With friends like mine

     I knew I wanted to be an actor when I was in 15yrs old. I was running with a really beautiful group of people. We were a small family. There was Al, the actor. Then Diane, the sister of Albert. She was a student at NYU and Albert her younger brother was still finding himself. Gina was a tall attractive girl whose dad wrote the song "Hard Headed Women" for Elvis. Then there's me. The sort of kid with rough edges. 

     Diane picked me up one day cause she wanted uncomplicated sex. We were all a sort of broken pieces that fit at the time. 

     We all had our faults but we really had love. With the exception it Albert, Al and I made it with all the girls. And there were more then a few threesomes. It was the 70's and we were young. So sexual exploration was the thing. And love was in the air.

     We didn't have much in the way of money but together we were one smooth ass crew. Me with my Suade pointed shoes, blazer and tinted 50's shades. Al with his leather pants and pout that he had perfected. Albert was always trying things and Gina was tall thin and glamorous. 

     We would go to Studio 54, 12 West, the King st. Paradise Garage. You name it. We would get invited. And wherever we'd go we'd dance down the house. What was explosive is that we not only did the Latin Hustle, we would also do Salsa and we were all freestyle specialist. It was like a show and when we'd start switching and dancing amoungst ourselves we were the hottest crew on the floor. We could all lead and follow. It was a special time. 

     We had other members of the group that would come out speratically. Even I'd go and come. But when we hooked up it was as if it was only yesterday.

      One things for sure, even though Gina picked me to make her a women, she truly wanted to be with Al.

     Al on the other hand only really loved Al. When I asked him if I can be an actor? He told me that I don't have what it takes and to not waste my time.

     Times change and now I'm in college working nights full time as a security guard so I can study and nap before classes in the morning. I got into theatre and once I was on stage I knew it was for me. Fran LaPate, a fellow actor who had won an award for this spicey meatball commercial pulled me aside and told me that I have what it takes. The difference to me was that this old women knew what she was talking about. She really worked. And Al Rios had done a Spanish toothpaste commercial when he was like 8, and we had to watch "Saturday Night Fever" twice to see him walk off the dance floor during one of the club Dance scenes.

     I knew that studying was always important. From my Sensei Robert Weinberg, my karate teacher. So I studied with Sonia Moore, Method acting. Then with Wm. Hickey at HB Studio and finally Geraldine Page at the Real Stage at West 51st. Between 8/9th ave. I always studied voice, diction and played with accents . Especially in the cab. 

     My Physics Prof. At NYCTC told me that an actor needs life's experience not a degree. So, it made sense. And that's when I started learn the biz and going for work. I did lots of extra work on soaps , films and commercials. Before you knew it I was doing under fives and booked a nat'l Bud commercial. From there I got myself featured on Fame the tv show. Booked a commercial, then a legit agent. Abrams Artist, commercial and Gersh Legit!

      After a nice 2 hour karate workout I went and picked up my cab. I stopped at E.5 st. & Ave. A to pick up a bottle of Pepsi and went back to work. Another cab cut me off and the Pepsi hit the floor of the cab. Long story short, a shad of glass lodged in my mouth. I went to Mount Sinai ER and after test was told I may have cancer. Went to St. Vincent's on W.12st and it was confirmed. I was operated and radiated. 

     When I was released I was told that I had 5 to 7 years. At first I figured I'd go all out acting. 

     Booked feature roles in See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Awakenings and Guest Starred on Miami Vice. But the noise in my head said fuck it. If you're gonna die do it flying high. All the shit I put down for years, over a decade, I did with a vengeance. Mind you I was already dying with cancer I didn't need any other diseases! Crazy? YES! Stupid ? NO!!!

     I got a Co-Star role in a film called "Privlege" by Yvonne Rainer. Got exceptional reviews in the Advocate. 

     One day I was on W89st. & Amsterdam ave. and ran into Al Rios. I gave him a hug, he must of gained 100 lbs. huge. He told me that he was in therapy and that he saw the review in the Advocate and that he had to apologize for what he'd said to me so many years ago. I smiled gave him a hug and kiss. Wished him well and went on my way. For the next 10 years it was on and off the Mary go round. 

     After so many years of this back and forth dance, I'm finally off. And at times happy! I really have to add this. I'm not afraid of success or failure. I want this and if it means anything then anything is what I'll pay to do this! I love it. And I want to share all my successes with those who are on my team. Mi Gente!

PS: I had to make a correction, the song Gina's dad wrote for Elvis Presley was "Hard Headed Women!" He wrote it for his wife, Gina's lovely mom!