BY Pamela Dell TEEN, June 1990
Top Talent Got These Six Stars Their hot "Young Riders" Roles. You know these six rough riders of the American West from watching them carry mail and whale on the bad guys every week on TV's "The Young Riders". But here's your chance to check out who they really are when they're not kicking up dust on the Pony Express!
Yvonne Suhor-Playing a young woman masquerading as a boy is a challenge for any actress, but New Orleans native Yvonne Suhor takes it in stride. "Lou (her real name is Louise) is constantly suppressing her femininity, so that her 'secret' will remain protected," Yvonne says, "although the Kid is already on to her."
Determined to rescue her siblings from an orphanage, Lou signs on with the Pony Express to earn money to release them. With like determination, Yvonne set her sights on becoming an actress while in junior college.
She went on to earn a B.A. degree in theatre, with honors in acting/directing. After a year of graduate school, Yvonne moved to Chicago and began performing at the Steppenwolf Theater. Scouted and sighed to the ABC Talent Development Program, Yvonne, whose birthday is November 29, relocated to Los Angeles and soon landed her "Young Riders" role.
These days, she says she's addicted to crossword puzzles, enjoys modern dance, and has a goal to direct her own theater company. But most of her concentration goes into fooling those rowdy Pony Express boys. "Lou's a survivor and full of spunk," says Yvonne, "She's gutsy and will stand up to challenges that come her way. Once she puts her mind to something, nothing can stop her." Sounds like Yvonne herself!
Gregg Rainwater-It didn't take this handsome, young guy long to figure out what he wanted to be when he grew up! It was all settled in the sixth grade, after he saw the movie Oliver!. He was so set on becoming an actor that he ended up doing back to back community theater plays in his native Flint, Mich. He even infiltrated the theater department of a rival high school and appeared in theater productions there!
Born February 27, he hasn't rested a day since. Following high school graduation, Gregg toured England with the Warren Youth Chorale, and then moved to Los Angeles. "The Young Riders" is his first work for prime time television.
A friend in New York heard about the "Little Buck" role. Gregg was called to read for it and was chosen to portray the mystical half-breed Paiute (oops! KIOWA) Indian, Buck.
Gregg still pursues interests in writing and singing, but acting comes first. His perception of Buck may be what makes him so good in the role. "Buck is methodical, pensive, and spiritual in his nature. Because of his calm nature, he has a soothing effect on the other riders," says Gregg. "But he's faced with the inner conflict of wanting to fit into the white-man's world and feeling compelled to maintain his Indian heritage. This added to the fact he's an orphan, causes him to be cautious in his relationships. Except with Ike."
Josh Brolin-Dangerous, iron-willed, and fearless, James Butler Hickok grew to be the most feared gunman alive-and is still a legendary American hero. Every body still knows the name Wild Bill Hickok! "Living by his own rules, he doesn't take kindly to anyone else's," says Josh, "He'll always be a gunfighter at heart."
As for Josh Brolin, no matter what he does, he'll always be an actor at heart. His dad is veteran actor James Brolin. Born February 12 in Los Angeles, Josh got a taste of Western life early on when his family moved to Paco Robles. Horses were a big part of Brolin family life. Josh got his first taste of being a young rider.
But, other interests prevailed. Although he showed a natural talent for and interest in writing, Josh also started to pursue acting, and in high school, he appeared in several theatre productions. After graduating with honors, he moved to L.A. to see if he could make it in the Big Leagues-and so far he hasn't done half bad! He was a series regular on "Private Eye" and has had roles in "The Finish Line" "Highway to Heaven" and the first episode of "21 Jump Street". You may also have seen him as the oldest brother in Goonies,, in Thrashin', or in the TV movie "Prison of Children."
Still making his home in L.A. with his wife, Deborah, and his 2-year-old son Trevor, Josh commutes to Tucson, Ariz. to shoot "Riders". He still gets into writing, especially poetry, and likes to head out on his motorcycle for cross-country treks. Next destination? Probably the real Pony Express trail!
Ty Miller-Playing the kind-hearted Kid, a man of intelligence, sensitivity, and high ethics, is natural for Ty Miller, since he's got all these qualities himself! Born on September 26, in Granada Hills, Calif., Ty didn't start out with acting ambitions. He was a business major at the University of Southern California when a girlfriend suggested he try commercial work to makes some extra money. And that idea really paid off-he appeared in over 20 commercials!
Things didn't slow down after graduation either! Though this California Kid set out to start his own business, acting roles kept getting in the way-so he finally gave up and went for it full-steam! As well as being a regular on "Hotel", he's also appeared on "Highway to Heaven", "Magruder and Loud," "Growing Pains" and "General Hospital." His film credits include Slaughter House Rock and the Disney movie Choices.
Since tying up his lead role on "The Young Riders" Ty's been busier than ever. But he still takes time out when he can for other interests-like playing the guitar (he's written a few songs) and long -distance -mountain-bike riding. When he's not working he often bikes up to 80 miles a day! Talk about a young rider!
Stephen Baldwin-As the comical and carefree William Cody, Stephen is portraying another larger than life figure from the American past, namely Buffalo Bill. Quick with a scheme, quick on the draw, and a perfect marksmen, young Bill Cody has things under control. "Cody is a paradox of a whimsical clown and a shrewd young man," says Stephen, "he's a charmer and a con man, but he's much too clever to be reckless."
Stephen himself is quite a charmer too! Born May 12, and raised in Long Island, NY, he's the youngest of four brothers, including actor Alec Baldwin. Reportedly a real "cutup and a ham" in high school, this young rider's outgoing nature and charismatic personality drew him into acting right away.
After graduation, and further inspired by the success of brother Alec, Stephen studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Soon he had landed an off-Broadway theatre role in Out in America, in which he co-starred with Daryl Hannah. Besides appearing in numerous episodic TV shows ("Family Ties," "China Beach," and others) and the recent TV movie "Jury Duty", Stephen has also had parts in the movies Last Exit to Brooklyn, The Beast, Born on the Fourth of July, and Homeboy, with Mickey Rourke.
Not by nature a Westerner, Stephen resides in New York and likes to spend time with his family. He also enjoys reading and writing poetry and playing billiards. But playing Buffalo Bill is still at the top of his list. Perhaps reflecting on his own nature, Stephen says about his character: "He takes himself very seriously, but not too much to not accept his own theatricality with a sense of humor!"
Travis Fine-Born in Atlanta, Ga. On June 26, Travis Fine has a lot more to say than his "Young Riders" character Ike! By the age of 7, he was cast in his first theater production, Member of the Wedding. At 14 he left home to attend the Children's Theater Schools in Minneapolis, Minn. He also began to write plays, an interest he maintains today.
Shortly thereafter, Travis moved with his father to L.A., where he attended Beverly Hills High School. While at Pitzer College, football was a big part of his agenda-then auditioning started to really cut into school and he returned to L.A. Besides forming his own acting group with several theater friends, The Hostage Theater Company, Travis took on Tinsel Town!
He appeared in several stage and television productions before making the grade on "The Young Riders." Now, though his character is mute, Travis puts plenty of talent into his role as Ike. "Ike lost his hair from scarlet fever and his speech from witnessing the horrid, brutal deaths of his parents. He has suffered terrible hardships, but his sweet demeanor and inner strength remain," says Travis, "a special bond develops between the half-breed Buck and Ike-Buck teaches him the ability to communicate through a primitive signing technique." And watching Travis play Ike, one thing becomes clear-this is one actor who definitely doesn't need language to communicate!
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