Keeping up with Nick Ayler

The first time I saw shots of Nick Ayler was back in 2009 when Hans Fahrmeyer sent me shots from his most recent shoot with Nick. Instantly it was clear there was something special about this man. Besides being one of the hottest models, Nick is a also a talented singer, actor and DJ. What impressed me most about Nick was how driven he was. Nick worked hard to get his career jump started and was generous to in providing FH with material and information. Since 2009 Nick has been someone I feature as often as I can!


Above: Two of my favorite shots of Nick by Jin Wang

Nick's hard work and determination has led to Nick heading to head of the class. The past year has had Nick featured in numerous campaigns, calendars, magazine covers (DNA by Richard Gerst), book covers (ONE by David Arnot)and much much more!

After a move from New York to CA last year new opportunities presented themselves including a role in the new series Hollywood Boys. Hollywood Boys is just getting off the ground but if you want to jump on board from the beginning you check check out the official site HERE: I will feature more as the series progresses.

California has also provided Nick the opportunity to explore one of his main loves, music. Nick DJ's every Saturday and recently began a new Facebook Page and Website to feature his work. Check out his latest, The Contradiction Mix HERE:

Below:
The cast of Hollywood Boys by Scott Hoover.

Favorite Reason To Visit The North Pole: Ivan Sergei

I don't think I have ever seen the 2006 tv movie Santa Baby in it's entirety. But...Every time the Jenny McCarthy flick appears on television I do have to stop to enjoy the beauty that is actor Ivan Sergei.



Ivan go his big break in John Woo's 1996 film Once A Thief. Ivan, along with most of the cast returned to join the 1997 tv show based on the film. That show only lasted one season but Ivan was not out of work for long. Ivan has been seen on television in stints on Jack & Jill, Charmed, Gravity, and Crossing Jordan. On the big screen he has had roles in The Break-Up, The Opposite Of Sex and Scorched. The next time Santa Baby airs, I really must sit down and watch the whole thing...



Below: Ivan in Gravity.

Favorite Stage Actor Of The Day: Kevin Anderson

I, like most of you was introduced to actor Kevin Anderson in 1991's Sleeping With The Enemy. Enemy was Julia Roberts first lead role after making a huge impact in Steel Magnolias, Pretty Woman and Mystic Pizza. I was about 15 when I went to see Enemy at the theatre an I remember thinking Kevin was cute but an odd choice for Julia's leading man. Looking back it is obvious why the producers went with Kevin. He look and presentation was a sharp contrast to that of Patrick Bergin and the movie needed a love interest for Julia who was non-threatening and Anderson's Ben was just that.



Kevin actually got his big break in film in 1993 in Risky Business.

'Yet his real career breakthrough came after appearing in the Steppenwolf production of Lyle Kessler's play ORPHANS**, when Kevin gained national critical acclaim for his riveting performance as the semi literate, frenetic brother, "Phillip." He moved with the play to New York, and then went on to reprise his role opposite Albert Finney at Hampstead and Apollo Theatre in 1986 and in the film version directed by the late Alan J. Pakula.'
Source:



I recently finished Patti Lupone's memoir and was reminded of Kevin's talent during the chapters she discussed her time in London with Sunset Boulevard. Kevin co-starred along side Patti (although left the production before she was let go). Kevin has always had an eclectic array of credits both on screen on stage. Besides Sunset, Kevin has appeared on stage in productions including Twelfth Night, Pal Joey, Orpheus Descending, Death of a Salesman, I Never Sang for My Father and Come Back, Little Sheba.

Lupone, who puts Andrew Lloyd Webber through the ringer has nothing but good things to say about Anderson. I recommend Patti's book, a quick read full of lot of honest comments about the business. Although she likes Kevin, for the most part Patti does appear to dislike almost everyone else she has worked with. I do however appreciate her take on Webber, who although has had his fair share of hits, has also has some highly publicized misses. Sunset joins the ranks of Starlight Express and the recent Phantom remake as some of the stages biggest flops. Sunset kept from being a total failure only due it's incredible score and a couple of it's signature songs which have outlived the musical itself.



