ABOUT THE CAST

GREG KINNEAR (Richard)
Academy Award nominee Greg Kinnear continues to build upon his already impressive resume with roles in a number of highly diverse projects. Kinnear was recently seen in the thriller THE MATADOR opposite Pierce Brosnan and will next appear in Disney’s INVINCIBLE, opposite Mark Wahlberg, and The Weinstein Company’s UNKNOWN, as well as Richard Linklater’s ensemble drama FAST FOOD NATION. This summer he will begin production on Robert Benton’s FEAST OF LOVE opposite Morgan Freeman.
            The last few years have been quite busy for Kinnear. He has starred in THE BAD NEWS BEARS opposite Billy Bob Thornton, lent his voice to “Ratchet” in the successful animated film ROBOTS, and worked opposite Robert De Niro and Rebecca Romijn in the thriller GODSEND.  In 2002 Kinnear starred in the critically-acclaimed biopic of actor Bob Crane, AUTO FOCUS, from director Paul Schrader, and lit up the small screen in the Norman Jewison HBO movie DINNER WITH FRIENDS alongside LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE co-star Toni Collette, plus Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell.
Some of Kinnear’s other credits include the Vietnam War film WE WERE SOLDIERS opposite Mel Gibson, the Farrelly brothers’ comedy STUCK ON YOU alongside Matt Damon, and the hit romantic comedy YOU’VE GOT MAIL with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
            In 1997, Kinnear starred as Jack Nicholson’s unfortunate neighbor Simon in the hit James L. Brooks film AS GOOD AS IT GETS. Kinnear’s performance earned an Academy Award nomination, the National Board of Review’s award for Best Supporting Actor plus nominations from the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild.
Kinnear made his feature film debut in the Sydney Pollack-directed remake SABRINA in which he co-starred with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond. Kinnear first gained prominence as the wisecracking host of E! Entertainment Television's “Talk Soup” in 1991, which rapidly became a cult hit. In 1994, Kinnear became the host and executive producer of the NBC late-night talk show “Later with Greg Kinnear.”
 
TONI COLLETTE (Sheryl)
Toni Collette made an indelible impression on Hollywood with her portrait of the hopeless but inspirational Muriel Heslop in P.J. Hogan’s MURIEL’S WEDDING, for which she won an Australian Academy Award, her first of four. Proving her amazing ability to transform into the characters which she plays, Collette has since starred in a variety of diverse roles.
Collette was most recently seen in the critically acclaimed 20th Century Fox film IN HER SHOES with Cameron Diaz and Shirley MacLaine, directed by Curtis Hanson and based on the best-selling novel by Jennifer Weiner. She just completed the independent film DEAD GIRL with Giovanni Ribisi and is currently shooting TSUNAMI for HBO Films in Thailand.
In 2004 Collette starred in the comedies CONNIE & CARLA opposite Nia Vardalos and THE LAST SHOT with Matthew Broderick and Alec Baldwin. In 2003 Collette received some of the best reviews of her career for JAPANESE STORY, for which she garnered extraordinary critical acclaim and her fourth Australian Academy Award. Collette’s other recent films include ABOUT A BOY, the hit box office adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel, the critically acclaimed THE HOURS, opposite Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore, and the remake of SHAFT opposite Samuel L. Jackson. 
Collette earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller THE SIXTH SENSE, as a Philadelphia mother who must cope with the physical and emotional distress surrounding her young son’s paranormal powers.  She will next be seen in THE NIGHT LISTENER with Robin Williams and Sandra Oh and in the thriller LIKE MINDS. 
In addition to her undeniable talent on-screen, Collette has had the opportunity to appear on stage, starring in the highly regarded revival of “The Wild Party,” alongside Mandy Patinkin and Eartha Kitt.

STEVE CARELL (Frank)
            After several years in which he was primarily known for his contributions on the Emmy-award winning “The Daily Show,” Steve Carell has become a leading comedy star in the last year, following the success of the smash hit THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN and NBC’s acclaimed sitcom, “The Office.” Other recent successes for Carell include hosting the 2005 season premiere of “Saturday Night Live;” his performance as the dim-witted Brick Tamland opposite Will Ferrell in ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY; his role as Uncle Arthur in BEWITCHED; and the voice of Sammy the Squirrel in the animated feature OVER THE HEDGE.
            Carell is next set to star in a number of film projects, including EVAN ALMIGHTY, a sequel to the hit comedy BRUCE ALMIGHTY and the role of Maxwell Smart in the feature adaptation of the popular series GET SMART. 
Carell began his acting career at the age of six in his first grade Thanksgiving play.  After graduating from Denison University in Ohio, he contemplated a career as an attorney and then quickly chose a career as an actor.  A veteran of the Second City Theater group in Chicago, Carell was twice nominated for a Joseph Jefferson award. 
           
