SHOW BUSINESS - ACTORS - 1980s & 1990s

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS SERIOUS CRAFTSMAN:
Storyline: The absolute artist refuses to compromise on his desire to reach the acme of his craft, while making himself somewhat more accessible than his previous aloof go-round in this series as Hollywood’s most respected but least liked biopictorialist and faux gangster.
Brendan Sexton III (1980) - American actor. Outer: Father worked for the Municipal Arts Society, a subtle and unconscious reminder of son’s previous go-round as actor Paul Muni. Also had a sister and brother from his original family before his parents split up. 4 more half-siblings were added via parental remarriages, and he ultimately came to live with his father. Began his acting career at the age of 8. Appeared off-off-Broadway at 13 and was spotted by an agent. Turned down potential high-paying roles in Hollywood high profile kidflicks to pursue a lower key career. 5’6”. Dropped out of high school, and made his film debut in 1995 in Welcome to the Dollhouse, then broke his leg (a symbol of acting good luck) when he got hit by a cab on Canal Street, the day it won Grand Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Drew notice at 16 as a street kid in Hurricane Streets, for which he, once again, turned down higher profile roles, preferring to proceed in his profession at his own pace, by taking parts that challenge his growing craft. Inner: Serious, nonconformist, dedicated craftsman. Low-key, high integrity lifetime of looking for himself in the characters he plays, while continuing his noncompromising stance as an artist, once again, of great potential. Paul Muni (Muni Weisenfreund) (1895-1967) Austrian/American actor. Outer: Parents were itinerant actors, appeared with them on stage as a child. At 4, he moved to London with his family, where his father opened a variety theater, which eventually had to be closed because of street gang activity in the neighborhood, which scared away playgoers. The family emigrated to the U.S. when he was 7, and they settled on NYC’s Lower East Side, where they became involved with the Yiddish theater there. Made his first stage appearance at 13, playing an old man. Moved to Chicago the following year, and continued in the same vein, assaying old men as a teen through his skill at both make-up and acting. Suffered from a rheumatic heart condition his entire life. His father died when he was 18, and the company he acted in disbanded. 5’10”. Peddled wick trimmers and read gas meters in between engagements. In his early 20s, he joined the Yiddish Art Theater Co., touring the U.S. and Europe with it. In his mid-20s, he married Bella Finkel, an actress who was the niece of Yiddish star Boris Tomashevsky (John Turturro). Made his English language stage debut at 31 in a Broadway production called, “We Americans.” Signed by Fox at the start of the sound era, but was unhappy with Hollywood after 2 movies, and successfully returned to the Broadway stage. In his mid-30s, he came back to film for two of his most memorable roles in Scarface and I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang. Signed a longterm contract with Warner Brothers and did social dramas and then biopics, doing memorable turns as Louis Pasteur (Jonas Salk), Emile Zola (Saul Bellow) and Benito Juarez (Lazar Cardenas). Extremely conscientious in his portrayals, and a stickler for detail and authenticity, although not particularly liked by his cohorts because of his aloofness. From his mid-40s, he alternated between stage and screen, bringing something unique to each of his roles. Had a hit on Broadway in “Inherit the Wind,” portraying William Jennings Bryan (Al Sharpton). Played his last role in The Last Angry Man in his mid-60s, a fitting epitaph for his career, and wound up with Oscar nominations for both his first and final efforts. During his last years, he succumbed to health problems and advancing blindness, forcing him to retreat into himself. Died of heart trouble. Inner: Serious, aloof, hidden. Self-absorbed lifetime of looking for himself in the characters he played, while putting his life into his art, instead of the other way around, which literally ultimately blinded him to his greater possibilities of self-discovery.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS ONGOING MATINEE IDOL:
Storyline: The activist actor turns from helping organize early Hollywood to the problems of the larger world, while remaining stage center as a natural leading man with a social conscience to match this dramatic abilities.
Jake Gyllenhaal (Jacob Gyllenhaal) (1980) - American actor. Outer: From a noble Swedish family on his paternal side and a Russian-Jewish root on his mother’s. The former was raised in the Swedenborgian tradition. Father was director Stephen Gyllenhaal, mother was screenwriter and producer Naomi Foner. Younger brother of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. Given an extremely liberal view of the world by his parents, he had his Bar Mitzvah, a Jewish coming-of-age at 13, in a homeless shelter to raise his awareness of how his life had been shaped by privilege. Began acting at the age of 10, and made his film debut in City Slickers, although his parents carefully shepherded his career, allowing him to go on auditions for the experience, although not to take the parts. Appeared in a few of his father’s features, and had some bit roles, while going to a prestigious private coed school, before entering Columbia Univ., following both his mother and sister there, only to drop out to continue to pursue acting. Had his first lead in his late teens in October Sky. Came to greater public attention in Donnie Darko, where he was given the opportunity to play normality against abnormality. 6’, with greenish-blue eyes. Although his subsequent choice of vehicles was less than stellar, with an overabundance of somewhat disturbed youths, he managed to appear in one blockbuster, The Day After Tomorrow, before also making his stage debut in London in a revival, “This is Our Youth,” acquitting himself well. By his mid-20s, he was a full-fledged star, thanks to the controversial Brokeback Mountain, a cowboy in emotional turmoil tale, where he played off of Heath Ledger as his can’t quit you love interest. Was nominated for and won several awards for his effort, and also became a fantasy focus for the gay and bi communities. Also able to assay the macho masculine in Jarhead as a marine, so as to give a wide range to his potential for characterizations. With his star ever on the ascendant, he has continued getting high profile roles, while serially involving himself with actresses Kristen Dunst and Reese Witherspoon. Extremely active politically, as a progressive Democrat, with the environment as one of his pet causes, as well as the oft-criticized American Civil Liberties Union. Inner: Thoughtful and analytic, with a desire to improve the world. Far more attracted to films for their stories than their messages. Work-in-progress lifetime of digging deeper into his own humanity via a progressive upbringing in order to be more complete in both his views and the range of his performances. Conrad Nagel (1897-1970) - American actor. Outer: From an upper middle-class family that was musical. Father was a musician, and mother sang locally, before dying when her son was young. Given an extremely supportive upbringing that encouraged his gifts of self-expression. Went to Highland Park College in Iowa, where his father was dean of the music conservatory. Sang in the school’s glee club, before getting a liberal arts degree. Began acting in theater at the age of 17, in “Experience,” and continued doing stock and vaudeville. Served on an admiral’s staff during WW I, and made his film debut in 1918 in Little Women. 6’, 165 lbs. with blond hair and blue eyes. Married Ruth Helms in 1924, after appearing with her, one daughter from the union, which ended in divorce in 1935. Was engaged to much younger starlet Kay Linaker four times, although the two never married. As an all-American looking lead, he specialized in drawing-room and his/storical dramas as well as romantic comedies. By his second film, The Fighting Chance, where he met his wife and also costarred with Anna Q. Nilsson (Maggie Gyllenhaal), he was a leading man. By the end of the silent era, he made the easy transition to talkies, starring in one of the very first, Glorious Betsey in 1928. Along with 35 others, he co-founded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, for whom he helped create the Oscars, garnering an honorary one in 1940, for his work with the Motion Picture Relief Fund. Also served as host of the third Academy Rewards in 1930, the 5th two years later, and acted as co-host with Bob Hope in 1953 for the 25th. Served as its president from 1932 to 1933. Won the enmity of the studio heads, particularly Louis B. Mayer (Master P) of MGM, for helping organize the Screen Actor’s Guild, so that the parts offered him afterwards were of lesser and lesser qualities. Directed one film, Love Takes Flight in 1937. Did only a handful of movies after 1940. Married character actress Lynn Merrick in 1945, later divorced. Worked on Broadway, radio, and later television, including a decade stint on the middle medium from 1937 to 1947 as host of “Silver Theater.” From 1949 to 1952 he was a game show host on early TV for “Celebrity Time.” His third and final marriage was to Michael Coulson Smith in 1955, one son from the union, which also ended in divorce. Continued working until his last years, sporadically appearing in a variety of TV series. Inner: Charming, suave, highly social and a pivotal player in early Hollywood, particularly as a behind-the-scenes organizer. Multitasking lifetime of employing his charisma to give the film industry its early cachet on a variety of levels, only to ultimately suffer for it, but not to be undone, using other media available to him, for a long and rewarding outer career, if not quite a similarly reflected private life.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS MULTI-LIFE MULTI-TALENT:
Storyline: The all-around entertainer follows the same career trajectory, beginning as a baby-faced crooner who morphs into maturity, when allowed to move beyond his initial public introduction.