Below:
Kevin currently is on stage in London in The Shawshank Redemption at The Wyndham's Theatre.

Above: With Reg E Cathey.


Above: with Ronan Raftery.



Below: Kevin in the film version of Orphans (1987).


Below: Kevin in The Doe Boy (2001).


Below:
Kevin With Julia Roberts in Sleeping With The Enemy (1991).






Below: With Patti Lupone in Sunset Boulevard





Currently as stated Kevin is on stage in London in The Shawshank Production. Anderson won the 1999 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play and was nominated for a Tony Award for the revival of Death of a Salesman. Anderson's tv credits include Nothing Sacred and Skin. You can check out the only site on Anderson I could find (A good one, but not update in awhile) HERE:

Kevin in The Wrong Man (1993)

Publicity Shot above via Nudesploitation.

Below:
Thanks to Scenes Of Male Skin for the flim clip

Death Becomes Him:

Over the past few weeks, with Halloween on the horizon, many of the cable stations that play old movies and tv shows have of course been showing their Ghostly themed offerings. While flicking last weekend the idea for this post began to come together. In 1992, Meryl Streep starred in one of the movies that had me begin to worry about her choices, Death Becomes Her which co-starred Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis. (although no movie had me worry as much as the horrid She-Devil).

Now Death Becomes Her is no classic but there is something about the subject matter, the premise that makes me understand why the talented cast signed on. while the execution and final product left a lot to be desired, the search to turn back the aging process and have eternal youth is a subject that at one time or another has intrigued us all.



In the movie, the wonderful Isabella Rossellini (who really has the best role comes off better than her co-stars) is the keeper of a secret potion that when taken ensures eternal youth. Of course this must come with a price tag as Streep, Hawn and Willis very quickly find out.



After watching for about 40 minutes I flicked over to find the Halloween episode (A very fine hour of televison if you have not seen it) of the truly special short lived 1994 series My So Called Life. As always, the face, and oh the eyes of the beautiful Jared Leto as Jordon Catalano drew me in. Jared, as Jordon was the 'good' bad boy, troubled but not rotten, adorable and most importantly, salvageable.

Many are critical of Leto for his weight and habit of taking on roles that go against his beauty. It is pretty clear why. Leto, as you can see from this 1990 photo shoot was beyond a good looking kid. I am sure his looks got him a lot of attention, much of it positive. Although I am sure his looks got him in the door, for a teenage boy, I can imagine there was also a fair share of unwelcome attention. It is one thing to be an 18 year old guy who is considered 'hot'. It is quite another to be that same guy and be considered beautiful. It is understandable then why Leto, since My So Called Life, has taken on ugly, unlikable characters which showcase his considerable acting abilities over his appearance. It is also clear why he may come across as quite unlikable at times in person. Leto is one of those actors who no matter what you think of is incredibly talented and immensely fascinating.




4 shots of Jared above by Joseph Santoro (1990)

Leto is also one of those actor who does not seem to age. Despite his frequent changing and appearance (and weight for roles), despite his attempts at the grunge look for his band, or treatment of his body looks like he might have had a visit himself with Rossellini' Lisle von Rhoman somewhere around the year 2000. Although there are signs of Leto's life style on his face, his body and overall appearance remain similar to his appearance in the earl 1990's. I am not sure I can think of any other actor who has remained so unchanged over a 20 year period. It might be potion, it also might be the blue eyes. They shine in each of his pictures, regardless of age.

Below: Jared a couple of years ago.



Jared has not acted in the last year or two, instead he has focused on his music with his band, 30 Seconds to Mars.

Jared (2010)
Shots by Shamil Tanna.

Christopher Schram: Requited

Above: Christopher by Zeke Zeke.

"How do you get over something you never had?"

