Big ups to Jess Camerato at WEEI.com for this fun story on how Glen Davis damn near won the role as Michael Oher in the movie version of “The Blind Side,” starring the divine Sandra Bullock, who competes with Mila Kunis for a special spot in my heart.
Here’s Jess on Baby’s audition process, which began the summer before the ’07-08 season, Baby’s rookie year:
“I’ve always wanted to act,” Davis explained. “I knew about the football player, he played at Ole Miss, and I heard there was a book out about that. So I said, ‘Sure, I’ll try out.’ ”
Davis was sent a three-page script and asked to record a video audition. After hours of practice, he performed the scene in which Oher discusses selecting a college, ultimately deciding on the University of Mississippi.
And:
After submitting his tape, Davis learned he was one of the top three candidates for the role. Because of the NBA schedule, however, he never met with film’s executives. Regardless of the opportunity to act, Davis had priorities.
“I never flew out because I didn’t have time,” he said. “I was playing, it was at the beginning of the season. That would’ve been tough. I would’ve had to shoot during the summer time, and that was a really important time.”
I guess winning an NBA title is better than getting to stand close to Sandy Bullock all day, every day, for weeks. I guess.
So Baby will have to wait for another opportunity to join a prestigious list of Celtics who have won praise for their acting ability. We’ve got Ray Allen, of course, but the youngest readers might not know about Kevin McHale’s hysterical cameos on “Cheers.” Does Larry Legend’s work in the famous H-O-R-S-E ad with MJ count? What about his role in “Blue Chips”? (And, yes, I’m omitting Bill Walton’s performance as himself in the 1996 disaster film “Celtic Pride.”).
PS: For those who haven’t read “Blind Side” and enjoyed the movie: the book is brilliant. Huge recommendation.
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How can you forget Jesus Shuttlesworth (aka Ray Allen) in He Got Game?!
@GP: That’s what I meant by “Ray Allen, of course”
Uh, Larry Bird in Space Jam? Best… Performance… Ever…
@KY: I have never seen Space Jam. But Larry is that good? If so, perhaps I can endure a viewing at some point…
Robert Parish in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
Maybe Baby can learn to act like a guy who knows better than to force up flat-footed shots when being guarded by guys way bigger than he is.
@ Zach: Space Jam is a classic. You haven’t experienced life until watching MJ stretch his arm the length of the court over 20 ft. tall cartoon aliens and then managing to slam it home. I advise you to take 2 hours out of your day and sit down with your GF and watch it. It’s better than last night’s game…
I loved Larry in Space Jam, his convos with Bill Murray are pure comedy gold.
Am I the only person on earth who actually liked the movie Celtic Pride?… Ya, probably am.
The writing and premise may have been absurd, but you can’t put Dan Aykroyd with Marlon Wayans and Daniel Stern and note get a few laughs out of it.
@ Jay- Haha yeah i liked Celtic Pride too, and i thought i was the only one who liked the movie. Im always so bummed at the end when the Celtics lose.
I think Celtic Pride is pretty underrated. If you haven’t seen it in a while watch it again it’s actually pretty funny.
Walter Mcarty is in He got game too. He has like 2 lines. He’s pretty brutal though
KG as Wilt Chamberlain in Rebound.
Afterward, Don Cheadle said “I could feel his lips on my face.”
Hmmz, your blog looks kind of weird on my pocket pc. (HP iPAQ Pocket PC Rx1955)
I adore Sandra. She’s's such an amusing and talented actor. She will come back from this!
Dan is a classic comedian. I love his role on the Blues Brothers.,~`
Sandra is the best!
Dan Aykroyd is a classical comedian, i love Coneheads movie`,:
i can say that Dan Aykroyd is a very good comedian just like Jim Carrey`*;