# Christian Meoli

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{{short description|American actor, writer,
producer (born 1972)}}
{{promotional|date=October 2015}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Use American English |date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name        = Christian J. Meoli
| spouse      = Camilla Meoli
| image       = 
| image_size  = 
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1972|7|6}}
| birth_place = [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania](/source/Philadelphia%2C_Pennsylvania), U.S.
| other_names = Chris Voltaire
| alma_mater  = [Temple University](/source/Temple_University)
| occupation  = Actor, writer, producer and film executive
| known_for   = Cabaret Voltaire Inc.
}}
'''Christian Meoli''' (born July 6, 1972) is an actor, writer, producer who runs Voltaire Media and film [executive](/source/Studio_executive).<ref name="Secrets to Success: Q and A With Paul Ben Victor, Star of USA's 'In Plain Sight'"/>

==Early life==
Christian Meoli was born on July 6, 1972, in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), the son of Jerry Mayo (1934–2011), a band member of the group [Freddie Bell and the Bellboys](/source/Freddie_Bell_and_the_Bellboys).<ref name="Gennaro Meoli" />

He began his acting career in his early teens in regional-theatre productions.<ref name="Christian Meoli Biography"/> He is an [alumnus](/source/alumnus) of [Stagedoor Manor](/source/Stagedoor_Manor). He graduated from Performing Arts School in Philadelphia and received a scholarship to [Temple University](/source/Temple_University).

He appeared in the Washington/Baltimore company of the musical ''[Tony n' Tina's Wedding](/source/Tony_n'_Tina's_Wedding)'' in the role of bandleader "Donny Dulce". In 1991, Meoli appeared opposite [Jason Miller](/source/Jason_Miller_(playwright)) and [Malachy McCourt](/source/Malachy_McCourt) in a production of the play ''[Inherit The Wind](/source/Inherit_the_Wind_(play))'' that was staged in a court in the [Philadelphia City Hall](/source/Philadelphia_City_Hall).<ref name="Inherit the Wind" />

==Career==
Meoli's first film role was the movie ''[Alive](/source/Alive_(1993_film))'' (1993) as Federico Aranda and directed by [Frank Marshall](/source/Frank_Marshall_(film_producer)). He was next cast in the movies ''[The Low Life](/source/The_Low_Life)'' (1995) and ''Persons Unknown'' (1996).<ref name="Federico Aranda">{{cite news |url= http://www.filmsandtv.com/movies/christianjmeoli.php |title= Christian Meoli as Federico Aranda, 1993 |website= filmsandtv.com |accessdate= November 16, 2011 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130123020703/http://www.filmsandtv.com/movies/christianjmeoli.php |archive-date= January 23, 2013 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

He played the comedy-relief role of Boz Bishop for four seasons on the CBS television series ''[Nash Bridges](/source/Nash_Bridges)''.

After his mother, Sandra Meoli, died from cancer, Meoli created the performance event ''The Big C'', which annually plays for cancer survivors at [Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center](/source/Hollywood_Presbyterian_Medical_Center). The Big C Foundation was created to continue a focus of education and outreach on the subject of cancer.<ref name="The Big C - A Much Lived Life"/>

He appeared in the pilot episode of the television series ''[Dollhouse](/source/Dollhouse_(TV_series))'' (directed by [Joss Whedon](/source/Joss_Whedon)), ''[Martial Law](/source/Martial_Law_(TV_series))'' ([Stanley Tong](/source/Stanley_Tong)), the ''[Masterpiece Theatre](/source/Masterpiece_Theatre)'' [PBS](/source/PBS) presentation of ''[The Song of the Lark](/source/The_Song_of_the_Lark_(novel))'', as well as [Emmy Award](/source/Emmy_Award)–winning episodes of ''[NYPD Blue](/source/NYPD_Blue)'', ''The Practice'', and the telefilm production of ''[Tuesdays with Morrie](/source/Tuesdays_with_Morrie_(film))''.<ref name="Christian Meoli Filmography"/>

