From Westwood to Beverly Hills, 90210
Graduate student works to balance images of disabled
By Gaby Mora
Daily Bruin Staff
On a show that has successfully stood up against ratings and
tough TV competition, UCLA graduate student Alan Toy is proving his
acting skills sitting down.
Starting tonight, and for the following four episodes, Toy, a
post-polio paraplegic, plays the new professor on "Beverly Hills
90210" who builds a cult of influence around him strong enough to
lure in Kelly (Jennie Garth) as a follower.
A disability issues consultant in real life, Toy has also built
a repertoire of over 100 television, film and theater credits as a
performer in projects such as In the Line of Fire, Born on the
Fourth of July, "Matlock" and "Sinbad."
And though he believes "Beverly Hills 90210" is often known for
its campiness, he also feels the particular issue his character
exposes is important because it is a common occurrence throughout
the nation.
"People feel isolated, distanced, from other humans, especially
kids who are away from home," he explains. "So when the opportunity
comes along for contact that seems all good and fun, people are
swept into things beyond their control."
Having "lost" some friends to a Buddhist cult when he was in
college, Toy says the issue personally hits close to home. But what
is more important for him is the fact that he is an actor in a
wheelchair, both on and off the set, playing a part that does not
focus on his disability.
"Most disabled people today are stereotyped in television and
film as computer operator geniuses, marathon wheelchair racers,
wheelchair basketball players, or the imbittered vet," says Toy.
"And in the past, if you wanted to make a character look evil or
off beat, you just gave them a disability."
"I’m happy to say that there is more of a balance of the
characters people with disabilities play," he continues, "but there
is still a woeful misrepresentation in the industry of performers
with disabilities. There’s just not enough work to support our
careers. That’s the reason I continued my studies at UCLA. I’ve
spent more time working on policy issues than working on a set. My
work to encourage Hollywood has actually led me to work as a
GSOP."
Studying in GSOP (Graduate School of Architecture and Urban
Planning), Toy looks at policy issues dealing with disabilities and
unemployment. After many years of hard work by organizations and
people such as himself, he reports that the vast majority of roles
in Hollywood today for people with disabilities are written to
improve their images. Also, disabled people are gaining
representation in commercials.
But despite the progress that has been made for people with
disabilities, Toy says there is also a drawback.
"It has also worked like a pendulum, swinging back in the other
direction," he explains. "People begin to respond negatively, being
too nicey nice, or complaining about the benefits of things like
parking. There is a lot of animosity and nasty, negative response
from the public toward people with disabilities.
"For me," continues Toy, "the only way to define a disability is
in terms of space, in this case the space in which we are not
allowed to go. My disability is just an extension of myself, its
neither good or bad; its just like some people are taller or
shorter, or balder, its just an extension of my character without
any extra baggage tied to me."
And while Toy admits that some of the roles he has played (like
the Vietnam vet in Born on the Fourth of July) are a contradiction
to his work in policy issues, he feels that ultimately his work to
deliver a positive message about people with disabilities is what
counts most.
"There is a dichotomy between what I’m playing on TV and what I
do in real life. I like playing bad guys, but I’m also careful to
try and improve that image. I’ll be happy if I wind up with a
career that includes a good balance of the types of characters I
played."
"’90210′ is an extremely popular show, I was really surprised to
learn around campus how many people are fanatic about it, throwing
parties and stuff. So I feel that no matter what the medium is, so
long as you get the message across then you’re moving forward."
TELEVISION:"Beverly Hills 90210," Wednesdays, 8 p.m.