• Registered: 2015-06-30
  • Posts: 1,106

Topic: Meeting "Gomez" and "Calhoun"

Hey all, so in the process of my celebrity photo and autograph collecting, it's always an added bonus to run into actors who portrayed cool characters in Sliders.  As the moons aligned, I was able to meet BOTH of the actors who portrayed the goofy barkeep Gomez Calhoun!  First such occasion was in New York, for a fan screening for the Audience Network comedy Loudermilk, starring Will Sasso and Ron Livingston.  Grabbed a few shots with Will on the street, and sat through the screening and Q&A which was a lot of fun.  Unfortunately they pretty much rushed him in and out though.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4198/34705324021_c2f3640fa8.jpg  https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4179/34837345715_9187afdbdd.jpg  https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4196/34451370650_7c6dc3f2ff_z.jpg

About a month later, there was a crummy "con" that was billed as a Karate Kid reunion.  Macchio was there, along with several Cobra Kai actors.  A super late addition was that of Israel Juarbe, who had a minor role as Daniel's friend.  This was a cool one for me, obviously, as he played the character 3 times during the Sci-Fi era.  I actually got to talk to him about his roles in Boogie Nights and Sliders.  Though to be honest, despite being a nice guy, he didn't have much to say about it other than "yeah that guy (Gomez) was a lot of fun/funny guy."  Wish I had something more interesting to report on, but that was basically that.  I split the photo with a friend.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4289/35366258545_4a15156b34_c.jpg

  • Registered: 2015-06-22
  • Posts: 1,341

Re: Meeting "Gomez" and "Calhoun"

Very cool! Another one of your legendary encounters!

Did you mention Sliders to Sasso? If so, what'd he say?

  • Registered: 2015-06-22
  • Posts: 3,285

Re: Meeting "Gomez" and "Calhoun"

I've always really liked Will Sasso.  I was a big MadTV fan back in the day, and he was always a great character actor.  That's really cool that you got to meet him!

I don't blame Israel Jurabe for not really having much to say.  I can't imagine it was a big part of his life, and it was 20 years ago.  But it was still cool that he took some time to talk to you and say something.

  • Registered: 2015-06-30
  • Posts: 1,106

Re: Meeting "Gomez" and "Calhoun"

I could have asked Sasso a question about Sliders during the Q&A, which wouldn't have made much sense there, but I honestly couldn't think of a good one.  Same for Juarbe.  Honestly, they were goofy characters they played, but they almost never played an integral role in any of the episodes.  Nothing like say Stephen Macht, who I spoke at length with about Kromaggs, and he had some strong feelings about them still.

  • Registered: 2015-06-22
  • Posts: 3,285

Re: Meeting "Gomez" and "Calhoun"

What did he say about the Kromaggs?

  • Registered: 2015-06-30
  • Posts: 1,106

Re: Meeting "Gomez" and "Calhoun"

Hmm, this was 4 years ago, and I think what I conveyed shortly after was lost in a prior BBoard collapse.  Mainly I was impressed he recalled all the details of the episode (Common Ground), and that he had a passion for the Kromanus character.  I wish he'd do another convention, as I just started a Monster Squad cast poster, and need him on it.  Ha ha.