Philip M. Potempa filmography and biography

Date of birth: 13 August 1970, San Pierre, Indiana, USA

Philip M. Potempa biography

Philip M. Potempa is a newspaper journalist who writes about entertainment and celebrities in a daily newspaper column published in his flagship newspaper The Times of Northwest Indiana and Illinois, in addition to his columns also being syndicated and shared with the more than 50 other newspapers in the Lee Media Enterprises newspaper chain, which includes The St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other newspapers in their recently acquired Pulitzer Newspapers chain. Raised on a small farm in Northwest Indiana, he graduated from Valparaiso University in 1992 with a degree in print journalism. Although most of his daily writings concern celebrities, movies, television and pop culture topics, he also pens a weekly column launched in May 2002 under the title of "From the Farm," in which he shares memories of his rural youth and family stories, in addition to chronicling life from the relaxing perspective of a farm family with traditions steeped in a rich culture that is a far cry from his daily column musings about play openings, press parties and who's who boldface type notable "name dropping" and the nightlife he covers in neighboring Chicago. His weekly "From the Farm" columns have inspired two popular semi-autobiographical books based from the same title: "From the Farm: Family Recipes and Memories of a Lifetime" (2004 Pediment Press $29.95) and "More From the Farm: Family Recipes and Memories of Lifetime" (2007 Pediment Press $29.95). The first book was written with the help of his family friend, comedienne Phyllis Diller (I) and the second book with family friend singer/actor Jim Nabors. His books also feature stories, photographs and recipe contributions from the famous people he writes about from his entertainment journalism circles, including Martha Stewart (II), Olivia Newton-John, Tommy Tune, Edie Adams, Vicki Lawrence, Bobby Vinton,Betsy Palmer and twin sister newspaper advice columnists Abigail Van Burenand the late Ann Landers (I), among others. Primarily known mostly in the Midwest from his newspaper columns and book signings, he also occasionally appears on the air as a Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana radio commentator reporting on entertainment happenings as well as serving as a television broadcast contributor on regional PBS television stations and the Chicago NBC network affiliate WMAQ Channel 5, reporting on similar subject matter. In March 2008, he was was cast by director Michael Mann (I)in a featured speaking role opposite Johnny Deppin the Universal Pictures motion picture Public Enemies to be released in July 2009. Playing a 1930s newspaper reporter at a jail news conference grilling Depp as gangster John Dillinger (I), Potempa convinced Oscar winning costume designer Colleen Atwood, who won an Academy Award for her costumes in "Chicago," to allow him, throughout the filming, to wear, as part of his costume, a vintage fedora hat from his own personal journalism memorabilia collection which had once been owned by famed gossip columnist Walter Winchell.

Philip M. Potempa trivia

- Convinced director Michael Mann and Academy Award-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood to allow him to wear a vintage 1930s fedora hat that once belonged to famed newspaper gossip columnist Walter Winchell. This was part of his costume playing a newspaper reporter interviewing Johnny Depp as gangster John Dillinger during the Spring 2008 filming of the motion picture "Public Enemies." Potempa had worn the same hat during his casting auditions for the role and has said in interviews that he's convinced it's the reason he was cast for the part.
- Owns the 1961 Royal manual typewriter owned used by his famous friend, the late legendary newspaper advice columnist Ann Landers (I), along with an original oil portrait of Landers painted commissioned in 1977 by society artist Robert Robleswhich hung in her Lake Shore Drive apartment in Chicago. The items, along with more than a dozen "keys to cities" given to Landers by mayors from throughout the country, were purchased by Potempa during Landers Novemeber 2002 estate auction by her only daughter Margo Howard.
- Is both credited and criticized for heaping media coverage on Valparaiso, Ind. E! cable network reality star Michael Essany, by writing newspaper stories and columns about him beginning in 1995, helping the then 12-year-old local cable talk show-host-hopeful gain publicity for what would eventually be the launch of his national cable series The Michael Essany Show in 2002.