#the client

“i always used to do poetry when i was really young, but i never took myself seriously,” brad renfro, now 13, admits. “i would do poems that were very demented.”

that’s changed. today, the talented teen from knoxville, tennessee takes himself and his creative projects very seriously indeed. and as evidenced in his 1994 film debut the client and last year’s the cure and tom and huck, brad also works very hard in hope that he’ll be judged for his talent as well as his good looks. it’s a trait you’ll find in all of his endeavors.

“i play in a band,” brad says, “but i don’t want to become like this teen idol where the only reason somebody would buy my record is because some girl who saw me in a movie was like, ‘oh my god, he’s so cute. i’m gonna buy this album.’”

though it’s been suggested to brad that those good looks might lend themselves to good album sales if he did put out a cd someday, that’s not what he wants. “you don’t understand,” he said, “i want you to take my music seriously as well as the rest of my art.”

the bottom line is that brad wants people to appreciate his serious side. so far, he's earned the respect of his professional peers. oscar-nominated actress susan sarandon, who co-starred with him in the client, has said of her young co-star: "he did a very professional job. he worked hard. and he came prepared. that's a lot more than i can say for some leading actors who are three times his age with three times as much experience."

“a tear ran down my cheek…”

brad's talent and work ethic have also earned him some serious comparisons to other peers. "i read in a magazine that someone compared myself to river," brad's said of the late river phoenix, another young actor who had his share of troubled teen roles. "a tear ran down my cheek that somebody would compare me to river phoenix. he's someone who's completely a genius."

like any up-and-coming actor, brad hopes this appreciation for his artistry will continue. and if critics' reviews are any indication, he's sure to be rewarded with respect. "i just wanna try to keep it that way," he replies.

yet as much as brad wants to be taken seriously, there still exists within him a silly side, as many classmates and co-stars can attest. brad's been known to emerge from his hotel room with underwear on his head for the sheer amusement of his co-workers.

but despite brad's light-hearted tendencies and