ReZoom

Micahel O'Keefe is a serious actor. His first movie role, at 23, was with Charlton Heston and David Caradine in the submarine disaster flick "Gray Lady Down." His second was in a supporting role to Robert Duvall in "The Great Santini," which won him an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor.

From there proceeded a long career studded with gems — opposite Jack Nicholson in "Ironweed" and "The Pledge," a small but pivotal role in Rob Reiner's "Ghosts of Mississippi" and guest turns on practically every popular TV drama of the last ten years including "Law & Order," "The West Wing" and "C.S.I."

But the role that follows O'Keefe everywhere — that gets him stopped in airports — is Danny Noonan in "Caddyshack." It's required viewing for those even mildly interested in golf, raunchy comedy or early "Saturday Night Live."

In short: guys.

"I think if I stepped back and objectified [my career], I'd say, ‘Hey, pretty good,'" O'Keefe said. "But would I rather be remembered for ‘Ironweed?' Sure."

On Your Deathbed, You Will Receive Total Consciousness

With serious theater falling victim to jukebox musicals, dramatic television losing ground to reality TV and Hollywood in the midst of another "salary compression," the 51-year-old actor is quick to concede that being known for a single role is not the worst problem in the world.

Kind of Zen, eh? It comes as no surprise, since O'Keefe turned to Zen at age 30, studying under Roshi Bernie Glassman, a pioneer in the American Zen movement. In 1996, O'Keefe became a Zen priest and, four years later, helped found the Black Mountain Zen Centre in Belfast, Ireland.

"It's not so important whether I'm Catholic or Muslim or Jewish," said O'Keefe, who was raised Catholic. "Zen transcends those worlds. You can be any or all or none of the above and still be a Zen practitioner."

I Gotta Go to College, Mr. Webb

More recently, O'Keefe earned his Masters Degree in Creative Writing from Bennington College last spring. While the writing life demands long hours of quiet dedication, O'Keefe found he was able to get his homework finished and still keep working as an actor.

"The thing about making movies, it's a lot of hurry up and wait," he said. "I'd be on a set and typing up a paper in between shots. I think it drove my girlfriend crazy, but I got it done."

O'Keefe is currently 150 pages deep into a novel, and is keeping one eye on the possibility of retaining the movie rights for his work. "Whether or not it leads to a new income stream remains to be seen," he said.

Chances aren't half bad that a "new income stream" won't be necessary, since his acting career seems to be on the upswing: Expect to see O'Keefe on the big screen in 2007, most notably in "An American Crime" starring Catherine Keener and "Michael Clayton" starring George Clooney.

Thus, with acting, writing and at least a couple hours a day meditating, there isn't much time for hobbies – like golf.

"I actually have to turn down invitations to play," he said. "I just don't have the time. Plus, I'd rather read and write than hit balls. Apologies to my golf fans, whoever they are."

To learn more about Michael O'Keefe, go to michaelokeefe.com.

Want more? Click here to check out our Celeb Status section.