Hollywood Obsessed

During the second half of Tony’s enlightening conversation with L.A.’s premiere acting coach and film director Michelle Danner they discuss her transition from acting coach to film director, if she came up against any discrimination when she decided to take on the directors chair, how her directorial debut “How To Go Out On A Date In Queens” why making a serious film like “Hello Herman” that tells the story of a school shooting starring Norman Reedus was so important to her, how stories with the theme of kids falling through the cracks are very important to her, what it was like working on the LGBTQ+ documentary “Sígueme”, her experience directing the psychological thriller “Bad Impulse” with Paul Sorvino & Dan Lauria, and how her latest film “Miranda’s Victim” came to her and why most Americans don’t know the true story of how the Miranda Rights - customarily given by police to criminal suspects in police custody - came about.  

MICHELLE DANNER

There aren’t many people who can point to a career full of success as a performer, teacher, storyteller, entrepreneur, and expert. But Michelle Danner can.

The legendary acting teacher & founder of the Creative Center for the Arts & the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory, Danner is also now well-established as a successful film director.

Her most recent film, “Miranda’s Victim,” stars Abigail Breslin, Luke Wilson, Ryan Phillippe, Emily VanCamp, Mireille Enos, Enrique Murciano, Brent Sexton, Josh Bowman, Sebastian Quinn, Taryn Manning, Nolan Gould, Dan Lauria, Kyle MacLachlan, Andy Garcia & Donald Sutherland. The film tells the true story of Trish Weir (Breslin) who was kidnapped and brutally raped by Ernesto Miranda. The subsequent trials went all the way to the Supreme Court and led to creation of the Miranda Rights. “Miranda’s Victim” opened the Santa Barbara Film Festival in February.

Her last film “The Runner” is an action thriller and true-life coming of age story starring Cameron Douglas, Elisabeth Röhm, Eric Balfour and newcomer Edouard Philipponnat. The film screened at 28 festivals around the world winning countless awards.

A dedicated mom of two (one is an aspiring filmmaker), Danner still has her “day job” – overseeing the faculty of the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory, and conducting her weekly acting class. Michelle has worked privately with Christian Slater, Salma Hayek, Gerard Butler, Seth MacFarlane, Penelope Cruz, Chris Rock, Gabrielle Union, Zooey Deschanel, Henry Cavill, Isla Fisher and James Franco. A longtime student of legendary acting teachers like Stella Adler and Uta Hagen, Danner’s eclectic approach (which she calls “The Golden Box”) allows actors the freedom to employ a wide variety of techniques.

Raised in a show business family & with a deep appreciation for all of the performing arts, Danner also continues to run the boutique “Cinema at the Edge” film festival.

Simply put, there’s almost no one in the business who knows as much about acting and success as Michelle Danner – and her continued success in multiple creative fields makes her one of the most successful women working in the industry today.

Official Michelle Danner Acting Studio Website

https://www.michelledanner.com

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

Become a supporter of this podcast!

You can now become a donor and support this podcast with a small monthly donation ($0.99, $4.99 or $9.99 a month) to help sustain future episodes. In return, you’ll be thanked on the HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED website and at the bottom of each episode description moving forward. Thanks for your support!

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tony-miros/support

On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with premiere acting coach, film director Michelle Danner, and the founding & artistic director of the Creative Center for the Arts.

During their conversation, Michelle tells Tony all about training extensively in Paris & New York with the legendary acting instructors Stella Adler and Uta Hagen, how she came to Los Angeles to audition for the TV series “Thirtysomething” and never left, how she got started as an acting coach, what it’s like being L.A.’s top acting coach, what some of her advice is to young actors just starting in Hollywood, her thoughts on the pursuit of fame, being professional on set, developing a backstory for character development, how to handle someone who is having a “star moment” on set, and her memories of working with legendary actors like Andy Garcia & Donald Sutherland.

MICHELLE DANNER

There aren’t many people who can point to a career full of success as a performer, teacher, storyteller, entrepreneur, and expert. But Michelle Danner can.

The legendary acting teacher & founder of the Creative Center for the Arts & the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory, Danner is also now well-established as a successful film director.

