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Michael McDerman

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Michael McDerman
Michael McDerman in 2008 at North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
Born (1977-08-10) August 10, 1977 (age 47)
Other names
  • Carmella Cann
  • Michael Ferreira
EducationBaruch (MS)
OccupationActor · comedian · writer · drag queen · producer · podcast host
Websitecarmellacann.com

Michael McDerman (born August 10, 1977) is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and podcast host[1][2][3]

Early life

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McDerman was born in Manhattan to a Portuguese American family. He attended Baruch College graduating in 2006 with a bachelor's degree. While in college, he worked as an actor and drag queen.[4]

Career

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On September 16, 2003, McDerman appeared as his self-created alter ego, who he originated and portrayed, Carmella Cann, a drag queen judge on an episode of Ricki Lake entitled "How Straight Is He?"[5] He has hosted many live events as Carmella Cann, including Rhode Island International Film Festival and The Original LGBT Expo in New York City.[1][2]

He appeared on an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit entitled "Brotherhood" in the role of Tyler Henry, a local fraternity pledge master that is sodomized and murdered, aired on January 6, 2004.[5] Also, in 2004 he was in the stage play by H.M. Koutoukas, Ring of Death in the role of Vicar and Maid, at Theater for the New City, New York City. He has had an appearance on A&E (TV channel) 15 Films About Madonna, Z Rock, Viralcom, Under the Pink Carpet , One Life to Live, and the film's Voodoo You Believe and A Four Letter Word, directed by Casper Andreas. He appeared in 2006 in the television commercial for the New York Comedy Festival, alongside Jim Norton. He was featured in the book Straight Talk with Gay Guys: What Girlfriends Can't Tell You and Straight Men Won't by: Daylle Deanna Schwartz.[6]

Michael McDerman in It's Me, Matthew!

In 2008, McDerman used the screen name Michael Ferreira, when he wrote, produced, and starred in the semi-autobiographical short film It's Me, Matthew! as the title character, alongside the renowned Michael Musto.[7][8][9][10][11] In 2013, he was the theatre director for the Off-Off-Broadway stage play by Jean Bergantini Grillo, That Afternoon at Fred Campballs at Times Square Art Center, in New York City. Cann is scheduled to Host the Original LGBT Expo in March 2016.[1]

In 2023, McDerman launched In The Cann With Carmella Cann,[12] a biweekly podcast that blends drag culture with political commentary and entertainment. The show addresses current events, politics, and pop culture, featuring a drag-themed format. New episodes are released regularly and are available on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Pandora (service), Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and Manhattan Neighborhood Network. The podcast has featured notable guests such as former New York State Senator Tom Duane.

Education

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McDerman holds a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Weissman School of Arts and Sciences at Baruch College.

Filmography

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Television and Film
Year Title Role Notes
1999 Trick Dancer (Film)
2002 One Life to Live Man Diner (TV Series), 1 episode: "Episode #1.8978"
2003 Sex and the City Gay Guy #2 (uncredited) (TV Series), 1 episode: "Hop, Skip, and a Week"
2004 Marie and Bruce Yvonne (Film)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Tyler Henry (TV Series), 1 episode: "Brotherhood"
2005 Voodoo You Believe Adrian (Short film)
2006 15 Films About Madonna Madonna - American Life (TV Series), 1 episode: "Pilot"
2007 A Four Letter Word Tess Tickles (credited as Michael Ferreira) (Film)
2008 Z Rock Stylist (TV Series), 1 episode: "Episode #1.7"
It's Me, Matthew! Matthew / Ms. Cann (credited as Michael Ferreira) (Short film)
Viralcom Carmella Cann (credited as Carmella Cann) (TV Series), 1 episode: "You Got Yourself 30 Seconds"
The Accidental Husband Cake Consultant (uncredited) (Film)
2023-2024 In The Cann With Carmella Cann Carmella Cann (Host) (Podcast Series)

Published works

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McDerman, wrote "Leading Ladies: A brief history of gay culture and its Founding Mothers" published in Next Magazine (New York City) (USA) June 19, 2006, pg. 28–29.

Awards

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McDerman, in 2008 shared a Juror Award at West Hollywood International Film Festival for the short film It's Me, Matthew!

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Main Stage: Carmella Cann To Host". Thelgbtexpo.com. Life OUT Loud Events. January 14, 2016. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Siegel, Joe (July 30, 2009). "RI Film Fest hosts 235 films, honors Shatner". EDGE Media Network. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  3. ^ "Carmella Cann's Variety Hour, written by Michael McDerman, at Helen's Hideaway Room on the 7 & 29 Apr 2006". Newyorktheatreguide.com. New York Theatre Guide. February 28, 2006. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  4. ^ Crockett, Thomas. "Queen of Baruch" The Ticker (USA) May 16, 2005, pg. 10.
  5. ^ a b Horwitz, Simi Horwitz (March 10, 2004). "It's a Drag! And Hopefully A Career-Booster". Backstage.com. Backstage, LLC. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  6. ^ Schwartz, Daylle Deanna (February 1, 2007). Straight Talk with Gay Guys: What Girlfriends Can't Tell You and Straight Men Won't. Health Communications, Inc. ISBN 978-0757305764. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  7. ^ Strause, Jackie (June 5, 2008). "Starr Report: Kathie Lee". New York Post. NYP Holdings, Inc. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  8. ^ Musto, Michael (January 30, 2008). "Trailer Alert: It's Me, Musto!". Village Voice. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  9. ^ Pennacchia, Toni; Elsnau, Paul; Ferreira, Michael (2009). "RIIFF Community – Podcasts – Michael Ferreira – It's Me, Matthew!". Filmfestival.org. Spoiler Alert Radio via Flickers, The Newport Film Society & Arts Collaborative.
  10. ^ "Rhode Island Film Festival – August 3–9, 2009" (PDF). Filmfestival.org. Flickers, The Newport Film Society & Arts Collaborative. 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  11. ^ Mano, Henrique. MICHAEL FERREIRA TEMS ORIGENS EM MANGUALDE – Luso-americano que faz carreira como actor aventura-se agora an realização – É semi-autobiográfica a primeira curta-metragem que assina como realizador de cinema (MICHAEL FERREIRA HAVE CHANGES IN Mangualde – Luso-American who is acting career adventure is now an achievement – is semi-autobiographical short film first signing as film director). Luso-Americano (USA) June 27, 2008, Iss. 3515, pp. 1, 11. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  12. ^ "Carmella Cann". YouTube. Retrieved September 27, 2024.

Further reading

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