PAUL DANO (Dwayne)
            Paul Dano became well-known to movie fans with his breakout role in the coming-of-age independent drama, L.I.E., opposite Brian Cox. His mesmerizing portrayal of an innocent teenager forced to navigate his adolescence virtually unsupervised garnered him an Independent Spirit Award for “Best Debut Performance” as well as the “Best Actor” Award at the Stockholm Film Festival. Dano also tied for L.A. Outfest Grand Jury Award for “Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film.”
Growing up in Connecticut, Dano began his acting career on the New York stage with supporting roles on Broadway including “A Month in the Country” opposite Helen Mirren; “A Christmas Carol” with Ben Vereen and Terrence Mann; and “Inherit the Wind” opposite George C. Scott and Charles Durning.
 In addition to a recurring role on “The Sopranos,” Dano has consistently tackled different roles in his feature career - from an introverted prep school student in THE EMPEROR’S CLUB opposite Kevin Kline to an uninhibited coed in Twentieth Century Fox’s THE GIRL NEXT DOOR to a mysterious drifter in TAKING LIVES.
Dano’s most recent performances prove no exception to his ability to handle a wide variety of roles. In Rebecca Miller’s THE BALLAD OF JACK AND ROSE, Dano played a sexual predator that sets his sights on Daniel Day Lewis’ teenage daughter. He currently stars in James Marsh’s THE KING (2005 Cannes Film Festival) in which he plays William Hurt’s solidly Christian son.
Dano will soon appear as one of the leads in Adam Bhala Lough’s WEAPONS opposite Nick Canon and Mark Webber as well as Richard Linklater’s FAST FOOD NATION (2006 Cannes Film Festival), based on the book featuring an ensemble cast including Catalina Sandino Moreno, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, and his LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE co-star Greg Kinnear. In addition, he recently completed work on Spike Jonze’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, based on Maurice Sendak’s children’s book.
Dano is also a musician and is aware of this disturbing cliché.  He is currently continuing his studies at the New School University in New York City.

ABIGAIL BRESLIN (Olive)
            Abigail Breslin is one of the most versatile, charismatic and sought-after actors of her young generation. A talented and engaging performer, she had the enviable role of playing leading lady to Mel Gibson – at the tender age of five.
Since starring opposite Gibson in M. Night Shyamalan’s 2002 film SIGNS, Abigail has been able to use her unique talents to do comedy and drama as well as quirky and unusual roles. Abigail also made impressions for her performance in RAISING HELEN for director Garry Marshall, in which she starred opposite Kate Hudson as well as her older brother, actor Spencer Breslin.  She has also completed roles in the independent drama KEANE, directed by Lodge Kerrigan and produced by Steven Soderbergh; in The Ultimate Gift, co-starring James Garner; and has a surprise role as a perky elf in THE SANTA CLAUSE 3.
On television, Abigail has had guest roles on “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Navy N.C.I.S.” and “What I like About You.” 
Most recently Abigail completed an untitled Scott Hicks film aka MOSTLY MARTHA co-starring opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart. 

ALAN ARKIN (Grandpa)
Alan Arkin has long been recognized as an actor of great talent and versatility on stage, screen and television. Born in New York, Alan launched his career with Chicago's Second City improvisational revue. This led to his first part on Broadway, the lead in Carl Reiner's play “Enter Laughing,” for which he won a Tony Award. After becoming a successful actor and director on Broadway, Arkin received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his first feature film, Norman Jewison’s THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING. He received a second Oscar nomination and the New York Critic's Award for his performance in THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER. Some of his many other films have included WAIT UNTIL DARK, CATCH-22, the original version of THE IN-LAWS, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, MOTHER NIGHT, and THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONE THING. He has written and directed two short films, T.G.I.F. and PEOPLE SOUP.  The first opened the 1967 New York Film Festival, and the latter received an Oscar nomination.
Arkin starred in the highly acclaimed A&E television series “100 Centre Street” written and directed by Sidney Lumet.  Other television appearances include his Emmy-nominated performances in PENTAGON PAPERS for the FX network and ESCAPE FROM SOBIBOR. He guest starred as the father of his real-life son, Adam Arkin, on “Chicago Hope,” which earned him yet another Emmy nomination. He was seen in HBO’s AND STARRING PANCHO VILLA AS HIMSELFwith Antonio Banderas for director Bruce Beresford, as well as in Steven Soderbergh’s episode of the anthology film EROS. Arkin most recently starred in FIREWALL with Harrison Ford, and voiced a character in Jerry Seinfeld’s upcoming animated BEE MOVIE.  He will also be seen in the forthcoming SANTA CLAUSE 3 with Tim Allen 
            When not occupied as an actor or director, Arkin is likely to devote his time to music or writing. He has written six books, all published by Harper/Collins, the latest a children’s book entitled Cassie Loves Beethoven, published by Hyperion.  An earlier work, The Lemming Condition, has sold steadily for twenty years, and was honored by The Book Sellers of America by being placed in the White House Library.

