Latest news with #Stoltz
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Nel hits top gear at Gallopers race
Benoni Harriers' top runner Bronwyn Nel ran an incredible lifetime best to clinch the junior women's title at the ASF Gallopers 15km race in Leondale on July 6. Averaging just over 04:00min/km, the middle-distance sensation clocked 01:00:34 personal best in the women's 15km to cross the line in third place overall and first in the junior women's race. Nel finished behind the Benoni Northerns Marathon women's half-marathon winner Zanele Maisa of Waterfall AC, who won in 55:55, and runner-up Gillian Farquaharson of Run Zone, who was 03:32 off the pace after crossing the line in 59:26. The USA-bound athlete has been in superb form since the beginning of the year. She used the race to prepare for the Indiana Institute of Technology's cross-country season. 'Coach Richard O'Donoghue told me to use the race as a long run training to build a solid base for when I leave for the USA. I am pleased to finish third overall and first in the junior race. I'm thankful for the support from everyone in our group,' she said. The Harriers' junior runners were in a dominant mood as they strutted their talent in the race. Kiana Pepler completed the top three in the junior women's race, clocking 01:02:49 for the bronze. She was sixth overall. Mary-Jane Nel clocked 01:09:51 for fourth place in the junior women's race, while Kaitlyn Mackay was fifth with 01:15:35. In the junior men's event, Ockert Winter was fourth in 01:02:49 while Liam Hendrikse and Divan Klein were fifth and sixth, respectively, in a 01:10:10 photo finish. Former East Athletic Club's (EAC) Avuma Phez, now with North West University, won the junior men's race in 48:50. Lesedi AC's Simphiwe Buzwa finished second 08:27 later, and Thapelo Khumalo of Boxer completed the top three in 59:22. Nkosiyethu Sotyantya beat Kenyan Paul Omuya by three seconds to clinch the men's main race. The African Bank Runners athlete clocked 47:37 for his victory, while the Kenyan, winner of the veteran men's race, crossed the line in 47:40 for second place. The Boksburg Athletic Club's (BAC) Maphuti Majetja was 20 seconds off after finishing the race in 47:57 to round out the podium. Also Read: Stoltz podiums at BNAC Marathon Also Read: Stoltz races to podium after recovering from injury At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
New York Post
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Back to the Future' turns 40 — and the first actor to play Marty McFly was fired: ‘It was devastating'
Forty years ago, moviegoers were almost shouting, 'Great Stoltz!' That's because 'Back to the Future,' the science-fiction classic that hit theaters on July 3, 1985, nearly starred a very different actor than Michael J. Fox. The poor guy even shot scenes. Advertisement 5 Eric Stoltz was the first actor to play Marty McFly in 'Back to the Future' before being fired and replaced with Michael J. Fox. Paramount Pictures The first man to don the orange puffer vest as unwitting teen time traveler Marty McFly was Eric Stoltz, then the star of 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High,' 'The Wild Life' and 'The New Kids.' But he was ultimately denied the keys to the DeLorean. Advertisement 'The director fired me,' Stoltz, now 63, said in a 1993 interview with Bob Costas. 'He didn't like my work.' The stung actor added, 'It was devastating to me.' From the offset, director Robert Zemeckis, who had notched a hit in 'Romancing the Stone' with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, and producer Steven Spielberg craved Fox for the part. The 23-year-old had turned into a huge national TV star playing precocious Alex P. Keaton on the NBC sitcom 'Family Ties,' which began in 1982. By 1985, it was No. 2 in the Nielsen ratings. Advertisement He was made for Marty. But when 'Ties' creator and showrunner Gary David Goldberg was approached by Spielberg and Zemeckis about Fox doing the film, the TV bigwig was firm. 5 Michael J. Fox was a superstar playing Alex P. Keaton on 'Family Ties.' Getty Images 'He said, 'I can't let him do it,'' Fox recalled in a 2001 interview with the Archive of American Television. Advertisement 'And he said, you know, 'Please don't tell Michael — not that I want him to think I did something behind his back, but I really had no other choice.'' So, the Hollywood duo instead went with another 23-year-old — Stoltz. But, talented though he was, the actor struggled with the funny Californian for more than a month of production. 'Eric had such an intensity. He saw drama in things. He wasn't really a comedian, and they needed a comedian,' co-star Lea Thompson said in the book 'We Don't Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy.' 'He's super-funny in real life, but he didn't approach his work like that, and they really needed somebody who had those chops.' 5 Stoltz was a terrific actor, but approached the role of Marty too seriously Getty Images Fox diplomatically agrees. 'There's a certain goofiness to [Marty] that I don't think Eric was really ready to embrace,' he said in 2001. Advertisement 'I think there was a silliness to the role that they kind of pictured me for.' Concerned with 'Future''s future, Zemeckis and Spielberg went back to Goldberg, who finally agreed to let his superstar do the project. Now the bad new had to be broken to Stoltz. On Jan. 10, 1985, Zemeckis axed his leading man. Advertisement 'I was a young actor,' Stoltz recalled to Costas. 