Finally! Flirting!

I’m in the liquor aisle deciding on what beer to buy. A woman in the cutest little jean shorts is sorta trailing me. She passes and stops in front of the Vodka and Gin. We both have our masks on. Boy, how do I flirt with masks on during a pandemic? But there’s a sexiness about her.
“I’d go with the vodka, ” I say. ” It works great against COVID, but I’d stay away from Lysol and Clorox.”
She laughs, a real laugh, and says “right.”
Even with her mask on I could tell she was blushing.
The masks added something, an unknown anticipation of what I don’t know. I took a picture of her in my head, her presence in case I would see her again without masks. Then and only then we would know.
Daniel Beer

ELEVATOR WITH A SIX-YEAR-OLD

 

In the elevator at the grocery store, I shared the ride with a family of three. The daughter, holding a pink lunch box was no higher than my waist. She quietly announced, “I’m six.”
“Me too, ” I said, ” I grew really fast.”
She glanced at her mom. The elevator door opened, and by chance, we were parked next to each other.
“If I’m six, am I allowed to drive?”
“Yes, because you’re big,” she answered.
“Then, you can drive too, because your six.”
“No, I’m little.”
“No, you’re not you’re big and strong,” I said. “You know why?” She shook her head, and her mom and dad paused as they were packing their groceries into the car. “Because in the elevator you started to talk to me, and that means you’re confident and strong, and big.” I could tell by her expression that she liked that. Her parents did too. Then, the girl told me she was going to the beach. That must be why she had her lunch box.

21 Jump Street

Nemesis.  Toadman

Here are some great memories of guest starring with Richard Greico, and my fellow cast mates.  The show was filmed in Vancouver.

The director Ken Wiederhorn had to fight for me to get the part of Toadman. The network didn’t see a  young leading man playing the part who’s name comes from doing too many mushrooms. They saw the part going to a weird character actor. The director said, “Wait till you see this kid Daniel act.”  Ken told me that on the set. Television moves so fast that seldom does a director fight for an actor.  That day I thanked him. Thanks again Ken. Love you for that.

I’m a highly trained actor. An Actors Studio member. I started training at 18 yrs of age, and I still study at The Studio.  For Toadman I worked on an animal exercise. What kind? A gorilla.  A friend of mine saw the episode and said, “you don’t walk like that.”  Exactly I was slightly using a gorillas walk.  Also, I was so much taller than the other actors, Ken kept asking me to slouch, so a gorilla is slouched.  Acting is so much, when you have training.  Yes, I worked on other things for the character too.

Richard Greico and I hit it off. It was his first solo episode; he had a lot riding on it. He made sure we were okay with everything on set.  You can see in our scenes that Richard and I were really having fun. Richard is so unaffected by stardom. Down to earth guy.   He’s a helluva artist, you should see his paintings.

The photo of all of us sitting on the picnic table takes place in the morning at the high school.  You can see in the photo that I’m holding a book. It’s the book Less Than Zero, which I was reading at the time. And I was drinking a coke. None of which was in the script. I added it, thinking what would I be doing in this scene before school starts. I remember the stoners from school would be drinking soda. I wanted Toadman to be smart, so I added the book.  The director loved it, but right before we shot he had to clear the coke with the network. If coke sponsored the show?  Yes they did.  Another scene I start by writing in my journal.  I wanted Toadman to be smart.  I added so many little things like that to Toadman.  The director gave me free reign.   At The Actors Studio West Martin Landau would always tell us, ” eighty five percent of an actors work is never seen.”  I miss you Martin.  In the episode Nemesis I got to really use many things I learned studying as an actor.  I thought you all would get a kick out of these behind the scenes photos and stories.  Oh I have more, like partying in a stretch limo. But some memories I’ll keep for myself.

 

 

Creepshow 2 Reunion.

The Coolest Cats.

When I saw the director Michael Gornick for the first time in thirty years, I almost cried. It was so great to get to know Mike as an adult, and share our experiences of making the film.  I’m trying to get Mike back behind the camera, directing again.  It felt like a class reunion.    I never would have thought shooting that little movie Creepshow 2 would stand the test of time.    Lee karr in the white shirt and his girlfriend Renee Mclamb organized and made everything run smoothly.   Thanks. And thanks Chiller Theater for a great time.

Daniel Beer,  AKA Poncho.

On The Mic for Creepshow 2

Creepshow 2 Panel Discussion.

One of the many highlights of my Chiller Theatre Convention experience.  On my left is Michael Gornick, the director, Don Harvey, Domenick, who played Billy.  Every time I meet fans,  I learn so much about my profession.  I get so much from you all. I appreciate it.  And thanks for making me feel special.

Daniel Beer

P.S. Special thanks to Lee Karr, for making this all happen.

Creepshow 2 Reunion

 

Excited to announce I’ll be with these groovy cats Oct 27-29 Chiller Theatre convention at the Hilton Parsippany NJ Swing on by, love to meet you all there.  It’s so great meeting fans of the film, and hearing your experience with the film.  It is always humbling.    Hey it’s right before #holloween that makes it even more groovy. Oh yeah, we’re going to have lots of fun.

P.S. So looking forward to seeing M. Gornick.

Martin Landau

Being a member of The Actors Studio, I’ve had the great good fortune to have known Martin. He was, and always will be a mentor, role model, acting coach, and an example of “kindness.”   He made all of us at The Studio feel cared for, “you are all my children.,” he said. “The room is packed with your friends.”  He had a gift for showing people that he cared.  He was so supportive, and understanding.  He influenced countless, actors, writers, and directors.  Not only is his legacy that of a great actor, but one of the most influential American Dramatists.   My heart goes out to his family.  It is a devastating loss.  I’m a lucky man to have been influenced by Martin, as an actor and as a man.   Martin, I will miss you greatly.  I want you to come back.

Re Release Creepshow 2

After doing the interview for Arrow’s re-release, Arrow finally sent me copies, as per our agreement. They did a fantastic job with this release. First rate.  It has received great reviews.  I really prepped myself for the interview, and it’s been so fun hearing your feedback. In the photo, I’m trying to be cool like the fans. But I just a dork. Fun to be part of a classic.  Lucky Me.

 

A Moment With Faye

I’m heading for the exit to walk out of The Actors Studio. By the door, sitting in the front row is Faye Dunaway with a boot on her foot for a broken foot. She’s kinda struggling to get up. No one notices. I give her my arm. “Darling, do you need some help?” Yes, I called her Darling.
She takes my arm, “Thank you, aren’t you sweet.”
“My pleasure,” She stands up, her arm in mine, like we’re on a date. “What did you do? Go skiing and break it.”
“No,” she looked at me like, don’t be silly. Well, I was, and she got it.
“I like your hat.”
She blushed, “Oh thanks.”
It’s good to find something in a woman’s out fit and compliment her on it.
She was wearing a cool fedora style hat, and she looked great, very thin, and I felt that she was fit , her arm entwined with mine was strong.
The whole time she had been quietly sitting in the front row, leaning forward, listening, looking back at another Actor Studio Member when they commented on the scene. I thought, my goodness, she’s an actress beyond accomplishment and she still comes here-to her roots. She’s the real deal, and loves this craft of acting with passion. I look forward to seeing her again.

Creepshow 2 new____,shhh I can’t say.

I can’t tell ya what it’s for, because it’s a secret. Can you keep a secret?  Some fun stuff I did for Creepshow 2.  I think all the fans will dig it.  Go to my Facebook or Instagram where I did a 6 second video.  I’m honored to be a part of this.

Cheers,

Daniel Beer