offers, "just the kind of a guy who prefers life to the beat of his own drum. It's a crazy dysfunctional existence and we certainly heightened that aspect of it but, the truth is, no matter what you can concoct in your imagination, you know that circumstance exists in some form somewhere. I'm not pointing any fingers," he laughs, "but you can bet there are families like this."
Chips off the old block, Brad's UFC-wannabe siblings, Denver and Dallas, greet him with a flying tackle that slams him flat on his back, taking him instantly back to the days of his not-so-carefree youth.
Jon Favreau, a friend and frequent collaborator with Vaughn since before their career breakthroughs on the 1996 comedy "Swingers," took on the role of Denver during a brief break from his directorial duties on the blockbuster "Iron Man." "I don't think Denver is much of a deep thinker," he admits. "He's more a man of action as opposed to contemplation. He and his brother aspire to be famous cage fighters, and even though they haven't been very successful at it, it's not for lack of practice. When it comes to Brad, I think they harbor some jealousy over the fact that he's become a successful lawyer."
"Consequently, as his older brothers, it's their duty to put him in his place," adds multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter Tim McGraw, whose standout performance in the 2005 drama "Friday Night Lights" prompted the "Four Christmases" filmmakers to offer him the role of Denver's main sparring partner, Dallas. "I didn't need much research for the part," McGraw jokes. "These are grown men who act like 16-year-olds, and that's not too much of a stretch for me. But I had to seriously get into shape for all the wrestling. That Favreau is no lightweight. I had to work hard to kick his butt."
Vaughn credits Favreau with helping develop the brothers' obsession. "We saw them as ultimate fighters, but not great ones you would see on Pay-Per-View, more like guys who fight in people's backyards and then post the videos on YouTube. Favreau took that idea and ran with it, complete with the Mohawk and the tattoos."
The inevitable outcome of their rivalry is a test of wills that takes place, disastrously, on the roof of Howard's house, where Brad attempts to assert his mechanical skill by installing a satellite dish while his brothers give him just enough line to hang himself. Literally.
Meanwhile, Kate takes refuge in the kitchen with Denver's pregnant wife, Susan, played by Katy Mixon ("The Informers"), who lets Kate baby-sit her firstborn, with equally traumatic results.
By the time Brad dusts himself off to go, he is so grateful to escape the house with all his ribs intact that he fails to notice a subtle change in Kate. For one quiet moment in the melee, as Brad reluctantly held his tiny niece, Kate looked across the room and saw her handsome-if flawed-man in a brand new light.
Second Christmas: Kate's mother, Marilyn
The absence of Marilyn's familiar Christmas decorations out front is balanced by a life-size statue of Jesus with outstretched arms, prompting Kate to wonder who her mother's current beau is and what other influences he may be exerting on the household.
Mary Steenburgen, who stars as Marilyn, explains. "She has had a lot of boyfriends. Marilyn is always looking for true love, and even though it eludes her, she remains hopeful that the next man will be the one. With every new boyfriend, she adapts herself and her life completely to his tastes and interests, so that Kate never knows who or what she's going to find when she comes home."
While Marilyn fusses over Brad in habitual homage to anything tall, dark and handsome, Kate has a prickly reunion with her sister Courtney, played by Kristin Chenoweth. A former cheerleader, she is, says Gordon, "one of those girls who peaked in high school and hasn't quite gotten over it, though she remains fiercely positive. We needed an actress in that part who could pull off being really nasty to her sister but still remain relatable and likeable in her own way, and Kristin was absolutely perfect."
It didn't hurt that, as Witherspoon points out, "We're both Southern, small and blonde, so we already look like family. It was a thrill to work with Kristin and create the kind of sibling relationship where we get to tear each other's hair out a little but still make it clear that there's a deep and loving bond at its core."
Says Chenoweth, "Courtney was the big success in high school, while Kate was awkward and unpopular. Courtney expected to get the prize husband and have the perfect socialite life, but things didn't work out that way. Meanwhile, Kate grew into a real swan, with a great job and a cool boyfriend. So now it's big sister's chance to remind Kate-and by the way, Brad-of what she used to look like and what a loser she was."
The holiday observance soon moves to Marilyn's church, where her newfound religious commitment is explained by the introduction of her latest love interest: the charismatic Pastor Phil, played by country music superstar and acclaimed actor Dwight Yoakam, who truly made the role his own.
"Pastor Phil was originally meant to play guitar and deliver a brief sermon, but Dwight brought such stature and swagger to it, with his arms raised and a booming voice that played to the furthest pews," says Gordon. The ensuing brainstorming process eventually produced a giant video screen backdrop with a close-up on his face, a light show, music and a full stage to back him up.
Yoakam reveals, "It was a kind of exploration into moments I've had in my own life, growing up in a fundamentalist church, and I mean that with the greatest affection. The best preachers in that tradition can sometimes be very dramatic in their presentation and speaking style to the point where it can take on some absurd elements, but you know at the heart of it is someone earnestly trying to communicate an idea. In this case, it's universal love. That's what Pastor Phil is all about."
As things rapidly deteriorate from bad to worse, Brad and the extremely stage-frightened Kate are drafted as substitute leads in the church's Christmas pageant, where, under blinding lights and attention, their every miscommunication is amplified. By the time they make their exit and head off to the next stop on the day's agenda, they are barely speaking to each other.
Third Christmas: Brad's mother, Paula
At first glance, Paula's place in Marin seems inviting and comfortable: an airy, pillow-strewn New Age sanctuary and the perfect antidote to the Pastor Phil Show...so what, exactly, could be making Brad so uptight here? Perhaps it's the fact that Paula's journey toward self-actualization has picked up an eager hitchhiker in the form of Brad's former high school buddy Darryl, played by "Swingers" alum Patrick Van Horn. Now Paula's soul mate/life partner, Darryl vacillates between wanting to high-five his old friend and playing "Stepfather Knows Best."
"That was totally Vince," Gordon credits. "He suggested, 'what if she's sleeping with her son's best friend from high school?' and it became this amazing squirm-worthy scene that simultaneously explains how Brad has become so estranged from his mother."
Paula is played by Sissy Spacek, enjoying what she calls "a rare opportunity to cut loose in a fast-paced comedy," and likening the experience to "catching a moving train and trying to stay out from under the wheels."
Indisputably, though, it was Spacek who set the rhythm for Brad and Kate during their crash-and-burn round of Taboo, a game in which players try to get their partners to guess a secret word from their shorthand clues. Though the scene was scripted, it was decided at the last minute to have the actors forego the pre-selected cards and choose at random from the deck, as if playing the game in earnest. "It ended up serving the story better, in bringing out aspects of their relationship in this very public setting," says Gordon.
Entrusted with the penalty buzzer, Paula proves not too clear on the rules. Says Spacek, "Paula thought she was playing the game the way it was meant to be played but kept screwing it up. She was supposed to be buzzing Kate but was buzzing Brad instead, and at the wrong times and they kept looking at her like, 'what?!' Considering that Paula is supposed to be a very well-educated, sophisticated therapist, I think her IQ drops lower and lower as the scene progresses. We should pity her patients."
The speed and spontaneity of Taboo can prompt players to blurt out responses without thinking, exposing hidden feelings. More importantly, it relies a great deal on the strength of personal connections, as players reach for phrases their partners should understand. That Brad and Kate's performance doesn't speak well for their communication skills might indicate that they don't know each other as well as they thought. Or maybe, as Kate is beginning to believe, that they shouldn't even be together at all.
Fourth Christmas: Kate's father, Creighton
By the time they reach their fourth and final destination, the Lake Tahoe retreat of Kate's father Creighton, played by Jon Voight, they have made some tough decisions. Upon their arrival, only Kate gets out of the car.
Once inside, she has an unexpected conversation with her Dad.
Voight, who first worked with Reese Witherspoon on the 1993 Western drama "Return to Lonesome Dove," suggests, "It's a simple scene but it's heartfelt in a way that, I believe, many people will find true. Creighton tries to explain some of the mistakes he made in his life and as a father, and it gives Kate a lot to think about."
