OUTscene: (MK 20) MK recalls his chats with Big screen Legends; Martin Sheen and Marlee Matlin!

By MK Scott

As I celebrate my 20th anniversary in the coming months, I look back at some of the most memorable moments of my career as a journalist. With all the talk of Charlie Sheen's antics and the upcoming Golden Globes, I fondly remember a chat with Charlie's legendary father, Martin Sheen in the spring of 1992.

Sheen was in Portland shooting a film, Danger Signs (Re-named; Hear No Evil) along with Oscar winner, Marlee Matlin and DW Sweeney. On  the day when they were in Portland's old town neighborhood shooting a marathon scene when Matlin was running in, and  hundreds of extras were waiting in bleachers with Sheen standing right in the middle.

Later as I was waiting in an area behind the bleachers, Sheen made his way there followed by a make up artist, to touch up his makeup. We chatted a little and I brought up his role playing Homeless activist, Mitch Snyder. I mentioned my recent episode of my public access show, 'Local Talk' on the subject of Homeless teens (with the resources of Outside In) and he was shocked that Portland had a large homeless teen population (Many of them were gay or gay for pay).  The conversation was very insightful and a rare opportunity to have a one on one with a Legend. I only wish I had a video crew there.

Fast forward 16 years in the Fall of 2008, when I caught up with Marlee Matlin (herself)  at the Pacific NW HRC dinner I brought up that day in Portland in 1992 of when we almost met. I mentioned my chat with Sheen and she remembered how cloudy it was that day. This was right after Matlin was on "Dancing with Stars' and we talked about the current (Fall 2008) season. She was gracious to pose for a photo with me and my date, Chris. It is amazing how one day that started in 1992 and ended in 2008 can finish the cycle.