THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408120250
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
Daniel Short is almost 40 years old and people still think he's ``wicked looking.''
So much so that four years ago, Short was cast as Satan in a CBN commercial that ran worldwide, right after the Berlin Wall fell in Germany.
Short, who will be 40 next Wednesday, still remembers the talent scout who called him for the part.
``It was Tai Collins,'' he said. ``And I was working a backhoe in the hot sun at a car dealership, thinking `there must be something easier to do in life,' when my pager went off.
Short said he really wasn't looking to break into acting at the time, but a friend had passed his name on to Collins, saying he'd be perfect for the part.
Collins told Short she was looking for someone with long hair who could play a rock star.
``I ended up playing Satan,'' Short recalled. ``I was a real wicked-looking guy,'' he recalled.
Although Short said he's not looking to make it big in the entertainment business, it can be fun at times to perform the different acting roles. And it's a break from his 9 to 5 job at Automotive Equipment in Suffolk, where he serves as president and manager.
On any average day, Short runs a company that installs air compressors and hydraulic lifts for big chains like Sears Roebuck and Co. or Montgomery Ward.
In Short's spare time, he's still playing music - progressive rock. And much of what he does with music are his own creations like ``The Last Time,'' which even made it to the airwaves.
And that's something Short said he's very proud of.
Name: Daniel Andrew Short Jr.
What brought you to Suffolk: I wanted to raise my children in the country and my grandparents were from here.
Hometown: Portsmouth.
Birthdate: Aug. 17, 1954.
Nickname: Danny.
Occupation: President of Automotive Equipment Co. Inc.
Marital status: Married to Wendy.
Children: Rachel, 9; Madison, 5 and Drew, 23 months.
Favorite movies: ``Edward Scissorhands'' and ``Dennis the Menace.''
Favorite magazine: ``Exceptional Parent.''
A book you wish everyone would read, why? ``The One Minute Manager'' by Robert Lorber. It gives you proven basic management concepts.
Favorite night out on the town: Going to the Baron Pub for a drink before having dinner and a movie. Then, maybe to a club to see some of my friends play music and maybe sit in for a song with them.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Scale O' De Whale.
Favorite food and drink: Cucumber sandwich, potato chowder and Classic Coke.
Few people know . . . that I wanted to be a cowboy when I was a kid.
What's the best thing about yourself? My ability to keep up with my kids and my young wife.
Worst habit: I eat too fast.
First thing in the morning: I check on my children.
Pets: Two dogs and four cats.
Hobbies: I collect antique toys and games.
Ideal vacation: Disney World with the family.
Pet peeve: Attitudes.
First job: Paper boy.
Worst job: Cutting grass. Ask my wife.
What achievements are you most proud of? I would say my family. It shows through my children. I also got my first trophy in 40 years this summer. It was for coaching girls' softball.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``Here lies a man who was loved by his family and friends. He lived every day like it was his last. Amen.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
KEYWORDS: PROFILE INTERVIEW
by CNB