Kent on himself


HIS CAREER

Q: What have you been up to since NRNS then? (2005)
Kent: I did three more movies after NRNS. Nothing too big. Got tired of THE business. Went into business.
Got tired of business. Now I'm back in Hollywood trying to break back into THE business. Too bad more agents and casting directors aren't NRNS fans. This town needs some Bruce Lee freaks!

Q: Are you still auditioning for parts? (2005)
Kent: I'm really having a hard time getting my heart back into it. I hate the entire audition ordeal. I guess I should have my ass kicked for not getting the ball rolling again. Maybe an old NRNS fan will jump out of the shadows and put me on Deadwood. That's my dream gig right now.

Q: What ARE you actually doing right now? For money, I mean. (2005)
Kent: I am a street walker with a twist... I sell it by the pound... I wish... The only time I have ever lived off the income of acting was during the three month shoot of NRNS. The other films were good checks and some residuals but no real money. I take that back, in the summer of 82 I did summer stock in Ohio. I was paid $85 dollars a week and we had to live off that. I had three roomates in an old victorian home. The rent was only about $100 a month. Looking back we got by okay. I wish I could talk to those guys, Erin, Eric and Claudia. I think. I hate to drag out a short story... but I have been a cook at BK, a bartender, a quality control tech for tampon rip cords, yes, I tested to see at what tension level they would break in a sterile environment, a ink pen salesman, a security guard, a warehouse manager, a clothing store manager, including a stint at Lane Bryant, a buyer for Tower Records, a month at Home Depot in the garden department, promotions for a group called Imperial Teen. And at present I am sadly working for a ad agency buying media across the country for info commercials. I can't mention many of the infomercials, but if you are jammin' to a decade you really like I am probably booking it on your local station.

Q: How's life in Hollywood? Do you take help of casting agencies? (2006)
Kent: Yeah, I'm registered with most of the orgs and casting sites in town. I think the real issue here is that I'm not pounding the pavement. I need to find an agent. I sent out one round of photos about a year ago and got zero reaction. Sending out forty photos without a bite can take the wind out of your sails. I think this business is best for young people.People who can work for nine hours, work on finding an agent for four hours, work on their craft for three hours, network for three hours, add two hours for traffic, errands and bathing, sleep for three hours and start all over again.
My promise to the nice people urging me on is this - as soon as I'm over this nasty cold I have I'm going to send out forty more pictures. And if no one responds I'll send out forty more. I'll let you guys know the day I send them out.

Q: So why have you been out of the game for so long, any future plans or upcoming roles. Do you ever see any of the cast of NRNS ? (2006)
Kent: I didn't keep up with any of the cast. Looking back I wish I had. I left the business mainly because I hate the audition process. I'm not really good with rejection which means it's the wrong business for me. But I am back and trying it again. I am currently looking for an agent.

Q: Remember Samuel L. Jackson didn't even become known until he was like 45. Age don't mean *beep*. All need to do is your best. (2006)
Kent: I sent out twenty five pictures to agents today. Leave it to me to wait until tax day. Totally forgot. I got them out though. Everyone say a good thought. I need an agent!

Q: Have you tried MySpace?
Kent: I know I should check up on My space more often. I seem to have a mental block about it.
I'm ready to be in another movie myself! I just can't seem to get anyone to let me in.



