A Tribute to: Adam Baldwin

Adam Baldwin has been in a number of movies over the span of my lifetime. But I'll be honest, I've kind of loved him since he starred with Matt Dillon in "My Bodyguard" in 1980. In case you've never seen this movie (and shame on you...) http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3216966937/. 

"Tiffani, you were six," you might be thinking, and OK, you're right, I didn't see it in the theater - but I remember it vividly from TV in my elementary/middle-school-ish years. And thus I fell in love. Baldwin's character was the strong silent type, wounded, holding onto a secret.

He has had a productive career since then, gotten lots of work throughout the years. My particular favorites are small roles in Independence Day, and cameos on shows like Bones and NCIS. He's one of those actors that I see in little places and think, "Golly, I wish he'd get some regular work." Meanwhile, I apparently wasn't watching any Josh Whedon TV programs, since had recurring roles in both Angel and Firefly.

He's been on Chuck (the story of a regular guy who becomes a spy) since its beginning about 3+ yrs ago. He plays Commander Casey, a former army soldier who now is a spy for the CIA. As Casey, Baldwin is gruff, funny, tough, and soft. He plays the role with just the right amount of comedic gravitas and tough guy power. Its like My Bodyguard all over again.

Don't get me wrong, I think Zac Levi, as Chuck, is adorable, goofy and good-natured - and if I got the chance to hang out with him, I think he'd be a pretty cool, regular dude. But everytime Baldwin gets a chance to be on camera, I go back to my childhood and fall in love again.

If you haven't done so yet, check out Chuck on NBC on Mondays. Even more - if you haven't seen it, queue up My Bodyguard on Netflix and enjoy a great story and Adam Baldwin doing what he does best - right at the beginning of when he was doing it.

(Oh, and in case you were wondering, no, he's no relation to those other Baldwins)