A New Jersey trucker creates a hit TV show with help from his girlfriend in the ratings business.
12-15-1984
1h 42m
THIS
HELLA
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Main Cast
Movie Details
Production Info
Director:
Danny DeVito
Writers:
Michael Barrie, Jim Mulholland
Production:
Newstreet Productions, Imagination Productions, New Street
Key Crew
Associate Producer:
Lee Biondi
Director of Photography:
Tim Suhrstedt
Producer:
David Jablin
Associate Producer:
Alain Silver
Editor:
Marshall Harvey
Locations and Languages
Country:
US
Filming:
US
Languages:
en
Main Cast
Danny DeVito
Danny DeVito (born November 17, 1944) is an American actor, comedian, director, and producer. He first gained prominence for his portrayal of Louie De Palma on Taxi, for which he won a Golden Globe and an Emmy.
DeVito founded the production company Jersey Films with his wife Rhea Perlman.
Rhea Jo Perlman (born March 31, 1948) is an American actress and writer. She is best known for her role as head-waitress Carla Tortelli in the sitcom Cheers (1982–1993). Over the course of 11 seasons, Perlman was nominated for ten Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress – winning four times – and was nominated for a record seven Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series. She has also appeared in films, including Canadian Bacon (1995), Matilda (1996), The Sessions (2012), and Poms (2019).
Gerrit Graham (born November 27, 1949) is an American actor and songwriter. He's appeared in such films as Used Cars, TerrorVision, National Lampoon's Class Reunion, and Greetings, where he worked with Brian DePalma for the first time. He would again work with DePalma on Hi, Mom and Home Movies, as well as The Phantom of the Paradise, where he played Beef, the Alice Cooper-inspired rock star.
He has also appeared in two different roles on the Star Trek television series; as the Hunter of Tosk on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and as a member of the Q Continuum (adopting the name Quinn) in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Death Wish."
He was also the voice of Franklin Sherman in the animated series and has written songs with Bob Weir of Ratdog.
Barry Corbin is an American film and television actor. His most well-known role came in the television series Northern Exposure (1990–1995), for which he was consecutively nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Basil Harry Hoffman (January 18, 1938 — September 17, 2021) was an American actor with a film and television career spanning five decades, mostly in supporting roles. He starred in films with many award-winning directors, including Alan Pakula and Robert Redford. He has also authored two books about acting, including Acting and How to Be Good at It.
Hoffman was born in Houston, Texas in January 1938, the son of Beulah (née Novoselsky) and David Hoffman, an antique dealer. He graduated from Tulane University; and he spent two years at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, receiving a scholarship for the second, graduating year.
His thirteen years of work in New York included many plays, some roles in episodic television, a recurring character on One Life to Live on ABC, hundreds of commercials and a film role in Lady Liberty with Sophia Loren, directed by Mario Monicelli.
He made his first trip to Los Angeles in 1974. In that season, he filmed a theatrical feature, At Long Last Love, for Peter Bogdanovich. In the years that followed he appeared in two television movies, television episodes of Kung Fu, The Rockford Files, Sanford and Son (2 roles), Police Woman, Columbo, Kojak, M*A*S*H (2 roles), Barney Miller and several TV commercials. He had recurring roles as the fingerprint technician on Ellery Queen and as Principal Dingleman on Square Pegs.
Although most of his work was in film and television, he made a few stage appearances, most notably in Sand Mountain, by Romulus Linney, for which he won a Drama-Logue Award, the first staged reading of Martin E. Brooks’ Joe and Flo at the Actors Studio, and the world premiere of William Blinn's Walking Peoria.
He was best known for his work with distinguished film directors, including Peter Bogdanovich, Mario Monicelli, Richard Benjamin, Carl Reiner (twice), Peter Medak (six times) and Alan J. Pakula (twice); Academy Award winners Joel and Ethan Coen, Paolo Sorrentino, Michel Hazanavicius, Steven Spielberg, Delbert Mann, Blake Edwards, Stanley Donen, Sydney Pollack, Ron Howard and Robert Redford (twice as director); and others. His films include: All the President's Men, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, My Favorite Year, The Box, The Electric Horseman, Night Shift, Lucky Lady, Switch, The Milagro Beanfield War, Rio, I Love You, The Pineville Heist, and the Academy Award-winning Best Pictures Ordinary People and The Artist, among many others.
