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Biography

Bob Van Ronkel is an American Producer and the President of Doors to Hollywood, a company that in the last 8 years has brought over 60 world famous Hollywood stars and bands to Russia and other countries for special projects such as; Film festivals and fashion shows, feature film and television appearances, private parties and concerts.

Some of those guests were:  Jack Nicholson, Jim Carrey, Sean Penn, Mickey Rourke, John Malkovich, Dolph Lundgren, Pamela Anderson, Mariah Carrey, Katy Perry, Kiss, Nazareth, Scorpions, Brian Ferry, A-HA, 30 Seconds to Mars, Gypsy Kings, and many more.

Among other things, Bob has produced five Hollywood films, three of which filmed in Russia, a Russian television series for ORT called “Tryukachi”, three Odessa Jazz Festivals, the MDM Bank/Hiro Yamagata laser exhibition for Saint Petersburg’s 300 year anniversary and three 1,000,000 Smiles charity events for orphan children. Bob has been a consultant to five film festivals «Kinotavr», «Faces of Love», «2Morrow», «Me and Family» the «Moscow International Film Festival» as well as Russian channels MTV, MUZ TV, NTV and many other prominent companies and individuals. In 2007 he opened the Grand Havana Room Moscow, a private cigar and business club for Russia’s elite.

Bob is currently arranging to reopen the Grand Havana Room in a new location and to bring many more actors and bands to Russia. He is in pre-production on a US television series called, “From the Files of the KGB” and developing two other television series. Another project Bob is working on is his “Doors to Hollywood Film Festival in Saint Petersburg”, tentatively planned for October, 2011 and one in which he will bring at least ten well known Hollywood actors and directors to participate in.

2010

 

 

July:

Taking actor Rutger Hauer to the first Odessa International Film Festival to participate as their celebrity guest.

June:

Took actor Dolph Lundgren to participate as a celebrity guest of director Timur Bekmambetov's first Astana International Action Film Festival in Kazakhstan, beginning June 28th to July 1st.

Brought the band The Exies, to perform at the Muz TV Awards show in Moscow.

May:

Started production of “Polnaya Halyava” May 26th. Filming in Moscow and Turkey.

April:

Finalized agreements to Executive Produce a new Russian comedy called, “Polnaya Halyava

 

2009
 
 

Received final approval from the Russian Government’s Foundation for Patriotic Cinema, to assist Grasso-Jacobson, Fremantle and myself to produce a US television series called, “From the Files of the KGB”.

Was invited to be on the jury of the Miss Russia Beauty Finals in Siberia.

Spent a few days with Steven Seagal during his visit to Moscow.

Attended the Russian premier of Couples Retreat with actor Vince Vaughn, producer Scott Stuber and director Peter Billingsley.

October:

Brought actor Rutger Hauer to be on the jury of the 2Morrow Film Festival.

July:

Dolph came to Moscow so we could finalize an agreement to film a Russian comedy in 2010 called Sashleak.

Was Alice Cooper’s guest at his concert in Moscow.

Attended the Russian premier of Transformers 2 with Michael Bay and Robert Offer.

Brought Katy Perry, Bryan Ferry and Sum 41 to perform at the Muz TV Music Awards. 

June:

Spent three days hanging out with Tommy Lee and Motley Crew in Moscow.

Attended the Russian premier of Public Enemies with director Michael Mann and producer Kevin Misher.

Was hired to represent Muz TV and bring a few bands for their Music Awards Show on June 5th.

March: Spent three days with Mickey Rourke in Moscow during his visit to promote The Wrestler.
   
2008
   
October:

Co Produced Dolph Lundgren’s film Command Performance, which partially shot in Moscow.

September:

Threw a party for Pamela Anderson, Andrea Kovalev and his band Piligrim at Grand Havana Room.

Arranged for Pamela Anderson to visit Moscow and star in a new music video for the Russian band Piligrim.

Spent time with Snoop Dogg during his visit to Moscow.

Entertained President Fidel Castro’s son, Dr. Fidel Castro Jr. at Grand Havana Room Moscow.

August:

Arranged for Russian singer Irson Kudikova to fly to Bulgaria and act in Dolph Lundgren’s film, “Command Performance.”

Arranged for Andrea Kovalev, Deputy of the Russian Government and lead singer for the Russian Rock Band Piligrim, to fly to Bulgaria with his band and be filmed as the opening act in Dolph Lundgren’s film, “Command Performance.”

