New Weekly Magazine 1999

Hollywood hot property Barry Watson has gone from parking Tori Spelling's car to hit TV show and a sizzling movie career in just one year. Twelve months ago, he was valet parking Tori Spelling's car. These days, Barry Watson - star of the TV series 7th Heaven - gets to make out with Katie Holmes in Teaching Mrs. Tingle. "I'm sure there's a lot of guys who wish they were in my shoes," grins the 25-year-old. "But too bad for them. I was the lucky guy who got to do it." Barry says he and Dawson's Creek star have remained good friends since the movie wrapped. "Having to make out with someone you don't know is always a little difficult," he explains. "We've both made out with people on TV shows before, but this was our first 'big' love scene. Although, thinking back, I think the crew was more nervous than us." Given his model good looks, it's not surprising Barry's job of parking cars didn't last long, and his wide-eyed demeanor seems genuine. "Every day, when I'm driving to work, I think to myself, 'Why me?' There's not a day that goes by that I don't say out l loud, 'Why did these suckers hire me?'" he laughs. "It's weird, being recognized. The other day, someone thought I was James Van Der Beek, and I played along with it. "And I have to say, I'm getting getting a few propositions from girls. I even got a letter from a lonely prisoner in jail. "After the first season of 7th Heaven, it all started to happen. But now, after Tingle, it's almost impossible for Katie and I to go places together. People freak out and scream, 'Oh my God" It's Joey from Dawson's Creek and Matt from 7th Heaven! And they're together!" Clearly enjoying his new-found fame, Barry says the fans are wonderful. "And so far they've been pretty respectful. I'm just so happy I'm not modeling anymore. I felt so useless, just hanging around posing and looking like an asshole." Barry, who has two older siblings, Scott and Christie, and a younger brother Kip, began modeling at the age of eight. The son of a lawyer father and legal secretary mother, his parents split up when he was 14. He went to live with his dad, and took acting classes, before heading for Hollywood at the age of 15. After he landed a part in Days of Our Lives, his mother came out to LA to join him. But the job only lasted six months, and Barry returned to Dallas to finish high school. At 19, he moved to LA for the second time. "Hollywood has nothing to do with talent," he says. "It's luck, and how good your publicist is." After a few forgettable TV roles in Malibu Shores, Barry lucked out when he scored the lead in Teaching Mrs. Tingle, a revenge flick about everyone's worst teacher. "I was a smart-ass growing up. I was always getting into trouble, so there were a lot of teachers I didn't care for," Barry recalls. "I think everyone has had teachers they really disliked, but I certainly didn't deal with it the way my character Luke does." Tight-lipped about his romantic status, Barry says cautiously, "I'm dating right now, but nobody seriously." "Interestingly, his marriage to actress Laura Watson, in 1997, seems to be a subject that's not open for discussion. "I want to keep my personal life to my family and friends," he says, and changes the subject. "My dog Harsky keeps me busy" In his spare time, Barry enjoys hiking and running on the beach with Harsky. "I don't go out much," he offers. "I'm not a big club guy. I enjoy a drink now and then, but most of my partying days are over." Barry says his rebellious character on the big screen is world's apart from the preacher's son he plays on 7th Heaven. "I think my character on the show is the nicest guy on TV,' he laughs. "I don't look quite as edgy as I do in Tingle." And how is Barry in real life? "I guess I'm somewhere in between the extremes. I think I'm a nice guy. At least I try to be." Having experienced the ups and downs of show business, the actor says, "I've paid my dues to get where I am. To this day, Tori still doesn't believe I was parking her car. Let's hope I don't have to go back to those days again."