Damon Charles: Personal Comments and Stories of Actors and Industry People I've Met, Known, and Worked With

One of the nicest people I have ever known ... both in the entertainment industry and out. Very caring of all he worked with, whether they be people in front of or behind the camera.

He loved singing to me, even while in the makeup chair ... and I loved hearing him. He had a great voice. The joke around the set was, if you could not find Charles on the set, then he had to be in the makeup trailer singing to Damon. And they were usually right. I can think of more than just a few occasions where you would hear someone on the walkie-talkie say, "Where is Charles Durning?" Then a voice would pop in and say, "He's probably singing to Damon again." I can only think of two times that I had to get on my walkie-talkie and say, "Sorry guys, not at this minute."

I might have hurt his feelings once when I said I had wished I had a "grandfather" like him. He never said anything about it or made a face when I said it ... but looking back, I should have said "father". He really wasn't that much older than me.

Truly wish he was still around.

Damon Charles

Merv was definitely one of the richest people I have ever worked with ... and he loved to tell you how rich he was. Not in a bad bragging way, but to show that anyone can become successful, even coming from nowhere special in life.

I only worked with Merv when he was living at his Beverly Hills Hotel. He had other makeup people at his other homes and places he went. No one full time, which he should have had since he did wear makeup whenever he was in public ... which was a lot. One day he told me that he wanted me to become his personal full-time makeup artist, but to do that I MUST get married. At first I thought he was joking, but he said he was serious ... that all the staff people close to him were married. I looked at a few staff people and said, "Merv that guy is gay, that guy is gay, and that guy is gay. And I can't believe you don't realize it, but almost everyone knows you're gay too." He said that people speculated but really did not know, and that is why he surrounded himself with "married" staff and friends. Well I had no intention of ever leaving Andy or getting into a fake marriage just to do his makeup full time, so my work association with Merv ended not too many months after this conversation.

I believe it was the second or possibly third time that I worked with Merv that I finally met his (then) boyfriend. Absolutely beautiful ... and extremely NICE! He and I got along really well right from the beginning. I said that I couldn't believe that Merv hadn't given him his own talk show, since he was so good looking and personable. He just said, "perhaps one day" and blushed at my comment. A few months after my working relationship ended with Merv, I saw a billboard with the grinning face of his boyfriend staring down at me while I was driving on Ventura Blvd. I couldn't believe it ... there he was promoting his new radio show. With such a great looking face, why hide it on radio? But that is why he had his own billboard, to put that face with the voice. It worked, he got a big following. As time went on, he became famous (and extremely rich) in his own right. Sadly like Merv, or because he learned from Merv, he too is tightly in the closet, even though rumors of him being gay are so rampant that he is constantly photographed dating or has publicity rumors of possible engagements.

Merv had more power in Hollywood than most people may realize. He could make or break a person with a simple phone call ... and from what I've heard from others (especially those who tried to "OUT" him) ... he did. You were his friend or you weren't, there was no middle ground with Merv. If you were his friend it meant you did exactly what he wanted from you. I have no idea if Merv really had any true friends or just people (he used) and those who used him to get ahead. Guess it doesn't really matter.

Damon Charles

So you would think a guy who had been in the entertainment business from the age of a child to an elderly man would be happy and nice. Especially a man who was always famous, worked with some of the biggest names in the business, married some of the most beautiful women in the industry, had money, lost money, had money again, and lost it again would at least be somewhat nice.

Well no. You would be very very wrong.

Before his death, and (surprisingly) even after, you would be very hard pressed to find too many people in the industry that has a kind word to utter about him. Even directors of photography have a term that they use with their crew. When you hear the cameraman say, "Give me a little Mickey Rooney," they are saying, "Give me a little creep."

I was told we would be interviewing him for a documentary on an actress, and everyone was in such a panic. The director came to me and said that she knew I can usually get people to relax and have a good time, so asked that I meet and talk with him before any crew members. I thought, no problem. Oh how wrong I was.

We went to the hotel to film him, and I walked up to greet him (with the crew huddled together far behind me). I introduced myself, and said that I wanted to thank him for doing "Sugar Babies" which to me was one of the best times I've had in a theatre. That is when the vulgarity started.

Mickey: What the f@#k are you talking about? Me: I took my better half to the show for his birthday and we loved it. Mickey: You're a G#d d#@n liar. You couldn't have been more than five f#@#@#g years old when we did that d#@n show. Me: Well thanks for making me feel so young, but no, I did see it. And by the way Mr. Rooney, I'm your makeup artist. Mickey: I don't wear any f#@#@#g makeup you f#@#@t.

At that point I turned to my poor director and said; "He's all yours." The tears were already flowing down her cheeks.

After his tirades and unending foul cursing to our sound-man who was trying to hide a microphone on him, and the single finger gestures he kept making to the cameraman who was trying to get different focuses on him, our director asked her first question. (Never should have gotten this far.) She asked if a certain (dead) actress was considered funny. He said, "Yes she was funny, but Whoopie Goldberg is really funny," and then proceeded to talk only about her. After about ten minutes of this I looked at the director and she was shaking and tearing. I looked at the cameraman and the soundman and they both knew what I was thinking, and shook their head YES. The cameraman turned off the camera, the sound man unhooked his equipment and I went to Mr. Rooney and told him to "Get the hell out of my chair." (They had used my tall chair because he was so short.) I then let loose with my own brand of admonishment for such behavior. His "people" quickly lead him away much to our relief.

If you think my story about him is something, you should hear all the others that circulate at industry parties.

You can almost assume that anything you read good about him was put out by a paid publicist. Or possibly someone who paid him $500.00 to come to a party. Yes during the last years of his life, he would actually rent himself out to anyone's party for money, food, and drink. Why not? ... No one else wanted him at their parties.

A "Personal Quote" from Mr. Rooney's IMDb page: "I don't get caught between lesbians and gays. If you can't say something nice about someone, just shut your mouth."

Well why didn't you practice what you supposedly preached, you little *Mickey Rooney?!

*see above as to what DP's mean when they say "Mickey Rooney".

Oh, and yes ... Whoopie Goldberg is very funny!

Damon Charles

I liked him a lot (and he liked me, more than I cared for) ... but he was a very sad man.

His self-loathing about his sexuality was his downfall. He tried to accept it, but never could.

His friends called him "Roy," because that was his birth name and what he preferred. He did not like "Rock Hudson." However he did like the fame and fortune "Rock Hudson" gave him, but not the private part.

In the middle 1970's I begged him to come out of the closet. He told me that if anyone knew or believed Rock Hudson were gay, he would die. When it came out that he was suffering from AIDS, he said, "Now people know Rock Hudson is gay, and now I'm dying."

Not too long before he died, Roy asked me if I'd ever write a book about all the gay actors and actresses I've worked on. I jokingly said, "Maybe some day, but I'll change your names so nobody knows who's who." Roy asked, "What will my name be?" I replied, "I've picked a name no one will ever associate with Rock Hudson (long pause)... Stoney Mississippi." That was the best laugh Roy had in years, and he needed it.

Such a sadness I have in my belief, that hiding his sexuality was the main reason he ended up with AIDS.

I am getting very tired of reading books, watching interviews and commentaries about his "kiss with Linda Evan". No one seems to have the correct information about what he did hoping it would protect her from getting AIDS. Everyone has it wrong with what he gargled with! He did not use mouthwash, he didn't even use multiple mouth washes like I keep reading or hearing about ... he used ONLY Vodka, and gargled every 10 minutes for more than 2 hours before the kiss that rocked the world, and sadly made some people afraid to be with or around Linda Evans after it came out Rock Hudson had died of AIDS. Roy loved her, and did his best to protect her. Please, let's get the facts right.

There will be a lot more added to this person in the future. Keep your eye out for some funny and very sad stories.

Damon Charles

I met Shelley through another actress in 1983, and her and I hit it off immediately ... probably because we were both close to Rock Hudson at one time or another, and had some great "personal" stories to share, but only between each other. Even though she seemed very open about her life and sexual dalliances in her biographies, there are still some things you don't tell the general public.

We never worked together, nor were we best of friends, but whenever we would run into each other (which seemed often), she would yell out, "You're Damon Charles!," and I'd respond, "Didn't you used to be Shelley Winters?" Of course the people around us thought us to be crazy ... and we were.

One time I was in the cashier's line at Pic 'n Save in Burbank California. There was a short heavier woman with a huge hat covering her face in front of me. All of a sudden I feel someone squeezing my so-called love handles ... I jumped a mile. Shelley whipped off her hat and said, "Gotcha!" That summed up the kind of woman she was: open, brash, funny, lovable, but mostly ... unpredictable.

Damon Charles

In my opinion, John Forsythe could never find a "negative" in a person. He seemed to me to be the male version of Little Mary Sunshine. I never once heard him say a disparaging word against anyone ... even though there were times anyone else would have let loose. He always seemed to me to be a true GENTLEMAN.

During one conversation, Rock Hudson's name came up. I asked what he thought about all the controversy over the kiss he and Linda Evans had on Dynasty? He said that he didn't know there was any controversy over it. I said it was because people were scared that Linda Evans may eventually come down with AIDS from the open mouth kiss Rock gave her on an episode. John just laughed and said, "Roy never had AIDS." The director overhearing this conversation popped in and said, "Rock died of AIDS, and he was gay." John said, "No no, those were just vicious rumors. Roy was straight as can be." The director and I just looked at each other. That was the end of that conversation. John truly was the male version of Little Mary Sunshine. A really fine gentleman who found everything wonderful. A wish we all could strive for.

Personal clarification about the kiss: According to Roy (Rock) he stressed so much about the upcoming kiss with Linda that he gargled Vodka every 5 to 10 minutes before the kiss was to happen, hoping to kill every germ in his mouth.

Damon Charles

In 2001 while I was doing the series Intimate Portraits, I was called to go to Charlton Heston's home so that I could make him up for an interview about Shirley Jones. I met the director in his driveway and walked towards the house. As we turned the bend in the driveway, I said, "Oh my God! ... This is exactly the same as my house." I knew the designer and builder had made about 10 of these homes overhanging the hills and canyons of Studio City and Beverly Hills, but didn't realize they were all exactly the same ... except for size.

When we got to the door Mr. Heston greeted us, and I asked if I could use his bathroom. He started to tell me where it was, but I said, "I know exactly where it is." When I came back he looked very puzzled and asked if I had been there before. I told him no, but that I had exactly the same home overhanging the hills of Studio City. My home however was about half the size, same exact layout, just size difference. Of course size means a lot to some men. He had not done anything to the house since it was built in the mid 1960's. The flagstone entry court way with palm tree was still there. The house was painted the same drab green mine was originally. The large stairwell window was still the ugly hammered amber glass. The inside wasn't updated at all ... this is what you would call a real mid-century modern.

While I was making Mr. Heston up, we talked. I asked him things about working with Shirley and he seemed very confused as to which Shirley I was referring to. I kept reminding him it was Shirley Jones. I told the director that he seemed a little confused and she came over and started talking with him. After about a minute or two, we realized his memory was not all there. Later we found out he was in the first stages of Alzheimer's.

When we started filming, the director would ask a question and Mr. Heston was to answer it in a conversational manner. Sadly he didn't have any answers. He couldn't remember Shirley Jones at all. Instead of leaving this giant man of the screen out of the show, it was decided that he would be fed the words to say. And that is what we did ... but it was hard, as he would almost forget what he was told to say just a minute before. It was sad to see Mr. Heston like this, and sadder to know that at times he realized he was no longer what he had been. It showed in his eyes. There was a lost look that had to be hid by subtle camera work. Luckily we had a great cameraman on that shoot.

When we were finished we were all dazed by the experience, but somehow Mr. Heston rallied, and in the end was so gracious to us, saying he really enjoyed the interview and hoped we would all work together again soon.

