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That Face, That Voice (From the Santa Cruz Valley Sun, Volume 2 No. 1, July 1994)
Born in Inglewood, Calif., Don joined his father as a cowboy working for the legendary actor Francis Lederer on his cattle ranch in Canoga Park. He was in his late teens when Lederer and actress Virginia Grey began conducting drama lessons at the ranch every Saturday afternoon. They asked the shy young rider if he'd be interested in joining the group. When he finally agreed, his future was settled. Don Collier became an actor; yet, in his heart, ranching was still his first love. Don's film and television roles include acting in such epics as "September Gun," "Katie Elder and the Tickertape Kid," "Last Raid on Coffeyville," "The Sacketts," "Bonanza," "Highway to Heaven," "Little House on the Prairie," "How the West Was Won," and "The Young Riders." It was in the mid-60's before Don was able to spend much time in Southern Arizona. He was given a continuing part in producer David Dortort's "High Chaparral" television series. The job lasted for four years and, at the end of that time, Don knew he would eventually make Southern Arizona his permanent home. Once again, he allowed himself to dream of the real ranch life. "I was riding through the high Sonoran Desert just after sunrise and I knew I had finally come home. It was as if the desert was speaking to me...." Don laughed, "Maybe that's why I ended up speaking for the desert."
When the producer calls the casing director, the conversation usually goes something like this: "We need a look -- a face. The guy has to be really tough, but kind-heated. We should know he's a family man, but he's got to look innocent, yet be a real lady-killer! We want a cowboy who looks like a 'city fella' when he's dressed in a suit and tie. Older, but with the energy of a kid. Romantic, but shy. You know what we want! Do it!" Casting Director Holly Hire was given the assignment to find this composite male animal when she was casting a spot commercial for Ford trucks. 'I don't know whether it was the face or the voice, but when Don walked into the audition, he walked into my life forever."
It took a little time for her to share Don's dream of ranching. "I couldn't imagine living in the country in Arizona -- miles from everyone and everything...." Holly confides. "Now I can't believe I was ever happy in Hollywood. Whenever I have to go over to the Coast for casting sessions, I can hardly breathe! I can't wait to get out of the rat race and back home as soon as possible." Both Holly and Don agree that Arizona, for them, is Movieland, U.S.A.
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Most
Arizona residents and visitors to the Santa Cruz Valley recognize Don Collier's
face as that of the host of the educational television series, "The Desert
Speaks," or as the rancher telling us about the HMO he's represented on
television for the past seven years.
One of
the unsung heroes, or heroines of the motion picture business in the casting
director. Producers usually know exactly who they want for the leading roles,
but secondary leads, character actors and bit players are of equal importance if
the film is to be believable and the audience is to be transported into the
story.
Holly
became Mrs. Don Collier 11 years ago. The ceremony was performed at the Old
City Hall in Tucson