WIL SHRINER likes to stay busy, do it all and never be bored. On Hoot, he brought together his Florida background, twenty years of comedy, and award winning directing skills to take Hoot from novel to big screen family fare. With his screenplay adaptation of the book, he promised author Carl Hiaasen, producer Jimmy Buffett, and himself that he would stay loyal to the novel. Having attended 10 different schools himself, Wil connected with lead character Roy Eberhardt’s desire to fit in. He also has a deep appreciation for the Florida environment and it's preservation because so much has changed since he grew up in South Florida and spent time commuting to school by boat.
Over the years Wil has worn many hats as a director, comedian, actor, writer, producer and host, and has established himself as one of television’s hot comedy directors. Hoot marks his feature film debut as the screenwriter and director.
Among his many credits and triumphs on the small screen, Shriner won the Humanitas Award for a year 2000 episode of NBC’s “Frasier” entitled ‘Something About Dr. Mary’ that sensitively dealt with racism. Another of his numerous “Frasier” episodes, ‘The Proposal’, earned an Emmy Award for editing in 2002.
Shriner has also directed episodes for the Emmy winner, “Everybody Loves Raymond,” as well as the following comedy series; CBS’s “Becker” and “Ladies Man”, ABC's “My Wife and Kids”, “Norm”, “Married to the Kelly’s”, and “Two Guys and a Girl”, Fox’s “Luis” and the WB's “Raising Dad”. In front of the camera, Shriner co-starred opposite Joan Allen in the Academy Award nominated “Peggy Sue Got Married,” directed by Francis Ford Coppola. He has also made dozens of appearances on television shows like HBO’s “Dream On” and NBC's “Search and Rescue” and “Amazing Stories.” As a TV talk-show guest and stand-up comedian, he has made over 50 appearances with David Letterman, Jay Leno, Bill Maher and a dozen appearances with his idol the late Johnny Carson.
Over the years, Shriner has hosted hundreds of hours of television, including his own Emmy-nominated talk show, “The Wil Shriner Show.” He was also a regular correspondent and guest host for five years on ABC's popular daytime show, “The Home Show.” In addition to hosting live shows on ABC, CBS, NBC, A&E, HGTV and a number of Disney specials. Wil still performs his stand-up comedy across the country, in numerous nightclubs and at corporate and charity events. He has appeared at dozens of casinos in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City and Reno with such diverse talents as Joan Rivers, Jerry Seinfeld, John Denver, Loretta Lynn, Tom Jones, Sam Kinison, The Gatlin Brothers, Neil Sedaka and Jay Leno.
When not in front of or behind the camera, this multi-faceted talent keeps busy working with many E-commerce and high technology companies as a spokesman, producer and comedian. His clientele includes Microsoft, Circuit City, Optika, RCA, Gemstar, Iomega, Engage, WEB-TV, Canon and Caesar's Palace, to name a few. In February 2000, he produced and wrote the Microsoft Windows 2000 launch, the largest product introduction in Microsoft's history. Two years later, he directed and wrote the Bill Gates comedy video shown at all of Mr. Gates' public appearances.
Wil Shriner was born in New York City when his father Herb Shriner, a popular humorist and television personality, gave birth to twins while hosting “Two for the Money,” the 1950s game show now seen in reruns on Sony's Game Show Network. His twin brother, Kin, portrayed Scotty Baldwin of “General Hospital” for over two decades. Wil began his college studies at the University of Florida then moved west to attend film school at UCLA. His first job was in production for Max Baer Jr. on the film Ode to Billy Joe and for Dick Clark Productions before pursuing work as a stand-up comedian. He loves the challenges of all his careers over the years and only wishes he had more free time for golf, scuba diving, flying and being with his two children.
Wil is very happy with Hoot and feels proud that he has made a film that parents and their children can laugh at and enjoy together. He thanks the cast and the crew for all their hard work in the heat and humidity of a summer in the great state of Florida. He also hopes that kids will walk away from this film with the understanding that “one person can make a difference” when they stand up for something they believe.
You can visit his personal website at www.wilshriner.com.
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