Sometimes we know in our bones what we really need to do, but we’re afraid to do it.
Taking a chance, and stepping beyond the safety of the world we’ve always known is the only way to grow, though, and without risk there is no reward.
Thoughts like this have weighed heavily on me for the last year or so, as I look around and reassess my life.
This past year has involved more self-discovery and more change than any so far in my life. It’s been tumultuous, scary, exhilarating, depressing, thrilling, joyful.
I’ve realized recently that I have changed dramatically since I started this website. When it began just over a year ago, I was very adrift, terrified that the Internet would tear me apart.
Well, it did, and it turns out that was a great thing. The Internet kicked my ass, and it forced me to find strength within myself, and to not derive my sense of self-worth from the opinions of others.
This website has introduced me to amazing people, weird people, scary people. This website, and many people who read it, has also helped me figure out what is important to me in my life, what makes me happy.
I guess the feeling has been building for a long time, and I knew it was there, but I wasn’t willing to acknowledge it. It was –is– scary. It’s a major change in my life, but I can’t ignore it, and to ignore it is to ignore myself, and cheat myself out of what I think my real potential is.
Back in the middle of May, I was asked to do this commercial. Well, not just a commercial, more of an infomercial, really. My first reaction was, “No way. Infomercials are death to an actor’s career.”
But then I thought about the last few years of my life as an actor. The daily frustrations. Losing jobs for stupid, capricious, unfair reasons.
I looked back and saw that it really started when my friend Roger promised me a role in Rules of Attraction, then yanked it away from me without so much as a phonecall or email or anything. Then there was the roller coaster of Win Ben Stein’s Money, and missing family vacations so I could stay home and go on auditions that all ended up being a huge waste of my time.
Throughout this time, this painful, frustrating Trial, I began to write more and more. It’s all here on WWDN. I can see my writing style change, as I find my voice, and figure out what I want to say, and how I want to say it.
The emails changed, too. People stopped asking me to do interviews for them about Star Trek, and started asking me if I’d conrtibute to their magazines, or weblogs, or books.
When this phonecall came for the infomercial, I took a long walk, and assessed my life.
The bottom line was: They were offering to pay me enough to support my family for the rest of this year. I wouldn’t have to worry about bills anymore. I wouldn’t have to view each audition as This One Big Chance That I Can’t Screw Up.
Accepting it would mean some security for me and my family. It was also a really cool computer-oriented product (which I’ll get to later, don’t worry). It’s not like I would be hawking “The Ab-Master 5000” or “Miracle Stain Transmogrifier X!”
It would also mean, to me at least, the end of any chance I had of ever being a really major actor again. That elusive chance to do a film as good as, or better than Stand By Me or a TV series as widely-watched as TNG would finally fall away.
I thought of all these things, walking Ferris through my neighborhood.
It was a long walk.
I thought of Donald Crowhurst.
I thought about why actors –and by actors I mean working, struggling actors like myself, not Big Time Celebrities like I was 15 years ago– suffer the indignities of auditions and the whims of Hollywood.
I remembered something I said to a group of Drama students just before their graduation: “If you want to be a professional actor, you have to love the acting, the performing, the thrill of creating a character and giving it life. You have to love all of that more than you hate how unfair the industry is, more than the constant rejection –and it is constant– hurts. You must have a passion within you that makes it worthwhile to struggle for years while pretty boys and pretty girls take your parts away from you again and again and again.”
I listened to my words, echoing off the linoleum floor of that High School auditorium, and realized that those words, spoken long ago were as much for me as they were for them.
I listened to my words and I realized: I don’t have that passion any more. I simply isn’t there.
I am no longer willing to miss a family vacation, or a birthday, or a recital, for an audition.
I am no longer willing to humiliate myself for some casting director who refuses to accept the fact that I’m pretty good with comedy.
I am no longer willing to ignore what I’m best at, and what I love the most, because I’ve spent the bulk of my life trying to succeed at something else.