OTHER FILMS

Q: Did you see a lot of skin during the days on the set of Bikini Summer? How do you feel after Across the Tracks was over, I mean played with talents such as Rick Schroder & Brad Pitt, wow!!! (2006)
Kent: I am surprised this question hasn't come up before. Maybe people were just being kind. Who knew my career would end in borderline porn? This is going to be a long story kids. I had left Hollywood and moved back to Alabama. Suddenly and without warning my good friend Deborah called me. She was working for a production company that made movies for video release only. This should have been my first red flag. She said there was a part in one of them that was perfect for me. At the time I had withdrawn from the Screen Actors Guild so I wouldn't have to pay dues. So I was free to do a non-union gig, and I thought what could I lose?
So I flew to L.A. The Production company rented three giant houses on the beach in Ventura. Looking back that must have been a huge chunk of their two dollar budget. We filmed in one. The cast stayed in one and the crew stayed in one. What no hotel room? Second red flag. The first day on the set I asked for a script. I was told I didn't need a script because I had no lines. Third red flag. I'll stop counting flags now. Insert them as you will. So I'm told that I will just be sitting and drinking beer and burping. Yet, I solve everyone's problems just by looking them in the eyes and giving them inspiration.
Thank God they gave me real beer. Which never would have happened on a union flick. So, after knocking back a few brews I really didn't care that the director was saying things to me like "look more wise. I need more wisdom from your eyes." Okay, who do I have to blow to get out of this gig? From that point on I just accepted it for the party that it was. We got hammered every night. And yes, there were lots of uninhibited individuals and lots of skin. Skinny dipping in the ocean every night. On the set they were pretty good about letting the women have their privacy. Limited people on set etc.
However in the bar scene there were no dressing rooms, so they hung up curtains. I would get a glmpse every now and then but truthfully I saw only a tiny bit of nudity during filming. So when it was all over and I was back home Deborah sent me a copy of the flick. So I called my Mom and Dad and said how about I come over and we watch Bikini Summer? Keep in mind my Mother is a southern belle. So when the nudity started filling the screen my Mother nearly fainted. "Mom! I didn't know It was this bad!" She retired for the night with a case of
the vapors. My Dad and I finished watching it. He asked me the same question you did. "Did ya see much skin?" "Not on set, Dad, but I can tell ya another story."
To have only been in D- movies I have gotten to work with some really cool people. Actually Extreme Prejudice was considered D- at the time but later reviews have been more generous. I have worked with Jean Claude, Nick Nolte, Rip torn, Brad Pitt, Rick Schroder, Carrie Snodgrass and let's not forget Shelly Michelle from Bikini Summer. Her claim to fame was being Julia Roberts body double in Pretty Woman. I even saw her on VH1 the other day comenting on one of those shows 'what I liked about nudity in the 80's' or something like that. Maybe I could get on one of those shows... Na, not that desperate yet.
As for Brad an Rick, there was tension because Brad had broken out and was stuck doing a low budget. I didn't think the acting was horrible in Across the Tracks. The production values were bad, but otherwise it was okay for what it was. Thanks for not asking about the curly mullet I was sporting in Bikini Summer. Sadly it was all mine.
Sorry to be so long winded. I've told the whole sorted tale. I feel better now.

Q: How many movies and what movies have you auditioned for (except the 4 movies you've done) and never got any part in? (2006)
Kent: I got a part in some HBO film while doing NRNS. The shooting scedules conflicted so I couldn't do it. I really don't know what movie it was. Normally when you go in for an audition they only give you sides. Which is usually just a couple of pages of the script. I had an audition for Night Court but my chest was not hairy enough.
I had an auditon for Columbo. When I walked in the room it was full of really buff guys. It turned out I was there to audition for the part of a marine. A 260lb marine? That's when I fired my agent. Actually I was too chicken to fire him. I lied and said I was moving back to Alabama.
I've had several commercial auditions but never got a part. I don't think I represent middle America.
For the few auditions I had and the few parts I got, I'd have to say my batting average was pretty good.

Q: Do you have any films or TV shows coming up? (2006)
Kent: I did a part in a movie called The Circus of Life a couple of months ago but it hasn't been announced in IMDB. I don't know why. I've also agreed to do a part in Virgin in the City that should shoot in October.

Q: Have you been in any other movies since that last one in 1991 that is listet on your imdb? (2006)
Kent: I actually filmed a small part in a movie called The Circus of Life a couple of months back. It hasn't been announced on IMDB as of yet. I don't know why. It has an A list star in it. Maybe it's too bad to release. I've also agreed to do a part in a movie called Virgin in the City. It is supposed to film in October. But you know, never count on anything until the check has cleared the bank!

Q: I would love to see that movie, specially that one in October, are you one of the good guys in that movie? (2006)
Kent: I play a republican clown in The Circus of Life, which is a politically themed mockumentary. In Virgin in the City I am supposed to play a hillbilly. Let's hope it happens. I am two thirds hillbilly anyway so it shouldn't be much of a stretch.

Q: What was it like spending the summer shooting Bikini Summer in Malibu? (2007)
Kent: Actually it was filmed on a beach in Ventura. They may have done a few pick up shots in Malibu that I'm not aware of. As I'm sure you know it was Ultra Low Budget and it filmed in less than two weeks. It was however a BLAST.
I still can't believe I didn't know how much nudity was in it until I saw it. They were really discreet in that aspect. I also can't believe I had that much hair. Don't have to worry about that anymore. I'll be bald before too much longer.

