Come see the Stars
Each year we invite a group of celebrities to take time out from the glitz of Hollywood and spend a weekend with our Special Olympics athletes and the families and colleagues of our corporate ski teams. We never cease to be amazed at the wonderful camaraderie and friendships that develop. Our invited celebrities crush many of the commonly held "star-stereotypes"—they willingly give of their time, and they have a true heart for our athletes and the people who support them. Are they approachable? You bet. Do they add some excitement to the weekend? Absolutely. Do they walk away changed by the experience? Always!
Meet our 2010 Celebrity Skiers
Tim AbellTim Abell completed work on Buttermilk Sky which was a wonderful contemporary drama about the unconventional relationship between Ace, a longer ex-rodeo rider turned Wild West show performer, his former fiancée, Rose and a street-wise orphan girl. He also was seen in the family Western, Miracle at Sage Creek with Wes Studi and David Carradine and the award winning independent film Soldier of God which Tim starred in and co-produced. Other credits include CSI:NY, CSI Miami, Navy NCIS and Rod Luries’ Line of Fire.
Michael BuieMichael just completed shooting The Next Three Days written and directed by Paul Haggis in Pittsburgh. Michael stars as 'Mick Brennan' with Russell Crowe, Liam Neeson, Elizabeth Banks and Brian Dennehy. Michael also just completed his role of 'Brian Early' on Cedar Rapids, a comedy directed by Miguel Arteta with Ed Helms, Sigourney Weaver and John C Reilly.
Previously, Buie starred in Mystery Alaska as 'Connor Banks" in a lead role opposite Russell Crowe. The film was written by David E. Kelley and directed by Jay Roach. Other films include Screw Cupid, Only for You shot in Portland, Oregon, the Nantucket based film Ropewalk , Paramount's Sci-Fi thriller The McPherson Tape and The Dead Water.
On television, Buie starred in a TNT Original Series entitled Hard Time (The Premonition, Hostage Hotel) opposite veterans Charles Durning, Bruce Dern and Burt Reynolds. Buie has written and developed "October 13", an independent feature to be shot in late 2010. His love and respect for the Special Olympians, their families and coaches inspires him beyond words.
Scott CampbellScott Michael Campbell has been in such notable films as Brokeback Mountain, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Hart’s War, Flight of the Phoenix, and Push. His extensive television credits include many top-rated and critically acclaimed shows such as; 24, House, Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, Navy NCIS, Cold Case, E.R., The West Wing, The Shield, Criminal Minds, and Boston Legal. Most recently Scott has been in CSI Miami, Brothers and Sisters and Private Practice. He is proud to have been a part of Special Olympics’ Celebrity Winterfest® for the past five years.
Melissa DiminoMelissa’s success in the ski world is a unique one in that she had no previous racing background, and within two years she skied at an excess of 124 miles per hour for a new world’s record. In doing this, she attained a spot in ski history no other woman will ever achieve. Melissa was the first women in the world to reach and break the 200 kilometer an hour barrier on skis. This, at one time, was deemed to be impossible! Her personal best speed is 126 mph, and she was ranked #1 U.S. Female Speed Skier from 1984-1993. Melissa was the only American Woman to make it to the finals for the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. Along with her athletic talent comes an outgoing, energetic personality with the enthusiasm and desire to succeed.
Kevin DurandKevin Durand is known for his roles as Martin Keamy in the television hit Lost and on the big screen as Fred J. Dukes in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the Archangel Gabriel in Legion and will soon be seen in the 2010 Summer blockbuster Robin Hood playing the role of Little John opposite Russell Crow.
Juliette GoodrichJuliette Goodrich is an Emmy award-winning anchor in the Bay Area and anchors the noon newscast in CBS 5 in addition to other special assignments. Juliette has covered a wide variety of local and national stories including the O.J. Simpson trial and the arrest of the Unabomber in Montana. Juliette has added to her list of accomplishments with Emmy Nominations in Breaking News for her exclusive coverage of fugitive James Nivette’s capture in France. In 2006, Juliette received an Emmy for Best Ancho; in 2007 she was awarded another Emmy for Best Newscast for the 5pm news on CBS 5.