 

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

JONATHAN DAYTON and VALERIE FARIS (Directors)
             Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris make their feature film directorial debut with LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. However, the married team has already built an impressive body of innovative projects as directors and producers in a variety of mediums, collaborating together on over 75 projects in film, television, commercials and music videos. 
Jonathan and Valerie began their careers creating and directing the pioneering MTV show, “The Cutting Edge.” They continued to work at the leading edge of music television, directing award-winning videos and documentaries for artists including REM, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction, The Smashing Pumpkins, Macy Gray, Janet Jackson, Oasis, Weezer and The Ramones. Their music productions ultimately earned them two Grammy Awards, nine MTV Music Video Awards and a Billboard Music “Director of the Year” Award.
In addition, Jonathan and Valerie have worked extensively in television, including directing episodes of the groundbreaking sketch comedy series “Mr. Show with Bob and David” for HBO. They also produced two feature films: the documentary THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION PART II: THE METAL YEARS for New Line Cinema and Jane’s Addiction’s GIFT for Warner Bros. Music.
In 1998, Jonathan and Valerie co-founded Bob Industries, one of the country’s leading commercial production companies, where they have directed high profile television ads for VW, Sony Playstation, Gap, Target, Ikea, Apple and ESPN, among many others. In 2004, Boards Magazine placed Dayton and Faris among the top ten directors working in commercials today.

MICHAEL ARNDT (Writer)
            Michael Arndt lives in New York City. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE is his first produced screenplay.

MARC TURTLETAUB (Producer)
Marc Turtletaub has been a producer for six years through two production companies. In 2004, Turtletaub, with Peter Saraf and Jeb Brody, founded Big Beach to produce and finance independent films, with an eye towards character-driven, humanistic, and inspirational material. The company has completed three films in the past year, including EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED, adapted from the best-selling novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, starring Elijah Wood and directed by Liev Schreiber; SHERRYBABY, a Sundance Lab Project, written and directed by Laurie Collyer and starring Maggie Gyllenhaal; and DUANE HOPWOOD, written and directed by Matt Mulhern, starring David Schwimmer and Janeane Garofalo. Big Beach will next produce a new documentary by Jeff Blitz and Sean Welch, the filmmakers behind SPELLBOUND.
            Prior to founding Big Beach, Turtletaub created Deep River Productions with David Friendly. Deep River’s films include LAWS OF ATTRACTION with Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore, and THE HONEYMOONERS, starring Cedric the Entertainer.

DAVID T. FRIENDLY (Producer)
            David T. Friendly has been a producer and executive in the film business for over 20 years, developing successful films of all types: comedies, action-adventures, dramas, thrillers, and family films. Friendly most recently released BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE 2, starring Martin Lawrence. In addition to the hugely successful original BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE, Friendly’s credits include Eddie Murphy’s DOCTOR DOLITTLE; Director Ed Zwick’s COURAGE UNDER FIRE, starring Denzel Washington and Meg Ryan; OUT TO SEA, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau; and DAYLIGHT, featuring Sylvester Stallone. Under his Friendly Pictures banner, he also produced the film HERE ON EARTH, starring Chris Klein, Leelee Sobieski, and Josh Hartnett.
In 2000, Friendly teamed with Marc Turtletaub to create Deep River Productions, which produced the films LAWS OF ATTRACTION, with Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore, and THE HONEYMOONERS with Cedric the Entertainer.
A graduate of Northwestern University, Friendly began his career as a journalist, following in the steps of his father, legendary journalist and news producer Fred Friendly (recently portrayed by George Clooney in the film GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK). After working as a staff writer at Newsweek and the Los Angeles Times, Friendly joined Imagine Entertainment in 1987, where he rose to President of Production and developed such hits as BACKDRAFT, KINDERGARTEN COP, and THE ‘BURBS. In 1994 Friendly joined Davis Entertainment as President, where he oversaw all aspects of development and production.
Friendly is married to well-known film editor Priscilla Nedd-Friendly (PRETTY WOMAN, DEAD POETS SOCIETY and AMERICAN PIE).

PETER SARAF (Producer)
Peter Saraf founded Big Beach with Marc Turtletaub and Jeb Brody in August, 2004. Prior to Big Beach, Saraf was an independent producer and for most of the 1990’s, a partner with Jonathan Demme and Edward Saxon in the production company Clinica Estetico. His credits include the multiple award-winning ULEE’S GOLD, directed by Victor Nunez and starring Peter Fonda; THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE, directed by Demme and starring Mark Wahlberg and Thandie Newton; ADAPTATION, directed by Spike Jonze and starring Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper and EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED starring Elijah Wood and adapted and directed by Liev Schreiber from the best selling novel by Jonathan Safran Foer.
Saraf has also produced a number of documentaries, including THE AGRONOMIST, which won the IFP Gotham Award for Best Documentary, and the Academy Award nominated MANDELA: SON OF AFRICA, FATHER OF A NATION.
Saraf has also been prolific in the area of filmed music. With Jonathan Demme, he produced THE COMPLEX SESSIONS with Neil Young and Crazy Horse, several music videos with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and Demme’s concert feature film STOREFRONT HITCHCOCK starring Robyn Hitchcock. Along with David Byrne, he re-mixed and re-mastered the 15th anniversary re-release of the seminal Talking Heads concert film, STOP MAKING SENSE.

