Raising The Bar.TV
Cast Biographies
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Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Jerry Kellerman
Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s professional career includes extensive work in films and television. Although perhaps best known to some audiences from his role in the popular teen sitcom, Saved By The Bell, he starred as Detective John Clark in Steven Bochco’s critically acclaimed drama series, NYPD Blue. Gosselaar’s other credits include television movies such as Atomic Twister, The Princess and the Marine, She Cried No, Dying to Belong and Born into Exile. On the big screen, he has starred in Dead Man on Campus, as well as the independent films Beer Money and Sticks and Stones. Outside of work, Mark-Paul is a keen cyclist and pilot. He lives outside of Los Angeles with his wife, Lisa, and two children.
Jane Kaczmarek as Judge Trudy Kessler
Jane Kaczmarek starred for seven years on the Emmy®-winning TV series Malcolm in the Middle, a role for which she won the American Comedy Award and the Television Critics Award for two consecutive years; Kaczmarek was the first woman to ever receive such an honor.
Kaczmarek's other television appearances have included ABC comedy Help Me Help You, Felicity, Party of Five, Frasier, The Practice, St. Elsewhere and Hill Street Blues.
Kaczmarek is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the Yale School of Drama. She founded the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation, which auctions celebrity award show finery to benefit children’s charities. She is married to actor Bradley Whitford of The West Wing, with whom she has three children.
On television, Reuben starred as health care professional Jeanie Boulet in ER. Reuben’s other television credits include 1-800-MISSING, The Agency, and China Beach.
In 1994, Reuben made her film debut opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in Time Cop. Her other film credits include The Sentinel and television movies, Life Support, Feast of All Saints, and Deep In My Heart.
In 2000, Reuben sang backup on the North American leg of Tina Turner’s 24/7 concert tour, an experience which encouraged her to release a solo album, Just for You, in 2004.
Teddy Sears as Richard Patrick Woolsley IV
Teddy Sears was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Chevy Chase, MD. His family can be traced back to Plymouth, Mass., in the year 1630.
After his first audition, Sears earned a contract role on a daytime television series. He has since made appearances on the Law & Order franchise. Teddy's other television credits include Ugly Betty, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Big Love, CSI: Miami and Mad Men.
Natalia Cigliuti as Roberta "Bobbi" Gilardi
A native of New York, Natalia Cigliuti started her television career with a regular role on the series Saved by the Bell: The New Class, the follow-up to the show that launched the career of Raising the Bar co-star Mark-Paul Gosselaar. Cigliuti has since had recurring roles in CSI: Miami, Beverly Hills 90210, Pacific Palisades, Waterfront and All My Children.
Her film credits include Joe Dirt, Simon Sez, Hollywood Horror, Fearless and Skooled, as well as the television movie Attack of the Killer “B” Movies.
Currie Graham as Nick Balco
Currie Graham’s acting career began while attending high school in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. As a basketball player, he signed up for drama classes as an easy option, and immediately knew acting was his destiny. He later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
Currie was most recently seen in the hit series Desperate Housewives, Men in Trees, Boston Legal and House. His other television credits include a role on the Emmy award-winning police drama, NYPD Blue, as well as 24, Monk, CSI and The Practice. His film roles include Assault on Precinct 13 and Rancid.
Melissa Sagemiller as Michelle Ernhardt
Melissa was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and made her stage debut at age nine as Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird. After graduating from the University of Virginia, she studied at The Stella Adler Conservatory, New York University’s Stonestreet Studios and the Michael Howard Studio.
Her film credits include Mr. Woodcock, The Guardian, Standing Still, The Clearing, Soul Survivors, and Get Over Itt.
On television, Sagemiller starred in the Golden Globe-nominated series Sleeper Cell. She has also appeared on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Jonathan Scarfe as Charlie Salansky
Since becoming a professional actor aged just 16, Jonathan Scarfe has appeared in a number of film, television and stage productions. His television credits include the popular series Grey's Anatomy, ER, CSI: Miami and NYPD Blue.
He and his wife, Suki Kaiser, wrote, produced and directed an award-winning short film about sexual abuse called Speak that is now part of university training for trauma nurses in Canada.
He divides his time between Los Angeles and Vancouver, where he lives with his wife and two children.
J. August Richards as Marcus McGrath
J. August Richards was born in Washington, D.C., and discovered his love for acting at an early age. He attended the University of Southern California, where he studied theater.
Since then Richards has appeared in the feature films Why Do Fools Fall In Love and Good Burger as well as several television series such as Dick Wolf's Conviction and the Joss Whedon series Angel.
In his off time, Richards enjoys painting and writing music and travel.