Arts and Entertainment Alumni
Art
Nicholas Africano '71
An internationally acclaimed artist, his paintings have been the focus of solo exhibitions in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.
Wonsook Kim '75, M.A. '76, M.F.A. '78, Honorary Doctorate '19
An internationally acclaimed artist with works featured in New York, Normal, Chicago, Los Angeles, Korea, Tokyo, Germany, Bulgaria, Brazil, Mexico, and Madrid.. She was named the Artist of the Year by the United Nations in 1995.
Lorenzo Pace, Ed. D. '78
Artist who designed the New York City memorial titled, "Triumph of the Human Spirit" at the site of an 18th-century slave burial ground that is now a national historic landmark. Also author of New York Times bestseller children's book.
Music and Dance
Suzy Bogguss '79
Popular country-western-folk musician and winner of the Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Female Vocalist in 1989. Holds three gold and one platinum record.
Greg Cameron '80
Executive director of the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet.
Syleena Johnson
An R&B music chart-topper, she has released eight solo albums, has been a Grammy nominee, and won the 2005 Chicago Music Award for best female vocalist. She also starred in R&B: Divas: Atlanta.
Rex Martin '81
Professor of music at Northwestern University. He is one of the world's foremost tuba players and has played a key role in the development of new tubas for manufacturers in Germany and Japan.
Darryl One '77, M.M. '79
Currently serves as music director of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra in West Texas.
Al Pierson (Pizzamiglio) '54, M.S. '58
Conductor of the world renowned Guy Lombardo Royal Canadians.
Michelle (Tenitra) Williams
A Grammy-award winning member of the R&B/Pop music group Destiny's Child. She has produced several award-winning solo albums and has a successful Broadway career, appearing in shows including Chicago, Aida, and The Color Purple.
News Reporting
Carl Hulse '76
Chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times.
Richard Roeper '82
A columnist and film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. He also cohosted Ebert & Roeper at the Movies from 2000-2008. He is the coauthor of He Rents, She Rents and he authored Urban Legends.
Dan Roan '76
Emmy award-winning sports anchor for WGN Television, Chicago.
Film, Television and Theatre
Randall Arney, M.F.A. '80
Artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Gary Griffin, M.F.A. '86
Associate art director with the Chicago Shakespeare Company. Has directed on Broadway and in London.
Carlos Bernard (Papierski) '91
Actor best known for roles on 24, The Young and the Restless, CSI: Miami, and Dallas.
Gary Cole
A notable lead actor from various TV series such as Family Guy, Archer, and The Good Wife. He has also starred in numerous films including: Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!, The Brady Bunch Movie, Office Space, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
Brian Connor '93
Digital Compositor for ScanlineVFX. He has worked on such films as Transformers, Iron Man, Terminator 3, several of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies , Star Wars Episode II, and Pearl Harbor.
Suzzanne Douglass
Actress who can be seen in the films Tap, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and The School of Rock. She also starred on the WB series The Parent 'Hood and received critical acclaim for her leading role in the Disney Family Classic movie, Sounder.
Julie Gallagher '89
Senior producer for CNN's Larry King Live.
Moira Harris '76
Actress from such films as Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Chicago Cab, and Tall Tale. She is married to Steppenwolf Theatre cofounder and Academy Award nominee Gary Sinese.
LaRoyce Hawkins
Actor in Chicago P.D.
Reggie Hayes '91
Star of the CW series Girlfriends and may also be seen in the films Charlie's Angels and Being John Malkovich.
Sean Hayes
Emmy award-winning actor starred as Jack McFarland on the hit NBC series Will & Grace. He was also nominated for a Tony Award for Promises, Promises. He can also be seen in the movies Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, Bucket List and heard in The Cat in the Hat, Cats and Dogs, and Monsters University.
Brendan Hunt '96
Co-creator for Emmy award-winning sitcom Ted Lasso. Plays Coach Beard in the show.
Tom Irwin '79
Actor who is a founding member of the renowned Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble and starred as Graham Chase on the acclaimed television series My So-Called Life. He has also had roles on numerous televisions shows including Saving Grace, Grey's Anatomy, and Devious Maids
Judith Ivey '73
Two-time Tony Award-winning actress. She has appeared in numerous films, including Flags of our Fathers, Mystery Alaska, and The Devil's Advocate. She also had starring roles on TV's Designing Women and The Five Mrs. Buchanans.
