Actors

Tal Anderson —“The Pitt” and Disability Representation

Actor, author and disability advocate Tal Anderson has built a career bringing authenticity and depth to neurodivergent characters on screen. Audiences may recognize her from Atypical and As We See It, while her latest role as Becca King in The Pitt has earned her an Emmy nomination as well as a DARCY nomination in the … Read more

Vedanten Naidoo — Rising from The Bluff

Action movies demand intense stamina, precise choreography and physical resilience. For most actors, the grueling reality of a major Hollywood production is a test of endurance. For Vedanten Naidoo, dodging pirates and exploring caves on the set of an international action film is an immersive, highly demanding and welcome form of physical therapy. Vedanten is … Read more

Nadine Naidoo — A Shared Mission of Advocacy

When Vedanten Naidoo stepped onto the set of the international action film The Bluff, he was doing more than playing a character. Accompanied by his mother, Nadine Naidoo—an actor, director, and Ashoka Fellow—he was stepping into a narrative that mirrored their own family’s history. For this mother and son partnership, navigating the entertainment industry is … Read more

Jane Lynch & Lauren Potter Interview and the Global Down Syndrome Foundation Fashion Show

The late Quincy Jones—legendary musician, producer, and humanitarian—was a powerful advocate for inclusion, research, and support for individuals with Down syndrome and other disabilities. A devoted supporter of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL), his legacy continues through the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award, that honors those who embody his spirit of compassion and change. … Read more

Nyle DiMarco on Deaf History, Inclusion and Justice

Model, dancer, actor and filmmaker, Nyle DiMarco has consistently used his celebrity to advocate for the Deaf community and broader disability rights. After gaining recognition on Switched at Birth, winning America’s Next Top Model in 2015 and Dancing with the Stars in 2016, DiMarco has focused on projects that amplify Deaf culture and stories. In … Read more

Laura San Giacomo and Inclusion Matters

Best known for her standout roles in Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Just Shoot Me!, and Pretty Woman, actress, Laura San Giacomo, has long used her platform for more than entertainment. Off-screen, she is a passionate and vocal advocate for disability inclusion, lending her voice to causes that foster equity, access, and community. A longtime supporter … Read more

John Leguizamo Interview

John Leguizamo’s breakthrough one-man shows influenced generations of performers of color to create their own art with authenticity. His characters include “Javier,” a wheelchair user, and his deaf “Uncle Manny,” who were based on real life family members. Leguizamo’s efforts to bring the stories of disenfranchised populations to light is evident in his stage productions … Read more

Kevin Nealon — A Hike Best Taken

Before Michael Che and Colin Jost, Kevin Nealon sat at the “Weekend Update” desk of Saturday Night Live (SNL). Multiple replacements (joints) later and at the age of 70, Nealon isn’t sitting or slowing down. He’s hiking. You can find him on YouTube doing just that, while talking to celebrities. When he’s not hiking, … Read more

Caterina Scorsone Interview

Caterina Scorsone is a Canadian-American actress who has appeared in various films and television series, including her well known portrayal as Dr. Amelia Shepherd on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. In 2020, Scorsone won the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, recognizing her outstanding commitment to championing the rights and well-being of … Read more

Sue Ann Pien —Actor, Model, Director, Advocate and Maybe Good at Chess

Most of us know Sue Ann Pien as the character “Violet,” on Amazon’s comedy-drama series, “As We See It,” that portrays three- 20-something adults on the autism spectrum who share an apartment in LA. For this role, Pien landed nominations for Best Lead Performance in a New Series at both the Film Independent’s Spirit Awards … Read more