I went to my monthly Screen Actors Guild (the union I don't belong to, even though I'm eligible because of Rat Race...there's not enough union work) workshop. The guest was a stuntman (double for Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump, Harrison Ford in Raiders, and others) and his wife, an actress on "Days of Our Lives" soap opera. On a break I told her it would be cool to have a guest appearance by Santa Claus by a professional actor who could do Santa's actor character as well. She said that was a great idea and why don't I send my headshot and resume to the casting director along with a testimonial sheet from people who like my Santa gig. But she didn't have the address, so I gave her my double head shot (me regular and as Santa), got her email addiesaid I'd follow up. She volunteered her cell number, so I was hopeful.
I emailed her the next day and attached a couple of mybest Santa pictures. and thought that would be the end of it. You know how those things go...nowhere. But two days later she returned the email:
"I have told her [casting director] about you... so send away! The pictures are great!"
Cool. So I put together the tesimonials and head shots and overnighted them to her to arrive Monday, Dec. 22. That's probably the end of it, but it's fun to get that close. Maybe next time...
Here are the testimonials, just for the record:
“John is a solid member of our resident company of actors and just happens to be the greatest Santa Claus you’ve ever seen. Our current client is totally ecstatic about having “Santa John” performing for thousands of families in a prime Las Vegas location. He’s so real he has adults believing in Santa!”
Dan Decker, Creative Director, Las Vegas Playhouse
“We hire a Santa every year for several activities and John Hanks is without a doubt the best one we’ve ever had. He not only looks the part, his Santa persona is spot on so engaging. The kids just love him!”
Christie Garness, Event Planner, City of Las Vegas
“It was a shock when John showed up at our family party as Santa. One of the older boys who had been tentative on Santa, went home and told his mother: ‘Santa really is real, I believe in Santa again!’ He sat down and quickly wrote a letter to Santa telling him what wanted for Christmas. John’s the best!”
Ashley Hall, former Las Vegas City Manager
“When we hired John Hanks to be Santa at our family Christmas party, we had no idea we had hired the real Santa. The photos we took were amazing and John had the kids spellbound as he asked them if they had been good this year and what they wanted Santa to bring them. It made a believer out of young and old alike. Our ten year old daughter said, ‘I think that was the real Santa Claus. Do you think he will come to our Christmas party next year, too?’”
Howard and Cristi Bulloch, Mother
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