Justin Timberlake (1981) - American singer and actor. Outer: Paternal grandfather was a Baptist minister, and his father was a choir director at a Baptist church. After his parents divorced when he was 4, both remarried. His stepmother became manager of the all-girl group Innosense, while his mother, who wed a banker, went on to run an entertainment company called JustinTime Entertainment, taking advantage of her son’s meteoric rise in show business. Has two half-brothers, as well as a half-sister who died minutes after she was born, from his father’s second marriage. Made his debut on “Star Search” in 1981 as a country music singer, although didn’t win his segment. In 1989, he became a regular on “The New Mickey Mouse Club,” along with Britney Spears. Sang at the Grand Old Opry at the age of 10, and in 1995, after “MMC” ended, he became the front man for the boy band, ‘N Sync, which his mother coined, using the last initials of its 5 members. After releasing their first self-titled album in 1998, they proved a huge hit with the teeny-bopper set, with a number of best-selling albums, including the fastest-selling album of all time, “No Strings Attached,” in 2000, which cemented him in the public’s eye as a baby-faced bubblegum lightweight of the highest order. Modeled himself after his own teen idol, Michael Jackson. Had a four year relationship with fellow Mickey Mouse Clubber, Britney Spears, and then followed it with a four year relationship with actress Cameron Diaz. 6’1”. Took time off from ‘N Sync to release his debut solo album, called “Justified” in 2002, which went triple platinum, and he suddenly found himself a pop icon on his own, in slightly more mature form, thanks to a genuine talent. At the halftime show for the 2004 Superbowl, he accidentally exposed singer Janet Jackson’s breast at the conclusion of a duet, although suffered no damage to his career, while hers was temporarily eclipsed. Won Grammys in 2004, after issuing an apology in order to appear on the award show, while Jackson did not, and the following year launched a clothing line, “William Rast,” named after his and his partner’s grandfathers. Began adding acting to his résumé, first with a made for TV film, “Model Behavior” in 2001, and then gradually building up his chops with Edison Force, Alpha Dog and Black Snake Moan, showing himself to be a credible screen presence. Continues his recording career with other artists as well, in between being operated on for nodules in 2005. Started his own record company, Jay Tee Records, the same year, while also launching several restaurants. Won critical acclaim for his second album, “Future Sex/Love Sounds,” and it, too, proved a runaway bestseller, while his performances have amped up his projected sexuality as well. Showed an angrier side during a world tour in 2007, abusing and hurling objects at fans, but remains an icon of his times, with 6 Grammys before he reached 30, and his first two albums selling worldwide in the 18 million range. Bought MySpace, with an ad agency he backs as a partner, from Rupert Murdoch at fire sale prices - $30 million, after the latter paid $500 million for it, as a creative challenge for him, to resuscitate it from the moribund state his predecessor had left it in. Inner: Self-styled simple guy from Tennessee. Well-mannered, southern boy-next door, who has learned how to transcend his slight build and project a sexy image. Good instrumentalist and extremely well-prepared, for all his creative endeavors, with a clear plan for an extended run as a pop phenomenon. Telescoped lifetime of following a similar career arc as his previous go-round, of baby-faced crooner morphing into a pop star of substance, thanks to a great desire to build on his previous successes in highly parallel manner. Dick Powell (Richard Ewing Powell) (1904-1963) - American singer, actor, director and producer. Outer: Mother played the piano, and father was a machinist. Middle of 3 brothers. The family moved to Little Rock when he was 10, and he continued to pursue his musical interests. The possessor of a pleasant baby face, he sang with an orchestra, then formed his own band, Peter Pan, at 17. Spent a year at Little Rock College in Arkansas, before becoming a coin collector from pay-phones for the phone company. 6’, 175 lbs. Restarted his singing career, and had several hit records as a band vocalist and instrumentalist with other groups, including Charlie Davis’s orchestra, and was married to Maude Maund from 1925 to 1927. 6’. Made his film debut in 1932 in Blessed Event, as a singing bandleader, before going onto a decade-long run as a Warner Bros. musical star, beginning as juvenile lead in backstage dramas, while appearing in pleasant fluff to good advantage. In 1936, he married actress Joan Blondell (Zooey Deschanel), with whom he often worked, divorced in 1944, daughter and adopted son from union. In the early 1940s, he saw he desperately needed to expand if he wished to extend his career, as more than a mere song’n’dance man. Married actress June Allyson in 1945, the year after he thoroughly changed his filmic image, in Murder, My Sweet, convincingly playing hard-boiled private eye Philip Marlowe, which led to far more dramatic roles for the rest of the decade in the same film noir genre, while refusing to sing in any of them. One adopted daughter and one son from union, actor Dick Powell, Jr. who later portrayed his father on film. Transliterated his transformed screen image into radio, with “Richard Diamond, Private Detective,” from 1949 to 1953. In the early 1950s, he became a producer-director, most memorably of The Enemy Below in 1957, and also was able to use the new medium of TV to good advantage in a similar role as part of the highly successful Four Star Production Company, which created rotating dramas specifically for the small screen. One of his productions, The Conqueror, which he also directed, was filmed in 1956 in Utah near an atomic test site, and proved to be fatal to several members of the cast and crew, including himself, and he died of lymphoma cancer, the same day, and for the same reason as actor Jack Carson (Matt Damon). Inner: Charming, good-humored, and far more driven than his easy surface likability. Athletic, with a great love of sailing. Step-by-graceful-step lifetime of gradually opening himself up to his larger talents, only to be ultimately undone by the poisons of the world, which he would try to redress his next go-round in this series.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS FARCICAL EVERYMAN:
Storyline: The nondescript scriptwriter and actor parlays his well-honed comic sensibilities into leading man status as a reflection for the priapic imbedded within every male of less than movie-star mien.
