Becoming Wilkinson

BILLY CLIFT Emmy nominated filmmaker, Billy Clift, “A Long Road to Freedom: The Advocate Celebrates 50 years”, has created a vast body of work that consists of a wide range of different genres. Such as the Feature film “Jacked”, on Homeless youth, The short films, “Monty”, Montgomery’s Clift’s last dying day, “No Goodbyes”, a true story about love in a concentration camp, and “Lena’s Dance” ( Dee Wallace). The ridiculous cult comedies, “Baby Jane?” And “Hush Up Sweet Charlotte” (Mink Stole, Varla Jean Merman), realty tv such as “Food Fetish”, “Behind the Bar” and the travel show “Underground”. Streaming tv shows, (two seasons) “Not So Straight in Silver Lake”, (Daniel Franzaese, Calpernia Adams), “My Sister is So Gay”, (Loni Anderson, Debra Wilson, Ray Dawn Chong) and in post for “The Lair : Hollywood” to be streaming in January 2024. He's created over 40 music video’s of different musical styles… short form documentaries focusing on people who have made significant contributions to society like Arron Walton, a CEO of a black Public relations firm to Lawyer, Gloria Allred who has been a strong force in underserved rights. He is in post-production for the feature film “Here We Are”, a film on racism during the pandemic, starring Sally Kirkland, Christine Elise, Elizabeth Regan, Wil J. Jackson and Mel England. He's also in post-production for the documentary “Our Lady in The Kitchen” About a painting that had been stolen by the Nazis, ending up in a household in Silver Lake, California. Billy is in pre-production with a plethora of different projects, continually striving to push his creativity to find new fresh ways to tell stories. Email Billy: billyclift@me.com Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

J Craig Fong is a recovering attorney. It is not clear whether an attorney ever truly recovers. A graduate of Yale and the University of Pennsylvania, J has been a corporate attorney and a civil rights advocate. J served as the Director of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund and also as the Board Chair of Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team in Los Angeles. In recent decades, J was an immigration attorney with offices in Hollywood, Pasadena, and Palm Springs, focusing primarily on family unification cases and visas. Currently, he serves as a Commissioner on the Palm Springs International Airport Commission. He lives in the Cathedral City Cove, with his two cats Benji and Merlin, and with his husband Andrew. Email J at: jcf@fongaquino.com Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Craig Chester is an award winning actor best known for his roles in the movies “Swoon”, ”Grief”, “Frisk”, “Kiss Me, Guido”, “I Shot Andy Warhol” and as the Birkin Bag Guy on “Sex & The City”. He transitioned to a successful career as a television writer when St. Martin’s Press published his memoir, “Why The Long Face? The Adventures of a Truly Independent Actor”, writing and producing three seasons of LOGO’s “Big Gay Sketch Show” and HBO’s smash hit, “True Blood”. He is currently working on a new memoir and “Adam & Steve 55+”, the sequel to 2005’s “Adam & Steve”, which he starred in and also wrote and directed. He lives in Palm Springs, CA. Craig's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrcraigchester/ Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

BENNETT YELLIN Born and raised in Los Angeles, Bennett received his B.A. in fiction from U.C.L.A. Still not ready to enter the real world, he enrolled at UMass in Amherst for an M.F.A. in fiction. It was there — on the first day of school — that he met and befriended Peter Farrelly. On a lark, they tried writing a comedy together and this spec script ultimately got into the hands of Eddie Murphy and the Zucker Brothers, creators of Airplane and The Naked Gun. Both Murphy and the Zuckers asked the duo to write movies for them, and their career was off and running. Yellin wrote exclusively with Peter for years until they asked his brother Bobby to join them. The three went on to write a number of unproduced features together until they created Dumb and Dumber in 1994 and reunited in 2014 to co-write the official sequel chronicling the further idiotic adventures of Harry and Lloyd, Dumb and Dumber To. In 2007, the Farrelly Brothers branched out on their own and Yellin partnered with James Robert Johnson to create a professional writing duo that has endured for sixteen years. Among the plethora of projects they’ve tackled during their career — some produced, others not — the two have co-written Let’s Scare Jessica to Death for Paramount Pictures, the Fox situation comedy Unhitched, the direct-to-DVD thriller Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead, Paramount Pictures’ Hotel For Dogs 2, the Anchor Bay action-thriller In the Blood with Gina Carano, the 20th Century Fox family film, Santa’s Little Helper, and the Warner Brothers re-boot of the Police Academy series, Police Academy: Takin’ it to the Streets. More recently, Yellin and Johnston have co-written a live action family stage show adaptation of the hugely popular Angry Birds IP, and the two are currently at work creating an original pilot for a new animated show. Bennett's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bennett.yellin Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

