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Tom Berenger likes playing bad guys, in a good way. His stony stare and macho handsomeness have taken him across the movie universe, from the war-torn wilds of Viet Nam to the wild west of American cowboys and the green diamond of the Cleveland Indians.

In May, he’ll visit the Island of Hawaii, as a special guest and honoree of the 5th Annual Big Island Film Festival at Mauna Lani Resort.

(Photo courtesy of TomBerengerOnline)

“I enjoy playing them. I find something human in them,” he says about playing the bad guys we love to hate. “…with the exception of ‘Looking for Mr. Goodbar.’ It was such a slimy character with no redeeming qualities. To me it was like playing Charles Manson. I had nightmares after I finished shooting it. I felt dirty. Bad guys are interesting, even if you don’t like them.”

Originally from Chicago, Berenger majored in journalism at the University of Missouri, and started acting professionally in 1968 on “One Life to Live.” In 1986, he won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of battle-hardened Sgt. Barnes in “Platoon,” but his acting career spans four decades.

In 100+ films and TV episodes, he’s created tough characters and anti-heroes in films like “Sniper,” (I, II and III), “The Last of the Dogmen,” “Major League” (I, II), and TV series such as “Third Watch,” “Peacemakers” and “October Road.”

Still prolific today, he has four films just completed or in post-production for release in 2010, including a sci-fi thriller “Inception” and “Firedog,” where he plays the canine voice of “Einstein,” co-starring with (voices of) Tom Arnold, Lauren Bacall, Dean Cain and Tony Danza.

Berenger will receive the BIFF “Golden Honu Award” for Acting at a reception in his honor 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 14 at Tommy Bahama Restaurant at The Shops at Mauna Lani ($40).

He also appears in the BIFF feature film entry “Charlie Valentine,” with Raymond J. Barry and Michael Weatherly, which will be shown after the reception.

The Big Island “Talk Story” Film Festival is May 12-16 at Mauna Lani Resort, “on location” in two luxury hotels, retail shopping center and restaurants. Rated one of the Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals by MovieMaker Magazine, the 5th annual BIFF is a celebration of independent filmmaking with movies, special events, Hawaiian culture and music, embraced by the spirit of aloha.

— Find out more:
www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com
www.TomBerengerOnline.com