ALBERT BERGER (Producer)
            Albert Berger formed Bona Fide Productions with Ron Yerxa in 1993. Their producing credits include Steven Soderbergh’s KING OF THE HILL (1993), Alexander Payne’s ELECTION (1999), Rick Famuyiwa’s THE WOOD (1999), and Anthony Minghella’s COLD MOUNTAIN (2003) based on Charles Frazier’s acclaimed novel. They also executive produced Sam Jones’ I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART (2002) and Mr. Berger executive produced the award-winning documentary CRUMB (1994). Last year, Bona Fide produced BEE SEASON for Fox Searchlight Pictures and THE ICE HARVEST for Focus Features. Slated for a fall release is LITTLE CHILDREN starring Kate Winslet and Jennifer Connelly, based on the Tom Perrotta novel and directed by Todd Field for New Line.  
After graduating from Tufts University, Albert Berger returned to his native Chicago where he owned and managed the Sandburg Theatre, a revival showcase for obscure and classic films. He attended Columbia University film school before moving to Los Angeles to write scripts for Paramount, TriStar, MGM, Orion, and producer Roger Corman. Berger went on to serve as Vice President of Development for Marvin Worth Productions at Paramount Pictures, where he worked on several projects, including Malcolm X.  
Bona Fide has several projects in development including NEBRASKA, a screenplay by Robert Nelson to be directed by Alexander Payne; ADULT WORLD to be directed by Jason Reitman, and THE RUG MERCHANT to be written and directed by Miguel Arteta.  
Bona Fide made a first-look deal at Paramount starting in 2005.
RON YERXA (Producer)
Ron Yerxa formed Bona Fide Productions with Albert Berger in 1993. Their producing credits include Steven Soderbergh’s KING OF THE HILL (1993), Alexander Payne’s ELECTION (1999), Rick Famuyiwa’s THE WOOD (1999), and Anthony Minghella’s COLDMOUNTAIN(2003) based on Charles Frazier’s acclaimed novel. They also executive produced Sam Jones’I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART (2002) and Mr. Yerxa executive produced JACK THE BEAR (1992). Last year, Bona Fide produced BEE SEASON for Fox Searchlight Pictures and THE ICE HARVESTfor Focus Features. Slated for a fall release is LITTLE CHILDRENstarring Kate Winslet and Jennifer Connelly, based on the Tom Perrotta novel and directed by Todd Field for New Line.  
Ron Yerxa graduated from Stanford University before working as a journalist and an inner city high school teacher in East Los Angeles. He joined Time-Life Films as a story analyst and then worked as an executive at CBS and Sovereign Films before becoming an independent producer.  
Bona Fide has several projects in development including NEBRASKA,, a screenplay by Robert Nelson to be directed by Alexander Payne; ADULT WORLDto be directed by Jason Reitman, and THE RUG MERCHANT to be written and directed by Miguel Arteta.  
Bona Fide made a first-look deal at Paramount starting in 2005.  

JEB BRODY (Executive Producer)
            Along with Marc Turtletaub and Peter Saraf, Jeb Brody is a partner at Big Beach where he recently served as executive producer on SHERRYBABY, written and directed by Laurie Collyer and starring Maggie Gyllenhaal.  Brody also worked with Saraf at Magnet Entertainment, and was the production executive for Spike Jonze’s ADAPTATION and Jonathan Demme’s THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE.
Prior to forming Big Beach, Brody worked as a producer at NBC Universal, where he founded a production company with late-night talk show host Carson Daly, producing network specials and overseeing various television pilots and feature films through development.
Before working in production, Brody was a curator at the American Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, New York, where he presented successful programs about Pedro Almodovar, Claire Denis, Sergio Leone, Donald Cammell, Hollis Frampton and many others.  He was also an editor and managing director at the short-lived, but much-loved, film magazine Scenario.

 

MICHAEL BEUGG (Executive Producer)
Michael Beugg has served as a producer and line producer of 29 feature films. In addition to LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, his other recent project is Jason Reitman’s THANK YOU FOR SMOKING.  Beugg’s Sundance premiere projects from past years include Arie Posin’s THE CHUMSCRUBBER, starring Jamie Bell, Ralph Fiennes, Glenn Close; Gary Walkow’s BEAT; Scott Sanders’ THICK AS THIEVES; and George Hickenlooper’s SOME FOLKS CALL IT A SLING BLADE, starring Billy Bob Thornton.
Some of his additional notable projects are Bart Freundlich’s CATCH THAT KID, Marleen Gorris’ CAROLINA, and Hickenlooper’s BIG BRASS RING. In his spare time, Beugg has helped “America’s Most Wanted” capture criminals by producing some forty crime reenactments for that show, and has helped Jeff Probst, host of “Survivor,” parachute out of a plane to deliver the votes of the tribal council. Michael is currently working in New Mexico as Executive Producer of BEERFEST, the new film from Jay Chandrasekhar and the Broken Lizard comedy team.
Prior to entering the film business, Beugg worked in the White House Office of Management and Budget in energy and environmental policy and in the management consulting industry for BCG; he also studied acting with Ted Liss in Chicago. He received an M.B.A./Public Policy degree from Stanford University and a B.A. from Yale University.  Beugg lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children. 

