CHICAGO – My year in capturing 2017 celebrity portraits is best summed up with a bit of poetry: My subjects skewed older and politically bolder/In a year that demanded change/My list is longer with work hopefully stronger/In capturing these faces not strange.
As per every year the ranking of these portraits are based on a combination of the star power wattage of the subjects, the artistic results and the difficulty of landing the quarry for those budding smart-phone celebrity stalkers who may wish to play along at home. So without further adieu, I present my (Joe Arce’s) Top 25 Celebrity Portraits of 2017.
25. Maddie Ziegler
Maddie Ziegler works the camera just as gracefully as she choreographs the dance floor. Carefree, playful and unafraid of taking chances, the teen dance phenom – and break-out star of “Dance Moms” and numerous videos of pop star Sia – is quickly becoming an IT girl in the industry. 2017 brought two New York Times best sellers… “The Maddie Diaries” and a novel “The Audition.” She also started her own clothing line, had a featured role in the film “The Book of Henry,” and 2018 will see her starring opposite Kate Hudson in “Sister.” From Lifetime TV’s tiny dancer to America’s teen queen, Maddie Ziegler has proven she has all the right moves.
LOCATION/DATE: Naperville (Ill.) Marriott, sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop, March 11th, 2017
24. Lisa Marie
Lisa Marie was a creative muse for famed photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and posed for Bruce Weber as the face of Calvin Klein’s Obsession. Then came director Tim Burton, as she appeared in six of his films – “Ed Wood,” “Mars Attacks,” “Sleepy Hollow” and “Planet Of The Apes.” The main character in Burton’s “Corpse Bride” is an animated version of Lisa Marie… as is the Sally character in “A Nightmare Before Christmas.” Needless to say, I’ve dreamt of capturing her with my own lens for years. She is a noted photographer herself, with beauty to die for, and rightly she asked for photo approval. Two clicks of the shutter was all it took to capture this portrait, and her instant approval.
LOCATION/DATE: Days of the Dead Convention, November 18th, 2017
23. Comedian Denis Leary
You know what doesn’t suck? Getting to shoot backstage portraits with Denis Leary just before he takes the stage…and no, he was anything but an “Asshole.” The star and creator of the TV series “Rescue Me” met privately backstage with local fire fighters and first responders, where he happily posed for selfies before his sold out signing of his new book, “Why We Don’t Suck.”
LOCATION/DATE: North Central College, Naperville (Ill.), sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop. November 1st, 2017
22. Stefanie Powers
She played John Wayne’s daughter (“McLintock!”), Lana Turner’s rival (“Love Has Many Faces”) and was terrorized on screen by Tallulah Bankhead (“Die! Die! My Darling”), and throw in roles as a gorgeous TV secret agent (“The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.”) and her ability to communicate with a Volkswagen (“Herbie Rides Again”). All of these parts came before her most famous character as Robert Wagner’s crime solving and sultry better half in “Hart to Hart.” It’s no wonder Stefanie Powers has been nominated for five Golden Globe awards, as she brings a viable passion to every role she takes on, whether its on screen or in her animal advocacy – as the president of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation and Education Center in Kenya. Appearing at the “Hollywood Show” in Chicago, I personally witnessed how she graciously took time after the main day event, to surprise a group of fans and speak at their company gathering completely off the cuff and without charge.
LOCATION/DATE: Hollywood Show, Chicago, March 18th, 2017
21. Gabourey Sidibe of the Film “Precious”
Beyond simply “Precious,” Gabourey Sidibe is proving herself as a fearless force in media. The 2009 Oscar nominated actress – now on the TV series “Empire” – has become a trailblazing voice and role model, not just for women of a certain size, but for many who feel unrepresented and practically invisible on screen. Her memoir “This Is Just My Face: Try Not To Stare” pulled no punches, as it focused on her life long struggle with weight, depression and childhood abuse, culminating in revealing her recent gastric bypass surgery after being diagnosed with Type Two Diabetes.
Initially written off by haters as a one trick pony, Sidibe has proven her critics wrong by consistently working for close to a decade. She is still breaking down barriers, even going so far as to do a steamy rooftop sex scene in the second season of “Empire.” Sidibe welcomes all controversy… as long as it opens up a dialogue. From her journey as a phone sex operator to recently directing, Gabourey Sidibe claims self confidence is like lipstick, the secret is in finding your individual shade, and then reapplying as needed.
