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Brief Biographies
of Latter-day Saint and/or Utah
Film Personalities
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Gary Jackson
Latter-day Saint. Lives in Utah. Sometimes credited as: Gary G. Jackson. Casting director for Living Scriptures, Inc., whose credits include many of their animated Bible videos for children, such as "Moses" (1993), "Abraham and Isaac" (1992), "Joseph in Egypt" (1992), "The Miracles of Jesus" (1989), and "He is Risen" (1988), as well as Book of Mormon videos such as "The Savior in America" (1989). Executive producer for the Latter-day Saint-themed feature-length film "Day of Defense" (2003). Included in the "Appreciation to" section of the closing credits of the Gospel-themed short film "The Touch of the Master's Hand" (1988), directed by T.C. Christensen.
Jay Jackson
Lead Animator/Character Designer at Zygote Media, based in Provo, Utah. Did 3D animation of the Scooby Doo character for the feature film "Scooby Doo" (2002, Rhythm & Hues). 3D facial animation: "Treasure Planet" (2002, Disney). Supervising animator (2D/3D Integration/Animation/Ape Family Lead Animator) for Disney's feature film "Tarzan" (1999). 2D/3D Integration/Animation/Animator for Milo Thatch: "Atlantis" (Disney). Animator for the Muses: "Hercules" (Disney). Animator for Sebastian (one of the main characters) for Disney's "The Little Mermaid" (1989). Animator for Disney films "The Great Mouse Detective" (1986), "The Black Cauldron," "Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983), and "The Fox and the Hound." Supervising animator for "Danny" (the main character, voiced by Scott Bakula) for "Cats Don't Dance" (1997, Turner Feature Animation). Directing Animator for "Tom and Jerry the Movie" (BAER Animation). Website: http://www.zygote.com
Michelle Jackson
Latter-day Saint. Film student at Brigham Young University (BYU). Director of the short documentary "U.S. Border Patrol" (2001) and the short films "The Gift" (2001; a dramatic tale of a homeless man's simple Christmas gift to Jesus) and "The Last Cup." Assistant director of the short films "Delusion" (2001) and "Elise" (2001). Bio from Strictly Docs film festival:
Michelle is a senior at Brigham Young University majoring in film, with an emphasis in directing. She is from Portland, Oregon and served in the Texas San Antonio Mission. She has worked on several student projects and directed some of her own, including "The Gift," and "The Last Cup."
Nikki Jacob
Latter-day Saint. Wrote the short screenplay "Portrait of an American Family," which competed in the 2002 LDS Film Festival.
Christian Jacobs
Latter-day Saint. Born 11 January 1972 in Rexburg, Idaho. Brother of actors Rachel and Parker Jacobs. Great-grandchild of Elder LeGrand Richards of the Quorum of the Twelve. Left his acting career to serve a full-time mission from 1991 to 1993 in Japan. Lead singer of California-based band "The Aquabats." Actor. Featured in three TV series: He played "Bruce Watson" on the short-lived TV series "Maggie" (1981-1982). He played "Joey Stivic" on the short-lived TV series "Gloria" (1982-1983), starring Sally Struthers and Burgess Meredith. (He played Sally Struthers' son.) Then he provided the voice of "Cavin" on the animated series "The Gummi Bears" in 1985, its first year on TV. He was nominated for a Young Artist Award in 1983 for his role on "Gloria," and again in 1986 for his work on "The Gummi Bears." Had a significant role in the TV special "The History of White People in America: Volume II" (1986). Had small roles in the films "Vergiss Amerika" (2000), "There Goes My Baby" (1993), "Gleaming the Cube" (1989) and "Pretty in Pink" (1986), and the TV movies "Exile" (1990), "In Love and War" (1987), "Second Sight: A Love Story" (1984). His TV guest roles include: Paradise; Roseanne; Married... with Children; Just the Ten of Us; V; Highway to Heaven; Finder of Lost Loves; The Love Boat. Christian and his family are the subject of the book Faith and Fortune: A Mormon Family In Hollywood, by Kimball Jacobs and Shane Lester, 2002.
David K. Jacobs
Latter-day Saint. Sometimes credited as: David Jacobs. Writer/producer/director of the classic short video dramas "The First Vision" (1976), "Uncle Ben" (1978) and "The Mailbox" (1977), produced at the LDS Motion Picture Studios at Brigham Young University. "The First Vision" depicts the foundational story of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The film shows a young Joseph Smith and his search for truth, which led to the visitation of God the Father and Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith. "The First Vision" is one of the most widely seen films ever produced by the Church. "The Mailbox" won the Cine-Gold Eagle Award and many other top awards. "The Mailbox" was entered in the 1977 annual Academy Awards competition for short live action films, and was one of 15 finalists out of hundreds of films entered. Jacobs is the uncle of Hollywood child actors Christian, Parker and Rachel Jacobs. Starred as "J. Pierpont Finch" in the musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at BYU (1967-68). Casting director for the Church video "Windows of Heaven" (1963), about the prophet Lorenzo Snow. Casting director for the Gospel-themed short film "The Touch of the Master's Hand" (1988), which was directed by T.C. Christensen and included on videos produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Casting director for the classic short film "Johnny Lingo" (1969), produced by Brigham Young University for the Church.