TIM SUHRSTEDT (Director of Photography)
Tim Suhrstedt, ASC, has built a long career behind the camera with a skill for comedies and quirky projects. His recent credits include Mike Judge’s cult hit OFFICE SPACE as well as Judge’s upcoming film IDIOCRACY, due out in 2006. His other forthcoming films include the romantic comedy THE LAST TIME with Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser. He has also shot the independent comedy PUMPKIN, featuring Christina Ricci; THE WEDDING SINGER, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore; MYSTIC PIZZA starring Julia Roberts and the classic BILL AND TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE with Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. 
Suhrstedt has also worked extensively in television, shooting episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Ally McBeal” and “Tales from the Crypt,” as well as winning an Emmy and an ASC Award for his work on the series “Chicago Hope”.
            Suhrstedt graduated from the American Film Institute and has since served on its faculty. He is married to costume designer Deborah Lynn Scott.

 

KALINA IVANOV (Production Designer)
Kalina Ivanov was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. During the height of communism, she escaped with her parents and landed in New York.
Ivanov’s design philosophy is to immerse herself in the script, fully embody the characters and reveal their history through color, texture and architecture in a visually original way.
In addition to LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, Kalina has brought this originality as a production designer and visual consultant to 23 films such as SMOKE, UPTOWN GIRLS, SWIMFAN, CHAPTER 27, BROWN SUGAR, HOUSEHOLD SAINTS, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE and many others.
 She has also contributed as a storyboard artist to over 30 films such as THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, QUIZ SHOW, THE HORSE WHISPERER, THE BRAVE ONE amongst others.
            Ivanov received her BFA from NYU/TSOA Design Department and her MFA from NYU/TSOA Film Department. She graduated with honors from both.
            Kalina is proud to be on the board of the Black Bear Film Festival in Milford, PA.

PAMELA  MARTIN (Editor)
Pamela Martin’s credits span a diverse range of comedies and dramas, including SAVED!, starring Jena Malone, Macaulay Culkin, and Mandy Moore; HOW TO KILL YOUR NEIGHBOR’S DOG, starring Kenneth Branagh; SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS, with Natasha Lyonne and Alan Arkin; THE HOUSE OF YES; THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE; and David O. Russell’s SPANKING THE MONKEY. Martin also served as dialogue editor on Ang Lee’s films EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN, THE WEDDING BANQUET, and PUSHING HANDS.

NANCY STEINER (Costume Designer)
Costume designer Nancy Steiner has worked extensively in film, commercials, music videos, and print. Her film credits include Anand Tucker’s SHOPGIRL; Cameron Crowe’s ELIZABETHTOWN; Sofia Coppola's VIRGIN SUICIDES and LOST IN TRANSLATION; Miguel Arteta’s THE GOOD GIRL; Michel Gondry’s HUMAN NATURE, Wim Wenders’ MILLION DOLLAR HOTEL; and Todd Haynes’ SAFE. 
Nancy’s work has been particularly well-represented on MTV, designing the costumes for music videos for such artists as Fat Boy Slim, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Sheryl Crow, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Air, the Smashing Pumpkins, No Doubt, Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Bjork just to name a few. Directors include Romanek, Walter Stern, Sofia and Roman Coppola, Sophie Muller, and Michel Gondry, as well as Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.
Steiner’s commercial campaigns have included Levi's, The Gap, Nike, Volkswagen, Adidas, Diet Coke, T Mobile, Earthlink, Volvo, Bacardi, Puma, Lincoln and Miller Beer as well as countless others.  Her print career includes work with Gwyneth Paltrow, No Doubt, Cameron Diaz, Milla Jovovich, Sheryl Crow, Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, R.E.M. and Sade. Her work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Interview, Allure, Us and Premiere.

MYCHAEL DANNA (Composer)
            Mychael Danna has been scoring films since his 1987 feature debut for Atom Egoyan's FAMILY VIEWING, a score which earned Danna the first of his 13 Canadian film award nominations. Mychael is recognized as one of the pioneers of combining non-Western sound sources with orchestral and electronic minimalism in the world of film music. This reputation has led him to work with such acclaimed directors as Atom Egoyan, Scott Hicks, Ang Lee, Gillies MacKinnon, James Mangold, Mira Nair, Billy Ray, Joel Schumacher and Denzel Washington.
He studied music composition at the University of Toronto, winning the Glenn Gould Composition Scholarship in 1985. Mychael also served for five years as composer-in-residence at the McLaughlin Planetarium in Toronto (1987-1992). His works for dance include music for Dead Souls (Carbone Quatorze Dance Company, directed by Gilles Maheu 1996) and a score for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Gita Govind (2001) based on the 1,000 year-old classical Indian erotic poem, with choreographer Nina Menon.
            His recent projects include Bennett Miller’s CAPOTE; Terry Gilliam’s TIDELAND and Todd Robinson’s LONELY HEARTS.

