As I give (throw) away the final remnants of my VHS collection I re watched the first 30 minutes of 1991's Hook. I was about 15 when I went to theatre with a group of friends to see Hook. I was really looking forward to the movie, Christmas vacation had just begun and I was in the holiday mood. The movie had three of my favorite actors, Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams and Julia Roberts. Add to that Maggie Smith and director Steven Spielberg and how could you lose? Well...
Just like in 1991 I loved the first 30 minutes of Hook. Great lead up, great acting, love London in winter, Maggie Smith and of course John Williams magical score. Then at about the 30, 31 minute mark the movie takes a disastrous turn. It begins with Julia Roberts flying onto the screen as Tinkerbell and continues through all of the scenes in Neverland. Now on the surface casting Roberts was a great idea. She was at the time one Hollywood's hottest young stars but for many reasons (including the fugly and oh so fake wig) it just didn't work. In fact all of Neverland bored me to tears. It is not a good sign when a movie based on one of the most imaginative novels ever written can muster so little magic.
Above: Dustin Hoffman & Charlie Korsmo.
Whatever Happened to Charlie Korsmo?
Dustin Hoffman (twice) Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Cicley Tyson, James Earl Jones, Madonna, Jessica Lange, Richard Dreyfuss, William Hurt, Bill Murray, Kathy Bates, Robin Williams & Julia Roberts. All co-stars of actor Charlie Korsmo's during his brief acting career which spanned just 7 movies in 8 years from 1990 through 1998. Charlie's last film was Columbia's Can't Hardly Wait in 1998 co-starring Seth Green, Lauren Ambrose, Ethan Embry, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Peter Facinelli. Although short, Charlie's co-starred in some of the decades biggest hits.
Below: Charlie with Chris O'Connell & Jessica Lange in a favorite movie of mine, Men Don't Leave.
Proving not every child star follows the Gary Coleman child star road map, Charlie Korsmo has been leading a busy and productive life since his acting ended. The Minnesota native earned a degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and in 2002, began working for the United States Federal Government on missile defense.
Below: With Warren Beatty
Korsmo continued his education and in 2006 receiving a Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School. Korsmo has worked for the Environmental Protection Agency and for the Republican Party in the House of Representatives. He is currently a visiting professor at Brooklyn Law School. Charlie Korsmo proves that being a celebrity, a child star does not mean your life has to turn into a hazed circus. Take note Lindsay Lohan, like Charlie Korsmo and Peter Pan at some point or another everyone has to grow up.
Below: With the cast of Can't Hardly Wait.
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