A famous actor went from living in a $150-a-month “flophouse” in New York to a peaceful farm life with his famous wife. Their story shows how hard work and showbiz dreams can be appealing.
As a child in a small town, he would act out movie scenes and dress up as his favorite movie characters. He developed his artistic side with the help of an old clothes box that his mother used for costumes.
When he was 22, he went to New York City in 1976. He didn’t have much money, but he had big plans. After living with his sister for months, he found a cheap “artist’s residence” in the Village Voice.
In the middle of the city’s chaos, the simple flat he shared with a pianist was his safe place. During the day, he would look for acting jobs on the street, and at night, he would practice at Circle in the Square Theater School.
His struggles as a child made him strong-willed. He thought about it years later and said, “I craved authenticity, life, and art.” Keep going, and you’ll get important parts on TV and in movies.
Fame brought him together with an actress who was just as good. They got married and became a well-liked couple in Hollywood, but they chose a normal, country life over fame.
Their farm turned into a safe place with animals, gardens, and fresh food. He jokes a lot about how he found happiness in the country after having tried to become famous.
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When the star thinks back on his life, he says that living in New York taught him to be strong, creative, and humble. “That flophouse keeps me grounded,” he points out.
His story is an example because it shows how important it is to keep going even when things get hard.