Says Gordon, "Creighton was one of the toughest characters to figure out. He isn't introduced early in the film but, rather, becomes this vital chess piece in the story, to sort of sum up everything that has happened thus far and set up the conclusion of the film. Creighton's interaction with Kate really crystalizes everything."
"Jon has such gravity," Witherspoon states. "He's a very thoughtful and sincere actor. He brought so much to his scenes in which he tries to make amends for the way he let her down. It was a beautiful performance and we were all moved."
"Vince suggested Jon from the get-go as someone who could handle the interaction emotionally without making it heavy, to give it meaning and drama but have some sweetness to it, that fit the tone of the film overall," says Glickman. "We used the same rationale in casting all of the parental roles. Rather than looking for comedians, we wanted actors who knew how to make things funny, so we assembled these great actors-every one of them Academy Award® winners-who are renowned for their dramatic roles, and gave them a chance to let loose and have fun."

Deck the Halls
Production began on December 4, 2007, when everyone was already in a holiday frame of mind.
Trained as an architect, Gordon spoke the same language as production designer Shepherd Frankel ("27 Dresses") in setting parameters for the four family homes on Brad and Kate's whirlwind tour. "Seth understands floor plans, models and the use of space. I loved working with him," says Frankel, who holds a masters degree in architecture from UCLA. Details became more meaningful and layered as the characters developed, with Frankel using their finally fleshed-out histories to inform his designs. "We weren't preparing four houses but four individual living environments."
"Each household, like its owner, has its own distinctive vibe," says Glickman.
Gordon explains, "We constructed an elaborate back-story and timelines for all the family members so we could make sense of when things fell apart-which kid would likely have gone to live with which parent, and so forth. In Brad's case, for example, he obviously went to live with his more civilized mother at an early age and they become close, while his brothers bunked with Dad in the 'bachelor cave.' Paula started over, went to school, became a therapist and moved to Marin, and we imagined what her world would look like: stained glass and eclectic, international furnishings, hand-loomed rugs, piles of books, mementos from travel...a kind of a hippie academic aesthetic. You would never mistake her home for any of the others, or vice versa, and that's thanks to Shepherd's virtuosity. Our goal was a commitment to the absurd, but in a way that no one would question."
In contrast, Paula's ex, Brad's father Howard, has happily settled into a state of unchallenged male-centric comfort in what Gordon describes as "a ranch-style tract home that has seen better days."
"We get the feeling that his house hasn't had the slightest upgrade since Paula moved out and since the two teenage boys pretty much wrecked the place," says Frankel. "It has the classic cottage cheese ceiling, fluorescent lighting and 1970s-style accordion doors to the kitchen and, of course, the old-school turntable and TV."
If the house has changed at all in the last 20-plus years, the designer suggests, "it's only in Howard's decorative embellishments that highlight his hobbies and those of his boys-specifically, hunting and fighting-complete with a taxidermy collection of squirrels, chipmunks and a skunk set into shadow boxes in the wall. Even his Christmas spread looks like the same old thing he busts out of the garage every year."
Christmas decoration is also meaningful at the home of Kate's mother, Marilyn- or, rather, the conspicuous lack thereof. It's a clear indication to Kate that Marilyn has a new man, whose influence has prompted her to eschew her usual Santa and reindeer for something a tad more spiritual.
In keeping with Marilyn's malleable personality, her home is characterized by what Frankel describes as "surfaces and veneers, reflecting no real sense of self." At the same time, it reveals a dedication to symmetry and order, with wallpapers matched to upholstery patterns, suggesting the hand of a woman who is constantly striving toward some higher standard of domestic design as much as she strives for the perfect relationship.
Finally, it's a set designed to embarrass Kate, with items from the past poised like tiny land mines to blow up in her face, including photos that chronicle some of the lowest points of her unpopular youth. Worst of all is the inflatable house of horrors she calls a jump-jump, in which Kate relives a painful memory from her childhood.
As an adjunct to Marilyn's house, the party moves briefly to The United Church of Faith and Worship, Piedmont Branch, to showcase Pastor Phil in all his glory.
The church was an environment that morphed considerably from its earliest conception, as Frankel outlines. "Pastor Phil's sermon was originally written as something with a dilapidated smoke machine on a bare stage, but once Dwight got involved, it turned into a real rock n' roll event with projection screens and lighting cues and neon illuminating the nativity. We did keep the smoke, though, and made it a key visual element to the set."
All but one of the interior sets were built on Ren-Mar Studios soundstages.
Pastor Phil's devoted screen congregation filled pews at an existing church in Hawthorne, California. Exterior views of Paula's zen-styled living space were captured outside a private home in Topanga Canyon, while the minimalist entrance to Marilyn's house was finished on a studio soundstage. But the exterior shell and roof of Howard's house had to be constructed, from scratch, on a bluff in the Shadow Hills area of Southern California's San Fernando Valley.
"We were concerned about safety because it had to support the actors on the roof and had to be accessible for the crew to move around with their cameras and equipment," notes Gordon. "Howard's house was built from the ground up and had trap doors to allow access to the roof. We used scissor lifts to shoot from, as well as a huge Titan crane so we could fly around on all sides." The illusion was so expertly crafted that, Frankel recalls, "Some of the cast and crew were shocked when they walked through the front door into nothing. They were asking, 'where's the rest of it?' That's the best compliment I could get-for them to think it was an actual house."
Production captured locations in and around San Francisco, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, the Embarcadero, Chinatown and the San Francisco International Airport. For the opening airport scene, they used an existing terminal, which they filled with 500 extras.
Shooting at the airport was pure serendipity, triggered one evening as the director was returning from a location scout in San Francisco. Gordon relates, "I went to the wrong terminal for my flight and ended up having to walk through a whole section that was closed for remodeling, to get to the gate. It was the perfect spot. All we had to do was put up our own signage."
The fourth and final stop on Brad and Kate's emotional rollercoaster ride is Kate's father's place, set in Lake Tahoe. Befitting the mood of her visit, Gordon envisioned the setting as the most traditional of the four, a home in a classic, almost nostalgic sense, from its formal entry to the spacious dining room, warm lighting and textured wall coverings.
Both interiors and exteriors of Creighton's house were shot at the Boddy House at Descanso Gardens, a public garden and historic site in La Cañada Flintridge, Southern California. Once the residence of Los Angeles Daily News owner and Descanso Gardens founder Manchester Boddy, the Hollywood Regency-style mansion was designed by "Architect to the Stars" James E. Dolena in 1938, and boasts a dramatic 180-degree view of the San Gabriel Mountains through a canopy of oak trees.
As the journey's end point, "It also had to evoke the most traditional Christmas images," says Frankel. "We dressed the greens and built a tree out of poinsettias and lights because it's a nighttime scene and we wanted a beautifully romantic look. Inside, we built a large fireplace and hearth that serves as an iconic image of family gathering, and turned a study into a dining room by building wood paneling to hide bookshelves and adding sconces and wallpaper."
Creighton's house is not only the end of the journey logistically, but in the way that Kate and Brad have run the gamut of the day's emotions and come to a new understanding of what they mean to each other.
"We knew the minute we decided to make 'Four Christmases' that there had to be an emotional heart to it. We expected it would be funny because of the premise and all the physical comedy, but we also knew it had a touching underlying theme of two people coming to terms with their pasts so that they might have a future together," says Glickman.
"By the time they reach the second house on their odyssey," Gordon reveals, "it should begin to sneak up on the audience that even though we're putting them through these humiliating experiences for laughs, the real story is all the stuff they've been hiding from each other. The truth is going to come out and it might drive them into two different directions. But if they don't deal with it and accept it, they'll never get to know each other
for who they really are."
Likewise, they'll never get to know and love their families for who they really are.
"The bottom line is, no one can drive you crazy like your family," says Glickman. "Still, you'll drive 100 miles in the snow, sit in airports for hours, just to be with them on the holidays. It's the human condition. We cannot deny them."
As Kate and Brad's ordeal unfolds, Billingsley observes, "First you think they're insane for not wanting to spend time with their families, then you go with them to all these homes and realize that they're the only sane ones in the bunch. Finally, you realize that the families aren't insane either. Everyone is just trying to find love and do the best they can."
