Reflections on Favorite Roles: From Lean On Me to The Normal Heart

As an actor, I've played a variety of roles that have stayed with me throughout my career. Here, let me share two of my memorable experiences: one from my late-actor days and another from the stage. These performances taught me invaluable lessons about the art of acting and the impact it can have on both the performer and the audience.

Lean On Me: A Cinematic Experience

One of the most memorable roles I have played is that of Principal Joe Clark in the 1989 film Lean On Me. This was a significant part of my career, as it was a role brought to life by the legendary Morgan Freeman. The film is a coming-of-age story set in the late 1960s where Joe Clark, a new principal at Eastside High School, takes charge and turns around a struggling school. This iconic portrayal lent the movie its powerful impact and made it a classic in American cinema.

Theatrical Adventures

While my film career was memorable, my theatrical experiences have been equally enriching. Two stage roles, in particular, stand out as significant turning points in my professional journey. These performances took me from the college stage all the way to professional venues, teaching me the depths of character development and the joy of theater magic.

Tommy Boatwright in The Normal Heart

My first foray into stage acting was my role as Tommy Boatwright in the play The Normal Heart. This play, which premiered on Broadway in 1985, is a landmark in theater history, dealing with the AIDS crisis and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In college, I played a second-lead role that offered a comedic relief to the dramatic narrative. The role was both fun and challenging, as I had the opportunity to contribute to a piece of theater that was deeply important and on the cutting edge of that era.

Alongside Steve Nordwick as Mickey, and future Landau Prawn from "Better Call Saul," we found that we were truly serving the art. The experience was transformative, and I felt a deep sense of accomplishment in bringing the character to life. This was a breakthrough for me, and I remember it fondly. Here is a photo from the college production:

The Long Road to the Studio

My second significant stage role was as Scooter in the play Tracers. This play, originally meant for a limited showcase production, had a longer and richer journey, particularly when compared to the usual practice. The original performance was truncated to a 45-minute showcase at a college dinner theatre in Tustin, but it allowed us to experience the play in its entirety. This was an invaluable experience for the cast, especially me, as Scooter quickly became one of my favorite characters to perform. The role fitted my acting style perfectly and allowed me to fully explore the character's depth.

After positive feedback, we staged the full production several times. A member of our department even organized runs at our Studio Theatre back at CSULB, where we had the honor to meet the writer, mastermind John DiFusco. This opportunity was like a dream come true and allowed us to uncover more hidden layers of the performance. A picture from one of the dinner theatre performances is below:

A Different Perspective

Late in my theater career, I had the chance to reprise my role as the Drill Instructor in the Studio Theatre of the Long Beach Playhouse. Although this was a thrilling experience, playing the D.I. from a different perspective and not Scooter was a bit of a bittersweet disappointment. Working in the Studio Theatre, I had a unique opportunity to view the play from a new angle, gaining additional insights. However, the character of Scooter remained close to my heart, and I could talk about it all day. Here I am as the D.I. in the Studio Theatre:

Apart from Acting

Although my acting days are behind me, the lessons learned from these performances and the characters I've played will stay with me. From Morgan Freeman's portrayal of Joe Clark to the comedic relief of Tommy Boatwright, and the complex journey of Scooter, these roles taught me a great deal about the art of acting and its impact.