Ted Demme
Encyclopedia
Edward K. "Ted" Demme was an American
film director
and producer
.
, Demme grew up in Rockville Centre
on Long Island
, New York and attended South Side Senior High School
. He graduated from SUNY-Cortland
in 1985. His media career likely began with a radio show at WSUC-FM (SUNY-Cortland) in Cortland, NY. His show was a mix of comedy and talk radio with the usual sidekick, as well as some music and was widely listened to on and off campus. He was the nephew of movie producer and director Jonathan Demme
. His career had modest beginnings — starting as a production assistant at MTV
, he later created the cable network's seminal hip-hop show Yo! MTV Raps
and directed other projects for them, including the infamous black-and-white rants starring then-unknown chain-smoking
comedian Denis Leary
.
Over the course of his career, he established a group of actors that he chose to work with on more than one occasion. The most frequently used of these was Denis Leary, who he directed as a lead or star in No Cure for Cancer
, The Ref
, Denis Leary: Lock 'n Load, and Monument Ave.
. Leary also worked as a producer on the 2001 crime drama film Blow which starred Johnny Depp
as George Jung. Other actors he frequently used included:
bars including Teddy's at the Roosevelt Hotel named in Demme's honor.
which may have been related to cocaine
later found in his system during an autopsy.
program Dinner for Five
much of the show was given over to a description of Demme's last night and fond reminiscences about his life, mostly by Denis Leary and the show's host Jon Favreau
. This touched on Demme's being a fan of the Green Bay Packers
and his fondness for playing practical jokes.
At the 2002 Golden Globe awards show, one week following Demme's death, Kevin Spacey
wore a picture of Demme on his suit jacket.
wrote The Twilight Singers
' 2003 album Blackberry Belle
in Demme's memory.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
.
Early life and career
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Demme grew up in Rockville Centre
Rockville Centre, New York
Rockville Centre is a village located in Nassau County, New York, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the village had a total population of 24,023. The town is made up of middle to upper middle class residents, most of the wealthier residents residing on the north side of town near the...
on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York and attended South Side Senior High School
South Side High School (Rockville Centre, New York)
South Side High School is the only public high school in the town of Rockville Centre, New York. South Side serves grades 9 through 12 and boasts a variety of academic, extra-curricular and athletic programs, including the International Baccalaureate Curriculum in junior and senior years. School...
. He graduated from SUNY-Cortland
State University of New York at Cortland
The State University of New York College at Cortland, also officially called SUNY Cortland or informally known as Cortland State, is a coeducational university located in Cortland, New York...
in 1985. His media career likely began with a radio show at WSUC-FM (SUNY-Cortland) in Cortland, NY. His show was a mix of comedy and talk radio with the usual sidekick, as well as some music and was widely listened to on and off campus. He was the nephew of movie producer and director Jonathan Demme
Jonathan Demme
Robert Jonathan Demme is an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. Best known for directing The Silence of the Lambs, which won him the Academy Award for Best Director, he has also directed the acclaimed movies Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married, the Talking Heads concert movie Stop...
. His career had modest beginnings — starting as a production assistant at MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, he later created the cable network's seminal hip-hop show Yo! MTV Raps
Yo! MTV Raps
Yo! MTV Raps was a two-hour American television music video program, which ran from August 1988 to August 1995 through its original Yo! MTV Raps name and later by Yo! . The program was the first hip hop music show on the network, based on the original MTV Europe show, aired one year earlier. The U.S...
and directed other projects for them, including the infamous black-and-white rants starring then-unknown chain-smoking
Chain smoking
Chain smoking is the practice of lighting a new cigarette for personal consumption immediately after one that is finished, sometimes using the finished cigarette to light the next one. It is a common form of addiction.-Causes:...
comedian Denis Leary
Denis Leary
Denis Colin Leary is an Irish-American actor, comedian, writer and director. Leary is known for his biting, fast paced comedic style and chain smoking...
.
Over the course of his career, he established a group of actors that he chose to work with on more than one occasion. The most frequently used of these was Denis Leary, who he directed as a lead or star in No Cure for Cancer
No Cure for Cancer
No Cure for Cancer is one of Denis Leary's standup routines from the early 1990s. It was made into a television special, a book, and a compact disc, all with the same title...
, The Ref
The Ref
The Ref is a 1994 American black comedy film directed by Ted Demme and starring Denis Leary, Judy Davis, and Kevin Spacey.-Plot:...
, Denis Leary: Lock 'n Load, and Monument Ave.
Monument Ave.
Monument Ave., originally titled Snitch and titled Noose in Australia, is a 1998 American film directed by Ted Demme and starring Denis Leary. The film centers on the Charlestown, Massachusetts Irish Mob and small-time criminal Bobby O'Grady who is dealing with the problems that arise due to...
