Nancy Hower is an American actress,
director
Director may refer to:
Literature
* ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine
* ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker
* ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty
Music
* Director (band), an Irish rock band
* ''Di ...
,
screenwriter
A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based.
...
and
producer.
Early life
Nancy Hower grew up in
Wyckoff, New Jersey
Wyckoff is a township in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 16,585. At the time of the 2010 census, the township's population was 16,696, reflecting an increase of ...
, and is one of nine children. She appeared onstage for the first time as a senior in high school. Upon graduating from high school, Hower continued her studies at the
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the most el ...
in New York City where she majored in drama. During her years at Juilliard, she appeared in such productions as ''
King Lear
''King Lear'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare.
It is based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between two of his daughters. He becomes destitute and insane an ...
'', ''And A Nightingale Sang'', ''
Macbeth
''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...
'', ''The Fifth of July'', and ''The Would-Be Gentleman''. She also later appeared in two stage productions at the
Williamstown Theatre Festival in
.
Career
Hower began her professional acting career playing the role of Andrea in ''The Years'' at the
Manhattan Theatre Club
Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) is a theatre company located in New York City, affiliated with the League of Resident Theatres. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, Manhattan Theatre Club has gr ...
in 1993. She has also been in several on and off-Broadway stage productions throughout her career. In 1994, she made her film debut with a supporting role in the comedy film ''Insomnia''. In 1998, she appeared in the airline disaster film ''
Blackout Effect
''Blackout Effect'' (UK: ''747'') is a 1998 made-for-television disaster/thriller film. ''Blackout Effect'' was originally broadcast on NBC on January 4, 1998.
Plot
Eric Stoltz plays John Dantley, an NTSB officer sent to O'Hare Airport in Chica ...
''. Other film work includes a role in the short independent film ''Tunnel Vision'' (1998) and an FBI agent in the sci-fi movie ''
The Last Man on Planet Earth
''The Last Man on Planet Earth'' is a 1999 television film directed by Les Landau and starring Julie Bowen, Paul Francis, Tamlyn Tomita, L. Scott Caldwell, and Cliff DeYoung. The plot concerns a female-dominated society following the death of ...
'' (1999). Hower also had a role in ''Standing On Fishes'' (1999), and although her name appears in the end credits of this movie, her role was cut from the final version. She has had guest-starring roles in the television series ''
Suddenly Susan
''Suddenly Susan'' is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from September 19, 1996, to December 26, 2000. The series was created by Clyde Phillips and starred Brooke Shields in her first regular series. Shields played Susan Keane, ...
'' and ''
The Sentinel''.
''Star Trek: Voyager''
Hower had a recurring role as Ensign
Samantha Wildman on the popular sci-fi series ''
Star Trek: Voyager''. She appeared in eight episodes spanning the series' seven-year run. Her character in the series was named after a real life 7-year-old girl who died in an accident. The little girl's parents decided to donate their daughter's organs. The ailing wife of one of ''Voyager''
's writers received one of the girl's kidneys. The writer,
Jimmy Diggs
Jimmy Diggs (born September 2, 1955) is an American television screenwriter best known for writing the stories for a combined seven episodes of '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' and '' Star Trek: Voyager''. This is more episodes than any other fre ...
, decided to honor the child's memory by naming the ''Voyager'' persona after the little girl. Because the real Samantha Wildman had been fond of animals, Jimmy Diggs thus made Ensign Wildman head of ''Voyager''
's xenobiology department. During the events of the episode "
Deadlock
In concurrent computing, deadlock is any situation in which no member of some group of entities can proceed because each waits for another member, including itself, to take action, such as sending a message or, more commonly, releasing a lo ...
" (Season 2), she gives birth to a daughter:
Naomi Wildman
Naomi or Naomie may refer to:
People and biblical figures
* Naomi (given name), a female given name and a list of people with the name
* Naomi (biblical figure), Ruth's mother-in-law in the Old Testament Book of Ruth
* Naomi (Romanian singer) (bor ...