LOCATION/DATE: Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville (Ill.), May 12th, 2017
20. Loni Anderson
In August, I had the honor of spending the day working as Loni Anderson’s private photographer – so I guess all that time day dreaming that exact scenario in high school study hall really wasn’t a waste of time. While black and white is almost always my media of choice for celebrity portraits, Loni asked me this time if we could work in color, since I had previously captured her in black and white. Now I don’t know if any man has ever uttered the word NO to Loni Anderson, but harkening back to those high school day dreams, I knew I wouldn’t be the first. The results speak for themselves, with Loni and her management very happy… and some of my Facebook fans amazed that I knew how to work in color at all.
LOCATION/DATE: Wizard World Comic Con, Chicagoland, August 27th,2017
19. Valerie Bertinelli
Trust me, nothing can brighten a rainy day quicker than witnessing Valerie Bertinelli flipping her hair for your lens. The two-time Golden Globe winning actress and Food Network star of “Valerie’s Home Cooking” and “Kids Baking Championship,” paused to serve up this scrumptious Exclusive Portrait. America’s classic sitcom sweetheart from “One Day at a Time” met her fans and signed her new cookbook, naturally titled “Valerie’s Home Cooking.”
LOCATION/DATE: Anderson’s Bookshop, Downers Grove (Ill.), October 22nd, 2017
18. Ed Asner
Ed Asner hasn’t slowed or mellowed with age, on the contrary, he is still as cranky as ever. And while his most iconic character Lou Grant famously stated “I hate spunk” way back in 1970, the actor at age 88 just released his first book “The Grouchy Historian: An Old Time Lefty Defends Our Constitution Against Right Wing Hypocrites And Nutjobs” and has four more on screen appearances slated for 2018… he still has his nose to the grindstone. He also was president of the Screen Actor’s Guild twice, and still holds the record for most Emmys won by any male actor, seven out of 20 nominations.
During his break from signing autographs at the Hollywood Show in Chicago, he downed some shots with fans at the hotel bar, in typical Lou Grant style. He asked me if I thought he could smoke in the middle of the hotel lobby during out shoot, and defiantly lit up, answering his own question, “Aw f*ck em, watch me.” Watching the master at work was a thing of beauty.
LOCATION/DATE: The Hollywood Show, Chicago, March 18th, 2017
17. Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union was part of a #MeToo movement long before it even existed. The outspoken actress detailed her own experiences as both a rape survivor and her own struggles with workplace sexual harrassment in her book” We Are Going To Need More Wine.” Released October 17, 2017, her 30-day book tour coincided with the Harvey Weinstein scandal, and became a #MeToo rallying point, as she and other women shared their horrific stories. Union, who has been a long time advocate of support for sexual assault survivors, made the media rounds during that time, including an appearance on “Good Morning America,” calling for an immediate end to victim blaming. In 2018, Gabrielle Union is slated to star in the “Bad Boys” TV series – produced by Jerry Bruckheimer – as well as two films called “The Public” and “Breaking In.” We can ALL drink to that! Cheers!
LOCATION/DATE: Lisle/Naperville (Ill.) Hilton Hotel, sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop, October 26th, 2017
16. Eric Roberts
“Eric Roberts is the F**king Man,” and how do we know? Because the button on his shirt says so, and that’s the title of a popular podcast. Oh yeah, and also because Danny Trejo says so… and who would be dumb enough to call him a liar? Roberts has appeared in hundreds of movie and TV roles, as he enters his 40th year in show business… and he’s also the brother of Julia Roberts and father of Emma Roberts. And who can ever forget his Golden Globe nominated role in “Star 80,” which may be the creepiest spot-on portrayal of a psychopathic breakdown ever filmed. Roberts is so convincing at playing crazies that I started to wonder if he was going to make me square off in a knife fight to get his portrait, but he couldn’t have been nicer. He gave me two fist bumps, a bear hug and he literally screamed out “I love that portrait, man!,” as he was led out of the green room. It was just his ever subtle way of giving a proverbial “missing” thumbs up.