Eric Jacobs
Latter-day Saint. Born circa 1991. Child actor based in Utah. Had a major supporting role as "Bobby" in the TV movie "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" (2001). Supporting role in the TV movie "Firestarter 2: Rekindled" (2002). Guest appearances on TV shows, including: Everwood; Touched by an Angel.
Kimball Jacobs
Latter-day Saint. Lives in Bountiful, Utah with his second wife, Shirley. Also known as: Kim Jacobs. Graduated from Provo High School. Served a full time mission in West Germany. BA from BYU in drama and German. Brother of actor/director David K. Jacobs. Married Rebecca in 1969 while they were BYU students. Taught school in Southeastern Ririe, Idaho for three years, coached wrestling and directed plays. Owned and managed a fast food restaurant in Ogden for one year and returned to teaching. Kimball and Rebecca Jacobs and their family moved to the Hollywood area in late 1976. While in California, their children Parker, Rachel and Christian Jacobs were at one time all appearing in regular roles on network TV series. While focusing mainly on his children's acting careers, Kimball Jacobs also worked various odd jobs, including working in the distribution department of Lyman Dayton's company, the Doty-Dayton Film Corporation, and serving as a production assistant under his former Doty-Dayton boss Dean Moser for the TV movie "Rivals" (1979), also known as "Stranger at Jefferson High." After becoming experiencing a surprising level of success, as well as downturns, the family became disenchanted with Hollywood and returned to Utah in 1985. In Utah Kimball Jacobs has worked behind the scenes on film crews, including working as the driver for the Feature Films For Families videos "Secret of Treasure Mountain" (1993), "Seasons of the Heart" (1993), "The ButterCream Gang" (1991) and "Split Infinity" (1992). Bio from http://158.91.101.1/alumni/1962/experience.htm:
Moved to North Hollywood where various members of our family appeared on television or movie versions of: "Different Strokes", "Love Boat", "Iron Eagles", "Main Event", "Pretty in Pink", "A Fighting Choice", "The Cavanaughs", "Hard Times on Planet Earth", "The Tracy Ullman Show", "Gloria", "Strike Force", "Trapper John M.D.", "Fridays", "Rosanne", "Cassie & Co.", "Who Will Love My Children?", "Highway to Heaven", "The Berrengers", "Major Dad", "Uncle Buck", "Silver Spoons", "Maggie", "It's Not Easy", "Cagney and Lacy", "Posse", "Canterville Ghost", "Henry Hamilton, Graduate Ghost", "The Gummi Bears", "Married With Children", "Exiles", "Growing Pains", "Gleaming the Cube", "The Wonder Years", "E.R.", "Trauma Center", "The Paul Lynde Christmas Special", "The Robert Young's Father Knows Best Christmas Special", "The Mac Davis Christmas Special", "Kid With the Broken Halo", "Million Dollar Infield", "Charles in Charge", "Family Ties", "Second Sight", "Rivals", Absence of Malice", "The Outsiders", "The Mailbox", "Uncle Ben", "The Jerk", Ray Bradbury's "The Screaming Woman" (for audio presentation).
Moved to Bountiful in 1985 and have worked in a chiropractic office as sales agent, for a major local publishing company as a sales rep. on the production crew for Feature Films for Families, as Production Assistant and Casting Director Assistant for Colmbat Camera at Hill Air Force Base. In May '02, after 22 years I retired from the Utah Air National Guard 151 st Air Refueling Wing.
Shirley Ann Phipps of Aberdeen, Scotland, is my sweetheart and we have a blended family of nine with fourteen grandchildren. In February of 2002, Shirley and I participated in the "Light of the World" production at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City, she carrying the flag of Scotland and I the flag of Germany. We have served 2 stake missions together and currently serve as temple ordinance workers. I have recently published a partial autobiography, Faith and Fortune: A Mormon Family in Hollywood (2002).