In 2003, Meoli wrote the play ''The Dadaists'', a retelling about the [Dada](/source/Dada) art movement and [Cabaret Voltaire](/source/Cabaret_Voltaire_(Zurich)), which originated in February 1916, in [Zürich](/source/Z%C3%BCrich), [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland), at Spiegelgasse 1, and led Meoli to create a modern Cabaret Voltaire in [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles).<ref name="RED Camera Stays Ahead of the Curve"/>

He is credited by the ''[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)'' as being the first to initiate [flash mob](/source/flash_mob)s in Los Angeles.<ref name="Flash mobs hit L.A., but will they stay long?"/>

In 2004, Meoli was one of the co-directors and producers of the documentary film ''Beats for Baghdad'', featuring Jerry Quickley.<ref name="Beats for Baghdad"/>

In 2009, Meoli (under the moniker '''Chris Voltaire''') wrote the book and lyrics, acted, produced and directed ''Octomom the Musical,'' a parody of [Nadya Suleman](/source/Nadya_Suleman) (better known as the Octomom.<ref name="Stage Review: Octomom! The Musical?"/> That same year, he starred in the Victor Goss–directed film ''The Apocalypse According to Doris'', and also became the vice president for marketing at [Bigfoot Entertainment](/source/Bigfoot_Entertainment) where he worked on the film ''[Deep Gold](/source/Deep_Gold)'' (2011).<ref name="Christian Meoli"/>

He produced The Singafest Asian Film Festival in Los Angeles, which showcased thirty new films from the Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, China and Japan.<ref name="Singafest Asian Film Festival 3"/>

Meoli's company, Voltaire Media, also expanded its services to include sales and producer representation, handling distribution acquisition for companies such as Potent Media (Deer Crossing) and American Motion Picture Company (Character).<ref name="Actor Christian Meoli Opens Movie Theatre in Hollywood"/>

In 2012, Meoli's company began a new single-screen art house known as Arena Cinema Hollywood.<ref name="Christian Meoli in Hollywood" /> The endeavor, in conjunction with Theatre of Arts, has run engagements of Academy Award–winning films and works with distributors including [IFC](/source/IFC_Films), [Tribeca Film](/source/Tribeca_Film), [Phase 4 Films](/source/Phase_4_Films), First Run Features, Kino-Lorber, [Breaking Glass Pictures](/source/Breaking_Glass_Pictures), XL rator Media and Submarine.<ref name="INTERVIEW with the ARENA CINEMA Theater in Hollywood, California" /><ref name="Arena Cinema Announces Call for Entries for 2013 Independent Feature Films" />

In 2013, Meoli starred in the film ''Treachery''<ref name="Traverse to release Treachery"/> opposite Michael Biehn, Sarah Butler and Caitlin Keats.

Meoli's Voltaire Media represented [Bruce Ramsay](/source/Bruce_Ramsay)'s 2011 film ''[Hamlet](/source/Hamlet_(2011_film))'' and the film was acquired by Breaking Glass Pictures, opening theatrically in January 2014 in New York City and Los Angeles.<ref name="A New Look At 'Hamlet'">{{cite news |url= http://highlighthollywood.com/2013/12/a-new-look-at-hamlet-opens-january-17-at-arena-cinema-theatre-in-hollywood-highlight-hollywood-news/ |title= A New Look At 'Hamlet' |date= December 23, 2013 |work= Highlight Hollywood |accessdate= March 5, 2014 |archive-date= January 26, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140126180219/http://highlighthollywood.com/2013/12/a-new-look-at-hamlet-opens-january-17-at-arena-cinema-theatre-in-hollywood-highlight-hollywood-news/ |url-status= dead}}</ref>