LOCATION/DATE: The Music Box Theatre, Chicago, November 5th, 2017
15. Danny Trejo
Nobody ever accused Danny Trejo of just being another pretty face in Hollywood, and therein lies his superpower. With over 350 movie and TV roles under his belt, Hollywood’s most prolific onscreen badass in reality may be one of its nicest. Trejo’s story of redemption from violent criminal to action hero seems almost implausible even by movie script standards. It began as a journey from prison boxing champ to parole drug counselor, and it was the latter job that got him summoned to the “Runaway Train “ set, where Trejo was instantly recognized by screen writer of the film (Eddie Bunker) who had served time with him in prison. He was offered a job as Eric Robert’s boxing trainer, which morphed into Robert’s on-screen opponent… and an ink covered star was immediately born.
Aside from his many charitable contributions, Trejo recently became a restaurant mogul, launching his Los Angeles-based Trejo’s Tacos and Trejo’s Cantina to rave reviews, and the Mexican restaurants are already looking to expand nationwide. Trejo claims his tacos are the best anyone has ever tasted, and I personally believe that nobody is dumb enough to call “Machete” out as a liar, mono e mono.
LOCATION/DATE: Wizard World Comic Con, Chicagoland, August 26th, 2017
14. Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk has said that growing up in suburban Naperville, Illinois – and his desire to get the hell out of that nowheresville at any cost – was the motivation that drove him into comedy. He began as a Southern Illinois University disk jockey, then made it to The Second City stage in Chicago, which led to a writing gig on “Saturday Night Live.” Odenkirk became a prolific comedy TV writer and performer long before his 2008 breakout role in “Breaking Bad,” or its spinoff “Better Call Saul.” He’s won two comedy writing Emmys, one as part of the SNL team and the other for “The Ben Stiller Show,” which helped assure that his post-Naperville future didn’t include living in a “van down by the river.” Yes, it was Odenkirk who created the Matt Foley character for Chris Farley when they were both at The Second City.
Currently, in addition to collecting Emmy nominations for his betrayal as ethically challenged lawyer Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman, Odenkirk has branched out to serious drama. He just opened in the Steven Spielberg-directed “The Post,” opposite Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, and the film is generating Oscar buzz. It looks like Naperville’s loss is entertainment’s gain.
LOCATION/DATE: The Second City, Chicago, September 9th, 2017
13. Chadwick Boseman
In just four years since landing his first starring role, Chadwick Boseman has portrayed a number of larger-than-life cultural pioneers… from Jackie Robinson in the film “42,” to the Godfather of Soul James Brown in “Get On Up,” to Thurgood Marshall (the first African American Supreme Court justice) in “Marshall.” If mere mortals weren’t enough, how about the Egyptian god Thoth in the movie “Gods Of Egypt”? To top it off, he recently scored a five picture movie deal with Marvel Studios as the super hero “Black Panther.” Boseman, who originally had planned on writing and directing, is now one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood. He begins his solo run in the Marvel universe on February 16th, the release date for “Black Panther.” Look for him to pounce victoriously at the box office.
LOCATION/DATE: Chicago International Film Festival, October 12th, 2017
12. Alfre Woodard
Alfre Woodard is often considered television’s most versatile actress, with 18 Emmy nominations for 17 different roles… she is the most honored African American actress in primetime Emmy history. She has won four Emmys, a Golden Globe, three SAG awards and was nominated for an Oscar. From her film debut the aptly named “Remember My Name,” the Oklahoma-born activist – from a self described family of story tellers – has most certainly made that the case.
Woodard cut her teeth on the stage, performing the play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf” thousands of times, and was good enough to include Lauren Bacall as her acting mentor and friend. And like Bacall, she was named by People Magazine as one of the most beautiful people in the world. I encountered her when she was given a Career Achievement Award from the Chicago International Film Festival on Black Perspectives Night. There I captured that divine face, so capable of telling so many stories. In 2018, Alfre Woodard will star in her pet project “Juanita,” which will no doubt rack up even more awards.
LOCATION/DATE: Chicago International Film Festival, October 21st, 2017
11. Sir Patrick Stewart
TV Guide said it succinctly… “Sir Patrick Stewart was the best dramatic TV actor of the 1980’s.” The British-born actor has been recognized with a knighthood, and was formerly of The Royal Shakespeare Company. And Stewart was so convincing in his role as Captain Picard on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and its successor films, that even he had difficulties separating the actor from the act.
In the movies, his character of Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men series culminated in the film “Logan” in 2017, which finally may bring the Oscar to Stewart… the only acting award he hasn’t already claimed. I had the honor of photographing Sir Patrick right before he received his Golden Hugo Career Achievement Award at the Chicago International Film Festival.
