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Craig Stevens never resented that folks called him Peter Gunn
He was proud to be the title detective.
Let's be honest here... Fame is not something most of us will ever have to contend with. No matter how good we are at our jobs, we're not getting recognized out on the streets. That's why it's endlessly fascinating to read about how stars contend with their celebrity.
Oftentimes, when actors become renowned for their portrayal of one specific character, they become more associated with that role than with their own identity. If Carroll O'Connor walks down the street, he could expect to be called Archie. If Leonard Nimoy goes for a stroll, chances are, someone would call him Spock. Sometimes, though, that can get a little old. Especially if that one famous role comes early in an actor's career. Try as they might, some actors can never escape their biggest role, much to their chagrin.
One actor who never got upset about being identified with his most famous character was Craig Stevens. Although he spent decades in the spotlight, most people only knew Stevens as Peter Gunn, the main character of the same-named show.
"I don't fight it," Stevens told The San Bernadino County Sun. "Usually, it is only a first reaction. I find that most people I meet do know that my real name is Craig Stevens.
"I owe any public prominence I may have to the Peter Gunn television program and character. How could I resent identification with it? Besides, I won't be going that way again, and I hope to be Craig Stevens for quite a number of years to come."
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