So I walked back to my house, picked up the phone, and accepted the offer.
It was tumultuous, scary, exhilarating, depressing, thrilling, joyful.
I would spend the next three weeks wondering if I’d made the right decision. I would question and doubt it over and over again.
Was it the right decision? I don’t know.
Things have certainly changed for me, though. I have had 3 auditions since May. A year ago that would have killed me, but I’m really not bothered by it now.
I’ve made my family my top priority, and decided to focus on what I love: downloading porn.
Just kidding.
I’ve decided to focus on what I really love, what is fulfilling, maybe even what I am meant to do, in the great cosmic sense: I am writing.
I write every day, and I see the faint outlines of something really cool. I occasionally catch glimpses of an ability, unrefined, long-ignored, coming to life.
Sometimes we know in our bones what we really need to do, but we’re afraid to do it.
Taking a chance, and stepping beyond the safety of the world we’ve always known is the only way to grow, though, and without risk there is no reward.
Risk was always one of my favorite games.
Tomorrow: Why Creation Cut Me From The 15th Anniversary of TNG Convention, and Why It’s a Good Thing.
Discover more from WIL WHEATON dot NET
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“This above all; to thine own self be true.”
-William Shakespeare
Looks you are doing just that! š
When we walk to the edge
of all the light we have
and take the step into the
darkness of the unknown,
we must believe that
one of two things will happen….
There will be something
solid for us to stand on
or we will be taught to fly.
-Patrick Overton
That’s exciting news! I’m just at the rumbly beginnings of that kind of change (just a smell in the wind, but persistent), so I understand the fear and the elation. As always, I wish you the absolute very best in your endeavours.
Screw Shatner; you’re a farkin’ hero. š
(P.S. But let’s not be hasty and stop downloading pr0n. One step at a time ‘n whatnot.)
Do you like this infomercial product? If so, take a look at what’s happening here:
Somebody wants to give you a LOT OF MONEY to be HONEST on TELEVISION.
Breaking it down:
Making money = good
Being honest = good
Being on television = better than bad
DOING INFOMERCIAL = Danged good.
When I see Tony Little at 3 a.m., he always looks like he’s having the time of his life, and damn the torpedoes. Tally ho infomercial!
Wil,
You have worked with some great scripts and great people. This can never be taken away from you. You are also not a fortune teller, so you never know what opportunities are waiting for you down the road. Yes and I’m sure this will be the last TNG aniversary convention.
F.G.
Wil,
Re writing: Go for it! and whatever you come up with count me amoung those who will buy multiple copies.
Re life change: I hope that I have as much guts as you do when I make my own choice.
Re Infomercial: That’s a great opportunity, do want to need to do to be able to enjoy life and relax with your family.
Re Acting: I will be sad if you don’t do it anymore, but hey it’s your life and you’ve already shared so much of yourself with us by your previous roles and by creating this site.
So either way thanks for the memories.
p.s. Please tell us you’ll keep up the comedy, it sounds like you are really good at it.
You should totally put a book together (if you’re not already). Look at all these people who are dying to read it! And look at Ethan Hawke. He’s got two books out, and you’re way funnier than he is ….
Wow. I applaud you Wil Wheaton. I love you as an actor, but the past 7 months or so, I’ve come to enjoy you even more as a writer. You have an amazing talent, whether you’re writing seriously or writing satirically. I look forward to seeing more and more from you.
As for the infomercial – good for you. As long as they don’t make you wear one of those Cosby sweaters and act all excited like the Orange Glo guy.
Again, congrats on this decision. I think it’s been a long time coming (well, from what I’ve been reading on your site). I’m a firm believer in the idea that things happen for a reason and that the universe doesn’t give us more than we can handle. And when you’re ready for it, watch out world, here comes Wil Wheaton!
Wil,
It’s so refreshing to hear someone be so open and honest. When I was a teenager I bought into all the hipe (all good) that the teen mags published about you. Now that I’m older (30 eek!) I realize that I didn’t know “you” at all — that Hollywood is all smoke and bullshit.
