Movie Life took off to California armed with all the questions our readers have been sending in about that great newcomer Kent McCord. We only wish all of you could have been there personally to watch the little-boy smile and the beaming eyes as he talked. Perhaps someday! He and Marty Milner have done some personal appearance tours to promote Adam-12, so keep a close watch to see it they make it to a city near you. But until then, at least you can learn the answers to the questions you most wanted to ask. It actually is a personal reply--to you.
HOW DID YOU MEET RICK NELSON?
Rick was lining up a football team to beat one headed by Elvis Presley. Since I had played a lot of college football, a friends of Rick's and mine invited me over. I found Rick a very straight guy and we got along great.
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF ELVIS? WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE HIS FAME?
Elvis was a very nice person. He has a great sense of humor. But his stardom has placed him in a very strange sort of world that I wouldn't want myself. I think if he would just walk down the street, most people would be courteous enough to leave him alone. But the guards and the secrecy make him into something above mortal--and something that people will riot to see. It must be a terrible strain on him.
MOST TV ACTORS SEEM TO SWITCH TO FILM. IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT TOO?
Yes, eventually. But I'm not at all unhappy with TV. I think it is exactly what I need. There's something about having a weekly series that teaches you how to be natural. I went into the show imagining a big scene each week. But the big dramatics look terribly false on TV. They're meant more for the stage where things must be bigger than life. Adam-12 has taught me to portray just a human character rather than a role.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MARTY MILNER?
He's been great to me. I've heard many stars get very taken with their stardom and barely talk to the other people in the show. Fortunately for me, Marty's helped me many times--showing me many things that experience has taught him. I couldn't ask for a better "boss."
ARE YOU MARRIED? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FANS?
I may be a square guy, but love and a home mean a lot to me. I fell in love with Cynthia in high school and was lucky enough to get her to marry me. Our daughter, Kristen Kelly, was named after Rick's wife. Fans? I think they're the greatest. It's a wonderful feeling to know that somebody out there thought enough of your performance to drop you a line. It means somehow you two were communicating. And this world can always use more communication and more love.
