Creighton University is known for its programs in business, law and health sciences, as well as its basketball tradition. Less known is the university’s connection to Hollywood. Creighton alumni have worked across film and television, with alumni including William Dozier, Joe Nuñez and Bryan McClure.
William Dozier (B.S. ‘29, J.D. ‘31)
William Dozier, an Omaha native, attended Creighton’s College of Arts and Sciences before graduating from Creighton University School of Law. However, one of his most notable works occurred beyond the realm of law, and in the realm of Gotham City.
While at Creighton, Dozier participated in the National Collegiate Oratorical Contest, a constitutional knowledge competition sponsored by the American Bar Association. Dozier competed in the semifinals and was sent off with a monster rally. He also was a member of the Creighton Players group, which won the Northwestern Theater tournament in Chicago.
According to Variety, “After starting in the real estate business in Buffalo, Toronto and Indianapolis, Dozier, hurt by the economic depression of the 1930s, moved to L.A. in 1934.”
After that he joined a talent agency; he represented writers including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dalton Trumbo and Erle Stanley Gardner.
In 1941, Dozier joined Paramount as head of the story and writing department. During this period, he managed many TV shows including “The Twilight Zone” and “Gunsmoke.” However, his biggest accomplishment would be the production of Batman. DC Comics sold the television rights to “Batman” for $7,000, according to ScreenRant.
Dozier said, “I bought a dozen of the comic books from various vintages, so I read all these things, and I thought they must be out of their minds. It was all so juvenile and so then a very simple idea came to me and that was to overdo it. And if you over did it, I thought it would be funny for adults and yet would be stimulating for kids, you had to appeal on both levels to have a chance.”
Dozier produced the 1966 television series “Batman,” starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin.
Sophia Santos, a sophomore history major at Creighton, said Dozier’s career demonstrates the possibilities available to humanities students.
“Honestly, I feel very empowered in that way. I feel like when it comes to history majors and honestly humanities majors in general, we are seen as stifled in a way,” Santos said. “To see a history major that’s able to go into such a different career than what’s expected of a history major makes it so empowering.”
Dozier also was credited as executive producer of “Batman.” The website 1966 Batman Pages also credits him with the show’s famous closing line: “Tune in tomorrow night, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!”
Joe Nuñez (B.A. ‘97 or ‘98)
Joe Nuñez may be less recognizable to audiences than Dozier, but he has appeared in nearly 40 films and television productions since 1999, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Nuñez has not typically played leading roles, but he has appeared in several well-known productions. In Superbad, he played a liquor store clerk, while in The Pursuit of Happyness, he played a man who runs over the main character.
Nuñez voiced Rock-Eye, a desert toad, in the 2011 animated film “Rango” starring Johnny Depp. He also played a floor cleaner in the 2005 comedy “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.”
Nuñez said in an interview with Hoy Magazine that, “For me, it’s a little easier [to be an actor] because I’m a character actor, and [in Hollywood], there are more roles for that type of actor. Once you enter the leading category, the job offer is much more limited.”
Nuñez graduated from Creighton with a double major in English and Theater.
Ty Lieser, a senior Theater and Elementary Education major, said Creighton prepares students for careers in acting.
“They prepare you very well for [acting]. We have a lot of good acting coaches and professors that train you how to be good in auditions, and our voice lesson teachers are really good too. And so, they set you up very well for the acting side specifically,” Lieser said.
After graduation, Nuñez spent three years performing around the country with the National Touring Company.
Bryan McClure (B.A. ‘06)
More recently, Creighton alumnus Bryan McClure appeared as the Headless Knight in Disney’s 2023 film “Haunted Mansion,” which starred Danny DeVito, Owen Wilson, Jamie Lee Curtis and Tiffany Haddish.
With more than 16 years of professional experience in the entertainment industry, McClure has appeared in productions across film and television, including the HBO film “The Great Lillian Hall.”
McClure didn’t always want to be an actor. He originally wanted to become a professional basketball player.
“I grew up wanting to be a pro basketball player, so I spent a lot of time doing that. I am a big fan of playing the sport, as well as a huge fan of the legendary Michael Jordan,” McClure said.
According to Creighton University’s Alumni and Friends, McClure was cast in roles in “The Walking Dead,” “Atlanta,” “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “Class of ’09.”
McClure’s other credits include “Magnum P.I.,” “Danny Boy” and “Space Command.” At Creighton McClure graduated with a degree in Graphic Design and received the Senior Graphic Design Student of the Year award when graduating.
Diego Vasconcelos, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, said McClure’s career is motivational for students.
“Just seeing how far he got into a very well-known movie, honestly, it’s motivational.” Vasconcelos said. “I’m guessing he also put part from his knowledge into, for example, the poster or even how the shots were or something like that, helping the director.”