==Filmography==
*''[Ray Donovan](/source/Ray_Donovan)'' as Kevin (2012)
*''[Desperate Housewives](/source/Desperate_Housewives)'', "What's the Good of Being Good" (TV series) as himself (2012)
*''Should've Been Romeo'' as Eddie (2012)
*''The Girl with No Number'' as Mr. Johnson (2011)
*''Apocalypse According to Doris'' as Apperson (2011)
*''[Dollhouse](/source/Dollhouse_(TV_series))'', "Ghost" (TV series) as Thug 1 (2009)
*''[Eli Stone](/source/Eli_Stone)'', "The Path" (TV series) as Janitor (2008)
*''[In Plain Sight](/source/In_Plain_Sight)'', "Stan" by Me (TV series) as Jason (2008)
*''[Everybody Hates Chris](/source/Everybody_Hates_Chris)'' (TV series) as himself (2008)
*''Life-The Fallen Woman'' (TV series) as Ron (2007)
*''[Final Approach](/source/Final_Approach_(2007_film))'' (TV movie) as himself (2007)
*''[Alias](/source/Alias_(TV_series))'' (TV series) as Semanko (2006)
*''[JAG](/source/JAG_(TV_series))'', "Automatic for the People" (TV series) as P.O. Dave Mooney (2005)
*''[Joan of Arcadia](/source/Joan_of_Arcadia)'', "The Gift" (TV series) as Ben Pollack (2004)
*''[The Division](/source/The_Division)'' (TV series) as Vinnie Praiser (2004)
*''[Crossing Jordan](/source/Crossing_Jordan)'', "Devil May Care" (TV series) as Seth Pale (2004)
*''[Cold Case](/source/Cold_Case)'', "Fly Away" (TV series) as Angel Rivera (2003)
*''[Without a Trace](/source/Without_a_Trace)'', "The Bus" (TV series) as Carl (2003)
*''Looking for Jimmy'' as himself (2002)
*''Wanderlust'' as Brian (2001)
*''[Nash Bridges](/source/Nash_Bridges)'' (TV series) as Boz Bishop (1999–2001)
*''[Tuesdays with Morrie](/source/Tuesdays_with_Morrie_(film))'' (TV movie) as Aldo (1999)
*''[The Practice](/source/The_Practice)'', "Target Practice" (TV series) as Charles Best (1999)
*''[Walker, Texas Ranger](/source/Walker%2C_Texas_Ranger)'', "Livegirls.now" as Rolf Gaines (1999)
*''[V.I.P.](/source/V.I.P._(American_TV_series))'', "One Wedding and Val's Funeral" (TV series) as Waiter (1998)
*''[The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer](/source/The_Secret_Diary_of_Desmond_Pfeiffer)'' (TV series) as Telegraph Operator (1998)
*''[Martial Law](/source/Martial_Law_(TV_series))'', "Shanghai Express" (TV series) as Detective Jones (1998)
*''[Hitz](/source/Hitz)'', "Give the Drummer Some" (TV series) as Jimmy (1997)
*''[Bongwater](/source/Bongwater_(film))'' as himself (1997)<ref name="Bongwater(Overview)">{{cite news |url= http://www.yohungama.com/detail/movie.php?mid=0125678 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130210005130/http://www.yohungama.com/detail/movie.php?mid=0125678
|url-status= dead |archive-date= February 10, 2013 |title= Bongwater(Overview) |year= 1997 |work=yohungama |accessdate= November 21, 2011 }}</ref>
*''Persons Unknown'' as himself (1996)
*''[L.A. Firefighters](/source/L.A._Firefighters)'', "Fuel and Spark" (TV series) as Freddy the Store Manager (1996)
*''[Boy Meets World](/source/Boy_Meets_World)'', "Turkey Day" (TV series) as Carl (1996)
*''[The Pretender](/source/The_Pretender_(TV_series))'', "The Paper Clock" as Marcus Whittaker (1996)
*''[Dogtown](/source/Dogtown_(film))'' as Mickey Jenks (1996)
*''[NYPD Blue](/source/NYPD_Blue)'', "The Girl Talk" (TV series) as Phil Farr (1996)
*''[The Naked Truth](/source/The_Naked_Truth_(TV_series))'' (TV series) as Vanjacker (1996)
*''[The Low Life](/source/The_Low_Life)'' as Leonard (1995)
*''[Cleghorne!](/source/Cleghorne!)'', "This Magic Moment" (TV series) as Magini the Magician (1995)
*''[Chicago Hope](/source/Chicago_Hope)'', "Wild Cards" (TV series) as Luigi (1995)
*''[Weird Science](/source/Weird_Science_(TV_series))'', "Quantum Wyatt" (TV series) as Dangerous Felon (1995)
*''[Ellen](/source/Ellen_(TV_series))'', "The Christmas Show" as Grunge Guy (1994)
*''Nunzio's Second Cousin'' (short) as himself (1994)
*''In This Corner'' as Julio (1994)
*''[Beverly Hills, 90210](/source/Beverly_Hills%2C_90210)'' (TV series) as Pablo (1993)
*''[Alive](/source/Alive_(1993_film))'' as Federico Aranda (1993)<ref name="Federico Aranda"/>

