BILLY BOB THORNTON (JOE)

Arkansas native Billy Bob Thornton is an Academy Award-winning writer, actor, director and musician. Charismatic and uniquely talented, Thornton has established himself as one of the most sought after filmmakers of his generation.

Thornton garnered a Golden Globe nomination for his role in the hit BAD SANTA, and received rave reviews for his portrayal of Davy Crockett in THE ALAMO. He was most recently seen in the well received, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and will soon appear in Harold Ramis’ dark comedy ICE HARVEST.

Showing the versatility of his acting abilities, in 2001 Thornton starred in the caper comedy BANDITS, THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE for the Coen Brothers, and the heart wrenching MONSTER’S BALL co-starring with Halle Berry. He was named Best Actor of 2001 by the National Board of Review, earned Golden Globe nominations for both THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE and BANDITS, and an American Film Institute Award nomination for Best Actor for THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE.

Thornton’s 1996 release of the critically acclaimed and phenomenally popular feature film SLING BLADE, which he starred in and directed from an original script he wrote, firmly secured his status as a preeminent filmmaker. For his efforts, he was honored with both an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Prior to SLING BLADE, Thornton already had an extensive motion picture credit list. He wrote and starred in ONE FALSE MOVE, directed by Carl Franklin, scripted A FAMILY THING which starred Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones, and co-wrote THE GIFT, starring Cate Blanchett. In addition, Thornton has been featured in such films as INDECENT PROPOSAL, DEADMAN, TOMBSTONE, THE STARS FELL ON HENRIETTA, ARMAGEDDON, U-TURN, PRIMARY COLORS, PUSHING TIN, WAKING UP IN RENO, LEVITY, INTOLERABLE CRUELTY, and LOVE ACTUALLY.

Thornton received an Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his celebrated work in Sam Raimi’s A SIMPLE PLAN, as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.

For his second and third directorial outings, Thornton chose the comedy DADDY AND THEM, which he again wrote and starred in, and from the best-selling Cormac McCarthy novel, ALL THE PRETTY HORSES, starring Matt Damon, Penelope Cruz and Henry Thomas.

RAY MCKINNON (WRITER/DIRECTOR AND “SNAKE”)

Ray McKinnon was born and raised in Adel, Georgia, attended Valdosta State College, and began his acting career on stage in Atlanta. McKinnon has been writing, in one form or another, since he was in his teens and has been writing screenplays for the past fifteen years. In 2001, he wrote and directed his first film, the 38 minute short THE ACCOUNTANT, which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short in 2002. CHRYSTAL is Mr. McKinnon’s feature debut. As an actor, McKinnon has been in numerous films and television shows including BUGSY, O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?, APOLLO 13 and THE MISSING. He was most recently seen on the acclaimed HBO series, DEADWOOD, as the Reverend H. W. Smith.

LISA BLOUNT (PRODUCER AND "CHRYSTAL")

Lisa Blount , a native Arkansan, was born in Fayetteville to a family whose Ozark roots go back over 200 years. As a child, her family moved frequently throughout the state and she developed an early love of Arkansas music, from rockabilly to Delta blues. At the age of 19 while attending UALR, Universal Pictures set up a production office in Toad Suck, Arkansas, where fellow Arkansan, Jim Bridges was preparing to shoot his autobiographical 9-30-55. He chose Lisa to play the female lead in the first movie she had ever auditioned for. She then moved to Hollywood, and her next break came soon after with AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe. Since then, Lisa has appeared in countless film and television projects. She branched out into producing with THE ACCOUNTANT, written and directed by her husband Ray McKinnon, which won an Oscar for Best Live Action Short in 2002. CHRYSTAL is the first feature film produced by Ms. Blount.

