Editor’s note: This is the final installment of a six-part series in which a Pucks and Rec writer will select the top contemporary entertainment alum from each school in a Division I hockey conference. The 11 institutions that comprise the Atlantic Hockey Conference, plus the two women’s CHA schools not represented in other rankings make up this week’s edition. All filmography and award information is courtesy of the Internet Movie Database.
Air Force: Miles O’Keefe
O’Keefe attended the Air Force Academy, but eventually left. He has a lengthy acting history, though his most notable role was the title part in the 1981 film Tarzan the Ape Man.
American International: Daniel V. Graulau
Graulau, who has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from AIC, has appeared in a number of TV series dating back to 2004, and has risen in popularity in recent years. His most notable appearances came in the Golden Globe-nominated series American Crime and the role of Jorge in Ray Donovan.
Army West Point: Mark Valley
A 1987 graduate of West Point, Valley went on to serve in the Army, including a tour in Berlin. He has played a number of prominent roles during his acting career, most notably that of Brad Chase in the TV series Boston Legal.
Along with that, he played a major role in The Siege, which starred Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis. He also has appeared in noteworthy TV series like CSI and ER.
Bentley: Jay Leno
He attended Bentley, but dropped out after just one semester. Leno has won two Primetime Emmys in his career, one for his long and well-known tenure as host of The Tonight Show, the other for Jay Leno’s Garage.
Along with that, he has appeared in or lent his voice to a number of TV shows and movies throughout. Some of these include Ted 2, The Fairly Odd Parents and Cars.
Canisius: Joe Grifasi
Grifasi attended Canisius for a brief period before dropping out. He is known for his role as Bandleader in The Deer Hunter and Mr. Flamhaff in 13 Going on 30. Grifasi also appeared in a number of episodes of Law & Order: SVU and played Yogi Berra in the ESPN miniseries The Bronx is Burning.
Holy Cross: Neil Hopkins
Hopkins is best known for his role as Liam, Charlie Pace’s brother, on the ABC series Lost. Along with this recurring role, he has appeared in shows such as Code Black, Bones, Criminal Minds and CSI.
Lindenwood: Lee Daniels
Daniels spent two years attending Lindenwood. He is best known for his offscreen production roles, but has also appeared as an actor in some of the shows he has written and produced. His most notable series is Empire, of which he has written or created nearly 50 episodes and produced over 30.
Mercyhurst: Camille Licate
Licate graduated with degrees in dance and anthropology from Mercyhurst. She has mostly acted in a few TV shorts and animated films. Her most notable work came in the film Izzie’s Way Home, for which she wrote the screenplay and had a minor voice role as June.
Niagara: Jim Hutton
Hutton spent some time at Niagara, though he did not graduate, then rose in popularity as a result of his role as TV Thompson in the 1960 film Where the Boys Are. He appeared in a number of films and TV series during his career, including numerous military role portrayals.
Robert Morris: Chrystale Davis
Davis graduated from RMU in 2016, and has since moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career. Even before college, she had three TV acting appearances, including an episode of Parks and Recreation.
Davis also plays a role in a short film currently in post-production called The Wait.
Rochester Institute of Technology: Brian Veronica
Veronica studied engineering at RIT, but decided to go into the entertainment business after college. He has appeared in a few films and shows during his career, his most notable role coming as Gavin in The Visitor from Planet Omicron.
Sacred Heart: John Ratzenberger
Ratzenberger started an improvisational group while attending Sacred Heart, and has produced the lengthiest filmography as an actor of anyone on this list. He is best known for playing Cliff Clavin on Cheers, which was an 11-year role for him, and was also in Star Wars: Episode V.
Perhaps more noteworthy, however, is the role his voice has played. His claim to fame is being the only person to voice a character in every film made by Pixar studios.
Syracuse: Vanessa Williams
Williams rises to the top over a number of notable Syracuse entertainment alums due to the recognition she has received in the industry. She was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for outstanding supporting actress three times for her role as Wilhelmina Slater on the ABC sitcom Ugly Betty.
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