How would you like to work with Alec Baldwin, Jane Seymour, Patrick Swayze, or Beau Bridges? Well, Doug Oglesby, owner of Sundance Spas and Health in Shingle Springs, has.

A former teacher, and lifelong athlete with cardiovascular training, Oglesby has spent 27 years incorporating his unique experiences to "soothe the minds, bodies, and souls" of his customers. He has also been a FBI agent, a Lt. Colonel, and a senator — on the screen that is — with Donald Sutherland, Cheryl Ladd, and Tony Danza.

It all began when a casting director entered his store interested in his spas. But he got more than he bargained for — becoming a Lt. Colonel for "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman."

"I was offered an audition, and they asked me if I had had ancestors fight in the Civil War, and I told them yes," said Oglesby. "My great-grandfather had in fact engaged General Grant in a horse race — and won! From then on I've been in that casting director's file and used ever since."

Oglesby believes he has been called regularly now that they know him. "They have to be careful, especially now, of who is walking around the stars — particularly with a saber as I carried on 'Dr. Quinn,'" he said.

Since that first role, Oglesby has been in such TV movies as "Deadly Whispers" (as a detective with Tony Danza), and "The Second Civil War" (as a government official, with Beau Bridges). He has also appeared in the movies "City of Angels" (starring Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage) as a fisherman, and "Dead Man On Campus" (starring Tom Everett Scott and Mark-Paul Gosselaar) as a professor.

He recently joined a cast of 305 residents from Sacramento and El Dorado County in front of the state capital for an HBO production "Path to War." Fellow residents included Col. Donn Kelsey and his wife, Harley, Mitch Sambocti, Al Caciappol, Lynn Bridges, Chip Centers and Charles Williams.

In this Vietnam-era story, slated to air in May 2002, Oglesby plays a senator.

"This film really took me back to the late sixties when I was going to school," said Oglesby. "It's amazing now tolook back at everything that was going on then with mature eyes. When you're young, and your school is divided by race, you just don't understand it all. They really got that period right in the movie, 'Remember the Titans.'"

"Path to War" also inspired Oglesby to reflect with pride on his family and county.

"I was raised believing in God, flag, and country," he said. "As I participated in 'Path to Glory,' about the Vietnam War. I couldn't help but look back at the wars this country has fought, from the Civil War with my great-grandfather's stories, to World War II, in which my father served. Now we are at war again. Looking at that flag, lit so beautifully over El Dorado Hills, I was reminded how many people have sacrificed themselves so that we can enjoy the freedom that we do."

Of his future in movies, Oglesby says that he enjoys it as a hobby.

"It's a lot of fun," he said, "and I get to meet great people. It will be very interesting to see what happens next!"

Interested in being an extra yourself? Check out www.norcalmovies.com.

©2001 Folsom Telegraph