'It was probably the worst thing that can happen to you in your career.' In a later interview with George Stephanopolous, the 'Forrest Gump' director felt mutually horrible. He also called the sacking 'the worst experience of my career.' 'Eric is a brilliant actor,' Zemeckis added. 'I simply miscast him and I learned a very serious lesson. It's not worth it. It's too painful for everybody. What you have to do is cast the movie the right way and feel really right about it.' Advertisement 5 Eventually the creator of 'Family Ties' allowed Fox to do the movie — while also filming the hit TV show. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection So, Fox was ready to team up with Christopher Lloyd's Doc Brown to battle with Biff. But stepping in just a few months before release wasn't so simple. The shift added an estimated $3 to $4 million to the movie's budget. And Fox had to continue filming 'Family Ties' at the same time. Advertisement 'Within a week, I was doing both jobs,' Fox said. 'I would do 'Family Ties' in the daytime and I'd do 'Back to the Future' at night. And I was working 18, 19, 20 hours.' He added: 'By the time 'Back to the Future' came out in the summer of '85, there were whole scenes I can't remember shooting because I was so tired during so much of it.' The long, hard days paid off. What was hardly a surefire hit when filming began became a phenomenon, grossing $385 million worldwide, led to two more movies and even inspired a Broadway musical. 5 Stoltz has enjoyed a long career in Hollywood since the dustup. Getty Images for TCM Stoltz's Hollywood career wasn't over either. He received a 1986 Golden Globe nomination for director Peter Bogdanovich's movie 'Mask.' And he's appeared in films such as 'Pulp Fiction,' 'Jerry Maguire' and 'The Butterfly Effect,' and on TV series including 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Madam Secretary.' Stoltz is also a prolific television director. And since that tough experience, Fox and Stoltz have become unlikely pals. 'It was a wonderful actor — great actor — who since has become a friend of mine and someone I've had a good time with, talking about this turn in our lives and how we both ended up in different places,' Fox said during a 2025 'Back to the Future' panel at the Calgary Expo. 'I've learned a lot about acceptance and perseverance from him. He's a great guy, Eric Stoltz.'
NZ Herald
09-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Gisborne mayor invites Act leader David Seymour to witness mayors' role in schools
In Seymour's letter, he mentioned four things mayors could do to help attendance in their communities. This included engaging with the Government's new daily school attendance dashboard, leading conversations with their community, amplifying the message that school helped young people achieve better outcomes, and letting Seymour know what was working in their communities and what was not in an effort to get students to school. The letter has sparked criticism and confusion from many mayors across the country because of the Government's directive to councils to stick to their core responsibilities. Stoltz said she, too, was surprised by the letter. 'The Government sent a clear message to all mayors and councils last year to stick to their knitting and focus on the core basics like roads, rubbish and water.' The Government had also indicated it would remove the 'Four Well-beings' from the Local Government Act, Stoltz said. 'He [Seymour] often publicly criticises mayors and councils for taking part in activities that, according to him, are outside of 'core functions'. 'But then he contacted each mayor individually to ask them to lead discussions in their regions about issues that the Government would clearly put in the community 'Four Well-beings' section and definitely not a council core function.' Stoltz said mayors – especially in smaller towns or regions – were actively involved in most community activities, attending functions and community meetings that included school, cultural and recreational activities. 'We see it as part of our job and what our community expects of us. 'We go above and beyond what our official job descriptions are. 'I am often invited to schools and talk to leadership groups and classes about leadership and the importance of staying in school and upskilling yourself.' When requested, she also hosted school groups at the council and talked about the importance of education in making positive contributions, she said. 'I would invite David Seymour to visit us in the regions and get a clear understanding of what mayors do on a day-to-day basis.' Stoltz said she did check the Government data on school truancy rates and was proud of Gisborne, with attendance numbers around the mid-80% range ... 'taking into account that Covid, as well as two cyclones and seven extreme weather events in 2023, affected attendance and also access to some rural schools'. 'There is always room for improvement, and I will be there cheering our students and teachers on.' Seymour told Local Democracy Reporting it was great that mayors like Stoltz recognised the country was facing an attendance crisis and were addressing it. 'I hope that more mayors follow her lead.' Seymour said his letter to mayors didn't ask them to spend money, hire more bureaucrats or make more rules. 'All it asked was for community leaders to play a positive role, encouraging young people to get to school.
