THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408250192
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
BILLY C. CALHOUN is what is known as an ``overnight'' star. Calhoun plays ``Cousin Ed'' in the Wendy's TV and radio commercials. So far, the ongoing Cousin Ed character appears in seven television commercials and three radio ads. Calhoun has worked for 26 years to be an ``overnight'' success.
Calhoun lives 40 minutes north of New York City, but he spends 200 days a year on the road. This year's schedule brings him to the Outer Banks for appearances in Kill Devil Hills and Corolla.
He's a stand-up comedian and an actor. Actually, Calhoun considers himself a triple threat: comedian, actor and singer.
The funny business is part of his life. ``I was your basic class clown,'' says Calhoun. ``My dad was a big fan of Jackie Gleason, Milton Berle and Mort Sahl, so I absorbed comedy from the masters.''
Calhoun's first professional job was part of an improvisational troupe called Chicago City Limits. In 1978, Calhoun moved to Las Vegas. He says there was no planning. ``I just packed and went.''
Calhoun spent two years in Las Vegas. Most of his work was opening for the bigger comedy stars. Los Angeles was the next stop. Calhoun joined the Screen Actors Guild and hired an agent. The first acting job was in the George Burns film, ``Goin' In Style.''
``It was a good break, but most of my acting debut ended up on the cutting room floor,'' says Calhoun.
That job led to another film role, this time with Paul Newman. The director of the movie, ``Nobody's Fool,'' was looking for someone with a mid '70s-style car. Calhoun, the struggling actor, drove a 1976 Cutlass. Unfortunately, the car was blue. ``The casting director said the only thing in the movie that could be blue were Paul Newman's eyes,'' says Calhoun.
So, Calhoun's car didn't make the movie, but Calhoun did. That led to a part in Leonard Nimoy's movie, ``Funny About Love,'' with Gene Wilder. Billy played a softball umpire.
Calhoun, like most actors in Hollywood, supplemented his income with other jobs. He was part of the Comedy Store Players. That group included Robin Williams. Calhoun appeared in industrial films. One of Calhoun's first TV appearances was on the original ``Dating Game.''
How did he do?
``I won,'' says Calhoun. ``They had the contestant ask questions about good looks and I refused to answer. I said it was sexist.'' Calhoun and his date went to Hawaii - with a chaperone, of course.
Calhoun left Los Angeles in 1988. The next stop was the ``Big Apple.'' In New York City, Calhoun studied acting with William Hickey, a respected acting instructor. He also auditioned for commercials. He landed a few. The money was good, and the work was easy. The money gave Calhoun the freedom to act in a number of Off-Broadway productions. Last year, Calhoun auditioned for seven commercials.
One of the auditions was for Wendy's. The casting director found Calhoun the perfect fit for the character of Cousin Ed.
Calhoun's dream is to do a situation comedy.
``Acting is really my first love, and a regular job would be nice,'' Calhoun says.
For now, Calhoun works the comedy circuit 200 days a year. His material is mostly about life on the road. Calhoun interacts with his audience.
``I ask what people do for a living,'' says Calhoun. ``It usually leads to a story.''
Calhoun does impressions. He breaks into Archie Bunker, Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone and James Mason as we talk.
Every show ends with a blues song - written on the spot. There's a piano on his stage every night. Audience members suggest the song ideas, and Calhoun takes it from there.
``I love singing the blues,'' says Calhoun. ``It's a great way to combine comedy and good night.'' MEMO: WHERE & WHEN
Who: Billy Calhoun
Where: Comedy Room
When:
Monday-Sunday, Holiday Inn, Kill Devil Hills
Monday-Friday, Finely Ron's, Corolla. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Wendy's commercial star Billy C. Calhoun considers himself a triple
threat - a a stand-up comedian, actor and singer.
by CNB