The world lost a great this week, actor Tony Curtis. I have been a fan of his for as long as I can remember. The first role I remember him in was as Yul Brynner's son in Taras Bulba, I thought he was the handsomest man I had ever seen.
Decades later when I started to write my series and was trying to decide how my characters would look, I ran through my mental images to find people who looked as I imagined my cast would. As soon as Raf stepped out of my mind and onto my page I had the perfect image of the man to play him, Tony Curtis, as I had seen him all those years ago. The perfect man, beyond handsome, beautiful. I even took some of his zanier roles to mind when I came up with Raf's flamboyant style. Who could forget Some Like it Hot or Operation Petticoat?
I have told people Raf looks like a young Tony Curtis channeling Richard Simmons, meaning no disrespect to either. I love Richard's tiny shorts and wonderful, helpful and yes, flamboyant attitude. Tony was and will always be my idea of perfection. In my stories Raf discovers his heritage, one that includes wings. I am sure Tony has them now as well.
My heart goes out to his family and fans around the world. He was a great man, a wonderful actor, and my inspiration. He will be missed.
Decades later when I started to write my series and was trying to decide how my characters would look, I ran through my mental images to find people who looked as I imagined my cast would. As soon as Raf stepped out of my mind and onto my page I had the perfect image of the man to play him, Tony Curtis, as I had seen him all those years ago. The perfect man, beyond handsome, beautiful. I even took some of his zanier roles to mind when I came up with Raf's flamboyant style. Who could forget Some Like it Hot or Operation Petticoat?
I have told people Raf looks like a young Tony Curtis channeling Richard Simmons, meaning no disrespect to either. I love Richard's tiny shorts and wonderful, helpful and yes, flamboyant attitude. Tony was and will always be my idea of perfection. In my stories Raf discovers his heritage, one that includes wings. I am sure Tony has them now as well.
My heart goes out to his family and fans around the world. He was a great man, a wonderful actor, and my inspiration. He will be missed.
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