Hal Sparks

Infobox actor
name = Hal Sparks

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imagesize =
caption = Hal Sparks, 2005
birthname = Hal Harry Magee Sparks III, Esq.
birthdate = birth date and age|1969|9|25
birthplace = Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
website = http://www.halsparks.com/

Hal Harry Magee Sparks III, Esq. (born September 25, 1969) is an American actor, comedian one-time game show host, known for his witty additions to VH1 and the role of Michael Novotny, on the American television series "Queer as Folk". His previous claim to fame was hosting E!'s "Talk Soup".

Career

Sparks was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Peaks Mill, Kentucky until age 14, when he moved to the Chicago area. [cite web|last = Copley|first = Rich|publisher = Lexington Herald-Leader|title = Actor-comedian Hal Sparks: Kentuckian credits his success to not chickening out|url = http://www.kentucky.com/701/story/309734.html|accessdate = 2008-06-28] He attended New Trier High School [cite web|last = Habermehl|first = Kris|date = 2007-01-25|title = Fire Breaks Out At Prestigious High School|url = http://cbs2chicago.com/local/New.Trier.High.2.334860.html|accessdate = 2008-06-28] in Winnetka, IL. In addition to acting, Sparks is also the lead singer and guitarist for a rock band, Zero 1 (previously called The Hal Sparks Band Experience II: Electric Boogaloo). Members include Robert Hall (Sparks' friend) on bass and Miles Loretta (Sparks' cousin) on drums. Their first album was produced by King's X's frontman Doug Pinnick. His musical experience paid off as a contestant in the first season of "Celebrity Duets". He often joins the Los Angeles cover band Metal Skool to sing Skid Row songs.

Sparks is a regular on VH1's "I Love…" series: VH1's "I Love the '70s", "I Love the '80s", "I Love the '80s Strikes Back", "I Love the '80s 3-D", "I Love the '90s", ', "I Love the Holidays", "I Love Toys", ' and "I Love the New Millennium". Hal Sparks has also appeared in the VH1 series "Celebracadabra".

Sparks was the captain of the Chicago Hitmen team on GSN's "Extreme Dodgeball". He has had small roles in a few films, including "" and "Spider Man 2", where he was an elevator passenger with a handful of lines; he co-starred in Spider-Man 2 with current host of E's The Soup Joel McHale. Hal's first significant role was in the movie "Dude, Where's My Car?", as Zoltan, the head of a clan of nerds obsessed with outer space. Sparks' earliest career began when he became the first youngest game show emcee (next to J. D. Roth) to host the short-lived game show, Treasure Mall, in syndication. Hal was one of five celebrities to appear in the first episode of VH1's "Celebrity Paranormal Project".

Sparks appeared on all episodes, every season, of the Showtime show, "Queer As Folk", as Michael Novotny.

He appeared as himself in the video "Beat It," the Michael Jackson cover, by Fall Out Boy.

Sparks was a contestant on the 2008 VH1 television show Celebracadabra, where the celebrities vie to out-perform each other with magic they have learned from their experienced coaches. Other celebrity contestants competing are Ant, Lisa Ann Walter, Carnie Wilson, Christopher "Kid" Reid, Kimberly Wyatt, and C. Thomas Howell. Howell was the winner with Sparks coming in second place.

Sparks appeared as guest host on American Afternoon on the Air America radio show during the first week in June 2008.

When in the Dallas area, Hal Sparks often frequents Cafe Brazil prior to performing at the Improv in Addison.

Sparks loves to make tea and has at one time left a box of his favorite oolong tea at the Addison Improv Club.

Zero 1

Zero1 is a rock music group made up of Hal Sparks, Robert Hall, and Miles Loretta. The band was originally founded under the name "The Hal Sparks Band".

Robert Hall owns his own Creature/FX company in Hollywood called Almost Human. He was the creator of the creatures for the popular shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. He was involved in some prosthetic work on Talk Soup, where he met Hal and became friends. In 2004, he wrote and directed his very own film called Lightning Bug (two time winner of the "Palme D'Or") which starred Sparks.

Miles Loretta is the cousin of Hal Sparks and has been playing the drums since he was in the 7th grade. He used to be the drummer in a band called Rosavelt and has drummed for artists such as Tim Easton and Doug Gillard.

The debut, self-titled album by Zero1 was released in December 2006. It is now available on iTunes and Halsparks.com.

Filmography

Television

* "Celebracadabra (Reality Show)" (2008) as himself, 1st runner up
* "Tak and the Power of Juju" (2007) voice of "Tak" and Really, Really Revolting Jju
* "America's Funniest Mom 3" (2007) himself/judge
* "Survival of the Richest" (2006) Host
* "Celebrity Duets" (2006) Contestant, 3rd runner up
* "Celebrity Paranormal Project" (2006) in episode "Waverly Hills Sanatorium"
* "Las Vegas" (2003) in "Cash Springs Eternal" (2006)
* "" (2000) in episode "Dog Eat Dog" (2005) as Digger James
* "Queer As Folk" (2000-2005) as Michael Novotny
* "Video Game Vixens" (2005) as Host/Himself
* "Extreme Dodgeball" (2004) as a Player for Chicago Hitmen
* "Frasier" (1993) in episode "Door Jam" (2003) as Receptionist
* "One on One" (2001) in episodes "Unemployment Up, Pride Down" (2002) and "I Believe I Can Fly: Part 2" (2002) as Danny Davis Jr.
* "Rendez-View" (2001) in episodes "She Loves Him, Loves Him Not" (2001) and "Belgian Boy Toy" (2002) as a Guest Host
*"Talk Soup" as Host/Himself (1999-2000)
* "Martial Law" (1998) in episode "No Fare" (2000) as Ellroy Nelson
* "Cheap Theatrix" (1998)
* "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" (1993) in episode "Indian Agent" (1995) as Gentle Horse
* "" (1993) in episode "Witness" (1994) as Skateboarder

Film

* "Beat It (Fall Out Boy Cover) Music Video" (2008) as himself
* "The House That Jack Built" (2007) as Dominic
* "Denial" (2006) (executive producer)
* "Spider-Man 2" (2004) as Elevator Passenger
* "Lightning Bug" (2004) as Deputy Dale
* "" (2003) as Publisher
* "Bleacher Bums" (2002) (TV) as Richie
* "Dr. Dolittle 2" (2001) (voice) as School Fish #1
* "Dude, Where's My Car?" (2000) as Zoltan - Cult Leader
* "Lost & Found" (1999) as DJ
* "Invader" (1996) (voice) as Fort Irwin Defense Command
* "Signs and Wonders" (1995) (TV) as Rocker 2
* "Chopper Chicks in Zombietown" (1989) as Lance
* "Frog" (1987) (TV) as Jim

References

External links

* [http://www.halsparks.com/ Hal Sparks Official website]
*imdb|5452
* [http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/comics/HalSparks Hal Sparks Stand Up Videos]