The first time I saw Barry Bostwick on the big screen, he knocked my socks off. Playing a wannabe songwriter in Movie/Movie, he demonstrated triple-threat star potential with his exuberant singing, dancing, and acting talent. That was way back in the 1970s. Since then, he's made quite a name for himself in films, television, and live theater. With two new movies (Skulls 3 and Swing) on the way plus his upcoming hosting gig for PBS's A Capitol Fourth 2003, he's still going strong.

Speaking on the phone from his home in Rockland County, New York, Bostwick told me he had no regrets about choosing a career in show biz. "There's nothing else I could do," he declared. "From the earliest age, I knew there was no other pathway to personal fulfillment for me. I had no talents for anything else. I was an average 'C' student and even flunked French in college."

Before originating the role of Danny Zuko (played by John Travolta on film) in Broadway's Grease, Bostwick went to college in San Diego at California Western University. He took professional theater courses taught by people from the Pasadena Playhouse. "In the 60s, if you wanted to be an actor, you couldn't do just one thing," he explained. "So I learned things like clown work, juggling - circus arts, and so forth. Later, I even appeared in a Rock Opera with Richard Gere." 

Early in his career, Bostwick co-starred with Susan Sarandon in the film version of the cult musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It's not surprising he did such a good job, but Sarandon had no previous musical background, so I asked if he helped her with her vocal numbers. "She never needs help," he replied. "She's such a natural talent. Although she was a bit nervous about singing, she stepped up to the plate and delivered." According to Bostwick, the two were friends before filming started. "In fact, we auditioned together for it. We were sent up by the casting agent who was a good friend of mine. He said, 'You guys would be perfect together.' So we went -- and got the parts."  

Perhaps best known for playing the clueless mayor on TV's Spin City, Bostwick has received many honors for his work, including a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor Award for the TV miniseries War and Remembrance, a Tony nomination as Best Actor in a Musical for Grease, and a Tony Award in the same category for The Robber Bridegroom. 

His favorite role? "Each one is so different, but the one that really affected me the most was George Washington in the 11-hour TV miniseries," he stated. "I carried away life lessons from that role and became a different person. I began to reflect on my own spirit of daring, sense of courage and patriotism. I related a lot with him and walked away a better, richer human being. His reticence, stand-offishness, and sense of duty resonated with me, and in my small life, I was inspired by his qualities."

Bostwick certainly needed some of those qualities, especially courage, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few years ago. He decided on surgery, and is now dedicated to getting information out about the importance of early cancer detection. He recently received the "Gilda Radner Award" for his efforts. "Every man over 40 should have a PSA test each year," he insists. "It's easy to do and can save lives. It saved my life."  He also highly recommends colonoscopies for adults very four years.   
 
Happily, Bostwick still has some musical irons in the fire. "I'll have the chance to do a production number on A Capitol Fourth," he said. This will be his sixth time hosting the annual holiday star-studded concert which, this year, is a tribute to composer John Williams and features Erich Kunzel conducting the National Symphony Orchestra as well as  appearances by Dolly Parton, Kristin Chenoweth, Earl Scruggs, and The Chieftains. "And I do a little dancing in Swing, a fun movie about the Swing Era," he added enthusiastically. 

Here's one fan who won't miss miss either of those performances!       

(A Capitol Fourth 2003 airs Friday, July 4, from 8-9:30 p.m., Eastern time, on PBS. Check TV listings for local schedules.)