Grant Sullivan tries to win the heart of Carla Gugino in "Even Money."

By John Hayes
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, Forest Whitaker, Kelsey Grammer, Ray Liotta, Jay Mohr and ... Grant Sullivan?

It's a safe bet that even his old friends from Brentwood wouldn't recognize the stage name of the actor sharing ensemble billing with a phenomenal cast in his first movie, "Even Money."

But Sullivan says that doesn't bother him.

"I've had some really nice breaks," he says, in a recent phone interview. "This all happened pretty fast."

Born Grant Kramer, the son of a steel worker didn't start acting until the mid-1990s when he performed with Upstairs Theatre, the Talent Group, Open Stage Theater and the Pittsburgh New Works Festival. Boxing fans might remember the scrappy Kramer working out at Hogan's Gym on Eighth Avenue and sparring with Paul Spadafora. The Brentwood High School graduate moved to New York in '97, teaching boxing lessons and performing off-Broadway. He moved to California in 2001 and adopted his mother's maiden name because Hollywood already had a Grant Cramer. Sullivan was teaching boxing when he wrote his monologue "Shadow Boxing."

"It's a one-man play about Pittsburgh," he said. "About being the youngest of five boys, about the steel mills closing. I took creative license, of course."

"Shadow Boxing" was nominated for an Ovation Award, recognition that led to his membership in Actor's Studio. Colleagues from the group brought "On Golden Pond" director Mark Rydell to see the show.

"He invited me to his condo on the beach for breakfast," said Sullivan. "He started asking me about Pittsburgh and said I should write 'Shadow Boxing' into a screenplay. He said to keep my fingers crossed, and he'd see if he could find some movie work for me."

Sullivan had played a minor role in an episode of "CSI: Miami" and was rehearsing "Orphans" with Al Pacino when Rydell called to say he might have a part for him.

"The studio wanted all [popular] names [for 'Even Money'], but Mr. Rydell really fought to get me in there," said Sullivan. "I had no experience with film. He said, 'I'll do anything you need kid,' but I'm not sure what that means."

Perhaps Rydell recognized that in addition to being a credible actor, Sullivan wouldn't have to fake his boxing scenes in "Even Money." Sullivan plays opposite Jay Mohr and "Grindhouse's" Carla Gugino as a bookie trying to get out of the business for the woman he loves.

"Even Money" opened May 18 in New York and Los Angeles and wasn't supposed to play Pittsburgh at all. Rydell influenced the schedule change in response to Sullivan's request.

It's too soon, said Sullivan, to know how the equal billing with top stars and a solid performance in "Even Money" will affect his career. He says he's focused on adapting "Shadow Boxing" into a screenplay, writing another script and planning a visit home to Brentwood in a couple of weeks.

"I love Pittsburgh," he said. "I really miss it. It's a big small city. Any time I get a chance to go back, I do."

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Correction/Clarification: (Published June 6, 2007) The given name of actor Grant Sullivan from Brentwood is Grant Kramer. His surname was misspelled in this story as originally published June 4, 2007 about the movie "Even Money."