Karl Backus

Last updated
Karl Backus
Born
Karl Laurence Backus

1963or1964(age 59–60) [1]
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Actor
  • art director
Years active1981–present
Known for Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Notable credits
Spouse
Summer King
​
(m. 2000)​
Parents
  • Laurence Backus (father)
  • Joyce Backus (mother)

Karl Laurence Backus is an American actor and art director who appeared in multiple productions of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in the 1980s and 90s, a San Diego production of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde (2003), and the films Skin: The Movie (2018), Thane of East County (2015), and Walking with the Enemy (2013). Backus has multiple ensemble nominations at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Career

In 1983, Backus was a public service announcer for KBST. [7] He worked as an art director for J. Walter Thompson [8] [2] and in 2015, he was with the San Diego Film Commission. [9] [10]

Backus is a member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. [3] [11] He became a member around 1986 [6] and was part of seven teams sponsored by the Napa Valley Opera House [4] assigned to visit over 170,000 students annually across eight states [12] in the Western United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. [13] [5] [3] Following a performance at Edward C. Reed High School, Backus and his coworker were robbed of their equipment and clothing after discovering their car was stolen. [14]

Reception

Phyllis Wolfe at The Des Moines Register said his performance as Malcolm in Macbeth "hones his battle ax with a low, resounding ring downstage" and brought clarity to his lines. [15] Ron Cowan at Statesman Journal said his performance in Moliere Plays Paris "is briefly but unforgettably seen as a king who offhandedly invents the musical comedy." [16] Steven Winn at SFGate said Backus' scene in Arcadia was the best one, playing "a bored king who is both generous and high-handed." [17] George Weinberg-Harter at Backstage Magazine said Backus' performance as Edward Carson in Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde was the "understated seriousness of a complete legal professional." [18]

Personal life

Backus was born to Joyce and Laurence Backus of Central Point, Oregon. [8] He started acting around the time he was 20 [1] and in 1987, graduated from Southern Oregon University with Bachelor of Fine Arts [7] in theatre arts. Backus earned a master's degree in 1992 at Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Backus graduated from the Portfolio Center in 1999 and married Summer King in 2000. [8] He studied with José Quintero, Oleg Tabakov [19] and did high school theater with Shelley Malil in 1981. [20]

Stage credits

Theater performances
YearTitleRoleLocationNotes
Cloud Nine Betty / Gerry American College Theater Festival Regional winner [7]
Scapino! Scapino Southern Oregon State College, Ashland, OregonMainstage [7]
In a Northern LandscapeSamuel
Crimes of the Heart Barnette
Rashomon Woodcutter
Bar & GerBarStudio, by Geraldine Aron [7]
Fire in the DarkVan GoghStudio [7]
A Life in the Theatre John
Miss Julie Jean
1987–1988 Macbeth Elizabethan Stage, Oregon Shakespeare Festival [7] [21]
A Midsummer Night's Dream [7] [22]
The Shoemaker's Holiday [7] [23] [22]
Henry IV, Part One [7]
1989 Cyrano de Bergerac Apprentice Pickpocket / Boy / CadetFeaturing Roy Abramsohn [7] [6]
Two Gentlemen of Verona [6]
1993Macbeth Malcolm Iowa Shakespeare Project, Greenwood Park, Iowa [15]
1996 Arcadia King Louis XIV Angus Bowmer Theatre, Ashland, Oregon February [24]
June [17]
Moliere Plays ParisElizabethan Stage, Oregon Shakespeare FestivalBy Molière [16] [25]
Coriolanus [25]
Romeo and Juliet
1997Gregory [26] [27] [25]
2003 Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde Attorney Edward Carson San Diego, California [18] [28] [29]
2004Thief RiverMiddle-aged RayDiversionary Theatre, San Diego, CaliforniaBy Lee Blessing [30]
School visitation performances
YearTitleLocationNotes
1987 Romeo and Juliet Yerington High School [31] [32]
The Taming of the Shrew
'Tis Pity She's a Whore
Shoemaker's Holiday
1988 The Tempest Little Theater, Kingsburg High School [6]
Much Ado About Nothing
The Catcher in the Rye
Dandelion Wine
1996 Henry V Tumwater Middle School, Portland, Oregon [5]
Two SoldiersBy William Faulkner [5]
The Butter Battle Book [5]
1997Shh...Listen To MeCloverdale High School, Cloverdale, California Featuring segments from Two Gentlemen of Verona , In Flanders Fields , and Dancing at Lughnasa [3]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993Hidden FearsMan at the Y
2006What's the Vig?Kenneth Hart [33]
2011MisdirectionSimsungAlso executive producer [33]
2013 Walking with the Enemy Colonel Klein [34] [19]
2015 Thane of East County Duke [33]
2016 A Life Lived Jefferson [35]
Undocumented ReporterShort film
2018 Skin: The Movie Lance
2019GPSMalcombShort film

