Sunset Boulevard (1950)

THE DEMENTED RECLUSE: Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond making her final descent into her imaginary close-up and madness. This scene, more than any other, has come to represent the sometimes tragic downside of fame lost.

The breathing waxworks —
when fallen stars dim to shells
of their former selves.



The scene that inspired the haiku, although I'd never consider Keaton nor Swanson as has-beens. In fact, observe how, even with such a minor part, Keaton works the shot and steals viewer attention with nothing more than a brief facial expression.


Norma Desmond's famous happy ending.


The "Sunset Boulevard" movie trailer.


One of Comedienne Carol Burnett's zany spoofs as "Nora" Desmond. (This is live TV. Notice how you can see the set brace during the two-shot at the door.)

Benicio Del Toro

THE EYES HAVE IT: He's played kidnappers, killers, a revolutionary and, most recently, a werewolf. But underneath it all lies a kind, polite, soft-spoken art and music lover who's afraid of heights.

His menacing gaze
gets him cast as "the heavy,"
the big pussycat!





Known for taking risks, one of Del Toro's milestone characters is Fred Fenster from "The Usual Suspects" (1995). The imaginative actor created the unforgettable out of what would've otherwise been a minor and disposable part, by adding frenetic and awkward mannerisms, a speech impediment, and modifying his own hairline and eyebrows to blur ethnicity.


Del Toro discussing his most recent role, the tragic Lawrence Talbot in "The Wolfman" (2010).

An Early Start

Every actor reporting to set knows this sight: the back door and liftgate of the wardrobe trailer. For secondary performers, it is often the next stop after check-in.

Four a.m. call time.
Gotta be ready to roll
just before first light.

I Saw A Werewolf

(L to R) Makeup Artist Rick Baker and Actor Benicio Del Toro in a test photo for "The Wolfman."  (Photo by Kazuhiro Tsuji)

What thesp does not dream
of rising to the challenge
of a Chaney role?

Imperfect Beauty

Leave your face alone.
Too many plastic bombshells.
Be you. Be unique!

...Always A Trouper

"Move more to your right,"
the director said to me.
"I'm hiding a light."

Once A Trouper...

Not yet SAG; no lines.
I was cast to play the part
because the dress fit.