Television Academy Names Rita Moreno to This Year’s Hall of Fame Class

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rita Moreno is entering a special hall…

The Television Academy has announced its 26th Hall of Fame class, with the 90-year-old Puerto Rican entertainer among the honorees.

Moreno will be joined by choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, documentarian Ken Burns, BET founder Robert L. Johnson, CBS executive Bob Daly and cinematographer Donald A. Morgan.

Moreno, an EGOT winner (Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Tony Awards), is a two-time Emmy winner for The Muppet Show and The Rockford Files.

She has starred in series including The Electric Company, Sesame Street, Nine to Five, Oz, Cane, Happily Divorced, Jane the Virgin, and the Latinx reimagining of Norman Lear’s One Day at a Time.

Moreno’s many accolades also include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Arts, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors and the Peabody Award.

Moreno is among two of the honorees who’ve already received honorary awards from the Television Academy. She was awarded a “Televisionary Award” in 2008. Allen received a Governors Award last year.

The Hall of Fame event will take place on Wednesday, November 16, at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

In addition to the induction of the 2022 Hall of Fame recipients, the event will include the presentation of the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to actor/director/activist Sean Penn and the unveiling of new busts of four previous inductees.

“These legendary performers, creators, craftspeople and television executives are luminaries in our industry,” Frank Scherma, chairman and CEO of the Television Academy, said in a statement. “Their work has influenced and immeasurably elevated the current television landscape and culture. We are proud to induct these trailblazers into the Hall of Fame and honored to celebrate their extraordinary contributions to our industry.”

“This year’s honorees have told the American story through television in ways that will forever shape our history and culture,” said Rick Rosen, Hall of Fame selection committee chair (who is also WME co-founder and head of television). “Whether they reshaped the industry itself through visionary leadership or created pieces of work that have had a lasting legacy, these individuals will forever be remembered for the impact they’ve had on the medium.”

The 2022 Hall of Fame honorees join more than 150 individuals previously inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1984. The honors were presented every year from 1984 to 1993, but the Academy has skipped 13 years since then for various reasons. This is the first induction class since 2019.

In addition to Rosen, this year’s Hall of Fame selection committee included Marcy Carsey, Emmy-winning producer; Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Universal Studio Group; Peter Roth, former chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group; Nina Tassler, co-chief executive officer of PatMa Productions; and Dana Walden, chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content.

Ricardo Chavira to Appear Opposite Kim Cattrall in Netflix’s Drama Series “Glamorous”

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ricardo Chavira is about to lead a glamorous life…

The 50-year-old Mexican American actor and former Desperate Housewives star has landed a heavily recurring role opposite Kim Cattrall in Netflix’s drama series Glamorous, from Jordon Nardino and Damon Wayans Jr.

Glamorous, which originally had been ordered to pilot at The CW in 2019, tells the story of Marco Mejia, played by previously announced Miss Benny, a gender-nonconforming queer young man whose life seems to be stuck in place until he lands a job working for legendary makeup mogul Madolyn Addison (Cattrall). It’s Marco’s first chance to figure out what he wants out of life, who he actually is and what it really means for him to be queer.

Chavira plays Teddy. The handsome personal full-time driver for makeup mogul Madolyn Addison (Cattrall), as well as maybe her closest confidant. Professional but unpolished, Teddy isn’t wowed by Madolyn’s celebrity or beauty and enjoys calling her out on her bullshit and telling it to her like it is. Their friendly sparring and frank relationship betray a chemistry that could lead to more, if either of them was willing to admit it.

Nardino writes and exec produces the 10-part drama series, which is also executive-produced by Wayans Jr. and Kameron Tarlow of Two Shakes Entertainment. CBS Studios is the studio.

Chavira most recently appeared in the Netflix series Selena as a series regular and can next be seen in the upcoming third season of Apple’s Truth Be Told. He is best known for his portrayal of Carlos Solis in the hit ABC series Desperate Housewives. Other credits include Kevin Can Wait, Jane the Virgin, The Santa Clarita Diet, and Scandal.