Accolades

EventYearFilmAwardResult
Blast Off Film Festival2019 Skin: The Movie Best Acting EnsembleNominated
Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema 2020Best EnsembleNominated
2021GPSBest Ensemble CastNominated

Related Research Articles

<i>Macbeth</i> Play by William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Macbeth, often shortened to 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 who seek power. Of all the plays that Shakespeare wrote during the reign of James I, Macbeth most clearly reflects his relationship with King James, patron of Shakespeare's acting company. It was first published in the Folio of 1623, possibly from a prompt book, and is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annette Bening</span> American actress (born 1958)

Annette Carol Bening is an American actress. With a career spanning over four decades, she is known for her versatile work across screen and stage. Bening has received numerous accolades, including a BAFTA Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and nominations for five Academy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award and two Tony Awards, making her one of few artists nominated for the Triple Crown of Acting without winning.

George Dzundza is a retired American actor. He is known for his varied work in film and on television, including The Deer Hunter (1978), Skokie (1981), No Way Out (1987), The Beast (1988), Impulse (1990), White Hunter Black Heart, The Butcher's Wife (1991), Basic Instinct (1992), Crimson Tide (1995), Dangerous Minds, and City by the Sea (2002).

<i>The Scottish Play</i> Euphemism for the play Macbeth

The Scottish Play and the Bard's play are euphemisms for William Shakespeare's Macbeth. The first is a reference to the play's Scottish setting, the second a reference to Shakespeare's popular nickname. According to a theatrical superstition, called the Scottish curse, speaking the name Macbeth inside a theatre, other than as called for in the script while rehearsing or performing, will cause disaster. On top of the aforementioned alternative titles, some people also refer to the classical tragedy as Mackers for this reason. Variations of the superstition may also forbid quoting lines from the play within a theatre except as part of an actual rehearsal or performance of the play.

Lane Davies is an American actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Fouts</span> American football player and broadcaster (born 1951)

Daniel Francis Fouts is an American former professional football quarterback who played for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) throughout his 15-season career (1973–1987). After a relatively undistinguished first five seasons in the league, Fouts came to prominence as an on-field leader during the Chargers' Air Coryell period. He led the league in passing yards every year from 1979 to 1982, throwing for over 4,000 yards in the first three of these—no quarterback had previously posted consecutive 4,000-yard seasons. Fouts was voted a Pro Bowler six times, first-team All-Pro twice, and in 1982 he was the Offensive Player of the Year. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, his first year of eligibility.

<i>The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)</i> Parody of Shakespeares plays

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (also known as The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)) is a play written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield. It parodies the plays of William Shakespeare with all of them being performed in comically shortened or merged form by only three actors. Typically, the actors use their real names and play themselves rather than specific characters.

