(small thread)

In the 90s, there was a commercial casting in Seattle and tons of male actors, including me, were brought in to audition for “delighted husband who gets a bagel with Smuckers jam in exchange for putting on a roof.”

There were two lines: “a bagel just for putting on a roof?” and “a bagel just for putting on a roof.”

The guy had to be friendly but not extroverted, simple but not dumb. Warm but not effusive. And you had to instantly love the guy. It was a surprisingly narrow needle to thread.

I think I read twice, other guys read over and over for days. The casting director could not get the read they wanted. Finally, word spread around that it was cast. Jim Chesnutt got it. Everyone was like, of course.

Watch this:

Jim died of cancer this week. I never knew him well but he was one of those people who brought light and happiness into any room.
I’ve learned that those people are to be cherished and honored and remembered.
And given bagels when they put on roofs.