When You Turn On The TV And See Your College Roommate As Part Of A Drug Ring...

Back in the late 1980s or early 1990s, I rented a house near the U of U campus. In order to afford the incredibly reasonable rent, I needed roommates. One of those roommates was on national TV tonight. I watched the show (first time I ever watched an entire episode of NCIS...).

I had no idea that one day one of my roommates would portray a multiple yacht owner who ends up dead (spoiler alert...) when he messed with those involved in a Fentanyl drug ring. I mean, I never guessed that would happen.

Strangely enough, I don't know if--back then--he thought it would happen, either.

Kevin Ashworth, a.k.a. yacht owner Richard Lane (or, Dick, to his friends...) moved into our house as I finished up my degree at the U. Good-looking and smart, Kevin always had a look of quiet serenity on his face, a thinking man. I remember discussions of politics, even though he wasn't overtly political, and discussions of other things. And being the good roommate, Kevin came to my wedding. I was happy he was there.

As things go, we drifted apart. I heard a few years ago he had moved to California and had become an actor. You can access his IMDb page: HERE. Though I never thought he'd go in that direction, it made sense, with his looks and everything. Since then I've seen him on other shows, and even in an action-packed film where he played a space shuttle pilot. Unfortunately, the pilot met the same end as the devious Richard (Dick...) Lane. Poor Richard...he messed with the wrong drug dealers--a lesson for us all.

As with all my former roommates, and most in general, I wish him the best. It's exciting to see a former roommate entertaining the masses. But more importantly, I hope he's happy. I hope he's finding joy and enrichment in his life. And I hope he stays away from yachts and drug dealers of any kind.

* Photos used without permission from NCIS and CBS