Former Gilroy resident is making a name for herself in
Hollywood
n by Christine Tognetti Staff Writer
For former Gilroy resident Lindsay Gareth, being an actress started as a dream when she was 4. Her hopes of making it big grew stronger as she grew older, and after years of hard work, the dream is now real.
At 23 years old, the bubbly blonde who once danced at local talent shows and cheered on the sidelines at Gilroy High School football games is preparing for the 2006 release of “Bottoms Up,” in which she has a prominent role as the character Dorothy. The movie stars Paris Hilton as well as Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith – perhaps better known as Jay and Silent Bob from the 2001 movie “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.”
A petite blonde with bright green eyes, Gareth’s good looks don’t ensure her a place in appearance-conscious Hollywood. She said she always has to sell herself to casting directors.
“Constantly I hear, ‘Well, thanks Linds, you were great. But we have five just like you,”’ she said. “I have to explain to them that the exteriors may look similar, but what I can bring to the character is way more than they ever can.”
Part of what she brings to each character is life experience, said Gareth, who graduated from the University of Southern California and majored in art history. Through the sometimes difficult times, Gareth has appreciated the love and support she’s received from her former South Valley community.
“Was it scary moving to L.A. at 17? Yes. Did I have bad days? A few,” Gareth said. “But the best and most comforting feeling ever was always knowing home was never far away. Being a part of this community has given me a lot of strength and support.”
In 2000, Gareth’s older brother, Kevin Gareth Anderson, died after a hiking accident. Gareth calls Kevin her “other half,” and her emotional bond with him is one reason she takes his middle name as her stage name instead of using her legal last name, Anderson.
“(Kevin and I) talked about going to L.A. together,” Gareth said. “We had very similar goals, and he just had such an amazing way to look at the world. … Having part of my brother’s name makes me kind of always feel like he’s with me.”
Since moving to Los Angeles five years ago, Gareth said she’s been evaluating the atmosphere there to better determine exactly what she wants to do with her life. One thing she’s sure she doesn’t want is excessive attention from paparazzi.
“Any publicity is good publicity, but I think the tabloids have taken it too far,” she said. “I mean, today people read more about trash than news. Some people use the tabloids to make their names bigger. It’s a false sense of celebrity. That’s not what I want to do.”
Before getting hired for “Bottoms Up,” Gareth appeared on TV shows such as “The OC,” “The Practice” and “Cold Case.” Once filming for the movie was complete, Gareth also made an appearance on the E! Channel reality show “Fight for Fame,” where she duked it out with other Hollywood hopefuls for an agency contract.
“That was quite an experience,” Gareth said, laughing.
On the way to making it in Hollywood, Gareth said she has made several friendships that have grown even tighter through the years.
“We always knew Linds would be doing something great,” said Meghan Nowakowski, a longtime friend of Gareth’s and also a former Gilroy resident. “How could she not? That girl is full of spunk and energy. I think we’ll be seeing much more of her on the big screen in the future.”
