RIVER PHOENIX stars as Eddie Birdlace in Warner Bros.' "DOGFIGHT."

RICHARD PANEBIANCO (Berzin) is a 20-year-old Brooklyn native who studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he performed in "The Odd Couple" and "The Questioning of Nick." In addition, he attended a performing arts training camp in upstate New York called Stagedoor Manor, where he acted in "Runaways."

It was only his third audition that landed him the lead role of Tony in the feature film "China Girl." He went on to star in "Flying Blind" and to appear in "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Cadillac Man."

On television he has been seen on "Miami Vice" and "Friday the 13th."

MITCHELL WHITFIELD (Benjamin) co-stars with Joe Pesci in "My Cousin Vinnie." He portrayed a law student in his first feature film, "Reversal of Fortune," with Glenn Close, Jeremy Irons and Ron Silver.

Whitfield has been seen in the syndicated television series "Monsters," as well as on Broadway and in the touring companies of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Biloxi Blues," playing the lead role of Eugene Morris Jerome. He has starred in the Off-Broadway show "Ad Hock."

Whitfield attended New York's High School of Performing Arts and Colgate University.

ANTHONY CLARK (Buele), who makes his feature-film debut, has previously been a comedy performer. In the short time that he has been performing professionally, Anthony Clark has established a growing following. He has appeared at a number of prestigious comedy clubs, including Catch a Rising Star, Caroline's and the Improv. In his last semester at Emerson College, he was chosen the Top College Comedian in the U.S. for 1986 by the American Collegiate Talent Showcase.

On television, Clark was given a half-hour comedy special on MTV, was in the NBC pilot "Social Studies," and appeared on "Comic Strip Live," Showtime's "The Comedy Club Network" and "The Nashville Network."

Clark has a dramatic background as well. At the Renaissance Theatre Festival in Oswego, New York, he performed in "Twelfth Night" and "Flying Doctor." While in college he was in over 10 plays, from "Finian's Rainbow" to "King Lear."

Singer/songwriter/actress HOLLY NEAR (Rose, Sr.) began her career in film and television after high school, when she moved to Los Angeles from Northern California to study acting at UCLA. She has worked with directors John Cassavettes in "Minnie and Moskowitz" and George Roy Hill in "Slaughterhouse Five." She also did a stint in the historic Broadway production of "Hair." In 1971, she joined Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland in the "Free the Army" tour for GIs and service women opposing the war in Vietnam. Extensive touring paved the way for her first album, "Hang In There."

In 1972 she founded Redwood Records. From a fledgling label, Redwood has lived up to its name and grown into a substantial non-profit cultural arts organization with Near as artistic director. She has helped pave the way for women artists in the music industry and was honored for her achievements as a "Woman of the Year" by Ms. Magazine.

Near has toured for nearly 20 years worldwide, performing over 100 concerts per year. She has just recorded her 15th album, "Singer in the Storm," with a special appearance by Argentina's Mercedes Sosa. Her spirited anthems and soulful ballads are sung around the world.

In 1988, she celebrated her return to theater, starring in "The 1940s Radio Hour." This highly praised production was directed by her sister, Timothy Near, and enjoyed a sold-out run at the San Jose Repertory Theater.

Her autobiography, Fire in the Rain...Singer in the Storm, was recently published by William Morrow and PBS recently aired a TV special on Near and her music.

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