June:

Arranged for director Rob Minkoff (The Forbidden Kingdom, Haunted Mansion, Lion King and Roger Rabbit) to attend as the celebrity guest of Vladimir Naumov’s film festival “My Family and Me,” in Moscow. 

Arranged for actor Jared Leto and his band "30 Seconds to Mars" to perform with Jennifer Lopez at the Muse TV awards show in Moscow.

Arranged for Dolph Lundgren to attend the World Fashion TV party for Garage Number One.

May:

Entertained Doc McGhee, Gene Simmons and Kiss for a few nights during their tour in Russia.

Traveled to Chechnya as a guest of President Ramzan Kadyrov, to discuss bringing Hollywood stars and bands to his festivals and events in Chechnya.  

March:

Brought Oscar winning actor Jon Voight and Dolph Lundgren to Moscow to attend a party at the Grand Havana Room.

Brought actors Armand Assante, Mark Dacascos and Casper Van Dien to visit the Grand Havana Room after their trip to Kazakhstan.

Was hired by Muse TV to bring a band to perform at their Muse TV Awards show on June 6th.

February:

Threw a party for Actor, and 11 time world kick-boxing champion Don “The Dragon” Wilson at Grand Havana Room.

2007
   
December:

Opened Grand Havana Room Moscow.

November:

Threw Dolph Lundgren's 50th birthday party at the Grand Havana Room Moscow. 

Took rock star Alice Cooper to GQ Restaurant for dinner the night before his concert in Moscow.

October:

Hosted a dinner party for Steven Seagal and some Russian investors in Moscow.

July:

Brought Mariah Carrey to perform and Mickey Rourke to attend a high profile wedding party in Moscow.

June:

Brought Dolph Lundgren to fight the Former Ultimate Fighting Champion of the World, Oleg Taktarov, for the First Channel's television program "Ring King".

April:

Brought Pamela Anderson to host Russia's MTV Actors Award show.

Brought Pamela Anderson to attend the Grand Opening party for the new restaurant Damas.

2006
   
December:

Retained by MTV Russia to bring a well-known Hollywood Star to their MTV Actors Awards show on April 19th, 2007.

Threw a 34th birthday party in Moscow, for Muammar al-Gaddafi’s son.

November:

Brought musician Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), for Vladimir Kiselev's concert at the Kremlin Palace.

September:

Introduced actor Steven Seagal to the president of Russia's International Intelligence Agency called Vimple.

Produced the Odessa Jazz Festival.

Produced 1,000,000 Smiles third children's charity event "A Day at the Jazz Festival." 1,000 Ukrainian orphans attended and enjoyed a day of music, clowns, fun and children's shows.

Entertained actor Marc Decascos and manager Eric Nelson in Moscow during their visit for the premier of Marc's new film, Nomad.

August:

Sold actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore a 3 acre parcel of land in Beverly Hills to build their dream home.

July:

Arranged for Dolph Lundgren to attend the Russian Open Golf Tournament.

Arranged for Dolph Lundgren to attend and receive an award at the 25th annual Vimple Awards Ceremony. Dolph and Bob were the first foreigner's ever allowed to attend the ceremony.

Arranged for Dolph Lundgren to act in the first Russian music video to use a Hollywood star. The Russian singer performing was Irson Kudikova.

Raised the financing from sponsors and will produce the 2006 Odessa Jazz Festival, September 15-17.

Purchased the well-known restaurant Zebra Square with partners. Will soon begin construction to open the Grand Havana Room.Arranged for Dolph Lundgren to attend the Russian Open Golf Tournament.

Arranged for Dolph Lundgren to attend and receive an award at the 25th annual Vimple Awards Ceremony. Dolph and Bob were the first foreigner's ever allowed to attend the ceremony.

Arranged for Dolph Lundgren to act in the first Russian music video to use a Hollywood star. The Russian singer performing was Irson Kudikova.

Raised the financing from sponsors and will produce the 2006 Odessa Jazz Festival, September 15-17.

Purchased the well-known restaurant Zebra Square with partners. Will soon begin construction to open the Grand Havana Room.

May:

Brought actor Dolph Lundgren to Moscow to attend a private birthday party.

Hosted actress Liv Tyler for two days of excursions in Moscow including Red Square, The Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Saint Basil's Cathedral, Russian Armory Museum and a private tour of the Kremlin.

April:

Brought Actress Milla Jovovich to Host the MTV Russia Actors Awards Ceremony and promote her new film "Ultra Violet" for Pyramid distribution.

