Glenn Scarpelli, known for his childhood film and TV roles, talks about honoring director Peter Bogdanovich. PLUS: LGBT films to be screened at Sedona.
By Neil Cohen

Glenn Scarpelli
Glenn Scarpelli helps Sedona Film Festival honor Peter Bogdanovich, a director he worked for as a child star
When the Sedona Film Festival honors Peter Bogdanovich with its Lifetime Achievement Award, the out actor of one of his films will be moderating a question and answer with the famed director.
Glenn Scarpelli played Audrey Hepburn's son in Bogdanovich's 1981 film, They All Laughed, which will be screened at the festival.
Scarpelli started his career in the theater, debuting on Boradway at age 9 in Golda, starring Anne Bancroft. Fans of vintage TV may recognize Scapelli as Alex in the latter seasons of the hit sitcom, One Day at a Time.
Scarpelli famously came out of the closet in 2005 in a VH-1 show of child stars, after having left acting at age 18 to avoid living a double life.
Now 45, he's a Sedona-based entrepreneur who owns the TV station Sedona NOW Network with his soon-to-be ex-husband, Jude Belanger.
He recently returning to acting, shooting a comedy pilot for Comedy Central called The Gregory Brothers. "I'm just so thrilled I can be out and an actor," he said. "Times are changing and I like what I see."
Scarpelli talked about his career and his life during an email interview from Los Angeles.

Scarpelli with Hepburn in 1981
Answer: Shooting that film was certainly one of the greatest experiences of my life. When we wrapped on the film, Audrey gave me a present — tapes of her favorite classical music. She really introduced me to an appreciation of such pieces. Her note said, "To My ONLY Movie Son." I am thrilled to have held that title. Audrey never played a mom in any other feature film. They All Laughed was her last feature film.
Q: How did Dorothy Stratten's tragic murder affect you and your costars?
A: Nothing was as sad and shocking as the horrific murder of Dorothy Stratten three weeks after we wrapped. I, along with the entire company, was distraught. She was the sweetest person with such a vital and successful career to look forward to. I don't even know how Peter edited the film after that. Her death created an ominous energy to this lighthearted comedy. I wonder what this film would have been had Dorothy lived.
Q: A lot of people grew up with One Day at a Time. It made you a Tiger Beat idol and you released an album. What was it like?
A: When I was cast on One Day At A Time it felt like I won the lottery. The show had been on the air five years (it ran a total of nine) and I was a huge fan! Being able to go to work day in and day out on the set of such a great sitcom was a dream. Yes, there were the teen mags and Teen Idol stuff that came with it, but as girls "swooned" all I could think was: "Do any of you have cute brothers?" I had never been with a guy at that point but for sure knew that day would be apparent.
Q: How did knowing you were gay temper your success?
A: At 18 (shortly after the show ended) I fell madly in love with Gary Scalzo, a talent manager from New York City. I was in no way, shape or form going to lie about who I was just for my career. Back in those days (the '80s), being an "out" actor just didn't happen. So I left acting officially, moved back to New York and went to NYU Film School. So basically I left my thriving career because I was gay. I refused to play the games. I was out in my personal life for decades before I came out publicly on VH-1 in 2005. I'm so happy to live a free and honest life. If anyone out there is afraid to come out, don't be. Do it. It's a true expression of our self-love. And we deserve it.

Scarpelli in One Day At A time
A: We must always walk our truth and be kind and loving to ourselves. We don't need any one else's approval or opinions about who we are. I think the most important lesson in coming out is to have self-acceptance, self-awareness and self-love. It's really not about anyone else. We in the LGBT community deserve happy, fulfilled and passionate lives. We are loved ... no matter what books or dogma might say. We can be beacons of light to help wake up those around us that carry ignorance and fear, but coming out is something we do for ourselves. Remember, the truth sets us free.
Q: What inspires you about Sedona?
A: My first partner (Scalzo) died of AIDS in 1992. I nursed him until his last breath. I was 26. The week after his passing I moved to Sedona! Sedona nurtured me during a very tough time of mourning. Sedona has played a very important role in my life through the years. It offers me centering, healing, peace and rejuvenation.
I have been back and forth between LA and Sedona for two decades. I officially moved to Sedona with Jude in 1999. I wasn't sure what I would do for a career. It's not like there's a lot of TV jobs available. So I decided to create one for myself. Sedona NOW TV first aired on April 4, 2002.
Q: What's happening in your personal life?
A: Jude and I are in the process of a divorce after 14 years. We are still great friends and still own the TV station together but we have grown apart on a personal level. We were legally married in California before the whole Prop. 8 debacle and now have to get legally divorced.
I am still a great supporter of LGBT rights and marriage equality, but one thing we need to know in our community is "marriage equality" can also mean "divorce equality." All's fair in love and war. I have been the type to always remain friends with my exes and Jude is no exception. We've shared so much and no one can ever take that away from us! We will always love each other, but I am embracing the single life again ... and loving it. -E
They All Laughed will be screened at the Sedona Film Festival on Feb. 19, followed by a Q and A with Bogdanovich moderated by Scarpelli.

Carol Channing: Larger than Life
Movies dealing with LGBT topics will be among the offerings when the Sedona Film Festival screens 145 features, documentaries and animated films from Feb. 18 to 26.
The LGBT highlights:
Echo Magazine is a sponsor of the Sedona Film Festival.
Sedona Film Festival
Feb. 18-26
Various venues
www.sedonafilmfestival.com