Биография
Lorne "Lonnie" Hughes, born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Virgin Islands, is one of eight siblings. Known for his father's restless spirit, Lonnie always made sure to check in at home before dating, just to be certain.
With such a rich heritage, Lonnie’s talent for portraying seemingly normal characters with an unsettling edge creates a unique blend reminiscent of a black Bob Newhart meeting Dexter. He expertly navigates the fine line between good and bad, embracing the complexity of the human experience as an actor.
His career began at MTV Networks after a dare from a freshman classmate to audition for an MTV show, all while studying psychology at Adelphi University. Initially hired as an on-air dancer for his quirky moves and flamboyant style, Lonnie quickly moved into an executive casting role, gaining popularity on the hit show CLUB MTV. He became a network spokesman, representing CLUB MTV in live and televised events such as "The Ace Awards," the Joan Rivers Show, Rick Dees, Into the Night, and the Phil Donahue Show. Lonnie also became a regular performer at private events, featured in on-air interviews and publications including People Magazine, The Daily News, and the Post Newspaper.
Building on his rising fame and charisma, Lonnie founded D.F.U.N.K. (Dial Fast U Now Know), a dance company that trained and managed teens in dance, event production, and hospitality. D.F.U.N.K. quickly became one of New York City's most sought-after dance troupes, known for exclusive private events. This success landed him on the cover of The New York Times City Section and BBC News, earning him the nickname "Hype Man" for making "uncomfortable" stylish.
He was soon traveling worldwide to host events that bridged diverse communities, encouraging self-expression. His shows consistently carried the message: "You're either living your life or you're busy living a lie."
In college, he founded C.A.L.I.B.E.R. (Cause to Achieve Leadership, Intelligence, Brotherhood, Excellence, and Respect), a club aimed at supporting minority students feeling out of place socially. C.A.L.I.B.E.R. has since expanded in size and reputation, spreading to other colleges on Long Island.
Leveraging his experience, Lonnie appeared on popular TV shows including ER, Mad Men, Prison Break, and Desperate Housewives. He then turned to writing, focusing on strong minority voices often excluded from mainstream media, creating screenplays like "Every Saturday Night I'm Jewish" and a novel titled Hollywood Junkie.
He produced and directed a 10-minute short film based on Hollywood Junkie called "Anonymously Famous," featured in Talent in Motion magazine and earning him the title "The Renaissance Man."
Lonnie has co-directed projects such as "Driven," a documentary about talented women, and "Broken Marine," a short film about an invisible veteran’s return home. Currently, he is collaborating with Janice Doskey, former SVP of Film and Television for the Blue Man Group, on a three-part animated feature.
In 2014, Lonnie launched a folk-electronic band initially called "the new peter gabrielz," now known as "The Gabrielz." They shared the stage with Kanye West and Jason Mraz during Budweiser's "Made in America Tour." Inspired by his mother’s and grandmother’s motto, "You can have it, but you must first design it," Lonnie lives by the mantra: "So design it, collaborate, and make it happen!