A long-time private acting teacher and coach, he was also a frequent guest lecturer and teacher at prestigious professional and academic institutions, including the American Film Institute, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Emerson College, the University of Southern California, Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, and the Academie Libanaise des Beaux Arts in Beirut, Lebanon.
In 2008, he returned to Beirut as a U.S. State Department Cultural Envoy to Lebanon to teach acting and directing at the University of Balamand's Academie Libanaise des Beaux Arts, Lebanese University, Notre Dame University and St. Joseph University's Institut D'Etude Sceniques Audiovisuelles et Cinematographiques. ...
Source: Article "Basil Hoffman" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Kevin McCarthy (February 15, 1914 – September 11, 2010) was an American actor. He is best remembered as the male lead in the horror science fiction film Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956).
Following several television guest roles, McCarthy gave his first credited film performance in Death of a Salesman (1951), portraying Biff Loman to Fredric March's Willy Loman. The role earned him a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Kevin McCarthy (actor), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Michael Anthony Richards (born July 24, 1949) is an American actor, comedian, writer and television producer, best known for his portrayal of the eccentric Cosmo Kramer on the television sitcom Seinfeld.
Richards began his career as a stand up comedian, first stepping into a national spotlight when he was featured on Billy Crystal's first cable TV special. He went on to become a series regular on ABC's Fridays. Prior to Seinfeld, he made numerous guest appearances on a variety of television shows including Cheers, Night Court, Miami Vice and St. Elsewhere. His film credits include So I Married an Axe Murderer, Airheads, Young Doctors in Love, Problem Child, Coneheads and UHF. During the run of Seinfeld, he made a guest appearance in Mad About You. After Seinfeld, Richards starred in his own sitcom, The Michael Richards Show, which lasted less than one season.
After his series was cancelled, Richards returned to his roots performing stand up comedy. After inciting some media furor in late 2006 over explosively addressing audience members at a comedy show with repeated racial epithets, Richards announced his retirement from stand-up in 2007. Most recently, Richards appeared as himself in the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2009, acting alongside his fellow Seinfeld cast members for the first time since Seinfeld's finale.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Michael Richards, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia
Ron Rifkin (born October 31, 1939) is an American actor. His is best-known for his roles as Arvin Sloane on the spy drama Alias and as Saul Holden on the American family drama Brothers & Sisters.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joe Santos (born June 9, 1931) is an American film and television actor.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Joe Santos, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Vincent Andrew Schiavelli (November 11, 1948 – December 26, 2005) was an American character actor and food writer noted for his work on stage, screen, and television, often described as "the man with the sad eyes." He was notable for his numerous supporting roles. Schiavelli was also well known for his height, standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m). He often attributed his unique facial appearance and great height to Marfan syndrome.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Frank Sivero (born January 6, 1952) is an American character actor, perhaps best known for playing the roles of Genco Abbandando in Mario Puzo's and Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part II and Frankie Carbone (based on Angelo Sepe) in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas. Sivero was born Francesco LoGiudice in Siculiana, Sicily, Italy, and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He can be seen as an extra in The Godfather as one of the witnesses to Sonny Corleone's brutal beating of his brother-in-law, Carlo. Director Martin Scorsese cast him as Frankie Carbone after seeing his performance in The Godfather: Part II. He also appeared in the The Wedding Singer with Adam Sandler.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Frank Sivero, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Mark Lawrence Taylor (born October 25, 1950) is an American actor, known for his roles in such films as Innerspace (1987), Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989), Arachnophobia (1990), and High School Musical 2 (2007), as well as television series such as House Calls (1979), Superman (1988) and The Mask: Animated Series (1995–97).
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
George Robert Wendt III(born October 17, 1948) is an American actor, best known for the role of Norm Peterson on the television show Cheers.
Description above from the Wikipedia article George Wendt, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen was an American television personality, radio personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, writer, and advocate of scientific skepticism. In 1954, he achieved national fame as the co-creator and first host of The Tonight Show, which was the first late night television talk show.
Though he got his start in radio, Allen is best known for his extensive network television career. He gained national attention as a guest host on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. After he hosted The Tonight Show, he went on to host numerous game and variety shows, including his own The Steve Allen Show, I've Got a Secret, and The New Steve Allen Show. He was a regular panel member on CBS's What's My Line?, and from 1977 until 1981 wrote, produced, and hosted the award-winning public broadcasting show Meeting of Minds, a series of historical dramas presented in a talk format.
