Shut Up And Dance

There was a recent article about actor Sean Bean, and how he is sick of being killed in his movies, and no longer taking roles where this happens. Some readers responded with support, others by insisting that he should shut up and take the money.

There is something slightly disturbing about thinking that an artist, or anyone, should take whatever money they are offered, regardless of the job or role. I know damned well I wouldn’t, and haven’t.

My first Hollywood agent was an older man named Marvin Moss. Great guy, saw right through my youthful ego and bravado to the insecurity within. After he passed away, I went to a younger guy, J.G.

Another good guy, if a bit more cynical than I was used to. One day I was in his office, pouring out my heart about my career hopes and dreams. But I’d recently had a meeting with a company that employed a friend of mine. They asked me if I wanted to replace him. The entire encounter had left me feeling a little queasy, and I said to J.G.: “I don’t know what’s going to happen to my career in Hollywood. All I know is that when I leave, it will be with my sense of honor intact.”

J.G. leaned back in his chair with his fingers laced behind his head, smiled and said: “You’ll be the only one.”

Wow. At that moment, that very INSTANT, I knew that we were a mis-match. He didn’t understand me, at all.

Years passed, and I definitely found out what he meant. Hollywood is a strange place, in the sense that it is one of the few places…