I didn't do any theatre for three years after, "The King and I"--- those years were spent learning the guitar--- I was obsessed with The Carpenters and to a lesser degree, John Denver--- My guitar 'period' (1975-78) was an extension of that. I became good enough to play at rest homes and (strangers...) weddings. To this day I'm not bad....
My first trip back to the stage was a big lead in, "Mame"--- followed by playing a scrubby child at Newport Theatre Arts Center musical version of, "A Christmas Carol"--- Then began the beginning of my Hollywood career--- Joining "South Coast Actors Studio" --- this place was fantastic--- located 'off Bristol' in Costa Mesa--- They offered all sorts of classes-- acting, improve, cold reading, dance (tap-- a big love..) and on and on--- Also they had an in house agent--- booking interviews--- I loved the place--- soon I was landing some work-- My first gig was my biggest (so far....)-- a commercial for an alcohol rehab hospital---- I played a young boy angry at his drunken father--- screaming "I'll never be a drunk; I don't want to be like you!" followed by hurling fishing poles across the garage..... very dramatic.... I did one or two more commercials-- in addition to 'featured extra' work in two films-- From there I landed an agent in LA--- I was discovered in an acting showcase--- (doing an 'improve' in which I was a paraplegic walking for the first time---)
My new agent, Don Schwartz was 'big time'--- his office was on Sunset across the street from Le Dome--
He schooled us adolescents at his Sunset plaza adjacent home-- We would study Garbo films--- then have discussions about it-- Acting interviews came maybe three times a week--- Nothing delivered--- The whole thing became a burden and I quit--- Today, I'm glad I experienced the acting thing--- It's so far away from my life now-- Still I see actors every day--- They arrive on my show and I so get it---
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