JA

NU

AR

Y 2

004

N E W Y E A R S R E S U L T S ! p 1 2

Christopher ShowerChristopher Showerman man TTakes Overakes Over

MOVIEMOVIEMUSCLEMUSCLE

P33P33

TopSupplementsFor SurvivorIsland7P46

GETGETLEANLEAN

OLOLYMPIAYMPIARESULRESULTSTS

P42P42

P50P50

35

ove over Brendan Fraser, ChristopherShowerman is more than ready to swing intoaction as Disney’s new lead in the movie,George of the Jungle 2. Not only didShowerman attack the role with enthusiasm,

he also performed a lot of his own stunts during themovie’s filming off the Gold Coast of Australia. Thisguy’s idea of a good time involves bungee jumping, skydiving, rock climbing,paragliding, flying, motorcyclecrashing and nearly anythingthat could involve physicalinjury. He even proved that he’snot afraid to eat a bug or twowhile on NBC’s reality show,Fear Factor.

Born June 10th and raised inJackson, Mich., Showermanmoved to California in August of1995 and now lives in LosAngeles off the 10 freeway inwhat he calls “Kevlar Country.” Recently we caughtup with the self-described adrenaline junkie for thisexclusive interview.

MS&F: What is your height and weight? CS: 6'2 and around 200 pounds, if my ankles aren't swollen.

MS&F: What was your first official acting job? CS: I was Pinky, a giant pink foam rubber ball. Pinky isthe mascot for Pink Dot — The Supermarket thatDelivers. I got to wear these giant clown shoes and 3-fingered gloves. My job description was to ridearound in a tiny Datsun convertible and get the attention of the already distracted motorists who arejuggling a cell phone and a bacon double cheeseburger.

MS&F: Where did you go to school?

CS: I have a BA in music composition from MichiganState University.

MS&F: What made you start working out? CS: I made a bicep pose during ‘heads down quiettime’ in Mrs. Zick's second grade classroom. SueBrown yelled across the room, "Hey, look at Chris'smuscle!" I think we had to stay after school for

interrupting quiet time, but I gotso jazzed for being noticed that Idecided to start pumping up atage 7.

MS&F: Who do you admire andwhy? CS: My Grandfather was (andstill is) my hero because he knewwho he was and what was important to him. He didn't getcaught up in ego or judgementwith himself or those around him.He was fun, funny, hard working,

compassionate and lived every moment with purposeand passion up to the day he died.

MS&F: In what sports were you active during high school?CS: Rock Band.

MS&F: In College? CS: Varsity Rock Band.

MS&F: Are you Married? Have a girlfriend? CS: No wife. No kids. No girlfriend. SWM looking for afun loving F who enjoys long walks on the beach,motorcycle repair, sunsets, free association Haiku andlaughs at all my stupid jokes.

MS&F: What would you have done with your life hadacting not worked out?

MChristopher Showerman, star of the new Disney movie George of the Jungle 2 startedworking out at age 7. He’s been performing his own stunts ever since.

by Stephanie Starr • photos by Jasonellisphotography.com

“SWM looking for a fun loving F who enjoyswalks on the beach,motorcycle repair,

sunsets, free associationHaiku and laughs at all

my stupid jokes.”

SWINGING INTO ACTIONSWINGING INTO ACTION

36

CS: Same thing I'm doing now — I’d just keep trying.

MS&F: How did you train to prepare for your role inGeorge Of the Jungle 2? CS: I studied the monkeys at theLA Zoo for their mannerisms andsocialization. I alsoworked out two to fourhours every day andonly ate twigs andpond scum.

MS&F: What kind ofdiet did you stick to? CS: At least a gallon ofwater and six to eightsmall meals daily. Istuck to clean proteins such as fishand chicken at everymeal with fibrouscarbs like spinach andbroccoli. I also ate a lotof brussel sprouts, butthey can gang up onyou during a long dayon the set, if you knowwhat I mean.

(When Showermanarrived in Australia on hisbirthday, but because hewas sticking to a strictdiet he couldn't have anycake. The cast stuck acandle in a piece of fishfor him to celebrate.)

MS&F: What is yourgeneral philosophy ontraining?CS: All work and noplay makes me a dullboy. I have to knowwhy I'm working out. IfI am training for a project, I hit the gym very hard andfocused. If not, I try to get out of there in an hour or so.Lately I have been lifting lighter with higher reps for a lean-er, sleeker look.

MS&F: What aspirations do you have to make your

mark in the industry?CS: I figure with Schwarzenegger as governor, there willbe an opening in the action film genre.

MS&F: What are your hobbies? What do you do to relax? CS: Those are two different things. I'm an adrenalinejunkie, I like to get on the LA freeways and see if I canmake my exit from six lanes over. I go to sleep to relax.

MS&F: What is your mostembarrassing moment? CS: In fourth grade the buttof my green corduroys rippedout and I was wearing my redSuperman Underoos underneath. I had my big redbooty hanging out for the restof the day. I decided thatafter that day I wouldn't beembarrassed about anything.

MS&F: What is next for you? CS: A taco salad. But afterthat, I will continue to lobbyto play Superman in the nextfeature incarnation of theman of steel. I am currentlyin Neil Simon's The StarSpangled Girl at the SecretRose Theater in NorthHollywood.

MS&F: Any parting advice?CS: A life lesson from acting school; the next timesomeone really gets under yourskin, think of how you wouldact that person in a movie.Once you start to see whatmakes people tick, you realize

we are all really very similar.

In his spare time Showerman volunteers for a wide variety ofcharities -- most importantly forhim, the Special Olympics, where

he coaches developmentally-challenged power lifters. He alsovolunteered for several HIV/AIDS charities, such as TheElizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, APLA and theActors Fund AIDS Benefit. Not long after this interview, hewrapped filming on the horror flick, Sea of Terror. Keep an eyeout at the box office for that to be released late in 2005.

“I like to get on the LA freewaysand see if I can make my exitfrom 6 lanes over.”