Parker Jacobs
Latter-day Saint. Born 17 July 1975, Ogden, Utah. Birth name: Parker LeGrand Jacobs. Served a 2-year full-time mission in West Virginia, beginning in 1994. Brother of actors Rachel and Parker Jacobs. Great-grandchild of Elder LeGrand Richards of the Quorum of the Twelve. Child actor. Played the part of "John Cavanaugh" on the network TV series "The Cavanaughs" (1986-1989). Had a major supporting role on the TV movie "My Town" (1986), starring Meredith Salenger, Glenn Ford and Kate Mulgrew. Also appeared in the TV movie "A Fighting Choice" (1986), starring Beau Bridges, and the film "The Wrong Guys" (1988). TV guest appearances include: Growing Pains; Valerie; Amazing Stories; The Jeffersons; E/R; Charles in Charge; and at least four episodes of "The Wonder Years." Parker and his family are the subject of the book Faith and Fortune: A Mormon Family In Hollywood, by Kimball Jacobs and Shane Lester, 2002.
Rachel Jacobs
Latter-day Saint. Born 26 September 1970, Ririe, Idaho. Birth name: Rachel Elizabeth Jacobs. Sister of actors Christian and Parker Jacobs. Great-grandchild of Elder LeGrand Richards of the Quorum of the Twelve. First starred in Church videos written and directed by David K. Jacobs (her uncle) at the LDS Motion Picture studios at BYU: "The Mailbox" (1977) and "Uncle Ben" (1978). Had major roles in the TV pilot "Dear Teacher" (1981) and the TV special "How to Eat Like a Child" (1980). Smaller roles in the Disney feature film "The North Avenue Irregulars" (1979) and the TV films "14 Going on 30" (1988), "Who Will Love My Children?" (1983) and "Kid with the Broken Halo" (1982). Regular roles on TV series as "Shelley" on the sitcom "Growing Pains (1986-1989) and as "Carol Long" on the series "It's Not Easy" (1983). TV guest appearances on "Family Ties," "The Love Boat" and "Diff'rent Strokes." Acted in many national commercials, as well as "Homefront" series commercials for the Church. Rachel and her family are the subject of the book Faith and Fortune: A Mormon Family In Hollywood, by Kimball Jacobs and Shane Lester, 2002. Her first big role was starring as the child "Emily" on stage in the Latter-day Saint-themed musical Saturday's Warrior in Utah in 1976. After a career as a child actress, she left Hollywood to attend Brigham Young University (BYU) and serve as a full-time missionary for 18 months in the Chicago Illinois Mission, beginning in 1991. Married Jonathan Struhs (a fellow missionary in her mission) after they both returned home, on 24 November 1994.
Robin Jacobs
Sometimes credited as: Robin Jacobs Allegro. Hair stylist worked as the key hair stylist on some Utah productions, including Blair Treu's "Wish Upon a Star" (1996) and the TV series "The Visitor" (1997). Later worked as the key hair stylist on the TV series "Boston Public" (2000-2002). Other credits as hair stylist or assistant hair stylist include the late TV series "Ally McBeal", the TV movies "Hard Time" (1998), "No Laughing Matter" (1998), and "Rough Riders" (1997), the TV miniseries "Dead Man's Walk" (1996), and the movies "The Gingerbread Man" (1998), "Prefontaine" (1997), "Tom and Huck" (1995) and "Lightning Jack" (1994).
Marcie Jacobsen
Latter-day Saint. Bio from Musical Theatre Workshop staff description (http://www.playersanonymous.org/main/auditions.html):
Performer, Producer and Director, Marcie has a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Brigham Young University where she has been Part-time Music Faculty since 1995. In addition to teaching at B.Y.U. and her private studio, Marcie produces the performing group Acting Up! Theatre for Youth. Marcie has been the Music Director for The Scarlet Pimpernel, Hello, Dolly!, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, She Loves Me, Sweeney Todd and Singing in the Rain. While at BYU, Marcie toured with the Young Ambassadors and performed in various musicals including Evita, Chess, The Wiz, Oklahoma, and West Side Story. Marcie has also performed in A Funny thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Sundance Summer Theatre, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Kingsbury Hall, Celebrating the Light and Unspoken Song for Promised Valley Playhouse, and Little Shop of Horrors at the Provo Theatre Company. Most recently Marcie played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd at the Castle Theatre and last summer played the title role in Hello, Dolly! at the SCERA Shell.
Aaron Jacques
Born 1 October 1988, St. George, Utah. Actor with major roles in the low budget films "I Might Even Love You" (2001) and "Plague" (2001), both filmed in California.
