Bruce Boxleitner

As one of Hollywood's leading men, 'Bruce Boxleitner' (qv) has starred in a major motion picture franchise, numerous feature films, and several popular television series, produced a major network film and TV series, performed on Broadway, and authored two science fiction novels.Boxleitner received his formal acting training on stage. A native mid-westerner, he is an alumnus of Chicago's prestigious Goodman Theatre. In 1972, he starred in the Broadway production of Status Quo Vadis with 'Ted Danson' (qv). He then relocated to Los Angeles and quickly landed a guest spot on the legendary TV series _The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970)_ (qv) as well as numerous guest roles on series, including _Hawaii Five-O (1968)_ (qv), _Baretta (1975)_ (qv), _Police Woman (1974)_ (qv), and _Gunsmoke (1955)_ (qv).Boxleitner's big break occurred when he was cast opposite 'James Arness' (qv) in the pilot for the epic TV series _How the West Was Won (1976)_ (qv). He went on to star in the CBS series _Bring 'Em Back Alive (1982)_ (qv); mini-series _East of Eden (1981)_ (qv); and TV movie _The Last Convertible (1979)_ (qv).In 1982, Boxleitner was cast as the title role in Disney's cult film _TRON (1982)_ (qv) which garnered him science fiction fans worldwide. However, it was in Boxleitner's four-year run for CBS's _Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)_ (qv), starring opposite 'Kate Jackson' (qv), which endeared him to fans everywhere and made him a household name. In 1994, Boxleitner joined the cast of the popular TV series _Babylon 5 (1993)_ (qv) as John Sheridan, President of the Interstellar Alliance, a war hero-turned-diplomat at the helm of Earth Alliance Space Station in the year 2259. The show aired for five seasons.Boxleitner most recently starred with 'Jeff Bridges' (qv) in _TRON: Legacy (2010)_ (qv), the popular motion picture sequel to TRON. The cast includes 'Garrett Hedlund' (qv) and 'Olivia Wilde' (qv). In addition, Boxleitner reprised his role in _TRON: Uprising (2012)_ (qv) on Disney's XD TV network, his first animated TV series. The multi-talented cast includes 'Elijah Wood' (qv), 'Mandy Moore' (qv), 'Lance Henriksen' (qv), and 'Paul Reubens' (qv). The original TRON recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.Several motion pictures include _Gods and Generals (2003)_ (qv) with 'Robert Duvall' (qv), 'Jeff Daniels' (qv), 'Stephen Lang' (qv) and 'Mira Sorvino' (qv); _The Babe (1992)_ (qv) with 'John Goodman' (qv) and 'Kelly McGillis' (qv); _Kuffs (1992)_ (qv) with 'Christian Slater' (qv); and _The Baltimore Bullet (1980)_ (qv) with 'James Coburn' (qv).Numerous TV movie credits include _The Secret (1992)_ (qv) with 'Kirk Douglas' (qv); _Perfect Family (1992)_ (qv) with 'Jennifer O'Neill' (qv) and 'Joanna Cassidy' (qv); _Double Jeopardy (1992)_ (qv) with 'Rachel Ward' (qv), 'Sally Kirkland' (qv) and 'Sela Ward' (qv); _Passion Flower (1986)_ (qv) with 'Barbara Hershey' (qv) and 'Nicol Williamson' (qv); and Hallmark Channel movies, _Love's Everlasting Courage (2011)_ (qv) and _Falling in Love with the Girl Next Door (2006)_ (qv); among many others. The veteran actor has appeared in numerous recurring roles on TV series including _GCB (2012)_ (qv) and _Heroes (2006)_ (qv), and has guest-starred on _NCIS (2003)_ (qv) and _Chuck (2007)_ (qv), among others.A skilled horseman, Boxleitner utilized his talents in numerous western TV series and films including The Gambler television movie series that aired on CBS and NBC, starring opposite 'Kenny Rogers' (qv); _Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994)_ (qv) with 'James Arness' (qv) (Arness' final film); CBS' remake of 'Red River' (qv) with 'Gregory Harrison' (qv), 'James Arness' (qv) and 'Laura Johnson' (qv); _Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone (1994)_ (qv) with 'Hugh O'Brian' (qv); and 'Louis L'Amour' (qv)'s Down the Long Hills (1986), based on legendary western author 'Louis L'Amour' (qv)'s novel of the same name.Boxleitner was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in April 2012 honoring him for his illustrious career in western films. He is a two-time recipient of the Wrangler Award.In 2013, Boxleitner co-starred with 'Andie MacDowell' (qv) and 'Dylan Neal' (qv) in Hallmark Channel's first-ever prime-time series, 'Debbie Macomber' (qv)'s _Cedar Cove (2013)_ (qv) to rave reviews and an average of 2 million viewers. The #1 rated cable program was renewed for a third season and is scheduled to premiere in the summer of 2015.In 1999, Boxleitner authored "Frontier Earth" and in 2001, its sequel "Frontier Earth: Searcher", published by The Berkley Publishing Group. Boxleitner resides in Los Angeles with his wife, publicist 'Verena King' (qv), and has three sons: Sam, Lee and Michael.::Cheryl J. Kagan Public Relations