Sadly Mr. Heston ended up fighting Alzheimer's for seven years, before losing that one last battle.

Damon Charles

Dear sweet wonderful Mabel. I absolutely adored this woman, and she me.

How can you not love a woman who so convincingly says, "Frank get me a martini. I feel another sick headache coming on." (On Bewitched, she played Darrin's mom.)

Sadly we never really got to work together for more than one filming day. While on location in Colorado, Mabel had the hardest time saying a very simple line. After a few hours of struggling with it, she finally said to the (frustrated, but caring) director, "I think I am losing my memory and you'll have to get someone else." Mabel was right, her memory was slowly fading, and the Colorado altitude did not help matters.

After I finished the film and got home, I called Mabel to see how she was feeling. She invited me over for tea at her home in Mandeville Canyon. It was just up the street from her ex-daughter-in-law Cloris Leachman's home, where Mabel and I first met. (They still remained close even after the divorce. Cloris loved Mable and Mabel loved Cloris) While having tea, Mabel asked if I wanted to see a photo of Cloris in the Miss America Pageant, and of course I said yes. Mabel left to get the photo and took quite a while. Then she appeared in the doorway (with photos), looked at me, and asked who I was. I reminded her of who I was, when we met first, the film we almost did together, and that the photos she was holding were the ones she wanted to show me. She smiled, walked over, kissed me on my forehead and said, "Damon dear, you have to forgive me, I'm losing my mind." I smiled and kissed her cheek, but I was crying inside. She was so far off from the characters she often portrayed as envious, devious, or especially ... uncaring. She didn't deserve what was happening to her.

We were definitely friends, saw each other periodically, and talked on the phone a lot. Each time though, the memories faded. One late night at about 11:00 PM, I got a call from Mabel. Andy answered the phone and asked if she were OK ... she said yes, but that she needed to talk to me. I got on the phone, and she said she had some exciting news that she just couldn't wait to share with me. She sounded absolutely lucid during the phone call:

Mabel: Damon dear, I've got great news ... I'm moving closer to you. Me: Well that's wonderful Mabel, where are you moving too? Mabel: ### Avenue Me: No Mabel, that is where Andy and I are moving this week. Mabel: Oh? ... Well I knew one of us was moving there.

It wasn't a sad conversation because I realized, even in her little lost world there was a small place for me. The last time we talked, she told me that Cloris was going to now start taking care of her, and perhaps we should remember each other from the nice visits we had at HER house and all the phone conversations. And I do.

Thanks Cloris for taking care of this fantastic lady.

Damon Charles

I only got to work with Joe on one movie, but one experience working with Joe would make anyone feel like they had known him their entire life. He did however say that if he ever got his film "Sonny Boy" going, he wanted me to be a consultant, and also his makeup person. I read the script one late night on the set. It was a funny story about a Mafia boss's gay son that will have to take over his dad's position, and the problems of being gay created.

Joe was funny. He could drive you crazy with his insecurities (especially how his hair looked) but you still loved the guy.

On the first day of us filming together he asked me to lock the makeup trailer door to keep people out while he showed me some things. He took out what appeared to be a "contact" from one of his eyes ... it was a piece of cloth painted to look like an eye. He made it and painted it! Not a store bought contact. He said the eye was dead and there was no feeling in it, so the cloth did not hurt. He wanted me to know about it in case it started slipping in his eye, as he didn't want to look like "Jack Elam". He also showed me where he hid his heart medication. In case there was a problem, I was to administer it to him (hopefully) without anyone from the production noticing it.

Joe died not long after we did the film together. I got a call from Scott Baio asking me to come to the funeral ... BUT, it was a secret that Joe had died and not to let anyone know about it. Seems that Joe had a Super Bowl commercial that was to air ... and if it was known that he died before that day, they might pull the commercial.

Well the funeral was probably the best and most unusual I have ever attended. It seemed that Joe knew everyone in the world ... people from all walks of life. From the rich and famous, to the unknowns whom he befriended too.

The funeral was at the cemetery in a chapel. The priest was dressed regally and talked solemnly ... very unlike Joe himself. After a short speech, he asked for people to come up and speak about Joe. He then went and sat in what appeared to be a throne next to the pulpit. A twisted crippled man on metal crutches got up and very slowly made his way to the pulpit. I asked Scott who he was, and he said it was Sammy Shore, Pauly's dad. Well this is when the funeral became GREAT! Sammy Shore is a very funny man. He eulogized Joe in such a way that no one could stop laughing. In fact, you laughed so hard you cried. Even the priest seemed to slump in his throne to hide his laughter. Everything he said about Joe was true ... and everything he said ended up funny. This is how funerals should be. Our lives should not be remembered with sadness, but with laughter about all the things that have happened to get us through life.

Joe had friends ... REAL friends. All I can hope is that he knew that.

A couple weeks after the funeral, I heard on the radio that Joe had "just" died. Ah, the Hollywood publicity machine working at its best ... knowing we all kept this great funeral a secret until after Super Bowl Sunday was amazing.

Joe will definitely be missed, not only by his friends, but the fans who loved his wonderful Mafioso characters.

Damon Charles

Scary, Scary, Scary!!!!!!!!!!!! No, not really.

Billy is a very nice guy, who is a much better actor than some people give him credit for.

He IS NOT one of these actors who must stay in character from the time they walk on the set to the time they go home. Some performers are even worse than that, and can't get out of character until they get a new part in another project. (Now that is scary.) But Billy has fun when he works. He knows when to act, and when to be Billy.

When we have had him over for dinner or at parties, many of the guests (at first) are afraid to go up to him, or talk with him. Billy is very approachable and loves "his fans". If you see him on the street ... say a big "Hi Billy". But please don't bother ANY actor who may be eating, or out for a family night.

Sadly, Billy passed away in 2019 at the young age of 73. His friendship and on-screen characterizations will be missed greatly.

Damon Charles

Oh what a lovely lady! Of course you cannot mention Jeanette without mentioning her equally lovely husband John McIntire. They were Hollywood's King & Queen of Great Married Couples!

The first time Jeanette and I worked together was when I was very very young. I thought her amazingly spry for an "old" person. We went snowmobiling one day. She driving ... me holding on to her waist from behind for dear life, as we went flying up and over hill after hill. Now that I look back, I realize she was younger than I am now when we did that. I can almost understand why on a few occasions some young whippersnapper calls me "Pops". I may understand it, but don't like it. However, in my defense of thinking, Jeanette was older than her actual years ... she tried to keep up that appearance all the time. On screen, radio, and stage, she always played people much older than she really was. That and her great talent is why she worked so much, and for so many years.

Jeanette was a wealth of information with stories of Hollywood, old and new. The famous and infamous people she and John knew throughout their lives would blow anyone's mind. Yet they were the most down to earth couple in Hollywood I have ever met.

They always wanted me to come and stay a summer with them at their cabin in Montana. It had no running water, electricity, or ... FLUSHING toilet. It was because of the latter that I never went for a stay. I know, my loss. They loved it in Montana because it was the cabin that John built himself. Of course when it got cold, they weren't stupid ... they came back to their sunny home in Southern California.

There were times when we didn't see or talk for a while ... but as soon as we were together again, we seemed to carry on our conversation with where we had left off before. I was giving my mom and dad a personal tour of Warner Brothers one day and while on the back lot, we hear a woman yelling, "Damon, Damon." I turn and see Jeanette running toward me and she jumps into my arms hugging and kissing me. I introduced her to my parents (who were fans). We talked for a little longer, then she had to get back to her production. My mom asked why Jeanette was so excited to see me since it sounded like we just talked recently. I told her it had been almost four years since last we saw each other. I have no illusions of grandeur. I'm sure Jeanette did this with everyone .... well, maybe just a little bit more with me. Yeah, that's it.

A Grand Lady!

Damon Charles

Told you that you couldn't mention Jeanette without mentioning John too.

When I first met Jeanette I had no idea she was married to John. One night when she and I were out to dinner after production, we started talking about 1960's TV shows that I liked to watch. One show in particular was my favorite (for a while) ... Wagon Train. I told her that I really like Ward Bond as the wagon master because he was always so caring towards the people in the group. Then I said I stopped watching it after Ward died and they replaced him with that damn John McIntire. He was so mean and nasty to everyone. Jeanette just smiled. A week went by and she said that her husband was coming up at the end of the week and wanted to take me out to dinner ... that he had heard a lot about me, and thought we'd have a fun time. The week went by, production was done for the day, and I was in my hotel room. A knock at the door, I run to open it ... and there stands 6' John McIntire with the biggest grin on his face. I start to fall backwards from embarrassment and he grabs me in a bear hug, lifts my (almost) 6'3" frame off the ground and starts bouncing me up and down saying, "So you think I'm a son-of-a-bitch do you? Well I'm gonna show you how wrong you are!" He then planted a big kiss on my right cheek and started laughing so hard.

I have to tell you, that dinner with Jeanette and John (and John's hidden flask) was and is one of the highlights of my working in the entertainment business.

I was working with Jeanette a week before John died, and I talked to him on the phone. He reminded me of the night we first met, and said the reason he grabbed me so hard was because it looked like I was going to faint. Who knows, I might have.

They were such fun.

Damon Charles

I'm on this site because I am lucky enough to share a fantastic life with the next person down on this list. Without him, I have no idea where I'd be in this world ... but wherever that might have been, I wouldn't be happy.

At this writing it is 2014, and we have been together for 43 years. Legally married for 6.

Thanks for everything Andy.

Damon Charles

Andy is my "better half", just as Andy calls me his better half. Once Andy used that phrase while talking about me to an 18 year old actor (who will remain nameless). This young man truly thought that statement meant that Andy and I were twin brothers. It wasn't until another actor in the makeup trailer whispered to him what it really meant. We think hearing the real meaning made him blush ... however he being red-headed and freckled it was hard to tell. Nothing wrong with being young and naive. Actually it was kind of cute.

Andy doesn't spend too much time around sets, but when he does, he is a great observer and helps me remember, facts, dates, and stories.

Everyone I've worked with in the industry knows Andy and I are a couple and have always treated us as such.

Andy is everything to me.

Damon Charles

I never worked with Mr. Vallee, but spent over 4 hours with him at his house on a chance meeting.

I was getting gas at a station on Cahuenga Boulevard West when I looked at the man pumping gas into his car next to me. I noticed it was Rudy Vallee. I smiled and said hello, and that I had been a fan of his since I was a kid. He came over and introduced himself to me. I told him I still had multiple 78 RPM records of his, and that as a kid I tried to imitate him when singing ... although my attempts failed miserably. He laughed and then said, "Would you like to come to my house for dinner?" I jokingly said, "Sure, when?" He said, "Right now, just follow me home." This was before cell phones so I ran over to the phone booth and called Andy to tell him I'd be home late because I was having dinner with Rudy Vallee.

I followed Mr. Vallee up to his home off of Mulholland Drive and was introduced to his wife Eleanor. He took me down to his "music room" and gave me a stack of mimeographed sheets of papers on reviews of his performances, articles written about him, and copies of fan letters, and said they were for me to keep. He then said he was going to get our dinner and bring it down so that I could eat and listen to some of his old and NEW recordings. While he was getting the dinner, I browsed through the large amount of paperwork and noticed that all of the stories and fan letters were based on his "sexual prowess", proclaiming him to actually cause females to have orgasms while watching and listening to him perform live. Multiple "reviewers?" called him, "The Man With A Cock In His Voice!" Needless to say, when he returned with the food, my mind was pondering whether he had all his faculties or not. First by inviting a total stranger to his house, and second, for giving me such paperwork. He seemed friendly enough, and I knew I wasn't some weirdo that could have easily hurt him and his wife. I asked if he had ever brought a stranger home before, and he said, "No, but I seemed genuinely happy to meet him, so thought it a nice gesture". I told him it was, but in the future he really should be more careful.

