This actor explains, in detail, how one night in 2002 changed his life forever.
By Stephen Bishop Seely, an Actor, Writer, and Director
March 24, 2002, during the 74th Annual Academy Awards, my actor life changed, significantly. I transformed from an unknown actor nobody to an incredibly well-connected celebrity somebody. Looking back now, the day was definitely the highlight of my movie career. Who knew that this Kansas farm boy, just after living in New York for a little over two years, could be linked to Hollywood’s elite?
You know the game, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon. Well, the year 2002 was Six Degrees of Stephen Bishop Seely. I was six degrees or less from several history-making moments of the awards ceremony. Besides some select A-Listers, who in the world could say they were closely connected to the 2002 Oscars? I believe this honor is only bestowed on me. Let me explain. I shall list the following examples of "separationess"...
ONE DEGREE - A BEAUTIFUL MIND - Won Best Picture.
I was in the movie, A Beautiful Mind. Yep, I was in it and it won an Oscar. Coincidence? I think not.
ONE DEGREE - RON HOWARD - Won Best Director.
Not only was I in the movie, but Ronnie, as his closest friends call him, directed me in it. He also spoke to me on numerous occasions, giving me specific instructions to cross, look in the camera, react, and saying, “It’s a wrap, you may now go to the Craft Services Table.” Opie and Richie Cunningham has grown up, my friends.
ONE DEGREE - RUSSELL CROWE - Nominated for Best Actor.
During one important scene in the film, I was chosen to be the person behind the camera that Russ, as the well-connected call him, could focus on while giving his close-up lines. Many people ask me to this day, “How was it working with Mr. Crowe?” and I always reply … “Russ is very talented, he smokes a lot, wears a flipper throughout the entire movie, and owns a very loud motorcycle which, at the time, we had to stop filming so he could ride it around the set for forty minutes and show off.” This is 'primary source' information because I was there. Nothing but the best eyewitness account.
ONE DEGREE - JENNIFER CONNELLY - Won Best Supporting Actress.
Long story...so I will save this one for my memoirs.
ONE DEGREE - HELEN MIRREN - Nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
Helen, my best friend, moved into my neighborhood and lived right across the street from me in the East Village. I always see her around eating Borscht at the Stage Diner or at the grocery store, looking similar to Annie Lennox, serving up some greens for her healthy salad from the do-it-yourself salad bar.
ONE DEGREE - RENÉE ZELLWEGER - Nominated for Best Actress.
My confidant, Né-Né [Renée Zellweger], stood right in front of me in line waiting for the next available teller at Chase Manhattan Bank. She accessorized her summer outfit with big sunglasses and a large floppy hat, certainly to hide her identity. But she couldn’t fool me. She was having trouble with her debit card and couldn’t get money out of the ATM. I overheard her story of trying to get cash from the bank’s money machine and how it almost ate her card. She was very animated in telling her story and dropped her name several times to no avail. She is short in real life. She had me at hello.
TWO DEGREES - HALLE BERRY - Won Best Actress.
I was bartending in the West Village and would manage all take-out orders for this BBQ restaurant. Halle’s demanding female personal chef would always order from our restaurant with a list of exceptions to her order. Very high maintenance. Chef Fran (name changed to protect her identity) conveyed that Halle loved the food of the restaurant, especially the Mac & Cheese side order. But Fran had a bad attitude and would always resort to raising her voice to get her way. Acting all crazy. After Fran’s last disastrous visit, the management asked her not to return. Fran had called in her order and arrived five minutes later expecting it to be ready. When the food wasn’t ready, Fran literally flipped out and went batshit crazy. It was like a live performance of Medea happening right in front of me. Yes, people, this happened. I was there. Crazy female celebrity chefs do exist.
THREE DEGREES - SHREK - Won Best Animated Feature.
I was roommates with the multi-talented actor, John Tartaglia (he was nominated for a Tony Award), when I was performing in the national tour of a really big show. Later, John Tartaglia played the pinnacle character of Pinocchio in the Broadway show, Shrek the Musical, that was adapted from the screenplay. Hoo-ha.
ONE DEGREE - THOTH - Won Best Documentary Short Subject.
S. K. Thoth is the most unique performer I have ever met. A year before, on my birthday, I was walking through Central Park when I came upon a street performer named Thoth. He was performing his one man opera, singing falsetto and playing his violin. He wore a Native American outfit with bells around his ankles. He was selling his CD’s and asked to pay what I could because his ultimate goal was to share his music to the masses. The idea impressed me, so I gave him $20. In 2002, they released a documentary about him and it won the Oscar. Who knew my $20 would make such an impact?
TWO DEGREES - SIDNEY POITIER - Academy Honorary Award recipient.
This one is a doozy! Again, I am saving this story for my memoirs entitled 'On the Cusp of an Epiphany'. I can give you three hints: A Raisin in the Sun, Philip Rose, and I hanging up the telephone at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday, twice.
ONE DEGREE - RYAN PHILLIPPE - Co-Presenter of the award for Best Makeup.
I saw him at the Astor Place Starbucks in a red hoodie. The name he gave the barista was Gary. You can’t hide from me, “Gary". I am too well-connected to be fooled by the alias.
ONE DEGREE - BEN STILLER - Co-Presenter of the award for Best Costume Design.
I was in another small film, you might have heard of, Zoolander.
TWO DEGREES - OWEN WILSON - Co-Presenter of the award for Best Costume Design.
We share the same birthday (so this really should be ONE DEGREE).
ONE DEGREE - WOODY ALLEN - Presenter of the New York films tribute.
I was in another film. It was directed by Woody, himself. I remember him yelling at me often and telling me to stop walking in frame. Good times.
ONE DEGREE - SANDRA BULLOCK & HUGH GRANT- Presenters of the award for Best Original Score.
I was in a movie they starred in, Two Weeks Notice. They are as charming in real life as they are in the movies. I would like to call them my favorite BFFs. It is not customary to drop names in this business. So, if you ever meet Sandy and Hugh, please don’t use my name. To save face, they will deny ever meeting me or giving me accolades for my in-depth performance as Extra #57. I saved that movie from being a total bomb.
THREE DEGREES - CIRQUE DU SOLEIL - Special Performance in a tribute to movie visual effects.
Oh, if only I had all day and you bought me all the Starbucks Non-Fat Chai Latte I could drink. Then. and only then, would I share this story.
? DEGREES - TOM HANKS - Presenter of the award for Best Picture.
I really don’t know Tom Hanks. I have never met Tom Hanks. But when I was younger, I looked exactly like a younger Tom Hanks. And because of that physical connection and being mistaken for Tom Hanks throughout my 20’s, he must be mentioned on this list.
There you go. The good, the bad, and the well connected. This is just a little slice of my life. I am not one to brag, but the 2002 Oscars was an event that catapulted me into the history books. And if you know me, I mean, truly know me then you are one more degree from everyone I am connected to.
Stephen Bishop Seely is an actor, writer, director, producer, and dramaturg living in New York City. His roots are from a sheep farm in Tonganoxie, Kansas. www.stephenbishopseely.tumblr.com
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