Freddy Rodriguez and photographer Steve Starr; Drew Sidora.___________
Over the past few months, photographer Steve Starr has met many celebrities. These are the stories behind just a few he has encountered.
Freddy Rodriguez at Rumba
The handsome actor Freddy Rodriquez was born in Chicago in 1975. The Puerto Rican American often visits his hometown, though his career has taken him to Hollywood, where he has made films such as A Walk In The Clouds ( 1995 ) , Dead Presidents ( 1995 ) , Chasing Papi ( 2003 ) , Bobby ( 2006 ) and Grindhouse/Planet Terror ( 2007 ) .
In 2001, Rodriquez became well known for playing Hector Federico 'Rico' Diaz on HBO's series Six Feet Under; in 2003, he began a recurring role as Marko 'Mark' Espinosa on the TV comedy Scrubs. Now, he has just been added to the 2007 regular weekly cast of the TV show Ugly Betty, in which he will play the anticipated love interest of Betty Suarez, played by America Ferrera.
Dining, dancing and socializing with his beautiful friends and family at Chicago's Rumba Supper Club, 351 W. Hubbard, the congenial Rodriquez, a friend of Rumba owner Edwin Rios, had a good time posing with fans and friends.
Photo of Freddy Rodriquez and Steve Starr taken on July 13 by STARRGAZERS Photography
Bruce Vilanch at Park West Theatre
The winner of two Emmy awards, brilliant and hilarious writer and perfomer Bruce Vilanch attended the 2007 Grabbys Gay Erotic Video Awards, where he appeared along with five fabulous hosts: Chi Chi LaRue, Honey West and three of the nations most handsome stars of porn—Johnny Hazzard, Mathew Rush and Kent North. ( Sadly, North passed away in July. )
Vilanch, who modeled for Lane Byant when he was a child and once starred with the infamous Talullah Bankhead in summer stock, later became an entertainment writer for the Chicago Tribune, where he wrote a glowing review on my production, the Steve Starr Studios fifth annual VANITY in 1974. Thank you, Bruce Vilanch!
Bette Midler was so impressed by his review of her 1970 performance at Chicago's esteemed Mr. Kelley's that she hired him to enhance her stage shows. Vilanch later moved to Los Angeles, where he wrote for The Donny and Marie Show and the Brady Bunch Hour, and contributed his wonderful material to Richard Pryor, Lily Tomlin and Joan Rivers. He began writing for the Academy Awards show in 1989, soon working with Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and David Letterman, and became the show's head writer in 2000. Vilanch was a regular writer and a panelist on Hollywood Squares, and, in 2004, appeared on Broadway as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray.
Vilanch has also had a movie career, first appearing as a dress designer in Mahogany ( 1975 ) , which starred Diana Ross. He also appeared in The Ice Pirates ( 1984 ) , The Morning After ( 1986 ) , It Nearly Wasn't Christmas ( 1989 ) , Get Bruce ( 1999 ) , Circuit ( 2002 ) and Naked Fame ( 2005 ) .
Vilanch, who will play one of the celebrity judges in the August 2007 release of the LaRue-directed sexual spoof Fucking With The Stars, thrillingly took to the Park West stage to receive a special Grabby Wall of Fame Award for his writing contributions.
Nadine Velasquez at the Latino Film Festival Awards
Beautiful Nadine Velazquez visited her hometown of Chicago to attend the award ceremony and closing festivities of the prestigious 23rd Annual Chicago International Latino Film Festival held at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark, on April 25.
Velazquez started off as a model and soon landed her first television commercial for McDonald's. Also on television, Velasquez has been on series such as The Bold and the Beautiful, Entourage and ( currently ) My Name Is Earl. Velazquez also landed roles in the films Chasing Papi, Biker Boyz and House of the Dead 2: Dead Aim. In 2005, USA Today named her as one of 'Five Rising Stars To Watch Closely.' Pretty, demure, sensitive-looking Velazquez is quoted as saying, 'I'd love to kick someone's ass in a movie, instead of somebody threatening to kick mine.'
Standing near the podium in the elegant Arthur Rubloff Auditorium, ready to address the packed audience that included filmmakers from around the world, Velazquez graciously posed for my camera.
Drew Sidora at Rumba
Gorgeous actress Drew Sidora arrived with friends in an enormous white limousine at the beautiful Rumba Supper Club, 351 W. Hubbard, to celebrate her 22nd birthday. Instantly surrounded by stylish fans, Sidora signed autographs, danced and partied through the night in the glow of the tropical showplace.
The talented Sidora is a singer, songwriter and dancer trained in ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Dazzling in a shimmering short gold dress, Sidora—whose Hollywood movies include Never Die Alone, White Chicks and Step Up—is a star on the rise.
Photo by Steve Starr
Steve Starr is the author of Picture Perfect-Art Deco Photo Frames 1926-1946, published by Rizzoli International Publications. A photographer, designer and an artist, he is the owner of Steve Starr Studios, specializing in original Art Deco photo frames, furnishings, and jewelry, and celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2007. The studio walls, once adorned with his personal collection of over 950 original Art Deco photo frames filled with images of Hollywood's most elegant stars of the early 20th Century, was visited by several celebrities that included Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Harrison Ford, Thelma Houston, Tom Hulce, and Patti LaBelle.
Steve Starr's column, STARRLIGHT, about movie stars of the 1920's, 1930's, and 1940's appears regularly in various publications including Entertainment Magazine Online-EMOL.org/reporters/Starr, the Windy City Times, and the Chicago Art Deco Society Magazine, and has been printed in Skyline, the Modern, and Vibralatino.
Visit www.SteveStarrStudios.com, where you can enter The Starrlight Room and view a portion of his frame collection, read Starrlight stories, and enjoy photos, letters, and autographs that he has received from his favorite luminaries.
STARRGAZERS-Radiant Photography by Steve Starr is available for portraits and events. Starr has contributed Nightlife Photography for Image Chicago Magazine, Clubline Magazine, Factio Magazine, Gay Chicago Magazine, Nightspots, and Entertainment Magazine Online. Starr is the House Photographer for the beautiful Rumba Supper Club, 351 West Hubbard Street in Chicago, where he was the only photographer allowed to take photos of Janet Jackson for her beautiful private event Sept. 7, 2006.
Phone 773-252-5171 for further information.