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gisborne Mayor Invites Act Leader David Seymour To Witness Mayors' Role In Schools And Community
Article – Zita Campbell – Local Democracy Reporter Stoltz has participated in a campaign promoting school attendance with posters being put up at most schools and around town. Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz has invited Act Party leader David Seymour to see the work mayors do in the community, including supporting school attendance. Stoltz is participating in a region-wide campaign to promote attendance, including posters being put up at most schools and around town. Last month, Associate Minister of Education Seymour wrote a letter to all New Zealand's mayors asking for support on school truancy rates in their communities. Speaking with Local Democracy Reporting, Stoltz said she would invite Seymour to visit regions to get 'a clear understanding of what mayors do on a day-to-day basis'. In Seymour's letter, he mentioned four things mayors could do to help attendance in their communities. This included engaging with the Government's new daily school attendance dashboard, leading conversations with their community, amplifying the message that school helped young people achieve better outcomes, and letting Seymour know what was working in their communities and what was not in an effort to get students to school. The letter has sparked criticism and confusion from many mayors across the country because of the Government's directive to councils to stick to their core responsibilities. Stoltz said she, too, was surprised by the letter. 'The Government sent a clear message to all mayors and councils last year to stick to their knitting and focus on the core basics like roads, rubbish and water.' The Government had also indicated it would remove the 'Four Well-beings' from the Local Government Act, Stoltz said. 'He [Seymour] often publicly criticises mayors and councils for taking part in activities that, according to him, are outside of 'core functions'. 'But then he contacted each mayor individually to ask them to lead discussions in their regions about issues that the Government would clearly put in the community 'Four Well-beings' section and definitely not a council core function.' Stoltz said mayors – especially in smaller towns or regions – were actively involved in most community activities, attending functions and community meetings that included school, cultural and recreational activities. 'We see it as part of our job and what our community expects of us. 'We go above and beyond what our official job descriptions are. 'I am often invited to schools and talk to leadership groups and classes about leadership and the importance of staying in school and upskilling yourself.' When requested, she also hosted school groups at the council and talked about the importance of education in making positive contributions, she said. 'I would invite David Seymour to visit us in the regions and get a clear understanding of what mayors do on a day-to-day basis.' Stoltz said she did check the Government data on school truancy rates and was proud of Gisborne, with attendance numbers around the mid-80% range … 'taking into account that Covid, as well as two cyclones and seven extreme weather events in 2023, affected attendance and also access to some rural schools'. 'There is always room for improvement, and I will be there cheering our students and teachers on.' Seymour told Local Democracy Reporting it was great that mayors like Stoltz recognised the country was facing an attendance crisis and were addressing it. 'I hope that more mayors follow her lead.' Seymour said his letter to mayors didn't ask them to spend money, hire more bureaucrats or make more rules. 'All it asked was for community leaders to play a positive role, encouraging young people to get to school. 'Because ultimately it is an issue we're all going to have to tackle together.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Gisborne Mayor Invites Act Leader David Seymour To Witness Mayors' Role In Schools And Community
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz has invited Act Party leader David Seymour to see the work mayors do in the community, including supporting school attendance. Stoltz is participating in a region-wide campaign to promote attendance, including posters being put up at most schools and around town. Last month, Associate Minister of Education Seymour wrote a letter to all New Zealand's mayors asking for support on school truancy rates in their communities. Speaking with Local Democracy Reporting, Stoltz said she would invite Seymour to visit regions to get 'a clear understanding of what mayors do on a day-to-day basis'. In Seymour's letter, he mentioned four things mayors could do to help attendance in their communities. This included engaging with the Government's new daily school attendance dashboard, leading conversations with their community, amplifying the message that school helped young people achieve better outcomes, and letting Seymour know what was working in their communities and what was not in an effort to get students to school. The letter has sparked criticism and confusion from many mayors across the country because of the Government's directive to councils to stick to their core responsibilities. Stoltz said she, too, was surprised by the letter. 'The Government sent a clear message to all mayors and councils last year to stick to their knitting and focus on the core basics like roads, rubbish and water.' The Government had also indicated it would remove the 'Four Well-beings' from the Local Government Act, Stoltz said. 'He [Seymour] often publicly criticises mayors and councils for taking part in activities that, according to him, are outside of 'core functions'. 'But then he contacted each mayor individually to ask them to lead discussions in their regions about issues that the Government would clearly put in the community 'Four Well-beings' section and definitely not a council core function.' Stoltz said mayors – especially in smaller towns or regions – were actively involved in most community activities, attending functions and community meetings that included school, cultural and recreational activities. 'We see it as part of our job and what our community expects of us. 'We go above and beyond what our official job descriptions are. 'I am often invited to schools and talk to leadership groups and classes about leadership and the importance of staying in school and upskilling yourself.' When requested, she also hosted school groups at the council and talked about the importance of education in making positive contributions, she said. 'I would invite David Seymour to visit us in the regions and get a clear understanding of what mayors do on a day-to-day basis.' Stoltz said she did check the Government data on school truancy rates and was proud of Gisborne, with attendance numbers around the mid-80% range ... 'taking into account that Covid, as well as two cyclones and seven extreme weather events in 2023, affected attendance and also access to some rural schools'. 'There is always room for improvement, and I will be there cheering our students and teachers on.' Seymour told Local Democracy Reporting it was great that mayors like Stoltz recognised the country was facing an attendance crisis and were addressing it. 'I hope that more mayors follow her lead.' Seymour said his letter to mayors didn't ask them to spend money, hire more bureaucrats or make more rules. 'All it asked was for community leaders to play a positive role, encouraging young people to get to school. 'Because ultimately it is an issue we're all going to have to tackle together.'