To be able to come here and learn about the real you and know that you have fears, doubts, and joys just like the rest of us is so cool. The real deal is so much better than glossy Hollywood.
Good luck with your commericals. They don’t have to signal the end of your acting career. So many people have made comebacks that I never thought would and they don’t have half your talent. I hope your writing career takes off. You definitely have a gift.
I’ve been reading your weblog for a couple of months, and I have really enjoyed it. I seem to have many of the same opinions and tastes as you, so that helps keep me interested. You seem to be a person of integrity; a person who really tries to do the right thing, and I respect that. I also think you’re a realist – you aren’t afraid of the truth.
No great artist ever became great without struggle. I have to tell you – the infomercial is going to kill your legitimate acting career. It’s not a sure thing, but it’s pretty likely. But that’s NO REASON TO QUIT. Keep trying. Keep going to the auditions. I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve heard of actors or writers being rejected time and time again, only to FINALLY get their break. I’m sure you’ve heard the same.
Keep fighting the good fight. You have a lot of people who like you and are willing to support you. For now, you’ve done what you had to do, and that’s understandable. Maybe you’ve hit bottom in your career. But there’s only one way to go when you’re on the bottom. And the harder you work, the faster it will go. Best of luck.
John B said:
“Donald Crowhurst!!! Yess!!! Voyage for Madmen was a great book and the reference actually applies. Good Luck, I think you are more a Bernard Moitessier type guy myself.”
When I started reading that book, I wanted to be Robin Knox-Johnston. As the book unfolded, I realized that I was at a crossroads in my life, and I could be Donald Crowhurst, or Bernard Moitessier.
Hence, the decision was made.
My heart aches for Donald Crowhurst. I *know* him.
Wil,
As a Trekkie (and damnit I can’t help but be one) I am reminded of the episode The Measure Of A Man
where that Dr. wants to take Data apart to make more of him and Picard calls for a hearing to prove that Data is more than a just a machine. I think that you have found out you are more than just an actor. You are an actor yes but moreso you are a father,husband, a provider and a friend to so many. You have to do what is important to your family, they do come first. This infomercial does not spell death to an actor. It is no different to me than William Shatner doing priceline adds. I mean he still is in movies to. Take a look at Brent Spiner for a moment, a very talented actor on TNG and all TNG movies but when he acts outside those movies I personally do not think it is very good especially in his latest movie The Master of Disguise,but William Shatner is pretty much consistent no matter what he is in. What I am getting at is this, your acting career is over only if you let it be and stop trying to find jobs. If there is something you like doing more, like comedy, then go that route, and by all means Wil write a book. You have a great talent that should not be wasted. I think no matter what, you have your priorities in order and they are “family” and there is nothing better than a strong supportive wife by your side. I should know because I have one.
Take care Wil, and do not get discouraged you will be just fine.
Until your next post……
Matt……
A very brave, but wise choice!
You never quite know what life holds in store for you or what the next day can bring.
I have always believed that everything happens for a purpose and I think you will find that this decision will set into action a chain of events that you will someday realize was necessary to have gotten to that place in your life.
I am probably making no sense here to anyone but myself, but rest assured, it made perfect sense to me! š
*Good Luck with this new direction you have chosen*
Sounds like you made a good choice. You’ve done pretty well – you’re happy, you enjoy what you’re doing, and you’re not starving or struggling. It beats being dead like River Phoenix or burned out like Corey Feldman.
If you like doing comedy, maybe you should work on a stand-up routine. If it does well, it could be your way back to a TV series š
I now have a little tear in my eye from reading that last post. It’s so nice to see you finally acknowledging what a wonderful writer you are.
You ever write a book, Wil, and I swear, I’ll be first in line at the local Borders to buy five or six hundred copies.
Wil,
I don’t think that doing an informercial will be the end of your acting career.
I mean CHER even did one … and look where SHE is today, STILL a Mega star.
