(no subject)
Name: Neil McLaughlin
Age/Birthdate: 45 / 26 May 1962
Occupation: Stage / Television / Film actor, member of the cast and crew of To Bed, teaches acting workshops at Julliard.
Fairytale: Character name and story. The Caterpillar, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Ability, if any: Neil can blow some pretty mean smoke rings.
History: Born in Glasgow, Scotland to a family of blue collar workers, it seemed at first that Neil's future wouldn't go any further than that of his shipbuilding father. Sure, he had taught himself how to play the drums and was a part of a punk rock band called the Extremists that was pretty popular in the local pubs, but nobody seriously thought he'd make the big time.
Prospects began to change when, at sixteen, Neil auditioned for a local theater company's production of MacBeth for a lark. Instead of being kicked off the stage, the director was impressed by his fresh talent, and much to Neil's surprise, he was offered the role of Malcolm. Much to his friends' surprise, Neil accepted the role and went on to offer a stellar performance. It was then that Neil decided that acting was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life, and with the help of the director of that first show, and several scholarships later, attended the Royal Scottish Academy Of Music & Drama. There, he received a classical training in theater as well as television.
Primarily sticking to the stage, it wasn't until 1987 that he got his first television role in a situation comedy called, Shoot the Lame Horse. It was a walk-on part, which was meant to be a one-time deal, but the audience reacted so well to his character that he was asked to return for a few more shows as a reoccurring character. Two years laster, he joined the cast of the sketch show, Much Ado, where he found the most noterity. The show centered about spoofs of Shakespearian scenes, and did very well.
It was in 1984, when he visited Oxford, Neil came to Folly Bridge - the location where the character Alice started her journey in story, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. There, he began having odd recollections and began describing them to the friends he was with at the time. Since Neil was known for taking drugs before, his friends assumed he was tripping on something, or maybe having a flash-back of some sort, but Neil thought there was more to this than that. Later, he sat down alone in his room and was able to bring up more memories. Piecing them together, he realized they matched the scene of chapter five of Lewis Carroll's book, Advice from a Caterpillar He started to have a funny feeling that actually was the Caterpillar, himself. A few days after, he admitted himself into rehab (the first time of many).
While there, he received a visit from Patricia Goldberg who told him about the Atheneum. At first, he thought it was some offer for a role, and then later, a very ridiculous joke. He accepted the journal, but really didn't believe anything she told him. It was a while longer before Neil decided to take a trip to the States to find out if this was for real. Once he visited the Pentamerone and spoke to a few of the other Tales in person, he decided that this was actually legit. He accepted his identity, but didn't keep in contact with the Atheneum, except for his check-ins, twice a year.
After the final season of Much Ado in 1993, he was convinced to move to the United States by Kilroy Benson, who he had met two years before. He continued his career in New York City, branching off into teaching some workshops at Julliard. He helped to inspire Kilroy to come up with the concept of a television comedy, and in 2004 To Bed hit the air. Helping behind the scenes, as well as in front of the camera, Neil's character as the owner of the furniture store where the show was set.
Personality: The Caterpillar is a pretty laid back character, and so is Neil. He's not as outgoing as the other Wonderlanders, but prefers to sit back and observe and, just like his Tale, ask questions for deeper clarification: it's not uncommon for him to answer a question with another one. He often separates his questions by long, silent pauses, during which he just looks at the person he's speaking to, thinking all the while, trying to figure the other person out.
Neil is straightforward and he's been accused of being tactless when he speaks his mind. He likes to be entertained, and he tries to find amusement through others, getting as much satisfaction watching others having a good time as if he were doing it himself. Unlike the Caterpillar, he's not boorish or stuffy, possessing a rather impish mentality, which has mellowed considerably with age. It's as though he's restraining himself, but when he's playing a role, especially a comedic one, his creativity and imagination is fully displayed, as if he's been keeping it in reserve.
He keeps his own private thoughts closely guarded, sharing them only with those who he's taken into his confidence after knowing them for a long while. He's a deeply emotional person, and has found a sort of spirituality that keeps him anchored - he is interested in finding out the mysteries of life, and drugs often factor into his quest. Very little phases him, as he takes things in stride. The thing he hates most of all are lies.
In addition to his smoking, Neil indulges in of narcotics. He doesn't take them as often as he used to.
Played-By: Craig Ferguson
Player: Gail
the obligatory bit Neil's personality and the one of his Tale are pretty well integrated, and is comfortable with who he is and the others in the Atheneum, once he got over the initial strangeness of it all. It's all pretty interesting, but he finds that it doesn't really affect him in his day to day life. If somebody looks down at him because his Tale is one of the Newer ones, he just dismisses them as ignorant fools, and goes on with his life - it's not worth his time and energy to care about these sorts of things.
the optional bit As a Wonderlander, Neil is attached to those characters who are from the same tale - perhaps more than he'd care to admit. As a member of the cast of To Bed, he'll be especially close to and interact with those who are also associated with the show.