Says Witherspoon, "Family is so important. You have to accept them as they are because, honestly, they're not going to change."
"Ultimately, the story is about what the holiday season itself is largely about: being thankful for your family-the good, the bad and the ugly of it-and being appreciative for the love you have," says Vaughn. "Of course," he adds with a smile, "none of that has to get in the way of having a lot of fun."
ABOUT THE CAST
VINCE VAUGHN (Brad) has established himself as one of Hollywood's biggest names in comedy.
Vaughn recently starred in and co-produced the comedy "Fred Claus," his third collaboration with director David Dobkin. He also co-wrote, produced and starred in the 2006 hit comedy "The Break-Up," opposite Jennifer Aniston. The film opened number one at the box office and went on to gross $205 million worldwide. "The Break-Up" was the first feature film produced under the banner of Vaughn's production company, Wild West Picture Show Productions. That same year, Wild West Picture Show Productions produced "Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights-Hollywood to the Heartland," which chronicles Vaughn and four stand-up comedians on and off stage, traversing the country on a tour bus while performing 30 consecutive nights in 30 cities. The film debuted at the Toronto Film Festival.
In the summer of 2005, Vaughn teamed with Owen Wilson to star in David Dobkin's smash hit comedy "Wedding Crashers." With a domestic box office total of over $209 million, the film is the second highest grossing R-rated comedy to date and the seventh highest grossing R-rated film to date.
In 2004, Vaughn starred opposite Ben Stiller in the hit comedy "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story." That same year, he was also seen in Todd Phillips' "Starsky and Hutch," with Stiller and Owen Wilson. Vaughn also starred in Phillips' 2003 comedy hit "Old School," alongside Will Ferrell and Luke Wilson.
Additionally, Vaughn starred in F. Gary Gray's "Be Cool," with an ensemble cast including John Travolta and Uma Thurman; Doug Liman's 2005 actioner "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie; and the indie feature "Thumbsucker," alongside Keanu Reeves and Vincent D'Onofrio.
A Chicago native, Vaughn first caught the attention of critics and audiences in Doug Liman's 1996 indie sleeper hit and cult classic "Swingers." In 2001, Vaughn reunited with "Swingers" screenwriter and co-star Jon Favreau in the comedy classic "Made," for which Vaughn also served as producer. His additional film credits include "Domestic Disturbance," "The Cell," "Psycho," "The Prime Gig," David Dobkin's "Clay Pigeons," "Return to Paradise," "A Cool Dry Place," "The Locusts" and Steven Spielberg's "The Lost World: Jurassic Park 2." Vaughn was seen last fall in the Sean Penn-helmed "Into the Wild," an adaptation of the nonfiction bestseller by Jon Krakauer.
Under his Wild West Picture Show Productions banner, Vaughn has several projects in development, including "Male Doula," a high-concept comedy written by Dana Fox, based on an idea of Vaughn's; and "Realtors," a satire centered on rival realtors in the cutthroat residential housing market.
He is currently in production on the comedy "Couples Retreat," written by Jon Favreau and set to star Vaughn and Favreau under the direction of Peter Billingsley, about couples who attend a retreat in order to rejuvenate their relationships.
REESE WITHERSPOON (Kate) grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. At the age of 14, she auditioned to be an extra in the coming-of-age drama "The Man in the Moon," and unexpectedly landed the lead.
She went on to star in the movie "A Far Off Place" and the Lifetime feature "Wildflower," directed by Diane Keaton. Audiences watched her come of age in a handful of films, including "Freeway," "Fear" and "Twilight," with Paul Newman, Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon.
In 1999, Witherspoon found the role that showcased her comedic skills for the first time, playing Tracy Flick in Alexander Payne's brilliantly reviewed satire, "Election." She followed up with Gary Ross' "Pleasantville" and a star-making turn in the surprise comedy hit "Legally Blonde."
Her next film, the romantic comedy "Sweet Home Alabama," was also hugely successful, and Witherspoon moved into producing, launching her company with the Elle Woods sequel, "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde." She followed that with a turn as Becky Sharpe in Mira Nair's "Vanity Fair," and in the supernatural romantic comedy "Just Like Heaven."
In 2005, Witherspoon's extraordinary performance as June Carter Cash in the musical biopic "Walk the Line" earned her the Academy Award® for Best Actress, as well as the BAFTA, the Golden Globe Award, the Screen Actors Guild Award®, the New York Film Critics Award, and many other honors.
She has since produced the independent feature "Penelope," with Christina Ricci and James McAvoy, and appeared in the political thriller "Rendition."
She is currently voicing a starring role in the 3D animated adventure "Monsters vs. Aliens," slated for release in March, 2009, and working on a Pixar project for 2011.
In 2007, Witherspoon signed on as the Global Ambassador for Avon, whose Foundation is the largest corporate supporter of women's causes in the world and, in 2008, she visited New Orleans to highlight the work of the Children's Defense Fund on the fundraising special "Idol Gives Back."
ROBERT DUVALL (Howard) is one of the industry's most esteemed and prolific actors, with a career spanning over 45 years and encompassing more than 125 film and television projects.
A six-time Academy Award® nominee, Duvall earned his first Oscar® nomination for his portrayal of Tom Hagen, the Corleone family consigliere in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather," for which he also won the New York Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor. His next Oscar® nomination came for his work in another Coppola film, the 1979 Vietnam War epic "Apocalypse Now," in which Duvall uttered the infamous line, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning." For that performance, Duvall also won Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards for Best Supporting Actor. He received his third Oscar® nomination, his first for Best Actor, for his performance in the title role of "The Great Santini."
In 1984, Duvall won the Academy Award® for Best Actor for his portrayal of a down-and-out country singer in "Tender Mercies," for which he also won a Golden Globe, as well as the New York and Los Angeles Film Critics Awards. He received his fifth Oscar® nomination for his performance in the title role of "The Apostle," which Duvall also wrote and directed, as well as executive produced under the banner of his own production company, Butcher's Run Films. Duvall's performance in that film also brought him a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® nomination, as well as several critics groups' awards, including the Los Angeles Film Critics and National Society of Film Critics Awards for Best Actor. For "The Apostle," he also won two Independent Spirit Awards for Best Actor and Best Director, and earned another Spirit Award nomination for Best Screenplay.
Duvall garnered his most recent Oscar® nomination for his work in the 1998 courtroom drama "A Civil Action," for which he also won a SAG Award® and received another Golden Globe Award nomination. Duvall has also been recognized with an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his role in "Rambling Rose," and a BAFTA Award nomination for his performance in "Network." Additionally, he shared in a SAG Award® nomination as part of the ensemble cast of Billy Bob Thornton's "Sling Blade."
Duvall has also been repeatedly honored for his work on the small screen. He earned an Emmy nomination and won a Golden Globe Award for his role in the 1989 miniseries "Lonesome Dove." Three years later, he again gained an Emmy nomination and won a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the title role of the telefilm "Stalin." He received his third Emmy nomination as well as a SAG Award® nomination for his chilling portrayal of Adolf Eichmann in the telefilm "The Man Who Captured Eichmann." He most recently starred in the AMC's top-rated miniseries "Broken Trail," directed by Walter Hill, which Duvall also executive produced. Duvall garnered Golden Globe and SAG Award® nominations for "Broken Trail," which also received two additional Golden Globe nominations, including one for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television, two more SAG Award® nominations, a Writers Guild of America Award nomination, and a Directors Guild of America Award.
Duvall made his feature film debut in the role of Boo Radley in the 1962 classic "To Kill a Mockingbird." Among his other early film credits are "Bullitt," with Steve McQueen; the John Wayne starrer "True Grit"; Robert Altman's seminal comedy "M*A*S*H," in which he originated the role of Major Frank Burns; and George Lucas' directorial debut feature, "THX 1138." Duvall's long list of film credits also includes "The Godfather: Part II," "The Seven-Per-Cent Solution," "The Eagle Has Landed," "True Confessions," "Colors," "Days of Thunder," "Falling Down," "Wrestling Ernest Hemingway," "Something to Talk About," "Phenomenon," "Deep Impact," "Gone in 60 Seconds," "John Q," "Gods and Generals," "Open Range," "Secondhand Lions," "Kicking & Screaming," "Thank You for Smoking" and Curtis Hanson's "Lucky You."
