The Star Sitting Next To You

Los Angelean Kevin Sheridan has appeared in over a dozen television guest spots, and just wrapped up writing, producing, and starring in his very own film, Leaving Barstow.

Kevin Sheridan sits with his new toy, a brand new MacBook, utterly immersed in its shiny new screen displaying his next feature film writing endeavor.  He seems to be half listening, half creating as his eyes focus acutely on what's directly in front of him.  The screen, not me.  It's amazing how someone so intense could be such an amicable interviewee while still remaining so concentrated on the work that succeeds him.

This seems to be the way that Sheridan works though.  Both hands must always be dipping in opposing tasks or how could one be as successful as this 26-year-old?

When asked about his freshest career move as writer, producer and lead actor in his coming of age film Leaving Barstow, up comes that brilliantly youthful face from the laptop screen, "I did it myself.  I just grabbed it and said, ‘I'm making a movie,' and I made a movie," says Sheridan with his patented nonchalant modesty that serves him so well.  He'd seemingly blush if I mentioned it, but there is a hint of pride dazzling behind those eyes, and well there should be.

Sheridan is a Los Angeles native.  He grew up in Hancock Park, moving to the Pacific Palisades at 12-years-old.  He's the oldest of three boys, the younger gents being Chris, 18 and Colin, 15.  His mother Dannine is president of The Sheridan Group, a highly acclaimed Southern California interior design team, while father Scott is a managing partner of Sheridan/Ebbert real estate development.  Talk about a family with Southern California roots!
When asked what he believes is the most instrumental force behind his career Sheridan answers without hesitation, before my lips can even finish the inquiry, "My mom, for sure."  Sheridan remembers one evening when he was about 12-years-old, his parents took him out to dinner to have "the talk" about his desire to pursue acting.  Following that talk, auditions and roles started and haven't stopped since.

When he was 15-years-old, Sheridan landed a leading role in the well loved sitcom Soul Man by the producers of Home Improvement.  While his friends were newly adjusting to high school and the freshman football season, Sheridan was flying to New York City for three week increments to portray Dan Akroyd's eldest son on nationally syndicated television.  He candidly speaks of celebrating Liv Tyler's 21st birthday with her and smoking his first cigarettes with Kate Moss as I watch him fervently chomping his nicorette gum.  
Over the last ten years Sheridan has since landed over a dozen television guest-starring roles  including but not limited to such high rated shows as Boston Public, Veronica Mars, Without a Trace, Justice and last but not least The Closer, his favorite role yet to date.

 He muses of a trip heading to the Breckenridge Film Festival recently where Leaving Barstow was screening.  "I know you.  You were on Law and Order," an excited young woman gawked as he was heading to his assigned airline seat.  He calmly reassured her that, although he's been on almost every other crime show on television, that no, he's not that guy from Law and Order.

Sheridan's close friend, director of Leaving Barstow, and star of Showtime's Queer as Folk, Peter Paige playfully suggests, "Oh yeah, don't get in the car with baby-killer Kevin, there's something strange about that guy," regarding all of Sheridan's mysterious character roles on his several crime show debuts.

Sheridan would of course love to break away from character roles as he furthers his career to grow and shine as perhaps a leading man.  There's no doubt that his handsome baby-face will help him eventually attain a seamless transition no matter where his ambition and desires lead.

So the next time you're boarding your flight to destination unknown, maybe you'll be lucky enough to run into Sheridan, and thankfully this time, you won't mistake him for that Law and Order guy.