. Leary also worked as a producer on the 2001 crime drama film Blow which starred Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
as George Jung. Other actors he frequently used included:
- Noah EmmerichNoah EmmerichNoah Nicholas Emmerich is an American film actor who first broke out in the film Beautiful Girls. He was later seen in movies like The Truman Show, Cop Land, Frequency, Love & Sex, Windtalkers, Miracle, Super 8 and Little Children.-Early life:Emmerich was born in New York City to a Jewish family,...
in Beautiful Girls, Monument Ave., Life, and (a cut scene in) Blow, - Max PerlichMax Perlich-Biography:He was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His mother was a teacher and his father, Martin Perlich, a writer and radio programming director and announcer, worked for a time with the Cleveland Orchestra. The Perlich family moved to Los Angeles, California when Max was four...
in Beautiful Girls and Blow, - Adam LeFevreAdam LeFevreAdam LeFevre is an American character actor, poet and playwright who works in cinema, television, theater and commercials....
in The Ref and Beautiful Girls, and - John Benjamin HickeyJohn Benjamin HickeyJohn Benjamin Hickey is an American actor with a career in stage, film and television. He won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Felix Turner in The Normal Heart....
in The Bet and The Ref
Personal life
Demme was married to Amanda Scheer, with whom he had two children. Scheer later opened several popular Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
bars including Teddy's at the Roosevelt Hotel named in Demme's honor.
Death
On Sunday, January 13, 2002, while playing a game of basketball, Demme collapsed and died of a heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
which may have been related to cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
later found in his system during an autopsy.
Tributes
In one edition of the IFCIndependent Film Channel
The Independent Film Channel is an American cable TV network that airs independent film and related programming. IFC programming includes commercially interrupted feature-length films, original documentaries, shorts, animated series, original series, acquired series, and content exclusively for...
program Dinner for Five
Dinner for Five
Dinner for Five is a television program in which actor/filmmaker Jon Favreau and a revolving guest list of celebrities eat, drink and talk about life on and off the set and swap stories about projects past and present...
much of the show was given over to a description of Demme's last night and fond reminiscences about his life, mostly by Denis Leary and the show's host Jon Favreau
Jon Favreau
Jonathan Kolia "Jon" Favreau is an American actor, screenwriter, film director and comedian. As an actor, he is best known for his roles in Rudy, Swingers , Very Bad Things, and The Break-Up. His notable directorial efforts include Elf, Iron Man and its sequel, and Cowboys & Aliens...
. This touched on Demme's being a fan of the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
and his fondness for playing practical jokes.
At the 2002 Golden Globe awards show, one week following Demme's death, Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey, CBE is an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and crooner. He grew up in California, and began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s, before being cast in supporting roles in film and television...
wore a picture of Demme on his suit jacket.
Director
- Yo! MTV RapsYo! MTV RapsYo! MTV Raps was a two-hour American television music video program, which ran from August 1988 to August 1995 through its original Yo! MTV Raps name and later by Yo! . The program was the first hip hop music show on the network, based on the original MTV Europe show, aired one year earlier. The U.S...
(1988, Unknown episodes) - The BetThe Bet (1992 film)The Bet is a 1992 American film directed by Ted Demme, written by Gavin O'Connor, and starring Josh Mosby and John Benjamin Hickey.The soundtrack was composed by John Terelle of the Hawaiian Pups and Michael Wolf with Lou Marini....
(1992) - No Cure for Cancer (1992)
- Who's the Man?Who's the Man?Who's the Man? is a 1993 comedy film, directed by Ted Demme. The film stars Yo! MTV Raps hosts Doctor Dré and Ed Lover as its two main protagonists., it features dozens of cameo appearances from some of the top rap/hip-hop acts of the time, including Busta Rhymes, Eric B., House of Pain, Ice-T,...
(1993) - The RefThe RefThe Ref is a 1994 American black comedy film directed by Ted Demme and starring Denis Leary, Judy Davis, and Kevin Spacey.-Plot:...
(1994) - Beautiful Girls (1996)
- Homicide: Life on the StreetHomicide: Life on the StreetHomicide: Life on the Street is an American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Homicide Unit. It ran for seven seasons on NBC from 1993 to 1999, and was succeeded by a TV movie, which also acted as the de-facto series finale...
(2 episodes, 1994–1996) - Gun (1 episode, 1997)
- Subway Stories: Tales from the UndergroundSubway StoriesSubway Stories: Tales from the Underground was a film made in 1997 and produced by Home Box Office for television. It began as a contest among New Yorkers who submitted stories about their experiences within the New York City Subway. HBO picked ten of the stories and cast mostly well-known or...
(Segment: "Manhattan Miracle", 1997) - Denis Leary: Lock 'n Load (1997)
- Monument Ave.Monument Ave.Monument Ave., originally titled Snitch and titled Noose in Australia, is a 1998 American film directed by Ted Demme and starring Denis Leary. The film centers on the Charlestown, Massachusetts Irish Mob and small-time criminal Bobby O'Grady who is dealing with the problems that arise due to...
(1998) - LifeLife (film)Life is a 1999 American comedy-drama film directed by Ted Demme, and starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. The supporting cast includes Obba Babatundé, Bernie Mac, Anthony Anderson, Miguel A. Núñez Jr. and Bokeem Woodbine...