March:

Brought Dolph Lundgren to Moscow to finalize an agreement with writers and producers to shoot one of his next films in Moscow.

Hosted Director Luc Besson during his trip to Moscow to promote the opening of his film Angel A.

January:

Hired by MTV Russia to get the best possible actress to host the Russian MTV Actors Awards Ceremony on April 21.

2005
   
October:

Arranged for actor Rutger Hauer to become the President of the 1st "International History and Adventure Cinema Festival" in the Valday region of Russian.

September:

Had the Russian theatrical premier of my most recently produced film.

Arranged for actor David Carradine to film a New Years greeting for the Russian company Alliance.

Arranged for actor Armand Assante to film a New Years greeting for Alliance.

Took actor Armand Assante to Odessa to be the celebrity guest of the Odessa Jazz Festival 2005.

Produced the Odessa Jazz Festival from on September 16th, 17th and 18th. 60,000 people attended.

Arranged for actor Armand Assante to attend Anastasia Volechkova's dinner party in Moscow and advise her about her future acting career.

Secured the financing to open the "Grand Havana Room" private cigar club in Moscow.

Entered into an agreement to finance and co-produce actor Dolph Lundgren's next film. Will start shooting in Russia in April of 2006.

Brought actor Dolph Lundgren back to Moscow to be the celebrity guest at "Olympic Star's" grand opening.

August:

Brought actors David Carradine and Dolph Lundgren to attend the Cadillac Russian Golf Classic Tournament in Moscow.

January:

Acquired the Russian rights to open the most exclusive and well-known private cigar club in America, “Grand Havana Room”. GHR currently has one club in Beverly Hills and the second club in New York, a few of the clubs 1600 international members are: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicholson, Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, Nicholas Cage, Sharon Stone, Ben Affleck, Dan Quayle, Richard Parsons, EMI Music, Polygram Records, RCA, Artista Records, Nascar, Morgan Stanley, Paine Webber, Bank of America, Credit Swiss Bank, Fox Sports, Oppenheimer.

2004
   
December:

Opened "Hollywood's Russian Film Services", a new television and film production service company for western film makers.

October:

Retained by one of Russia's largest conglomerates "Interros", to locate renowned South Korean Film Director Kim Ki Duk and convince him to direct a photo shoot of their 2005 calendar "Seasons". Spent one week in South Korea with Kim Ki Duk, Nastja Potanin and Interros representatives shooting the calendar.

September:

Produced our second 1,000,000 Smiles charity event entitled "A Day at the Odessa Jazz Festival". Brought 900 Ukrainian Orphans from regions around Odessa, to the Odessa Philharmonic. The children enjoyed a day with clowns; balloons, games and listening to musically gifted children perform a jazz concert for them. When it was over, each child received a balloon, a Coca Cola, a McDonald's Happy Meal and a toy.

Produced "The Odessa Jazz Festival", September 23-26. Four days of indoor and outdoor Jazz concerts and music, parades, DJ's, clowns and with approximately 50,000 people attending.

Produced "A Day of Jazz" for 100 handicapped Ukrainian orphans living in an Odessa orphanage. Because of the severity of their handicap, sent clowns and jazz musicians to entertain them at the orphanage and delivered balloons, Coca Cola and 100 McDonald's Happy meals to them at the school.

July:

Executive Produced "Mirror Wars," an American film shot in Russia and starring Malcolm McDowell, Rutger Hauer, Armand Assante and some well-known Russian actors.

June:

Arranged the Russian Service deal for a Hallmark Films movie “Icon,” which shot in Moscow and starred Patrick Swayze, Michael York and was produced by Pat Peach.

Took actor Dolph Lundgren and singer Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, to attend Billy Zane's birthday party in London.

May:

Assisted in arranging an Ice T concert in the Caribbean Islands.

Arrange for BB King to come to Moscow and perform at the Kremlin Palace.

2003
   
September

Arranged and Produced "1,000,000 Smiles" first charitable event, "A Day at the Cinema". Brought 1,000 Russian orphan children to the American Cinema in Moscow, for a day of fun and entertainment that included clowns, magicians, music and the animated film "The Adventures of Sin bad". All children received a McDonald's Happy Meals with Coca Cola and when they departed, each received a large gift bag filled with toys, drinks, shirts, books, coloring pens, candy, toothbrush and other items contributed by sponsors. It was a day 1,000 Russian orphans ages 6-14 will never forget, and neither will we. Brought actor Val Kilmer to Moscow to participate in a Celebrity Bowling Tournament. 