Seth Rogen (1982) - Canadian/American actor, comic and producer. Outer: Of Jewish descent, with both his parents meeting on an Israeli kibbutz. Mother was a social worker, and father worked for a variety of non-profits. Both parents were socialists and politically active, while his one older sister became a social worker. Went to a Hebrew elementary school, and began working as a standup comic at 13. Wound up coming in second in a Vancouver comedy competition at 16. 5’11”, with everyman features. His standup work would make him an improviser and ad-libber in his later scripted efforts. Discovered by Judd Apatow in Vancouver, he made his TV debut at 16 in “Freaks and Geeks,” which occasioned his moving to Los Angeles. Worked as a writer on two TV shows, then director Apatow hooked up with him for several highly successful comedies, beginning with a support role his own virgin effort, The 40 Year-Old Virgin. Earned a starring role in his next effort, Knocked Up, playing off his previous life’s wife, Katherine Heigl, and the combination made him a geekish star. Continued his association with Apatow-produced films, and also co-wrote and starred in Superbad, a semi-autobiographical comedy, for which he won a Canadian Comedy Award. Maintained his connection with Apatow with Funny People, playing against his own experience as a longtime standup, with a turn as an unfunny tyro behind the mike. Together the two would shoot a ton of film, which is quite unusual for comedies, in order to capture the freshness and spontaneity of uninhibited joking. In addition to his own filmwork, he has also lent his voice to a variety of animated features. Tried to switch genres in 2010 with The Green Hornet only to undo his own writer/star efforts through his disconnected dialogue, and inability to understand the basic underpinnings of an actioner, despite its doing well at the box office. Inner: Inspired by some of the same people he would come to work with, while harboring a similar leering sensibility as his audience in his sex comedies. Reflective lifetime of mirroring his audience in both his tastes and interests as a rogue Rogen, and benefiting handsomely from his ability to give voice to the libidinal humor of his generation. Stu Erwin (1903-1967) - American actor. Outer: Went to UC Berkeley, then began his career on the stage in Los Angeles, before switching to silent film in 1928, appearing in some 100 features, beginning with Mother Knows Best. 5’9”. In 1931, he married actress June Collyer (Katherine Heigl), son and daughter from the union. His career consisted almost exclusively of comedy roles, and in the beginning, he played mostly vacuous young men, with 1936’s Pigskin Parade, an early highlight, garnering him an Academy Reward nomination for his role as a rustic football hero. Made his initial Broadway bow in 1942 in “Mr. Sycamore,” where he turned into a tree, an effort which failed to find root with an audience. Although popular during a five decade run, he remained a figure of his time, with no long-lasting reputation or following. Finally achieved a measure of fame through the newly minted medium of TV, starring in his own show, “The Stu Erwin Show,” as a small-town high school principal, along with his real-life wife. The show ran from 1950 to 1955, and ultimately became known as “The Trouble With Father.” Continued in bland comedies for the rest of his career, appearing in several Disney films, before dying of a heart attack. Inner: Extremely modest, rarely promoting himself, preferring to blend in rather than stand out. White bread lifetime of giving expression to the ordinary and its potential for smiling recognition, rather than laugh-out-loud reaction.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS PERENNIAL COMIC FOIL:
Storyline: The round mound of clown continues his assault on America’s funnybone, adding writing to his performing c.v., while adjusting his on-screen antics to contemporary tastes, as an appreciative recipient of his equally delighted audience.
Jonah Hill (Jonah Hill Feldstein) (1983) - American actor and writer. Outer: Family was in the music business, with his father serving as tour accountant for Guns N’ Roses. Brother Jordan became a band manager with Maroon 5. Very close to his entire birth crew. Dreamed of becoming a comedy writer for TV sitcoms while growing up. Started acting out when his mother got cancer, getting wasted, and at 15, was in a rollover car accident, deeply scarring his right arm, which frightened his parents so, he vowed to refocus himself on success. After his mother recovered and he graduated from high school, he headed for NYC, where he studied acting and writing at the New College, although received little encouragement from his teachers along the way. Began writing his own plays as performance pieces for himself, which he gave in a local East Village bar. 5’7” and roly-poly, with a pop-eyed vulnerability that would make him a natural comic foil. Became friends with the children of actor Dustin Hoffman, which led to his first film role in 2004 in I Heart Huckabees. Several Judd Apatow vehicles followed, including a featured role in 2007 in Superbad, along with Michael Cera. Had a recurring costarring role for one season in 2006 on the sitcom “Campus Ladies,” while continuing to appear on TV as well as further Apatow vehicles, showing a good instinct for choosing the right material for himself In the process, he has become a continued screen presence as both a comic foil and character actor, gaining both larger roles and more recognition for his unique physicality and classic reactive shtick. Served as an associate producer on Sacha Baron Cohen’s Bruno, while also continuing to develop his own scripts. Lost a considerable amount of weight afterwards, to appear as almost half his former self. Inner: Highly ambitious, with a tremendous need to channel early anger and frustrations into an extremely viable career both on screen and on the written page. Uses dancing as a release. Extremely appreciative of his success, with an innate ability to milk his portrayals for maximum comic effect. Chunky charmer lifetime of employing his unique physical presence to great advantage, while building on his well-developed clown skills, honed from many a go-round of eliciting risible reactions from his ongoing audience. Billy Gilbert (William Gilbert Barron) (1894-1971) - American comic actor, director and writer. Outer: Born in a dressingroom in a Kentucky theater. Father was a tenor, while his mother was a dancer with the Metropolitan Opera Company. Quit school to join a children’s singing troupe at 12, and played in burlesque, where he impressed comic Stan Laurel (Stanley Tucci), who introduced him to producer Hal Roach. The latter subsequently employed him as a writer, actor and director, including pairing him with Ben Blue (Michael Cera) in a series called “Taxi Boys.” 5’9” and burly, he often played a comic villain in support roles to the Roach stable of stars, capitalizing on his girth, mustache and bulging eyes. Also boxed as a middleweight when he was younger. Developed a trademark sneeze, building up in intensity with it, as each became louder and more volcanic. Had a host of characterizations from the pompous to the drunken, with a deft skill at dialects, which led him to be teamed with Billy Bletcher as one of the Dutch “Schmaltz Brothers.” Worked with many of the comic greats from the 1930s, while his trademark ka-chooing won him the voiceover role of Sneezy in Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Almost invariably played comic foils in a host of films in the early 1940s, including several series, where he was the co-lead. Married and divorced, and then wed Ella McKenzie in 1938, who had appeared in short-subject comedies. While he and his wife were entertaining troops in a USO show in the Caribbean, his 13 year old adopted son committed suicide with a rifle, after his grandmother scolded him for letting his pet parrot escape. His career faded later in the 1940s, although he appeared occasionally on stage and in Las Vegas revues, while also doing TV, including regular slots on the Andy Devine program, “Andy’s Gang.” Co-wrote the book for a musical comedy, “Buttrio Square” which ran for 7 performances in 1952, and also directed two Broadway shows. Suffered a stroke in 1963 that cost him his voice for a year, although returned to performing afterwards. Despite being financially secure, with several apartment buildings, he loved the sound of applause, and continued working until the near end of his life. Died of a stroke, and had his ashes scattered in the rose gardens of the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Los Angeles. Inner: Natural clown and exuberant scene stealer. Born in a trunk lifetime of taking immediately to the stage, and using his physicality to great comic advantage as a foil for the comedy greats of his era, as an enthusiastic emissary of the gods of laughter to the general public.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS REINVENTED FORMER SAD SACK:
Storyline: The erstwhile walking horror show resurrects himself in much more satisfactory form with a deliberate desire to focus on the positive after a monstrous go-round doing battle with both a lost childhood and a diminished sense of self, thanks to a father of many faces who had none for him.