GAMÉL Artist's Statement: "In 2020, I left the tech industry and moved to Palm Springs to pursue my passion for art full-time. During this time of adjustment, I worked on a painting titled "The Other Side", which proved to be prophetic. In January 2022 I experienced a personal tragedy when my mother passed away from COVID-19. In spite of this sorrow, I found solace and purpose in my artwork which helped me to cope. My works are unique in their use of color, space and materials, drawing on influences from the Renaissance period as well as 60's Pop Art and 21st Century design. The themes explored in these pieces reflect my struggles with life experience and strive for self-alteration. My works often combine hyperreal painting with a variety of materials such as acrylic, oil, steel, wood, transparent resin and Plexiglass to create an immersive viewing experience for the viewer. By August of 2022 I opened my own gallery in Palm Springs where I exhibit these pieces. In my continual pursuit of self-expression, knowledge and experiences, I am constantly challenging myself to create pieces that are distinctively my own. My aim is to produce artwork that tells a story of resilience and what it means to be human, ultimately striving to evoke an atmosphere of eternal search or hunger for meaning. Through this work I have found healing in the midst of tragedy and hope in spite of life’s struggles. I believe that art is a powerful form of communication and I strive to create pieces that are both informed and individualized, reflecting the depths of my soul for all to witness. My journey continues with each canvas and every brushstroke as I work towards a brighter future. Thank you for joining me in this exploration". Gamél/Palm Springs, CA/September 2023 Web: https://www.jongamelart.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jongamelart/ email: jon@jongamel.com Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Cherlyn Lanning, costume designer: With over 30 years experience dressing the stars as a Costume Designer in Hollywood, Cherlyn Lanning has stories! She has worked in the film industry for 32 years. She began her career at Western Costume (the world’s largest costume house). Her mentor was costume designer Theadora Van Runkle, (the most notable costume designer of the 21 century) who taught her illustration, costume design and construction. Over the years, she has worked with well-known actresses such as Faye runaway, Shirley McClain and Debra Winger. Cherlyn worked on many films such as “Pirates of the Caribbean”, “Little Women” and “Ed Wood”. Now living in the Coachella Valley, she is the Costume Designer for The Bent Theatre in Palm Springs. Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Paul Hietter This is Paul's second visit as a guest on my podcast. This time we discuss aging as gay men in Palm Springs and a few of life's learned lessons. Paul is a true renaissance man - having worked in a number of industries, with his favorites of being a caterer and event planner to the stars and a new thought minister. He is always happiest when he is of service and learning something new. Overcoming life’s obstacles seems a good hobby and with hiking, working out, being a Chef and humanitarian, there is never a dull moment. Currently single, and a cat daddy of Rumi and Leo, Paul lives in Palm Springs, CA. He may be reached at 760-567-5820 or PaulHietter@icloud.com. Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Nathan Serrato As an ICF Certified Life Coach, Reiki Practitioner, Yoga Instructor, and Master Practitioner & Trainer in Time Line Therapy®, Hypnotherapy, and NLP; Nathan Serrato helps queer leaders and visionaries in their journeys toward deeper intimacy, spiritual reclamation, and purpose driven living so that they can fully embody their authentic, gifts and savor the joys of the queerdom along the way. Website: queerconscious.com/soulconfidence Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queerconscious/ Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Originally from Boston, for the last decade, Alan Carvalho has been semi-retired in Cathedral City, CA. He continues shooting videos throughout the valley with his company: Cambridge Video. He's been with his partner for 50 years and they've been in a 3 person relationship (throuple) for 28 years (they all live together). And now they're ready to conquer the next stage of retirement! Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Bill Marx William Woollcott Marx (born January 8, 1937) is an American pianist, arranger, and composer. He is the adopted son of actors Harpo Marx and Susan Fleming. Marx was placed in the Children's Home Society in Los Angeles by his birth parents when he was eight months old, and four months later he was adopted by Harpo Marx and his wife, Susan Fleming. He attended the Juilliard School, where he studied composition and he studied with composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. He began working in entertainment when he was 12 years old, when he was put in charge of his father's props for shows, including his harp. At 16 he became arranger and musical conductor for his father. Marx's compositions include concertos for alto saxophone, flute, harp, piano, and violin.] He also composed symphonies and scores for films, including the score for the film Weekend Pass (1984). Marx transcribed music that his father composed, because the elder Marx did not read music. The two worked together on two albums that Harpo recorded in the early 1960s. He also composed and arranged for recording artists in both jazz and popular music. In 1961, Marx signed with Vee-Jay Records. His projects there included arranging cover versions of music for four albums by the Castaway Strings. In 1967, he began writing music for commercials. In the 1970s, he composed for several low-budget horror movies, including Scream Blacula Scream, Terror at Red Wolf Inn, and Count Yorga, Vampire. For these projects, he often collaborated with lyricist Marilyn Lovell. He continued his work on films outside the horror genre throughout the 1980s, such as arranging music for John Cassavetes' Big Trouble . As a performer, Marx has played in jazz clubs, lounges, and theaters In the late 1980s, Marx and harpist Carrol McLaughlin toured the United States, giving performances and promoting Harpo Speaks, his father's autobiography. In the early 1990s, Los Angeles magazine named Marx the most popular lounge pianist in that city. In 2002, he received a star at 265 S. Palm Canyon Drive on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. (Adapted from wikipedia). Buy the books: Bill's book: https://www.amazon.com/Son-Harpo-Speaks-Bill-Marx-ebook/dp/B00INB1JLW/ Harpo's book: https://www.amazon.com/Harpo-Speaks-Marx-ebook/dp/B06XWDPNB4/ Susan's book : https://www.amazon.com/Speaking-Harpo-Susan-Fleming-Marx-ebook/dp/B09XTJ1KC6/ Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Gina Zollman grew up in Southern California, always singing in choirs and being in shows. She graduated from UCSD with a BA in Linguistics and a minor in Music. Her choral career extended way beyond college, culminating with performances at Carnegie Hall in NYC and at the Nokia and The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in LA. After being trained on Wall Street and establishing herself as a successful stockbroker in San Diego, Gina moved back to the LA area and worked as an executive in her family’s business, but soon show biz called and Gina pivoted to what she’d always longed to do. Soon she was a SAG member and putting on one-woman shows at nightclubs and bistros across the Southland. A highlight was selling out the Hollywood-Roosevelt Cinegrill, receiving 3 standing ovations, her name emblazoned on the 30-foot marquee. Gina has also performed extensively in Palm Springs, appearing at The Arthur Newman Theatre with her one-woman show, appearing with Derrik Lewis and his “It’s Better With a Band” series, various nightclubs, and guest starring at Jazzville, at Agua Caliente Resort this past November. Gina recorded her first CD “Anywhere With You” and released it at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood in March of 2023, to critical acclaim. She is poised to appear in 3 musical theatre productions at The Palm Canyon Theatre’s 2023-2024 season and has 2 one-woman shows she is booking in the US and Canada: “Love, Loss, and What I Weighed” including comedy as well as all the songs from her CD; she is also starring in a brand new “Anne Murray Tribute Show.” She has been called a “song stylist par excellence” and excels at getting to the heart of her carefully chosen songs, mostly from the Great American Songbook, sprinkled with original material and arrangements. Contact Gina at: http://www.ginazollman.com Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

"I had another experience when I was meditating that affirmed my life was transforming again. I dreamed I was standing on a river bank. There were people in canoes peacefully rowing in a river. I came to understand that the river was peaceful flow. The people in the canoes waved and smiled to come in. I looked up and down the river bank. There were countless people standing on the banks. Some walked into the river and a canoe appeared for their transport. Some shook with fear on the side. Those in the river were committed. Somehow I knew it was a big commitment. I waded in and the next thing I knew I was in a canoe. I felt immense peace. I knew I would never go back to the river bank. At the same time, there was no judgment about those on the