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Christian Meoli in Hollywood">{{cite news
|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/actor_christian_meoli_opens_movie_theatre_in_hollywood/prweb10976857.htm
|title= Christian Meoli in Hollywood
|date= July 31, 2013
|work=PRWEB
|access-date= March 5, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="INTERVIEW with the ARENA CINEMA Theater in Hollywood, California">{{cite news
|url=http://www.filmfestivaltoday.com/interviews/interview-with-the-arena-cinema-theater-in-hollywood-california
|title= INTERVIEW with the ARENA CINEMA Theater in Hollywood, California
|date= December 17, 2012
|author= Jerome Courshon
|work= Film Festival Today
|accessdate= March 5, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="Arena Cinema Announces Call for Entries for 2013 Independent Feature Films">{{cite news
|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10676018.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304234121/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/4/prweb10676018.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=March 4, 2016
|title= Arena Cinema Announces Call for Entries for 2013 Independent Feature Films
|date= April 30, 2013
|author= Jerome Courshon
|work= PRWEB
|accessdate= March 5, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="Traverse to release Treachery">{{cite news
|url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/distribution/traverse-to-release-treachery/5063760.article
|title= Arena Cinema Announces Call for Entries for 2013 Independent Feature Films
|date= November 18, 2013
|author= Jeremy Kay
|work= Screen Daily
|accessdate= March 5, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="Actor Christian Meoli Opens Movie Theatre in Hollywood">{{cite news
|url=https://www.studentfilmmakers.com/actor-christian-meoli-opens-movie-theatre-in-hollywood/
|title= The inaugural Singafest Asian Film Festival hits Westwood this weekend
|work= Student Film Makers
|accessdate= March 4, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="Christian Meoli Biography">{{cite news
|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/20/Christian-J-Meoli.html
|title= Christian Meoli Biography
|work= filmreference.com
|accessdate= November 16, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="Christian Meoli Filmography">{{cite news
|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/48467/Christian-Meoli/filmography
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130220701/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/48467/Christian-Meoli/filmography
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=January 30, 2013
|title= Christian Meoli Filmography
|department=Movies & TV Dept.
|work=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)
|accessdate= November 16, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="Christian Meoli">{{cite news
|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/48467/Christian-Meoli/filmography
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130220701/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/48467/Christian-Meoli/filmography
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=January 30, 2013
|title= Christian Meoli,Interview
|department=Movies & TV Dept.
|work=[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)
|accessdate= November 16, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="Secrets to Success: Q and A With Paul Ben Victor, Star of USA's 'In Plain Sight'">{{cite news
|url=https://tv.yahoo.com/news/secrets-success-q-paul-ben-victor-star-usas-173300439.html
|title= Secrets to Success: Q and A With Paul Ben Victor, Star of USA's 'In Plain Sight'
|date= April 6, 2011
|work=tv.yahoo.com
|publisher= Yahoo Contributor Network
|accessdate= June 5, 2012}}</ref>