KPXG-TV is a television station licensed to Salem, Oregon, United States, broadcasting the Ion Television network to the Portland area. Owned and operated by the Ion Media subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company, the station has offices on Southwest Naito Parkway in downtown Portland, and its transmitter is located in the Sylvan-Highlands section of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Emerson</span> American actor

Michael Emerson is an American actor who is best known for his roles as Benjamin Linus on Lost (2006–2010) and as Harold Finch in the CBS series Person of Interest (2011–2016). Other prominent roles include Zep Hindle in the horror film Saw (2004) and as Dr. Leland Townsend in the Paramount+ thriller series Evil (2019–2024).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ty Burrell</span> American actor (born 1967)

Tyler Gerald Burrell is an American actor. Burrell is best known for his role as Phil Dunphy on the ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009–2020) earning two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Front</span> American chain of discount stores

White Front was a chain of discount department stores in California and the western United States from 1959 through the mid-1970s. The stores were noted for the architecture of their store fronts which was an enormous, sweeping archway with the store name spelled in individual letters fanned across the top. For several years, White Front was the leading discount store in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Globe Theatre</span> Theater in San Diego, California

The Old Globe is a professional theatre company in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. It produces about 15 plays and musicals annually in summer and winter seasons. Plays are performed in three separate theatres in the complex, which is collectively called the Simon Edison Centre for the Performing Arts:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific Repertory Theatre</span>

The Pacific Repertory Theatre, originally known as the GroveMont Theatre, is a non-profit year-round theatre company based in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, United States. The company presents an annual season of ten to twelve productions, both stage plays and musicals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick Page</span> American actor and singer

John Patrick Page is an American actor, low bass singer, and playwright. Beginning his career in classical theatre and the works of Shakespeare, he originated the roles of the Grinch in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (2006), Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark (2011), and Hades in Hadestown (2019–2022), the last of which earned him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

William Shakespeare's Macbeth has been screened numerous times, featuring many of the biggest names from stage, film, and television.

Paul Miller is a Canadian actor, best known for playing Connor Doyle on the TV series Psi Factor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merrick McCartha</span> American actor

Merrick McCartha is an American actor who appeared on television shows such as All American (2020–2021),Criminal Minds (2012–2015), Rebel (2017) and Unstable (2023). His film credits include Anatomy of an Antihero: Redemption (2018), Failure! (2023), Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023) and The Playground (2017).

<i>Thane of East County</i> 2015 film by Jesse Keller

Thane of East County, also known as Blood Will Have Blood, is a 2015 black and white horror drama film written and directed by Jesse Keller in his feature film debut and is adapted from William Shakespeare's play Macbeth. The film won Best Drama at Poppy Jasper International Film Festival and stars Carr Cavender, Molly Beucher, Connor Sullivan and Karl Backus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C Street Inn</span> Hotel in San Diego, California

The C Street Inn, formerly known as the Hotel Polhemus and Cecil Hotel, is an affordable housing complex in downtown San Diego's Core district that was vacated in 2022 due to egregious conditions. It was built in 1912 and opened in 1913 with 100 rooms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Daniels (director)</span> Theatre and opera director

Ron Daniels is a theatre and opera director. He is an Honorary Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company; former Artistic Director of The Other Place, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon; former Associate Artistic Director of the American Repertory Theatre (ART), Cambridge, Massachusetts; and former Head of Acting and Directing Programs of the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. He is also a founding member of the Teatro Oficina, São Paulo, in his native Brazil.