river bank. There was a simple invitation to wade into the peaceful river of life... I have witnessed the prison-house closing in on the growing child within myself and within my family. My work is dedicated to millions who have felt bound by the conditions that would imprison. My story is not unique. My message is simple, never ever give up! There is always hope. It is my intention that as you hear the story of my journey, you will remember from deep within you-- your calling, your purpose, and your recovery of the truth of who you are. You are already free. You simply need to remember." Larendee Roos Founder Director Miracle Activation Center Founder CEO Roos Advisors Partner Ador Development Facilitator Trainer Pathways of LightGrateful Spouse, mom, and grandmother. Daughter of Abba Father. To contact Larendee, simply text her at 1-801-209-3611 Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com NOTE: This episode with Larendee originally aired in early 2022 when my podcast was new and I had few listeners/followers. I've re-mixed the audio and I'm re-publishing it now because a larger audience should hear her story.

Enrique Quintero is a Puerto Rican actor, writer, and video editor andwho now lives between Palm Springs and LA. His television credits include Amazon’s Bosch, HBO Max’s Queer You Are, Netflix’s High Heat, and Hulu’s Tengoku Daimakyo. He appeared recently on films such as Anchor and Hope and Tu Me Manques. He has graced the stage on productions of Chicago (Billy Flynn), In The Heights (Sonny), Arena (Adan Torrez), and Daddy Date (Beto). He is currently working on a comedy screenplay called Kill Your Selves and is editing a queer documentary titled Flamingo Camp. He was a finalist on the NBC Nosotros’ Ya Tú Sabes! Monologue Slam as a writer. Represented by Trinity Artists International (310) 728-4000 For more into- email: wendy@trinityartist.com https://www.instagram.com/enriquequintero787/ http://www.youtube.com/c/dorksided http://www.twitter.com/@dorksided787 Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Byron Scott Jones "Everything you want is on the other side of fear". Transforming from an introverted gay man to performing naked in a play on stage. Byron discusses the process he went through in order to change. It happened one day in 2015. He sat down and made a list of all of the things that he felt were causing his depression. But he didn't stop there. He did something about it! Byron is a 52 years old Miami native. He's been programming computers since he was a child and is currently a software engineer in the Healthcare education industry. He's also a photographer, a model, an astronomer, a great cook and an avid reader. He's been married 33 years, although that's coming to an amicable end shortly. Byrons says that a he's looking forward to starting the next chapter of his life and will be moving to Palm Springs as soon as his family responsibilities allow. Stay tuned... Contact Byron via email: Byronjones@outlook.com Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Helene Verin has a B.S. in Art from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and has a certificate in arts appraisal from NYU. Verin has worked for many galleries, museums as well as individual artists; including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Documenta (where she worked with Joseph Beuys), was the Edinburgh Arts Administrator, and worked for Dennis Oppenheim as his registrar. She has written for FlashArt, Interview, and the Smithsonian. As an award-winning designer of shoes, rugs, wallpaper, and tiles, Verin is intimately involved with contemporary design, with a specialty in couture and accessories. Her work has appeared in countless books and publications. A Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Verin has lectured around the world. Recognized as the expert on Beth Levine, (having written Beth Levine Shoes, (Stewart, Tabori & Chang 2009) and curated 3 exhibitions, as well as authored Arsho Baghsarian (Schiffer Fashion Press.) Verin moved to Palm Springs during Covid, May 2020. Contact Helene: helene.verin@gmail.com Helene's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heleneverin/?hl=en Helene's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helene.verin.9 Artsy Article: https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-sit-andy-warhol LABUCQ interview: https://labucq.com/pages/helene-verin Helene's Books: "Beth Levine Shoes " (2009) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584797592/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 "Arsho Baghsarian: A Life in Shoes" (2019) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764357328/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1 Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com NOTE: THIS IS AN INTERVIEW FROM MID 2022 WHEN MY PODCAST WAS NEW AND I DIDN'T HAVE MANY FOLLOWERS. I'VE BEEN RE-ISSUING SOME OF THE BETTER EPISODES SO THAT MY CURRENT AUDIENCE CAN ENJOY THEM!