<ref name="RED Camera Stays Ahead of the Curve">{{cite news
|url=http://www.forcesofgeek.com/2010/04/red-camera-stays-ahead-of-curve.html
|title= RED Camera Stays Ahead of the Curve
|date= April 12, 2010
|work= Force of Geek
|accessdate= November 16, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="Singafest Asian Film Festival 3">{{cite news
|url=http://www.dailybruin.com/index.php/article/2011/09/festival_to_feature_asian_films
|title= The inaugural Singafest Asian Film Festival hits Westwood this weekend
|date= September 28, 2011
|author= Marjorie Yan
|website= Daily Bruin
|accessdate= November 17, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="Gennaro Meoli">{{cite news
|url=http://articles.philly.com/2011-06-15/news/29660722_1_rock-n-roll-freddie-bell-jerry-lewis
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019210142/http://articles.philly.com/2011-06-15/news/29660722_1_rock-n-roll-freddie-bell-jerry-lewis
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=October 19, 2015
|title= Gennaro Meoli, trumpeter with Bellboys, shirtmaker, dies at 76
|date= June 15, 2011
|author= John F. Morrison
|website= Philly
|accessdate= November 17, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="Inherit the Wind">{{cite news
|url= http://www.ottawalittletheatre.com/html/cm2.cfm?fid=62&sid=52&lang=1&html=long_weekend.html
|title= Inherit the Wind,About
|website= ottawalittletheatre.com
|accessdate= November 17, 2011
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110112103310/http://www.ottawalittletheatre.com/html/cm2.cfm?fid=62&sid=52&lang=1&html=long_weekend.html
|archive-date= January 12, 2011
|url-status= dead
}}</ref>

<ref name="Beats for Baghdad">{{cite news
|url= http://www.lasplash.com/publish/Los_Angeles_Entertainment_109/Beats_for_Baghdad_in_store_concert_and_DVD_release_party_.php
|title= Beats for Baghdad in store concert and DVD release party!!
|author= Steven Baird
|website= LAsplash
|accessdate= November 17, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="Flash mobs hit L.A., but will they stay long?">{{cite news
|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-05-et-ehrman5-story.html
|title= Flash mobs hit L.A., but will they stay long?
|date= September 5, 2003
|author=Mark Ehrman
|work=Los Angeles Times
|access-date= November 27, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="Stage Review: Octomom! The Musical?">{{cite news
|url= http://www.losanjealous.com/2009/08/20/stage-review-octomom-the-musical/
|title= Stage Review: Octomom! The Musical
|date= August 20, 2009
|author=Merideth
|website= Los Anjelous
|accessdate= November 27, 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="The Big C - A Much Lived Life">{{cite news
|url= https://saffronbutterflyfluttersby.blogspot.com/2008/06/big-c-much-lived-life.html
|title= The Big C – A Much Lived Life
|date= June 19, 2008
|author=Christine Pechera
|work= saffronbutterflyfluttersby.blogspot.com
|accessdate= November 27, 2011}}</ref>

}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://www.christianmeoli.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|0580063}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Meoli, Christian}}
Category:1972 births
Category:Living people
Category:20th-century American businesspeople
Category:20th-century American dramatists and playwrights
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:20th-century American male writers
Category:20th-century pseudonymous writers
Category:21st-century American businesspeople
Category:21st-century American dramatists and playwrights
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male writers
Category:21st-century pseudonymous writers
Category:American documentary film directors
Category:American documentary film producers
Category:American founders
Category:American male dramatists and playwrights
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male musical theatre actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American musical theatre directors
Category:American musical theatre librettists
Category:American musical theatre lyricists
Category:American musical theatre producers
Category:Businesspeople from Los Angeles
Category:Businesspeople from Philadelphia
Category:Film producers from Los Angeles
Category:Film producers from Pennsylvania
Category:Male actors from Los Angeles
Category:Male actors from Philadelphia
Category:Temple University alumni
Category:Writers from Los Angeles
Category:Writers from Philadelphia

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Christian Meoli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Meoli) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Meoli?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.