The Story of Jim Sullivan

I once met a young film director and producer at a party and struck up several conversations with him regarding film making, writing scripts and acting. He followed up with me afterward regarding a character that he had in mind and mentioned that he was interested in producing a short film regarding the real-life of Jim Sullivan and the events that resulted from his unsuccessful career as an artist.

As an actor, it is always a huge plus anytime someone approaches me for a project in where they already have a role for me in mind. The audition process is often an irksome process that can leave one feeling like they've wasted their time. While I don't totally condemn the idea of auditioning I am fortunate to have been able to play some of the roles I've played in short and feature films because of a direct booking. I experienced the usual excitement that comes from a potential film project, and in this case, it was far more intriguing because it was an opportunity to portray a character based on a real-life person. However, as I researched and learned more about this man's story, something else began to stir within me that hooked my attention. It was a curiosity for this mans life and his decisions as an artist. Questions arose that dwelled on the subject of what it means to be an artist and what it takes to live the life of one. I started to reflect on my own career and the direction in which it may be heading. Here is a little story about a man I learned about: Jim Sullivan.

A musician from the southern California area, Jim Sullivan, full name James Anthony Sullivan, was a music artist who wrote songs and performed in renowned night clubs throughout Los Angeles in the late '60s to mid-'70s. His sound blended folk, rock, and country and while not famous by any means his name was known as he played alongside and befriended many other prominent names in the music scene and film industry. After friends came together to support the financial means Jim launched his first album U.F.O in 1969, a collection of gloomy and mysterious tracks whose lyrics expressed the wandering desires of a man, spiritual planes and ambitions to enter other realms. At the time the album received little recognition despite him having some close ties to the music industry. A few years after he released a 2nd album titled Jim Sullivan which was also unsuccessful. In 1975, he packed his bags and decided to leave Los Angeles and travel to Nashville, Tennessee where he would attempt to realize his success as a musician. On his way, he stopped in Santa Rosa, New Mexico and checked into a motel in which he did not sleep in and visited a local store to purchase a bottle of alcohol. The following day it was reported that he was seen about 30 miles away at a remote ranch walking away from his vehicle, disappearing, never to be seen again.

Vicente A. Ruiz

Jim Sullivan