Stephen Lack
Encyclopedia
Stephen Lack is a Canadian
painter
and a film actor
best known for his role as the lead character, Cameron Vale, in David Cronenberg
's film Scanners
.
, Quebec
, Canada
, and gained a Bachelor of Arts
in Psychology
from McGill University
in 1967, followed by a Master of Fine Arts
in Sculpture
at Universidad de Guanajuato
, San Miguel de Allende
, Mexico
, in 1969. He lives and works in New York
, and is the father of Asher Lack, front-man of the band Ravens & Chimes
.
Although he also produces drawings and sculpture, his primary medium is painting; he specialises in American scenes (urban, cultural and landscapes) in a style that has been described as Neo-Expressionist
. His art has won a number of awards and residencies. He was artist in residence at Ancienne Manufacture Royale, Limoges
, and Banff Institute of the Arts
in 1988, Ford Motor Company
, Dearborn
, Michigan
in 1989, and Connecticut College
and Skidmore College
in 1999. He received awards in the "Painting" category from the National Endowment for the Arts
in 1987 and 1993, and the Canada Council for the Arts
in 1991.
The best-known films in which he featured are Scanners
in 1981 and Dead Ringers
in 1988, but he has also featured in cameo roles and independent films. Credits include The Rubber Gun
(1978, which he also co-wrote with Allan Moyle
, winning Genie Award
s for both Performance
and Screenplay); Head On
(aka Deadly Passion, 1980); Perfect Strangers
; and All the Vermeers in New York
(1990).
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and a film actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
best known for his role as the lead character, Cameron Vale, in David Cronenberg
David Cronenberg
David Paul Cronenberg, OC, FRSC is a Canadian filmmaker, screenwriter and actor. He is one of the principal originators of what is commonly known as the body horror or venereal horror genre. This style of filmmaking explores people's fears of bodily transformation and infection. In his films, the...
's film Scanners
Scanners
Scanners is a 1981 science-fiction horror film written and directed by David Cronenberg and starring Jennifer O'Neill, Stephen Lack, Michael Ironside, and Patrick McGoohan...
.
Life
Lack was born in 1946 in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and gained a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
in 1967, followed by a Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
at Universidad de Guanajuato
Universidad de Guanajuato
The Universidad de Guanajuato is a university based in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, made up of about 33,828 students in programs ranging from high school level to the doctorate level. Over 17,046 of those are pursuing undergraduate, masters, and doctorate degrees...
, San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a city and municipality located in the far eastern part of the state of Guanajuato in central Mexico. It is 274 km from Mexico City and 97 km from the state capital of Guanajuato...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, in 1969. He lives and works in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and is the father of Asher Lack, front-man of the band Ravens & Chimes
Ravens & Chimes
- Formation :Formed in 2005 while studying music and film at New York University,. The original trio of Lack, Brooks, and Rossi named the band Ravens & Chimes because the three met while taking a percussion course in an old zoology room that was used to keep ravens...
.
Although he also produces drawings and sculpture, his primary medium is painting; he specialises in American scenes (urban, cultural and landscapes) in a style that has been described as Neo-Expressionist
Neo-expressionism
Neo-expressionism is a style of modern painting and sculpture that emerged in the late 1970s and dominated the art market until the mid-1980s...
. His art has won a number of awards and residencies. He was artist in residence at Ancienne Manufacture Royale, Limoges
Limoges
Limoges |Limousin]] dialect of Occitan) is a city and commune, the capital of the Haute-Vienne department and the administrative capital of the Limousin région in west-central France....
, and Banff Institute of the Arts
Banff Centre
The Banff Centre, formerly known as The Banff Centre for Continuing Education, is an arts, cultural, and educational institution and conference complex located in Banff, Alberta...
in 1988, Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
, Dearborn
Dearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
in 1989, and Connecticut College
Connecticut College
Connecticut College is a private liberal arts college located in New London, Connecticut.The college was founded in 1911, as Connecticut College for Women, in response to Wesleyan University closing its doors to women...
and Skidmore College
Skidmore College
Skidmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students. The college is located in the town of Saratoga Springs, New York State....
in 1999. He received awards in the "Painting" category from the National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
in 1987 and 1993, and the Canada Council for the Arts
Canada Council
The Canada Council for the Arts, commonly called the Canada Council, is a Crown Corporation established in 1957 to act as an arts council of the government of Canada, created to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. It funds Canadian artists and...
in 1991.
The best-known films in which he featured are Scanners
Scanners
Scanners is a 1981 science-fiction horror film written and directed by David Cronenberg and starring Jennifer O'Neill, Stephen Lack, Michael Ironside, and Patrick McGoohan...
in 1981 and Dead Ringers
Dead Ringers (film)
Dead Ringers is a 1988 psychological horror film starring Jeremy Irons in a dual role as identical twin gynecologists. Director David Cronenberg co-wrote the screenplay with Norman Snider; their script was based on the novel Twins by Bari Wood and Jack Geasland...
in 1988, but he has also featured in cameo roles and independent films. Credits include The Rubber Gun
The Rubber Gun
The Rubber Gun is a 1977 film directed by Allan Moyle. It stars Stephen Lack and Pierre Robert. It was nominated for two Genie Awards in 1980.-Cast:*Stephen Lack as Steve*Pierre Robert as Pierre*Peter Brawley as Peter*Allan Moyle as Bozo...
(1978, which he also co-wrote with Allan Moyle
Allan Moyle
Allan Moyle is a Canadian film director. He is best known for directing the films Pump Up the Volume and New Waterford Girl .-Biography:His first major film was Times Square...
, winning Genie Award
Genie Award
Genie Awards are given out to recognize the best of Canadian cinema by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. From 1949-1979, the awards were named the Canadian Film Awards...
s for both Performance
Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
The Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian actor.-1st Genie Awards:* Christopher Plummer, Murder by Decree...
and Screenplay); Head On
Head On (1980 film)
Head On is a 1980 Canadian drama film directed by Michael Grant. It was entered into the 31st Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Sally Kellerman - Michelle Keys* Stephen Lack - Peter Hill* Lawrence Dane - Frank Keys* J.P...
(aka Deadly Passion, 1980); Perfect Strangers
Perfect Strangers (1984 film)
Perfect Strangers is a 1984 film directed by Larry Cohen. It stars Anne Carlisle and Brad Rijn.-Cast:*Anne Carlisle as Sally*Brad Rijn as Johnny*John Woehrle as Fred*Matthew Stockley as Matthew*Stephen Lack as Lieutenant Burns...
; and All the Vermeers in New York
All the Vermeers in New York
All the Vermeers in New York is a 1990 film written, directed and produced by Jon Jost....
(1990).
External links
- Arts & Minds, Bravo! Canada, features video profile