Cameron Mitchell, Craig Sheffer, Dixie Chick born here
Tenor saxophonist Tim Warfield, a 1983 William Penn High School grad, has toured with jazz legends and recorded CDs on major labels.
York County has been home to scores of noted players in the arts and literature world.
(See previous post on death of musician Bob January
http://www.yorktownsquare.com/2006/12/post_8.php.)
Perhaps the best known is Cameron Mitchell, born in Dallastown in 1918.
Cameron Mitzell, later Mitchell, starred in more than 90 films during a four-decade career.
His best-known role today is that of Buck Cannon on NBC's "High Chaparral."
He was joined by another York native in one or more episodes of “High Chaparral."
John Baer, journeyman actor from York, listed that show as one of his credits. http://www.yorktownsquare.com/2006/06/actor_john_baer_among_achiever.php
Craig Sheffer, a York Suburban grad, is another high-profile entertainer from York.
He starred in about 10 Hollywood films starting in 1985, including "A River Runs Through It" and "The Program." http://www.yorktownsquare.com/2006/05/prominent_actor_craig_sheffer.php
More achievers in the arts and entertainment, excerpted from “Never to be Forgotten:" ...
Katherine Haviland-Taylor writes more than 20 books of light fiction and gains widespread renown. For example, her short story, "The Failure," is made into the movie "One Man's Journey," starring Lionel Barrymore and May Robson, in 1933.
Ivan Rutherford, a Dallastown Area High School grad, plays Jean Valjean in the long-running Broadway production of "Les Miserables" in the 1990s.
David Masenheimer, a York Suburban grad, performs as Inspector Javert in the same musical.
Matthew Faber, a York Suburban grad, performs in the films "Bob Roberts" and "Natural Born Killers."
Jenn Crowell, a Jacobus resident, authors "Necessary Madness," published internationally, when she is 17 years old.
Laurice Elehwany, a Spring Grove-area native, writes the screenplay for "The Brady Bunch Movie" and "My Girl," based on her memories of Jefferson.
Larry Williams, a York Suburban grad and a widely exhibited photographer, co-directs episodes of the TV drama "Homicide."
John Skipp and Craig Specter, both from York, write the original screenplay for "Nightmare on Elm Street 5."
Sherry Lynn Fadely, a William Penn High School graduate, helps produce several movies, including "Free Willy" and "Radio Flyer."
A.W. Pink, a British writer and preacher who lived in York for a year in the 1930s, writes books that sell in the thousands.
Starting in 1977, Nancy Springer, of Dallastown, authors more than 30 award-winning books for children and adults.
Susan Wojciechowski, a York author, writes the children's story "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey." It becomes a made-for-television Christmas special in 1997.
William H. Shank, a York resident, authors several books on transportation history, including "History of the York Pullman Automobile" and "The Amazing Pennsylvania Canals."
Jacob Hay V is a novelist and writer for several major newspapers and National Geographic.
Outspoken lesbian Rita Mae Brown, a Hanover native, authors several books, including "Rubyfruit Jungle."
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Charlie Thomas of the Drifters, who perform such hits as "Under the Boardwalk" and "There Goes My Baby," lives in York today.
The late Moses Rascoe, a York resident, played his blues guitar at major U.S. folk festivals and was particularly popular in Europe.
The former truck driver became popular in his 70s. Del McCoury of Thomasville has rivaled Bill Monroe in international popularity in bluegrass music. "Del's voice is what fans love and detractors hate about bluegrass," a reviewer said. "He sings it high and lonesome... ."
Martie Erwin Seidel, one-third of the “Dixie Chicks," is born in York Hospital in 1969. Emily Erwin Robison, Martie’s sister and a second member of the hit country trio, is born after her parents move from their Jacobus home to New York.
The nationally touring rock group "Live," made up of four William Penn High School grads, started in York as "Public Affection."
Ann Roth, a Hanover native, won an Academy Award in 1997 for Best Costume Design for "The English Patient."
Julie A. · December 27, 2006 7:12 PM
Sam Freed, York Suburban graduate in the 1960s, starred on Broadway in Hal Prince's "Candide" in 1972. He also was a regular on CBS's "Kate and Allie," playing Jane Curtain/Allie's love interest then husband. Sam continues to act professionally, lately seen in several "Las & Order" episodes.
Larry G. Bailey, York High graduate, starred on Broadway and on tour as "Butch" in "A Chorus Line."
Jonathan Groff, of Lancaster County, who taught classes in York Little Theatre's summer academy in 2004, currently stars on Broadway in the new hit musical "Spring Awakening."
York Suburban graduate and frequent York Little Theatre performer Nathan Gumke has appeared in several television episodes, including "3 Moons Over Milford" and "Numb3rs." Nathan, the son of Holly Gumke, who heads up the Pullo Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State York, has been in Los Angeles for under 2 years and already has representation and is a working actor.
1987 Central York High graduate Bobby Spencer is currently starring in "Jersey Boys" on Broadway.
Just a few additions to the list -- and there are more! Like Craig Sheffer's brother Hogan Sheffer, who is a critically acclaimed superstar soap opera writer, having rejuvenated "As the World Turns" and recently having taken over "Days of Our Lives," in an effort to save the ailing soap. Hogan also has several movie credits.
Julie Aiken
Managing Director
York Little Theatre
Gary Schaeffer · March 22, 2008 2:51 AM
1966 graduate of York Suburban High School. Elected Mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1989. Served as Chairman of Environment and Water Commitee for United States Conference of Mayors. Environmental advisor to President George Bush.