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An Early Frost is a 1985 American made-for-television drama film and the first major film, made for television or feature films, to deal with the topic of AIDS. It was first broadcast on the NBC television network on November 11, 1985. It was directed by John Erman, from the Emmy Award-winning teleplay written by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman,. Aidan Quinn stars as Michael Pierson, a Chicago attorney who goes home to break the news – that he is gay and has AIDS – to his parents, played by Ben Gazzara and Gena Rowlands.
Original Release
05/01/1985
US Release
11/11/1985
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Gena Rowlands | Katherine Pierson |
| Ben Gazzara | Nick Pierson |
| Sylvia Sidney | Beatrice McKenna |
| Aidan Quinn | Michael Pierson |
| D.W. Moffett | Peter Hilton |
| John Glover | Victor DiMato |
| Sydney Walsh | Susan Maracek |
| Terry O'Quinn | Dr. Redding |
| Bill Paxton | Bob Maracek |
| Cheryl Anderson | Christine |
Directors
Writers
Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman, Sherman Yellen
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Gena Rowlands | Katherine Pierson |
| Ben Gazzara | Nick Pierson |
| Sylvia Sidney | Beatrice McKenna |
| Aidan Quinn | Michael Pierson |
| D.W. Moffett | Peter Hilton |
| John Glover | Victor DiMato |
| Sydney Walsh | Susan Maracek |
| Terry O'Quinn | Dr. Redding |
| Bill Paxton | Bob Maracek |
| Cheryl Anderson | Christine |
| Christopher Bradley | Todd |
| Sue Ann Gilfillan | Nurse Lincoln |
| Don Hood | Dr. Gilbert |
| Barbara Hey | Meredith |
| Scott Jaeck | Phil |
| John LaFayette | Paramedic |
| Michael Prince | Norman Wesker |
| Essex Smith | James |
| Lee Wilkof | Dr. Reisberg |
| Leoda Richards | Exiting Elevator Passenger |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Ron Cowen | Producer |
| Perry Lafferty | Producer |
| Daniel Lipman | Producer |
| Art Seidel | Producer |
Editors
| Year | Type | Category | Won |
|---|
| 1986 | Golden Globe | Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Nominated |
| 1986 | Golden Globe | Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Nominated |
| 1986 | Golden Globe | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Won |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Special (Dramatic Underscore) | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special | Won |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or a Special - Single Camera Production | Won |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Special | Won |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Writing in a Miniseries or a Special | Won |
