Billy Van Zandt: From JAWS shark survivor to international playwright

Hello, Islanders,

Question: Can you go from working actor to becoming one of the most prolific playwrights of all time? If you’re Billy Van Zandt, the answer is yes.

Born in Red Bank, New Jersey (also hometown to mega-JAWS fan Kevin Smith), Van Zandt made his film debut in JAWS 2. Originally cast as a character named Sideburns, who turns out to be the son of Quint, the role changed after director Jeannot Szwarc came on board. Now known as Bob “Burnsides” – a nice touch by Carl Gottlieb, the character was the best friend of Larry Vaughn, Jr. Bob survives the shark but it wasn’t always that way. Bob was originally slated to be killed by the shark. You may have seen images of Bob, laying prone on top of an overturned boat as the shark, mouth open, approaches. The scene was originally shot with a stuntman but Billy begged producer David Brown to let him do the scene. Brown agreed, mandating that he could shoot the scene at the end of production. At the time filming wrapped, Bob was still slated to die so, if you pay attention, you’ll notice that he is no where to be seen in the group of Amity Kids clinging to Cable Junction at the end of the film. However, a shot of Bob by himself, breathlessly saying, “thank you…thank you” was inserted.

Being eaten by the shark was not the only excitement Billy had on set. On the morning of October 21, 1977, he was picked up at the hotel to be driven to the set. One of the people in the van with him noticed his last name and asked if he had any family in the music business. Billy replied that his brother, Steven, was a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street band. The person then informed Billy that there had been a plane crash the night before and that a musician named Van Zandt had been killed.

As this was a time before cell phones, Billy had to wait until he got to the set before he could call home. Steven was fine. The musician who had been killed was Ronnie Van Zandt who, along with two other members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, had perished in the crash.

His next film role was as a featured Alien – he is billed as Alien Boy – in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Though he doesn’t have a lot to do, he appears to be an important member of the crew. It should also be noted that in the film’s credits his is the first name after the film’s stars/TOS actors are listed.

Next up was TAPS, a drama co-starring George C. Scott, Tom Cruise, Sean Penn and Timothy Hutton. He continued to work in film and television, including an appearance on the television show “Life with Lucy,” a series that featured his JAWS 2 co-star Ann Dusenberry. Even though he appeared as a Delivery Boy, this was a major coup for Van Zandt, a life long fan of Lucille Ball. In fact, when he first arrived in California, he tracked down and paid a visit to Lucille Ball’s home. This love for Lucy eventually led him to another career – writer.

In 1990, he contributed to the CBS show “I Love Lucy – The Very First Show.” His work earned him an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Informational Special. Later teaming up with friend Jane Milmore, he went on to write and produce multiple episodes of such television shows as “Martin,” “The Wayans Brothers,” and “The Hughleys.”

Concentrating on writing, Van Zandt and Milmore have written no less than (25) plays, which are still performed all over the world.

This coming Friday, April 26th, Wilson Ave in Middletown, New Jersey will be ceremonially renamed Van Zandt Way in honor of Billy and Steven.

Words by Michael A Smith. Michael is co-author of Jaws 2: The Making Of The Hollywood Sequel. You can order the book by contacting Michael at OsFanMike@aol.com.

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