. For almost the entire series, Hower's character was the only crew member with a child aboard (until the final episode, "
Endgame II", during which Lieutenant
B'Elanna Torres
B'Elanna Torres is a main character in ''Star Trek: Voyager'' played by Roxann Dawson. She is portrayed as a half-human half-Klingon born in 2346 on the Federation colony Kessik IV. She was admitted to Starfleet academy but dropped out before gr ...
delivers a daughter).
Hower's ''Voyager'' appearances are, in chronological order: "
Elogium
"Elogium" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series '' Star Trek: Voyager'', the 20th episode overall. The episode first aired on the UPN network on September 18, 1995. The story was written by ...
" (Season 2), "
Tattoo
A tattoo is a form of body modification made by inserting tattoo ink, dyes, and/or pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to form a design. Tattoo artists create these designs using several Process of tatt ...
" (Season 2), "
Dreadnought
The dreadnought (alternatively spelled dreadnaught) was the predominant type of battleship in the early 20th century. The first of the kind, the Royal Navy's , had such an impact when launched in 1906 that similar battleships built after her ...
" (Season 2), "
Deadlock
In concurrent computing, deadlock is any situation in which no member of some group of entities can proceed because each waits for another member, including itself, to take action, such as sending a message or, more commonly, releasing a lo ...
" (Season 2), "
Basics, Pt. 2" (Season 3), "
Mortal Coil
"Mortal coil" is a poetic term for the troubles of daily life and the strife and suffering of the world. It is used in the sense of a burden to be carried or abandoned. To "shuffle off this mortal coil" is to die, exemplified in the "To be, or not ...
" (Season 4), "
Once Upon A Time
"Once upon a time" is a stock phrase used to introduce a narrative of past events, typically in fairy tales and folk tales. It has been used in some form since at least 1380 (according to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'') in storytelling in the ...
" (Season 5), and "
Fury" (Season 6).
Ensign Wildman was also mentioned, but not seen, in several other ''Voyager'' episodes.
Music
Hower formerly fronted two alternative rock bands, ''WENCH'' and ''STELLA''. ''STELLA'' was the opening act on
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022), known professionally as Meat Loaf, was an American rock singer and actor. He was noted for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. He is on t ...
's 2001 UK tour. She sang lead, played rhythm guitar, and wrote all of the band's music. Hower almost recorded an album with ''STELLA'', but the band broke up before then.
Hower also co-wrote the original music for the play ''Momma'' in 2001, as well as writing and recording an unreleased rock opera titled ''Girl On Mars''. Also in 2001, she played the role of Yitzak in ''
Hedwig and the Angry Inch'' in Los Angeles.
2003-present
Hower wrote and directed the short film ''The Wizard of Id'', an unreleased film about a musician who discovers that he literally has the power to change the lives of the people around him through his music. The film reportedly starred
Claire Forlani
Claire Antonia Forlani (born 17 December 1971) is an English actress. She became known in the mid-1990s for her leading role in the film ''Mallrats'', and in the Jean-Michel Basquiat 1996 biopic, ''Basquiat''. In 1998, she achieved wide recog ...
and
Wallace Shawn
Wallace Michael Shawn (born November 12, 1943) is an American actor, playwright, and essayist. His film roles include Wally Shawn (a fictionalized version of himself) in '' My Dinner with Andre'' (1981), Vizzini in ''The Princess Bride'' (1987), ...
. In 2003, Hower directed the stage play ''City Limits'' at the Keck Theater in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
.
Hower wrote, directed, produced and edited the
independent film
An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...
''
Memron
''Memron'' is a 2004 mockumentary film inspired by the Enron scandal. This improv film stars Mike McShane as the corrupt Memron executive, and also features Claire Forlani, Tim Bagley, John Lehr and Evie Peck. The film was written, directed and ...
