As regular readers of Autograph know, I'm the writer of the column "Character Actors," featuring some of the hardest-working men in Hollywood who are instantly recognizable but whose names usually elude us. They're often referred to as "that guy" (as in, "Hey... It's that guy!") but they are the backbone of the film and TV industry, providing solid support to the stars and keeping the story moving along.

My book, Character Kings: Hollywood's Familiar Faces Discuss…

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For those who aren't familiar with "Pawn Stars," it's a show on the History Channel about a family who owns and operates a pawn shop in Vegas. I'd seen ads for it now and then while channel surfing, and at first glance, it looked like yet another crummy reality show featuring a dysfunctional group of people trying to run a business while fighting with each other. However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the show is more like "Antiques Roadshow," where customers with an eclectic array of… Continue

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Burbank, CA for a signing of my book, "Character Kings." Many of the customers bought multiple copies, telling me they intended to use the books as gifts for the movie lovers on their Christmas list.



Since it 'tis the season for giving, I would like to give Autograph readers the chance to win a copy of "Character Kings" signed by four of the great actors featured in the book:



James Karen (Return of the Living Dead, Wall Street, The Pursuit… Continue

This is one debate that just refuses to go away... If you were to ask 10 different collectors, you might get five votes "yes" and five votes "no," but each answer will come with a unique (and logical) reasoning as to why those people feel that way. In all my years of collecting, I have yet to be convinced of what is right and what is wrong.



Let's take, for example, an original poster for "Night of the Creeps" (one of my favorite horror/sci-fi flicks from the '80s). The movie is… Continue

Regular readers know that my book, Character Kings: Hollywood's Familiar Faces Discuss the Art & Business of Acting, has just been published. Next week, I'll be flying to Los Angeles for my first-ever book signing. But I won't be alone...



Joining me will be six of Hollywood's finest character actors that are featured in the book: James Karen (Return of the Living Dead, Wall Street); Martin Kove (the Karate Kid trilogy); William Sanderson (Newhart, True Blood); Daniel Roebuck… Continue