Blair Underwood to Narrate ABC's SECRET MILLIONAIRE

By: May. 11, 2012
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SECRET MILLIONAIRE is a one-hour alternative series that follows some of America's most successful business people as they spend a week in the country's poorest areas and ultimately gift deserving members of those communities with hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own money. This season, acclaimed actor Blair Underwood joins the show as narrator. 

Underwood is perhaps best known as headstrong attorney Jonathan Rollins from the NBC legal drama L.A. Law, a role he portrayed for seven years. He has gained critical acclaim throughout his career, receiving numerous Golden Globe Award nominations, three NAACP Image Awards and a Grammy Award. In recent years, he has appeared on The New Adventures of Old Christine, Dirty Sexy Money and In Treatment and was in NBC's The Event. He currently stars in the role of Stanley in the Broadway revival of 'A Streetcar Named Desire.'

In the Season Premiere episode, millionaire and world-renowned artist Scott Jacobs and his sheltered 18-year-old daughter, Alexa, leave behind their family and lavish lifestyle in San Diego to spend six days in Newark, New Jersey - an American city in need - to search for those most in need of financial help. While there, father and daughter will attempt to survive on less than $75 during their week-long visit, while volunteering their time to worthy charitable organizations and searching their hearts to determine how much of their own fortune to gift the community heroes they meet. "Secret Millionaire" premieres SUNDAY, JUNE 3 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Scott Jacobs came from humble beginnings and learned early on that success is undeniably linked to hard work and perseverance. In high school his creative side was jumpstarted when he was persuaded to become the artist for the school newspaper, an area in which he showed great talent that would re-emerge later in life. Scott understood that to follow his dreams he had to control his own destiny, so at the age of 19 he became one of the youngest ever owners of an art gallery. This sweat equity would translate into a successful business and enable him to take major leaps in a career that continues to the present day.

Later in life, when Scott's wife, Sharon, gave him a paint set as a gift, the creative juices began to flow again and, as in high school, he began to draw and paint some of the things that interested him, like motorcycles and cars. At an art show in New York, he came a step closer to becoming a recognized artist with a couple of Harley-Davidson paintings that garnered a lot of public attention, as well as the attention of Harley-Davidson, which in 1993 made him their first-ever officially licensed artist. As interest in his Photo-Realist paintings grew, Scott expanded his repertoire to include wine and spirits still-lifes, classic cars and lifestyle imagery. His art now hangs in museums, galleries and private collections in more than 60 countries.

Scott's career has also enabled him to live up to the values of taking personal responsibility and giving back to one's community; over the last 30 years, he has contributed both time and money to numerous charities, and he intends to continue helping others, which he finds one of the most rewarding things in life.

Based on the hit UK series of the same name, each episode of "Secret Millionaire" follows one of America's most successful business people for one week as they leave behind their lavish lifestyles, sprawling mansions and luxury jets, conceal their true identities, and go to live and volunteer in some of the most impoverished and dangerous neighborhoods in the country. Their mission is to discover deserving individuals who continually sacrifice everything to help those in need, and ultimately encourage others to do the same. Throughout this incredible, life-changing experience, the Secret Millionaires attempt to remain undiscovered, coming face to face with extraordinary people battling the odds every day of their lives. On the final day, in an emotional and dramatic climax, they reveal their true identities. Ultimately, the millionaires each give away a great deal of their own money, changing lives forever and encouraging others to keep giving back.

"Secret Millionaire" is executive-produced by Natalka Znak, Claire O'Donohoe, Grant Mansfield and Leslie Garvin. Paul Osborne is co-executive producer. The series is a Zodiak USA Production. Zodiak USA is the North American operations for Zodiak Media, one of the world's leading creators, producers and distributors of content for TV, film, radio and new media. Zodiak USA's credits include "Celebrity Wife Swap" (ABC), "Secret Millionaire" (ABC), "Hardcore Pawn" (truTV),"Lizard Lick Towing" (truTV) and the upcoming "Killer Karaoke"(truTV), hosted by Steve-O. Zodiak Media consists of 45 production companies with a presence in 20 countries, including the U.S., the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and Russia. The Group also incorporates an international distribution business based in London and Paris whose catalog boasts over 15,000 hours of content.



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