Gina Rodriguez to Star in Robert Rodriguez’s Next “Spy Kids” Film for Netflix

Posted on June 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Gina Rodriguez is ready for her next adventure…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican Golden Globe-winning actress will star in Spy Kids creator Robert Rodriguez’s next installment of the hot family adventure film franchise.

The Jane the Virgin star will star opposite Zachary Levi, Everly Carganilla and newcomer Connor Esterson in the upcoming film from Netflix, Skydance and Spyglass.

Robert Rodriguez will write, direct and produce the next film, which will introduce the world to a new family of spies. Racer Max will co-write the film.

The film marks Rodriguez’s second family film with Netflix following the success of the 2020 family action film We Can Be Heroes.

This latest Spy Kids chapter is set after the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful game developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, leading them to become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.

David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger will produce for Skydance, which will oversee development and production. Elizabeth Avellan and Max will also produce. Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre will executive produce. Nick Nesbit will be Netflix’s creative lead on the film.

Rodriguez most recently landed a starring role in the ABC’s single-camera comedy Not Dead Yet, which just got picked up to series. She also was tapped to lead the Amazon series Last Known Position.

She was most recently seen in Amazon’s I Want You Back as well as Awake.

Carganilla was most recently seen in The Afterparty, The Haunted Man and The Chair.

Brian Jordan Alvarez to Executive Produce, Write & Star In FX’s Comedy Pilot “English Teacher”

Posted on June 2, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Brian Jordan Alvarez is heading to the classroom..

FX has given the green light to the comedy pilot English Teacher from the 34-year-old Latino producer, actor and writer and Paul Simms.

Alvarez will executive produce, write and star in the pilot.

English Teacher is a comedy about gay high school English teacher Evan (Alvarez) and his fellow teachers in Austin as they try to balance the competing demands of the students and their parents in a world where the rules seem to change every day.

Alvarez has appeared on Will & Grace, Get Shorty, Grace and Frankie and Jane the Virgin.

He also created the web series The Gay and Wonderous Life of Caleb Gallo.

Justina Machado to Star in Mario Garcia’s Indie Comedy “The Throwback”

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

It’s throwback time for Justina Machado.

The 49-year-old Puerto Rican actress will star opposite Will Sasso in The Throwback, an indie comedy marking the feature directorial debut of Mario Garcia.

The project will be heading into production in Tampa next month.

The film follows a married couple (Machado and Sasso) in full-blown midlife crisis who are thrown into further turmoil when the wife (Machado), an underappreciated and stressed ‘supermom,’ suffers a post-traumatic breakdown during the holiday season, causing her to regress to her 19-year-old college party-girl self.

Garcia wrote the script and will produce via his company Garcia Interactive, alongside Michael A. Alfieri of Miantri Films and Doug Fox. Machado and Sasso’s longtime manager, Danielle Del, will executive produce alongside Machado and Sterling Macer Jr.

Machado recently starred as Penelope on Sony Picture Television’s revival of One Day at a Time. She will next be seen in the Blumhouse-produced Amazon series, The Horror of Dolores Roach.

The actress has also been seen on series like Queen of the South, Jane the Virgin and Six Feet Under, among many others.

Her additional film credits include All Together Now, The Purge: Anarchy, The Call and The Accidental Husband.

Vico Ortiz Signs with Paradigm

Posted on April 16, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Vico Ortiz has new representation.

The Latinx, non-binary and gender-fluid actor has signed with Paradigm.

Ortiz is a known for their work in HBO Max’s Our Flag Means Death and The Sex Lives of College Girls, and Starz’s Vida.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ortiz’s first breakthrough role was in Amazon Prime Video’s Transparent. They then appeared in recurring roles for Freeform’s The Fosters and Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, and Netflix’s Lucifer. They appeared in Starz’s Vida, where their drag king alter ego Vico Suave made their screen debut.

