Ask American Profile

Barbara Whinnery, Sammo Hung, Eric Clapton

What happened to Barbara Whinnery? She played a doctor on St. Elsewhere.
—Ray L., Oklahoma

“I seem to have a hospital theme going in my career,” Barbara Whinnery jokes. In addition to her four-year stint on St. Elsewhere, Whinnery has had roles on ER, Diagnosis Murder, and General Hospital. That theme almost became her profession. The Berkeley, Calif., native originally planned on a career as a biologist. “But when I got to college as a biology major, I found out that I had to take a lot of chemistry classes,” she says with a laugh. She decided a nice low-pressure drama class would break up a tough class schedule. And that’s where she found her true calling. Soon, she decided to study acting full time and went to San Francisco’s Actor’s Conservatory Theater to learn her craft. Two of her classmates at ACT—Denzel Washington and Cynthia Sikes—became her co-stars in St. Elsewhere. Today, in addition to acting on television, she writes and performs in plays in the Los Angeles area. She became a foster parent about three years ago.

Can you give me some information on Sammo Hung, who was in the series Martial Law? My family and I thought he was great in the show and hated to see it canceled.
—Ellen S., Illinois

Martial arts expert Sammo Hung has directed, acted in, or produced more than 160 films and is considered a pillar of the film industry in his native Hong Kong. He has received three Hong Kong Film Awards. In 1999, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asian American International Film Festival. Hung, who turns 50 Jan. 7, also has directed Jackie Chan and Jet Li films. From 1998-2000, Hung starred in the CBS crime and action drama Martial Arts, in which he played a Shanghai police officer and martial arts expert in Los Angeles. Fans can check out the action feature Raging Silence with Richard Grieco, which was slated for a late November release. Legend of Zu was released in Asian theaters in August but currently has no U.S. release date. Hung and his wife, Mina, divide their time between homes in Encino, Calif., and Hong Kong.

Has Eric Clapton given up touring?
—C.S. H., Louisiana

In a recent interview, the 56-year-old Clapton said he planned to retire from touring after he finished his current world tour. However, a spokesman for the renowned guitarist says Clapton was referring to the big arena tours that keep him on the road for 12 months at a time, as opposed to smaller engagements. He just completed the American leg of such a tour behind his current album titled Reptile. Born in Ripley, Surrey, England, Clapton became enamored with American R&B music, which led him to learn the guitar. He began playing in pubs while a teenager and soon established himself as a top blues guitarist, earning the nickname “Slowhand” for his easy, laid-back style.

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