When America watches the Oscars tomorrow, at least 3 Westporters will have more than a casual interest.
Neil Katz and Andy Sawyer are executive producers of “The Kids Are All Right.”
The film — about 2 kids conceived by artificial insemination, who bring their birth family into their family’s life — has been nominated for 4 Academy Awards. Three are pretty random (for example, “Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen”), but 1 is the biggie: “Best Motion Picture.”
“The Kids Are All Right” has already won a Golden Globe for “Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.”
Of course, feature films are not the only Oscar nominees. Less heralded, but equally important (at least to the makers’ friends and family) documentaries have their own categories. “The Warriors of Qiugang” — about Chinese villagers who take on a chemical company that’s poisoning their air and water — is up for “Best Documentary Short Subject.”
Staples grad Brian Keane composed the haunting music. A multiple Grammy, Emmy and Peabody Award winner, Brian is also a noted producer, working with artists as diverse as Pete Seeger, Linda Ronstadt and the London Symphony Orchestra.
We’re sure there are Oscar-related Westporters we’ve missed. Click “Comments” — and help make tomorrow night in California even more intriguing for those of us home in Connecticut.
Congrats to Brian, who was also a terrific basketball player back in the day.
Not sure if this is remotely related but Natalie Portman’s roommate at Harvard was my brother’s brother-in-law’s niece’s cousin. The cousin’s business partner’s father’s sister-in-law’s dentist was originally from Westport. Staples ’73. Oddly enough, his name was Colin Rush Bridges.
Small world, Dude. When I was at Harvard, one of my classmates knew a dude named Dudley, who, of course, everyone called “Dude” until that “dude” movie came out, and then they all started calling him “The Big Dude.” He liked that much better. Someone said that the dude was actually Tommy Lee Jones… the Oscar Dude, but WhiskeyTangoFoxtrotKilo? if ya know what I mean.
Gotcha, whiskey tango, over. Have you ever met Tommy Lee???
Amazing mind. Was Al Gore’s roomie at Haaaaarvarrd. You always
can tell a Harvard man but you can’t tell him much. My father used
say that (Harvard ’32) and nearly made me puke. Wonder if Ethan (a Dartmouth weenie) stole his “Dude” from your “The Big Dude”?????
Another interesting aspect Dan is how many Westporters are Oscar winners or nominees or how many former staplites are nominees or winners… I know I can name one.
Okay Richard, give it up. Who?
Linda Hunt… I believe she is on a show now on CBS
The little gal on NCIS with Robin of Batman fame?? She went to Staples???? She won for the movie with Cambodia astrocities. Wow!!!
Don’t forget long time Westporters Paul Newman (“Color of Money”) and Sandy Dennis (Best Supporting – ’66 “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf). Neither was a Wrecker though.
Actually home grown Westporter but can’t seem to find her year if she did graduate…. Plus Harvey Weistein has a executive producer Oscar…. And I know there are mOre who fly under the radar… Actually Dude every major award in entertainment and a few sports accolades are in Westport or have been
I believe those were Indonesian atrocities
Atrocities?
The year of living dangerously
Also
Michael Douglas (Best picture-One flew over the cuckoo’s nest, best actor-Wall street), Linda Blair (Nominee), Christopher Lloyd (best effects-Back to the future)
Jeez, Linda Hunt must have been class of ’63 and her mother was in my church’s choir according to Wikipedia. “The Year of Living Dangerously” was about a Cambodian photographer who discovers the graves of thousands of executed natives. No? Forgot about Michael who was on my Little League team. I am not sure of your statement, Richard, as I believe this latest generation is mostly born and bred in California.
The Cambodia photographer movie was “The Killing Fields”
Should Jason Robards be part of this discussion, or did he live in Fairfield?
Linda Blair, who was several years behind me was nominated for her role in The Exorcist. My classmate, Pam Martin, starred in The Poseidon Adventure, which one at least one Oscar and was the biggest hit (box office) in the year it was released. Lindsay Law, who was in my brother’s class, ’67, was a producer of a ton of films, at least one of which received an Oscar nomination. Last, but not least, since she has been so active in the community for 50 years, let’s not forget the incredibly talented Joanne Woodward.
Sorry about the duplicate Woodward mention – must have cross-posted.
Newman’s been mentioned; but Ms. Woodward has at least one Oscar-TM and numerous nominations. And happy birthday to the lady.
Anyone mention Bette Davis? Robards lived in Southport.
I think they’ve all been covered, but here’s a decent list of Staples Players alum who are still working in the field (except for those who have passed, of course).
http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/players/players%20history/a_listing_of_staples_players_who.htm
Pingback: An Oscars Shout-Out To Nick Ordway | 06880
Pingback: An Oscars Shout-Out To Nick Ordway | Aaron Meyer