Q: Any news yet? (2007)
Kent: Still no word on when they are going to start filming on my screenplay... The movie I mentioned filming over a year ago shows no sign of being released. I suppose at this point it won't do any harm to tell you what was going on. The W.S. I mentioned was William Shatner. The movie is a political 'mocumentary' and he is the host. It was at the time entitled THE CIRCUS OF LIFE. I can't imagine that it could be so bad that it wouldn't at least go to DVD.
It's more than a year later and not a peep. Go figure. The other movie I was cast in (VIRGIN IN THE CITY) seems to be on hold for good. Go figure. In March I filmed a San Miguel beer commercial that will only run in Spain. If you are there and you see it, I am the fat Elvis. Thanks again to all of you who remember and write me.
I still get the occasional request for a signed photo. I'm not giving up. I made a promise to you guys that I was going to try it again and trying it again I am. Things have calmed down at my real job and I hope to be able to pound the pavement more in the fall. I guess that it for now.

Q: I noticed that a lot of folks here ask questions about NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER. I haven't seen that one actually, but I have seen EXTREME PREJUDICE, which is a great and unfairly underrated movie.
Hard to believe it's been 20 years since it was released. How was it like working with Nick Nolte? The scene was pretty short, but it looked pretty brutal when the Texas Ranger blew you away before you had a chance to fire your pistol. (2007)
Kent: I really enjoyed working on this movie. Walter Hill was great. And he's working again now! Call me Walter! Call me! Nick Nolte had just remarried and was trying to quit smoking so I'll have to say he was cool but a little jittery. Meeting Rip Torn was great too.
I was a little nevous and in rehearsal I kept out drawing Nolte. The explosive blood pack made me a little nervous. When it exploded I didn't have to act. I was so scared I actually felt like I'd been shot. Then when I landed on the floor my hat fell off my head and landed right onto the fake wound. We had to re-shoot the scene. The second time I fell I kept jerking until the hat rolled clear.
Funny story - We shot the scene in El Paso Texas. First time I had ever flown first class. My itenerary said I was going straight to the hotel from the airport and would have my costume fitting the next morning. Woo Hoo bring on the free vodka tonics! I got tanked.
Much to my surprise the guy who met me at the terminal says 'We are filming in the airport today. Walter Hill would like to talk to you.' I'm crapping my pants! So the guy takes me to Walter Hill who looks at me and says 'You shaved. I told them to tell you not to shave.' No one told me not to shave. I only shaved about twice a week at the time anyway. Not much beard to speak of. 'Go on down to wardrobe so we don't have to do that tomorrow.' says Hill. The next thing I know, my fat ass is staggering around in a wardrobe trailer trying to put on cowboy boots.
Shooting the scene was a breeze compared to the airport nightmare. On the way back to the airport after the shoot I shared the van with Maria Conchita Alonso (sp?) The driver turns and says to me 'Mr. Hill really liked your performance.' Alonso looks at me and rolls her eyes. We sat together on the plane and she never said a word to me.
Nuff said about that.



SCRIPTWRITING

Q: So you are doing scriptwriting? Could you sell one recently? (2006)
Kent: I gotta tell you your posting cheered me up today. I thought I had sold one of my screenplays but it looks like the deal may have fallen through. I'm no stranger to rejection but this has been tough. Thinking for a week my script was going to be made into a film... man, it was like getting too close to the sun. You know what I mean? I was really down until I read your post. I guess as long as there are people who like and remember NRNS my life hasn't been a total waste.
Kent (several days later): It's official. The deal fell through. My horror script was beaten out by Cabin Fever 2. Whaaaa!

Q: Do you work on new scripts? (2007)
Kent: Sorry It took me so long to respond. I've been working on a re-write of a horror script I sold. I haven't had time to wipe... wind my watch. It's supposed to go into production in March. I'll believe it when I have the DVD in my hand.

