A tall and gangly actor from small-town Tennessee, D J Qualls made his breakthrough with a funny and oddly touching performance as shy, geeky coed Kyle, taken along on a crass college "Road Trip" (2000) as the guy with the car. A survivor of an adolescent bout with Hodgkin's disease, the academically talented Qualls left Tennessee after high school to attend the University of London, where he studied English language and literature. He later returned to his home state and began working in local theater, appearing on stage in Nashville productions. There he was discovered by photographers David LaChappelle and Steve Klein, who were intrigued by his unusual and rather childlike look.
Qualls subsequently landed a print modeling job in a campaign for high end label Prada, landing him in the top fashion and lifestyle magazines. While the modeling job proved a positive and lucrative experience, earning him crucial exposure in addition to money, acting was still the object of the young man's passion. He made his TV debut as an extra in "Against the Wall", a 1994 HBO movie filmed in Tennessee, and later had a small role in the 1998 Alex Haley miniseries "Mama Flora's Family" (CBS). Qualls followed up with a supporting role in the curious teen horror feature "Cherry Falls", which was shot prior to his breakthrough in "Road Trip" but was released the following fall. His work in "Road Trip" proved far more memorable, with Qualls' portrayal of the awkward and inexperienced Kyle showcasing the actor's likability as well as his precise comic timing.
Kyle's fearlessness in humiliating situations was rendered perfectly by the actor, pointing at the character's innocence without a trace of actorly arrogance. The performer also managed to balance "Road Trip"'s often broad situations with an intuitive and natural performance. Qualls impressed in the role, and proved a fresh face but not an amateur, displaying a proficiency on screen that rivaled that of co-star Breckin Meyer, an actor with dozens more roles to his credit. His talent and unusual, unforgettable looks could offer the young performer an extensive career as a character player
Hetero-tainment: A-Rod Parties, Sanchez Gets BooedBleacher Report, CADJ Qualls is rumored to be in line for the lead not really ORLANDO Magic star Dwight Howard is working with “The Ring” executive producer Michele Weisler on a movie titled “Switch,” about a “white, unathletic, unpopular high-school freshman who
Ice Cream event and Jay Leno bring region smilesTimes, INSinger Faith Evans is 36. Singer Lemisha Grinstead of 702 and actors DJ Qualls ("Hustle and Flow") and Shane West ("ER," "Now and Again") are 31. Singer Hoku (HOH'-koo) is 28. Actress Leelee Sobieski is 27.Actor Joey Zimmerman ("Halloweentown") is 23.
A Texas indie wants your voteAustin 360, TX“Natural Selection” — starring lanky DJ Qualls and produced by Paul Jensen and Brion Hambel — is the only Texas flick in the bunch. The top five vote-getters move to the finals and are then judged by the likes of Josh Brolin and John Sayles for the big
| KXNet.com North Dakota NewsKXMC, NDDJ QUALLS: BIRTHDAY UNDATED (AP) A birthday today for actor DJ Qualls. He's 31 and starred in "Hustle and Flow." LEMISHA GRINSTEAD OF 702: BIRTHDAY UNDATED (AP) Celebrating a birthday today is a member of the group 702. Lemisha Grinstead turns 31.
(Following Advance for Use Wednesday, June 10) | KXNet.com North KXMC, NDActor DJ Qualls is 31. Actor Shane West is 31. Singer Hoku is 28. Actress Leelee Sobieski is 27. Olympic gold medal figure skater Tara Lipinski is 27. Football player Marion Barber is 26. Thought for Today: "I am firm. You are obstinate.
Movies for the week of May 24Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PADJ Qualls. A prison inmate gives a teenage nerd advice on how to become the coolest guy at his new school. (PG-13) (1:35) STZ: Fri. 5:45 PM, Sat. 9:30 AM (CC) • New World Disorder '99. Rutger Hauer. A veteran detective reluctantly joins forces with a
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