Richard Elfman
Encyclopedia
Richard "Rick" Elfman, is an American
film actor, director
, producer
, screenwriter
, author
, and magazine publisher
.
(aka "Clare Elfman"), and the older brother of musician and film composer Danny Elfman
, with whom he founded Oingo Boingo
, an eclectic band popular in the 1980s & 1990's. Richard is brother-in-law of Danny's wife, Bridget Fonda
, father of Bodhi Elfman
, father-in-law of Bodhi's wife, Jenna Elfman
, and father and business partner in Buzzine Networks with son Louis Elfman. Richard currently resides in the Hollywood Hills.
's musical theatre company, Le Grand Magic Circus, in Paris
.
in 1975. The group was inspired by Richard's time in Paris with Le Grand Magic Circus. Richard's wife, Marie-Pascale, high school friend Gene Cunningham and brother Danny helped Richard found the group. Original performances of the group consisted of upward of 15 musicians, often dressed in garish clown makeup, performing classics from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, as well as avant-garde originals by Danny Elfman. The band appeared on The Gong Show
as well as in the 1977 movie I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
. Richard left the group in 1979 to pursue filmmaking, leaving Danny as music director. Danny eventually changed the theatrical nature of the band into a steady 8 piece touring act that became Oingo Boingo.
released in 1980. It was a black and white film version of the theatrical show, starring band members and friends, including Danny singing a modified version of Cab Calloway
's Minnie the Moocher
as Satan
with lyrics modified for the plot. Richard also appears in the film singing "The Yiddishe Charleston" from the 1920s. Some years on, film critics cited the film as a potential source of inspiration for the surrealist science-fiction film Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space
.
Forbidden Zone had its New York color premiere March 20, 2010 at the Museum of Modern Art, in conjunction with the Tim Burton exhibition.
Forbidden Zone: Live in the 6th Dimension will open as a stage musical in Los Angeles in May 2010.
Elfman also made Shrunken Heads (1994; some footage and scenery from this film was later reused for the best effects sequences in the film Zarkorr! The Invader
) and Modern Vampires
(1998). Elfman said in a 2009 interview that he has also done pseudonymous film work under names such as "Aristide Sumatra" and "Mahatma Kane Sumatra".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film actor, 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:...
, 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...
, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, and magazine publisher
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
.
Family
Richard is the son of novelist Blossom ElfmanBlossom Elfman
Clare "Blossom" Elfman is an American novelist.Elfman was born in New York City.- Bibliography :*The Girls of Huntington House *A House for Jonnie O. *The Sister Act *The Butterfly Girl...
(aka "Clare Elfman"), and the older brother of musician and film composer Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman
Daniel Robert "Danny" Elfman is an American composer, best known for scoring music for television and film. Up until 1995, he was the lead singer and songwriter in the rock band Oingo Boingo, a group he formed in 1976...
, with whom he founded Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
, an eclectic band popular in the 1980s & 1990's. Richard is brother-in-law of Danny's wife, Bridget Fonda
Bridget Fonda
Bridget Jane Fonda is an American actress. She is best known for her roles in films such as The Godfather Part III, Single White Female, Point of No Return, It Could Happen to You, and Jackie Brown...
, father of Bodhi Elfman
Bodhi Elfman
Bodhi Elfman , also known as Bodhi Pine Elfman, is an American actor.-Career:Elfman has had film roles in Mercury Rising, Collateral, Godzilla and Armageddon, and smaller parts in The Mod Squad, Keeping the Faith and Gone in 60 Seconds.Elfman starred in the UPN television series Freedom, alongside...
, father-in-law of Bodhi's wife, Jenna Elfman
Jenna Elfman
Jennifer Mary "Jenna" Elfman is an American television and film actress. She is known for her role as Dharma on the ABC sitcom Dharma & Greg and as Billie on the short-lived CBS sitcom Accidentally on Purpose....
, and father and business partner in Buzzine Networks with son Louis Elfman. Richard currently resides in the Hollywood Hills.
Theatre
Elfman was a member of Jérôme SavaryJérôme Savary
Jérôme Savary is a French theater director and actor. His work has democratized and widened the appeal of musical theater in France, drawing together and blending such genres as opera, operetta, and musical comedy.- Biography :...
's musical theatre company, Le Grand Magic Circus, in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
Music
Elfman formed the musical theatre troupe known as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo BoingoOingo Boingo
Oingo Boingo was an American new wave band. They are best known for their influence on other musicians, their soundtrack contributions and their high energy Halloween concerts. The band was founded in 1972 as The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, a performance art group...
in 1975. The group was inspired by Richard's time in Paris with Le Grand Magic Circus. Richard's wife, Marie-Pascale, high school friend Gene Cunningham and brother Danny helped Richard found the group. Original performances of the group consisted of upward of 15 musicians, often dressed in garish clown makeup, performing classics from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, as well as avant-garde originals by Danny Elfman. The band appeared on The Gong Show
The Gong Show
The Gong Show is an amateur talent contest franchised by Sony Pictures Television to many countries. It was broadcast on NBC's daytime schedule from June 14, 1976 through July 21, 1978, and in first-run syndication from 1976–1980 and 1988–1989. The show was produced by Chuck Barris, who also served...
as well as in the 1977 movie I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (film)
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden is a 1977 film based on the Joanne Greenberg novel of the same name.In the wake of the success of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Roger Corman was able to get funding for a movie version of Rose Garden. Bibi Andersson played Dr. Fried, while Kathleen Quinlan...