Allen was a pianist and a prolific composer. By his own estimate, he wrote more than 8,500 songs, some of which were recorded by numerous leading singers. Working as a lyricist, Allen won the 1964 Grammy Award for Best Original Jazz Composition. He also wrote more than 50 books, including novels, children's books, and books of opinions, including his final book, Vulgarians at the Gate: Trash TV and Raunch Radio.
In 1996 Allen was presented with the Martin Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award from the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSICOP). He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Hollywood theater named in his honor.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jayne Meadows (born Jane Meadows Cotter; September 27, 1919 – April 26, 2015), also known as Jayne Meadows-Allen, was an American stage, film and television actress, as well as an author and lecturer. She was nominated for three Emmy Awards during her career and was the elder sister of actress and memoirist Audrey Meadows.
Meadows' most famous movies include: Undercurrent, Song of the Thin Man, David and Bathsheba, Lady in the Lake, Enchantment.
Among her earliest television appearances, Meadows played reporter Helen Brady in the 1953 Suspense episode F.O.B. Vienna. She was a regular panelist on the original version of I've Got a Secret and an occasional panelist on What's My Line?. She also appeared on the NBC interview program Here's Hollywood. Prior to Allen's death in 2000, the couple made several television appearances together; in 1998 they played an argumentative elderly couple in an episode of Homicide: Life on the Street. In 1999, the couple made their last joint TV appearance in the Diagnosis: Murder episode The Roast, which marked Steve Allen's final screen appearance. She also appeared in City Slickers.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Jayne Meadows, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Gela Nash-Taylor (née Jacobson, born 1953) is an American fashion designer and former actress. She co-founded the American brand Juicy Couture in 1997 with Pamela Skaist-Levy. In 2021, she co-founded Los Angeles-based apparel and cannabis brand, Potent Goods, with her son Travis.
Allyce Beasley (née Tannenberg) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as rhyming, love-struck receptionist Agnes DiPesto in the television series Moonlighting. From 2001 to 2007, she was the announcer on Playhouse Disney, a morning lineup of programming for toddlers on Disney Channel. She appeared briefly as a guidance counselor in the comedy film Legally Blonde and played Coach's daughter, Lisa Pantusso, on Cheers. She also announced the safety video during The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood and Florida.
Carl Peter Brocco (January 16, 1903 – December 20, 1992) was an American screen and stage actor. He appeared in over 300 credits, notably Spartacus (1960) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), during his career spanning over 60 years.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Jason Costanzo (born October 20, 1942) is an American actor and voice actor. He has an acting career spanning over forty years as a character actor with nearly 300 credits to his name and is often found playing surly New York City types such as crooks, low-level workers and policemen, and mixes both drama and comedy roles. He is also a prominent voice actor and often serves as a voice double for Danny DeVito.
Michael Ensign (born 13 February 1944) is an American actor. He was born in Arizona (height 6' 1" (1,85 m)), and he is of British/American descent, living extensively in both the USA and the UK. He trained as an actor at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He spent the first eleven years of his professional career in the theatre in Britain. He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1972 to 1975. He played the leading man (Donald) in the musical, 'Irene', at London's Adelphi Theatre in 1978. He appeared in the London productions of The Curse Of The Starving Class (Royal Court Theatre), The Red Devil Battery Sign (Phoenix Theatre) and numerous English Repertory Theatres. His film and television work has been primarily in the USA. In 2009 he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the College of Fine Arts, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Michael Ensign is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
James Le Gros (/ləˈɡroʊ/) (born April 27, 1962) is an American actor. He was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his performance in Living in Oblivion.
Jerome "Jerry" Seinfeld (born April 29, 1954 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and television and film producer, known for playing a semi-fictional version of himself in the situation comedy Seinfeld (1989–1998), which he co-created and co-wrote with Larry David, and, in the show's final two seasons, co-executive-produced.
In his first major foray back into the media since the finale of Seinfeld, he co-wrote and co-produced the film Bee Movie, also taking on the lead role of Barry B. Benson. In February 2010, Seinfeld premiered a reality TV series called The Marriage Ref on NBC. Seinfeld was more recently directing Colin Quinn in the Broadway show Long Story Short at the Helen Hayes Theater in New York which ran until January 8, 2011.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Jerry Seinfeld, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Harvey was born as Harvey Skolnik. He grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey. Harvey started his career in New York City as comedian Sandy Baron's manager. Harvey furthered his career by working with his close longtime friends: Garry Marshall, Penny Marshall, Albert Brooks, James L. Brooks and Jerry Belson,
Harvey helped create Love American Style with Bill Idelson. Harvey also loved meeting celebrities so when he was head writer and director of TV's The Odd Couple, his invigoration of the show by introducing big name talent served dual purposes. Harvey was responsible for integrating the following people into the show: Howard Cosell, Bobby Riggs, Billie Jean King, Paul Williams, Betty White, Allen Ludden and many others.
