Angel's Alley Tidbit: Character Inspirations-Nick Callahan

Writers get these things sometimes. Awesome images of people or characters that fit your own so well. So, yes I am one of these crazy nutso people, and you know what's funny? So many of my characters look like some of my favorite people. Observe: 

Nick Callahan

This is the first character in "Taking the Rap"(now called "Angels' Alley") that started dancing around in my head. Now, when I first met this character, he resembled James Cagney. He was built like Cagney, spoke like Cagney(oh, that rapid-fire speech pattern I love so much!) probably even looked like Cagney. Like this:

 But then he began too evolve. Several times. There were even a couple of drafts where he spoke in my head with a Washington Heights accent, and spit words with the same rhythm, though not the same speed as Cagney. In short, he turned into Leo Gorcey. See pic below:

Which wasn't much of a surprise anyway, since both Gorcey and Cagney have the same speech pattern, and the characters they play have the same type of personality. Observe:

So of course, the two actors with the speech patterns that appeal to me get the lead character in a play I writing. Go figure. 

James Cagney in color! You're welcome.

Also, being a writer, and someone who is constantly thinking and writing of her characters during her revision process and then I do things like this:(NOTE: If you want to avoid spoilers do not highlight where indicated.)

Name: Nicholas Callahan

Known As: Nick , or Nicky(only to certain people)
Appears In: Angels Alley(aka Taking the Rap), Not A Criminal, Fire Escape

Relationships: Davey Callahan, older brother; deceased

                       Ivy Callahan, younger sister

                       Johnny Moreno, best friend; *SPOILER ALERT*later brother-in-law
                       Mark Vecchio, mentor; *SPOILER ALERT*later brother-in-law
                       Ash Valerio, friend
                       Dutch Kelly, friend
                       Gyp Merrick, nemesis
Marital Status: confirmed bachelor
In Later Years: Employed by Federal Bureau of Investigation Justice Department
                         Undercover criminal investigations(circa 1950)
Death:  Gunned down *SPOILER ALERT* by Gyp during and undercover operation; died from
             injuries incurred.

Another Silver Screen Idol

This is Nelson Eddy. I would kill to have someone with a voice like his sing to me. No joke.

Do You Know Who This Is?

This is Corey Sevier(above, in his teens; below, as of 2012.) I had a crush on him when I was in my early teens, simply because I saw an adorable adaptation of Wilson Rawls' Summer of the Monkeys. I must have seen this movie fifty zillion times before my VHS broke and I am still  trying to find a copy on DVD. I was recently re-introduced to him on Netflix, where I have been watching the "Little Men" series he did in '98, and both episodes he did of "Psych".  I'll go into more detail about this talented actor on his birthday(July 3rd), suffice it to say, his is currently the face that is dancing around my head as the protagonist in my next play, which will go up after "Like Wolves"(except the character looks more like the top image than the bottom one, but whatever). This guy is AMAZING, and I really wish he would do more work so that I can enjoy him more often.

UPDATE 2/13/13: I lied. This is Davey. This is what Davey Callahan looks like. Don't know what I'm talking about? Check this!