. Richard left the group in 1979 to pursue filmmaking, leaving Danny as music director. Danny eventually changed the theatrical nature of the band into a steady 8 piece touring act that became Oingo Boingo.
Film
Elfman's first directing project was the cult film Forbidden ZoneForbidden Zone
Forbidden Zone is a 1982 musical comedy film based upon the stage performances of the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. The film stars Hervé Villechaize, Susan Tyrrell and members of the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, and features appearances by Warhol Superstar Viva, Joe Spinell and The...
released in 1980. It was a black and white film version of the theatrical show, starring band members and friends, including Danny singing a modified version of Cab Calloway
Cab Calloway
Cabell "Cab" Calloway III was an American jazz singer and bandleader. He was strongly associated with the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City where he was a regular performer....
's Minnie the Moocher
Minnie the Moocher
"Minnie the Moocher" is a jazz song first recorded in 1931 by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra, selling over 1 million copies. "Minnie the Moocher" is most famous for its nonsensical ad libbed lyrics . In performances, Calloway would have the audience participate by repeating each scat phrase in a...
as Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
with lyrics modified for the plot. Richard also appears in the film singing "The Yiddishe Charleston" from the 1920s. Some years on, film critics cited the film as a potential source of inspiration for the surrealist science-fiction film Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space
Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat In Space
TAMALA2010 a punk cat in space is a Japanese anime feature film. Direction, screenplay and music is attributed to the 2-person team t.o.L , known individually as K. and kuno. The film is computer animated in both 2D and 3D, and is mostly black and white...
.
Forbidden Zone had its New York color premiere March 20, 2010 at the Museum of Modern Art, in conjunction with the Tim Burton exhibition.
Forbidden Zone: Live in the 6th Dimension will open as a stage musical in Los Angeles in May 2010.
Elfman also made Shrunken Heads (1994; some footage and scenery from this film was later reused for the best effects sequences in the film Zarkorr! The Invader
Zarkorr! The Invader
Zarkorr! The Invader is a 1996 low-budget monster movie produced by Full Moon Entertainment.It was planned for a limited theatrical release, but was instead was made a direct-to-video film.-Synopsis:...
) and Modern Vampires
Modern Vampires
Modern Vampires is a 1998 black horror/comedy film that was released Oct 19, 1999 straight to video, written by Matthew Bright and directed by Richard Elfman....
(1998). Elfman said in a 2009 interview that he has also done pseudonymous film work under names such as "Aristide Sumatra" and "Mahatma Kane Sumatra".
Filmography
- The Easy Life (1973) (actor)
- I Never Promised You a Rose GardenI Never Promised You a Rose Garden (film)I Never Promised You a Rose Garden is a 1977 film based on the Joanne Greenberg novel of the same name.In the wake of the success of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Roger Corman was able to get funding for a movie version of Rose Garden. Bibi Andersson played Dr. Fried, while Kathleen Quinlan...
(1977) (actor) - Forbidden ZoneForbidden ZoneForbidden Zone is a 1982 musical comedy film based upon the stage performances of the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. The film stars Hervé Villechaize, Susan Tyrrell and members of the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, and features appearances by Warhol Superstar Viva, Joe Spinell and The...
(1980) (actor, director, producer) - Private Life (1989) (music video) (director)
- Shrunken Heads (1994) (director, actor)
- Streets of Rage (1994) (director)
- (under pseudonym Lt. Col. Aristide Pierre Lafite Sumatra, of the Ton Ton Macoute, ret.)
- Bone ChillersBone ChillersBone Chillers is a formerly popular series of children's horror fiction novels and TV show created and authored by Betsy Haynes.-Synopsis:...
(1995) (ABC TV series) (director) - George of the JungleGeorge of the JungleGeorge of the Jungle was an American animated series produced by Jay Ward and Bill Scott, who created The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. The character George was inspired by the legend of Tarzan. It ran for 17 episodes on Saturday mornings from September 9 to December 30, 1967, on the American TV...
(1997) (actor) - Modern VampiresModern VampiresModern Vampires is a 1998 black horror/comedy film that was released Oct 19, 1999 straight to video, written by Matthew Bright and directed by Richard Elfman....
(1998) (TV) (actor, director, producer) - Scarecrow (2002) (V) (actor)
- Date or Disaster (2004) (actor, director, producer)
- 28 Days to Vegas (2008) (director, producer)
- Forbidden Zone in Color! (2008) (actor, director, producer)
- 30 Days to Vegas (2009) (director, producer)
- Buzzine Celebrity Interviews (2009 to present) (director/producer)
External links
- Official website
- NNDB listing--see birthdate
- Interview, quietearth.us