Inventor of "Star Search". Co-president of Kelsey Grammer's production company. Mr. T's limo driver. If arranged in a list of bullet-points, Steve Stark's experiences in television would make a superb resume. Not that it matters, since he's never had to apply for a job. Steve has forged a successful career in television through his hard work, passion, good timing, and of course, the NU alumni network. Luckily, he wasn't too busy to answer some questions...

Let's begin "back in the day". How did you end up at Northwestern?

I grew up in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and chose Northwestern mainly because I wanted to act. RTVF was my major, but I took several theater classes, including acting with Bud Beyer. Outside of class, I was involved with Studio 22 and WNUR. My senior year, I decided to focus more closely on my major, specifically the TV component. My first experience in the industry was an internship at CBS Chicago, and from there, I headed to Hollywood.

What was your first job in Los Angeles?  How did you move up to your current position?

When I came to town in the early 1980s, Saturday Night Live was in a shaky ratings period and a show called "Twilight Theater" was in development as its potential replacement. It was a sketch-comedy show, similar to SNL, with Steve Martin as the host. I landed a job as a PA on the set - carrying boxes, delivering messages, typical grunt work. One day, the travel coordinator got sick, and I was tapped to fill in. I ended up, among other things, driving Mr. T around Los Angeles.

My first big job was actually a result of a student project that began at Northwestern. As part of an RTVF class, we had to pitch TV shows and develop one into a pilot. My idea wasn't anything spectacularly creative; basically, it was a talent show where the audience chose the winner. Our professor, Bob Banner, had a long history in Hollywood. He liked our project so much, he decided to develop it as a series, which eventually became "Star Search". Once I got my foot in the door, I contacted Bob and got a job casting the show.

One of the judges on "Star Search", a producer for Universal, was also an NU alumni. After I'd spent a few years on the show, he offered me a job in development. At the time I figured "Star Search" only had a few years left, so I took the offer and moved to Universal. That led me to work on the final season of "Cheers", where I met Kelsey Grammer, who is now my partner in Grammnet Productions.

It seems like your Northwestern connection has had a big impact on your career. What do you think was most valuable about it?

My NU background has certainly come in handy.  Even in the beginning, when I had just moved to LA, my classmates and I supported each other.  We shared common attitudes and experiences. Being part of a group of smart, driven people with the same goals & passions can be a great advantage if you're new to LA.

I think the best thing about the NUEA is that it extends relationships from NU beyond college and outside of Evanston. The shared knowledge and connections from the Northwestern community really make a difference. I've never had to apply for a job in my entire career because my relationships - especially the ones that spring from NU - have led to so many great opportunities. And as a potential employer, since I know Northwestern graduates are smart, passionate people, I'm more inclined to hire them over strangers. The advantage of my NU connection perpetuates itself that way.

As an executive producer, what is your typical day like?

There is no "typical" day - the focus of my daily work changes from week to week depending on the phase of a given project. That's the cycle of TV development. One day I might read pilots. Another day I might develop concepts or try to sell ideas to the studios and networks. With "Medium" and "Girlfriends", my two current shows, I stay busy reviewing scripts, visiting the set, coordinating with the network, and handling lots of other details. Because Grammnet is a small company, I'm involved in almost every step.

Do you have a favorite project you've worked on?

It'd be a combination of the last season of "Cheers" and "Frasier". First of all, "Cheers" was a great show, both to work on and to watch. But seeing the success of "Frasier" was like watching lightning strike the same spot twice. It's so rare that a spinoff of a series becomes popular in its own right. Watching "Frasier" grow was incredibly rewarding.

What advice would you offer to NU seniors and recent graduates who aspire to a career in entertainment?

Remember: you only get one chance to make a first impression, and being new to LA means you start with a clean slate. Some people come to Hollywood with an arrogant attitude or a sense of entitlement. That leaves a strong first impression on the people they work for and the people they work with. Same goes for a positive, dedicated attitude. When you're new in town, you get to choose the impression you'll make.  And those first impressions last the longest.

Also - and this ties back to what I said before about making yourself invaluable - do good work. Not just when you're brand-new, but throughout your entire career. The quality of your work reflects on your reputation and affects your future.

If you want a career in entertainment, it helps if your job relates to your passion, is tied to something that fulfills you. I love my job because it's an extension of my hobby, and I'm happy to get up and go to work each day.