The Life of a Background Artist (Extra)
by hokutobill | created - 05 May 2012 | updated - 19 Oct 2020 | PublicIn the late 80's and Early 90's I was an extra: Back Ground Artist for many films, TV Shows and commercials. It is a world many would like to get in to and as I was going down memory lane, I wanted to remember all of work I did. It is very exciting but also can be very boring at the same time since you are on set may be for only a very short time and until they need you, you may be waiting all day. It is a great job for students, models, out of work actors, and housewives. Now this is not a complete list. It is hard to remember all of them since I did so many. Also some were just pilots that never made it to TV and some names of shows changed names.
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1. The Running Man (1987)
R | 101 min | Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
In a dystopian America, a falsely convicted policeman gets his shot at freedom when he must forcibly participate in a TV game show where convicts, runners, must battle killers for their freedom.
Director: Paul Michael Glaser | Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Conchita Alonso, Yaphet Kotto, Jim Brown
Votes: 167,600 | Gross: $38.12M
It was a trill to be on my first film set with Arnold Schwarzenegger!!
2. Blind Date (1987)
PG-13 | 95 min | Comedy, Romance
A workaholic needs a date for a dinner with new important clientele, but who his brother sets him up with could lead to disaster.
Director: Blake Edwards | Stars: Kim Basinger, Bruce Willis, John Larroquette, William Daniels
Votes: 24,159 | Gross: $39.32M
Bruce Willis was on the rise after doing Moonlighting and this was a fun film to work on. Kim was very sweet too.
3. No Man's Land (1987)
R | 106 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A rookie cop goes undercover and infiltrates a car thief ring.
Director: Peter Werner | Stars: Charlie Sheen, D.B. Sweeney, Lara Harris, Randy Quaid
Votes: 5,431 | Gross: $2.88M
This was one of the best films I ever worked on. I can actually be seen in this one and Charlie Sheen is a class act! The whole cast and crew were just wonderful.
4. Spontaneous Combustion (1989)
R | 97 min | Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
A young man finds out that his parents had been used in an atomic-weapons experiment shortly before he was born, and that the results have had some unexpected effects on him.
Director: Tobe Hooper | Stars: Brad Dourif, Cynthia Bain, Jon Cypher, William Prince
Votes: 2,996
5. One Man Force (1989)
R | 92 min | Action, Crime, Drama
In this action packed film, an L. A. cop speeds off to get revenge upon the dirty drug-dealing dogs who killed his partner.
Director: Dale Trevillion | Stars: John Matuszak, Ronny Cox, Charles Napier, Sharon Farrell
Votes: 255
I was treated like royalty in this one. Got my first and only trailer!! I was a thug who was running after "Tooz" in the apartment complex. So much fun and what a great person Mr.John Matuszak was. He unfortunately passed away the same year the film was released.
6.
Babylon 5 (1993–1998)
Episode:
Babylon 5: The Gathering
(1993)
Unrated | 89 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
The opening of a crucial space station is put in jeopardy when the commanding officer is accused of the attempted murder of a diplomat.
Director: Richard Compton | Stars: Michael O'Hare, Tamlyn Tomita, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan
Votes: 9,810
This actually was the pilot episode for the TV Show. I remember somebody recognizing me asked, it was so far in the future, why would you be wearing glasses(since I do wear glasses). It was a good point!
7. Fathers' Day (1997)
PG-13 | 98 min | Comedy, Romance
A woman cons two old boyfriends into searching for her runaway son by convincing both that they are the boy's father.
Director: Ivan Reitman | Stars: Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Nastassja Kinski
Votes: 16,494 | Gross: $28.66M
Now meeting Robin Williams was a highlight! He is so cool and treats everyone like you have know each other for years. Also he was so funny and always "on"! Great Person.
8. Sprung (1997)
R | 105 min | Comedy, Romance
Two pairs of best friends - Montel & Clyde and Brandy & Adina meet at the party, where Clyde makes Adina think he is very rich and gets her into bed the same evening. When Adina finds out ... See full summary »
Director: Rusty Cundieff | Stars: Tisha Campbell, Rusty Cundieff, Paula Jai Parker, Joe Torry
Votes: 1,270 | Gross: $7.55M
9. Queens Logic (1991)
R | 100 min | Comedy, Drama
A group of lifelong friends meet again in Queens for Ray's (Ken Olin) bachelor party and wedding.
Director: Steve Rash | Stars: Kevin Bacon, Linda Fiorentino, John Malkovich, Joe Mantegna
Votes: 1,838 | Gross: $0.61M
Yes I can even be in Six Degrees of Bacon!
10. Hunter (I) (1984–1991)
TV-14 | 48 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Rick Hunter is a renegade cop who bends the rules and takes justice into his own hands. Partnered with the equally stunning and rebellious Sgt. McCall, he sets out to crack down on L.A.'s slimiest criminals.
Stars: Fred Dryer, Stepfanie Kramer, Charles Hallahan, Perry Cook
Votes: 5,644
Oh this was a great set and fun show. I was on as an extra and then my classic car was also featured and I got to be a stunt driver!! So cool.
