Kato’s Career O.J.’S Former Roommate Is Looking To Parlay His Moment Of Fame Into An Acting Career

Brian “Kato” Kaelin is the embodiment of the saying “Be careful what you wish for - you might get it.”

He wished for stardom and got it. Even as a child he knew he was destined for more than life in the Wisconsin ‘burbs.

“I knew I had something inside that people had to see,” he says. “I can’t explain it - I can feel it, and it’s happening now. … I accept what’s going on, but to think of how it has happened, there’s nothing I can do about it. I don’t know that it’s OK, but it just happened, it’s real life.”

The Kato Phenomenon is happening right now, streaking by like a fastball. How many other quasi-actors with a string of tepid credits get tapped for Comedy Central’s “Politically Incorrect,” United Paramount Network’s “The Watcher,” charity autograph signings, a portrait by Annie Leibovitz, “20/20,” “Larry King Live” and an upcoming guest shot on “Roseanne”? He even got invited to Larry King’s wedding.

So what’s in store for this 36-yearold witness/house guest extraordinaire? Kato’s Krew - his publicist, attorney and agent - are sifting through offers, deciding what move to make next.

“Right now we’d like to get him some high-profile guest roles,” says publicist David Crowley of the Lee Solters Co., “like ‘Saturday Night Live’ or when he did ‘Politically Incorrect,’ things along those lines, while we’re entertaining film offers. He’s been trying to make the rounds - studios, agencies, casting directors, producers - but he literally has not had time. He got off the witness stand and started doing interviews and charity appearances.”

What about that reported book deal with St. Martin’s Press, with an advance of $500,000?

Repeating what he said on the witness stand, Kaelin says there never was a deal, but he’s not ruling out doing a book at some point.

David Kaye, St. Martin’s senior vice president and general counsel, says: “I can confirm that there is no book deal. I can’t comment on whether there was or was not any discussion or negotiation about a book deal in the past.”

Kaelin’s advisers believe that their client was destined for the bright lights and the big city.

“There’s a big demand for Kato right now,” says the publicist.

“If O.J. hadn’t happened he’d be a star anyway,” says the agent.

“I think people can’t help but sort of smile when they’re around him,” says the attorney.

Talk to some industry insiders, however, and Kaelin’s future is clouded in skepticism. Maybe it’s understandable, considering that his longest time in front of the camera occurred on the witness stand, where he at times appeared nervous and scattered. Up to that point his scant credits included a stint on E!’s “Talk Soup”; an adult movie, “Surf, Sand & Sex,” described as a “happy, erotic romp,” and a years-old karaoke video for Tom Jones’ “Delilah” showing him stabbing a woman in a jealous rage.

“He’s got a good look, but he doesn’t project stability,” says a casting director.

“My advice? Take acting lessons. Go to class and stop being in the limelight,” says an agent.

“Honestly, you know, I think the proof is ultimately in the pudding,” says TV casting director Marc Hirschfeld of Liberman/Hirschfeld, who adds that Kaelin’s resume is “frankly quite limited.”

“While I think that he’s getting his 15 minutes of fame right now, he may be able to parlay that into a short-term career,” Hirschfeld continues. “If the guy can act, he might be able to jump-start what has been up to this point an unimpressive career. … He was invisible as an actor prior to the event. And just because this has thrust him into the limelight, I can’t take him seriously as an actor, because he hasn’t really proven himself as one yet. The verdict is still out.”

Attorney Michael Plotkin, who handles Kaelin’s business affairs, realizes that his client has an uphill battle.

“For some reason,” he says, “there’s been something about him that sort of magnetizes people, but there’s also been a reluctance to deal with Kato as other than a sort of icon from the trial. And so people have not taken him seriously. There were a number of people we talked to about doing endorsements, and each of the ad agencies were thrilled with him, they loved him to death. But they were somewhat troubled by the image the trial portrayed. And rather than take a risk that might have tarnished their image one way or another, they backed off…. But I think that image will fade.”

Kaelin’s advisers suggested that he lie low until his testimony ended; now they say offers are coming in, decisions are being made, a career is being plotted. He’s been talking to the top brass at NBC and meeting with Brandon Tartikoff. So what’s next? TV? Films? A talk show?

“I’d love to be working in films,” says Kaelin. “It doesn’t mean I’d turn down television, and not to be a lead (in a movie) right away, but just to work with some talented, talented people, because I’m sure if I got a lead, not that I couldn’t do it, but I’d like to learn more from the actors because you can pick up so much from the wisdom of other actors that have been in the business. I think I can catch on to anything - sports or anything. I pick up on things.”

Kato’s kept his head from swelling by relying on his Midwestern family values, his family and his friends from childhood. Even being pals with Charlie Sheen hasn’t turned him into a snob. And when he tells you he’s become friends with Annie Leibovitz and Larry King, he seems astounded at the notion himself.

But with the eyes of the world upon him, he has changed a little.

“I was so much more outgoing,” he says. “I was wild - not drunk - but just wild, and now I can’t do that. I don’t like that part. People who know me know I’m much more lowkey because I have to be.”

But one thing that hasn’t changed is Kaelin’s inherent need to make people laugh.

“From grade school through high school,” he recalls, “I always wanted to see if I could get this one guy to laugh at me. I started seeing how much fun that was, just trying to make someone laugh in class. It just kept building and building. And I think my motto was just to have fun. Is that bad? I mean, I know I want to be serious, but fun is part of being serious.

“Hey, you want to see something?” he suddenly says, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Look - TV’s in my blood.”

He shows the back of his hand, the veins rising up to form the scraggly letters “TV.”

“Pretty good, huh?”