Ricky Ullman - Actors
Summary
"Raviv Ullman" (Hebrew: ???? ?????), known by his stage name "Ricky Ullman", (born January 24, 1986 in Eilat, Israel), is an Israeli-born American actor. He is perhaps best known for playing Phil Diffy, the main character in the Disney Channel television series "Phil of the Future".
Biography
Early life
Ullman was born in Eilat, Israel, to Jewish parents Brian Ullman and Laura Ehrenkrantz. His maternal grandfather, Joseph Ehrenkrantz, is a Rabbi in Stamford, Connecticut and his family is related to Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman. After his first birthday, his family moved to Fairfield, Connecticut in the United States. When Raviv was younger, his father worked as a clown. Ullman took an interest in acting after seeing a musical production in a children's acting camp. He attended the camp the following summer and landed both lead and supporting roles, which helped him discover his talents in acting, singing, and dancing.
Career
Ullman's first professional stage role was as Louis in the national touring company of "The King and I" along with Jesse McCartney. Other productions he worked on include "Peter Pan" at the Polka Dot Playhouse, "The Music Man" with the New England Repertory Company, and "Just People" at the Long Wharf Theatre. He received a 1998-99 Best Actor nomination from the Connecticut Critics' Awards for his character Stanley in Stamford Theater Work's "A Rosen by Any Other Name". He graduated from the HOBY program of Connecticut in March 2003.
Ullman is currently best known for his starring role as Phil Diffy, a teen from the year 2121 on Disney Channel's "Phil of the Future", a series that debuted June 2004. He also starred as Roscoe in Disney's made-for-television film, "Pixel Perfect" and in as Sam in ABC Family's television film "Searching for David's Heart" (2005). Ullman is an identified member of the Disney Channel Circle of Stars, and appeared with other members of the Circle in the music video for 'A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes,' where he sang as well as played the drums.
While Ullman originally went by the stage name Ricky, he has recently started using his real name, being credited as Raviv Ullman when he guest-starred on an episode of "House" in 2006.
In July 2006, he created a hip-hop song and video, 'Pointy Hat (The Boat Song),' with some of his friends, under the name the Webee Boys. The video has been viewed over 200,000 times since it was posted to YouTube on July 26, 2006. Other videos include 'Refrigerator (Gangsta' Way),' in August 2006, which has been viewed over 60,000 times, and 'Bop It (Webee Anthem)' in March 2007. The Webee Boys have performed live exclusively at the Gig in Hollywood, CA and debuted songs that did not get videos such as: 'Peanut Butter', 'Put 'Em On A Dish', and 'Jazziologist (Webee Jazzy)'.
Ullman also plays drums in the indie band Pigs & Peacocks (formerly known as Eleanor Avenue).
Personal life
Ullman speaks fluent Hebrew and has taught himself how to play the drums. He is a graduate of Fairfield Warde High School, where he served as president of the Student Council. One of his best friends is Orlando Brown, best known for playing Eddie Thomas in "That's So Raven". Brown appeared in the "Phil of the Future" episode 'Team Diffy' playing an antagonist, Andy Baxley, and Ullman appeared in the "That's So Raven" episode "On Top of Old Oakey" playing an antagonist, Jake Haskell.
Ullman is currently living in Los Angeles, California, with six of his friends.
Ullman recently appeared at UCLA's 2007 Dance Marathon event in February.
Selected Filmography
"Prom Wars" (2007) (post-production)
"Normal Adolescent Behavior" (2007)
"The Violin" (2007) (short film, screened in the Haifa International Film Festival)
"Driftwood" (2006)
Television
"Cold Case (2007)
*Episode: 'That Woman' (September 30 2007) - as Phil DiPreta
"House" (2006)
*Episode: 'Fools for Love' (October 31 2006)
"That Guy" (2006) (not picked up)
"Big Love" (2006)
"Kim Possible: So the Drama" (2005) (TV) (voice) as Eric
"That's So Raven" (2005) (TV)
"Searching for David's Heart" (2005) (TV) as Sam
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2004) (TV)
"Pixel Perfect" (2004) (TV) as Roscoe
"Phil of the Future" (2004-2006) (TV) as Phil Diffy
"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2003) (TV)
"Growing Up Brady" (2000) (TV)
Stage
"Dead End" (2005)
"A Rosen By Any Other Name" (Date Uncertain)
"The King and I" (date unknown)
External links
(Pigs & Peacocks Official MySpace)
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Ricky Ullman.