We talked while we ate, and he told me that he hated Tiny Tim for imitating his style, that he was just a big freak with a ukulele. He also started ranting on about disliking Bing Crosby ... but I never really got a straight answer as to why.

After we were done eating, he put on some music. A couple old songs, then some new songs sang in his unique manner that he hoped to have put out to the general public in the near future. Sadly not too many young people, nor even those middle age would know who Rudy Vallee is or was, so getting his new music published was going to be a long haul if anything. He truly believed he was still as famous as ever and people would be scrambling to purchase his new recordings. We visited for a few hours and I really enjoyed meeting him and spending time with the "man" and not the "image". It was late, and I needed to go, but could tell he really enjoyed the company, and of course being recognized and admired for his work. I thanked him for his time and generosity in sharing some of his life with me. At that point he actually seemed somewhat humbled.

As I was leaving (with my load of papers) he handed me a postcard of Eleanor and him holding his autobiographical book. On it was his phone number and address. He said that I should come by again and he would have "his boy" take me (I believe he said under his tennis court, but not sure) to look through his trunks of memorabilia.

I never did call or go back. I wanted to remember the Rudy Vallee I loved to hear sing when I was a kid. I did worry that someday he could be seriously hurt if he brought strangers home. Hopefully Eleanor put a stop to that ... as when he introduced me to her, I could tell she wasn't happy he brought someone home, and that is probably why we ate downstairs.

After Mr. Vallee died, I read that two guys bought all his memorabilia and they were shocked by some of the writings he had about himself, but they said they were going to put it all out in a book. Guess by today’s standards, it just wasn't juicy enough to ever find a publisher.

No matter what, Rudy Vallee is and was the best J.B. Biggley EVER ... in any production of How To Succeed In Business.

Definitely a one of a kind person who deserves to be remembered for his innovative talent and persona.

Damon Charles .

1996 was my first contact with Zalman King, and it came in the form of a strange phone call:

Zalman: This is Zalman King. Is this Damon Charles? Me: Yes, how can I help you? Zalman: I'm doing some video productions based on my TV series The Red Shoe Diaries. I am looking for a discrete gay or gay friendly makeup artist/hairstylist to be the department head. I was given your name by some close acquaintances who said you could handle anything. Can you come in tomorrow to interview? Me: No problem ... what's the address, time.. etc. etc. etc.

Well I arrived at his warehouse stages and production office in Canoga Park twenty minutes before my interview, and was met by a very nice young assistant of his. He said that Zalman was not busy, so I could actually have an earlier appointment. But then in a flustered voice he said, "From what we have heard about you, you'd probably be the best for these productions, but now seeing you, I don't think you'll be hired." I just looked at him in shock. He took me into the office and Zalman was looking at a script. He glanced up at me for no more than a second or two, then back down at his script. That was the last time I saw Zalman King's eyes! We talked for about five minutes (all the while his eyes on the script), and what we said was pretty much nothing. In the end, Zalman said, "Thanks for coming in, but eeeerrrrr, I think, eeerrrr, we will be looking for aaaahhh someone with aaaahhh a *Younger Point Of View."

*Translation: A person in their middle 40's was too old for his personal preference.

Flash Forward one year.

It is now 1997 and I am doing makeup and hair for a series called Intimate Portraits. We are doing a show on Jacquline Bisset, and I am to makeup Zalman King for his interview. I walked into the same production facility I had been at the year before, set up my makeup table, chair, and supplies and waited for Zalman to come in. He walked over to me and said that he really did not wear makeup. I said, "With a nose like that, you better ... or no one will EVER see the rest of your face." (Seriously, what did I have to lose.) He looked shocked that anyone would talk to him like that, but then sheepishly sat down in my chair. I proceeded to do his makeup and hair, and when I was done I handed him a mirror to have a closer look. He stared at himself for at least a minute, then grabbed my arm and said, "You are REALLY GOOD, you should come work for me." I smiled and said, "Thanks, you don't remember me, but let me tell you a story .................." When I was done relating the experience of the year before, he did his interview, and then literally ran out of the production facility without saying goodbye to anyone ... or even having his makeup removed ... by little OLD me.

Damon Charles

Sadly this is being written the day after her untimely passing.

Carol had a funny, genuinely nice personality that lit up any room she was in. In the makeup trailer, she kept us in stitches. She was easy to work with and didn't care what you did with her makeup or hair to create a character, except she had to use ONLY her lipstick (which was one shade of red). The blue hue in the red made her teeth look whiter than what they were. On the set she was professional, but you still couldn't help but laugh at almost anything she said. That voice was real, and it exploded out of this very energetic little lady ... an odd, but saleable combination. She was meant to be a character actress ... nothing else, and she enjoyed it.

She definitely made her lasting mark for the history of film and television, and will never be forgotten. She'll be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have worked with her, and of course her friends and family.

Damon Charles

A man of true conviction. You may or may not agree with the politics or lifestyle Ed represents, but you have to admire a person who actually lives the life he projects and espouses. Unlike so many who say one thing and then do otherwise.

The first time I did Ed's makeup, I noticed how dry his lips were and suggested he put a little mayonnaise on them just before going to bed at night. The humectants in the mayonnaise would draw moisture from the air and soften the skin on his lips. He said he couldn't use mayonnaise. I asked if he had an allergy, and he said no, but that he was a vegan. I admit, I was totally unaware that vegans will not even put any animal products (eggs) ON their skin.

Ed's house has no artificial wood. His clothes have no leather or any animal by-products. And he uses no chemicals other than natural ones. He walks or rides his bike all around Studio City, and when he has to go further he drives his electric cars. He composts almost everything so that (by his own words) his weekly trash could literally fit into a glove-box of a car. He truly lives the life he purports to be living. Compared to most people in the industry (and out), Ed lives a very humble life. He has a lot of friends, and knows just about everyone ... probably because he does not push his lifestyle on others, nor does he try to convert you. He once told me that few people could afford to live the way he does. It costs more to have less ... so he would never judge anyone by the way they live. He's lucky enough to be able to afford what he does.

The only fault I have with Ed, is that because he knows so very many people, he has gotten into a bad habit of referring to any person he is talking with as "buddy", as opposed to using their name. I guess it's not the worst name someone could be called.

Unfortunately, Ed's lips were still dry the last time I did his makeup, because there truly is no natural humectant that will work safely or effectively on lips.

Damon Charles

When I was a young kid I just loved watching anything that had Rosemary DeCamp in it, especially The Bob Cummings Show. It was when she was doing that show, that I wrote her a "fan letter". I had never written a fan letter to anyone, but there was something about her that just wanted me to write and say ... "I wish you were my aunt" ... or something in that line. She seemed so much like family.

Well my fan letter was never answered and the years went by.

When I got into the entertainment business, Rosemary was pretty much only doing television, and I was mainly doing films, so our lives never crossed paths .... until one day I got a call asking if I would be interested in working on a small film with a semi-retired (very hard of hearing) actress by the name of Rosemary DeCamp. Wow! Out of nowhere came the opportunity to meet the woman I so loved as a kid. I didn't ask what the film was, how much money it paid, where it was being shot ... I just blurted out, "Yes, when?"

When Rosemary and I met, it was amazing how fast we "clicked". Probably because I talked loud and she could hear me. (Andy is very hard of hearing, so I am used to talking loud and clear.) She clung onto me when we walked anywhere as she was a little shaky. She told me all about her family life as I would do her makeup or when we ate together. She was exactly what I thought she was as a kid ... a very warm and caring individual you just wanted to have as a family member or good friend.

One day I said that I had written her a fan letter as a kid. She looked surprised, and asked if I got a response? I said no. She said she tried to respond to all fan letters herself, and that she kept all that she had gotten throughout the years. She asked when I sent it, and that she would look through her old files. I thought she was just being nice, and forgot all about it ... UNTIL ... our last day of filming. Just after I finished doing her makeup for the last time, she kissed me and handed me a little letter ... it was the one I wrote so many years ago. She apologized for not answering it, but said it was more meaningful for her to have it now that we had met, and became friends. She also said that something was in the mail for me.

A few days after we finished the film, I received a "fan letter" from Rosemary to me. It was so thoughtful and beautifully written. One of my entertainment mementos that will forever be cherished.

Rosemary retired completely a few years later, but we remained "Xmas Card" friends until her death. Something we had in common, was that both of us had always hand-made personalized Xmas cards ... never store bought.

Xmas 2000 was the last Xmas Card I received from Rosemary. I miss them.

Damon Charles

AKA: BOZO, The World's Most Famous Clown

My former friend and neighbor John Leverence who was Vice-President of The Television Academy and Awards Director of The Emmys asked if I would like to be host to two of my childhood television idols, Maila "Vampira" Nurmi and Larry "Bozo" Harmon, at the 1996 Local Emmy Awards Show in Los Angeles. The awards show was honoring TV stars from the past. I jumped at it.

The awards were being held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and I was to meet each person as they arrived, ready them for their appearance on the show, then watch out for them all night. The first to arrive in his shiny white Rolls Royce was Larry Harmon (Bozo) and his lovely wife Susan. As soon as I introduced myself, Larry instantly changed his personality to the very gregarious BOZO The Clown ... including the BOZO laugh. I thought this was pretty "cool".

However as we walked through the crowds of people he seemed quiet and reserved ... UNTIL ... I would introduce him to another celebrity. Then BOZO appeared again ... or at least the personality of BOZO. The first time it happened it was fine, but as the night progressed it got a little bit weirder each time. Two personalities trapped in one body, with BOZO trying to escape (actually EXPLODE OUT) with the meeting of every new person. It was all harmless, and if I didn't see the changes so quickly and effortlessly at least 100 times in one night, I still would have thought it "cool".

When we were by ourselves (in our *group of 7) his wife did most of the talking between them, and Larry seemed distant and quiet, unless he was talking about how rich he was. He was rich because he bought the rights to BOZO (he did not create the character as he originally had said), and that he "franchised out" all the BOZO the Clowns throughout the world. He got paid for each and every person that got to be Bozo. He also said he owned all the rights to the Laurel & Hardy franchise. He said he never had a manager or an agent, so all money went to him directly. I'm sure a lot of performers would like that idea.

At the after-party when anyone (except Larry) wanted a drink from the open bar, they went up and got it themselves. But when Larry wanted one, he'd send me to get it. The first time was fine, but after that I realized he didn't want to leave a tip for the bartender. Even when we were leaving, and his Rolls Royce was brought out to him, he refused to tip the guy who brought it. Even people in Honda cars were tipping at least $5.00 ... so I gave the tip after Larry drove off. The guy said thanks and, "Who the hell was that a--hole?" I said, "Bozo." And he said, "Oh, that clown!"

Larry was a great clown, a man who knew how to make money and make people happy ... at least on TV and film ... but he was also probably one of the cheapest, stingiest people I have ever met. Guess that was why he was so rich.

*Our group of 7 consisted of myself and Andy, Larry and Susan, Maila "Vampira" Nurmi, her niece and her niece's date.

Damon Charles

AKA: Maila Nurmi

As I said above ... my former friend and neighbor, John Leverence who was Vice-President of The Television Academy and Awards Director of The Emmys, asked if I would like to be host to two of my childhood television idols, Maila "Vampira" Nurmi and Larry "Bozo" Harmon, at the 1996 Local Emmy Awards Show in Los Angeles. The awards show was honoring TV stars from the past. I jumped at it.

Maila arrived at the show in a limousine provided by The Television Academy. Maila did not want to come, but John promised her a little star treatment for one night. He also allowed her to bring her niece and her niece’s boyfriend as moral support.

