Admit it, you’ve asked yourself that age-old question, “if stranded on a desert island, with whom would I care to be stuck?”
The obvious clichés come to mind: George Clooney, Halle Berry, or someone who’d fit the “tall and worth the climb” description. Sure they’re pretty, but one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met is the incomparable Miss Lynne Stewart.
Stewart stars in “BINGO NIGHT,” a comedic short film by Jordan Liebowitz, made it debut at the LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival with another Groundling alum, Mindy Sterling. I spotted Lynne and made it my mission to stalk, I mean interview her.
In a word, Lynne Stewart is a mensch. She embodies all that is great in humanity, truly. She’s smart, funny, generous and completely genuine. I consider it an honor to have made her acquaintance. (We’ve met several times before, but yesterday, I had her all to myself.)
Regarding craft, Stewart told me her teacher, Tom Maxwell, inspired her to be herself on stage. That key freed her to find the confidence we see today in every performance. Not just a stage note, this life lesson makes being in her presence comforting rather than intimidating despite her many accolades.
From Pee Wee’s Playhouse to Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and more, Stewart’s ability to weave heart and soul into performance is flawless and why we see her in everything. She also falls into the category mentioned at yesterday’s producers panel, Be Someone Everyone Wants to Work With.
Lynne continues to polish her acting muscles every Saturday in an improv class taught by Cheers writer, Bill Steinkellner. Natural talent, genuine love of craft and honed skills are why we forget she’s not actually “Charlie’s Mom.”
Stewart is one of the most respected in the business. You can’t find anyone that doesn’t want to work with her. Hell, I’d clean her house just to be in the same room with her. Do yourself a favor, catch her at the LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival Closing Ceremonies this Sunday while you have the chance.