DEVOTCHKA (Featuring Music by)
DeVotchka have quietly become one of the most celebrated bands making music today. A disparate, yet articulate union of Eastern European, Southwestern, South American, and American roots music, both punk and folk, it is music unique enough, performed at virtuosic degree, and teeming with enough intangibles, to rightly be called ‘special.’ With violin, accordion, sousaphone, upright bass, theremin, bazooki, trumpet, piano, drums, guitars, and soaring vocals, this multi-instrumental four-piece creates an alternately tragic and uplifting orchestra unlike anything you're likely to have heard.  
Behind three records (SuperMelodrama, 2000, Una Volta 2003, How it ends 2004), DeVotchka began its touring life as a house band for a North American touring Burlesque troupe. Since then, DeVotchka has traversed the continent with a wide range of like-minded musical peers including Belle & Sebastian, M.Ward, Calexico, 16 Horsepower, Los Lobos, Jim White, and the Dresden Dolls.
The release of How it ends introduced the country to what a burgeoning national audience had been following for four years. A staggeringly good record from far out of left field, How it ends met with nearly universal acclaim. The exposure turned the band into a growing underground phenomenon.  DeVotchka continually sell out shows nationwide as they bring their transcendent and beautiful live show to the road. 

SUSAN JACOBS (Music Supervisor)
            Susan Jacobs vast body of work includes the Academy Award winning film CAPOTE starring Philip Seymour Hoffman; THE VILLAGE and UNBREAKABLE directed by M. Knight Shyamalan; the award winning documentary WHY WE FIGHT; Julian Schnabel’s NIGHT FALLS and BASQUIAT; the indie success HAPPINESS; and three films for acclaimed director Robert Altman: JAZZ 34, KANSAS CITY and SHORT CUTS.
            Jacobs has also managed a number of composers and artists such as Hal Wilner, Gavin Friday and Evan Lurie. 
 Her upcoming films include THE LADY IN THE WATER starring Paul Giamatti; THE HEART OF THE GAME (Toronto Film Festival 2005) and THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY starring Jason Biggs.

ANNE LITT (Music Supervisor)
For ten years, listeners of KCRW in Southern California have known Anne Litt as hostess and producer of the popular, influential radio shows “Weekend Becomes Eclectic” and “The A Track.” Her radio career has led her to music supervision projects, many with directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, including commercials for Apple Ipod, Chevrolet, and Volkswagen.  Over the past 4 years, Anne has worked with Dayton and Faris planning the musical direction of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE.

VOLKSWAGEN BUS (Touring Vehicle)
            The Volkswagen bus was the iconic image of freedom during the 1960’s and 70’s. In LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, the Hoover family reasserts the VW’s symbolism of independence and opportunity as they both literally and figuratively forge their own path across the country.  Moreover, the Hoover’s bus, faced with extinction like so many other American ideals of earlier generations, perseveres despite its mechanical difficulties in much the same way as the Hoovers, confronted with their own potential collapse, insist on the survival of the middle class family. 

 

Unit Production Manager
MICHAEL BEUGG

First Assistant Director
THOMAS PATRICK SMITH

Second Assistant Director
GREGORY SMITH

Choreography by
MARGUERITE DERRICKS

Cast
(In Order of Appearance)

            Olive                                                                Abigail Breslin
            Richard                                                            Greg Kinnear
            Dwayne                                                            Paul Dano
            Grandpa                                                           Alan Arkin
            Sheryl                                                               Toni Collette
            Frank                                                               Steve Carell
            Doctor #1                                                        Marc Turtletaub
            Cindy                                                               Jill Talley
            Diner Waitress                                      Brenda Canela
            Mechanic                                                         Julio Oscar Mechoso
            Convenience Store Proprietor                           Chuck Loring
            Josh                                                                 Justin Shilton
            Larry Sugarman                                                Gordon Thomson
            Teen Boy #1                                                    Steven Christopher Parker
            Stan Grossman                                     Bryan Cranston
            Doctor #2                                                        John Walcutt
            Linda                                                                Paula Newsome
            State Trooper McCleary                                   Dean Norris
            Pageant Official Jenkins                                    Beth Grant
            Kirby                                                               Wallace Langham
            Miss California                                     Lauren Shiohama
            Pageant Assistant Pam                          Mary Lynn Rajskub
            Funeral Home Worker                          Jerry Giles
            Biker Dad                                                        Geoff Meed
            Pageant MC                                                     Matt Winston
            Judge                                                               Joan Scheckel
            Girl in Hallway                                      Casandra Ashe
            Officer Martinez                                               Mel Rodriguez