In addition, Duvall produced and starred in "A Family Thing," and wrote, directed, produced and starred in "Assassination Tango." Both films were produced by Butcher's Run Films. He had previously directed the documentaries "We're Not the Jet Set" and "Angelo My Love." Duvall's most recent starring role was in the crime drama "We Own the Night," with Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg and Eva Mendes. Early next year he will be seen on screen with Viggo Mortensen in the thriller "The Road."
JON FAVREAU (Denver) is a true multi-hyphenate. After getting his break as an actor in "Rudy," Favreau went on to establish himself as a writer of considerable talent with the acclaimed hipster comedy "Swingers," in which he also starred, and has continued to challenge himself with a variety of projects.
His most recent success as a director is the blockbuster action adventure hit "Iron Man," starring Robert Downey Jr. Prior to that, he directed "Zathura," a children's adventure film starring Tim Robbins, and, in 2003, he directed the acclaimed holiday smash hit "Elf," starring Will Ferrell. Favreau made his feature film directorial debut with "Made," from a script he wrote. He also starred in the film, opposite Vince Vaughn and Sean Combs.
In front of the camera, Favreau was most recently seen opposite Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston in the comedy "The Break-Up." He was also seen in "Wimbledon," alongside Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany; "Something's Gotta Give"; the Mark Steven Johnson film "Daredevil," with Ben Affleck, an adaptation of the Marvel Comics franchise; and in the title role of legendary heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano in the biopic "Rocky Marciano."
Favreau's additional film credits include "Love and Sex," opposite Famke Janssen; "The Replacements," with Keanu Reeves; "Very Bad Things," opposite Christian Slater and Cameron Diaz; and "Deep Impact," with Robert Duvall, Morgan Freeman and Vanessa Redgrave.
His television credits include a recurring role on "Friends" and a special appearance on HBO's critically acclaimed "The Sopranos," playing himself. Favreau also added the title of show-runner to his list of credits as the creator, producer and host of the Emmynominated IFC series "Dinner for Five."
Among his upcoming projects is the John Hamburg comedy "I Love You, Man," set for a January 2009 release. He is currently in production on the comedy "Couples Retreat," in which he will star with Vince Vaughn. Favreau is also in pre-production on the much anticipated sequel to "Iron Man."
MARY STEENBURGEN (Marilyn) earned an Academy Award® for her role in "Melvin and Howard."
She has recently wrapped production on several feature projects set for upcoming release, including the comedy drama "Open Roads," starring Jeff Bridges and Justin Timberlake, the drama "In The Electric Mist," with Tommy Lee Jones, and the romantic comedy "The Proposal," with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.
Steenburgen most recently starred in the hit comedy "Step Brothers," with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, and in Neil Jordan's psychological drama "The Brave One," starring Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard. In 2006 she shot "Nobel Son," starring opposite Alan Rickman and Bill Pullman and, prior to that, starred for two seasons on the Emmy-nominated CBS series "Joan of Arcadia." In February 2006, Steenburgen starred on stage in the David Mamet-directed play "Boston Marriage," at The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Steenburgen's previous credits include a starring role in the holiday comedy "Elf," alongside Will Ferrell and James Caan; the independent feature "Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School"; and the CBS television film "It Must Be Love," in which she co-starred with her husband, Ted Danson. She has appeared in two films for director John Sayles: "Sunshine State" and "Casa de los Babys." In 2001, she starred alongside Kevin Kline in Irwin Winkler's "Life as a House," which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. In 2002, she starred with Danson in the CBS television miniseries "Talking to Heaven." The couple previously worked together in 1996 on the critically acclaimed NBC miniseries "Gulliver's Travels" and in the 1994 film "Pontiac Moon."
Steenburgen starred with Jon Voight and F. Murray Abraham in Robert Halmi's "Noah's Ark" for NBC, and was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award® for her role in "About Sarah," a two-hour television movie for CBS in which she played a developmentally disabled adult.
Other notable credits include roles in such films as "Philadelphia," "Parenthood," "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "The Grass Harp," "Back to the Future III," "Time After Time," "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy," "Cross Creek," "One Magic Christmas," "Dead of Winter" and "End of the Line," on which she also served as executive producer.
Steenburgen's stage career includes roles in "The Beginning of August," "Holiday," George Bernard Shaw's "Candida" at New York's Roundabout Theater and "Marvin's Room" at the Tiffany Theater in Los Angeles.
In 1989, she and fellow actress Alfre Woodard founded Artists for a Free South Africa, and, in 1996, Steenburgen and Ted Danson were presented with Liberty Hill Foundation's prestigious Upton Sinclair Award for their work in human rights and environmental causes.
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Steenburgen is the daughter of a railroad conductor and a public high school secretary. She began her career at 19 in New York.
DWIGHT YOAKAM (Pastor Phil) is a one-of-a-kind entertainer. Once deemed "too country" for Nashville at the start of his musical career in the mid-'80s, his individualistic style has never fit into any one box. Drawing from a range of influences from Elvis to Merle Haggard, he has created his own potent blend of country and rock that honors his musical forebears while creating something new.
To date, Yoakam has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, placing him in an elite cadre of global superstars. He has 12 gold albums and 9 platinum or multi-platinum albums, including the triple platinum "This Time." Five of those albums have topped Billboard's Country Albums chart with another fourteen landing in the Top 10. More than 30 singles have charted, with 22 reaching top 20, including the incomparable hits "Honky Tonk Man," "Please Please Baby," "Little Ways," "I Sang Dixie," "It Only Hurts When I Cry," "Fast as You" and "Thousand Miles from Nowhere." He has won two Grammy Awards and earned a staggering 21 nominations.
His debut album, "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.," had critics and fans alike taking notice, and launched the New Traditionalist movement. Over his next several albums, including "Hillbilly Deluxe," "Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room" and "This Time," Yoakam morphed from talented newcomer to musical legend.
Yoakam's live performances consistently draw rapturous critical acclaim. Among them is his appearance at San Francisco's Warfield Theater, resulting in his first live album, 1995's "Dwight Live," and his memorable appearance at the Kentucky State Fair in 2006. So broad is his appeal that he was the only artist to recently appear at both the indie rock extravaganza Coachella and the country music festival Stagecoach.
Yoakam also recently headlined the last night of the CMA Festival in Nashville, marking his first appearance at the event in two decades. A much in-demand guest on the television circuit, he holds the record for the most performances by any musical artist on the top-ranked "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
Over the last 15 years, Yoakam has also carved out a niche as one of the top character actors in film, starting with a role as a truck driver in John Dahl's film noir "Red Rock West" in 1992. He went on to deliver a riveting performance as the malevolent Doyle Hargraves in the Academy Award®-winning film "Sling Blade," for which he and his fellow stars earned SAG® Award nominations for outstanding performance by a cast.
His film career includes roles in David Fincher's box office hit "Panic Room" and Tommy Lee Jones' Cannes Film Festival Award-winning "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada."
He will soon be seen reprising his role as the infectiously eccentric Doc Miles with Jason Stratham in "Crank 2: High Voltage," the sequel to the 2006 smash "Crank."
Yoakam is also an entrepreneur. In the mid-1990s, he jokingly created a fictitious brand of biscuits to serve at the opening of his friend Buck Owens' Crystal Palace club and museum, dubbed Dwight Yoakam's Bakersfield Biscuits. That imaginary enterprise has since evolved into a successful national brand with dozens of products in stores across the country.
TIM McGRAW (Dallas) has earned a place in the front ranks of American entertainment. He has sold more than 40 million albums and placed 30 singles at #1 worldwide. His enduring status as one of country music's most popular and respected live performers has seen his concert tours consistently rank at #1 in country music and top-five in all genres.
McGraw has also established a noteworthy presence in movies, beginning with his well-received 2004 debut in "Friday Night Lights," opposite Billy Bob Thornton; a starring role in the family adventure drama "Flicka"; and last year's action thriller "The Kingdom," with Jamie Foxx
On television, he has headlined three highly rated NBC specials.
