| North and South Miniseries |
| These actor bios are from the original ABC press kit. Links to my favorite actors sites are added. Be sure to turn up your speakers, the opening list of actors from the series are playing. |
Orry Main featured in the second row facing left
Patrick Swayze
A native of Houston, Texas, Patrick Swayze learned to be a cowboy and athlete from his late father,
and an actor and dancer from his mother Patsy Swayze, the choreographer of the Houston Jazz
Ballet Company and such feature films as "Liar's Moon" and "Urban Cowboy." He excelled in high
school sports and was pursued by college football recruiters, but chose show business. He studied
acting with Warren Robertston and after making his Broadway debut as a dancer in "Goodtime
Charley," he took over the lead role of Danny Zuko in the long-running musical, "Grease." Hollywood
beckoned next. Swayze quickly won parts in the television movies, "The Comeback Kid," "Return of
the Rebels," "The New Season" and "Pigs v. Freaks." He starred in the ABC series, "The
Renegades" and guest-starred on "M*A*S*H," Swayze made his motion picture debut in "Skatetown,
U.S.A.". His subsequent starring roles in "The Outsiders," "Red Dawn," "Grandview, U.S.A." and
"Uncommon Valor" have made him one of the film industry's most sought-after young actors.
Links: Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club
Patrick Swayze
A native of Houston, Texas, Patrick Swayze learned to be a cowboy and athlete from his late father,
and an actor and dancer from his mother Patsy Swayze, the choreographer of the Houston Jazz
Ballet Company and such feature films as "Liar's Moon" and "Urban Cowboy." He excelled in high
school sports and was pursued by college football recruiters, but chose show business. He studied
acting with Warren Robertston and after making his Broadway debut as a dancer in "Goodtime
Charley," he took over the lead role of Danny Zuko in the long-running musical, "Grease." Hollywood
beckoned next. Swayze quickly won parts in the television movies, "The Comeback Kid," "Return of
the Rebels," "The New Season" and "Pigs v. Freaks." He starred in the ABC series, "The
Renegades" and guest-starred on "M*A*S*H," Swayze made his motion picture debut in "Skatetown,
U.S.A.". His subsequent starring roles in "The Outsiders," "Red Dawn," "Grandview, U.S.A." and
"Uncommon Valor" have made him one of the film industry's most sought-after young actors.
Links: Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club
George Hazard featured in the second row facing front
James Read
Born in Buffalo and raised in Schenectady, New York, James Read planned a future in the forestry
service when he enrolled at the University of Vermont. During a two-year hiatus from college he
restored antiques, painted houses, tended bar, and toured Europe, then completed his education at
the university of Oregon. Inspired by performances he had seen on the London stage, he became
involved in student theater, beginning with the production of "Our Town" which went on to the
American College Theatre at Washington's Kennedy Center. A telecommunications major, he moved
to New York seeking a producer's position in public broadcasting, but soon shifted his goals toward
acting. He appeared off-Broadway in "Puzzle of Purdy Place," and on the daytime drama, "The
Doctors," before moving to Denver and was part of the Denver Center Theater Company. Read
received his first major national television exposure when he played series regular Murphy during
the first season of "Remington Steele." He starred in "Lace II" as the astronaut, Webster, and
portrayed Teddy Kennedy in the miniseries "Robert F. Kennedy: A Man and His Times." Read also
guest starred in a variety of television series before landing this part.
Links: James Read Web Page
James Read
Born in Buffalo and raised in Schenectady, New York, James Read planned a future in the forestry
service when he enrolled at the University of Vermont. During a two-year hiatus from college he
restored antiques, painted houses, tended bar, and toured Europe, then completed his education at
the university of Oregon. Inspired by performances he had seen on the London stage, he became
involved in student theater, beginning with the production of "Our Town" which went on to the
American College Theatre at Washington's Kennedy Center. A telecommunications major, he moved
to New York seeking a producer's position in public broadcasting, but soon shifted his goals toward
acting. He appeared off-Broadway in "Puzzle of Purdy Place," and on the daytime drama, "The
Doctors," before moving to Denver and was part of the Denver Center Theater Company. Read
received his first major national television exposure when he played series regular Murphy during
the first season of "Remington Steele." He starred in "Lace II" as the astronaut, Webster, and
portrayed Teddy Kennedy in the miniseries "Robert F. Kennedy: A Man and His Times." Read also
guest starred in a variety of television series before landing this part.
