About Fame Academy
Fame Academy was a televised competition to search for and educate new musical talents. The winner received a chance to become a successful music artist and part of the international franchise Star Academy known under various titles in various countries.
In the UK version, the prize consisted of a £1m recording contract with a major record company, plus the use of a luxury apartment in London and a sports car for one year. It was broadcast by the BBC and co-produced by an Endemol company called 'Initial'. The first series was won by David Sneddon and the second and final series by Alex Parks.
The show was so successful that the BBC decided to screen celebrity versions for Comic Relief. Starting 2003, Comic Relief Does Fame Academy saw celebrities singing as students of the Academy with proceeds from the phone votes being donated to the charity. This was far more successful than the original show, and many believe its success secured the second series of the main programme.
Full Cast of Fame Academy
Karl Malden
plays Leo Newbigen
Ed Begley
plays General Midwinter
Oskar Homolka
plays General Stok
Françoise Dorléac
plays Anya
Guy Doleman
plays Colonel Ross
Vladek Sheybal
plays Dr. Eiwort
Janos Kurutz
plays Latvian Gangster
Alexei Jawdokimov
plays Latvian Gangster
Claudia Winkleman
plays Presenter (64 episodes)
Paul Tamarin
plays Latvian Gangster
Carrie Grant
plays Vocal Coach (64 episodes)
Izabella Telezynska
plays Latvian Gangster
Mark Elwes
plays Birkenshaw
Stanley Caine
plays GPO Special Delivery Boy
Susan George
plays Russian Girl on Train
Miki Iveria
plays Russian Woman on Train
Jill Mai Meredith
plays Russian Girl on Train
Michael Stayner
plays Scientist
Brandon Brady
plays Chief of Security
Fred Griffiths
plays Taxi Driver
Gregg Palmer
plays 1st Dutch Businessman
John Herrington
plays 2nd Dutch Businessman
Hans De Vries
plays 3rd Dutch Businessman
Alex Marchevsky
plays Russian Radar Operator
Peter Forest
plays 2nd Russian Radar Operator
Reed De Rouen
plays Observer
Frederick Schrecker
plays Old Man on Train
Dolly Brennan
plays Old Woman in Gangster's Hut
Bill Mitchell
plays Guard at Midwinter's House
Max Kirby
plays Shoe Shop Assistant
Steve Emerson
plays Russian Plainclothesman
Mark Moss
plays Russian Plainclothesman
Gertan Klauber
plays Dr. Kaarna (uncredited)
Crew of Fame Academy
Production
Art
Sound
Camera
Editing
Directing
Writing
Costume & Make-Up