Another Visit with an Artist and a Gentleman!

Mickey Curtis. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Today, I paid another visit to Daikanyama Garage to visit with musician-actor-artist Mickey Curtis, who is currently hosting an exhibit of his art (photos of which you can see at the bottom of this blog post).

Mickey-san wasn't there when I arrived, which turned out not to be an issue, as I had plenty of time. It turned out he was doing a radio interview, promoting the gallery. It's absolutely amazing how busy he continues to be!

Kotoha Hiroyama and Mickey Curtis. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I wanted to ask Mickey-san about his time in Studio City, CA, which started in either 1977 or '78 and lasted until 1980. During that time, he created the electronic sound effects for Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) and John Carpenter's The Fog (1980), using a synthesizer he had at the time. But, because he wasn't in the union, he wasn't credited in those films. When he visa expired, he returned to Japan. Of course, Mickey-san had prior experience living abroad, as he lived in Europe from about 1964 until 1970.

Mickey Curtis with his wife, Yoko. Photo by Brett Homenick.

He also told me about his association with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack when they would visit Japan. (Mickey-san was probably one of the few Japanese who spoke fluent English in the entertainment industry at the time in Japan.) When I asked him about Sinatra's None But the Brave (1965), that's when he mentioned living away from Japan at the time, so he wasn't aware of the movie. Moreover, he talked about getting a call from Yul Brynner out of the blue in which Brynner invited him to dinner. 

Kotoha Hiroyama, Yoko Curtis, and Mickey Curtis. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I could have continued the conversation for a lot longer, but I had to go back to work, so that was that. Right before I left, producer and actress Kotoha Hiroyama showed up again, so I was able to tell her how much I enjoyed her recent film Truth (2022). Before I left, I wanted to photograph Mickey-san with his wife, Yoko, which also caused a few other shutterbugs in attendance to snap some photos, too. 

One of the ladies working the front desk thanked me as I was leaving for suggesting the photo op, as she was apparently very happy to have such a photo. Yoko-san stopped me before I left to talk about their new countryside home, and Hiroyama-san also said her goodbyes to me as I was walking out. With such kind people in attendance, I didn't want to leave! 

Below are some samples of Mickey-san's art. Enjoy!

Viewing an Art Exhibition with an Extra Special Guest!

Signage for the Mickey Curtis Art Exhibition. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Earlier today, I went to Daikanyama Garage to take in the Mickey Curtis Art Exhibition, which runs until October 9. Mickey Curtis, of course, is much better known as an actor who has appeared in numerous films over the years, particularly ones directed by Kihachi Okamoto at Toho, but he has begun a brand-new career as an artist.

Congratulatory bouquets of flowers for Mickey Curtis. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I was quite impressed by the art that was on display. Mickey-san's art has attracted a lot of buyers, too, and it's easy to see why. There were numerous animal paintings on display, which Mickey-san said he enjoys painting, especially extreme closeups of their faces. He was especially proud of his large portrait of a mandrill. 

Mickey Curtis. Photo by Brett Homenick.

I hadn't seen Mickey-san in person since 2014, so I was delighted to see him again. He moved to Thailand shortly after we last met due to the warmer weather, but he has very recently relocated to Japan. However, he now lives out in the countryside far from Tokyo, so getting a chance to visit him will remain a rare opportunity.

It made my day that, even with my mask on, Mickey-san recognized me. We had a pleasant chat about a range of topics -- American politics, his artwork, his new home, his living in Studio City, California, from about 1978 until 1980, and the fact that he had already been offered three acting gigs since coming back to Tokyo. He also introduced me to some new faces.

Kotoha Hiroyama. Photo by Brett Homenick.

One of the folks he introduced me to was actress and producer Kotoha Hiroyama, who is something of a disciple of Mickey-san. She was there promoting her new movie Truth: The End of the Adulterous Funeral (2022) in which she plays Mayumi Kujo, a receptionist who thought she was the the steady girlfriend of a man who suddenly died. She only finds out after the funeral that two other women were seeing him and likewise believed they were in a committed relationship with him.  

Hiroyama-san very kindly gave me a copy of Truth along with a glossy booklet about the film, both of which she graciously signed for me. Mickey-san highly recommended the movie to me, so I look forward to checking it out!

That's a wrap! I was over the moon to see Mickey-san again after so many years, and I hope I won't have to wait as long to see him again!