Brendon Boone's entire life seems to be one lived-out
on the world stage. The son of a Navy Chaplain/'itinerate'
Methodist minister, he was incessantly on the move with his family, always
readapting to a new environment and new people.
The initial move came at age three from his Meridian, Mississippi,
birthplace to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where his father earned yet
another sheepskin credential from the Candler School of Theology. Having already adjusted to the curious fuss
over skin color, now Brendon had to adjust to the alienation of a young
theology student from Japan who had so graciously gifted him with a toy red
truck for his birthday. Now, his young
Japanese friend was compelled to return to his native land lest he shame his
family.
During World War II, the family settled in San Diego,
California. Then following the war it
was back to Mississippi where the Boones remained entrenched just long enough
for Brendon to win the state championship in the Soap Box Derby. Subsequently 'nosed-out' in a photo-finish
for the World Championship in Akron, Ohio, young Brendon, reluctant to return
home having disappointed his entire state, was encouraged by guest celebrity at
Derby Downs, James Stewart, "You go on back down to Mississippi. You're still a champion there!"
Within a brief few years Brendon was
discovered on the Rollins College Annie Russell Theatre Stage in Winter Park,
Florida, in a performance as 'Sakini' in "The Teahouse of the August
Moon," and Hollywood beckoned. With
a return to the West Coast and the launch of a career in films, Brendon
ultimately gained Golden Globe Award recognition from the International
Hollywood Foreign Press Association in the category: Most Popular TV Star -
Male.
The single parent of his son, Norman
Brendon Boone, III (now 36), he contends it's finally time gracefully to 'get
off the stage,' offering to the world as a novel and film -
"Preacher and Co" ... his 'Swan Song.'
