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The Fan Letters I Answer First

"I answer a fan with a hearing heart first," Kent confesses. "A person who cares deeply about what people need in their lives is someone I'll never forget. A letter can make me wonder how much we have in common. When we obviously have a lot, the thing that clinches my interest is an all out drive to achieve your personal hopes.

"Tell me your work goal. I'll admit I wanted to be a pilot, originally. At 12, I landed a job as a lineboy at the nearest airport to Baldwin Park, the Southern California town where I grew up. I helped wash and gas the planes. I longed to fly. I was paid in flying lessons and, by the time I was 13, I'd logged 100 hours at the controls. But, when I started going to high school I needed the $16 to $20 a week I could make at the field for expenses. I went on working there until I was 17. Which reminds me of another point, if you tell me you switch targets, I'll understand. My enthusiasm for flying funneled into football.

"Ask me if I believe teenagers can really be in love and I'll say yes emphatically. When I was 16 and a sophomore, I stopped other girls because I was crazy about a tall, slender brunette. Cynthia Lee Doty was a 15-year-old freshman and she's been my love ever since. Actually, I saw her when we went to the same junior high, but planes distracted me then. And Cynthia and I tested the reality of our affection when we chose separate campuses for a year. She went away to the University of California in Santa Barbara while I remained in junior college to up my grades for a football scholarship at the University of Utah. Our dates in that period were rewards that proved what we felt for each other was right.

"Mention you have fun visiting a friend who leads an exciting life and I'll smile. A mutual acquaintance introduced me to Rick Nelson. After getting my closest look at acting by watching the Nelson family on their sets, I was asked to play touch football by Rick. When his team took on one captained by Elvis Presley, I was surprised by Elvis--he was as regular as Rick!

"The Nelsons gave me work on their shows as an extra. When they weren't filming, I worked as an extra at other studios. Then I was Rick's stand-in. One-line parts in their series followed and finally, a small continuing role as one of Rick's fraternity brothers. It was a most enjoyable way to earn my expenses and still keep up with my college courses.

Should a fellow marry while he's still in college, before he has any material security? Put that to me and again I'll answer yes--if he can discover a girl like Cynthia! After one semester at Utah, I couldn't be happy that far from her. By then we didn't have to test the effect of distance. I transferred back to Mount San Antonio Junior College and we were married in Las Vegas with both our families present. I was 19 and Cynthia was 18. Ozzie and Harriet loaned us their beach house at Laguna for our honeymoon.

"Does a husband truly appreciate the help his wife gives him if she sticks to her job while he's a student? Once more I say yes! Cynthia was working in an insurance office when we married. Her take-home pay was about $47.50 a week. Since my work in Hollywood brought lulls between calls, her contribution was love in action.

"Confide that you've changed your professional goal and I'll never be pessimistic. Why stay in what you decided upon when you receive a tempting offer? After three years on the edge of show business with the Nelsons mostly, I had a chance to take a screen test at Universal. Cynthia and I talked it over thoroughly. I'd been majoring in physical education and had planned to teach in some school's athletic wing. For the first time I gave the idea of becoming an actor myself serious thought. When I spoke to Rick and David Nelson and Ozzie and Harriet about it, they believed I could make it. So I began to study acting with a coach for the test.

"When the result was a contract, it wasn't instant soaring. Financially, I signed for a third of what I'd been making with the Nelsons. There was no longer a drama coach and classes to train new talent at Universal. I had to pay for the tutoring every novice needs. For five months I moonlighted as a bouncer in a bar, until I made a little more at the studio and broke even.

"It was a rare advantage to have seen for myself how top favorites like the Nelsons functioned behind the scenes. They never fluffed off any of their obligations, never counted on magic instead of hard work. I've never imagined I could drift.

"After we married, Cynthia did some modeling, but she'd much rather devote herself to our lives together than pursue a career. Are you sentimental? We are! We named our daughter Kristin, after Rick's wife. Our Kris is 8 now and she's always been a treasure to us. She's more than pretty to me. She mixes well and she has a probing mind. By the time you read this, Cynthia and I will be the proud parents of the second child we've wanted, too.

"During the hiatus from the series this year I've been fixing up the house we bought a year ago with restoration in mind. I've painted and plastered and, with some help from friends, finished the electrical connections for the improvements. Cynthia's in charge of the decorating plans. Outside we're Mediterranean in style with a tile roof topping our home. The kitchen has been redone completely. Cynthia's a remarkable cook, in my opinion. For football, I once weighed 240 pounds. I had to lose fifty pounds to be an actor, so if you have to lose weight you have my sympathy. I remember it was no fun to eat less and exercise more, but you can do it. A guy who's had to is certain of that!

"Cynthia and I are very alike in our tastes. To the nightowls we seem conservative and reserved. Sailing is more of a special sport for me than it is for her, though. When our budget lets us buy a boat, I intend to give her pep talks so we can take off with the kids for Catalina on weekends.

"True friendships don't fade in Hollywood, as so many myths about show business would have you insist. We see Rick and Kris Nelson and their children often. Friends, near or far, are important to us. All of ours have an awareness of other persons' feelings, a courtesy that's inevitable. When I find that consideration in a fan, I'm immediately impressed.


Movieland and TV Time
July 1971
By Kent McCord, as told to Marco Amedeo
Transcribed by L.A. Christie

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