11. Moonlighting (1985–1989)
TV-PG | 3,073 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
The quirky cases of a former model and a smart aleck detective who manage a private detective agency.
Stars: Cybill Shepherd, Bruce Willis, Allyce Beasley, Curtis Armstrong
Votes: 24,251
Yes I got on this show many times! Cybil nice and Bruce is a... well lets just say he is nice "on screen".
12. Cagney & Lacey (1981–1988)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Two female police detectives cooperate with each other both in their professions and in their personal lives.
Stars: Tyne Daly, Sharon Gless, Al Waxman, Martin Kove
Votes: 5,048
I guess I was on in the last season of this show. They put me in a jail cell!! Ha,ha.
Before reality TV. It was fake reality!! Ha,ha.
14. Murder One (1995–1997)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Theodore Hoffman is a prominent defense attorney in a prestigious Los Angeles law firm. After successfully defending the wealthy but suspicious Richard Cross in a lurid murder trial, he is ... See full summary »
Stars: Mary McCormack, Michael Hayden, J.C. MacKenzie, Barbara Bosson
Votes: 2,449
15. Sonny Spoon (1988)
60 min | Comedy, Crime, Mystery
A slick, street-smart private eye and top disguise artist solves various crimes with a little help from his friends and also takes care of his dad, a bar owner.
Stars: Mario Van Peebles, Terry Donahoe, Bob Wieland, Melvin Van Peebles
Votes: 122
16. ER (1994–2009)
TV-14 | 44 min | Drama, Romance
The doctors who work in the ER at the County General Hospital in Chicago grapple with ups and downs in their personal and professional lives while trying to give apt medical care to their patients.
Stars: Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Eriq La Salle
Votes: 67,709
Okay, now this was a great day. I was just a regular patient but then they needed to retake a scene and the principle actor was already wrapped(finished) for the day so they asked me to stand in!! So I got to work with George Clooney!! I know you ladies are envious! Also, I got to work with Kristen Dunst(after Interview with a Vampire and before Spiderman fame). This was Season 3 ending episode!
17. Colors (1988)
R | 120 min | Action, Crime, Drama
An experienced cop and his rookie partner patrol the streets of East Los Angeles while trying to keep the gang violence under control.
Director: Dennis Hopper | Stars: Sean Penn, Robert Duvall, Maria Conchita Alonso, Randy Brooks
Votes: 29,820 | Gross: $46.62M
Gang Wars between Bloods and Crips. I was a Crip in the film. The scene was at the Pier in Santa Monica.
18. Melrose Place (1992–1999)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Classic serial drama around a group of friends living in Melrose Place, California.
Stars: Heather Locklear, Andrew Shue, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Thomas Calabro
Votes: 13,283
19. NYPD Blue (1993–2005)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Detectives from NYPD's 15th Precinct investigate homicides within their precinct.
Stars: Dennis Franz, Jimmy Smits, Gordon Clapp, James McDaniel
Votes: 16,328
20. The Sandlot (1993)
PG | 101 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
In the summer of 1962, a new kid in town is taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his rowdy team, resulting in many adventures.
Director: David Mickey Evans | Stars: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Art LaFleur, Patrick Renna
Votes: 102,343 | Gross: $32.42M
Yeah seeing and playing in Dodger Stadium with no crowd and cool.
21. In the Line of Fire (1993)
R | 128 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan couldn't save Kennedy, but he's determined not to let a clever assassin take out this president.
Director: Wolfgang Petersen | Stars: Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Rene Russo, Dylan McDermott
Votes: 113,662 | Gross: $102.31M
The first movie to use a "360 degree" angle camera shot. It has been copied many times since.
22. Party of Five (1994–2000)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family
Five siblings raise each other following their parents' untimely deaths.
Stars: Matthew Fox, Scott Wolf, Neve Campbell, Lacey Chabert
Votes: 11,279
I loved JLH!!
23. Thirtysomething (1987–1991)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Seven tricenarians living in Philadelphia struggle with everyday adult angst.
Stars: Timothy Busfield, Polly Draper, Mel Harris, Peter Horton
Votes: 3,044
I was on this show a couple of times. They even used my car once.
24. Werewolf (1987–1988)
30 min | Horror, Thriller
Grad student Eric Cord becomes infected with lycanthropy after his friend turns into a werewolf and attacks him. Now, Eric and his girlfriend are after the monster that infected his friend, and a tough cowboy bounty hunter pursues Eric.
Stars: John J. York, Lance LeGault, Chuck Connors, Brian Thompson
Votes: 1,097
This was a fun shoot. Way out in Cal State Northridge.
25. Split Decisions (1988)
R | 95 min | Action, Drama, Sport
When a boxer is killed because he wouldn't take a dive, his brother tries to find a way to avenge him even if only symbolically.
Director: David Drury | Stars: Gene Hackman, Craig Sheffer, Jeff Fahey, John McLiam
Votes: 1,101 | Gross: $0.70M
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