Dean Jagger
Latter-day Saint (convert). Born 7 November 1903, Columbus Grove, Ohio. Died 5 February 1991, Santa Monica, California. Birth name: Ira Dean Jagger. Sometimes credited as: Jeffrey Dean. Jagger is known in Church circles as the Hollywood film star who played the part of Brigham Young in the big budget Hollywood movie "Brigham Young - Frontiersman" (1940). Jagger later received an Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for "Twelve O'Clock High" (1949) and he later joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was one of the few actors ever to have his obituary printed in the Church News. He left his considerable collection of film memorabilia, papers, etc. to Brigham Young University. Received a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival for his role in "Executive Suite" (1954). Jagger appeared in at least 90 films, often as a leading man but usually as a second lead or in major supporting roles. His movies include: Betrayed (1944); Day of the Evil Gun (1968); First to Fight (1967); Forty Guns (1957); Vanishing Point (1971); Western Union (1941); X, the Unknown (1956); Home on the Range (1935); The North Star (1943); Denver and Rio Grande (1952); The Robe (1953); The Nun's Story (1959); Elmer Gantry (1960); Parrish (1961); Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962); The Kremlin Letter (1970); Alligator (1980). One of his best remembered roles was the pivotal 5th-billed role of "General Thomas F. Waverly" in the box office hit "White Christmas" (1954), in which he co-starred with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen. He had a regular role as "Principal Albert Vane" on the TV series "Mr. Novak" (1963-1964). TV guest appearances include: St. Elsewhere; The Waltons; Alias Smith and Jones; Kung Fu; The Partridge Family; Bonanza; The Fugitive; The F.B.I.; The Twilight Zone. Leonard Maltin bio on IMDb (http://us.imdb.com/Bio?Jagger,+Dean):
In his thirties a wavy-haired, handsome, likable leadingman type, Jagger never quite reached the mark, and spent the bulk of his screen career playing second leads and character parts. By the early 1950s he was a bald supporting player who always proffered intelligent characterizations and delivered smooth performances. Jagger, who began his show-biz career in vaudeville during the early 1920s, won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his work in the drama "Twelve O'Clock High" (1949). He also essayed the title role in "Brigham Young - Frontiersman" (1940), a well-remembered effort. Jagger's few leads include a 1935 Zane Grey Western for Paramount, "Wanderer of the Wasteland" a 1936 Poverty Row thriller, "Revolt of the Zombies" (1936), and "When Strangers Marry" an unheralded little B thriller of surprising quality, costarring Jagger with Kim Hunter and Robert Mitchum and directed by William Castle. He also played the high school principal on the TV series "Mr. Novak" (1963-64).
Josh James
Latter-day Saint. Actor with a major role in Blair Treu's award-winning direct-to-video feature film Wish "Upon a Star" (1996). Major role as the lead character's best friend in the Latter-day Saint-themed film "Only Once" (1998), directed by Rocco DeVilliers. TV guest appearance on "Promised Land" in 1997. Josh James left acting to become a successfuly Internet businessman.
Richard W. James
Producer of the IMAX film "Hearst Castle: Building the Dream" (1996), written and directed by Bruce Neibaur and co-produced by Scott Swofford (both Neibaur and Swofford are Latter-day Saints).
Ryan James
Latter-day Saint. Birth name: Ryan Christopher James. Hometown: Pleasant View, Utah. Lives in Provo, Utah. Director of the short film "The Bottle" (2001), a dramatic comedy chosen for inclusion in the best of competition collection at the International Young LDS Film Festival in 2001.
Tania James
Won the Lighting Design Award as a BYU student in 1996. Did the lighting for the Latter-day Saint-themed one-woman musical "Polly," which in 1993 was taped and made into a video sold in LDS bookstores.
Trenton James
Actor. In November 2002 he auditioned for a role in Gary Rogers' Book of Mormon feature film, and was invited to "call backs" (second round of auditions).
Linda Jamison
Lives in Sandy, Utah. Set dresser or props.
Mindy Jamison
Latter-day Saint. Scenic artist for the KBYU documentary "Minerva Teichert: A Mission in Paint" (1988). Richard L. Jamison was the art director for this production.
Richard L. Jamison
Latter-day Saint. Lives in Sandy, Utah. Also credited as: Dick Jamison; Richard Jamison; Richard Jameson. Twenty years experience as a production designer and art director, with extensive experience in creating large sets, period sets, and sets for IMAX and 70mm films. He IS NOT the same person as the Hollywood bit part actor named "Richard Jamison." Jamison's career as a production designer began when he was the set designer and technical advisor for Kieth Merrill's groundbreaking film about Native Americans, "Windwalker" (1980), which was acclaimed for its authenticity. Production designer for the PBS documentary "A More Perfect Union: America Becomes a Nation" (1989) and the Feature Films For Families video "Behind the Waterfall" (1995). Production design for IMAX films, including "Yellowstone" (1994), "The Witness" (1999), and "Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West" (2002). Production designer for the big-budget Church-produced film "The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd" (2000), for which he created the largest set ever erected in Hawaii. Worked on other major productions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including "Legacy" (1990), "Mountain of the Lord" (1993), "Lamb of God," "Nora's Christmas Gift" (1989), "How Rare a Possession" and "The Restoration." Jamison and the crew of his company, Highland Film, have done the production design, art direction, and/or props on dozens more films and TV series, including: Message In A Cell Phone; A Midnight Clear; The Witching of Ben Wagner; Blind Rage; Hidden Secrets of the Grand Canyon. Production designer for "A Voice from the Dust," a series of feature films based on the Book of Mormon. Bio from the project website (http://www.voicefromthedust.com/):
More credits from his website (http://highlandfilm.com/page9.html):
In addition to film production design work, the following are a sampling of projects Richard Jamison has been commissioned to design and/or build:
- A seven eco-system theme park and IMAX theater complex for Destination Cinema/National Geographic.
