By Dave Montalbano
AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com
Thirty two years ago, bad boy Dustin Hoffman accepted his first Oscar for Kramer vs. Kramer on behalf of all actors.
Being a Dillard School of Performing Arts acting student, I thanked Dustin in the journal we were required to write to my teacher, Mary Helen Rassi.
The next day in class, Ms. Rassi acknowledged Dustin’s passionate speech. However, she focused on several Broadway performers who thought they “had it made” when they were featured on A Chorus Line. When their careers did not evolve, some of these performers suffered nervous breakdowns and turned to substance abuse. To quote my mentor from this day, April 15, 1980:
“It is important to be successful, but it is even more important to know your own success.”
Those words have been a comfort to me, given my inability to win an Oscar in the past 32 years.
After reviewing my experiences in the entertainment fields, I’ve realized that much of the glitz and glamour are synthetic by-products.
My joy has been creating the actual product, whether writing, directing, producing, acting or research-and-development. My Dad taught this value to me.
During my “unemployment years,” I was getting frustrated watching some unscrupulous people succeed in the entertainment and educational fields. At my brother’s request, I went to house-sit, which lasted six months with no television. The highlight was working with my dad for several weeks.
We did simple repairs, upping the value of the house by $10,000. He reminded me of the carpenter’s motto, “Measure twice, cut once” and that there are no shortcuts to success.
Since that time, I have been blessed with steady income and many conversations with my parents.
Starting in his 70s, my dad became a master model boat builder, the culmination of his craft, talent and experience over the years, with a mindset rivaling the likes of Michelangelo and Da Vinci.
Coverage of the Oscars seemed to focus more on the red carpet and less on the artistic success of The Artist and Hugo, which reminded me of Mrs. Rassi’s words from 32 years ago.
On the other hand, my dad has been happily married for 65 years, raised three kids with master’s degrees, mentors his five grandchildren and quietly turned 90 this week.
My Dad has lived by example and I love him for that.
