Date: ??
Can
Michael Bendetti
Save Jump Street?
It's no secret that the moment superstar Johnny Depp started making noises about quitting, the honchos behind 21 Jump Street made some noises of their own! The call went out to the casting directors all over the country: "find us a 'Depp-stitute,' and make it snappy!" High hunk appeal, it was felt, was crucial to hold onto the show's high teen appeal. And so the searchlight beamed up, down and all around--hundreds of hunky hopefuls tested for a part on the show.And then a funny thing happened. Fox-TV cancelled the show. The search came to a dead stop. It didn't look like there would be a 21 Jump Street to find a hunk for!
A Second Chance
The doors of 21 Jump Street weren't to stay shut for long, however. For just as soon as independent stations hear that Fox was no longer running it, they jumped in and snapped it up: new episodes were ordered and reigning stars Peter DeLuise, Holly Robinson and Steven Williams came back. (Dustin Nguyen declined to re-sign.)Once again the hunk-hunt was on--this time, it netted a soulful but sweet brown-eyed California babe named Michael Bendetti. He would play the part of officer Tony "Mac" McCann.
So who is this hot new dude--and will you fall for him the way ya' fell for Johnny?
Meet Mike!
Michael Bendetti grew up in the near-to Los Angeles town of Lynwood, California. The youngest of four boys in a decidedly non-showbiz family, Michael was a star athlete at school, never an actor. It wasn't until his senior year in high school that he gave acting a whirl--and despite being heckled by his macho friends, found he loved it.Good looks, raw talent and "loving it," however, did not lead straight to Jump Street. Young though he is, Michael paid his dues. He trained in New York City, at the Neighborhood Playhouse and at New York University. He worked at odd jobs to support himself while searching out acting roles.
It took time, but the breaks finally started happening. Michael was in two TV-movies and guested on My Two Dads and Doogie Howser.
Trying out for Jump Street was mega-stressful. "I went in and auditioned six different times in three days--it was really tough," he confesses! But now that he's got it, and the show's got a second chance, you've got him!
Fun 'N Games
21 Jump Street takes Michael to Vancouver, Canada to work. On his time off, he scurries back to California where he appreciates hanging with his family and friends. Michael relaxes by going to the movies, renting videos and writing short stories. He's also a great cook--his specialty is linguini with pesto sauce.Michael's single, sweet, sensitive and funny--which makes him a prime candidate for your affections. He's mostly easy-going and doesn't profess to worry about filling those big shoes left empty by Johnny's Depp-arture. Michael just hopes you give him--and the show--a chance!
Start by writing: Michael Bendetti, c/o 21 Jump Street, Stephen J. Cannell Productions, 7083 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.
(Please Note: This article was probably published around 1990-1991, so the info may not be completely current. Any mail sent to the address at the bottom of the article is very unlikely to reach Mr. Bendetti.)