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1-9 of 9
- Deborah Strang was born on 12 November 1950 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, USA. She is an actress, known for Eagle Eye (2008), Kiss the Girls (1997) and Ramblin' Gal (1991).
- Actor
- Producer
Thomas Q. Jones is a captivating force on and off the field. While best known as an unstoppable all-time leading running back that played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL), Jones has turned his post-NFL focus to the world of acting in both film and television, and the world of technology as the Chief Executive Officer of the mobile application developer, Castar Applications, Inc.
In film, Jones headlined the independent film, "Runaway Island," alongside Lorraine Toussaint and Aisha Hinds. He filmed "Straight Outta Compton," the feature film based on the lives and careers of the hip-hop group, N.W.A. He shared a memorable scene with Paul Giamatti. The film opened on August 14, 2015, and debuted in the number one box office position, and remained in the top position for three consecutive weeks. In 2016, Jones is both a producer and actor in upcoming screen adaptation of the graphic novel, "Loyalty," with Lucien Laviscount, as well as an actor in the independent short film project, "Love and The Line," and the innovative independent feature length film, "9 Rides," shot entirely using 4K video with an iPhone 6s.
In television, Jones guest-starred in Seasons 2 and 3 of the BET hit drama series, "Being Mary Jane," in a multi-episode arc as "Brandon 'Cutty Buddy' Gibson," love interest to "Mary Jane Paul," played by award-winning actress, Gabrielle Union. On the TV ONE comedy series, "Born Again Virgin," Jones guest-starred as the irresistible commercial pilot, "Vince," a love interest to the series lead, Danielle Nicolet. He also appeared in featured roles in the acclaimed Showtime series "Shameless," and IFC's "Comedy Bang! Bang!"
In technology, Jones developed his first mobile application through his company, Castar Applications, Inc. The launch application, Castar, is an iOS, Android and Windows social business application for creative, talented individuals to showcase their special skills, network with industry professionals, connect with targeted audiences and agents, grow and manage their fan base, and earn money. Jones plans to develop more mobile applications that enhance users' social media and e-commerce experiences.
Drafted 7th overall in the 2000 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals out of the University of Virginia, Jones went on to become one of the 25 all-time leading rushers in NFL history, with more than 10,000 rushing yards. In addition to the Arizona Cardinals, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming an AFC Rushing Leader, a 2006 NFC champion, 2007 Super Bowl XLI player, and 2009 Pro-Bowl selection within his career. In 2010, Jones was nominated for "The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year" award recognizing an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field. In 2017, Jones will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jones grew up in Big Stone Gap, VA alongside five sisters, one brother, and his coal-miner parents. He collaborated with his parents to publish "Blessings from the Dust," a book inspired by the struggles the family endured coming from the poverty-stricken coal-mining camps of Virginia. A feature length film based on this book is in development.
Jones received his Bachelor's degree in Psychology in three years from the University of Virginia and established the "Thomas Quinn Jones I Academic Scholarship" at his alma mater. Committed to helping the NFL evolve, upon his death, he committed to donating his brain for research to the Sports Legacy Institute which studies the link between high-impact sports and brain trauma. As a tribute to his twelve years in the NFL, he is also developing a documentary, "The NFL: The Gift or the Curse?"
Jones splits his time between Los Angeles, CA and Miami, FL, with his dog and a hairless cat.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Adriana Trigiani is the bestselling author of twenty books of fiction and nonfiction, including the instant New York Times bestseller The Good Left Undone, the blockbuster epic The Shoemaker's Wife; the Big Stone Gap series and more. Trigiani directed the feature film Then Came You (2020), starring Craig Ferguson and Kathie Lee Gifford, filmed on location in Scotland. Her screen adaptation of Very Valentine (2019) debuted on Lifetime television in June 2019. Trigiani wrote and directed the major motion picture Big Stone Gap (2014), based on her debut novel and filmed entirely on location in her Virginia hometown. She is the award-winning filmmaker of the documentary Queens of the Big Time (1996). She was an award-winning writer/producer of The Cosby Show (1984) and A Different World (1987) and show runner and executive producer of CityKids (1993).- Leanza Cornett was born on 10 June 1971 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, USA. She was an actress, known for The Tick (2001), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) and Still Waiting in the Wings (2018). She was married to Mark Steines. She died on 28 October 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
- Jordan Michael Thompson was raised in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. He was acting from an early age and always excelled in painting and the arts. During college a chance meeting with an agent brought him to Hollywood.
Jordan has studied for many years with one of Hollywood's beloved acting coaches, John Kirby. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, he made his on-screen debut with a leading role in "Blue Boy". The film had its World Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival. A second leading role entitled "Ghost Light" from the American Film Institute and Lucas Films, went on to screen at festivals worldwide.
Jordan has also appeared on stage five times and his latest play "Washed in the Blood" won Best in Show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Just this year, Jordan has completed another leading role for festival circuit and just finished shooting a feature film entitled, "Boys About Town". - Julius Jones was born on 14 August 1981 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, USA.
- Melvin Dillon was born on 21 October 1984 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for Untied Strangers (2008).
- Writer
- Additional Crew
C.C. Swiney AKA Christopher C. Swiney, was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, to E.C. (Tate), and Joyce Swiney. He attended Powell Valley High School. He later went to Carson-Newman College and the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Upon arriving in Los Angeles, C.C. took jobs with 3-Ball, Mentorn and various production companies as a PA, Logger and eventually Story Producer.
C.C. performs at stand-up and improvisation comedy throughout the country and resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.- Director
- Editor
- Cinematographer
Davin Swade Stanley is a teen of Appalachia, Virginia. Born on January 24, 1993, to Pat and Amy Stanley, Davin developed an affinity for the film and television industry at an early age. Moving back and forth among Jacksonville, North Carolina, Big Stone Gap and Appalachia, Davin continued to dream of making it big in the entertainment industry and at the age of 14 years old, he began a stint as a camera operator for his church's broadcast that aired on a local television channel. This experience led Davin to a job as a television editor and camera operator for the Christian TV program, "Walking in the Kingdom."
With some experience under his belt, Davin became even more involved in television production. In early 2009, he helped produce a documentary about a supernatural entity in West Virginia called, "Dark Wings: The Mothman Chronicle," with an award-winning production company and in 2010 he was hired to produce sports promos for the local NBC and FOX affiliates.
Upon graduation from Appalachia High School in 2011, Davin relocated to Los Angeles, California to pursue his dreams in the entertainment capitol of the world. Davin briefly attended Los Angeles Valley College, where he studied television broadcasting. He holds a position at Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) and Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Although residing in Los Angeles, Davin remains a southern boy at heart with deep roots to his native region. His favorite sports teams are the Tennessee Volunteers and the Atlanta Braves.