Terry Kinney '76
Acclaimed theatrical director and cofounder of the renowned Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. He can also be seen in such films as The Firm, Last of the Mohicans, and Save the Last Dance. You may also recognize him from The Mentalist, Being Human, and the HBO series Oz.
John LeMay '84
An actor who has done a wide variety of national commercials and who held the starring role in the syndicated television show Friday the 13th: The Series.
Jeff Lewis '92
A make-up artist who has received five Emmy nominations. He has also worked on the films The Grinch and The Flintstones: Viva Rock Vegas and the series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Enterprise.
Brad Look '83
A successful Hollywood make-up artist, nominated for multiple Emmy Awards and won an Emmy as part of Michael Westmore's make-up team for Star Trek: Voyager. He coauthored Star Trek: Aliens and Artifacts. He most recently was part of the make-up team for Poseidon, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, The Hunger Games series, and Captain America 2.
Jane Lynch '82
Actress most notably recognized for her Emmy-award winning portrayal as Sue Sylvester on the hit TV series Glee. She may be seen in the films Best of Show, A Mighty Wind, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. She also hosts NBC's Hollywood Game Night.
John Malkovich
Two-time Academy Award nominee for the films Places in the Heart and In the Line of Fire, John is an ensemble member at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre. Some of his other notable films include RED, RED 2, Burn After Reading as well as Being John Malkovich.
David McFadzean M.S. '74
Writer and producer for Wind Dancer Productions. He created and produced the TV show Home Improvement and has served as executive producer for the films Where the Heart Is and What Women Want.
Laurie Metcalf '76
A three-time Emmy Award winner for her role as Jackie on the hit television comedy Roseanne. She received a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for her role in Lady Bird and won the Tony for Best Actress in a Play for A Doll's House, Part 2 and Best Actress in a Play for Three Tall Women. She has also appeared in the films Uncle Buck, JFK, Scream 2, Bulworth, Toy Story and Runaway Bride.
William O'Leary '80
Actor who appeared in a recurring role as Marty, Tim's brother on the television series, Home Improvement. He has also appeared in feature films Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Bull Durham, Hot Shots, and Miss Congeniality 2.
Jeff Perry
A cofounder of Steppenwolf Theatre, you may have recognized him as Cyrus Beene on ABC's Scandal. He also starred as Harvey Leek on Nash Bridges and Thatcher Grey on Grey's Anatomy. He is also known for his memorable performance as Mr. Katimsky on the TV series My So-Called Life.
Ray Roderick '80
Actor/dancer who has held roles on Broadway in Cats and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Craig Robinson '94
Actor recognized from his role as Darryl on The Office and the movies Hot Tub Time Machine and Pineapple Express. Now stars in television series Ghosted.
Tim Russ
Actor who could be seen as Frank on ABC’s Samantha Who? and could be seen as the Vulcan Lieutenant Tuvok on the syndicated series Star Trek: Voyager.
Rondi Reed '77
Actress on the CBS comedy Mike and Molly. She is also known for her performance as Madame Morrible in the Chicago production of Wicked. Some notable guest appearances include TV's The Practice, Roseanne, and Seinfeld.
Doug Spilatro '79
Vice president of special effectos for Technicolor. His work has been featured in films such as Black Panther, Doctor Strange, and Avengers: Infinity Wars.
James Spinner '81, M.S. '84
A special effects movie make-up artist with his own special effects company, Figurative Dimensions, Inc. His work has been featured in the films, Men In Black II, The Grinch, Planet of the Apes, Thelma & Louise, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
Cecilia Suarez '95
Actor who starred on the Lifetime TV series, For the People and can be seen in the Adam Sandler movie, Spanglish.
Yvonne Suhor '85
Actress who played Lou on the television series The Young Riders. Yvonne has since received her M.F.A. from the University of Southern California and is now teaching theatre in Florida.
Gene Weygandt '74
Actor who created originated the role of Paul in Broadway's Big. Played The Wizard in Chicago's production of Wicked and most recently seen on the television series Chicago Fire.
Bruce A. Young '79
Actor who may be seen in the films Enough, Phenomenon, Risky Business, and Jurassic Park 3. He has also been seen on the TV series: Ghost Whisperer, Grey's Anatomy, and Prison Break.