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American History X did. I've made some movies just to make a living, and I don't particularly want to do that."

He needed to expand again. He had the means, and he " . . . started writing more, I'm a photographer, and I shoot for a variety of publications. A few years ago I decided I was interested in women's clothing so I started to design. My line is starting to take off. . . . I just made a major sale to Sears in Mexico. Sears in Mexico is partnered with Sachs, and they've bought my line, called John Morrissey, as well as a number of other boutiques in Mexico City. I've started to sell in Miami. I'm putting all my attention on this Mexican process because my clothes go on sale there in September."

What led John to take his clothing venture south of the United States border?

"At the time I split with my wife, I decided to learn how to speak Spanish. I've had an increasing interest in Central and South America, and have travelled to Mexico, Spain, Venezuela, Argentina, and Uruguay." Costa Rica, Guatamala, Colombia, and Chile are on his list of future travel spots.

John's journeyemotional as well as literalpainted the picture of an entrepreneur, a man with varied but connected interests, and a determination to not limit himself to only one but, instead, excel at all of them.

When it was suggested that he was an entrepreneur, he thought for a moment before responding. "Producing is entrepreneurial. I think what I am is an artist, and I find different media or venues in which to express or practice or develop my art. For me, it all comes from the same place. . . . Designing clothes and writing and taking pictures and producing movies and acting, and all of it is sort of the same thing. I know it isn't, it requires different skill sets, but the impulse comes from exactly the same place. I think of myself as an artist. Some of the stuff I do requires entrepreneurial skills, of which mine are very limited." He laughed, as if he couldn't quite see himself in that role.

Yet, in hearing his story, there seemed to be little about this man that could be described as "limited." He gave off an air of one who was confident, yet not oversure. Capable but not arrogant. Someone who knew his way around romance but who truly prefers being in love with one special lady.

Which brought about a revealing comment from John. In talking again about his first real national role, that of Stavros on General Hospital, he said, "It was quite interesting to me because it sort of changed my view of myself. I thought of myself as a character, kind of a weird-looking guy, and I got cast as a very sexy guy. It had a great impact on my self-image."

Sometimes that's what it takes. Perception coupled with acceptance and action. John went for the role, it was given to him, he learned to play it, and he excelled.

That could, in fact, be John Morrissey's modus operandi these days. Not only has his name changed. In his own words, "On September 17, 1993, I stopped drinking and doing drugs and I've been clean and sober ever since. In 1996 I quit smoking." Each time he's gone around another curve in life, he has found a new role. Up for every new challenge, he's figured out how to play each one. Seems that for every corner John will turn, he'll continue to happily surprise himself.

But make no mistake. If you want to keep an eye on this artist, from here on out you need to be watching for John Morrissey, not John Martinuzzi! Check out his website: http://www.johnmorrissey.net and do not miss his bio to update on all he's done post-Martinuzzi. Click twice on the "Bio" link.

John Martinuzzi may be gone but there's no sorrow there. Morrissey is here to stay!

Learn more about this author, Linda Alexander.
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