I would not have recognized Maila if I hadn't already been told what to expect ... an old woman with missing teeth. Hey, we don't all grow old gracefully so when I saw her, I beamed a big smile and she gave a shy grin back. Maila seemed very nervous, was very reserved, and right away said she felt out of place. When I would introduce her to celebrities, she would smile a closed grin, speak a few words and then retreat to her niece's company.

As the evening wore on, Maila opened up to Andy and I about her feelings of just not belonging in this group. She talked about when she had her (almost literally) fifteen minutes of fame as Vampira, and how she went downhill from that point on. She talked about her lawsuit against Cassandra Peterson's "Elvira" character, claiming it was lifted from Vampira, and how losing that lawsuit destroyed her spirit. Knowing Andy and I were gay, she talked openly about all the famous "gay actors" (including Rock) who she was a "beard" for and wanted to be "seen with her" when she was famous ... but later when fame was gone, wouldn't even return her calls. She felt these weren't her people anymore. She was dirt poor, and lived in a place I was told should be uninhabitable. Her dress came from the Goodwill and her glasses were from a drug store, with at least five places where they were taped together. Larry's constant talk of being so rich did not help her self esteem any that night.

So my two childhood television idols were nothing what I imagined they would be when I finally met them. Even so, they lived a life so few get the chance to. One ended up rich, rich, rich, while the other was poor as dirt ... but they both survived a life in the industry that can be extremely rewarding (for Larry) or unjustly forgetful (for Maila). No matter what, I believe both probably would have done it all again in a heartbeat. Both Larry Harmon and Maila Nurmi passed in 2008. Maila was 85 and Larry 83. So money or not, fame or not ... we all end up the same one day.

Damon Charles

Growing up in the 1950's meant there was a lot of LOCAL TV shows ... especially from early morning until late afternoon. Most shows were geared toward children and bored housewives. Regular nation-wide programming did not start until early evening.

One of the most popular kids shows was hosted by a local San Diego celebrity, Johnny Downs. Johnny played a nice friendly "harbor captain", and showed Popeye cartoons and Little Rascal comedies between his time playing with the kids. My mom surprised me one day by taking me down to the television station and getting me on the show with a bunch of other kids. I thought this was great.

I WAS WRONG.

From the time the kids were taken away from their parents, and herded onto the sound-stage by a child wrangler (yes, that is what they were called) until someone yelled "done" or something like that, it was not fun.

When we were on the air, we were all supposed to look happy and play with the toys around the set. But when the cameras were off, we were told to sit still and "shut up". And it was Johnny who yelled "shut up" multiple times when not on the air. If he got close to you (while on camera), you could smell alcohol on his breath. And if you were in ear shot of him while he was not on camera, you heard words that you were not supposed to know about as a child.

Johnny Downs was not nice to any of us kids that day. Perhaps it was a bad day ... I don't know. All I know is, that when my mom told me I was accepted to be on Romper Room, another children's show, I begged her not to take me. I think I even cried! I didn't go.

Damon Charles

Claude was a very fine character actor who worked all the time ... and deservedly so. And for as long as I knew him, he was always a nice respectful person to everyone he met.

With all the work he had, it was amazing how few people actually knew his name. Fans recognized the face, and his voice especially, but the name in most cases was confused with someone else ... not an actor, but a singer ... Chet Atkins!

Claude was very much like a character from the movie Soapdish. He loved going to the Northridge Fashion Center, in Northridge California and standing in the cosmetic department of the Bullocks department store ... right near where the up escalator would drop off their riders. He'd be all smiles as they ascended and would spot him. Many would just smile and say a simple "hi", but quite a few would actually come over and say that they really enjoyed his performances ... and some would ask for autographs.

One of the times I was with him standing next to the Clinique counter, he said that he would bet me that most people would have his name wrong when they talked with him ... I didn't take the bet, but stood there with him for about 2 hours as people would come up and talk. He was right! The majority of people who talked to him would come up and say, "Mr. Atkins I really enjoy your performances," or something to that manner. But it was almost always "Mr. Atkins" ... and some would actually call him "Chet".

Believe it or not, this did not bother him at all. He actually thought it funny, because if any of these people asked for his autograph, he would sign it "Chet Atkins". There has to be hundreds of people out there that have the wrong autograph, yet were so happy to meet him and get one ... real or not.

Damon Charles

I was never Annette's makeup artist or actual hairstylist. But in the 1970's, I did acquire Max Factor wigs for her and style them. She was a big wig wearer at that time.

Annette was very nice and easy to please. She was so confident in who she was, that her celebrity never got in the way of her just being a "real" person when she was out with the public. She always seemed thankful for her life, her fans, and the people who cared for her.

When Max Factor quit making wigs, she must have turned to her regular hairstylist because I did not see her again until the 1990's.

I saw Annette and her new husband Glen shopping inside Costco. Annette was in a wheelchair with Glen pushing her. I walked over and introduced myself to Glen and then proceeded to talk to Annette. She was wearing her "rose-colored glasses" (the way the world should be seen through) and had a big smile on her face when I got in front of her. She did recognize and remember me but had a very difficult time talking. I kept the conversation short, thanked her for all the wonderful things she did to make "our" lives happier, and then thanked Glen for being so supportive of her.

Sad that bad things can happen to such really good people!

Damon Charles

Zelda was perfect for being in the entertainment industry. She played her part to the hilt ... and I'm talking "off camera" as well as on.

After her amazing and riveting portrayal in Poltergeist, she started claiming to actually have paranormal powers ... this of course lead to hosting a TV show about the weird and unnatural, and lecturing at functions. Did she really have these extrasensory powers? Well probably not any more than the rest of us have. But Zelda played her part well in life ... she enjoyed relating them to others, and each time embellishing on the facts a little more. Much to the listeners delight.

Rumors of the so-called Poltergeist "plague" only helped the movie have multiple sequels. On Poltergeist III, a rumor was started that while filming a scene, Zelda had to stop because she felt her mom's spirit pass through her. Her mom had died that day ... but according to "publicity" legend, her mom died the exact moment Zelda felt it, not earlier that day. I asked Zelda if she started that rumor ... and she said, "No, but it's a good one."

Damon Charles

I met Mr. Fields, or "Freddie" as he asked me to call him, when we were doing a biography on Steve McQueen. We did the interview at his lovely "Old Hollywood" mansion in Beverly Hills. By today’s standards, it would just be considered a nice bigger-than-average home in Beverly Hills ... but this one had charm and style. I admit I was very taken by the style and layout of the home, and while I was doing his makeup, Freddie said that the way I was doing makeup was the way old Hollywood artists did it ... with charm, confidence, and flair. I told him the house must be bringing that out in me, because I really felt I was in Norma Desmond's home from Sunset Boulevard, and was reliving that period of time.

After I made him up and while the camera and lighting was being prepared, Freddie and I sat by his pool in the inside courtyard and talked. He brought us both out a drink, and while we were talking, he said I had an old soul and was born too late in life to actually ever enjoy what Hollywood was all about. The glamour, glitz, and fakeness of it all. He said it ... Fakeness! That was the period of time that the studios "created" stars with the help of makeup artists, costumers, directors of photography, and most importantly, publicists. The grand days where being fake allowed you to believe these stars were perfect so you wanted to see their pictures. Not like today when we find out a star is a drunk, a wife-beater, or worse yet ... we know their political views ... so we swear never to watch another film they make.

Yes Freddie, I would have loved to work during that period. But working in the era I have been in, is just as wonderful to me too.

Damon Charles

An interesting yet very sad person was in this lady's body, and she didn't seem to know how to deal with the two sides. At least that was my impression of her while I was making her up.

I made up Francesca for an Intimate Portrait on her aunt Eva. At first Francesca seemed all laughs and fun, with very interesting anecdotes about her life as a person in general, as well as that of being the daughter of Zsa Zsa. Then as the makeup progressed, so seemed the dark side of Francesca's life. So dark in fact, that I was close to tears with one story she told me, and had to stop and pretend to clean my glasses.

Francesca said that all through her childhood she felt as though she was living the life of Cinderella ... not the good part though ... the part where Cinderella was made to believe she didn't "belong" and was just a servant. Francesca claimed that when her mom, aunts, and grandmother were together (even if she was in the room), they only spoke in Hungarian. They would never speak English unless it was to tell her to do something or get something for them. She said that she was never part of a conversation with the women that were supposed to be loving to her. She said there was no demonstrative affections shown towards her, yet her mom, aunts and grandmother showed affection towards each other. (It was at this point where I went to wipe my glasses.) Francesca realizing what I was pretending to do then snapped back into the bubbly lively person that had sat down in my chair. When I started back to finish her makeup and hair, she took my face in both hands and pulled me closer to her. She said, "You care ... you and I are going to be really good friends." I think I let out a nervous laugh and then finished the makeup. During the actual interview that was done with her, we had to keep stopping because she was telling things that would never be used in an Intimate Portrait show. We had to keep reminding her that she was to talk of her aunt only ... and could basically say only things that the general public already perceived to be truths about her aunt. Needless to say, she did not have a big part in the show.

As to whether the stories she told were true or not makes one wonder. There really is no reason to make them up, yet she really did seem to be totally screwed up emotionally. And something caused that.

Before she left she gave me her phone number and again said, "You and I are going to be really good friends." I never did call her. Probably very selfish on my part, but I really did not need or want to go on a roller-coaster ride of emotions that she seemed to exude. As I said, I was being selfish ... because if anyone really needed a friend, she seemed to be the prime candidate.

This is being written on the day of her untimely death. All I can hope is that she did end up having friends, real friends.

Damon Charles

The New York Times Christine Jorgensen, 62, Is Dead; Was First to Have a Sex Change

By JOHN T. McQUISTON Published: May 4, 1989

Well that headline wasn’t true ... or at least the writer and editor for the New York Times didn't do their research. Christine was not the first person to have a sex change. Not by a long shot. She was however the first to get dramatic press coverage about it. And that was done purposely by Christine.

In the early 1970's I was dealing with quite a few pre-op transsexuals. For some reason, that time period seemed to be big in sex change operations, especially being performed at certain teaching colleges throughout the United States. Those transforming needed guidance and help with their outward appearance and I was there to help them realize you are not putting makeup on a man's face to look like a woman, but on a "Face" ... that's it. We all have feminine and masculine features; you just need to know which to accentuate and which to diminish. It was during this time that Andy met Christine at UCLA and told her about me. She asked that I call her. I called and she asked me to come to dinner at her place in West Hollywood.

Dinner was in the outside courtyard of her apartment complex. She and her sister Dorothy were very nice and hospitable. She was very interested in my life ... my never being "in-the-closet" so to speak, and my work with transsexuals. I was very interested in anything that wasn't what she claimed in her book or what was shown in her film The Christine Jorgensen Story. Surprisingly, she was very candid with me, and I believe ... totally honest.

The first item she told me was that the operation and all that followed was carefully thought out in advance and paid for with the help of a newspaper company (she wouldn't say which paper). That paper was to have first coverage on everything that she was going through. Publicity was the most important thing if she was to be accepted and not ridiculed! (That sure wasn't in the book or movie.)

Second, I asked her if she were to have been born later in life when gay people were starting to come out of the closet and be accepted for who they are ... would she still have a sex change? Her answer made her visibly shake and her voice quiver as she said, "Probably not." (That was so contrary to everything she ever said to the press or on TV interviews.) I asked why she felt that way now and why she didn't say it to the press or when she gave lectures at colleges? She said she had been meeting other people like me over the last few years that were happy with their sexuality and never hid it. Noting that the majority of us said that we never had bad consequences just by being "out and happy with ourselves". People either liked us for who we were or just avoided us. She also said that she couldn't say it to the press because then her whole life would have been a lie. At the time she did it, it seemed right. She couldn't say she was "gay", even though she admitted to me she knew she was. Gay people at that time were very closeted, bullied, and sometimes blackmailed. She felt that by becoming a transsexual she was able to create an acceptable life, especially with publicity, and that also gave her fame. I admired her candor with me, but only wish that sometime before she died, that she would have re-written her life story.

