The Shalhoub Standard

Regarding T.C. Shannon’s misguided attempt to promote the actor he represents by stating that all the actors you profiled May 5 in “The Unusual Suspects” are not beautiful or handsome, he does a great disservice to both his client and all the actors you profiled (Letters, May 12).

Shannon asserts that the actors in the article only get their roles because a more attractive actor would detract from the stars, ignoring the fact that all these actors receive rave reviews and are often singled out as being the best thing in the projects they do.

These actors each bring something that makes the picture and the actors around them better.

They have the ability to play characters from all walks of life and of various nationalities, and to make the characters real and vibrant.

Three of the actors are ethnic actors and have played numerous nationalities, something not every actor in Hollywood can pull off.

Mr. Shannon, if your actor can play a Lebanese FBI agent and speak Arabic in the movie, an Italian chef and do half the script in Italian, and then turn around and play Tech Sgt. Chen, then you have a beef.

If he can’t, then maybe you owe the profiled actors an apology.

ELAINE CORREA

Huntington Beach