Atlanta Extras Casting

…Jane is 87! Happy Birthday!!!

I was at an audition in a rougher part of Atlanta. There were about ten of us, sitting quietly, reading our "sides," and awaiting our turn.

The lobby door was a fair distance away, and suddenly, a tall, thin, shaggy old homeless man appeared, dragging a small suitcase behind him. He fought with the door and fumbled his way in.

Thinking he might need help finding the bathroom, I stood up. Before I could do anything, he glanced around the room, set his sights on his destination, and darted off, towing his suitcase behind him. Just before he rounded the corner, everyone in our group stood, shocked to realize the "homeless man" was actually Donald Sutherland! He was in town shooting a new movie and was there for a fitting.

This was the only time I saw him in person, and it made a surprising impact on my life: Beware of first impressions, things are not always as they seem.

R.I.P. Mr. Sutherland. Thank you for your good work.