Her most recent film, “Miranda’s Victim,” stars Abigail Breslin, Luke Wilson, Ryan Phillippe, Emily VanCamp, Mireille Enos, Enrique Murciano, Brent Sexton, Josh Bowman, Sebastian Quinn, Taryn Manning, Nolan Gould, Dan Lauria, Kyle MacLachlan, Andy Garcia & Donald Sutherland. The film tells the true story of Trish Weir (Breslin) who was kidnapped and brutally raped by Ernesto Miranda. The subsequent trials went all the way to the Supreme Court and led to creation of the Miranda Rights. “Miranda’s Victim” opened the Santa Barbara Film Festival in February.

Her last film “The Runner” is an action thriller and true-life coming of age story starring Cameron Douglas, Elisabeth Röhm, Eric Balfour and newcomer Edouard Philipponnat. The film screened at 28 festivals around the world winning countless awards.

A dedicated mom of two (one is an aspiring filmmaker), Danner still has her “day job” – overseeing the faculty of the Los Angeles Acting Conservatory, and conducting her weekly acting class. Michelle has worked privately with Christian Slater, Salma Hayek, Gerard Butler, Seth MacFarlane, Penelope Cruz, Chris Rock, Gabrielle Union, Zooey Deschanel, Henry Cavill, Isla Fisher and James Franco. A longtime student of legendary acting teachers like Stella Adler and Uta Hagen, Danner’s eclectic approach (which she calls “The Golden Box”) allows actors the freedom to employ a wide variety of techniques.

Raised in a show business family & with a deep appreciation for all of the performing arts, Danner also continues to run the boutique “Cinema at the Edge” film festival.

Simply put, there’s almost no one in the business who knows as much about acting and success as Michelle Danner – and her continued success in multiple creative fields makes her one of the most successful women working in the industry today.

Official Michelle Danner Acting Studio Website

https://www.michelledanner.com

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

Become a supporter of this podcast!

You can now become a donor and support this podcast with a small monthly donation ($0.99, $4.99 or $9.99 a month) to help sustain future episodes. In return, you’ll be thanked on the HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED website and at the bottom of each episode description moving forward. Thanks for your support!

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tony-miros/support

During the second half of Tony’s fantastic conversation with legendary film and television star Stefanie Powers they discuss how MGM Television bought her contract from Columbia and cast her on the spy series "The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." – which was the first hour-long drama to star a female lead – her memories of her good friend Ava Gardner, her memorable appearance on the “Six Million Dollar Man” in the fan favorite episode “The Secret of Bigfoot”, how the part of Jennifer Hart on the television series “Hart to Hart” came to her life, what her first scene with Robert Wagner was like in the pilot episode, her thoughts on her co-star Lionel Stander who played “Max” on the show, why “Hart To Hart” was abruptly cancelled after its fifth season on ABC, what it was like coming back to film eight “Hart to Hart” TV movies in the 1990s, her work on films like “Mistral’s Daughter”, “Hollywood Wives” and most recently in “The Artists Wife” as well as her ongoing devotion to animal preservation and protection as the founder and president of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation.

STEFANIE POWERS

Stefanie Powers began her career at age 15, dancing for famed Broadway choreographer, Jerome Robbins. She was put under contract to Columbia Pictures in the final years of the Hollywood star system. While under contract, she appeared in 15 of the 31 motion pictures she has made, co-starring with screen legends such as; John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, Cliff Robertson, Elliot Gould, Roger Moore, Donald Sutherland, Bing Crosby, Glenn Ford, Lee Remick, James Caan and Sammy Davis. She recently co-starred with Richard Chamberlin in the critically acclaimed independent film, Three Days Of Hamlet.

Her first television series, “The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.,” marked a milestone in US television's history as the first hour long series featuring a female in the leading role. Her television career includes over 25 mini-series, over 200 episodic guest starring appearances, 35 movies for television and two more television series, “Feather and Father” & the long running “Hart to Hart,” starring opposite Robert Wagner.

She became a member of the Screen Writers' Guild of America in the 1980s & has produced several of the screenplays she has written, one of which, “Family Secrets,” was not only a stepping stone for the careers of James Spader and Gary Sinise but it garnered her a nomination for the best screenplay of the year by her peers in the Writers' Guild. Her writing has extended itself to a memoir called, One From The Hart, published by The Robson Press.

As much a part of her life as her career, is her devotion to animal preservation and protection, which at times becomes more of a vocation than an avocation. She is founder and president of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, established in 1982 to continue & to further her long-time partner’s conservation work in East Africa after his death.

