ACTOR PROFILE Series Features Actor/Precision Driver, LOGAN FRY

AXS ENTERTAINMENT / ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT / PERFORMING ARTS Actor Proﬁle Series - LOGAN FRY

December 28, 2010 1:06 AM MST

Logan Fry Logan Fry

The 29th profile in the Cleveland Performing Arts Examiner ACTOR PROFILE series features actor/precision driver, LOGAN FRY. This series (in interview form) is in process to “get to know” some of our own northeastern Ohio talent. Profiles will feature equity and non-equity actors, stage and screen actors, as well as young, old and in-between actors. These are your peers and your neighbors - please enjoy!

Full Name: Logan Fry Age: 66 Years acting: 5 “Day Job”: Actor Resident city: Richfield, Ohio Official acting training: Life experience. Kate Miller: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Logan Fry: Paleontologist / Neuroscientist.

KM: Do you have any affiliation now with Paleontology or Neuroscience? LF: I did a few brain scan movies of my brain a few years ago. Here's one of them: http://www.dmoma.org/lobby/movies/brain_scan/cezary_ostrowski/brain_scan.html

My mother and I took four road trips to Madison, WI to capture the original MRI scans. She was in her mid-nineties at the time.

KM: Why did you start acting? LF: An extras casting call for Spiderman 3 was posted in The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Actually, it was my car that was cast - I simply tagged along as a precision driver. I liked it.

KM: Cool! What kind of car did you drive in Spiderman 3? LF: A 2001 Dark Green Honda Civic with a little spoiler. It can still hit 90mph comfortably on the highway, which is good for travel. I seldom try to push it beyond that.

KM: Do you have to go through any special training to be cast as a precision driver? LF: We reported to driving school at Burke Lakefront Airport. There we were put through the hoops - almost literally. There we learned the "weave": drive in tight formation where one line of cars offset against another. We went three times through, and each time a big Dodge muscle car was weaving through and around us. For the final trial, the stunt driver did the weave face on - right straight at us. A couple prospects became pedestrians after that. We got more experience as the shoot progressed. I learned something fast: it's all about trust. Following instructions without question is how stunt men and women work.

KM: Any other actors in your family? LF: Musicians, Singers and Performers (two sons and a niece), but no Actors.

KM: You don’t have any acting training, Logan - is that something in your future? LF: I’m probably just stubborn, but I’ve had too many experiences - horse breeding in particular - where the dream enablers and suppliers are the only ones who ever find success. An actor can easily spend several thousand dollars a year on headshots, acting reels and classes, and never realize a return on the investment - financial or professional… Everyone finds something that works for them.

KM: Are there any particular local venues where you work primarily? LF: NY, KY & MI (also CT, IL, NJ and OH). In 2010, for example, I spent 2 days in New York City, 2 in Kentucky, 2 days in Chicago, 2 or 3 days in Ohio, and more than a month in Michigan. Mostly extras work, but some small roles. The extras work was paid. I don’t do unpaid extras work now, except in exceptional circumstances, primarily good zombie movies.

KM: Tell me about those zombie roles. Why do you gravitate towards those? LF: Many directors, perhaps even more than actors, break into the business through horror and zombie flicks. They are eminently cheap to produce, are always available, and allow an actor time before a camera in a non-threatening environment. And they’re really fun.

KM: What's your favorite zombie flick? LF: Omega Man, which is the second film version of Richard Matheson's short novel: I Am Legend, which some may not consider it a textbook example of a zombie flick. Beyond that, for purity of form: White Zombie (the first, I believe), Last Man on Earth and Night of the Living Dead. Finally, and for different reasons, the three most recent zombie flicks I've been in: Death of the Dead, Santa Claus vs. the Zombies and Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption.

KM: So for an audition, how do you prep? LF: Obtain sides if possible, then learn role so that I can forget it during audition, at which time I go blank. I primarily obtain speaking roles from upgrades from background. It really works, which is one reason I do background. There are plenty of actors who excel in auditions, but suck when it comes to acting their roles. Sour grapes, I suppose.

KM: What’s your favorite thing about acting? LF: The energy. I usually need 8 to 9 hours of sleep at night, but when I get a 6:00am call time in Detroit, I’m in bed at midnight, up at 2:00am and on the road by 3:00am. I had a Chicago call where I simply didn’t go to bed, and left for the Windy City just past 1:00am. I don’t know where the energy comes from, but I love it.

KM: For you, what’s the hardest part about acting? LF: Preparation - everything from getting into the role, to selecting & securing wardrobe and preparation for travel. Even in the studio productions, wardrobe always likes what I bring.

KM: What’s your favorite role that you’ve ever played? LF: I love everything I have done, whether as background or a speaking role. The challenge of being there, being in character, and portraying that character is always a thrill. You know, I stood under the Brooklyn Bridge at night in January for more than a week. The call times were about 5:00pm and worked as late as 3:00am in weather where the temps went down to 14˚F. I lost 10lbs from shivering, and had the time of my life. Will Smith was on set every night, too. As much as I wish it were about me sometimes, it’s really about the experience, and adding some depth and color to the film being produced. It’s all good, even if you only see the top of my hat in the finished film.

KM: What is your dream role? LF: Being a small part of an ensemble of truly gifted actors - being in a role where Morgan Freeman throws me against a wall, or I’m part of a guerilla SWAT Team with Bruce Willis and John Leguizamo, or a covert operation with Christopher Walken - or anything where I’m in the same room as Angelina Jolie. She was the main character in Hackers (1995), and I’ve loved her ever since.

KM: Who else do you consider to be some of your favorite actors and actresses? LF: Christopher Walken, Michael Caine, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Kevin Bacon, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, John Leguizamo, Mickey Rourke, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Sean Connery, Ian McKellen, Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Judi Dench, Charlize Thereon, Sophia Loren, Helen Mirren and Frances McDormand. And I also like George Clooney when he gets good roles.

KM: And your hobbies? LF: Genealogy, weaving, farming, building.

KM: So here’s some random territory- Do you have any pets? LF: Dogs, cats and fish (although our last dog died).

KM: Paper or plastic? LF: Paper, but take plastic.

KM: Democrat? Republican? Other? LF: Actors who discuss politics are either foolish or self-absorbed. Causes? Maybe. Politics? No.

KM: How do you celebrate the holidays? LF: With family.

KM: What are your tips for surviving a cold Cleveland winter? LF: Warm clothes, good tires and cheer.

KM: What’s your favorite spot to eat in Cleveland? LF: Bricco (Akron and Cleveland). It’s unpretentious, affordable good food in a convivial atmosphere.

KM: Why do YOU think Cleveland rocks? LF: Cleveland is a town of great, undeveloped talent. It is the overlords who prevent anything good from happening. KM: I’m not sure about overlords, but I’m partial to the people and their spirit. Thanks for your thoughts, Logan. Happy New Year!

For Photo Sources and more info on Logan, visit IMDB.

### Do you have a Cleveland area performing arts related story or event? If so, contact Cleveland Performing Arts Examiner, KATE MILLER at [email protected] with your pitch.