You NEVER know what life will bring you around the very next corner.
It COULD be a movie like the one that restarted John Travolta’s career a few years back, and it COULD be because someone SAW you in the Informercial that you get that part in a turn around movie.
Personally, I can’t wait until tomorrow … to find out what DUNCE at Creatino, decided to cancel you from the Trek 15 year anniversary convention!
I mean you were part of the show for at least 4 years!
Sheesh!
I’ve been reading WWDN for several months now, and I too have seen the change or evolution of your thinking and this post really hit home. I, at the age of 32 and nearing a crossroad of my career, have been asking similar questions. Priorities need re-evaluation from time to time. Family, spirituality, self, job, money, all these things need to fall into the proper order. I believe that God is with me in my search for answers as long as I don’t exclude Him, and everything will work out according to His plan.
Good luck in your decision. I hope I will have the courage to make mine.
Wil,
I’ve just recently started reading your online diary, I’m not even sure how I came across your websight to be honest. After reading your post today, I can honestly say I can’t remember being prouder of someone I don’t know!
Coming from someone who lives paycheck to paycheck and whose husband and child have to live with my parents because rent it too F**king expensive in NY, I can totally respect what you did. If I could get paid enough in one afternoon to cover my years expensives, without having to sleep with someone, I’d do the same thing as you.
Kim
YOU GO GIRL^H^H^H^H WIL!
“…decided to focus on what I love: downloading porn.
Just kidding.”
Anyone else think he wasn’t kidding? We know you too well now, Wil. š
But seriously, you’re not the only one who’s noticed and been impressed by the changes your blog has documented.
I’m glad we’ve all been able to do our little bit here to encourage you. You’ve had some *amazing* experiences and there are loads of people out there who are really interested in seeing how they’ve affected your view of the world.
The people who come to realise what you’ve realised are by far the happiest. Okay, they’ll never become multi-millionaires, but who said money buys you happiness?
Attaboy, Wil!
Good for you! I’m happy for you that you’ve reached that pointin your life where you can re-assess… realize that something needs to change… and go for the change without really looking back.
Change can be a scary thing, especially if it involves letting go of something that’s been a part of your life for a very long time.
Take it and run with it!
Right there with you man. I went through a similar period a couple of years ago in my own life when trying to determine whether I should take an offer leading to BIG TIME CAREER in software R&D. I ended up moving to the country in small town USA, took a job option that balanced personal time and set out to becoming my family’s hero.
Best choice I ever made. Because when you come down to it, who are you really trying to prove yourself to?
I really wish I could do what your doing. It’s not out of lack of trying but I jut can not find the sort of job I want to do in the location I want, I’ll keep on trying though.
As long as I breathe in my body I won’t give up.
Well done on being able to follow your heart, there should be more people like you in the world.
Note to self: Take more risks. I know that personally I have never put myself out there as much as you have. I’m very happy for you!
Wil;(I’m sorry this is so long but I just had to share this with you.)
I have so been there done that. When I was 28 I had a major wake up call. I had been living in L.A. for about 8 months (this time around anyway…) trying to make the whole acting thing happen (again…) when I knew I was facing The Big Decision i.e. what do I want to be when (if) I grow up? Anyway, I was living in some crap apartment in West Hollywood and working at The Argyle hotel on Sunset and the whole thing was making me miserable. I made some ludicrous salary of ten bucks an hour, had no couch, a T.V. that sat on the living room floor and slept on a box spring while my roommate and I took turns sleeping on the mattress. Things were sucking big time. All day long at work I catered to people like Matt Dillon, Cameron Diaz or even the illustrious Scott Baio (no comment) and I was starting to resent them. There they were asking me to make them reservations to House of Blues when I was too poor to see a movie. I couldn’t even think of acting because I was too busy making pennies to pay for my crap apartment. I never had time to audition for anything. Such is the rat race of a struggling actor in L.A.
