In May of 1996 one of the undeniably greatest Hawaiian actors in the history of stage, film, and television passed away. Danny Kamekona was in many ways a very typical resident of islands. His ancestry was mixed: one-half Hawaiian, one-quarter Japanese and one-quarter Chinese. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Kamekona was a versatile actor, and during his acting career he played Hawaiian, Chinese and Japanese characters. Perhaps his most popular role was as the villainous (but ultimately redeemed) "Sato" in The Karate Kid II, a film which grossed $115 million at the box office in 1986. This was one of many films he appeared with his long-time friend Pat Morita. Kamekona's subtle performance as "Sato" soared above the stereotypical and one-dimensional portrayals of Asian villains more typical of action films.

Fans of the long-running television show "Hawaii Five-O" will remember Kamekona for not one but two recurring roles on that series. He played "Che Fong" in 1968 nd 1969, and later returned to the show as "Nick Noble" in 1974 and 1975. During other years he played many guest roles as other characters. He typically appeared in 9 or 10 episodes of "Hawaii Five-O" each year. The show's producers asked him to commit to be a regular cast member, but he declined because he preferred having a variety of roles and wanted to avoid being typecast, and he also didn't want to spend too much time away from his successful insurance business.

In addition to many other film and television roles, Kamekona also had was a regular cast member (as Henry) from 1994 to 1995 on "Burke's Law", a revival of the 1960's cop thriller.

Kamekona served for three years as a full-time missionary for the Church. His mission was in Osaka, Japan -- the first time he experienced his ancestral homeland firsthand. He attended Brigham Young University - Hawaii Campus on a football scholarship. At BYU-Hawaii he he was voted "Most Likely to Succeed." He also attended the University of Hawaii. He died May 1 in California. His memorial service was held May 11 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Beretania Street in Honolulu. [Sources: Helen Altonn. "Danny Kamekona, one of Hawaii's top actors, dies in L.A. at the age of 60" in Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 3 May 1996; Karate Kid Movie Website; IMDb.]

A lover of the arts, I was only briefly sidetracked by a career in law. Shortly after law school, I returned to film school to study screen writing and directing. I've written a dozen screenplays with several produced. I've been writing novels and memoirs for five years. After summary rejections by the big boys I decided to self-publish my first novel I Hated Heaven, of which 15,000 have been sold. My next book, Dad Was A Carpenter, won the Grand Prize in the 1999 Writer's Digest National Self-Published Book Awards. Within days I had secured a top-flight agent and in just a matter of weeks, we made a six-figure deal with HarperCollins to reprint Carpenter. The redesigned book was released in April 2001. I just finished The Welcoming Door, which will be published by HarperSanFrancisco summer 2002.

Emily grew up in Draper, Utah, the youngest of six children. She has always been involved in the arts. She began dancing at age three, drawing at age 4, singing and acting at age 8... anything to do with art, she loved! She met Spencer Tyndall, her future husband, while studying ballroom dancing at age 12. When she was 15, she began competing International Standard with Spencer. Two years later they also began competing Internationl Latin. At age 19, Spencer went to Brazil to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While he was gone, Emily earned a position on the Young Ambassadors, an international performing group for Brigham Young University. She traveled across the United States and also to Brazil and Argentina performing a show called, "Broadway Rhythm". She also shot her feature film debut as Trisha in Napoleon Dynamite (2004). Emily and Spencer began dating when he returned from his mission. One year later they were married in the Salt Lake City, LDS Temple. Emily will graduate in April, 2005 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration. She works at a video game developing company drawing concept art and building 3D models.

Romeo and Juliet, National Shakespeare Company, New York City; Hollywood Public Works, Walt Disney World, Orlando; Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet, University of Utah; Glimmerglass, Goodspeed Opera House, Connecticut; Henry V, Orlando Shakespeare Festival; True West, Hamlet, Salem State College; principal actor for TV, feature film and theatre, including Disney Channel, CBS, ABC, NBC, HBO.

LINDSAY KILLIAN, a native of Provo, Utah, is one of the five winners of the 2000 Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions. She was named "Singer of the Year" in 1998 by the Brigham Young University voice faculty.

Her most recent operatic roles include Rosalinda in "Die Fledermaus," sung with the Utah Lyric Opera Society, and Violetta in Brigham Young University's production of "La Traviata." She has performed professionally in the 1999 Utah Festival Opera season and was featured in the Utah Opera and the Utah Symphony series, "Concert in the Park," during the summer of 2000. Other roles include Dorabella in Cosi fan Tutte, Mrs. Ford in "The Merry Wives of Windsor," Celie in "Signor Deluso," and the Mother in "Amahl and the Night Visitors." Upcoming engagements include Tatiana in Utah Opera's production of "Eugene Onegin," and soprano soloist in the Cheyenne Symphony performance of Verdi's "Requiem."

