Statesman Journal from Salem, Oregon • Page 67

8H, Statesman-Journal, Salem, Ore. Week of June 16-June 22, 1985 William Sanderson is Larry on 'Newhart1 Actor finds success unnerving Actor William Sanderson is perplexed by the sudden twist in his career. The Memphis-born law school graduate has played mostly rednecks and killers in films, but is happy with his new role on the "Newhart" series. n1 dlu JZiiQ Ik'- i -r By MIKE HUGHES Gannelt News Service PHOENIX, Ariz. William Sanderson seems genuinely perplexed by the sudden twist in his career.

For a decade, he was just what he thought character actors always were unknown and underemployed. He had some good roles, one great one and an assortment of others. "I've played a lot of renegades and rednecks," he said. And suddenly through a casting quirk and some great scripts he has one of the most popular supporting characters on TV. He's Larry of the "Newhart" show, and people start applauding or laughing as soon as he walks in.

THAT PUTS A national focus on him, something he finds unnerving. "I'm generally more comfortable in a part than as Bill Sanderson." But first let's back up for some background. "Newhart" is a comedy that's kept getting better and better during its first three years. One reason for the improvement is the emergence of the three backwoods characters Larry, his brother Darryl, and his other brother Darryl. Sanderson has no idea why both brothers have the same name.

"I think it had something to do with our mother and her lack of imagination." FOR THAT MATTER, he doesn't know their last name. The three actors have decided it should be Potts, but he grants that's "sort of arbitrary." Whatever the name, they are hilarious characters who have helped make Newhart a hit. But that fame doesn't seem to set well with Sanderson, who said he is shy, naive and more. During interviews, he nervously gropes for words; at a season-ending party, producer Dan Wilcox says, Sanderson was still worried about whether his role would be back next year. He is small (5-9, 149), with a boyish face and the same accent he uses on the show.

Mostly, he seems like a dead-ringer for Tracy Walter, who played the deputy in "Best of the NrVest." done comedy. "I went in there and overstated myself, said I was real good at comedy." HE GOT THE JOB, with the two Darryl roles going to veteran Los Angeles stage actors Tony Papenfus and John Voldstad. This was supposed to be a one-episode shot, but two months later they were called back for a second. The audience remained delighted. For the second season, the brothers took over the neighboring cafe.

Now they have a regular contract. "Officially, it calls for 12 episodes out of 22," Wilcox said. "But actually, it always turns out to be more." The fame has been particularly embarassing because the producers insist that the other two remain mute during interviews, as they are on the show. That leaves Sanderson fretting about the inattention to two actors with first-rate credentials. "These guys have worked at the Mark Taper Forum (Los Angeles' most-prestigious theater).

I can't even get in the door there." He's managed to squeeze in quick movie jobs. He has a mini-role in the current "Fletch," has a better one in this fall's "Black Moon Rising," and has some TV films. And at 37, he's suddenly causing a national stir. "I just thank God for what's goin' on. I'm workin' with some beautiful people." HE GREW UP in Memphis, the son of a gardener and a teacher, and went into the Army after high school.

He was a medic there, then used the GI Bill to get a business degree at Memphis State. Sanderson even started law school, before trying out for a school play. "It took me all that time to get up the nerve." He got the role and soon was heading to New York. There, he tended bar, took acting lessons and performed in more than 30 off-off-Broadway roles. Next came Hollywood and some good moments, The best was in "Blade Runner," with a wonderfully eccentric performance as a genetic engineer.

WHEN "NEWHART" began, writer Kathy Green created an episode in which a body must be removed from the inn. She created the Larry character with Tracy Walter in mind. Somehow, Walter flunked the audition. "Later," Sanderson says, "I said (to Walter), 'What happened? Did you get crazy in He said oh no, just his usual stuff, crawling under tables, that sort of thing." So it was logical to turn to Sanderson. After all, he looks like Walter, sounds like him even played his brother in the much-praised movie "Raggedy Man." The catch was that he had never.