Me and Christopher Walken

Some readers asked for more information on my recent reference to my having been in a play with Christopher Walken. So, without further ado, let us harken back to the year 1978, in the sleepy little town of Ann Arbor, Michigan...

The hero of our story is a fresh-faced, still-wet-behind-the-ears greenhorn by the name of Jim McKee. Jim is a brand-spanking-new freshman at the University of Michigan. He's got this big idea that he's going to get a liberal arts degree, majoring in theatre, and then...? Who knows?

(OK, it was cute for a minute, but I can't keep writing about myself in the third person. I can read it when others do it, no problem. But for me...)

Anyway, through the Drama Department, it was announced that, as part of the Guest Artist Series, the University would be putting on a production of William Shakespeare's Richard II. The "Guest Artist" function was to be fulfilled by Christopher Walken. Even in 1978, he was getting to be known, having just appeared in the Woody Allen film, Annie Hall. The rest of the roles in the play would be performed by students and faculty. Walken would be playing the role of Henry Bolingbroke (one of the major parts in the play).

Christopher Walken was probably just as you'd imagine him to be: friendly, somewhat quiet, down-to-earth, but very intense when it comes to the craft of acting. Even back then, when he was not quite a household name, he was every bit the consummate professional. He didn't put on airs or act like a big shot, even though we all knew he was a professional actor, and we were just students and teachers. I had actually seen Annie Hall; Walken played Annie's crazed brother (going strictly from memory here, so if I goofed that up, I'll have to blame it on Part-Timer's Disease).

My part in the play was a bit less than glorious. I can't remember my character's exact name, but it was something very much like: Spear Carrier #2. I had only two lines in the play, which I'm sure set the theatrical world on fire like no other. Also, it was the first and last time in my life that I ever wore leotards (for which I am very thankful, o Lord). But, you know, the sacrifices one makes for one's art, and all that bull.

Our play was performed the first week of December. During that same week, a movie that Christopher Walken had made was in early release in New York City, so that it would be out in time for Academy Award nominations. The film was called The Deer Hunter. A couple of months later, as I was watching the Academy Awards program, Walken won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Deer Hunter.

So, that's the whole story. How many people do you know who can say they drank a beer with an Oscar-award winning actor? (Even if you do know someone else, don't burst my bubble, OK?)