(1999) - ActionAction (TV series)Action is a comedy series about a Hollywood producer named Peter Dragon, who is trying to recover from his last box-office failure. It aired on FOX during the 1999-2000 season. The series was critically praised for its irreverent, and sometimes hostile look at Hollywood culture. Thirteen episodes...
(1 episode, 1999) - BlowBlow (film)Blow is a 2001 biopic about the American cocaine smuggler George Jung, directed by Ted Demme. David McKenna and Nick Cassavetes adapted Bruce Porter's 1993 book Blow: How a Small Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellín Cocaine Cartel and Lost It All for the screenplay. It is based on the real...
(2001) - A Decade Under the Influence (2003)
Producer
- Yo! MTV RapsYo! MTV RapsYo! MTV Raps was a two-hour American television music video program, which ran from August 1988 to August 1995 through its original Yo! MTV Raps name and later by Yo! . The program was the first hip hop music show on the network, based on the original MTV Europe show, aired one year earlier. The U.S...
(1988, Unknown episodes) - Hangin' w/MTV (1992, Executive producer)
- Monument Ave. (1998)
- RoundersRounders (film)Rounders is a 1998 film about the underground world of high-stakes poker. Directed by John Dahl and starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton, the movie follows two friends who need to quickly earn enough cash playing poker to pay off a large debt...
(1998) - TumbleweedsTumbleweeds (1999 film)Tumbleweeds is a 1999 American drama film directed by Gavin O'Connor. He co-wrote the screenplay with his then-wife Angela Shelton, who was inspired by her memories of a childhood spent on the road with her serial-marrying mother.-Plot:...
(1999, Executive producer) - A Lesson Before Dying (1999, Executive producer)
- Action (1 episode, Executive producer, 1999)
- BlowBlow (film)Blow is a 2001 biopic about the American cocaine smuggler George Jung, directed by Ted Demme. David McKenna and Nick Cassavetes adapted Bruce Porter's 1993 book Blow: How a Small Town Boy Made $100 Million with the Medellín Cocaine Cartel and Lost It All for the screenplay. It is based on the real...
(2001) - A Decade Under the Influence (2003)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | San Sebastián International Film Festival San Sebastián International Film Festival The San Sebastián International Film Festival is an annual FIAPF A category film festival held in the Spanish city of San Sebastián .-History:The festival was founded in 1953... |
Nominated | Golden Shell Golden Shell The Golden Shell is the highest prize given to a competing film at the San Sebastián Film Festival. It was introduced in 1957. In 1953 and 1954, the highest prize had been called the Gran Premio. In 1955 and 1956 it was replaced by the Silver Shell... |
Beautiful Girls |
| 1999 | Emmy Award Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American primetime television programming... |
Won | Outstanding Made for Television Movie Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie This is a list of the winners of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie, which is awarded since 1992. The category was originally called Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special.-1980s:*1980: The Miracle Worker... |
A Lesson Before Dying (Shared with Robert Benedetti, Ellen Krass, and Joel Stillerman) |
| 2001 | Nominated | Outstanding Nonfiction Special | A Decade Under the Influence (Shared with Alison Palmer Bourke, Caroline Kaplan Caroline Kaplan -Filmography - Producer:*The Easter Parade *American Gun *Sorry, Haters *Pizza *The Baxter... , Jerry Kupfer Jerry Kupfer Jerry Kupfer is an American television producer who has worked on shows such as 30 Rock and Strangers with Candy.-External links:... , Gini Reticker, and Jonathan Sehring) |
|
| 2001 | Karlovy Vary International Film Festival | Nominated | Crystal Globe | Blow |
| 2003 | National Board of Review of Motion Pictures National Board of Review of Motion Pictures The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures was founded in 1909 in New York City, just 13 years after the birth of cinema, to protest New York City Mayor George B. McClellan, Jr.'s revocation of moving-picture exhibition licenses on Christmas Eve 1908. The mayor believed that the new medium... |
Nominated | William K. Everson Film History Award | A Decade Under the Influence (Shared with Richard LaGravenese Richard LaGravenese Richard LaGravenese is an American screenwriter and occasional film director. He is best known as the writer of The Fisher King.-Personal life:... ) |
| 2003 | Sundance Film Festival Sundance Film Festival The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new... |
Nominated | Grand Jury Prize | A Decade Under the Influence (Shared with Richard LaGravenese) |
In popular culture
Rock musician Greg DulliGreg Dulli
-Biography:Greg Dulli was born and brought up in the working-class city of Hamilton, Ohio. Although he was raised a Catholic, he is now agnostic. Dulli first came to public attention in the late 1980s with The Afghan Whigs when he joined D.C. transplant bassist John Curley and Louisville, Kentucky,...
wrote The Twilight Singers
The Twilight Singers
The Twilight Singers is an American indie rock band. The group was initially formed as a side project of The Afghan Whigs leader Greg Dulli in 1997...
' 2003 album Blackberry Belle
Blackberry Belle
Blackberry Belle is the second full-length album released by The Twilight Singers. It was released by One Little Indian Records on October 14, 2003 and features guest appearances by Mathias Schneeberger, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Stanton Moore, Petra Haden and Mark Lanegan...
in Demme's memory.