Links: James Read Web Page
Madeline Fabray LaMotte Main featured in the blue dress second row right
Lesley-Anne Down
Born in the Clapham Common section of London, Lesley-Anne Down became a commercial actress at
age 10, and at 14 was voted Great Britain's "Most Beautiful Teenager" in a competition sponsored by
the London Daily Mirror. At 15, while attending stage school, she made her feature film debut in "A
Smashing Bird I Used to Know," followed by her first major role in "All the Right Noises." Her biggest
break came when she was cast as Lady Georgina on the television series, "Upstairs, Downstairs," seen
here on "Masterpiece Theatre" on PBS. On American television, she has starred in the ABC miniseries,
"The Last Days of Pompeii," and the television movies, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Murder is
Easy," and "Arch of Triumph." She was once married to director William Friedkin but is currently married
to Don FauntLeRoy.
Links: Lesely-Anne Down Website
Lesley-Anne Down
Born in the Clapham Common section of London, Lesley-Anne Down became a commercial actress at
age 10, and at 14 was voted Great Britain's "Most Beautiful Teenager" in a competition sponsored by
the London Daily Mirror. At 15, while attending stage school, she made her feature film debut in "A
Smashing Bird I Used to Know," followed by her first major role in "All the Right Noises." Her biggest
break came when she was cast as Lady Georgina on the television series, "Upstairs, Downstairs," seen
here on "Masterpiece Theatre" on PBS. On American television, she has starred in the ABC miniseries,
"The Last Days of Pompeii," and the television movies, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "Murder is
Easy," and "Arch of Triumph." She was once married to director William Friedkin but is currently married
to Don FauntLeRoy.
Links: Lesely-Anne Down Website
Constance Flynn Hazard above in the red dress
Wendy Kilbourne
"North and South" makes Wendy Kilbourne's first starring role. Born and raised in Southern
California, she made her acting debut at the Shakespearean Theater in Vistalia, which was founded
by her mother, an English artist. Her maternal grandfather was Noel Langley, who wrote screenplays
for the film classics, "The Wizard of Oz" and "A Christmas Carol." She studied political science at
Orange Coast College, then acting at the London Academy of Music and Draumatic Art, where she
starred in productions of "As You Like It" and "Romeo and Juliet." Returning to television credits
include the ABC television movie, "Calendar Girl Murders," and guest roles on several current series.
Links:
Wendy Kilbourne
"North and South" makes Wendy Kilbourne's first starring role. Born and raised in Southern
California, she made her acting debut at the Shakespearean Theater in Vistalia, which was founded
by her mother, an English artist. Her maternal grandfather was Noel Langley, who wrote screenplays
for the film classics, "The Wizard of Oz" and "A Christmas Carol." She studied political science at
Orange Coast College, then acting at the London Academy of Music and Draumatic Art, where she
starred in productions of "As You Like It" and "Romeo and Juliet." Returning to television credits
include the ABC television movie, "Calendar Girl Murders," and guest roles on several current series.
Links:
Brett Main Hazard above pink dress center
Genie Francis
Acting has always been part of Genie Francis' life. Born in Englwood, New jersey, and raised in Los
Angeles, she is the daughter of veteran character actor Ivor Francis. She made her professional
debut at 14 in a guest role on ABC's "Family," then landed the role that ultimately brought her to the
cover of Newsweek and to a wedding that was the centerpiece in the highest-rated episode in the
history of daytime television- "General Hospital's" Laura. She left the series in 1981 after five years
but returned for special guest stints in 1983 and 1985.
