'Wonder Years' Dad Has Lindy in His Thoughts

Dan Lauria may be starring on Broadway, but the Lindenhurst native has been thinking a great deal about his hometown lately.

Currently playing narrator Jean Shepherd in A Christmas Story, The Musical, Lauria spoke recently about the challenges now facing residents in Lindenhurst following Hurricane Sandy.

“It’s the areas south of Merrick Road that got hit the worst, but they’re doing the best they can,” said the actor, who is best known for playing the gruff patriarch Jack Arnold on The Wonder Years. 

While he no longer has family living locally, he does have a number of friends that still call Lindenhurst home.

“My buddy there is a Vietnam-era veteran, he’s a quadriplegic, and he just lost his home," Lauria said. "He has to spend a lot of time at Northport VA hospital while they’re fixing up his house.’

Lauria considers himself an environmentalist (he calls nature-friendly Ed Begley, Jr. a good friend), and thus had an inkling about what would eventually happen with the weather.

“I have a friend whose daughter calls me Uncle Dan, and she got married one year ago before buying a condo south of Merrick Road. They just lost it in the hurricane,” he said. “At the wedding I said to her, ‘Don’t buy a house south of Merrick Road!’ Now everyone thinks I had some foresight!”

Despite the challenges currently facing Lindenhurst, Lauria speaks very fondly of the town in which he not only attended high school, but taught in for a year as well.

“It’s still an area where most people go to public schools,” he said. “It’s not like you’re transported from town to town to private schools. Because it has a great public school system, it brings people closer together. You grow up with them. Half of the people don’t leave the area so they stay in touch.”

Lauria also credits much of his Lindenhurst upbringing for his success in the entertainment business.

“When I played football in high school you got to work with people all the time,” he said. “I remember our coach saying, ‘You’ll learn more after school than you ever will in school.’ That was because in school you’re taught to shut up and listen. After school you’re taught to communicate, to work with other people.

"That’s what acting is all about. I really got that from growing up in Lindenhurst and playing ball and having good teachers and good coaches. The fact that we would do anything for our town, it’s the same attitude as the saying ‘The show must go on.’”

Lauria says he sees this sentiment in the way the town is pitching in to help with those struggling after the hurricane.

“I have been raising money on Red Cross Relief, and I know Lindenhurst High School, Copiague High School, and Lindenhurst Middle School all had areas for people to stay. It was really encouraging," he said.

A Christmas Story, The Musical runs on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre through December 30, 2012.

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• 'Wonder Years' Dad Has Lindy in His Thoughts
• Darius Rucker Brings Holiday Cheer to Lindenhurst
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• Photos: Heidi Klum at Lindy Village Tree Lighting
• Lindy's Lauria Stars in New TBS Sitcom
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