Al Molinaro from Happy Days would've been happy leaving it all behind
How much hassle are your dreams worth, anyway? Some of us will climb every mountain and spare no expense. Others, when faced with outsized adversity, will find new dreams. In that way, hardship is the ultimate test to determine how much you want something. How much are you willing to endure to have it?
Acting is one occupation that's particularly fraught with difficulty and indecision. It's a popular vocation because millions of people would love to be movie stars. That public interest means the field is saturated with bright-faced hopefuls, leading to stiff competition. A quick stroll down Hollywood Boulevard makes it clear how many people are waiting for their turn. There are too many factors at play to determine a sure path and make it or not, the training is expensive. That's a lot of tough stuff to overcome, and still, folks choose to get into acting.
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One person who couldn't really be bothered was Al Molinaro. You might remember Molinaro as "Big Al" Delvecchio on ABC's Happy Days. He was also Officer Murray Greshler on The Odd Couple. While he starred in many enviable productions, Al Molinaro maintained perspective about his coveted position. Molinaro explained his attitude to The San Francisco Examiner back in '73:
"Twenty-five years ago I couldn't even get a walk-on. I failed as an actor."
What began as a dream quickly became nightmarish as Molinaro was denied the validation he was seeking in his work. He poured himself into the craft, all while exploring his other options. Molinaro became financially independent through a series of real estate investments that paid off when one of his properties was purchased and the land was developed to build a mall. Throughout that whole period, Molinaro was studying acting and improvisation. He met Penny Marshall, who introduced him to her brother Garry. Garry Marshall cast Molinaro in The Odd Couple, and the rest was history.
"Now, it's fun," said Molinaro. "All my life I've been a clown. I like people and people like me. No sweat, no aggravation. If there was aggravation, I'd get out of the business today. I'd just up and walk away from it. I don't like pressure and tension."
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