by Jeff Benjamin
Jim Thorpe, photo: Olympics.org
Jim Thorpe Actor Martin Sensmeir in Carlisle PA, photos courtesy of Martin Sensmeir
Jim Thorpe Biographer and Executive Producer Robert Wheeler (Left) with Martin Sensmeir (Right) At the tailor shop where Jim Thorpe got his suits from owner Fred Wardecker’s grandfather. This is the first time Wheeler & Wardecker have seen one another in over 40 years! photo courtesy of Martin Sensmeir
This is part 2 Of Pieces On Jim Thorpe, written by Jeff Benjamin.
“BRIGHT PATH STRONG -The Resiliency Of Jim Thorpe” The Second In A Series Of Pieces On Jim Thorpe, whose life and legacy will soon be presented in an upcoming Hollywood film!
Setting The Jim Thorpe Standard With Martin Sensmeier
By Jeff Benjamin
Hollywood Star Martin Sensmeier is in a unique position to say the least – moving forward while also looking back.
“I’ve probably got less than a year to get ready and I’ll need 10 more pounds of muscle mass,” said Sensmeier , who has appeared with Mega-Stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt and Vincent Donofrio in the remake of the “Magnificent Seven” and these days appears on HBO’s “Westworld as well.
In his new challenge however, the 36-years young Sensmeier may well be embarking upon taking on the role of THE greatest Mega-Star as well!
The veteran performer has embarked upon moving forward to physically and mentally preparing himself for the biggest role of his career – playing the iconic Sports Legend Jim Thorpe.
“Bright Path: The Jim Thorpe Story” by Pictureworks Entertainment will recount the life of the Native-American legend, considered to this day to be one of the greatest (if not THE Greatest!) athletes who ever lived.
Embarking upon this role of the great icon holds an additional special place for Sensmeier, as his Native-American heritage no doubt holds strong resonance with him.
“Oh, no doubt,” said Sensmeier. “I have a responsibility that is much more important than just an acting role here.”
An Alaskan native whose family lineage consists the Tlingit and KoyukonAthabascan people, Sensmeier is not exactly a novice when it comes to Sport.
“I wasn’t Jim Thorpe – after all who really is!”, joked Sensmeier , but his participation on his schools’ track team, Cross-Country, as well as basketball cemented him in some firm footing.
“I ran cross-country 5K in 18 and a half minutes, and also did some 800 meters, long jump, high jump, 100 meters and hurdles,” said Sensmeier, who takes his greatest pride in his school record for basketball. “I think I still hold the 3-point school scoring record!”
Besides Sensmeier’s athleticism, an additional quality ingrained in the actor is his eagerness to learn as much as possible for this role.
“I’m looking at intangibles for sure…looking for those hidden gems,” said Sensmeier who counts legendary Thorpe Book Author Robert Wheeler as his guiding mentor. “I’m learning through Bob and many others and I’m expanding my mind and using my imagination as Jim Thorpe.”
“I guess you can say I am obsessed!”
That obsession has led Sensmeier to many avenues, including traveling throughout the country with Wheeler to noted areas associated with Thorpe and studying the history of the Decathlon.
“I’ve been watching anything having to do with Stockholm and Jim Thorpe,” said Sensmeir, although footage of the Pentathlon and Decathlon with Thorpe participating seems to have been tampered with to the point of non-existence (A Future Controversial Story!).
Sensmeier’s physical training is obsessive as well, a necessary quality. “My garage in my house has been transformed into a gym,” said Sensmeir, whose regimen consists of weight training, heavy bag work, air bike among other exercises. “I’m also running 5 miles a day and doing 12-mile bike rides.”
“Jim Thorpe for his era was a stacked individual,” noted Sensmeier, a physical trait not noted among his fellow competitors of the time. “Many of those great athletes did not have the physical definition that Thorpe had. He was so he was ahead of his time.”
Now, 100 years later, that time has caught up to Sensmeier.
“Portraying Jim Thorpe is truly one of the biggest honors and one of the biggest responsibilities out there,” said Sensmeier, a proud new father of a son with partner the renowned vocalist Kahara Hodges.
“I want my son to take pride in his heritage and this film will send that message to him and so many others out there.”
“I want to get it right!”