Back in May when I first profiled actor and model Christopher Schram I wrote:
" Christopher is about to take on one of his biggest roles in a short film due to start shooting in the next few weeks."

That film, Requited is completed and Christopher tells me he is very excited about it. 'I think it's going to be a special film.' The producer, Sal Bardo (who also wrote and directed the film), has submitted it to several film festivals, and is updating the site with news and screening information.

Below: Christopher by Jade Photography.


Below: Christopher by Jin Wang.



"Requited is a multi-layered love story. It explores perpetual love, new love, self love, longing, loss and the ability to let go. My heart beats faster just thinking about this film."
Christopher Schram

Christopher in Requited:


REQUITED:

Written, Produced & Directed by Sal Bardo

Director of Photography.........Jonathan Wing
Assistant Director...................Pele Kudren
Gaffer & Assistant Camera.....Bayan Mogharabi
Set Decorator......................Caroline Pham
Sound Mixer............................Eric Perez
Makeup.................................Tara Drake
Editor............................Jacob LaMendola
Sound Design.........................David Briggs

After several years working as an actor in New York City, Sal Bardo is making his directorial debut with Requited. Sal attended New York University for music and Herbert Berghof Studio for acting. His recent acting roles include the New York premiere of Juan Mayorga's Way to Heaven (Himmelweg) (currently running off-Broadway) and the independent feature films Motel Americana Vol. 2 and Eulogy for a Vampire.
From Requited Website



"How do you get over something you never had?"
When I read this quote I was instantly intrigued by Requited. I am not sure about the rest of you, but I remember when in school, there there were guys who I crushed over, some I barely knew, some who were good friends, all straight, who I longed to be closer to, to be in an intimate relationship with. Although this relationship never actually happened, never actually existed, it's ability to deliver pain was still very much all too real.

I think this is especially true for those who, for whatever reason, are not able to be who they are really are. It was not until about 10 years ago, in my twenties when I finally came out that this began to diminish. I cannot say it went away completely, I am not sure it ever does. I think we all can think of someone, some time in our life that we look back on in this way.



Check Out Christpher's official website HERE:
Check out Christopher on FH HERE:



Requited also stars Max Rhyser, Matthew Watson and Crystal Arnette. Check out the trailer below and be sure to stop by and visit the Official Requited Website HERE:

Requited Trailer from Sal Bardo on Vimeo.

Pic Series Of The Day: Derek Allen Watson by Zeke Photographpy

Zeke Photography has photographed some of my favorite men who I have profiled on FH, and now Derek Allen Watson. When I profiled Zeke's work earlier this year I described it this way:

When I was researching more of Zeke's work I could think of no better word to describe it than classy. For some reason I did not like this word and did not feel it did Zeke's work justice. Then, the more I thought about what classy actually means, the adjective began to fit. Classy: Stylish, admirably smart, elegant and superior. These words fit the men and women shot by Zeke. Zeke's use of lighting as well as both simple interior backgrounds and elaborate interior and exterior locations, Zeke's images show great respect for his subjects. Zeke shoots many models for modeling agencies throughout New York he also skillfully uses fashion in his work.

Certainly this applies to Zeke's work with Derek and I love Derek in front of the architecture and brick in New York City.

Check out Zeke Photography on Facebook:
Check out Zeke Photography's Blog HERE:



I have featured Actor and model Derek Allen Watson many times on FH. Derek is one of those guys who I truly admire and respect. Derek has no pretense which I love. He knows the road to success in the business has ups and downs. Whether it be modeling underwear for the Fearless Project or getting kicked in the balls by Betty White on SNL, Derek is in it for the long haul. One of Derek's latest roles was in 'The In Between' which got a lot of buzz over the summer at festivals and screenings. If you did not check out my more in depth profile of Derek earlier this year, please check it out HERE:



Check out Derek on Facebook HERE:
Check out Derek on Twitter HERE:

Derek tells me if he reaches a certain number of twitter followers he just might get naked!