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Since Marty is the R.H.E. (Resident Hollywood Expert), I was hoping he might be kind enough to provide some insight (gossip) by answering curious questions about the movie industry, when he has time to spare, of course. (Ahem, Rebecca doesn’t log in until much later in the evening!)

My first series of questions:

What is payday like for an actor like a Tom Cruise? Does he get his $20 million in the form of a check? Is the money wired into his personal checking account? Does he haul away sacks of cash at the end of the day? Does he get paid on the very last day of the shoot? If he breaks something on the set, do the producers dock his paycheck to pay for the damages? Are there (famous) cases where an actor completes a job and NOT get paid?

I would like to know more about your own situation, Marty. Are you a working actor? What are your current projects? What are your aspirations? What is a typical day like for you?

If I'm too nosy, just ignore me.

When you went to Hollywood, announcing to your mother you were off to tread the boards, did she realize you were referring to here?

Well, I'll answer as best I can. I don't know everything, though I like to think I do.

The Tom Cruise situation. I'm nowhere near his level. I believe he's in the $20 million per film upper eschelon. Some big namers forego the big paycheck for a cut of the profits. Tom Hanks earned far more than $20 million for Forrest Gump, for example, because he had the foresight to see the eventual cultural phenomenon it would become. Of course, these actors do not get anywhere near the amount they seem. They pay 10% to their agent, 15% to their manager. They lose a huge chunk to taxes, pay their publicist, lawyers, accountant, union dues, etc. Make no mistake, they're wealthy people, but not to the extremes that People Magazine would have you believe.

Personally, I've done several commercials and miniscule independents. The only thing anyone here may remember me in is the Doritos ad from a few years back with basketballer Tim Hardaway. I produce my own theatre and am currently in a sketch comedy group. I'm also writing a sitcom with some fellow actors which we plan on shopping around town soon.

I doubt my mother even knows I use the internet all that much. Although, it was one of her colleagues years ago who got me into LOTR.

Wow!! Thanks for those answers. I will make a point about that when people complain about how much famous actors make.

I don't think you answered all the questions, Marty.

Never heard of this Marty person.

I still say he's really James Earl Jones.

Marty's way cuter. Funnier, too.

Is he the one in the bottle?

What questions did I miss?

I'm not sure, but I think it's your fault.

Lots of them. You aren't so good at responding to more than one topic in a message. Just sayin.'

That's because I only reply with one liners.

Difficult learning lines, eh?

Yes. Words are hard.