Kellan Lutz (Kellan Christopher Lutz) (1985) - American actor. Outer: Middle child of six brothers and one sister. Grew up in the Midwest before his family moved to Arizona when he was young, where he graduated high school. Very athletic, with a participatory love for all sports. Began modeling in his early teens, and received athletic scholarships to a number of colleges. Given a lot of support, particularly after dropping out of school to pursue a career in acting. 6’1” and burly. Began his career modeling for Abercrombie & Fitch and in 2006, started getting bit parts on TV, before winning recurring roles on “Model Citizens,” and the “Cornerback.” Appeared on numerous shows, did commercials and videos, as well as the HBO miniseries, “Generation Kill,” which was shot in Africa. Hit an early peek in 2008 with the popular Twilight vampire franchise, playing one of its main characters, Edward Cullen. Formed a close bond with his fellow Twilight stars, many of whom were from his Universal Studio horror days in the 1940s, in an unconscious reunion on all their parts. Saw TV as a better vehicle for him in his early career, although his appearance in a blockbuster has opened up the large screen for him, as well. Became a coveted Calvin Klein underwear model and remains a work-in-progress, to see if he can transcend the previous profound unhappiness that informed his earlier go-round in this series. Inner: Happy, competitive, uncomplicated and well-supported, with an unconscious desire to make amends for the psychological scars of his earlier conflicted relationship with his far more talented father. Loves extreme sports and going very fast. Has a fascination with old horror films, unconsciously tapping into his previous go-round in this series. Transformative lifetime of making amends for a stunted earlier life childhood through a far more integrated one, in preparation for a far more satisfactory career in the same demanding realm of magical cinematic make-believe. Lon Chaney, Jr. (Creighton Chaney (1906-1973) - American actor. Outer: Of English, French and Irish descent. Father was the man of a thousand faces, actor, director, and silent film star Lon Chaney, Sr. (Dustin Hoffman). Mother was Cleva Creighton, a 16 year old singer at the time of her marriage. Born prematurely, and was initially thought dead. Had an extremely unhappy home life, with his mother attempting suicide while standing in the wings during one of his sire’s performances in 1912. The following year his parents divorced, while his father told him his mother had died, before he remarried a chorus girl, Hazel Hastings, whom he passed off as the young boy’s mother. Made his first stage appearance at the age of 6 months, although his famous father subsequently discouraged him in his pursuit of an acting career. Spent time in foster homes, until his progenitor finally was making enough money to provide him with a family domicile. Studied his father’s famous make-up techniques, despite the latter’s unwillingness to see him follow in his large footsteps by telling him he was too big for a successful film career. 6’2”, 220 lbs. Worked as a boilermaker, plumber and fruit picker, and then went to business college, and joined a Los Angeles appliance company. Married Dorothy Hinckley in 1928, two sons from the union which ended in divorce in 1937. Didn’t really begin his acting career until his sire’s demise, playing stage roles with midwestern stock companies under his birth name of Creighton Chaney. Only became aware his mother was still alive following his father’s death in 1930. Carried a great sadness because of his upbringing, and turned to alcohol to assuage his feelings of inadequacy. Made his film debut in 1932 in a serial called The Last Frontier. Three years later, he was convinced to begin billing himself as Lon Chaney, Jr. Married former model Patsy Beck in 1937. In 1939, he showed his acting chops in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, playing the slow-witted and tragic Lennie. Became pigeonholed afterwards in Universal Studios popular horror films of the WW II era, with his most famous role in a werewolf drama, The Wolf Man, a part he would repeat, along with a host of other monster films, making 30 of them for the studio. Had the distinction of being the only person to appear in all of Universal’s classic horror series, the Wolf Man, the Mummy, Frankenstein and Dracula. By then he was a full-fledged alcoholic. Often played off the “queen of the screamers,” Evelyn Ankers (Kristen Stewart), although the two did not get along. When horror films had spun their course after the end of WW II, he played both heavies and western heroes, often appearing in low budget B films, although he would occasionally get character parts and support roles in in A-list films. Did a live TV drama in 1952, where he was noticeably drunk assaying Frankenstein. His end career saw him in better fare, particularly on TV, after rereleases of his earlier horror work brought him a new generation of fans. His health habits of both drinking and smoking wore his body down, and he came down with throat cancer, which finally forced him to retire at the end of the 1960s. Worked on a his/story of his family, “A Century of Chaneys,” although it was never published. Died of heart failure, and his body was donated for medical research. Inner: Outdoorsman and an enthusiastic hunter. Father-obsessed, with dualistic sentiments about him, including feeling he had not lived up to his extraordinary reputation. Child-like in many of his performances, as reflection of his unintegrated upbringing. Well-liked by most of his fellow performers, although he also had a temper, which translated into angry tiffs with some of them. Oedipal lifetime of carrying great sadness over the name he carried, while never exorcising the monster within despite the many vehicles he was given to try to do so.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS ONGOING OTHERWORLDLY TOTEM:
Storyline: The celluloid monster creates such a unique niche for himself in the cinematic realm of the undead, that he returns in similar, albeit far more romantic form, to try it again from a heartthrob, rather than a heart-pounding perspective.
