Character Sketch for Todd Roddick in Murder Behind the Curtain by Ann Watterman

 

“Mature actor and horror film veteran, costumed as such.”

Todd Roddick is 80 years old.   He has been acting since he was a teenager, attended what became the Youth Performing Arts School and attended college at UofL where he graduated with an MFA.

His “career” never really took off, however, and he appeared in New York on soap operas in supporting roles for about twenty years.  Then he was recognized by a casting director as being ideal for a role in “The Dark Side” and appeared as the lead monster for another twenty years in episodes that were broadcast after The Late Show on Friday nights.  In all, he appeared in more than 30 episodes.  Vincent Price was his ideal.

It was during this period that a fan base developed and he was in moderate demand for personal appearances, especially at Comic con and similar trade expos.  Sadly, even this ride came to an end about ten years ago.

It was at this time that he caught the attention of the casting director for Slasher Films.  He was hired by them as a central character for a series of films based on a paranormal/monster story line that retold crimes with that sort of twist.

He realizes that his career has not been all that successful but is satisfied that he did the best he could under the circumstances.  Those of being less than a heroic, romantic lead and more of a side-kick type of character.

His career and lifestyle are compatible.  He is an ego-centric hypochondriac who self-medicates to ease his imaginary ailments.  Some of his medications are borderline illegal without prescription and tend to send him on flights of fancy that, putting it kindly, make him interesting.  In fact, those close to him are quite fed-up with his behavior.  

Undaunted by the disapproval of those around him, he continues as he has.  It is a mixture of bravado, inflated ego, and insensitivity, or better, disregard for those near him.  He is not mean, simply self-absorbed.  He would never do anything to hurt another emotionally or physically.  He doesn’t have enough of a connection to anyone for that.