- The Grand Canyon IMAX theater renovation and theme park for Destination Cinema/National Geographic.
- Pier 39 San Francisco theater renovation and lobby design and decoration.
- 1600s period sets for the Pequot Indian Museum's 70mm film, including a 300x100 ft. replica fort and thatched long houses.
- The Zion Canyon Theater in Springville, Utah including the architectural concept of the theater and the theater lobby decoration.
- Lobby display design and decoration for the Branson, Missouri IMAX theater.
- Lobby display design and decoration for the Hawaii IMAX theater including a 35-ft suspended whale model.
Leon Janney
Born 1 April 1917, Ogden, Utah. Died 28 October 1980, Guadalajara, Mexico. Birth name: Leon Ramon. Had regular roles on 4 TV series: The Edge of Night; Hawk; Another World; Think Fast. Appeared in at least 15 movies, including as Dr. Nemur in "Charly" (1968). Played many roles in radio dramas during radio's "golden age."
Matthew Janzen
Latter-day Saint. Born 17 December 1974, Bend, Oregon. Grew up outside Salem, Oregon. Served a full-time mission in Oklahoma City. Graduate of film school at Brigham Young University (BYU). Writer/director of the short films "Funky Town" (2000), "The Salesman" (1999), "Hold Me" (1999) and "The Trouble with Norman." Janzen had little contact with film while growing up. In ninth grade he got a video camera and starting experimenting, essentially teaching himself filmmaking. Janzen's "The Salesman" (which he also co-produced and edited) is a black and white silent film meticulously patterned after the early comedies made famous by Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, and Charlie Chaplin. "Funky Town," which competed in the LDS Film Festival held in Provo, Utah in November 2002, is described thus: "Archer, a stoolie who wants to go straight, attempts to escape Funky Town and his life of deceit; the problem is, when you work both sides of the law, something has to catch up with you." "Funky Town" was selected for inclusion in the Festival's touring "Best of 2002" program.
James Jarnigan
Also credited as: James Jarnagan. Child actor who appeared in a number of films made in Utah during the late 1970s. Had a a major supporting role in the classic BYU-made Church short films "Uncle Ben" (1978) and "Christmas Snows, Christmas Winds" (1978). Had roles in the made-in-Utah feature film "The Great Brain" (1978), starring Jimmy Osmond, in the fantasy feature film "The Sword and the Sorcerer" (1982), and in the TV movie "Stranger in Our House" (1978). Also had guest roles on TV shows such as "Little House on the Prairie" and "Mork and Mindy."
Howard Jarvis
Born 22 September 1903, Ogden, Utah. Died 12 August 1986, Los Angeles County, California. Jarvis was best known as the founder of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and as a political activist who succeeded in passing Proposition 13 in California in 1978, to cap property taxes. Some analysts cite this as the beginning of the modern conservative movement. He made a cameo appearance in the feature film "Airplane!" (1980), playing a man in a taxi.
Martin Jedlicka
Lives in Park City, Utah with his wife Chantel. Sometimes credited as: Marty Jedlicka. Shared Directors Guild of America Award for "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials" for the TV movie "Don King: Only in America" (1997), on which he was the 2nd assistant director. First assistant director for the TV movies "The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All" (1999) and "The Substitute: Failure Is Not an Option" (2000). Second assistant director the feature films: The Hunted (2002); Rules of Engagement (2000); U.S. Marshals (1998); Escape from L.A. (1996); Fair Game (1995); True Lies (1994); Fire in the Sky (1993); Dracula (1992); All I Want for Christmas (1991). Second assistant director the TV movies: Don King: Only in America (1997); Tidal Wave: No Escape (1997); Torch Song (1993); In the Arms of a Killer (1992). Second second assistant director for the TV series "Father Dowling Mysteries" (1989). Did stunts in the feature film "U.S. Marshals" (1998).
Wesley Jeffries
Costume designer. Born 16 July 1906, Provo, Utah. Born 12 July 2000, Palm Desert, California. Credits include: The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966); The Hallelujah Trail (1965); The Girl in Black Stockings (1957); Wagon Master (1950); Jeremiah Johnson (1972); Seven Days in May (1964); China Doll (1958); Ghost Town (1955); Tarzan and the She-Devil (1953); Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla (1952); Tarzan's Peril (1951).
