CHICAGO – There is no better time to take in a stage play that is based in U.S. history, depicting the battle between fact and religion. The old theater chestnut – first mounted in 1955 – is “Inherit the Wind,” now at the Goodman Theatre, completing it’s short run through October 20th. For tickets and more information, click INHERIT.
Entertainment Feature: Top 20 Celebrity Portraits of 2016, By Photographer Joe Arce
- Alice Cooper
- Anna Kendrick
- Carrie Fisher
- David Duchovny
- Entertainment News
- Ethan Hawke
- HollywoodChicago.com Content
- Hugh Jackman
- Illeana Douglas
- Joe Arce
- John Legend
- Kevin Bacon
- Laura Bush
- List
- Michael J. Fox
- Patrick McDonald
- Peter Bogdanovich
- Photography
- Photos
- Pictures
- Portraits
- Scarlett Johansson
- Woody Allen
4. Hugh Jackman
Actor Hugh Jackman
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
They say only a fool would go toe-to-toe with a Wolverine…challenge accepted. Let’s just say I walked away lucky, with this superhero-worthy portrait.
LOCATION/DATE: Kerasotes Showplace Icon Theatre, Chicago, February 16, 2016 (Hugh Jackman was promoting the film “Eddie the Eagle”)
3. Alice Cooper
Rocker Icon Alice Cooper
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
Alice Cooper was the first rock-star poster I ever hung up over my bed – at the age of eight – and my parents were horrified. It’s now over 45 years later, and the founder and king of “Shock Rock” still reigns supreme. But don’t believe a word of “No More Mr Nice Guy,” because working with Alice Cooper is always more like ”Love It To Death” than “Welcome To My Nightmare.”
LOCATION/DATE: Days of the Dead horror convention, Schaumburg (Illinois), November 19, 2016
2. Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Allen
Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Allen
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
2016 marked the third year in a row that I have gotten to photograph Woody Allan, right here in Chicago – this is still completely mind boggling to me. The iconic writer/director was here promoting his new film “Café Society,” so who could possibly ask for more? It’s yours truly, with one goal in mind – a portrait of Woody and his wife Soon-Yi posing together for my lens. I had asked for this shot and been politely denied for the last two years, sometimes by the camera-shy Ms. Allen herself. But as they say, third time is the charm. The couple will celebrate their twentieth anniversary in 2017, and now I have the shot!
LOCATION/DATE: Chicago History Museum, Chicago, July 21, 2016
1. Scarlett Johansson
Actress Scarlett Johansson
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
Scarlett Johansson is the top money making female star of all time, and the highest earning actor male or female in 2016 (according to Forbes Magazine). To say I was eager to finally get the illustrious Ms. Johansson in front of my lens would probably be the understatement of the century. When it was first announced that she would be receiving the Gene Siskel Film Center Renaissance Award (in December of 2015) I marked the June date on my calendar, and counted down the days like a rabid Cub fan awaiting Opening Day. Experiencing Scarlett Johansson smiling back at you through the view finder – posing and taking a bit of direction from this photographer – IS winning the World Series. It doesn’t get any better than this – my images shimmering golden, like a trophy for all to see. Here’s hoping for a repeat.
LOCATION/DATE: Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Chicago, June 20, 2016
IN MEMORIAM: Carrie Fisher
Leia Forever! Carrie Fisher
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com
In 2016, I shot 163 celebrities. Ironically, Ms. Carrie Fisher was number 86. Rest in Peace…somewhere a new star shimmers in a galaxy far far away.
LOCATION/DATE: Wizard World Comic Con, Chicago, August 21, 2016