ALEISHA RUSSEL as MARION – Born in Arlington, Massachusetts, Aleisha began acting when she was 4 years old. For her lead role in Begleiter, Aleisha was able to call upon her fluency in the German language. She can also be seen in Weezer’s music video, “We Are All On Drugs.” In 2011, Aleisha Gore, née Russell, published the book Marney + Me Best Sisters 4Ever and began developing a feature film, Chocolate Is Not Better Than Sex, which she wrote.

JOHN HENRY LITTEN as HAPPY – John is an accomplished playwright, actor, and co-founder of the Young Actors Project. While earning his B.A. in theatre at San Diego State University, John performed in Mexico, South Africa, and Russia. Begleiter is his motion picture acting debut.

BRIAN TARAZ as NICK – Brian had been acting in the San Diego theatre scene, including at the renowned Coronado Playhouse, for three years prior to being cast as Marion’s evil ex-boyfriend in Begleiter. He is also an accomplished musician.

KEN OSMOND as HIMSELF – Best known as cultural icon Eddie Haskell from “Leave it to Beaver,” the former child actor has been seen on such shows as “Lassie,” “The Munsters,” and “Happy Days.” Ken left acting and became a police officer for the LAPD for 17 years, retiring after being shot three times in the line of duty. He reprised his Eddie Haskell role in a reunion series, “Still The Beaver,” and in the 1997 feature film adaptation, Leave It To Beaver.

SPENCER as THE BAGEL EATER -  CH. Oakhurst Mountain Maverick, C.D., better known as “Spencer,” won Best of Breed at the 2002 Palm Springs dog show and had the distinction of being the first Rhodesian Ridgeback to earn the American Kennel Club’s Versatility Companion Dog title. Spencer passed away in 2007. Begleiter was his first starring role in a movie.

CASSIE BENAVIDEZ as DAUGHTER – A veteran of over 50 motion picture and television projects, Cassie’s TV credits include such hit shows as “The Shield,” “Veronica Mars,” and “Lincoln Heights.” She has appeared in such independent feature films as “Clipping Adam” starring Academy Award winner Louise Fletcher, “The Exorcist Chronicles” and “Stone & Ed.” She recently co-wrote the feature-length screenplay The Curandera’s Daughter with Begleiter writer/producer/director Dan Margules.

LAURI RUSSELL as LEMONADE STAND GIRL – Lauri started acting in school plays before she could read. By the age of 7 she had written and directed her own play which was produced at the Faultline Theatre in San Diego. She is currently in high school.

SARA JANE NASH as BOOKSTORE MANAGER – Born and raised in the South of England, Sara graduated from Cambridge University with a BA in English Literature. She frequently appeared on stage in the fringe theatres of London’s West End before relocating to the U.S. Sara has starred in a number of independent feature films since her appearance in Begleiter.