Devereaux Jennings
Born 22 September 1884 in Utah. Died 12 March 1952, Hollywood, California. Birth name: Joseph Devereaux Jennings. Often credited as: JD Jennings or Dev Jennings. Academy Award nominations for Best Special Effects for "Unconquered" (1947) and "Samson and Delilah" (1949). Received honorary Academy Award in 1939 for outstanding achievements in creating special photographic and sound effects, for the movie "Spawn of the North". Shared these nominations and awards with fellow Utahn Gordon Jennings (his brother?). Also did special effects work on: The Greatest Show on Earth (1952); Blaze of Noon (1947); The Dark Mirror (1946); Two Years Before the Mast (1946); The Searching Wind (1946); Practically Yours (1944); Champagne Waltz (1937). Cinematographer on over 80 films, including: Born to the West (1937); Stranger in Town (1932); Side Show (1931); The Public Enemy (1931); Golden Dawn (1930); Song of the West (1930); The General (1927); What Price Beauty? (1925); The Gunfighter (1923); Bells of San Juan (1922); Madame X (1920); Ace High (1918); The Jungle Child (1916); Matrimony (1915).
Gordon Jennings
8 Academy Awards out of 15 Academy Award nominations for special effects/visual effects. Special effects credits on over 140 films. Also credited as the cinematographer on "Give Us This Night" (1936), "Our Hospitality" (1923), and "The Blot" (1921).
Ann Jensen
Utah-based actress. Supporting roles in "Stay Until Tomorrow" (2000 Sundance Filmmakers Lab), "Caucasia" (2000 Sundance Filmmakers Lab), "The Shamrocks" (1999 Sundance Filmmakers Lab). Lead role in the student film "Barbie's Bad Break." Supporting role in "The Maldanado Miracle" (Annagh, Inc.). Appeared in commercial for Channel 2 News Provo. Appeared on stage at Plan B Theatre, Babcock Theatre, Wasatch Theatre Co., StageRight Theatre in The Alienation Effekt; Playboy of the Western World; Talley's Folly; Twelth Night. Voiceover work for the Tahitian Noni Website (Noni Girl/animated character), Utah Credit Unions, KDS Monitors.
Camille Jensen
Lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Was a 16-year-old student at Cottonwood High School (in south Salt Lake City) in 2002 when she starred in the University of Utah Youth Theatre's "Anne Frank and Me," which played at the Babcock Theatre. Jensen shared the role with Haley McCormick of Brighton High School. Jensen and McCormick both had major roles in the Disney TV movie "The Poof Point" (2001). Before that, Jensen had a supporting role in the independent feature film "Baby Bedlam" (2000), written and directed by Eric Hendershot.
Chris Jensen
Based in central Utah. Video operator.
Christian Jensen
Utah-based actor. Bit parts in the Evangelical-made feature film "The Climb" (2002) and the TV movie "The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All" (1999). Guest appearance on "Touched by an Angel."
Curt Jensen
BYU film student. Received a Design Award when he participated in ACTF! in 2003. Costume designer for the award-winning short BYU student film "The Promethean" (2003). Did set design for BYU stage plays, including the design for Anton Chekhov's The Three Sisters (Nov. 13-17, 2001), which a theater critic called "magnificent, easily manipulated, and appropriate for every scene."
David Jensen
Born 30 December 1947, Logan, Utah. Died 1 December 1998,
Salt Lake City, Utah, of apparent suicide. Married to actress Jan Hanks Jensen Sometimes credited as: Dave Jensen. Talented Utah-based character actor. One of Jensen's most prominent and best performances was as the father of the lead character (played by Austin O'Brien) in the Latter-day Saint-themed film "Only Once" (1998), directed by Rocco DeVilliers. Jensen had the 3rd-billed role in "Nora's Christmas Gift" (1989), a Church-produced film shown on television and available on video which starred Celesete Holm and was directed by Michael McLean. Jensen had lead roles in animated videos from the Living Scriptures, Inc., including "Moses" (1993) and "He is Risen" (1988). He also did voice work for Feature Films For Families' English-language version of the Hungarian animated feature "Willy the Sparrow" (1989). He had the 2nd billed role in the TV movie "The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All" (1999). He had small roles in over 20 other films, including: Species (1995), Stephen King's "The Stand" (1994; miniseries), A Home of Our Own (1993), Split Infinity (1992), Tripwire (1990), Halloween 4 (1988), The Avenging Angel (1995).
Dayna Jensen
Lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Script writer/continuity.
