Film and Television Actor Teams With Popeye Historian and Graphic Artist to Create Book on Bullying

Fred M. Grandinetti, a frequent victim of bullying, recalls one particular memory, "It was awards day at my high school.  I was sitting in front of a group of wise guys and they kept laughing behind me. Later, when I looked in my bathroom mirror, I discovered a lot of gum in my hair.  The wise guys were the ones who threw it. I was tearing up and noticed a small bottle of pills on the shelf.  The "what's the use" thought did cross my mind.  However my eye caught site of a picture of Popeye. The spinach eating sailor remains one of my favorite cartoon characters.  I remembered one of his films would be on television later that day. I was looking forward to that and the "what's the use" notion left me.

It was my interest in Popeye which helped me endure the bullying. I have tried to repay the sailor by writing several articles and books on his successful career.  Additionally I helped finance the anthology series, The Popeye Show, which aired on The Cartoon Network.  My public relation skills assisted in keeping the series in production for three years. Eventually, these same skills, helped get the sailor's black and white films released on DVD. During the years I was verbally and physically bullied Popeye helped push me through the anguish.  However not everyone with my similar experiences has their own Popeye."

David Hudon was also a frequent victim of bullying and recalls, "This kid used to bully a lot of smaller people and backed me against the lockers.  He wanted my rare Pink Floyd tour pin and tore it from my jacket.  I never saw it again. During a scuffle with a gang of big kids my wrist was broken and I had to wear a cast for three months.  Today I'm a vendor at several record album conventions. Being surrounded by great music often reminds me of that missing Pink Floyd pin."

Cuyle Carvin could have been thought of as a typical bully while he played football in high school.  However, instead of threatening people like Grandinetti and Hudon, he befriended a victim of harassment.  Carvin remembers, "There was this one kid who was always alone and looking down on the ground when he walked. I passed him a note which read, "If you need a friend, I'm here."  I invited him to lunch and we're still buddies to this day".

In 2009 Grandinetti needed an actor for a water safety tip for his award winning cable access series, Drawing with Fred. Cuyle Carvin, by this time, chose acting as his career and Grandinetti hired him. In the ensuing years the pair discussed their encounters with bullies. Grandinetti felt their true stories would make an interesting book. Carvin took time out of his busy performing schedule to assist Grandinetti with the writing. David Hudon, now a talented graphic, provided the artwork.

Different Worlds, Best of Friends is presented in a comic book format and initially illustrates how Grandinetti and Carvin dealt with bullies. Grandinetti was the frequent victim while Carvin extended his hand in friendship.  It explains the circumstances which led to their meeting while the influence of bullying remains present. The publication is $5.00 with $2.00 postage and handling.  Proceeds are going to The Buddy Dog Humane Society located in Sudbury Massachusetts and The Troublemaker Foundation from Toluca Lake California. The book can be ordered by sending a check or money order to Fred M. Grandinetti, 96 Edenfield Avenue, Watertown MA 02472.