Robert Pattinson (Robert Thomas-Pattinson) (1986) English actor and musician. Outer: Father of the same name was a dealer in vintage automobiles. Grew up in a London suburb, as the third of three children, with two older sisters, including Lizzy, a musician. His siblings took great delight in dressing him as a girl and calling him ‘Claudia,’ a practice they abandoned when he reached 12, at which point he began modeling. Musically talented from an early age, beginning with the piano, he later took up the guitar, which he employed in fronting a rap trio. Educated at a private school in London, where he was never particularly interested in his studies. Began acting in his mid-teens in amateur theater with the Barnes Theatre Club, and parlayed his success into a professional career, although found himself beaten up on numerous occasions for his theatrical posturing. 6’1”. Made his professional debut on TV in a made-for-the-medium film, “Ring of the Nibelungs” in 2004. Fired the following year prior to the opening of a play at the Royal Court Theater, then made his big screen debut in the popular Harry Potter series, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Power. Came to universal public attention, after beating out 3000 other aspirants for the coveted role of the vampire Edward Cullen in Twilight in 2008, which was based on another best-selling series. Coupled up with his Twilight costar, Kristen Stewart, much to the delight of their fans, despite his difficulties in handling all the adulation given him, as well as his lack of confidence with the opposite gender, which had him declaring in one interview he was “allergic to vaginas.” Once again seems destined for a memorable movie career, although this time, from the vantage of being a far more nuanced, albeit also more conventional, male lead. Inner: Huge fan of Jack Nicholson, to the point of learning his trade by mimicking him. Earnest, and initially amazed at his celebrity. Act two lifetime of transliterating his earlier middle-aged success, into youthful matinee idoldom, while waiting to see if he can transcend his previous stuttering serial record at the altar, with a more stable sense of domesticity. Boris Karloff (William Henry Pratt) (1887-1969) - English actor. Outer: His paternal grandmother was the sister of Anna Leonowens, who taught at the Royal Court of Siam, and whose biography became the basis for the hit musical, “The King and I.” Had some East Indian blood in his ancestry, which gave him a relatively dark skin tone. His father was the Deputy Commissioner of Customs Salt and Opium of the Northern Division of the Indian Salt Revenue Service, while his mother was the former’s third wife. The youngest of 9 children, he was raised by his brothers and sister following the premature death of the latter. Two brothers became distinguished diplomats, a career pathway he wished to follow as well. Went to King’s College London, and became an actor instead, following the path of another sibling. 5’11”, slim, with a slight speech impediment. Emigrated to Canada in 1909 and changed his name to the far more theatrical Boris Karloff, in order not to embarrass his family with his chosen profession, and began his stage career with a Canadian touring company. Learned his trade in the Canadian backwaters as well as the northern American midwest, while contracting the first of his six marriages in 1910. Divorced in 1913, he married actress Olive de Wilton, in another union which ended in divorce. Exempted from WW I service for health reasons, he divorced and contracted another short-term marriage in 1920. Came to Hollywood during the silent era to inaugurate his film career, which was sporadic at best in eminently forgettable fare, forcing him to do manual labor to support himself. Married a fourth time in 1924 to Helene Vivian Soule, but divorced in 1928. The following year, he finally had a long-term union with Dorothy Stine, which lasted until 1946, and produced his only child, a daughter, who would share birthdays with him. In 1931, after 81 films, he achieved stardom in Frankenstein in his mid-40s, playing the mute totemic monster, and from then on was pigeonholed in horror films, despite playing in other genres to good effect during the 1930s. Universal Studios made him one of their icons, with several more appearances as the scar-faced, neck-bolted, elevator-shoed monster, as well as numerous mad scientist roles, capitalizing on his bushy-browed, faintly disturbing looks. Frankenstein, however, would take a physical toll on him, causing much subsequent back pain from the heavy brace he had to wear for the role, which occasioned three major back surgeries. Often played off Bela Lugosi (Benicio Del Toro), who was his main rival for Hollywood’s King of Creepdom, although the two were never particularly close off the set. With his reputation as a horror icon secured, he returned to England for a shoot in 1933 after a near quarter-century absence, where he was astonished to find his starchy siblings gloried in his strange fame. Able to make fun of his image on radio, where he was a frequent guest on both comedy and drama shows. Completely different from his screen image, he was gentle and generous to a fault, particularly to children’s charities. One of the original members of the Screen Actor’s Guild, he championed safe working conditions, while also continuing to work on the stage in the 1940s. In 1946, he contracted his sixth and final union to Evelyn Hope Helmore, which spanned the rest of his life. Concluded his career with TV work in a variety of series on both American and British television, as well as guest appearances on a number of popular variety and comedy shows, including serving as a host for an anthology series called “Thriller,” in 1960, which revived interest in him to a whole new generation. Achieved immortality of a sort by serving as the narrator on the Christmas perennial, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” which was first aired in 1966. Suffered from arthritis and emphysema in his later years, and had great difficulty walking or even standing. Moved back to his native England from Los Angeles, and died in a hospital of pneumonia. Continued appearing in low caliber films which were shot prior to his death, in an ironic valedictory to his oft-cast image as one of the undead. Inner: Modest, bookish and reserved, he never took himself seriously as an actor. Used to mark his lines in his scripts, a practice Jack Nicholson copied off of him. Well-liked by everyone who knew him, with a particular affinity for children. Gracious lifetime of achieving iconic status by dint of a peculiar universal and Universal fascination with the weird at the onset of the Depression, which also allowed him a domestic stability heretofore denied him, in a well-rewarded life for his peculiar and unique gifts.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS AS WHITEBREAD WORKAHOLIC:
Storyline: The highly popular patriarch parlays excellent business instincts with a gift for entertainment to relaunch himself as a teen idol, like his earlier son, in order to incorporate that archetype into his ever-expanding show business c.v.
Zac Efron (Zachary Efron) (1987) - American actor and singer. Outer: Of Jewish descent, although irreligious. Father was an engineer at a power plant, mother was a secretary who worked there. Enjoyed a middle-class upbringing, with one younger brother. A self-styled class clown at school, he began acting at 11, and appeared in numerous high school productions, while taking singing lessons. At the same time, he attended a local community college, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, which gave him more opportunities to hone his thespian chops. Began getting guest roles on TV series in 2002, culminating with “Summerland,” in 2004, where his appearances led to becoming an ongoing cast member. After graduating high school, he was accepted by USC, although by then, his career took precedence. Always one of the shortest kids in his class, he eventually topped out at a blue-eyed, shaggy-haired 5’10”, with a lean, athletic physique. Rose to instant stardom via the Disney Channel’s “High School Musical,” in 2006, and became a certified screaming object of infatuation, with his picture plastered on teenybopper bedroom walls across America. Became the first singer to debut with two charted songs the same week on Billboard in 2006, and has been able to parlay his innocent good looks into an incipient film career, beginning with Hairspray in 2007, and following that up with more High School Musical reduxes, as well as original filmic fare. A multimillionaire by the end of his teens, he also has been an on-screen and off-screen duet with his HSM costar Vanessa Hudgens, since their initial co-appearance in the show. Accidentally dropped a condom on the orange carpet at the LA premiere of one of his PG movies, in 2012, in an inadvertent display of his heretofore unseen “R” side. Inner: Uncomplicated, career-driven and extremely focused on staying the straight and narrow pathway to enduring fame’n’fortune. Take two lifetime of playing with teenage veneration as a further means of exploring all avenues of show business, in his ongoing desire to be the compleat entertainer. Ozzie Nelson (Oswald George Nelson) (1906-1975) - American bandleader, singer, sitcom producer, director and actor. Outer: Of Swedish and English descent. Parents were Swedish immigrants. Father was a banker who also produced amateur theater. 2nd of two sons, in an extremely tight-knit family. The youngest Eagle Scout ever at 13, he and his brother did a goodwill tour of Europe with them. Played football in high school and college, despite an unathletic frame, and later coached the game. Total straight arrow, never drank or smoked. 5/10”, with brown hair and blue eyes. Graduated Rutgers, and while studying law at their Newark School of Law, he put together an eponymous dance band, playing saxophone, and found his true calling. Played hotels and casinos on the east coast, as a low key singer and leader, before Harriet Hilliard became lead vocalist in 1932, with the two often singing duets, playing off of their opposing laid back and perky personalities. Their rapport was obvious, not only musically but comically as well. All during the decade, he recorded, enjoying one huge hit, “And Then Some,” in 1935, the same year he and Harriet wed. They became a popular radio couple on the Red Skelton Show, while also making several WW II musical fluff films and shorts, including three minute pre-MTV fare that promoted his singles. Their two sons, David and Ricky, were an integral part of their life, and they eventually became a working family. In 1944, they launched the hit radio show, “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” with two actors initially playing their sons. The show swtiched to TV in 1952, and they incorporated their real life sons into it. Over the next 14 years, they became America’s symbolic first family, in a show largely about nothing, save for the white bread warmth of familiar characters, who would always greet one another in a ritual of welcome that the country adored. Played the stereotypical bumbling sitcom dad of the time to his wife’s smart-alecky mom, in total contrast to his real life persona, which saw him in complete control over everything he did. Produced and co-wrote each show, while launching his son Ricky’s meteoric pop career by weaving his musical talents into storylines.Also continued to tour with his wife in light theater fare, and also produced and directed other popular TV shows. His oldest son David followed in his highly successful footsteps. In 1973, he tried another sitcom “Ozzie’s Girls,” although it failed to capitalize on his previous formula and only lasted a season. Penned his autobiography, “Ozzie,” the same year. Suffered from malignant tumors, a sign of hidden anger, and died of liver cancer. Inner: Workaholic, with an excellent business sense as well as a need to be completely in control of all aspects of his life. His tumors indicate a hidden anger beneath his seeming warmth and good humor, although it never publically surfaced. The wizard of Ozzie lifetime of combining family and good fortune for a highly memorable run as America’s premier familial foursome, while showing a Midas touch with virtually everything he did, in a well-loved go-round with any of its dark edges completely hidden, from everyone but himself.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS LIKABLE GEEK:
Storyline: The Canadian cutup turns in his dimwit public persona and entrepreneurial dancing shoes in order to focus on his larger entertaining skills as a comic actor, writer and musician, while using a much more secure familial base to rid himself of his earlier need for gambling and inconstancy in order to compensate for a much more chaotic upbringing.