She was appointed conservation consultant to Jaguar & Land Rover after creating the Jaguar Conservation Trust which she has operated in Central America. She has been on the advisory board of four zoos in the United States and is a fellow of the Los Angeles Zoo, the Explorers' Club, and the Royal Geographic Society. She is active in the movement to preserve and protect the remaining herds of the North American wild horses and has received numerous international awards for her grass roots work in conservation which she considers a life-long commitment. She resides part of the year in Kenya.

Stefanie Powers Official Website - http://www.stefaniepowersonline.com/index.html

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with film and television star Stefanie Powers who is best known for playing the glamorous, jet-setting, sleuth Jennifer Hart on the classic TV series "Hart To Hart"!

During their fascinating conversation, Stefanie tells Tony all about growing up in Hollywood, what the studio system was like when she was under contract at Columbia Pictures, meeting Blake Edwards on the studio lot, her memories of working with legendary choreographer Jerome Robbins, what it was like filming the classic western “McLintock!” with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, her experience working with Lana Turner in “Love Has Many Faces” and then the incomparable Tallulah Bankhead in the thriller “Die! Die! My Darling!” - whom she later played in the stage play “Looper”.  

STEFANIE POWERS

Stefanie Powers began her career at age 15, dancing for famed Broadway choreographer, Jerome Robbins. She was put under contract to Columbia Pictures in the final years of the Hollywood star system. While under contract, she appeared in 15 of the 31 motion pictures she has made, co-starring with screen legends such as; John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, Cliff Robertson, Elliot Gould, Roger Moore, Donald Sutherland, Bing Crosby, Glenn Ford, Lee Remick, James Caan and Sammy Davis. She recently co-starred with Richard Chamberlin in the critically acclaimed independent film, Three Days Of Hamlet.

Her first television series, “The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.,” marked a milestone in U.S. television's history as the first hour long series featuring a female in the leading role. Her television career includes over 25 mini-series, over 200 episodic guest starring appearances, 35 movies for television and two more television series, “Feather and Father” and the long running “Hart to Hart,” starring opposite Robert Wagner.

She became a member of the Screen Writers' Guild of America in the 1980s and has produced several of the screenplays she has written, one of which, “Family Secrets,” was not only a stepping stone for the careers of James Spader and Gary Sinise but it garnered her a nomination for the best screenplay of the year by her peers in the Writers' Guild. Her writing has extended itself to a memoir called, One From The Hart, published by The Robson Press.

As much a part of her life as her career, is her devotion to animal preservation and protection, which at times becomes more of a vocation than an avocation. She is founder and president of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, established in 1982 to continue and to further her long-time partner’s conservation work in East Africa after his death.

She was appointed conservation consultant to Jaguar and Land Rover after creating the Jaguar Conservation Trust which she has operated in Central America. She has been on the advisory board of four zoos in the United States and is a fellow of the Los Angeles Zoo, the Explorers' Club, and the Royal Geographic Society. She is active in the movement to preserve and protect the remaining herds of the North American wild horses and has received numerous international awards for her grass roots work in conservation which she considers a life-long commitment. She resides part of the year in Kenya.

Stefanie Powers Official Website - http://www.stefaniepowersonline.com/index.html

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

During the second half of Tony’s informative conversation with authors David Fantle and Tom Johnson they discuss what has been the reaction they’ve gotten from critics and film lovers since the book came out, which actor - Eddie Bracken or Phil Silvers - was the true comic release in the film, how generous Judy Garland was with her friends, how much she disliked the studio suits like up-and-coming head of production of MGM Dore Shary, the fascinating history of each musical number featured in the film including Gene Kelly’s favorite solo dance routine (the Squeaky Board/Newspaper number) and Garland’s signature number “Get Happy”, why MGM didn’t renew Judy’s contract after the film was released, what happened to Judy and her career after she was released from MGM, the “Taking Stock” chapter that brims with fresh insight on the film, from contemporary artists like Judy Garland’s daughter Lorna Luft, Michael Feinstein, Kerry Kelly Novick (Gene Kelly’s daughter) Marilyn Michaels, Mario Cantone, Ben Vereen and Mikhail Baryshnikov, among others, what were the pros and cons of writing a book like this for the authors, and what their next book will be about.

