Freddy Perkins comes to California hoping to become a movie star. Changing his name to Les Banister, he surrenders his principles as he gives into the demands of a casting director to secure his first role. He relinquishes control of his personal life so the studio can build an image of him as the next American heartthrob. This means giving up Russ, his loving and supportive boyfriend, to hide the truth from his fans. He’s gay.<br><br>These sacrifices pay off for the young actor and he becomes a star. But as Les continues to pay the price for fame, he realizes at the height of his success that it’s cost him too dearly. Will he have the courage to take the chance of losing it all to be true to himself?

The Price of Fame

“Now we have to lose that name. Freddy Perkins is anything but sexy. It sounds like a broken-down, country western singer.”


“Okay,” Freddy said, hesitating slightly, wondering what his mother and father would say. They were very proud of the Perkins lineage back in Newton, Iowa.


“You ever thought of what name you’d like to go by as a famous actor?”


“Well, I always thought Lamont was—”


“Lamont!” Sid laughed. “I just told you we were going for fresh, handsome, sexy heartthrob—not flaming gay.” Sid laughed again. 


“How about Les?” Sid suggested. “Let’s see. Les…Les. How about Les Barnett?”


“Better see what comes up if I Google that,” Sid said, going back to his desk and sitting at the computer. “Don’t want to give you the name of some has-been or criminal.” 


“Hmmm. Comes up with thirteen Les Barnetts, three of ‘em kinda famous. So something else that goes with Les…”


Chapter 3