Currently Ortiz is a series regular on Our Flag Means Death, appearing opposite stars Taika Waititi and Rhys Darby. They play Jim, the first non-binary pirate to exist in a period piece. Their additional credits include S.O.Z: Soldados o. Zombies, American Horror Story: 1984, Criminal Minds, 9-1-1, Ray Donovan and Jane The Virgin.

Beyond television, they were a co-lead in The Syed Family Xmas Eve Game Night, which premiered at TIFF in 2021. Ortiz also received a 2021 Queerties Award nomination for their performance in the buzzed about queer digital series, These Thems.

Beyond their on-screen work, Ortiz is an activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. They championed organizations including The Dru Project and the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center..

Ortiz is a known for their work in HBO Max’s Our Flag Means Death and The Sex Lives of College Girls, and Starz’s Vida.

Beyond their on-screen work, Ortiz is an activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. They championed organizations including The Dru Project and the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center.

Ricardo Chavira to Guest Star on Season 3 of Apple TV+’s Series “Truth Be Told”

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Ricardo Chavira is dealing with the Truth…

The 50-year-old Mexican American actor has been cast in Season 3 of Apple TV+’s series Truth Be Told as a recurring guest star.

Descending into the world of true-crime podcasts, Truth Be Told stars Octavia Spencer as podcaster Poppy Scoville, who risks everything—including her life—to pursue truth and justice.

Based on the novel by Kathleen Barber, the series provides a unique glimpse into America’s obsession with true crime podcasts and challenges its viewers to consider the consequences when the pursuit of justice is placed on a public stage.

The upcoming season will see Poppy focus on a new case with newly added Gabrielle Union starring as Eva, an outspoken high school principal who becomes embroiled in a problematic incident.

With Spencer’s Poppy as the thread through the anthology series and a core cast around Spencer also staying on, each season tells a different story and features new stars opposite her.

The NAACP Image Award-winning series is created and executive produced by Nichelle Tramble Spellman. Season 3 is helmed by showrunner Maisha Closson, who also serves as executive producer.

In addition to starring, Spencer serves as executive producer alongside producing partner Brian Clisham via her company, Orit Entertainment. The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Hello Sunshine, Chernin Entertainment, and Endeavor Content.

Chavira most recently appeared in the Netflix series Selena as a series regular. He is best known for his portrayal of Carlos Solis on ABC’s hit series Desperate Housewives.

His other credits include Kevin Can Wait, Jane the Virgin, The Santa Clarita Diet and Scandal.

Gina Rodriguez to Star in ABC’s Comedy Pilot “Not Dead Yet”

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Gina Rodriguez is stayin’ alive…

The 37-year-old Puerto Rican actress and television producer has been cast as the lead in ABC’s single-camera comedy pilot Not Dead Yet.

Hailing from Casey Johnson and David Windsor, McG and 20th Television, the project is based on Alexandra Potter’s Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up.

Published in 2020, broke, newly single and feeling old, Nell Stevens (Rodriguez) – a self-described disaster – works to restart the life and career she left behind 10 years ago. Moving back home to Pasadena – a world where everyone seems to have a better life than she does (kids, careers, happy marriages, etc.) Nell can only afford to share an apartment with a stranger who monitors how much electricity she uses and pesters her about her recycling habits (which lately include a lot of empty White Claws.) A once successful journalist, Nell put her career on hold to help her fiancé get his restaurant off the ground. Following their break up, she takes the only job she can get – writing obituaries – which at first seems like a step backwards but ultimately may be exactly what she needs to move forward.

Johnson and Windsor, who wrote the script, executive produce with Wonderland Sound and Vision’s McG, Mary Viola and Corey Marsh. 20th Television is the studio.

Rodriguez is best known for playing the title role on the hit series Jane The Virgin, for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series Musical or Comedy. Her upcoming projects include Netflix’s film Awake and Netflix’s miniseries Lost Ollie.