Harvey first met Burt Reynolds on Cannonball Run. There is a very famous episode of The Dating Game whereby the bachelorette, due to her attraction to his charm and razor sharp humor, chooses Harvey over Burt Reynolds. When the bachelorette meets and sees that she didn't choose Burt, she is devastated. When the host announces her date as Harvey Skolnik from Plainfield, NJ she Is crestfallen. Harvey was a fairly attractive man, but the meet became enormously funny. From that day on when attending industry events or parties, he would always ask if Reynolds was going to be there, so that Reynolds couldn't vengefully express his embarrassment for losing to Harvey.
Harvey bought and lived in Harrison Ford's old house. Before he became a movie star, Harrison was a carpenter and built a lovely country style home in LA.
Harvey made classic cameos in The Odd Couple as the penguin in the bathtub in the nude off Broadway show episode whereby Felix secretly attends his girlfriend's only to embarrass her by covering her up when she appears naked. He also made classic cameo appearances in the Laverne and Shirley whereby he played a shyster producer who steals Laverne's heirloom earrings.
Since he was so close with Penny Marshall, Albert Brooks, Garry Marshall, Jerry Belson and others he always made brief mostly comedic appearances in their TV Shows and Movies. A few of them included: Young Doctors in Love, Beaches, Modern Romance, Awakenings, and Others.
Harvey was always the life of every party and set. He was a unique talent and irrepressible spirit. This world is now a far less interesting place without him. He will be sorely missed.
Lee Ving is an American musician, most famous for his role as lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the Los Angeles-based punk rock band Fear, and as an actor.
Victoria Cooke was born on July 31, 1957 in Hollywood, California. Cooke studied real estate and finance at the University of Arizona. Victoria was the Playmate of the Month in the August, 1980 issue of "Playboy." She had previously appeared in the pictorial "Girls of the Pac 10 Part II" in the October, 1978 issue of "Playboy." Cooke portrayed a Playmate in an episode of "The Jeffersons" and had a small role in the made-for-TV feature "The Ratings Game."
Tracey Walter (born November 25, 1947) is an American character actor. He has appeared in over 100 films and television shows.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Tracey Walter, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Richard Bruce Kind (born November 22, 1956) is an American actor (stage, screen, and voice) and comedian. He is best known for his roles as Captain Stan Yenko on CBS's East New York (2022-23), Dr. Mark Devanow on Mad About You (1992–1999, 2019), and Paul Lassiter on Spin City (1996–2002). He's also well known for his other roles as Peter in The History of the World Part II (2023), Mitch on Netflix's The Watcher, Formica Michael Mikowitz on The Goldbergs, Walter Bloom in tick, tick... Boom! (2021), Cousin Andy on Curb Your Enthusiasm (2002–2021), Rudy Giuliani in Bombshell (2019), John Sears in Suburbicon (2017), Gus Barton on IFC's Brockmire, Marty in All We Had (2016), Mayor Aubrey James on FOX's Gotham, Sam Meyers on the Amazon Prime series Red Oaks, Max Klein in Argo (2012), Joey Rathburn on HBO's Luck starring Dustin Hoffman, Uncle Arthur Gopnik in the Coen Brothers film A Serious Man (2009), Abner Kravitz in the film Bewitched (2005), Louis Tiboni in The Station Agent (2003), He began his acting career in Chicago, where he performed in numerous stage productions. He made his Broadway debut in 1984 in the play "The Pirates of Penzance." He has starred in the smash hit Broadway musical The Producers, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Candide, and Bounce, among others. He is a Drama Desk Award winner and Tony nominee for the Broadway hit The Big Knife. He has appeared in over 50 films, including Clifford (1994), Stargate (1994), For Your Consideration (2006), Hereafter (2010), and Beau Is Afraid (2023).
In addition to his acting career, he is also a vocal advocate for social justice causes. He is a member of the board of directors of the Creative Coalition, an organization that advocates for the arts in public policy. He is also a supporter of the Human Rights Campaign and the Anti-Defamation League. He is also an alumnus of The Second City in Chicago.
