Getting to be a beach bum
'Key West' actor decides to make city his home
Key West Citizen - 02/08/93
By Amy Woods
Citizen Staff Writer

"This is, without a doubt, one of the most unique places I've ever lived in my life," said Brian Thompson, the actor who plays the metaphysical Sheriff Cody in the new television series, "Key West".

After a full day of windsurfing off Smathers Beach, Thompson took in some late-afternoon sun by the pool of his Key West condominium. That's when he said he never wants to leave the island.

"I'm the only one who stayed here," Thompson said, referring to the rest of the "Key West" cast. "I don't want to move."

It's not only the prime windsurfing conditions and the beaches that he likes ("I'm being a beach bum for the first time in my life.") it's the abundance of crazy characters.

"Everybody has a bicycle," he said. "And the homeless people – it's like you can't be homeless unless you have a bicycle and a fishing pole. It's almost beautiful that can subsist off just that."

Thompson cradled his daughter 2-year-old Daphne, in his arms and talked about his son, 4-year-old Jordan.

"Jordan, he used to have this hacking cough," he said. "We could never figure out what it was. Now it's gone." Thompson attributes the clean air and ocean breeze to the natural healing. His character in the TV, Sheriff Cody, would probably do the same.

Sheriff Cody is a law-enforcement officer who seems to be concerned with calming and centering would-be criminals than incarcerating them. He drinks vegetable juice, teaches Tai Chi and meditates.

Thompson loves his character and said it is the best role he has ever landed.

"He could be the most honest character on television," he said.

Thompson called out to his kids, "You wanna go in the Jacuzzi?"

He walked to the other side of the patio, took his shirt off and slid into the warm water with Daphne and Jordan. Moments later, a woman appeared from behind the shrubbery and told the actor to remove his children from the hot tub.

"It's a rule of the association," the woman said.

"That's too bad because we're not going anywhere," Thompson replied. He continued to talk about the show.

"The show has succeeded in letting you know about other people's lives," he said.

He received a bachelor's degree in business management. While in school, he played football for the university's Wildcats and acted in numerous plays.

He attended the University of Irvine to earn a master's degree in drama and was cast in this first feature film, "The Terminator." In the movie, he played a punk rocker who was the first to be killed by Schwarzenegger.

Since then, Thompson has appeared in more than 25 feature films, including "Cobra," "Three Amigos," "Lionheart" and "Pass the Ammo." His television work includes "Moonlighting," "Falcon Crest," "Star Trek" and "Werewolf."

The cast and crew of "Key West" filmed 13 episodes here, three of which already aired. A decision has yet to be made on whether the show will continue.

Either way, Thompson plans to find a place where his children can swim in the hot tub.

Thompson remains hopeful the series will be picked up.

"It's a real character-oriented show," he said. "I think it's about as good as television gets."