Co-Produced a television program titled Tryukachi" on Russia's first channel ORT. Arranged the attendance and participation of actors Dolph Lundgren, Rutger Hauer and Jean-Claude Van Damme in the program.

July:

Organized Jim Carrey's second visit and vacation in Moscow and actor Noah Emmerich's first visit. Spent six days together in Moscow and then took Jim and Noah to see Prague.

June:

Arranged for Steven Segal to be a celebrity guest of the Moscow Film festival.

May:

Produced "Hiro Yamagata's Outdoor Laser Installation Exhibition" for MDM Bank and the city of Saint Petersburg's 300 year anniversary celebration. It was reported that 1.5 million people attended the first show on the 27th.

March:

Formed a charity organization called "1,000,000 Smiles" to do special events and programs for underprivileged Russian children.

January:

Became Vice President of the Kinotavr "Faces of Love" Film Festival in Moscow. Brought academy award winning actress Faye Dunaway to attend and receive a lifetime achievement award.

 
2002
   
August:

Retained to help arrange a Russians businessman's 31st birthday party in Cannes, France. Took actors Val Kilmer, Faye Dunaway, James Caan, Billy Zane, Rutger Hauer, Ralf Moeller and N'Sync star Chris Kirkpatrick. Hired the bands Ah-Ha and the Gypsy Kings to perform at the private party.

Hired by the Kinotavr Film Festival to bring two actors to their June, 2002 film festival in Sochi. Arranged for actor Dolph Lundgren to attend the festival’s opening ceremony and actor Eric Roberts to attend the closing.

March:

Retained to help arrange a Russian Bankers one week long, 30th birthday party at the Grand Lido Bracco Resort in Jamaica. Some of the entertainment provided was a private concert’s by Kiss, the Scorpions, Sugar Ray and Nazareth. There was an Ultimate Fighting Tournament, Carnival from Brazil, Yachts, jets, helicopters, Flamingo dancers and actor Billy Zane attended.

 

2001
   
November:

Formed a new company called "Doors to Hollywood".

Retained by Matador Media to publicize the opening of their new Moscow offices. Brought actors John Malkovich and Dolph Lundgren to Moscow for the opening.

Executive Produced, "Red Serpent", An American film shot in Moscow, starring Roy Scheider, Michael Pare and Oleg Taktarov.

One of the initial founders of G-Net (the Game Network), which is currently in the process of becoming a new TV video game network.

Organized and arranged a first-time trip to Russia for actor Jim Carrey, who spent one week visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg.

United States Director for the XXIII Moscow International Film Festival. Invited and arranged for actors Jack Nicholson, Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson, Peta Wilson, Lara Flynn Boyle and Samo Hung to attend the festival in June of 2001.

Negotiated a contract for First Purification Systems, giving them the exclusive right to install and operate all washer and dryer facilities for 1000 apartment units in Los Angeles.

2000
   
 

Became a Managing Partner of San Marino Financial Group LLC.

Became the United States Director for the XXII Moscow International Film Festival. Responsible for bringing Paramount Pictures President Sherry Lansing, Director Billy Friedkin, US E-Television and other notables of the American Film Industry to Moscow for the July 2000 festival.

Signed Russian singing stars, Phillip Kirkorov and Alla Pugacheva to a United States Internet music contract.

Raised financing and Executive Produced the film "Scream Of the Mummy".

Arranged multi-million dollar Internet music-publishing contract for legendary rock concert promoter Don Kirshner.

Located and secured the investment bankers who raised $50,000,000 and took Internet music company, MCY, public.

1999
   
 

Arranged and escorted Academy Award winning actor Martin Landau to Moscow, as a guest of the XXI Moscow International Film Festival.

Executive Produced - the award winning film "The Tic Code".

1995-1998
   
 

Organized a trip to Russia for Warner Bros. Studios executives to meet with Mayor Louzshkov and the Moscow Government. Initiated talks to build multiplex cinemas in Moscow.

Partner and Executive Producer of Sherman/Van Ronkel Productions which helped finance the TV series "The Adventures Of Tarzan."

1992-1994
   
  Became owner and General Partner, as well as secured the financing and oversaw the construction and design of 435 North, a popular and fashionable restaurant in Beverly Hills.

Real estate sales agent in Beverly Hills and exclusive sales representative for S. Mark Taper and the REO department of American Savings and Loan.