Page 6 - The Wayne Dispatch

ALUMNI, Continued from page 4 roes raised in Westland, Michigan. I
just happen to be publicly known for
cal, for which he won a Tony Award doing this thing I have loved doing
for Best Featured Actor in 2009. He my entire life. I feel it’s unfair and
heard about a hot new cop drama wrong. I wanted to share that day
coming to New York starring Tom with everyone in the city.
Selleck. Greg auditioned for three Greg is quick to praise those in
different characters his life who helped his career
without Tom in the trajectory at a young age. Ar-
room. He says he mando Delicato was a media
thought the magic specialist at WMHS. Also in-
was gone. At the end strumental were Richard
of the first season of Alder, Greg’s 10th grade music
Blue Bloods, Greg’s instrumental director who was
agent called him to then followed by Larry Pye.
say Tom wanted him Other “powerful, beautiful role
for a recurring role. models” were Adrienne Meyer
“I’m hearing choirs of Blue Bloods stars, Greg (WMHS drama teacher who
angels, and I’m think- Jbara and Tom Selleck. would come to productions at
ing ‘He still loves me.’” He is grateful Marshall Middle School to see the
for the opportunity to ride the coat- kids who were coming up in the
tails of the international star power drama system), Barb Eberling and
of Tom Selleck. Dottie Schuler (WMHS vocal music
The new signs had been sitting at teacher). “You cannot put into words
City Hall for several years prior to all the influence these people have
the ceremony. Greg’s schedule (he’s had in my life.” He also mentioned
contractually obligated to Blue the history teacher who would jump
Bloods from July 4-early April) had on the desks and made him excited
made it hard to coordinate anything about history, and Mr. Brooks who
with the City. Because of the 40th “was the voice of Wayne Memorial
high school reunion he was attend- High School. He had the greatest
ing, they were able to get the event to voice.” As Greg was speaking, he got
take place that same weekend. a text ping from Paul J. Brown. Paul
Greg says he just wanted to be is the real DCPI in the NYPD, the
one of the gang on that Saturday. “I character Greg plays in Blue Bloods.
wanted to be Greg Jbara from Wayne He showed Greg around the NYPD
Memorial High School and talk and how the role really is. “That is
about the good old days. What I do kooky, the timing of that” says Greg
for a living happens to be on interna- about the ping. No list of influencers
tional television on Friday night. Peo- would be complete without Terry
ple have cured illnesses, saved lives, Duncan, Greg’s childhood friend.
designed some amazing technologies “We were Mutt and Jeff. We were
we all take for granted today, lived Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. We
self-lessly helping the infirm, battled were Laurel and Hardy. My youth co-
and survived cancer on their own, incides with Terry’s. There but for
showed up (to the reunion) knowing the grace of Terry Duncan go I.”
they might not be there for the next As the interview concludes, Greg
one. enthuses, “I’m spoiled on this job.
These are all the people who re- Truly spoiled. I could talk about my-
ally must be celebrated for being he- self and the world forever.”

6 · November 2019 · The Wayne Dispatch