|
Lucky Vanous Profile |
|
-
Birth Date: April 11, 1961
-
Birth Place: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
-
Birth Name: Lucky Vanous
-
Height: 6'4"
|
|
|
Biography |
Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Lucky joined the Army
at 18 and was selected to join the 1st Ranger Battalion
(Black Berets), the elite anti-terrorist and anti-guerilla
response team. In the Rangers he traveled extensively and
was trained in many military skills including demolitions,
scuba diving and low level parachuting. After completing his
duty with the Rangers he attended the University of Nebraska
at Lincoln.
While vacationing in New York with a friend, Lucky was
spotted by an agent for the prestigious Elite Modeling
Agency, who signed him on the spot. His first assignment
found him being shot for GQ MAGAZINE by internationally
renowned photographer Francesco Scavullo. During the next
five years he traveled and lived throughout Europe and Asia,
hiked the Himalayas and made 12 remote excursions into
Alaska.
Lucky continued his studies at NYU and Fordham University,
studying political science and history, but soon found his
academic career put on hold when he landed a role as a
construction worker in a Diet Coke commercial. The spot
became one of Coca-Cola's most successful commercial
campaigns, which led to appearances successfully promoting
Diet Coke throughout the United States and Europe.
Once he made the decision to pursue an acting career, Lucky
sought out the best available training - Alan Savage in NY,
Howard Fine (Advanced scene study), Groundlings and Jessica
Drake (speech) in Los Angeles. He completed his first
starring role in the feature film "Chapter Perfect" (Spring
1995), guest starred on the NBC comedy "WINGS" and with
Carol Burnett on "ALL MY CHILDREN" anniversary special for
ABC, and was selected to co-host part of the 1994 CLIO
Awards with Kelsey Grammer.
In 1997 Lucky starred in Aaron Spelling's "PACIFIC
PALISADES", which aired on Fox and in 1998, starred in
feature film, JACK OF HEARTS (1999 release) and guest
starred on one episode of PENSACOLA WINGS OF GOLD (aired in
January of 1999). In February of 1999 he was featured in
HANGING UP, directed by Diane Keaton.
The name Vanous is of Czech origin, and the actor is mostly
English and part Czech in ancestry. Lucky's father, then a
nightclub owner and gambler, gave him his first name when he
was born in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Enlisting after high school, Lucky worked his way up to
become a member of the elite First Airborne Ranger
Battalion, earning the right to wear the black beret. He
served on the demolition squad, learned how to seize hostile
airstrips and military facilities, specializing in low level
parachuting and attending military schools including Special
Forces Underwater Diving. "It was the greatest experience of
my life," he says. "It helped me grow up." Lucky's character
in 18 Wheels of Justice shares the actor's military
background, which he finds a useful point of reference in
playing the role.
When Lucky was still an infant, his family moved to Los
Angeles where his father found work on television crews,
first as an electrician, then working up to camera operator
on shows such as Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, The
Beverly Hillbillies and The Addams Family. "I remember being
chased around a set by Cousin Itt when I was about three or
four," Vanous says, suspecting that working in the industry
has been unconsciously part of his plan ever since. |
|
|
Other Information |
1995 - Lucky and trainer Kacey Duke co-star in an exercise
video.
1995 - Lucky has his own calendar. 1995 - Lucky stated in an
interview with Entertainment Tonight that he would like to
have 5 children.
His 1994 Diet Coke commercial in which he is ogled by female
office workers as he strips to the waist and drinks cola was
widely spoofed and even sparked a national debate about the
sexual objectification of men.
The name Vanous is of Czech origin, and the actor is mostly
English and part Czech in ancestry. Lucky's father, then a
nightclub owner and gambler, gave him his first name when he
was born in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Enlisting after high school, Lucky worked his way up to
become a member of the elite First Airborne Ranger
Battalion, earning the right to wear the black beret. He
served on the demolition squad, learned how to seize hostile
airstrips and military facilities, specializing in low level
parachuting and attending military schools including Special
Forces Underwater Diving. "It was the greatest experience of
my life," he says. "It helped me grow up." Lucky's character
in 18 Wheels of Justice shares the actor's military
background, which he finds a useful point of reference in
playing the role.
When Lucky was still an infant, his family moved to Los
Angeles where his father found work on television crews,
first as an electrician, then working up to camera operator
on shows such as Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, The
Beverly Hillbillies and The Addams Family. "I remember being
chased around a set by Cousin Itt when I was about three or
four," Vanous says, suspecting that working in the industry
has been unconsciously part of his plan ever since.
People magazine chose him as one of the 50 Most Beautiful
People. [1994]
Has appeared in more than 45 national and international
commercials.
April 2004 - Scouting locations in LA to open a restaurant
to be named Lucky Devil.
Opened Lucky Devils restaurant/bar. [March 2006] |
|
|
|
