Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2009 > April > 19
Sunday, April 19, 2009
More about ‘Ugly Betty’ boyfriend Christopher Gorham
Some things you might not know about Californian Christopher Gorham, the steady-ready actor best known as Betty’s second boyfriend, Henry, on “Ugly Betty”:
He was warned that the drive from El Paso to San Antonio was the worst in the world. Yet Gorham rather liked the subtle changes in terrain. And the traffic beat the flat drive to and from Los Angeles and his original hometown, Fresno.
He’s been typed as a “nice guy” and a “smart guy” for 12 years of almost uninterrupted TV work.
In high school, he wanted to play Caliban, the monster from “The Tempest.” He still dreams about playing “Wolverine.” Another wish was to play in indie movie favorite “Lars and the Real Girl.”
Lucky to look young, the 34-year-old has been offered umpteen “teenage slasher” roles. But he’s always on a series and available for three months out of the year.
“Also I’m picky,” he says, which drives his manager crazy.
In TV series, including his current “Harper’s Island,” he often plays opposite twentysomethings. “It’s strange,” he says. “I sometimes feel like ‘The Old Man and the Sea.’ ”
He met America Ferrera for only a few minutes before he was chosen to play Henry on “Betty.” His role was first envisioned as a one-episode shot as a “surly, grumpy accountant.” That grew into four episodes, then two seasons. Producers split Henry and Betty, at first, for the romantic sparks, and again probably because they didn’t want Betty saddled with a single dad.
He’s only played one dumb role: An alcoholic frat guy on “Felicity.” “It was fun,” he says.
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More about ‘Survivor’ Joe Dowdle
Some things you might not know about Austinite Joe Dowdle, who survived eight episodes on “Survivor” and just disclosed the details of his reality-TV experience:
He loves “getting out into uncomfortable places and fighting the elements.” Yet he’s more into hunting, fishing, camping and skiing, rather than the extremes of “Survivor.” He lost 25 pounds on the rice diet.
“Speedo shots” exist of Dowdle from his audition tape, which, he says, “Thank God only a few people saw.”
When the “Survivor” producers airlifted Dowdle out of Tocantins because of his infected leg, he was first taken to a chaotic Brazilian public hospital, then was transferred to a private one that felt “like a resort.”
Dowdle had planned to act more misleading, but once he got to know everybody on the show, he “played it straight up.” Early alliances, though, “sowed the seeds of mistrust.”
He’s not reading blogs about “Survivor.”
He’s a musician working on his first CD.
He’s not dating, per se, but he’s “talking to one beautiful girl right now.” I had never heard that euphemism before.
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Gala Ganesh for Women & Their Work at Big Red Sun
You’d be hard pressed to find a more enchanted location for a medium-sized party than the grounds of Big Red Sun on East Cesar Chavez.
Judith Sims, Denise Prince
The exotic plants and decor are already in place at this breakthrough landscaping center. One can move from leaf-bound niches and coves to an ample shared social space improved by raised areas for performances and announcements.
Marla Tucker, Keri Kropp, Miles Horton
The Gala Ganesh for Women & Their Work was further enriched by the fabrics and accessories worn by the guests, many in the tradition of the subcontinent. We’re not talking about ultra-high-design gowns, but rather gorgeously threaded fabrics employed in all manner of draping.
Barbara Ann Kelso, Steve Redman
Many longtime friends of the arts — Judith Sims, Jessie Otto Hite, Mary Margaret Farabee, Barbara Ann Kelso, Chris Cowden — mingled with newcomers in the scented garden.
Shawn Smith, Ann Burman
We spoke with former State Sen. Ray Farabee about his political memoir, also about Billy Lee Brammer’s much-praised political novel, “The Gay Place,” for which he expressed mixed feelings.
Mary Jane Nalley, Honor Guiney
Respect was paid to the namesake deity through genuine dance and musical performances. If I am not mistaken, that was exquisite Anuradha Naimpally onstage.
Frances Jones, Wanda Davis
So Gala Ganesh and the AIA Awards meant two intoxicating party locales — Browning Hangar at Mueller and Big Red Sun — for my foreshortened Saturday evening out.
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AIA Awards at Browning Hangar
Who knew an empty, wood-beamed hangar, open at both ends, could be so inspiring?
Tamara Toon, Michael Waddell
The 1940s-era Browning Hangar at the Mueller Development, formerly the city’s airport, soars like some modernist monument. It was meant for purely utilitarian purposes — parking and fixing airplanes — and now awaits its next role.
Kristina Schlegel, Habib Irshad
Austin’s architects were taken with it, since the AIA-Austin Awards were staged, partly under the Browning’s noble curve, partly in a nearby tent.
Jordan Kasper, Samara Spence
The hangar was one of only a few structures — including the scooped air traffic tower and the Austin Studios hangar — salvaged by arts and architecture lovers at the old airport.
Natalie Navar, Julie Seay
Guests, especially the women, dressed in vintage wear dating back at least to the 1930s. One elegant attendee even put a Marcel wave in her hair! A few vintage cars were polished to perfection. Nothing like the raging hordes of oldie autos on South Congress Avenue the same evening, but sweet for posing.
Camille Jobe, Alan Cano
Ran into Mayor Will Wynn, who helped save the airport structures, while pushing central-city development during his tenure. All appropriate for someone who studied architecture in school. Fritz Steiner, dean of the UT School of Architecture, was glowing. After all, the Browning is now as much a object of landscape design, his specialty.
Patrick Winn, Michele Winn, James Haynes
I couldn’t stay for the actual awards — in fact, my entire evening was severely truncated by traffic and parking issues — but on the way out, I heard a tribute to my absolutely favorite Austin designer, Emily Little.
Shannon Carabetta, Keven Gedko
As you know, Little was named a “Fellow” of AIA nationally, a high honor in the profession, something like becoming a platinum member. It goes along with Little’s other honors, including being inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame.
For more discussion of the AIA winners, see the Arts Blog.
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