By Danny Teigman
Josh Mowery, a Long Beach resident and father of two, recently completed two months of filming with George Clooney in an upcoming picture, "Michael Clayton," due out either next fall or Christmas. Mowery doubled for Clooney in car scenes, distance shots and others taken from behind.
"It was wonderful," Mowery said. "George is terrific. Everyday George was upbeat and he put everybody at ease."
The film, shot in Manhattan and upstate Newburgh, details the late career of Michael Clayton, a lawyer who defends a company's environmental record, despite the damage it has caused.
Mowery is an accomplished actor in his own right and has performed in various soap operas, including a recurring role as a doctor in "Days of Our Lives," he said.
Noting his close approximation of Clooney's physical mannerisms and facial features, Mowery said his casting company, Grant Wilfley, submitted his picture to Michael Clayton Productions for consideration. Ten other actors auditioned.
After three screen tests that largely gauged his movement, Mowery was selected. Playing centerfield in college may have also helped. "There's something about a baseball players walk, there's a certain swagger." Clooney also played centerfield, Mowery said.
Mowery estimated that he doubled for Clooney in a total of 10 scenes. Doing so allows the main actor to rehearse his lines more frequently and for the director to focus on scenes that include dialogue.
"It just saves time during the filming," he added.
With approximately seven or eight years doubling for Clooney as well as Michael Douglas behind him, Mowery hopes to double for Clooney again in his upcoming film, "Oceans 13," due to begin filming this August, adding, "I've just befriended his inner circle."
Julie Kuehndorf, an assistant to Clooney's spokesman Stan Rosenfield, said he would not be available for comment by the Herald's deadline.
Meanwhile, Mowery's own inner circle, his family, seems to have also caught the acting bug as his children, Matthew and Samantha recently competed in a talent show at East Elementary School and won, performing a number from the Broadway musical "Annie."
"I'm all for encouraging my kids towards acting, but they will have a sideline in business or will pursue another career opportunity."
Comments about this story? DTeigman@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
