With full respect to Haley's mom, it is only with the highest regard and deepest admiration that I want to try and paint a much better picture of the person that has been so influential in Haley's life. On the surface it would seem that the canvas for Michael Eugene Osment is pretty much blank, as not much is known about the person who first came to Hollywood trying to "make it big" in the industry that has called so many before. You will not find very many public tributes pointing his way, what with most of the attention focused in another direction or two. But in reviewing many previous interviews, news articles, and press releases, you find a full palette of vibrant colours just waiting to be applied, and it becomes easy to see why Haley's portrait is such a masterpiece... it was enhanced by the skilled hands and masterful eye of a true artist.

Mr. Osment has always had a passion for theatre, acting, and the performing arts, and it was the pursuit of that passion which led him to the University of West Georgia Theatre Program. The West Georgia Theatre Company was a fledgling program at the time, but because of the efforts and commitment by previous students like Mr. Osment in establishing the solid foundation on which the program would be expanded, the UWG Theatre Program has now been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Having graduated in 1983 with a degree in Speech and Theatre, Mr. Osment was all set to pursue his Masters, but the lure of Hollywood was a dream he simply had to follow. Like so many before him, and so many after, this fresh new face in Hollywood, "Had a really good first year, but then it stopped. The trouble is that there are too many reasonably good-looking men like me around." Married and now with two young kids to look after, there would be some lean times, as the family lived on noodles and ketchup while Mr. Osment scrounged for theatre jobs. Having such a scant start in the industry, I think that would always serve as a reminder for the family to appreciate every success, and remember those that have helped along the way. Those that you pass on your way up, are often the same people you encounter should you find yourself on the way down... such is the nature of many a career in the entertainment industry, and that is a lesson best not forgotten.

But of course Hollywood is the place where dreams are born, and with his young son having been born in the City of Angels, the unknown possibilities that come with a new family would take Mr. Osment's career along an unexpected and just as rewarding path, "Let me put it another way, it has turned in a different direction, because coaching is every bit as good as performing in front of the camera. I have to live the role as thoroughly as Haley does, so I do all the character analysis with him and, many times, without him... and I'll carry on working until I figure it out." We can at least begin to understand the mature and very close working relationship, as they explore, develop, and create their art together. What an incredible experience it must be, to be able to connect with each other at the same level, and yet still maintain a very loving bond as father and son.

The most important of the many hats Mr. Osment has to wear is that of father or "Dad", but with two kids and two young careers to guide, he is also the acting coach, and chaperone, and manager, and occasionally he still dons the actor cap as well, but for now his preferred hat is that of just being dear old Dad. Instilling in his kids a strong work ethic, and an appreciation for "getting things done", these are just some of the building blocks used in the foundation for raising his children. Easily recognising how fleeting a career in the entertainment industry can be at any age, but especially when faced with the future transition from the world of child actors to adult actors, I am sure both parents insist that a full and proper education will always come first, before any acting job is considered, or if a compromise cannot be reached that would keep them from falling behind with their school work. No less important, because of the current celebrity obsessed culture that we have, and with Hollywood being a larger-than-life town, which makes it so very easy for young actors to lose their way... a very strict separation between having a "public life" and a "private life" is maintained, and the two worlds should almost never come into contact. A distinct private life allows his kids to explore other areas of interest, and do very "normal" things, all of which helps them to remain grounded and level-headed and grow into a "complete" person. The point of listing a few of many important examples, is that Mr. Osment is willing to "walk the line" and stand in there and actually be a parent willing to parent, and whichever of the many hats he has to wear, he does so out of love for his kids and family first, above everything else.

This does not mean his whole world revolves around his family, acting has always been a favourite subject, and Mr. Osment has achieved some success as an accomplished character actor in many different films. With the screentime he is given, he always makes great use of every scene, and establishes himself as a believeable character. Making full use of the skills and techniques he practiced and perfected in college, and fully immersing himself into the role, it is easy to see how those skills are used in creating a character even from his brief appearances. Many will probably remember him the most from his traditional cameo roles in some of the many great Haley Films, which I tend to view as an affirmation of the incredible and talented Haley and Dad team they have created. However, Mr. Osment has not been limited to just Haley Films, as he has made other notable appearances in films like "Minority Report", and there is many an actor that would give just about anything for the chance to appear in a Steven Spielberg film, and Mr. Osment has appeared in two of them. The best indicator about his skill as an actor, and his talent as an acting coach, can easily be seen reflected in the mesmerising performances repeatedly given by his incredibly talented son. Mr. Osment is a true artist and thespian.

