Like so many of my neighbors, I am angry at the foolish antics of the politicians in Albany. The "poster child" for lawmakers who need to be sent home is my "representative", Catherine Nolan. Being a Member of the Assembly is the only job she has ever had. She spends New York tax money--taxes that you and I work hard to pay--at a rate that is higher than all but 2 people in the Assembly. In 2009,  she spent $656,000.00--over and above her salary. Rather than represent us--her constituents--she serves the Special interests who fund her campaigns. I am committed to replacing her. I am a husband, actor, and bartender. I am a member of 4 unions.  

 My father, Master Sgt. Charles R. Wilson, left home to enlist in the United States Marine Corps on December 1, 1941 (not realizing Pearl Harbor would occur six days later) at the age of 16. By the time he was 21, he had served with the First Marine Division at Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and Cape Gloucester. He, and a few hundred thousand other U.S. servicemen (and women), had literally saved the planet by winning World War II. In 1948, he was part of the embassy guard in Jerusalem after the USA became the first country to recognize Israel as a nation. Later, he would serve, with distinction, in the Korean conflict. In 1950, he would marry my mother.

My Parents and me (2 years old)

Kathryn Frances Burke was a great beauty whose grandfather, John Carrigan, was one of the founders--and the first President of--the International Railroad Workers Union. Three of his daughters (my mother's aunts) became Catholic Nuns. Mom would briefly entertain the idea of following in their footsteps, but marriage to my Dad put an end to that notion. While raising her five children (James Charles, Alicia Kathryn, Celine Anne, Margaret Jean--whom we call Peggy, and me, John Kevin), she served as a Policewoman Crossing Guard, sold encyclopedias, and started a successful wedding catering and florist business. Mom passed away in 2004; but Dad is still going strong at 87, and, he is still my hero.

1: John K. Wilson, 2: Coach Roosevelt Hancock, 3: Coach Hosea Alexander (Coach "A")

As a boy growing up in Memphis Tennessee, I learned the value of work. I mowed lawns, had a series of newspaper routes, and served in restaurants as a waiter and busboy. I was obsessed with football and books--in that order. In high school, I was fortunate enough to play ball for two legendary Memphis High School Football Coaches: Coach Hosea Alexander (Coach "A"), in his last year as head of the program at Hamilton High, and Coach Roosevelt Hancock, in his first. These gentlemen were like Second and Third fathers for most members of the team--myself included . Somehow, Coach A determined that I should go to West Point. He arranged that his friend, US Congressman Harold Ford, Sr, nominate me to the US Military Academy. At the time, I didn't think I was disciplined enough to succeed there; but, today, I regret turning the nomination down. I did accept a scholarship to attend Rhodes College where, after a career-ending football injury, I discovered the Theatre, and acting. I eventually left school to pursue an acting career in New York City.

With the help of Memphis-born actress, Kathy Bates, I landed with a terrific theatrical agency (the same one I have today, 27 years later). For "billing" purposes, the Actors' Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists required that I change my name (there can only be one performer with a given name). As I wanted to use a family name; I chose "Kevin Carrigan". Whenever I work as an actor, I use that name. Interestingly, both names are on my passport.

At left, Hilary Edson and I in an ANOTHER WORLD publicity photo (1989); at right, as Stanley in STREETCAR in Washington, DC (1995)

At left, a rehearsal photo from the Contemporary American Theatre Festival (2002); at right, a "headshot" from the mid-80s

I've appeared in three Broadway plays, various television and stage roles around the country, commercials, voice-overs, and was a "soap star" for a year and a half (Derek Dane on ANOTHER WORLD). I've worked with Ossie Davis, Al Pacino, Richard Dreyfuss, Vincent Gardenia, David Proval, Dominic Chianese, Glynn Turman, Hal Linden, Robert Downey, Jr, John Lithgow,  and Maria Tucci. Here is a link to a commercial I did in 1998 for Burger King. I am the "Drill Sargent" :   www.youtube.com/watch  And, here is a clip from my time as a regular on the NBC "soap", ANOTHER WORLD (I'm the guy with the long hair):   www.youtube.com/watch  As this clip begins, I'm wearing my shirt on my head. After "Derek" goes upstairs, the scene continues at the 7:04 mark. www.youtube.com/watch

Tanja, my wife.

In 2003, I married Tanja, a ballet dancer from Berlin, Germany, and we moved to Sunnyside, Queens where we garden, cook, and look after our German-born cat, Punktchen. We are vegetarians and are supporters of the Humane Society and Neighborhood Cats.Org.