Doug Jensen
Latter-day Saint. Based in central Utah. Sometimes credited as: Douglas Jensen. Video operator. Co-cameraman (along with Kirk Jorgensen) for the 1986 video version of the popular Latter-day Saint-themed musical "My Turn on Earth," written by Lex de Azevedo and Carol Lynn Pearson. Technical crew for the KBYU documentary "Letting God Have His Way: A Conversation about C.S. Lewis" (1999).
Gail Minkevitch Jensen
Lives in Ogden, Utah. Set dresser or props.
Jamie Jensen
Makeup/hair assistant for the Latter-day Saint-themed feature film "The Singles Ward" (2002). Production secretary for the Charles E. Sellier production "Earthbound" (1981).
Jan Hanks Jensen
Sometimes credited as: Jan Jensen. Married to actor David Jensen. Utah-based actress. Major role (as the mother of the lead actress) in the Latter-day Saint-themed film "Only Once" (1998). Small roles in "The Way of the Gun" (2000) and "The Runner" (1999).
Jason Jensen
Second assistant camera for the Utah-filmed direct-to-video movie "Horse Crazy" (2001).
Joel Jensen, Jr.
Lives in Draper, Utah. Production accountant for the Latter-day Saint-themed feature films "The Singles Ward" (2002) and "The R.M." (2003).
Julie Jensen was "discovered" by film and television producer/director, Norman Lear, at a staged reading of her play in New York, Thursday's Child, starring Kathy Bates. He brought Julie out to California where she wrote for film and TV. Julie is now head of the graduate playwriting program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Julie was commissioned by ASK (Audrey Skirball) Theatre Projects to write Two-Headed. It is scheduled to have its world premiere at The Salt Lake Acting Company. It will also be produced by The Women's Project in New York and the Santa Fe Repertory, among others. Julie Jensen's first full-length play, Cisterns, premiered at the Attic Theatre in Detroit. Early one-acts were produced in New York at the Negro Ensemble Company, the Quaigh Theatre and The Women's Project. Jensen's Stray Dogs won the CBS/Dramatists Guild Prize and opened at the Arena Theatre in Washington, D.C. Her play, White Money, won the Award for New American Plays and premiered at The Salt Lake Acting Company in 1991. Jensen's play The Lost Vegas Series (read in The New Play Sounding Series by SLAC in 1994) was included in the Mark Taper Forum's New Works Festival and had its world premiere at the Zebra Crossing Theatre in Chicago, where it won the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Play of the Season. The play is now in production at a new professional theatre in Los Vegas, The Asylum.
Kim Jensen
Wardrobe assistant for the Latter-day Saint-themed feature film "Handcart" (2002).
Larry C. Jensen
Latter-day Saint. Born 31 March 1938, Logan, Utah. Birth name: Larry Cyril Jensen. Education: 1956-1961 - Brigham Young University. Degrees: B.S. - 1960 Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah; M.S. - 1961 Brigham Young University, Provo Utah; Ph.D. - 1966 Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. Emeritus faculty member at Brigham Young University (BYU). Writer of documentary and instructional videos about parenting: "Love's Tough Reach" (1984); "For Parents Only" (1984); Discovering the Parent Within You (1997); "Gender roles: Mother and fathering; Gender roles: Eternal and temporal" (1997); "Sex Roles" (1998); "Parenting" (1998). Author of over 100 books and professional papers.
Robert M. Jensen
Also credited as: Robert Jensen. Negative cutter for the KBYU documentary "Minerva Teichert: A Mission in Paint" (1988), for which James W. Dearden was the assistant editor. Assistant editor for the classic BYU-made Church film "The Mailbox" (1977), for which Dearden was the film editor. Negative cutter for Bill Shira's BYU student film "Gold Fever" (1990) and for Kenneth Kemp's BYU student film "Wildest Dreams" (1986).
Ryan Jensen
Latter-day Saint. Film student at Brigham Young University (BYU). Writer of "Signal Strength" (2002), a short animated film that was voted among Best of Final Cut at BYU's film festival in 2002.
Thom Jensen
Lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Writer/director of student short films "Honey Mooners", "The Egg Thief" and "The Last Ice Cream." Writer/director of the short film "Acrylic Character Teeth Workshop."
Konnor Jenson
Lives in Utah. Sometimes credited as: Konnor S. Jenson. Lead man for the TV movies "The Poof Point" (2001), "Tell Me No Secrets" (1997) and "Face of Evil" (1996), the Feature Films For Families video "Return to the Secret Garden" (2000) and the feature film "The Crow: Salvation" (2000). Set dresser for the movies "Drive Me Crazy" (1999), "The Rage" (1997), and "A Life Less Ordinary" (1997).
Heber Jentzsch
Uncredited cameo appearance as Charles Carroll, M.D. in the feature film "1776" (1972). Jentzsch is best known as the worldwide president of the Church of Scientology. He is the son of polygamist Carl Jentzsch (a member of a Latter-day Saint splinter group) and has 42 siblings.
