#30 Paul Petersen: Actor, Singer, Author, Activist

Bob & Suzanne have a candid and free-wheeling conversation with Paul Petersen, once a child actor and pop music teen idol, now a prominent social activist and prolific novelist, and the driving force behind "A Minor Consideration" working on behalf of young performers everywhere.   Breaking into show business as one of the original Mousketeers on Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club, Petersen went on to a co-starring role on one of the most iconic television series of all time, The Donna Reed Show, playing what he describes as “the classic gap-toothed wisecracking younger brother”.   Paul recalls the professional acting lessons he learned performing opposite movie greats Cary Grant and Sophia Loren in Houseboat, and then from Emmy-winner Carl Betz and Oscar-winner Donna Reed on The Donna Reed Show.  He then shares the gritty real-world of Hollywood studio casting when The Donna Reed Show went off the air after eight years, and he suddenly went from young star to struggling actor.    Articulate and painfully honest, Paul pulls no punches, telling his story with compelling intelligence and honesty.  You won’t forget hearing about the day that Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney literally showed up unannounced at his doorstep to give him the keys to a successful and fulfilling life.   What follows is a story of strength, stamina, and personal transformation.  The lessons Paul Petersen shares on this podcast should be heard by every “stage mother” and by all talented kids with dreams of making “the bigtime” in Hollywood.   This is the story of a "kid with talent" who became an iconic television star and international teen idol... and then walked into the halls of academe and a career as a novelist and social activist.  It's a tale as dramatic and compelling as any of Paul's TV and movie roles...and it’s rooted in the bottom-line reality of show business.   If you’ve ever worked in the entertainment industry...or if you have dreams of someday breaking into television, movies, or music at the professional level, this interview with Paul Petersen is no to be missed!