Pasdar was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and raised in a Philadelphia suburb where his high school football prowess led to a scholarship at the University of Florida. Early on in his college career a football mishap left him badly injured. However, it was that misfortune that led Pasdar to rediscover a childhood interest in writing and acting. Pasdar left school and joined a theater group in his hometown where he worked on sound, lighting and set construction. Soon after, he began taking classes at the famous Lee Strasberg Theater Institute.
At the age of 19, Pasdar auditioned for a role in the blockbuster film "Top Gun." Director Tony Scott was so impressed that he wrote the part of "Chipper" just for him. This led to starring roles in "Streets of Gold" and Kathryn Bigelow's 1987 cult vampire movie "Near Dark." Other major acting projects include "Vital Signs," "Torn Apart" and the critically-acclaimed Obie winner, "Avenue Boys." In 1992 Pasdar left Hollywood and returned to New York where he concentrated on character roles, including Frankie in Brian De Palma's "Carlito's Way." Another major break came in 1995 when Pasdar was cast as the title character on the Fox series "Profit," a critical favorite.
Pasdar is good at juggling his busy schedule -- he has to be. He has added directing to his already impressive body of work by writing and directing the short film "Beyond Belief" and the feature film "Cement," which recently won Best Picture awards on the film festival circuit. "I love directing. It's a different level of focus and a real mental challenge," says Pasdar. When he's not acting or directing, Pasdar is busy reading books, writing films and researching additional projects.
Chong feels she has grown up in the best of two worlds -- Edmonton, Alberta and Los Angeles, California. As the daughter of comedian and actor, Tommy Chong, she was exposed to and bitten by the acting bug at a young age. Chong made a name for herself in the motion picture "Quest for Fire," which was also her big screen debut. Since then she has gone on to appear in over 20 films including the critically-acclaimed "Choose Me," directed by Alan Rudolph; Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple," based on the best-selling Alice Walker novel; "Commando," and opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. Other film roles include, "Soul Man," "Beat Street," "The Squeeze," "Hideaway," "Crying Freeman" and "Tales From the Darkside: The Movie." Chong's latest film is "The Visit" starring Billy Dee Williams and scheduled for release this summer. Her recent television work included a recurring role on "Melrose Place" and television films "Alibi," "Boulevard" and "Curiosity Kills."
Chong is still experiencing the "best of two worlds," this time with acting and directing. In between filming "Mysterious Ways," Chong is writing and editing her next film projects. An up-and-coming director, she recently made her directorial debut with the feature film "Cursed Part Three" followed by "The Babylon Sisters." As a strong, modern woman, Chong describes herself as a civil activist, concerned with contributing to the betterment of mankind. She has an active schedule volunteering for various projects including "A Place Called Home," where she taught acting and creative writing to children at risk in South Central, Los Angeles. She has also been a volunteer and supporter for "Habitat for Humanity" and Byron Katie's work with inmates in prisons.
Chong's hobbies include tennis, hiking, running, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and boardsailing. She currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has an 18 year-old son, Morgan, in boarding school.
Down's star has been rapidly rising over the past three years. Born in a country suburb of Vancouver, BC, she grew up surrounded by animals that she used to entertain with skits and charades. As far back as she can remember, Down always wanted to be an actress and spent her youth writing and producing her own plays. After graduating from high school, Down attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in California and then moved to England to continue her studies at the British American Dramatic Academy in Oxford. She then returned to Vancouver and began pursuing her craft professionally.
Down exploded onto the scene with her special blend of dark humor and offbeat beauty. She made the leap from small roles in various stage ("Hurly Burly," "Death and The Maiden") and television productions to guest starring roles ("DaVinci's Inquest", "Cold Squad") with amazing ease. She has also had major roles in the films "The Good Burn," "Bad Money," "Latenight Sessions" and numerous short films. Down continues to make her home in a small country suburb of Vancouver with her mother and their thirteen cats, many of which were rescued. Down is a big animal lover and has also added two dogs into the mix -- Akuna and Jake. In her spare time, she enjoys watching films, playing with her animals, horseback riding and "any kind of daredevil" feat!
