From the Midwest to Hollywood

Over the summer, I shared how people inside and outside the entertainment industry frequently mention a resemblance to Viggo Mortensen (see http://hansroberts.wordpress.com/?s=Viggo&submit=GO). Incidentally, thank you, Viggo fans, for your kind comments in this regard.

I ended the post by saying while I thought such a comparison was a compliment, it remained to be seen whether it would help my acting career.

On a small scale, it did help me get a recent audition. Before I even met a director, he was sure I was “perfect for the part! I saw your picture and knew you were the one!” The part was for a Russian mobster, very similar to the part Viggo Mortensen played in Eastern Promises. As you can see below, the style of my head shot in no way suggested a mobster personality.

My head shot

Through amateur studies in counseling, I have learned about a dynamic called transference. Each of us, every day of our lives, applies to current pursuits what we have learned from previous experiences. This includes impressions from people in our past. My theory is that when people experience Viggo Mortensen in a certain way (by watching him in a film), they expect the same of those who resemble him, be it in appearance or manner.

Consequently, I was excited about possible applications of this theory when I learned Viggo had a new role in a Western film, Appaloosa. However, his beard and mustache in the role certainly detract from any purported resemblance, so I do not expect any increase in calls for Westerns.

Cowboy Hans

Feel free to comment about Viggo rather than me–no fleas on me, but he is great.