James "Jimmy" Carrozo plays a version of himself in the film -- despite being very much alive in real life. He may be a new name in indie film, but he has somewhat of a mythic past. He was in the Army in 1955 where he was a radio announcer, until his officers outed him as gay. To avoid a dishonorable discharge, Jimmy agreed to surrender all rights to his VA benefits, and has since been at the forefront of campaigning to have his benefits returned to him, which now provides the very modest income on which he lives in a small apartment in Los Angeles with his second husband Marcus. After the army, Jimmy went on to tour extensively as a theater song and dance man. In 1968 he met Rick Granat (uncle of co-director Erin Granat) at the audition for the musical HAIR (he was an original cast member of the LA production),
In the 70s Carrozo and his partner Granat performed regularly at The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip, and the Merv Griffin Show on television, with comedians like Robin Williams opening for them. Since Granat's death from AIDS in 1986, Carrozo has thrived despite his own HIV diagnosis. As an activist, Jimmy received national press for his efforts campaigning for gay couples to have the same immigration rights as straight couples, as well as speaking on Capitol Hill representing AIDS Project Los Angeles.
In the 70s Carrozo and his partner Granat performed regularly at The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip, and the Merv Griffin Show on television, with comedians like Robin Williams opening for them. Since Granat's death from AIDS in 1986, Carrozo has thrived despite his own HIV diagnosis. As an activist, Jimmy received national press for his efforts campaigning for gay couples to have the same immigration rights as straight couples, as well as speaking on Capitol Hill representing AIDS Project Los Angeles.