Michael Cera (1988) - Canadian actor, writer and musician. Outer: Father was a technician and a Sicilian immigrant to Canada, while mother was Canadian, with both working for Xerox. Their last name means ‘wax’ in Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. The middle of three children, with an older and younger sister. Wanted to be an actor from an early age, going so far as memorizing all the dialogue from Ghostbusters, while idolizing comedian Billy Murray. Took improv classes at the Second City Toronto, while forgoing his formal education after the ninth grade, preferring to complete high school through correspondence courses, in order to build an early career in the entertainment industry. Appeared in a Pillsbury commercial, in an unconscious nod to Ghostbusters, then made his acting debut in 1999 on Canadian TV with an ongoing role in “I Was a Sixth Grade Alien.” Did more TV, and had his first highlight playing George Michael Bluth for three seasons on a popular paean to dysfunction, “Arrested Development,” although later had mixed feelings about reprising the role in film. In 2006, he created and starred in a parody of “Impossible is Nothing,” which led to writing and starring in a series of short videos dubbed Clark and Michael, released on the website of his and his close collaborator, Clark Duke, which were distributed by CBS on its internet channel, CBS Innertube. Both he and Clark are also members of the band, The Long Goodbye. 5’10”. Starred with Jonah Hill in the well-received Superbad in 2007, and continued doing indies afterwards. Had a story published in “McSweeney’s Quarterly,” and has also played and sang back-up vocals with several groups. Divides his time between Los Angeles and his Canadian homebase. Inner: Geeky and good-humored, with a genuine desire to make people laugh. Close to his family, with his career taking prominence over other aspects of his life. Amateur magician and talented bass player. Supernerd lifetime of putting his complete focus on his various skills of expression, in order to be a direct reflection of the humor of his times. Ben Blue (Benjamin Bernstein) (1901-1975) - Canadian/American comic actor and nightclub owner. Outer: Of Jewish descent. Father was an art dealer. Shortly after his parents divorced, he emigrated to Baltimore with his progenitor in 1911, and danced for coins on the street. In 1914, he dropped out of school and became a window dresser for a Baltimore haberdashery. Used the position to dance and clown in the window, which drew appreciative crowds. Won a local contest for the best impersonation of Charlie Chaplin, and decided to pursue a show business career full-time. Used his last dollar to take a train to NYC in 1916, where he also worked as a window dresser, while joining the chorus of “Married,” a George M Cohan (Michael Flatley) show. Got another chorus job the following year in another Cohan production, then joined a touring company, before becoming a stage manager and assistant general manager. Became a dance instructor, and at 19, opened a string of dancing schools in Minnesota with several partners. Married one of his instructors, Mary, in 1922, one child from the union. Headed to Hollywood afterwards, where he honed his skills in nightclubs. Played drums for Jack White and His Montrealers, who emphasized comedy over music, which led to a film career for him. Also toured with the “Earl Carroll Vanities,” traveling the world, including giving 27 command performances for the royal family in London. Changed his name when told a theater marquee could only accommodate seven letters. Decided to pursue comedy full-time, first for Warner Bros., then Hal Roach Studios, which teamed him with Billy Gilbert (Jonah Hill) in a series called “Taxi Boys.” Played one-dimensional dimwits, per the taste of the times, before moving onto other studios. In 1937, his first wife divorced him, complaining about his gambling and inconstancy. In 1940, he wed Axie Dunlop, whom he met when they were in “George White’s Scandals.” Two sons from his second union. Appeared on the radio, and also with former heavyweight Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom, in the popular club they owned, “Slapsie Maxie’s.” Had clubs in London and Paris, as well. In 1950, he was given his own TV series, “The Ben Blue Show” which was short-lived. The following year, he turned his focus to managing and appearing in nightclubs he owned in LA and SF, scoring a huge success a decade later with “Ben Blue’s” in Santa Monica. Served as a regular on “The Frank Sinatra Show,” while making appearances on other variety series, and achieving a career highlight in June of 1954, by making the cover of “TV Guide.” A further try at a series failed, and he went into semiretirement, before resurrecting in It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World in 1963, with a host of fellow comics of his vintage. Continued making cameo appearances, before finally retiring from performing in 1970, after being indicted on six counts of tax evasion, and paying a $1000 fine. Inner: Entrepreneurial with a need to both entertain and take chances per an upbringing that was anything but secure. Lithe-limbed lifetime of developing a host of complementary skills from the entrepreneurial to the terpsichorean to the comic, in order to sate his ongoing appetite for adventure, administrative control and applause.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS ENGAGING SECOND BANANA:
Storyline: The repeat support performer segues easily into a reprise of his earlier cinematic success, by taking on the subsequent imaginative creation of the same author at career’s beginning, in order to launch himself into similar orbit around a repeat role, and presumably, a more varied later oeuvre through it.
Rupert Grint (1988) - English actor. Outer: Father was a race-car memorabilia salesman, with the same name, Nigel, as his earlier go-round in this series, mother was a homemaker. Oldest of 5 children. Athletic and musical with an interest in science, as well as the normal pursuits of his early 21st century peers. Attended a local all-boy’s school and only acted in one school play, before deciding to audition for the role of Ronald Weasley in the Harry Potter film series, because he liked the books so much. Wrote a rap song centered around the character and got the part. Along with Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who also played opposite him in his previous go-round’s Sherlock Holmes series, he appeared in the five initial films, and appears to be headed for a similarly successful career as a lookalike comic character actor. Followed the course of his costar with a deliberately steamy role in Cherrybomb, in order to announce his filmic coming olf age, as well. Inner: Preference for comedy, as well as a wide range of interests, which will probably expand his portrayals. Encore lifetime of strong character identification in the beginning of his career, rather than its middle, in order to make him into a better-rounded actor with the ability to take on more challenging fare. Nigel Bruce (William Nigel Bruce) (1895-1953) - English actor. Outer: Father was a baronet. Born while his parents were visiting Mexico. 6’. Served in the British army during WW I, where he was gravely wounded. Began his theatrical career afterwards, appearing on stage in London and on Broadway. A natural comedian, he often played caricatures of his own overstuffed class. Inaugurated his film career in 1929 with Red Aces, and in 1934, crossed oceans to become a Hollywood character actor. Married actress Violet Campbell, two daughters from union. Best remembered for playing the bumbling Dr. John Watson to Basil Rathbone’s (Daniel Radcliffe) Sherlock Holmes, in the 1939-1946 series of films based on the A. Conan Doyle (J.K. Rowling) classic detective stories, which also featured Mary Gordon (Emma Watson) in a support role as their house/keeper. Repeated the role on radio as well. Ultimately became largely a one-note performer, thanks to the repetitious nature of the characters he undertook. Died of a heart attack. Inner: War experiences probably dictated a need for creativity and self-expression to counteract its near self-destructive effects on him. Straitjacketed smoking jacket lifetime of becoming thoroughly identified with the archetypal character of the blustery Englishman, before returning to use the same author and partner as a springboard for a more nuanced career.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS SLEUTH TURNED SORCEROR’S APPRENTICE:
Storyline: The archetypal actor uses the repeat imagination of the same docent to reveal his own double nature as cerebral and cuddly limner of wizardly wonders, as he shifts over to the feminine side of his character to give fuller expression to himself.
