Facts and Things You Didn't Know
Things You Didn't Know
The Ohio Movie and TV Hall of Fame honors the state's significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Here are 25 facts and 25 lesser-known tidbits about Ohio's rich cinematic and television heritage:
25 Facts:
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Lillian Gish: Born in Springfield, Ohio, Gish is celebrated as the "First Lady of American Cinema" for her pioneering work during the silent film era.
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Clark Gable: Known as "The King of Hollywood," Gable was born in Cadiz, Ohio, and starred in classics like "Gone with the Wind."
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Steven Spielberg: The acclaimed director of films such as "E.T." and "Jurassic Park" was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Paul Newman: An iconic actor and philanthropist, Newman hailed from Shaker Heights, Ohio.
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Halle Berry: The first African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress was born in Cleveland, Ohio.
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The Warner Brothers: Founders of Warner Bros. Studios, they began their film exhibition business in Ohio before establishing their studio in Hollywood.
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"A Christmas Story": This beloved holiday film was set in Indiana but filmed in Cleveland, Ohio.
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"The Shawshank Redemption": The movie was filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield.
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"The Avengers": Parts of this blockbuster were shot in Cleveland, showcasing the city's versatility as a filming location.
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"Rain Man": Scenes from this Oscar-winning film were filmed in Cincinnati.
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"Hillbilly Elegy": Directed by Ron Howard, this film was shot in Middletown, Ohio.
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Tom Hanks: The two-time Oscar winner began his acting career in Cleveland's Great Lakes Theater Festival.
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Martin Sheen: Born Ramón Estévez in Dayton, Ohio, Sheen is known for roles in "Apocalypse Now" and "The West Wing."
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Rob Lowe: The actor from "Parks and Recreation" and "The West Wing" was born in Dayton, Ohio.
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Janelle Monáe: The singer and actress was born in Kansas but raised in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Henry Mancini: The composer of the "Pink Panther" theme was born in Cleveland, Ohio.
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"The Deer Hunter": This Academy Award-winning film was partially shot in Cleveland and Mingo Junction.
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"Little Fires Everywhere": The TV series is set in Shaker Heights, Ohio, reflecting the city's unique planned community.
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"The Drew Carey Show": This sitcom was set in Cleveland, highlighting the city's culture and humor.
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"Family Ties": The popular 1980s sitcom was set in Columbus, Ohio.
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"Glee": The fictional William McKinley High School is set in Lima, Ohio.
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"WKRP in Cincinnati": This sitcom centered around a fictional radio station in Cincinnati.
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"Third Rock from the Sun": The show is set in the fictional town of Rutherford, Ohio.
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"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame": Located in Cleveland, it celebrates the history of rock music and its influential artists.
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"The Ohio Goes to the Movies" Celebration: A statewide event highlighting Ohio's connections to the film industry, featuring themed movie screenings across all 88 counties.
25 Lesser-Known Facts:
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Dorothy Dandridge: A Cleveland native, she was the first African American nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
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Jim Backus: Born in Cleveland, he voiced the iconic character Mr. Magoo and played the role of the enigmatic Mr. Howell on Gilligan's Island.
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Luke Perry: The "Beverly Hills, 90210" star was born in Mansfield, Ohio.
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"The Ohio State Reformatory": Beyond "The Shawshank Redemption," it has been a filming location for several other movies and music videos.
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"The Avengers": Cleveland's East Ninth Street was transformed into Stuttgart, Germany, for a pivotal scene.
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"Spider-Man 3": Parts of the film were shot in Cleveland, including the iconic crane scene.
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"Air Force One": The 1997 film used Cleveland's Severance Hall to depict a Russian government building.
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"The Ides of March": Directed by and starring George Clooney, it was filmed in Cincinnati and Oxford, Ohio.
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"Traffic": The Oscar-winning film features scenes shot in Cincinnati.
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"The Fate of the Furious": Cleveland stood in for New York City during an elaborate chase scene.
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"Captain America: The Winter Soldier": The film features a car chase filmed on Cleveland's Memorial Shoreway.
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"Draft Day": Starring Kevin Costner, this film centers on the Cleveland Browns and was shot in and around Cleveland, showcasing real NFL draft locations.
13. "The Faculty": This 1998 sci-fi horror film, starring Elijah Wood and Josh Hartnett, was partially filmed in Lockland, Ohio.
14. Ohio’s Tax Incentive: The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit has attracted numerous productions, making the state a competitive filming destination.
15. Cedar Point in Film: The world-famous amusement park in Sandusky has appeared in several productions, including documentaries and TV specials.
16. The Haunted Ohio Connection: Many horror films have drawn inspiration from Ohio’s urban legends, including the "Crybaby Bridge" myths.
17. Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars: Several Ohio-born actors, including Doris Day and Dean Martin, have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
18. Doris Day’s Ohio Roots: The legendary actress and singer was born in Cincinnati before becoming a Hollywood icon.
19. Ohio’s Indie Film Scene: Cities like Cleveland and Columbus host indie film festivals, promoting local filmmakers.
20. "Heathers" Ohio Connection: The dark comedy features references to fictional Sherwood, Ohio, though it was filmed elsewhere.
21. Superman’s Ohio Origins: Superman was created by Cleveland natives Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, shaping the superhero genre.
22. "The Silence of the Lambs": The film features a pivotal scene set in Belvedere, Ohio, though it wasn’t actually filmed there.
23. Ohio’s Role in Animation: King Features Syndicate, which distributed classic cartoons like Popeye, was founded in Ohio.
24. The Prolific Film Extras: Many Ohioans have worked as extras in major Hollywood films shot in the state.
25. Ohio’s Hidden Film Locations: The state has numerous abandoned buildings and historical sites frequently used as eerie backdrops in horror films.
Ohio’s deep ties to film and television continue to influence the entertainment industry, making it a prime location for both Hollywood blockbusters and indie gems.