Oct 7, 2014
Bob & Suzanne have a candid and free-wheeling conversation with
Paul Petersen, once a child actor and pop music teen idol,
now a prominent social activist and prolific novelist, and the
driving force behind "A Minor Consideration" working on
behalf of young performers everywhere.
Breaking into show business as one of the original
Mousketeers on Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club, Petersen went on to
a co-starring role on one of the most iconic television series of all time,
The Donna Reed Show, playing what he describes as
“the classic gap-toothed wisecracking younger brother”.
Paul recalls the professional acting lessons he learned performing
opposite movie greats Cary Grant and Sophia Loren in Houseboat,
and then from Emmy-winner Carl Betz and Oscar-winner Donna Reed
on The Donna Reed Show.
He then shares the gritty real-world of Hollywood studio casting
when The Donna Reed Show went off the air after eight years,
and he suddenly went from young star to struggling actor.
Articulate and painfully honest, Paul pulls no punches,
telling his story with compelling intelligence and honesty.
You won’t forget hearing about the day that Hollywood legend
Mickey Rooney literally showed up unannounced at his doorstep
to give him the keys to a successful and fulfilling life.
What follows is a story of strength, stamina, and
personal transformation. The lessons Paul Petersen shares
on this podcast should be heard by every “stage mother”
and by all talented kids with dreams of
making “the bigtime” in Hollywood.
This is the story of a "kid with talent" who became
an iconic television star and international teen idol...
and then walked into the halls of academe and a career as
a novelist and social activist. It's a tale as dramatic and compelling as
any of Paul's TV and movie roles...and it’s rooted in
the bottom-line reality of show business.
If you’ve ever worked in the entertainment industry...or if
you have dreams of someday breaking into television,
movies, or music at the professional level, this interview with
Paul Petersen is no to be missed!