Pageant Contestants

            Alexandria Alaman                                           Alissa Anderegg
            Brittany Baird                                                   Cambria Baird
            Brenae Bandy                                                   Kristen Holaas
            Maliah Hudson                                     Destry Jacobs
            Lindsey Jordan                                     Shane Murphy
            Annabelle Roberts                                            Sydni Stevenson-Love
            Nicole Stoehr                                                   Lauren Yee

            Stunt Coordinator                                             Tom Robinson Harper
            Assistant Stunt Coordinator                              Kenny Anderson
Stunt Players
Christie Abercrombie                                        Kacie Borrowman
            Clay Boss                                                         Peter C. Cullen
            Rick Gunderson                                                Riley Thomas Harper
Johnny Johnson                                                Matt Taylor
Tim Trella

            “Richard” Stand In                                            Joe Everett Michaels
            “Frank” Stand In                                              Kevin Maier
            “Sheryl” Stand In                                              Jenny Worman
            “Olive” Stand In                                               Tracie Richelle Harrison

 

Crew

            Production Supervisor                                      Bob Dohrmann
            Location Manager                                            Chris Miller
            Associate Producer                                          Bart Lipton

            Art Director                                                      Alan E. Muraoka
            Set Decorator                                                   Melissa Levander
            Art Department Coordinator                             Theresa Greene

            A Camera Operator                                         Jeffrey P. Greeley
            Steadicam Operator/B Camera Operator          Larry “Doc” Karman
            First Assistant Camera                          Theda Streetman
                                                                                    Heather Lea
            Second Assistant Camera                                 Gregory H.  Dellerson
                                                                                    Rigney Sackley
            Film Loader                                                      Michelle Pizanis

            Script Supervisors                                            Lyn Matsuda-Norton
                                                                                    Suzanne C. Swindle

            Sound Mixer                                                    Steven A. Morrow, C.A.S.
            Boom Operator                                                Craig Dollinger
            Cable Person                                                    Robert Sharman
            Video Assist                                                     Ed Casares
            24 Frame Playback                                          Dan Murbarger

            Gaffer                                                               Paul W. McIlvaine
            Best Boy Electric                                              Matthew Bardocz
            Electricians                                                       Keith Hascher
                                                                                    Alan “Monk” Morier
                                                                                    Brian Cantrell
                                                                                    Russell Curtis
                                                                                    Steve Rollins
            Key Grip                                                          Paul H. Goodstein
            Best Boy Grip                                                  Chris Rossi
            Dolly Grip                                                        Carlos M. Gallardo
            Grips                                                                Clint J. Borden
                                                                                    Josh Denering
                                                                                    Aaron Vyvial
                                                                                    Rick Lawrence

            Assistant Location Manager                              Nate Taylor
            Location Scout                                     Dan Milner

            Property Master                                               Tony Bonaventura
            Assistant Property Master                                 Ellis Barbacoff
            Additional Props                                               Jenn Baum
                                                                                    Andrea Cantrell
            Lead Scenic Artist                                            Troy Hope

            Lead Person                                                     Michael Klingerman
            Set Dressing Buyer                                           Jill Deibler
            Set Dressers                                                     Rion Waller
                                                                                    Joe Garcia
                                                                                    David Marple
            On-Set Dresser                                                Chris Pappas
           
            Costume Supervisor                                         Robin McMullan
            Key Costumer                                                  Jennifer Starzyk
            Costumer                                                         Lisa Hyde
           
            Department Head Makeup                               Torsten Witte
            Key Makeup                                                    Angel Radefeld
            Makeup Assistant                                             Nicole Sortillion
            Department Head Hair                          Janis Clark
            Key Hair Stylists                                               Susan Carol-Schwary
                                                                                    “Dugg” Kirkpatrick
           
            Casting Associate                                             Cate Engel
Casting Assistant                                              Yasmin Redoblado
            Extras Casting                                                  Rich King
                                                                                    Kelly Hunt

            Production Coordinator                                    Michyl-Shannon Quilty
            Assistant Production Coordinator                      Charissa Deann McLain
            Second Second Assistant Director                    Kate Greenberg
            Additional 2nd 2nd Assistant Directors  Heather Anderson
Joe May
            Office Production Assistants                             Francis Hadinoto
                                                                                    Joshua Mandel
                                                                                    Jason Mandel

Set Production Assistants
Paul Young                                                       Christopher Licata
            Liron Reiter                                                      Negar Saddigh
            Rocsana Saddigh                                              Katherine A. Taylor

            Big Beach Production Executive                        Sara Pollack
            Assistant to Ms. Collette                                   Jessica Otto
            Assistants to Mr. Dayton & Ms. Faris   James Kaplan
                                                                                    Joe Lewis
            Assistants to Producers                         Molly Cooper
                                                                                    Felipe Linz
                                                                                    Emily McMaster
                                                                                    Cori Uchida

            Production Legal                                              Sloss Law Office
                                                                                    Jacqueline Eckhouse, Esq.
                                                                                    Alison Hunter, Esq.