LOCATION/DATE: Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago, October 25th, 2017
10. Vanessa Redgrave
Like many in a certain generation of photographers, it was the film “Blow-Up” (1966) that first seduced me into the art of photography. This year I finally got to shoot my own portraits with the star of that legendary film, Oscar winner and activist Vanessa Redgrave. Simply hailed as the greatest living actress of our time by both Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams, the Grande Dame of the British stage is so badass she turned down an actual damehood in 1999 – she didn’t want to distract from her left wing humanitarian causes and appear too close to the establishment she still rails against. Vanessa Redgrave was given the Visionary Award at the Chicago International Film Festival, and attended the premier of her directorial debut “Sea Sorrow,” a documentary focusing on the plight of child refugees in the European migrant crisis.
LOCATION/DATE: Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago, October 16th, 2017
9. Neil Patrick Harris
From whiz kid to magic man to playing a fictionalized evil version of himself on film, is there anything that Neil Patrick Harris can’t conjure up? Does he win Emmys for hosting the Tonys or is vice versa? Let’s try to keep track. He’s a four time Tony host, and one time winner. He’s hosted the Emmys twice, and is a three time winner. He was the first openly gay actor to host the Oscars, and has filled in for Jimmy Kimmel. As if being the host with the most wasn’t enough the former “How I met Your Mother” sitcom star, Harris can currently be seen as Count Olaf in Netflix’s “A Series Of Unfortunate Events” and opposite Matt Damon in the recent film “Downsizing.” Harris also just released his first of four middle-school-reader novels “The Magical Misfits” to, of course, rave reviews. Neal Patrick Harris has plenty of tricks left up his sleeve, and this quadruple threat isn’t disappearing any time soon.
LOCATION/DATE: Bobak’s Signature Events, sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop, Woodridge (Ill.), December 8th, 2017
8. Jeremy Piven
Chicago’s own Jeremy Piven, ironically, was the host of the Gene Siskel Film Center’s Renaissance Award Tribute to Kevin Spacey last May. And like Spacey, he has been called out for multiple allegations of sexual assault, which was a factor in the cancellation of his CBS series, “The Wisdom Of The Crowd.” Unlike Spacey, Piven vehemently denies every single allegation and went on the offensive, taking a polygraph test and releasing the results via Twitter. Also, in a PR push back that could have been inspired by his Ari Gold character in “Entourage,” Piven wrote a brilliant statement to the Hollywood Reporter, bemoaning the death of presumed innocence in the modern #MeToo movement. But shortly thereafter, a fifth actress came forward with allegations (Cassidy Freeman of “Longmire”). The jury remains out on Piven’s future, but assuredly that he doesn’t want any part of this newsworthy entourage.
LOCATION/DATE: Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago, May 13th, 2017
7. Caitlyn Jenner
Caitlyn Jenner hit her mark just as flawlessly as she once soared over those hurdles (as Bruce Jenner), during my exclusive Chicago shoot with her in April. She was appearing to discuss and sign her new memoir “The Secrets Of My Life” at the Union League Club of Chicago, and Jenner once again delivered the gold.
LOCATION/DATE: Union League Club, Chicago, April 29th, 2017
6. Helen Mirren
What’s left that I could possibly say after getting the opportunity to photograph the divine Dame Helen Mirren… except Oscar, Tony, Emmy, the Olivier Award and international sex symbol. This red carpet photo shoot occurred before she received her Golden Hugo Career Achievement Award from the Chicago International Film Festival at their Spring Gala. She’s a killer Queen, “dynamite with a laser beam…”
LOCATION/DATE: Loews Chicago Hotel, May 24th, 2017
5. Sir Anthony Hopkins
Sir Richard Attenborough – who directed Anthony Hopkins no less than five times – simply calls him the greatest actor of his generation. His Oscar-winning portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “Silence Of The Lambs” has been called the number one scariest on screen villain in the history of American cinema, according to the American Film Institute. His current Emmy nominated role, as the mysterious creative director Dr. Richard Ford in HBO’s “Westworld,” is akin to Lecter… he has an ability to mesmerize, while spinning webs that we may not feel smart enough to follow. In “Transformers: The Last Knight,” Hopkins has the best role in the film as Sir Edmond Burton, who is once again the man with the secrets. It was at that film’s Chicago world premiere that I got the reveal I was seeking, which was Hopkins removing his shades per my request, to give me that famous mad genius stare.