DAVID FANTLE & TOM JOHNSON

David Fantle has interviewed more than 250 show business personalities over the past 40 years, including such legendary names as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, James Cagney, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, George Burns, Milton Berle, Charlton Heston, Rod Steiger and Gregory Peck. In 2004, a compilation of his interviews were published in the book, Reel to Real: 25 years of Celebrity Profiles from Vaudeville to Movies to TV. The book was recognized by Turner Classic Movies as its May 2004 “Book of the Month.” His latest book, written with his longtime collaborator Tom Johnson, titled C'mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock will be published in October 2023 by the University Press of Mississippi. Their second book of celebrity interviews, Hollywood Heyday: 75 Interviews with Golden Age Legends was published by McFarland and Company in 2018. Fantle is an adjunct professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee where he teaches courses in film, television and popular culture. He is also the former Deputy Secretary of Tourism for Wisconsin and a popular speaker on the cruise ship circuit.

Tom Johnson began his collaboration with David Fantle in 1978 as a student journalist at the University of Minnesota by co-writing an award-winning arts and entertainment column for the Minnesota Daily called “Entertainment Ltd.” Johnson was a senior editor at Netflix and has written movie reviews and features for E! Online, Moviefone and People magazine, among other publications. Johnson’s entertainment writing has been recognized with a Minnesota Newspaper Association achievement award and a National Hearst Foundation award for news writing.

To Find Out More About The Book - ⁠https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/C/C-mon-Get-Happy⁠

To Purchase A Copy Go to Amazon -

⁠https://www.amazon.com/Cmon-Get-Happy-Making-Summer/dp/1496838394⁠

Tom Johnson’s Facebook Page - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/tom.johnson.543908⁠

David Fantle’s Facebook Page -  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/dfantle⁠

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website -⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram -⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠⁠

Titles VO Talent Cam Frierson -⁠ ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with authors David Fantle and Tom Johnson -- whose best-selling book C’Mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer tells the backstory of how the 1950 MGM musical "Summer Stock" starring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland was brought to the screen!

During their fascinating conversation, David and Tom tell Tony all about where their love for movie musicals came from, how they were able to interview over 250 legendary stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood including Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly when they were teenagers, why they decided to write a book about the MGM musical Summer Stock, what the relationship was like between legendary movie stars Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, what was going on at MGM and the movie industry during the time Summer Stock was being filmed, how emotionally troubled Judy was at the time, how she discovered Gene when he was starring in "Pal Joey" on Broadway, how much he loved her and tried to help her get through the shooting of the film and what Judy’s daughter Lorna Luft contributed to their research for the book.  

DAVID FANTLE & TOM JOHNSON

David Fantle has interviewed more than 250 show business personalities over the past 40 years, including such legendary names as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, James Cagney, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, George Burns, Milton Berle, Charlton Heston, Rod Steiger and Gregory Peck. In 2004, a compilation of his interviews were published in the book, Reel to Real: 25 years of Celebrity Profiles from Vaudeville to Movies to TV. The book was recognized by Turner Classic Movies as its May 2004 “Book of the Month.” His latest book, written with his longtime collaborator Tom Johnson, titled C'mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock will be published in October 2023 by the University Press of Mississippi. Their second book of celebrity interviews, Hollywood Heyday: 75 Interviews with Golden Age Legends was published by McFarland and Company in 2018. Fantle is an adjunct professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee where he teaches courses in film, television and popular culture. He is also the former Deputy Secretary of Tourism for Wisconsin and a popular speaker on the cruise ship circuit.

Tom Johnson began his collaboration with David Fantle in 1978 as a student journalist at the University of Minnesota by co-writing an award-winning arts and entertainment column for the Minnesota Daily called “Entertainment Ltd.” Johnson was a senior editor at Netflix and has written movie reviews and features for E! Online, Moviefone and People magazine, among other publications. Johnson’s entertainment writing has been recognized with a Minnesota Newspaper Association achievement award and a National Hearst Foundation award for news writing.

