Brian Frishman
- Actor
At an imposing height of 6-feet-6-inches, it seems natural that Brian Frishman pursued a basketball career in high school, but it was his grace on the court that pushed him ahead. By college, he had the NBA in his sights and was ranked one of the best players in the United States, but he was set back by a series of injuries and ultimately decided that his career wasn't worth the physically debilitating risks.
Being on the court, he learned that he enjoyed performing, so he enrolled in acting classes and was soon booking work in TV and movies. One of his earliest parts was a featured guest-spot on The White Shadow (1978) in which he portrayed a high school basketball star who was able to coast through school thanks to his athleticism. This was one of the meatiest roles of his Hollywood career and it also hit very close to home. He made his feature film debut with a tiny part in Steven Spielberg's epic comic misfire 1941 (1979). The following year, he portrayed the lovable dimwit Barf in Disney's Midnight Madness (1980), which went on to garner a monstrous cult following thanks to airings on HBO throughout the 1980s. Next, he squared off in the boxing ring against Tommy Lee Jones in Back Roads (1981). After that came another Disney movie, Amy (1981), which featured him in a pivotal role as a sensitive deaf mute who was taught by Jenny Agutter.
With a growing string of flops under his belt, bit parts followed, but they were few and far between, plus he was stereotyped due to his size and looks. He played a sexy meat-head in Savage Streets (1984), a frat bro in School Spirit (1985), another basketball player on Misfits of Science (1985), a murder suspect on Matlock (1986), and a brute named Bobo on two episodes of The Fall Guy (1981).
Realizing his career wasn't taking off and that he'd learned nothing at college, Frishman re-enrolled as a freshman at Sonoma State University at the age of 32. He studied English and creative writing, earned a bachelor's degree, and then moved on to UCLA, where he earned a master's in Fine Arts.
He taught drama and directing in Los Angeles and Reno, and then for 15 years he was the beloved middle and high school theatre director at Sacramento Country Day School. He was noted for bringing out the best in his students, and he authored plays that continued to be performed after he retired to focus on a wellness practice in 2020.
Being on the court, he learned that he enjoyed performing, so he enrolled in acting classes and was soon booking work in TV and movies. One of his earliest parts was a featured guest-spot on The White Shadow (1978) in which he portrayed a high school basketball star who was able to coast through school thanks to his athleticism. This was one of the meatiest roles of his Hollywood career and it also hit very close to home. He made his feature film debut with a tiny part in Steven Spielberg's epic comic misfire 1941 (1979). The following year, he portrayed the lovable dimwit Barf in Disney's Midnight Madness (1980), which went on to garner a monstrous cult following thanks to airings on HBO throughout the 1980s. Next, he squared off in the boxing ring against Tommy Lee Jones in Back Roads (1981). After that came another Disney movie, Amy (1981), which featured him in a pivotal role as a sensitive deaf mute who was taught by Jenny Agutter.
With a growing string of flops under his belt, bit parts followed, but they were few and far between, plus he was stereotyped due to his size and looks. He played a sexy meat-head in Savage Streets (1984), a frat bro in School Spirit (1985), another basketball player on Misfits of Science (1985), a murder suspect on Matlock (1986), and a brute named Bobo on two episodes of The Fall Guy (1981).
Realizing his career wasn't taking off and that he'd learned nothing at college, Frishman re-enrolled as a freshman at Sonoma State University at the age of 32. He studied English and creative writing, earned a bachelor's degree, and then moved on to UCLA, where he earned a master's in Fine Arts.
He taught drama and directing in Los Angeles and Reno, and then for 15 years he was the beloved middle and high school theatre director at Sacramento Country Day School. He was noted for bringing out the best in his students, and he authored plays that continued to be performed after he retired to focus on a wellness practice in 2020.