Daniel Radcliffe (1989) - English actor. Outer: Father was a literary agent, and mother was a casting director. Suffered from dyspraxia, a neurological disorder which impairs movements, from childhood on, making him feel inept in most of his endeavors, which in turn, turned him toward make-believe and the camera. Desired to be an actor from the time he was 5, although his parents didn’t initially support him. Attended an all-boys private school, and began his professional career playing David Copperfield in a BBC production of the Charles Dickens (Richard Burton) novel. Fashioned his film debut in 2001 in The Tailor of Panama, and the following year made his London stage debut in Kenneth Branagh’s “The Play What I Wrote.” Didn’t finish reading any of the Harry Potter books, until he was finally selected for the lead role, after one of his father’s friends, a casting agent, thought he would be a perfect fit for the part of the fledgling wizard. After the success of the first two films, he became Britain’s third richest teenager, although will have to do eventual battle with a public who often freezes very young stars into endless teenagedom, and cannot let them mature into their craft. The series would reunite him two of the other support characters, in his previous go-round’s Sherlock Holmes series, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, and the trio would become especially close, thanks to the unique pressures of being pubescent stars. In order to break free of the Potter mold, in 2007, he took on the role of the disturbed and disrobed teenage protagonist in “Equus,” to the shock of both his parents and fans, despite getting good reviews for his efforts. Continued with his Broadway boardwork, with a reprise of the musical “How to Succeed in Business,” then opened his first post-Potter film, The Woman in Black, with good numbers, proving himself a bankable young star on his own. Inner: Thoughtful, creative, with an early drinking problem that he quickly corralled in 2010, after suffering blackouts, and becoming a recluse to avoid public embarrassment. Addictive personality, while being forced at a young age to be a magical being, not of his own making. Return lifetime of taking a chance on being boxed in early with a character, after earlier having escaped the same fate in mid-career, despite playing a continuation of the imaginative output of the same creator, who first trapped him in similar circumstances. Basil Rathbone (Philip St. John Basil Rathbone) (1892-1967) - English/American actor. Outer: Parents were British emigrés in South Africa, but his sire was accused of being a spy and the family had to flee back to England in 1895. Father was a mining engineer, mother was a violinist. Younger brother and sister. Educated in England, although was far more interested in sports and theater than his studies. 6’1 1/2”, slim. His progenitor disapproved of his theatrical ambitions, so he worked as a clerk in an insurance company for a year, before joining a Shakespearean troupe managed by his cousin. Served his apprenticeship doing classical theater, and eventually worked his way up to juvenile leads. Married Marion Forman in 1914, divorced a dozen years later, one son from the union, Rodion Rathbone, who became an actor. In 1915, he traded in his stage tights for a military uniform, rising to second lieutenant while working in intelligence during WW I, and ultimately received the Military Cross for bravery. Gaunt and intense, projecting a sharp intellect. After mustering out, he rejoined his acting troupe, and ultimately became a transatlantic star, with many Shakespearean portrayals. Married actress and scenarist Ouida Bergere in 1926, adopted daughter from union. His wife also collaborated on several screenplays. In 1929, he co-wrote and starred in a short-lived Broadway play, “Judas,” before focusing his creative attention on filmwork. Began his screen career in 1921 with Innocent, and initially played romantic leads. Became an American citizen in 1930. Made an easy transition to sound, with his clearly enunciating voice, and ultimately wound up playing many Hollywood sword-in-hand villains to the studio stars of the day, winning 2 Academy Reward nominations for best supporting actor along the way, only to lose both times to actor Walter Brennan. Best remembered, however, for his portrayal of detective Sherlock Holmes, in a fourteen film series stretching through the war years, based on A. Conan Doyle’s (J.K. Rowling) classic stories, in which he and Nigel Bruce (Rupert Grint) successfully teamed, and Mary Gordon (Emma Watson), provided support. Also reprised the role on radio. Felt, however, he was being pigeonholed, and returned to stagework in NY after WW II. Won a Tony in 1947 for “The Heiress,” before exploring TV drama, and doing occasional film forays. Toured the U.S. with a one-man show, “An Evening with Basil Rathbone,” as a career coda. Continued working his entire life, and died of a heart attack. Inner: Cerebral, taut and aloof, with a decidedly masculine cast. Manly lifetime of running an actorly gamut, despite being largely identified with one role, before softening on his return, to try to expand his potential, despite once more coming into prominence through the same imagination of the same reincarnated author.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS SHAMELESS SELF-EXPLOITER:
Storyline: The brazen stereotype resurrects himself as an uncommonly precocious actor of unusual ability in an effort to balance out his earlier demeaning grinning and shuffling as Hollywood’s favorite resident darky.