LOCATION/DATE: Civic Opera House, Chicago, June 20th, 2017
4. Kevin Spacey
It was the best of times and the worst of times for Kevin Spacey in 2017. The two time Oscar winner was on top of the world when he was presented with the Gene Siskel Film Center Renaissance Award in May… it was there that I photographed him. By year’s end – on the heels of the Harvey Weinstein scandal – the actor had over 15 plus sexual assault allegations against him, ending his run on the aptly titled series “House of Cards.” Kevin Spacey has since been dropped from both his management and publicist, “while he steps out from the limelight seeking evaluation and treatment.” Also famously in 2017, his performance in the film “All The Money in the World” was re-done by director Ridley Scott, with replacement Christopher Plummer inserted in all of Spacey’s previously filmed scenes. Personally for me, the scandal turned a great portrait of a great performer even more newsworthy.
LOCATION/DATE: Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago, May 13th, 2017
3. Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda recently threw herself a little birthday celebration, marking her Eight Decades Of Jane. True to her nature she gave more than she received… the star studded fund-raiser in Atlanta raised a staggering $1.3 million dollars in one night for her pet charity, The Georgia Campaign For Adolescent Power And Potential. Fonda’s acting and activism have always gone hand-in- hand, and neither show any sign of dimming.
Also recently, the two time Oscar winner received yet another Emmy nomination for her critically acclaimed series with Lily Tomlin, “Grace And Frankie.” I got to photograph her for a second time as she was presented with the Golden Hugo Career Achievement Award from Cinema/Chicago, the organization that puts on the Chicago International Film Festival. That night, she shimmered just as bright as her golden trophy. Ah Sweet Jane!
LOCATION/DATE: Radisson Aqua Blu Hotel, July 29th, 2017
2. Mark Wahlberg
In the journey from Marky Mark to Richie Rich, 2017 found the once rapping Calvin Klein model-turned-actor becoming the highest paid leading man in Hollywood. According to Forbes Magazine, Mark Wahlberg raked in a staggering $68 million dollars in a 12 month period. The Boston native’s earnings from “Transformers: The Last Knight” and “Daddys Home 2,” in addtion to his AT&T endorsements and the A&E Network reality show “Wahlbergers,” placed him firmly on top of “The Rock” (Dwayne Johnson).
LOCATION/DATE: Civic Opera House, Chicago, June 20th, 2017
1. Hillary Clinton
So who’s a bigger star than the biggest star in Hollywood? Well, who is someone that everyone is talking about? Hillary Clinton comes to mind, even as an obsessive focus in Tweets of the supposed “leader of the free world.” Her memoir “What Happened” was named by Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post and even Vogue Magazine as the best non-fiction book of 2017… thus qualifying it for story of the year.
Hillary Rodham Clinton was in Chicagoland the morning that Special Council Robert Mueller revealed his first indictments, so needless to say she was in a very festive mood! The line at the book store easily reflected the numbers for the winner of the 2016 presidential election popular vote. As the press was escorted out, the “Madame Secretary” briefly paused so that she could quickly pose for this Exclusive Portrait. Imagine that… a politician actually keeping their promise, and keeping hope alive.
LOCATION/DATE: The Book Stall, Winnetka (Ill.), October 30th, 2017
Links:
[1] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/users/hankq
[2] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/10
[3] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/2017
[4] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/25
[5] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/alfre-woodard
[6] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/anthony-hopkins
[7] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/best
[8] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/bob-odenkirk
[9] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/caitlyn-jenner
[10] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/chadwick-boseman
[11] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/danny-trejo
[12] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/denis-leary
[13] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/ed-asner
[14] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/entertainment-news
[15] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/eric-roberts
[16] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/gabourey-sidibe
[17] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/gabrielle-union
[18] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/helen-mirren
[19] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/hillary-clinton
[20] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/hollywoodchicagodotcom-content
[21] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/jane-fonda
[22] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/joe-arce
[23] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/kevin-spacey
[24] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/lisa-marie
[25] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/list
[26] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/loni-anderson
[27] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/maggie-ziegler
[28] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/mark-wahlberg
[29] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/neal-patrick-harris
[30] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/patrick-mcdonald
[31] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/patrick-stewart
[32] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/photography
[33] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/photos
[34] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/pictures
[35] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/portraits
[36] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/stefanie-powers
[37] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/ten
[38] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/top-25-2017
[39] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/valerie-bertinelli
[40] http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/vanessa-redgrave