There were a lot of other questions and candid answers to and by both of us that I won't go into. But my last question to her that I feel is important for others to know was, "Do you have any regrets?"

Christine's answer was very moving and she actually cried saying it, "That I was never allowed to marry!" (The U.S. Government would not change her birth certificate. According to them, she was still male.)

As to whether she would have ever publicly told all that she said to me, I guess doesn't really matter. Because in the end, Christine truly was a gracious and admirable woman.

Damon Charles

Fess Parker was the first "real actor" I ever met.

When I was in kindergarten, I was one of the biggest Davy Crockett fans you could imagine. I had everything that was Davy Crockett ... hat, outfit, and of course a lunch pail and Thermos (that might be worth a fortune now). I knew the Davy Crockett song forward and backward. My mom even had to wake me up one night because I was humming it in my sleep. Of course now I know almost every boy at that time was as big a fan as I was.

My older sister was going to be in a parade as a pom-pom girl in San Diego, and Fess Parker was the MAIN ATTRACTION to the parade. I got all suited up like a miniature Davy Crockett and sang the song all the way to the parade.

When we arrived at the parade area, we went to where the pom-pom girls were forming. I was standing by a pole watching and singing Davy Crockett ... All of a sudden from the other side of the pole, I heard a deep voice singing along with me. I turned to see who it was and there towering over me like some big giant was Davy Crockett himself ... Fess Parker! He picked me up and put me on his shoulder straddling his neck, and all the while he kept singing. When I was up in the air (both physically and mentally), he asked if I were comfortable. My parents came over when they saw me towering above the crowd's heads. Mr. Parker asked if they would let me ride on his neck throughout the whole parade. Well I guess the look on my face made them both say yes right away. Shocking, because my dad usually wasn't the type of person to do anything to make me happy.

All along the parade I sang and sometimes he sang too. When we were all done, he signed my autograph book and then with a big smile said, "I'll see you" and then left.

He was ALMOST right that he'd see me again. In 2000, I was called to make up John Forsythe at Fess Parker’s hotel in Los Olivos. I went up to Los Olivos the day before and was put up in the best suite at Mr. Parker's hotel. Fess and John were good friends and Fess was going to come visit on the day I did John's makeup. This was my chance to tell him how great that moment was for me as a kid.

I slept on the most comfortable bed ever that night, with a roaring fire in the biggest fireplace I have ever seen. It really was a spectacular place for such a small town. I met John at his car and walked him into my suite. While I was setting up my supplies for him, I got a call from the front desk asking for John. John took the phone, talked a little, and I heard him say, "Oh that's too bad." At that moment I knew Mr. Parker was not coming. Fess had a bad cold, and wasn't going to come over since he knew John was just getting over a severe case of pneumonia.

Well that blew my chance of one last ride on Davy Crockett's shoulders. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Damon Charles

Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless have to be considered two of the nicest actresses (people) I have ever met or had the pleasure of working with.

So I'll tell you why about Tyne here ... and Sharon in the story next person down on this list.

I met Tyne twice in my life. On both occasions, I just could not get over her infectious smile and gracious manner.

The first time I met her was briefly while I was with Rock Hudson. Hate to admit it, but we were all much younger and thinner at the time. I don't remember the conversation, but I do remember her laughing, and laughing, and laughing. Gotta love someone who can have a good laugh.

The next time I met Tyne was quite a few years (and pounds ... at least for me) later. Her hair was now beautifully grey and EXTREMELY long. Did I ever tell you how much I hate doing long hair? Even though I am known for my makeups, I still have to do hair occasionally, especially in interviews or when hired to be the performer's personal makeup and hair artist. I can do hair, and usually do it well, but long hair .... ahhhh, what are you supposed to do with it?

Well, I was called to do Tyne's makeup and hair for an interview at a Beverly Hills hotel. I was set up in the bedroom while the interview was going to be in the living room ... I'm so happy for this, as the cameraman, director, producer, and others were not able to see me almost faint when I saw her hair length. Luckily Tyne still had the sense of humor she had when I met her before, and laughed very hard when she realized I was horrified by having to handle that much hair.

To gain my composure, and hopefully her respect, I did her makeup first. She loved it ... especially the false lashes and how easily I put them on her. Something other makeup people had difficulties with on her ... or at least that is what she said.

Now came time to do the hair ... all that hair! Out came the pins, clips, bands, teasing comb, etc. Sweat started to appear on my forehead. Then it dawned on me ... we are doing an interview ... a talking head ...no one sees the back side of her head. The sweating stopped. I took more than three quarters of the hair and put it in a band and placed it behind her head so that it could not be seen. The front quarter of hair that was left was carefully arranged with few pins, teasing, and even spray. It was OKAY ... not great, but okay. Tyne looked at me and said, "What was all your worrying about, this is great." Now seriously, how can I not think this lady is one of the nicest people I'll probably ever meet?

When Tyne finally cut her hair to the now great styles she keeps it in, I hope that perhaps a little bit of her did it to spare other makeup and hair people who just get flustered thinking about what to do with all that hair. But I'm gathering she really did it because it is more appealing on her, shows off her great face and wonderful smile, and has to be easier for her to handle. Now if I can ever get down to Los Angeles to do her makeup (and hair) again, I'll be in seventh heaven.

Damon Charles

So you probably already read about Tyne Daly (story just above), now it is my turn to tell you why Sharon Gless is one of the nicest people in the industry ... and perhaps ... BEYOND!

I only met Sharon twice too. But once you meet her you will always remember her for being a real down-to-earth person.

The first time we met was while I was working as a day player on a TV show. We were shooting at the Queen Mary on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City California. The Queen Mary was a female impersonator review club when not being used to film TV shows.

Sharon got along with everyone .. and knew pretty much everyone by name. Not just the actors, makeup, hair, and costumers that she worked closely with .. but also the grips, production assistants, and just about anyone it takes to make a show work.

When she wasn't in the makeup or costuming trailer, or filming, you could probably find her with the grips telling jokes ... and she had some good ones to tell. Her laugh is infectious. It's deep and booming like her voice, and everyone loves it.

I didn't see Sharon again until I was requested to do her makeup and hair some years later. I told her about when we met before, and she said she seemed to remember. But like I said about Tyne ... I at least had gained weight since then, so my appearance had changed. Sharon's appearance had changed too over the years ... and in a good way. Her appearance now went with her amazing voice and gave her much more character. In turn, the ability to play a wider range of roles, which thankfully producers have given her the chance to do.

While doing her makeup, I reminded her of the jokes she was telling on the one day we had worked together. She then proceeded to start telling me one joke after another ... keeping me in stitches while I was working on her. I was laughing so hard that the director actually popped in a few times to see if all was okay. It was better than okay ... At the time, it was the most fun I ever had while doing makeup. (She only got bested a few years later by dear sweet Charles Durning who loved singing to me while I was working on him in the makeup trailer.)

As I said before, you gotta love someone who loves to laugh ... and can make you laugh just as hard too. Sharon is the one!

Damon Charles

Seven years before his passing, I got a call to go to Eddie Albert's house in Pacific Palisades to make him up for a documentary.

When I got to Mr. Albert's nice older Spanish style two-story home, it stood out from the rest of the neighborhood. Most of the other houses were huge mansions. But his house had a great view of the Pacific Ocean. Probably one of the best views.

I was greeted by his housekeeper who showed me around the house and then took me out to the backyard. I was told that while he was doing Green Acres, he bought the house next door, tore it down, and put in a huge vegetable and fruit garden. Seems the show actually inspired him. His corn was actually growing tall, unlike his poor farm on Green Acres.

After about ten minutes Eddie came outside and introduced himself. He then apologized for the construction noise of a mansion being built on the other side of him. He said he couldn’t believe how long it was taking to build and just couldn't understand why anyone would need a house so big. He then said he bet that the property might have cost up to $100,000 dollars to buy. At first I thought he was fooling around, but then realized he was serious. He had lived in his house for about 50 years and never kept up with what property values were soaring to. I just left it at that, and proceeded to do his makeup.

While I was making him up, we talked about a lot of things ... his past work experience, his hero war record, his wife, his son, and his extensive work in helping Hispanics break into show business. All of it very interesting, and he went into very extensive detail with what he had to say. I was truly impressed that this 92 year old man knew so much, and was so articulate in his stories. (All his interesting stories forgave him for not knowing the soaring prices of property.)

After we filmed, Eddie showed me around his "farm" next door, then I took his makeup off and left this fine gentleman.

When I got home I told Andy how interesting Eddie was, and that he had so many wonderful stories, and went into such detail with each story. Andy looked on the Internet to see if Eddie had a website. He did, and Eddie was probably one of the early performers to actually have one at that time.

Andy started reading Eddie's website out loud. As Andy was reading it, I immediately noticed that it was literally "word for word" the same stories that Eddie had told me ... AND ... in the exact same order.

Eddie actually had his whole life story memorized!

Memorized or not, he was an amazingly interesting and cordial man who I enjoyed spending a few hours with.

Damon Charles

Benny was a very nice guy to me. Most people on a set found him to be very gruff in both voice and demeanor, so crew members were slightly intimidated or some were even scared of him. But I personally think that was just for show. He really wasn't like that at all.

He was always interesting to talk with while sitting patiently having his makeup and hair done. His toupee was his only vice. It had to be just right ... even if it was perfect, he always had to at least pretend to make a slight adjustment himself. No big thing.

Benny had a nickname for me that made for a funny incident one day on a movie set. His nickname for me was "Sweetheart". I have no idea why he picked it. It wasn't because he was making fun of me for being gay. Benny (known as a macho man) was not homophobic at all. I guess it was just his term for endearment.

On the night of this incident, I was on the set doing "last looks" on a performer when a new-to-the-film production assistant (PA) came in and went up to a female and asked if she was "Sweetheart"? When she said "no", he went to each of the other females on the set and asked each one of them if they were "Sweetheart" ... with each one saying no. This poor PA was getting upset because Benny sent him to find "Sweetheart" to come help him with something urgent. Finally the PA just yelled out, "Is there a girl here that Ben Gazzara calls 'Sweetheart'?" I raised my hand and the whole set broke out into laughter as the PA's screamed, "What? How the hell is 'Sweetheart' a guy?!"

After that incident I suggested Benny ask for "Damon" when he sent anyone to look for me. I think he might have asked for me by name one or two times after that, but then it reverted to "Sweetheart" and we just left it that way.

I liked Benny very much. Too bad more people on the set didn't get to know what a great guy he really was.

Damon Charles

Pearl was a personal client of mine in the 1970's. We never worked on a show together but she asked me what makeup products she should buy and how she should wear them. Sadly most of the people who had done her makeup in the past did not know how to work on darker skin.

My motto has always been "Skin is Skin". We are all made up of just varying degrees of shade and light. A "makeup artist" knows that, but she must have had only "makeup applicators" who called themselves "artists".

I helped her buy a variety of different products for her street and film wear. I also taught her how to apply them if she felt uncomfortable with whoever was on the set. One big thing I taught her and other actresses of a darker complexion, is that some foundations have a tendency to turn ashen about 30 minutes after application. To remedy this problem, I showed them how to add just a tiny amount of vegetable oil to the product and this would stop the color from changing.

Pearl was a very fine lady and nice person, and probably the best Dolly Levi since Carol Channing.

Damon Charles

What a nice lady. When I worked at Warner Brothers, Karen would often find herself lost or didn't know which way to go to where she was supposed to be. I helped her out one time by walking her to the right sound stage ... from that day on, whenever she was lost she found me and asked me to take her. I always made the time to do it and she always gave me a nice kiss on the cheek for the effort.

