Biography
Jamie can be seen in Chicago Fire, Contagion, The Nest, Gnomeo and Juliet (uncredited), The Discovery of Alan Hindley, Teachers, Satanic Panic, Treadmill, Devil in My Ride, Ordinary World, Alexis Ronan, The Prophet, Broken, Eyes Upon Waking, Alta Vista, Spiral, Pretty Pickle, Madame Macabre Tells a Terrible Tale About Tongues, Other People's Heads. Jamie Newell, was born Patricia (Patty) Ann Kotapish, to Betty Jane Newell (teacher) and James G. Kotapish, Sr. (businessman) and grew up on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. Jamie Newell married Jim Bina in November 1990 and divorced in January 2010. They have two children, Michael and Molly. Raised with three siblings, Jamie's parents created many opportunities for her to develop her talents. She was very active in the community theaters throughout northeast Ohio winning local awards and even performing alongside her father (deceased 2013). As a child and teenager, Jamie studied dance, voice, art, music and majored in theater and the fine arts in college. She attended Ohio University, Colorado State University and Cleveland State University and continues her education with private classes and coaching from some of the finest pedagogues in the country. Jamie Newell's first feature film opportunity came with Teachers (1984). The role, originally written for a male performer, was changed to a female after she interviewed and auditioned with director, Arthur Hiller. Encouraged by Oscar award winning director, Arthur Hiller, and fellow actor Ron Dean, following that film shoot, Jamie moved to Chicago. While living in Chicago since 1983, Jamie Newell's career has grown to include professional theater, voice acting, on-camera work and live entertainment. It didn't take much to encourage Jamie to move to Chicago. The theater reputation was fabulous. She began auditioning for theater before she finished unpacking and soon won roles in multiple plays, including two national tours with the National Children's Theater Company, under the helm of the award-winning producer, Douglas Love. Jamie's voice-over career also took off shortly after she arrived, voicing radio and TV spots for clients such as Coors, Midway Airlines, Cheez It' Crackers, Delicious Cookies and many others. Over the years, Jamie has voiced multiple commercials, as well as educational and corporate industrials, audio-books and video games. She owns her own home recording studio where she serves her international client-base with state-of-the-art high-quality production and equipment. Just months after unpacking and making Chicago her new home, she landed her first on-camera spot for Best Buy. Many commercials have followed. Special memories were created when on more than one occasion; Jamie's children were cast with her in a print job, a corporate industrial and a TV commercial. Her son, Mike Bina, works in finance and insurance. Her daughter, Molly, performed in the thriller, The Nest, alongside her mother. Molly's aspirations are working with animals as a groomer and is not in show business. Custom Comedy Capers (1990 to 2020) was a special event entertainment agency that was co-founded by Jamie Newell and Jim Bina. It served corporate clients nationally providing a variety of entertainment options. Jamie's comedic improvisational skills were honed during her years working live. Jamie Newell continues to pursue opportunities in all areas of the creative and performing arts.