            Distribution Advisory Services              Cinetic Media

            Unit Publicity                                                    Insignia Inc.                                                                                                                              Erik Bright
                                                                                    Jesse Salka

            Clearance Coordinator                         Ashley Kravitz

            Still Photographer                                             Eric Lee

            Medic                                                              Mike Artino

            Big Beach Finance Executive                            Jennifer Freed

            Production Accountant                         Mike Revell
            First Assistant Accountant                                 Bryan Yaconelli
            Payroll Accountant                                           Thomas Farr

            Assistant Choreographer                                   Jennifer Hamilton

            Studio Teachers                                                Cecilia M. Cardwell
                                                                                    Christine Miller
            Pageant Consultant                                           Rita Alaman
            Pageant Coordinators                                       Andrea McLaws
                                                                                    Teresea Yee
                                                                                    Marcy Stoehr
                                                                                    Faride Gonzalez
                                                                                    Leroy Alaman

            Transportation Coordinator                               Geno Hart
            Transportation Captain                         Adam Pinkstaff
            Transportation Co-Captain                               Angel DeSanti

            Camera Car & Process Trailer              Carpenter Camera Cars
                                                                                    Shotmaker
                                                                                    Camera Cars Unlimited

            Caterer                                                             Eclipse Catering, Inc.
            Chef                                                                 Laurent Marchand
            Key Craft Service                                             Richard Cody
            Craft Service Assistant                          Eric Armao

            Assistant Editor                                                Terel Gibson
            Post Production Consulting by EPC                  Joe Fineman
            Post Production Supervisor                               Michael Toji
            Editorial Intern                                      Alex Turtletaub

            Post Production Accountant                              Trevanna Post

            Sound Editorial Provided by                             Soundelux
            Supervising Sound Editors                                Andrew DeCristofaro, M.P.S.E.
                                                                                    Stephen P. Robinson
            Assistant Sound Editor                          Patrick Cusack
            Dialogue Editor                                     John C. Stuver, M.P.S.E.
            ADR Editor                                                      Nancy Kyong Nugent, M.P.S.E.
            Sound Effects Editor                                         Steven F. Nelson
            Foley Editor                                                     Kerry Ann Carmean
            ADR Mixers                                                     Ron Bedrosian
                                                                                    Bob Deschaine, CAS
                                                                                    Greg Steele
            Foley Mixer                                                      Lucy Sustar
            Foley Artists                                                     Greg Barbanell
                                                                                    Diane Marshall
            Voice Casting                                                   Barbara Harris

            Re-Recording Mixers                                       Rick Ash
                                                                                    Terry Rodman
            Mix Technician                                     Chris Sidor
            Re-Recorded at                                                Todd-AO Vine Street Studios
            Music Editor                                                     Josh Winget
            Music Recorded and Mixed by             Brad Haehnel
                                                                                    Paramount Recording Studios
            Additional Performance Music by                     Tony Tisdale

Score Recorded by
DeVotchka

            Guitars, Whistles, Piano, Organ             Nick Urata
            Violin, Accordion, Piano                                   Thomas Hagerman
            Double Bass, Tuba                                           Jeanie Schroder
            Drums, Percussion,
            Trumpet, Glockenspiel                          Shawn King
Additional Musicians
            Cello                                                                John Krovoza
            Piano                                                                Mychael Danna

            Color Timer                                                      Lee Wimer
            Negative Cutter                                                Magic Film & Video Works
            Dolby Sound Consultant                                   Bryan Arenas
            Video Dailies                                                    Global Entertainment Partners
            Payroll Company                                              Entertainment Partners
            Production Insurance                                        AON/Alfred G. Ruben
            Titles and Opticals                                            Title House Digital
            Main Title Design                                              Pacific Title
            Digital Visual Effects                                         Look Effects Inc.
            Visual Effects Supervisor                                  Adam Avitabile
            Visual Effects Producer                         Josh Comen
           
Songs

Camera Dollies by
J.L. Fisher, Inc.
Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.

Kodak          CFI          Panavision

Dolby       SDDS       DTS  

Cinetic

          No. 42333
MPAA                     IATSE

 

Copyright (c) 2006
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation in all territories except Brazil, Italy, Japan, Korea and Spain.

Copyright (c) 2006
TCF Hungary Film Rights Exploitation Limited Liability Company and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation in Brazil, Italy, Japan, Korea and Spain.

Third Gear Productions, LLC is the author of this motion picture for the purposes of copyright and other laws.

THE PERSONS AND EVENTS IN THIS MOTION PICTURE ARE FICTITIOUS.
ANY SIMILARITY TO ACTUAL PERSONS OR EVENTS IS UNINTENTIONAL.

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AND CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

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