He remains one of the music world's hottest draws. In 2007, McGraw and wife Faith Hill made history as they ended their two-year "Soul2Soul Tour" with a staggering total box office gross of $142 million and established it as the best selling multi-year tour in North America in country music history, with 2 million fans attending 117 shows in 92 cities and two countries.
McGraw has earned scores of awards and nominations, including three Grammy Awards, eleven Academy of Country Music Awards, eleven Country Music Association Awards, nine American Music Awards and three People's Choice Awards.
Throughout his myriad successes, McGraw has always been focused on the music, taking full control of his most recent projects, recording with his touring band and putting his artistic stamp onto the material he chooses to record. His latest studio CD, "Let It Go," debuted at #1 on both the pop and country album charts and quickly reached platinum status.
In addition to starring in "Flicka," McGraw released a song he co-wrote specifically for the movie on his newly established record label, StyleSonic Records. Executive Produced by McGraw, the motion picture soundtrack for "Flicka" included "My Little Girl," co-written with Tom Douglas and performed by McGraw as the end title song.
Recently, McGraw released a children's book titled "My Little Girl," with cowriter Douglas and Thomas Nelson Publishing.
KRISTIN CHENOWETH (Courtney) effortlessly transitions between stage, television and film. She is currently starring in the Golden Globe-nominated ABC series "Pushing Daisies," for which she was recently nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Chenoweth just released the Christmas album "A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas," and has written an uplifting, candid, comedic chronicle of her life, which will be released by Simon & Schuster in spring 2009. She can be heard as the voice of the fairy Rosetta in the feature film "Tinkerbell." Additionally, she recently wrapped filming, opposite Jeremy Sisto, on the independent drama "Into Temptation," directed by filmmaker Patrick Coyle of Sundance renown.
This past year, Chenoweth starred alongside Cheryl Hines and Jeff Daniels in the animated film "Space Chimps." She also starred in "Stairway to Paradise," an original Encores! production celebrating the great Broadway revue. Commemorating the centennial anniversary of the first Ziegfeld Follies, Chenoweth concluded New York City Center's 2007 season with beloved Broadway numbers from the early 20th Century. She also guest-starred in the season finale of ABC's hit comedy "Ugly Betty."
Previously, Chenoweth starred on stage in the highly lauded limited engagement of "The Apple Tree" at Roundabout Theatre Company's Studio 54. She also had the honor of playing a sold out solo concert at the famed Metropolitan Opera House.
Many remember her show-stealing, Tony Award-winning performance in "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" and her triumphant star turn as Glinda the Good Witch in "Wicked," which earned her a Tony Award nomination for leading actress. Chenoweth also performed in the Broadway comedy "Epic Proportions"; in the Kander and Ebb musical "Steel Pier," for which she won a Theatre World Award; and the off-Broadway production of Moliere's "Scapin," for the Roundabout Theatre Company.
Chenoweth's television roles include that of Annabeth Schott on "The West Wing," the librarian Marian Paroo in ABC's movie version of "Meredith Wilson's The Music Man," Lily St. Regis in "Annie," and Mrs. Noodle on "Sesame Street." She also starred in her own NBC series, "Kristin."
Chenoweth has been in such films as "Deck the Halls," with Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick; "RV," with Robin Williams; "Bewitched," with Nicole Kidman; "Running with Scissors," with Annette Bening; and "The Pink Panther," with Steve Martin. Her film credits also include a cameo in "Stranger Than Fiction," with Emma Thompson. She is currently developing a feature based on the life of Dusty Springfield.
A veteran of the concert scene, she took the stage in a solo sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall in 2004 and continues to tour the country. She performed her solo concert at Sam Mendes' acclaimed Donmar Warehouse as part of the "Divas at Donmar" series. The show received glowing reviews. Following her show in London, Chenoweth has had numerous collaborations with various symphonies, including The New York Philharmonic, Boston Pops, National Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony. One of her proudest accomplishments was having the privilege to perform Bernstein's "Candide" at Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic. Other performances include her sold-out Los Angeles solo debut at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, an evening at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, and the Washington National Opera's 50th Anniversary Gala with Placido Domingo. She is scheduled to have her Metropolitan Opera debut in March 2010 as Samira in John Corigliano's "The Ghost of Versailles."
She has released two previous albums, entitled "Let Yourself Go" and "As I Am."
JON VOIGHT (Creighton) is an Oscar®-winning actor who has been a motion picture star for four decades, beginning in 1969 with his role in the groundbreaking Oscar®-winning Best Picture "Midnight Cowboy." Voight earned an Academy Award® nomination for his performance as Joe Buck in the film, also winning a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award, and Best Actor Awards from the New York Film Critics Association and the National Society of Film Critics.
He won an Academy Award® for Best Actor for his work in the 1978 drama "Coming Home." For his portrayal of a Vietnam veteran who was paralyzed in the war, he also won a Golden Globe Award, as well as Best Actor honors from the Cannes Film Festival, the New York and Los Angeles Film Critics Associations, and the National Board of Review.
Voight received his third Oscar® nomination, for Best Actor, for his performance in Andrei Konchalovsky's thriller "Runaway Train." He earned his latest Oscar® nomination, in the category of Best Supporting Actor, for his portrayal of Howard Cosell in Michael Mann's biopic "Ali," for which he also gained another Golden Globe nomination. In addition, he has garnered Golden Globe nominations for his roles in John Boorman's classic actioner "Deliverance," Franco Zeffirelli's "The Champ," and Francis Ford Coppola's "The Rainmaker."
Voight is currently starring in the drama "Pride and Glory" for director Gavin O'Connor. Among his recent appearances were roles in such films as David Zucker's comedy "An American Carol"; the blockbuster "Transformers," for director Michael Bay; the hit "National Treasure" and its sequel, "National Treasure: Book of Secrets"; "Glory Road"; and Jonathan Demme's remake of "The Manchurian Candidate," with Meryl Streep. He also makes a cameo appearance as himself in the hit comedy "Tropic Thunder."
His long list of film credits also includes Andrew Davis' "Holes"; "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," alongside his daughter, Angelina Jolie; Michael Bay's "Pearl Harbor"; Ben Stiller's "Zoolander"; "Varsity Blues"; "Baby Geniuses," also serving as co-executive producer; Tony Scott's "Enemy of the State"; John Boorman's "The General"; Oliver Stone's "U Turn"; John Singleton's "Rosewood"; Brian De Palma's blockbuster "Mission: Impossible"; Michael Mann's "Heat"; "Table for Five"; "The Odessa File"; "Conrack"; "The Revolutionary"; and Mike Nichols' "Catch-22."
Voight has also been honored for his work on television, most recently earning an Emmy Award nomination for his performance in the title role of the biopic "John Paul II."
He was previously Emmy-nominated for his work in the two-part drama "Uprising." He was recognized by his peers with a Screen Actors Guild Award® nomination for his work in the telefilm "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," based on the book by Mitch Albom. Voight also received a Golden Globe nomination for his role in the HBO movie "The Last of His Tribe." His many television credits also include such longform projects as "Jasper, Texas," "Second String," "Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story," "Noah's Ark," "Return to Lonesome Dove," and "Chernobyl: The Final Warning." He made his directorial debut in 1995 with the Showtime movie "The Tin Soldier," which was named Best Children's Film at the Berlin Film Festival.
On the stage, Voight made his Broadway debut as Rolf in the original production of "The Sound of Music." In 1965, he starred opposite Robert Duvall in the acclaimed revival of Arthur Miller's "A View From the Bridge." He later starred at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theater in "A Streetcar Named Desire," and was more recently seen off-Broadway in Chekhov's "The Seagull."
SISSY SPACEK (Paula) has been one of the industry's most respected actresses for more than three decades. Her many honors include an Academy Award®, five additional Oscar® nominations, three Golden Globe Awards and numerous critics awards.
She first gained the attention of critics and audiences with her performance in Terrence Malick's widely praised 1973 drama "Badlands," in which she starred opposite Martin Sheen. In 1976, Spacek earned her first Academy Award® nomination and won a National Society of Film Critics Award for her chilling performance in the title role of Brian De Palma's "Carrie," based on the Stephen King novel. The following year, she won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for her work in Robert Altman's "Three Women."