The last two weeks, I visited my middle son Dave, his wife Meredith and my two grandsons Henry and Jack at their home in Dartmouth MA. Dave is a good sport. He agreed to be interviewed for my podcast. After we were finished, he told me that it was now my turn and that he was going to interview ME for a podcast episode! I was surprised at what I was feeling at first. I guess I was afraid of what he might ask. After all, he IS an attorney and he's be putting me on the stand, so to speak. LOL. But as I thought about it and mentioned to my friend and energy guru Mark Hollenstein, he encouraged me to do it. He thought it would be good for both of us. Before this interview, I had a little time to reflect and one of the things thatI realized was that I knew virtually nothing about my own father (or his father). What a gift it would have been to have been able to sit my own "Pop" down and ask him a bunch of questions. So we did the interview. I kind of figured that it would be a gift to each of us. I had no idea what Dave would ask me. There were some interesting questions and I'm pretty sure that he got some interesting answers. Like: "Whoa. No, I did not know that grandma used to be an underwear model before she met your Dad and then she became a radio preacher"! It's a light-hearted interview with a lot of interesting questions. I appreciate the time Dave took in preparing to participate. Listen in to our bantering, interspersed with some great dialogue. Photo copyright Wilkinson/2022 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com NOTE: This interview was recorded earlier, when my podcast was new. I've enhanced the audio, upgraded the artwork and re-issued it now that more listeners will get to enjoy it.

An Interview with my middle son: Dave Wilkinson. We chat about his journey from each of our perspectives, his family, his business and his perspective when I came out to him as a gay man in 1999. In this episode, I interview one of my favorite people in this world: my son David. Two people can experience the exact same event and yet they can have two different perspectives on what happened. So we discuss what I saw as an amazing turnabout in his life from a very average high school student, to his life now as an attorney with multiple law offices on both coasts. He talks about his current life as a married man and dad and we share some memories of his life growing up. Lastly, we discuss what it was like for him when I came out as a gay man in 1999. I hope you enjoy this rather personal look into my life as a father to this amazing man. Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com NOTE: THIS IS AN INTERVIEW FROM MID 2022 WHEN MY PODCAST WAS NEW AND I DIDN'T HAVE MANY FOLLOWERS. I'VE BEEN RE-ISSUING SOME OF THE BETTER EPISODES SO THAT MY CURRENT AUDIENCE CAN ENJOY THEM!

Boy Scotty, Mr. Phoenix Leather 2018, is a former President of the Phoenix boys of Leather. He is a BDSM educator teaching classes on the Violet Wand, Role Play, and his experience as a leather boy. He is a former professional actor and acting teacher from New York City, which is how he developed his “Expanding the Self Through Role Play” class. He is Alpha boy in the Leather House of Shangri-La and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Phoenix Queer Center, Phoenix’s new LGBTQ+ Center. He’s a student of humanity and loves sharing experiences with people. He’s always up for making a new friend or giving a hug. To follow and message him: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boyscotty.sh... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daddyboymyk... Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaddyboyMykelXX Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Luke Yankee Has written, directed, produced, taught, lectured and acted throughout the country and abroad. He has run two regional theatres, serving as Producing Artistic Director of the Long Beach Civic Light Opera and the Struthers Library theatre. Luke’s published plays include THE LAST LIFEBOAT and A PLACE AT FOREST LAWN, both published by Dramatists Play Service. His other plays include THE JESUS HICKEY (which premiered in Los Angeles starring Harry Hamlin) and THE MAN WHO KILLED THE CURE, which had it's world premiere in Southern California in February 2017. He has also written numerous TV spec scripts and pilots. His book, JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT: GROWING UP WITH EILEEN HECKART is published by Random House (under the imprint of Back Stage Books), with a foreword by Mary Tyler Moore. Critics have praised it as “One of the most compassionate, illuminating showbiz