Why I Love Hollywood
Discover Hollywood Special Report by Dean Cain
H
ollywood is the land of make-believe, of hopes and dreams, of inspiration and discovery—a world where anything and everything is possible. There are literally millions of people who stroll the world-renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame each year, and marvel at their favorite stars, their handprints, their stories. People line these hallowed streets to watch the Hollywood Christmas Parade every winter. There’s so much I love about Hollywood, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Everyone knows the familiar story of the young starry-eyed actor who took off for the bright lights of Hollywood, only to return to their hometown, tail between their legs, ego dimmed, pride bruised, heartbroken. But there’s always the story of that one hopeful who—against all odds—made their dreams come true. It’s limitless possibilities, and that’s Hollywood! I was raised in Malibu and grew up in Hollywood. My dad is a film director, and my mom is an actress. I literally grew up on film sets, and thought it was completely normal— everyone did it! I grew up with many young actors who would later become very famous: Sean Penn, Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, Holly Robinson, Rob Lowe, and others. My immediate dreams, however, involved college and football. After graduating from Princeton University, I had a short stint in the NFL, but a knee injury cut that story short. I returned to LA, screenwriting and pounding the pavement like countless others. In 1993, I got my big break: Lois and Clark hit and for four seasons I was honored to play Clark Kent/Superman. My career has been incredibly varied and busy and wonderful since then. What few people outside “the business” understand, is that for every “movie star” there are literally thousands of hard-working, incredibly professional folks whose job it is to make these stars look good. They come from all walks of life; all colors, shapes and sizes, and they’re among the most dedicated and ingenious people I’ve ever met. They deserve most of the credit for making us actors look good. I studied history at Princeton and wrote my thesis on the Motion Picture Academy. I learned then that Hollywood is constantly evolving. Today, technology is improving at an unimaginable pace, and there are more and more places to watch movies and television shows. It’s been said that Hollywood’s borders are worldwide, and that’s true— but Hollywood is still the center of the entertainment universe. Sound stages are buzzing, and the industry is humming along right where it started over 100 years ago. Perhaps the greatest export America has is its culture, and that comes directly from Hollywood. As I travel all over the world, I see how Hollywood affects even the most remote places on Earth. Everyone knows our films and television shows, because the stories we tell are universal. I love Hollywood, and once again, I am thrilled to co-host the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Just like my favorite Christmas film of all time, whenever I’m in Hollywood, I think, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” DH december 29
saturday
Rockwell: Table & Stage Drag Brunch! 1pm Theatre West Storybook Theatre Presents Snow White & the Seven Dwarves 1pm Rockwell: Table & Stage Ross Mathews Dragtastic Bubbly Brunch 12pm
Catalina Jazz Club Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band 8:30pm
january 4
Hollywood Farmers' Market Hollywood Farmers Market 8am
Rockwell: Table & Stage Rockwell New Years Eve: The Hedwig Horror Picture Show 8:30pm
Hudson Mainstage Theatre Soul Crushing Disco Ball 8pm
Fairfax High School Melrose Trading Post 9am
Groundling Theatre The Groundlings New Year's Eve Spectacular 9pm
Pantages Theatre Wicked: The Musical 8pm
december 30
sunday
Pantages Theatre Wicked: The Musical 1&6:30pm
friday
Rockwell: Table & Stage Scissorhands: A Musical Inspired by the Film 8pm
Universal Studios Hollywood EVE 2019 9pm
Pantages Theatre Wicked: The Musical 2&8pm
Rockwell: Table & Stage Scissorhands: A Musical Inspired by the Film 12pm
Whisky A-Go-Go Faster Pussycat 9pm
The Complex (Ruby Theatre) A Misunderstanding 8pm
The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center Gregg Young & the 2nd St. Band 6pm
The Complex (Dorie Theatre) Yes, Virginia 3pm
Zephyr Theatre Wink 8pm
American Cinematheque at Egyptian Theatre 2001: A Space Odyssey 7:30pm
january 1
Theatre of NOTE Special 5pm
American Cinematheque at Egyptian Theatre Mondo Cult Film Variety Showcase: Dystopia 7:30pm Rockwell: Table & Stage Scissorhands: A Musical Inspired by the Film 8pm The Complex (Dorie Theatre) Yes, Virginia 8pm Theatre of NOTE Special 8pm Whisky A-Go-Go Quiet Riot 8pm Zephyr Theatre Wink 8pm
Zephyr Theatre Wink 3pm The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center Gregg Young & the 2nd St. Band 6pm American Cinematheque at Egyptian Theatre 2001: A Space Odyssey 7:30pm Whisky A-Go-Go Adler's Appetite 8pm
december 31
monday
Plummer Park West Hollywood Farmers Market 9am
Catalina Jazz Club Erich Bergen 8:30pm
Los Angeles Zoo L.A. Zoo: Family New Year's Eve 6pm
Hollywood Palladium Jamie Jones b2b the Martinez Brothers 9pm
The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center Gregg Young & the 2nd St. Band 6pm
The Fonda An Evening with Puddles Pity Party 9pm Broadwater Second Stage Serial Killers 11pm
Theatre of NOTE Special 8pm
tuesday
Largo at the Coronet Jeff Tweedy 8:30pm
The Dome Arclight Entertainment Center Gregg Young & the 2nd St. Band 6pm Pantages Theatre Wicked: The Musical 8pm
january 5
january 2
Theatre West Storybook Theatre Presents Snow White & the Seven Dwarves 1pm
wednesday
Pantages Theatre Wicked: The Musical 2&8pm
Pantages Theatre Wicked: The Musical 8pm
january 3
saturday
Hudson Mainstage Theatre Soul Crushing Disco Ball 8pm
thursday
Rockwell: Table & Stage Scissorhands: A Musical Inspired by the Film 8pm
Pantages Theatre Wicked: The Musical 2&8pm LACE (Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions) Take My Money/Take My Body 7pm
The Complex (Ruby Theatre) A Misunderstanding 8pm Theatre of NOTE Special 8pm
Theatre of NOTE Special 8pm
Zephyr Theatre Wink 8pm
The Broadwater Fast & Loose 8pm
Largo at the Coronet Jeff Tweedy 8:30pm
The Roxy Adelitas Way 9pm
Theatre of NOTE Special 8pm
The Broadwater Studio The League of Fools 9pm
Calendar continues page 43
WINTER 2018 / DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD 41
