Making of a Male Model
Making of a Male Model is a 1983 American made-for-television drama film directed by Irving J. Moore.[1] The story centers on Kay Dillon, a high-powered modeling agent portrayed by Joan Collins, who discovers a handsome young ranch hand named Tyler Burnett, played by Jon-Erik Hexum, during a trip to Nevada and convinces him to relocate to New York City to launch a career as a male model.[2] Running 100 minutes, the film explores themes of ambition, romance, and the cutthroat world of fashion, including professional rivalries and personal temptations.[1] Produced by Spelling Television for ABC, the movie features executive producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer, with Lynn Loring serving as producer and A.J. Carothers as screenwriter.[3] It premiered on October 9, 1983, capitalizing on Collins's rising fame from her role in the soap opera Dynasty.[4] The supporting cast includes Kevin McCarthy as a modeling agency executive, Roxie Roker as Dillon's assistant, and Ted McGinley and Jeff Conaway as fellow models navigating the industry's excesses.[5] While not a critical darling upon release, Making of a Male Model has developed a cult following over the years, often praised for its campy glamour, '80s aesthetics, and depiction of the male modeling scene.[4] The film's legacy is inextricably linked to the tragic death of Hexum in October 1984, when the 26-year-old actor accidentally shot himself with a prop gun on the set of the television series Cover Up, just one year after the movie aired.[1] This event amplified interest in Hexum's brief career, cementing the film's status as a nostalgic artifact of early 1980s pop culture.[4]Overview
Plot
Kay Dillon, a high-powered modeling agent based in New York, visits Nevada for an outdoor photo shoot and discovers Tyler Burnett, a handsome and athletic young ranch hand working on a cattle drive. Impressed by his natural charisma and physical appeal, she approaches him with an offer to join her agency and pursue modeling in the city, though Tyler initially declines, preferring his simple rural life. After facing personal rejection from a local woman due to his lack of financial prospects, Tyler reconsiders and relocates to Manhattan.[6][7] In New York, Tyler struggles with the fast-paced urban environment and the industry's rigors, including initial resistance to Kay's suggestions for grooming and wardrobe changes, which a critical photographer reinforces as necessary. Under Kay's mentorship, he undergoes intensive training in posing, walking runways, and building a portfolio, leading to early setbacks like rejection from a catalog job but successes in television commercials, such as a cologne ad requiring multiple practice takes. His career rapidly ascends as he secures high-profile bookings, transforming him into a sought-after male model and sex symbol featured in fashion spreads and ads.[6][8][9] As Tyler's fame grows, a romantic relationship develops between him and Kay, evolving from professional guidance into intimacy following a costume party where their chemistry ignites, despite the notable age gap and inherent power imbalance in their mentor-protégé dynamic. Tensions arise from career pressures, including Kay's professional risks when a rival named Ward accuses her of contract breaches during the party, stirring jealousy and conflict. Tyler rooms with Chuck Lanyard, an established but fading model who views the industry like a "stage play" and hints at its darker side through his own struggles with substance abuse, fostering rivalry and cautioning Tyler against self-destructive paths.[8][6] The narrative delves into themes of transformation, as Tyler evolves from a naive rural outsider to an urban success, grappling with the allure of fame versus his longing for independence and a ranch of his own. Conflicts peak as Tyler questions Kay's genuine affection amid their lovers' quarrels and the modeling world's jealousy-fueled challenges, culminating in his decision to prioritize his roots, leaving the high-stakes industry and their relationship behind for the open spaces of Nevada.[9][6][7]Cast
The principal cast of Making of a Male Model features an ensemble that highlights the contrasts between the glamorous New York modeling world and the protagonist's rural origins, with Joan Collins and Jon-Erik Hexum leading as the mentor and mentee whose dynamic drives the narrative.[3][2] Joan Collins as Kay DillonKay Dillon is the ambitious and shrewd head of a New York modeling agency, serving as a passionate yet manipulative mentor who discovers raw talent and shapes it for success in the competitive industry.[2][7] Jon-Erik Hexum as Tyler Burnett
Tyler Burnett is the innocent and handsome young ranch hand from Nevada, a naive protagonist whose transition from countryside life to urban modeling stardom represents the film's central theme of personal transformation. This role marked Hexum's breakout performance as the lead male, showcasing his charisma in a star-making turn.[3][7][10] Jeff Conaway as Chuck Lanyard
Chuck Lanyard functions as a slick rival model within the agency, providing competitive tension and embodying the cutthroat side of the profession through his established presence and interpersonal rivalries.[3] Kevin McCarthy as Ward Hawley
Ward Hawley is the pragmatic agency executive who oversees operations and navigates business decisions, contributing to the ensemble by representing the corporate backbone of the modeling world.[3] Ted McGinley as Gary Angelo
Gary Angelo appears as a supporting model in the agency, offering camaraderie and insight into the daily realities of the job while highlighting the collaborative aspects of the ensemble.[3][5] Roxie Roker as Madge Davis
Madge Davis serves as Kay's loyal assistant, handling administrative duties and providing grounded support that underscores the behind-the-scenes efforts sustaining the agency's high-stakes environment.[3]