Hal Sparks
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| Hal Sparks | |
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| Birth name | Hal Harry Magee Sparks III |
| Born | September 25, 1970 (age 36) Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Official site | http://www.halsparks.com/ |
| Notable roles | Michael Novotny, Queer as Folk (US) Host, Talk Soup |
Hal Sparks (born Hal Harry Magee Sparks III, September 25, 1970[1] in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an actor, one-time game show host and comedian best known for his role of Michael Novotny on the American television series Queer as Folk. His previous claim to fame was hosting E!'s Talk Soup.
In addition to acting, Hal is also the lead singer and guitarist for a metal band, Zero 1 (previously called The Hal Sparks Band). Members include Robert Hall (Sparks's friend) on bass and Miles Loretta (Sparks's 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. Hal also played a small role as an announcer in an episode of CSI.
Hal Sparks is also 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 90s: Part Deux, I Love the Holidays, I Love Toys, and I Love the '70s Volume II.
Sparks was the captain of the Chicago Hitmen team on GSN's Extreme Dodgeball. He has had small roles in a few films, including Spider Man 2, where he was an elevator passenger with a handful of lines. 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.
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[edit] Television Credits
- Tak and The Power of Juju (2007) voice of "Tak"
- Celebrity Paranormal Project (2006) in episode "Waverly Hills Sanatorium"
- Las Vegas (2003) in "Cash Springs Eternal" (2006)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) in episode "Dog Eat Dog" (2005) as Digger James
- Queer As Folk (2000-2005) as Michael Charles Novotny-Bruckner
- 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
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) in episode "Witness" (1994) as Skateboarder
[edit] Film Credits
- Denial (2006) (executive producer)
- Spider-Man 2 (2004) as Elevator Passenger
- Lightning Bug (2004) as Deputy Dale
- Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (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
[edit] Trivia
- Sparks is straight edge but is not a vegetarian. His meat intake is about 5% of other Americans and he never eats beef.
- Is an Alumni of The Second City in Chicago
- Sparks was named the "Funniest Teenager in Chicago" in 1987.
- He has been practicing martial arts since he was a 8 years old. Including Kenpo Karate. Kung Fu (Wushu, San Soo, Chen Tai Chi) and Tae Kwon Do
- He attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois.
- Speaks Mandarin Chinese
- Has a Chinese name 霍 光皓(Huo, Guanghao), according to the Chinese seal image on the homepage of his official website.
[edit] References
[1] *The age given at US SEARCH for "Hal M. Sparks" in Los Angeles, Valley Village or West Hollywood, California is 36 (as of March 26, 2007).
[edit] External links
| Preceded by John Henson |
Host of Talk Soup 1999-2000 |
Succeeded by Aisha Tyler |
Categories: 1970 births | Living people | American comedians | American rock singers | American rock guitarists | American television actors | American television personalities | American character actors | Game show hosts | New Trier High School alumni | People from Chicago | People from Cincinnati | People from Kentucky | Straight Edge | Television talk show hosts