Rodriguez founded I Can and I Will Can Productions, whose mission is to create art and tell stories from those who are traditionally unseen and unheard. The company is behind Diary of a Future President, the series which Rodriguez directed, produced, and appeared in as the future president. It ran on Disney+ for two seasons.

Kate del Castillo Signs with Buchwald

Posted on March 21, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Kate del Castillo has new representation…

The 49-year-old Mexican actress and telenovela star has signed with Buchwald.

del Castillo stars in Telemundo’s hit drama La Reina del Sur.

One of the highest rated Spanish-language series in the world, La Reina del Sur adapts the bestseller by Spanish novelist Arturo Perez-Reverte. In the crime drama, which recently wrapped filming for Season 3, del Castillo plays Teresa Mendonza, a woman from Mexico who becomes the most powerful drug trafficker in southern Spain.

Castillo recently completed a two-series deal with Telemundo. Her production company, Cholawood, has a first-look development deal with Boomdog, the Mexico City-based division of Endemol Shine North America.

The actress starred opposite Will Smith as the villain in Sony’s Bad Boys for Life, also recently featuring on NBC’s sitcom Mr. Mayor, from creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, and the Netflix animated series Maya and the Three, created by Jorge R. Gutiérrez.

She rose to acclaim in America with her performance in Fox Searchlight’s Under the Same Moon, which is one of the highest-grossing Spanish-language theatrical releases in U.S. history, and has also featured in such films as Bordertown, No Good Deed and All About Nina.

del Castillo has also appeared in series including PBS’ Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated drama American Family, The CW’s Jane the Virgin and Showtime’s Weeds, among others. Her one-woman Off-Broadway show, The Way She Spoke, made her the first Latina actress to earn Drama Desk, Drama League and Lucille Lortel Award nominations.

A philanthropist and outspoken global activist, del Castillo was appointed Ambassador for the Mexican Commission on Human Rights to combat human trafficking in 2009.

Jaime Camil Signs First Look Deal with Paramount’s VIS for Paramount+ TV & Film Projects

Posted on March 10, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Jaime Camil is getting a first look…

The 48-year-old Mexican actor/singer and Jane the Virgin scene-stealer has signed a first look deal with VIS, a division of Paramount, to develop a variety of television and film projects for Paramount+.

Under the terms of the agreement, he’ll create, develop and produce exclusive Spanish language and majority-Spanish language scripted and non-scripted content for the streaming service.

“We are excited to welcome Jaime Camil to our roster of global talent working to bring the best premium content to Paramount+,” said JC Acosta, President of International Studios & Networks Southern Europe, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, in an exclusive statement to Deadline. “With Jaime’s experience and creative focus, we are confident that he’ll bring the best Spanish-language content to Paramount+ that resonates with our audiences around the world.”

Added Camil, “Paramount is home to some of the most beloved and iconic films and television shows of all time. I am thrilled and humbled to join their family. Throughout history, stories have been one of the most potent drivers of society and culture. Storytelling generates empathy and it imparts wisdom through characters in place of lived experience.

“Additionally, through the prism of art, story allows us to contextualize and also see a deeper beauty within our own lives,” he continued. “I look forward to developing and producing meaningful stories with the amazing team at Paramount. I can’t wait to show the world what we have in store.”

Before making a splash in the English-language market as Rogelio de la Vega on the CW’s Jane the Virgin, Camil was already a bona fide star in Latin America.

While working on Jane the Virgin and after the show concluded in 2019, he worked as a voice actor in multiple films including Coco, Hotel Transylvania 3, and The Secret Life of Pets and The Secret Life of Pets 2; and on the small screen: Elena of Avalor, DuckTales, BoJack Horseman, and Green Eggs and Ham.

Camil most recently starred as Doc Jorge Lopez in the Apple TV+ comedy Schmigadoon! and the Steven Soderbergh feature Kimi released in February via HBO Max.

He is currently shooting the Vicente Fernandez biopic The Idol of the People in the titular role. The Caracol TV production will be released exclusively on Netflix domestically.

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