To Find Out More About The Book - https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/C/C-mon-Get-Happy

To Purchase A Copy Go to Amazon -

https://www.amazon.com/Cmon-Get-Happy-Making-Summer/dp/1496838394

Tom Johnson’s Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/tom.johnson.543908

David Fantle’s Facebook Page -  https://www.facebook.com/dfantle

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

During the second half of Tony’s fascinating conversation with actor Burt Ward they discuss how martial arts legend Bruce Lee did his very first on-screen fight scene with him on an episode of “Batman”, how he was denied having a stunt double during his initial time playing Robin as the stuntman did not resemble him, his unfortunate string of emergency room visits his first week shooting Batman due to the dangerous stunts they had him do on set, how the bulge in his tights enraged the Catholic League of Decency leading to the studio taking drastic measures to fix the problem, his memories of all the world famous guest stars they had on the show week after week, how he went from playing the Boy Wonder on TV to becoming a canine and cat crusader in real life, the heartwarming story of how he & his wife have saved thousands of dogs through their pet rescue & adoption charitable organization Gentle Giants, how they created the healthiest dog & cat food in the world called Gentle Giants Pet Food, and his thoughts about finally receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! 

BURT WARD

The Making of a Superhero – A Life of Intense Dedication

From an illustrious beginning as the world’s youngest professional ice skater at two years of age in his father’s traveling ice show

.  .  .  .  to becoming the world’s fastest reader while in high school reading 30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension as tested by The American Medical Society of Beverly Hills

.  .  .  .  to an aspiring young actor at UCLA whose first acting interview landed him the role of Robin the Boy Wonder in the famed 1966 Batman television series that became the #1 rated TV Show in the world

.  .  .  .  to creating and operating with his wife, Tracy, Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, the world’s largest giant breed dog rescue during the last 30 years, saving more than 15,500 dogs and hundreds of cats, finding each and every one a safe, forever home

.  .  .  .  to also creating with Tracy Gentle Giants Natural Non GMO Pet Food and Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care program for dogs and cats that has them living as long as 30 plus healthy, active years with a wonderful quality of life

Official Burt Ward Website https://www.burtwardrobintheboywonder.com

Gentle Giants Pet Food https://www.gentlegiantsdogfood.com

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page  ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson  ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with actor BURT WARD who is best known for playing Dick Grayson aka Robin The Boy Wonder on the classic 1960s TV series “Batman”!

During the first part of their entertaining two-part conversation, Burt tells podcast host Tony Miros all about his memories of being the youngest professional ice skater in the world at the age of two, how he was an all-around athlete in school, and how he became the world’s fastest reader, his interest in acting at a very young age, his incredible experiences filming the classic TV series “Batman”, his memories of auditioning for the role of Robin, doing a screen test with his costar Adam West at 20th Century Fox Studios, what it was like wearing the Robin costume for the first time, how popular the series was when it premiered on ABC in 1966, how the show had a very board appeal, his memories of making personal appearances around the country during the show's heyday, and how he had to give people a warning before they read his revealing 1995 tell-all book “Boy Wonder: My Life In Tights”

BURT WARD

The Making of a Superhero – A Life of Intense Dedication

From an illustrious beginning as the world’s youngest professional ice skater at two years of age in his father’s traveling ice show

.  .  .  .  to becoming the world’s fastest reader while in high school reading 30,000 words per minute with 90% comprehension as tested by The American Medical Society of Beverly Hills

.  .  .  .  to an aspiring young actor at UCLA whose first acting interview landed him the role of Robin the Boy Wonder in the famed 1966 Batman television series that became the #1 rated TV Show in the world

.  .  .  .  to creating and operating with his wife, Tracy, Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions, the world’s largest giant breed dog rescue during the last 30 years, saving more than 15,500 dogs and hundreds of cats, finding each and every one a safe, forever home

.  .  .  .  to also creating with Tracy Gentle Giants Natural Non GMO Pet Food and Gentle Giants Special Feeding and Care program for dogs and cats that has them living as long as 30 plus healthy, active years with a wonderful quality of life

Official Burt Ward Website https://www.burtwardrobintheboywonder.com

Gentle Giants Pet Food https://www.gentlegiantsdogfood.com

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson  ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

During the second half of Tony’s fascinating conversation with actor Dean Butler they discuss how welcomed he felt his first day on the set of “Little House on the Prairie”, how obviously awkward the 8-year age difference between him and Melissa Gilbert was especially for her since Michael Landon never asked her to give any input on the casting of the actor that would eventually be her husband on the show, the dramatic real story behind Laura and Almanzo’s famous first on-screen kiss, what it was like becoming an instant star, what happened the first time he was recognized in public, his memories of playing Hank Summers on the hit show “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, his work as a produced on a number of 'Little House' related documentaries as well as how much he enjoyed co-executive producing “Pa's Fiddle: The Music of America” in Nashville for PBS,

