David Quinn (actor)
David Quinn is an American actor, entrepreneur and teacher, currently serving as a Coordinator and Instructor of English in The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, Theory of Knowledge[1] at a high school in the Seattle area. In 2013, he was selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of the Year and named one of the top ten educators in America. [2]
Quinn began acting at the age of four, starting out as a regular on the enduring children's program Sesame Street. Between 1986–1988, he was the host of 3-2-1 Contact,[3] the educational science series produced for The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). In 1988, he hosted the TV series "I Have AIDS, A Teenager's Story" with noted [[HIV/AIDS AIDS]] advocate, Ryan White. The program won the Peabody Award.[4] As a teen, Quinn went to noted performing arts training center Stagedoor Manor in New York for many summers, and roomed with friend Jon Cryer.[5] In 1985, Quinn performed in the original Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, singing in the show's finale with the group "Children to Children".[3] During his television career, Quinn appeared in numerous commercials and television programs before embarking on simultaneous careers in business and education.
In 1993, Quinn left acting for the field of secondary education. He earned a B.A. (English/Anthropology-Archaeology) and an M.Ed. from the University of Washington.[6] While at the University of Washington, Quinn co-founded Allrecipes.com and became a founding partner of the Pinpoint Venture Group, which invests in startup companies in the Pacific Northwest. In April 2006, Quinn sold Allrecipes to Readers Digest.
Quinn also founded ZC Entertainment in Los Angeles, which creates celebrity-based charity events for major corporations.[7] In August 2007, Quinn sold ZC Entertainment to SportsQuest, Inc.[8]
Currently, Quinn is on the Board of Trustees of the Seattle Repertory Theatre.,[9] the 5th Avenue Theatre.,[10] and on the Advisory Board of the International Human Rights group Olympic Dream for Darfur.[11]
In 2003, he was a recipient of the Puget Sound Business Journal's 40 Under 40 Award, honoring young leaders in Seattle's business and philanthropic community.[12] Quinn is a 2009 Recipient of the US Presidential Scholars Program’s Teacher Recognition Award.[13] In 2013, Quinn was honored by Northwestern University as one of the Distinguished Secondary Teachers in America. [14]
In 2010, Quinn returned to filmmaking, serving as Associate Producer of Order of Chaos, starring Milo Ventimiglia.[3]
References
- ^ Quinn found himself in the classroom
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c David Quinn at IMDb
- ^ IMDB entry for Peabody Awards 1989
- ^ New Yorker article on Theatre Geek
- ^ University of Washington Newsletter
- ^ Pinpoint Ventures Bio for David Quinn
- ^ ZC Entertainment Acquired by SportsQuest, Inc
- ^ Seattle Repertory Theatre Board of Directors
- ^ 5th Avenue Theatre Board of Directors
- ^ Dream for Darfur Advisory Board
- ^ List of winners of 40 under 40 Award
- ^ Presidential Scholars Program - Teacher Recognition
- ^ Five high school teachers are the recipients of the Northwestern University Distinguished Secondary Teacher Awards