Hollywood Studio Magazine (September 1972)

(a new feature by Jess L. Hoaglin) Brian Cutler-a name to remember It is quite understandable that Hollywood has always been the place where one would find many young people, all aspiring to become actors and actresses. With the advent of television even more have travelled to the land of “make believe.” Of course, we all know that only a very few make the grade, but it is always interesting to follow the careers of those who do and there are many fans and friends spending a great deal of their time doing this as a hobby. This writer must confess to be of that vast majority. Over the years it has been an interesting outlet if you wish to call it that, but more important and satisfying is to realize you may have helped in some small way to further the careers of your favorites. In substance, this all brings me up to the young actor I introduce in this story. No doubt many of you know of him and perhaps many of you have been following his career much longer than I. In that case all I can say is hooray, for we all know that fans are most important to the young actors and actresses. Last fall while relaxing and watching one of my favorite television shows, “Cannon,” I noticed a young fellow in a certain scene and he stood out like a sore thumb. And that’s some standing out when William Conrad, the star, happened to be in the same scene. In checking the cast lists I discovered the young actor’s name to be BRIAN CUTLER. The name did strike home. I had seen it before but I could not remember the incident. So, I decided to do a bit of research and I might add, the following months of checking about one Brian Cutler proved very interesting. I like to think we have become friends since then, for it was a pleasant task ferreting out information about him. Brian decided to be an actor at the tender age of five. “While most children my age” according to Brian, “were stumbüng through the alphabet and happy to find their way home from school I already had direction.” When asked how he had come to that decision he smiled and answered: “I don’t know, but I do remember my mother listened and after checking to find the best dramatic schools enrolled me in the Young Actors Company. By the time I was eight I was active in the Peter Pan Players and when I reached the age of fourteen, when most of my friends were worrying about the Little League I had joined the Players Ring group and the ‘major league’.” Brian was also a member of the Theatre II Repertoire Company and here his credits included stage performances in “Diary of Anne Frank,” ‘‘Winged Victory,” “Ah! Wilderness,” “Brigadoon,” “Music Man,” “King and I” and “Roar of the Greasepaint” to name a few. Soon after he was seen in roles in a number of motion pictures including “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Beach Ball” and “Catalina Capers” and followed this with parts in a long list of television series, such as “Cannon” which brings us to the point where I first spotted him. A sensational background for such a young actor. In addition he was a semi-regular on The Donna Reed Show and “Long Hot Summer.” But for Brian acting became a six-month-a-year job. At the present time he is completing his Master’s in clinical work in Speech Therapy, an interest brought about by a former director at the Players Ring. A native Californian, Brian has travelled extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Following 21 months’ Service in Viet Nam in the Navy, he returned to the States to tour with the New Christy Minstrels as middle man. In addition to his mastery of the performing arts he relaxes by painting, sculpturing and playing the guitar. When meeting a person for the first time Brian says, “I notice their eyes, for eyes are the only living organism that can be observed without a microscope and by really looking at a person’s eyes you can teil if they are happy or unhappy, nervous or calm.” Summing this all up it seems to me that Brian Cutler is a most unusual fellow. He works hard at his craft and what he loves most: acting and singing. He has determination and eventually that factor will pay off handsomely. This fall he will be doing the lead in “Blow Your Horn” at the Tiffany-Attic Dinner Playhouse in Kansas City, Mo. We expect great things to happen in the months and years ahead for Brian Cutler — a name to remember, and we like to think we told you so! *** 39