Rich Chew:
CLASS OF 1983
Brooklyn Technical High SchoolClass of 1983
Brooklyn, NY
Rich's Story
okay, here it goes...at least what I can remember....
1. 83 Tech Graduate in Civil Technology
2. Penn State here I come... got involved with various Christian fellowships and club volleyall. Certified as a Regional Volleyball official and worked in NCAA matches.
3. worked in a lot of restaurants throughtout college but landed my first NY waitering job at World Yacht Cruises in Spring 1989
4. June 4th 1989, got bitten on my lip and chin by our adopted 90 lbs pit bull dog and had 15 stitches
5. Tech 10th year anniversity...yeah baby, I was there! Skinny and poofy hair!
6. Began modeling in 1994 and booked my first print gig for World Footlocker in 1995- other print work included: Skoal smokeless tobacco, AT&T, Verizon, Lucent Technology, American Express and more...
7. Work as an extra on my first tv soap "The City," joined AFTRA (actor's union for taped shows)
8. Fall 1995, opened The Official All Star Cafe in Times Square. Became a corporate server trainer and opened up Vegas All Star
9. Spring 1997, left All Star Cafe to work at Windows on The World/Greatest Bar on Earth at 1 World Trade Center.
10. Fall 1999, got my first tv speaking role on "Strangers With Candy" playing a Korean Cop. Then got speaking roles on various soap; As the World Turns, One Life To Live, All My Children
11. Dec 31st 1999, I couldn't make it to work b/c I caught the Y2K bug.....the measles....for real!
12. In 2000, booked a couple of nonunion commercials: Real Deals for Real people, STS
13. Spring 2001, had a hernia operation....wow, I gained 30 lbs b/c I couldn't work for a month
14. Sept 10th 2001, had a final dress rehearsal for an off off bway play. Got home, had a major headache, thought I should show up for work the next morning to make up some hours I will lose from my 2 week run show
15. Sept 11th 2001, got up late in the morning, forgot to call my manager the night before...should I go to work or to my audition in NJ? Its 8:30 am, screw it... I'll skip work and go to the commercial audition. 9:45am.. I heard the explosion as I was walking under the Manhattan Bridge. I saw the damage to WTC 1... proceeded to the subway to Port Authority. ...Expand for more
Got to P.A., now two buildings were on fire! Took the train back to Chinatown/LES but got delayed around West 4, screw it, I'll walk home. Got out of the station and the skyline was filled with smoke. Stopped by my friend's office and he said "I'm so sorry Rich." Why are you sorry? I asked.... "Your building collapsed." I didn't get it at all, I could not comprehend his explaination untill I saw the replay on tv and then I said, "I have no job, I have no job!"
16. After 4 1/2 years at Windows on the World, I was unemployed, lost 74 co workers and hundreds of regulars...and later learned that I also lost my team mate and friend Juan Jean Baptiste - Tech '83
17. A week after 9/11 I did book that commercial audition - The Cittone Institute and I got a lead for the indy fim "Ghetto Story"
18. Finally joined SAG in 2002 and booked my first national cable commercial for "Pep Boys" in 2003.
19. Spring 2003, Tech's 20th reunion!
20. Fall 2004 I am officially a NY actor b/c I booked 2 episodes on Law & Order:SVU... again, playing a cop
21. Winter 2005, booked a part on L&O:Trial by Jury - it got cancelled after a few episodes.
22. Memorial Day 2005, I had a freak accident when dissembling the attic's recoiling ladder. The spring and arm mechanism snapped up and hit me causing a fractured nose and left orbital and tore my left pupil and lens. So I'm legally blind in the left eye and added another scar to my face. I had no health insurance but was able to get a 40% discount off the medical bill. Nawan Bailey was pretty resourceful and helped me contact some charitable organizations that would assist me. The blessing behind all this was actually seeing how God works thru people; it was a humbling and beautiful experience.
23. Spring 2007, 20lbs heavier, out of shape, etc etc, I thought about leaving the acting biz and then I get a call from my Philly agent telling me that I booked a part in M Night Shyamalan's film "The Happening." Yeah, my first feature film!
24. Spring 2008, Tech's 25th Reunion! It was so awesome seeing all of yous again!
25. June 13th (Friday) 2008, world premier for "The Happening!"
That's all for now....$R$
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