Ms. Killian received her Master of Music degree in vocal performance from Brigham Young University this past August, where she also obtained a Bachelor of Music degree in oboe performance in 1998. She served a mission for the LDS Church in Rostov, Russia from 1995 to 1997.

Ricky is a University of Utah student majoring in Theater Education. He has done several productions at Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah, City Rep Family Theater, and Desert Star Playhouse. He was recently seen as "The Fool" in The Deseret Dramatic Association's production of "King Lear". His favorite role is of "Hot Stud" every time he goes to the Zephyr Club.

He has also done several commercials and films. You can see him in the upcoming film "The Singles Ward". He loves improv and is really excited to be with the group. He is awaiting the day that television brings back "ALF". It is the program he was born to be on!

Richard was born in Providence, Rhode Island on February 8, 1928. His family moved to California, where he was raised with two brothers and three sisters. He attended high school in Los Angeles and began his theatre work there. He attended Los Angeles City College for one year before leaving to work as a Mormon Missionary. He served in the United States Navy, as well. After completing his service time, Richard began doing summer stock theatre in Florida, which led to him being picked up for work with various theatre companies. In the 1960s, Adrian Hall contacted Kneeland to move back home to Rhode Island and help him to establish the Trinity Square Theatre. Today, Trinity Repertory Company is a Tony Award winning regional theatre that has produced such notable talents as Katherine Helmond, Richard Jenkins, Peter Gerety, Daniel Von Bargen and Timothy Daly, to name a few.

Richard stayed with Trinity for twenty seasons, performing in two to three productions per season. In between, he performed at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the Edinburgh Theatre Festival and made guest appearances at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego as well as many other regional theatres across the United States. He toured the Far East with Trinity in 1980. In 1990, he left Trinity Rep and joined the company at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. While in California, he also performed regularly at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

Richard made appearances in film, but much to his chagrin - the stage was his life and where he truly belonged. He passed away quietly in his San Diego apartment on July 19, 1996. His passing is still mourned deeply today by his friends, fans and colleagues all across the country.

Gladys Knight formed the Pips with her brother and some cousins. Her early hits include, "Every Beat of My Heart", "A Letter Full Of Tears", and "Giving Up." Gladys Knight and the Pips had continued success as one of Motown's most consistent acts. The group subsequently left Motown to record for Buddha where they enjoyed two more smash hits, "I've Got to Use My Imagination," and "Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me."

From the first moment she stepped on stage at the tender age of four, it was clear that Gladys had a powerful voice, a special gift. But for the world-renowned pop and soul music star who has acquired Grammys, platinum and gold records, and recognition in two Halls of Fame, nothing compares to her latest achievements of eternal proportions. In August 1997, Gladys embraced membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she went through the temple one year later. "We all have a responsibility, and since I've been so wonderfully blessed, I really want to share and to make life at least a little better. So every chance I get to share the gospel or uplift people, I will take full advantage of that opportunity."

I was born in Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic. My passion for photography dates back to my early teens. When I was in High School, I devoted almost all my free time to photography. For me, photography was more than another hobby or interest, it became part of my life, it became an obsession. Somehow, I always knew, that my mission in life is to tell stories with pictures. The name of my High School was "Nerudovo Gymnasium". It was renowned for it's theatrical and arts department. After graduating from high school I received my College level education at the Film School named FAMU, division of the famous Charles University in Prague - night school. During that period of time I also worked at the Barrandov Film Studios in Prague as a camera assistant. Hollywood has always been a magnet for film-makers from around the world. I was not an exemption. After many years and several attempts, I eventually managed to escape the communist regime that controlled the "old" Czechoslovakia.

Born in Salt Lake City, UT and went to East High school. Has worked with the TV show "Touched by an Angel" for over a year. He is a freelance photographer. He also coordinates stunt work for most of our films.

Ken is an accomplished musician and composer and is one of our finest commercial producers/editors. Spend a few minutes exploring an idea with Ken, and you'll be blown away with the results. Ken is the consummate keyboardist and MIDI expert, and has produced hundreds of soundtracks and jingles for Metropolis clients.

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Web page created 7 June 2002. Last modified 8 March 2005.