I was really having a crisis. I was so far away from who and where I wanted to be and I wasn’t getting any younger. Then it hit me. I wasn’t getting any younger!! I had a friend who was 45 at the time. She was still living in a Beverly Hills studio apartment, taking a bus to work production jobs and getting stabbed in the back by younger, prettier versions of herself. She was still struggling after 27 years in L.A. But she would never leave , never quit acting. Man, she loved it! Anytime a role, or production job came her way this woman lit up like a Christmas tree. God, she become so happy. I knew she loved it more than couches, or T.V. stands, or vacations to see family back home. And I knew I didn’t. I wanted a damn bed with a mattress AND box spring more than I wanted to stay and struggle for what might never happen. I knew I couldn
wil,
actually, I was wondering if you’d thought about it. Your skill with the genre of memoir is pretty amazing, considering it wasn’t your primary focus. Have you read ‘all over but the shoutin” by Rick Bragg? I think, maybe, it’s time for you to consider telling your story, just like the character from ‘Stand By Me’. Have you read Stephen King’s book ‘On Writing’? I highly suggest you check these two out and get your own book out soon. I’m pretty sure it’ll be a helluva lot more fulfilling for you than acting has been.
Wow, EVERYBODY on the WHOLE INTERNET is behind you in this! Infomercials are frikkin’ AWESOME! I can’t WAIT to see your face at 2 AM talking EXUBERANTLY for half an hour about some overpriced doohickey!
Yay! People are comparing you to CHER! Career high!
I’m proud to be the sole negative comment in this touchy-feely craptasticon. You sold out for money. If you’re ok with it, I’m ok with it, but wrapping it in sentimentality and introspection just adds another flavor of reek to the stink of maudlinity that all-too-often infests your writing.
I dig your stuff on Arena, and loved Stand By Me, and you got to make out with Ashley Judd so good for you, but this post and the comments above are making me nauseous.
For a select few, as they grow old, they gain wisdom. I would have to say your are in that group. For an even more select few, life is more than just going to work, making money, taking out the trash and making decisions about what bill’s get paid. Its an adventure and an experience not to be taken for granted. I think you are starting to see life for what it really is. Decisions we make sometimes lead to either success,or education, not failure.
Mr Wheaton:
My post is going to be way way way down the list, but here goes:
You’ve hit a patch of illumination, congrats. 23.
Could be the right move – look what giving up acting did for Ron Howard. You write well, so maybe you should incorporate it into your profession.
Write a part YOU want to play and then just do it yourself. That’s how musicians get out of gawdawful cover bands and away from playing weddings, bar mitzvahs, bris’ (how do you pluralize THAT word), frat parties (although the free beer is kinda kool) and biker bars. This one I know personally. Well, sort of, but I’m older and have already made that leap myself (and don’t you just LOOOOOOVE advice from older schmucks – egads, I’m going to be 40 in a few years!)….
Once you make that decision (which it seems you have) jump in with both feet and leave the life preserver for Kate Winslet. And don’t look back, baby, never look back.
And informercials aren’t so bad really. And quite frankly, as the days go by I’d rather look at you than Suzanne Sommers.
But most of all, do what almost everyone up there has said – do what you want to do, for whom it matters, and screw everyone else (let’s put THAT at the end of the Pledge of Allegience). Majority rule telling you to be yourself – I like that.
By the way, love the pimp suit (posting from a while ago with a photo. very cool). If you really don’t give a damn anymore wear that to your next audition that you know is between you “and one other” guy. End result might still be the same but you might have more fun.
Okay, I’m an ass for writing that previous paragraph, but I’ve adjusted to it. Enjoy life Wil! That’s job number one. Everything else is just background noise.
Heya Wil,
Long time reader, infrequent poster.
Well, I can’t speak for anyone else, but by seeing the bits of yourself you’ve seen fit to share with us, I can say that I at least do not find this at all surprising.
I mean, your posts have moved from “damnit, I need this part!” to “I’ve just started this writing gig–ain’t that rich?” to “I just finished some killer writing–I can’t wait to show it off”. And all the while expounding of the joys of your increased family time.
