Kalaheo Grad on “FlashForward”

Karl Herlinger by Blake GardnerFlashforward” is a new show on ABC, a sci-fi drama that the network is pushing very hard on fans of “LOST.” My wife and I have been watching it, and finally enjoying it after a very wobbly start. Last night, the tenth episode of “Flashforward” aired, and while it was among the best episodes so far, it’ll also be the last new episode until March 2010.

As it turns out, the episode featured a Hawaii connection.

After I posted a quick comment on “Flashforward” to Twitter, I heard from Honolulu attorney Mark Murakami and Kailua resident Malia, who both pointed out that one of the actors in a pivotal twist near the end of the episode was 1990 Kalaheo High School graduate Karl Herlinger.

He portrayed one of the “bad guys” masquerading as an ambulance EMT that kidnapped Dylan, son of scientist Lloyd Simcoe. According to Malia, he will appear in at least two more episodes next year.

As it turns out, Herlinger has had a busy year. Also in 2009, he’s appeared in both “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and “Without a Trace” on CBS, the USA series “Monk,” and the edgy sci-fi series “Dollhouse” on FOX.

According to the March 1995 newsletter of the Kalaheo High School Foundation, Herlinger graduated from UCLA with a degree in theater and moved to New York to pursue an acting career. He was “well-remembered for his performance as Tevye in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at Castle Theater.” An April 1997 blurb notes that he also has a sister, Lisa Herlinger Thompson, who graduated from Kalaheo in 1986 and was also working as a performer and dancer in New York.

A more complete and current biography was published in the foundation’s April 2008 newsletter:

Karl Herlinger ‘90 is an actor, singer, ventriloquist, dancer (modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop), pianist, guitarist, body-surfer, mime, and Bunraku puppeteer. Prior to his current project to develop a ventriloquism show, Karl performed in Slava’s Snowshow (Russian clowning) and, since 1997, in productions of the international dance/theater company Thingsezleem. A graduate of the UCLA Theater Department, Karl received further training in NYC at Circle-in-the-Square, Gene Frankel Theater, and Robert Castle (Strasberg Institute). His New York theater performances include roles in The Idiot, The Greeks, All God’s Chillun Got Wings, Slava’s Snowshow, Mistral, and others. Internationally, he has performed in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Dublin, Warsaw, and other cities. Karl’s film credits include the lead in Pretend, The Metamorphosis of Narcissus, Apocalypse Bop and other film/TV/video projects, including a co-star role on NBC’s Law and Order. Karl and his wife live in L.A. with their 10-month old daughter.

Check out his official website at KarlHerlinger.com.

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