Paul Land was an American actor who rose to fame in the 1980s with his roles in the movies The Idolmaker and Spring Break. He was praised for his charismatic and witty performance as a singer and a comedian, but he also struggled with his personal life and his career choices. He died of cancer at the age of 51, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and talent.
Early Life and Career
Paul Land was born as Paul Callandrillo on January 31, 1956, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was one of 13 children in a large family, and his brother was a professional basketball player. He attended several universities in Ohio, where he studied drama and music. He worked as a roofer and a model before becoming an actor. He was discovered at a party by a French TV producer, who cast him in a commercial for Perrier
He made his film debut in 1980, playing the role of Tommy Dee, a fictional rock singer based on Frankie Avalon, in The Idolmaker. The film was a musical drama about the rise and fall of a music producer and his protégés. Land received rave reviews for his portrayal of the spoiled and egotistical star, who sang two songs in the film (although they were dubbed by another singer). He appeared on American Bandstand, where Dick Clark called him “an amazing guy” and “a talented guy with that secret, magic ingredient that all of the star-makers look for”
He followed up his success with another film in 1983, Spring Break, a comedy about four college students who spend their vacation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He played the role of Stu, a fun-loving and adventurous guy who falls in love with a local girl. The film was a box office hit and a cult classic, and Land was once again praised for his comedic skills and charm. He also appeared in the erotic drama Wild Orchid in 1989, playing a sailor who seduces a young woman
Besides films, Land also appeared in a TV movie called Private Sessions, where he played a psychiatrist who helps a troubled woman. He also guest-starred in an episode of Riptide, a detective series. He collaborated with Alice Cooper on a song called “I Like Girls”, which was featured on Cooper’s album Zipper Catches Skin
Personal Life and Death
Land married Michelle Dimitri, the daughter of a fashion designer, in 1981 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. The couple had a lavish wedding, but their marriage was short-lived and they divorced in 1983. Land never remarried and did not have any children. He was openly gay, but he did not make a big deal out of his sexuality. He was known to be a heavy smoker and a drinker, and he had a reputation for being difficult and temperamental. He also suffered from depression and anxiety, and he was unhappy with the direction of his career. He felt that he was typecast as a comic actor, and he wanted to pursue more serious roles. He once said that he would rather be recognized as a dramatic actor than a comedian
He left acting in the early 1990s and started his own construction business in New Jersey under his real name. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1996 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. However, the cancer was too advanced and he died on December 30, 2007, in North Bergen, New Jersey. He was 51 years old. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Hudson River. He was survived by his mother, sister, and brother
Legacy and Influence
Land was one of the pioneers of the new wave genre, which challenged the conventional norms of rock music and female singers. He was admired for his original and expressive voice, which conveyed a range of emotions and attitudes. He influenced many other artists, such as Liz Phair, Courtney Love, and Gwen Stefani. His songs with the Waitresses have been featured in various movies, TV shows, and commercials, such as The Simpsons, The Office, and Target. He is remembered as a talented and charismatic performer, who left a lasting mark on the music industry
