Just beginning his act

Suzie Harrison

He races go-carts, plays the drums, likes to walk his dog and play

with his friends. So what makes 10-year-old Ridge Canipe different

than any other boy growing up in Laguna Beach? Ridge is working on

location in Hollywood on a major motion picture.

On Saturday, Ridge played hacky sack, as he nonchalantly talked

about his acting career. He’s friendly, outgoing and happy-go-lucky.

“I just always played around, watching movies and acting at home

and thought it would be fun,” Ridge said.

Ridge started acting professionally when he was 6. In the last

four months, Ridge has worked on three movies, including his current

project -- a remake of the 1976 classic “The Bad News Bears.”

“I found out in October that I got the part and the audition went

good,” Ridge said.

Ridge’s mother Marci Canipe said they see about 10,000 children to

audition before they pick. “Bad News Bears” casting calls were held

in more than 11 cities, including Canada.

“In ‘Bad News Bears,’ my character has a much bigger part,” Ridge

said. “My character, Toby Whitewood, is an all-American boy and son

of a lawyer played by Marcia Gay Harden. Billy Bob Thornton plays my

coach Buttermaker, and he’s dating my mom.”

Ridge said he never gets nervous acting or working with big name

actors. He said instead he gets excited.

Friday they shot Ridge’s favorite scene so far in the movie.

“We actually played baseball live and pretended that we [stunk]

because the team is so bad, so that was fun,” Ridge said.

Ridge practices lines with his family to get ready for an audition

or a new part. He said he also reads the script from beginning to end

over and over to learn his lines.

“He just reads the script and he’s kind of a natural,” Marcia

Canipe said. “He hasn’t had any coaching or lessons.”

Ridge’s resume is extensive and includes a season on “Lucky,” and

playing roles on “Cold Case,” “The District,” “Angel” and other TV

and commercial roles.

Most of his TV shows and movies are period pieces, and he’s done

everything between ‘80s and ‘40s.

“My favorite time period so far is the ‘40s,” Ridge said. “I liked

the clothes. I played a young Johnny Cash and he’s really poor.”

“Walk the Line” is a chronicle of country music legend Johnny

Cash’s life. Ridge worked on the film in September, and shooting on

location enabled him to experience Memphis, Arkansas and Mississippi.

“I’m a big Johnny Cash fan,” Ridge said. “It was super serious --

he had a very hard life. His brother died and it was so sad.”

Ridge had to cry for certain scenes.

“The first time I can make myself cry,” Ridge said. “But after 10

takes, they blow menthol in your eyes and it makes your eyes water.”

His favorite work is comedy, which he got to experience in his

first film in July, “Tom 51.”

“Walk the Line” and “Tom 51” are set for release in spring 2005,

and “Bad News Bears” is set for release in 2006.