Craig Lamar Traylor (1989) - American actor. Outer: Of African/American descent. Mother was a youth counsellor, father was a manager for the Caterpillar Corp. in Ontario Canada. Close with the former. Extremely precocious, he started gymnastics at 2, and began modeling for magazine ads when he was 4. Caught the attention of an agent, and within a week of signing with him, he was doing commercials. Made his TV debut at 5 on “ER,” and fashioned his motion picture debut in a family film, Matilda, in 1996. Came to wide public attention as the TV character Stevie, a wheel-chair bound paraplegic on the surprise hit, “Malcolm in the Middle,” beginning in 2000, serving as a role model for the disabled in an unconscious attempt to expunge his previous existence’s take as a role model for negative stereotypes. Harbors fantasies of being a gym teacher or brain surgeon, but will probably continue to explore the full breath of acting, as compensation for the limits placed on him the last time around. Inner: High energy, versatile, loves to sew, a skilled tailor. Fascinated with the TV Amazon, Xena. Rehabilitating lifetime of showing his acting chops early in order to reclaim his entertaining self. Stepin Fetchit (Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry) (c1902-1985) - Outer: Of African-Caribbean descent. Named after 4 presidents. Father was a cigar maker, who had a great love of traveling carnivals and minstrels shows. Mother was a Bahamian seamstress, who steered her son towards school and church, but it was the former whose influence ultimately prevailed. His begetter died when he was young, and he left home by 1914, and began his career appearing in Royal American Shows plantation revues and later vaudeville, creating a comic character based on shuffling stereotypes of old. 5’10”, slim. Took his name from a Baltimore racehorse, Step ‘n’ Fetchit, and wrote a routine for himself and a partner. When the act broke up, he retained the name for himself. Began in films in 1927 in In Old Kentucky, and went on to play to his white audience’s archetype of the lazy, ignorant, childlike negro, becoming the first African-American to receive featured billing for his willing degradation. Always able to hold his own on the screen, with a strong visual sense, as well as his own exquisite timing, which usurped the action around him, and gave him an odd power. Married and divorced, then wed Winifred Johnson, with whom he had two sons. Made some $2 million during the Depression Era of the 1930s, playing to prejudice, but squandered it on cars, Chinese servants, women and a lavish lifestyle as exemplified by a pink Rolls-Royce with his name emblazoned in neon lights on it. Became the first black actor to have a known life away from the screen, with accidents, brawls and high-living as part of his legend. Denounced by black civic and church leaders, thanks to a penchant for public pugilism and a a taste for teenagers. By the end of the decade his movie career was largely over, and he was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1947, although he sporadically appeared in low budget “race pictures” afterwards, taking a two decade break from the 1950s to the 1970s. His later performances were drained of their earlier energy. Converted to the Muslim faith in the late 1960s, and in 1969, his son Douglas killed 2 people on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, wounded 15 and then killed himself. His car was found to be filled with militant literature. Unsuccessfully sued CBS in 1970 for trying to exploit his own earlier self-exploitation. Given some due in 1976 and 1978, with an award from the NAACP and later election to the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, claiming “I was a militant. In fact, I was the first militant,” for his earlier illusionary trickster stance. Suffered a stroke in 1976, and couldn’t speak afterwards. His third wife left him a widower in 1984. Died of pneumonia and heart failure in a convalescent home. Inner: Happy-go-lucky, good-timer, who was eventually forced to face himself, becoming paranoid in the process. Shuffling lifetime of enjoying acclaim and success at the expense of dignity and self-worth, shamelessly playing to stereotype, while reaping the material rewards for it, but not the emotional satisfaction behind his bald-faced sell-out.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS MULTI-GENERATIONAL MULTI-TALENT:
Storyline: The prodigy progeny switches genders but retains parents in an attempt to re-experience an earlier full range of expression from a masculine rather than a feminine vantagepoint.
Owen Kline (1991) - American actor. Outer: Son of actor Kevin Kline and actress Phoebe Cates. Sister Greta also an actress. Made his screen debut in 1991, with Anniversary Party, for which he also composed and sang, “I recognize love.” Thanks to his parents friendship with the director, Noah Baumbach, he made a noticeable impression in 2005 with The Squid and the Whale, with his parents on the set, and proved a natural actor, despite the difficult role, although professed at the time he wasn’t interested in pursuing it as a career. Makes movies with his friends, pens graphic novels, designs his own clothes and plays drums, evincing a wide array of talent. Inner: Expansive lifetime of doing it all again from the same base but a different gender perspective. Cornelia Otis Skinner (1901-1979) - American actress and writer. Outer: Daughter of actor Otis Skinner (Kevin Kline), and actress Maud Durbin (Phoebe Cates?). Born while her parents were on tour. Her mother retired from the stage immediately afterwards, and she grew up in Bryn Mawr, Pa., where the family maintained a home. Tall, dark and stately. Spent 2 years at Bryn Mawr College, but was never much of a student. Traveled with her mother to Europe, where she continued her education at the Sorbonne in Paris. Was deeply appreciative of European civilization, and also had classical training in the theater in France. Made her first professional stage appearance with her father in “Blood and Sand,” in 1921. Collaborated with him in writing her first play, “Captain Fury,” four years later. In 1928, she married Alden Blodget, a wealthy banker and sportsman, one son from the union. The couple lived in a mansion on Long Island’s fashionable North Shore. Specialized in monodramas and during the 1930s, staged a host of them, in both the U.S. and London, based largely on herstorical characters. Achieved recognition as an actress in 1939 with “Candida,” before carving out her own memorable career on the stage. During WW II, she was active with the American Theater Wing, entertaining the armed services. Co-wrote a bestseller in 1942, “Our Hearts Were Young and Gay,” about a youthful trip to Paris, which was also translated to both the screen and stage. Contributed both poetry and essays to a number of leading magazines, which were also collected in bookform. The possessor of a sharp sense of humor, her writings were mostly light verse, sketches, anecdotes and monodramas, but she also did a couple of well-received biographies of theater people. Did some TV work in the 1950s, as well as sporadic films, and retired from the stage in 1960. Her husband died in 1964, and she moved to NYC for the rest of her life, before finally succumbing to a cerebral hemorrhage. Inner: Sophisticated and cultivated, with an excellent stage presence, and a quick wit. Smart set lifetime of taking full advantage of a nurturing milieu to allow the complete scope of her creativity complete display.

*

PATHWAY OF THE PERFORMER AS WIDE-EYED RAPPER AND ACTOR:
Storyline: The jittery jester gives the full breath and breadth of his lives to the entertainment of others, while expanding his natural penchant for clowning into a far more satisfactory vehicle of expression of himself than his earlier playing to strict stereotype.
Bobb’e J. Thompson (1996) - American actor and rapper. Outer: Of African/American descent. The youngest of a large family of nine children. Had immediate show business ambitions, and made his debut as a rapper at the tender age of 5, with his own take on L’il Bow Wow’s “Where My Dogs At.” Took on a host of entertainment names, including Master Groove, and variations of his own birthname, while rapping with the popular JammX Kids, a prepubescent hip hop nine-some. Made his film debut in 2004’s animated The Shark’s Tale, and then in the flesh in Cellular. Came to larger public attention in Role Models in 2008, in what looks like the beginning of a long successful career, built around his various gifts. Inner: Natural performer, with a great deal of self-confidence, and the ability to be completely professional, despite his extreme youth. Self-rehabilitating lifetime of expanding himself far beyond the limits earlier placed on him. Mantan Moreland (1901-1973) - American actor. Outer: Of African/American descent. Short and chubby. Began running away from home at the age of 12 to join circuses and medicine shows, only to be returned. Finally out on his own, he pursued the chitlin circuit as his venue, and established a nightclub and stage act, sometimes as a solo, and sometimes as part of a tandem. Entered films in 1937 in Shall We Dance, and found his niche the following decade playing to stereotype as a goggle-eyed nervous manservant, most notably as Birmingham Brown in the Charley Chan series, where he was his chauffeur, and could be counted on for some variation of uttering, “Feets get me outta here,” whenever a corpse turned up. Pigeonholed as such, he, nevertheless, delivered the requisite humor in those detective dramas, as well as others, to enjoy a highly successful career in the 1940s. Suffered for his success, however, in the wake of changing attitudes surrounding stereotypes, and found less work in film in succeeding decades. Wound up doing TV work and commercials, although found some redemption through the stage, particularly an all-black Broadway revival of “Waiting For Godot.” Died of a cerebral hemorrhage. Inner: Likable and eager to please. ‘Feats get me outta here’ lifetime of successfully playing to stereotype by demeaning himself, before choosing to expand in the less seen, but far more rewarding venue of the stage, as a means of balancing out his own sense of artistic integrity.

*