From Big Brother to Christmas King
Reality heartthrob Cody Calafiore stars in four new films for the holidays
Brookhaven, NY, August 6, 2020 – Hot on the heels of the premiere of Big Brother 22 on CBS primetime, with Cody Calafiore as a member of the all-star cast, Gemelli Films has announced that Calafiore stars in four Christmas films set to be released during the 2020 holiday season. From the spoiled son of a small town mayor to a lovelorn ranch hand in Upstate New York, Calafiore embodies each character with ease, bringing the charm and charisma he was known for when he appeared on Big Brother 16.
“I love working with Cody,” says writer/director Candice Cain, who has cast Calafiore in all but one of her projects. “Even though we have a strong friendship off set, Cody shows up ready to work. He knows all of his lines and contributes so much to every story. He’s an amazing actor, and it has been an absolute gift to watch him grow since our first film together in 2015.”
Cain adds that she plans on casting Calafiore in future projects, once he returns from the Big Brother house, but will be making the CBS reality show appointment television until then. “I know Cody is going to crush this season of Big Brother. My family and I will watch every episode, and we wish him all the best.”
UPtv will release “Ivy & Mistletoe” on November 1, in which Calafiore plays Max Carson, the spoiled son of Bethlehem, PA mayor Judy Carson, expertly played by veteran actress Carrie Genzel (All My Children, Supernatural). Kenney Myers (Talia, SHK HeroForce), who plays Max’s father Charles, says, “Cody is one of those actors that you can always count on to nail his lines. He makes it so easy and natural to work with him, it elevates your performance. Those same qualities have made him such a well liked and respected part of the Big Brother family and will definitely serve him well on All-Stars!”
The sentiments are similar from Calafiore’s counterpart in the film “Magic in Mount Holly,” newcomer Taryn Hacker. “Working closely with Cody not only proved that he was incredibly hard-working, but that he was equally as kind and committed,” Hacker said about her experience with Calafiore. “It’s wonderful to have a scene partner and a friend rolled into one. He’s smart, funny, and athletic, sure, but if you ask me, his true secret advantage in the Big Brother house is that he’s a genuinely nice guy on top of all that.”
In the film, Calafiore plays the role of Tyler Jensen, a love-struck newcomer to the ski town of Mount Holly, Vermont. Calafiore and Hacker are part of a star-studded cast including Patrick Muldoon (Days of Our Lives, Starship Troopers), Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe (Final Destination 3) Frank Whaley (Pulp Fiction, Hustlers) and many others.
“Cody’s ability to completely own a scene blows me away every time,” adds Brian Tyler Cohen, who plays Paul in “Magic in Mount Holly.” Cohen and Calafiore have acted side by side since “What Happened Last Night” in 2015, followed by “New Dogs, Old Tricks” as fraternity brothers. “He brings so much heart into his work, it’s impossible not to like him- both on screen and off and that definitely gives him a strategic advantage in the Big Brother house.”
Clayton Snyder (Ethan Craft in the Lizzie McGuire franchise) appears as Calafiore’s brother in “The Maltese Holiday.” The two have starred alongside each other in other projects, prompting Snyder to say, “Working with Cody is something I really look forward to. He always wants to improve himself as an actor and brings a lot of joy and laughter to the set. One thing is for sure, there will always be plenty of both in the Big Brother All Stars house, while Cody’s there.”
Film and television producer Benjamin Bryant, who worked with Calafiore on several the upcoming holiday films, summed things up, noting “I’m happy to join the entire Gemelli family in wishing Cody the best of luck on Big Brother All Stars! There’s a reason he’s been a fan favorite all these years: he’s a great guy and an amazing competitor. We know he’ll do us all proud!”
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For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Benjamin Bryant
?Bryant Zamberlan Group
703.868.1262