DEAN BUTLER

Dean Butler is an actor, producer, and director best known for his portrayal of Almanzo Wilder on the NBC family drama Little House on the Prairie, which was based on the classic Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. He appeared in the final four seasons of the show, the spin-off show Little House: A New Beginning, and the three post-series TV movies. After Little House ended, he played Jeff "Moondoggie" Griffin in the TV series The New Gidget and Buffy’s dad, Hank Summers, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Butler was a guest star on various television series, including Murder, She Wrote; Who's the Boss?; The Love Boat; and JAG.He co-starred with the late Gary Coleman in The Kid with the 200 I.Q.. He appeared in the movies Desert Hearts and The Final Goal.

He was a producer for NBC Golf’s Emmy-nominated series Feherty for over ten seasons. He has directed, produced, written, and narrated bonus features for Little House on the Prairie DVD collections. He narrated a six-part documentary, The Little House Phenomenon. And he produced two documentaries, Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura, which drew their inspiration from the Little House books of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Additionally, in 2012, Butler co-executive produced Pa's Fiddle: The Music of America for PBS. Dean lives in California with his family.

Dean’s new memoir PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond was recently published (Pub date: June 25, 2024; HC, $28.00). In it, Dean shares the behind- the-scenes of Little House on the Prairie on a heartfelt journey of “good luck, good television, and the very good if gloriously imperfect—people who made it so.” With a foreword from Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie), this uplifting memoir follows Butler’s journey from childhood to the Prairie and beyond.

Dean Butler Official Website

https://deanbutler.com/

Little House on the Prairie Website

https://littlehouseontheprairie.com/

Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond Book

https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9780806543314/prairie-man/

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠

On this episode of Hollywood Obsessed, host Tony Miros speaks with actor Dean Butler who is best known for playing Almanzo Wilder on the classic TV series “Little House On The Prairie”! 

During the first part of their candid two-part conversation Dean tells podcast host Tony Miros how he and the cast of ‘Little House’ feel about hitting the 50th anniversary of the series this year, how the show is still watched and new audiences are still discovering it, how wise Michael Landon was using the ‘Little House’ books as the source material for this beloved series but expanding those stories to entertain audiences week after week, the reason why he decided to write his memoir “PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond” now, his anxiety about how some people might feel with some of the things he decided to include in his book, how his love for performing in front of an audience came to his life, how he felt when he got his first major role in the made for TV movie “Forever” with Stephanie Zimbalist, how fearless he was when he came to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, how people in the industry thought his real life naivete and innocence was all an act when he walked into a room, how he got the audition for Almanzo Wilder on “Little House”, and his thoughts on working a room when you have an audition in Hollywood.

DEAN BUTLER

Dean Butler is an actor, producer, and director best known for his portrayal of Almanzo Wilder on the NBC family drama Little House on the Prairie, which was based on the classic Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. He appeared in the final four seasons of the show, the spin-off show Little House: A New Beginning, and the three post-series TV movies. After Little House ended, he played Jeff "Moondoggie" Griffin in the TV series The New Gidget and Buffy’s dad, Hank Summers, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Butler was a guest star on various television series, including Murder, She Wrote; Who's the Boss?; The Love Boat; and JAG.He co-starred with the late Gary Coleman in The Kid with the 200 I.Q.. He appeared in the movies Desert Hearts and The Final Goal.

He was a producer for NBC Golf’s Emmy-nominated series Feherty for over ten seasons. He has directed, produced, written, and narrated bonus features for Little House on the Prairie DVD collections. He narrated a six-part documentary, The Little House Phenomenon. And he produced two documentaries, Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura, which drew their inspiration from the Little House books of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Additionally, in 2012, Butler co-executive produced Pa's Fiddle: The Music of America for PBS. Dean lives in California with his family.

Dean’s new memoir PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond was recently published (Pub date: June 25, 2024; HC, $28.00). In it, Dean shares the behind- the-scenes of Little House on the Prairie on a heartfelt journey of “good luck, good television, and the very good if gloriously imperfect—people who made it so.” With a foreword from Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie), this uplifting memoir follows Butler’s journey from childhood to the Prairie and beyond.

Dean Butler Official Website

https://deanbutler.com/

Little House on the Prairie Website

https://littlehouseontheprairie.com/

Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond Book

https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9780806543314/prairie-man/

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice⁠⁠⁠

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