Bonni Allen, longtime talent representative, casting director and producer, died February 20 after battling cancer. She was 52. Allen represented a number of film, television and Broadway actors over the years including Nancy Opel and Teresa Parente. She turned to casting directing full-time after her client Jason Alexander was cast as George Costanza in the hit TV sitcom Seinfeld. She was also one of the first executives hired by cable television network Studio M/Weberworks. As Creative Executive In charge Of Acquisition & Development of New Projects and Casting, she worked with some of Hollywood’s major producers, including Jonathan Sanger, Lawrence Gordon, Steven Soderbergh, The Farrelly Brothers and Penny Marshall. She later returned to working as a personal manager partnering with Marrissa O’Leary to form allen + o’leary management, where her clients included Lauralee Bell, Greg Roman, Jonathan Fraser, and Nick Baillie.
- 2/25/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
American character actor and puppeteer Mark Ritts has lost his battle with kidney cancer. He was 63.
Ritts was best-known for his roles on U.S. TV science show Beakman's World as Lester the Rat and puppet penguin Herb. He died on Monday at his home in La Canada Flintridge, California.
In character, he appeared on the 1990's show in skits, answered readers' questions and helped series star Beakman with experiments.
Ritts also hosted PBS children's show Storytime, as the voice of a seven-year-old boy puppet named Kino.
In addition to his work in children’s television, he also produced films and live events for corporations.
He is survived by his wife, actress Teresa Parente, sons, Daniel and James, and a daughter, Gabriella.
Ritts was best-known for his roles on U.S. TV science show Beakman's World as Lester the Rat and puppet penguin Herb. He died on Monday at his home in La Canada Flintridge, California.
In character, he appeared on the 1990's show in skits, answered readers' questions and helped series star Beakman with experiments.
Ritts also hosted PBS children's show Storytime, as the voice of a seven-year-old boy puppet named Kino.
In addition to his work in children’s television, he also produced films and live events for corporations.
He is survived by his wife, actress Teresa Parente, sons, Daniel and James, and a daughter, Gabriella.
- 12/14/2009
- WENN
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