Randy Jernigan
Latter-day Saint. Co-producer of the Latter-day Saint-themed TV movie "Black Stars Over Mexico" (2003?), in which he makes a cameo appearance. Author of more than 2000 articles dealing with Hollywood films, television and celebrities. Author of This Thing Called Love: Love Stories to Gladden the Heart and Warm the Soul. One of his stories from this book, "No Regrets," was produced into a short film for HBO. Currently writing and will act as producer of a television series titled "Great Women in History." Bio from Stone Forest Studios website:
Randy Jernigan has been covering the comings and goings of the rich and famous for more than a decade from his official front-row perch on the battlefield of celebrity journalism. A talented author, Randy infuses his work with a kind humor, warmth and a sence of fairness that has made him one of the most widely read journalists of his day.
Randy was born in El Campo, Texas, and raised in Milton, Florida. In 1980 Randy left Florida to serve a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah, and later studied creative writing at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.
Randy has freelanced for for many of the entertainment industry's most popular magazines, and has become well known for his interviewing skills. Randy is a regular contributor to such magazines as Star Magazine, The National Enquirer, Woman's World, McCall's Magazine, Celebrity Focus, and many others. Randy has also produced and scripted for several television news programs including Paramount Studio's "Hardcopy" and Warner Bro's "Extra."
Diana Jergensen
Associate producer of two Latter-day Saint-themed PBS specials: "Remembering Uncle Golden" and "On the Road With J. Golden Kimball."
George Jeske
Born 22 February 1891 in Utah. Died 28 October 1951, Los Angeles, California. Birth name: George Washington Jaeschke. Screenwriter and film director during the 1920s, '30s and '40s. Directed over 20 films, including 7 "Torchy" films. Screenplays include "Moon Over Las Vegas" (1944), "Criminal Investigator" (1942) and "An Apple In His Eye" (1941). Directed most of the Stan Laurel comedies during the early 1920s. Appeared onscreen as a Keystone Cop in the early 1900s.
Michelle Jesperson
Utah-based actress. Appeared in bit parts in "See You In My Dreams" (Randwell Productions), "The Right Temptation" (2000), "Primary Suspect" (2000), and the Disney TV movie "Johnny Tsunami" (1999). Appeared in commercials for Honda, Arctic Circle, Watkins Jr. High, La Beau's Restaurant. Appeared on stage in Crazy For You at Layton Theater, First Night (New Years Eve production at the LDS Tabernacle), and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Layton Theater.
Brad Jessey
Lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Stunt man and stunt double whose credits include: Con Express (2002); The Way of the Gun (2000); The Crow: Salvation (2000); Bats (1999); Drive Me Crazy (1999); The Rage (1997); Not In This Town (1997); Unabomber: The True Story (1996). Stunt co-ordinator for the independent film "Green Diggity Dog" (2001). Bit part actor in the TV movies "The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All" (1999, playing a thug), "Dying to Belong" (1997, playing a "rough guy"), and the movies "SLC Punk!" (1999, playing a cowboy) and "Invasion of Privacy" (1996, as a reporter).
Jack Jevne
Born 25 January 1892, Provo, Utah. Died 25 May 1972, Los Angeles County. Sometimes credited as: Jack T.O. Gevne; Jack Levine; Jack West; John E. West; Johnny West. Writer of at least 29 films, including: The Fabulous Joe (1947); Wonder Man (1945); Barnacle Bill (1941); Wyoming (1940); Captain Fury (1939); Topper (1937); Way Out West (1937); Thunderbolt (1935); I Cover the Waterfront (1933); Easy Millions (1933); Average Husband (1930); Eve's Leaves (1926). Director of "The Ghost Rider" (1935) and "Top Flat" (1935). Jevne's name was used as a front as the writer of "Autumn Leaves" (1956), which was actually written by two writers -- Jean Rouverol and Hugo Butler -- who were on the "Hollywood Blacklist" of McCarthy-era Communist hunting era.
Delos Jewkes
Latter-day Saint (convert). Born 21 October 1895. Died 17 July 1984, Provo, Utah (heart attack). Birth name: Jesse Delos Jewkes. Sometimes credited as: J. Delos Jewkes; J.D. Jewkes. IMDb: "Appeared in all of the MacDonald-Eddy musicals. Was the voice of God in DeMille's 'The Ten Commandments' according to his published obituary." Appeared in small roles or sang in at least 15 movies, including: Around the World in Eighty Days (1956); Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971); The Music Man (1962); Stars and Stripes Forever (1952); Dressed to Kill (1946); The Wizard of Oz (1939); Nobody's Baby (1937); Cain and Mabel (1936). Guest appearances on "The Andy Griffith" show.
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Web page created 7 June 2002. Last modified 2 September 2003.