Link:
Genie Francis
Acting has always been part of Genie Francis' life. Born in Englwood, New jersey, and raised in Los
Angeles, she is the daughter of veteran character actor Ivor Francis. She made her professional
debut at 14 in a guest role on ABC's "Family," then landed the role that ultimately brought her to the
cover of Newsweek and to a wedding that was the centerpiece in the highest-rated episode in the
history of daytime television- "General Hospital's" Laura. She left the series in 1981 after five years
but returned for special guest stints in 1983 and 1985.
Link:
Ashton Main above third row behind George
Terri Garber
Born and raised in Miami, Florida. She spend one semester at Boston University before moving to
New York to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the HB studios. She starred in the
daytime series "Texas," then moved to Los Angeles. She has starred as a research biologist working
with a talking orangutan in the television series "Mr. Smith," and as Stella Stevens' daughter in the
TV movie, "No Man's Land." Her feature films include "Toy Soldiers" and this year's "Key Exchange."
Link:
Terri Garber
Born and raised in Miami, Florida. She spend one semester at Boston University before moving to
New York to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the HB studios. She starred in the
daytime series "Texas," then moved to Los Angeles. She has starred as a research biologist working
with a talking orangutan in the television series "Mr. Smith," and as Stella Stevens' daughter in the
TV movie, "No Man's Land." Her feature films include "Toy Soldiers" and this year's "Key Exchange."
Link:
Virgilia Hazard above green dress second row left
Kirstie Alley
Born in Wichita, Kansas (which is where I am from), Kristie Alley attended Kansas State University
and the Art School of the University of Kansas, where she appeared in campus plays. She worked
as an interior designer for five years before moving to LA in 1981. Within six months she landed the
role of the half-Vulcan Lt. Saavik in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn." Her subsequent films include
"One More Chance," "Blind Date," "The Champions" and "Runaway." Earlier this season, Alley
starred as Gloria Steinmen in the ABC television movie, "A Bunny's Tale." She has also starred in
the ABC series, "Masquarade," and played Hermia opposite her husband, Parker Stevenson (Billy
Book II) in a cable TV production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Link:
Kirstie Alley
Born in Wichita, Kansas (which is where I am from), Kristie Alley attended Kansas State University
and the Art School of the University of Kansas, where she appeared in campus plays. She worked
as an interior designer for five years before moving to LA in 1981. Within six months she landed the
role of the half-Vulcan Lt. Saavik in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn." Her subsequent films include
"One More Chance," "Blind Date," "The Champions" and "Runaway." Earlier this season, Alley
starred as Gloria Steinmen in the ABC television movie, "A Bunny's Tale." She has also starred in
the ABC series, "Masquarade," and played Hermia opposite her husband, Parker Stevenson (Billy
Book II) in a cable TV production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Link:
Charles Main back row on the right
Lewis Smith
Born in Chattanooga, Lewis Smith was raised in that city and on rural Lookout Mountain, Tenn., a
Civil War battle site. After high school he studied pre-law at Tennessee Tech and tried several
careers, including hotel management in Kentucky, Florida and Texas. At 21, with no theatrical
experience, he moved to Hollywood. Miraculously, famed acting teacher Lee Strasberg (whom Smith
found through the yellow pages) was willing to take a chance on the total novice. Smith made his
motion picture debut in "The Final Terror." Subsequent films include "Southern Comfort," "You
Ought to Be in Pictures," "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzi," and the television movie, "Kentucky
Woman." Most recently, he played the title role in the feature, "The Heavenly Kid."
Link:
Lewis Smith
Born in Chattanooga, Lewis Smith was raised in that city and on rural Lookout Mountain, Tenn., a
Civil War battle site. After high school he studied pre-law at Tennessee Tech and tried several
careers, including hotel management in Kentucky, Florida and Texas. At 21, with no theatrical
experience, he moved to Hollywood. Miraculously, famed acting teacher Lee Strasberg (whom Smith
found through the yellow pages) was willing to take a chance on the total novice. Smith made his
motion picture debut in "The Final Terror." Subsequent films include "Southern Comfort," "You
Ought to Be in Pictures," "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzi," and the television movie, "Kentucky
Woman." Most recently, he played the title role in the feature, "The Heavenly Kid."
Link:
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |