Hal Sparks: Difference between revisions

Hal Sparks
Hal Sparks
Born	Hal Harry Magee Sparks III
Website	http://www.halsparks.com/

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Revision as of 17:13, 3 December 2007

Hal Sparks (born Hal Harry Magee Sparks III, September 25, 1969 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an actor, comedian one-time game show host, best known for his witty additions to VH1 and the role of Sharon Gless's son, Michael Novotny, on the American television series Queer as Folk. His previous claim to fame was hosting E!'s Talk Soup.^[1]

In addition to acting, Hal is also the lead singer and guitarist for a rock band, Zero 1 (previously called The Hal Sparks Band). Members include Hal Sparks(himself), Robert Hall (Sparks's friend) on bass and Miles Loretta (Sparks's cousin) on drums. Their first album was produced by King's X's frontman Doug Pinnick. His musical experience paid off as a contestant in the first season of Celebrity Duets. He often joins the Los Angeles cover band "Metal Skool" to sing "Skid Row" songs.

Hal Sparks is also a regular on VH1's I Love… series: VH1's I Love the 70s, I Love the 80s, I Love the 80s Strikes Back, I Love the 80s 3-D, I Love the 90s, I Love the 90s: Part Deux, I Love the Holidays, I Love Toys, and I Love the '70s Volume II.

Sparks was the captain of the Chicago Hitmen team on GSN's Extreme Dodgeball. He has had small roles in a few films, including Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star and Spider Man 2, where he was an elevator passenger with a handful of lines. Hal's first significant role was in the movie Dude, Where's My Car?, as Zoltan, the head of a clan of nerds obsessed with outer space. Sparks' earliest career began when he became the first youngest game show emcee (next to J.D. Roth) to host the short-lived game show, Treasure Mall, in syndication.

Hal was one of five celebrities to appear in the first episode of VH1's Celebrity Paranormal Project.

Television Credits

Tak and the Power of Juju (2007) voice of "Tak"
El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera (2007) voice of "Eriso Torres/La Pantera"
America's Funniest Mom 3 (2007) himself/judge
Celebrity Paranormal Project (2006) in episode "Waverly Hills Sanatorium"
Las Vegas (2003) in "Cash Springs Eternal" (2006)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) in episode "Dog Eat Dog" (2005) as Digger James
Queer As Folk (2000-2005) as Michael Novotny
Video Game Vixens (2005) as Host/Himself
Extreme Dodgeball (2004) as a Player for Chicago Hitmen
Frasier (1993) in episode "Door Jam" (2003) as Receptionist
One on One (2001) in episodes "Unemployment Up, Pride Down" (2002) and "I Believe I Can Fly: Part 2" (2002) as Danny Davis Jr.
Rendez-View (2001) in episodes "She Loves Him, Loves Him Not" (2001) and "Belgian Boy Toy" (2002) as a Guest Host
Talk Soup as Host/Himself (1999-2000)
Martial Law (1998) in episode "No Fare" (2000) as Ellroy Nelson
Cheap Theatrix (1998)
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993) in episode "Indian Agent" (1995) as Gentle Horse
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) in episode "Witness" (1994) as Skateboarder

Film Credits

"The House That Jack Built" (2007) as Dominic
Denial (2006) (executive producer)
Spider-Man 2 (2004) as Elevator Passenger
Lightning Bug (2004) as Deputy Dale
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003) as Publisher
Bleacher Bums (2002) (TV) as Richie
Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001) (voice) as School Fish #1
Dude, Where's My Car? (2000) as Zoltan - Cult Leader
Lost & Found (1999) as DJ
Invader (1996) (voice) as Fort Irwin Defense Command
Signs and Wonders (1995) (TV) as Rocker 2
Chopper Chicks in Zombietown (1989) as Lance
Frog (1987) (TV) as Jim

Trivia

Sparks is straight edge but is not a vegetarian. His meat intake is about 5% of other Americans and he never eats beef.
He is an alumnus of The Second City in Chicago.
Sparks was named the "Funniest Teenager in Chicago" in 1987.
Sparks practices martial arts, now including Kenpo Karate, Kung Fu (Wushu, San Soo, Chen Tai Chi), and Tae Kwon Do. He started when he was eight years old.
He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois.
He speaks Mandarin Chinese
He has a Chinese name 霍光皓(Huo, Guanghao), according to the Chinese seal image on the homepage of his official website.
Sparks is a strong liberal Democrat who has been openly vocal in his opposition to the War in Iraq and the George W Bush administration in general.

References

Notes

^ As of April 8, 2007, the age given at US SEARCH for a "Hal M. Sparks" in Los Angeles, Valley Village or West Hollywood, California, is 36. However, since the US Search database is updated from other sources, perhaps annually, the information might not be current. Hal M. Sparks might be as old as 37, which is consistent with the September 25, 1969, birthday given at IMDBfor Hal Sparks.

External links

Preceded by John Henson	Host of Talk Soup 1999-2000	Succeeded by Aisha Tyler

[1] As of April 8, 2007, the age given at US SEARCH for a "Hal M. Sparks" in Los Angeles, Valley Village or West Hollywood, California, is 36. However, since the US Search database is updated from other sources, perhaps annually, the information might not be current. Hal M. Sparks might be as old as 37, which is consistent with the September 25, 1969, birthday given at IMDBfor Hal Sparks.

[1]

@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 * He is an alumnus of [[The Second City]] in Chicago.
 * Sparks was named the "Funniest Teenager in Chicago" in [[1987]]<!--according to imdb.com, tv.com, and netglimse.com-->.
-* Sparks practices martial arts, now including [[Kenpo Karate]], [[Kung Fu]] (Wushu, San Soo, Chen Tai Chi), and [[Tae Kwon Do]], and has since the age of eight.
+* Sparks practices martial arts, now including [[Kenpo Karate]], [[Kung Fu]] (Wushu, San Soo, Chen Tai Chi), and [[Tae Kwon Do]]. He started when he was eight years old.
 * He attended [[New Trier High School]] in [[Winnetka, Illinois]].
 * He speaks Mandarin Chinese