By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
March 6, 1987
David Mendenhall said one of the secrets to his success is his youthful appearance. And although the 15-year-old actor is happy playing 12-year-olds, he said he’d eventually like to play older teens.
“What can I do? I look young,” Mendenhall said in a phone interview from his Los Angeles home. “But that’s OK because I’m in no hurry to grow up. I like to keep the child’s perspective in my life because it’s a lot of fun.”
Mendenhall plays Sylvestor Stallone’s son in “Over The Top,” which is playing at local theaters. He also will be seen in “My African Adventure,” a feature film scheduled for April release.
“In both films, I play preteens,” Mendenhall said, giggling. “I guess I’ve found my niche.”
Playing young characters has worked for Michael J. Fox, but Mendenhall said he would rather pattern his career after Harrison Ford, whom he idolizes.
Mendenhall’s parents, both actors, got him started in show business when he was 4. He already has done feature films, dozens of guest-starring roles on TV, more than 150 commercials and voiceovers for cartoons. He also spent six years on “General Hospital,” the popular daytime soap opera. His character recently was written off when his television parents left the show.
Although “Over the Top” has hot been well-received by critics, Mendenhall knows the exposure can do him little harm.
“Menahem Golan, the director of `Over the Top,’ must have enjoyed my work because he told me about this new picture (“My African Adventure”) he wanted me to be in,” Mendenhall said. “He asked me if I wanted to go to Zimbabwe in Africa to shoot it, and I said, `Yeah! Of course.’ So I didn’t really have to audition or anything, and I had a great time.” In the film he plays a boy who tries to teach a clever monkey to talk.
Mendenhall, a high school sophomore, doesn’t have as exotic a pet at home, but he does have a toy poodle named Mishu. he and his 13-year-old sister, Marissa, an actress, like to hang out at the mall, ride their bikes and go to movies with their friends.
When he’s not doing homework, rehearsing, playing with his drum kit, answering fan mail or going out with friends, Mendenhall said he likes to fiddle with his computer. He also likes to write fiction and has written one screenplay. He also wants to direct and produce.
College is a couple years away, but Mendenhall said he would like to enroll in a university close to Los Angeles and get a degree in languages, probably French and Spanish.
Mendenhall, who said he doesn’t have a girlfriend, admitted to liking singer Whitney Houston. “She’s gorgeous,” he said. He also thinks Alyssa Milano (“Who’s The Boss?”) is very pretty, but added, “It seems like every young actor in Hollywood has some fascination with her. I don’t stand a chance.”