I mean, really–it’s fantastic! My advice to the dear reader–do what you love. Don’t get stuck doing things you hate. You have control over your life, and if you’re doing something that’s no fun because you always have, you should probably take another look. Hey–you only live once and you have an astonishing amount of control over your destiny.
Thanks for the read, Wil.
-Rich
It is disturbing to read these posts and find so many people saying “Gee, Wil, I’m at the same crossroads you are.” I don’t think you people really are. I think that most of you are kissing Wil’s ass.
When was the last time any of you were invited to be part of an informercial? Or, what was the last major movie your were in? And, who kicked Barney’s ass at an event hundreds of people tuned into? Wil’s life is still about being a celebrity, about people being more interested in what happens to him than paying attention to their own lives. Wil is very fortunate to be living this life, true, but I for one am proud to be living my own life without a posse of well-wishers.
It is enough to just be. If you have people that love you for being who you honestly are, you will be envied by those of us without true friends. If you have a roof over your head and food on the table, you will be loved by your spouse and children for being a good provider. If you stay true to your instincts, you will not have guilt.
Enjoy life, like Wil, but do it like yourself.
wil- i’m only 13 and all i could ever want is to be an actress. you have been one of few to inspire me to want to do so. however, i do know how hard it is to be something like an actor/tress no matter how good looking or talented you may be. so i wanted to congratulate you on your successes, which many of us may never be able to experience, and although your career may not be, now, as up-beat as it has been, you should be proud of what you have accomplished in your life, so far, and also know that you have much more you have yet to accomplish.
-k e d
Can I kick wills ass? He made a tear come to my eye. Not because his story was sad or anything, but because it touched something in me. A realisation if you like. One we all probably had after reading that x
Wow Wil! That was fantastic, you have really good thoughts! It was something what I cant write down in this moment (and maybe I can not sleep for long becouse this)…it’s really touches me.
Write Wil!
Screw em’. Do what “feels” right. More than anything I have to give you a pat on the back for putting family first. After all, that is what’s really important. Also, if you are meant to make another great piece of work in the acting department, it WILL happen. Lastly, while reading this, I was hoping you were going to say you were focusing on writing. I like your style. I like the flow you have when you really get going. Please, nobody smack me too hard, but have you considered writing a Star Trek story? And will you be writing fiction, scripts, piece work newspapers and magazines? Whatever it is, use your built in audience. Those that care will support you. Hey! How about you grab one of your artsy friends and do an indie comic. You can do a thousand copies of a 22 page black and white for $1500.00 bucks. Shit! You could sell a thousand copies through your website for $2.00-$2.50 a pop in a week! Not much profit I know, but it would get your name out there in the writing circles and be cool for me…uhh, I mean us, to own a Wil Wheaton comic.
Wil,
Last week your blog was listed #1 on some other site. I checked out #2, RuPaul.com, and found his site to have it’s hidden gems. This is my favorite:
“WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF ME…
…is none of my business. if i had really considered all of the praise or all of the criticism that i?ve received throughout my life, i wouldn?t have been able to maneuver myself to this point. what guides and sustains me is an inner voice that becomes more clear everyday, fuck all that other static. ”
I find a lot of comfort in this. Granted, he’s no Wil Wheaton. But the love is all the same.
I’m so honored to visit your site everyday and even though we don’t know each other, I love rooting for you.
Cheers,
Patti
Its cool to see all the response wil’s blog gets. It is also fun to read about the actor who having the same problems as anyone in our age. (30) It feels like I know wil after reading his website. He is almost a friend :c)
Stop making epiphanies. They’re catching. š
Little Wil is growing up before our eyes. ::sniff::
Somebody needs to write “Wil Wheaton: the Opera.” Seriously.
The whole “Succumbs to the Temptation of Infomercial” would make a kick-ass musical extravaganza to end Act II.
