Hollywood actor doesn't forget his Fresno ties

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The 6-foot-4-inch Brandon Molale is hard to miss.

The busy actor, who isn't afraid to get physical and do his own stunts, is a former member of the Fresno State football team and stays close to the program.

As the start of spring football approaches, the Emerald talked to the affable Molale, who has appeared in multiple films by Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider, and is well-aware of the close games between Fresno State and Oregon the last few seasons.

"We've always played Oregon tough every year," Molale said.

Molale found himself following Oregon's run towards the championship game last season until quarterback Dennis Dixon tore his anterior cruciate ligament and the Ducks fell out of the race.

"It's too bad he went down," Molale said. "I was really gunning for Oregon this year to go all the way."

Molale's playing days have passed and he may never experience the rush of playing on the NFL's biggest stage in the Super Bowl, but he did experience the next best thing when he traveled to Scottsdale, Ariz. in February and enjoyed the environment surrounding the nation's largest sporting event.

"It was something any diehard sports fan, especially a diehard football fan should try to take advantage of, put that in their calendar and try to do that at least once in their life," Molale said.

He attended parties. Molale helped with charities. He caught passes from NFL legend Warren Moon.

The latter activity came in a celebrity football game, placing Molale on the same field as Merrill Hodge, Daryl Johnston, and Raghib "Rocket" Ismail. Former Oregon State star Chad Johnson and Matt Leinart roamed the sidelines as coaches.

The game served as a memorable experience for Molale, who now makes his living on the big screen in Hollywood.

He gained as first-on screen role in Adam Sandler's "Mr. Deeds," as Kevin Ward, the quarterback of the New York Jets, who, upset with his contract, creates a confrontation and is punched by Longfellow Deeds (Sandler).

Molale's acting career took off from there.

"Even though I've worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood: Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Christopher Walken - I'm still allowed to be a fan," Molale said.

Continued...

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