John Cusack: he's a sure thing

It wasn't long ago that high school student John Cusack led a typically teenage lifestyle. Living with his family in suburban Chicago, he hung out with his pals, dated every once in a while, listened to his stereo and studied for French quizzes.

But in the past few years, this talented actor has been popping onto movie screen after movie screen. First, he appeared in a supporting role with Rob Lowe in Class. Next, he backed up Anthony Michael Hall in Sixteen Candles. Then, he filled a part in Grandview, U.S.A., which starred Tommy Howell.

This year, though, 18-year-old John Cusack's talent explodes on the screen as he creates leading roles in three major motion pictures. In the romantic comedy, The Sure Thing, John creates the character Walter "Gib' Gibson, a college freshman who's preoccupied with junk food and girls-- until he embarks on the road to discovering what love is really about. Then, in the wacky comedy Better Off Dead, John plays Lane Myer, a down and out high school student whom John describes as "the patron saint of those who've been dumped on.' And this fall, in the film Natty Gan, John portrays a young drifter named Harry Slade who accompanies an even younger girl on her adventurous, cross-country quest for her father.

So how does a teen from Evanston, Ill., handle sudden stardom? With both feet planted firmly on the ground, John explains: "You just have to remember you're no different than anybody else. If you think you are, you're out of your mind.'

That's an admirable attitude to be sure, and one that handsome John credits his parents with passing along to him. "My parents have always been very supportive of whatever I do,' remarks John, who at 6 feet 2 inches tall has the willowy build of a basketball player. "They also remind me to keep my priorities straight. They want me to remember that having your name in a magazine isn't what's really important; what's important is trying to do your best.'

It's clear from his film roles that brown-eyed John Cusack's best is a brilliant ability to create a diverse array of believable characters. His natural talent is obvious, but what many may not realize is that John's been studying the creative craft of acting since the age of 8.

At that time, John was inspired by his older sister Joan (who worked with John in Class and Sixteen Candles). As an 11-year-old, Joan was a proud member of Chicago's respected Piven Theatre Workshop. So seeing how their daughter enjoyed and benefited from this acting training, the Cusacks decided to enroll active young John. His interest sparked, John's been appearing on stages and screens ever since. In high school, he even had the honor of writing two shows, which were produced under his direction.

In fact, writing screenplays is one of John's favorite pastimes. Although he hasn't had much free time lately, once he finishes this latest round of filmwork, this "class of 1984' graduate plans to travel cross-country with one of his best buddies in order to gather real-life experiences he can transfer onto paper.

John also hasn't had much time in the past couple of years to cultivate a steady romantic relationship. Still, another one of his favorite pastimes is meeting and talking with people. "Whenever I have time to date,' announces soft-spoken John, "it doesn't matter where we go as long as I enjoy her company, and as long as she has opinions and ideas.'

John himself plans to become a more well-rounded person by taking a break from full-time filmwork to pursue a degree in liberal arts and, as he describes, "to expose myself to the great minds of the past.' A Midwesterner at heart, he plans to attend the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Or he may check out the East Coast by way of New York University.

No matter what the future holds for this rising star, one thing is a sure thing--his talent, charm and striking looks are bound to grace the silver screen in years to come!