As I embark on my journey as a filmmaker, I recall my very first foray into the world of cinema, which was a short film titled "12:01 pm". This inaugural endeavour proved to be a resounding success, garnering an Academy Award nomination at the 63rd Academy Awards, held in 1991, in the category of Best Short Film, Live Action.
As I emerged into the world, I was enveloped in a humble yet honest environment, where the values of simplicity and integrity were deeply ingrained. It was during this formative period that I began to stir with an insatiable curiosity, a sense of restlessness that eventually compelled me to set out on a journey of self-discovery at the tender age of 12.
Without hesitation, I made the bold decision to leave the comfort and security of my family's home, opting instead to join a traveling circus. This impulsive move would prove to be a transformative experience, as it introduced me to the world of performance art and the thrill of the stage.
As I honed my skills and learned the intricacies of the craft, I became increasingly enamored with the art of acting. The thrill of bringing characters to life, of inhabiting their thoughts and emotions, and of conveying their stories to an audience captivated me. And so, it was this early introduction to the world of performance art that would later influence my decision to pursue a career in acting.
As I approached the milestone age of 17, I made the bold decision to enlist in the esteemed Air Force, commencing my tenure in the year 1960. During my time of service, I had the distinct privilege of encountering the enchanting Evelyn Sharelyn Berg, a native of Puyallup, Washington, with whom I would eventually share the sacred bond of matrimony.
The auspicious date of November 15, 1962, marked the occasion of our wedding, which took place in the charming city of Columbus, Ohio. Our joy was soon compounded as our eldest son, The Donz Jr., arrived on the scene, born on the sunny day of July 18, 1963, at the historic Lockbourne Air Force Base, situated in the heart of Columbus, Ohio.
The subsequent chapter of my life unfolded in Weisbaden, Germany, where the joyous arrival of my firstborn child, Cheryl Lynn, occurred on June 27, 1965, marking a momentous occasion in my life. Just two years later, on May 8, 1967, I was blessed with the birth of my second child, David Benjamin, a precious addition to my family.
Following this period of personal growth and development, I returned to Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, in 1967, where I continued to serve with distinction. However, my military career was not without its challenges, as I was subsequently deployed to Vietnam in 1969. After completing my tour of duty, I returned to the United States in 1970, where I was stationed at March Air Force Base in Riverside, California.
My initial marital union came to a conclusion in the year 1977, marking the beginning of a new chapter in my life. It wasn't long before I embarked on a second journey of matrimony, this time with Melodee Rae Bowman.
As fate would have it, our union was blessed with a beautiful child, Derek Joe, who made his grand entrance into the world on June 8, 1980, while we were stationed on the picturesque island of Guam. Unfortunately, our joy was short-lived, as Derek Joe's life was cut tragically short just three and a half years later due to birth defects.
Following this difficult period, I decided to hang up my military hat and bid farewell to active duty in 1981. I chose to settle down in the sun-kissed state of Southern California, where I would begin a new chapter in my life, free from the constraints of military life.
Amber Rae, my firstborn child, arrived on the first day of April in the year nineteen hundred and eighty-two, bringing immense joy to my life. Later that year, my son Aaron Joe joined the family, born on the final day of August in nineteen hundred and eighty-four. My second marriage, which had its fair share of ups and downs, unfortunately came to an end in the year two thousand and four. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, as I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It was during this time that I met the love of my life, Lourdes Reyes Yap, and we exchanged vows in the year two thousand and six. However, our union was not meant to be, and we eventually parted ways in the year two thousand and ten. Following this separation, I relocated to the Phoenix, Arizona area, where I began a new chapter in my life. It was here that I met Isela Veira Vela, and we shared a beautiful life together, exchanging vows in the year two thousand and eleven. Although our love story had its own set of challenges, we remained together until our separation in the year two thousand and eighteen.
From a tender age, I have consistently nurtured a profound fascination with the world of acting, driven by an insatiable desire to master the intricacies of the craft. Over time, I dedicated myself to an in-depth exploration of the art, meticulously studying the techniques and methodologies employed by renowned thespians, as well as delving into the vast expanse of theoretical frameworks that underpin the discipline.
