jazzmyne

PUBLIC RELATIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August, 2001

MAILON RIVERA

STARS IN MTV"S FIRST SOAP-OPERA "SPYDER GAMES"

Tall, sexy, charming and drop dead 'phine,' Mailon Rivera has been patiently honing a very successful acting career in Hollywood. The power of his electrifying magnetism has been witnessed as the romantic lead in BET's original film comedy "Midnight Blue," along with credits that include such top television shows as "Nash Bridges," "3rd Rock from the Sun," "Seinfeld," "The Hughley's" "Party of Five" and the HBO series "Arli$$". Fans are in for a reoccurring treat when Rivera appears as Lt. Henry Pardee on MTV's new daily half-hour soap opera, "Spyder Games." The show debuts on Monday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m., and will air Monday through Friday in the late afternoon and repeat late evenings. An exciting coup for the actor, "Spyder Games" promises to do for soaps what "Scream" did for horror movies!

"I am truly having a blast," states Rivera. "The cast and the directors have been great fun to work with and MTV is really enthusiastic about the show. The show centers on the Carlisles, Ft. Kent's wealthiest and more-than-slightly dysfunctional family. My role is Lt. Henry Pardee, the top cop in the town of Ft. Kent. He is a single parent raising a daughter alone. He is very strong and stern, yet there is a gentleness and humanity to him that comes through, especially when he is dealing with his child." Not bad for a Puerto Rican kid from Brooklyn who once breakdanced for subway change in New York City's Times Square, in front of the same building that later was to headquarter MTV! "I wouldn't change that experience for anything in the world," he says. "I was practically homeless and sleeping on rooftops back then, but I think it made me stronger as a person because it allowed me to see what I really wanted in life. My life experience is important in that I can now show kids who have to grow up hard like me that there is another way out if you truly want something in life.

" Relocating to Los Angeles bought an exciting change of pace to Rivera. He was able to find work fast because of his work ethic and sheer force of determination. "I was originally into music. I recorded an album for Quincy Jones's label Qwest/Warner Bros. as part of a group called "The NU." Unfortunately, the album was never released. I must admit I was very disappointed. Where I'm from, if you don't grab something quickly enough, or you're unsure of what you want, there are 10,000 people waiting in the wings who will gladly take your spot." When asked to elaborate on his life prior to acting he responds, "Like most people, I have made some mistakes in my life. I guess it was part of growing up. I grew up harder than most. I was the welfare baby; the foster child and the son of drug addicted parents. However, I was fortunate enough to always have had a strong sense of dignity and self-respect. I have been mentoring at-risk kids for some time now, and I feel that self-respect is one of the most important qualities to instill in children to help them survive intact in a rough world. It's sad, but so many people who are caught in that type of environment eventually get swallowed up by the cruel city".

With "Spyder Games" Mailon is afforded the opportunity to continue to build upon a career that has been steadily rising. As Lt. Henry Pardee enters our home, Mailon Rivera impresses us with his story, which is one of victory. He is a great example of the power of self and doesn't mind being a role model. Not bad for a breakdancing kid from Brooklyn. Photo of Mailon Attached Look for "SPYDER GAMES" to debut on Monday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. on MTV. Log onto www.mtv.com for more info.