WALTON GOGGINS (PRODUCER AND “LARRY”)

Walton grew up in a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia where he began his acting career landing a key role in the Golden Globe nominated MOW MURDER IN MISSISSIPPI. Four years later, after many guest spots on series television and smaller roles in films like SWITCHBACK, KARATE KID III and Billy Crystal’s MR. SATURDAY NIGHT, Goggins had the distinct honor of playing the role of Sammy, Robert Duvall’s trustworthy friend, in THE APOSTLE. He has since appeared in numerous films including THE BOURNE IDENTITY with Matt Damon, SHANGHAI NOON opposite Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson, JOYRIDE directed by John Dahl, and Billy Bob Thornton’s DADDY AND THEM. He can be seen in the upcoming film WORLD’S FASTEST INDIAN opposite Anthony Hopkins. He is currently in his fourth season starring opposite Michael Chiklis in FX’s THE SHIELD,the Golden Globe winner for television’s best drama. After a 15-year friendship with McKinnon, Walton joined Ray and Lisa in producing both THE ACCOUNTANT and CHRYSTAL to round out the Ginny Mule team.

HARRY DEAN STANTON (“PA DA”)

Born in Kentucky, Harry Dean Stanton is one of the most prolific character actors of our time. Following a stint in WWII, Stanton studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse and began his film career in 1957. His many notable films include COOL HAND LUKE, KELLY’S HEROES, DILLINGER, THE GODFATHER: PART II, ALIEN, PARIS TEXAS, REPO MAN, WILD AT HEART, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS and THE GREEN MILE. Like his CHRYSTAL co-stars Billy Bob Thornton and James Intveld, Stanton is also an accomplished musician whose “Harry Dean Stanton Band” has toured internationally, to rave reviews.

HARRY LENNIX (“KALID”)

Born in Chicago, Harry Lennix has appeared in a number of films including, RAY, TITUS, BARBERSHOP 2, THE MATRIX RELOADED, THE HUMAN STAIN, CLOCKERS and many others. Mr. Lennix also starred as Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in Showtime’s acclaimed, KEEP THE FAITH, BABY.

JOHNNY GALECKI (“BARRY”)

Johnny was born in Belgium and raised in Chicago where he began his acting career at seven years old. Stage credits include Pippen and Galileo opposite Brian Dennehy at the prestigious Goodman Theatre. Johnny had a successful run on the situation comedy, ROSEANNE. His extensive film credits include VANILLA SKY and I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER.

GRACE ZABRISKIE (“GLADYS”)

Born in New Orleans, Ms. Zabriskie made her acting debut in NORMA RAE. She has since appeared in over 80 films including AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, THE BIG EASY, WILD AT HEART, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, and is well-remembered for her role in the cult series TWIN PEAKS. She is also an accomplished artist and craftsperson whose works are available about Los Angeles galleries.

JAMES INTVELD (“CHARLIE CATO”)

James Intveld is a well-known singer-songwriter whose Rockabilly-infused music has led him to share stages with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Rosie Flores and Brian Setzer. He opened for such artists as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Nelly Furtado and Pete Townsend and has recorded two acclaimed CDs. When not devoting time to his music, Intveld pursues acting and his screen credits include INDIAN RUNNER, THING CALLED LOVE, and 61*. He dubbed Johnny Depp’s singing parts for John Waters’ CRY BABY.

KATHRYN HOWELL (“MISS MABEL”)

Kathryn Howell hails from North Carolina and holds a BFA in theatre from UNC Chapel Hill. A lifelong professional actress, Kathryn has worked steadily on the stage and has appeared in numberous film and television roles. Most recently she was seen in THE ASSASSINATION OF RICHARD NIXON.

COLIN FICKES (“HOG”)

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, the talented Fickes has been in the filmsROGER DODGER and CHERRY FALLS, and on television in series including ONE TREE HILL and DAWSON'S CREEK.

MAX KASCH (“SHORTY”)

The nineteen year old, Max, was recently seen in HOLES and FALLING LIKE THIS. He will soon appear in THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED and WAITING. At 6'3'’, Max may be the tallest ‘Shorty’ ever.

ED CORBIN (“NED”)

Ed Corbin was born and raised in Armuchee, Georgia. Credits include Joseph Perez's feature comedy, TO PROTECT AND SERVE and the final episode of MULLET.

EDDIE KING (“ROAMER”)

Roswell, Georgia native, Eddie King is a graduate of Carnefie-Mellon and has performed in the theatre throughout the United States and Europe. Eddie went on to co-star in THE ACCOUNTANT with his touching portrayal of the decent farmer, David O'Dell.