In 1980, Spacek starred as Loretta Lynn in the acclaimed biopic "Coal Miner's Daughter," winning the Oscar® and Golden Globe Award for her performance. Spacek also swept the New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics, National Board of Review, and National Society of Film Critics Awards for her portrayal of the country music legend.
Spacek received another Golden Globe nomination the next year for her work in "Raggedy Man," directed by her husband, Jack Fisk. She earned her third Oscar® and Golden Globe nominations for her role in Costa-Gavras' 1982 drama "Missing," opposite Jack Lemmon, and her fourth Oscar® and Golden Globe nominations for her work in 1984's "The River," in which she starred with Mel Gibson.
In 1987, Spacek gained her fifth Academy Award® nomination and won another Golden Globe and the New York film Critics Circle Award for her performance in the dark comedy "Crimes of the Heart." Her most recent Oscar® nomination came for her portrayal of a mother grieving for her murdered son in the drama "In the Bedroom," for which she also won a Golden Globe Award, an Independent Spirit Award, and an AFI Film Award for Best Actress. In addition, she garnered Best Actress Awards from a number of critics' organizations, including the Los Angeles, New York and Broadcast Film Critics. Her work in "In the Bedroom" also brought Spacek two Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® nominations, one for Outstanding Lead Actress and another for Outstanding Cast, shared with the rest of the film's ensemble.
Spacek's other film credits include "A Home at the End of the World," "The Straight Story," "Blast From the Past," "Affliction," "The Grass Harp," "JFK," "The Long Walk Home," "Night, Mother," "Marie," "North Country," "Nine Lives" and "Hot Rod." She is currently starring in the drama "Lake City."
Spacek has also been honored for her work on the small screen, where she has starred in several highly praised longform projects. She received Emmy Award nominations for her portrayal of Zelda Fitzgerald in "Last Call" and for her work in Tommy Lee Jones' Western "The Good Old Boys," as well as SAG Award® nominations for her performances in "Midwives" and "A Place for Annie." Her additional television credits include "If These Wall Could Talk," "Beyond the Call," "Streets of Laredo," "A Private Matter" and, most recently, a Golden Globe nomination for "Pictures of Hollis Woods."
ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
SETH GORDON (Director) makes his feature narrative film debut with "Four Christmases." Gordon recently directed the critically acclaimed documentary film "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters." It won Best Documentary awards from the Dallas/Fort Worth Film Critics, Online Film Critics and Ohio Film Critics associations.
Gordon is a graduate of Yale University, where he studied architecture and documentary film. He has directed several short films-"Squirt," "Fears of a Clown" and "The Problem with Percival"-that won awards at the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals, and appeared on AMC. He also produced and edited the acclaimed Sundance documentary "New York Doll," theatrically released in 2005. Gordon was a contributing producer and cinematographer on the Dixie Chicks' Oscar®-nominated documentary "Shut Up And Sing," released in 2006.
Among his upcoming projects, Gordon has been tapped to direct the narrative remake of "The King of Kong," and is also set to direct the feature "The Only Living Boy in New York."
MATT R. ALLEN & CALEB WILSON (Screenplay/Story) have been successful feature comedy writers since 1998, and have written screenplays for Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, Paramount, Disney, New Line Cinema, Spyglass Entertainment and Jerry Bruckheimer Productions. They have written for Jamie Foxx, Johnny Knoxville, Dave Chappelle and Ice Cube.
Allen and Wilson met as freshman roommates at UC Santa Barbara, where Allen was a film student and Wilson was pursuing philosophy and law. The two shared a passion for comedy and good storytelling. After graduation, Allen took a job as an agent trainee with The Irv Schechter Agency, and Wilson soon followed. It was at this small talent agency that they got their first real sense of how the film and television industry worked.
Subsequently, Allen moved to ICM and was promoted to agent in the celebrity endorsement department. Wilson joined Brillstein/Grey and began working with comedians such as Adam Sandler, David Spade and Dennis Miller. Finding their careers drifting in a direction neither wanted, they sought to remedy their impending executive status by writing a comedy screenplay entitled "Manchild." The day after New Line Cinema purchased "Manchild," both quit their day jobs.
In 2003, Allen and Wilson sold their spec screenplay "Four Christmases" to Spyglass Entertainment. It is the writing team's first produced screenplay.
Among their projects currently in development are "Tough Love," to star Ice Cube, under the direction of Thomas Carter, and "Soul Surfer," set to begin production in January 2009.
JON LUCAS & SCOTT MOORE (Screenplay) are currently working on a sci-fi action comedy to star Dwayne Johnson.
Their first produced screenplay was "Rebound," with Martin Lawrence.
Among their upcoming projects are the romantic comedy "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past," starring Matthew McConaughey, Emma Stone, Jennifer Garner and Michael Douglas; and "The Hangover," for director Todd Phillips, starring Bradley Cooper, Heather Graham, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis. Both films are scheduled for a 2009 release.
ROGER BIRNBAUM (Producer) founded the production, finance and distribution company Spyglass Entertainment with partner Gary Barber, sharing the title of Co-Chairman and CEO. The company develops and finances all of its projects independently.
Spyglass Entertainment's successes range from "The Sixth Sense," with Bruce Willis, which earned $661 million in worldwide box-office, to the smash hit "Bruce Almighty," starring Jim Carrey, which earned $485 million. Also included in the Spyglass library are Oscar®-nominated favorites such as "Seabiscuit," with Tobey Maguire, and "The Insider," with Russell Crowe and Al Pacino. In total, Spyglass films have amassed over 26 Oscar® nominations, including three wins.
Other company successes include "The Count of Monte Cristo," with Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce, "Keeping the Faith," with Ben Stiller and Edward Norton, the dual hits "Shanghai Noon" and "Shanghai Knights," with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, "The Recruit," with Al Pacino and Colin Farrell, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," starring Sam Rockwell and Mos Def, and the smash-hit family film "The Pacifier," with Vin Diesel. Spyglass also co-financed and executive produced "The Legend of Zorro," with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas, and "Memoirs of a Geisha," an adaptation of the best-selling novel, directed by Rob Marshall. Both films were released internationally by Spyglass and have grossed over $150 million each in worldwide box office, to date, with "Memoirs of a Geisha" earning three Academy Awards®.
In 2006, Birnbaum co-financed and produced the action adventure "Eight Below," with earnings over $120 million worldwide. Spyglass also produced and financed the crime thriller "The Lookout," helmed by acclaimed writer and first time director Scott Frank. In 2007, Spyglass saw the releases of "Evan Almighty" and the live-action feature "Underdog," based upon the beloved cartoon series.
In 2008, Spyglass co-financed a bountiful roster starting with the hugely successful "27 Dresses," starring Katherine Heigl, which Birnbaum produced. It was followed by "The Ruins," a horror/thriller produced in association with DreamWorks; M. Night Shyamalan's "The Happening"; the comedy "The Love Guru"; and "Wanted," an action-packed thriller based on Mark Miller's graphic novel series starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy.
Currently in theaters is the drama "Flash of Genius," based on a true story, and the comedy "Ghost Town." Among the films on the Spyglass slate for summer 2009 will be "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra," on which Birnbaum is executive producer, and his company is co-financing.
Prior to founding Spyglass Entertainment, Birnbaum co-founded Caravan Pictures, where he was responsible for such box office hits as "Rush Hour," "Six Days/Seven Nights," "Inspector Gadget," "Gross Pointe Blank," "The Three Musketeers," "Angels in the Outfield" and "While You Were Sleeping."
Before joining Caravan, Birnbaum held the title of President of Worldwide Production and Executive Vice President of Twentieth Century Fox, where he developed such films as "Home Alone," "Sleeping with the Enemy," "Edward Scissorhands," "Hot Shots!," "My Cousin Vinny," "The Last of the Mohicans," "Die Hard 2" and "Mrs. Doubtfire," among others. Prior to that, Birnbaum was President of Production for United Artists, where he developed the Oscar®-winning film "Rain Man."