For those lucky enough to have had the great fortune of being able to work with Mr. Osment, they have always regarded him as being a very kind, caring, and giving individual. Ever mindful of where he started and what it took to get to where he is today, he has always been willing to give back and help out where he can with whatever is required. Although most of the media attention has been focused on his two great kids, he has always been cordial and inviting, and always willing to share his thoughts, experiences, and what he has learned, when a reporter or interviewer has thought to include him in the various promotional events. Making sure to give back and help out and remain involved, is something that can easily be seen mirrored by his kids in the many charities and causes that they have been most active. It is all part of not just being thankful for your good fortune, but also just being a decent person.

Perhaps the greatest asset that he has to offer, is the knowledge he has acquired along the way in establishing and maintaining a presence in a very tough and unforgiving industry. With full regard to his college roots, Mr. Osment has frequently returned to attend various UWG alumni events, and continues to give back to the program that got him started. This helps to ensure that the spirit of those that set the foundation of the program is maintained, by freely sharing what he has learned with those that are just about to set out on their own. In recognition of his continued efforts, the University of West Georgia in association with the UWG Theatre Program, chose to bestow and honour Mr. Osment with the very first Theatre Alum of the Year Award in a reception held on Sunday, 17-April-2005. Of course always one to give back more than is expected, Mr. Osment would show up on the Friday to host a question and answer session with the students, and would later take in the latest West Georgia Theatre Company production. I am sure the UWG is very greatful to be able to call Mr. Osment one of their own. Probably the most difficult hat that Mr. Osment has to wear, and an ever changing and adaptive role he has to play, is that of Manager for his children. Arriving in Hollywood as a virtual outsider, he quickly had to absorb a great deal of information, all the while watching out for traps to avoid, and hoping there were not any opportunities missed, in trying to get the careers of both kids established. It was fortunate that both kids would get a "lucky break" into the industry, but that only gets your foot in the door, and it is what you do with the chance once you are inside that is the true measure of success. Being gifted with natural talent and the ability to understand the concept of "subtext" at a very young age, both of the kids continue to enjoy a great deal success. Ensuring the proper path is followed to help maintain that success, a full filmography listing for each child reveals that the path is indeed being followed, and proves the aptitude that Mr. Osment has as manager. Added to the difficulties of trying navigate the current entertainment industry, is the fact that Hollywood itself has slowly been evolving, as it tries to come to terms with the ever changing "media on demand" landscape. With so much media content easily accessible in so many different ways, and aside from the traditional, there is now also the Internet, and i-Pods, day and date DVDs, game consoles, and so on... the golden days of only having to map a course between the silver screen and the small screen are coming to an end. Without a constant gaze toward the horizon to see what is coming in the future, it will be much easier for a career to stagnate and erode away if you only follow the path that has been successful in the past. The simple studio career of making movies or doing a TV series, is now being replaced by creating "intellectual properties" that can be licensed, packaged, and sold in the various media formats.

Again the brilliance of Mr. Osment as a manager shines through, as he knows the industry is changing, and so he has been quietly adapting the careers of his two kids to meet the new challenges and gain valuable experience. We might ask ourselves what is the greatest young actor to have ever been nominated for an Academy Award doing lending his voice to a video game, or exploring the popular world of anime... but these choices have been by design, and are meant to help keep Haley's career ahead of the evolutionary curve, instead of having to play "catch up" during his time of transition between the kid and adult acting worlds. Of course in Hollywood there are no gaurantees, but both of Mr. Osment's kids have expressed interest in wanting their adult careers to remain in the entertainment industry, and so he is doing everything he can to help ensure every chance at success using every tool available. That is probably one of the best gifts he can give to them... being able to do what you love for a living, and be fully prepared to manage their own careers when they are ready.

When we think of the term hero we might think of a comic book character in a cape, or perhaps some champion in the world of sport. But a real hero is someone often overlooked, and remains in the background, or behind the scenes. There is something so heartfelt and endearing when Haley easily expresses that his hero is his father. He knows the true extent of the dedication his dad has put into his career, and Haley's brilliant success would not have been possible without him. It is an incredible working relationship that they have, and an even more incredible bond they share as father and son. We can easily see the kind of man that Mr. Osment truly is, being reflected by the wonderful young man that Haley has become. I am sure we have all guessed by now, the same vibrant colours used to help create Haley's portrait, came from the same palette of colours used on Mr. Osment's canvas. With such a meticulous painting now complete, I think it only appropriate that Mr. Michael Eugene Osment should sign that canvas with this distinguished quote...