TJ Falterman & Sean Penn - Photo, courtesy of Dana Falterman
TJ's Story
"My son TJ's role in All The King's Menas Tom Stark began as a long shot, to say the least. Casting director Marty Cherrix came to the New Orleans school where he attended and I taught. Marty interviewed each student on video.I eagerly waited for TJ's turn, as he and his friend stepped on each other's feet and laughed loudly. By the time Marty reached us, her camera battery was dead! She snapped a quick photo and left. There was no on-camera interview between TJ and Marty and no screams of “Alleluia, we've found him.” I was sure our brush with Hollywood was over - certain TJ was forgotten. A week later, Marty phoned the school and invited 5 boys to audition. I was shocked to learn that TJ was among them. We went to the audition and I tried to hide my excitement. "Just be yourself,” I told him, preparing him for rejection. Several days later, TJ was chosen to play Tom Stark, opposite Sean Penn. Little did we know the adventure was just beginning." -Dana Falterman, TJ's Mom
