In a previous column we talked about Troy born actors of the 19th century that made a mark on Hollywood. This week we will demonstrate that Trojan born contributions to Hollywood continue right up to the present. This list will surprise some baby boomers as well as the younger set.

The Golden Years

Tom Lewis
July 8, 1901-May 20 ,1988

Tom Lewis, born in Lansingburgh, was a producer and writer doing both on Cause for Alarm! (1951) and producing a TV episode of The Indiscreet Mrs. Jarvis (1955). He was married to Loretta Young and produced two years of her TV hit, The Loretta Young Show.

Maureen Stapleton
June 21, 1925

More than 52 movies, a dozen TV appearances, and award winning stage performances, puts Trojan Maureen Stapleton in a class of her own. Born on First Street, she is one of few actors to win all three major acting awards: Oscar, Tony, and Emmy. Today, she loves to do crossword puzzles and play charades (and I owe her a lunch).

Philip O'Brien
May 23, 1927 - January 9, 1999

O'Brien was on the short list to become Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. His career began late in life spanning the 80's and 90's. He appeared in 18 movies and TV appearances. He was the American coach in Chariots of Fire (1981), the Maitre d' in Batman (1989), and Earl in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). His TV appearances include The Ted Kennedy Jr. Story(1986), Love with the Perfect Stranger (1988) and Goldeneye: The Secret Life of Ian Fleming (1989).

Robert Allen
February 5, 1928 - October 1, 2000

Allen was a composer, conductor, arranger, pianist and accompanist for Peter Lind Hayes, as well as actor from the 30's to 50's. He composed songs and scores for TV series such as "Studio One" (1948) and "Playhouse 90" (1956), and the song "It's Not for Me to Say" for Lizzie (1957). He played himself in the 1938 and 1941, Hal Kemp and His Orchestra movies.

Bob Turley
September 19, 1930

Robert Lee Turley played himself in the movie New York Yankees (The Movie) (1987). 'Bullet Bob' wasn't really an actor but a baseball pitcher for the SL Browns, Baltimore Orioles [all-star: 1954], NY Yankees [World Series: 1955 1958, 1960; all-star: 1955, 1958; Cy Young Award: 1958], Boston Red Sox, and LA Angels.

Robert Fuller
July 29, 1934

You know Robert from TV and movies spanning a career from the 1950's to 90's. He began with a bit part (and acting lessons from Richard Boone (Have Gun, Will Travel) in Marilyn Monroe's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). Fuller is remembered for his roles as Jess Harper in the TV series Laramie (1959) and Cooper Smith in Wagon Train (1957), or Dr. Kelly Brackett in Emergency! (1972). He was also in the movies Return of the Seven (1966) and Maverick (1994). His TV appearances include Walker, Texas Ranger, as recently as last May, and Seinfeld, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Diagnosis Murder, and about 40 others.

Tom Vaughn
February 28, 1943

Ok, not really an actor, he played defensive tackle for the National Football League's Detroit Lions (1965-1971), but he did appear in the movie Paper Lion (1968), playing himself.

And The Tradition Continues...

James Gorman
March 8, 1961

Forty year old James Gorman has produced 5 movies including the 1998 Les Misérables and S.O.S. (2001), and wrote and produced Cutthroat Island (1995).

Russell Wong
March 1, 1963

Russell Wong is a former dancer and photographer. Today, he is a familiar face and perhaps the most successful of the new crop of Trojan born actors. He has appeared in 23 movies already including New Jack City (1991), The Joy Luck Club (1993) and has made appearances in TV shows such as Vanishing Son, 21 Jump Street, and Touched by an Angel. His brother is actor Michael Wong who is married to model Janet Ma.

Kevin Gardner
December 1, 1969

I was enjoying the then present memories of Woodstock (the real one) and the first Man landing on the moon the year Kevin Gardner was born! Since then, Kevin has appeared in the TV movie Confessions of a Sorority Girl (1993) and made numerous appearances on the TV show Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1993).

Next?

Besides actors, Troy has become a set for several movies: The Bostonians, (1984); Ironweed (1987); The Age of Innocence, (1993); Scent of a Women (1992); The Opponent, (2000), and filmed, but not released yet is The Palace Thief (2002) and The Time Machine (2002). I had a bit part in Ironweed and Age of Innocence, but for some reason Hollywood isn't calling?