Gregory Freeman: Make No Bones About It, I Do Look Like That Film Star. 4/11/2000

Headline: MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT, I DO LOOK LIKE THAT FILM STAR
Reporter: By Gregory Freeman

Publication: ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Last Printed: Tue., Apr. 11, 2000
Section: METRO, Page: B1, Edition: FIVE STAR LIFT

Readers write in

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Dear Greg,

I saw "The Bone Collector" last night. It made me think of you.

Joe B.

Ah, yes. Finally a letter from an astute reader. "The Bone Collector" is a film about a forensic expert who was paralyzed on the job. Most important, however, is that the film stars Denzel Washington. Joe B. was obviously struck by the uncanny resemblance between Washington and myself, a resemblance that some readers have somehow missed.
For years, I've been dropping comments into columns about how much I look like Denzel. And I've sat back and waited -- and waited -- for the letters to pour in and for people to say, "Hey, Greg, you're right. I never noticed it before, but the two of you could have been separated at birth."
But those letters didn't come in. Perhaps the post office was holding them for postage due. Or maybe some readers were simply suffering from writer's cramp. Until now.

In addition to looking alike -- when I take off my glasses and about 70 pounds, we could pass for twins -- we have so many other things in common as well.
Among them:

We're both men.
We were both born in the 1950s.
We're both Americans.
The list goes on and on.

Anyway, thanks Joe, for noticing the obvious. And to those who keep confusing me with Denzel, I hope this straightens out the mix-up.

===

Dear Greg,

You've often written about your son, and I've enjoyed reading those columns. Can we expect to read more about him soon? I'm the father of two boys who are younger than your son, and I've gotten an idea of what to expect over the years by reading about your youngster.

David H.

Dear David,

I'm sure there will be future columns about my son, Will. But he's away at college in Chicago, making him less of a source for column fodder.
In short, we hear from him most often these days when he wants us to send money. (And I have turned into my parents as the words "Money doesn't grow on trees" regularly escape uncontrollably from my lips.)
Incidentally, I've suggested to my wife that we have another child for the column material, but she won't go for it.

===

Dear Greg,

I read Bill McClellan's column where someone suggested that you or he be named the new editor of the Post-Dispatch. What are the chances of that?

Patricia B.

Patricia, I won't speak for Bill, whom I'd gladly support for editor any day, but as for me, I'd say my chances of being selected are somewhat less than the chances of my being named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

===

Dear Greg,

I'd like to see you write more columns about urban myths on the Internet. Not a week goes by that my sister -- who's new to the Net -- doesn't forward an e-mail to me about Bill Gates giving away free computers or the Civil Rights Act expiring or Kentucky Fried Chicken changing its name to KFC because it no longer uses real chicken.
Will you please dispute these myths?

Richard G.

Richard, tell your sister that she can check out these Internet hoaxes and urban myths before passing them along. There are a number of sites available online, including: http://urbanlegends.about.com/culture/urbanlegends/

Until I get my free computer from Bill Gates, however, I'm not talking.

Daniel Schesch - Webweaver

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