Modern Screen (June 1980)

Having a major motion picture under your belt and emceeing your own TV show are not bad accomplishments for an 18-year old whose only previous acting experience was in high school plays.

Not a bid jaded by this, Jim's youth shows in the rosy bloom on his cheeks and his zest for life. He was all aglow in his NY hotel suite. "I've never been to NY before," he admitted. "I've been to the airport many times, but always enroute to somewhere else. I've been to about 15 different countries in skating competitions." In NY with Linda, he was busy sampling all the famous places like the Tavern on the Green, the Trade Towers, Central Park, and Studio 54.

"Linda's one of the nicest girls I've met. she was a tremendous help to me with my acting. She took a lot of time with me. And I taught her how to skate. It took her three or four weeks to learn but she did all her own skating." [ED: No she didn't, but she gave it a good try I say.]

Jim's one wish is that his dad could have been alive to share it all with. "I wish he were here to see what's been happening to me. He was very much a part of my life. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my parents. They were my number one fans. They gave me everything. The skates. The joy of it. They were behind me all the time." He visits his mom quite often and doesn't hesitate to let it be known how great a mom he thinks she is.

Yet with all that's happened to him in such a short time, he takes the most pride in the fact that he hasn't changed. "That's what my friends say, and that makes me feel good!"