books ever written.” (Musto, The Village Voice) It was recently cited by PaperMag as “One of the Ten Best Celebrity Memoirs of All Time.” He has taught and guest directed extensively at colleges, universities and conservatories throughout the U.S. and abroad, including five years at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Northwestern, Ohio State, AMDA, Denison, University of New Mexico, the Folkwang Hochschule (in Essen, Germany) and three years on the faculty of Columbia College-Hollywood. He has been a panelist and guest instructor at the William Inge Theatre Festival, where he has performed with Marybeth Hurt, Holland Taylor and George Grizzard. He is also a member of their Advisory Board. He is currently on the faculty of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), teaching advanced acting and scene study. His theatre acting credits include “Our Town” at the American Shakespesare Theatre with Fred Gwynne, the U.S. premiere of “The Greeks” at The Williamstown Theatre Festival with Gwyneth Paltrow, Blythe Danner, Christopher Reeve and Celeste Holm and “The Dream Watcher” with Eva LeGallienne. In film and television, he has appeared in “The Hiding Place” with Julie Harris, “Ragtime” with Elizabeth McGovern, “Evergreen” with Armand Assante and “The Equalizer” with Jim Dale. Luke has studied at the Juilliard School of Drama, New York University, University of California – Riverside, Northwestern University, Circle in the Square and the Herbert Berghof Studio. He is the son of the late Eileen Heckart, who won an Academy Award for “Butterflies Are Free” and appeared in over 15 feature films, 20 Broadway plays, and countless television programs. Ms. Heckart is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and a multiple Emmy and Tony Award winner. In her honor, Luke created the Eileen Heckart Memorial Scholarship Fund at Ohio State University, her alma mater. Luke toured internationally for more than ten years with DIVA DISH, his one-man show about the golden age of Broadway and Hollywood. There was such demand for a sequel, he created DIVA DISH: THE SECOND HELPING, which he premiered at the Desert Rose Theatre in Palm Springs. Luke and his husband Don Hill spend time at their homes in Long Beach, CA and Palm Springs, CA. For more info ( including his full Bio) or to contact Luke: https://yankeehillproductions.com Luke's email is: luke@lukeyankee.net Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Donal Brophy proudly hails from Dublin Ireland and found his love of storytelling growing up there. Donal moved to NYC to study acting under the legendary Bill Esper. After graduating he worked extensively in the New York downtown theater and Independent cinema scene. In 2008, to satisfy his love and knowledge of Scotch Whisky, Donal opened his first gastro pub, the west village institution HIGHLANDS to a roaring reception. Following the success of HIGHLANDS Donal’s career took a detour from the performing arts and went on to have a rewarding career in the restaurant world, proving himself to be a real renaissance man opening up a string of boutique restaurant and bars; Mary Queen of Scots on the lower east side, WHITEHALL in the west Village and The Surf Lodge in Montauk. After seven years of owning and operating his businesses Donal got the acting bug once more and got back to doing what he loves best; being a story teller. Donal’s career has been in full flight since his return with such notable credits as Blue Bloods on CBS, Unforgettable on AMC, the HBO original move ‘En el séptimo día’ On the seventh day) and the critically acclaimed remake if the Francis Ford Coppola classic DEMENTIA 13. Donal has also been in several recent successful off Broadway stage productions such as The Picture of Dorian Grey and the immersive masterpiece Sleep No More. Donal co-founded Idyllwild Pictures with Emrhys Cooper in 2019 and since then has been busy developing projects as a writer, producer and actor. Donal co-wrote the dark comedic feature The Shuroo Process (as well as starring in the movie). Upcoming projects include the much-anticipated docuseries Historical Homos and the Irish political thriller feature CLODAGH. Contact Donal via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donaljbrophy/ Production company website: http://www.idyllwildpictures.com HH website: http://historicalhomos.com/ HH podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/historical-homos/id1688718350 Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2023 Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay. To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com