In Act III, TVsWW builds a laser beam which he uses to blackmail the nations of the world from his impregnable off-shore fortress near Easter Island.
This shit is just getting good.
I can’t turn away!
Hey Wil,
I think that you did make the right desition, family is more imporetent, and I agree with just about everything that you said in that last message. Cangradulations on the informercial!! Take care!!!!
This infomercial gig is like a prison sentence where you enter as Malcolm Little, but emerge as Malcolm X.
As Potch said (somewhere WAY up there) … welcome to 30. I’m less than two months away from it and I’ve already had the most life-changing year yet (including the years my kids were born).
Must be something about the age that makes you change your priorities.
I don’t have the same dilemma you do … but we DID move across the country (from CA to VA) to try to make a change for the better. You always have to take a step back in order to move forward, eh?
Also as Potch said, you have a loyal group of readers and cyber-friends who will watch whatever you’re on!
OK, here we go…
I have never been able to comprehend the actor/actress mentality. (Odd since I am happily married to a theatre major) What i can’t see is only finding worth in yourself if your convincingly being someone else. The ability to portray a character does not define you. For example: I hated Wesley. He was the wimpiest little crap in space. I was glad to see him go. That same sentiment carried over to you until I read your postings from this site. Develop who you are and to hell with the world.
Take WFS as an example, here is a cult hero bordering on god-like status who could probably get large sums of people to drink tainted Kool-aid just by telling them to. This is the same crappy actor who spoke words to “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”. The same guy who did everything from lounge-lizard Priceline stuff to horrid B movies to the Iron Chef USA. (This guy could even get away with selling pool cleaning products) Why? Because he never feels he needs a “come-back” from anything. He is always him, not a part, not a character. He is as durable and eternal as his Rayon hairpiece. He loves who he is and no other opinion matters.
Write if you enjoy it more, but write for yourself and your family. Do an infomercial if you want. Hell, sell serated knives at a both at the state fair if you want.
As long as your wife and children can look at you with respect and love, you have success.
Good for you. And I don’t think you’re over yet. Not by a longshot.
Donald Crowhurst? You are not going to think you are Christ and drown yourself in the Atlantic are you?
Good luck to you. I feel you have made the right decision. Fame is fleeting but family is love and life.
It amazes me, as life goes along, how each member of the Stand By Me gang becomes like the character he played.
Think about it.
Chris dies young. River died young.
Teddy is in and out of prison. Corey is in and out of prison.
Vern lives a normal life. Jerry lives a normal life (for a “movie star” that is.)
And last and certainly in no way least,
Gordie becomes a writer. Wil becomes a writer.
Pretty spooky, huh?
Well, good luck with writing.If you find that your passion for acting comes back, that would be ok too. If it doesn’t, c’est la vie and we’ll enjoy your literary works.
this would be inspiring if it wasnt the same thing that wil says every month or so.
how many times do we have to hear him go on about how famous he used to be and how he used to be a celebrity and hes not now but he doesnt care,.. if being a washout didnt bother him at all, hed probally stop trying to convince us that being a wash out doesnt bother him.
Hey Wil,
I think you should ABSOLUTELY go for it. Do your best, grab the dough, and make a run for the door and don’t look back! — unless they call you back for another session, in which case, REPEAT AS OFTEN AS NECESSARY!
If you gotta do any kind of product testing (applying flame, smacking with a sledgehammer, dropping from a 30-story building), make sure you got your safety glasses on… and remember, everything in life is THEATRE.
Just promise us one thing. Don’t wear one of those funky colourful sweaters like that geek…
ps. RUN to the bank to cash the cheque.
pps. “Don’t pay any attention to critics; don’t even ignore them.” –Samuel Goldwyn
Hey Wil,
Don’t try to fit this decision into a matter of right or wrong. It’s simply taking you down a path, perhaps one you didn’t expect. Embrace that. If you find you don’t like it, there are many others to try.
Anyhow, Carrie Fisher is so much cooler now that she’s a writer.