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Hollywood Actor Calls Sebring Home

Bill Rettew Jr./Highlands Today

Veteran actor and director Terry Loughlin, of Sebring, talks about film, stage and movie work while working alongside John Travolta, Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: January 24, 2008

SEBRING — When it comes to being in charge and acting like an authority figure, Sun 'n Lake resident Terry Loughlin has just about done it all.

Loughlin was a DEA agent, police officer, judge, jury foreman, school principal, lawyer, professor and even a general.

The 63-year-old character actor worked in more than 20 feature films, about as many television shows and several theater productions.

His resume includes movies: "A Time to Kill," "The Jackal,"and "Billy Bathgate;" plus television shows, "Matlock," "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Heat of the Night."

The brown-haired, blue-eyed actor chose primarily the South as the place to hone his craft rather than California because he disliked the Hollywood lifestyle. He worked in many states, including Alaska, North and South Carolina, Texas, Florida and Tennessee, with hundreds of professional actors including John Travolta, Sidney Poitier, Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington.

"I'm just a character actor who was fortunate enough to get roles in some really good things," said Loughlin.

The former U.S. Army Vietnam-era draftee said he could likely walk into almost any area of a hospital without credentials and not attract attention.

"I look like I belong there," said Loughlin. "I could probably walk through a hospital because I look like a doctor."

Loughlin said he simply plays himself, since the cameras would otherwise catch him acting unrealistically.

"We just pretend — like 7-year-olds — and sometimes not as well," said Loughlin, while sitting pool side at his home on Tuesday. "It's nothing real, it's a story, something made up."

Occasionally when recognized by strangers, the actor is asked legal questions and is forced to explain that he is simply an actor who only portrays attorneys.

"All I'm doing is being me," said the twice-married father of two sons. "I'm the same guy. I don't create a role."

Loughlin took a leading role in a love story, "ME & You, Us, Forever," which is scheduled for theatrical release in Sebring on Feb. 15. In the film, a couple separated for many years takes a stab at reuniting. Loughlin portrayed the leader of a support group of divorcees.

The semi-retired actor discovered his career by chance when he went to an audition with a friend and was unexpectedly asked to try out for a part.

"After about 20 seconds, I knew I was going to be doing this for the rest of my life," said the tennis pro who can often be found playing on area courts at 6:30 a.m. "I'm one of the lucky ones. I never waited a table, but I've got two sons (who are actors) and both are really good waiters."

Loughlin said that while fame is a wonderful byproduct for an actor, he did it for the cash and as a way to support a family.

He is regularly recognized in Tampa and Miami, but not locally.

"People know me, but they don't know why they know me," he said with a smile. "In Sebring, they can't make the connection that somebody they saw last week on TV is buying cereal at Wal-Mart."

The actor described a favored scene when he was shot and killed on film by a fellow gunslinger, but said working with actresses also has its perks.

"For a love scene on stage, it's not for Susie Q the actress, but the woman in the last row," said Loughlin. "You have to travel out to the last row. But when making love to an actress, the camera finds its way into the relationship."

Acting got Loughlin into the business, but it's directing he now enjoys most.

"I want to know what I'm doing is right," said Loughlin. "I'm doing it with blinders on. What if I'm wrong?"

One director went the extra mile and taught him "give and take" while instilling a love for directing, said the husband of fellow actress, Leslie Conerly Loughlin.

"I want to get inside of that actor's head," said the San Diego born and raised actor, "and allow actors the freedom to experiment. There is a million ways to do a role. The people have to know where you're taking them."

For information on Loughlin's next feature film, "Me & You, Us, Forever," go to www.MeYouUsForever.com.

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