An entire post on the life and times of Wesley Eure? Sure! Of all the celebrities who have come and go over the years, Wesley Eure of "Land of the Lost" may be one of the most fascinating. I mentioned in my last "whatever happened to?" post that he was the co-creator of "Dragon Tales", but it goes beyond that. Let's take a look.
He big break came when Robert Goulet discovered him selling velvet paintings in Vegas. Goulet offered him the opportunity to perform on his tour.
Later, he almost became David Cassidy's replacement on "The Partridge Family", but the show was cancelled. He moved on to the amazing "Land of the Lost" for a few seasons. On LOTL his name appears in the credits as simply "Wesley", whereas the rest of the cast had their full name spelled out. This has become a source of embarrassment over the years for Eure.
His proceeding attempts in the cinema were rather interesting. In a bizarre career change, Eure starred in one of the more gritty horror movies to come out of the 70's, The Toolbox Murders. The film was directed by Tobe Hooper fresh off the heals of his Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I wanted to put the film trailer on here, but it was so brutal and gruesome that I think I'll include the TV trailer instead (at the bottom of this post). I'd like to keep retrospace at least PG-13. I've seen the film, and it's not great cinema, but it has worth simply for being as dark and nihilistic a film as you're gonna get. Henry: A Portrait of a Serial Killer seems upbeat compared to this. What a shift from "Land of the Lost"!
Anyway, in 1979, Eure starred alongside Valerie Bertinelli and Conrad Baine ("Diff'rent Strokes") in C.H.O.M.P.S. and made numerous appearances on "The Match Game" in the latter part of the decade. He also hosted a game show on Nickelodeon.Eure's big success came with the publication of The Red Wings of Christmas. The story has been optioned by Disney and has been a big seller, but here's the truly awesome part... it's illustrated by Ron Pallilo (Horshack from "Welcome Back, Kotter")! Arnold Horshack's illustration is included below.
Okay, now Eure's success gets even more startling. It turns out that the show my children have been enjoying for years, "Dragon Tales" was co-created by Eure. The show has been a huge success, receiving millions of dollars from the federal government, and winning numerous awards. The profits have allowed Eure to take up residence in Palm Springs and enjoy a little of the high life.
Of course, given Eure's propensity for success in diverse areas, we shouldn't be surprised to learn that he has written other varied books such as On the Wall Off the Wall: The Official Collection of the All Time Best Office Graffiti Snatched from the Walls of Corporate America and is a leading fund raiser for The March of Dimes.
Okay, so let's take stock here: velvet painting artist in Vegas, performer for Robert Goulet's roadshow, almost a Partridge, star of "Land of the Lost", serial killer in a horror movie, game show host and contestant, award winning children's book author, co-creator of a PBS cartoon, and top fundraiser. Sort of makes you feel like you haven't done anything doesn't it?
You and becca (No Smoking in the Skull Cave) have the market cornered, so to speak, on covering the more obscure corners of the pop culture landscape. That's for damn sure. I thought I tried to be original!
ReplyDeleteExcellent and thorough post. I knew older kids in my neighborhood who had hairstyles and wore clothing just like him. And of course I never missed an episode of Land of the Lost.
Thanks, Chris. Although I feel like I should thank you for that killer photo of yourself. The Starship Captain ID card is classic. I love that you put Gene Roddenberry as Comodore (and evidently misspelled or couldn't fit his last name, so there's a nice neat black box after "Gene").
ReplyDeleteI'm easily amused.
During the credits of LOTL, when Eure's name came up merely as "Wesley," I figured (being a wee kid at the time) that he was an orphan and had no last name.
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda embarassed that I revealed that.
If you're interested in Land of the Lost, you might want to visit my fan site with coverage of both versions of the TV series and the latest news on the upcoming movie.
ReplyDeletehttp://personal.linkline.com/enik1138/
Kathy Coleman will be appearing along with her "Land Of The Lost" Co Star, Wesley Eure at Steel City Con in Pittsburgh, March 2012. It's a "Krofft Superstars Reunion" and it will be a show you will NOT want to miss. It's been a LONG time since Kathy and Wesley have been at the same show together! Here is a link
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8FYO6uE5Ec&list=UUKiNzpkR31Pk5Ov2M-uAHuQ&index=1&feature=plcp
This is all very interesting on Wesley Euere because I have often wonderedhat happened to him. You forgot to mention that he was also "Michael Horton" on "Day's of Our Lives" in the late seventies and very early eighties.
ReplyDeleteI could swear that wesley eure sat behind me in study hall{gcsh} wesley loper?
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember Wesley Loper as a young high school student in the late 60's in Granite City, Ill - so he may very well have been behing you in study hall.
ReplyDeleteHOW COME WESLEY DOESNT COME TO ANY OF THE CLASS OF 69 REUNIONS
ReplyDeleteKathy Coleman will be appearing along with her "Land Of The Lost" Co Star, Wesley Eure at Steel City Con in Pittsburgh, March 2012. It's a "Krofft Superstars Reunion" and it will be a show you will NOT want to miss. It's been a LONG time since Kathy and Wesley have been at the same show together! Here is a link
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8FYO6uE5Ec&list=UUKiNzpkR31Pk5Ov2M-uAHuQ&index=1&feature=plcp
He was also Richard Chamberlain's boyfriend for a year.
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