Who leaves these stars starstruck?

Ten breakout performers jump at the chance to

share their idol thoughts.

 

photographed by Stephen Danelian

The Inspired: Brendan Fraser 31.  Loopy hero of The Mummy and George of the Jungle.  Stars in Bedazzled (opening August 11) and The Mummy Returns (May 2001). The Admired:  Bill Irwin, 50.  Rubber-limbed character actor, member of the International Clown Hall of Fame.  Appears in the upcoming Jim Carrey movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Scene: The  Wilshire Theater, Beverly Hills. Fraser on Irwin--The First Impression:  "I first saw Bill Irwin perform at the Seattle Repertory Theatre when I was a flat-broke acting student.  My friends  checked coats and sneaked me in to see his astonishing one-man show, The Regard of Flight.  His ability to manipulate his body [defies] description--his signature downstairs walk into a steamer trunk, only to disappear into it entirely, was sidesplittingly funny." The Lasting Influence:  "He left me slack-jawed--the illusion of effortlessness coupled with unique talent.  Bill set a high-water mark in comic physical performance that reaffirmed my resolve to find myself at home with characters who, like George [of the Jungle], are at their center, clowns.  Through Bill, I discovered how to honk the imaginary red nose that we all wear." Irwin on Fraser: "There's a natural graciousness about Brendan.  His range of work is much broader than people might  expect who know him from George of the Jungle. And I greatly admire how he goes about his work--the thought that seems to go into everything he does.  I expect and hope he'll direct someday." --M.M.