Q: Sooner or later the right casting agent will give you band new opportunities and see your true potential, when they do I hope you'll still visit us here! In fact I am writing my second screenplay and for the main character you would be a perfect fit. I'll be sure to recommend that if it ever gets off the ground! (2007)
Kent: Glad to hear you got it Mark. Congratulations on your screenplays! I sold one a while back but it hasn't been made yet. This is a kookie business. I hope you're right about the sooner or later. It seems like it's just getting later... I want to play something crazy. Like a serial killer with a shaved and inked head. I wish you all the best man!

Q: I read your post about selling your horror screenplay, just wanted to congratulate you. Writing a good screenplay is one of the hardest things to do and it's even harder to get one sold! I hope everything goes well for you and the movie...keep up the good work! (2007)
Kent: I never said it was good. Just kinda scary. Or it was until they started making me change it. Who knows how it will end up.

Q: When is it going into production? Excellent. Can you give us a really concise synopsis? not giving away any major plot points or anything, just the setting. Or would that be an infringement of contract? (2007)
Kent: Hopefully towards the end of March. Keep your fingers crossed! It was originally titled MY REMAINS but now they want to change the title to CORPSE.
I'd have to re-read the 35 page contract to be sure... The log line is 'The desecrated corpse of a seventeen year old giant, rises to take his revenge on those who have harmed him' That shouldn't give away too much.



HIS PERSONALITY

Q: I noticed Scott had a bit of a southern accent so are you from the south? (2005)
Kent: Yep. I'm from the deep south. Alabama to be exact. Don't hold it against me. The accent is hard to shake. I think it's even stronger now that I haven't been acting or trying to reduce it.
Extreme Prejudice was set in Texas so the accent was a plus. Walter Hill is a great director and writer as well.
I really enjoyed working with him. The coolest person on the set was Rip Torn. What a great actor.

Q: Do you send out a lot of signed photos? (2006)
Kent: Actually you are the one and only person who has asked. Sometimes I think if I had stuck with it way back then I could have been John Belushi or Chris Farley or John Candy... hey, wait, they're all dead. Maybe things happen for a reason.
But if someone had told back when I was in high school 'You'll only be in a few films and only one person will ever ask for your picture' I would have said SIGN ME UP! I'm finally over my pneumonia. When I send out your pictures I'm also sending some to agents. It ain't over till the fat lady er... dude sings.

Q: Time for question-cannon. 1. Is there a miss Lipham in your life? If yes, is there a Lipham Jr? 2. Describe an ordinary day in your life. 3. What do you like most and least about yourself? 4. Do you often meet young peoples trying to break into the Hollywood scene and who wants to become the next Brad Pitt/Kent Lipham?
And what would your advice to them be? 5. What hobbies/interests do you have? 6. What character that you have played are you most pleased with, Scott, T.C. Luke, Big Ed or Mad dog? 7. How do you prepare for a role? 8. Do your prefer to play a bad guy or a good guy and why? (2006)
Kent: Yikes! And a question cannon it is. Followed by answers a plenty.
1) I have been with my soul mate for twelve years. Sadly there is no and will be no Jr.
2) I rise early and stumble off to my ten hours of hard labor. Once free I write for two hours. I've finished two screenplays and am shopping them around. I watch t.v. for two hours. Days of Our Lives is driving me crazy! Traffic, bathing, three meals and snacks takes up another two hours. That leave me eight to waste on sleep. Yawn... I'm putting myself to sleep. I must need a donut. Or a glass of wine. Maybe both.
3) My favorite part about myself is my ability to make people laugh. My least favorite part is my insecurities. Especially the horror of meeting new people. I should be a study in contradictions.
4) I live in a Melrose Place type of apartment building. There are lots of young people there who want to be in the business. I don't really tell a lot of people that I've ever been in a movie. It's like, I'm not in one now so why bother. My advice would be to stay focused. Don't lose sight of your dream.
If you get depressed over the rejection don't quit like I did. Seek therapy! Because the dream will come back. It won't die. It will be old and rusty and out of style but it will come back. And there you are. A little past middle age trying to break in again. You'll never play Ignatious in A Confederacy of Dunces and you know it
but the dream is still there. Like herpes... or so I hear.
5) My main hobby is tropical fish. I have two twenty nine gallon tanks. I'd like a bigger one but I can't find a scuba suit in my size. I have a small flower garden outside my apartment. Writing. I also like grilling out by the pool for my small circle of friends.
NOTE question 6 will be reversed so I sound less crazy.
7) To prepare for a role I read and re-read the lines. I then slowly unlock the door in my mind that holds the gang. There are lots of people living behind that door. I don't open it all the way. I only let the one out that sounds like the character I am reading. I quess this is a form of controled multiple personality syndrome. Once in college I got to play a pirate. I opened the door and low and behold there was a pirate. He walked with a limp. He had a lazy bottom lip. He shook his jaw when he talked. I also unlock this door when I'm writing. I start the story but soon the charachters take over and I can't even type as fast as they talk. Sadly I am too old for therapy now.
6) Out of the movie roles I've had Scott is my favorite. That guy cracks me up. Who stands out in public eating a whole cake? He has shifty eyes. He has a tendency to look down when he lies. He trolls Kingswood looking for food and trouble. He hates slime balls and wooden dollies. And you can see that he does. His nostrils flare at the thoughts of them. So basically I'm not involved in the acting process. I just open the looney batch and collect a check.
8) I have so rarely played a good guy that I really can't compare the two. Even in stage productions I'm always the heavy. Pun intended. Which is totally not me in the real world. I'm more like - Is your glass full? - how is your shrimp? - have another - did you hear the one about? - yea I can spot you a few. etc.