Earlier in his career, he produced "The Sure Thing," directed by Rob Reiner, and "Young Sherlock Holmes," presented in association with Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment. For television, he executive produced the telefilms "Scandal Sheet," "Happily Ever After," "When Your Lover Leaves" and the award-winning "All the Kids Do It."
Born in Teaneck, New Jersey and educated at the University of Denver, Birnbaum built a successful career as Vice President of A&M Records and Arista Records before entering the film industry. He is currently co-artistic director of the AFI conservatory and serves on the Advisory Board for UCSB at the Center for Film, Television, and New Media. He is also a mentor to the USC Peter Stark Producing Program, as well as the UCLA Graduate Film program.
GARY BARBER (Producer), with his partner Roger Birnbaum, founded the production, finance and distribution company Spyglass Entertainment, where he serves as Co-Chairman and CEO.
Spyglass Entertainment's savvy production choices began with the phenomenal box office success "The Sixth Sense," starring Bruce Willis, which grossed over $661 million and garnered six Academy Award® nominations. Further successes include "The Count of Monte Cristo," with Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce, "Keeping the Faith," with Ben Stiller and Edward Norton, "Shanghai Noon," with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, and its sequel "Shanghai Knights," as well as the dynamic teaming of Al Pacino and Colin Farrell in "The Recruit."
Barber executive produced and co-financed two milestone movies: "Bruce Almighty," starring Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston, which grossed over $485 million in worldwide box office and is considered one of the blockbuster comedies of all time, and "Seabiscuit," starring Tobey Maguire, which received seven Oscar® nominations with its moving story of triumph over adversity. Barber went on to produce "The Pacifier," a family comedy starring Vin Diesel that earned approximately $200 million in worldwide box office, and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," an adaptation of the Douglas Adams bestseller, which crossed the $100 million mark globally.
Spyglass also co-financed and Barber executive-produced "The Legend of Zorro," with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas, directed by Martin Campbell; and "Memoirs of a Geisha," based on the best-selling novel, helmed by Rob Marshall and starring Ziyi Zhang and Ken Watanabe, which earned Spyglass three Oscar® wins out of six nominations, bringing the company a total, to date, of 26 nominations.
The successful "Eight Below" was co-financed by Spyglass and executive produced by Barber in 2006 and, in 2007, Spyglass produced and financed the releases of "The Invisible" and "The Lookout." In summer 2007, Spyglass saw the releases of the comedy "Evan Almighty" and the live-action feature of the beloved classic cartoon series "Underdog."
Spyglass is having a prolific 2008, starting with the release of the hugely popular "27 Dresses," which Barber produced and Spyglass co-financed, and followed by "The Ruins," a horror/thriller co-produced with DreamWorks. Most recent releases are M. Night Shyamalan's paranoid thriller "The Happening"; "The Love Guru," co-written by and starring Mike Myers; "Wanted," an adrenaline-pumping action thriller based upon Mark Miller's explosive graphic novel series, starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy; "Flash of Genius," a drama based on a true story spanning three decades; and the comedy "Ghost Town," starring Ricky Gervais.
In February 2009, Spyglass will start production on "Leap Year," a romantic comedy starring Amy Adams. Spyglass will then co-finance the summer tent-pole "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra," with Barber as executive producer.
A seasoned veteran of the business, Barber has been directly responsible for operating companies in feature film production and distribution, foreign theatrical, video and TV distribution, exhibition and pre-recorded music and music publishing. He was responsible for building these companies from the ground up.
Barber is the former Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Creek Productions. During his eight and a half years at the company, he was in charge of all day-to-day operations for each of Morgan Creek's business entities, including feature film production, foreign distribution, music, exhibition and interactive.
Barber has produced or executive produced over 60 feature films and TV shows, including the 1994 hit that rocketed Jim Carrey to stardom, "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and its highly successful sequel "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls," as well as the 1991 blockbuster "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," starring Kevin Costner.
JONATHAN GLICKMAN (Producer) is president of Spyglass Entertainment, and is responsible for the development and production of all Spyglass Entertainment films.
In 1993, Glickman joined Caravan Pictures as an intern and by 1997 had worked his way up to president of the company. During this time he brought in such projects as "While You Were Sleeping," serving as associate producer. Later, Glickman executive produced "Grosse Pointe Blank" and "Inspector Gadget." In addition, he produced the international smash hit "Rush Hour" and its two sequels.
In 1998, Glickman was named President of Production for Spyglass Entertainment and in 2003 was promoted to President of Spyglass Entertainment. While at Spyglass, Glickman has produced such international hits as "Shanghai Noon," "The Count of Monte Cristo," "The Pacifier," and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."
Earlier in 2008, he produced the hit romantic comedy "27 Dresses," which so far has grossed over $160 million worldwide.
PETER BILLINGSLEY (Executive Producer) has been a member of the Hollywood community since he was a child, achieving accolades both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. The highly successful child actor turned Emmy-nominated producer recently served as executive producer on the summer blockbuster "Iron Man," directed by Jon Favreau.
Billingsley also served as co-producer on "Made," starring Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn, as well as the family film "Zathura" and the hit comedy "The Break-Up." He is currently prepping his directorial debut, "Couples Retreat," starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, and Faizon Love, which begins shooting this fall in Bora Bora.
Growing up in the public eye, Billingsley began his acting career at the age of three in some of the 1970s' most memorable television commercials. After appearing on numerous television shows and films during his youth, the Emmy Award-nominated actor delivered a performance for the ages in the beloved holiday film "A Christmas Story." Playing humorist Jean Shepherd's youthful alter-ego Ralphie, Billingsley's repeated requests in the film for a genuine Red Ryder BB gun catapulted the actor to instant stardom and has since driven the film into pop culture lore as a classic modern-day Christmas tale.
Born in New York City, Billingsley currently resides in Los Angeles, where he is a principal in Wild West Picture Show Productions, founded by Vince Vaughn, which currently has a first-look deal at Universal Studios.
TOBY EMMERICH (Executive Producer) is President and Chief Operating Officer for New Line Cinema.
From 2001 to 2008, he was President of Production and oversaw the most successful period in company history, thanks to the success of such hits as "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King," 2005's highest-grossing comedy "Wedding Crashers," "Monster-in-Law," "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Elf," "The Notebook," "Hairspray" and "Sex and the City."
A long-time studio veteran, Emmerich previously served as president of New Line Music, in addition to working as an accomplished screenwriter and producer who wrote and produced the New Line sleeper hit film "Frequency."
Emmerich attended Wesleyan University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for both the Neil Bogart Foundation and the American Cinematheque, and is on the board of trustees for The Calhoun School in New York City.
MICHAEL DISCO (Executive Producer), a development executive who has been with New Line Cinema since 2000, currently serves as Vice President of Production for the studio.
Disco recently worked as a Director of Development and Creative Executive overseeing and managing the productions of "Fracture," "Hairspray," "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay," "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "Four Christmases," as well as the upcoming romantic comedy "He's Just Not That Into You," set for 2009.
Disco attended Syracuse University.
RICHARD BRENER (Executive Producer), a veteran of New Line Cinema for more than a decade, currently serves as President of Production for the company.
During his tenure at New Line, Brener has overseen and served as executive producer on many of the company's most successful films, including such hits as "Sex and the City," the "Harold and Kumar" franchise, "Wedding Crashers," "Austin Powers in Goldmember," "The Wedding Singer," "Monster-in-Law" and the "Final Destination" franchise. Among the other successful films Brener has worked on at the studio are "The Butterfly Effect" and "Boiler Room." Currently, Brener is overseeing production on a number of high-profile films for New Line.
Brener joined the company as a temp in 1995 and rapidly rose through the ranks from story editor to senior vice president. Over the course of his career, he has overseen the studio's relationships with much of its key talent, including Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller and the late Ted Demme.
Born and raised in Short Hills, New Jersey, Brener graduated with a BA in history from Yale University in 1994.
MARK KAUFMAN (Executive Producer) is Executive Vice President of Production at Unique Features, a newly formed production company headed by New Line Cinema founder Bob Shaye and his long-time business partner Michael Lynne.
