Jeff Celentano was born and raised in Pemberton, New Jersey, a small rural town with towering maple trees and its very own "Main Street". Jeff says, "Pemberton looks more like a back lot at Disney than a suburb in Southern New Jersey.Celentano began his career as an actor while living on the east coast. Today, he is fast becoming one of the freshest new directors in Hollywood. The actor, turned writer-director has managed to effectively combine comedy, drama and action with his own personalized style.At 21, the New Jersey native left the Garden State moving to New York. There he became interested in acting, studying with legendary acting coach Stella Ader and later became a long-time student of Sanford Meisner at The Neighborhood Playhouse.As an actor, Jeff went by his mother's maiden name, Weston. He guest starred on numerous television shows from Magnum P.I. to Dynasty and also twenty feature films including "The New Age" directed by Academy Award winning writer Michael Tolken. He also was cast in Robert Altman's hit film, "The Player".It was during this time with Altman on set of "The Player" that Jeff became increasingly interested in becoming a director. He and Altman became close. Robert Altman's advice to Jeff is carried with him to all of his work today.Fascinated by the behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking and hopes of one day becoming a director himself, Celentano's first venture was in theatre. He co-directed and produced the South African Play "Soweto's Burning" at the Hudson Backstage. The critically acclaimed production earned the Los Angeles Times "Pick of the Weekend" for five consecutive weeks.Jeff then made his writing and directing debut with the short film "Dickwad" - a fast paced farce about a man's bizarre journey home from work on his only day off in seventeen years. The short, which took Celentano just less than a week to make, garnered the Gold Prize for Best Original Comedy at The Houston Film Festival, and Best Comedy Short at The Philadelphia International Film Festival. After touring the festival circuit "Dickwad" was brought by Showtime and the Sundance channel.The strong buzz from the film led to enormous attention from the studio and the signing with ICM. From that success Jeff received private funding to head up his own production company, "Periscope Pictures."His first feature under the Periscope banners (which he also co-wrote) was Under the Hula Moon. This picture starred Stephen Baldwin, Emily Lloyd and Chris Penn. "Under the Hula Moon" is a romantic comedy, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1995 and had much with European film festivals. It premiered at The Hamburg Film Festival in Germany becoming a hit with audiences there. Hula moon was later released in theaters across the U.S.Jeff's next project was Gunshy, a high-impact drama (written by Larry Gross "48 Hours", "Streets of Fire", "The Game"). Gunshy's story centers around the relationship between a down-and-out journalist (William Peterson), an Irish mobster (Michael Wincott) and the girl they both love (Diane Lane).Jeff's determination, passion and attention to detail paid off once more. Celentano wins "Best Director Award" with "Gunshy, the top honor presented at The Atlantic City International Film Festival. Gunshy aced the competition with the audience favoring a simpler, more emotionally charged tale to the bigger studio entries like Brian De Palm's film "Snake Eyes". In total, Jeff has received 5 awards in his short career as a Director.Jeff has just completed directing two films in Russia. The later, "Say It In Russian" a romantic thriller that stars Faye Dunaway, Rade Sherbedzija Musetta Vander and Stephen Brand.Jeff recently wrapped "Order of Redemption" a crime/drama starring Academy Award nominee, Tom Berenger, Armande Assante, and Busta Rhymes.He currently has several projects in the pipeline including a film at Sony Pictures and several independent projects.Jeff is also the Drama Director at The Performer's Academy located in Orange County, California. There Jeff oversees as well as teaches acting to children, teens, and adults. The school provides students with the opportunity to work with film directors, producers, working actors and can be seen by agents on a weekly basis. His contacts in the entertainment industry have allowed the school to flourish as a training academy - while providing agents the ability to scout and potentially represent new talent.Jeff's influences and favorite directors are The Coen Brothers, Robert Zemekis, Ridley Scott, Terry Gilliam, Peter Greenaway, Sidney Lumet, Martin Scorcese and David Lean. One movie, "The Deer Hunter" is his favorite film of all time.
Now directs under his birth name, Jeff Celentano.Attended Houston college then went to the New York Film Academy for Acting news.
Glass Jaw is the redemption story of Travis Austin, a one time champion boxer who goes to prison and loses everything. After his release, he experiences the trials and tribulations of redeeming his reputation, his belt, and his true love.
Availaible in:
Add to Wishlist
Are you sure, you want to add Glass Jaw
to your wish list?
Are you sure, you want to order American Ninja 2: The Confrontation ?
On a remote Caribbean island, Army Ranger Joe Armstrong investigates the disappearance of several marines, which leads him to The Lion, a super-criminal who has kidnapped a local scientist and mass-produced an army of mutant Ninja warriors.
"Breaking Point" is a dramatic tale of corruption and self-realization, in which one man has to overcome a deep seeded conspiracy and his own lingering past in order to gain the redemption he desires. Steven Luisi (Tom Berenger), a once prominent criminal defense attorney is attempting to come back to the profession after a struggle with drug addiction and a family tragedy. Steven stumbles into a complex, high profile murder case. Against his better judgment, he takes on the case that will eventually lead him down a path that brings him face to face with his own demons. While trying to solve the case Steven teams up with an ex-athlete turned gang member, Richard "Beanz" Allen. The two develop a fast friendship. Together they seek to reveal the truth and bring about justice in the court and on the street. Steven and Allen go head to head with the murderous Bowen (Busta Rhymes)...