References

  1. 1 2 "Locals enjoy Shakespeare presentation". Mason Valley News . 1987-11-27. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-08-28– via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 "On the move". Adweek . 2000-10-30. Archived from the original on 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Oregon Shakespeare Festival Actors to visit Cloverdale High". Cloverdale Reveille . 1997-03-12. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-07-31– via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 Givens, Ann (1997-01-24). "The broad side of the Bard". Napa Valley Register . p. 13. Retrieved 2024-07-31– via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Johnson, Oscar (1996-12-02). "Shakespeare opens students' eyes". The Olympian . p. 15. Retrieved 2024-07-31– via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Shakespeare on stage in Kingsburg". The Selma Enterprise . 1988-11-09. p. 20. Retrieved 2024-07-31– via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Winter–Spring 1989". Oregon Shakespeare Festival . 1989. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  8. 1 2 3 "King-Backus". Tallahassee Democrat . 1999-12-26. p. 54. Retrieved 2024-07-31– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Accomando, Beth (2015-05-23). "San Diego's Film Community Optimistic After City Council Budget Meeting". KPBS Public Media . Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  10. ↑ "San Diego Mayor's Office Outlines Plans To Attract Film, Television Production". KPBS Public Media . 2015-06-04. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  11. ↑ Leary, Kathleen F. (2009). Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Internet Archive. Carleston, SC : Arcadia Pub. p. 126. ISBN   978-0-7385-7086-0.
  12. ↑ "Timberline Shakespeare". The Olympian . 1989-11-18. p. 17. Retrieved 2024-08-28– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Actors in Visalia". The Hanford Sentinel. 1988-11-10. p. 19. Retrieved 2024-08-28– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "New teaching tool gets Reno preview". Reno Gazette-Journal . 1987-11-19. p. 51. Retrieved 2024-08-28– via Newspapers.com.
  15. 1 2 Wolfe, Phyllis (1993-07-31). "Get thee thither to 'Macbeth' in the park". The Des Moines Register . p. 27. Retrieved 2024-08-28– via Newspapers.com.
  16. 1 2 Cowan, Ron (1996-02-26). "An enjoyable course of fluffy farce". Statesman Journal . pp. 27–28. Retrieved 2024-08-28– via Newspapers.com.
  17. 1 2 Winn, Steven (1996-06-20). "'Arcadia' – Encore In Ashland / Stoppard's work tops non-Shakespeare plays". SFGATE . ProQuest   303490247 . Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  18. 1 2 Weinberg-Harter, George (2019-11-05). "Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde". Backstage . Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  19. 1 2 "Walking with the Enemy | Trailer & Official Movie Site". Walking with the Enemy. Archived from the original on 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  20. ↑ Schroder, Susan (2010-09-08). "Actor's friends testify in his defense". San Diego Union-Tribune . Archived from the original on 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  21. ↑ "Review of MACBETH". Shakespeare Bulletin . 5/6 (6/1): 18–19. 1987. ISSN   0748-2558. JSTOR   26352373.
  22. 1 2 "Review of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream". Shakespeare Bulletin . 5/6 (6/1): 20–21. 1987. ISSN   0748-2558. JSTOR   26352376.
  23. ↑ "Review of 'The Shoemakers Holiday'". Shakespeare Bulletin . 5/6 (6/1): 21. 1987. ISSN   0748-2558. JSTOR   26352378.
  24. ↑ Hurwitt, Robert (1996-02-28). "Ashland plans on growing up Oregon Shakespeare Festival reaches for overdue big-time status". SFGATE . ProQuest   270421710 . Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  25. 1 2 3 Theatre world, 1996–1997 season. Internet Archive. New York : Applause. 1999. pp. 200–201. ISBN   978-1-55783-343-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  26. ↑ Armstrong, Alan (1997). "Review of 'Romeo and Juliet'". Shakespeare Bulletin . 15 (2): 33–34. ISSN   0748-2558. JSTOR   26353079.
  27. ↑ "Romeo and Juliet". Shakespeare Quarterly . 48 (5): 732–743. 1997. ISSN   0037-3222. JSTOR   2871361.
  28. ↑ Welsh, Anne Marie (2003-01-20). "A righteous 'Gross Indecency'". San Diego Union Tribune . ProQuest   272062586 . Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  29. ↑ Jacques, Ken (2005). The play's the thing : a photographic odyssey through theatre in San Diego. Internet Archive. San Diego: Sunbelt Publications. p. 104. ISBN   978-0-932653-71-0.
  30. ↑ de Poyen, Jennifer (2004-08-30). "Diversionary has an intricate study of passion and denial". San Diego Union Tribune . ProQuest   272381824 . Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  31. ↑ "Shakespearean actors at local schools". Mason Valley News . 1987-11-27. p. 17. Retrieved 2024-08-28– via Newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ "Oregon Shakespearean Festival actors to present school & public programs here". Mason Valley News . 1987-11-13. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-08-28– via Newspapers.com.
  33. 1 2 3 "Karl Backus | Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  34. ↑ Chang, Justin (2014-04-26). "Film Review: 'Walking With the Enemy'". Variety . Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  35. ↑ "Actress Denise Richards Takes On Rare Dramatic Role in Award Winning Independent Film, A Life Lived". M2 PressWIRE. 2017-08-14. ProQuest   1928293514 . Retrieved 2024-07-31.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.