FAME - Where are they now?

[sweet-a-kins]

 

Long before TV audiences sang and danced along with the McKinley High gleeks of "Glee," "Fame" captured the hearts of a generation of viewers as the original high school musical. Boasting a diverse ensemble cast of unknown actors and a rousing soundtrack, the movie turned TV series followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. To celebrate the show's 30th anniversary, we decided to take a look back at the notable talent of "Fame" to see what everyone is up to now.Friday, January, 6, 2012, 11:6 PM

 

Lydia Grant, Debbie Allen's character and one of the school's central dance instructors, first appeared in the 1980 film version of "Fame" and was later reprised in the TV series. Lydia opened each episode with a (now iconic) quote to her student summing up what the groundbreaking show was all about, "You've got big dreams. You want fame. Well, fame costs, and right here is where you start paying ... in sweat." Allen earned several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for the role and even won two Emmys for her work as the show's lead choreographer. Since then, she's been a familiar face on "So You Think You Can Dance" as a guest judge and has had bit parts in a handful of television series. Most recently she appeared on "Grey's Anatomy" as Dr. Jackson Avery's famous surgeon mother, Catherine.

 

Starring in both the movie and TV series as charming piano prodigy Bruno Martelli, Lee Curreri had a role that actually closely reflected his own background and musical abilities. After "Fame," Curreri didn't do much acting, but he continues to score and write music for commercials, movies, and TV series.

Drama major Holly Laird was played by Cynthia Gibb, who spent three seasons on "Fame." The actress recently told www.snakkle.com/ that the show "was a life-changing job for me. It stretched me outside my comfort level on a daily basis." In between seasons of the show, Gibb had memorable movie roles in "Youngblood," opposite Rob Lowe, and in "Salvador." After leaving the show, Gibb continued acting, and in recent years she has starred in TV movies and had guest spots on "Criminal Minds" and other TV shows.

 

[sweet-a-kins]

 

Before starring on "Fame" as Coco Hernandez, Erica Gimpel actually attended the real-life high school the fictional show was set in. At the time, the young actress had the difficult task taking on the role that was previously played in the movie by Irene Cara. Gimpel quickly proved herself capable as Coco. Since her years on "Fame," Gimpel has appeared in over a dozen feature films and TV shows including "Rizzoli & Isles," "Veronica Mars," "ER," and "Boston Legal." This week it was announced that Gimpel will be joining The CW's "Nikita" in a recurring role.

 

Wise-cracking Danny Amatullo on "Fame" was played by Carlo Imperato, who also famously sang lead on the hit song "Friday Night." After "Fame," Imperato had a few bit guest roles on TV shows (including "Friends" in 1995). In 2005, he stared in a little-known movie called "Crazylove" alongside Meatloaf, but he has since remained out of the public eye.

 

A fresh-faced Janet Jackson joined the cast of "Fame" during its fourth season, as dancer Cleo Hewitt. Jackson went on to become one of music's most successful female recording artists and still acts occasionally in movies.

The popular but sweet character of Nicole Chapman on "Fame" was played by Nia Peeples. Her first appearance on the show was in an episode from Season 2, and she became a full-time cast member during the fourth season. The gifted Nicole was a likable character, so fans were stunned when the series killed her off in a drunk-driving accident. After leaving "Fame," Peeples continued singing and released a trio of albums. She remained largely in front of the camera, acting in "The Young and the Restless" and "Walker, Texas Ranger." In 2010, she was cast in ABC Family's teen drama "Pretty Little Liars."

 

[sweet-a-kins]

 

On "Fame," Lori Singer played Julie Miller, a quiet cellist from Michigan who initially had trouble fitting in with the high-strung NYC kids at the high school. The role was specifically written for Singer, who was both a dancer and concert cellist in real life. After two seasons, Singer left the show and went on to do films, most memorably taking the female lead in "Footloose." Since then, she's mostly starred in indie-style movies. Last year, Singer had a guest spot on an episode of "Law & Order: SVU," her first return to television since 1995.

 

 

[FrogSalad]

Quoting sweet-a-kins:

 

Drama major Holly Laird was played by Cynthia Gibb, who spent three seasons on "Fame." The actress recently told www.snakkle.com/ that the show "was a life-changing job for me. It stretched me outside my comfort level on a daily basis." In between seasons of the show, Gibb had memorable movie roles in "Youngblood," opposite Rob Lowe, and in "Salvador." After leaving the show, Gibb continued acting, and in recent years she has starred in TV movies and had guest spots on "Criminal Minds" and other TV shows.

 

I remember her from one of my favorite movies from the 80's, Jack's Back (with James Spader).  I should watch that one again, it's been a few years.