Golly Mr. Kent! Jimmy Olsen replies

Marc McClure

Reference date: June 28th



Marc McClure, the very talented actor who is best known for playing Superman's photographer sidekick Jimmy Olsen in the 1978 Richard Donner film, "Superman" starring Christopher Reeve, was nice enough to answer my questions about building an acting career. In addition to his work as Jimmy Olsen (he holds the record for appearing in "Superman" films, he did all four, plus the "Supergirl" spinoff) he played Marty McFly's brother in the "Back to the Future" films, as well as featured roles in "Apollo 13", "Freaky Friday" and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."

This was his email reply to my letter:



Hey Chris,

Marc McClure here...Thanks for the nice words and I hope life is treating you well.

Your questions of dealing with the business...I've always told people to be at the right place at the right time and what that means is being open to all the opportunities that come your way.

It may be your parents sending you out to mail a letter and a dog bites your leg and on the way to the hospital the ambulance runs out of gas and a good samaritan offers to take you the rest of the way and he has a daughter who works for Larry, the casting director, who just happens to be looking for someone to replace an actor who was let go because he was allergic to the hamster his character carried on his shoulder to pick up chicks....so after getting shots for the dog bite, you go down to meet Larry the casting guy. He tells you sorry, he's found a guy but he'll keep you in mind and as your leaving his office you remember you haven't mailed your moms letter yet....you find a mail box, drop it in and notice trash littered on the sidewalk and you feel bad people aren't looking after our planet.

My advice after all this is there are no accidents. The universe is constantly teaching. Be grateful to all the lessons in a day,good or bad. Just know it's all about the lessons, and if acting is what you feel.. REALLY FEEL... then that is where you'll be. Interviews are opportunities for the future.

Best of Luck from your inspired role model, Marc McLure

P.S You ended up getting coverage from the dogs owner to pay for your hospital visit and when you cashed the check, you treated yourself to a new pair of shoes ...you recognized the guy helping you...he was in a play you saw 4 years prior and he tells you about an open mike night that he does on Tuesdays...so you ask yourself why did this just happen?? The dog that bit you needs to be thanked, your mother for having you go mail a letter needs to be thanked and for just getting out of bed that day, you should thank yourself.. for recognizing that all things matter.


I sent him a thank you email immediately afterwards.