Sadly another nice person gone too soon.

Damon Charles

Jay was a makeup artist's dream. A genuinely nice guy from the first meeting to the last day of shoot, and then beyond.

I had the pleasure of doing dastardly deeds to Jay for his makeup designs, and Jay laughed (with delight) at each horrible process I put him through ... face falling in horse s#!t, face being covered in thick gooey mud, a broken disjointed nose, black eye, hammer impression embedded in his forehead (it was a comedy), a missing front tooth with swollen lip, and oh yeah, covered with black soot from catching on fire. Each day of filming he had to progress from the normal handsome man he was, to the most disfigured (yet funny) bumbling horse thief he was playing. A truly terrible film, but Jay said the makeup made it worth coming to work each day.

Like I said, a makeup artist's dream. But most of all a truly nice guy and friend.

Jay, we'll miss you. Gone way too soon.

Damon Charles

What an absolutely delightful man!

Who knew that when I was 12 sitting in the Fox Theatre in San Diego watching Mary Poppins, that 40 years later I would be doing makeup on the Mary Poppins 40th Anniversary Special Edition DVD ... actually who knew there would even be something called a "DVD"?

Working on the project brought back so many memories of my youth ... pretty much due to Richard and his amazing recollection of anything and everything that had to do with the making of Mary Poppins. Not only the memories of that project, but also the other things he and his brother worked on for Disney ... plus even telling me stories (playing piano and singing songs just for me) from his own youth and his amazing composer father. I love when people tell me stories of their life.

Richard and his wife were so personable, and Richard's smile and energy was infectious to almost all around him. I say almost, because off camera all those around him seemed to laugh and smile except one person. The crew was in awe of him, Dick Van Dyke laughed and joked with all he said ... but sadly the one person who did not smile unless on camera, was the one the special edition was really about. (Maybe they were having a bad day) Nevertheless, Richard made that DVD Special Edition something worth owning. Before cameras would roll, Richard would talk about what happened in the making of Mary Poppins so that all could talk and reminisce on camera in a natural way. He even reminded of the time he and his brother literally had to come up with a brand new song overnight because a performer refused to sing the song they had already written for a particular scene. He joked about it and said at the time it was not fun ... but in the end it became one of the more memorable songs from the film, so in hindsight it was a good thing.

Richard Sherman is a man who now makes my childhood memories of seeing Mary Poppins even better ... because I now know it was he and his brother who really made that film what it is ... memorable because of the songs. And most memorable to me now because Walt Disney listened to his suggestion and hired Jane Darwell to do her scene "Feed the Birds" that made everyone in the theatre cry. To make the memory even better, Richard said that Walt Disney even sent a Rolls Royce to pick up the ailing actress from the Motion Picture Country Home and made sure everyone treated her like a star. How great is that?!

Richard is full of an endless amount of stories from his wonderful life. Too bad there just isn't enough time to hear them all. But thank you Richard for sharing those I got to hear during the time we worked together.

Damon Charles

Stripper/Singer/Actress

Back in my youth, before I got "discovered for makeup artistry", I was a long-haired street person who slept in the alleyways and rooftops of San Francisco. Like most of us living on the streets, we slept during the day as it was safer than being asleep in a doorway or alley at night. Our living at night meant that San Francisco was our playground and only the fun people were out then. My playground (and that of my street friend Ray) consisted mostly of North Beach because the "mob?" kept that area safe from violence, as many of the clubs might have been owned by them. Keeping the police far away from gay street kids was a good thing back then. All I know is that no one ever treated me badly there. I didn't beg, but almost every bar or restaurant offered me food and drink during the night. Of course I always offered to do a chore, but rarely was taken up on it. The gay bars and the strip joints were always the best places to go because that is where the people didn't judge you, seemed happy, and were very caring to all. Even though I was very much underage and definitely looked like a homeless person (but clean), very seldom were Ray and I ever asked for an ID or refused entrance into clubs. That is how Ray and I came to know Carol Doda.

One night we were approached by the doorman of The Condor Club as we were walking by. He asked if we were gay but curious to see a topless woman? I'm sure he just wanted to see our expressions when we first saw Carol's legendary large breasts. He then ushered Ray and I inside the club and there was Carol Doda talking to a man at the front between shows. I guess our eyes bugged out as Carol started laughing and came over to us. She said, "Hello boys. You like what you see?" We just giggled. Then there was a little talk about us living on the street, and then she had to go do her next number ... but before she left, she kissed us both on the cheek and said we should pop our heads in whenever we were by there. Well Ray and I did from that point on. Almost every night, we would pop our heads in at least once. If Carol was there and saw us, no matter what she was doing she always waved and yelled, "Hi Boys". Of course if she were dancing at the time, people would turn to see who she was waving to. At that point Ray and I would run away.

As time went by we seemed to be able to judge when she was on a break and would stop by then. If she were on a break she would talk with us. She was very nice and talked intelligently. She said she had been on her own since about 14 so had an understanding and love for street youth. I believe she either said she was going to college, or was going to start college so she had something to fall back on after her dancing career came to an end. She said our life was not destined to be street youth forever, and we'd survive. On one of the last times that Ray and I visited with her before I finally left San Francisco, Carol asked us if we wanted to feel her "silicone"? Ray did, but I didn't. We didn't know at the time that Carol's breast weren't real, or that she was one of the first "strippers" to have silicone injections. In fact, I don't even think I knew what silicone was before that night ... and later when I started doing special effects makeup, silicone had changed greatly.

I would gather that the very nice and caring Carol Doda had a lot of "boys" she used to say "hi" to throughout her long career. But I can proudly say I was one of them, and like she predicted ... I did survive my street days.

Damon Charles

I was Maggie's very first professional makeup artist ... and I'm proud to have been such. She was young (under 18), new to the movie industry ... and the people in it, and more than a little naive about how people may try to handle her and her career. Her mom and I had many talks about the pitfalls and problems some people may encounter from others when trying to break into the business. Because of a letter Maggie and her mom sent me, I believe I was of great help in the two of them making smart decisions for Maggie's future in the industry.

It is amazing how Maggie's career has taken off without her having to do any low budget productions or having to take small bit roles. I believe the reason for this "meteoric climb" (at least by industry standards) up the industry ladder is because Maggie is very intelligent, really determined to be the best at what she does, and most of all ... has a mom and family that is so supportive of her and her career choice, that they sacrificed a lot to bring her to Los Angeles for her first lead performance in the Internet soap opera, Rachel's Room. And, that she and her mom had the good sense to stay and turn down roles that were small and would not lead to anything other than more small roles.

There is one thing that I suggested to Maggie, and I am glad she did not take my advice as it definitely makes her stand out from other actresses. I suggested she change her name because I thought "Maggie" sounded old-fashioned. I WAS WRONG! When you hear the name Maggie, you automatically think of her ... or the other amazingly wonderful actress ... Maggie Smith.

My wish for Maggie is to always be as wonderfully sweet as when we first met. But with her family upbringing, I think that is a natural. Much love to you Maggie and your mom.

Damon Charles

I never worked with Betty, but she was my neighbor in the last apartment Andy and I lived in. It was a beautiful apartment with many "industry" people living in it. Marjorie Marshall (Garry and Penny's mother) lived on the other side of us with our dens having an adjoining wall. Betty's and our apartments shared an adjoining wall too ... the master bedroom wall! Because of that wall, Andy and I had the hardest time talking to Betty if her husband "Frank" was with her. (Reason below.)

Betty and Frank were very nice to us and now that Andy and I look back, we feel bad that we didn't spend the time with them that they wanted. Betty was always asking us to come over for lunch, dinner, drinks, or to look through her scrapbooks from her Broadway productions and other things she was in. We never did if the two of them were together ... which was most of the time. It was that wall ... that wall that adjoined our bedrooms. Oh that wall!

Almost EVERY NIGHT at around 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM, we would hear Betty's very loud and DEEP voice boom through the wall ... "FRANK get the hell off me!" "Stop that!" And so on, and so on. This would go on for at least ten minutes or more until Frank finally realized he had no chance (to possibly play leap frog?). Andy and I had a very hard time not laughing out loud while this was happening.

Now you know why it was hard to talk to Betty when Frank was around. We just couldn't keep a straight face and did not want to embarrass either of them. They were both really nice people but I guess they did not realize the walls were thin enough for Betty's strong Broadway theatre voice to penetrate through it. We probably should have told them that we could hear them the first time it happened, because we lost two years of not having the good fortune of calling them FRIENDS.

It was definitely our loss, and being very young at the time is a poor excuse for not just letting it go, and be happy that at least people their age were still active ... well, at least one of them.

Damon Charles

For a short time in the middle 1970's, I was not only doing makeup, but also a very "interesting" (real word would be "weird") hair transplant procedure. It looked great but needed a lot of care after it was done. It was an extremely expensive procedure so most of my clients were movie stars, or people in some form of entertainment where they were in front of an audience.

Eddie Arnold flew out to Encino California to see me about having the procedure done. We talked for about 4 hours. He was very nice and really wanted the procedure, even though I stressed how much upkeep it needed. Finally I just flat out told him, I wouldn't do it, as his schedule did not seem conducive to this procedure. I suggested he stay with wearing the toupees he had worn for years (which he did). He went to write a check for my time ... $1,000. I stopped him and said there would be no charge, but that my grandmother was probably his biggest fan and she would be in seventh heaven if he were to call her. Well he did. A few days later he called my grandmother in San Diego and talked with her for more than an hour ... he even sung to her over the phone.

Now who do you think my grandmother's favorite grandchild was from that day on?!

Damon Charles

Scott is on my Personal IMDB Bio as one of the nicest people I have ever worked with. He is very professional and really does care about the production, the cast, and the crew.

The first time we met, I felt (real or not) that he was a little uncomfortable with me for being openly gay. Trust me, he is not the only performer in Hollywood who gives that first impression!

Because I like my performers to be totally comfortable, I suggested that Scott be made up by one of my female assistants. But I think the other stars, and perhaps the producers suggested he would be better off in my hands. So when I suggested he may be more comfortable with my main assistant, he said that he would be OK with me. At first there was some apprehension and I could actually feel his physical tension when I touched him or got my face close to his. But as time went on, he became more relaxed with each day, until there was a very personable relationship between us which carried over to multiple projects.

At no time did I ever think Scott was homophobic. Who knows what was going on in his mind? But whatever it was, it was real, and he had every right to feel the way he felt. I'm just glad that with time he changed, and considered me a friend ... not just a makeup artist.

One night Andy and I were at his house for dinner. At that time he was engaged to Jeanette Jonsson (probably one of the most beautiful women I have ever met ... but why not? He only dated beautiful women ... and eventually married one too).

While eating dinner we were talking about the possibility of their wedding and where they would like to have it. Scott said he was thinking of their backyard and Jeanette said that she would like that, but that she would also like to get married in her country of Sweden. Then Jeanette said something that shocked me almost as much as it seemed to shock Scott. She said that Andy and I should come to Sweden with them and we could have a "Double Ceremony". I looked at Scott's face across the table from me, and it really showed how shocked he was. (Not a good actor at that time.) As I said, I was shocked, but laughed and said, "As much as we'd love to, I just don't think it would be good for Scott's career at the time." That was it, we dropped that conversation and moved on to something else.

I'm so glad he is married and has a beautiful child. He dearly loves Bailey and enjoys being a father.

Scott, thanks for being a friend, and naming Andy's and my 12' tall horse statue "Big' F'n Horse" which has become so memorable to so many people.

Damon Charles

Definitely a great writer with funny stories. Whether his stories were actually written from his life experiences makes me wonder. Sadly he was one of the most depressing people you could ever know or be around.

Enough Said.

