R. J. Adams
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
R. J. Adams (born: September 20, 1942 St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada; Film/TV actor, Acting Coach, Documentary Film maker and Radio Personality.
Contents |
[edit] Beginnings
R.J. left home at the age of 17 to study acting with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. From the “Big Apple” Adams headed to the West Coast where he landed a job as a page at NBC in Burbank. It was while working on shows like: “The Tonight Show”, “Dean Martin ” and “Bob Hope” that Adams befriended many notable Television actors including Disney star David Stollery who would teach him the pros and cons of the Motion Picture industry. But his plans as an actor were derailed when he was offered a radio job in Phoenix which would lead to a distinguished twenty five year career in broadcasting that took him to markets like; Phoenix, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Seattle, Minneapolis/St. Paul, San Diego and Los Angeles . It was while working at KFI (AM) that Adams once again turned his attention back to the prospects of film acting.
[edit] Film/Television Acting
In 1975, Adams began tuning up his acting skills with the legendary acting coach, Charles E. Conrad. He was soon cast in a variety of shows like: “The Monkees”, “Hotel”, The Practice”, “Archie Bunker’s Place”, “General Hospital”, “Kojak” and “Hillstreet Street Blues”. Throughout the 80’s, 90’s and to the present time Adams has appeared in dozens of Film and Television projects like: “Rocky IV”, “The “Execution”, “Falling Through”, “Highway to Heaven”, “Murder She Wrote”, “L.A. Law”, “Threshold”, “Above & Beyond”, American Dreams”, and as series regular on “Riptide”.
[edit] Film Acting Coach
Shortly after leaving the Charles Conrad Studio in 1978, Adams began teaching a handful of actors from the local community college about the craft of film acting. According to Adams, “I was suppose to be instructing a class on radio broadcasting but when I learned what the school was teaching those kids about acting I naturally felt compelled to set the record straight. Little did I know that it was the beginning of a teaching career that has lasted for thirty years.” Adams’ work as an acting coach at The Actors Workshop has led the way for dozens of young actors to achieve success in the Film/Television industry such as: Brian Krause (Charmed), Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Vicellous Reon Shannon (Hurricane), Sarah Lancaster (What About Brian), Hank Stone (The Patriot), Schae Harrison (The Bold & The Beautiful) and Eric Norris (Walker, Texas Ranger). R.J. Adams is the Film Acting Coach on The Virtual Channel Network's "Coaching Corner".
[edit] Documentary Producer/Director
In 1976 Adams founded Shannon & Company which served Orange County and Los Angeles as a full service Advertising Agency. In the mid 80’s the company was transformed into a broadcasting and film production company focusing primarily on historical documentaries and docudramas. The company rolled out a number of popular films including: “The Missions of California”, “Order Castles of the Third Reich”, “The Final Journey”, “The Boys of September”, “The Hotel Laguna” and the very popular four part series, “Ruins of the Reich.”
[edit] Return to Radio
It was in 2000, after an absence of 15 years that R.J. Adams returned to radio broadcasting when he joined the on air staff of KRTH 101 in Los Angeles. In 2003 he ventured into to “talk radio” as host of “Back Stage Live”, a Film and Television call in program specifically geared toward aspiring Film actors.
[edit] Personal life
Adams married his wife Diane of 40 years in July 1967. They have four children, Jill, Rob, David and Kara. Rob is an established acting coach in his own right and teaches with his father at The Actors Workshop. His son David serves as a production coordinator for Shannon & Company, Adams’ documentary production firm.
R.J. is an FAA licensed IFR/Commercial pilot and has flown everything from a Cessna 150 all the way up to a Cessna CE 550 business Jet and Boeing 737.
