ACTORS & Skin: Brian Kerwin

I first noticed Brian Kerwin in 1990 during his time playing Jackie's boyfriend on Roseanne. 'Gary' was initially seen as the perfect guy for Jackie, and the blonde and beautiful Kerwin certainly fit the bill. Gary's dark side quickly came out, and I remember being shocked at his abusive turn and impressed at the performances from Kerwin and Laurie Metcalf.

Kerwin with Laurie Metcalf (Roseanne)

I think the next time I saw Kerwin, it was a few years later when he was starring along side Michelle Pfeiffer in Love Field. Googling Brian a few years later led to my learning more about his impressive career. Kerwin has done it all, stage, screen and television. On stage, he has appeared in classics such as August: Osage County, The Little Foxes and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. He also appeared on stage in Harvey Fierstein written Torch Song Trilogy, and went on to play Ed in the film adaptation.

On television, Kerwin has starred in soaps, sit-coms and dramas, epic mini-series and television movies. Brian has appeared on some of television's biggest hits of the eighties ranging from St. Elsewhere through a turn on The Love Boat. His biggest claim to fame on TV was most likely his role as Deputy Birdie Hawkins on the short lived BJ & the Bear spin-off, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo

Kerwin is one of those actors who has worked steadily since starting in Hollywood in the 70's. In addition to his impressive stage and TV resume, on screen Kerwin has worked with some of Hollywood's biggest stars including; Pfeiffer, Sally Field, Diane Lane, Robin Williams, Julianne Moore, Sissy Spacek.

Sheriff Lobo

Like so many of the actors I have featured, Kerwin is another of those actors that really deserved more acclaim and fame that he has received. Kerwin has been in huge Oscar winning films like The Help, and big stinkers like King Kong Lives. Having seen The Help, it was the latter I had to find and watch when I began to put together this piece.

With Matthew Broderick and Harvey Fierstein in Torch Song Trilogy (1988)

The Blue & the Gray (1982)

King Kong Lives (1986)

I love a bad monster movie and King Kong Lives is B A D! The 1986 sequel to the 70's King Kong features Kerwin and Linda Hamilton trying to save both Kong, and a new female ape discovered in the jungle by Kerwin's character. As bad as the story and special effects were, I had fun watching the flick and especially like the role reversal with Kerwin being 'the damsel in distress'. It wasn't Linda Hamilton picked up and loved by the new ape, it was Kerwin who had her total affection.