Rainn Wilson: funnyman, spiritualist, 'crazy sea mammal'
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- Category: Individuals and groups
- Created: Saturday, 16 August 2008 19:21
- Published: Saturday, 16 August 2008 19:06
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If you ever watched "The Office" and thought Dwight Schrute reminded you of a gawky security guard you once encountered at the Baha'i Temple in Wilmette, there may be a reason.
Rainn Wilson, whose starring role in the new movie "The Rocker" should expand his already-sizable "Office" following, used to work at the North Shore temple when he was a New Trier High Schooler preparing for New York University.
"There's nothing more intimidating than Rainn Wilson at age 18 in a polyester uniform chasing down skateboarders at the Baha'i Temple," Wilson recalled wryly on a recent visit to his one-time hometown.
{josquote}So for me as a Bahai artist and actor, I knew that acting was a form of worship and a form of praise of the divine—even if I do stuff as ridiculous as showing my butt crack and drumming naked.{/josquote}Revisiting old haunts, however, wasn't on the agenda of the busy 42-year-old actor. On Monday he was scheduled to sign photos and Dwight Schrute bobble-head figurines for HON furniture at the NeoCon trade show, that night he was conducting a Q&A at a "Rocker" screening, and Tuesday's agenda included pizza with yours truly and a trip to the Chicago Cultural Center to see local artist Tony Fitzpatrick's exhibition.