'' (2004), a mockumentary on the
Enron scandal
The Enron scandal was an accounting scandal involving Enron Corporation, an American energy company based in Houston, Texas. Upon being publicized in October 2001, the company declared bankruptcy and its accounting firm, Arthur Andersen then on ...
which won many awards and high acclaim from audiences at several film festivals that year. In 2004, she also directed the stage play ''The Lights Change'' at the Keck Theatre.
Following the success of ''Memron'', Hower teamed up with fellow ''Memron'' producers Robert Hickey,
John Lehr
John Lehr (born November 25, 1965) is an American film and television actor and comedian.
Personal life
Lehr was born on November 25, 1965, in Overland Park, Kansas. He went to high school at Shawnee Mission West High. He graduated from Northw ...
, and
Evie Peck to create a comedy improv series titled ''
10 Items or Less''. The
TBS show stars John Lehr as a less than successful businessman who takes over the family supermarket when his father dies. ''10 Items or Less'' premiered on TBS on November 27, 2006.
Hower provided vocals for the film ''
Catch and Release
Catch and release is a practice within recreational fishing where after capture, often a fast measurement and weighing of the fish is performed, followed by posed photography as proof of the catch, and then the fish are unhooked and returned ...
'' (2007), in which she also plays a small role.
In 2013, Hower directed and co-wrote the Hulu original series ''
Quickdraw
A quickdraw (also known as an extender) is a piece of climbing equipment used by rock and ice climbers to allow the climbing rope to run freely through protection such as a bolt anchors or other traditional gear while leading.
A quickdraw ...
'', which was renewed for a second season in 2014.
On January 12, 2023,
Jamie Lynn Spears
Jamie Lynn Marie Spears (born April 4, 1991) is an American actress and singer. From 2005 to 2008, Spears played Zoey Brooks on the Nickelodeon teen sitcom ''Zoey 101''. She is the younger sister of singer Britney Spears.
Beginning in December ...
announced that production had begun on a sequel film entitled, ''Zoey 102'', set to premiere in 2023 on
Paramount+
Paramount (from the word ''paramount'' meaning "above all others") may refer to:
Entertainment and music companies
* Paramount Global, also known simply as Paramount, an American mass media company formerly known as ViacomCBS. The following busin ...
, with original series cast members Spears, Sean Flynn,
Christopher Massey
Christopher Michael Massey (born January 26, 1990) is an American actor, best known for his role as Michael Barret on the Nickelodeon television series ''Zoey 101'' (2005–2008).
Career
Massey started his acting career at a young age, appear ...
,
Erin Sanders
Erin Sanders (born January 19, 1991) is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Quinn Pensky on ''Zoey 101'', Camille Roberts on ''Big Time Rush'', and for portraying Eden Baldwin on ''The Young and the Restless'' in 2008. She appear ...
, Matthew Underwood,
Jack Salvatore, Jr.
Jack Salvatore Jr. (born October 16, 1989) is an American writer, ghostwriter, and actor. He is best known for his role as Mark Del Figgalo on ''Zoey 101''.
Career
Salvatore appeared in the 2001 film ''Donnie Darko'', and has guest starred in ...
, and
Abby Wilde
Abigail Miriam Dauermann (born February 25, 1989), known professionally by her stage name Abby Wilde, is an American actress and singer best known for portraying Stacey Dillsen in ''Zoey 101'', ''iCarly'', and ''Sam & Cat''.
Early life
Abby ...
reprising their roles. Production began in January 2023 in
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...
. Hower is currently attached to direct, with Spears attached as executive producer.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hower, Nancy
20th-century American actresses
20th-century American singers
20th-century American women singers
21st-century American actresses
21st-century American singers
American women rock singers
American film actresses
Screenwriters from New Jersey
American stage actresses
American television actresses
American women film directors
American women screenwriters
Actresses from New Jersey
Juilliard School alumni
Living people
People from Wyckoff, New Jersey
Singers from New Jersey
American women television directors
American television directors
Film directors from New Jersey
21st-century American women singers
Year of birth missing (living people)