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Liberty Lake resident Michael Houbrick shows off some of the storylines he’s created featuring his children’s cartoon, ‘The Rat Pack of Hollywood.’

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From clown to cartoonist
12/9/2009 12:00:58 PM

By Tammy Kimberley
Splash Staff Writer

Profiles: Michael Houbrick

Even though he left the Spokane area to "see the world" as an employee in the entertainment industry, Michael Houbrick eventually found his way back to the Pacific Northwest. But along the way he had a chance to rub shoulders with a number of celebrities while engaging in a variety of projects on the Hollywood scene. 

Michael Houbrick recently sat down with The Splash to share about his life experiences and how they have helped shape his current project, "The Rat Pack of Hollywood."

Q. How did you become involved in the entertainment business?

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A. After graduating from high school, my twin brother Matthew and I decided to go to clown college. After 10 weeks of training, we were offered a contract from Ringling Brother Barnum & Bailey Circus. We were the first twin clowns in the history of the world.

Since I grew up in Spokane, it was interesting to travel all over and experience the world. It made me a better person.


A photo (above) with President Bill Clinton and a book autographed by Michael Jackson (right) are two of Michael Houbrick's favorite pieces of memorabilia from his time working in the Hollywood entertainment industry.


Jensen, one of Houbrick's cartoon rats, is named after Houbrick's neighbors Mark and Kerry Jensen and their five children.

Q: Did you do any amazing tricks or feats as a clown?

A: We did a mirror routine that was fairly popular. We were with them for two years and after that, we moved to Los Angeles to do stand-up comedy together. 

I found out later that I wasn't that funny and didn't do good magic, so I went on to work for Universal Studios doing publicity and promotion for their television shows and movies. I discovered that I would rather create ideas for people than perform in front of people.

Q: What were some of the projects you worked on during your time in Hollywood?

A: Some of the projects include "We are the World" charity single, "Madcap Magic" TV show and the new "Leave It to Beaver." There were around 10 TV series and about 25 made-for-TV movies I worked on.

I also am very proud of my campaign running Eddie Haskell for president. That was a great deal of fun.

Q: Who is the most fascinating celebrity you've met?

A: Without a doubt, Michael Jackson. He saw my brother and I perform as clowns at the Royal Plaza Hotel in Orlando back in the early 1980s. We started hanging out with him some and doing sketches and going to movies. He even took us to his home.

Michael was so misunderstood … but to those who really knew him, he was the kindest, most sincere person we had ever met. If he ever said he would do something for you, he would and he never asked for anything in return.

He was very intelligent and also very creative - not just as a singer or dancer. He loved to draw and write, which are two passions of mine as well.

Q: You have quite a collection of autographed memorabilia. Do you have a particular one that is meaningful?

A: Two pieces from Michael Jackson stand out as my favorites. I have a pen and ink drawing that Michael drew for me. I only know of about five drawings that he ever did like this.

I also have a copy of the out-of-print autobiography of Charlie Chaplin that Michael autographed. One day Michael asked if I had read Charlie Chaplin's autobiography because he said the struggles that my twin brother and I had were similar to Charlie Chaplin's struggles to get into show business. Four years later, out of the blue, I was with Michael having dinner and he said, "I got that book for you." I was like, "What book?" and he gave me the book.

I also like the pictures at the White House meeting President and Mrs. Clinton. It was just cool to be invited to the White House to meet the president.

Q: How long have you been drawing cartoons?

A: I've been drawing since I was a little kid. I drew a cartoon for a while titled "Mr. Brick" that was published in Daily Variety (a business journal for the entertainment industry) and other California newspapers. Everything in my mind is a cartoon.

Q: How did you come up with the idea for The Rat Pack of Hollywood?

A: I had moved to Liberty Lake and was trying to find a regular job after I'd been out of work for a while. I was just sitting at home one day thinking, "I can't do anything anymore because Hollywood has been taken over by a lot of rats." It just clicked - why don't I create rats that stand up and talk like humans?

Q: Tell a little about these rats and what they do.

A: The rats are in a band called Hollywood Rats. They travel the country singing their music - like the Partridge Family, only rats. There are no people or animals in the cartoon. It's a make-believe utopia where rats rule.

Q: You mentioned that one of the rats, Jensen, was named after your neighbors. How did this come about?

A: I had some serious health issues this past year, as well as difficulty trying to find a job. No matter what I was going through, all of my Liberty Lake neighbors helped me out. Most notable were Mark and Kerry Jensen and their five children, so I named a rat "Jensen" after them.

Most of Jensen the Rat's characteristics are a result of my observation of the Jensen family or ideas submitted directly by the family. I've been able to beta test my drawings and sense of humor on the (Jensen) children before submitting it to publishers and to the Hollywood community. I love their candor and honesty.

Q: Why is being a family-friendly form of entertainment important to you?

A: I long for the days of yesterday when families could sit down and actually watch TV together! Recent sensational stories like Balloon Boy or Adam Lambert's appearance on the American Music Awards are filling the TV screens, but what parent wants to sit down with their children and watch that type of sensational programming? The Rat Pack of Hollywood will be refreshing entertainment the whole family can enjoy together without being embarrassed or inappropriate.

Q: Where are you in the process of getting your rats out in the public eye?

A: Currently I am in the process of shopping a children's picture book deal with a national publisher. I also have a few production companies and networks I am targeting for development and distribution of the animated series. I have the passion - there will just have to be some Hollywood magic that takes it to the next level.

Q: What are your goals and dreams for the Rat Pack?

A: Immediately, I'm hoping that the Rat Pack can help save my house and keep me working. I would love to do a line of children's books and then take it on to television. I want to use my vast experiences to help my future while not selling out - that's my dream.

Profiles:
Michael Houbrick

Age

49

Childhood
Grew up on the South Hill; graduated from Ferris High School

Years lived in LL
Three

Previous jobs
Clown, comic-strip creator, stand-up comedian, Hollywood talent agent

Most recent project
Developing a children's cartoon called "The Rat Pack of Hollywood"

How to keep tabs on the Rats
twitter.com/TRPOHtrpoh.blogspot.com
  

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