Over the course of his fifteen years at New Line Cinema, Kaufman played an instrumental role in the studio's music, film production and theatrical divisions. As a film production executive, he has overseen such films as "Secondhand Lions," "Take the Lead" and "Hairspray," as well as "Four Christmases," and the upcoming releases "17 Again" and "My Sister's Keeper."
Kaufman holds a M.F.A. in Film Studies from Columbia University and a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania.
GUY RIEDEL (Executive Producer) began his career on film and TV sets with his father, a director of photography in New York City. After receiving an MBA from Rutgers University, Riedel moved to Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for producer Aaron Russo, developing the movies "Teachers" and "Wise Guys." He then opened the production and development offices for New Line Cinema in Los Angeles, working on "The Nightmare on Elm Street" series, "The Hidden" and "Hairspray."
Riedel then went to work for producer Gale Anne Hurd, soon becoming president of production. While at her company, he worked on "Tremors," the HBO movie "Cast a Deadly Spell" and "Downtown." He also served as executive producer on "The Waterdance," which was awarded the Audience Prize at Sundance in 1992, as well as three Independent Spirit Awards.
Also in 1992, Riedel went out on his own as a producer and completed the romantic comedy "The Inkwell." Soon after, he produced a series of HBO movies, including "Norma Jean and Marilyn," "The Second Civil War," " Breast Men" and "Path to War," which was nominated for eight Emmy Awards, including Best Made-for-TV Movie. He also executive produced such films as "Office Space," "Crazy/Beautiful," "The Hot Chick," "The Girl Next Door" and "Wedding Crashers" and co-produced "Rocky Balboa."
Most recently, Riedel served as executive producer on the hit sci-fi action thriller "Cloverfield." He is currently executive producing the comedy "Couples Retreat."
JEFFREY L. KIMBALL (Director of Photography) got his start in the film industry in the 1970s as a second unit photographer on "It's Alive" and "Cat People." In 1986 he broke out as Tony Scott's cinematographer on the box office smash "Top Gun."
Kimball continued to collaborate with Scott on such films as "Beverly Hills Cop II," "Revenge" and "True Romance." He also shot "Jacob's Ladder" for director Adrian Lyne and "Curly Sue" for director John Hughes.
In 2000, Kimball joined John Woo as the director of photography on "Mission Impossible II" and then reunited with Woo for 2002's "Windtalkers" and 2003's "Paycheck." More recently, he shot "Be Cool"; "Glory Road," producer Jerry Bruckheimer's film about the 1966 Texas Western basketball team; and the 2006 comedy drama "Bonneville," which debuted at the Toronto Film Festival.
In addition to his feature work, Kimball has shot many high-profile and groundbreaking commercials, including John Woo's short film "Hostage," for BMW.
Among his upcoming projects is the comedy "Old Dogs," for director Walt Becker, set for a 2009 release.
SHEPHERD FRANKEL (Production Designer) recently served as production designer on the hit romantic comedy "27 Dresses," starring Katherine Heigl. Earlier in 2007, he was the designer on Richard LaGravenese's romantic drama "P.S. I Love You," starring Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler, and on the Zak Penn comedy "The Grand."
Frankel's first film as a production designer was "Step Up," in 2006, for "27 Dresses" director Anne Fletcher. Prior to that, he had served as a supervising art director or art director on the films "Fantastic Four," "Catwoman," "Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed," "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Stuart Little 2."
Born and raised in New York City, Frankel attended the LaGuardia School of the Arts, where he studied painting and sculpting. He earned his undergraduate degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and a Masters in Architecture from the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at UCLA. After receiving his graduate degree, he began his film career as an assistant art director on such films as "Species 2," "Blast from the Past," "Stuart Little" and "Magnolia."
Among his upcoming projects is the comedy "Couples Retreat," to star Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman and Faizon Love under the direction of Peter Billingsley. Currently in production, the film is scheduled for a 2009 release.
MARK HELFRICH (Editor) edited the hits "X-Men: The Last Stand," all three "Rush Hour" films, "Red Dragon," "The Family Man," "Money Talks," "Predator," "Rambo: First Blood Part II" and "Scary Movie," among many others. The feature films he has edited have earned more than a billion dollars at the box office.
His additional editorial credits include the pilot episode of the Fox series "Prison Break" and the award-winning music video for Madonna's song "Beautiful Stranger," from "Austin Powers."
Last year, Helfrich made his feature film directorial debut with "Good Luck Chuck." A resident of Los Angeles, he is a member of the American Cinema Editors, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Directors Guild of America.
MELISSA KENT (Editor) most recently served as editor on "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2," for director Sanaa Hamri. It marked their second collaboration, following Hamri's feature directorial debut, the 2006 indie romantic comedy "Something New." Kent's other recent editing credits include the television drama "A Raisin in the Sun" and the Showtime original drama "An American Crime." She was nominated for an American Cinema Editors Award for her work on the 2003 Showtime movie "The Reagans."
Previously, Kent edited "Crazy/Beautiful," for director John Stockwell; "The Virgin Suicides," for director Sofia Coppola; "Supernova," for director Walter Hill; and "Reaching Normal," for director Anne Heche, a short film that screened at the Sundance Film Festival. She provided additional editing for "The Outsiders: The Complete Novel," the 2005 re-release and director's cut of Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 classic, and was a co-editor on Coppola's "The Rainmaker." She also served as additional editor on "My Family," for director Gregory Nava.
Kent's work on network and cable television includes Showtime's "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone," the TNT drama "Baby," "HBO's First Look: The Rainmaker" and various episodes of the hit series "Medium."
SOPHIE DE RAKOFF (Costume Designer) was born and raised in Central London. She moved to New York in 1980, where she split her time working at Paper magazine and Nell's Nightclub. Relocating to Los Angeles, she continued with Paper as a features writer and also contributed to many other publications, including British Vogue, Dazed and Confused, Detour, Details and Vibe. In the mid 1990s, she began to switch tracks and found success as a fashion stylist in the music video world.
In 1999, de Rakoff designed for her first feature film, "Speed of Life." In 2001, she designed for "Legally Blonde," which led to an ongoing collaboration with Reese Witherspoon, with "Four Christmases" marking their fifth film together. De Rakoff's other notable credits include "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Shall We Dance?," "In Her Shoes" and "Fever Pitch."
De Rakoff has been nominated twice by the Costume Designers Guild for Excellence in Contemporary Film and, in 2005, was honored by Premiere magazine and AMC as one of that year's Women in Hollywood recipients. Her work on "Legally Blonde" was featured in the book "Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design," by Deborah Nadoolman Landis; and her work on the film's sequel was included in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' exhibition "50 Designers, 50 Costumes," which has toured the world.
ALEX WURMAN (Music) earned outstanding critical acclaim for his score on the Oscar®-winning documentary "March of the Penguins." He soon followed with the Will Ferrell blockbuster hit comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby."
Examples of his evocative dramatic works are the scores for "Mrs. Harris," starring Annette Bening and Sir Ben Kingsley; "Normal," starring Jessica Lange and Tom Wilkinson; "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," directed by and starring George Clooney; "Thirteen Conversations About One Thing," starring Matthew McConaughey, Alan Arkin and John Turturro; and the action drama "Hollywood Homicide," starring Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett.
In the comedic realm, prior to "Talladega Nights," Wurman crafted scores for such films as "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," starring Will Ferrell; the romantic comedy "A Lot Like Love," starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet; "Play it to the Bone," starring Woody Harrelson and Antonio Banderas; and "Homo Erectus," directed by and starring Adam Rifkin.
Wurman's more recent projects include scores for the HBO drama "Bernard and Doris," for which he earned a 2007 Emmy Award nomination, the romantic comedy "Run, Fat Boy, Run," starring Simon Pegg and Thandie Newton, "The Promotion," starring Seann William Scott and John C. Reilly, and the soon-to-be released "Five Dollars a Day," starring Christopher Walken. He also composed the score for the crime drama "What Doesn't Kill You," starring Ethan Hawke, Mark Ruffalo and Donnie Wahlberg, which debuted in September at the Toronto Film Festival to critical acclaim and will be commercially released in December, 2008.