Thyme LewisThyme Lewis was raised in Carmel and Big Sur. His acting career skyrocketed to stardom by a successful five-year on as the fun-loving, good natured gynecologist, Dr. Jonah on the number one ranked day time drama, Days of our Lives. He completed a pilot titled Rehab for Rejects with director Jacob Cooney with whom he worked on a previous film titled, Fierce Friends.
Tony LopezTony “The Tiger” Lopez is a three-time World Champion boxer who won World Titles in the Junior Lightweight, Lightweight & Junior Welterweight divisions of professional boxing. Tony compiled a pro record of 58 wins, 8 losses and one draw against some of the best boxers of his era. Tony fought three “wars” with John John Molina, gave Julio Caesar Chavez all he could handle, and beat the heavily favored Rocky Lockridge in what was named the “Fight of the Year” in 1987. Tony was a ferocious fighter who felt that somebody should get “knocked out,” thus making him a fan favorite.
Ryan Merrimanhas already developed an extensive list of film and television credits. Ryan was recently seen in Comanche Moon on CBS, the 6-hour mini-series, with an all-star cast including Val Kilmer and Karl Urban. Ryan recently wrapped filming on The 5th quarter. A movie based on a true story about Jon Abbate who driven by the tragic and fatal car crash that took the life of his fifteen year old brother Luke, and wearing Luke's number 5 jersey helps to lead the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to the most successful season in school history.
Justin Melvey Justin Melvey is a former World Cup Freestyle skier and model, recently he made it to the finals of Australian Celebrity Survivor and Dancing with the Stars Australia raising a lot of money for his charity Diabeties Australia. In 2006 he played Andrew Walker on General Hospital after staring on NBC's Days of Our Lives, where he played Dr. Colin Murphy for three years. During the last year Justin has starred in his own action drama reality hit series The Phone for Fox Television Australia. He has hosted TV Specials for Fox Australia leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Canada.
Debbie Meyer Debbie Meyer joined swimming legends Mark Spitz, Don Schollander and Johnny Weissmuller when she was named among the world’s best swimmers of the century by sportscasters across the country. More than 20 years after her phenomenal performance in the Olympics, Debbie Meyer is still considered one of the greatest female swimmers of all time. At the age of 16, she was the first swimmer to win three individual gold medals during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City in the 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle events. She won two gold medals, 400m and 800m freestyle, 1967 Pan American Games, at the age of 14. Debbie has been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, among others. She broke 20 world records and 24 American records from 1967 to 1971.
Rick RavanelloActing since 1997, Rick has developed an extensive list of work ranging from various quirky characters to that of the leading man. Some of his past work includes Hart’s War opposite Bruce Willis and Colin Farrell, The Cave opposite Cole Hauser and Piper Perabo and Monte Walsh opposite Tom Selleck and Keith Carradine. Other credits include such top-rated shows as Desperate Housewives, 24 , Without a Trace, CSI-NY, Smallville, CSI, Bones, Cold Case and The Closer.
Nicole SullivanIn the six years that Nicole worked on MAD TV, the FOX late-night sketch comedy show, she became known for her many recurring characters such as the Vancome Lady and her impersonations of celebrities like Britney Spears and Meg Ryan. She had a recurring role as the dog walker on the King of Queens and has most recently appeared in the TV sitcom Rita Rocks in the starring role. Other TV credits include Party of Five, and recent guest role in the TV series Numb3rs.
John SasakiBorn in Berkeley, John Sasaki attended Berkeley High School and after graduation, he went to the San Diego State University. During a summer vacation back in the Bay Area, he interned for the for the Ten O’Clock News at KTVU Channel 2 News. John landed his first job in news as an associate producer at KNSD, the NBC affiliate in San Diego. In 1995 John moved home to the Bay Area to join the Fox 2 News team at KTVU which is where he plans to spend the rest of his career. John is proud to be on the Special Olympics Northern California Board of Directors.
John VogelEx-ski instructor and current host of the syndicated TV show, The Mix Masters, John J Vogel works in Hollywood both in front and behind the camera. Born in Bath, Ohio, John’s experiences gained him exposure as host of Andrew Andersen’s “Home Again”. John Produced the critically acclaimed, Blue Neon Night, by best selling author, Michael Connelly starring William Pertersen(CSI) and is Co-Executive Producer with Thyme Lewis and their show, “A Reel Family”. As an award-winning Director, John’s UFC/MMA film “Freedom” is scheduled for release later this year.