The town of Hornell |
Hornell Sweet Home |
In towns as different as LA and Hornell, Bill’s immediate likeability and his approachable manner have earned him many friends. One of them, Lawrence Kasdan, even wrote a part for him where the word,"affable" was integral to his character. Kasdan’s son Jake is also a friend, as are David Lynch, Wim Wenders, Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich. There’s a genuine quality to Bill that seems in sync with his home town’s view of the world, where pretense just isn’t an option. What you see is really what you get. Actor Dewon Sawa says that Bill is his role model because of the professional way he presents himself and because of the respect he shows for everyone, from fellow star to driver. In Hornell, Bill maintains friendships that have lasted since boyhood, still taking the time to call, e-mail or visit. On a recent trip back, he had dinner with a large group of friends and stopped to see his father’s long time secretary in a nursing home. According to her, Bill spent quite a bit of time there, much to the delight of residents and staff.
Perhaps ID4 played here too
Bill has continued his relationship with Hornell over the years, keeping in touch with friends and staying abreast of community issues. Several years ago he was drawn into an effort to preserve some historic homes and he continues to be involved in the local Campfire Girls. According to Mayor Hogan, Bill has been very generous with the community in a number of ways, but always discreetly. Often people don’t realize what he’s done until long afterwards. Bill’s charitable bent is also evident within the Hollywood community, where he volunteers his time and efforts to the MS Society, Pediatric Aids, and The End Hunger Network, to name a few. He is also a strong supporter of local theater.
The heart of Hornell
Although only one sister remains in the Hornell area, Bill visits when he can and enjoys the anonymity that the community affords him. He’s recognized, but generally left alone, to wander through Walmarts or the local video store and stays, undisturbed, on the property his father bought the year Bill was born. There’s a no nonsense attitude about the residents that wouldn’t allow them to fawn over some movie star anyway. To them, Bill is Doc Pullman’s son. In fact, it was only a few years ago that the town recognized Bill in any formal way, by adding his name to their Welcome to Hornell signs. Local restaurant owner, Bob Stewart, came up with the idea and said he felt it was high time that the town acknowledged Bill and his accomplishments. They do, but at a respectful distance. Bill has acknowledged his home town as well, by naming his production company," Big Town," an affectionate nickname for a small city that’s had to try harder.
Rustic barns dot the landscape
Bill has said that he learned to,"understand the world through the prism of a small town," and that understanding seems to have served him well. It’s taken him far from his hometown in many ways. Still, he works hard, takes care of his family, and continues to enjoy the simple pleasures of growing things and working with his hands. He’s the least affected of movie stars, a secure man, who survives in a ruthless business and remains intact. Somehow you suspect that if all the celebrity went away tomorrow, he’d be just fine. It may well be true that you can’t ever really go home again, but it seems that Bill Pullman has managed to take some of the best parts of it with him.