Damon Charles

In 1976 Andy was acting as a Advance Man for Senator John V. Tunney during his re-election campaign against S.I. Hayakawa. On many occasions I was tagging along, helping in any way I could. Meeting and working behind the scenes with many political figures was an eye opening experience to see how politicians really act, and what they do and say when out of the public eye .. especially when not making campaign speeches. One could say it really turned both of us off to the whole political system.

On election night, Andy and I were at the Tunney Campaign hotel in Tunney's private suite along with some of his friends, political figures, entertainment executives and actors watching the TV's and waiting for election results. I was sitting on the couch talking to Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows when Senator Alan Cranston walked up and said, "You look like you have a soft shoulder to rest my head on." Before I could say a word, he was on the couch next to me with his head on my left shoulder and soon fast asleep. Hmmmm, the man who was successfully sued by Adolph Hitler was actually sleeping on my shoulder. What a story to tell my grandkids one day ... no, no, no ... I forgot, I'm gay, and Andy and I decided we were too selfish to have kids. So I'm telling this to you instead of any grandkids we might have had.

As the night progressed we were all very aware that John Tunney was going to lose the election. When the news stations gave what they considered the final results, there was a loud uproar from the people in the room. Mr. Cranston awoke, looked at me and said, "What happened?" I said, "We lost." With that he got up, shook my hand and said, "Oh well", and then left the room.

In the 4 hours together, I only said two words to Mr. Cranston so I can't say I knew him, but I can say he slept on my shoulder the whole time. Guess he liked my shoulder so much that he didn't want to try someone else's.

Damon Charles

I met Ruth in the 1970's while I was being promoted by Coty Cosmetics as "World Famous Damon". Coty had me traveling the country trying to promote their new and expensive brand of makeup called "Coty 24K". Nice product, absolutely beautiful stunning packaging, but way too expensive for the Coty line. In the end it failed miserably.

While I was taking an hour break from makeup demonstrations, a woman walked up to me, and in a "Norma Desmond" attitude and style held out her hand (to take and kiss?) and said (with an air of grandeur), "Hello, I'M Ruth Roman!" I was almost ready for her to say, "... and you're NOT!"

I took her hand and led her up on the platform where I was doing the makeups. I knew exactly who she was. At one time she was (just shy of being) a star. But sadly with age, many who were "names" and stars become lost to the newer generation of performers and their audience. I realized she still saw herself as bigger than life, and I was willing to help her in that belief ... even if for a few minutes.

We sat on the two director chairs I had and talked for the full hour. My assistant brought us coffee and some sort of pastry. Ruth was so happy to tell me about her life, film career, accidents and tragedies, son, and even her marriages. For some reason people open up to me about things they might not normally tell others. No problem ... you won't hear anything she told me, as she "swore?" me to secrecy.

Our talk was truly enjoyable and enlightening as to personalities that were once big but now relegated pretty much to parts on television. They still have to pay the bills. Luckily she was able to travel and do theatre, which is very rewarding because you hear the actual love from your live audience with their laughs, sighs, and applause.

I knew by the end of our conversation that Ruth was up on stage with me and would love some of that adoration. So when the hour was up, I turned back on my microphone and announced to the audience, we had on stage the famous actress RUTH ROMAN! The "older" people knew who she was and immediately applauded. As soon as that happened, Ruth was in her element and graciously waved to her "fans".

I put another microphone around Ruth's neck while I proceeded with her makeup. Because of our conversation about what I was doing with her makeup design, and with her talking about her film career, our audience grew from about 50 people to be at least 300 to 400 grouped tightly in around us. I had never seen so many people in one place in a mall. I was a little afraid the second floor might fall, and asked the people to please spread out a little. When I was all done with Ruth's makeup, the audience gave what would be considered by some a "standing ovation" for about five minutes. Ruth then kissed me a goodbye and went down among her "fans" and proceeded to sign autographs.

I really think that was one of the best times she had at being "recognized" in a very long time. As she walked away, she called out my name, smiled a big smile, and blew me a kiss.

With that, I again announced, "Ruth Roman everyone, Ruth Roman." Applause, applause, applause ...

Damon Charles

I worked with Daniel on a film that had a lot of very talented performers, but Daniel stood out among the others. He was very intense and outwardly unhappy. I thought that this was because his character was that way and perhaps he was a method actor. But after a few days working together, we started talking of things outside of the entertainment industry. I saw that he was sketching and so we started talking about drawing and painting. I told him my medium used to be oils but I switched to acrylics because I felt oils might be a cause of cancer in artists. His comment was so negative. He said, "Well we all have to die of something. Why not cancer?" I had no comment to that other than to ask if he enjoys art. Again a very negative answer of, "No, not really."

The only time I heard him say a positive word is when he expressed great joy in the makeup I did on him. He said it caught every element of the character. Sadly that makeup was as a crazed psycho in a straight jacket confined to a monastery cell. A positive comment on a negative element ... vice versa?

I was saddened to hear when he shot himself in the head, but not really surprised as I found him to be the most negative person I have ever worked with ... and possibly ever known.

Too bad this very talented actor could not beat whatever demons he may have been battling. His performances were always memorable ... but sadly, at least for me, when I watched him his negativity outweighed any performance he gave.

Damon Charles

Marjorie was Andy and my neighbor in our last apartment. Her apartment backed up to our den wall. This great apartment building had a lot of older entertainment folks living in it and Andy and I were the youngest by at least 30 years. In fact the owner of the building was hesitant about renting to two guys so young, but after talking with us for about an hour, he thought we'd fit in perfect ... and he was right.

Andy and I took an instant liking to Marjorie as Andy and I realized she was a little dingy ... We Love DINGY People. Sadly as the years went on, it became more evident the dinginess was the onset of Alzheimer's so we tried watching out for her as much as possible since she lived alone.

Marjorie tried to be very independent but on a few occasions would ask for help with something she couldn't do. She always seemed to ask me (not Andy) and I loved to help her. For some reason, she thought Andy was my "little son" (he had a beard at the time and we're the same age), and she would always ask me how he was doing in school, and did he need her to help him with his homework? (Andy was in USC Law School at the time)

We did not know Marjorie was the mother of Garry and Penny until at least two months after we first met. Then one day, I heard the phone ring in Marjorie's apartment and then almost immediately heard her leave and go downstairs. I looked out of our balcony and saw her on the street wearing a yellow raincoat. I went down to see if she was okay since the sky was clear and there was no forecast for rain. She told me she was waiting for some friends to pick her up, and she was going to take them to see a taping of Laverne & Shirley. (It was at this moment I put two and two together and realized what the last name "Marshall" meant.) She said her friends told her it was raining at their place, so that is why she was wearing the raincoat. Thinking she was OK, I then went back up to our apartment. An hour later I was on the balcony and there was Marjorie still standing in the same place with the raincoat on. I went downstairs again and asked if her friends were late (this was before cell phones) and would she like me to call someone? She said they were probably just running a little behind and she was fine. Again I went back upstairs but this time I kept looking over the balcony every 10 to 15 minutes to see if Marjorie got picked up. After another hour from the last time, I went down to the street and over to her again. This time I asked Marjorie where her friends were coming from. She said, "San Diego!" I said, "Marjorie, that is a two and a half hour drive." She said, "I know, that's why I came down here, so I wouldn't miss them." At this point I decided to wait with her until her friends came. That was about another twenty minutes. From that point on. if I heard her phone ring and then her apartment door close, I would always go see where she went. If she was waiting on the street for someone to come, I would ask her where they were coming from. I didn't want her to have to stand outside as long as she did before. If it were more than ten minutes, I'd get her to go back to her apartment until close to the time the people were coming, and then I'd go over and tell her it was now time to wait outside.

Marjorie was a dear sweet lady who always had a smile and good-natured way about her. As time went on, we would see her kids, husband Tony, and some cast members from her son's TV shows come by for a visit with her. That was nice of the cast members. We never talked show business with her, nor talked about any of her kids. We liked her ... for her.

A few years after we moved out of the apartment, I was in the May Company Department Store in North Hollywood California doing a makeup demonstration. Marjorie saw me and started running over, calling out my name. I noticed that there was a caregiver with her (trying to catch up). Marjorie grabbed me and kissed me. She then said she wanted to introduce me to someone special. She grabbed hold of the caregiver's arm and said, "Damon, I'd like you to meet Marjorie Marshall." I wanted to cry, but then I put it in my mind that she was "just dingy", and said, "So glad to meet you." The caregiver smiled and winked.

As the (two?) Marjories were walking away, Marjorie turned and yelled to me, ... "Say hello to your little boy from me." That's when I knew which was the real Marjorie!

Damon Charles

I worked with Bobby only once, and it was in 1999. That was 15 years before he passed away but even at that time he was showing signs of Alzheimer's. Sadly he had to constantly stop his performances of his songs as he would forget the words. His backup singers, especially Altrinna Greyson, were very supportive of his efforts, and would give him words of encouragement when he seemed forgetful and on the verge of possibly crying.

I had already done all the makeup and hairstyles on his backup singers before Bobby was brought to me for his makeup and hair. He just looked at me for minute and then said, "You're not black!" I laughed and said, "How do you know?" That broke the ice. He sat in my chair and I did my work. When I was done, he said he apologized for assuming I could not work on dark skin. I said that I was a "makeup artist" and not a "makeup applicator", and anyway ... skin's skin! He shook my hand and said, "You are so right ... skin is skin."

Damon Charles

In 2001 I was called do do makeup on Calvin Hill and some of the Dallas Cowboys for a show on Calvin Hill's football career.

I went out to the hotel in Oxnard California that was next to their training camp. I walked into the lobby and there were all (or at least it seemed like it) of the Dallas Cowboys. I was carrying my makeup box, makeup chair, and makeup table ... I knew how to balance myself when I carried things to locations. All of a sudden I was swarmed by the football players. One taking my box, one taking the chair, and two (yes two) to take my table. I heard one person say; *beep* this is heavy", and the rest of them start laughing. They had set my items neatly to the side and were still surrounding me asking questions about the filming, makeup, etc. I'm almost 6'3", but felt like a dwarf next to all of them. All of a sudden I just blurt out, "I have never felt so small or white in my entire life." Well they got a real kick out of that and proceeded to pat me on the back and shake my hand and introduce themselves. They were all in a really good mood and not at all what I expected football players to be like ... literally gentle giants that liked to laugh and have fun (when not on the field facing their opponents).

Calvin came down to the lobby about 20-30 minutes later and introduced himself to me. I was amazed to see how the players' personalities changed when Calvin appeared. All of a sudden they became quieter and definitely held a lot of respect for him ... When he talked, they listened. He himself was very cordial and had an aura about him that made you realize this man deserved the respect his team was giving him without demanding it in any way.

While I made Calvin up, he told me stories of his life and career as I had informed him that I really wasn't much into sports and honestly I didn't know who he was. He wasn't taken aback by my honesty, quite the contrary. He jokingly said he didn't know anything about me or makeup artistry either, so we were even.

I have to say that my day with Mr. Hill and the Dallas Cowboys was one of the most interesting days I have ever had. To watch them laugh, joke, play pranks on each other, and then immediately go into their "pro mode" and practice or play their game was just like on a movie or TV set ... Professional entertainment at its best!

Damon Charles

Actress

In 1976 I received a phone call asking if I would be interested in doing makeup on Mary Gavin. I said what my rate was and if they would meet that, I would be happy to make up almost anyone. When that was agreed to, I asked who Mary Gavin was. The man on the phone was very vague but said she was a former model coming out of semi-retirement and would need not just face makeup but body makeup too. He said that would be discussed when we met on the day of the photo shoot. I agreed and the day and time were set.

