Hi, I’m married to my wife Sunni …. a nickname her sisters gave her. I work in the film business as a Cinematographer, and we have one daughter. Chelsea. We’ve lived in Monrovia for 26 years now. Originally it was a four year plan to move here, but we fell in love with our house and the community. My wife says this is our forever home, but I know we are just caretakers of this beautiful house until the next owners. I play with cars, having built many 1930s hot rods, customs and currently tinker on my early Corvette and vintage Porsche. The Corvette is a 1960, and I bought her in London, shipped it to New York and drove across the US in 1986 with my cousin and best friend, and I still own her. My work allows me to travel to some incredible places, I’ve shot movies and commercials all across America, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. I’m fortunate enough to have worked with many incredibly interesting people, including famous film stars and athletes. Getting paid to travel and meet the people I have has been an incredible journey. My wife says I haven’t worked a day in my life because I love my job so much.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your origin story. Where were you born and did you grow up here? Share a little about your childhood and your family.
I grew up in England and came from a big family — my mum and dad both had 6 brothers and sisters, which means I have 42 first cousins. I have one sister who lives in the South of France. I moved to Hollywood in 1987, where I met my wife, who was modeling at the time.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I started in the film industry in London before I moved to the US. I was fortunate to have a couple of mentors very early on, such as Ridley Scott, the Director. When I moved to America I started doing movies, but have focused on shooting and directing commercials for the past few years. I would say the most interesting feature of my work is the places I get to shoot in and the people I meet. I’ve shot in Madrid with David Beckham, Florida with Tiger Woods, London with Paul McCartney, Chicago with Taylor Swift, and so many more.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
When my wife and I are home, one of our favorite things to do is grab breakfast at La Adelita, the small Mexican restaurant on Colorado Blvd. My wife also loves Sushi, so we go to a lovely small, Sushi Nakata on Lime Ave in downtown Monrovia.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? Tell us about your favorite memory or experience living in Monrovia.
We have lived here for 26 years now. As I said, it was only meant to be a four year visit. When our daughter was younger, we loved the street fair. Now we appreciate the ‘togetherness’ of the community. There seems to be a pride to living here — its a little known secret.
Q: None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person you’ve met here in our community who helped you get to where you are or inspired you?
Honestly, the only person who inspires me every day is my wife. She recently started a business as a college consultant, and she is going gangbusters with a 100% record of getting her kids accepted to some great colleges.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would take my wife back to Rome and stay at the Hasler Hotel atop the Spanish steps. It’s where we went on our honeymoon.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies of all time? Do you have a favorite TV show or shows?
I have so many favorite movies, it’s too hard a question to pick one, but a few would be The Conformist, The Natural and, of course, The Godfather. I grew up watching John Wayne Westerns with my dad, and I’d say the directors John Ford and John Houston are who made me fall in love with the movies. The film that made me move to America was American Graffiti.
Q: What advice would you give to people? Do you have a Life Lesson quote?
I think COVID taught us we need to live life today — who knows what tomorrow brings. Don’t put off that trip, the place you’ve always wanted to go to, or that family visit.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I think I’ve lived a pretty large life, but one thing on a bucket list would be a flight in an F16
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what music to listen to?
Again, way too hard a question – The Stones, The Beatles, and Springsteen, just to name a few.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Where is our Diner……we loved that place.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Without a doubt lunch would be with Keith Richards…what laughs we would have, what stories he could tell.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Monrovia or something unique about our community that you like?
The love of the wildlife — we get bears, deer, bobcats — it’s superb.
Q: Sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you’ve ever made?
Oh my, when I first came to LA with three friends in 1983, we had nowhere to stay, but my family in England knew a neighbor whose daughter was married to Ronny Wood of the Rolling Stones. We got invited to a Sunday kid’s birthday party in Mandeville Canyon. This was before the internet obviously, and famous people were only on the front page of the newspapers. I got to go inside the house first, and all the Beatles except John Lennon were there, all The Rolling Stones and many other celebrities, We felt out of place….like we shouldn’t be there… so we left!….BIG mistake.
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m a softy at heart with a hard shell.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
I’ve been to a lot of countries around the world, but Bali is very special.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My daughter, without a doubt, and a close second would be my wife putting up with me for 33 years!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A pint of Guinness
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife.
Q: If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
There have been a few causes, but today it would have to be Global Warming. Our planet will survive, but humanity won’t.
Q: Finally, what three character traits come to mind when you think of your success in life?
Perseverance, friendship and a love of beautiful things.
