Upcoming Appearances

Randy has new dates on his schedule! Click on the calendar to see if he'll be appearing in your area!

Hello everyone,

A quick look at the web site tells me the last time I wrote a letter, I was wrapping up my role on As the World Turns, and heading home to Los Angeles from New York. That was 2005, so I guess I have some lengthy catching up to do on all fronts!

The world certainly has kept on turning. Spinning is more like it. I’ve spent as much time in the air (on planes, of course) as I have on the ground in the last two years. Forty – count ‘em – forty speaking engagements at Fire Service and EMS Conferences and other events have taken me to every area of the country, and twice to Canada. Next year is looking busy already, starting in Toronto in February, with trips to Arkansas, Maryland, South Carolina, Texas, and Pennsylvania in the works. It’s hard to believe that a show that went off the air 28 years ago still lives on in the hearts and minds of our nation’s emergency responders. I’m not sure what’s more gratifying – to hear someone say he or she became a firefighter or paramedic because of the show, or to meet kids under the age of ten who can recite dialog verbatim, and want to be firefighters and paramedics just like Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto when they grow up. The enduring impact of Emergency! never ceases to amaze me.

Check the web site after the first of the year for a list of upcoming appearances. We’ll make sure to post which events are open to the public; if you’re in the area, I invite you to come and say hello.

In between all that traveling, I’ve found time to be in front of the camera, too. Some of you may have caught my stint as Kirk Harmon on ABC’s One Life to Live earlier this year. Recent film roles have included PRICE TO PAY, HE WAS A QUIET MAN (due out on DVD in late January), ON THE REVOLUTIONS, and SCREAM OF THE BIKINI, in which Kristen appears as well. We play Mr. and Mrs. Ambassador Cartwright. Cool! Just last week, I finished a wonderful short film called FLOWERS AND WEEDS written by Tanc Sade, who you might recognize as a series regular on TV’s The Gilmore Girls. Something different, and a lot of fun, was filming an internet comedy video series called Super Amazing Innovations: Fake Products, Real People for SuperDeluxe.com. I also narrated and appeared in a video for the Los Angeles County EMS Agency entitled Life on the Line: Heroes Act, which was shown at the Los Angeles County 200th Paramedic Class graduation in March. I had the privilege of speaking at the graduation; then enjoyed seeing many familiar faces at the LA County Paramedic reunion party that followed at Universal Studios.

Just a few weeks ago, I was reunited on camera with my old buddy, Squad 51, (who is looking and running better than ever) when we shot a video for the County of Los Angeles Fire Museum’s upcoming membership drive. And, a few weeks before that, I had a chance to visit with my long-time best friend, Kevin Tighe, while he was in Seattle doing a play. Kevin’s doing great, leading a very busy actor’s life.

USAR-1 isn’t dead, but definitely a tough sell – a very expensive show to produce. One never knows from season to season what shows the networks will pick up, so we’ll keep pitching and hoping. We’re not sitting around waiting, though. My partner, Screech Washington, and I are developing a reality show, SPEC-OPS, based on the LA County Fire Department’s Special Operations units. Who knows, if that becomes popular, then maybe USAR-1 will draw some heightened interest.

With all that going on, my writing career has been interrupted, but I hope to revive several projects next year. My screenplay, THE BONE GAME, is getting favorable feedback while looking for a producer; THE PROXIES is waiting for me to write the final ten pages; and another idea for a screenplay is beckoning to be fleshed out as well.

On the personal side, we were deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Kristen’s father in early September. It was a difficult time, but the family is doing well. Please keep them in your prayers. We were spared from the wildfires this year, though always a concern where we live. My sister had to evacuate for 5 days during the San Diego fires, but thankfully, her home was undamaged. Kristen and I are doing some remodeling on our house. Dodger and I are plotting to relocate to Tahiti until it’s been put back together. Speaking of Tahiti, Kristen and I have been blessed with the opportunity to squeeze in some vacation time, and have visited Italy, and the Mediterranean. Both were wonderful, memorable trips.

Whew! No wonder I’m ready to take a break for the holidays. All in all, it’s been a great year (or two) and Kristen and I are looking forward to 2008. I want to thank everyone who has helped make “Route 51” a success, and I especially want to thank you -- my fans and friends -- for your loyal support and kind wishes throughout the years.

Here’s wishing you all good things for the New Year!

Our best,
Randy & Kristen