Later that day I was talking with a friend about the phone call I received, and said it seemed a little odd that I had never heard the name of the model before. My friend asked who she was. I said "Mary Gavin". My friend started yelling and jumping up and down excitedly. He said, "Don't you know who she is? ... That's Candy Samples!" I still had no idea who that was. He said he was going to take me to the bookstore to show me pictures of her. He didn't tell me it would be an "Adult Bookstore". When I saw the pictures of her, my comment was, "OUCH!" Her breast were enormous. My friend asked if I was still going to do the makeup? I said if it was just a one-person photo shoot like I was told, I had no problem ... but if it was going to be a sexual thing then I would leave. He said he would just die to be with me the day I did the makeup and even said he'd carry my makeup box. I said NO.

I arrived 20 minutes early on the day of the shoot. It was being shot in a little building on Santa Monica Boulevard, just east of Fairfax Avenue in West Hollywood California. I set up my chair and makeup table with supplies and waited for Mary (Candy) to arrive. About five minutes after I was completely set up, a very little lady in a shawl walked up to me and said, "Hello, I'm Mary." She did not look at all like the woman I saw in the magazine. She was much smaller than I thought she'd be, her hair was mousy brown, and her breasts were totally hidden by her loose flowing shawl. I introduced myself and asked if she would be wearing a wig, or would I also be doing her hair. She laughed and said she never used her own hair, and that she brought a wig that she would style. She seemed very nice. She asked if it would be okay with me if she got totally undressed for the makeup application. I said it would be no problem as I was told I'd be doing body makeup too. While she was getting undressed, I mentioned that my friend said he'd just die to be here today. She asked, "What is he dying from?" I didn't think she heard me right so I repeated the same statement again, and she replied with the same, "What is he dying from?" I realized she didn't get the jest of the conversation and since I did not want to embarrass her, I just said "cancer." She said, "Oh I'm so sorry."

After I made up her face I started on the body. I lifted one breast to apply makeup under it and inadvertently let out a little grunt. It was heavy! We both started laughing. She said her breasts weighed anywhere from 10 to 15 pounds each. I believed it because she had very deep indentations in her shoulders from where her bra straps had dug in from the weight of her breasts. I ended having to do subtle contour makeup in those indentations to make them disappear on camera. When I was done, Mary looked in the mirror and said it was beautiful EXCEPT she wanted to change one thing ... her lips. I was a little shocked because I really do perfect lip shapes. She said they were too perfect for "her" ... meaning "Candy Samples" ... not Mary Gavin. I said it was no problem. She very carefully removed only the lips that I had created and then literally took the orangish-red lipstick she brought and made totally straight lips. No bow or arch ... just straight across. She was happy, and at that point I was happy that my name was not going to be on the photos, credited as doing the makeup. She put on her wig, and within seconds after she combed the wig straight ... there before me was Candy Samples.

And for you guys who keep asking the same question ... YES, they were real!

Damon Charles

Jerry was the main part of the very talented team of "Jeran" Costume Designers. His business and life partner was Randy McLaughlin.

The two of them created some very beautiful and iconic fashions for many stars in the industry.

I met Jerry and Randy when I was in pre-production for my skin and hair care infomercial, The Damon Charles Total Rehydration System. Jerry and Randy offered (at no cost) to loan us three of their highest priced "beaded" gowns for our high fashion models. During the filming of the fashion scene, the models moved swiftly in their turns and spins. As they went through their actions, I would see beads falling or sometimes flying off the gowns. As each bead came off the gowns I would say, "There goes five hundred dollars, a thousand, five thousand, ten thousand ...." (You get the picture.)

Andy and I were friends with Jerry and Randy for many years. So what killed the friendship? What kills most friendships? ... Money!

Andy and I were invited to Jerry and Randy's house for what we were told would be an intimate dinner similar to what we usually did at each other's house. But this time it wasn't dinner and it wasn't intimate. When we arrived there were already about 15 to 20 other people there. All people we knew from the industry, who (supposedly) HAD Money. Jerry and Randy had invited us all over to hear "Their Musical". Yes, they had written a musical and had singers there to perform it for us. In between songs and story lines, Jerry would tell us how much money they needed to get this show onto Broadway. Then Randy would point out the decorated Christmas tree in their living room (it wasn't December) that THEIR fortune teller had told them that MUST remain up until the show opened on Broadway. At that point you could see a lot of people including myself chuckle with disbelief at what was happening. There was to be no dinner. Just a big push to give up our money for a musical project a fortune teller told them would come true, IF ... they left their Christmas tree UP. Well the evening went on and on as no one was willing to give their money for this project. I don't think any of us thought it bad, but it wasn't for Broadway. I think Jerry and Randy lost a lot of friends that night.

Sadly even though Jerry and Randy left their Christmas tree up as they were told to do by the fortune teller, they both died before their project ever got to Broadway. Hmmm, the fortune teller forgot to add that bit of change-in-the-plans.

Damon Charles

Worked with him once in 1983 ... that was enough. Mean, sarcastic, negative, abrupt, and whatever other bad things you could possibly say about a person.

Let's hope he just got out of bed on the wrong side during that time.

Damon Charles

In the 1970's I was doing a very expensive and elite type of hair transplantation procedure besides my makeup work in the film industry. Many of my clients were famous and from the entertainment industry. All but Mr. Blatty were wonderful to work with and on. He was a problem from start to finish ... a prima donna in all terms.

The actual procedure took an initial visit to see if the client were a good match for this type of procedure, a visit to inspect and okay the hair and materials that would be used, a day for the actual procedure, and a followup to make sure all things were in order.

On the initial visit I became acutely aware that Mr. Blatty was homophobic but wanted the procedure, except that he did not want me to touch him too much. I told him that I thought he should consider some other type of procedure and someplace else, but he wouldn't hear of it. I explained that myself, my assistant, and the doctor would all be touching his head a lot. He asked if he could be touched less by me and more by the doctor and my assistant, both whom were females. I said that would be fine.

On the day he came in to have the hair blended specifically for him and have exact measurements made of his scalp, he asked that only my assistant touch him in the measuring, but I could do the hair matching. I complied with his wishes.

On the day of the procedure he reminded me that he wished the assistant and doctor to do most of the procedure even though he knew I was the most qualified to do it. Again, I complied as much as I could, but each time my hand touched his head he froze up, made a gasp, and stayed that way until I took my hand away. When it came to the finishing touches (haircut), it meant that I alone would be doing that. He sat totally frozen and gasping until I was finished. When done, I asked if he liked the look, which shockingly he said yes. He then called over my assistant, gave her a couple hundred dollars in tips for her and the doctor to share. He then turned to me and said, "I do not tip men ... especially gay men," and then left.

He never did come back for his followup visit. That was the only good day for all of us.

I sure hope he got over his phobia of gay people, and at least he did not try to exorcise the "gay" out of me.

Damon Charles

Ted V. Mikels Producer, The Astro-Zombies

How could you not want to meet the guy who produced and directed The Corpse Grinders? Even Ed Wood would be in awe of such a guy.

Well, in the early 1980's I got a phone call from Ted himself asking me to come to his home in Pasadena to talk about doing makeup and effects on a film with him, called The Aftermath. I have no idea how he got my name and number, and I forgot to ask him. I said yes I'd come. However I really was not interested in working with him, but just wanted to meet the man behind such schlock films that made lots of money (especially) in the southern parts of the United States.

I got to his home (which was "castle-like") in the hills of Pasadena California. I thought I was going to be the only person there ... I was wrong. There were about 30 people there, and all that I talked to had said they were going to do his film ... that he didn't do interviews. He just hired you on the phone and you came over for the first production meeting, and that is what this was. Did that mean he thought I was hired because I said I'd come over and talk? ... YES.

For almost an hour we all mingled around downstairs in his living-room and talked. There were quite a few very nice people, and all seemed very excited to get the chance to work on a Ted V. Mikels Production ... it was ALMOST intoxicating.

Then the moment came ... Ted V. Mikels himself appeared at the top of the staircase with two scantily clad, (taller than him) buxom females in his arms. Ted wore skin tight pants, an open vest showing off his chest, and a massive gold chain with some type of big animal tooth hanging from around his neck. His hair was definitely STYLED?, and oh what a mustache ... Huge handlebar mustache like I had never seen other than as a caricature in a play or film. As the three people descended the staircase it seemed almost as if all around me were going to bow in front of him. I was in awe of what was happening around me. Ted went around and introduced himself to each person, but did not ask "your name". After the introductions he then proceeded to talk about the film and what he needed from the people in the room. Not only did he need their services for the job they were to perform, e.g., makeup, wardrobe, props, etc, he was telling them he needed money, food, card tables, chairs, furniture, and the list went on and on. Basically all the people there were supposed to bring anything and everything that would be needed to make a film. You were to mark on the sheet of paper what you would contribute, with no money or reciprocation of any kind being given in return ... You just had to do it if you wanted to work on (now say this in a "Steve Reeves" voice) ... a TED V. MIKELS PRODUCTION! People were filling out paperwork in a frenzy. At this point I just knew I had to get out of there, otherwise I may actually be caught up in the moment and do something foolish ... like actually working on one of his films.

I am not saying that the people there that day were foolish to want to work on his films, nor am I making fun of Mr. Mikels in any way. I actually had a good time talking with the people and seeing who Mr. Mikels was. I found this to be a real eye-opener to how so many people want to be in the entertainment industry, and that they will do almost anything to get into it. Some actually succeed and go on to big productions, but the majority do not. I guess some people will say that any experience is good experience ... I (and most of my friends and colleagues) don't believe slave labor to be so.

Years after this experience, a very funny but sadly accurate film was made showing how a film can be made (not just a pipe-dream) in the same vein that Ted V. Mikels created his ... It was dead-on accurate on how desperate some people are to make, be in, or work on films .... any film. That great film was called "Bowfinger" and starred Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy.

While I give Mr. Mikels kudos to have created an empire of film making for himself, I don't agree with the way it was done. So my suggestion to anyone new to the entertainment industry who did not get to meet or attend a Ted V. Mikels production meeting, and wants to really wants to get into the industry ... PLEASE watch Bowfinger, and then do everything just the opposite of what happens in that film.

You really do have a better chance of success if you listen to those who have already gone on and done well for themselves in this wonderfully fascinating industry, by never working for free ... or better yet, never given more than just their talents to work on a production.

Good luck and hope to see you in the movies.

Damon Charles

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS. Multi-award winning New York Times best selling author of more than 35 books. Author of national best seller books; Radical Metabolism and Radical Longevity. Pretty impressive resume for someone not really in the showbiz world, but considered as one of the leading experts in alternative care of human beings and their health.

Andy and I were lucky enough to meet and become friends with Ann Louise soon after our (too many years too late) escape from California, after finally arriving in the place Ellen Travolta told me about in 2000 as the most beautiful place on earth. Why did it take us so long to believe Ellen and move here? Well we are here, and almost instantly met so many wonderful people like Ann Louise and other interesting people from all walks of life (including a lot of movie and TV professionals) who escaped from wherever they had lived before, and moved to this paradise. Just with that move, and quickly meeting so many wonderful people probably increased our life-span by years, and we know for sure it definitely bettered our health.

Having Ann Louise, her spouse, and their friends as some of our friends, is totally different than most of the friends we had in California who were either from the entertainment industry or the computer technological field where Andy became a highly desired professional business consultant. Now we definitely have more diverse subjects to talk about, more varied age groups to learn from the older and pass on personal/professional knowledge on to the younger generation. There are parties, dinners, and just in general get-together events because we want to spend time and enjoy each other, as opposed to having to do those things in order to network into your next job.

For those of you interested in alternative wellness and care, you can look into her books, and her Ann Louise Gittleman on-line video chats and informative suggestions and comments. Or who knows, one day you may find this paradise on earth, move here, and be lucky enough to meet this gracious lady.

Damon Charles