Q: I appreciate (and so does everyon else) you chatting on these message boards. I'm glad the answers are profound and articulated, not just one word answers. (2006)
Kent: Actually I find it flattering and a little unbelievable that there are people out there who would want to know what I think.
Did you mean profane? I don't think I've ever said anything profound. I take that back. i once told my little brother not to put the super glue so close to his mouth. Haven't heard from him since...

Q: How old are you now? (2006)
Kent: Well, like I've always said, It's not how old you are but how many miles you have on you. I think my odometer has turned over three times. In years I will be 45 on 10/07/06. Just what Kingswood needs and old phart Scott.

Q: Why an acting career? (2006)
Kent: I got into acting because I was a very shy child. My mother was afraid I was developing agoraphobia so she forced me to join a club. Not being very smart, skilled or athletic the drama club seemed the place for me. I wrote and starred in a play that the entire school came to see. It seems they found me quite hilarious for some reason. Suddenly I went from agorophobia boy to Mr. Popularity. I even landed a spot as a yearbook favorite. Until it was discovered there had been some vote manipulation. I then lost my spot. Misty water colored memories.... I then told my mother I was going to be an actor and it was all her fault. She was crushed. She wanted me to be a dirt farmer like the rest of my family.... Just kidding. My mom is my biggest fan. So my mom and pop sent me off to University to study acting. I loved it all except the mandatory dance classes. Me in a tight is... well... tight. I got my B. F. A., packed my car and moved to L.A. I was here for two months and got N.R.N.S. The rest of the story is too tragic to write or is incomplete. Until next time...

Q: What college did you go to? In a crazy world where actors and writers make the same amount of money, which would you rather do? (2006)
Kent: I graduated from the University of Montevallo in Alabama. I was a communication arts major. My focus was on theatre.
Funny you should ask about writing. I just optioned my first screenplay and am in the middle of the first re-write. Writing is harder work in my opinion. When it's flowing it's great. When it dries up it's miserable.

Q: I travel through Talladega when I venture back home to Mississippi--I live in Atlanta now. Ever catch any Nascar races there? Are you a fan? My guess is if you lived there, you have to be. (2007)
Kent: I've been to the speedway a few times. Mainly when I was a kid. I think it sorta gets boring just watching the cars go round and round. It's more of a place to eat fried chicken, get drunk and people watch.

Q: You said you were pounding the pavement, going to auditions for on-camera roles. I was wondering, have you ever thought of auditioning for voice-over work? You seem like you could be pretty good at it (most agree it's much harder than on camera or stage acting because you only have your voice to work with) and it's a good way to get your foot in the door from what I've heard.
Another question, your bio said you had a Malibu classic. What year was it and do you still have it? (2007)
Kent: In was a 1977 Malibu Classic (it wasn't a classic but that was the name). On second thought it was a classic to me... I wish I still had it. It was orange with a tan Landau top. It had swivel seats so at the touch of a button you could exit the car like a superhero. I've been pondering the voice over thing. I should totally try it just to let one of my 60 personalities out to play for a while. Hope all is well.