Dennis Christopher

 Dennis Christopher was actually 23 years old when he played the role in "Breaking Away" (1979), for which he won a Best Juvenile Actor in a Motion Picture Award.

In the scene where Dave (Christopher) admits to Katherine (Robyn Douglass) that he is not Italian but is actually a "Cutter" (one of the local residents), Katherine starts to walk off, then turns back and slaps him across the face. According to director Peter Yates, she did not 'fake' the slap but actually did strike him, and fairly hard at that. There were over 6 takes for this scene, with several onlookers flinching every time Dennis Christopher got slapped.

The term "Cutters" heard in the film is used to represent Bloomington, Indiana townies who work cutting rock in the local limestone quarries. The production team decided to call the Bloomington townies "cutters" because they felt the actual local nickname ("stoners" or "stonies") would draw a parallel to drug references for viewers who were not raised in the area.

Christopher, on working with Paul Dooley: "Paul wasn't a first choice for 'Breaking Away' (1979). They originally wanted Charles Durning. I had worked with Paul on 'A Wedding' (1978); he played my dad. I was in the office one day before this table reading, and they wanted Charles Durning to come in, but he wouldn't without a offer on the table. There were money things, and he was busy doing something else. So I said, 'I know this guy who played my father in 'A Wedding' and I'm sure he'll come in and do it, if you pay him.' They said, 'Even if he has no chance of getting the part?' I said, 'Yes, IF YOU PAY HIM. I'm sure he'll do it, even if you don't give him the part... ' So they called him, and he came in. So we got to the end of the table read, and there was no question, that part belonged to Paul Dooley. There was no discussion about it.

We've played father and son at least three times. There is an very easy chemistry between us. There are some very poignant moments between us in 'Breaking Away'. I think these came from our connection together. Paul really identified with my character. As a youth he really thought that he had the same kind of relationship with his own father, that Dave (Christopher's character) had with his father. There are a couple really sweet moments that weren't scripted that just came out of us working together. We fit very well together. I really love Paul Dooley."

Happy Birthday, Dennis Christopher!