txt=MARK CIARDI (producer), with partner Gordon Gray, made his motion picture debut with Walt Disney Pictures' box office success "The Rookie."  The film has grossed over $75 million at the U.S. box office and won the award for Best Sports Film at last year's ESPY Awards.  They also produced "The New Guy," starring D.J. Qualls and Eliza Dushku for Revolution Studios/Columbia Pictures.

Ciardi and Gray recently entered into a first look deal with The Walt Disney Studios.  They are currently working for the studio on the romantic comedy "The Jane Plan," written by Ed Decter and John Strauss.  In addition, they are developing the feature film version of "Knight Rider" for Revolution Studios.

An All State High School Pitcher from New Jersey, Mark Ciardi went on to play ball for the University of Maryland. He was drafted in 1983 and had a career in pro ball with the Milwaukee Brewers, making it to their big league team in 1987. The curse of injury that follows most professional pitchers felled Ciardi, ending his career in pro ball.